Our Atlanta Falcons start football practice on Thursday, coming off a Super Bowl season! Come on out and see one of the best rosters in the NFL!! Visit the facility and see the NFL MVP, the #3 rated player in the league, the best center, an All-Pro running back and even Big Poe! Better leave early, parking spots are going to be hard to come by.

I’m expecting DeVonta Freeman and the Falcons to announce a contract extension either Wednesday or Thursday, as camp opens. That should be the big story! The headlines might read: All-Pro RB Finally Gets Paid!

It seems like both sides could be reasonable in this situation and get it done. What’s fair to me? Seems like the $15M guaranteed number makes sense. He’s a great fit in this offense (can run it inside & out & can catch it) and he’s in his prime right now. And Freeman’s agent should come off that “elite RB money” stance a little knowing the Falcons don’t have to do this right now. If that happens, expect the headline to read: Freeman Must Wait on the Money! Falcons Don’t Pay Up!

Also, don’t forget that you WON’T get to see 1st round pick Takk McKinley participating in practice, early in camp. That’s a bummer! Seeing the team’s first round selection is normally one of the highlights in training camp. Not this year. Takk has to get his shoulder right and that could take some time, but you need to be patient. Hopefully, Takk will show up sometime early to mid-season and help Vic Beasley get after the quarterback!

Let me admit to one thing about Falcons training camp. I’ll find a spot up on the hill and sit in the sun just to see Matt Ryan spin it and Julio Jones catch it. That’s world-class, brothers! I’ll be under that Falcons bucket hat sweating and enjoying!

-Buck Belue
Co-Host “Buck and Kincade”
680 The Fan
@buckbelue8