Falcons: 5 things we learned from the Rams game
Looks like another long season for the Rams. At least they have The Arch.
OVER THE ARCH – The “Shootout in St. Louis” for the No. 3 quarterback position was a toss up.
After Matt Ryan retired, D.J. Shockley and John Parker Wilson got chance to impress the coaching staff. Chris Redman, who did not play, is apparently safe as the backup.
“It is a competition,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We wanted to evaluate those guys.”
Both had interceptions and a missed protection led to a Shockley fumble. Both led the team to field goals.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen and his bus rolled through Flowery Branch last week.
“We had two really unfortunate turnovers,” Smith said. “They were touched by our receivers. I thought both of those guys had good learning experiences.”
Shockley got a chance to play with the first-team offensive line.
“I felt like I could have played better,” Shockley said. “There were situations when I was trying to make something happen and may have forced some things. Overall, there are a lot of things I can learn from this game.”
Ryan and Redman figure to spilt the action against San Diego on Saturday.
In the exhibition game finale against Baltimore, Shockley and Wilson may get another shot to impress to settle the No.3 spot.
“I think it’s a situation where you have to be ready . . . the biggest thing is being prepared when your number is called and you have to make the most of your opportunities,” Shockley said.
Shockley hit a nice pass down the field to tight end Justin Peelle, but some of
NFL.Com/NFL Network's Steve Wyche and 790 The Zone's Mike Bell do the Bell and Pollack show from the Branch last week.
passes seemed telegraphed and drew crowds of Rams.
“I was ready to go,” Shockley said. “It felt good to go in the game early.”
Shockley was glad he did get a chance to guide the offense to a field goal on his last series.
“It was a big plus in that situation,” Shockley said.
Here are the five things we learned in the St. Louis game:
1. Who’s No. 3?: There’s a battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot.
2. Grimes a keeper: Brent Grimes is the starting left cornerback. We just need a formal announcement. “I wish I could have made the interceptions,” Grimes said. “I think I did pretty well.”
3. Romberg Rumbles: Backup center is in good hands with Brett Romberg. He started for Todd McClure (leg strain). He enjoyed the two touchdown drives.
“They looked stellar,” Romberg said. “That was one thing we really wanted to focus on, coming out explosive.”
4. Run defense can stop backup running backs: The run defense shut down a slew of backup running backs – Samkon Gado, Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby. Steven Jackson only had three carries before getting the night off.
“It was very alarming on the first play of the game to give up a nine yard run,” Smith said. “We settled down and had some nice (run) fits.”
5. No huddle is back: The Falcons flashed their no-huddle on the second series.
“We knew on that second drive that we were going to go to our no huddle offense,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “The defense dictates to us what we are going to do. Matt (Ryan) is out there calling his own plays.”
This is where the "World's Greatest Show on Turf" used to play. Former Falcon exec Billy Devaney is charged with turning around their fortunes and getting fans back in the seats. The Dome was only about half full for the game.
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72 comments Add your comment
yellowjacket
August 24th, 2009
8:50 am
Ray, I guess you have you’re answer as to why other teams didn’t try and trade for shockley. And why matt ryan was given all the opportunities to start last year.
Statesburr
August 24th, 2009
9:11 am
Mr Ledbetter…Wow..I didn’t realize you were that swamped. Just a hint…most of us fans want to read reports describing how the draftees and backups are performing and if there are surprises such as Aaron Kelly and the linebacker drafted last year who had a concussion. We have a vision of how 1st strings will perform… Also, just to let you know I am not ungrateful, don’t be so sensitive when a blogger doesn’t agree with you. Maybe delegate the blog….
Dennis
August 24th, 2009
9:50 am
Grimes needs to go. Period. Nobody has more heart, but that doesn’t keep him from getting burned on every single play that comes his way.
Bobby
August 24th, 2009
9:53 am
Shockley looked like M. Vick out there. He couldn’t complete a pass and he was turning the ball over. I had flashbacks of Vick leading the team. SCARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Nolefan
August 24th, 2009
10:24 am
Why do the falcons continue to keep Shockley? He wasn’t good enough to play in front of another QB at Ga who was a great college QB but could not make it in the PROS. I think Shockley is a great athlete and his services might be better used elsewhere. Look at Hines Ward for example, Shockley could be very similar to him. Either that or cut him loose if he is to proud to admit he sucks as a QB in this league.
YUP!!
August 24th, 2009
12:04 pm
WOW!! Some made excuses for Vick. Now some are making excuses for Shockley.
Get over it neither are very good QBs.
Ken Strickland
August 24th, 2009
1:53 pm
Like BIG RAY suggested, stop making such an issue of the height of our CB’s. Afterall, TD and Smitty selected them, so obviously they don’t have a problem with it. I think they’re more interested in the speed and physical ability of their CB’s rather than their height. The idea is to be very physical within the 5yd contact zone to disrupt the WR’s timing and route, which allows the pass rush additional time to get to the QB. That explains why they’ve been pushing CHouston to be more physical.
