Darnell Mooney & others on the Falcons preparation to take on the Seahawks | Press Conference

Darnell Mooney & others on the Falcons preparation to take on the Seahawks | Press Conference

wide receiver room, not just you, has sort of been in flux. How difficult is it, I shouldn’t say. Is it difficult for this group to get into a rhythm when folks are in and out of the lineup? Uh, I don’t think you could look at it in that way. I think, um, as a receiver, a lot of things have to, you know, go right for you to for you to get the ball, you know. So, um, you just have to, you know, do your do your best, show up as best as you can, and hope for the best and make the opportunity the most when you get that opportunity. So, has it been a difficult season for you coming off of last year, which was not a career year, but right up on it? Uh, I understand everything, you know, um, as far as, um, for things to work out the way they need to go, you have to have a certain sense of rhythm. I mean, you know, these there’s been a lot of change um with everything. So, a lot of different things. So, I’m not really worried about, you know, like I said, I try to go out there and do as best I can. Um, and things haven’t been working that way for me as as well as I’ve wanted it to, you know, but at the end of the day, I’m like I like I’ve said a couple times, I try to I come here to win games, you know. Um, and if winning games, you know, involve me of getting, you know, a thousand yards, then let that be that. But I guess things we’re trying to figure that out to figure out, you know, what is it, you know, what’s the problem so we can win some games, you know? So, I don’t know. There’s a lot of things. A lot of things, man. A lot of things. How do you feel physically right now? I feel good. Feel good. You know, everybody has their knicks and knacks, you know, at the end of the year, you know, everybody’s dealing with something, but um I’m good. Good to go. So, how do you feel in terms of the rhythm that that you’re in compared to say this time last year, you know, this time? Yeah. Uh, I don’t know, man. You keep speaking on last year. So, I don’t know. I mean, I I always try to stay in the moment, you know, everybody’s always, you know, looking in the past and it’s easy to look on the past of things. When I got here, everybody was talking about my years in 2021 and, right, that that does nothing suffices nothing from from now. But, um, uh, like I said, I’m going out there. I’m running my routes. I’m trying my best, you know? So that’s all I can do and um that’s all I will do. So the future then the next what is what does a successful last five games look like from for this team and for you and your Oh wins the get in the win column you know um and that’s the biggest thing that’s the only thing that matters you know we got to win games and doesn’t matter about statistics wise and or anything of that main goal is to win the game. We have not been doing that this year. Um, so nothing for me individual wise. Obviously I try to dominate each game. You know, I try to, you know, do my best, but the win column is the best best thing for the next five games. I know you’re a guy that takes a lot of pride in being a professional doing the professional stuff off the field to be a to be available. Given that Jake Matthews, what has the streak that he’s on? You know, from your perspective, how impressive is it? Uh, very impressive. I I asked him a couple times like what do you do? Like what have you done your whole career? He’s like pretty much just listen to what he’s told and just you know just do the work and just go home and you know be with his family and that’s what he does. So I know you’re I’ve asked him too and you’re expecting some sort of profound answer and he’s like I really nothing just a normal thing. Yeah. Just keep the simple things simple. Yeah. What’s kind of the key when you guys haven’t had maybe the wins that you wanted and the really close losses of like making sure everyone’s kind of staying together? I mean last year we it was reverse. We were winning those close games. We were finding ways to you know get down the field at the end of those games and um it was very scary times when we got the ball at the end of the game and um now it’s kind of reverse to that. we’re not kind of like sealing those games. And um uh that’s kind of how football is. You know, got to at the end regardless of how the game is going throughout the game, it can make may look like we’re winning the whole time, but you know, you got to lock in and stay focused throughout the whole game and um understand one play can change everything and that’s kind of been our thing for the last couple games when things go that way. So, do you feel like that that’s what’s missing this year is that maybe guys aren’t maybe as focused towards the end of it or kind of I don’t I don’t think I think guys are focused. It’s just, you know, it’s always that one play that one play you know and other guys are other team they’re making a play themselves you know they’re making a smart play or um yeah it’s the game within the game though you know what do you think is missing that that one play isn’t coming to fruition like it did before for us? Yes. Um I wish I I wish I can give you that answer. You know, if I could, we will we win those games. So, it’s not an answer I have right now. So, how has the offense changed under Kirk? Um, how has it changed? Uh, you have to be, you know, have to get your head around because he can get the progression really fast. Um, and, uh, he’ll he’ll say no to something really fast, like he’ll he’ll get off it and get to the backside really faster. So from the backside, you have to be get there, get to your point really fast, especially if it’s some pressure or anything, you know, just being ready at all times, you know. So just getting through progressions really faster, you know, as a vet, you expect those things. What kind of challenge do you have coming up this week with Seattle? Oh, everything. They’re good. Very good team all around everywhere. So, what like personal matchups for you? Like what are you looking at? Um, I mean there’s nothing personal. They they kind of keep everything, you know, in front of you, you know. So, um, they don’t really, you know, you know, have any personal things with with guys. They’re just taking away guys. They’re they’re just a savvy defense. You know, they got a great D line. Uh, played against them last year. You know, seeing how how good they were then and, you know, similar guys, same guy. So, same matchup we got going on. When teams aren’t winning games, you always hear the coaches take the accountability like it’s on me, I’ve got to do better. And that kind