1 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Welcome to the eleventh episode of Bird Noises and the 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: Land Falcons, podcasts about football and mostly everything else. And 3 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 1: today I think we might have to break that rule 4 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: just because we've got the man, the coach, Dan Quinn 5 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: on the show today. Coach. Welcome, man, I'm pumped to 6 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: be on with you talking ball and talking about the team. 7 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: They're you know, things I love to do the most. So, uh, man, 8 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: let's let's get right into it. Let's go. I gotta 9 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: ask you right off the bat though. So I've had 10 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: ten of these episodes, right, and this is supposed to 11 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: be kind of a laid back kind of podcast, get 12 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: to know the player, the former player. Um so we 13 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: went with a different name. What do you think of 14 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: the name Bird Noises? Be honest, it really honest. I 15 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: know you are. Yeah, I will give I'll give you 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: good feedback. I think we can do better. Okay, And 17 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: uh at the first time I thought it, you know, 18 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 1: noises you know kind of like you know, like, is 19 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: it crowd noise that can be a good thing? Is 20 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,279 Speaker 1: like busy in the bat background noise that's not as 21 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: good thing? So how do you see it? Well, we're 22 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: gonna start calling this tell the truth Tuesday now and 23 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: so DQ just set the record straight. It needs it 24 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: needs some help, but I think it could have more juice. Yeah, okay, 25 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: we're hoping to attract some bird watchers for extra traffic. Yeah, well, 26 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: I think if you're looking to add juice, you know, 27 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: no offent to the bird watchers of the world. All right, 28 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,040 Speaker 1: we gotta we gotta get some juice here. All right? 29 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:33,320 Speaker 1: Speaking at juice offseason, yep, have you kind of refilled 30 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: the tanks? How is Dan Quinn, the human, the non 31 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: coach doing. I'm doing well. I M definitely at the 32 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:43,479 Speaker 1: end of the batteries in the red and so um, 33 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: that's at the end of every season that goes with it, 34 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: and how do you get it back in the green? 35 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:50,360 Speaker 1: So you have all the intent and energy to lead it. 36 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 1: And so that's what I did. And usually at the 37 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: end of you know, every season, I'll spend some time 38 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: big picture of view of the team, write a lot 39 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: about it, want to you know, capture my thoughts about 40 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: it in that way when we start again with the staff, 41 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: those are usually the things you know that I begin 42 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: with and say, all right, there's roughly one hundred and 43 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: eighty days until we go again, and so what were 44 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: the key lessons learned? Where do we you know, make 45 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: these mistakes? And you really have to you know, put 46 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: yourself out there as a coach to make sure these 47 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: were the key learnings I had and talk about them, 48 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: share them, go through and audit the team top to bottom, 49 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: the staff, top to bottom, the performances, and when you 50 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: do that, you really set the course for what the 51 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: offseason should be. From that list, there's what we would 52 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: call like musts, you know, some needs and then wants 53 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: you know, from a coaching staff and scouting. We look 54 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: through there to say how do we want to add 55 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: to the team. And every team's different year to year. 56 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: So it's a big project, but one that I love 57 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: taking on because it involves like how do we get better? 58 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:01,519 Speaker 1: And so those are some cool things to think through. 59 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: So this time last year we were talking about that 60 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: kind of stuff and you said that you actually take 61 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: notes like throughout the year. Is that is that what 62 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: you're referring to? Yes, yes, because that's a that's a 63 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:16,119 Speaker 1: lot to just do at the end of the year there, 64 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: But you seemed like a very meticulous note taker, and 65 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,360 Speaker 1: I think it's kind of like probably the misconception for that, 66 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: you know, for the fan to say, you know, what 67 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: adjustments did you make at halftime? Like if you wait 68 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: till halftime, you know it's going to be a problem. 