By Steve Carter

steve.carter@gaflnews.com



ATLANTA — With their coaches not wanting to risk injury to either player, Atlanta’s Michael Vick and Jacksonville’s Bryan Leftwich took Thursday night’s Atlanta Falcons-Jacksonville Jaguars preseason football game off.

Even though fans still had to pay full ticket price, most Atlanta fans were still happy as they got to see three quarters of D.J. Shockley running the team.

Shockley, the former University of Georgia quarterback, received a standing ovation from the crowd when he entered the game to begin the second quarter.

Even though he fumbled one time, Shockley led the Falcons on two scoring drives. The last resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Shockley to Kevin Youngblood.

Overall, Shockley was 9-for-15 for 94 yards and one touchdown.

“I just wanted to go out and do the best I could,” Shockley said after the game.

About his first extended playing time of the preseason, Shockley said, “I got a little nervous, but for the most part, it was fun.”

While he led the Bulldogs to the SEC title in 2005, Shockley will be little more than a clipboard holder as the Falcons’ No. 3 quarterback behind Vick and Matt Schaub.

“I am looking forward to every situation,” said Shockley. “I want to come in and learn, so if I get thrown into the fire right away I will know what’s going on. I am looking forward to being around Vick and Schaub and learning from them.”

For his part, Schaub said he was impressed with Shockley’s play against Jacksonville.

“D.J. Shockley executed at a high level in the second half,” Schaub said. “He made some plays tonight. He got out of the stack and was able to make some throws tonight.”

Even though he is entrenched as a Falcon now, Shockley said he would not forget where he came from.

“It’s going to be kind of strange seeing Georgia playing on TV and I’m not even there,” said Shockley.

Seeing the extended time ended a week that saw Shockley edge out Bryan Randall as the Falcons’ No. 3 quarterback. Randall was cut Monday giving Shockley the job.

“It takes a lot of the anxiety off, when you come in on Monday and you know you are on the team, you are going to make a living and you got a job,” Shockley said. “It kind of makes you feel good. Through the entire camp, I just kept playing and was hoping things would take care of themselves.”

DUNN HASN’T FORGOT HIS ROOTS EITHER: While Shockley was hearing his share of barks Thursday night, the Falcons’ Warrick Dunn has not forgotten how to do the tomahawk chop of his alma mater, Florida State.

“When I went back to the spring game, I think we showed a lot of promise,” Dunn said of the FSU Seminoles. “I think we are going to be back to the way we were before. I think the guys have a lot of pride and are playing hard.

“I think (Florida State) coach (Bobby) Bowden has them back to the way they need to be.”

DUNN AND JACKSON HIGH ON FALCONS’ CHANCES: Dunn and newcomer Grady Jackson both like Atlanta’s chances to have a good season in 2006.

“We’re ready,” Dunn said. “I just think guys are tired of hitting each other and we get tired of playing these exhibition games. We really want to get down the business and we are expecting a tough, intense game against Carolina (the Falcons’ season opener on Sept. 10).”

Jackson was hired to be a run-stopper at defensive tackle for the Falcons. Thursday was supposed to be his first action in an Atlanta uniform, but he was kept out of the game.

Even though he did not play, Jackson has enjoyed his brief time as a Falcon.

“It has been good, connecting with the guys,” Jackson said. “We are just having fun.”

Like Dunn, Jackson also likes the chances of Atlanta to do well in 2006.

“The sky’s the limit for us,” Jackson said. “We just have to go and do what we have to do and play ball.”