Head Coach Rod Marinelli
Q: How do you explain the team giving up over 300 yards rushing?
A: “It happened and it was bad. I think anybody could see that. We have got to get more guys on the ball. That is something that I am going to emphasize and emphasize.”
Q: Do you consider it a surprise to you that they didn’t tackle anybody after the preseason they had?
A: “It is a surprise. In the preseason, they did a nice job and it was a surprise to me. It is just something that we have to do. We have to come around and play a great game defensively to win in this league.”
Q: How do you get this turned around and get ready for next week?
A: “Well, we are very determined. I have talked to the guys already. We have got to get this thing right. The first thing you have to do is keep the locker room tight. You go out next week and try to make this thing better and win.”
Q: Do you think the Falcons running backs were really that good or was the defense not playing as well as they could?
A: “Well, I am going to give the credit to (the Falcons). I think they did a great job. They came here prepared. On the other hand, I am going to say that we have got to play harder and tackle like a good defense to play in this league. That has got to happen and we just didn’t do it.”
Q: Were you guys prepared for this game and was it a lack of execution?
A:“They way I look at it, and I want to watch more film this week, I think the main problem was our tackling. It is on us completely. We just were not able to get that done. We have to do that to have a chance to win.”
Running Back Kevin Smith
Q: On losing today.
A: “We have to move forward and get back to the chalkboard. We have 15 more games and we have to work hard. We’ll work harder and get back to where we need to be.”
Q: On his performance today.
A: “Its tough. I just try to help no matter what my yardage total is. I just try to help the offense.”
Q: On what they need to do next week.
A: “You go back to practice and get better. It’s simple. It’s the game of football. Just go back and take advantage of the practice week.”
Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson
Q: On his performance.
A: “We saw a lot of cover 2 today. Obviously we didn’t get the job done so I don’t have much to say.”
Q: On losing.
A: “I’m disappointed that we lost. We just have to bounce back.”
Q: On getting back in the game, but then not being able to take the lead.
A: “It’s disappointing to lose, but we have to bounce back next week. We have to watch film and correct our mistakes.”
Quarterback Jon Kitna
Q: Did the game plan change after falling down 21 points?
A: “It didn’t change it. We stuck with what we were going to do. I was proud of our coaches for that. They didn’t change the game plan. We stuck with it and fought back in the game. We had an unfortunate turnover to start the third quarter when we really had a chance to gain momentum. Playing on the road that is tough to do.”
Q: Did you stop yourselves offensively?
A: “Give (the Falcons) a lot of credit. They made it tough for us all day. They have a good defense over there and it’s only going to get better. They were really physical across the board. We made some mistakes, but you are going to have mistakes. No one is going to play a perfect game. I thought that our offense played pretty well for the most part. There were some breakdowns. Those are things that we have to get better at. It’s not time to panic.”
Q: On getting upset with his offensive coaches during a timeout in the second quarter.
A: “Again that is how gamedays are. I probably shouldn’t have done that on the field, but it’s an emotional game. I should have probably dealt with that in a different manner. It was my fault.”
Safety Dwight Smith
Q: “You had an impressive preseason, but it didn’t carry over today.
A: They looked good, and we missed tackles. That’s pretty much the long and short of it.”
Q: What are your impressions of their running backs, most notably Michael Turner?
A: He’s a good back. But again, we missed a lot of tackles. He did what an NFL running back is supposed to do. It helps them when we are out of position.”
Q: Can you pinpoint one or two factors that led to today’s outcome?
A: “It’s like we always say, it’s about us and how we play. If you miss tackles and you give up seams, they are going to score. That’s how it is in this league. We need to get back to Detroit and work on our tackling.”
Defensive Tackle Cory Redding
Q: Is this a shock after you had such a sterling preseason?
A: “This is a huge wake-up call for us. We’ve got to look at the tape and see what’s going on.”
Q: Was it anything you could have corrected today to turn the tide?
A: “Man, it wasn’t them. It wasn’t their offensive line. It was us. When guy’s numbers were called to make plays, they didn’t. It’s a long season. Don’t try to write us off. We’re good. It just didn’t show up today.”
Q: How do you turn it around from here?
A: “It’s the first game of the season and we obviously are not happy with these results. Listen, if we would have had made tackles, their backs would not have had all of the yards they had. Mark my words, we are a much better team than we showed today.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-LIONS GAME:
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more in the NFL.com Game Center
- GAME RECAP: Turner leads Falcons to opening victory
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- GAME BLOG: Live notes from Mod's FalconsLIFE blog
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: More coverage and thoughts from the AF.com managing editor
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Lions
- INACTIVES: Game inactives and starters from Falcons-Lions
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Michael Turner | Matt Ryan | Lawyer Milloy
- VIDEO: John Abraham | Sam Baker | Michael Jenkins
- NFL NETWORK: Ryan Highlights | Turner Highlights
- TAILGATE TOUR: Falcon Al tours the tailgates before the game
