Falcons rookie corner stands out in loss to Lions

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In the aftermath of the Falcons’ shocking 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions in the exhibition season opener, head coach Mike Smith was reserved.

He didn’t want to put too much stock into a defeat to a team on a last-second field goal, even when that team went 0-16 last season and was the laughingstock of the football universe. Not even after the Falcons gave up 10 points in the final 2:05.

“There were some good things, some bad things and some ugly things,” Smith said. “That’s probably the theme of the first week of the preseason in the NFL.”

The Falcons took Sunday off but return to practice on Monday. They will next face the Rams at 8 p.m. on Friday in St. Louis.

“We went into the game with a plan to get a bunch of guys into the game early,” Smith said. “We were able to accomplish that.”

While the first-team defense was a shaky, Smith saw some promise.

“I was real pleased to see the turnover for the touchdown,” Smith said.

Linebacker Tony Gilbert returned a Matthew Stafford pass 42 yards for a touchdown. The defense also was able to apply some pressure on the Detroit quarterbacks with a couple of blitzes.

The Falcons also wanted to get a good look at cornerback Christopher Owens, a third-round pick from San Jose State, and he received a lot of playing time at left cornerback and on special teams.

“I’m certainly glad that it’s a four-game preseason,” Smith said. “We can evaluate these players and see how they respond from week one to week two.”

Owens made five tackles and broke up one pass. While he held up on coverage for most of the game, we did get beat by Detroit wide receiver Derrick Williams on a nice corner route for a 25-yard touchdown pass from Stafford.

“It was a learning experience,” Owens said.

The Falcons are looking for a replacement for the departed Domonique Foxworth. Brent Grimes started but Owens said he was ready when he was sent into the game.

“I was more excited than anything,” Owens said. “More anxious.”

Owens understood that he was going to get plenty of action in order for the coaches to make a good evaluation on him against NFL competition.

“It makes it a little easier when the coach has confidence in a player,” Owens said. “I respect that. It’s all on me. I’m conscious of it.”

Owens, who earned his bachelor’s of arts degree in African American History, didn’t dwell on the touchdown pass.

“It was a good throw and a good catch,” Owens said. “There are some things I could have done technique-wise. We’ll go through that once practice starts back.”

Despite the one play, Owens was pleased with his showing.

“Like the coach said, I got my feet wet and we are going to go from there,” Owens said. “I’m excited.”