67camaro Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Falcons should have sights set on AsamoahMarch, 7, 2014By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.comPlenty of speculation will take place from now until NFL free agency actually beings Tuesday after 4 p.m. ET. From the Atlanta Falcons' perspective, upgrading the lines needs to be the emphasis. In terms of the offensive line, one player makes the most sense to pursue immediately. AsamoahThe Falcons want to add a big, tough offensive guard, and the Kansas City Chiefs' 6-foot-4, 305-pound Jon Asamoah fits that criteria. Asamoah was drafted by Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli when Pioli was the Chiefs' general manager, so there is a natural tie. Immediately after the draft, Pioli raved about Asamoah's versatility as a guard with the ability to play center. But will Asamoah even reach free agency? NFL Nation Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher wrote about the tough decision Kansas City has in keeping either Asamoah or fellow offensive guard Geoff Schwartz. Asamoah actually lost his starting job to Schwartz late last season after suffering a shoulder injury. Asamoah, who turns 26 in July, is ranked the third-best guard bound for free agency behind Carolina's Travelle Wharton and Schwartz by Pro Football Focus. He has earned a reputation for his pass blocking, which is key for a Falcons team emphasizing the need to protect Matt Ryan next season. Ryan was the league's most pressured quarterback in 2013. Instability at the right guard spot sure didn't help Ryan's cause. Garrett Reynolds, who was released Feb. 18, got pushed back way too often after beginning the season as the starter. Reynolds got replaced by Peter Konz, who moved over after losing his starting center spot to Joe Hawley. Konz didn't fare much better at guard. Harland Gunn also got an audition at right guard late in the season. What the Falcons need is someone who will be a stable force at right guard for years to come. Sure, plugging in an aging veteran could help for next season, but the Falcons have to look well beyond. That's another reason Asamoah makes sense. It will all come down to the price tag, as with most moves in free agency. The Falcons already committed $7.6 million per season to left guard Justin Blalock. Both Blalock and tackle Sam Baker count $13.71 million against the $133 million cap in 2014. Asamoah made $1.323 million with the Chiefs last season. Paying him somewhere between $4-5 million per year might be manageable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouDog. Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Sounds like a great idea to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiccolas Cage Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welp, I am all for it. Nothing we currently have would fix this gaping hole at RG and Konz will continue to get manhandled by McCoy twice a year thus making McCoy a perennial pro-bowler with inflated stats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I think we can get him for less than $4-5m. And I think he's the best value of the upper tier guards. We could conceivably restructure Blalock to free up some cash though I'm not a huge fan of pushing money backwards in a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconBlood Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Please get some big boys on the Oline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Asamoah.......................sounds like an Indian burial grounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiccolas Cage Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Please get some big boys on the Oline....and the DLine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiccolas Cage Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Asamoah.......................sounds like an Indian burial grounds.Or the sound of someone seeing azz and wanting to kiss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconBlood Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 ...and the DLineYezir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam25 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I'm hoping we get him ! Would love to see him in the red and black ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I think Schwartz might be a better fit for us, but would be happy with either one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takeitdown Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Man, Blalock's really not an 8m/ yr guard. We should be able to have a guy like him, AND asamoah for 8M total, 4M each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjmw84 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Blalock has to take a paycut or move 2-3 mill on the back end. Anything less than 5m for Asomoah would be a slap in the face for him being one of the top guards in FA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Lubba Lubba© Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Great idea. I'm still skittish thinking of TD drafting more offensive linemen. Much rather we let Nolan assist in drafting defense. How hands-on he is is up for debate, but he's got an eye for defensive talent. Edited March 7, 2014 by Mr. Lubba Lubba© Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlGM Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 We need to be on the phone with his agent at 4:01 on Tuesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 We need to be on the phone with his agent at 4:01 on Tuesdayhe can come in for visits starting tomorrow, we just cant sign him until tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirdieBirdieIndie Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Sure, why not....the more the merrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 No brainer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEORGIAfan Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Pay the man and bring him in. Blalock and Asmoah would lock down the guard position for us, plus having two very good OGs would help Hawley or Konz grow as a C and allow Matt Ryan to step up in the pocket, if our OTs cannot block their guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raysnill1 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 yall need to get out of Blalock's pockets. that dude has been playing for two for years and still doesn't give up a lot of pressures or sacks. he also rarely get penalties & hasn't missed a game since his first season. if he restructures cool but he's earned his coin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmo_dlo Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Won't complain about Asamoah but why not Schwartz who has experience playing tackle too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcononthefly Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Great article!!!!! Your right we need him,and have others rave on here about him.We need to fix the lines-then everything will fall into place.Don't worry about anything but the lines right now.We are going to be gunning for the recievers-in chunks of 10-30 yards a pop.We need protection.Go get this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundini Brown Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Bring buddy in. Im down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert_Falcon Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Blank better show him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert_Falcon Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Won't complain about Asamoah but why not Schwartz who has experience playing tackle too?It maybe the Arizona heat speaking but why not both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.