Exhibition play pleases Mora

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/27/05

After Thursday's 23-7 victory over Jacksonville, the Falcons said they've generated enough positive momentum to be primed for the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener Sept. 12.

"It's great what's happened to us," coach Jim Mora said. "We had to go to Tokyo. That was a tough trip. We come home and play the Baltimore Ravens, who play a defense you don't see much. Then we play Tennessee, same type of thing, where they play a different type of offense.

"Then we come down [to Jacksonville] against a really good defensive football team in the rain. You don't want it perfect. You want to learn, and we're learning."

The starters, who played a half against the Jaguars, are not expected to play more than a series Thursday in the exhibition finale at Miami.

There were no updates on wide receiver Dez White (sprained knee), safety Bryan Scott (bruised hip) or backup linebacker Jordan Beck (left foot). Mora said after Thursday's game the only potentially serious injury could be to Beck, a third-round draft choice, who needed crutches to walk. All could miss the Dolphins game.

After four exhibitions, here is what we've learned about the Falcons.

Vick looks ready: Quarterback Michael Vick has led long scoring drives, converted third downs and made enough plays with his arm and legs to fill the highlight reels. He has progressed in setting an offensive tempo, making good decisions — like throwing passes out of bounds instead of taking a sack — and not trying to force the action.

The defense has bent but not broken: Opposing teams have put up decent offensive numbers (1,308 total yards), except on the scoreboard. In first quarters, when starters have played, teams have scored 10 points. The Jaguars, who totaled 194 first-half yards, scored a touchdown on the starters in the second quarter.

"We've had starters down, and we've gotten better and are playing at a pretty high level," middle linebacker Ed Hartwell said.

Stacked at linebacker: Backup outside linebackers Ike Reese and rookie Michael Boley are making it tough for the coaching staff to limit them solely to special teams.

Reese, who started the past two games for Keith Brooking (quadriceps), has been an intimidating force. Boley, who is looking like a steal as a fifth-round draft choice, made his second sack of the preseason at Jacksonville to add to his 17 tackles, interception and fumble recovery.

O-line jelling: Without tackle Todd Weiner — Barry Stokes started in his place — and facing new waves of criticism about their cut-blocking style, the big guys up front did not allow a sack against the Jags after allowing eight the previous three weeks. The Falcons ran for 176 yards to bring the rushing total to 529 in four games.

Secondary remains unsettled: Scott might not be out for long, but he's missed three games recovering from shoulder surgery, and cornerbacks Jason Webster and Kevin Mathis have hamstring injuries.