Problem Solving: What to do with the OLine
by KMarch on Feb 21, 2012 11:44 AM EST
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PrintThe OLine of the Atlanta Falcons continues to be an issue, and may have grown into the biggest single concern for the team. Although the passing offense certainly took a step forward this past season, it was clear that the OFF plan was adjusted early in the season largely due to the inefficiency of the OLine. Also troubling was that the OLine continued to regress in run-blocking, which got worse as the season progressed. To take the next step forward, the Falcons must look to better the OLine and give Matt Ryan more time to get the ball down the field.
After the jump, I'll give some potential solutions for what has become an annual concern for the franchise.
Starters locked in for 2012: Tyson Clabo (RT) and Justin Blalock (LG).
OLinemen under contract for 2012: Sam Baker (LT), Joe Hawley (C/OG), Garrett Reynods (OT/OG), Will Svitek (OT), Mike Johnson (OG), and Andrew Jackson (OG)
The Falcons essentially need to decide on three starters for the OLine, which I'll rank by importance as: Left Tackle, Center, and Right Guard, respectively.
LEFT TACKLE:
The Sam Baker project is a bust and no more needs to be said about it. It's possible he could have an outstanding offseason and blow the coaches away in preseason, but frankly there's no reason to hope for it. Will Svitek is the incumbent starter and did admiringly well upon taking over the position. However, Svitek didn't show enough to be seriously considered as the starter in 2012. Lastly, Garrett Reynolds is another in-house option, but was very shaky in his play last year, though he was out of position. Also, most of his tackle training seems to have come at RT. So, at least we see that the Falcons will have decent backups available at LT.
Solution: Given the limited options in the draft for acquiring a quality LT, TD will likely turn to Free Agency. Although Jared Gaither is the top LT on the market, he probably has too much baggage for the Falcons. On the other hand, that could keep his price low, so Gaither shouldn't be ruled out entirely. I think it more likely that the Falcons pursue Demetrius Bell (BUF), again depending on the market he creates. Bell has progressed into a solid LT, though he will need to be examined thoroughly before any signing due to injury last year.
Darkhorse: Let Reynolds train for position in the offseason and compete for the job in TC.
There is no easy fix at LT this offseason as each option -- staying in-house or acquiring a FA with uncertain value -- will be a measured risk.
CENTER:
Todd McClure is unfortunately a FA this season, which leaves the Falcons with a tough decision. McClure has decided against retirement, and that appears to be the right decision as he was typically reliable if not fantastic last season (finishing in the top 10 of PBE). Still, McClure is 35 and his health started to wear last season as he missed his first starts in years (if not decades!). Couple that with some very intriguing options at C in FA, and this is not an easy solution.
Solution: Re-sign McClure to a 1 year deal. Legacy players are important to Blank and the organization, and McClure fits that mold. Moreover, he's still performing much better than two-thirds of the league. Again, this is a measured risk due to his age, but McClure seems driven to get a Super Bowl with the Falcons; why not let him? TD tries to appease the UGA fanbase by targeting and drafting Ben Jones for 2013.
Darkhorse: Falcons let McClure walk and draft a C in the mid-to-late rounds (MSU's Quentin Saulsberry for example) to compete with Joe Hawley in TC.
RIGHT GUARD:
RG is the most frustrating position for the Falcons because they appear to have the depth to field a solid starter at the postion. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case last season. Despite being third on this list, RG was the most under-performing position on the line last season (once Baker was sacked). Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Garrett Reynolds, and even Sam Baker could not stabilize the position. In my estimation, it is most likely that TD will again count on one of these men (with the inclusion of Andrew Jackson) to win the spot, though that will certainly make fans cringe.
Solution: Draft Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State) with the Falcons first overall pick in the second round. Osemele is HUGE with long arms and has performed well at LT, though projects more as an OG in the NFL. We all know that TD likes versatility in the OL, and this pick makes sense in that regard. This also gives the Falcons flexibility if a potential FA LT doesn't pan out.
Darkhorse: TD decides to shore up the RG position through Free Agency. There is a bumper crop of OGs available, and if he goes that route, expect him to target the best (Carl Nicks or Evan Mathis).
Thoughts and opinions?
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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My solution
LT: Sign Marcus McNeill at LT. Neither he nor Demetrius Bell seem to be able to stay
on the field but McNeill is one of the top LT’s in the league when healthy.
RG: Roll with Mike Johnson. Nothing in his past history shows that he won’t be a good
pass protector in the NFL. He was one of the main reasons ATL felt comfortable
letting Dahl walk. He didn’t get a chance to shine due to injuries. Plus with a
shortened off-season in 2011, Reynolds had the inside track.
