NFL Preseason Preview - Atlanta (2-1) At Jacksonville (2-0)
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to maintain their preseason momentum on Thursday night, when Jack Del Rio's team plays host to the Atlanta Falcons at ALLTELL Stadium. The Jags have started the preseason 2-0, downing Miami, 27-17, in their first tune-up before defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a 20-17 count last Saturday. Jacksonville, which will this season be attempting to make its first playoff appearance since 1999, is one of seven NFL teams currently holding an unblemished preseason mark. The Falcons, meanwhile, assumed their first loss of the 2005 preseason last Friday, falling to the Tennessee Titans by a 24-21 count.
Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich comes off a sharp outing in the win over the Buccaneers, as the third-year pro completed 14-of-21 passes for 125 yards on the night. As is the custom for most teams in the second-to-last warm-up game, Leftwich is expected to see his most extensive action of the preseason on Thursday night. Also slated to see time is running back Fred Taylor, who has been held out of the first two preseason games following his recovery from knee surgery. First-round draft choice Matt Jones, who is attempting to make the transition from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver, is expected to play with the first-string unit for the first time. Jones has five catches for 93 yards and a touchdowns thus far in the preseason. Wideout Cortez Hankton (ankle/back) and cornerback David Richardson (ankle) are among the Jacksonville players that are questionable for Atlanta. Richardson was expected to contend for the starting job at right cornerback this season, but has fallen behind rookie Scott Starks, second-year pro Chris Thompson, and veteran Kenny Wright, in that quest due to his injury.
Though the Falcons lost to Tennessee last week, Atlanta got some encouraging signs from its first-team offense, particularly quarterback Michael Vick. Vick completed 6-of-9 passes for 64 yards in limited action, punctuating a first quarter scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown strike to wideout Brian Finneran. Other stars for Atlanta included rookie kickoff returner DeAndra Cobb (Michigan State), who scored a touchdown on a 101-yard kickoff return, and running back T.J. Duckett, who bolted for a 72-yard rushing score. Bad news came in the form of bruised ribs and a concussion for former starting wideout Peerless Price. Price, who has four catches for 54 yards in the preseason, is expected to be on the sideline this week along with rookie receiver and first-round draft choice Roddy White (high ankle sprain). Linebacker Keith Brooking (quadriceps) and defensive end Brady Smith (neck) are the defensive players that are questionable heading into the Jacksonville contest.
Atlanta has a 2-1 lead in the all-time preseason series with Jacksonville, including a 23-13 home victory in the last such matchup, prior to the 2002 season. The Jaguars are 2-1 leaders in the regular season series, but dropped a 21-14 road decision when the clubs last faced off, in 2003.
Copyright 2005 Courtesy of SportsNetwork.