The Atlanta Falcons held their first rookie minicamp practice of 2019 on Friday in Flowery Branch. In case you missed it, here’s six things we learned from the media. McGary has his priorities straight It’s never easy going from college to the pros, no matter how talented you are. Remember, Peyton Manning threw more interceptions than touchdowns his first year in the league. Navigating the massive gulf in competition and athleticism is only one part of the most difficult transition in sports. Another major part is avoided boneheaded rookie mistakes. Offensive tackle Kaleb McGary had the right idea for his first day of work in the NFL. He told reporters he was just trying not to look like an idiot. Kaleb McNary on his goal today said he just didnt want to look like an idiot. He didnt. pic.twitter.com/D6qL3K7lse — vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) May 10, 2019 McGary credited the similarities between Washington’s zone scheme and Atlanta’s for helping him avoid that. Kaleb McGary said there are “thankfully” some similarities between the scheme he ran at Washington and here with the Falcons pic.twitter.com/7yQ1Gj7F7F — Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) May 10, 2019 The Falcons supposedly reached for McGary at No. 31 and gave up a lot to get there, as well. He’ll have to play very well at right tackle to justify the pick.<doc-sep>The Atlanta Falcons got their first look at the class of 2019 today. The first practices of rookie minicamp began in Flowery Branch and will run through the rest of the weekend. Here’s a few videos from the team and media of the rookies at work. Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary join the offensive line Kendall Sheffield returns kicks Kendall Sheffield the Falcons’ rookie draft pick back fielded kicks, not Marcus Green right now. Sheffield seems excited about it too pic.twitter.com/CzF2rDESU9 — vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) May 10, 2019 Qadree Ollison runs the ball #Falcons 5th round pick RB Qadree Ollison (No. 32) getting some reps pic.twitter.com/ro3vvdX552 — Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) May 10, 2019 Okay @QOllison! 👀 We can get used to that. pic.twitter.com/3SKUqtIOxl — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 10, 2019 Flag football punt returns The #Falcons aren’t allowed to go full contact for minicamp, so they are going with flag football for punt return drills. Like the creativity. pic.twitter.com/5ddhZcDWUf — William McFadden (@willmcfadden) May 10, 2019 Here’s a look at the full roster of participants: Here’s the Falcons rookie minicamp roster, including the tryout players. pic.twitter.com/zoGeIhQQa3 — Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) May 9, 2019<doc-sep>The Falcons will host their 2019 rookie minicamp this week, providing the first opportunity to see Atlanta's draft picks, undrafted free agents and other select invitees in action. This is always an exciting time for those involved, and for many of them it is the beginning of their NFL journey. So, with rookie minicamp just days away, here is everything Falcons fans need to know. When: The Falcons will host two minicamp practices, which will take place on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11. Rookie minicamp is not open to the public. What: Rookie minicamp provides the very first opportunity for coaches to work with rookies on and off the field. Per the NFL's "phase three" rules of offseason workouts, there will be no live contact during minicamp but players can compete in 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Players will also not be in full pads during minicamp. Who: In addition to the Falcons' seven draft picks, the team's 16 undrafted free agents will also be present for minicamp. Other select players who have received a tryout invite from the club, as well as some members of Atlanta's 2018 practice squad may attend, although the team has yet to announce who those players are. Here is a full list of the players we know will be there: Draft picks Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington Kendall Sheffield, CB, Ohio State John Cominsky, DE, Charleston Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh Jordan Miller, CB, Washington Marcus Green, RB, Louisiana-Monroe College free agents Parker Baldwin, FS, San Diego State Shawn Bane, WR, Northwest Missouri Yurik Bethune, LB, Alabama A&M Lanard Bonner, OT, Arkansas State Rashard Causey, CB, Central Florida Tre' Crawford, LB, Alabama-Birmingham Devon Johnson, OT, Ferris State Kahlil Lewis, WR, Cincinnati Durrant Miles, LB, Boise State Chandler Miller, C, Tulsa Del'Shawn Phillips, LB, Illinois Jaelin Robinson, OT, Temple Jayson Stanley, CB, Georgia Kyle Vasey, LS, Penn State CJ Worton, WR, Florida International Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Virginia<doc-sep>1. Sheffield, Green injured. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield, a fourth-round pick from Ohio State, and running back Marcus Green, a sixth-round pick from Louisiana-Monroe, participated in the walk-through portion. Both were out with injuries. Sheffield suffered a torn pectoral muscle a the scouting combine. Green was out with a strained hamstring. The Falcons are hoping they’ll be ready for the start of OTAs. 2. Brooks-James added. The Falcons signed running back Tony Brooks-James and released running back Jeremy Langford on Saturday. Brooks-James, who was here this week for the rookie minicamp on a tryout, played at Oregon. Brooks-James, who’s 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, rushed 283 times for 1,863 yards and scored 18 touchdowns for the Ducks. He also caught 40 passes for 392 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also returned 44 kickoffs for 1,047 yards and one touchdown. Langford was signed late last season to help provide depth in the backfield after Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith were injured. He played in the season finale against Tampa Bay. 3. Morgan starts project. Falcons offensive line coach Chris Morgan, who's in his sixth season with the team, has been entrusted with the development of first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. Some are projecting Lindstrom, the 14th overall pick, and McGary, the 31st overall pick, to be opening-day starters. Lindstrom worked at right guard and McGary at right tackle during the rookie minicamp. Morgan wore a microphone during Friday's first practice. 4. Stanley to cornerback. Former Georgia wide receiver Jayson Stanley started his transition to cornerback for the Falcons. He's still working on his backpedal, but is embracing the position switch. 5. Ollison leans on his faith. Rookie running back Qadree Ollison, a fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh, discussed how he was able to forgive the man who murdered his brother. Subscribe to "The Bow Tie Chronicles" podcast with the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter on iTunes or on the new AJC sports podcasts page.<doc-sep>
RELATED CONTENT Here are the biggest questions to be answered during minicamp: 1. How does Chris Lindstrom move? One of the first-round pick's best traits is his athleticism. How does he look moving around out on the fields? 2. How fast is Kendall Sheffield, really? The first thing you'll hear about Kendall Sheffield is his speed. He was named the fastest player in college football at one point. It will be interesting to see just how fast Sheffield is, especially lined up against the wide receivers. 3. Where do the Falcons line John Cominsky up? One of the main reasons the Falcons drafted Cominsky was because of his versatility. He can play inside and outside. Where does Dan Quinn have him lined up most? 4. How powerful is Qadree Ollison? Ollison was brought to Atlanta to be the power running back the Falcons need in their offense. How does he look running with the ball? 5. Where does Marcus Green line up most when he's not getting special teams reps? Marcus Green's main responsibilities will come on special teams, but he can play both wide receiver and running back. Where will he be featured most? 6. How does Jordan Miller track the ball? Quinn wants ball hawks in his defense. Miller has the long arms to make plays on the ball, will that be on display? 7. Which undrafted free agents make a name for themselves? Sixteen undrafted free agents will be taking the fields with the draft picks this weekend. Which ones will stand out? 8. Will Kaleb McGary's 'nasty' style show up from Day 1? Kaleb McGary said he wants opposing defenders to fear him. Will he show that style from Day 1? 9. Will Sheffield get some reps as a returner? The battle for the returner job will be one of the most interesting ones to watch over the new few months. Given Sheffield's speed, will Quinn throw him back there with new special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica to see what he can do? 10. Does Lindstrom gets some reps at center?