FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons won't practice with full pads until Monday, but fans and players got a sneak preview Sunday morning when Head Coach Mike Smith ordered shoulder pads and shorts as the practice uniform.
Within a few minutes the familiar -- and comforting -- sound of clacking plastic filled the humid air.
The team didn't do much hitting Sunday but the pads did allow for players to show a little something extra.
"It's kind of a mixed tempo," second-year linebacker Tony Taylor said. "Certain drills you aren't hitting and some you are. Turning the switch off and on... you have to get used to it."
Taylor spent another day working with the first team as middle linebacker -- a position he took on earlier in the off-season. Tackling ability could prove a key for the smaller linebacker who entered the league as an undrafted free agent.
Taylor made the Falcons 53-man roster last season to continue a solid career. He started 35 games at Georgia, notching 272 tackles. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2006 (96 tackles, seven interceptions). He made an impression on then-linebackers coach Brian VanGorder and finished second on the team with eight special teams tackles. He also recorded four tackles on defense in a season-ending win over Seattle.
His competitive nature is obvious on the field, but he seems just as happy and eager to help rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton.
"I was joking with him that I wanted to see the Curtis from the video game," Taylor said after Sunday's practice. "He's a good athlete. There's no limit to what he can do. We get along real well and it's a great competition."
SPECIAL SESSION: The Falcons special teams monopolized the practice fields Sunday afternoon to work on punt coverage. A few players took reps receiving Michael Koenen's kicks including running back Jerious Norwood, who could add punt returner to his list of talents.
"It's all about what the coaches want me to do," he said. "Regardless of the situation I'm going to give 110 percent every day. I feel like that's my job and responsibility."
Norwood said his speed and quickness are strengths in the punt return game. He was joined by Adam Jennings and Brent Grimes in the drill.
TURNING UP THE HEAT: With pads on, working in the heat became a little more difficult.
But some quality progress was made.
"It was a rough one today," Taylor said. "Everyone had to dig down a little deeper and fight through the heat and the humidity. I think it was a good day. We came out and fought. The first stage of building a defense is fighting through the heat and adversity."
The temperature rose to about 85 degrees during practice with 65 percent humidity.
Always concerned with fatigue, Smith said the team started with shoulder equipment before moving to full pads. The scrimmage at Friday Night Lights (Aug. 1) will be the first time players will tackle.
"It was the first time we've actually had pads on so it was a new sequencing for not only the players but the coaches," Smith said. "I thought there at the end the intensity dropped a little bit. You're going to have your ups and downs. I thought they came back and finished strong."
"It's definitely a transition," added tight end Ben Hartsock. "The coaches have done a great job of not throwing the whole kitchen sink at us right away. We've been lucky with the weather; we've had a little cloud cover. It's a matter of going out and getting comfortable with yourself."
QUOTABLE: Hartsock also commented on the energy and positive vibes coming off the practice field:
"I'm excited. Everyone seems real enthusiastic. It's early... in four or five days we'll all be walking around like zombies. It's exciting to see what this team can become because everyone knows in this league it doesn't take a magic touch to be a better team, you just have to work at it."
SAD NEWS: Defensive end John Abraham will miss some practice time due to the passing of his grandfather.
"We feel for John Abraham and his family," Smith said. "His grandfather passed. (Abraham) will be with his family and take the time that he needs to take care of all that. As an organization, we send our condolences."
INJURY REPORT: Von Hutchins will get a second opinion on his sprained foot Monday morning. Smith said it could be a while longer before the team knows the severity of the cornerback's injury. Hutchins, who signed with a team as a free agent this season, hobbled off the field during the first practice of Russell Falcons Training Camp.
Defensive end Jamaal Anderson was held out of the morning practice with a tweaked hamstring. Smith said the move was "more precautionary than anything."
ATTENDANCE: More than 1,500 fans attended practices Sunday afternoon. One practice is open to the public tomorrow. Gates open at 7:30 a.m.
WEATHER REPORT: The sun made a comeback Sunday with higher temperatures and more humidity. Look for temperatures to feel like 102 degrees with a chance of storms tomorrow.
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage from 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- SOUNDS: Head Coach Mike Smith mic'd for practice
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons ready to put on the pads
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Tony Taylor | Ben Hartsock | Jerious Norwood
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Cornering the Market | Looking for Contact
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: J. Michael Moore and SPF50 | NFL Team Cam
- MOOKIE'S BLOG: Daddy Needs a Chiropractor
- TWIG'S BLOG: Screamers Found
- MOD'S BLOG: How Refreshing
