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
Mr C.
August 19th, 2010
10:27 pm
Their starters were better than our starters. Their back ups are better than our back ups. Their rookies are better than our rookies. That’s how u win in November and December. When a starter goes down, the back ups replace him on the field and they don’t miss a dime.
todd grantham
August 19th, 2010
10:28 pm
Yes, and the really old days included the “bumper snicker of the day”.
extremus
August 19th, 2010
10:30 pm
I remember a similar preseason embarassment during last preseason, if I recall, where the defense got exposed, but that was a different situation. The Falcons did have a lot of their starters, especially on defense and in the secondary, out tonight, so let’s reserve judgment until they’re at full strength. If anything, this beat-down will give the team and Mike Smith a lot to work on going into the coming weeks. I still think they’ll be fine barring injuries.
todd grantham
August 19th, 2010
10:30 pm
correct Jeff. my vocabulary is wide. my spelling is less than, let’s say stellular.
Dawg '85
August 19th, 2010
10:30 pm
I’d say JPW, Antone Smith, and BeerMan have been the few bright spots tonight.
nunna yo biznezz
August 19th, 2010
10:31 pm
kerryb:nunna, who are you talking about is an impressionist?
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just the voice..
i was reffering to Dimitrov’s gulling that Matt Ryan talked a lot like Tom Brady.
I know he was reffering to his intelligence,and supposed leadership qualities,etc…
Thats fine and dandy,but i would have rather him say he plays like Tom Brady instead..
I would rather have someone who sounded and even looked like a fool but played the position and understood it like my boy,TOM BRADY…
robert
August 19th, 2010
10:31 pm
Lets not give up on this teambecause their losing a PRESEASON game. Remember that they are missing 6 possible starters on defense. Many of the defensive questions wont be answered until the last preseason game against Jacksonville.
Eric
August 19th, 2010
10:31 pm
Hey Jeff, last I checked Bierman had a sack and forced fumble earlier. That seems like a pass rush to me (especially since MR wasn’t even touched when he was in there)…..
todd grantham
August 19th, 2010
10:32 pm
and here i thought the ajc was all but conceding the Lombardi trophy to the Falcons.
Ree Roe
August 19th, 2010
10:32 pm
Mr. Charlie,
I don’t think it’s about getting a win in a preseason game as much as it is about how poorly we played tonight. Can you honestly say you’re satisfied with how we looked tonight?
-REEgal Roe!!!
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
10:34 pm
I don’t get the moronic Matt Ryan bashers. The guy is only 13-1 in his starts at home. He led your team to a playoff birth in his first year when everyone thought we aere going to be sorry and win maybe two games. He also is the first QB to give you two winning seasons in a row. He’s only in his third year so give him a brake you non-football knowing idiots.
todd grantham
August 19th, 2010
10:34 pm
well, the ajc cant concede the trophy. nor bestow. or cede. what’s the word i’m looking for?
Charles J.
August 19th, 2010
10:35 pm
John Parker Wilson How How in the world did beat out anyone?
drmondo
August 19th, 2010
10:35 pm
Ree, I agree with you somewhat, but I’d much rather have this kind of game in preseason than the regular season or playoffs (que Jim Mora Sr.)
robert
August 19th, 2010
10:35 pm
Finally a touchdown. Good play by Wilson and Bergeron
robdawg08
August 19th, 2010
10:35 pm
Wolfe (a Falcon) makes the tackle on Bergeron (a Falcon) in the end zone. Unreal…
no excuses
August 19th, 2010
10:36 pm
I wouldn’t call this game “meaningless” because it meant the Falcons are still a lower-tier NFL team. What’s it going take, and how long will it take, before the Falcons can be an upper-tier team like the Pats? This is flat out embarrassing, despite being pre-season.
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
10:36 pm
Who do you want? Chris Chandler back maybe Michael Vick? I’m sorry we can’t have Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Drew Brees. They are alreay taken so get behind him or start supporting another teams you jackwagons!
Doodle
August 19th, 2010
10:36 pm
Belichek cut Mcgowan before he got to the sideline
what a joke
August 19th, 2010
10:37 pm
Sickening,pretty much sumes it up.
DHunt
August 19th, 2010
10:37 pm
Damn shame Bergeron is the only receiver looking for yards after the catch. JPW is looking good yet again.
Mediocrity
August 19th, 2010
10:38 pm
Well, I was a little worried about the Falcons this year, even after last week. But after watching the product Frankenstein (Mike Smith) and Jimmy Neutron (Thomas Dimitroff ) put out there for the first string, especially defense, I feel a lot better about the Falcons returning to mediocrity…
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:40 pm
Ryan looks like crap. ONLY preseason, but it’s only preseason for Brady too. My enthusiasm is officially curbed.
robdawg08
August 19th, 2010
10:40 pm
Put Wolfe at 2nd string LB not WR…
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:41 pm
Kerryb . . . .there’s a tough crowd out there that see many faults with the Falc starting QB. Being on these posts the past two years . . …I almost get the feeling many “Falcs fans” want him to fail. Like I said b4 . . ..the guy gets the same type of beating as our Commander in Chief here.
Charles J.
August 19th, 2010
10:41 pm
DHunt he’s look good doing what.
