Falcons coach Dan Quinn is having defensive end Takk McKinley play some snaps at the linebacker spot at OTAs, which might sound unusual to fans who are familiar with his game.
McKinley isn’t exactly a stereotypical 4-3 defensive end though, having elite speed and athleticism for the position. He also showed up to OTAs lighter than last season, but that’s by design according to Quinn.
Quinn isn’t planning to move Takk to an outside linebacker spot just yet, but he likes the idea of opponents not knowing if he’s going to rush the passer or drop back into coverage. It’s an option he’d like to keep in his back pocket, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“I’d rather start on those packages now. . . We may not play them all the way through, but I’d like to start on them and get the experience. That way when you get into the season, here’s a package that I’d like to discuss, and we’ll have already put work in on it.”
Obviously, the Falcons’ first priority should be for McKinley to keep producing as a pass rusher. The more things he can do the better, though. If Takk becomes adept at dropping back into coverage that will only help give Quinn more options.
