Matt Hennessey started 17 games at center for the Atlanta Falcons last season, but his position proved to be in jeopardy as training camp progressed.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith hinted at his dissatisfaction with Hennessy near the end of the 2021 campaign. maintained.
The tide turned when the offseason program began, with Hennessey and Dallmann splitting their top-team rep during minicamps, alternating between days of training camp. Smith has previously said he wants to settle the competition by Week 1, indicating that this could last until the end of the preseason.
Neither player has performed at a level that puts the starting job out of reach, but Smith focuses equally on the pair’s individual characteristics, both in the huddle and in the trenches.
A former offensive lineman, Smith has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon when making the final decision. That bank also includes a review of the characteristics of past successful centres.
“Obviously, the physical needs to look inside. A lot of that is commands,” Smith said. “We have a really great center, I mean,[we]have Todd McClure in the circle of honor. I’ll tell you, I had it. Veteran Center and the guy who had command, that’s helpful.”
Smith emphasizes the order, and an analogy to Ryan’s youth offers insight into where his mind lies. Atlanta brought his eighth-year pro Marcus his Mariota onto the field as quarterback in Week 1, and controlling won’t be much of a problem. However, the decision will have long-term implications, as Mariota will likely be in the role of “bridge” quarterback.
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Central to these influences is rookie signal caller Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick from Cincinnati. Ridder is inexperienced, but his ability to command the room, not just offense, was one of the things that attracted Atlanta staff to him during the pre-draft process.
If Ridder develops into the Falcons’ starting quarterback over the long term, they’ll have a strong presence at the center of the offense, but Smith still feels the need for a commanding voice at center.
“They run the show there,” said Smith. “You hit a good shot in the middle of the offense when the center and quarterback took charge.”
The Falcons have solid centers, with McClure and Alex Mack starting about 17 of 20 seasons. Smith saw a similar situation during his time with the Tennessee Titans, so he understands the impact these two men had on the Atlanta organization on and off the field.
“Looking at Ben Jones[in command]he helped change the culture of Tennessee,” Smith said. “I came there as a guy who can solidify the center. We are looking for someone who can take charge. Obviously Alex Mack has done that at a high level here. It’s a very important position. ”
Smith set a high bar for Hennessy and Dallmann to reach, but it’s clear his offense relies on center impact players. Still, his second-year coach at Atlanta doesn’t want to lose sight of what the two will ultimately win the job.
“Obviously the minimum job requirement is to be able to block your guy. But we’d like to see that exist as well.”
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