Post by Guvmintcheeze on Jul 30, 2015 21:32:31 GMT
Falcons OL Jake Matthews fully prepared for camp after foot surgery
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons starting left tackle Jake Matthews, who underwent foot surgery in January, said he received full clearance to practice at the start of training camp Friday morning.
Matthews had his torn Lisfranc ligament repaired and rested most of the offseason.
"It feels good," Matthews said. "Yeah, I'm ready to go. I'm cleared to do everything. So when we start tomorrow, I'll be out there and playing. I'm excited, too. It's been a while. Ready to get back into it."
Although he received clearance for camp, Matthews still could see his reps limited so that he is fully healthy for the regular season.
"Obviously when you have a surgery like that, there's going to be some soreness," Matthews said. "You feel stuff every now and then. I'm sure they'll do a good job of limiting reps, if it does bother me. But I'm planning on it feeling good and getting everything. We'll see how it goes."
A number of significant injuries along the offensive line have kept the Falcons from developing the chemistry they would like to have going into a new scheme. Starting center Joe Hawley, who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee last September, told ESPN.com his reps will be limited at the start of camp as he gradually works his way back into the lineup. Starting right guard Jon Asamoah sustained what he called a "tough" offseason ankle injury, which limited his participation. Asamoah said he is ready to go through a full practice Friday.
"Real cautious with it during the offseason to make sure, come this time, that we're good to go," Asamoah said.
The Falcons signed veteran lineman Chris Chester to fill a void, likely at left guard. Ryan Schraeder has settled in as the starting right tackle. But the combination of Matthews, Hawley, Asamoah, Chester and Schraeder has yet to work together in full-team drills as offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan implements his outside-zone blocking scheme, aimed to enhance the running game.
"I'm excited to get a feel for the new line and how we work together, especially in this new offense," Matthews said. "Training camp, it's a good time for us to find out what we're about and get to know each other. I'm going to be excited, and it will be fun."
Asamoah is a bigger-bodied player more suited for pass protection, so his ability to get out and run in the zone-blocking scheme will be worth monitoring.
"It's exciting," Asamoah said of the scheme. "It's what I came in doing in Kansas City. It's good to get back to it. It's something that can really put the defense on their heels. Once we get the run game going, everything falls right off that."
Asamoah addressed developing chemistry along the line following all the injuries.
"It's the same thing every year, so this is the beginning of a new group," he said. "It's never the same. You know how it is: We leave the team meeting at the end of the season before, and it's almost a totally new group every year. So, this is the time that we build all that."
Depth is also a concern for the offensive line. The Falcons placed reserved offensive tackle Lamar Holmes on the physically unable to perform list Thursday as he continues to recover from a broken foot. Holmes arrived at training camp on crutches and with his right foot in a boot. Holmes still counts against the 90-man roster.
The backup offensive tackles include veteran Tyler Polumbus, rookies Jake Rodgers and Matt Huffer and newly signed DeMarcus Love.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons starting left tackle Jake Matthews, who underwent foot surgery in January, said he received full clearance to practice at the start of training camp Friday morning.
Matthews had his torn Lisfranc ligament repaired and rested most of the offseason.
"It feels good," Matthews said. "Yeah, I'm ready to go. I'm cleared to do everything. So when we start tomorrow, I'll be out there and playing. I'm excited, too. It's been a while. Ready to get back into it."
Although he received clearance for camp, Matthews still could see his reps limited so that he is fully healthy for the regular season.
"Obviously when you have a surgery like that, there's going to be some soreness," Matthews said. "You feel stuff every now and then. I'm sure they'll do a good job of limiting reps, if it does bother me. But I'm planning on it feeling good and getting everything. We'll see how it goes."
A number of significant injuries along the offensive line have kept the Falcons from developing the chemistry they would like to have going into a new scheme. Starting center Joe Hawley, who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee last September, told ESPN.com his reps will be limited at the start of camp as he gradually works his way back into the lineup. Starting right guard Jon Asamoah sustained what he called a "tough" offseason ankle injury, which limited his participation. Asamoah said he is ready to go through a full practice Friday.
"Real cautious with it during the offseason to make sure, come this time, that we're good to go," Asamoah said.
The Falcons signed veteran lineman Chris Chester to fill a void, likely at left guard. Ryan Schraeder has settled in as the starting right tackle. But the combination of Matthews, Hawley, Asamoah, Chester and Schraeder has yet to work together in full-team drills as offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan implements his outside-zone blocking scheme, aimed to enhance the running game.
"I'm excited to get a feel for the new line and how we work together, especially in this new offense," Matthews said. "Training camp, it's a good time for us to find out what we're about and get to know each other. I'm going to be excited, and it will be fun."
Asamoah is a bigger-bodied player more suited for pass protection, so his ability to get out and run in the zone-blocking scheme will be worth monitoring.
"It's exciting," Asamoah said of the scheme. "It's what I came in doing in Kansas City. It's good to get back to it. It's something that can really put the defense on their heels. Once we get the run game going, everything falls right off that."
Asamoah addressed developing chemistry along the line following all the injuries.
"It's the same thing every year, so this is the beginning of a new group," he said. "It's never the same. You know how it is: We leave the team meeting at the end of the season before, and it's almost a totally new group every year. So, this is the time that we build all that."
Depth is also a concern for the offensive line. The Falcons placed reserved offensive tackle Lamar Holmes on the physically unable to perform list Thursday as he continues to recover from a broken foot. Holmes arrived at training camp on crutches and with his right foot in a boot. Holmes still counts against the 90-man roster.
The backup offensive tackles include veteran Tyler Polumbus, rookies Jake Rodgers and Matt Huffer and newly signed DeMarcus Love.
