Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) About 2 years ago I made this post about Center being the most important position on the Offensive Line. Given the recent events of this season. I feel it's relevant to revisit this debate. I am curious as to if anyone's opinion has changed.EDIT:Fixed the linkshttp://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3995956-what-is-the-most-important-position-on-the-offensive-line/page-1So I have been doing a bit of research on ways that the Falcons could fix the offensive line. I know a lot of people are clamoring for a Franchise LT in draft or FA, but after doing a bit of searching, that may not be the avenue that would be best. Looking at the state of the oline this season was a tough to watch, as I saw them get mauled and beaten at every turn. They had flashes of being solid, right before burning out and dying. During the research process, I started noticing the emphasis of the interior lineman, most noticeably the center, was becoming the most important position on the line. As of right now I think the two positions that need to be fixed first would be Center and Right Guard. Here are a few articles I found while researching.http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/10/23/left-tackles-overvalued/3170721/http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap2000000099838/Is-left-tackle-still-the-most-important-O-line-positionhttp://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/olhttp://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--left-tackle-in-the-nfl-is-gradually-become-a-less-valued-position.htmlhttps://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/04/29/examining-pressure-are-left-tackles-overvalued/http://mmqb.si.com/2013/10/30/nfl-offensive-tackles-rethinking-the-blind-side-and-position-value/ Edited December 22, 2015 by Sidecar Falcon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
etherdome 6,336 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Basically, you are right. It's too bad our FO and coaching staffs (I include Smitty's) have not understood how important a Center is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Basically, you are right. It's too bad our FO and coaching staffs (I include Smitty's) have not understood how important a Center is.I agree. I think the lack of focus on the C can be attributed to the other areas we needed to work on. This past draft I wanted us to go after Grasu and the year before that I wanted us to go after Stork. There's talent to be found via draft time, especially in the C position where it seems to be undervalued. Edited December 22, 2015 by Sidecar Falcon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest facelessman07 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Ah, feels good being right, don't it? And yes, addressing center has to be one of the top priorities this offseason Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Ah, feels good being right, don't it? And yes, addressing center has to be one of the top priorities this offseasonJust a tad. LolYes it definitely does. Hopefully there are some players in the upcoming draft that can fill this void. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FalconFanSince1969 14,354 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I disagreed. The chitshow at center is obviously my fault. Sorry guys. Bring Mack to atl to finish out ryans career!Ben Jones if that option doesn't work Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 I disagreed. The chitshow at center is obviously my fault. Sorry guys. Bring Mack to atl to finish out ryans career!Ben Jones if that option doesn't workI knew it was you lol.I would love to have Mack come in. I also think we need a solid back up for him to groom as well. I didn't realize this but Mike Matthews maybe in the 2016 draft. Can you imagine having two Matthews on the Offensive Line? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lee Long© 86 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 As follows, the most important STer is the long snapper. Also the least mentioned, even if the kicker is struggling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndySG 3,863 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Yep. We definitely need to upgrade at center. Hopefully Mack voids his contract with Cleveland. Even if we don't get him, it should hopefully mean that we can get a Wisniewski. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry 7,402 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 IMO the most important position on any offensive line is the position occupied by the worst player. Here was my answer from the linked thread:I'm of the opinion that there really isnt a "most important" position on the OL. The game isnt that simple anymore. Teams don't focus their pass rush on the edge anymore...they go after the weak point in the line. A rise in the level of QB play has made interior pressure more important than edge pressure....because more QBs are capable of stepping up to avoid edge pressure. So the answer to the most important offensive lineman on any given line is likely "the worst starter" NICE. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 IMO the most important position on any offensive line is the position occupied by the worst player. So GM lol jk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atlfanstckndenver 2,466 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 How do you guys feel about Zach Martin's brother on the inside? I honestly haven't watched his film yet and an wondering if anybody has seen him play. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CrimsonFalcon 4,099 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I'm all for a badazz pass rusher to team with Beasley in the first and Ryan Kelly in the second. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby.Digital 4,055 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Here comes the let's bring in Mack crowd. Aka I haven't watched him or kept up with his play but he's good in Madden! Smh. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g-dawg 42,743 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Here comes the let's bring in Mack crowd. Aka I haven't watched him or kept up with his play but he's good in Madden! Smh.give us a name Bobby Digital. Who do you want to man the Center position for the Falcons? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) How do you guys feel about Zach Martin's brother on the inside? I honestly haven't watched his film yet and an wondering if anybody has seen him play.Been looking at him. His pass blocking seems pretty good. He maybe able to play the LG position as well. Great versatility. So Far I like the blood line aspect of him and Mike Matthews. We could double dig, kick Martin to LG and place Matthews at C. Edited December 22, 2015 by Sidecar Falcon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby.Digital 4,055 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) give us a name Bobby Digital. Who do you want to man the Center position for the Falcons?Mike Matthews, Jack Allen, Max Turek. Haven't fully looked into all the centers this year but the draft is the way to go. The FA market is a bit underwhelming in terms of centers. Cost will outweigh production. Edited December 22, 2015 by Bobby.Digital Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g-dawg 42,743 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Mike Matthews, Jack Allen, Max Turek. Haven't fully looked into all the centers this year but the draft is the way to go. The FA market is a bit underwhelming in terms of centers. Cost will outweigh production.Will any of those rooks be able to come in Day#1 and make a difference? Because we need immediate help. I am fine with bringing in a center of the future but we got to cix this ship now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Mike Matthews, Jack Allen, Max Turek. Haven't fully looked into all the centers this year but the draft is the way to go. The FA market is a bit underwhelming in terms of centers. Cost will outweigh production. The two that catch my eye are Martin and Matthews. I think Martin can play LG as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby.Digital 4,055 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Will any of those rooks be able to come in Day#1 and make a difference? Because we need immediate help. I am fine with bringing in a center of the future but we got to cix this ship now.These guys could start and do a good job. There's no difference maker avaliable center wise in FA. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g-dawg 42,743 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 The two that catch my eye are Martin and Matthews. I think Martin can play LG as well.Any guesses where those guys go in the draft? Mike Matthews, is that Jake's brother? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Will any of those rooks be able to come in Day#1 and make a difference? Because we need immediate help. I am fine with bringing in a center of the future but we got to cix this ship now.Honestly I think Matthews could. Great blood line son of a HOFer brother of a current Falcon. With his family knowledge plus the addition of extra motivation and tutelage from his brother. I think h can make an immediate impact. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby.Digital 4,055 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Any guesses where those guys go in the draft? Mike Matthews, is that Jake's brother?Yeah it is. I'm higher on Matthews than most I think he ends up going 3rd round or higher. Wait till everyone really starts reviewing his film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sidecar Falcon 7,784 Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Any guesses where those guys go in the draft? Mike Matthews, is that Jake's brother?Matthews maybe a 4th round. He's considered to be an undersized C. Martin may a be 2nd or 3rd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E. T. 5,786 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 All oline positions are important. What the FO failed to do was address all the positions through scouting and free agency. This was huge especially the scouting dept in the drafts. I guess they figure if you are 300lbs, you qualify to be an olineman. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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