A lot of questions remain with the Atlanta Falcons offensive line after letting quarterback Matt Ryan get sacked three times. (USA TODAY Sports: Derick E. Hingle)
The Atlanta Falcons offensive line problems didn’t just go away once the regular season started.
They were dominated by the New Orleans Saints, just like they were by the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans in the preseason as they attempt to revamp the unit.
The Falcons signed Jeremy Trueblood, a former starter with Tampa Bay on Tuesday, Sept. 3. He started 84 of the 101 NFL games that he’s played, but was inactive the Saints game.
Falcons coach Mike Smith didn’t sound like there were any plans to rush the veteran into the lineup at one point.
But then he added, “Competition is what drives this team and I think it’s what drives this team.”
The Falcons are attempting to replace center Todd McClure and right tackle Tyson Clabo with 2011 draft picks Peter Konz and Lamar Holmes.
Konz, who has struggled at times, accepted the criticism of the units overall play.
“I love to be someone that is under the radar,” Konz said. “That just gives us an opportunity to show everybody in the country that we can be the best (offensive) line.”
Like Smith, Konz believes the line, under the direction of offensive line coaches Pat Hill and Paul Dunn, can provide better pass protection.
“A lot of it is technical,” Konz said.
The Falcons appear set to let the line develop together as unit. If they are panicking, they are doing a good job of hiding it.
“You see little things that come with time (and) a little maturity,” said Konz, a second-year player. “Technique is something that we are always trying to improve on. Shoring up the pass game and making sure that Matt has time and feels comfortable.”
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