Here’s what 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had to say about the Falcons to the Atlanta media on a conference call Wednesday:
Q: How do you plan to replace cornerback Richard Sherman?
A: "It's going to be tough. Having him out always hurts. Fortunately, we've had some some guys who got some playing time this year. Ahkello (Witherspoon) who started out when he got hurt. Emmanuel Moseley came in and got to play a lot and played at a high level. We've got two guys who can go out there who have experience this year. Hopefully they can hold down the fort."
Q: How’s former Falcons running back Tevin Coleman doing?
A: "Tevin has been great. He's been everything that we hoped for. He's started these last two games. It hasn't been Tevin's fault (that he's played just a few snaps). It's been more about Raheem (Mostert). Raheem has gotten in early. Anytime time that you're averaging over 6 yards a carry, which is what Raheem is doing. ... (You're) going to get more carries. It's been more about Raheem. I've been pumped to get Tevin here and he's been everything we hoped for."
Q: What do you see on film when you look at the Falcons’ defense?
A: "I see a defense that's been turning it on these last five weeks. It's not a surprise, when you watch the tape, that they've won three of their last five games. They are getting sacks, they are getting turnovers and they putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback."
Q: Do you see any similarities in the personalities of Matt Ryan and his cousin Mike McGlinchey?
A: "I see so many similarities. They talk similar. They act very similar. The both are very intense. The both love football. They both work as hard as anyone. I've been around. They both are really good people. The only difference is the McGlinchey is a lot thicker, I would say and they play a different position."
Q: What’s worked for your defense in addition to the fierce pass rush?
A: "We've played with close to the same group of guys going into our third year. We've had the same staff for the most part, and we've just been working at the fundamentals. Going through a lot of tough times those first two years, but those tough times have paid off. A lot of guys got good experience and have gotten better going into their third year. Then being able to add some of the difference-makers that we added this year to go along with some players that we already had. Especially, I'm talking about Dee Ford, (Nick) Bosa and Kwon (Alexander), who's not here now, but helped us a ton earlier in the year. Just adding some of these difference-makers to a defense that was already gaining some experience and already getting a lot better I think has made the night-and-day difference."
Q: How does this playoff run compare to the 2016 run with the Falcons?
A: "I see it as the same. It's nice when you're playing good football and you have a good record. But just as we knew in our 2016 run, you could never really relax. I think we were able to, I want to say the last game there because of some stuff that happened. We ended up getting that two seed. Your record doesn't matter when everyone else is in that same situation. You have to keep winning, week-in and week-out and hopefully you'll be where you want to be when the playoffs start."
Q: How’s your “Falcons West” offensive line doing?
A: "They are going a heck of a job. It was great with my time there with Mike (Person). He played center for us the first year there. We had a lot of things going on our first offseason here. He was out there and was available. We brought him in and threw him in there at guard. We had some injuries and he ended up starting that first game. In our second year, he ended up starting every game since. He's been a very good player for us. He's battled through a lot of injuries and really just kind of been our toughest guy. He's a representation of what we want to be mentality-wise. Having (Ben) Garland here has been great. The experience that we had from the time in Atlanta, he has gotten to play a ton because he's our swing guy inside. But we lost our starting center last week for the year, and Garland stepped in and played in that second half against New Orleans and did very well. Now, he's going to have a big opportunity to really help us here going forward. (Daniel) Brunskill, I didn't know when he was there. He was on the practice squad after I left. I think we ended up getting him from the (Alliance of American Football) league. He's done a very good job for us. He's started a number of games at tackle for us when we lost McGlinchey and Staley."
Q: How much have you seen Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett improve over the years.?
A: "He was pretty good when I was there. He was one of the huge reasons whey we made a run to go to that Super Bowl. I thought he was playing at an extremely high level on our defense. I hope it would look worst on Monday when I looked at the tape knowing that I have to go against him, but unfortunately, it didn't. He only looked better. I'm really happy for him. He's got everything that he deserves. He's a really great person and a great player."
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