1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: Morning from Flowery Branch, guys. Tough, tough Thanksgiving Day or 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving night in the Falcons games lost thirty one seventeen 3 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 1: loss to the rival Saints. Tough one to stomach, especially 4 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: for Falcons fans that just finished Thanksgetting meal Thursday. But 5 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go ahead and say it. You know, Falcons 6 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: fans don't want to hear this, but you know this. 7 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: This whole season has been up and down. Streak three wins, 8 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: three losses are actually three losses, three wins and three losses. Again, 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 1: they're not out of it. They can They have five 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 1: games left. I know the sting of the defeat is 11 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: still there, but they have five games left. I went 12 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: through a bunch of scenarios this morning. This ESPN has 13 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:49,840 Speaker 1: this playoff machine thing where you can pick every single 14 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 1: game in scenario. There are number of scenarios where the 15 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: Falcons can get into this thing at nine and seven. 16 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: Excuse me, they are not, you know, throwing in the towel, 17 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: like I got a ton of emails this morning. Not 18 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: that you guys would say throwing the towel, but a 19 00:01:04,800 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: lot of fans are just they're fed up. They think 20 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: the season's over and I'm just here to remind you 21 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,199 Speaker 1: all that there's a lot of football left. It was ugly, 22 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: and we'll get into the offensive line play arch and 23 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: the lack of the running game. DJ. There's a lot 24 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,839 Speaker 1: to still play for and there's a lot of positive 25 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: things still that are happening with this team, but they've 26 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: got to shore up some things, namely squarely with the 27 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: offensive line. Well, first of all, you can't as a team, 28 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: and this in Chock will probably echo this. What you 29 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 1: can't do is you can't worry about what's in front 30 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: of you because you haven't played well enough the last 31 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: three weeks to win a game. So now what have 32 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 1: I got to do today, the next day and the 33 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 1: next day to get myself ready for Sunday to play 34 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 1: a really pretty hot Baltimore team coming in here. So 35 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: that's first and foremost. But let's look at some of 36 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: the things that I'm seeing. They're not doing very good 37 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: and they're not playing very well up front. Shock. I 38 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: think that as much as we tried to patchwork the 39 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: offensive line, you got both guards are out. I don't 40 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: think any of the five and I would challenge them, 41 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: ask them that they think they're playing at a very 42 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: high level. I think your edge guys aren't aren't playing 43 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: very good. I think they're struggling on the interior to 44 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: sort out some of the stunts and games with some 45 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: of the backers coming. And I think the reason that 46 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: is is your inability to run the ball with any 47 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: kind of effectiveness at all. I think that if you 48 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 1: had some semblance of a running game. And I'm not 49 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:34,799 Speaker 1: saying you gotta rush for one hundred and fifty yards, 50 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: but if you could get eighty to ninety yards a game, 51 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: one hundred yards a game rushing the football, it's going 52 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:42,359 Speaker 1: to slow down some of the games and some of 53 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: the things you're seeing up front. There's a couple of ways, 54 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: a couple of things that happen. You reduce the defensive 55 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: line physically, as you know, you begin to get under them, 56 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: and at some point third fourth quarter, then things become 57 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: maybe a little bit easier, and it keeps some guests 58 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 1: in a little bit up front and say, Okay, can 59 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: I come up field as hard as I want to? 60 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:04,359 Speaker 1: You stay in manageable third down situations where they can't 61 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: come with his exotic stop. I was fearful for Ryan's life. 62 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 1: There a couple of times in the game this weekend. 63 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: It's it's disappointing to watch because you watch him and 64 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 1: you talk about the anability they to run the ball, 65 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: and for me, it's the run game. But as well 66 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 1: as protecting Matt. You just talked about it, and I 67 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: went back and I looked at the seven losses that 68 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: you have. He's been sacked twenty four times in the 69 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: seven losses, and you've got thirty three sacks on the 70 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: on the year. He's been sacked nine times in the 71 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 1: last two games. Drew Brees has been sacked ten times 72 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: all season long. So it's you talked about last week 73 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: all the close calls they had against the Cowboys. People 74 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: that would follow suit to what you're saying. Twenty four 75 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: and seven. That's just the three plus a game, and 76 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: Matt just said he's been sacked nine times the last 77 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: three games. Obviously, you don't want to be at a mathematition, 78 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: I figure out that's what you're saying. Yes, you're not 79 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: protecting the passer. Yeah, And I think the other part 80 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: are you talk about not being able to move guys 81 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: up front, and you look at the last couple of 82 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: games and it hasn't been the exotic blitzers. It hasn't 83 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: been they're bringing six seven guys. It's been the front 84 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: four that's got you. And a lot of teams have 85 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 1: used that front four. Like Art mentioned, they're stunning their gaming. 