Falcons LIVE: It doesn’t count but it’s still Ryan vs. Brady
The Falcons' Matt Ryan chats with one Hall of Famer (Troy Aikman) and tonight faces a future one (Tom Brady).
Welcome back to almost-football season and tonight’s exhibition (the NFL hates when writers use that word) between the the Falcons and New England Patriots.
This probably isn’t as big a game for the Patriots as it is for the Falcons. New England sports fans certainly are more preoccupied with today’s story that former Red Sox pitcher-turned-hated Yankee Roger Clemens has been indicted for perjury by a federal grand jury. (As, it turns out, he may have lied about using steroids and HGH. Go figure. And now, this editorial comment: hahahahaha.)
Back to tonight. If you didn’t make it out to Flowery Branch this week for the Falcons-Patriots practices, they were pretty cool. Having two teams practice against each other, even in controlled drills, definitely led to a raised intensity level.
Expect to see more of this in the future. With the NFL expected to trim the exhibition season from four games to two — in concert with lengthening the regular season — coaches will need another avenue to grade players. Even something as basic as a Falcons’ passing skeleton against the New England defense can tell coaches more than if they were just in team drills.
Similarly, tonight’s game may tell us a little more about what to expect from the Falcons when the real games start. True, exhibitions don’t count and game plans are vanilla, as teams are more concerned about evaluating personnel and getting out of a game healthy than they are scheming against a certain offense and defense. But starters played only a couple of series against the Chiefs and they’ll be in there longer tonight, likely well into the second quarter.
A few things to watch:
♦ How does the Falcons’ defense handle Tom Brady, Randy Moss and company? The secondary had a difficult time staying with Moss in practices Tuesday, though that hardly put them in exclusive company. It’s worth noting, however, that at least four projected regulars are not expected to play: cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring), defensive tackle Peria Jerry (knee), safety William Moore (groin) and cornerback Brian Williams.
♦ To what extent do the Falcons try to get wide receiver Harry Douglas involved tonight? Douglas, returning from a torn ACL last year, has looked sharp in practice this week and I imagine offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey would like to know how much he’ll be able to stretch opposing defenses this season.
♦ How sharp is Matt Ryan and the offense? The Falcons’ offense moved down the field twice with the starters on the first two series but came away with only one field goal. They stalled on the Chiefs’ 12 in the first series (leading to three points) and at the 35 on the second (missed field goal). Improved play in the red zone would be nice.
OK, that’s it for now. I’m going to grab some coffee and then we can get this thing started. I’ll post some scratches and lineup changes in the comments as soon as they become available.
Looking forward to tonight. Back to chat soon.
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467 comments Add your comment
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
11:00 pm
Still don’t understand the bashing. Maybe after another season or two and the team hasn’t progresses any then I will understand it. Don’t see a problem right now. What did you guys want him to do in his second season with this team that was pretty dismal. When a Super Bowl. You are not being very realistic. Listen to what Troy Aikman said tonight. A QB males the biggest jump in his 3rd season. Now if he is a total flop this year and we have a losing record then you can bash him. Until then you are just being pretty stupid.
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
11:01 pm
I just come to the realization that there are a lot of pretty stupid people on this blog that know nothing about football.
nunna yo biznezz
August 19th, 2010
11:03 pm
kerryb:Don’t understand you bashing them soo much. What else do they have to do to satisfy you?
——————————————————————————————————–
Trade Roddy White and a draft pick for a real WR..
2.Put TD on the plane with the pats tonite..(even tho they will put him right back off on the tarp)..
3.Bring back Ken Herock,or even his son as the GM..(the same guy who brought us,DEION,FAVRE,JAMAAL ANDERSON,CHUCK SMITH,MICHAEL HAYNES”A REAL DEEP THREAT”,TRADED FOR ANDRE RISON,ETC…)
that will be a start..
Herock drafted well deep into the draft..Lets not forget that the super bowl team we had in 98 had 88% of the players he brought in who were brought in to play run and shoot on offense and a quick small line defense,but,turned it around and played well for one,DAN REEVES..
