Atlanta Falcons Begin OTAs Tuesday

The Atlanta Falcons will host their first set of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday from their training facility in Flowery Branch, GA.  The Falcons will have eleven dates of OTAs (May 26-29, June 2-3, June 5, June 9-12) before the team’s second minicamp under new head coach Dan Quinn begins June 16th.

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OTAs are especially important for first year coaches like Dan Quinn.  These organized team activities are when Coach Quinn can install defense packages that he and new DC Richard Smith will run in 2015.  New OC Kyle Shanahan will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his renowned zone blocking scheme to his offensive players both on the field and in the classroom.

What’s also exciting about OTAs is that it will be the first time rookies and veterans will be on the field and in the classroom together.  The veterans had their minicamp before the 2015 NFL Draft in late April.  The 2015 Draft Class and many undrafted free agents competed in their own three-day minicamp a few weeks ago.

Outside of newly acquired LB Brooks Reed who may miss the start of OTAs due to a groin injury, the Atlanta Falcons look like they are healthy for these upcoming offseason activities.  While these OTAs are not minicamps nor are they training camp, these are crucial times for Coach Quinn and his staff to set the tone for this new era of Atlanta Falcons football.

When the team meets at Flowery Branch Tuesday morning, it will signify the end of spring and the beginning of summer.  Memorial Day Weekend will be over and it will be time to turn the page towards an offseason of hard work, determination, and grit.

Coach Quinn told his players that he wanted every one of his guys to have the best offseason they have ever had before getting into OTAs.  After the last two seasons where the Atlanta Falcons averaged a measly five wins a season, I expect that they were ready for a change and have fully embraced what Coach Quinn is preaching and that they are all ready to hit the ground running in Flowery Branch Tuesday.  Football season is kind of almost getting here.  Rise Up, Atlanta!