86 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: They're using the form of some exotic stuff up front. 87 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: But it's at the end of the day it's four guys, 88 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 1: and in the day it's four on five, So you 89 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: should be able to block those four or five guys 90 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: up front, and you just have not been able to 91 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: do it, and then you're not getting any movement up front. 92 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: There was a third and one in the ball game 93 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: with Edo and you running, you know, a simple little 94 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 1: us up the middle when you know you get stuff. 95 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: Those are the type of players you can't have. We 96 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 1: talk about getting it to a third and manageable. You 97 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: got a chance to move the chains and you don't. Well, 98 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 1: what happens is there's blood in the water. Now, okay, 99 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 1: what happens when you get to the passer from a 100 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator standpoint, Now you're a shark. There's blood in 101 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 1: the water. They can't protect. Okay, So now I'm gonna 102 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: bring a frith rusher. There were a couple of times 103 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: where they heated us up with a five or six pressure, 104 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: and it was somebody from the secondary Edo Smith's stepping 105 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 1: to take that guy, or Tevin Coleman stepping to take 106 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: that guy. And all of a sudden, Sheldon Rankins wins 107 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: to the inside. He beats our guy inside. So they 108 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: come off and go MDM. They take the most dangerous man, right, 109 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: that's the D lineman, and here comes the secondary member 110 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,119 Speaker 1: through and almost ripped Ryan's arm off. So yeah, there's 111 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: there's a lot going on up front. It's not being 112 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: sorted out. I wrote my postgame column just on the 113 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: line play, and after the game I went back and 114 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: counted how many times the Falcons had situations down in 115 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 1: distance where they needed just a one or two yards. 116 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: It was twelve times, and they converted, excuse me, only 117 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: three times. I mean that said it all for me. 118 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: And and you take away Matt Ryan's two scrambles for 119 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 1: sixteen yards, they barely ran the ball at all. I 120 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 1: think they ended up and running sixteen times for twenty 121 00:05:55,320 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: six yards us. I mean, that's it's It's just all 122 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,359 Speaker 1: I'm doing is really just kind of emphasizing everything that 123 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: you guys are just pointing out right now. It all 124 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: begins and ends up front, and they just could not 125 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: run the ball when they needed to. And I mean 126 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: we're not talking about just running it down their throat. 127 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: We're just talking about just any kind of symblance of 128 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 1: a run game day. It's yeah, it's just not there. 129 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: It makes there Thursday night. Yeah, it makes it so 130 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: hard because, let's face it, this team, and I've said 131 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: it all year long. You guys have heard me say it, 132 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 1: we're a finesse running team. You know, I think we 133 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: would like to be a power running team. We're we're 134 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: a finesse running team or a stretch run team, bootleg 135 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: out the back. It's not a come off the ball 136 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: and mash a football team. So when you get in 137 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: third and short's just just a little bit like the 138 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: college scenario if you're remember the old running shoot or 139 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 1: now the spread offense, where if you don't have a 140 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: running quarterback, you can't run zone read. Okay, so now 141 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: you become a finesse running team. And how many times 142 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: do we see back in the day, those those teams 143 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: they could not pick up third and short yardage situations 144 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: two to you know, one, two, three yards. That's what 145 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 1: we're seeing come to come to fruition here is we've 146 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 1: just morphed into this finesse team. And it's fine when 147 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: we're getting things sorted out as far as protection goes. 148 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: But Ryan's throwing the ball what thirty five forty five 149 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: times a game and you can't getting out of the 150 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: run game because it's SARK. I can't commit to the 151 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: run game. Yeah, how can I commit to the run 152 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: game if it's if it's second and nine, third and 153 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: eight every time, and you knew in this game possessions 154 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: were going to be huge. You could not have empty 155 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: possessions against this team because you knew they were going 156 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: to be able to score. So it magnifies the problem 157 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: for SARK because they're not playing as well at fronts 158 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: they need to be. I'm going to play you know, 159 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 1: the fan here with you guys, because I did this 160 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: this morning. I do my mail bag for at LA 161 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: Falcons dot com every single morning straight from the beak. 162 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 1: I got a lot of questions about the line. For instance, 163 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 1: do you think this is a situation you know they're 164 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: without as you point out, there two cards Levy Tray 165 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: and Fuss go for the rest of the year. Do 166 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: you think this is a situation that's going to be ongoing, 167 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: or do you think this is something that they can 168 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: turn around in time for the Baltimore Ravens this week. 169 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: They can they can fix your Yeah, you're not gonna change. 