of thing. Do you feel like that goes for the players as well? Like do you feel like the players are taking accountability kind of in these close losses that Yeah, for sure. I think it’s um communication with the within all of us. We have those conversations of like um that’s something, you know, I got to do better, something that they got to do better or you got to do better. There’s never a lot of, you know, um uh guys that’s not taking accountability, you know, as far as um what conversations I’ve had, you know. Um, but yeah, I think everybody’s taking accountability for what, you know, they have haven’t had mistakes at, you know. So, you have a locker next to Jaylen Walker. How’s that relationship, you know, with you and him developed? Cool. It’s cool. It’s growing, you know. Um, funny guy, you know, as well. Um, uh, very mature. Um, yeah, just a great relationship, you know. Does does he feel like a rookie to you? Cuz doesn’t feel like it to many people. Uh, I mean, no, not really. I mean we just sit there have regular conversations you know I don’t look at him as any younger guy or older guy you know just a nice normal conversation if he has any questions I would you know answer but likewise if I have any questions I would answer. So you said maturity what what do you think makes him mature? uh he comes to work every day. he understands, you know, um regardless if it’s, you know, um we have I feel like we have a great great um you know, practice schedule within, you know, taking care of our bodies and stuff, but there’s some days, you know, when you you have the schedule and they’re giving us time to, you know, uh rest, you have to take advantage of those reps and he takes advantage of those reps. And it’s a conversation we had at the beginning of the year like you know you got to take care of those take advantage of those because it’s only like you know a couple on this short day and you never know you probably won’t see that play or that match up again until the game. So uh and I mean you can see what he’s been he’s been doing his thing this year him and JP. So good guys. This is for a Pro Bowl push specifically with AJ Terrell. How difficult does he make a receivers’s life? Uh very very very difficult. I mean he’s very physical. um he can change it up. Um he’s very smart as well and um I love going against AJ. Um I wasn’t able to go against him in training camp uh due to you know those things but um uh no I love going against AJ. He’s he’s a dominant player. He does make it very difficult. Very difficult. Um Raheem mentioned actually the other week that you and James kind of have a little trophy for whoever ends up winning rookie of the year. Is that true? Trophy? Yeah. I think the the trophy the actual trophy. Yeah, that’s that’s the Yeah, that’s the trophy we got. Oh, he was saying there was like one just between you two. I didn’t know if there was something special or maybe just out of Nah, maybe maybe if you if me and James was talking right now, it came to my brain, but I don’t I don’t really remember right now. So, okay. Yeah. What’s that relationship like with him being like both first rounders and having the seasons that you are successfully? Yeah, I mean we’re just teammates. Like we’re teammates, we’re friends. Like that’s my dog. Like we we are in this together. So we we just week in week out, you know, put the work in during the week so we can uh have fun on Sunday. How do you push each other to be better? Being ourselves, we we look at each other every day and you know, we give each other tips and help each other out. You know, the way we both play um you know, it’s complimentary football. Who like how would you explain both of your styles of play if you compliment each other? Thunder and lightning. There you go. Yeah. Who’s Thunder? It depends on the day. Which one do you prefer to be? I have no no preference. As long as we’re long as we striking something, so we should be good. What’s it just been like going through this season with someone like that? Like sometimes that’s rare. Like you don’t have a fellow firstrounder who can experience everything that you are and it’s literally the exact same position too, right? I mean, I don’t say it’s any any different honestly. It’s just us being drafted to a team um and have an opportunity to play some football. I mean, it’s we have those roles of being those founders, you know, that’s a title and and claim, but it’s it’s way bigger than that. You know, it’s just two young guys coming in from the SEC playing football. So, who’s more competitive between the two of you? Oh, I’m of course say me. I ain’t ever ever not going to do that. So, is there a specific area of your game where you feel like you’ve developed uh this year more than any other or just generally speaking, how different of a player do you feel like you are now versus where you were when you came in? Yeah, right. Um I feel like I’ve developed a lot more um in my pass rush um just because I’m doing it at a a lot more at a higher rate. Um just because you know in college I was here there and there. Um so you know honing on one position you know focusing on that pass rush is nice. Is there with regards to the pass rush is there an adjustment that you have to make just dealing with the the profile of tackles and offensive linemen that you see at this level with the size of Well fortunate enough I played in the SEC and I’ve seen a couple 67s and a couple 68 guys and had them as my teammates and practice against them every day. Um, so shout out to Georgia um for for giving me that type of personnel and clientele to go against. So what would you say during this time that you maybe learned about Pierce playing alongside her being? Anything at all that you learned about? Yeah, we’re just I feel like we’re two compatible people. Um we’re might people might see us as polar opposites, but me and James really get along a lot and I just appreciate him working with him. uh the relationship that we’re we’ve built, the relationship that we’re still building, you know, just having that that honesty and that 100% in our relationship. Do you think like you’ve learned anything a little bit from him that you’ve kind of taken from him and vice versa? Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course. We have our gyms that I’ve dropped and he’s gave me gems that he’s dropped just not in football outside of football in life like we we’re just um we’re brothers at the end day. We were brought in together and uh we’ll leave together. So, can you share a gem? Ah, yeah. Nothing on top of my brain, but you know, there are valuable things that I know that will always, you know, stick in the back of my head. When you first met him, did you expect to like build this kind of relationship? I mean, I wasn’t expecting anything really. I mean, just coming in as uh two guys that aren’t truly familiar with each other and we just got to learn and and know who each other were. So, how hard has it been? I mean, you came from Georgia who kind of was found themselves going into the postseason and playoffs. How hard has it been kind of dealing with the ups and the downs of this season for the first time, especially in your rookie career, right? I I’m not far removed from the game of football. It’s all about it’s part of the game. It’s part of competitive nature. It’s part of uh being in this league. Um as I learned, you know, just being a part of the NFL, you have other guys who have the same job as you who who try to strive and have success for their programs and their clubs as well. Um so I there’s nothing that I’m looking past or looking forward. I’m just learning everything as I go. But those are the things that really stick out. Has there anyone that you felt like has really stood out to you like help kind of maybe the adversity or the hard times that stood up in this kind of Yeah, I feel like you know with our adversity as a team I feel like everyone there’s no out outlanders. There’s no guys falling off the ship. Everybody’s still in this together. Um and that’s just a sign of a a good football team. You know, being at Georgia, adversity struck, things happened, but you know, everybody still stuck together. So, who do you have on Saturday, Georgia or Alabama? No brainer. Georgia. No brainer. Are you going to go or are you just going to be Yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll be there. I’ll be there for sure. Seattle’s a top 10 offensive team in yards per game. What do you see from them? What are the challenges as to what makes their offense so good? Right. you know, they’re explosive offense, make explosive plays, and you know, in this league, uh, minor errors can come critical, and, you know, they’re they’re just a good football team that can capitalize on that. Um, but, you know, as our job is to stop them, you know, I feel like this year, uh, we we always rise to occasion um, in these these type of aspects and these things. So, James, what has your relationship been like with Jaylen since you got here? And how has it grown? Uh we we flew in on a plane together. So we was just really going through the whole whole thing together. We met at the airport. We both arrived at the same time. Knew this was home for us. He got drafted a few spots ahead of me in the draft. But ever since we loaded up the jet, landed in Atlanta. That been my that been my guy. How special is that relationship or it’s kind of unique in that you’re both first round draft picks at the exact same position? Oh, it’s cool. It’s it’s cool. Fun for real. I don’t know story was wrote like this and I feel like we are joining we trying to make the best of it. Are you too competitive with each other? Uh yeah, football naturally is just a competitive game and just especially us always want the best out of each other. He want the best out of me or if I’m slacking or you want to do something better. We always on each other about just a little thing minute things. I heard there’s a I had a rumor there’s a little bit of a an agreement a wager about who might win uh defensive rookie of the year. Maybe dinner is a dinner involved. I probably wouldn’t say wager, but uh yeah, maybe that’s not the right word. Agreement. No, I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that, but it’s for sure understanding like it’s something hardware out there that we we trying to bring home our way. We got twice twice as a chance to do it. So, how often do you guys discuss that? Is it competitive? Um it’s competitive. It’s competitive, but we’re trying to knock down the knock down the wins. You get what I’m saying? Pick up those things. And that’s just the cherry on top and what comes with it, the hard work. You’re getting a lot of pressures early in the season. Now it seems like you’re finally getting those sacks. Four and a half in the last four games. I mean, have you done anything different or is it just a proc the process? No, just mental. Just everything just being professional, everything. Just on the field, off the field, just making sure everything align. How important is it? How important is it to have guys in the middle like Brandon Doris and Ruguro and guys like that who are really, you know, giving you the ability to kind of be a free rusher on the outside? It’s great. It’s always great. You know what I’m saying? We kind of play off each other. It’s not me rushing as one, it’s four rushing as one. You know what I’m saying? So, does it give you like kind of a sense of pride that you are winning with four versus five? Um, that’s our job to pass for us. Oh, my bad. I’m sorry. Um, as four, you know what I’m saying? Coach sent pressures. It’s just our job to trust him, his job to trust us. So, we just just trying to knock down the wins. What’s kind of like I guess dealing or working on that like chemistry between you and Jaylen? Like, if he’s doing the pressure, you’re getting the sack or vice versa. Like, how have you kind of worked on that? It’s a race to the quarterback. It’s the race to the quarterback. He know it. I know it. Everybody know it. We try to get them on the ground. Do you guys compete with each other during the game? Like, hey, I’ve already got one, now it’s your turn. Or vice versa. Yeah. Or I just need more or just keep going. Don’t stop. That’s not enough. You feel me? But like I said, the main thing is just always trying to get a win. You know what I’m saying? Personalitywise, how how are you guys the same and how are you guys different? You J. Uh, I just feel like I don’t know. It’s there a little bit. Like he his own guy, you feel He probably more talking than I am or but it it’s it’s weird cuz like it just shows different but like you really talk to him, you get to know him. You get to talk to me, you get to know me. We connect just on what we connect about. Yeah. So you guys are both more than like what the surface might might be. One more time. You guys are more than what people might see on the surface. Yeah. Yeah. A little bit. Yeah. A little bit. You guys thunder and lightning. So who’s thunder? Who’s lightning? Uh I don’t know. It depends. We probably just trade it out. You know what I’m saying? He be thunder one day, I’ll be lighting one day. I’ll be thunder one day. He be lightning. You know what I’m saying? Maybe. Hey, Kirk mentioned something about a dog. You getting a new dog there? Yeah, Kirk told y’all that. What kind of dog? I got a name. Uh, what is the type of dog is that? Um, a giant schnowzer. Okay. You named him yet