1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:02,040 Speaker 1: Mild two to. 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 2: Slip thirty birds. What's up and welcome back to Final Whistle. 3 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 2: We have a very exciting Falcons win to talk about. 4 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:25,280 Speaker 2: The Falcons beat the Commanders thirty four to twenty seven 5 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 2: in their return back to Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday. 6 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 2: They will head into the bye week at two and two. 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 2: A crucial rebound performance for the Falcons today, Toy, Yes. 8 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 3: It was everything that this offense particularly needed it to be. 9 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 3: They needed a response from being shut out against the 10 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 3: Carolina Panthers last weekend, and I think they did everything 11 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 3: offensively that I was one hoping that they would have 12 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 3: been doing for all four games this season. But I 13 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 3: will take this performance as a step in the right direction, 14 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 3: especially considering what happened last week in Carolina and the 15 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 3: fact that someone like Michael Pennix was able to bounce 16 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 3: back the way he was, I think is a testament 17 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 3: to what the Falcons have in him specifically. 18 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: Absolutely so. For those of you who may be joining 19 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 2: us for our first Final Whistle up the season, a 20 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 2: quick refresher. We're going to do four quarters, four topics 21 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: for you, six minutes each. Tory and I are going 22 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 2: to go back and forth, discuss the game, be in 23 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 2: and out and get you on your way on this 24 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 2: victory Monday. 25 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: So Tory up top. 26 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 2: We're going to start a little bit with the offensive performance, 27 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,119 Speaker 2: as you said, was the bounce fact that they needed. 28 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 2: What was the most impressive part of their performance. 29 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 3: I mean, I feel like the low hanging fruit Isjon Robinson. 30 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 3: Robinson was he's always he's but he's always a point, 31 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 3: an exclamation point in their offensive operation everything. I think 32 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 3: what you wrote in our little document that we're working 33 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 3: off of here is that he remains the engine for 34 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 3: this offense and that couldn't have been more true than 35 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 3: it was today. And you know, he's putting up these 36 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 3: numbers every single week. That shows you why he's one 37 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 3: so important to this offensive operation, but also too how 38 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 3: special of an athlete he truly is. I mean he 39 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 3: had over one hundred receiving yards today to go along 40 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 3: with over seventy five rushing yards. I mean that his performance. 41 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:29,080 Speaker 3: I don't know if this offense is the same without 42 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 3: Bajon Robinson in it. And he is just a very 43 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:34,959 Speaker 3: special player. I mean, heck, he had a first down 44 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 3: run today that I swear it was a twelve yard run, 45 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 3: but I swear he picked up half of those yards 46 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 3: running backwards. He's just such a fun player to watch operate, 47 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 3: and I think that he is. I mean Michael Pennock 48 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 3: Junior set it himself after the game, where you know, 49 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 3: someone asked the question of like, what does your confidence 50 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 3: level feel like when you get to hand the ball 51 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,799 Speaker 3: off to Beajon? Not like when you hand but when 52 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 3: you get to hand the ball off to Beajon. He's like, 53 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 3: I mean, every time I get to do that, I 54 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 3: feel like we're in a pretty good spot. And it's true. 55 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 3: When Bajeon Robinson gets his hands on the ball, good 56 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:09,079 Speaker 3: stuff happens. 57 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 58 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 2: I mean, he had one hundred and eighty one total 59 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: yards from scrimmage today, seventy five on the ground, one 60 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: hundred and six through the air. I kind of feel 61 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 2: like his best friend in the world right now is 62 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 2: that right sideline at Mercedes Benz where he's just kind 63 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,959 Speaker 2: of running Scott free on the swing pass. The only 64 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: thing that I would change would be to half Caleb 65 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: McGary right in front of him, running leading the way, 66 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 2: because man, that would be just so much fun to 67 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: watch this season, specifically with Bajen right behind him. But 68 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: there was a note from next Gen Stats that I 69 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 2: feel like is very emblematic of just kind of the 70 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 2: way that he played today. He reached twenty one point 71 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: eight five miles per hour on that sixty nine yard reception, 72 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 2: sixty seven yards of which came after the catch, and 73 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 2: that was the fastest of his career. I mean, I 74 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:57,119 Speaker 2: know that explosive plays were a big kind of focus 75 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 2: for this offense coming in. Do you think through four 76 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 2: games that that goal has kind of been sorry to 77 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 2: say a chief because it's only four games in, but 78 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: he feels like a little bit more of an explosive 79 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 2: player this year. 80 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 3: I mean you think about Week one, he had that 81 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 3: fifty yard run. Today he has a sixty nine yard run. Well, 82 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 3: I catch an run, I should say. But I think 83 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 3: that that those are. 84 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 2: Always hard, though, because it's kind of like he basically 85 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: did all the work. That's like the easiest throw Michael 86 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: Pennox is going to have all games. 