Friday Falcons Discussion: Which Tackle To Draft?

by Dave Choate on Mar 11, 2011 6:00 PM EST in Editorial

The Atlanta Falcons could find themselves in a situation where the best player on the board is an offensive tackle. If that happens, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of drafting one out of hand.

After all, there's a lot of talent at tackle in this draft. Beyond USC's Tyron Smith, who is rapidly becoming the consensus first OT off the board, there's Anthony Castonzo from Boston College, Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State, Nate Solder of Colorado and Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin. All of those guys are likely to go in the first round, which tells you how insanely deep this class is.

And that's not even mentioning guys like DeMarcus Love out of Arkansas or Orlando Franklin out of Miami, who are legitimate second day prospects in their own right. If you're looking to address the position, it should be in 2011.

So the question I pose to you is this, dear readers. Will the Falcons seriously consider drafting a tackle in the first round, or will they wait for someone like Love or Franklin on the second day? If you're particularly optimistic, will they re-sign Tyson Clabo and draft a late round project like Virginia Union's David Mims?

You make the call.

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Carimi please

Of course a lot depends if the FO thinks it can sign Clabo. A lot depends on FA in general now that the talks have broken down.

by Horner's Homer on Mar 11, 2011 6:19 PM EST reply actions

I don't trust Carimi

He’s built more like a guard and plays like a guard. He has an aggressive run-blocking style which make him an ideal guard in the NFL. He also doesn’t possess the finer qualities that I believe a franchise LT should possess (footwork, arm length, speed). I’m not arguing with you, I just believe that Carimi would make a better guard than a tackle.

by saipol on Mar 11, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

From what I've heard of him, he might not be an elite NFL LT but

some scouts claim that his combination of athleticism and body type would allow him to be a “swing” player along the O-Line capable of playing LG, RG, and RT.

Given how much Dimitroff and Smith covet versatility in their players, Carimi may be a very attractive prospect.

by Leon07 on Mar 11, 2011 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

You're right

I guess it depends on what the Front Office is looking for in an Offensive Lineman. If they want a LT with the potential to be elite, then I don’t believe Carimi is an option. However, if they want a versatile player who may not be elite but still above average lineman, then Carimi may be the answer. That brings up a good point. Do we want a LT out of this draft or a versatile lineman? Personally, I like drafting a LT because I think we have some solid backups right now for the Center, Guard, and maybe even the RT positions who can become good starters.

by saipol on Mar 11, 2011 8:23 PM EST up reply actions

Shouldn't we just be open-threading it?

We very well could be looking at the beginning of Free Agency in less than 4 hours. I want to discuss every detail of the decertification that went on this afternoon. PFT seems to make a strong case that the players went into these negotiations knowing that they were going to decertify from the beginning.

What do you think TD is up to right now? Calling every member of the staff into the war room? This has to be the NFL equivalent of the Cuban Missile Crisis! Some day they’ll make a movie about how tense and terribly exciting these next few hours are sure to be.

/sarcasm laced with genuine hope and interest off.

by KMarch on Mar 11, 2011 8:30 PM EST reply actions

Tackle is a real possibility

If the mid to late first round defensive ends we will likely be most interested in (Kerrigan, Houston, Smith) are gone. And I don’t know that we’ll be looking for the next franchise LT; with this group, you draft a starting RT and if he progresses well, maybe you slide him over to the left side. Tyron Smith might be the only tackle in this draft whose athleticism would outweigh Sam Baker’s knowledge of and familiarity with the offense to play the left side.

by TheAreopagite on Mar 11, 2011 9:22 PM EST reply actions

NFL plans to announce lockout

Ugh…

by aces666high on Mar 11, 2011 9:36 PM EST reply actions

Do you see Clabo going elsewhere?

One thing I don’t think people account for is specific players coming back. The Bengals seem to be taking Patrick Peterson and Amukamura into account but only because Joseph is a free agent and could quite easily leave them, despite the fact that everything he says seems to suggest that he’d like to stay.

So the question is, does Tyson Clabo stay or go? Other reads have already brought this point to light but it’s really the pinnacle question of how to address the OLine in free agency. I mean, you can never have too many fat guys on your team, because OLine and DLine are two really critical positions, just Clabo decides how early the Falcons do adress the line.

I’d still say the Falcons should shoot around the third round regardless. Considering they were the one seed in the NFC this past season, you’d think they don’t have too many needs.

by Doc Scratch on Mar 11, 2011 11:12 PM EST reply actions

Sadly

I trust Sam Baker over any LT in this draft. Man…we missed out on Oher by one pick a few years ago…that one hurt. That being said, I think Baker can step it up this year…as long as he doesn’t hold everyone in sight.

PS- I’d rather hold on to Blalock than Clabo, but I think both will sign with Atlanta.

by ndnpride8806 on Mar 12, 2011 12:07 AM EST reply actions

Oher hasn't been that great

Don’t let The Blind Side blind you.

by KMarch on Mar 12, 2011 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

Yep.

He was a pretty solid RT but then their starting LT went down and they shifted him over. Movie creds be lyin’, bro, he’s not that good at all.

by Doc Scratch on Mar 12, 2011 1:36 AM EST up reply actions

But he's big mike.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Mar 12, 2011 2:01 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He doesn't like to be called Big Mike

He prefers Michael. I actually thought he was a standout right tackle (I believe he received some votes for the All-Pro team at right tackle, but I might be making that up). Left tackle is one of the most important positions on the field, and I think he has the potential to be a very good left tackle. Plus, if you learned anything from The Blind Side, he is a little behind where some of the other elite left tackles are as far as experience is concerned.

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

by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 12, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

I learned nothing from the Blind Side b/c I didnt watch it.

Oher received a lot of accolades last year because of the movie. He fell back to earth this year. Sure, he might have a good future, but not as a starting LT. You only get so many chances to prove yourself there, and word was he used them all.

by KMarch on Mar 12, 2011 10:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I learned nothing from the Blind Side b/c I didn’t watch it.

Lol. Read the book, lazy bones!

Remember to stretch before running to BVG injuries.

by VaderX5 on Mar 13, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

So what do we do around here if there's no season?

I guess I’ll be moving my stuff in over at www.talkingchop.com if it all falls apart come fall. No offense to you guys y’all are great but what would we have to talk about?

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Mar 12, 2011 2:04 AM EST via mobile reply actions

NO SEASON, THATS UNAMERICAN.....

No season is like not having Christmas to a young child! No beer, burgers and other asorted munchies to savor as we watch in awe as the game unfolds. Well they will still be there but not near as tasty!!!

Honestly, in my opinion we should look strongly for a hard core DE, Not saying another tackle wouldnt be a viable option or even another CB. But if the right DE is there when when we make our first pick take him! Is there a way we can clone Abe?

by Winged Preditor on Mar 12, 2011 11:26 AM EST reply actions