Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson talked to the Atlanta media via conference call on Wednesday.
Here’s what he had to about the Falcons:
On his impressive of the Falcons and their recent success:
“Great football team, they’re playing great all the way around. Dan Quinn, coach Quinn, I have tons of respect for him and what he does and how he coaches the game. I used to love coach Quinn because he was such a hard-working person, a person that was a player’s coach and all that. I have tons of respect for him and how he’s doing it, and it’s no wonder why they’re being successful and why the players are playing at a high level.”
On his knee and ankle injuries:
“I’m doing great right now. I feel strong. This weekend we are going against a very tough football team. We all going to be ready to roll and we are excited about the opportunity.”
On the Falcons’ defense:
“You think about the players that they have — Vic Beasley. played a great game last week. He’s really coming along; he’s extremely athletic, a fast player, can cause havoc and make plays. Obviously you have so many other good players as well. You have Dwight Freeney too coming off the edge who can cause a lot of havoc. He’s been doing it for tons of years. So you have tons of respect for who they are. They have so many different guys coming in and out of the game. Obviously you have Jonathan Babineaux, who has played great football for a long time for the Atlanta Falcons. He’s a physical and athletic player. There are a lot of guy I could mention, but those guys really stand out and make a lot of plays.”
On what he’s seen Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant:
“Well he’s athletic as can be. That whole family can play football. But as athletic as can be. He’s quick. He makes smart decisions. He’s instinctive. So those are the things you’ve seen ever since college, and since he’s been in the NFL, he’s shown that he can do that at a high, high level.”
On if his knowledge of Quinn’s scheme gives him an edge:
“I don’t necessarily think it’s an edge, I think it’s an understanding of what they’re trying to do. They do it really, really well. They have great players. Their players really step up to the challenge and they’ve been showing that all year. Like I said, we have a tough challenge, and we’re looking forward to the game, looking forward to the matchup. You just have to play one play at a time, and hopefully we can make something happen.”
On how he would best describe the Seahawks offense:
“I think we are an explosive offense that can make a lot of plays. There are so many different weapons and so many different guys across the board from the receivers to the tight ends to the running backs. That’s the exciting part. My job is to facilitate the ball to the right guys at the right time and let them make plays. Ultimately, the goal is to score at least one more point.”
On the play of tight end Jimmy Graham:
“Jimmy Graham looks great. He’s been making catches all over the field. Obviously he’s been making catches all over the field. The rest of the guys do to as well. We have so many weapons and so many guys making plays all over the field. It’s tough for the defense to try to figure out what they are going to do to try to slow us down.”
How do you attack the Falcons defense:
“We want to be able to run the ball and be physical like always. We want to have a balanced attack. We want to be able to let the running backs make the plays. The offensive line is doing a great job of being physical at the point of attack. They are giving us a chance to have those lanes to run the ball really well.”
On Quinn’s relationship with Carroll:
“Well coach Carroll and coach Quinn, they’re really close obviously. Coach Carroll is a tremendous football coach, one of the best in the National Football League in my opinion. And coach Quinn is showing that too as well, and he demonstrates that on and off the field. Coach Quinn is an amazing person, an amazing man and also an amazing coach, so I have tons of respect for him and how they approach the game.”
On running back Christine Michael:
“He’s got such a great ability to make people miss. He’s got a great ability to run the ball physically. He’s got great speed and great decision making. I think ultimately, his work ethic…he’s one of the first guys out there….every time he gets the ball in practice he tries to take it to the house in practice. That trains him for the game.”
On his stance on the National Anthem:
“I kind of spoke up on that issue before. I’m just grateful that I get to play the great game of football, honestly. Our team is trying to build a bridge. That’s why we link arms and just try to bring people together and not push people apart. I think ultimately the best way, in my humble opinion, is just to love one another and treating other people with respect and understanding and trying to get to know each other better. I think that’s the important thing. I’m just grateful that God has given me the opportunity to play the great game of football.”
On playing with a knee brace against the Jets:
“It wasn’t an issue. It wasn’t an issue at all. I’ve played with one before. It’s not an issue at all. Whatever it takes, I’ll be ready to roll.”
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