Falcons Drafting Penix Is “Biggest Head Scratcher” Rich Eisen Has Seen in 21 Years of Covering Draft
Summary
TLDRThe NFL draft has garnered significant attention for its focus on quarterbacks, with an unprecedented number of them being selected in the early picks. The Atlanta Falcons' decision to draft Michael Penck Jr. with the eighth overall pick has raised many questions, particularly given their recent signing of Kirk Cousins to a substantial contract. Analysts and fans alike are puzzled by the move, considering the potential impact on Cousins' role and the team's immediate and future success. The summary of the draft highlights the rarity of such a high hit rate for quarterbacks and the strategic implications for the Falcons, who now have two quarterbacks with significant potential, albeit with contrasting career trajectories and contract situations.
Takeaways
- 🏈 The NFL draft had an unusual high hit rate for quarterbacks, with a 50% hit rate and a significant number of quarterbacks being drafted early on.
- 🚨 Michael Penck Jr. being picked 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons was a surprising choice, described as a 'head scratcher' by the speaker.
- 🤔 The selection of Penck Jr. raises questions about the Falcons' commitment to their recently signed quarterback, Kirk Cousins, and his future with the team.
- 💰 The financial implications of drafting Penck Jr. are significant, with the potential for a cost-effective, long-term solution at the quarterback position.
- 📉 The decision to draft Penck Jr. could potentially undermine Cousins' leadership and the team's chemistry in the locker room.
- 🤝 The Falcons' front office, including Terry Fontenot, defended their decision by stating that if you believe in a player, you have to take him, regardless of the situation.
- 🕰 There is speculation about when the Falcons fell in love with Penck Jr., especially considering they did not have a top 30 visit with him.
- 📈 The draft strategy of the Falcons seems to be focused on both immediate success with Cousins and long-term success with Penck Jr.
- 📉 The decision to draft Penck Jr. could be seen as a risky move, given the potential for Cousins to leave before his contract is up.
- 🤷♂️ The speaker questions the timing of the draft pick, comparing it to 'cheating on your wife during the honeymoon,' indicating a sense of betrayal or poor timing.
- 🏆 Despite the surprise and controversy, the speaker acknowledges that the Falcons can still win the Super Bowl with Cousins in the short term and Penck Jr. in the long term.
Q & A
What was the notable trend in the draft regarding quarterbacks?
-The draft saw an unusual trend with a high hit rate for quarterbacks being picked, starting with four in a row and continuing with five out of the first ten and six out of the first twelve picks being quarterbacks.
What was the surprising pick in the draft?
-The surprising pick was Michael Penck Jr. going to Atlanta at the eighth overall selection, which was unexpected and raised many questions due to the team's recent signing of Kirk Cousins.
Why was the selection of Michael Penck Jr. by the Atlanta Falcons considered a 'head scratcher'?
-It was considered a 'head scratcher' because the Falcons had just signed Kirk Cousins to a substantial contract, implying a commitment to him as their quarterback, making the early selection of another quarterback puzzling.
What was the reaction of the speaker regarding the Atlanta Falcons' strategy?
-The speaker expressed confusion and questioned the logic behind drafting Michael Penck Jr. so early, especially considering the significant financial investment in Kirk Cousins.
What did the Atlanta Falcons do in free agency prior to the draft?
-The Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, a highly paid free agent quarterback, to a substantial contract, which was expected to secure their quarterback position for the foreseeable future.
What was the financial implication of drafting Michael Penck Jr. for the Falcons?
-The financial implication was that the Falcons would be paying approximately $100 million to $106 million over two years for two quarterbacks, which is a significant investment.
What was the rationale given by Terry Fontenot, the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, for drafting Michael Penck Jr.?
-Terry Fontenot stated that if you believe in a player at the quarterback position, you have to take him, even if it means he might sit for four or five years, as it's a great problem to have success at that position.
How did the speaker describe the situation with Kirk Cousins after the drafting of Michael Penck Jr.?
