Here’s what Falcons coach Dan Quinn had to say after the Falcons’ 26-24 loss to Seattle:
(Opening Statement…) "We knew this was going to come down to the finish. These were two tough teams that were going to battle for it. We clearly expected that. We liked that our team battled back after a difficult first half. We showed a lot of resiliency. We didn't create any turnovers on defense. We ended up finishing minus two and we know how tough that can be.
Great fight, both teams were totally battling. It went all the way down to the end as we thought. We will learn a lot from it. We know having penalties and turnovers makes it very difficult. We will go right back to that process and get ready for another tough opponent. We knew it would be tough and it would come down to the end, like it did. We didn’t capitalize on some of our opportunities. We will look at that and learn from it.”
(Was the pass attempt to Jones on fourth down, pass interference…) "As you go through the last play, usually one play doesn't define it. We will look at it and see where it goes. We certainly had other opportunities in the game to go capitalize and finish but we won't let it come down to one time for us."
(What was your thought on the interception when you were trying to run the clock out…) "We wanted to stay aggressive. At that point there was still plenty of time left. It wasn't a time where we were going to run it and punt away and have Russ and that crew go again. We're going to win the game. We had an attitude for that. We have excellent guys who knew how to attack. It ended up being a tipped ball. It was unfortunate. It was not a bad decision or a bad play. We will give them the credit for it."
(Do you feel that you won the game…) "No. I do feel that the guys battled really hard. We knew it was going to be tough coming in here. After the first half, where it was a struggle for us. Coming back out and getting the ball and going down. That was the thing that reset us and we got right back into it.
All the way there were big plays. Blocking the extra point was certainly a big one. For us not getting any turnovers and us finishing minus two against a good team is going to be tough, so they battled for it.”
(What halftime adjustments worked for you with converting third downs in second half…) "We certainly had some penalties that created some long ones as well. Having a sack on second down or a foul on third down to put us way back, that makes the third down especially challenging. They were a tough opponent, the rush was certainly coming good. Just in terms of the communication, the line certainly played better in the second half."
(Did Matt Ryan show some resolve today…) "He showed a lot. I think it was one of his tougher games. Just standing up, staying right in there. He has got a real focus about him. Today just coming off the field after the scores, we knew we wanted to attack in all three phases in this game and we came up short today."
(Do you like where the team is after six games…) "I like what our team identity is becoming. So badly did I want the identity to happen right away. It's growing stronger, that toughness that resolve to where we can attack in all three phases. That identity is one that I'm pleased that were starting to become, we way we want to finish, the different people that get involved. We have had some games where different groups came through. Two weeks ago certainly the defensive line had a big day. Two weeks before that the quarterback and receivers had one. We have had games where the special teams have been involved.
Having that team identity knowing that all phases are going to attack, I feel it’s coming together. We so desperately wanted that to happen last year, I believe that’s where we were going with some of this but it didn’t in terms of all the way. I wanted that to happen overnight but it didn’t. But I feel like this group is growing, quite a bit different from last year’s group. We will be ready to get back rockin’ here in a few days.”
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