7 things Dan Quinn said at his Wednesday news conference

Falcons coach Dan Quinn addressing the media on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 in Flowery Branch before practice. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

Falcons coach Dan Quinn addressing the media on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 in Flowery Branch before practice. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

A review of Falcons coach Dan Quinn’s Wednesday news conference in advance of the Falcons (1-4) game against Tampa Bay (2-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

1. On the plan to getting after the missed tackles: "We do pads, and we did last week, and we'll do it again this week. Generally with most things, could be with penalties and tackling in this instance, it's not a unit-wide epidemic. We've got to get it shored up on some of the men that need extra work and extra attention. So the way that we do that is out on the grass and out at practice. We do devoted extra time during individual or extra time in our Plan D portion to do that. We'll have a few guys who get a couple extra emphasis and extra turns on that this week."

2. On what he sees out of the receiving core that Tampa Bay has: "I would say explosiveness. They're near the top in explosive plays in some instances in one less game. That should tell you a lot about the ability for them to make plays down the field. Both these teams have receivers that can make plays. You've heard us talking about that other games, running back is a receiver and I feel like we're right back to that again. Two groups that have excellent receiving squads."

3. On the zone blitz – is that something he only worries about with the Steelers or will they face that with the Buccaneers as well: "For sure they do and anybody can in that regards. So we're prepared for it for sure. When we don't execute, those are the ones as a coach that just drive you up a wall. Give credit to them but we thought those were ones that we could handle, and pick up and execute the way that we do because the big plays are often there when there's one less defender to play in that zone. When you miss those ops you just squeeze your fist because there was a moment of opportunity that was lost. We've got a big offense with lots of stuff and different ways to attack. So we'll continue to do that. As it heads into this week I think it's pretty consistent, Mike and their crew they have pressures that are similar to that and I'd also say teams that we've played up until now have also done that."

4. On with it being a division game – is this as good of a chance as any to correct where they stand in the NFC South: "I don't think it's as good as any, but it's this one. Our guys are pumped for it, man. We have not played like we want and we're looking forward to this matchup, I can promise you that. To put it onto different scales of that, we don't do that. We're going after it like crazy and that's what we'll do."

5. On Joe Haden shadowing Julio Jones last week – what does he take away from that game and looking ahead for Tampa Bay: "Yeah they hadn't done a lot with Joe in Pittsburgh and then they did it in that game so we're always kind of preparing in that way if they're trying to match someone to Julio or put a bracket on him, or low to high. However, they want to try to go about defending him as it goes. So as we get into the game, we're pretty mindful of it, what could they do. Then as we get into the game we look at much like a team would say hey this is how they're trying to play us. So that first quarter they're definitely some things that we're looking for from the press box, on the field to say on these first ones, this is how we're going. We're always looking for that and how we can put him into spaces that help us attack."

6. On how he felt with Desmond Trufant's play last week: "I thought, somebody had asked me who were some that stood out. I thought on the offensive side, Austin Hooper in the run game and the passing game was as active as he's been in a game. Then on the defensive side, without a question to me, it was Trufant. Challenging guys, being aggressive, and I was really pumped to see that, and I told him that, and I think we'll see more of that. The confidence that came from playing that way just showed up. Just looked like exactly the competitor that he is so it was pretty cool to see."

7. On where he's at with the special-teams issues:  "I think you're probably referring to punt. On punt with two of the last three weeks is not acceptable. I used the analogy like being on the bomb squad, getting it right nine out of the ten times isn't going to get it done. So we'll have an extra emphasis for the week on that one on both occasions it wasn't a certain scheme or pressure that got us. Sometimes you wish it was. It was just somebody getting beat on that play. The two that it happened to were certainly had much respect for them and could get the job done so we'll devote the time and effort to it but a hundred percent is unacceptable to have it happen. But I am excited on some other topics on the team side of things. I like the way our kickoff coverage is running, I like the way our return game is coming to life. That's the issue that we'd like to get squared away so that never rears its head again."