Justin Blalock agrees to six-year contract with the Falcons
Falcons guards Justin Blalock (left) and Tyson Clabo help Ryan to his feet after a hit against Tampa Bay (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Justin Blalock , who’s been a starter since his rookie season in 2007, has agreed to terms on a six-year contract to return to the Falcons on Sunday.
Blalock was drafted in the second round (39th overall) of the 2007 draft.
He struggled his rookie season, but things starting to come together for him under veteran NFL line coach Paul Boudreau.
He’s extremely durable and has started 62 of a possible 64 regular-season games.
Also, Blalock had a 41 on the Wonderlic test and is a smart and heady player.
After practice on Saturday, Falcons coach Mike Smith stated his desire to have Blalock re-signed.
The Falcons have already agreed to terms with starting right tackle Tyson Clabo, but lost starting right guard Harvey Dahl to the St. Louis Rams.
Blalock can not practice with the team until Thursday when the league calendar year starts or if the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified and the year starts sooner.
The only internal free agent left is cornerback Brent Grimes, who is a restricted free agent and has a first-round tender.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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191 comments Add your comment
phoneguy71
July 31st, 2011
7:32 pm
Gazoo, you’re an uninformed idiot. And that is not up for debate.
tjhook
July 31st, 2011
7:39 pm
What’s your opinion of resigning Snelling, Gazoo?
maddawg
July 31st, 2011
7:41 pm
Mel Kiper or the rest of the ESPN analist don’t know sh$%!! Can you believe they had Clabo the top OL free agent available and Blalock was also in the top 5???? Gazoo will be replacing Kiper very soon!!
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
7:49 pm
Phoneguy, it’s ok, I understand your angst, and sympathize with you on not being near my football-intellect level. Need a hug? NOT LOLOLOL. But bear with me my friend, your anger will turn to adoration by mid-season and you will see what I said is true. The only reason our beloved Ryan stays upright is because he can scramble like Chandler, but better. I just wish we could have dumped all those “starting” scrubs long ago.
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
7:51 pm
Maddawg, no need for sarcasm, even tho I feel your pain. No worries, we will only get better by addition thru subtraction.
falconfan4life
July 31st, 2011
7:51 pm
We should have gave the money to Harvey Dahl instead of Lazy Blalock.
phoneguy71
July 31st, 2011
7:54 pm
I am overwhelmed by the craziness I’m hearing on this blog! To say our O line was awful last year is crazy. I agree our PASS PROTECTION was not great and can be vastly improved BUT..Our running game is a different story. Which starts with the O Line. And Idk, but I highly doubt teams would throw millions of dollars to ” untalented ” linemen who are ” sorry ” and cant block someones “grandma”. LOL Especially when linemen apparently grow on trees.
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
7:56 pm
Phoneguy, well, some teams’ gm’s are uninformed and have too much cash to spend. It’s that simple, really.
phoneguy71
July 31st, 2011
8:02 pm
And Gazoo… I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. Chandler was a statue. Your delusions of grandeur amuse me! My grammar and football acumen are far superior and will be displayed for public viewing should your behavior continue! LOL
phoneguy71
July 31st, 2011
8:04 pm
LMAO I gotta admit that was a good one
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
8:07 pm
Phoneguy, I’m sorry you had to resort to old cliches and using words you don’t really understand to tell me you don’t have the mental resources to debate with me on a civil level. It’s ok my friend. Here, have a soda and a lollipop at the kids table. It’s on me, no worries. The rest of the adults will be ——-WAY—–OVER——–HERE———- discussing football. *Pat on the head*
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
8:08 pm
I like you too.
David
July 31st, 2011
8:09 pm
D Led, I love Snelling but I read about rumors he is going to Giants. What about Ronnie Brown? His he a possibility or are we going with players on the roster? I.E Johnson , Smith, Rodgers, Turner?
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
July 31st, 2011
8:11 pm
I love Brent Grimes, but if someone does offer a 1st round pick next year–which we don’t have–that would be tempting. I’m just sayin’.
Flo=Ri-Duh
July 31st, 2011
8:41 pm
Snelling’s agent has suggested that he does not expect the Falcons to resign Snelling. I hope he does return as Turner is good for about 17 carries a game and wears down during the long season.
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
8:56 pm
I like this. I thought we would lose 2/3 of our offensive line free agents. I love what this team is doing. I would like to resign Snelling, but RB is the easiest position to replace. Heck, even Tiki would be an ok backup to play a few downs for Turner and Quizz.
I would like to get Grimes locked down because (contrary to Saints fans beliefs) WE had the best defense in the NFC South and Grimes was a big part of that.
