GAINESVILLE, Ga. – It's still too early for coach Mike Smith to say which young players are solid candidates to make the Atlanta Falcons' 53-man roster.
As is his custom at the team's annual Friday Night Lights event, Smith held the Falcons' veteran starters out of the live tackling drills.
Quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Steven Jackson, defensive end Osi Umenyiora, cornerback Asante Samuel and receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones stood on the sideline and watched while roster hopefuls hit and tackled on Gainesville High School's home field.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant, a first-round draft pick, took several snaps with the second-team defense because he needed extra work.
The Falcons announced that a crowd of 14,250 was the largest to attend a Friday night event.
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