September 19, 2025 • 28 mins
The Falcons looked GREAT in their Sunday Night Football win vs the Minnesota Vikings, but how confident are we that the team can keep the momentum rolling this week vs Carolina? Will McFadden, Tori McElhaney, and Terrin Waack debate 5 different aspects of the team, from the kicking game to the passing game and everything in between.
0:00 - Intro & Friday Forecast
6:00 - Confidence in: Kicking Game
9:30 - Confidence in: Run Game
13:35 - Confidence in: Defensive Pressure
18:00 - Confidence in: Turnover Battle
21:24 - Confidence in: Passing Game
26:00 - Parker Romo meets Leonard Floyd
28:00 - Outro
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You and I.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Oh, I broke a table. I thought they were fixable.
Speaker 3 (00:03):
He's been there for five days.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
They haven't played anybody, Paul, they haven't played anybody yet.
Happy Friday. Falcons fans, Welcome to another show. I'm your host,
Will McFadden. I am joined by Tory mclaney and Saren Walk.
Welcome to the Friday five. We are here to just
talk a little bit about the really good vibes that
have been in the building following an impressive Sunday night
(00:26):
victory against the Minnesota Vikings. And let's start right there. Taren,
let's start with our Friday forecast. How are you feeling
heading into this weekend another division game against the Carolina
Panthers on tap?
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Well, my ears are still ringing, so I can barely
hear you from us Bank Stadium.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Wow, it was loud.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
I was wondering where you were.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Gonna go with Yeah, yeah, I was getting somewhere.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
How was the atmosphere for you? Like, what was your
read on the whole evening?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Tory and I looked at each other during the first
Falcons offensive drive with like our jaws just down.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
It was so loud.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, it's the only NFL environment that I've ever been in.
I've been covering the league for five six years, and
it's so I've been to almost every away, like every stadium,
give or take, like I think three or four I've
crossed off. But it is the one environment that I've
(01:19):
now gone into twice in every single time, I'm blown
away a bout how loud it is. And it's the
only one that I would compare to an SEC environment,
Like Terry went to Alabama, will you and I both
went to Uga, Like there is kind of a different
level of noise that SEC, and I would argue that
(01:40):
at us Bank Stadium, it's the one NFL place that
like rivals. It like there, it means just as much,
means just as much.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
It's it was crazy, like your job just naturally drops.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
It's cool too. They have one of the best pregame
shows as well. Not to snow there is fake snow
is insane. It's actually really cool. Now we also have Ludacris,
so that's true. Bone crusher and bone crusher. Yeah, so
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Remember when he propelled from the ceiling.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
I do remember that aee jumps Ready Falcons. Two different battles,
two very different Yeah, two different like game vibes, both
really cool in their own way, And I honestly, like
I oftentimes I'm just like, so, what's Freddy doing doing today?
(02:31):
What's he jumping off of today?
Speaker 4 (02:33):
Thinking about the vibes in that stadium and knowing that
the Falcons came out with a prime time win, big
time primetime, big time, are.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
They going to carry those vibes into this this game
against a different opponent and a different type of atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
This is a very important game because I think the
Falcons need a like pretty decisive win over the Carolina Panthers,
like riding to your point, riding that high, And something
that we've talked a lot about just off of the
podcast is just kind of the jug to positions of
Week one and two in the twenty twenty four season
when the Falcons lost at home to the Steelers and
then go on the road, prime time in Philadelphia and
(03:10):
beat the Eagles, comparatively speaking to week one in Week
two of this year, where you lose at home to
Tampa Bay, you go on the road primetime game against
the Minnesota Vikings. And it's funny because I was thinking
back on that, like hole the way that you felt
about those and I couldn't help but really hone in
on the fact that like last year, the conversation was
(03:34):
all about the offense and Kirk Cousins like leading the
charge ninety seconds down the field to put Atlanta over
top of the Eagles, and whereas this time around, it's
like the defensive dominance of what has happened with this team,
like against Minnesota particularly, Like that's the storyline. And the
(03:56):
second part of that is like, how that is actually
the ram offications and ramifications in a good way of
what happened in Week eighteen against the Carolina Panthers last
year and kind of how the defense was playing pretty
well in the month leading up and then it was
a steep decline in that one game, and I think
it automatically kind of put the spotlight on the defense
(04:19):
and to me, like, there's just so many cool storylines
that I think are happening, kind of like the U
as the evolution of this this team and organization goes along.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, I think that's well said, and I mean I
think we kind of felt pretty good about the future
of the offense coming out of that Carolina game anyway,
But it was a great reminder that it was like, Yeah,
the squeakiest wheel is still the defense, and that was
a pretty loud squeak that it gave to in the
twenty twenty four season.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
All Right, the squeaky wheel gets fixed.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
To me, the key difference is is like, this was
such a new revelation for you and in kind of
the area where there was the biggest ground to make
up on the defensive side of the ball, even though
the offense is yet to really have that game that
we I think we all feel they're capable of a
much more confident that that's gonna be kind of around
the corner. Then I may have been three weeks ago
(05:14):
that we would have gotten a type of performance like
we did from this defense that we did on Monday night.
So now that is kind of like recalibrated my confidence
level for this team moving forward the rest of the season.
And I think that's kind of a great place for
us to start just talking about our confidence level in
some of the various aspects about the Atlanta Falcons. Two
games end of the season, two strong games, two solid performances.
(05:38):
You know, some nitpicks here and there, two different outcomes unfortunately,
but We've learned a lot. So we've got five different categories.
As were wont to do here on the Friday five,
I'm gonna kind of give us a three two one countdown,
and then on a scale of one to five, we're
just gonna hold up our hands one through five your
confidence level in these various categories. Okay, right, everybody understand,
(05:59):
and then we'll talk out it afterwards. Yep.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
So Atlanta's Kicking Game. Two very different performances Week one,
Week two. What is your confidence level? Three? Two one?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
We cheated?
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, that really really threw me for a loop. I
was like, we got six and we got five that
were playing like the chop six game, and we're doing
one of these that's not part of the route.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Ok No different, Okay.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
So Taran and I both kind of have the same
thought process. If you run out Parker Romo, our confidence
is higher. So I have four, Arron has three, and
then if you were to run out Coup, we have
a two for Coup because of everything that we've talked
about on this podcast previously, everything that we've written about
(06:45):
with the Kicking Game. So that's I think that's where
both of our heads were at Oh, for sure.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I think my level of confidence might be a bit
lower for Parker Romo solely because it was one game
and you can ride adrenaline. It was a familiar stadium,
so that's the only reason if I see it again,
and I think that's exactly what Rahee Morris wants too.
