The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Episode 3 & Out - Falcons Bench Cousins, Is Penix the Answer, Coach vs. Ownership
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the focus centers on a significant move by the Atlanta Falcons: benching their $90 million quarterback, Kirk Cousins, in favor of rookie Michael Penix. Cowherd delves deep into the implications of this decision, examining the Falcons' management strategies, coaching dynamics, and the broader impact on the team's future.

Falcons Bench Cousins: A Critical Analysis

Timing and Performance Concerns
At [02:30], Cowherd questions the Falcons' timing in benching Cousins, emphasizing the quarterback's recent struggles:
"Why did they wait till three games left when he had been playing like shit for, I don't know, 40 or 50 days now, he had been objectively atrocious for the last month."
He highlights Cousins' diminished performance post-injury, noting,
"a 36, 37-year-old player who's, you know, for NFL standards, a below-average athlete has now, he's never had a great arm. His arm strength looks extremely poor."

Contract Implications
Discussing the financial aspects, Cowherd points out the burden of Cousins' hefty contract:
"For $90 million that he knows has coming to him after 36, coming off a torn Achilles, you could tell him he's gonna run scout team the rest of his life."
He criticizes the Falcons for potentially overpaying:
"They just kind of went into it blind. I think it's a major, major indictment on everyone running the Falcons."

Michael Penix: The Potential Savior

Evaluating Penix as the Solution
At [15:45], Cowherd explores whether Michael Penix is the right choice for the Falcons:
"Michael Penix is not a project. He's a pro-ready player to plug and play and let's roll."
He expresses optimism about Penix, stating,
"I'm rooting for him to play well. But what if it goes bad?"
However, he warns of the immense pressure Penix faces:
"He's a rookie quarterback. Like, he better start slinging touchdowns here, because if he doesn't, and we're missing the playoffs again."

Critique of Falcons' Management and Coaching

Front Office and GM Decisions
Cowherd is sharply critical of Falcons' General Manager Zach Robinson and Head Coach Raheem Morris:
"It's an epic disaster."
He accuses them of poor decision-making and mismanagement:
"They have absolutely no clue what they're doing. From the general manager to the front office to now the coaching staff, they just kind of feel lost at sea."
Cowherd also questions the drafting strategy:
"Why did you draft a quarterback eighth after you had just given a four-year, $180 million contract and almost $100 million guaranteed to Kirk Cousins?"

Coaching Philosophy and Adaptability
At [25:20], Cowherd discusses the rigidity of the Falcons' coaching strategy:
"Raheem Morris was asked about why his coaching staff was so big, he said, well, we're going to win here."
He criticizes the lack of adaptability in play-calling and offensive strategy, suggesting that Coach Morris' approach is outdated and ineffective in the current NFL landscape.

Comparisons to Other Teams' Management

Buccaneers vs. Falcons
Cowherd draws a comparison between the Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, highlighting the latter's successful management despite injuries:
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are well, of course, they are. A better run organization."
He praises the Buccaneers for their ability to navigate challenges and maintain a playoff presence:
"They have been one of the biggest underachievers this year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who've had a million injuries, star players getting injured left and right, yet they remain competitive."

Other Teams' Coaching Stability
He references successful coaching presences like Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick, emphasizing the importance of experienced and adaptable coaching:
"Mike Vrabel, the number one coaching candidate. Him and Ben Johnson. Would he choose what rookie quarterback if he could choose."
Cowherd underscores that teams with stable and competent coaching staff tend to perform better, contrasting this with the Falcons' current turmoil.

Implications for the Falcons' Future

Pressure on Michael Penix
The shift to Penix places immense pressure on the rookie quarterback to perform immediately:
"He better start slinging touchdowns here, because if he doesn't, and we're missing the playoffs again."
Cowherd expresses concern about the psychological and professional impact this could have on Penix, especially considering the high expectations set by Cousins' contract.

Potential Fallout for Management
Cowherd speculates on possible repercussions for the Falcons' management team:
"Could these guys all be one and done? Could these guys' jobs be in jeopardy?"
He suggests that continued poor performance may lead to significant changes in the Falcons' front office and coaching staff.

Overall Team Morale and Future Prospects
Concluding his analysis, Cowherd reflects on the broader implications for the Falcons’ team morale and future prospects:
"This is an epic disaster. I think it just shows, and then the Penix is like they're just kind of doing whatever the coaching staff wants."
He remains skeptical about the Falcons' ability to turn around their season under the current management and coaching circumstances.

Conclusion

In this episode, Colin Cowherd provides a critical examination of the Atlanta Falcons' recent decision to bench Kirk Cousins in favor of Michael Penix. He scrutinizes the timing, financial implications, and strategic missteps of the Falcons' management and coaching staff. Cowherd draws comparisons with other NFL teams to highlight the importance of competent leadership and adaptable coaching strategies. The episode underscores the high stakes of the Falcons' decisions and the uncertain future that awaits both the team and its new quarterback.

Notable Quotes:

• "Why did they wait till three games left when he had been playing like shit for, I don't know, 40 or 50 days now, he had been objectively atrocious for the last month." — Colin Cowherd [02:30]

• "For $90 million that he knows has coming to him after 36, coming off a torn Achilles, you could tell him he's gonna run scout team the rest of his life." — Colin Cowherd [04:15]

• "Michael Penix is not a project. He's a pro-ready player to plug and play and let's roll." — Colin Cowherd [15:45]

• "It's an epic disaster. I think it just shows, and then the Penix is like they're just kind of doing whatever the coaching staff wants." — Colin Cowherd [28:30]

• "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are well, of course, they are. A better run organization." — Colin Cowherd [18:10]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared by Colin Cowherd regarding the Atlanta Falcons' strategic decisions, management efficacy, and the potential ramifications for the team's future performance.