After his review of the game video from the exhibition opener on Friday against the Dolphins, Falcons coach Mike Smith was mostly positive about his team’s performance.
The good, according to Smith: the first-team offense scored a touchdown on the opening drive while keeping quarterback Matt Ryan upright, rookie right tackle Jake Matthews “had a really good game” and the tackling was generally sound.
The bad: the Falcons scored one touchdown on four trips inside the red zone, Devin Hester fumbled away a punt return (nullified by penalty), and the Falcons had nine penalties for 82 yards.
“Like all preseason games there are some things you really like and some things you really scratch your head about as far as the execution,” Smith said.
As for the penalties, Smith said the Falcons tallied 240 yards in penalties when counting the yards that were lost on plays that were called back. Running back Antone Smith had a 76-yard touchdown run and a 34-yard reception nullified because of penalties.
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