Bijan Robinson Impresses in Debut, Falcons Observations & More

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson impressed during his debut, leading the team's opening drive with a 15-play series. The Falcons tied 13-13 with the Cincinnati Bengals in their preseason game.

In his first game as a professional, rookie running back Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons showed no signs of nerves. He made an impressive debut, taking his first NFL carry for 12 yards and setting the tone for the team's 15-play opening drive in their preseason tie against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith praised Robinson's performance, noting that he handled the pressure well and operated at a fast pace. Despite being a rookie, Robinson seemed unfazed by the magnitude of the game.

Robinson, along with the rest of the Falcons starters, made their season debut after sitting out the previous preseason game. The University of Texas product, who was selected with the No. 8 pick, played one series and had four carries for 20 yards and one reception for 6 yards. He accounted for a third of the touches during the series when the Falcons' offensive starters were on the field.

Expressing his excitement, Robinson described the experience as "awesome" and a blessing to be able to showcase his talent. He acknowledged that it was only the preseason but emphasized his readiness to contribute to the team.

Looking ahead, the Falcons have one more preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it remains uncertain if the starters will see any action in that game. Despite the outcome of the first drive not meeting their expectations, Robinson expressed confidence in the team's explosiveness and believes they will continue to perform well.

During the opening drive, wide receiver Drake London had three catches for 33 yards, while tight end Kyle Pitts had one catch for 9 yards. This marked Pitts' return to the field after suffering an injury last season. However, none of the starters returned to the game after the first drive.

Pitts praised Robinson's performance, describing him as a talented player who performed admirably. The tight end expressed his satisfaction with being back on the field and stated that he is fully focused and ready to contribute.

In contrast to their performance last season, where they were the least penalized team in the NFL, the Falcons struggled with penalties in this game. They were called for 13 penalties, including four on the first drive alone. Pro Bowl left guard Chris Lindstrom was called for holding twice, matching his total from last season.

Coach Smith expressed his disappointment with the presnap penalties and emphasized the need to improve in that area. Despite their effectiveness on offense, the Falcons need to convert their yards into more points.

Several players, including Drake London, offensive tackles Kaleb McGary, Tyler Vrabel, and Jalen Mayfield, tight end Tucker Fisk, linebacker Frank Ginda, and guard Justin Shaffer, were flagged for false starts.

Quarterback Desmond Ridder, in his second year with the Falcons, played 15 snaps during the opening drive. He completed 7 out of 9 passes for 80 yards but threw an interception in the red zone, ending the drive. Ridder showed improvement in spreading the ball around and displayed both accuracy and some areas for improvement.

Mayfield, who played four series, struggled against Cincinnati defensive end Raymond Johnson III. Mayfield, who had a challenging rookie year, spent the 2022 season on injured reserve due to a back injury. The Falcons moved him back to his more natural position of tackle this season, but he faced difficulties against Johnson.

As the Falcons consider their roster for the regular season, they may need to make tough decisions regarding wide receivers. In the previous season, the team kept six wide receivers on their roster, but this year, finding two additional players for the regular rotation might prove challenging. Josh Ali, who entered the game during the first series, had a promising performance with three catches for 39 yards. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, a second-round pick by the Eagles in 2019, also had two catches for 39 yards.

Unfortunately, KhaDarel Hodge, one of the top targets in the passing game, left the game with an ankle injury. However, Coach Smith expressed optimism that the injury is not serious.

Overall, the Falcons' preseason game showcased both promising performances and areas for improvement. The team demonstrated explosiveness on offense but struggled with penalties. As they prepare for their final preseason game, the Falcons will continue to assess their starters and make necessary adjustments before the regular season begins.