Head Coach Jim Haslett
Opening Remarks
“I said before this game to the team that this game would not define you as a person and as a team. I thought we played about as well as we could play. Our guys played their hearts out. We just didn’t get it done. I was proud of the way that we played. I think that the way that they played will define who they are next year.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the season?
A: “I’m disappointed. I thought that we had a chance to win the last four games. I think this team needs to learn how to win. That is one thing that needs to be accomplished in the off season. I don’t think you have to worry about effort. You have to have a team in the offseason and in training camp to accomplish winning.”
Q: What does it mean to you to hear about the petition that your players are passing around?
A: “I guess they felt good about the work I did while I was here. I was happy with the effort that they gave me. I really enjoyed working with the guys. They worked their butts off. Obviously, it wasn’t enough. I think there are things in the offense that will have to be changed.”
Q: Do you know what your future holds?
A: “I have no idea. If you had a crystal ball, maybe you could tell me. I know that I am going to go back and look at film tomorrow. I will meet with everyone on the team individually. I will go through that and figure out a plan.”
Q: Do you know if you will have an interview?
A: “I have no idea.”
Q: What could you say about Steven (Jackson’s) play today?
A: “I thought Steven was outstanding. A healthy Steven plays his butt off and is really into it. I thought the (offensive) line did a nice job blocking for him. I saw two very good running backs competing against each other today.”
Q: What is it like having to coach a team when you don’t have your own staff? How are you able to assess that?
A: “I have two major flaws as a coach and as a man. I took over a team four games into the season and I coached a team that was displaced because of Hurricane Katrina. I will stand by the record of what I tried to accomplish with the Saints and here with the Rams. If people want to judge me based on this season and the Katrina season, then so be it. I am a different coach than I was in 2000 and 2001 and I will still be a different coach at the end of my professional career.”
Quarterback Marc Bulger
Q: How did you feel the offensive line did today?
A: “I thought that they played well. Steven (Jackson) was running really hard. He looked great. I think that I only got hit two or three times today. They obviously run blocked well. They pass blocked well and they did everything that they had to. They played a great game.”
Q: On the player petition to keep Jim Haslett as the Head Coach in 2009.
A: “I can only speak for myself, but I think you guys know how I feel about him and the level of respect that I have for him. As far as the petition, it was supposed to be the players’ so I don’t want to comment on that publicly.
Q: On the play of Steven Jackson today.
A: “We had a good game plan for him. I think that he is finally over his nagging injuries. He wears down those defensive lineman and linebackers. He makes one-handed catches. He jumps and he does it all. I know it’s the last game, but it gives you some excitement about next year and what he can do when he’s healthy.
Running Back Steven Jackson
Q: On the game today.
A: “It’s was one of those games. The Dome was rocking. It was packed and they had something to play for so. I just wanted to go out and play hard in my last game of the season.”
Q: On having a 1,000 yard season.
A: “It means a lot. I look up to Eric Dickerson and a lot of backs that have played in this organization. It has been a rough couple of seasons for me just being banged up and still being able to reach 1,000 yards in only 12 games. Of course I want to get to 1,500. Next year we will work really hard to get to that level.”
Q: On his play today.
A: “I feel that I am a Pro Bowl player. My work ethic and the way that I prepare, just being a professional will never change. Of course you want to win, but we’re talking about individual things.
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?
