CBS Sports lists Falcons' top training camp storyline

All eyes will be on quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa when the Atlanta Falcons report for training camp next week. Both lefty signal-callers are attempting to get their once-promising NFL careers back on track.

Penix's first year as a starter was a mixed bag, but he was playing some of his best football before suffering a torn ACL against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa lost his starting job with the Miami Dolphins late in the year and was released during the offseason.

CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles listed Atlanta's quarterback competition as the team's top storyline ahead of training camp.

"The Falcons are cornering the market on lefty quarterbacks, but beyond that, the similarities between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are relatively few and far between," wrote Pereles. "Tagovailoa is accurate in the short and intermediate game; Penix is more erratic but has a major arm strength advantage. Unfortunately, their biggest similarity might be their lengthy injury histories."

Much has been made about Penix's lack of accuracy, and while he's nowhere close to Tagovailoa in this category, it wasn't quite as bad as some have made it out to be. Penix's arm strength allows him to throw the ball away with relative ease, lowering his sack totals while hurting is completion percentage.

The former top-10 pick has been sacked 17 times over 14 NFL games. For reference, Tagovailoa took 30 sacks in 14 starts last season. Offensive line play is clearly a factor here as well, but this is one rarely discussed aspect of the completion percentage/accuracy conversation.

This side of the debate could have been applied to last season's MVP conversation. Drake Maye had the superior completion percentage to Matthew Stafford, but Maye took 47 sacks to Stafford's 23.

Getting back to the Falcons, though, it's clear Tagovailoa has the early advantage. Aside from being healthy, Tua's ability to put touch on his throws and willingness to take check-downs give him an edge over Penix entering camp.

Tagovailoa's effectiveness over the next few weeks could ultimately make or break his career. If he can perform at a high level in training camp, the former Dolphins QB could secure the starting job and cash in during the offseason.

As for Penix, he's entering a similarly pivotal moment in his young career. If both quarterbacks are healthy and Tagovailoa wins the job, it's tough to imagine Penix ever getting another chance in Atlanta (barring injury).

The two quarterbacks will officially report to the team's Flowery Branch training facility on July 28. Assuming Penix is cleared for contact by then, fans should get their popcorn ready.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: CBS Sports lists Falcons' top training camp storyline