1 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: And you are listening to the End Around podcast. I 2 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: am Matt Tubek with Will McFadden. We are at Mercedes 3 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: ben Stadium and the Falcons fell thirty seven ten today 4 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 1: and their record now is one and six on the season. 5 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 1: A lot to unpack, Will. I don't know where you 6 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 1: want to start, Bud, but things aren't looking good for 7 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: these Falcons right now. They're not not not a great 8 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: season for us to debut this, uh postgame podcast, haven't 9 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: been a lot of positives to talk about, but we'll 10 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: we'll break down the game today and and all the action. 11 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: There was actually a lot of different topics for us 12 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: to touch on. So where do you want to start, 13 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: mat Well, you know, the one thing that I thought 14 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 1: the Falcons had going for them were you know the 15 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 1: last two games, Will they they they were scoring points, 16 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: they put up thirty four and thirty three and things 17 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 1: were clicking. We're coming together, um, and today they all 18 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 1: three phases of the game, there were issues, special teams, offense, 19 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: and the lights just went out on the field. Um 20 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: is that a metaphor? I don't know, but uh, hope 21 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: they're back on And so that was probably the biggest 22 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 1: thing I took away to I thought it might be 23 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: a high scoring game. Um, but the Falcons just they 24 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: can only in the end generate uh ten points. And 25 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,279 Speaker 1: so here we are one and six and the Saints 26 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: are about to go up six and one. Um, yeah, 27 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: I don't I don't think anybody really saw this game coming. Yeah, 28 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 1: it was like you said, and Dan Quinn said it 29 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: after the game, all three phases. They they really couldn't 30 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: get anything going. Offensively, they had some shots and they 31 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 1: missed them. And defensively, I think they started out not horribly, 32 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: but the Rams clearly made some adjustments in the second half, 33 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: and then with the Falcons inability to put points on 34 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: the board, it just got away from them. No, it's 35 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: a thirteen three game at halftime. And yeah, I felt 36 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: good about how the defense was playing. Neither team could 37 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 1: get the run game going. I really liked how the 38 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: Falcons were. Um, you know, I don't know if they 39 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: were run Blitzer or what, but they were really they 40 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: were they want to handle on Girly and the Rams 41 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 1: running game, and they were a couple plays away, you know, 42 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: from from being right in this or not even you know, 43 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: I don't want to say they could have taken the 44 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: lead into halftime, but there was just a few plays 45 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: that were just near missy. But I felt good about it. 46 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 1: I did, as crazy it is to be, you know, 47 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: down thirteen three, the defense was playing, I thought pretty well. 48 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: I think when you when you look at when you 49 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: look at kind of all of the units in this game, 50 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: the Rams defense to me today was really the best one. 51 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,919 Speaker 1: They imposed their will in this game. I you know, 52 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 1: I wrote about it on Atlanta Falcons dot com. They 53 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 1: had five sacks and it really stalled some drives. You know, 54 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: we talk you talk about how going into halftime, the 55 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: Falcons had a chance to cut into that thirteen to 56 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: three deficit. They get the ball back near midfield with 57 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: fifty two seconds left. On second down, Matt Ryan's hand 58 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: gets hit by Dante Fowler and then on third down 59 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: he gets sacked, and so right then a good scoring 60 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: opportunity ends. Because the Rams did a great job of 61 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: pressuring Matt Ryan today. And it's tough to see after 62 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 1: the Falcons invested so heavily in the offensive line this season. 63 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: So I think that really kind of through the offense 64 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: off track was the Rams ability to get pressure. Yeah, 65 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: it's funny we're talking about this, and you know, taking 66 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: this angle on this, you know, I wrote my poe 67 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 1: my postgame column was basically that I did see this coming. 68 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: But to your point, you know, Matt Ryan was hit 69 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: nine times, sacked five times, which matches a season high. 70 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 1: He's been sacked nineteen times. He's been hit fifty one times. 71 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: The nineteen is kind of middle of the league, but 72 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: the fifty one that's that's up there, that's near the top. 73 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: And of course that last sack knocked him out of 74 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: the game ankle injury. We don't know how long. But 75 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: we do know that the Seahawks, Saints, and Panthers are 76 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: their next three opponents. Formidable opponents to say the very 77 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: least good defenses. And to your other point on the 78 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: Rams defense, they you know, they held the Falcons in 79 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: check today two hundred and twenty four yards of total offense. 