THAT SHOW WHAT KIND OF EYE FOR TALENT HE HAD
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
11:03 pm
I just can’t believe that somone just made a dumb comment like, “I don’t think he was any better that D.J. Shockley”. I’m a UGA fan but, Shockley was not an NFL QB and never will be. No, D.J. Shockley wasn’t even close to looking as good as Ryan.
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
11:05 pm
nunna, where did all those guys take us to? Nowhere
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
11:08 pm
Guys, like they say, it’s a process. This year we may be close to the end of the process or we might be another year away. All I know is that I am seeing improvement unlike just about every year before 2008.
bob
August 19th, 2010
11:10 pm
I hope they were keeping the offense under wraps. I don’t think they ever threw a pass over 10-15 yards. Can the Falcons throw a deep pass? I hope this isn’t the new and improved offense we’ve been hearing about.
JP
August 19th, 2010
11:17 pm
Joe Flacco,Kyle Orton, Jason Campbell, Carson Palmer, David Garrard, Vince Young, Alex Smith, were all better than Matt Ryan.he was 20th out of 32 QB’s I think thats cause for improvement and constrictive criticism-not the hand holding coddling you non Atlantans are spewing…move back to your home state if you can’t check your emotions prior to post…..no bias just facts..”Emotions are for girls-Winning is Winners”……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JP
August 19th, 2010
11:18 pm
By the way D Brees was the #1 ranked QB not sure if that help them win a Superbowl…..20th is for losers…!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
August 19th, 2010
11:49 pm
Folks, just updated the game column with some fresh Ryan quotes.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/08/19/brady-and-patriots-show-ryan-and-falcons-how-its-done
FYI, spent some time in Mike Smith’s press conference and he was pretty upset with performance, from top to bottom. I’m sure D-Led will have it covered. I’d expect an angry coaching staff at practice this week, leading up to the Miami game next Friday.
Nice job on the live blog tonight.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
11:51 pm
JP . . .I don’t believe Drew Brees started his first year in 2001 when he was drafted. In 2002 I show him as the 22nd Rated QB, in 2003 he was the 29th rated QB. I believe that was his 3rd year in NFL . but only 2nd as a starter. Now his 3rd year as a starter . .. .he rose all the way to 3rd in 2004. Matt was like 11 or 12th his first year . . .and did slide in the “ratings” to 20th his 2nd year. Still – not a bad TD to Int ratio . . .although we need more TDs!!! Drew had 17 TDs and 16 Ints his first starting year . . ..and then only 11 TDs and 15 Ints his second starting year. So it looks like Matt had a much better start than Drew . . .at least if you are dealing with numbers only and not overall Team play – which is the most important.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
11:52 pm
So all I’m saying as Drew Brees was brought up leading Saints to SB win as #1 rated QB . . . . .Matt has had a better start than Drew . . .and here’s hoping he progresses as Drew did!!
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
11:54 pm
Thanks for the blog Jeff . . . . . .it’s gotten much less beligerant . . .but still is fun debating the constant Ryan, Smith, Dimitroff, Defense, Roddy White can’t hold on to passes, .. .etc . . detractors..
Once "Recent" Reader
August 20th, 2010
12:36 am
JP – Tom Brady – Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady in 2002 . . .was 21st rated QB after starting 15 games. He progressed nicely stat wise from that time. (Even in the 2002 playoffs he was only the 7th rated QB . ..oh well, those are the numbers . . . .SB win is the number that counts . . .as do wins in regular season.)
robdawg08
August 20th, 2010
12:56 pm
If you think Jason Campbell was better than Matt Ryan last year (or any year) you are certified retarded.
JP
August 21st, 2010
2:30 am
@Once-you are correct with the early numbers for Brees, however Brees was not touted as an “elite” QB during that time and Brady may have been rated 21st but they were in the playoffs…again watch his feet and QB play during 2002-all he did was make the right play at the right time-results MVP/Superbowl win and most important as I said from my earlier post-Brady was not drafted as the 3rd pick overall.
@rdwg08-its not what I think idiot-its what the NFL says-do your research and check your emotions prior to post-”Emotions are for girls-Winning is for Winners”..
ugg
August 31st, 2010
10:48 pm
Please give us more in the future.chi flat irons