The Falcons are back in Flowery Branch for the first week of organized team activities, which began Tuesday morning.
![CB Desmond Trufant and LB Paul Worrilow were first in line for defensive warm-ups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/lzjdenrrmqije8cag4zo.jpg)
CB Desmond Trufant and LB Paul Worrilow were first in line for defensive warm-ups
![WR Roddy White and WR Julio Jones](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/af62vcqdv4msrioctcg0.jpg)
WR Roddy White and WR Julio Jones
![QB Matt Ryan](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/akb7ahbet41tzarry5ub.jpg)
QB Matt Ryan
![OLB Brooks Reed](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/nijl73tsi3ucanhcsefx.jpg)
OLB Brooks Reed
![S William Moore](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/mo858fwhueb1wc3nruoh.jpg)
S William Moore
![OLB Stansly Maponga](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/rhiurobzj5zx3okeebwl.jpg)
OLB Stansly Maponga
![LB Joplo Bartu listens to head coach, Dan Quinn](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/nkggqkabixjehzdmbdgj.jpg)
LB Joplo Bartu listens to head coach, Dan Quinn
![DT Jonathan Babineaux](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ov7r5a4ncit5kdrruvzu.jpg)
DT Jonathan Babineaux
![WR Eric Weems](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/bnwohy5quf8ltob0arbz.jpg)
WR Eric Weems
![T Jake Matthews](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/dpxrhatwvm7eqjofkleu.jpg)
T Jake Matthews
![WR Devin Hester](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/amohvg26nxdhgxwof9dl.jpg)
WR Devin Hester
![S William Moore](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ftlyquroqey1m6opw5hw.jpg)
S William Moore
![OLB Vic Beasley Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/lt6s9m0v5dfl5tachmgv.jpg)
OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
![WR Julio Jones warms-up on the first day of OTAs](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/h6xghsfdulfqfnk2v0nd.jpg)
WR Julio Jones warms-up on the first day of OTAs
![Raheem Morris, Asst. Head Coach/Def. Passing Game Coord.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/prehhkff9ox9yukv3xmy.jpg)
Raheem Morris, Asst. Head Coach/Def. Passing Game Coord.
![WR Eric Weems and WR Freddie Martino](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/iewohwzayztqht3bcrpo.jpg)
WR Eric Weems and WR Freddie Martino
![NT Ricky Havili-Heimuli](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/l0ln0hhzf4xzergv93yr.jpg)
NT Ricky Havili-Heimuli
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/a9ouuuwrsrfgtbf2q2un.jpg)
![LB Paul Worrilow](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/lsvtliwrfrus0fxfrtx5.jpg)
LB Paul Worrilow
![Asst. Head Coach/Def. Passing Game Coord. Raheem Morris talks to T Tyler Polumbus](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ujxswcotacpxsl5diaz6.jpg)
Asst. Head Coach/Def. Passing Game Coord. Raheem Morris talks to T Tyler Polumbus
![CB Jalen Collins](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/uurz7abkeksqeu0djyyj.jpg)
CB Jalen Collins
![WR Julio Jones](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/mpj0nb0rmovvvjopf2or.jpg)
WR Julio Jones
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/phxjfnttyucmholvob8u.jpg)
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/cexedxwg6v1b2lztbhl0.jpg)
![CB Robert Alford](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/gnnoo6rqnfuijlrqrrta.jpg)
CB Robert Alford
![Wade Harman works with the tight ends](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/iszqpkjlojgcu5q39ake.jpg)
Wade Harman works with the tight ends
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/kpjpc9yigjcapcsb6syy.jpg)
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/yzubetggwmxe3jaxraas.jpg)
![OLB Kroy Biermann](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/uwyokmqqrpzguqkv8pll.jpg)
OLB Kroy Biermann
![RB Antone Smith and C Joe Hawley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/nu4akwxmluhxflaabcu8.jpg)
RB Antone Smith and C Joe Hawley
![OLB Vic Beasley Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/qihi2tiqpb7anevhhl3f.jpg)
OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
![WR Marquez Clark](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/igaparb0uo89vgkbmrfj.jpg)
WR Marquez Clark
![CB Desmond Trufant](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/mnrnxvzvxelgn2jhoadn.jpg)
CB Desmond Trufant
![WR Leonard Hankerson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ei0sddmichdg2ch6q13g.jpg)
WR Leonard Hankerson