80 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: Third down Atlanta was just three of twelve, and they 81 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: couldn't get the really, really the run game going at 82 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: all today. Um you know, they finished with I believe 83 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: thirty eight yards. I think DeVante Freeman is averaging just 84 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: forty five yards per game. It's not really on him though, 85 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: Like you know, and you alluded to this. One of 86 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 1: the things I point out in the column is in 87 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 1: one of the things you just said was we all 88 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: thought this offensive line was better, was was going to 89 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:33,919 Speaker 1: be better, was fixed. It's not fixed yet, and there's 90 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: a multitude of reasons why. But Matt's taken a beating 91 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: back there. The run game. The run game just isn't clicking, 92 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: despite the fact that they you know, last week at 93 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: times against you know, in Arizona defense that isn't you know, 94 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 1: isn't really that good. At least they did put up 95 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 1: points and yards and the offense it looked good. I 96 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: love the game that dirt car recall, I think, but 97 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: he was involved. I just wasn't happening today. I think 98 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: the Rams you can kind of see their game plan 99 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 1: early on in this game. From a defensive perspective. They 100 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: were playing a lot of tight man coverage. They were 101 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: really physical with the Falcons receivers and that includes you know, 102 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey on Julio Jones, which was really a fun 103 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: matchup to watch today, but they moved him around. It 104 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: didn't he wasn't just exclusively on Julio, but because they 105 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: were playing that man coverage on the back end, they 106 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,600 Speaker 1: were able to bring pressure, they were blitzing, they were 107 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: sending linebackers, and the Falcons just weren't able to get 108 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: enough separation down the field when they were trying to 109 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 1: take some of their shots, and therefore Matt Ryan just 110 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: kind of had to hold onto the ball looking for somebody. 111 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,040 Speaker 1: And that gave the Rams that extra little bit of 112 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 1: time when they were sending those extra guys to get 113 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan on the ground. And I mean, that's a 114 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: formula for winning in the NFL. I totally agree. Yeah. 115 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:57,679 Speaker 1: You know, the Falcons defense coming into this one, Will 116 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: was ranked thirty first in the league and points allowed 117 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,960 Speaker 1: with thirty one that they gave up thirty seven today, 118 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 1: uh twenty seventh in the league. In UH yards allowed 119 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 1: per game, it was three eighty eight, and I believe 120 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: they gave up three eighty one today, So right on 121 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 1: right on par, but it's not a it's not a 122 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: good par. Do you wanna do you want to talk 123 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: a little bit about Matt's injury and Matt shob and 124 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: how he performed coming in today. Obviously, like you said, 125 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: we don't know anything at this point outside of that 126 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: it was an ankle injury and that he cannot come 127 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: back into the game. But I think that's all we 128 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: can say about it. Um. You know, he has been 129 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: one of the lone bright spots in this team. I'm 130 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 1: the sorry I'm this team right now. And uh, you know, 131 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: I know a lot of fans want that scapegoat, want 132 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 1: to point blame. And you know, after that first game 133 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: and when he had some bad throws and there was 134 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: another game where he had some, you know, he was 135 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 1: kind of He's not the problem on this team. He's 136 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: not the problem. Even though he had an unusual amount 137 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:06,080 Speaker 1: of interceptions in the first few games, they were throwing 138 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: a lot more, they were behind. There was a reason why. 139 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: I mean, he has been playing really well and to 140 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: not have him, will you know, for the foreseeable future 141 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: is big for this team. You know, we talked about 142 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: in the preseason and you know about Matt shob and 143 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: the experience he brings, who, by the way, with that 144 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: touchdown pass today surpassed Michael Vick with one hundred and 145 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: thirty four career touchdowns. Yeah, was literally perfect today, six 146 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: for six for six five yards right in mop up 147 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: duty when the Rams were just kind of playing it 148 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: safe back there. But again they're gonna have to rely 149 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: on him, and you know they're gonna have to shore 150 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: things up up front. And again on the other side. 151 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: Will this is the what is it, fourth game without 152 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: a sack, fifth game without forcing a turnover. Yeah, I 153 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: was hoping they would steal possession or two today. I 154 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: thought they were honestly coming in. I kind of in 155 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 1: my head, I thought this might be the day when 156 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: you get a pick. I mean, Demante CAZy. He tied 157 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 1: for the NFL lead with eight interceptions last season, and 158 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: you know he hasn't been making that kind of impact. 