Falcons center James Stone, an undrafted rookie from Tennessee, is set to start his sixth game against the Green Bay Packers at 8:30 p.m. Monday at Lambeau Field.
Stone has been solid over his five starts as he has given up just four hits and eight quarterback hurries over 414 snaps of action. He has not given up a sack.
“Very honestly, we were scared to death after losing Joe (Hawley) and Pete (Konz) at center, but James has done a nice job,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said.
Stone made the team, but was inactive for the first four games.
“He’s a guy who’s really exceeded expectations for where he started the season,” Koetter said. “(He’s) extremely intelligent, tough and a competitor.”
Stone has an unassuming nature to him.
“He’s very solid,” Koetter said. “The center, by nature, is the leader of the offensive line because he does the most talking. James has really held his own and has done a really nice job.”
Stone has received some help from veteran guards Jon Asamoah and Justin Blalock.
“I feel like they support me because this is my first time around (the block) with a lot of things,” Stone said. “But they do listen to me when I’m making calls and trying to get the guys on the same page. That allows them to go out there and play fast.”
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