87 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 3: The thing is, I think, I know the sixty nine 88 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 3: yarder is what everybody's talking about, but I actually think 89 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 3: his touchdown run up the middle where he breaks like 90 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 3: four or five tackles, he pinballs and spins his way 91 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 3: into the end zone. I thought that was even more 92 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 3: impressive and more indicative of Jon Robinson and who he 93 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 3: is as an athlete. So I just loved watching him today, 94 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 3: and I'm so glad that we get to talk about 95 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,159 Speaker 3: his performance in the context of a win. 96 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,480 Speaker 2: Yes, absolutely, and it is truly just such a joy 97 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 2: to watch a special player like this. But it was 98 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: also a joy to watch Michael Pennox out there today 99 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 2: after a really, really poor performance, I think in Carolina 100 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: he bounced back in a big way. 101 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: So what did we learn about Michael Pennock Junior today? 102 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 3: I think that we learned that he can and always 103 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 3: has been able to handle adversity even throughout his college career. 104 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 3: Even you know, coming in with the last three games 105 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 3: of twenty twenty four and performing the way he did 106 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 3: last year. You know this, the first three games of 107 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 3: the season has not been what we have known Michael 108 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 3: Pennocks to be. You know, the Falcons were not pushing 109 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 3: the ball super downfield. It was a bit more conservative 110 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 3: and kind of these shorter routes or not shorter routes, 111 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 3: but shorter completions that he was you know, throwing for 112 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 3: the first three games. This Sunday was the first Sunday 113 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 3: that we saw him air the ball out. He looked 114 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 3: like the confident version of himself, and even to the 115 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 3: point where the Falcons had a I think Michael Pennocks 116 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 3: Junior off the top of my head. I hope I'm 117 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 3: correct in this in saying this, but he had eight 118 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 3: passes of fifteen or more air yards today. How much 119 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 3: have we been talking about over the course of the 120 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:00,279 Speaker 3: last three games, the fact that that hasn't manifested, those 121 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 3: downfield throws have not manifested, And it happened today. Not 122 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 3: only did it happen today, but he was completing those passes. 123 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,640 Speaker 3: And I felt like today felt like the Michael Pennix 124 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 3: of what we expected him to be at this point 125 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 3: in his career. And maybe even a little bit farther 126 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 3: there's the three hundred passing yards and Michael getting Kyle 127 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 3: Pitts involved, getting Drake London involved. I just thought what 128 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 3: he was able to do was very impressive. And the 129 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 3: fact that Drake London and Jean Robinson are the first 130 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 3: wide receiver running back duos since nineteen eighty one to 131 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 3: go for over one hundred receiving yards. That was a 132 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 3: fascinating stat to me, and it all comes from Michael 133 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 3: Pinnox and his confidence and comfortability in the pocket today, 134 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 3: which I thought you could feel more than you didn't. 135 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's crazy forty four years ago, I guess. 136 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 2: So, yeah, congrats to those guys, But no, I thought 137 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: Michael Pennox was really good at just kind of, like 138 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: you said, attacking downfield but doing it wisely. Know, he's 139 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 2: one of nineteen on those air yards of fifteen or 140 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 2: more coming into this game, and today was five of eight. 141 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 2: And I thought the Falcons, they were six to twelve 142 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 2: on third down, did a really good job of kind 143 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 2: of converting in those situations when they needed to and 144 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 2: really kind of keep stringing those drives along. I thought, 145 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 2: like one of my favorite plays for Michael Pennix was 146 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 2: when he was rolling out to his left and he 147 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 2: kind of wanted to throw the ball down field, but 148 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 2: it was very clear like you could pick up the 149 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,119 Speaker 2: first down with your legs and they're like the crowd 150 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: was kind of like run, run, run, and he was 151 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 2: like still looking downfield because he just he's a big 152 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 2: game hunter toy. He wants to take those deep shots 153 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 2: and that's what I love about him. Oh, there's our 154 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 2: first whistle. We're going to move right along to the 155 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 2: second quarter, and Tory, I want to talk a little 156 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 2: bit about the contrast that this game presented with the 157 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 2: home opener here in Mercedes ben Stdium. It looked kind 158 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 2: of similar in some ways, but with key differences. In 159 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: the first game, I kind of felt like the Falcons 160 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 2: were the better team and they made some of the 161 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: mistakes that ultimately end up costing you wins. Today, it 162 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: kind of felt like they were the better team and 163 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 2: they didn't make those mistakes and they were forcing Washington 164 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 2: into some of those mistakes. 