Ryan Schraeder is the latest Falcons player to start at right tackle this season. A season-ending injury to Lamar Holmes and a demotion for Gabe Carimi led to Schraeder lining up with the first-team offense.
It’s the latest career turn for a player who offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter once said “came out of nowhere” to make the team as a rookie in 2013. The Falcons signed Schraeder after he wasn’t drafted out of Division II Valdosta State, and he started four games as a rookie.
We talked to Schraeder about his experience with the Falcons and his off-field hobbies (edited for clarity and space).
Q: What did you do over the bye week?
A: Besides resting and all of that kind of stuff, I played golf a couple times. I kind of picked that up last offseason. I haven't really played since I was younger. So I'm just kind of trying to pick it up again. It's fun. It's a challenge.
Q: How is your game?
A: I'm in the 90s. I'm under 100. I can't say I'm too bad. It's addicting because you have a little success here and there, and you are like, 'Why can't I do that every time?'
Q: Anything else you like to do away from football?
A: I like to travel. Last week, since we just got back from London, I stuck around Atlanta. But after the season is over, I like to travel. You can find me somewhere on the beach, if anywhere.
Q: Any favorite places you’ve been?
A: I went to Cozumel, Mexico, last year on a cruise. I'm not sure what I'm going to do this year. It will be something different, though.
Q: What's it been like for you professionally? You've been thrown in the fire a couple times.
A: It's been fun. Just getting better every day. It's fun to see where I started and how much I've progressed. I'm still learning the game and learning new stuff every day. But at the end of the day, it's a lot more fun to win. Hopefully I can help the team in that aspect.
Q: You ever look back at video from your rookie season?
A: A little bit. You just kind of look at little things if you feel like you are doing something better then than now and gauge where you are at.
