Michael Turner, Falcons running back, can catch the football indeed.
That was one glimmering highlight that could be gleaned from the 20-10 victory of the Falcons over the Chiefs on Friday night in the exhibition opener in the Georgia Dome.
Although it was jut one catch, it did show an area where Atlanta is planning to diversify their offense. The crowd of 65,726 lightly applauded the play.
Atlanta opened the game with involving Turner in the offense’s first four plays. Turner carried the ball twice, had one catch, and then ran the ball again. The most impressive of the plays was his first carry. Turner made a gain of 7 yards after moving the pile.
Atlanta is looking to establish Turner as a threat receiving from the backfield. He has just 22 receptions in his career. On his reception, Turner gained six yards and was the check down man.
Turner said, we want to get out there early on and set the tone. We had a few big runs I think. Our offensive line I think had a really push in the beginning.
Turner wasn’t happy about the starting offense having to settle for just two field goal tries before going to the sideline to watch the rest of the game.
After the Falcons first drive stalled, a field goal of 30 yards a made by Matt Bryant, giving Atlanta a 3-0 lead. After that, from an artistic perspective, things went downhill.
It was a typical exhibition game. There were plenty of penalties, missed field goals and dropped passes.
Steve Hauschka and Matt Bryant, who are battling for the starting field goal kicker job, each missed on long field goals. During the first half the Chiefs missed two field goal attempts as well.
A 53 yard field goal attempt from Hauschka was low, slamming into the crossbar. A 50 yard attempt from Bryant was long enough but went wide to the right.
During Atlanta’s second possession Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense used the non-huddle attack. A promising drive was ended when Roddy White, Pro Bowl receiver, dropped a pass. Then Sam Baker, left tackle, jumped offside.
Brian Finneran started for Michael Jenkins, who was injured.
The starting defense played a strong game, however the Falcons retooled secondary was not really tested by Matt Cassel, Chiefs quarterback.
Kroy Biermann, defensive end, got a sack, forcing a fumble which John Abraham recovered.
Early second quarter during a third down play Atlanta sent the all out blitz. Cassel was sacked by linebacker Curtis Lofton.
There was a scary moment for the starting defensivee unit when Lofton andJamaall Anderson, defensive end, when down and needed to receive attention from the medical staff. Anderson was able to walk off the field on his own, while Lofton, who had leg cramps, was helped off by trainers.
On five out of six possessions during the first half the starting defense was able to hold the Chiefs scoreless. Kansas City didn’t score until a field goal of 20 yards was kicked by Ryan Succop with time running out in the second quarter to make it a 3-3 game going into halftime.
During the second half the Falcons reserve players took over.
Shann Schillinger, rookie safety, intercepted a pass from Brodie Croyle. The six round pick out of Montana showed he has some running ability in the open field. Schillinger returned the ball 29 yards down to the 14 yard line of Kansas City’s.
Dmitri Nance scored five plays later on a run of two yards. Nance, the former Arizona State player and rookie undrafted free agent, capped a later 81 yard, 18 play drive off with a touchdown run of one yard to give the Falcons a 17-3 lead.
Chevis Jackson intercepted a pass and then a field goal of 37 yards was added by Hauschka, making the score 20-3.
Atlanta was extra cautious following last year’s injury riddled season. They decided to keep 11 players out of the game, including Dunta Robinson, cornerback, the Falcons major pickup this offseason.
Atlanta should be getting a stiffer test on Thursday when the Patriots visit the Georgia Dome.
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