EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Falcons turned to rookie Robenson Therezie to help at free safety in the second quarter.
Free safety Ricardo Allen started the game, but was pulled after he missed a tackle that led to a 67-yard touchdown by New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the Falcons’ 24-20 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.
Therezie, an undrafted rookie from Auburn who made the 53-man roster, took over and finished the game out for Allen. He made one tackled.
“It just felt like practice,” Therezie said. “We have rules and concepts that we have to go by. I felt prepared.”
Allen was the star of the Falcons season-opening win over the Eagles. He had the game-clinching interception and tackled well.
But after a shaky start against the Giants, Allen was we summoned to the sidelines.
“I’m just a backup, so I’m always prepared for any situation,” Therezie said. “It wasn’t planned, but once our guy needed a little break, I had to get ready, just to back him up and do my job.”
Allen was fine after the game. He finished with three tackles.
“We had to make some adjustments,” Allen said. “We just wanted to get me to the side and see what they kept doing to get up on me so fast. Then I was cramping a little bit, so they pulled me out.
“They just wanted to calm me down, get me to the side a little bit and get me situated.”
Allen knew what he did wrong on the long touchdown play.
“I came out of the middle of the field and took a bad angle,” Allen said. “He ended up making a play.”
Therezie felt things went well.
“There wasn’t a panic moment for me,” Therezie said. “I felt like I was well prepared with all of the rules and concepts that we have.”
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