GAME STORY: Steelers 34, Falcons 16
The view from the pressbox at Heinz Field. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
PITTSBURGH — Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards had a quiet debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 34-16 defeat Saturday night.
The Steelers improved to 2-1 and the Falcons dropped to 0-3 during the exhibition season.
Edwards, the team’s prized free-agent signee, did not play in the first two exhibition games because he was recovering from offseason knee surgery.
Edwards, who played well into the third quarter, did not record a sack or a tackle, but his presence may have led to sacks by defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Vance Walker.
“I don’t know if they were too happy with my performance today, but I’m going back to the drawing board to see what I can do,” Edwards said.
After Edwards signed with the Falcons on July 29, Falcons coach Mike Smith noted that his presence would help the entire defensive line and not just right defensive end John Abraham, who finished with 13 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries last season.
“We did get some pressure on the quarterback early there in the first half,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We got him on the ground. We had him running a little bit. . . I have to watch the tape, but I felt him out there. I certainly did.”
With Edwards in the lineup against the Steelers, Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was like a kid with a new toy.
“We got some good pressure, but there are some other things we need to work on,” Edwards said. “We have to get more pressure, get more sacks and get more quarterbacks down.”
Edwards played some left end, but frequently switched sides with Abraham. He also dropped into coverage three times while playing on the left side in the first half.
On his second drop into pass coverage, Edwards picked up Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall out of the backfield.
The Steelers seem to pay Edwards a great deal of respect early. On their first two plays, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rolled out to his left, away from Edwards, before he connected with tight end David Johnson for gains of 17 yards on each play.
On the Steelers’ second possession, the Falcons came up with a sack when they forced Pittsburgh into an obvious passing situation. On a third-and-17, Edwards had a strong rush from left end and appeared to be held by Pittsburgh right tackle Willie Colon.
Edwards flushed Roethlisberger to his left, where he was sacked by Babineaux. If Roethlisberger had scooted away from Babineaux, Abraham was waiting for him.
After a Falcons’ turnover and a hustle play by Harry Douglas to stop Lawrence Timmons from scoring on an interception return, Edwards didn’t take the field with the short-yardage defense. Playing without Edwards, the Falcons held the Steelers out of the end zone and forced them to kick a field goal.
Pittsburgh, on the strength off two long touchdown passes, held a 24-16 lead at halftime.
Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown connected on touchdown passes of 77 and 44 yards. The Falcons’ defense was playing with defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee) and starting right cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring).
“I’m concerned when you give up big plays,” Smith said. “You can’t give up explosive plays. We talk about it all the time.”
The Falcons’ offense moved the ball, but had to settled for three Matt Bryant field goals in the first half.
“Obviously we caught the ball well,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “I felt good about what we did. But when we get down there in the red zone, we have to score touchdowns. Especially against teams that have really good defenses down there. When you get down there, you have to score touchdowns. We just have to do a better job of that.”
After a scoreless third quarter, the Falcons were driving early in the fourth quarter, but backup quarterback Chris Redman’s pass intended for Kerry Meier was intercepted by Pittsburgh’s Crezdon Butler, who returned it 95 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-16.
Pittsburgh’s Swayze Waters added a 27-yard for the final margin.
Despite the margin of victory, the Falcon had their moments.
Rookie wide Receiver Julio Jones flashed his speed and got behind Pittsburgh’s star safety Troy Polamalu, but dropped the deep ball in the end zone. Jones caught five passes for 59 yards.
“Matt threw a great ball to me,” Jones said. “I’ve just got to make that play.”
White, who entered the game with just one catch during the exhibition season, had eight catches for 101 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass.
The Falcons wanted to unleash their running attack against the Steelers, but running back Michael Turner was held to 19 yards on seven carries (2.7 per carry). The Steelers led the league last season in run defense, yielding just 62.8 yards per game.
With the running game shut down, quarterback Matt Ryan threw 42 passes. He completed 22 for 220 yards, a touchdown, an interception and finished with a passer rating of 65.6.
The Falcons roster currently stands at 85. They must reduce their roster to 80 players by Tuesday as part of the NFL’s mandatory roster cut down. The Falcons must trim down to 53 players by September 3 and may establish an eight-player practice squad on September 5.
The Falcons host the Baltimore Ravens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Georgia Dome in their exhibition-season finale.
They open the regular-season on the road against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 11.
