Falcons’ center Alex Mack will be starting his first game in Atlanta on Sunday as a new addition to the offensive line.
The other four starting linemen, left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Andy Levitre, right guard Chris Chester and right tackle Ryan Schraeder, played together last season and developed chemistry in Atlanta.
After agreeing to a five-year deal with the Falcons in March, Mack is fitting in just fine.
“I think I fit in pretty well but you’d have to ask those guys,” Mack joked. “I feel pretty comfortable.”
Although the other starting four have a leg up on the Falcons’ offensive scheme, Mack dedicated the offseason and training camp to learning how the Falcons play and feels confidence heading into his first game.
Although Mack rarely played the Buccaneers’ in his last seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he was able to learn about the Buccaneers this week through film study and talking with his teammates.
“(The Buccaneers) have a really talented front,” Mack said. “They got some really good players up there that really pose a challenge for us, so it’s going to be a really tough game. And it’s a division opponent so they know this team well and we know them well, so it’s going to be tough.”
On offense, the Falcons are focused on putting more points on the board when they’re in the redzone.
For Mack, the biggest key to keeping the drive going in the red zone is to focus on your own offense.
“I think the big key is just to stay in your own offense,” Mack said. “Keep on doing it, focus in, pay attention to details and make plays when they’re available.”
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