C: I like your idea of drafting Quinton Saulsberry. He has that same nasty demeanor
Dahl had. McClure was solid last year so if he comes cheap, I’d be fine with him
staying.
He's not technically available yet
But Levi Brown will inevitably be cut from the Rams, with a 14 million dollar salary in the last year of his rookie contract. While he graded out bottom 20 for LTs last year in PFFs metrics, he was still an upgrade over Sam Baker who was second to last. Could be moved to guard as a possibility, and would be very cheap.
Reynolds will never play LT; the reason he was drafted so late was his less-than-adequate foot speed and lateral agility, which was thought to be a little too low to play RT, let alone LT.
by TheAreopagite on Feb 21, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
Good call on Levi
I was reading about him the other day. That’s would be an interesting decision, though not one that inspires a lot of confidence.
Levi Brown = Cardinals
And he’s started every game for the last 4 years for them… everything I’m seeing says he’ll probably get a contract extension so he’s not eating up so much of their cap this season.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Speaking as a Falcons fan in AZ...
Levi is AWFUL. He is a RT, and even then isn’t a good pass blocker. If we think Levi is a starting LT option for anything but a lottery team then you have not seen much of him. He is big, strong and slow. Levi is like Larry Allen was in his 30’s.
Mike Johnson doesn't have a past history :)
But we gotta give him a shot I guess. Man, what a mess our line was last season. Only Blalock was consistent last season. Hawley was bad in his trial by fire at C and barely adequate at G, Clabo was almost a mirror image of Baker, Baker…yeesh…, Reynolds was a 6’7" tree being pushed back into Ryan’s sad pocket over and over,Johnson a cornucopia of injuries, Svitek was ok but just ok. Looked like a stud compared to Baker.
Our so called “diamonds in the rough” on the practice squad were so ready that we actually signed a guy off the street to fill a roster spot instead of promoting one.
Clabo was the leagues fifth best tackle at pass blocking efficiency
Baker was second to last. If by mirror you meant total opposite, then yes.
by TheAreopagite on Feb 21, 2012 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
Judging from what i saw, he wasn't good
Maybe “mirror image” was too brutal, so I’ll go with “fun house mirror image”. I know he was dealing with a sieve at guard but even one on one he was getting pushed around. Matt had nowhere to run. I go with my eyes when it comes to the line. If Baker loses a block and Matt runs into Reynolds and is then sacked, does Baker get a check for a pressure? Or does Blalock because his guy got a hand on Matt as well? Who knows? While these stats are a pretty good template, they’re not the whole story.
Btw, Clabo was ranked 8th on the list I saw. Still good. And Ray Edwards was the 16th best DE in the NFL and the best DE on our team according to advanced stats.
Yeah, I enjoyed this, too.
Nice research, good thoughts, and well written.
by randomaxe on Feb 21, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Definitly LT and RG
Baker sucks AS EVERYONE KNOWS lol and I honestly haven’t been impressed at all with Reynolds (prolly cause he’s like 6-8 and out of position) at gaurd and Mike Johnson I think can be a solid starter but he’s hurt all the damn time. Falcons should go after at least one lineman in free agency and draft another in the draft with either the 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Here's to feeling good all the time. –Kramer
There are tooooooo many great posabilities at...
RB and TE in this upcoming draft to pass up on the depth needed at both positions…this is where our 2nd and 3rd picks are going imho.
OL and DL will have to be fixed via FA and then look to the 2013 draft for linemen when we have a full slate of picks to work with.
Just my thoughts on it…
"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
*possibilities
"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
I feel ya but...
If the falcons cant sign a quality tackle and guard in free agency then they may have to use on of those picks on an ol but i’d love to get Orson Charles in the 2nd and maybe Doug Marin in the 3rd u feel me? lol
Here's to feeling good all the time. –Kramer
by Clay Shrader on Feb 21, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
Falcons haven't drafted any tight ends other than Zinger in the 7th
It could portend their drafting strategy going forward. And with the lack of depth in the TE class in the draft, as well as every team owner screaming at his GM to find a Gronkowski and Hernandez, you’re going to see more reaches for TE than ever before.
It’ll be the perfect storm for TE, and a good reason to not draft one unless the value is really there.
by TheAreopagite on Feb 21, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
With Gonzo set to retire at the end of 2012
we could draft a solid replacement this year. They’d have a year of experience in the new offense by the time Gonzo retires. Not to mention, studying behind Gonzo would be very beneficial. Guys like Charles, Fleener, Green, and Egnew all project as NFL starters and one of them could be available in the 2nd-3rd rounds. We could wait until next year but why throw a rookie in the fire in 2013 when we can ease a guy in this year? You rarely see starting caliber TE’s change teams in FA so our best option is to draft one this year.
