Falcons O-Line is having problems

The Atlanta Falcons have not started the 2011 football season the way many have predicted. A lot of people picked them to beat the Bears as it was supposed to be the Jay Cutler under duress all game when it was Matt Ryan. Then the fall to the Buccaneers in Week 3 with again Matt Ryan under duress all game long. The Falcons offensive line has surrendered 13 sacks and 21 quarterback hits in only three games this year and that is a cause for concern as Matt Ryan was only sacked 23 times last year.

Yes the Falcons have done a little overhaul with the offensive line as Harvey Dahl is with the St. Louis Rams, and Todd McClure missed the first two games after undergoing knee surgery. You can definitely see that the cohesiveness is not there yet with this group, and they are just not in a rhythm. The Falcons have been unable to get the running game going, and protect Matt Ryan consistently. In Matt Ryan’s first three years I have never seen him take a beating like he has in the first three weeks on the season, and that is saying something. Michael Turner only had 20 rushing yards against the Buccaneers, and it was because on the inability of the Falcons offensive line to give him any lanes to run through. The identity of the Falcons is running the ball at teams, and even with the acquisition of Julio Jones they shouldn’t get away from that.

> Find Atlanta Falcons jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

For the person that I would say is on the hot seat on the offensive line it is Sam Baker. He is supposed to be protecting Matt Ryan’s blindside, and from what I have seen in the first three games he is not getting the job done. I understand that he is facing premier pass rushers in Julius Peppers and Trent Cole in the first two weeks, but when you are facing a rookie in Adrian Clayborn this is when Baker has to use his experience on Clayborn. Baker is known for slow starts, but if he wants to keep his job he has to get out of that habit. Even though Baker is a first round draft selection I’m pretty positive that Thomas Dimitroff won’t hesitate to replace Baker if his inconsistency continues.

Bottom line is the Falcons offensive line has well underperformed than what was expected of them, and until they address the problem I do not see the Falcons as a threat to contend for a championship. You can’t allow your quarterback to constantly get hit and sacked every week, because if you do then he will lose confidence in you and rush his throws and that is the last thing Matt Ryan needs to do. Protect Matt Ryan and allow him to find open receivers.

By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Atlanta Falcons Correspondent