Atlanta Falcons players Za’Darius Smith and Brandon Dorlus speak to the media | Press Conference

Hey Z, how are you man? You good? >> Good. How about yourself? >> I'm doing well. Um, so last time we talked to you was goodness. I think you're about a week in, right? Um, how much more comfortable are you now? How much more um, you know, in in rhythm are you, you know, operating within this scheme here in Atlanta? >> Uh, very comfortable, man. Um, big shout out to coach for just, uh, not rushing me back, you know what I'm saying? Easing me back into the game. Uh, I went through a little shoulder injury. I think I had more like um soreness in the shoulder, man. And he looked out for me last week and got me right to where I was able to get uh 15 to 16 snaps in the game yesterday. So, felt like I did good. But, you know, the overall thing was we took a L. So, we just trying to figure out ways to get a dub this weekend. >> Yeah. Kind of along those lines, I mean, just for how for how challenging the last 11 months have been for, you know, you how did it feel? you know, you you run out of a tunnel, you get to play in a pro game. Uh kind of walk me through how how it went uh you know, >> just kind of the way you evaluate h how it went for you. >> Yeah, it felt great, man. Uh obviously to get those chills again from running out of the tunnel, but um uh sad moment for me was after the game for me not to being able to call my my folks, man, and uh tell them what I did on the field cuz my mom used to always talk about Aaron Rogers. Um, when I left Green Bay and went to Minnesota and I had to play against the Packers was always go get Aaron Rogers, get them on the ground and uh, man, I had an opportunity to do that yesterday and that was the only sad part was I couldn't call her and talk to her about it. >> I got you. Um, when you got here, I talked to Chris Williams about you in the locker room after the preseason game at Indie. Uh, and he he warned me about your sack celebration. So, can you can you walk me through the origins of it a little bit, where it came from, why you do it? >> Uh, man, it's actually the dog crawl. Um, one of my teammates from Baltimore, um, if you guys remember, named Tim Williams that played at Alabama, uh, he was the first one that did it uh, in Baltimore and I was like, bro, I'mma use that. And uh, ever since I started getting sacks after that, I did it every time. So, it's a dog crawl uh with me eating and then me getting full at the same time. So, uh stuck with it and been been doing it for over 10 years now. >> It looked like after maybe the one right at the end of the first half, you had a had a handful of others helping you out with it, too. So, is this kind of a coordinated effort? >> Yeah, man. Yeah, man. It's all a team celebration. I know. Um that was one thing that I I told the guys that we got to celebrate. You know what I'm saying? after big plays, we got to celebrate together as a team. And uh I think you saw it um after uh Cam got the forced fumble and uh we went into the end zone, man, and we rolled the bowling ball, man, for the bowling pins and everybody fell down. So, um that's big for me, man. That's a happy moment. And that's another thing that I missed uh from the game was those celebration and just smiling and being joyful with my teammates. That's awesome. Okay, you get Jarvis. again. >> Yeah. Zidarius, uh, kind of following along those lines, like why in your experience are the best defenses that you've been a part of kind of the ones that have that joy, that have that camaraderie, that that know how to kind of have that level of fun. >> Uh, I would say just doing the little things, man. Um, obviously the fun part comes from making plays, but, uh, just preparation throughout the week uh, from the young guys, man. Um, I think we was just in meetings and we had to be out by 1:00 and what is 1:37? Guys wanted to stay and watch the rest of the film because we didn't have time left. So, when we talk about the little things, that's what I'm talking about, man. And guys just staying after practice, wanting to get more work. You know what I'm saying? So, I feel like that's how we going to become a better team and a better defense by just continuing to do the little things. And you I know kind of run defense has been uh an important part of uh this offseason plan and and kind of the focus in Jeff Brook's second season. You all did fairly well on that. Can you speak to or yesterday? Can you speak to just how important the first and second downs are to setting you up for where you want to be as a pass rusher on third down? >> Uh we harp on that every day. Stopping the run, stopping the run and and that what come first, like you said, first and second down. And then um it put us in situations to where we get the third down and man hopefully we can have a party in the back field like we did a couple of times yesterday. So um if