3 positives, 3 negatives from the Atlanta Falcons’ first preseason game

Positive #3) The Falcons’ veteran and rookie quarterbacks played great in their first action of the year

Marcus Mariota took the ball for the Falcons and ran with it, quite literally. It was so much fun to watch.

He started out the drive with a nine-yard scramble and ended it with a six-yard rush for a touchdown. It is good to see that he is comfortable with himself and is not making the game too complicated, after all, who cares whether you run or pass the ball the whole game, as long as you gain yards and score touchdowns.

Mariota also managed to overcome holding and false-start penalties, while playing behind a shaky offensive line.

The same things can be said about Desmond Ridder, while he made a couple bad passes that should have been interceptions, he did not care and managed to end those drives in touchdowns.

He looked calm, cool, and collected. There is reason to be excited for the future at the quarterback position for the Falcons.

Negative #3) Every Falcons receiver, not named Drake London, was inconsistent and ineffective

The Falcons should be excited about Drake London. He played just five snaps and made one great catch for 24 yards, but that is beside the point.

Every other receiver failed to make a consistent impact. Only one receiver — Frank Darby — managed to snag more than one pass and he only had two. Drake London also led the team in receiving. Let’s reiterate this, London only played five snaps!

Desmond Ridder also had three passes dropped on 22 attempts which have to get cleaned up. Last thing this offense needs are drops.

The Falcons are basically writing in Drake London, Bryan Edwards, and Olamide Zaccheaus 1-2-3 on their depth chart, past that it is a competition between guys like Auden Tate, Frank Darby, Geronimo Allison, and others. They did not impress at all.

Expect them to settle in against the Jets in the next game because they really are talented players.