1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Falcons Audible presented by AT and T. 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 1: Happy holidays everybody, hope you had to marry Christmas, and 3 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,200 Speaker 1: our gearing up for a very very happy New Year. 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:10,639 Speaker 1: We are back here to talk a little Falcons, little 5 00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: all Things NFL. I'm Derek Rackley, joined by DJ Shockley. 6 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: We got Dave Archer with a big smile on the 7 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: big screen here. He's gonna be joining us from the 8 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: comforts of his home office today. But guess what, He's 9 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: still gonna be bringing the thunder when it comes to 10 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: analysis and opinions. So thank you so much for joining 11 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: us on Atlanta Falcons dot com, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, however 12 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: you get your podcast. This is what we're gonna cover 13 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: in today's episode. We're gonna get quick reactions to the 14 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,199 Speaker 1: game last weekend. We're gonna discuss I'm gonna have this, 15 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: asked this questions, and guys are gonna give me an answer. 16 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: Are the Falcons closers now? They've had an issue closing 17 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: out games in the past, But are they closers now? 18 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: Are they going to win in Buffalo? Simple question? Maybe 19 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: it's not so simple of an answer. We'll find out 20 00:00:57,080 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: and then we're gonna get into a discussion about Kyle 21 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: Pitt and how good he is and some of the 22 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: things that are still right out in front of him 23 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: that are quite amazing, and then we will just talk 24 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: about in general terms, have the Falcons already surpassed expectations 25 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: for this season with a new general manager and a 26 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,399 Speaker 1: new coaching staff. So that's what's on tap. Let's get 27 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: right into it. Dave. I'm going to start with you, 28 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: since you are at home, you are comfortable, and you 29 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: are awfully large today a very big version of Dave Archer. 30 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: We're gonna get your quick hit or your quick reaction 31 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: on what the win over the lines last weekend meant. Yeah. 32 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: I was extremely impressed with their opportunities. This was a 33 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: situation where they were going to get limited chances in 34 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: the football because the way they decided to play defense. 35 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: Their game plan was to ben ben ben, to not break. 36 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: They did that for the most part in the game, 37 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: which meant they were going to have a lot of possessions. 38 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: So I thought they maximize those opportunities and turn them 39 00:01:57,360 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: into points. So I think that that's the thing that 40 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: stuck out to me. DJ What's stuck out to you, 41 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: what's your quick reaction on that victory over Detroit. I 42 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: think the number one thing that comes in mind for 43 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 1: me is this team learning from earlier sea than mishaps 44 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: or in situations where you probably would have not won 45 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 1: his ball game or found a way not to win 46 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: his ball game. But his team continues to fight at 47 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: end of the ball game. And I think that's the 48 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: most I want to say reassuring thing for Falcons fans 49 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: is that you know, an Arthur Smith coach team will 50 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: never give up, they will continue to fight. In this 51 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: game shows exactly what that is. Obviously the big funbl 52 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: by Gage and then the defense having to bowl their 53 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 1: neck and come back. I thought it was pretty good. Yeah, shock. 54 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: This is one of those games where in the NFL 55 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,239 Speaker 1: it's not always pretty, but you did what you had 56 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: to do to get the victory, and especially when you 57 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: get late in the season, and this is one of 58 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 1: those years where it's completely different than all the others 59 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,520 Speaker 1: because so many teams are playing with guys that they 60 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: wouldn't normally at this point. And it's not just because 61 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: of injury, it's because of this reserve COVID list. I mean, 62 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: it's just been one of the more bizarre seasons in 63 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: the NFL. They keep playing, but the Atlanta Falcons found 64 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: a way to get the victory. So shock, let me 65 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,359 Speaker 1: come right back to you. There's been this question, there's 66 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: been this criticism about the Falcons not being able to 67 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,519 Speaker 1: finish games in the fourth quarter, letting games slip away 68 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 1: that they have a chance to win. But the question 69 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: for you is are they