FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Tuesday's practice was music to the Atlanta Falcons' ears.
"You can hear if it's a good day," defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said. "You hear those pads clash together. You hear those grunts and groans out there. I mean, it sounds different when you're in pads. That's real football."
For the first time in the 2024 league year, the Falcons worked in full pads. The previous four training camp practices were non-contact, still technically under the offseason program rules to get players reacclimated. From here on out, those restrictions are gone.
Coaches and players alike were ready for the change.
"It's hard to say who's most excited, but you got to think the D-linemen and the O-linemen — they have to just be so eager to go," head coach Raheem Morris said. "Because the offseason for those guys are, 'Hey, not as much contact. Slow it down. Play with your hands.' Now they can finally turn it loose. Those two cores on the front, they got to be ready to go. They got to be ready to just turn it up."
They were.
Obviously, Rodgers spoke for his group. But rest assured, the players on the opposite side of the line mirrored those emotions.
"I woke up with a little pep in my step today," Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews said. "I don't think it ever goes away. If I ever wake up and don't feel it, I'll probably retire."
This is Matthews' 11th training camp, all in Atlanta. As a former top-10 draft pick with more than a decade of experience, Matthews has seen a lot in his time. If he's still able to feel that excitement when the pads come on, there's undoubtedly an energizing effect. Sometimes, though, too much excitement can lead to miscues.
The main issue that arose with the introduction of pads was an increase in procedural penalties on the offensive side of the ball. There were a noticeable amount of false starts called.
"We got the pads on, guys are excited," Matthews said. "Part of being a pro is you got lock in on that stuff and fix it. I know that'll get better."
There's still a fair amount of time to make those corrections before the regular season begins in September.
The Falcons have two more padded practices this week – Wednesday and Friday. The latter will actually be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and open to fans who purchase tickets. Next week, the Falcons travel for joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. Their preseason opener is Aug. 9 at Hard Rock Stadium. It will begin at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast locally on FOX 5 and on 92.9 The Game.
But let's not look too far out yet. In some ways, training camp has only just begun.
"This was Day 1 practice for the line to be honest with you," Rodgers said. "When you put the pads on is when it really starts."
ROLL CALL
The entire 90-man roster — along with defensive lineman Kenhinde Oginni, who (as a reminder) doesn't count toward the training camp total as the Falcons' international player — were all in attendance Tuesday.
The signings of wide receivers James Washington and Jesse Matthews were announced by Morris prior to practice, and the two new faces were already out on the field. Washington took on the No. 83, while Matthews wore No. 86. In his first practice with the team, Matthews made a tricky one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone during warm-up drills.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
-- The real fun came at the end of practice, when the first-team defense and offense faced off. It started with a bang, too. Safety Jessie Bates III intercepted quarterback Kirk Cousins after making an excellent read to jump an in-breaking route. Perhaps those film sessions between Bates and Cousins are paying off for the Pro Bowl safety. That was Cousins' first time getting picked off in training camp, at least the first time no one could dispute it. Inside linebacker Troy Andersen had an interception on a debatable call last Saturday.
-- Still keeping an eye on the battle for WR3. Ray-Ray McCloud III tends to get the most love in that role. He was regularly seen running with starters Drake London and Darnell Mooney. Rondale Moore, though, is also receiving attention – in a different way. There were times where it was just Moore and London fielded as the only two receivers for the offense.
-- Outside linebacker James Smith-Williams continues to receive first-team reps. He has been running in that spot since camp started and boasts versatility that Atlanta likes. Stay tuned for a story on him coming Wednesday.
-- Left guard Matthew Bergeron found himself involved in two scuffles. Honestly, I missed the first. But Bergeron got into it with inside linebacker Milo Eifler later on during the mixed first- and second-team scrimmage period that was more notable.
"By the time I turned and saw, it was breaking up and we were getting back in the huddle," left tackle Jake Matthews said. "But (Bergeron) is one of those guys, man, you like to have playing next to you because you know he's got your back, you know he's passionate about it. He's a guy you want to go to battle with."
-- Former Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was in attendance. White played in Atlanta from 2005-15 with an AP first-team selection (2010) and four Pro Bowl appearances (2008-11). Steve Wilks was also there. Wilks was most recently the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator in 2023 and previously the Carolina Panthers interim head coach in 2022 and Arizona Cardinals head coach in 2018.
-- Before practice, the Falcons announced season tickets for the 2024 season have officially sold out.
"The fan base is the most critical thing for us," Morris said. "That's what we talk about. Obviously, the other people that are involved in that, that do so much work behind the scenes selling the tickets and promoting the team, that's the other important part. … We are all a part of that within this organization. I think that's just the exciting part about being a Falcon right now."
The team took the show on the road to Seckinger High School for the first open practice of the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali #80 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Stogner #88 Atlanta Falcons tight end Ross Dwelley #85 and Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick #87 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 and Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick #87 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks to the crowd during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans look on during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Barry Wesley #69 signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans look on during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks to the crowd during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Harrison Hand #37 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith #75 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Training Camp branding during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Cheerleaders during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans look on during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris signs autographs during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
