ATLANTA -- Quotes from Falcons and 49ers players and coaches...
Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Opening Statement:
"We wanted to make sure the fans stayed in their seats, so we put in an entire day of work to get the win. We had a lot of good things happen this week. Number one, we won the fourth quarter. That is something we have been trying to do. I thought our defense made some plays. A number of our veterans made some great plays. It was good to see S Lawyer Milloy running around out there and making plays. S Chris Crocker played very well and knocked some passes down. CB DeAngelo Hall and S Jimmy Williams each had an interception and anytime you manage to do that you have to give credit to the defensive front. I was very happy with our pass rush and our ability to play the ball in the air. Offensively, we wanted to be persisted with the running game and I thought RB Warrick Dunn did a nice job of getting yards after contact. He managed to get yards even when there was not a lot there. I was happy with the way Quinn Ojinnaka held up at left tackle, he gave us great effort. We did not do everything right, but it was a good win for us. The players did a nice job in the bye week of sticking together, preparing and practicing with the attitude we are looking for.”
On S Chris Crocker’s tackle of TE Vernon Davis in the fourth quarter:
“It was a great play. We had a blitz called and LB Demorrio Williams did a nice job of going after the quarterback and Chris played the pass. He gave a great effort and tackled him on the one-yard line. Our defense came up with the big play on third down to hold them to a field goal.”
On RB Jerious Norwood’s ankle:
“I am not sure right now. I just know he was not able to return to the game.”
On the preparation during the bye week:
“The first week we did some self-scouting and worked on the things we were doing well and worked on the things we needed to improve on. We got the extra practice in on Monday as we began to prepare for San Francisco. The players had a good attitude. They came out and practiced hard.”
On RB Warrick Dunn’s first touchdown run:
“It was a great run. They brought their linebacker inside our tight end so there was not a lot of room to run. He did a nice job of spinning and bouncing it out towards the sideline. He made a play. He made the play when there was not a lot there.”
On the punt return game:
“We knew we were going to have some opportunities because Michael Koenen punts the ball so far. We put a lot of pressure on our guys to cover their gunners and they did a nice job. WR Adam Jennings did a nice job of hitting the hole and getting down hill. That unit has continued to work hard to improve. The change in field position was key today.”
On the win:
“It was a good win. You have to feel good about seeing the hard work pay off. There is no doubt that it was good to get a win.”
Safety Lawyer Milloy
On having a bye week and how practice went this past week:
”On the break, we got away. With the first half of the season going the way it went, we needed to get away, get away from football and just come back recharged, and I think we did that. We had a real good week of practice and we were able to take it on to the field today. But I think the biggest thing that was the difference today versus the first half of the season was that we won the game in the fourth quarter.”
On the defensive package heading into the game:
“All week on tape we saw that they really couldn’t block as well as they probably needed to, so a lot of us were excited about our package going in. Coach Zimmer put in a good package as far as pressure-wise. When you get your number called, you have to go out there and produce.”
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall
On what he said to Falcons owner Arthur Blank when handing the ball to him after his interception:
“Finally got a win. We’ve been working hard trying to get wins. I thought he deserved the ball.”
On the play of the Falcons defense and the pressure they got on the 49ers quarterback:
“We were able to get pressure on him and he just threw the ball up a couple times. Shouts go out to our front four. They got after him and we were able to blitz him every now and then, and we did a good job stopping the run first. We stopped the run and made them pass. They had to pass toward the end of the game to try to come out with a victory, but we made plays.”
Linebacker Michael Boley
On the Falcons getting their second win of the season:
“It feels great. Obviously, we took some time during the bye week to focus on some little things like finishing the game. That was one of the things that helped us win this game today – coming out and finishing the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter has been a deciding factor for most of our games this year.”
On having the bye week last week:
“I think it came at a very opportune time. Guys healthy, getting a little more film studying in and learning more tendencies. I think it helped us out a lot.”
On the play of the Falcons defense:
“It’s always been there. It’s just been one play here, one play there that has hurt us. Being able to come out today and put it all together as a unit was great.”
Fullback Ovie Mughelli
On getting the call in the second quarter:
“Coach called my number and told me that he was going to in practice. So whatever happened I was determined to get into the end zone. Afterwards, I was relieved.”
