FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Ricardo Allen‘s approach hasn’t changed.

The Atlanta Falcons free safety still aims to be the first player at the facility every day. He still tries to lead the sprints during offseason workouts. He still studies film weekly as if he’s preparing for the next opponent, even with the regular season months away.

What’s different about Allen these days is he’s doing all of the above without a contract. He has yet to sign the second-round tender worth $2.914 million the team extended to him in March as a restricted free agent. Naturally, Allen wants a long-term deal rather than having to play under the one-year tender. But contract talks between the team and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, won’t alter Allen’s focus on the team goals.

“I personally don’t come in and work hard and be the person I am because of circumstances — that I may get a contract,” Allen said. “That’s something you want to happen in the long run. But at the end of the day, we all know it’s a business. That’s what you have to take it as. It’s business on both sides. READ MORE>