-The speaker suggested that Cousins' ability to lead and claim the team as his own would be compromised, as the drafting of Penck Jr. introduces doubt about the future of the quarterback position in Atlanta.
What historical comparison was drawn by the speaker regarding the drafting of quarterbacks?
-The speaker compared the current situation to the 2012 draft when the Washington franchise chose Robert Griffin III early and later in the same draft chose Kirk Cousins, highlighting a similar 'all eggs in one basket' strategy.
What was the speaker's final assessment of the Falcons' draft strategy?
-The speaker concluded that while the Falcons' strategy does not prevent them from winning the Super Bowl with Kirk Cousins in the short term, it does raise many questions and creates a complex situation for the future.
What was the reaction of Kirk Cousins when informed about the drafting of Michael Penck Jr.?
-The specific reaction of Kirk Cousins was not shared as it was considered private, but it was implied that the call was made just as the Falcons were making the pick, and the reaction was likely not positive.
Outlines
🏈 Quarterback Draft Hype and Michael Penck Jr.'s Unexpected Pick
The NFL draft was highly anticipated for its focus on quarterbacks, with a rare 50% hit rate for quarterbacks being drafted. Surprisingly, Michael Penck Jr. was chosen eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons, which was unexpected and raised many questions. The decision is particularly puzzling considering the Falcons' recent signing of Kirk Cousins to a substantial contract, implying a commitment to him as their starting quarterback. The choice to draft Penck Jr. so early seems to conflict with their strategy and raises doubts about Cousins' future with the team.
🤔 The Atlanta Falcons' Strategy and Impact on Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons' decision to draft Michael Penck Jr. without a top 30 visit has left many in the industry baffled. The team's general manager, Terry Fontenot, explained that if you believe in a player at the quarterback position, you have to draft him, even if it means waiting for several years. This strategy, however, seems at odds with the significant investment made in Kirk Cousins. The financial implications are also noteworthy, with Penck Jr. set to earn significantly less than Cousins, which could influence the team's future success and championship window.
🔄 Historical Parallels and Uncertain Future for the Falcons
The situation in Atlanta is reminiscent of a previous draft where the Washington franchise chose Robert Griffin III and later, in the same draft, Kirk Cousins. The parallels are striking, with Cousins now potentially being the one supplanted by Penck Jr. The immediate reaction from the Falcons to Cousins about the draft pick was kept private, but it's implied that it was not a positive one. The long-term impact on the team's ability to win now with Cousins and in the future with Penck Jr. remains uncertain, adding a layer of complexity to the team's strategy and the quarterback's future role.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Quarterback
💡Draft
💡Michael Penck Jr.
💡Hit Rate
💡Kirk Cousins
💡Free Agency
💡Tampering Charge
💡Rookie Contract
💡Super Bowl
💡Head Scratcher
💡NFL Network
Highlights
The draft saw an unusual high hit rate for quarterbacks, with a 50% draft rate.
Four quarterbacks were selected in the first eight picks, and five out of the first ten, an unprecedented event in the draft's history.
Michael Penck Jr. was the most unexpected pick, going to Atlanta at number eight overall.
The selection of Penck Jr. raises questions about the Atlanta Falcons' strategy, especially after signing Kirk Cousins.
Kurt Warner, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, believed Penck Jr. was a better choice than Drake May in the draft.
The Falcons' decision to draft Penck Jr. may affect Cousins' position and the team dynamics.
The Falcons could have traded down and still acquired quality players to support a 'win-now' strategy.
Terry Fontenot, the Falcons' general manager, justified the pick by emphasizing belief in a player's potential.
The financial strategy behind drafting Penck Jr. is to have an affordable quarterback in the future.
The selection of Penck Jr. may have long-term implications for the Falcons' ability to win a Super Bowl.
The Falcons' decision has created a lot of discussion and confusion within the NFL community.
