On The Rise | S6E6 | Training camp battles set the standard for the 2026 Atlanta Falcons roster

Ready? [music] [music] >> Creative Days is a place where art and athleticism meet to put a spotlight on our players. [music] standing here. [screaming] >> I'm Larry Luke, a VP [music] of creative for the Atlanta Falcons. The biggest challenge is logistics, trying to [music] find the most efficient way to get them through the car wash of sets, so to speak, without [music] any downtime. When I first started here in 2022, you know, obviously working with Brandon Magnus for 4 and a half years [music] now, one of our first things that we wanted to do was this like idea of an artful [music] athletic interpretation of a player suspended in air in an infinity tunnel. >> Yep. >> It's more on the art side of athleticism, but we were like, how do we capture this type of photography and show all these different angles of that one movement? So the photos from this set will get used across social, digital, creative. Our creative team will uh find ways to use these photos and graphics leading up to games during games and just penny and all promotion. >> The inspiration [music] came from a past Michael Jordan shoot that we had saw shot by Walter IOS [music] um many years ago. And the set really works. The player shows a lot of explosive dynamic movements. And as you can see here, looks like there's about 15 bjons [music] jumping, hurdling over you towards me, but if you like, look, it's your >> campaign set photography usually ends up on social. It also ends up on a lot of the players own Instagram feeds. >> Over your left shoulder. We have a standard white set for photography. We have a campaign set for photography. We have a branded video set that mirrors the look of the photo campaign set. And then we have a green screen set. >> So the hype video set is really where we get our gladiator footage. It shows up in the, you know, pregame compilation to [music] get the crowd hype. Perfect. >> It's important for the Falcons to look the same across all of our channels. So, as we are planning the look for the year, the plan for what our sets look like for creative days happens in tandem [music] with that ideation. He doesn't understand details, but his toothbrush. It's red and black. A It's very I don't know. It's the details for me. >> Thank you. Let me see. It's camp number seven. All right. It's a blessing to Can't wait to get here with the guys. Go out here and compete. Been apart for [music] what, six weeks. All this, you know, the 6 weeks is critical. Training, making sure you're doing everything you need to do so you could be prepared when we get back. I'm ready to go. >> What was the first thing you told Avon his first camp? See, the thing about him though, I I mean, I told him it's going to be similar to college. Like his same the same mindset and the same, you know, how long the days are, everything is [music] going to be the same. You know, you just got to keep resetting every day reset. Good or bad day, just reset. So, he already got the right mindset. Um, I got to [music] go against Julio and Red and Matt Rain my rookie year. And for me it [music] was just about proving myself like I just wanted to go out there and you know the team that drafted me first round it didn't matter if I was drafted first round or not but you know the [music] expectations is high and I always had high expectations for myself. So I carried [music] myself a certain way and every day in practice I just went hard and trying to find the ball and making plays and it it it paid me good [music] over time. So over time, I just [snorts] could take every step in the camp just trying to reset and [music] do the same thing again. >> I had got called OG last year, my sixth year. >> That's crazy. >> Somebody called one of the one of the players called me, one of the DBs called me OG. [music] Threw me for a loop. I'm like, OG. Then I had to I had to I'm like, man, don't call me the OG. I'm young. You know what I'm saying? That's how I feel. And I still [music] feel that way. But I got I had to I had to sit back and replay when I was a [music] rookie coming in like the vets that's five and six years in. You look I looked at them like OG's too like like dang like you experience. So I guess you know I tip my [music] hat to it now. I'm definitely like a a big vet in the in the in the system [music] >> and they all look up to me so I carry myself a certain way. Um, for me, I feel like my vet that I learned a lot from and he probably don't know. I always mentioned Grady. We didn't play the same position, but um, I always, you know, Grady was he played at Clemson and he's from Georgia and we just connected [music] instantly out the gate. But his process was always different. Like I was always trying to see what he was doing, what he would post on Instagram, like you know, when he [music] would start training and things like that. And I try to program my routine off of his. And we never had the same team [music] of people, but I use my team um kind of the way that [music] he used his and try to stay with the same people and build a relationship to, you know, [music] so it can just grow over time and be better. >> [music] >> We mad. We mad. We never left. What's happening? [music] >> Year four. Year four. I mean, I feel good. Uh, I feel like, uh, you know, I've grown. I've matured. Uh, I feel like I'm excited. I know my first training camp. [music] In 23, it was more of like anxiety. Uh, I was nervous. And now it's more like, all right, just back to it. Get back in rhythm and get back to my routine. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Absolutely. >> Uh transition for me has been good, you know, uh being from around this way. >> Just coming into a new team uh with a new coaching staff is just a great opportunity just to get your foot in the door and just show what you're capable of on and off the field. >> Uh I feel like just uh especially when you have a new coaching staff, just getting to learn the playbooks, getting to learn the terms and stuff that they use and just what we did differently in the past and just kind of merging that together. [music] uh when you have that head start uh with OTAAS, I feel like when you come into camp, it's like, all right, we pick [music] right where where we left off and you know, with the opportunity we have to have the iPads at home and looking over the playbook, I feel like we're just going to hit the ground running and it's like it it'll feel like you just took a week off and it's back to work. >> Excited to get back out there with the guys, man. I miss the guys, you know? I feel like I have a bigger role coming into this year three now. And uh I feel like, you know, I got to put on tape every every uh every day. and uh you know just make sure I'm accountable for you know get some sacks. >> I hate waiting, bro. I hate waiting. You know, we do a lot of training, no pads. I'm excited to put the pads back on, man. Get get it booming. >> I just think building chemistry as a team. Uh continuity, chemistry, um having a good locker room. Uh on the field stuff will take kind of take care of itself, but you know, being a good locker room, being good teammates, and I think that's that's the a big part of training camp. Let's talk about camp. I mean, it's hot down here. >> I'm I'm already sweating. I just walked from the dorms and I'm already sweating. I'm sorry, guys. I'm sorry. >> I think it's been really exciting for the Falcons because you see the potential on the rise and what you can look at with the moves that have been made is really the direction that the team's going in, which I feel like is a really positive one. >> When training camp starts at the end of July, beginning of August, everybody's all hyped up. >> I'm excited. I'm excited. the more the closer we get, the more excited I'm getting. >> It feels like, man, you've been gone for a couple weeks and then you start seeing stuff on TV and you start seeing, all right, it's almost time to get back into it and you realize, you know what? Oh, we got something we actually working toward now. >> I feel good. Um, it's been it's been a fun journey, you know, getting here and not being able to do OTAAS, but being able to put the past back on during training camp has been fun and learning from an older guy and just trying to take every day in and just know that I'm living the dream. >> Harping on Heart, Mindfish. Uh, we want to live by it. Feel like we had a few games last year, we didn't necessarily live by it. So, that's definitely number one goal and we just [music] want to get closer as a defense. >> I think the dialogue about the Falcons is that it's new. Kevin Stfansky [music] is a proven coach in the NFL and I love the idea of his offense, [music] his brain being associated with this team. >> I I think for the Falcons this year, everything hinges on the quarterback position and the offense. They've got a lot of pieces in place. Very close to being a playoff team last year. >> I remember you come out of the locker room and as [music] soon as you walk out, you take a couple steps and as soon as you look to your right, you can see all the fans. They're loud. They're cheering. They're here early. >> I think it's awesome. You know, they they they bring the atmosphere. [music] You know, this it's it's it's some hot days, some long days, but just being out there with them makes it, you know, 10 time 10 times better. >> There is such a different energy around the building, around the team, just in general. Everybody's feeding into the hope of what the 2026 could season could be. >> It's just a team that I think is prime for really