J.Mike's Missives

Training camp, like any form of intense training, is a step-by-step process. You start with jerseys, add the shoulder pads a couple practices in and, by day three, you’re ready for full pads and a more traditional football look.

The shoulder pads went on Sunday afternoon at Flowery Branch, which opened up a list of new possibilities for coaches looking to test their players’ knowledge, endurance and strength.

For example, putting the offensive and defensive lines against one another in small, controlled, rushing drills. Linebackers, quarterbacks and running backs were working too but much of the attention was focused on the linemen, who slammed into each other looking to create — and take away — running lanes.

It was another wake up call for rookies and a chance for fans at Russell Falcons Training Camp to see where the Falcons invested in the future.

The team drafted three defensive linemen and an offensive tackle in April. There were also undrafted free agent additions on both sides of the ball.

“It felt unusual because it’s been a long time since I’ve been in pads,” rookie defensive end Lawrence Sidbury said. “I haven’t had them on since December… Coming out here the first day I think I got my feet wet a little bit. You come out here with the veterans and the guys who have been here for a while and you have to step your game up. The more and more you do it, you just have to adjust. That’s pretty much what this game is about. You have to adjust even when you don’t know things.”

Fellow rookie, tackle Garrett Reynolds, said Sidbury was “fast as lightning” during drills, which featured two linemen against a pair of defenders.

“A little anxious, a little nervous… All of that stuff combined you really don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Sidbury said of his first day in a contact situation against veteran linemen. “I’m excited to come out here and play football again.”

MORE FROM DAY TWO OF TRAINING CAMP…

… Sticking with the linemen theme, all the rookie defensive linemen — including first-round pick Peria Jerry played well. Coaches will surely find flaws, but this blogger didn’t see anything that should be immediately troubling to fans.

… Jerry is, as I tweeted from the field, “as good as we all thought.” His explosiveness was apparent as he cut through linemen on his way to the backfield. “Jerry has great hands and fires off the ball and gets off on the snap very well,” Reynolds said.

… On the offensive side of the drill, starting guard Harvey Dahl was his usual self. Physical, play-to-the-whistle lineman.

… Rookie safety William Moore had a nice interception during 7-on-7 drills, making a diving grab along the sideline on a ball that flew a bit too far over the receiver.

… In an effort to keep the tempo up, Head Coach Mike Smith brought the team to the main practice field for a brief 11-on-11 session right after opening stretches. Coaches gave orders quickly as the first, second and third teams went through about six plays.

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The Falcons held a special teams workout on Sunday morning, spending the bulk of the time working on kickoff coverage, shedding blocks and setting up new techniques that could be staples in the 2009 repertoire.

Head Coach Mike Smith still met with the media, however, and talked about some of the things his staff has done to get to know players and set expectations.

It starts with listing goals.

“We asked all of our guys to really evaluate what they feel like are their pluses and minuses… and come up with what they thought was their plan of action to get better and we discussed that with them,” Smith said.

“I think it’s important that we have an idea of how they feel about their abilities and they have an idea how we feel about them… It helps everyone feel like they have a comfort level with one another.”

The written expectations included goals and notes for the weight room, practice field and the community all of which, according to Smith, are part of being a professional player.

Then, on the first night of camp, players found a test in their playbooks to complete before the opening meeting.

Just more proof that exams don’t disappear after college.

INJURY UPDATE: Smith held linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Von Hutchins out of the morning practice. Hutchins is one of several veterans who will get breaks during camp.

Cornerback Tony Tiller “tweaked” his ankle Saturday afternoon. Smith said he didn’t think the injury was serious.

LOOKING FOR DEPTH: The Falcons like what they have in the punt and kickoff return game.

Second-year man Harry Douglas and running back Jerious Norwood were both steady and explosive in 2009. Smith said the team’s looking for some insurance.

“I think we’ve got two good returners who proved they can do it in this league,” the coach said. “Harry ended up doing it in the latter part of last season and I thought he was very efficient at it. Jerious is a threat because every time he gets his hands on it he can go. I think we need to find a backup for both those positions and I think there’s a number of guys we want to look at, especially here in the preseason.”

That could include former Georgia running back Thomas Brown, who got looks at running back and return man last preseason before going on injured reserve.

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After a short special teams practice on Sunday morning Head Coach Mike Smith sent all the players on the practice field, which included just about everyone but quarterbacks and linemen, to the yellow rope line for a lengthy autograph session.

Smith himself spent several minutes chatting with fans and signing autographs at Russell Falcons Training Camp.

You’ll notice some fans saying hello to the World Wide Web and a chuckling Erik Coleman. No, I didn’t do anything to make him laugh. I guess he’s just amazed he always sees someone in the AF.com crew with a camera to our face.

Hey, it’s what we do…

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BLOGGER’S NOTE: You can follow Russell Falcons Training Camp on the Twitter feed (click here for all the Falcons Twitter accounts) and Qik, if I can figure out some technical aspects, find a subject and get the live streaming to work on the phone. Enjoy!

Funny how the body works.

Friday night, I couldn’t sleep. Antsy. On edge. Hoping the alarm clock so I didn’t miss the first day of training camp.

Last night, out like an early-90s Tyson opponent. Almost forgot about the alarm. Stumbled out of bed with aches and pains.

This time every season I fall into the grind of camp and, for a moment, let myself get caught up in fatigue. But it doesn’t take long to realize, whatever I’m feeling, Falcons players must feel 10 times worse.

As tight end Tony Gonzalez said yesterday, you have to be crazy to enjoy training camp.

What doesn’t kill us, indeed makes us stronger.

Fans flock to Flowery Branch for training camp, AF.com
An official welcome to John Manasso, who will be helping out on AF.com during training camp. Also a thanks to the fans. Saturday ranks in the top-five of energy-filled days in The Branch.

Atlanta Falcons: Sights and Sounds of camp, Examiner.com
Daniel Cox said I beat him to the perfect lead on the “Play Like Your Hair’s on Fire” post. Gotta keep your ears open at camp.

Falcons have high expectations but need a new ending, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The players need training camp to knock off some rust and get ready for the regular season. But if passion and enthusiasm alone wins ball games, I say suit up right now.

Falcons’ Pro Bowl WR White no-show at camp, The Associated Press
The story is well documented by now. Stay tuned for more info as Roddy White and his representatives continue talks with the Falcons.

Falcons say White’s holdout won’t ‘be a distraction,’ Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I’m confident things are going to get done, and they are going to work in the best interest of both the club and Roddy,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “I truly believe it’s something that won’t be contentious. It’s about two parties working together in a fair and firm fashion.”

Quotable: Head Coach Mike Smith, AF.com
A complete rundown (with video) of Smith’s comments to the media on Saturday.

Life goes on at Atlanta Falcons training camp in Roddy White’s absence, Examiner.com
When faced with a situation like this, there’s little choice but to push forward.

Fans cheer Falcons at 1st training camp day, AccessNorthGa.com
First day of the month. First day of a new season. Great time to be a football fan.

Birds sign veteran linebacker Jamie Winborn, AF.com
Nothing like some last-minute roster moves to get ready for camp.

Top pick Jerry happy to be at camp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peria Jerry spoke with the media after his second camp practice. Perhaps more important, he was at practice. As of last night, half the first-round picks in the NFL remained unsigned.

Gonzalez eager for new start with Falcons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Want to know what it takes to go to 10 Pro Bowls? Keep working like you’re a long shot to make the roster.

Catching up on Falcons and Saints, ESPN.com
Some notes on the Falcons and other NFC South teams in camp.

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