Dead on
This is, what, the 3rd year in a row everybody thinks the Falcons are going to pick a TE w/ the first pick or two? Don’t see it happening.
I agree...
But it WOULD be a good year to have a great TE receiving prospect for Tony to groom. Maybe he’ll sign on again next year, or become a receivers coach…
Tony's too much a legend
to take a job like that right after retirement. He’ll end up on TV or simply enjoy his family and make the occasional appearance.
I agree, I think...
he will end up in broadcasting as well. He has a good voice and good camera presents also.
"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 Feb 22, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe, and not that I am disagreeing with you but...
I don’t think there will be as much reaching as people are eluding too. There are some good FA TE’s as well and some of these FO’s that might “reach” could choose to overpay a FA TE instead of drafting one. The coming weeks and months should be interesting!!
"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 Feb 22, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
Agree completely. Which may work in our favor with players dropping down because that TE from Appalachian Tech State U North caught 154 balls
I really wonder if there was any truth to the rumor that the pats were shopping Hernandez for a 2nd rounder.
by aces666high on Feb 22, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
the problem with Kelechi Osemele is that if scouts/GMs think he can play LT he wont last till #55
and if he is there at #55, its because nobody thinks he can play LT.
Obviously everyone could be wrong (Tom Brady, Colston, Arian Foster, ect) but my guess is Osemele wont be
there at #55 as he will be seen as a premier RT prospect.
I think someone will step-up at RG, and I am not that concerned, although I would like to draft a C/G prospect.
It depends on some of our moves
If we resign McClure to a one year deal like you suggested, and like I would prefer, we can hold off on bringing in another center until next season. If he walks, we will need to invest in a center (preferably in the fifth round or so). I think LT is going to be a gamble regardless of where we look. Guys who could play left tackle in the draft that are available when we draft will have major question marks. Guys available in free agency will also have question marks. It could be tough. I think RG will be the least likely to change, at least in terms of players competing. I see Johnson or Jackson pulling it out, with the other being a suitable backup.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 21, 2012 1:05 PM EST reply actions
Agreed
But Joe Hawley has looked good when given the opportunities. I’m much more comfortable with him starting than Garret Reynolds or Mike Johnson at RG.
by dirtybirds233 on Feb 21, 2012 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
need
someone new if we can make it happen,I think we could live with Syvitic another year give him some help from time to time ,think ryan would be alot better if we can keep the pressure in the middle off of him I would like to see a big C and G signed then maybe get a long term replacement next yr in the 1st round,not opposed to Mcneil coming in if he is cleared to play
RIGHT GUARD
Svitek did really well filling in for T-Rex but Garret Reynolds did awful at RG and Mike Johnson couldn’t beat him out. Get Carl Nicks. It helps us out tremendously and will hurt our arch rival.
by dirtybirds233 on Feb 21, 2012 1:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions
DirtyBird,
I sent you an emails regarding those programs. I’m definetly interested. How much do you want for them? Or a trade of goods? LMK. Check your e-mail…
Evil Falcon
by falconplanet on Feb 21, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Just checked...didn't have anything?
Which email was it?
by dirtybirds233 on Feb 21, 2012 2:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I sent it
To the address on your profile, the live.com one. I think I sent it a few days ago. I can resend..
Evil Falcon
by falconplanet on Feb 21, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I still don't see it...
by dirtybirds233 on Feb 21, 2012 8:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Im scared of
McNeil’s injury history. I would go in a completely different direction. I would solve the O-line thru FA. I would sign Anthony Collins- LT, Samson Satele- C, Jeremy Zuttah- G. These three I think would solve the O-line situation immediately if their current teams don’t resign them.
Hawley at OC, Jonson or Jax at RG and
Bell or Svitek at LT. They need to address this early in FA.
by pierre02 on Feb 21, 2012 2:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
the problem is I think we need o line and pass rush in free agency
Second round id go with the best availible TE. Perfect scenario we get Mario Williams, and which ever we need more between LT or RG in free agency…?
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 21, 2012 3:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We want to improve the line but not tie up all our money in the line
1) FA- LT- McNeill
2) Resign McClure- he’s still solid but it’s just about time for a younger guy to take over like (see below 3rd round).
3) 2nd round- this is the toughest choice to me. We could easily get a very good player here. It could very well be a TE.
