Head Coach Mike Smith
Q: How does going against a pass-happy team last week prepare you to go against another pass-happy team this week?
A: “I think that there will be some carry over. That team that we played last week had an outstanding quarterback and some great wide receivers. I think the team this week is very similar in terms of what their quarterback can do. They are number two in the NFL in total offense and way up there in passing yards. I think that Jay Cutler is a very outstanding quarterback. He is not only a threat throwing the ball, but he’s a guy that can scramble and get yards. He has had a number of positive plays when he has run the football. I think they have three outstanding receivers and two outstanding tight ends. Brandon Marshall is a Pro Bowl quality wide receiver along with the rookie, Eddie Royal, who is having a fantastic season. Then you have Brandon Stokley who I think over the past five years has been one of the top slot receivers in the league. Then you have Mike Shanahan. Anytime you play Mike Shanahan’s team, you know that they are going to run the football. They are going to run it well and it doesn’t matter who the running back is. It won’t matter this week either.”
Q: They are averaging 6.2 yards per play. Do you think that is because of big plays?
A: “They are one of the top teams right behind the team we played last week. There are a lot of similarities in terms of the production they have had thus far this season.”
Q: We were talking to some of the guys on your defense who say that getting after Jay Cutler is essential, but it is tough. Their offensive line has only given up seven sacks this season.
A: “It is very similar to the chore that we had last week in terms of giving up sacks. They do a nice job of protecting the quarterback. I think that they have a very good play action game as well in terms of bootlegs and getting the quarterback out of the pocket. They change his launch point and you never know where he is going to be.”
Q: His drops seem to be a lot different than New Orleans. Is that a factor in getting to him also?
A: “They do some things in terms of scheme that is much different than what we saw this past week. This is more of a traditional five and seven step. He has some deeper drops where they are not really quick in getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands.”
Q: How do you match up with a 6-5, 235-pound receiver like (Brandon) Marshall?
A: “He definitely has the advantage on paper. He’s a big guy and a tough guy that has speed. That’s why I think he is Pro Bowl quality. It’s going to be a challenge for not only our corners that get matched up on him, but he is going to be moved around. He’s going to play X and he’s going to play Z. They are going to be moving him in the slot. Everybody is going to get a chance to have to defend him.”
Q: How pleased were you with your secondary this past week?
A: “I thought they did a nice job against New Orleans in terms of that there were 58 pass attempts and there were 15 pass break-ups. They were contesting throws. Drew (Brees) made a number of really outstanding throws that he fit in. It was really a tribute to his ability as a quarterback. I think that our secondary and linebackers have progressed well throughout the season. I thought it really was one of their better performances.”
Q: Were you surprised at how far they have come along?
A: “This is a unit that is very young in terms of our corners and a player that has been in the league for four years but has only been with us from the beginning of the season. He did not go through our OTA’s or minicamps. I think he has done a nice job learning our system. I think we have had solid play throughout the year with our two safeties. The free agent acquisition of Erik Coleman was great. He has come in and is leading the team in interceptions. Lawyer Milloy has been very, very solid and has really been the leader of that unit back there.”
Q: If Jason Elam asks you to kick a 95-yard field goal against his former team, are you going to let him?
A: “No (laughing). Jason has got a strong leg but not quite that strong. We’ll go out there and see how he is kicking and make a determination on what his limit is this weekend.”
Q: Did you appreciate Domonique Foxworth coming in and not fussing but making the transition even though he wasn’t playing?
A: “Domonique has done a very nice job in terms of picking up our scheme. Domonique is a pro. He has been in this league for four years. He had a good understanding of where he was when he came in and knew it was going to take him some time to get acclimated to the way that we do things. It was quite a change from what he was accustomed to there in Denver. He has done a nice job and has waited for his opportunity. He has come out and practiced hard and now he has had three solid games as a starter.”
Q: Could you talk about your personnel moves yesterday?
A: “Yes, we are always evaluating what we are doing in terms of practice, schemes and players. We determined that we needed to make a move. We let Adam Jennings go and we brought Brandon Miller up. I think Brandon is very deserving of this opportunity. He has worked hard on the practice squad. We are down on the defensive line position with Kindal Moorehead and his foot. It was a football decision that we made to give us the best opportunities.”
Q: You have been getting so many contributions from your rookies. How are combating rookie fatigue?
A: “We try to keep our guys fresh in the way we do things in the weight room, in meetings and on the practice field. Part of the process is making sure these guys are rested. We talk to them all the time about taking care of their body and getting plenty of rest because it is a long season. I think that our guys have done a really good job of doing that. They have done a nice job in the weight room. We had forty of our players in on our day off on Monday to get an extra work out in. It wasn’t mandatory that they all come in and I think it is paying dividends to the season.”
Q: The rookies said that they made a pact to each other to stay committed to the team and stay focused. That seems big for a 22-year-old.
A: “It does. This rookie class that came in together has done a nice job. Kevin Winston, who is our player programs director, has had programs for them every Monday that aren’t mandatory and aren’t mandated by the league. We put programs together for them so they will spend a lot of time together. Kevin has put their goals down on paper. As you mentioned, that was one of their goals that they had set, which was one of many. They get together on Mondays and interact and talk about them.”
RELATED LINKS:
- NOTEBOOK: Birds look for opportunity to run football
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons-Broncos game
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Smith | Ryan | Turner | Milloy | Elam
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Shaking Out the Weirdness | Birdseed
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news and more in the Saint Joseph's Injury Report
- RELEASE: Falcons waive wide receiver Jennings
- NEWS: Falcons up for weekly awards on NFL.com