170 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: You're playing the number one You're playing the number one 171 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: defense in the league this week, so number one against 172 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: the run, number two against the past. That's not gonna change. 173 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: So how can I as a play caller be creative enough? 174 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: So now, Sarks, we're gonna have to throw the laboratory 175 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: code on and go in and say what can I 176 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: do to create opportunities, move the pocket, whatever I've got 177 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,839 Speaker 1: to do to give Ryan opportunities and be creative in 178 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: the run game. That means screen game. I haven't seen 179 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: a lot of screens. Get the screen game going. If 180 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: you can't try to do something to supplement the run game, 181 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 1: get those guys out in space. Yeah, okay, anything more 182 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: you want to hit on defensively as far as the 183 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: line play or now because we enter, well, I mean 184 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: there's nothing what you can do in a game where 185 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: you're facing a guy who's getting rid of the ball 186 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: so fast. And we talked about it last week with Wade, 187 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: Drew Brees, short sets and all that kind of stuff, 188 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: and he does a great job of getting rid of it. 189 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 1: So the amount of pressure and sacks you get on 190 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: Breeze is gonna be limited already. So I mean, those 191 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: guys are at a disadvantage already, and you know, having 192 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 1: to hold up against that offense was gonna be a tough, 193 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: tough sland anyway. You get a book on players and shock. 194 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 1: You know, we al used to study film. We watch film. 195 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: You see certain guys that just have a little something 196 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: about him that doesn't doesn't quite look right, and then 197 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,800 Speaker 1: you confirm it with a couple of films. Now that 198 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: you've got a young this young group that's playing and 199 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: we're seeing guys make plays, Kasey continues to make plays. 200 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 1: I thought he tackled much better in this game than 201 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: he had in the past, so he's learned from his lessons. 202 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: I thought Alukon got caught a couple of times this week. 203 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,319 Speaker 1: I thought his ability to diagnose is not quite there yet. 204 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: I think it's coming, but I think his ability to 205 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: diagnose on the move and get to the hole is 206 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: not quite there yet. So subsequently he's still at the 207 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: second level, there's a hat getting on him at the 208 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: second level now as a crease in the on the football. 209 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:02,599 Speaker 1: Now he'll be better. And we saw it happen with 210 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 1: Deon Jones, right, Dion Jones kind of got lost and 211 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:07,439 Speaker 1: then the next year you could seem then all of 212 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:10,680 Speaker 1: a sudden, boom, Blake clicked on for him and he's 213 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: he's diagnosing on the move. I think, unfortunately, that's something 214 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to kind of wait to take effect 215 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: with somebody. The young players. I think a Louikon is 216 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: gonna be a really good player. I agree. I agree 217 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:25,079 Speaker 1: with that, and he's been a pleasant I think fine 218 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 1: for them is especially considering where they drafted him too. Uh. 219 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: The reason I brought that up too, is because there 220 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,559 Speaker 1: were times when Kamara it was between the tackles, he 221 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: just were cashing the start the game, just twenty four 222 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 1: yard run. Yeah, it's really concerning, and I mean it's 223 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: you saw it happened with Jority of the Night, and 224 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 1: it's kind of been a common theme of teams being 225 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: really good on first and second down and running the ball, 226 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: and you got a quarterback like Breeze and third and 227 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,839 Speaker 1: short and he's probably gonna convert that ninety percent of 228 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 1: the time, so sharing that up. And I saw a 229 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: couple of times as well, a couple of guys jumping 230 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 1: around blocks here and they're trying to figure out which 231 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 1: hole they're going to be in. And sometimes you you know, 232 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: you jump outside of a blocking and leaves a big 233 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 1: game in hole. And that's kind of the tale of 234 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: what happened against the Saints. Dan Quinn was asked after 235 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: the game about the decision to not play Dedron Sena 236 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: because he said he wanted more pass rushers in the game. 237 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: You know, it's natural for fans to automatically then say, hey, 238 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: was that an issue, you know, not having Senat in 239 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: the game? Any any thoughts on that arch, Yeah, I 240 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 1: think there's there's a little bit more to the equation 241 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: in my mind with Dedron has been nursing a shoulder, 242 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: and obviously he wasn't listening on the injury port so 243 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 1: they didn't have any injury issues with him, So it 244 