No Reason to Sweat these OL Free Agents Too Much

[Peyton]

People are making a big deal over these three free agents. Frankly, I think it's unnecessary hysteria.

Having watched this offense for the last 3 years, I feel comfortable saying that the OLs most valuable players is .....Matt Ryan.

Whatever his faults are, and he certainly has some, he has two qualities that have made this OL looke like one of the best in the league, when truly, they are a pretty average bunch.

The first quality he has is that he gets rid of the ball, like all of the great ones do.

In 2008, people said "OMG, the Falcons can't start Matt Ryan, that rookie is gonna get killed behind that offensive line". Well, he didn't. He got rid of the ball and the Falcons set a franchise record for fewest sacks allowed in a season. Did these guys who were perceived as terrible before the season suddenly become awesome? No...I don't think that is what happened.

The other way that Matt Ryan makes this line look better is being simply incredible at converting 3rd downs. Everytime he does it he gives Turner and the line more opportunities to pound away at the defense. And frankly, the conversions help because they eventually demoralize a defense.

Clabo is a nice player, but hardly irreplaceable. If he were, he'd be a LT, not a RT. Dahl and Blalock? Well, let me put it this way. I don't think there is such a thing as an NFL Guard that can't be replaced. When was the last time you saw a team collapse because they lost a Guard? The Patriots were missing probably the best Guard in the league last year for most of the season and didn't come close to missing a beat.

Johnson and Hawley will do at Guard, and they may even be better. We won't know until we see them play.

I'd like to see them take a stab at Clabo because RT is a little bit more important, but if the trade off is getting a guy like Charles Johnson, then I think it's the right move to let Clabo walk.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Profound post Peyton.

A lot of hoopla about some average guys.

I've been saying for years that Oline is still a weakness. They aren't on the level of some of the Olines that the elite QBs have.

Good in most games against average to poor defenses. Bad in games against good to great defenses.

In our 17 losses over the last three years our starting QBs averaged a 70.8 passer rating with two sacks and our leading rushers were held below 62 yards in those games. That ain't gonna get us where we wanna go folks. Trust me.

I believe we need to improve our Oline. Two seconds to pass won't support this greatest show on turf 2 notion. I don't care if Sean Payton is the OC and Roddy, Julio and Fitzgerald are the WRs.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

This my friend i completely agree with. How fast have some forgotten the days (just a few years ago) when our line was made up of a bunch of nobodys who werent equal to the sum of the line as a whole. I for one am excited to actually see what kinda talent these guys have. Frankly i dont see why it would be unreasonable to assume the ceiling on our young guys coming in (as far as potential goes) to be even higher than the vets.

People need to realize just what you mentioned how much of ryans protection actually has come from himself???? Its a real question. The new guys will be more athletic with alot more upside. I trust the team to do what it needs to do.

[Atlfanstckndenver]

Profound post Peyton.

A lot of hoopla about some average guys.

I've been saying for years that Oline is still a weakness. They aren't on the level of some of the Olines that the elite QBs have.

Good in most games against average to poor defenses. Bad in games against good to great defenses.

In our 17 losses over the last three years our starting QBs averaged a 70.8 passer rating with two sacks and our leading rushers were held below 62 yards in those games. That ain't gonna get us where we wanna go folks. Trust me.

I believe we need to improve our Oline. Two seconds to pass won't support this greatest show on turf 2 notion. I don't care if Sean Payton is the OC and Roddy, Julio and Fitzgerald are the WRs.

Indeed profound sir!!!

[Farmer2]

Profound post Peyton.

A lot of hoopla about some average guys.

I've been saying for years that Oline is still a weakness. They aren't on the level of some of the Olines that the elite QBs have.

Good in most games against average to poor defenses. Bad in games against good to great defenses.

In our 17 losses over the last three years our starting QBs averaged a 70.8 passer rating with two sacks and our leading rushers were held below 62 yards in those games. That ain't gonna get us where we wanna go folks. Trust me.

