The aftermath: Coach Smith explains decision to punt
Falcons head coach Mike Smith screams at an official after a first down catch by Roddy White was called back by a penalty, killing a Falcons drive during 1st half action against the Saints. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons coach Mike Smith was gracious in his post-game media session.
He gave the Saints credit for shutting down the offense and explained his fourth quarter decision to give the ball back to the Saints so they could basically run the clock out.
Here’s what he had to say:
OPENING STATEMENT: “I thought it was a very hard fought ballgame tonight. It was two pretty good football teams playing against each other. I liked the preparation throughout the week; we just didn’t get the outcome that we wanted. Defensively, I thought we had a good plan and executed it; we just didn’t make some plays. We left some plays out there. We did some things very uncharacteristic in terms of turnovers in the ballgame. We’ll regroup, we’ll get back together, and we’ll put this one behind us. Again, we still like where we’re at, I can assure you of that. We’ve got to get this one behind us as quick as possible and move on to the Carolina Panthers.”
ON THE OFFENSE’S JAGGED PERFORMANCE: “I’ll credit New Orleans, they did some good things today. We were not very efficient on third down which is something we have been very good at all season. We have not been turning the football over and we had two uncharacteristic turnovers that I think were critical in the game. They did a nice job in defending us. It wasn’t our best effort and a lot of it has to do with the way that we played. “
ON THE DECISION TO PUNT: “Definitely thought it was the right thing to do. It was fourth down and six with the ball out their 38, 39-yard line maybe even a little bit further out. But on fourth and six we felt like the way that we’d been playing defensively and we had two timeouts and we hopefully could wrap one around the two-minute warning. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done there at the end.”
ON WHETHER THE DEFENSE GOT TIRED: “I don’t believe so. We didn’t execute very well on that one drive. The other score was a short field after a turnover and I thought we kept our rotation like we wanted to. They made the plays. It’s the typical game when these two teams meet, since I’ve been here, there’s only been one game that hasn’t been at eight points or less. Most of them are at two or three or four point games.”
ON THE NO-HUDDLE: “We moved the ball down in the no-huddle. Again, we felt like it was in our best interest to get back in and huddle. What they were doing in the no-huddle was the same thing they were doing defending us when we were huddling. We felt that it was the right thing to do at that point in time at the game.”
ON THE PRESSURE ON BREES: “I think we had a very good plan in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback. I think we left a number of plays out there in terms of getting QB Drew (Brees) on the ground. He did a good job extending plays. It was a well-designed game plan and I thought the guys went out and executed it. We just did not always finish the plays. You can see why Drew Brees is a Pro Bowl player in terms of being able to extend plays. He was able to do that tonight.”
ON REGROUPING: “We’ll put this one behind us as quick as possible. The outcome we didn’t get tonight, but we still like where we’re at I can assure you that. I think there’s probably 15 teams that would want to trade with us so I like where we’re at. We didn’t get the outcome. I’m disappointed but not discouraged because there was some really good football played out there tonight by both football teams.”
ON RYAN’S PLAY: “Until I watch the tape I’m not going to make an evaluation. I know we weren’t as efficient on third down like we have been. We’ve been a very good third down football team. We didn’t run the ball statistically. Again, until I watch the tape I’m not going to make any statements about how our guys played. I know they played hard tonight and it was a hard fought football game. That’s two good football teams going at it, slugging it out and they were the better team tonight. My hat’s off to Head Coach Sean (Payton) and his staff.”
ON WHETHER HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUN GAME: “No, not at all. We didn’t get the yards that we would have liked to tonight. It wasn’t as efficient, but this is a football team that at the core of what we do is running the football. We will always be a team that’s going to run it. We just didn’t do it very well tonight. Again, you have to talk about the whole body of work. We’re talking about one night, but this is a good football team. There’s a bunch of guys in there that are disappointed but not discouraged. We’ll put this behind us and move on.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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439 comments Add your comment
Roger
December 28th, 2010
3:11 pm
Frankly, I am not upset at all that the Falcons lost to the Saints. Very likely, we will see the Saints again in the playoffs and it is very difficult to beat a good team 3 straight times in a season.
Take care of business against the Panthers, and the chances are good that the Falcons will be playing for the NFC championship.
