Q and A with Falcons center Todd McClure
Vivlamore filling in for D. Orlando Ledbetter.
Todd McClure returns for a 14th NFL season, all with the Falcons, after signing a one-year contract this offseason. The center, drafted in the seventh round (No. 237 overall) in 1999, says he welcomes a chance to pass on his experience with the offensive lineman the Falcons took with their first two selections this year.
After a recent Organized Team Activities workout, McClure spoke on several topics including the team’s new offense, which will include a big screen game. Here are excerpts of the interview.
Q. What are your thoughts about the moves the Falcons made by drafting offensive lineman with their first two picks this year?
A. It’s been like this pretty much my whole career with younger guys coming in. I’ve always said I’ll try to teach as much as I can, pay it forward. I told these guys when they came in if they have any questions don’t hesitate to ask because we are making our team better. If I can teach those guys a little thing that can help us win games, that’s what I’m here for.
Center Todd McClure says he never thought about retiring and is looking forward to a 14th NFL season. (Curtis Compton/CCompton@ajc.com)
Q. Do you take all the criticism of the offensive line personally?
A. Not really. I’ve kind of dealt with that my whole career since I’ve been here. This group of up front has taken a lot of heat when things haven’t gone good. When things do go good, you don’t hear much about it. You take it in stride. Art Shell told me when I first got in the league as soon as you sign that piece of paper they are trying to find someone to replace you. It’s just the reality of the NFL but if you keep going out and producing on the field the rest will take care of itself.
Q. Do you have a chip on your shoulder going into this year considering the talk?
A. We always want to go play good. We try not to listen too much to what is going on outside and what people are saying. Every time we step on the field we want to do our best. So we know those areas we have to improve for this team to be successful. Everybody wants to talk about playoffs but we’ve got to win game one. Once we get to that point, hopefully we’ll take care of business.
Q. Can you describe the new offensive coordinator [Dirk Koetter]?
A. You can see right now we have explosive guys on the edge and the perimeter. We’d like to get them the ball. Dirk is doing some great things with the offense. Obviously we want to get better with our screen game. We haven’t been too good in that area lately. We are putting a big emphasis on that and you can already see some of the things we are doing we are going to have some big plays in the screen game.
Q. Do your responsibilities change [in the new offense] in terms of play calling or verbiage?
A. You know one of the things they try to do, this staff coming in, they tried to use the same verbiage where all of us on offense didn’t have to re-learn new terminologies. They just kind of adjusted their schemes and their terminologies to what we were doing so it’s been an easy adjustment.
Q. With the screen game are there differences techniques?
A. We are emphasizing those things and there are different coaching points that maybe we haven’t heard in the past or different ways that we are executing. Blocking schemes on our screens, I think, are going to be real beneficial for us and make us better. As offensive lineman we love to have a screen game that the [opposing] defensive line has to respect. They are not just pinning their ears back and rushing the quarterback. It’s an offensive lineman’s friend having a screen game going and we will get it going.
Q. How is new offensive line coach Pat Hill different than [previous coach] Paul Boudreau?
A. I don’t want to get into too much comparing one guy to the other. Pat brings a lot of experience to this team. He’s been a head coach for 15 years. He didn’t focus on just the offensive line. He’s seen the big picture of offenses and he can bring that to the table for us. And there are some little technique adjustments that he is going to try to help us out with that I think will put us over the edge.
Q. Did you ever consider not coming back for another season?
A. There was never a doubt this year. I wanted to come back. I’m still having fun playing. If I wasn’t having fun, I wouldn’t be playing. I still feel good. I’m just glad to be back. … I played 14 years. My body doesn’t feel the same as it did when I first started playing football when I was 10 years old. I’m still moving around well.
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70 comments Add your comment
Chub Rock
June 11th, 2012
6:24 am
No disrespect to Mud Duck, I appreciate all that he has done in an Atlanta Falcons jersey over the last 14 years however I hope we can put a better product on the field at the center position. Either Hawley is ready to take over at this point or he is a career backup. Konz is listed as a guard so I assume he will compete for the RG spot. Going forward I believe Konz will remain at RG IF Hawley can step up and secure the center spot. At 35 years old, this will more than likely be Mud Duck’s final year and we need to see Hawley man up and take the spot now and let McClure be the backup for his final year.
Q and A with Falcons center Todd McClure – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Satellite Internet
June 11th, 2012
6:35 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Falcon James
June 11th, 2012
6:41 am
McClure is awesome! Our OL is going to shine this year.
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
6:42 am
Chub Rock…..that nails it. I can also see that as a strong plan for now and the future. We may also see more out of our reserve linemen now that a viable screen game has been included. It may now show why they were drafted/signed in the first place. I have faith in our line. Maybe more than most fans.
