Here’s what some of the Falcons had to say on Wednesday during the open locker room period in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins:
RICARDO ALLEN, free safety
On Jay Cutler: "Man, you just want to come out and start fast because initially you don't want to let anybody stay around. A quarterback like Jay Cutler has won games before. You don't want to keep giving him a chance to score because he can.
“I don’t care what they’ve struggled at; maybe they’ve struggled against a certain type of defense, maybe they struggled getting themselves together. You just have to be read.”
On the Dolphins offense: "I'm the type of person when I look at everybody I give them all the respect that I can because . . . if we then play good against you, we just look better. If you go out there and talk bad about somebody, and say he can't do this or he can't do that, and then he throws for 500 yards and five touchdowns, you look crazy, man."
DONTARI POE, defensive tackle
What changes when you face a quarterback who gets rid of the ball so quickly?: "A little bit because you're going so fast and if you can't get there you want to get your hands up and bat a few balls, but for the most part you're still rushing to get to him so when he does hold it that one time I'm there."
Do you change anything when you play a team that screens often?: "Not really because screens are plays that are just a normal reaction so that you know. You do all you can maybe to tackle [the back] from behind. There's no way to play a screen. It's just more reaction and getting ready to chase it down."
JAKE MATTHEWS, left tackle
On the offense: "I think our mindset is we can run the ball on anyone, and that starts with how we prepare and how we practice. We're always really confident, and we feel really good going into this one."
Are you and Sambrailo having a hair-growing contest?
“I got here first, and mine’s already longer so I’m winning.”
GRADY JARRETT, defensive tackle
Does Miami's quick passing game change anything?: "I wouldn't say it changes anything, but you've got to know to get your hands up and you don't get frustrated in the fact that it's coming out so fast. At the end of the day, there's going to come a time on a play where's he's going to have to hold it and you've got to be ready for that moment.
“You can’t let it discourage you as a rusher thinking the ball’s coming out too fast. You prepare for it and expect the ball coming out fast.”
DEVONTA FREEMAN, running back
Is anything different when you're playing against your hometown team?: "No. It's the same thing; it's football. They strap up their helmets just like we strap up our helmets, so it doesn't matter about the opponent. It's all about us."
Dolphins fan growing up?: "Yeah, I was. I didn't really have favorite players. I like a lot of the guys back when I was young. They had Ricky Williams at the time . . . they had Zach Thomas. I was too young for Dan Marino. Everybody was a Dolphins fan in Miami."
Have you guys hit your stride yet, or is there another gear for the offense?: "Definitely. We're still finessing. We've just got to take it one game at a time and keep finessing and getting better."
How do you feel about the run game overall?: "I feel like it's a process."
ROBERT ALFORD, cornerback
On the Dolphins' quick passing game: "On the backend, it's all about your film preparation and the play calling. Every offense is going to have quick games and times when they take shots. It's all about studying your opponent and trusting the things that you studied on film."
How good is their screen game?: "Real good. They have two great running backs and a tandem of receivers that can catch screens and turn upfield. They can make a 2-yard screen into a 15-yard gain, so for us in the backend, we have to be talking, stay disciplined and pursue to the ball."
DEION JONES, linebacker
On Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi: "He's a hard runner, who plays behind his pads."
Dolphins' short and even horizontal passing game?: "It doesn't really change. We've just got to react and tackle, and get the ball on the ground."
On Miami's Screen game. : "It's something they do well. We've just got to react and fly to the ball, get them on the ground."
