It's rare that the hiring of an offensive line coach causes such a stir.
The Falcons' offensive line caught much of the blame for the struggles the team experienced during the 2011 season on their way to the postseason. The loss to the Giants in the playoffs was especially painful. Though New York only registered two sacks, they pressured quarterback Matt Ryan all day.
So when the team announced a few weeks after the humbling playoff defeat that the fiery, matter-of-fact
Pat Hill would be coaching the much-maligned line, the news resonated throughout the halls of 4400 Falcon Parkway and the entire Falcons fan base.
During Wednesday's media session, Hill provided a glimpse into the coaching style that served him well during his 15 years as the head coach at Fresno State, where he compiled a record of 112-90.
"I didn't come here to split the atom," Hill said. "I came here to really work on fundamentals. At this level you have a chance to really tweak a person's game. It's like being a swing coach for a golfer. . . Here you're trying to develop technique to help each one of your players get better."
So far it's paying off. Hill brings a new perspective to an offensive line that overall has been highly productive during the four seasons under head coach Mike Smith. In his short time with Atlanta, Hill has quickly established himself as a mentor to a line that features two incoming rookies, but is still loaded with experience. He's established an accountability with the linemen and is showing them he cares.
"Obviously he knows the game of football, he's been in it for almost 40 years," tackle
Will Svitek said. "He's a great football mind. He's a great person. He's a guy you want to play for and play hard for. He's one of those guys that you don't want to let down. You feel like you're letting down someone close to you. He knows the game.
He's real big on technique and he's been really informative so far."
