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2025 Atlanta Falcons Thread (2 Viewers)
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Master of Past and Present
Footballguy
Cousins in 12 games
3,052 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs
Cousins in 10 games vs anyone but TB
2,267 yards, 9 TDs, 12 INTs
3,052 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs
Cousins in 10 games vs anyone but TB
2,267 yards, 9 TDs, 12 INTs
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
the Falcons have a team thread on our board?
learn something new everyday...
learn something new everyday...
This was published prior to the game versus the Vikings being played today:
Falcons' Kirk Cousins not in danger of being benched for rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. despite recent skid
Falcons' Kirk Cousins not in danger of being benched for rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. despite recent skid
Guess they want a higher draft pick to accompany Penix next year
TampaMike19
Footballguy
Owner didn’t want to be stuck in qb purgatory ever again so that’s why they took penix
Banger
Footballguy
They need to break out Pennix because Cousins is done. Not sure what they are waiting for.
Grahamburn
Footballguy
You wouldn't want to be premature.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Aren’t they still alive for the playoffs? Just wait until next year is the play IMO.
saviorself
Footballguy
Smart to start him against the Giants. Have him start his career with some confidence.
Can anyone trust the Falcons defense this week against the Giants?
Can anyone trust the Falcons defense this week against the Giants?
Kiddnets
Footballguy
should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
markrc99
Footballguy
No idea, but my opinion is that they're not making the switch to just continue to find a way to hide the QB. I mean, why bother with that? There's an ESPN article saying that the room would've been behind Cousins had he continued as the starter. I'm probably missing it but that doesn't speak to me at all. If nothing else, turning to Penix should reinvigorate the team, ignite their belief in their chances.
Their passing game now has the velocity that it lacked. So, in addition, an element of the unknown. Doesn't mean Penix will make the appropriate reads. Going back & reading Derek Brown's week 15 primer, he wrote that the Giants have run a lot of single-high safety since week 7 & they've really struggled to defend against teams that attack them vertically. Given the frequency this week's opponent has pounded me, the 1.5pts I got the last time McLauren played Philly & London working with a QB who hadn't thrown a TD since week 9 just won't get it done.
TheDirtyWord
Footballguy
This is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
Kiddnets
Footballguy
very fair - but maybe the Falcons didnt think Pennix would be there when they picked - its not like they had Pennix first and then brought in Cousins. All Im saying as a Jets fan is Id rather be in Atlanta's situation with an overpay of a QB that whiffed with a young top rookie QB who was able to learn for most of season vs a team like the Jets who may have no choice but to run back an old overpaid QB like Rodgers - with likely no young QB available to them in the draft.This is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
markrc99
Footballguy
I personally would not have gone after Cousins so aggressively. I'll only speak for myself in saying that I've never seen a team do what Atlanta did. Perhaps someone knows when the team knew they wanted to draft Michael Penix. My bet, which I'd place ZERO money on is that they wanted Penix AFTER they signed Cousins... once Cousins was in their building & they got a sense of it, a sense of him, finish the sentence yourself. But give credit where it's due, they reversed course. Back the other way, if it appears they've invested no resources whatsoever in Penix' development, clearly the organization is Lostville central.
markrc99
Footballguy
My belief is that they KNEW he'd be there at 8 overall, but not in the 2nd round. At the time, which is clearly dated, the consensus was surprise or shock that they selected Penix. Very much interested in what your perspective is based on.
TheDirtyWord
Footballguy
very fair - but maybe the Falcons didnt think Pennix would be there when they picked - its not like they had Pennix first and then brought in Cousins. All Im saying as a Jets fan is Id rather be in Atlanta's situation with an overpay of a QB that whiffed with a young top rookie QB who was able to learn for most of season vs a team like the Jets who may have no choice but to run back an old overpaid QB like Rodgers - with likely no young QB available to them in the draft.This is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
Penix wasn't just a shock pick because the Falcons drafted him after having signed Cousins ti a 4 yr $180M FA deal, but also because noone saw him going that high. In the lead up to the draft, Penix began to rise, but his ceiling was largely seen at the Raiders sport @ #13. Now, I was not a fan of the Cousins signing and was more amenable to Penix being drafted than most. But the way this has turned out was hot garbage.
I certainly understand the POV of NYJ fans related to the QB situation. But it feels like a man with a half inch schlong envying the inch long one. While BUF is John Holmes.
The Cousins signing was my issue. They had just moved off an aging physically declining statue two years prior. The idea that the same braintrust jumped right back into that pool was comical.
Kiddnets
Footballguy
just in general that you never know with the draft - assuming they liked Cousins and then in weeks leading up to draft maybe Pennix blew them away. GM gets buyers remorse and grabs Pennix early. Regardless its clearly an awful contract but at least you have your QB to soften the blow....if hes good
Kiddnets
Footballguy
Your Jets comp is brutal - but pretty spot on lol.very fair - but maybe the Falcons didnt think Pennix would be there when they picked - its not like they had Pennix first and then brought in Cousins. All Im saying as a Jets fan is Id rather be in Atlanta's situation with an overpay of a QB that whiffed with a young top rookie QB who was able to learn for most of season vs a team like the Jets who may have no choice but to run back an old overpaid QB like Rodgers - with likely no young QB available to them in the draft.This is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
Penix wasn't just a shock pick because the Falcons drafted him after having signed Cousins ti a 4 yr $180M FA deal, but also because noone saw him going that high. In the lead up to the draft, Penix began to rise, but his ceiling was largely seen at the Raiders sport @ #13. Now, I was not a fan of the Cousins signing and was more amenable to Penix being drafted than most. But the way this has turned out was hot garbage.
