Falcons introduce new players, plenty of optimism at high school practice in front of fans

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

The Falcons practiced at Seckinger High School, a short drive from the team’s regular practice facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Due to ongoing renovations to their facility, the visit to the high school stadium was the first of only two opportunities for local fans to watch the team during training camp. long line of fans wait an hour before the doors open.

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

It was a heady speech for the general manager of a team that was coming off three straight 7-10 seasons. The Falcons last made the playoffs in 2017.

The Falcons are pinning their hopes on an offense that added quarterbacks Kirk Cousins ​​and Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta gets 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 four-year, $180 million contract Cousins, who signed in March with $100 million guaranteed, is coming back from a torn right Achilles tendon he suffered last season with Minnesota. Cousins ​​took every first-team snap in offseason drills and the first three days of training camp.

Penis, The 8th overall pick in the NFL draft, is considered a future starter and shares second-team snaps with Taylor Heinicke behind Cousins.

Cousins ​​made a strong showing Saturday, completing two passes against Pitts, including one where the tight end took advantage of his 6-foot-6 frame to attempt a catch on the sideline. Robinson also got a response from the fans with a spinning run up the middle.

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

“It’s hard to say impressed, right?” Morris said, adding that he enjoyed seeing the offense operate without mistakes Friday in what he described as a low-key practice.

“I like the format, don’t you?” Morris said. “They had a chance to get people tuned up. They had a chance to get them back in the mindset that you’re in. And it really paid off, didn’t it? There were few issues, few execution issues, few penalties.”

Morris said he and team officials came up with the idea of ​​holding the practice at the high school “to get them back, you know, like ‘Friday Night Lights,'” Morris said. “We’re going to get a chance to get back on the field and be in high school. … It’s exciting. It’s exciting to be with your fans because you want the test for your guys to really shut them up, but at the same time, feel the presence, feel that energy.”

NOTES: WR Drake London, who left Friday’s practice early after getting too hot, returned for a workout Friday afternoon, according to Morris. London was with the team Saturday. … The second chance for local fans to see the Falcons during training camp will come Aug. 2, when the team holds a practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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