O Line Pick Your Poison

[Karst41]

You have no clue who is the better NFL C nor does anyone else on this board.

Yes we do.

They put Konz in at RG last year to get a full season of playing time under his belt.

He was a Top Rated Center in the Draft, so he knows how to play the position.

Now he know how to play Guard and this will greatly enhance his skills as an NFL Center.

But, if they leave Konz at center and Plug Hawley in at Center, I will be shocked.

[falconsd56]

I made this case not long ago.......I think.we see the opening line up in camp with Hawley at center and Konz at guard.

[mumblesjr]

#2

[capologist]

I want our best five out there no matter who or where they play. I'm sure the coaches will put the best product out there.

^^THIS

[raysnill1]

if it was me I'd roll with Baker//Blalock//Konz//Johnson//Clabo.

they probably just gonna throw Reynolds back in at RG and never give Johnson another chance at RG. I'd also like to see what Holmes can do at LT & PK Manley at RG too, let's just see who gets the job done

[takeitdown]

I know the likely scenario is

Baker, Blalock, Konz, Reynolds, Clabo

But I've never understood, if they can't find a suitable RG (which I'd draft or sign) why they don't switch Reynolds and Clabo. Clabo can play RG at a high level, and it seems like Reynolds main shortcomings at RG (getting low) wouldn't impact as much at RT. Reynolds and Holmes could compete there. Reynolds seems like he'd actually be a pretty good runblocking RT, so it mainly comes down to if he has the lateral agility to pass block on the edge.

As it stands now, if I were a defense I'd just double A gap blitz every other play...and until our offense can stop that (better RG play), we'll be susceptible.

[delaigle]

I want our best five out there no matter who or where they play. I'm sure the coaches will put the best product out there.

True but sometimes it looks like musical chairs

Dahl LT>>>>RG

Clabo LG>>>>RG>>>>>RT

Hawley C>>>RG>>>C

Blalock LG starter >>>LG backup>>>LG starter

M Johnson RG>>>>RT>>>TE>>>>RT

Reynolds RT>>>>RG>>>Bench>>>>>RG

Heck even Baker LT>>>RG (p/o 1 game)>>>>LT

and most anticiape Konz RG>>>>>C

Edited April 2, 2013 by delaigle

[falconsd56]

Just because Hawley is better at Center than Guard, this does

not mean that he will be a better Center than Konz.

We have to stop placing scrubbs on the O line,

those so called "scrubs" handled two of the supposed best front 7's in football in the playoffs.

Neither the niners nor Seahwaks got any real constant pressure on Ryan.

[Karst41]

those so called "scrubs" handled two of the supposed best front 7's in football in the playoffs.

Neither the niners nor Seahwaks got any real constant pressure on Ryan.

I had no issue with Konz taking his Rookie lumps.

The suggestion that Hawley may be our starting RG, scares me.

[ProudFalcFan]

While it may take a while to adjust to missing Mud Duck calling the protections, i actually think we have an o-line that is developing into maturity.

1. This is the second year in Dirk's offensive system. it took a while for these guys to adjust to the screens and open down field blocking.

2. it takes about two to four years for a lot of o-linemen to develop (i.e., Clabo, Baker, etc) and we have players like Reynolds, Johnson, Hawley, Konz, Manley and Holmes who will be more advanced.

3. it's going to be a competitive battle at Center and Right Guard.

4. It's all about staying healthy on the o-line and i think we are finally developing some depth in our young players.

5. This is also the second year under Coach Pat Hill for the o-line.

Pass protection and the screen game were actually quite good against some very good defenses last year.

It's also interesting to me that there has been NO interest, that i can discern, in Michael Turner as a free agent. So, a lot of personnel experts, must be of the opinion that he was at least a contributing factor in our lack of a run game. Personally, i wondered if his weight was a factor. Many of his best performances happened at the beginning of games and not at the end. When we should have been wearing the other team down was he worn down? Many of our running first downs at the end of games were because of Quizz.

In any case, Steven Jackson seems to be a much more mobile running back that can not only pound the rock, but make them miss AND catch the ball as well as block in pass protection (not necessarily one of Michael's strengths IMO).

For all the above reasons, our oft maligned o-line, at least on these Message Boards, has an opportunity to be a real force. i'm excited to see how it will develop.

[caveman]

Since Baker was resigned, barring an injury, he will be our starter at LT and Blalock will start at LG. Konz was a #2 pick and will

start at center unless Hawley has a 'monster' off-season and pre-season (which seems unlikely). I can pretty much guarantee the Falcons will not draft a center in the top three rounds.

So, it all boils down to RG and RT - where Clabo will start at one or the other.

