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There is a lot of hype and a lot of storylines surrounding the Atlanta Falcons as they take the field for training camp. The biggest story, of course, is the quarterback situation.

When the Falcons made their pick at the number eight spot in the most recent NFL draft, they shocked the football world, taking Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. after having just signed Former Viking Kirk Cousins to a four year, $118 million contract. Many wondered if, despite the massive payday, the Falcons weren’t sure about Cousins’ recently torn achilles tendon.

Those questions seem to be answered as training camp begins. It turns out the Falcons front office was telling the truth. They took Penix because they liked him and he was available. We know this now because Cousins is getting all of the first team reps at training camp. Meanwhile, Penix will be spending his time taking second team snaps.

We will get to see a lot of Penix in the pre-season as Cousins revealed that new head coach Raheem Morris is not allowing Cousins to compete in any of the Falcons pre-season contests.

The major storyline in training camps across the league is the NFL’s new kickoff format. Many team are still trying to figure out how it even works with The Athletic reporting that “Morris expects to spend 25 percent more practice time on kickoffs this year than last year”.

The kicking teams kicker will still kickoff from the 35-yard line. However, the rest of the kicking team will line up on the returning teams 40. The ball has to land in the “landing zone” and after it hits the ground or is caught by the returner. Then the kicking team can pursue the returner. According to the NFL, the kickoff change will “increase the return rate and reduce player speed and high-speed collisions”. The XFL tried a similar kickoff format with positive results.

A very big reason for these changes is to minimize injury as the NFL sited a “disproportionate” amount of concussions being sustained on kickoffs. The new format will take a lot of getting used to for fans, players and coaches alike. It will look very different, a little unorthodox and possibly even gimmicky. However, the NFL has put more of an emphasis on player safety and this is the largest, and most drastic, step yet.

All of this, mixed with questions surrounding the number two tight end and a very exciting group of skill players, means this is going to be an exciting beginning to a season filled with potential for the Atlanta Falcons.

By WILLIAM HUFF
The Thomasville Times-Enterprise