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Thursday, June 19, 2008
OTAs end, time off begins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - It was the old-school equivalent of students yelling “school is out for the summer” on the last day of class.
The Falcons raced off the field after their last Organized Training Activity practice on Thursday. Even some of the rookies, who were carrying four or five of the veterans helmets, were skipping merrily along.
Coach Mike Smith knocked off a three-day minicamp for next week and told the players he’ll see them for training camp on July 25. They’ll hit the field the next day on the 26th. Camp is likely to run through Aug. 17th, but the official training camps schedule will come out early next week.
“They are going to get ready to take a little vacation time,” Smith said. “They have worked very hard.”
The players will be expected to workout and lift weights while away. Smith and strength and conditioning coach Jeff Fish have ordered the players to keep working on what they call “functional speed and functional strength.”
Also, Smith’s staff has been on the grind for a while and some have been away from their families. They’re about to get some time off, too.
“We’re going to tie up some loose ends over the next few days.” Smith said. “But we’ll start moving out in different directions.”
Smith is looking forward to spending some time in metro Atlanta and taking some day trips with his family.
How do you plan to satisfy your Falcon football fix until training camp starts?
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