Another Monday After
Head Coach Mike Smith brought his normal stack of notes into the Monday press conference but didn’t immediately reference them.
Instead, he told a gathering of close to a dozen reporters and team staffers the thesis statement for why his Falcons lost to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon.
“We did some very uncharacteristic things yesterday,” he said. “In most games if you turn the ball over three times, have your quarterback sacked four times, give up two explosive touchdowns and (allow) a punt return (for a touchdown) you’re not going to get a positive result.”
That sums it up, but here’s the rest of the presser…
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/181619/181619_2009-10-26-155854.flvSmith also praised his team for another fast start, including an 80-yard touchdown drive on the game’s opening series and consistent early pressure on Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Then, for whatever reason, the Falcons lost the edge.
Again, the coach spoke from the heart.
“We struggled after the first quarter,” Smith said. “We’ve got to be able to sustain a level of play to be successful in this league and it’s my responsibility as head coach to make sure we do.
“I take full responsibility for that.”
ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM THE PRESSER…
… Smith did not rule out lineup changes on defense given the Cowboys 300-plus yard passing day. However, he cautioned those in attendance Monday, saying the team evaluates the roster and could make changes any week of the season.
… The Falcons had some injured players in Sunday’s game, including defensive tackle Thomas Johnson (calf). The coach declined to comment further, saying he would issue the first injury report of the week on Thursday (allowed since the team plays at New Orleans on Monday night).
… Running back Jason Snelling, who led the Falcons with seven rushes for 68 yards against the Cowboys, could get more touches if he keeps running well, according to the coach.
… Michael Turner and Jonathan Babineaux also spoke to the media following Monday’s presser:
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I think all of you are overreacting. Grimes, albeit small, plays tough. He manhandled Roy Williams on more than one occasion on Sunday. There’s an article on ESPN.com about Jairus Byrd, the Bills rookie safety and how he’s already become a force in the league. It’s his mindset. He plays with a “they have to beat me” attitude, instead of a “just don’t get beaten” attitude like I believe Houston and maybe Grimes and maybe all of our DBs play with, because that’s what’s mostly taught. When you start playing with an edge (they have to beat me) the style of your play can change for the better.
Realistically, it’s a team thing. If there’s no rush, the DBs can’t stay on the receivers forever, that’s just how it is. Our rush is decent at best right now and if you pair that up with average DBs, the DBs will lose most battles, AND they’ll be blamed for it. It really is a team sport when you break it down.
Have to agree with zippo. It is a team effort, however we are weak at both d line and d backs. The line can stop rush or rush passer but have not seen them do both. But the offense needs to get on track, if they can get a large enough lead and make the other team one dimensional then we stand a chance against any team.
Hello Falcons fans. Next home game coming up the Falcons will play the Washington Redskins. I ask all of you not to harrass the Redskins fan, it’s all right to give them the thumbs down and a few boos, but don’t cross the line, Georgia is better than that. I went to the Cowboys game (alone) this past Sunday and everthing was just fine until half time, and that’s when it turned sour fast. To make a long story short, I shove one guy into a cocktail table because he tried to tare apart my banner and nearly got into 2 other fights, but they were too scared to take it outside, I guess the cowards are big in Texas also. Please behave yourselves Falcons fans, don’t send them back thinking of us the way I think of Dallas. And if you see this garbage going on, don’t stand there laughing and giggling let the moron know he’s embarrassing us. You don’t have to get into a fight with him, but voice your displeasure, say something like, “Hey buddy, you’re making a jerk out of yourself and embarrassing the rest of us”. Put him on the spot, there’s nothing worse than having your own peers coming down against you, and if he will not stop, call security. You might be right by thinking if the situation was reversed they would do it to us, but that doesn’t justify it, people should not be treated that way. And yes, that includes Saints fans. Thank-you Georgia, I know you will do the right thing. Don Waddell (by the grace of God, I was born in Georgia)