closers now? Because the Falcons 70 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: are seven and two this season in one score games, 71 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: and you think about the wins over the Giants, Jets, Dolphins, Saints, 72 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: and then of course this past weekend against Lions, they're 73 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: securing victories in the fourth quarter. It didn't look so 74 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,519 Speaker 1: promising in that final drive for Atlanta, but Foyer comes 75 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: up with that much needed interception, and again sometimes it's 76 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: not always scripted. But are they now closers? Can they 77 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: now put themselves into conversation that they know how to 78 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: close out games? Right? I'll say it is. I'll say 79 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: the proof is in the record. And you mentioned it 80 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: being seven to two and olds one score ball game 81 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: tells you exactly what this team about him. We know 82 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: the old adest old phrase. We are who we thought 83 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: we are? We are what our record says we are 84 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: exactly what it is is. I mean, you won these 85 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: ball games, laid in the ball game, and now you're 86 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 1: in a position where you have a chance to have 87 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: a possibility of beating in the playoffs late this season. 88 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,800 Speaker 1: But because you're able to close these ball games out, 89 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: that makes you a closer. Because last year, we look 90 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: back on it, you were two and a these ball games. 91 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 1: You were not a closing football team. So to have 92 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: what your record tell you exactly who you are, tells 93 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: you that you are a closing ball club and you've 94 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: done a good job of finishing ball games when you 95 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: needed to. Whether it looks bad, ugly and different, whatever 96 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 1: happens to get up to that point, you find a 97 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: way to win, and ultimately that's who you are. So 98 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 1: you can talk about how how it looks during the 99 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 1: ball game, but the end of the day, you don't 100 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 1: talk about all that. You talk about that record and 101 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: you're talking about the wins and losses that's on your record, 102 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: and the Falcons are what their record says they are. Yeah, DJ, 103 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: you say, sometimes you don't know how you get it done, 104 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: and arch you know, closing out games can be scheme 105 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: a lot of it can just be mindset, the entire 106 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: team having this mindset that we are not going to 107 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,599 Speaker 1: lose these games. And Arch, you have a different position 108 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: because you're in the press box calling all these games 109 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 1: and you're there every single play as they're trying to 110 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: close it out. Have you seen anything different this year 111 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: that has shown you a different ball club, that shows 112 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: that they know how to close games? Now, Well, say 113 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: that shock is correct, and the fact that you know 114 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: all you can do is based on what you've seen, right, 115 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,280 Speaker 1: And so this was a team that I think was 116 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 1: two and ten or two two and seven in one 117 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 1: score games in twenty twenty, and a lot of those 118 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: games were lost in the fourth quarter. They flipped the script. 119 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: They're doing it differently. Now they're winning these games at 120 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: the end of the football game. I don't know that 121 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 1: I've seen anything necessarily different. There's a little bit more 122 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,359 Speaker 1: confidence when they take the field. I thought that I 123 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,280 Speaker 1: was very impressed the way the defense took the field 124 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: in that short field opportunity. When Gage fumbled the football, 125 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: everybody then, oh no, you know, you had a plus 126 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: field situation. This defense history gone by has not been 127 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:57,679 Speaker 1: able to respond to that. This is a different group. 128 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: They responded to that went out and got the inner 129 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 1: reception and shut it down. I tuck to Foy a 130 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: Lucan post game, and Foyer talked about the confidence of 131 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 1: stepping on the field, and that's got to be a 132 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: confidence builder moving forward, not just this year, for next 133 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: year as well. When the defense had to closing, we've 134 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 1: seen Ryan close games out. We don't nerverssily see the 135 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 1: defense closed games out, and the defense had to rise 136 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:20,279 Speaker 1: up and close this game out. I think there's a 137 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: huge dividend to be paid on that. Guys. It's interesting 138 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: because Dave you mentioned it right after the gauge turnover, 139 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 1: and again it goes back to mindset. It's oh, here 140 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: we go again, or we got this right. There's two 141 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 1: completely different mindsets there. And if the defense comes out 142 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: in the field with the mindset that, hey, don't worry 143 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 1: about a gauge, We're gonna bail you out, or if 144 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: the defense comes out in the field and it's like, 145 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: here we go again, right like, you tell me which 146 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: team is gonna win, right like? And if you get 147 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: all eleven guys on the same page saying don't worry 148 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: about this gauge, we got your back because you had 149 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 1: our back at some point earlier this season. Just like 150 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 1: you guys said, the offense has done it. The defense 151 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: has done it. Special teams has done it at some 152 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:04,039 Speaker 1: point throughout this season, but they've had the confidence that 153 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: Arch talked about and the mindset that they're going to 154 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: get the job done. This episode in part brought to 155 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: you by the Home Depot. 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Whatever your project. 164 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: Find exactly what you need with the home Depot App. 165 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 1: Download the home Depot app today. Arch, I'm gonna come 166 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: right back to you because we're gonna switch gears and 167 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: we're gonna talk about this Buffalo Bills game. We previewed 168 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: it a couple of weeks ago. Basically in the sense 169 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: that this game is gonna happen in January, and you 170 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: have no idea what kind of conditions that you're gonna 171 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 1: have up in Buffalo when you play them late in 172 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: the season. So here's a simple question for you. Are 173 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: the Falcons going to win in Buffalo this weekend? I'm 174 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: being obviously, I'm not a soothsayer. I don't have naz 175 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: damastant ball, but I'm not looking at that. But I 176 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: think that I think they haven't. I think they have 177 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: the capabilities of winning up there. I don't think there's 178 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: any question about that. Josh Allen's a problem. Okay, the 179 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: guy can throw it. He's got a big arm. He 180 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: had a big weekend this last weekend against New England, 181 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: and he can run it. And Atlanta struggled against quarterbacks 182 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: that can move around something, so that will be their 183 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 1: number one priorities. Can they control Josh Allen? I think 184 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 1: they can move it on this defense, but it's gonna 185 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: be one of those type of games where if you 186 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: let the quarterback do what he normally does, then it's 187 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:46,319 Speaker 1: gonna be a tough time to a tough chance to 188 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 1: win up there. Yeah, DJ They were on the national 189 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: spotlight last weekend as the arch mentioned playing the Patriots, 190 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: and it seemed like towards the end of the game 191 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 1: like Josh Allen was feeling it, and just like Dave said, 192 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 1: like he's one of those quarterbacks where he's got to 193 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,440 Speaker 1: the ability in his career that when he starts feeling it, 194 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: look out because of the running ability as well, he 195 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 1: might go ahead and get you for three or four 196 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: passes and then all of a sudden he tucks it 197 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 1: down for fourteen yards and that might be the difference 198 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 1: in the drive. So what are going to be some 199 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: of the keys for them to slow down Buffalo, for 200 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: Atlanta to stay in this game on the road. The 201 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: biggest thing for me is something that I know we 202 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 1: haven't done the last couple of weeks, but you have 203 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: to be able to run the football in an environment 204 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: like this, control the clock, and then turn them over. 205 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: This Falcon's defense has caused the turnover in eleven consecutive games. 206 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 1: And I've went back and I looked at some of 207 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 1: the numbers. When he lost to the Jaguars nine to six, 208 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: they had three turnovers in that ball. Again, when they 209 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: lost to the Colts earlier in this season, they had 210 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 1: four total turnovers. With three interceptions. Teams that have hurt 211 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: Buffalo is when they've turned the football over and they've 212 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: controlled the clock and controlled the line of scrimmage. Now 213 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: we haven't done the job that I say is worthy of, 214 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:54,440 Speaker 1: you know, possibly being good on offense when you run 215 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: the football, we haven't done the last couple of weeks. 