Falcons Postgame Quotes (Preseason Week 2)
Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith
On penalties…
Yeah, obviously I’ve got to look at the tape, especially with some of the in-between penalties. The ones that really drive me nuts are any of the procedure stuff. That’s stuff that we got to look at the tape, make sure, we’ve got to play with good fundamentals and technique. I got to look and see what happened, Ade (Ogundeji) on that one on the third down. So, stuff to coach off of, see what we can do better.
On the long drives resulting in field goals…
They’re critical, lot of lessons learned and I’ve got high expectations from Desmond (Ridder). We are going to be hard on Desmond, because he’s a good player and he can take that kind of coaching. He understands, we’re not waiting on him as a rookie. Trying to speed him up, so he made some good throws, some things he’s got to clean up, especially in the operation.
On the play of Marcus (Mariota)…
Yeah, pleased with Marcus. Looked like he got in a good rhythm, we tried to stimulate it, the only drive that I thought wasn’t very good was the one we tried to simulate in the two minute situation. He kind of backed up and it wasn’t really clean there. But other than that, I thought it was really clean when he was in there. He got into the offense, got into a rhythm, thought he made a big time throw to OZ (Olamide Zaccheaus), I thought it was a good route, good throw.
On how the first team offense has looked…
I think those guys will continue to work, we’ve got a big day Wednesday. It’s about our progress. I’m not going to live and die with the day to day narratives. I’ve said it many times, it’s about our progress and I think they’re coming along, they know we’ve got a lot of work to do before we kickoff versus New Orleans.
On Desmond Ridder and his development…
The way to put it, the word would be that in-game adversity, which he definitely overcame, that he hit, to get back on track. There were some other things, procedure wise, that he’s got to clean up. He knows that and he will.
On the moment talking to Desmond on the one yard line…
I’ll keep that behind closed doors, but there’s an expectation, don’t shoot yourself in the foot down there. It’s a pretty good way to put it.
On the plan for Tyler Allgeier tonight…
With those guys, its really easy, let those guys compete. Damien (Williams) got some early carries, Tyler got some early carries. We had a good competition going around, which was really the thought.
On the teachable moments tonight…
I thought early on, the guys were ready to go, so that was encouraging. We had a productive week up here. What’s frustrating is some of the stuff that happened out in the second half. So, I apologize you guys had to watch some of that. But we’ll get it better and find out a lot about the young guys. You live with some of the first time mistakes, it’s when you get people who repeat the same ones over and over, that’s the stuff that’s going to be frustrating. So, we’ll get it cleaned up. Our guys effort was there, but there’s things, certainly those young guys, that we’ll learn from.
On how the team has done during this trip…
Yeah it was, we came up here, like I said they’ve got a different scheme. To go against a different scheme, it was kind of fun. They were jetting up the field and I thought our guys, for the most part, held them pretty well in pass protection.
On the interception by (Teez) Tabor to tie it up…
Yeah, I was trying to hammer as many runs as I could. I’d like to get us a good evaluation on the backs.
On the goals for the rest of the week…
Excited to have Jacksonville in there, I think the world of Doug Peterson and his staff, it’ll be good work. I’m excited to get back to Atlanta.
Marcus Mariota
On how the offense progressed today…
I thought we were efficient. Made some plays. Got some points on the board. We can always be better though. I think that’s what’s great about preseason, it allows you to get into these real game situations and find where you can improve.
On how the week felt competing with the Jets in joint practices…
It was great. Especially during this time of training camp, it’s great to get different looks, go against a defense that maybe you’re not seeing every single week. I think, all in all, for both sides it was just great work. I think looking back on it, it’s going to help us for the season.
On his touchdown pass to WR Olamide Zaccheaus…
I think it just started up front, guys did a great job of giving me some time. And OZ, he’s always at the right place at the right time. And when you’re able to do that you can trust where you can put the ball and he came down with it and executed very well.
On whether he likes the offense’s progress as the regular season nears…
Yeah, absolutely. There (are) things that we definitely have to clean up on. Red zone penalties, for sure. But at the same time, though, I think, all in all, through this entire training camp, I like where we are going, and I like where we are headed.
On the explosive plays to the tight ends…
Again, I think our guys did a great job of executing the play. Had time to see the field. And it just kind of happens when you have guys that are explosive like Kyle [Pitts] and [Anthony Firkser], they’re going to find ways to get open. And with the time that we had in the pocket, it just really allowed those guys to get down the field.
On what areas of his game he’s looking to clean up before the season…
At the end of it, the last drive, being able to complete some of those passes, get a first down and continue to get the momentum going. It’s great that we got points early on and I think as we progress as an offense, just continue to have the gas pedal down. Just find ways to continue to score, continue this kind of onslaught. As we go forward, we’ll learn from it. There was a couple of things that leave a bad taste in your mouth a little bit, but all in all I thought it was a good day.
On whether he is looking forward to playing against Jacksonville’s starting defense…
For sure. I look forward to these joint practices again. When you’re competitive in practice, it just really makes those game situations a lot more realistic. It just really helps us prepare for the season.
Tyler Allgeier
On what he took from the last five days…
I would say probably just the competition. The competition was kind of nice, just playing other people than the guys and all that. It’s really just learning different techniques and going from there.
On the upcoming set of joint practices…
I would say just look over this film. Look over this film and then we could just go from there.
On the ways he has made progress over the last couple weeks..
I would say top down. Just pass blocking and running the ball, getting my reads right and it just comes with reps as well. As many reps I get, just making the most of all of those.
Kyle Pitts
On his chemistry with Marcus (Mariota)…
Just the reps. Just more reps we’re getting, just in-game and practice against different people. So, the relationship’s growing.
On the joint practices…
I definitely feel like we got some good work in against some great competitors and it’s going to help us. We’re going to have another joint practice this week.
On the offense scoring on three, four drive this year.
I do think just scoring, that’s definitely the number one thing. Just taking each drive, trying to score, convert on third down and keep the ball moving.
Olamide Zaccheaus
On his touchdown catch…
I ran a good route. Marcus (Mariota) had time to throw the ball and threw a great ball. Everybody executing and doing their job and putting points on the board.
On improving throughout the preseason…
Definitely, this is why we do what we do in the preseason, to put points on the board in hopes that it translates to the regular season. Definitely encouraging and just have to keep building on it.
On if they got some good work in this past week…
Definitely. Whenever you practice against a different team, especially at this point in the season, just getting different looks, you’ve been going against your defense all of training camp, all OTAs. You see new things and you get to learn about different looks and stuff like that, so it’s been really good for us. It’s been good for not only us as an offense, but for the whole team. I’m sure the Jets feel the same.