Practice report: Secondary faces Brady to Moss barrage
Randy Moss making a reception over Falcons CB Christopher Owens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons secondary had to face New England quarterback Tom Brady without their top two corners backs in the first practice on Tuesday morning.
Dunta Robinson, who signed a six-year $57 million free agent contract, has been out with a hamstring injury. Brent Grimes, who’s been working with the first team defense at left cornerback, did not practice because of a groin injury.
Patriots QB Tom Brady chats with Falcons QB Matt Ryan before Tuesday's morning practice between the teams in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss connected for two touchdowns. He caught one that appeared to be over Christopher Owens. He caught another and then went behind the Falcons players on the sidelines and told them “that’s two today.”
Falcons coach Mike Smith spent the morning watching his defense.
“I thought it went well,” Smith said. “The guys did what we asked them to do. They stayed on their feet when they were in shells like that. That’s the thing you want to have happen. I thought the guys worked extremely hard.”
The Falcons finished 28th against the pass last season and are seeking to improve in that area. It must be noted that there is no pass rush in the 7-on-7 passing drills and the defensive backs have to stay in coverage longer.
“They are a talented offense,” Smith said. “They have a great quarterback and a great wide receiver. I saw our guys out there competing and that’s what we have to do.”
Moss later dazzled the crowd with a one-handed grab with Brian Williams in coverage.
“Yeah, I saw his one-handed grab there,” Smith said. “He had a nice catch. I thought it was a spirited practice.”
Grimes, who is battling for a starting spot, suffered an untimely injury.
“Unfortunately he wasn’t able to go with us today,” Smith said. “We’ve got to get our guys healthy.”
The Falcons did strike back offensively.
Matt Ryan connected with Troy Bergeron on a touchdown pass and backup quarterback Chris Redman tossed a nice touchdown pass to Harry Douglas, who will play on Thursday night.
“Harry is really progressing well,” Smith said.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 18 — Practice 10:15 – 11:35 a.m. (closed to public).
Thursday, August 19 — Preseason Week 2 vs. New England 8 p.m.
Friday, August 20 — No Practice.
Saturday, August 21 — 9:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (closed to the public); 3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Sunday, August 22 — 9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public)
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75 comments Add your comment
Tom Pridemore would hit you
August 17th, 2010
5:27 pm
@ BigTimeTECHFan
Freeman.????? who is he
I'm a dreamer...
August 17th, 2010
5:48 pm
What if we could transplant Bobby Herbert’s guts and heart into Jeff George’s body back in the 90’s….also..what if Brett Favre had gotten along with the “man in black..”..???
Sly Ty
August 17th, 2010
6:49 pm
I hope someone can name me all of the GREAT 6 foot and taller cornerbacks in the NFL not named Nmandi Assomaugh. Last time I checked there aren’t any, unless you count Antonio Cromartie, who was released by San Diego and deemed unworthy of a large contract extension. Oh yeah, Brady is great, until he is hit. It was 7 on 7.
I.MUS WRITE
August 17th, 2010
7:27 pm
TechFan-U do know that Rothlieberger has won 2 superbowls and Mcnabb has been to numerous NFC Championship/Probowls = Ryan should be a little lower is what im saying. I like the kid but i would take AArons Rogers over him in a NY minute
How is Ryan the 6th best QB playing now and hes won absolutely nothing,Where is Flacco-you know a guy whos actually won playoff games……..
Give me a Minuteman: Five reasons to watch Patriots at Falcons — Bookie Blitz
August 17th, 2010
7:47 pm
[...] In one of the combined practices with the Patriots, the Falcons secondary was exploited all day long by Tom Brady and Randy Moss. [...]
birddawg24
August 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
Andre Johnson is the best reciever in the NFL. moss runs a close 3rd behind Larry fitzgerald
Jack
August 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
Joe Fish is out of water and suffering from lack of oxygen to the brain. NO way in Hell should TO be part of the Falcons. Again TO is part of the problem not solution.
Are DB situation willbe fine, most of the day we were in 7on 7 drills, which meant no rush. Lets just wait for Thurday at the very least to see what happens.
birddawg24
August 17th, 2010
8:06 pm
Glad to have Ryan, but i wish we wouldve kept Schaub.
Sly Ty is a clown
August 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
Champ Bailey……next question….
Chop Buster
August 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
If the secondary is going to get beat, I’d rather it be now and they learn from it. These practices and preseason games should be a good measuring stick for Smitty and TD to assess our needs.
DILLIGAF
August 17th, 2010
9:36 pm
Brady… yeah right!!
D Falcons
August 17th, 2010
10:48 pm
What’s the word on the JA98 injury? We need to get everyone to opening day healthy because the Birds need all the weapons to win in Pittsburgh.
Troup Dawg
August 17th, 2010
10:59 pm
Where is Falcons iron man Moore?? I was shocked to hear that he missed practice and the last game due to an injury! WOW,,,,,Since his arrival to the Atl fro MO he’s been such a lights out player and now to have him down with an injury this early on in the season. What’s next?? Oh the shear fear of not having Moore out there this season creating havoc for receivers.??
PLEASE!!!
thunderbull56
August 17th, 2010
11:10 pm
Rank ‘em, then spank ‘em.What matters is when the whistle blows Real Game.Troup,is he Norwood part two,Moore,I mean ?
Big Ray
August 17th, 2010
11:39 pm
Heh…the idea that Joe Flacco has won anything is kind of hilarious. Anybody with a defense like the Ravens have, has a chance to win. Had our defense been healthy, we would have gone better than 9-7 last year.
Incidentally, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with making sure our guys are fully healthy and ready to go when the regular season starts. Something Saints fans are forgetting is that their team went 8-8 the year before they won the SuperBowl.
Nobody said it better than Falcons head coach Mike Smith, who pointed out that the Saints team was pretty good then , but had endured a number of key injuries, leading to their stalemate record (neither winning nor losing).
So Saints fans might want to think about that when they make fun of our WINNING record despite losing key starters on both sides of the ball last year.
Yep…facts are so very hard to ignore…
mo
August 18th, 2010
1:01 am
was this the last PRACTICE? IF so was it a set up goood ? ha so 7 on 7 no d-line no 71 to look for .an high school player can look good in this. why i say this he has all the time he neeed to pass to an open rec
Joe Tess Fish House
August 18th, 2010
8:44 am
No takers to my challange?
Bluto
August 18th, 2010
11:48 am
Haha Joe Tess Fish House= internet tough guy. Do you always look for fights when someone hurts your feelings?
Bluto
August 18th, 2010
11:49 am
I bet Joe has a really hawt internet girlfriend that lives in Canada. LOl HA ahahah,
d.carter
August 18th, 2010
11:59 am
He compared Mieir to TO….LMAO
Saints LSU
August 18th, 2010
12:28 pm
@ BigTimeTechFan are you crazy what football you being watching Rogers, Rivers over Brees, Brees is the best QB in the NFL right now & Ryan behind Brees no way I think you know football talk to me
Falcon57
August 18th, 2010
12:28 pm
Hey Fish House, you’re sticking the place up!!!!
manish pandeyis the best of all time
August 18th, 2010
2:34 pm
Randy Moss
manish pandey
August 18th, 2010
2:35 pm
Hope moss catches 25 td this season
Moe tess Fish House
August 18th, 2010
5:00 pm
Any new about a possible trade for TO?????