216 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: But if you can run the football and if you 217 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: can control the clock, keep josh Y Allen up field. 218 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: Sometimes we say it all the time, sometimes your best 219 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: offense is you know, sometimes your defense keeping guys off 220 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 1: the field. And if you can keep Josh yelling off 221 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: the field and not allow him to have those wild 222 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: splash moments in the ball game, then you got a 223 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 1: chance to be good, especially in Buffalo. Now. I think 224 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,839 Speaker 1: the weather also is a big part of it. Our 225 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: man Sam was telling them it's supposed to be, you know, 226 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,599 Speaker 1: a low of you know, thirty something and maybe a 227 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: little shnow and maybe that is a reason for you to, Hey, 228 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: let's turn around and let's be the more physical team 229 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 1: and try to see if we can control to the 230 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,319 Speaker 1: clock in this game. So I think it ultimately comes 231 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: down to being able to run the football and then 232 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 1: getting a couple breaks here and they're forcing the ball 233 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 1: out of the hand of Josh Hellen and making him 234 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: have some bad decisions. Yeah, I think the forecast is 235 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 1: showing somewhere around forty degrees, there's a chance of rain, 236 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 1: potentially snow. The wind is gonna be somewhere in the 237 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 1: fifteen to twenty mile hour rain. So it's not necessarily 238 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: that Patriots game that we saw a few weeks ago 239 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 1: where New England decided to just run the football because 240 00:10:57,720 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: throwing it was going to be such an adventure. I 241 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 1: think it's a great point that you mentioned turnovers. DJ. 242 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: I went back and looked, and I think you guys 243 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: would both agree here that turnovers and turnover margin is 244 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: probably the most important statistic in the NFL. You could 245 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: make the argument for the high school in the college 246 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: game as well, but because of the talent level in 247 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: the NFL, they make you pay for it more than offense. 248 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: Just go look at the turnover margin right now in 249 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: the NFL. If you look at the teams that are 250 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 1: at the top plus fourteen plus twelve plus twelve plus ten, 251 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: all of these teams are either in the playoffs, they're 252 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: leading their division, or they're the best teams in the NFL. 253 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: So if the Falcons can get a couple more of 254 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:40,319 Speaker 1: those turnovers, Foyer gets another interception, defensive back make a 255 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: play somehow knock the football out, maybe Josh Allen scrambles, 256 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 1: and somebody strips the ball out from the backside, stealing 257 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,199 Speaker 1: a possession away from this offense, like you said, could 258 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: potentially end up being the best defense DJ. Let me 259 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:55,319 Speaker 1: go right back to you on the run game here. 260 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: I understand that there's been some issues on the offensive line. 261 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: It's been good some weeks, not so good other weeks. 262 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 1: Outside of just the offensive line. For them to run 263 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: the football effectively, what needs to happen, is it a 264 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: certain guy needs to be out there, There's a certain 265 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: play scheme. This is where you and I can just 266 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: be offensive coordinators, right. They don't necessarily have to use it, 267 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 1: but just have fun with it. What do you think 268 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: they need to do to get this running game back 269 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: on track? You know what, I love watching the game 270 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: last week. I thought there were some creative ways that 271 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:23,520 Speaker 1: they were trying to get the run game going and 272 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: trying to create leverage on the outside with some outside 273 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:30,839 Speaker 1: zone plays. I mean, we've had quarter Quardall Patterson come 274 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: on a little tall sweep kind of action from behind 275 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 1: the quarterback, and you know, you try to tell to 276 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 1: him to get them on the edge. I still believe, though, 277 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: this is a team that loves to get downhill. They 278 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: want to get outside. Wants to, you know, stick his 279 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: foot in the ground to get north and south. And 280 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 1: then you got the bruiser and Mike Davis who continues 281 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 1: to steal run hard. The holes aren't there like they 282 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: were when you ran for one hundred and twenty yards 283 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: and three consecutive games. But it still just comes down 284 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: to guys on the edge. Its being more physically the 285 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,599 Speaker 1: point them attack. I mean to touchdown played the Quarterdall Patterson. 