taking that next step [music] and hopefully advancing past even an NFC South championship. Speaking of back to work, I mean, you guys have been working on this front line together since you've been here, and there hasn't been a lot of change. You guys, you guys are kind of known in the NFL as >> this offensive front that's known for the the continuity that you guys have. >> Uh, I just feel like the culture in our room. I remember just coming in here and seeing how hard those guy those guys work, you know, day in and day out, whether it's training camp, season, and off season. And then I feel like that builds continuity in our old line when everybody that comes in our room kind of adapt to the standard of our room. Jake sets the [music] standard, Chris set the standard, Nul does it as well. And I feel like I came in and I kind of, you know, became that standard as well. >> You know, Berseron was a great example for those who know football or those who watch the Falcons or both. U he is a really good [music] player. What I think Ian and the rest of the personnel staff did was go, you know what, we are going to pay these guys what they deserve and do what every team wants to do, which is develop your really good players, reward them, and then go find new ones. >> Uhoh. Good morning, coach. How we doing, man? >> Bill Callahan is one of the iconic line coaches, offensive line coaches in the NFL. >> Speeding the hands and the arms is everything. Then you beat him in the punch, you blunted his power, you negated power, and now you're rolling. controlling that. >> I mean, [music] his knowledge his knowledge like just just working with him in OTAAS, you can just see that he he's seen a lot of football. But uh yeah, just you know, any question that I ask or whatever, he always has an answer [music] and a clip to show with uh with that answer. >> Lock when you run. >> Lock out when you run. You got it. >> So, he he's got a lot of resources and he's very technical. >> Don't climb up. Don't lag it. He's got a fit. So, it's just good to be with him and uh get, you know, get working with him. And I feel like I I already seen some improvements in my game uh with [music] just a few months. >> Uh he's been doing it for a number of years. Every place he goes, they get solid line play. Now, you couple that with some spectacular u skill position players. >> Come on, BR. >> Go run out there. Go run out there. and this this depth that they have in the offensive line, I think um the sky could be the limit for this offense because coach Callahan, they're going to be able to run the ball so well. >> So for the offense is [music] just running football. You know, you have one of the best running backs in football. >> Now you take a great runner and put them behind that system. Um just I wouldn't want to coach defense against them. Screen drill. >> Unbelievable day for Bejan Robinson. I think what this organization smartly did was say we're going to lock in and pay this guy and when we do he's going to be worth it because he's the face of our organization, face of Atlanta. >> This kid is big time. >> Congratulations. This is a dream for us. the quality of the player and the quality of the person. So, we couldn't be happier that uh that we joined the Atlanta Falcons. >> Yep. Yep. I I'll be there soon. I appreciate you. >> The first day of being an Atlanta Falcon was it it was a special moment um for me. Like I just knew um this was going to be a home for me for, you know, I prayed at that time a long time. >> Same time they're going to throw it to Bjan out in space and he made the FIRST GUY MISS. HE'LL GET TO THE FIVE AND SCORE. HOLY SMOKES. >> I just want people to be like, you know, he was the the prime example of of one a great human being, a great individual, and then just one of the players on the field where, you know, every time he stepped on the field, every time he had the ball in his hands, like it just brought smiles >> trying to Oh my goodness. >> Robinson coming off his hip >> and he scored. Outstanding. as time started to [music] move on, as you know, year two started to happen, year three started to happen, and then now going into year four, like >> bounces inside the 10, keeps his f AT THE FOUL. >> PJAN WITH THE MUSTARD. >> I just want to be better than I was the last year every single year. Uh that's just the goal of mine. And then, you know, continue to be the same person. Uh continue to be who God blessed me to be inside and out. Like, you know, there could be a lot a lot of different things that come along this journey. Y'all remember THE THING I WILL, >> you know, for me it's just, you know, understanding who I [music] am as a person. Be as good as you are on the field, but you know, if you don't know who your teammate is and if you don't know, you know, who the guy next to you is that you're