FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – First-timers and long-timers turned out high on anticipation on Saturday for the start of Russell Falcons Training Camp, as last year’s playoff appearance has wet fans’ collective appetites for more.
Questions about the defense, a chance to see the team’s new perennial Pro-Bowl tight end, Tony Gonzalez, and hopes of the team’s first back-to-back winning seasons were high on the priority list for some of the more than 4,700 fans who showed up at the team’s practice facility.
John Anglin of Covington, who said he is more of a college football fan than a pro fan, said he wanted to “re-introduce” himself to the Falcons after last year’s success. Anglin, who was making notes on the team’s roster, spoke of a “whole new excitement.”
“Hopefully, it carries through the whole year,” he said.
Anglin said he was excited about Gonzalez and that quarterback Matt Ryan, last year’s Associated Press offensive rookie of the year, “brought new excitement.”
He says the Falcons “can’t fly under the radar anymore” as they did in 2008 as perhaps the league’s biggest surprise.
Ryan Foles of Newnan also came to the first day of camp for the first time. Foles said he understood that the defense needed to get younger and he wanted to see some improvement in the team’s defensive secondary.
“I want to see them break that curse of no back-to-back winning seasons,” he said. “Expectations might be a little high. I think the team might be a little better but the record might not show it, given the [difficult] schedule.”
Lamar Maddox of Warner Robins was giddy attending his first training camp even while sweltering in the unexpectedly hot morning sun and trying to keep cool by fanning himself. He came to metro Atlanta for personal reasons then stayed overnight in a hotel to attend.
“It’ll be very interesting to see the new defensive guys,” said Maddox, who added that he plans on coming to the first day of camp in the future. “The offense will be real good. Tony Gonzalez is going to turn some of those field goals into touchdowns, hopefully.”
Maddox said the No. 1 question facing the team is “definitely the secondary, especially with rookies back there maybe.”
He wants to see rookie cornerback Christopher Owens, a third-round draft pick out of San Jose State, win a starting job.
Carol Self, a season ticket holder since 1992 who lives in Forest Park, was standing under a tent atop the hill that overlooks the practice field, wearing her No. 12 Michael Jenkins jersey and using a pair of binoculars to catch the action.
“I think we’re going to be good,” she said. “We improved with the draft. Gonzalez is a great new toy for Matt Ryan to play with.”
She was sitting with the crowd that she tailgates with on Sundays at the Georgia Dome, some of whom have been season ticket holders since 1979. Self, who said she has come to the first day of camp for years, agreed that national expectations for the Falcons are high.
“We had some relatives in from out of town and they thought we’ll be all right,” she said.
She also had her eye closely attuned to the secondary.
“Chris Houston is doing pretty good,” she said. “I’d like to see him cut his hair. I don’t know why they [opponents] don’t pull it.”
Of those attending, John Crawford probably had one of the shortest trips. He’s lived in Flowery Branch for 10 years and has attended training camps for six or seven years. Crawford, wearing a Falcons T-shirt signed by reserve quarterback D.J. Shockley, was on the hunt for more autographs.
On the crowded hillside, Crawford stood by himself, not far from the carnival-like atmosphere in the parking lot on the other side of the fence.
“The kids like to come and play the games,” he said.
Covington’s Anglin came with a friend and both men brought their sons, who will soon begin playing football themselves.
“It’s nice having the boys with us now that they can understand some of the game,” he said. “You have to be impressed by the atmosphere.”
Day One -- Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
8:30 a.m./3:45 p.m. Practice
@FalconsJMoore "Words of the Day"
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith talks about the first day at camp
- FEATURE: Fans flock to Flowery Branch for first day of camp
- RELEASE: Birds sign linebacker Jamie Winborn
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Abraham | Gonzalez | Jerry | Moore
- BLOGS: J. Michael Moore's blog posts from Aug. 1, 2009
- PHOTOS: Images from the team's first day at camp (Flickr)
