Who will play RG next season?

[ggp]

This off season has featured a lot of discussion about Tony, defensive scheme changes, changes in the secondary and, of course, the pass rush. However, there really has not be any serious, in-depth discussion about our OL.

Short yardage is the major weakness of our offense. To put it bluntly, we absoulutely have sucked getting the tough interior yards. Let's take a close look at this problem and see if we can come away with some reassurances that something can be done.

First, we have a right-handed QB that is not a runner. That means that we must feature an OL with very pass protectors on the left side. We have that. Both Baker and Blalock do a better than average job of protecting Ryan's backside. As expected, neither is particularly good at run blocking. So here is a question: why do the Falcons tend to run to the left side of the OL when they desperately need to gain short yardage? The answer is this: the RG position is the weakest link.

The Falcons have tried Hawley, Johnson, Reynolds and, most recently, Konz. The best performance came from Konz. That means that the other guys are not legitimate starting RG's. Konz is a natural Center and he will start at that position next season. That leaves a gaping hole at RG.

Now I hear that Manley is the guy that will take over the RG position. If Manley could not beat out Hawley, Reynolds or the ever-mediocre Johnson, how the hell will he step into a starting position next year?

Guys, the most glaring weakness on our offense is RIGHT GUARD. Some people think that we should plug Holmes into the RT position and move Clabo to RG. Well, Clabo's original position was RG. This might work. However, who ever said Holmes is ready? He is very athletic and if he is made for any position on the OL, it would certainly be on the left side of the line.

I really don't want to face another season with a crappy run offense. Tony is gone and we will not have his magic to move the chains. We are going to have to do it the old fasioned way. When the time comes for us to get a single tough yard, I want to know that we can run behind a master blaster on the right side of the line. That kind of power will wreak havoc on opposing defenses. We will keep the ball, when we want to shut the game down. We will never let a 17 point lead get flushed down the toilet again.

[Jimusmc]

should've kept dahl.

[Jesus]

I wouldn't be surprised with a 1st round C or OG pick. If Barrett Jones is there take him. He can play both. I think they will resign McClure as insurance. Then the draft will play out. Hawley ended the year in the dog house. I'm not sure he is coming back. The rest were injured a lot.

[mdrake34]

(03-03-2013 11:08 PM)Jimusmc Wrote:  should've kept dahl.

Hindsight is certainly 20/20, but this is one of TD's biggest fuckups in retrospect.

[Jimusmc]

dahl was great in the running game.. hence turners monster years. was decent at pass which is fine.

[Jesus]

I don't know since Dahl left the falcons have been 23-9 the Rams 9-22-1. Had Turner not regressed so much this year I doubt this conversation exists. Dahl wasn't so great with the pass protect and his f up during the cardinals game led to the fumble and TD.

[ATLBound]

I actuallu think Reynolds did better than Konz and I thinl he would he fine there

[mdrake34]

(03-03-2013 11:18 PM)Jesus Wrote:  I don't know since Dahl left the falcons have been 23-9 the Rams 9-22-1. Had Turner not regressed so much this year I doubt this conversation exists. Dahl wasn't so great with the pass protect and his f up during the cardinals game led to the fumble and TD.

According to the professional services that watch these things for a living, Dahl has graded out as the top guard in the NFL since he left. Trying to base wins and losses on that has no bearing.

[Jesus]

Lot of good being the best guard does. If it doesn't equal wins who cares. Offensive lines work best as a group. Sam Bradford has been sacked 71 times in the last 2 years. I'm sure he feels pretty good about that rating...

[mdrake34]

Maybe our pocket doesn't collapse nearly as much the past two seasons if TD resigned Dahl instead of Blalock. Who knows?