286 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: You got three guys on the outside. You've got Jake Matthews, 287 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: You've got Lee Smith, and you got Kyle Pitts. Lee 288 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: Smith pancakes his guy, and then you give Jake Matthews 289 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: an opportunity to get the double and gets on the 290 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: outside of knee. Kyle Pitts seals his guy on the edge, 291 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 1: and then Cornell uses his speed to get to the edge. 292 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: Those are just small nuances that you gotta have in 293 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: the run game. And you gotta have a little want 294 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: to You gotta have a little I am going to 295 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: be better than the guy I have in front of me. 296 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 1: And we've seen the last couple of weeks the Falcons 297 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 1: have used Matt Ryan. And when we see the third 298 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:31,679 Speaker 1: and one situations where you just go quarterbacks sneak, I 299 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:34,319 Speaker 1: don't know Arch was asking for to keep. Few weeks ago, 300 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: we got a quarterback at six five, just let him 301 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 1: go forward with it, and we've seen that happen. So 302 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 1: that's a I believe what you mentioned earlier is a 303 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 1: big part of the mindset of an offensive line, and 304 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: the mindset of the ends, the tight ends, mindset of 305 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: receivers blocking on the edge. All those things matter in 306 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: the run game. All Right, we've talked about defense. We've 307 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: talked about the run game. Here, let's switch it over 308 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:55,959 Speaker 1: and talk about the pass game. And DJ you mentioned 309 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: the guy's name and Kyle Pitts and and our producers 310 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 1: have put together this fantas astic rundown. And the question 311 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: here Arch says, how good is Kyle Pitts. I'm not 312 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: going to ask you that question because that's not a 313 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: great good question. No offense, okay, hopefully not taking okay, 314 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: because we know that this guy is extra special. But 315 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 1: it's like DJ mentioned before we came on the air, Arch, 316 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: It's like you look up and all of a sudden, 317 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: this guy named Kyle Pitts, who was the number four 318 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 1: overall pick, is on track to potentially break the all 319 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: time record for tight ends in a rookie season set 320 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: by Mike Ditka. And this is being done Arch with 321 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: no Julio Jones, no Calvin Ridley on the outside, that 322 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: true number one receiver. So I guess, not how good 323 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: is he, but Arch, how important has he been for 324 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: the success that they have had on offense this year? Well, 325 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: there's no question Kyle has been a big part of 326 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: what they've been on offense. You know, let's put a 327 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: perspective and then Mike Ditka, the might did your record 328 00:14:55,560 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 1: was sent fourteen games. Kyle's got two more games. The 329 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: play's gonna play seventeen games. So let's be real about 330 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 1: that in comparing the two. Kyle's not a tight end. 331 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: Kyle's a receiver. I think that when you look at it, 332 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 1: He's a big dude that can play at the end 333 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: of the line of scrimmage. So he's a mismatched problem. 334 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 1: But how many plays have we seen him line up 335 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: on the outside with a corner on him and run 336 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: right by some people? So I don't know that you 337 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 1: can't categorize this guy in any particular position. If you 338 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: categorize him as a tight end, he's got to be, argue, 339 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 1: the best receiving tight end in the National Football League. 340 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: If your category categorizing him as a wide receiver, he 341 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: would be in a conversation as one of the better 342 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: wide receivers in the league. So he's truly kind of 343 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: a unicorn type of guy. But he's he's the sky's 344 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: the limit for the dude that continue to find ways 345 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: to mismatch him around around the formations. He's been a blessing, 346 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: no question about it, with some of the guys have 347 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: been out. Yeah, and this DJ has been a fantastic 348 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 1: statistical season for him, and of course getting recognized by 349 00:15:57,400 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: the NFL as a Pro Bowler two obviously is a 350 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: great But again, without even having a guy like Calvin 351 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: Ridley on the field, he's got sixty four catches. It's 