TAMPA, Fla. -- Observed and heard in the locker room following the Atlanta Falcons' 27-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium:
Pass rush gets going: Veteran defensive end Osi Umenyiora was in quite a rush to get out of the locker room, with an important call to make. But Umenyiora did take a second to talk about his solid effort, which included 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a pass defensed.
"I did OK," Umenyiora said. "You stop the run, that's what's going to happen. I keep telling you that. You stop the run, you're getting off the field, that's what's going to happen."
The Falcons finished with a season-high four sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Front-office relief: General manager Thomas Dimitroff was in a pretty decent mood as he hovered about Mike Smith's postgame news conference right outside the locker room. Team owner Arthur Blank didn't have a scowl on his face this time around as he watched his team break a five-game losing streak. And Smith was expressionless as he addressed the media, knowing that the win was just a small step in trying to turn this season around.
Injury updates: Receiver Devin Hester tweaked his ankle and had to go to the training room immediately after the game. But as he walked through the locker room, he said he will be fine to play against Carolina next Sunday. Meanwhile, pass-rusher Jonathan Massaquoi stood by his locker and said he was still bothered by a lingering foot injury, which had him questionable for the game. Massaquoi saw limited action Sunday.
