Atlanta Falcons: The Offensive Line Must Gel Versus Skins

The Battle at Left Guard

Jamon Brown and James Carpenter are engaged in a heated battle for the starting left guard spot. So far the team seems to favor Brown, but he has been underwhelming thus far.

On the positive side, Jamon Brown has not given up a sack this exhibition season. However like his line mate Chris Lindstrom, he has allowed three pressures. This includes two hurries and one quarterback hit, earning him a pass blocking grade of 66.3.

What’s more concerning is the fact that Jamon Brown has only graded 58.3 as a run blocker. That’s the area the 6’4 340 pound lineman was expected to aid in the most. If he wins the job, hopefully that size will pay off in the fourth quarter when team are worn down.

Another positive for Brown is he has not drawn a penalty flag as an Atlanta Falcon. This is great news, because with eight penalties in eight starts last season, that was certainly a concern coming in.

Overall Jamon Brown has graded 62.2. That ranks him number 16 on the Falcons offense for this preseason. Brown must play better, in order to live up to the contract that he signed as a free agent this offseason.

James Carpenter is the more veteran candidate vying for the left guard position. By all appearances he is trailing in the competition, mostly due to missing the last two weeks of games and many practices with a hip flexor injury.

He was held out of the Hall of Fame game along with many starters, so he has yet to see action in the preseason. His performance against the Redskins will be key, if he is to overtake Jamon Brown for the job.

Should Carpenter win the Job and Kaleb Mcgary returns and starts and right tackle, the Atlanta Falcons would be the first team every to start five first round draft picks up front.