69 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 1: So um, it's much like that, you know, for our 70 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: own team to say, us at the halfway point, we 71 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: had just had such a terrible start and so we 72 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: had to make adjustments. We had started some some and 73 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 1: we had to get more bold and make bigger decisions 74 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: and that was the catalyst that we needed to get 75 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: our team together. But whenever you have a player led team, 76 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: and that's what's so much fun about being a part 77 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 1: of this team. They're so invested, the players are and 78 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: so uh to see the connection that they had for 79 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 1: one another, that means a lot. So I take it 80 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: you're in the green now. Yeah, absolutely, as you get 81 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: you better because there's a lot to discuss, yeah, um, 82 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: because it takes up you know, where do we get 83 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,840 Speaker 1: our team? You know, our team is you know, we 84 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: were created to go win games and anything that's not 85 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: that can you know secondary, So for me, how do 86 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: we get our mindset and attitude exactly right for us 87 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: to do that? And so um, every part of the 88 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 1: team you want to look at did you uh, I mean, 89 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: do you do you do you take a couple of 90 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,840 Speaker 1: weeks off, a month off or just so the fans no, 91 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 1: because I know, I know exactly how it depends how 92 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: when you're gone, because I see your car every day. Yeah, 93 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: we're also an early arriv so the fans should know that. 94 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: But um, it kind of depends on the year, you know, 95 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 1: the longer that you go into the postseason, sometimes that shorter. 96 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: But in this particular one, Um, usually you need just 97 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: whatever it is, some time to get away. It might 98 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: not be you know, two days, but whatever it is 99 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: to you know, have the big picture view where you 100 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:08,679 Speaker 1: can get away and go back and look at things. 101 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: And so for me, going back through the game in order, 102 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: so one through sixteen, and I watch him in game order. 103 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: So what's different than a normal coaching. You know, the 104 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: offensive plays around one the special team's defense. So I 105 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: like to watch him in the game order, just how 106 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 1: it happens. Here's a kickoff to a kickof you know, 107 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: to the offensive plays to you know, a punt to 108 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: you know that goes into defense. Those are about one 109 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 1: hundred and fifty plays. And so I like to go 110 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: through each of the games and make the notes and 111 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: see where there you know, you have to find those 112 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: key learnings again and sometimes going back through the whole 113 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: picture helps. How long do you spend that one game, 114 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: like a day? Yeah? Yeah, probably a day owind take notes? Yeah, 115 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: And so you want to make sure you have a 116 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: clear vision of what, why and when you've done it 117 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: after action obviously during the season, but going back through 118 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: every single one. I think it's important before you get 119 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: into the cut up because you want to know the whys. Coach. 120 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: This is just maybe an ignorant question on my behalf, 121 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 1: but or do you go through like the actual play 122 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 1: calls and what was discussed too, did you say yes, okay, 123 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,720 Speaker 1: so it's like, hey, we had the right call here, 124 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 1: why do we change it? Yeah? I think yes, Like, 125 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 1: you know, what was the breakdown here? If there was one? 126 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 1: Was it a you know, a scheme issue against that 127 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: play or that defense. Was it a technique error or 128 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: was there a you know, a mental error or you know, 129 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: a penalty that you know caused us to you know, 130 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: or turn over any of those things. So you want 131 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: to make sure as you're going through what opportunities were 132 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: missed and why, And so I think that's an important 133 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,479 Speaker 1: part of it. So no, I don't rush through that process. 134 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 1: There's only things to gain, and so I'd rather take 135 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: all the time that I need, even if it starts 136 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: early and goes to late, to make sure that we 137 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: have great feedback for the players, because their tapes of 138 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: things to improve on are built from that time. So 139 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 1: where'd you go in New Jersey? Did you go to? 140 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: Uh Cabo? Where'd you go? Where'd you you know what? 141 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: Secret location? It is definitely a secret location. We'll find 142 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: out one thing. Okay, that'd be good. You can't drive there, 143 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 1: so okay, there's your hints. There's your hint. All right, 144 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,520 Speaker 1: it'd be hard to drive an I'll start a pull 145 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: question tomorrow. What's good? It sounds like you're pretty refreshed 146 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: and recharge. It's and it sounds like, based on what 147 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: you learned in the evaluation, you liked the way your 148 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: staff thought. Because this year you didn't make a whole 149 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: lot of changes to your staff, just a few if 150 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: you want to talk about just a couple that you did. 151 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: And for sure, you know Mike Malarkeley retired and uh, 152 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: he's been such a cool picture in the NFL player 153 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 1: and coach and just toughness what he stands for, like, um, 154 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: he's everything that love about the NFL. Yeah, Mike's awesome. 