Sean Weatherspoon held his own in NFL debut

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rookie linebacker Sean Weatherspoon knows he's going to hear about some finer points of the game from his coaches, but he was pleased with his NFL debut.

The Falcons' top draft pick started instead of Mike Peterson at weakside linebacker against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

"I felt pretty comfortable with him out there," middle linebacker Curtis Lofton said. "As a rookie that's a lot. It happens a lot faster, but he's going to be OK."

Weatherspoon made a tackle on the second play of the game and finished with four. He played the entire first half.

"I thought I did pretty good, but I'm sure there are some things I will get coached up on," Weatherspoon said.

There were times when Lofton had to help Weatherspoon get lined up, but the 19th pick in the 2010 draft was taking notes.

"It was really great to see how those guys actually work in a game-like atmosphere," said Weatherspoon, talking about starters Lofton, John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux.

No-huddle attack rusty

Quarterback Matt Ryan and the first-team offense jumped into the no-huddle offense on their second possession of the game.

The drive stalled after Roddy White dropped a flanker screen and left tackle Sam Baker jumped offside. The offense had to settle for a 53-yard Steve Hauschka field-goal attempt that banged into the crossbar and bounced back onto the playing field.

It was a sign that the Falcons plan to use the no-huddle more as an attack offense this season. Last season they used it mainly in a traditional "hurry-up" mode.

"I thought we did a pretty good job," Ryan said. "We tried to run the ball a little bit. We felt like we had some good schemes."

Ryan converted on two third downs using the no-huddle, finding Tony Gonzalez both times. They connected for gains of 16 and 12 yards.

"We just need to tighten some things up," Ryan said. "I think we knocked some of the rust off. That's a thing that you have to get a feel for. I think we made strides."

Biermann on the edge

Defensive end Kroy Biermann had a nice sack and forced fumble of Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel.

"It was just an open window for some speed to come around the edge," Biermann said. "I swatted [the offensive lineman's] hands down, and I was able to turn the corner."

Practice schedule

The Falcons will hold two practices Sunday, from 9:30 a.m.-1:35 p.m. and from 3:45-to-5:25 p.m. Both are open to the public.