By Associated Press (AP)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s quarterback competition turned out to be a stalemate against Atlanta.
David Garrard did little to solidify his starting spot and rookie Blaine Gabbert was equally unimpressive as the Jaguars beat the Falcons 15-13 on August 19 in NFL preseason play.
Garrard completed 7-of-12 passes for 99 yards, with an interception in three series. Gabbert, the 10th overall pick in April’s draft, completed 11 of 23 passes for 96 yards in seven series. Gabbert was plagued by several drops, including three on one second-half series that forced the Jaguars to settle for a 54-yard field goal.
Matt Ryan’s receiving corps had similar issues, but Harry Douglas turned a short crossing route into a 76-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Ryan finished 7-of-15 for 116 yards.
“I thought we did some good things, but we also made some mistakes,” Ryan said. “There are a lot of things to improve on. I don’t think our execution was up to our standards that we set for ourselves, but that’s why you have a preseason.”
Ryan played the entire first half as Atlanta built a 10-3 lead. Michael Turner ran seven times for 14 yards, and Roddy White had a 13-yard reception. Douglas caught two passes for 87 yards.
But the Falcons failed to hold onto an early lead for the second consecutive week.
“We’re coming up a little short, obviously, these last two weeks,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “I don’t care what anybody says about preseason. You still want to win the game.”
Jacksonville’s first two drives ended with turnovers. Garrard, who missed last week’s preseason opener because of a sore back, badly overthrew Mike Thomas deep. Cornerback Brent Grimes was the only one in the vicinity. He picked it off in the end zone and returned it 62 yards, setting up Matt Bryant’s 34-yard field goal.
On Jacksonville’s next possession, rookie Cecil Shorts bobbled a handoff from Garrard on an end around and gave the Falcons the ball in great field position.
“We can’t continue to shoot ourselves,” Garrard said.
Ryan couldn’t capitalize on the second turnover, though. Jeremy Mincey pressured Ryan into intentional grounding on third down, essentially ending the drive.
Mincey, still dealing with the death of a childhood friend, posed all sorts of problems for the Falcons.
“When he’s on his keys and knows what he is doing, he’s unblockable” teammate Aaron Kampman said. “I think he’s going to have a great year.”
Ryan had Mincey in his face on several plays. He looked much better when he got time and found Douglas across the middle. Douglas beat Jacksonville’s new nickel back, Drew Coleman, and outran several defenders to the end zone.