Post Game Notes, Falcons at Rams

Preseason record: 1 - 1 First, I would like to say I am pleased with the improvements this team has made over the last week. Though, the defense late in the game didn't look impenetrable, they certainly looked more organized, and didn't allow the Rams to run roughshod throughout the backfield. They capped off the game by ending the would-be tying Rams drive by forcing an interception by Eric Brock in the end zone. The pressure by the D-line was the primary cause of this game-ending turnover, and it was good to see, especially from the players deep in the lineup. I think many of the players did a great job giving Mike Smith and company a great deal of headache over who gets to stay and who gets to go. Second, I would like to temper that enthusiasm by reminding myself (and you...) that a.) this is a preseason game, and b.) this is the Rams. Something is going wrong if a playoff team that claims to have upgraded looks like they are struggling against a team that fell towards the bottom of the heap last season. I mean, look what the Lions did to their opponent last week... Third, I'm jazzed. I'm really jazzed. Our first-string offense looked better than good. Matt Ryan went 7 for 8 for 81 yards and a TD. Michael Turner rushed 7 times for 65 yards and a TD. Tony Gonzalez was on the receiving end of Ryan's TD pass, and netted 32 yards on 3 catches, one of which was on third and long. Roddy White pulled in 38 yards on 3 catches. The first-stringers orchestrated two drives, one focusing heavily on the run, where all of Turners yards were earned, and one through the air and run mostly no-huddle. This team has weapons, and is capable of using all of them. Where they went right: The defense allowed just 26 yards rushing in the first half, you know, the one Stephen Jackson was in (3 attempts for 10 yards). All-in-all, the Falcons defense allowed just 79 yards on the ground all game and no TD's. The passing defense has improved since last week. They did allow 218 yards through the air, but did manage a pick to end what would have been the tying drive late in the game, kudos again to Brock. More importantly, the opposing QB's actually had to scramble a bit. Lawrence Sidbury snagged 2 (!) sacks, and Kroy Biermann seemed to be swarming to the ball all night. Chris Owens was still everywhere at once, and Brent Grimes managed to get his hands on the ball a couple of times, though he wasn't able to haul in the INT's, and did get burned once. The game management was right on all night. Everyone looked fresh on the field all game, and it appeared, unlike last week, that everyone knew their positions. It was a solid game all night, for the most part. Three penalties for 20 yards. Much better. Much better. Where they went wrong: D.J. Shockley still is struggling in game situations. I hate saying it, because I think he's a great player, and was robbed of his opportunity to be the hero of this team a couple of years ago when some other quarterback ran into some legal difficulties and wasn't able to start. D.J., who was riding third string then, came into a preseason game, and was electrifying. He was accurate, he was agile, and it looked like this team might not completely have been in the dark. At least, until he tore out his ACL mid-game while juking away from a defender on a quarterback draw. I feel like he finally has his shot to at least show in these games that he'd at least be a great second-string quarterback here or elsewhere, and right now, he isn't doing that. Mike Smith seems determined to give him his chance and ran him out there for nearly half the game. Shockley went 5 for 12 with a pick and a fumble. True, his line let him down on more than one occasion, especially on the play where he had the fumble, but he did a terrible job of looking off his targets, which led to the pick, and nearly 2 others. He did do a great job on the 23 yard completion to Justin Peele, but that was called back due to a false start. Still, not a whole lot of Peria Jerry or Jamaal Anderson. With Sidbury, Biermann, and Thomas Johnson raising eyebrows (not to mention Trey Lewis and Chauncey Davis performing well out there), these two need to step it up, or they will lose their assumed starting positions. Though Smith will rotate players out constantly, there's something to be said about making the first-string squad. Not a whole lot of backups make the Pro Bowl. Studs of the game: Lawrence Sidbury, 2 sacks Kroy Biermann, 5 Tackles The first-string offensive line, zero sacks, and flawless on the opening 2 drives I am intentionally leaving Ryan, Gonzalez, Turner and White off the list, because this was an exhibition game, and the primary focus was on the "other" players on the team. Nevertheless, the O-line still gets the nod, because of how freakishly good they looked. Said Tony Gonzalez, "I have to give it to the offensive line, giving Matt the protection." I'll conclude with another Gonzalez quote from the game: "We had a very good night, but it's important that we don't rest on that and we go out there and keep improving. We have a long way to go. " Up next, at home hosting the San Diego Chargers, Saturday at 8pm (EST)