Mike Smith elated with 41-7 smackdown of Cardinals
Falcons fans have plenty to cheer about on the way to a 41-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals during 2nd half action at the Georgia Dome. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons coach Mike Smith was upbeat during his post-game press conference.
He was clearly elated with the 41-7 beatdown the Falcons put on the Cardinals.
No one in the locker room wanted to be on plane for New Orleans next Saturday with a 0-2 record.
Here’s what Coach Smith had to say:
OPENING STATEMENT: “Hey guys we talk all the time about starting fast, sustaining our level of intensity and our level of play for 60 minutes. We also talk about our ability to run the football and finish games. I thought it was evident today that we (followed) those three principles. I thought in all three phases of the game, we played well. With that being said, there are still a lot of things we have to get corrected. There were a lot of penalties. I think we had six penalties for 75 yards. Those are going to hurt you in close games. I was really pleased with . . . the men out on that field and the way they responded today. With that I’ll open it up for questions.”
ON JASON SNELLING: “What can you say about this guy. Over 180 total yards and three touchdowns. That just says a lot about the depth o this team . . . Not only running the football, but catching the football. I thought our offensive line opened up some nice holes not only for Jason, but for when Michael (Turner) was in there.”
ON TURNER: “When the score went the way it did there . . . we were not going to put Michael Turner back in the ball game. We decided to rely on Jason. Some of the things we had to do schematically, and formationally, we had to adjust because we only had two healthy running backs and one of them was the fullback Ovie Mughelli.”
MORE ON TURNER: “I don’t think it was significant. He was talking about going back in to the ball game. He was cleared to go back in. I don’t think it’s going to be anything significant. But I have yet to talk to the trainers. I have not had my post-game meeting with the trainers.”
ON THE DEFENSE: “I thought that our defense did some very good things. Again, we had an 8-man spacing issue. Again, when you give up an 80-yard run, it just absolutely chaps you. I know our coaching staff will get that corrected. We can’t be giving up those explosive plays in those situations. But all in all, it was good to see some of our young players play. William Moore in his first start, I thought that he was a very active player. He had that interception there (early) in the second half. That was a big, big series for us as a football team. . . I was very pleased with the way William handled his first action.”
MORE ON THE DEFENSE: “Through the first two games and this is a long season, it’s a defense that is learning. Coach (Brian) VanGorder and his staff I think has done a very good job in bringing these young guys along. When guys have to step up, the next guy steps up and does a nice job. But you can not give up those explosive plays. They are going to come back and eventually get you. They got us last week and this week we were able to overcome it. . . They are flying around. They are a fun group of guys to be around and coach. They have done a nice job through the first two weeks. We still have to become more consistent if we really want to be the type of defense that want to be.”
ON THIRD DOWNS: “0 for 8 on third down efficiency. Again this has been a subject of discussion in this room at other times. It’s always something that in the offseason and through the preseason, the No. 1 emphasis of our defensive staff is to be efficient on third down. Win third down and limit your exposure to offensive plays. When you limit you exposure to offensive plays it helps your chances, it enhances your chances of being successful. We’ve done a nice job in these first two ball games.”
ON THE PENALTIES: “It is a big concern. We want to play penalty free. . . We had two unnecessary roughness calls. We are going to play on the edge. I have to see the tape in terms of if it was a flop or an unnecessary roughness.”
ON THE BEATDOWN: “We did some things that were more characteristic of the way we play football. In terms of the way our guys played on the offensive side. That is playing a very aggressive style. Playing a very physical style. We were the tempo setters in the game today. I think that’s very, very important for any team that is going to be successful. They have to set the tempo and control the tempo.”
ON JERIOUS NORWOOD’S INJURY: “I don’t know (what the injury) was. It’s looked like something on the lower leg. He came off the field and we’ll have our post-game wrap up in the next hour or so.”
MORE ON SNELLING: “There were concerns. I don’t know that they were doubts. We are very confident in Jason Snelling and his ability to run the football. We had a package in place. We always have a package in place that if we went down to one back and it happened to be the fullback, we have plays that we can run and the protections we can basically operate with in the game. It was a concern, but I never really felt it was going to be an issue running the football. I thought our offensive line was the star of the game the way they set the tempo.”
ON OVIE MUGHELLI: “It was great to see Ovie run the football. Ovie is a guy who spends most of his time leading a ball carrier through the hole. It was good that Ovie had an opportunity to run the ball. I thought that he ran it very effectively. I thought that it shows that we do definitely have some depth on the offensive side of the ball as well.”
ON MATT RYAN: “Matt had three touchdown passes and a 117.3 quarterback rating. I thought that he operated more effectively. I thought that his accuracy was a little bit better in this ball game and when we asked him to do things in the no huddle sequencing he did a good job there. . . I thought that Matt did a very good job running the offense and operating within our offensive scheme.”
