2009 Offensive Line Analysis - Atlanta Falcons
2009 Projected Starters:
2008 Injuries:
2008 Statistics:
ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per
carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account
various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent. At tackle, the Falcons will start Sam Baker out of USC, their first round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Baker has great technique and even though he doesn’t have the quickest feet, he is a good pass protector. He is 6’5” and weighs 310 lbs which is pretty light for a lineman his height. Baker will need to get much stronger in order to be an effective run blocker in the NFL and he will also have to be much more aggressive in his run blocking. Baker suffered a concussion early in the year and then had to have surgery on his back but he will be good to go in 2009. Tyson Clabo will return as the starter on the right side and many would argue he was the best player on this line in 2008. Clabo made the jump from the practice squad in 2006 and has since played in 37 games. He has pretty good size at 6’6” and 330 lbs and, can also play the guard position. He is a good run blocker because of his tenacity and although he has slow feet, he did an admirable job in pass protection last season. Quinn Ojinnaka, the fourth year veteran, provides depth at the tackle position. Ojinnaka started eight games at tackle in 2007 after Foster and Gandy went down with injuries but was below average. His athleticism allows him to be a decent pass protector but he fails to open holes in the running game. The Falcons don’t seem to trust him very much since last season they resigned Wayne Gandy after Baker went down. Will Svitek who started four games for the Chiefs in 2007 and fifth round pick Garrett Reynolds out of North Carolina provide depth at tackle. The Falcons selected Justin Blalock in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and he will return as the starting left guard for the third consecutive season. Blalock is a very strong and powerful blocker at 6’4” and 330 lbs, two assets which make him an important piece of this team’s running game. He was a right tackle in college with the Longhorns where he managed to play 51 consecutive games as a starter. He does not have the quickest feet but he will continue to improve as a pass protector. Starting at right guard will be the 6’5” and 310 lbs Harvey Dahl. Before last season, Dahl had not started a single NFL game in three seasons and had only been in uniform for five. He is known as one of the meanest players in the NFL and he will play to the whistle on every single play. Dahl however needs to improve his footwork and learn to be better in pass protection rather than just attacking on every play. At center, Todd McClure will be returning as the starter for the eighth consecutive season. McClure is not very big at only 6’1” and 300 lbs but is very smart and tough. McClure has not missed a start in seven seasons and at 32 years old is reaching the end of his career. McClure struggles to get a push in run blocking but he was much more effective last season with two good run blockers surrounding him. The Falcons have a number of players who can step in at center starting with Brett Romberg, the newly signed center who spent the last three seasons with the Rams. Alex Stepanovich and Ben Wilkerson are also listed as centers but all three of these guys could also step in at guard if required to do so.
2009 Outlook: |
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