How the Falcons razz the rookies

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Falcons rookie defensive tackle Vance Walker leveled a serious charge against the offensive linemen.

He charged them with raiding the candy bin that the rookies must keep stocked for the veteran defensive linemen.

“A lot of the other teammates have discovered where we hide the candy,” Walker said. “So now it’s like we are providing for the whole team. We think the offensive linemen stole the whole bin of candy last week. So that was like $30 down the drain. We are in a candy war with them right now.”

When asked if knew anything about the missing candy, rookie offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds burst out laughing before professing innocence.

The candy caper is just one of the ways the Falcon veterans send their rookies through a rite of passage to the NFL.

They are not a hazing team.

“But there is a hierarchy, and there are certain things that come with the territory,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “The rookies will carry in our veterans’ helmets and shoulder pads after practice. They might have some extra duties in the equipment room. There is a priority in the training room.”

If a rookie is on the training table getting taped and a veteran walks in, the rookie needs to scramble. “He knows that it is his job to get off the table,” Smith said.

Here’s a look at some of the ways the veteran Falcons indoctrinate their rookies.

Ryan’s help

Quarterback Matt Ryan is taking it easy on rookie quarterback John Parker Wilson.

“I was just there last year, so I know what it’s like,” Ryan said. “We’ve got some good guys in here. They are working hard and for the most part, keeping their mouths shut.”

The chicken caper

The rookies found out last week before the team flight left for Detroit that they had to provide the veterans in their position group with Popeye’s chicken.

Rookies Christopher Owens, William Moore and William Middleton had to get 24 wings, 24 legs and 24 biscuits for the defensive backs.

“You add that up, and that’s a pretty penny,” Owens said.

Second-year linebacker Robert James missed the fun last season after suffering a concussion early in camp and being placed on injured reserve for the season. He’s helping out rookie linebacker Spencer Adkins this year. They had to get the chicken for the linebackers.

Flowery Branch Idol

The rookies have to perform songs during some team meetings.

The defensive line rookies, Peria Jerry, Vance Walker, Maurice Lucas and Lawrence Sidbury, had a dance routine and sang Dru Hill’s “In My Bed.”

The offensive line went international.

“We sang ‘La Bamba’, and Jose [Valdez] sang it in Spanish,” Reynolds said. “We were the background singers.”

The defensive backs are up soon. They are working on a Jackson 5 number. Owens thinks he’s going to land the role of Michael Jackson.

Beverage cart

The defensive line rookies also got in trouble recently for not stocking the refrigerator with Gatorade and water.

“They got mad,” Walker said. “The drinks were there, but they just weren’t in the refrigerator. They were already cold. They were being kind of difficult. We have to bring in chips, too.”

Walker takes it stride.

“It’s hard being a rookie these days,” he said.