Head Coach Mike Smith
Opening Remarks:
“We have preached starting fast and playing fast since we got here in January and I think we played extremely fast to start the game on Sunday. It was an outstanding team effort with a number of outstanding individual performances. I thought Michael Turner ran hard and got stronger and stronger as the game went on. I think his four rushing touchdowns were the result of some very hard running and some really good blocking up front by our offensive line, fullbacks and tight ends. I felt Harry Douglas, by far, had his best game as an Atlanta Falcon. I think his all-purpose yards were around 188 and he had four catches for 92 yards. That 69-yard bomb that he got a hold of really changed the momentum of the game. He also had the touchdown on the punt return as well.”
Q: What did you think of Eric Weems’ play?
A: “I thought Eric did a very nice job blocking on Harry (Douglas’s) touchdown run on the toss sweep. He made the pivotal block there on the sideline and he also had that catch on the pitch route. I thought he did a nice job getting us six or seven positive yards on the field there in the red zone. It was nice to see a young man who has been on the practice squad all season get a chance to play in the ball game and be productive. I also thought that he was very productive on special teams.”
Q: How is John Abraham doing?
A: “John was in for treatment today. We are not anticipating any major setbacks. We think he will be ready to go this week, but we will know a whole lot more on Wednesday. John has been fighting through this shoulder issue for the last three games. We don’t think it is a big setback. John could have gone back in the ball game if need be there in the fourth quarter.”
Q: Is there anything new on (Sam) Baker?
A: “No, there is not. He was out last week. We anticipate for him to get more and more involved in the practices this week as well. He is ramping up in terms of what he is able to do in the training room and what he is doing in the weight room as well as what he will be able to do on the field.”
Q: Do you think it will be in the next few weeks when (Sam Baker) gets to play?
A: “I can’t really put a timeline on it. It would probably be a little bit optimistic to think that he would be ready to go this week."
Q: Could you talk about the secondary and the play of Panthers wide receivers Steve Smith?
A: “They made some plays in the second half. In the first half of the ball game, I thought that we probably played our best half of defense. Our third down efficiency was outstanding through the first half. We also limited them yardage-wise. They only had 99 yards of offense during the first half. During the second half, we gave up an explosive play on the first drive, which is something that we have got to get better at. There at the end of the game they got some late yards and it was really based on the score.”
Q: I saw there at the end that (Brent) Grimes came in and played with (Domonique) Foxworth on the other side. Was that something that you had planned beforehand or just decided in the moment?
A: “It was something that we had decided beforehand. We wanted to get him some action. He has been out for five weeks with both a knee and an ankle injury. We wanted to get him some snaps in this game. We thought it was very important to get him back because he was close to being 100 percent. As we go down the stretch, we feel like it is important to have everyone ready to go. So, that was kind of in the plan from the beginning."
Q: Looking ahead to San Diego, what do you think that Michael Turner gained from playing behind a running back like LaDainian Tomlinson?
A: “I think that over the four years that Michael was in San Diego he was behind probably the most prolific running back in the NFL during that time. I am sure he learned quite a bit in terms of how to be a running back. I also understand that they are good friends. I know that Michael is very business-like. That is one thing about this group of guys. Whether the outcome is the way we wanted or not, they are very resilient in moving on to the next task. In the locker room after a big win or a big defeat, there is really not a lot of difference in their attitude. There are a lot more smiles when we have a win, but they are ready to move on and know that this is the next game. I know that Michael will see a lot of old friends because of the time that he spent out there. At the same time, I know that he will prepare just like any other game.”
Q: I know that when you make evaluations you look at everything. What kind of impression did you and Thomas (Dimitroff) have when you were looking at Michael Turner and saw his patience and good attitude?
A: “I think that was very important in our evaluation process when we were doing our due diligence. Michael waited patiently for his opportunity. When he got his opportunities to carry the football there in San Diego, he was very productive. Albeit, he didn’t get very many carries, but Michael was a consistent team player. You never heard any issues about him saying that he wanted the ball. That says a lot about Michael and the kind of person that he is. I think that it has shown here. When Jerious (Norwood) gets his opportunities to get touches, he understands the dynamics of having more than one running back.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage from AtlantaFalcons.com
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more from NFL.com
- GAME RECAP: Falcons use big plays to send Panthers home with loss
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes directly from the Georgia Dome press box
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Thoughts and news from the AF.com managing editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Turner | Douglas | Davis | Coleman
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Panthers
- NFL NETWORK: Highlights | Can't Miss Play | Douglas Punt Return | Scoreboard
- TOURING THE TAILGATES: "Falcon Al" checks in on Falcons fans
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from the Falcons-Panthers game
- REVIEW AND RESPOND: Ask questions via Voices Heard
- RING OF HONOR: Vote for the next member of the Falcons Ring of Honor
- DISCUSS: Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE
- PHOTOS: Images from the Falcons victory over Carolina
