Countdown to Training Camp: DAY 6 — Offensive Line
Tyson Clabo (right), Harvey Dahl and Todd McClure are back to anchor the offensive line. (Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com)
Birdland – We are just five days away from the opening of the training camp.
Each morning in the “COUNTDOWN TO TRAINING CAMP 2010“ we’ll take a quick look at a position group. The players report for camp on Thursday. They will hit the field for the first practice at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Flowery Branch facilities.
We’ve already looked at the defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
The offensive line is up today.
THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: Can Harvey Dahl bounce back from his ankle injury and continue to improve?
Center Todd McClure is back for his 12th season and will continue to anchor this unit.
McClure has started 128 consecutive games, which is tied for a team record.
Guard Harvey Dahl and tackle Tyson Clabo are expected to anchor the right side again. Dahl missed five games last season. About a week after the season, he went to Charlotte to see a specialist and had surgery to repair his right ankle.
Guard Justin Blalock and tackle Sam Baker are back to man the left side of the line.
The unit continued to protect the quarterback well, giving up only 27 sacks last season.
Over the last two drafts, the Falcons have attempted to add to the depth by selecting Garrett Reynolds, Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley.
FIVE GOALS FOR THE OFENSIVE LINE IN 2010
Tyson Clabo has started in 53 straight games.
Tyson Clabo has started in 53 straight games.
1. Do a better job against 3-4 fronts, especially when run blocking.
2. Get a better push in short yardage situations.
3. Maintain a high level of pass blocking.
4. Maintain the ability to maul in the run game and increase pancake count.
5. Do a better job blocking in space on screens and sweeps.
Here’s a look at the offensive line:
Sam Baker: Made 14 starts last season despite playing with a bad elbow.
Will Svitek: Started two games and played well at left tackle.
Justin Blalock: Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season.
Mike Johnson: A third round pick with Alabama, who appears to have a huge upside.
Todd McClure: The glue of the unit.
Brett Romberg: A veteran, who could be pushed by some of the young talent.
Joe Hawley: A fourth round draft pick, who can provide depth at guard and center.
Harvey Dahl: Started 11 games last season and has a reputation for blocking until he hears the whistle.
Quinn Ojinnaka: Has provided depth, but will be suspended for one game if he makes the final 53-man roster.
Jose Valdez: Was on the practice squad last season.
Tyson Clabo: Has started 53 straight games.
Garrett Reynolds: Got some valuable playing time late last season.
Blake Schlueter: A former 7th round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2009, played at Texas Christian.
Rob Bruggeman: The former Iowa linemen spent last season on the practice squad.
Date, Practice Times (public availability)
Friday, July 30 — Practice 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (open to the public).
Saturday, July 31 — Practice 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public).
Sunday, August 1 — Practice 9:35 – 10:30 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:55 p.m. (open to the public).
Monday, August 2 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Tuesday, August 3 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Wednesday, August 4 — Practice 1:30 – 3:40 p.m. (open to the public).
Thursday, August 5 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Friday, August 6 — Practice 10:15 – 11:55 a.m. (open to the public)
Falcons Allstate All-Access “Friday Night Lights”
Team Scrimmage at North Gwinnett High School – 7:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 7 — Mock Game at Flowery Branch – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 8 — No Practice.
Monday, August 9 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH JACKSONVILLE.
Tuesday, August 10 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH JACKSONVILLE.
Wednesday, August 11 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Thursday, August 12 — Practice 8:50 – 10:55 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. (closed to the public).
Friday, August 13 — Preseason Week 1 vs. Kansas City 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 14 –No Practice.
Sunday, August 15 — Practice 9:30 – 11:35 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (open to the public).
Monday, August 16 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Tuesday, August 17 — Practice 8:30 – 10:55 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:35 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH NEW ENGLAND.
Wednesday, August 18 — Practice 10:15 – 11:35 a.m. (closed to public).
Thursday, August 19 — Preseason Week 2 vs. New England 8 p.m.
Friday, August 20 — No Practice.