SonofaDawg
December 28th, 2010
3:12 pm
Falcons didn’t rise up, they fell down. Seriously, you are a prisoner of the moment. If Mike Smith can coach the Falcons to the Super Bowl, then and only then can we discuss how great he is. Until then, it’s all snapshots.
howboutdemaints
December 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
how about those aints. What a game!!! JT, Ditto to what you said. I didn’t see all of you trash talkers in our newspaper today,lol LOL. I’m a 50 year old man and always loved our rivalry from when I was a kid. Yawl always stomped us. Now the tide is turning in the last few years. But the trash talk and hate you guys permiate is just wrong. Sorry Mr White, feel good about yourself now? There is healthy trash talk but when you come on our blogs and insult the New Orleans people trying to come back from a disappointing cotastrophe and wishing more on them you really show the class your fans really have.
A-Lame, I haven’t seen the photo op you talking of but If it wasn’t for your nasty fans it probably would not have come to that. Talk to Mr White about that. They just shoved down his throat showing we calme to your house and beat de dirty birds.
PROUD TO BE AN AINTS FAN!!
Seriously?
December 28th, 2010
3:15 pm
well I like the Snapshots who did you want to be Coach Mike Singletary…..Superbowl is coming but I am sure u will have some other lame excuse why he is not a great coach lets see…Bill Parcells is better Blah Blah Blah
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:18 pm
DOB, a question I have about Coach Smith’s statement:
“We moved the ball down in the no-huddle.
I agree coach! It looked to me like we moved the ball decently out of the semi and no huddle offense. But the offense out of the huddle was off tackle right, off tackle right, pass, punt.
What is the reason for moving the ball better in no huddle vs huddle? Is it the play calling? Is it because Matt is calling the play on the field in no huddle and the OC is calling the plays in the huddle?
What is the running philosophy of the OC? Does he still believe that you can run off tackle right with 9 to 10 men in the box and the safety playing middle linebacker?
Will the OC recognize when a play works *like Roddy’s TD slant route* that its ok to use it again. Its also OK to use that same play on 1st down at the 40.
Does the OC pay attention to the game on the field when the offense is on the sidelines? Did he notice how the Aints moved the ball using screens and even an end around to take advantage of a situationally aggressive defense and compromise them?
I think this team is good enough to win everything. I think this team is doing well in the process. I also think this team is limited by its playbook and selection.
Why do we never run bootleg or PAP on 2nd and 1-3yd goal line situations?
For the playoffs, I want to ask the coach if they intend to evolve the offense or remain idle. Can Harry Douglas run a reverse? Can Matt Ryan bootleg? Do we have the ability to run a true PAP and move the ball? Can Snelling or Douglas and the offensive line setup and execute a bubble screen? Will the WRs get open when their route is shut down or the QB is in trouble?
We are still in a good position at 12-4. Although there were a lot of noisy *second place* Aints fans last night… 12-4 is still a commanding first place in this division. Lets get on point and go win 4 in a row.
icedawg
December 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
The Falcons are a good team. They’ve won some squeakers that could have easily gone the other way. So their record does not really indicate their true strength. As the Saints have shown the Falcon’s offense can be shut down. The Falcon defense has actually kept them in games. At this time of the year it is more about who at or near the top has the momentum going for them. The Falcons are sputtering, the Saints seem to be making a surge. The Falcons could easily be out of the playoffs very quickly especially if the offense plays like it did last night.
FALCONS
December 28th, 2010
3:22 pm
FALCONS accromin:
Football Atlanta’s Lost Cause Only New orleans Super!!!! WHO DAT!!!!
cowboycjn cajun
December 28th, 2010
3:23 pm
“Saints make a statement in the Georgia Dome” – Wonder if roddy white is stil eating crow.
Seemed to me the officials were payed to hit the Saints with every flag they could to try to throw the game, but the Saints were just too strong. Someone commented what if trurner had not fumbled, well think – what if the Saints touchdown pass had not been called back (7 more points) what if Brees had not made that sloppy handoff to the falcons (7points less) The game really should have been Saints 24 Falcons-7. The Saints shut down the Falcons running game, and did not allow much on passes they just out played and out smarted the falcons. Falcons are over rated and not worthy of SB status.