On how the defense played today:
“The defense was amazing. The only reason that we won this game was because of our leadership on offense and defense. Guys like Lawyer and Keith Brooking keep us going. They even come over to the offensive side to make sure that we stay up at all times.”
On the win and it boosting the morale of the team:
“It gives us the momentum and allows us to start turning some things around and this is the start of it.”
Running back Warrick Dunn
On the win:
“When you win and you go into the game and execute and play for four quarters it results in winning a ball game. I just think that we went in and left it all out on the field. Guys played hard and the defensive made stops where we needed them too. The offense was consistent enough to make plays and put pressure on the defense. When you finally get a win you have to rejoice in it. We are just going to savor the moment and then get back to work come Wednesday.”
On Quinn Ojinnaka and stepping up during this game:
“Quinn played hard and he was consistent during the game and he continued to fight throughout the game. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to come out and play well. He has been here a few years and he knows the system. Today he got his opportunity and he took full advantage of it, which is what you have to do in the league.”
On being 147 yards shy of making the top 20 for NFL rushing yards.
“Well, today was a good day and we ran the ball well early and we were inconsistent late. As for myself, I was just glad that I was able to help the team. I just think for so long this season has just been up and down for me and finally I actually am starting to feel healthy. Now I just want to be at the point of playing consistently”
Wide receiver Roddy White
On the big catches that you were able to make on third down:
“We have to convert on third down and we have been doing a pretty good job of that all season. I was able to make a couple of big third down catches and we were able to move the chains, enabling us to score during important times in the game.”
On winning the fourth quarter:
“Winning the fourth quarter has been a struggle for us throughout the year and today we did an excellent job of winning the fourth quarter. We won the game and that is partly because we were able to finish the job in the fourth quarter so in that regard we did an excellent job and I hope that we can continue to play until the end of the game.”
On the significance of winning this game today:
“This is a big game for us and we were able to win the game. Now its time for us to continue playing well by recording a win on the road.”
Defensive end John Abraham
On his thoughts on the teams defensive effort:
” We did a good job creating turnovers and doing what we were supposed to do. During the last few games, we slacked off a little in the fourth quarter, but I think we stepped up and played well at the end of today’s game.”
Linebacker Keith Brooking
Thoughts on the win:
“This win was big. Our bye week came at an opportune time. We were able to get some rest, lay low, and collect our thoughts. Once the week started, we knew we had a lot of football to play. It was big for our team to get this win. Although we’ve been positive, losing makes you very frustrated and disappointed. It leaves a very bad taste in your mouth. Although we’ve bounced back every week, and worked hard on Wednesday, it was still frustrating to lose. This whole week is going to be good. Talking about building off of a win, as oppose to bouncing back and getting one after a loss will be great for the team.”
Safety Chris Crocker
On Thoughts on the game:
“We just played all out today. The motto on defense is, “Let’s just keep giving the offense the ball back.” Although we’ve been winning the turnover battle, we still haven’t won many games. As a defense, we went out there and had fun. We made plays. In the end, we felt it very critical for us to finish in the fourth quarter. In the past, we had our opponent’s back against the wall, but we didn’t know how to finish when the fourth quarter came. Today, we knew how to finish.”
49ers head coach Mike Nolan
On his the teams fight:
"Tough loss as we all know, all on the players, coaches, and fans as well. It is hard to keep coming in each week and say the same thing as far as that goes. We do have an incredibly hard working group that will continue until we pull out this thing. I don’t believe the season is a loss and I don’t think it will be a loss until people quit and that is not going to happen. We will continue to fight till the end. I thought there were some good things on the field today. Some players did some good things but it does not overshadow the loss.”
On the loss and play of the team:
“We have to keep fighting and continue to work hard. We need to do all those things. We are not gelling, obviously. We show little flash every now and then. I thought the offense showed some flashes. I thought with regard to running the ball that Michael Robinson stepped in and did a good job. Maurice Hicks is nicked up a little bit and that is why he did not get as many reps. He did a good job. On the defense we had a turnover, but obviously we did not do enough to win the game.”
