Arthur Smith appeared on the Rich Eisen Show, where he once again showed his more personal side and cracked a few jokes with Eisen. Smith and Eisen talked about a new nickname for Matt Ryan — the veteran quarterback has long been touted as Matty Ice, but Eisen suggested a new nickname: The Mattural. Eventually, the two got to talking about football as Eisen asked Smith about his preparation for the preseason finale.
Just when we thought "The Mattural" was dead, #Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has brought it back like the Undertaker meme — and @richeisen couldn't be happier:#NFL @AtlantaFalcons@M_Ryan02#TrainingCamp pic.twitter.com/Sz4fFDB9Db
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 25, 2021
Smith said that most starters will play, even if the game plan won’t be elaborate. He mentioned that as a first-year regime, they will need to get the logistics of a live game down. Smith wouldn’t commit to Matt Ryan playing on Sunday, which makes sense with Josh Rosen and Feleipe Franks needing reps. He also noted that the staff as a whole would determine who would and would not see the field later in the week, but we won’t find out until Sunday night.
The offensive line, in particular, needs live reps as a unit — not one-on-ones. Matt Hennessy hasn’t played yet, but he’s the most inexperienced member of this offensive front, assuming Josh Andrews starts at left guard. I’m curious to see how cohesive this group can be, but I am also interested in seeing some of the defensive personnel in live-action — specifically Dante Fowler and A.J. Terrell. Either way, Sunday night should be worth tuning into for Falcons fans.
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