Falcons not planning to rush rookie McKinley

Jul 27, 2017 - 10:18 PM FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons want to have an improved pass rush in 2017.

A big part of that plan is to get more push opposite Vic Beasley, who led the league in sacks with 15.5 last season.

The Falcons drafted Takkarist McKinley in the first-round (26th overall) of the NFL Draft with the hopes that the former UCLA standout can help the pass rush.

Even though McKinley had surgery on March 3 to repair his right shoulder socket, he was one of the first players on the practice field for the opening of training camp Thursday.

He went off to the side, alone, swinging his left arm in a big looping motion before repeating the motion with his surgically repaired right shoulder and right arm.

He nodded his head. He was ready to start his professional NFL career.

"I'm going as hard as possible," McKinley said. "That's how I played with the shoulder for two years. Got to take it slow. Don't want any setbacks."

During individual drills, McKinley was slamming both arms into the bags with great force. He looked fierce.

"I do all the (individual drills)," McKinley said. "They're keeping me out of teams."

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said he liked what he saw of McKinley, who couldn't work out with the team over the offseason, per league academic rules, because UCLA is on the quarters system.

"He really put the work in over the summer," Quinn said. "When you're a little bit behind and you don't get to get here and do some of the skill work ... you don't have some of the knowledge. Over the summer, you can tell he applied himself.

"He put the work in from a rehab standpoint. He looks very strong. Just take it one step at a time."

Defensive line coach Bryant Young used FaceTime on his phone in the offseason to talk to McKinley and instruct him about the nuances of the defense.

"Met the doctor last week and met the coaches," McKinley said. "They told me we're going to take it slow, just slowly progressing. I went out there and did the best I can do.

"Whatever the coaches want me to do, I'll do it. It felt good. It's good to be back with the team, good to be back to football. My last game was in November."

He's been working out at the team's facility.

"Once UCLA was over, June 15th, actually I flew out June 15th, and I've been working hard Monday through Fridays in the weight room, outside doing drills, just doing everything I could do," McKinley said.

His teammates were impressed with his first practice.

"He looked good," cornerback Desmond Trufant said. "I hope he can rush the passer because that will help me out."

In addition to McKinley, the Falcons added LSU linebacker Duke Riley and San Diego State safety Damontae Kazee in the draft. With key free-agent signings -- including run-stopping defensive tackle Dontari Poe and defensive end Jack Crawford -- the Falcons are hoping the pass rush and the entire defense is much improved.

"This is definitely the fastest team I've played for, the deepest team I've played for and the closest team," Trufant said. "I think that's the biggest thing. We're a tight group. ... We know we've got a lot of talent and we know we can go as far as we want."