Let’s face it, if we don’t improve on last yrs awful run DEF, it won’t matter how tall our CB’s are, because they’ll primarily become run stoppers rather than pass defenders. It’s very amusing to see people use the fact we’re replacing 5 DEF starters as an excuse for predicting the Falxons will not approach last yrs success. What makes it all so amusing is even with those 5 starters we finished 21st in pass DEF, 25th in rushing DEF and 24th in overall DEF. With the FA’s we’ve signed, quality talent we’ve drafted, and the talent returning from last yrs IR, how on earth can anyone with an actual IQ not see our DEF making vast improvements over last season?
Rogue50
August 24th, 2009
5:41 pm
Couple of points –
I hear what you are saying about the undersized corners but remember — Foxworth was all of 5′ 10″ so that isn’t all there is to it. More pressure on the QB more quickly is what we need to shoot for. That said, I think we will pick up another CB after cut down (just like we did with Foxworth).
As to DJ — sorry to say it (I am a Georgia homer) but he is toast after that performance. Lots of dropped passes by generally reliable receivers — does that remind of you someone? Unfortunately, it relates more to 1) No touch 2) Inaccuracy and 3) Not looking off the defense. But what was really telling was a play that he had in the red zone on the 3rd and 9 (I think it was 9) — he had two streaking receivers going down the sideline and never, I mean never, actually read the defense to see if he had an option there. He rolled to his left, tucked it and ran because he “thought” he saw and opening. Stand in the pocket and let the play develop. If you check the film, I think there was a touchdown waiting for you in the corner of the end zone. That tells me that his play has not developed in 4 years.
jerry
August 24th, 2009
6:22 pm
DJ just appears to panic when he has to ad lib. Like when you have to give a book report and forget what you want to say.
mars
August 24th, 2009
9:07 pm
Here’s the no brainer. Mr cosmo, you know nothing about football. My defense of DJ aside, John Parker Wilson is lucky to have gone beyond high school. I’d rather have Ray Goff for pro QB (and NO ONE wants that)!
mars
August 24th, 2009
9:08 pm
Just checked in the mirror. I have eyes.
richbrave
August 24th, 2009
10:07 pm
Cut SIDBURY, he sucks.
downsouthdirtybird
August 24th, 2009
10:36 pm
Ok mars not a big jpw fan but started how long at bama?
Big Ray
August 25th, 2009
1:06 am
Unca’ Bob,
Great to see you as well! I was away for a while, and when I came back, it seemed that the Falcon Faithful had dwindled. No worries though, as the season is soon upon us and all will return. Boo Birds included.
Yellow Jacket,
I never asked the question. No disrespect towards Shockley, but I already knew…
markymark
August 25th, 2009
9:00 am
DJ is toast. If the mechanics haven’t developed in 3 years, they aren’t gonna magically appear. JPW is a good person and a hard worker. He is a proven leader. Gets along well with MR. At least he is willing to learn.
Coop
August 25th, 2009
12:58 pm
Rod, I get that you love DJ, but I agree with DOL. The assessment isn’t based on one game. I have yet to see DJ show me he can run this offense any better than Redman. I wish he would for several reasons. I’m a huge Dawg fan too, but using your logic of DJ’s college success as the determinanat that he will succeed in the NFL is faulty. David Greene was a great BQ for us too and he isn’t starting anywhere. I like DJ’s tools as well, but he just hasn’t demonstrated his ability to use them.
panic
August 25th, 2009
9:31 pm
well the shock has had the same things happen every had a shot he just cant
put together 1 good drive that lets players and fans see he can be a leader under pressure.
we have 3 players to cut next week then its down to 53 best folks that we can put on field for the season
with that in mind we have lots of good players we will not keep hate to lose them but thats the deal,
so who is the best 53 from ota to mini camp then in pressure spots in a game who gets it done
no excuses just results find out who we are this yr humble and hungry
mudcat
August 25th, 2009
10:29 pm
DJ really broke my heart with his performance. He looked like the rookie, not Parker. Grimes is a keeper but I still like Owens with his aggressiveness. Trey Lewis is a winner. The hard work is paying off. When is Jamaal going to show up?
Real Falcons Fan
August 27th, 2009
10:06 am
Cut Sidbury he sucks?? What! You need to lay off the juice, Sidbury had more sacks in one game than JA hadin his rookie year, and the same he had last year. Sidbury will only get better, and so far, he looks way better than any DE rookie we have had in a long time. I also think DJS is about done, he might have a chance with another team that is in a QB delima. I think JPW has a future in the NFL ahead of him, might even be a trade option later, like Matt Shaub was. The only thing I think will happen if we cut DJS, is ever bigot in ATL will play the race card, because DJS is black and JPW is white. It is so sad that after all this time and progress this country has made, race still factors in over talent. I really wish DJS the best, but I don’t think he has a future on this team.
markymark
August 28th, 2009
11:37 am
I don’t think they will waste any more time with DJS. DABIRDS have to pick those who can play, has nothing to do with race. Realfan, you are right. Did DJS get a degree? I think he will need it now.
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