CAMP BATTLES: Reynolds vs. Johnson
Garrett Reynolds is lined up at right guard for this snap during the first day of training camp Friday July 29, 2011. Brant Sanderlin bsanderlin@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH — With the mean and nasty Harvey Dahl off to play for the St. Louis Rams, one of the early training battles will have Garrett Reynolds and Mike Johnson fighting for the starting right guard spot.
“It’s an open competition for that position,” head coach Mike Smith said. “It will be interesting to see how that one plays out.”
Smith made it clear that the Falcons still hope to re-sign starting left guard Justin Blalock, who also is an unrestricted free agent.
Reynolds, a 6-foot-7, 310-pounder, was drafted in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft.
Johnson (6-5, 312) was drafted in the third round (98th overall) of the 2010 NFL draft.
Both players were inactive for all games last season.
“I feel very confident in the guys that we have that were backups last year that are going to get than opportunity to step in and play, Mike and Garrett Reynolds,” Center Todd McClure said. “Those guys are very capable. They work hard.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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69 comments Add your comment
Open Minded
July 30th, 2011
9:31 pm
Who’s gonna be mean enough and good enough to replace Harvey Dahl? Neither of these guys were even active for a game last year ???
Democrats are retarded
July 30th, 2011
9:34 pm
Open Minded: Neither was active so they don’t accrue a season. No need for either guy last year.
MaxxFalcon
July 30th, 2011
9:36 pm
DOL- Any news on resigning Grimes?
Bubblehead-Bird
July 30th, 2011
9:47 pm
I think letting Dahl leave will come back to haunt us. He was one of the most aggressive players we had and he never quit until 5 seconds AFTER the whistle was blown. He will be missed.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 30th, 2011
9:57 pm
MaxxFalcon — I don’t know why everybody is all up in arms over Grimes. He’s a restricted free agent. He has a first round tender. He’s waiting to see if he gets an offer (the Falcons will match or let him go and take the first round draft pick.) My thinking: He’ll sign the tender on August 4th and they’ll work out a contract extension during the season. (It’s the same thing that Green Bay did with Trammon Williams last year.) Tell the message board folks to calm down.
E-Roll
July 30th, 2011
10:03 pm
D.O.L. – You aren’t blogging from the conclave in D.C. are you? Now that would be some multi-tasking right there.
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2011
10:10 pm
#1 Saints
#2 Eagles
#3 Packers
#4 Bears
#5 Bucs
#6 falcan’ts
Colorado Bird
July 30th, 2011
10:13 pm
Hate to see Dahl go. Hope Blalock will get re-signed along with Grimes. I think that Reynolds and Johnson will battle hard for the position left by Dahl. If Blalock re-signs then either one of these guys will be ok working with Blalock and Clabo.
I hope Atlanta will go after a db, rb and another defensive lineman. But for sure, if nothing else just get the productive free agents signed back to the team and just let the non-producers go and pick up someone from free agency.
Best of luck to Dahl and thanks for the memories!!!!
chuck
July 30th, 2011
10:18 pm
Where are the Falcons in regard to the cap? Do they have enough money to sign the rest of their free agents?
falcon83
July 30th, 2011
10:24 pm
@seenthisb4
Considering your a saints fan. I’m surprised you ranked us in the top 6 nfc teams!
ToccoaBird
July 30th, 2011
10:27 pm
As long as Edwards says welcome to the new NFC South when he sacks Brees its all good
Sheree Whitfield
July 30th, 2011
10:32 pm
If Grimes signs a big deal, tell him to give me a call. I is broke and wants to axe him out.
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2011
10:33 pm
falcon83: Even though I hate your team viscerly, your team is marginally competitive.
Mave
July 30th, 2011
10:36 pm
So all we really need to worry about is Blalock and Snelling…thanks for the update D-Led. I am hoping Reynolds wins…saw dude up close at camp last year…huge @ 6′7″
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2011
10:36 pm
Edwards?! LOL!!! He still hasn’t met Brees, not in the opener last year, not in the NFC Championship the year B4.
falcon83
July 30th, 2011
10:38 pm
@seenthisb4: I’m actually not completely opposed to your list. However, considering the free agent frenzy by the eagles, I would put them at number 1.
