Here are today's top things to keep an eye on:
- Today's first practice session is open to the public. Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. The morning session will be a walkthrough after a change to the schedule. The morning session will be a walkthrough until 9:30 a.m. The Falcons will hold a padded practice in the afternoon, but it will be closed to the public. In the event of inclement weather, practice will be closed and the team will head to their indoor practice facility. To find out the latest on the weather, follow us on Twitter @AtlantaFalcons, keep checking AtlantaFalcons.com, sign up for Verizon text alerts or call our camp hotline at 770.965.2752.
- Because of the change in practice schedule today, Falcons who have signed their contracts or tenders could be eligible to participate for the first time in camp by this afternoon. That means we could get our first look at defensive end Ray Edwards, as well as all the players previously on the roster who have signed.
- After a day off Wednesday, thanks to the new CBA rules, the players return to the field fresh and ready to put in some more work. We'll get a chance to see what kind of difference that all-important rest period was able to make.
- While certainly not overshadowed, much of the attention lately has moved from Roddy White to Julio Jones. White is having a quiet, yet impressive camp so far. He's put in a lot of hard work and he looks like he's picking up right where he left off.
- Speaking of quiet camps, running back Michael Turner is also having a quiet, yet productive camp. The veteran running back looks in fantastic shape and definitely looks like he hasn't missed a beat from the 2010 season.
- One of the battles we haven't mentioned is the one between defensive tackles Corey Peters and Peria Jerry. Peters spent much of 2010 starting at the defensive tackle position opposite Jonathan Babineaux, but Jerry is certainly primed to make a run at the spot. The two are extremely talented and this could be another close camp battle that doesn't get decided any time soon.
- Once again, we've got to keep our collective eye on the battle for the nickelback spot between Dominique Franks and Chris Owens. The two have been incredibly impressive thus far in camp, each pretty much exchanging big plays. To the untrained eye, this battle looks as close as they come.
