GAME STORY: Jaguars 15, Falcons 13

Quarterback Matt Ryan was under pressure against Jacksonville on Friday. (Associated Press)

Quarterback Matt Ryan was under pressure against Jacksonville on Friday. (Associated Press)

JACKSONVILLE – If there was any remaining doubt about wide receiver Harry Douglas’ knee, he put it to rest with his second scintillating performance of the exhibition season.

Douglas sparked an otherwise shoddy offensive performance with a 76-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the 15-13 loss to the Jaguars at EverBank Field on Friday night.

The Falcons dropped to 0-2, while Jacksonville, which was humiliated by New England 47-12 in its last outing, moved to 1-1 in the exhibition season.

“It just seemed like we were out of sync offensively,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.  ”We have some things that we definitely have to correct and that’s what the preseason is for.”

Other than Douglas’ big play, the Falcons did not mount another touchdown drive. Also, they failed to take full advantage of great field position after two first-quarter turnovers.

“When we get the ball on the plus-side of the 50, we have to make some hay and get some points,” Smith said.

The starters played the entire first half and could amass just three first downs. Running back Michael Turner had seven carries for 14 yards.  Julio Jones had two catches. Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez had one catch each.

On Jacksonville’s opening possession, cornerback Brent Grimes intercepted Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard and returned the pick 62 yards.

The offense had the ball at the Jaguars’ 42. They picked up one first down, but the drive stalled at Jacksonville’s 21. Kicker Matt Bryant put the Falcons ahead 3-0 with a 40-yard field goal.

On Jacksonville’s ensuing possession, wide receiver Cecil Shorts fumbled on a reverse. After a mad scramble, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon recovered the ball at the Jaguars’ 37-yard line.

The promising drive stalled after Ryan was called for intentional grounding on third-and-2 from Jacksonville’s 31.

“Our defense did a great job,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “As an offense, we always like to capitalize on those turnovers.”

 Punter Matt Bosher came on and booted a 50-yard punt when the Falcons wanted him to pin the Jaguars inside the 20.

Jacksonville put together a 13-play drive that was capped by Josh Scobee’s 26-yard field goal to tie the score, 3-3.

There was an exchange of punts before Douglas got loose. On a third-and-5, Douglas was open over the middle, he shook a defender and then broke outside. Jones gave him a block and Douglas was sprinting up the sideline for the score.

“I’m here to do whatever they ask me to do — inside, outside, slot — whatever,” Douglas said. “I love the offense.”

Douglas also had a nice touchdown grab last week against Miami.

The Falcons added a field goal in the third quarter to move ahead 13-3. But like in the exhibition opener when they blew a 17-0 lead, the reserves couldn’t hold off the Jaguars.

The Jaguars added two quick field goals, one after Antone Smith fumbled on a kickoff return and then received a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Luke McCown to wide receiver Armon Binns to move ahead. They held on for the victory.

Cornerback Dominique Franks, who is having a spectacular training camp, started for Dunta Robinson. He played strong, but missed a couple of tackles during Jacksonville’s touchdown drive.

“I left some plays out there that I should of have made, but that’s something that I can correct,” Franks said. “I need to get a better feel for what receivers like to do in certain coverages.”

It was Franks most extensive action as the Falcons are trying to decide who’s their No. 3 cornerback. Franks was getting his chance to move past Christopher Owens.

“I didn’t want to look at that too closely and get myself over-excited,” Franks said. “I just wanted to go out there and make plays. I should have made those two missed tackles. They were big on that drive to take the lead. That’s something that is easily corrected.”

Franks doesn’t need to beat himself up for the missed tackles. He wasn’t the only defender missing tackles. Some contend that the lack of live tackling in practice leads to those type of plays in the preseason.

“We have to just get back in there and get more reps to get really focused on tackling,” middle linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “We don’t do enough tackling. When we get out there, it’s preseason and you know guys are not ready for that.”

The Falcons will now point to their third exhibition game at Pittsburgh next Saturday.

The game will be heavily anticipated as defensive end Ray Edwards, the team’s prized free agent signee who is recovering from knee surgery, may make his Atlanta debut. 

