Falcons Camp Opens: 'Different' Bijan Leads as Rookies Report

Rookies are reporting to Falcons training camp ... And it all starts with the rookie who is "different" ... and who plans to make a difference ... in Bijan Robinson.

The Atlanta Falcons are taking a major step to what they hope is a playoff season with Tuesday's "soft open," if you will, to training camp, with Bijan Robinson and the rookies set to report early. ... and with Bijan likely to be leading the way around here for a long time, even after veterans report on July 25.

“He's different ... Certain dudes, you can just see the way they move," veteran Grady Jarrett said of Robinson, taken by the Falcons in April's NFL Draft in the No. 8 slot. That it’s special the way you carry yourself. He’s going to be a heck of a player. He’s put so much tape out already through his college career but I am sure they are going to have a great plan for him. I don’t see him missing a beat."

Only so much can be done with pads not in the picture and rookies still in the early stages of acclimating to the professional level. But Falcons coach Arthur Smith believes the offseason workouts to get to this point were successful.

"Been very productive," Smith said. "You set out a clear objective when you start the spring - for what we wanted to accomplish, we feel pretty good about where we're at. The next couple weeks are critical; how we handle it can determine a lot of factors, especially early on in camp and early part of the season."

And now that time is here. The Falcons may have 10 new starters this year. Smith has a new defensive coordinator in place. Once the vets get to Flowery Branch, there will be the first open-to-the-public practice on July 27 at IBM Performance Field. (See the schedule here). The Falcons will also hold open practices against the Miami Dolphins on August 8 and 9 before training camp wraps up for the team on August 27 ... all of which should give the Falcons and their fans ample time to start making hope-lifting judgments of Atlanta's 2023 fate.

And it all starts with the rookie who is "different" ... and who plans to make a difference ... in Bijan Robinson.

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