Category: FalconAlley Squawk

Kirk Cousins on 10.27.24

After Kirk Cousins lead the Atlanta Falcons to another 4-touchdown game and win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to him in the locker room.

Asked about a near sack or possible scramble that turned into a pass to Bijan, Kirk commented that you “just have to be patient and drop the ball off sometimes.” Kirk was “really trying to not take the sack, so just give it to Bijan and most often, he will make something happen.”

Arch commented that this game was stressful with the back to back scoring and Tampa taking it to the last play. Kirk noted that it is stressful, but “fun to make big plays and have teammates make big plays.” He commented that the defense played really well too. Arch complimented Kirk on his game and reading the situations, noting two of the touchdowns that were not the first choices on the play. Kirk noted that Kyle’s first touchdown was the 4th progression and Bijan’s was his 5th. Kirk complimented the offensive line because he can’t get to 4th and 5th progressions without time.

Talking about the partnership with Darnell Mooney, Kirk said that they worked and talked about different angles that would work during practice that week. So when Kirk had a good pocket and Mooney had created that separation, Kirk knew it was time to throw it in that coverage for the touchdown.

Asked about bleeding the clock from 6:52 to 1:04 in the fourth quarter, Kirk replied, “the main focus is to bleed clock.” “You still needed to snap and play ball, gotta move the ball.” And noted that Charlie Woerner made a big play at the start of that drive, to get the offense down the field before starting several runs.

Overall about the team, “This team responds….it was tough coming back from last week, but we gotta pick ourselves back up off the mat, we are playing a good team, building from here.”

Jessie Bates on 10.27.24

Safety Jessie Bates on 10.27.24

After the Atlanta Falcons swept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and extended their lead in the NFC South, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Defensive Player of the Game, Jessie Bates. Bates had a forced fumbled, that he recovered and an interception in the game.

Jessie told Arch that he was surprised that the Bucs took the ball first, when they did, we knew we needed to set the tone early on defense. On his forced fumble, Jessie said “the guys made a good tackle and I focused on punching the ball and then it was out.” He said that he does that in practice all week, so it translated on the field. You can see Nate Landman punching at the ball too.

Arch was surprised that Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield tried Jessie on that interception. Jessie walked us through it. It was a flea flicker with the down safety in zone. They jumped the motion and Micheal Hughes was on the post as the WIL, so Jessie knew the ball was coming. He simply tracked it and picked it out of the air. Which is not completely accurate, Jessie picked it right out of the hands of the receiver.

Arch asked Jessie about the run game difference, 62 yards in the first quarter and 40 yards the rest of the game. Jessie said “once we settle in as a defense, we can stop the run and lay a good defense.” He did say they needed to settle in earlier. It also helps when the offense is scoring so the opposing team isn’t running as much.

Kyle Pitts on 10.27.24

Kyle Pitts Stiff Arm – Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

After a second win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Tight End, Kyle Pitts on Tight End’s Day.

Arch asked about these in conference, rival games, and Kyle said that it is “fun to play in them.” After two monster touchdowns, Kyle said “the ball was finding me, thanks to god for allowing it to happen now….the tight end gods.”

Asked about the two touchdowns, one with the big stiff arm, Kyle just knew he had to shove that guy away to make it in. On the other, where he nonchalantly carried the ball behind him the last yard or so, Kyle know that ball security is number one and next time “just need to run it through the back of the end zone.” He did get lit up by Rah after the play.

Arch asked Kyle about the bleeding of the clock the last 6 minutes of the game and Kyle said that this team is just “resilient – play as one – mindset as one.”

Raheem Morris on 10.27.24

Head Coach Raheem Morris on 10.27.24

After the Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a second time this season to maintain and extend their lead in the NFC South, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Head Coach Raheem Morris.

Archer asking how they won that game, Coach Rah replied that just putting everything together and fighting all the way through. Asked about Tampa Bay moving the ball so well, Coach replied that Tampa has a good offense and plays the right way, and our defense has to find a way to get off the field.

Arch asked about allowing 62 rushing yards in the first quarter, but only 40 yards the rest of the game. Rah said “You have to bow and up do something” and they did.

How about that running quarterback Kirk Cousins? Coach replied that Kirk knows the process, we got him for that reason. He knew on that zone play that he needed to run it up the middle. He really knows situational ball.

Asked about taking 6 minutes off the clock on the final Falcons drive, Rah replied that was up to the OC and quarterback, knowing what to do and doing it.

Rah Talks Winning on MNF

September 18, 2024

Article and photo by Allison Smith

The weekly presser with Head Coach Raheem Morris started off jovial with Rah and the press in attendance. There were some complaints about the parking and walk, so it was pretty loose to begin, also, everyone is happier after a win.

D. Orlando Ledbetter began with several questions. He questioned injuries, Rah said there are none. Nate Landman was placed on IR before the game, Antonio Hamilton is healthy, just need to check him out at practice today and rest of the week. Everyone else is good, just game day bumps and bruises.

