OC Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/15577/jon-gruden-calls-out-falcons-offensive-line-dimitroff-backs-groupWith the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles set to open ESPN's Monday Night Football on Sept. 14, it's only natural for analyst Jon Gruden to keep a close eye on the Falcons in preparation for the opener.So when Gruden was asked during a conference call Wednesday about the shaky offensive line play this preseason and if one team stood out more than any other, his response wasn't all that surprising based on last week's preseason games."I don't want to be the negative dark shadow, but watching the Atlanta Falcons over the last couple of days, I hope that they're better than they played against Miami," Gruden said. "They've got to play better to get this running game going; to get this quarterback to a level where he can play at."I think there are a number of offensive lines that I've seen this year that have to play better. But I would call out Atlanta first because I've studied them the most."Prior to those statements, Gruden talked about how dynamic the combination of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones could be this season, provided the line holds up."You know it can be lethal," Gruden said of Ryan-to-Jones connection. "Julio Jones is one of the top three or four receivers in the game. If Roddy [White] is healthy, he's obviously proven he's 1,000-yard receiver. But you say 'If they can run the ball.' They haven't run the ball very well in a long time. They didn't run it well in the three preseason games I've looked at. And they haven't been committed to running it, either. And their offensive line right now has a lot to prove."Those are two big ifs, but if they can pass block and run block and run the ball, Matt Ryan and these receivers can rip you. They're very talented."The running game hasn't gotten going this preseason with starter Devonta Freeman sitting out the first three preseason games coming off a hamstring strain and No. 2 back Tevin Coleman making just one appearance last week against Miami while coming off his own hamstring injury. Not to mention explosive No. 3 running back Antone Smith also is out with a hamstring injury.Plus the line has had too many different combinations to really get a flow going. And then last week in Miami, the line took a significant step back against what might be the most dominant defensive front in the league, led by Ndamukong Suh.To make matters worse, there is some uncertainty about the status of the line's anchor, left tackle Jake Matthews, coming off a back strain apparently suffered in Miami.Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff addressed the line during an interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio Wednesday night."I feel confident with the way our coaching staff is putting things together," Dimitroff said. "This is a really interesting scheme, offensively. I think it's a very effective scheme with the outside zone run game. I think we have the athletes along the offensive line who are able to accomplish what we're looking for. And again, I think it was a challenging game (in Miami). Again, I feel good."We'll continue to always look out in free agency. And there are a lot of cuts that will be happening soon, so we'll always keep our eyes on the market to see if someone comes available that will help our depth." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis York Morgan Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 In before the bashing, yeah this line is pretty crap, but he isn't going to be like "I totally see where Gruden is coming from, and yes, I've done a terrible job." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Day late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 WTF is a "negative dark shadow"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Yeah, I'm not gonna lose my ish because we had a bad game and not all of our starters starting in a game that doesn't count. That's just me though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 WTF is a "negative dark shadow"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkOffFalcohol Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 we played well our first 2 preseason games vs good o lines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 WTF is a "negative dark shadow"? Uh......in 2015 that's someone telling the TRUTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 we played well our first 2 preseason games vs good o linesSHHHHHHHHWe must embrace recency bias. The most recent data point is the only one that matters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconstwopercentsized Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Jake Mathews needs to figure out how to stay healthy can't have baker 2.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boise Falcon Fan Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Jake Mathews needs to figure out how to stay healthy can't have baker 2.0This concerns me too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Jake Mathews needs to figure out how to stay healthy can't have baker 2.0 LOL..........he's a Falcon HIGH Draft Pick. What the h.ell did you expect with him ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OC Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Jake Mathews needs to figure out how to stay healthy can't have baker 2.0The difference is that Matthews is miles beyond Sam Baker when they are both healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LookAboutFalcon Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 WTF is a "negative dark shadow"?Black Hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rise Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 SHHHHHHHHWe must embrace recency bias. The most recent data point is the only one that matters! Eh...Also Hawley was hurt too.....That's why Pierson was at C, and they did not want to move Stone back to C. They wanted him to have more reps at OG...Still, there is talk of demise.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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