Final
Revamped Falcons look to build on early success at Buccaneers
Sep 9, 2008 - 6:47 PM Atlanta (1-0) at Tampa Bay (0-1), 4:05 pm EDTTAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- In the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons paid for a revamped ground game and a passing attack with immense potential. It appears they cashed in on both already.
Coming off an impressive win in the regular-season's opener, the Falcons look to get more production from running back Michael Turner and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Turner made his first start as a Falcon and rolled up 220 yards - the team's single-game rushing record - while Ryan tossed a touchdown on his first career pass en route to 162 yards as Atlanta rolled to a 34-21 triumph over the Detroit Lions.
After four years as a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, Turner inked a six-year, $34.5 million contract in March, and it didn't take long for him to impress in his debut, unleashing 117 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. He broke off a 66-yard touchdown run to follow Ryan's 62-yard scoring strike, helping the Falcons jump out to a 21-0 lead.
Turner combined with Jerious Norwood (93 yards, 14 carries) to give the Falcons a team-record 318 rushing yards overall.
Despite the electric showing from a rejuvenated running scheme, Ryan generated a lot of much-deserved buzz as well. The former Boston College standout was selected third overall by Atlanta - which finished 4-12 in 2007 - with hopes of him turning into a leader the team once had in Michael Vick.
"He was very composed," Falcons coach Mike Smith told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He was very calm, cool and collected. We knew he had the skill set as far as throwing the football, running and operating an offense. I thought Matt did a very good job."
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers' opener didn't go so well. Quarterback Jeff Garcia, who completed 24-of-41 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown and one interception, sprained an ankle during their 24-20 loss at New Orleans and is questionable for Sunday. If he is unable to play, Brian Griese likely will get the nod.
Tampa Bay rushed for 146 yards, with Earnest Graham leading the way with 91 yards on 10 carries and Warrick Dunn, a former Falcon, gaining 54 yards on nine attempts.
Still, the Buccaneers will need to find a way to contain the Falcons' offensive attack.
"We are going to have to tackle extremely well this week," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said.
- NFL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 0 3 3 3 9
TAMPA BAY 7 10 0 7 24 FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN
GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK), 2:23.
Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards in 1:52.
Key plays: Talib 2-yard
interception return to Atlanta 19;
Greise 12-yard pass
Sep 14 7:15 PM - NFL
TD TAM
EARNEST GRAHAM 68 YD RUN
(MATT BRYANT KICK)
ATLANTA 9
TAMPA BAY 24 3:08 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Falcons 9, Buccaneers 24 4th - 3:08Sep 14 7:06 PM - NFL
FG ATL
JASON ELAM 25 YD
ATLANTA 9
TAMPA BAY 17 5:12 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Falcons 9, Buccaneers 17 4th - 5:12Sep 14 6:56 PM - NFL
END, 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 0 3 3 6
TAMPA BAY 7 10 0 17 END, 3RD QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN
GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK), 2:23.
Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards in 1:52.
Key plays: Talib 2-yard
interception return to Atlanta 19;
Greise 12-ya
Sep 14 6:26 PM - NFL
FG ATL
JASON ELAM 27 YD
ATLANTA 6
TAMPA BAY 17 1:03 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Falcons 6, Buccaneers 17 3rd - 1:03Sep 14 6:22 PM - NFL
HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 0 3 3
TAMPA BAY 7 10 17 HALFTIME
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN
GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK), 2:23.
Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards in 1:52.
Key plays: Talib 2-yard
interception return to Atlanta 19;
Greise 12-yard p
Sep 14 5:33 PM - NFL
FG ATL
JASON ELAM 32 YD
ATLANTA 3
TAMPA BAY 17 0:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Falcons 3, Buccaneers 17 2nd - 0:17Sep 14 5:30 PM - NFL
FG TAM
MATT BRYANT 33 YD
ATLANTA 0
TAMPA BAY 17 9:07 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 17 2nd - 9:07Sep 14 5:01 PM - NFL
TD TAM
WARRICK DUNN 17 YD RUN
(MATT BRYANT KICK)
ATLANTA 0
TAMPA BAY 14 11:08 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 14 2nd - 11:08Sep 14 4:50 PM - NFL
END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 0 0
TAMPA BAY 7 7 END, 1ST QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN
GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK), 2:15.
Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards in 1:52.
Key plays: Talib 2-yard
interception return to Atlanta 19;
Greise 12-ya
Sep 14 4:40 PM
TD TAM JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 7 1st - 12:45Sep 14 4:14 PM
TD TAM JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 7 1st - 12:45Sep 14 4:14 PM
TD TAM JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN GRIESE (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 7 1st - 12:45Sep 14 4:14 PM- NFL
TD TAM
JOHN GILMORE 5 YD PASS FROM BRIAN GRIESE
(MATT BRYANT KICK)
ATLANTA 0
TAMPA BAY 7 12:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Falcons 0, Buccaneers 7 1st - 12:45Sep 14 4:14 PM
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