No favorites on OL for Boudreau

Falcons new offensive line coach is virtually starting from scratch with the team's offensive line. Much of the off-season activities involving the line have been spent shuffling different players to different positions. The only player so far that has not been shuffled around is incumbent starting center Todd McClure, who's job security has been considered secure by AJC writer Steve Wyche.

"I have no pre-conceived notions. Right now guys are on a clean slate. Whether you were the coach's favorite before. Whether you weren't the coach's favorite. Whether you were on the practice squad I don't really care. My favorite guys are the guys who do everything right, do it on time and do it physically." -- Paul Boudreau

Right now, practice squad player Harvey Dahl has been working on the first time at right guard, ahead of Kynan Forney who has held that position since the middle of the 2001 season. Boudreau praises both Dahl and right tackle Tyson Clabo as being two of the team's nastiest players. Clabo is considered to be ahead at right tackle, but both his and Dahl's starting status is not fixed. Right tackle Todd Weiner is coming off a tough knee injury, but is expected to be 100% by the start of training camp. He could re-assume the starting spot at that position if that occurs. Clabo started 11 games last year in place for Weiner at right tackle.

Boudreau also praised rookie left tackle Sam Baker, who looks like he will have a good chance to hold the starting position there when the season starts.

Falcons trade up for Baker

The Falcons traded up from the top of the second round with the Washington Redskins, to take USC offensive tackle Sam Baker with the 21st overall pick.  Baker is expected to play left tackle for the Falcons, which is vacant currently due to the release of Wayne Gandy. Baker protected quarterbacks such as John David Booty and Matt Leinart during his Trojan carerer, and now will be tasked with protecting the blindside of the Falcons top pick Matt Ryan.

UPDATE: The Falcons gave up two second round picks (No. 34 and 48 overall) and a fourth round pick (No. 103) to acquire the Redskins first (No. 21), third (No. 84), and fifth round picks (No. 154).