Falcons 2019 training camp position battle: Who starts at left guard?

For the most part, the Falcons’ 2019 offensive line is set, with the exception of left guard. In free agency, the team signed two veterans in Jamon Brown and James Carpenter. At the time, we projected they would be the team’s starters at right and left guard, respectively. However, the Falcons drafted Chris Lindstrom – a right guard – at No. 14 overall in this year’s draft.

Now, the team has to decide whether Brown or Carpenter will start at left guard. To help narrow it down, let’s look into the history of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter’s left guards during his NFL coaching career.

From 2007 to 2011 in Jacksonville, Koetter’s staple at the position was Vince Manuwai (6-foot-2, 333 pounds). Manuwai, was considered “a bulldozer of a run blocker.” In 2007 he ranked 35th out of 62 rated guards in pass blocking and in 2009 was 68th out of 84 guards in pass blocking. Koetter was such a fan of Manuwai’s run blocking prowess that Atlanta signed him briefly in 2012 when he came on board, but he didn’t make the team.

During Koetter’s time as OC from 2012-2014, his left guard was Justin Blalock (6-foot-4, 326 pounds). As far back as high school, Blalock’s run blocking ability was compared to that of an NFL guard.

Koetter left in 2015 to be the offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers and from 2016 to 2018, Koetter was their head coach. His first year in Tampa, Koetter’s starting left guard was Logan Mankins (6-foot-5, 308 pounds). According to PFF, “as a run-blocker, Mankins finished sixth in positive blocks made in the run game.” Luckily for the Buccaneers, Mankins was versatile enough to block effectively for both the run and the pass.

In 2016 and 2017, Koetter’s left guard was J.R Sweezy (6-foot-5, 310 pounds), who is also known as a mauler in the run game.

The pattern is clear.

It’s important in a zone blocking scheme for guards to be able to reach the second level, but it seems like Koetter has deployed an inside zone scheme with hybrid power/gap scheme looks as well, given the size of his guards. Now, let’s take a look at Atlanta’s top left guard candidates for 2019.

Jamon Brown: 6-foot-4, 340 pounds, 26 years old

Here’s a few notes from various scouting reports on Brown:

NFL.com: “Thick, wide frame. “Run-around” defenders have a long way to go to get around him. Adequate power in lower half to get initial push. Quicker than expected out of stance and with initial steps. Can beat defender to the spot as position blocker. Play speed will be a plus inside. Straight-line mover in space with potential to be effective blocker on inside zone plays from guard spot. Has experience at both tackle spots and at guard. Uses club move to initiate movement.”

Bleacher Report: “He has an NFL frame and exceptional length, and he plays with the power in his base you need to get push off the ball in the pros.”SB Nation: “He’s struggled in the run game at times, but has proven to be a very strong pass blocker.”To be fair, the entire right side of the Rams’ line was struggling in run blocking at one time. And that’s not to say he’s a poor run blocker, because he’s certainly come a long way since his rookie year. Take PFF grades for what they are, but if you’re buying what they’re selling, Brown ranked 11th among guards as a pass blocker in the final three weeks of the 2017 season (in which he allowed zero QB pressures).

Essentially, Brown is an athletic pass blocker who struggles to climb to the second level. The fact that Brown has struggled in the run game is a concern being that Koetter is obviously huge on run blockers.

James Carpenter: 6-foot-5, 321 pounds, 30 years old

Scouting report notes:

NFL.com: “Carpenter is a highly-durable player who has been able to stay on the field during his career. Has the height and build you look for at the offensive tackle position. Does a good job in pass protection against the speed and bull rush. Possesses the athletic ability to get to the second level when run blocking.”

Tom Melton: “His greatest value is as a run blocker in my opinion. He consistently drive blocks well with good hand placement in the running game and sustains his blocks well thanks to his big, strong hands and long arms which make his blocks hard to get off of. He has good technique as both a run and pass blocker, does not bend at the waist but at the knees. He is also more mobile than I thought he would be, as he routinely demonstrates the ability to combo-block a defender and then move to the second level and engage a linebacker. He moves well for a man of his size in space.”

SB Nation: “Keeping his pad level low and his leg drive are the keys to Carpenter’s run blocking success.  He has a natural bend that allows him to gain leverage. Carpenter gets his head under the chin of the defender and drives his feet to push them off the ball.  He possesses heavy hands that allows him to Velcro making it difficult for defenders to disengage.  However, his lack of quickness will result in defenders beating him to a gap and penetrating.”

Considering all these factors, we believe Carpenter will win the spot. His ability to climb to the second level and also succeed in an inside zone scheme is ultimately what will win him the job. Brown is more savvy as a pass protector, but is too weak as a run blocker to beat out Carpenter.

Projected winner: James Carpenter