The NFL preseason is officially underway, and with it comes a fresh wave of hope and optimism for teams looking to improve upon last year's performance. Two teams, in particular, are hoping to make significant strides in 2023: the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins.
Atlanta Falcons: New Faces, New Hope
The Falcons endured another disappointing season in 2022, failing to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. The team parted ways with head coach Arthur Smith and brought in Raheem Morris, who spent the last three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator.
Morris inherits a team with a lot of young talent, including star running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts. The Falcons also addressed their quarterback woes by signing veteran free agent Kirk Cousins, who will be looking to provide stability to the position.
However, Cousins is coming off an Achilles injury and is not expected to play in the preseason opener. This will give rookie quarterback Michael Penix, the team's eighth overall pick in the draft, a chance to showcase his skills. The Falcons are hoping Penix will be the long-term answer at quarterback.
Another area of focus for the Falcons was their defense, which struggled mightily last season. The team addressed this weakness by signing defensive end James Smith-Williams and drafting several defensive players, including Bralen Trice. The hope is that these additions will improve the Falcons' pass rush and make them a tougher opponent.
Miami Dolphins: Building on a Strong Foundation
The Dolphins entered the 2022 season with high hopes, but a late-season slump left them out of the playoffs. Despite the disappointment, Miami has a strong foundation to build upon, led by their explosive offense, which ranked second in the league last season.
The Dolphins retained their core offensive players, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and running back Raheem Mostert. They also added some depth to the offense with the signings of Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end Jonnu Smith.
However, the defense was a major concern last season, and the Dolphins made several key additions in the offseason to address this weakness. They brought in veteran safety Jordan Poyer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and cornerback Kendall Fuller. These additions should help to solidify the Dolphins' defense and make them a more complete team.
Preseason Expectations
As this is the first week of the preseason, both teams are expected to limit the playing time of their starters, especially on offense. This will give fans a chance to see the young players and backups in action, as they compete for roster spots.
The Falcons and Dolphins are both looking to make a statement in the upcoming season. With new coaches, key additions, and a lot of talent, both teams have the potential to be playoff contenders. The preseason is a chance for these teams to get their bearings and prepare for the long road ahead. The results of these games may not be indicative of their regular season success, but they will provide valuable insights into the progress both teams are making.
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