Flowery Branch — There were no animal-rights protesters within miles of the Falcons' facilities on Friday.

There was not a plane in the sky flying about carrying signs as all of the players — except for first-round pick Sam Baker — reported for training camp under first-year coach Mike Smith.

"It's back to normal around here," wide receiver Roddy White said. "That will help all of the players that are new here."

Last season the Falcons opened camp amid Michael Vick's Federal dogfighting investigation and were the target of protesters.

"It's always good to come to training camp and not have [any] worries like everybody else in the league," White said. "Everything is going real smooth around here."

The Falcons take the field for the first practice this morning, and rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton, the second-round pick from Oklahoma, will join them after he signed a four-year contract Friday. With Lofton's signing, only Baker, who's slated to compete for the starting left tackle spot, remains unsigned from the draft class.

Lofton's agent, Todd France, wanted to make sure his client was in camp on time.

"That was the goal all along," France said. "We want him to be able to contribute and make an immediate impact."

Smith said the talks with Baker were "ongoing" and that he was hopeful that the contract would get done in time for Baker to join the team for the first workout.

Baker can not afford to miss any practices.

"I think that every snap that they don't take is a snap that is going to hurt them and hurt our football team," Smith said. "I think it's really important that we get him here. I know that our negotiators are negotiating with the agent."

The Falcons traded with Washington to move up to acquire Baker with the 21st pick of the first round. While at USC, Baker was a three-time first-team All-American.

The Falcons used Wayne Gandy, Renardo Foster, Quinn Ojinnaka, and Todd Weiner at left tackle last season. Gandy has been released, and Weiner and Foster are battling back from season-ending injuries. Ojinnaka started the final six games and seven overall.

The veterans would like to see Baker in camp so that he could earn the position and blend in with the team.

"As a team member you have to be here," fullback Ovie Mughelli said. "You have gel with the players. You've got to know how to react off your linemen or your linebackers are whomever you're working with."

Veteran wide receiver Joe Horn also reported on time and had a conversation with Smith. Horn, sensing that the Falcons were moving toward using younger receivers, requested a trade after mini-camp and did not take part in offseason voluntary workouts.

"Joe is here, and he told me he's ready to go to work," Smith said. "He's ready to compete. Those are the things as a head coach you want to hear from your players. It was a very positive conversation with Joe."

The Falcons also met with former defensive tackle Grady Jackson, but did not tender him an offer.

"We've had some talks with Grady's agent," Smith said. "Just checking out each other's interests at this point. There is nothing really concrete to say about that right now."

Jackson has received an offer from Jacksonville and also had inquiries from Green Bay, Oakland and New England.

The players expect a grueling camp.

"This is just business," said White, who recovered from a minor offseason hamstring injury. "This is never fun. Especially the first two weeks."