Two games into the preseason and it's clear the Atlanta Falcons are improved. Just how much depends on how you look at the two contests.
Reasons to be Excited:
* We have a pass rush
Concerns over Vic Beasley's size were put to rest against the Jets when he pretty much did whatever he wanted against a top 10 left tackle in D'Brickashaw Ferguson. The Adairsville product showed off his patented spin move and gave offensive coordinators something to look at with a nice bull rush.
Likewise, signee Adrian Claiborne, if he stays healthy, will make sure teams can't double-team Beasley. Add rejuvenated vets Tyson Jackson, Jonathan Babineaux and Paul Soliai and second-year tackle Ra'Shede Hageman and there's a very nice rotation of impact linemen who can get in the backfield.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith speaks at a news conference after the loss against the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta.* Coaching does matter
Any Falcons fan who paid any attention to the past two seasons knew something was amiss with the coaching staff. The odd in-game decisions were obvious, but what happened before game day? Now it seems we were right to question Mike Smith and his incompetent crew.
How many times did we cringe when Mike Nolan sent Kroy Biermann or Jackson out into coverage? Were you among the masses who closed your eyes on third-and-long situations knowing our overmatched safeties were going to be in the wrong position?
Or the joy of watching Dirk Koetter's offense try to execute a third-and-short? When did you scream at the TV watching five receivers go out on a pass play only to watch the out-manned O-line get decimated by blitzes?
It's way too early to consider Dan Quinn and his staff a major upgrade, but is there any other way to see it? People who have been to several practices, scrimmages and the two exhibition games seem to have a consensus that the team was severely mismanaged the last two years.
* The receivers are big time
Julio Jones is a stud - no revelation there - but the depth next to and behind him is impressive. Roddy White isn't even a must any more, but when he's in there the team is even more scary.
Signee Leonard Hankerson has been one of the surprises of camp and will more than replace Harry Douglass, while vet Devin Hester can be utilized on special occasions and rookies Justin Hardy and Nick Williams are ready for prime time even if the team doesn't need them just yet.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback T.J. Yates (13) drops back to pas during his game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Aug. 28, 2014, photo.Reasons to be Worried:
* The offensive line appears to be paper thin. It was supposed to be a weakness and it is. The first unit has protected Matt Ryan well but there is no combination that has yet to create run lanes and the second and third teams can do neither.
An injury or two here is the most damaging... unless it occurs at
* Whoa if Matt Ryan goes down. T.J. Yates appears to be a disaster and Sean Renfree just a bit better, so if Ryan gets injured there will be serious trouble.
Now, the reality is there are few teams that wouldn't hurt if the starting QB goes out. Renfree has potential, but the fan base would probably like it if a veteran was brought in. Just not Rex Grossman.
Braves' fans: help is coming
No, really.
This may seem like the Dark Ages for the Braves but there is about to be a reason for optimism in the activation of recently-acquired Hector Olivera. The Cuban will immediately give a boost to the sagging lineup and at least give fans something to watch.
Even if Olivera doesn't light it up right away, the experience he will gain over the final few weeks can only help. The September call-ups will also soon arrive and hopefully outfielder Mallex Smith will be one of them. He's the leadoff guy the team has missed and could give a glimpse of things to come.
St. Louis Cardinals' Jason Heyward hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, June 28, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Is a reunion possible?
There's been very little speculation concerning a Jason Heyward reunion in Atlanta but it's notable that the St. Louis Cardinals have not talked contract with the Georgia native.
He's hitting .290 with a .349 on-base percentage, though with only 11 homers and 44 RBIs. Still, at 26 years old and with a batting approach that seems to be high on contact, he's starting to resemble the phenom who captivated the South as a rookie.
Could be be back in a Braves' uniform? Sure, why not? He's going to be pricey, but what impact free agent isn't. The Braves have the money to spend and they definitely have the spot.
Heyward in right would move Nick Markakis to left, where he's better suited. A lineup of Markakis, Jace Peterson, Freddie Freeman, Olivera, Heyward, Cameron Maybin, A.J. Pierzynski/Christian Bethancourt and Andrelton Simmons would be quite potent.