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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 1
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa is viewed as the Week 1 starter, though the quarterback competition with Michael Penix Jr. in HC Kevin Stefanski's debut season has been hampered by injuries. Tagovailoa missed time with a tight back to open camp, but ESPN's Marc Raimondi noted he had his best practice Saturday before weather ended the session. Penix is recovering from a torn ACL and has participated in 7-on-7 drills but has not been cleared for full contact. Penix on his return: "If I can't be on the field, how am I going to be the starter?" With the team's top options missing time, undrafted rookie Jack Strand took the majority of first-team reps, and the team signed Cooper Rush when Tagovailoa's back issue first appeared. Strand has earned respect as a pleasant surprise. Stefanski on the rookie: "It's not perfect, as you would not expect any rookie to be perfect, but I think Jack continues to impress with his ability to command the offense, the ability to get in and out of the huddle, get us in and out of run plays to pass plays. He's a very, very bright young man." Tagovailoa on his rookie teammate: "Dude can sling the ball." New team president Matt Ryan has thrown to Drake London and Jahan Dotson on the side. London on his relationship with the franchise's most prolific passer: "He's a legendary player in this organization. He's taken us the farthest we've ever been. Every time he speaks, I listen." Ryan and Stefanski both grew up in the Philadelphia area, where Ryan competed against Stefanski's younger brother in high school.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Star Bijan Robinson missed the first five days of practice conducting a hold-in during contract negotiations, then received a three-year extension worth up to $75 million and returned Aug. 4. His absence was not viewed as an issue. Stefanski: "He's wired the right way, he was raised the right way, he's a team guy all the way. That can be rare sometimes in this day and age, but it's just who he is. It's certainly authentic… He's all about the team, and I don't see that changing." Penix on Robinson's impact: "He's the best running back in the league. We make a joke in the quarterback room sometimes that, 'If you get in trouble, just Beej it.' It does give you a lot of confidence back there." Robinson said he asked his agent multiple times whether he could participate in team activities while the contract was finalized. New arrival Brian Robinson Jr Jr. saw first-team reps during the franchise back's absence. The Falcons also added Tyler Goodson, who took first-team pass-game reps while Bijan Robinson was out and has had a strong camp.
