An investment of not one, but two, first-round draft choices on offensive linemen does little to incite a fan base. There is no record of a spontaneous street party erupting over the choice of a right guard. It is the plainest kind of investment, a dabbling in pork belly commodities as opposed to blue chip stocks.
Center Alex Mack, himself a first-rounder a decade ago, understands this. “It’s not the exciting pick,” he said, before comparing the Falcons top two picks of 2019 to that of the receiver taken first in ‘18. “How many (Chris) Lindstrom and (Kaleb) McGary jerseys have been sold versus Calvin Ridley jerseys?”
The thoughtful Mack has more to say on the matter.
“They’re not going to score touchdowns, per se. Buuuuut, it’s really important. It’s the foundation of the team. It pays dividends down the road.”
Even if they never grace the cover of a Madden game, offensive linemen are kind of important. So much have the Falcons spent on upgrading their line – the two draft picks along with the free agent signings of guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown – that they shined a bright light on a position group that normally works in the shadows. If the Falcons are going to rise to the top of the NFC South again, the offensive line play will be a key.
So, Mr. Top Draft Pick, do you get recognized on the streets of Atlanta, and rushed for your autograph? Not exactly, Lindstrom said. “If it’s just me (out), not as much. More if I’m with Kaleb or any of the other O-linemen. There usually aren’t that many large individuals in a group.”
But he responded with a firm, “Absolutely,” when asked if this fan base understands the vital role the line’s going to play in this season.
“The fans have been incredible – being able to interact with them out here during camp, how welcoming they were when I was drafted,” he said. “It gives you an appreciation for where you’re at in your career. Being a Falcon is great.”
The line’s importance certainly was underscored last year, with a rushing attack that average less than 100 yards per game and with Matt Ryan sacked 42 times, hit 108 times. You don’t want your quarterback comparing scars with Andrew Luck.
It’s simple, really. Keep Ryan perpendicular to the ground and something good is likely to happen. “I’d bet on that with how good Matt is and the studs we have on offense,” tackle Jake Matthews affirmed.
The Falcons agenda is to build both talent and depth into the line, given that injuries and other calamities are inevitable. Case in point: The Falcons already were faced with McGary missing a great part of training camp after undergoing a procedure to correct heart arrhythmia. Tackle Ty Sambrailo has been dealing with a shoulder issue, allowing more playing time for an undrafted free agent from 2018, Matt Gano.
From parts that are young and untested, can the Falcons construct a cohesive, consistent unit from the get-go? Because the real season is here. The games count.
“We’re definitely getting there,” offensive line coach Chris Morgan said toward the end of preseason. “We need all of the time that we can get. We’re thankful that we had that fifth (exhibition) game. We have a lot of guys, a lot of good football players. We are still working combinations together.”
“We’re focused on getting better today. It’s not going to happen overnight that we’re going to become this great unit,” Lindstrom said. “We’ve talked about getting better and closer together and that’s what we’re trying to do every day.”
McGary returned in time to play in the Falcons final exhibition game, and with that once more raising the real possibility of playing two rookies together on the offensive line. This is a position of great interdependence, one whose parts must mesh. That places great value on experience.
Mack, the member of this unit with gray in his beard, the one in the middle of it all, is ready for the injection of youth, whatever that means in the short term.
“You’ve got guys who just get better with experience. They can learn the game, learn the technique, keep building and get better. You need that. You need those kind of guys. And to infuse your line with some young talent who can come in and learn from some of the old talent.”
“Something our team really depends on, something it really appreciates, is that the best five are going to play,” Mack said. “If you prove yourself that you’re the best guy out there, if you give us the best chance to win, we’re going to put you in there. If they’re rookies who have the right attitude, who work hard all preseason, it’s totally possible.”
At Boston College, Lindstrom got his first start as a freshman, four games into the season, against Northern Illinois. His first real start as a pro comes Game One Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, a little different experience.
“The difference between college and here is that we’ve had that game speed (in the preseason), we’ve had playing against an opponent in the NFL, which is great. I feel myself and our unit progressing every single week,” he said.
One thing is certain, this line, however it is constructed, will not do its work unnoticed. It is an honest-to-heaven focal point. From the first snap, it will be either a driving force of a playoff-bound offense or the vehicle of its undoing.
The season’s start is always an optimistic time and that is the tone the line’s leader at center takes. But listen to him and know that in working toward that end, there is no glamour.
Asked the potential of this reconfigured group, Mack said, “I think the sky’s the limit as long as we work hard and get better every day. The more we learn, the more work we put in, the more tuned in to detail we can be, the better we can be day in and day out. Consistency is what makes an offensive line good.”
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