Head Coach Mike Smith
Q: Opening statement:
"It was a tough, hard fought football game that went sixty minutes in a few seconds. I’m proud of the way our guys played. They fought through adversity and through some adverse situations. We are now in the tournament and we are very excited about that opportunity. It’s (the playoffs) really the second season and we talked about that in the locker room. We are very proud of what we have accomplished up until this point with 11 wins. But now we are all zero and zero. We want to try and get ready for this tournament, make some corrections from this ball game and get rolling to start this postseason.”
Q: Can you talk about the play of the Rams?
A: “They came in here and they played a very aggressive football game. My hat goes off to coach Haslett and their staff. The Rams came in here and they really played hard. They had a really aggressive game plan and they came in here with an outstanding runner (Steven Jackson). I thought he did a nice job. My hat goes off to him. We were able to prevail and get the win at the end. I thought it was a great drive there at the opening of the second half by our offense. I thought it was a statement drive with the last score and I thought our defense rose to the occasion at the end of the ball game.”
Q: Since Jerious Norwood played in Michael Turner’s place today, Do you think it showed how effective he can be?
A: It is no doubt that they were game changing plays in terms of the kickoff return, the 45-yard run, and also the score on the eight-yard line as well. I think those were big plays in the ball game. Jerious is a very explosive player. He is one of the best players in the league and we are very glad that we have him. There is no doubt about that.”
Q: Thoughts on Roddy White setting the record for most receiving yards in a season as a Falcon and his presence throughout the season.
A “I am very happy for Roddy to get that individual record. He should be honored for having such a great season and going to the Pro Bowl. It is quite an honor for Roddy. He is a guy that I think feels comfortable in our offense and has gelled well along with a number of guys in that receiving core.”
Q: Talk about Turner’s eighth 100-yard game.
A: “It was his eighth 100-yard game and I think that he was over 200 if I am not mistaken. So, it was another 200-yard game rushing. Michael just gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on. Going into the playoffs, we want to be able to run the football and it looks like Michael is very healthy. We are getting Jerious to start feeling better. We are impressed with him, Michael Turner and the offensive line.
Q: Did you really expect to have the success that you have had this year?
A: “We never really talked about wins and losses from the very beginning. We talked about milestones and I told the guys in there today that this milestone we reached today was something that we have had four opportunities to reach. To me that is very big because we have to put strings of wins together if you’re going to be a contender for a playoff spot.”
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?
