1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: We are back on the Falcons Audible presented by AT 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: and T. Same crew, same location, same storylines. Maybe the 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: storylines change a little bit each week, but we are 4 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:11,720 Speaker 1: going to talk about the Atlanta Falcons. Thanks so much 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: for joining us on Atlanta Falcons dot com, Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: however you get your podcast. This is Dave Archer, DJ Shockley. 7 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: I'm Derek Rackley once again joining you after a Falcons victory, 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 1: and the Atlanta Falcons keep finding ways to keep their 9 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: hopes alive, keeping the postseason as something that you can 10 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: like grasp, you can grab it out in the distance. However, 11 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 1: each week they're gonna have to keep keep battling in 12 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: order to make that happen. Here's what we're gonna talk 13 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:41,599 Speaker 1: about today in the show. Of course, we're gonna get 14 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:43,519 Speaker 1: some quick reactions. Guys, are gonna tell us what the 15 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: win last weekends against Carolina meant in the grand scheme 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: of things. Has the Falcons identity changed. We're starting to 17 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: see a run offense, a defense making plays, being opportunistic, 18 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: and then we'll fast forward and talk about the forty 19 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: nine Ers game. Guys, it just seems like every week 20 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: now is monumental if they want to keep their hopes 21 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 1: alive in the postseason. And then we'll talk actually a 22 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: little bit about the three games after San Francisco, and 23 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: we'll get into it more. But you know, players and coaches, 24 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: they always want to think one week at a time, 25 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: we ain't got, we're done. We can we can go 26 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: further than that. Good, and so can you. You guys 27 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: can look further than that. So that's what we're gonna do. 28 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: All right. So let's let's get into a guy. So 29 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 1: here's your quick hitter. One or two sentences, Arch, mna 30 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 1: start with you. What did last what laughing? He's laughing 31 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 1: like he's saying it's never gonna happen. In one or 32 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: two sentences. Remember, the pressure gets on your shoulders too. 33 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: It depends on what Arch. If he goes by the rules, 34 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: than he if he run on, you're gonna run on, 35 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: all right, Arch, give it to us one or two 36 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: sentences or more. What did the Falcons win against Carolina 37 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: last weekend? Mean? In a grand scheme of things, you're 38 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: still in the mix. I mean, that's as easy as 39 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: you can see it. Okay, all right, what you got now? 40 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 1: You gotta keep it short and sweet. He can't do that. 41 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 1: How about this? How about this? The team has bought 42 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: into the staff and coaching. Okay, that's good one. He 43 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: kind of like, uh, he went very white but not 44 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: very white voice. You know what, I'm like trying to 45 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 1: get it quiet to like to like bring some power 46 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: and momentum, like, well, I'm gonna be honest. I was thrown. 47 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: I did not expect that from March. I was thrown 48 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: whole hold on. The team has bought into the staff, Yeah, 49 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: because in my mind I was still going through it. 50 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: How I could break down my sins to be a 51 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: little bit less in art, but I couldn't do it 52 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: all right, So I like it, guys, I mean short 53 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: and sweet, the keeping their hopes alive team is buying 54 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: into what the coaches are selling. Sometimes it takes longer 55 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 1: than others. And you know, when you're in the broadcasting 56 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,839 Speaker 1: world or your former players, or a combination of both, 57 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 1: maybe you start to see things. DJs starting to see 58 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: a little bit that maybe the guys are starting to 59 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: settle into their roles. You know, second week, third week 60 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: in December. You never know when it's gonna be, but 61 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: it happened. So let's talk a little bit about DJ. 62 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna come right back to you. Is the is 63 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: the identity of this team changed? Right? We thought with Okay, 64 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan, we don't know what's going to happen with 65 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: the running back situation. We don't know what's going to 66 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: happen with this offensive line that's still kind of trying 67 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: to find their way. I thought, maybe it's gonna be 68 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: a passing offense. Maybe just put it on the shoulders 69 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: of Matt Ryan. But now we're seeing balance week after 70 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 1: week after week in the running game. We're starting to 71 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: see some defense being opportunistic. Couple straight weeks with defensive touchdowns. 72 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: Has the identity of this team changed? Is it evolving? 73 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 1: What would the word that you would use, reck I'll 74 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: say this is I say the identity has not changed. 