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NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

The Atlanta Falcons are a team in flux. After firing longtime head coach Mike Smith at the conclusion of last year’s 6-10 showing, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and lieutenant Scott Pioli hired former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to run the ship. Kyle Shanahan was also brought in to run the offense, giving Atlanta one of the best young minds in the game.

However, the defense ranked dead last in 2014 and might take a few seasons before drastic improvement is made. The Falcons allowed Sean Weatherspoon and Corey Peters to leave in free agency and did not make any major upgrades, signing Brooks Reed and Justin Durant to bolster the linebackers. While both are upgrades, neither are difference-makers.

Major Battle

Defensive end is a place with a decent amount of depth where a logjam is going to take place. Veteran Kroy Biermann led the team in sacks last year and will start on one side, while rookie Vic Beasley will likely nab the other slot. However, both will have to fend off the charges of Tyson Jackson and Adrian Clayborn. Jackson signed a lucrative deal last offseason, so sitting him is a bad sign for the front office.

Expectations

Atlanta is thought of in a different light by almost every pundit, but it has clear issues. Matt Ryan and the duo of Julio Jones and Roddy White are terrific, but the rest of this group is sub-par at best. The offensive line stinks, the defense is devoid of real talent in most spots and Quinn is a first-year head coach. It could be a bumpy ride for the Falcons.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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