Latest news with #Ex-Falcons
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Falcons QB compares Michael Penix Jr. to NFL Hall of Famer
Ex-Falcons QB compares Michael Penix Jr. to NFL Hall of Famer Former Falcons QB compares Michael Penix Jr. to NFL legend Dan Marino The Atlanta Falcons are going forward with Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and there's a lot to like about the young signal-caller. Despite making just three starts as a rookie, Penix showed enough poise and arm talent to make veteran Kirk Cousins expendable. The 24-year-old passed for 775 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. While the numbers don't jump out, Penix's film was extremely impressive. He pushed the ball down the field, routinely escaped pressure in the pocket, and made good decisions with the football. Former Falcons quarterback Kurt Benkert is a huge fan of Penix and recently compared the former first-round pick to NFL legend Dan Marino. "He without a doubt has one of the best arms in the league," Benkert posted on his Twitter account. "I expect him to take a serious jump this season." The obvious similarity between Penix and Marino is arm strength. Marino had one of the strongest arms in NFL history and knew how to use it to his advantage. Penix displayed a similar ability in each of his three starts last season. The rookie made some incredible throws in Week 17 against the Washington Commanders, including a fourth-down touchdown strike to Kyle Pitts that sent the game to overtime. Penix looked even more comfortable the following week against the Carolina Panthers. Benkert highlighted two throws from Atlanta's season finale that showcase Penix's rare arm talent (which you can see below). Marino's Hall of Fame career took really took off in his sophomore season back in 1984. The former Miami Dolphins quarterback passed for 5,038 yards, 48 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while helping his team reach the Super Bowl before losing to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers. The Falcons would love to see Penix make a similar jump in Year 2. The former No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft produced comparable numbers during his college career at Washington. In 2023, Penix passed for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading the Huskies to the National Championship game where they lost to Michigan. Penix has a bright future and while it may be too early to put him on someone like Marino's level, those around the NFL no longer question why the Falcons drafted him.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Falcons defensive coordinator takes job with Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills hired former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as a senior defensive assistant, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Monday. Nielsen, 45, served one year as the Falcons defensive coordinator in 2023. While the defense appeared to be making progress, Nielsen did not survive head coach Arthur Smith's firing after the season. In 2024, he took the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator gig. Bills HC Sean McDermott says they hired Ryan Nielsen as senior defensive assistant who will work with defensive says they are interviewing to hire a new strength & conditioning coach. They moved on from former S&C coach Eric Siano, who was hired by Jaguars. — Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 24, 2025 The Falcons have gone through defensive coordinators like hotcakes in recent years. Dean Pees took over for Jeff Ulbrich in 2021. Ryan Nielsen replaced Pees in 2023. Jimmy Lake replaced Nielsen in 2024, and Ulbrich is set to take over again in 2025. Atlanta's defense regressed under Lake last season and head coach Raheem Morris decided to get the 2020 band back together. Ulbrich served as the interim head coach of the New York Jets for most of the 2024 season. Defensively, the Falcons have 17 players set to enter free agency in March and don't have a lot of space to bring in outside talent. The draft will likely be the team's primary source of talent in 2025. Atlanta currently holds the No. 15 overall pick in the draft with the 2025 Scouting Combine set to begin in Indianapolis. Where did the Falcons QBs land in CBS Sports' rankings? Raheem Morris believes Michael Penix Jr. is the Falcons' future Falcons GM gives former top-five pick a vote of confidence Falcons GM addresses Kirk Cousins' future in Atlanta Falcons GM, head coach to speak at scouting combine on Tuesday This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Ex-Falcons defensive coordinator takes job with Buffalo Bills
