There’s a different feel around the Falcons this season. Training camp is underway in Flowery Branch, and Arthur Smith is setting the tone for the club, keeping everyone accountable… even the team’s media members.
After missing the first week or so of training camp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Olrando Ledbetter received a fine. Smith opened his press conference on Friday by handing a letter explaining the fine to the Falcons’ beat writer, via Sarah Spencer.
https://twitter.com/sarah_k_spence/status/1684977584046526464?s=20
“This letter will serve as notice that you have violated our Training Camp Rules and Article 42 of the NFL Collective Media Agreement Wednesday, July 26, and Thursday, July 27 by your unexcused failure to report to and absence from the first two days of Falcons Training Camp,” Smith’s letter read. “Under the terms of Article 42, Section 1(b)(xi) of the Agreement, you are hereby fined Five Hundred Dollars ($500).
This is a violation of an important rule meant to jump start your return to play routine and meet with your fellow writers who missed you deeply. I am hereby acknowledging your absence and your are being fined for your actions.
Please be advised, any future violation of rules or failure to follow team policy will be subject to an escalated fine amount.”
Falcons training camp has already been a riot. There is palpable excitement about the new-look roster, given all of the new faces — Bijan Robinson, David Onyemata, Jessie Bates, Kaden Elliss, etc. It’s more than just on the field too.
Arthur Smith donned a new look this offseason, sporting a mustache that looks eerily similar to everyone’s favorite soccer manager — Ted Lasso. There’s just a different feel around the Falcons this season. It’s going to be an exciting year in Atlanta.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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