I certainly understand the POV of NYJ fans related to the QB situation. But it feels like a man with a half inch schlong envying the inch long one. While BUF is John Holmes.
The Cousins signing was my issue. They had just moved off an aging physically declining statue two years prior. The idea that the same braintrust jumped right back into that pool was comical.
The only thing that doesnt destroy me about the Jets passing on Josh is that I know there is zero chance he'd be anything close to what he is now if he was drafted by the Jets
Hope Pennix turns out great!
markrc99
Footballguy
Just in general, assuming & maybe? Translation, you don't have a fuq'n thing! I mean, it's like you don't even know how to spell the backup's name. It's a compounding thing, buhgettabowdit.
ZWK
Footballguy
Cousins' contract situation:
* Cousins has a no-trade clause, so trades can only happen with his permission
* $90M fully guaranteed, so if Atlanta cuts him they're out $90M for 1 season (only $25M of that counted against the 2024 cap, the other $65M would be dead cap)
* $100M is paid or guaranteed through the first 2 years, so if Atlanta keeps him for 2025 that costs them $10M in new money (the $10M is actually a guarantee that triggers on his 2026 roster bonus)
* if Atlanta trades him, that $100M for 2 years would be divided between Atlanta and the team that acquires Cousins
* if the trade happens under his current contract, Atlanta would be out $62.5M and the new team would owe him $37.5M guaranteed for 1 year
* if no team wants to pay that much, or Cousins uses his leverage to influence trade negotiations, Atlanta could restructure his contract so that they pay some of that $37.5M and the acquiring team pays less
* a team that has Cousins in 2025 under his current contract would then have the option of keeping him in 2026 for $35M in new money, and in 2027 for $45M
* Cousins has a no-trade clause, so trades can only happen with his permission
* $90M fully guaranteed, so if Atlanta cuts him they're out $90M for 1 season (only $25M of that counted against the 2024 cap, the other $65M would be dead cap)
* $100M is paid or guaranteed through the first 2 years, so if Atlanta keeps him for 2025 that costs them $10M in new money (the $10M is actually a guarantee that triggers on his 2026 roster bonus)
* if Atlanta trades him, that $100M for 2 years would be divided between Atlanta and the team that acquires Cousins
* if the trade happens under his current contract, Atlanta would be out $62.5M and the new team would owe him $37.5M guaranteed for 1 year
* if no team wants to pay that much, or Cousins uses his leverage to influence trade negotiations, Atlanta could restructure his contract so that they pay some of that $37.5M and the acquiring team pays less
* a team that has Cousins in 2025 under his current contract would then have the option of keeping him in 2026 for $35M in new money, and in 2027 for $45M
Kiddnets
Footballguy
its a fantasy football message board- just giving my thoughts like a bunch of others - never said I had inside info just like to bat things around - ill go back to my safe jets thread where we can make awful decisions in peace lol - good luck
markrc99
Footballguy
It's always better to remain constructive & nothing justifies not being so, my apology! It was that your thought wasn't presented as hypothetical but rather as fact. Or, that was my interpretation. I could have said instead that... it doesn't appear likely that the team reversed course because we know Cousins was taken aback with the selection. We also know, reportedly, that one of the reasons he opted to leave Minnesota is because they were telling him they were planning to draft a QB high.
We can turn our heads or at least deduce that Atlanta likely did tell Cousins what he wanted to hear, that he was their undisputed starter. They had to have meant it, why else would they have given him that kind of money? In the run up to the draft, they talked of the Green Bay model. Further evidence suggesting Penix was the plan all along. They did inform Cousins of their intent when they were on the clock. Ownership was also in the loop & had already signed off on the pick. So, all very coordinated.
Seems as though there are two possibilities: at no point was the organization forthright with Cousins. Or, the more they saw of him the less confident they became.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
The GM killed their cap for next few years for the greatest draft smoke screen ever.
WaltonGoggins
Footballguy
Was thinking the same but starting them in some leagues and GB in others. ATL last week vs LV was second highest scoring defense.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Atlanta brass = https://x.com/PopBase/status/1870290328504414609/photo/1
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Trap game or not I'm playing Atl def in one league.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
They could win this week with their defense
Donnybrook
Footballguy
I just had to watch James T. Kirk fighting Gorn to see if it this is true. Slowest fight scene ever. Now, I think you are exaggerating.
