AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 12
Monday, March 12, 2007
Staying put on the O-Line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the Falcons probably won’t add more than one new starter to the offensive line - at left guard, where Matt Lehr was released. They locked up center Todd McClure, guard Kynan Forney and tackle Todd McClure and there aren’t many, if any, affordable left tackles out there better than Wayne Gandy.
Atlanta probably will sign a veteran free agent or two and draft one, if not two players to develop. They’re probably also hoping that fullback Ovie Mughelli can supply enough punch in the run game and security in pass protection to overcome some of the incumbent linemen’s shortcomings.
In regards to the Joe Horn signing, it looks good for the short-term, as long as he stays healthy. The Falcons do need to think about replenishing their wide receiving group if Michael Jenkins and Roddy White don’t make some decent gains. Both could be wearing out their welcome at about the time the 35-year-old Horn decides to retire.
Over the next week or so, I would expect the Falcons to begin addressing depth on the defensive line, where no backup nose tackle is established. The depth at defensive end also has to be somewhat unsettling. Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard were decent young players, but there’s no telling how the new coaching staff views them.
