Zac Robinson alludes to a new-look offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center
The Atlanta Falcons wanted to give Kirk Cousins every opportunity to remain their starting quarterback. Their significant financial investment in the veteran, coupled with the respect he commanded in the locker room, made it a difficult decision to move on. Cousins’ meticulous preparation and leadership made him a beloved figure among his teammates and, for … Zac Robinson alludes to a new-look offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center Read More » The post Zac Robinson alludes to a new-look offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.
The Atlanta Falcons wanted to give Kirk Cousins every opportunity to remain their starting quarterback. Their significant financial investment in the veteran, coupled with the respect he commanded in the locker room, made it a difficult decision to move on. Cousins’ meticulous preparation and leadership made him a beloved figure among his teammates and, for a time, the fan base as well.
However, the harsh reality of Cousins’ performance over the past five weeks left the Falcons with no choice. His physical and mental decline became impossible to ignore, and the team recognized a change was necessary to salvage their season.
“We all felt strongly one way about it,” offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said about the decision to bench Cousins.
The Falcons’ offense is built to support a young quarterback. Anchored by one of the league’s best rushing attacks and a cohesive, healthy offensive line, the unit also boasts a versatile group of skill players capable of explosive plays. It’s a Ferrari waiting for the right driver, and the hope is that Penix is the one to make it roar.
While rookie quarterbacks often face inevitable growing pains, Penix’s unique skill set gives the Falcons offense a higher ceiling. His mobility and arm strength open up opportunities that were unavailable with Cousins under center, a fact Robinson acknowledged in Wednesday’s press conference.
“Sure, yeah, absolutely,” Robinson said when asked about adjusting the playbook to suit Penix’s abilities. “Obviously, Mike’s got some different skillsets that you can activate. Whatever he’s done at Washington and what we’ve seen on the practice field… we’ll definitely activate that this week.”
Cousins, once an elite play-action passer, struggled to move the pocket effectively following last year’s Achilles injury. This limitation forced the Falcons to eliminate much of their play-action game. Penix’s athleticism should allow Atlanta to reintroduce those concepts while also taking more shots downfield.
This Sunday’s game against the struggling New York Giants offers a perfect stage for Penix to get his feet wet. At 2-12, the Giants present a manageable challenge, allowing the Falcons to test Penix’s abilities without overwhelming him.
Atlanta could opt for a conservative approach, relying on their run game and defense to secure a win. However, the Falcons would benefit from using this opportunity to let Penix air it out and build confidence. Tougher tests await, including a critical Week 17 matchup against the Commanders that could determine the team’s postseason fate.
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Photographer: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire
The post Zac Robinson alludes to a new-look offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.
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