[maxatlanta]

If they had been doing this

then there would have been no

Clabo, Dahl, Baker, McClure, Svitek etc

and that's limiting it to the O-line

That list(Clabo, Dahl, Baker, McClure, Svitek) is of players who made the most out of their starting opportunity and earned their roles on the team. Even Baker looked great his rookie season, before the inuries piled up.

Hawley and Reynolds did not make the most of their shot at starting. Sure, you never know if they'll turn a corner in their development, but they didn't do anything comparable to Clabo, Dahl, Baker, McClure, and Svitek. Those guys forced the team to make them starters based on great play when they got their chance(Svitek not so much). You can't say that about Hawley or Reynolds.

I'll root for whoever they put out there. But I'd rather see a rookie or vet addition than go with what has already failed in the past.

Edited April 2, 2013 by maxatlanta

[Karst41]

Given his measureables, I'm anxious to see what PK Manley can do out there on the line. I don't think that the FO has given up on all the bodies we have there. We'll see.

This is an excellent point.

If we draft O Line between rounds 4-6 then this will reveal the confidance

in our depth.

[maxatlanta]

double post

Edited April 2, 2013 by maxatlanta

[delaigle]

That list(Clabo, Dahl, Baker, McClure, Svitek) is of players who made the most out of their starting opportunity and earned their roles on the team. Even Baker looked great his rookie season, before the inuries piled up.

Hawley and Reynolds did not make the most of their shot at starting. Sure, you never know if they'll turn a corner in their development, but they didn't do anything comparable to Clabo, Dahl, Baker, McClure, and Svitek. Those guys forced the team to make them starters based on great play when they got their chance(Svitek not so much). You can't say that about Hawley or Reynolds.

I'll root for whoever they put out there. But I'd rather see a rookie or vet addition than go with what has already failed in the past.

Come on

Clabo bounced around 2/3 practice squads before spending time on the Falcon PS --started 06 as a backup ended as a starter -- then began 07 as (rookie)Blalock's backup

Dahl was on other PS/rosters for 1 1/2 years before the Falcons grabbed him as a backup --He played 4 games for the 49ers in 06 and they let him go

Blalock could not hold on to his starting job was replace by Batiste

There were many who wanted McClure gone because originally he played no better that Reynolds, Johnson Hawley

If I remember Baker earned his T-rex name during his first year.

Edited April 3, 2013 by delaigle

[Knight of God]

I like Konz at center and Reynalds at RG.

[randawg91]

If we could just get 1 road grading RG, we'd actually have a legit side to run behind. Our left side is hopeless in terms of the run game (especially short yardage) because Baker and Blalock both specialize almost solely in pass protection.

Oh, and Konz at Center no matter what.

[falconsd56]

I like Konz at center and Reynalds at RG.

would be the best pass protection combo IMO.

Konz did really well in pass protection down the stretch ( he had some bad games but every rookie does)

And Reynolds was GREATLY improved from 2011 when it comes to pass protection.

[irish_falcon]

Nobody knows for sure if it would work, but I would like to give a chance in TC to:

LT - Baker

LG - Blalock

C - Konz

RG - Clabo

RT - Holmes

Just based on my own watching of our games this year, I felt Clabo wasn't moving as well as he used to, I'd be interested to see how effective he could be kicked inside, and Holmes is an absolute monster, the guy is HUGE. So while size alone doesn't guarantee anything, I'd like to see what he could do particularly in the running game.

[dvt5045]

LT Baker

LG Blalock

C Konz

RG Reynolds/Draft Pick

RT Clabo

[Knight of God]

would be the best pass protection combo IMO.

Konz did really well in pass protection down the stretch ( he had some bad games but every rookie does)

And Reynolds was GREATLY improved from 2011 when it comes to pass protection.

With Steven Jackson as the RB, we won't need quite as much of a push. I have the feeling that our ffense will be greatly changed.

[raysnill1]

I still wanna see where the Mike Johnson doubt is coming from. ok he didn't get a chance to compete in 2011 because of injury. Reynolds lost the spot in 2011 to Hawley and then got hurt in 2012. those guys should go head up for the spot along with PK Manley and the best man wins.

[spiker]

Reynolds looked good until the injury,Johnson has been injured or catching TD passes,Hawley has experience and the Manley dude is just big and mean.......the PS also has a couple of OL..Looks good to me...but what the **** do I know?

[Tuggle'2]

I almost feel like Hawley could be released. Konz is definitely ( I dont use that word often for these things ) the starting center.

[delaigle]

Reynolds looked good until the injury,Johnson has been injured or catching TD passes,Hawley has experience and the Manley dude is just big and mean.......the PS also has a couple of OL..Looks good to me...but what the **** do I know?

Manley started 2012 on the PS then was activated to the 53 and replaced on the PS by McClendon

there were no others (OL) on the PS

Gunn was signed to the 53 after Reynolds was hurt

Edited April 2, 2013 by delaigle