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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167 comments Add your comment

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

D man

August 20th, 2011
8:51 am

Falcons starters looked good last night. We are 2-0 with the starting unit.

FAILCANTS

August 20th, 2011
9:00 am

Start the excuse machine, dirty birds….that’s what you are good at….can’t win a key game, can’t win a ring…that is why you will ALWAYS BE THE FALCANTS! Who Dat? You ain’t dat and never will be….stay classy….

FAILCANTS

August 20th, 2011
9:02 am

2-0 with the starting unit? What a moronic comment…..must be a UGA grad…..

Jason

August 20th, 2011
9:06 am

I see Katrina missed one!

Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)

August 20th, 2011
9:09 am

Some of you do not understand what preseason football is about. Whatever. In the starters vs starters portion of the game, The Falcons won 10-3. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.

The good news is that IF the Falcons could have made the initial tackle they Jags would have had about half the yards they did. There was constant pressure on the QB, constant penetration in the back field, and great kick coverage…IF they could tackle. It is better the coaches saw this in preseason. You can bet the D has a long week of tackle drills ahead.

Ryan wasn’t as sharp as in the first game, but the offense being called was also very vanilla compared to the first game. Remember that we play the Jags for real, so my guess is that has something to do with it.

What I saw last night was a team that played like it was the preseason. They did a lot of little things wrong. There were a few dropped passes which would have made Ryan look a little better too, but it was clear that the coaches told Ryan not to get hit. That is probably because the back up center was in there and they would rather he just throw the ball away than risk being injured. He still drove the ball down the field for two scoring drives.

Our 3rd down offense and defense were both horrible.

Jason

August 20th, 2011
9:10 am

Key game—–Seattle destroys New orleans. Shuts dat down in search of who? Oh looking for a ride home due to a lack of home field advantage.

Colorado Bird

August 20th, 2011
9:29 am

Disappointed !! They just did not look like a contender in the NFC South, especially after looking at the other teams in the division. I don’t understand why we year after year don’t have a solid and productive pass rush, especially considering the number of defensive players that were on the market this year which Atlanta had a chance to get?

It seems that Atlanta wants to build the team only through the draft and I sure it will work over the long run (5-6 years from now) But Atlanta needs to be a contender on the football scene and the lack of respect that the NFL Network, ESPN, and other announcers (most who are previous NFL players) have for this team, as a fan really hurts. But after watching Atlanta in the pre-season leads me to believe they may be right-and that hurts to admit, because I love the Falcons.

I really like the Atlanta coaches but somebody is missing the boat! Just look at what New Orleans,Philadelphia, New York and other teams that play Atlanta in the regular season did to up-grade their team ! What did Atlanta do? One defensive player!!!!

Frustrated with the team and pray they prove me wrong. But with what they did in free-agency leads me to believe the road ahead is going to be rocky at best.

Go Falcons !!

Flo=Ri-Duh

August 20th, 2011
9:36 am

Pitiful display by the o-line and Matt Ryan.

HJones

August 20th, 2011
9:39 am

MY OPINION: WORST PERFORMANCE BY A FALCONS OFFENSIVE TEAM EVER

“It just seemed like we were out of sync offensively,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. ”We have some things that we definitely have to correct and that’s what the preseason is for.”

Duh! The offensive problems last night are the same problems we saw last year, and in particular in the Green Bay game. Shouldn’t the problems be corrected by now? If the problems haven’t been corrected since the Green Bay game, how will preseason correct them? As I recall, it was said many times that the Falcons wanted to have a more EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE but needed that player who could stretch the field. It looks to me that we have three of those players now with Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas.

Running Michael Turner on first down over and over for negative or zero yards is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Three first downs in a half by this elite first team of players is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? One pass reception in the first half by the best wide receiver in the league is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? No catches by your number one draft choice in the first half is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Getting the ball on your opponents side of the field twice and you score three points is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Completing your first pass of the game to Michael Turner who is not a good receiver and should have been blocking to allow Matt Ryan to throw to one of our explosive receivers is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE?

