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Falcons players report to team headquarters tomorrow to start the next round of mini camp activities.
Practice fields lie in wait.
Saturday morning the Falcons -- rookie and veteran -- will take the field for the first time in 2008. The public is invited to four practices over the weekend for this first (and only) look at the Birds before the start of Training Camp.
And, so far, the anticipation has been personified with an eerie, business-like ease. If not for the tackling dummies and weight room I'd feel like a CPA at Flowery Branch's largest accounting firm.
But one glance at the practice fields brings us all back to reality.
We had a taste of the season at last month's veteran mini camp. Now it's all about the future as rookies and vets take the field together.
Matt Ryan, Sam Baker, Chevis Jackson...
Chris Redman, Todd McClure, Chris Houston...
Erik Coleman, Michael Turner, Ben Hartsock...
We're ready for our first peak.
It's tough to know what kind of "football previews" fans and reporters can draw from mini camp. Players are in shorts and running between the tackles just doesn't have that same "pop."
But something about helmets, whistles and play books brings the fall into focus and, when a receiver stretches his hands to the air to make that catch over a cornerback, it's easy to forget the pollen in the air and lack of on-the-field contact.
The Falcons first preseason game is less than 100 days away. Practices this weekend may not resemble a game but everything about mini camp is designed to bring winning in 2008.
If you make the trip to The Branch this weekend, look for Head Coach Mike Smith's upbeat, energetic style to explode into the spring sky.
(Trust me, you may leave practice ready to run through a brick wall for the man).
Look for the team to start perfecting the playbook and look for some players getting some reps at various positions.
(The coaching staff has made cross-training a priority).
Look for rookies to get more accustom to NFL life by the minute. They may wobble like foals on the first few snaps, but will make some plays with one of the rawest powers in football -- potential.
It's mini camp time again in Flowery Branch.
Just look at the field.
Don't think it makes much of a difference on how the game will be played, however.
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