Defensive end John Abraham
Q: On his aggressive defensive play during today’s game...
A: “It was just one of those days. It’s a big game. We worked hard this week. We tried to come out and play well as a team and I think we did a good job.”
Q: Thoughts on bouncing back after last weeks game...
A: “We had to step-up. If you were at our practice on Wednesday, you would have thought it was a game. We came out hitting and we came out ready today. We knew it was going to be a physical game. We did a good job making plays.”
Q: How do you feel about 15.5 sacks this year?
A: “It sounds good. I think my previous record was 13. I really feel good to keep going higher and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Linebacker Keith Brooking
Q: Thoughts on the Falcon’s overtime performance...
A: “We played great defensively all day long. We were talking about it on the sidelines saying ‘regardless of what takes place, we have to get a stop. We have to find a way to make a stop and put the football back in the hands of our offense.’ We gave them enough opportunities and they found a way to get down there and try win the game.”
Q: Thoughts on making the playoffs...
A: “We don’t look at the big picture and I mean that with all my heart. We have been talking about it all week. We take it one week at a time. This was a very good football team coming in here and we approach it that way. I said last week after the loss in New Orleans that I love this team, the character we have shown and the way we bounce back from all of our losses.”
Q: Thoughts on the Falcons standings in the playoff race...
A “It feels good. We don’t worry about what’s going on the outside. We feel like that if we take care of our business the next two weeks, we’ll be where we want to be.”
Running back Michael Turner
Q: How important was this game?
A “We didn’t want to lose two in a row and we definitely didn’t want to fall out of the playoff race. We needed this game to stay alive.”
Q: Thoughts on how the team has matured...
A: “It’s kind of hard to compare us to all the games that we played at the beginning of the year. We were new and still trying to gell as a team.”
Q: Talk about your 15th touchdown and breaking the Falcons single-season record...
A: “It’s great. I didn’t plan on all of this to happen. I just wanted to do my part and help this team win.”
Tackle Sam Baker
Q: How did it feel to get back out there and play?
A: “It was great to get back out there and play. I feel really good. The rotation between Todd (Weiner) and I worked out really well. It was good to be out there and get a win today.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan
Opening remarks:
A: “This was an outstanding win tonight for our team. Tampa Bay was a great team to play against so we needed to make some plays out of the ordinary. We were able to execute down the stretch in a hard fought battle in every minute of the game. We were able to get the plays when we needed it. Like great teams do, we had to find ways to win the game, even if it’s ugly. But at the end of the day, we will take it.”
Q: In preparation for the playoffs, how important is this win?
A: “To be honest, I haven’t thought about that topic much. It is important for our team to take one win at a time. It was a great atmosphere out there in the Georgia Dome and we definitely needed their support against a division foe. Our fans had it extremely loud and it was great thing to be part of. On the other hand, you have to give Tampa Bay a lot of credit, because they made us work hard for this win. It was not easy out there in the least bit, but we’ll take it.”
On running back Michael Turner:
A: “Mike did a great job out there, which he has been doing for us all year. He has been so consistent for us. He works so hard to prepare week after week that he is ready when its game time. He takes such a pounding because he is a physical runner. Again, Mike was excellent against a stout defense in Tampa Bay. There were times in the game where our offensive line opened some daylight in which Mike would hit the holes and then drag would-be tacklers for three and four yards. He is a great weapon to have out there and we are excited to have his abilities.”
Wide receiver Michael Jenkins
Q: This game felt like a playoff game. What are your thoughts on that?
A: “Yes. This game definitely had that type of atmosphere. The stakes were high for this game and both teams played with urgency. This was a crazy win. In the NFL, three turnovers, and blocked punt usually equal a loss, but I believe our heart and our character brought us through with a win.”
Q: It looked as if you gave everything you had to win this game. What are your thoughts on that?
A: “We definitely gave everything we had. When Tampa Bay got the ball first in overtime and proceeded down the field, it wasn’t looking good for us. But the defense did a great job on holding them off. Once we got the ball, the offensive line and Michael Tuner gave everything they had. They really helped to pound those guys up front and allowed us to take it down the filed. That was big for us.”
Q: What are your thoughts on coming up with enough plays to combat Tampa Bay’s defense?
A: “We knew they were a talented group coming into the game. We made some plays, and they made some plays on their end. Overall, I really have to give them a lot of credit, but our ability to come out on top was huge.”
Running back Jason Snelling
Q: What are your thoughts on your plays on special teams?
A: “We knew that special teams had to make some big plays coming into this game. We just wanted to correct some of the mistakes from last game and make a difference. I’m glad we did that today.”
Q: What are your thoughts on picking up the slack for some of the injured players on special teams?
A: “Coach (Keith) Armstrong always says if the next man goes down, you need to be ready to play. We practice week to week with that philosophy in mind. Although we lost a few players due to injury, every player on our team is ready to contribute whenever they’re needed.”
Q: Did the atmosphere today feel like a play-off game?
A: Yes. We’re playing to keep our season alive, and it started here today. This is the fourth quarter of our season. This win will always be a special memory. This game was huge for us, and I don’t think we’ll ever forget it.”
Wide Receiver Roddy White
Q: What are your thoughts on the resiliency of this team?
A: “We struggled today on offense, and we turned over the ball a lot and we felt that we were stopping ourselves. Although we were moving the chains, our defense really bailed us out today. We had about four or five sacks and a couple of turnovers. I really appreciate their hard work. If they continue playing like they did today, we’ll always have a shot to win.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the team’s performance as a whole?
A: “Our special teams played hard and our defense played outstanding. Our defense stopped the run today and had some really big plays out there. That’s what it takes to win in this league. Sometimes the offense will have off days and we’ll need someone to pick us up. That’s what the defense and special teams did today, and I’m thankful for that.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-BUCS GAME:
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more on the game from NFL.com
- GAME RECAP: Turner, defensive stops key in overtime victory
- GAME NOTES: Falcons and Bucs game notes straight from the Georgia Dome press box
- GAME BLOG: Notes on the Falcons victory over the Bucs on FalconsLIFE
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and comment from the managing editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | White | Foxworth | Turner | Elam | Abraham
- NFL NETWORK: Falcons-Bucs Game Highlights
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Bucs
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from the Falcons-Bucs game
- FORUMS: Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE
- PHOTOS: Images from Falcons-Bucs games present and past
