Preseason Game 1: Jacksonville Jaguars

Although the Falcons fell 20-17 in their first preseason game, they showed much improvement. Matt Ryan threw for 113 yards and one touchdown in his NFL debut. "I felt pretty good after the second series I was in there," Ryan said. "In the first series, I was a bit nervous. I settled down – did some good things and some bad things – but got more comfortable as I went along."

The rest of the team also showed much improvement. Newly acquired running back Michael Turner played a couple of snaps. He had 22 yards rushing averaging 4.4 yards a carry.“It was pretty good," said Turner, who is taking on feature back responsibilities after spending four years as LaDanian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego. "We’ve still got to work out some kinks here and there. We need to try to eliminate the penalties. If felt great to finally start the 2008 season.”

The Falcons also debuted another important position, new coach Mike Smith. “It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to," Head coach Mike Smith said. "Of course when you come down in a football game, you want to win. I told the guys in (the locker room) that we are not into moral victories. I thought our guys play hard and with passion. There were some really good plays and I think there was some play that we have to get some corrections on. Until we get a chance to watch the film and really get a chance to evaluate it, it’s really going to be hard to pinpoint the areas that we are going to have to work on.”