we just continue to do that um we'll be good man. Um just can't wait to get this week going I know we got an off day tomorrow but coming back preparing for the Panthers man is going to be big for us for the home opener. >> Awesome. Thank you for your time Zaryus. >> Yes sir. >> We'll go Darius Hayes. >> Hey Zaryus. Um just wanted Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yes. Uh I just wanted to ask you um >> just coming over uh what's been like the most fun part of uh coming back to this game um after all the things that happened and just going onto that field yesterday. What was that like? >> Uh I would say the football part of it, but the crazy part about it is is the off the field. Um having guys over. Um I just got my house. Um, and I already invited the whole defense over. Um, we're gonna do Thursday night football. I got a chef coming in gonna cook some lamb chops, some lobster tails, man. And just having that team camaraderie at the house. I know. Got I got like a pool table, got the pool, man. So, we basically going to have a good time, man. And just that togetherness, just bringing us together, man, is going to help us play better uh each and every week. >> Thank you. I appreciate the time. Yeah, for sure. >> So, we'll go delay. [snorts] >> Delay. What? What? >> Outstanding here. Um, >> I love what you you've been in some big uh rivalries. Rivers, Steelers, Brown, you know, Browns Steelers, >> Packers, Vikings. Uh, what do you know about the NFC South and Falcons and Panthers coming up? >> Uh, it's big. They in our division. Um this is going to be my first time I think playing them since 2020 2020 uh co year against the Packers man. So um to be able to come play them again is big. Um but obviously just got to continue to do the little things like we was talking about man. Just stopping the run and uh on first second down and getting ready to have a good time on third down to where we could party in the back field after getting a sack. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Um, and then Flick, did you have anything else? >> They don't. >> Uh, will >> uh Yeah. Hey, if you got me. >> Sorry about that. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah, it muted. It went off. >> Are you right now, do you think, Sedarius? >> Say that one more time. >> Oh, do you got me? >> Yeah, I can hear you. >> Um, how close to 100% are you right now, do you think? Uh, close enough. Um, like I said, coach is doing a great job at looking out for me, man, and giving me them vet days to where I can, uh, rest and recover. Um, like I said, I'm year 12, man. So, uh, he's not going to put too much on me, but at the same time, he going we going to get the work done. So, um, I can say I'm I'm in the 80 80% um around there. Um, but hopefully give me a couple more weeks and I'll be where I need to be 100% for sure. >> Awesome, man. I appreciate you. >> Yeah, man. Yeah, for sure. >> We'll go Will McBadden. >> Yeah, Zidarius, I just want to follow up on kind of the the Thursday night football um thing. That's that's really cool. Like where >> in your career, was there anybody who kind of early on did that for you and and you wanted to you saw that importance or how did how did this start for you? Uh, Baltimore 2015 to 2018. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dummerville, Eric Wed, um, and CJ Mosley all came together and did something every week for us. And, uh, I was able to go off and um, to Green Bay. And when I went to Green Bay, I just took everything that I learned in Baltimore and took it with me. And ever since then, I've been doing it every year since I've been in the league. Uh, but it's big, man. I feel like when guys come together outside of, you know what I'm saying, football and have that team camaraderie, uh, you get to know one another better. You know what I'm saying? And when you guys are tied on the field, you know exactly what that guy going to give and what I'mma give because I know my guys tired. So, basically just building that relationship. Um, but it it has stuck with me for a long time and I'm going to keep it going and hopefully I can pass it down to the younger guys and they can do it once I'm done with football. >> Oh, that's awesome, man. I really appreciate you sharing that. That That's really cool. >> Yeah, for sure. Yeah. >> Does anybody have anything else? >> I got something. Uh, so I know y'all got to get y'all stories. This weekend I'm bringing my church up. Uh, I know this something that my mom always wanted. Um, so I got a Greyhound bus pulling up this weekend to my church to bring him up for the game for the first game. So that's gonna be big for me, man. So if y'all see him on the sidelines, just give them a couple words and, you know, ask questions about the Young Z if you don't mind. But uh, yeah, excited for that, man. And can't wait. >> That is awesome, man. Congratulations on that. >> Appreciate it, man. Thank you. >> Yeah, the Norm church there. I go to Turner Chapel M in Maretta, Georgia. >> Okay. All right. Well, yeah, man. I hopefully I can attend that church soon. >> What's the name of your church? >> Harrison Baptist Church. >> All right. Thanks. