The Falcons QB Controversy

[Cheb]

I liked Michael Penix in college and I think he has the tools to make good as a pro. His prior injury history was years ago, and he has spun elite balls at Washington for the past two years now without injury being a factor. Is he older, yeah, but that doesn't scare me with quarterbacks, where sometimes they don't play their best ball till after 30.

That said, the Falcons certainly pulled an odd move and I think they certainly didn't help themselves with this move. The reasons that this is being universally panned as a poor decision are myriad, and me repeating affirmations doesn't do much to drive the discussion forward.

What I find to be delicious irony that no one has brought up yet is that of all people, Kirk Cousins should understand the value of having a cheap backup in the QB room. Fucks sake, he was drafted to be the inexpensive option behind RG3, and all the criticism being leveled at the Falcons drafting Penix would have been equally valid about Washington drafting Cousins. Wasted pick, does nothing to help open their playoff window or improve the team, he will only play if the starter is injured, et cerera.

[Doctor]

There will be a variety of quarterbacks available the next three years. Younger rookies (with more cost control instead of sitting on the bench for their rookie contract). Quarterbacks needing a change of scenery.

They’re giving up the most valuable aspect of having a rookie quarterback. Which is the cheap contract. Best case scenario, he gets inserted into the starting lineup the last year of his rookie deal and then they have to pay him if he performs well? Oof.

What???
There are tons of cheap rookie QBs. The most valuable aspect of having a rookie QB is the possibility of ending up with a franchise QB to build around.

[CannonFire]

There will be a variety of quarterbacks available the next three years. Younger rookies (with more cost control instead of sitting on the bench for their rookie contract). Quarterbacks needing a change of scenery.

They’re giving up the most valuable aspect of having a rookie quarterback. Which is the cheap contract. Best case scenario, he gets inserted into the starting lineup the last year of his rookie deal and then they have to pay him if he performs well? Oof.

I think you just described their worst case scenario where they pay Cousins the whole $180M then be forced to pay Penix with almost no playing time. The best case scenario is that they love Penix's progression over his first 2 seasons and they could trade Cousins, save $8M on their cap, gain draft capital, and hit the ground running with Penix in 2026. They'll get a cheap 2026 & 2027, before paying out his 5th yr option which by then may be only $28M (which is less than what Mayfield will get next year). That's if they don't extend him.

[CannonFire]

Last year their QBs struggled to get 150 yds passing.
They now have their competent, fragile 36 yr old starter as well as their talented, fragile rookie reliever…
I’d say they have their bases covered….in a well thought out kinda sorta way.
Good luck Birds
Stay healthy and off the IR

"Fragile 36 year old starter"? Prior to the injury last year, he played in 136 straight games. That's fragile?

[BuccaNOLEer]

I liked Michael Penix in college and I think he has the tools to make good as a pro. His prior injury history was years ago, and he has spun elite balls at Washington for the past two years now without injury being a factor. Is he older, yeah, but that doesn't scare me with quarterbacks, where sometimes they don't play their best ball till after 30.

That said, the Falcons certainly pulled an odd move and I think they certainly didn't help themselves with this move. The reasons that this is being universally panned as a poor decision are myriad, and me repeating affirmations doesn't do much to drive the discussion forward.

What I find to be delicious irony that no one has brought up yet is that of all people, Kirk Cousins should understand the value of having a cheap backup in the QB room. Fucks sake, he was drafted to be the inexpensive option behind RG3, and all the criticism being leveled at the Falcons drafting Penix would have been equally valid about Washington drafting Cousins. Wasted pick, does nothing to help open their playoff window or improve the team, he will only play if the starter is injured, et cerera.

You don't waste your first round pick on a backup QB when there are other obvious areas of need that can be filled with that pick immediately. Espcially when it's a top ten pick. Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one. While Penix might be able to do that, he won't on this team because of Cousins being there. At the very least he's going to be 26 years old by the time he gets an opportunity to start. That's a bit advanced in age for a first time NFL starter.

[CannonFire]

I liked Michael Penix in college and I think he has the tools to make good as a pro. His prior injury history was years ago, and he has spun elite balls at Washington for the past two years now without injury being a factor. Is he older, yeah, but that doesn't scare me with quarterbacks, where sometimes they don't play their best ball till after 30.

That said, the Falcons certainly pulled an odd move and I think they certainly didn't help themselves with this move. The reasons that this is being universally panned as a poor decision are myriad, and me repeating affirmations doesn't do much to drive the discussion forward.