1. eagles
2. packers
3. falcons
4. saints
5. bears
6. toss up, bucs or giants
swatguy
July 30th, 2011
10:48 pm
D-Led, what’s going on with Leonard Davis? He would be an answer.
SeenThisB4
July 30th, 2011
11:00 pm
Yeah, the Eagles are seriously going to try to get the Lombardi this year. You two will have an interesting matchup early. Don’t you guys have a little familiarity with their QB?!
“Once more unto the breach, my friends.
I’m out.”
GHunt
July 30th, 2011
11:01 pm
New England, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and the NYJets have improved their teams so much this season as to negate our move up in the draft to acquire Julio. The aforementioned teams have put themselves in great position to challenge the Super Bowl Champs, the mighty Green Bay Packers.
I am afraid the Falcons have not done enough in free agency to keep up with with the competition.
Asante Samuels may be our last hope to make a meanful splash this season.
FalconFan
July 30th, 2011
11:16 pm
Even though I’m a Falcons fan, I admit that it’s going to be tough to pass against the Eagles in week 2. They have a ferocious blitzing defense and now they have two corners who I think are two of the best in the league in Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnadmi Asumougha. It’ll be tough but I think we can get through it.
Just saying
July 30th, 2011
11:18 pm
Just saying, the Falcons will be alright this year! Competive and fun the watch…has as good a chance to win Super Bowl as the next team! They’re still my team…Go Falcons!
ohhhhYEAH
July 30th, 2011
11:54 pm
@falcon83
severely disagree with your playoff list, mainly because youve not included anyone from the NCF West, and last i checked even they get a playoff team(the saints should remember
). That being said, i think it looks more like
1. Eagles, 2. Packers, 3. Falcons, 4. Rams, 5. Saints, 6. Bucs/Bears/Vikings
Nique
July 30th, 2011
11:54 pm
D-Led
The defense will be much improved, the only thin I;m hoping is that we go sign a vet cb to play the nickle, they don’t have to cost a ton, a reasonably priced guy, but i don’t trust Owens at the nickle. Maybe Franks is ready to step up & take his job, but either way i’d feel more comfortable with a vet who’s been there & done that since we’re trying to win now! So is there any interest in a Carlos Rodgers, Kelvin Hadyen, or Randell Gay type cb by management?
Mr. Falcon
July 30th, 2011
11:59 pm
They just haven’t done enough. If they get lucky they will make the playoffs this year. If they do not resign Snelling they will not have a chance, because (if you other Falcons fans have not noticed) Turner just ain’t what he was.
old qb
July 31st, 2011
12:05 am
I think reynolds will win the guard position. He comes from good stock. And guys that were on the practice squad and didn’t dress didn’t mean they didn’t work their butts off and watch and learn. Reynolds is extremelly strong.
DOL–is Colin Peek still on the squad and is he fit to report for training? He was ahead of Palmer last year and looked great in pre-season.
ohhhhYEAH
July 31st, 2011
12:19 am
@mr falcon,
would you be opposed to trading turner to someone, broncos maybe, for a corner? and then re-sign snelling? i agree we should sign him
DR. FALCON
July 31st, 2011
1:30 am
SEENTHISB4, I WILL GUARANTEE YOU THAT DREW BREES WILL GET ACQUAINTED WITH MR.EDWARDS THIS YEAR. MARK THAT DOWN!
DR. FALCON
July 31st, 2011
1:41 am
JUST GIVE THE STARTING RG POSITION TO MIKE JOHNSON, AND CALL IT A DAY! HE PLAYED FOR NICK SABAN AT BAMA, WHILE EARNING ALL-SEC, AND ALL-AMERICAN HONORS AS A SENIOR! AS FOR GARRETT REYNOLDS, WHAT DID HE DO AT UNC? I NEVER HEARD OF HIM IN COLLEGE! AT LEAST JOHNSON WON A NAT’L TITLE AT BAMA! IT’S CALLED KARMA! BY THE WAY, GOOD LUCK HARVEY DAHL! YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Chucktown38
July 31st, 2011
2:34 am
Its 3rd and 25 the falcons need this 1st down to keep close in this game. Ryan steps back and hit Roddy White for a first down. Hold on No flag on the play, oops is Dahl with a 15 yard personal foul. too many of those reguardless of who good he is. I dovish him well.
