Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Opening Statement:
”They are hard to beat, but we are sure glad we got the win. I thought our players prepared extremely well. We have been fighting through adversity all year long and the team has played hard, practice hard and prepared hard. It paid off today and that is a good feeling. I like the way we played. I thought our defense did a nice job in the game. They kept putting pressure on QB Matt (Schaub). Their offense is designed to get the ball out quickly and they made some big plays doing that, but we kept coming. We really made plays when the game was on the line tonight and that is what you like to see. LB Michael Boley’s play on the fourth down is an example. He was responsible for the back and he fought through a rub and did a great job on the tackle to keep them from getting the first down. Offensively, I felt like we were in a rhythm for the most part. We continued to the move the ball. I certainly would have liked to get touchdowns where we got field goals. In the end when our defense got the big turnover, I was trying to work the clock. It was a good win and I was happy about it.”
On the two successful challenges:
“The one was right in front of us and I felt like he had advanced past the first down marker. I was not going to throw the flag based on just how I felt, but the guys upstairs said there was not doubt he got the first down. I think he landed past the down marker and the ball was brought back when he spotted it. At the end, there was really no question once you saw the video. The coaches upstairs once again said he landed before he got in. That was big for us and it took points off the board for them and used the clock.”
On the ensuing drive after falling behind 7-3:
“I think our offense is getting to the point where they have confidence. We still want to make sure we are running the ball and we came out on first down and RB Warrick (Dunn) had a good carry. We gave Warrick the ball again and I thought he had the first down, but that one was short. We called our third down play and our line blocked it well and we managed to get the first down. Any time you can get long gains, we call them ‘chuck plays’, your chances of scoring go up. When we got the first down we decided to take a shot down field to WR Roddy (White) and there was obviously a great throw and catch. He had to move so it was really a nice play by QB Joey (Harrington).”
On anything special happening in the locker room post game:
“Yes, Arthur (Blank) gave me a game ball. I hope there are many more to come.”
On the play of Michael Boley:
“I felt like he was running around and making plays everywhere. Every week when we go through the stats and the tape, Michael is up there near the lead in tackles and plays made. He is having a really good year for us and he was really glued into what they were trying to do. The other thing are the plays he made during crucial parts of the game. That is something we have been looking to do.”
Wide Receiver Michael Jenkins
On the way it felt to win the game:
”It’s a great win for the Falcons and a great win for the fans at home. We just have to get back to the drawing board and get ready for the next week. This is just one but hopefully we can continue to win games.”
On the chemistry between Joey Harrington and Michael Jenkins today:
“Yeah, it seemed as if we were on the page and we kind of got into a rhythm there in the first half. We just wanted to make some plays and score a couple touchdowns and that’s what we did today.”
On the first touchdown that Michael Jenkins scored tonight:
“I was able to just get open and find some open ground. That gave Joey time to get the ball to me. I was also able to get a few yards after the catch and I was really feeling good out there. Then we got a call and Joey was able to make a great throw in the back of the end zone. It was a great day all around.”
On the second touchdown that Michael had today:
“Yeah, Joey was able to get the ball to me on a third and short situations. I was able to make a guys miss and then I got into the end zone so it was just a great job by everybody.”
Linebacker Michael Boley
On being 0-3 this season and finally getting a win:
“Man it was great to finally get a win. I have never been 0-3 in anything and that was my mentality throughout practice. We wanted to just fix the problems that we were facing.”
On the work ethic of the linebackers in practice this week:
“Yeah we were able to get in there and get some things done this week. It was a lot better. We have had some mistakes over the last couple weeks, so we were finally able to work some things out. We were able to focus in on making sure we made the right plays this week and get that corrected.”
On chasing after QB Matt Schaub and what was said as a result of that:
“We didn’t get a chance to talk about that today. It basically boiled down to just playing ball.”
On the defense of the offensive drives on the day:
“Yeah it was just one of those things where they had some tendencies and luckily we were able to make some big plays on that drive. It worked out well for us at the end of the day.”
On being able to hang in there and play the whole four quarters:
“Finishing the job has been our main focus through practice the entire week. We started out great this game and things didn’t go our way towards the end of the game so it was important that we keet on fighting until the end.”
