The Falcons’ revamped offensive line passed its first big test of training camp on Monday.
Other than center Joe Hawley, who was ejected from practice for fighting, and Gabe Carimi, who was hurt, and a few reserves losing one-on-one battles, the unit held up against Tennessee’ stout and talented defensive front during a joint practice.
“I thought they did a nice job in certain aspects of the practice,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
Last season, the Falcons struggled in joint practices with Cincinnati which foreshadowed a season that would be difficult in the trenches.
The Falcons spent plenty over the offseason to revamp the offensive line, signing right guard Jon Asamoah in free agency and selecting right tackle Jake Matthews with the sixth overall pick in the draft.
The right side of the line also held its own against the Titans, while left tackle Sam Baker and left guard Justin Blalock were also strong.
Among Tennessee’s talented defensive front are ends Jurrell Casey and Ropati Pitoitua. Former Georgia Tech standout Derrick Morgan is being moved to left outside linebacker as the Titans shift to a 3-4 defense. Morgan and Matthews in particular had some interesting clashes.
“That number 70 (Matthews) is a rookie, right?” Morgan asked. “He’s a tough guy and has sound techniques. He’s going to be pretty good.”
Baker enjoyed the work against the Titans.
“It felt good to get some other looks at some different defenses,” Baker said.
Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice, in his first season with the team, has been pleased with Matthews.
“We knew when we drafted him that he was farther along than other tackles in the draft,” Tice said. “We felt like we were going to get a guy that was ready to step in early. From the second week since he’s been with us, he’s taken all of the reps with the ones (first team).”
Matthews was stout in pass protection and Tice believes his run-blocking has been underrated. Tice believes that Matthews can sustain a high-level of play that he has set over his first 10 training camp practices.
“It’s going to continue,” Tice said. “I don’t even worry about him. Sometimes I don’t even watch him on film because I have to look at the other stuff and try to clean that up.”
It is anticipated the line will receive a boost from the return of a healthy Baker, who missed the majority of last season with a right knee injury that required surgery.
“Sam has worked extremely hard on changing up some of his techniques,” Tice said. “We’ve been trying to dabble in a few minor footwork changes and a few changes with his body lean and some steps on the backside in the run game. He’s bought in and he’s doing an outstanding job trying to execute these techniques. I think he’s had a very solid camp.”
Hawley, who’s approaching former guard Harvey Dahl’s unofficial record for training camp fights, is in a battle for the starting center spot with Peter Konz.
Hawley appears to be ahead because he’s a better communicator on calls in pass protection, which allows the line extra time to settle in and get ready for the rush.
“His rhythm and his tempo is very good,” Tice said. “He’s utilizing his quickness and he can pull with the very best of them that I’ve coach. He’s very good on screens.”
The offensive line will face another stiff test when the Falcons practice against Houston on Aug. 13-14. The Texans feature two-time All-Pro J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the last draft.
Tice is hoping that the skirmish with the Titans, the exhibition opener with the Dolphins on Friday and the work against the Texans will help shape the offensive line’s identity for the upcoming season.
“We want to be physical and that also means in pass protection,” Tice said.
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