or is it a her? Uh, it’s it’s a he. It’s a he. Okay. My my girl named him um uh Hermes Automar. I like that. Hermes Automar. Okay. Yeah. Have you had a dog before? Yeah, actually I do. I have like three dogs. Okay. Yeah. They all a little dumb. I bought them from my girl when I was in college. Oh, okay. James, how do you how do you feel like you’ve grown as a as a player or person? Basically, how are you how do you feel different at this point now than when you came in, you know, before having experienced the professional? I understand like probably my feet more underneath me. You get what I’m saying? like you start taking steps or things, you start getting certain things done and start finding out your routine. Like you start to hear all the stuff that the vets tell you and stuff come to light and how you figure out your routine, what works best for you. So just everything starting to finally come together. We probably not winning how we want to be winning right now and just a lot of other stuff going on, but like for me personally, I can say like starting finding routine, comfortability, getting settled in Atlanta, feel me? Not being on the road for a whole year straight, going through a draft process. So just having my feet up underneath me that felt good. So just let me be able to focus on the game a little bit more. What does it make you How does it make you feel like the the unit the pass rushing unit is all basically under the age of 25? Like a lot of your leading rusher that pass rushers. Does that do you think about that at all or is it just football? That probably ain’t my job to think about that. But yeah, I’m just trying to still build a connection with my guys and make sure we chasing the right thing wins and wins and dedication and hard work with each other. So just trying to sort through that. And then Leonard Floyd is probably one of the veteran guys in that room that you would look up to. Does that is that do you guys still have that kind of relationship? Yeah, that’s my guy. Me and Flo would just talk and me and Flo talk about stuff I probably want to talk to other people about. You get what I’m saying? So that’s my dog. OG vet, whatever. He gave me game that he learned when he was younger. That’s my guy. Is it hard to maybe kind of stay focused and keep your mind on task when the wins aren’t coming? Like who’s kind of keeping you guys together and making sure that you are all working on Really? Yeah, I think it’s just like all like I wouldn’t say like a smack in the face, but like we look at each other like we just don’t go look in the mirror and sudden I’m sorry. It’s just like damn like that guy got his head up. Keep our head up. I got just keep going. You know what I’m saying? Keep fighting. Just keep fighting. You know what I’m saying? The breakthrough. Yeah. Coach Zack, um what are some of the issues you all face against uh the Seattle defense, which is ranked number two against the run? Yeah, it’s a really good defense. Um they’ve got really talented players at all three levels. You look at the front um you know bunch of bigname guys that have had a ton of production throughout their careers. The second level Ernest Jones is a guy that we know you know from our time in Los Angeles. And then secondary is loaded as well. So we’re going to have our hands full for sure. They they do a great job. Great coaches over there. They do a great job with their scheme. So we know it’ll be a great challenge and and uh our guys need a great week of practice and and a great week of prep to uh to get ready to roll. Um, do you all have to continue to see if Love comes back at safety? Yeah, we’ll we’ll certainly monitor, you know, some of those guys that could possibly be up. I mean, he’s he’s been a good player for handful of years now. And so, um, yeah, he definitely makes them them better on the back end for sure, but, um, just like any of those guys, we’ll kind of monitor throughout the week. What’s it been like for you with this rotating wide receivers, um, each game basically? Yeah, it’s been I think it’s been a great um I don’t know challenge isn’t the word because you’re you’re loving these guys getting the opportunity but obviously we’ve been you know having some u moving parts really the whole season um with the wide outs and um you know we put the plan together every single week with with guys in mind um sometimes they’re able to be up sometimes they’re down we’re kind of waiting late in the week on some guys so um you know we have such flexibility with our guys that’s where you know if you have smart players that can kind of plug and play in a number of spots the David Sills obviously Drummond coming now. Um, you know, got Devin Tomkins up LA. So, those guys can all handle it. TJ Yates does a great job with those guys getting them prepared for every situation. So, um, you know, it’s been it’s been different. Last year, we were so healthy. Um, you know, really all those guys were just rolling minus Mooney the last game of the season and Drake was in and out in a couple games. But um you know so there it has been a little bit more mixing and matching but those guys are doing a great job filling in and look forward to just seeing their progression throughout the season and stepping up and making plays whenever their numbers called. How would you assess how TJ has been since stepping into that role and kind of dealing with the chaos of a lot of movements? Yeah, TJ’s done a great job. He’s obviously coached that position before. Um he’s got a great global perspective of of offense and defensive structures. Um him and I work so closely together. uh on a number of things and so he’s able to relay those guys the information that we’re looking for and and um he sees the game through a quarterback lens obviously with his background playing and um coaching it as well. So um he does a great job with those guys. They keep it you know loose in the room. It’s a it’s a fun group to be around. So um he’s he’s done a great job really all season long. What are you kind of looking for from Kirk for the last five games? Because you know he’s he’s uh he’s done enough you know to get you guys right there at the end. um hasn’t been spectacular necessarily, but has been, you know, solid. Yeah, I think Kirk’s playing good ball. I think all of us collectively, you know, we we’ve played some good football, but the results aren’t we’re not winning games, and that’s that’s all that matters. And so, I think not only just for Kirk, but the rest of our guys, it’s how can we create those moments when we need them, when we need to when we need the plays. We’ve had so many close games um that we’ve had opportunities and you know that it happens in football. everybody, you know, competitors, whether