SJ
August 19th, 2010
10:41 pm
That’s why I hate seeing football on fake turf.
robdawg08
August 19th, 2010
10:41 pm
Mora’s loving this with Falcons getting beat…
nunna yo biznezz
August 19th, 2010
10:41 pm
MR CHARLIE:nunna. so Dimitrov is the “downfall” from what? We were 4-12 before he got here.
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True,yes we were..11-5,then 9-7..
I know mr. ice had a bum toe last year but,each year Dimitrov got to add more and more of his players..U get me now??
And,even though ryan was out and came back and we won the last 3 games last season,teams like the patriots(whom Dimitrov was a part of and was hired to build this team and make it deep)pick and win when a player goes down..
And we are not doing this..
Shoulda made the playoffs last year!!
hawesg
August 19th, 2010
10:43 pm
Safety play looks pretty weak. Hey, who knew spending a second round pick on a kid who’s always injured would come back to bite you…
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:43 pm
Oh look. Daddy’s little boy made it to Atlanta again. Mora is a pos.
DHunt
August 19th, 2010
10:44 pm
Sidbury and Beer man getting to the QB. that’s a good sign
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:45 pm
nunna yo biznezz . . .you mentioned each year Dimitrov gets to add more and more players. This is only year three . . . .as a Pats fan first . . .I can tell you that dynasty didn’t just happen overnight. I still think they are heading in right direction . . ..but won’t feel bad about saying this may be a 5 year plan. Not making excuses or giving up on year 3 . . . .just trying to keep it real!
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:46 pm
Is Mora with the Pats??? I’ve seen his name mentioned hear a few times – but must have been reading/typing when he was on the screen.
nunna yo biznezz
August 19th, 2010
10:47 pm
kerryb says:Who do you want? Chris Chandler back maybe Michael Vick? I’m sorry we can’t have Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Drew Brees. They are alreay taken so get behind him or start supporting another teams you jackwagons!
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Turn them lose kerryb..Stop Swinging!!
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
10:47 pm
9-7 with the fourth hardest schedule in the NFL with a QB out for 2 games and a RB out for more is pretty good. In most years 9-7 will get you into the playoffs. Teams with a 9-7 record in the AFC made the playoffs last year. I think Dimitroff is doing a good job. Don’t understand you bashing them soo much. What else do they have to do to satisfy you?
DHunt
August 19th, 2010
10:48 pm
@Charles J. JPW showing good mobility, ability to throw the ball on the run (somewhere other than the stands which is where MR2 usually ends up throwing it when he rolls out), showing good decision making, shoeing decent accuracy, think he may have sailed one pass, showing decent pocket presence, no happy feet. getting the ball to open men, and giving them a chance to make a play after the catch. That’s all pretty good in my book.
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:49 pm
Mora’s in the broadcast booth. Nobody left stupid enough to hire him in the NFL.
dub366
August 19th, 2010
10:49 pm
ryan went 4-6 but no TD Suck
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:50 pm
DHunt . . ..as someone mentioned last week . . .you don’t go undrafted, and aren’t a projected 3rd string QB for no reason. There have been many great 2nd/3rd string QB showings in preseason games. I’m sure most of the starting QBs watching after 2, 3, or 4 series are not concerned.
Kerryb
August 19th, 2010
10:51 pm
Ryan only played the first quarter and part of the second. Pats also probably had more time of possession during that time.
dub366
August 19th, 2010
10:51 pm
Parker has a weak arm
nunna yo biznezz
August 19th, 2010
10:52 pm
@Once “Recent” Reader..
—————————————————————————————-
ok,cool..i just don’t like the way they let him go..he was like,”the falcons want to”,and they interrupted him in mid sentence and said,”ok..go!!”
It was too easy..Most teams would have stalled or talked to him about staying and being around if the Pats were gonna even consider him to be the GM in the future..
For all we know,he may have been their “gofer”..go for this,go for that boy..
I will give him this year to see what we’re made of,but i really do believe that im right about this..
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:52 pm
Boy, the JoDo looked like a spooktown tonight.
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:53 pm
lots of empty seats
Brady and Patriots show Ryan and Falcons how it's done | Jeff Schultz
August 19th, 2010
10:53 pm
[...] ♦ Falcons LIVE blog: It doesn’t count but it’s still Ryan vs. Brady [...]
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:54 pm
kerryb . . .this 2 year battle of defending Ryan has me feeling like the guy in Greek Mythology that was cursed to forever roll a boulder up a hill/mountain that would roll back down. But that’s OK . . .my Mom always told me I was very persistent. And I am . . .especially when I think I’m right!
FNFAL
August 19th, 2010
10:56 pm
I wonder how season ticket sales are now.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 19th, 2010
10:57 pm
nunna yo biz . . . You know I don’t recall the whole Dimitroff leaving Pats/Joining Falcs scenario. I really didn’t remember much about him from the Boston papers either . . as Belichik and Pioli got all the press. So I don’t have any leaning on the current GM. Just think the Falcs . .although 2 wins less last year . . ..are moving forward. Hey . . .come end of the year that assessment could be wrong!! If I knew for sure I’d be in Vegas right now!
Charles J.
August 19th, 2010
11:00 pm
Well DHunt I don’t with all due respect don’t agree that he has looked all that good. Nor do I think he’s looked any better than D.J. Shockley did while he was here, but like I said respectfully disagree with you about him. And I hope this was just a long look see at him with the first string OL before they cuy him.lol