Here’s what the Falcons had to say after their 38-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday:
WIDE RECEIVER TAYLOR GABRIEL
On contributing to the offense:
“Primetime receivers are blocking for me so I just tip my hat to those guys. When they are quadruple and triple-teaming Julio, I feel like me, [Mohamed] Sanu, [Justin] Hardy, and everyone on the receiving corps can take advantage of those one-on-one matchups, and I feel like we did that today.”
On his breakout game:
“I knew this was possible from just the work that I put in. But at the same time, Kyle [Shanahan] and the whole offensive staff believe in throwing me the ball in the clutch situations. I’m just glad that I came out on top, scoring a touchdown.”
On Patrick Peterson covering Julio Jones:
“Julio is not human. You are going to triple and quadruple team Julio, so I felt like we can take advantage of those one-on-one matchups.”
LINEBACKER PHILIP WHEELER
On stopping thee run
"That was good and part of it was because the offense was scoring really good and that made them one dimensional. They had to pass the ball and we had to get after them as far as rushing the passer."
On making the start
“I’ve started in this league before. Even though I didn’t start earlier this year, I’ve played a lot so it just felt normal.”
How big is this win
“It was a really big statement. We just have to build on it. It was an emphasis all week and it paid off.”
LINEBACKER DEION JONES
On the run defense
“Our communication was outstanding. We got together and talked it out and got back to it.”
On the win
“It’s a great way to start our second half of the season. We just have to stack these games.”
WIDE RECEIVER JULIO JONES
On if he was pleased with four catches for 35 yards
“All I play for is to get the W. So, I’m happy.”
RUNNING BACK TEVIN COLEMAN
On the bye week:
“The bye week made a really big difference. That gave me an extra week to get my body prepared. It gave me an extra week to be myself. Timing is the hardest thing. The hardest thing to get by is the timing of things, getting back to yourself and the rhythm of things. It was tough but I did it.”
On Taylor Gabriel:
“That’s my guy. We’ve spent a lot of time with each other and he’s just an amazing player. The whole time while we talk, he says that he needs the ball in his hands. He makes magic and this was a very good day.”
On getting back on the field:
“I was itching to get back out there. And I was probably a little over-excited. Everything is working out well and everything is rolling smoothly. I just have to breathe and stay focused. This game was very important because they [Arizona] are an amazing team and they are the number one run defense. We had over 100 rushing yards and that is very impressive for us.”
On the run game plan:
“When we run the ball and have success running the ball, that is when we score a lot of points. All of our guys just click.”
SAFETY KEANU NEAL
On the defense hitting hard up the middle:
“I mean that’s what this defense is about. You know the physicality and competing. If guys are scared to catch the ball up the middle, then that benefits us. But I’m not focused on that, I’m just playing football. If they feel that way, then they feel that way. I’m not trying to make them scared, I’m just playing football.”
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
On relishing the title of the enforcer:
“I do like that. I do like being in that role. That’s something that me and Kam [Chancellor] talked about a lot. But I do like that enforcing role. If that’s what people see me as then that’s what I’m going to be.”
DEFENSIVE TACKLE JONATHAN BABINEAUX
On the defense during the first drive:
“We started out slow. I don’t know what the problem was. I guess they came out with a great attack plan. It looked like we started to settle down after their second drive though.”
On attacking and blitzing Carson Palmer:
“Well we got hungry, and that feeling stuck with us throughout the bye week. We really were just eager to get back, and we really wish that we had a game last week but we had to wait until today.”
On losing Desmond Trufant and filling that void:
“That loss is truly significant, but we have got guys behind him like Jalen Collins. We also have a lot of young guys behind him as well that are ready to compete. I don’t think the drop-off will be too big, we have got guys that are hungry.”
CORNERBACK JALEN COLLINS
On the challenge of stopping the run:
“It was definitely one of our points of emphasis. We got to go out there, know our fits and make our hits and the front seven did that. They did a great job of holding those guys under sixty yards. That just gave us some energy on the back end.”
On taking the role that Trufant has:
“It is what it is, I’m out here to play football and that’s what I did. We prepare everybody, so whoever it is, I’m sure that they can get it done.”
On the keys against the passing game:
“Our game plan was that we knew which receivers run certain routes, and what it looks like when they come out there in certain formations. We stuck to our game plan and what we have been practicing all week.”
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