159 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 1: And it's weird when you get a guy like Ricardo 160 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 1: Allen back and you get a season of Dion Jones, 161 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: you know, back healthy, and it's just I thought Dion 162 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,439 Speaker 1: played really well today. He was he was a bright spot, 163 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 1: and I think Ricardo played really But that inability to 164 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 1: get to the quarterback consistently is just allowing the secondary 165 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: they have to cover for that extra second, that extra 166 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: two seconds, and that's just really tough in the NFL 167 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 1: when all of these guys are really good, and if 168 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: you've got a quarterback who can sit back there and 169 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: have that little bit of extra time to find his 170 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: third or fourth option on a play. Usually they're gonna 171 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: make the right decision and they're gonna complete the pass. 172 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: Deangel's eleven tackles nine solo today. Again, no Falcons had 173 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 1: any sacks. Dante Filler led the Rams today with seven, 174 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: but he also had three sacks. He played well for 175 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 1: them today, yes he did. So here we are and 176 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: at one in six. Will don't know, like we said, 177 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: what's going to happen with Matt Ryan. Nope. After the game. 178 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 1: I was up here right in my column, but you 179 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: were in there listening to dan Quinn. Any thoughts on 180 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: what dan Quinn said? And and uh, you know a 181 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: bit of the news today when he talked about the 182 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 1: defensive play calling, you know that was, yes, something that 183 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 1: was decided this week. Yes, I was down there for 184 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: dan Quinn's press conference and he did relay that bit 185 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 1: of information. It started at the Arizona game with him 186 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 1: just distributing some of those play calling duties to his 187 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: assistant coaches. And I mean that makes that makes sense. First, 188 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: even though he is defensive coordinator first and foremost, his 189 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: responsibilities is as a head coach for this team. And 190 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 1: when you've got problems cropping up at different parts of 191 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: the team, right, the head coach has to figure out 192 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 1: a way to get that fixed. And so I think 193 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: the way he explained it was that he was kind 194 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: of giving some of those responsibilities, taking those off of 195 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: his plate, so that he could better spend his time 196 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: where it was really needed to get some of those 197 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:35,439 Speaker 1: areas tightened up. And you know, we didn't see that today, 198 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 1: but I mean it seems like he is really every 199 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: week trying to get some answers, and every week it 200 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,199 Speaker 1: just seems like new problems kind of keep cropping up. Yeah, 201 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: the Rams out scored him twenty four to seven in 202 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: the second half. It was a tight game early on, 203 00:11:54,280 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: but it looked like the defense you know, was in possession, 204 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: in position to make plays in that first half, but 205 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 1: just not yea, they were second half, they were getting stops. 206 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 1: You know, the Rams were driving the ball a little 207 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 1: bit in the first half, but the Falcons did a 208 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: good job of tightening down once they needed to. Once 209 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: this field got a little bit shorter, the Falcons, you know, 210 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: we're making some plays, and I think the secondary, which 211 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: has given up its fair share of big plays this season, 212 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 1: for the most part, limited the Rams, you know down 213 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: the field. They were playing pretty well for the most part, 214 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: but you know, it was just all three phases have 215 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 1: to work together usually to get a win in the NFL. 216 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 1: And even if your defense is forcing field goals, if 217 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 1: your offense isn't then capitalizing on their opportunities and putting 218 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: points on the board, it's you can win a game 219 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: kicking field goals. And eventually the Rams did get it 220 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,839 Speaker 1: figured out and started scoring some touchdowns. So, I mean, 221 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: I don't fault the defense so much for this game. 222 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: To me, this is a little bit more. I was 223 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 1: surprised the offense, Like you said, they've been playing well. 224 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: I was surprised they had this performance today. So Matt 225 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: Ryan today sixteen to twenty seven, one hundred and fifty 226 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: nine yards, uh, no touchdowns, one interception, sixty point six 227 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 1: quarterback writing, he hasn't had a game like this in 228 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 1: a while. He hasn't and it was it was weird. 229 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: It was it was frustrating, is kind of I think 230 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: for all of the players, it was frustrating, and I'm 231 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: sure for a lot of the people watching it was. 232 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 1: It was frustrating. Um. Some of that frustration came out 233 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 1: with DeVante Freeman today he got into a pushing match 234 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 1: and uh, he was ejected. He was And what is 235 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: the rule on that now? Is is he going to 236 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: Uh this isn't like college where you have to sit 237 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: out a game, but uh no, yeah, yeah, he may 238 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: be fined or something, but we don't know that. But 239 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 1: it was, again, frustrations just kind of just boiled, boiled up, 240 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 1: and there were a lot of players out on the 241 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: field pushing in and there were and you got the 242 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: sense that maybe it was just a lot of pent 243 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: up frustrations too. Yes, understandably, but yeah, I mean there's 244 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 1: got to be a little bit more composcher I think 245 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 1: in that space. But I mean the team had each 246 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: other's backs. They all went out there once they saw 247 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 1: what was going on. And I mean, but yes, it 248 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: that frustration I think did boil over in that moment. So, 249 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: as I point out my column, you know, it's not 250 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: just the offense, it's just not the defense, and it's 251 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: the special teams too. Matt Bryant has uncharacteristically missed a 252 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: couple of kicks the last two games. You missed that 253 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: game time, potentially game tying pat out in Arizona than today. 