The Atlanta Falcons begin training camp July 31 at their home facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Leading up to the start of camp, we'll take a look at the team, position by position. It starts today with quarterbacks.
QUARTERBACKS
The cast: Matt Ryan (8th season), T.J. Yates (4th season), Sean Renfree (3rd season)
2015 cap numbers: Ryan ($19.5 million), Yates ($1.5 million), Renfree ($596,474)
The coach: Matt LaFleur (1st season with team)
Key number: Ryan has thrown for 4,000-plus yards and 26-plus touchdowns in each of the past four seasons, and has completed at least 66 percent of his passes the past three seasons.
For starters: Ryan, who was named to his third Pro Bowl last season as a replacement for Tom Brady, is one of the top quarterbacks in the league but needs to take that next step with postseason success. Ryan would be the first to say he made some questionable throws last season. Teaming with a great offensive mind in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could take Ryan's game to another level. Yes, Shanahan's offense preaches offensive balance, but Shanahan surely won't take away from Ryan's strength as a passer. Ryan expects to move the pocket much more than he did under former offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, but that can't be misconstrued as Ryan turning into a mobile quarterback. As long as Ryan gets adequate protection, he should continue to thrive in the pocket. And the play-action passing game should be fun to watch as Ryan continues his chemistry with top receiver Julio Jones while developing new targets in Leonard Hankerson, Jacob Tamme, and Justin Hardy.
Backup plan: This shouldn't come into play, if history means anything. Ryan hasn't missed a start since the 2009 season, although he was more banged up than he revealed after absorbing 44 sacks in 2013. Again, as long as the offensive line provides adequate protection, Ryan should be fine and ready to go another 16 games. But if some unforeseen circumstances occur, Yates is an intelligent enough player to manage the offense. Coach Dan Quinn made sure Yates got meaningful reps at the end of minicamp, and Yates will get plenty of opportunities during the preseason. Yates is familiar with Shanahan's scheme from his days under Gary Kubiak in Houston. (Kubiak developed his system alongside Shanahan's father, Mike). Yes, Yates has to play better this preseason than he did a year ago, but he's capable. The Falcons wouldn't have re-signed him otherwise, although Quinn did consider bringing Matt Schaub back to Atlanta before Schaub signed with Baltimore. Renfree is just another arm on the roster.
Tuesday: Running backs