I believe we need to improve our Oline. Two seconds to pass won't support this greatest show on turf 2 notion. I don't care if Sean Payton is the OC and Roddy, Julio and Fitzgerald are the WRs.

Out of curiousity what moves would you make to improve the OL. Overall I agree that Matt Ryan makes out OL look a lot better than they are. But losing 3 of 5 of our guys, and replacing them w/ their back-ups scares me. The other problem I see is the biggest weakness is Baker, and he'll be sticking around. Is there a FA out there that you feel is better than our FA's?

[Peyton]

This my friend i completely agree with. How fast have some forgotten the days (just a few years ago) when our line was made up of a bunch of nobodys who werent equal to the sum of the line as a whole. I for one am excited to actually see what kinda talent these guys have. Frankly i dont see why it would be unreasonable to assume the ceiling on our young guys coming in (as far as potential goes) to be even higher than the vets.

People need to realize just what you mentioned how much of ryans protection actually has come from himself???? Its a real question. The new guys will be more athletic with alot more upside. I trust the team to do what it needs to do.

I think it's likely that this line will be better in time with the drafted guys.

[delaigle]

I keeping looking at what this staff did with Dahl and Clabo who were average and UDFAs and already on the team before TD took over and

I wonder what this staff can do with 3/4 round draft picks selected by TD and have already been trained by this staff for 1 or 2 years.

Edited July 25, 2011 by delaigle

[Peyton]

Out of curiousity what moves would you make to improve the OL. Overall I agree that Matt Ryan makes out OL look a lot better than they are. But losing 3 of 5 of our guys, and replacing them w/ their back-ups scares me. The other problem I see is the biggest weakness is Baker, and he'll be sticking around. Is there a FA out there that you feel is better than our FA's?

If they were going to spend some money on the line, I think it would be a good move to sign Matt Light to a 3 year deal and move Baker over to RT.

[vel]

Good post. I get tired of people saying "Oh my god we can't lose Clabo or Dahl or Blalock because we don't have anybody to replace them." Yet don't want to listen to the fact that Clabo and Dahl were UDFA's that Boudreau got the most out of. If you don't think the guys behind them are just as capable, then you don't feel TD is a smart GM that plans down the road.

He saw this coming. If he really wanted them back, they would have been resigned a while ago. That speaks volumes.

[falconidae]

The main uproar comes from just a few, agenda driven posters who either:

A. Don't understand football as much as they think they do.

B. Do understand football and want to stir ish up.

Another distinct advantage the Falcons have is Boudreau, I think the reason that 2-3 of the Olinemen are going to walk is because Boudreau has told TD that the youngsters are ready.

[vel]

The main uproar comes from just a few, agenda driven posters who either:

A. Don't understand football as much as they think they do.

B. Do understand football and want to stir ish up.

Another distinct advantage the Falcons have is Boudreau, I think the reason that 2-3 of the Olinemen are going to walk is because Boudreau has told TD that the youngsters are ready.

My point exactly! If they walk, then the staff has confidence in their replacements. Get on board. It's just that simple. You guys can keep saying we need all 3 or we are doomed but the FO's actions are going to show how they feel.

[Farmer2]

If they were going to spend some money on the line, I think it would be a good move to sign Matt Light to a 3 year deal and move Baker over to RT.

I would be very happy w/ signing Matt Light. But I'm not sure Baker is an upgrade at RT over Clabo.

[vel]

I would be very happy w/ signing Matt Light. But I'm not sure Baker is an upgrade at RT over Clabo.

Per ESPN's Left Tackle Power Rankings

“Matt Light is a quality player, but Stats Inc. blamed him for 10 sacks allowed and four penalties last season, more in each category than his previous two seasons combined,’’ Graham said. “I've always thought Light got more recognition simply from being Tom Brady's left tackle. Once you name the three or four elite tackles and you rack your brain for the next group, it's easy to understand people sorting through the great quarterbacks and asking, 'Who is so-and-so's left tackle?' Light made the Pro Bowl last year, but as an alternate. Light's reputation also is enhanced by his involvement in the union and being a truly rare species: the gregarious Patriot.’’