Kirk Cousins' reaction to the drafting of Penck Jr. is private, indicating potential concerns.
The drafting strategy of the Falcons is compared to a previous situation with Robert Griffin III and Cousins.
The Falcons' decision to draft Penck Jr. is considered a 'head-scratcher' by the speaker, with significant implications for the team's future.
Despite the surprise pick, it does not diminish Penck Jr.'s abilities or potential to succeed in the NFL.
The speaker emphasizes that the Falcons can still win with Cousins in the short term, but the long-term strategy is unclear.
The drafting of Penck Jr. adds a layer of complexity to the Falcons' quarterback situation and future plans.
Transcripts
obviously the stories uh uh going into
this draft all about the quarterbacks
and the draft did not disappoint on that
front it it's rare to see the
quarterback to General pick population
hit rate be at
50% it went from 100% then down to
75% it didn't get below 50% in terms of
quarterbacks being drafted compared to
the number of picks that had already
been made on the draft board and till
pick seven we saw an amazing amount of
choices at quarterback three in a row to
start and then pick eight Pick 10 Pick
12 all quarterbacks and that is
something that we were expecting to be
possible we've never seen a draft with
four straight quarterbacks to start that
did not happen in this one but we've
never seen four out of the first eight
picks spe quarterbacks five of the first
10 pick spe quarterbacks and six of the
first 12 picks spe quarterbacks we've
never seen that before but the one that
stands out amongst all of them the one
that was the least chalky of all of them
was Michael penck Jr going to Atlanta
and in terms of that I have been
fortunate to be doing this draft for 21
years with NFL Network this is my 18th
draft gavel to gavel and there have been
many head scratchers in the NFL draft
but none being more of a universal
industrywide heads scratcher than the
one that we saw last night Michael penx
Jr number eight overall going to Atlanta
and let me finish my sentence by saying
this this has nothing to do with Michael
penck Jr's abilities you've heard us
talk about this kid out of the
Washington program from the Indiana
program to the Washington program
everything that has gone into making him
the man that he is this has nothing to
do with that I believe he's worthy of a
top 10 pick in the NFL draft we had Kurt
Warner Pro Football Hall of Famer my
colleague from the NFL Media Group
sitting in this chair to my left on this
set yesterday he said he thought that
Michael penck Jr in his mind was a
better choice at quarterback in this
draft than Drake May which is saying a
lot this has nothing to do with Michael
penck Jr's ability and everything to do
with what the Atlanta Falcons did in
free agency in advance of making this
pick I have no earthly
idea why a team would go and sign Kirk
Cousins for the amount of money that
they did and also run the risk of a
tampering charge in the process of doing
it and giving this man a generational
salary at quarterback over maybe if it's
four years the entire contract being
four years long we were wondering would
he actually finish this contract in
Atlanta I'll tell you one person who
thought he would finish this contract in
Atlanta and his name is Kirk Cousins
this guy is the guy who showed up starts
throwing out first pitches at the Braves
game talks about this is his last stop
of his career I'll tell you what
Atlanta's not going to be the last stop
of this man's career cuz Michael penck
Jr being drafted eighth overall and
starting the clock his first quarterback
contract in the NFL mandates that he
starts at some point in this contract
and he starts at some point in this
contract before Kirk Cousins ever
imagined another quarterback would be
brought in to take his starting role I
have no idea why Atlanta would want to
do that with Kirk Cousins coming in in
the manner in which he came in and the
amount of the red carpet that they
rolled out for him and the doubt that
they're now going to be placing within
his mind and that locker room his
ability to stroll in there and say this
is my team this is my franchise this is
my new city has now been compromised
because they brought this kid in eighth
overall his ability to look at this kid
in the face and say let's talk about
what you need to do to become a terrific
quarterback in this league as great a
human as Kirk Cousins is and has shown
to be you have to sit there and wonder
how he's going to be with this kid in
this quarterback
room another thing to point out here the
doubt that might be in cousins' mind and
anybody else in this locker room that
wants to be in the cousins Camp fully
and completely has to sit here and
