Here’s what the Falcons had to say after their 17-15 win over Jacksonville on Thursday night at the Georgia Dome.
TERRRON WARD, running back
On getting back out on the field:
“Being out three weeks, it felt good getting in between the lines again. I feel like everyone battled hard and the O-Line opened up holes for me. Matt Simms did a great job at quarterback so it was a great time to be out there.”
On being out three weeks:
“You’re a teammate first. Brandon had a great game against Cleveland. Tevin and Freeman playing well all preseason, so you root for those guys but it sucks being at home watching those guys play and knowing that you can’t do anything at the moment. But it felt good being out there right now.”
On brotherhood:
“We’re a tight-knit team. You can feel it every day at practice, every day in the locker room. We go out to eat with each other and hang out outside the locker room. From last year to this year, I feel like everyone got really close.”
DASHON GOLDSON, strong safety
On his play
“If felt good. It went OK for the most part. It was good to go out there and run around a little bit and get my legs underneath me. I still have a lot to clean up. I’ve been on the streets for a little while. This was just my second time in pads. I felt that a little bit. It was good. I felt good to go out there and run all over the field with the guys. I played pretty much until the fourth quarter.”
ROBENSON THEREZIE, free safety
On his interception
“I was in a good position when he tried to line-drive the throw. I just got up there and made the play. I didn’t have to bait him or nothing or anything like that. I was just in good position for where he threw it at. I went up there and made the play.”
VIC BEASLEY, linebacker/defensive
On his play
“I think things went pretty well. I only had three plays, but I think I got a pretty good feel for it.”
On bring the unit together.
“We are looking forward to the regular season. We are trying to win the Super Bowl. So we are ready to go.”
On his position change
“That’s what the preseason is for whenever you make a change with a player, they can not necessarily throw me in the fire during the regular season.”
On the pass rush, is it coming together in practice
“It’s coming together great. We are able to get pressure on the quarterback in practice. WE just have to (transfer) that over into the game. We have different combinations and we all can rush. We can get pressure on the quarterbacks with the players that we put in the game.”
DE’VONDRE CAMPBELL. linebacker
On rookie chemistry:
“We are here for one reason and it is to help this team win. We have all contributed thus far and have to keep building on the chemistry. Most of us are expected to be here for a while so it’s good for us to build that chemistry and get really comfortable with each other and also get comfortable with the older guys and make them feel comfortable with us on the field with them.”
On being a rookie:
“I feel really good. I think I have been proving that I belong. I always knew that I belonged but I never expected that I’d be drafted. I’m here now and just trying to make the most of it.”
Surprises about the NFL game:
“The biggest surprise is how many meetings we have and how much time we spend at the facility. I wasn’t use to it but I think I’ve got really accustomed to it and adjusted really quickly. The meetings and time we spend in the classroom are more mental than physical.”
DESMOND TRUFANT, cornerback
On the season opener versus Tampa Bay:
“We’re just going to take a look at the film. Obviously, we’ll start working on Tampa and see what they like to do. We’re obviously familiar with them, but we’ll just see how they are going to attack us. We’re just going to do what we do, which is fly around and try to get the ball.”
On his health heading into the season:
“I feel good and healthy. Last year, I missed the whole preseason so I definitely feel good and confident in myself and my teammates. We’re just ready to make those plays.”
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