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Falcons' Matt Ryan: Another prolific year under Koetter?
Ryan declared Thursday that he's excited to be once again working with Dirk Koetter as his offensive coordinator, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "I learned so much from him the first time around (2012-14), and he's picked up a few different things along the way too," Ryan said in a post-practice interview. "We've come up with some really good stuff."
Ryan has historically been a more electrifying passer in seasons with Koetter calling the shots. When Koetter served as the Falcons' offensive coordinator between 2012 and 2014, Ryan completed 67.4 percent of his attempts for 4,643 passing yards per season -- notably better numbers than Ryan's 64.4 percent completion rate and 4,099 passing yards per season across his other eight pro campaigns. With Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary drafted in the first round, as well as the additions of veteran guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown via free agency, the offensive line projects to be much sturdier than it was a year ago when allowing Ryan to absorb a career-high 108 QB hits. Add in a selection of skill-position players that includes three former Pro Bowlers (Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper) as well an emerging star in Calvin Ridley, and it's easy to envision Ryan remaining a top-flight fantasy quarterback in 2019.
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Falcons' Steven Means: Placed on IR
Means (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Mike Kaye of NJ.com reports.
Means ruptured his Achilles during Wednesday's practice and will not see the field this season. The former Eagle appeared in eight games last season for Atlanta, logging 14 tackles (seven solo) and one sack. Means signed a one-year extension this offseason but now will have to focus on recovering and preparing to hit the open market again in 2020.
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Falcons' Kendall Sheffield: Healthy for OTAs
Sheffield has seemingly recovered from the pectoral injury that limited him at rookie minicamp, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Sheffield sustained the pectoral injury at the combine. Now that he's healthy, the Ohio State product should be in the mix for Atlanta's No. 4 cornerback job behind starters Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver, as well as Damontae Kazee. Sheffield was also spotted fielding punts Thursday and could end up racking up return yards on the special teams unit this season, given his speed and athleticism.
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Falcons' Devonta Freeman: Healthy for OTAs
Freeman is participating in OTAs, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.
Freeman -- who dealt with various injury issues last season -- couldn't quite make it back from injured reserve in December, but he at least seems to have returned to full strength before the start of Atlanta's offseason program. The team brings back all its Week 1 starters from last season at the skill positions, while longtime backfield mate Tevin Coleman is now with the 49ers. Dirk Koetter is replacing Steve Sarkisian as the team's offensive coordinator, hoping to establish a better rushing attack with the help of two first-round picks on the offensive line (Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary). While his recent track record with running games isn't encouraging, Koetter hasn't had much backfield talent to work with since Doug Martin had a big year for the Bucs in 2015. It could be more of the same if Freeman struggles with injuries, as the backup situation doesn't inspire much confidence, featuring Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison, Brian Hill and Kenjon Barber. Freeman should stay busy whenever he's healthy.
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Falcons' Marcus Green: Remains sidelined at OTAs
Green (hamstring) is working with the rehab group during the start of OTAs, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.
Green is an interesting prospect given both his impressive athletic profile and his collegiate production at UL Monroe. A hamstring injury, one that prevented him from being a full participant in rookie minicamp earlier this month, has prevented him from going all out during his first few practices with the Falcons. It isn't clear when he could be fully healthy again, but when that point comes, the sixth-round rookie will be a candidate to climb as high as No. 4 on the wideout depth chart in Atlanta.
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Falcons' Steven Means: Suffers season-ending injury
Means ruptured his Achilles during Wednesday's practice and is expected to miss the entire 2019 season, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Means joined Atlanta last season and made eight appearances, accruing 14 tackles and a sack. The 29-year-old signed a one-year extension this offseason but will now look to regain his health and prepare to hit the open market again in 2020.
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Falcons' Julio Jones: Absent for start of OTAs
Jones was not present for the Falcons' first OTA session Monday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
Jones assured earlier this offseason that he will be present for mandatory minicamp in June, but chose to abstain from voluntary workouts Monday while awaiting a contract extension from the team. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has been persistent that there is no cause for alarm, stating that both sides "are having really good conversations," and "there's no time frame on (the extension). But, the sooner (it can get done) the better." Jones has been dominant in amassing 1,400 receiving yards for five consecutive seasons, and stands to become the highest-paid player at his position so long as negotiations stay on the track that they are on. The six-time Pro Bowler currently plays under a deal that's worth $14.25 million in annual salary (11th at the position), but he's looking for a multi-year contract offering somewhere in the neighborhood of what the recently signed Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown are making at $17-to-$18 million per year.
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