165 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: Did it feel like that to you? 166 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 3: It definitely did. And I also think that the fact 167 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 3: that the Falcons were able to run the ball as 168 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 3: well as they did with Tyler Alger and Bejon Robinson 169 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 3: and I'm trying to think of what their yards per care. Yeah, 170 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: but Jon Robinson had a four point four yards per 171 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 3: carry average, Tyler Gier was three point two, and a 172 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 3: lot of Tyler's yards towards the end of the game 173 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 3: came in that fourth quarter when they're bleeding the clock. 174 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 2: Which is of important three point two and important dyes. 175 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 2: And it also like that probably doesn't do him just 176 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 2: as because those were yards earned in a moment where 177 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 2: everybody knew you were going to run the ball. 178 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I was just really to your point about 179 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 3: the the key difference. To me, it had to be 180 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 3: the running game, because the Falcons could not run the 181 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 3: ball well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And I don't 182 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 3: think that Washington's defense is anything to like overlook by 183 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 3: any means. And I think what I was really excited 184 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 3: about was how balanced as well the offense felt and 185 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 3: when you and that was not something that we felt 186 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 3: in Week one that there was this balance because they 187 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 3: couldn't run the ball. They were averaging collectively I think 188 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 3: like a little over two yards per carry, and they 189 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,199 Speaker 3: weren't picking up first downs on the run. They weren't 190 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 3: having good first down runs at all, I feel like, 191 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 3: And so going into this game and it felt more 192 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 3: indicative of exactly what this offense wants to be like 193 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 3: when you look at this stat line and you have 194 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 3: Kyle Pitts, Jean Robinson and Tyler Algier, Drake London, all 195 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,320 Speaker 3: of these guys involved in Michael Pennock's leading this this 196 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 3: group in both the run and the past. I mean, 197 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 3: I just felt like this was the performance that we've 198 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 3: been waiting on for this Falcons offense. 199 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: And hopefully it's a springboard, you know. I know they 200 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 1: got the bye week. 201 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 2: In some ways you're like, man, carry this momentum, keep 202 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 2: it going, let's play again next Sunday. But you do 203 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 2: have an opportunity to kind of look at what works, 204 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 2: what didn't, make some tweaks, and get back out there 205 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 2: with a big game. I thought, Yeah, offensively, the balance 206 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 2: was very important. This was a Commander's defense that was 207 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 2: coming in with a really high pressure rate they like 208 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,959 Speaker 2: to get after deposing. Quarterback Michael Pennox only sacked one 209 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 2: time in this game. I think he was pretty clean. 210 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 3: I mean for all of those deep down the key 211 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,680 Speaker 3: for those downfield throws is that he has time in 212 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 3: the pocket to allow those routes to manifest, and so 213 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 3: we saw him he was fairly clean the whole entire game. 214 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 3: So you have to give kudos to that offensive line 215 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 3: as well. 216 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: Well. 217 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 2: I think another side effect of that is kind of 218 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 2: allowing those plays to develop downfield stretches the defense and 219 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 2: spreads it out, which then when you dump it off 220 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 2: to Bajon in the flat there's way more room to 221 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:46,839 Speaker 2: work with. Ye against Carolina, it felt like he was 222 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 2: going boom boom bajan. Yeah, and the defense hadn't really 223 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 2: kind of like just dissipated yet and it was still 224 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 2: all really like zeroed in. And so today it felt 225 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 2: like there's just a lot more room to operate and 226 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 2: work with. And then again, like in that fourth quarter, 227 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 2: when you kind of when Washington cuts it back to 228 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 2: that one possession game and you're like, all right, you 229 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 2: know this is the NFL. Things can get a little interesting. 