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> About how many people are coming? Uh, Zadarius, >> uh, I think we got the tickets now. It's at 45 people. Um, so yeah, got everybody some t-shirts and man, gonna feed them good. Got a little envelope. I'mma put something nice in there for them, man. So I know my mom, she's smiling down going to be happy for this one, man. So I can't wait. >> Oh, that's really cool, man. >> Yeah, man. For sure. Appreciate it. >> Yeah, as a pass rush, I mean, you guys hit Rogers a handful of times yesterday, had a couple sacks on him. How do you How do you kind of evaluate the way it went yesterday? Yeah, and I feel like um you know yesterday as a collective uh you know we uh rushed together. We had a good ops as when we was out there for us one um you know the plan was to make him feel as uncomfortable as possible to let him sit back in the pocket and uh you know pick apart our defense and I feel like we did a good job get him off the spot hit him a couple times sacked him twice. Uh I feel like we did a good job as as a whole. How hard is it? Because again, I think what Kevin said after the game is like you've got so many new bodies in there, like even guys you've added within the last three and a half weeks. How hard is it when you're trying to rush as one when you when you have as many new guys as you guys do? >> Yeah, you know, it's hard for these guys to come in, you know, into attack style front and learn the ways of, you know, how to how to play it and, you know, not just that, but play with different people. Uh, you know, it's a whole different front that I'm rushing with, you know, from last year. But, you know, I've learned a lot with these guys in practice. You know, I understand what they're trying to get at and, you know, they they understand what I'm trying to get at, you know, and then when we're on the same page and everybody's, you know, um, you know, together, I feel like everything works out works out really well. >> Awesome, man. I appreciate you. >> No problem. Thank you. >> Great. Lexi. >> Hey, Brandon. Uh, third year in the NFL for you. How would you compare this defensive group so far through one game to some of the other teams you've been a part of? I know it's it might be hard just one game, but if you could kind of sum that up. >> Yeah, you know, um third year with the guys. Uh second year of brick. Uh I feel like, you know, uh systematically I feel like, you know, it's it's getting more comfortable for the guys that have been here. Uh for the for the new guys, you know, they're they're learning, but they they're they're doing a good job. you know, the guys like Cedarius, guys like Dexter, you know, who just got here a couple weeks ago, you know, guys like Ivy, all these guys are up for the challenge and they they've been responding really well. You know, I practice, you know, they're getting coached up. I'm over there trying to, you know, help them out. You know, at the end of the day, you know, in this defense, when you when you don't think about anything, everything plays out how you're supposed to. You know, the less you think, the more you the more you are more productive and the more you cause havoc. I'll I'll go. Yes. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. So, hey Brandon. Um, kind of early on when uh Coach Stfansky arrived and we were kind of talking about the culture he wants to set and everything like that, he he said he wanted in his mind a player culture, right? Like the best teams are are often playerled. And we just spoke to Zidarius and he kind of made me think of this because it seems like that is a very important thing to him as well. Uh from your perspective, how do you feel like the the player culture aspect is coming along and and maybe in Zidarius specifically? I know he's just kind of arrived, but what do you see from him in that area? >> Yeah, you know, Zidarius great leader. Uh you know, he's a real time vet. He's been on a lot of teams, been you know, a lot of places. Uh but you know when you see guys you know who aren't afraid to leave that that just that just came in you know it it speaks a lot about who the person is and you know with the the team we got um player le team you know honestly I feel like it's a great thing you know I love it you know you can't be shy of spotlight you know you just got to be you know comfortable with everybody having their eyes on you and at the end of the day you know when guys are coming together you know playing for each other you know feeding their families they're going to feed my family you know it's just like it's a great connection going on and I love And