Game Story: Ravens rout Falcons in exhibition opener
080912 ATLANTA: Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones makes a first down catch past Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb during first quarter action in Atlanta on Thursday, August 9, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
The Falcons’ first dress rehearsal for the 2012 season was a near disaster.
After a stellar start by the first-teamers, the Falcons’ reserves couldn’t stop the Ravens or move the ball on offense. They coughed up 24 consecutive points as Baltimore blasted the Falcons 31-17 at the Georgia Dome on Thursday night.
In addition to taking the thumping, the Falcons suffered two potentially major injuries in their lightly attended exhibition opener.
The Falcons’ starters came out with a strong performance. The first-team offense featured second-year wide receiver Julio Jones and scored two touchdowns.
The first-team defense, playing new coordinator Mike Nolan’s marauding style, dominated the Ravens’ starters, won on third downs and put some thunderous hits on quarterback Joe Flacco.
“We got three three-and-outs in a row and that is something people might have questioned about us in the past,” linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “That has definitely been an emphasis that we’ve been working on because that’s one of the things that’s been a thorn in our side. We’ll take the positive from that.”
Linebacker Mike Peterson said, “I think it was pretty good. Early on, the first unit played good. We had three three-and-outs. That was good but you know how it is in the preseason so you can always find something to get better at.”
On special teams, punt returner Dominique Franks had a dazzling 45-yard punt return.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, in an extensive exhibition-opener appearance, directed four series and played into the second quarter. Ryan was 9-of-13 passing for 155 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He finished with a quarterback rating of 103.
Ryan and the offense opened in their no-huddle attack and marched down the field. After two carries by Michael Turner, Ryan went to work. He completed a 13-yard pass to Roddy White, followed by 26-yarder to Jones.
Then Ryan tossed a wide-receiver screen to Jones that gained 19 more yards. That play was the most important of the drive and was wildly received by the fans. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has been charged with improving the team’s screen attack.
Three plays later Ryan found Jones in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.
“We moved the ball down the field pretty well,” Ryan said. “We were able to put the ball in the end zone and that’s what you want to do.”
The offense was stymied on its next two possessions before it got back on track.
On the Falcons’ fourth possession, Jones caught passes for 15 and 36 yards to help set up a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Jacquizz Rodgers that made the score 14-0. Jones finished with six catches for 109 yards
“It felt great,” Jones said. “We’ve been working during OTA’s plus the offseason; this is kind of my first offseason and OTA’s. But just being able to go out there and connect like that was a really good feeling.”
Flacco picked on the Falcons’ linebackers, who had trouble covering the Ravens’ running backs. He drove the Ravens for a touchdown, a 9-yard pass to tight end Ed Dickson that made the score 14-7.
Ryan was replaced by Chris Redman and then John Parker Wilson, who drove the Falcons into Matt Bryant’s field-goal range late in the second quarter. Bryant added a 31-yard field goal to make the score 17-7 at halftime.
The Ravens added two touchdowns in the third quarter and another in the fourth for the final margin.
The mood at the Georgia Dome turned dour when second-year man Akeem Dent, scheduled to replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker, left the game with a concussion with 9:38 left in the second quarter.
Also, rookie fullback Bradie Ewing, a fifth-round draft pick competing with Mike Cox to replace former Pro Bowler Ovie Mughelli, left the game with a severe knee injury. He left the field on golf cart.
Neither Dent nor Ewing returned to the game. Dent likely will head into the NFL’s concussion-protocol program and could miss valuable time, and Ewing, depending on the severity of the injury, could be lost for the season.
Smith said he had no regrets that Dent was playing on special teams.
In addition to Dent and Ewing, the Falcons also played without wide receiver Harry Douglas, who suffered a rib injury in the controlled practice with the Tennessee Titans in Dalton on Monday.
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–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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120 comments Add your comment
Cejay
August 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
Way to go Falcons, looked good !!
Cejay
August 9th, 2012
11:09 pm
Oh and by the way, hey Seen, nice 2 field goals..really ???…….fail !!!
Cejay
August 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
Matt Ryan was 9 of 13 for 155 yards, 1 TD
Drew Brees was 1-of-4 for 4 yards
Hmmmmmm, somebody had things all wrong earlier today
Bubba J.
August 9th, 2012
11:24 pm
First team looked damn good, I’m not too worried about them. Backup QB though? Redman is a pro QB, he’s probably more suited to to sell life insurance. JPW looked ok at times and under threw receivers at others. I hope the line can keep Ryan healthy. I still think we’ll be ok. Go Falcons!
