Falcons running back Antone Smith made a big play nearly every time he touched the ball in 2013.
Smith tried to pick up where he left off during the exhibition opener Friday against the Dolphins but his teammates kept making his big plays count for nothing. Smith had two large gains nullified by penalty.
Smith’s 34-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter was called back because Falcons veteran wide receiver Harry Douglas was lined up illegally. Smith ran 76 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter but a holding penalty on right tackle Jake Matthews canceled it out.
Still, the speed and athleticism Smith showed on those plays had fans buzzing and earned unsolicited praise from quarterback Matt Ryan.
“Both of those plays got called back but he showed the explosiveness that he has and the speed,” Ryan said. “He can change a game on any given play. That was fun to watch.”
Last season Smith rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries (29.0 average). He never did earn regular playing time even though the Falcons were sliding to a 4-12 finish.
The Falcons signed Smith as a free agent in 2009 and he’s found his niche as a special teams ace. Before last season Smith had just one carry in his previous three seasons with the Falcons.
With Steven Jackson sidelined during training camp with a hamstring injury Smith figures to get plenty of touches in exhibition games along with veteran Jacquizz Rodgers. He surely opened some eyes on Friday.
“It’s a start,” Smith said. “It’s a first impression. That’s the biggest thing. I think my first impression was pretty good.”
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