155 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: So we're fortunate that you know, Ben Steele was here 156 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: and such a smooth transition for us uh into that spot. 157 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: And then we added on the defensive side Joe Witt 158 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: and Tash Lupoy. So those two guys are already getting 159 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: the onboard process underway, which for an assistant coach is 160 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 1: probably a series of about ten or twelve meetings over 161 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 1: you know, two months. So we start with you know, 162 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: kind of the most senior people and discuss a number 163 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 1: of topics so we can help them get to get 164 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: learning faster, all the way to the last people they 165 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: meet or the people that joined on board a year 166 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: ago and their message Okay, what do I wish I 167 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 1: knew one year ago? You know that I can pass 168 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: back to you. And so that's the last piece. So 169 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: we're not there yet, but we're getting closer. And the 170 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 1: fun part about starting back with the staff as you've 171 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: begin and work through some exercises together. You know, for instance, 172 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: you know, for all the fans or anybody if you 173 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,439 Speaker 1: were the general manager, you know, and you were starting 174 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: a team, not the current Falcon players, but if you 175 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: are just you know, building a team, how would you 176 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 1: take the positions off the board? Not Mad or Julio 177 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: or Grady or the guys, but I'm saying which positions? 178 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: And yes, okay, because some positions are harder to find obviously, 179 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,839 Speaker 1: you know in the you know, like quarterback or pass 180 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: rusher or you know, whatever it might be. Those are 181 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: there's on earth. There's just not as many of them, 182 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: if that makes sense, those two especially right right, So, um, 183 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: sometimes having those kind of exercises are good for the 184 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: staff because when you go through that, then the next 185 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: step is you start filling in some of those spots. 186 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 1: And I think that's why for us, and I'm sure 187 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: for the fans too, they probably have such belief because 188 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: I know I certainly do. With the team, there's so 189 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: many things in place that we can't wait for this 190 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 1: thing to get going now for a long time. You know, 191 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: we've got you know, to keep sharpening to go. But 192 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: as we head into the season, there should be great 193 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: optimism about what we can be based on that. And 194 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: then the next piece was kind of educating the guys 195 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: on where we're at, you know, with CAP and as 196 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:07,359 Speaker 1: an assistant coach, you don't get a lot of exposure 197 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,439 Speaker 1: to that what's real or what's not and how much 198 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 1: room do we have to add free agents? And that's 199 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,839 Speaker 1: the business side of coaching that you don't really get 200 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:18,319 Speaker 1: a lot of practical knowledge at as an assistant. So 201 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: I tried to give the staff an overview of where 202 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: we sit today. I mean, it's more thorough than just 203 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: going to spoke track and over the CAP dot com. 204 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,200 Speaker 1: Yeah that's right, and so what are the strategies, how 205 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: do you go what could change and there could be 206 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: a new CBA agreement you know that could take place, 207 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: or if it doesn't, how does that affect you know, 208 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: future years. So I just wanted them to have a 209 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: good general understanding so when decisions are made, they're on board, 210 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 1: but I wanted them to know why. And so that 211 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: part I thought was good too. And then the next 212 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: piece after all you know all those is you know, 213 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: like I said, discussing some of the musts and you 214 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: know needs for our team to say, for us to 215 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: you know, be at the best version of us, what 216 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: does that look like and how do we you know, 217 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: add that type of player to the team. And so 218 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 1: whether through free agency, the draft, players that are already 219 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: here that we're developing up through the system. Those are 220 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:15,719 Speaker 1: all the ways that you know, you acquire a guy 221 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: or trade for somebody. So those are good discussions to 222 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: have to say, how do we add the things that 223 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 1: we need to the team. So let me ask you this, 224 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: and I'm coming at you from a general Falcons sounded 225 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: like old Keith Jackson. I'm looking live, you know, we're 226 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: looking live at Dan Quinn, one of my favorite announcers, 227 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,719 Speaker 1: you know, growing up and listening to college football. Um, 228 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 1: some of the guys who you know, like you grew 229 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: up watching them and it was such a cool thing 230 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 1: to hear those you know, trademark slogans take place, and 231 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: that made me think of him. Yeah, well that's that's 232 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 1: a good person to think of. So five years into 233 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: this now and you talk about okay, so now I 234 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,319 Speaker 1: have a pretty good as of where the staff is, 235 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: what where, what we need, where we need to go. 236 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 1: How do you feel just what's your gut tell you? 237 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: I mean, there's got to be some years you think, hey, 238 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: I think we're closer or not, or just looking back, 239 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 1: did you know overreact or did we not react enough? 