Bubba J.
August 9th, 2012
11:25 pm
should have said Redman is NOT a pro qb. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but he should probably be managing a Denny’s somewhere, not be the backup for my favorite team.
Rick
August 9th, 2012
11:27 pm
Good game for the starters but we are THIN!
Ken
August 9th, 2012
11:29 pm
The new rules requiring no contact up to this point are causing the players to be physically unprepared for the collisions, resulting with injuries to some of our best players. They should be allowed to practice with hits.
Sam
August 9th, 2012
11:32 pm
The Falcons do not have a back-up quarterback, and they ought to be thinking seriously about getting one.
Nique
August 9th, 2012
11:35 pm
Glad to see the O-Line hold up, us get pressure, & Franks step up & take the lead on the punt return battle, actually would like to see him take over KR’s too, seeing as though he’s just serving as the 4th cb option for us. But I agree we aren’t deep enough at a few positions & having Dent cover kicks isn’t the best idea. That really sucks for Ewing, because it looks like a season ending injury, wonder what we’ll be doing to replace him, is Cox the answer & have Jason serve as the back up?
Brothas Hunt 2
August 9th, 2012
11:48 pm
1st Team O & D looked really good. Special Teams needs more work in camp. Forget all the talk about cutting Redman, he is the veteran QB that is getting paid to be Matt’s personal QB coach on the sideline during the regular season. On the other hand, after four seasons JPW should be cut after camp. The Falcons should give Dominique Davis a real shot because he is the only QB on the roster that can make plays with his arm and his feet. Travian Robertson proved tonight that he can play with the big boys.
BH2
Truth
August 9th, 2012
11:50 pm
Where are all the Julio haters now? Told you!
WTF
August 9th, 2012
11:53 pm
Didn’t get to see the game. How did the rooks do?
Gamer
August 9th, 2012
11:58 pm
DENT WITH A CONCUSSION, THIS DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR FALCONS LINEBACKERS CORP.
TD SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER FINDING A LINEBACKER THROUGH FREE AGENCY. OF COURSE ONE THAT’S INJURED FREE.
FURTHERMORE, DENT DON’T LOOK GOOD IN COVERAGE…..MAYBE HE WILL STEP IT UP IN REGULAR SEASON. WELL WHEN HE RECOVER FROM THE CONCUSSION.
GET WELL SOON DENT…..GOOD FORTUNES TO YOU AND BRADIE EWING….
J-Man
August 10th, 2012
12:10 am
Well guess we better keep Matt Ryan healthy or else we will become the Colts
With Dent injury, Falcons take another hit at middle linebacker | Atlanta Falcons
August 10th, 2012
12:29 am
[...] Game story: Ravens post 31-17 victory in preseason opener. [...]
Chub Rock
August 10th, 2012
12:39 am
Say what you want to Mike Smith but putting your starting MLB out there to cover punts and kicks when you are already thin at the position is just plain stupidity. The next stupid decision is the one related to Chris Redman being the backup QB. This guy should be coaching a high school football team somewhere in the midwest. If Matt goes done it’s a wrap on the season folks. Redman was outplayed by JPW and Davis tonight, statistically. Ewing is probably gone for the season. This will be a critical blow to his NFL career. If Cox can come on and play well this year, Ewing will be cut. Overall, 1st team looked very good and 2nd team looked decent. 3rd team needs a LOT of work. Peria Jerry flashed tonight, glad to see that. Travian Robertson is gonna end up taking Vance Walker roster spot IMO. Hawley is your starting center week 1. Did let Jerrell Harris even touch the field?
who dat
August 10th, 2012
12:39 am
HEY CEJAY.DREW BRESS 1 RING MATT RYAN 0 RINGS
Atlanta Falcons: Q&A with Falcons coach Mike Smith | Atlanta Falcons
August 10th, 2012
12:42 am
[...] Falcons coach Mike Smith was not pleased with the overall effort against the Baltimore Ravens. [...]
