Atlanta Falcons: Polumbus Cut, Long Ready?

The Atlanta Falcons have cut OTTyler Polumbusto sign a familiar face in TEMickey Shuler. Does this mean that OTJake Longis ready for a rotational role?

This doesn’t come as a surprise after the signing of OT Jake Long a few weeks back. It was in the Atlanta Falcons’ plans all along to have the former Pro Bowl LT play in a rotational role on OC Kyle Shanahan’s offensive line.

-= Related: Atlanta Falcons’ Offensive Line Growing Together =-

With TEJacob Tammein concussion protocol following Atlanta’s 39-28 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Falcons organization needed to sign a tight end and went with former practice squad player Mickey Shuler. This ended OT Tyler Polumbus’ brief tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.

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While it is up in the air to what Shuler’s role with the Falcons will be going forward, one this is certain: Jake Long should start playing on Sundays for the Dirty Birds in the next couple of weeks. Though Long looked like he was is strong physical shape, he needed to get in “football shape” in addition to getting acclimated to a swing tackle role in Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme.

Atlanta has had great player from its starting tackles in the first three weeks in LTJake Matthewsand RTRyan Schraeder. According to Brent Rollins ofPro Football Focus, Matthews grades out as the 4th best LT in football and best at his position in pass-blocking efficiency. Schraeder rates as the second best RT in football through the first three weeks. The Atlanta Falcons offensive line enters Week 4 as the number one pass protection unit and number three in run blocking.

The starting five of LT Jake Matthews, LGAndy Levitre, CMike Person, RGChris Chester, and RT Ryan Schraeder are on the verge of getting a 4x Former NFL Pro Bowler as the unit’s 6th man. Long will have the ability to spell both Matthews and Schraeder if need be for the Atlanta Falcons moving forward.

Blogging Dirty

Expect for the Atlanta Falcons to have OT Jake Long as an active member on their roster entering Week 4 versus the Houston Texans at home. Football is often times a game of injury management. Now that Long has learned the nuances of Shanahan’s ZBS, expect him to contribute in some capacity in the coming weeks.

It’s truly amazing how quickly Shanahan and OL Coach Chris Morgan have transformed the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line. It went from the 30th rated group last season to the top of the NFL is three weeks.

Sure, there is a ton of football left in 2015, but should the ZBS continue to work in Atlanta, this will be a very difficult Atlanta Falcons’ offensive to stop. Look for the unit to continue to grow as the season unfolds.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 4

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