1 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: Dirty Birds. What's up? 2 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 2: And welcome to another edition of Falcons Final Whistle presented 3 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:15,080 Speaker 2: by Zaxby's. I'm your host Will McFadden. I am joined 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 2: by Tory mclaney and Tarren Walk and we are here 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 2: to celebrate a thirty four to seven Falcons victory over 6 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 2: the two and twelve New York Giants now two and thirteen, 7 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 2: but the Falcons moved to eight and seven on the season, 8 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:31,639 Speaker 2: and it is their largest margin of victory since Week 9 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 2: twelve of twenty twenty, when they beat the Oakland Raiders 10 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 2: forty three to six. And there's a lot of stuff 11 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 2: that we could talk about today, but I think we 12 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,200 Speaker 2: have to talk about what kind of dominated the news 13 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 2: all throughout the week, and that was the starting debut 14 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 2: of Michael Pennix Junior. And you know, there were a 15 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 2: lot of storylines how he's worked with starting receivers or hasn't, 16 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 2: But I don't think any of that really manifested itself 17 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 2: out there on the field. He looked calm, he looked poised, 18 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: and the offense looked steady with him under controls To toy, 19 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 2: what was your first impression of Michael Penninx Junior. 20 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 3: I thought he was everything that he was advertised to 21 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:10,399 Speaker 3: be throughout the pre draft process, and he displayed a 22 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 3: lot of things that I think made the Falcons fall 23 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 3: in love with him in the first place. You talk 24 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 3: about the poise, you talk about the calmness. Let's talk 25 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 3: about the arm strength and the arm talent. Yeah, And 26 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 3: there was a point in time where I felt like 27 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:25,399 Speaker 3: every single time he was dropping back, it presented an 28 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 3: opportunity for the Falcons to make a big play. And 29 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 3: I think that is maybe not something that I've felt 30 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 3: since perhaps the Matt Ryan days. And I do think 31 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:41,399 Speaker 3: about just the fact that Michael Pennick's what he was 32 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:44,320 Speaker 3: able to do by way of putting together a clean 33 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 3: operation and taking care of the ball and not giving 34 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 3: up sacks and not taking tackles for a loss and 35 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 3: doing all those things to keep the team and the 36 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 3: offense on track is what to be honest, this offense 37 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 3: has been missing at the quarterback position over the last 38 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 3: month and it was the reason why I think that 39 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 3: made the decision that they did to. 40 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 4: Bring in Michael. 41 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 3: Pennocks as the starting quarterback. And I just thought that 42 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 3: he did everything that I was kind of thinking that 43 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 3: he would, and that's a testament I think to won 44 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 3: his own personal commitment, but also to the development that 45 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 3: he's had even while he's been in Atlanta, because I 46 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 3: think something that well, I know you and I talked 47 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 3: a lot about is like one of the major critiques 48 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 3: of Michael Pennocks going into the pre draft process was 49 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 3: his how he didn't ever really want to throw it 50 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 3: over the middle. Yeah, a lot of his big plays 51 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 3: are down the sideline, and it was something that he 52 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 3: was knocked for a lot. In his final year at Washington, 53 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:50,320 Speaker 3: he threw over the middle over and over and over today, 54 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 3: which is a good sign I think of his confidence 55 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 3: in himself and also the confidence of what the parts 56 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 3: of the offense that he knew he could exploit against 57 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 3: this Giants defense. 58 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, he kind of attacked every part of the field. 59 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 2: And that was, to your point, like something in college 60 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 2: at the University of Washington, he was Katain Ahab. He 61 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 2: was just chasing the big white whale on every single 62 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,519 Speaker 2: throw and launching you down the sideline or going deep 63 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 2: down the middle. But Taren, it was fascinating to see 64 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 2: his connection with Drake London, with Darnel Mooney, with Jean Robinson. 65 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 2: Given the fact that he really hasn't worked with those 66 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 2: guys at all this season. You know, were you surprised 67 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 2: that it looked as clean and crisp as it did 68 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:29,679 Speaker 2: out there? 69 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 5: No, not necessarily, because something that has been praised about 70 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 5: Michael Pennix Junior this whole time is how mature he is, 71 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 5: how much experience he had in the college football realm, 72 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 5: that this isn't a new game for him. They might 73 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 5: be new bodies, but plays or plays at the end 74 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 5: of the day. And I think you're going to see 75 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 5: him learn and grow with the team with the offense. 76 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 5: That connection is only going to build with more and 77 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 5: more game reps. But I think you're seeing him learn 78 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 5: how to run in the moment, like he can't crawl. 79 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 6: There is no crawling. 80 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 5: He's been thrown into his first NFL start, and then 81 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 5: he's gonna have another NFL start, and then another NFL start, 82 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 5: and it's gonna keep going where there's not really time 83 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 5: for him to chill, like he's just been thrown into 84 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 5: a playoff mix essentially, and you're gonna see him continue 85 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 5: to build those connections in the moment in real time, 86 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 5: like we're gonna watch this new offense even though we're 87 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 5: in Week sixteen going into Week seventeen, build in these 88 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 5: final few weeks. 