LAST YEAR: One year after reaching Super Bowl, Falcons finished third in NFC South and lost to Philadelphia in second round of playoffs. Quarterback Matt Ryan, working under new coordinator Steve Sarkisian, had decline in production from 2016, when team led NFL in scoring. Ryan still signed five-year Andre Reed Jersey , $150 million deal in offseason. Good news is young defense, led by speedy linebackers Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, allowed 318.4 yards per game, significant drop from 371.2 in 2016.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: G Brandon Fusco, rookie WR Calvin Ridley, TE Logan Paulsen, CB Justin Bethel L. P. Ladouceur Jersey , rookie DT Deadrin Senat, QB coach Greg Knapp, RB coach Bernie Parmalee.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Dontari Poe, DE Adrian Clayborn, WR Taylor Gabriel, FB Derrick Coleman, TE Levine Toilolo.
CAMP NEEDS: Spotlight will be on WR Julio Jones after team announced it won’t renegotiate his current $71.5 million contract. Jones has three years remaining in five-year deal. Jones did not attend minicamp Tomas Hertl Jersey , and training camp holdout could be major distraction to ”brotherhood” atmosphere promoted by coach Dan Quinn. Defensive front will be concern following losses of Poe and Clayborn. Senat could have opportunity for immediate playing time, if not starting role. Ridley needs to prove he can handle No. 3 receiver spot behind Jones and Mohamed Sanu and be ready for even bigger role.
EXPECTATIONS: Ryan is 33, Jones is 29, RB Devonta Freeman had two concussions, including one in preseason, and knee injury last season, and RB Tevin Coleman could be free agent after this season. These are all alarm signals as window for current offense is narrowing. While young defense is emerging as team’s strength Adidas Artemi Panarin Jersey , Atlanta’s offense needs to re-emerge in second season with Sarkasian if team can have real hope for second Super Bowl appearance in three years. Addition of Fusco should add more stability to interior offensive line. Competitive NFC South doesn’t lessen expectations. Anything less than 10 wins and another postseason would be disappointment.
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San Francisco newcomer Richard Sherman will miss the next week of training camp and the 49ers' preseason opener after straining a hamstring in practice Friday.
"We're definitely going to rest him at least a week," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday. "We don't think it should be long term. It's Grade 1, it's a little higher than we expected so we got to be careful with that."
The former Seattle cornerback was hurt chasing down receiver Pierre Garcon after a long completion from Jimmy Garoppolo during a full-team drill. The three-time All-Pro returned to practice at the start of training camp after suffering a torn right Achilles in November with the Seahawks. Sherman signed a three-year $39.15 million deal in the offseason after being cut by Seattle.
In Sherman's place Sunday, the 49ers rotated Tyvis Powell and Greg Mabin with the starting defense. Jimmie Ward stepped in for Sherman during the offseason program but has been withheld from full-team drills after suffering a hamstring strain last week. Ward has participated during individual portions of the last two practices.
San Francisco opens its preseason slate Thursday night at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
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09.10.2018 09:54
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