The Falcons went into OTAs and minicamp with three starting jobs on the offensive line up for grabs. About a week into training camp, Elijah Wilkinson was looking solid while Jalen Mayfield still struggled a bit at left guard, so I went ahead and called that one for Wilkinson a day before a local sports site did. Wilkinson continued to shine in the preseason opener against the Lions, in particular combining with Matt Hennessy to open a gaping hole that sprang Qadree Ollison for 18 yards. Now it's time to call the RT competition over as well. Germain Ifedi looked good enough early on, but as camp has progressed Kaleb McGary has stepped up his game. Apparently not getting that fifth year option and bringing in competition for his job did manage to light a fire under him. He was solid in the opening drive against Detroit, and he was a standout performer in the first joint practice with the Jets. Meanwhile, Ifedi looked sloppy at times in the Detroit game. He's not going to take away anyone's job that way. So... I'm calling it now, before the Jets game on Monday. McGary keeps his starting role at right tackle. And not having his fifth year option picked up means that this is a contract year, so he should still have extra motivation throughout the season. His game film this year will make several million dollars of difference to his bank account next March. The last competition is at center. It's still completely up for grabs, with the team alternating who works with the first unit from day to day in practice. Today it was Dalman's turn. I thought Hennessy had the better performance against Detroit, but there are still two more preseason games left to play. Coming out of the Detroit game, my dry erase board has the active seven linemen as Jake Matthews (LT), Elijah Wilkinson (LG), Matt Hennessy (C), Chris Lindstrom (RG), Kaleb McGary (RT), Rick Leonard (swing tackle), Drew Dalman (interior).
And, right on cue... 'He's just cutting it loose:' How Kaleb McGary has found right form, proper mindset heading into 2022 season He's moving much better this season than in the past. That much has been obvious to me in practice. He's not going to be an easy target for an edge rusher to beat on the outside or worse, fake him out with the outside move and dive past him inside. The article says the whole contract situation isn't getting to him, but something clearly woke him up.
Falcons RT McGary on 25 second-half run plays vs. Browns: 'That was a couple years' worth of Christmas' The Atlanta Falcons established the run in the second half of Sunday's 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns. At one point, Arthur Smith called 14 straight runs, picking up chunk gains as the offensive line blew open big gaps. For the bruisers up front, the 25 second-half runs were a holiday treat in October. "That was a couple years' worth of Christmas, maybe," right tackle Kaleb McGary said of the run calls, via ESPN. "That's what we were wanting. We were hoping and praying. Give us a chance. Let us run the ball. Just give us a chance." The Falcons utilized three running backs to run for 202 yards in Week 4 versus Cleveland, the second time this season ATL has earned 200-plus yards rushing (also Week 1). Cordarrelle Patterson went for 38 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. But dealing with a knee injury that sent the RB to injured reserve on Monday, the Falcons leaned on a combo of rookie Tyler Allgeierand 2021 undrafted running back Caleb Huntley. Allgeier dashed for 84 yards on 10 totes while Huntly galloped for 56 yards and a TD on 10 carries. The 14-straight run calls came after Marcus Mariota threw a ghastly interception that allowed the Browns to take the lead. But the Falcons mashed their way back, going 75 yards in 10 plays (all runs) to regain the lead. "When the line is running like that, that's what you call being in the flow," Smith said. "Proud of those guys. We knew it was going to be a big-boy fight. Seeing all the run attempts and I always thought the team that ran the ball better today was going to win. That held true, thankfully." McGary and his linemates were blasting big holes against a Browns defense with zero answers. Already having questions at defensive tackle, Cleveland playing without Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney had the D-line susceptible to gashes. Guard Chris Lindstrom (94.0) and McGary (90.0) received Pro Football Focus' top two run-blocking grades in Week 4. The Falcons' ability to run the ball has them 2-2 to open the season, good enough to earn a tie with Tampa Bay atop the NFC South. NFL.com _____________ ________________________ Offensive Linemen love the run game. They get off the ball and run people over... pancakes anyone?