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: was a personnel decision based on what you just said, Man, 245 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: I think there's a little bit more under the hood 246 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 1: with him in the fact that I think he's a 247 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 1: rookie and so what's happening to some of these rookies, 248 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:57,719 Speaker 1: and I think it's happening to you know Smith a 249 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 1: little bit. Just from my observation is the wall is 250 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 1: starting to being built on these guys. And what I 251 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: mean by walls rookie players at the most play thirteen 252 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 1: fourteen games in college. I mean, you got sick, You've 253 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 1: got four preseason games, and here we are in what 254 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: week eleven. Yeah, it's already over. They've packed it up 255 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: and they're they're maybe getting ready for a bowl game 256 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:21,319 Speaker 1: or whatever. So I think some of these guys are 257 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: starting to get starting to wear it down, especially the 258 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: ones you've had to use a lot. Edo has been 259 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: used far more than you thought you were going to 260 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: with DeVante's injury and Dedron, I think they thought they 261 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: were going to use him a lot, but because the 262 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: injury to Grady Jarrett and he was out for what 263 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: three or four weeks? Three weeks, Dedron had to play 264 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: more snaps and I think it's starting to I think 265 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 1: it's starting to take effect of too, right. I mean, 266 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,200 Speaker 1: he's playing, yeah, four years, played a ton and that 267 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: may be some of the reasons why maybe a little 268 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: bit steps slow. This weekend. You are listening to Falcon's 269 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: audible podcasts presented by AT and T and Matt's a 270 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 1: peak Dave Archer, d J Shackley. I'm gonna go circle 271 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: back to what I said at the top of the 272 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: episode here. Despite all of that, Opkins are right in 273 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,719 Speaker 1: it at four and seven. As crazy as crazy as 274 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 1: that sounds, because of the NSC this year, that's been crazy. Yeah, 275 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: the NFC East is it's entertaining, but it's not great football. 276 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: But that's up for grabs. The NFC North is up 277 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: for grabs. The South, there's the you know, the Saints 278 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 1: are pulling away, but Carolina has fallen back to back 279 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 1: to the pack and Seattle got a big win at 280 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: Carolina essay, So they're kind of in the mix. But 281 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: they're right in it. And if they win out and 282 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 1: starting with Baltimore and we'll talk about Baltimore here in 283 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: a second, they have a chance to squeak into this thing. 284 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: And all you have to do is get in it right. 285 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: No one cares how you got there or the style 286 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: points or what it looked like. Let's talk about Baltimore. 287 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: You just alluded to the fact that their defense is 288 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 1: very good and the Falcons are gonna have to get 289 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 1: creative with their offense. And you might expound down that 290 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: all well, I mean they're number one against the run 291 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 1: and their number two against the past, which makes them 292 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:00,080 Speaker 1: number one overall. I mean, normally you see it, and 293 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: we saw New Orleans this last week. New Orleans was 294 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: very good against the run game, but they weren't very 295 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: good against the pass game. And some of that has 296 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 1: to do with how well you're playing offensively. Obviously, they 297 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: were playing from in front a lot, so that meant 298 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: that teams were throwing the bottle lot on them, so 299 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: the yardage went up and they weren't running as much. 300 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 1: That's not the case with this team. This team is legitimately. 301 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: They've been in tussles every week, very close football games. 302 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: They've run the football and they've had to play really 303 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: good defense, and they have. I think it's a group 304 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 1: that you're gonna have a tough time. And they've kind 305 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: of been always been this. They had a little low 306 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: arrear over the last couple of years, maybe not as 307 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: many people healthy. They're kind of back to playing the 308 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 1: kind of Baltimore defense that we remember from the early 309 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: two thousands. So yeah, from a creative standpoint. Obviously, we 310 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: know where our playmakers are. You've got to find a 311 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: way to get those balls. You've got to get the 312 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 1: ball out of Ryan's hands quickly. This is a Baltimore 313 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:55,560 Speaker 1: team that's willing to come up and hug up on 314 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: you and receiving on the outside. So that doesn't make 315 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 1: it easy to get guys the football quickly. So this 316 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: will have to be a really high level game for 317 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 1: Ryan and all the perimeter players. When you start talking 318 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: about you can't drop any passes, got to be almost 319 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: operated a perfect level. How about Terrell Suggs after all 320 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: these years, is still such a high level Some dudes 321 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: just got it. Man, he had to pick six Achilles, 322 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: what was about three or four years ago. Yeah, so 323 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 1: he's gonna be tough behind center. They've got Lamar Jackson 324 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: playing is a is a