BUFORD, Ga. — The Falcons held their first public practice on Saturday evening at Seckinger High School in Buford, and the big crowd got a good show.
I talked a lot about Atlanta’s passing game on Friday, and that aspect of the offense continued to impress. But there's one player in particular who stood out as the best thing I saw under the high school's lights, and it's someone fans should be excited to see mentioned here.
Kyle Pitts looks like a perfect match for this offense.
He was targeted early and often by Kirk Cousins, and the chemistry between the two feels strong already. That's not surprising considering Pitts is the only non-quarterback rooming with Cousins, Taylor Heinicke and Michael Penix Jr. during training camp. That's how important the connection between quarterback and unicorn is for Atlanta's offense.
It's a relationship all parties seemed invested in cultivating. After Pitts let a tough contested catch slip through his fingers, Cousins came over in a show of support. That kind of gesture isn't uncommon from a veteran quarterback, but it's an important one, nonetheless, and is indicative of the kind of bond head coach Raheem Morris wants his locker room to foster.
When it's clicking, that combination can be extremely dangerous. Pitts appeared to be the primary option on many of the pass plays he was involved in, and there was a lot of space for him to work with — a potential byproduct of the offensive scheme change. When Pitts was covered well, Cousins maximized his chances with perfectly placed balls.
In particular, there was a play down the left sideline that Nate Landman tried to undercut. Instead of putting the ball on a line to the corner for Pitts — which would also have placed the ball in harm's way — Cousins changed the arc ever so slightly to make sure it cleared the defender. It was a play that illustrated how Pitts' size will benefit Cousins and how the quarterback can maximize his tight end's physical advantages.
Pitts has seemed upbeat so far in training camp, and he's got good reason to be. He looks truly healthy and explosive on the field. He's in an offense that looks and feels much more open than in years prior. He's got a quarterback with a proven track record and invaluable experience to share.
It's no secret fans are clamoring for Pitts to get back to the production he had in his first year, when he became only the second rookie tight end in NFL history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. Pitts, though, doesn't appear burdened by pressure. If anything, he looks buoyant and energized.
That's a spectacular sign for the Falcons, and bad news for opposing defenses.