89 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 3: That's such a good point too, because it's something that 90 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 3: we've talked a lot about in the week leading up, 91 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 3: is the fact that Michael Panics did not have a 92 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 3: lot of reps with guys like Darnell Mooney, Drake London, 93 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 3: Kyle Pitts, BA John Robinson at all up until honestly 94 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 3: this week, and a lot of guys have talked about 95 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 3: staying after practice in order to get those reps and 96 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 3: trying to feel comfortable, and. 97 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 1: Darnell Mooney said, it'sok, a lot of hard work. 98 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 3: He long, yeah, and so tear in to your point 99 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 3: of like, this is something that you have to almost 100 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 3: like you have to quickly build these connections. And I 101 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 3: thought it was really interesting that we are seeing those 102 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: connections be forged in real time because even Michael Pennock 103 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 3: said himself after the game, he was asked, you know, 104 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 3: about his overall evaluation about his play, and he was like, 105 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 3: you know, of course, there are some moments that I 106 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 3: want to have back, and he pointed out this one 107 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 3: specific moment, which was in the third quarter. It was 108 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 3: a touchdown pass to Drake, and he made the comment 109 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 3: that he was like, you know. 110 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 4: Drake's a big body receiver. 111 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 3: If I throw it up to him and I put 112 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 3: it up high enough, he has the ability to come 113 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 3: down and get it. 114 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 4: He was like, but in that. 115 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 3: Moment, and it was an incompletion because the receiver was 116 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 3: or the defender was able to get a hand on 117 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 3: it and kind of break. 118 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: Up the past within range of the defenders. 119 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 3: Exactly, and it was more kind of right to Drake's 120 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 3: face instead of up higher for Drake to go up 121 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,280 Speaker 3: and get. And I think that was incredibly indicative of 122 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 3: what he is actively learning as we're watching him. Now 123 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 3: he knows, you know what on that little. 124 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 4: You know fade it. 125 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 3: It's like, I need to get the ball up to 126 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 3: Drake higher because he has the ability to go up 127 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 3: and get it. 128 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 4: Now he's learned that. Now you can. 129 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 3: Apply it to next week, the week after, and whatever 130 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 3: holds for the future. 131 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 6: Well, even with. 132 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 5: That said, we're watching him learn in real time, and 133 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 5: yet he didn't make any major mistakes. There was the interception, 134 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,280 Speaker 5: but I don't think anyone can put that on him 135 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 5: since it was in Kyle Pitt's hands. 136 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 6: And then it bopped out and so it. 137 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 2: Could have very easily almost been a fumble, right, because 138 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:36,480 Speaker 2: it was right. I think Kyle was making definitionally a 139 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 2: football move. He was extending to almost try to get 140 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:40,600 Speaker 2: the ball across the goal line. 141 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 4: Yeah, so it goes both ways. 142 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 5: But it is a blemish on the record that doesn't 143 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 5: reflect his performance because when you look at it, it's 144 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,160 Speaker 5: zero touchdowns but an interception. But I don't think that 145 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 5: does any justice to what we saw today. 146 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't think it's indicative of his actual full 147 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 3: performance from start to finish. And I think something that 148 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 3: we can't overlook is the fact that it was an 149 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 3: incredibly clean performance from him. 150 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 6: Then that's what they needed, and. 151 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 5: That's what they needed, was a clean and efficient performance 152 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 5: out of this rookie. 153 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, yep. 154 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: And it's so he was sixty six percent completion rate 155 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 2: for two hundred and two yards, no touchdowns to pick 156 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: but two drops that interception. Without that, he's at seventy 157 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 2: eight percent. And he did all of this while navigating 158 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 2: the pocket really well, kind of throwing the ball away 159 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,679 Speaker 2: at some crucial times. Next Gen Stats had this note 160 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 2: he did not take a sack despite being pressured on 161 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 2: fourteen dropbacks, which was just under fifty percent. Like that 162 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,239 Speaker 2: he was under pressure, he handled it really well. He played, 163 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 2: like you said, kind of error free football outside of 164 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 2: again the one note that is not really on him, and. 165 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: He attacked all the parts of the field. 166 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 2: So this was a kind of proof of concepts of 167 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 2: why I think Atlanta decided to select Michael Pennock Junior 168 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 2: number eight, which they did take some heat for at 169 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: the time. The vision and they said, when you have 170 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 2: kind of that conviction in a player, it's really nice 171 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: to see it comes to fruition out there on the 172 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: field on Sunday. 173 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 3: And let's be honest, the Falcons really needed that performance 174 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 3: out of him. The fact of the matter is is 175 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 3: that since twenty twenty one, the Falcons have ran out 176 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 3: six different starting quarterbacks. 177 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 4: Michael PANICKX Junior was number six. 178 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 3: And that's what I wrote in my call and post 179 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 3: game is that you can kind of if you're this 180 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 3: front office, if you're this coaching staff, if you're this organization, 181 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 3: you can you can breathe a sigh of relief because 182 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 3: of what he performed, how he performed against the Giants. 183 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:33,679 Speaker 3: But I also add the caveat that it's you can 184 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 3: breathe a sigh of relief for right now, because you 185 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 3: need that to be able to you need to sustain 186 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 3: that that there needs to be stability at the quarterback position, 187 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 3: because the best teams in the league have that, and 188 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 3: for the Falcons to be a long time sustained competitor, 189 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 3: that's the missing piece. 190 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 4: That's not what they've had in the last few years. 191 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 3: And I think that's going to be the marker of 192 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 3: what we remember about this era of Falcons football. 