Falcons have confidence in Ben Garland in starting guard role

[birdz4i]

 

 

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With left guard Andy Levitre out this week with a triceps injury, the Atlanta Falcons expressed confidence in reserve Ben Garland stepping into a starting role at the position.

Coach Dan Quinn officially ruled Levitre out for Thursday night's matchup with the New Orleans Saints during his weekly radio interview with 92.9 The Game. Garland, who competed with Wes Schweitzer for the starting right guard spot coming into the season and started to see occasional right guard reps in recent weeks, played a season-high 43 offensive snaps when Levitre exited last week's game against Minnesota with the injury. This will be his first career start.

 

"Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

 

Said right tackle Ryan Schraeder, "Ben can be a starter in this league."

Rookie Sean Harlow, inactive the first 12 games, likely will step into the role as the backup guard behind Schweitzer and Garland, if ready.

The Falcons were fortunate enough to be the only team to start the same offensive line all of last season. But this year, Schraeder missed two games with a concussion, and now Levitre will miss his first game in two-plus seasons with the Falcons. Quinn didn't rule out Levitre for the Dec. 18 game at Tampa Bay, an ESPN Monday Night Football matchup.

How Garland performs against the Saints might not be biggest factor to keep an eye on in terms of the Falcons' line. The biggest challenge is expected to be containing defensive end Cam Jordan, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month. Jordan plays on both sides, meaning tackles Schraeder and Jake Matthews will have to be at their best. Jordan has 10 of the Saints' 33 sacks.

"Cam is one of the best in the league," Schraeder said. "We are very familiar with each other. He is a big guy that moves like a cat, and he's very physical in the run game. He's just an all-around great football player."

Disruptive Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins typically lines up on the left side, meaning Schweitzer could be in for quite a day.

 

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/30753/falcons-have-confidence-in-ben-garland-in-starting-guard-role

[lostnmexico]

The older I get.......the more allergic I become to BS!  What do you expect these guys to say though?  The sky is falling.

Here is the spin:  "Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

Here is the truth:  Ben Garland replaced Levitre against Minnesota and played 43 of 53 offensive snaps (81 percent).

Garland eared the lowest grade (40) on the offense from profootballfocus.com.

Garland, who lost the battle to be the starting right guard to Wes Schweitzer, allowed two quarterback hits, was called for holding and gave up two other tackles.

Not exactly the paragon of instilling confidence is it?

 

[RoddyWhite84]

6 minutes ago, lostnmexico said:

The older I get.......the more allergic I become to BS!  What do you expect these guys to say though?  The sky is falling.

Here is the spin:  "Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

Here is the truth:  Ben Garland replaced Levitre against Minnesota and played 43 of 53 offensive snaps (81 percent).

Garland eared the lowest grade (40) on the offense from profootballfocus.com.

Garland, who lost the battle to be the starting right guard to Wes Schweitzer, allowed two quarterback hits, was called for holding and gave up two other tackles.

Not exactly the paragon of instilling confidence is it?

 

I mean what do you expect them to say? No Ben was garbage and we need to get someone else in here.unfortunately Injuries to starters happen but that's why you bring in or create quality depth so you won' have to worry as much when it happens.we just have to make it through Thursday.

[Diesel_Bird]

Don’t think they have much of a choice do they?

[maxatlanta]

Garland's holding penalty was a beautiful pancake block, and the ref turned it into a phantom holding call. Considering that, and that we were up against MIN front 7, I wouldn't take that pff rating as an accurate assessment of his play. 

[red falcon]

18 minutes ago, lostnmexico said:

The older I get.......the more allergic I become to BS!  What do you expect these guys to say though?  The sky is falling.

Here is the spin:  "Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

Here is the truth:  Ben Garland replaced Levitre against Minnesota and played 43 of 53 offensive snaps (81 percent).

Garland eared the lowest grade (40) on the offense from profootballfocus.com.

Garland, who lost the battle to be the starting right guard to Wes Schweitzer, allowed two quarterback hits, was called for holding and gave up two other tackles.

Not exactly the paragon of instilling confidence is it?

 

Im assuming the saints d line isnt  as good as the vikings. Hopefully there isnt as much pressure on him. They probably will attack our guards though, mack has his hands full.

[NeonDeion]

2 minutes ago, maxatlanta said:

Garland's holding penalty was a beautiful pancake block, and the ref turned it into a phantom holding call. Considering that, and that we were up against MIN front 7, I wouldn't take that pff rating as an accurate assessment of his play. 

^This. They took the best block an OL can make and turned it into a penalty. Give me 10 “holds” like that per game from Garland please. 

[RoddyWhite84]

1 minute ago, NeonDeion said:

^This. They took the best block an OL can make and turned it into a penalty. Give me 10 “holds” like that per game from Garland please. 

Exactly 

[lostnmexico]

4 minutes ago, maxatlanta said:

Garland's holding penalty was a beautiful pancake block, and the ref turned it into a phantom holding call. Considering that, and that we were up against MIN front 7, I wouldn't take that pff rating as an accurate assessment of his play. 

Thanks Max........some level of confidence is better than none. 

We need to Beat these Guys Handily!  Otherwise......

I will be asking Santa for Gary Kubiak in a Flowery Branch Office Building with a bird on the front door!

[Penumbra]

9 minutes ago, maxatlanta said:

Garland's holding penalty was a beautiful pancake block, and the ref turned it into a phantom holding call. Considering that, and that we were up against MIN front 7, I wouldn't take that pff rating as an accurate assessment of his play. 

Pancakes are illegal now. Mack had a perfect pancake called for holding negating a huge run by Free as well.

[QuinnTorris]

He was getting his azz whooped by Linval.

[TRUju2111]

That pancake block was a bs holding call that really ****** us!

[TrapAHolic]

Thats exactly what i expect them to say lol. But I have no confidence at all. And as soon as Garland lets someone get in Ryan’s face, he won’t either. I hope Garland can be decent otherwise happy feet Matt will be back

[E. T.]

This is a legit concern in my opinion.... Hope this line can hold up.

[FenixFalcon]

Less concerned about garland. They should be putting him in wes' spot as soon as levitre comes back anyways.

Edited December 7, 2017 by FenixFalcon

[MoFalconsFan56]

1 minute ago, FenixFalcon said:

Less concerned about garland. They should be putting him in wes' spot as soon as levitre comes back anyways.

Absolutely 

[Francis York Morgan]

Even thinking about our pancakes getting flagged while 7 or 8 headlocks from the Vikings weren't gets me upset. We had them. Ugh.

[since68andcounting]

14 hours ago, lostnmexico said:

The older I get.......the more allergic I become to BS!  What do you expect these guys to say though?  The sky is falling.

Here is the spin:  "Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

Here is the truth:  Ben Garland replaced Levitre against Minnesota and played 43 of 53 offensive snaps (81 percent).

Garland eared the lowest grade (40) on the offense from profootballfocus.com.

Garland, who lost the battle to be the starting right guard to Wes Schweitzer, allowed two quarterback hits, was called for holding and gave up two other tackles.

Not exactly the paragon of instilling confidence is it?

 

The first holding call was complete BS. He looked darn good in the run game. He still needs work in pass protection.

[FalconFan13]

Im gonna be honest i think Garland can be a ok starter in the league not great but not horrible and i like him better than Wes as the starter at RG if i had my choice of the 2. 

[FinalScore2.0]

The offensive line has to work together as one unit. I think Garland will get better as the group work together more.

[Butudontseeme™]

More worried about Wes vs Rankins tbh. He tends to struggle against the better DTs in the league it seems.