Considering the money spent and statements made since the Green Bay game, how can the Owner and General Manager accept such a drastic terrible offensive performance as we saw last night. Let’s be real here. It was one of the worst performances by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the personnel that we have on the first team.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS cannot solely make an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE! EXPLOSIVE TALK for several months does not make an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE.

The offensive philosophy and play calling must change if the Falcons offense is to resemble an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE. The Falcons have the EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS so there should be NO EXCUSES. The offensive game plan and play calling last night looked worse than the worst
offensive games of last year. It appeared to me the offensive game plan in the first half was based on the performance of one man – Michael Turner and his running. This is a team game!! Did Julio Jones and Roddy White play at all in the first quarter? As a fan, last night’s offensive performance is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!

I hope it is unacceptable for the Owner and General Manager. Hooray for the Falcons Defensive Team!!!

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

SeenThisB4

August 20th, 2011
9:56 am

Hey DLed: Like I said yesterday, before you erased my post, it would be interesting to watch how your team handled the jag pass rush,…. we all got that answer. Your offensive line is just like a New Orleans levee, it won’t hold back nothing.

I also said that this would be a good game to measure your team’s run defense, since the jag’s running backs were all banged up. Again, I was on target.

Yeah, it’s only preseason, but preseason is used to measure and guage individual talent and team cohesiveness.

Your individual star last night, Douglas, but at least they got their money’s worth from your punter! LOL!

Okay blog censor, you can erase this post too. LOL!

SeenThisB4

August 20th, 2011
9:59 am

I also said that your team should win, but then again, they should have won last week too. Bullseye!

RB

August 20th, 2011
9:59 am

In the past I have been critical of Ryans ability to throw deep accurately. I’m going to withhold any criticism until the regular season. Hopefully he improves this year. If not……

Phil Lunney

August 20th, 2011
10:02 am

If the Falcons don’t learn to tackle, the season will become an unwinnable track meet. On offense, I hope they are just holding back their real playbook, because if their offensive philosphy was reflected in last nights game, they are toast. Boring play calls, predictable play calling and no real life in the entire offense, except Harry Douglas.
On a separate note, the Fox star studded broadcast team was worse than the game. Get rid of all the self-serving talking by the sportscasters, give me 2 people who will describe what’s going on the field. In pre-season especially, I want names of players. The player interviews during game action was horrible.
I hope this is all a dream, a nightmare and real football starts after Labor Day.

Ken Strickland

August 20th, 2011
10:11 am

I don’t know who’s worse, some of our NEGATIVE MINDED DOOM AND GLOOM PREDICTING FALCON FANS or THOSE DELUSIONAL LOST IN SPACE AINT FANS. One has to really be a football illiterate to put stock in preseason gms, and the 1st 2 at that, especially for a division winning team that won 13gms last yr.

Both our OFF and DEF are in KEEP IS SIMPLE MODE during preseason gms. A lot more is being added to our OFF and DEF than we’ve seen in exhibition, which explains why our practices have been closed to the public. Our coaching staff is using exhibition gms to primarily evaluate talent and improve upon the basics, period.

That’s why our punt returners were told not to return punts at one point, because they wanted to see how well or starting OFF did working out of a hole. Some of you are like the Temptations song, JUST MY IMAGINATION RUNNING AWAY WITH ME. At the end of the song he says, BUT SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW ME. And that pretty much sums up the approach of so many of our fans.

You love NFL football and love watching it, but you don’t know a damned thing about it. Therefore, you have this tendency to treat exhibition gms with the same urgency and seriousness as regular season gms, which demonstrates a serious lack of comprehension and understanding. But, I guess it takes all kinds to make a fan base.

If your read any of the comments by this RETARD that identifies him/it/herself as FAILCANTS, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to AINT FANS. How else can you describe someone but desperate, delusional and afraid, who find delite in the preseason losses of a SUPERIOR RIVAL that won 13gms and replaced them as defending divisional champs, and is predicted to repeat.