Falclowns
August 10th, 2012
1:33 am
Glad I dont spend too much time following these guys.
gl
August 10th, 2012
1:35 am
Chris Redman does not appear to care, which was his demeanor last year. Why was John Parker Wilson bought in the game in such an awkward position? Let Redman clean up his mess, then maybe he will be more responsible. Dominique Davis showed mobility and accuracy. If the Falcons want to send a message that they mean business they should demand more from Redman or begin looking for a legitimate backup. Redman has been awful for two years and it is plain to see.
ravennation
August 10th, 2012
1:38 am
Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis did not play….and the Falcons played starters longer……still got spanked
ravennation
August 10th, 2012
1:38 am
but glad to see the acj forgot to mention that
Atlanta Falcons: Q&A with Falcons coach Mike Smith | News-ON Atlanta
August 10th, 2012
2:05 am
[...] Falcons coach Mike Smith was not pleased with the overall effort against the Baltimore Ravens. [...]
ueeediot
August 10th, 2012
2:09 am
@gl JPW was put in that spot in the 2nd Q to see what he could do in the situation. Im sure he was told to treat the situation as a true 2 minute drill, play it as though you were down and need points to tie/win.
Redman is a pathetic attempt at a backup QB, is not progressing as a QB, and we are fortunate he is only making 875k this year.
This has been one of the largest failings of this coaching staff. They absolutely do not develop players and they dont cut players who are not developing.
Every year the Falcons have 2 or 3 wasted roster spots. Redman held spot #52 last year. Now that Weems is gone, Redman has moved to #53
How do you think the Ravens will do at the negotiating table and trading boards with Flacco in a contract season and Taylor showing promise…
@ravennation Its preseason dude, your first string offense played a full series into the 2nd against our 2nd string defense… chill out, youll get your chance to lose to Pittsburgh soon enough.
the truth
August 10th, 2012
2:12 am
Thunderous hits? Sounds like bounty type stuff going on.
Falcons > Everyone
August 10th, 2012
2:18 am
Ngata was chasing Ryan down on the reviewed-and-upheld incomplete rollout pass to Drew Davis in the 1st quarter.
Falcons > Everyone
August 10th, 2012
2:22 am
ravennation – Winning Preseason Week 1 and gloating is like wanting to be congratulated on being the best dressed man at a dress rehearsal. The scoreboard reads Ryan 1, Flacco 0 in head to head games that count. So, congratulations.
Falcons > Everyone
August 10th, 2012
2:23 am
Insert your “weak/noodle arm” or “can’t win a playoff game” blasts after the beep.
BEEP.
ueeediot
August 10th, 2012
2:28 am
Redman has a weak/noodle arm, is pathetic, and cannot win a playoff game. Heck, it took him 7 tries against a bad TB team from the 4yd line… cut him tomorrow.
Geekozy | .
August 10th, 2012
2:33 am
[...] The Falcons' first dress rehearsal for the 2012 season was a near disaster. After a stellar start by the first-teamers, the Falcons' reserves couldn't stop the Ravens or move the ball on offense. They coughed up 24 consecutive points as Baltimore … Game Story: Ravens rout Falcons in exhibition opener [...]
torgo
August 10th, 2012
3:01 am
The stat line on Davis won’t look so hot in the Friday paper, but he played well. His INT was off the hands of tight end prospect LaMark Brown. He also hit Tim Toone on the team’s longest pass play of the game, only to have it nullified by Tyler Horn’s holding penalty.
Hopefully we’ll see Davis playing with the second unit (at least a competent line, so that he won’t be scrambling on every pass attempt) in the next game or two. He has built a surprising chemistry with Tim Toone already. It would be nice to see what he could do throwing to guys like Kerry Meier, Kevin Cone, and perhaps even Roddy and Julio.
It certainly couldn’t be too much worse than what we saw from Redman or JPW.
Headline Writers Need Help
August 10th, 2012
3:04 am
When I saw the headline, I thought the score was 60-0. When did 31-17 become a rout?
torgo
August 10th, 2012
3:05 am
“Rout” is a bit harsh for a headline. The first unit left with a 14-0 lead. The second unit left at halftime up 17-7.
It was the scrubs that committed three turnovers, countless penalties and defensive lapses, and got taken to the woodshed 24-0 in the second half.
If it weren’t for the injuries to Dent and Ewing, it would almost be the perfect preseason game. The starters played well, the coaches got film on the second unit showing where they need improvement, and the scrubs made it really easy to cut them.
mr zizzle
August 10th, 2012
3:43 am
This article was poorly written. To say the Ravens routed the Falcons was true for the score, but not for the starting units. The Falcons on offense and defense dominated the Ravens! The Falcons linebackers seem to be the only concern.
Columbus
August 10th, 2012
4:01 am
Now if only UGA would work on their screen play program! They have sucked at running the screen play worse than the Falcons. One of the BEST PLAYS IN FOOTBALL AND UGA HAS SUCKED AT IT UNDER BOBO…..MAYBE HE IS TAKING NOTES!