193 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 6: Well, let's also keep in mind they played the Giants, and. 194 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 2: Let's also keep in mind that they got two defensive 195 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: touchdowns and another great game from John Robinson. So I 196 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 2: think what we're trying to collectively express is that this 197 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 2: was a great first start, right I don't think Michael 198 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,679 Speaker 2: Pennix is putting the team on his back in any way, 199 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 2: shape or form right now, but it was important in 200 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 2: the quote the Raheem had after the game that I 201 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 2: thought was so telling and really the main reason for 202 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: optimism is he said, the plan came a little bit sooner, 203 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:31,680 Speaker 2: but the kid was ready. We had a lot of 204 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 2: time to develop him. The kid did a great job 205 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 2: himself of developing himself and getting ready for that moment 206 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 2: where it wasn't too big, And it just made me 207 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 2: think back to the night of the draft after they 208 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 2: selected him, and at the time, what really stuck out 209 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 2: to me was Raheem Morris saying, we're putting the onus 210 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 2: on Michael Pennix to learn from Kirk Cousins. And I 211 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 2: think he has done that. I think he has stayed 212 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,199 Speaker 2: ready for any single moment when he needs to enter 213 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 2: the game this season, and that is so rare for 214 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 2: a first year player to do when they are just 215 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 2: in the midst of maybe the longest stretch of their life. 216 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:07,439 Speaker 1: So it speaks to his maturity to the highest level. 217 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 6: Yeah. 218 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 3: And I also go back to the quote of what 219 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 3: Raiem said this tonight where he said, Michael Penis played 220 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 3: near flawless football, almost flawless football. And that's kind of 221 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 3: the crux of it, Like how many rookie quarterbacks do 222 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 3: you can you say that about in their very first start, 223 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:31,200 Speaker 3: that it was almost flawless football. And I think that's 224 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 3: what the Falcons needed. They needed to the quarterback position, 225 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 3: not to get in the way of the game. 226 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: YEP. 227 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 3: I think that's the best way to put it, and 228 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 3: I think that Michael Penix did not get in the 229 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 3: way of the game. 230 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:41,560 Speaker 4: He didn't stand. 231 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 3: He wasn't the difference in the Falcons losing this game. 232 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 3: And I think that is more than anything, what I 233 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 3: take away from this whole decision to switch out Michael 234 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 3: Penicks and Kirk Cousins. 235 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, near flawless. That's like flawless with one s, right, Yeah, 236 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 2: closs enough. But somebody who did play flawless football today 237 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 2: was Jean Robinson. As he has kind of for pretty 238 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 2: much all of this season. He was again really the 239 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 2: focal point of this offense. He's turned into a workhorse 240 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: that quite honestly, I wasn't sure. 241 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 1: I knew that he was going. 242 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 2: To be any single down threat, but kind of the 243 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 2: way that the Lions have David Montgomery and Jamiir Gibbs, 244 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 2: I wondered if he could be that twenty five twenty 245 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 2: six carry a game workhorse and consistently do that weekend 246 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 2: and week out, And dang if he hasn't done it 247 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 2: this season. I mean, Taren, what did you think of 248 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:40,440 Speaker 2: Bajon's performance? And really just kind of the continued excellence 249 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 2: he's had all season. 250 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 5: I think you're seeing why he was a first round 251 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 5: draft pick in the first place. I mean, what he's at, 252 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 5: is it nine one hundred yard games in the past 253 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 5: ten games. 254 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 2: No, he's had eleven one hundred yard scrimmage for games. 255 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, scrimage games this season, oh this season over all. 256 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:57,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm in the last ten. 257 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 5: Yeah, okay, but eleven overall, which is a So I 258 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 5: was right the first time. 259 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 6: Yes, yeah, sorry, was just adding you're adding the eleventh 260 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 6: one in there. 261 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, most things worked onne in two thousand and five. 262 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 6: Yeah, so he's doing well. 263 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 5: So what we're saying, we're picking one one hundred yard game. 264 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 5: But I think it goes back. This is also going 265 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:20,680 Speaker 5: to circle back to Michael Penick junior, of course, but 266 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 5: toy being like earlier in this week, the run game 267 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 5: is a rookie's best friend, and I think they did 268 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,280 Speaker 5: a really good job of leaning on the run game 269 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 5: but also giving Penis opportunities to pass. It was like 270 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 5: balanced in a way that allowed Penix to test his 271 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 5: hand but also not be put in a situation where 272 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,960 Speaker 5: he is pressured to do so, if that makes sense. 273 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,720 Speaker 3: Also, you get a significant enough lead, just run the 274 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 3: ball down their throats until they can't stop it. And 275 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 3: that's kind of what they ended up being able to 276 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 3: do in the back half of this game was just 277 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 3: hand the ball up to Tyler and Bajon and just 278 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 3: get They had how many I don't know just off 279 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 3: the top of my head, but I want to say 280 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 3: like two of their drives in the second half were 281 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 3: over ten plus plays and a lot of them were 282 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:10,959 Speaker 3: runs and designed runs. 283 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 4: And then if you didn't pick. 284 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 3: Up a first down on first and second down, I 285 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 3: thought Michael Pennix did a really good job on some 286 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 3: third and longs, connecting on some big time throws and 287 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 3: some big time plays over the middle. 288 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,439 Speaker 2: I mean that one at the in the second quarter 289 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,839 Speaker 2: where he threw it and in the moment I kind 290 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:27,679 Speaker 2: of thought it was about. 