FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan should think of adding acting to his list of many talents. A few minutes after wrapping up his first practice as a professional and signing autographs he admitted he was, indeed, "nervous" about his first day.
If so, he hid it well.
"I didn’t see any jitters," Head Coach Mike Smith said of Ryan, the team's third-overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. " I know they were there and he has played in big games. Once you break that huddle, it’s all about football. It’s a 100-yard field and you go out and play.”
Chris Redman, who started the final four games of 2008, worked with the first-team offense, but Ryan, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley also took snaps with other starters from last season.
Now that those opening moments are over with, Ryan looks forward to focusing on improvement.
"It was a fun first day," he said. "It’s nice to have it under your belt at this point. I’m just excited to go in, watch the tape and get out this afternoon to do it again... When you dream about professional football, you don’t dream about practicing. You dream about playing in the game. So I never really dreamed about my first professional practice (but) it went very well.”
The coaching staff and Ryan's teammates were impressed with his poise. Ryan wasted little time talking with rookies and veterans on the field, offering congratulatory helmet slaps to anyone who made a nice play.
“I thought Matt threw the ball well out there," Smith said. " Like anybody competing in their first practice, I think he was a little nervous out there. The command of the huddle was good and I don’t think there were any bad snaps involving Matt. It’s going to be a process for him and he’ll go through it like anyone else. Sam Baker is going through the same thing as well as Curtis Lofton and Harry Douglas. All of our draft picks are going through the same thing. That first day is something they’ll always remember.”
INJURY REPORT: Several players missed the Falcons veteran mini camp last month with injuries, but most returned Saturday including Shockley and wide receiver Brian Finneran, who missed the better part of the last two seasons with back-to-back ACL tears.
"My legs may have been a little heavy," said Finneran, who has 15 career touchdowns (12 since joining the Falcons in 2002). I'm just easing into it but I felt pretty good in terms of football and knowing where I need to be."
Newly-acquired running back Michael Turner also made his practice debut.
“Brian got cleared for practice and of course he is wearing his knee brace out there," Smith said. " He’ll probably have to keep it on because he’s had those two surgeries on his knee. It was great to see (Turner) out there. He is going to be a great running back. He runs low to the ground and I think it will be fun watching him run the football. We’ve got some guys who have progressed and Todd Weiner has progressed in his rehab, so we are excited with where he is right now.”
Defensive tackle Trey Lewis and offensive tackle Renardo Foster also missed practice while they recover from knee ligament tears.
Smith said Weiner, who started at left and right tackle last season, will not practice in this round of mini camp workouts.
LINE SHUFFLE: Injuries have made for an interesting situation around the field, particularly on the offensive line.
That leaves some starting position up for grabs, at least in the early goings of the offseason.
“In my nine years, I would say that there are not nearly as many jobs that are secured compared to other teams I’ve been with," Smith said. " It’s a great opportunity for everyone and it’s a new season. We don’t have any preconceived ideas. It’s a new staff with new coaches and a new general manager. Everyone should feel pretty good about their situation in terms of being able to come in and compete.”
Quinn Ojinnaka worked at left tackle Saturday after spending some time last month at left guard. Second-year player Justin Blalock also went back to left guard after working at right tackle in an earlier camp. Tyson Clabo took reps at right tackle -- a position he started 11 games at last season.
BURNER'S BACK: Smith appeared excited to have Turner back in the lineup. But not nearly as excited as the running back himself.
"It felt great to finally get out there and feel part of the team," said Turner, who the team signed from San Diego on the first day of free agency. "We still have corrections to make as always, but we're taking it one day at a time."
Turner said the team will hold him out of some drills as he recovers from a minor shoulder injury.
In four seasons with the Chargers Turner averaged 5.5-yards per carry, rushed for more than 1,200 yards and six touchdowns.
FANATICAL FANS: More than 1,100 fans attended the team's Saturday morning practice, which pleased everyone performing on the field.
“It was very nice," Smith said. " When we made the decision to open it to the public, we didn’t know if there would be two, 200 or 2,000 people. I thought it was a great turnout, they were energetic and they got a chance to see our guys go out and compete. I think it’s important for our fans to know that we are team-oriented and we like to go out there and have fun. Everyone got a chance to see that today.”
“It’s pretty cool to see people wearing your jersey; I’m not going to lie to you," added Ryan. "It’s nice. I appreciate their support. Hopefully, I can play well and get some more No. 2 jerseys in the stands.”
Two practices will be open to the public on Sunday. Click here for more information.
WELL-ROUNDED: Linebacker Keith Brooking started to work more at the weak-side linebacker position Saturday, but Smith said that's not a sign he'll move from middle linebacker back to his natural position.
“We’ve said from the beginning that we are going to cross-train all of our guys," Smith said. " We drafted Curtis (Lofton) and he can play outside linebacker as well. I know Keith's natural position and the position he’s had the most success in has been at weak-side linebacker. We wanted to go through those first three practices and he's going to work at numerous position. If you ask Keith, I would imagine he would tell you that he’s comfortable at the weak-side linebacker position.”
Brooking has been to five Pro Bowls in his career.
MORE FROM MINI CAMP:
- NOTEBOOK: Ryan glad first practice in the books
- QUOTABLE: Quarterback Matt Ryan
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Baker Has Family Support
- PHOTOS: Snapshots from Mini Camp
- AUDIO: Tackle Sam Baker
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | David Baker | Matt Ryan | Michael Turner | Michael Boley