Columbus
August 10th, 2012
4:07 am
Hope both Dent and Ewing are not as bad shape as it appeared both have and return 100% healthy soon…
GHOZT
August 10th, 2012
5:13 am
Redman has always sucked, I’m scared whenever he plays. Julio made some tremendous plays like expected and the first corp looked great. As far as jpw he needs more playing time he really is a winner all he need to do is eat some wheaties to get the ball a little futher. And also I think the dirty bird dance is a jinx every time someone do it we loose the game. but oh well let’s go birds………………………………………”……………………………………………………l..l.
Ace
August 10th, 2012
5:24 am
31-17 is not a rout…
Ravens post-game notes: Starting offensive line struggles against Atlanta in … – CBSSports.com (blog) | NFLGame.Net
August 10th, 2012
6:14 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
The Burner Turner
August 10th, 2012
6:20 am
Ewing is going to be missed. Dent tackling on special teams is stupid. Nice going Coach. The Falcons first team played well enough but when the young players lose the game even in exhibition games, it does not bode well for real games when some of these guys will be needed.
Whadda Ya Know?
August 10th, 2012
6:21 am
Rout is a pretty strong word DLed. Bottom line is this team doesn’t have good backups. Our first team would have embarrassed them if they played the entire game. Their first finally scores against our second team and they think they accomplished something? I’m pleased with what I saw of our starters…it’s a step in the right direction after Mularkey and BVG.
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
6:23 am
1st team looked solid. Hate the injury to Dent and Ewing, especially Ewing…..it didn’t look good. Our starters stuffed Fowl up and the rest of the Ravens. Good Job! Now just hope we don’t have to play too deep into the reserves……………!
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
6:27 am
Falclowns
August 10th, 2012
1:33 am
Glad I dont spend too much time following these guys.
________________________________________
Yep, you sure proved that.
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
6:30 am
That umpire sure must have had a good time in Arizona, can’t get it off of his mind (or tongue).
DLed, there is no such thing as a rout in preseason football………..jeezus H. man.
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
6:33 am
drew wheeze 1 for 4 and 4 yards last night in a butt whuppin’ from New England Patriots. 1st loss of many more to come this season.
rolari
August 10th, 2012
6:35 am
I agree Im not worried about our Starters on defense, offense or special teams with the being the only exception… We scored on baltimore and we stopped them from scoring until we took ALL of our starters out and their starters still had a tough time. We played aggressive we got to the ball but I would have loved to see our starters create some turnovers even though they only had 3 drives to do it. Still I like 3 and outs (for the opposing team of course)
rolari
August 10th, 2012
6:41 am
@ raven nation Ed reed did play look at the julio TD highlight so did Ngata… Man people are always trying to make themselves feel better when their starters get scrubbed then want to turn around and say “we beat you” in the preseason when the fact is you would have really lost had we played our starters the whole game. Julio 106 yds and 1 TD in 1 qtr!!!!!gimmie a break. And all of your offense started what was the excuse for three and outs til we took all of our starters out and Let you score finally Huh?? You forgot your playbook in the hotel. We lost the preseason game but baltimore lost alot more SELF-RESPECT… Just say it the falcons 1st team made the ravens 1st team look like high school JV
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
6:43 am
Denver 31-3 over Da Bears! Even the Tribune and Sun-Times didn’t call that a rout.
Jimmy Crack
August 10th, 2012
7:03 am
Really, DOL, it’s an exhibition game. If anything, the headline should read,
“Falcons Starters shut out Ravens Starters, But Falcons Backup QBs Play Poorly.”
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
7:14 am
Jimmy Crack………..aw hell, nobody would read your article, you told the whole story in the byline!
Esquire
August 10th, 2012
7:20 am
Even NFL.com story reads “Ryan impressive in Falcons’ preseason opener vs. Ravens”
sorrysaints777
August 10th, 2012
7:27 am
rolari
August 10th, 2012
6:41 am
@ raven nation Ed reed did play look at the julio TD highlight so did Ngata… Man people are always trying to make themselves feel better when their starters get scrubbed then want to turn around and say “we beat you” in the preseason when the fact is you would have really lost had we played our starters the whole game. Julio 106 yds and 1 TD in 1 qtr!!!!!gimmie a break. And all of your offense started what was the excuse for three and outs til we took all of our starters out and Let you score finally Huh?? You forgot your playbook in the hotel. We lost the preseason game but baltimore lost alot more SELF-RESPECT… Just say it the falcons 1st team made the ravens 1st team look like high school JV
________________________________________________________________________________
You stole my thunder. I’m happy somebody set that clown straight.