He said, I want to see it again and that's
why his confidence level is in ninety percent that Parker
(07:10):
roma will play in Carolina two.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Yeah, Teraren, can you explain to the people at home,
because I know you were getting a lot of questions
about this when you release the depth chart about who
being listed as the starting kicker. Can you explain kind
of the mechanics of okay, even though Raheema is saying
that there's a ninety percent chance that Parker Romo is
going to be the guy that, like Ku was the
one listed.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yes, of course, so the depth chart is based off
of solely the active roster. Your fifty three men go
on the depth chart. Parker Romo is not on the
active roster. He is on the practice squad. The Falcons
elevated Parker Romo for the Week two game in Minnesota,
and he has allowed three practice squad elevations per season.
(07:50):
If the Falcons want to play him a fourth time,
they have to sign him to the active roster. Young
way Kup, even though he did not travel to Minnesota,
is still on the active roster. He was inactive for
week two. But that is why when it shows kicker
Yungmaku on the depth chart, that's why.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
That is why. Yeah, that is why.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That is why.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I just know that was something that we got over
and over over this week, and it's like there are
different things that play here.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Correct, you're telling me the depth chart is not the
gospel truth.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I know it is not written in stone.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
No, it's not shocking. Well, I am trying to be
more decisive in my life, and I was able to
pick just one number, like you said, Yeah, I landed.
I landed ultimately at the same spot because to me,
if what Parker Romo did was awesome, Yeah, and it
is hopefully the start of something great this season. However,
(08:40):
one game is the smallest possible sample size. I just
can't put any weight in it. I can put hope
in it, but I can't put any real confidence in that.
So right now, the kicking game for Atlanta is the
part I'm the least confident in across the board for
this team. And that's not necessarily saying that you know
the play won't perform better in the future, that they have,
(09:02):
that Parker Roma won't continue this, that if Kup gets
back out there, he won't be all fixed. It's just
at this point in time, I can't say, regardless of
who's going out there, that, yeah, like I know, without
beyond the shadow of a doubt, what's gonna happen. And
there used to be a time not very long ago
when that was the case. So it's more just by
product of the nature of the question. I can't put
(09:25):
my full confidence in this kicking game at this point
in time until I see more from these guys.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Yeah, which is fair.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Yeah, all right, let's go to the run game. A
big turnaround against Minnesota after a little bit of a
different performance than anything we've seen from them recently. So
where is the confidence level with this run game? Let's
go three to one? All right, we are all in agreement.
We got a four. So Taren you you kind of
(09:51):
had a little note in here. What's holding you back
from making this a five?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
The fact that Caleb McGarry is held back.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
M okay, So missing that key piece is does it
cap the ceiling overall or is there a chance that
it could ever get back to a five? For you?
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Oh, that's a good question. I wasn't prepared to answer.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
But I don't think it caps it. I think I
just need to see more. There are a lot of
these categories where you're gonna hear me say I need
to see more because we are only entering week three,
and I think back to how on a different show
Tory talked about how often and how consistently the Falcons
ran the ball to Caleb McGary's side, and then they
(10:30):
did it in week one. I don't know if we
have the numbers for week two off the top of
our noggins, but regardless, like you could see that immediate difference.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
And so until.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
It's done repeatedly, the week two performance is done week
after week after week, then maybe it'll inch toward the five.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Toy you were. You know, I think a little bit
concerned about the run game based on what you saw
in week one. So what changed for you? What did
you see in week two that has this back to
a four?
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Yeah? So I think that it's starts obviously it starts
upfront with those offensive linemen, and I think, honestly, it's
something as simple as there was just better execution. I
thought the blocking they were holding onto their blocks a
lot longer, kind of playing through the whistle in the
right zones, in the right areas. I just overall thought
the offensive line executed at a higher clip in the
(11:20):
run game. Specifically, we can talk about past protection later,
but just in the run game, I just saw night
and day improvements from especially some guys that you are
used to seeing them, like the relying upon them, like
the Jake Matthews, the Christal Instroms of the world, like
just playing like how we know them to play. So
I think that was one. Then there was the whole
(11:41):
twelve personnel usage and how significant they upticked their twelve personnel.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Which is one running back, two tight ends, yes, which.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Is one running back two tight ends, and how that
affected Charlie Warner's playtime. He went from averaging about four
he was in on about forty three percent of the
Falcon's total offensive plays and week, and that number jumped
to eighty five percent with the inclusion of more twelve personnel,
which you know, I think Zach Robinson kind of talked
about like moving in and out of personnel groups and
(12:11):
feeling like they can do that based on what looks
they're getting. But I think that also and you got
to give credit where credit is due to Zach Robinson
as well, seeing in Week one how Tampa Bay was
playing Charlie Warner, and in Week two there was a
bit more of a wrinkle into what Charlie Warner was doing,
where he was lining up, how he was being used,
(12:32):
whether he was motioning, whether he was not motioning, And
I think it kept Minnesota on their toes a little
bit where there wasn't this like telegraphing of like, oh,
wherever Charlie Warner is going, he's the lead blocker. That's
where we're going. That's the hole that we're plugging. So
I think ultimately that's why I feel confident moving forward
that this Week two example of what the run game
(12:53):
was is more in line with the standard that I
think Atlanta has set for itself over the last few years.
Goes to execution from the offensive line, and also just
kind of play calling in general, the usage of Charlie
Warner and really getting back into a good group with that.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah, and they looked great on Sunday night. I think
it's crazy, even knowing how much Minnesota kept two safeties
back and how much they were in twelve personnel, like
that just feels like it was meant to be that
they were gonna have success on the ground. Yeah, They've
had success against Carolina a lot running the football, So
I think that there's a good chance this kind of continues.
And really you get on into the season with a
(13:31):
solid run game in two out of your first three.
Something that we aren't used to seeing really a lot
of was the defensive performance, especially the pressure that Atlanta
got on Sunday night against Minnesota. So after seeing kind
of what this unit is capable of, how does that
recalibrate our confidence in it moving forward? Let's give it
a quick three, two one, all right, So tearing you
(13:55):
and I got four, as Tori, you got a three.