wonder at what point did they fall in
love with Michael penck Jr was it
watching him be a Collegiate quarterback
in Washington was it him being a
quarterback in uh in the championship
game against Michigan struggling but
also seeing what he did against Texas we
we heard and Ian rap report's going to
come on here and I'm wondering if he can
confirm this they did not have a top 30
visit with Michael penck Jr they went
and chatted with him at the combine and
had a 45 minute meeting with him
watching a workout of him in Washington
and that's it when did they fall in love
with Michael pennick was it in the
process of signing Kirk Cousins to a
4-year $180 million contract that pays
him $90 million of guaranteed money did
they do that during that Pro after
signing him Tom pelisa our buddy Tommy P
who is going to sit in in for for me
when I'm with the Roku new fronts next
week in New York he had the line of the
day on good morning football today he
said it's basically like cheating on
your wife during the honeymoon is
essentially what he said that's what it
is you're in the honeymoon phase right
now and you're going to bring in a kid
who by the way is also 24 years old when
he takes the field if he does it all for
the Atlanta Falcons this year so if
cousins plays the two years and they do
finally stick out two years by the way
for the 90 million bucks that he's
guaranteed to be paid over those two
years and they do stick penck out there
he'll be a 27y old guy who's not played
much of a snap in the NFL at all that's
how penx is going to get borne into this
league so the question is what was the
thinking of Terry fno the general
manager of the Atlanta Falcons and he
next to Raheem Morris in a press conf
that was very highly watched last night
had this to say after choosing Michael
penck Jr eighth
overall at the end of the day if you
believe in a player at that position you
because if we're all sitting here a few
years from now whenever it is and this
guy's playing pretty good for somebody
regardless of the situation regardless
of you sit and look back then and and we
pass them up you can't do that if you
believe in a quarterback you have to
take him and if he sits for four or five
years that's that's that's a great
problem to have because because we're
doing so well at that position so it's
it's just as as simple as if if you see
a guy that you believe in at that
position you have to take him I mean to
wait for four or five years and I think
that was Wild Well I think Terry fno is
saying that because he does need to
address the guy who they paid all this
generational money to to be a free agent
and comeing to win now the sense in
Atlanta was let's win now and the sense
is when you do do that in free agency
and you're a quarterback needy team and
you're eighth overall on the clock that
now allows you to take the best player
available to supplement the arrival of
Kirk Cousins to maybe trade out to trade
down the de the uh the de the Dallas
Turner selection that everybody had them
in their mock drafts Dallas Turner wound
up going 17th overall Minnesota traded
up one more time to go get him he wound
up being 17th over Byron Murphy who
would have been a very nice addition in
the middle of the defensive line for
Atlanta to help out win now and win a
division right now if not a Super Bowl
right now he went 16th overall you could
have traded out into those
spots you could have traded out into
those spots and gotten those guys and
more draft choices in a draft that's
very topheavy I mean the Buffalo Bills
got two more picks in uh tonight's draft
on purpose for that and we'll discuss
the bills and what they did later on on
this program you could have done that
but he's also saying we want to win
later on but Michael pennick if you do
wait the four years if you do say wait
four years that guy's going to be a
28-year-old quarterback who's not played
before with the possibility of you
picking up the fifth year option of him
not having played a single snap now then
in terms of making sure that you're
winning down the road um the uh famous
website and firm spot track that keeps
uh track of all the finances just
looking at it right now well they
tweeted this out and I want to put it on
the screen so everyone can understand
what the Falcons are thinking that penx
is going to make 16 million over the
next two seasons with it with his
slotted contract as he ramps up and
learns behind cousins who's going to
earn $90 million over that span so
that's a $100 million 106 million bucks
at the quarterback spot which is you
know 50 million a year that's like Dak
right that's that's like momes money but
after that they've got Michael penck on
a 2year $6.8 million guarantee through
2027 with the fifth year option to boot
now that is dirt cheap and that however
