After offensive tackle Lamar Holmes faltered in three regular-season games, the Falcons finally saw enough. Veteran Jeremy Trueblood replaced Holmes as the starter at right tackle Sunday night against New England in the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons entered training camp short on experienced offensive linemen. Holmes struggled at right tackle during the exhibition season but the Falcons waited until the eve of the regular season to sign Trueblood.
Holmes, Atlanta’s third-round draft pick in 2012, said he’s still confident in spite of getting benched.
“Absolutely,” he said. “You never doubt yourself. There are plenty of (critics) out in the world who are already doubting you. The only thing I really care about is me and my teammates. If my teammates have the faith in me, and I go out there and do what I’ve got to do and my coaches have the faith in me, then I’ll be good.”
Holmes ended up playing most of the game at left tackle after Sam Baker suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return. Holmes played left tackle last week at Miami when Baker missed the game with knee and foot injuries.
Trueblood started 84 of 101 games at right tackle for Tampa Bay from 2006-12. The Redskins cut Trueblood on the first roster reduction during training camp this summer, a week before the Falcons signed him.
Holmes played just seven snaps as a rookie after he was slowed by a foot injury. Holmes inherited the right tackle position this season when Mike Johnson suffered a season-ending injury early in training camp.
The Falcons might have replaced Holmes with Trueblood at Miami last week if not for knee and foot injuries to Baker.
Baker had a rough start against the Patriots before he left because of injury. Baker was called for holding and face-mask penalties on Atlanta’s second drive, which ended with a punt.
About the Author
