ATLANTA - Matt Ryan Played two decent series. Matt Cassel Played four average ones. Both quarterbacks lacked solid in the preseason Protection Opener, vain Ryan's Falcons got better play from rookie Their Reserves in Atlanta's 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night.
Dexter McCluster, a second-round pick, made a few moves Dazzling as a tailback and a slot receiver for Kansas City. But Dimitri Nance and Shann Schillinger helped put the Falcons ahead Thurs stay early in the third to quarter.
Nance, an undrafted rookie free agent from Arizona State, ran for a 3-yard touchdown that make it 10-3. Schillinger, a sixth-round corner back, set up the score by picking off Brodie Croyle's throw and returning it 29 yards.
Kansas City safety Eric Berry, the No.. 5 days to do pick, was credited with one Tackle.
The Chiefs had a winless preseason in 2009, then no victories in the first five weeks of the regular season. They finished 4-12 under first-year coach Todd Haley.
Atlanta is coming off a 9-7 season That ended a 44-year franchise history of never Achieving Consecutive winning records.
The first half was a DUD despite McCluster's speedy bursts and a few timely Defensive plays by the Falcons.
Five of the first eight drives ended with field-goal attempts. Matt Bryant's 30-yarder is Atlanta's first possession made it 3-0, but their the next four tries all missed from 50 yards or more.
Falcons running back Michael Turner, a 2008 Pro Bowl selection Trying Thurs come back from an ankle injury last year, gained 29 yards a four Carries.
Ryan, whose final month of '09 was Affected by a turf toe injury, Connected is a pair of on the third-and-long completions Thurs tight end Tony Gonzalez, for 16 and 12 yards. Wise, they went 1 of 4 for 6 yards.
Cassel, Ken Completed 6 of 8 passes for 25 yards, suffered from worse Protection.
After a three-and-out, Cassel's second drive ended with Kroy Bierman's sack and John Abraham's Fumble recovery.
Nine plays at his enthusiasm on the third drive, Cassel was sacked by middle linebacker Curtis Lofton for a 6-yard loss.
Lofton, the heart of Atlanta's Defense, limped off the field before halftime, but their Falcons Officials Said they only had a leg cramp.
McCluster, a second-round pick from Mississippi, ran five times for 25 yards and caught-three passes for 22 They Needed only limited space Thurs run past the first level of Atlanta's Defense and into the open field.
Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop Twice tried field goals from 53, hitting the left upright and missing wide right. His 20-yarder with 2 seconds left before halftime made it 3-3.
Haley Thomas Jones started ahead of Jamaal Charles at running back. Jones Played one series, gaining two yards, before Charles Played the rest of the first quarter and into the second, running five times for 33 yards.
Croyle was 8 of 16 for 65 yards. Third-string QB Tyler Palko Chiefs Completed 7 of 10 passes for 62 yards, but their Falcons corner back Chevis Jackson picked him off and ran the ball back 26 yards set up Thurs Steve Hauschka's 37-yard field goal and a 20-3 lead.
Palko ran for a 1-yard TD in the final minute.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment