Falcons mandatory minicamp begins today

With Vic Beasley signed, a reasonably stable 90 man roster and Dan Quinn seven different kinds of fired up, it must be time for minicamp.

This is the first truly mandatory offseason session for the entire team, which means that excited praise you keep hearing for young players and veterans might actually mean a little bit more right now. With training camp still a month away, at least, this will have to slake our thirst for Falcons news.

The news will primarily be around opportunities. If you see Ra'Shede Hageman lined up as a starter all three days, it might be reasonable to infer the team is going to size him up as one for the rest of the summer. Ditto Devonta Freeman, Ricardo Allen and Ryan Schraeder, among others. We're all eager to know how this offense and defense will shape up and uncertain where the new coaching staff is going to go, so as I've said frequently over the last couple of months, we'll be looking closely for those clues.

For those hoping to attend the open sessions this week and share your impressions with the rest of us, please consult the schedule below. Jeanna Thomas will be sharing her reporting from Flowery Branch, as well.

Tuesday, June 16
Gates open 12:30 p.m.
Practice begins at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17
Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Practice begins at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 18
Gates open at 10:30 a.m.
Practice begins at 11:30 a.m.

Parking is available across the street from the Flowery Branch training facility, at the Hog Mountain Sports Complex.

What are you hoping to see from mandatory minicamp?