The Falcons offseason program ends on June 17, with players then free to enjoy some downtime before training camp begins in late July.
Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts have more to do prior to enjoying their calm before the storm. They have position-specific work ahead at the inaugural Tight End University summit, taking place from June 23-25 in Nashville.
Yeah. You read that right. Tight End University is a real thing.
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Elite 49ers tight end George Kittle came up with the concept and enlisted Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen to help make the idea a reality. It is focused on one big event where Kittle said they have 40 tight ends confirmed to attend.
Pitts and Hurst are among them.
Tight End University even created a Twitter account for this endeavor, and has sponsors lined up to help facilitate the event. Remaining funds will be donated to charitable accounts as well.
While the summit's founders are having fun with this concept, they will get down to serious business during an exchange of techniques and ideas.
"I think it's a great idea," Hurst said this week. "You're getting some of the top tight ends together in Nashville at the end of this month, and it's going to be awesome. You'll get on the field with those guys and pick their brains about how to break down coverages. It's going to be a great opportunity."
The attendee list is a who's who of top tight end talent, with Darren Waller, Mark Andrews and Zach Ertz all coming for the event.
Hurst didn't single out a particular player he most excited to work with, but sees great benefit in the event.
"I pick things from other guys' games here and there, but I think it's going to be great being around all of them," Hurst said. "There are different ways to break down man coverage, how to sit in a zone or how to run certain routes. Just getting different perspectives will help sharpen your own game."
Hurst is looking for any edge heading into what he believes is will be a breakout year. The former first-round NFL draft pick is in great shape and highly motivated to put his best foot forward.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Max Blank and Falcons legend Harry Douglas made an appearance in Flowery Branch on day six of organized team activities.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks the sideline during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank shakes hands with Atlanta Falcons legend Harry Douglas during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Max Blank talks with Harry Douglas during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith talks with Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons players run the hill during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 gestures during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker #43 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #25 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tony Brooks-James #36 runs the hill during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Erik Harris #23 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons center Matt Hennessy #61 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Erik Harris #23 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker #43 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Brandon Copeland #51 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield #77 gestures during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #83 with Atlanta Falcons legend Harry Douglas during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Avery Williams #35 leaps during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield #77 gestures during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons punter Sterling Hofrichter #4 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman William Sweet #74 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 smiles during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64 smiles during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 smiles during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Grass flies during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 works with offensive lineman Joe Sculthorpe #65 during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zac Dawe #93 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 works with defensive back T.J. Green #39 during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #14 warms up during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
A coach holds a football during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 looks on during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 celebrates a defensive play during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Tyler Hall #33 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 holds a football during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 puts on his helmet during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 laughs with Atlanta Falcons defensive end Marlon Davidson #90 during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Greg Dortch #16 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 with running back Qadree Ollison #30 during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Greg Dortch #16 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 with Atlanta Falcons legend Harry Douglas during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons players run the hill during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Marlon Davidson #90 gestures during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons players run the hill during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons players run the hill during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Greg Dortch #16 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Greg Dortch #16 leaps during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #83 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 in action watched by Arthur Smith during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Juwan Green #19 in action during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 and Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Deadrin Senat #94 during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Rowland #12 makes a catch during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 smiles during organized team activities in Phase III of the Atlanta Falcons offseason program on June 4, 2021.
Pitts, this year's No. 4 overall pick, has immense talent that many believe will lead to superstardom. The Falcons certainly hope he can make a profound and immediate impact on their offense.
This summit can only help those endeavors.
This position-specific meeting of the minds isn't the first of its kind. Denver edge rusher Von Miller started the trend four years ago with a pass-rush summit and Philadelphia right tackle Lane Johnson started one for offensive linemen after that.
Kittle thought it a good idea to get the tight ends together as well, especially considering the diverse responsibilities associated with the position.
"In my opinion, the tight end position is incredibly difficult," Kittle said in a May 26 interview on the Rich Eisen Show. "You have to run routes. You have to catch passes. You have to block defensive ends in the run game. You have to pass protect against them, too. You have to work against linebackers. You kind of have to do everything. Why not take a little time to learn from the best of the best? I'm excited that we got the ball rolling on it. We had to get Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen involved to throw some ideas around, and we're really excited about getting the first one down this summer."
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