While is is true that the Aints were 4th in Total Net Yards (as they will be quick to point out), that stat is meaningless in football. The ONLY stat that really matters in football is Points Allowed. If you want proof of this, 8 out of the top ten teams that allowed the fewest points were in the playoffs. The two teams that allowed the fewest points were in the super bowl. The Falcons were the 5th best defense in the NFL. They were better than the Saints and the Jets. The media would have you believe our defense was a division II college team defense. They have been much maligned by the so called “experts”. The truth is, they were very good. The only thing the stats tell us is that it took teams fewer yards to score MORE points on the Saints. The Falcons play a bend but don’t break defense which is why they give up a lot of yards and not a lot of points.
Having added a decent pass rushing strong side DE (something we haven’t had since Patrick Kearney), this defense got a lot better. That’s right folks. the best defense in the NFC South got even better. I am excited for this season to get started.
Matt Ryan
July 31st, 2011
8:58 pm
Man! I thought for sure TD was going to get me some help for my o-line. I’m going to get killed out there again this year! These bozos can’t block the Disney channel. Man this is a load of dung!
STB4
Falcons 4 Real
July 31st, 2011
9:03 pm
Excellent job by TD to retain 2 of the 3 UFAs on the line, Clabo being the most critical. As much as I would love to keep Snells the reality is he can be a starter for a handful teams, New England comes to mind and he’d be a perfect fit in their system.
Thanks DLED for your superior work as always, will you be going to Canton for Deion’s induction?
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
9:08 pm
Yeah, the falcan’ts barely gave up any points in the playoffs last year! LOL!
Saints Fans 'R US
July 31st, 2011
9:08 pm
Somebody please help the self-titled genius known as Gazoo . If an “average” O line gets you to 13-3, then what does an above average line get you? More proof that computer access should not be allowed in the psycho ward.
Saints Fans 'R US
July 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
Rather give up big points to the eventual SB champion than lose to the weakest team in the playoffs. But hey, who’s counting? Will that be paper for plastic? I’m talking about the bag for your head this year.
Saints Fans 'R US
July 31st, 2011
9:11 pm
“Paper or Plastic”. Saints fan intelligence is rubbing off on me. As in lack thereof.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
9:16 pm
LOL! Nah! You’re just used to asking that at work everyday!. And don’t 4get, we may have lost to seattle , but only after we kicked your tails, in your own house. Getting beat at home, ya’ll got real good at that when it really counted’
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
9:29 pm
Saints Fan, I pity you. If we could dump a few more scrubs we call starters, we could just make REAL Saints fans vanish. 13-3 has nothing to do with the o-line. It’s because Ryan can scramble, and we have clutch receivers. And a fairly decent TE in Gonzales. I mean our record looks good in this scrubby NFC south where there are no REAL opponents above mediocrity, but those teams are good cannon fodder I suppose. Beards. The O-line should all grow beards. BEARDS ROCK. Also when the Falcons use John Parker Wilson in the Wildcat formation, look out. Opposing D’s will crumble. They won’t know what to do. As I’ve said, dump the scrubs and we will shine.
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
9:38 pm
Ok, I admit that I’m a sad-sack blow hard who has a small winkie and is afraid to sleep without my nightlight on.
I’d love to debate each and every one of you but my mommy is making cookies and if I hurry she’s going to let me have the first glass of milk.
toodles =^)
Pauls Johnson
July 31st, 2011
9:43 pm
I was astounded by the irony.
sleeze
July 31st, 2011
9:47 pm
Gazoo, I’ve seen your grandmother. She probably could steamroll Clabo and Blalock, and Nate Newton, Andre the Giant, and the Hulk. Just needs to shave her armpits every once in a while..
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
9:49 pm
Gazoo: You pity us? We celebrated a Lombardi Trophy party for a year! You’re hanging your hat on a 13-3 regular season record. Save your pity for your sessions with your court appointed psychiatrist. John Parker Wilson in the wildcat! LOL!
INo one cares
July 31st, 2011
9:52 pm
It doesn’t matter if you agree with this signing or not. Blalock got paid. Deal with it.
Reality Check
July 31st, 2011
9:53 pm
GM for the Eagles can cut all the new signings except Nnamdi in 2012 and still has 11 picks to work with. That’s some GM.
Just saying………………..
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
9:54 pm
I’m sorry Mr. B4, you must have confused with someone who cares, or at least with someone who thinks you stole that Lombardi. And laugh if you will, JPW would own Brees. As for my impersonator with the small winkie, thank you, Impersonation is the highest form of flattery. Is everyone THAT upset we got rid of one useless fatbody and kept 2? Baker fans? At least I’m agreed with.