240 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: Or so what I'm trying to get from you is, 241 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: now that you've assessed, and now that you've got your 242 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 1: staff together and hopefully these guys bring some juice, how 243 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: do you feel about the team right now as it stands. 244 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: I know we're on the we're a month away from 245 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: free agency and all of that, but what just where 246 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: you are at this point? I think why we're all 247 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:41,320 Speaker 1: so excited, you know, from a staff standpoint is although 248 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 1: it took much longer for our identity to take place, 249 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: I do think that is one thing that can carry over, 250 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,079 Speaker 1: like I don't think the team carries over or momentum. 251 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:53,439 Speaker 1: Can you talking about twenty nineteen? Correct? Okay, So when 252 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 1: the second half of the season played out, it was 253 00:12:56,880 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: much more aligned to an identity of speed and physicality 254 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: of things that we'd like. You know, every time the 255 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 1: fans he has play, they feel the speed, they feel 256 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: the aggressiveness, the explosive plays, and so that part of 257 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: our game. It took a while for us to gel 258 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: and get the cohesion together, much longer than we would 259 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: have liked and much longer than acceptable. But the fact 260 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: that that I know can carry forward that's a big deal. 261 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 1: When you talk about hey, and better not wait till 262 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: half time to make adjustments, that speaks of having court 263 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: awareness and just being prepared. And that's one of the 264 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 1: things that Falcon's owner Arthur Blink said about you. He 265 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 1: said that one of the things that really stands out 266 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 1: about you is that you and I wrote about it 267 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: a number of times, was just the ability for you 268 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: to come out and say, hey, look it, forget egos, 269 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: forge everything, this is the best thing we need to 270 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: do for this team. It was, and then to have 271 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 1: it change and take off the way it did. I 272 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 1: know there was it was more than just a decision 273 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: that you know, was the spark for all that. There's 274 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: a lot of things that probably happens turnover margins better, 275 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: you know, Well, but that's because you kept your team 276 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: together and focus and they kept fighting for you. But man, 277 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: that was that's you know, like Rich McKay said, I've 278 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: never seen anything like it before. Well, I think it 279 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:23,640 Speaker 1: speaks to the team, you know, and their belief in 280 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: one another, you know, number one, because it would have 281 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: been really easy for you know, guys to tap out 282 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 1: and to not stay connected, but they went just the 283 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: opposite to say this is not who we are. I 284 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: think it shows a person and a man's competitive desire 285 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: and drive when it's going rough, and it would have 286 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: been real easy to back away and tap out. And 287 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 1: that's not what they're made of. That's not who they are. 288 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 1: And so that's one of the many reasons why, um 289 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: like twenty twenty for me, I can't wait to get 290 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: here for the season because of that group of guys 291 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 1: and that core of people. So we're going to add 292 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: the right mix through free agency, through the draft, and 293 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: it's about getting the right people on the bus first 294 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 1: so the Falcons can be if they need to be 295 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: active in free agency. Yeah, that's that's not some impossible 296 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: that's correct thing. That's that's somehow taken a life of 297 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: its own out. Yeah, and I think that happens sometimes 298 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: with perception, you know, and we're um, maybe you know 299 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: it said or about one way, and let's trust that 300 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: the cap is is a very tricky thing. And it 301 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: is because you look at it and you look at 302 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: what you're due to pay out and what certain guys 303 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: are expected to make. But that doesn't take into account 304 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: a lot of decisions that you guys will probably make 305 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: here in the next two three months. And I think 306 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: it can come across as it can be. Um, you know, 307 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: only viewed one way. And so like anything and all 308 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: of us for fans or an by, when you have 309 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 1: some things you want to change, you fix it and 310 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: you solve it, you know. And so that's what the 311 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: CAP is. It's not a fixed thing where it stays 312 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 1: consistent all the time. When one players added and one 313 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: players removed, that changes. And so those are things that 314 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: are fluid. So it doesn't stay constant. It's not like 315 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: a rate that just keeps, you know, staying fixed. It 316 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:08,360 Speaker 1: moves around and it's fluid and you have to be 317 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 1: creative and fortunately there's a lot of really talented people 318 