Josh Sitton Jersey from linchao's blog

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium roof was closed for all but one Falcons regular-season game in the facility’s 2017 debut season. The Falcons proved the roof is now ready for action by opening and closing the structure before Sunday’s rare stadium-based training camp practice.

”It was cool to see it open today Ryan Kalil Jersey , for sure,” said quarterback Matt Ryan.

All the same, Ryan was grateful to see the eight massive petals on the camera lens-like retractable design close again. After practicing in the heat for the first two days of training camp, cool temperatures for an indoor session were a welcome change.

”We weren’t mad that we were in air conditioning today for training camp,” he said, smiling.

Coach Dan Quinn said he is looking forward to more open-air home games this season.

”How many times in this part of the country have we all driven to the stadium and said `Man, this would be one awesome day to have it open,”’ Quinn said. ”I think that will be a really significant part of the fan experience here.”

The Falcons said more than 60,000 tickets were distributed for the practice. The team called the practice a sellout, even though there were empty seats, because all the tickets available Lamarcus Joyner Jersey , at $5 each, were sold. The Falcons said it was a team record for a training camp practice.

The large turnout led Falcons owner Arthur Blank to remember the Falcons holding training camp at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, when he bought the team in 2001.

”A huge day was 200 people,” Blank said. ”We don’t practice normally at MBS, but it’s incredible. I think it’s a great tribute to the fan base, a great tribute to the organization and the relationship we’ve built with the fans. I’m thrilled to be here today to watch it and enjoy it.”

Sunday was the team’s first practice in pads. Quinn said his players always are motivated by the first practice when hitting is allowed. He said it was an extra perk for the players to practice before a much bigger crowd than can attend training camp at the team’s practice facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, about an hour north of downtown Atlanta.

”When I told them what we were doing, they were really pumped to hear how many people would be here for practice today,” Quinn said. ”It does add an element of excitement where the performance for practice ramps up a little more with so many fans here.”

After seeing their scoring offense decline from No. 1 in the NFL in 2016 to No. 15 last season Dominique Easley Jersey , the Falcons put an emphasis on running plays inside the 20 in their 11-on-11 drills.

The practice ended with Ryan scrambling to his left and passing to Mohamed Sanu for a touchdown.

NOTES: DE Takkarist McKinley was held out with a bruised right shoulder. He has had surgeries on both shoulders the past two years. ”We’ll see what it looks like for tomorrow,” Quinn said before adding McKinley could have other scheduled days off in the next two weeks. RB Ito Smith (foot) and OT Ty Sambrailo (right hand) also are considered day to day after being held out. WR Calvin Ridley, who had a minor hamstring injury on Saturday, practiced and showed no sign of the injury. … Training camp returns to the team’s practice facility on Monday before a day off on Tuesday.

—

Julian Edelman has made peace with the fact he won't be playing football for the first four weeks of the regular season.

It won't stop the veteran Patriots receiver from preparing like he will be on the field.

Edelman made several rounds of apologies to his team and fans following the four-game suspension handed down by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance enhancers. Now he says he plans to use what's left of training camp to make sure his surgically repaired knee will be ready when he is able to return. The 32-year-old receiver missed the entire 2017 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

Working his way back has been a slow process that's just beginning to pick up.

"It's been a grind," Edelman said Friday. "You're compounding day after day after day after day. ... You're always trying to go out and get better and I have to do a lot better. I feel like I got to get my legs under me a lot more."

Edelman will miss a home game against Houston, trips to Jacksonville and Detroit, plus a home game against Miami.

He will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 1, enabling him to make his 2018 debut Oct. 4 against Indianapolis.

Part of the urgency for Edelman is fueled by changes the receiving corps has undergone since the end of last season. It will certainly have a fresh look to it when the season opens thanks to Edelman's suspension, the free agency departure of stalwart Danny Amendola and trade of Brandin Cooks to the Rams.

That is compounded even more with the uncertainty surrounding the status of Malcolm Mitchell, who has yet to participate in a full practice after spending last season on injured reserve (knee).

It's left openings for someone to earn playing time, and the list of candidates is long.

Among those in camp looking to make the roster are Chris Hogan Larry Allen Jersey , Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson and Braxton Berrios. Free agent Eric Decker signed with the team Friday following the release of Jordan Matthews earlier in the week.

Edelman said he is encouraged by the work so far from the group. He was particularly high on Patterson, a trade acquisition from Oakland.

"He's a great guy to be around," Edelman said. "He works hard, he's very athletic, and he definitely helps push the unit, so I'm happy we got him. He's going to contribute in a whole different other way. He's very versatile, and just from his track record I'm glad we have him."

Coach Bill Belichick also has been complimentary of the work Patterson has put in during camp.

"He has skills in offense and the kicking game in a number of different areas, return skills, coverage skills Josh Sitton Jersey , blocking skills, catching skills," Belichick said. "He's got some experience, so he's able to utilize that. He understands his skill set and how it matches up against different types of players."

NOTES: Friday marked Tom Brady's 41st birthday and the team gave him a celebration on par with the one for his 40th.

There was a balloon figure version of Brady and a giant No. 12 cake. There were also birthday cards set up outside the practice field entrance for fans to sign. Fans serenaded the 19-year veteran with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" after he took the field.

His teammates also got in on the act. Following practice, they got together to sing to the reigning MVP. And in a video posted on the team's official Twitter account, safety Duron Harmon proclaimed Friday a national holiday called, "G.O.A.T. Day."

Tight end Rob Gronkowski said he continues to marvel at Brady's longevity

"It's just unreal. It's remarkable," Gronkowski said. "You just learn from him and you want to get taught from him. You want to be on the same chemistry out on the field because he knows where you need to be. He knows talent around him, he knows guys around him, he's seen talent from the last 15 (or) 20 years on."