Falcons: What will TD do with the OL?

[ggp]

This is the first question I have for this franchise. For years, I have been clamoring for better offensive linemen. And, for years, people have been saying that we already have one of the best OL's in the league. I think that finally, the whole world knows the truth......Our OL is mediocre. Blank just about said it during that great press conference.

So, what will TD do? I would do a number of things, but I want to discuss what we all think our GM will do. Here is my best guess:

LT: Svitek did an admirable job stepping in for Baker, but his play dropped as the season went on. That can be attributed to opponents doing their film study. Svitek is what he is......a back up. I think that TD will not only sign a free agent LT, but he will draft a developmental guy in a later round.

My prediction: Demetrius Bell. His injury history is the reason the Bills will likely let him go. I think that TD takes a big gamble on him and signs him to a four year deal. Baker's release will free up some cap space but an additional amount will be needed to sign Bell. He is a very good LT with the ability to pass protect and run block. He should be a good campanion for Blalock.

LG: Blalock was signed last year and there is no reason to change. He is a quality OG and should improve his run blocking production with a legitimate LT at his side.

OC: Changes will come to the Center position, but not this season. McClure will be signed to a two year deal and anchor the OL one more season. The reason for this is two fold. He will sign for a reasonably cheap price and he will provide veteran guidance for the youngster to his right. Hawley is the heir apparent and will spend another year behind McClure. He should be ready by 2013.

RG: We all want Nicks or Grubbs, but we ain't gonna get them. TD has drafted interior OL's heavily and he will stand by his guys. The camp competition will come down to Johnson and Jackson. Jackson may have an advantage; he played for Hill in Fresno State. We will see.

RT: Clabo. Plain and simple. Reynolds will be his back up. Reynolds was humiliated at Guard, so it will be interesting to see how he responds next season. An OT will be drafted in a late round, so Reynolds will not have the luxury of just punching the clock.



There you have it. My best guess of TD's moves along the OL. Fans will be unimpressed but chemistry will be cited as the reason for not blowing this thing up.

[Beef]

So only ONE new person and we stick with the uncertain potential revolving door at RG?

I don't think that's likely. They said specifically that the OL will look different next year. McClure may not allow a lot of sacks or pressure to get by him, but he sure does contribute a ton to the quick collapse of the pocket on passing downs and he's weak at pushing forward the LOS on running downs. I don't like him as our anchor. I think his stats are deceiving and he's actually a weakness.

LT is an absolute must to replace. OC and RG need improvement as well. I think we draft 1 of those and get the other 2 in FA.

[ggp]

I want the same, but I am trying to project what TD will do. I see a lot of investment in interior OL's. I think that he will allow them some time.

[babuka]

McClure graded well in profootballfocus.com's gradings. A new right guard coupled with an upgraded left tackle and a screen game will do wonders for pass protection.

[Beef]

(02-07-2012 09:04 PM)babuka Wrote:  McClure graded well in profootballfocus.com's gradings. A new right guard coupled with an upgraded left tackle and a screen game will do wonders for pass protection.

I know he did, but like I said, I think his stats like those on PFF are deceiving.

McClure is great with his arms, hands, and ability to keep defenders in front of him and not let them by. He doesn't give up sacks or QB hits as a result. But if you really watch closely, you'll notice that he gets shoved backwards quickly and often causing the pocket to collapse inward very fast. And when we're running, he's often pushed back or stood up on the line.

There's a reason Matt never really has a true pocket to stup up in. Yes, he's getting pressed from the outside defenders, but good OL's often have somewhere for the QB to step up or a hole to jump through to avoid that outside pressure. Matt rarely gets that and I think it's because McClure is always pushed back into that area.

[Polar Bear Jones]

The "no sacred cows" line makes me believe there could be moves that get rid of anyone even guys TD drafted. I am not a fan of Hawley taking McClures spot. I would much rather have Mike Johnson step into that role but he has had some injury plagued seasons. I would like to see a guy like Vernon Carey brought in if we do not get Nicks, or Grubbs. He has experience at RT and could add depth at multiple positions. I do not think Jackson will be ready this season. He may be at best a situational player like reynolds was early on or a camp legend like Valdez who I think was picked up by the Vikings. last month.

[TeamPlayer1]

I so agree that our O-line needs a serious upgrade. Some of our current "beef" needs to get in the ground chuck line!

My motto, offseason: Get out we need an upgrade! Without a stud O-line, an offense will struggle. Always.

[mdrake34]

Yeah, the whole "chemistry" thing on the O-line didn't work out so hot last year. Without changes at at least two positions on the O-line, I may go into chicken little the sky is falling mode despite a new O-coordinator and new O-line coach.

[ggp]

Do you guys really think that TD will give up on Hawley, Johnson and Jackson? I have advocated a top of the line OL for many seasons. If it were up to me, we would have the best and most expensive OL in the league. If it were up to me, we would sign Nicks and Bell and still draft more OT's. But, I don't think that TD will follow that line of thinking. In my opinion, he will add a moderate upgrade at LT, keep the veteran at OC and allow his young talent to compete for the remaining RG spot.

The advantage of doing so will allow for more money to be spent on the defensive side of the ball. I get the feeling that we will make a swift and decisive move to sign Mario Williams.

[The Don™]

I know Hawley and Johnson were drafted relatively early. TD said, when we drafted Hawley, that he was the heir apparent to McClure. If we stick with Hawley, he will be the new C next year. As for Johnson, he was drafted in the third round for a reason. If TD, Smith, Koetter, Blank, and Hill and whoever feel comfortable with Johnson or Jackson doing a good job at RG, then they better be right because there will be A LOT of criticism if we have another revolving door at RG next season.

If they don't feel that Johnson or Jackson is their guy, then we will find out in a little over a month when FA starts.