291 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: To be picked too. 292 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 4: I know exactly what you're talking about. 293 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: It just levels. 294 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 2: Right up over the Giants defender and lands perfectly into 295 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 2: the arms of Darnel Mooney on that right sideline. That's 296 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 2: beautiful stuff to layer it over and have that a 297 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: level of touch. But most notably, I think in the 298 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 2: red zone is where that reliability on the run game 299 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,440 Speaker 2: was most impactful, because that is probably the hardest area 300 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 2: on the field for a quarterback to have success, let 301 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 2: alone a rookie quarterback. So to be able to hand 302 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 2: the ball off to Bajon and have him just like 303 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,680 Speaker 2: walk over to the corner. That was such a cool touchdown. 304 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 4: Like literally there was no one around him and he's 305 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 4: just like here I go. 306 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: Just do that all the time. 307 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 6: Yeah. I almost saw the whistle when because he was because. 308 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 4: Everybody's walking right. No, legit, I did too. 309 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,199 Speaker 3: I was like there must have been like did someone jump, 310 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 3: like because it was on the other side of the field, But. 311 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 6: No, I think, sweet, sweet time to walk in. 312 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 3: But Jean Robinson is the type of athlete and the 313 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 3: type of player that I think any offensive coordinator would 314 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 3: just be like salivating to like play call for. 315 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 4: And I know me. 316 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 3: Personally, We've I've seen a lot of really good running 317 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 3: backs play, but Jean Robinson is one of one yes 318 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 3: in his ability to I've said this before, I'll say 319 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 3: it until I'm blowing the face, but like, I have 320 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 3: never seen a player be able to feel the game 321 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 3: like he does, be able to feel defenders and anticipate 322 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 3: their moves and their decisions like in a split second. 323 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 3: And it's just he's a very special talent and he's 324 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 3: someone who doesn't come around owned very often. 325 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 4: But then you also have this him being. 326 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 3: Like I really really was upset at myself and I 327 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 3: was mad at myself because I got tripped up at 328 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 3: the two yard line and I could have given Michael 329 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 3: his first passing touchdown, and he was like, and this 330 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 3: is Bejon, and he's like I ran over to the 331 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 3: huddle after that and was just like, Mike, I'm so sorry, 332 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 3: Please forgive me. 333 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 4: And it's like the most Jon Robinson thing. 334 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. 335 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 2: Ever, that's the most human moment, just like in the 336 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 2: middle of a football game and be like, I'm so sorry, man. 337 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 4: I'm so sorry. 338 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 3: And then like a play later when when Drake didn't 339 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 3: come down with the ball that I was talking about 340 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 3: before where Mike wanted to get it up higher, and 341 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 3: he also came back to. 342 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 4: The huddle and I was like, I'm so sorry, man. 343 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 4: Like I think that's yeah. 344 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 3: I think that goes to like the confidence that this 345 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 3: this group, these players feel about the change that was 346 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 3: made to be completely honest and. 347 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 5: I completely I don't know what more Michael Pennix could 348 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 5: want out of his teammates. Yeah, especially like this is 349 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 5: his for start, and you have all these people being like, 350 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 5: we wanted this for you. 351 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, you got Darnell Mooney calling up his old high 352 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 2: school quarterback who's a lefty, saying, hey, come stay with 353 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 2: me for the week so I can get ready for 354 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 2: this kid that's going in Like, yeah, he does. 355 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 3: That, and then will You were talking to Justin Simmons 356 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 3: in the locker room and Justin Simmons being like, I've 357 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 3: gone against him every single day in practice because he's 358 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 3: on the scout team up until this point, and he's 359 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 3: going against the first team defense and this is someone 360 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 3: who personally made me better. Yeah, that's a direct quote 361 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 3: for the mist All Pro from an All Pro safety. 362 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 5: Multiple defensive players, because I had the defensive sidebar where like, 363 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 5: we wanted to do this for Pennix. 364 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 6: Yeah, the rookie quarterback. The rookie quarterback. 365 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 3: I just think it's a good You know, everybody always 366 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 3: feels good after a win, but this was the first 367 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 3: time coming off of a win that I really don't 368 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 3: have anything to nitpick. 369 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I really truly don't. 370 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 3: There have been a lot of wins over the course 371 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 3: of this season where I could sit there and be like, oh, 372 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 3: they needed more here, they needed more here, they needed 373 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 3: less here, or whatever. 374 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 4: Whatever. 375 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 3: This is the first time that I'm kind of sitting 376 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 3: here at Mercedes Been Stadium feeling like that's how it 377 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 3: should have looked. 378 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,600 Speaker 2: Today's episode of Falcons Final Whistle is brought to you 379 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:10,399 Speaker 2: by Zaxby's. And after a long game, when I'm tired 380 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 2: and I need to refuel, I turned to his Zaxbies. 381 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 2: Their marinated handbreaded fried to perfection chicken fingers. They hit 382 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,120 Speaker 2: the spot every time. Get yours with seasoned crinkle fries, 383 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:25,200 Speaker 2: a nice drink in whichever of their twelve signature sauces 384 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 2: you're feeling at the moment, but it always hits just right. 