From @BobGlec on X/Twitter

How is the Falcons (starting unit) run game looking or is it difficult to tell in the joint practices? I’m a bit worried that Drew Dalman was more important for that run game than people realize.

It is difficult to tell right now. When defenses can’t tackle to the ground and linemen can’t go 100% in either run blocking or stopping, you can’t truly tell what a run would yield. Sometime there’s a hole that manifest large enough to where you can tell without a shadow of a doubt the team would’ve broken a run. But even those I try not to overhype, either. I don’t think any team knows what they’ve got in their run game until Week 1 arrives and the chains are loosed. Still, the Falcons should have a leg up in knowing what they have. With so much continuity amongst this offense line and running backs, if the Falcons run game doesn’t start hotter than most I would be shocked.

Regarding your second point, let’s break it down.

Dalman made nine starts in 2024. During those nine starts spanning from Week 1 through Week 3 and then again from Week 12 to Week 17, the Falcons’ run game averaged 31 carries per game, 138 rushing yards per game with a 4.4 yards per attempt average.

Neuzil made eight starts in 2024. During those eight starts spanning from Week 4 through the Week 11 bye week, the Falcons’ run game averaged 27 carries per game, 121.7 rushing yards per game with 4.4 yards per attempt average.

On first blush, yes the Falcons ran the ball less during Dalman’s stint. But if you recall, that is when Kirk Cousins was lighting up the league, leading all quarterbacks in passing yards in October. That is happening right in the chunk of Neuzil’s starts. When the Falcons did run the ball during that time period, though, they were no less productive in yards per attempt average than they were with Dalman.

The crux of the Falcons’ run game has been Chris Lindstrom, and usually Kaleb McGary beside him. Does the center have a role in that? Absolutely, but if you watch the tape, it’s Lindstrom who is often the lead blocker for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. And there is no reason to think that won’t continue to be the case.