Falcoholinks, July 18: Who's Headed to Training Camp?

Preparing for Training Camp

As the next week approaches, training camp is set to kick off with full intensity. Until then, there are still some interesting tidbits about the Falcons that we can share for you to discuss in the Falcoholinks comments.

With the camp just around the corner, I wanted to set some expectations. Normally, I would be in Flowery Branch every day during training camp to bring you on-the-ground coverage. However, my dad was terminally ill due to dementia, and my mom has been facing several health issues. Over the past few years, I've spent a lot of time in Ohio taking care of them. I'm heading back to Ohio after she undergoes surgery on Tuesday. Adnan will be in Flowery Branch while I’m away, and Kevin will also be covering from here, so keep an eye out for their updates. These links posts might be inconsistent next week depending on how things go, but we're hoping for smooth sailing.

Now that you know I won’t be covering the early days of camp, I’m curious about how many of you plan to attend the open practices. Fans are excited to return after last year’s camp was closed to the public due to facility renovations. I’m sure the players and coaches are looking forward to having that fan energy back this year as well.

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 wasn't 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 if 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:

A 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

CluelessJoe

Bold Prediction: Kirk Cousins quietly has a positive camp, says all the right things, and ends camp as the backup to Penix.

Not so bold prediction: National sports media attempts to gin up a QB controversy in Atlanta.