Cleveland Ave. Turk.
August 10th, 2012
7:30 am
Dent will be okay health wise…..bradie ewing will be missed nut we can easily get by with mike cox…..Piera Jerry looked great!!!!..that alone will do wonders for the D……The most dishearting thong was Sam Baker!!!!….Maybe cuz its early but he was getting handled……He clearly cant defend the bullrush……Julio is a man amongst boys..
Cleveland Ave. Turk.
August 10th, 2012
7:37 am
Shot out to Jesse “The Hammer” Tuggle. I saw him at the B.P. on Cascade and was truly starstruck. Matt is stellar im the no huddle…..HATERS say what u must but he is peyton manning 2.0 in reading defense…Noodle arm???? Yeah i cant tell. Say that to Joe montana who couldnt throw the ball 40 yards but is still the greatest……..
Cleveland Ave. Turk.
August 10th, 2012
7:41 am
I gotta get back to work…Ill be back to school all the haters later…Hopefully they can come up with sum real facts if they wanna bash me team……Football novices
Video: Turnovers led to rout by Ravens’ reserves | Atlanta Falcons
August 10th, 2012
7:54 am
[...] Game story: Ravens rout Falcons in exhibition opener [...]
Larry
August 10th, 2012
7:59 am
Your #1 MLB on special teams after losing Tatupu?
Stupid…utterly stupid!
Double Zero Eight
August 10th, 2012
8:00 am
Even thoiugh Shockley was injury prone, I always
thought he was a better QB than Redman.
If Ryan goes down, we are doomed.
tp
August 10th, 2012
8:04 am
I agree with everyone about our backup QB situation. If we truly have Super Bowl aspirations, we can’t enter the regular season with that duo/trio behind Ryan. This team is toast if Ryan gets injured and is out for an extensive period.
Coach Smith: No regrets about having Dent (your starting MLB) on special teams in the second quarter of the first preseason game? That’s downright comical! I guess you wouldn’t regret intentionally throwing away the winning Powerball lottery ticket as well.
Was that Julio Jones or an in-his-prime Terrell Owens on the field last night? The Ravens DB’s are still at the Dome looking for their jocks.
Mwilk
August 10th, 2012
8:16 am
Dominique Davis was the bomb! He looked like the second coming of Matt Ryan: decisive, accurate, on-point. He should DEFINITELY be competing for the #2 QB spot.
NATIVEBIRD
August 10th, 2012
8:19 am
The 1st team looked good on both offense and defense. We will be fine. I’m a little concerned about running the ball, we did nt have any impressive runs. The passing game looks fine.
I agree that we need a back up QB. Redman and JPW look lost and immobile out there. Redman is old and out of shape and JPW holds the ball too long and is inaccurate when he does throw it.
ON ANOTHER POSITVE NOTE, I DID NOT SEE CHRIS OWENS!
DLED DID WE FINALLY CUT HIM! I HOPE SO…..
RB
August 10th, 2012
8:23 am
If the Falcons release Dominique Davis, he will quickly land with another team. He looked good!!! Ozzie Newsome got a look at him and he doesn’t overlook talent.
FALCLOWNS...it don't matter
August 10th, 2012
8:30 am
Only an IDIOT coach like fat boy Mike plays their starting QB 4 series in a PRESEASON game….what a DA…..Saints and Pats were smart enough to pull the elite Brees and Brady after 2 series….
This explains why the FAILCANTS will NEVER win a SB ring…And the Saints win #2 this year….
Must be TERRIBLE to be a Failcant fan…..same story every year….FAILURE…
Keep working hard on those preseason games, Mikey….maybe one day they have a preseason SB…lmao…
Saints > FAILCANTS
Stay classy,
Saints Troll
PMC
August 10th, 2012
8:38 am
So, Robert James showed up.
Flo-Ri-Duh
August 10th, 2012
8:38 am
Falcons are seriously lacking depth at LB and OL……… a long season ahead.
PMC
August 10th, 2012
8:39 am
Why is this saints fan so angry? What do they have to be angry about?
