FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- As a freshman in college rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton got a preview of just how tough it can be to play defense in the NFL.
The former Oklahoma star was in the middle of a game against the Texas Longhorns and quarterback Vince Young. Young's strong arm and quick feet led the Longhorns to a national championship that season. He was later the third pick of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Now a Tennessee Titan, Young visits the Georgia Dome tonight in the third preseason game of 2008.
"When I watch him on film it was just like watching him when he was in a Texas uniform," Lofton said. "If nothing's there he just tucks it and runs."
That's when problems start for a defense.
"We need to see some production from our guys up front," Head Coach Mike Smith said earlier this week. "Hopefully their legs will be recovering here now that we're (practicing once a day)."
It's an exciting test for the Birds, who are expected to leave starters on the field through the first series of the second half. While the Titans haven't been the league's most high-powered offense (21st in total yards last season), they are one of the most unique.
Young threw just nine touchdown passes in 2007 but rushed for 395 yards and three touchdowns. The Titans focus on wearing down opponents with the running game and added a home-run threat at running back in this year's draft with speedster Chris Johnson.
This preseason they lead the NFL in total offense (431.5 yards per game) and rushing yards (240 yards per game).
But it all starts with a multi-threat quarterback.
"Those quarterbacks we faced last week were not guys that could really run or move around the pocket," Smith said. "The thing we have to be prepared to do as a defense is cover longer and rush longer because, when the integrity of a play breaks down, he can make things happen."
Friday night the Falcons defense will see how well it keeps a quarterback focused on the passing game.
"He uses his leg very well," defensive end Jamaal Anderson said. "We hope to keep him in the pocket and make him a throwing quarterback. If we can do that I feel like we'll be victorious."
Young threw for less than 200 yards and three interceptions in a regular-season meeting between the teams last season but still left L.P. Field with a 20-13 victory. It may only be the preseason, but finishing off that defensive performance is paramount for the new-look Falcons.
"This game means a lot," linebacker Michael Boley said. "Coming into the third game with us having a lot of new faces -- for most of us it's the first year playing together. I think it will be a tale of the tape of how things are going to go once the season starts."
Young defeated Lofton's Sooners in their one collegiate meeting but Friday the rookie's defense can offer a little more firepower.
"Statistically, if this were the regular season, we'd probably be in the top five in the league in defense," Anderson said. "We want to continue that with the preseason and have some momentum going in Week 1 against Detroit."
RELATED LINKS:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage of the Titans-Falcons game
- FEATURE: Lofton having solid preseason
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Weiner Likely to Play Friday Night
- NEWS: Ryan to start at quarterback against Titans
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Jamaal Anderson | Todd McClure
- FALCONCAST: Matt Ryan stops by the Falconcast Studio
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: Matt Ryan on Falconcast (Video)
- TWIG'S BLOG: Props to Matt Ryan
- NEWS: Falcons waive injured linebacker, release Horn