prospect that a lot of 325 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: Falcons fans. Yeah, a lot of Falcons fans were writing 326 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: in before the draft wanting him, as crazy as that 327 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: sounds when you have Matt Ryan under center, because they 328 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: reminded them or he reminded them of another quarterback that 329 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 1: could run it pretty well. Here man at you. But 330 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 1: but yeah, he's an exciting kid to watch. He is 331 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 1: each game, he's growing game the game. But he is 332 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 1: an X factor. I think that's fair to say. I mean, 333 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: you just don't know what you're going to get with 334 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 1: him to a degree. Well, I think that The thing 335 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: about it, The thing about Lamar is and I'll let 336 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 1: you speak on Lamar because you played very closely with 337 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: Mike and you know the combinations and what they look 338 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: like together. What surfaced for them is Gus Edwards at 339 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: running back. Gus Edwards, they were Alex Collins with the 340 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: running back. He started twenty one consecutive games for him 341 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: only average about three point six yards to carry. Gus Edwards, 342 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 1: the transfer from Miami who was banged up down there, 343 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 1: went to Rutgers last year rush for about eight hundred yards. 344 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:36,040 Speaker 1: He has burst on the scene the last two weeks, 345 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: rush for over one hundred yards. Last two weeks. I 346 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: think they've rushed in back to back to weeks of 347 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 1: rush for almost two hundred over two fifty one week, 348 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: I think two forty two the week before against Cincinnati. 349 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 1: So they are bludgeoning you with the run game. So 350 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, their their offense looks like their defense, 351 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: right rough and tumble on defense and banging you with 352 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 1: the run control in the class kind of what we've 353 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: looked at. The AFC North has been like that for 354 00:16:58,240 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: a long time. I mean, you think about all the 355 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: teams in that division what they want to look like, 356 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 1: and Baltimore is no different. And I think we bring 357 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: up a good point about what their defense looks like 358 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 1: and where their offense has involved to especially without having 359 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: Joe Flacco back there to throw it like our guy does, 360 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 1: you know, twenty five thirty times a game because he can. 361 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: Now you have a guy back there. Kind of similar 362 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: to what we saw in the Cleveland game where they 363 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: wanted to control the passing game with Baker Mayfield, and 364 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: you kind of want to bring another rookie along like 365 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: Lamar Jackson. Now having the opportunity to play beside Mike 366 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: and see kind of stuff he did throughout a ball 367 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: game is similar to what Lamar can do when he 368 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 1: gets the opportunity. And when I was around Michael, when 369 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: things weren't going exactly the way he thought they should, 370 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: he went to what he thought was the best way 371 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: to move his football team or to get them in 372 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,640 Speaker 1: a position where they're going to be successful and moving 373 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: the ball, which has used his athleticism and Lamar Jackson, 374 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: you can see that he wants to throw the football. 375 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: He wants to sit back and show people that he 376 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 1: can throw it, and he can throw it. We've seen that. Obviously, 377 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: you can't win the Heisman without doing that, you know, 378 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: I mean, that's part of it. But at the end 379 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 1: of the day, when things break down, it's some things 380 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:17,159 Speaker 1: you cannot coach. And his athleticism, its ability to escape, 381 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 1: and the way our defense has played. We play a 382 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: lot of his own coverage, so that means you gotta 383 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: be able to keep your eyes in front of you 384 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 1: know where people are. And if Lamar takes off, that's 385 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,959 Speaker 1: a different part of it. Is as we saw versus Cleveland, 386 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 1: when you take off and Baker get out that one 387 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: time and he throws the touchdown, you gotta steal stick 388 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: to those guys. But also you got to know winning 389 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: be able to come up. So Lamar is gonna be 390 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 1: a different animal to worry about. And lucky enough, you've 391 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: had you know, ten days to to kind of getting 392 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: the sync for that look. Then Lamar looks in shock 393 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: makes a great analogy in with what Baker did to 394 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 1: buy time, and Baker is more like Russell Wilson. Russell, 395 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: he moves to buy time. To Lamar Jackson, if he 396 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 1: breaks contain, he's bringing it. He's coming with the ball. 397 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: It's a lot like Mike was saying. He's gonna run. 398 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: He's gonna football. He's not looking to buy time. He's 399 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 1: gonna take off. I saw, I watched I did like 400 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: four of his college games. He's looking to break you 401 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: down athletically, like Shocks talking about So he's rushed for 402 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 1: right at two hundred yards in the two games he started. 