The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons still not looking ready
Offense, defense show problems, plus Neal out early with knee injury.
ORLANDO, FLA. — The Falcons’ regular-season dress-rehearsal game left the indelible impression that they are not ready for the games to start counting.
It was clearly evident from the 17-6 loss to the fair-to-middling Miami Dolphins before 45,974 fans that there is much more work needed in all three phases of the game.
The Falcons dropped to 2-1 on the exhibition season, while the Dolphins improved to 2-1. The Falcons will close out the exhibition season when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons are set to open the regular season against Tampa Bay on Sept. 11.
Here are the five things we learned from the Falcons’ loss: They are not ready. The Falcons sputtered about on offense, and the defense was not able to mount any pass rush against Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was 12-of-22 passing for 129 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass and threw a interception when he locked on to tight end Jacob Tamme in the red zone. He finished with a passer rating of 53.
Also, the rushing attack was stuffed. Devonta Freeman had five carries for 8 yards, and Tevin Coleman had three carries for 6 yards. Red-zone woes. The Falcons spent extra time on their red-zone offense in practice leading to the game.
The lone trip into the red zone with Ryan at the controls ended with an interception by Miami safety Reshad Jones, who played at Georgia. Injury scare. Keanu Neal, the team’s firstround draft choice and projected starter at strong safety, suffered a right knee injury late in the first quarter.
His return to the game initially was announced as “questionable” by the team. He was later declared “out” of the game.
Coach Dan Quinn gave an update on the injury to a reporter from NBC at halftime. It’s “not a significant knee injury at this point,” Quinn said.
Rookie Damian Parms took over at safety for Neal, who had amassed five tackles.
Neal was trying to cover Miami running back Arian Foster when he went to the grass after a move by Fos- ter. Neal tried to walk off the field, but waited for the trainers. He appeared to be under his own power when he walked off the field.
If Neal’s injury turns out to be more serious, that would be a tough blow to the Falcons’ rebuilding efforts on defense.
Last season’s starting strong safety William Moore was released over the offseason and has yet to sign with another team.
Neal, wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle), defensive end Adrian Clayborn (shoulder), wide receiver Justin Hardy (ankle), running back Brandon Wilds (knee) and wide receiver Devin Fuller (ankle) were injured in the game and did not return. Turnover battle. Quinn preached about the defense getting turnovers and was not pleased that they hadn’t created one in the first two games of the exhibition season.
On Miami’s first possession, defensive end Brooks Reed tipped a Tannehill pass that was intended for wide receiver Kenny Stills. Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant intercepted the errant pass for the team’s first turnover of the offseason.
The Falcons didn’t score any points off the turnover.
The Falcons’ offense picked up a first down on a 17-yard pass play to Jones on their second play from scrimmage, but the drive stalled after Ryan’s pass on thirdand-9 from their 46-yard line was in complete.
Matt Bosher, who was knocked out of the game last week his hit to his chest, came on to punt. His high punt pinned the Dolphins at the 15-yard line.
The Falcons ranked 27th overall in the NFL in turnover-ratio in 2015, with 30 turnovers and 23 takeaways (15 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries) for a minus7. Carolina stormed to the Super Bowl with an NFL-best plus-20 turnover margin. No pass rush. The Falcons were not able to mount a pass rush against the Dolphins. Tannehill completed 20 of 29 passes for 155 yards and one interception. The highlight for the Falcons was Reed’s tipped pass.