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: here that are able to do that. We're going to 319 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: get general manager Thomas de Mitroff on Bird Noises rumor 320 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: is in the next few weeks, so we'll have to 321 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: ask him. Um. But you so you don't falcons fix 322 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 1: you mean tell the truth Tuesday. Yeah, so you don't 323 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 1: stay up at night worried about these stuff. No, you're 324 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: going to get the players you want to get correct 325 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: and that's what's been so great. Um, And I think 326 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: the fans know that, you know certainly under you know, 327 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: Arthur's leadership through the years, He's always, you know, been 328 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,640 Speaker 1: somebody that wants to go and be as competitive as 329 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 1: you can in every single aspect of the team. And 330 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 1: so that's why we all have such great belief in 331 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 1: him because his support of the team is so strong. 332 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 1: So like, why would you not want to just completely 333 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: bust your ass for the guy who's wanting to do 334 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 1: that for you? And so from coaches to players, to 335 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: the city to everybody, like, we want to deliver. Speaking 336 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: of delivering, after free agency, you have the draft and 337 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 1: that's like, you know, we've joked in the hallways. You know, 338 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: that's such a fun and almost feels festive. Right, yep, 339 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: you're gonna go shop, You're gonna go get you know, 340 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: rumor has it you guys may you know, try to 341 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 1: acquire some more picks or trade up. Who knows Thomas 342 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: has a history of doing both. How do you feel 343 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 1: about this draft class and what in some of these 344 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 1: position groups, Well, the scouts are way ahead, you know 345 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: of the coaches, and that's everywhere because you better at 346 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: start with the free agency side first. You better know 347 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 1: your own team number one and So that's why it's 348 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 1: so important after the season to do a really close 349 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,199 Speaker 1: look at your own team because if you don't have 350 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: that part right, then the next two steps don't get right. 351 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: And so know your own self really well. So self awareness, 352 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: you know, is a big topic, but really you can 353 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: have team awareness. You know, where are you're really strong, 354 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: where do you need to improve? And then how are 355 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: you going to do that? And so one and two 356 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,399 Speaker 1: are okay, let's identify it and then get into how 357 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 1: to improve that. That's through free agency, that's through the draft. 358 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: And so some people would say, men, you should have 359 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,399 Speaker 1: the draft first, Yeah, where you could feel some and 360 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 1: then free agency to fill some holes. But it doesn't 361 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: work like that. So you want to make sure between 362 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 1: free agency and the draft you're going to add some 363 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: players onto the team to go now. Sometimes with a 364 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: draft pick right away, plug them and play them. They've 365 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,400 Speaker 1: got the skills, their technique is right to do that. 366 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: Other times you've had a pretty good track record doing that, 367 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 1: and other times it may take longer to develop somebody 368 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,159 Speaker 1: or there's someone here that you know andy and he 369 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:51,960 Speaker 1: may start the following season. So I think the best 370 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: way to create draft classes is not one year, you know. 371 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 1: Sometimes yeah, I say three years. That gives you a 372 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: fair assessment. Okay, are people now playing that are moving forward, 373 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: because sometimes you may not be able to, you know, 374 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: keep everybody even if they're performing well. So in other words, 375 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,679 Speaker 1: if a player moves one had a really and he 376 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 1: had a really good, you know, start to his career, 377 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:17,439 Speaker 1: but he moves on because you can't keep everybody, it 378 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:19,679 Speaker 1: was still a really good pick. Yeah, And so I 379 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: think everybody recognized that around the league, even when you 380 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: don't get to keep everybody, because you get so connected 381 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: to the players because it works so hard in battle 382 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 1: for you and do it. So you'd love to be 383 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 1: able to do that, but that's not the way it is. 384 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:35,920 Speaker 1: I won't ask you about players that you want to 385 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,040 Speaker 1: keep because you know, I know you guys have to 386 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: make some hard decisions about free agents, and there's you 387 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: guys have a track record of, you know, locking up guys, 388 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 1: you know, your core guys. You guys have done a 389 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: great job with that with Grady and Dion and Julio 390 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: and Matt and Jake and so on. But you just 391 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:59,679 Speaker 1: can't keep everybody and everything good. So I know, I 392 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: know you guys are thinking hard and this is all 393 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 1: part of the evaluation process. So I won't ask you that. UM. 394 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: Back in the eighties, free agency changed a lot, you know. Yeah, 395 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: that might