Chop Buster
December 28th, 2010
3:23 pm
Let me clue Mike Smith into a little secret about HIS running game….
a. Turner is not a smash mouth running back
b. The Falcons do not have the “Steelers of old” mammoth OL to run through defenses
Until you recruit players to fit this mold (scheme) then you’d better have an alternate plan when things don’t work out. I know it had to have dawn on you that if you punted this ball back to the Aints with around 4 minutes left on the clock that they would run it out. BVG did a nice job of wearing our defense out to the point of having to resort to the bend but don’t break defense late in the game–which happen to be when Brees put his 90 yard drive together. I know many say that this game was had more meaning for the Aints, but if that’s the mentality this team has then they won’t go far at all.
Seriously?
December 28th, 2010
3:24 pm
Yeah Icedawg Bring it on….When Aints come back to the Dome then we are going to show you whose sputtering….LETS dont forget AINT fans we beat you guys in New Orleans earlier this year…get over your Amnesia….and last I checked if and when we win this weekend then we will be NFC South Champs and please dont give me the squeakers excuse that is all the Saints have done the past two years…so get a GRIP
Seriously?
December 28th, 2010
3:27 pm
Saints should change the there name to Squeakers…..the NFL gave u guys the Super Bowl and paved the way for you so it would be the FEEL GOOD STORY for New Orleans….It was great to see that they won and I was pulling for them however it wont be repeated saints wont even get to big dance this year and my guess they only get worse in years to come and the Falcons are going in other direction…..get used to it because we are going to beat the saints on a regular basis
Seriously?
December 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
Saints also get beat by Bucks Sunday…guaranteed….
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
3:36 pm
Saints Fans – Wanna be “dog pound” and “Raider Nation”, give it up, your history is paper bags over your head and dancing owners.
Hey Falcon Fans!!!
December 28th, 2010
3:40 pm
I couldn’t get to the game last night!!! Do any of you have a picture of the Saints stomping on the Falcons’ Logo? I am putting together some memorabilia from the game and I want it to go with the pictures of Matty and Tony crying after the game!!!
Did anyone tell them there is no crying in football?? Unless, who’ve won the Super Bowl than thats okay. But you guys wouldn’t know anything about that.
Until than Matty and Tony there’s no crying in football!!
Say it with me Atlanta Fans WHO DAT!!!! LOL
DrJ
December 28th, 2010
3:42 pm
1. The Gritz Blitz worked well for 3 quarters, but they kinda gave out of gas in the fourth. I hope we never go back to rushing on three DLs (as in previous games), need at least four rushers.
2. I didn’t see a replay of the double foul involving Roddy, I wonder if he really did?
3. What happened to booth review on the ball placement on the Saint’s last drive, it was only off a big yard. We might have stopped them.
4. Mularkey had the chance to stick it to the Saints right after Abraham’s interception, but decided to go milk-toast, when we should have gone vertical.
I think he is trying to force our running game to work, even if it doesn’t.
5. Don’t understand Dimitroff’s “satisfied” with our running backs. When we really need some yardage from Turner, he runs up the backs of the OL.
Is it that the OL can’t make holes for him, or what? Norwood is just keeping a warm spot on the roster. Snelling must still be recovering. If the running game is our “core”, something good better happen soon.
JimDJr
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
For you Falcon fans that are down on your players, coaches or whatever….. Last year when the undefeated Saints lost to Dallas in December and lost the next one, all the non faithful and nay-sayers came out of the closet. The Cowgirls had to win that game just like the Saints did last night.
Have Faith, enjoy the season. The Falcons are going to beat the cr*p out of the Panthers next week, you are going to have a bye, and home field advantage. Trust me it just doesn’t get any better. If the stars line up, you will go to the Super Bowl and the rest is fate. May the best team win……
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
Hey Falcon Fans!!!
I have a picture of Brees crying when San Diego traded him to New Orleans, want it?
Ivan
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
What the heck is an “accromin”?
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
What the heck is an “accromin”? LOL
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
3:45 pm
3. What happened to booth review on the ball placement on the Saint’s last drive, it was only off a big yard. We might have stopped them.
Can only red flag it if your disputing 1st down, was not ruled 1st down on the field.
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
“and last I checked if and when we win this weekend then we will be NFC South Champs ”
Check again.
