Jason La Canfora: NFL Preseason Week 1 Diary

The Atlanta Falcons are in big trouble. Kevin Stefanski faces a tough task rebuilding the Atlanta Falcons. Erik Drost, via Wikimedia Commons Their preseason debut under new head coach Kevin Stefanski and new front-office exec Matt Ryan was a total disaster—but that isn’t even the main point. Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who has no love lost for the Falcons from spending most of his career coaching rival New Orleans, getting off a few shots at their expense about the sparse crowd doesn’t really matter either. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks washed—not a surprise in the least—and that is a major problem. Executives around the league we trust have been scoffing at Stefanski’s first offseason in real time as it came together. They don’t buy Tua, and the fact that he immediately missed practice time with a back injury is suboptimal. Nothing about the former top-five pick looked remotely comfortable or productive as the Broncos pushed Atlanta around for four quarters in their exhibition opener. “What we put out there is not a reflection of the hard work that we’ve put in the first two weeks of training camp,” Tagovailoa told reporters after the debacle, “and it does no justice to the work our coaches have implemented. It starts with me. I’ve got to be better with that.” Tagovailoa isn’t a playmaker, carries physical limitations, and brings a serious concussion history. Beyond that, his leadership in Miami was under serious question, and he is probably a backup at this point. His relationship with recent first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. is being watched closely (“That’s a weird mix of personalities,” as one personnel exec said). For a franchise desperate to get more out of recent top picks like receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running back Bijan Robinson before extension talks hit, settling on a dink-and-dunk quarterback is not going to go well. “They had a bad offseason,” one GM told me, noting he didn’t mind the contract extension but disliked the outside talent brought in. Quarterback drama has been far too big of an issue for Atlanta in recent years, and there’s reason to think it’s far from over. The NFC South is no juggernaut, but multiple evaluators see the Falcons as the worst of the bunch. Steelers Building Depth Under Center Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar is getting plenty of accolades for his showing in his first preseason game. He looked great, while few are talking about how comfortable and productive second-year QB Will Howard looked. The Steelers might actually have the deepest quarterback room in the league. Starter Aaron Rodgers, of course, might be past his prime, although the Steelers are currently four deep at the position. Team sources have indicated on numerous occasions that they could keep all four. It’s certainly being discussed. In the end, however, veteran backup Mason Rudolph could be a legitimate trade option as roster cutdowns approach—keeping four on the active roster seems rich. Putting either young QB on the practice squad would be far too dangerous if they put up another outing like the opener. Head coach Mike McCarthy was raving about Howard throughout the offseason. “He loves that kid,” one team source told me. Pittsburgh also may have found its latest wide receiver discovery. It’s just one exhibition, but second-round rookie Germie Bernard seems incredibly at home in the slot and was generating real buzz in scouting circles after his debut. Packers’ Kicking Solution & Around the League The Green Bay Packers’ placekicking unit has been a persistent nightmare in recent years, converting just 83.3% of their field goal attempts over the past two seasons to rank 23rd in the NFL. Their mark between 40 and 49 yards was particularly dismal, hitting on a meager 12 of 21 attempts (57%). Rookie Trey Smack out of Florida looks poised to finally solve those long-range woes. Green Bay traded up in the sixth round to select him, and the rookie was a beast in his preseason debut, exuding confidence as he crushed a 50-yarder alongside another made kick that was negated by a penalty. He possesses the big-time arm and leg strength to become a legitimate weapon for a franchise that has repeatedly found ways to blow late leads. Elsewhere around the league, Patrick Mahomes looked fluid warming up for Kansas City on Saturday afternoon as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Given his track record of pushing hard to log exhibition snaps, expect him to get a run before Week 1. In Chicago, the Bears have consistently brushed off trade inquiries regarding backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. Head coach Ben Johnson has done a remarkable job developing Bagent, and the franchise wisely secured him with a two-year extension last summer, though they could field renewed calls if a contender loses a starter. Chicago also maintains high-end insurance with veteran Case Keenum under contract. Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart’s reckless playing style continues to keep evaluators on high alert. The rookie took several punishing hits in his exhibition debut, prompting one scout to label his lack of self-preservation “an accident waiting to happen.” The post Jason La Canfora: NFL Preseason Week 1 Diary appeared first on Casino.org.