All for one, one for all, even when it's time to speak

By STEVE HUMMER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/04/05

An offensive lineman fretting over notoriety is like Pauly Shore worrying about where to display his Oscar.

Yet, behold the Falcons line, in Season Two under the Machiavelli of the chop block, Alex Gibbs, still dug into its hype-proof bunker. These guys go out of their way to stay unknown, even though that gift is naturally bestowed upon them.

HONOR ROLL Of the 209 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 74 are linemen. That figure combines all line positions. Here is the breakdown:

• Running backs: 41
• Offensive linemen: 31
• Quarterbacks: 28
• Defensive linemen: 27
• Wide receivers: 19
• Defensive backs: 17
• Linebackers: 16
• Two-way linemen: 16
• Ends: 13
• Placekickers: 1

Last season, under their new position coach's direction, only one lineman a week spoke to the media, tiptoeing around the NFL's policy concerning accessibility. They established a linemen's kangaroo court to levy fines for any speech, dress or action that would draw attention.

During the 2005 training camp, the designated speaker changed daily, with the regular-season rules of engagement still under review. Why the middle school gimmick here in the NFL?

"It's a matter of communion," said tackle Todd Weiner, on his designated day. "We're one group of guys, we're not five individual guys. What one guy has to say is pretty much what we all have to say."

Even more than most O-lines, the Falcons' is understated. Such an approach might not have cost Kynan Forney when it came time to extend his contract — last year, he signed for $3.6 million up front and another $9 million in base salary between this season and 2008. But it certainly will blunt any Pro Bowl aspirations and bonuses, that vote being such a popularity contest.

By the quirks of the position and by design, the offensive line is the least noted part of this team, even if it did plow the way for the NFL's leading rushing attack and give up the league's fifth-highest number of sacks in '04. They are bound to be recognized, it's just the specifics that get a little muddled.

"You're bigger than the average human," Forney said. "[Fans] will come up to you and ask, 'Are you a football player?' That's fine. I work hard each year to keep getting better, so people who watch, they know who's doing the job. I just go by that."

"It's tough for a lineman to get individual glory," center Todd McClure said. "We get glory when we have a 200-yard rushing game, or we protect the passer really well. What we do, we do as a group. That's our philosophy. And if one guy messes up, we all take it."

Of course, none of these players has his overpriced jersey for sale off the rack. None is weighed down by his endorsement obligations, and none has ever felt the need to register under an alias at the team hotel during road trips. To listen to them, fame is greatly overrated.

"I don't miss [having his image on a poster or a shoe] at all. That would be something that would be extremely difficult for most offensive linemen to handle," Weiner said. "We're low-key. I couldn't image going to the mall and being flooded for autographs. I'm thankful for my position in that regard.

"We're low-key. We stay out of extreme situations. We don't try to showboat. I think it works for us."

They'll let No. 7 supply all the adjectives and exclamation points for the franchise. And then take their acclaim in small, personal doses.

"The satisfaction is going against a guy you know is good and the whole league knows is good, and you've given him all he can handle the whole day," Forney said. "Usually, if you've played somebody real good, he'll shake your hand afterward and say, 'Good game.' "

Just keep all compliments a closely guarded secret, though. Otherwise, the fine may be heavy.