OUR OFFENSIVE LINE

[nobkowski]

I'm getting tired of so many in the media and others also bashing our oline 

For the first time in I can't remember when, the Falcons have drafted for high picks for the oline. A high second pick last year and a 1st round pick this year.  Blalock shoud improve this year and Baker is already practicing with the first team.  We have Clabo coming back and he was our best lineman last year.  Then we have the vet at center and a blocking tight end accquired in free agency.  We also got Steponivich who is a versitile lineman. 

There aren't as many "ifs" with our oline as their has been imo.  I'm not as concerned with the oline as I am with the dline.  But that's another story.

Flame on.  I have my Human Toch uni. on.:cool:

[splitstream]

Actually Nobkowski, I think you're right on it.

[Magic Man]

This whole team could be good...remember, the Browns were not picked to be that good of a team last year and they went to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this is the playoff bound Falcons, but that does have a nice ring to it. 

[sdogg]

Not to mention, we are actually going to use the most expensive FB in NFL history. I assure you, he is ready to smash some mouths.

[LADBABY]

We have a group that could be used in goal line

situations that could average 6'5"+ and 330+ if we

wanted to get goofy. Ditka used Refrigerator Perry

to run the ball. I remember Paul Dietzel at LSU having

a National Championship team comprised of units:

White team, Go team and the "chinese bandits". So,

where size and raw power matter we could build a

unit of specialists to come in and maul the opposition.

First they would have to demonstrate effectiveness and

then they would have to be named.

[LOUISVILLEfan]

They should atleast be better than last year.  I think our offense is gonna surprise some people this year but our defense really worries me. 

[Shelley#37]

I think the attitude of the team is going to be a big difference. The NFL is so close talent-wise, that it is the team that has something to play for that wins. Don't get me wrong, teams like NE, the Colts, Dallas, all have superior talent, but it is rare for teams to go undefeated in a season because of the parity. We went from 7-9 to 4-12, but we can easily bounce back to 7-9 this year.

Truthfully, how far were we from 7-9 last year? If not for the Prater mistake and a few bounces/breaks, we would've been right there.

[magnus23]

I have been saying this for quite some time.

All the things you mention ... plus Weiner - if healthy is a very solid right tackle.

Also we are much bigger than in years past ... with an excellent NFL line coach.

Two new blocking tight ends ... plus Mughelli does not hurt.

[muskokas finest ©]

The Oline is 1 area for genuine optimism. There is talent and a little depth.

[HuskerFalcon]

i think all we are missing is 2 positions: future star at C and OT

[Bring It]

EVERYTHING will depend on how long they stay injury free.

The NFL is a league of 1) mistakes  2) penalties  3) INJURIES

Most teams have very good talent.............good coaching...............INJURIES will dictate who goes to the playoffs, many times.

[Emmitt]

Magic Man (6/13/2008)

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This whole team could be good...remember, the Browns were not picked to be that good of a team last year and they went to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this is the playoff bound Falcons, but that does have a nice ring to it. 

The Browns did not go to the playoff last year. they blew it during the last of reg season.

[LOUISVILLEfan]

Emmitt (6/13/2008)

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Magic Man (6/13/2008)

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This whole team could be good...remember, the Browns were not picked to be that good of a team last year and they went to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this is the playoff bound Falcons, but that does have a nice ring to it. 

The Browns did not go to the playoff last year. they blew it during the last of reg season.

 

Hey Emmitt, where you been man?  I've missed your vast knowledge of the intertwinings of the NFL. 

[Charley]

I was just thinking about the OL. When they were blocking for Vick, that had to be somewhat confusing. Sometimes they were designed rollouts but, sometimes nobody knew where Vick was going including Vick. Can you imagine trying to block for that jitterbug??? OK here's my point. When the season starts we will have Ryan or Redman leading the charge I think. Anyway they are both primarily pocket passers. It seems to me that there would much less for a lineman to think about if he knows where the QB is most of the time. Keep it simple. Even though we had lineman out hurt last year, I would imagine that there would be a transition period after Vick left. I don't know if the credit should go to the line or Redman or both but, we started moving the ball at the end of last year. This year the OL should have a better idea of what to expect concerning thier blocking assignments. you know.... play more as a team.

[Goat]

Bill Cox (6/13/2008)

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Emmitt (6/13/2008)

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Magic Man (6/13/2008)

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This whole team could be good...remember, the Browns were not picked to be that good of a team last year and they went to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this is the playoff bound Falcons, but that does have a nice ring to it. 

The Browns did not go to the playoff last year. they blew it during the last of reg season.

 

Hey Emmitt, where you been man?  I've missed your vast knowledge of the intertwinings of the NFL. 

x2

[Hollow Man]

Magic Man (6/13/2008)

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This whole team could be good...remember, the Browns were not picked to be that good of a team last year and they went to the playoffs.  I'm not saying this is the playoff bound Falcons, but that does have a nice ring to it. 

Browns missed the playoffs......but yea they went 10-6

[REV.2000]

I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME THAT A "GOOD" COACH CAN TEACH MARGINAL O-LINEMEN HOW TO BE "GOOD" O-LINEMEN. IF SMITH AND COMPANY ARE AS GOOD AS I THINK THEY ARE ......... WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

[Charley]

REV.2000 (6/13/2008)

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I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME THAT A "GOOD" COACH CAN TEACH MARGINAL O-LINEMEN HOW TO BE "GOOD" O-LINEMEN. IF SMITH AND COMPANY ARE AS GOOD AS I THINK THEY ARE ......... WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

I'll go along with that.