is going to be the window in which you
want to try and win a Super Bowl that
they have left which is the rookie
contract you want to win in a rookie
contract right now that's why that makes
no sense to wait the two years and bring
him in to learn behind Kirk Cousins the
only thing that this could possibly
remotely compared to that I have seen in
the 21 years was back in the last time
the 21 years of doing the draft back in
the last time the the Washington
franchise chose a quarterback second
overall in 2012 just like last night
they chose second overall and they chose
a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and
Robert Griffin the third and then a
couple of draft choices tra draft rounds
later they chose Kirk Cousins and I
remember sitting at the NFL Network
draft setting Radio City Music call
saying why do that the only time Kirk
Cousins is going to play as if something
has gone horribly wrong with your eggs
in the basket decision all eggs in the
basket decision with the time at the
time is to use the second overall pick
on a
quarterback this version of it is to
generationally enrich a quarterback
further why would you go ahead and
choose another quarterback when you've
just chosen one and it's amazing to me
that the situation now involves Kirk
Cousins in the role of being the one
supplanted and it's Michael penck Jr
being the one brought in to make the
quarterback Wonder are all the eggs in
my basket or not time is a flat circle
it's unbelievable and that is the point
to just finish up on the L you know
going through the entire head scratcher
here is what does kurk cousins think
because you do have to win now with the
guy you're paying him like you want to
win now you've got to get it at least
two years out of him in wi now mode what
is he thinking well last
night the Falcons called him just as
they were making this choice to give him
a heads up and both font no and Raheem
morrris were asked about
that questions for Terry or U Raheem
whichever one of you called Kirk when
you were on the clock and you tell me
about it what's his reaction well that's
a private we wouldn't share that you
know and obviously we reactions are
pretty private right yeah you know he
got called on the clock obviously
because of the sensitive time with the
issues of what you got going on it's
never a right time to talk to a
quarterback about those things and
reactions are always going to be private
when it comes to those things unless
Kurt decides to tell you some of those
things that whatever the case may be but
he's a competitor um just like us all
and uh you can always expect those
things to go just like you kind of
think really thinking it didn't go well
it didn't go well cuz that's why they're
not sharing it they'll always
reactions when they're positive will
always be shared publicly as you know so
um here
again calling him with mere seconds left
on the clock or just two minutes left on
the clock hey this is what we're doing
is kind of like when um you're paying
for the bill at dinner and somebody else
makes the reach for their wallet just as
you put your credit card down okay let
me let me I was really going to get this
I'm making the move I'm making the you
know I'm making
it's not reaching for the check it's
reaching for the wallet
like nice try I appreciate you I
appreciate you acknowledging but what
does it do me you know you're not
putting your credit card down in time so
again I just to sum up biggest head
scratcher I've seen in 21 years of doing
this draft does it mean the Falcons
can't win the Super Bowl in the next two
years with Kirk Cousins absolutely not
does it mean that they won't uh that
they won't win the Super Bowl with
Michael penck Jr when he gets out there
absolutely not does this mean Michael
penck Jr doesn't deserve to be the
eighth overall pick in the NFL draft
absolutely not does it mean that he
deserve to be born into the NFL this
way he also might play he also might
play week one we don't know if K cousins
is ready to go also there have been 130
quarterbacks play games in the last
years but you also don't sign a
quarterback to the contract that they
did if you're questioning whether he's
going to play week one he's going to
play week one they expected the whole
conversation this entire six weeks was
like Kurt Cousins has arrived Atlanta's
on the map they are absolutely in the
mix to win their division if not the
conference and we'll see what they're
going to do to supplement them with the
eighth overall pick and they didn't and
all they did was just add a lot of
questions and a conversation like this
one to start this show which is a head
scratcher headline I'm scratching my
head catch the rich eyes and show every
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