What's your hold out here?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
So my holdout is so I will say it's a
high upside three like I do. Yeah, I do believe
that this is going to manifest later on into a
fourum potentially into a five. I've loved what I've seen
from the defense and the defensive pressure and just the
uptick in the way that they're affecting in quarterback from
two games this year compared to gosh, three years of
(14:21):
defensive performances that we've seen. So will I want to
preface this by saying that the reason it's a three though,
is I do think based on the issues that Tampa
Bay was having with their offensive line. They were without
Tristan Worths, and also they had three different offensive linemen
playing out of their normal positions when the Falcons faced them,
so that in and of itself, I think it's always
(14:43):
going to cause issues and problems for the communication for
that line. Now for Minnesota, they ended up not having
their full gamut of offensive linemen healthy for the full
four quarters, and I think that there were a couple.
They lost their center to a concussion very early on,
So I think again in terms of communication, in terms
(15:04):
of like rotating in and out with their guys, kind
of getting more second string guys.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
In with it.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
And also the fact that Jaj McCarthy is only two
starts into his young career, so I think he will there.
I mean, it's it's true that he was holding onto
the ball. I think a little bit too long. In
certain situations that maybe a Josh Allen doesn't have that
same time to throw. So that's where I'm at with
(15:31):
the three is like I feel good about where they're at.
That like the three is like baseline. I feel good
about where they're at. But in order for me to
feel good to the point of giving them a four
or a five, I need to see this performance replicated
against a team like Washington with Jayden and Daniels in
the pocket, and again on Monday Night football against arguably
the best and hottest offense in the National Football League
(15:55):
right now, which is Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
So there is again a three, but a high upside
three with the potential to show me more.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
That just Arran reminds me of the classic college football
argument of like, they haven't played anybody, Paul, they haven't
played anybody yet. I gotta see it. I gotta see
it against Bama. I gotta see it against Tennessee's. It
was just doing it to us.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I think you and I are the Bills.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Give me pretty long, Josh Allen. I want those folding tables,
you and I.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
I broke a table.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
I thought they were fixable. Yeah, I learned that the
hard way.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I made a friend jump on a table and I
was like, it's fine, it'll be fixed, and my roommate
was like, no, it's not and I was like, yes,
it will. They do it all the time in Buffalo. No,
they're just actually breaking table.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Yeah, I got to buy a new one with.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
A week You shell out to repair a table after
daring somebody to jump on it. Yes, that is the
most Terran story. I love that. Oh my gosh, all right,
really quickly Terran Segway, Sorry you're at a four? Yes,
so how much did this jump for you? Week one
to week two?
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Week two is what I expected to see, just like
after talking to Nate Allie a lot during the preseason,
and this attack style front that takes out a lot
of the thinking and just lets the players.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Get after it.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Get off, get off, get off, GTFO whatever you want
that to stand for.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
And week one through me for a loop.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
The fact that there was only one sack. I was
likenn did I drink.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The kool Aid?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
But no, did I drink the kool aid?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Came back in week two, so it's just maintaining it.
I don't know if you were taste testing every time,
but I think what we saw in week two is
much more indicative of what this defense can be.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
And everyone is saying that too.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
I'm right there with you, Taren Kolid. Yeah. In fact,
like bring the picture down here, break through that wall,
bring me that picture. Make sure it's red. Because I
almost went with a five. I am almost went with
a five for this, but I want to know. I
want to put a pin in it right now, and
I want to move us on to turnovers, all right,
So we're gonna share our confidence level for turnovers and
(18:06):
then I'm gonna pick up this thought right here. So
three to one, all right, we got a three to
four and a five. I want to come to you
really quickly, but I'm going to stay with the thought
because the Falcons were already pretty good at turning the
football over before they suddenly developed the pass rusher, you know,
before they developed this part of their game, which I
(18:27):
think has as much to do with generating turnovers as
kind of like anything else on defense. It's almost like
the Falcons have been doing it the hard way for
the last couple of years. But now when you give
Jesse Bates a quarterback who feels pressure and is going
to be a little more antsy to throw or is
not able to pick up on the coverages quick enough
because he's got Leonard Floyd bearing down on him or
(18:48):
Brandon Dorless chasing me out of the pocket. I think
there's gonna be way more opportunities. I know week one
they let a few kind of literally slip through their hands,
but I saw it in week two, that kind of turnaround.
And now I do have a lot of trust because
I've seen it before from this group and I saw
it in training camp, the like ferocity with which they
were trying to punch the ball out. Yeah, We've yet
(19:08):
to really see that manifest in a game.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
I know, I just give my cues a chance, you know,
like because he did it how many times throughout training camp,
like four?
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Right, So it's like I've seen I've seen it before,
and I'm willing to put a five on this one
because I think that the pass rush, if it does
stay at a four level, those who combine this could
be a defense that really ends the year. Like top
five in that turnover marketing.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
Yeah, I'm also high on this turnover discussion as well.
I gave him a four, and it's because you're seeing
guys in the right spots like that's that was my
biggest thing, even a takeaway from week one, It's like, okay, yeah,
there were no turnovers in that game, but there should
have been four. Like literally, Xavier Watts has two in
his hands, one Hitch Kaden ellis in his chest, another
(19:55):
one aj Terrella is diving four camp hold onto it.
Like they were in the right spot. They're ready to
make plays just a millisecond away.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Now.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
It manifested in week two to where they were getting
Billy Bowman Junior with that interception, which was a beautiful
play on the ball, Xavier Watts kind of tracking it
deep and then of course a sack fumble. So I
think for me, that's why I'm pretty high on it
is for the last two weeks that we've seen them,
they've been in the right spots. They've been there to
make plays, and I think that should only continue if
(20:29):
we saw it in the first two weeks. I think
it's something that I've seen enough of the good moments
and the instincts and the understanding of where to be
on the field in order to make those plays. Even
though they didn't make them in week one. They made
them in week two, and I feel confident about it
continuing to progress in that way.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
I know. So I agree with everything that y'all have said.
Let me just say that to start, I gave a
three more so because I think other offenses are going
to get cleaner as.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
The season progresses.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
Like Tory said, they're in the right positions, but will
the opportunities be there? Like, yes, the pass rush is
getting after it, but our quarterback is going to get
smarter in a sense where they throw it away rather
than chuck it.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Down or I think it depends on the quarterback exactly,
so I do.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Also, I'm gonna stick with like, I think the offenses
are going to get cleaner, So will the opportunities be there?
