September 21, 2020
Hosted by Dave Archer on 92.9 The Game
Head Coach Dan Quinn began his chat with Dave Archer lamenting over the gut punch loss on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys. “As much as it hurts, it is only one loss. But, there is no more tale of two halves.” Quinn stated that the responsibility is on “everyone to perform for 60 minutes.” He included the players, but also the coaching staff and himself. As frustrating as this loss is, the Falcons need to move on to planning for Chicago.
The Defense set the stage for the game, notably the multiple forced fumbles by Deion Jones and Foye Oluokun. Quinn really complimented Foye, saying that he has worked extremely hard to learn and know his assignment and as a special player, Foye has taken it farther than just the tackle, but aiming to take the ball out. Those aggressive and successful plays become contagious to the rest of the defense. As you could see from the numerous take-aways early in the first quarter.
Quinn also had high praise for Calvin Ridley. His mindset is set to be better and better, always wanting to learn and better himself. Ridley worked so hard in the offseason and in training camp, learning to break people off in man to man, etc. Quinn knows this is going to be a special season for Ridley. His first touchdown Sunday was a work of art. His cut and concentration to catch the ball, and keep focus to stay in bounds to get the touchdown.
Another stand out was Hayden Hurst, on the half roll to get open and into the end zone. Hurst is amazingly fast and able to make plays because of that, not only a catch, but make a catch on a flat and up and go.
Some misses were the short field after the unsuccessful fake punt by the Cowboys, but the Falcons only got 3 points on that and the next drive. “When we get our chances, we want to take our shot and be more successful in the red zone and get in the end zone” instead of settling for 3’s. Quinn is happy to have Younghoe Koo be so successful, but need to be more successful in the red zone.
With the first half coming to a close and the score 26/7, Dallas drove but was stopped for a field goal, but then the Falcons were able to use their much practiced 2 minute drill and finished the half with another field goal.
After the half, Dallas came out with a good opening drive. In less than 3 minutes they drove for a touchdown. Then, Atlanta gets inside Dallas territory, runs the wild cat with Russell Gage throwing to Julio Jones at the goal line, but Ju couldn’t haul in the ball. “We had a second play ready, but had a penalty” which pushed them back from 4th and 2 to 4th and 7. Quinn has been very pleased with Gage, he had a really good game and can really throw the ball too. Quinn wasn’t too sure on that penalty, too many men in the huddle was called, but it was really changing personnel on a long play and Ridley wasn’t in the huddle, still coming back up the field. “But, you have to overcome whatever comes to you.”
Quinn also contributed the second half turn around to the Falcons committing some penalties and big plays by Dallas. Allot of those plays are 50/50, but they kept going Dallas’ way. Dallas was able to stay in the passing game at that point and provided them with short and manageable 3rd downs.
The team kept trying, after back to back Dallas touchdowns, the Falcons answered with a touchdown to Gage, to maintain the lead.
Asked about the failed execution on the onside kick, clearly there needs to be more education and clarity on what to do. But when you see the ball, you “need to be more aggressive and go after the ball.”
On the numerous defensive injuries on Sunday, Quinn noted that rookie Mykal Walker played well subbing for Foye, but there isn’t another Foye, especially as well as his game started. He noted that it is hard subbing in some guys. Someone gets knocked out and put in someone new and young, so you try to feature that player in their best light, but difficult when that wasn’t planned pre-game. But you have to be ready.
On the health of everyone that left the game on Sunday, “Nothing that will knock anyone out long term.” So, while everyone is still being evaluated, no one is expected to be out more than a week or two at this point.
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