ON ERIK COLEMAN: “Coleman had a knee injury in the game last week and we made a game-time decision that he would not play.”
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238 comments Add your comment
Falcon Jim
September 21st, 2010
12:19 am
Hey hiram,
I think this is gonna be some ho-down. Y’all almost lost and then won by voodoo. That’s about all this game was. Very strange! Very exciting and a lot of fun.
Believe it or not, the niners sorta reminded me of the “falcants.” So be ready for a close one. But be guarded, I’ve seen a WHOLE LOT MORE BEAT DOWNS OF THE SAINTS BY THE FALCONS SINCE ‘68 THAN VICE-VERSA.
Smack more later.
F.J.
But it was VOODOO. (I say this in deference to you Cajun folk.)
Falcon Jim
September 21st, 2010
12:22 am
Who knew the voodoo that you do, drew?
No one, that’s who.
RISE UP !!!!!
Big Ray
September 21st, 2010
12:28 am
see you girls sunday. now we’ve beaten 2 teams that could smak the falcants around like rag dolls-
Oh, too funny. We beat the 49ers 45-10 last year (you remember, in our little “winning season” that you keep making fun of?). So where do you get the idea that they can throw us around like rag dolls?
The Saints beat them last night by a measley 3 points, after the 49ers gave the game away with the world’s dumbest punt receiving mistake. They still almost got you.
Just like NFL.com said, you’re living a charmed life.
But hey, a win is a win, and I congratulate you on your narrow escape. Too bad you don’t have the man stones to congratulate us on a big blowout. Ah well, couldn’t expect more from…well…you know…
Funny how you talk about us losing to a 3rd string QB in week 1, when you beat an old, gimpy washed up interception machine (who has twice the INTs as he does TDs now, if not worse than that).
You just barely survived who…Alex Smith? LOL!
We’re comin’ for ya.
Big Ray
September 21st, 2010
12:30 am
….and apparently Reggie Bush is out. Not good when they take ‘em out on a meat wagon. We know…we have Jerious Norwood…
FalconsFan284
September 21st, 2010
12:51 am
Hiram—–The Saints defense looks much worse this year. You know you’re in trouble when you make Alex Smith look like a Pro Bowler!!!!
DR. FALCON
September 21st, 2010
1:04 am
I WILL TAKE A WIN ANYTIME WE CAN GET IT. ESPECIALLY A BEAT DOWN OVER A DOWN TRODDEN TEAM. NOW, WE HAVE TO STEP UP IN CLASS WITH A DIVISION ROAD GAME! THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN DETERMINING WHETHER WE ARE ELITE OR PRETENDERS! I HOPE THE COACHING STAFF KEEPS THAT SAME AGGRESIVENESS AGAINST THE SAINTS THAT WE HAD AGAINST ARIZONA! WE ARE TRYING TO WRESTLE AWAY THE DIVISION TITLE FRON N.O.! TRUST ME. THEY WILL BE AGGRESIVE AGAINST US! IVE BEEN WATCHIN THIS SOUTHERN RIVALRY SINCE THE LATE 70s! STEVE BARTKOWSKI GOT THE BETTER HAND OVER ARCHIE MANNING. LETS HOPE OVER TIME THAT MATT RYAN PROVES TO BE DREW BREES EQUAL!
Falcon Jim
September 21st, 2010
1:26 am
Dr Falcon,
Like what you say, just PLEASE STOP THE ALL CAPS!
Juice
September 21st, 2010
1:42 am
I am hoping that poor little Reggie Bush isn’t too hurt to play on Sunday, because I don’t want to hear your petty excuse of why the Falcons dominated the Stanks in Week 3! Although, I’m sure you will have other excuses. I wouldn’t be surprise if you blame your loss on the after-effects of Katrina… Hahaha!
Juice
September 21st, 2010
1:44 am
…and I am glad you won against the number 3 defense in the nation SF, because it just makes us look even better when we shut you out on Sunday! LOL
Juice
September 21st, 2010
1:48 am
… and all you haters that talk smack on that AZ game claiming they didn’t have Warner and blah blah blah, you need to think about the fact that the Cards offense is not what prevents an opposing team’s offense… it’s called defense. Maybe you need to read more into the complexity of American Football.
ezcofalconfan52
September 21st, 2010
2:38 am
hey hiramsaint what did you say about us beating the cards…somethin about yall beat the same team an they werent as good this year. well that 49 team yall almost lost to we shut out last year…45-10…yall won but i expected way more from the champs. see yall next week
jc_dawgs
September 21st, 2010
4:26 am
Falcons are a good team…but are they great?