254 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: It wasn't an easy kick by any means. He missed 255 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 1: a field goal attempt today, but again it was just 256 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: one of those it was. It was just somewhat demoralizing though, 257 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: it just because you could see it in the body language, 258 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 1: not only in Matt, but the sideline too, because it 259 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: gave It would have been one of those opportunities to 260 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: kind of cut into things and kind of build on something. 261 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: Um just didn't happen. And they were also will burned 262 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: on a fake punt. They were um and and then 263 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: there was at the end of the game there was 264 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: a miscue and I saw I saw people some people 265 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: on Twitter who who were kind of criticizing special teams 266 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: coach ban Kut Weeka for that, and I think that's misplaced. 267 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: This week, leading up to the game, he told the 268 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: media about what Johnny Hecker can do the Rams punter 269 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 1: as a passer and that they do run a lot 270 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: of fake punts and if if he's telling us they 271 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: would be prepared for it. Yeah, if he's telling the 272 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: media that leading up to the week, don't you think 273 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: he's also coaching his players up. It just executed and 274 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: pulled it off. But to kind of symbolize the way 275 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: that the defense played today was they they rebounded from that, 276 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: they gave up that fourth down on that fake punt, 277 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: and then they still held them to a fuel goal 278 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 1: on that drive. So that was a little bit of 279 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: a positive because you know, again it in the first 280 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 1: half to go down seventeen three and thirteen three, there's 281 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: a big difference, and the defense was fighting, they were 282 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 1: they was I really actually was kind of impressed with 283 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 1: the spirit that I saw from them out there. Well, 284 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 1: you know, I got hammered from Falcons fans last week, 285 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: but that's exactly what I wrote about last week, was 286 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 1: that at least the Falcons are show and fight even 287 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 1: in these tough games. These whether it's been a lopsided 288 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: loss or a close loss, they haven't given up. And 289 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: you know that to listen to Matt Ryan last week 290 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: after that game talk, it was it was I listened 291 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: to that press or I don't know a handful of times, 292 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 1: and you know, they were just determined to come away, 293 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: you know, into this game and into this two game 294 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: homestand you know, ready to turn things around, determined to 295 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: turn things around, and they just they don't quit. Um, 296 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: it's just not coming together. Yes, at the end of 297 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: the day, all three phases for as much as you know, 298 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: for as much as there's still that resiliency and fight 299 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 1: and all of that, and that's that's great, But there's 300 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: the results oriented business. You know, in the NFL, it 301 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 1: comes down to wins and losses, and the record is 302 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: what the record is right now, and so that's that 303 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 1: they've got to get something that figured out. And speaking 304 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 1: of records, I mean, I I you know, I brought 305 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: it up myself in my column. I said, look, you know, 306 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 1: I hate to make predictions, but back in August, I 307 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: think it was before August. You know, fans ask me 308 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 1: what do you think to be what do you think 309 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: about you know, this team, what do you think about 310 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: this season and this schedule? And I said, look, I 311 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: think this team with everyone healthy, they went seven or 312 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 1: nine last year. I think having everybody back, that's good 313 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: for at least three wins, to have everybody back on 314 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:49,639 Speaker 1: the field and to make the changes they've made. We 315 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:52,399 Speaker 1: didn't know exactly what dan Quinn's defense would look like 316 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: back in August, but we certainly expected it to be 317 00:17:54,880 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 1: a little bit more aggressive, maybe creative, and maybe you know, 318 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 1: with the with Tyler Davidson, and Allen Ballely and Adrian 319 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: Clayborne back, and then the additions of John Komitzky and 320 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: having Keano and Ricardo back healthy another year under Isaiah 321 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:14,919 Speaker 1: Oliver's belt, and then having Kaz back there. We just 322 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: all thought that, you know what, there, he's gonna he's 323 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: gonna put these guys in a position to you know, 324 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: to succeed, you know, take advantage of their skill sets 325 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 1: um and it hasn't translated on on that end, and 326 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: you know, it's just, yeah, if it sounds like we're 327 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: at a loss for words, it's kind of because we're 328 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: at a loss for words, don't