With the third preseason game only two days away, the players took full advantage of their final full practice before gameday.
QB T.J. Yates
LB Tyler Starr
QB Jeff Mathews
QB Sean Renfree
T Ryan Schraeder
QB Jeff Mathews and T Jake Matthews
RB Antone Smith and CB Devonta Glover-Wright
DE Malliciah Goodman
WR Julio Jones and WR Roddy White
CB Robert Alford
RB Josh Vaughan
LB Tim Dobbins and TE Brian Wozniak
T Jake Matthews
Defensive players warm up before practice
RB Jerome Smith
HBO's 'Hard Knocks' crew films during warm ups
RB Antone Smith
T Terren Jones
WR Geraldo Boldewijn breaks down the huddle
CB Robert McClain and DE Jonathan Massaquoi
DE Jonathan Massaquoi
RB Devonta Freeman
T Pat McQUistan, G Justin Blalock, T Lamar Holmes and G Jon Asamoah walk out to practice
G Jon Asamoah
DT Theo Agnew
Secondary coach Tim Lewis observes practice
Linebackers coach Glenn Pires yells directions to the players
FB Patrick DiMarco matches up against S Kimario McFadden
RB Antone Smith
Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong gives directions
QB Sean Renfree, QB Jeff Mathews and QB T.J. Yates warm up
Assistant offensive line coach Wade Harman talks to tight ends coach Chris Scelfo
WR Harry Douglas
LS Josh Harris and RB Jacquizz Rodgers listen to TE Levine Toilolo
CB Robert McClain works through a drill
TE Levine Toilolo
WR Harry Douglas warms up with HBO's 'Hard Knocks' crew films the action
P Matt Bosher
S Kemal Ishmael stands next to head coach Mike Smith on the sideline
WR Julio Jones
G Justin Blalock
Offensvie line coach, Mike Tice
T Jake Matthews, T Lamar Holmes and T Pat McQuistan
QB T.J. Yates
WR Roddy White
If you caught the latest episode of Hard Knocks on Tuesday, you were given an up-close view of Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan, the on-the-field leader, as well as the off-the-field jokester, who always makes time for others.
When the helmet and pads are on, Ryan's leadership qualities shine, both non-verbally, as he orchestrates drives down the field, using his arms and hands, and with words, often times on the sidelines, instructing teammates on various moves, looks and more.
"He is a guy that can be supportive when he has to be supportive, and when he has to get his point across, he gets his point across," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said.
During Tuesday's episode of Hard Knocks, Ryan was shown pulling rookie WR Geraldo Boldewijn aside, getting on him about not trusting that Ryan would put the ball where it needs to be, allowing for big plays.
"Matt is a very emotional player and sometimes he wears it on his sleeve, which I think is good," Smith said. "I really think his leadership style fits in well and it has fit in well with what we've been doing with the team."
Ryan's scene with Boldewijn, however, didn't end without the Falcons franchise QB first giving the rookie WR encouragement and a quick slap on the helmet, a gesture that spoke more than words.
Ryan's goal is to motivate his teammates to exceed their potential, helping give the Falcons offense an identity that he hopes can be described in just two words.
"High-scoring," Ryan said. "I think that as an offense, the goal is to put points up on the board, every time you get it. If we can figure out ways to run the ball, be a little bit more-balanced than we have been in the past, I think that's going to happen."