If this clown wants to talk about FAIL when it comes to the Falcons, let’s talk about the AINTS:
1-FAILED to defend their NFC South Division title,
2-FAILED to defend their Superbowl title,
3-FAILED to win their 1st rd gm against the Seahawks,
4-FAILED to defeat a team that had one of last yrs worst records,
5-FAILED to defeat the worst team with the worst record in NFL playoff history.
6-FAILED to stop the Seahawks 25th ranked total OFF with their 4th ranked DEF.
7-FAILED to win the battle with their top 5 ranked OFF over the Seahawks much, much lower ranked DEF.
8-FAILED to make any significant additions to improve that NONE PLAY MAKING secondary, that sorry pass rush, and that poor interior run DEF.

Take it from me

August 20th, 2011
10:13 am

it don’t look good folks,even if it is preseason.

coleski

August 20th, 2011
10:16 am

Falcons 2011 either 9-7 or 10-6 at best. It’’s the same year after year. Can’t block, tackle or whatever is called for . I believe if the best football players were on the Falcon team the results would be the same..
Sorry that;s the way it is.

nhe

August 20th, 2011
10:20 am

Geez……….the tackling is fine, quit whining about that! All NFL teams aren’t tackling well because of the new rules on number of full-pad practices. The Falcon’s run D will be top 10 – that’s not the problem. Also, please quit whining about Ryan and the OL – both will be fine. The whining here about a preseason game is really kinda lame.

Quick Concerns and Bright Spots:

Concerns:

- We can’t kick off to the goal line – which means we’ll need to go find a kickoff specialist, that means one less roster spot we need
- DL isn’t getting consistent “push” up the middle in pass rush when Babs and Peters aren’t on the field………though Jerry did have a good push on his sack
- TURNER!!!! – he’s our 3rd best RB……..if we continue to give him 15-20 touches in the regular season, we will NOT be “explosive”
- Concerned that TG88 has lost a step from last season

Bright Spots:

- Harry Douglass looked like the fastest player on the field last night
- Quiz runs GREAT between the tackles……..need to see him with 1st team O in the next 2 preseason games
- WR core as a whole looks great……….and Roddy hasn’t even done anything
- LOVE the 1st unit run D
- Franks can play – allows us to hopefully dump Owens’ and Chauncy Davis’ salaries and sign another DL or LB

Atlien

August 20th, 2011
10:21 am

Hey coleski, know when the world’s gonna end?

Take it from me

August 20th, 2011
10:23 am

Mr Blank is still trying to make chicken salad out of chicken poop,you just can’t do it!

Pauly D

August 20th, 2011
10:30 am

Missed tackles is nbd. Missed assignments and getting burnt: big deal. But that wasn’t happening last night.
This is a ball control, conservative offense. Deal with it.
The O-line needs to gel and the defense has depth issues.
11-5, NFC wildcard.

Greg Mendel

August 20th, 2011
10:31 am

Let’s hope last night’s preseason game isn’t an indication of how the regular season goes. If it is, we can look forward to the FOX broadcast crew yammering on steroids and amphetamines. Non-stop blather about players and teams 1000 miles away. However, we probably learned more about that fat guy they have wandering around the sidelines — except why he’s there. FOX Sports mascot?

SeenThisB4

August 20th, 2011
10:33 am

Ken: Good write up! Your emotional angst and frustration really flows from it. Nice blend of irrevelent fact and pure fiction. Kudos.

FalconRob

August 20th, 2011
10:35 am

I hope they try out some more kickers. Bosher cannot kick the ball in the end zone. The opponents are going to have great field position after every kick off. Field position is a big key in all games. With the new kick off rules he should be able to kick it without a return or get some one else that can.

Jimmy Crack

August 20th, 2011
10:38 am

All cluck from video football vets and the usual troll traffic.

Oh, the sky is falling! Right. Attention: It. is. the. preseason.

P.S… Trolls have no homes. That’s why they are called trolls.

Worst Offensive Performance Ever - HJones

August 20th, 2011
10:38 am

It was the worst performance by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the elite players on the offensive first team. We have three explosive offensive players in Roddy White, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas. It is caused by the offensive philosophy and play calling. The game plan appeared to be based solely on the running of one man – Michael Turner. We have the same problem that existed last year especially in the Green Bay game. When will we see the Explosive Play calling?

blord

August 20th, 2011
10:38 am

Oline has to play better but other than that the game was fine. No need to get upset over it. The penalties made the offensive drives stop which is typical of preseason football. In addition, as Roddy said, they were not running anything but basic offensive plays since they play these guys in the reg season. I love what I am seeing from HD and Brent Grimes may be the most underrated player in the league. I also think our LBers looked good.
It makes sense that we are losing these games in the second half. Teams like Jacksonville and Miami have more spots open on their teams and therefore attract better UDFA. As long as we have a couple of guys that standout we are fine.

