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          Falcons have confidence in Ben Garland in starting guard role

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          • Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterDec 5, 2017, 02:10 PM
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            • Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune
            • Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee
            • Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002
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          FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With left guard Andy Levitre out this week with a triceps injury, the Atlanta Falcons expressed confidence in reserve Ben Garland stepping into a starting role at the position.

          Coach Dan Quinn officially ruled Levitre out for Thursday night's matchup with the New Orleans Saints during his weekly radio interview with 92.9 The Game. Garland, who competed with Wes Schweitzer for the starting right guard spot coming into the season and started to see occasional right guard reps in recent weeks, played a season-high 43 offensive snaps when Levitre exited last week's game against Minnesota with the injury. This will be his first career start.

          "Ben did a good job for us stepping in [Sunday]," quarterback Matt Ryan said of Garland. "He's been a guy that we can count on all year. He's always extremely well-prepared, does a great job for us on special teams, and I thought did a nice job for us at guard [Sunday]. ... We have full confidence in Ben."

          Said right tackle Ryan Schraeder, "Ben can be a starter in this league."

          Rookie Sean Harlow, inactive the first 12 games, likely will step into the role as the backup guard behind Schweitzer and Garland, if ready.

          The Falcons were fortunate enough to be the only team to start the same offensive line all of last season. But this year, Schraeder missed two games with a concussion, and now Levitre will miss his first game in two-plus seasons with the Falcons. Quinn didn't rule out Levitre for the Dec. 18 game at Tampa Bay, an ESPN Monday Night Football matchup.

          How Garland performs against the Saints might not be biggest factor to keep an eye on in terms of the Falcons' line. The biggest challenge is expected to be containing defensive end Cam Jordan, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month. Jordan plays on both sides, meaning tackles Schraeder and Jake Matthews will have to be at their best. Jordan has 10 of the Saints' 33 sacks.

          "Cam is one of the best in the league," Schraeder said. "We are very familiar with each other. He is a big guy that moves like a cat, and he's very physical in the run game. He's just an all-around great football player."

          Disruptive Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins typically lines up on the left side, meaning Schweitzer could be in for quite a day.