playing with and playing for, like then it then it kind of gets hard and it kind of puts you in a lonely space. So, of course, you play in this league like you want to win Super Bowls. That's the main thing. That's the main goal. But, you know, I want to enjoy the whole process of trying to win it starting this season. That's what I want to do because I know if you win it here first and win it here for a city that's never seen it before, like, you know, that's how you build legacies, not for yourself, but like for this team, for other other players. I think my legacy can be endless. Um, if I just continue to just be the humble, nice kid, you know, that that I am, and I think that the sky's is the limit. Like this is why I do it, man. Like this is what it's all about. This is what God blessed me to do. >> Robinson's got it. Uh-oh. >> He put everybody in a spin cycle. Golly. Through the first wall around the corner. Here goes Bjan Robinson. Keeps his feet. 30 25 20 10 five. TOUCHDOWN ATLANTA. Oh my goodness. It's going to be interesting because a lot of the guys on this defense, they play a lot of different positions or they have expertise playing a lot of different positions like that of the interior linebackers. I could talk about this group at Nazium. I really could cuz I think it is the most interesting position battle. And now Dine Diablo will be the green dot. He will be the leader of this defense. >> Feels great. Uh I love the Falcons. I love everything about this uh franchise, [music] this team. I was nervous at first coming here. here and felt like a rookie again. Um, just trying to get a make a name for myself. But having guys like Kaden, Troy, JD, all of them just uh just re really smart guys. >> But this is a full-time job now. It's not a lot of pressure. It's a lot of um they're looking to me now. >> Being able to see that linebacker my size has been able to make the transition in the NFL and has been able to help me. And I just watch him play. You know, I don't um try not to ask him too many questions, but I just try to watch him play. >> One of my goals this year was to be a better uh leader vocally. Um, I feel like naturally, uh, I do the right things, but vocally I wanted to be out there anyways. Uh, I love to help people out. Um, as far as stepping up to that spot, I guess the biggest thing I had to worry about is my conditioning. I've been working on that all all season. >> I think one of the trends that you are seeing in the NFL are more hybrid kind of guys. And I think that's what you're seeing with the linebacker position. >> Do I have guys big enough on the field to defend the run, step up, take on blocks, and get to the the ball carrier? But I also have to get out of there and go cover. being able to mix in those type of guys that played safety, got good hips, and feel like a lot of the league wants to be able to do that because you can move pieces around and mess with offensive coordinators. >> You have to be able to be able to cover and play multiple positions. And it'll be interesting to see how some of these younger players cuz how do they how do they sprinkle in to kind of fill that void? Christian Harris is one of those guys and he's been, as you said, he's been in there alongside Devine Diablo. Harold Perkins, a guy we saw at LSU, can run. I try to take the I'm trying to make the team out of it. You know, me and Perk coming in together, you know, two linebackers, they knew it was going to be competition, but I never thought about it as he's going to be taking my reps. I always thought about it as like we have to help each other. And that's probably the biggest jump that me and him have made just because I feel like every day it's not like if he makes a good play, I'm not sitting over there like, "Oh, now I got to go make a play." I'm, you know, I needed it. I needed somebody to come in with and and and help me and push me to that next level. And I feel like we feed off each other every day. >> So, right now, we just finished up about a 90°ree practice here in the middle of the afternoon. So, we have a padded practice in the morning. So, right now, we'll uh let the uh shoulder pads bake out here in the sun. We'll sanitize them in a couple hours. We'll put them in our locker room, let them air out for the rest of the night. >> Every piece of equipment the players wear is like tagged and that kind of tells us how fast they're running at practice, how much distance they cover. And basically, this thing just checks them in, checks them out, tells them these guys are done with practice. just because we have a quick turnaround tomorrow with the morning practice tomorrow. Uh we let them dry out here and then tonight once they're dry we'll bring them back in and we'll throw the jersey on tonight. That way when the players come in in the morning we don't have to worry