TK
December-3rd-2006, 05:18 PM
POST-GAME QUOTES
December 3, 2006
FedExField
Redskins vs. Falcons
Redskins’ Head Coach Joe Gibbs
On today’s game:
"We started off the game doing some real good things. Game plan-wise it was what we like to do. Somewhere in there, we quit making plays and then we made a couple of bad ones and they picked up momentum. I think our guys fought hard but we didn’t make enough plays. Throughout the game we lost our momentum and quit making plays which is what it really amounts to. We have stuff that we believe in. When we stick with it, I think we can win football games. It’s a tough time we’re going through. Each one of these games from here on out is precious. We’re going to fight our guts out. We have something we believe in. We are going to practice that way and continue to stick with it."
On losing a 14-0 lead:
"We’ll take a look at it. We made some mistakes in there, of course. We just lost momentum. That’s what happened. Even in the second half, we came out there and set our goal to play hard and go all the way down the field. That was a frustrating drive for us as an example. We get down there and then get the ball batted into someone else’s hands. We got real pressure in the red zone. That’s an example of us starting out the way we wanted to start the third quarter and then not making a play and giving the ball up."
On the performance of Jason Campbell (QB, #17):
"Certainly, there are a lot of things in there that Jason would like to have back. It was a learning experience for him. He’s a young guy. It was a tough day for him. That’s a process they have to go through sometimes. You hope it wouldn’t happen but I’m sure when we look at the film it will be a very good learning experience for Jason. It will be something he takes a look at and will be a better player because of it."
On clock management at the end of the game: "We took our shot where we felt like huddling up would give us a better play. Again, we weren’t very smooth there. Again, I think it’s a learning experience. It’s not all Jason’s fault there. Certainly, there were some things we could have done more smoothly in that situation. Two minute drives are tough. You have a lot of pressure and we didn’t handle that the way we would have liked to."
"Sometimes it’s a communication thing too. Jason’s out there going through some of this for the first time I’m not putting it all on Jason. I don’t think we all handled it the way we should have."
On the stalled offensive production after the first two series:
"We set out our goals for the game and when we started out, we were operating about as good as we’ve operated all year. Then we just couldn’t sustain our momentum. We didn’t make plays. We put a play in their hands. We had a game plan set but we just couldn’t stick with it."
On Atlanta blitzing during third downs:
"Certainly, pass protection is a big deal and there’s a lot involved with it. Sometimes it’s sight adjustments and sometimes it’s not getting a block properly. I think pass pro up here is the key in the passing game and they did get pressure on us today."
On Shawn Springs (CB, #24) being inactive for today’s game:"That was a real disappointment for us. It came down towards the end of the week and Shawn said he had something slight on the bottom of his hamstring is where he described it. We felt like he was going to be fine. We brought him over here and worked him out and he said he could still feel it. We don’t want somebody playing like that. It was a tough decision for us. Shawn played great for us last week. He’s one of our leaders and we lost him right before the game."
On the kicking situation:
"It’s something we’ll still talk about. We had a game plan there. What I wanted to do is let (Shaun – Suisham, #6) kick and see what he did but I also wanted to keep Nick (Novak, #3). The fact is we have to be more accurate on field goals and we need more distance on kickoffs."
"I thought Shaun hit it well (on kickoffs). On the field goal, he gives us distance. It was left but I think it was long enough. That’s something we’ll just have to work our way through."
Jason Campbell (#17, QB)
On losing the 14-point lead:
"It’s a tough situation when you’re trying to throw the ball down the field and all that you get is short passes. You have to keep your head up. I guarantee I will fight to the end."
On learning from today’s game compared to the past two:
"There are certain situations in each game. You try to take something from it. Overall, you’ve got to keep fighting."
On the questionable fumble:
"I tried to shake him. He grabbed the back of my jersey. I tried to throw it away to set up good field goal position."
On the touchdown pass to Santana Moss (#89, WR):
"He did a good job of keeping the corner and in the end he got the ball."
On his passing style:
"You don’t want to turn into a running quarterback. You want to get pocket passes. Sometimes when you take off and run, you miss the other players that are already down the field."
FROM THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS’ LOCKER ROOM…
Marcus Washington (LB, # 53)
On losing a 14 point lead in the game:
"When it’s 14-0 you are sitting pretty happy but you have to play four quarters of football. We didn’t quite finish the way we wanted to finish."
