NFC Notes: Dennis Allen, Frank Reich, Arthur Smith, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

Falcons HC Arthur Smith explained that he isn’t worried about the mounting pressure and criticism as the team continues to drop games.

“Don’t get into professional sports if you’re worried about that. I mean, that’s just the truth,” Smith said, via ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “I mean, that’s kind of your life philosophy. That’s why I think this game is so awesome. It’s kind of like the old Latin phrase ‘amor fati,’ you know what I mean — like ‘the love of your fate.’ Because if you look at life like that, you step into these things. That’s really the gist of it and it’s kind of how I look at life, how you approach life. And I love this game and I love the opportunity that I get to do this and I get to work with the guys we got. And if you think, if you lose that perspective, shame on you. You embrace it — the good, the bad, the pressure. That’s what you want. That’s what you sign up for.”

Smith still believes that there is time to turn their season around as they prepare for New Orleans.

“Good news is not dead, and we have a chance to…salvage the season or do something about it,” Smith said. “Whatever the odds are, we know we can use this time to get away, try to find solutions and come back in here and go do everything to beat New Orleans.”

• Smith said he will announce a starting quarterback next week, adding both players need to improve and he likes where QB Desmond Ridder is after being “reset”. (Joe Patrick)

Panthers

Panthers HC Frank Reich is still unsure if he’ll reclaim play-calling duties from OC Thomas Brown.

“Have not totally dialed that in,” Reich said, via Panthers Wire. “Pretty much as I’ve said — we’ve been collaborative in much of what we do. I’m still evaluating the whole thing and, so, in how it’s actually gonna function or not.”

Reich was asked if the team would opt for a more collaborative play-calling approach.

“However we’ve done the play-calling, whoever’s been doing the play-calling, we haven’t performed as an offense. So let me just make that point clear, first of all,” he replied. “As I look towards now, the last half of the season, what’s the best dynamic and why? Any decision that’s ultimately made is just gonna be based on that one pure factor.”

• Reich says LB Brian Burns and CB C.J. Henderson remain in the concussion protocol but added he expects to hear good news about WR DJ Chark‘s elbow injury. (Joe Person)

Saints

Saints HC Dennis Allen said both CB Marshon Lattimore and WR Michael Thomas will be spending time in New Orleans during the bye week as they rehab injuries.

“I’m not going to get into the exact extent, but they’ll both be rehabbing throughout the week here,” Allen said, via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.

Allen added that QB Derek Carr appeared to have avoided a major shoulder injury.

“That checked out fine today, so that’s all good. Obviously, he’s in the concussion protocol,” Allen said.

While Lattimore has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, the team is expecting to get an update on Thomas early on in the week.

“We’ll get a little bit more information as we go along, but look, he was awesome on the sideline, he was into the game, he was encouraging guys, so that was good to see,” Allen said.

• Allen described the injuries to Lattimore and Thomas as “fairly significant” and ones that will require second opinions, despite not being season-ending at this point. (Katherine Terrell)