South Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- After months of voluntary work that began in April, the Falcons held their final practice of the offseason on Tuesday to close out mandatory minicamp. Atlanta will hold one more day of team meetings Wednesday before players and staff break for summer. They will report back for training camp in late July.

Head coach Raheem Morris addressed the local media prior to Tuesday's practice, explaining it would be a shortened session.

"You got a chance to see the guys and get them their mandatory physicals for the year," Morris said. "It's been great to be around the guys in the meeting setting, and we'll get a chance to go out and have a simulated practice to get these guys to the offseason."

Notes, observations from practice

Roll call: Though the Falcons had 100 percent of their rostered players in attendance for minicamp, there were a few faces still missing from practice. Namely, veteran defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. Jarrett is still working back from a season-ending knee injury he sustained about halfway through the 2023 season. Other players not on the field for Tuesday's practice were CB Kevin King and RB Robert Burns.

The Falcons did see the return of recent draftee RB Jase McClellan to practice. McClellan has been working through a foot injury that has lingered since his final year at Alabama in 2023. The running back missed the SEC Championship because of it. Tuesday was the first day McClellan practiced with the Falcons after missing rookie minicamp and open OTAs over the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, OT Kaleb McGary was at practice alongside his fellow linemen but did not participate in the session. OT Storm Norton ran with the first-team offensive line in his place at right tackle.

Grady Jarrett speaks: Though he did not practice, Jarrett took some time to update local media about his recovery status following practice. When asked how his rehab was looking, Jarrett said he felt confident.

"I'm feeling good, man," Jarrett said. "I've done a lot of work to get to this point."

Jarrett went on to say his goal is to be as close to 100 percent as possible by the start of training camp in July. He said his early reps in camp may look different than most as the Falcons work to get him acclimated again, but he should be close to full-go (if not fully there) from a physical standpoint by late July or early August.

Eyes on the secondary: The rotation in the Falcons' secondary was intriguing during most offseason work but especially Tuesday, with nearly all secondary options available.

The main note from this session is how stiff competition at cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell will be come training camp. Clark Phillips III seems to be leading for that spot, with Dee Alford working primarily at nickel. However, there were notable reps where Mike Hughes played opposite Terrell and Phillips moved into the slot.

Another name for depth purposes and potentially even a starting spot is Antonio Hamilton Sr., who has worked in various defensive systems since joining the league in 2016. The Falcons acquired Hamilton back in early April; he was getting work with the second team Tuesday.

Goal of the offseason: Similar rules applied during voluntary OTA practice periods; mandatory minicamp has a non-contact policy meaning no tackling. Therefore, practice is essentially a walk-through with helmets on, making it difficult to evaluate individual player development physically fully. For Morris, though, he's more concerned about mental aspects right now.

"The easiest way to put it for you, I treat (the offseason work) as a mental game," Morris said. "From neck up in offseason... You take some physical toll off and increase mentals and check guys' capacity and retention."

Morris used Kirk Cousins' connection with receivers as an example of growth within team chemistry.

"Right now going through offseason you've seen real nice connection," Morris said... "(Cousins) got real good feel what his guys can do."

Drake London agreed.

"It's been fun growing that (chemistry)," London said about relationship with new QB1." Just talking learning from him things he sees I can see now... Building chemistry fairly easy because he's exceptional player himself... vetted like no other right now about going into 13th year so huge my game too."

Quote of day: Despite limited live play view trenches now Morris broke down what he's seen from starting offensive front Tuesday.

Morris knows what expect veteran linemen being Atlanta when OG Chris Lindstrom OT Kaleb McGary drafted middle years OT Jake Matthews career enjoyed getting know second-year OG Matthew Bergeron carries himself "authentic youthful arrogance" loves.

However what Morris said center Drew Dalman got room laughing.

"Drew Dalman just psychopath," Morris said." You love that about him... two options life either good center or worried about him."

Quite note end know.