Second quarter: Ravens-Falcons
Good news
• Justin Bannan recovered a Chris Redman fumble early in the quarter. Redman and the Falcons' centers have not been on the same page all night. Atlanta's quarterback has fumbled four snaps. That has to be some kind of record right? Someone call Elias Sports Bureau.
• After an awful punt, Sam Koch rebounded as the Ravens downed the ball at the 1-yard line on his next attempt.
• Kyle Boller hit Clarence Moore for a 33-yard gain on a play-action pass. The Ravens have taken several shots down the field in the first quarter.
Bad news
• Bannan and Gary Stills were banged up on the same play, but both players were able to walk off the field on their own, and Bannan returned to the game a couple plays later.
• Dennis Haley made a nice read on a play-action fake by Redman, but he was unable to wrap up the Falcons quarterback. The play resulted in a 21-yard pass and run to fullback Corey McIntyre. Prescott Burgess also missed a tackle on the play.
• Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin received a break when he made an apparent late hit on a Falcons wide receiver but no flag was thrown. Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler (or Crumplestiltskin as I like to call him) was irate on the sidelines.
• Koch booted a 13-yard punt to give the Falcons field position at their own 30-yard line.
• Musa Smith fumbled with under two minutes left in the quarter, and the Falcons recovered.
Did you notice...
• How Redman's 21-yard screen pass to McIntyre developed. Me neither. The reason? RaveTv (I think that's what it's called) was still at commercial break when the play developed. That's the second time tonight the network has missed action because it was still at commercial. Sheil is getting angry!
• Martin's special-teams tackle that possibly saved a touchdown on a Falcons punt return.
• Dick Stockton say he was impressed with how crisp the Falcons have looked. Is he watching the same game I'm watching? They've had four fumbled snaps! For the record, I like Stockton and Johnston as an announcing team and realize making these preseason games exciting is not easy. Still, have to point out what I'm hearing here.
