Not long after his team completed its first practice of Week 4, Falcons head coach Mike Smith addressed the media, summarizing the day's work and previewing keys to success in a tough road test against the Minnesota Vikings.
"The guys had three days off, so we wanted to get a sweat going and I thought that they did a very good job in regards to coming out here and working," Smith said. "They'll have (Tuesday) off and return on Wednesday, when we'll start our game plan for the game this weekend."
When asked for any updates on Falcons players, including WRs Harry Douglas and Roddy White, Smith said the injury report will be made available on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. In the meantime, he praised the work ethic of his players, including the dedication by those trying to get back on the field.
"They've worked extremely hard," Smith said. "We want to make sure our guys are ready to go on Sunday and they have to work sometimes even harder off the field than they do on the field to get ready to go. We've got a plan for these guys; you've got from Thursday, it's like a mini-bye week, and you get an opportunity to rest some guys and get some guys healthy."
Smith addressed some key focus points in facing Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater and WR Cordarrelle Patterson at TFC Bank Stadium:
- Bridgewater - "He is very athletic, makes plays with his feet, extending plays - We'll have to do some things in preparing for him, regarding pass rush and pass-rush lanes."
- Patterson - "We better know where he's lined up, because he can take it the distance at any point in time. They create ways to get him the football."
