Your headquarters for another exciting NFL season in FalconsLocker.com, where you can get up-to-date information about the team that is going to sweep its way back to the NFC playoffs - the Atlanta Falcons. Stay with us as we follow Falcon stars like Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, as well as out new addition, Tony Gonzalez. This is the place to be!
25-year old WR Eric Weems seems to have found his niche in the NFL. He will likely be the primary punt and kickoff return man for the Falcons in 2010. He has returned 5 punts for 69 yards (13.8 avg) and 5 kickoffs for 138 yards (27.6 avg) so far this pre-season. The Falcons would be ecstatic if he could have those kind of averages during the regular season. Only time will tell if he can or not.
The offense didn’t look too good for the Falcons last night but it was the D that won this game. Linebacker Curtis Lofton led the way for the Falcons last night with 11 tackles including 2 tackles for a loss. CB Chevis Jackson pitched in with six tackles last night. The Dolphins finished up with only 46 yards rushing (2.6 ypc) and 195 yards passing in this game. The defense did a good job of holding the Dolphins down and getting off the field as the Fins only had the ball for 26:52 last night.
Matt Ryan was so-so last night as he completed 13 of 26 passes for 103 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT. Chris Redman was a little bit better as he finished up the game by completing 5 of 8 passes for 56 yards with 1 TD pass. Michael Turner led the way on the ground for the Falcons in this game with 47 yards rushing on 16 carries (2.9 ypc). Jerious Norwood (5 car, 22 yards) and Jason Snelling (5 car, 22 yards) also helped out on the ground. Roddy White led the way in the passing game with 6 grabs for 47 yards (7.8 avg) with a TD. Harry Douglas (4 rec, 41 yards) and Brian Finneran (1 rec, 5 yards, TD) also helped out the cause for the Falcons in the air. The Falcons finished up with 102 yards rushing (2.8 ypc) and 159 yards passing in this game. The Falcons improve to 2-1 on the pre-season.
The Falcons already know what they have with Matt Ryan and Chris Redman so it makes sense that they would give John Parker Wilson a lot of reps in the pre-season. Wilson has played in both of the pre-season games so far for the Falcons and he has completed 22 of 41 passes (53.7%) for 178 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT (62.9 QB Rating). He has also carried the ball 3 times for 1 yard (0.3 ypc) so far this pre-season. The Falcons need to keep Ryan & Redman healthy for the regular season so look for Wilson to continue to get a lot of reps the last couple of pre-season games.
The Falcons got pushed around by the Patriots on Thursday Night. Matt Ryan was so-so in completing 8 of 13 passes for 76 yards. John Parker Wilson finished up the game by completing 14 of 25 passes for 98 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT. Antone Smith led the way on the ground for the Falcons in this game with 8 carries for 44 yards (5.5 ypc). He also added 2 grabs for 14 yards (7.0 avg) for the Falcons. Michael Turner (8 car, 32 yards) and Dimitri Nance (8 car, 21 yards, LF) helped out a bit in the ground game. TE Justin Peelle (3 rec, 30 yards) and WR Troy Bergeron (2 rec, 28 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game for the Falcons. The Falcons finished up with 98 yards rushing (3.9 ypc) and 168 yards passing in this game.
The defense didn’t look too sharp. Safety Erik Coleman led the way for the Falcons in this game with 5 tackles and 1 pass defensed. DEs Lawrence Sidbury (4 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit and 1 sack) and Kroy Biermann (3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 QB hit) also made a impact on D for the Falcons. The Patriots finished up with 120 yards rushing (4.0 ypc) and 179 yards passing in this game.
The Falcons looked like they were sleepwalking last night but they were still good enough to beat the Chiefs. Matt Ryan was so-so in a brief appearance completing 3 of 6 passes for 34 yards. Chris Redman wasn’t much better completing 4 of 7 passes for 30 yards. John Parker Wilson finished up the game by completing 8 of 16 passes for 80 yards. RB Antone Smith led the way on the ground for the Falcons last night with 36 yards rushing on 12 carries (3.0 ypc). Michael Turner looked sharp rushing for 29 yards on 4 carries (7.3 ypc) last night. Jason Snelling wasn’t too sharp last night rushing for 24 yards on 11 carries (2.2 ypc). Dmitri Nance only rushed for 6 yards on 7 carries last night (0.9 ypc) but he rushed for 2 TDs. Nance also caught 2 passes for 26 yards (13.0 avg). The Falcons finished up with 100 yards rushing (2.7 ypc) and 144 passing yards last night.
The defense was good against the pass and not too good against the run last night. Linebacker Spencer Adkins led the way for the Falcons’ D last night with 6 tackles and 1 QB hit. LB Curtis Lofton was very busy last night too with 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 QB hit. CB Chevis Jackson had a good game last night with 3 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception. The Chiefs finished up with 130 yards rushing (4.6 ypc) and 143 yards passing.
