Things are ramping up in the Atlanta Falcons training camp, as they head into joint practice with the Tennessee Titans ahead of their second preseason game, which will take place on Friday against Tennessee. The Falcons’ first preseason game saw a heavy snap count of third-string quarterback Easton Stick.
Everyone in the media is wondering the same thing about the Falcons’ preseason strategy: whether or not Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. will receive any snaps.
Head coach Raheem Morris was able to clear the air a bit regarding the quarterback plan for the rest of the preseason, and also his plan for future seasons ahead.
Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris Speaks With Media
Raheem Morris spoke with reporters on Tuesday and detailed that he won’t always sit his top quarterbacks for the preseason, but he suggested that the plan for this season is that neither Cousins nor Penix Jr. is likely to see snaps.
“I would say for the quarterbacks, I’d say, yes,” Morris responded when asked if Penix or Cousins won’t play in Week 2 of the preseason. “You’d probably be about spot on.
“I wouldn’t rule them out both completely. [Penix] for sure. [Cousins], we’ll talk about but that’s probably likely the same prospects for next week. And obviously these practices will determine a bunch the next two days.”
The Atlanta Falcons have two joint practices with the Tennessee Titans today and tomorrow, an off day on Thursday, then a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday.
However, Raheem Morris did mention that it’s more likely Kirk Cousins is to see playing time this preseason than Michael Penix Jr. It’s already expected that the second-year quarterback out of Washington, Penix Jr., is going to start the regular season, but speculation continues to grow regarding Cousins and a potential trade.
Raheem Morris Also Explains Preseason Philosophy
Every NFL head coach is different, and it shows a little bit about how each team leader goes about things during the preseason. Some teams find it essential to get their starters in the games early to acclimate to the new play schemes, maybe a new coordinator, etc. Other coaches like to sit players for the entire preseason because they aren’t worried about a slow start in September and October. The Atlanta Falcons started off very fast last season, getting off to a 6-2 start, but there was a collapse afterward.
“I think every team is different and every year is different,” Morris told reporters. “[The Bengals] changed this year because they had a couple slow starts. They’re at the Bengals and they talked about it openly and they talked about how they wanted to do it.
“I think Zac Taylor changed his philosophy based on that this year trying to get those guys going and get them going fast. And that’s their philosophy right now.”
Morris is clearly taking the slower approach, as more than half of the NFL teams’ presumed starting quarterbacks saw at least a drive or two in their first preseason game.
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