With right tackle Kaleb McGary set to miss significant time and his backup Storm Norton likely to miss the first four weeks of the regular season the Atlanta Falcons are likely going to bring in some outside help to strengthen the depth of their offensive line room. One name Falcons fans have quickly started to clamor for is former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper.
Yesterday the Lions announced that they had informed the six year veteran that he would be released from the squad ahead of today's 53-man roster deadline, so he will be available to be claimed off waivers by the Falcons, and while Skipper is a solid and versatile offensive tackle that can play on both sides of the line earlier today The Morning Shift explained why he probably won’t fit the Falcons’ wide zone blocking scheme.
“I’m not sure if he would be something that would fit how they want to run things.” Beau Morgan said. Beau also said that Skipper looked “slow” at times during the Lions’ final preseason game against the Houston Texans, and questioned if he would match the quality of a Kaleb McGary.
“At times he looked slow. I’m not sure if he’s as good in the run game. I’m not sure if he’s any better than McGary in the pass game.” Beau said
Former Falcons’ offensive lineman Mike Johnson agreed with Beau’s sentiment about there probably being a lack of scheme fit with what Skipper does well, and the Falcons’ wide zone blocking scheme.
“I would not think that he’d fit what they want to do. Although it’s not like Kaleb McGary is extremely fleet of foot and he’s actually good at what they want to do, so I don’t know.” Mike said
It’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities that the Falcons bring in Skipper, but it’s probably unlikely, especially if there’s another offensive lineman cut that is a better scheme fit for what the Falcons want to do, so while Atlanta will probably be working the waiver wire over the next 24 plus hours to bring in some offensive line help Dan Skipper is a guy you probably won’t see in a Falcons’ uniform.
