Sanu, Ryan Developing Chemistry:Mohamed Sanu and Matt Ryan were operating on the same page from the start of practice, regularly connecting in stride and timing throws and routes well. The two spent a lot of time together during the offseason, and that work, coupled with natural chemistry, has made them confident in each other.
"During OTAs I worked really hard to get on the same page as him," Sanu said of his comfort with Ryan. "So when we got to training camp, we hit the ground running, and I feel like we know what each other wants and needs to do to be successful."
"There's been a lot of work put in between Matt and the receivers," head coach Dan Quinn said. "It's not a big surprise to see that communication pick up in a good spot."
The Atlanta Falcons are back in Flowery Branch. The team kicked off 2016 XFINITY Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Thursday morning.
Thursday's session got underway with a focus on punt coverage
Head coach Dan Quinn starts his second XFINITY Atlanta Falcons Training Camp in his current position
If you thought QB Matt Ryan didn't have any receiving skills, he does. His hops, though...?
Complete with the unmistakably cool visor, star wide receiver Julio Jones hits the field
RB Terron Ward fields a kick and looks to move upfield
Members of the punt team work on blocking the punt return team, who are wearing the yellow helmet covers
Rookie LB De'Vondre Campbell hustles downfield on punt coverage as special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong looks on
Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong likes what he sees out of rookie LB De'Vondre Campbell on punt coverage
The yellow-wearing punt return team rushes as the coverage team works to keep punter Matt Bosher clean
Safety Ricardo Allen enters 2016 XFINITY Training Camp as a team leader, a role he's embraced
Running back Devonta Freeman looks on as special teams units practice on the fields
Running back Gus Johnson and his teammates participate in warmups before the hard work starts
S Kemal Ishmael chats it up with teammates while getting a good stretch in
Running backs coach Bobby Turner uses stretching period to get a few teaching moments in with RB Terron Ward
Falcons fans dot the hill at Flowery Branch as they watch the team hit the practice field for the first time during 2016 XFINITY Training Camp
Seventh-round WR Devin Fuller heads upfield as the speedster looks to impress coaches, including WR coach Raheem Morris, to earn the open spot at returner
David Mims II (in white) works on tacking angles with newly added wide receiver Corey Washington
Falcons Owner Arthur Blank listens in during a conversation with general manager Thomas Dimitroff
QB Matt Ryan steps back in the pocket and looks to deliver a pass
Longtime QB Matt Schaub fires a pass as his position group gets warmed up
Rookie LB De'Vondre Campbell takes another rep on the punt coverage team
Quarterback Matt Ryan flashes a smile as football returns
Right tackle Ryan Schraeder waits for the snap of the ball
C Alex Mack (middle) leads the offensive line to the line of scrimmage
Left tackle Jake Matthews (70) and left guard Andy Levitre look all business as XFINITY Training Camp starts
Yeah, Matt Ryan came down with it
QBs Matt Ryan (2), Matt Schaub (8) and Sean Renfree talk as practice gets underway
Coleman Ready for Bigger Role: Now in his second NFL training camp, running back Tevin Coleman said he feels a greater sense of comfort right now than he did last summer. The Falcons want to get him more carries in 2016 and feature him more in the passing game, which they did Thursday, sending him on a variety of routes during 11-on-11 drills.
"They're finding more ways to get the backs out there and get them the ball," Coleman said. "So it's going to be exciting for us to be back there and get the ball more than just running. Any way I get the ball is any way I get the ball. It doesn't matter if I'm catching the ball, running the ball, receiving a kickoff – anything. (If) I got the ball, I'm going make something happen."
Earlier in the week, Quinn mentioned Coleman as a potential kick return option. The 2015 third-rounder spoke about the prospect of chipping in on special teams, saying, "I'm fast, I'm explosive, so it'd be real exciting to do."
Defense Getting Faster: When asked about the defense, Coleman strongly emphasized how much faster that unit is, adding "they're amazing" and "way more athletic." Rookie linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, drafted in the fourth round in April, in particular has brought a lot of speed to Atlanta's linebacker corps.
Hooper Impressing: Throughout college, rookie tight end Austin Hooper developed into a valuable target by making difficult catches – many of which were corralled in heavy traffic. The Stanford product flashed this skill on Day 1 of XFINITY Training Camp, making at least three tough receptions over the middle and near the sideline.
"He's one that we're going to take a close look at all the way through camp here," Quinn said. "We missed a good bit of the OTAs with him (at school); he was able to participate in the minicamp. We're going to feature him in and find out all he can do. We're going to put him on the line, we're going to put him off the line, we're going to put him on the move. He's going to have a factor on punts; he's long, he can run. I know he had a couple catches today so I'm anxious to go back and look at it."
Julio A-OK: Julio Jones tweaked a muscle early in practice and didn't return. According to Quinn, however, the star wideout is expected to return Friday.
