Cooper Rush and other Atlanta Falcons speak to media following practice | Press Conference

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Cooper Rush addressed the media following Thursday's practice session, where he stepped in for injured starters Tua Tagovailoa and Mike Glennon to take snaps with the starting offense. Although Rush admitted he was unsure exactly what happened to lead to his opportunity, he emphasized that getting real reps with the group was a significant advantage regardless of whether he starts on Sunday. He noted that every throw matters and expressed satisfaction with how well the team utilized the extra practice time to maintain readiness for the upcoming game. Rush discussed his transition into the Falcons organization, highlighting how quickly he felt acclimated to the system thanks to the coaching staff's organized approach. Having arrived late in July and still living out of a hotel while waiting for movers, Rush joked about packing his car full of belongings but remained focused on the task at hand. He clarified that his preparation mindset never changes whether he is starting or sitting on the bench, allowing for a smooth transition whenever his number is called. When asked about his past interactions with former Vikings quarterback coach Kevin Stefanski, Rush revealed there were no significant connections beyond a brief interview at the combine. The offensive line players spoke highly of Rush's performance and communication skills during the practice session. They praised his ability to pick up the rhythm quickly and described his cadence as excellent, noting that consistency is key for timing on the field. One lineman mentioned that while they had only taken a few short drives with him earlier in camp, today's session was particularly beneficial because it allowed them to work through huddles and execute plays together effectively. The group felt that Rush's professionalism and attention to detail were evident from his first day, making him an immediate asset to the team. Looking ahead to the next 48 hours, Rush acknowledged that there are many variables regarding his starting status but confirmed that his mental preparation remains constant regardless of the outcome. He explained that while he cannot control whether he will play on Sunday, his daily routine and focus do not shift based on roster changes. The offensive line expressed confidence in his ability to execute under pressure and appreciated the opportunity to build chemistry with him before the season begins. Overall, the atmosphere was positive as the team continued to prepare for the challenges of the upcoming NFL season.

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Cooper looked like Tua might have had an issue out there. Are you trying to are you suddenly having to get ready? >> Yeah, not sure what happened. Um but you know, it's Thursday practice. Practice, you know, has to go on and so you're up next and it was a good day. It's good to get out there and um get some real reps with that group and um yeah, we'll see what happens. >> You've only been here, I don't know, six weeks. Do you feel ready? Do you feel like you you the system is kind of ingrained? >> Yeah, I feel like camp was camp was good. um got caught up to speed pretty quickly. I think it's a testament to the staff um how well it's coached that you can follow along and um pick it up pretty quickly in terms of how it's organized, the systematic systematic stuff of it and um so that's been that's been really helpful and I think uh kind of everyone being the first year together uh definitely helps it too. >> How many stops the ones do you have today? >> Uh yeah, we took the whole practice so um early on got told I was going so we went. Does it how much does even just one day like that help get everything >> huge. It's huge. Um >> all those uh all those reps matter. Um it's a big advantage for me especially, you know, uh if you have to go in there at least you had some reps. >> What was your plan this off seasonason? Were you just kind of binging your time to see what happened? I mean, >> uh no, just waiting for a call. Yeah. Uh you know, I had a few workouts in the spring and um >> out kind of out of the blue they called first day of camp and uh it worked out. So was happy about that. Good spot, good organization, good staff. So I was lucky and pumped. >> Crossover with Kevin during your career? I mean, I know you weren't together, but like did you have any sort of mutual connections? >> No. Uh nothing really. I remember when he was a QB coach uh for the Vikings. He interviewed me at the combine. Oh, >> that's about my only interaction with them. And uh >> so yeah, no real crossovers at all. >> When you got here, you said you packed for a week. >> Are you how how well acquainted are you now? [laughter] Yeah, >> a lot more moved in. >> Yeah, maybe two more week two weeks now. Uh, and a car full of crap. Uh, so yeah, still living, still in the hotel, you know, that movers were coming next weekend. So, uh, so we're still kind of just going about our business. >> Your car is like completely packed. It's >> Yeah, pretty much. It's got packed with some stuff that, you know, we wanted to bring anyway that my wife packed it up and sent it early um with the car and so yeah, waiting on movers um trying to find a spot still. >> Not not getting too ahead of ourselves, but you have to make a habit of this, always staying ready. How different is it when your number is called or when it is that time compared to just going through a normal week, always preparing to be the starter, but you know, sometimes it doesn't happen. [clears throat] >> Um yeah, you just got to stay ready. I mean, some weeks you might not have any reps, so to having reps today is help helps you get ready whether you're starting or not on a Sunday. Um, so I'll take advantage of those either way. Um, so the mindset, the prep really never changes. The only thing that changes that I think you get more prepared because you get to practice, you get you get reps, you get walk through reps. Um, I think it helps a lot. >> Didn't want to make sure I didn't miss anything, but you said you didn't see what happened to it, correct? >> No, no, they kind of just told me you're out. So, >> have they given you any indication whether or not you will start on Sunday or not? >> No, I have no idea. >> There's there's obviously a lot of variables in the next 48 hours, whatever it is that will happen, but do you change anything in terms of how you're preparing or just mentally? Is there anything like take us through kind of what what you you do in the next two three days? >> Uh the kind of the game prep doesn't change mentally. Um I think that's been an advantage of mine. I've kind of always kept it the same whether you're starting or not. So that transition's smooth. where where stuff comes in is if you're going, you got to, you know, talk with those one white outs, be the old line kind of like, hey, how's the cadence? Everything smooth like that. You know, the huddle um is important. And uh I thought today was good and it was good for me and good for them. Um so we'll see. >> I'm trying to think how many times have you repped with the starters to this point? Was this kind of the first time? I'm trying to think throughout training camp. >> Yeah, I think I got one two minute early on. I don't think uh when Mike and Tu were out. Um, so that's about it. But take a lot of mental reps. You watch it and you try and then like I said, every every throw you throw to Drake. Every throw you throw to Kyle, >> it matters. And uh, so it's good to get some today. >> Anything else? >> Thank you, Cooper. [laughter] >> Yep. >> So, what's your kind of confidence level with Rush? >> Uh, Cooper's great. He's a pros pro, and I think you see the success that he's had in his career and, you know, what he's able to do with the Cowboys. Um, and then every day he's been here has been awesome and embracing him and uh, you know, hanging out with him and then now doing the reps with him just his communication level was excellent. And like you don't get to that level of being a quarterback and being in the league as long as he has without being great on the details and stuff. And so for the communication standpoint to us in the O line, he was dialed. >> He had mentioned that he hadn't taken many rest of the ones apart from maybe a two-minute drive early on in training camp. How how smooth was he out there today? Uh he was great and uh his cadence was just like picking up the rhythm of it. But you know the great thing about that like I said is he does such a good job of being consistent and consistency is the most important thing with that just to get off on timing. So that and then being on the road with the silent cadence that you're getting a little bit of both there anyways and so um like I said he was great. >> He obviously arrived here you know late. I mean how have you kind of seen him evolve from July 29th when he got here to now? >> Just seeing his personality. him. He's a great dude to be around and uh I think that's the best thing to do when you get to be around him. Um and then you just slowly appreciate the way guys work that they do out at practice and you see that with him. And then the communication standpoint, like I said, to the O line has been has been excellent.