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2015 Falcons: Offensive Line
June 17th, 2012 Aaron Freeman

The Falcons offensive line come 2015 is considered one of the strengths of the team, given the teams new-found emphasis on the position that begins in 2012.

The Falcons 2015 line consists of the same unit that it started beginning in 2013, which features left tackle Lamar Holmes, left guard Justin Blalock, center Joe Hawley, right guard Peter Konz, and right tackle Tyson Clabo. What begin as a bit of a shaky unit has now blossomed into a strong group up front now that they’ve built some continuity with each other. Also in the mix is a Pat Hill favorite in guard Andrew Jackson, who hopes that now in his fifth season in the league can crack a permanent place in the starting lineup at guard.

The anchor of the unit is Konz, who thanks to Hawley’s solid play in his first season as a full-time starter in 2013 hasn’t been asked to kick inside to center yet. Hawley was good enough that the team opted to re-sign him following the 2013 season with a modest three-year deal and hasn’t regretted the decision as he has developed into a solid starting center thanks to his toughness and aggressiveness. At the other guard spot is the old veteran Justin Blalock, whose Falcon career is beginning to wind down. While Blalock has yet to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl in his career, he’s considered to be a solid guard. But the team is looking for Jackson to potentially push him for the starting spot. They are also hopeful that even if he doesn’t beat out Blalock, that Jackson has improved enough that he could be plugged in at right guard, which will allow Konz to play his more natural center position. Jackson has managed to fill in at various times over the past three seasons when others have been out with injuries. He has been cross-trained to play all three interior positions, although Konz remains the primary backup at center. But the team feels its interior of the line is the strength of the unit.

Outside, Lamar Holmes and Tyson Clabo form the bookends. By 2015, Clabo appears to be on his last legs. He’s entering the contract year of his deal that he signed in 2011, and most expect him to hang it up after the year is done. But he wants to give it one more go with this team to try and push them over the top. The team has already drafted his heir apparent and potential replacement in the rookie out of Iowa, Brandon Scherff. On the opposite side, Holmes has grown into a solid player. While he’s not considered to be one of the top left tackles in the league, he is considered capable of getting the job done of protecting Matt Ryan’s blindside. Holmes had a shaky start in his first year as a starter in 2013, but in the subsequent years has shown improvement each season so that now in 2015, he is considered a solid asset for the unit. His career arc mirrors that of previous left tackles such as Donald Penn, Duane Brown, and Jermon Bushrod, of guys that got off to questionable starts, but showed steady improvement each year. He is in line for a big extension after 2015 if he can show continued growth.

Due to their renewed focus on maintaining a strong front, the Falcons have used a multitude of their late round picks over the past few drafts to build depth.

While I want competition at every spot, it doesn't seem lie the Konz RG then to C plan is on track. Thoughts?

A lot depends on what plays out this season at RG.

Let's say Manuwai wins the gig and has a solid year. He's a FA next year, and if he plays well then you can expect the Falcons to try and re-sign him. If that happens, and say we give him a mid-level deal for 2 or 3 years, then Konz makes the move inside to C, where he probably competes directly with Hawley for the starting job, assuming McClure is gone in 2013.

If Konz wins the RG this year, and plays well, then the assumption is that Hawley will likely be top candidate to play C. But at the same time, the Falcons might look to add another RG next off-season to slide Konz inside at center.

Then if you consider the (unlikely) scenario that Hawley wins the OC spot this year, and plays well, then he'll likely be the incumbent at C and keep Konz at RG next year. If he doesn't play well, then Konz will probably move inside.

And Mike Johnson, ANdrew Jackson, and Garrett Reynolds are also potential factors based on whether or not they make the team and even win the starting job (Reynolds is currently atop the depth chart at RG). Because if the team has faith in them, then they can kick Konz inside.

My personnel prediction, which is what that piece was based on is that Hawley will be handed/win the C job next year which will keep Konz at RG, and I think Hawley will play well enough that he'll keep the job over the next few years, thus keepign Konz at RG for the time being.