NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Former head coach Brian Billick of the Baltimore Ravens attends the IRTS Gold Metal Award Gala September 18, 2008 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

NFL Network Analyst and former Super Bowl winning coach Brian Billick joined The Morning Show on Thursday. Hugh Douglas asked Billick if he was surprised how the Falcons handled Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game: “Not really, that defense has started playing so well and so fast, and from an offensive side you know they were going to be trouble for the Green Bay defense,” said Billick. “The fact that the Packers were never going to challenge defense with a running game helped them against Rodgers.”

When asked if the Patriots were overlooking the Falcons: “No, not Bill Belichick,” said Billick. “I think it’s just them being unfamiliar with what the Falcons have been doing this year. But be assured they will do their due diligence to prepare for the Falcons.”

Other notable quotes from Billick:

On the rise of the Falcons defense of late: “Dan Quinn deserves so much credit, particularly for what they’re doiong on the defensive side of the ball.”

“Dan Quinn deserves so much credit, particularly for what they’re doiong on the defensive side of the ball.” On the trouble defending Atlanta’s offense: “You knew that Green Bay, from the defensive standpoint, was going to have a tough time with all of the weapons that Atlanta has. I mean, who do you double? I’m sure for Dom Capers it was like playing Whack-A-Mole. ‘OK, I’ll double Julio [Jones], oh, there goes [Mohamed] Sanu. OK, I’ll run a passive zone and cut these guys on the outside, well then they’ve got two tight ends on the inside.’ And then of course Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are so dynamic out of the backfield.

“You knew that Green Bay, from the defensive standpoint, was going to have a tough time with all of the weapons that Atlanta has. I mean, who do you double? I’m sure for Dom Capers it was like playing Whack-A-Mole. ‘OK, I’ll double Julio [Jones], oh, there goes [Mohamed] Sanu. OK, I’ll run a passive zone and cut these guys on the outside, well then they’ve got two tight ends on the inside.’ And then of course Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are so dynamic out of the backfield. On how fast the Falcons are: “The speed and athleticism of this defense may surprise some people.”

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE: