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. 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.
- The return of Jason Snelling will shake up the running back position. Since camp started, Michael Turner, Jacquizz Rodgers, Gartrell Johnson, Antone Smith and Philip Sylvester have handled all the carries at the position, and while Snelling will likely be brought along slowly to get him used to practicing again, he'll be right in the mix to reclaim his No. 2 spot.
- Head coach Mike Smith had some great things to say Sunday about how his 2011 Draft picks have fared so far during camp, especially seventh rounders Andrew Jackson and Cliff Matthews. The two continue to show a lot of promise in practice.
- Smith said Sunday that it's tough to tell who "wins" during a practice that's not full speed, but the Falcons' secondary really brought it during Sunday's morning session. There was a lot of ballhawking going on, and we'll see today if that continues or if the receivers are able to get the better of their counterparts.
- Back to talking about the nickelback position battle between Chris Owens and Dominique Franks, Smith said Sunday that the position is ever important because the Falcons played more sets with the nickelback last year than the third linebacker. He's keeping a very sharp eye on this battle.
- Speaking of Jackson, he's the undersung third party in the fight for the open guard position. While much of the attention has been on Garrett Reynolds and Mike Johnson as they battle over that spot, Jackson is definitely in the mix to earn the position.
- Defensive tackle Corey Peters looks to be picking up right where he left off last season and he's having a solid, steady camp. There has to be a lot more confidence in the young DT out of Kentucky after a successful rookie season that found him starting nearly every game last year.
