FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Hey y'all! It's good to be back.
Thank you for letting the entire digital team take some much needed, and well-deserved, time off over the bye week. I spent some time with my family back in good 'ole Chickamauga, Georgia. And can I just say that rest, relaxation and time with my family was fantastic. But I will admit: I did miss you all while I was away! So, I am glad to be back in action with yet another Mailbox edition.
You submitted a lot of really great questions over the bye week, so thank you! If you want to continue to submit your questions, you can do so here. In the meantime, let's get to a few of them.
Sloane W. from Melbourne, Australia
I hate being negative, however... What is the Falcons' identity these days?
Tori: First off, thanks for submitting a question all the way from Australia. Hope things are treating you well on the other side of the world!
Second off, despite your preamble leading into your question, I actually don't think your inquiry is inherently negative at all. I think it's incredibly fair at this point in the season to question what a team's identity is. Particularly the Falcons with a new regime in place.
I think in wins — and even some losses, like against the Chiefs early on — the identity of this team is clear. It's not going to be perfect, but they're fighters, and they find a way to make the plays necessary to put themselves in good positions. They tend to turn it on and perform when it matters most.
However, that's something they have missed in the last two losses. They never turned the proverbial corner as they had in other games they've won. Despite the last two games, though, I do think this team has shown a knack for simply finding a way, or an opportunity, to win a game. They may not win it, but they're usually in it. And I think if honed correctly this could be a part of their identity in 2024.
That only matters, though, if you're winning.
William W. from Killen, Alabama
Tori, if there was a re-draft of the 2024 Draft knowing then what we know now, do you think the Falcons would have drafted an edge rusher? How are the are the top edge rushers doing?
Tori: Based on comments from Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris in the days following the 2024 NFL Draft, I believe their strategy heading into the first night was to draft Michael Penix Jr. and then trade back into the later picks of the first round for an edge rusher, or even a more interior guy. Despite trying to make that thought a reality, no team was willing to bite that night. Seeing how the picks unfolded — with all the QBs going in the first 12 picks and defensive ends falling to the middle of the pack — the strategy makes sense. I understand the thought process.
But, to your point, knowing what we know now about 1) the Falcons' inefficiencies rushing the passer, and 2) looking at the rookie performances of some top defensive picks, it makes sense why you'd maybe like to do something different with another opportunity.
I don't hate the idea of tweaking the strategy slightly if you could, potentially, go after an edge rusher at No. 8 instead of a quarterback. The problem is that you likely wouldn't have a chance at a quarterback had you passed on one at No. 8, not with the Vikings and Broncos sitting there ready to take a quarterback a few picks later. Maybe someone like Penix, Bo Nix and/or JJ McCarthy is still sitting around the No. 15 pick — where the Colts took the first edge rusher off the board in Laiatu Latu — but who's to say the same issue of not finding a willing trade partner would apply. It's the risk vs. reward conversation you always have to have on draft night.
However, to your second point, in a world in which instant gratification is the way of society, it's difficult to see beyond the production of some of the first-round defensive talent that came out of this draft class versus the Falcons taking Penix to act as Kirk Cousins' backup and develop.
Latu has had a solid start to his rookie campaign. He's seen action in 12 games (making one start). He has four sacks, forced three fumbles, hit the quarterback 12 times and notched 25 combined tackles. Jared Verse has been even better. With the Rams, Verse has accumulated 4.5 sacks, nearly 50 combined tackles (11 for a loss), 14 quarterbacks hits and forced two fumbles through 11 games started. Chop Robinson isn't far off, either, with 3.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits for Miami so far this season.
The only Falcon who has similar — though still less — production when compared to these three individuals is Grady Jarrett. The longtime Falcons defensive tackle is tied for the most sacks on the team with 2.5. He's hit the quarterback nine times and has six tackles for a loss. But that's kind of... it.
So, yeah. I will let you draw your own conclusion as to what I would prefer if we could go back in time armored with the knowledge of the current day.
Kevin W. from Roswell, Georgia
As I type this, Tori, Will and "accomplices," I hope EACH of you is recharging for when you, the team and the Chargers are back at the Benz.
Now for what's on MY mind, in addition to others' comments: Without giving anything detailed away, have the coaches been keeping an even sharper eye on second-teamers and practice squad guys who may earn more playing time down the stretch, and a possible starting nod or two?
Tori: Thanks for the note, Kevin! I definitely feel recharged (thank God).
To answer your question, I think we should continue to keep an eye on guys in the secondary, players like Clark Phillips III and Kevin King. Raheem Morris didn't have much of an injury update when we spoke to him on Monday, but suffice to say there could be injuries lingering into the week despite the bye week. Of course, you hope that's not the case (and Morris did say he expects the team to be healthier after a week off). But I don't know the true extend of Mike Hughes' neck injury or Dee Alford's hamstring injury that kept them out of the Broncos game. Though King suffered a concussion in the first quarter of that game, once he clears concussion protocol, he's someone that will continue to be an important role player for this secondary if other injuries linger.
Outside of that, though, the Falcons should be as close to full strength as they can get coming out of the bye. So, we're likely to see more original starters back out there. I think there's also a chance someone like Drew Dalman would return to the starting lineup this coming weekend, too. The Falcons could also see the return of Troy Andersen and JD Bertrand to the inside linebacker group as well.
I think it is actually more likely that the Falcons get a lot of first-teamers back this week than have to look to the second- and third-teamers for additional help.
That is, of course, only if they get solid progress reports from team trainers and doctors. So, tbd.