385 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,639 Speaker 2: So next time you need to refuel, go get yourself 386 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 2: some Zaxbies. This is probably podcasting malpractice to like wait 387 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 2: this long to get to the actual star of today's show. 388 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: And that is the defense, I know, right, But that's 389 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 2: just like how much great stuff we have to talk about, 390 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,399 Speaker 2: which is awesome. But Jesse Bates is pick six in 391 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 2: the second quarter, I think flipped this entire game. 392 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,360 Speaker 3: Do we think he is the best free agency signing 393 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:55,960 Speaker 3: for the Falcon ever? 394 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 1: Ever, it's a great debate. 395 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 3: I'm gonna should we take this for an off season podcast? 396 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 2: It would be a great topic. I'm gonna say. I'm 397 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:09,239 Speaker 2: only saying no because of the longevity point. Yeah, Like 398 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 2: I do think that John Abraham did it for many seasons, 399 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 2: Tony Gonzalez did it for a while there, Michael Turner, 400 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 2: but like on a game to game impact basis, and 401 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 2: Jesse Bates is on the mount rushmore. 402 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: Yeah, at the very least. 403 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 4: No, it's a conversation that I think needs. 404 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 1: To be had. Let's pencil it down. 405 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 3: Because I I really think there is no one more clutch. 406 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 3: When the Falcons need someone to make a play, nine 407 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:36,400 Speaker 3: times out of ten. 408 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 4: It is Jesse Bates and it's a big play. 409 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 3: It's a momentum shifting play which is usually is a turnover, 410 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 3: which we got to see today. 411 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 1: I don't know how he does it, but he couldn't 412 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 1: do it alone, could he? No? 413 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 3: He could not, our boyl you sorry, I'm wrong. He 414 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 3: was the one that caused the pressure that that made 415 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:56,640 Speaker 3: Drew Locke throw that interception. 416 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 5: But in the locker room, Jesse was giving d Alford 417 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 5: all the credit because d recognized how the play was 418 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 5: going to go before they like did play out, and 419 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 5: so he made a change when they were in cover 420 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:11,160 Speaker 5: three and they had a disguised to look like man. 421 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:12,119 Speaker 6: Am I right on that. 422 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: Cover threeks like man? They were in cover three. 423 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 2: I think he alerted Jesse basically to hey, we've seen 424 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 2: this in our over the week prep when they're in 425 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 2: this bunch set, all right, kind of here's what we 426 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 2: would expect to have coming. And what Jesse said is 427 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,200 Speaker 2: it alerted them to now look at the quarterback size right, 428 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 2: because I think they kind of knew here's the route 429 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 2: concepts we're going to get, so I don't have to 430 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 2: be totally staring down the receivers. I'm free to now 431 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 2: read the quarterback and as the robber in kind of 432 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:38,679 Speaker 2: that cover three look. 433 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: Jesse played it perfectly right. 434 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 3: I think it's interesting because d Alford has not had 435 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 3: the best moments this year, and there have been some 436 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 3: moments where I think a lot of people have questioned 437 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,439 Speaker 3: him and his abilities as the team starting nickel. And 438 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 3: to hear that, I think is a really nice plus 439 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 3: for someone like d Alford. 440 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think it's down. 441 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,719 Speaker 2: It goes to show that maybe the nickel out of 442 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 2: all of the members of the secondary, like safeties get 443 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 2: a ton of recognition as almost being that like quarterback 444 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 2: at the defense. But I do think a slot corner 445 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,840 Speaker 2: has so much responsibility from a communication standpoint because they 446 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 2: are that direct link to the defensive line, to the linebackers. 447 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 2: They're the closest to the action. So I do think 448 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 2: that that is an essential part of being a good 449 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 2: nickel corner. And it obviously it paid off with d 450 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 2: right there. So you know, I thought that that pick 451 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,160 Speaker 2: six just changed the energy, changed the dynamic, the momentum, 452 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 2: and it came from one of your best players who 453 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 2: the fans just immediately I think when when you saw 454 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 2: what was happening, Oh yeah, it like clicked and it's 455 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 2: like this is going the distance. 456 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:46,679 Speaker 6: Yeah, fifty five yard touchdown return. 457 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:50,920 Speaker 2: It was so much fun. So Matthew Judon also also 458 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 2: a crazy play, got the first touchdown in his nine 459 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 2: years as an NFL player, which is is crazy to say, 460 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 2: and it happened in a little bit of a like 461 00:20:59,000 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 2: bizarre fashion. 462 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 6: He was hilarious in the locker room outword. 463 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 5: Because he also gave credits to someone else, he Zach Harrison. 464 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, Zach Harrison's I need my guys to be a 465 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 2: little more selfish. 466 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 5: He got his big paw on the ball and then 467 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 5: he really call him Paul. He's like, sometimes it just 468 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 5: like literally lands on you. And that's what happened. Like no, 469 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 5: con't like find the ball, and then all of a 470 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 5: sudden it was just in his arms and he's like. 471 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:24,880 Speaker 1: Well, Christmas gift. God. 472 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 5: He said he didn't know how to handle the touchdown 473 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:29,679 Speaker 5: celebration or anything like that. Zach Harrison said he was 474 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,479 Speaker 5: late to the touchdown celebration and he was dancing on 475 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 5: his own. 476 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 4: Red Wkty said he was confused. 477 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 2: Was the funniest thing because he was like it was 478 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 2: a screenplay. So when the ball got thrown, I turned 479 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,400 Speaker 2: like a field to go like find the screen guy. 480 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 2: And then I turned back around and like everybody's in 481 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,640 Speaker 2: the end zone. He just like celebrating and I don't 482 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 2: know what happened. So I just ran down and celebrated 483 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 2: so good. 484 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 3: I thought that another another guy that, like Zach Harrison, 485 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 3: I think is someone who's flying under the radar in 486 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 3: terms of like how important he is to this defensive 487 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 3: front and how how well I think he's been playing. 