Rugged defense helps Falcons defeat Dolphins

[nativefalcon]

MIAMI -- In the final extended tune-up before the regular-season opener, the Falcons offense sputtered about while the defense inflicted some pain in a 16-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Friday at Sun Life Stadium.

The Falcons' key offensive weapons appeared to be out of sync, and kicker Matt Bryant missed another kick. Quarterback Matt Ryan was erratic, completing just 13 of 26 passes for 103 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White ran some nice routes and scored a touchdown, but his most memorable play was a tough drop. He ran a beautiful out-and-up route and cruised right past Miami cornerback Sean Smith.

He was wide open and got his hands on an overthrown pass from Ryan that he could have caught for a touchdown.

Running back Michael Turner had 16 rushes for 47 yards and a fumble.

The first-team offense's drive chart wasn't pretty: punt, touchdown, punt, punt, fumble, field goal, interception and punt.

"There were some things we did pretty well, but for the most part I think we had seven possessions in the first half, and we came away with just 10 points," Ryan said. "That's a little bit frustrating. We were close. It's something that we need to iron out in practice."

The first-team defense, playing without cornerback Dunta Robinson, put the hammer down on the Dolphins on third down. In the first half, the Dolphins converted on 1 of 7 third downs and were held to a field goal.

"I thought we did a nice job attacking the ball," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Linebackers Mike Peterson and Curtis Lofton had a stop on a fourth-and-1, and Erik Coleman intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop a scoring threat right before halftime.

After going three-and-out on their opening drive, the Falcons came back with a strong effort on their second possession. It was their most promising drive -- and only touchdown drive -- of the preseason.

Ryan converted on three consecutive third-down situations to keep the drive moving. One good sign was the third-and-11 conversion from Miami's 30. Ryan found wide receiver Harry Douglas, who was working out of the slot, for a 12-yard gain.

On the next play Ryan tossed a strike to White for an 18-yard touchdown.

The first-team offense had moved the ball in the two previous games, but had to settle for field-goal attempts of four of five possessions.

Now, in 13 possessions they have one touchdown and five field-goal attempts.

"We need to play better," tight end Tony Gonzalez said. "There is no doubt about it."

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/rugged-defense-helps-falcons-601526.html

At least the offense knows its not firing on all cylinders.

[xxstealth]

I dont know about any other Falcons fan, but it kills me to see Tony G say something like this.

If this man don't see a super bowl I'll be really upset, because he is on the team to do it.

Tony is the man!!! Palmer is his predisecor(sp)? How do you spell that?

Palmer is the man!!

[papachaz]

are you saying that Tony is Palmers predecessor? I think you could be right, I like what I've seen of Palmer so far, he had a solid game tonight, no doubt. Training to become Tony's successor is something any up and coming tight end would hope for...

[bossFALCON™]

I dont know about any other Falcons fan, but it kills me to see Tony G say something like this.

If this man don't see a super bowl I'll be really upset, because he is on the team to do it.

Tony is the man!!! Palmer is his predisecor(sp)? How do you spell that?

Palmer is the man!!

i agree with what you're saying to an extent, but at the end of the day tony plays offense too. he's had a couple of drops. don't like it, then help fix it.

[didz]

I am not sure why anyone is against how the offense looked against Miami. 1) It was Miami's defense. 2) It's Preseason. 3) For the first time, I felt as a fan that the Falcons offense felt comfortable throwing the ball. Did you see how the guys up front blocked at times of a pass? Matt Ryan looked like he could take a nap back there with the protection he got. Wasn't the deep ball all we have been crying about? Matt Ryan was looking down field and took his shots. The running game was great, the passing game felt natural and confident. It looked like a whole new different offense to me. The play calling was aggressive. How beautiful was that touch down pass to Roddy White? It looked so fluid and precise, as if they knew it was going to happen like that. The defense was amazing and I do give a game ball to Jamaal Anderson. What a game JA98 had.

One more point, the falcons held on to the ball on offense the ENTIRE 2nd quarter. That is amazing in itself and that is what wins football games.

[txfalconfan]

The defense looked good, with the exception of a few plays.

[The Falcon Jedi]

Vontae Davis is a BEAST! That guy is going to give Darrelle Revis a run for his money as the top CB in the NFL.

[nobkowski]

I'm gonna have to go with Tony G. on this one. The opportunities are there and that is very good, but Ryan isn't looking good.

Also, the zebras sure gave us some breaks in this game. surprise, surprise

[Jesus]

Vontae Davis is a BEAST! That guy is going to give Darrelle Revis a run for his money as the top CB in the NFL.

That is if Revis gets on the field.

[McSpanker]

Take the positives from this game and not the negatives. The plays were all their, we just didn't make them. You can work on that easily. It's alot harder to work on bad plays that are never their, than plays that are their we just didn't exucute

[mcsupersport]

On Roddy's missed pass in the article, it looked to me that Roddy came out of his last break and was not running hard, then saw the ball coming and kicked into high gear but couldn't get to it.

On the 4 and 1 play, the FB was hit in the backfield and slowed down by the BEERMAN!!

All in all, I liked what I saw from the Falcons, but there are a few kinks in the timing they need to work out, OH, and cut Chevis Jackson aka then new CrispJR.

[Point_Blank]

The defense looked good, with the exception of a few plays.

Which happens to every defense. We'll be fine.

[Knight of God]

I dont know about any other Falcons fan, but it kills me to see Tony G say something like this.

If this man don't see a super bowl I'll be really upset, because he is on the team to do it.

Tony is the man!!! Palmer is his predisecor(sp)? How do you spell that?

Palmer is the man!!

What is he expected to say. He came to win a superbowl...not build from season to season. He's actually handling himself with a lot of class, because you see...I would just be downright ____ed off!!!