Vernon Fox (SS, # 39)
On the mindset going into the rest of the season:
"You just have to play every week like it’s the last week and not really look at the big picture. When I was in college, we used to have a motto that was 1-0, and that’s all that matters. That’s just the way we have to approach this. You always try to do the things that we are asking to do as a team. You want to leave this season with some sense of accomplishment."
Brandon Lloyd (WR, # 85)
On the performance of the offense today:
"It’s frustrating when so many guys are doing things well and we aren’t able to capitalize on it. With the defense playing as well as they have played the last two games, with Ladell (Betts, RB, #46) running like he has been running the past two games, and just unable to capitalize on it (it’s tough)."
On the failure to execute plays on offense:
"As players, it’s our job to execute. It’s our job to run the plays that are called. We have to make good with what is called in the huddle."
On the development of QB Jason Campbell (QB, #17):
"It’s going to take some time. I said when he first got the job that people need to go easy on him if he starts out great, don’t label him the next Joe Namath, and if he starts out tough don’t label him the next bust. Just give the kid a shot."
On the mindset the rest of the season:
"We are not going to give up. There are many more opportunities to get better, so many more opportunities to develop. We still have a young quarterback out there with a bright future that we have to develop. It’s our job as veterans to raise him and give him a fair shot in this league. We have veterans out there who deserve nothing less from the young guys."
On the focus the rest of the season:
"This season will end on a high note. We will play hard. We will fight for this city. We will play for this team."
Randy Thomas (G, #77)
On the feelings after the loss today:
"It left a bitter taste in my mouth because I thought we did some great things. Obviously we didn’t make enough of them. We didn’t make the plays we needed to make to get more points. We have to score more than 14 points against these Falcons."
On losing a 14 point lead in the first quarter:
"Anybody that goes up 14-0 with time left in the first quarter is feeling pretty good about themselves. We thought we kind of had it and it got away from us."
Andre Carter (DE, # 96)
On his recent performance the past few weeks:
"It all started after the bye week. I just finally made a stand for myself. I think the main thing was I was being responsible knowing what my technique was, knowing what my responsibility was and playing hard."
Rock Cartwright (RB, #31)
On the performance of the running game today:
"Ladell ran the ball real hard, T.J. [Duckett] ran the ball good and I thought we should have stayed with those guys but instead we got away from it. So it’s something we need to learn from."
On the mindset of the team after the loss today:
"A lot of guys are down because we worked so hard and came away with a result like this. The guys have a job to do and that’s go out and play football. Some way we just have to finish the season out."
Ladell Betts (RB, # 46)
On his career best day running the football:
"I would trade in all those yards for a ‘W’. I rushed for all those yards but it’s all for not when we don’t win."
On the performance of the offense today:
"I’m not going to question the play-calling right now. We were effective at running the ball when we did run the ball. Unfortunately we got behind in the fourth quarter and had to go to the air so we really couldn’t stick with it."
"It’s a tough loss because we can’t cash it in but the same time that loss didn’t help us as far as the wild-card race goes so we just have to go back to the drawing board and keep fighting. We have four games left and nobody is going to quit."
ATLANTA FALCONS HEAD COACH JIM MORA, JR.
On coming back from the first quarter:
"To fight back from 14 down and get a win is something we obviously needed to do. I talk a lot about the character of our team and I think that is a pretty good display of it. We are happy to get a win and now need to get over it and get on to the next one."
On the turning point that won the game:
"We just hung in there, stuck together, and showed some resilience. I don’t know that there was a play, just a mindset."
On big plays:
"I mean that’s what you need. You need your playmakers to make plays. You need your superstars to be superstars. Some of those guys came through for us today and that helped us win. It was good to see."
On Lawyer Milloy (36, S):
"Lawyer Milloy – I don’t know what to say about him. He’s everything you want in a football player. I have one picture of a player in my office and it’s Ronnie Lott. I don’t want to make comparisons because Lawyer’s still playing, but that same type of mindset, mentality, and approach to the game that Ronnie had that made him my favorite player of all-time is what Lawyer has. He showed up big today for us. He was a great acquisition by our personnel department."
On Michael Vick (7, QB):
"I don’t know if it’s true the Vick has taken a lot of heat [during the losing streak] and if he has, he shouldn’t have. He has played stellar. I thought he played well again today."
On Chauncy Davis’(92, DE) interception:
"That was certainly big. They were driving and Lawyer [Milloy] coming through and knocking it and Chauncy [Davis] getting it…that was a big play. That play right there put us in field position to get the lead. It’s hard to discount that."
On the win:
"I feel fine but we have a lot of work to do. I am not going to jump for joy yet. We have to get the next one."
