The competition for the Falcons’ starting right guard position starts in earnest when the team holds its first padded practice Saturday.
The team went through its second practice in helmets Friday, with Wes Schweitzer taking snaps with the first-team offense and Ben Garland rotating in.
On Thursday, Garland started with the first team. The Falcons will continue to juggle the spot until they find a starter to replace Chris Chester.
While there likely won’t be any tackling to the ground, the leading candidates will get a chance to show what they can do in some meaningful interior-line contact.
“I need to play well, every day,” Schweitzer said. “You have to play well and prove it in games. He’s not just going to let anybody start. I look forward to the competition. I’ll take it one day at a time.”
Garland and Schweitzer spent the summer working out together. They even went flyboarding on Lake Lanier.
So, how can the two fierce competitors be pals off the field?
“Competition is what the entire team is developed on,” Garland said. “We are going to push as hard as we can. He can make me a better player, and hopefully I can make him a better player. Hopefully, in turn, we can make it a better team.”
Schweitzer was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 out of San Jose State. He was beat out by Chester last season. He didn’t play in any games as he was allowed to develop.
“Being a rookie was tough,” Schweitzer said. “Coming into my second year, I feel a lot more comfortable with just the knowledge of the game and knowing what’s expected.”
Schweitzer doesn’t plan to stress out about the competition.
“I’ll just relax and take it day by day,” he said.
Garland played on the defensive line in goal line and some short yardage situations last season.
Garland, 29, has been trying to make it in the league since 2012. He’s played in nine games with Denver in 2014 and played in 19 last season with the Falcons.
“I just love being back,” Garland said. “You are with your brothers, and you’re playing football again. You’ve been training so hard this offseason, trying to get back to this, so I’m enjoying every moment. I’m working my tail off.”
Garland is just fine with letting the competition unfold.
“We just have to work as hard as we can,” Garland said. “The right guard spot is what the team is all about, battle, brotherhood and competition, and it’s about the ball. If I can incorporate that stuff, I have a good opportunity.”
Garland’s role is much different from last season, when he was a two-way player. In addition to playing some defensive tackle, he played 42 snaps on offense and 160 snaps on special teams.
His plan of attack on the defensive line is much different from what he’s asked to do on offense.
“I love both sides,” Garland said. “I love what this whole things brings to it. They allow you to compete and allow you to get after it. If they think you can bring something to the field, they’ll let you show it. …The harder I push, the harder he’s going to push, and that’s going to push me even more.”
Offensive line coach Chris Morgan will oversee the battle that’s expected to go on until the third or fourth exhibition game.
“I actually love working with him,” Garland said of Morgan. “He’s trying to get you to become the best that you can possibly be. He’s going to give you every opportunity, but he’s going to push you at the same time.”
Quinn is in no rush to name a starter.
“It’s going to take a while based on how hard they are going to go for it and where we were at the end of spring,” Quinn said. “At their position, I think it would be unfair to put somebody in that role in a non-padded environment. It will take a few (exhibition) season games for sure.”
The Falcons started the same offensive line for all 19 games last season. The continuity between the center, right guard and right tackle is important, especially in the rushing attack with double-team and combination blocks.
“Fortunately, the communication along that group is important,” Quinn said. “Having (center) Alex Mack next to whoever that person (will be) is a significant advantage with the details that he gets into.
“We aren’t in any hurry to find out. I think that will play itself out as we go.”
