On Thursday Falcons players got together and voted to opt-out of the team's voluntary workouts this season.
There are a few reasons for doing so. Firstly to limit larger gathering and to keep distant as COVID is still an issue for teams. But also to stay as healthy as can be with a 17th game added this season.
While Atlanta isn't the first team to opt-out, you do have to wonder if it will impact the Falcons more than some of the other teams.
The Falcons are in an interesting position with a new head coach and defensive coordinator as they work to install new systems on both sides of the ball.
John Fricke and Hugh Douglas take a look at players not attending voluntary workouts and if they would consider it a setback for first-year head coach Arthur Smith.
"As a young player I went through this, I went to winter workouts, but when I came back I was overweight. I'm not worried about Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, or Ridley, it's those younger guys," explains Hugh Douglas. "When those rookies come in, it's important for them to be there. I understand where the veterans are coming from, but it's probably going to set the young kids back a little bit."
"We're not talking about install here. Where the Falcons are losing out is the interactions with the new coaching staff," says Fricke. "Unlike last year where the veterans knew the coaching staff and the system, getting to know the new coaches is important."
The Falcons certainly aren't alone in their decision to opt-out of the voluntary workouts, over half of the teams in the NFL are also skipping those activities.
