Here’s what the Falcons had to say after losing to the Buffalo Bills 23-17 on Sunday:
DEVONTA FREEMAN, running back
On the perception of team from viewers:
"It's any given Sunday, so you have to bring you're A-game. We want to beat everybody, and everybody wants to beat us, that's the name of the game. We've just got to get better, come back off this bye week and learn from our mistakes and clean up everything. It's the little things. I feel like we need to get better with detail, taking care of the ball, running better routes, making something happen if nothing is there and just get better as a whole."
On the effect of Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu leaving the game:
"In this game, it's all about next man up. We've got guys that prepare just as hard as Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. You just have to be ready when your number gets called on. I just want to get my guys healthy because we need everybody. We need our dogs at the end of the day. I'd rather just take this time and get everyone healthy."
On passing the ball verses running the ball in the last downs of the game:
"Whatever plays get called, I never know until it's called. Whatever play is called, it's our job to go out and execute it. No matter what play, if it's run or pass, we've got to go out there and execute. We need to do a better job at executing. The good thing about our team is that we have a lot of guys that are competitive and everybody wants the ball in their hands. Like I said, we just have to convert."
JAKE MATTHEWS, left tackle
On his feelings on the teams 3-1 start:
"3-1 is good but it's not 4-0, so we have stuff to work on. We know we're good, we know we're a good team but we just have to execute better.
JUSTIN HARDY, wide receiver
On the challenge of losing Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu:
"There's no challenge. It's next man up, we practice like this; getting the reps and just coming out here and doing our jobs."
On the team's mindset the rest of the game without its top two receivers:
"It's time to go. Opportunity, just make the most of it."
On whether the bye week came at the perfect time:
"You definitely want to get back [on the field], you don't want to sit on a loss, but at the same time, we've got some guys that are down. We want to get those guys back and come prepared and ready to play the following week."
GRADY JARRETT, defensive tackle
On not being able to create turnovers:
"We always want to be able to create turnovers on the defensive side of the ball. Whether it is to punch out the ball or try to get some caused fumbles. There's opportunity out there for us to get it but we have to be more mindful about it. It's a mindset. You have to attack the game in that manner and we just have to get the job done."
On the upcoming bye week:
"Well, for our whole team actually the bye week comes at a good time. Guys can get time to get healthy and get back. We have a couple of guys nicked up. It's a part of the game. It's a long NFL season. It comes at the right time."
On Coach Quinn's message to the team following the game:
"We are going to address the issues that we have. I don't think anyone is in panic mode this early in the season. It's the NFL. You win some and lose some. We just have to keep playing with fire. But at the end of the day, we have to take care of the ball better. We have to go out there and try to get some turnovers."
DESMOND TRUFANT, cornerback
On the overall play of the defense:
"I thought we had a solid defensive effort and made some plays. We held them to some field goals but I wish we could have got a turnover or two. That would have helped change the game. We are turning in the right direction but we have to try to get the ball."
On the upcoming bye week:
"No matter what time the bye week occurs; it is a good thing. We need to get the rest and recover. We need to look at what we can improve on and stuff like that. I'm not happy that we didn't win but it is going to push us stronger."
On the team's tackling:
"I have to look at the film. Most of the time, my back is turned and I'm guarding the receivers. We had to guard the receivers longer because one of [QB Tyrod] Taylor's strengths is extending plays. We got some pressure on Taylor and forced him out of the pocket. Overall, we were good number wise versus the pass and rush game."
BRIAN POOLE, cornerback
On the upcoming bye week:
"I wouldn't say it's a perfect time for a bye. It's never a good time going into a bye with a loss but it's a part of the schedule."
On Tyrod Taylor's mobility:
"It really wasn't about him. It was more about us. We just couldn't get off of the field when we needed to. Obviously, we just have to go back to work and get better. That's a good team over there. I can't take anything away from them. They showed up and were the better team today."
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