For the second season in a row, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is organizing “players-only” camp that will be held in Florida before the players report for the strength and conditioning program on April 17.
Last season, during their march to the Super Bowl, several players contended the players-only camp helped to build a strong bond on the team and eventually led to what the team called the “Brotherhood” feeling.
Last season, about 27 players participated in the camp that was held at a Fort Lauderdale High school. This year the offensive linemen and kickers are set to join the skill position players.
“I know there will be a huge turnout amongst the whole team,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It kind of shows the strength of Brotherhood and that they have the willingness to get better. It’s going to be a big group that’s down there.”
Quinn was elated to hear the news about the gathering.
“It kind of lights me up in a big way that they are going to go down and spend the time together even before we start,” Quinn said. “That’s kind of like their spring training for pitchers and catchers.”
Ryan modeled the camp after the ones Peyton Manning used to hold when he was with the Indianapolis Colts. He had some help from former Colts and Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme, who was part of the group last season. Tamme has not be re-signed by the Falcons thus far in free agency.
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