FLOWERY BRANCH -- While still in the conditioning phase of training camp without pads, the Falcons held their first practice before the fans Saturday.
Coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot addressed the crowd, which broke into spontaneous changes of “We’re Ready” and “ATL Yo!”
Smith was pleased with the practice.
“It was good,” Smith said. “It was good to see some guys starting to separate themselves in terms of being able to push through things. It’s starting to add up.”
The Falcons went almost two hours.
“We are trying to throw a lot at them,” Smith said. “We are trying to challenge them. We are trying to see who emerges. There is really good competition going on. It was fun to see today. These guys are competing.”
Here are five things we learned from Day 3 of training camp:
1. Walker’s coverage: Linebacker Mykal Walker, while covering running back Caleb Huntley, intercepted a pass thrown by Feleipe Franks in the one-on-one drills.
2. Take a lap: Matt Ryan and Calvin Ridley led the offense around the field on a lap after they jumped offside.
3. Ridley update: Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who had ankle surgery this offseason, was cutting at near top speed for the third day in a row.
4. Lindstrom’s tool box: Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom played 1,123 offensive snaps (100%) last season and was one of the few bright spots along the line.
“As you progress throughout your career, I’ve (received) advice from great veterans, who’ve always said you have a tool box,” Lindstrom said. “Every year and every experience that you ever have you kind of add those tools to that tool box. I just keep trying to grow as a player.”
While Lindstrom is set at right guard, the center position to his left and the right tackle position to his right are up for grabs.
“Both Kaleb (McGary) and Matt (Hennessy), they are guys that I love and I’ve played a lot with, but you continue to grow year in and year out,” Lindstrom said. “It starts with personal relationships outside of the football field, and I think we have a great room of guys. We able to take and communicate and have a good time outside of the field, which only makes it easier on the field.”
5. Practice schedule: The Falcons will have their fourth practice in block one of conditioning Sunday before getting Monday off. They will have their first padded practice Tuesday.
Check back later for stories from the practice on AJC.com.
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