The Atlanta Falcons are approaching the end of their season with a heightened sense of urgency as they aim for the playoffs. This week, fans expressed concerns about tight end Kyle Pitts' performance, particularly after he failed to make a catch in the recent game against the Chargers.
Nick W. from Rexburg, Idaho, questioned Pitts' production relative to his draft position and speculated on whether his lack of targets was affecting his effort. The fan noted that while Pitts' numbers have improved this year, his engagement seems lacking.
Raheem Morris addressed these concerns by acknowledging that Pitts has shown flashes of his rookie-year talent but emphasized the need for better execution. "He won some big-time routes yesterday versus Derwin James that didn't show up on the stat sheet," Morris said. He added that everyone involved needs to improve in getting Pitts more involved in plays.
The discussion highlighted the balance between utilizing Pitts effectively and sticking to a game plan aimed at winning games. There is also speculation that NFL defenses might be adapting strategies to counteract Pitts' strengths.
Another question from Michael B. in Griffin, Ga., focused on whether Falcons quarterbacks have the freedom to audible out of play calls when necessary. The response confirmed that Kirk Cousins has this ability within Atlanta's offense, which can involve pre-tagged play options or adjustments based on defensive setups.
The Mailbox will continue addressing fans' questions next Tuesday with insights from Tori McElhaney.