FLOWERY BRANCH -- Harvey Dahl shouldn't shoulder all of the blame, but he took something from the Falcons.
When the right guard signed with the Rams as a free agent this summer, the Falcons were left without continuity, the staple of the offensive line. After three consecutive seasons with the same starting five, the Falcons lately have juggled parts of the unit because of performance and injury. Three different linemen have played right guard. Two different players have manned both center and left tackle.
“Compared to the last three years, it’s not been a smooth operation,” offensive line coach Paul Boudreau said.
Garrett Reynolds was the starter after Dahl left. He was replaced by Joe Hawley, who started the first two games of the season at center for the injured Todd McClure. Sam Baker played right guard for the first time in his career for a series on Sunday. Baker started the first six games of the season at left tackle, his position since he was drafted in the first round in 2008. After undergoing back surgery, Baker was replaced by Will Svitek, who has kept the position.
Confused? It’s difficult for the players and coaches, as well.
“You had the same five guys for three years,” Boudreau said. “They don’t even have to talk to each other and they know what that guy is going to do. If Tyson [Clabo] was working with Harvey, there was a non-verbal communication that would be out there and really worked so well for so many years.”
Protection has been an issue in the passing game. Quarterback Matt Ryan has been hit 69 times this season, tied for sixth in the NFL. The Falcons have allowed 25 sacks through 13 games. However, they permitted only 23 sacks all last season, with only two teams allowing fewer.
“You look at the season so far and we’ve liked to have protected a little better,” McClure said. “Matt has been hit too many times and we’ve given up too many sacks. We’ve had some changes and that kind of affects the continuity. Nobody is giving up. We are trying our hardest out there to keep him clean.”
Protection and offensive-scheme changes have helped. Ryan takes fewer steps on his drops and gets rid of the ball quicker. The Falcons allowed 13 sacks in their first three games, just 12 in the past 10 outings.
The run game also has been affected by the evolving offensive line. Although Michael Turners is third in the NFL in rushing, the Falcons are currently 18th with 111.6 yards per game. It’s the lowest average in four seasons after finishing second in 2008 (152.7), 15th in 2009 (117.2) and 12th last year (118.2).
Boudreau called a running game the “best friend” of an offensive line.
“I’m just going out and playing football, to tell you the truth, no matter who are the starting five,” Turner said. “I just have to go out there and play. Hopefully they block well and do their job, and I can do mine.”
Coach Mike Smith and Boudreau said Svitek will continue to start at left tackle. That means that Baker will need to learn and play the guard position as part of a cross-training project. The Falcons would have liked a longer offseason, cut short because of the NFL lockout, to work Baker at guard. They would like to use his athletic ability in open space and on screen passes.
With seven lineman active on game day, others have to be ready to step into different positions. Left guard Justin Blalock is the third center behind McClure and Hawley. Reynolds, who Boudreau said played well during his stint at right guard but struggled in some areas, will learn to play tackle.
“You’ve got to look at the best combinations, maybe not for now but maybe for down the line,” Boudreau said.
Notes: Ryan was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He threw for 320 yards and tied a career high with four touchdown passes Sunday against the Panthers. … Thursday's game against the Jaguars will be aired locally by WATL.
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