Head Coach Mike Smith
Opening Remarks
“After reviewing the tape of the game yesterday, I was really proud of the way our team played. I thought they did a great job in handling some very adverse situations. I thought being able to overcome the three turnovers was very big. I was also proud of our crowd. I think they are a big reason why we are 7-1 at home this year. It was huge to hear that crowd in the fourth quarter. I thought they contributed to our success yesterday. I thought the last scoring drive in the fourth quarter was very big. I also thought our defense came up with a big stop there on fourth down.”
Q: Have you had a chance to look at the (Arizona) Cardinals?
A: “Yes, I have. We got in here early this morning and started looking at the Cardinals. Offensively, they are very potent. They have two Pro Bowl wide receivers and a Pro Bowl quarterback. They like to throw the ball all around the yard, so to speak. Defensively, I think they are very opportunistic. I think it is going to be very important that we win that turnover battle and protect the football.”
Q: How much stock do you put in their late season dip before what happened yesterday?
A: “I really don’t put a whole lot of stock into it. I know that they were one of the first teams to clinch a playoff spot by winning their division early. That says a lot about their football team. I think that the Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt will have his team ready to go. They had a big win yesterday against Seattle. They were able to rest some players so I think they will be very healthy and ready to go.”
Q: Do you see any evidence that Matt (Ryan) might have a tired arm? He has never asked his body to do what he is doing now.
A: “It’s a long season for everyone, but I see no evidence of it. He threw that long ball to Michael Jenkins. I don’t see anything different in terms of arm strength than I did from that first day he walked out there.”
Q: Do you think that based on the teams that you played that this road game bodes well for you?
A: “I think so. I think that it was a very tough schedule this year, not only within the division but outside as well. There were some very successful teams. We have an opportunity to go on the road and get a very big win against the division champs in the NFC West. It’s going to be a big challenge for us this week.”
Q: Lawyer (Milloy) said that there was no way he could have played yesterday if it had been a playoff game. How do you see him going into this week along with Harry Douglas and John Abraham?
A: “We have some guys who are banged up. At this time of the year, there’s going to be guys across the league who are banged up. We will know a whole lot more on the guys you mentioned on Tuesday since Tuesday is Wednesday for us this week. Lawyer was in here for treatment today. He said he was feeling better. We will just have to see how the week progresses. Jamaal (Anderson) did not practice at all last week so we are hoping to get him out here towards the end of the week as well. We will know more when we are able to get these guys out on the field.”
Q: Do you think that is really what this team is about? Having Kindal Moorehead, Chauncey Davis and other guys being able to step up and make plays?
A: “Yes, I think that this is a 53-man roster where all 53 guys are important. Lawyer (Milloy) wasn’t able to go and Jamaal (Fudge) was able to come in and make some plays. He made a nice tackle for loss in the red zone. I thought Kroy Biermann continued to play well. Chauncey Davis also had an opportunity to go out there and play. I just think that shows what kind of football team this is. We are able to go out and make plays when the guys are called on. We did not have John (Abraham) in the second half of the ball game yesterday and the other guys were able to generate a few a sacks there in the fourth quarter.”
Q: Lawyer’s importance to the run defense was evident yesterday. It will really help to get him back.
A: “Lawyer has been a starter for us and a leader on the defensive unit since we got here. Of course, we were undermanned in a few positions yesterday, but that is no excuse. I know that we are a better football team when we have Lawyer Milloy on the football field.”
Q: How does the Cardinals offensive line match-up to your defensive line?
A: “They are very big. I know that they have three guys over 330 pounds. Their center is 285 and the one guard is 300. They are going to have a big advantage in terms of size to our defensive line. I think it will be a good match-up. I know that the thing they do well is protect the quarterback. The quarterback is very efficient in getting the ball out of his hands to those playmakers.”
Q: I know that a few of your coaches have coached with the Cardinals coaches previously. Will you recognize what they are doing offensively?
A: “You will see some of the same personnel groupings. Mike (Mularkey) and Coach Whisenhunt have worked together before along with Coach (Russ) Grimm. There will be some similarities in terms of what the offense does with formations and personnel-wise.”
Q: Do you think it is remarkable how this season has turned out in terms of Miami’s turnaround season, the Patriots not being in the playoffs even though they are 11-5 and the story that is here as well?
A: “I think that what makes this league so good is that you don’t know what the story is going to be until all the games are played. I have said it before, the talent level in this league is so close and there are so many dynamics working each week in terms of who is going to win and who is going to lose. I think that is what makes it the greatest spectator sport in the world.”
Q: How do you size up the Cardinals defense?
A: “They are very talented. Adrian Wilson is one of the top strong safeties in the league. You have to know where he is because he is a force to be reckoned with. Not only on the run, but he is an outstanding blitzer. They use him very effectively in their blitz package. The defensive line does a nice job with their rotation. The guy from Florida State, Darnell Dockett, is a very good player. Karlos Dansby, the guy out of Auburn, has played extremely well in his time in the league. I also know that (Clancy) Pendergast is a very good Defensive Coordinator. He will have his guys ready to play and it will be a challenge for our offense.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-RAMS GAME:
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more on the game from NFL.com
- GAME BLOG: Review the action from the game in the FalconsLIFE game blog
- GAME STORY: Falcons get past Rams, secure No. 5 seed in the playoffs
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: More thoughts from the AF.com Managing Editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Norwood | Davis | Foxworth | McClure
- NFL NETWORK: Michael Turner | Jerious Norwood | Matt Ryan | Highlights
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Rams
- FORUMS: Talk about the game -- and the playoffs -- with other fans
- 2009 OPPONENTS: Falcons opponents for next season
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from the Falcons-Rams game
- REVIEW AND RESPOND: Got a question about the game?
