Head Coach Mike Shanahan
Opening Remarks:
"We played a really good football team today. Obviously, it was a hard fought game on both sides of the ball. The first drive we were able to score. I thought that theyreally came up and stopped us on one, two, three and four. It was an excellent rushing offensive team. We were fortunate to step up the way that we did, especially since we had lost a few of our guys. We fought back and played the rushing defense that we wanted. They were an excellent running offensive football team. I was very pleased. Our special teams made a couple of big plays out there. We made some big strides. Normally, you go the other direction when you have your starters out. The guys that we asked to play special teams really stepped up and found a way to win."
Q: What about having to plug guys in the running back position?
A: “We were trying to keep our guys fresh. The key was holding on to the football. We had enough drives going in that first half. Our guys went in there and got the ball going. I think that we had the ball three times the second half. We had some pretty impressive drives. We were stalled a few times after that first drive.”
Q: Back-ups always have to step up due to injuries. How impressed were you that you were able to have the entire collection of guys respond the way that they did?
A: “Everyone has good players in the National Football League. Very seldom do you have first-year players that are playing in that back-up position. It is very critical for them because they are in that position. It feels pretty good to have guys step up that have really not played in the National Football League. I feel good about them and their future.”
Q: What was the reason behind letting Spencer (Larsen) make history like he did?
A: “One of the reasons why that I kept you out of the loop for about 30 minutes is that I can’t trust you guys in Denver. You write about stuff all the time so I had Spencer Larsen in a white jersey all week pretending like he is fullback and tired of the middle linebacker position. I am zero for three with the Denver media when we have a different jersey on a guy. It always comes out who is starting next week. We did that for obvious game plan reasons.”
Q: Could you talk about (Peyton) Hillis who made the winning catch on the touchdown drive?
A: “It was great. He has excellent hands. He may have the best hands on the football team. We caught the coverage that we were hoping to catch. They did a great job of coming off and making the play. He has string hands and found a way to make that catch.”
Defensive End Elvis Dumervil
Q: You guys played like you were on a mission?
A: “Well, no one gave us a chance in this game. All the media, including USA Today, all said we didn’t have a prayer. But you know, Coach Shanahan is a great coach and he rallied us all. We’ve got a lot of guys out, but we didn’t make any excuses.”
Q: Not only did you cool off their quarterback, but you seemed to have stoned Michael Turner:
A: We stopped him for the most part. He had a nice little run there for a touchdown. They’ve got a nice team and I give them credit. But for the most part, we shut them down.”
Cornerback Dre Bly
Q: Talk about your first-half interception:
A: “I played high and inside. We got a lot of pressure on them, and I guess that’s why he threw the ball all crazy like he did. Then when he threw it and it came my way. I was just praying that it would stick to my hands.”
Q: Your defense turned in quite the performance:
A: “Well, we played a sound game today. It was probably as good of a performance as we have had all season long. We put pressure on the (Matt Ryan). But you know, Matt is a great quarterback. It’s crazy that it is only his first year. He’s tremendously poised. We came today without making any excuses, and it paid off.”
Fullback/Linebacker Spencer Larson
Q: Not too often in the NFL does a guy plays both ways:
A: “Well they needed me on defense. We were real quiet about it. I was real excited about it, but I was able to keep my cool. It was fun and challenging. At fullback, you really know what to do, but at linebacker, it’s a different world. Still, I’m happy with the outcome.”
Q: How do you feel physically?
A: “I feel good. Obviously, I’m a little beat up. I’m a little more tired than I usually am, but when you win, you feel great.”
Running back Tatum Bell
On the play of Peyton Hillis:
“We knew that he was going to get the opportunity to make plays and he answered it today when he got the chance with two touchdowns. The same thing that he did in practice translated to the field.”
On playing again:
“It felt pretty good and got my feet wet early. I’m looking forward to getting more plays.”
Wide receiver Eddie Royal
On the win:
“All three phases we wanted to do a good job of today and I think that we did that. We are playing good football right now.”
On so many rookies contributing:
“We came here with the mindset that we wanted to help the team out right away. We are a close group that goes out to eat once a week. We want to change the franchise. We came in for a reason and that was to make a difference.”
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall
On a lot of people contributing:
“Coach (Mike) Shanahan and the front office did a great job of creating a depth chart that when a guy goes down, we have the talent that can step up and make plays.”
On Jay Cutler spreading the ball around:
“That’s when we are at our best. We take advantage of opportunities and spread the ball around. We have a lot of play makers on our sideline. I think it’s good when we spread it around.”
Quarterback Jay Cutler
On some of the young guys stepping up:
“The guys did a great job of stepping in there and making plays for us.”
On having several receivers making plays:
“The run game took a lot of pressure off of us in the passing game and allowed us to get things going. Guys made a lot of plays today.”
What adjustments did you make in the second half?
“We make a lot of adjustments every week. Defenses and offenses alike start making adjustments in the second, third and fourth quarters to try and win games."
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-BRONCOS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete coverage of the Falcons loss to the Broncos
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more from NFL.com
- GAME RECAP: Turner's touchdowns aren't enough to carry Falcons
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- GAME BLOG: Live notes and commentary in the official game blog
- RING OF HONOR: Vote for the next member of the Falcons Ring of Honor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Abraham | White | McClure
- HIGHLIGHTS: Game highlights from NFL Network | Michael Turner Highlights
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and more from the AF.com Managing Editor
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Broncos
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from the Falcons-Broncos Game
- REVIEW AND RESPOND: Ask your questions about the game with Voices Heard
- PHOTOS: Images from the Falcons 24-20 loss to the Denver Broncos
- DISCUSS: Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE
