Falcons head coach Mike Smith was pleased with how his team executed the no-huddle offense during Sunday's game
On the game:
"Today we got the outcome that we wanted. I thought that we had good performances from all three units of our football team. We played in spurts; consistency is a big thing that we have to address. When you are on the road you have to be ready for the team's best shot, this team is 4-1 at home and playing very efficient. They had been taking the ball over 13 of the 15 turnovers and we have gone for the third straight game with out turning the football over. I think when you don't turn the ball over you enhance your chance of getting the outcome that you wanted."
On the reasons the Falcons are playing in spurts:
"I don't know the reason for it, and I don't want to make excuses for any of us, including myself. We are just back from nine days since our last game, but the guys hung in there and showed what we were trying to get done. I thought when we ran our no-huddle we did good, when we tried to get into our two-tight end set we were able to handle their blitz package and we were able to move the chains and we won the time of possession, they are a team who thrives on controlling the ball as well."
On the young quarterbacks in the league today:
"This is a quarterback-driven league, there is not doubt about that. In my 11 years in the league I think this is probably the most depth in terms of quarterbacks starting with six or seven guys in the league. Then there are six or seven other guys that are going to be darn good quarterbacks, then there are a group of young quarterbacks that are making a name for themselves quickly. They are playing very efficiently. I am very impressed with the quarterback here, you can see that he has a lot of savvy; he understands their game plan that they put in place. Steve (Spagnuolo) has a fine quarterback in Sam Bradford."
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On QB Matt Ryan:**
"What can you say about him? Our guy continues to mature, it is his third season as we all know and I think each and every game he continues to get better. We talk about it all the time, we are lifetime learners and each and every week we learn something not only about ourselves, but also about our teammates and our opponents. Matt has a very good understanding of our offense and he is becoming the leader of our football team. I don't think that you anoint a player that role, Matt has earned it by his play on the field."
On DE John Abraham not playing:
"The decision was made about two hours prior to kickoff. We worked John out and he was questionable, he was limited in practice all this week. We are going to make decisions not based on one game, the decisions that we are going to make decisions based on the entire season. We were able to hold John out and still get some production from our defensive line."
