ALAMEDA -- Atlanta coach Mike Smith participated in a conference call with Bay Area media this week and offered his thoughts on the Raiders, who are 1-3 and coming off a bye week. And yes, he was effusive in his praise. What would you expect him to say?
"I think that they are a very talented football team," Smith offered. "I think the running back (Darren McFadden) is probably the guy that you have to stop not only carrying the ball, but catching the ball. He is a leading receiver and a leading rusher and he can run around you, over you and past you. He has got that kind of skill set."McFadden has never faced the Falcons in his career."He is a big strong running back," Smith said, "and then Carson Palmer can be very proficient throwing the football. He has done it for a long time and he has seen all the different looks that you could possibly give him. He is a guy that you dont want to allow him to get going."Palmer has played Atlanta twice in his career and had a 112.5 passer rating against the Falcons with 678 yards on 60 of 86 passing with five touchdowns and no interceptions.Smith also talked up the Raiders on the other side of the ball.RELATED: Kelly an observer at practice Thursday
"Defensively, I think up front those two big guys inside are super impressive," Smith said. "Richard Seymour is one of the best, in my mind, to ever play the defensive tackle position. Tommy Kelly is another big guy and they have got some talented guys. I know they have had to make some changes in their secondary for the first five games because of injuries."
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