It wasn’t suppose to be this way. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a 4-year deal worth $180 million, where $100 million is guaranteed just this past offseason, has been benched just after the 14th game of year one of the contract. This is not what the Falcons’ brass had envisioned last April when the team drafted Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix, Jr #8 overall. Maybe after year two they would move on from Cousins and let Penix Jr have his shot, but not now.
Penix, Jr becomes the starter after the Falcons have lost the last four out of five games. The lone win comes last Monday night in a 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, a game that the Falcons should have dominated. But that’s football and that’s just how the Falcons roll.
WHAT’S WRONG
Cousins was coming into this year after suffering an achilles tear last year with the Minnesota Vikings. He started the season going 6-3, averaging 300 plus yards a game, but something has happened over the course of the last five games. Back in November he banged up his elbow and shoulder in a game versus the Saints. He is 1-4, has one touchdown pass and nine interceptions since. My take is the Falcons are not going to say anything at this point, but I think with his elbow, shoulder issues, his achilles flaring up and bothering him. His throw and handoffs are awkward, and he can’t push off his foot like he could early in the season. Cousins is losing his confidence with every missed throw, missed opportunity, missed drive. He hasn’t lost the locker room yet because of his leadership, but the Falcons are not going to get over the hump with Cousins starting under center. It’s time to make the change now.
THE CHANGE…THE FUTURE?
Stepping up to take that role is Penix, Jr. He is 24-years old and according to scouts, is the most NFL ready among the QBs that were drafted this past year. Penix, Jr played six years in college splitting time at the University of Indiana and the University of Washington where he led the Huskies last year to the College National Championship where they lost to Michigan.
Current Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Kalen DeBoer coached Penix at Indiana and Washington. Penix was a running QB at Indiana, but once at Washington, DeBoer changed Penix’s style to more of a pocket passer that can move around and run if need be. The Falcons have a top five running offensive line, but the passing game for the offensive line is lacking. A lot of that has to do with Cousins being a statue behind center and not moving around the pocket when it breaks down. Penix, who is left handed, will be able to move around the pocket when it breaks down.
NOT MICHAEL VICK
Penix is not coming in to be the second coming of the Michael Vick, or at least I hope not. First and foremost, the cliche goes, he needs to be himself and just let the plays come to him. The playbook should open up for this offense under him, which was limited under Cousins because of Cousins lack of mobility.
IT’S FALCONS TIME ONCE AGAIN
If all this happens and the offseason begins with the thought that Penix will be the starter next season, the fans will buy in and be excited. The fans were buying in and excited about Cousins until they couldn’t be anymore. It’s been eight years since the Falcons gave their fans something to cheer about. This team is on the brink of either winning the NFC South division or Wild Card berth, and hoping Penix can get this team over the hump.
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