“We still have work to do,” Ryan said. “We still have some improving to do. We still have time to do it. We have these two weeks. We need to take full advantage of these two weeks so that when the regular season does roll around, when we go to Chicago, we are at our very best.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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262 comments Add your comment
AtlantaDude
August 28th, 2011
9:05 am
A big factor in the Falcons’ season will be how long it takes the coaches to give up on Turner. If they keep playing him, we will consistently be in 2nd and long, 3rd and long situations. Jacquiz looks much more explosive. Just play him. Not sure why GMs haven’t learned that, aside from a few notable exceptions, a young unproven running back is typically better than a famous, veteran running back. Their legs last about 4 years and then they’re done.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:10 am
So Julio drops the deep ball from Matty…….do you think AJ Green would make that catch???
rward
August 28th, 2011
9:10 am
We are in trouble. Another season of small DBs out of position, Ryan doesn’t look sharp, no running game, bad punts, awful special teams, first rounder Jerry and Weatherspoon again didn’t show anything, etc. It looks like we have not improved since the Green Bay game. Last year we were among the best, this year looks like we are among the worst. I don’t want to hear that this was just a preseason game. We game planned for this game. Pittsburgh made our starters look like a practice squad. Smith better kick some ass………..
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:12 am
Why won’t my posts display?????
nhe
August 28th, 2011
9:12 am
@AtlantaDude……..you’re 100% right. I think phasing out Turner is the key to the season. “Explosive Offense” and “Michael Turner” just can’t be used in the same sentence. Again, I think the Falcons know this……….lets just hope it doesn’t take opening 0-3 to realize we need to make the change.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:14 am
Mike Smith’s pre-game motivational speech:
Keep in mind guys its the preseason. So the games don’t count for anything if you lose them.
Drowning Dog
August 28th, 2011
9:19 am
Sure wish Michael was back so he could hold my head under water coz I been bad. At least I can watch his star fade this year since mentally he’s a midget.
ijonathan
August 28th, 2011
9:27 am
For those who care about such things, that TD pass that Jones dropped in the end zone was thrown about 63-64 yards in the air, and pretty much right on target. That was an NFL-caliber pass.
Stepchild
August 28th, 2011
9:30 am
ijonathan – Good point. It’s clear that Matt has enough arm. Gotta wonder why he’s Captain Check Down?? He threw 42 passes for 220 yards…..that’s a lot of underneath stuff. Gee Whiz!
Take it from me
August 28th, 2011
9:30 am
the Falcon offence will be ok,however the D will still suffer ,with the likes of Grimes back there.Roethlisberger, and those tall and fleet wr recievers of the steelers exposed him.The D line will improve with the addition of Edwards.he may or may not get sacks,but he will demand enough attention to allow others on the D line to get sacks.look for the falcons to go 10-6 and pick up the last wild card in NFC.it could be better,but the secondary of the falcons is really that bad!
boiler up
August 28th, 2011
9:41 am
Please cut out the negative talks.. Give me a break people.. Pre-Season. Half of you would complain if we won and say it’s just pre-season. This team is loaded with talent. We are inconsistent in the db position and you have to look at no Dunta R. I believe for sure that Franks can fill that third role when Robinson comes back. Ray Edwards will be a major factor. He had no sacks but made his precense felt for sure. Falcon Up!!
NJ Dawg
August 28th, 2011
9:47 am
A lot of people bugging over a PRESEASON game, geez. The Colts are on something like an 0-24 preseason streak, and they consistently make the playoffs, and I remember when the Falcons’ 4-0 preseasons would lead to 6-10 records. How about some perspective, folks?
Coolio
August 28th, 2011
9:51 am
Hey Ledbetter, maybe if ya’ll quit filtering posts, you might have a fuller blog.
I just saying
RB
August 28th, 2011
10:01 am
I’m holding my comments til the regular season!!!!
Bob Decker
August 28th, 2011
10:02 am
In exibition you cannot count the 2nd half, so the Falcons lost 24-16, and nobody goes at full strenght, but with that being said, I agree that Matt has a slow release, and he always has had it, but he wins. Its the defense that got the Falcons beat last year, not Matt.And its the D that will get us beat again this yr, not Matt.
BullDawg Rick
August 28th, 2011
10:04 am
Relax!!
#1 – It’s still preseason
#2 – No major injuries from the game
#3 – If the Falcons start the real season 0 – 3 (which they most definately WILL NOT) then we can moan & groan
# 4 – the Birds will iron out many of the wrinkles, I have faith in our staff.
#5 – for those who forgot – the Steelers did play in the SB last season
Go Dirty Birds!
