Falcons pass defense will face stiffer test against New England

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After finishing 28th in the NFL against the pass last season, the Falcons kept Kansas City quarterbacks Matt Cassel, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko under control Friday night at the Georgia Dome.

The defense registered two sacks and had two interceptions while playing without cornerback Dunta Robinson, the team's major offseason pickup who signed a six-year $57 million contract.

"I think we did well," safety Thomas DeCoud said. "We got the first three-and-out. They ended up moving the ball a little bit, but it's the preseason."

Chiefs quarterbacks combined to complete 22 of 36 passes for 156 yards and had a 47.9 quarterback rating in a 20-10 loss.

Kansas City, however, won only 10 games over the past three seasons and is in full rebuilding mode. The Falcons will face a much stiffer test Thursday night at the Dome from quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss of the New England Patriots.

"Tom Brady's a great quarterback; the offense over there can win," DeCoud said. "So it's one of those things where now we've got one notch under our belt, now let's go get one bigger notch and see really where we measure up with the elite teams in this league."

The Falcons didn't fare well in their previous meeting with Brady. He guided the Patriots to a 26-10 victory over the Falcons last season, completing 25 of 42 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown.

It was the third game of the season, and Brady was still rusty after coming back from knee surgery. His totals could have been much higher if he hadn't misfired to a few open receivers deep down the field.

Also, Moss caught 10 passes for 116 yards in the game.

"Tom Brady, he's one of the best," safety Erik Coleman said. "He has a great receiving corps. ... We'll get a chance to see where we are."

On Friday night, DeCoud and Coleman started at safety. Brent Grimes started at left cornerback and Christopher Owens at right cornerback. Robinson will be the regular starter at right corner.

Backup safety Shann Schillinger and Chevis Jackson had interceptions.

"It's good to see some guys out there step up, some young guys," Coleman said. "We definitely have a foundation that we can build on."

The pass rush also helped the secondary. Kroy Biermann had a sack and a forced fumble that was recovered by John Abraham. Linebacker Curtis Lofton also posted a sack on a blitz.

On a third-and-6, the Falcons overloaded the line of scrimmage, and Lofton came free.

"We did a little something," Lofton said. "I don't want to give too much away. But the safety did a good job getting underneath the back. The other back tried to come over and cut [block] me. We played off the cut block. The quarterback was right there, and I had to bring him down."

Lofton had a big sack against Philadelphia off a blitz his rookie season. Last season, he didn't blitz often and did not record any sacks.

"Whatever the coach calls, I'm going to play," Lofton said. "But I love blitzing."

Robinson has a hamstring injury. He has been working and running rather well on the sidelines with the training staff. However, he is not expected to play against New England.