Falcons players Olamide Zaccheaus and Gervon Dexter Sr. speak to the media | Press Conference

Duration: 5:02 1233 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The return of quarterback Mike to the Falcons' roster signifies a significant boost for both the offensive core and the team's overall potential, though players emphasize that success ultimately depends on execution rather than just personnel changes. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus expresses genuine excitement for Mike's opportunity, noting the impressive work he has put in to recover from his absence. While acknowledging that Mike possesses a unique velocity compared to other quarterbacks, Zaccheaus clarifies that the offense is not overly concerned with adjusting their strategy specifically for him, as they have been catching passes from him since his time at Oklahoma State. The focus remains on everyone doing their job and taking care of football, suggesting that the team's capability has always been there but requires consistent performance to fully realize. Beyond the quarterback situation, the offensive line discusses their ability to generate high pressure rates without relying heavily on blitzes, attributing this success to strong one-on-one matchups and a selfless unit culture fostered by the front office. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. highlights how his teammates are willing to win their individual matchups while simultaneously helping the player beside them succeed, a rare trait that allows the group to gel quickly. This collective mindset extends to their run defense, where players actively prioritize stopping the run to create opportunities for pass rushers, resulting in opponents averaging only around 120 rushing yards per game. The depth of the roster further supports this style of play, as rotating bodies is essential since the team cannot maintain a high-intensity style for an entire game without fatigue setting in. The players also touch upon the unique atmosphere at their home stadium, describing it as having a distinct college-like feel that stands out even among professional teams. Despite the frustration from the first two games on offense, the squad remains confident that they possess much more talent than what has been displayed so far this season. Dexter Sr. notes that there is no drop-off between the first and third units, reinforcing the depth available to sustain their aggressive approach throughout a game. Ultimately, both athletes express a strong desire for the next opportunity to dominate, regardless of the specific circumstances or location, viewing every new challenge as a chance to prove their worth and execute their roles effectively within the team's system.

Read the full video transcript

What does having Mike back mean to wide receiving core and the offense as a whole? >> Uh, I think it means a lot. You know, I think everybody's seen the the work that he's put in to to be able to get back and um, you know, I'm excited for him and his opportunity. >> Does it change the complexion of what this offense can do? Not necessarily what it will do, but what it can do just for guys strength? >> Uh, I don't really view it as that. Um, I feel like just it's going to come down to execution as it always does. Um, no matter who's out there. Um, but like I said, I'm excited for his opportunity. >> His velocity is different than than some of the guys. Do y'all have to be aware of that this week? You just have to be in the back of your mind that he throws the ball hard and he's going to be juiced up and, you know, we need we need to be ready for that early. >> We've been catching with Mike since OTAA, so it's not something that we're really, you know, thinking about. Buzzy, what do you enjoy about what Mike brings to the table at the quarterback position? >> I think just uh you know, his his his mentality and his presence um will be will be big. And um I just love the way he he's approached everything. You know, since me being here, I've just seen how he's worked day in and day out. And uh that's something I really appreciate as a vet. You know, him being a younger quarterback. Um his process is very mature and um like I said, I'm excited for his opportunity. >> He's not really a raw guy. He's not going to be super vocal, but he does build that relationship with you guys some way somehow. How does he do that? >> By just being himself. Um, and just being authentic. And you feel that like he doesn't need to say much, but like I said, just by how he goes about his business, you know, um, you know, he's he leads by example. >> Obviously, the first two games have been frustrating to say the least on offense. What do you think this offense is actually capable of? >> Uh, a lot more than what we've what we've shown, for sure. And uh like I said, it just comes down to execution. Everybody doing their job and uh there's no secret formula to it. It's just uh everybody doing their job and taking care of football. >> You've done this thing for a while. How much do you love these prime time games? >> Uh I mean, they're they're always nice. Um extra eyes and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, you know, it's just it's just football. >> You guys have one of the lower blitz rates in the league, but higher pressure rates. Why do you think you guys as a line have been, you know, you've caused a lot of havoc already without having to blitz? Why is that, do you think? >> Yeah, I think that uh the guys in the room, the coaches obviously putting us in a good position and guys just winning there one-on- ones and get, you know what I mean, putting pressure on the quarterback. >> So, when we had Brick this morning, he said it's kind of unique like you guys are very selfless and you can rush as one and you understand like, hey, I want to win my my whole matchup. Yes. but also I want the guy beside me to win his match up too. How how rare is that to have in a room? >> Uh I think that's a compliment to uh you know what I mean the the GM uh all those guys in the front office uh putting you know what I mean selfless guys uh in in rooms and uh says a lot about the guys that's in the room you know I mean everybody looking to win but everybody looking to you know what I mean do their job and uh try to make that play for the guy beside them. >> How early on can you guys click as a because again >> we already click Yeah. already. Yeah. So how do you click that that early on? I'd imagine it's kind of a hard process. >> No, I think like I said, it's just the you know what I mean the the uh the guys that we got um guys I mean looking to to make a play but they looking more so for for their brother to make a play >> and uh when you when you got guys like that in the room it's it's you can quickly gel. >> How high is the talent level do you think? >> Super high. Yeah. We got Yeah. Young we got young a young group but >> I mean I don't think we got a drop off from the first second or the third unit. So >> you guys roll a lot of bodies in. Yeah. I'm sure it helps too. >> Yeah, 100%. Yeah, you when you when when a coach asks you to play the style of play that we play, you're not going to be able to do it the whole game. So, uh, rotating is is big for us. >> The attack front last year, I think Atlanta was bottom 10 in the league in run defense. Might be wrong on that, but it wasn't great. You guys have been really really good um already this year. Why is it like why have you guys been able to I think opponents have only run for around 120 yards this year against you guys? Yeah, I think uh at least for me, man, I know I like to get sacks, but you can't get sacks if you know what I mean. Uh you and those uh short third downs. So, man, I'm trying to personally I'm trying to stop the run so I can get a chance to rush. And I think all of the guys think like that. >> Heading back to limbo. >> Yeah. >> You're excited about it. Not excited about it. >> I'm excited. I'm excited to go, you know what I mean, for the next opportunity, but I'm I'm not a huge fan of, you know, I mean, obviously coming from where I came from, but uh I'm just looking for the next opportunity. >> How comfortable is that atmosphere? because I heard this morning that it's kind of the most college-l like atmosphere in the league. >> Yeah, I believe so. Yeah, those I mean I think that's the only uh professional, if I'm not mistaken, the only professional team. I don't think they have a college team um there. So, obviously that that's that's there. You know what I mean? >> Um so, yeah, it is. It's a pretty good >> You kind of enjoy that? >> Yeah, of course. I I I enjoy like I just said, I enjoy the next opportunity. So, whatever whatever team it is, I'm looking to you know what I mean? Try to dominate.