Falcons guards battle, bond

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Another day of minicamp was over for some Atlanta Falcons.

For offensive linemen Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer, it was time for Plan D.

Garland and Schweitzer, competing for the starting job at right guard, took turns holding a blocking pad while deflecting blocks from the other after Wednesday’s practice. Back and forth they exchanged blows.

“We do it every day, preand post-practice,” Schweitzer said. “It really takes your level of play to the next level.”

The “D” stands for development in the program installed by coach Dan Quinn. Schweitzer said there is “no way” he’d be in position to compete for a starting job without the extra work.

Quinn is especially happy to see two players competing for one starting job still trying to help each other improve.

“They are two of the guys I most admire on the team for their work ethic and toughness, kind of the go-for-it mentality, always trying to find an edge to get better,” Quinn said. “What makes it more meaningful to me is these guys play the same spot and are battling, but honestly are looking after one another and supporting and showing different examples to each other. That’s the kind of team you’d like to be a part of.”

Right guard was left open going into the offseason after 2016 starter Chris Chester retired. The Falcons made a statement in the NFL draft about their confidence in Garland and Schweitzer to handle the position, waiting until the third day of the draft to select an offensive lineman, Sean Harlow of Oregon State.

Harlow will have a chance to enter the competition, though Quinn stressed Garland and Schweitzer are “the two front-runners.”

“You can’t see two guys go for it any harder than they are,” he said.

Schweitzer, a sixth-round pick from San Jose State in 2016, was on the inactive list for every game last season. Garland, entering his fourth NFL season, played in all 16 games last year but has never started.

The two will be in the spotlight in July’s training camp because right guard may be the only true starting battle on offense or defense.

“It’s a great competition,” Schweitzer said. “We really try to embrace being humble and working with each other. It has made us both better, and it’s going to make the team better in the fall.”