By Times Staff Writer
Published September 22, 2003
Linebacker Derrick Brooks on the defense's success:
"We stopped the run. They came out on the first few plays and tried to run the ball. We shut down the run and once we did that, we forced them to throw and that's when the advantage switched to the Bucs."
Running back Michael Pittman on his performance:
"I knew what I could do last year, but I came in and on the first day of practice I got hurt. To be honest, I had no confidence in my ankle, and no confidence in my health. But this year, I'm fully healed and it's not about redemption, it's about proving what I can do and I did that (Sunday)."
Quarterback Brad Johnson on Pittman's versatility:
"We can do so many things with him. From being a running back, to shifting him out to receiver, there's just so many mismatches across the board."
Coach Jon Gruden on what's ahead:
"We need the bye. We've had a long training camp and played a lot of games. We've got (Joe) Jurevicius (hurt), we've got Shelton (Quarles, also hurt) and a number of players nursing injuries. At the same time, we have the Indianapolis Colts (3-0) and a great leader in Tony Dungy and an undefeated football team coming to Tampa. So, we've got our hands full."
Right guard Jason Whittle on the 132 yards rushing:
"It felt great. It's what we want to do. We want to be able to pound the rock. We wanted to do it and we went out and did it. Now, there's always room for improvement. There are some plays we wish we could have back or do over, but it definitely feels good."
Defensive end Simeon Rice on the overall team effort:
"We brought our A game. Atlanta kept it tight early, but our offense went out and really did something, I'll tell you. The Falcons were really where they didn't want to be later, way behind."
Right tackle Kenyatta Walker on his critics:
"I'm tired of hearing what these guys have to say about me, that I did this or I did that. I'm tired of reading what these guys have to say about me. ... The is a physical game in the trenches. If it gets around that I'm a dirty or nasty player, who cares! I come to play every Sunday."
Defensive tackle/tight end Warren Sapp on his touchdown:
"First let me say, I'm much more into taking a football from a quarterback than I am catching one from him."
Brooks on the overall effort:
"For the first time, we went out there as a team and had fun. Had fun as a "we' team - not offense, defense or special teams - but together, as a team. We had fun in the game, and that was missing so far this year."
FALCONS
Defensive end Patrick Kerney on the loss:
"This upsets me. I hate losing NFC games. I hate losing NFC South games. I hate losing at home. I hate losing, period."
Coach Dan Reeves on the Falcons' play:
"When you play a good football team, you can't make mistakes, and we made way too many. We can't make offensive turnovers. That's what they thrive on. We didn't make good decisions and defensively we gave up some big plays. We just didn't play well enough to win."
Linebacker Keith Brooking on how 303-pound Sapp got open in the end zone for a touchdown reception:
"We were in man coverage. To be honest, I don't know whose responsibility it was. It was a great call. They had their running personnel in the game and found a way to slip him through there."
Reeves on the Bucs' 73-yard touchdown drive after the Falcons cut the deficit to 17-10 early in the third quarter:
"I still thought we were in it when the defense got the turnover. They (Tampa Bay) got the ball and drove it right back down the field. Then we fumbled the ensuing kickoff."
Quarterback Doug Johnson on his performance:
"You can't win throwing three interceptions. I have to do a better job of that. It put us in a hole we couldn't really climb out of."
Running back Woodrow Dantzler, who lined up at quarterback to run three option plays, including a 12-yard gain and 1-yard touchdown:
"Everyone wants to contribute whenever they can. Whatever I can do to help I will, it really doesn't matter."
Nose tackle Ed Jasper on what the Falcons should do next:
"What we should all do is go home, don't go out partying and stuff like that, and take a long look in the mirror and see if we really want to do this."
Johnson on the loss:
"You have to turn the page and look to next week because it's a long season. You can't dwell on one game. We've got 13 more."
Brooking on losing two straight:
"There is a ton of football left to play. We have 13 games and we have to get this thing turned around. We have to dig ourselves out of this hole. Fortunately, it is not a big hole, but we still have to play with a sense of urgency."
Reeves on the options his offense had after the Bucs stopped the running game:
