Falcons Training Camp 2015: Early Offensive Line Observations- The Falcoholic

[gazoo]

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2015/8/3/9086223/falcons-training-camp-2015-early-ol-observations

Before we dive into my thoughts on the Falcons offensive line, I think it's important to reiterate some things about training camp and this part of the NFL calendar. For starters, it is entirely too early to make any firm prognostications about what this team is going to look like on the field. Additionally, while the new coaching staff gives us reason to be optimistic, there are many hurdles for this team to overcome. Both the offense and defense are learning new schemes, and even though they are likely to be simpler than what was run in the past (particularly on defense), there is still going to be a learning curve and some growing pains. With that said, here are some early thoughts on what I saw out of the offensive line unit on the first weekend of camp.

Health Concerns

More than any other concern, the health of the members of the offensive line has been at the forefront of most fan's minds. Last years list of injured players was sickeningly long and many of those guys had injuries that required surgery and/or extensive rehab in the off-season.

I'm glad to say that the early returns look promising.

Joe Hawley - who suffered a torn ACL and MCL last year - was right in the thick of things during practice. He's participating in a good number of the drills, though he is getting some time off to spend on the sidelines with the trainers. Based on his movement and the limited snaps I saw, he appears to be coming along nicely.

Jake Matthews, who had a Lisfranc injury, also appears to be in great health. He appeared to be a full participant in nearly all of the drills and he looks as quick as he did last year. His ability to set quickly into his stance off the snap is very impressive in person and I'm glad to say he looks to be in good form early.

Technique and Depth

While watching the offensive line go through their drills on Saturday August 1st, there were some immediate takeaways that jumped out to me. First, this coaching staff has all of these guys moving non-stop. There is very little downtime for any of the OL during their drills. This will be critical for getting them ready for the cardio-stretching tendencies of the ZBS.

Additionally, while watching Matthews demonstrate near perfect form during the drills, it was interesting to contrast that with guys like Polumbus who is more upright and stiff in his movements. Concerns about the depth at offensive tackle won't be made better by that statement, but it is what I saw in limited snaps. Let's hope that it was an anomaly or that it gets cleaned up during camp.

As mentioned elsewhere, the coaches are actively involved in teaching and correcting the players after every movement. As good as Matthews technique is, I saw a coach stop him immediately after one of his snaps and correct his hand usage - which was going wide and to the shoulders (which will get you called for holding all the time). After the quick correction, he had Matthews immediately apply the lesson. It's a subtle difference from the last regime, but one that I think will pay big dividends.

As for the depth on this line, quite a few guys are getting snaps with the first team. Quinn and his coaches seem determined to find the absolute best pairing of guys while also giving every player a chance to prove he belongs. While there are definitely some presumed starters - like Hawley, Matthews and Asamoah - guys like Person and Polumbus are getting valuable first team reps, which can only help in developing the overall depth. There is some concern about the quality of these players, but it's too early to draw any firm conclusions either way.

Leadership and Cohesion

Of all the units on the field, cohesion may matter the most to the offensive line. It's also one of the more encouraging things I saw at camp. While no amount of cohesion is going to make a poor player good, it is absolutely critical that the guys on our offensive line play well together. Even the most talented lines can be torn apart if they don't communicate well. In that regard, the return of Joe Hawley from injury really appears to be a boost for this unit. He's a fiery player, but also one that seems to draw the other guys together.

At one point, Hawley had the OL interacting with the fans on the sidelines. He was hamming it up, which garnered my attention because it was something you didn't see much under the previous regime - at least in recent years. Those moments of humor and letting loose can work wonders for a unit. I don't want to oversell this as being the most critical aspect of offensive line play, but the overall looseness of the players was evident. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, which will only make them that much more receptive to the coaching and the new regime. It's a change that many won't talk about, but that I think is a positive sign on how this unit is progressing.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, it's entirely too early to start drawing conclusions about how this unit is going to look when it counts. But we can at least get an idea on the direction and health, which will certainly influence how well this unit will play when the pads go on. From the very early returns, things are looking promising. Let's hope each day in camp only continues to build on that promise.

[falconfansince66]

Considering that the OL might be facing an improved DL this year, things could be looking up! Or is it the other way around? Bring on the preseason and let's really find out.

[Da_Truth]

Good info. Thanks

[Atlfanstckndenver]

One thing that's been mildly surprising took me is that Person is going to be battling Chester more than I expected for that left guard spot. I realized Person got a three year deal, but I figured Chester would have the edge. Looks like I was wrong.

