Atlanta Falcons: 11 Straight Preseason Losses is Troubling
Outside of Pro Bowl veterans Jake Matthews and Alex Mack, the Atlanta offensive line struggled to maintain the line of scrimmage against the Jets. They allowed Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks to take a total of 14 hits, which is far too many.
Ty Sambrailo was especially ineffective in the matchup. He was physically outmatched on multiple plays. He allowed one sack and another quarterback hit. He totally whiffed on one block, causing pressure against Matt Ryan.
Pro Football Focus gave Ty Sambrailo a horrible pass blocking grade of 19.6. His overall grade was a paltry 34.4. Sambrailo played 29 disastrous snaps, before leaving with a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Matt Gono in the contest.
The major focus of the this offseason was improving the offensive line. Unfortunately the results have yet to show and the Atlanta Falcons offensive line appears to be far from fixed.
Ty Sambrailo does not seem to be capable of holding down the right tackle as a starter. The Atlanta Falcons should consider starting Matt Gono there, or maybe even James Carpenter, until first round pick Kaleb McGary returns.
Speaking of Carpenter, he will be returning to practice this week. His presence should restart the battle between he and Jamon Brown at left guard.
Jamon Brown has been mediocre in preseason play thus far. He was beaten badly a couple of times by this year’s number three overall draft pick Quinnen Williams.
Brown earned PFF grade of 60.1 against the Jets and has an overall grade of 62.2. That lines up with how he has typically performed as a professional.
Jamon Brown does not appear to be a huge upgrade at the left guard position, other than size in the running game. The Atlanta Falcons would be smart to go with Carpenter at that spot this season, as the younger Brown continues to develop.
Chris Lindstrom, the Atlanta Falcons top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has also struggled to start his NFL career. That is to be expected as he must develop more physically and perfect his leverage techniques against the monster defensive tackles in today’s NFL.
Against the New York Jets, Lindstrom allowed a sack and allowed Matt Ryan to he hit one other time. Chris was given a grade of 58.9 in the Falcons loss. He has an overall grade of just 56.8 through the team’s three exhibition games.
Chris Lindstrom still projects to be a fine NFL player. However those who are looking for him to dominate out of the gate like Quinton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts, may be in for a rude awakening.