Defensive End Kroy Biermann
Q: Closer today than you might have expected, or is every game in this league a challenge?
A: “They wanted to come in today and win and this is the NFL. Any team is capable of winning. They did a nice job making plays, and we did a nice job making plays on our end when we needed to. It was the real deal today.”
Q: Steven Jackson is clearly one of the league’s best running backs. He was a load today.
A: ”Gosh, he’s hard to tackle sometimes. He did a great job for them on a couple of drives today. But our guys did a good job bringing him down when we needed to, so in the end, it was a good day for us.”
Q: Carolina won the division today, but bottom line is you’re in the playoffs.
A: “We knew we were in the show and we can’t control what happens elsewhere. We will just get back to work this week and get the things corrected that we need to.”
Linebacker Curtis Lofton
Q: You faced a veteran offense today with Bulger, Holt and Jackson.
A: “Man, Steven Jackson is one of the best backs in the league. He’s big, fast and strong and it took a full defensive effort to get him. But, we got a crowd on him and got our shots on him.”
Q: You guys expected the Rams to ‘bring it’ today, and they did.
A: “This is the NFL. It’s a job, and everybody is going to come to play, so you’ve got to show up each and every week.”
Q: Carolina won, so is this at all bittersweet today?
A: “The main goal is to be in the tournament. That’s all you can ask for. We’re in, and you can’t control all of that other stuff. So now, we’ll get ready for whoever we’re going to play and we will play a good game.”
Wide Receiver Brian Finneran
Q: You are in the second part of the season and you’re in the playoffs, how does it feel?
A: “It feels good, no question. Throughout the season, this team showed a lot of hard work and a lot of fight. In the game today, St. Louis had nothing to lose but came out fighting. We obviously didn’t play our best with all of the turnovers we had, but we found a way to win.”
Q: How do you feel about having to play the Arizona Cardinals?
A: “They have a good offense, great receivers, and a great quarterback in Kurt Warner. We have to go back and look at their defense and see what they’re all about. They have a good safety and some good players back there on defense. It will be interesting, but we will get to work on them this week.”
Wide Receiver Roddy White
Q: How does it feel to break the record for all-time receiving?
A: “It feels good. The game was tight, but we went out there and made the plays when we had to. It feels good to go out there and get the win.”
Q: Do you feel the Rams came out playing hard today?
A: “They played hard today. They wanted to come in here and get a win. We were not going to let that happen. We had a chance to win the division title today so we wanted to go out there and play hard all day long.”
Q: Does your playoff mindset change at all?
A: “No. We’re getting ready. We know we are going to have to go to Arizona and do what we have to do to get the win.”
Center Todd McClure
Q: What are your thoughts on gaining 270 rushing yards for the game?
A: “I didn’t realize we had that many. We started off slow, but we got it going in the long run. We knew early on that we were just missing the chance for some big gains. There were holes and we just weren’t finishing, but when we did, we had big plays.”
Q: How tough was it to get ready for this game knowing that you already locked a spot in the playoffs?
A: “Due to the circumstances, I would have to say it felt a little different. I know you don’t want to admit that, but it just was a different feeling. I know once we got out there, we got our juices flowing and realized that we had to go out there and get that win. We knew they weren’t just going to give it to us. Overall, we had a good game.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the Rams and their determination despite a losing season?
A: “I’ve got a ton of respect for those guys. They easily could have folded up their tent, and went home but, they played hard and they played to the end.”
Wide Receiver Michael Jenkins
Q: What happened during your reception toward the beginning of the first quarter?
A: “I ran toward the middle of the field, and I think the coverage moved toward Roddy’s side. Once I saw that, and Matt got it out, I knew I had a chance to make a play.”
Q: How difficult was it to prepare for this game knowing that the Falcons already locked a spot in the playoffs?
A: “It wasn’t difficult at all. We’ve always been on the other side of the fence. Last year, we finished strong with a win in our last home game and we had a chance to win the division. What a difference a season makes. We’re living proof that a year can give any team an ample opportunity to develop and win games.”
Q: What are your thoughts on playing the Arizona Cardinals?
A: “We’re a little familiar with them. They play well. It’s going to take a total team effort to go on the road and pull one out. Offense, defense and special teams we’ll need to become road warriors.”
Linebacker Keith Brooking
Q: What are your thoughts on this team, knowing that the offense and defense didn’t play their best game, but came out to win?
A: “I’ve been saying it all year long. Regardless of the circumstances, our guys fight to the end. We did our part today. Although New Orleans didn’t get the win, we carried out our end of it. It’s great to put the regular season behind us. We’re 11-5. As a veteran, I’ve been in this situation before. As a team, we’ll look at some game film, make the corrections, and we’re on a four-game mission.”
Q: Are you going to share your veteran experience with the team and explain to them the importance of laying it all on the line? If so, how?
A: “Of course I am. It’s my job to do that. I have complete confidence in this team. I know we’re going to have the right mentality and the right work ethic to take care of the necessary details throughout practice and film sessions this week. The Arizona Cardinals have an explosive offense. We’re going to have our hands full and frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s a great place to be and I have complete confidence in my teammates. Regardless of what comes our way, we’re going to fight and we’re going to lay it on the line.”
Running Back Michael Turner
Q: Besides the mistakes that you guys made today, you were able to come back and win.
A: “Yes. We got out there and kept on fighting. They kept fighting and trying to take the lead. We were fighting as well.”
Q: What happened on the fumble? Did you think that your knee was down?
A: “I thought my knee was down. It wasn’t my decision, but I know I have to live with it.”
Q: Could you talk about the way that you guys were able to run the football today?
A: “One of our main goals was to run the football today. We want to run it every week, but we knew that this week we might get the opportunity. It was one of the main things that we wanted to do today. We wanted to move the ball.”
Q: Could you talk about going in and trying to loosen them up and then coming out with a win in the end?
A: “That’s what we need. I try to turn it up just at the right time. I just want to keep it going.”
Q: How about that 45-yard touchdown play? How did you like that?
A: “I wanted him to take a breather so we could get a first down, but that wasn’t what happened (laughing). It was a great job. He just went in there and got the hole.”
Q: How did it feel to get another 200-yard game this season?
A: “I believed in my abilities. I never know what to expect. I just show up to work every week and see what happens.”
Q: The offensive line has done a great job for you this season.
A: “They have done a great job all year. They have been the hardest working group this offseason. They are tough on the football field. I wouldn’t have that many yards if those guys weren’t doing what they were doing on the football field.”
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?
