OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PRESS TAYLOR
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
“…We feel like through three games, we haven’t done the things we’ve felt like we would be able to do
in certain games. Whether that be setting guys up for certain things, finishing plays, executing plays. We
haven’t achieved the standard we expect for ourselves, that’s something we’ll continue to chase. That’s
an ongoing process forever and always. I think if you have a little bit of success early in those games,
where maybe we stalled out in certain situations, it changes the feeling and the rest of the game as you
go. We’re going to keep plugging, keep chipping away at it until we get this thing turned.”
(On if he has any concern with WR Calvin Ridley’s confidence) “No, I don’t get that sense. Just talking to
him, the way he works, observing him, having been together now for a couple of months and things like
that, I feel like he’s a guy that just continues to put his head down and continues to work. I think a couple
of those plays that maybe he didn’t come up with, he’ll get an opportunity to come up pretty quickly.
That’ll turn the tide for a lot of that, maybe change the narrative.”
(On how to improve third down performance) “There’s a lot of things when you look through it, whether
it be protection, batted balls here and there, catching here and there, making decisions here and there. I
think as we look into it, everybody has had their hand in this. As a unit, there’s not one certain person or
group that has let us down where you think you can make this certain change right here. I think it’s just
everybody in some way, shape, or form, doing the best at their job at that given time, whatever that may
be. I think early on in the season, three games in, a small sample size, quickly you have one successful
game in there and it flips the numbers. I understand the rankings and all that. We go in and watch every
play individually, we try to diagnose what the issue was with that play, why was this not successful or not
efficient and go through the entire game with that to provide context for each situation. It’s not
something we feel like there’s one glaring issue, or this change will fix all of that. It’s just something that
everybody continues to put their head down, do their job to the best of their ability, and we’ll come out
on the other side of this.”
(On small mistakes such as dropped passes adding up to a bigger problem) “I think so. I think that’s part
of not sustaining a drive, whether it be a batted ball, a sack, an inefficient run, whatever that may be.
That keeps you out of that rhythm of getting a drive, of getting more plays here or there to where you
really get flowing. Whether you’re in first down, second down, first down, second down, that’s a lot
better than going first down, second down, third and one, first down, second down, third and two. So
just that routine of a drive or momentum of a drive, we haven’t really been able to sustain that at this
point in time. Again, we don’t feel like it’s any one major issue that it’s that right there, it’s just
everybody doing their job a little bit better.”
(On the rushing game is something to build on) “I think so. We established a physical tone to start that
game with some of the runs we hit, came back the second half, had a variety of runs, kind of got that
drive going. The fourth quarter of the game kind of gets away from you and you play the game a little bit
differently. We were encouraged by what we saw in the run game, I think the biggest thing with this
league is it’s a play-to-play basis. Because we had success at some point in time and that game running
the ball, that doesn’t carry over to this week. You play a different team, different scheme, different
personnel, and you got to do what you need to do to execute against that look each play.”
(On the performance of the offensive line the past three games) “I think it’s been hit or miss, here and
there. There’s been things we’ve done well, there’s been some things we need to get better at. We’ve
played some pretty good fronts. I feel like as we’ve gone through, there’s always going to be, in this
league, there’s always going to be somebody on every single defensive line. One, maybe two, as you get
into it. It’s been up and down. I think as an entire unit, we need more consistency across the board. I
think everybody in that room would agree, coaching staff we’d all agree with that as well. We need to do
our jobs better than we’ve been to be able to get ourselves out to the other side of this thing.”
(On if there’s a rhythm to play calling throughout a game) “Yeah, it’s an ebb and flow within a drive and
within a game. As things are working, we spend Monday to Saturday coming up with a plan of attack, we
try to execute that plan in the first quarter of games and then you play off the adjustments in the second
quarter. You play off the halftime and first half adjustments in the third quarter. Then in the fourth
quarter, you just go in. Whatever that looks like, it may be four-minute mode, two-minute mode,
desperation mode, whatever that is. The game is always changing, but you’re certainly trying to find that
flow and establish that flow within it, yes.”
(On if there’s such a thing of trying too hard offensively) “Probably. I don’t know, I couldn’t tell you if
guys are trying too hard, not trying hard enough, that’s something that everybody themselves would tell
you. I think there’s a certain time where things aren’t going your way and maybe it builds frustration. Do
you get out of character? Do you execute the way you know how to execute? The way we’ve training
them to execute, I think that comes up, but I think that’s a case-by-case, more personal situation.”
