Falcons vs. Lions

[DrReality]

We get the first look at our Falcons today against the Lions and Stafford. I'm ready for football.

[ATLNY7]

I hope the Falcons win.

[Gray Mule]

Detroit won - - on a last second field goal.

Some things for the Falcons looked great.

Some things looked terrible.

Hopefully, everyone who suited up got to play and will play again in the next exebition.

This is what pre-season is all about. Giving everyone a shot at making the team.

Then come all those cuts.

The most horrible thing to come out of this first game? Falcons inability to stop the quarterback

from running away.

Imagine what could happen if this isn't fixed when the Philadelphia Beagles come!

[DrReality]

There is indeed a lot to learn. Hope they learn it. But it is to be expected with so many young guys. That is where coaching comes in. And I feel better about the coaches we have than we have had in a long while.

[DrReality]

Falcons: 10 things we learned from the Lions game

10:55 am August 17, 2009, by D. Orlando Ledbetter

Falcons QB Matt Ryan had a good showing against Detroit. (Robin Buckson/ The Detroit News).

THE BRANCH – Here are 10 things we learned during the Falcons’ shocking 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions.

1. The Falcons front-seven — with two new linebackers and a new nose tackle — has to improve against the run. Perhaps they are just working out the kinks and getting used to each other.

2. What was most impressive about rookie cornerback Chris Owens was how physical he was when he came up in run support.

3. Quarterback Matt Ryan and tight end Tony Gonzalez are going to be a force on third down.

4. Running back Michael “The Burner” Turner’s legs looked pretty fresh on that 40-yard touchdown run.

5. Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, a free agent signee, might be a keeper. His sack on third down to force the Lions to attempt a field goal on their opening drive was a big-time play.

6. Right guard Harvey Dahl is still a beast. He worked out poor rookie Sammie Lee Hill in those first two series. Hill is trying to make the jump from SIAC school Stillman. (Morehouse and Clark Atlanta’s conference.)

7. Punter Michael “The Franchise” Koenen is not in mid-season form. His first punt went 24 yards.

8. Linebacker Tony Gilbert, who was inactive all 16 games last season, still knows what to do with an interception.

9. Thomas Brown was a little rusty on kickoff returns. He seemed to be running into tacklers.

10. Defensive end Jamaal Anderson needs to stay on his feet to stop getting so easily taken out of plays.