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Before I just ramble?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
All right, well, let's let's talk about our own quarterback
in the passing game. And you know, I don't think
that we have seen nearly what this offense for this
passing game is capable of so far. So given that,
what is our confidence level in Michael Pennox and the
passing game moving forward? Three to one? All right, y'all
are both at three's, I'm at a four, So floor
(21:44):
is yours? Why are they threes?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
So I think that there is still a lot left
on the table for this offensive pass game. I think
that is something that I even talked about in the
mailbag this week because people were asking about drag Lennon's performance.
They're asking about, okay, the fact that Michael Pennock has
gone oh for ten in air yards beyond and throws
beyond fifteen air yards, and it's like, that's not something
(22:06):
we're used to saying. And my response to that is,
you do have to give credit where credit is due
to Tampa and Minnesota. With the way that these safeties
and secondary guys are playing the Falcons right now, there
is a very adamant by defensive coordinators, at least early
in this year, that they are not going to lose
to Michael Pinnock's arm strength. And you look back and
(22:29):
I believe the numbers. This is off the top of
my head, but I believe he had three hundred and
fifty six total passing yards off of throws beyond fifteen
air yards in his three starts last year. That's a
big number. It was the second most I think in
the league over that span of quarterbacks. So I ultimately
think that that is something that defensive coordinators early have
(22:51):
pinpointed as that's something the Falcons want to do. They
want to push the ball downfield. They know that Michael
PENNOCKX has that arm strength.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I think he was number one in air yards per attempt,
like probably in the games that he played Likeied.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Yeah, so I think that like that is a big
piece of what we're seeing defenses try to take away.
And also in the first half against Minnesota specifically, like
Michael Panics didn't really have a lot of time in
the pocket. I think there are some things that the
Falcons offensive line want to clean up in terms of
past protection. But there are a lot of times where
the routes weren't, like the receivers weren't even able to
(23:24):
get to the top of their routes before someone is
in Michael Pennock's face and he's having to check down
to Beajon Robinson, which then he's like it was funny
because even Michael Penis was asked about it this week
and he goes, well, I mean I have Bajon that
I can just check the ball down to and he
can probably get ten yards.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
So it's fine, Like the world's best just like fifth options.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Yeah, exactly. So I think ultimately again, it's I'm not
concerned about it right now because I am seeing how
defenses are playing the Falcons. It's going to be if
we get to the point in like three, four or
five weeks where there still is nothing manifest downfield, then
I'm kind of probably kind of gonna get concerned. Beca
(24:04):
Then that means that the defenses that they're playing are
not like respecting the run and think that they can
at least get to the point like, oh, they may
give up yards, give up yards, but then you get
it in the red zone and it shrinks the field
and it's like, okay, we'll be fine.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
So that's that's where I'm at with it.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Anything you want to add to that, tern mine.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Is just because of the big picture.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Michael Pennock Junior is just entering his sixth start and
his third in his season where everything is like curated
to him. But it's still so soon you're asking me
in week three all these confidence levels. I'm like, there
are two games and they both went very very differently.
I don't know, the teeter totters not teetering, and so
(24:46):
it's just like I need to see more. Like I've
said for like the past few I just need to
see more.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
The teeter totter is not teetering, that is absolutely. I
don't even know if he's a new addition. That's great,
so mine is afore. I actually think it's ticked up
really quickly here. I think it's picked up since week one,
like since week two. Like, I think that he's shown
me more over these two weeks because it's not been
the style of play that we all expected to see
(25:11):
from him. I think that's right after Patrick Mahomes had
his breakout season in twenty eighteen twenty nineteen twenty twenty,
we saw a lot of defenses say we're not gonna
give up those big plays because we know you can
hit them. We're gonna try to make you be patient.
We're gonna make you your own worst enemy, and we're
gonna believe that you're gonna kind of get frustrated with
these checkdowns. To John Robinson, who could get frustrated at that,
(25:32):
I would just take that all day long, thank you
very much. And you're gonna force the ball into coverage
and we're gonna pick it off. That was kind of
the mentality, and you can see defenses employing that right
now against Michael Pennix. But what he's done is say,
thank you very much. I'll take this easy completion and
we're gonna move the ball right down the field. That's
not been the issue. It's been the red zone. We
will save that for another day because that does it
(25:53):
for our five confidence categories. And we are gonna very
quickly wrap up with something a little bit to end
on a positive note. We want to celebrate just one
of the best moments from Sunday Night Football. It wasn't
you know, one of the five field goals that Parker
Romo made. It was the celebration after he made all
five of them, and he joined the Sunday Night Football broadcast.
(26:15):
If you haven't seen the clip, we're gonna play it
for you right now.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
And I know you're learning your teammates' names.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
You know their names, right, I know, Vjan This is
Leonard Floyd over here.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
You guys want it nice to meet.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
You, all right, So obviously they're Parker Romo doesn't know
who one of his teammates.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
Are, which fair, fair, like he's been there for five
days and okay, so it is fun because he hit,
you know, as many field goals as he was full
a full day as a falcon, which is kind of
an interesting.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Para five to five. Yeah, but in his defense, how
many times was he probably around Leonard Floyd? Like yeah,
probably yeah, because I remember even Chris Lnstrom was asked
earlier this week about like, did you know Parker Roma
and he's like, well, yeah, like because you know, offensive line,
like we block for him all this kind of stuff,
(27:11):
so it made sense. But Leonard Floyd, like he doesn't
have to be around park Romo. He's just like yeah,
that guy. So And also, I think it's a good
thing that happened with Leonard Floyd and not like someone else,
Like I think that Leonard Floyd is a good sport
and was probably like yeah, man, I don't really know
your name either, like okay, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
He's probably just like hey, I'm Leonard, nice to meet you, Like, yeah,
you're totally right. I think it was just such a
funny moment for him.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
To be like, yeah, it does.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
A football player every year. I know you right, Yeah,
saved my season last year, But that was just one
of the best moments honestly watching that as I was
editing Terren's incredible game breakdown, which you guys can find
at the end of every single game on Atlanta Falcons
dot Com that just popped up in the periphery, stopped,
took it all in. It was amazing and so that's
brought a lot of joy. But hopefully this episode brought
(28:04):
you a lot of joy. We appreciate you tuning in
every single Friday. Let's get a little bit of a
dose of Falcons heading in to your weekend. So be
sure to check out our pregame Kickoff, which goes up
on YouTube Live an hour before kickoff. So check that out.
