Following up that beautiful touchdown play to Harry Douglas, the Falcons defensive starters again took the field against Jacksonville's second-string offense. Unsuprisingly, the Blaine Gabbert-led offense did not produce much while on the field, highlighted by a big Jonathan Babineaux sack.
Outside of the touchdown play, the Falcons offense has been more or less unproductive. They picked up yet another penalty- that makes four in the first half- and the offensive line again failed to give Ryan any sort of time to make his throws. It's not that the Jaguars are blitzing, because they certainly are not, but rather Jacksonville's front four have continually been able to pressure Ryan.
The defense hasn't allowed much all game, but in a way I'd almost call that a product of offensive ineptitude by the Jaguars then great play by Atlanta. On the whole, each offense has looked pretty rusty thus far, though considering the super-short offseason no one should really be too surprised.
On the other hand, I'm really surprised that Mike Smith chose to keep Atlanta's starters in for the entire first half. Maybe he simply isn't satisfied with their execution so far this preseason, but you don't want your starters getting hurt in a meaningless preseason game.
Thankfully, unless coach Smith forgot to take his meds, we will see Atlanta's backups take the field in the third quarter. One player we won't see in the next half will be new Falcons TE Reggie Kelly, who is not quite ready to take the field after being signed earlier this week. Kelly looks to be the team's No. 2 tight end for the length of 2011 following Justin Peelle's release.
For more on the Falcons, check out The Falcoholic. For more on the Jaguars, check out Big Cat Country.