488 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 3: I know everybody is going to talk about Arnold Abhatty, 489 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:03,679 Speaker 3: which they should. 490 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:04,479 Speaker 4: That's the thing. 491 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 3: It is, like, I'm not discrediting anything else, but I 492 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 3: think Zach Harrison, you should also be talking about what 493 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:13,160 Speaker 3: he's doing and the push that he's getting up front. 494 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 3: That kind of allows some things to work out for 495 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 3: guys like Arnold Abkhetty and tonight. 496 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 6: The Defense just as of late since the buye. 497 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 5: I want to know what happened in those self scouting meetings, 498 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 5: and no one will share. 499 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 3: They all they all they'll say is like we're now 500 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 3: playing better as a collective group. 501 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 2: We're gelling together, like the play call and the players 502 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:36,679 Speaker 2: are in every single time somebody said that, I was like, 503 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 2: what is that? 504 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 4: What does that mean? 505 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 6: I asked Jimmy Lake for specifics and he said, no. 506 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 4: They're holding him. Whatever the answer is, Emily is so close. 507 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,480 Speaker 3: Those cards are so close to their chest, and it's 508 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:49,560 Speaker 3: like I get it, I get it, Like I understand 509 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 3: to tell us, but also let us know. 510 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,919 Speaker 1: We won't say it on the podcast live for everybody 511 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:54,119 Speaker 1: to hear. 512 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 2: Millions of listeners, millions, millions, millions of listeners. 513 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:02,880 Speaker 4: Sorry, so are millions of listeners for you got. 514 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:04,960 Speaker 2: I want to get to our on Olevkady here in 515 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 2: one second. But I just had one note that I 516 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:09,600 Speaker 2: feel like speaks to not just the splash plays that 517 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 2: the defense made, but the level of like consistency they 518 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:15,440 Speaker 2: had through really when the game was just in the balance. 519 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 2: After giving up seventy four yards in the first quarter, 520 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 2: and New York's only touchdown came on the first play 521 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 2: of the second quarter, so it's really just that first 522 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 2: quarter that they were kind of getting going. They then 523 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 2: gave up thirty four yards in the second quarter and 524 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,919 Speaker 2: thirteen yards in the third quarter. That is insane to 525 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,760 Speaker 2: only have forty seven yards in those middle two quarters, 526 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 2: which really in most games I think dictates and. 527 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 1: Decides the action. 528 00:23:37,119 --> 00:23:37,880 Speaker 6: LA question mark. 529 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 1: That's so great. 530 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:40,959 Speaker 2: I mean, but this back to back with the Raiders 531 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 2: game and this game like your defense. They've been saying 532 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 2: these games are must wins, the defense game like it's 533 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 2: a must win game. 534 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I think two it's you're gonna have your 535 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 3: hardest I know we're going to get to this, but 536 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:57,639 Speaker 3: you're gonna have your hardest test coming up in Washington 537 00:23:57,840 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 3: against the Commanders, who, let's be on it. The game 538 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 3: they played today against the Eagles was superb. Yes, but 539 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:08,840 Speaker 3: they're going to be an incredibly tough offense to face, 540 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 3: and it's it's gonna be a big test for this defense. 541 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 4: How much have you improved since the bye week? 542 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:17,639 Speaker 3: You've played a lot of offenses that I think everybody's 543 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:19,120 Speaker 3: kind of like, like. 544 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,439 Speaker 4: It is what it is like. You've played well against 545 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 4: the Giants and the Raiders. 546 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,919 Speaker 1: And not so well against the Vikings, right. 547 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, but you also held the Chargers like back a 548 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 3: little bit. They don't have that many offensive weapons outside 549 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 3: of lab McConkie. So I think it's one of those 550 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 3: things that you're looking at this this defense and it's like, aht, 551 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:41,360 Speaker 3: if you are who you say you are, go out 552 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 3: and perform against one of the most consistent and interesting 553 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:47,720 Speaker 3: offenses that are in the league right now. 554 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. 555 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 2: And the Cowboys, Saints and Packers have yet to play, 556 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:53,600 Speaker 2: but and they're the only teams that could I think 557 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,919 Speaker 2: catch the Falcons in this category. But there's sixteen sacks 558 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 2: after the bye week or since Week thirteen, or the 559 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,879 Speaker 2: most in the NFL. That's crazy considering what we were 560 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 2: talking about for weeks and weeks and weeks leading up 561 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 2: to the bye about where is the pass rush? Yeah, 562 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:10,400 Speaker 2: they turned that around not to just a good degree, 563 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 2: but to like the best degree in the league. 564 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 3: And I have to give credit where credit is due. 565 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:15,359 Speaker 3: I didn't think they could do it. I said on 566 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 3: this podcast multiple times that a bye week, and I 567 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 3: wrote about this, a bye week is not going to 568 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 3: change your pass rush issues. Boy did they prove me wrong. 569 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 3: I think that's why I want to know all is revoked? Right, Yeah, 570 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:28,439 Speaker 3: like I think, And I think that's why I really 571 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:33,080 Speaker 3: like care greatly about knowing what the true measure measuring 572 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 3: of like how they did that because I didn't think 573 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 3: they could. 574 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, So what's the secret sauce? It's in credits to 575 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:40,639 Speaker 1: the coaching, It's credits to the players. 576 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,440 Speaker 6: I think Grady Jared said it earlier this week too. 577 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 5: It's saying that it's sacks come in bunches doesn't give 578 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:48,439 Speaker 5: them enough credit for how hard they work, Like it 579 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 5: wasn't luck, Like we worked really really hard. So to 580 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 5: say it's in bunches isn't fair. Like they are coming 581 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 5: in that way, but that's not why. 582 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 1: So let's really quickly. 