403 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 1: He had one hundred nineteen I believe against Sin Sin 404 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 1: two weeks ago. This weekend he had like seventy seventy 405 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,600 Speaker 1: five yards rushing. Now he has thrown about three interception 406 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: or three interceptions in his two starts. He'll throw you 407 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 1: the ball because he's not an accomplished passer yet doesn't 408 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:44,199 Speaker 1: understand the windows. But and he kind of throws you 409 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: once you get open, as as it's throwing you open, 410 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,119 Speaker 1: so you could steal a couple there. But make no 411 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: mistake about his Shock's got a great point. We're gonna 412 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: have to play a ton of zone to have as 413 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: many eyes on him as we can to rally up 414 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 1: and make could you get man coverage? And he takes off, 415 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: it's not it's not a ten yard run. He's going 416 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: to the house with a couple thoughts on that, and 417 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: either you can respond, but it's tough to make a 418 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:11,439 Speaker 1: living at this level running like that, especially, I mean 419 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 1: he's not he's not Cam Newton's size. Well, he's still young, right, 420 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,199 Speaker 1: I mean, so that's one thing they're gonna have to 421 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 1: curb that, I would think a little bit. Or he's 422 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: gonna he's gonna find out the hard way. I think 423 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: there was some talk about John Harbaugh's job at one point. 424 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 1: I don't think he's concerned anything about past this year. Lamar, 425 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:31,880 Speaker 1: go get it if you can't. Um And you brought 426 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: up Baker Mayfield being a more polished passer. I think 427 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:39,160 Speaker 1: that's accurate too. I mean, again, Lamar can throw the ball, 428 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. That you can't win the Heisman 429 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:45,800 Speaker 1: unless you throw the ball. But that said, Baker is 430 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 1: a little bit more polished. I think in Baker probably 431 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 1: isn't going to run it like Lamar. Um So, having 432 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: played Baker in Cam twice here, this this helps you 433 00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:00,640 Speaker 1: a little bit, yes, Lamar, I think so. I mean, 434 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:05,399 Speaker 1: it's a having those style of quarterbacks definitely gives you 435 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: a reference point on how to go about, you know, 436 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,280 Speaker 1: guarding these guys. And I think the other thing that 437 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 1: you know, we have to talk about and we talked 438 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 1: about it earlier, was their defense gives you the opportunity. 439 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: So now you come into this ball game and you 440 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:20,400 Speaker 1: got the number one ranked defense in the league. Let's 441 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: not do anything to hurt ourselves. Yeah, he's gonna try 442 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 1: to force and make some plays here and there, but 443 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, a good coach would 444 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,639 Speaker 1: always tell his quarterback. I coach would always tell me, hey, 445 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: you got a defense there allowed him to make some 446 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:34,399 Speaker 1: plays for you. Don't give it away and don't give 447 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 1: them short fields. I don't do stuff like that to 448 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,479 Speaker 1: hurt yourself because you got a defense is gonna keep 449 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 1: you in it. So that's part of it as well. 450 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:43,120 Speaker 1: It's trying to trying to tame a beast like that 451 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 1: to say, all right, play control, but also no, you 452 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: can lean on your guys too. You remember this. This 453 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,199 Speaker 1: reminds me a lot of a scenario Atlanta played Baltimore 454 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,639 Speaker 1: on a Thursday night what was it about seven years 455 00:21:57,640 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: ago or so, I can't remember what it was. Baltimore 456 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: here on Thursday night and they were number one in 457 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:05,360 Speaker 1: the league against the run. You couldn't run the football, 458 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: and they the game plan was Ryan was gonna throw it. 459 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: I think you threw it like fifty two times at 460 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: night and Atlanta a big play by Roddy White. Roddy 461 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: White got clean against man coverage, got us in field 462 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 1: goal position, and we won the football game. But it 463 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 1: was one of those nights where you said, Okay, we 464 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: can't run the ball, so we're not gonna beat our 465 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 1: head against the ball a wall with it. We're gonna 466 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: design a short passing attack, some screen game, get our 467 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 1: guys one on one, and we're gonna get the ball out. 468 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: And Atlanta found a way to win the football game. 469 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:33,960 Speaker 1: And Ryan was dealing it and Roddy White was making 470 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 1: grabs and all those guys. So it's really kind of 471 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:39,400 Speaker 1: interesting that they kind of mirror one another coming into 472 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 1: this game. I wouldn't have a problem with it. Hey, 473 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: this is what we do. Well, let's just do what 474 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:48,440 Speaker 1: we do and just keep doing it. And uh, I'd 475 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 1: have no problem with that. At two, you gotta got 476 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:54,719 Speaker 1: chance to win the ball, absolutely, no question about it. 477 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:58,679 Speaker 1: So you know, I'm gonna ask you guys too. You 478 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 1: know this this season have you ever I was talking 479 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:04,640 Speaker 1: to Brian Kearns, the senior director of communications for the Falcons, 480 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: upstairs before I came down. He said he has never 481 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,439 Speaker 1: seen a season quite like this as far as like 482 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:14,240 Speaker 1: just he's been a part of four and twelve seasons 483 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 1: that kind of thing where it's kind of like, you know, down, 484 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: but this season has been just streaky. You know, lost three, 485 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: win three, lost three, now you got five, You're still 486 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:27,119 Speaker 1: in it. It's very you know, it's an up and 487 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 1: down kind of year. Thoughts on just where the team 488 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,680 Speaker 1: is right now as a player heading into this home stretch. 