The Atlanta Falcons are back in the Georgia Dome Friday night to kick off the 2014 preseason against the Miami Dolphins.
QB Matt Ryan warms up before the game.
WR Julio Jones participates in warm-ups prior to the preseason game.
QB Matt Ryan warms up before the game begins.
WR Devin Hester, WR Roddy White, and WR Harry Douglas after running out onto the field prior to the game.
Cheerleaders dance to a routine before the preseason game begins.
Head Coach Mike Smith
Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank
QB Matt Ryan prepares to run out of the tunnel.
DE Jonathan Massaquoi runs out of the tunnel onto the field.
Head Coach Mike Smith
C Joe Hawley warms up before the game
LB Prince Shembo and LB Yawin Smallwood warming up during pregame.
LB Brenden Daley and LB Paul Worrilow warming up before the preseason game.
RB Steven Jackson gives a pep talk to his teammates before the game begins.
AFC Natalie S.
AFC Alice F.
CB Jordan Mabin runs out of the tunnel during pregame.
TE Levine Toilolo runs out of the tunnel during player introductions.
WR Roddy White runs out onto the field as he is introduced.
CB Josh Wilson
Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank
FB Patrick DiMarco
RB Josh Vaughan
FB Patrick DiMarco
RB Steven Jackson
AFC Cecilia B.
TE Levine Toilolo exits the tunnel during pregame introductions.
T Jake Matthews exits the tunnel during pregame introductions.
WR Devin Hester returns the ball.
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass during the first half of play.
T Jake Matthews blocks Dolphins DE Cameron Wake, protecting the quarterback.
RB Antone Smith runs the ball.
C Joe Hawley congratulates RB Antone Smith after a play.
CB Josh Wilson runs the ball.
LB Tim Dobbins covers a play during the first half of the preseason game.
LB Tyler Starr and LB Prince Shembo fight through the line attempting to reach Dolphins RB Damien Williams.
WR Roddy White fights for yards after a reception.
CB Robert Alford and S William Moore combine for a tackle on Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews.
DT Jonathan Babineaux and LB Joplo Bartu in coverage.
WR Roddy White is tackled after a reception.
T Jake Matthews
RB Antone Smith runs the ball and dodges a tackle by Dolphins CB Walt Aikens.
CB Jordan Mabin covers a Dolphins receiver during the first half of play.
WR Devin Hester returns the ball dodging Dolphins RB Mike Gillislee.
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff is interviewed by a reporter during pregame warmups.
DE Ra'Shede Hageman
QB Matt Ryan takes a snap from C Joe Hawley.
Offensive line coach Mike Tice works with players during the game.
T Jake Matthews
Offensive line coach Mike Tice works with T Jake Matthews during the game.
WR Roddy White is interviewed by a reporter during the game.
Defensive line coach Bryan Cox works with players during the game.
DE Stansly Maponga
S Dezmen Southward
S William Moore is interviewed by a reporter during the game.
Offensive line coach Mike Tice works with C Peter Konz during the game.
LB Yawin Smallwood
CB Robert McClain
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
QB Matt Ryan steps up to pass the ball during the first half of play.
RB Antone Smith
RB Jacquizz Rodgers gets a block from C Joe Hawley during the first half of play.
QB Matt Ryan prepares to take a snap from C Joe Hawley.
WR Devin Hester
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter
QB T.J. Yates drops back for a pass.
WR Bernard Reedy runs the ball after a reception.
WR Geraldo Boldewijn runs the ball after making a catch.
TE Mickey Shuler makes a catch and dodges a tackle from a Dolphins player.
CB Jordan Mabin makes a tackle on Dolphins RB Damien Williams.
LB Prince Shembo makes a block on the line.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
RB Josh Vaughan runs the ball during the second half of play.
LB Tyler Starr in coverage during the second half.
RB Devonta Freeman running the ball.
S Sean Baker makes a tackle on Dolphins RB Damien Williams.
WR Roddy White
G Harland Gunn
RB Devonta Freeman
WR Julio Jones
1. Ryan Efficient in Opener: The Falcons' offense looked sharp in a 15-play opening drive that saw the entire first-team sans Julio Jones getting snaps. It took 77 yards but the Falcons got into the end zone on a 2-yard run by Jacquizz Rodgers, but it was Matt Ryan's prowess that got them there. Ryan was 7-for-7 on the drive for 53 yards and found Roddy White for three third-down conversion passes to keep the drive going. The scoring drive lasted 9 minutes, 16 seconds. Ryan was pulled in favor of TJ Yates after the drive.
2. Antone Smith Racks Up Yards — Sort Of: If the NFL was a penalty-free league, Antone Smith's yardage Friday night would have been off the charts. Alas, that's not the world we live in and Smith was plenty of his efforts being called back due to penalties — 100 yards, in fact. Smith caught a pass from Ryan on the opening drive for 36 yards but was called back due to illegal formation. On the next drive, he took off for a 76 yards touchdown run that caused fans to ooh and ahh, but the only sound by the end was that of the head official announcing a hold on the play. Still, for those Smith fans who want to see more of him this year, his looks during the first-team snaps and his progress regardless of penalties should be encouraging.
3. Defense Struggles Then Responds: The first-team defense had a slow start out of the gate as the Dolphins' offense led by QB Ryan Tannehill stormed down the field for their first touchdown of the preseason. In 12 plays, the Dolphins were able to convert two third downs as the Falcons defense tried to get its footing. On the next Miami drive, the Falcon defense stood tough, forcing a three-and-out with most of the first crew still on the field.
4. Rookie Roundup: It was a first chance to see some exciting rookies on the field Friday and they didn't disappoint. Offensive tackle Jake Matthews looked solid, but had a few rookie hiccups with two penalties in an altogether good first performance, especially against Pro Bowler Cameron Wake. Devonta Freeman stood out in the second half as he got more chances, dancing up the middle on a pretty 14-yard gain and taking an over-the-shoulder pass from Sean Renfree 57 yards to put the Falcons in scoring position. Ra'Shede Hageman had two tackles and LB Prince Shembo added two assists along with the only sack of the night for the Falcons. Undrafted wideout Geraldo Boldewijn was targeted a lot during his time but caught one pass. Fellow undrafted wide receiver Bernard Reedy had two catches for 61 yards.
5. Under-the-Radar Standouts: Cornerback Javier Arenas, mired in the tight competition at nickel, had a strong night, leading the team in tackles with three and getting in on a couple of breakups. Backup quarterbacks TJ Yates and Sean Refree each looked promising after they settled in, and while the Falcons didn't get into the end zone the rest of the night, the two looked stoic in the pocket and made some good decisions. Second-year safety Sean Baker, who spent much of 2013 on the Falcons practice squad, also had a nice night, and while it won't show up in the box score, he was markedly physical on his opportunities.