From the Falcons’ Locker Room… Keith Brooking (#56, LB)
On the game:
"They came out and scored 14 points, and then we shut them out for three and a half quarters. Our offense got rolling, their defense got worn down. We just kept talking about the whole game: just keep plugging away and make our plays when they come."
On pressuring the Redskins’ quarterback:
"With our front four, we thought that we could get there. At the same time, when we bring five- and six-man rushes, we come and bring everything that we can. We didn’t get the sacks, but we caused havoc back there. Those hits take a toll on a quarterback, especially a young one. In the back of their mind, it creates some doubt and that’s what we’re trying to do."
DeAngelo Hall (#21, CB)
On how important today’s win was for the team:
"This is what we needed, period. I think the consensus was that if we lost this one, everything was downhill. Winning, we’re right back in the picture. It seems like the NFC is just that kind of conference. The door is still wide open, the table is set. As long as we keep winning, we have a legitimate chance to be right in there in the mix of things. To come in here against a good Washington team at their place and play the way we played, it’s huge for us and it speaks volumes about the guys we have."
On bouncing back from a 14-0 deficit:
"We just talked about never being out of the game, period. In the past, 14-0 and a couple dropped balls, guys would be hanging their heads and being behind the eight-ball. There was a whole lot of football left to play. We know it’s four quarters, and everybody just stayed positive. We just kept fighting from start to finish and came out with the win."
Jerious Norwood (#32, RB)
On making a big play when the team needed it most:
"Without our offensive line, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it. On that long run, [WR Michael] Jenkins was downfield, and without his block I wouldn’t have been in the end zone. You have to give those guys props too."
On whether the offense was back on track:
"We just went out and played, had fun and did what we do best."
On scoring 24 points in a row to win the game:
"All week long we’ve been talking about finishing and fighting, and making plays. That’s what we did, we stuck together as one unit and ended up on top."
Michael Vick (#7, QB)
On the importance of this game:
"It was important for the team to get this win. We really needed it and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ve been fighting for the last four or five weeks and things haven’t really worked out for us, but to get a win today soothes everything. We build some confidence and now we keep rolling."
On if his performance answered his critics:
"It does. But they are going to do that week in and week out, and I’m going to continue to prove them wrong. When things don’t go as well, they try to put it all on me, which I’m used to in the position I play. I just have to keep fighting and keep pushing."
December 3, 2006
FedExField
Redskins vs. Falcons
Redskins’ Head Coach Joe Gibbs
On today’s game:
"We started off the game doing some real good things. Game plan-wise it was what we like to do. Somewhere in there, we quit making plays and then we made a couple of bad ones and they picked up momentum. I think our guys fought hard but we didn’t make enough plays. Throughout the game we lost our momentum and quit making plays which is what it really amounts to. We have stuff that we believe in. When we stick with it, I think we can win football games. It’s a tough time we’re going through. Each one of these games from here on out is precious. We’re going to fight our guts out. We have something we believe in. We are going to practice that way and continue to stick with it."
On losing a 14-0 lead:
"We’ll take a look at it. We made some mistakes in there, of course. We just lost momentum. That’s what happened. Even in the second half, we came out there and set our goal to play hard and go all the way down the field. That was a frustrating drive for us as an example. We get down there and then get the ball batted into someone else’s hands. We got real pressure in the red zone. That’s an example of us starting out the way we wanted to start the third quarter and then not making a play and giving the ball up."
On the performance of Jason Campbell (QB, #17):
"Certainly, there are a lot of things in there that Jason would like to have back. It was a learning experience for him. He’s a young guy. It was a tough day for him. That’s a process they have to go through sometimes. You hope it wouldn’t happen but I’m sure when we look at the film it will be a very good learning experience for Jason. It will be something he takes a look at and will be a better player because of it."
On clock management at the end of the game: "We took our shot where we felt like huddling up would give us a better play. Again, we weren’t very smooth there. Again, I think it’s a learning experience. It’s not all Jason’s fault there. Certainly, there were some things we could have done more smoothly in that situation. Two minute drives are tough. You have a lot of pressure and we didn’t handle that the way we would have liked to."
"Sometimes it’s a communication thing too. Jason’s out there going through some of this for the first time I’m not putting it all on Jason. I don’t think we all handled it the way we should have."
On the stalled offensive production after the first two series:
"We set out our goals for the game and when we started out, we were operating about as good as we’ve operated all year. Then we just couldn’t sustain our momentum. We didn’t make plays. We put a play in their hands. We had a game plan set but we just couldn’t stick with it."
