Falcons rest starters, lose to Jaguars

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

JACKSONVILLE -- Falcons coach Mike Smith is clearly not a gambling man.

Not willing to risk even the slightest injury, Smith rested most of his starters in the final exhibition game against Jacksonville on Thursday at EverBank Field. The Jaguars prevailed 13-9 in a battle of reserves.

Not rolling the injury dice might pay off for the Falcons (2-2) when they open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 12. Smith's counterpart, Mike Tomlin, elected to play his starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich, and he injured his left knee during the first half of an exhibition game against Carolina.

If Leftwich, who did not return to the game, is unable to play, the Steelers will be forced to start the inexperienced Dennis Dixon.

Normally, their starting quarterback would be Ben Roethlisberger, but he has been suspended by the NFL for violating the league's personal-conduct policy during an incident in Milledgeville over the offseason.

With potential jobs at stake, the Falcons wanted to make sure that the players near the bottom of the roster received one final evaluation. Players trying to make the team can't say that they didn't get a chance to show off their talents.

Some took advantage of the playing time, such as wide receiver Andy Strickland, tight end Michael Palmer and safety William Moore.

Strickland finished with four catches for 38 yards. Palmer, a Parkview High grad, caught five passes for 45 yards.

Moore started at strong safety and was a physical presence on the field. He displayed the striking ability that made him a second-round pick in the 2009 draft.

Others such as wide receiver Brandyn Harvey, running back Antone Smith, wide receiver Troy Bergeron and wide receiver Tim Buckley may have hurt their chances.

Harvey was called for a holding penalty that wiped a 48-yard touchdown run by Jerious Norwood off the scoreboard.

In the second quarter, Harvey was called for offensive pass interference, which took away a 39-yard reception.

Smith, who's in a battle for one of the last running back spots, had a costly fumble in the second quarter. The Jaguars scored a touchdown following his turnover.

Bergeron ran a nice route and was open in the end zone, but couldn't haul down a pass from Chris Redman that was on target.

With the Falcons needing the ball and a chance to take the lead with a touchdown drive late in the game, Buckley fumbled a punt, and Jacksonville nearly ran out the clock.

The Falcons opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by Matt Bryant with 14:56 left in the second quarter.

After Smith's fumble, it took Jacksonville only four plays to score. Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard touchdown run to make the score 7-3.

The Falcons couldn't move the ball on the ensuing possession and were forced to punt.

Jacksonville added a Josh Scobee 40-yard field goal to make the score 10-3.

With 3:01 left in the second quarter, Redman crafted a nice drive that stalled. Bryant added a 27-yard field goal, and the Falcons trailed 10-6 at halftime.

Both teams added a field goal in the second half.