What I find to be delicious irony that no one has brought up yet is that of all people, Kirk Cousins should understand the value of having a cheap backup in the QB room. Fucks sake, he was drafted to be the inexpensive option behind RG3, and all the criticism being leveled at the Falcons drafting Penix would have been equally valid about Washington drafting Cousins. Wasted pick, does nothing to help open their playoff window or improve the team, he will only play if the starter is injured, et cerera.

You don't waste your first round pick on a backup QB when there are other obvious areas of need that can be filled with that pick immediately. Espcially when it's a top ten pick. Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one. While Penix might be able to do that, he won't on this team because of Cousins being there. At the very least he's going to be 26 years old by the time he gets an opportunity to start. That's a bit advanced in age for a first time NFL starter.

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

[TonyLip]

Ever tore your achilles tendon? At 35 or 36 yrs of age?
It has a lingering effect on your post-giddy-up. The resultant pass rush also knows right where to find you.

[Sdbucs]

The Falcons have Drake London, Bijan, Pitts. Those guys should all be serious weapons for Kirk. Kirk is old and coming off injury, so the Falcons grabbed a guy to groom under him who could be ready to go if needed.

I don’t think it’s a terrible pick, but I guess it’s similar to us taking Trask with Brady here

[Snake]

The Falcons have Drake London, Bijan, Pitts. Those guys should all be serious weapons for Kirk. Kirk is old and coming off injury, so the Falcons grabbed a guy to groom under him who could be ready to go if needed.

I don’t think it’s a terrible pick, but I guess it’s similar to us taking Trask with Brady here

Trask was the last pick in the second round. Penix was number eight overall.

[Snake]

You don't waste your first round pick on a backup QB when there are other obvious areas of need that can be filled with that pick immediately. Espcially when it's a top ten pick. Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one. While Penix might be able to do that, he won't on this team because of Cousins being there. At the very least he's going to be 26 years old by the time he gets an opportunity to start. That's a bit advanced in age for a first time NFL starter.

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

The fact of the matter is, they have ready-made roster to take off and make a playoff run. Pick 8th overall put them in great position to have a day one difference-maker during this playoff run. I can squint and see the idea about Penix. Particularly if they think Cousins will be done in 24 months from now.

It really comes down to how much you believe in Penix. if you think that giving up the opportunity cost of a day one difference maker and most of his rookie contract is worth it…

[Central_Buc]

I liked Michael Penix in college and I think he has the tools to make good as a pro. His prior injury history was years ago, and he has spun elite balls at Washington for the past two years now without injury being a factor. Is he older, yeah, but that doesn't scare me with quarterbacks, where sometimes they don't play their best ball till after 30.

That said, the Falcons certainly pulled an odd move and I think they certainly didn't help themselves with this move. The reasons that this is being universally panned as a poor decision are myriad, and me repeating affirmations doesn't do much to drive the discussion forward.

What I find to be delicious irony that no one has brought up yet is that of all people, Kirk Cousins should understand the value of having a cheap backup in the QB room. Fucks sake, he was drafted to be the inexpensive option behind RG3, and all the criticism being leveled at the Falcons drafting Penix would have been equally valid about Washington drafting Cousins. Wasted pick, does nothing to help open their playoff window or improve the team, he will only play if the starter is injured, et cerera.

And Bakers not even 30 yet. I know its off topic but had to say it.

[BuccaNOLEer]

You don't waste your first round pick on a backup QB when there are other obvious areas of need that can be filled with that pick immediately. Espcially when it's a top ten pick. Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one. While Penix might be able to do that, he won't on this team because of Cousins being there. At the very least he's going to be 26 years old by the time he gets an opportunity to start. That's a bit advanced in age for a first time NFL starter.

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

Likely a top ten defense my left testicle. The way you described them, you'd think they were a playoff team last year. They weren't. They have needs at DL and in their secondary, and there was a lot of talent available last night. Hell, with all the offensive players being drafted, they could've easily traded back, gotten their guy, and picked up some good picks. When you're coming off a non-playoff year, you don't draft a backup QB in the first round. Period and end of discussion.

[uscbucsfan1]

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

Likely a top ten defense my left testicle. The way you described them, you'd think they were a playoff team last year. They weren't. They have needs at DL and in their secondary, and there was a lot of talent available last night. Hell, with all the offensive players being drafted, they could've easily traded back, gotten their guy, and picked up some good picks. When you're coming off a non-playoff year, you don't draft a backup QB in the first round. Period and end of discussion.

They didn't draft a backup QB.

They took their franchise QB as a top 10 pick. Kirk is a stopgap solution for them.