D Led also asked about evaluation of the new Offensive Coordinator, Zac Robinson, after 2 games. Rah commented that the first game wasn’t great, but the 2nd we did enough to win. Good calling, especially later in the game and the last 2 minutes. Overall ran the ball well, splitting with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Offense is moving in the right direction, but want to continue to improve, in all phases. This Philadelphia game found the offense more in sync and Rah is very happy about how everyone is coming together. The offensive line had better protections, improvement in the run game and good protection of Kirk Cousins, especially in the last drive.

Asked if the team identity/slogan has come along yet (in the summer, Rah said that it would create itself, he isn’t creating a theme or slogan). Coach said again, this would be defined on the field. “That is where you make your identity.” But one thing he saw this week was finish, never give up. Rah was excited about the Monday night game overall, the environment was prime time, very hostile, everyone is against you, but this team continued to go, did not blink and fought til the end. The sideline was electric, didn’t get caught up in emotion, but supported each other. They got a stop on D, moved the ball down the field with little time, then overcame a penalty for the 49-yard extra point. All phases of the game, won this game in the last 2 minutes. 

Asked thoughts on the 2 penalties on Ray Ray McCloud and Drake London. Coach noted that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is known for taunting, junk talking, but they practiced for that in the week. Micah Abernathy emulated Gardner-Johnson at practice, acting up, egging teammates on, crossing the line early, etc. In the game Gardner-Johnson was talking and grabbed Ray Ray’s mouthpiece and the referees caught Ray Ray reacting.

On Drake’s shooting into the air, which Drake apologized for even before Coach could get to him. Rah acknowledged that is not allowed, but Drake was caught up in the moment, celebrating with the Falcon fans he could see (likely shooting t-shirts into the stands). The entire team is super sensitive to the situation in the country right now and in the Atlanta area with the recent shooting at Apalachee High School. They had the football team from Apalachee at Flowery Branch and wore Apalachee t’s during warm ups before the Pittsburg game. There was no disrespect intended. Luckily neither of these penalties hurt the team, we want “to play fast and free and physical” but in the confines of the rules and obviously care about the sensitivity of the state of the country. 

Some reporters asked about certain players:

Bijan blocks on Monday night, “he is mature and really coming on as a protector.” He opened up the hole for Darnell Mooney’s touchdown. Had that massive chip block everyone is talking about. “That is the ultimate development for a young player, to be so well rounded, such a special runner, can catch and now blocking.” Coaches have worked on that with Bijan, but it is up to him to take it in and put in the work, which he has done.  

Kirko does not need critiquing or challenging, he is his own worst critic, analyzing how he played and noting what needs to be better. The coaches just need to provide feedback the way Cousins can take it in, he is already going to be harder on himself, it is up to the coaches to support him the way he needs it. 

OC Robinson and Kirk are working well together, but it ultimately “starts with me – to tell anyone what needs to improve – be open and honest to the coaches and players will be honest back.”

Kaden Elliss – “I tried to tell everyone before season, he’s a super star, with his physicality to rush the passer, run, play on or off line of scrimmage.”

Overall, per Rah, “it’s been a fun, learning process for us and players – this is how we go about our business.” The young guys, we hold accountable but are finding their own groove. Everyone holds each other accountable and each will get their own rhythm, while coaches set the goals each week.

The questions turned to the upcoming game and Rah’s thoughts on Patrick Mahomes. Coach said “he’s the best, back to back Super Bowl champions.” He is “smart, unique, fast, can buy time, knows your defense” and has been playing at the highest level. When your running back can give you 80 yards and your quarterback can give another 70, that is allot to defend. Then you add tight end, Travis Kelce to the mix, he is very “unique, a freak.” Rah said that no one can draw up his routes, he was not sure if Travis or Patrick even knew them or do they just happen? That makes it hard on defenders to replicate in practice. You have to play a long time to cover Kelce.

In order to defend KC, you have to create bad angles, you have to keep Mahomes in the pocket and from the designed runs. Do not over play the second play. Focus your tackling approach – when he is in the pocket versus when he is a runner and out in the open, but don’t assume he is going to slide. You will need to make Mahomes uncomfortable/frustrated in the pocket. “But in the end, it is about us executing our own business.” May have to accept what Mahomes and Kelce can do, so do make sure no one else gets anything. Rah compared it to playing Michael Jordan, he’s going to get his 30, but stop Scotty Pippen and Ron Harper.

Even being back to back Super Bowl champions, each year you have to hit reset. Kansas City has played allot of football, mastered how much rest and readiness needed. They are really impressive, from Andy Reid down.  

Rah has not heard if Taylor Swift will be attending the game in Atlanta on Sunday night. He joked that he hasn’t heard anything from his daughter, but she may not be a big fan anymore…..then asked, with a light in his eye and laugh, “Now Swifties, don’t come after her, she is only 8.”

As far as the first 5 games or the September stretch that media and fans are well aware of and overanalyzing – Monday night in Philly, Sunday night at home to begin 3 games in 12 days, including two of the NFC South 2-0 teams coming in. Rah simply replied, “I just know KC is up next. I don’t look ahead or at the big picture. Focus on what is in front of you.”

“We can’t read our own articles (Week 1 we were horrible, week 2, we are the greatest). Each week is its own entity, either we get better or we get worse. We focus on better each week. Pivot, persist, deal with it. We are not in pointing finger business in the getting better business.”

Rah Owt

#RiseUp

FalconAlleyOwt