Check out all the coverage on Atlanta Falcons dot com. Guys,
(28:26):
anything else that I'm forgetting, No nothing, alrighty well, that'll
do it for us. Here for Tory mclaney and Hearn Locke.
I am Will McFadden and we will see you next time.
You and I.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Oh, I broke a table. I thought they were fixable.
Speaker 3 (00:03):
He's been there for five days.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
They haven't played anybody, Paul, they haven't played anybody yet.
Happy Friday. Falcons fans, Welcome to another show. I'm your host,
Will McFadden. I am joined by Tory mclaney and Saren Walk.
Welcome to the Friday five. We are here to just
talk a little bit about the really good vibes that
have been in the building following an impressive Sunday night
(00:26):
victory against the Minnesota Vikings. And let's start right there. Taren,
let's start with our Friday forecast. How are you feeling
heading into this weekend another division game against the Carolina
Panthers on tap?
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Well, my ears are still ringing, so I can barely
hear you from us Bank Stadium.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Wow, it was loud.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
I was wondering where you were.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Gonna go with Yeah, yeah, I was getting somewhere.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
How was the atmosphere for you? Like, what was your
read on the whole evening?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Tory and I looked at each other during the first
Falcons offensive drive with like our jaws just down.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
It was so loud.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, it's the only NFL environment that I've ever been in.
I've been covering the league for five six years, and
it's so I've been to almost every away, like every stadium,
give or take, like I think three or four I've
crossed off. But it is the one environment that I've
(01:19):
now gone into twice in every single time, I'm blown
away a bout how loud it is. And it's the
only one that I would compare to an SEC environment,
Like Terry went to Alabama, will you and I both
went to Uga, Like there is kind of a different
level of noise that SEC, and I would argue that
(01:40):
at us Bank Stadium, it's the one NFL place that
like rivals. It like there, it means just as much,
means just as much.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
It's it was crazy, like your job just naturally drops.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
It's cool too. They have one of the best pregame
shows as well. Not to snow there is fake snow
is insane. It's actually really cool. Now we also have Ludacris,
so that's true. Bone crusher and bone crusher. Yeah, so
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Remember when he propelled from the ceiling.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
I do remember that aee jumps Ready Falcons. Two different battles,
two very different Yeah, two different like game vibes, both
really cool in their own way, And I honestly, like
I oftentimes I'm just like, so, what's Freddy doing doing today?
(02:31):
What's he jumping off of today?
Speaker 4 (02:33):
Thinking about the vibes in that stadium and knowing that
the Falcons came out with a prime time win, big
time primetime, big time, are.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
They going to carry those vibes into this this game
against a different opponent and a different type of atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
This is a very important game because I think the
Falcons need a like pretty decisive win over the Carolina Panthers,
like riding to your point, riding that high, And something
that we've talked a lot about just off of the
podcast is just kind of the jug to positions of
Week one and two in the twenty twenty four season
when the Falcons lost at home to the Steelers and
then go on the road, prime time in Philadelphia and
(03:10):
beat the Eagles, comparatively speaking to week one in Week
two of this year, where you lose at home to
Tampa Bay, you go on the road primetime game against
the Minnesota Vikings. And it's funny because I was thinking
back on that, like hole the way that you felt
about those and I couldn't help but really hone in
on the fact that like last year, the conversation was
(03:34):
all about the offense and Kirk Cousins like leading the
charge ninety seconds down the field to put Atlanta over
top of the Eagles, and whereas this time around, it's
like the defensive dominance of what has happened with this team,
like against Minnesota particularly, Like that's the storyline. And the
(03:56):
second part of that is like, how that is actually
the ram offications and ramifications in a good way of
what happened in Week eighteen against the Carolina Panthers last
year and kind of how the defense was playing pretty
well in the month leading up and then it was
a steep decline in that one game, and I think
it automatically kind of put the spotlight on the defense
(04:19):
and to me, like, there's just so many cool storylines
that I think are happening, kind of like the U
as the evolution of this this team and organization goes along.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, I think that's well said, and I mean I
think we kind of felt pretty good about the future
of the offense coming out of that Carolina game anyway,
But it was a great reminder that it was like, Yeah,
the squeakiest wheel is still the defense, and that was
a pretty loud squeak that it gave to in the
twenty twenty four season.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
All Right, the squeaky wheel gets fixed.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
To me, the key difference is is like, this was
such a new revelation for you and in kind of
the area where there was the biggest ground to make
up on the defensive side of the ball, even though
the offense is yet to really have that game that
we I think we all feel they're capable of a
much more confident that that's gonna be kind of around
the corner. Then I may have been three weeks ago
(05:14):
that we would have gotten a type of performance like
we did from this defense that we did on Monday night.
So now that is kind of like recalibrated my confidence
level for this team moving forward the rest of the season.
And I think that's kind of a great place for
us to start just talking about our confidence level in
some of the various aspects about the Atlanta Falcons. Two
games end of the season, two strong games, two solid performances.
(05:38):
You know, some nitpicks here and there, two different outcomes unfortunately,
but We've learned a lot. So we've got five different categories.
As were wont to do here on the Friday five,
I'm gonna kind of give us a three two one countdown,
and then on a scale of one to five, we're
just gonna hold up our hands one through five your
confidence level in these various categories. Okay, right, everybody understand,
(05:59):
and then we'll talk out it afterwards. Yep.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
So Atlanta's Kicking Game. Two very different performances Week one,
Week two. What is your confidence level? Three? Two one?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
We cheated?
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Okay, that really really threw me for a loop. I
was like, we got six and we got five that
were playing like the chop six game, and we're doing
one of these that's not part of the route.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Ok No different, Okay.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
So Taran and I both kind of have the same
thought process. If you run out Parker Romo, our confidence
is higher. So I have four, Arron has three, and
then if you were to run out Coup, we have
a two for Coup because of everything that we've talked
about on this podcast previously, everything that we've written about
(06:45):
with the Kicking Game. So that's I think that's where
both of our heads were at Oh, for sure.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I think my level of confidence might be a bit
lower for Parker Romo solely because it was one game
and you can ride adrenaline. It was a familiar stadium,
so that's the only reason if I see it again,
and I think that's exactly what Rahee Morris wants too.
