Atlanta Falcons

Acquisition of LG Andy Levitre huge for Atlanta's zone blocking scheme

Published Sep. 4, 2015 2:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

When the Atlanta Falcons pulled the trigger on a deal that landed them guard Andy Levitre for a 2016 sixth-round pick and a conditional pick for a future year, many were a bit surprised by the news. The good news? The Falcons may have just knocked this one out of the park by acquiring Levitre from the Tennessee Titans.

New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan runs a zone blocking scheme, which is a something Levitre excelled in during his time with the Buffalo Bills back in 2011 and 2012.

According to Pro Football Focus, in his final two seasons with the Bills in 2011 and 2012, Levitre finished as Pro Football Focus' fifth and eighth best offensive guard in their overall grade, respectively. He finished with positive marks as a run blocker and in pass protection.

This is great news for the Dirty Birds, as Levitre could be an immediate impact player for the Falcons. Shanahan's scheme fits perfectly into what Levitre excels at, making him a player who Atlanta could slide into the starting lineup early on in 2015.

Best of all for Atlanta? Vaughn McClure of ESPN reported via Twitter something that Falcons fans are likely more than a little excited to hear.

A consistently healthy offensive lineman? You can't beat that.

(h/t Pro Football Focus and @vxmcclure23)