you’re playing, coaching, you’ve been a part of these close games and you’re find trying to find a way to win these games. And um ultimately, you know, you keep working, you keep trying to improve, you keep understanding the wise, what we can do better in those situations, and you come out stronger, you know, because of it. So, uh, you know, not only Kirk, but the rest of the guys, I think that’s the message, just when when we need our best, we got to be at our best. And I I I look forward to the next opportunity that we get to to handle that moment because I know we’ll handle it the right way with the receivers that are up on game day. Do you have input in that ultimate decision that gets made? I’m sure that there’s probably several people who and you know front office kind of even has to kind of pay attention. Yeah, it’s it’s very collaborative. This whole building is very collaborative. It’s open communication set by Ross, set by Terry, um set by those guys that that we’re all in constant communication throughout the week. Um, you know, obviously we look at, hey, what personnel is going to fit us for this game? Hey, what does Maris need? You know, there’s so many things that go into it. And then, um, you know, the communication is, hey, we’re going to have this player up and then we build the CL, uh, the plan according to that. But, um, no, it’s a great collaboration between the whole building. Everybody’s always on the same page and there’s no uh there’s never any surprises. You’re talking about understand you build the plan after the personnel. So, how difficult is that when you when the personnel injury-wise is is shifting? Yeah, I think it it you know, we’re able to tweak some things like formationally. We have a ton of different formations that um you know, say X player has to play the Z now. You know, we can kind of tweak some things that that it keeps them in the same mindset of where they were going to line initially. And so I think the flexibility that the scheme has from a personnel standpoint and um just a formational standpoint and how we build things out, it can help those guys to where hey maybe you were the X earlier this week, now you’re the Z, but you’re doing the exact same thing in the exact same location. We’re just calling it this formation now. So u the only real challenges are when like the Dolphin we, you know, when Drake, you end up finding out on Saturday afternoon, you know, like those things can can obviously present some challenges. Those are very very rare. We’ve we’ve uh like I said had good communication to to kind of have a great idea um you know really Wednesday, Thursday who’s going to be up. So um we we adjust you know just as we have to and and I think guys have handled it uh well really throughout the whole season. How often do you are guys when you’re making a decision about who’s up and who’s down come down to I really love this play or these two plays against these guys and I need this guy to do that. Yeah, I think there’s certain um you know with a Devin Tommpkins for example, you know, he’s got some speed element to him. Um you know, you certainly want to make sure it’s a good amount of plays that you do have a vision for. He ended up playing don’t know the exact snaps, but he had a a decent amount of plays that were in the in the plan um you know to get him out there. So, you know, there there’s definitely you know, looks that you see from the defense or hey, maybe we need a little bit more speed in this game. Let’s try to get Tomkins up. does that fit for the rest of the roster and then um we go from there. But um but yeah, there’s always adjusting, adapting, but you definitely want to have a healthy package of plays if you do have a player in mind uh to help you on game day. How is it with Kirk? I mean uh when we were talking to Rick, you know, he was like Kirk’s not like devising the playbook, devising the game plan, but he does kind of give feedback as the in install goes. And um I guess like how does that impact you as the offensive coordinator when you’re putting things together over the course of Yeah, I think you know Kirk does a great job and all of our quarterbacks with Mike as well like you will put the plan together obviously with their skill sets in mind and who’s up on uh on game day and then just as anything we communicate out on the field right when we see it, hey, what do you think of that one? And then we might come in the next day like actually we like this play. Hey, let’s scrap that. We got plenty of play passes that we can get to that are that are better plays that maybe he likes more. So, uh, we always go in with a good amount of inventory early in the week and then always looking to chop things as the week goes on. Hey, tell me if you do not want this called. We do not have to call it. It’s not going to hurt my feelings. I promise. So, um, all of our guys have done a great job. Kirk does that. He’s been through he’s played so much football. He’s got a great understanding for it all. So, uh, that communication is is ongoing throughout the week. Like I said, you know, we were just out there at walkthrough and there might be a couple plays that ah, maybe we can tweak it and do this instead. So, um, he’s done a great job communicating and really all of our players, the receivers as well. Drake is one that comes to mind. Drake will come in and we’ll have an idea for a route, you know, give him the framework of what we’re looking for. He’s such a natural instinctive player that he might put a little spin on it and he does it and we’re like, do it like that. All right, we won’t say anything more. So, um, yeah, we we leave those open lines of communication for really all of our players and the quarterbacks definitely have a big input on it. U coach, have y’all um you know, y’all continue to look at third downs for uh you know, some some solutions there for you? Yeah, I thought last week we had some opportunities um you know, to convert the f the first short yardage miscommunication um with Felipe Felipe there. Um you know, those things can happen. Um there was some other opportunities for execution. There was one play that I felt entirely responsible for. Um we got sacked. So, it it’s all all of us together. Um, but we did have some opportunities to execute and make the plays that are there. But again, we all have our hand in it. And that’s our biggest focus because you look at the rest of kind of what we got going on really since um we reset after the Dolphins game. There’s been a lot of positives. We we’re not getting the results in the wins and that’s all that matters. But the third downs is is something that we’ll continue to emphasize. Um felt like we had a good plan last week. um we just