FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons coach Mike Smith believes in playing power football, and the team added to its power-base during the NFL draft that concluded Saturday.
After repeatedly getting stopped in key short-yardage situations, the Falcons spent their first three picks on power players: guard/center Peter Konz, offensive tackle Lamar Holmes and fullback Bradie Ewing, who’s noted for his touchdown-clearing blocks in Big Ten country.
On the third and final day of the draft, in addition to Ewing, the Falcons added defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, safety Charles Mitchell and defensive tackle Travian Robertson.
The Falcons did not have a pick in the first round, having traded that pick to Cleveland last year as part of the Julio Jones trade.
“We waited a whole round to jump into our offensive-linemen sweepstakes, and it was something that we were focused on through the offseason,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “Both [Smith] and I spent a lot of time focusing on the offensive line and how we could acquire some more size, strength and stoutness to help bolster our roster.”
Konz will jump into the competition at right guard and be groomed to play center. The Falcons had problems at right guard last season and want to firm up the interior of their passing pocket. Long-time center Todd McClure recently re-signed for one more season.
Holmes will be expected to compete for a starting tackle spot.
“We talked about coming in here and getting some wide loads,” Dimitroff said. “Quite honestly, Lamar is a double-wide load. He’s a big man who has a presence, as far as his stature.”
Smith would not say if Holmes is expected to take over at left tackle for Sam Baker or if the team has considered moving Tyson Clabo to the left side.
“We’re going to have an open competition,” Smith said. “I think competition brings out the best in everyone. These two [linemen] that we added, we’re going to put them right in the mix. We are going to have a very competitive offseason, and it will start with the rookie minicamp in two weeks.”
Konz had some medical issues in college with blood clots in his lungs and with his ankles.
“Everything checked out fine,” Dimitroff said. “The reported clots, the blood clots were an anomaly. It was off an impact situation. As far as his ankles, he’s cleared up very well. He is a durable type of guy. He’s a tough guy who can play through any [injuries.]”
Holmes was not projected by many of the draft analysts to be selected in the third round, but the Falcons were comfortable with where they selected him.
“I can’t comment on why he was projected late,” Dimitroff said. “He had a really nice East-West game. Having been a junior-college transfer, I don’t know if people ... again, I can't comment on other teams. But what I do know is that sometimes when you have a JC-transfer type of player, the prognosticators are behind from a recognition standpoint.”
The Falcons’ offensive line gave up 26 sacks and allowed 84 quarterback hits last season. Also, the team went from first in the NFL on fourth-down conversions (73 percent in 2010) to 26th (31 percent) last season. The Falcons were embarrassingly stopped three times in short-yardage situations in the playoffs against the New York Giants.
Smith doesn’t plan to stop going for it on fourth downs and wants to be able to run the ball even with the opposition knows the run is coming.
The selection of Ewing could mean the end of fullback Ovie Mughelli’s career in Atlanta. Mughelli, who went to the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season, is battling back from a knee injury. He’s in the last year of a contract with a $3.7 million cap number for 2012. NFL teams seldom carry two traditional fullbacks.
Ewing cleared the way with 30 touchdown-resulting blocks last season for the Badgers. He was a former walk-on at Wisconsin and was elated to get drafted.
“It’s been a great journey,” Ewing said.
Massaquoi is from Lawrenceville and played at Central Gwinnett High School. He is a cousin of former Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and NFL tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings.
“Troy is a building program,” Massaquoi said. “We had five straight conference championships. We went for our sixth one this year, but fell short. With Troy producing defensive ends like Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware, hopefully I can be put into that conversation and follow their tradition.”
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