AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 11
Monday, August 11, 2008
Random thoughts after preseason opener
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - The Falcons resume practice today after losing their preseason opener to Jacksonville 20-17. It will be interesting to see what changes could be in store.
Some observations and random thoughts:
• The most positive thing about Matt Ryan was how he treated his teammates on the field. In one instance, Justin Blalock drew an illegal procedure penalty when the team was in scoring position. Instead of ignoring things or sending off bad body language, Ryan raced right up to the left guard, patted him on the back and told him not to worry about things. Things like that go a very long way in getting teammates to respect you and protect you.
• Keith Brooking looks very comfortable back at outside linebacker. Brooking was very quick to plays and was violent at the point of attack because he wasn’t having to fend off interior linemen like he did when he played in the middle.
• No word on John Abraham’s ankle. It was initially tabbed a sprain. Abe walked out of the stadium in a support boot and said he was okay, but in the past, follow-up examinations have shown to be different than the first burst of info provided to the media.
• Right guard Harvey Dahl looks as if he’s created some distance from Kynan Forney for the starting job. Dahl appeared to have a pretty good game - film study could prove different - while Forney was on the field late with the second and third-tier players. Those second and third-tier players didn’t do so well keeping backup defenders off quarterback D.J. Shockley.
• The battle for the No. 3 tailback job is going to be a doozy. Jason Snelling and Thomas Brown look very, very good. Snelling’s 47-yard gain on a screen pass was the biggest gainer of the game. Brown’s evasiveness and speed also was impressive. Brown could have the edge because he returns kicks but Snelling isn’t going down quietly. One could end up on the practice squad but other teams can pluck players off the practice squad, so whoever doesn’t make it could end up on another team’s roster.
• You have to like what you saw out of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. Turner really banged inside when he had to and he showed some nice bursts of speed. The Falcons used Norwood well, getting him on the edge quickly and letting him use his speed. And what about Mike Mularkey actually getting the ball to fullback Ovie Mughelli on third and short? What a novel idea.
There are a lot of things to discuss so respond with some of your takes. I’ve got to get out on the practice field.
And I would be remiss of I forgot: RIP Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. You were both some bad Mutha “shut you mouths.”
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
