Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen felt the first-team defense played well in the exhibition opener against Washington on Thursday at the Georgia Dome.

“We swarmed,” Allen said. “Everybody was running. The communication was on point and when we’re all wrong, we’re all right even though we didn’t have any mental errors or anything, we were all out there talking.”

Allen knows the defense has things to work on before the Falcons play their second exhibition game against the Browns on Thursday in Cleveland.

“Just to iron out the techniques, getting a little more communication, and to keep bringing that aggressive style of play,” Allen said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC