Falcons head coach Arthur Smith joins The Athletic as he rides in the passenger seat of a Falcons SUV minutes before pulling up to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday morning.
Q: It’s gameday, what’s your morning been like?
Smith: I slipped out of the hotel early this morning to go back to my house. I stayed in the hotel last night because there's just too many people staying with us this weekend. I grabbed a cup of coffee and hung out with my youngest, Liam. He's 3. My 8- and 10-year-old were hanging out too, but they are at that age when they're out of their minds. My little guy is the best, he's really like my mascot. He was just asking me a million questions. He comes to our Saturday walkthrough (see photo above) and stays with me the whole time.
Q: Is it football or you that he likes?
Smith: I think it's all the above. He's such a funny little kid. He has this energy for life, and I love that.
Q: You are about to pull up to the stadium for week 1. It’s here. What do you do now?
Smith: I've got all my stuff with me, my game plan and all my reports. Material I have from the week. I go back over the plan a few times. And that's pretty much it. It's kind of boring. I go out on the field early. Check it all out, then two hours before, I come back into the office. I go through the play calling and plan again in my head.
Q: Which new player on your team are you really excited to watch?
Smith: Running back Bijan Robinson because he does something every day in practice that makes you go "that's just different." I'd be shocked if he doesn't do something that "wows" everybody today. There are things he just does that are effortless.
Q: Outside of a win, what’s a successful game look like for QB Desmond Ridder?
Smith: Efficiency. He needs to move us down the field, make the right play. You get in these critical situations and he handles them well. It’s what we like about him. He has enough speed and is a play extender to get you out of things if it breaks down.
Q: Your defense is facing a rookie QB in Bryce Young. What’s the game plan?
Smith: We can’t let him get comfortable. He’s obviously a good player, but we can't let him get in a rhythm. We need to make him feel the pressure.
Q: Reports out of Panthers camp have told us that WR Adam Thielen is Young’s favorite target. Do you plan on double-teaming him on third down?
Smith: We know that Adam Thielen is going to be his security blanket, he’s a veteran player. We will have to be aware of him at all times, especially possession downs where Thielen can work the chains.
Q: Where do you feel like the Atlanta Falcons have improved?
Smith: The lines of scrimmage. Every single day in practice it's been a battle. It's been great for starting left guard Matthew Bergeron playing in his first game today. He has been battling against Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata every day. It's a mature team, and these guys are focused. I would be surprised if we don't play really smart and efficient.
Q: A few minutes before the game starts, do you talk to anyone?
Smith: My dad. It’s nothing major, just he’s excited.
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