FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Hey fam! What's going on? I feel like I haven't chatted with you all in a minute. I have been out of office the last week or so celebrating my sister's wedding. And let me tell you: Being a maid of honor is significantly more exhausting than a full game day's worth of work on the road. And while I would do it all over again for my sister and — now — brother-in-law, I have to say I am happy to be back at the facility overlooking the practice field as I type this.

Fortunately for yours truly, I didn't miss too terribly much while walking down the aisle this weekend. Practice continued on schedule and players were made available. The main piece of news, though, was that there were some much-needed questions answered after reports surfaced last week that Kyle Pitts was dealing with an injury. We get into that off the top of this week's Mailbox.

And remember: We'll be fielding questions all summer long, so make sure you submit the Qs you have here, or send me a tweet to @tori_mcelhaney on X/Twitter.

Audrey M. from Atlanta, Georgia

Hi Tori. I've been watching the rookies training and the veteran players working out. However, I haven't seen Kyle Pitts at all. Where is he? If he's a professional NFL tight end, then we shouldn't have to pump him up!

Hi Audrey. I can confidently say that is not what's happening here. It's not a matter of needing to pump Pitts up or not. He is working through an injury. It's one Raheem Morris was asked about this Monday. And though it has been reported to be a foot issue, Morris declined to confirm that report. Stating instead that yes, he does have an injury, and yes, the organization is being cautious with his recovery during this offseason period.

"Extremely cautious with Kyle right now and what he's got going on," Morris said. "Obviously you don't talk about injuries this time of year, but definitely being cautious with him. You won't see him. He's been here. He's done such a great job of all the stuff that we've asked of him. He's been in every single meeting. He's been in every single thing that we've done other than the field. And he's been absolutely outstanding to be around."

At this point in time, I am not overly concerned with Pitts' absence from the practice field, especially since Morris explained his presence in the meeting rooms. I think it would be one thing if Pitts wasn't around at all, in any capacity, but again, that's not at all the case.

Max M. from Greenville, Wisconsin

Tori, 40+ years as a Falcons fan, I moved just south of Green Bay, WI. 12 years ago. I have to tell you, one of my biggest joys during football season is putting my 12-foot Falcons banner out every Sunday and pissing my neighbors off.

Anyway, my question is: Each year we hear about the downfield threats we have (which we do) and how we are going to take advantage of that. We had a few last season but is always seams like we are on the low side compared to other teams. Are there any plans to utilize and take advantage of Michael Penix's arm this year?

Thank You. Falcons and No. 58 fan (The Hammer) for life!

Well, Max, I have to say you have a tough job holding down the Falcons fort in enemy territory, but seems like you're doing a bang up job. Keep the spirits high up there in Wisconsin — I do believe the Falcons have something good in Penix to keep things interesting for you in 2025. And that includes his downfield weapons, particularly in Drake London and Darnell Mooney.

We saw glimpses of that dynamic arm in the three games Penix started. Heck, when you cue up the video I have embedded below, it won't take you long to see how live and strong that arm of Penix's is — and how beneficial it is to getting the ball in the hands of Falcons play makers 20-plus yards downfield.

To me, there's no doubt in Penix's arm strength. He's shown that time and time again whether at practice or in games. If I am a betting woman (which I am not, but if I was), I would bet money on the downfield, attacking nature of Penix's decision-making being a calling card of this offense in 2025. When it comes to Penix, I think the growth in his game is actually less on his ability to take advantage of opportunities downfield (I have very few qualms there), but in the touch he puts on his shorter reads. I think there were a few times last year that a dink or dunk here and there to Bijan Robinson would have yielded more consistent movement for this offense than going after the explosives more often than not, which tend to be low probability balls. Now, this isn't to say that Penix should stop going after London or Mooney or even Pitts downfield. I am just saying that we know he has the ability to hit those throws, where I would be able to see growth is in the more mundane plays that simply move the chains. If you can get both parts of his game going at an eye-popping rate? This offense will be deadly — explosive as much as consistent, which is what it needs to be.

Mark S. from Hegins, Pennsylvania

Hi Tori,

Thanks for doing this for us fans!! My question is this, I think Storm Norton deserves a shot at starting at right tackle instead of Kaleb McGary. I wasn't sold on McGary's play through the years, but I see a difference in games when Norton is in. I believe Atlanta's line was one of the few lines last year, other than Drew Dalman's injury, to start together most of the year. Loved what the Falcons did in the draft and can't wait for the season to start!! Rise Up!!

Hi Mark! Thanks for the question. I think it is an interesting one, because of how often it gets asked by the fan base. I think Kaleb McGary's journey through the league has been one marred by early perception warping reality of the player he became. McGary's first couple years in the league were tough, yes. But no one can convince me that he hasn't made strides to be one of the best run-blocking tackles in the league — yes, I would say so.

McGary's PFF grades in his rookie season left something to be desired. I will agree with you there. But there is little in his game now that mimics those numbers, particularly when the Falcons are running the ball down the ride side with Chris Lindstrom and McGary as lead blockers. McGary has never fallen out of the top-20 of tackles in the league in his run-blocking scores. In fact, he was the second-highest graded tackle in run-blocking in 2022. And for those that question his pass-blocking abilities, it's not like those are poor. He's been graded out in the green in each of the last three seasons.

Furthermore, since 2022, 16 sacks have been attributed to McGary, according to PFF. By comparison, 14 sacks have been attributed to Jake Matthews, who is heralded as one of the best, most consistent tackles in the league.

While I think Storm Norton has done some really good things in relief for McGary, I am no where near ready (or willing) to take that spot away from McGary. His partnership with Lindstrom over the years has led to the Falcons being one of the best rushing teams in the league for three straight seasons. And it's not like his pass-blocking is a liability, either, the way some think it is.

The reality is that McGary is not the same player he was as a rookie, and yet, there are many who refuse to see the player he is. They still see the young lineman from Washington getting his feet wet in the league. That's not who McGary is now, a more capable and confident tackle who is absolutely worthy of being a starter in this league.

This phenomenon is called primacy bias, which is the opposite of recency bias.

Recency bias is the tendency to give more weight to recent events or informations when making a decision or passing judgement. Primacy bias is the tendency to give more weight to the first information obtained about a subject, even it is no longer the most relevant information. When it comes to McGary and the Falcons fanbase, the primacy effect is on display.