Falcons: redesign the OL

[ggp]

I'd like to hear from all of you about our OL. Finally, after several years, my concerns are going to be addressed. The owner has publicly stated that his OL did not perform. Now that the OL has been exposed, what should the FO do? I know that the knee jerk reaction is to sign the best FA OL (Nicks) but is that a realistic possibility?

Nicks has played formidably for the Saints. He would be the ideal addition to our OL because he can pass protect and create running lanes. Additionally, he has the mobility to provide excellent help on screen passes. Since the screen has been mentioned a lot by our new OC, it would make sense to bring a Guard that can actually run it. The question is this: will TD pay the price for NIcks? My gut tells me No. I think that TD believes that he has drafted well and that either Johnson or Jackson will fill the role of RG next year. GM's are usually very loyal to their draft picks and TD is no different.

What say you ? Will we truly address the OL, or will we "allow for them to gel."

[Jesus]

Going out and signing a new line doesn't seem reasonable. If Nicks could be had at a decent price they might pull the trigger, but can he run block?

I think our o-line is a victim of the scheme. It's been overtweaked over the last few years because of injury. I think Baker is hurt more than we know. His back has been messed up for a couple of years. I would rather see the money go towards a new LT. I think the offense was more designed early in the year for Ryan to throw deep. While waiting on his WR's to get there he got pressured hard. If he had more intermediate and short routes, ie slants than he might be more successful and the line would look a lot better. Whenever he had the time he made plays, but when he waited for something to happen he had trouble. I hope the new OC puts in routes where he can get the ball out quick, like Brees, Rodgers and Brady do. Dlinemen are way too fast nowadays for a QB to drop back and wait for his receivers to get open.

[JOEinPHX]

I agree with Jesus that O-line performance has been a victim of scheme, and in more ways than one. The J-man focused on pass protection, but the run schemes haven't played to strength either. Dirk Koetter, Andy Heck, and the Jaguars ran zone-blocking schemes for the most part, and I'd like to see that approach come to Atlanta. I think it would complement the current O-lines physical traits better than the power schemes required by Mike Mularkey's playbook. I think it would also give Turner a chance to get back to being a one-cut runner, as he was in his early San Diego days. Finally, Jacquizz Rodgers, with his vision and quickness, could blossom in a zone scheme.

[ggp]

Nicks is a phenomenal run blocker. The quality of his work is not in question.

I agree that it is likely that Baker's back is worse than advertised.

The offense will feature a more sophisticated passing attack. Screen passes will be mixed into the scheme to slow the pass rush. The problem is that we don't have interior OL's that can pull and move. At least, that is what Mularkey said during an interview earlier this season.

So, the real question is what TD thinks of his recent draft picks. Are Jackson and Johnson good enough to wait for either to earn the starting RG position?

[Paprika Neck]

well i don't know if the coaches like mike johnson or not and even if he fits in with the type of offense CUTTER wants to run. i'd say if they can build ryan the fort knox of lines. trade roddy and turner for a left tackle.

[FullMetalFalcon23]

(01-23-2012 03:41 PM)ggp Wrote:  Nicks is a phenomenal run blocker. The quality of his work is not in question.

I agree that it is likely that Baker's back is worse than advertised.

The offense will feature a more sophisticated passing attack. Screen passes will be mixed into the scheme to slow the pass rush. The problem is that we don't have interior OL's that can pull and move. At least, that is what Mularkey said during an interview earlier this season.

So, the real question is what TD thinks of his recent draft picks. Are Jackson and Johnson good enough to wait for either to earn the starting RG position?

Got to say I don't believe MM on that one. I think if allowed to train our guys can execute the screen game. Especially young guards like Johnson who played at Bama. Who else was there? Jones. And how many screens have we seen thrown to him at college. Hawley... Might be the most athletic lineman we have. If not the fastest. Remember that video of him chasing down a ball that had come out of the catching machine. The guy has wheels to run down a pass from a starting position like he was a tight end, but can't run down a tackler on a screen. I think if we can get a bonafide guard like Johnson on the field and have a FA tackle in our O line gets sured up pretty quickly.

[ggp]

No sane team would trade their franchise LT for a star WR. I don't care how good Roddy is, that trade will not happen.

If you mean trading Roddy for a first round draft pick, we would have to see if there is a reasonable match. In order to draft Khalil or Martin, we would have to trade to a top ten draft pick. Once again, I don't see that happening.

In order to upgrade the LT position immediately, we will have to sign a LT in free agency. That means we would go with either Gaither or Bell. Both have their flaws....that is why they will be available in free agency. Personally, I think that we will go with Svitek and hope that he can continue to develop.

[cooperbh]

(01-23-2012 03:55 PM)ggp Wrote:  No sane team would trade their franchise LT for a star WR. I don't care how good Roddy is, that trade will not happen.

If you mean trading Roddy for a first round draft pick, we would have to see if there is a reasonable match. In order to draft Khalil or Martin, we would have to trade to a top ten draft pick. Once again, I don't see that happening.

In order to upgrade the LT position immediately, we will have to sign a LT in free agency. That means we would go with either Gaither or Bell. Both have their flaws....that is why they will be available in free agency. Personally, I think that we will go with Svitek and hope that he can continue to develop.

When you're a 30 year-old late-round journeyman who has never flashed anything more than mediocrity, I think it's safe to say the development stage of your career has passed. Surely, we can do beter than Svitek, can't we?

That's not to say we need to overpay for BPA in free agency, a la Dunta. Just find me someone to man the LT position who can be described as "pretty good." So far, we've had "horrible" and "somewhat less horrible."

[Beef]

(01-23-2012 04:24 PM)cooperbh Wrote:  When you're a 30 year-old late-round journeyman who has never flashed anything more than mediocrity, I think it's safe to say the development stage of your career has passed. Surely, we can do beter than Svitek, can't we?

That's not to say we need to overpay for BPA in free agency, a la Dunta. Just find me someone to man the LT position who can be described as "pretty good." So far, we've had "horrible" and "somewhat less horrible."

I couldn't agree more.

Demetrius Bell or Levi Brown would solve the LT issue. Release Baker or put him behind Clabo and leave Svitek as LT depth. I think Blalock is average as well, but we can't replace everyone. Mike Johnson was a LG in college and I think he and Blalock should battle for that spot. Hawley is supposed to be a center. I think trying him at RG was a mistake and obviously he was horrible at it. Hawley should replace McClure. Then go after Carl Nicks or Ben Grubbs for RG with Andrew Jackson as depth. Leave Clabo at RT with Baker or Reynolds as his backup.

So our 2-deep would look like this:

LT: Bell or Brown | Svitek
LG: Johnson or Blalock
C: Hawley | Johnson
RG: Nicks or Grubbs | Jackson
RT: Clabo | Baker

[ggp]

You know, I never considered Svitek's age. You guys have a very good point. WS is at the age when he has hit his prime. You have to doubt that he can get any better.

Well, I guess the best move in free agency, to improve the OL, is to go the LT route.