NEED A NEW HEADLINE WRITER
August 10th, 2012
8:44 am
The headline that Ravens rout Falcons was wwritten by someone not familiar with pro football, The Falcon starter routed the Raven starters. Once the scrubs come in it is time to quit keeping score and change stations. The Falcons hav no back-up QB is the main thing that is confirmed by the scrub play. Even if Redmond is starting the most you can count on if 7 to 10 points. But. to say the Ravens routed the Falcons is plain ignorant. Wake up AJC
Cejay
August 10th, 2012
9:01 am
@ PMC
Because all the int’s could score was 2 field goals !!!! ….fail,lol
@falclowns
Our idiot coach ??? who’s coach is gone for the year……thats an idiot coach
DHunt
August 10th, 2012
9:09 am
Rout? Really? If this is some misguided attempt to pacify all the trolls that inhabit your blog, you fail just on GP Mr. Ledbetter. You’ve been around long enough to have a better grasp on what pre-season really means. Maybe the Ravens reserves routed the Falcons reserves. ravennation is delusional, because Flacco stayed in longer than all the Falcons 1st teamers, just so he could get a score against backups and feel better about his lackluster performance. Preseason football is about starters vs. starters, and then seeing which individuals can perform up to NFL level. There were several Falcon reserves who showed up well tonight, including most of the D-line, some of the O-line, Drew Davis, Dominique Davis, Robert James, and McClain, just to name a few. The Ravens ran a no-huddle for most of the game to take advantage of our rookies on defense, and got most of their yards off Tyrod Taylor’s personal athleticism and a very good backup running back. Rout? not hardly…
Hatfieldgeoff
August 10th, 2012
9:32 am
Oh and Peria Jerry was the most pleasant surprise. Hope this wasn’t a one-time thing.
Mike Franklin
August 10th, 2012
9:37 am
Preseason loss doesn’t mean much. it’s how you play and our first teamers did really well. But that said, the loss of Ewing and Dent made me ill…
Smitty is a good HC and held his ground but… if he isn’t quietly second guessing himself by having Dent at risk on special teams during an exhibition game… he should be.
Ivan
August 10th, 2012
9:38 am
“Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis did not play….and the Falcons played starters longer”
JPW is a starter?
Mike Franklin
August 10th, 2012
9:40 am
PMC said: “Why is this saints fan so angry? What do they have to be angry about?”
Years of feeling inferior hangs around. At one time, the Saints sold ‘I hate the Falcons’ tee shirts… back about the same time when their fans attended home games wearing bags over their heads.
The anger will eventually pass along with the generation carrying that heavy chip on their shoulders.
JAYCOOL
August 10th, 2012
10:48 am
Redman will be fine, we’ve seen him in real game action before. JPW, yeah his time as a Falcon is done. Davis will be the back up QB in the 2013 season. Dent will be ok and be back on the field soon.
JAYCOOL
August 10th, 2012
10:51 am
@Ivan I might be wrong but I am willing to put up my season tickets to say that was Ngata chasing down Ryan when he threw that side arm pass.
Really?
August 10th, 2012
10:58 am
“Rout”, “Disaster”, “Thumping”. This post was “Pathetic”, “Uninspired”, “Second Rate”.
Taint much DLed, more like DLevel, beat writing that is.
Ross
August 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Who uses their starting middle linebacker on punt coverages? We have to make better coaching decisions .
Ed
August 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
Matt Ryan and the first teamers looked outstanding, for awhile there the Falcons had about 250 yards of total offense to the Ravens 9.
PlanB
August 10th, 2012
12:47 pm
First unit vs 1st unit = Falcons 14 – Ravens 0.
Ravens 1st vs Falcons 2nd = Ravens 7 – Falcons 3
Scrubs vs scrubs = Ravens 24 – Falcons 0 Good job 1st and 2nd unit.
MS has gotten us to being a winning season team but I’m afraid that’s as far as he can go. When you lose your good MLB to FA, lose a FA MLB to a weight lifting injury, go get your over the hill MLB because no one else wants him, you just don’t play your only hopeful on special teams. You also don’t throw the red flag on a call where the WR is so close to the white line refs will not overturn their call. If he gets another HC job with a needy team as we were, he will gain experience and become better but he’s not what is best now. Bad decisions from a good man with good intentions are hurting us. Those red flags are too important to make mistakes.
We’ve seen Redmon play before and know he is capable of winning in the NFL but I liked the way Dominique David played. Good composure. Good atheletic ability and good arm. I would like to see him given a chance for 3rd and possible 2nd with time. JPW looks no better than he did in his first year.
DawgNole
August 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
Woulda, shoulda, coulda, IF . . . .