You can't be serious
August 28th, 2011
10:08 am
PRESEASON
Doing eBay I'm told
August 28th, 2011
10:10 am
What some of you may not know is that our kicker was told to kick it short on purpose all preseason. Smith want to evaluate players in preseason. Can’t do that if you always have touchbacks.
Doing what I'm told
August 28th, 2011
10:12 am
What some of you may not know is that our kicker was told to kick it short on purpose all preseason. Smith wants to evaluate players in preseason. Can’t do that if you always have touchbacks
Pete
August 28th, 2011
10:13 am
When I posted here 4 days that the soft, predictable Falcons would be embarrassing and lose to the tough minded, battle ready, NFL pedigree Steelers 34-13 I of course got flamed and ridiculed and also heard the lame shrieks about how it’s only preseason, yada, yada, yada AND how most said we would NEVER lose with that lopsided of a score.
Uh huh.
Well, the almighty “Process” continues at Flowery Branch and Smitty and his cast of “Great Chemistry” players will follow that same old worn out soft predictable script which will produce little or nothing.
The rest of the league is improving by leaps and bounds and the poor Div.II Falcons continue to plod along with their “choir boy” cast of average players, ZERO pass defense…………AND, the annual injuries haven’t even kicked in yet.
Note to Arthur Blank and Dimitroff : The honeymoon is over.
2011 Falcons : 6-10………….at best.
Chief Media Urologist
August 28th, 2011
10:16 am
I fully expect TD to bring in defensive backfield help as other squads make their roster cuts.
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2011
10:18 am
At this point it’s pointless to try and get some of these NEGATIVE MINDED POSTERS to understand and/or accept the significance of PRESEASON. You can mention teams that have gone undefeated during preseason and winless during regular season. You canalso mention Superbowl winners that have gone winless during preseason.
It doesn’t matter to these clowns, because all they’re interested in is whinning, complaining and offering their predictions of doom and gloom. You just can’t get through to some of these NEGATIVE MINDED CLOWNS. We managed to a 13-3 won/loss record with this yrs starting secondary, and basically the same backups, except for the addition of rookie CB DWalls and 2nd yr CB DFranks, who spent last season on IR, and the loss of CB BWilliams.
We’ve improved last yrs poor pass rush, last yrs rushing and passing ability and versatility. Yet, some of you still insist of trying to use our secondary play and/or overall performance during PRESEASON to predict doom and gloom and at best a 9-7 or 10-6 regular season record. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
Muffin
August 28th, 2011
10:21 am
What a bunch of whiners and negative idiots…………………
Glad to see “Unknown Hinson” was banished last night. His potty mouth will NOT be tolerated.
Navigator
August 28th, 2011
10:25 am
All I saw in the offense was more dink and dunk play calling. I also saw the new receiver Smith drop a touch down pass (in his hands, fumbled and lost), which has been his knock all the way through college. The offensive line had problems opening holes and the defense was “offensive” watching missed coverages, going after interceptions and rather than knocking down touch down passes. I saw nothing to encourage me the defense will be any better than last year when they were awful in the big game. The coordinator may know good plays, but when they give a touchdown they also tend to give up period. Ass kicking just doesn’t seem to be in his cards.
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2011
10:26 am
PETE-Before you continue patting yourself on the back, please answer this question. Last yr, did you predict the Falcons would win the division title, be the NFC’s top seed, and tie for NFL’s top record at 13-3?
Bail Bondsman
August 28th, 2011
10:29 am
PETE —————–
One who comes on here under several aliases…………………
Chief Media Urologist
August 28th, 2011
10:31 am
Turner is just a ghost of his former self. We over-used him in his 1st season here, and then injuries and poor conditioning took over. Quizz may take center stage sooner than anticipated. The longer we wait the longer our O will be compromised.
dub366
August 28th, 2011
10:35 am
I’m getting sick and tired of Matt talking about we need to improve. it not we it he need to improve . in the red zone and he just CAN’T do it. teams stop the running game to put it all on his shoulder and it not there..
JustMyTwoCents
August 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Don’t know why folks keep bring up the Pats, their 0-4 pre-season, and a 2nd SB win for them. Aren’t those the same years that Bellicheck took a hugh fine for using video cameras to snipe the plays from the opposing team so he could call the perfect defense? What like a $500,000 fine and he didn’t even contest it a little?
Jessica
August 28th, 2011
10:40 am
PreSeason means nothing. Detroit won all of their preseason games and then went 0-16 in the regular season. Yea it would be nice to see the Falcons win more in the preseason, but it really doesn’t mean they are going to have a bad season.
