VIDEO – The Atlanta Falcons have started off the 2011 season with a respectable 4-3 record, sitting 3rd in the NFC South. Coming off a restful bye week, the Falcons will be focused as ever heading to Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday to face the Colts (0-8), who have made a comfortable living at the bottom of the AFC South.
This is the type of game that five-year veteran Tyson Clabo looks forward to. The one where they’re headed into an opponent’s stadium knowing that they will be facing more than just the team itself, but also the thousands of elated fans cheering against them. He enjoys the moments when they’re getting touchdown after touchdown, leading to the hometown crowd becoming deathly silent not being able to comprehend what is happening.
Starting for the Falcons at right tackle, the massive 6’6, 331 pound Clabo enjoys the life he has now because at one point, Clabo was an undrafted rookie heading into his first NFL season. It’s tough to understand why he didn’t get picked up at first looking at his collegiate resume. Attending Wake Forest, in his junior year he helped the Demon Deacons to become number one in rushing for the second straight time in the ACC. Then, during his senior year he earned first-team All-Atlantic conference.
Before signing with the Falcons, he had runs with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and San Diego Chargers. He then joined Atlanta’s practice squad in 2005, and became a full time starter in 2006. Clabo’s highlight year in the NFL came in the 2010-2011 season where he started at right tackle for all 16 games. He helped the Falcons rushing game average almost 120 yards each Sunday, while contributing as well to Matt Ryan throwing for a career-high 28 touchdowns with 3,705 yards passing. With the credibility to his name, and the season the Falcons had, Clabo was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl.
Carrying over to this Sunday’s matchup against the Manning-less Colts will come down to whether the Falcons can put their offense to work at the right times. Clabo and the rest of the O-line shouldn’t have any difficulties against the Colt’s defense with their rank of 22nd in opposing passing, and 31st in opposing rushing. They’ve been giving up almost 144 yards a game on the ground, which also suggests that RB Michael Turner won’t be disappointing anyone’s fantasy teams on Sunday afternoon. Furthermore, Clabo will be all smiles walking to the locker room hearing the murmurs from Colt’s fans reminiscing on another loss, and only memories of their past success.
