Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 20, 2014 12:59:26 GMT
Jonathan Massaquoi making impact with more playing time
BALTIMORE -- Jonathan Massaquoi obviously didn't want to make too big a deal out of his performance on Sunday considering his Atlanta Falcons lost to the Ravens, 29-7.
But there was no denying the significant contribution Massaquoi made in defeat. The outside linebacker/defensive end was as active as he has been all season, finishing with six tackles, a tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits while also drawing a couple of holding calls. He was able to build on the momentum he gained during last week's loss against the Chicago Bears.
So what has been the spark behind Massaquoi's inspired play?
"I ain't doing nothing better. It's just all mental," Massaquoi said. "Ain't nothing changed. It's a mental game. Once you have the mental part of it, everything else, physically, is God-given. You have to come to peace with everything.
"You can't really ask me that question when I've only been given so many reps throughout the season. Things are starting to change. Hey, that allows you to change mentally as a person and feel comfortable. You know what I mean?"
Massaquoi played 51 of 67 defensive snaps against the Ravens for 76 percent participation. His previous high percentage was against the Bears, when he played 59 percent (43 of 73).
"Jonathan Massaquoi put some pressure on the quarterback; got a couple of holding calls," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "I still felt like we left some sacks out there. ... But I did think that Jonathan Massaquoi did some good things."
Although his pressure was consistent Sunday, Massaquoi did not record a sack. And it bothered him.
"That's what gets you even more hungry to go out and work hard every week, because you were just that close," said Massaquoi, who leads the team with two sacks. "I've got to get better this week."
BALTIMORE -- Jonathan Massaquoi obviously didn't want to make too big a deal out of his performance on Sunday considering his Atlanta Falcons lost to the Ravens, 29-7.
But there was no denying the significant contribution Massaquoi made in defeat. The outside linebacker/defensive end was as active as he has been all season, finishing with six tackles, a tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits while also drawing a couple of holding calls. He was able to build on the momentum he gained during last week's loss against the Chicago Bears.
So what has been the spark behind Massaquoi's inspired play?
"I ain't doing nothing better. It's just all mental," Massaquoi said. "Ain't nothing changed. It's a mental game. Once you have the mental part of it, everything else, physically, is God-given. You have to come to peace with everything.
"You can't really ask me that question when I've only been given so many reps throughout the season. Things are starting to change. Hey, that allows you to change mentally as a person and feel comfortable. You know what I mean?"
Massaquoi played 51 of 67 defensive snaps against the Ravens for 76 percent participation. His previous high percentage was against the Bears, when he played 59 percent (43 of 73).
"Jonathan Massaquoi put some pressure on the quarterback; got a couple of holding calls," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "I still felt like we left some sacks out there. ... But I did think that Jonathan Massaquoi did some good things."
Although his pressure was consistent Sunday, Massaquoi did not record a sack. And it bothered him.
"That's what gets you even more hungry to go out and work hard every week, because you were just that close," said Massaquoi, who leads the team with two sacks. "I've got to get better this week."