The Falcons are not looking back. Jake Matthews is their new starting left tackle.
Head coach Mike Smith called it an easy decision.
The Falcons held their first practice Monday following the season-ending injury to Sam Baker. Matthews, the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft, moved immediately into the assignment as the first-team left tackle. Lamar Holmes replaced Matthews as the first team right tackle, although it is far from a conclusion that he has locked up the job.
“(He) has left tackle written all over him,” Smith said. “… Jake is comfortable playing both right and left (tackle). He played right and left tackle in his college career. I don’t think he’ll blink. We’re not.”
During his college career at Texas A&M, Matthews played mostly right tackle. He started all 26 games at the position in 2011 and 2012. Last season, he replaced Luke Joeckel at left tackle after he was a first-round pick of the Jaguars and started all 13 games.
“The footwork and hands, everything just gets flipped,” Matthew said. “I’ve been doing the right tackle thing for a while now and you kind of get accustomed to that. Now, you have to flip it all around. … If I keep getting reps I’ll be ready to go.
“You go for a long time in bracing a guy with one leg back and then you have to flip it around. It’s almost like going from writing with your right hand to your left hand.”
Matthews will now line up alongside left guard Justin Blalock and the two said it will take some time to get their communication, a lot of it non-verbal, in sync. Blalock joked Monday’s practice was like a first date for the pair.
Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice said he expects Matthews to be up to full speed at the position in just a week. He credited Matthews’ athleticism and footwork in aiding in the switch.
“I think the biggest transition will be the mental part of changing plays on the line of scrimmage and having to flop that in his brain,” Tice said. “I think that will take a week or so where it’s smooth for him. … I think it will be a seamless transition.”
Tice said that while Holmes is working with the first team at right tackle there is a long way to go in determining who will man the position when the regular season starts Sept. 7 vs. the Saints. He said Ryan Schraeder, in his second year out of Valdosta State, and Gabe Carimi, in his fourth year out of Wisconsin, will battle for the spot. Carimi is currently out with an ankle injury. Holmes started at left tackle for much of last season.
The second-team line Monday featured left tackle Terren Jones, left guard Mike Johnson, center Peter Konz, right guard Harland Gunn and right tackle Schraeder.
“Lamar has played better in the games than he has practiced at times - which I guess is encouraging and discouraging,” Tice said. “We are hoping that he can take the next step to becoming more consistent.
“No, not be any means (does the right tackle job belong to Holmes). I don’t think we are even close.”
Jon Asamoah is now working alongside Holmes. The injury to Baker, who suffered a torn right a patellar tendon in Saturday’s exhibition against the Texans, is part of the NFL according to the veteran right guard said.
“Every guy prepares like they are going to play,” Asamoah said. “When something happens, and you know during the course of the season something is going to happen, all the guys have to be ready.”
Little fanfare accompanied Matthews’ move. He said he was simply informed during the morning position meeting that he would change assignments.
Matthews said he is aware of a perceived added pressure in moving to the left tackle position where he will defend quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside to the opposition’s top pass rusher. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Matthews said he felt comfortable working as the left tackle but admitted there is still work to be done.
“Honestly, it’s not that big of a difference,” Matthews said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. If I was on the right or left side I’d have just as much pressure on myself. That is the way I am. I’m my biggest critic. I just want to do the best I can.”
The new-look offensive line will get its first test Saturday when the Falcons host the Titans in the third exhibition game. The starting unit will see considerable game action during the contest.
The Falcons projected that Matthews would one day assumed the starting left tackle position. That time begins now.
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