230 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 2: It's the witching hour, as they like say, on the 231 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 2: red zone. But the Falcons kind of didn't blink. They 232 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 2: just went right down the field with Tyler all year 233 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 2: and ended up tacking on a field goal to kind 234 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 2: of keep that distance there. That was really important to see. 235 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 2: And then flipping over on the defensive side, I thought 236 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 2: that they did a great job shutting down a run 237 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 2: game that has been kind of one of the best 238 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 2: in the league. And even when you know Jade Daniels 239 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 2: isn't in there, Marcus Mariota can hurt you with his legs. 240 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 2: He only gained twenty yards on the ground, and I 241 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 2: thought that was a big difference between what they did 242 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 2: with Baker in week one and some of those crucial 243 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 2: scrambles that he had to kind of keep those drives going, 244 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 2: and the way they were able to contain. 245 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 1: Washington agreed. 246 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 3: I think going into this game, it was something that 247 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,959 Speaker 3: we had talked about all week long, is that an 248 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 3: achilles heel of potentially this defense is the scrambling quarterback, 249 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 3: because you saw what Baker did against them, you saw 250 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 3: what Bryce Young did against them, and they were able 251 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 3: to move the chains because they could pick the ball 252 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 3: up and run it. And I know that Marcus Mariota 253 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 3: had that one twenty two yard scramble on third down, 254 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 3: but the amount of times that I feel like this 255 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,839 Speaker 3: defense made Marcus Marioto so uncomfortable that he was throwing 256 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,319 Speaker 3: it away. There was an intentional grounding. There were a 257 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 3: couple of times where if he doesn't get the ball out, 258 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 3: it's a sack. And I think that people will look 259 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 3: at this defensive performance and kind of feel like it's 260 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 3: a little lackluster compared to what maybe some of the 261 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 3: defensive performances of the last three weeks have been. But 262 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 3: I think because of the way that Washington's offense operates. 263 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 3: You knew that this was going to be a bit 264 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 3: more difficult of a challenge for this defense, specifically because 265 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 3: of the way that Washington likes to play. But you 266 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 3: have to again give credit where credit is due that 267 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 3: the defense did what they could in the offense even 268 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 3: when the defense kind of messed up. You know, they 269 00:12:55,720 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 3: allowed a twenty four yard touchdown reception on fourth and three, Like, 270 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 3: even when that happened, the offense picked them up. And 271 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 3: that's what playing good, complimentary football is all about. And 272 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 3: I think that's what we saw today. 273 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's how you prevent the lolls from happening, 274 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,319 Speaker 2: where it kind of you know, like if one side 275 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 2: is really playing well and then you pick it out, 276 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 2: the energy is going in the building, maybe then keeping 277 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 2: that going, paying it forward helps, But if you bring 278 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 2: it back down to earth offensively or defensively, having a 279 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 2: unit like Atlanta's defense that's able to step in there 280 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:29,719 Speaker 2: and say, hey, don't worry, we can get a quick 281 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 2: three and out, get you guys back on the field, 282 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 2: keep the energy going, keep the rhythm flowing. I really 283 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,280 Speaker 2: thought you felt that kind of holistic style of Atlanta's 284 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: football team come to life today. 285 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I do too, And I mean, let's talk about 286 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 3: Xavier Watts as well. You know, let's make a point. 287 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: I'll just okay, fine, talk about him real quick quick. 288 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 3: I thought that, you know, he that interception was such 289 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 3: a pivotal point of the game and this is now 290 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 3: the second second interception in four games for Xavier Watt's like, 291 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 3: you're really still excited about this, young Core. 292 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,120 Speaker 1: I'm sorry the disrespect my whistle. 293 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 3: I know, I feel bad because the whistle told me 294 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 3: to stop and I was. 295 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: Like, but Exavier, what, No, it's important. We got to 296 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 2: mention Xavier Wats because that was a huge play. But 297 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 2: it is our halftime break, and so I want to 298 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:18,479 Speaker 2: bring you a quick stat brock to you by Microsoft 299 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 2: co Pilot, which was very helpful in building today's podcast outline. 300 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 2: Drake London, let's talk a little bit about him. Was 301 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: he caught eight of his ten targets for one hundred 302 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 2: and ten yards against the Commanders, but a lot of 303 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 2: his work came in the slot. On six of his 304 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 2: eleven routes in which he was targeted, five of those 305 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 2: were from the slot and he got eighty one yards 306 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 2: and his touchdown. Drake has been just a beast in 307 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:42,800 Speaker 2: the slot. We know that that is something that the 308 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 2: Falcons really like to do with him is move him 309 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 2: around again matchups because of his blocking ability, because of 310 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 2: his size ability, you know, just the catch radius. He's 311 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 2: amazing from the slot. What did you think of Drake's 312 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 2: game day? 313 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 3: I thought that he was great. But it was something 314 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 3: he said in the locker room after when he was 315 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 3: asked about you know, what does this performance do for 316 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 3: the confidence of this team and everything? And he made 317 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 3: the comment like it's everything, and he said, I'm sure 318 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 3: this win meant the world to some of these guys 319 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 3: in this locker room, and then he kind of added, 320 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 3: I know it meant the world to me. And I 321 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 3: know that Drake London over the last three performance or 322 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 3: three games, has only had one hundred and fifty six 323 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 3: total yards and he had one hundred and ten today. 