DAY TWO: FALCONS WELLCOME FANS TO TRAINING CAMP
The broiling heat didn’t stop the Falcons from spending the second day of Traning Camp balling out, or the fans from coming out to support their favorite team as they move closer to their season opener.
Although temperatures in the morning blasted to near 90 degrees, it was still a festive atmosphere in Flowery Branch today, as fans took in the first of several days seeing the team practice up close.
As the day started, Head Coach Arthur Smith once again addressed the media who were on hand for the event, discussing the improvements and things that need to be worked on at the training camp. After the address, the team practiced under searing heat that made many press members on hand to cover the event miserable.
Starting members of the Falcons spoke with the media about their hopes for the new season.
Grady Jarrett said that having new talent on the roster was good for the team. Is the team getting better as a whole, though? “Time will tell,” he said. “We’ve got to put the work in day in and day out to be the best unit we can be.” He says both offense and defense are working hard to improve over last year.
Ritchie Grant says the chemistry between the new members and vets is beneficial to the whole team. “We’re a young group but it’s like we’re young vets,” He said. “Everybody’s got plenty of experience, and we’re just competing,” Grant says that developing a trust factor among the players is important, and the younger players have a raptor with each other.
Drake London told the press that it’s all about growing, competing, and not giving up easy points due to mistakes. “We can’t be beating ourselves,” he said. He also had some positive words for the Falcons up front squad. “That upfront is mean man, very very mean. You can see the tenacity on that side that’s gonna help us a lot.”
Tyler Alger also noted the complementary but competitive spirit that can help the team in the long run. “If they’re [defense] making plays, it just makes the offense want to make plays as well,” he said. “If they are stopping the run…we know we’ve got to pick it up.” When asked what he thought about the Falcons’ defensive line, he said “stout.”
Traning camp continues through August 27.
DAN REEVES A FINALIST FOR PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME?
Dan Reeves. (2023, July 21). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Reeves
AJC Falcons beat reporter D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote that the former Falcons football coach is among the coach/contributor semi-finalists to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Reeves lead the Falcons from 1997 to 2003. He lead the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII where they lost to the Denver Broncos in 1999.
FALCONS GIVE FANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT TRAINING CAMP
Credit: Google
The Falcons are giving fans a chance to get up close and personal with the players as they practice for the upcoming season. Open practice at the Falcons Training Camp takes place from July 27 to August 27 at the IBM Performance Center at Flowery Branch. (Two of those dates, Aug 8-9, will be in Miami.) Tickets (which are required to get into the facility) are free to claim.
On July 29th, the Falcons will host Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition. The Dirty Birds will offer giveaways, special appearances, and a pre-practice message from Head Coach Arthur Smith and General Manager Terry Fontenot, among other things. Get tickets for both events here.
FORMER FALCON RYAN JOINS CBS
CBS has announced its roster of broadcasters for the upcoming AFC NFL football season on the network. It will mark the on-air debut of former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in the broadcaster booth. He will be working with Andrew Catalon and Tiki Barber in the network’s “premiere three-man” broadcast booth. Catalon replaces departing host Greg Gumbel.
Ryan isn’t the only Falcon in the CBS broadcast booth this year. Former Falcons kicker Jay Feeley (2001-2004) is on another tier of three-person game-calling teams.
CBS also announced that 929 The Game morning show co-host Tiffany Blackmon will be reporting on their games this season. Blackmon also sideline reported for the XFL, the NFL Network, and also various college football games with ESPN.
Ryan’s debut will be on Sept. 10 in the Buccaneers vs. Vikings 1 PM game. Feeley and Blackmon will be working the Raiders vs. Broncos game at 4PM.
FALCONS SOCIAL WATCH
Hey kid, catch! pic.twitter.com/cWErQDjr6T
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 27, 2023
81 getting it done pic.twitter.com/wEDwgblpN9
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 27, 2023
How it started vs. How it’s going pic.twitter.com/xh6yrVZcSv
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 27, 2023
First @AtlantaFalcons training camp for our girl! Thank you @desmondridder for the love. So awesome- LFG! #riseup #hotAF pic.twitter.com/dzCxJUn96Q
— KCB (@BigOlGirby) July 27, 2023
new friend helped me shoot Falcons training camp today!! pic.twitter.com/UA2GZXNKje
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) July 27, 2023
Training camp vibes. Melting 🫠 #Falcons pic.twitter.com/IxA6fNhy5o
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) July 27, 2023
Freddy the Falcon & @steakshapiro a couple of hard working #Journalists @929TheGame pic.twitter.com/VV4piB9LWh
— Sandra Golden (@sportsandra) July 27, 2023
FALCONS GOALPOSTS
Anniversaries
Amanda Valle, Falcons social media specialist, 1st year.
Birthdays
Drake London (#5) Wide Reciever
