The Falcons just finished their annual Military Appreciation Day with a scrimmage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Here are a few highlights.
Rookie Kendall Sheffield’s two PBUs
Rookie cornerback Kendall Sheffield had a strong debut against Denver on Thursday night. Sheffield added another couple of good clips to his resume today, per Vaughn McClure at ESPN. Here’s a PBU in coverage against wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. Sheffield closes fast and punches the ball out before Sanu can secure it.
Sheffield posted another PBU on a long pass from Matt Schaub intended for wide receiver Shawn Bane.
We are projecting Sheffield to be the primary backup behind starting outside cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver.
He was listed behind Blidi Wreh-Wilson on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, though.
Takk McKinley bull rushes Logan Paulsen into next Tuesday
It’s only one on one drills, but this clip from defensive end Takk McKinley jumps out. Watch as he bull rushes veteran tight end Logan Paulsen all the way into next week, per team reporter Will McFadden.
Paulsen also had a gaffe in pass protection the other night, but he’s a better run blocker than a pass blocker and Atlanta understands this.
McKinley has a relatively-high career pressure rate but hasn’t been able to finish as many sacks as some would like. He’s put some pressure on himself to follow through and deliver this season. A few months ago, Takk tweeted he would cut off his dreadlocks if he doesn’t get at least 10 sacks this year.
Russell Gage makes another impressive catch
Few teams are as loaded as the Falcons at receiver. In fact, there are none if we’re being frank about it. This makes it hard for any one particular non-superstar receiver to stand out, but second-year wideout Russell Gage is making a go of it this summer.
Gage has made several big catches at training camp and continued that good work today in scrimmage. Watch Gage reel in another on a beautiful ball from Matt Ryan.
Justin Hardy has been Atlanta’s No. 4 wide receiver the last few years, but it appears Gage has overtaken him on the depth chart.
