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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons make changes to coaching staff, scouting department
The Atlanta Falcons made a few changes to their coaching staff and scouting department on Wednesday evening, including three promotions. The team bumped up James McClintock to area scout. Cami Pasqualoni was promoted to personnel/coaching assistant, and Kevin Weisman to football administration and personnel assistant. Atlanta also hired two new scouts and a physical therapist. Alex Brown will serve as BLESTO scout. Kelvin Moore was hired as a scouting assistant. Aaron Williams will serve as a physical therapist. According to the team's official website, the Falcons added three Bill Walsh Fellowships and two training camp assistants (see below): Shaunessy Fisk: Scouting training camp assistant Jarred Gray: Bill Walsh Diversity Fellow (Training Camp) Erik Harris: Bill Walsh Diversity Fellow (Offseason Program) Jalen Harris: Bill Walsh Diversity Fellow (Offseason Program and Training Camp) Jordan Young: Scouting training camp assistant The Falcons released their first depth chart on Wednesday afternoon and there were a few surprises. Neither first-round pick is listed as a starter, and both will play against the Detroit Lions in Friday's preseason opener. Around Falcons Wire:Falcons plan to play rookies? This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons make changes to coaching staff, scouting department
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons plan to play rookies in preseason opener vs. Detroit Lions
The Atlanta Falcons will take the field this Friday for their preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. While fans attending the game shouldn't expect to see Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson or any key starters, they will likely get a chance to see the team's five-player draft class. Head coach Raheem Morris spoke with reporters on Wednesday morning and confirmed that the rookies will play on Friday night, including first-round pick Jalon Walker and third-round pick Xavier Watts. Walker and Watts have missed time over the last week but Morris said both players are good to go for the preseason. The team's other first-round pick, James Pearce Jr., will also make his preseason debut. The former Tennessee Volunteer has been one of Atlanta's biggest training camp standouts over the last few weeks. Pearce's feisty attitude has helped give the defense an edge. While fans are excited to see Walker, Pearce and Watts, Friday's preseason opener is a chance for fourth-round pick Billy Bowman and seventh-round pick Jack Nelson to make their mark. Bowman has received some run with the first-team defense and is competing for the team's nickel corner position. Nelson is a developmental offensive lineman with good upside. It will be interesting to watch how these rookies perform in actual game action. Friday's game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Rookies to play in preseason game vs Detroit Lions
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kirk Cousins on future with Falcons, injury details, advice for Michael Penix
After an offseason filled with trade speculation, the Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins are moving forward together. The team has been unable to find a trade partner, and while Cousins would prefer to play elsewhere, he showed up for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp and did his job. Cousins met with the media following Tuesday's practice and addressed a variety of topics, including his desire to play, his relationship with Michael Penix Jr., and the injury that eventually cost him his job last veteran QB acknowledged his offseason trade request but said he's ready to move forward and accept his role. "Obviously, I would love to play," said Cousins. "But I'm not going to dwell on things that aren't reality. That's not the situation I am in. So, I think, it's better to be focused on the situation I'm in." Cousins is adjusting to life as a backup quarterback role and knows how important it is to be focused on his job in Atlanta. "I think right now, it's about the situation I'm in and being the best I can, and hopefully in February, we as an organization are holding up a Lombardi trophy." The 36-year-old understands that his presence could be a distraction but made it clear that he will do everything possible to help Penix succeed this season in a way that isn't overbearing. "I am just here to support him as he needs it," explained Cousins. "But, I also don't need to be in his ear so much that I am another weight, another voice. I just want to be able to support as I can, and he knows that." Cousins was also asked to clarify previous comments he made about attempting to play through injury during the team's four-game losing streak last season but said his struggles were due to a combination of issues. "I don't think it is a simple cut and dry answer," Cousins said. "I think when you look at the way the season was going, and that hit and kind of where things went after that it feels like it was an inflection point. But if we were to watch the tape together, I can't sit here and blame every mistake I made on that. It's somewhere in the middle." Regardless of how he feels about last season, Cousins seems to be serious about moving forward in his new role. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins on trade request, injury, Michael Penix
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. explains what he learned from Matt Ryan
The Atlanta Falcons believe they have their quarterback of the future in Michael Penix Jr. The former No. 8 overall pick showed enough during his rookie season to earn the keys to the offense going into Year 2. Despite having veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Falcons had Penix link up with former league MVP Matt Ryan over the offseason. Ryan, who spent 14 years as Atlanta's starting quarterback, knows what it takes to succeed in this league and how to be a leader. Advertisement The Falcons are hoping some of those characteristics rub off on Penix, and it sounds like the second-year QB enjoyed his time speaking with Ryan. Following Day 1 of organized team activities, Penix was asked what he learned in his conversations with Ryan. "Just learning how to be a pro, each and every day, and how his process went and how he went about his business each and every day," Penix explained. "I feel like he definitely gave me a lot of good [advice]." Over 15 NFL seasons (14 in Atlanta), Ryan passed for 62,792 yards, 381 touchdowns and 183 interceptions for a passer rating of 93.6. The former third overall pick's best season came in 2016 when he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and took home the league MVP trophy. Advertisement Penix was forced to sit behind Cousins for much of his rookie season before taking over the starting job in Week 16. The former Washington Huskies QB passed for 778 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. While Penix needs to improve his completion percentage, his ability to push the ball downfield seemed to open up the offense over the final few weeks. The Falcons quarterback is taking his leadership role seriously. Penix explained that in order to be a good leader, he must build relationships with his teammates. "I feel like you can't lead nobody whenever you don't know them," Penix said after Friday's OTA practice. "I feel like you got to build relationships. And for me, I want to get to know those guys so I can know who can take certain leadership styles." Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. working with Matt Ryan on leadership
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta Falcons post-draft position preview: Quarterback
The Atlanta Falcons left the 2025 NFL draft with five new players, including two first-round edge rushers. It was the first time in Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot's tenure that the team did not draft an offensive player in Round 1. With the 2025 season still a few months away, we thought it would be a good time to preview each position on the roster. Today, we begin by examining Atlanta's quarterback room. QB Depth Chart (3): Michael Penix Jr. Kirk Cousins Easton Stick Advertisement Penix enters the season as the unquestioned starter, but Cousins' presence still feels slightly odd. At this point, we have to believe the Falcons aren't bluffing about keeping the high-priced veteran QB. Assuming he's still on the roster, Cousins will serve as a quality backup. Easton Stick, who has 1,133 passing yards, three touchdowns and one career interception, should be the third-string QB this season. 2025 salary cap hits Cousins: $40,000,000 Penix: $5,200,599 Stick: $1,197,500 When your backup quarterback makes seven times more than your starter, it's usually a sign that somebody messed up. Cousins would likely prefer to play elsewhere, but the Falcons have no incentive to do him any favors. Unless the team can get another team to pay a chunk of Cousins' salary, it's hard to imagine him playing elsewhere in 2025. Atlanta could get out of his contract next season for considerably less. Top free agents available: Aaron Rodgers Carson Wentz Teddy Bridgewater Tyler Huntley Advertisement The Falcons have no real reason to add another veteran quarterback. The only scenario I could see them signing another QB would be if they release or trade Cousins and want to add a more established backup behind Penix. Wentz and Huntley could be options in this scenario. Predictions/expectations for 2025 Penix showed enough upside in his three starts last season that we don't anticipate any QB controversies in 2025. The former No. 8 pick in the draft has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. With a talented surrounding cast and a rifle for an arm, Penix has a real chance to lead the team to the postseason for the first time since 2017. Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QB breakdown: Michael Penix, Kirk Cousins, Easton Stick