352 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: like this number can only go up for him when 353 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: you start getting attention being drawn by two defensive players 354 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: over to a wide receiver and this now you have 355 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: another wide receiver. As Arch talked about in Kyle Pitts 356 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: on the other side, is how do you match up 357 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: with him? He's only gonna get better. But did you 358 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: see this type of season from him as a rookie 359 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: this year. I'll be honest, I didn't see this type 360 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: of season because I thought he would take him a 361 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: little time to gain confidence in this league at the 362 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: position that he's playing, in the style in which they're 363 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 1: trying to use it. You look around the league, you 364 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: look at a guy like Travis Kelsey playing in Kansas 365 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: City and you just mentioned it. The guys he has 366 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: around him, Yeah, forward to him the idea where he 367 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: can make some play like because he's gonna get someone 368 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: on once. Kyl doesn't really have that, you know, prototypical star. 369 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 1: He doesn't have a guy like that that constantly has 370 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: to be looked at his right. We gotta make sure 371 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 1: we don't let this guy take the top off. And 372 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 1: he is. Archer is absolutely right. He is in the 373 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 1: mode of a guy that could be classified in a 374 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 1: lot of different ways, and whatever way you classify him, 375 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: he's gonna be the tops in that group, and you 376 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: love the fact that they use him all over and 377 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: I think his football, like you, is still growing as 378 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 1: the season has progressed and you look at the multiple 379 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:24,399 Speaker 1: ways they've used him. And I'm saying this from a 380 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 1: sense of there were times throughout the year where you 381 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: saw sometimes you may say, oh, he gave up on 382 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: that route, or maybe he could have came out of 383 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: that route a little bit faster. He's starting to understand 384 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: the new Hunters of what Matt Ryan wants him to do, 385 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: especially on every single route when he's throwing to him, 386 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: or even I heard him talk to Arch after the game. 387 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan didn't talk about the throw he had down 388 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: the right sideline that he catches obviously on a cornerback, 389 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 1: which is a really big play that he made it 390 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: look effortless. He made it look like it was easy, 391 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 1: and the ability to be able to use his body 392 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:55,920 Speaker 1: in that fashion made to come down where it keep 393 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 1: his feeding bounds and then just run back to the 394 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 1: huddle like that's that's normal. Like it's not normal for 395 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:02,959 Speaker 1: a guy like that size to babe to do that. 396 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: But I think this guy is elite, no doubt, and 397 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: I think he's starting to understand how big of a 398 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 1: value he can have in this offense and International Football 399 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: League versus anybody that stands in front of him. And 400 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 1: I just mentioned the play he had there on the 401 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 1: goal line. He's gonna become a better inline blocker, but 402 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,159 Speaker 1: he's also going to bring more value to this team. 403 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 1: I think once he has another guy that's around him, 404 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: but even without it, you can still see the elite 405 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:31,560 Speaker 1: potential he has. Yeah, I mean, Arch makes a great 406 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 1: point that he's really a wide receiver. So I'm intrigued 407 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,880 Speaker 1: in the future to see how Terry Fonto and Arthur 408 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 1: Smith end up shaping the roster, Like, are they always 409 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:42,679 Speaker 1: going to have two other tight ends that are not 410 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: only going to be on the roster but going to 411 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:47,120 Speaker 1: be active just because they want to flex him out 412 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 1: and they don't necessarily want to put him in there 413 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:51,959 Speaker 1: when they've got to go short yardage and goal line situations. 414 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: But the other thing that comes to my mind is, guys, 415 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 1: just think about how much better he's going to be 416 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: next year after he has one season under his belt. 417 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 1: He's got a chance to watch some tape in the 418 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: offseason and learn from some of his own mistakes that 419 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,120 Speaker 1: he's going to be even better and more confident next year. Arch. 420 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna come back to you on this last point 421 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: that we're going to talk about as far as expectations, 422 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: and you know, there's always expectations when you come into 423 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:16,480 Speaker 1: an NFL season. Never know what they're gonna be when 424 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:18,440 Speaker 1: you have a new general manager and a new head coach. 425 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: But let me ask you this, Arch, at the start 426 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: of the season, if you would have heard with two 427 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 1: games to play, the Atlanta Falcons would be seven and 428 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: eight and still have an outside chance at a playoff 429 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 1: Berth with two games to go, would you take it? 430 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: Would you have believed it? Yeah? I think I would 431 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:40,400 Speaker 1: have taken it. Rack. I think that it's an interesting analogy. 432 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 1: I don't think obviously none of us foresaw what was 433 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:45,199 Speaker 1: going to happen with Calvin Ridley. So you thought that 434 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:46,800 Speaker 1: this was going to be an offense that was going 435 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 1: to possess what we just talked about in Kyle Pitts 436 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: in an emerging Russell gage, but a guy stepping into 437 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 1: that number one role as Calvin Ridley, who had twenty 438 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,359 Speaker 1: five touchdown receptions in his first three seasons, you thought, Wow, 439 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: that is a chance to be a nice little, you know, 440 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: triumphant of guys that can go make plays. And that's 441 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: not the way. That's not the way things have gone down. 442 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: So you know, in retrospect, at the beginning of the season, 443 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: I would have said, yeah, I think that we can 444 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 1: get there. I'd like to see maybe we could get 445 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,959 Speaker 1: a game better. But then as things unfolded from an 446 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: injury standpoint and or a guy's not available standport, however 447 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: you want to categorize it, I think you'd jump up 448 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: and down and say, hey, this has been a solid 449 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: season and you still got a chance to win a 450 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:30,239 Speaker 1: couple more games, and so that's gonna be. It has 451 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: a chance to close out to be a great year. 452 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: I think it has a chance to be a really 453 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: good year. And the expectation, I think one I got 454 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 1: asked about, can these expectations carry over the next year? Okay? 455 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: What I'm seeing is coaching guys. This is not necessarily 456 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:49,880 Speaker 1: the over this tremendously talented roster, Okay, but the coaching 457 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,639 Speaker 1: that carries over, right, So you're gonna be able to 458 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: get guys coached up. There's gonna be some turnover to 459 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: this roster. There'll be massive turnover on this roster. But 460 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: you like the Kyle Pitts and the Matt Ryans and 461 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: people that will come back. But the coaching is what's 462 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: carried you to this point. Yeah, there's been some plays 463 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,160 Speaker 1: here and there, but think about how we schemed to 464 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 1: try to win games on defense and offensive special teams. 465 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: That's what I'm encouraged about. This coaching's coming back next 466 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: year and they've coached their rear ins off this year. 467 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: I think it's a great point because again, I don't 468 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: want to take anything away from any coach in the NFL, 469 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: because it's hard to win no matter what roster you have. 470 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:27,400 Speaker 1: But when you're a Bruce Arians, when you're a Matt Lafleur, 471 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: and you have the type of roster that those guys have, 472 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: the way that their quarterbacks are playing right now, sometimes 473 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,119 Speaker 1: it's kind of like get out of the way, right, like, 474 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,840 Speaker 1: don't mess this thing up. But Arch makes a great 475 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 1: point that when you don't have Calvin Ridley, when you 476 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 1: have a lot of moving parts and learning going on 477 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,639 Speaker 1: in your offensive line, but yet you still find a 478 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: way to score points and your defense still comes to 479 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 1: battle every day. There is a lot of coaching that's 480 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 1: going on and Arch mentioned this DJ the expectations for 481 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: next year. I'm gonna still ask you about this year, 482 00:21:56,320 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 1: but they're always going to be higher. Right, So you 483 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: finish one game under five hundred, five hundred, whatever it 484 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: ends up being, it's always gonna be more next year. 485 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 1: But let me ask you the same question. Would you 486 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:10,160 Speaker 1: have seen this type of season coming with a new 487 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:13,000 Speaker 1: general manager and a new head coach, a playoff berth 488 