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The 2015 Atlanta Falcons have become the land of opportunity for re-tread NFL offensive linemen. While the plaque inside the Statue of Liberty reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses”… in the Falcons case it should end with “who are more capable than those we had here to block for Matt Ryan and our running backs.”
Consider that when the Falcons entered training camp, the perceived starting offensive line would include Jake Matthews, Chris Chester, Joe Hawley, Jon Asamoah and Ryan Schraeder. While James Stone was initially labeled as the starting center to open camp, the team was banking on a healthy return from injury for Hawley.
What a difference six weeks makes.
Matthews is back after a back strain, Hawley has been released and Asamoah is on injured reserve with a hip injury. The team will meet with former #1 overall pick Jake Long a second time in order to see if he can provide either depth, or a starter at right tackle. Either way, the Falcons are deep into the bargain bin of available NFL talent on the offensive line.
Consider that there are about 1,700 active players right now. The previous cut from 75 to 53 put over 700 players on the street. “Dem streets” is where the Falcons are currently shopping to find offensive linemen for depth and to potentially start. That’s concerning to say the least.
Here is how they acquired several players currently on their current offensive line. I’ve also included some reporting associated with those players on their previous teams upon their release:
Chris Chester (released by Redskins 2015, due to ineffectiveness in power run scheme)
Mike Person (released by Rams 2015, signed to provide depth to Falcons at tackle and guard)
Gino Gradkowski (released at end of camp by Broncos 2015, never played a snap and didn’t perform well in Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme)
Andy Levitre (traded to Falcons from Titans, lighter frame and poor production ended his tenure in Tennessee)
Tyler Polumbus (signed from Redskins as a free agent 2015, reportedly had trouble in pass protection during final years in Washington)
Of the Falcons remaining active offensive linemen, the only player drafted by the team is Jake Matthews.