MJC
June 11th, 2012
6:57 am
@Chub Rock
I don’t see Hawley being a better option than Konz at the Center slot. Hey may have more experience, but I don’t believe he is more talented. By the middle of the season I can imagine that the torch will be passed from Big Todd to Konz. He has done so much for the team in all those years.
D.O.L. – Do you see Todd getting retired into the Falcons Ring of Honor?
SirReal
June 11th, 2012
7:54 am
They didnt draft Konz to play center. Hawley should do fine. I like McClure and remember him from teams I LOVED but Father Time waits for no man. I think this is likely the last year. His veteran leadership is why he’s still here. Wish him the best but I’m honestly ready to see someone new snapping the ball.
Q and A with Falcons center Todd McClure | football-feed.com
June 11th, 2012
8:04 am
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
HGN
June 11th, 2012
9:17 am
I love McClure at the center position . He is what is needed in this transition year. I too think this is his last year as a starter. Could be backup next year to Hawley. Konz is going to play RG unless someone stands up and pushes him to Center. Otherwise, Hawley is the center of the future.
Falcon4Life
June 11th, 2012
9:26 am
The best scenario is for Johnson to come out mean and claim the RG spot and Konz to win the Center spot. That would give fresh new beef up front for those 4th and inches situations and pass rush up the middle.
Mikefalcon63
June 11th, 2012
9:28 am
The ideal scenario is that McClure becomes to the offensive line what Mike Peterson was for the linebackers last season… An insurance policy. Plus McClure could probably appreciate the rest his body will get as a back-up.
That said, I am not sold on Hawley as the starter at center, even though TD and Smitty are. My opinion means nothing, but I encourage everyone to go back and watch the games Hawley started in place of McClure last season. It was ugly. Part of that could be due to Garrett Reynolds stinking it up at RG. But Hawley seemed lost on a bunch of plays, and I am not sure he was good at making the line calls. Perhaps playing guard for half the season last year did him well in seeing/hearing next to McClure.
yeahsure
June 11th, 2012
9:45 am
Boudreau was supposed to be an O-line Guru. How is this seasoned vet just now learning techniques that will make the screen pass effective? I guess we will see this year if it was really Mularkey and Boudreau’s lack of coaching for our horrible screenpass play.
yeahsure
June 11th, 2012
9:47 am
BTW, Good stuff Vivlamore.
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
9:56 am
yeasure………our horrible screenpass plays were horible because we didn’t have any! The new coaches are teaching new techniques that heretofor was not part of the play book. If you don’t teach the screenpass for a few years, you need a refresher.
#10Fan4Life
June 11th, 2012
10:08 am
When 62 is out Matty Ice suffers!
dz
June 11th, 2012
10:10 am
@MJC
There is little doubt in my mind that Konz would be a better option at Center than Hawley.
That being said, you have to look at the whole, not just an individual piece. Konz is a better RG (theoretically) than Hawley. So say, for example, that Konz is ranked at a 9 playing Center, and an 8 playing RG, where as Hawley is a 8 Center, but a 5 RG, then you play them where the collective score is higher (8+8 = 16, where as 9+5 = 14).
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
10:23 am
Our defense got torched all the time by screen plays; one of its biggest weaknesses. WHY? Because they never saw any daily in practice. Maybe screens will help both sides of the ball.
yeahsure
June 11th, 2012
10:31 am
Mularkey used to say that we didnt have the personnel to run them. I say we run em during our Falcons/Jags practice (hopefully still on) this year and show him this lines potential.
Keith Brookings
June 11th, 2012
10:37 am
McClure should retire. What a loser!
DR. FALCON
June 11th, 2012
10:38 am
WHY IS SAM BAKER STILL ON THE ROSTER? DAMN! THE WORST LT IN THE NFL, BY FAR! I HAVE NIGHTMARES OF MATT RYAN LAYING ON THE GA. DOME TURF, BECAUSE BAKER MISSED A BLOCK!
NFC South Morning Jog: Jon Beason Willing to Move to OLB for Luke Kuechly | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
June 11th, 2012
10:40 am
[...] Todd McClure spoke after Wednesday’s OTAs. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution posted the Q&A [...]
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
11:24 am
Dr. Falcon……..you may want to lay off the caps lock. It sorta makes you look like a 12 yr old!
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
11:28 am
Generally, I don’t read posts with all caps.
tjhook
June 11th, 2012
11:49 am
Does anyone think we can trade Sam Baker to Jacksonville? I’m sure Mularkey still thinks he can play well in the NFL.
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
11:58 am
Falcon Jim….Huh?
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
12:41 pm
Yeah. All caps are considered rude in the cyber-world…………and hard to read.
Judge Smails
June 11th, 2012
1:04 pm
All Caps are for lazy people. What, hitting the shift key is too much for you?
Oh yeah, Go Falcons
Paddy
June 11th, 2012
2:01 pm
Falcon Jim…..I know the story behind caps lock. My question is, why do you use them if they are considered crude and immature? But I am glad you are not using them now!
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
ME? I will use CAPS for EMPHASIS on OCCASION for words or phrases. But not for entire posts.
Paddy, what is your problem? WITH ME?
(i have a new keyboard that does not have a caps-lock light, which is very annoying, but nothing to do with this.)
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
GO FALCONS !
Corey's Peter
June 11th, 2012
3:47 pm
Only here does a story on the Falcons center get changed to caps.
AGTFan
June 11th, 2012
4:03 pm
I don’t get why everyone is so sure that anyone is going to be a better option this year than McClure. He never got the job because he’s a pretty face. He’s always done the job on the field. If someone beats out, fine. To just assume that someone is better choice because this is MClure’s last year is silly. I don’t care if it’s a player’s first season or last season, I want the that gives us the best chance to win on the field. Since it’s probably his last year, I want Hawley and Konz to get as many reps as possible, but if McClure gives us teh best chance to win now, I want McClure to get most of the reps.
1danielbell
June 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
^^ What he said.
donte080
June 11th, 2012
5:12 pm
AGT,
Falcons OL was pretty bad last year, of which McClure was part of. Pretty sure McClure’s best days are behind him. I respect his work here, he’s had a remarkable career, but Falcons drafted Konz to begin the process of rebuilding our offensive line. He’s not the only answer, but hopefully he is going to be a huge part of it.
J-Lo
June 11th, 2012
5:32 pm
Thank you Todd! Here’s to another great year for you at center!
torgo
June 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
The other name to throw in the mix… Vince Manuwai at right guard. If he shows he’s back to form, he might be our best bet at RG this season. That would allow the team to work in Konz at center, giving the Falcons a whole lot of beef up front.
SeenThisB4
June 11th, 2012
5:52 pm
Geriatric McClure will be the starter this year, not because he has enduring talent, but because the falcan’ts failed to find a somebody, anybody, duirng the off season, with a semblence of talent to replace the weak link.
PlanB
June 11th, 2012
5:54 pm
Too many draft picks and a FA or 2 since 2010 to not have a good OL by now. That, along with resigning Clabo & Blalock. I’ve also heard of some of these guys playing at a position with much less experience than their college position (Garrett Reynolds). Two positions OK if it doesn’t hurt the progress of learning just one but some can’t do two.
We can be assured of having a little better OL due to having screens. Those and draws have always helped slow the pass rush down some.
PlanB
June 11th, 2012
5:56 pm
Two things I don’t read. All caps posts and aints losers posts.
Falcon Jim
June 11th, 2012
6:04 pm
Banned?
Chub Rock
June 11th, 2012
6:11 pm
MJC- For some reason the Atlanta Falcons have chosen to list Konz as a guard on their website. I tend to think that is for a reason. Dimitroff and Smitty both have already said they view Konz as a guard first and center second. Is Konz a better center than Hawley at this point? Maybe. Is Konz the best option at guard at this point? Probably. I just don’t know what happened to Mike Johnson. The kid was an All-American at Bama and has not shown anything in the NFL. The Falcons draft Konz and list him as a guard and sign Manuwai which means Johnson could be looking for work elsewhere if he can’t beat out Manuwai and Reynolds.
Only 9 guys get to make the 53 on the O-line, that is the number Smitty quoted in an interview. Who would you guys pick as the 9 O-linemen to make the 53 man roster? D feel free.
AlanFalcon
June 11th, 2012
6:37 pm
KeithBrookings, are you still doing your chicken dance on the sideline in Dallas, its probably the best I’ve seem from you since you left Atlanta.
Waffle House
June 11th, 2012
6:53 pm
Thanks…..Todd for 14 years!!!
Chub Rock
June 11th, 2012
6:57 pm
torgo- I wonder just how much Manuwai has left. They signed him at veteran minimum with no incentives. Can’t see Manuwai being very helpful on the screen plays but might be solid backup.
Chub Rock
June 11th, 2012
6:59 pm
Nice job!
SeenThisB4
June 11th, 2012
7:12 pm
Nope.
Lim lliw
June 11th, 2012
8:38 pm
O
P
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I
S
A
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A
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A
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C
H
E
R
John
June 11th, 2012
9:34 pm
Guys, the reason that Konz was drafted was because MCclure is going to retire after this year and Hawley has shown that he is not the answer at center. If Hawley was ready he will supplant MCclure this year. That remains to be seen
hiramsaint
June 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
all that talk and yet no mention of playoff win aspirations ! now you know why lofton left to play for the saints for the same money . in his words “i came to win a championship ” he could have stayed a failclown but he knows the failclowns are perennial chokes in the playoffs .