FlyHigh
July 31st, 2011
4:25 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e7JzE_MJZc&feature=related I think this guy will develop into a beast for us the competition might have been much but he still owned everyone he came into contact with. He seems meaner than Dahl
Paddy
July 31st, 2011
7:46 am
DR FACON…I think we are all glad that Coach Smith does not pick his players by what college they attended. Under your senario, Chuck Noll would never made it to the Hall of Fame because he played and was the HC at the University of Dayton. Guess the Steelers never had good karma under Noll. Wonder how they won all those Super Bowls and he never set foot on Bama’s campus? Must have been a fluke! lol
WE DAT RISE UP!!!
July 31st, 2011
7:58 am
The Atlanta Falcons will be one of the elite teams because we have chemistry already.
1. Green Bay
2. Eagles
3. Atlanta/Saints
4. Rams
5. Giants
6. Tampa Bay/Atlanta/Saints
This is this year playoff Brackett
WE DAT RISE UP!!!
July 31st, 2011
8:00 am
SEEN THIS B4 GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS NO REGGIE BUSH NO THREAT!!! HE WAS THE BIGGEST PLAYMAKER YA HAD!!!
Baltisraul
July 31st, 2011
8:07 am
@ Dr Falcon
Your post about picking your starters by where they played in college is off the grid. Paddy nailed it.
Falcon Fan
July 31st, 2011
8:49 am
FlyHigh do we have that guy? Damn he is a beast! I can’t even front that was some impressive footage, lol!
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
10:17 am
@We Dat Rise Up: I am in New Orleans.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
10:19 am
….AND We have a better threat than Reggie in the backfield now!
Sid
July 31st, 2011
10:27 am
D. Orlando – are you SeenThisB4?
Sid
July 31st, 2011
10:28 am
Don’t feed the trolls!
Sid
July 31st, 2011
10:28 am
Don’t feed the Peeshwanks………….!!!
Jason
July 31st, 2011
11:15 am
Hmmm… I would think that we’re more likely to see one NFC North and one NFC South team take the wild card this year. Here is my playoff picture. (Keep in mind I’m a Falcons fan).
1) Eagles
2) Packers
3) Saints/Falcons (its a toss up)
4) Rams
5) Saints/Falcons (could go either way)
6) Lions
The Lions are getting much better, and have a bit easier schedule than the Bears. The Bears have Eagles & Seahawks, while the Lions have the Cowboys & 49ers. Plus, it seems that the Bears seem to be having some chemistry issues. The Giants just did not seem to be consistent enough last year, and I don’t see how they’ve really improved this year. The one caveat to this is that the NFC East gets to line up against the NFC West and NFC East (which only really has 2 teams to worry about) this year, which is why I expect the Eagles to be the #1 seed in the NFC. The Giants seem to have a really favorable schedule, but I still don’t think that they’ll get it done.
Anderson
July 31st, 2011
11:34 am
I think the top four teams in the NFC (as of today,7/31/11) are……
1. GB Packers
2. Phi Eagles
3. Atl Falcons *
4. N.O. Saints *
* A toss-up as to who will win the NFC South….I’m a Falcons fan so I give them benefit of the doubt.
If we cannot resign running back Jason Snelling,I would love for the Falcons to sign former Miami rb Ronnie Brown. He is a physical and versatile player who can run,catch,and throw out of the backfield.
ToccoaBird
July 31st, 2011
12:29 pm
Don’t believe all the hype the northeast media is giving the eagles. We have heard it before. Saints and falcons have helped their teams which finished 1 and 2 in the south last year and don’t forget about that other team in Tampa.
ToccoaBird
July 31st, 2011
12:31 pm
This should be a fun season to watch. Remember everyone is on the same page with no Off Season camps.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
.
Nuzzy Futs
July 31st, 2011
12:43 pm
Is there any possibility of us signing Pollard away from the Texans?
Ken Strickland
July 31st, 2011
1:07 pm
I wonder why OG JValdez wasn’t included as being in the battle to replace departed RG HDahl. After all, he’s better suited to play OG than GReynolds, who’s better suited to play OT. So far, 3 of our FA’s have signed with other teams, and they are P MKeonen, WR MJenkins and OG HDahl. We’ll get some extra draft picks for them next yr.