489 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 1: You had the extra time with Thanksgiving, but you know 490 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 1: all is not lost either. You want to just take 491 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:45,399 Speaker 1: that as far as just the mindset of a player 492 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: and a year where it's just full of ups and 493 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: downs and the injuries and that kind of thing. As 494 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 1: a player in this spot, it's it's of course, he's 495 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: disappointing because you put so much preparation and time into 496 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: this season and you think about going back to the offseason. 497 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: They think about all the stuff you did training camp, 498 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 1: many camp and all that kind of stuff to put 499 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:09,639 Speaker 1: yourself in a position. And now you're looking at you know, 500 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:11,880 Speaker 1: five games left, and you know you're four and seven 501 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:15,159 Speaker 1: or whatever. And I think mentally to know that you 502 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,879 Speaker 1: still have an opportunity to be in it, it gives 503 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 1: you hope. But also at the end of the day, 504 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:24,199 Speaker 1: this is your job. This is what you chose to 505 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 1: do in life. So you go out and you put 506 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: your best foot four, regardless of what's happening and what 507 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:29,879 Speaker 1: your record looks like, and you don't want to let 508 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 1: the guy down next week. And I thought Grady said 509 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: something that was was so paramount, and I think as 510 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 1: being one of the leaders, it was so critical, and 511 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:43,199 Speaker 1: I think it's a message that's being said around the branches. 512 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:45,640 Speaker 1: He didn't interview. He said, you know what I played 513 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: for the name on the back of my jersey. I 514 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: played for this organization. But then the day a lot 515 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:51,240 Speaker 1: of guys got to look at their shelves in the 516 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:54,760 Speaker 1: mirror and individually you have to get it gone. And 517 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:57,920 Speaker 1: regardless of where you're ad as a team, you got 518 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: to find a way individually to be that or for 519 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:03,040 Speaker 1: your team so as a player been in this spot 520 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:06,240 Speaker 1: before knowing what's left, you just got to find a 521 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:10,160 Speaker 1: way to to to push through this tough moment. And Archie, 522 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 1: I know you've been through it. I mean you've played 523 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:14,720 Speaker 1: in it and done it. So it's it's one of 524 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: those type of games and situations throughout this part of 525 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 1: the season where it's a gut check as well. So yeah, 526 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: I think that the biggest thing for me in this situation. Unfortunately, 527 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: I have been on some teams like this where you 528 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 1: the physical part of it. Yeah, everybody's banged up and 529 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: stuff like that, and you fight through some of the 530 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:36,520 Speaker 1: pains and stuff. That's just part of the job. But 531 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:40,640 Speaker 1: this is where you get really stressed mentally. Okay, how 532 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:44,359 Speaker 1: can you eliminate the thoughts of Okay, this is what 533 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: we've been the last three weeks. Is this who we 534 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:48,480 Speaker 1: are or we are the team that we're the first 535 00:25:48,560 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: first three? You can't think about that. That cannot be 536 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 1: a part of the part of the mix. What you 537 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: gotta do is you've got to and it's it's clichde, 538 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:58,800 Speaker 1: and it's why it's cliche. It's why it's this way. 539 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 1: As a player, if you think big picture, you'll get 540 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 1: you'll get swallowed up. What you have to think about 541 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:08,159 Speaker 1: is each day you come in, what can I do 542 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:11,640 Speaker 1: individually to make myself better for what Shock's talking about 543 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 1: the name on the back and the bird on the helmet. 544 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 1: And I know people are saying, oh that that that's fine, 545 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:18,879 Speaker 1: and Danny they're not doing any of that. Yeah, but 546 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:21,360 Speaker 1: you can't lose sight of that's what you have to do. 547 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 1: Just because it hasn't worked out the last couple of weeks. 548 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:26,119 Speaker 1: You don't throw your hands here and say, let's screw it, 549 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:28,239 Speaker 1: let's let's let's let's take our ball and run home. 550 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,440 Speaker 1: It's not the way it works. And so it's really 551 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 1: a mental game that you have to play with yourself 552 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 1: to come in, block everything out and get ready that day. 553 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:39,919 Speaker 1: I asked that because it is tough. It's got to be. 554 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 1: You know, you're watching the games, whether it's on during 555 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:45,400 Speaker 1: the day or at night, at the end of every game. 556 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: Now they have the playoff picture, the NFC, THEFC picture. 