75 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: I think we're just starting to see what the identity 76 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: is and what it should be. Because I think you 77 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: come into this season and you look at some of 78 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: the moves that Arthur Smith started with. You brought in 79 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: Mike Davis. Mike Davis, you didn't bring him here to 80 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: you know, I know he has some you know, had 81 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: a bunch of kiches in Carolina, but you brought him 82 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: in here to be a tough, physical runner, and it's 83 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: similar what you had when he was in Tennessee. You 84 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 1: go in and you think about how many tight ends 85 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: we brought into camp. What do we have like eight 86 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: tight ends in camp? That tells you, hey, this is 87 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 1: going to be a team that not only one wants 88 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: to use the run game, but also you can use 89 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: in the past game. I don't think we came and 90 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: expecting to be a past first team, but I thought 91 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: from day one, you want this team to be tough, physical, smart, 92 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: some of the things that he mentioned as a season started, 93 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:15,119 Speaker 1: and I think we're starting to see that identity come 94 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: to fruition now and it looks like now we're finally 95 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: getting identity. But I think this has been what author 96 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: Smith has wanted it to be since the day one. 97 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:23,600 Speaker 1: You want to be able to run the football, you 98 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 1: want to better use play action, you want to be balanced, 99 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,559 Speaker 1: and because it wasn't working at the beginning of the season, 100 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: it looked like you were pass heavy because you hadn't 101 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: settled into what your identity was. But I think now 102 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 1: you're starting to see it because everybody, like I mentioned 103 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 1: when we opened up, has started to buy into what 104 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: this offense should look like. So I think on both 105 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: sides of the ball, the identity has been the same. 106 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 1: Think about when he brought danps in. He's always been 107 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,839 Speaker 1: an aggressive type of coach. He's always been a guy 108 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: that's you know, from the Baltimore days, Tennessee days, whatever's been. 109 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: He gives you a bunch of different looks. Now we 110 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: look at where we're at right now, and the latter 111 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: part of the December, every time we turned to take 112 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: every time your arts calling the game, they got some 113 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: exotic looks going on defense, you get pressure, you get turnovers, 114 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: you're starting to get to the quarterback. You're starting to 115 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 1: look the way that it was expected when you started 116 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: this season. So I think the identity has always been there, 117 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 1: but now you're starting to see it more because they're 118 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: starting to come out in actual game action. And actually 119 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: talked a little he was kind of alluding to the 120 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball. Yeah, we mentioned the turnovers, 121 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: or mentioned putting points on the board with the turnovers, 122 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 1: but now stopping the run as well, which has been 123 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: a big issue. The last time we played Carolina wasn't 124 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: able to do it as well, but they did. They 125 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: hold him under one hundred yards. Even after the first drive, 126 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 1: Cam Newton goes down and punch it in. You're thinking, Okay, 127 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: maybe he's gonna find his rhythm in a running game. 128 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 1: But it was pretty much done after that point on. Yeah, 129 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: I think the thing that sticks out to me is 130 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: kind of piggybacks with shocks talking about they want to 131 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 1: play physical football. Okay, that means run. It stopped the run. 132 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: That's you can say that, But now you've got to 133 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 1: get guys in position to do that. We knew that 134 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 1: the offensive line was kind of going to be who 135 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: they are. Jalen Mayfield kind of grown to that left 136 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 1: guard position. Can Hennessy Beer Center's his first year starting 137 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: at center, and you get those two young guys on 138 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: the right side, how do they begin to kind of 139 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: get an idea of what it is it is to 140 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 1: be a physical offensive line. Can't practice it in the NFL. Okay, 141 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: you can't hit anybody, so that it takes a develop 142 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: I remember when I was playing, you developed that identity 143 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: in training camp because you beat the hell out of 144 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: each other until you got it, and then both sides 145 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 1: of the ball were that. It kind of develops during 146 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: the year, so to piggyback shock, they have been able 147 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,159 Speaker 1: to get there. On the defensive side, it's been decidedly 148 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: different because they've changed personnel and now Mike Panell and 149 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 1: Grady Jarrett and big guys in the middle have created 150 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:50,600 Speaker 1: a physicality in the middle of the defense that has 151 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 1: now allowed Dion Jones and these different linebackers to run 152 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: and get to the football. But it's shored up the 153 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: middle of the defense. I still think they need to 154 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: work on the perimeter. I think their perimeter defense still 155 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 1: gets vulnerable from time to time. So it's a progress scenario, 156 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: but there's no question that they've changed or the mentality 157 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: has begun, like you said, has been developed on the 158 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: offensive side, and it's been getting the right personnel then 159 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: to make it happen on the defensive side. Yeah. I 160 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: mean we saw early on in the season it was 161 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: Grady Jarrett was making a lot of those plays up 162 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: the middle, and now it's kind of complimentary defense. They're 163 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: starting to get the stops that they need. The linebackers 164 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: are flowing side to side. It seems like we talked 165 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: a little bit about Dion Jones and he made some 166 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: big hits in that game. Last weekend, and then the 167 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: secondary making plays continuing to make play, so it's encouraging 168 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: for them on the defensive side of the ball. And 169 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,679 Speaker 1: I would say I would piggyback on you guys saying 170 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think that the identity is changing. I 171 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: think that they're just playing complimentary football. Some weeks, your 172 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: offense is going to have the advantage, some weeks the 173 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: defense is going to have the advantage. And also you're 174 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: going to take advantage of what the other team is doing. Right, 175 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: Cam Newton not polished right now, made a couple mistakes, 176 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 1: Atlanta made them pay for it, right. So I don't 177 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,240 Speaker 1: know if I would say either that the identities change. 178 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: They're just kind of finding ways to put points on 179 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: the board, get stops and get wins, which is in 180 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: this league. That's all you need to do. 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It seems like the Atlanta is 198 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 1: in a better position when they go on the road. 199 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: They're more comfortable winning games on the road than they 200 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 1: have been at home, which seems backwards, right, Yeah, So 201 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: what do Dave the Falcons need to do against San 202 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 1: Francisco in order to get to win as they got 203 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: to travel across the country. You know just what they've 204 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 1: been doing to get wins in two of their last 205 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: three games. They're gonna have to control the Kyle Shanahan 206 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: running game. He wants to run the football. We saw 207 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: it when he was here as the offensive coordinator. They 208 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: want to run at play action off of so you're 209 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: gonna have to be able to stop the run. And 210 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 1: that's not just the guys running the football from the backfield. 211 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: Deebo Samuel's a problem because they like to hand him 212 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: the football across the formation. On jet sweeps, they'll toss 213 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: him the ball out of those formations. George Kittle is 214 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: a kid. They'll a guy they'll hand a football to. 215 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,559 Speaker 1: They're tight end is a guy they can carry the football. 216 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 1: So you're gonna get a much more diverse look different 217 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: guys carrying a football. But make no mistake, it's about 218 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: stopping the run. You've got to get the run stopped 219 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: on the other side of the football. This is a 220 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: good defense. Once again, you're gonna get challenged. This was 221 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 1: the number two defense in the league last Sunday that 222 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,959 Speaker 1: you played against Carolina. This is the number eight defense 223 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,439 Speaker 1: in the league. You're coming up against in San Francisco. 224 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: You know they've got some talent, so you've got to 225 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: be able to find a way to move them off 226 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: the ball. The reason this team can't just be passed 227 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: happy is because I think it makes the offensive line vulnerable. 228 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: I think they're still still trying to adjust to pass 229 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: protections and playing in concert there, so you have to 230 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 1: be able to run the football to have some effectiveness 231 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: in the run game. DJ, what sticks out to you 232 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 1: in this matchup where Atlanta can take advantage and try 233 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: to come away with a win. You know what, I 234 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 1: think it's one of those ball games where the Falcons 235 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 1: have found I think what we say their identity in 236 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks. He's just being able to 237 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: run the football on the road. I think when you're 238 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: able to run the football on the road, that gives 239 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,079 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to one control the clock and control 240 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 1: the ball at arguments, but also you can control the 241 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: atmosphere of what you're in and when you're pounding a team, 242 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: when you're when you're getting four or five six yards 243 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: a chunk and you're allowing you know yourself to be 244 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: good on second and third down, that gives you an 245 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: opportunity to be one of those teams that's going to 246 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: score a lot of points. And I think if you 247 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 1: can go down or go out to San Francisco and 248 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:15,480 Speaker 1: do that and put more pressure on their offense to 249 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: score more points, I think that that puts you in 250 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:20,199 Speaker 1: a better situation. I mean, this is one of those 251 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: ball games where it's set up where teams are are 252 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: pretty similar in what they want to do on both 253 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: sides of the ball. Obviously, everybody knows Kyle Shannan from 254 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: his days here and offensive coordinator and the things he 255 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: wants to do. Art mentioned that play action pass, all 256 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff. Foul's gonna have to be disciplined 257 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: in what they see. And I think the biggest thing 258 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: is you gotta slow Debo down. And for years it's 259 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: been about stopping the tight end. We've always had issues 260 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: covering tight ends for as long as I remember. And 261 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 1: now you got another guy in Debo who you know. 262 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 1: I was looking at some of the numbers, you know, 263 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: thirty three rushes for over two hundred yards seven yards 264 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 1: a carry, and then you talk about he's had ninety 265 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: three targets them throwing the football to him. He's going 266 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: to get the football in his ball game. He could 267 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 1: be one of those guys when you talk about on defense, 268 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: I'd be a record. He could be a guy that 269 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: could really hurt you. Every time you turn home. Any 270 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: highlights from San Francisco, it looks like it's Deebo Samuel 271 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: running into an end zone. So if you want to 272 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: make sure you won his ball game, find out where 273 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 1: he is. One of the prescriptions that's going to help 274 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: you do that is and it's the old adage, Hey, 275 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 1: stay on the field. You don't have to worry about 276 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 1: the guy. Okay, you keep Deebo Samuel standing over there, 277 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 1: director gatorade he's got. And that's what the run game 278 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: has been able to do. Okay, the last three weeks, 279 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: this team has run the ball for over one hundred 280 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: and twenty yards over the last three weeks. You've got 281 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: to go all the way back to two seventeen, the 282 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 1: playoff team, where they put together three games of one 283 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 1: hundred twenty plus yards rushing. I mean, that's a big 284 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 1: deal you think about making changing who you are in personality. 285 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: It's been a long time since able to do that. 286 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: They've put They've run for over one hundred yards in 287 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: four of the last five games. What's that due? Okay, 288 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 1: that changes what third down looks like. Okay, so because 289 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: your success on first and second down directly relates to that. 290 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: In their last three games, they're converting forty nine percent 291 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 1: of their third downs. Are the Falcons the four previous 292 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 1: games twenty four percent. That's what the run game is 293 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,440 Speaker 1: doing for them, and it's freeing Arthur Smith up to 294 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: make brilliant play calls like screen against full out blitz, 295 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: getting Kyle Pitts in the left flat and getting him 296 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: the football to keep the ball and keep your four 297 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: minute offense on the field so you can kill the 298 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 1: clock and win the football game. It's freeing him up 299 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:27,440 Speaker 1: as a play caller. That's what the run game has 300 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,079 Speaker 1: been able to do for them, and that's why it's 301 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: so important to carry it forward. And guys, I like 302 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: that point because even again, I know we're talking about 303 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: San Francisco, but going back to last weekend, they had 304 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: at least two or three third down in ones where 305 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: they lined up, they turned around, they handed the ball off, 306 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: and they picked up the first down. And that's the 307 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: thing that's encouraging to me as somebody that's covering it, 308 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: somebody that's invested it, because you should be able to 309 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 1: turn around and hand the ball off in third and 310 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,720 Speaker 1: one and feel comfortable about picking up the first down. 311 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: Early in the season, I'm not sure that was the case. Well, 312 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: and they were willing to let Matt Ryan go get 313 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: it Matt Ryan three quarterback sneaks for first downs and 314 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 1: shortyarded situations, and they were they didn't do that before, 315 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: said hey, why turned around, let's get Ryan. He's six five, 316 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: two hundred and twenty five pounds, go get the first down, 317 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: and he did. You know, guys, the other thing you 318 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 1: kind of touched on it and two of the things 319 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: that stick out to me because I had San Francisco 320 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: on a game I called on radio earlier this year 321 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: and George Kittle was not in the lineup. He was hurt. 322 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: He was out for about a month this year. And 323 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: since George Kittle has been back in the game, he 324 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: has been the George Kittle that everybody has known about. 