On Atlanta blitzing during third downs:
"Certainly, pass protection is a big deal and there’s a lot involved with it. Sometimes it’s sight adjustments and sometimes it’s not getting a block properly. I think pass pro up here is the key in the passing game and they did get pressure on us today."
On Shawn Springs (CB, #24) being inactive for today’s game:"That was a real disappointment for us. It came down towards the end of the week and Shawn said he had something slight on the bottom of his hamstring is where he described it. We felt like he was going to be fine. We brought him over here and worked him out and he said he could still feel it. We don’t want somebody playing like that. It was a tough decision for us. Shawn played great for us last week. He’s one of our leaders and we lost him right before the game."
On the kicking situation:
"It’s something we’ll still talk about. We had a game plan there. What I wanted to do is let (Shaun – Suisham, #6) kick and see what he did but I also wanted to keep Nick (Novak, #3). The fact is we have to be more accurate on field goals and we need more distance on kickoffs."
"I thought Shaun hit it well (on kickoffs). On the field goal, he gives us distance. It was left but I think it was long enough. That’s something we’ll just have to work our way through."
Jason Campbell (#17, QB)
On losing the 14-point lead:
"It’s a tough situation when you’re trying to throw the ball down the field and all that you get is short passes. You have to keep your head up. I guarantee I will fight to the end."
On learning from today’s game compared to the past two:
"There are certain situations in each game. You try to take something from it. Overall, you’ve got to keep fighting."
On the questionable fumble:
"I tried to shake him. He grabbed the back of my jersey. I tried to throw it away to set up good field goal position."
On the touchdown pass to Santana Moss (#89, WR):
"He did a good job of keeping the corner and in the end he got the ball."
On his passing style:
"You don’t want to turn into a running quarterback. You want to get pocket passes. Sometimes when you take off and run, you miss the other players that are already down the field."
FROM THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS’ LOCKER ROOM…
Marcus Washington (LB, # 53)
On losing a 14 point lead in the game:
"When it’s 14-0 you are sitting pretty happy but you have to play four quarters of football. We didn’t quite finish the way we wanted to finish."
Vernon Fox (SS, # 39)
On the mindset going into the rest of the season:
"You just have to play every week like it’s the last week and not really look at the big picture. When I was in college, we used to have a motto that was 1-0, and that’s all that matters. That’s just the way we have to approach this. You always try to do the things that we are asking to do as a team. You want to leave this season with some sense of accomplishment."
Brandon Lloyd (WR, # 85)
On the performance of the offense today:
"It’s frustrating when so many guys are doing things well and we aren’t able to capitalize on it. With the defense playing as well as they have played the last two games, with Ladell (Betts, RB, #46) running like he has been running the past two games, and just unable to capitalize on it (it’s tough)."
On the failure to execute plays on offense:
"As players, it’s our job to execute. It’s our job to run the plays that are called. We have to make good with what is called in the huddle."
On the development of QB Jason Campbell (QB, #17):
"It’s going to take some time. I said when he first got the job that people need to go easy on him if he starts out great, don’t label him the next Joe Namath, and if he starts out tough don’t label him the next bust. Just give the kid a shot."
On the mindset the rest of the season:
"We are not going to give up. There are many more opportunities to get better, so many more opportunities to develop. We still have a young quarterback out there with a bright future that we have to develop. It’s our job as veterans to raise him and give him a fair shot in this league. We have veterans out there who deserve nothing less from the young guys."
On the focus the rest of the season:
"This season will end on a high note. We will play hard. We will fight for this city. We will play for this team."
Randy Thomas (G, #77)
On the feelings after the loss today:
"It left a bitter taste in my mouth because I thought we did some great things. Obviously we didn’t make enough of them. We didn’t make the plays we needed to make to get more points. We have to score more than 14 points against these Falcons."
On losing a 14 point lead in the first quarter:
"Anybody that goes up 14-0 with time left in the first quarter is feeling pretty good about themselves. We thought we kind of had it and it got away from us."
Andre Carter (DE, # 96)
On his recent performance the past few weeks:
"It all started after the bye week. I just finally made a stand for myself. I think the main thing was I was being responsible knowing what my technique was, knowing what my responsibility was and playing hard."
Rock Cartwright (RB, #31)
On the performance of the running game today:
"Ladell ran the ball real hard, T.J. [Duckett] ran the ball good and I thought we should have stayed with those guys but instead we got away from it. So it’s something we need to learn from."
On the mindset of the team after the loss today:
"A lot of guys are down because we worked so hard and came away with a result like this. The guys have a job to do and that’s go out and play football. Some way we just have to finish the season out."