Saturday, August 21 — 9:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (closed to the public); 3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Sunday, August 22 — 9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public)
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94 comments Add your comment
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
5:19 pm
truth – i have stated real facts and truths. BAM 1 DOWN– pi$$onadawg- love your name but what the heck were you tryin’ to say?BAM 2 down. padd odor-what does voting record have to do with football?BAM 3 down…B4- they should change their names to warner favre and manning-BAM 1 up
SeenThisB4
July 24th, 2010
5:20 pm
Paddy O: I didn’t vote for the current head of state.
Let me ask you something about idealistic standards. What is acceptable to you: 27 commercial airline crashes a year from the 32 largest airports in the US or none? That’s 147 million pounds of metal with 6 million parts, flying 5 miles up that transport millions every year. You think that 27 crashes is acceptable? How about 12 crashes a year? or 10? Seems to me, and maybe I am wrong, most people expect it, demand it, to be ZERO, NATIONWIDE!
YOU DON’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT AN IDEALISTIC STANDARD IS.
Don’t hand me that mumbo jumbo about idealistic standards getting you fired. That’s the type of mentality that leads to mediocrity, which is what I have been saying all along.
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
5:49 pm
yeah —what B4 said- now there.. take that
rekingball
July 24th, 2010
6:25 pm
Morons of N.O. La. LLC.
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
6:48 pm
is that your new co. ?
Delbert D.
July 24th, 2010
8:21 pm
Sam Baker would be more intimidating if he had a short beard.
Rod
July 24th, 2010
9:42 pm
DJ Shockley showed off at the nighthawks practice– http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/99175829.html
thunderbull56
July 24th, 2010
10:01 pm
I’m guessing McClure’s tied with the great Jeff Van Note in consecutive gsmes.
Ken Strickland
July 24th, 2010
10:20 pm
SEENTHISB4-NO, we won’t stop your OFF, because we don’t have to. All we have to do is contain it, and we will have the major advantage. Why, because your DEF is soooo weak, especially against the run, which is our major strength. Your major OFF strength is your passing OFF, and we’re now much better equipped to deal with that now.
Our OFF and DEF have improved, but yours hasn’t. When we meet in the 3rd gm of the season, you’ll see our OFF improvement. The vast improvement in our OFF will be due to having our starting QB, RB, LT, RG, DT and both CB’s on the field, instead of 2nd and 3rd string backups. It took everything you had last yr just to deal with them.
Look, you’ve demonstrated you’re far more intelligent and respectful than some of the less civilized and mentally challenged Falcon and AINT fans. Therefore, I hope you continue frequenting our blogs after we put that Hurricane Katrina type butt whipping on your AINTS.
Ken Strickland
July 24th, 2010
10:30 pm
ORLANDO LEDBETTER-I’ve tried unsuccessfully for over a month to post a none football related question to the Saint fans who’ve been posting on our blogs. In each instance, you’ve refused to allow it to post, WHY? There’s nothing derogatory, profane, disrespectful or embarrassing about the question, nor does it contain any of those elements. It’s just a question about some ancient history that pertains to Louisiana. I just want to know if any of them are familiar with it.
If you can allow all of the nasty, vulgar, derogatory and racially motivated comments in relation to MVick, why not a simple historical question?
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
11:16 pm
ancient history? whats the relevance ? so you can say nah nah nah, i know something about louisiana that you don’t . obviously you know so be happy in that.
FalconsFan284
July 24th, 2010
11:19 pm
Seen—-The “rambling” as you and your fellow bonehead, I mean Saints fan, hiram, was done with the purpose of showing you what you sound like to others. So, if I make you feel like an idiot for extrapolating on your own moronic statements then perhaps you should think about what you are typing! You did say that zero sacks are what teams should strive for and that anything less in not acceptable. They should also strive for zero turnovers, zero penalties, 100% of ofensive plays going for touchdown and 100% fo defensive plays going for turnovers. The reality is that it just doesn’t happen that way! Giving up 27 sacks is very good. Giving up 20 is even better! The Saints have a good O-line and so do the Falcons. Too bad, that as a Saints fan, you embarrass your brethren with your unrealistic expectations.
