After a slow start to the exhibition season for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense, there were plenty of signs of the attack blossoming in the second exhibition game.
“I feel like our operation is really smooth, “ Ryan said. “I feel we were efficient. I got in and out of the huddle really well and really fast. I felt like the tempo was really good. I’m pleased with where we are at.”
After the Falcons couldn’t muster a first down and had two three-and-out drives in the exhibition opener, there was legitimate cause for alarm.
But in the second outing against the Browns, Ryan directed a nine-play, 71-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession.
“It’s a process,” Ryan said. “You have to continue to work and be focused on the process during the (exhibition) season. The main goal is to get ready for the regular season and everything in front of it.
“I think I’ve had a really good approach to that the entire training camp and (exhibition) season. Now, we have two more games to go and then onto the regular season. I’ve got to keep that same approach.”
The Falcons are running just a small portion of their offense in exhibition games. They are not trying to show too many of their regular-season plays.
They were able to get wide receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu involved in the attack. Also, running back Devonta Freeman was unleashed in a relentless ground attack that amassed 224 yards on 41 carries and scored two touchdowns.
“We’ve got some work to do, there is no doubt about that,” Ryan said. “We’ve got a couple of weeks to do it. You want to kind of being hitting your peak when we get to the regular season and continue to get better throughout the year. I thought we were better (against Cleveland) than we were the first week. That’s going to be a challenge for us going into the third (exhibition) game.”
Jones also was pleased with the offensive attack.
“The hard work and preparation is paying off,” Jones said. “Like I said before, we are not game-planning, but we can go out here (and) execute, score touchdowns without game-planning for people and going after their weaknesses, it shows a lot.”
Jones had a key play in the team’s first series. On third-and-1 from Cleveland’s 48, Jones shook free for a 20-yard gain.
Three plays later, Freeman dashed into the end zone from 19 yards out.
Jones was through for the game, but he watched as Sanu caught three passes for 45 yards and ran with authority.
“He’s definitely a physical guy,” Jones said. “He doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s aggressive, and he’s got great speed, a lot of power, and he showed it tonight.”
Jones looks forward to playing more in the third exhibition game, against Miami on Thursday in Orlando.
“We have to keep building,” Jones said. “We have to take from this game. We have some corrections that we have to clean up. But other that than, we just have to keep moving forward.”
Sanu showed signs that he will be a strong receiver opposite of the dynamic Jones.
“I think I played well,” Sanu said. “(Coach Dan) Quinn told me to come out and play physical and play tough out there, so that’s what I did.”
Sanu took a short pass out to the right and ran with authority after the catch. He added a 32-yard catch down the middle of the field.
“I think we did phenomenal,” Sanu said. “We came out, we played hard, competed and played physical.”
Ryan clearly sees that the attack is coming together.
“The third week is usually your dress rehearsal for what the season is going to be like,” Ryan said. “We’ll have an opportunity to practice during the week the way that we will during the regular season.
“We’ll game plan for the first time this year. It will be a good dry run for your young guys to get a feel for what the season is going to be like. I expect us to play well.”
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