Ladell Betts (RB, # 46)
On his career best day running the football:
"I would trade in all those yards for a ‘W’. I rushed for all those yards but it’s all for not when we don’t win."
On the performance of the offense today:
"I’m not going to question the play-calling right now. We were effective at running the ball when we did run the ball. Unfortunately we got behind in the fourth quarter and had to go to the air so we really couldn’t stick with it."
"It’s a tough loss because we can’t cash it in but the same time that loss didn’t help us as far as the wild-card race goes so we just have to go back to the drawing board and keep fighting. We have four games left and nobody is going to quit."
ATLANTA FALCONS HEAD COACH JIM MORA, JR.
On coming back from the first quarter:
"To fight back from 14 down and get a win is something we obviously needed to do. I talk a lot about the character of our team and I think that is a pretty good display of it. We are happy to get a win and now need to get over it and get on to the next one."
On the turning point that won the game:
"We just hung in there, stuck together, and showed some resilience. I don’t know that there was a play, just a mindset."
On big plays:
"I mean that’s what you need. You need your playmakers to make plays. You need your superstars to be superstars. Some of those guys came through for us today and that helped us win. It was good to see."
On Lawyer Milloy (36, S):
"Lawyer Milloy – I don’t know what to say about him. He’s everything you want in a football player. I have one picture of a player in my office and it’s Ronnie Lott. I don’t want to make comparisons because Lawyer’s still playing, but that same type of mindset, mentality, and approach to the game that Ronnie had that made him my favorite player of all-time is what Lawyer has. He showed up big today for us. He was a great acquisition by our personnel department."
On Michael Vick (7, QB):
"I don’t know if it’s true the Vick has taken a lot of heat [during the losing streak] and if he has, he shouldn’t have. He has played stellar. I thought he played well again today."
On Chauncy Davis’(92, DE) interception:
"That was certainly big. They were driving and Lawyer [Milloy] coming through and knocking it and Chauncy [Davis] getting it…that was a big play. That play right there put us in field position to get the lead. It’s hard to discount that."
On the win:
"I feel fine but we have a lot of work to do. I am not going to jump for joy yet. We have to get the next one."
From the Falcons’ Locker Room… Keith Brooking (#56, LB)
On the game:
"They came out and scored 14 points, and then we shut them out for three and a half quarters. Our offense got rolling, their defense got worn down. We just kept talking about the whole game: just keep plugging away and make our plays when they come."
On pressuring the Redskins’ quarterback:
"With our front four, we thought that we could get there. At the same time, when we bring five- and six-man rushes, we come and bring everything that we can. We didn’t get the sacks, but we caused havoc back there. Those hits take a toll on a quarterback, especially a young one. In the back of their mind, it creates some doubt and that’s what we’re trying to do."
DeAngelo Hall (#21, CB)
On how important today’s win was for the team:
"This is what we needed, period. I think the consensus was that if we lost this one, everything was downhill. Winning, we’re right back in the picture. It seems like the NFC is just that kind of conference. The door is still wide open, the table is set. As long as we keep winning, we have a legitimate chance to be right in there in the mix of things. To come in here against a good Washington team at their place and play the way we played, it’s huge for us and it speaks volumes about the guys we have."
On bouncing back from a 14-0 deficit:
"We just talked about never being out of the game, period. In the past, 14-0 and a couple dropped balls, guys would be hanging their heads and being behind the eight-ball. There was a whole lot of football left to play. We know it’s four quarters, and everybody just stayed positive. We just kept fighting from start to finish and came out with the win."
Jerious Norwood (#32, RB)
On making a big play when the team needed it most:
"Without our offensive line, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it. On that long run, [WR Michael] Jenkins was downfield, and without his block I wouldn’t have been in the end zone. You have to give those guys props too."
On whether the offense was back on track:
"We just went out and played, had fun and did what we do best."
On scoring 24 points in a row to win the game:
"All week long we’ve been talking about finishing and fighting, and making plays. That’s what we did, we stuck together as one unit and ended up on top."
Michael Vick (#7, QB)
On the importance of this game:
"It was important for the team to get this win. We really needed it and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ve been fighting for the last four or five weeks and things haven’t really worked out for us, but to get a win today soothes everything. We build some confidence and now we keep rolling."
On if his performance answered his critics:
"It does. But they are going to do that week in and week out, and I’m going to continue to prove them wrong. When things don’t go as well, they try to put it all on me, which I’m used to in the position I play. I just have to keep fighting and keep pushing."