Bubba Bean
June 11th, 2012
10:03 pm
hiramsaint, I do not see your beloved ain’ts winning without Sean Payton and Vilma!!!!
takebadwithgood
June 11th, 2012
10:41 pm
first of all STOPworrying about CAPS either you can read or tou cant we are bloging falcons foot ball all these punks from the cheating nawling stinks bounty ball need to get hell out of here that goes for hairup his a– and seenhis face Nobdy is worried about lofton he cant cover
panic fan
June 11th, 2012
11:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Lim lliw
June 11th, 2012
11:21 pm
takebadwithgood is a scribe with infinite wisdom and quite a descriptive flair…………….
Q and A with Falcons center Todd McClure | NFL Online News
June 12th, 2012
12:51 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged center, Falcons, McClure, Todd. Bookmark the permalink. ← Stevie Johnson ‘ready to go’ for Buffalo Bills [...]
DR. FALCON
June 12th, 2012
1:25 am
FALCON JIM, & PADDY, I WILL CONTINUE TO USE CAPS! IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, DON’T READ IT! IF YOU WANT TO CRITICIZE, YOU CAN CRITICIZE SEENTHISB4, OR HIRAMSAINT! THE SAINTS ARE IN TROUBLE! FALCON FANS, SHOULD ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER! CRITICIZING CAPS USE, IS TRIVIAL! WHAT ABOUT SAM BAKER? LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
1:32 am
DR FALCON, please continue. I tried to post a reply to that genius “OPEN,” and, in part, said the whole caps discussion was silly. My post didn’t make it……………..I believe because the AJC likes to protect and encourage the rag-tag element on this blog.
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
1:34 am
P.S. GO FALCONS AND TAINT FANS REALLY TUCK.
Paddy
June 12th, 2012
6:07 am
Falcon Jim…Sorry, got you confused w/ Dr Falcon. My mistake. I have a 8:00 a tee-time. I promise to play bad for confusing you with someone else.
SeenThisB4
June 12th, 2012
8:08 am
Old and Sloooow! I know where the defensive point of attack will be focused at.
Don Waddell
June 12th, 2012
8:14 am
This team is moving in the right direction. Their 5-year plan is working, you’ll see.
Dan
June 12th, 2012
9:14 am
Konz will be the Center and he is big for a center is what I think that falcons will like. They went an got Manuwai because I believe the Falcons vision is to have 2 huge Guards at 330pds. Previous year draft the Falcons were hoping to find a Diamond in the Ruff with Hawley. I think Hawley will be a good backup and basically with Konz a first round quality Center was sitting there in 2nd round the Falcons said to themselves we have to get McClure’s replacement sooner or later. The decision was based on if they would be able to do better in next years draft or want to spend large money in free agency next year on a Center and they said no and grabbed Konz. What will be interesting is next year when McClure, Gonzalez and possible Turner money will be out there to spend further on further upgrading t both offensive and defensive sides of the line especially if they draft a RB such as Marcus Lattimore or Niles Davis and TE Tyler Eifert in the first two rounds next year.
D man
June 12th, 2012
9:31 am
Where can I buy a McClure #62 jersey. This guy has heart and is a great team player. We need a whole locker room full of guys with attitudes like Todd. Love Ya big T…
OPEN YOUR EYES
June 12th, 2012
10:07 am
PREACH THE TRUTH DR. FALCON!!!! SHOW THESE PUNKS WHO IS BOSS!!!! IF YOU DON’T WANNA READ THE POST IN ALL CAPS THEN GET OFF THE BLOG!!!!
WHATS UP SEEN??!!!!! HOWS LIFE BEEN TREATIN YA DAWG!!!!!
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
10:40 am
There was a little man who wasn’t there.
He wasn’t there again today.
Gee, I wish he’d go away.
GO FALCONS !
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
11:10 am
What are you talking about, genius? War? Hell? Potty mouth? Banned?
Son, you are so delusional. What is your problem? Meth, LSD, Bath Salts?
Get a grip on reality.
Leave me alone, get an education, go to Church, find some friends and get a life.
God Bless you and good luck.
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
2:39 pm
Nice and sweet, genius………………mom died twelve years ago. GTH.
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
2:51 pm
Also, genius, what joke? I made no jokes.
OPEN YOUR EYES
June 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
FAILCANT’ JIM ARE YOU SERIOUS DID YOUR MOM PASS AWAY YES OR NO?
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
5:19 pm
Yes. 12 years ago. I would never kid about that.
Falcon Jim
June 12th, 2012
6:59 pm
Deleted……….Yes.
Banned?
lowdownjj
June 16th, 2012
9:26 am
I love Mud Duck and the O line play suffered while he was out last year. He has been beating out all comers for 14 years and for those of you that think he’ll warm the bench next year are underfestimating the man!