kind of fell short on a couple of those where you get into those third three, third and three, third and four, third and fives like those are the ones you got to convert when you get those uh shorter down in distances. So um and third third and one as well. So we got to make sure that when we get those premier looks we got to execute and we got to uh make sure we handle those looks. Is there ever like a a time where you kind of have to like look at production and kind of be like ah we’re using him a little too much. we need to bring him back a little bit or or like how do you manage that when you have a player that’s so dynamic? No, I would say, you know, it’s a it’s a blessing to cur curse at the same time because I mean, we’ve we’ve done so many things with him throughout the year um building the offense around him, his different alignments. He’s lined up every which way that you can on a field, you know, this year and he’s handled it really well. He’s really smart. Coach Petri does an awesome job getting them prepared every single week. But there is a balance between are we putting too much on him? are we slowing him down as a runner when we’re trying to do too much of with him as a receiver. So that’s been um you know again don’t want to say biggest challenge but it is something that we’re always mindful. Petri’s got a great um you know just perspective of hey I think we should kind of tempo back on a couple of these things and and let him just play. So u we’re we’re constantly finding the right balance between that. Um but again he’s uh so special with the ball in his hands. He can do so many different things. We want to obviously use those skill sets, but don’t want to lose sight of him just lining up in the eye, lining up in the pistol, lining up in the offset gun as a true runner. So, um, that’s always going to be the balance that we’re trying to find for sure. Seems like the the offense has taken some some big step forwards in terms of red zone uh scoring when when those opportunities are presented. What What’s changed with that part of your off? Negative plays, not avoiding negative plays. That’s been the biggest thing. When you look at red zone offense, that is typically the biggest thing is no negative plays and and no turnovers. And we’ve been able to stay efficient and even gains of two, gains of three are better than a minus five. So, um we’ve we’ve done a good job. The guys have handled it well. We’ve we’ve executed when we’ve got down and had those moments. So, um that’s been a real positive um you know, really throughout the season, especially with how it started. Thinking Minnesota, you know, obviously we left some opportunities out there. So, guys are doing a great job with it. But again, it’s just not having those negative plays in the red zone is such a big deal. And then you you talk about I mean, so the strides there and then you have John going for almost 200 yards of offense and you have wins like that, but it it seems like it’s always just a little bit short, right? So how do you deal with the frustration from your end and then also just coaching these players who they have big performances, but I mean how do you avoid that frustration setting? Yeah, I think anytime you lose a game, you’re always frustrated and it takes a full 24 even longer hours to to get over that. But, um, you know, we’ve had so many moments, you know, when you look at our losses that we’ve had opportunities to, um, to close a deal or or to, you know, send a game to whatever it might be. Um, you know, and we just haven’t haven’t had those happen. But again, you know, it’s it’s pro football. I think the guys are learning from all these experiences. Um, like I mentioned, like can’t wait for us to get another opportunity at that to to close the deal and capitalize when we get those chances because um, we’ve had some chances and the plays are there to be made and we we got to ultimately make them and um, you know, I think that’s that’s the biggest thing for us is no matter what’s happening for through the first three and a half quarters, fourth quarter, um, you know, we got to be able to to close the deal and that’s um, that’s something we’re emphasizing. Rod does a great job trying to simulate simulate those moments in practice as much as we can, but um definitely a huge emphasis knowing that, you know, we’re we’re doing some good things, but we got to find a way to win and that’s that’s all that matters. Uh yeah, coach, how are the Seahawks playing? We see the running backs doing uh pretty good and the the young receiver look like he’s emerging as one of the top receivers. Yeah, offensively these these guys are an absolute problem right now. Um they’re number one in a lot of statistical categories. Uh they’re explosive. They can beat you in um in every way. You know, the the the the pass game, it’s gone to a whole another space. Played them last year and and just the cohesion of of Sam Darnold and and obviously Brian Kubak and all the things that they’re doing. He just has so many weapons there. um you know, when you got that that unique um pairing of of really elite scheme and talent, uh you see special things occur and and you’re starting to see it there. You know, and they the the running back, both running backs are a problem. Um they got a renewed dedication to it. They have, you know, unbelievable balance regarding run, pass, um searching for their explosives, etc. Play action, pass, drop back, do a good job of mixing all that stuff. and and um and when you get into the passing game, it’s just it’s pick your poison. You know, you want to try to take away 11 and 22 hits you. You want to try to take away 22, 88 hits you. You want to try to take away the receivers, the back becomes an issue. So, um it’s going to be a great challenge. You know, in in moments like this where there’s a bad taste in her mouth, obviously, and frustration and um you know, the only way to to rid yourself of that is to to beat a quality opponent like this. So, we’re excited about this opportunity. Um, the running backs, can you describe their style? I know you we saw a little bit of Walker when he’s at Michigan State, but not so much Shar. Yeah, we went we went in there a couple years ago when I was with the Jets and um I didn’t, you know, you gain respect watching Tate, but until you really, you know, get to see a guy live and up close and personal, um, you don’t really appreciate him, I don’t think. You know, so we went up there and, uh, I want to say the first time he touched the ball, he went 75 yards on us, you know. So, this guy is he has power, he has vision, he has he has speed. Um, you know, he can grind out the dirty yards when you when you don’t block it for much and uh and make