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Atlanta Falcons: 3 Things to watch for in Preseason Week 1

By Derek Snyder

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to hand off the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to hand off the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Ito Smith #25 of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Ito Smith #25 of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2.Rookie running back, Ito Smith, returning kicks

If there’s one under-the-radar player I’m looking forward to watching on Friday against the Jets, it’s rookie running back, Ito Smith. This guy was one of the most explosive players in the nation last season, but since he played for Southern Mississippi, he didn’t get talked about much.

However, if the Falcons can feature him in ways that will help him develop early-on, he could become a serious difference-maker for the Dirty Birds.

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For example, Smith has been talked about as a guy who could potentially return kicks for the team in 2018. Take a look at this blurb from Kelsey Conway’s article, on the Falcons official website, below:

"Since his return, Smith’s been getting reps as a potential kick returner – and did so again during the scrimmage. “I do think he has the traits to do it,” Quinn said of Smith as a potential option at returner. “He’s got real quickness to go. We’re going to have to get him into some game reps and take a look at it”"

Personally, I love the idea of Smith getting a look at kick returner for Atlanta. This offense has become one of the best in the league, but they could definitely benefit from having better field position each drive.

Not to mention, if they could get a score or two from their return game in 2018, it could be the difference between them winning the division or playing a road playoff game for the second-straight season.

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