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Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith
Conference Call with New Orleans Media
Wednesday, September 3, 2014

How much can a first game set the tone to a season?

“I think you always want to make a good first impression. I think first impressions are lasting impressions, but I don’t think it sets a tone for a season. The NFL season is 16 weeks long and there are so many changing dynamics across the board for every team. I think your approach is you play them as they come and we are excited about the opportunity of playing the Saints. It doesn’t matter if it is week one, week seven, or week 12. It is a division game against a very good football team.”

So you don’t believe in momentum week to week?

“Do I believe in momentum week to week? I think you can get momentum going, but again, each game has its own element and its own dynamic. That is how you have to approach each game, as a single entity. I don’t think you can look at it as anything else because there are different matchups, different players healthy, there are so many different factors. I think every week in the NFL is a completely different week.”

Why did you decide to be tougher as a football team?

“I don’t know that we decided we had to be tougher. I think that is what somebody in your job said. I said we had to be physical, a more physical football team. I’ve never said anything about being tougher. If you play in the NFL, you are tough. It doesn’t matter if you are the kicker, the punter; if you play in the NFL you are tough. We’ve got to be more physical and we have to win the line of scrimmage because that is how you win in the National Football League.”

What is it about the Saints offense that makes it challenging for you to prepare?

“They are very difficult to prepare for. They’ve got an offensive minded head coach that does a great job game planning. I think that Sean (Payton) and his staff do a very good job of trying to find your deficiencies and when they find them, they attack them. I think that is what his strong suit is. He has a quarterback that understands the system and I think the areas that I feel each and every year they are good at, is they are very good at throwing the football. Drew (Brees) threw for over 5,000 yards but they also run the ball and I believe they had at least over 24, right at 24 rushing attempts a game. Everybody thinks they just want to throw the football; they are going to run the football as well. Their screen game is a big part of their offense as well. They have been together for going on eight years now and I think they see the game from the same prism.”


Read more: Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith, quarterback Matt Ryan preview Sunday's season opener

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