ATLANTA -- The final preseason game of 2007 offered everything it promised, particularly when it came to giving second- and third-string players a chance to showcase themselves for coaches and personnel executives a final time before final cuts.
But it was the newest Falcon -- a player signed Thursday -- that walked away the hero Friday night.
Newly-acquired kicker Matt Prater hit two field goals, including a 45-yard game-winner in the Falcons 13-10 preseason win over Baltimore. It was a regular-season ending to a preseason game that lacked some of the big names fans will get familiar with in the coming weeks. Starters sat this one out, spending their time on the sidelines watching and learning from the Falcons' victory at the Georgia Dome.
"I was happy with the win," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said. "We did not play our starters, but I really liked the way our guys competed. I thought we played hard. I would like to be more efficient offensively as far as scoring points, but they moved the ball well. I think defensively we had guys flying around. We rushed the passer pretty well."
Rookies Eric Weems, Renardo Foster and Vincent Marshall all started on the offensive side of the ball. Tony Taylor, David Irons, Chris Houston and Daren Stone started on defense in the win.
Marshall led the team with three catches for 73 yards while Weems hauled in three passes for 19 yards. Rookie running back Jason Snelling led the team in rushing for the third time this preseason (11 rushes for 50 yards).
“I was trying to get out there and give it all I had because this was the last preseason game," Marshall said. "I am just working to get a job and make this team. Since there are no promises in the NFL, you just have to work hard every day like it’s your last.”
Backup fullback Corey McIntyre also impressed with a big hit on special teams and a 21-yard reception complete with a couple of athletic moves and some 244-pound straight-ahead running.
“I think I’ve done enough to impress the coaches, but it’s all up in God’s hands right now," he said. "It’s their decision. Whatever decision they make, I just have to run with it.”
The Falcons sacked Ravens quarterback five times.
Still, the game got off to a slow start.
The defense held the Ravens on the first possesion, allowing one first down and holding running back Willis McGahee to 5 yards on two carries.
Baltimore's defense benefited from a Falcons penalty on the punt return and took the field with the Falcons backed up to their own 8. Atlanta punter Michael Koenen kicked from the back of his own end zone four plays later but was able to launch the ball all the way to the Ravens 41.
But quarterback Kyle Boller found something he liked despite the field position. On the very next snap he found wide receiver Demetrius Williams with a 59-yard touchdown pass down the far side: 7-0 Baltimore.
The Falcons got on the board late in the first quarter, though, when backup quarterback Chris Redman led a 10-play, 74-yard drive capped by a 16-yard scoring toss to running back Jerious Norwood. Redman was a perfect 5-of-5 on the drive. Norwood caught two passes for 23 yards.
"I liked the way Chris played," Petrino said. "I thought he moved the ball well and did a nice job of moving in the pocket. He made some plays when things broke down, which is a luxury anytime a quarterback can do that. He looked comfortable executing the offense. We would like to work at a quicker tempo and not be over the ball so long at the line of scrimmage. We will continue to work on that. Chris has had a pretty good preseason for us."
The teams battled back and forth with no score until the third quarter.
Again the Ravens struck first, this time with a 55-yard field goal from reserve kicker Rhys Lloyd with 6:03 remaining in the third quarter.
The Falcons used a 14-play, 79-yard drive in the final quarter to get into field goal range. The drive was highlighted by a 39-yard pass and catch from third-string quarterback Casey Bramlet to Marshall. Marshall juggled the ball for a moment before hitting the ground, but he maintained control and set the Falcons up for a game-tying field goal.
Prater tied the game with a 33-yard field goal.
Prater's second would give the Falcons the lead for good.
It was then up to the defense, which stepped in again with a late fumble recovery by safety Jimmy Williams and a final-minute interception by Houston, his first as a Falcon.
“It’s serious now," Houston said. "We’ve been working hard. The team’s been working hard to speed up things in practice and go a little bit harder. We’ll be studying a little bit more and getting ready.”
"It was good to get those two turnovers in the fourth quarter," added Petrino. "We have been preaching about turnovers so it was nice to see that happen. Overall, I think we built a decent foundation throughout the preseason, but now we get ready for the real deal. We are all excited about that. Tomorrow morning will be real tough on everybody, but it is just some business we have to take care of."
MORE FROM FRIDAY'S PRESEASON GAME:
- GAMEDAY: Falcons down Ravens, 13-10
- QUOTABLE: Postgame quotes from the Falcons-Ravens game
- GAME NOTES: News and notes from the Falcons preseason win
- VIDEO AND AUDIO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino and much more
- PHOTOS: Check out photos from the Falcons win over the Ravens
