Real football was back at the Falcons facility in Flowery Branch this morning. Enough with the sissy stuff, it was time to put on the pads and knock heads. And they got right down to business, after the special teams and stretching session that starts practice under Coach Smith. First Period of Practice: 1 vs. 1 in a 1st down and 10 situation. Offense run it. Defense stop the run. Good stuff (if your standing on the sideline).
    The Falcons offense ran it effectively in the drill. Michael Turner was banging it in there. Norwood found a couple of seams. Ryan was on target mixing in the pass. The #1 offense got he best of the #1 defense. And afterwards, DL Coach Sugar Bear Hamilton let his men know it. The salty stuff you've come to expect from tough football coaches.
    "What the ___ was that? Do you want to ___ this team? We were #28 against the run last season...that ___ isn't going to ___ happen this year. You ___ got knocked off the ball. ___you ___ didn't hustle to the ball. What the ___ was that? That's ____.
    My focus was on 1st round pick DT Peray Jerry. He got pushed around this morning. Coach Hamilton was busy coaching technique to him the rest of the practice. Seems like he was getting too wide a split, and then getting his hands too wide on the OGs pads. And he was getting pushed off the ball. The teaching point: Get tighter on the guards shoulder, keep hands inside and push him back. Perhaps get a phase of making the transition up from major college ball. But his performance this morning was disappointing. This guy needs to be able to make an impact. He's the 1st round pick! The Falcons are expecting he and Babineaux to be disruptive. 
    The situation at CB appears to be much better. More players. Houston is in his prime. Chevis Jackson continues to come on. rookie Chris Owens looks impressive. First impression: those are the top 3 CBs. Grimes and Von Hutchins would be good depth. And the local kid Middleton will be sticking around on special teams I assume. This group is faster and more athletic than the ones in the past. Owens is really pushing Grimes.
    Roddy wasn't around (and nothing new to report from Dimitroff or Smith), but Matt Ryan's WRs had a good morning catching the ball. Finneran made a few circus catches and looks to be in the best shape of his life (and skinny). Jenkins and Douglas made plays. Tony Gonzalez converted a few 3rd down plays. And don't you know Matt Ryan's loving that!
    More later.