Penix Wins NFL debut with Falcons

[TomEric4756]

The Michael Penix Jr. era in Atlanta began with a win as the Falcons blew out the New York Giants, 34-7, on Sunday. The rookie was decisive and poised in his first NFL start, completing 67 percent of his passes for 202 yards.

“I worked all my life to get to this point,” Penix said after the game. “I’m super blessed and super thankful.”

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was rightfully impressed with his young quarterback following Sunday’s win, praising Penix during his postgame press conference.

“He went out and played almost flawless football and kept everything clean for us,” said Morris. “The kid was ready. We had a lot of time to develop him. The kid did a great job himself at developing and getting ready for that moment where it wasn’t too big, and I was really proud and pleased with the effort.


https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/22/falcons-michael-penix-raheem-morris-postgame/

 

[zeke4ahs]

Saw his interview afterwards. He was great, as always. Could not be happier for him

 

[TomEric4756]

Saw his interview afterwards. He was great, as always. Could not be happier for him

Yes, Michael was snakebiten in Bloomington. I’m glad to see he picked himself back up.

 

[OpenWheels]

1 for 5 to start with 3 of those dropped. Later a pick that really was a drop.

There was no way they could keep the team happy behind Cousins, with Penix throwing lasers in practice.
,

 

[13thman]

AJ Barner just scored for Seattle. He looks more athletic than I remember.

 

[82hoosier]

Still mind-boggling how bad the coaching was that he was subjected to while a Hoosier.

 

[Chriselli]

AJ Barner just scored for Seattle. He looks more athletic than I remember.

I don't like the guys that transferred inside of the conference

 

[hoosier roadtrips]

I don't like the guys that transferred inside of the conference

I never have either. They hardly ever threw passes to Barner at IU. Which brings up the point about the ND game. Did we ever pass to Horton?

 

[Kelly_32]

I never have either. They hardly ever threw passes to Barner at IU. Which brings up the point about the ND game. Did we ever pass to Horton?

He was wide open on Rourke’s interception.

 

[td75]

He was wide open on Rourke’s interception.

That's my one knock on Cignetti, would prefer he utilized the TE way more.

 

[OpenWheels]

He was wide open on Rourke’s interception.

Wasn't he standing right next to a wideout? That was odd to see two receivers end up in almost the same spot. But he looked like the safety valve and was open.

 

[OpenWheels]

That's my one knock on Cignetti, would prefer he utilized the TE way more.

I think (only in comparison to DC Haines) that Shanahan is the weak link of the top guys on the staff. Not that he's not really good or anything. He just seems to be missing a few play types he can use to adjust, especially to the pressure we see from those loaded teams. Hopefully he'll mesh really well with new QB coach Whitmer and they'll develop new wrinkles.

Early in the season I thought it was Haines, but the defense kept getting stronger, and they held up well to the elite. Impressive. I guess he is like the equivalent of a basketball 'gym rat' in football.

 

[Walt542]

I think (only in comparison to DC Haines) that Shanahan is the weak link of the top guys on the staff. Not that he's not really good or anything. He just seems to be missing a few play types he can use to adjust, especially to the pressure we see from those loaded teams. Hopefully he'll mesh really well with new QB coach Whitmer and they'll develop new wrinkles.

Early in the season I thought it was Haines, but the defense kept getting stronger if anything, and they held up well to the couple elite teams. Impressive.

Yes, they need some calls to negate that pressure because that is what they will see from now on until they make teams pay for it.

 

[Tammany Hall]

I think (only in comparison to DC Haines) that Shanahan is the weak link of the top guys on the staff. Not that he's not really good or anything. He just seems to be missing a few play types he can use to adjust, especially to the pressure we see from those loaded teams. Hopefully he'll mesh really well with new QB coach Whitmer and they'll develop new wrinkles.

Early in the season I thought it was Haines, but the defense kept getting stronger, and they held up well to the elite. Impressive. I guess he is like the equivalent of a basketball 'gym rat' in football.

Normally smaller programs that do well have a very good offense and suspect defense. It was surprising to see us be the other way around in the bigger games. That made it more frustrating too, I know we can be better offensively.

 

[OpenWheels]

Normally smaller programs that do well have a very good offense and suspect defense. It was surprising to see us be the other way around in the bigger games. That made it more frustrating too, I know we can be better offensively.

Hate to say it, but after the game I thought "Kevin Wilson would've put up points with this team against Ohio State and Notre Dame' ...

But he had his dud offensive outputs too. But I remember a win in the 40s over Penn State and a loss to Michigan where maybe high 40s, but they scored in two plays every time against us.

 

[Bowlmania]

Hate to say it, but after the game I thought "Kevin Wilson would've put up points with this team against Ohio State and Notre Dame' ...

But he had his dud offensive outputs too. But I remember a win in the 40s over Penn State and a loss to Michigan where maybe high 40s, but they scored in two plays every time against us.

Don’t forget the 2015 game against Rutgers, the one where we led 52-27 with five minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, the one we ended up losing 55-52.

For all his offensive production, Wilson never had a winning season at IU.

 

[midwolfe]

Normally smaller programs that do well have a very good offense and suspect defense. It was surprising to see us be the other way around in the bigger games. That made it more frustrating too, I know we can be better offensively.

These big games are new to the staff too, not just the players. It didn’t have the same feeling as the rest of the games in the way they called it. I think they got in their own heads a little bit instead of just keeping the pedal down……. They will learn and hopefully grow from these experiences.

 

[red hornet]

AJ Barner just scored for Seattle. He looks more athletic than I remember.

Development makes all the difference. That's our staff's forte as this season demonstrated.

 

[OpenWheels]

...

For all his offensive production, Wilson never had a winning season at IU.

Yeah, but that Pinstripe kick was good!

 

[Tammany Hall]

These big games are new to the staff too, not just the players. It didn’t have the same feeling as the rest of the games in the way they called it. I think they got in their own heads a little bit instead of just keeping the pedal down……. They will learn and hopefully grow from these experiences.

Great point.

 

[RegionHoosiers]

Thought that too. At times in the past under Wilson and even one of the years Penix was here IU has found ways to move the ball against teams like O$U and UM where they were physically outmatched. Seemed to have a real struggle with that this year.