He said, I want to see it again and that's
why his confidence level is in ninety percent that Parker
(07:10):
roma will play in Carolina two.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Yeah, Teraren, can you explain to the people at home,
because I know you were getting a lot of questions
about this when you release the depth chart about who
being listed as the starting kicker. Can you explain kind
of the mechanics of okay, even though Raheema is saying
that there's a ninety percent chance that Parker Romo is
going to be the guy that, like Ku was the
one listed.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yes, of course, so the depth chart is based off
of solely the active roster. Your fifty three men go
on the depth chart. Parker Romo is not on the
active roster. He is on the practice squad. The Falcons
elevated Parker Romo for the Week two game in Minnesota,
and he has allowed three practice squad elevations per season.
(07:50):
If the Falcons want to play him a fourth time,
they have to sign him to the active roster. Young
way Kup, even though he did not travel to Minnesota,
is still on the active roster. He was inactive for
week two. But that is why when it shows kicker
Yungmaku on the depth chart, that's why.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
That is why. Yeah, that is why.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That is why.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I just know that was something that we got over
and over over this week, and it's like there are
different things that play here.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Correct, you're telling me the depth chart is not the
gospel truth.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I know it is not written in stone.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
No, it's not shocking. Well, I am trying to be
more decisive in my life, and I was able to
pick just one number, like you said, Yeah, I landed.
I landed ultimately at the same spot because to me,
if what Parker Romo did was awesome, Yeah, and it
is hopefully the start of something great this season. However,
(08:40):
one game is the smallest possible sample size. I just
can't put any weight in it. I can put hope
in it, but I can't put any real confidence in that.
So right now, the kicking game for Atlanta is the
part I'm the least confident in across the board for
this team. And that's not necessarily saying that you know
the play won't perform better in the future, that they have,
(09:02):
that Parker Roma won't continue this, that if Kup gets
back out there, he won't be all fixed. It's just
at this point in time, I can't say, regardless of
who's going out there, that, yeah, like I know, without
beyond the shadow of a doubt, what's gonna happen. And
there used to be a time not very long ago
when that was the case. So it's more just by
product of the nature of the question. I can't put
(09:25):
my full confidence in this kicking game at this point
in time until I see more from these guys.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Yeah, which is fair.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Yeah, all right, let's go to the run game. A
big turnaround against Minnesota after a little bit of a
different performance than anything we've seen from them recently. So
where is the confidence level with this run game? Let's
go three to one? All right, we are all in agreement.
We got a four. So Taren you you kind of
(09:51):
had a little note in here. What's holding you back
from making this a five?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
The fact that Caleb McGarry is held back.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
M okay, So missing that key piece is does it
cap the ceiling overall or is there a chance that
it could ever get back to a five? For you?
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Oh, that's a good question. I wasn't prepared to answer.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
But I don't think it caps it. I think I
just need to see more. There are a lot of
these categories where you're gonna hear me say I need
to see more because we are only entering week three,
and I think back to how on a different show
Tory talked about how often and how consistently the Falcons
ran the ball to Caleb McGary's side, and then they
(10:30):
did it in week one. I don't know if we
have the numbers for week two off the top of
our noggins, but regardless, like you could see that immediate difference.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
And so until.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
It's done repeatedly, the week two performance is done week
after week after week, then maybe it'll inch toward the five.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Toy you were. You know, I think a little bit
concerned about the run game based on what you saw
in week one. So what changed for you? What did
you see in week two that has this back to
a four?
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Yeah? So I think that it's starts obviously it starts
upfront with those offensive linemen, and I think, honestly, it's
something as simple as there was just better execution. I
thought the blocking they were holding onto their blocks a
lot longer, kind of playing through the whistle in the
right zones, in the right areas. I just overall thought
the offensive line executed at a higher clip in the
(11:20):
run game. Specifically, we can talk about past protection later,
but just in the run game, I just saw night
and day improvements from especially some guys that you are
used to seeing them, like the relying upon them, like
the Jake Matthews, the Christal Instroms of the world, like
just playing like how we know them to play. So
I think that was one. Then there was the whole
(11:41):
twelve personnel usage and how significant they upticked their twelve personnel.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Which is one running back, two tight ends, yes, which.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Is one running back two tight ends, and how that
affected Charlie Warner's playtime. He went from averaging about four
he was in on about forty three percent of the
Falcon's total offensive plays and week, and that number jumped
to eighty five percent with the inclusion of more twelve personnel,
which you know, I think Zach Robinson kind of talked
about like moving in and out of personnel groups and
(12:11):
feeling like they can do that based on what looks
they're getting. But I think that also and you got
to give credit where credit is due to Zach Robinson
as well, seeing in Week one how Tampa Bay was
playing Charlie Warner, and in Week two there was a
bit more of a wrinkle into what Charlie Warner was doing,
where he was lining up, how he was being used,
(12:32):
whether he was motioning, whether he was not motioning, And
I think it kept Minnesota on their toes a little
bit where there wasn't this like telegraphing of like, oh,
wherever Charlie Warner is going, he's the lead blocker. That's
where we're going. That's the hole that we're plugging. So
I think ultimately that's why I feel confident moving forward
that this Week two example of what the run game
(12:53):
was is more in line with the standard that I
think Atlanta has set for itself over the last few years.
Goes to execution from the offensive line, and also just
kind of play calling in general, the usage of Charlie
Warner and really getting back into a good group with that.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah, and they looked great on Sunday night. I think
it's crazy, even knowing how much Minnesota kept two safeties
back and how much they were in twelve personnel, like
that just feels like it was meant to be that
they were gonna have success on the ground. Yeah, They've
had success against Carolina a lot running the football, So
I think that there's a good chance this kind of continues.
And really you get on into the season with a
(13:31):
solid run game in two out of your first three.
Something that we aren't used to seeing really a lot
of was the defensive performance, especially the pressure that Atlanta
got on Sunday night against Minnesota. So after seeing kind
of what this unit is capable of, how does that
recalibrate our confidence in it moving forward? Let's give it
a quick three, two one, all right, So tearing you
(13:55):
and I got four, as Tori, you got a three.
