Duke Riley – FalconAlley Football

Falcons First Half Highs, Second Half Lows

August 17, 2018

Chiefs 28 at Falcons 14
Deion Jones and Matt Bryant were in street clothes, announced inactive. Again, Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones were dressed, but did not play at all. So many teams have seen season ending injuries already, so happy to have those guys sit.
Justin Hardy and Calvin Ridley were sent back to receive the opening kickoff. Ridley received the kick and returned it 34 yards.
Brandon Fusco got the start at right guard. Ridley, Marvin Hall, and Mohamed Sanu with the start as receivers. The first play was to Ridley for no yards. Then to Tevin Coleman for no yards. Third and eleven, Matt Ryan finds Austin Hooper for 29 yards. Tevin stepped behind Alex Mack and rushed up for back to back 15-yard gains. Ito Smith now in at running back for 3 yards. Then a 4-yard diving touchdown pass to Hooper.
Matt Bosher resumed his kickoff duties. Foye Oluokon had a good stop on kick coverage. Terrell McClain and Duke Riley made a good stop. Clearly Riley trying to step up his game this week. Brian Poole came across the field and took the receiver out of the air to stop the Chiefs with a 3 and out.
Hardy is starting for punt returns as well and returned it 17 yards. Unfortunately, Smith had an illegal block in the back to cancel the return, but we did get to see what Hardy can do.
The first team returns to the field and Ryan shoots a 16-yard pass to Hall. Then, the upcoming star of the year, Ridley catches a big 36-yard pass over his left shoulder as he falls. And the Falcons are instantly inside the Chiefs’ 30. A few plays later, facing a 4 and 2, Andy Levitre had a hands to the face penalty and the Falcons turn the ball over on downs.
Brooks Reed, Deadrin Senat, and Keanu Neal combined for a stop, and Neal (not surprised) gets called for the helmet to the head penalty. But if you watch the replay, he did not lead with the head, but took the call. Grady Jarrett got major pressure up the middle and Poole was able to make the 11-yard loss tackle. Poole continued to show out with another tackle to the sideline. Then Grady made a stop to cause 3rd and 5. The running back was able to get around the side along the sideline where he was stopped by Ricardo Allen. Duke Riley was in pursuit, but got caught up in a block. Robert Alford had a nice pass break up. As seen in training camp, Blidi Wreh-Wilson has greatly improved and playing smart and aggressively and nearly had a pick in front of Sammy Watkins.
Kansas City had a first down at the 4 and the Atlanta defense stood up and forced a field goal.
For the third offensive set, Matt Schaub comes in. Smith is in at running back. Ben Garland and Ty Sambrailo are in on the left side, while Wes Schweitzer is in at right guard. Hardy had a nice quick reception for a first down. Russell Gage gets his shot and hauls in an 18-yard reception. Reggie Davis comes in at receiver. Smith is getting allot of carries and being successful with his quick spin moves and pushing through for some good yardage. Schaub finds Ridley on a crossing route for a first down. Justin Crawford gets a chance at running back and gains 2 yards. Back to Smith who goes to the right side for another few yards. On 3rd and 4, Schaub finds Davis. Then, Big Play Ridley, catches his first touchdown as a Falcon.
Blidi Wreh made the stop on the kick off. Patrick Mahomes threw up a pass to Sammy Watkins, and Damontae Kazee picked it off. Kazee came to play tonight again. Blidi Wreh knocked Watkins off his timing a bit and Kazee reads the play from the start, cuts across the field, and leaps up and rips the ball out of the air.
Schaub and the offense come back out. More successful hand-offs and passes to Smith, then a big 24-yard catch by Eric Saubert, with many of those yards after the catch. Schaub finds Davis on a crossing route, just short of the first down, due to having to slow up for the pass. On fourth down, Smith gets stuff and the Falcons turn the ball over on downs.
The second half took on the same hot mess as last week’s game. Kurt Benkert looked good, until he threw an interception that he should have tucked in. Oliver looked good in kick coverage. Ito Smith had several kick returns, which except for bobbling each several times, looked good. He also had 13 carries for 34 yards at running back. Brandon Fusco looked good at the right guard spot and pancaked several guys making room for Tevin to get some good yards.
Foye Oluokon flew around at the linebacker spot, finishing with 1 tackle, but also very active on special teams. Duke Riley stepped up tonight and was better in coverage most of his time in. As always, Brian Poole was on point and covered the explosive Tyreek Hill perfectly. Russell Gage came in with the 2nd team and had 1 reception for 18 yards.
Of course, Damontae Kazee is a stand out again, with no tackles, but a big interception. Terrell McClain really stepped up tonight.
The first team offense got into a good rhythm tonight. No pre-snap penalties, Ryan went 5 of 7 for 90 yards and a touchdown. Calvin Ridley had 3 receptions, 1 touchdown, 49 yards, and a 35-yard return. Austin Hooper had a touchdown and 2 receptions for 33 yards. Definitely more consistent.
First team defense did not give up a score. Robert Alford with the knock down in the end zone. They started with a 3 and out. And the regulars were swarming.
Dave Archer spoke to Calvin Ridley after the game, he is so humble, with his stats on the night and he is just “ready to contribute.” Ridley said he’s just working and practicing, and again, “Willing to contribute however the team wants me.” Again, said that Julio Jones is coaching him up after every play.
Overall, this game was not as painful as the first, and saw some real bright spots for the first teams and some guys on the 2nd or 3rd. And another week and no one is hurt. Likely, 50 spots are already on lock and there are not many position battles. We will see what we see in game 3 next Saturday.