see. You know, they've 329 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 1: already had the sixth loss. I thought there was gonna 330 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:42,719 Speaker 1: be tenants, yes, and I thought they might even contend 331 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 1: be one of those. I didn't want to say it, 332 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 1: but I thought privately will that they might be one 333 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: of the top three or four teams in the conference, 334 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:55,400 Speaker 1: right because because they they were that for for two 335 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: years there. I mean this and this team is still 336 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 1: that team. I mean, That's what's kind of so head scratching, 337 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 1: is I think I think now we kind of have 338 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: to say you are right in the sea, and yeah, 339 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 1: that's exactly right, And it's they've got talented players, but 340 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:12,159 Speaker 1: they're just not there. But they're not playing up to 341 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: that talent level that we have seen in the past, 342 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: but we're not seeing that this year. So is it, 343 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:21,360 Speaker 1: you know, still fair to say that this is a 344 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: talented team. I mean, I yes, it's they've got a 345 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 1: They've got a plethora of talent on this team. You 346 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: look at the receiving corps, you look at yeah, there 347 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 1: there there are. There are two Pro bowlers on the 348 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 1: offensive lines. Grady Jared I think is still a very 349 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:41,399 Speaker 1: good player. I think Dion Jones played very well today. 350 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: There is talent, and but it's it's just really difficult 351 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: to then see that out on the field. Yeah, for Falcons, fans, 352 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: for this coaching staff, for these players in the locker room, um, 353 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 1: and even around the league. You know, they it's when 354 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: you read about the Falcons, the one word that you 355 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 1: offer and see associate with him, it's it's surprising. Yes, 356 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 1: in it's surprising because everyone expected much more of this 357 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 1: team in and outside of the building. And ye, can 358 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: they turn it around? Well, it's up to them to 359 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 1: answer it. It is And after the after the game, 360 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 1: Tach McKinley kind of point and said, pointing the fingers 361 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: at himself and at you know, his teammates, and kind 362 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 1: of came to the coaching staff's defense a little bit 363 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:26,679 Speaker 1: and said, you know, at the end of the day, 364 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: it's on them that the coaches are putting them in 365 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: a position to that. It's it's not like they're not prepared, 366 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 1: is what he said. And they just need to go 367 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 1: out and next you and I think you've got the 368 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: quote here in front of you. Yeah, at the end 369 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: of the day, it's on us. We have enough talent 370 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,199 Speaker 1: in this room to win games, he said more. But 371 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: that's that's the gist, and that's all you gotta know. Um, 372 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,160 Speaker 1: I do want to briefly point out two players who 373 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: we talked about special teams also, you know, being a 374 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 1: problem a little bit today. But I think Kenyon Barner 375 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 1: played pretty well and I think Jayden Graham played pretty 376 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,679 Speaker 1: I mean, honestly, one of the loudest cheers in the 377 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 1: stadium today came when Jane Graham flew down on a 378 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:08,439 Speaker 1: punt and tackle and you thought that he had forced 379 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: a fumble. That's how loud it gotten the stadium. And 380 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 1: then well the Falcon sideline did too exactly. I hadn't 381 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 1: seen that a much that much emotion. Yeah, and so 382 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: at that moment you thought, Okay, maybe this sparks something. 383 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: Maybe the way that the defense had been playing and 384 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: things like and and it just couldn't come together. And 385 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:28,200 Speaker 1: I do think the Rams deserve credit for their role 386 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:30,399 Speaker 1: in all of this. It wasn't just you know, a 387 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 1: complete meltdown on on the Falcons part. The Rams did 388 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: have an impact, and they had an impact because of 389 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 1: their ability to consistently pressure Matt Ryan and play pretty 390 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 1: tight coverage on the receivers. What happened at the end 391 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: of the game, was it Russell Gage. Yes, so it 392 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 1: was a punt that had kind of like landed around 393 00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 1: the ten yard liners and he ran up to pick 394 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:53,640 Speaker 1: up the ball and try to do something with it, 395 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 1: and it just kind of slipped out of his hand 396 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,360 Speaker 1: and they jumped on it in the end zone. So 397 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,680 Speaker 1: that made the score, you know, it was the final 398 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:06,680 Speaker 1: even more lopsided. But yeah, yeah, no, I thought Jane Graham, 399 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:09,159 Speaker 1: I mean, the more we see of him in the preseason, 400 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 1: he kind of flashed at times, and then in training 401 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:16,120 Speaker 1: camp he flashed. He's taking advantage of the the opportunities now 402 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 1: and special teams. I thought today, even albeit limited, Brian 403 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: Hill showed that that gear he has. I mean again, 404 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,480 Speaker 1: he didn't really make much of an impact statistically, but 405 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,239 Speaker 1: on the few opportunities he did have. You know, we 406 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 1: saw that that different player, right, he's a little quicker. 