Norwood's 62-yard scamper highlights Falcons' win over Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Jerious Norwood needed only one play to show why the Atlanta Falcons no longer needed T.J. Duckett.

The rookie out of Mississippi State replaced Warrick Dunn on the third series, then scored a 62-yard touchdown on his second carry Saturday night in helping the Falcons beat the Tennessee Titans 20-6 Saturday night.

Atlanta coach Jim Mora said Norwood made the most of his opportunity.

"He's got a little bit of speed, doesn't he?" Mora said.

"When he gets in the open field, he's hard to catch. What we need him to do is be a little more decisive up inside and hit it up in there on those plays that don't look so clean, but it's fun to watch him in the open field."

The Falcons traded away Duckett, a burly short-yardage specialist, to Washington in a three-team trade earlier this week that brought them receiver Ashley Lelie. The receiver didn't play, but Atlanta (2-1) didn't need to throw much in keeping Tennessee (0-3) winless this preseason.

Norwood was the 79th pick overall in April. He picked up 6 yards on his first carry, then took a step to his left, cut back to his right and ran 62 yards for a touchdown and a 10-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. He had nine carries for 104 yards, topping the 100-yard mark early in the third quarter.

"I've got a long way to go," Norwood said.

Atlanta, which has led the NFL in rushing the past two seasons, didn't need Michael Vick to test his arm even with Tennessee cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones suspended as punishment for being arrested Friday on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

The Falcons ran for 153 of 192 yards in the first half in building a 17-6 lead. They finished rushing for 262 of their 359 total yards with Marlion Jackson running for 95 yards in the second half. Michael Koenen also kicked field goals of 21 and 38 yards.

"We've got a lot of guys who can make plays," Vick said. "That's the best position to be in."

For Tennessee, it was a minor improvement from last week when the Titans gave up 269 yards and trailed 28-3 by halftime in losing 35-10 at Denver. It was ugly enough, though, that fans started leaving at halftime.

Titans rookie Vince Young got fans cheering when he started the second half, but it didn't last. He completed a nice 28-yard pass to Courtney Roby on the run, then had a pass picked off by Allen Rossum at the Atlanta 20.

Vick played all but the final series in the first half, and he left with a 17-3 lead after he threaded a 4-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins under pressure on third-and-goal. He finished 7 of 14 for 48 yards passing and ran three times for 34 yards.

Patrick Kerney got two of Atlanta's three sacks -- his first of the preseason -- and the Falcons also came up with an interception.

Vick's TD came after the Titans came up short on a fake punt when Craig Hentrich tossed a pass to Jarrett Payton needing only 4 yards for a first down. John Leake made to stop at the Tennessee 33.

The Titans were inept enough that their fans started booing after a third straight three-and-out by the starting offense. Coach Jeff Fisher took credit for calling the fake punt, saying he needed to get some things on tape. He blamed three untimely penalties with disrupting his offense.

"There were some flashes, and there were some things tonight that we have to build on for some encouraging things," Fisher said.

Starting quarterback Billy Volek finally got going and hit 6-of-7 for 74 yards in moving the Titans to the Falcons 17. But Keith Brooking helped break up Volek's pass to tight end Ben Troupe in the end zone, and fans booed again when Fisher sent Rob Bironas out for a 35-yard field goal seconds before halftime.

"These people pay their money," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "They're entitled to do whatever they want to do. If I was a fan and I didn't see something I liked, I don't know, I might boo too."

Game notes
Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler suffered a cut and bruised knee. ... The Falcons also scratched defensive tackle Grady Jackson. ... The Titans scratched a pair of receivers they thought might play. Brandon Jones is recovering from a torn right ACL, while Tyrone Calico had a tight hamstring. David Givens (hamstring) also was among 11 players scratched.