Atlanta Falcons: Highlights follow the pads going on

Highlights from the Atlanta Falcons training camp as the pads go on during the third day of practices for the defending NFC South champions

Football is finally back. It may not feel like it when the teams are in shorts, but the Atlanta Falcons finally had a practice with the pads on. After putting on the full gear, the hits started to come out.

The Falcons official Twitter account did a good job of keeping us all posted on the action via their video sharing. Perhaps the most exciting one they shared was when safety Keanu Neal laid out running back Devonta Freeman with a hard shot.

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/891315135532462080

There was also a hail Mary pass to receiver Mohamed Sanu. While this one was a pretty impressive catch, it was a weird play as Sanu just kept looking back towards the quarterback, then running further down the field. He ran past some onlookers on the field as well before finally making the catch in traffic.

Atlanta is coming off an 11-5 season in which they won not only the NFC South, but the entire NFC after defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. They followed that up with one of the most gut-wrenching losses ever against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51.

Now they look to not only repeat as division champions, but also go get the ring they left on the table this past February.

Worry of a Super Bowl hangover seems non-existent with this group, mainly since all the stars returned on both sides of the ball. The main changes have been positive like the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe and the drafting of UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley.

Check out a compilation of the padded practice here, again courtesy of the team’s Twitter.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Fans want it, but is it wise to pay Freeman?

It’s beginning to feel more and more like football season.