Pittsburgh tested our offense in week 1….now our Defense will be tested in week 3.
Atlanta’s front 4 on defense will be the key. Win that battle and the Falcons will probably win that game.
If we lose that battle….Brees will be comfortable and give our defense fits.
On offense….dont let the Saints win the turnover battle. Sam Baker…..limit the penaltys….ok dude?
Football Bat
September 21st, 2010
7:51 am
Septic Dome… HA! The Ain’ts are gonna lose some this season, this week sounds like a good time to start.
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
8:50 am
Saints 2 & 0; falcants 1-1.
Tis better to win by 3, than lose by 6.
Saints will beat the falcants on Sunday, in the Louisiana Super Dome. And beat the falcants like a drum.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
Ackshun
September 21st, 2010
9:54 am
I don’t know why you guys are questioning Turners effort. He ran for over 75 yards in 1.5 quarters of play what the hell else does he have to do?! New Orleans has had a hard time beating two average football teams. We avoid turnovers (and the refs actually start calling encroachment and pass interference on the Saints D) and we win Sunday. Just a side note… Is anyone else REALLY hoping that Andy Reid starts Kolb instead of Vick on October 17th when the Falcons visit Philly?
truth
September 21st, 2010
10:42 am
Seen that last comment was weak and sorta gayish. Anywho, I hope Vick plays in Oct. People sure are making a big deal out of the Eagles beating the LIONS. What a fricken joke!! And barely I might add. With “superman” at center it should had been a blowout. “blink blink rolleyes”
truth
September 21st, 2010
10:43 am
Who says tis anymore, honestly.
FalconsFan284
September 21st, 2010
11:11 am
Seen—–How’s that defense? Think they’ll show up on Sunday? The Vikings and 49ers moved the ball on the ground with ease. Atlanta can run the ball. You talk about the Saints being such a great team but have they looked great this season? Come on, admit that Greg Williams is following the same formula he has in all of his other stops. The defense does well the first season and drops off, dramatically, after that.
33TheBurner33
September 21st, 2010
11:22 am
Reggie Bush Broken Leg, he had that coming. Bad Karma.
Falcon Jim
September 21st, 2010
11:30 am
Yup, Burner, exactly. Well put, bad karma. You don’t mess with Heisman.
Section 108
September 21st, 2010
12:26 pm
What was up with all the empty club seats on the visitor side? What is this, Jacksonville?? Cmon all you stuck-up premadonna’s, if you’re not going to the game but have tickets, give them to someone who can go!!
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
1:16 pm
truth: I say “tis” all the time.
Don’t know about the gayish part, but I defer that to you since you seem to be an expert at it.
Falconfant284: Our team picked up 4 turnovers last night, which has been the hallmark of Williams tenure in New Orleans. I dunno what he did elsewhere before he got here, don’t really care. But, whatever he’s doing, he’s making the Saints magnets for turnovers. Wasn’t it YOU who said our team wouldn’t get the lucky bounce anymore this year, that the Saints wouldn’t get 39 more takeaways? Well, seems like the Saints are more than on their way to besting that stat.
So, the question really should be, is your offense “turnover-proof”? I bet it’s not. Here’s the thing FF284, the Saints are 2&0, about to be 3&0.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:05 pm
Stop the screen and you will stop the aints. The Falcons linebackers are fast enough to do just that. Seen, it’s ok to admit because the world is seeing it too, ya’ll aint nothing. Your beloved defense let the 9ers put up over 400 yards offense. Laughable!!! Just remember I said the Falcons will win and I told you so.
El Magnifico!
September 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
Dear SeenThisB4, you are apparently lost and confused. You belong to the aint family. This is the dirty bird nest. Go home!
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
You guys for the Saints like to make up alot of history concerning your heros. Like the Saints “resting their starters” in the second half last year in the Dome.
History reminder – Grimes picked Brees / Meachum clean only to get the Brees rule interference call and subsequet TD IN THE SECOND HALF. How can they do that from the bench?
Here is a bit to question your legitimacy – how in the he!! can the refs call Saints possession on a punt that no 49er touched? Only by the NFL Saints rule can that call be made and force the 49ers to use a replay flag.
Bottom line you will not get the NFL Saints rule next Sunday. You better take a look at the AZ game to see what is in store for your paper heros.
GO FALCONS AND MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR BAGS EARLY.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
What’s the word on Reggie and Gay?
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:22 pm
I heard that Smith and Thomas will be giving the bags out this sunday. You want the Falcons team to autograph yours Seen?
