The right side of Atlanta's offensive line has a new look this year with free agent guard Jon Asamoah and first-round tackle Jake Matthews in place. They're the two primary pieces the Falcons added to improve the line and hopefully the entire offense as a result. Although Asamoah wasn't around last season, he's taken the lack of success personally and is here to help turn things around quickly, especially in the run game.
"Every offensive lineman I know loves to run the ball," Asamoah said Tuesday. "There's nothing better than when you're running it and stuffing it down their face and you know they can't stop you. There's no better feeling I've experienced. It's one of those things you've got to take pride in. You've got to make the runs early in the game and make them go so we can keep calling it."
While Asamoah brings four years of experience to the O-line, he's lining up next to a rookie with zero NFL experience. Some may think an inexperienced player isn't the best option to protect the franchise quarterback, but Asamoah sees the unique traits in Matthews that are needed to overcome many of the roadblocks in front of a rookie on the fast track to a starting role.
Tuesday afternoon marked the first day of Falcons veteran minicamp as we inch closer to the 2014 season. Fans came out to watch the activities from the hill at the Branch.

T Sam Baker participates in a drill

G Jon Asamoah takes his turn in the rotation at practice

Fans watch practice from the hill

Young fans stay hydrated on the hill

TE Brian Wozniak warms up


FB Patrick DiMarco

RB Devonta Freeman

S Dezmen Southward

WR Freddie Martino

Head coach Mike Smith talks to rookie T Jake Matthews

Fans watch practice from the hill

LB Akeem Dent works hard at practice

LB Yawin Smallwood practices with LB Brenden Daley

QB Jeff Mathews

Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach Terry Robiskie


CB Jordan Mabin gets loose before practice

CB Robert Alford participates in warm ups

CB Josh Wilson smiles during warm ups



P Matt Bosher and K Sergio Castillo

WR Harry Douglas makes a catch


DE Kroy Biermann participates in activities at practice

DE Kroy Biermann participates in activities at practice

QB Matt Ryan tosses the ball around during warm ups

WR Harry Douglas talks to head coach Mike Smith

WR Devin Hester passes the ball to WR Julio Jones

Head coach Mike Smith

WR Devin Hester


LB Tyler Starr goes up against DE Stansley Maponga

C James Stone

The offensive line chats between drills

C Joe Hawley

RB Steven Jackson


T Same Baker and T Lamar Holmes

C Peter Konz and T Ryan Schraeder

C Peter Konz and G Justin Blalock

G Justin Blalock smiles after taking his turn at practice

Head coach Mike Smith and WR Julio Jones


WR Darius Johnson and WR Devin Hester

WR Julian Jones


WR Julio Jones and WR Roddy White throw passes during practice

WR Julio Jones and WR Roddy White throw passes during practice

WR Geraldo Boldewijn

WR Bernard Reedy

WR Freddie Martino

WR Julio Jones looks to pass the ball during warm ups

Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan

CB Desmond Trufant

The Falcons stretch on the field at the Branch

A fan participates in a passing game at the Branch

One little fan couldn't wait to get to the hill to watch practice

WR Harry Douglas

WR Julio Jones catches the ball during warm ups

CB Robert Alford stretches before getting to work

LB Brenden Daley

K Sergio Castillo

CB Robert Alford

S William Moore

QB Matt Ryan

DT Paul Soliai

DT Travian Robertson
"Rookies are rookies," Asamoah said. "They haven't been through it yet so they don't know what to expect. You try to give them advice, but it's up to them whether or not they want to take it. Jake is an amazing kid. It must be the football background, his temperament, he gets it. He's always open to everything. He's one of the brightest rookies I've ever seen."
Interestingly enough, it's the second straight year Asamoah will play alongside a high-profile rookie tackle. Last season in Kansas City, the Chiefs' first-round pick, Eric Fisher, was placed in a similar role as Matthews is this year. Drafted third overall, Fisher was expected to be the future left tackle, but manned right tackle as a rookie. Asamoah said that experience helped prepare him to work with Matthews. Their relationship is growing and Asamoah likes what he sees in the rookie.
"He's got all the tools," Asamoah said. "The way he moves, the way he does everything. I'm excited to see him play and I'm now a big fan."
Everyone will become a big fan of Asamoah and Matthews if they're able to solidify the line as expected. An improvement in the run game should be noticeable and with improved pass protection, bigger plays down the field will follow. Asamoah joined the Falcons for the opportunity to be a piece in an explosive offense and that's what he intends to do.
"I'm here to just protect No. 2 and run the ball when we call run," he said. "Just make the thing go. I played Atlanta a couple of years ago, I know what this offense can do and I just wanted to be a part of it."