407 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:39,880 Speaker 1: Another time he stopped for a loss, but that's not 408 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:41,919 Speaker 1: his fault. There was just nowhere to go and he 409 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,119 Speaker 1: was just swarmed on. And that's important to see because 410 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: the other notable injury in this game, Edo Smith left 411 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: and was officially ruled that was a head and neck injury. 412 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 1: We don't know the extent of that either. I mean, man, 413 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:56,879 Speaker 1: you want to talk about one of the Like I 414 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: told you this, you were sitting next to me. My 415 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: heart dropped when I when I saw him laying out 416 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 1: on the field. I mean I I was kind of 417 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:07,919 Speaker 1: shaken for ten minutes after that happened. It was really 418 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 1: hard to see it. And I mean you and I 419 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: we get to know these players, not just his jersey 420 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: numbers and names on the back of a jersey, but 421 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: his people. And you know, Edo Is is a really 422 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: good guy, and I mean that becomes so tough when 423 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: you do kind of see something like that, and right 424 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: in the middle of the game. It did kind of 425 00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:28,360 Speaker 1: take the energy a little bit out of the stadium, 426 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: out of the crowd. But I mean he's doing his job. 427 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: He's picking up a blitzer and hit him square up, 428 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 1: but almost two square. Both players kind of hit met, 429 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:42,640 Speaker 1: hit helmet to helmet, and again it's you know, when 430 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: when most of the impact is going up top, Yeah, 431 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:50,120 Speaker 1: it's not. Sometimes things don't happen, and he just went, 432 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 1: he dropped, and so it was good though to see 433 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: him moving around and get on the car in the 434 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:59,119 Speaker 1: some of the falcons. His teammates came out out of 435 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: the field and yep, um, you know, hopefully he makes 436 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 1: a speedy, speedy recovery. But yeah, that was You never 437 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:07,680 Speaker 1: like to see those hits and guys just down for 438 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 1: a while. But so we'll cover it. We'll cover that 439 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 1: all throughout the week, as well as you know the 440 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:14,719 Speaker 1: status of Matt Ryan. So those are the two big injuries, 441 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: and then of course has been True Hunt who who 442 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: wasn't out there. What do you think of Kennell Sheffield 443 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:22,199 Speaker 1: in his second start? I thought was mixed. Yeah, you know, 444 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:24,720 Speaker 1: I thought there was there was a bad miss. I 445 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,760 Speaker 1: thought I saw him come up on run support and 446 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:30,520 Speaker 1: he was going for the knockout instead of just getting 447 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 1: a hold of the guy and wrapping up. Yeah. I think, 448 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: you know, I think that's just something that you just 449 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: kind of maybe at Ohio State that worked, uh not here. Um, 450 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 1: so I think, you know, but I think there's enough 451 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,400 Speaker 1: positives though, where you can get excited about this guy 452 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 1: in his future. Yeah, just like we did last year. 453 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: You know, Isaiah Alivor had some some nice plays and 454 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 1: then he got you know, had some rough plays his 455 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 1: rookie season, and so you kind of have that same 456 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 1: feeling like, hey, you know, and he played well in 457 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,399 Speaker 1: run support to that, Yes, Um, it's just other areas 458 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 1: where he needs to get better. That is, that is 459 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 1: the strength of Isaiah olivers Is and you get it. 460 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:11,399 Speaker 1: You get why having a big physical corner like that's 461 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 1: that is. The upside to that is that you then 462 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 1: also have somebody who can defend the runs. So when 463 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,679 Speaker 1: your defense is stretching guys, you know, kind of towards 464 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:24,399 Speaker 1: the sideline or funneling somebody out to the boundary, you know, 465 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 1: or if they need somebody to set the edge and 466 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:29,719 Speaker 1: funnel something inside. Isaiah Oliver can kind of handle that 467 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:31,679 Speaker 1: role for you a little bit. And you know, it 468 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: is kind of the opposite with Kendall, who's smaller but 469 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 1: much faster and speed is one of the true like 470 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,119 Speaker 1: difference makers in the NFL, and he's got plenty of 471 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: speed to burn. And you know, when you play a 472 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: fast guy like Brandon Cooks or what and you've got 473 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:48,440 Speaker 1: somebody who you can match up with that that's a 474 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:50,679 Speaker 1: difficult assignment for a lot of people. But I do 475 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 1: think Kenell Sheffield had had good moments out there. You know, 476 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:56,080 Speaker 1: Austin Hooper is having a great year this year, but 477 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:59,360 Speaker 1: he didn't really get involved. It feels like to late 478 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:02,119 Speaker 1: in the game. Just feels like it just feels like 479 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 1: this season he's put up numbers, but it always feels 480 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,840 Speaker 1: like it will it's in the in the second half 481 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:10,880 Speaker 1: or something like that. I would love to see Hooper 482 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: more involved early on. Um. Just I'm just speaking as 483 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: a fan here and just as and you know, just 484 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: general observations of the team. Yeah, you know, I'm just 485 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 1: trying to think of some of the bright spots, and 486 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 1: he's been a bright spot. Yes, he's He's on pace 487 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 1: to shatter every previous career you know best that he's 488 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 1: had in his first three seasons. This is year four 489 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:37,679 Speaker 1: for him and and we kind of thought about this 490 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:39,880 Speaker 1: a little bit coming in when they hired Dirt Cutter, 491 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: who's always had success using tight ends in his scheme. 