#RiseUp
FalconAlley OWT

Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

Defense on Display

August 26, 2017

Arizona 24 at Atlanta 14

Allison Smith

Apparently our strategy this year is to not show ANYTHING on offense until the season begins. This game was rough. Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel made their preseason debut, however neither had a catch in their limited playing time. Both looked excellent in warm ups, so no concern there, but the rest of the O, under Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub did NOT look like our typical offense.

So, let’s talk about the defense. This was a start studded event tonight. The defense caused 5 fumbles and recovered 3 of those. Everyone looked good, the veterans, the rookies, a fierce “see ball, get ball” D for sure.

Atlanta gave Arizona the ball to start. On their third offensive play, Adrian Clayborn punched the ball out and an offensive lineman recovered. Thanks to Ricardo Allen’s pass break ups, two plays later, Arizona had to punt. That, was also not pretty. Andre Roberts dropped the ball, but luckily Terron Ward had his eye on the ball to recover. Or not, since the Falcons came out and with one offensive play, Matt Ryan’s first play, first pass, was aimed at Levine Toilolo, but was tipped and intercepted.

Again, turn to the positive, the Atlanta D stepped up and with the Cardinals closing in on the end zone, Allen had another pass break up in the end zone, then Keanu Neal caused the 2^nd fumble of the game which was recovered by Duke Riley. All of that was still early in the first quarter.

082617 Takk Fumble Recovery — Jack & Takk Show – Crawford causes fumble that McKinley recovers. Photo Courtesy of NFL.com

Defensive highlights include the Jack & Takk Show. Takk McKinley and Jack Crawford have buddied up to disrupt play. Takk knocked a ball out early, but the play was called dead, which Dan Quinn challenged, to no avail. Next play, Takk’s pressure on QB Drew Stanton forced him in to the waiting arms of Crawford, which forced a long field goal. Later in the game, Crawford caused a running back fumble, which Takk recovered after running over the blockers like they were not even there. Takk is going to be incredible this season.

As always, Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley, Jr. were applying great pressure to the quarterback, forcing rushed and errant throws. Deion Jones had 4 tackles in the first quarter alone, while Neal continued his tough hitting style for which he is known. Courtney Upshaw caused the other fumble that Arizona recovered, and late in the 3^rd quarter Jalen Collins caused a fumble which CJ Goodwin was able to recover for the Falcons.

While the defense did give up 24 points, these points were against guys that are likely not going to be on the team this time next week. Not solely based on this game, but a number of guys are not helping themselves.

The offensive highlight is now suddenly Matt Sims. On Matt Schaub’s first play of the game, he had a fumble that Arizona recovered and lead to their 2^nd touchdown – on a short field. Sims threw the only touchdown for the Falcons and led them to the successful 2-point conversion.

