The numbers don’t lie: Michael Penix ranks 28th in completion percentage (58.6%), tied for 35th in touchdowns (one), 19th in yards (605), 22nd in yards per attempt (6.1), and 27th in passer rating (71.3). It’s not been pretty.
The Falcons have a $100 million backup in Kirk Cousins, but head coach Raheem Morris doubled down Wednesday, declaring Penix his starter. “We’re moving forward, because Mike’s the guy.”
In a 30-0 loss to the Panthers on Sunday, Penix went 18-for-36 for 172 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Morris called it an uncharacteristic performance — one that has Penix down on himself — but emphasized the Falcons are not even close to benching him.
“Mike had a bad game. We had a bad day as a team,” Morris said. “It’s easy for everybody to pile on the head coach, the coordinator, obviously, the quarterback. You’re first in line for the wounds. He’s just in line right now. He had a bad game, but he’ll bounce back, and I have a lot of confidence he’ll bounce back.”
Morris acknowledged the blowback is expected after a loss like the Falcons had to the Panthers.
“When you play as bad as we played last week, rightfully so,” Morris said. “Throw those things. Throw those stones. There’s no doubt. We were clearly predictable last week; we could not do anything. So, rightful stone throwers. Throw away. I have no arguments. No fights. No nothing against that.”
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/raheem-morris-mike-penix-is-our-guy
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