Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Thursday, June 6

Need some news or some links to click around on to pass your Thursday? Of course you do. That’s where we come in with today’s edition of Falcoholinks.

Secondary evolution

We’ve been charting the changes of different positional groups, and now we turn to the defensive backs. The cornerback position is one that has been emphasized in recent years, with two early round picks invested in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford in the 2013 NFL Draft. Corner is an area in the secondary that’s undergoing some change this offseason, but nevertheless remains one of the focal points of Dan Quinn’s defensive ideology.

One new addition who could factor into the equation in 2019 is fourth-round rookie Kendall Sheffield, who brings loads of speed to the table.

Moving on to the safety position, it’s an area that’s become a legitimate strength for these Atlanta Falcons — health pending, as always. Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal are one of the top safety tandems in the league, and while the Falcons didn’t have as dynamic as that duo over the past decade (though William Moore and Thomas DeCoud played very well at times), the safety spot has been a point of relative strength since 2008.

Help on the edge?

The Falcons’ defensive end rotation is currently one of the weaker spots on the roster, but some help might be on the way. Adam Schefter reported that Atlanta is hosting free agent pass-rusher Allen Bailey for a visit, which could give them a sturdy veteran presence should they decide to sign him.

Bailey had a career high in sacks last season with six, and his addition would fill the void created when Steven Means was lost for 2019 with an Achilles injury.

Looking for revenge

Revenge games always add some extra intrigue to an upcoming schedule, and that holds true for Atlanta’s 2019 slate of games. Philadelphia, San Francisco, and of course New Orleans are on the docket, and those match-ups should be circled on the Falcons’ locker room schedule.

Comeback candidates

Injuries absolutely destroyed the Atlanta Falcons last season, and as a result they will have multiple candidates for the Falcons’ Comeback Player of the Year. The team was without Keanu Neal for the rest of the season after the first game in Philadelphia, a game that also shortened the seasons of both Deion Jones and Devonta Freeman. Ricardo Allen tore his Achilles and was lost for the year shortly thereafter, and Vic Beasley was, well, pretty bad for the majority of 2019.

All could potentially bounce back to the tune of Comeback Player of the Year honors.