Falcons Who Rose Up In 2010: Tyson Clabo

by Dave Choate on Feb 8, 2011 1:00 PM EST in Editorial

Does anyone remember when Tyson Clabo wasn't great? Thanks to the magic of archives, you can relieve my embarrassing predictions in all their glory if you don't recall it.

At every turn in his career, Clabo has beat the odds. Undrafted free agent? He still got a roster spot with the Falcons and eventually booted Kynan Forney out of a starting job. Too much of a guard to kick outside? I don't think so, considering he's been starting there since Todd Weiner retired. And improbably, he only got better in 2010, to my own two eyes.

Without a wealth of stats to point to, I'm not going to spend all day on Clabo, but he's grown in my estimation to the point where I can't see the Falcons letting him walk. With Mike Johnson waiting in the wings at guard and Clabo grading out as above-average across the board and seemingly hitting his stride, he might be the priority on the offensive line.

Weigh in on Mr. Clabo.

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Comments

Re-sign Clabo and Blalock

Let Mike Johnson become the starting right guard. I just read a pre-draft write-up of Johnson where he was declared the most NFL-ready run blocker in the draft. And we were able to keep him on the bench all year? Get him in the starting lineup and save that money that would be spent on Dahl to bring Calvin home in 2013!!!!

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 8, 2011 1:05 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Man if I could rec this 100 times I would.

Love the comment, Johnson probably won’t happen, but I love the thought.

by Fear Me on Feb 8, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

I concur

The right side is more about run-blocking than pass-blocking anyways. Nobody seems to love Blalock, but he did a damn fine job on Matt Ryan’s blind side.

by Dave Choate on Feb 8, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

And Blalock is the youngest of the group

Dahl edges out Clabo by a year to become the old-timer on the O-line (excluding McClure, who no one really expects to be a starter for years to come)

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 8, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Blalock is square; Baker's got a ? mark.

My top five keepers are the O-line (other than Baker) and P/K. Everything else is negotiable. Wonder what we could get in trade for Baker?

by Singletary on Feb 9, 2011 7:09 AM EST up reply actions

I think Clabo improved.

I think we let one of the guards walk, and I agree with sportsfan, I’d vote to say goodbye to Dahl (who I have actually really liked). I just don’t think he is worth his bang for the buck. Let Johnson take the spot, which lets Hawley get more reps backing up in the middle. I would still draft a less-polished lineman with a lot of potential, as I’m not totally sold on Johnson, nor do I feel 100% comfortable at LT, and those are positions I want to have another option for down the road.

by CubFan90 on Feb 8, 2011 1:09 PM EST reply actions

Unless of course Clabo wants way too much money.

Then draft Castanzo (sp?) for RT and keep Blalock and Dahl.

by CubFan90 on Feb 8, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Feb 8, 2011 1:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Clabo should be resigned.

by mwalex on Feb 8, 2011 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Sign him if you can

by Fear Me on Feb 8, 2011 1:44 PM EST reply actions

I love the comments on the old post

someone predicted the future well enough. And Dave, I saw a little jab at Mughelli in that article too…not your finest predictions :-)

by orion12 on Feb 8, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

I have a lot of bad ones over the years

About the only thing I got right was DeCoud and Moore.

by Dave Choate on Feb 8, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

That someone was actually Jason. (brick cheney)

He’s been around here a while, too. :P

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by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 8, 2011 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

I like Clabo and agree he should probably the #1 priority on the O-Line

but the first thing I always think about when we’re talking about him is James’ I hate Clabo’s face comment. It’s like a song that I can’t get out of my head. Except it makes me laugh. every. time.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Feb 8, 2011 3:01 PM EST reply actions