FLOWERY BRANCH -- New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton talked about the addition of safety Jairus Byrd, 'Saints quarterback Drew Brees' health and facing Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan during his conference call with the Atlanta media on Wednesday:
Here are some of the highlights:
Q: How does Jairus Byrd make your defense better?
A: PAYTON: Well, he's a smart football player. He's got very good ball skills. His instincts are something that help him tremendous at free safety. He's very productive with the ball and around the ball whether if it's fumbles and/or interceptions. It was something that stood out when we studied him closely at Buffalo.
Q: The Falcons talked about becoming a tougher and more physical football team up front, after watching four games of preseason football did you see enough to determine if they’ve been successful?
A: Clearly, when you see the preseason games you see the size and the difference with a handful of acquisitions not just on the defensive line, but at linebacker and also on the offensive line. The challenge whenever you play someone week one, there are always some subtle changes that take place in the offseason with regards to personnel or with regards to scheme. So, those are things that are hard to simulate. I think that you get a chance to see the preseason games and you also go back and look at last year's tape, but you definitely see a bigger team. (Nothing on if they tougher.)
Q: Do you have the veterans stress to the young guys that they might not know when the big moments of the game will come?
A: We try to take about getting on to the next play (with) each snap potentially carrying the same value. Whether if it's a punt return snap or if its third-and-8 on offense or defense. Or if it's a first down play. All of them are units in a game made up of how ever many snaps each game would have including the special teams. It's impossible for the coaches, the players for anyone to know specifically when that momentum shifts or when there's .. . . you might call it a game-changing play. Often times it's not until after the game that you go back reflect on a certain down or a certain series and you recognize how important that series was or could have been. It's trying to create turnovers. If 11 guys aren't going to the ball and pursuing with the same effort and energy on every play, you're going to be much more inconsistent with that. It's the same way offensively. You've got to approach it where you are valuing each play the same.
Q: Julio Jones is back and healthy. What challenges does he pose?
A: He's a tremendous player. He's got great Athleticism. He's got very, very good hands. He's got the size that you are looking for at that position. When you put the speed and the size and obviously his athleticism together and then the ball skills that he has, you have to be real mindful of where he is on each play.
Q: Where is Drew (Brees) at going into this game?
A: Well, he's in the locker room right now. (Chuckles from the scribes!!!). He's doing fine. He lost snaps early in camp he had an oblique (injury) to a muscle in his stomach and we really wanted to be cautious about it. Fortunately, he was able to get a full week back before the week three (exhibition) season game and he's been at 100 percent.
Q: What do you expect to see from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan?
A: Well, number one, he locates the ball exceptionally well. I think he's got very good arm strength. I think he throws a very good deep ball. He's accurate. He's got great command of the huddle. It's obviously always a little bit more a challenge when you're on the road because the operating conditions become very loud for the offense on the road. …I think there is a confidence in his game that comes through his preparation. His work ethic and you see it year in and year out.
Q: What do you notice differently about your defense this year?
A: Just the personnel changes of when you add a Jairus Byrd and you see the development of some of your younger players. I think that's the first thing that strikes you with regards to your personnel. It's important not to use the analogy "pick up where you left off." More importantly, our emphasis is starting over. Really starting again, starting over and getting back to the initial fundamentals and basics of what wins and losses.
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