LANDOVER, Md. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan couldn't stop smiling when asked about a 12-yard touchdown run by rookie Ito Smith in Sunday's 38-14 win against the Washington Redskins.
On the second-quarter play, the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Smith followed a punishing block by Julio Jones, vaulted over one defender, then carried 6-5, 265-pound linebacker Preston Smith into the end zone.
"Ito's run for a touchdown was awesome," Ryan beamed. "It was impressive. I was able to kind of watch it from behind. And I didn't think he was scoring at first, and then he just kept going.