Players

TRANSACTIONS

Originally selected as a first round (21st pick overall) draft choice by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.

2011 (FALCONS)

Started the first six games of the 2011 season at left tackle. Started at left tackle vs. Philadelphia (9/18) for an offense that produced 318 total yards. Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack at Seattle (10/2).Part of an offensive line that paved the way for RB Michael Turner, who rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns vs. Carolina (10/16). Inactive at Detroit (10/23), at Indianapolis (11/6), vs. New Orleans (11/13) and vs. Tennessee (11/20) due to injury (back). Saw action on special teams vs. Minnesota (11/27). Saw action on special teams at Houston (12/4). Saw action at right guard at Carolina (12/11). Saw action vs. Jacksonville (12/15). Saw action on offense and special teams at New Orleans (12/26). Saw action on offense and special teams vs. Tampa Bay (1/1).

2010 (FALCONS)

Started in all 16 games at left tackle and was part of a unit that allowed QB Matt Ryan to throw for 3,705 yards and 28 touchdowns. Part of an offensive line that ranked third in the NFL and first in the NFC, allowing just 23 sacks. Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 33 pass attempts while helping the offense produce a season-high 452 total yards against Cincinnati (10/24). Opened rushing lanes for a ground attack that re- corded 221 rushing yards against Arizona (9/19).

2009 (FALCONS)

Started in 14 contests at left tackle and was part of a unit that allowed Falcons quarterbacks to throw for 223.2 passing yards per game. Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in six games, which included a streak of four in a row. Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 32 pass attempts while helping the offense produce a season-high 477 total yards at San Francisco (10/11). Opened rushing lanes for a ground attack that recorded 183 rushing yards at Tampa Bay (1/3).

2008 (FALCONS)

Competed in eight games starting in five in his rookie season. Started at left tackle in his NFL debut and helped open running lanes for a ground attack that amassed a franchise single-game high 318 yards vs. Detroit (9/7). Started at left tackle for an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 26 pass attempts at Green Bay (10/5). Member of an offensive line that helped produce a season-high 301 passing yards vs. Chicago (10/12). Helped open holes for RB Michael Turner to record 208 rushing yards aginst St. Louis (12/28).

COLLEGE

All-America first-team selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, adding third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report and second-team accolades from the Associated Press, College Football News and Sports Illustratedas a senior. A unanimous All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice and was named the team's Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2007. A semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award as a senior. Helped the offense average 434.9 yards per game and allowed only two quarterback sacks all season in 2007. Selected as the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2004.

PERSONAL

Attended Tustin High School (California) and earned Super Prep, Prep Star, Student Sports and Tom Lemming Prep Football Report All-America first-team honors. Named to the Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, the Sporting News Hot 100 and Tom Lemming's Top 100. Was an Orange County Register All-Orange County first-team pick as a senior offensive and defensive lineman in 2002. Helped his high school advance to the CIF Division VI semi-finals as a senior. A Sociology major. Born Samuel Baker on May 30, 1985. Married to wife, Antoinette