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okay, I am somewhat conflicted about something I read here:

"Konz spent most of the practice during the three-day rookie minicamp at right guard and received some snaps at center.

“I thought Peter did a nice job,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said after the first practice. “Of course, Peter is being cross-trained at two positions. It’s obvious that he’s a big strong guy.”

Konz is expected to compete for the starting right guard position against several veterans. However, he hasn’t played guard on a regular basis since high school.

“I actually switched off from tackle to guard whenever we had a pulling play my junior year [of high school],” Konz said. “That’s how I got into pulling and all of that.”

The Falcons liked Konz in part because he is light on his feet and moves around well for a big guy. He flashed his movement skills on a couple of plays that called for him to get outside."..

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-bl ... eter-konz/

NOrmally the idea of cross training appeals to me. I htink I actually suggested moving McClure from the Center position last season..

That did not work out 'well'

So we got this guy, who is supposedly a beast at Center, and were going to make him a Guard?

Why? Is it because of 'continuity'? Does Konz need a year to 'get up to speed' calling blocking assignments?

Why not let him play his natural position? And only that position? Are we short on guards? I dont believe so..

Reynolds a RG sucked. McClure at RG sucked. We have a plethora of Guards:Johnson, Jackson, Manuia, Reynolds, and Hawley ( who would be 3rd center depth, right? )..

What is the benefit of doing this? Seems counter-productive. Kinda like trading everything you got for a weapon you dont use properly.

thoughts?

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2011/12/c ... ght-guard/

The answer is pretty simple.

The coaching staff believe, correctly in my opinion that

McClure at Center + Konz at Guard > Konz at Center + Manuwai/Johnson/Hawley at Guard

It's not uncommon at all for a center to come in and be a guard for a year to get up to speed. That way, they can worry about just the physical aspect while in a game, and get up to speed with the "speed" of the game in their first year (while learning the offense in practice) and then in the 2nd year, they're used to the better athletes and they have the offense under their belts, and can step in and do line calls.

Worrying about line calls with sophisticated defenses, and then dealing with the superior athleticism of NFL players is a pretty big task. Guard is, comparatively, easier, as long as the guy has the physical traits.

Personally I'd like to see ?, Blalock, Konz, Manuwai/Johnson, Clabo...but that's only if Manuwai or Johnson are really good and really ready. Having the LG C RG area be sturdy is one of the most important aspects to modern football.

Yeah, I guess that make sense...

It's about putting the best 5 on the field, and there's no doubt that McClure is going to be in the team's Top 3 or 4 guys. Also, letting Konz get his feet wet before thrusting him in at center is a good idea. It would have been different had we retained Boudreau/Mularkey, because Wisconsin's offense and blocking scheme are very similar to that style of offense.