GTBF54 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Nice read on the O-Line and kuddos to DiMarco.....The Atlanta Falcons are one of this year’s early surprise-teams, coming off only 10 wins over the past two seasons combined. We knew Matt Ryan (+ 8.6) and Julio Jones (+14.4) were really good, and while many felt the defense would be improved given the addition of new coach Dan Quinn, some under-the-radar free agent acquisitions, and No. 8 overall draft pick Vic Beasley, one issue that had yet to be truly addressed was the offensive line.In 2013, the Falcons’ O-line finished 30th in pass-blocking efficiency and allowed the most pressures in the NFL; 2014 told much of the same story, as the Falcons finished 24th in pass-blocking effenciency with the third-most pressures allowed. It seemed that the Atlanta O-line was headed for another disastrous season, especially after their Week 3 preseason showing in Miami, in which Matt Ryan was pulled early in the game for sheer survival reasons.Then, the following week after their final preseason game, they traded a 2016 sixth-round and 2017 conditional pick for out-of-favor Tennessee Titans G Andy Levitre. Thus, the regular season began with a line consisting of 2014 sixth overall pick LT Jake Matthews, LG Levitre, journeymen free agent additions C Mike Person and RG Chris Chester, and holdover RT Ryan Schraeder—a line that had not taken a snap together before Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.How has it worked out? Through three games, the unit is rated third in run-blocking, paving the way for 106.3 yards per game average (12th in the NFL) in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. In addition, the Falcons have the No. 1 graded FB in Patrick DiMarco (+6.4 grade, +5.2 in run-blocking), aiding the surprising ground game resurgence.Where they have excelled most, though, is in the passing game—allowing Matt Ryan and Julio Jones time to craft their record-setting early season pace. The unit is PFF’s No. 1 graded O-line in pass-blocking efficiency and total pressures allowed, giving up only two sacks and 13 total pressures through three games.Individually, Jake Matthews is playing this season like a healthy, top-10 pick should. After a rookie season in which he played through various injuries in route to being the PFF’s lowest rated tackle (-36.8 grade), health and the new scheme have allowed Matthews to flourish. Through three weeks, he is the fourth-ranked LT (+8.1 grade) and No. 1 tackle in pass-blocking efficiency, allowing only one hurry and no sacks thus far. His teammate on the other side at RT, Ryan Schraeder, has excelled, as well. Schraeder (+3.6 overall) is currently second among RTs in overall grade, and third among all tackles in pass-blocking efficiency, allowing only two total pressures thus far.Chris Chester at RG (+4.5 overall grade, ninth among guards) is also playing very well in the early going.In the end, if this hastily put together unit can keep up their current pace, giving Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman running lanes, and keeping Matt Ryan free to find the beast that is Julio Jones, the Falcons can target more than just an NFC South crown.https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/30/falcons-resurgence-starts-with-o-line/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I wanna hear from those that where knocking tatf posters for thinking that we where crazy for thinking the zbs would help the o line and that it was just wishful thinking. They know who they are. So far though I'll admit this is going even better than anybody could've possibly expected. The Falcon ALWAYS soars higher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuego Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Man, I had no idea the O-line was doing this well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Oline had me terrified after we cut Hawkey, which was just after week 3. I was thrilled when we signed Levitre but had not idea these guys would be playing this well this fast.Unbelievable. Jake Mathews rated the best LT in the NFL after 3 games is so good to hear, my God have we needed a franchise LT to protect Matty Ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantafan21 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Hope Jake Matthews pancakes Clowney a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconstwopercentsized Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 This is a miracle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I wanna hear from those that where knocking tatf posters for thinking that we where crazy for thinking the zbs would help the o line and that it was just wishful thinking. They know who they are. So far though I'll admit this is going even better than anybody could've possibly expected.The Falcon ALWAYS soars higher!I recall a certain older fan on here mocking many posters about the "magic" ZBSOf course, afterwards, there will still be plenty of crow left over for all the posters, who declared that the sky was falling, for weeks after preseason game 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconstwopercentsized Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I doubted the zbs we had the all powerful Alex Gibbs install it and it looked like doodoo without Vick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real Falcon Fan Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Wow I knew they were playing well...but thats even better than I thought!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GritsPittz Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Dirk Koetter's offense was the biggest reason the Line looked bad the past couple years. Just wasn't physical enough. The reason it worked in 2012 was because we had a veteran offensive line and teams still respected Turner. As we had turnover and injuries along the line asking the team to pass block every play just allowed defenses to pin their ears back. We couldn't run the ball because we never lined up in power formations (Full back, TEs) which made our Offense soft and predictable. I think it helped make Ryan a better QB but it really handicapped our offense and hurt us closing out games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Oline had me terrified after we cut Hawkey, which was just after week 3. I was thrilled when we signed Levitre but had not idea these guys would be playing this well this fast.Unbelievable. Jake Mathews rated the best LT in the NFL after 3 games is so good to hear, my God have we needed a franchise LT to protect Matty Ice.We literally have all of the cornerstone positions locked upQBLTDE#1 WR#1 CBWhat am I missing? The next two drafts, if homeruns like this past offseason, could make this team VERY dangerous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantafan21 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 We literally have all of the cornerstone positions locked upQBLTDE#1 WR#1 CBWhat am I missing? The next two drafts, if homeruns like this past offseason, could make this team VERY dangerous Isn't MLB a cornerstone position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Isn't MLB a cornerstone position?A top MLB, FS, TE, and definitely RB would really help, but Worrilow is at least serviceable if not better, and hopefully between Allen, Freeman, and Coleman, we can get 2 of the other 3 locked down. We'll just have to address TE next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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