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
Gtax
August 19th, 2010
9:03 pm
That was the worst roughing the kicker call I have ever seen in my life.
Daddy Rabbit
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
Beirman was held. No doubt.
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
New Orleans? I mean New England.
DHunt
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
Wow. great adjustment to the ball by Hernandez. Spoon was right there though. he’ll get better at finding the ball
BC
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
Spoon looks awesome, he really looks like he knows what he’s doing out there. The whole defense does. For a second I was watching last year team….wait, that’s right, absolutely nothing has changed. I know this is preseason, but get it together. Jesus
Parson Brownlow
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
Spoon was right there. And he’ll get better playing the ball.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
9:04 pm
Mr. Charlie, I saw the Pats play Saints last week as I have NFL Channel . . .and they keep showing all pre-season games over the week. Their Offense was MUCH less effective (1st stringers) against the Pats than the Falcons O has been . . .moving the ball wise.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
Mr Charlie . ..I saw your correction . . .and that you meant Pats not Saints. So my previous reply still holds true in my mind regarding Saints O . ..but not as a rebuttal to your opinion:)
JP
August 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
Once…..I am anti Ryan as a 3rd Pick – who has not demonstrated as of yet that he can 1. pick up 3-4 yrds on 3rd down…..-when the play breaks down-he has thrown the ball out of bounds quite often when he can pick the needed yards for the 1st…2. lack of arm strength and accuracy on the deep pass-maybe explains the short yardage passes-makes the offense more predictable..3. pocket mobility – he needs a little bit more mobility in the pocket to find receivers as it collapses-watch very closely the best QB’s in the league and how they handle the above scenarios – then let discuss further and finally can someone please tell “Once” M Ryan ranking last year out of 32 QB’s….also T Brady only executes – and we make excuses for our QB…
Jeff Schultz
August 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
Matt Ryan out, John Parker Wilson in. Ryan went 8-13, 76 yards. A decent night. One bad drop by Gonzalez. But again no TDs. That’s no TDs in five possessions for the first-string offense.
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
everyone in statesboro know how good a def cord. bvg is fire coach smith
Kane337
August 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
I think Weatherspoon has been getting the same coaching on how to cover receivers as Chris Houston and our other DB’s got last year. Just cover the receiver. Don’t look for the ball.
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
JP i wishing we took flaco myself
Jamie
August 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
I’m done. FOX sux!
Daddy Rabbit
August 19th, 2010
9:08 pm
Finn!!!
REAL FALCON FAN
August 19th, 2010
9:10 pm
all you fair weather fans watch a soap opera ! SPOON WILL BE OK AMD SO WILL THIS TEAM
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:10 pm
Jamie you cant blame the falcons sucking on fox it 3-14 What you wanty them to talk how bad we are doing?
no excuses
August 19th, 2010
9:10 pm
I’m with you Dawgs2010, this looks like more of the same to me too. Looking like an 8 – 8 year.
ToccoaBird
August 19th, 2010
9:11 pm
spoon is a rookie in his second preseason game. he WILL get a lot better
Sonny Clusters
August 19th, 2010
9:11 pm
Giants leading Phillies 5-0
ToccoaBird
August 19th, 2010
9:13 pm
face mask ty sir may we have another
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:13 pm
8-8 maybe 9-7 at best but no playoffs
ToccoaBird
August 19th, 2010
9:13 pm
oh my
ToccoaBird
August 19th, 2010
9:14 pm
Jeff who paid these refs?
TLH
August 19th, 2010
9:14 pm
It’s only pre-season. Everybody be cool. Rise up!
Dawg '85
August 19th, 2010
9:14 pm
Boy, this blog would be fun if there weren’t so many nay-saying idiots. Exactly what change do you think the negative comments will bring?
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
9:14 pm
JP . .I like Ryan. I think he’s done a pretty good job in his first two years, but also would have liked more from him last year. I really don’t know where he ranked against other QB last year, but watched every game. I saw the good moments, the mistakes by him, the drops by passers, the unfortunate calls against Falcs when they were moving nicely . . .but remember I also mentioned I saw his mistakes. I also watched a boatload of other games and highly rated QBs. Outside of Brees whom I thought was pretty awesome and almost flawless all year long . . and Peyton . . . .most of the other QBs had some pretty dumb moments. Including Mr. Brady of the Pats. I guess we’ll have to see what this year brings and if M. Ryan can convince (or not) his Falcon Fan detractors.
