FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Summer is supposed to be about “fun in the sun.” The Falcons decided to have a little fun under some ominous clouds Saturday afternoon.
Those clouds, of course, brought the largest thunderstorm thus far in Russell Falcons Training Camp.
Rain, at times heavy, persisted for about 90 minutes of the team’s practice. The large drops sent many of the fans in attendance scrambling to tents, but about two dozen stuck it out on the hillside next to the practice field to support the team, which Head Coach Bobby Petrino elected to keep outside in the elements.
“We did get a good rain,” the coach said. “I considered going inside but I felt like we would stay out. Then, when you saw all the fans that were here, I wanted to do everything I could to stay out and keep practicing.
“I was listening to the players and some of our defensive players did a real nice job with their leadership and making sure everyone was concentrating and doing what they needed to do. So it was a good opportunity that we took advantage of there.
"But it was wet. There’s no question about that.”
Petrino said the offense, at times, struggled to hold on to the football. Players agreed but said they welcomed the experience.
“I’ve practiced in pretty much everything since I’ve been playing,” center Todd McClure said. “It’s something you have to deal with. It could be raining when we go down to Jacksonville (in Week 2). It’s good that we had a practice like that so we worked on ball handling and different things like that.”
Players on the other side of the ball were a little more appreciative of the cooler air the rain provided – and the chance to get their hands on the ball as it slipped out of the offenses’ hands.
“It’s beautiful,” linebacker Keith Brooking said when asked about the moisture. “I think it’s important for our offense, especially, because those guys handle the ball on every play. I think it makes us better. Guys can adjust to it.
“I was glad we didn’t take it inside. Last year we would have probably taken it to the indoor facility and finished our practice in there. I was glad to stay out here in the rain.”
FAN FAIR: The gloomy skies broke with about 30 minutes remaining in practice, bringing fans out of their shelters and back to the hillside that has traditionally been their vantage point for training camp.
Practice closed with the largest crowd to date and they were rewarded when the entire team walked over to sign autographs for around 15 minutes.
Wide receiver Joe Horn stayed longer, making sure he got every autograph request filled.
“It’s hard for me to walk away because I have kids,” Horn said. “I have children and I know one day it’s going to be my kid on the hill watching another pro athlete. I tell my kids: ‘Hey, everybody’s not like your dad.’ I’m going to take my time and I’m going to tell my kids: ‘When you do become a professional athlete or whatever and there’s some people standing out waiting, you go sign until the end – until you can’t sign anymore and they’re gone.’ That’s where the love comes from. Respect. You know what I’m saying?”
SOME GOOD POPS: Keeping with the pattern of “first” in Saturday’s practice, the Falcons put on full pads for the first time in training camp.
The players responded with more physical play, but Petrino said the team did not finish tackles by taking a player to the ground.
“It was the first time we were in full pads and we did nice inside run (work) and I think our offensive line did a pretty good job on the inside run,” he said. “I like the improvement of our linebackers coming down hill to the run. There were some pretty good pad pops. I think they enjoyed it.”
ROSTER MOVES: The Falcons released former University of Georgia receiver Fred Gibson Saturday morning.
Gibson, who signed Feb. 15, spent two seasons on the Dolphins practice squad. He was a fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.
Petrino described the move as “a football decision.”
YOUTH WEEK UPDATE: Saturday also marked the beginning of Youth Week.
More than 250 children and their families braved the rain to experience the excitement of Falcons football.
Kids took part in activities at the Falcons Fun Zone, where young players honed their skills in the Quarterback Toss, 40-yard Dash and the Field Goal Kick.
LaTonia Jackson, whose East Point Bulldogs made the trip to Flowery Branch, said the rain didn’t dampen their enjoyment.
“Rain or shine, we’re glad that the kids in our group had a chance to take part in this experience,” Jackson said.
The Bulldogs and the Hiram Cougars were among some of the groups invited to help celebrate the opening day of Youth Week at training camp. Youth football players and cheerleaders from each program were on hand to kick off the week of activities.
The Falcons rewarded kids who wore their youth football and cheerleading gear with mini-footballs and pom-poms.
WEATHER FORECAST: Rain is gone for now. The forecast for Sunday calls for a high in the mid-80s with a chance of rain. The team has two practices scheduled.
Falcons staffer LaRhonda T. Jackson contributed to this report.
