FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Tuesday’s practice was music to the Atlanta Falcons’ ears.
“You can hear if it’s a good day,” defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said. “You hear those pads clash together. You hear those grunts and groans out there. I mean, it sounds different when you’re in pads. That’s real football.”
For the first time in the 2024 league year, the Falcons worked in full pads. The previous four training camp practices were non-contact, still technically under the offseason program rules to get players reacclimated. From here on out, those restrictions are gone.
Coaches and players alike were ready for the change.
“It’s hard to say who’s most excited, but you got to think the D-linemen and the O-linemen — they have to just be so eager to go,” head coach Raheem Morris said. “Because the offseason for those guys are, ‘Hey, not as much contact. Slow it down. Play with your hands.’ Now they can finally turn it loose. Those two cores on the front, they got to be ready to go. They got to be ready to just turn it up.”
Obviously, Rodgers spoke for his group. But rest assured, the players on the opposite side of the line mirrored those emotions.
“I woke up with a little pep in my step today,” Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews said. “I don’t think it ever goes away. If I ever wake up and don’t feel it, I’ll probably retire.”
This is Matthews’ 11th training camp, all in Atlanta. As a former top-10 draft pick with more than a decade of experience, Matthews has seen a lot in his time. If he’s still able to feel that excitement when the pads come on, there’s undoubtedly an energizing effect. Sometimes, though, too much excitement can lead to miscues.
The main issue that arose with the introduction of pads was an increase in procedural penalties on the offensive side of the ball. There were a noticeable amount of false starts called.
“We got the pads on, guys are excited,” Matthews said. “Part of being a pro is you got lock in on that stuff and fix it. I know that’ll get better.”
There’s still a fair amount of time to make those corrections before the regular season begins in September.
The Falcons have two more padded practices this week – Wednesday and Friday. The latter will actually be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and open to fans who purchase tickets. Next week, the Falcons travel for joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. Their preseason opener is Aug. 9 at Hard Rock Stadium. It will begin at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast locally on FOX 5 and on 92.9 The Game.
But let’s not look too far out yet. In some ways, training camp has only just begun.
“This was Day 1 practice for the line to be honest with you,” Rodgers said. “When you put the pads on is when it really starts.”