Head Coach Mike Smith
Opening Remarks
“After reviewing the tape, I felt really encouraged about the way that we played. I thought that it was imperative that we started fast and I think we did in all three phases. Offensively, we were able to score on three of our four first half possessions. Defensively, we were able to hold them to six points and no touchdowns in the first half. I thought it was a big play by Erik Coleman to get the interception on the first play of the game. On special teams, I thought Harry Douglas (started fast) with the 25-yard punt return. We were able to start the drive at the plus 50-yardline. Those three things were something that we really took off from in terms of our fast start. I thought that we went in at halftime and felt like we had to go in and control the clock in the third quarter. I thought it was a very dominant performance by our defense. We controlled the clock for almost 12 minutes. I think it was 11:36. The defense held the Saints to 22 yards of offense. I thought our offensive line kept our quarterback clean. They gave up no sacks. This is the fourth time this season that we have gone through a game without giving up a sack. I thought Matt Ryan was very efficient in the first half going 10 for 13 with a 138.0 quarterback rating. He finished the game with a 134.4 quarterback rating. I thought he played very efficiently. I felt that, defensively, we had relentless pressure even though we only had one sack. I thought that our front four did a good job in harassing the quarterback. I really can’t say enough about what we did in the secondary. When you go through a game and they attempt 58 passes and you have 15 pass break-ups, that bodes well for your secondary. We were contesting throws. The three interceptions were huge. I have already mentioned the one on the first play of the game. I felt that Chris Houston’s interception in the end zone stopped the scoring opportunity. Chevis Jackson taking one back over 90 yards for a touchdown was a big play. I am very happy for Chevis. It was a big play for a young rookie scoring his first NFL touchdown.”
Q: Could you talk about the play of Domonique Foxworth who has seemed to stabilize the left cornerback position?
A: “Domonique had a very good game. By our coach’s stats, he had five (pass break-ups). Domonique is by far our fastest defensive back. He’s really becoming very familiar with what we are trying to do defensively. Schematically, I thought he did a very nice job. He’s had two solid games since he has stepped in as a starter.”
Q: Can you compare this secondary to any other one that you have had in the past?
A: “It’s a young group with corner Chris Houston, who is a second-year player, and Domonique, who we got late. I think we are just scratching the surface in terms of what they can do. I think our safeties are solid back there. They get us in the right coverages, the right checks and the right situations. I thought they had a really good understanding going into this game of how the Saints were going to attack us. I think that showed by the way we were able to attack them and the ball. Like I said before, when you have 15 pass break-ups in a ball game that is having one every four attempts. They have a pretty good idea of where the ball is going.”
Q: Could you talk about Lawyer (Milloy’s) play back there and being your leader on the defense?
A: “Lawyer has had a very solid first half of the season for us. I think he, like the other guys, is becoming familiar with our scheme and what Brian (VanGorder), Emmitt (Thomas) and Alvin (Reynolds) are trying to get done back there. He’s seen a lot of football throughout his years and he has been our stabilizing force. He’s someone that we can go to on the sidelines and talk about adjustments. When we make those adjustments, he is the one that can take that to the rest of the group.”
Q: Could you talk about the fourth quarter where you had the lead but the yards started to pile up?
A: “We played a game in that quarter. They had 34 pass attempts in the fourth quarter of that ball game. Anytime that you run a defensive touchdown back, it’s great that you get it down there and you are excited, but once you get in that end zone, you realize we have got to right back out there after the kickoff. We were exposed to a lot of snaps there in the fourth quarter. We felt like we had a pretty solid lead in that situation. They got into the hurry up mode and were able to get some yards there in the fourth quarter.”
Q: From day one you have talked about this being a process. Does having the Carolina game moved to national television at 4:15 part of the process?
A: “I think that it is confirmation that we are doing things right. I think that when you are playing a division game, they could schedule that game at 2:30 in the morning with no fans there and we would be ready to play. It’s an honor for our football team for that to take place, but our focus has got to be on Denver after 4:00 today. They are a very good football team. I watched them last Thursday night against Cleveland and they are very explosive. They can do a number of things. I think they have an outstanding offense and some receivers that we will really have to concern ourselves with.”
Q: Does John Abraham’s play seem to get contagious among that line?
A: “This was by far the best game in terms of pressure across the board. I think that we did some things that we had not done in the first eight games. When guys see John having the success that he has had, people start to put chips and doubles on him. Our young guys are getting better opportunities to get one-on-one in the protection.”
Q: You were trying to keep the explosive plays down. They were able to get six when they were in the hurry up mode.
A: “Yes, they did. Up until that, we did not give up a touchdown in the first three quarters of the football game. We were on course to have a very solid game statistically. Again, statistics can be deceiving. Our number one goal as a defense is to limit points and we were able to do that. We held them to six points in the first three quarters and they got 14 there in the fourth quarter with some yards. When you have a 27-6 lead, your mindset changes as a play caller. Your mindset changes as a defender as well. It is something that we want to make sure we address and improve on. All in all, I think that with the pass break-ups, the interceptions and the turnovers, we had an outstanding effort and an outstanding game plan put forth by our defense.”
Q: So it wasn’t an issue of closing them out?
A: “No, I don’t believe so. They made some plays there at the end. We had a couple of breakdowns on two of the long passes. Again, I think your mindset changes on how you defend with that kind of offense and a 21-point lead.”
Q: Are there any injury updates? How is Sam Baker?
A: “Sam Baker is status quo in terms of he is now nine days from his operation. He will continue to rehab. Over the next seven to 10 days, we will have a better idea of how the rehab is going. As we mentioned before, he is very limited in what he was able to do in the first seven days of his rehabilitation. As far as injuries, we have got some guys that were banged up in the ball game. I don’t think that there is any real seriousness and we will know a whole lot more when we reconvene on Wednesday.”
Q: What about John Abraham?
A: “I think John got knocked around a couple of times, but I don’t think that is going to be an issue. He came in today. We had 40 of our guys in today on a day off working out. Again, I think that speaks volumes of where we are as football team on a victory Monday to have 40 of the players come in and workout.”
Q: Is the decision on PUP guys due this week?
A: “We actually have one more week. The PUP (roster spot) we are talking about is Renardo (Foster). We made the roster move early with Trey Lewis. We have a little bit of time to evaluate Renardo.”
MORE ON THE FALCONS-SAINTS GAME:
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more in the NFL.com Game Center
- GAME BLOG: Live thoughts and notes in the FalconsLIFE game blog
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Houston | Foxworth | Jackson | White | Norwood
- NFL NETWORK: Falcons-Saints game highlights
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Thoughts and comment from the AF.com Managing Editor | Birdseed
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Saints
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from the Falcons-Saints game
- REVIEW AND RESPOND: Ask your questions about the game via Voices Heard
- PHOTOS: Images from the Falcons win over the New Orleans Saints
- DISCUSS: Talk about the game with other fans on the Message Boards
