Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is forever the optimist.
The Falcons have a lot to pull together before opening the season against the Philadelphia Eagles at 7:10 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome.
The offensive line will make its debut. Running back Devonta Freeman, who’s expected to play, has not played in the exhibition season because of hamstring injury. Wide Receiver Roddy White, who fully participated in practice, is coming back from elbow surgery.
“You’ve got a little bit longer week to get ready,” Ryan said. “We have a little bit of extra time. Once the ball kicks off and you get out there and start playing, it’s the same old thing.”
The Falcons traded for Andy Levitre on Friday, and he’s set to start at left guard.
The line of left tackle Jake Matthews, Levitre, center Mike Person, right guard Chris Chester and right tackle Ryan Schraeder will have two padded practices together before facing the Eagles, who ranked tied for second in the NFL with 49 sacks last season.
“Certainly, there have been a lot of changes,” Ryan said. “That’s something where we have to make sure that everybody is on the same page as fast as possible.”
Levitre, tackle Bryce Harris and center Gino Gradkowski, all recent acquisitions, have been working with offensive line coach Chris Morgan to get up to speed.
“I’m going to try and do everything I can to help those guys out as well,” Ryan said.
The Falcons’ offensive line needed upgrading after a rash of cuts that started over the offseason with the release of Justin Blalock. Former starters in center Peter Konz, left tackle Sam Baker and center Joe Hawley were also later let go.
The unit and slew of injuries were in part to blame for the team’s quick descent from Super Bowl contender to going 4-12 and 6-10 over the past two seasons.
“It’s something that in the last couple of years we’ve dealt with a shifting offensive line a little bit,” Ryan said. “We are probably better prepared for this.”
Ryan has meet with Levitre and believes he’ll be just fine.
“He’s played a lot of ball at a high level,” Ryan said. “You know that once he gets out there, he’s going to compete. He knows what it takes in order to be successful.
“I think scheme-wise, he’s a smart guy. In the three days that I’ve kind of had to be around him a little bit, we’ve kind of talked a little bit. He’s picked up a lot very quickly.”
Levitre has been studying the nuances of the Falcons’ offense.
“It’s been good having these two days off so that I can get in here and really get to know the playbook a lot,” Levitre said. “These next few days, leading into the game will be just getting the reps on it. Getting my eyes in the right places, on targets and things like that.”
Ryan believes that rookie running back Tevin Coleman, who slated to start, and Freeman also will be fine.
“I’m excited about these guys,” Ryan said. “They are talented, tough and are going to play really hard.”
White is the least of Ryan’s concerns.
The Eagles’ revamped secondary is suspect. They gave up an NFL-high number (72) of pass plays of 20 yards or more last season. The Eagles also gave up 30 touchdown passes.
“They didn’t finish too high in pass categories last year,” White said. “They got a new player. Byron (Maxwell) is going to help them out. They have a rookie out there that they have been working in and out of the slot.”
Julio Jones and White, who is coming back from elbow surgery, combined for 184 receptions, 2,514 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Jones led the NFC with 104 receptions.
“We see some guys out there and some matchups that we’ll try to take advantage of,” White said. “They are going to come out there and be fired up.”
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