Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- There were no planes with banners and no animal-rights activists with vocal Michael Vick supporters a few yards away. That alone was enough to create a positive atmosphere for the start of training camp for the Atlanta Falcons.
Throw in the fact the Falcons have yet to lose a game and it was downright festive at their complex Saturday morning. There were corporate sponsors lining the field, team owner Arthur Blank shaking hands, quarterback Matt Ryan signing autographs and new coach Mike Smith answering questions for 15 minutes and then asking if there were any more questions.
The craziness of last year, when Bobby Petrino was taking over as coach and the Vick saga still was playing out, is over. Smith's first day of training camp was about as calm as possible.
"Any time you don't have distractions and all the players are here, it's a good start to the season and a good start to camp,'' Smith said.
The Falcons had all their draft picks under contract and on the field and no major players out with injuries. Quarterback Chris Redman opened with the starters in team drills, but Ryan and Joey Harrington each got some work with first-team personnel.
"This is my 11th camp now and I can't remember being as excited as I was driving up here yesterday,'' linebacker Keith Brooking said. "We're putting the past behind us and just going out there and playing. I think there's a very bright future for this football team.''
