GAME RECAP
The first preseason game was a real thriller to start, but didn’t end as the Falcons hoped. While the starters looked dominant over the Dolphins, some of the backups did not impress. Let’s run through the players that got themselves noticed, whether it was for good or bad play
THE GOOD
Matt Ryan – Ryan started out shaky. His first 4 passes were incomplete, but after he completed his next 6 for 90 yards and a TD to Harry Douglas. Probably his two most exciting completions were those to Julio Jones. The first time he hit him running a short route across the field, that allowed Jones to pick up considerable yards after the catch, and shortly after that he found him open in the center of the field for a 22 yard completion. All in all Ryan looked sharp once he got into a rhythm with his receivers.
Michael Turner – I couldn’t tell if Turner was looking awesome, or if the Offensive line was just making huge holes. After thinking about it, I decided it was a little bit of both. Turner didn’t stay in very long, but on his 4 carries he put up 21 yards and a touchdown. He looks ready for another 1000 yard season.
Jason Snelling – Jason did exactly what we expected; he carried the ball effectively with 6 carries for 27 yards, and he caught a short pass that he turned in to a first down. Typical Snelling.
Julio Jones- Julio looked great. I already talked about his two catches for 43 yards, but I left out the 12 yards he picked up on the ground. That’s right Julio Jones can run the reverse. The fans went crazy every time he touched the ball. He already looks to be adding explosiveness on the Offense, and I’m sure it will only get better as a gets more experience.
Harry Douglas – I was really impressed with Douglas. He was our leading receiver, and caught a great TD from Ryan. He is someone that could really surprise some people at at the slot receiver position.
The Offensive line – The starting line looked awesome. The Falcons running backs averaged close to 7 yards per carry when they had the starters blocking for them. In addition to that, I can’t recall one play where Matt Ryan appeared to be really rushed. Great Job by the O-line.
John Abraham – Abraham had a ridiculous interception, that Definitely got the Miami receiver yelled at. It was good to see one of our big name guys make a big play.
Brent Grimes – Grimes just did what he does best. Makes Quarterbacks look like idiots. Chad Henne could not catch a break against our defense. He was picked off of a dropped pass by Abe, and then he tried to throw one down field, and Grimes used his 90 inch vertical to jump up there and snatch it. It was awesome.
Cliff Matthews – The dolphins appeared to have the momentum for most of the 2nd half. But on third and long Cliff Matthews did the best thing a defensive player can do, got the defense off the field. It was a 3rd and 9 and Cliff just Bull Rushed the Offensive Tackle and put Matt Moore on the ground. It was clear that he wants in on the Defensive line Rotation.
OTHER PLAYERS THAT LOOKED SHARP
Brandyn Harvey made a couple nice cathces
Sean Whetherspoon stuffed the run a couple times
Emmanuel Stephens had a nice sack
Kerry Meier had a nice catch for 18 yards
Jacquizz Rodgers showed that he can run between the tackles
Rafael Bush had a great INT off a tipped ball
Bear Woods led the team in Tackles
THE NOT SO GOOD
Obviously the backups guy aren’t going to play like the first string guys, but I was hoping to see a better game out of Christopher Owens. The only time I really noticed him, was when he blew coverage and costed the Falcons a Touchdown. If I had to guess I would say that Dominique Franks is going to be the front runner for the starting job after that.
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