ESPN put together a panel of experts to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with the Atlanta Falcons’ lead man, second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Through three weeks, the Falcons are 1-2 with losses to the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the previously winless Carolina Panthers.
The division loss to the Panthers has been getting blown out of proportion all week because of the heinous final score. However, the Falcons out preformed the Panthers in nearly every category despite losing 30-0.
Losses happen, that’s not the problem here. The problem is that, any way you slice it, last season’s top-ten pick has not played well. He has a QBR of 71.3 so far on the season, that ranks 20th of all quarterbacks. He’s thrown just one touchdown to two interceptions.
ESPN reached out to coaching sources around the league and this is what they learned.
Penix Isn’t Seeing The Field
You complete passes with two things, your feet and your eyes. His arm talent is undeniable, but the experts at ESPN say the game is moving too fast for the young QB with only six starts under his belt.
“A couple of people I talked to Monday said they don’t think the team is doing enough to help him,” Dan Graziano writes. “There were a few instances Sunday — a 30-0 loss to Carolina — where plays seemingly took too long to come in. Receivers also dropped passes.”
Graziano points out that the Falcons are pulling out all the stops, moving the OC from the booth to the sideline and firing position coaches, but fears that these moves don’t specifically impact Penix’s play.
Insider Jeremy Fowler told Graziano that his sources are telling him that defensive coordinators have done a good job disguising looks against Atlanta.
As one NFL coaching source who has studied the Falcons put it, ‘[Penix] can throw it, he just can’t see it right now,’” Fowler writes. “In other words, defenses are clouding the picture and confusing the young quarterback. Penix appeared to be playing more freely late last season, and he has the arm strength to utilize the entire field.”
Fowler echoed Graziano’s sentiment, pointing to the under utilization of two tight end sets in the Falcons’ offense.
“It caught my attention when the Falcons relied a lot on 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) and a run-heavy attack against Brian Flores’ Vikings defense, which resulted in 218 rushing yards and a 22-6 win,” Fowler continued. “The Falcons got away from that Sunday in Carolina. Charlie Woerner, the team’s second tight end, played 14 snaps vs. 56 the week before, though Woerner was banged up because of an ankle issue during the week.”
‘Give Bijan The Ball As Much As Possible’
It doesn’t take an offensive guru to tell you that giving Bijan Robinson the rock is a good game plan. But for the Falcons, the importance of feeding Bijan goes beyond his talent.
The run game does more than gain yards and set up play action. It is hard on a defense. It fatigues the body, tires out the pass rush, it forces game plans to change, it gets the safeties lower.
Graziano believes Atlanta needs to lean into the run game to free up Penix, and ultimately get the answer they might not want to hear.
“Again, the Falcons believe Penix has special qualities and should be a true franchise quarterback. That’s doesn’t mean they’re right — a lot of teams get those evaluations wrong — but it’s definitely too soon to decide either way,” Graziano continued. “If Atlanta can continue to lean on Robinson and the run game while things settle down around the passing game, there’s enough talent for one to believe it will come around.”
Expect Sunday’s game plan to be much slower.
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