EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Quarterback Joey Harrington completed 6-of-9 passes for 88 yards in one quarter of work as the Atlanta Falcons fell 31-16 to the Jets at the Meadowlands Friday night.
Harrington and the first-team offense went on an eight-play, 82-yard drive that ate up 3:56 seconds of the quarter and ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Jerious Norwood.
The starting unit totaled five first downs and 117 yards of offense despite an average starting position of the Atlanta 16-yard line.
The Falcons led 10-7 midway through the second quarter, but found themselves down at halftime 14-13 even after Chris Redman led a 40-yard drive in the final 47 seconds of the half that ended in one of three Billy Cundiff field goals.
“I think our offensive execution went pretty well,” Head Coach Bobby Petrino said. “We had a long field to try to move the ball at times. Our special teams have to do a better job of giving us better field position. We moved the ball well on the touchdown drive. I think Joey did a nice job running the offense and moving the ball down the field.”
The Falcons finished the game with 312 yards of total offense and a pair of rookies leading in two key categories – Laurent Robinson (four receptions) and Jason Snelling (10 rushes for 48 yards).
Defensively Atlanta held the Jets to 173 net passing yards but surrendered 146 rushing yards. Rookie Stephen Nicholas was credited with four tackles and a start for Demorrio Williams, who is still working his way back from a torn pectoral muscle.
The story of the game, however, was tempo.
“We came out well and had a good tempo,” Norwood said. “It is good to get back in the swing of things and play someone else who isn’t wearing red or black. We were moving the ball well and we were able to get a good score on our third possession.”
Petrino has stressed speed and accuracy throughout his first training camp. The team responded in this preseason game with a healthy pace on both offense and defense.
The Jets answered that speed, however, and provided a good test.
“It was good to see where we are at as a team and as a defense,” safety Lawyer Milloy said. “I think the defense did very well especially with the fact that the Jets came out in a no-huddle offense. Everyone played hard and that was good to see.”
“(The Jets) caught us off guard at first because they were running the no-huddle and running the ball with Thomas Jones,” added defensive end John Abraham. “We didn’t really get to see what our pass rush looked like, but we did get to see how we would do against the run. We didn’t give up any big plays so we have to be happy about that.”
Jones rushed for 27 yards and one touchdown in limited work. The Jets put up the majority of their points and yardage under backup quarterback Kellon Clemens.
Clemens finished 16-of-22 for 174 yards and three touchdowns -- two to tight end Sean Ryan.
The Falcons fought deep into the game despite unseasonable weather and a lack of attendance knocking back the game-day atmosphere. Kickoff temperature was in the 50s thanks to a storm front that passed over the area earlier in the day.
And, while an announced 75,767 tickets were sold, the stadium was at about half capacity.
But ultimately, it felt good to play football. The team also said progress was made.
“We felt good out there because it feels like it’s 30 degrees out here and we are use to practicing in 100-degree weather,” wide receiver Joe Horn said. “We are starting to gel a little bit and starting to feel comfortable with one another as a team. That goes a long way when offenses do that.”
“I thought it was great to get in there and it was the first time our defense got to play against some live tackling,” added linebacker Keith Brooking. “The tempo definitely picked up, but I thought we matched that and even increased it. We felt good about getting our feet wet and guys played with heart and intensity. We have a lot of work to do, but it was a good start.”
MORE FROM THE PRESEASON OPENER:
- GAMEDAY: Click here for complete game coverage
- QUOTABLE: Quotes from Falcons players after the Jets game
- GAME NOTES: News and Notes from the Falcons preseason opener
- VIDEO AND AUDIO: Bobby Petrino post game and much more
- DAILY PHOTOS: Check out photos from the Falcons preseason opener
