Falcons left guard Andy Levitre, who’s started 96 NFL games, is convinced that he will be ready for the Falcons season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
Levitre was acquired in a trade with Tennessee on Friday, with the Falcons sending an sixth-rounder and a conditional pick to the Titans.
He’s been taking a crash course in the nuances of the Falcons offense.
“It’s been good having these two days off so that I can get in here and really get to know the playbook a lot,” Levitre said before taking the practice field on Thursday. “These next few days leading into the game will be just getting the reps on it. Getting my eyes in the right places, on targets and things like that.”
Levitre, 6-foot-2 and 303 pounds, was pleased with the timing of the trade.
“It kind of worked out pretty good as far as the timing of it,” he said.
The Falcons are running the outside-zone-blocking system. It’s different from the system the Titans’ power blocking scheme.
“There are some differences here,” Levitre said. “Any new offense that you’re in, there is going to be new terminology and maybe some different techniques and things like that. For the most part, there is a lot of carryover.”
After four seasons in Buffalo, Levitre signed a $48.6 million contract as a free agent with Tennessee. He was beaten out in the exhibition season by Byron Bell and was considered expendable.
The Falcons, who released former starter Justin Blalock, over the offseason were looking for help. Levitre didn’t want to rip the Titans for trading him.
“I really don’t have time think about that,” Levitre said. “I’ll have time to think about that when I’m done playing football. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to be a part of this team and winning game.”
When the Falcons offensive line takes the field on Monday, it will the unit’s first time in a game together.
“It’s all about getting to know these guys in the week leading up to the game,” Levitre said. “I’m working next to them, making sure we are on the same page so that we play our best on Monday night.”
Levitre set career highs with nine penalties and 9 1/2 sacks allowed in 2014, according to STATS LLC.
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