With the start of Thursday's minicamp, the Falcons' rookies will begin their NFL careers in earnest.
Atlanta's draft picks and college free agent signings, along with some tryout players, have gathered at Flowery Branch to begin their first professional workouts. This will be a valuable opportunity for players to gain comfort in their new surroundings, get to know their teammates and begin to learn the playbook.
Here's a brief look at what they'll experience.
Thursday: The players will arrive at Falcons headquarters in the afternoon. They'll get settled into dorms, get fitted for helmets and other equipment, and receive their iPads. Once everyone is settled, the coaching will begin with a team meeting and a number of unit/positional meetings.
Friday and Saturday: Various meetings will continue in the mornings, along with walkthroughs, film sessions and treatment. Practices will be held in the afternoons and last a little more than two hours each. According to coach Dan Quinn, the on-field training will be "similar to an OTA style."
Once minicamp ends, Quinn and his staff will begin to indoctrinate the rookies into Atlanta's offseason program. That process will continue until it's time for OTAs.
"It's a hugely important time for the rookies coming in," Quinn said about minicamp. "To be back out on the grass and coaching, we can't wait. … For Thomas and I and the staff, we can't wait to get out there on the field with the guys."
