Still not at full strength as several starters sit out

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/26/05

JACKSONVILLE — The Falcons played their starters through the first half in Thursday night's exhibition against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they were still not at full strength, as a handful of projected starters did not play because of injuries.

Linebacker Keith Brooking missed his second straight game with thigh discomfort. Tackle Todd Weiner (back) and backup wide receiver Peerless Price (concussion) did not make the trip.

Allen Rossum started at right cornerback in place of Jason Webster (hamstring). Ike Reese started for Brooking again and Barry Stokes filled in for Weiner. Kevin Mathis, the main backup for Webster, also sat out with hamstring problems.

Patrick Kerney made his preseason debut, starting at left defensive end, and backup tight end Eric Beverly also played for the first time. Kerney had been nursing a groin injury, and Beverly was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Scott, Dez White exit with injuries

Falcons starting split end Dez White suffered a knee injury and free safety Bryan Scott, who is coming off shoulder surgery, sustained a hip injury, both in the second quarter. A diagnosis was not provided for either player.

With Price out and rookie Roddy White out with a high ankle sprain, the Falcons already had low numbers at wide receiver. Ronnie Heard started for Scott earlier this preseason when Scott was held out of contact.

Rookie free agent Cole Magner replaced Dez White.

Mora sees game as first road test

Falcons coach Jim Mora said earlier this week that he considered the game at Jacksonville the Falcons' first road game, despite the team opening the preseason against the Indianapolis Colts in Japan.

"I don't think you can count Tokyo as a road trip because it was an aberration from what a normal road trip is," Mora said. "I want to see us react to playing on the road in a hostile environment."

It wasn't that hostile. The game, played in intermittent rain, failed to sell out, resulting in a local television blackout.

Thursday's game was also the first outdoors for the Falcons this preseason.

The opener was in the Tokyo Dome; the past two were in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons close out the preseason next week in an open-air stadium in Miami before playing four of their first six regular-season games in domed stadiums — three in Atlanta, the other in New Orleans.

Buhl, Jackson get special attention

Free agent camp invitees Jonte Buhl and Marlion Jackson worked with the first units in the kicking game, a signal the pair has been impressive enough to possibly warrant an extended look from coaches because Mora said he would use front-line players on special teams.

Buhl, a rookie cornerback, also played nickel back, a role usually played by Rossum, who started. Jackson, a running back, has intrigued coaches through training camp because of his size (6-2, 240), toughness and versatility.

The Falcons have to trim their roster to 65 by Sunday afternoon. They currently have 88 eligible players. Klaus Alinen, of Finland, who has been used as a tight end and defensive end, is on loan as part of the NFL's international program and does not count as a member of the roster.

Personally I would like to see Buhl a lot at Nichol. Rossum definently
has the speed but lacks good coverage skills. He always seems to
give up the big catch.