(On if they are still confident in RB Tank Bigsby) “We do, absolutely. Tank, just like anybody, we’re all
going to learn from every single experience we go through. You want each of your players to learn from
every play that happens, you love it when you learn from plays that happen to other people and
continue to grow. That’s something we’ve feel like we’ve seen out of Tank as we’ve gone on. All our guys,
just learn and get better every single rep as we go into this thing.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence is throwing quicker than normal in a rushed sense) “Again, I don’t know.
Maybe it’s a case-by-case thing. I think in the fourth quarter of the game the other day, we’re in a drop
back desperation mode and things change a little bit. I think there were probably times he [QB Trevor
Lawrence] would’ve told you, ‘Maybe I could’ve hung in there another half second on a read’ or
whatever that may be. In terms of the way we expect things to operate and things like that, outside of
that fourth quarter where the complexion of the game is different, I don’t know that I’d sense that.”
(On struggles of the offense the past three games) “I think it’s similar to the rest of the unit, just more
consistency across the board. I think that’s all of us. I think that’s myself, that’s the offensive staff, that’s
every position group you could think of. Just being more consistent every single down, doing your
individual job at the highest possible level. Again, that goes to every person in our offensive room.”
(On if there’s a reason why the offense hasn’t been able to start fast in games) “Not necessarily, we felt
like we had an opportunity the other day in the game, we created a good matchup, had an opportunity
to make a play and didn’t make a play. It’s all case-by-case. It’s easy to say, one certain thing has been an
issue but when we watch it and put context to every play and why things happen and why things don’t
happen, I think that’s more of what you’re trying to diagnose as a coaching staff. Then, how do we fix
that big picture, but I think we have the ability to start fast the other day and we didn’t make a play.
Then, it comes down to you miss a field goal, now the whole dynamic of the game changes after that
first drive if you catch the ball and score or we call something different early on and get somebody an
opportunity early on. That’s something we’re always trying to search for as an entire unit.”
(On if he has any theories of why the offense has been down a little bit across the league) “I don’t, no.
I’ve really just been focused on us honestly, I have maybe caught a game here or there as it’s gone on,
but I really haven’t, and I couldn’t tell you I’ve paid attention. I think again, it’s easy to make general
statements about everything, but I think watching everything play-by-play, understanding why things are
happening, why they’re not happening, what somebody’s plan of attack is. That’s the other thing, it’s
hard to say if you do watch another offense, as we watch offenses play against our opponents that we’re
watching, it’s hard to say what they’re being asked to do. If you don’t know what they’re being asked to
do, it’s hard to say, ‘This is why they’re struggling, that’s why someone is struggling, that’s what’s making
a play difficult.’ We try to focus in on us putting our players in the best possible position to attack the
opponent we’re playing that week, or that given play based on the situation we’re in.”
(On what the Falcons do well defensively) “They’re physical. They do a really good job of being a physical
unit. They’ve got a big, physical, interior front seven. I think on the outside they’re doing a good job of
being physical with receivers. They brought in a couple of free agents that have really added to their
team personnel wise. We had the opportunity to practice with them last year, so we have a feel for some
of the people personnel wise, but now, they’re playing in a different scheme. Adding [Falcons S] Jessie
Bates to the backend has been a big thing for them. I think he’s got three picks already through three
games. He changes the complexion of the backend based on how rangy he is as a safety and how
instinctive he is. They’re letting him make plays, but bringing in [Falcons OLB] Bud Dupree, [Falcons DL]
Calais Campbell, having [Falcons DL] Grady Jarrett, that’s a physical unit. That makes the game hard and
kind of want to turn it into a fist fight. On the outside, they have been aggressive and physical in
coverage. The way they played Detroit made it hard to get off into the speed and space a little bit.”
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE CALDWELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
(On if he has any concerns with LB Chad Muma replacing LB Devin Lloyd) “…Chad [LB Chad Muma] to be
Chad. He’s a guy that we trust him, he comes in and does his part, he makes plays for us, so I’m not
worried about Chad at all.”
(On what to watch out for on Falcons offense) “They’re a strong running team. Then, the backs dynamic.
You see them on film and he’s [Falcons RB Bijan Robinson] making cuts and he’s making people miss.
They’re a talented bunch, they got Pitts [Falcons TE Kyle Pitts] back and different receivers. It’s going to
be a big challenge.”
(On if this game is an opportunity to jumpstart the pass rush) “We hope so. Pass rush, we talk about it,
we work on it, and they just got to make it happen. Right now, they’re not coming. The first game it was
alright, but right now, they’re not coming. We just got to continue to do what we do, continue to work
on it and stress about it. They’ll start to pop.”
