2012 Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Roster Overview: Offensive Linemen

The Atlanta Falcons have one mission this year. It's to protect Matt Ryan and allow the passing offense to truly get going.

The rushing offense will be fine with how the line has been schemed the past few years. The best part of it this year is that the Falcons are having an open competition across the entire line.

Tyson Clabo

2011 Role: Starting right tackle

2012 Role: Starting right tackle

Tyson Clabo is a 6'6", 330-pound monster who is arguably one of the best right tackles in the NFL and the anchor of the Falcons' offensive line. He has a spot until he gives the team a reason to take him off the field.

Sam Baker

2011 Role: Starting left tackle in the first six games, reserve guard after

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot with at least five other people

Sam Baker is one of the worst pass-blocking offensive linemen in the NFL the past three years and one of the worst pass-blocking left tackles in the NFL from the past three years. In right around 3,000 NFL snaps, 1,600 of them in pass protection, Baker has allowed Matt Ryan to get hit 41 times (22 for sacks) and allowed pressure another 85 times. 

Stats with help from ProFootballFocus.com

Will Svitek

2011 Role: Reserve tackle for first six games, starting left tackle for last 10 games

2012 Role: Competing for the starting left tackle spot

Will Svitek performed very well in his starting role for the Falcons, allowing much less pressure than Baker in the passing game. Be he wasn't as good generating push in the running game. Svitek would still be an excellent pass-blocking starter if he wins the job this year.

Lamar Holmes

2011 Role: Starting left tackle for Southern Mississippi

2012 Role: Competing for the starting left tackle role

Lamar Holmes has an always-improve-and-never-quit philosophy in life, and that alone will be a big reason as to why he will compete strongly for the starting role at left tackle. Now that he has a true teacher in Pat Hill, he will only be better.

Garrett Reynolds

2011 Role: Started seven games at right guard, reserve guard/tackle the last nine games

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot at guard/tackle reserve

Reynolds has provided great depth for the Falcons since he got drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. However, he is in competition to keep his reserve job this year, as the Falcons have much more and better talent than Reynolds on the offensive line.

Bryce Harris

2011 Role: Starting left tackle for Fresno State

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot at tackle

Bryce Harris started at tackle for the Bulldogs for three years after getting on the team as a defensive tackle. He will provide a unique challenge for Hill in that he will see how his college players compare with pros.

Justin Blalock

2011 Role: Starting left guard

2012 Role: Starting left guard

Justin Blalock has been a starting left guard for the Falcons for five years now and is looking like he will still be the starter for a long time. He is a good pass-blocker at left guard, and with more help from the center, he will be a better run-blocker.

Peter Konz

2011 Role: Starting center for Wisconsin

2012 Role: Starting right guard

Peter Konz is a great run-blocker from the college level and the Falcons' first pick. He is considered a steal by most analysts and was considered a fringe first-round talent. Konz will come right in and be the replacement for Harvey Dahl that the Falcons needed in 2011.

Vince Manuwai

2011 Role: Chilling on his couch at home

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot as a reserve guard

Vince Manuwai was a fringe Pro Bowl-caliber player when he was with the Jaguars but had to take a year off due to injuries. He hasn't had the best knees, with multiple ACL/MCL injuries, and needed the year off to rest.

Mike Johnson

2011 Role: Injured Reserve and backup guard.

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot as a reserve guard and tackle

Mike Johnson played guard and tackle at Alabama and can compete for the starting role at right guard, but the Falcons will likely have him as a super reserve. Johnson can back up three of the five spots on the line and could surprise and win a starting job in 2012.

Phillip Keith Manley

2011 Role: Starting guard for Toledo

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot at guard

Phillip Keith Manley is a big, strong guard but has a lot of competition just to earn a roster spot. Manley is a multi-year starter for the Rockets and has the leadership and experience the Falcons like at guard.

Andrew Jackson

2011 Role: Practice squad

2012 Role: Competing for a roster spot at guard

"El Presidente" will be competing for a reserve spot on the roster with quite a few other players including Manley, Johnson and Manuwai. Jackson was a guard for Falcons new offensive line coach Pat Hill in college at Fresno State.

Todd McClure

2011 Role: Starting center

2012 Role: Competing with Joe Hawley for the starting center job

Todd McClure is a great center in the NFL and has been a 13-year starter for the Falcons. McClure will compete with third-year man Joe Hawley for the starting role, and may experience the first year of his career since his rookie season that he is the backup.

Joe Hawley

2011 Role: Starting center for four games and starting right guard for nine games

2012 Role: Competing for the starting center job with Todd McClure

Hawley is like Todd McClure was 10 years ago. He has the ability to be a 10-year starter at center, and the team has faith in him to take over for the long-time vet when McClure decides to retire. Hawley could end up taking the starting job as early as this year.

Tyler Horn

2011 Role: Starting center for University of Miami

2012 Role: Competing for a reserve spot as a guard and center

Horn is a very versatile guard and center prospect from Miami. He may not make the roster in 2012, but could compete for the practice squad very easily. Horn is a smart player and has the size to end up as a top reserve to Hawley in the future.