Falcons' new defensive look has mixed results

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Falcons flashed their new-look three-man front at the Georgia Dome on Saturday.

Primarily a 4-3 defensive team, the Falcons plan to implement more multiple fronts this season.

On two occasions in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers, the Falcons played a 3-3-5 alignment with Kroy Biermann and John Abraham at the defensive ends and Jonathan Babineaux at nose tackles.

Linebacker Coy Wire replaced Curtis Lofton and defensive back Chevis Jackson replaced defensive tackle Peria Jerry. Linebackers Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson rounded out the different look.

The Falcons got mixed results from the alignment.

The first time they used the alignment on a third-and-7 from Atlanta’s 40, the Chargers connected on a 28-yard pass play to Vincent Jackson.

The second time, on a third-and-10, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers completed a pass to Darren Sproles for 8 yards, forcing the Chargers’ only punt of the first half.

RYAN’S RATING

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan played into the third quarter.

He completed 14 of 20 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown and had a quarterback rating of 106.2.

Ryan was replaced by Chris Redman.

THE RETURN GAME

Jerious Norwood returned the opening kickoff, his first kickoff return of the exhibition season.

Norwood, the main kickoff returner last season, had a 15-yard return.

At the 3:33 mark of the second quarter, Norwood went down after being tackled by San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie. He suffered a left knee injury on the play and did not return. Thomas Brown took over the kickoff return duties.

On punt returns, the Falcons used Brent Grimes for the first time during the exhibition season. He made a fair catch on his first return.

MOORE RE-INJURED

Second-round pick William Moore got his first action of the exhibition season in the second quarter before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. He returned to practice last week after missing three weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

FORNEY’S RETURN

Former Falcons offensive lineman Kynan Forney, who played from 2001-07, now plays for the Chargers. He’s in a battle with Louis Vasquez for a starting spot at right guard.

The Chargers picked up Forney last season after he lost a battle with Harvey Dahl for the Falcons right guard spot and was waived. He started 89 of 95 games during his stay with Atlanta.

WHITEHURST PLAYS

San Diego’s third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who starred at Chattahoochee High and Clemson, entered the game in the third quarter.

OWENS DOWN

Rookie cornerback Christopher Owens was injured when Brown fell on the back of his knee during a kickoff return.