Reality Check
August 28th, 2011
10:44 am
Was the 2008 draft a blessing or curse?
Just sayin……………
The Nature Boy
August 28th, 2011
11:00 am
We got a deep threat reciever who cant catch deep passes……….lol 1
We got a secondary 3 strings deep who cant cover anyone………..lol 2
We got beat by Packers becuase of defense, we ddint upgrade all that much….lol 3. Falcons miss playoffs imho with a 9-7 record.
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:05 am
See above – someone who STILL is talking about January, and we’re in August. Just because we’re not blowing teams out or putting up Madden/fantasy numbers means nothing. We are building a championship team. Once we do win it all, whether it’s this year, next year or the year after that, don’t come on here singing any praises. Just stay under your rock and wait for the other shoe to drop like you are now.
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:07 am
Still having issues with comments not posting, then re-posting it and saying I already posted it. Why isn’t it showing up then?
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
August 28th, 2011
11:08 am
It just happened again! D-Led, help!
A Complete Blank
August 28th, 2011
11:10 am
Falcants 8-8
A. Blanks Legacy:
1) Fired only coach to take Falcons to a Super Bowl
2) Hired THREE STRAIGHT HEAD COACHES WITH ZERO HEAD EXPERIENCE AT THE NFL LEVEL!
3) No stadium deal!!!
Muffin
August 28th, 2011
11:11 am
@ Don’t Feed…………..
no-one cares for your posts, it’s as simple as that,son
Matt Ryan overrated
August 28th, 2011
11:17 am
Can Matt (Patty melt)carry the Falcons? NO can he go deep yes kind of just 1 a game arm weak. no run game no falcons win.preseason or in season This year they will be fighting for second place. Call the Falcon a hologram Team!
Ron Mexico
August 28th, 2011
11:20 am
People, the Colts were 0 and 4 in preseason the year they won the Super Bowl. Relax, it’s preseason. You can be fair-weather fans during the “real” season.
Old White Haired Man
August 28th, 2011
11:29 am
the defending NFC South Champions…
realitycheck
August 28th, 2011
11:34 am
Why did my post not post?
SXSeternity
August 28th, 2011
11:44 am
We can all look forward for the preseason to end. As long as we don’t lose key players during the preseason we can see what strengths and weaknesses to evaluate on for preparation for the regular season.
D man
August 28th, 2011
11:45 am
One obvious observation, no pass defense still. Wow, how many 3rd and longs are our secondary going to give up before we get some help. Thomas- I hope you are watching the waiver wire for a defensive cornerback. This stinks…
realitycheck
August 28th, 2011
11:49 am
Same post monster ate my second post. What’s going on?
No Wonder
August 28th, 2011
12:04 pm
No wonder that no one is talking up the team – THE FALCONS STINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If they keep playing this way, it is going to be a long LOSING SEASON!!!!!!
Tyrone Shulaces
August 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
Well, at least I’m not going into the season with any hope of achieving anything, just something to watch on TV on Sunday afternoon.
Falcons won’t win 6 games with a secondary that bad. NFL network is playing tape from last night and the commentators are laughing at us. Oh well, at least we won’t be disappointed.
Tyrone Shulaces
August 28th, 2011
12:15 pm
Oh look – my grandmother and her whole knitting circle just went out for a pass – and they’re all open! Wide open!
Once Recent Reader
August 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
Well same old same old on the AJC posts. I guess I’ll just watch the replay at 4 pm on NFL network to find IMO what was the good, the bad, and the ugly. I already saw the two big plays by Steelers’ receiver on ESPN as well as the pass the JJ in the endzone. I was checking out the Box Score a lot during the game, and saw a lot of 1st downs. Didn’t know about the TG pass interference or the over-throw of Douglas in endzone.
AtlJack
August 28th, 2011
12:43 pm
The same lame negative comments like those posted last pre-season.
Result? Falcons go 13-3 which is terrific record.
Falcons have 3 winning seasons in a row and you whiners still whine. Ryan could throw 10 touchdowns from end zone to end zone and you whiners would still talk about “arm strength”
White-Gonzo-Julio-Ryan- how many teams would kill for this group?
Count your blessings birdbrains this team has the best record in Falcon history
ME
August 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
WE NEED HELP IN THE SECONDARY , PLEASE MAKE A TRADE OR SIGN A CB IMMEDIATELY !!!