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
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
1:45 pm
I just dont see Mr. Blank taking a risk on TO. Typically he stays away from egos.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
1:48 pm
Leave Grimes in ATL, go for TO and bring back Snelling.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
1:50 pm
I love Mr. Blank. But, he must take chance. Answer this question, was it TO or Ocho complaining last year! That proves my point!
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
1:51 pm
I hate it but Snelling is gone.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
1:53 pm
We going to have to attack and use more screens this year, especially with or Oregon pickup. I can bet anyone, this is how New Orleans will use Sproles. Also, what have happen to teams running the necked bootleg on the goal line after about 2 tries. ATL must have more element of surprises plays in the playbook.
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
1:57 pm
Greg…..this is the NFL not 8year old football.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
1:59 pm
CB I think is still out there, Buchannon, E. Hobbs, Drew Coleman and Tye Hill. RB: R. Brown, Bradshaw, Ricky Williams and Cadillac Williams, WR: Braylon Edwards (I Know), M. Floys, TO and Steve Smith (great slot); Safety. Darren Sharper
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:01 pm
Now I would like to see Steve Smith here.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:04 pm
UGA1999, even Peyton Manning ran naked bootleg last year. We see fake field goals ran in for touchdowns on highlights.
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:05 pm
Greg….yes that does happen and yes we do have those plays. But you cannot depend on them.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:05 pm
I would also love to see Steve Smith.I think he will be a threat and one D. Coordinators have to plan for in our air to air attack!
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:10 pm
You see teams going 3 to 4 downs trying to get in endzone. Well, some plays can be elements of surprises.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:12 pm
UGA1999, are you a season ticket holder?
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:14 pm
Greg….I have a corporate suite.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:15 pm
Great; I am 4 rows up from lower section. I have waited 22 years after retiring from military to become a Season Ticket holder.
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:16 pm
Greg,….thanks for your service.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:17 pm
UGA 1999, thanks for your support!
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:18 pm
I do think the falcons will make a few more moves. They are just being somewhat cautious.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:22 pm
I agree!
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:23 pm
TO has wanted to come to Atlanta for years. Lets see what happens.
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
2:25 pm
I think he will be an excellent addition!
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
2:29 pm
OK UGA 1999 still waiting on that big news you said was going to happen.
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:32 pm
Hawk…..was Ray Edwards not big enough for you?
Olik
August 1st, 2011
2:41 pm
Are those numbers on Blalock’s deal right? Is it really bigger than Ray Edwards or Tyson Clabo? If so, maybe that’s the big news….
How does that happen?
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
We HAD to keep Blalock.
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
3:18 pm
would like to see a DB.
DawgRed24
August 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
I would like to see another RB (if no Snelling) and a nickel corner. I can’t see us going into the season with only Roddy, Julio, Meier, Douglas and Weems also.
real talk
August 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
the falcons need to say to hell with the cautious mess……you cant trade up to get julio jones then start being cautious…go out there and compete….its go hard or go home….
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
3:21 pm
but what do I know I am just a guy from the north Georgia mountains….. TD and company have done a great job.
UGA 1999
August 1st, 2011
3:21 pm
I think STeve Smith would fit in the slot great.
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
3:25 pm
Hey UGA 1999 if you ever see TD up there in your corporate seats. tell him there are some real good mountain bike trails up here.
Truth Speakz
August 1st, 2011
3:26 pm
if you think that we will win a superbowl with our team as of today, you have lost your mind….go get more!!!!!
Greg Moundine
August 1st, 2011
3:27 pm
I like TO or Steve Smith. @ I do agree with your statement “real talk.”
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
3:35 pm
I think we will be very good. I know everyone is looking at the eagles and saying we need more. but look at the Miami heat.
DawgRed24
August 1st, 2011
3:55 pm
Hawk- I don’t know if we need “more”, but we do need depth. I agree though, you can have too much. I am just not that excited about going into the year with a rookie RB as a primary backup and a 2 rookie WR’s as “rotation” players (julio and Meier….Meier is basically a rookie).
Hawk
August 1st, 2011
4:31 pm
@DawgRed24 I agree with you as well a little more depth at a few positions would be helpful. but I feel that if the right deal is out there then TD and company will address it.
willieg loves the falcons
August 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
the falcons need to get asante samuel from the eagles in a trade., and get ricky wiliams, at rb, or jason snelling, and the punter oh my god this season will be bad.
Worth the Read
August 1st, 2011
6:11 pm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/nfl/2011/07/31/073111.king_falcons.SportsIllustrated/?sct=nfl_bf4_a6
Riser Upper
August 1st, 2011
6:57 pm
Just saw the announcement and I have just one comment: Woo-hoo!
Riser Upper
August 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
I know some of you whiners think the Falcons haven’t done enough, but lets wait until the second tier of signing is done. You know there are going to be cap casualties and there will be some gems out there. That’s where the real value is going to be.
0-2 w/smitty demitty &melt
August 1st, 2011
9:29 pm
Oh boy-We’ll be celebrating another winning season…and thats all!