[Tandy]

Profound post Peyton.

A lot of hoopla about some average guys.

I've been saying for years that Oline is still a weakness. They aren't on the level of some of the Olines that the elite QBs have.

Good in most games against average to poor defenses. Bad in games against good to great defenses.

In our 17 losses over the last three years our starting QBs averaged a 70.8 passer rating with two sacks and our leading rushers were held below 62 yards in those games. That ain't gonna get us where we wanna go folks. Trust me.

I believe we need to improve our Oline. Two seconds to pass won't support this greatest show on turf 2 notion. I don't care if Sean Payton is the OC and Roddy, Julio and Fitzgerald are the WRs.

Even worse, in our playoff games with this line, the line allowed an average of 4 sacks per game, our premier RB averaged 40.5 total yards rushing with 1 TD and our QBs average rating was 71.2.

They don't hold up when facing the big boys.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Out of curiousity what moves would you make to improve the OL. Overall I agree that Matt Ryan makes out OL look a lot better than they are. But losing 3 of 5 of our guys, and replacing them w/ their back-ups scares me. The other problem I see is the biggest weakness is Baker, and he'll be sticking around. Is there a FA out there that you feel is better than our FA's?

I would probably sign one or two street free agents. A top tier and a mid tier vet that can pass and run block. Guys with experience that can come in and not miss a beat.

I would re-sign one of our three free agents. Probably Blalock due to age and affordability, plus he was pretty solid last year. Sucked in his first three years though.

I would sit McClure down and tell him "look, if you botch another snap like the two you botched last year we're giving you an early retirement party".

I would move SackMakerBaker to the right side. Of the bench. Before he gets Matt Ryan killed.

I would take a long hard look at the young guys like Reynolds, Johnson, Jackson, Hawley, Svitek, Valdez etc. and let the best of the bunch compete with Baker, McClure and the mid level vet we bring in.

I would put my money on Svitek. I believe he is ready. He can play either tackle spot and is decent as a run or pass blocker. Watch the replay of the Turner TD run against the Packers in the playoff nightmare game. Buddy lined up at RT and road graded a path to the end zone. He got a hat on five Packers and bushwacked two of em.

That's my plan.

[Farmer2]

Per ESPN's Left Tackle Power Rankings

“Matt Light is a quality player, but Stats Inc. blamed him for 10 sacks allowed and four penalties last season, more in each category than his previous two seasons combined,’’ Graham said. “I've always thought Light got more recognition simply from being Tom Brady's left tackle. Once you name the three or four elite tackles and you rack your brain for the next group, it's easy to understand people sorting through the great quarterbacks and asking, 'Who is so-and-so's left tackle?' Light made the Pro Bowl last year, but as an alternate. Light's reputation also is enhanced by his involvement in the union and being a truly rare species: the gregarious Patriot.’’

Even so, he's still head and shoulders above Baker.

[Peyton]

Per ESPN's Left Tackle Power Rankings

“Matt Light is a quality player, but Stats Inc. blamed him for 10 sacks allowed and four penalties last season, more in each category than his previous two seasons combined,’’ Graham said. “I've always thought Light got more recognition simply from being Tom Brady's left tackle. Once you name the three or four elite tackles and you rack your brain for the next group, it's easy to understand people sorting through the great quarterbacks and asking, 'Who is so-and-so's left tackle?' Light made the Pro Bowl last year, but as an alternate. Light's reputation also is enhanced by his involvement in the union and being a truly rare species: the gregarious Patriot.’’

