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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - Atlanta Falcons

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Sam Baker
Left Guard: Justin Blalock
Center: Todd McClure
Right Guard: Harvey Dahl
Right Tackle: Tyson Clabo

2009 Injuries:
T Sam Baker: Weeks 10, 13
G Harvey Dahl: Weeks 13-17

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The Atlanta Falcons offense had a small set back on offense in 2009 ranking 16^th in yards of offense after ranking 6^th in 2008. They failed to make the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years but this kind of set back had to be expected after surprising everyone in 2008. Despite that, their offensive line was still one of the few that was above average in both pass protection and run blocking.

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 305 lbs which is pretty light for a lineman his height. Baker will need to get a little stronger in order to be an effective run blocker in the NFL and he will also have to be more aggressive in his run blocking. Baker seemed to have a small set back in 2009 mainly due to injuries. In his final seven games, he was responsible for four of his five sacks allowed throughout the year and about 75% of his quarterback pressures allowed. If Baker plays like he did in his first seven games, he is average in run blocking but well above average in pass protection. Tyson Clabo will return as the starter on the right side once again. Clabo made the jump from the practice squad in 2006 and has since played in 53 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 for the last two years. Will Svitek, who spent the first three years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, is the top backup at tackle. Although he can’t be relied upon for an extended period of time, he is an okay backup. 2008 fifth round pick Garrett Reynolds out of North Carolina provides depth.

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 fourth 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. In his three years as a starter for the Falcons, he has only missed two starts which came in his rookie season. 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 2008, Dahl had not started a single NFL game in three seasons and had only been in uniform for five. Over the past two years he started 27 games and the running game took a hit in the final six games of 2009 when he was hurt. He is known as one of the meanest players in the NFL and he will play to the whistle on every single play. Dahl made a big improvement to his pass protecting technique in 2009 but still remains average at best in that aspect of the game. The fifth year veteran Quinn Ojinnaka adds depth at guard. He started in place of Dahl in the final five games last season and was impressive in pass protection but he struggled a lot in run blocking. The Falcons selected Mike Johnson in the third round of this year’s draft but he isn’t expected to see much action in 2009. He is a very hard worker and very smart so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start sooner rather than later in the NFL.

At center, the veteran Todd McClure will be returning as the starter for the ninth 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 eight seasons and at 33 years old, is reaching the end of his career. However, despite his age, McClure was surprisingly effective in 2009 and showed that he may be able to extend his career a few more years. The Falcons selected Joe Hawley in the fourth round of the NFL Draft to hopefully replace McClure within the next few years. His development will likely determine how many more years McClure has left with the Falcons.

2010 Outlook:
The Falcons offensive line was one of the best in 2008 but took a step back in 2009 because of injuries. Before Baker was hurt in week nine, the Falcons had allowed only nine sacks in seven games and then allowed 18 in the final nine games. Overall, the running game was a little better in the second half of the season but that’s due in large part to their three games against two of the worst run stopping teams in the NFL (Bills and Buccaneers). If we forget the final two games against the Bills and Buccaneers, the Falcons averaged only 3.2 yards per carry in the other four games that Harvey Dahl missed. Depth inside is still a concern but it could be a little better if rookies Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley develop quicker than expected. Overall, I would expect the Falcons to be a little better in run blocking and to be once again amongst the best in pass protection just as long as everyone stays healthy.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles