Falcons open camp with low expectations, open positions

Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Marcus Mariota takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Coach Arthur Smith wants to see improvement from last year’s 7-10 record even though conventional wisdom says the Atlanta Falcons will backslide in 2022.

The Falcons began training camp Wednesday with a roster that has only a few positions settled.

The most intriguing battle will be at quarterback, the position Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder are competing for, but the team must decide on three starters on the offensive line along with two starters on the defensive line, two at linebacker and two in the secondary.