Falcons Release 7 Players

[BamaFalcon59]

I really, really, would hate this move. He is 285 pounds. 285. I want road graders. I would be fine with five Justin Blalocks on the offensive line.

[Shiver]

That's a bit of an understatement: he is no smaller than a lot of Left Tackles are. Matt Light is "listed" about eight pounds lighter than Ojinnaka is listed at NFL.com. You can have road graders, but if you have one smaller, athletic guy it would be at LT where you have to fend off the 250-lbs. pass rush specialists. Besides, the Patriots' and Colts' O-Line have never been predicated on size and bulk and they've been the best two in the league this decade.

[BamaFalcon59]

Funny, I've heard you say multiple times Matt Light is a probowler in name only.

Lets look at some other zone blocking teams, because that is the kind of player Ojinnaka is.

Broncos- pass protection problems
Raiders- pass protection problems
Houston- pass protection problems
Carolina- pass protection problems
old Falcons- pass protection problems

There are some teams that use it successfully with pass protection- the Packers and Browns to name a few- but for the most part those types of players struggle in pass protection. And keep in mind the Browns and Packers have very good offensive tackles, be it through the draft or big bucks free agents.

[Shiver]

[quote=BamaFalcon59;899180]Funny, I've heard you say multiple times Matt Light is a probowler in name only.[quote]

That hardly means I wouldn't want him on the Falcons. He gets undue credit for the team he plays for, no doubt, but he is much better than anything we've had.

Lets look at some other zone blocking teams, because that is the kind of player Ojinnaka is.

He fits in, but a lot of teams have 290-300 lbs. LTs in so-called "power" schemes as well.

Broncos- pass protection problems

Not when Lepsis and Nalen where in their prime, and healthy.

Raiders- pass protection problems

They switched to a ZBS this past year and their protection vastly improved.

Houston- pass protection problems

They were one of the best teams in sack rate.. You are thinking of the Texans under Capers, with Carr at QB.

Carolina- pass protection problems

Their O-Line, other than Gross, is not very talented.

old Falcons- pass protection problems

Any scheme with terrible players isn't going to work. Atlanta has not made the investment in the O-Line, regardless of scheme.

There are some teams that use it successfully with pass protection- the Packers and Browns to name a few- but for the most part those types of players struggle in pass protection. And keep in mind the Browns and Packers have very good offensive tackles, be it through the draft or big bucks free agents.

And I expect Atlanta to add good Lineman in FA and the Draft.

[GB12]

Originally Posted by BamaFalcon59

Funny, I've heard you say multiple times Matt Light is a probowler in name only.

Lets look at some other zone blocking teams, because that is the kind of player Ojinnaka is.

Broncos- pass protection problems
Raiders- pass protection problems
Houston- pass protection problems
Carolina- pass protection problems
old Falcons- pass protection problems

There are some teams that use it successfully with pass protection- the Packers and Browns to name a few- but for the most part those types of players struggle in pass protection. And keep in mind the Browns and Packers have very good offensive tackles, be it through the draft or big bucks free agents.

Just thought I'd throw this out there for you; Chad Clifton is the biggest player on our line at 320lbs.

[BamaFalcon59]

Originally Posted by GB12

Just thought I'd throw this out there for you; Chad Clifton is the biggest player on our line at 320lbs.

In 2006 our biggest was Wayne Gandy at less than 310 pounds. Last year, making the change in scheme, it was newly drafted Justin Blalock at 330. Changing to a zone blocking scheme would waste a great pick.

[tjpackers]

cause they were backin up micheal vick

[Shiver]

Originally Posted by BamaFalcon59

In 2006 our biggest was Wayne Gandy at less than 310 pounds. Last year, making the change in scheme, it was newly drafted Justin Blalock at 330. Changing to a zone blocking scheme would waste a great pick.

Why? Quite a few teams run a zone rushing attack and have large lineman. You are using the term "zone blocking" in the Alex Gibbs 'no one over 300-lbs.' sense. Basically you are making a sweeping generalization in using that term.

As for Quinn Ojinnaka he was listed by NFL.com as being 6'5" 312-lbs. While that may be generous, he isn't out of the ballpark of what most NFL Left Tackles weigh. It is unusual to find a good LT who is both big and has the athleticism to be a good pass protector.

[BamaFalcon59]

Originally Posted by Shiver

Why? Quite a few teams run a zone rushing attack and have large lineman. You are using the term "zone blocking" in the Alex Gibbs 'no one over 300-lbs.' sense. Basically you are making a sweeping generalization in using that term.

As for Quinn Ojinnaka he was listed by NFL.com as being 6'5" 312-lbs. While that may be generous, he isn't out of the ballpark of what most NFL Left Tackles weigh. It is unusual to find a good LT who is both big and has the athleticism to be a good pass protector.

I was surprised when I saw his weight, I'll say that.

But still, I'm not too confident in him. I'll have faith in our front office, though. They haven't given me a reason to doubt them yet. Even if I don't love the Mike Smith hiring, I can't really say is is horrible for another few seasons.