557 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: If you're sitting there as a player, if you're everything 558 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 1: you know, if you're on social media, everything right now 559 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 1: is talking about, hey, here are these these teams are 560 00:26:57,480 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: in the hunt. These teams are the Seeds right now, 561 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 1: so it's it's got to be like you said, it's 562 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: a mental stream right now for these players. Some of 563 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:09,520 Speaker 1: them do a better job of blocking them out like Greedy, 564 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: and some of them struggle a little bit. But I 565 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 1: think that's part of all this. And as fans, that's 566 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:16,560 Speaker 1: all we're thinking about and talk about right now. We 567 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:22,200 Speaker 1: just want some hope. As fans, that's what I get 568 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,879 Speaker 1: every morning, So you know they're still alive. There's a chance, 569 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,360 Speaker 1: and it doesn't matter how you get in it. Right now, 570 00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:32,280 Speaker 1: they've they've got to find a way to beat Baltimore 571 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: and it'll be interesting to see how creative or if 572 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:37,520 Speaker 1: they do throw things they would be. It would be 573 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,199 Speaker 1: something if they just kind of throw that at the 574 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 1: running game out out the window. I don't think they will, 575 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: but if they just do what they do best. Speak. 576 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 1: I love to hear from your your point of view 577 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 1: of you get a chance to talk to these and 578 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:53,080 Speaker 1: hear the fans, and obviously the fans are a big 579 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:56,159 Speaker 1: part of how the team comes out and plays because 580 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,480 Speaker 1: of you feed off the energy. You're gonna need them 581 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: in Mercedes bands, Well, what is the the percentage. You 582 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:06,680 Speaker 1: think of the fans that are still hopeful and feel 583 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: good about this team with from you know, people writing 584 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 1: into you. I think that you know, it's funny, they're 585 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 1: there there. It comes in waves, and so you always 586 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 1: hear about the The negative ones are the first ones 587 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:20,480 Speaker 1: to start chirping. And it's funny because I'll put out 588 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 1: a mailbag of you know, hey, we need to start 589 00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 1: this guy or trade for this guy, or fire this 590 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:29,200 Speaker 1: guy or fire that staff or whatever. But it's funny 591 00:28:29,400 --> 00:28:36,000 Speaker 1: every time that happens, I start getting flooded with positive Hey, 592 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 1: first long time reader, first time writer. I'm tired of 593 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 1: these fake fans. I'm tired of these fair weather fans. Uh. 594 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:45,040 Speaker 1: And so you get a lot of that. It's like 595 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 1: it's it's they start arguing with each other's and it 596 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 1: makes my job a little bit easier. I'm like, here, 597 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:52,120 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna put this guy's email out there because 598 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 1: he that's what That's what I was wondering was. I know, 599 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: we got a lot of diehard fans here. Yeah, so 600 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 1: they want to know there's hope a be They want 601 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,240 Speaker 1: to know, hey, if we if this isn't working, if 602 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 1: we're struggling run the ball? How do we fix it? 603 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,840 Speaker 1: And so you know, maybe there is a quick fix 604 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 1: or maybe you just can't change who you are right now, 605 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 1: and you just emphasize what it is you do well. 606 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,000 Speaker 1: And because so much of you guys can speak of this, 607 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: so much of the season is a journey. You kind 608 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 1: of figure out who you are as a team. Injuries 609 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 1: affected a little bit, You figure out what you do well, 610 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 1: what you don't do well, and you know, you evolve 611 00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:34,120 Speaker 1: and every team evolves from game one to the sixteenth game. Yeah, 612 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: and you're affected by the circumstances you're put in. Okay, 613 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:40,960 Speaker 1: so you're this evolution. You think as a player, how 614 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:42,840 Speaker 1: does he handle adversity when it doesn't go well? For 615 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:45,360 Speaker 1: you have a good game and then you maybe don't 616 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 1: play quite as well, so you don't make that gradual 617 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:50,280 Speaker 1: climb that improvement you're looking for. How does he respond 618 00:29:50,320 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: to that? Because different guys respond to differently to adversity. 619 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:56,080 Speaker 1: Some of them are gonna maybe go into tank for 620 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:58,520 Speaker 1: a little while, or does he have guys picking them up. 621 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 1: That's what's good about this locker I'm gonna the fan 622 00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 1: that this is a really good locker room. It's talked 623 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 1: about all the time, but in these times, this is 624 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:08,200 Speaker 1: really when you need it. Guys picking each other up 625 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:10,960 Speaker 1: to a man, and you got to give them credit 626 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 1: when they were winning and all that kind of stuff. 627 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: There was so much talk about this group. When they've 628 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 1: been losing. All they've talked about is, hey, this is 629 00:30:18,560 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 1: when we turn back to us and we regroup and 630 00:30:21,120 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: we go to work. So you have to take solace 631 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: in that. But in the Dumb and Dumber movie they said, 632 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 1: so they're saying, there's a chance, we're going to ride 633 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 1: with you. There's a chance, and that's gonna wrap it up. 634 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 1: They host the Ravens at Mercedes been saying this weekend 635 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:39,440 Speaker 1: and one o'clock kickoff. Hope to see you guys there. 636 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 1: This is Falcon's AWE podcast on Matt's Peak, DJ Shockley, 637 00:30:44,920 --> 00:30:47,560 Speaker 1: Dave Archer, Thanks thanks for listening. Peace