Bijan Robinson’s first NFL run was precisely what the Atlanta Falcons need out of him.
Robinson, who did not play within the Falcons’ preseason opener, bought his first NFL preseason snaps Friday night time in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. On his first carry, he took it off proper deal with, had a slight lower inside to get via the opening, then confirmed off his burst for a 12-yard achieve. He made a security fully whiff within the open subject as nicely.
There can be loads extra runs like that for Robinson, the eighth general decide of the NFL Draft.
There was lots to love from the Falcons’ younger core on their first drive of the sport.
Desmond Ridder was just a little off on some passes, however his receivers helped him out. Kyle Pitts made a pleasant adjustment to catch a cross behind him. Robinson did the identical on a display cross, grabbing Ridder’s cross that was behind him and hauling it in with one hand. Robinson goes to be a giant issue within the Falcons’ passing recreation as nicely.
Ridder is the important thing to the offense as he enters his second season. He did have an interception that ended the Falcons’ first drive. On third-and-goal he had a cross into protection that was tipped straight up and picked off by defensive finish Joseph Ossai.
It wasn’t all a loss for Ridder. Ridder had an amazing hookup with second-year receiver Drake London for a 21-yard achieve down the sideline.
Ridder additionally scrambled for a primary down on third-and-four to maintain the drive alive. The Falcons did not get a landing on the drive. The Falcons have been put in a gap after having first-and-goal as a result of holding and false begin penalties, however nonetheless ought to have come away with a subject aim. In Ridder’s protection, the Bengals may have been known as for cross interference, however there was no flag. Both means, Ridder cannot flip it over that deep into an opponent’s territory. That is a great lesson for a younger quarterback.
It is simple to be excited for the Falcons’ younger core. Ridder and London are of their second seasons. Robinson is the favourite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. Pitts is in his third season, and was simply the second tight finish ever to put up a 1,000-yard season as a rookie. Ridder’s interception did not erase the entire highlights these gamers had Friday. It was only a reminder that the quarterback nonetheless is not a completed product. The Falcons’ skill-position starters took a seat after that first drive.
The Falcons are constructing an thrilling younger core on offense. The potential was on show in Friday’s preseason recreation.