Falcons offensive line coach Chris Morgan, who’s in his sixth season with the team, has been entrusted with the development of first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary.
Some are projecting Lindstrom, the 14th overall pick, and McGary, the 31st overall pick, to be opening-day starters. Lindstrom worked at right guard and McGary at right tackle during the rookie minicamp that concluded Sunday.
“Quiet your feet down,” Morgan said to Lindstrom. “He’s not going to move, there’s no need to dance with him. Be firm at the line of scrimmage.”
Another clip showed Morgan talking to McGary.
“Tighten your hands up and strike,” Morgan said. “Right before contact, head up and shoulders back, six-inch punch.”
Morgan also encouraged the rookies.
“Good angle Lindstrom,” Morgan said.
Later.
“Excellent, good, get out on that angle McGary,” Morgan said. “I like it. I like it. I like it.”
Morgan wanted the rookies to go hard on every repetition.
“Empty your tank,” Morgan said to entire group. “What are you saving it for? Are you kidding me. Come off the football and strike.”
Morgan was named the offensive line coach of the year by analytics site, profootballfocus.com in 2016 after his first season with the Falcons.
Morgan is an understudy of respected offensive line guru Tom Cable.
The Falcons’ line was ranked 26th in 2014 and made the leap up to the fourth spot under Morgan, according to profootballfocus.com.
Morgan played for Cable at Colorado and worked with him at the University of Idaho and the NFL’s Raiders and Seahawks.
The Falcons are trying to revamp the offensive line after the group gave up 42 sacks and a career-high 108 quarterback hits on quarterback Matt Ryan last season.
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