November 11, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons guard Mike Johnson (79) celebrates his touchdown reception against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

As soon as Tyson Clabo was released by the Falcons to shore up some extra cash, fans have wondered who the new right tackle would be.  I think it’s safe to say that Thomas Dimitroff is not insane.  He released Harvey Dahl a few years back and although Garret Reynolds hasn’t looked the part his first year starting, He looked way better last year until his injury.  Dahl wouldn’t have been released if T.D. didn’t have faith in the lineman that could play the guard position and although none of the linemen are quite as Dahlish, there is enough talent there to fill in.

Due to the cross training that the Falcons implemented, every Lineman learns each position.  In 2010, this helped the Packers win a Super Bowl when an offensive lineman went down; they just kicked a starter out and replaced the old guy with a new guy with no catching up to do.  The Falcons train each lineman in all positions, that’s how Garret Reynolds (drafted as a tackle) could take the spot as guard.  It’s also how Peter Konz of last year was able to take the guard spot when Reynolds went down even though he was drafted as a Center.  Joe Hawley was also able to fill in at Guard when drafted as a center.

When Mike Johnson, a guard from Alabama, was drafted, he immediately started training as a Tackle.  Three years later and he’s as familiar with the tackle position as any.  Lamar Holmes was drafted last year as a tackle and fits the mold better than Johnson does, but is younger and may be too inexperienced for the role.

Ultimately, the battle will come down to Mike Johnson vs. Lamar Holmes.  The Comrade would not have let go of Tyson Clabo if he didn’t know for a fact that either one of these monsters cold step up and start. They have both looked great during the preseason and the times they filled in during the regular season.

I would put my money on Mike Johnson, I think his longer time learning all the positions makes him the best choice to take the starting role as right tackle, but he’ll have to win it from a very determined Lamar Holmes.

Who do you think will win this battle?

October 7, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive linemen line up against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been doing a lot of predicting lately, but there is a lot on the offense that we don’t know about yet.  How will Steven Jackson do on a different team?  How much better will Matt Ryan be than he was last year?  Will the defensive woes be fixed and how will the refreshed secondary stand up in a game time situation?

All good questions, but what I really like to look at is the Offensive line.  Some major changes have happened along the line since the conclusion of the 2012 season.  Sam Baker, who finally had a season he was drafted for, got a good contract locked down.  Justin Blalock had another good season.  Despite some doubters, Blalock hasn’t really done anything to show he isn’t worth his contract.  Past that, change is a brewin.  Todd McClure, a leader on the team for a very long time, has retired.  Right Guard was a rotating door of players.  Tyson Clabo, who was a mean lineman that held down the right side of the line for a long, successful time, was surprisingly let go.  So who will step up there?

Luckily, the Falcons aren’t in as dismal of shape as it would appear.  The guys that are in question are full of talent.  Not to mention they are young and strong.

At center, Peter Konz will be moving over.  He played most of the season last year as a replacement guard after Garret Reynolds was out from a back injury.  Konz held his own, although he wasn’t very spectacular.  But let’s be honest, he’s been a center his entire career and was thrown into a starting role in a position he is not as comfortable with as a rookie.  I’d say he did pretty well for a situation like that.  With a year under his belt and in a position he is much more comfortable with, I am sure he’ll be able to step in just fine.

At Right Guard, Garret Reynolds should be the starter.  Two years ago, he lost his starting job after Detroit (to put it lightly) had their way with him.  I watched some film of Garret Reynolds in college and he is one determined man.  Every year he gets better.  After a dismal year two years ago, he showed up.  Konz was drafted to be the eventual center, and step in as guard, but Reynolds held onto his job by playing extraordinarily well.  He was ranked among some of the best guards in the league before he got injured.  Now that he’s healthy, I doubt he didn’t improve any and I would be surprised if he wasn’t the starter; a solid one at that.

The biggest question mark is right tackle Lamar Holmes.  He is unproven in the regular season, but played surprisingly well in the preseason and practice.  On top of that, he’s just a hulking athlete and a spitting image of the perfect tackle.  I seriously doubt that Thomas Dimitroff would have let any part of a thriving offense go without complete confidence in the back up, I don’t care how much money you need to save.  I’ll bet Holmes is the guy, and I bet he’ll step up just as the Falcons need him to.

What are some offensive linemen you like to see?

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad defensive back Desmond Trufant of Washington (6) prior to kickoff of a game against the Senior Bowl south squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

If I had to give the Falcon winter season a grade it would be an A minus. The signings of Jackson, Moore, Baker, Reynolds, Umenyiora, and the comeback contract for Tony G fill nearly every hole on the birds checklist in equal or improved content, except the corner back spot weakened when Robinson was let go. The recent tryout contract to Brian Banks may fill in some depth at linebacker and along with bringing Pat Schiller off the practice squad gives the linebackers a good infusion of youth. Banks and his well documented troubles may be the most motivated body in camp, and was not totally out of football last season, with a mini camp workout in Seattle and some play in the UFL. Speaking of youth infusion, the release of Tyson Clabo will give Holmes or Johnson a competitive camp to come and no doubt will take one draft pick to shore up depth.
Twenty days and counting until the draft and with the free agency pool of corner backs nearly drained, we must be thinking a first round corner back  Before Osi signed, I thought defensive lineman, and I still have a bet with my son that Atlanta will take a defensive lineman, an offensive lineman, a linebacker and a tight end, but that is only four picks in a draft where the Birds control seven picks in the top 200, and four more in round seven. I was not horribly upset Grimes was not signed, knowing he was never a tough hitter and was out all of last year from the game.
How the Birds brass will play their hand is only a guess and may be dictated by the first twenty picks on April 25th. Would they move up to take Desmond Trufant if he is there around the 22nd pick? He had a good senior bowl and combine showing, has cover ability, size, speed and can play physical. The Falcons have not selected a defensive back in the first round since Hall in 2004, but the need this year has slightly narrowed than in past years and demand is there for this piece of the secondary. If it’s a swap of first rounders and one of their fourth round picks Atlanta departs with, this would be a great move. To those that think this a horrible jump, I just look at a very thin cornerback group in the nest with our best guy already age thirty two.
The conservative approach will be to take the best player at pick thirty, possibly Tight end Ertz of Stanford , defensive ends Montgomery of LSU or Okefor out of Texas, and use the second round pick on the cornerback. Xavier Rhodes from Florida or Darious Slay of Mississippi State are good hard nosed corners that could fill the need. It may not be a surprise to see Atlanta take two cornerbacks in the first four rounds if they do not jump up, because bodies are needed at the position and the thinking would be to let the competition in preseason decide the depth chart.
The only other draft scenario now that many of the Birds slots have been filled would be if T.D and company make a Julio type move and go for a stud defensive lineman in the likes of Mingo from LSU, Richardson from Missouri or Werner out of Florida State.
They would have to swap first rounders and put up a third and one of the fourth round picks, and this might seem crazy but the defensive line needs another body who can rush the pocket and it is the trenches where the defense begins, and the pass rush is a major contributor to helping the secondary. It is no secret the defense will occupy the majority of the moves in the coming draft, and what Nolan has in mind is probably already on the board in the Falcon war room. The previous signings and winter moves have gotten Atlanta younger and in position to narrowly target two area’s (Cornerback and defensive line) with eleven picks, to the point they just might make a move that will have Falcon nation debating and writing all the way into August.