Light had a little bit of an off year statistically, but he also had a rough schedule He had to face Peppers, Freeney, and Jared Allen, three of the fiercest pass rushers in the game. Baker really didn't have to face anybody of that quality, and he gave up the same number of sacks as Light.

I think Light would be a pretty nice upgrade over Baker, but maybe not worth the money.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Even worse, in our playoff games with this line, the line allowed an average of 4 sacks per game, our premier RB averaged 40.5 total yards rushing with 1 TD and our QBs average rating was 71.2.They don't hold up when facing the big boys.

Yikes. Scary. I forgot about this. Don't forget about the ARI defense blowing up Dahl for a game changing fumble. Awful.

[freebird310]

I would probably sign one or two street free agents. A top tier and a mid tier vet that can pass and run block. Guys with experience that can come in and not miss a beat.

I would re-sign one of our three free agents. Probably Blalock due to age and affordability, plus he was pretty solid last year. Sucked in his first three years though.

I would sit McClure down and tell him "look, if you botch another snap like the two you botched last year we're giving you an early retirement party".

I would move SackMakerBaker to the right side. Of the bench. Before he gets Matt Ryan killed.

I would take a long hard look at the young guys like Reynolds, Johnson, Jackson, Hawley, Svitek, Valdez etc. and let the best of the bunch compete with Baker, McClure and the mid level vet we bring in.

I would put my money on Svitek. I believe he is ready. He can play either tackle spot and is decent as a run or pass blocker. Watch the replay of the Turner TD run against the Packers in the playoff nightmare game. Buddy lined up at RT and road graded a path to the end zone. He got a hat on five Packers and bushwacked two of em.

That's my plan.

The thing about Svitek too is he is still just learning the OT posistion having played defense at Stanford, and it seems like the more work he gets the better he gets ....if nothing else, a solid swing man ....I am not sleeping on him or Valdez....

[HASHBROWN3]

If we end up needing to replace a guard, the only udfa I would look at is Zach Hurd, UConn...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820e3eac/article/top-20-undrafted-free-agents-not-loaded-with-sudden-impact

[maxatlanta]

Wholly agree with the basic premise that Ryan/Turner(and Boudreau) are key in the success of our OL. But whether or not we can afford to lose our guys is still dependent on the quality of their replacements. We need equal talent to not step back, better talent to take steps forward.

I also agree with the posters who think we need improvement, unfortunately I feel like LT is the place we need it most. Another thing is we are looking at some mid round comp picks for these 3 guys, so if we are gonna sign FA replacements, they better be worth coughing up the picks. With what we gave up in the Julio trade, the picks matter.

Dled says we are gonna try to keep Clabo and Dahl. I am going to be really suprised if we keep Clabo because I can totally see other teams overpaying for him the way the Browns did for Schafer. We want to keep him, but would we really match the top 5 OT contract he is likely to get?

[Peyton]

Wholly agree with the basic premise that Ryan/Turner(and Boudreau) are key in the success of our OL. But whether or not we can afford to lose our guys is still dependent on the quality of their replacements. We need equal talent to not step back, better talent to take steps forward.

I also agree with the posters who think we need improvement, unfortunately I feel like LT is the place we need it most. Another thing is we are looking at some mid round comp picks for these 3 guys, so if we are gonna sign FA replacements, they better be worth coughing up the picks. With what we gave up in the Julio trade, the picks matter.

Dled says we are gonna try to keep Clabo and Dahl. I am going to be really suprised if we keep Clabo because I can totally see other teams overpaying for him the way the Browns did for Schafer. We want to keep him, but would we really match the top 5 OT contract he is likely to get?

I'd be stunned if he got a top 5 contract. If the Falcons do sign him to a big deal, I hope they move him to the blind side.

[dmo_dlo]

Excellent post. Matt Ryan is in fact the best player on OL. I'll be surprised if we bring back two of the three starters and although I expect us to try to bring back one, I won't be surprised if they all leave. In all likelihood we will sign a veteran or two though.