583 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 2: Arnold, w Katie, and Kaden Ellis are now tied for 584 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:01,879 Speaker 2: the team lead with five sacks. They each had a 585 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 2: sack today on Katie's four sacks in the last four 586 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 2: weeks are tied with t J Watt, but the most 587 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 2: in the NFL's crazy. 588 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:09,639 Speaker 1: It's crazy. 589 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 4: Yeah. 590 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:13,760 Speaker 3: Also, Caden Ellis, Where Cayden Ellis goes, this defense follows and. 591 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:16,359 Speaker 2: Tory follows right behind right, And I'm right, this is 592 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 2: an Avid Disciples. 593 00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,000 Speaker 3: I told you all from go that this was going 594 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 3: to be a different year for Caiden Ellis, and I 595 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 3: mean he I don't know what the exact stat was. 596 00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:28,440 Speaker 3: I'm going to try and pull it up and try 597 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:30,920 Speaker 3: and find it really quickly. But Caden Ellis has been 598 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,479 Speaker 3: so good for this defense as of late. He finished 599 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,639 Speaker 3: with a team high four pressures in a sack on 600 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 3: thirteen pass rushes versus the Giants, including the two turnovers 601 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:44,320 Speaker 3: that were caused by his pressure He's generated. Going into 602 00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 3: this game, he generated twenty nine pressures, which is tied 603 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 3: for the most by a non defensive lineman this season. 604 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 4: He has been so freaking good for this team. 605 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:55,399 Speaker 2: Tori, you had to look that up. I've prepared it 606 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 2: for you right on this sheet, on this outline that 607 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 2: you clearly don't read. Sorry, speaking of other great Kate 608 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 2: Nellis content though. Go check out Terreen's lovely story. It's 609 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 2: a wonderful time to celebrate the Ellis family and the incredible. 610 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 1: Child that they brought to all of us. 611 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 2: So great shot by Kate Ellis in the entire Ellis Plan. 612 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 2: But Katie, we mentioned how good he has been, toy, 613 00:27:21,960 --> 00:27:24,680 Speaker 2: did you have a favorite defensive performance before we we 614 00:27:24,720 --> 00:27:26,920 Speaker 2: wrap up on that side of the ball? 615 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:32,400 Speaker 3: I mean, Kayen Nellis, No, I'm kidding I it's hard 616 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,399 Speaker 3: to pick one because I thought that there were so 617 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 3: many moments. Jesse Bates picked six, Matthew Junon's pick six, 618 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:41,040 Speaker 3: all the stops, they forced a couple three and out. 619 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:45,880 Speaker 3: It's like this defense overall is playing very well right now. 620 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,000 Speaker 3: And again, to the point that I was making earlier, 621 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,359 Speaker 3: you hope it continues because if it continues, it gives 622 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 3: the Falcons a chance to win almost every single time 623 00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:53,880 Speaker 3: they're out there. 624 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 625 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:56,359 Speaker 2: What about you, Taran, did you have a one that 626 00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:58,159 Speaker 2: really really stood out to you above the rest or 627 00:27:58,960 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 2: was it a group performance? 628 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:01,800 Speaker 6: It was a good performance overall. 629 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 5: But I'm gonna give my flowers in this regard to 630 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 5: Matthew Judon. Oh okay, because he's just funny. It was 631 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 5: really funny talking to him about it afterwards. But I 632 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 5: also think something that stood out to me was his 633 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 5: ownership of like, normally I'm this big pass rush guy 634 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 5: and it hasn't been that way this season. 635 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 6: Like he took that on and was open about it 636 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 6: in the locker room. 637 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 5: He's like, but my teammates have been there for me 638 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 5: and like have supported me and just kept encouraging me 639 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 5: that to finally get something even if it wasn't like 640 00:28:31,160 --> 00:28:33,600 Speaker 5: my normal I mean, he did have a sack today, 641 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,440 Speaker 5: so there was that, yeah, but to get something even 642 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 5: more with this touchdown meant a lot to him. 643 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 3: I think that's such a gosh. I feel like we're 644 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 3: pulling on the heartstrings with this podcast today. You know, 645 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 3: Jesse Giving de offered his flowers, Matthew Judon giving you. 646 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:49,280 Speaker 6: Know himself and him flowers. 647 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 3: Well, no, Zach Harrison his flowers, Jean Robinson and Drake 648 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 3: London really wanting to get a touchdown pass for Michael Pennix. 649 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,160 Speaker 4: Like there's a lot of like love going around right now. 650 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 5: Even Jesse was like Judan, he's got a lot of 651 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:03,280 Speaker 5: criticism and he's been the same guy since he walked 652 00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:05,200 Speaker 5: in this building just to see him can continue to 653 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:06,440 Speaker 5: go to work every single day. 654 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 6: I'm excited for him. Then he called him a clown. 655 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:15,240 Speaker 1: Well, flowers that square water at your Yeah, it's. 656 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:19,400 Speaker 5: Just very self aware, whether that's about themselves or their teammates. 657 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:22,960 Speaker 2: So I was initially, as I was thinking about today's podcast, 658 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: going to do a naughty and nice list, and then 659 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:27,800 Speaker 2: they just threw that entire plane out the window, because like, 660 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:30,680 Speaker 2: who would go on the naughty list after this game? Like, 661 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 2: there's a ton of a ton of nice list candidates, 662 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:35,760 Speaker 2: But is there anybody at the top of your list, 663 00:29:35,880 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 2: toy if we're looking outside of the defense and the 664 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:39,920 Speaker 2: whole team all the way around. 665 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 4: So I think. 666 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:45,120 Speaker 3: I'll say this, and it may catch a lot of heat, 667 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 3: but I think Raheem Morris should be at the top 668 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 3: of the nice list right now in this moment. 669 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 4: I think in the last month he's taken. 