Falcons looking for answers at center

In both of the Falcons losses, they have had issues with the snap from center.

Mike Person, who re-injured a previously sprained ankle, skidded one of the turf against Tampa Bay.

“We have a lot of confidence in Mike,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said on Monday.

The Falcons carry three centers on their roster in Person, James Stone and Gino Gradkowski. Stone, who had a bad snap against New Orleans, came on to play for Person on Sunday.

Gradkowski, a former starter with Baltimore, may be up next if Person’s ankle is sore and he can beat out Stone in practice.

“All of that is going to be part of the competition going through it,” Quinn said.

Person’s wayward shotgun snap cost the Falcons a chance for at least three points. The Falcons had a second-and-goal at the 4 in the second quarter when Person’s snap was low and to the left of quarterback Matt Ryan, who couldn’t handle it.

Neither Ryan nor Devonta Freeman could recover the ball as it bounced away. Bucs defensive end Jacquies Smith scooped it up and returned it to the 22. The Bucs converted that turnover into a 23-yard field goal by Barth that put them ahead 6-3 with 3:32 until halftime.

About the Author

On the hot seat for Falcons: Special teams haven’t been very special

After basically costing the team the game against the Jets, Atlanta's special teams units will be on the hot seat when they face the Seahawks Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

X-factor Sunday: Can the Falcons run the ball vs. Seattle’s stout defense?

Seattle has the No. 2-ranked run defense in the NFL. The Seahawks, who defeated Minnesota 26-0 on Sunday, are coming off their first shutout since 2015.