Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team was impressed with Rex Grossman’s workout which lead to him being signed on Wednesday.
During the workout on Tuesday, Grossman, who hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since the 2011 season, worked through the Falcons’ passing tree with wide receiver Marquez Clark and the recently signed John Harris.
Quinn would not say that Grossman’s signing signaled any displeasure with backups T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree, who struggled against the New York Jets.
“It’s all for competition,” Quinn said. “We are going to constantly keep looking to battle and see where we can improve if we can. Actually, we are looking forward to seeing T.J. and Sean going into this weekend as well.”
Quinn said that Grossman would not play against Miami in the third exhibition game on Saturday. He could be ready for action in the final exhibition game against Baltimore on Thursday, Sept. 3.
“Every chance that we get to come and battle and compete, we’re going to do that at all of the positions,” Quinn said. “That’s how I’m approaching it.”
The Falcons now have four quarterbacks on the roster and must decide if they are going to carry three or two into the season. Last season they carried three quarterbacks to open the season like 15 other teams.
Grossman knows the Falcons system and could be a sounding board for starting quarterback Matt Ryan.
“The first thing that you think about from that spot is the support that our backup or backups give to Matt in terms of getting ready,” Quinn said. “The second process is the competitor, how ready can he stay with limited reps in case that we had to play him, that he could go rock. There is that sort of balance that you look for in that spot.”
The Falcons are still working through their quarterback plan.
“There are all sorts of challenges,” Quinn said. “You can go with two or three. Practice squad and how do you factor that in. Honestly, we’re just right in the middle of it with the backup spots so we’re going to keep looking at it, keep evaluating, keep digging and keep searching.
“As we are looking through (the process), it could very well be the guys that are here. It’s all about our competition and we really want to stress that part again and the players know that too.”
Quinn, a first-time head coach, plans to work all of the angles.
“There are all sorts of reasons,” Quinn said. “When you add a third, is it a guy to develop and bring along. It’s such a unique position. I think sometimes when a team has a third guy, they are bringing him along to develop him.
“Other times, there may be a position player at another spot and hey we are going to make sure that we bring this player along, too. Then there is also the practice squad factor, too. A lot goes into it. I don’t know if there is a right or wrong answer to it. I think the research says we are right down the middle.
None of the quarterbacks are the roster are consider read-option quarterbacks, who could be used in a special two-point conversion package.
About the Author