492 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: And so it's great to see what what Austin Hooper 493 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:47,880 Speaker 1: has been able to do out there. You would just 494 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:51,199 Speaker 1: love to see him doing this as a part of 495 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,160 Speaker 1: a team that has, you know, that offensive identity leading 496 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,600 Speaker 1: them and winning games and being a lot of fun 497 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:01,200 Speaker 1: to watch. And that would is the only other thing 498 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: that would make this, you know, even more enjoyable. But 499 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 1: but Hooper has been excellent season, you know coming into 500 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:11,040 Speaker 1: this one will the big names? Two big names, three 501 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 1: big names? Sorry? Uh from the Rams who you know, 502 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:18,440 Speaker 1: Jailer Ramsey? Was he gonna play? He played? Was Todd 503 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: Gurley gonna play? He didn't have a lot of yards 504 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:23,240 Speaker 1: on the ground, but boy did he have an unbelievable 505 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:26,200 Speaker 1: catch in the end zone. Georgia fans and yeah, I 506 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:28,720 Speaker 1: saw a lot of number thirty jerseys in the stadium 507 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:32,120 Speaker 1: outside the stadium today. Uh. Girley is still beloved by 508 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: the the Georgia fans here um. And then the other 509 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 1: big name was Aaron Donald. He didn't have a lot 510 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 1: of gaudy stats, but man, his impact you can just 511 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: feel it. You saw it on the on the sacks. 512 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:50,399 Speaker 1: I think you saw his impact on in Dante Fowler 513 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 1: stat line for sure, who had three sacks. But just 514 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:56,720 Speaker 1: you know, Aaron Donald, he is just so good. He's 515 00:27:56,720 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 1: a handful man. And but to go to go back 516 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:01,439 Speaker 1: to Jalen Ramsey first, can sure you know you, I 517 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: know you and I both pointed this out on Twitter. 518 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:06,720 Speaker 1: We saw a little trash talking with early on with 519 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:09,680 Speaker 1: Jalen and Julio, and that of course is not Julio's 520 00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 1: game at all. Julio's you can sit there and jawed 521 00:28:12,840 --> 00:28:15,399 Speaker 1: him all day long and he'll kind of pop right 522 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 1: back up, toss the ball to the ref, you know, 523 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,920 Speaker 1: and jog back to the huddle. So it was interesting 524 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: to see kind of the dichotomy of those two players 525 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 1: and their styles. And they both had some plays. You know, 526 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 1: Jalen had had pretty tight coverage with Julio from most 527 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:32,360 Speaker 1: of the afternoon and and then of course Julio did 528 00:28:32,359 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 1: get by him for that big thirty nine yard game. 529 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:36,040 Speaker 1: And they went right back to that play a couple 530 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:39,400 Speaker 1: plays later that was just out of out of reach 531 00:28:39,440 --> 00:28:43,239 Speaker 1: and was almost a touchdown. Um, but it was it 532 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:44,800 Speaker 1: was fun. I think it lived up to the building 533 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 1: between two of the very best in the game. Yeah, Julio, 534 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 1: you know, he had ninety three yards on six catches, 535 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 1: but he was a PLI at ninety three yards, say 536 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 1: is it yeah? Because he didn't score. Yeah, and he 537 00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:00,240 Speaker 1: didn't give a handle of the one down inside I 538 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 1: believe is inside the five or ten. He may have 539 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:05,959 Speaker 1: like scooted into the end zone. If he did his 540 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:07,880 Speaker 1: momentum I have carried him in there. But I know 541 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: Ramsey was trailing on that play. But to your point, 542 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: that is Ramsey's game that he loves to talk, he 543 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 1: loves to get inside guys' heads. And the fact that 544 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 1: he got Julio John that plays right and that's that 545 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 1: that plays right into his game. And uh, you know 546 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 1: that's one he's he's an extremely confident young player. And 547 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: the Rams traded for him and and and see him. 548 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 1: You know, a long term future with this guy, and 549 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:38,080 Speaker 1: I get it. Yeah he's good. Yeah, he's good. And 550 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 1: he he's the one who you know, I think we did. 551 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 1: We mentioned it. He came up and run support and 552 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: got a helmet right on the ball and forced uh 553 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 1: fan I have Freeman was the one who recovered that, 554 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:52,480 Speaker 1: which is mind blowing. I have no idea. I mean 555 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 1: in a positive way. Because the Rams, it seemed like 556 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 1: five of their players just kind of like ran right 557 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 1: past the football. Yeah, and and DeVante somehow had the 558 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:05,920 Speaker 1: wherewithal to not only get up off the ground, but 559 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:09,360 Speaker 1: then run ten yards and jump on the football. It was. 560 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:11,240 Speaker 1: It was a really heads up play by Davanta. There 561 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 1: are a few things that just frustrate me watching football, 562 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,080 Speaker 1: and this goes back to peewee football. Scooping score, Matt 563 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:22,400 Speaker 1: scoop and score, no scooping, fall on the ball, scoop 564 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:27,440 Speaker 1: and score. Everybody wants to be on Sports Center. It's 565 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: just to fall on the ball, you know. Yeah, you know. 566 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: It's just the only thing I can't stomach more than 567 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 1: that is is dancing pregames, hype dances, dance offs. That 568 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:41,840 Speaker 1: that was one of the dumb I'm liking. I'm liking 569 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 1: this old curmudgeon brand that you're developing. I'm a traditionalist, 570 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: you know, and those things work for a reason. You know, 571 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: the Jigaman have a trendy guy at all, especially when 572 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:55,720 Speaker 1: it comes to certain fullbacks and uh and non hype dances. 