FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Amid the changes to the Falcons' offense this offseason, there remained one constant: the offensive line.
Atlanta not only returned all five starters from last season but kept offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford in place along with several key reserves like Storm Norton, Ryan Neuzil and Kyle Hinton. The results so far have not been surprising, but they have been effective.
"They're the reason we are where we are in terms of being able to be efficient throwing the football," offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. "So, those guys bring it every single week. We know they love running the football, that's been their past, but adding the extra pass protection, drop-back pass protection, to their arsenal has been awesome. Those guys get better every single week and they've all just been super steady the whole season long."
Through the first nine weeks of the season, the Falcons rank eighth in passing yards per play and 11th in rushing yards per play. Those numbers are a testament to the versatility of Atlanta's offensive line, which was largely viewed as a run-first unit in previous seasons.
The Falcons introduced a few tweaks to their pass protection approach this spring, however, and it's resulted in the sixth-lowest sack rate among NFL offenses. Last year, Atlanta ranked 20th in that same metric.
"You want to have pride in showing that you have the ability where you can do both," Ledford said of run blocking, pass protection and the unit's marriage of both. "When you show that you can do both then I think you got something pretty special. And so, it's a thing where (the mindset is), 'Hey, whatever's called, whatever we're called to do, we gotta be able to go out and execute it.'"
With the addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and an offensive scheme that leans on the pass a bit more than the previous one, it was expected Atlanta would throw the ball more this season. That expectation has become reality for the Falcons, and it's turned them into one of most effective offenses in the league.
For the five men in the trenches, the changes are a bit more complex than simply hearing more pass plays called in the huddle. Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews explained Cousins is also handling the in-game communication and checks for the offensive line.
That's a change from some other offenses Matthews has been a part of during his 11-year NFL career. For example, former center Alex Mack handled the checks at the line of scrimmage, even with a league MVP in Matt Ryan behind him.
No one way is better, they are simply different. What isn't different, however, is that effective communication requires urgency and attentiveness from all parties.
"It's so fast. By the time the play gets in there, communication from the quarterback to the o-line up there, and then, from what the defense shows you, how the picture can change," Ledford said. "The communication up front with the quarterback is just so important with it."
That communication is made slightly easier with an established offensive line in place. Even as injuries have disrupted the starting continuity, key reserves have stepped in without missing a beat.
Neuzil has started the last six games for Atlanta at center and allowed just one sack and 18 pressures in that time. Now in his fourth season with the Falcons, Neuzil has plenty of familiarity with his teammates and position coach, which helped him step into a starting role with ease.
"It's been a real pleasant surprise," head coach Raheem Morris said. "Neuzil jumps in at center, takes over for a couple of games, and you didn't really notice. Hinton's been able to go in there the last two weeks and play really well and you didn't really notice. Storm's had to start a game for us and go out there and play for (McGary), you didn't really notice."
The next-man-up mentality is not unique to the Falcons, but it's not easy to continue to achieve the level of success they've had while adopting it. That comes from the familiarity between players within the group — which allows them to execute more advanced plans — and from some creative approaches by the coaching staff.
Ledford has been the Falcons' offensive line coach since the 2021 season, and he's implemented a reward system of sorts to keep his players motivated and growing in the right direction.
"We called it a finisher belt," Ledford explained. "And the finisher belt was just: I want to see guys getting downfield. I want to see guys helping guys up. I want to see guys around the ball."
By providing a carrot to accompany any type of coaching stick he may utilize, Ledford can incentivize his group to adopt the exact mentality and teaching points the offense requires.
That's not the only belt at his disposal, though.
"And then we added another belt we called the 'Tag Team Champs,'" Ledford said. "And that's whoever had the best combination block. And it's not just for offensive line. It can also be a wide receiver with the tight ends, because they've won it as well."
The willingness of the skill position players to block has been crucial for Atlanta's success, especially on the ground. The Falcons rank ninth in success rate on runs outside of the tackles this season, keeping the offense on schedule 42.9% of the time. That takes all parties, and excellent communication.
There are some aspects of the unit's play that can improve. Pre-snap penalties, for one, have put the offense behind the eight-ball a few too many times this season. But after having only three offensive penalties in their win against the Dallas Cowboys, there are clear signs of growth in that area.
Whatever has been thrown their way this season, be it a new style of pass protection, a new face in the lineup or the opponent across from them, Atlanta's offensive line has continued to be a driving force for a dynamic offense.
"I think these guys are letting no obstacle get in their way of what they want to achieve this year," Ledford said. "And they're doing a great job of attacking things that might be an issue. They know they have to really go and attack and get better."