325 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: He's been back for six weeks, he's been over one 326 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: hundred yards, receiving three of those times, and he's coming 327 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: off a thirteen catch performance last weekend for one hundred 328 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: and fifty yards. He is a very talented tight end 329 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: and he's got I think he's got six or seven 330 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: touchdowns since he has come back. They are going to 331 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 1: continue to try to find him. So that's that's one 332 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: of those areas you talked about some issues covering up 333 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 1: the tight end they're gonna have their hands full because 334 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 1: kids very talented. He's one of the top tight ends 335 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: in the league, so they're gonna feed him the ball. 336 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: But I think there's gonna be opportunities, Dave, just like 337 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: there was last weekend. Jimmy Garoppolo is a starter in 338 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 1: the NFL, but I'm not gonna say he's anywhere near 339 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: a top tier quarterback. I think he's got seventeen touchdowns 340 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: and eight picks this year. There will be opportunities to 341 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 1: either get to him, deflect passes, or potentially get their 342 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: hands on another interception. And again, when you're playing on 343 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 1: the road, you got to find those ways to steal possessions. 344 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: And I think that's an opportunity where Atlanta can take 345 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: advantage of somebody like Jimmy Garoppolo, get the stops on 346 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: George Kittle, and try to find a way to take 347 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 1: the football away from their offense. So we talked about 348 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 1: it initially. Guys, let's move past the San Francisco game. 349 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: We're not going to sit here and say that, Hey, 350 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: Atlanta's gonna already win it. But I want to talk 351 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: about what is the Falcon schedule stack up like After 352 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 1: San Francisco, Dave, you've had a chance to take a 353 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: look at it. The three games they have Detroit, Buffalo, 354 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: New Orleans. Again, just put aside what happens in San Francisco. 355 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 1: What does that schedule tell you? What kind of speaks 356 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: to you when you read those three teams to close 357 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: out the season, Well, two of them were at home. 358 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: So the first thing it speaks to me is you 359 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: need to win some games at home, and this is 360 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 1: going to give you an opportunity to do that. And 361 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: make no mistake, just because Detroit's coming in here and 362 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: they've got one win under their belt, that is not 363 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: going to be a rollover game for them. They're looking 364 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: to build some momentum into their offseason. I've been on 365 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 1: some teams like that have struggled so and Detroit's got 366 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: some players on it and they've played a lot of 367 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: close football games. To think you're just gonna roll your 368 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 1: helmet out there and beat Detroit the day after Christmas, 369 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 1: that's not necessarily going to happen. We know the Buffalo game. 370 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: If you watch the New England game here a couple 371 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: of nights ago, where the win was lawing forty miles 372 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 1: an hour, can you run it against that Buffalo defense. 373 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: Can they run it against your defense. That'll be interesting 374 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: to see what the conditions are. Could be a whiteout 375 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: for all we know. We got up there and you've 376 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: already beat New Orleans. So the thing that tells me 377 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 1: is you got to take care of this weekend because 378 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: this is kind of a de facto playoff game. This weekend, 379 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: you beat the Niners, and all of a sudden, you 380 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: jump into that sixth spot or something in the playoffs. 381 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: But it also tells me that it's very manageable bowl 382 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: that if you can, you can negotiate this thing into 383 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:06,120 Speaker 1: some postseason play and they gotta go play. Yep, we're 384 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,919 Speaker 1: not saying not saying that, but but it's there for 385 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,280 Speaker 1: the taking. I guess it's probably the best saying I 386 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 1: can use. It's there for the taken if you want 387 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: to go get it. Yeah, And we're moving past it 388 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,640 Speaker 1: and the San Francisco game this weekend. And you mentioned Detroit, David, 389 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: that's gonna be you know, DJ. One of the biggest 390 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 1: things is Atlanta cannot look past Detroit, right as you 391 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:27,199 Speaker 1: mentioned one ten and one, I believe the record is 392 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: can't look past them. But those three games. How do 393 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: you feel like that schedule