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Rookies Ryan, Flacco battle for first time as Falcons edge Ravens

Aug 29, 2008 - 2:38 AM By Rich Dubroff PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens concluded the preseason with little idea of the identity of their starting quarterback. On the other hand, the Atlanta Falcons know who their signal-caller is, even if he didn't impress on Thursday.

D.J. Shockley threw for the game's lone touchdown as the Falcons concluded the preseason with a 10-9 win over the Ravens.

Baltimore's first-round draft choice, Joe Flacco, started for the second time in five days out of necessity after Troy Smith missed his second consecutive game with a tonsil infection.

Not only was Smith unavailable, but six-year veteran Kyle Boller was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder on Wednesday and could be lost for the season. That left Flacco and Casey Bramlet, who was cut by the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday and signed early Thursday, as the Ravens' quarterbacks.

Flacco played into the second quarter, finishing 8-of-13 for 72 yards before yielding to Bramlet.

The Falcons named Flacco's draft classmate Matt Ryan as their starter this week. The former Boston College standout played only in the first quarter and was 2-for-7 for 17 yards.

Shockley's 20-yard TD pass to Brian Finneran late in the first half gave Atlanta a 7-6 lead, leaving a final impression on the Falcons' coaching staff as they decide between him and incumbents Joey Harrington and Chris Redman as Ryan's backup.