Matt Ryan played two decent series. Matt Cassel played four average ones.
Both quarterbacks lacked solid protection in the preseason
opener, but Ryan's Falcons got better play from their rookie
reserves in Atlanta's 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on
Friday night.
Dexter McCluster, a second-round pick, made a few dazzling moves
as a tailback and a slot receiver for Kansas City. But Dimitri
Nance and Shann Schillinger helped put the Falcons ahead to stay
early in the third quarter.
Nance, an undrafted rookie free agent from Arizona State, ran
for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 10-3. Schillinger, a sixth-round
cornerback, set up the score by picking off Brodie Croyle's throw
and returning it 29 yards.