FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Regardless of how the final three games of the regular season play out, the Falcons can say – without a doubt – that 2022 is the year that a sustainable run game is established in Atlanta. .
We’ve been tossing around this idea for a while. We’ve written several times that for the first time in what feels like a decade the Falcons are the top-ranked team. Well, we made it to Week 16. So, it’s safe to say that the 2022 Falcons are the ones who officially changed this offense in this way as it fills a chapter in franchise history from Matt Ryan to… came forward as quarterback.
Whether it’s Desmond Ridder or someone in the next class or someone on the trade market, whoever that guy is will have the benefit of coming into an environment where the run game is about defense and alignment, not spots.
Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight: Yes, the Falcons’ passing game is gone in 2022. No one is discounting that fact. They must be resourceful and be flexible in anger. But it could also be true that the running game is better than expected in 2022 and is a big reason why this 2022 team has seen any success at all.
Since Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary were drafted in 2019, the Falcons have only surpassed the 100-yard mark in 16 games over three seasons. So, in nearly 50 games played from 2019 to 2021, Atlanta is accumulating triple digits in just 33 percent of the time. In 2022 alone, the Falcons have rushed for over 100 yards in all but one game. They played 15 games this year. You can’t get close to 100 percent unless you are at 100 percent.
What’s more, from 2019 to 2021 the Falcons have never surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark. They did this four times this year.
The problem, though, is that the Falcons have only won one of those four games. A long and productive running game doesn’t necessarily equal success for Atlanta right now. But it can be balanced with two other things: 1) a fixed origin, and 2) a functional base.
So, what is this root, any kind?
Atlanta has the top three rushing offenses in almost every rushing category in this year’s league. In terms of total rushing yards this season and rushing yards per game average, only the Bears and Ravens (Falcons’ rivals) are ahead of Atlanta.
Since the first month of this season, the Falcons have shown time and time again that they can run the ball regardless of how the box is loaded. Since the first month of the season, Atlanta has had a top-five offense. Now that we’re in the final month of the season, we can look back and ask: How did they do? And, how can they repeat it?
Well, the answer is more interesting than you think.
The Falcons’ consistency in the run game is based in a very strong formation and run blocking at the line of scrimmage.
“It’s a regular, regular, dirty job. It’s real,” McGary said. “We do the same things every day, the same drills. I can’t tell you how many thousands and thousands of times I’ve done the same four drills. And that’s what happened, until your response came here. title, where there is muscle memory.”
Running backs coach Dwayne Ledford said it’s been that way since he — and the rest of the coaching staff — went to Atlanta last year. There’s a certain culture Ledford and head coach Arthur Smith want to establish at the line of scrimmage, in particular.
“For us it’s always been the same message about the style and the way we play,” Ledford said. “Maybe it wasn’t like that on the first day, maybe it wasn’t like that that first week. But we’re always talking about how we’re going to keep hitting this rock and eventually this rock will break, it’s ours. Get into it.” culture that we want in the room.”
The action that builds the foundation of this running game isn’t flashy or fun or interesting. He was literally hitting the rock over and over until it broke, as Ledford said. And you know what that takes? Patience and the multitasking nature of hitting the same spot over and over again.
This line of abuse lives up to the 10,000-hour rule, according to McGary. This law states that it takes 10,000 hours of constant repetition to master a given skill.
“I can’t even begin to tell you where we are on this scale but we have done a lot… Since last year we started this exercise with new recruits, we do them every day, and sometimes we will we do them twice a day. We do them very, very often,” McGary said.
“It’s nothing interesting. It’s nothing interesting. It’s just thousands and thousands of repetitions.”
A couple of months ago, Smith was asked in one of his many midweek press conferences to explain what he believes has led to better production in the running game. He said that the answer is not what you might want it to be. Fast forward to McGary’s and Ledford’s comments and match. It’s all about the mundane block drills.
Also, it should go without saying that progress in this group of positions has played a role in expanding the production of what they have been able to do violence. Although the Falcons have a different center than last year in Drew Dalman and although they were forced to play four different left guards this year, Elijah Wilkinson and Chuma Edoga are back. from last year.
McGary used his relationship with Lindstrom as an example of why.
“We understand how to work together very, very well because we’ve done it a lot,” McGary said. “Going back to what is repeated, we have collaborated a lot together, thousands and thousands of them, who knows where my eyes will be, I know where his eyes will be, I know when I see. movement in the background based on what With our block, even if Chris doesn’t say anything, I know what he’s likely to do. I’ll change what I’m doing to match what I think he’s going to do. I know he’s doing the same to me with a different block. “
“It just goes back to monotony, doing the same things over and over again until you master them.”
The reason the Falcons have been able to take out the running game in two years is because they are rooted in one system, which they have found to work for them, regardless of what the other team is trying to do. security is not. They also established a rule under Smith that they will be the front of the body, even if it means when they want to be.
They have all this established, and the statistics to back it up.
As next year progresses, though, it will be about adding to that production in the passing game, too. Another point that should be seen is the full power of Smith’s offense in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during the scrimmage before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 scores a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 boards a plane at Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 en route to a game against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons fans celebrate during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Grady Jarrett #97 reacts after making a tackle during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon / Atlanta Falcons )
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith prepares to leave the field before facing the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 react after the game during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 goes for a warm up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 leads the pregame scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jake Matthews #70, Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Grady Jarrett #97, Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84, and Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ. Terrell #24 walks out to the coin before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Drew Dalman #67 looks on during the National Anthem before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Lorenzo Carter #9 after the game during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 boards a plane at Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 en route to a game against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 makes a sack during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 high five during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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