Michael Koenen

August 20th, 2011
10:39 am

Miss me yet?

good old joe

August 20th, 2011
10:43 am

ITS NOT FOOTBALL WHEN YOU KICK FROM THE 35YRD. LINE PLEASE CHANGE IT BACK

Reality Check

August 20th, 2011
10:48 am

Slapping lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.

After 4 seasons I expect more from a veteran qb.

No more excuses………….just sayin

Atlien

August 20th, 2011
10:57 am

It’s preseason football. Exhibition at its best. Lockouts and one a days has affected the whole NFL. Not just us. The die hards have never seen a Falcon team with this much talent. The Falcons are well on their way with an anglo quarterback with a brain. Fairwell bandwagoneers.

HJones

August 20th, 2011
11:04 am

The offensive problems last night are the same problems we saw last year especially in the Green Bay game. How will preseason correct them? It was said many times that the Falcons wanted to have a more EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE but needed that player who could stretch the field. It looks to me that we have three of those players now with Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas. Will we use THEM?

Running Michael Turner on first down over and over for negative or zero yards is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Three first downs in a half by this elite first team of players is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? One pass reception in the first half by the best wide receiver in the league is an
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? No catches by your number one draft choice in the first half is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Getting the ball on your opponents side of the field twice and you score three points is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE? Completing your first pass of the game to Michael
Turner who is not a good receiver and should have been blocking to allow Matt Ryan to throw to one of our explosive receivers is an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE?

Let’s be real here. It was one of the worst performances by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the personnel that we have on the first team. EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS cannot solely make an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE! EXPLOSIVE TALK for several months does not make an EXPLOSIVE
OFFENSE.

The offensive philosophy and play calling must change if the Falcons offense is to resemble an EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE. The Falcons have the EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS so there should be NO EXCUSES. The offensive game plan and play calling last night looked worse than the worst offensive games of last year. It appeared to me the offensive game plan in the first half was based on the performance of one man – Michael Turner and his running. Did Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez play at all in the first quarter?

Remember Jerious Norwood? The offense could never determine how how to use him? Is there a pattern here?

Reality Check

August 20th, 2011
11:07 am

Enter your comments here

senior falcon

August 20th, 2011
11:11 am

The photo at the top of this article shows “Turnstile” Baker doing his thing.

Chuck

August 20th, 2011
11:11 am

Turner continues to look unbelievably slow – his only big gainers come when the OL blows a hole in the DL at least 1 mile wide – and anybody down to the smalled CB can tackle him by tapping his foot.

For a back that big, he like he weighs 150 – the first defender brings him down waaaaaaay too often. He breaks a good run once out of every 5-6 runs, the rest of which are 1-yard yawners and we are back to 3rd-and-8.

Keeping it Real

August 20th, 2011
11:12 am

Michael Koenen: Yes! I can see where the Falcons who are only about $1 million under the cap would not pay a fortune to resign you, but I’m not sure Bosher is the answer.

MR2

August 20th, 2011
11:14 am

As much as I want to believe in Matty Ice……I’m starting to believe he has a noodle arm and CAN’T make an accurate deep throw. Last night’s performance by him was pitiful

HJones

August 20th, 2011
11:19 am

The offensive problems last night are the same problems we saw last year especially in the Green Bay game. It was said many times that the Falcons wanted to have a more explosive offense but needed that player who could stretch the field. It looks to me that we have three of those players now with Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas.

Running Michael Turner on first down over and over for negative or zero yards is an explosive offense? One pass reception in the first half by the best wide receiver in the league is an explosive offense? No catches by the number one draft choice in the first half is an explosive offense? Getting the ball on your opponents side of the field twice and you score three points is an explosive offense?

