It's officially game week! The Falcons continued preparing for Friday's preseason game against the Titans on Monday morning during 2015 XFINITY Atlanta Falcons Training Camp.
Julio Staying Focused: Management and Julio Jones have yet to come to terms on an extension, but the star receiver, who's under contract for 2015, isn't letting off-field matters become distractions. As he's mentioned in the past, Jones is committed to working out a deal with Atlanta and hopes to be here for the long haul.
"We're on the same page," he said. "I want to be a Falcon for life."
Hageman Progressing: A few days ago, Ra'Shede Hageman approached Bryan Cox and said, "I feel like I'm a man now." The defensive tackle, 25, is in great shape—he did MMA training in the offseason—and looks poised for a breakout campaign.
"You see that he's grown," Cox said. "He's doing things the way that he should do them … He has the work ethic that he didn't have last year. He's grown in his first year. I'm excited to see what he can become."
Quinn Ready to Roll:Dan Quinn has never worked a football game as a head coach, but with the first preseason contest of 2015 set for Friday, that's about to change. The 44-year-old is excited, to say the least.
"No doubt I am," he said. "Absolutely. I can't wait to get started with the guys. We're trying to stay in camp mode and do that, but certainly it's in the front of your mind. Can't wait to get started with our team and get our players connected with the fans. So yeah, I'm thrilled that (the first game) is here at home."
Fullback Competition Neck-and-Neck: One of the more underappreciated camp battles is taking place at fullback, where incumbent Patrick DiMarco and newcomer Collin Mooney are duking it out for a spot on the 53-man roster. According to running backs coach Bobby Turner, neither has an appreciable edge over the other.
"They're competing every snap, every play," said Turner. "Sometimes you're going to see one guy running with the ones, but again, nothing's etched in stone. We have a rotation where they compete in every snap. Right now, at this point, I'm very happy with both players."
Injury Update: Tevin Coleman (hamstring), Devonta Freeman (hamstring), Brooks Reed (hip/groin), Cliff Matthews (ankle) and Devin Hester (toe) were held out of practice. Coleman, Freeman and Reed did running on one of the side fields. Hester, whose injury is considered minor, could return tomorrow.