573 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 1: That's that's your what you love, right? Actually, I just 574 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,240 Speaker 1: love great to give the good waiting tea and great 575 00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 1: defense and a strong run game. We did play the 576 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:06,880 Speaker 1: Delaware wing team and one and before I transferred to 577 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:10,000 Speaker 1: high school in New Jersey. But we digress, and it's 578 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 1: it's a sign we need to kind of wrap this 579 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 1: it is. Is there anything else you want to any 580 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:18,640 Speaker 1: final thoughts? Uh? Final thought is Matt Matt Ryan get 581 00:31:18,680 --> 00:31:23,719 Speaker 1: well soon? Yes? Um, let's hope this team has learned 582 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:28,080 Speaker 1: from its first seven games. Um, they have found different 583 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 1: ways each game to just kind of Yeah, it's just 584 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:36,360 Speaker 1: it's been a hard lesson. It feels like, um outside 585 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:38,800 Speaker 1: of Philadelphia and that was almost a hard lesson too. 586 00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: They Yeah, they've yet to play a complete game. They've 587 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:48,000 Speaker 1: had moments where they've played really well in in many 588 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:52,360 Speaker 1: aspects of the game, but they've never fully this season 589 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:55,960 Speaker 1: played a complete game. And that's you know what we've 590 00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:58,760 Speaker 1: got to see moving forward. Just I'd like to just 591 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,920 Speaker 1: see even if it means simplifying it, even if it means, 592 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:04,520 Speaker 1: you know, just kind of going back to fundamentals and 593 00:32:04,600 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 1: making sure that you're doing you know, four things the 594 00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:09,960 Speaker 1: highest possible level instead of trying to do ten things. 595 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:12,640 Speaker 1: I just really would like to see that as we 596 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 1: head into the bye week and this bye week, you know, 597 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:18,720 Speaker 1: probably they would probably yeah, they would probably love to 598 00:32:18,760 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 1: have had the bye week a little bit earlier in 599 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:22,920 Speaker 1: the season to try to get some of the things. 600 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,520 Speaker 1: But but they are probably looking at that bye week 601 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 1: as a as a good chance to figure some stuff out. Yeah, 602 00:32:28,920 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 1: generally like it later, but I think right in a 603 00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:34,480 Speaker 1: year like this, when you know, again, you know, you 604 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:38,960 Speaker 1: hate to go back to the coaching changes and that 605 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 1: kind of thing, but you know, whenever teams do switch coordinators, 606 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:44,400 Speaker 1: you know there is an adjustment period. I know there's 607 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 1: familiarity with Malarkey and familiarity with Dirk and and all that, 608 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:52,120 Speaker 1: but you know, and even with dan Quinn taking over 609 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:59,240 Speaker 1: the defense and that all said, here we go into Seattle, 610 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:04,680 Speaker 1: Seattle's coming here into the Seattle game, into Seattle week, 611 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:09,959 Speaker 1: and um and they've just got to find an answer. 612 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:12,160 Speaker 1: And oh, I know what I was gonna say, You 613 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:16,000 Speaker 1: just can't point at the defense anymore. It's it's it's 614 00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: all three phases today and so um got to go 615 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:23,000 Speaker 1: back to work. They've got to go back to work. 616 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:25,920 Speaker 1: This I didn't see this common. You didn't see this 617 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:31,479 Speaker 1: common Falcons fans. UM didn't see this comming either, at 618 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:33,640 Speaker 1: least the ones that are really being honest with themselves. 619 00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:38,480 Speaker 1: And um, the good news there. You know, I always 620 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:42,640 Speaker 1: want to point out something positive. We've we talked about 621 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:47,120 Speaker 1: some positive play by some of the younger players, and um, 622 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:52,120 Speaker 1: there were spurts. But and I'm gonna get clawberd for this, 623 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:57,800 Speaker 1: but I can't wait. There's nine games left. Oh oh man, 624 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:01,440 Speaker 1: and they've just like you said, they've got to get 625 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:03,440 Speaker 1: back to fund emails. But man, you can't build a 626 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 1: house without stacking the first brick. You've got to stacks 627 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:09,800 Speaker 1: some bricks. You've got to stack some wins have to 628 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 1: and it's got to start next week. They're the margin 629 00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:15,920 Speaker 1: for error is gone. Yeah, we've said that since we 630 00:34:16,080 --> 00:34:18,759 Speaker 1: read can you believe it's but September fifteenth was the 631 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:22,600 Speaker 1: Eagles game. This season feels September fifteen. It's more than 632 00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:25,479 Speaker 1: a month. This season feels weirdly fast and weirdly slow 633 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:28,120 Speaker 1: at the exact same time. I mean, I don't think 634 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:29,879 Speaker 1: any of us would have said we would we would 635 00:34:29,880 --> 00:34:32,240 Speaker 1: go more than a month during the NFL season without 636 00:34:32,239 --> 00:34:35,840 Speaker 1: a win or a sack or a turnover. Yeah, and 637 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:39,560 Speaker 1: that's that's where, that's where head scratcher. Yep. Well, let's 638 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:42,000 Speaker 1: hope those guys get get better. Let's hope this thing 639 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:48,520 Speaker 1: comes together. And that's a rap from Mercedes Bands staying awesome. 640 00:34:48,520 --> 00:35:09,320 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening, everybody down, Black Back Back B