Are you curious to know what goes on behind the scenes during an Atlanta Falcons OTA workout day? Well, grab a seat and get ready for an exclusive peek into the Falcons’ unique practice sessions!
In June, Falcons’ general manager Terry Fontenot found himself in Cooperstown, N.Y., taking a break from the regular routine to watch his son, Kaiden, play in the Cooperstown All-Star Village baseball tournament. Little did he know that he would get a surprise when he later sat down to review film of the Falcons’ workout session he had missed.
As Fontenot clicked through different views of the practice footage, he stumbled upon something unexpected – footage from cameras attached to the helmets of quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. for the practice sessions. The coaching staff, including coach Raheem Morris, found the insight gained from this footage invaluable, while the players couldn’t help but crack a few jokes about feeling like they were being spied on.
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For Penix, the rookie quarterback, the opportunity to learn from a veteran like Cousins through the helmet camera footage has been invaluable. However, he can’t help but cringe at the sound of his own voice!
On the other hand, offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron, while not particularly thrilled with the camera angle, admits that it offers a unique perspective on his performance. Penix also feels that the camera doesn’t always capture the full extent of his strategic prowess on the field.
The innovative approach of using helmet cameras during practice sessions was spearheaded by video director Jake Stroot, who drew inspiration from the Miami Dolphins’ use of similar cameras during joint practice sessions. The cameras have not only provided valuable insight for the coaching staff but have also added an exciting new dimension to the players’ training sessions.
So, the next time you watch the Atlanta Falcons in action, remember that there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than meets the eye. From strategic plays to playful banter, these helmet cameras have given fans a whole new perspective on their favorite team!
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With the Falcons leading the charge in utilizing helmet cameras for practice sessions, it’s only a matter of time before other teams follow suit. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the world of NFL innovation!