Safety Lawyer Milloy
On how much the team needed this win:
“Man, words can’t explain this because in this league, it’s all about winning ball games and nothing else is acceptable. It doesn’t matter how hard you fight or how close you are, if you lose ball games then that makes the week miserable. Hugging your loved ones is not as good, and that is what we were searching for and we got it today.”
On Matt Schaub and his performance today:
“Yeah he is an outstanding competitor and we hate to see him leave but he has the opportunity of turning that organization around. We knew that they were down a couple of weapons and that they were going to try and establish the run. We made some plays and we were resilient in the red zone after giving up some big plays. That is what you need as a defense.”
Quarterback Joey Harrington
Opening statement:
”The factor that makes me feel good about this win is that we’ve improved from week to week. These are noticeable improvements because you can look at game one and game four and see our progress. This is what we have to do on a continual basis and now take it into next week versus the Tennessee Titans. The fact that we’re 1-3 is not the most positive but we took a step up today to where we want to be at the end of the season.”On WR Michael Jenkins:
“Like I said from day one, we have a talented group of receivers and Michael is one of them. He really knows how to work the middle of the field, which he has done very well this year. On his touchdown, he made a great move on their safety (C.C. Brown) and made a high ball catch in the back of the end zone. We need to get him more balls like that on a consistent basis because he is tremendous on those.”
On the offensive production:
“We did very well but we need to finish more of the drives better. There was one drive where it was first down on the two-yard line, but we had a penalty that took us back. However, it is good to know that we can get down in the red zone the majority of the time and get some points. K Morten Andersen always tells me that if we get the ball inside the 50-yard line, then that is good enough for him to handle the rest. He sure came through with his word today.”
On the offensive groove:
“We got in the groove a little bit today and it felt good. Like I said last week, this game is all about momentum. Moreover, it is more about feeling the flow of the game so much that you’re dictating to them what you’re going to do. We have to finish drives better and then concentrate about putting them away.”
Running Back Jerious Norwood
On the Falcons getting their first win of the season:
“It’s great to get that first win in our building. Hopefully, it’s the start of something good around here. We just have to go back to work on Monday, try to get better and get ready for next week.”
On the play of the Falcons offense:
“I feel like the offense is starting to click. I mean we still have a lot of work to do but, like I said, the offense is starting to click and things are starting to flow a little better for us. Like I said, we have to continue to work and get better every week.”
Defensive end John Abraham
On the fumble he forced of Houston QB Matt Schaub:
“I didn’t think I was going to get there that time. They were trying to check me with a running back, but I was able to turn around and knock the ball out of his hand. I got close all day, but there’s nothing like getting to the quarterback.”
Linebacker Keith Brooking
On the Falcons getting their first win of the season:
“It’s just great to get that losing taste out of our mouths. It’s been a long four weeks, but we found a way to win today and played four full quarters. Defensively and offensively we made plays. I think it was just a total team effort. It’s a great feeling.”
On Houston QB Matt Schaub:
“He had a couple of his weapons who were out today and I think he showed
Running Back Warrick Dunn
Feeling in the locker room after the game:
”I think right now, guys are very happy and excited that we played for four quarters, made play’s and held on. After the first few weeks of frustration, you could really see that guys let loose a little bit. It was great to get the first win. It’s usually the hardest win to get for a new coach. Now, we just need to come back.
Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak
On his team’s penalties:
”I know we had plenty of them. On special teams, they hurt badly. When you have penalties, you are in trouble. We had a touchdown called back that would have had us right their in the end of game.”
On his team’s offensive play:
“I think we are playing football better right now and those two kids, Andre Davis and Kevin Walter are playing well. They played their heart out. We trust those guys and we can count on them every week being their for our football team. Our quarterback is playing extremely well. He cannot turn the ball over. We have to protect the ball in the pocket, but he is playing well. Our effort is not a problem at all, but we are not playing very clean and when you don’t play clean you can expect to get beat.”
On the play of Schaub:
“I expect him to play well every week. It does not matter who is in their and who is not. We don’t except to win, we work to win and we did not win. We did not win because we were missing man power, but we lost because of our poor play.”
On the play of the Falcons:
“They kept us in the game, but when you play a quarterback in the NFL and they finished 23 of 29 you know that is not getting it done in the NFL. We are going to get it fixed and come back and play better.”
Quarterback Matt Schaub
On not converting in goal to go situations:
“It was very frustrating when you can’t convert two yards. When you get down inside the 10-yard line and kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns it is very frustrating.”
