DETROIT-- Game Notes from the Falcons-Lions preseason game at Ford Field on August 15, 2009.
- Quarterback Matt Ryan completed his first pass of the preseason and his first reception to tight end Tony Gonzalez at the 13:38 mark in the first quarter. The reception led to a first down.
- Ryan finished the contest having completed five of seven passes for 33 yards and a long completion of 11 yards. Ryan also completed passes to five different receivers. "I thought we did a good job. There were a couple of mistakes, but that's to be expected in your first game. I thought it was good to shake off some of the rust. We got into a rhythm during the second drive and we made some plays. Mike (Turner) made a great run. The offensive line opened up a big hole and we were able to get a touchdown there."
- Running back Michael Turner posted the first touchdown of the game on a 40-yard run to give the Falcons a 7-3 advantage. Turner totaled six rushes for 63 yards and that score. The 40-yard gain was the longest preseason rush for Turner since a 63-yard scamper against Indianapolis last year (August 16, 2008) at the Georgia Dome. "It was a great call by our coaching staff. The linebackers collapsed the middle and Ovie (Mughelli) did a great job of setting them off. Justin Peelle made a great block and I just had to make a move on their safety."
- Falcons linebacker Tony Gilbert intercepted Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and returned the pick 42 yards for a touchdown. The score gave Atlanta a 16-3 advantage. Gilbert has never intercepted a pass in the regular season.
- Defensive tackle Thomas Johnson started the contest in place of Peria Jerry and logged his first sack in a Falcons uniform. The sack, which came on third down with the Lions lined-up on the two-yard line, forced a Detroit field goal. "It was the design of the goal line package that we have. It was a great call. I got off the ball, put my hands on (Daunte) Culpepper and made the sack."
- After holding the Lions to a field goal on their first offensive possession, Atlanta's defense kept the Detroit off the scoreboard for the following four drives.
- Wide receiver Eric Weems started the game as the Falcons punt returner. After fair-catching the first kick, Weems took his second return 34 yards into Lions territory. The return set up an Atlanta field goal.
Running back Jason Snelling logged his first touchdown of the preseason on a one-yard run in the third quarter to give Atlanta a 23-10 advantage. With D.J. Shockley at quarterback, the Falcons drove 67 yards in four plays for the score. - True to form last season, wide receiver Roddy White led the team in receiving at halftime with three receptions for 29 yards. White also caught a 12-yard pass on a third down play in the second quarter continuing the Falcons drive. Last season, White led the NFL in thirzdown receptions as well as first down receptions on third down plays (27).
- Atlanta kicker Jason Elam notched his first points of the preseason on a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving the Falcons a 10-3 lead. Elam added a 41-yard field goal with 2:55 remaining in the game, which extended the Falcons lead to 26-17.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-LIONS GAME:
- GAMECENTER:Stats, recap and more from NFL.com
- FIRST TAKE:Head Coach Mike Smith | Gilbert | Johnson | Ryan | Turner
- NFL NETWORK:Ryan Highlight | Gilbert Highlight | Turner Highlight
- HIGHLIGHT:Game highlights from NFL Network
- PHOTOS:Images from the first preseason game | Flickr
- BLOGS:J. Michael Moore's blogs from the Falcons-Lions game
- BOARDS:Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE
- GAME NOTES:Stats and other nuggets of info from the Ford Field press box
- QUOTES:Comments from the Falcons in regards to the game
