The Atlanta Falcons focused their attention to revamping their offensive line in the offseason, both in free agency and the draft. The team added veteran guards Jamon Brown and James Carpenter along with guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Gorgeous day-3 @AtlantaFalcons #NFLTrainingCamp - pads for the first time! @929TheGame pic.twitter.com/ER0KNmf4oT
— John Fricke (@JohnFricke) July 24, 2019
Center Alex Mack told the Midday Show with Andy and Randy his first thoughts when he saw the Falcons draft two offensive linemen in the first round.
"It shows the value of your position and the position I play," Mack said. "(The Falcons) value it, it's really tough, and they're putting investment in it now to build these guys up to teach them and let them learn the position and to develop into great players."
"It's hard to get linemen. You just need them, and you need them to be healthy and need them to be around. So when you have that depth, when you have these guys that come in--and with their attitude, when they're out there everyday eager to learn, they're going to catch up really quickly."
Mack says it's been great to work with both Lindstrom and McGary.
"They're hard workers everyday, eager to learn; showing up, ready to work, great attitude," Mack continued.
However, there's a big learning curve when it comes to college football to the pros, especially on offensive line.
"What worked in college isn't necessarily going to work here. It's such a different game. The best player you ever faced in college, you faced him one time and then he graduated and went somewhere else. In the NFL, that guy just sticks around, and he's every guy on the team."
