Potential Atlanta Falcons Prospects: Center Ben Jones
by Dave Choate on Jan 25, 2012 1:09 PM EST
in Falcons Talk
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PrintI'm trying to get this Ben Jones post in before news emerges that the Falcons have interviewed him. Yes, I'm that certain they will.
So who is Ben Jones? Anyone who lives in Atlanta and is also a Georgia football fan can probably write some sonnets about the guy, so this is more for those who aren't familiar with Mr. Jones. He's a 300+ pound center, a multi-year starter at Georgia and a guy who profiles as a big ol' center or possibly guard at the NFL level. He's NFL Draft Scout's second-best center prospect for 2012, as well, thanks to his technically sound footwork and terrific strength.
Let's get this right out of the way: If the Falcons are seriously considering upgrading their offensive line, Jones would be a virtual lock to accomplish that. The Falcons could have him replace Todd McClure or fill in at the troubled right guard position, allowing them to shuffle around young talents like Joe Hawley and Mike Johnson at other positions of need. Some would argue the Falcons need an offensive tackle more than an interior lineman—I'm sympathetic to that point of view—but the reality is that the team has to get better at multiple positions on this line. Jones, by virtue of the fact that he's a center, may well last to the Falcons in the second round.
Then again, he may not. He's practicing well at the Senior Bowl and would probably rocket up boards with a quality combine. Polished, huge offensive linemen are not a dime a dozen in the NFL, especially those that play inside. The Falcons could be in a position where they have to move up to get at him, and at some point you have to stop throwing draft picks into the ether.
So if Jones is available in the second round, I expect him to be one of the top guys on the team's draft board. I'm just not certain he'll last that long.
What say you?
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It is too soon to give up on Hawley as the future center. I also believe Mike Johnson will step in and be the starting RG next season. We could always use a little extra depth, but I think we have other needs that could be addressed with the second and third round picks (LT, TE, S). Jones is a proven player and a local product, but that might also make some of us think more positively about him than the true reality. He is a good player, but there are other players that the Falcons need more.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 25, 2012 1:33 PM EST reply actions
Nice points but Johnson couldn't beat out Reynolds for the RG position before he got hurt.
I just want them to stop reaching for guys. I think they reached on Baker, Hawley, and Johnson. Here’s one way to get the line right.
1) Re-sign McClure to a one-year deal (backed up by Hawley)
2) Move Clabo to his natural position, RG
3) Move Svitek to RT
4) LT in second round.
So from right to left: Svitek, Clabo, McClure, Blalock, and draftee.
This way they can target a lineman in the draft without having to go after a really expensive option in free agency.
This sounds great, but...
what if there isn’t a quality LT available? We don’t want to “reach” again. Find a stopgap in free agency and get a LT in the next 2 years. Use the second rounder on DL or RB.
I would agree with you on all points
but problem is with this:
Johnson couldn’t beat out Reynolds for the RG position before he got hurt.
hard to judge that before we actually see Johnson in a game that matters. for a long time we thought Svitek couldn’t beat out Baker, and it took an injury to our starter to find out that our backup is much better.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
I hear you but they promoted Reynolds ahead of Johnson based on pre-season
games if I remember correctly. Johnson got hurt during practice in the regular season, right? For Johnson to be anywhere close the Reynolds’ lack of talent makes me uncomfortable. However I agree that the 2nd round pick should be for either O or D line.
If I recall
he actually suffered a concussion pretty early in the preseason. Never really had a chance to compete for the spot.
by Sewanee Braves on Jan 25, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
That's correct
And the word coming out of camp was that Johnson was impressing before the slate of injuries.
This would be correct
by FalconsFansincePrimetime on Jan 25, 2012 9:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Clearing up a few points
Mike Johnson missed all of August with a concussion,most of September and October with a sprained knee,and was placed on IR in late October because of a foot injury.
Johnson(24 years old) and Hawley(23 years old),have had only one organized off season,because of the lock out.Garrett Reynolds never won any position or beat anyone out for anything.He has pretty decent looking potential but he is a project and was not ready for game snaps this year.His performance this past season should be fairly viewed in that light IMO.
Hawley and Johnson will be fine.They are extremely young and the lock out set them back a little.I think we’ll discover that Hawley is ready to be the Center and Johnson is a freakin stud.My concern is that,even if the youth movement on the Oline begins to bear some fruit,it still wont be ready to compete with the level of play we saw this past Sunday.
There is alot potential for organic growth and improvement inside the current OLine roster.But its not enough.It’s not deep enough on the interior,needs a new leader and lacks talent at Tackle.
Finally,I understand the temptation to want to cling to Dahl and McClure,and view the young guys as not worthy.I’d like to buy a couple of bionic knees for Todd Wiener and make him a starter.But Giants fans felt the same about Strahan and Pierce and Tiki,and Patriots fans felt the same about Vrabel and Seymour and the Saftey whos name escapes me(a senior moment),all in the past 3 years.Both those teams are better than 4 years ago and in the Super Bowl again.
