During the NFL owners’ meeting, coach Dan Quinn promised new alignments to help get Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley into better pass-rushing situations.
While Beasley elected to skip the voluntary OTAs, McKinley has been present and has spent some time at linebacker playing over the tight end, which traditionally is the strongside linebacker’s spot.
“There will be some packages where can be a linebacker,” Quinn said. “The value in that (presents the question of) is he a rusher or is he a dropper?”
Teams will have to determine if they count him in their blocking formula. If they miscalculate, McKinley could have a free path to the quarterback or a mismatch with a running back.
“The more versatility that we have (the better),” Quinn said. “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.”
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