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ylrem83u6hdeeuwubgta.jpg)
![OLB Brooks Reed and OLB Vic Beasley Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/sni0arjyqcrp8huv0aaz.jpg)
OLB Brooks Reed and OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
![Dan Quinn, head coach](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/f4sniglwwgbc7zbjeixw.jpg)
Dan Quinn, head coach
![S Charles Godfrey](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/hk5kdwg80gzaa4q0hyut.jpg)
S Charles Godfrey
![K Matt Bryant](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/y9uem7sqicstbtxkytap.jpg)
K Matt Bryant
![No Title](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/mbujyksgnp4hdwn386dl.jpg)
![OLB Kroy Biermann](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/uiq7e5wrche4f0emvwxc.jpg)
OLB Kroy Biermann
![WR Julio Jones](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/qiouinxuuhx3u2rc7ufe.jpg)
WR Julio Jones
![DT Paul Soliai](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/avbroavj11wja8gngyd4.jpg)
DT Paul Soliai
![Bryan Cox works with the defensive line](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/ktdj1tb5zri2zlx8keap.jpg)
Bryan Cox works with the defensive line
![WR Roddy White](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/w3ldbmdrhatgxqxvbmzq.jpg)
WR Roddy White
![WR Julio Jones and WR Devin Hester talk with wide receivers coach, Terry Robiskie](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/pdtaguq5stbdskav5ds0.jpg)
WR Julio Jones and WR Devin Hester talk with wide receivers coach, Terry Robiskie
![QB Matt Ryan addresses the media](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/bcfew5z8fvhney1ksjzs.jpg)
QB Matt Ryan addresses the media
![WR Julio Jones and WR Devin Hester head for the locker room after workouts](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/falcons/oy8pbedtmrfhlje3bybb.jpg)
WR Julio Jones and WR Devin Hester head for the locker room after workouts
A new culture:The environment at Flowery Branch has transformed considerably since Dan Quinn took over, and it's palpable on the field. Quinn said he doesn't want to have "clean" practices in which everything goes smoothly; instead, he wants to foster an intense atmosphere similar to what they'll experience on Sundays. So far, the players seem to be embracing this change.
"[Practice is] definitely fast," safety Charles Godfrey said. "That's what we're going to be. When people watch us, they're going to be like, 'Golly, they run. They run to the ball and they get the ball.' That's our focus; that's what we pride ourselves on. The practice speed is fast so when we get out to the game everything is slow, but we're still fast because we're used to practicing that way. It's good for us."
Applying new knowledge:After months of meetings and playbook study, the Falcons were excited to get on the field and immerse themselves in game situations.
"It takes time when you've got some new concepts and new things," Matt Ryan said. "Obviously you want to get those reps under your belt. You can work in a meeting all you want. There's nothing like getting actual reps in practice … It's a progression to each thing as you learn new concepts, but I thought it was a good start."
Embracing competition:There will be a number of intriguing position battles to monitor during training camp, and OTAs are giving us a small preview of these contests. Devonta Freeman, who will compete against rookie Tevin Coleman at running back, believes these situations help him reach his potential.
"I've been in competition my whole life — especially with great athletes, even in little league," Freeman said. "I was going to elementary class and there were guys who were real good, faster than me, stronger and bigger. I feel like it developed me. It gives me that drive knowing there's another guy just as good."
Pass rush a focus: The Falcons ran a lot of third down plays Tuesday and placed a heavy emphasis on rushing the passer. Quinn mentioned that Vic Beasley, Adrian Clayborn and Kroy Biermann fared particularly well during these drills.
"The big thing that we're going to preach is trying to move the quarterback off the spot. How many times can we get that quarterback to move?" Quinn added. "So the speed and the effort and the way that we come off the ball, that's some of the things that you try and implement on third down."
Injury Update:Injured players Joe Hawley (knee), William Moore (shoulder), Brooks Reed (groin), Jake Matthews (foot), Antone Smith (leg), Jalen Collins (foot) and Peter Konz (knee) were sidelined during practice. Sam Baker (knee) and Dezmen Southward (knee) rehabbed indoors.