South Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A gloomy morning did not accurately reflect the atmosphere surrounding the Atlanta Falcons' facility on Wednesday.

Players began arriving for the first day of training camp around 8 a.m. Most were smiling, though a few appeared neutral, possibly due to the early start. Pro Bowl offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom was among the first arrivals.

"It's just an exciting moment," said Lindstrom, who is beginning his sixth training camp in Atlanta. "I think it's one of the best days of the year."

The Falcons left for summer break on June 12 after mandatory minicamp concluded. They've had over a month away from football activities, and even then, it was for non-contact workouts.

Training camp marks the start of more intense preparations. The Falcons' first four practices will follow offseason rules to help players reacclimate, with their fifth practice being the first full-pad session of the 2024 preseason.

"For me, I woke up this morning like it was almost a game day (with) just the nerves," said Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III. "This being my seventh year, seventh training camp, it still feels like my first – just mentally, just the excitement that we have here."

"Every year, stuff changes. But one thing (is) you just never take this for granted."

Significant changes have occurred in Atlanta since the end of the 2023 season. The Falcons have a new head coach in Raheem Morris, who has overhauled much of his coaching staff. There are also new quarterbacks: veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr., among other new additions. The facility itself is undergoing upgrades.

"It almost felt like an official visit, walking through the locker room and walking through the weight room," Bates said. "That's what Atlanta should be known for is world-class everything that we're doing. It's just time to go put in the work now and get this city where it needs to be."

The team aims to break out of their recent three-year 7-10 rut and return to playoffs for the first time since 2017. All offseason moves support this goal.

Lindstrom noted a different energy around the facility.

"As a competitor, you have to have that mindset that this is the year you're going to win," he said. "Every single day, the preparation and work are going toward that."

The Falcons' opening preseason game is in Miami on Friday, Aug. 9 after a week of joint practices against the Dolphins. They will then travel to play Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 17 before hosting Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 23.

Before regular season begins in September, there is an inevitable roster deadline on Aug. 27 marking essentially end of training camp.

"It's a journey," Bates said. "It's 90 people in this building right now. Unfortunately, we got to cut it down to 53 at some point." He added: "For these four or five weeks – however long we're in here before those cuts – let's become best team from bottom all way to top."