be a good topic for you to discuss, 396 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: you know, one day dispands, Yeah, and how that took place, 397 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 1: why it happened in the strike, and then what became 398 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:24,160 Speaker 1: a free agency after that because the players today don't recognize, 399 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: you know what the players had to battle and fight 400 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 1: for it to have these opportunities. Because UM having the 401 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 1: ability to you know, for a player to increase and 402 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: get you know, the contracts they're rewarded with. That's a 403 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: really big deal. And there was a lot of guys 404 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 1: that had a lot of very smart people that put 405 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 1: this whole play playing together and so both sides are 406 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: doing well. It's so much fun to be a part 407 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:51,439 Speaker 1: of UM. So yeah, just it makes me think of 408 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: Reggie White and what a big deal he was and 409 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 1: for him to leave Philly and go to Green Bay 410 00:20:58,040 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 1: and put them over the top, yep, And there was 411 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:01,719 Speaker 1: a no umber of people, you know who was going 412 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:03,159 Speaker 1: after him. Where was he going to go? I can 413 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 1: remember that when it took place, and uh, you know, 414 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:08,520 Speaker 1: I in fact, you know I discussed that with Ron Wolf. 415 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 1: You know, how did that happen? You know, I knew 416 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 1: about how Brett got there with the trade, but I 417 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: didn't know exactly how it went with Reggie. So, um, 418 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:19,120 Speaker 1: it was interesting, much like recruiting that with the college 419 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 1: guys of how you know, you got to put in 420 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: the time to build a relationship that was important to Reggie. 421 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: Still a lot of recruiting going on now there is 422 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: and uh, I would say more often than not, you know, 423 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: the what's different here is you know the players there 424 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: you know, have an agent work the side, from the 425 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,400 Speaker 1: business side that works with the team. But um, when 426 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:40,360 Speaker 1: free agency begins, then there's some connection you know between 427 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: coaches and players and how that could work and how 428 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:45,680 Speaker 1: a player would be featured in a certain system, because 429 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:47,880 Speaker 1: that's important to a player to know what their role 430 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: would be. I mean, whether you're a coach or whether 431 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 1: you're a player, Hey, what's the role going to be? 432 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: From that? All about money or saying now, because uh, 433 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 1: you know, like the money that's going to be there, 434 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 1: but that connection the locker room on the field. You know, 435 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: how hard you you know go like knowing what your 436 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 1: role is that's a really big piece of it. I 437 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: think the best teams can iron out those roles, so 438 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: there's not any indifference about what that would be. Just well, 439 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: I got your reflectings. I just want to ask you 440 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:22,879 Speaker 1: one more reflection story. So after year five now, ye, 441 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:25,640 Speaker 1: do you still feel like that you had said once? 442 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 1: You know what I'm learning every single day? Do you 443 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,119 Speaker 1: feel like that you're you're starting to Where do you 444 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 1: feel like where you are in your development as a 445 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 1: head coach? And is that a fair question? Yeah, it's 446 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:41,920 Speaker 1: awesome question. I think it One of the best parts 447 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,360 Speaker 1: of the job is that the learning never stops because 448 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 1: there's always something like, okay, when the new CBA comes, 449 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 1: how is that can affect the team? For me, it's 450 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: always about the first part is building their relationships with 451 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 1: the players. You know, there's all across all thirty two teams, 452 00:22:57,840 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 1: there's a lot of really talented guys x's and os 453 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 1: and you know, finding matchup to do it. But the 454 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 1: relationships with the players, that's why I got into coaching, 455 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,640 Speaker 1: and so that part will never change. But what does 456 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:13,359 Speaker 1: evolve everything else? You know, schemes and new ideas and 457 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: new things to try and work on and what's the 458 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 1: right amount to do and just because you can do 459 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:20,920 Speaker 1: something doesn't mean that you should do it. But those 460 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 1: are kind of what we would call like some things 461 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 1: to explore in the off season. But I would say 462 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 1: it never stops. The things that always need the most 463 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,639 Speaker 1: work or game management, I would say that's probably you know, 464 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: the thing that you've worked the hardest on through the years, 465 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:37,679 Speaker 1: or I have to make sure we're always you know, 466 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 1: trying to put the team in the best spot. It's 467 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 1: a perfect segue into I think would be a good 468 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:46,879 Speaker 1: place to and this podcast today because but I definitely 469 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: want to get you back. Coach. You talk about learning 470 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 1: and deciding how you want to approach the season, what 471 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 1: to do, what not