Four Questions For Atlanta Falcons Heading Into Regular Season
By Deke Lloyd
1. Will The Offensive Line Be Better Than Last Season
The Atlanta Falcons offensive line was a huge issue for the team all last season. In the offseason, to correct the issue, the Falcons invested heavily into their offensive line. Before the draft, the Falcons spent money to bring in Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to sure up the offensive tackles and the depth problem. The team didn’t stop there. In the NFL Draft, Atlanta took two offensive linemen in the first round, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary.
With the additions from the offseason, and returning starters Jake Matthews and Alex Mack, the Falcons seemed set on the offensive line for the coming season. However, the Falcons got dealt some bad news when it was announced first-round pick, Kaleb McGary, would have to undergo a heart procedure, a procedure that was minimally invasive and something McGary has had done twice before this latest one. It was projected McGary would miss 6-8 weeks. He’s since returned to the field with no contact as of now.
With McGary going down, Ty Sambrailo was projected to be the starter for the opening of the regular season. McGary was thought to have overtaken Sambrailo for the right tackle position, but with the injury to McGary, the timeline will need to be readjusted. Then, in last week’s preseason game with the Jets, it was announced Sambrailo is dealing with an injury, too. The Falcons are down to their third-string right tackle, and it’s still preseason. Not great.
I do expect McGary to be back early in the season and in the starting offensive line whenever he is cleared to play. Early returns from Sambrailo have not been positive just judging from his time in the preseason. Alex Mack hasn’t played, and that’s fine. He’s a vet. Chris Lindstrom, from all reports, has been good. He should start in his rookie season, barring injury. If the Falcons want to have any success this season, it starts with the offensive line. Protecting Matt Ryan should be goal number one for the Falcons franchise. The team has invested its resources into fixing the line. Now, it’s time to see if the money and capital will be enough to keep Matt Ryan off his back.