The defending NFC champion Falcons report for duty Wednesday.
The Falcons, who are eager to put the crushing 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI behind them, will hold their first practice Thursday.
“I feel that we have a really good communicative understanding about what we are looking for, from this football team,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said.
Here are the five position battles to watch in training camp:
1. Right guard. It was hard to tell who had the upper hand over the offseason.
The Falcons juggled Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer at right guard. We’ll have to monitor who’s getting the snaps throughout training camp until coach Dan Quinn and offensive line coach Chris Morgan declare a winner.
Garland, who played at Air Force and is in the Colorado Air National Guard, personifies what Quinn likes to call “grit.”
Rookie Sean Harlow, a fourth-round pick from Oregon State, is being converted from tackle to guard and figures to be a long-shot candidate to start.
“We know that we need that right guard spot shored up,” Dimitroff said. “We have two really good guys competing for it right now. He’s third in the mix in that guard group. That is going to be a battle to watch.”
2. Slot receiver. Taylor Gabriel was slowed over the offseason by a lower leg strain after landing a $2.8 million deal.
Last season, Gabriel finished with 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns, playing as the third receiver behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.
Andre Roberts was signed to be the returner, but has played in the slot.
Justin Hardy, who’s set to enter his third season, continues to get rave reviews from the coaching staff. They love his toughness and catching ability. He’s more elusive than fast and could make a push for the spot. He’ll certainly be quality insurance if Gabriel is not healthy.
3. Running back. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman were a dazzling combination last season.
Former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan used both of their skills to attack defenses, and he caught teams off guard with Coleman’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
New coordinator Steve Sarkisian must figure out how to use both players and integrate fifth-round pick Brian Hill into the attack.
Hill is a powerful runner and could help in short-yardage situations and play fullback in a pinch.
If Freeman’s contract situation gets settled, as the team fully expects, they’ll potentially have a triple-threat at running back. Terron Ward, who’s been a steady and dependable No. 3, will battle to maintain his status.
4. Right defensive end. Three players are coming back from surgery: Veterans Adrian Clayborn (biceps) and Derrick Shelby (Achilles) and rookie first-round draft pick Takkarist McKinley (shoulder).
Clayborn has been the team’s second most productive pass-rusher over the past two seasons. He plays hard and is stout against the run.
The Falcons love McKinley’s enthusiasm and hope that he can provide some additional push opposite Vic Beasley.
“He really wants to be a part of this football team,” Dimitroff said.
McKinley not only is hindered by the shoulder, but he was unable to participate in the Falcons’ offseason program, per NFL rules, because UCLA’s semester hadn’t ended when the Falcons were conducting their OTAs.
“We want to have a plan for guys that are coming in there and are a little bit behind,” Dimitroff said. “We (must) have a forward and aggressive plan.”
If Clayborn and Shelby are healthy, then there’s no reason to rush McKinley along.
5. Kicker. Iowa kicker Mike Meyer is a player to watch just because the steady, consistent and clutch Matt Bryant turned 42 over the offseason.
“He’s being evaluated,” special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. “He’s being interviewed. He’s definitely here for a purpose. We want to see if you’re the future here. Are you that next guy?”
In 2009, Armstrong had to replace kicker Jason Elam, who was 39 and at the end of a brilliant 17-year career.
“You don’t know (when the kickers are no long viable),” Armstrong said.
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