00:00The Atlanta Falcons are supposed to be real-deal division contenders.
00:08They're supposed to be.
00:10B. John Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, bringing in Kevin Stefanski,
00:16they're supposed to be the real deal.
00:19And the two quarterbacks that are in the mix here with respect to Trevor Simeon,
00:26Michael Penix went in the first round, pick eight,
00:33where the counterparts, right,
00:36Caleb Williams looks like he's going to be an MVP candidate moving forward.
00:40Drake May looks like he's going to be an MVP candidate moving forward.
00:44Jaden Daniels, if health holds, looks like he's going to be an MVP candidate moving forward.
00:49Penix has actually been excited to watch when healthy.
00:52Can't stay healthy.
00:54You have J.J. McCarthy, obviously, from that bunch, and he might be a mess as well.
00:58And then there's Tua, a super polarizing player.
01:03Now, there aren't any really seemingly people left to think that Tua is or has a chance to be elite
01:10quarterback.
01:12But, you know, the scale of how bad Tua is still, I think, ranges quite a bit.
01:19And sometimes guys get in different situations and optimism comes forward.
01:24So, Joe, what do you make of Michael Penix versus Tua Tungavailoa?
01:29I think there's no doubt Penix is starting.
01:32I mean, this organization has done a disservice for Michael Penix, in my opinion.
01:38I'm sorry.
01:39I mean, to have Tua come in, he couldn't get the football to Jalen Waddell and Tyree Kill when they
01:45were healthy.
01:45He's going to get the football to Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
01:49I just don't see it.
01:51Is Kevin Stefanski all of a sudden, you know, this coach that needs to have a veteran under center?
01:58It just seems that way when you think about the situation with Deshaun Watson.
02:02He felt more comfortable with Joe Flacco at 38 years old opening up the playbook than he ever did with
02:08Deshaun Watson.
02:08And that's not a knock on Cleveland.
02:11It's just, you know, they were very limited and very conservative during Stefanski's tenure there when they had Deshaun Watson
02:19under center at quarterback.
02:21And, again, when you look at this team and you look at the coaches that they have had, Raheem Morris
02:26and Arthur Smith,
02:28pedestrian that couldn't get over the hump and dominate the NFC South and couldn't make the playoffs,
02:33they have the potential now to elevate to a team that can win 10, 11 games and make a run
02:39with the right quarterback.
02:40You have a live arm in Michael Penix.
02:43Yes, he's been injury prone.
02:45But in my opinion, he gives this offense the best ability to stretch defenses over the top and vertically.
02:52And, oh, by the way, hasn't dealt with concussion issues the way Tua has.
02:56Tua, I mean, maybe through the regular season, that's great.
02:59But that was on grass.
03:00Now you're bringing them back to turf, and one hit, this whole season could go sideways.
03:06So why would you risk that?
03:08I would have Tua as the backup and put all your eggs in Michael Penix with a new head coach
03:14that potentially could elevate this team to a division championship.
03:19I am so intrigued by this battle.
03:27But, Joe, I got to tell you, like, you know, listen, man, I'd love to come in, I'd love to
03:31give you a take.
03:32Yeah.
03:32I don't, like, this is why, to me, this is just a true battle.
03:38Like, if I were on this coaching staff, I'd be like, listen, like, every 10 reps, new guy.
03:43I don't know.
03:44Because, first of all, I love that they're both lefties.
03:47I do love that.
03:48Okay?
03:49He keeps the eyeline the same for the receivers.
03:51I don't know why, but I really, really like that.
03:54But they both have health concerns.
03:57Different.
03:58But the Penix stuff is real, Joe.
04:00You know this going back to college.
04:02Right?
04:02He wasn't the model of health during his collegiate career.
04:06Part of the reason he was in college for so long, all in all, when you think about it.
04:10Right, Joe?
04:10So, I don't think Penix is clear cut.
04:17I do think that the organization is giving up on him a little bit quick.
04:22But let's be real.
04:23The guys responsible for Michael Penix being an Atlanta Falcon are all gone.
04:29And they don't really seem to care that it might be giving up on Michael Penix a bit quick.
04:36Listen, I think if you said, hey, Kev, you got to decide.
04:38No beat around the bush.
04:39I think that they should be hoping Penix wins this job and giving Penix another chance to actually be the
04:45guy here in Atlanta.
04:46I do.
04:48But if Tua went, would you be stunned if Tua just won the job, just had a better camp than
04:55Michael Penix?
04:56I can't say I'd be stunned by that.
04:58Wouldn't be stunned, but I'd be slightly shocked.
05:02I mean, I just think from the ability.
05:04I do.
05:05I think Penix is a much better passer at this point in his career.
05:08I just do.
Comments