Rodney Harrison? Lawyer Milloy?
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 25, 2012 9:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Very good point
And I agree completely on Hawley and Johnson, they’re too young to write off after one season. Hawley looked decent towards the end of the season and with a proper off-season and camp, he could be a solid center this year.
Johnson was a highly valued prospect and with the proper off-season and camp, I think he should be given a shot at the Right Guard spot. He was a very good lineman at Alabama and was good in both pass and run schemes.
However, I think we definitely have to do something about the LT position. Svitek did ok, but he is not the long-term answer.
Clabo is by no means a natural guard
With his height (about the same as Garrett Reynolds) he would be a liability for shorter DTs to get under his pads, stand him up, and drive him back.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
I have to disagree. When we signed him from the Giants(?) practice squad
he worked as guard, eventually replacing Forney. The guy was good then. At the time I didn’t pay attention to linemen but he stood out. They tried him at RT because they didn’t have anyone on the team that could handle that position. He also did a pretty good job at LT when he had to play there due to injuried to a starter (don’t remember his name but was here for years). He’s just a very good OLineman.
Dahl replaced Forney
Clabo was already at RT at that point.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Nope...we didn't get Dahl until 2008 season
Clabo was at guard in 2007. Clabo didn’t go to RT until 2008. I remember clearly because we were hurting for both right and left tackles.
by Fear Me on Jan 25, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The injured starter was Todd Weiner
The man had no knees but played like a champ….God bless him.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
man I love this!
This is a great idea, but would Clabo, a Pro Bowl tackle, take a “demotion” to guard? also, can we get a quality LT late in the second round???? Inquiring minds want to know…
I don't see that as a demotion. He's getting his money so he probably won't care as long
as the line is better. Can we find a left tackle late in the second round? Right now there are 2-3 pretty good ones that will be available.
really?
Don’t see a tackle to a guard as a demotion? Tackles make a lot more $$$$. They are more sought after. I disagree. It would hurt Clabo’s value over time whenever he hits free agency. I would love it but doubt it will happen.
Not necessarily.
Hutchinson is paid nicely at guard. Plus by his next contract, he’ll be 35 or 36. I’m sure he probably wouldn’t be looking for another long-term deal.
Hutchinson is ONE example...
Ok, I’ll give you that one, and since signning with the Vikings, they have not been to the playoffs (obviously not a direct coorelation). Tackles are paid better than guards, who are paid than centers, etc….
Needs
Even though I’m always wondering a sure way to improve the line..
Hard pursuit for Nicks in the offseason would be a huge benefit.
The limited number of high draft picks for the team leaves me wondering which position they’ll pursue. I’m all for a lineman or possibly a TE. I do agree with Fear me. I felt they reached for linemen late in the draft for versatility. Matty Ice is getting paid Millions to QB, let’s get him some top notch protection.
Coaching wins championships!
Totally agree on pursuing Nicks. especially knowing that it will make Saints weaker
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 25, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I love the idea of Carl Nicks but doubt we can afford him
He just made the pro bowl, and considering our needs on the DLine, slot receiver (to a lesser extent), FA CB, and FS…I doubt we can pony up to pay him.
Not to mention
We have a very good looking prospect in Mike Johnson, who had an abnormally freakish injury year in 2011. Coming out of Alabama, he was touted as strong in both run and pass blocking and I think he may end up cracking the starting lineup next year.
That said, I don’t know that we go after a FA CB, but I can definitely see us going for a safety.
here is who is believed to be the top interior Oline prospects:
1. David DeCastro, Stanford
2. Peter Konz, Wisconsin
3. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
4. Cordy Glenn, Georgia
5. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
DeCastro, and Konz are thought to be first rounders, while Glenn and Osemele are LT to inside converts and likely to both be gone by our 2nd round pick.
Ben Jones will have to battle Ohio State center Mike Brewster for the second best center prospect, but I see Jones being a 3rd round target
Peter Konz is my second cousin
It would be amazing if we somehow got him
I have heard Mike Adams is a definite RT prospect. How accurate is that?
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 25, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
I have a 40lb APBT named Blazing Black Hash
that would be better than Sam. He would probably get called for holding more though.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
"Screw 2nd." Lugs Harvey.
"In Grimes we trust, all others get gashed"- Me.
by CaptJackSparrow on Jan 26, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
how would be get that pick?
when we don’t have one in the first round?
by brotherbrown on Jan 25, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
If I am taking a DAWG with the first pick I want Boykin.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
"Screw 2nd." Lugs Harvey.
"In Grimes we trust, all others get gashed"- Me.
by CaptJackSparrow on Jan 25, 2012 2:52 PM EST reply actions
The DAWG I would take would be Charles
Too bad he’ll be gone by the time we pick
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 25, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I saw some mocks saying that the Chargers will pick him in the first round
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 25, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
He will NOT be gone by our second pick
Charles will be there but he is such a poor blocker that I don’t think the falcons will grade him out that high
Talk about an upgrade in all three phases of the game
That should save some roster spots.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
And MT can probably throw him farther than Weems too.
