“I feel confident going into the season. Playing with the ‘o-line’ we have, they are very helpful, very resourceful. We communicate well together. I feel very confident.”
—Falcons right tackle Lamar Holmes on possibly starting for the first time in the season opener.
“If they do, it’s a part of the business. I can’t really worry about. It’s out of my hands. I’ve got to worry about what I can control right now.”
—Holmes on the possibility of the Falcons signing a veteran tackle.
“I’m definitely ready. Ever since I got here, starting with the minicamp and (offseason program), I’ve been preparing for these moments. I’m going to continue to prepare. I’m never satisfied with nothing. I’m just looking forward to the opener now.”
—Falcons rookie Marcus Trufant, who will open the season as a starter at cornerback.
“They are going to be gunning for us. That’s my first game against them. I know I’m the new rookie out there so I expect a lot of balls to come my way. I’ve got to be ready.”
—Trufant on facing the Saints in the season opener.
“It’s cool, man. I’ve been watching my brother for 10-plus years playing in the league. For me to be out there with him … this was actually my first time competing against him in an organized setting. It was pretty cool. It was a big moment for my family. Hopefully we keep good things going for us.”
—Trufant on playing against brother Marcus, a Jaguars cornerback.
“After the game, I got with the coaches and watched the film and looked at every mistake I made. Then I came out today and just competed.”
—Falcons rookie cornerback Robert Alford on responding after a poor performance against the Titans Saturday.
“I grew up going for the Saints. But this week the Saints are going to be the No. 1 hit on my list. I’m going against them, I’m with the rivalry team. It’s time for me to rise up.”
—Alford, a Louisiana native, on the Falcons-Saints rivalry.
“It starts off in practice. I have a great quarterback in Matt Ryan that I face every day and a receiving corps we face every day. I think they got us ready. Drew Brees is a good player also but I think I’m competing with guys that are on a high level also.”
—Alford on preparing to face the Saints.
“Oh, yeah. Every game you want to win. Every game is important. I try to win everything I do and do good at everything I do.”
—Falcons quarterback Dominque Davis on trying to win the game.
“I had a lot of ups and downs. But overall, I played pretty well. I just need to be more physical.”
—Falcons defensive Jonathan Massaquoi on his overall play
“Everything has been highs, for the most part. I haven’t really had too many lows. Just focused out here, been fully consumed in trying to make this team, trying to catch up to all of the years that I’ve missed out of football. My learning curve is definitely different from a lot of the guys here. Whereas, I was learning a lot of the one-on-one, basic things of football, as well as the intermediate things of football and meshing them all together at once in a small period of time. It was definitely challenging, but I’ve enjoyed myself the whole time.”
—Falcons linebacker Brian Banks on his stay with the team.
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