stacks up. It's similar to 394 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 1: what arch Mission is, games that the way you've played, 395 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: you feel like games you should be able to win. 396 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 1: And I think you come into the season you say, 397 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: all right, you got that Buffalo game. At the end 398 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: of the year. The first thing you think about it 399 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:45,160 Speaker 1: is like Archion, what's the weather gonna be? Like, that's 400 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: a big deal obviously, But now as the season progressed, 401 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 1: you think about some of the other things that that 402 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:52,920 Speaker 1: are going on, and I think for this Falcon team, 403 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: it's gonna come down to I think the Falcon's defense, 404 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,959 Speaker 1: I'll be honest, because you talk about the Detroit game aside, 405 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: you think about Buffalo coming here with the quarter back, 406 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 1: well a quarterback and Josh Allen who can run, can move. 407 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: We struggle with quarterbacks creating and making things happen against 408 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 1: our defense. If you can find ways to do that now, 409 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,880 Speaker 1: but this Buffalo team five other six losses come within 410 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: six points. The only you know, game that was was 411 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,199 Speaker 1: crushed was the coach game when he lost forty one 412 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: to fifteen. But then you talk about the Saints Albert 413 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: Camara coming back, So what he did I think he 414 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 1: had thirty one touches versus the Jets in their previous game. 415 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: So you're thinking about guys that can control the game 416 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: and be real game records for you. Josh Allen for 417 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: the Bills and then Albert Kamara obviously for the Saints 418 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 1: are big issues for the Falcon's defense, and if you 419 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: can control those, you got a good chance of coming 420 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: out of those ball games with win. But I think 421 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: the most important thing is you gotta win at home. Yeah, 422 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: I mean, you win ball game home. We have struggled 423 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: at home to win ball games, and that's kind of 424 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 1: been the theme of the season. Hey, you've been great 425 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:51,480 Speaker 1: on the road, but now if you want to get 426 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: into the playoffs, home is where you would do it, 427 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: and you would think that boads well for you. You 428 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,640 Speaker 1: gotta find a way to do it one way or another. Yeah. 429 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: It's funny because even back when you and I were 430 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:03,200 Speaker 1: playing DJ in the early to mid two thousands and 431 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: Dave you know this too, It's like they always said, 432 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: win your games at home, trying to split on the road. Right, 433 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:09,920 Speaker 1: So if you go in a sixteen games, he's in 434 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 1: eight no at home, four and four on the road. 435 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,639 Speaker 1: You're twelve and four year in the playoffs, you're in 436 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: the driver's seat. Probably. Obviously that's a little bit of 437 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: a different scenario right now for Atlanta, but you're right, 438 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:20,159 Speaker 1: that's the winning at home has been a little bit 439 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: of a struggle. They have to win the Detroit game. Obviously. 440 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: Buffalo as it stands right now is a playoff team. 441 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: And you guys talked about it, just so you guys know, 442 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:30,360 Speaker 1: if you hadn't looked at the calendar, that game at 443 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: Buffalo is on January second. Okay, we could you bet 444 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: you you could have lake effect. I mean you may 445 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 1: not even be able to see anything, and it could 446 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: be clear. You just never know when you're playing in 447 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: Buffalo at that time of the season. Well, a great producer, 448 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 1: Sam Larcens said, what it's gonna be in the twenty says, right, 449 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: Sam's already looked up to the weather prediction two and 450 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:53,439 Speaker 1: a half weeks. He's looking parties ready. That's probably very accurate. 451 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: He's moonlighting for us as a meteorologist. You know, there 452 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,480 Speaker 1: are some things of concern. It's not all rosy with 453 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: the club. I mean, obviously you're in position, but Matt 454 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: Ryan is now thrown for under two hundred yards in 455 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 1: six games this year. You've got to go back five 456 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 1: years and add all five years up that he's thrown 457 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 1: fro under two hundred yards in a game. That would 458 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 1: be five years of work this year. So you need 459 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: the run game because we haven't been as explosive on offense. 460 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 1: You're not getting the fifteen plus yard plays we had 461 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: three this last game. I think that adds up to 462 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 1: about sixty five on the year. Do the math in 463 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 1: the amount of games you played. That's not a lot 464 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: of explosives, which means you're having to work that much harder. 