The Atlanta Falcons had a solid all-around game last night.  Joey Harrington looked pretty sharp as he completed 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards with 2 TD passes.  Chris Redman finished up the game completing 8 of 9 passes for 76 yards.  Warrick Dunn returned from back surgery just a few weeks ago to carry the ball 6 times for 8 yards (1.3 ypc).  Jerious Norwood was busy with 9 carries for 25 yards (2.8 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 17 yards and a TD.  Rookie Jason Snelling also ran the ball pretty well with 8 carries for 26 yards (3.3 ypc).  2nd year WR Adam Jennings had a great game with 5 grabs for 67 yards and a TD.  Michael Jenkins (4 rec, 45 yards) and Roddy White (4 rec, 43 yards) both looked better than they have in the past last night.  The Falcons carried the ball 32 times for only 74 yards (2.3 ypc) and they completed 22 of 32 passes for 223 yards.

The defense had some problems as the Bengals rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries (5.1 ypc) and they completed 20 of 33 passes for 213 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270827001

 

It might not have been the most exciting victory but the Falcons will take it.  While the game might have been a tad boring the Falcons were not without bright spots.  The defense played very well and rookie Jason Snelling and Laurent Robinson both looked good on offense.  The quarterbacking last night was not good but what can you really expect from this motley crew?  Joey Harrington started off the game and he completed 4 of 7 passes for 31 yards and he threw a pickoff.  D.J. Shockley played the best of the QBs completing 4 of 5 passes for 46 yards and carrying the football 3 times for 18 yards but he left the game after he was injured.  Chris Redman is still trying to work the rust off of his game as he completed 11 of 21 passes for 90 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 18 yards (6.0 ypc).  Rookie running back Jason Snelling continues to impress.  He carried the football 12 times for 50 yards (4.2 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 13 yards.  Reserve running back Arlen Harris got some work in as he carried the ball 12 times for 33 yards (2.8 ypc).  Rookie WR Laurent Robinson caught 4 passes for 54 yards (13.5 avg).  The Falcons wound up carrying the ball 33 times for 118 yards (3.6 ypc) and they completed 19 of 33 passes for 166 yards.

The Falcons defense held the Bills to 69 yards rushing on 22 carries (3.1 ypc) and the Bills completed 18 of 29 passes for 158 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270817002

The Falcons didn’t look too good in their pre-season debut last night but the game doesn’t count so I wouldn’t read too much into the performance.  Still, they did have a few bright spots last night as rookies Jason Snelling and Laurent Robinson had good debuts.  The spotlight was still on the QBs last night as the Falcons will likely be without Michael Vick for the entire 2007 season.  Joey Harrington was efficient as he hit 6 of 9 passes for 88 yards.  Chris Redman also showed little rust as he completed 8 of 13 passes for 61 yards.  D.J. Shockley looked kind of like a deer-in-headlights as he only completed 5 of 12 passes for 77 with a pickoff.  Jason Snelling was running the ball hard last night as he carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards (4.8 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 12 yards (4.0 avg).  Jerious Norwood was also busy with 8 carries for 29 yards (3.6 ypc) and a TD.  He also caught 2 passes for 10 yards.  Rookie WR Laurent Robinson led the Falcons with 5 grabs for 49 yards (9.8 avg) making a good first impression.  Roddy White also had a solid game with 3 grabs for 38 yards (12.7 avg).  The Falcons carried the football 23 times for 86 yards (3.7 ypc) and they completed 19 of 34 passes for 226 yards. 

The defense just couldn’t get off of the field because of their poor play.  The Jets ran the football 40 times for 146 yards (3.7 ypc) and they completed 16 of 23 passes for 173 yards.  The Jets held possession of the football for 34:19 which makes it hard to win a football game.  Lucky for the Falcons that is was just a practice game.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270810020