CINCINNATI -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Atlanta Falcons' 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals:

The Falcons let their emotions get to them late in the game, with right tackle Lamar Holmes picking up a 15-yard personal foul penalty for going after Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap after Dunlap roughed up quarterback Matt Ryan. Then Roddy White got a 15-yard personal foul penalty five plays later for shoving Bengals safety Reggie Nelson. "He speared me," White said in the locker room. "He speared me in the head. And the referee didn't say anything. But I've got to keep my composure, especially during the game. I can't get penalties when we're trying to go down there and score. I learned from it."

Speaking of Holmes, the starting right tackle obviously was dejected while standing by his locker as he reflected on his poor performance. "I'm beyond frustrated. Frustrated is not even the word I would use," he said. "I feel like I took steps back instead of steps forward trying to improve as a player."