MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Calvin Ridley started his route breaking to the right and then faced upfield again, slowing his speed for a beat before turning on the afterburners.
Then, just like that, the Falcons receiver was gone. He left his cover man in his wake, easily hauling a deep pass from Matt Ryan early in Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.
Ridley didn't do that to just anyone. Elite cornerback Xavien Howard got beat bad in that instance, which you can watch right here:
It also wasn't a singular event. It was a tone setter.
Ridley was awesome all day long, with several wow moments now expected of the Falcons’ true No. 1 receiver. He routinely beat Howard, including on a touchdown catch later in the practice.
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A solid Miami secondary featuring Howard and Byron Jones made some plays, but Falcons receivers won Wednesday's round 10-8 on the scorecard thanks in largely part to Ridley.
Kyle Pitts also made a nice touchdown grab against safety Eric Rowe, and was active most of the day. Russell Gage showed great timing with Ryan, Hayden Hurst made two nice catches at least and Tajae Sharpe is starting to earn trust by making plays every day.
Two-minute drills
The Falcons and Dolphins wrapped practice with a series of two-minute drills between their top units. The situation was set at a tie game with the offense needing at least a field goal to win it.
Ryan's No. 1 group cruised downfield but sputtered at the end – Pitts nearly hauled in a touchdown pass well defended by Rowe – and ended up with a Younghoe Koo field goal. Jarrett's defense stopped Miami around midfield – Dante Fowler’s third-down pressure was a drive killer -- and they didn't even get in range for a field-goal try.
AJ McCarron's second unit made quick work of their series, with a long touchdown strike to Juwan Green with a near-perfect pass down the left sideline.
"Overall, I thought it was a really good operation," Smith said. "You can't get enough of that work."
Grady Jarrett's "a real dude"
There's no sense in softening the language: The Falcons defensive front had an excellent day. They dominated the Dolphins offensive front. That's just a fact. Grady Jarrett was the defensive line's pacemaker, a driving force in the middle who makes everyone around him better.
We saw several Falcons get into the backfield during team drills, including Fowler a key moment, and Steven Means more than once during different periods. It's always tough to say exactly what would've been a sack when quarterbacks aren't hit or tackled, but we know for sure the Falcons brought pressure frequently by simply beating their man. That's a positive sign for a largely unheralded position group in search of greater pressure working under new coordinator Dean Pees.
That will come from all over, inside and out. While Fowler's an explosive presence, Jarrett's clearly the star here. He's both a productive individual and someone who has been a strong leader for a largely unheralded group.
"Grady's a real dude," Smith said. "And I mean that as the highest possible compliment. He comes out here and works, competes and gets better. He doesn't rest on anything that he has done in the past. He tries to prove it every year."
More practice news and notes
First-team LG Josh Andrews left practice with what was later explained as a cramp, though exchanging a starter in the middle of a series – Jalen Mayfield stepped in with the first team -- actually proved to be valuable to an offensive line that will inevitably be presented with similar situation during the regular season. Generally speaking, the left guard spot remains open. Mayfield and Drew Dalman are still vying for a starting position that Andrews simply hasn't secured. …Chris Williamson had a nice pass breakup early in this practice, showing athleticism and aggressiveness getting to the ball. … DL Marlon Davidson and CB Kendall Sheffield remain sidelined with undisclosed injuries, but both players made the trip to South Florida with the team. … EDGE Adetokunbo Ogundeji continues getting work with the first unit, even in 11-on-11 drills on Wednesday afternoon. … There were no fights or extra-curricular issues, "we didn't see a lot B.S. out here," as Smith put it, to distract from on-field work, as there often is during joint practices. … Dolphins receivers healthy enough to practice – several are hurt – had some strong moments against the Falcons secondary. Fabian Moreau got beat deep early in the practice, prompted a roar from the large crowd on hand. Jaylen Waddle, in particular, had a strong day, even in matchups with AJ Terrell.
The Atlanta Falcons are in Miami participating in joint practices with the Dolphins leading up to the second preseason game on Saturday.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 runs during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Clouds reflect in a helmet during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons tight end Ryan Becker #80 makes a catch during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews #70 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons running back Javian Hawkins #25 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Rowland #12 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons tight end Parker Hesse #46 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Antonio Nunn #86 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #14 makes a catch during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Trevor Davis #83 reaches for the ball during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 runs during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner #91 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham #95 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner #91 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 takes a snap during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Trevor Davis #83 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Erik Harris #23 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Caleb Huntley #42 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Running backs coach Desmond Kitchings brings in the huddle during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 makes a catch during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 smiles during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 smiles during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks #15 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 stretches during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 runs during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 runs during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 listens to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 warms up xduring joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Brandon Copeland #51 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. #56 warms up during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons stretch during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Javian Hawkins #25 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Rowland #12 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #14 looks during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back D'Onta Foreman #38 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 looks on during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #14 in action during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 walks during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Rowland #12 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Trevor Davis #83 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 flips his hair during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #4 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 works during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday August 18, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
