Here’s what Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis had to say about the Falcons during his conference call with the Atlanta media on Wednesday:
Q: How does it feel to receive Pro Bowl honors again?
A: "It feels great. I couldn't be more excited."
Q: Coming off the win over Washington, what’s your mentality facing the Falcons?
A: "We have to re-focus. The Falcons are a different team than the one we played on Monday night and we understand that. We have to be ready for an extremely high-powered offense."
Q: Other than the offense, what makes them different to you?
A: "I think their defense is playing a lot better now, too. If you look at what they've been able to do and in particular Vic Beasley getting the pressure …and the young guys, the linebackers flying around and making plays. I think they are a complete football team."
Q: What’s your assessment of how Deion Jones has been playing here in Atlanta?
A: "I love the way the kid has been playing. My hat's off to him. I feel like he's had a phenomenal year. I feel like the sky is the limit for him."
Q: How have the Panthers adjusted to being without Luke Kuechly?
A: "A.J. Klein has come in and has done a great job for us. But when you lose a guy like Luke Kuechly, that's always hard. But we have found a way to keep going."
Q: What’ makes this rivalry special to you?
A: "For me, in particular, it's just the fact that I'm from Georgia and a lot of my family members are still Falcons fans. I love to play against them."
Q: How do you explain the spike in Matt Ryan’s play?
A: "I think when you look at the guys that are around Matt right now…the way there are running the offense and the precision with which he is throwing (the ball), I think that's been the biggest difference. He's gotten comfortable in the new system and it's showing."
Q: What makes Devonta Freeman so difficult to tackle?
A: "I think he runs the ball like he's playing defense. He's a guy that uses his speed. He knows when to lower his shoulder and he knows when to run around guys."
