The Morning After: Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins Analysis

The third preseason contest is usually considered the ultimate barometer of preparation for NFL teams as they prepare for the regular season.  What makes this particular preseason game important is that the first-string starters usually play into the third quarter.  This gives coaches the chance to see what is working on offense, defense, and special teams, while giving them an opportunitiy to make any necessary adjustments before the season starts.

During last night's preseason game for the Atlanta Falcons there were plenty of nice moments as well as some kinks that need to be worked out before their September 12th game at Pittsburgh.  Let's take a look at some of the questions

10) Matt Ryan Was Very Erratic

QB Matt Ryan set two important goals for himself in the offseason:  Bulk up and improve on his accuracy.  Ryan did not come through on the second part, going 13 for 26 on pass attempts with one touchdown and one interception.

The important thing to remember about this is that this is the third straight game in which he has faced a 3-4 defense, which he will see against the Steelers in Week One.  It's important for him to get into a rhythm against different defensive sets if Atlanta's offense is going to find the end zone more often in 2010.

That being said, Ryan showed that when the pressure is at its peak is when he delivers, converting on three consecutive third down plays en route to the first unit's lone TD of the evening. 

Perhaps his stats would've looked more impressive if it wasn't for this guy.....

9) Roddy White's Rollercoaster Ride

Roddy White has established himself as one of the league's up and coming receivers.  However, longtime Falcons fans know that there is always that one moment in which Hot Rod will drop the big one.  Remember the 2008 playoff game at Arizona?  Case Closed.

White did catch a nice 18-yard TD strike from Ryan, and led the team in receiving, but it was the one drop that had me scratching my head.  He was wide open when he missed a pass that some say was overthrown, but I believe that he could've caught it. 

I wouldn't harp on it too much if it was a lesser player, but if White wants to have his name mentioned among WR stars like Reggie Wayne and Larry Fitzgerald, he needs to make those catches that no one else can make.

8) The Burner: Stopped in his tracks

Turner has been running hard all preseason long to prove that he is back after missing most of last year with an ankle injury.  Although he has played well in the first two preseason games, last night was a chance to show what he could do on a regular basis against a strong defensive unit.

Let's just say he may need more work.  Turner rushed 16 times for only 47 yards and one fumble. Again, give credit to the Miami defense for its play, but Turner and the rest of his running mates will need to make things easier for Ryan by pounding the ball and forcing defenders to play more men in the box. Less than 3 yards a carry isn't going to do it.

7) Harry Douglas Returns to Form

Although the Big Three may have had their struggles last night, there was one nice welcome for the injury-plagued receiving corps.  Harry Douglas, who missed all of 2009 due to a knee injury, saw significant action for the first time last night and played well, making 4 catches for 41 yards.  The biggest play was his third-down catch for 12 yards which set up a score later in the drive.

To see him come back and play well against a solid secondary is great for the Falcons.  He can play the slot or the third down WR when Michael Jenkins returns from surgery.  However, don't be surprised if HD continues to play well and forces Coach Mike Smith to make a decision on who starts opposite Roddy White.

6) Falcons Offense: Work In Progress

TG is probably pointing to his teammates where the end zone is located, since the Falcons haven't been able to find that part of the field much in preseason.

Thirteen posessions by the first-team offense has produced only one TD and five FG attempts in three games.  Whether it's due to showing only vanilla offensive plays or the kind of defenses they have faced so far (all 3-4 packages) there is still more work to be done before the season starts. 

Since next week's preseason finale will feature more second string players I don't expect much of a change in their scheme, but I hope that they have something ready for Pittsburgh and the rest of the NFL come this Fall, because it sure hasn't looked like it to this point.

5) Great Defensive Effort

For the first time since Week 2 of the 2009 season the Atlanta Falcons had all of their defensive line starters playing together, and did the defense ever step up!

They held the Miami Dolphins offense to 241 total yards.  Even better is that they Miami only converted 2 of 12 on third down conversions.  Buoyed by the return of DT Peria Jerry the Falcons front four held Miami's vaunted rushing duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to only 14 yards on 12 carries!

A lot of individual players deserved the spotlight after last night's performance, so let's take a look at those who stepped up:

4) Curtis Lofton Owns the Field

Third-year LB Curtis Lofton once again leads the team in tackes (11) and stuffs the defense on a big play.  Stop me if you've heard this before. 

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Lofton.  He reminds me so much of the way former Falcons LB Jessie Tuggle used to play.  Already he has so much command of Coach Smith's defense that I still predict he will be a Pro Bowl starter by the end of this year.

The biggest play was when he and fellow LB Mike Peterson stopped Dolphins FB Lousaka Polite on a 4th and 1, which led to another Falcons turnover.  He was a major factor against the run, and opposing offenses must know where he is at all times on the field.

3) Sean Weatherspoon Brings It!

I tried and tried, but could not find a picture of 'Spoon dragging down Ricky Williams during a tackle last night.  However, that wouldn't begin to describe the impact that he has had in his first taste of NFL action.  He registered four tackles and almost had a sack of QB Chad Henne. 

'Spoon has the type of intensity that will be a great asset to Lofton and most importantly the Falcons defense.  If he can continue to present a solid effort game in and game out, Atlanta will have a defensive presence that must be dealt with. 

2) Solid Secondary Effort

Even without free agent CB Dunta Robinson the Falcons' secondary played well last night against the Dolphins and elite WR Brandon Marshall.  Yes, I know that Chad Henne isn't Tom Brady, but he is a solid quarterback and I believe that last night was a test for the secondary as well.

Safety Thomas DeCoud broke up what would've been a potential TD pass on TE Anthony Fasano, and fellow Safety Erik Coleman intercepted a pass at the end of the half.  When Robinson returns from injury he will beef up what is becoming a solid secondary unit.

1) Kroy Biermann records a sack.....

....and in other surprising news the sun rose in the East!

Biermann has made a name for himself since last season, and that was before he started dating a Housewife! KB has registered three sacks, one in each preseason game, and was one of the reasons Atlanta has played well as a first-string defense so far.

It is important to note that the play of the defensive line will go a long way to helping out the secondary and keep the games close enough for Matt Ryan and the offense to win games going into this year.  Thanks to players like Biermann patroling the lines, we may see Atlanta win those kinds of contests that will put them back into the playoffs!