Shortly after the Falcons ended their offseason program Thursday, veteran right guard Garrett Reynolds took a quick nap, and then drove to his hometown.
Before getting ready for another grueling training camp battle in July, Reynolds sought the cocoon of his family and friends.
“I’m just going to try to clear my head and get ready for it,” said a relaxed Reynolds on Friday at the Three Ridges Golf Course, where he was taking part in a fundraiser for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of East Tennessee. “(I plan to) hang out with my family and friends back here in Knoxville. That’s really about it.”
For the third consecutive year, Reynolds will find himself in a heated competition to win a starting position at right guard. He’s the incumbent after winning training camp battles in 2011 and 2012. He was replaced in 2011 by Joe Hawley after seven starts and last season, he was lost to back surgery after making six starts.
In addition to the battles along the offensive line, the Falcons have defensive battles at end, tackle and nickel linebacker, while they also are determined to get rookie first and second round cornerback picks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford ready to play immediately.
After winning the NFC South title and reaching the NFC championship game, the Falcons know they must fill holes along both units in order to remain a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
“This is probably going to be the most competitive camp, position-wise that we’ve had since our first year here,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “There are certain positions that we obviously know who are going to hold them down, but there are a number that we are not really sure about.”
In addition to stabilizing the right guard position, the Falcons must replace dependable starters in center Todd McClure and right tackle Tyson Clabo.
McClure (194 regular-season starts) and Clabo (100) had almost 300 starts for the Falcons. Both have been mainstays under Smith.
Left tackle Sam Baker, left guard Justin Blalock, center Peter Konz, Reynolds and Mike Johnson at right tackle appear set to open training camp as the No. 1 offensive line. Johnson is also being considered for the right guard spot.
Reynolds is battling mainly Johnson, Phillipkeith Manley and Harland Gunn for that starting position.
“Competition breeds success,” Reynolds said. “So either way, it’s going to make all of us better players and us a better team.”
Reynolds is fully recovered from his back surgery that knocked him out of last season.
“I’m 100 percent,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t have any issues all the way through minicamp and OTAs. I’m really looking forward to training camp.”
Reynolds said he has already seen growth in the offensive line as a unit.
“I felt like the guys are starting to (come) together. … Just getting us together and getting the communication down with our double-teams and just getting a feel for each other, and how we play is key.”
If the makeover of the offensive line doesn’t work, the Falcons could fall back into the NFC pack against a rugged schedule. If the defense doesn’t cover the pass better nor improve its pass rush, they may struggle when playing five games against read-option teams, including Seattle and San Francisco.
Smith and offensive line coaches Paul Dunn and Pat Hill will have only 10 padded practices in training camp to evaluate the offensive line.
“It’s very difficult to make a true evaluation when you’re not in pads, especially at some of the positions that we are talking about,” Smith said.
Smith knows that Reynolds and the players competing for time on the right side of the line will be heavily scrutinized.
“It’s going to be interesting to see,” Smith said. “Lamar Holmes, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley and Garrett Reynolds, I think are really competing for those spots on the right side. We’ve got a center, a starting center, who has played guard for us (so he’s a cross-trained player.) Mike Johnson has played guard and tackle for us. We feel really strong about Lamar Holmes, a former third-round draft pick. It’s time for these guys to step up and we feel very confident that they well.”
The defensive line could feature ends Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann, and tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Corey Peters. Because defensive line coach Ray Hamilton uses an eight-man rotation, ends Jonathan Massaquoi, Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga could also earn snaps. Peria Jerry, Travian Robertson and Cliff Matthews could buttress the tackle spot.
Umenyiora is being counted on to replace John Abraham, last season’s sack leader.
Trufant appears headed for the right cornerback spot, while Alford must beat out Robert McClain at nickel back.
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