465 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 1: And if you get short field opportunities like they got 466 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: this weekend. Now, defensively they played well, took the football 467 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: away and limited Cam Newton and PJ Walker what they were. 468 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: But if you get short field opportunities you don't cash 469 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: him in, that's going to come back to Haunch you. 470 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 1: So those are things they have to fix. And I 471 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: talked to Arthur Smith yesterday and I said, it's always 472 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 1: nice to fix stuff. We talk about this all the 473 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:58,399 Speaker 1: time when you win football games. That's something they have 474 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: to get done. The sense of urgency you have as 475 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: a defense when there's a sudden change situation, and I 476 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 1: got a short field, I got to defend. I got 477 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:06,719 Speaker 1: to force a field goal. I gotta force them off 478 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 1: the field in three downs. That has to be the 479 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 1: same thing on offense as well. We've got short field, 480 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: we've got to go for the juggler, wet air, we 481 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 1: got to go put points on the board and put 482 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 1: them on right away. I'm not seeing that enough. And 483 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 1: so those are some of the concerns you continue to 484 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: move forward with. You know, we guys, we've talked about 485 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:24,639 Speaker 1: this for the last few weeks and it's kind of 486 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,199 Speaker 1: to me it's continues to be. The story is the 487 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: margin for error is so small right now when you're 488 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 1: in this position at granted we're talking about playoffs, but 489 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 1: I think it's also it's fair to state that, yes, 490 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: those are the three games that they have after San Francisco, 491 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 1: but right now, San Francisco currently ahead of Atlanta in 492 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 1: the playoff picture, Washington currently ahead of Atlanta because of 493 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 1: the tiebreaker, Eagles currently head of Atlanta right So that's 494 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 1: why all of these games are so important. San Francisco 495 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 1: Detroit at one, ten and one. You just never know 496 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: because if the Washington or the Eagles end up winning, 497 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 1: They're all aways going to end up staying a pace 498 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 1: ahead of Atlanta because of the head to head, assuming 499 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 1: nothing else crazy ends up happening throughout the course of 500 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 1: the division of the season. Let me quantify the Matt 501 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:11,880 Speaker 1: Ryan stat that I threw out there by the way 502 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 1: six six times under two hundred yards. And I'm not 503 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 1: suggesting that Matt can no longer throw the ball well 504 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 1: enough to do that. We know he can because he's 505 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:21,960 Speaker 1: put up I think three three hundred yard games is 506 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,120 Speaker 1: that is an effect. And like you're talking about, I'm 507 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:27,159 Speaker 1: just going to get back to your point that the 508 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: margin freer is very small. This is not a tremendously 509 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 1: talented team all over the spot, So you have to 510 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 1: be hitting on all cylinders to create those opportunities to 511 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: get two hundred plus yards and one hundred and twenty 512 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: yards on the ground. That doesn't happen every weekend. So 513 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: but it does mean that everybody is going to have 514 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 1: to sense the sense of urgency on every drive. And 515 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 1: so Matt Ryan can still get it done, and we 516 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:54,199 Speaker 1: still have receivers that can go get it. But you 517 00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,719 Speaker 1: can't miss, and you can't miss a block when you've 518 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:58,680 Speaker 1: got a guy run a double move that's open for 519 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 1: a touchdown and orderbacks get hit in the face because 520 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 1: he can't get the ball out. Those kind of things 521 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 1: are happening. That's what's creating this little bit, little bit 522 00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 1: of a deficiency in the past game, not necessarily anybody's 523 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,199 Speaker 1: talent level. Yakay, I just want to throw that out. No, no, 524 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 1: I completely get you because you think about and guys. 525 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 1: I was watching the green Bay game on Sunday night, 526 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 1: and I would say that a team like green Bay offensively, 527 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 1: they probably have a little bit more room for mistakes, 528 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 1: right but you watch and they try they have some 529 00:23:25,080 --> 00:23:28,400 Speaker 1: longer developing routes. Aaron Rodgers has time to let those 530 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:31,240 Speaker 1: routes develop. That has not been the story throughout the 531 00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:34,680 Speaker 1: course of the season consistently for Atlanta. Maybe you can 532 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 1: make up for a mistake if you get protection to 533 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:39,440 Speaker 1: have a guy like Aaron Rodgers. Matt Ryan still is 534 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:42,400 Speaker 1: just as capable as Aaron Rodgers, maybe not the same 535 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 1: type of weapons down field. Dafante Adams one of the 536 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,119 Speaker 1: best in the game. But how much confidence does an 537 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 1: offensive line draw from what the stretch we talked about 538 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: three consecutive games of one hundred and twenty plush yards, 539 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: no sacks on Ryan this weekend. Now, he got hit 540 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: a few times, but that group