Kirk can be cut after 2 years with a $25mm dead cap number, but a $35mm cap savings.

[MRM]

I'm for this as this makes Atlanta a bit of a mess for the time being.

[BuccaNOLEer]

Likely a top ten defense my left testicle. The way you described them, you'd think they were a playoff team last year. They weren't. They have needs at DL and in their secondary, and there was a lot of talent available last night. Hell, with all the offensive players being drafted, they could've easily traded back, gotten their guy, and picked up some good picks. When you're coming off a non-playoff year, you don't draft a backup QB in the first round. Period and end of discussion.

They didn't draft a backup QB.

They took their franchise QB as a top 10 pick. Kirk is a stopgap solution for them.

Kirk can be cut after 2 years with a $25mm dead cap number, but a $35mm cap savings.

And again, Penix is 24 and injury prone. He's had two ACL surgeries on the same knee. He sidearms the ball, which means it can easily be swatted down by an NFL D-Lineman. While he may develop into another Russell Wilson, he is not a QB I would've taken at 8.

[uscbucsfan1]

They didn't draft a backup QB.

They took their franchise QB as a top 10 pick. Kirk is a stopgap solution for them.

Kirk can be cut after 2 years with a $25mm dead cap number, but a $35mm cap savings.

And again, Penix is 24 and injury prone. He's had two ACL surgeries on the same knee. He sidearms the ball, which means it can easily be swatted down by an NFL D-Lineman. While he may develop into another Russell Wilson, he is not a QB I would've taken at 8.

That's fine and you are welcome to that opinion.

Just saying the narrative they drafted a backup is wrong.

Kirk is a stopgap and they drafted what they believe is their franchise QB.

[CannonFire]

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

The fact of the matter is, they have ready-made roster to take off and make a playoff run. Pick 8th overall put them in great position to have a day one difference-maker during this playoff run. I can squint and see the idea about Penix. Particularly if they think Cousins will be done in 24 months from now.

It really comes down to how much you believe in Penix. if you think that giving up the opportunity cost of a day one difference maker and most of his rookie contract is worth it…

So if they have a ready-made roster.... why not try to draft a franchise QB for the future?

What if we drafted Jordan Love I'm 2020, instead of Tristan Wirfs? Do you think we still win the Super Bowl that year? Do you think we'd be a LOT better off right now, than what we are?

[Snake]

The fact of the matter is, they have ready-made roster to take off and make a playoff run. Pick 8th overall put them in great position to have a day one difference-maker during this playoff run. I can squint and see the idea about Penix. Particularly if they think Cousins will be done in 24 months from now.

It really comes down to how much you believe in Penix. if you think that giving up the opportunity cost of a day one difference maker and most of his rookie contract is worth it…

What if we drafted Jordan Love I'm 2020, instead of Tristan Wirfs? Do you think we still win the Super Bowl that year? Do you think we'd be a LOT better off right now, than what we are?

no, I don't think we'd be a lot better off. and Wirfs performing like a pro bowler as a rookie contributed massively to the Bucs winning the super bowl.

[Bucsfan83]

I thought they had ritter? I thought he showed promise? I mean, you go out and draft and sign a qb, like wtf?

[Snake]

I thought they had ritter? I thought he showed promise? I mean, you go out and draft and sign a qb, like wtf?

Ridder was traded pre-draft. He also stunk on ice.

[CannonFire]

What "obvious areas of need" did the Falcons need filled immediately? They have Pro Bowl QB, a top tier WR prospect, top tier RB prospect, a top 5 offensive line, a decent TE who still might actually be really good, and likely a top 10 defense. They still have 4 of the next 70 picks in the a draft that is pretty deep defensively... especially since there were very few taken last night.

Likely a top ten defense my left testicle. The way you described them, you'd think they were a playoff team last year. They weren't. They have needs at DL and in their secondary, and there was a lot of talent available last night. Hell, with all the offensive players being drafted, they could've easily traded back, gotten their guy, and picked up some good picks. When you're coming off a non-playoff year, you don't draft a backup QB in the first round. Period and end of discussion.

Yeah, I don't see it that way. I think you're massively underrating the Falcons.

[Snake]

They need to win the division or they’ll be looking at a Raheem special.

[CannonFire]

They need to win the division or they’ll be looking at a Raheem special.

Right now, Vegas has them at 9.5 wins, us and NO at 7.5, and Carolina at 4.5.