Greg Moundine
July 31st, 2011
9:56 pm
Why do we not get the guts and sign Randy Moss. We can sign him to a one year deal after signing Grimes and hopefully Snelling. Do not let me see headlines tomorrow, Eagles sign Randy Moss to Dream Team! We need someone to stretch them Eagles CB out.
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
9:59 pm
Silly Aints fan, logic is for grown ups… we beat you in your house too genius. And um, well, we didn’t lose to the worst team in NFL Playoff History… the only team with a losing record to make the playoffs in the modern era of football. We lost to the super bowl champs… whom we also beat just weaks earlier. Yeah and what great champs the Saints turned out to be losing to the the worst team to ever make the playoffs… you guys were stellar representatives for the league lol. It would be like the world heavy weight champion getting knocked out by some special olympic reject. Way to go! You must be so proud lol.
Gazoo
July 31st, 2011
9:59 pm
Greg, that’s what Kerry Meier is for. It’s why we let Jenkins go.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
10:07 pm
“Special Olympics reject”? Man! Going after the handicapped too? What a soul less, sorry piece of garbage. Hey Atlanta, you can keep this guy forever, put him right up there with some of your other sons of fame, like Wayne Williams and such.
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
10:13 pm
Yep, I said that. I am not into your pretend political correctness. People are way too sensitive and take themselves way too seriously. The fact remains, the defending NFL champions got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by a team that was the worst team to ever make the playoffs in the modern era of football. At team that (had they not been in the weakest division in the last 25 years) would not have even sniffed a wild card spot.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
10:22 pm
You can insult me or the Saints all you want. Leave the handicapped out of it.
By the way since we’re discussing history lessons, did you know which teams in the history of the modern era of football who have NEVER held a League Champion title? You get extra points if you put them in alphabetical order. LOL!
t_height
July 31st, 2011
10:24 pm
Thankfully there was not many teams that could stop the run early in the season
We probably would have been 3-13 instead.
This is the link to last years schedule.
http://www.atlantagatoday.com/pmcparland/category/atlanta-blog/sports/atlanta-falcons/2010-schedule
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
10:32 pm
Well, sure you guys won it… and that is great… and Saints fans will remember that and only that… everyone else of my generation will remember two words about your team as defending champions BEAST MODE. LOL!!! You guys were the worst champions in history lol. So yeah, um, you will be remembered as champions… the worst champions ever… but champions none the less lol. You have to wonder if it would have been better if you had never won one than to win one and then become known as the joke of champions.
As far as you riding your little moral high horse, I never insulted handicaps moron. I only used them as an example of a mismatch. Nice try though lol.
SeenThisB4
July 31st, 2011
10:36 pm
…And yet the Saints were the first Super Bowl Champs in several years to make the playoffs the following year. So nawh, your argument is one, only a moron would make.
ohhhhYEAH
July 31st, 2011
10:38 pm
can we re sign snelling and trade turner for another good corner? say maybe champ bailey? whos the broncos running back now days anyway? NO-shawn? im just saying, snelling seemed to run harder than turner last year, hes younger, AND catches out of the backfield. i love turner, but i would rather have snelling at this point, if for no other reason than to get a little more help for the secondary. and jsut to clarify, im NOT bashing on decoud, moore, grimes, or robinson, but what team wouldnt welcome more help in that area (eagles…anyone?)
ohhhhYEAH
July 31st, 2011
10:41 pm
@saints fans are funny.
did i miss something? how is it that you consider what the saints did 2 years ago a joke? i mean i hate the saints with a passion, but uh…..they were far and away one of the best teams in the league in 09, actually…..the best. they got the troophy.
ohhhhYEAH
July 31st, 2011
10:42 pm
trophy*
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
July 31st, 2011
10:44 pm
We prefer disabled or challenged over “handicapped.” Be that as it may, are you ready for some football? I know everyone is because the testorstone level here is off the charts.
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
10:49 pm
Ha! It is.
Gazooturd
July 31st, 2011
10:49 pm
LOL, only an idiot would talk to a turd!
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
10:53 pm
The Falcons were six and two against top ten defenses in the league last year. They were two and one against the top three defenses in the league. I don’t understand why anyone would say their record was because they didn’t play good defenses. They played eight games against top ten defenses.
SaintsFansAreFunny
July 31st, 2011
10:56 pm
So, if they only played the top 10 defenses in the league, they theoretically should have been 12 and 4.
Bugman
July 31st, 2011
11:07 pm
We’re gonna miss Harvey Dahl.
fred321
July 31st, 2011
11:12 pm
I have been a Falcons fan since the late sixties and have suffered for many years by all the bad teams. We were always the joke of the league. The management that we have now is the best ever. The owner has shown he wants a winner by hiring Dimitroff and Mike Smith while spending the money to build a continual winner. I am so elated to see what we have. We don’t need to take what we have for granted.