did not give up 541 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,199 Speaker 1: a sack. Give Mike Davis a ton of credit for 542 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: stepping up and shortening a couple of linebacker next. So 543 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:06,920 Speaker 1: they were coming on blitzers. But from a confidence standpoint, 544 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: what do you think shots huge? It's huge. I mean 545 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,680 Speaker 1: you think about when we came into the season, there 546 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,439 Speaker 1: were a couple of games where all the conversation was 547 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: the offensive line is letting us down? How many times 548 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 1: are is Matt Ryan getting hit? How many times he 549 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: getting sacked? How many times he's not able to get 550 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 1: the football off? And then the last three ball games, 551 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: there's nothing like being able to run the football for 552 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:29,920 Speaker 1: an offensive linement, though absolutely live and die for those 553 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 1: situations to put it on their back. And that's where 554 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 1: their super Bowl is one when you can turn around 555 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 1: and hand it off and they can roll great guys, 556 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,040 Speaker 1: or you see two guys comebo block and get up 557 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:41,040 Speaker 1: on a linebacker and you see those two guys excited. 558 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: Those are the things that gives that offensive line confidence. 559 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:47,199 Speaker 1: And I think this team is only growing in that fashion. 560 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 1: So I think what Arch mentioned is a huge facet 561 00:24:49,920 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 1: of where this team is headed. And I remember the 562 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:56,000 Speaker 1: exact same play archers talking about. Carolina brings a six 563 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:58,680 Speaker 1: man pressure, Mike David steps up in the A gap 564 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 1: and just puts his face masks right on them. And 565 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 1: guess what we do talk about third down hits gauge 566 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,360 Speaker 1: on an end cut route for a big third down 567 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: completion you're going to score. I mean, those are the 568 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: things that don't show up on the stat sheet. But 569 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,199 Speaker 1: each offensive lineman did their particular job, picked up a 570 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 1: guy they had an edge rusher coming off the edge. 571 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,160 Speaker 1: You see McGary come off his double team and get 572 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,159 Speaker 1: just enough of the guy come off the edge, and 573 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: Mike David steps in the A gap and you pick 574 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:25,000 Speaker 1: up that six man pressure gauge. Wins on the outside, 575 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:27,160 Speaker 1: wins and one on one we talked about that as well, 576 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 1: as we need guys to create separation. Win when you 577 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:31,919 Speaker 1: get those one on one spots, those are those are 578 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:33,600 Speaker 1: big plays in the ball game. They show up on 579 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: film that not a lot of people around the country 580 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: may talk about. But inside that that that meeting room, 581 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:41,360 Speaker 1: when they turn on the tape they're gonna see each 582 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 1: guy doing their job and they're gonna see a nice pocket. 583 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 1: They're gonna see the conversion, and that's where the confidence 584 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:48,879 Speaker 1: has built. When you get that, get an opportunity to 585 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:51,320 Speaker 1: go do it again when you play the next ball game. 586 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: I love that you bring that up. And we'll finish 587 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 1: it with this because you could go back to Pop Warner, 588 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 1: you can go to high school and shoot I coach softball, right, 589 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 1: coach girls softball. The word confidence sometimes gets thrown around, 590 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 1: but when you have it, it's dangerous. Yeah, right, And 591 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 1: you're starting to see a little bit with the offensive line, 592 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: and that could that could carry over to everybody. It 593 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 1: could carries over to Matt Ryan, carries over to the 594 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:15,639 Speaker 1: running backs, it carries over to the defense. You start 595 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: playing with confidence, you play free, you know you're gonna 596 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 1: get the job done and not think maybe I'm gonna 597 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: get the job done, because when you play in maybes, 598 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 1: that's when you end up getting beat. So let's see 599 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:30,000 Speaker 1: if the Atlanta Falcons can continue to play confident this 600 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:32,159 Speaker 1: weekend in San Francisco and to close out the season. 601 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: And you just never know what's going to happen, all right, guys, 602 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it here for the Falcons Audible presented 603 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:38,280 Speaker 1: by AT and T. So thank you so much for 604 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 1: joining us on all of the different platforms that you 605 00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: get us from Atlanta Falcons dot com, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes 606 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 1: or any of those other ones. I don't know if 607 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:49,080 Speaker 1: there are other ones, but no, stay age, there might 608 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 1: be other ways to get podcasts. We appeal watch you 609 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 1: joining us. He's DJ Shockley, Dave Archer. I'm Derek Rackley. 610 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: Thanks so much, and we'll be back next week wrapping 611 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 1: up the same old stuff and looking ahead. Thanks guys, 612 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 1: un down to the b