Vegas sees the Falcons as the 3rd safest choice to win their division. The Chiefs and Niners are 3 games better than the next closest team, then Atlanta at 2. The other 5 divisions are 1 or 0.

[Doctor]

Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one.

This is probably one of the dumbest takes casuals put out.
Sad to see it being spouted here.

[uscbucsfan1]

Your first round pick should be a guy who can start on day one.

This is probably one of the dumbest takes casuals put out.
Sad to see it being spouted here.

They don't want to end up with a Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers...it's a great point.

[Doctor]

The fact of the matter is, they have ready-made roster to take off and make a playoff run. Pick 8th overall put them in great position to have a day one difference-maker during this playoff run. I can squint and see the idea about Penix. Particularly if they think Cousins will be done in 24 months from now.

It really comes down to how much you believe in Penix. if you think that giving up the opportunity cost of a day one difference maker and most of his rookie contract is worth it…

So if they have a ready-made roster.... why not try to draft a franchise QB for the future?

What if we drafted Jordan Love I'm 2020, instead of Tristan Wirfs? Do you think we still win the Super Bowl that year? Do you think we'd be a LOT better off right now, than what we are?

We had Wirfs higher. Not a hard riddle. That's if we had Love on our board at all.
Same reason we drafted Trask ahead of others. We had him higher.

[MODXVI]

Are we just "assuming" Penix is a bust? Because all this cry baby "win now" nonsense only makes sense if you are assuming Penix is a bust.

If not, the idea of PASSING ON A FRANCHISE QB to try to "win now" a little harder is fucking bonkers. Did we not just do this exercise? You can go through 2 or 3 GMs between decent QB drafts. And even then, they can get picked before you're up.

Kirk is 36 and far from being an iron man. Even in a ideal world where he plays two good years before going meh, you are set up with someone to take over without missing a beat. The idea of "just ride out your current QB to the max until he's done, then get a top pick and get his replacement" is the peak... I believe the term is, casual fandom.

I will make you a bet for a permanent ban here that Penix is a bust. He will never be a starter for more than 2 seasons. Does your Doctor-ism willing to take this bet? Penix will not be a starter in 2029. I am certain. Are you? @ModX @MOD TB12 @Mod LV

I acknowledge this post. Message me if the bet gets made.

[Bootz]

Now who goin remember this shit in 2029??

[CannonFire]

So if they have a ready-made roster.... why not try to draft a franchise QB for the future?

What if we drafted Jordan Love I'm 2020, instead of Tristan Wirfs? Do you think we still win the Super Bowl that year? Do you think we'd be a LOT better off right now, than what we are?

We had Wirfs higher. Not a hard riddle. That's if we had Love on our board at all.
Same reason we drafted Trask ahead of others. We had him higher.

That doesn't answer ANY question I asked.

[CannonFire]

I just heard Mark Dominik on NFL Radio say that he's confused by the pick that Arthur Blank had to be in on the conversations. Said that he doesn't think Blank asked the right questions. Makes me more confident in my stance that the Falcons made the right call. If there's one thing I know about Mark Dominik, it's that he's a terrible drafter.

[CannonFire]

Now who goin remember this shit in 2029??

Probably only the people who were right.

[Doctor]

Funny to see these kids treat forum ban bets like they are street racing for pinks. Oh em gee, you must be so cool.

So if Penix retires without starting his 35th game, I'm banned. When he does start his 35th game, Kaimaru is banned. If he starts a game in 2029, Kaimaru is banned. If those terms aren't moronic enough, by the time either event is trigger we'll be on yet another version of this forum.

The funniest part of all is you thinking your pink is even worth anything.

[Snake]

You almost had me?

You never had me.

You never had your account.

[Bucsfan83]

I thought they had ritter? I thought he showed promise? I mean, you go out and draft and sign a qb, like wtf?

Ridder was traded pre-draft. He also stunk on ice.

Oh, didn't know that. I don't really pay attention to the Falcons at all. Thought they were high on him once though. The move makes a little bit more sense from a positional point of view, maybe not the person they drafted. I still would had gone elsewhere though then drafted a QB. But hey, falcons do the falcons, whatever floats their boat

[Backside]

So if they have a ready-made roster.... why not try to draft a franchise QB for the future?

What if we drafted Jordan Love I'm 2020, instead of Tristan Wirfs? Do you think we still win the Super Bowl that year? Do you think we'd be a LOT better off right now, than what we are?

We had Wirfs higher. Not a hard riddle. That's if we had Love on our board at all.
Same reason we drafted Trask ahead of others. We had him higher.

Which isn't exactly evidence of this move being a home run.