What Falcons coach Dan Quinn had to say after the 20-17 loss to the Dolphins

Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Credit: David Goldman

Credit: David Goldman

Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Here’s what Falcons coach Dan Quinn said after the 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday:

Opening Statement:
"We had a tale of two halves. Coming off of our bye, I was pleased with the preparation heading in, and we were hoping to see more energy from our team. I thought we had opportunities today in all three phases, and in the second half we did not own those. This one hurts no doubt, and for us to be the team we know we can be, we've got to play more consistently for the whole time. The expression we use is do it right longer, so that's what we will do. With that, I'll be glad to open it up to your questions regarding the game."

On teams coming back in the second half:
"Well, for sure it's one we'll have to look back again into. Today, I thought for the second half it was a case of where we had some errors and some missed opportunities that were the biggest factor in the loss today. By no means do I mean it's a systemic one or game management one. In fact, I was happy how it went at the end of the half. We had good game management, and I was happy at the end. While we're on that topic, we were going to go win it at the end. Make no mistake about it, we had time-outs, we had time, and we were going to go down to try and score. That's what took place. I thought there were some good plays that we executed on the way, and then the turnover at the end was certainly costly after the tipped pass. We're disappointed. For us to be the team we can be, we've got to be more consistent."

On the pass to Austin Hooper that resulted in an interception:
"I'll have to go back and look at the film to see. I couldn't tell if that was the one, but it certainly looked like one that we were comfortable with. On the tipped pass, we've had a few of those this year that have ended up going the other way. Often times we're the recipient of those going that way, so we'll go back and look to see if there's no spot. Actually in the rip of the throw, it looked to be in the right spot."

On the roughing the passer call on Grady Jarrett:
"It wasn't the time that they described to me because it could be too quick. It's the element of time. It's usually the late hit, but they actually called that they thought he hit him under the chin because I asked that same one. Was it a delay? I wanted the answer for that, and they came back and thought that he had hit him in the head and neck area after the pass. It was a delay is what I was told."

On how frustrating it is to be in this situation again:
"Any time you are, it totally bums you out, and you try to find out what was the cause of not being able to finish like we wanted, and that's what we will do. We'll reset it and get right to it because in our league you've got to go back and get ready to play again. You've got to get the corrections first. All of the ones are teaching moments, but you don't really get tested until you're in the fire. For us to not close today like we wanted to, that was disappointing because we were certainly ready to there at the end."

On the reasons behind teams closing the gap in the second half:
"I wouldn't say it's a letdown. It's not a case of like a letdown. Sometimes, and I'm not saying this is [the case], but you can over-try. I'm trying so hard not to foul up, and you're not playing into your own self. We'll look at everything. We looked at the four games that we had. We liked some closes that we had. I think we're also missing the point. We had some down inside the 5-yard line that you stopped them. That's a hell of a job. As you're going through those in our game, you're going to battle for them, and those ones that we did close to win we were happy with. As far as scores in the second half and letting those up, certainly not. When you hold a team to some field goals way back when in Detroit. We had four or five of them between the last Green Bay, and then long field goals over 50. Those are good plays that you got the stop. We'll look back at it. I know I rambled on to your question, but we look at everything. Every game has different things that go on. One we thought our tackling wasn't as good, one we thought the turnover margin wasn't quite right, so those are factors that come up in all games. I think really the answer to your question is the consistency, and the three things. We take care of the ball, go after it defensively, and we play really assignment sound. Not only are we fun to watch, but we're also tough as hell to beat. Until that consistency becomes right where you have mistakes that are costly, we can't be the best version of ourselves. That's what we've got to get done, and we will."

On the continued emphasis on tackling:
"For sure those are ones that you look back and say, 'Okay, how could you have done it differently.' He's a guy we really respect. I think he does a good job. He's a tough, physical player. He's a run-and-catch guy. When we go back and look at that one, we'll see if it was a technique error that we could have done better. I think the bigger errors occur when there's a foul or on long plays that caused something. The run-and-catch plays where you're going to battle, that's the life we live as competitors. You're not going to stop every one of those, but the ones that are explosive or [have] technique errors, those are the ones that you'd better get corrected. The ones where you're naturally going to battle for guys, you're not going to win every single one. You're going to win a lot, but you're not going to win every one."

On Steve Sarkisian being in the box today:
"Through the off-season, it was one of the topics that I discussed with him, and during the preseason we tried both. I preferred him being up and just seeing everything. It was really after the bye, and he said, 'No problem.' It was really more by my design, the ability to have the calls to the quarterback right there and seeing everything [including] the hash and the yard line really quickly. I think in our system, it benefits you to be in the press box."

On Marvin Hall's first career touchdown:
"What a great memory for him as a first NFL catch to have that one go. It's one we've been working hard on in practice where we can connect on some of our deep plays because that's where the explosive plays come from on your play-action. I thought that was a good sign of things ahead because of our ability to connect on those."

On the team's identity moving forward:
"I recognize the question too, so you don't have to apologize for that. I do recognize it. You can't replay the game that was played in the Super Bowl, but what we can do is control what we have now. For that one, it was a historic game and one that we didn't get done, but we don't look back to that one on every opportunity when we're ahead or when we're behind in any of that way. Our focus is 100 percent on now and who we are. We've got different guys in different spots, and it's 100 percent about doing better in the here and the now, and that's where our focus will stay."

On whether there is a possibility of personnel changes:
"Not at this point. We'll certainly look at that and see. We always do. We grade every player in every game, so we kind of track and mark to see where we're at and how to feature them in the best way. As I'm standing here today, that would not be a topic that we'd have, but we'll certainly look at ones. There wasn't anything that stood out to me to say otherwise."