FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Dan Quinn is getting tired of the bad snaps from his centers.
Center Mike Person had another bad snap against the Panthers and is now competing this week with Gino Gradkowski for the starting center position.
“As we get started on Thursdays, it’s about the ball for us,” Quinn said. “We’ve clearly illustrated that on a number of occasions where when we took care the ball, went after it and held it great regard, we had a lot of success in those games. In the ones where we didn’t, we struggled in them. It’s ‘Turnover Thursday.’”
Person tossed a close shotgun snap back too fast. Panthers cornerback Josh Norman recovered and ball. Left guard Andy Levitre hustled back and stopped Norman for scoring a touchdown. It was at least their third botched center snap that led to a turnover.
“We put right back up for competition at the center position for sure, that’s No. 1,” Quinn said. “No. 2, as we are going through, just the consistency and technique that’s going to be on point, every single time in terms of your forearm hitting your leg in the same spot. The consistency with it. I’m sure the competition it up at the position, too.”
Person beat back a challenge earlier this season from Gradkowski and James Stone, who’s since been injured and played on injured reserve.
In the 31-21 loss to the Saints, Stone had botched snap that killed a red zone opportunity. There was also a botched snap against Washington. The problem has persisted, but wasn’t as costly against the Panthers.
Gradkowski, 6-3, 300 pounds, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens pick in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft out of Delaware.
He played in 40 games with 16 starts over three years for the Ravens. Denver acquired him via trade in April 2015.
The Falcons claimed him off of waivers and released Joe Hawley on Sept. 7.
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