Training Camp practice notes - 8/16/06

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16: 8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. On Wednesday morning, the Falcons experienced the coolest practice environment of their 2006 training camp to date, with an overcast sky and temperatures in the low 80s. QB Michael Vick, who vied some time ago that he would not cut his hair until he led his team to a Super Bowl, took the corn rows out on Wednesday and let everyone know that he was keeping his vow. TE Jason Randall made an impressive grab in the early goings of practice, running a post-corner route against LB Jordan Beck towards the right sideline. Beck rode Randall's outside hip and when the pass came between Randall and the well-positioned linebacker, Randall plucked it out of the air, despite Beck's efforts to thwart the completion. A few reps later, TE Eric Beverly got the best of LB Brandon Jamison, running a seam down the left hash. With Jamison running with him step for step, Beverly told Vick to throw it up to him and Vick obliged, putting the pass directly over Jamison's head, where only Beverly could catch it, and one of the best run blocking ends in the game made a nifty catch, and glided into the end zone, dunking the ball over the goal post to punctuate the rep. Even though Wednesday morning marked the Falcons 26th training camp workout, the Falcons appeared to display as much effort, as much drive, as much hop in their step as they exhibited on the first day of training camp workouts nearly three weeks ago. CB Leigh Torrence made a superb play when facing off against WR Jerome Pathon Wednesday morning. Breaking to the outside, Pathon made it to 15 yards stopped his momentum, breaking back for a comeback route. Torrence rode Pathon's inside hip perfectly, and when Pathon turned, Torrence followed, tipping the pass up when it arrived, and then catching the tipped back and heading the other way. Catch of the Day: Manned up against S Cam Newton, TE Dwayne Blakley ran a fly patter and QB Matt Schaub, instantly feeling pressure, recognized the blitz and took three steps and threw to his hot receiver, Blakley, who he knew was in man coverage. Though Newton was perfectly positioned on Blakley's inside hip, the athletic TE managed to leap and catch the ball over Newton's head to complete the reception and help Schaub beat the blitz. Throw of the Day: A few reps later, QB Michael Vick went under center, dropped back to throw and fired a 40-yard bullet on a line to the end zone, hitting WR Roddy White in stride on a skinny post down the left hash, splitting the coverage of CB Bill Alford and S Nick Turnbull Following the Falcons first of two Wednesday sessions, Jim Mora permitted all of the 500+ fans in attendance to come on the Falcons practice fields for a full-squad autograph session.

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Falcons welcomed members of the 1-171st Aviation Regiment, Alpha Company, to their Wednesday evening practice. By design, the members of Alpha Company arrived at the facility at roughly 6:30 -- roughly 30 minutes into practice -- flying their UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters overhead and touching down on the outskirts of the Falcons practice fields. The soldiers took in practice, and also signed autographs along with the Falcons following the workout. QB D.J. Shockley made one of the better throws of practice in the early goings of Wednesday evening workouts. Shockley connected with WR Robert Redd, zinging a pass 40 yards on a rope into Redd's grasps on a skinny post, just out of the reaches of the well-positioned defender. Tip Drill: CB Bill Alford got the best of Shockley later on during the workout. With Shockley rolling to his right, Alford positioned himself directly between Shockley and his intended target, TE Klaus Alinen. Shockley attempted to place the pass over the head and out of the reach of Alford, but the Vanderbilt alum was not to be outdone, and leaped to tip the ball when Shockley let it go, then catching his own tip for a pick. Both Shockley and QB Bryan Randall continue to impress with their poise in the pocket, zip on the ball and general athleticism. CB Jason Webster deflected no fewer than three passes during the team portions of Wednesday night's workout. Pass of practice: QB Michael Vick went under center, took McClure's snap, hopped three steps, planted and fired to WR Michael Jenkins on a deep slant to the left, connecting with the receiver for a score and threading the needle of the well-placed defenders CB Jimmy Williams and S Chris Crocker. -Wednesday marked the Falcons final two-a-day session of their 2006 training camp, and Thursday, August 17 will be the Falcons final training camp workout that will be open to the general public.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT Jim Mora press conference Jawin' with A.J.: Adam Jenning's training camp diary A visit from the 171st (5:03)