Falcons head coach Mike Smith evaluating Thursday's win: "I felt like in the game, we got a lot accomplished in all three phases. We made some plays early on with some young players that got an opportunity to play. With that being said, there are a lot of things we need to clean up, including way too many penalties again, but you have to address those things as a team. There were a lot of good points. T.J. Yates had an astounding game. The quarterback battle has been an interesting one and that will lead us into a number of very difficult decisions."

Smith on the upcoming roster cuts: "Our (player) personnel staff is going to have some sleepless nights, over the next 72 hours. There are going to be a lot of transactions over the next four or five days, really over the next 10 days, basically into the first game of the season. In terms of the rosters, there is a cause and effect for every move that takes place. It's a tough time as a coach and a co-team builder in making those decisions on which guys are going to be on your roster and which ones are not."

Falcons QB T.J. Yates on his performance in the final preseason game: "It felt good. I had some struggles, getting used to it, getting in a good rhythm with this offense in the first couple of preseason games, but it felt good to go out there and get some completions, get an offensive drive going up and down the field, get some explosive plays, get some touchdowns — it all felt good and everything worked out well."

Falcons QB Sean Renfree on working with members of the first-team offense Thursday night: "It's good to get in with the ones. Obviously, that's the way it'll be during games, versus their ones (on) defense. You get a good look from a defensive perspective and to be out there with our guys is important."

Falcons RB Antone Smith on the entire stable of running backs being able to produce: "It's big, because it's competition. You've got competition at every position, and in our whole room, we're all competing. At the same time, we lift each other up. If we see something on the field, if something's not right, we tell each other, but the biggest thing for us is, we compete with each other."

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman on his first NFL touchdown: "It felt good, man. It always feels good to score a touchdown, but I want to go much farther in life; that's nothing to me. I just thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to and to put me in a situation where I was able to do things like that. I feel like I've got a lot of work to do. I want to get better, way better. I've just got to keep going, but I am thankful for the touchdown I did get; I'm blessed that I got it. I just want more."

Falcons WR Devin Hester on thoughts entering the season opener: "I feel great, no nagging injuries; the key thing for us this year was to make sure we came out of this last preseason game knowing everybody's healthy."

Falcons T Jake Matthews on switching to left tackle: "If I had to make the switch to left tackle, I'm glad it happened in preseason, so I could have a couple of rounds at it; I feel good with where I'm at right now."

Falcons S Kemal Ishmael on becoming more accustomed to NFL game speed: "From last year, I didn't know what to expect, but now, this year, going into my second year, I know everything — how it's going to work, how tired you're going to be; you've just got to condition yourself to be ready to play, and I was ready (Thursday)."

Falcons LB Paul Worrilow on getting into regular season preparations: "This is what we're here to do. This next game week, I couldn't be more excited."

Falcons DE Tyson Jackson on moving on to the regular season Falcons-Saints rivalry: "I'm new to it, so I'm sure it's going to be quite an experience. All those games are high-intensity games. A lot of times, it comes out three points or less; it's just one of those games where you've got to get your mind and body right, a couple of days before the game."