On the interceptions and play of the QB:
“I think one was in the third quarter and the other two were in the fourth quarter. Our defense held them to three points on two of them. So, I thought that the defense did a good job of stopping them. Overall the turnovers were a disappointment, but Alex continues to fight and play hard.”
49ers Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich
On dropping five games in a row after winning the first two:
“You just have to keep fighting. You just have to keep doing what you’re doing. If you change things at this point you essentially say what you were doing in the first place is wrong. We’ve just got to do better. Guys start doing too much and then you end up not doing your job.”
On ample opportunities to win the game in the fourth quarter:
“We’d love to come out on top in close situations. They played a good game. I’ve got to give them credit. The rest of this month we have divisional games, and to win those turns around this season.”
49ers Defensive end Bryant Young
On motivating younger players to stay focused during an extended losing streak:
“Everybody has to step it up. The young guys and the older veterans. Our backs are against the wall right now and we just have to continue to fight. No one is going to lay down for us, but when you look at it, we don’t give ourselves a chance. We can’t beat ourselves and continue to fight. But the one thing we have to do is to uplift each other and continue to encourage each other.”
On losing a “winnable” game:
“This was a very winnable game for us. We had hoped this would be the beginning of a winning streak, but it wasn’t. You’ve got to give Atlanta credit, they fought hard. The team that won made the least mistakes.”
49ers Linebacker Patrick Willis
On the extended losing streak:
“We just need to continue to work, look at the film, and see where we can correct mistakes. We’re not giving up. We will continue to fight. I like to think any game we play is winnable. You can hear a lot of talk, see a lot of stats and look at team records, but it really doesn’t mean anything. This is the NFL.”
49ers Quarterback Alex Smith
On the state of his shoulder:
"I felt good today. The shoulder felt healthy. It will get better and better every week. It’s only been five weeks since I tore it. It will continue to feel better and better. It definitely gets better each day, which is a good thing. Other than getting hit it felt good.”
On overthrowing open receivers several times:
“Some of it was due to pressure. There are times when the ball has to come out. They were giving some different looks. Pressure caused me to have to get the ball off and I missed a few. It was that kind of a game, a pressure game.”
On what happened with the last two interceptions:
“The two minute where we took the sack hurt us on the first drive and I have to do a better job of getting rid of the ball. I was just trying to make a play. I thought the receiver was taking the inside (position) and I left the ball up. On the second one there were 22 seconds and I rushed the ball downfield. I was trying to give the receiver a chance to go up for it.”
49ers Tight end Vernon Davis
On how close the team was to winning this game:
“It was tough, man. Especially since we’ve been losing consecutive games. Everybody’s fired up, ready to go, but the breaks just didn’t go our way.”
On how the Falcons surprised the 49ers with their game plan:
“No, they didn’t surprise me at all. I saw everything that I had seen on film leading up to the game.”
On the team’s current losing streak:
“I don’t think it’s too late. Where we go from here is to try and win each and every game. But we can only take it one game at a time.”
On the team’s missed opportunity to take the lead late in the game:
“We were confident. It just didn’t fall into our hands for some reason. I had no idea where that guy came from. I was going to the end zone. Right before you know, someone grabbed my shoe.”
Running back Maurice Hicks
On the positive effects today’s game will have on the 49ers:
“Overall, I thought the offensive linemen, our fullback, and our tight ends did a great job of blocking upfront. That’s what we were looking to do. I thought we did a great job of doing that.”
On the third and one opportunity late in the game:
“You want to score right there. But you’ve got to put that behind you, and when you get the ball back, just try to go down there and score again.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-NINERS GAME:
- GAMEDAY: All the coverage from the 49ers-Falcons game
- STATS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY: NFL.com Game Center
- GAME NOTES: Updates and injury news from the Georgia Dome press box
- INACTIVES AND STARTERS: Inactives and starters from Week 9
- QUOTABLE: Thoughts on the game from Falcons players and coaches
- VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
- VIDEO: Safety Lawyer Milloy
- VIDEO: Defensive end John Abraham
- VIDEO: Running back Warrick Dunn
- VIDEO: Touring the Tailgates with Falcon Al