FalconsFan284
July 24th, 2010
11:32 pm
Seen—-Just so that we are clear and you know this comes directly from me first, the reason why Atlanta only has two players left from the last decade of football is because the players we did have were not very good or did not fit into our defensive or offensive game plan as we’ve changed coaches and/or schemes. The reason the Saints travel within a flying nursing home is the exact same reason; they didn’t have very good players over the past decade! The difference is that Atlanta decided to build a team with youth that can learn and play together, just like the Pats did and the Colts continue to do. The Saints decided to go the mercenary route and buy players to win for the short term and hope they find enough pieces along the way to keep the window open for one more year. Honestly, I’m not sure they have one more year in them. They should make the playoffs but they won’t make much noise when they get there. Just like the Cards!
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
11:39 pm
from the sound of that every team should strive to take the falcons philosophy to super stardom but the reality is the plan has not worked. the saints plan on the other hand has worked as was seen by all last feb! every year it’s the same old guff and results . thats the reality
CaliDirtyBird
July 24th, 2010
11:48 pm
Ya know! I’m sick of listening to the d@#% Saints fans on this blog so I think we ought to just post on their site if we can get them off ours….
http://www.nola.com/saints/
Well now we know….
CaliDirtyBird
July 24th, 2010
11:49 pm
That was supposed to be “can’t”
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
11:49 pm
speaking of one more year- how will that relate to smitty and ryan if you fail to be the explosive juggernaut of nfl dreams that you and all your falcants fans are claiming that this year will provide? will the answer be the same as always? “next year we’re gonna be good because we ‘ll have good draft and we have young{inexperienced]
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
11:50 pm
players
hiramsaint
July 24th, 2010
11:52 pm
well it’s about time . i’ve invited you cons there for over a year so c’mon
truth
July 24th, 2010
11:55 pm
Who fared? Oh my bad, it’s hiram running off at the mouth again.
truth
July 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
Falcons 16-0
truth
July 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
aints 0-16
truth
July 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
CaliDirtyBird
July 24th, 2010
11:58 pm
HiramSaint, SeenThisB4 and the likes, on your own beloved Saints page of the Times-Piscayne referenced above we see the following in one of the articles,
“One of the New Orleans Saints few major weaknesses in 2009 was their inability to stop opposing rushing attacks. The Saints were an underwhelming 21st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed at 122.2 per contest over the course of the regular season. (Vote for who you think will make the Saints 53-man roster).
This is partially attributable to Gregg Williams’ penchant for employing three-man fronts in blitz situations, but even in base 4-3 sets the Saints’ personnel isn’t geared towards stopping a power rushing attack.”
So it appears there are at least a few Saints fans who aren’t delusional…
Go Falcons!
CaliDirtyBird
July 25th, 2010
12:03 am
Also, “Geaux Saints!” from Saints fans is pretty lame. In my experience 99% of people in NO don’t know any French! Some don’t even know proper English. Si on va agir comment on sait Francais, il faut bien apprendre!
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
12:04 am
who’s claimed anything else than that? it’s been hammered into the ground that our run defense stunk .where have you been – freeze dried or doin’ hard time . with all that said , who’s won 7 of the last 8?. you’ll probably have to go look that up too.
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
12:08 am
that comin’ from people who say “dawg”. what a joke and how pathetic that your high school french is incorrect. the french spoken in louisiana is cajun french which if far different from formal french that you don’t seem to know either
FalconsFan284
July 25th, 2010
12:32 am
Hiram—I see you still haven’t learned to say anything but, “Look at the one year the Saints were good.” The Saints had lightning in a bottle last season. Before that they were an 8-8 ball club with no defense. They still have no defense and you still have no reason to believe they won’t revert back to that 8-8 club they are accustomed to being!
The Falcons, on the other hand, have made improvements across the board. With the possible exception being special teams. I’m not sold on any of the kickers we currently have. Personally, I would love to see them pick up the loser of Houston’s training camp battle; Brown or Rackers doesn’t seem like there is any loser in that group.
Before you start with your three facts, the Saints have won 7 of 8, the Saints won the Super Bowl and the Saints have Drew Brees, we’ve all heard you squaking them like a little mocking bird for the past several months, you must answer how will they be able to defend their title and keep their streak going if the Falcons have gotten better and the Saints have not?
DawgDad
July 25th, 2010
12:34 am
This is year three for the o-line playing together as a unit. Baker now has the benefit of experience. They are already one of the top offensive lines in the league, and there is quality depth. This unit is the foundation of the team’s offensive success and consistency; I’d say they are well-positioned for some big accomplishments.