to do. How important is it 472 00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:04,639 Speaker 1: especially where you guys are right now and based on 473 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:09,840 Speaker 1: what's happened the last couple of seasons. Um is a 474 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:13,960 Speaker 1: quick start and a healthy start. Can you what do 475 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 1: you are there things that you can do to put 476 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,440 Speaker 1: yourself in a position to start quicker or be Yeah, 477 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 1: I mean you always want to be healthy, but I 478 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 1: mean are you rethinking thing? Does do you starting yourself 479 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,359 Speaker 1: when you have all these injuries? Yeah, the faster start, 480 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 1: you certainly do to make sure like how we're going 481 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: to put our team in the best spots all the 482 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: way through. So yeah, that also is one that takes 483 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 1: a lot of research to say, you know, let's look 484 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,560 Speaker 1: at what we've done and what could be different as 485 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: far as this offseason, this training can have you actually 486 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:48,880 Speaker 1: talked about that absolutely, okay, And so if we keep 487 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: doing the same thing and expect different results, then that's 488 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:54,800 Speaker 1: on us. So that's why to me, yeah, everything is 489 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:58,359 Speaker 1: you know, under you know, as much scrutiny as we 490 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: can to say, we've got a lot of really smart 491 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: guys that have done a number of different ways, and 492 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:04,919 Speaker 1: let's also look into what's the best way you know, 493 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 1: for us to prepare for the season, offseason program into 494 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 1: training camp, how much playing time in the preseason to 495 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:14,960 Speaker 1: get us ready to go. As far as the health 496 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,040 Speaker 1: part of it, I think that's always something that you're 497 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: you know, guarded on and thinking about. But I don't 498 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 1: know if you can predict that as as much, especially 499 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:25,800 Speaker 1: for injuries that aren't like soft tissue related, you know, 500 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 1: for injuries that take place it knocks you back. But 501 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 1: I think that's where the development piece comes in to 502 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: say we're going to be able to handle whatever adversity 503 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 1: comes our way because of the group that we're pushing forward. 504 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:41,439 Speaker 1: And that's why I like when I say we're a 505 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 1: developmental staff. Every person here should have a role of 506 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:46,760 Speaker 1: where we're going to take them to and so when 507 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 1: those moments come where adversity happens, we're gonna be able 508 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: to respond better because of the work we've put in 509 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 1: with the entire team. That's pretty cool to be a 510 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: part of a staff like that, I would think, yep, 511 00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 1: and the guys know that to say, if if a 512 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 1: person is not going to continue to keep developing, then 513 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,159 Speaker 1: it's time to move on, because we want to get 514 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: every guy up to the best version they can be. 515 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 1: And that doesn't mean they're going to be at the 516 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 1: same level as the guy you know they're going in for. 517 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 1: But if we can make the roles really clear and 518 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:15,840 Speaker 1: put them in the best spots to do the things 519 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:18,680 Speaker 1: they can do and execute really well, that's what we're 520 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:21,080 Speaker 1: going to focus on. And so for us, that's be 521 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:25,399 Speaker 1: that execution is critical and we're gonna work like crazy 522 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: to get that done. How are we doing on time? 523 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: We just want to ask our producers three at three minutes. 524 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:33,440 Speaker 1: All right, perfect, Well, I'd be remiss if I didn't 525 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: ask you about the new uniforms that are going to 526 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: be unveiled mid April. You don't get away any secrets, coach, 527 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 1: But let me ask you this serious question. Yeah, if 528 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: you've been you've been on some teams where they've changed 529 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:52,040 Speaker 1: the look, yes or no? I have not. Oh, so 530 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: this is gonna be first time? Is it a real thing? 531 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 1: I mean there have been teams they have changing informs 532 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:01,000 Speaker 1: and had experienced mediate success. Is just is it the 533 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 1: team or is it the uniform? How much does that mean? 534 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: And and how much do the guys, the players put 535 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:13,359 Speaker 1: stock into the way they look? Well, I think because 536 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 1: when you have I think about all of us, you know, 537 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:18,880 Speaker 1: been on team sports and you have a uniform like man, 538 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:22,159 Speaker 1: that feels right. But for this particular look, Yeah, I've 539 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,640 Speaker 1: been fighting for this um for a few years too, 540 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:28,119 Speaker 1: so I couldn't be more thrilled to see some of 541 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 1: this look come together. So oh so you've been a 542 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: mover and a shaker behind the scenes. Yes, yeah, so 543 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 1: I'm in the full support of this move and where 544 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: we're at. So not only will some there the players 545 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:43,480 Speaker 1: be happy, but I think the fans, I know the 546 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: head coach certainly is with a lot of them. So yeah, 547 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 