The Falcons are officially back as 2014 XFINITY Atlanta Falcons Training Camp began Friday. Fans gathered on the hill to watch their favorite players practice.

Two falcons watch the first day of training camp from the hill.

Two falcons fans share an umbrella while watching training camp from the hill.


CB Jordan Mabin


T Sam Baker, T Mike Johnson, G Jon Asamoah, C Joe Hawley

WR Julio Jones

WR Geraldo Boldewijn

RB Steven Jackson

WR Julio Jones

WR Roddy White


CB Jordan Mabin

T Mike Johnson

LB Yawin Smallwood

QB T.J. Yates

CB Javier Arenas

WR Harry Douglas

CB Robert Alford

DE Tyson Jackson and DT Paul Soliai

QB T.J. Yates

RB Steven Jackson

The "Share a Coke" campaign made a stop at Flowery Branch today.


CB Robert Alford

Line backers coach Glenn Pires

CB Desmond Trufant

QB T.J. Yates takes the snap from C Joe Hawley

TE Levine Toilolo

TE Mickey Shuler

TE Bear Pascoe

Offensive line coach Mike Tice works with his group

C Joe Hawley

QB Matt Ryan

Assistant General Manager Scott Pioli

WR Courtney Roby

WR Jeremy Ebert

WR Courtney Roby

WR Geraldo Boldewijn

DE Ra'Shede Hageman

DT Jonathan Babineaux

CB Desmond Trufant makes a leap

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff

WR Julio Jones

WR Roddy White

Offensive line coach Mike Tice walks through the field during stretching

Fans take photos at the training camp sign

"Welcome to Flowery Branch!"

Make sure you pick up a copy of the official training camp fan guide

There were free skin cancer screenings on Friday. The group will be back again on Sunday. Get screened!


K Matt Bryant signs autographs


HBO's "Hard Knocks" crew captures head coach Mike Smith talking to assistant to the head coach, Devin Bonik






CB Desmond Trufant

CB Josh Wilson


WR Freddie Martino

WR Bernard Reedy

WR Jeremy Ebert

CB Robert Alford talks to CB Desmond Trufant

DE Tyson Jackson

DT Peria Jerry









CB Javier Arenas

WR Harry Douglas

WR Roddy White

CB Ricardo Allen goes up against WR Julio Jones

Head coach Mike Smith gives a thumbs up

DT Paul Soliai

T Jake Matthews

DE Kroy Biermann



QB T.J. Yates throws a pass
The horn sounded shortly before 5:50 p.m. on Friday night, ending the first official practice of XFINITY® Atlanta Falcons Training Camp. Following a team huddle in the middle of the practice field, players made their way to speak to the many media members about a wide variety of topics, including the expected improvements of the offensive and defensive lines.
Two players added to help the cause are DE Tyson Jackson and G Jon Asamoah, both signed as free agents in the offseason, following careers with the Kansas City Chiefs. After Friday's practice, Falcons head coach Mike Smith discussed what both players bring to the team.
"They're what we expected," coach Smith said. "They're big, strong men. Jon has played a lot of games at the offensive guard position and he's going to offer some stability there, inside, and in our pocket, because we have to keep the push up the middle off of our quarterback."
Asamoah, who looks bigger and stronger than one year ago, finished his first Falcons practice Friday and then provided the key to meeting the coaching staff's expectations of the guys up-front.
"We want to be efficient in whatever we do," Asamoah said. "We want to be efficient running the ball and efficient in pass protecting; that's our goal, that's what's expected, both in the run game and in the passing game."
During Falcons practice, Asamoah looked across the line and saw a familiar force, Tyson Jackson, who continues bringing out the best in his teammates.
"I know I have my work cut out for me every day," Asamoah said about facing Jackson. "I know he's sitting there, right in front of me, every day; the battle continues."
As for Jackson, he didn't hesitate in sharing what's being asked of the Falcons defensive line this season.
"They told us they want us to be a physical presence," Jackson said. "They really want us to take control of the game, early and often; stop the run on first and second down, and on third down, get the pass rushers in there and put some pressure on the QB by any means necessary."
Jackson didn't leave the practice field, before praising the skills of Asamoah, who he's played with since 2010.
"Me and Jon have been going at it for a lot of years in KC," Jackson said. "He's a veteran guy on the offensive line, who knows all of the calls, all of his assignments and he's fundamentally sound. It's always a good thing, when guys like that come out here and help out the offensive line."
Having covered Jackson and Asamoah, last year in Kansas City, Falcons fans have good reason to be excited about what's to come from both players (and both offensive and defensive lines) in 2014.