What They're Saying: Falcons' Jessie Bates III calls Brock Bowers 'one of a kind'

Dec 14, 2024 at 12:14 PM

Carter Owen

Digital Content Associate

The Raiders are 43-32-1 all-time on Monday Night Football and will look to add to that win total in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Take a look at what the Falcons' players and coaches had to say ahead of Monday's game.

On game planning for the Raiders without knowing who will start at quarterback:

"You have a better grasp if you've got a chance to look at when Scott [Turner] is calling the game. He's called the game the last four games. So, you can really focus on what he's done, what he's done in his past, the things he's going to do. He's going to do a great job of getting the ball to his playmakers. He's going to do a great job of trying to get those guys uncovered and to take advantage of some of the holes that he sees. That's what he's going to kind of look at and how he's going about his process. So, you have a better feel just because of your normal process you go through up until this point. But, the quarterback, when they go out there, they'll make the decision based on health. ... But, we've got to go out there and figure it out and be ready to deal, and I think that's a part of playing in National Football League." - Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris

"The big thing is we've just got to make sure it's not about who the quarterback is. I think it's more the scheme. Who's operating, we know that there are some subtle challenges that they present with each quarterback, but they still have to run the offense." - Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray

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On potentially facing former Falcons QB Desmond Ridder:

"[T]o see him get another opportunity to show what he can do and show this whole league that he's an NFL quarterback, I'm excited for him. Obviously I don't want him to have his career day on us." - Falcons safety Jessie Bates III

"Great young man, great person. Obviously, he's got a unique talent with arm talent. And just like all these young quarterbacks, they need opportunities to go out there and play. If he gets an opportunity to go out there and play, I'm sure he'll have a full practice week. He'll be prepared in the right way. He'll be ready for us. A familiar opponent, some people he knows, and I know we've got to get ready for him as well." - Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris

On the Raiders tight ends:

"Very unique about this offense. They really have two pass-catching tight ends. Normally, there's one tight end that's usually more the big, the blocking guy. He's going to be in protection. And then every once in a while, catch a pass. But then you have the pass-catching guy. And really, both of these guys, [Michael] Mayer and [Brock] Bowers, are elite at catching the football. But they're also physical enough and big enough to also block in the run game. And so, they're two very, very talented players." - Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake

On TE Brock Bowers:

"It's very smart by their coaching staff to target him, he is extremely talented. Ball skills, ball awareness, track the ball. And then once he gets his hands on the football, he's such a big target, very rangy. And now he can stick his foot in the ground and he gets vertical right now. He's a matchup nightmare. He's obviously bigger and stronger than most defensive backs, and he's going to be faster, more agile than most linebackers. He is a special talent. Reason why he went in the first round and helped Georgia win a couple of national championships. And the reason we were so hot after him as well years ago." - Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake

"He's one of a kind. He's doing a good job in the run-game blocking. Then he's doing a good job of playing receiver when he wants to play receiver. He's just done a really good job of coming in and putting his mark on the league. They've done a really good job of getting him the ball and opportunities to make big plays. You always got to know where he's at and I'm excited to go against him, for sure." - Falcons safety Jessie Bates III