Falcons started fast, physical in Quinn’s first game
Five things to know about how the Falcons played Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, in their first exhibition game under coach Dan Quinn:
1. Matt Ryan sharp as a tack: The Falcons' starting quarterback was crisp on the opening drive. Ryan completed 6 of 6 passes for 86 yards and tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones. The Falcons didn't face much resistance, as Ryan faced only one third-down situation.
On third-and-6 from the Falcons’ 45, he found fullback Patrick DiMarco in the flat for a 12-yard gain.
The big-play in the drive was a 26-yard pass to Jones that he nearly broke for a score.
2. Fast and physical on defense: The Falcons revamped their linebacker corps over the offseason by signing Justin Durant and Brooks Reed.
Durant, who the Falcons acquired after outbidding Tampa Bay, showed his quickness. He detected a screen play, laid back and then jumped on the pass for an interception that he returned 21 yards.
Paul Worrilow scooped up a loose ball that was dropped by Tennessee rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.
Reed dressed, but did not play.
3. Run game needs more work: Terron Ward and Antone Smith split time with the first-team offensive line, which couldn't open holes or create seams.
They combine for four rushes for 5 yards in the opening touchdown drive. Ward had two carries for three yards and Smith had two carries for two yards. Back to the drawing board for the offensive line.
Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman were out with hamstring injuries.
4. The pass rush: Vic Beasley, the team's first-round draft pick, started with the first-team defense at left defensive end. He was held in check and didn't record a sack. He was called for a penalty after lining up offside on one play.
Nose tackle Paul Soliai and defensive end Tyson Jackson combined on one sack. Soliai had a nice bull rush and flushed Mariota into Jackson. Also, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux was closing in on Mariota when he had the fumble.
5. The secondary: Most of the starters were pulled after the first two series, but Ricardo Allen, the converted corneback who's started at free safety, stayed on for the third series.
He finally some action on first down-and-10 from Tennessee’s 35 late in the first quarter. Mariota toss a short pass out to the right side to wide receiver Kendall Wright. Allen made the tackle after a 9-yard gain. Second-round pick Jalen Collins, who’s been struggling in practice, was beaten for a 30-yard yard touchdown on a crossing route in the second quarter.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
