For the second consecutive week, neither Atlanta Falcons‘ starter Michael Penix Jr., nor Falcons back up Kirk Cousins, will participate in the team’s preseason contest.
Head coach Raheem Morris took to the podium to say that Penix will “for sure” be sitting out, as well as to elaborate on his decision not to play the 34-year-old vet either.
“Kirk Cousins’ problem last year, when we had to make the change, was turnovers,” Morris said at his press conference. “All things that I can evaluate within the steady confines of what we’re doing right now.”
He went on to say that if he felt like Cousins needed to see the field to be ready, then he would. But that is a conversation that Kirk is yet to initiate.
“He knows the amount of work he requires. He knows exactly what he needs to be ready,” Morris continued. “And I’m definitely going to communicate with him, different than with Michael Penix, different than with anybody else on the football team when you’re talking about that kind of a vet.”
“You’re talking about guys with significant experience that I can have that grown-man conversation with, and Kirk definitely fits that bill.”
Falcons Are Just Protecting Their Biggest Trade Piece
It doesn’t take an expert to know that Morris is using a little bit of coach speak on the podium with this one. Cousins isn’t playing because Cousins cannot get hurt. End of story.
He is being paid a lot, a lot, of money to stay healthy until a team calls about him. NBC’s lead man Mike Florio discussed this on his TV show Thursday morning.
“There’s also a bit of a bubble wrap element here where– if you want to trade him, you have to keep him healthy,” Florio said on Pro Football Talk. “They’re keeping him around because they are betting that between now and the Tuesday after Week 9 and opportunity is going to arise to trade him.”
“That’s the only reason he is still there.”
He then broke down the nightmare contract that is Kirk Cousins’ $100 million guaranteed, saying that the only way to ensure it isn’t an absolute wash is to get something out of him.
“They’re waiting for an injury to create a seat, I think it’s that simple,” Florio concluded.
Easton Stick Starts Game With Pick Six
Even as far as preseason standards are concerned, the Falcons are reaching deep in their depth chart to get through these games. It is clear Morris subscribes to the preseason sit out ritual that his former head coach and employer, Sean McVay, uses. This means that starters are rarely seeing the field before Week 1.
As such, North Dakota State University alum, Easton Stick, is getting his second straight preseason start.
Stick played most of the Week 1 game, putting up an impressive stat line in the first half. He completed 15 of his 18 pass attempts, connecting for 149 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers.
Tonight, however, was a different story. In the first drive against the Tennessee Titans, Stick’s offense grinded to a halt after gaining just 15 yards on a nine play, six minute drive.
In the next possession, Stick threw an interception on the eighth play to Tennessee’s Kendell Brooks who returned it 53 yards to the house.
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