Extra downfield blocking.
"Everybody has a plan until they get hit" Iron Mike Tyson.
"Screw 2nd." Lugs Harvey.
"In Grimes we trust, all others get gashed"- Me.
by CaptJackSparrow on Jan 26, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ben Jones
If he is available, draft him. Especially if he cld step in and play RG next year. Resign McClure for one more yr. Have Tek at LT next season, and dtaft a LT in the 1st round in 2013. Then move Tek to RT in 2013. Move Clabo to RG, and Jones to Center in 2013.
by Magellan55 on Jan 25, 2012 4:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions
This
I like this strategy. I remember I wanted the Falcons to draft Alex Mack the year they took Peria Jerry. Mack ended up going all of two draft spots ahead of Jerry, and the Falcons could have gone up and got themselves an All-Pro center instead of a bust DT. Still, hindsight is 20/20 and all…
The more you change the line
The more like the 2011 Falcons O line you’ll get. If at all possible, they’re going to “set it and forget it”.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 25, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
If we want to avoid the debacle of oline play of 2011, we need to start putting the long-term pieces in place NOW and not play shuffle the players.
Yeah but
that’s what was supposed to happen last year. We had the “long term” answers in our draft picks like Hawley and Johnson etc, except it didn’t quite work out that way. I’m all for setting and forgetting if the line is working, but if Ryan is getting killed they’re going to make changes.
Difference is
Better talent, and an off season to get use to changes
by Magellan55 on Jan 25, 2012 4:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I just don't know
If the Falcons can upgrade the entire O-line this off-season with all their other needs and so few draft picks. I’d love to see it happen, but where are they going to get a quality LT? Unlikely to get one in the second round or lower, and they’ll be like hen’s teeth on the free agent market, and expensive at that. I think they might have to settle for Svitek this year and look for the long-term LT solution in the first round of next year’s draft.
Agreed, but
There’s not much point in setting and forgetting it if it’s lousy, or if there’s obvious room for improvement by making a change.
but there's less reason to make 5 position changes on the o-line in two years
And that was the hypothetical situation to which I was responding. Your statement is obvious.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 26, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
I personally have jones in my top 4 draft targets.
Others include Nate Potter, OT Boise. Mike Adams, OT, OSU. and the OG from Wisconsin. Ziegler I think is his name. In my opinion this should be an OL pick in the 2nd no doubt.
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 25, 2012 4:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
how about a late flyer on FSU TE?
There is a TE at Florida State who was a former basketball player named Beau Reliford. He is projected as a 7th. In the Jimmy Graham mode.
I am an FSU fan and I can tell u he is no Jimmy Graham
He is a good player. Would be a great number 2 and maybe a solid starter in a few years but Jimmy Graham he is not. He will be a great 7th rounder tho
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 25, 2012 7:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Remember, Jimmy Graham was no Jimmy Graham
That’s why he was a mid-late rounder touted as a raw prospect.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 26, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good point but I still don't think he will blossom the way Graham did.
Would love to give him the chance tho. I love seeing my favorite college team supply my favorite pro team. Except Antoine Smith. That guy was a disappointment from day 1 at FSU, I honestly have no idea why he’s on an NFL roster.
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 26, 2012 4:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Woww..
The DAWGS have so many high ranking seniors up in the Draft this year…
-CB Brandon Boykin
-TE Orson Charles (Jr)
-C Ben Jones
-LG Cordy Glenn
-P Drew Butler
-PK Blair Walsh
-RT Justin Anderson
"Tim Tebow isn't a quarterback, he's a tight end lining up in the wildcat." -Daniel Tosh
Sam baker
Does anyone want him. He’s available. Maybe get a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. Or a couple of lower end draft picks
by Sinafi on Jan 25, 2012 6:19 PM EST via Android app reply actions
But the Raiders gave up 2 1sts for Palmer
so….how about a new LT to protect your overpriced QB Oakland? All we ask is one first round pick, basically a steal.
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 26, 2012 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
2nd or 3rd????
We will simply have to cut him. Someone will pick him up as a backup, thats it. Hell, we would be lucky to get a 3rd for Michael Turner….
Not on your life...
do we get a single draft pick for Baker…he will be released if he doesn’t stay!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Jan 26, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Love it. Maybe that'll help with a 4th & inches.
Of course, it’s slightly redundant to say that I want the best player available, but that being said, I’d prefer our first two picks to be on the OL.
by YokoFalcon on Jan 26, 2012 5:23 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
centers
Molk and Vlachos would both be great NFL centers. Molk with the Rimington trophy and Vlachos with two National Championship rings in three years both look to be great picks if Jones is not around in the third or fourth round.
Whither Sam Baker?
I really don’t understand what the hell happened to him. There was so much promise. I need that trade to have the meaning we all thought it would have :(
He was ranked as one of the “Top 20 Players Heading Into 2007” by Sports Illustrated.2 Before his final season in 2007, Baker was already regarded by most NFL scouts as a certain top-five player in the 2008 NFL Draft.3
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