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
Reggie has a broke leg and is OUT. Don’t know about Gay.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
Remember on 2009 training camp when Reggie fake an injury? Well, seems to have come back to bite hin in the a**…..I mean leg.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
Gay is Seen.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
I do hate to hear that about Reggie.
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Reggie’s out for six weeks, depending on the break itself, haven’t heard a word from Saints Mgmt on it though, probably not till tomorrow.
Truth: Are you talking about the bags with the Super Bowl 45 logo on them? I have several, and don’t want my bags soiled by the filthy paws from a dirty bird.
Ackshun
September 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
You saints fans on here can go check out Cee Lo Greens latest hit, dedicated from me to you. Reggie Bush is down for the count so now we got to deal with “oh if Reggie was playing we would have , blah blah blah blah. Why couldn’t he have been a sport and let John Abraham break his leg?
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Seen I said go watch the AZ tape…”dirty” bird is so 90’s.
These are the nasty birds. We are gonna wipe a whole lotta nasty on your heros and the funk won’t go away for several weeks. The Reggie injury is just a built in excuse. But don’t ask me go ask Derek “was that my teeth or just a little blood” Anderson.
And I really don’t care what kinda bag as long as you wear it on your head. Hopefully, it’s plastic.
truth
September 21st, 2010
2:58 pm
Still lost in the past Seen. Don’t worry the future is headed to the Big Sleezy to bring back to reality.
FalconsFan284
September 21st, 2010
3:05 pm
Seen—-No, what I have said is that the defense will be less effective in Williams second year. To this point that has been the case. I also said the Falcons defense will be much improved. Again, to this point, I have been correct.
truth
September 21st, 2010
3:15 pm
284, Seen does not know what “prove a point” means. Go easy on the slow people.
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
3:18 pm
They haven’t seen anything like this yet this year – their opponents are a combined 0-4.
Operative word is “nasty”. I don’t know if the TV viewers know this but the Cardinals QB was forced to call time out because of some nasty layed out by #25 soon to be “Mr. Moore” as the result of an otherwise harmless 2nd down imcompletion. At that point, the game was OVER.
All that nasty is headed down Nawlins way!!!
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
3:27 pm
But they do know and understand Michael Turner (151 on a bad ankle in the toilet Dome 2009) nasty.
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
3:39 pm
Hmmm, of course last year we opened up with Detroit and Philadelphia (without McNabb), this year we opened up with Minnesota and San Francisco, both who are now 0&2, but still arguably better than Detroit and Philadelphia were last year. So, arguing that a defense is going to get worse when you’re playing a better caliber of opponent is virtually self prophetic. Bottom line, we were 2&0 last year, and we’re 2&0 this year, about to be 3&0 on Sunday afternoon.
truth: then “the future” is going to get a big dose of today’s reality on Sunday afternoon. Your team will lose to the Saints.
By the way, anybody know what the spread is for this game?
GEAUX SAINTS
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
Don’t know the spread but I am looking for the a bet the refs will totally blow at least 2 calls in the Saints favor.
It won’t help this time. Nothing will but I heard alot of 409 can help get the nasty off ya.
FrontRow
September 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
It’s only Tuesday; already falling back on the voodoo fortune telling?
truth
September 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
Silly little aints fans. It will be a battle to which the Falcons win.
Falcons 17
let’n 9′ers look like a dynasty (aka aints) 14
This will be a fun game.
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Front Row: What? Are you kidding me? Relying on blown ref calls for your excuse to bellyache?! LOL! What a sissy! Man up dbag. The game is the game. Next you’ll be bad mouthing Derek Jetter!
SeenThisB4
September 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
FrontRow: I will concede, your team is nasty. As in nasty looking, or, smelling nasty. But your team is going to lose.
truth
September 21st, 2010
4:25 pm
Seen you just said “your team is going to lose.”
hiramsaint
September 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
seeing as how y’all are the excuse machines i can see how it would be e-z for y’all to project that on to us. reggie bush is not the whole team so instead of beating the ‘cants 27-10 , i’ll change it to 24-10. ………2-0……… !
truth
September 21st, 2010
4:38 pm
Wow Hiram your back. I’ve been visting the aints blogs today and your fellow fans are not to thrilled with the way your team has performed and not as optimistic about your chances this weekend as you are.
Stop hiding behind your fear and tell the truth. You too have worries about the Falcons going to the Big Sleezy and smack’n the aints in submission.
truth
September 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Sorry, you’re back.
hiramsaint
September 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
all i know is what i know and that is that the falcants have no where near enough talent to hang with the saints for 60 min. thats not a putdown , just the honest truth and deep down , though you won;t admit it , you feel the same way ! i’m sure you’ll give us a good game but style points only count for fantasy nerds. real points , be it 3 , get the W’s and in the end we get them when it counts