"We felt they weren't 100 percent ready to go, so we made a decision to limit those guys today," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Abe is left over from the rigors of the 16-game season. He had a number of ailments."

Abraham had nerve, shoulder and neck ailments. He started all 17 games last season, but he left the game early against Carolina on Nov. 23.

Smith would not confirm if Abraham had any offseason surgeries or medical procedures.

"Not going to talk about it," Smith said.

Abraham, who set a franchise record with 16.5 sacks and was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, has a history of hamstring issues.

Elam played in all 17 games last season, but was listed on the injury report with a hip injury over several weeks.

"You look at those guys, Jason and John, they are up there in years," Smith said. "They've got a number of minicamps underneath their belts. We are going to limit them and limit some of the older players. We want to get a look at as many of these young guys as we can."

--The Falcons made a big deal about how their "over-30 club" helped to lead the young team last season.

But several of them where shown the door and won't be returning. The group includes Todd Weiner, who retired. Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy and Grady Jackson, who were allowed to leave during free agency.

Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder thinks he has enough veterans to blend in some of the young talent on defense.

He cited Erik Coleman, Michael Peterson, John Abraham and Chauncey Davis.

"We've got enough veteran leadership that can work out to be a great blend with the young players," VanGorder said. "With young players ... right now it's kind of crucial to allow them to get comfortable."

No matter how the defense is retooled, it figures to be young.

"We're going to be young, but I still think we've got a good mixture," VanGorder said. "We have a number of guys going into their third year. We played with some rookies last year, who gained some valuable experience and should improve this year.

"We've got a good formula set up."

--Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey knows that with TE Tony Gonzalez on board, teams will have trouble keying on one player.

There were games last season when teams could sell out on stopping Michael Turner or Roddy White and shut the offense down.

"It will be hard to beat down on one guy with Tony in there," Mularkey said. "It should help the run game with him in there."

The theme for the offense is "Get Better."

"We want to get better, everywhere," Mularkey said.

--First-round pick Peria Jerry suffered a mild right knee sprain, but is expected to be ready for the team's organized training activities.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We haven't come to an agreement. Whenever it happens, it happens. We'll just wait around for it." -- Pro Bowl WR Roddy White on the progress on his contract extension talks with the Falcons. He is set to make $2.28 million next season under his current contract. Preferably, White said he would like to enter the season with his contract situation resolved.