[FenixFalcon]

I'm looking forward to what the line can do in the ZBS since a lot of our guys have played in that system before. It'll take awhile to gel but when they do I'm excited to see what will happen. This could be a really special year for us fans after the heartbreak of the '12 NCFCG and the last 2 years of fiddling away our play makers talents. Will also be nice to see if we can redevelop a dominant running game that we have missed and a reason to be happy to see our defense on the field. I know a huge reason Seahawks do so well is that energy and constant cheering they hear on both sides of the ball. They have momentum going for them the entire game, not just on offense.

Edited August 4, 2015 by FenixFalcon

[Vandy]

One thing that's been mildly surprising took me is that Person is going to be battling Chester more than I expected for that left guard spot. I realized Person got a three year deal, but I figured Chester would have the edge. Looks like I was wrong.

Is it because Person has impressed, or because Chester hasn't? I dunno, I still think neither guy should be anything more than a backup and somebody else (E Mathis?) needs to step up.

[FentayeJones]

I think if Mathis was an option for us, we would have at least heard about a visit or workout by now. I'm thinking that ship has sailed. I think between Hawley and Stone, we will be ok at center. I'm actually more concerned about depth at tackle - particularly the swing tackle position.

[*TMo*]

Is it because Person has impressed, or because Chester hasn't? I dunno, I still think neither guy should be anything more than a backup and somebody else (E Mathis?) needs to step up.

The Zone Blocking Scheme was created and still exists for teams to not have to pay an extravagant amount of money on offensive linemen.

[gazoo]

I think if Mathis was an option for us, we would have at least heard about a visit or workout by now. I'm thinking that ship has sailed. I think between Hawley and Stone, we will be ok at center. I'm actually more concerned about depth at tackle - particularly the swing tackle position.

Thats my biggest fear going into this season, swing tackle.

[g-dawg]

I think if Mathis was an option for us, we would have at least heard about a visit or workout by now. I'm thinking that ship has sailed. I think between Hawley and Stone, we will be ok at center. I'm actually more concerned about depth at tackle - particularly the swing tackle position.

Yeah if either Jake or Schrader go down, it will be a long season.

[Power I]

Has anyone seen anything out of Konz?

[delaigle]

Thanks for the write up--- good stuff

point of interest

The O-line was hurt very much by injuries last season

But what many have forgotten is that back in 2007 that Oline also had a lot of injuries --more than 2014 --it all got lost in the Vick & Petrino goings on

[MattM12]

Man alive.

I'm putting out there. I'm concerned.

The starting 5 is ok.

They can't be deemed as a good unit yet. It's a brand new system that really relies on every man to do their job. It's great we have some ZBS experience, and if we get through TC and preseason without losing one of these guys, then i'll step away from the ledge.

But I think we are one injury away from serious, serious concern. And pick your poision. If any of Matthews, Schraeder, Asa, or Hawley go down, i'm seriously worried.

Where is the depth?

Paging Peter Konz.... It's a finesse line now, pull your head out of your A$$

[blizzard_falcon]

Has anyone seen anything out of Konz?

No, nothing. He is someone I will definitely be watching very closely in the first preseason game.

He is kind of expendable now that we have Stone and Chester, who can both play G and C. I could see us cutting Konz and keeping a younger player like Uze-Ezeoke.

Will also be watching Huffer closely to see if he offers anything at OT. I read we have been mixing him in with the first string offense at LT.

[vafalconfan]

Considering that the OL might be facing an improved DL this year, things could be looking up! Or is it the other way around? Bring on the preseason and let's really find out.

I think that's something that hindered our O-line in the past in that they were practicing against a soft D-line that applied NO pressure.. When they faced real NFL defenses they seemed to be overwhelmed. Quinn's D will help this offense!

[Radiohead]

If Quinn's changes can get the Falcon's Defense to actually compete with opposing offenses (unlike the Defense Smith put out there the past few years), the pinnacle of success for this team rests on the backs of this Offensive Line's cohesion and ability to block.

It would be so disappointing if Quinn's formula actually did work and the Defense does produce, only to have the team's success hamstrung by an inept Offensive Line.

[FentayeJones]

Nope - not a peep out of Konz so far. I have seen nothing with him running with eiether the first or second team. He may be on the fringe.

[rugger8]

Nope - not a peep out of Konz so far. I have seen nothing with him running with eiether the first or second team. He may be on the fringe.

Is he even back from injury?

[hjerry]

The Zone Blocking Scheme was created and still exists for teams to not have to pay an extravagant amount of money on offensive linemen.

When we first signed Person, I remember a line from him, saying that the ZBS was tailored to his skill set.