The Atlanta Falcons surprised the NFL world on Thursday night time when the crew chosen quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 choose within the NFL Draft simply weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to an enormous contract.
Former NFL participant Ross Tucker, who can be an analyst for CBS, appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Friday and tore into the Falcons for making the choose. He known as the choose “selfish” and “disrespectful.”
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Atlanta Falcons first spherical draft selection quarterback Michael Penix Jr., speaks throughout a information convention Friday, April 26, 2024, in Flowery Department, Ga. (AP Picture/John Bazemore)
“When in doubt, in the NFL, in my experience, look for the decision-makers to make decisions that they believe is in their best interest for their job security, and/or job preservation,” Tucker defined. “And I believe, at some point, the Falcons’ GM, Terry Fontenot, and the head coach, Raheem Morris, were talking, and they realized, ‘Hey, we’re probably gonna be pretty good the next couple years, with Kirk Cousins. The NFC South’s not that great. We will be in the mix, maybe we’ll win the division, be in the playoffs.
“But when we get a man like Penix now, then, 12 months 3, possibly 12 months 4, we now have a succession plan in place,’ to the purpose the place Arthur Clean isn’t gonna fireplace them earlier than Penix has at the very least one 12 months, possibly even two.”
Tucker added that he believed the Falcons brass “purchased themselves a four-year runway” to see what they could do.
Atlanta Falcons first round draft choice quarterback Michael Penix Jr., holds a Falcons jersey during a news conference Friday, April 26, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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“I feel it’s egocentric, and that is coming from a former participant’s perspective, I feel it’s borderline disrespectful,” he added. “I feel it’s one of many worst strikes I’ve seen in a very long time. . . . I feel it’s a egocentric transfer by the GM and head coach, that’s my learn on it from a participant’s perspective.”
Cousins was reportedly told of the pick when it was happening.
Penix said later Friday he heard from Cousins and Falcons legend Michael Vick after he was selected.
He added he felt comfortable working behind Cousins.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during a news conference Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Cousins has one playoff victory in his long career. The Falcons are betting at least $100 million that he’s the guy who can lead them to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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“I do know I’m going to place in a ton of labor to ensure at any time when I do step on that subject it’s not going to be a beat missed,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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