Falcons show new players, healthy dose of optimism, during high school practice for fans

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons showed off their new players — and a healthy dose of optimism — for fans Saturday night.

The Falcons trained at Seckinger High School, a short distance from the team’s usual spring training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Due to ongoing renovations to their facility, the visit to the high school stadium provided the first of only two opportunities for home fans to watch the team during training camp. There was a long line of fans an hour wait before the gates opened.

General manager Terry Fontenot, speaking to fans before practice, said the Falcons have the best fan base in the NFL. Fontenot said he was looking forward to fans enjoying “however many home games we have in the playoffs.”

It was a big talk for the GM of a team that had three straight 7-10 finishes. The Falcons’ most recent playoff appearance was in 2017.

The Falcons are basing their hopes on an offense that added quarterbacks Kirk Cousins ​​and Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta returns running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London and added receivers Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney.

Cousins ​​who signed a contract four-year, $180 million deal in March with $100 million guaranteed, is returning from a torn right Achilles tendon he suffered last season with Minnesota. Cousins ​​has taken all of the first-team snaps during offseason drills and the first three days of training camp.

Penix, The No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft, is seen as a future starter and will split second-team snaps with Taylor Heinicke behind Cousins.

Cousins ​​looked sharp on Saturday in two completions to Pitts, including one in which the tight end used his 6-foot-6 frame to make a sideline grab. Robinson also got a reaction from the fans with a spinning run up the middle.

First-year coach Raheem Morris was asked if it’s too early to be impressed with the team’s sharp passing game.

“It’s hard to say you’re impressed, right?” Morris said, adding that he was pleased to see the offense operate without error Friday in what he described as a quiet practice.

“I like the format, right?” Morris said. “They got a chance to get people on edge. They got a chance to get people back into the mental state where they’re at. And it really paid off, right? There were limited issues, limited execution issues, limited penalties.”

Morris said he and the team leaders came up with the idea to have the practice at the high school “to get them, you know, ‘Friday Night Lights’ back,” Morris said. “Let’s get a chance to get back on the field and be in high school. … That’s exciting. It’s exciting to be with your fans because you want that test for your guys to really knock them out, but at the same time feel that presence, feel that energy.”

NOTES: WR Drake London, who left practice early Friday after overheating, returned for a walkthrough session Friday afternoon, Morris said. London was with the team Saturday. … The second chance for local fans to see the Falcons during training camp will be Aug. 2 when the team holds a practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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