about that and we can just worry about setting up the field. >> So basically this right here is GSR. So it's a grass stain remover. So basically on days like today where guys are hitting the ground and stuff. And since we're practicing on grass, we just like to throw a scoop of this in here. Kind of helps helps the washer out a little bit, gets most of those stains out, any helmet burns on the numbers, things like that. This will kind of whiten everything back out. Especially on these white jerseys, it's a big deal for us to make the guys look nice and fresh when they get out. I'll tell you this is probably the only time I've ever seen nothing in this laundry room on um we do a couple sweeps a day around the building. I'd say it's probably around loads of laundry day. >> Well, we do 3 in the morning with our morning sweep. It's usually two towels, one loops, >> and then one while they're in meetings and lifts. Let's see if we can get more uh player stuff in there >> before. >> So that's probably another towels and loops. So another two right before practice. We'll do one. Another towels and loops. So six. The gloves always big glove glide for me. >> After practice, I will say we do another 12 or 13. But like you know that's we have five six washers and we have six dryers over there. So it's pretty it makes it pretty easy here with the amount of things that we have to kind of keep everything pumping. And we kind of try to make sure that we always have somebody around the laundry room to keep everything moving. coming out the dryer, folding towels, passing out loops. Let's give these puppies some air. [music] This time of year, we use these for our walkthroughs. So, today we had a walk through in the morning and practice [music] is in the afternoon. For our first game, we're at home, so we'll be wearing the dark uniforms. The defense will be wearing white. So that's why we kind of like to do that to give uh the players the the right look, you know, how it'll be in the game, >> huh? >> Yeah. Field two. >> Field two. And then uh yeah, we'll put the field goal post down there on the hill because they'll kick field goals today. >> Yeah. And leave it pushed up. And then after field goal, we'll push it back. >> Yeah, leave it on the line. We go. Perfect. So, usually we'll show up around uh 6:00, 6:15, get going a little bit, get some breakfast. 6:45. We load the ball bags. Start making our way out here. We got three carts. We got my Indie trailer. We got a pop-up cart. And then we got a clock for uh the clocks. We kind of separate and figure out and try the best way to get everything set up as fast as possible. Like if we're on field two, he doesn't want it over there just in case, okay, >> it's on [music] the sideline and we're backed up or something. He's cool with kind of having like him being here and Ollie there so that they can be together. 905 practice. It gets gets quick, [music] so we just try to get out here as early as possible. All right. All ready. Field two today. We'll go to uh special teams jog through to start. So we'll do plus seven going into the barn. We'll go to break. Will's got it. Period 10. Field goal, field goal, block. >> Full team will be out there. Offense and defense on the sidelines. Same situation as yesterday. >> Move the ball plus 24 going into the hill. Uh it's live today. one-on- ones, blocking and pass pro today. Field one to the hill uh for wide receivers's DBs. So, we're using Petri's Gauntlet for security. >> Offense and [music] defense or just offense? Just offense. >> Cool. >> I I think camp vibes, I'm not like a big, hey, we're just paying attention to the vibes type person because I think there's a lot more to it than that. But specifically to camp, vibes are important. You can get a sense of what the juice is like. Do they have juice? Are they flying around? Are they hitting hard? Are they doing all the things that would lead to being a championship team? >> Obviously, we're coming to work, so a lot of hitting >> all all practice. That's all I can do. >> You want to be healthy in the regular season. You don't want to do too [music] much in camp, but also you want to be prepared bodywise for the regular season, what that's actually going to be like. >> Just uh the competition, the defense is going to be hemped up, you know, with guys like Jesse, AJ, uh Brandon Doris. Oh my god. >> They make us better. We make him better. And uh yeah, just kind of getting ready for week one. >> No more excuses, bro. We got >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. >> [screaming] >> forces everybody to be at their best, you know. Um there's nothing wrong with a little competition. I think it [music] brings the best out of people. So, I'm excited to see not just the linebackers, but literally every room uh here. So, I'm just excited to see it. You Come on. No.