On Ephraim Salaam’s comments:
“No one feels good in the locker room. We all worked hard so no one will feel good about it. He’s just more vocal because that is his personality.”
Safety Will Demps
On competing on the road against an 0-3 team:
Anytime you are on the road, it doesn’t matter who you play. Like Coach Kubiak has said, whether you are playing world champions, or a 0-3 team, it doesn’t matter. You must be prepared. As you could see today, we didn’t play well in all fazes of the game. We turned the ball over and we didn’t play well on special teams. We didn’t force any turnovers on defense. It was like a trap game really, but you don’t want to say it.”
On game-planning for Joey Harrington:
“Well he’s a passing quarterback. It’s kind of weird coming here and not playing against Vick, who is more of a runner. But Harrington, he’s a step up in the pocket kind of quarterback. I’ve got to hand it to him, he made the plays they needed to make. He threw two touchdown passes and they needed the win. Not that we didn’t, but you can’t make the mistakes we made and win in this league.”
Defensive Tackle Jeff Zgonina
On just how good an 0-3 team can be:
“Hey, this is the NFL. We knew coming in this was going to be a tough one. They got on a roll early, and we just couldn’t turn it around. But that’s what happens when you play sloppy football in this league. Not to knock our offense, but when you turn the ball over, you are already behind the 8-ball. And when you turn it over on the short field, that’s a disaster. At the same time, we didn’t force anything on defense, so the blame can be shared. We must play a lot smarter than we did.”
On playing against former teammate Joey Harrington
“Joey is darn good quarterback. All the talk about him is crazy. I played with him at Miami, and when Joey gets hot, he is a very good quarterback. We just didn’t get after him like we should have.”
Linebacker DeMeco Ryans
On facing a winless team in the NFL:
“I watched the film and I saw their athletes. I knew this was going to be a tough game. That’s all there is to it. We flat out didn’t do the job on defense. We didn’t get enough pressure on their quarterback. And when you don’t pressure a guy like Harrington, he will pick you apart. That’s what happened today.”
On their defensive performance:
“It’s how we won our first two games. Getting turnovers and getting the offense a short field. After winning twice, it’s our second week in a row we didn’t do that. There’s definitely a correlation between forcing turnovers and winning games. It’s anybody’s guess why we aren’t making those plays and changing momentum. I came here today and expected to win.”
Tight end Owen Daniels
On Andre Davis making his first start for the Texans this season:
”He’s doing a great job in there and working really hard. He played a lot of snaps and he was taking some hits, but he’s a good player. He’s been in the league for a little while now, and there is a reason for that. He stepped up and did really well for us.”
On where the team goes from here:
“At least, we are going home next week. We just need to really focus on protecting the ball and staying on the field on third downs. That will be a huge focus this next week. Also getting touchdowns in the red zone instead of kicking those field goals will be a focus.”
On how the offense played today:
“Matt Schaub worked his butt off out there. I’m sure he wanted to walk out of here, just as much as everyone else wanted to walk out of here with a win.”
On the team’s inability to get a touchdown near the end of the game:
“Anytime we were down there, I think it would have changed the game a little bit for us. We were just shooting ourselves in the foot. That was tough. We didn’t get any points out of it at all.”
Running Back Ron Dayne
On how the offense played today:
“As a team, we didn’t do our job. We take it hard on ourselves, because we know what we are capable of. Just being able to get out there and do what we did was kind of tough, because we know we are better than that.”
On the number of penalties and third down conversions that were not made:
“We knew we still had a shot. They could have kept the team on the field a couple of more times, too. I’m just going to go out this week and work hard in practice and try to get better. We know it’s our job.”
On his fumble near the goal line:
“I missed it. I do not blame it on anybody. It was me and I missed the ball.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-TEXANS GAME:
- GAMEDAY: All the coverage from the Texans-Falcons game
- STATS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY: NFL.com Game Center
- GAME NOTES: Updates and injury news from the Georgia Dome press box
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from Week 4
- QUOTABLE: Thoughts on the game from Falcons players and coaches
- VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
- VIDEO: Quarterback Joey Harrington
- VIDEO: Defensive end John Abraham
- VIDEO: Linebacker Keith Brooking
- VIDEO: Wide receiver Michael Jenkins
- AUDIO: Tight end Alge Crumpler
- HIGHLIGHTS: Game highlights from NFL Network