positive yardage, but he can also finish it with the explosives cuz he’s got the top end speed. Um, and then, you know, he’s got this counterpart that comes in and it feels very similar to, you know, our running back tandem in that way where Tyler comes in and he is just this absolute problem from a physicality standpoint. and um they’ve got the same duo it feels like in in Seattle and an offensive line that can absolutely create space and and a scheme that’s going to really challenge you um in that way too. So, it’s uh it’s a great challenge. Really is. Obviously, this is a team that didn’t have Sam Darnold here, but when you faced them last year, how different are they with him under? Sam is and that’s no shot at, you know, he’s he’s playing where he played I haven’t obviously studied him this year, but he’s he’s played at an elite level for those guys. So Sam is just um like he’s he’s he’s one of those guys that you know the quarterback position is so unique, you know, because you come into the league and um and especially when you come into the league in a place like New York, it’s very hard to have success as a young quarterback period, but you go to a place that’s got such a media um focus that it can be very distracting, especially for young players that aren’t as callous to this league and you know to to all that comes with that. and um obviously had you know his struggles there for for whatever the reason you know and and he is coming into his own now and he is becoming one of these top flight quarterbacks played him last year in in London when he was with Minnesota and I didn’t recognize the the young man you know he he is uh he is really finding himself um he has unbelievable confidence he’s he’s got mobility he’s got accuracy he’s got he’s a he’s become a very good decision maker So, um, he’s the perfect guy to run this offense. You know, he really reminds me of the Kubaks of old, the Shanahanss of old, where you had these guys that were elite problem solvers and and processors, but at the same time, very good athletes, too, that, you know, obviously the keeper game, the boot game comes alive, but also his ability to to play off schedule, you know, and and uh and the and his playmakers, you know, especially number 11. Um, he he thrives in those those moments. He’s that guy that comes back to the ball. He gets vertical. He He goes with the quarterback’s movement. He uh he compliments the off schedule stuff at an elite level. So awesome challenge. You mentioned Sorry, I was going to I was going to ask you about James Pierce Jr., you know, four straight games with the sack. Yep. He’s getting pressure, you know, kind of consistently even early on in the season, but now he’s started to, you know, get home a little bit. What have you seen as far as improvements from him? Yeah, just absolute growth and and I and I know I keep, you know, harping on this, but in my opinion, um it’s the most important thing with young players, like keep refining and improving the process. And um every time we come out here, I feel like he’s a little bit better in walkthroughs. He’s a little bit better in practice. Um and even conversations with him, his football intelligence is starting to really shine through, and he’s starting to gain a deeper understanding of football just at this level, our scheme. Um, and then ultimately his his superpowers as far as a pass rusher and how we can best take advantage of that skill set and um, yeah, it’s it’s exciting because the sky’s is the limit for this young man, you know, and as long as he keeps refining this process and really uh, puts his nose down and continues to work and and keeps the humility that that we have with him right now, um, the sky’s is the limit. He’s he’s going to be an absolute problem for a long long time, bar in good health. I just remember, you know, in training camp and he was getting into those fights, you know, early on and, you know, you guys were able to kind of harness that intensity and and, you know, for for good. How were you able to do that? And like what were those conversations like with him and how receptive was he to those? Yeah, like I don’t know if I’ve been around um a great defensive player in this league that didn’t have an edge to them, you know, and some obviously have more edge than others. Um, I really believe the the secret sauce to him is um cuz I think he’s a very good human being at his heart and um like all humans, we want connection and we want relationships and and I think that was the first part of it like really, you know, investing in him as a person as much as a football player. Um, building a relationship with him. Um, I’d like to say hopefully, you know, he’d say the same that that we’ve built the level of trust and equity now, you know, and and uh when you have that like like you can go wherever you want, you know, like you really can because now when we’re pushing him and we’re challenging him and we’re trying to develop him, he knows it’s coming from the right place, you know, and and I really believe that we’re in that space with him right now. having Jaylen being with him, same draft class, Y, first round, same position. Um, very different human beings, right? Uh, how much has that helped Pierce? And I guess how much has that helped Walker as well? I I think it’s helped both of them. I think there’s um they’ve developed a relationship which is um it’s not always a given, you know, especially guys that that play the same position, both first round picks, because sometimes there is a level of healthy and sometimes a level of unhealthy competition amongst guys like that. But I feel like they found that balance and and they really comp compliment each other in uh in a lot of really cool ways. And I think they both challenge each other both on and off the field in really unique ways, too. So, uh, it’s a it’s a tandem that’s going to have an opportunity to grow together and and really do special things in this league, I think, in the long run. I really do. Do you remember ever having like two rookie pass rushers who have played this well off right off the bat? I I I don’t you know, it’s very unique because, you know, like I’ve I’ve said this before, pass rush is art, you know, and it and it takes so much time and uh to really find out who you are as a rusher in this league and for them to have the success they’ve had. so early is uh it’s exciting because they’re just scratching the surface both of them. You know, with James, James James is a guy that’s played that position for the vast majority of his his life and obviously he did it at Tennessee where uh Jaywok, you know, that this is still new to him. You know, being primarily at one spot like he is. So, um both of them just have they