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Could we see an entirely new O-line next season?

by TurnerTheBurner on Nov 5, 2010 1:03 AM EDT

In light of the most recent reports about Sam Baker almost losing his job earlier season, and his overall poor play this season, I thought we could look at the future of the offensive line. And truth is, change could be on the way sooner than you think.

Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl, and Tyson Clabo are all due to be free agents next season.
Additionally, Sam Baker has not lived up to his 1st-round status and could possibly be traded or even cut, depending on how the front office feels about him. Todd McCLure, while still good, is aging and will be a free agent in 2012.

Behind all of these guys, we have Will Svitek (a veteran), Garret Reynolds (2nd year player), Mike Johnson (rookie), and Joe Hawley (rookie).
I'd also be willing to bet we take an offensive tackle within the first three rounds of the draft, or sign one via free agency.

Also, TD has been actively seeking out bigger, heavier offensive linemen that can be physical and play through the whistle (like Dahl and Clabo). Guys like Baker (305 pounds) Dahl (305 pounds) and McClure (296 pounds) are "undersized" compared to guys like Blalock (329 pounds) and Clabo (331 pounds) Reynolds (317) and Johnson (312).

As for Baker, his problem hasn't really been pass protection, but run blocking and the mental aspect of the game (i.e. penalties). If you look at the O-line stats here, you see that the Falcons have a "power" rating of
Left: 50, along with 10 negative rushes
Center: 86, along with 3 negative rushes
Right: 78, along with 5 negative rushes

Clearly, the rushing attack is suffering on the left side of the line.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to who Comrade Dimitroff wants to keep, and who he thinks we can ditch.
So, who will we keep?? Who will we ditch?? What do you guys think of Baker? Discuss!!

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Comments

We wont see a whole new line

Yes it is possible but there is things like loyalty and what not which means a few of these guys will want to stay in the same system, same playbook and same personel especially if we go far in the post season. I wouldn’t be suprised if we try and upgrade our O-line a bit by replacing Baker but I wouldn’t be suprised if that was it

Please read Turner_The_Burner and my Best case/Worst case analysis of the upcoming week

by dunlagh on Nov 5, 2010 3:33 AM EDT reply actions

I agree, we won’t see a new line next year. I imagine it comes down to the prospects of a new LT. Should the Falcons find that LT, Baker would most likely be moved to the RT spot and given a chance. I can see Clabo and Blalock taking better deals elsewhere.

by Caviarhound on Nov 5, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats true

Although I think there is a better chance we won’t get rid of them for Baker. I struggle to see the logic behind dropping two players who have been playing fine (so it seems) compared to Baker who has struggled and may still struggle at RT

Please read Turner_The_Burner and my Best case/Worst case analysis of the upcoming week

by dunlagh on Nov 5, 2010 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t say anything about dropping players. I said they would accept better deals. At some point, the team just can’t justify the cost and I think those 2 will be the ones that jump for a bigger deal.

by Caviarhound on Nov 6, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Also with Baker signed to a longer deal and very signable to a new deal (given his growing pains), he just may be the ideal RT. But like I was saying, it all depends on what’s out there this draft and UFA. The Falcons can’t ignore Abraham (and dang is he playing well right now) any longer and a good++ DE costs a ton so that 1st/2nd round pick maybe the only option. Its all speculation anyway, but that’s what makes it fun!

by Caviarhound on Nov 6, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

are you referring to

them letting abraham go by Free Agency or trade? (If ever they decide to let him go in the future)
If by Free Agency…the best we would get from Abraham would be a 3rd rounder as that’s as high as compensatory picks can go.

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Nov 6, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Rotations?

We might see somebody like Hawley get more reps, but I doubt we’ll actually lose any of these guys to free agency, unless we have plans to draft O-Line in the first round. I think it’s too early to close the door for Baker, I say give him all of next season and from there think about redrafting an LT. Our line seems to have been our line forever, I can’t see them leaving, even though McClure is due to turn about 78 soon from memory.

Nice name by the way.

Check out this week's best case/worst case article here.

by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 5, 2010 7:41 AM EDT reply actions

Am I seeing double?

or have you been hacked and cloned?

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Nov 6, 2010 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

We have very similar names haha

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Nov 6, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

A little too similiar

i don’t know if it was coincidental or a copy cat.

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Nov 6, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Baker won't be gone but..

I doubt we will see him at LT next year barring a miraculous rest of the season. I forsee a couple pick ups from the draft for the O line but nothing from other teams from free agency. Because of that I imagine they will try to bring back the linemen from our team that are free agents if nothing else to help teach the young guys since they know the system already but I don’t see them getting more than 2 or 3 yr contracts tops.

by Falcons Fan in WA on Nov 5, 2010 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

We might see a new everything next year

with the lockout looming we might have replacement players coming.

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Nov 6, 2010 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Goodell needs to get off his ass and do something

He’s ruining the NFL with these fines and by playing high school principal. And for some reason the prospect of watching the CFL next year doesn’t sound appealing

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Nov 6, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

A lot of things Goodell needs to do

But he is his own man.
You can’t make a stubborn man change his ways unless he’s forced to.
That’s how we are when we have an agenda (whatever they are).

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Nov 6, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope not

we have the best

Mathew 19:26 "With God, all things are possible"

by southman on Nov 8, 2010 12:37 PM EST reply actions

OLine

Can’t change out the whole OLine in a year. Baker should be moved and I don’t think RT is the answer, off the team is the answer.

OLine needs to be shored up along with CB, LB, DE, DT, TE and WR.

You guys think TD walks on water. His drafts are average at best. At best. If you want to be elite, you have to compete with the elite, not only on the field, but also on the draft board.

Compare the Saints, Giants, Chiefs and Patriots’ drafts over TDs reign and see how it stacks up. If not for his first two picks, Ryan and Lofton, he would be a joke in the draft.

by Whopper Dawg on Nov 9, 2010 3:42 AM EST reply actions

Its not just about his drafts though,

You also have to factor in the off-season free-agent pickups. Turner, Gonzo, and DRob. Mind you the Dunta pickup isn’t a steal but, wouldnt most teams out there gladly take Turner or Gonzo off our hands?

by GA-James on Nov 9, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

Compare the Saints, Giants, Chiefs and Patriots’ drafts over TDs reign and see how it stacks up. If not for his first two picks, Ryan and Lofton, he would be a joke in the draft.

Not true at all. I’m not even gonna try and argue with that

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Nov 9, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

our recent drafts

have produced bierman, decoud, ryan, lofton, moore, peters and spoon for the first 4 games of this year. from our draft we have our qb, 2/3 of our lb group, our ss and fs, a starting dt and de, along with a hell of a lot of depth. i have no complaints, in fact i think they’ve all been as successful as you can hope for realisticly.

Check out this week's best case/worst case article here.

by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 10, 2010 12:57 AM EST up reply actions