4) 3rd round draft RG/C- Ben Jones ©. Can play at guard and push both Johnson and Hawley for a starting spot. And he’s nasty which is a plus. I’m not blown away by Hawley at center. He’s just okay to me but makes a great backup.
With us having around $30 million under the cap, this plan means we’ll have to sign FA starters on the defensive side of the ball (DE, LB, CB, FS).
The only problem
is that Ben Jones won’t be on the board in the 3rd round. In order to get Jones ATL would have to use their first pick.
I agree with this...
and it amazes me how people think we can keep drafting late-round OLs and have them make an immediate impact. Even first round linemen rarely make an impact in their rookie year. Atlanta hasn’t drafted an OT other than Baker earlier than the fifth round in over a decade. Small wonder that they have OT problems after he’s proved a bust. You draft a late-round OL or take a UDFA expecting him to be a multi-year project, not an overnight Tyson Clabo (signed by Denver as a UDFA, through NYG practice squad, to Atlanta practice squad before playing his way to start). Only way we’re going to get an impact offensive lineman this year is to sign him as a free agent. Period.
by randomaxe on Feb 21, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good job KMarch
I completelty agree with you on Osemele.And there is an outside chance he could actuall be on the board.I think he’ll definitely get to the 40th pick,then it gets sticky on a need basis.From there its hard to think he’ll be passed over by Seahawks@43,Chiefs@44,Eagles@46,Bears@50,Eagles again @51 and Bengals @53.
I have a source inside the Steelers that Osemele is their top hope that he’ll last until their pick at 56
Well looks like Nicks may be slightly out of our reach IMO
Apparently he is asking for more money than fellow guard Evans
This shouldn't be surprising
He’s better than Evans, and it’s been two years since Evans signed the deal.
by TheAreopagite on Feb 21, 2012 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Although...
LG is the “easier” position than RG because they get center help against the 1-technuqe while the RG is all alone. More often than not the top guards are left guards in today’s NFL because they look better because of the help. Both big-money FA’s this season (Nicks and Grubbs) are LG’s. 3/4 of the 2000s decade team (Hutch, Faneca, Allen) were LG’s (Although Allen did play RG a bit in the 90’s).
Let's be honest
none of the young OLinemen impressed. Saying better than Baker is not saying much. It pretty much becomes an imperative to resign McClure, and then focus on LT and RG through the draft and FA. Johnson really hasn’t been able to give it a go due to injuries but those injuries make him an unknown.
Happy Sour is right, Nicks wants north of $57mm.
The only FA worth breaking the bank over is Super Mario.
There are plent of mid level Oline out there. We probaly sign 1 or 2 and have open competition. New OC and line coach will have a new set of eyes on our talent and what they want from them. I am sure that these guys are busy watching tape 18 hours a day right now for scheme fits.
by SmokeyBell on Feb 21, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Great post KMarch
Well thought out with very good information.
I am going to take a different position. Leave Svitek at LG. He played very good against some tough DE’s last season. If he starts to run into problems stack a TE on his end of the line for support. I think the new OL and OC will sniff that out quickly.
Osemele is a very good looking prospect but I don’t think he’ll be on the board at 55. He is the 4th ranked OG and #44 overall. If Osemele is not available then I hope ATL considers Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin. The term “brawler” was used in his draft analysis and ATL needs some aggression on the OL. If neither of those guys are available I would draft Ben Jones. Work him at RG and get him ready to replace McClure next year.
by mwalex on Feb 21, 2012 6:45 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agree on many points
I’m not sure if Osemele will be there either, I just looked at vague draft positions and picked the most impressive. I’m good w/ going w/ a RG/C with the first pick though.
Brawler. I like the sound of that!
We were missing that edge all season. We went from a line that would play thru the whistle and then some to a team that would just ask politely for the opposing dlineman to get off our players or worse yet flop like a soccer player. I’m looking at you Hawley!!
by aces666high on Feb 22, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I also agree...
and I am really hoping Ovie comes back close to 100% (not holding my breath) as this will definitely help in run blocking at the very least. Of course, this is assuming he will even be a Falcon on opening day…man how things have changed after one injury (Ovie) and one FA departure (Dahl) in just 12 months!!
"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 Feb 22, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
I love Ovie, but...
I think they might try to find a way to use his salary (which is expensive) on a lineman who is “always” in the game (i.e., not in on certain packages, and out on certain packages). This would create more options, and open up more deception than we have currently. Since that is one issue we all had with MM (lack of creativity), perhaps DK isn’t a big full back guy (especially if he favors the deep shots, as he has talked about). That money being spent on an OL would seem to be more “efficient”, and we would have a full off season to bring in a drafted FB, or FA FB to learn the system (not an option we had with Cox when Ovie went down). Cox didn’t impress me, and Turner seemed to prefer Snelling playing FB for him.
