The Falcons ended their 2021 campaign on a low note, losing to the Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 18. When these two NFC South rivals face off next in Week 1 of the 2022 season, Atlanta will look like a completely different team.
Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, Foye Oluokun, Russell Gage and Dante Fowler have been switched out for Marcus Mariota, Drake London, Rashaan Evans and Lorenzo Carter. The Falcons still have over a month until their first open training camp practice on July 29.
Here are nine questions the team must answer during head coach Arthur Smith’s second training camp.
Marcus Mariota or Desmond Ridder?
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Whether it’s Marucs Mariota or rookie Desmond Ridder starting the season at quarterback, both represent a major change from Matt Ryan. Mariota, a former No. 2 overall pick, has a chance to get his career back on track under Arthur Smith — the man who originally benched him in Tennessee. Ridder is the underdog in this race, but Smith recently called the former Cincinnati standout “light years ahead of most young quarterbacks.” Both players are considerably more elusive than Ryan, and regardless of who wins the QB competition, the offense will look much different this season.
Avery Williams: Can he make the transition to running back?
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Williams, a former defensive back, has thrived as a kick returner since being selected out of Boise State last year. While he’s still in line to handle the team’s kick-return duties in 2022, the team is moving Williams to running back. Atlanta had success converting Cordarrelle Patterson in 2021, so maybe the team thinks Williams can have similar results. He’ll have to stand out in a very crowded running back room in order to do so, though.
Can Richie Grant win a starting job?
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Grant’s rookie season got…
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