Falcons OL Shows Depth, Development as Neuzil Replaces Injured Hennessy

Following last Friday's preseason-opening win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Atlanta Falcons returned to the practice field inside team headquarters in Flowery Branch on Sunday, but with a new face at center - Ryan Neuzil.

The same proved true Monday, when Neuzil once again received first-team snaps in place of starter Drew Dalman, who was out with an illness, and effective backup center Matt Hennessy, who entered camp taking reps with the starters at left guard before suffering a leg injury during the first week of practice.

And while Neuzil, who's entering his third professional season after going undrafted out of Appalachian State in 2021, naturally slid down to the second-team once Dalman returned on Tuesday, his continued strong form in his brief run with the starters left a notable impression on Falcons coach Arthur Smith.

It began Monday, when Smith gave unprompted praise to Neuzil while talking about the depth his team has grown along the offensive line, noting the 26-year-old has been in the program and developed into a capable player.

Smith reiterated similar thoughts just a day later, offering deeper insight on where, exactly, the 6-3, 301-pound Neuzil has taken the biggest steps forward.

"[He’s] one of the many guys in our program that's just gotten better year after year, taking advantage of every opportunity - whether that's inside the weight room, the things we do on the practice field, off the field,” Smith said. “He's got a lot of persistence, smart player, taking advantage of every opportunity as he's improved.

“That's the name of the game and that's our job as coaches and it's fun to see somebody like that is that guy consistently go back there and prove it.”

Smith added a friendly jab at Neuzil’s recent appearance on “mic’d up,” which ran live on the Falcons’ YouTube channel, noting he’s “got to watch it now” as his celebrity status rises. Later, Smith joked the Falcons need to “make sure we keep him humble” and monitor the size of his ego.

But jokes aside, there’s little funny about Neuzil’s development - or the resulting value it’s brought to Atlanta’s offensive line.

While losing Hennessy early in camp was far from ideal, Neuzil’s emergence has not only helped ease the immediate pain but shines a light on the depth that’s been assembled for offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, who’s done, in Smith’s words, “a hell of a job” taking his group to the next level.

And so, the Falcons certainly want Hennessy back in the mix - but with Neuzil’s presence, there’s a level of comfort that exists either way … and that, by all accounts, is a new feeling inside the walls in Flowery Branch, perhaps best illustrating the overall growth Atlanta’s made in the past two years.