WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

December 27, 2018 at 1:43 am.

–Offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo was seen as a project when the Falcons traded for him. Now he’s in the starting lineup.

Sambrailo was chosen by Denver in the second round of the 2015 draft and played 13 games for the Broncos in two seasons. He was traded to the Falcons for a fifth-round draft pick and played 15 games in 2017, making two starts.

This season he’s played in every game and will make his fourth start on Sunday. His value has increased largely because of ability to play both tackle and guard.

“At the time, we wanted to make sure – we were looking for a swing tackle and when he played there, he had played at guard and he played at tackle,” Quinn said.

Quinn said the team had worked out Sambrailo when he was a senior at Colorado State. He personally went to Fort Collins and participated in the tryout.

“He was somebody that we were interested in the draft,” Quinn said. “And then I know he had some injuries there and we thought this might be the right time for a guy with a fresh start in the program to get going.”

Sambrailo got his first start on Dec. 9 against the Packers, a week after quarterback Matt Ryan was hammered for four quarters by Baltimore. Sambrailo will make his career-best fourth straight start on Sunday.

“He’s been in a backup role, but when he’s been called upon, he’s performed well,” Quinn said. “He just kept improving as it was going in practice and you know, kind of just gaining confidence in the way he was practicing and it transferred over like he was ready to get a shot at a longer look and he took advantage of that.”

–Head coach Dan Quinn may get to take a longer look at a few different players in this week’s season finale. Fullback Ricky Ortiz, wide receiver Russell Gage and Steven Means are a few of the possibilities.

“I wouldn’t say that there’s anybody we haven’t looked at that we are looking to get extra, but more of the guys that have been up, we’re digging under that,” Quinn said.

Ortiz played well last week while protecting quarterback Matt Ryan from the Carolina pass rush. Ortiz started last week against the Panthers after being inactive the two previous games. In addition to a good effort as a blocker, he caught his third pass of the season.

“He did a good job of picking up blocks when he had to,” Quinn said. “I think he was in on a special teams tackle, which was a good sign for him because that’s different. He’s worked hard to improve in that area and I was pleased with his performance.”

Gage, a rookie from LSU, has found it difficult to break into the lineup. He’s played 14 games with four receptions, two of them coming two weeks ago against the Cardinals. He’s making more of an impact on special teams.

“The more turns, the more chances you get to play, the better,” Quinn said. “I think he has forced two fair catches on punts. We’re continuing to work him into the program in every way we can.”

Means has played a lot the last three weeks and started the last two. He had four tackles, three of them solos, against the Panthers.

“The more turns he gets, the more impressive he’s been for us,” Quinn said.

BY THE NUMBERS: 41 — Points scored by the Falcons this season on their first possession of the game. Last week they drove 85 yards and scored on a 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan to Julio Jones.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA