Falcons coach Dan Quinn addressed the media on Wednesday.
Here’s what he had to say:
Opening Statement:
“Man are we looking forward to getting back on the field today as we begin our preparation for San Diego. Being on the road for two weeks, we’re pumped to be back here at home with our fans. One of these topics we talk about with the team on our ‘Competition Wednesday’ is iron sharpening iron. That’s the process we go through to get each other ready and that’s why we have some periods where we get to compete against one another. It’s an important part of our week and it’s one that we truly cherish knowing that we’re helping each other get the looks right and getting each other ready to play. That’s what it’s all about. We have a few guys who won’t practice today, Taylor Gabriel will be in the concussion protocol and cornerback C.J. Goodwin will be rehab running due to a hamstring injury.”
On the personnel moves made in the last 24 hours:
“We had some roster additions. We added safety Sharrod Neasman, we added defensive lineman Cliff Matthews, and we added a linebacker on the practice squad, Josh Keys. Those are the groups we had. Unfortunately, Derrick Shelby had torn his Achilles and will get that repaired. He’s that process right today. We’re bummed for him and we’re certainly excited to have Cliff back into the mix. We’ll certainly get more turns for Courtney Upshaw as well.”
On how Upshaw has played in his limited time:
“We were pleased with the performance at Denver. We thought he showed some speed and quickness. I know he’s certainly looking forward to the opportunity as well.”
On what’s been the key to his transition from being a linebacker to an interior lineman:
“It happened so quickly is the biggest thing that for him where outside at outside linebacker you have some time and space to see things so at defensive end or defensive tackle it’s where the combinations of the blocks happen so quickly. He’s plenty strong enough. He’s a very strong man and we’re pleased. He’s in shape and fit, and we’re looking forward to his opportunity starting this weekend.”
On what his assessment of the Chargers from what he’s seen on film:
“It’s a very explosive team, you just look at the points that they score. They’ve been in some close ones and their record could easily have been flipped. We know how dangerous this team is. Chargers QB Philip Rivers is terrific especially at the line of scrimmage. He has a very keen understanding of what the defense is playing, how to attack it, and he likes to work at the line of scrimmage almost in a no huddle attack where he can see everything. They have a very unique way of featuring the tight ends with Antonio Gates for years and then the addition of Hunter Henry this year. We love the speed of Melvin Gordon. Very big offensive line. We’ve got our work cut out for us, and it starts right at the center with Philip making great decisions and knowing where to go with the ball.”
On what makes Hunter Henry unique:
“For a big guy, he’s got great body balance. You can split him out and play him as a wide receiver. He’s done that at Arkansas and they do it some with him in San Diego. But it’s the combination of a big guy who’s 6’5 who can turn and play the ball where he’s not tight or stiff. He’s very loose as an athlete. That’s a challenge for that big of a guy who can turn and go. He’s got good speed and good hand. I think he’s well on his way to being a good tight end.”
On whether De’Vondre Campbell is in better shape now than last week:
“Yeah we think just after a week through and going through a game he’ll be much further off. There were no setbacks for he and Deion Jones in the game, so we expect De’Vondre’s play time to ramp up and his performance based on reps and playing. Man it was awesome to have him back out. I know his teammates were excited too.”
On Robert Alford being one of the most penalized players in the league:
“Two of the fouls were post snap and we know that part, no matter what can improve and it will. The second part whether it’s defensive holding or PI, we’re going to work really hard and Robert is too to make sure he finishes right at the ball and not through the player. Its technique oriented with him. He’s got the speed and athleticism to play the receivers in great positions. We’ll drill that and we’ll continue to. We expect that to fully improve.”
On what he would like to see different in the run game this week:
“Hopefully more opportunities, number one. When you get behind and the score kind of gets twisted early on it leads to more passing so for us, the balance, that’s what we love when the play action and the keepers are a part of our run game. That’s when we’re at our best. We’ll have our opportunities for it and we need to nail those.”
On how difficult of a challenge it is to scheme against Philip Rivers who’s probably seen it all:
“That’s the challenge. You’re exactly right and not giving some of the look pre-snap so he has all the information. You love for a quarterback to sometimes make the decision as the rush is coming and make the decision as the play as opposed to where that computer is hitting it fast and he’s knowing where to go with the ball at the right time. That’ll be an important part of it for sure. We know we have our work cut out for us. For us, we’ve got to have our shots at the ball and make sure we capitalize on those. We had some fumble opportunities last week where we didn’t recover them, and I think that’ll be the real key in this game.”
On 10 teams in the league already making a switch at QB:
“Just like Philip, and here with Matt Ryan, we take great pride in our players having what we call a CT score. That’s their competes and toughs, and it’s when you throw a slant when the defensive end is right about to drill you and then you step into it and make it anyway. That’s why Matt has earned so much respect through the years, and Philip as well. As a quarterback, knowing that you’re going to get it and you’re going to deliver the ball on the right spot anyway. We talk about toughness as a quarterback, it’s not sometimes the physical part that you see it’s the mental toughness, and the I’m going to stand in here, take this shot, and I’m going to deliver it to my guy. Matt has certainly come through for us in that way.”
On dealing with a lot of injuries on defense in the last couple of weeks:
“It’s not difficult because we do preach this versatility. That’s why we play guys at different roles and at different spots. We’re very fortunate that we have the depth to do that, and we tip our hat to Thomas Dimitroff and the personnel men who look and scour to find the right fits and the right guys. But having that bond in those rooms knowing the next guy’s up, we really don’t talk a lot about it knowing if you’re here you’re counted on and you’re counted on to play well so we don’t make a big deal of the next performing guy who’s going to go make his stuff but it is a real attribute to the depth.”
On how quickly Cliff Matthews can get going here:
“He looks sharp in his work out and he looked really fit and really strong so we’re going to put him right into the mix today and we’ll take it all the way through the next three days. It’s a matter of how fast he can get re-acclimated into the system and what we’ll ask him to do. If we can create a role for him for the game we won’t hesitate to use him if he looks good all the way through the week.”
On whether he’s surprised at all by the NFC South and how things have unfolded so far this season:
“No and we just try to focus on what we’re doing and knowing we’ve got a huge challenge ahead. We don’t try to look at the other clubs and try to compare like to me competing and comparing are a lot different. We’re going to see how much better we can get this week, how much we can compete to get better, and then looking forward to this game. As far as looking at the division without it being a division game, I really don’t look much at it. When it’s those division games that’s when it gets ramped up for me.”
On whether he’s received any feedback from the league on their review of the pass interference play:
“Yes we did. I had a good conversation with Dean Blandino. I’ll keep that conversation private with he and I, but yeah we did talk this week.”
