2023-09-08 20:30:33
FLOWERY BRANCH, Géorgie | It only takes a quick tour of the Falcons locker room in the suburbs of Atlanta to realize to what extent Matthew Bergeron is now playing in the big leagues. To his left, his locker neighbor is none other than star tackle Grady Jarrett. A few steps across the street is star guard Chris Lindstrom, who serves as his mentor. When it comes to co-worker expenses, it gets worse!
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In the NFL, teams leave no detail to chance in their meticulous preparation worthy of military stratagems. It is certainly not by accident that Jarrett and the Quebec rookie are side by side in the locker room.
This same Jarrett has two Pro Bowls to his credit and is the 13th highest earner at his position. In Super Bowl 51 in a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots, he harassed Tom Brady with three sacks, which tied a record in final game history.
With the Falcons, Jarrett has the reputation of being a great professional, both in terms of training and mental preparation.
“For me, he’s not Grady Jarrett, the star player. He’s the guy I sit next to, a mentor and friend who gives me advice on and off the field like my finances. It’s fun to learn from everyone,” stressed Bergeron.
Good battles
Tackle Grady Jarrett has distinguished himself with the Falcons for several years and he is good advice for Matthew Bergeron as a locker room neighbor. Getty Images via AFP
Throughout the Falcons’ seemingly very physical training camp, Bergeron and Jarrett have had their share of battles on the field, as they play opposite sides in the trenches.
At 30 years old and entering his ninth NFL season, Jarrett has seen others, but he quickly recognized unique qualities in his 23-year-old teammate.
“Berg is quite a competitor! He is well built and very powerful. We worked together during camp and I couldn’t be happier to have him on the team. I look forward to seeing him in action in his first match and with his preparation, I am confident that he will show his full value this season,” praised the veteran.
A guardian angel
Guard Chris Lindstrom has already represented the Falcons twice in the Pro Bowl and will try to bring Matthew Bergeron to the same level. AFP
For the Falcons, it is imperative that Bergeron develops his maximum potential. Despite the quality of their offensive line, the left guard position where he plays was problematic last season. No less than six players have paraded in this position and it is imperative to find a solution to this revolving door.
To facilitate Bergeron’s acclimatization, nothing better than assigning him as his guardian angel guard Chris Lindstrom, elected to the second all-star team last season and rewarded with a five-year contract for 105 million.
“Matt and I have a really good relationship. When he got here, I told him I was going to be a resource for him without being intrusive. It was important to me that he never felt bad when he had questions. Since he has been here, he has been incredible and his progress has been impressive,” he told Journalall smiles in front of his locker.
Even though Bergeron was propelled even more quickly than expected as a starter with the injury to guard Matt Hennessy, there is no charity in the NFL and Chris Lindstrom insists that the former Cégep de Thetford Mines did not nothing was cooked in the mouth.
“He deserved his place 100% by the attitude he has had since day 1,” he said. Even though he was a high pick, he never showed up like he was owed anything and he worked hard. It’s easy with a guy like him to see the physical attributes, but we couldn’t have guessed that he would be so hardworking.
Finally a first match
A theme that comes up unanimously when talking with Falcons players is that Bergeron, as a rookie, quickly earned everyone’s respect.
Veteran blocker Jake Matthews is starting his tenth season and he only wants one thing from Victoriavillois, which is to take the time to realize the magnitude of the moment when he jumps on the field Sunday at 1 p.m., against the Carolina Panthers .
“For me, my beginnings are so vague and I hope it won’t be the same for him. Playing as a rookie is a game very different.
“I often say that I am impressed and respect many things he has done so far. The first thing that comes to mind is his maturity. We don’t have to worry about him arriving here not in the right frame of mind to work. He is mentally strong and I expect to play next to him for a long time,” he said of the man who will be his neighbor on the left side of the offensive line.
Like a return to square one
FLOWERY BRANCH, Géorgie | According to Falcons position coach Matthew Bergeron, most people don’t realize what a huge adjustment the move to the NFL can be, even for a talented player. “It’s like you’re starting from scratch,” says Dwayne Ledford.
Whoever is in charge of the Falcons offensive line met with Journal in the Falcons press room, jokingly apologizing for not yet knowing a single word of French.
Once this supposed offense was forgiven, of course, his eyes quickly became animated while discussing his new protégé from Victoriaville.
“When I say you have to start all over again when you get to the NFL, it’s not just the football aspect. You fall into a new team, in a new city, with new coaches and a new playing system. It’s a lot of adjustments but Berg has really done a good job,” he said.
Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford. Stephane Cadorette
A land machine
When Ledford started working with the Falcons in 2021, he took some of his players, like Kaleb McGaty and Chris Lindstrom, under his wing and greatly developed them.
Under his leadership, last season, the Falcons gained 74.5 more rushing yards per game than the previous season. It was the largest season-to-season improvement for a team since 2001 across the NFL.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Falcons’ offensive line was the best in the NFL last year in rushing situations. This is the kind of tutor that Matthew Bergeron inherits and Ledford is delighted with his new project.
“He had to adjust quickly and he is showing us all the signs that he has adapted well to the change in position. The ultimate test now is to apply it in season. What I like is that when he has a doubt, he asks the right questions. He wants to know everything and he wants answers to become the best player possible,” praised the coach.
Contagious good humor
Furthermore, no one is better placed than Ledford, who sees Bergeron at work daily in training and in meetings, to describe his personality within the team.
“He has a great personality and guys tend to gravitate towards him because he always has a smile on his face. He gives the impression that he doesn’t often have bad days. Berg is not the type of guy who talks more than he works. He observes a lot, he looks and he listens before speaking. His journey is unique and the guys like to ask him questions,” he explained.
AND LETTER…
Soon a brand new locker room
FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia | At the Falcons’ facilities in Flowery Branch, 70 km north of Atlanta, it’s sometimes hectic at the moment. The sounds of jackhammers and other construction tools are often heard, even in the middle of a press conference. It’s for a good cause, since the team is giving a makeover to several of its infrastructures, including the locker room, the meal areas and a fitness room on two floors. It must be said that in March, the NFL Players Association published a report on the facilities of all teams according to player evaluations and the Falcons had obtained a grade of D for their locker room and C- for their dining room. For a bill of 25 to 30 million, the next bulletin will be better.
In the kingdom of mustaches
FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia | In some sports teams, beards are fashionable. In others, it’s the mohawk cut, the mullet or shaved heads. Among the Falcons in Atlanta, the mustache seems to be popular. It all started when head coach Arthur Smith sported the look at the start of training camp in July. Several imitated him, including offensive coordinator Dave Ragone. This initiative has multiplied among players, who have decided to opt for stylized facial hair according to their tastes. All means are good to get together in a locker room!
A trusted coordinator
FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia | Are the Falcons coaches dying at the idea of sending a green rookie like Matthew Bergeron into the Panthers’ pit on Sunday? If we rely on the words of offensive coordinator Dave Ragone, there is no need to worry. “Matthew came here ready, regardless of his position on the team, as is expected of all our players. With young players like him, the most important thing is that he doesn’t make the same mistake twice. There will be mistakes, of course, but they must not be repeated. In the NFL, you are part of less than 1% of football players who reach this level. We must keep this perspective in mind and appreciate the moment,” he pleaded.
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