ATLANTA -- One of the more compelling scenes from Matt Ryan's first start as a professional wasn't between the white lines.
A peek on the sideline between series revealed Ryan, on one knee with helmet off, directing a strategy session with his offensive linemen. The team's front office saw this Ryan before the NFL Draft. Fans at the Georgia Dome caught a glimpse Friday night in a 17-3 Falcons victory over the Tennessee Titans.
"I told them to keep it going," Ryan said. "The offensive line did a good job with protection all night. We were running the ball well and the receivers were making plays. We were keeping the energy up and trying to get the ball into the end zone."
A poised, comfortable Ryan completed 15 of 21 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown (97.7 passer rating) in the game. Ryan spread his completions among six different receivers, including Brian Finneran, who got several reps with the first string and finished with a team-high five catches for 53 yards. Michael Jenkins also had five receptions (44 yards).
Running back Michael Turner fought for 16 tough yards on five carries. For another week, Sam Baker had a solid day at left tackle. This time the rookie held Pro Bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch without a sack.
Equally impressive was Ryan's patience as the offense eased out of the gate.
The Falcons managed just 94 yards and went 1-of-6 on third down in the first half. A Jason Elam field goal got the Falcons on the board, but the veteran missed another try, negating a scoring chance created by a 38-yard punt return by Adam Jennings.
The Birds stayed in the game with solid defense as the teams battled to a 3-3 halftime tie.
Titans rookie Chris Johnson, who rushed for 123 yard -- including a 66-yard touchdown -- in the first two preseason games was held to 35 yards on 11 carries while mobile quarterback Vince Young scrambled for 16 yards and two first downs. Tennessee managed just 75 net rushing yards and three rushing first downs the entire game.
Atlanta's goal was to keep Young in the pocket and force mistakes in the passing game. The quarterback did just that, throwing an interception at the close of the first quarter to rookie cornerback Chevis Jackson.
The Falcons defense has gone nine consecutive quarters this preseason without allowing a touchdown.
"I think that’s a pretty good statistic," linebacker Keith Brooking. "It’s part of the process right now. We’re getting better, we’re progressing and that’s very positive. I just love the energy. The guys are playing on the field defensively and it seems like everybody is right where they’re supposed to be on every play. And when there is a certain play that doesn’t go well, we know immediately before we get to the sideline. The system is working out great for us. I think guys are really buying into it and playing extremely hard. Overall, we just have to keep it going.”
Head Coach Mike Smith liked what he saw early on special teams and on defense, but wants to improve his team's red zone woes. For the second week in a row, the team found itself in scoring position only to come away with field goal tries.
"We did a nice job in terms of getting that turnover and fielding two big punt returns, which really helped us out.," Smith said. "We have to address our penalties and, when we are in position to make big plays, we have to make them."
The Falcons regrouped at halftime and went back on the field with Ryan at the helm. Here the home team proved successful, putting together a nine-play, 71-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard pass from Ryan to fellow rookie Harry Douglas. Running back Jerious Norwood, who left the game earlier with an injury, returned to notch four rushes for 43 yards on the drive.
Kerry Collins replaced Young on the Titans next drive but that had no affect the Falcons defensive adjustments.
The Birds forced the Titans to punt after a solid defensive effort that included three pass break ups by cornerback Brent Grimes.
“We showed up and played well tonight," Grimes said. "We made some plays when we had to. We had that big interception from Chevis. So, we made plays when we had to and we held them down pretty much.”
Tennessee also experienced headaches from the play of two rookies. Kroy Biermann. The defensive end played the entire game, including some time with the first team, finishing with four tackles, a sack (his second of the preseason) and a key pass break up on third down. Curtis Lofton, who started his first game Friday night, was credited with a team-high six tackles.
Chris Redman (9 of 11 for 83 yards) finished the game at quarterback and led a fourth-quarter scoring drive finished with a 9-yard touchdown run by rookie Thomas Brown. Brown combined with running back Jason Snelling for 76 rushing yards in the second half.
“It’s a much better feeling to come up here tonight with a win," Smith said. "Our football team went out and played extremely physical. They played hard. It was a hard fought game against a very good football team. I was pleased in a number of areas and again there are some things that we want to address."
It was a smooth ending to a game that turned to the Falcons favor in the second half.
Ryan finished the customary in-game interviews and finished the night on the sideline listening to coach-player communications. Like the adjustments at halftime, the quarterback wasted little time figuring out where he can get better.
“It was a lot of fun to come out and play in a physical game," Ryan said. "I thought we did a lot of good things as an offense, but I made a couple of poor throws toward the end of the first half. We were able to come out and score at the beginning of the third quarter and that was a good way to end it.”
Three of the Falcons four quarterbacks have started in the preseason, but Smith ended the night saying the team isn't ready to name a starter.
“We’re going to go back and watch the tape," he said. "We’re going to be very systematic. We’ve said from the very beginning, in terms of how we’re going to put this football team together that it’s very important that we as a staff get in and watch the tape. We want to really evaluate where we are as a football team. We’re getting down to two weeks before the regular season. We’re not ready at this point to name a starter. We will continue to evaluate. When there is clarity, we will make that announcement.”
MORE FROM THE TITANS-FALCONS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage from the Falcons win over the Titans
- GAME RECAP: Falcons get win in Ryan's first start
- GAME BLOG: Live notes from the Falcons-Titans game
- NOTEBOOK: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Additional thoughts from AF.com's managing editor
- FALCONS LIFE: Discuss the game on the message boards
- QUOTABLE: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons Players | Opponents
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Matt Ryan | Harry Douglas | Thomas Brown | Chevis Jackson
- NFL NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS: Short | Ryan Highlight
- TAILGATE TOUR: Shots from the tailgating outside the Dome