REAL FALCON FAN
August 19th, 2010
9:15 pm
THIS IS A PRE SEADON GAME ,NO GAME PLAN ,THIS IS TO FILL THE BACK OF THE ROSTER!GO FALCONS
FalconFanYear8
August 19th, 2010
9:15 pm
We got yanked on the roughing the kicker…but that wasn’t a facemask. Clearly.
Dawgs2010
August 19th, 2010
9:16 pm
Just to think…..When/if the Falcons get a new stadium, they will charge us the personal seat fees for the right to purchase season tickets so that we can pay extra for this garbage.
Dawg '85
August 19th, 2010
9:17 pm
Smith just made up for the hot route miss.
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2010
9:17 pm
OK, what I have been saying is there is very little coorelation of how a team will play during the pre- season, and how they will fare during the regular season.
You cannot tell anything after 2-3 posessions. NFL is about in game adjustments, and when you 1s string offense gets 2 series, you really don’t have time to start making adjustments.
JP
August 19th, 2010
9:18 pm
Coach Fail..I agree and again if M Ryan were pick in the later rounds it would be much easier to accept. While I know most early round QB’s are not Peyton M…..our beloved.M Ryan was rank I believe 20th out of 32 QB’s…….He is getting a pass in the media…I want him to improve so that we have a legitimate chance of being consistent…
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
wilson has now look better than ryan again bench ryan
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
In other words JP . .. . .I’m not one who think M Ryan is the second coming . . .but do think he’ll be just fine this year and for years to come. And also . . …I’m not gonna try any longer to point out his good points and don’t have any delusion that my posts will have any impact on those who just don’t like Ryan.
Same Old Falcons
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
Wow!!, I know its just preseason but this play calling was very similar to the LOSS we took up in New England!! Old happy feet looks the same throwing high but the defense has been H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E so far today. THe PATS have been running the ball right up the middle right down our throats!!! SOmebody needs to be fired early before the season starts!
Pepe
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
Finally…a little Harry D.
Dawg '85
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
JPW and HD looking pretty good here
Daddy Rabbit
August 19th, 2010
9:19 pm
Terrible call on the shuffle pass
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2010
9:20 pm
Coach fail, how do you know 9-7 will not make the playoffs?
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:20 pm
ryan is a good QB at short throws and if there no body around him. but he dodnt have the arm strength to throw long and he really bad under pressure
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:21 pm
green bay will get 1 wild card and philly most likely the second
mountain_jim
August 19th, 2010
9:22 pm
mularkey play-calling kills another drive
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2010
9:22 pm
Ryan is getting a pass by the media because he has won. He is 18-12, on a perennial loser team. That gets you respect from the media.
Dawg '85
August 19th, 2010
9:22 pm
Coach Fail “dodn’t” have a brain!
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2010
9:22 pm
Coach, oh, so you every teams record, not just the Falcons? My bad.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
9:23 pm
JP . .gotta add . . . .Ryan would not have made it out of the top 10 in the draft . . so the later round comments just doesn’t apply. I now live in SE Florida . . .. .and the Dolphin fans on Sports radio seem to have a much better opinion of Ryan than quite a few Falcon fan posters. A common discussion with the host and callers is how they made a mistake taken the big O lineman Long over Ryan at the #1 pick. (Now I’ll also say . . ..many of them are happy with Long . . .and we all know a QB is just more in the spotlight than an O lineman.)
Pepe
August 19th, 2010
9:25 pm
BigFin getting in on the tackle…com’on JPW.
COACH FAIL SMITH
August 19th, 2010
9:25 pm
Thank you Dawg 85 drink your kool aid but i see the score as it 3-14 and were at home
Parson Brownlow
August 19th, 2010
9:25 pm
Subtract an uncharacteristic drop by Tony Gonzalez and an all-too characteristic rotten call by a ref and the Falcons might lead 10-7 at the half. Besides it’s just an exhibition.