It was the beginning of a new year for Falcons fans as they got a first look at the 2009 squad at the team’s mini-camp held at Flowery Branch on Saturday. Falcons fans were excited and anxious to see players such as Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White, but with the addition of Mike Peterson, Tony Gonzalez and draftees Peria Jerry and William Moore, the public wanted to get a first look at the new Birds in town.
For those who have never been to an NFL mini-camp or training camp practice, here’s how it works. The practice began at 10:30 and the players spend about 30 minutes warming up and stretching. From 11:00-12:30, they will work on position drills and mix that in with two scrimmages. After that, practice will conclude with autograph session.
What usually catches the fans eye is when the No. 1 offense takes on the No. 1 defense because they like to see who are the projected starters going into the 2009 season. A couple to things to note when it comes to starters, Peterson and Stephen Nicholas were the No. 1 outside linebackers and it looks they will be the starters in the fall. Also Ben Hartsock was the No. 1 tight end on Saturday but that was due to Gonzalez being held out of practice. As for nose tackle, Trey Lewis was working with the No. 1 team while Jerry was working with the No. 2 unit. But this could (and probably will) change when July rolls around because it’s too early to project anything now with the team only practicing three times.
“This is just really the first evaluation,” head coach Mike Smith said after the Saturday practice. “The thing we’re evaluating is who can come out and play hard and play fast when they are getting overloaded mentally.”
Smith was specifically talking about the rookies such as Jerry and Moore who were draft picks, but also rookie free agents like quarterback John Parker Wilson and wide receiver Aaron Kelly who had one of the big plays of the day wheen Wilson connected with Kelly on a 40-yard touchdown pass.
As good as it is to see local products do well in practice, fans also want to see how the veterans have improve. 2008 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan received a warm reception when he jogged on to the field and he looked as if he didn’t miss a beat as he found almost every target in the scrimmages. Running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood were in midseason form and wide receiver Michael Jenkins looks to have a breakout year. Overall Smith thought this was a good practice and he was glad that the fans were able to come out.
“It was nice to have the people and it gives the guys a little extra juice,” Smith said. “When they have gone one two-a-day they were a little sore and slow moving this morning in the meetings. But when they got on the field, they started moving around. I thought it was a really good practice.”
Jones can be reached at bjones@scoreatl.com.
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