FLOWERY BRANCH — Last year’s Atlanta Falcons rookie class of Dieon Jones, Austin Hooper, De’Vondre Campbell, and Keanu Neal helped the Falcons make it to their first Super Bowl since 1998.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn is hoping the 2017 class can help them capture their first-ever Super Bowl ring.
Quinn heaped some early praise on the newest crop of rookies, which includes former Georgia Bulldog wide receiver Reggie Davis, LSU linebacker Duke Riley and first round draft pick Takkarist McKinley out of UCLA, after the Falcons completed a just under 90-minute workout on the first day of mandatory mini camp on Tuesday.
The third-year head coach said a standard practice of his staff has been to take the coaches off the field to see if the rookies manage things on their own. Normally they wait to Day 3 of mini camps. Not so with this group.
“We usually don’t do it on the first day (of minicamps) but they have made so much progress in just a month and we felt we were ready to find out about this group,” Quinn said. “We’re going to do it each day (of mini camps) this year. There were a number of guys that did a great job. It’s hard to compare groups but we really like these guys already.”
Does he think this class has a chance to one-up the 2016 group?
“We’re going to find out,” he said. “They’ve been issued that challenge. They’re going forward to see how good this class can get.”
Davis, a free agent signing after the draft, logged the highlight of the session reeling in an over-the-shoulder catch on a bomb from fellow rookie quarterback Alek Torgersen (Penn) that drew loud cheers from the offensive sideline. Davis also fielded punts during special teams drills on the day.
“Georgia fans should be excited about Reggie. He’s off to a good start with us,” Quinn said. “It’s the speed that jumps out, No. 1, but he’s made an impact in trying to make a name for himself in the way he competes. We’re looking at him in the return game as well.”
McKinley was the biggest profile draft pick but fans, and coaches, will have to wait until preseason practice to glimpse his skills. He will not report to the Falcons until Thursday, after the mini camp sessions are completed, because he is finishing his final quarter at UCLA.
However, Quinn was not concerned since they went through a similar deal with then-rookie tight end Hooper, who was finishing up at Stanford. Hooper is the projected starter at tight end coming into the 2017 season.
“We new that going in when we drafted (McKinley). He’s been doing what we need him to do and he’ll get here (on Thursday or Friday) and get started,” Quinn said. “Austin (Hooper) did the same thing last year and he was able to catch up and played well for us. We don’t expect any issues with (McKinley).”
Day 2 of mini camp will resume at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday at the Falcons Complex and will be open to the public. Gates will open at 1 p.m.
Wednesday
April 24th, 2024
12:14PM
