The Falcoholic
The Falcons will miss Mooney as long as he’s gone, but they can become a more resilient and well-rounded team in his absence.
The Atlanta Falcons are going to be without Darnell Mooney for “most” of training camp and/or a “few weeks”, a bummer way to start the first day. If you’re like me, it’s easy to think negatively after taking in the information, and that was my first inclination last night.
Yes, it’s good that Mooney isn’t expected to miss time during the regular season, for now. But Michael Penix Jr needed as many reps with the top guys as possible, and Mooney provides a skillset no one else in the wide receiver. room offers. However, all hope is not lost, and there are some positives to glean from this situation.
You never know what can happen in any given season, and the best coaches can react quickly and maintain the status quo. This will be Zach Robinson’s first challenge of the 2025 season. A challenge he was all too familiar with in 2024.
Mooney has been a critical part of Robinson’s game plan since the two arrived last year. The second-year offensive coordinator will now be forced to get creative and find new ways to move the ball in this offense. It’s not an ideal scenario, but Robinson now has the gift of preparation and can adjust his playbook for an offense without Mooney.
The offense will have the benefit of ironing out every detail, and time is valuable in this league. Robinson needs to take strides if this offense is going to be the driving force of this team. One injury can’t stand in their way. An early lesson like this one is a good reminder that the season has started, and no one is going to wait on you.
Kyle Pitts is the most polarizing player on the team. This year will dictate his future in this league, not just on this team. Atlanta hasn’t found a way to maximize the player since his rookie season, but as we’ve already heard, they’re looking for more ways to do that and have him practicing with the receivers to start training camp.
According to PFF, Pitts was lined up inline 52% of snaps (career high), in the slot 33% (tied career low), and out wide 15% (career low) on all plays. However, when isolating it to passing snaps, Pitts still did most of his work from the slot (41.3%). He also got a boost in snaps out wide (20.5%), and a decrease inline (38.2%). The team knows he’s at his best as a receiver when he isn’t attached to an offensive tackle. This injury will allow them to expand on that role.
The team needs a vertical threat with the loss of Mooney, and Pitts is the team’s best option. When allowed to get vertical and stretch his legs, Pitts wins consistently. The clear-out routes he ran in 2024...