Here’s something to think about that I brought up on another site. The Eagles currently have 3 very good CB’s, with one being one of the NFL’s top 2(Asomugha). It’s all but a given that ASamuels will be traded, so that will leave them with Rogers-Cromartie and Asomugha. But, can anyone actually compare the production of Rogers-Cromartie to ASamuels and say he’s an upgrade?
And while Asomugha will definitely improve their secondary coverage, he won’t do much for their run DEF, since he registered only 19 total tackles in 14gms. DRoger-Cromartie had only 44 total tackles, which pales in comparison to the 81 registered by BGrimes. What they gain in pass DEF, they lose in run DEF. And their Line Backing issues still haven’t been addressed.
While they improved their pass DEF, mainly with the acquisition of CB Asomugha, we improved our passing OFF with the acquisition of WR JJones.
Dell706
July 31st, 2011
2:14 pm
D. Led
What’s up with another corner? Maybe Asante since he fits the scheme so good and move Grimes or Duante to slot….can’t go wrong with 3 corners how the league is becoming pass happy!
jerseyfalcon
July 31st, 2011
2:17 pm
still need another WR, TE, a big DT, LB, corner..wow, i can go on and on here….maybe even another running back? All i’ve been hearing is a frenzy in FA but atlanta just signed ONE GUY out of how many??
WE DAT RISE UP!!!
July 31st, 2011
2:23 pm
SEEN THIS BE 4 I AM YOUR NEW BEST/HATE BUDDY FOR THE YEAR!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING SHIZNIT THIS YR SO I AM GOING TO BE ON YOUR A DOUBLE S LIKE RAY EDWARDS ON DREE BREES..LOL ALL DAY LONG!!!
Mean & Nasty
July 31st, 2011
4:22 pm
`
Garrett Reynolds is the nephew
of former NFL linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds,
who was also mean and nasty.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
4:33 pm
@WDRU: At best, and like Kenneth, you’ll be on my six alright.. Just like the falcan’ts will be,…. lagging behind the Saints. Ray Waywards! Puleeze!
J.J.M.
July 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/07/31/atlanta.falcons.postcard/
brown paper bag on my head
July 31st, 2011
4:50 pm
The 7-9 Seattle Seahawks exposed the Saints scoring 41 points in the beat down.
Ken Strickland
July 31st, 2011
4:51 pm
DEL706-The Falcons had to waive 2 players just to come up with the money to sign FA DE REdwards. There’s no way they’re going to waive the 2 or 3 players necessary to clear enough money to sign ASamuels when they have yet to resign CB BGrimes. And why would they spend big money to sign Samuels and resign Grimes, just to have a Probowl caliber CB coming off the bench as a nickel CB? It just doesn’t make sense.
JERSEYFALCON-Take a look at the list of undrafted FA’s we’ve signed and you’ll see a TE, DT, multiple LB’s and CB’s included. The only thing we actually NEED TO is to resign CB BGrimes and OG JBlalock, which we’ll do this wk. Whether RB JSnelling is resigned is up to him, and what it is he’s looking for. If he wants a starting salary and/or position, then he’s gone.
WEDATRISEUP!!-SEENTHATB4 isn’t a bad guy. If fact, he’s quite entertaining. However, you’re going to get heavy doses of delusional talk from B4 and certain other AINT FANATICS before the season starts. However, once the season does start, you’ll start to notice how infrequently you hear from them.
That’s because they know that once the season starts, they can’t boast or brag about their BELOVED AINTS winning another NFC South title or Superbowl when they’re struggling to make the playoffs. During training camp they can allow their delusional minds wonder and believe whatever they choose, despite the hard facts.
Monduj1
July 31st, 2011
5:27 pm
@DOL
The reason everyone is up in arms about Grimes’ situation is that if he IS given an offer by another club AND the Falcons don’t match, sure we have a 1st Rd pick in 2012, but we won’t have a starting CB on the field in 2011 opposite Dunta Robinson. The longer the Grimes’ situation drags out, the less likely other FA CBs of starter quality will be available.
Our depth at CB is less than zero right now, with Owens, Franks and a bunch of rookies vying for the second starting position should we lose Grimes. That’s very, very unsettling.
