FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With about 40 minutes left in the first practice of Russell Falcons Training Camp rookie left tackle Sam Baker hustled onto the practice field.
The ink on his first contract was drying in an upstairs conference room.
"I didn't know you couldn't come out here without a contract so I waited upstairs until it was done," said Baker, the 21st overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. "It was a relief to have it done and have all that stuff behind me."
The team announced the makings of a deal last night, guaranteeing all 11 rookies would be on the field during the first day of camp. It didn't take long for many of them to break a sweat, particularly Baker. In a matter of two minutes he went from the locker room to the first-string offensive line.
"Right now it's about the work," Baker said. "I'll handle the work and see what the opportunity gives me."
Baker joined second-year player Justin Blalock on the left side of the line. Veteran Todd McClure ran the first team from his center position, while Harvey Dahl (guard) and Tyson Clabo (tackle) worked on the right side.
Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan also took some snaps behind the first-team offensive line.
The third overall pick signed a contract on May 20 and has more than a dozen practices (mini camps and organized team activities) under his belt. But there's something different about training camp.
"At this point I have about 20 practices under my belt so I'm a lot more comfortable than I was starting in mini camp," he said. "At this point it's about consistency -- showing up every day and getting better every day."
FRESH LEGS: Head Coach Mike Smith and his staff will be committed to running training camp in a relaxed but diligent pace.
"Our goal is to get to the opening game as healthy as possible," the coach said. "That's kind of a tough task when you're preparing and going through the rigors of a training camp... I wanted our guys to know that we're cognizant of that situation; we want to be healthy but we also want to go out there and work."
The approach wasn't lost on players, who seem to welcome the break from two-a-days (the team will have one practice Wednesday) and a regular schedule of light special teams workouts that will keep veterans in the weight room.
"I love how his camp is set up," quarterback Chris Redman said. "(Smith) wants us to be well rested, but at the same time, when it's time to go to work we go to work full speed. That's how it should be. You just turn it on like a light switch... He treats us like grown men."
Smith has plans for some full-pad workouts in the heat of the day to "stun" his players bodies and get them ready for September. But ultimately he and his staff will be charged with keeping focus and health.
"When we work, we're going to work," he said. "We want it to be intense. But we'll give (players) a period of time where it will be more of a walk-and-talk and coaching period."
The team will be in shorts on Sunday and wear full pads Monday morning.
EVALUATING CHEMISTRY: Keith Brooking knows a thing or two about team chemistry. Now in his 11th training camp, the veteran linebacker is keeping a close eye on how the new-look Falcons are gelling.
So far he's pleased.
"We did a lot of work during the off-season to come together as a football team," he said. "I think we became familiar with each other... That's very key, not just learning the schemes and the terminology but becoming familiar with one another. We're here for almost three weeks sleeping in the same apartments and working together....
"I think those things carry you a long way in this league."
Such chemistry will be vital moving forward, especially as position battles heat up.
"It is a competition and you love to compete," Smith said. "That's what it's all about. I'm excited because it's going to bring some clarity to our football team. We want to clear up some questions that we have but we're not going to know those answers in two weeks. It's probably going to be four weeks before we know that because everyone has to get an opportunity to compete in practice and (in games)."
Brooking knows some obstacles may be ahead but he's confident this Falcons team can handle it.
"We're going to be faced with some tough times; it's not going to be an easy road," he said. "As crazy as it sounds I kind of welcome that stuff. You find out what you're about. You find out what the guys around you are about."
INJURY UPDATE: The Falcons placed Renardo Foster (knee) and Trey Lewis (knee) on reserve lists Friday evening but left Todd Weiner on the active roster. Smith said the team's starting right tackle from 2007 (before injury) was cleared to practice last week and will start getting some work at camp.
"We're going to bring Todd along very slowly," he said. "There are a couple guys we're going to have to manage through training camp because of their age or injury situation."
Cornerback Von Hutchins hobbled off the practice field this morning with a right foot injury. As of Smith's midday press conference, the team had nothing detailed to report.
"Until we watch the tape we really won't know what happened," the coach said.
WEATHER REPORT: The Falcons practiced under dark skies for much of the afternoon workouts but the rain held off until about half an hour after the final horn. In retrospect, the team enjoyed a mostly overcast day.
The forecast for Sunday calls for a high of 90 degrees with a chance of storms.
FAN FRENZY: A total of 3,013 fans attended the first day of Russell Falcons Training Camp. Click here for information on future open practices. Both practices Sunday are open to the public.
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete Russell Falcons Training Camp coverage
- NOTEBOOK: Rookies energetic on first day
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- AUDIO: Keith Brooking
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Matt Ryan | Chris Redman | Roddy White
- VIDEO: Sam Baker | Curtis Lofton | Harry Douglas | Joey Harrington
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: The Show Must Go On | Welcome to Camp! | Chewing the QB's Ear
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Injury Update | Closing Thoughts from Day One
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: New Media Studio | The Media Room | The 'Other' Roddy White
- TWIG'S BLOG: Sprouting
- MOOKIE'S BLOG: Tag Team Back Again
- MOD'S BLOG: It's On Like Donkey Kong | Sounds of the Game
