Emmy-award winning broadcaster Chris Myers, who will handle the play-by-play for Fox Sports when the Falcons (3-9) host the Panthers (5-7) on Sunday, shared his thoughts on the game with The Atlanta-Journal Constitution in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Here’s what Myers had to say about the upcoming game:
Q: What’s your analysis of the Ron Rivera being terminated this week?
A: It certainly impacts the game. It's a shake-up. To be honest with you, I think on a national scale, you go back a few weeks ago and people thought the other team (the Falcons) would be the one changing the coach. Not that we make those decisions. People like to talk about those things. It certainly will have an affect on, especially with Norv Turner's son (Scott) taking over the play calling. The final straw was that loss to the Redskins that gave them a four-game losing streak after starting out the way that they did.
Q: Did it surprise you?
A: I do know that the owner (David Tepper) when he took over, I saw Forbes listed him as the NFL's wealthiest owner (worth 11.6 billion), which says a whole lot. He wants to put his stamp on things. He wants to do things his way. So, it was in the cards unless there was a strong run to the playoffs or Super Bowl. ... So, I understand the move. I'm glad they did it with the class that they did for Ron Rivera's sake and the Panthers' sake. They want to get a head start on the new coach. Give Ron a chance to do things if he wants to continue coaching. I'm sure he won't have any trouble getting a job.
Q: How will it impact the game?
A: I think it takes a hit on the Panthers side, especially with the extra time the Falcons had to prepare for this game. If it helps anybody, I'm going to lean in the direction of the Falcons, with this kind of move.
Q: Will it help that Perry Fewell has been an interim coach before (Buffalo, 2009)?
A: I don't think we'll see a whole lot of change in the defense. I think they are more altered by the injuries. What happened to Kawann Short early and Dontari Poe as far as Carolina goes. We have talked to Perry Fewell before when he was with the Giants. We got to spend a lot of time with him. I know that he does have some experience in this situation. I think he's a candidate for the job. He's got that going for him. If he can put on a strong run at the end, I think that's important for him personally and for Panther fans. I don't know what his finger prints will be other than he's more of a defensive guy.
Q: What’s your perception of the 2019 Atlanta Falcons?
A: I think my overview and I covered that Falcons team that made it to the Super Bowl. I've been around Dan Quinn and he's an easy guy to like and an easy guy to root for, but I think when you're as inconsistent as this team is this year and I know that injuries – every team deals with injuries – but I still think you have a future Hall of Famer quarterback in Matt Ryan, you still have key players on defense and Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Calvin Ridley, I just think you have to have a better record than 3-9.
Q: How do you see them performing over the last quarter of the season?
A: The good news is that the coach's break the season down into the four quarters, four games at a stretch, the Falcons were at least 2-2 in that last quarter after having a rough start. I expect them to finish strong, fight to the finish. It's a game that they probably should win. Then they go out to San Francisco, then you have a couple of games that are winnable. But I think many people thought that after they beat the Saints and Carolina on the road and then couldn't beat Tampa (at home) and the Saints rematch on Thanksgiving, which was a little more difficult challenge even though they were at home. So, everybody was a little surprised around the league that Atlanta just hasn't done better. I think their talent is better than their record shows. But that's who you are. That's what your record is. That's the reality of it. I think Dan Quinn and Arthur Blank and the Falcons understand, that's the bottom line in this business.
---
Subscribe to "The Bow Tie Chronicles" podcast with the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter on iTunes or on the new AJC sports podcasts page.