What's your hold out here?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
So my holdout is so I will say it's a
high upside three like I do. Yeah, I do believe
that this is going to manifest later on into a
fourum potentially into a five. I've loved what I've seen
from the defense and the defensive pressure and just the
uptick in the way that they're affecting in quarterback from
two games this year compared to gosh, three years of
(14:21):
defensive performances that we've seen. So will I want to
preface this by saying that the reason it's a three though,
is I do think based on the issues that Tampa
Bay was having with their offensive line. They were without
Tristan Worths, and also they had three different offensive linemen
playing out of their normal positions when the Falcons faced them,
so that in and of itself, I think it's always
(14:43):
going to cause issues and problems for the communication for
that line. Now for Minnesota, they ended up not having
their full gamut of offensive linemen healthy for the full
four quarters, and I think that there were a couple.
They lost their center to a concussion very early on,
So I think again in terms of communication, in terms
(15:04):
of like rotating in and out with their guys, kind
of getting more second string guys.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
In with it.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
And also the fact that Jaj McCarthy is only two
starts into his young career, so I think he will there.
I mean, it's it's true that he was holding onto
the ball. I think a little bit too long. In
certain situations that maybe a Josh Allen doesn't have that
same time to throw. So that's where I'm at with
(15:31):
the three is like I feel good about where they're at.
That like the three is like baseline. I feel good
about where they're at. But in order for me to
feel good to the point of giving them a four
or a five, I need to see this performance replicated
against a team like Washington with Jayden and Daniels in
the pocket, and again on Monday Night football against arguably
the best and hottest offense in the National Football League
(15:55):
right now, which is Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
So there is again a three, but a high upside
three with the potential to show me more.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
That just Arran reminds me of the classic college football
argument of like, they haven't played anybody, Paul, they haven't
played anybody yet. I gotta see it. I gotta see
it against Bama. I gotta see it against Tennessee's. It
was just doing it to us.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I think you and I are the Bills.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Give me pretty long, Josh Allen. I want those folding tables,
you and I.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
I broke a table.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
I thought they were fixable. Yeah, I learned that the
hard way.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I made a friend jump on a table and I
was like, it's fine, it'll be fixed, and my roommate
was like, no, it's not and I was like, yes,
it will. They do it all the time in Buffalo. No,
they're just actually breaking table.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Yeah, I got to buy a new one with.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
A week You shell out to repair a table after
daring somebody to jump on it. Yes, that is the
most Terran story. I love that. Oh my gosh, all right,
really quickly Terran Segway, Sorry you're at a four? Yes,
so how much did this jump for you? Week one
to week two?
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Week two is what I expected to see, just like
after talking to Nate Allie a lot during the preseason,
and this attack style front that takes out a lot
of the thinking and just lets the players.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Get after it.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Get off, get off, get off, GTFO whatever you want
that to stand for.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
And week one through me for a loop.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
The fact that there was only one sack. I was
likenn did I drink.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The kool Aid?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
But no, did I drink the kool aid?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Came back in week two, so it's just maintaining it.
I don't know if you were taste testing every time,
but I think what we saw in week two is
much more indicative of what this defense can be.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
And everyone is saying that too.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
I'm right there with you, Taren Kolid. Yeah. In fact,
like bring the picture down here, break through that wall,
bring me that picture. Make sure it's red. Because I
almost went with a five. I am almost went with
a five for this, but I want to know. I
want to put a pin in it right now, and
I want to move us on to turnovers, all right,
So we're gonna share our confidence level for turnovers and
(18:06):
then I'm gonna pick up this thought right here. So
three to one, all right, we got a three to
four and a five. I want to come to you
really quickly, but I'm going to stay with the thought
because the Falcons were already pretty good at turning the
football over before they suddenly developed the pass rusher, you know,
before they developed this part of their game, which I
(18:27):
think has as much to do with generating turnovers as
kind of like anything else on defense. It's almost like
the Falcons have been doing it the hard way for
the last couple of years. But now when you give
Jesse Bates a quarterback who feels pressure and is going
to be a little more antsy to throw or is
not able to pick up on the coverages quick enough
because he's got Leonard Floyd bearing down on him or
(18:48):
Brandon Dorless chasing me out of the pocket. I think
there's gonna be way more opportunities. I know week one
they let a few kind of literally slip through their hands,
but I saw it in week two, that kind of turnaround.
And now I do have a lot of trust because
I've seen it before from this group and I saw
it in training camp, the like ferocity with which they
were trying to punch the ball out. Yeah, We've yet
(19:08):
to really see that manifest in a game.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
I know, I just give my cues a chance, you know,
like because he did it how many times throughout training camp,
like four?
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Right, So it's like I've seen I've seen it before,
and I'm willing to put a five on this one
because I think that the pass rush, if it does
stay at a four level, those who combine this could
be a defense that really ends the year. Like top
five in that turnover marketing.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
Yeah, I'm also high on this turnover discussion as well.
I gave him a four, and it's because you're seeing
guys in the right spots like that's that was my
biggest thing, even a takeaway from week one, It's like, okay, yeah,
there were no turnovers in that game, but there should
have been four. Like literally, Xavier Watts has two in
his hands, one Hitch Kaden ellis in his chest, another
(19:55):
one aj Terrella is diving four camp hold onto it.
Like they were in the right spot. They're ready to
make plays just a millisecond away.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Now.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
It manifested in week two to where they were getting
Billy Bowman Junior with that interception, which was a beautiful
play on the ball, Xavier Watts kind of tracking it
deep and then of course a sack fumble. So I
think for me, that's why I'm pretty high on it
is for the last two weeks that we've seen them,
they've been in the right spots. They've been there to
make plays, and I think that should only continue if
(20:29):
we saw it in the first two weeks. I think
it's something that I've seen enough of the good moments
and the instincts and the understanding of where to be
on the field in order to make those plays. Even
though they didn't make them in week one. They made
them in week two, and I feel confident about it
continuing to progress in that way.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
I know. So I agree with everything that y'all have said.
Let me just say that to start, I gave a
three more so because I think other offenses are going
to get cleaner as.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
The season progresses.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
Like Tory said, they're in the right positions, but will
the opportunities be there? Like, yes, the pass rush is
getting after it, but our quarterback is going to get
smarter in a sense where they throw it away rather
than chuck it.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Down or I think it depends on the quarterback exactly,
so I do.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Also, I'm gonna stick with like, I think the offenses
are going to get cleaner, So will the opportunities be there?
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Before I just ramble?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
All right, well, let's let's talk about our own quarterback
in the passing game. And you know, I don't think
that we have seen nearly what this offense for this
passing game is capable of so far. So given that,
what is our confidence level in Michael Pennox and the
passing game moving forward? Three to one? All right, y'all
are both at three's, I'm at a four, So floor
(21:44):
is yours? Why are they threes?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
So I think that there is still a lot left
on the table for this offensive pass game. I think
that is something that I even talked about in the
mailbag this week because people were asking about drag Lennon's performance.
