excerpts re: Forney here:
Block party
Not many offensive linemen who come out of the University of Hawaii, at least since June Jones became head coach there in '99 and installed the entertaining and high octane run-and-shoot attack, are known for their run-blocking. And why should they be, given that the Rainbows keep the ball on the ground so infrequently, and that the premium in Jones' four-wide receiver offense is on pass protection?
But count Kynan Forney of the Atlanta Falcons as the exception to the rule. Like most guards, the four-year veteran is not very well known, but Forney should be considered for the Pro Bowl team. Anyone who takes a look at the videotape from Saturday night's overtime victory against the Carolina Panthers, a game in which Forney quietly dominated his patch of turf on the interior of the line of scrimmage, couldn't help but agree.
In the game, Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn carried 28 times for 134 yards, both seasons high. Our personal play-by-play, unofficial, of course, showed that Dunn logged 21 carries for 114 yards over the right side, principally running behind Forney, a seventh-round choice in the '01 draft. For most of the game, Forney worked against Panthers defensive tackle Brentson Buckner, and the matchup was awfully one-sided.
One particular third-quarter sequence was fairly memorable. On a first-and-10 from the Carolina 33-yard line, Forney got whipped inside by Buckner and Dunn was stuffed for a two-yard loss. But three snaps later, Forney drove Buckner several yards off the ball as Dunn gained 16. On the next play, he hooked the Panthers' defensive tackle inside, and Dunn cut behind the block for a six-yard advance. And then on the ensuing play, a second-and-four from the Carolina six-yard line, Forney knocked tackle Kindal Moorehead almost into the end zone as Dunn scored.
It would be easy to attribute to Falcons' first-year offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, the veteran line mentor who has been so controversial over the years for the cut-block scheme he created in Denver, for Forney's development. But Forney was a good player before Gibbs arrived on the scene. The incoming staff knew it, and so did Atlanta management, which gave him a four-year contract extension this summer.
Forney is actually bulkier than Gibbs likes his linemen, but his feet are plenty quick enough for a scheme that's conducive to 290 pounders (Forney checks in at 307 according to the roster), and he is technically very sound in his mechanics. He can trap a bit, pull and get out and block on the second level. "He's definitely their best (lineman)," said one Panthers assistant. "It's not even close. The guy is a player." In the fraternity of faceless offensive linemen, guards hold a special degree of anonymity, but Forney is gaining admiration around the NFL from teams beyond the Panthers as well. A good, tough player who has helped Atlanta lead the NFL in rushing yards.
