Flowery Branch, Ga – Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris describes voluntary camp as a way for players to get acclimated with how the team run their practices and schemes and playing with one another again. The main focus during the offseason has been building relationships off the field.
The theme of OTAs so far has been bonding and creating relationships. Morris hopes that by training camp, the players are all familiar with one another so that it can transfer to the field.
“I try to have those things happen naturally,” said Morris. “I think those things kind of come out and happen that way usually anyway. You really can’t force those relationships. I think those things are best led to happen the natural organic way.”
Two relationships that Morris purposely had a hand in building were between A.J. Terrell Jr. and rookie James Pearce Jr. and himself and Bijan Robinson.
Pearce reminded Morris of Terrell when he was a rookie. His very serious demeanor that is all about business was the same way Terrell carried himself as a rookie, Morris recalls.
Terrell has stepped in and been that veteran for Pearce so far.
“He’s not a big ra-ra guy, nothing like that. He’s just coming in, leading by example, trying to make his presence felt,” stated Terrell. That’s kind of how when I came in. Taking in a role of accountability, coming out here playing at a high level, trying to do right, make minimal mistakes and just produce early.”
Morris invited Robinson to travel with him to go see the Gervonta “Tank” Davis fight in New York in early march. They were able to bond and learn more about each other.
Robinson believes that the bonding that happened can become essential during the season.
“If you can build chemistry with your coach and he can obviously create trust in you on and off the field, that’s huge,” mentioned Robinson. “Being with him and being around him, watching how he acts and seeing how he does things away from football, it was pretty cool.”
Another relationship that grew because of Morris was London Drake and Michael Penix Jr. They begin to bond outside of football which should cause them to get closer and trust each other more on the field.
“Coach Ra [Raheem] has done an amazing job of getting us together making sure we are together outside of football and the facility,” stated London. “It makes a difference because you’re fighting for that person right next to you and you want to know that person.”
Morris understands that the team needs to build a foundation in order for them to be successful. If relationships can be the foundation of the team becoming as one, then it’s nothing that a teammate won’t do for one another, which can become beneficial for the season.