324 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 3: It just goes to show you how quickly things can change, 325 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 3: especially if you're fantasy football team owners. 326 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 2: Yes, hopefully you kept Drake in your starting lineups. But 327 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 2: that was our halftime break, brought to you by Microsoft 328 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 2: co Pilot. Let's move right along to the third quarter Tory. 329 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 2: They're gonna head into the bye week at two and two. 330 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 2: I know a lot of people were worried, all right 331 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 2: after these four games, tough four games. Are you going 332 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 2: to go into the bye week one and three with 333 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 2: the Buffalo Bills coming out and then you got the 334 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 2: San Francisco forty nine? Oh my gosh, what's happened. 335 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 3: To those on prime time in primetime slot. 336 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 2: Yes, people were ready to snowball. I think they were 337 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 2: ready to be like, oh my gosh, this season's over 338 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 2: before it even got started. Lo and behold, you're two 339 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 2: and two. You go back in at even you can 340 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: kind of reset. How important was it to get this 341 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 2: win going into that by week? 342 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: Oh? 343 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 3: I think it's incredibly important because it's important for confidence. 344 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 3: I think this offense needed to show the fan base, 345 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 3: show the league at large, and honestly a little bit 346 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 3: show themselves who they are because this is the type 347 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 3: of offense. I said it at the beginning, but this 348 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 3: is the type of offense and the production that it 349 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 3: should be the not bare minimum for what this team does, 350 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 3: but it should be the standard. Yeah, you know, last week, 351 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 3: Jon Robinson, Drake Lennon and all these guys talked about 352 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 3: like that was not our standard. What we did in Carolina. 353 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 3: That's not our standard, that's not who we are. And 354 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 3: I think I even said on the postgame podcast last week, 355 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 3: it's like, okay, well show us who you are, because 356 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 3: for three games, I don't know if I know who 357 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 3: you are. Yeah, And I thought that they did that today. 358 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 3: I thought that they stepped up and did what they 359 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 3: were supposed to do. And also think that interesting enough, 360 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 3: as we were talking in the first quarter about key 361 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 3: differences between week one and week four, I think Michael 362 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 3: Pennix said too, that moving Zach Robinson from the coach's 363 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 3: box down to the sideline was really good for the 364 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 3: Falcons at this point in time. I think Zach Robinson 365 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 3: called it a reset during the week and I think 366 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 3: that ended up being very true because talking to Michael 367 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 3: Pennocks about that move, and he was like, it was 368 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,920 Speaker 3: really good for us because I'm able to come off 369 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 3: the sideline have one on one conversations with him about 370 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 3: what I'm seeing, what he's wanting us to do, what 371 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 3: we could do in the next series out like just 372 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 3: having that effective communication and it being more organic and 373 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 3: not Zack Robinson calling down into a headset with TJ. 374 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 3: Yates or Dwayne Ladford to walk over and talk to 375 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:49,959 Speaker 3: my like, no, you cut all of that middle man 376 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 3: crap out and you get in there and you have good, 377 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:57,679 Speaker 3: important conversations to where you can put drives together. And 378 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 3: that was another thing that really I think bill confidence 379 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,160 Speaker 3: within this offense is the fact that Okay, in week 380 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 3: one you had that first drive and you're feeling good, 381 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 3: but you could never get it going again. Against the 382 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:12,440 Speaker 3: Washington Commanders, you were constantly putting good drives together your 383 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 3: scoring points, and I think that has a ripple effect, 384 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 3: a snowball effect, and you hope that you can do 385 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 3: it again moving forward, because that was the big thing 386 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 3: is like the Falcons world to have lost this game, 387 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 3: you go into the bye week one and three, the 388 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 3: obvious elephant in the room is that you could potentially 389 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 3: be one in five after the Buffalo Bills in San 390 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:35,640 Speaker 3: Francisco forty nine Ers game in two and a half 391 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 3: three weeks. So this was a huge moment I think 392 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 3: for this offense from a confidence standpoint, also just from 393 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:41,720 Speaker 3: a record standpoint. 394 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think this was a really good 395 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 2: like can you kick it into gear game? Yea, Right, 396 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 2: because like you said, if you go into this and 397 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 2: you are one and three, like this felt like a 398 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 2: mini gotta have it game for these reasons. So what 399 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 2: would be your confidence level that you can then turn 400 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 2: it on against the Bills or the forty nine ers 401 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 2: if those become god have a game. So the fact 402 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 2: that they were able to really kind of flip the 403 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 2: switch and play to their standard, like you said, after 404 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 2: not doing so against Carolina does speak volumes. Does show 405 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 2: me something that this is the standard and I do 406 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 2: have a little bit more confidence that they know how 407 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 2: to reach that more frequently because they were able to 408 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,919 Speaker 2: kind of flip that page really quickly after a tough loss. 409 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:22,479 Speaker 2: But the reset comes at a very good time. There 410 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 2: were a couple of injuries that occurred during this game. 411 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:30,679 Speaker 2: Theatron Brooks concussion, Darnol Mooney hamstring, a couple other guys 412 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 2: who started this season on IR designated return or the 413 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 2: pup list. All of that, could you know in week 414 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 2: five like they can come back yeah, or in cow 415 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 2: week six yeah. 416 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 3: To come into play. You also have aj Terrell that 417 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 3: they're pinpointing for a post by week return as well. 418 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 3: He's been working through the hamstring, has missed the last 419 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 3: two games. 420 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:52,320 Speaker 2: Like this could feel like a healthier, fresher, different team 421 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 2: coming out of the buy. 422 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 3: It absolutely could, and I think that would be the hope. Like, 423 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:58,919 Speaker 3: obviously we don't have any more like new information on 424 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 3: Troy Anderson or Store Norton or TQ, Like we don't 425 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 3: know Braylan tries like even like, you know, I think 426 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,240 Speaker 3: his injury, just from the way that Rahem was talking 427 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:09,919 Speaker 3: at the beginning of the season, felt a little bit 428 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 3: more serious, but like we don't know kind of what 429 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 3: the future holds for this group, but getting some options 430 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 3: healthy at the bare minimum helps you in depth. 431 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 2: Of those players, is there one that you kind of 432 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,120 Speaker 2: circle to be like, man, I really maybe take aj 433 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,679 Speaker 2: he is, he is the starter, But is it? Is 434 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 2: it Troy, is it Storm Norton? Is it you know, 435 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 2: Darnell Really. 436 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 3: To me, it's Darnell to me, Darnell Mooney getting him 437 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 3: back to one. You know, he missed all training camp 438 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 3: with that shoulder. I think it was still kind of 439 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 3: bugging him through the first couple of weeks and now 440 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,359 Speaker 3: he has a hamstring. It just kind of feels like 441 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 3: one thing after the other, and it's like, and I 442 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 3: know too, he was a bit disappointed in his performance 443 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:57,719 Speaker 3: even with Carolina and having a couple drops, and you know, 444 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 3: like he missed a lot of time on the grass 445 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,919 Speaker 3: and so he's still even trying to acclimate himself to 446 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 3: the speed of the game again. 447 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: Ye a new quarterback and yeah. 448 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 3: And I think Darnell Mooney is in a really like 449 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,680 Speaker 3: tough spot. And I'm pretty sympathetic towards what he's having 450 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 3: to deal with with all of these injuries and new 451 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,400 Speaker 3: quarterbacks and everything. But I think if you can get 452 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 3: him through the bye week, you can get him back 453 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 3: on track. Like you'll see the Darnell Mooney from last year. 454 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:27,440 Speaker 3: I think there are a lot of things stacked against 455 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 3: him right now and you need to kind of get 456 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 3: those things out of the way so he can be 457 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 3: who he is. 458 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:32,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. 