have so much potential and they’re guys that you’re you’re confident are going to realize their potential because they’re willing to work and they’re they’re willing to be challenged and developed. One more. You you saying that pass rush is is art. As a coach, then are there certain parameters that you say, “Hey, we need you to do it like this, but within the space, you’ve got the freedom to kind of create your own style and your own look, or do you give then that freedom kind of as a whole?” Yeah, there there’s a balance, you know, because there is times where you really have to rush as one, you know, and when you’re you’re facing, for example, a Sam Darnold like we are, um, just to say everybody is an independent contractor can just do their own thing, uh, that’s, you know, that’s egregious. That that that can become, in my opinion, like, you know, that’s that’s bad defense, you know. So, um, there’s times where you you you face the STRs, the guys that don’t move around a whole lot and you can go get them and and you don’t have to be as as connected as a rush group, but in weeks like this, um, there are there are plenty of opportunities where they’re going to be able to do their own thing and get loose and and we call them green rushes where um, maybe there’s a second level defender devoted to the quarterback. Um there’s just there there’s we you know we’re confident there’ll be somebody behind the ball and then there’s times where we won’t and there’s times where we play split safety defense where there is no second level defender and there is no eyes on the quarterback and in those opportunities we have to rush as one. So um it is it’s a balance of both. It really is. You said I think last week um you know there are obviously some unknowns in the draft process. There were there any unknowns that now are kind of known when it comes to Jaylen and James that have like surprised you in a great way or something that you were really hoping to see? Um James was probably less question marks regarding the football player because there was more um real evidence that he could rush. There was more of him just playing the position we knew we were going to play him at. with Jay-W there was there was excitement and there was um you know we were obviously as early as we took him we all we all loved the player and we probably loved the person as much as we love the player but to to you know to really predict the type of rusher he’d be I think you’d have to been guessing a little bit you know and and uh so it’s really cool cuz I think we’re still in that process of figuring out who he is a rusher he’s still in that process of figuring out who he is as a rusher like what’s his fast ball what’s his change up and Um it’ll be it’ll be cool. He’s one of those guys that there’s no fail in him. There isn’t because of his DNA. He’s just so squared away as far as um wants to be great. And yeah, that’s cool if you want to be great, but he’s one of those those guys that’s absolutely willing to do whatever it takes to be great. So, it’s uh it’s exciting times for the Falcons from that perspective because the rush, you know, it’s promising from for now and and for the foreseeable future with those two. outside of the edge rushers, the guys on in the middle, two young guys. Um, Brandon, I mean, obviously leads the team at sacks right now. And then Ruk’s also taking a big step forward as well. What have you seen from those two and just the way that they’ve developed this season after effectively having a red shirt season last year? Yeah, the just their approach has been unbelievable. like Doris is he’s one of those guys. He’s why you coach football in my opinion, you know, like um obviously there’s there’s a talent that he has, a physical talent that’s unique cuz he’s a big man that can move like a little man, you know, and but um he’s this like he’s a very unique energy giver. like every single day you’re around him, you just love being around him cuz he brings positivity and and juice and um and enthusiasm and and he attacks every day. And it’s like and take this I want people to take this the best of ways like you could lose by 35 and you could win by 35. He’s going to show up on Monday with the same approach. You know, there is no up down. It’s just he attacks every day in an amazing way. And because of that, um another guy that’s going to continue to get better. Um, and then Rrook is a guy that um, he he’s the same as he attacks this thing in a different way that Doris does, but in his own way and in in a very positive way as well. Um, and it it’s really cool to see him start to figure out who he is as a rusher, especially as an inside rusher. I think at the end of the day, that’s going to be a superpower. you know, had a guy John Franklin Myers in New York that um was a similar player in the fact that we didn’t know if he was an insider or an outsider and and ultimately he became this devastating edge setter on rundowns and then pass downs, third down, we reduced him inside and he went to work and became a, you know, a top end inside rusher. I think Rook is in that mold, you know, so um it’ll be cool to see him just continue to get better. Just one more on Pierce Brick if you could. uh there were those like red flags, right? You know, that that I’m I’m sure you guys were aware of obviously going to the draft and I guess he came off some people’s boards and everything. When you look back now, several months down the road where, you know, he’s been with you all now for extended period of time, what are your what do you think of those red flags and then like how do you how do you assess who he is as a as a person now? You know, we we were fortunate that we had some um some real inside information, you know, regarding his character. we had some people that really had boots in the ground there at at the school and uh and because of that we felt with great confidence that we were getting the right person, not just the the right football player. So, um I know that there were some red flags out there for maybe other teams. For us, I think we were very comfortable with the decision and and uh and he’s, you know, he’s made that come to life as he’s as he’s demonstrated who he is on a daily basis here. And, you know, we’re we’re ecstatic to have him here. We we really are on and off the field.

Darnell Mooney, Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Zac Robinson and Jeff Ulbrich speak to the media following practice ahead of the Atlanta Falcons matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

0:00 – Darnell Mooney – WR
8:34 – Jalon Walker – ED
14:18 – James Pearce Jr. – ED
20:18 – Zac Robinson – OC
33:10 – Jeff Ulbrich – DC

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