Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said after the 44-27 loss Sunday to the Buccaneers in regular season finale:
On how he would summarize the season: “It’s disappointing. Coming into the year, you always have high expectations and a belief that you’re going to be competing for a championship in January into February. When that doesn’t come to fruition, it’s disappointing. We’re all obviously disappointed with how this year shook out. Hopefully better days are ahead for us.”
On what needs to happen for the team to take the next step: “I think it’s a few things here and there. A few pieces here and there. I do think we’re closer than we are farther away from being in the mix and giving ourselves a chance but we have to (tighten) those things up. We have to be better. We have to find ways to finish games better than we have.”
On whether he wants Raheem Morris to be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons: “I love Raheem. I think he’s done a great job for us. He’s a great football coach. Whether if it’s here or somewhere else, he’s going to be a head coach in this league. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a good football coach and I trust our front office to go out there and find the best person for our organization. We’ll see what happens, but I’ve loved Raheem his entire time here.”
On whether he will closely following the coaching search and whether he will provide input in the process: “No, I think it’s in their hands to make a decision to go through a process to find the best person for our organization when it comes to head coach and GM. They know where I’m at if they need me. I’m obviously available and willing to give my input – and I’ve done that with them consistently throughout my career. So, they know how I feel but it’s definitely on them.”
On whether he has a preferred background for the next head coach: “I just want to win games. I think that’s where we’re all at. Style, to me, let’s just find the person who’s going to help us get over that hump and find a way to win more football games and to be competitive late into the year.”
On whether he plans to try to talk C Alex Mack into coming back: “That’s a conversation I would have to have with Alex. That’s one of those things, we have to see where his head’s at. He’s a tough couple of weeks with concussion, then being able to come back and then COVID. Certainly not the way he’d like to end the year, but he’s had a great run here. He’s been an awesome teammate and I’ll see where his head’s at for the future but that’s a decision that’s fit for him and his family.”
Credit: AJC
On the reason he’s been sacked at least 40 times in three consecutive seasons: “There’s a number of reasons for it. A lot of those happen in situations where you’re late in games trying to get back in. Can play more consistently and have our entire playbook at our disposal, whether it be run game, play-action or whatever. I think that helps. Then, I think we’d like to run the ball more effectively than we have. I think when you can do that, it certainly helps pass protection.”
On how his relationship with TE Hayden Hurst has grown this season: “I think it’s gotten a lot better. I really do. I think his production was really good for us the last five to six weeks. He became a bigger part of the plan, obviously with Julio out, we had to adjust. I think he showed that he could take on that role and I think he’s going to be a nice piece for us moving forward and think he’s hungry to continue to get better.”
On where he was in 2002 the last time the Browns made the playoffs: “2002, I was a junior in high school. So, I was playing basketball at this point. Football season was long over. Right in the middle of basketball season enjoying myself.”
On the handoff with RB Brian Hill that was fumbled: “I was trying to seal off the back edge and I have to do a better job of getting the ball into his stomach. There was a free safety pressure off the weak edge. I tried to use my hip to keep him from blowing the play up but I have to do a better job of getting it in there.”
Credit: AJC
On his immediate plans for the offseason and what a successful offseason would look like: “I think, first, you want to take a little bit of time and get some rest and just get back to neutral. I think a successful offseason is putting in the work, finding ways to be better, attacking a handful of things to try to be a better player and then trying to get your body ready for the long haul of the season. I feel like I have a good process for that. I’ve been able to stay relatively healthy for a long time but it requires a lot of work. So, putting in that work and making sure I’m physically fit and mentally ready to go is my focus.”
On whether he thinks there’s any chance he won’t be with the team next season: “I don’t think so. I think I’m here. I feel like I can be a really good football player for this team for a long time but no one knows. You never know in this league what can happen, but I feel good about it. I want to be here and I want to be a part of getting this turned around and get back in the playoffs.”
Falcons’ 2021 draft position
(Heading into Week 17 Games)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
4. Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
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