Ryan, Shockley, Finneran in minor car accident
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Baltimore — Falcons players Matt Ryan, D.J. Shockley and Brian Finneran were involved in a minor car accident on the way to practice Wednesday morning.
Ryan, the Falcons’ rookie quarterback, was driving his vehicle with Shockley and Finneran as passengers when they were hit by another vehicle, according to a Falcons representative.
The vehicle suffered minor damage, and the three players were uninjured. All of them played in Thursday’s exhibition finale against the Ravens.
Clabo starts
Tyson Clabo returned to the starting lineup at right offensive tackle in place of Todd Weiner. Clabo started the first two exhibition games but was replaced in Friday’s 17-3 victory by Todd Weiner.
Weiner opened the second quarter at right tackle, and Clabo slid down to right guard, even more of an indication that one-time starter Kynan Forney could be a casualty when rosters are trimmed to 53 on Saturday. It was Weiner’s second-game action since undergoing major knee surgery last season.
Secondary matters
While most of the starters didn’t play beyond the first quarter, cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Chris Houston played through the first half. … Rookie safety Thomas DeCoud got his first interception of the preseason when he tipped, then nabbed, Casey Bramlet’s pass across the middle that was intended for tight end Daniel Wilcox.
Linebacker watch
Second-year linebacker Tony Taylor, who was replaced as the starting linebacker by rookie Curtis Lofton, saw his first game action at weakside (outside) linebacker late in the first quarter. Taylor filled in for Coy Wire, who sprained his left ankle in the opening period. Lofton, who was inserted as the starter in Friday’s game against Tennessee, played the entire first half. … Linebacker Stephen Nicholas, who slated to backup Michael Boley at the strongside position, delivered a nice hit on Baltimore’s Cory Ross, who dropped the ball. It was a third down, and Nicholas helped the defense get off the field.
Brown’s returns
Rookie running back Thomas Brown appeared headed for a touchdown on a second-quarter kickoff return, but instead of faking out the kicker Matt Stover, Brown ran into him, then he bounced off him for a few more yards.
The good return was nullified by a holding call on Ben Wilkerson, and the Falcons had to start the drive on their own 12-yard line.
Later, after an illegal horse-collar tackle by Baltimore’s Anwar Phillips, Brown left the game with a groin injury.
Stepanovich out
Backup center/guard Alex Stepanovich was the only Falcons’ player who did not dress for the game. Stepanovich injured his back after starting the preseason opener at Jacksonville and has not resumed practicing.
Jackson, Ryan: Different birds
Two Baltimore assistant coaches, Hue Jackson and Rex Ryan, might have had a little extra motivation to win the meaningless preseason finale. Jackson, who spent the 2007 team after being hired by former coach Bobby Petrino, was not retained. Ryan interviewed for the Falcons head-coaching job to replace Petrino and was a leading candidate, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff hired Smith.
— Staff writer D.Orlando Ledbetter contributed to this article.
