Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 16, 2015 16:28:19 GMT
Young Falcons tackles could benefit from Jake Long addition
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
When Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews first entered college in 2010, the former Texas A&M standout was well aware of a Pro Bowl lineman playing for the Miami Dolphins named Jake Long.
"Really good player," Matthews said. "I can remember watching him growing up. I remember in high school and stuff thinking, `Man, that guy's the man.' It will be a great guy to learn from. And I'll be excited to have him on my team."
Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft -- two spots ahead of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan -- was signed to a one-year deal Tuesday. The financial terms of the deal where not immediately available, but the four-time Pro Bowler gets a chance to prove he's healthy again. Long ended the last four seasons on injured reserve as a member of the Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. The biggest issue is the right knee he had repaired twice following ACL tears, which raises questions about his durability.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn made it clear that Long isn't coming in to start immediately. He'll begin in his comfort zone at left tackle, but as the backup to Matthews. Then he'll also work on the right side, where undrafted Ryan Schraeder is the starting right tackle.
"I haven't watched a lot of film on him but he is well-respected around the league," Schraeder said of Long. "I think competition is good and makes everyone better."
The offensive line remains a concern despite the Falcons' season-opening 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Right guard Chris Chester appeared to be the steadiest of the group, while Schraeder played well, save for a false start.
Matthews, counted upon to be the anchor, actually had a few uncharacteristic breakdowns. But some rust was expected from the former first-round draft pick, who just started to find his footing during training camp following offseason Lisfranc ligament foot surgery. Matthews then strained his back in the preseason but received an injection to help soothe the pain.
"It held up really well," Matthews said of his back. "I'm happy with the way it felt."
We'll see how Matthews and Schraeder hold up this week as Long gets up to speed. The New York Giants don't pose nearly as much of a threat without edge-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who has one healthy finger on his right hand following a fireworks accident and won't be on the field anytime soon, if at all again. Pierre-Paul gave Matthews fits last season as Matthews tried to brave through a high ankle sprain.
The opposition for Matthews and Schraeder will include veteran Robert Ayers and Matthews' former college teammate, Damontre Moore.
Quinn assessed what he saw from Matthews and Schraeder against the Eagles.
"With Jake Matthews, I thought what a good job coming back from being sidelined, and the amount of work and effort that goes in just to get yourself ready to go back and play at the level that you were playing at," Quinn said. "It was great to see him come off of the ball. I thought he really used his feet. In the run game, he was a real factor. For the limited reps (in practice), I thought he had a terrific starts.
"Over on the right side with Ryan, I love the competitiveness. I felt that come out of him. And I thought that (line) group in general, as a whole, really played together. The communication was there and on point."
Matthews and Schraeder don't have keep looking over their shoulders with Long now in the mix, but a colossal collapse by either could get Long on the field sooner than later.
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
When Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews first entered college in 2010, the former Texas A&M standout was well aware of a Pro Bowl lineman playing for the Miami Dolphins named Jake Long.
"Really good player," Matthews said. "I can remember watching him growing up. I remember in high school and stuff thinking, `Man, that guy's the man.' It will be a great guy to learn from. And I'll be excited to have him on my team."
Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft -- two spots ahead of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan -- was signed to a one-year deal Tuesday. The financial terms of the deal where not immediately available, but the four-time Pro Bowler gets a chance to prove he's healthy again. Long ended the last four seasons on injured reserve as a member of the Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. The biggest issue is the right knee he had repaired twice following ACL tears, which raises questions about his durability.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn made it clear that Long isn't coming in to start immediately. He'll begin in his comfort zone at left tackle, but as the backup to Matthews. Then he'll also work on the right side, where undrafted Ryan Schraeder is the starting right tackle.
"I haven't watched a lot of film on him but he is well-respected around the league," Schraeder said of Long. "I think competition is good and makes everyone better."
The offensive line remains a concern despite the Falcons' season-opening 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Right guard Chris Chester appeared to be the steadiest of the group, while Schraeder played well, save for a false start.
Matthews, counted upon to be the anchor, actually had a few uncharacteristic breakdowns. But some rust was expected from the former first-round draft pick, who just started to find his footing during training camp following offseason Lisfranc ligament foot surgery. Matthews then strained his back in the preseason but received an injection to help soothe the pain.
"It held up really well," Matthews said of his back. "I'm happy with the way it felt."
We'll see how Matthews and Schraeder hold up this week as Long gets up to speed. The New York Giants don't pose nearly as much of a threat without edge-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, who has one healthy finger on his right hand following a fireworks accident and won't be on the field anytime soon, if at all again. Pierre-Paul gave Matthews fits last season as Matthews tried to brave through a high ankle sprain.
The opposition for Matthews and Schraeder will include veteran Robert Ayers and Matthews' former college teammate, Damontre Moore.
Quinn assessed what he saw from Matthews and Schraeder against the Eagles.
"With Jake Matthews, I thought what a good job coming back from being sidelined, and the amount of work and effort that goes in just to get yourself ready to go back and play at the level that you were playing at," Quinn said. "It was great to see him come off of the ball. I thought he really used his feet. In the run game, he was a real factor. For the limited reps (in practice), I thought he had a terrific starts.
"Over on the right side with Ryan, I love the competitiveness. I felt that come out of him. And I thought that (line) group in general, as a whole, really played together. The communication was there and on point."
Matthews and Schraeder don't have keep looking over their shoulders with Long now in the mix, but a colossal collapse by either could get Long on the field sooner than later.
