FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- As the Falcons begin preparations for their season opener at Chicago on Sunday, head coach Dan Quinn has named Wes Schweitzer the team's starting right guard.
Schweitzer and Ben Garland battled throughout training camp and the preseason for the job. Ultimately, Schweitzer proved to be more consistent, Quinn said of the reason he will get the nod.
"It was so close as we went through the whole thing," Quinn said. "[We saw] more consistency at times. If you went just solely on the games you really could have battled for either way. It [was] as close a battle as I've seen at a position."
The Falcons drafted Schweitzer with their sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of San Jose State. Schweitzer didn't see any game action in his rookie season but after a strong offseason and preseason, is ready to take on his new role.
"Whatever was asked to be my role I would have taken it and run with it," Schweitzer said of his reaction to being named the starter. "I'm just happy to be here and work hard every day."
