Falcons’ special teams marred by rash of penalties

Falcons' Kendall Sheffield goes down with an injury during an exhibition game against the New York Jets Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta.

Credit: Christina R. Matacotta

Credit: Christina R. Matacotta

Falcons' Kendall Sheffield goes down with an injury during an exhibition game against the New York Jets Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn plans to continue to focus on the team’s penalties woes over the final two exhibition games.

The Falcons committed 12 penalties for 118 yards in the, 22-10, loss Thursday to the Jets. The Falcons have committed 36 penalties in three exhibition games.

“There wasn’t as many of the pre-snap kind, but to have that many on special teams it totally changed the field position,” Quinn said. “Having some on punt returns, having some on punt (coverage) those are things we definitely can fix and we will.

Overall, the Falcons had 13 penalties — with Wes Schweitzer’s holding penalty declined.

The Falcons had seven penalties on special teams: linebacker Duke Riley had a holding on a punt. Safety Parker Baldwin was offsides on a kickoff and was called for holding on a kickoff return.

Linebacker Jermaine Grace was called for illegal formation on a punt.

Cornerback Tyson Stanley went out of bounds on a punt.

Defensive back Chris Cooper was called for an illegal block above the waist on a punt.

Wide receiver Christian Blake was called for offensive holding on a punt return.

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