Here’s what the Falcons had to say after their 23-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sundayh at Soldier Field.
AUSTIN HOOPER, tight end
What happened on your 88-yard touchdown play?
"For one play they got nosy and a veteran quarterback made them pay. I just caught it with no one around me for 30 yards and strided in there."
On his overall play:
“I feel a lot more comfortable (in second year). There’s a lot I’ve got to work on. I made two good plays, other than that, I made a lot of plays I’m not proud of so I got to fix the ones I’m not proud of and become more consistent.”
On setting it off:
“In that instance it was my opportunity, my responsibility to make a play so I just tried to go with it. It feels good, I’ll leave it at that. The stiff-arm was cool, I like the score. Something good to build off of, individually and collectively as an offense.”
More on his 88-yard touchdown:
“I was uncovered, Matt threw it to me and I scored. Caught the ball stiff-armed a dude and scored, that was it. That was a play of a veteran quarterback. Even the way his eyes looked down at the underneath defender to pull the safeties up which allowed me to go completely free down the field.”
BROOKS REED, defensive end
What happened on the sack?
“Our (defensive backs) and linebackers were covering their guys and that gave me time to run the loop and get to the quarterback.”
How did you all play overall?
“We did OK. We saw a lot of runs. It was a very different games. A lot of runs.”
What does it say about you making a red zone stand with the game on the line?
“Oh man, it was huge. It’s what we preach about. It came down to the end against a very good team.”
How did the game develop defensively?
“Everyone did a good job of squeezing the pocket. They did a good job of getting the ball off quick to their second and third options. They made a lot of plays. They ran the ball pretty well. We did just enough. It was kind of an odd game for us because we were in base package so much. There are a lot of mistakes that we have to correct and we’ll try and get that done this week.”
On the game-winning sack?
“It was an awesome feeling to do that for the team and contribute toward the win. In a situation like that on the last down and it came down to who was going to make that las play. It’s an awesome feeling to do it for my brother here. It’s just awesome to be a part of it.”
JULIO JONES, wide receiver
On the season-opening win:
“We have a lot of things to clean up. We got what we set out for, and that was a W.”
On how the offense continued to work:
“We just got to continue to keep working in game. Just getting better. They did a great job of defense, early on limiting us early in the game not giving up explosive plays. We got to continue to work on us, and when those plays present themselves, we got to hit those players.”
On establishing timing in the first game:
“It’s not that hard. We don’t know how people are going to play us the first game. The Bears play this. They play that. We don’t know what we’re going to get. The game plan is kind of everywhere. We have a lot of things, like 3-2, two-man, things like that. They just kept mixing up things on us early on. We got the hang of things and started making some plays down the field.”
COURTNEY UPSHAW, defensive tackle
Where you surpised by the sack?
“No, Brooks Reed is a play-maker.”
VIC BEASLEY, linebacker
How nice was it to see Brooks get in on the action and have the game sealer?
“Brooks has worked extremely in practice. He’s put in a lot of work in the offseason.”
Was anything going through your head in the fourth quarter about how last season ended?
“No, I wasn’t even thinking about that, to be honest with you.
What was going through your head on the last drive, then?
“That’s what they have been preaching to us this year, come up with a play. That’s what we did.”
What was the key to get four sacks today?
“We were just rushing relentlessly. Everybody came ready to play. We were able to get some good pressure in his face. That’s what we knew we had to do to get the win.”
How clutch was it for Brooks Reed to get that fourth-and-5 sack?
“Very clutch. Game winner. Walk-off. I was great to see things come to life for Brooks. He works extremely hard in practice. If any person it could have happened to, I’m glad it happened to him.”
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