Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

Slo, you may not be a diehard Saints fan (Yet), but your comments prove you are well on your way!

I thought that the Clowns were doing their best to change their offensive strategy. More passing, less reliance on running, they even tried screen passes which were unheard of last year. Their Sproles clone did look good, Turner looked fat & slow, Julio looked very good, Shatty looked average. Just my thoughts.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

I watched the game from start to finish. Boring! The defense looked average and the offense looked just a little bit better. Julio Jones is going to be good..........not great, just good. I don't anticipate as much from them this year as last year. Matty Lice seemed to have improved his accuracy and timing.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

It just how it looks to me, sometimes team open up the playbook to full view for whichever side (offense or defense) struggled last year.

For us, Spags is showing us alot of the defensive playbook this preseason in order to prepare for the regular season.

When we talk Falcons, last 2 teams that need to open the playbook is Cinci and Baltimore, their defensive schemes were vanilla.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

They looked average considering it is only pre-season.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

Well from what I could tell Matt Ryan slung the rock 68 times, and completed 61 of those for 320 yards.

Noodle Dick Ryan, I mean arm, strikes again

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

That said, Julio down at the play yard looks good. He is a playmaker and RW is good. They are going to be a tough two games again, and they're going to push for the divvy, but I don't think their D is all that great.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

I'm very wooried about Ryans improved arm strength. It looks much stronger this season. I saw one lazer that I know for a fact travelled at least 13 yards in the air.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

I think Matt Ryan looked like Matt Ryan. Look, besides the criticism and fun we have, he's a solid QB. He's not a top 5 QB, but in a balanced attack he's strong. His accuracy last night was his usual. I still saw him slice things up on timing patterns and quick throws.

His biggest liability last night and probably for this upcoming season is protection. I don't think their o-line was built for all the passing they're trying to do. I also saw some serious pressure coming from their right-guard position (don't know who that is). O-line looked weak especially in passing situations.

Their running game did not look like the Atlanta power attack we've seen. They used to have a chemistry that depended on balance running attack and ball control.

Julio Jones is definitely a gamer, but I also feel they are still trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I don't think they're going to be able to handle a pitch and catch circus offense like the Patriots or Saints. They need to rebuild their o-line, even then I don't feel like that's the kind of offense Ryan works best with in the NFL.

Their defense has major disabilities with losing both middle linebackers. Saw some people open, saw their defensive backfield get burnt on a couple of occasions.

It's still preseason, but it may take them another season or two to build the type of offense they want.

Pluses: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones
Minuses: Offensive Line, sketchy defense that looked weak at times.

Brees trumps Mattie Flice
Graham trumps Gonzales
Carmichael trumps their entire coaching staff
Lofting trumps who ever they put in his spot.
Sproles trumps all their RBs.

Julio didn't bother us last year and he will not bother us this year.

I still do not think they will be as good this year as last year.

Re: So how did the Falcons look?
 

I don't care at all how they look. I don't ever want to waste my time on them. Other than we can kick the .... out of them