Here are today's top things to keep an eye on:
- Today's first practice session is open to the public. Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, practice will be closed and the team will head to their indoor practice facility. To find out the latest on the weather, follow us on Twitter @AtlantaFalcons, keep checking AtlantaFalcons.com, sign up for Verizon text alerts or call our camp hotline at 770.965.2752.
- The Falcons are back in pads this morning for their second padded practice of camp. On Monday, the tone was intense, but a lot of the real hard hitting was not present on the field. Players are taking care of each other to make sure there aren't any injuries, but the Falcons are still putting in hard work.
- Quarterback Matt Ryan is quietly having a great camp so far. It looks like he hasn't missed a beat, which is probably what most fans expect out of him at this stage of his career. He's showing a ton of leadership, and he's been hitting his receivers with accuracy and consistency.
- We mentioned it Monday, but wide receiver Julio Jones is looking like a veteran out there. He's impressing a lot of people, including Sports Illustrated's Peter King and NFL Network's Mike Mayock. Jones' hands look solid, and he's really giving the cornerbacks a workout during each practice.
- Speaking of cornerbacks, the hotly contested competition between Chris Owens and Dominique Franks continues at the position. Both are making big plays during camp so far, almost copying one another when one makes an impressive play.
- Defensive end John Abraham looks to be in top form. The Predator is in great shape, and he certainly put in some strong work against the offensive line Monday. A healthy, strong John Abraham is certainly a sight to behold.
- The wide receiver position is crowded during camp with Kerry Meier back and healthy. There have been some pretty impressive plays from the position group during camp, namely from the usual suspects — Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas. But second-year player Brandyn Harvey has been having a strong camp thus far. Harvey spent part of 2010 on the Falcons' practice squad, and he looks like he's improved since then. No. 17 could be a guy to watch throughout camp.