The Falcons could win with Gorn today
Yogibear
Footballguy
Next Sunday night's game against Washington is going to be critical. And after what the Commanders did to beat the Eagles yesterday, I give the Falcons more than just a fighting chance. I can't think of the last time when two rookie QBs went against each other this late in the season with both teams still in the playoff hunt.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I admire and respect both @TheDirtyWord and @Kiddnets so it's a delight to read both making excellent pointsThis is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
You can't overlook locking up so much money in Cousins going into next year where teams with Rookie QB deals can spend a lot of extra money to help further along the development of their young Quarterback so now the Falcons miss out on some of that, in turn that equates to even more falling on the shoulders of Penix who will want a new contract enf of Year 3, you can be sure his agent will get it.
It's like the fan base gets robbed of packing all the positions when you have a very affordable rookie contract at QB like the SF 49'ers have feasted on recently, even making a SB appearance with a 7th Rd QB running the offense. Falcons' fans won't get to experience that as much
I understand both of you, most teams would give their eye teeth to have a young superstar at QB so if Penix delivers next season, most fans and critics won't bat an eye about the Cousins deal and the money sunk into him.
Salary Cap keeps going up in fairly healthy chunks, will be over $300M I think in 2026?
TheDirtyWord
Footballguy
This thread got bumped so I figured I'd chime in now that we know how the offseason has gone...This is WAY too forgiving a view for what's happened here.should they have gotten a more affordable bridge QB like Tyrod Taylor for $5M - sure. But they had no idea Pennix would fall to them so they wanted to cover their bases.x.com
Rookie contract for Pennix saves them - If you look at both of their cap #s for next year they are looking at $45M which is equivalent to 1 premiere QB. So while not preferable - it shouldnt crush them at all.
If it gave Pennix a chance to learn and develop to become a top QB next 10 yrs Id say it was a bargain even! Give them credit for not being stubborn and knowing when to make the switch.
Penix had 45 career starts at the college level. That's a TON...and if you're drafting a QB in the Top 10, enough to feel comfortable with a 'learning on the job' approach, like Paytopn has done with Nix in DEN to great success. The Falcons on the other hand pretty much kissed a year of that rookie contract AND development goodbye. And the trend is QB's on these deals are looking to renegotiate after Year 3.
Year 2 on Penix's rookie deal, which is advantageous so more $$ can be spent of FA will be compromised because the Falcons will have alot of dead $$ on their 2025 cap. Fact is, we've all been able to see this on display, Cousins at least at the moment is physically shot...so trading him? Don't think so.
So yet another season wasted.
1) Cousins...
Looks like he'll probably get traded after all, but not until at least Day 2 of the draft. And if Geno went for a 3rd; 2 years younger with fewer question marks, can't imagine the return will be much. We'll see.
2) Grady Jarrett & Drew Dalman left via FA.
To be fair, Jarrett is on the decline...but 2024 was a season of him coming back from an ACL tear and he found a home quickly. He's been the Falcons identity on defense for quite some time for what that's worth, but for a defense lacking talent, not an insignificant loss. Dalman? The Falcons OL is actually fairly stocked where I would say the other 4 slots are manned capably to elite. Not a huge fan of having the C be a guy like Ryan Neuzil who they signed to a 1 year deal for 6 figures last off-season snapping the ball to a 1st year starter. We'll see. But ultimately, the talent drain on a tram that needs talent was measurable. Matt Judon was a disappointment who was acquired during TC for a 3rd...we'll see if after the draft the Falcons continue to go shopping in the bargain aisle.
3) So who came in?
Leonard Floyd (DE) - a replacement for Judon
Divine Diablo (LB) - JAG LB starter
Morgan Fox (DT) - backfill for Grady
Mike Ford Jr. (CB) - DB depth
...do with this as you will, but overall, I see this as a net downgrade.
4) Penix...
Certainly alot of optimism around what he showed during the last 3 games of the season. But the Falcons tried to convince their fans in 2023 that Desmond Ridder was 'the guy' based off a mildly encouraging late season audition, only to have him flame out badly. We can argue as to the credentials of both players - Penix produced more 'I'm him' moments for sure, but I'm going to stay neutral on him.
5) the 24 plan vs the 25 plan
The Falcons signed Cousins to take them from a 7 win team to a playoff team. Thru 9 games, he had done that, but then ran out of gas/got hurt...however you want to frame it. The bottomline of the situation is that the Falcons made a bad move here. The problem I see is that the Falcons were 6-3 with Cousins playing like Cousins which was Top 10 caliber QB play. I can't say I feel confident that Penix simply slides into these shoes and plays at that level.
Being completely objective, the FA class was weak this year so I don't think having Cousins salary slot would have made 'the difference' in reshaping this defense. But its talent is atrocious aside from Bates/Terrell. Halfway into this decade and they still haven't had a player notch 7 sacks.
For a team with 7 consecutive losing seasons, it feels like we're heading to an 8th which then brings into the discussion their GM and his fate who has been abysmal in stacking talent and has the stink of the Cousins debacle at the top of his resume.
Alot of chips are riding on Penix being 'him'...not just on a highlight basis, but from snap to snap as it relates to 2025. For the Falcons what's most important is that Penix shows that his 3 game audition from last year can be improved upon consistency wise. But there is ALOT of roster construction that still needs to happen IMO.
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