Worst case scenario, he continues to get blown up against the run on early downs and becomes a one trick pony speed rusher with limited value.
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The Falcons through the first quarters of two preseason games have outscored their opponents 31-0, a margin that included a 17-0 lead last week against the Tennessee Titans.
The Jets changed coverages after the Falcons used pre-snap motion. The starting offense had 23 designed passes called against seven runs.
Although Gailey dialed up plenty of four- and five-receiver sets out of the shotgun, don’t expect an aerial show.
Alex Smith threw for 81 yards and a touchdown behind a hodgepodge bunch of blockers – and also tossed an interception that was returned for a touchdown – as Kansas City beat Seattle 14-13 in their preseason game Friday night. Fullback Tommy Bohanon and left guard James Carpenter were among those who provided solid blocks on the play.
“We’ve got to clean that up”.
The off-season is long and preseason always comes with it’s ups and downs, but tonight is an opportunity for Todd Bowles’ team to right the ship at home and make the necessary improvements on both sides of the ball. Yes, he’s flashed something against mostly second and third stringers, but I don’t think he’s quite ready to dethrone Pace as a starter. I have to get back in there in the film room and go to work. But he was poised.
On defense, your job is typically this: go after the guy with the football and tackle him. Asked which appeared to be the most serious, he said: “I couldn’t tell you yet”. Nonetheless, we saw the Falcons’ starters take care of business against a Jets team that boasts a truly strong defense, which is about as encouraging a sign as you’ll get in preseason. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, and made multiple throws that had to give Jets fans some hope for the future. To what level? We still don’t know.
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With Freeman, Coleman and Smith nonetheless battling accidents, Terron Ward might get some prolonged enjoying time on Friday night time. I felt a lot more comfortable out there. He still hasn’t been able to use the top-2 running backs who are out due to injury, but the passing game concepts are excellent. Geno Smith attempted the same but was obliterated by its force upon impact and now there’s nothing to stop it from rolling over Petty, as well. He is likely to be a Hall of Famer in a few years and is one of the better defensive linemen in the history of the NFL. Everyone is now getting used to Fitzpatrick, who had some nice moments with Marshall in the game.
