And that makes six...

QB Matt Ryan set to take snap vs Bengals.  Photo: US Presswire/ John D. Weiss

So the NFL season is upon us, and training camps are winding down, but practices continue. The Falcons have opened up the preseason fast, but yet, it has been sluggish. The Falcons have played both of their campaigns so far in the comforts of the Georgia Dome. So far the last two preseasons the Falcons are 0-6, with two remaining preseason games on the road. The team pulled an 0-fer last year. I know preseason is not about wins and losses, it's all about playing your talent to see who best fits the 53-man roaster for the regular season. It is brought up all the time that as long as the starters play well, there is nothing to worry about. My opinion that's not the case. Knock on wood, but what happens if one of the starters goes down, teams have to have quality backups. I love the Falcons, but no quality backups.

Both games so far this preseason, the Falcons starters have looked in mid season form, and have both entered the half with the lead. Versus the Ravens 17-10, and the Bengals 13-10. But as the reserves followed in the second half, both leads turned into losses. Penalties, penalties, penalties. This plagued the Falcons in the Bengals game. Though there was one personal foul penalty for 15 yards on a face mask by Atlanta DT Peria Jerry on Bengals QB Andy Dalton that was not a face mask, but a great sack on the QB for not. Since the NFL officials are in strike this year, in are replacement officials, in which they have called way too many bad calls for all teams. But in their defense, they are trying and doing the best they can.

Yes, the Falcons lost both games, 31-17 and 24-19, but there were positives. A more vertical game down field is what this offense brings. QB Matt Ryan has thrown a total of 329 yards in two games, with two touchdowns and one INT. Wideout Julio Jones has been spectacular and will be the downfield threat. Wide receiver Roddy White will be the move-the-chains man and TE Tony Gonzalez, well, will just be Gonzalez, a soon to be Hall of Famer.

On the other side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has his players running all over the field making plays. More aggressive, and getting pressure on the quarterback. Something the Falcons couldn't do the last four years under the old defensive regimine. Outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon will be the general for the D, and he will call the plays on the field. But free agent acquisition DB Asante Samuel needs to pick it up. He has got burnt the last couple games. And even admitted he was a little slow on the TD to Bengals WR AJ Green. But he will get more comfortable as the games continue.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
I am a loving husband, father.  God and family are #1 in my life.
Kennesaw State Univ alum in Journalism. 
Academic librarian/writer/blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized 
when they are written."

So let the games continue as the Falcons travel to Miami to take on the Chad Ochocinco, I mean Johnson-less Dolphins this upcoming Friday, August 24 at 7:30pm. Let's get the first preseason win, then the team will feel a little better.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.