GTax
July 25th, 2010
12:51 am
Oh dear. Saints fans have raided the blog. They win one time and all of a sudden the years of fans with bags over their heads disappear and they are kings of football tradition. Well, back to the cellar and the bags this year ‘aints.
Anyways, back to FALCONS football, I remember being extremely frustrated by the Oline play last year, no? Does anyone not remember that?
rekingball
July 25th, 2010
12:54 am
Don’t forget, in 2010, the saints will not have the extra 7 men on the playing field during the game, that they had last year.
rekingball
July 25th, 2010
12:59 am
In 2009, the Oline played much of the season, extremely banged-up, with many players missing many games.
Those injuries were partly due to the NFL schedule, that the Falcons were dealt.
Jedi Falcon
July 25th, 2010
1:14 am
Sam Baker is over-rated
CaliDirtyBird
July 25th, 2010
1:30 am
HiramSaint, yes I’m well aware that the French spoken in Louisianna is Cajun French. They don’t speak proper English so why would anyone expect them to speak proper French. BTW, you say my French wasn’t correct but you could say what was wrong? If you’re upset about missing accents, I’m posting from my iPhone and you just type accents on an iPhone. I, actually, have a BA in French and passed the Alliance Francaise administered by the Sorbonne. And although I’d root for the “Dawgs” before rooting for the Aints, I’m actually more of a Tech fan.
But in truth, I remember the year after the Bucs won their SB they were all over our blog… And well… We haven’t heard much from them since. The reason you are here is you see the Falcons as the Biggest threat to your dear Saints. So thank you for the validation! Not that we needed it.
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
4:36 am
ooooh- the grapes are really sour this time of year. i’m flattered at all the responses. how can a fan of a lowwly 8-8 team rate that much attention? 284- prove to me the improvements . answer to me how the falcon are better. dawg dad- how can they already be 1 of the top o lines in the leagueafter last year? by all the games played since last year?????g- tax- talk to dawg dad ,opinions seem to differ rekingball- still with the excuses just like EVERY other of the past 44 yrs.caliturdybird- from your i phone? get real . tech fanaye? how ’bout that bowl beatdown A LA TIGRE 2 yrs. ago- later girls
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
4:38 am
and nice rsume’–is that french? REUME’–WITH AN ACCENT
rekingball
July 25th, 2010
7:53 am
hemroidsaint…….There is probably no one in this whole wide world, that has to answer to you. Why don’t you just shrink up into that hole that you are hanging out of(probably Drew Brees’s hole) and come back after the saints and falcons first game, and then we will see what you have to run your hole about.
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
9:28 am
you meam like our 17 pt. victory?
rekingball
July 25th, 2010
10:41 am
4pm, 26 Sep 2010.
FalconsFan284
July 25th, 2010
12:30 pm
Hiram—-Here comes an exercise in futility, for me. I’ve been telling you for months how the Falcons have gotten better. Robinson = improvement! Williams returning = improvement! Jerry returning = improvement! Weatherspoon = improvement! Moore returning = improvement! Baker, Dahl and Clabo returning = improvement! And finally, Turner returning = improvement! By returning I meant from season ending injury. I know I have to spell it all out in the simplest of terms for you.
hiramsaint
July 25th, 2010
1:16 pm
it’ all your opinion 284 and unfortunately that does not make it so. returning injured players and rookies plus last years non-producers and you call that improvement. based on what? because they said so? or because you think so?
Ken Strickland
July 25th, 2010
3:20 pm
GTAX-As it turned out, RB MTurner admitted that being over weight and out of shape contributed to what was perceived as our OL’s early issues. He admitted to being slow getting to and through the line, and that being over weight and out of shape also contributed to his injuries.
In response to last yrs embarrassment, MTurner came to mini camp smaller and in the best shape of his career. Our OL will definitely improve, with OG JBlalock, LG HDahl & RT TClabo all becoming UFA’s after the season. They’ll be playing to prove to the Falcons, or some other team, they deserve a large contract next yr.
FalconsFan284
July 25th, 2010
3:44 pm
hiram—Somehow I knew it was an exercise in futility. Kind of like any conversation with you!
hiramsaint
July 26th, 2010
6:00 pm
or ken maybe they’ll play crappy trying to get out of atl. and into a winning org.