Here's what Falcons coach Dan Quinn had to say after the 37-10 loss to the Rams:
Opening statement: "There's a level of accountability for all of us to measure up to, and we didn't meet that. We're disappointed for our fans today. We're going to work like crazy to play like we are capable of, but disappointing and frustrating for all of us involved today."
On whether or not he believes the team is getting worse each week: "Well, sometimes it depends on where the area that you're discussing. Certainly, the score was not indicative of that. I'm sure when you go back and look at it, there will be parts of it that were better, whether it was the run game, on defense, or improving on third down. At the end of the day, it still counts on the performance, and so that's what you look to. When you're not meeting it, there's lots of reasons. That's what I try to spend most of my time to say, 'OK, how do we make sure all three phases can get connected to do it?' When you don't hit it in one of the areas, both or all three, you want to keep digging for the answers, [It is] definitely frustrating."
» MARK BRADLEY: Dan Quinn has to go
On Matt Ryan's injury: "Well, we'll have a better sense for that as the week goes. I didn't get a chance to visit with him yet after the game, so we'll get a better sense for where we'll go. If he's not able to, obviously we'll lean on Matt Schaub who's got plenty of experience. I know how tough Matt [Ryan] is; if there's a chance he can go — I don't know the extent of the injury, where we're at yet, so I think I'll have a better answer Monday, Wednesday, Thursday as we're heading into the week, but I don't know the extent of it yet."
» MATT SCHAUB: Ready if called upon to play
On the offensive line's struggles with blocking today: "That amount of quarterback hits and sacks for sure was a real factor in this game. Until we go back and look at it and see what was the cause and why and where was the breakdowns, we'll get to it. But yeah, for sure tonight I thought that was a big part of this game."
On his role as the defensive coordinator: "My job is to look at the big picture and see if there's things we can do to change that, and we actually started some of that during Arizona last week. I'm always looking to see during the game who can help on the play calling and inside of that. We've distributed that some in Arizona and this week as well. I'm always looking to do what's best for the team in every situation, every time. We've already begun some of that. 'How can I apply myself in other ways?' We've certainly done that, too."
On changes that have been made: "Sharing play-calling during the game."
On whether or not the play calling changes were on defense: "Yes."
On who he has been sharing the play-calling duties with: "Some of the other assistant coaches."
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
On whether or not he feels like he's lost the team: "I understand the question. It's a fair question, quite honestly, because you spend most of your time trying to connect and get the team to play like we're capable of. The answer I would say is no, but why am I — the disbelief at times of not playing like we're capable of, that can be very frustrating. When you don't do that, you want to look and search and find answers, and that's what I spend most of my time doing to see what tweaks, what things need to be changed, whether it's personnel, scheme, whether it's an assistant in play calling or for me to apply some attention elsewhere. I'm always looking to do anything that's best for the team. Trust me, my ego is never bigger than the team. There's nothing I wouldn't do to help get us right."
On whether or not he feels that it's a lost season for him or the team: "I'll answer the first one as a lost season, no, I never think you're out of the fight. You shouldn't think that way as a team member, and I certainly don't think that way as the coach. I recognize that when you don't play well, those are fair questions, but I don't feel like we're ever out of the fight, and until we do like we're capable of, my fight would always stay consistent."
On whether or not the defensive struggles are a result of players are not understanding the scheme or a lack of talent: "I certainly think we have all we need to play like we're capable of. I can't reference specifically which play that you're talking about or plays. Run game, play passes, sometimes in zones, there's going to be completions for sure, but I'm not exactly sure in reference to which one, but I thought some of the guys [have]. I thought we've had better play inside at nickel with [Damontae] Kazee. That's been a big part of it. We obviously added Blidi Wreh-Wilson into our mix outside. We'll see where Tru [Desmond Trufant] is for this week if he's somebody that would get back into it playing outside. To play man-to-man, you definitely want to play as tight as you always can and make them earn a catch. When you're playing zone defense, you want to punish them. They're going to catch the ball, then you want to make sure, especially when it's down low, that's part of the price of giving the completion. The catch has to end right there."
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