[falconfansince66]

Charley (6/13/2008)

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REV.2000 (6/13/2008)

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I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME THAT A "GOOD" COACH CAN TEACH MARGINAL O-LINEMEN HOW TO BE "GOOD" O-LINEMEN. IF SMITH AND COMPANY ARE AS GOOD AS I THINK THEY ARE ......... WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

I'll go along with that.

I agree, I think we'll be okay on the O-Line.  If there's going to be anything 'Offensive', it'll probably be the Defensive Line...

[David Ethan]

nobkowski (6/13/2008)

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I'm getting tired of so many in the media and others also bashing our oline

For the first time in I can't remember when, the Falcons have drafted for high picks for the oline. A high second pick last year and a 1st round pick this year. Blalock shoud improve this year and Baker is already practicing with the first team. We have Clabo coming back and he was our best lineman last year. Then we have the vet at center and a blocking tight end accquired in free agency. We also got Steponivich who is a versitile lineman.

There aren't as many "ifs" with our oline as their has been imo. I'm not as concerned with the oline as I am with the dline. But that's another story.

Flame on. I have my Human Toch uni. on.:cool:

stepanovich, who no one talks about, was an excellent acquisition

[The Don™]

stepanovich, who no one talks about, was an excellent acquisition

he won't be playing C. Our OL coach already said McClure is the starting C.

[Charley]

If we can open some holes for our running backs, I believe that our pass protection will improve. One has a tendency to compliment the other. Success breeds success. Now this is not always the case, but more often than not. Last year we got stoped on short yardage situations more times than I care to think about. With Turner we have more beef and should have more success on short yardage situations. If a defence has to concentrate primairly on the run the pass should have more success. I know.... only time will tell, but it does appear that we have a fine coaching staff and for that reason I'am excited!!

[ballin in atl]

Charley (6/13/2008)

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I was just thinking about the OL. When they were blocking for Vick, that had to be somewhat confusing. Sometimes they were designed rollouts but, sometimes nobody knew where Vick was going including Vick. Can you imagine trying to block for that jitterbug??? OK here's my point. When the season starts we will have Ryan or Redman leading the charge I think. Anyway they are both primarily pocket passers. It seems to me that there would much less for a lineman to think about if he knows where the QB is most of the time. Keep it simple. Even though we had lineman out hurt last year, I would imagine that there would be a transition period after Vick left. I don't know if the credit should go to the line or Redman or both but, we started moving the ball at the end of last year. This year the OL should have a better idea of what to expect concerning thier blocking assignments. you know.... play more as a team.

but last year we gave up like 67 sacks with our "pocket passers"  so while it might have been more confusing, that scrambling made up for the line's inability to block

[Charley]

ballin in atl (6/14/2008)

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Charley (6/13/2008)

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I was just thinking about the OL. When they were blocking for Vick, that had to be somewhat confusing. Sometimes they were designed rollouts but, sometimes nobody knew where Vick was going including Vick. Can you imagine trying to block for that jitterbug??? OK here's my point. When the season starts we will have Ryan or Redman leading the charge I think. Anyway they are both primarily pocket passers. It seems to me that there would much less for a lineman to think about if he knows where the QB is most of the time. Keep it simple. Even though we had lineman out hurt last year, I would imagine that there would be a transition period after Vick left. I don't know if the credit should go to the line or Redman or both but, we started moving the ball at the end of last year. This year the OL should have a better idea of what to expect concerning thier blocking assignments. you know.... play more as a team.

but last year we gave up like 67 sacks with our "pocket passers"  so while it might have been more confusing, that scrambling made up for the line's inability to block

I agree, it was dismal at best, but the confusion went far beyond our OL. The entire organization was in disarray. Man I don't know about you, but most of the time it was difficult to watch. If we can just play together as a team it should make up for some of our deficiencys. Of course staying healthy is always a priority, certainly not what we did last year. So maybe with better coaching we can fill some of those gaps.

[ballin in atl]

Charley (6/14/2008)

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ballin in atl (6/14/2008)

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Charley (6/13/2008)

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I was just thinking about the OL. When they were blocking for Vick, that had to be somewhat confusing. Sometimes they were designed rollouts but, sometimes nobody knew where Vick was going including Vick. Can you imagine trying to block for that jitterbug??? OK here's my point. When the season starts we will have Ryan or Redman leading the charge I think. Anyway they are both primarily pocket passers. It seems to me that there would much less for a lineman to think about if he knows where the QB is most of the time. Keep it simple. Even though we had lineman out hurt last year, I would imagine that there would be a transition period after Vick left. I don't know if the credit should go to the line or Redman or both but, we started moving the ball at the end of last year. This year the OL should have a better idea of what to expect concerning thier blocking assignments. you know.... play more as a team.

but last year we gave up like 67 sacks with our "pocket passers"  so while it might have been more confusing, that scrambling made up for the line's inability to block

I agree, it was dismal at best, but the confusion went far beyond our OL. The entire organization was in disarray. Man I don't know about you, but most of the time it was difficult to watch. If we can just play together as a team it should make up for some of our deficiencys. Of course staying healthy is always a priority, certainly not what we did last year. So maybe with better coaching we can fill some of those gaps.

i think that our past 2 trainers haven't been very good because we have had lots of bad injuries in the past and maybe our new training staff can prevent more injuries this year.