Why Falcons Offensive Line 'Really Excites' Raheem Morris, Zac Robinson
Raheem Morris is over a month into his tenure as Atlanta Falcons head coach - and with free agency looming, he's well aware of what his roster needs.
But Morris, who's placed an emphasis on finding a new quarterback, also knows where his roster is strong - and it starts offensively, where general manager Terry Fontenot and former head coach Arthur Smith committed significant draft and financial capital to provide reinforcements.
The more film Morris watches, the more he likes what Atlanta's offense - which ranked No. 26 in the league in scoring last season - can be under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
"It's just exciting," Morris said. "Terry's done such a great job of acquiring talent, when you talk about Bijan Robinson, Drake London, an offensive line.
"Really, the offensive line is what steps out."
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons lines up under center during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 10, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
It starts with the staff, where Morris retained offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford and assistant Shawn Flaherty before bringing another assistant in Nick Jones with him from the Los Angeles Rams.
Atlanta's offensive line made significant strides over the past three years under Ledford's guide, and the New York Giants requested to speak with him for their offensive line vacancy this spring.
Robinson said there was no decision to be made regarding Ledford's tenure - the Falcons wanted him back, and he was excited to remain with the organization.
Continuity is the name of the game up front for Atlanta, as each of last year's starters - left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Matthew Bergeron, center Drew Dalman, right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Kaleb McGary - are slated to return.
All but Dalman are under contract for the next two years minimum.
The line has three familiar faces from Morris's 11-game stint as Atlanta's interim head coach in 2022, as Matthews, Lindstrom and McGary remain in place.
But the unit, which allowed the seventh-most sacks in 2020 but improved to 15th this past season while fielding a top-10 rushing attack for the second consecutive year, has added new life.
Bergeron, a second-round pick last year, and Dalman, a fourth-round selection in 2021, have been added to the mix inside. Dalman was Pro Football Focus's sixth highest-rated interior offensive lineman and third best center last season.
Then, of course, there's Ledford - and the collective mixture of steady veterans, infused talent and quality coaching leaves Morris particularly enticed by the Falcons' front five.
"You're talking about Jake Matthews, some of the guys drafted when (I was) here like Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary and adding a young center and young guard from last year," Morris said. "That offensive line and how they play and the effort they play with, and talking with Coach Ledford that we were able to keep.
"You get Ledford there and you get a chance to sit down and talk to them and see the excitement in the building about those guys, that would be one of the things that really excites me."
Morris clarified multiple things excite him - but his passion for Atlanta's offensive line was noticeable.
Robinson, who's in charge of turning the collective offensive talent into a more productive unit next season, shares Morris's excitement with Ledford and the group underneath him.
"All you’ve got to do is throw on the tape with Ledford and see how those guys play," Robinson said. "Getting to talk to him, like I said, the tape speaks for itself. How those guys played together and how they played for him was incredible."
Morris dubbed Atlanta's situation "competitive urgency," as the roster is fit to contend ... apart from the quarterback position.
But as the Falcons look to acquire a franchise signal caller, they'll do so knowing they've built a strong environment - one that starts with an offensive line ready to keep trending in the right direction.
