Atlanta Falcons Vs Carolina Panthers: Four Offensive Players Who Flew High and Three Who Were Grounded
Grounded Birds
Wes Schweitzer – Left Guard
Wes Schweitzer has been a frequent resident on our grounded players list. Last week he had the best game of his career, but he came crashing back down to earth this week. Schweitzer held up decently in the passing game, though he did allow Matt Ryan to be hurried once. He earned a PFF pass blocking grade of 65.2 for the game.
He also did not commit a penalty this week which is also a positive. The running game is where Schweitzer struggled. In fact run blocking has been the biggest weakness for Wes all season. Against Carolina, Schweitzer was graded a measly 51.3 as a run blocker. The Atlanta Falcons must upgrade at the position in the offseason.
Pro Football Focus Grade: 54.6
ATL All Day Grade: D
Alex Mack – Center
Alex Mack is a perennial Pro Bowl player. He has shown some signs of decline, but is still playing at a high level. In fact Alex was recently named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career. It’s rare that Mack lands on a list of negative performances, but that is the case for week 16.
Alex Mack had a clean sheet as a pass blocker against the Panthers. He did not allow any pressure on Matt Ryan, nor did he commit any penalties. Pro Football Focus gave him a very good grade of 83.4 as a pass blocker.
Like his teammate Wes Schweitzer, the running game is where Alex Mack did not hold up his end of the bargain. Mack was pushed around in the run game and was given a shabby run blocking grade of just 47.3. The Falcons sub par guard play is really putting a strain on Mack, as he’s often asked to perform his duties and help both guards.
Pro Football Focus Grade: 54.8
ATL All Day Grade: D
Zane Beadles – Right Guard
Zane Beadles started his fourth consecutive game after taking over for Ben Garland. Even though the Falcons run game has gotten better since Beadles and Ty Sambrailo took over the right side, Zane has struggled individually.
Even though Zane Beadles did not play very well, the win against Carolina was the best game of his career thus far. Keeping with the theme of our grounded list, Beadles was good in pass protection. After allowing multiple pressures of Matt Ryan in his first three games, Beadles didn’t allow any pressure against the Panthers.
Beadles also was clean in the penalty department. His pass block grade of 84.5 was number one on the Atlanta Falcons team.
Also like his previously mentioned teammates, Zane Beadles had a tough time as run blocker. It’s a good thing that Atlanta used Ricky Ortiz and more two tight end sets to get the run game going.
Zane Beadles was graded 47.8 as run blocker by PFF. He is just a stop-gap injury replacement. The Falcons will certainly have someone else manning the right guard position next season.
Pro Football Focus Grade: 56.2
ATL All Day Grade: D
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