And, the sides agreed, it will be three songs from Atlanta coach Mike Smith’s collection, and three from Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s. Fair and square.
“I’m as excited to see that playlist come out between Smitty and Bill as anything,’’ said Dimitroff, the Patriots’ director of college scouting from 2003-07. “I’m sure it’ll be laced with ’70s music. I don’t think there’ll be any Eminem out there.’’
If the music’s dated, that might be appropriate, as each team has decided to go back to the old way of holding joint practices during training camp.
The Falcons practiced with the Jaguars, Smith’s old club, last Monday and Tuesday at the team’s Flowery Branch, Ga., headquarters. The Patriots worked with the Saints last Tuesday and Wednesday in advance of their game Thursday night.
So both sides know what they’re getting into this time around. Belichick called the three practices with New Orleans last week “among the most productive practices that I’ve been part of in my career,’’ and Dimitroff’s assessment of Atlanta’s work with Jacksonville was similar.
“I think we got out of it what we expected,’’ he said last night. “We got a ramped-up element of enthusiasm and competitiveness, and our guys got to go against good football players in different colors. That’s important at this point in camp — you’ve got the dog days tugging at your focus and enjoyment of football.
“This brought back a spark of excitement. We had some skirmishes, but nothing got out of hand. I thought the coaches handled it well, and got the point across that this wasn’t some kind of street fight, it’s about getting better as a team. And I think we did.’’
Players and coaches can benefit from things they see from another team.
Dimitroff said one thing he remembers from his time with the Patriots was the drive of quarterback Tom Brady in a practice setting. He believes it will benefit anyone on his team to see that, and he’s excited to watch Brady and the Falcons’ young franchise QB, Matt Ryan, interact.