As an old, side issue. That hit on Ovie was complete hooey. I’m going to bear a grudge against that DB for a long, long time. No way that hit was going to do anything but end his season, he hit him directly on the knee. If you were going to go low, you go either below the joint or above it, and not directly on the only plant leg. Complete jerk.
Odds are the hit was unintentional...
I just find it hard to believe the League would not have flagged it if it had been on purpose, but that’s just me.
Not disagreeing with you at all about Ovie’s money being better spent elsewhere…I am just really partial to the guy, his attitude and level of play.
I will support what is best for the team and like I said, it is VERY doubtful he comes back anywhere close to the player he was before the injury. That is a loooooong recovery process for an MCL and an ACL on the same leg. If he is careful with his playing time and recovery, 2013 is a better bet for a 100% return for him.
"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
Amen
I’m with you on him as a player. I love him. Didn’t think I could love anybody more until I saw Leach playing in front of Ray Rice this year, but to me, Ovie is still the man. Hope we keep him, just worry with the coaching change, the OL issues, his cap hit, and the injury, that we might not. I’ll be a sad Panda. But, like you said, I’ll support the team and the decision regardless.
Great post, KMarch
I think my preferred plan would be:
1) Cut Baker
2) Sign one of the LT Free Agents as a stop-gap
3) Re-sign McClure
4) draft a “raw” O-Lineman in 2nd or 3rd Round that could project to LT (I’m thinking a guy like Matt McCants)
5) draft a late-round C/G prospect (or sign one as an UDFA)
Starters pencilled in heading into camp (L→R): FA, Blalock, McClure, Hawley, Clabo
Svitek moves back into the swing tackle spot (top backup at LT and RT). We’d have a real prospect in a “break glass in emergency” scenario (oft-injured FA Left Tackle gets hurt) and have at minimum a servicable backup ready in 2013 when Svitek’s contract expires. Mike Johnson can compete with Hawley for RG, with Hawley as game-day backup Center (even if he’s the starter at RG). The 9th and final OL roster spot is a competition between Garrett Reynolds, Andrew Jackson, Rooke Center/Guard prospect, and whatever other camp bodies we bring in… top 2 “losers” go to Practice Squad (except I don’t think Reynolds is eligible – not a huge loss in my mind).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I love everything you've said!
Great insight and research. Everything seems very reasonable in terms of what the Falcons can attempt to get in FA and the draft. I would love to see this type of post for some of the other needs the Falcons are lacking in (DE, CB, TE…)
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Feb 22, 2012 5:36 PM EST reply actions
After some thought...
I think that maybe what’s best for the OL would be to not shake things up just yet.
We don’t have the 1st round pick to get a franchise LT, and there aren’t enough good ones out there to try to sign one. There are a couple of outstanding guards to pursue (Nicks and Grubbs in particular), but they’ll definitely be pricey. Defense is our first priority this offseason, without a doubt. Smitty and TD agree. Lofton and Grimes diserve big contracts and it looks like now they’ll be getting them.
The OL’s performance depends a lot on congruity. The OL played much better as the season went on (besides against the Giants, but EVERYONE was rocked by that OL in the playoffs). Give McClure a 2 year contract extension, he deserves it and he wants it. He still plays well too.
Giants D line showed the Falcons weakness last year.
When you get to playoffs Falcons will see those great D lines. We had issues that game across the line. Tuck is great a player and was more than a hand full for McClure that game I will not even go to the right guard position that game. I think it must be time to address the line in this draft as well as free agency if not Falcons will be back to losses in the playoff again next year. Problems in our playoff loses have been consistent. Not enough offence because the O line gets over its head against good teams with good D lines.
LT Svitek
Svitek is solid for the next few year, draft a project in the 6/7 round to develop behind him like Daron Rose out of UAB, Justin Anderson (UGA), Landon Walker (Clemson) or Barclay (VaTech).
I just don't see us busting open the coffers for a guard in free agency
Guards are like the running backs of the OL. Recent history has shown that you can get pretty good ones on the cheap and plug em in. If we spend money on OL it needs to be a free agent LT imho.
Don’t be surprised if you see us draft a RB or TE. If there is a run on TE early then all bets are off. We may get an unexpectedly good OL or DE drop to us, and if so we take it.
Technically the glass is always full. 1/2 air. 1/2 water.
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