459 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 2: I always encourage players to go take all the time 460 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 2: off during the bye week that they can. However, I 461 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 2: would be very curious to see what Darnell's doing during 462 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 2: his bye week. He could stand to benefit from just 463 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:45,120 Speaker 2: a lot of time and reps out there on the grass. Uh, 464 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 2: not that that's exactly how he's. 465 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 1: Gonna use it. 466 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:49,359 Speaker 2: Go get some go, get some rest, like you've earned 467 00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:52,399 Speaker 2: it all right. Tory fourth quarter time, We're gonna wrap 468 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 2: things up just by talking about the Falcons in this 469 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 2: form four game block. Yeah, Like, what have we learned 470 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 2: about this team that maybe we didn't expect coming into 471 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:01,640 Speaker 2: the year. What are some things that we maybe expected 472 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 2: that we haven't seen? You know, is there one thing 473 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,680 Speaker 2: that kind of stands out to you as when we 474 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,719 Speaker 2: were talking at the end of training camp looking at 475 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 2: the season in totality about to start, if I had 476 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:14,879 Speaker 2: told you, hey, this pass rush is going to be here, Like, 477 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:17,119 Speaker 2: would you believe if I had told you, hey. 478 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 1: The running game didn't get going in week one? 479 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 3: Like? 480 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: Where are you at with this four game block? 481 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:24,000 Speaker 3: I think for me it stems from the defense. I 482 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 3: think the defense is so much farther along than what 483 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 3: I thought they would be at this point in the season, 484 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 3: Like I remember even you know, this is a plug 485 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 3: for a story series in a very big feature project 486 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 3: that Will Tarran and myself have been working on for 487 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 3: the last few weeks where we sat down with Jeff 488 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 3: Ulbrick and we went over his defensive coaching philosophy of 489 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 3: heartmind fist and what that means and how it manifests. 490 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:52,399 Speaker 3: And it's been a great conversation but I in the 491 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:54,679 Speaker 3: conversation that we had with him in his office a 492 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:59,160 Speaker 3: couple of weeks ago, he made the comment that, you know, initially, 493 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:01,199 Speaker 3: I feel like it's not, you know, not everything is 494 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 3: gonna be exactly what we want it to be, and 495 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 3: this could maybe be a slower start defensively, I don't 496 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 3: want to get people's hopes of like kind of like 497 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 3: really tampering expectations to to kind of be like, hey, 498 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:15,879 Speaker 3: we're installing a new system, a new way to play, 499 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 3: a new style of play, like it's gonna take time. 500 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 3: And I fully was one hundred percent willing and ready 501 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 3: to get the defense time to figure themselves out. I 502 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 3: think we know who this defense is. I think they've 503 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 3: shown us who they are over four games. I think 504 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:33,720 Speaker 3: if they're an exciting bunch, they I want to see 505 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 3: a bit more like consistency and pass rush because sometimes 506 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 3: it's like which you know, I think is probably a 507 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 3: little bit nitpicky of me, but I because I'm sitting 508 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:43,880 Speaker 3: here being. 509 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: Like, well, what you want pressure, I'm. 510 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 3: So sorry that was so nitpicky, But I do think that, 511 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 3: like I have been really excited to see what this 512 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 3: defense is and how they've played and how they've played together, 513 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 3: seeing guys like Brandon dor Lis Roucarow, like those guy 514 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 3: Divine Diablo, some new names, do some Billy Bowman Junior 515 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,879 Speaker 3: for gosh sake, like some new names, some new earth 516 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,920 Speaker 3: faces making a pretty big impact in doing things really 517 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:17,679 Speaker 3: well and being an exciting group to watch. And I 518 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 3: think that that just means that, Okay, they already surpassed 519 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 3: my expectations for what this first floor block was, Like, 520 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 3: I'm leveling up my expectations for the group is what 521 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 3: I ultimately think that if you would have told me 522 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 3: in week one, prior to that Tampa Bay game, like 523 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:37,640 Speaker 3: where I would want the defense to be, I would 524 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 3: have said, there's no way that they have ten sacks 525 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 3: by this by the bye week. 526 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:44,439 Speaker 1: No, Like, yeah, it's. 527 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,919 Speaker 3: Gonna take time. The fact that it hasn't taken that 528 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,399 Speaker 3: much time for us to see kind of the fruits 529 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,480 Speaker 3: of the labor put in over the off season by 530 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 3: all the acquisitions, the draft picks, et cetera, Like that 531 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 3: just means I'm moving on up. We're leveling up with 532 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 3: this defense. I'm expecting more out of I. 533 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:01,479 Speaker 1: Yeah, I love that. 534 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 2: And I remember that conversation kind of with Brick that 535 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,560 Speaker 2: you're referencing. And part of that is because Brick is 536 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,120 Speaker 2: not a puppet master on game day, right, Like he 537 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 2: doesn't necessarily want to be like everything's dependent on the 538 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:15,600 Speaker 2: play that I'm calling or I'm scout scheming the offensive coordinator. 