1: I think it looks really cool. Um, so you like 548 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:51,960 Speaker 1: the look on me? I do? Yeah? All right, UM, 549 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 1: I'd ask you more, but I don't want to give 550 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:58,680 Speaker 1: anything away. UM, go ahead, No about the uniforms. But 551 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 1: as far as this coming season, right and where you are, 552 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: you feel good about where we have more than good 553 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 1: And the reason is because of some of the key 554 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 1: key pieces that are in place and what those guys 555 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 1: stand for. And so that's why I like to be 556 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,400 Speaker 1: a part of this team. It's going to be really 557 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: special for this year. And so we're not doing any 558 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:27,720 Speaker 1: looking ahead. Like honestly from the coaching side, we split 559 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,280 Speaker 1: up our off season into blocks now three week block, 560 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 1: a one week block, a seven day block, and we 561 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:35,160 Speaker 1: go as hard as we can in that block. We've 562 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 1: grade it, we look at it. This was the objective 563 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 1: for these three weeks. Did we meet it, what results 564 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 1: came through? What do we have to push forward? And 565 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 1: so this Friday, the end of this first you know, 566 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,480 Speaker 1: block comes together for the off season, we'll go through 567 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:50,440 Speaker 1: a number of key things that we talked about over 568 00:28:50,440 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: the last three weeks. Then the next piece as we 569 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 1: get into the combine, here's the significant things we've got 570 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 1: to get done. Here's the players we're going to interview. 571 00:28:57,920 --> 00:28:59,840 Speaker 1: Here's the guys. You know, that's the number one thing 572 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 1: for the assistant. Obviously we'll see their workout, but getting 573 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 1: to know the player, interview the most important thing at 574 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:08,800 Speaker 1: the combine. Medical medical, yep, Okay, then the interview, Yeah, 575 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:10,400 Speaker 1: because I would say if you were a player, think 576 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 1: if you had to go to thirty two different teams 577 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:16,560 Speaker 1: to get a physical, because there'll be a grade. Just 578 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 1: like you know there's draft grades for you know you're 579 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,720 Speaker 1: going to have one, there's also medical grades. You know, 580 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 1: that goes for every player that's at the combine. So 581 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:27,800 Speaker 1: the players that don't go to the combine, they often 582 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 1: have to do extensive traveling to go to a physical 583 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: in this city in Atlanta. If you want a job, 584 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:40,000 Speaker 1: you better go. That's why you're allowed some visits to 585 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 1: the draft okay, and so where they you know, get 586 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 1: to come to your city and all the time that 587 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: involves a physical for a non combine player. And so 588 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,479 Speaker 1: then the interviews, you know, are a big piece of 589 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 1: that because the very and I know all the fans 590 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:58,760 Speaker 1: know this, and you do to the best thing evaluation 591 00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:01,480 Speaker 1: wise is their game tape. Yes, you know, like the 592 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 1: plan and so if it was just you know about 593 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,600 Speaker 1: the workout warriors, Yeah, Like we've got a whole sport 594 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 1: for that, you know, cross fit. You know, we're like 595 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,720 Speaker 1: you're totally evaluated on you know, how well that you 596 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:17,200 Speaker 1: do these movements and toughness awesome cross fits. Yeah, and 597 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 1: like it's a very cool thing. I'm not not gonna 598 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:22,760 Speaker 1: don't get me wrong, but I think the part of 599 00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: football why we play it, yeah, and why we coach it, 600 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,760 Speaker 1: it's for the games. And so that's the best place 601 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:31,320 Speaker 1: to evaluate the guys because you're seeing the instincts and 602 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 1: seeing the things that they're going to do in the games. 603 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 1: And so that's the best part of it. Now it's 604 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 1: cool for the fans because they get to see guys 605 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:42,280 Speaker 1: up close a little bit and see some speed the 606 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: forties yeah, forty time for the skill guys yea. And 607 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:47,160 Speaker 1: so like those are cool things and there's some metrics 608 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: that you can look at and have some fun, but um, 609 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,240 Speaker 1: past that, you better go back to the tape and 610 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:54,240 Speaker 1: watch that. And because that's where it goes comes down 611 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 1: to I'm gonna sneak in one more and we gotta go. 612 00:30:57,520 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: Are we good health wise? How are players are having? 613 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:02,640 Speaker 1: We all good? Yep, everybody's on on the right track. 614 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:07,920 Speaker 1: Ask about Kanu, so they are in the early dark 615 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: hours of the mornings afternoons. Uh, trust that he is 616 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 1: here and putting it in. That's awesome, coach. Thanks so 617 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: much for Valan coming on Bird Noises that so I 618 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:19,920 Speaker 1: know you've been on and I've been on. It couldn't 619 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 1: be more proud to be on Falcon Fixed with you. 620 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 1: So it's been cool, awesome. Uh, thanks appreciate it. Hi, 621 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: I'm dan Quinn and you're listening to Bird Noises on 622 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:35,320 Speaker 1: Atlanta Falcons dot com.