Head Coach Mike Smith
Opening remarks:
“It was definitely a tough loss to a very good division opponent today. As you know, as the record indicates, playing on the road is very, very tough here in the NFC South. We weren’t hitting on all cylinders. We weren’t able to do the things we wanted to do offensively, defensively, and on special teams. Give credit to Coach Payton and his staff. I thought they did a great job in their preparation and execution. We’ll go back right now and get back to Atlanta, watch the tape, and make the corrections. It’s a 16 game season. It’s a process that this football team is going through.”
On giving up an 88 yard kickoff return late in the game:
“We went down the field and were able to get the lead and change momentum. It’s very disappointing that we weren’t able to cover that kick more efficiently and make them at least go a long way. We put ourselves on a short field and actually got into a situation where they had to go for
it on fourth and one. That part of it was very disappointing.”
On the Falcons run defense:
“Not good. Not up to our standards at all. I thought that they did a nice job running the football. We’ll definitely have to take a good hard look at that….There will have to be a lot of things corrected.”
On the strength of the NFC South:
“I think that this division, without a doubt, is the toughest division in the NFL. I think that all four teams are outstanding teams. They do a number of things good, offensively, defensively, and special teams. When you play within the division, you’ve got to have your big boy pants on. You’ve got to be ready to go.”
On if the Falcons came out flat today:
“I don’t know if we came out flat. I know that our execution was not like we have had in the past. It’s something that we have prided ourselves on fast starts. We did not start as fast as we’ve had throughout the season.”
On the growth and production of Matt Ryan this season:
“The maturation every game, you see it in what he does. We get to see it every day in practice. I thought that Matt threw the ball extremely well. I thought that Roddy (White) had an outstanding game with his ten catches for 164 yards. We made some very key third down conversions offensively that allowed us to stay in the game.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-SAINTS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage from the Falcons-Saints game
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more from NFL.com
- GAME RECAP: Offense puts up numbers but late score lifts Saints
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Superdome press box
- GAME BLOG: More news and notes from the press box
- BLOGS: Flipping Out with Falcon Al | Off the Cuff with Mookie Dunkleman
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and thoughts from the AF.com Managing Editor
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Head Coach Mike Smith | Matt Ryan
- NFL NETWORK: Highlights from the Falcons-Saints game in New Orleans
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Saints
- REVIEW AND RESPOND: Ask a question about Sunday's game
- FORUMS: Talk about the Falcons with other fans
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from Sunday's game at the Superdome
