Post by Guvmintcheeze on May 14, 2015 20:03:02 GMT
Dan Quinn: Falcons still talking to Joe Barksdale
ATLANTA -- Although the Atlanta Falcons brought in veteran Tyler Polumbus on a one-year contract, they aren't quite done looking for help at offensive tackle.
Head coach Dan Quinn said the team remains interested in free agent Joe Barksdale, who started all 16 games at right tackle for the St. Louis Rams last season. Barksdale recently worked out for the Falcons.
"He's still somebody that we're actively talking to," Quinn said of Barksdale.
The Falcons need depth at tackle going into the season and need bodies to help get them through the offseason as well. Starting left tackle Jake Matthews is recovering from surgery to repair a Lisfranc ligament tear in his foot. Fellow offensive tackle Sam Baker also remains sidelined coming off knee surgery. Ryan Schraeder and Lamar Holmes worked as the first-team tackles during voluntary minicamp.
Quinn talked about why the Falcons signed Polumbus, who lost his starting job with the Washington Redskins last season. Polumbus played under Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when Shanahan held the same title in Washington, and he played for Seattle when Quinn was the Seahawks' assistant head coach/defensive line.
"I think No. 1 with Tyler, we like the length out at tackle," Quinn said. "He's proven where he's been a swing player before where he's played both right and left. We wanted to add more competition to the group, and that's certainly what Tyler does. Remember, we've had some experience with him, so we know the grit level and how hard he's willing to go. ... We had another chance to add a player to the team to add to the overall competitiveness of the group."
ATLANTA -- Although the Atlanta Falcons brought in veteran Tyler Polumbus on a one-year contract, they aren't quite done looking for help at offensive tackle.
Head coach Dan Quinn said the team remains interested in free agent Joe Barksdale, who started all 16 games at right tackle for the St. Louis Rams last season. Barksdale recently worked out for the Falcons.
"He's still somebody that we're actively talking to," Quinn said of Barksdale.
The Falcons need depth at tackle going into the season and need bodies to help get them through the offseason as well. Starting left tackle Jake Matthews is recovering from surgery to repair a Lisfranc ligament tear in his foot. Fellow offensive tackle Sam Baker also remains sidelined coming off knee surgery. Ryan Schraeder and Lamar Holmes worked as the first-team tackles during voluntary minicamp.
Quinn talked about why the Falcons signed Polumbus, who lost his starting job with the Washington Redskins last season. Polumbus played under Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when Shanahan held the same title in Washington, and he played for Seattle when Quinn was the Seahawks' assistant head coach/defensive line.
"I think No. 1 with Tyler, we like the length out at tackle," Quinn said. "He's proven where he's been a swing player before where he's played both right and left. We wanted to add more competition to the group, and that's certainly what Tyler does. Remember, we've had some experience with him, so we know the grit level and how hard he's willing to go. ... We had another chance to add a player to the team to add to the overall competitiveness of the group."