What Chris Tabor said after Carolina Panthers’ tough win against Atlanta Falcons
The Carolina Panthers (2-12) didn’t score a touchdown, but they earned their second win of a difficult season, a 9-7 victory against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) on Sunday afternoon in Bank of America Stadium.
Chris Tabor earned his first win of his interim head coaching career — his third game with such a title with the Panthers and his fourth overall — and was complimentary of pretty much every unit in his postgame press conference.
Among the subjects of his praises: rookie quarterback Bryce Young, run-stopper Derrick Brown, members of the flawless field goal operation and more.
Here’s a recap of what Tabor said.
Chris Tabor opening statement
“Really happy for the guys. Proud of them. You know, the defense getting two turnovers, I think we got 6 points off that. And then that last drive. 17-play drive, with the will to win, saying that we are going to win the game. Setting it up right there at the end. Really just proud of all parties.
“It was fun. Obviously those were tough conditions. I think the area I was most proud of — obviously I talked about the defense and getting the two turnovers — is that we didn’t have any turnovers. Obviously just trying to play field positioning out there, and then taking advantage of opportunities when you get them. We’re in a better mood than we were last week. Enjoy tonight, and get back to work tomorrow. And go from there.”
On the decision to kneel and prepare for a field goal on final drive
“I think they still had one time out left, so when they did not take the timeout, there was no reason to try to score there. We got a lot of confidence in our kicker. What was it? The 2-yard-line, 3-yard-line? I like our chances. And that way you end the game.”
Special teams dream game for Tabor, the team’s special teams coordinator?
“It was fun. We talked about it all week. We talked about it right in here on Wednesday, what the day was going to look like. From everything, the weather, the wind, how we were going to have to play the game. And at the end, we just kept saying, ‘We are going to win this game.’ And that’s what they did. Any time you have a 17-play drive at the end of the game to get a walkoff field goal, I think that says something about your kids and your guys, so I’m proud of them.”
What does the win say about the Panthers?
“It says we just keep going. I know we’re not where we want to be. I understand all that. But based off that tape, you can’t question who they are. And I was really happy for them that they were able to break through. Sometimes you knock on the door all the time, and no one answers, and sooner or later you gotta kick it down. And we did that tonight.”
On defensive tackle Derrick Brown
“We went a lot with six defensive linemen up because we knew it was going to be that type of day. And we talked a lot about our defensive line and what we call our running group — our offensive line and our receivers getting in there blocking. We said, ‘Hey guys, let’s be real estate agents after we get done with this game.’ Which really means we’re acquiring land during the game and trying to change field position. So we’re really proud of our defensive line, no question.”
Receiving corps down the stretch
“I’ll be honest with you, those weren’t easy catches out there. And I was really proud of our guys, really concentrating and making those plays. The thing that I saw today, that you can’t argue with, is that there were plays that needed to be made, and they made the plays. So you can say, ‘Hey did they take a step?’ And based off the tape, I’m gonna say they (did). So now that’s the standard, can we move it forward, and push it forward?”
On Ihmir Smith-Marsette specifically
“His number got called today. He did a nice job. They did some of the jet sweep stuff, and kind of some of the inside handoff stuff. He just has a knack for kind of sliding through there, and it gave us another little wrinkle in the run game, which we needed today.”
Ball security a priority in rainy conditions
“It was huge. When I watched that game (soaked Appalachian State bowl game) yesterday, I was thinking the same thing. And, you know, going into the game you preach 100% ball security. But if one popped out — for example on Smith-Marsette on the punt, we had a muff there. Was I shocked by that? I wasn’t. Because of the conditions. And I think mentally you already know that.
“But the kids did a good job of bouncing back and we protected the ball. That was big. Even with regards to a play early on, I think we got a timeout right there at the end of the first quarter, we had the wind at our back (to punt), just to make sure that we had the wind to pin them down there and maintain the field position.”
What does final, game-winning, 17-play drive say about Bryce Young?
“Think about that drive that he put together. That all those kids put together. In those conditions. People might say, ‘Hey we have nothing to play for,’ but there’s a lot to play for. Because whatever’s on tape, that is who you are. So I was really proud of him. I thought he took another great step. I thought that he threw the ball well for what the conditions were, you know what I mean? I was really proud of him. The kid’s a winner.”
On Kamu Grugier-Hill taking certain kickoffs against the wind
“We thought about that earlier in the week. That kind of goes (in hand) with when you coach up north, and you’re playing Cordarrelle Patterson back there, and you’re talking about field position. Eddy can obviously kick off for us. ... Really teams don’t account for the kicker in coverage. So now we’re getting a better tackler out there, so that’s why we did that when we were going that way.
“Those were going to be squibs anyway. With squibs, what do they get it to? The 29? 30? I’m OK with that on this type of day. Because it was about field position, the way our defense plays, I thought it was good.”
More on the inclement weather, field conditions
“On Thursday we just practiced with a wet ball all the way around. It was a beautiful day here on Thursday. We’ll all take that Thursday. But we sprayed the football down, and we just played with a wet football.”
Xavier Woods’ late-game interception
“It’s a big time play. X, obviously a crafty veteran, I’m really happy for him. Actually a little under the weather. Fought through it. And to be able to make that type of play right there, man, that’s big time. Kudos to our defense and our defensive staff. Outstanding job.”
Miles Sanders not getting a ton of touches (six carries to Chuba Hubbard’s 22)
“I just think that’s how the game flowed. I thought when he was in there, he did fine. Thought he played well. We’re going to be a running back by committee ball squad. And that’s what we are. And that’s just kind of how it worked out today.”
This story was originally published December 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