Let’s be real here. It was one of the worst performances by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the elite personnel that we have on the first team.

“Explosive Talk” for several months does not make an explosive offense. The offensive philosophy and play calling must change if the Falcons offense is to resemble an Explosive Offense. The Falcons have the explosive players. The offensive game plan and play calling last night looked worse than the worst offensive games of last year. It was based on the performance of one man – Michael Turner and his running. We could have substituted dummies for Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez in the first half.

Ivan Clapper

August 20th, 2011
11:19 am

Douglas will add a big threat to Ryan’s arsenal this year. With all the available receivers, WHO CAN STOP US? NO VONE NO VONE…………….March us over the Rhine…….Ryan

Atlien

August 20th, 2011
11:23 am

Chuck, Turner is future trade bait

HJones

August 20th, 2011
11:30 am

Same offensive problems last night as last year especially in the Green Bay game. Falcons wanted to have a more explosive offense but needed that player who could stretch the field. We have three of those players now with Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas.

Do we have an Explosive Offense if:

1) Continue to run Michael Turner on first down over and over for negative or zero yards?

2) Complete one pass in the first half to the best wide receiver in the league?

3) Complete zero passes in the first half to number one draft choice?

4) Score three points after getting the ball on your opponents side of the field twice?

5) Complete your first pass to Michael Turner who is not a good receiver and could block to allow more time to complete pass down field to your explosive receivers?

Let’s be real here. It was one of the worst performances by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the elite personnel that we have on the first team.

Explosive Talk for several months does not make an explosive offense. The offensive philosophy and play calling must change if the Falcons offense is to resemble an Explosive Offense. The Falcons have the explosive players. The offensive game plan and play calling last night looked worse than the worst offensive games of last year. We could have substituted dummies for Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez in the first half.

phil

August 20th, 2011
11:39 am

I’m all for not reading too much into the preseason, but after what I saw last winter against Green Bay, I’m not believing ANYTHING about this team until it actually goes out there and DOES it….

I have a bad feeling that 8-8 might be coming our way here shortly….we’re the Falcons.

JagRob

August 20th, 2011
11:45 am

@JR1967: The Jags are not moving anywhere. Would you like to put your money where your mouth is. The only reason the league wants a team in LA is because of their status as the second largest tv market in the country. They had a shot at the NFL twice, and couldn’t support their teams. Can you not come up with something more intelligent than that?

HJones

August 20th, 2011
11:46 am

Same offensive problems last night as last year. Falcons wanted to have a more explosive offense but needed that player who could stretch the field. We have three of those players now with Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas.

Do we have an Explosive Offense if: Continue to run Michael Turner on first down over and over for negative or zero yards? Complete one pass in the first half to the best wide receiver in the league? Complete zero passes in the first half to number one draft choice? Score three points after getting the ball on your opponents side of the field twice? Complete your first pass to Turner perhaps your worst receiver.

Let’s be real here. It was one of the worst performances by a Falcons offensive team EVER considering the elite personnel that we have on the first team.

Explosive Talk for several months does not make an explosive offense. The offensive philosophy and play calling must change if the Falcons offense is to resemble an Explosive Offense. The Falcons have the explosive players. We could have substituted dummies for Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez in the first half.

Do you remember Jerious Norwood? Is there a pattern?

honest_abe

August 20th, 2011
11:55 am

nhe: spot on analysis.

Gman

August 20th, 2011
11:57 am

Looked like the offense had never played together. Pathetic effort. Thought it was funny how much praise Ryan was getting and he kept throwing the ball out of bounds.

RUDEDAWG

August 20th, 2011
12:01 pm

Wasn’t impressed lastnight with the tackling,Ryan’s play, and the offensive play calling.O-line needs a lot of work also.Next week the starters better come to play,coaches included!

Greg Mendel

August 20th, 2011
12:04 pm

ATTN: Arthur Blank — The Falcons have lost two preseason games. Sell the team! Quick!

Ivan Clapper

August 20th, 2011
12:15 pm

Der Ryan vill march his troops over das Rhine River to Super Bowl das year….No vone can stop der Ryan and company…………No vone