The Falcoholic
It was exactly what we thought it would be until it wasn’t. Mostly ugly, occasionally brilliant, and full of ups and downs, this was preseason football.
But preseason football is not hugely important, in the end, something the Falcons and the larger NFL have been driving home for years now by sitting starters and using it primarily to evaluate backups and decide roster battles. That all matters, but a scary injury late in this game underscored how heavy this game can be and how little a preseason game matters when a man’s health and future are in question.
When Lions cornerback Morice Norris was injured, potentially seriously, late in this one, the ambulance came out for him and the game stopped. Players were shaken up, coaches were shaken up, and media and fans were justifiably upset. When it came time to start things back up with most of the fourth quarter remaining, the Falcons and Lions decided not to play. They hiked the ball, huddled up, hugged and prayed, and let the clock run out until the NFL officially suspended the game. With Norris’s health unclear, emotions running high, and the fact that this is in the end just an exhibition game, the teams decided they didn’t want to continue. It’s hard to blame them.
I hope it doesn’t come across as callous for me to still publish the recap of the game we did watch, because it’s something I know we may want to revisit later. And for the game we did see? The Atlanta Falcons did some things that pained me—penalties and poor blocking, primarily—but they also had some huge plays on defense, nice stretches from the passing game, and intrigue from the kicker spot, even if it was short-lived. That will matter when the Falcons go to evaluate this roster heading into the second week of preseason, but that will all take a justified backseat to two anxious teams waiting for updates about Norris.
Here’s a looser-than-the-regular-season drive-by-drive recap of the game you either just watched or skipped because you had plans. Above everything else, we hope to get positive news about Norris soon.
The Falcons first drive was plagued by errors, and my computer was plagued by drops (I literally dropped it). We did see a risky Easton Stick ball go for 15 to David Sills, but Elijah Dotson couldn’t get much on the ground, Stick couldn’t escape pressure, and a fourth down hero ball went a little too far for Sills. Turnover on downs.
The Falcons defense made is interesting immediately. A tackle for a loss, pressure from Arnold Ebiketie on Hendon Hooker, and a Josh Woods forced fumble turned Dee Alford fumble recovery made the first defensive drive a massive success.
A three yard Elijah Dotson carry was called back and then some because of a Jack Nelson hold, as the rookie struggled early on. Four yards followed, and then Stick hit Dylan Drummond over the middle to make it fourth...
