At a turf field about 10 miles from the team’s facilities in Flowery Branch, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and linebacker Mike Peterson presided over an unofficial minicamp practice Tuesday.
With the players locked out because of the NFL’s labor dispute, about 30 players were on hand for the hour workout, which included spirited seven-on-seven passing matchups.
Nine of the 22 starters in the divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers were on hand. Three of the team’s nine Pro Bowlers — Ryan, cornerback Brent Grimes and fullback Ovie Mughelli — participated in the workout.
Some of the key reserves on hand included wide receiver Harry Douglas, center Joe Hawley and cornerback Christopher Owens.
Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones, who has been meeting with Ryan and the wide receivers, did not attend. Jones is recovering from surgery to repair the stress fracture in his left foot.
“Julio can’t run quite yet,” Ryan said. “I don’t want to talk about the injuries. We’ll kind of keep that same policy.”
Linebacker Akeem Dent, the Falcons’ third-round pick from Douglass High and Georgia, was the lone rookie attendee. Peterson made sure that Dent was inserted in the drills, and Dent was fluid dropping into coverage.
Under the lockout rules, the coaches are not allowed to communicate with the players, so Ryan made good use of the window when the lockout was lifted in late April. He spoke with coaches and got some information to pass on to the team.
“At this point, we are very much prepared to get our team ready,” Ryan said. “I’m sure the coaches will do the same thing whenever the season rolls around.”
Ryan is trying to follow Smith’s formula for practice, with defensive input from Peterson.
“We’ve all been doing it long enough to kind of understand what’s beneficial and how to get it done,” Ryan said. “You kind of put on your coaching hat and work on some things that you want to work on. We’ve got some stuff scripted.”
Several players have been working out in Cumming in an ad-hoc strength-and-conditioning program. This was the first time that the team was called together for a practice.
Last season’s minicamp was held May 7-9.
“I didn’t even think about the dates,” Ryan said. “But you just kind of know that it’s time to start picking up the ball again and get ready for the upcoming season.”
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