Falcons 20, Saints 30
Q. The turnovers today was an issue for you guys. What was the issue there?
MATT RYAN: Yeah, I mean, we knew coming into it we had to be efficient and take care of the ball. Tried to push one down the field to Russ and probably shouldn't have made that decision.
You know, that's a tough one.
And then pair of fumbles, but those two before the half really hurt, and, you know, breathe some life into them and gave them an opportunity to score some points before the half, which is always tough to overcome.
So it was disappointing for sure. We've got to do better than that as we move into next season. We got to be really efficient and take really good care of the football.
Q. Just moving forward, what will be some of the things you all can take from this season, being 7 and 2 and the close games, as a foundation for you?
MATT RYAN: I do think that there are positives to take from that. In close, you know, one-score games we were very efficient. We need to put ourselves in more of those than we did this year.
I think that's the next step. I also think learning how to close some of those games out earlier and figuring out ways to win, where it doesn't have to be one possession, you know, I think those are places we can make growth.
But I'm optimistic. I think we've got a lot of good, young players, guys that gained a lot of experience this year, guys that fought the entire way. I think that's going to serve us well as we continue to grow and build.
Q. Where are you at with your future? You have two years left. You want to stay here? There has been a lot of talk about your future and contracts and so forth. What is your position on the last two years of the contract?
MATT RYAN: Yeah, I mean, I want to be here. You know, I believe in this team, and the coaching staff I think did a great job. I really feel fortunate to have been here for as long as I have.
You know, but I'm optimistic, I really am. I want to be here. I feel good about this group of guys, coaching staff, everybody, the direction it's going. I really think we're going to make improvements this off-season and continue to grow as a team and be better than what we were this year.
Q. Have you been given assurances that you'll be back?
MATT RYAN: No, I mean, I've just -- we haven't talked about it. We were playing the season and doing those kind of things and going through a game plan week to week.
So I also know that every year is different. Everybody, that's the nature of this league. I feel good about it. I really do. I feel like I'm in a good space and our team is in a good space and we can improve and be better as we move forward.
Q. How much say do you have or do you want to have in making some of the off-season moves they might make? Arthur said they're going to have a lot of turnovers, one-year contracts. Would you like a little bit of say to say, Hey, listen, this is what I feel like I need to be successful, and have you had that in the past?
MATT RYAN: I understand my role, you know, what that is. You know, certainly throughout my entire career I have given honest feedback, but, you know, I also understand that they have a job to do. It's their responsibility to find players, to decide who stays, who goes, figure out contracts, the cap, all those things.
I don't claim to be an expert in that area.
Q. As you say you give honest feedback; what would you tell them about what you have seen this year or you need?
MATT RYAN: Yeah, I think number one, those conversations are better had in our facility, you know, and behind closed doors.
But I'm optimistic. I really am. I think Arthur talked a lot about wanting to create a culture. I think he's done a very good job of that, creating a tough, physical football team. We're making strides toward that. I thought the fight, toughness from the guys, resiliency all year was really good.
There is a lot of growth that can come from that with young players being in those situations and maturity and toughness, mental toughness, those kind of things I think a season like this can provide.
So I'm optimistic. I really am.
Q. You talk about building that culture, and it's something that Arthur talks about a lot is building that foundation. Going back to what you were saying about I guess the toughness, is that essentially kind of how you would describe the foundation of which Arthur is trying to lay here?
MATT RYAN: I mean, he would be better to answer that question of that, but from my perspective, that's what he's asking from us as players: tough, smart, physical players.
You know, I think guys have tried to do that. Guys have really worked towards that the way we practice, the way we train, all those things I think trend in that direction.
I think being in year two in a system, not just myself, but the guys that are back, I think there are great strides that can be made there.
Q. Does the 4,000 yard streak ending bug you at all?
MATT RYAN: Not really. I know, I think I'm at the point in my career -- don't get me wrong, I'm proud of how long it lasted for sure -- but the objective is to be playing, you know, now and to have the opportunity.
And so from that standpoint, the statistical stuff is very nice and I'm proud of it, but at the same time, I really care about winning. You know, I want to be playing in the playoffs and making a push to win a championship. That to me is the more important goal as we move forward.
Q. How far away do you feel like this team is? I mean, you say you're optimistic. How far away do you feel like this team is to really being able to make that playoff push, make the push towards the Super Bowl?
MATT RYAN: I think we were about two or three games away, you know. There were some games that if you just look at it objectively, that's probably what we needed to do. Win nine or ten games and give you the opportunity to get in.
And so every season is different, you know. There is no crystal ball for us moving forward, but we're not far off really. You know, finding ways to win a few games early in the year, too, you know, where we had chances, I think that's going to be important in getting off to a good start.
All these things are important. They all count one. Sometimes they sting a little bit more at the end of the year when the pictures has kind of unraveled itself to you, but I've learned that those ones in the beginning of the year are just as important.
And so we're not far off.
Q. You said you have your role, but your receiver room, most of them are free agents. Do you express what type of receiver you want or is there a type of receiver you prefer to play with?
MATT RYAN: I've played with all kinds of different guys throughout my career. You know, I trust our personnel guys, coaching staff, to find the guys that they feel like fit what we want to do.
But, you know, I feel like I'm at a point where I can work with different guys and different skillsets and feel comfortable with that.
Q. How do you feel like Russ' last month and a half went?
MATT RYAN: I think Russ did a good job, I really do. I think battling through injury early in the year kind of takes a little bit of time to get your legs back underneath you.
But second half of the season or last six weeks, whatever, I think he's played well for us. Made a lot of plays of done a nice job. Had a bigger role for us, and I think stepped up and made a bunch of really good plays for us.
Q. You want to see him back?
MATT RYAN: I mean, I would love to. I love Russ as a teammate. I love how much he's grown as a player during his time here. Also understand the nature of this league. It's hard to predict how things are going to go.
As far as my opinion of Russ, I love him. I think he's a great teammate and a very good player.
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