JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Game notes from the Falcons-Jaguars preseason game on Aug. 9, 2008.
- Temperature at kickoff still hovered at 85 degrees, but the oppressive humidity normally seen in north Florida in early August was noticeably absent.
- Michael Turner's first carry as a Falcon resulted in an 11-yard gain on a bruising off-tackle run.
- Quarterback Matt Ryan took over for starter Chris Redman with 6:41 remaining in the first quarter. His first pass as a Falcon fell incomplete on a short out in the flat intended for Roddy White. His second pass over the middle was also incomplete, as he tried to find his second option - rookie Harry Douglas - in traffic.
- Ryan's first completion came with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter, an eight-yard completion to fullback Ovie Mughelli.
- INJURY UPDATE: Starting defensive endJohn Abraham left the game late in the first quarter with a right ankle injury. He did not return to the game.
- INJURY UPDATE: Rookie starting left tackle Sam Baker was poked in the eye and came out for one play with 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter. He was replaced by tackle Terrance Pennington. Baker came back in after missing just one play.
- Running back Jerious Norwood notched his first carry of the preseason with 11:12 remaining in the second quarter, a 13-yard run for a first down.
- Ryan threw his first-ever NFL touchdown on a 25-yard strike to a wide-open White with 10:49 remaining in the second quarter. Ryan orchestrated an impressive 11-play, 74-yard drive on which he was 4 of 5 for 43 yards passing. After his second offensive series, Ryan was 5 of 8 for 63 yards and a touchdown pass.
- In just over a quarter of action, starting wide receiver White caught 5 balls for 47 yards and the 25-yard touchdown from Ryan.
- Douglas caught his first NFL pass, a 16-yard crossing route from Ryan for a Falcons' first down.
- The Falcons were 4 of 8 on third downs in the first half of the game.
- Georgia-native Jason Elam, a 16-year NFL veteran, missed his first field goal in a Falcons uniform when his 40-yard attempt sailed wide right with 50 seconds remaining in the first half.
- Quarterback Joey Harrington entered the game with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter.
- Ryan finished the game 9 of 15, for 113 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs.
- In his first NFL game action, first round draft selection, Ryan played in five offensive series and completed nine of 15 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown. His first offensive series came at the 6:41 mark in the second quarter (7:55 p.m. EST) and his first completion came on his third snap, an eight-yard pass to Mughelli.
- Ryan’s second possession with the offense, the rookie completed four of five passes for 43 yards en route to the team’s first touchdown of the preseason, a 25-yard strike to White. The scoring drive consisted of 11 plays for 74 yards in 5:46.
- In between Atlanta’s second and third offensive possessions, Ryan completed a streak of seven of eight pass completions. The streak included passes of 25 (touchdown to White), 19 (completion to Michael Jenkins) and 16 yards (completion to Douglas).
- The impressive play from the Falcons rookies was a theme against the Jaguars. As well as Ryan’s nine completions for 113 yards and one touchdown, other rookies including: Douglas (two receptions for 19 yards), linebacker Curtis Lofton (six tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery), running back Thomas Brown (three kickoff returns for a 20.7 average and a long return of 28 yards and 19 rushing yards), defensive end Kroy Biermann (one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one tackle) and Baker (starter on the offensive line) all played well in their first NFL action.
- Redman started the game behind center and completed three of six passes for 13 yards and one interception on a tipped ball. Two of Redman’s completions went to White.
- White continued his form from his 1,000-yard season last year, leading the Falcons in receptions with five (47 yards) and scoring Atlanta’s first touchdown of the preseason.
- Turner took his first handoff as an Atlanta Falcon and rushed nine yards en route to a Falcons first down after rushing for two yards on the very next play. Turner finished the game with five carries for 22 yards.
- After completing a 47-yard pass to running back Jason Snelling, Harrington led the Falcons to their second touchdown of the game on a one-yard quarterback sneak into the endzone. Harrington completed five of seven passes for 64 yards and one rushing touchdown.
- The Falcons defense forced two Jacksonville punts on their first two offensive possessions while allowing only two first downs.
- Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson logged his first sack in a Falcons uniform when he dropped Jacksonville quarterback Cleo Lemon for a five-yard loss in the second quarter.
- Falcons linebacker Coy Wire stripped Jacksonville punt returner Brian Witherspoon leading to a fumble recovery by Mughelli.
- Rookie Lofton forced and recovered a fumble in the third quarter which led to an Elam 36-yard field goal on the ensuing possession. Biermann also forced and recovered one fumble in the fourth quarter.
- Elam tallied his first field goal in a Falcons uniform with a 36-yard attempt in the third quarter. Elam also added two extra points.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-JAGUARS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete game coverage from AF.com
- GAME RECAP: Ryan solid in debut but Birds fall
- QUOTABLE: Comments from players and coaches following the game
- GAME NOTES: News and injury updates from the press box
- FALCONS LIFE: Discuss the game on the message boards
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Quarter updates and behind-the-scenes news from J. Michael Moore
- NFL NETWORK: Ryan's TD Pass | Ryan Highlights | Game Highlights