then you I know it's it's still Monday. You haven't turned the page yet, but with Carolina like early thoughts on on Bryce Young. I know you guys seem to play some really interesting games kind of in in recent seasons. Like what are your thoughts on just the Falcons Panthers rivalry as a whole? >> It's a rivalry with the Panthers >> historically I would say. >> Oh, I don't know rivalry, but Oh, no. At the end of the day, you know, we got we got to do our job. you know, this, like you said, it's been know tough since I've been here, you know, but honestly, we have we have the coaches, we have the players to go in and win a game. You know, I'm not I'm not, you know, I'm not scared about any of any any anything for this game. I'm ready to go. We know what Bryce wants. We know how he is in the pocket. You know, at the end of the day, like I said, my last um I told Dave Archer in my last interview, um you know, when the front is playing 4 as one, you know, as a whole collective and we're on the same page, you know, I feel like we got we got one of the best groups in the in the league, you know, I feel like we are one of the best and I feel like we're going to show y'all that we're the best. >> Awesome. Thanks, Brandon. >> No problem, >> Darius. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I was definitely muted. I'm sorry, Brandon. Um, so just a question. Um, >> wake up. >> LA, this last week you guys were able to really get a lot get a lot of pressure without like a massive um, blitzerate. Um, so how did it just feel seeing the guys be able to really get after Aaron Rogers and um, knock him off his spots a little bit? >> No, I feel good about it. I feel like, you know, with the guys that just came here, you know, it's it's a good um it's a good sign that I seen um from the last game that, you know, they're able to pick up on this uh on how we rush and how we play at the front really well. Really well. And um I'm I'm really comfortable with these guys. You know, I have full confidence going into each game, you know, with any group that goes on. you know, if you not if you not if you're not in the starter, you know, the guys who are coming off rolling, you know, I got confidence in those guys cuz, you know, honestly, there's no there's no starting, there's no backups, you know, everybody got to roll. >> I appreciate you, man. >> No problem. >> Daniel, >> yeah. How much did you enjoy watching Trice play yesterday? >> Oh, yeah, man. That was that was exciting. You know, my guy T, you know, he's been through he's been through a lot. you know, injuries is not fun, you know, at all. But, you know, Traxx is a great player. You know, plays the run very well, could rush the passer, could drop back in coverage, you know, got lot of versatility there. And, you know, I'm very excited. Just just very happy for him just to to be out there playing and, you know, in season time. >> When we talked in Indie, that was around the time you guys were practicing without L, without hand. Obviously, we're still kind of waiting to know exactly what happened with Hand yesterday, but if you guys have to play without him long term, how much does that hurt you, do you think? Like I said, you know, before like, you know, I have full confidence in everybody who who plays. You know, not not for the people who don't start, you know, I'm really confident in them. You know, I don't know what's going on with him either, but you know, at the end of the day, you know, it's the NFL. You know, whoever's in in this building, you got to go and you got to roll. >> We had Z in here a couple minutes ago and he said he's going to have a chef over to his house on Thursday night uh with like lobster tails and a lot of exotic things it sounded like. Have you one, have you gotten the invite and and two, how excited for you or how excited are you about that? >> Uh, no. I didn't see Z. I didn't see Z yet, but if if that's that's what we're doing, I I'll be there for sure. >> I appreciate you, man. Thank you. >> No problem. >> All right. >> Hey, Brandon, one more from me. Um, I know you were once a rookie and there's not too many rookies in your position group specifically, but as a whole on the defense, how impressed have you been by some of those guys who have picked up the system pretty quick? Oh yeah, I'm, you know, I'm really really uh really impressed. You know, it's been it's it's hard, you know, for sure getting um acquainted with this defense. You know, it's different from what we all learned, you know, in the beginning of playing football. You know, reading blocks and you know, it's uncomfortable when you are in this defensive front. You know, you get off the ball, you're sprinting, you're running through double teams with your shoulders. cuz you might not have the perfect hands, but at the end of the day, when everybody's training together, you know, playing together, it it works out very well.