FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With Tuesday's NFL trade deadline looming, Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn seems content with his roster as is.
"I feel like we have a very competitive group," Quinn said Friday. "So, for us, we love the guys we have. Fortunately for us, the thing that I'm excited [about] -- you guys know this, but I don't get a chance to talk about it enough -- is our practice squad. I feel like this is a group in waiting that we've got some guys that are anxious to go. We've moved some of them up already [running back Terron Ward and safety Sharrod Neasman]. ... There's a number of guys, if called upon, would be ready. That's why maybe I feel like I love the depth that we have with some of the guys. We're already developing some guys right through it. That's the preferred way."
Quinn was asked if trades might nevertheless be considered. A reporter joked about being a blown away by a deal for a player such as a Lawrence Taylor.
"He was definitely my favorite player growing up," Quinn said of Taylor. "If we went back in time and coach [Bill] Parcells called, that would have been one we would have definitely listen to."
Kidding aside, Quinn said making a trade is not at the forefront of his thoughts as he prepares his 4-3 Falcons to face Aaron Rodgers and the 4-2 Packers on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
"I would say you can definitely focus your attention on the game," Quinn said.
One has to wonder if the Falcons might change their trade thoughts if the quadriceps tear suffered by veteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney ends up being a significant injury. Freeney is questionable for Sunday.
The other aspect to consider is whether the Falcons might unload a player in exchange for a draft pick. One guy who comes to mind is cornerback Jalen Collins, a 2015 second-round pick who hasn't panned out. The problem is, personnel folks around the league say the film out on Collins isn't impressive, so interest is unlikely to be significant.
The Falcons' most recent trade outside of the draft was acquiring veteran left guard Andy Levitre last September in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft -- the Titans used the pick to draft guard Sebastian Tretola -- and a conditional 2017 selection.