LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Javy Lopez was positioned back in his old locker, and across the room stood the adjoined lockers of John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Chipper Jones.

For those who have been hibernating for most of the past five years, it would be easy to come to Spring Training this year, walk in the Braves' clubhouse and gain the feeling that very little has changed for this organization.

Unfortunately, with two consecutive dormant Octobers serving as constant reminders, things obviously have changed since Glavine and Lopez were last with the Braves. But that hasn't completely erased the aura this organization created while it was winning a record 14 consecutive division titles.

"This seems to be a place where guys walk around with a quiet confidence," said newly acquired left-handed reliever Will Ohman as he familiarized himself with some of his new teammates on Thursday afternoon at Champion Stadium.

As Braves pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Thursday, Braves manager Bobby Cox and general manager Frank Wren staged an organizational meeting that lasted nearly 90 minutes.

Over the course of the next eight months, they're hoping their planning and strategizing nets another run toward the World Series. This was their focus when they welcomed Glavine back in November and when they attempted to fortify both their bench and bullpen with the acquisitions of Ohman and Omar Infante from the Cubs in November.

"I think we've definitely improved from last year," Tim Hudson said. "We've definitely addressed some issues we had last year. Saying all that, I think we're a lot better as a team."

Hudson, who was among the group of pitchers and catchers who reported to camp on Thursday, knows his role is to once again act like an ace at the front of the rotation. For Glavine, the task is to simply provide his normal and remarkable consistency over the course of the next eight months.

It's guys like Lopez, Jeff Bennett, Chuck James, Mark Kotsay and Mike Hampton who will feel more pressure to prove something during Spring Training. Over the course of the next six weeks, Cox will be looking to fill the final two spots of his rotation, monitoring the health of both Hampton and Kotsay and attempting to construct the right bullpen mix.

"It's going to be interesting," Cox said.

Lopez isn't coming to camp nervous. Instead, he's anxious to prove the countless hours of work he dedicated to improving his body and defensive skills behind the plate have made him the guy the Braves want to serve as All-Star catcher Brian McCann's backup this season.

Lopez, who previously played in Atlanta from 1993-2003, didn't play after being released by the Rockies in Spring Training last year. Nor did he appear to be a candidate for the Braves. But after working with Atlanta bench coach Chino Cadahia on his defensive skills, Lopez found himself with the opportunity to once again prove himself with his original organization.

Although he comes to camp with a Minor League contract and as a non-roster invitee, Lopez certainly has a legitimate shot to begin the season with Atlanta. Others competing for the backup catcher's position include Corky Miller, Clint Sammons and Brayan Pena.

"I can't ask for anything better," Lopez said. "All I have to do is do what they expect me to do."

Right-handed reliever Blaine Boyer, Pena and Scott Thorman, the backup first baseman who will see some time in the outfield during Spring Training, are all out of Minor League options. Contrary to previous reports, Bennett isn't out of options and thus could return to the Minors without passing through waivers.

Bennett, who has lost nearly 60 pounds since July, has a legitimate shot to win one of the rotation's final spots or a role in the bullpen as a long reliever. Two years removed from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, this is certainly the makings of a dream come true for a 27-year-old Tennessee native who grew up idolizing the likes of Smoltz and Glavine.

"You don't take things like this for granted," Bennett said. "This is a big reason why I wanted to get in shape -- because I wanted to give it my best shot to earn a spot in their starting rotation and really lock in. There's a lot of opportunity here."

Bennett's opportunity to gain a rotation spot certainly will increase if Hampton is unable to stay healthy. The 35-year-old left-hander has missed the past two seasons while recovering from separate surgical procedures on his left elbow.

According to Cox, Hampton had no problems while throwing a side session for Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell on Saturday at Turner Field. For now, the organization can only be cautiously optimistic about him making consistent contributions.

"You just hope that he can stay healthy," Cox said.

When Braves pitchers and catchers hold their first workout on Friday at 10 a.m. ET, Glavine and Smoltz will take the field as teammates again for the first time since 2002. This should bring back memories of that magic many of these same faces teamed to create in the Braves' very recent past.

"I'm ready to get the ball rolling," Hudson said.