Here’s what Falcons coach Dan Quinn had to say after the 38-14 win over the Redskins on Sunday:
Opening statement: "For the team, when we came off of our bye last week and had some things we wanted to study, we told the guys we really thought the best version of our 2018 team is still out there because we have much to improve upon and we still do. We knew this would be a line of scrimmage day. I thought for the big guys on both sides. That was a real emphasis. You guys heard me talk in the week of pad level and our technique and those areas. I thought that was the real difference in today's game. Scoring, the two-minute at the half with Calvin (Ridley), I thought was a big deal to go up 21-7 and knowing we were going to get the ball to start the second half. Then to finish that drive with (Tevin Coleman) happening to score, I thought that was kind of the pivotal parts of the game. Before I do open it up for questions today, it was awesome to hear all of our fans here on the road. That is true brotherhood and to hear them. We felt them from the time I walked out of the tunnel all the way through to the end of the game. So, I couldn't have been more honored to hear that from our fans, so it was really cool to have them here with us."
On the team after the win: "We recognize where the big picture is, but we just try to focus where we're at. We had plenty of stuff we had to improve upon heading into last week and we still got plenty to work on. So, we got to head back out on the road again and go for it. Although we know the big picture, we do much better when we keep our focus and our target as small as we can. We will do that again this week."
On Matt Ryan and Coleman: "I thought both of them really shined for us. I thought the line of scrimmage too, you know, with the offensive line. Matt's ability on third down was one of the stories within this game that made a big difference. In that first half, I don't know exactly what the numbers were, maybe there were six or eight of them that he converted in the first half – talking about the team. When those drives get extended and so many people get opportunities to catch the ball, I thought that was a real factor. We thought there was something with (Coleman) coming in this game, and we certainly thought it with the offensive line. So, I was glad to see the work they put in showed some of the benefits."
On Ryan this season: "I think one of the things I really admire about him is consistency. It's not a sexy word because it's not earned overnight. You got to put it in over and over again. I wish you guys could come to practice to see the work he put in out on the practice field all the way through to the game. For him, yeah, he is playing consistently. But even past that, decision making, the accuracy, the toughness he displays makes teammates. That's what I think of Matt. All the work that he puts in to make sure that he's at his best for his team and it shows up every week."
On the running game: "We knew this team was exceptional in that area. So to find some space, knew the play-action pass was going to be a factor and it for sure was to create some lanes for these guys to get going on the run game. The big guys put the work in. They did extra. They found their spots for our pad level that we could improve upon, but we're encouraged to see that. We know we are at our best when both the run game and our pass game are in balance. Today we had that and the results were there."
On Calvin Ridley's head injury: "I don't have any update. But he was cleared to go back into the game during the game so I don't believe there is anything post-game."
On Julio Jones' touchdown: "Yes, I think you guys saw the enthusiasm for the team. He is one of the rarest because his ability to attack with the ball and without the ball, creates opportunities for the men on this team. He may run a deep pass or run something that is a clear out route, and you better have that attention towards him. If it just so happens that it is going to go to him, then Calvin (Ridley) and (Mohamed Sanu) and some of the other guys are going to have significant opportunities for them. As a teammate, what he stands to make sure get me to ball or any of those. I think history has shown when he gets the ball and knows what to do when he gets it. And it was great to see him in the end zone. He is one hell of a leader on the team."
On the offensive and defensive performances: "I think when that is as successful as they are it's about possessing the ball. You better have your third down in order so they can't continue drives and give our offense fewer possessions. So we knew that if we could get the lead on the team that is as successful as running the ball as them, third down was going to be a real factor. I thought the guys did a nice job in that way to make sure the drives weren't extending. But getting out to a fast start on this team is especially critical and getting the offense to get going right away. I think defense had a pretty good start to the game and I thought that couldn't have gone better. But you know the opponent, they have had their share of injuries as well. It's a good team win and one we really had to battle for."
On the physicality of the receivers: "Yeah I think you are referring to what we call our finishing opportunities. Sometimes it is in the run game. Sometimes it's the way after the catch and dropping your shoulder to get to a critical first down. I though Julio [Jones] clearly demonstrated that at the end of the game. He caught it prior to the sticks and dropped his weight. That's kind of typical (Mohamed Sanu) for us. Third downs he is a real factor because of his length and size and his toughness. They hold themselves to a really high standard, our receivers do, and Mo is right in front of that in terms of what he does. So if you come in and don't, they will let you know pretty quickly."
On running the ball on second and 10: "Really the area for us to improve upon was our run game. Wherever we had the opportunists to take it, we would. Some of those may have been checks at the line of scrimmage. Where they may have not been called in as a run but based on a two-deep look or an advantageous box for us to run. We may have done some of those. I can't recall off the top of my head. But that could have been it too. I think just putting us in the right calls is something that doesn't get put into the stat sheet with Matt [Ryan]. When we have two calls checked or run to a pass or pass to a run, he's one of the very best."
On facing the Browns next week: "Well it is always about our improvement. There are plenty of things we can work on to get better at. So, we are heading into next week and our preparation. It will start with us, and we have a number of things that we want to get better at as we are heading into the game. Then as it goes past that, we will get all the preparation. It takes all week to get ready from Wednesday to Thursday to Friday to Saturday all the way through. It is a real process we go through to get ready. And we rely on one another to do that. As we get into the week we get more of that. The emphasis is more towards us."
On what today said about the team: "I think what it says is when we get into difficult moments, we know we got to stay the course and lean on one another to get ready. It was an excellent performance in all three phases today. When we go back, we will go and put the work in. There is not a moment that we are ready to go relax and this we are okay with where we are at. We have got plenty of work to do and you can count on this group of guys to do it."
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