What Chris Chester Brings to The Falcons’ Offensive Line

The Atlanta Falcons have signed G Chris Chester previously of the Washington Redskins.  Chester started every game on the Redskins offensive line the last four seasons. The nine-year veteran also played his five with the Baltimore Ravens.  Atlanta has looked for an answer to fill the void left by releasing longtime left guard Justin Blalock back in March.  Can Chester make up for Blalock’s absence?

The issue with Chester playing left guard is that he has only played right guard in his nine-year NFL career.  Yes, it’s just the on the other side of the center but that’s nine years of continuity you don’t want to overlook.  Perhaps the answer for filling left guard would be to move Jon Asamoah over from the right side to now play between LT Jake Matthews and C Joe Hawley.  So why make the move to get Chris Chester if he doesn’t directly fill a need?

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In Washington, Chester played in Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme.  Washington ran all over the NFC and into the playoffs back in 2012 with the likes of Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III.  Though Chester will be 32 years old when he plays for the Coach Quinn’s 2015 Atlanta Falcons, he brings 111 career starts at RG and 137 games of NFL experience.

Regardless of if Chris Chester stays a starter in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Chester can bring veteran leadership to an offensive line that is mostly unfamiliar with a zone blocking scheme.  It seems like the entire offensive line group is embracing these new blocking schemes.  The track record of a Shanahan running attack seems to work wherever it goes (Denver, Houston, Washington, Cleveland).

Will Atlanta improve in run blocking in 2015?  Most likely but it will take a few weeks before the running game really starts to gel.  By bringing in a lineman that is familiar with how Shanahan wants his offense to run, the learning curve for the offensive line should feel a little less intimidating.  A major indicator for this upcoming season’s success is if the Falcons can consistently establish the run.  If Atlanta can increase its yards per carry and convert on third and shorts with the running game, the Falcons offense might be one of the most efficient in the NFL.