The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-9, last week in the two clubs’ final preseason game of the year. Though most of the squads’ starters sat the contest out, the game held the crowd’s interest.
Justin Smiley, a Southeast Bulloch High School graduate, is playing for the Jaguars after he was traded during the off season from Miami as an undisclosed draft pick. The regional man, 28, is looking to reignite his career in north Florida.
Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio seems to think the former second-round draft pick has a few good years left. Before last Thursday’s game, Smiley, who has started 73 NFL games, was listed on the depth chart as the No. 2 left guard and, as a result, he saw substantial playing time.
According to NFL reports, the Dolphins traded Smiley due, in part, to concern over a nagging ankle injury from 2008 and a shoulder injury sustained in 2009. Because of his injuries, Smiley started in only 24 of 32 games during the past two seasons.
During last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Smiley played the entire first and second quarters and, judging from his performance on the field, appears to be healthy and unhindered by his injuries. The guard’s mobility was especially noticeable during a play where the only touchdown of the game was scored.
In the second quarter, with Atlanta up 3-0, Jacksonville called fullback Brock Bolen’s number. The 25-year-old, first-year player took a pitch from quarterback Luke McCowan and made a cut back toward the center. Smiley, a lead blocker on the play, made two key blocks to clear the way for Bolen to score.
On Monday, the Jaguars announced that Smiley will be the starting left guard for the club. Previous starter Vince Manuwai, 30, will move into a back-up role for the first time in his career.
Atlanta wasn’t without its own stars, however. Falcon backup quarterback Chris Redman was the star of the night. He started the game and went 15-22 for 142 yards. The eight-year veteran likely will be an asset for Atlanta as it is rare for an NFL starting quarterback to go an entire season without missing a game. Having a solid backup is a necessity.
Additionally, starting QB Matt Ryan did go down last year for two games, at which time Redman filled in nicely.
This Sunday, Atlanta takes on the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars will face the Denver Broncos at home. Both games are at 1 p.m.