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: still there in your hands. Some things have to happen 489 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: in your favor, but with two games to play, you 490 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:20,520 Speaker 1: still got a chance for the postseason. Yeah. To be honest, 491 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: I don't think you saw this coming. Because we talk 492 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: about things leading to next season, and we go back 493 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:30,720 Speaker 1: to two thousand twenty, when you won four games, You're thinking, okay, 494 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 1: going into the next season, how do you think that's 495 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: gonna look. Well, then you add in a new staff, 496 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,439 Speaker 1: you add in a new culture, you add in a 497 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:41,359 Speaker 1: new staff that's trying to build upon what happened last season. 498 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 1: Now you got a whole new culture, you got a 499 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 1: whole new GM, you got a lot of different things 500 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: that are happening inside the building that's different from the 501 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: previous season. So you feel like year one is all 502 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 1: about just establishing a culture. You want guys to come 503 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: in and play the style of football that you want. Now, 504 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,120 Speaker 1: if you win some games, okay, great. But I think 505 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: coming into this season you didn't expect the way this 506 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 1: team has finished to play the way they are playing 507 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: and I and to me, I feel like the culture 508 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: has changed. I feel like when you look at the 509 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 1: entirety of this football team and arch mission, you don't 510 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: have the talent that you had the previous season, but 511 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:20,880 Speaker 1: you've won three more games in the entirely new system 512 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 1: with a new head coach, new gym, all that kind 513 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:26,119 Speaker 1: of stuff, and you found ways to do it. And 514 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,520 Speaker 1: going into the next season, there are so much more 515 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 1: to build on than the previous season when you had 516 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 1: everything together, where you had the same staff who had 517 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:35,919 Speaker 1: been here for two or three years and you just 518 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 1: couldn't find a way to do it. Now you're gonna 519 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 1: have some continuity going in the second year. We talk 520 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 1: about how players feel better going into that second year 521 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: where they understand the NFL rookies where you say you 522 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 1: understand what's going into the next year. It's the same 523 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 1: thing for coaches. They come in knowing how to use 524 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: guys or where they want to, you know, kind of 525 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: function their team in certain ways and it makes it 526 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:58,919 Speaker 1: even better. So I think going into the next season, 527 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,679 Speaker 1: you understand where there's team lies and I think we 528 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: all know there's going to be turnover. But end of 529 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 1: the day, I think this this football team is in 530 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,360 Speaker 1: a better directional than they where when they came in. Yeah, 531 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:10,920 Speaker 1: and I don't want to get too far ahead of 532 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:13,360 Speaker 1: ourselves looking into next season. We'll have plenty of time 533 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: to do that down the road. We still got two 534 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,800 Speaker 1: games left and I don't know about you guys, but 535 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: I'm super excited to see how they end up closing 536 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 1: this out. We talked about them being closers earlier in 537 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 1: this podcast. Can they close out a game this weekend? 538 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: Can they close out the regular season and then just 539 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 1: see what happens. Sometimes you need things to go your 540 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:31,320 Speaker 1: way just to get in the dance of the postseason. 541 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:34,480 Speaker 1: Maybe they end up getting that that little gift that 542 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,040 Speaker 1: favor if you will. Over the holidays, Arch, we want 543 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: to thank you for joining us. Uh what do they say? 544 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 1: Way to hang tight? Way to hang tight? And there, Well, 545 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,199 Speaker 1: thanks for taking care of me boys, because I know 546 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:47,679 Speaker 1: it can be tough, so I appreciate you. Yes, all right, 547 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it. Here on The Falcon's Audible presented 548 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:51,720 Speaker 1: by AT and T. You saw Dave Archer up there. 549 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 1: That's DJ Shockley. I'm Derek Rackley. Thanks again so much 550 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:57,439 Speaker 1: for joining us on Atlanta Falcons dot com, on Spotify, 551 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:00,679 Speaker 1: on YouTube, on iTunes, or however or you end up 552 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 1: getting your podcasts. We will be right back here, same time, 553 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 1: same place with The Falcon's Audible presented by AT and 554 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 1: T next week. Have a great week, everybody. M