Depending on the formation the Falcons used, Baltimore outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil would choose a side to attack.
So, Falcons right tackle Lamar Holmes, who’s trying to nail down the starting spot, played against both of the prolific pass rushers in the Falcon’ 27-23 loss to the Ravens on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
The loss of right tackle Mike Johnson to a season-ending injury has pushed Holmes, who played only seven plays last season, to the forefront.
It is clear that Holmes, a third-round pick from Southern Mississippi in 2012, is developing. He had some good blocks to help spring running back Steven Jackson and had a couple of poor pass sets in protection against Dumervil.
“That’s football,” Holmes said. “You’re not going to win every battle. You go out there with the best intentions and you’re trying to win. But (the opposing player) has a contract, too. He’s doing his job. Sometimes, you’re not going to win it, but you do the best that you can.”
Dumervil, one of the Ravens’ key offseason pickups, didn’t discriminate. He also had a couple of good rushes over left tackle Sam Baker.
But most of the attention was focused on Holmes and right guard Garrett Reynolds, who was beaten by Chris Canty later in the game.
Quarterback Matt Ryan had to throw several passes early to avoid sacks. He backpedaled on one throw and was hammered by Dumervil on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones, but he was more than diplomatic when discussing the right side of the line.
“I thought Lamar and Garrett played, really, really well,” Ryan said.
He seem to take into account who they faced.
“To me, it’s one of the best defenses in the league,” Ryan said. “Specifically, (they have) probably one of the best front sevens in the league, and I thought our guys came out and played tough, played physical, played smart and did a great job of executing.”
Like Ryan, Holmes was upbeat after the game.
“Pretty well actually,” Holmes said when asked how he thought he played. “I think I had a false start on me, but I did pretty well overall.”
The refs actually called center Peter Konz for the false start.
“Then, I’m not going to take it if it wasn’t mine,” Holmes said.
The Falcons have to determine if Holmes is ready to hold down the starting right tackle spot. They also must determine how much help they’ll have to send his way in terms of sliding protections and chip blocks from running backs and tight ends.
The Falcons have only two undrafted rookie tackles behind Holmes, the surprising Ryan Schraeder and Alec Savoie.
Offensive line coach Pat Hill said Holmes has come on strong since the Johnson injury.
“(There’s) not necessarily any pressure,” Holmes said. “It’s just something that I know I need to do. I wouldn’t be in this position if they didn’t expect me to play at any given moment when they needed me to. … I needed to focus and make sure that I got all of my assignments right.”
One of Holmes’ good blocks sprang Jackson for an 11-yard gain.
“It felt great to actually see the man run,” Holmes said. “Steven is a great back.”
Holmes will get his next lesson against Tennessee’s Derrick Morgan, a former Georgia Tech standout who led the Titans with 6.5 sacks last season and had 19 quarterback pressures.
The learning curve continues.
White's injury called 'minor': The Falcons said wide receiver Roddy White suffered a "minor ankle sprain" during the exhibition game Thursday night at Baltimore.
White left the game in the first quarter and did not return to the Falcons’ 27-23 loss. White, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has started 128 consecutive regular-season games.
The Falcons have two exhibition games remaining before they open the regular season Sept. 8 at New Orleans.
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