Falcons' dramatic win leaves plenty of concerns

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gauging a team’s performance based on exhibition games is as tricky as dodging traffic on the interstate.

But league-wide, and with the Falcons, teams put a great deal of stock in the third exhibition game.

The Falcons wanted to put their best foot forward at the Georgia Dome, but came away with more questions than answers after their first-team defense was ripped to shreds and the offense had to settle for two field goals.

It took backup quarterback Chris Redman and the reserves to lead a surge and defeat the San Diego Chargers 27-24 on Saturday night.

Redman tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Eric Weems with nine seconds remaining to pull out the victory.

“It was an exciting way to finish a game,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Redman’s stellar showing likely wrapped up the No. 2 quarterback position.

“I think everyone was working together,” Redman said. “That’s what made it special. Nobody gave up.”

The Falcons improved to 2-1 in the exhibition season, while the Chargers dropped to 2-1.

“I thought Chris Redman did a great job when he came in,” Smith said. “He was 8-for-10 and threw the ball very efficiently and made a big-time play on fourth down.”

But the game will be remembered for how bad the defense looked.

“I was disappointed with the way we played on third down,” Smith said. “I thought on first and second down we played extremely well. We got them into some very good third-down situations ... it’s something that we definitely have to work on.”

The Falcons’ master plan to replace five starters on defense looks extremely shaky.

With projected starters playing the first half, the unit was abused by San Diego quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Billy Volek.

The Chargers, who own one of the league’s more potent passing attacks, were able to pass the ball around as if they were working a seven-on-seven drill in practice. They repeatedly connected on third down, converting 7 of 8 and 11 of 16 overall.

In the first half, San Diego passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

Perhaps the Falcons’ offense will have to outscore teams, but that plan will not work if you have to settle for field goals. Jason Elam added two, a 40-yarder and 39-yarder, as the Falcons trailed 21-13 at halftime.

“We were effective in some certain situations,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “We made some mistakes and we have a lot of things to iron out before we get ready to go against Miami, but we continue to move in the right direction.”

The first-team defense had a weak start and never rebounded.

The Chargers opened the game with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes was victimized on the drive as San Diego’s Vincent Jackson caught a 28-yard pass from Philip Rivers. Two plays later, Darren Sproles scored on a 10-yard run around right. Nate Kaeding’s extra point make the score 7-0.

The Falcons’ answered with their own nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that featured a blend of the rugged running of Michael Turner and the passing of Ryan, who had had key completions to wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez in the drive before hooking up with Brian Finneran for a 12-yard touchdown. Elam tied the game 7-7 with his extra point.

On the ensuing drive, the Falcons defense did force a punt, its lone highlight of the first half.

After going 11-5 and reaching the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, the Falcons decided that they wanted to get younger and faster on defense this season.

“We definitely didn’t play the type of defense that we want to play,” linebacker Mike Peterson said. “We’ve got some things to work and we’re going to try to get better.”

Seasoned veterans safety Lawyer Milloy, linebacker Keith Brooking, defensive tackle Grady Jackson left in free agency, either of their own choice or the Falcons’.

Also, less-tenured players such as linebacker Michael Boley and cornerback Domonique Foxworth were allowed to leave as free agents.

The Falcons are attempting to replace Milloy by moving Erik Coleman over to strong safety and having second-year man Thomas DeCoud replace Coleman at free safety.

Peterson is attempting to replace Brooking at weakside linebacker. Stephen Nicholas is taking over for Boley.

Rookie Peria Jerry, who has his moments but was handled on other plays, was in Jackson’s old spot.

Grimes is trying to takeover for Foxworth.

With Chauncey Davis starting at defensive end for Jamaal Anderson, the unit essentially has six new starters.

“It’s preseason,” Peterson said. “That’s where you iron out all of the wrinkles. You can make mistakes, and we’ll fix them now. When it’s Week One, we can play fast and be used to each other.”

Last season’s unit was a bend-but-not-break crew that ranked 24th in the league in total defense (347.9 yards per game). But they were 11th in points allowed (20.3).

The Falcons closed out the exhibition season against Baltimore at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Georgia Dome.

Usually, it’s a game where the starters get to rest, but the defense, in the wake of this game, may have continue to work out its issues.