They're asking about, okay, the fact that Michael Pennock has
gone oh for ten in air yards beyond and throws
beyond fifteen air yards, and it's like, that's not something
(22:06):
we're used to saying. And my response to that is,
you do have to give credit where credit is due
to Tampa and Minnesota. With the way that these safeties
and secondary guys are playing the Falcons right now, there
is a very adamant by defensive coordinators, at least early
in this year, that they are not going to lose
to Michael Pinnock's arm strength. And you look back and
(22:29):
I believe the numbers. This is off the top of
my head, but I believe he had three hundred and
fifty six total passing yards off of throws beyond fifteen
air yards in his three starts last year. That's a
big number. It was the second most I think in
the league over that span of quarterbacks. So I ultimately
think that that is something that defensive coordinators early have
(22:51):
pinpointed as that's something the Falcons want to do. They
want to push the ball downfield. They know that Michael
PENNOCKX has that arm strength.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I think he was number one in air yards per attempt,
like probably in the games that he played Likeied.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Yeah, so I think that like that is a big
piece of what we're seeing defenses try to take away.
And also in the first half against Minnesota specifically, like
Michael Panics didn't really have a lot of time in
the pocket. I think there are some things that the
Falcons offensive line want to clean up in terms of
past protection. But there are a lot of times where
the routes weren't, like the receivers weren't even able to
(23:24):
get to the top of their routes before someone is
in Michael Pennock's face and he's having to check down
to Beajon Robinson, which then he's like it was funny
because even Michael Penis was asked about it this week
and he goes, well, I mean I have Bajon that
I can just check the ball down to and he
can probably get ten yards.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
So it's fine, Like the world's best just like fifth options.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Yeah, exactly. So I think ultimately again, it's I'm not
concerned about it right now because I am seeing how
defenses are playing the Falcons. It's going to be if
we get to the point in like three, four or
five weeks where there still is nothing manifest downfield, then
I'm kind of probably kind of gonna get concerned. Beca
(24:04):
Then that means that the defenses that they're playing are
not like respecting the run and think that they can
at least get to the point like, oh, they may
give up yards, give up yards, but then you get
it in the red zone and it shrinks the field
and it's like, okay, we'll be fine.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
So that's that's where I'm at with it.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Anything you want to add to that, tern mine.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Is just because of the big picture.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Michael Pennock Junior is just entering his sixth start and
his third in his season where everything is like curated
to him. But it's still so soon you're asking me
in week three all these confidence levels. I'm like, there
are two games and they both went very very differently.
I don't know, the teeter totters not teetering, and so
(24:46):
it's just like I need to see more. Like I've
said for like the past few I just need to
see more.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
The teeter totter is not teetering, that is absolutely. I
don't even know if he's a new addition. That's great,
so mine is afore. I actually think it's ticked up
really quickly here. I think it's picked up since week one,
like since week two. Like, I think that he's shown
me more over these two weeks because it's not been
the style of play that we all expected to see
(25:11):
from him. I think that's right after Patrick Mahomes had
his breakout season in twenty eighteen twenty nineteen twenty twenty,
we saw a lot of defenses say we're not gonna
give up those big plays because we know you can
hit them. We're gonna try to make you be patient.
We're gonna make you your own worst enemy, and we're
gonna believe that you're gonna kind of get frustrated with
these checkdowns. To John Robinson, who could get frustrated at that,
(25:32):
I would just take that all day long, thank you
very much. And you're gonna force the ball into coverage
and we're gonna pick it off. That was kind of
the mentality, and you can see defenses employing that right
now against Michael Pennix. But what he's done is say,
thank you very much. I'll take this easy completion and
we're gonna move the ball right down the field. That's
not been the issue. It's been the red zone. We
will save that for another day because that does it
(25:53):
for our five confidence categories. And we are gonna very
quickly wrap up with something a little bit to end
on a positive note. We want to celebrate just one
of the best moments from Sunday Night Football. It wasn't
you know, one of the five field goals that Parker
Romo made. It was the celebration after he made all
five of them, and he joined the Sunday Night Football broadcast.
(26:15):
If you haven't seen the clip, we're gonna play it
for you right now.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
And I know you're learning your teammates' names.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
You know their names, right, I know, Vjan This is
Leonard Floyd over here.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
You guys want it nice to meet.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
You, all right, So obviously they're Parker Romo doesn't know
who one of his teammates.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
Are, which fair, fair, like he's been there for five
days and okay, so it is fun because he hit,
you know, as many field goals as he was full
a full day as a falcon, which is kind of
an interesting.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Para five to five. Yeah, but in his defense, how
many times was he probably around Leonard Floyd? Like yeah,
probably yeah, because I remember even Chris Lnstrom was asked
earlier this week about like, did you know Parker Roma
and he's like, well, yeah, like because you know, offensive line,
like we block for him all this kind of stuff,
(27:11):
so it made sense. But Leonard Floyd, like he doesn't
have to be around park Romo. He's just like yeah,
that guy. So And also, I think it's a good
thing that happened with Leonard Floyd and not like someone else,
Like I think that Leonard Floyd is a good sport
and was probably like yeah, man, I don't really know
your name either, like okay, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
He's probably just like hey, I'm Leonard, nice to meet you, Like, yeah,
you're totally right. I think it was just such a
funny moment for him.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
To be like, yeah, it does.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
A football player every year. I know you right, Yeah,
saved my season last year, But that was just one
of the best moments honestly watching that as I was
editing Terren's incredible game breakdown, which you guys can find
at the end of every single game on Atlanta Falcons
dot Com that just popped up in the periphery, stopped,
took it all in. It was amazing and so that's
brought a lot of joy. But hopefully this episode brought
(28:04):
you a lot of joy. We appreciate you tuning in
every single Friday. Let's get a little bit of a
dose of Falcons heading in to your weekend. So be
sure to check out our pregame Kickoff, which goes up
on YouTube Live an hour before kickoff. So check that out.
Check out all the coverage on Atlanta Falcons dot com. Guys,
(28:26):
anything else that I'm forgetting, No nothing, alrighty well, that'll
do it for us. Here for Tory mclaney and Hearn Locke.
I am Will McFadden and we will see you next time.
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