Stop trying to justify, rationalize, and shift blame (to a headline writer, of all things) for yet another LOSS by an ATL team. When a team blows a 14-point lead at home and loses by 14, it’s a ROUT. Doesn’t matter that it’s preseason. They kept score, didn’t they?! YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME, losers.
Call it an azz-kickin’ if you don’t like rout or disaster. Point is, it SHOULD be unacceptable. The fact that it’s NOT unacceptable in ATL is why this town is so aptly called “Losersville.”
155 seasons of pro competition. ONE championship. And STILL you try to justify a loss. Sickening.
I usually just read but....
August 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
Raven fans, please don’t tell me about the starters that didn’t play. Ed Reed, 34yo 9/11/12, can’t play all year. He’ll retire the end of this year if he holds out that long and is still walking without a cane!
Ray Lewis? Seriously? 37yo Ray Lewis? Did he even make the trip? I heard his wife took him antique shopping and the store owner kept him..
.
PlanB
August 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
DawgNole – I count it as two Azz kickings. Our starters kicked their starters Azz. Their scrubs kicked our scrubs Azz. If you don’t know there is more than one contest going on in preseason, don’t waste your money on the regular season.
DawgNole
August 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
PlanB
August 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
DawgNole – I count it as two Azz kickings. Our starters kicked their starters Azz. Their scrubs kicked our scrubs Azz. If you don’t know there is more than one contest going on in preseason, don’t waste your money on the regular season.
_____________________
An ATL pro team lost yet another ballgame. And lost it badly. THAT is what matters. And if you don’t understand that, you should continue to feel right at home in Losersville.
Chubbyboy
August 10th, 2012
1:02 pm
Long season, if we have injuries to our starters…The talent level really drops off once the starters left the game…WOW…
J from Sin City
August 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
To say this game was a rout is the same as declaring a woman “Best Dressed” who wore diamonds and a mink coat to a sunny beach.
Nowwehaveasecondary!
August 10th, 2012
1:32 pm
Lofton was on coverage teams for years. Linebackers are usually the best tacklers on the team. That said I wish Smitty had a rookie out there on those plays in pre-season.
warfalcon
August 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
This was not a rout it was their 2nd & 3rd beat our 2nd & 3rd stringers,not a rout.Use better words next time for practice games.Damm
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 10th, 2012
2:06 pm
Jimmy Crack – I like you headline better.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 10th, 2012
2:12 pm
Esquire — Definition of Rout: To defeat overwhelmingly. Perhaps I overstated the 31-17 loss in the first exhibition game?
Security lines
August 10th, 2012
2:21 pm
The only rout was outside in the security lines where the wait was forever to get in, only to find the place 1/3 or so full. Without hundreds of more metal detectors, regular season sellouts will be extremely painful. Went to Yankee Stadium last Sunday and you just show your ticket and walk in.
Mike Franklin
August 10th, 2012
2:33 pm
DOL… please keep us up on Ewing and Dent.
PS – Yeah, rout (even at 31-17) was probably a little off. I would have personally applied ‘butt whippin’ instead.
pb
August 10th, 2012
2:55 pm
Saints fans here in Atlanta do seem to have a problem, like bad attitude. Maybe because of all the years there in N.O., and only a few really good teams.( Similar to Falcons!) Or maybe because the city has had bad luck with hurricane Katrina, and just now coming back? But they seem to hate the Atlanta fans and team a lot more than we even think about them.
Fantasy Football News August 10th | Black Fifty 9 Razor
August 10th, 2012
3:35 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/08/09/reserves-get-worked-out-as-ravens-rout-falcons-... [...]
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 10th, 2012
3:38 pm
I will be extremely disappointed if the Falcons keep Chris Redman as the #2 QB after the final cuts this year.
He started off last night doing the same thing that he did last year when he got to play….STINKING UP THE FIELD!!!!
I was at the Dome last night and the first team offense and defense looked good!!!!
jaz
August 10th, 2012
3:59 pm
Well, Redman’s passes could have hit his linemen’s backsides if they were a couple of feet lower, but he was really uninspired and lethargic, and Smitty will keep him around for another year. I sure hope Dominique Davis gets tagged for the #3 slot. John Parker has zenithed out at a rather low level and needs to be let go.
debo
August 10th, 2012
4:03 pm
What a stupid article. The article should read that the Falcons look like world beaters, our first team DOMINATED the Ravens first team offense and defense. When the Ravens got on the board it was 50/50 starters and reserves on defense. The one argument you could realistically make is the Ravens 3rd and 4th string guys are better than ours, but the Falcons that we will see on Sunday looked like world beaters. What a boneheaded article to go with some of our boneheaded “fans”.
