The Falcons, who christen the Dan Quinn era against Philadelphia on Monday Night Football, are three-point underdogs in his first game, according to pregame.com.
While they did not practice on Monday, the Falcons will return to the field Tuesday to start preparing for the season-opener, which is set for 7:10 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.
Quinn, the former defensive coordinator with Seattle, has no easy task. He is following Mike Smith, the winningest coach in the franchise history.
While the defense appeared much improved, the Falcons went 2-2 in the exhibition season. The offense struggled. The line was shaky at times in pass protection and did not open any sustained rushing lanes until the fourth exhibition in their new outside-zone blocking system.
The Falcons learned they will be without strongside linebacker Brooks Reed, their prized free agent signee. He had groin surgery last week and there is no timetable for his return.
The Eagles, led by the innovative coach Chip Kelly, posted a strong exhibition season and are considered the trendy pick to reach Super Bowl 50. They went 3-1, turning some heads with a victory at Green Bay in a key third exhibition game.
ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, who will call the game, has been impressed with the Eagles. The Falcons’s revamped defense will face a dizzying array of formations.
“They are using a couple of different personnel groupings,” Gruden said. “I’ve seen (running back DeMarco) Murray by himself a lot. I see two halfbacks together, (Ryan) Mathews and (Darren) Sproles.”
Slowing down the 5-foot-6 speedster Sproles may be the key for the Falcons.
“They have utilized Darren Sproles as a slot receiver,” Gruden said. “I’ve seen him running patterns that you would see Wes Welker, (Julian) Edelman or some of the very good slot receivers run. Obviously, Sproles’ role has expanded.”
Kelly also made several big trades this offseason, including one to land former No. 1 overall pick quarterback Sam Bradford.
“I see Sam Bradford’s ability to throw the football accurately,” Gruden said. “That’s what he’s always been able to do.”
The opener provides the Falcons the opportunity to test their improved pass rush against Bradford.
“They (Eagles offensive line) have kept him clean,” Gruden said. “He’s been under very little pressure, so far. It will be challenge, though, to see how it looks in the regular season.”
Bradford, 27, posted a 18-30-1 record with the Rams after going first the 2010 draft. He’s trying to revive his injury-prone career under Kelly.
“He looks at home in Chip Kelly’s system,” Gruden said. “At least he did in that Green Bay game. Not many guys go 10-for-10 in Lambeau at any point and he threw three touchdowns. If you get him open (receivers) and you get him protection, Bradford is a pinpoint passer. The question is can you get them open all the time and can he stay healthy.”
Gruden understands why Bradford was available on the trade market.
“Can you protect him like you have through the (exhibition) season?” Gruden said. “Can he stay healthy and play 85 snaps a game potentially for 16 weeks and into the playoffs? Obviously, St. Louis didn’t think so.”
Offensively, the Falcons have three key cogs to monitor leading up to the opener.
Left tackle Jake Matthews (back), wide receiver Roddy White (elbow surgery) and running back Devonta Freeman (hamstring) are working through injuries. Ryan is not worried about looping White back into the offense.
“One guy in this organization that I’ve had plenty of time on task with is Roddy,” Ryan said. “Whenever he’s back and ready to go, we won’t miss a beat.”
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