HOUSTON — Falcons center Alex Mack, a second-team All-Pro selection, addressed the media on Wednesday.
Here’s what Mack had to say at the Super Bowl:
(on New England's defense) "The Patriots have a great defense. They're absolutely going to be a great challenge for us just keeping up with what they run out there. The players they have play really well together. They're tough."
(on if New England is the toughest defense they have faced this year) "They're going to be a very big challenge. They have big, heavy guys up front that are run-stoppers (and) everyone plays really well together. There's not going to be many gaps or holes in there."
(on if they will have to run to open the pass or vice-versa) "I think both of those play off each other. If we try to only run the ball, or should we pass… We want to stay balanced. You like to go out and have everything work just so they can't ever try to stop you from one thing. We have to stay honest."
(on RB Devonta Freeman) "Free is a great runner. He presses the hole really well, he makes great cuts, breaks arm tackles, and extends runs. When things break down, he's really getting north and south to keep us in manageable downs."
(on playing in the Super Bowl) "It's going to be an intense experience. My goal is to try and take a little in, remember that, and then just try to remember that it's still just a football game and go out there and play that first snap."
(on having extended media coverage) "I think it's going to add up. Media night was really fun, really cool, a lot going on. But, it looks like that just about every day."
(on if the offense will keep progressing) "I think we have a lot of talent on this offense. We'll see what happens.'
(on how the first few years in Cleveland have helped his success) "It definitely taught me how to be a good player. I learned a lot in my time there, I had a lot of game experience. It taught you the resilience of going in every day, doing your job, trying to get better no matter what happens, and take the games as they come."
(on the number of former Cleveland Browns playing in the Super Bowl) "I would be interested if there were any other stats with other teams. I know when you have a franchise that has a lot of turnover, a lot of different coaches are going to have a lot of different players, and a lot of guys are going to go through that building."
(on what QB Matt Ryan brings to the huddle) "There's a fair amount of intensity that goes on. He's like, 'This is the play, let's do it.' But, it doesn't change much. If it's third and 15, or second and five, the atmosphere usually stays the same."
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