Samantha
August 10th, 2012
4:06 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I told you that the Failcant’s are sorry! They just knew they were going to win this game…
With that being said…HA! 
Pamela
August 10th, 2012
4:08 pm
Matt Ryan just keep the laughs coming in…Matt Ryan is a sorry Quarterback..he is over rated and just sad!
He will continue to prove me right through out this season…watch…wait and see.
Leeroy
August 10th, 2012
4:10 pm
Needs pic to match the headline:
http://i.imgur.com/FYgaK.jpg
Pamela
August 10th, 2012
4:15 pm
FALCLOWNS…it don’t matter – I agree with you 1,000%!
» A King Dent…in the Falcons Plans The Dirty "Bird Nest"
August 10th, 2012
4:34 pm
[...] beat writer…D. Orlando Ledbetter points out that the Falcons allowed the Ravens to rally with 24 unanswered points. That’s absolutely true, but it’s not as bad as it might sounds. The first string offense [...]
Ueeediot
August 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
Pamela obviously didnt watch the game….
hiramsaint
August 10th, 2012
5:48 pm
sounds like she did and you’re in denial
ryesouvie,
August 10th, 2012
5:52 pm
I sure hope Matt Ryan does not get hurt. Our backup QBS looked terrible!!!! JPW looked like a rookie and Redman is awful too. The first team offense and first team defense looked good. I find it funny how ravennation or any fan can talk smack about a preseason win….. I recall Atlanta beating the Ravens two years ago with Ray ” fleeing a murder scene” lewis and ed reed, and the other starters… Another thing, I hate the saints as much as any diehard falcon’s fan, but easy on the trash talk with their 6 points…. They are still the team to beat in the NFC South, with or without Sean Peyton.
Atlanta Falcons: Bradie Ewing out for season | Atlanta Falcons
August 10th, 2012
6:08 pm
[...] Game story: Ravens rout Falcons in exhibition opener [...]
GameChanger
August 10th, 2012
6:16 pm
Hey who dat, the “ring” that Brees has is TAINTED and has an asterix(*) in the record book for bounty hunter CHEATING.
mike
August 10th, 2012
6:35 pm
Thanks to the players union putting in the new CBA that teams can only have 14 days of full pad practice during the season. Expect more injuries during the games. When you can’t practice at full speed then bad things happen.
Ken
August 10th, 2012
7:14 pm
Rout???? do you mean The Ravens backups routed the Falcons backups. The Falcons 1st team routs the Ravens 1st team…
NEED A NEW HEADLINE WRITER
August 10th, 2012
8:01 pm
Yes we have seen Redmond in a real game and he sucked then and now. You will never win with him Fire him and Wilson now and try to get another QB.
GameChanger
August 10th, 2012
8:23 pm
What this game shows you is the Falcons lack DEPTH. If any of their key starters goes down with injury, the season is OVER. The Falcons management has rolled the dice and placed all of their bets on the first team. Is this a wise move considering the number of injuries that usually occur?
NO!
DawgNole
August 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
GameChanger
August 10th, 2012
8:23 pm
What this game shows you is the Falcons lack DEPTH. If any of their key starters goes down with injury, the season is OVER. The Falcons management has rolled the dice and placed all of their bets on the first team. Is this a wise move considering the number of injuries that usually occur?
NO!
________________________
Don’t know about the season being over with an injury, but you’re spot on as far as what this first butt-kickin’ means: an alarming lack of depth.
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
August 10th, 2012
9:54 pm
Hello Falcon fans, just wanted to thank you guys for letting Curtis Lofton come to us, he’s had 2 solid games for us and had a fumble recovery last night. By the way don’t worry about the Saints offense we never look good in preseason.
who dat
August 11th, 2012
3:07 pm
@GameChanger LOL TAINTED PLEASE WIN A SB.BE 4 U COULD TALK.FALCANTS WILL NEVER BE ON OUR LEVEL W/O OUR LEADER PAYTON! WE OWN THE FALCANTS.SAINTS NFC SOUTH CHAMPS AGAIN LMAO!
Peter
August 11th, 2012
4:49 pm
Scarey to see this group.. second string QB who is it ?
The King Chuck has said it on the radio…… who is the second group …… would they even make other pro teams ?
What is the fullback going to do this year a major question.
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August 12th, 2012
2:19 am
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