FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There's a saying I tend to live by in my coverage: If you're talking about the offensive line, eight times out of 10, it's not a good thing.
Sure, I talk about this particular offensive line a lot, what with the run game prowess the group has established in recent years. But that's kind of it, right? It's usually the group as a collective. When you start calling out individuals (beyond Chris Lindstrom during award season), that's where things get dicey. And this week's news? It was all about individual pieces, and none of it was good.
Kaleb McGary was carted off the field during Wednesday's practice. Storm Norton reportedly underwent ankle surgery Tuesday. This all coming after two lackluster performances by the second-team offensive line against Detroit and Tennessee in the Falcons' first two preseason games. You have offensive line questions, and while I don't have the answer to your main one (being: What is McGary's injury and how much time will he miss?) I can work to provide you with more detail in other areas of this same conversation.
From @seaborn7 on X/Twitter
With Storm Norton out who do we look to? OL depth has been our biggest weakness, in my humble opinion, so Norton/McGary is the worst thing that could happen with a new QB. Do we plug the gaps with what we have or look for a FA acquisition or a trade?
If I am Terry Fontenot I am running down every single scenario as to how to fix the gaping hole at tackle right now. Unfortunately, I do not think Elijah Wilkinson or Jack Nelson have done enough through camp and the two preseason games we have seen to instill confidence in me that they can take over for McGary and Norton. Can that change after this Friday in Dallas? Personally, I think it may be too little too late. The Falcons also have Brandon Parker in house, but considering it was Wilkinson who resumed McGary's spot after he was carted off the field, I don't know how keen Falcons coaches are about Parker. He may fall directly behind McGary on the depth chart page, but it doesn't feel like he is the automatic backup.
So, I'm making some calls around the league. We will discuss one player who I'd be interested in inquiring about later in this article. But ultimately, with 53-man roster cuts happening so soon, I'd wade through those waters first to see who falls off of other rosters that you could pick up when they hit waivers. By this time next week, if you do not feel as though there is a viable option for a starter, then perhaps you up the ante and move to the trade market, especially if more tests and information shows that McGary will be out for the long haul.
Long story short, I think this is going to be a very fluid situation as 1) more information is provided about McGary's return-to-play timeline, 2) roster cuts are made across the league, and 3) well, how desperate the Falcons become to find the right man to fill the spot. Because right now? I'm pretty desperate for answers. It's too important of a spot to leave it up to chance or hope. It's Michael Penix Jr.'s blindside blocker. It's Chris Lindstrom's right hand man. For all the flak directed McGary's way over the years (a lot of it undeserved in my opinion), he was a vital cog in the wheel that made the Falcons' offense go. Without him? And without someone of equal caliber to Norton filling in? I'm concerned...
And if I'm Raheem Morris? I am marching down the hallway to Fontenot's office with one request: "Man, go get me a right tackle."
From... well... a lot of people on X/Twitter
Do you think the Falcons will consider moving Matthew Bergeron?
Yes, Bergeron played tackle in college. No, I do not think the Falcons will consider moving him to tackle for one second.
I understand the thought process behind the question. I really do. The Falcons need a tackle, Bergeron was one. It is not that simple, though, and moving Bergeron creates more issues than it solves.
There are so many reasons why I do not think this should be a consideration. Bergeron has really come into his own in the league as a guard. It's where he has specialized for over two years. And he's performed well. Moving him now causes too much destruction to that pursuit. It messes up Bergeron's growth at the position. It switches him (and his footwork, muscle memory, blocking technique, personal confidence, etc.) to a completely different side. For what? A couple months? Then, let's say, McGary or Norton comes back halfway through the season and Bergeron moves back to left guard and has to re-establish himself there. I do not like flip-flopping like that.
And that's not even to mention that you'd have to backfill the left guard spot if you move Bergeron to tackle. So, in essence, you're in the exact same spot: Looking to fill a starting vacancy on your offensive line.
To me, this is a nonstarter. It doesn't do anything for Bergeron's personal growth, nor does it actually help anything at all. If anything, it inserts too many unknown variables into an already shaky equation.
From @hchrismiller on X/Twitter
Would they trade for a potentially available OT like Evan Neal?
An interesting proposal, but one I have a difficult time knowing if it will move the needle or not. Or even be worth the cost.
Neal is a case study that deserves its own dissertation, though.
Coming out of Alabama in the 2022 NFL Draft, Neal was a top-10 prospect, one of the best tackles in the class. He made 13 starts at right tackle as a rookie. It would have been more had an MCL sprain not sent him to the sideline for a time. However, he has since lost his starting right tackle job and has moved to right guard. What's more? Local reports out of New York are claiming he's someone who has the most on the line in the preseason to prove his worth.
Now, did Neal leave a lot to be desired by way of attitude and performance early in his career? Yes. But does he deserve another chance to prove he could be a viable tackle option in this league? I think so. Could that be with the Falcons? Who's to say? But I would entertain it, and wouldn't stick up my nose at the opportunity.
As it stands right now, Neal is a backup offensive lineman for the Giants. He still has athletic upside, but inconsistencies in play and movement inside has dwindled his shine as a former first-round pick.
"He's been all on board with the change," Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown said this week, "and he just wants to help the team any way he can. He wants to be the best version of himself. He knows nothing's going to be given to him, regardless of draft status."
The question is, though, could he help the Falcons more? And if so, how much would the Falcons being willing to toss up to New York to bring in the help?
