Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 10, 2015 20:13:47 GMT
Matt Ryan confident in revamped Atlanta Falcons offensive line
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
Matt Ryan didn't succumb to the pressure of the question.
When the Falcons quarterback was pressed about his confidence in the offensive line -- a line that just added two new starters this week in left guard Andy Levitre and center Mike Person, Ryan didn't flinch.
"We've got guys ... Andy Levitre is a guy that has played a lot of ball and that has played a lot of ball at a high level,'' Ryan said. "And so you know that once he gets out there, he's going to compete. And he knows what it takes in order to be successful. And I think the scheme-wise, he's a smart guy. In the three days that I kind of had to be around him a little bit, we've kind talked a little bit. And he's picked up a lot pretty quickly.
"I'm excited about these guys (on the line). I think they're talented, tough, and are going to play really hard.''
The last time Ryan saw extended time in live action, he was sacked three times at Miami in the third preseason game against the Dolphins. The line that night consisted of left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard James Stone, center Joe Hawley, right guard Chris Chester, and right tackle Ryan Schraeder. Hawley got released and Stone got demoted, while Matthews just returned from a back injury.
Now, the front five will be asked to go against a potent Eagles' front seven, with linebackers Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin applying a lot of the pressure.
"Philadelphia's defense is really a formidable front seven,'' Ryan said. "You mention those guys and across the board, they're relentless. They were either first or second in sacks last year (tied for second with 49); at the to top of the league in getting after the quarterback. That's a point of emphasis for us. Obviously, we've got to be rock solid in our pass protection. And we've got to run the ball. I think running the ball helps slow down that kind of stuff.''
Ryan has been sacked 75 times the last two seasons including a career-high 44 times in 2013. He also attempted a career-high 651 passes that season and followed with 628 attempts last season.
The Falcons hope the running back combination of rookie Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman, along with moving the pocket in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense, will help alleviate some of the pressure off Ryan.
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
Matt Ryan didn't succumb to the pressure of the question.
When the Falcons quarterback was pressed about his confidence in the offensive line -- a line that just added two new starters this week in left guard Andy Levitre and center Mike Person, Ryan didn't flinch.
"We've got guys ... Andy Levitre is a guy that has played a lot of ball and that has played a lot of ball at a high level,'' Ryan said. "And so you know that once he gets out there, he's going to compete. And he knows what it takes in order to be successful. And I think the scheme-wise, he's a smart guy. In the three days that I kind of had to be around him a little bit, we've kind talked a little bit. And he's picked up a lot pretty quickly.
"I'm excited about these guys (on the line). I think they're talented, tough, and are going to play really hard.''
The last time Ryan saw extended time in live action, he was sacked three times at Miami in the third preseason game against the Dolphins. The line that night consisted of left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard James Stone, center Joe Hawley, right guard Chris Chester, and right tackle Ryan Schraeder. Hawley got released and Stone got demoted, while Matthews just returned from a back injury.
Now, the front five will be asked to go against a potent Eagles' front seven, with linebackers Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin applying a lot of the pressure.
"Philadelphia's defense is really a formidable front seven,'' Ryan said. "You mention those guys and across the board, they're relentless. They were either first or second in sacks last year (tied for second with 49); at the to top of the league in getting after the quarterback. That's a point of emphasis for us. Obviously, we've got to be rock solid in our pass protection. And we've got to run the ball. I think running the ball helps slow down that kind of stuff.''
Ryan has been sacked 75 times the last two seasons including a career-high 44 times in 2013. He also attempted a career-high 651 passes that season and followed with 628 attempts last season.
The Falcons hope the running back combination of rookie Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman, along with moving the pocket in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense, will help alleviate some of the pressure off Ryan.