(On if game planning is tricky against a strong running offense like the Falcons) “Really, you look at
certain situations where they run the ball and each week teams are different. They have different
tendencies, so you just try to focus in on those. At the end of the day, if they’re committed to it, we
know that, so we’re going to be committed to try and stop it.”
(On pass rushing being better when DT DaVon Hamilton returns from injury) “It really is. Anytime you’re
at full strength, that’s when you’re at your best and D-Ham does a great job of pushing the pocket for us
alongside of Roy [DL Roy Robertson-Harris]. It just enables everybody to perform better because he’s
pushing the pocket and guys are getting pressured from outside. Yeah, him not being there is a factor
that we can hopefully, when he’s back healthy, get corrected.”
(On being closer to getting injured players back on defense) “We’ll have a plan for them once they get
back, it’s just right now, you work with the guys you have and you understand that down the line, D-Ham
[DT DaVon Hamilton] will be back, Smoot [OLB Dawuane Smoot] will be back. We’ll get a couple of guys
back, [CB] Greg Junior possibly. Just guys that have opportunities to play, then we’ll be able to use them
and find different ways to work them into the scheme.”
(On miscommunication in the secondary last game) “Really, the thing about communication is that you
have to be on the same page. If you go back and run that play over again, and you have those same two
guys out there, they’ll get it corrected. That was a time where we didn’t get the call to each other, and
you can’t have that in the secondary. We go back out and we talk about communication, talk about
when you say it to someone you make sure that you have eye contact. We’ve played together enough in
the backend to where we understand that communication is really important, we all have to be on the
same page. We just got to get it done.”
(On if he feels confident in the defense’s ability to bounce back this week) “Back to work, that’s how we
do it. Last week, we didn’t perform where we should’ve perform and we came back in here yesterday,
had a great practice and told the guys to prepare like you’re going into every week. Understand the
mistakes we made, get those corrected, and get ready to go this week.”
(On impact of losing LB Devin Lloyd due to injury) “Anytime you’re not at full strength, it’s a loss. Early on
in the season, Chad [LB Chad Muma] was subbing Devin, he was subbing Foye [LB Foyesade Oluokun].
He was getting reps in there because it’s early on in the season and you’re not in true game form yet. To
have someone like Devin, Devin is a guy who you count on to make plays, he’s long, he’s mobile, he’s
comfortable in the system and when he’s out there, you just have a comfort that he’s going to be able to
make a play here or there. Chad is the same way. We know Chad, we know his skillset, him and Devin are
very similar and they’re very different. Both of them do well for us out on the field.”
(On if there’s a worry of not being able to improve the pass rush without numerous injured players) “No,
the guys we have that are out there, that’s who we have. We’re going to go out there with those guys
and execute the game plan. We understand how important the pass rush is and with communication,
you have to be on the same page. Just like when you’re rushing the passer, everyone has to be on the
same page at getting after the quarterback.”
(On if he needs to move players to put the team in better defensive situations) “Well, we look at that
every week and we have a plan. We talk about the plan, and we coach it up, we try to strategize against
each tackle or each guard. Just go out there and win your one-on-ones. That’s the thing, when you get
the opportunity, win your one-on-ones and they’re working on it, they’re doing it. We’re ready for an
improvement and ready to see an improvement.”
(On if this game means something more for LB Foyesade Oluokun as he previously played for Alanta)
“Right now, where we’re at and the way we feel right now, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing. The next
one is always the most important, especially after a loss last week, you got to get that bad taste out of
your mouth.”
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR HEATH FARWELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
(On explanation of the blocked field goal last game) “The way field goal protection works, everybody has
to be in unison. It’s all interlocked in. When you have one guy that’s off or two guys that are off, you get
a little crease. Our left tackle who has done a really good job for us so far this season, just got a little
leaning forward and didn’t get his outside arm up. His job is to be interlocked in with that tackle, and
make sure he has a heavyweight foot as his inside foot, so he doesn’t get pried out. Also, get a good arm
hook. When you get a little crease like that, a good rusher like 51 [Texans DE Will Anderson], he’s able to
get in there. He’s a talented pass rusher, he’s a really good rusher on field goal block as well. It was a guy
that we emphasized all week and he almost blocked one the week before. He’s a talented rusher, but
again, just not great execution and that’s on me. That’s something we have got to be much cleaner,
that’s something we will work on a ton and it’s been addressed. We’re moving forward with it.”