While special teams still looked questionable, not the key Matt’s of course, Matt Bryant making his field goals, and except for one short kick, Matt Bosher was his typical kicking self. At least no big returns were allowed this week.

Wes Schweitzer did get the start at right guard, however Ben Garland and he split the time evenly and remains “too close to call” per DQ.

Couple of injuries of note. LaRoy Reynolds who started all 3 preseason games at middle linebacker went out early with a shoulder injury. Brian Hill, after looking better with the first team than in the first 2 preseason games went out with an ankle.

While I was frustrated and yelled allot, I am not concerned about our offense once the games are for real. And if this defense cannot get you excited, no need to show up at The Benz this year. Remember, this is just preseason, a test for players and time for others to get into some rhythm.

Feature Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Competition Continues in Preseason Game 2

Atlanta 13 / Pittsburgh 17

August 22, 2017

Allison Smith

No big surprises Sunday during the second Atlanta Falcons preseason game. Once again, the first team offense came out on fire. After the defense caused a 3 and out for the Pittsburg Steelers, the offense took 10 plays and just over 4 minutes to score on their opening drive once again. Terron Ward ran in a 5-yard touchdown. Ward is definitely making his argument for the 3^rd running back spot. Granted, Brian Hill, is playing with weaker blockers, but he is still not making great moves to prove his draft day statement of “being the best running back in the draft.”

Another draft pick that is not helping himself so far is Eric Saubert. Saubert had 4 penalties in 2 preseason games with limited catches for his targets. The tight end spot is really Austin Hooper’s to lose, and not looking like anyone is going to give him much competition at this point.

There were 13 different receivers this week, most hauling in catches from 3^rd string, Matt Sims, who played most of the game. Interesting note, nearly all of the passes were for over 10 yards. Looks like the coaching staff is getting some good looks at the offense, as both Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel were in street clothes for the game.

The second offensive possession for the Steelers was the same as the first, another 3 and out. Duke Riley and Grady Jarrett were not letting anything happen. On the opening drive, Jarrett had a strip sack, which was ruled an incomplete pass, to force the Steelers first punt of the day. In limited playing time, Jarrett was swarming the ball and making ball carriers regret their carries. Riley finished with 2 tackles and 2 assists and was alert and focused enough to collect and down the blocked punt. Riley is living up to his hype.

Another defensive rookie that is living up to his hype is Damontae Kazee. From his corner spot, he had 3 tackles on the day and was contributing well on special teams, until going out with a sprained ankle. He had issues in training camp with his ankle, nothing too serious, but he will not play against Arizona on Saturday.

Possibly the most shocking statement I will ever say is, Falcons Special Teams is failing. Don’t worry, I don’t mean our dependable long snapper, or either of the Matt’s, but the rest of the squad was not having a good day. Whether allowing punt returns for touchdowns or allowing Matt Bosher’s punt to be blocked, the overall coverage was suspect at best. I am sure that Keith Armstrong will remedy this situation quickly. Realize that many rookies, drafted and undrafted, are seeing special teams time. The two players helping themselves the most with good returns are two locals, hometown favorite Reggie Davis out of Georgia and Andre Roberts from the Citadel. Davis also had 3 receptions for 74 yards, one impressive 44-yard catch.

Takk McKinley finally saw some playing time, and by that I mean 10 plays. While Takk did not log a tackle, he looked good, was getting in some good blocking and hits. Look forward to seeing him play more against Arizona.

Overall, the defense was fast and constantly moving the quarterbacks off their spots. And a week after De’Vondre Campbell’s interception, he causes a Pittsburg fumble, but the Falcons were unable to recover the ball in bounds.

The right guard battle is still tight with Wes Schweitzer getting the start this week, but sharing time with Ben Garland. I wonder if Head Coach Dan Quinn will actually name a right guard for the season, or they will divide playing time, as Garland is extremely versatile as a back-up center and occasionally helping out on defense.

In the end, it was the second preseason game, which is all about evaluations and after the first half a little rough to watch. Look out, the official opening of The Benz is Saturday, August 26^th, game 3, where the starter will likely play into the 2^nd half and the Benz will be rocking. Look for the largest crowd for a preseason game in the NFL this year.

#RiseUp

Cover Photo: Atlanta Falcons