Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Preview

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons had the biggest collapse in super bowl history last year. They blew a 28-3 lead in the third-quarter, and lost 34-28 in overtime.

Will Atlanta have a losing hangover or are they going to have the mindset of unfinished business? New England and Atlanta will play each other again this season in week 7.

The Falcons will also play at their new home starting this season the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Matt Ryan was the MVP last season and he's obviously the week one starter.

Matt Schaub will be the backup. Matt Simms and Alek Torgersen will compete for the third quarterback spot.

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman is one of the best one-two running back punches in the NFL. Terron Ward and Brian Hill will most likely be the other running backs on the roster.

Julio Jones is the best wide receiver in the league. Who will his supporting cast be in 2017? Mohamed Sanu will be the number two and Taylor Gabriel will be the number three. Justin Hardy, Andre Roberts, and Devin Fuller will probably be the other three receivers on the roster.

Tight end is probably the weakest position on this Falcons team. Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo will most likely be one and two. Who will be the third tight end? It will be a good competition between Eric Saubert, Joshua Perkins, and Darion Griswold.

The Falcons had one of the most underrated offensive lines in the NFL last season. Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Wes Schweitzer, and Ryan Schraeder will most likely be the starters. Players like Sean Harlow and Andreas Knappe have a chance to compete for a starting spot.

Atlanta also has an underrated defensive line as well. Brooks Reed, Dontari Poe, Grady Jarrett, and Vic Beasley Jr. will be the starters. They could wreck havoc in the run and passing game. Rookie Takkarist McKinley and veteran Courtney Upshaw will see some time on the field this season. They could make this defensive line even better.

De'Vondre Campbell, Deion Jones, and Riley Duke will most likely be the starters at linebacker. Robert Alford, Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal, and Desmond Trufant will be the starters in the secondary. Brian Poole, CJ Goodwin, and Sharrod Neasman will also be vital to make this secondary successful.

Matt Bryant and Mike Meyer will compete for the starting kicker job at training camp. Matt Bosher will be the Falcons punter. Justin Hardy will be both the kick and punt returner.

Head Coach Dan Quinn needs to keep the Falcons focused in 2017 and not worry about what happened last season.