QB Michael Vick
On whether it feels as if the team hasn't played for a while: "No, it doesn't. It seems like we just played last week. But all the guys are refreshed and ready to go. We put in the hard work and the effort this week and we'll go out and let it show on Sunday."
On whether he feels there is a sense of urgency with the team now: "Yeah, I mean, now is the time. Now is the time to get everything rolling. We've had our off-week. We've had six games to kind of see what we were and where we're at and now it's time to get on a roll. We've got high expectations and we expect to go out and get it done this week."
On his reaction to a late-week personnel move on the offensive line: "You know, with the offensive line, (I) just keep going. I believe in the guys that are in front of me, regardless of what the situation is. If a guy goes out there and plays and if he's playing on this level, I believe he can get the job done."
On whether the potential for heavy rain on Sunday changes his approach: "I don't think so. I think regardless of the weather, you've got to go out there and just keep pushing. Just try to get through it the best way you can. We can't predict Mother Nature or what's going to happen. Maybe it won't be as bad, but if it is, then we've got to keep grinding it out. The best team's going to figure it out."
On whether he likes being the home team and knowing the field if the weather is bad: "Yeah, if it is bad, then we've just got to take advantage of the opportunities that we're given. Obviously, we're going to have to run the ball a bit more, but we'll still throw it; still throw it around, but we've got to protect it in bad weather."
On the magnitude of Sunday's game: "This is a big game for us. But I think every game from here on out is going to be a big game. It's a 10-week season for us and it's going to kind of put things in perspective and assess our situation. We're excited about it. We understand the magnitude of each and every game and we've just got to take it one game at a time."
On the reason behind Atlanta's success in creating turnovers: "They've just got a lot of guys who are ball hawks. They get their hand on the ball. They tackle with great technique. The scheme plays a factor; they're always in the position to make plays and that's what you want out of your defense. We've got to do everything to avoid that."
On whether he sees Atlanta CB Asante Samuel's tendency to take risks as a vulnerability in the Atlanta defense: "Well, I think in playing against Asante, you've got to take the calculated risks. You can't just jump out there all the time. You have to understand that he is a Pro Bowl corner and is still one of the best in this league. So, I've got nothing but respect for him. Like I said, the risks have got to be well-calculated."
G/T Dennis Kelly
On having a chance to start at right guard: "I've just been preparing all week if I have to start. In the same sense, if (G) Danny (Watkins) plays, that's great. I have been just trying to mentally prepare myself to play. It's better to be ready to play than at the last minute be thrown in and be ready to go."
On whether the Falcons will try and change their game plan when they find out if he is starting: "You would think so just because (I'm) a rookie and it's the first time. Again, it's something that you prepare for. I wouldn't be surprised if they gave a little bit of extra pressure towards me. That's what we use our game plan to prepare for it."
On what it means to him that despite having multiple options to play right guard, head coach Andy Reid chose Kelly: "It's exciting, and it's very humbling to know that the coach trusts me like that. Hopefully, I just perform to the level that I want and I won't let him down."
On what offensive line coach Howard Mudd really likes about Kelly's game: "He does like the fact that I am as big I am. I can really get into the guys really easily – he likes to use the word 'smother'. (He also likes) the fact that, as big as I am, I'm athletic for my size and I can still move my feet. He likes the fact that I have a mixture of both, a big guy and a quick guy."
On how Mudd's scheme fits him well: "It's a lot more aggressive. You get into them and it kind of takes away their options. You take it to them and take out their game plan to try and throw them off guard."
RT Todd Herremans
On why Herremans thinks that the coaching staff decided to go with Kelly as the primary replacement at right guard: "I really think they are trying to work toward less moving parts right now. I haven't taken any snaps inside this year. I haven't been asked to play guard, even though they know I could. I think that they don't want to try shoving me inside at the last minute. Dennis has been taking reps inside for the last couple of weeks. Also, he's young, hungry, and excited to play. I'm excited to be out there with him."
On what Kelly has shown him so far: "I think he's a really good football player. He works hard and he doesn't say much. He's athletic and he's very big. He's a very big body that we have in there. He can reach out to the tight end from the guard. He's had a good week of practice and I'm excited to just get out there with him."
On whether it was natural for Herremans to adjust from tackle to guard during the beginning of his career: "I had a whole offseason to work in at guard. After the draft was when they called me and told me that they were going to move me inside. As far as Dennis (goes), there's a new scheme now, too. Playing guard for Howard (Mudd) is actually quite a bit like playing tackle. It's just the defender that you're going against is different."
On what can be attributed to Reid's 13-0 streak the week after the bye week: "I really think that's all on Coach Reid, and the preparation and the time that he puts in during the bye. Also, how he handles the players. He doesn't keep us here and pound us into the ground all week long. Instead of taking the days off that he can, he's in here trying to get an extra leg up on the other team. An extra week to game plan, an extra week to strategize, and an extra week to break things down. He's been very successful at that so we'll try and keep that going."