Kane337
July 31st, 2011
5:57 pm
Blalock just re-signed. So who wins the right guard spot? Reynolds or Johnson?
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
July 31st, 2011
6:18 pm
..
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
July 31st, 2011
6:24 pm
Filter will not let me mention his disgusting name, but he was #7 for the Falcons, went to prison, was let out WAY TOO EARLY for the crimes he committed……………
KNOW WHO I AM REFERING TO NOW ?
He is not sorry for his previous actions, could care less about dogs or women……
Yeah, go buy his new book….. Support a t h u g ……..
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
8:38 pm
Hey Ken, once the season starts you’ll hear less from me cause I’ll be out dropping verbal ordinance on that week’s opponent’s online beat.
And the hard fact is, nobody has won this division two years in a row,……….. and it won’t happen this year either.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
8:40 pm
Hey Boogies: You talking about V i C k?
hiramsaint
July 31st, 2011
9:56 pm
@ dol- why when i post a real non argumentative and somewhat admirable post about the falcons it always gets deleted? when i post trash talk about them it always goes through. many of the bad feelings towards one another come from you. it’s your blog and thats understood but why delete post like my last one. do you feed on strife? must be just wonderful in the bedwetter household
larry w
July 31st, 2011
10:58 pm
weakness of the falcon lack of CB , lack of speed RB , lacl of WR help Old TE
FalconsFan284
July 31st, 2011
11:42 pm
Seen, hiram—-Here’s something nice about your Faints. They were pretty good two years ago. Now it’s back to reality for you bums.
The Faints have lost a good deal of their depth and haven’t replaced them yet. With half of your starting O-line still being free to sign with another club and you’re realistically looking at five new starters on defense just how is it that you believe you are going to be better than last season? It’s a silly question, I know, because you’ll just say something about last season. The points might be of value in your minds but this isn’t last season. Drew probably had his worst season since his rookie year and the Dirty Birds gave the league the blue print for running all over your team. Yes, I do mean run. Run the ball hard and your defense folds like a cheap carpet.
larry w—-Lack of CB? You ever hear of Brent Grimes? He went to the Pro Bowl last season. Lack of speed at RB? Ever hear of Anton Smith or Jaquizz Rogers? Lack of WR help? No, we didn’t draft Julio Jones or anything. Old TE? Micheal Palmer will be in his third season and should be the primary backup this year. The kid has soft hands but is a little slow. Why not going after the only real problems Atlanta does have? We are lacking an experienced nickel corner and we have depth issues at safety. All in all, that isn’t a lot. It’s not like we’re the Faints!
SaintsFansAreFunny
August 1st, 2011
9:35 am
Will you people please shut up about Turner “not being what he used to be”, “on his last leg”, and “in decline”. There is nothing to back up your claim other than your own uneducated observations. The man led the NFC in rushing with a nagging groin injury the entire year. Not to mention that half our games were against the top 10 defenses in the NFL. If he can “be on his last leg” and still lead the conference in rushing, then I hope he continues his massive downward spiral. My lord some of you would pee on your own leg just to complain its raining.
SaintsFansAreFunny
August 1st, 2011
9:43 am
Here is Turner’s rank among the top 10 leading rushers. 3rd in total yards. 7th in ypc. 5th in longest run. Tied for 7th in runs over 20 yards. Tied for 4th in TDs. Tied for 4th in fumbles. What part of that screams he is in decline to you? Hi Falcon’s fans, this is reality. Glad to meet you.
Falcorave
August 1st, 2011
10:51 am
the reason i think that you have to give the upper hand to Johnson is that while you can’t put too much merit on which school they went to, he did block for a heisman running back and win a national championship. also, his slightly shorter frame is more ideal for an interior lineman
G as in Georgia
August 1st, 2011
11:59 am
I think losing Dahl was kinda bad, however if we have johnson or reynolds ready theyn heck with it, they’re young and have great size and im sure if coached up correctly, will produce. Edwards was the missing piece to our defense. End of Story. Team has a hard schedule, I beileve we actually are in posistion to do this thing RISE UP PROTECT THE DOME.
G as in Georgia
August 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
Well one things for sure, WE must have amazing colums, if Saint fans from New Orleans are coming to a Atlanta, Ga sports page to read what the falcons are doing, Edwards was the man we needed to get the job done.