You also need the Falcons to lose to the Panthers…
falconfan 24-7
December 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
The Aints beat us by 3 at our place. We beat the Aints by 3 at their place. I would say that we are equal.However, we are currently in 1st place in the NFC South and own the number 1 seed.The Aints are currently in second place in the NFC South and will be a WILDCARD as the # 5 SEED. The Aints lost to two teams with losing records the Cardinals and Browns. All our losses has been by playoff teams.How does this make the Aints better?
Go Falcons
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
“What the heck is an “accromin”?”
Its not nice to make fun of the mentally challenged.
ALL'S GOOD IN ATLANTA!!!
December 28th, 2010
3:48 pm
Saints beat Fal con’s by 3 and just reported today Atlanta’s home values drop 3% this month worst in the country!!!! Sure glad to be in the arm pit of America because if New Oleans is the arm pit than Atlanta is the stink come out it..
WHO DAT!!!!
Ivan
December 28th, 2010
3:52 pm
Ueeediot @ 3:47
But is he really?
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:52 pm
2. I didn’t see a replay of the double foul involving Roddy, I wonder if he really did?
Even the guys on the radio commented they had never seen nor heard of “offsetting PI penalties”
Another good one was the referee calling a personal foul for the hit on Matt Ryan when he slid. The penalty for the “blow to the head” was called on the next play, was offsetting due to a hold, and Matt wasnt hit on that play at all…
They missed a blatant off sides penalty in the 3rd Q.
And what the heck do you have to do to get a roughing the punter call? The blocker missed the ball and slammed the punter, thats exactly what roughing the punter is. The 5yd penalty is supposed to be for incidental contact such as getting blocked into the guy or rolling into him.
Someone tap Matt on the shoulder and show him on the film….when you run out of bounds, and feel someone grab your shoulder pads, hit the deck. Do you watch the NBA at all?
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:53 pm
@ Ivan, I thought that was obvious by the support of the Aints.
ESPN REPORTS CRYING ON SIDELINE AND STANDS AFTER SAINTS WIN !!
December 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
HEY LIL TECHY!!! Brees also cried when HE WON A SUPER BOWL WITH THE SAINTS HOW MANY FAKE CANT’S HAVE YOU’VE SEEN DO THAT. I BET YOU WERE RIGHT THERE WITH POOR LITTLE ” I AM NOT AN ELITE QB” MATTY. CAN I HAVE THE PICTURE OF YOU CRYING TOO
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Who Dat?
The Falcons,
The Browns,
The Cardinals,
The Ravens….
Wow, yall really lost to the Browns and Cardinals….AT HOME EVEN????
Ivan
December 28th, 2010
3:56 pm
Ueeediot @ 3:53pm
Good point.
Bird Droppings IV
December 28th, 2010
3:57 pm
Falcon fans continue to believe. All is not lost. Case in point, the Aints lost three straight games last year to end the regular season and won it all.The Vikings gave them a win in the NFC championship game and Peyton Manning gave them a gift in the Super Bowl.I would like nothing more than for the Rams or Seahawks to knock the Aints out of the playoffs. Since the Aints lost to to Cardinals and Browns, it could very well hapen.
The Bucs beat the Aints last year to end the regular season. They will repeat that feat again this Sunday. Go Bucs.
BLACKNGOLD
December 28th, 2010
3:57 pm
@Seriously….
How can u GUARENTEE anything???? I want to know that..
Your boy RODDY WHITE GUARENTEED that we wont WIN in the Georgia Dome and look what it got him…..
Another thing…
The NFL gave us the Superbowl???
Seriously? they gave us the 13 straight WINS…They gave us those BIG PLAYS and Touchdowns that required us to have that record.. U have got to be kidding me!!!
The Falcons are not ready for PRIMETIME or THE BIG STAGE…..
How can u guarentee that WE are gonna lose to Tampa and yall are gonna Win against Carolina…Are u psychic???
BLACKNGOLD
December 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Keep underestimating the Carolina Panthers….
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
black n gold…
guarantees, ESP, and voodoo aside…
which do you think is more probable…Panthers beat Falcons, or Bucs beat Aints?
im putting my money on Falcons and Aints straight up….but these point spreads are wild…
Ivan
December 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
I don’t underestimate them at all. I think it takes a lot of effort to clinch 1st overall pick of 2011.
To Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
You are a bigger cry baby than that QB I saw crying on the sideline last night. You must have been a Vikings fan in your previous life. I just sure hope you didn’t run out of kleenex last night. Because it sure seems you and Matty are going to need a lot more when you’re one and done in the playoffs
truth
December 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
Wow…….some of you so called Falcon fans need to get over it. We still hold the best record, beat the Panthers and we will have a bye week, and look forwards to the aints again. Great game as usual with the aints.
GO FALCONS!!!
BLACKNGOLD
December 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
@BirdDroppings…
I dont get how yall can constantly say that the Vikings and the Colts gave us anything last year….DID THE VIKINGS HELP US GET THE TOUCHDOWNS TO KEEP THE GAME TIED BEFORE OVERTIME..DID THE COLTS HELP LANCE MOORE ON THAT TWO-POINT CONVERSION TO GET 7 EXTRA POINTS?????
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FOR ME PLEASE…
AND Y DO YALL CONSTANTLY BRING UP WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR..THIS IS A NEW YEAR!!! THE SAINTS ARE NOT WORRYING ABOUT LAST YEAR..LAST YEAR DOESN’T COUNT, HOWEVER, WE ARE THE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS….SO U GOTTA RESPECT THAT!!!!
blackngold2ndtorednblack
December 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
“The Falcons are not ready…” I think you are forgetting something. We are ahead of you.
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
If Cardinals and Browns can beat the Saints anyone can.
Atlanta has lost to 3 playoff team only, NO, Pitt, Philly. Pitt was in OT on the road, NO 3 points, Philly smoked ATL.
NFC is wide open, I think all team are pretty even but who ever come out of west (SeaHawks or Rams).
But as a Team I’ll take Falcons, this is rebuilding year and on defense and we still may beat NO for the division. Philly rebuilding to, so they look to be on the up.
The Birdman
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
The Aints will not be hosting any playoff games this year in the Stink Dome.. Ha , Ha.
ESPN SPORTS CENTER TEASE NEXT SUNDAY
December 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
PANTHERS BEAT FALCONS… SIDELINE FLOODED BY CRYING FALCONS MORE AT ELEVEN!!
BigTimeTECHFan
December 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
Falcon win next week and NO will still be 2nd place team behind ATL, or NO loss.
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
Louisiana math:
DID THE COLTS HELP LANCE MOORE ON THAT TWO-POINT CONVERSION TO GET 7 EXTRA POINTS?????
2pt conversions do not give you 7 points.
Ueeediot
December 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
also, like children, there are no extra points
EMile
December 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Great Game on both sides of the ball. Saints coaching staff beat Falcon coaching staff for sure. Ryan aint Drew and it showed last nite. In the end if the Saints arent at the big dance again and Falcons are I am with you, but if we there together…..we win…again!
CHAMPS LAST YEAR CHAMPS AGAIN!!!!
December 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
THESE TWEETY BIRDS ARE GOING TO BE THE WEAKEST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS!!! EVERY PLAYOFF TEAMS WILL WANT TO PLAY ATLANTA. THEY ARE AN 8 AND 8 TEAM AT BEST
BLACKNGOLD
December 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
Yea by Cheating…RODDY WHITE push off and Fake A$$ interceptions by Grimes…Your coach is yelling at the official because he didnt pay them enough money this week to call the game how he wanted..LOL….
Your boy Matty Ice cracked under the pressure of the BIG STAGE and Micheal(the so-called burner) Turner was a NONFACTOR…Gonzo? what he had one or two catches and RW??? we all know about him..
JUST FACE IT,,THE BETTER TEAM WON LAST NIGHT…
AND AS YOU CAN SEE..
U DO NOT PLAY THE RECORD, YOU PLAY THE TEAM!!!
But…
KEEP THAT ARROGANT, we so much better cause we have a 12-3 record attitude when yall play CAROLINA!!!
blackngold2ndtorednblack
December 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Bucs join the Falcons, the Browns (the Browns!), the Cardinals (the Cardinals!) and the Ravens in defeating the poser saints.
David
December 28th, 2010
4:13 pm
Rather lose now than in the playoffs. Odds of winning Monday and the rest of season and playoffs were not good. Now we can work on correcting our problems and head into January without wondering “can we win one more”.