Next week at this time, training camp will be in full swing. Until then, we’re still pulling together any interesting Falcons-related tidbits for you to chat about in the Falcoholinks comments.
Since we are so close to camp, I wanted to set some expectations. Typically I would be in Flowery Branch just about every day during training camp to bring you on-the-ground coverage. My dad was terminally ill (dementia is a beast, he’s at peace now) and my mom has been having a lot of health problems, so I have spent weeks and weeks and weeks in Ohio over the past couple of years taking care of them. I’m heading back to Ohio to take care of my mom after she has surgery on Tuesday. Adnan will be up in Flowery Branch while I’m gone, and Kevin will be down here too, so keep an eye out for their coverage. These links posts might be hit and miss next week depending on how everything goes, but fingers crossed it’s smooth sailing.
Now that you know not to expect camp coverage from me in the early days, I’m curious how many of y’all are planning to go to the open practices. I’m sure fans are excited to get back after last year’s camp was closed to the public due to renovations at the facility, and I know the players and coaches are looking forward to having that fan energy back this year, too.
On to today’s links!
Falcons news
The league’s best quarterback has high praise for Michael Penix Jr.
And Cam Newton had a warning for Penix. Honestly, I don’t think this is a legitimate concern: There’s a massive difference between benching a 37-year-old who was not yet 100% from a torn Achilles and was hurt on top of that, and benching a guy they selected at No. 8 overall. - Atlanta Falcons on SI
Here’s a comprehensive preview to get you ready for training camp. - NFL.com
And in case you love special teams as much as I do, check out Terrin Waack’s training camp preview of this unit. - AtlantaFalcons.com
Sort of Falcons-related: Great interview here on SB Nation’s women’s sports coverage hub with Deion Sanders’ daughter Shelomi, who says she would have played flag football if she’d had the option. - Breakaway
NFL News
The Falcons are apparently not overrated or underrated in Mike Jones’ eyes, but this is a really interesting read. - The Athletic ($)
TJ Watt is staying in Pittsburgh after signing a $123 million deal with the Steelers. He’s worth every penny. - Behind the Steel Curtain
Jerry Jones is going to regret dragging his feet on this. The Cowboys are going to have to pay Micah Parsons a bajillion dollars. - Blogging the Boys
ICYMI
Could Bijan Robinson be an MVP candidate? NFL Media’s Eric Edholm thinks it’s possible! - The Falcoholic
Take our Reacts survey for this week! Who will emerge at inside linebacker? - The Falcoholic
Check out this year’s bold training camp predictions on Falcoholic Live from Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz.
From the comments