(On frustration of planning against blocked field goals and it happens anyways) “Yeah, anytime
something like that happens and you’re an impact in a negative way in a game, it is frustrating.
Everybody is frustrated, it’s not just me. But that’s ball. That’s something as a coach, I got to make sure it
comes to execution and if it’s not executed completely correct, it’s on me.”
(On difficulty of thinking the kick return play was over before it was in the last game) “I one hundred
percent think that was the issue. You talk to those guys; their eyes are on the ball and sometimes you
lose sight of the importance of leverage. We’ve done a fantastic job of covering kicks with great leverage
and pinning them deep and even in that game, we had a tackle inside the 15-yard line on a kickoff return
with great leverage. It’s something we emphasize a ton, but sometimes when the ball goes on the
ground and all you can think is, ‘I’m going to be the guy that makes this play, I’m going to dive in there
and get it.’ It didn’t work out, we obviously lost leverage, bad tackling, we lost our mind. It’s something
that’s the same thing, bad execution. It’s on me. The good part about it is that we have a really good
group. We were a top ten group analytically last year, we’ve been fantastic this year prior to this game,
we’ve been an impact with great plays in a positive way since we’ve been here. The guys have been
fantastic, and I don’t ever remember having any negative plays like that. It just so happens we had two
tough plays in the same game, so it feels terrible that we were a big part of it. The cool thing is, I’ve had
more guys come to my office and say, ‘Coach, I got to do better. That’s my fault. I let our guys down, I let
you down.’ So, the cool part is that guys are accountable, they care, it’s important to them. The focus at
practice this week has been fantastic which is kind of a wakeup call of let’s get back to what we do, let’s
get back to playing good ball that we’ve done on special teams here, and I love our group. Our group has
been fantastic. Two bad plays, I hated them. It’s tough to deal with as a coach, but it matters to our guys,
and we want to have a big impact in a positive way and just get back to doing that. Because we’ve done
that, go back to the Lions game and Ags [WR Jamal Agnew] has a big return. The Kansas City game, Ross
[LS Ross Matiscik] had a tackle inside the ten. We had [WR] Tim Jones having a great play on a muffed
punt. We’ve done some really cool things; it just feels terrible because we let our team down.”
(On the traffic jam amongst players negatively impacting the kick return last game) “Yeah, but the way
our kickoff coverage works is that our twos on the backside and on kick side twos, their one hundred
percent job is to keep the ball on the inside. We have to keep it leveraged on the inside, yes, we lost a
guy or two on the inside, but where we lost the coverage is when you get it outside and nobody is out
there. Anytime you lose it, it’s designed that they’re contained. They have to keep it inside, and then we
had a missed tackle by the backside safety, and you’d love to get him down right there. The fullback
made a fantastic play, but we got to find a way to get him down. Just find a way to get him down.”
(On if it’s out-of-the-ordinary for a long snapper to make plays like LS Ross Matiscik has) “Yeah, it’s
something that’s funny because we have a lot of fun in our room and we actually show the long snapper
tackle board. Right now, he’s tied for first. It’s something we have a lot of fun with, they love Ross so it’s
been a little deal with them on if he can lead the league in tackles. It’s a big part of what we do in our
coverage. He’s been fantastic, but at some point, other coordinators are probably going to start blocking
him and not treating him like a snapper, which is a respect for him and the way of his coverage. He’s
covering fantastic.”
(On if there was anything behind the missed field goal last game by K Brandon McManus) “Just didn’t hit
it good. He knows it right away. What’s funny is that I’ve never had a kicker that as he swings, you can
hear him groan because he knows it’s not right. I see it everyday in practice when he does miss it. He
knows instantly just by his swing, without even looking up if it goes in. He knows right away, and he has
the ability to make those adjustments, he’s been good. He’s another guy who’s been really good up to
this game and so he missed the kick, I let him down as far as protection, but I’m not concerned at all.
He’s been fantastic for the first two games.”
(On how WR Jacob Harris performed on special teams after being called up from the practice squad)
“He’s been great since we got him in the offseason, he had a good training camp. He’s done a good job
as a gunner and we’re hoping to get him up more often. Unfortunately, he was on the backside on that
kickoff coverage which was a little disappointing for me. But he’s a guy that cares and wants it so bad and
he was one of those guys that was diving in there trying. He wants to make a play, it’s his first time being
up in a long time, and he hadn’t played since he was with the Rams a million games ago. He’s just trying
to make a play, and part of coaching is getting these guys settled down, letting the plays come, and they
will come when we let them come to us. One play at a time we will come back in this game, can’t force it
though.”