539 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 2: A lot of what he says is the style comes 540 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 2: from the players out there on the field, right, And 541 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,679 Speaker 2: so I think that is where the interconnectivity. There's always 542 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 2: just going to be an element of unknown to that 543 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:27,399 Speaker 2: going into a season where you're like, We've got new pieces, 544 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 2: how are they going to play together? It could start slow, 545 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 2: it could start fast. It started fast, And I think 546 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:33,639 Speaker 2: that is a credit to the guys they have on 547 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:36,600 Speaker 2: this defense as well as the coaching staff. And Divine 548 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:38,879 Speaker 2: Diablo is a great example of that. Yeah, because I 549 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:40,960 Speaker 2: was talking to de Alford in the locker room after 550 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:43,720 Speaker 2: today's game and he just kind of like out of 551 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:46,160 Speaker 2: the blue, brought up Divine Diablo and he was like, man, 552 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 2: he is so freaking good, like his coverage ability and 553 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 2: this is d kind of talking. He was like, he 554 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 2: is maybe one of the best defenders of the dig 555 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 2: route that like I've ever seen. And he was like, 556 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:00,720 Speaker 2: as a corner, that is just one of the toughest 557 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 2: routes to cover based on the way that it's set up, 558 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:05,480 Speaker 2: kind of the depth that it happens, the leverage and 559 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:08,720 Speaker 2: having a linebacker is able to drop into that throwing window. 560 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 2: We saw today Divine just getting his big old Mitt 561 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,640 Speaker 2: up there and knocking it down. He's like, that gives 562 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 2: me so much more kind of confidence and allows me 563 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 2: to play looser as a cornerback because I have faith 564 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:21,119 Speaker 2: that my guy's going to be there to make the 565 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 2: play in that window and the throw is not going 566 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 2: to be there. So I just kind of think it's 567 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:29,600 Speaker 2: the right combination of coach scheme, mindset, style, but also 568 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,440 Speaker 2: the small additions that they've made this offseason to compliment 569 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 2: the players that were already here. 570 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, small additions that are making giant dividends I think 571 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:39,480 Speaker 3: for this unit. 572 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 2: I felt bad saying small additions that they've been like 573 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 2: huge editions tbh, But yeah, I just kind of can't 574 00:26:48,760 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 2: believe how good the defense would look so far, and 575 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,240 Speaker 2: I don't want to jinx it. What about really quickly offensively? 576 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:57,440 Speaker 2: Was there anything that you know? The run game has 577 00:26:57,600 --> 00:26:59,879 Speaker 2: gotten turned around a little bit, so I think we 578 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 2: feel better about that spot anything that you want to 579 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 2: see from the offense. 580 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:04,679 Speaker 1: Maybe after the bye week. 581 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:08,240 Speaker 3: Show us what you just showed us again. Consistency, consistency. 582 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:10,240 Speaker 3: I feel like Raheem Morris talks all the time about 583 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 3: this emotional roller coaster that you can get on, and 584 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 3: I feel like the offense has been so indicative of 585 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 3: that emotional roller. 586 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:17,439 Speaker 1: Get off the roller coaster, Get. 587 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 3: Off of it. I don't want to be on the 588 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 3: roller coaster anymore. I want to be on the people mover, Like, 589 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:24,960 Speaker 3: let's just move the ball downfield, give people into the 590 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 3: end zone, play clean football, like have Bjon Robinson do 591 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 3: Bjon Robinson things. And you know, same thing with Drake London, 592 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 3: Michael Pennix, Kyle Pitts, Tyler out here, all of it. Like, 593 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:39,359 Speaker 3: I think that we need to see replication because the 594 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:42,800 Speaker 3: only way we can be confident that this offensive identity 595 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,600 Speaker 3: that we saw on Sunday is actually who they are 596 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 3: is if they do it again and again and again. 597 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 2: So do it again, perfect timing. That was our final whistle. 598 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,959 Speaker 2: I hope they do it many many more times. But 599 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:01,440 Speaker 2: thank you all so much for listening to today's show. 600 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:03,920 Speaker 2: We got a big Falcons win. To feel good about 601 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:07,160 Speaker 2: going into the bye week. I hope everybody has awesome plans, 602 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 2: you know, for their bye week, for their weekend off. 603 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 2: If you're going to watch football, enjoy that. If you're not, 604 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:14,359 Speaker 2: go outside, touch grass. Tori, any messages for the fans 605 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 2: before we get out of here. 606 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 3: It's going to be a long season coming out after 607 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,879 Speaker 3: the bye week, so rest for juvenate recover. I'm going 608 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:22,880 Speaker 3: to be on a beach drinking some apple all sprits. 609 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,719 Speaker 3: So I'll see y'all when we get back. But it 610 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,080 Speaker 3: is nice to go into this bye week feeling really 611 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:29,800 Speaker 3: good about the product that they put on the field 612 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:30,680 Speaker 3: on Sunday. 613 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 2: Feeling good about the product on the field, Feeling good 614 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:35,159 Speaker 2: about Spritzy season coming up for you. 615 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 3: But always sprit season. 616 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, all right, that'll do it for Falcons. Final whistle 617 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:41,560 Speaker 2: for Tory mclaney. I am Will McFadden. Thank you all 618 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 2: so much for listening, and we will see you in 619 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 2: two weeks.