Atlanta Falcons expect big things from 2nd year offensive lineman

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – When head coach Raheem Morris returned to the Atlanta Falcons this spring, he recognized several members of the offensive line from his previous tenure, which ended in 2020 after 11 games on an interim basis .

Morris had an innate understanding of what to expect from left tackle Jake Matthews, right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Kaleb McGary. The same can’t be said for second-year left guard Matthew Bergeron.

But after two months of filming and two more months of working together in training, Morris has a growing perception of Bergeron.

“For me, having the chance to meet Bergeron and this personality was really something that was really exciting,” Morris said during minicamp. “Being around a guy like Bergeron, seeing that genuine, youthful arrogance that we talked about from a confidence standpoint, it’s really fun.”

Morris called the 24-year-old a high-quality pick by Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, who said he believes Bergeron and Lindstrom can become the best guard combination in the NFL if the former continues to gel. develop.

Part of the appeal around Bergeron is his 6-foot-5, 323-pound build and strong athletic profile, highlighted by a Relative Athletic Score of 9.82, a mark that places him 26th athletically among all players. guards since 1987.

But the Falcons are also excited about the film Bergeron has produced at left guard, his first year at the position after spending his college career as an offensive tackle at Syracuse University.

Bergeron’s accelerated growth fundamentally inspired Fontenot, and later Morris, that he would ultimately reach his ceiling under offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford.

And Ledford, who played a key role in Atlanta’s second-round draft of Bergeron last spring, saw linear growth throughout Bergeron’s rookie campaign, culminating in a successful first act.

“I think he did a great job,” Ledford told FalconsSI. “What I liked to see was that he was getting a little bit better every week. And towards the end of the season he was playing really good football for us.”

Morris added that he was impressed with Bergeron’s maturation and development as a rookie, a nod to the work done by Ledford and assistant offensive line coach Shawn Flaherty. The numbers support this notion.

The 24-year-old from Victoriaville, Canada, has established himself as a vital part of Atlanta’s offense, playing more snaps – 1,139 – than any other member of the unit.

Bergeron’s first 10 games were up and down, as he allowed 21 total pressures, six quarterback hits and four sacks while being called for three penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.

But after the Falcons’ bye week, the 6-foot-5, 323-pounder played, allowing just 12 pressures, two hits, a pair of sacks and earning just one penalty in seven games.

For the season, Bergeron allowed 33 pressures on 632 pass blocks, giving his opponents a pressure rate of just 5.2%.

And that, by all accounts, impressed Ledford.

“It’s a lot for a rookie lineman to come in and start every game, make every play,” Ledford said. “And he was able to come out there and do that. It was awesome to see, but the growth that he had throughout the season, I thought it was really, really awesome to see. “

Ledford wasn’t the only one impressed. This week, NFL.com named Bergeron to its All-Breakout team.

Now the Falcons are looking for Bergeron to take the next step, including turning his strong second half into a new normal. Morris said he was happy with the starting offensive line, even though the unit won’t put on pads until training camp in late July.

As such, Morris’ comprehensive assessment of Bergeron still lacks visual confirmation. But based on the film he’s watched, the practices he’s coached and the people he’s spoken with, Atlanta’s new head coach is already among the best players on the interior.

“Bergeron is a very good football player,” Morris said.