670 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:56,080 Speaker 3: A lot of heat for the decisions or lack thereof 671 00:29:56,160 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 3: making a decision about the quarterback position. And I think 672 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:03,400 Speaker 3: considering her cousin's contract and his status as a thirteen 673 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 3: year veteran in this league, yep, the fact that they 674 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,640 Speaker 3: were willing to pull the trigger and make the switch 675 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:14,080 Speaker 3: and make a change that I think today showed us 676 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:17,640 Speaker 3: comparatively speaking from what the team was against the Raiders 677 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:19,680 Speaker 3: and how you felt coming out of that game, and 678 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 3: even though they won, it didn't feel like a win 679 00:30:22,240 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 3: for a lot of the fan base or I think 680 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:26,480 Speaker 3: even a lot of the people in the building. Now 681 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:29,840 Speaker 3: you fast forward a week later and it's a very 682 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:33,840 Speaker 3: different feeling and you have your first decisive, true decisive win, 683 00:30:34,520 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 3: and it's coming off the heels of a moment that, 684 00:30:37,480 --> 00:30:39,400 Speaker 3: let's be honest, we're going to look back at this 685 00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 3: moment and. 686 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 4: It's gonna be. 687 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. 688 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:46,600 Speaker 3: I mean history, will you know, hindsight is twenty twenty 689 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,600 Speaker 3: and you know you get to kind of see where 690 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 3: we get to see where things go. We don't have 691 00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:55,800 Speaker 3: the opportunity to look at things in hindsight right now 692 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:58,680 Speaker 3: because we're actively living through it. But I think you 693 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 3: have to give credit where credit is due. Trahee Morris, 694 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:04,760 Speaker 3: Terry Fono, the decision makers of this organization that they 695 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 3: were willing to make a really big change that yes, 696 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,880 Speaker 3: is probably going to bite them financially for a while 697 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 3: regardless when you're looking at kind of what could happen. 698 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 3: But I think that took a lot of kahunahs like 699 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:21,000 Speaker 3: to go out and make that decision. 700 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:30,440 Speaker 2: But yeah, no, I think the direct parallel the two 701 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:32,960 Speaker 2: and twelve teams, wright two win teams that you played 702 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:36,760 Speaker 2: Monday night and then Sunday afternoon. Personally, I thought I 703 00:31:36,920 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 2: like the Giants more as a team. I like the 704 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 2: collection of players that they have. Again, it's just me 705 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,880 Speaker 2: personally than the Raiders. So to do this against a 706 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:47,400 Speaker 2: team that, even though again another two win team, I 707 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:49,720 Speaker 2: would favor this one over the Raiders a little bit 708 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,120 Speaker 2: speaks volumes tarn Is there a player at the top 709 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:54,320 Speaker 2: of your nice list or a coach? 710 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:55,800 Speaker 6: Oh? 711 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,040 Speaker 5: I mean, I agree with everything Tory said. I'm gonna 712 00:31:58,040 --> 00:32:01,000 Speaker 5: put Michael Penick Junior atop the nice list because he 713 00:32:01,040 --> 00:32:03,000 Speaker 5: did what he needed to do. He played cleanly and 714 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:04,920 Speaker 5: you played efficiently. And that's where I'm going to leave 715 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:05,280 Speaker 5: that at. 716 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 2: I love that Jesse Bates goes to the top of 717 00:32:08,240 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 2: my nice list. But what a trio. What a trio 718 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:12,720 Speaker 2: we got there? That's a nice If we're talking about 719 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,640 Speaker 2: the head coach, the quarter defensive captain, and the quarterback, 720 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:16,960 Speaker 2: you know, good things have happened. 721 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 1: So let's go ahead. 722 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,719 Speaker 2: And wrap it up with this, We're gonna kind of 723 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 2: talk about the NFC playoff picture really quickly. Tampa Bay 724 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:27,080 Speaker 2: is about to kick off against the Dallas Cowboys. We 725 00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 2: don't know the outcome of this by the time you 726 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:33,240 Speaker 2: guys listen, y'all will. So if Tampa Bay loses, that 727 00:32:33,320 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 2: means the Falcons are back in front in the NFC 728 00:32:35,840 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 2: South with only two games remaining but obviously a very 729 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 2: pivotal one for Atlanta next week on Sunday Night football 730 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:46,280 Speaker 2: against the Washington Commanders. But if Tampa Bay does come 731 00:32:46,280 --> 00:32:48,280 Speaker 2: out on top, and you know they are red hot 732 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:51,440 Speaker 2: right now, it means Atlanta is still kind of a 733 00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:54,280 Speaker 2: game behind them and maybe also keeping an eye on 734 00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:59,960 Speaker 2: that wild card picture. So if Washington or Washington's win today, 735 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 2: which that was again crazy you mentioned it like, I'm 736 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:06,320 Speaker 2: kind of hoping that it's taken an emotional toll on 737 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 2: them and it'll linger throughout the week and maybe they're. 738 00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:11,640 Speaker 1: Not as as sharp as they otherwise would be. 739 00:33:11,720 --> 00:33:14,440 Speaker 2: But Washington would need to lose its remaining two games, 740 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 2: which would obviously mean one to Atlanta, and Atlanta would 741 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:20,080 Speaker 2: need to win out for them to have a shot 742 00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:23,200 Speaker 2: at the wild card there. Another scenario would be the 743 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:25,760 Speaker 2: Packers would need to lose on Monday night and then 744 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:28,720 Speaker 2: lose their remaining two games and the Falcons winning out. 745 00:33:28,800 --> 00:33:31,560 Speaker 1: So a couple of paths to the wild card there, But. 746 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,880 Speaker 2: Obviously the best case scenario is you get Tampa Bay 747 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:39,080 Speaker 2: to lose to Dallas. Any thoughts on kind of where 748 00:33:39,080 --> 00:33:40,680 Speaker 2: the playoff picture is right now? 749 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 3: It's going to be difficult, and you have kind of 750 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:46,360 Speaker 3: played your own destiny out of your hands a little bit. 751 00:33:46,640 --> 00:33:49,040 Speaker 3: You were in firm controlled the NFC South and then 752 00:33:49,080 --> 00:33:52,080 Speaker 3: you go on a significant losing streak and so the 753 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 3: Falcons have put themselves in this position, but they're still alive, 754 00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:58,760 Speaker 3: and you kind of all you can do is, if 755 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:02,000 Speaker 3: you're the Falcons, is just kind of hope that destiny 756 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:05,760 Speaker 3: remains at least a little bit in your control. 757 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:07,040 Speaker 6: A Christmas miracle. 758 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:08,280 Speaker 4: A Christmas miracle. 759 00:34:08,520 --> 00:34:10,400 Speaker 3: It's gonna be tough sledding, and the odds are not, 760 00:34:10,840 --> 00:34:12,800 Speaker 3: you know, in the falcons favor right now. 761 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 4: I think that's very obvious. But they're not dead in 762 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 4: the water yet. 763 00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:19,080 Speaker 1: They're not. 764 00:34:19,239 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 2: And again, the way that they played on Sunday, like 765 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:24,720 Speaker 2: it's just a shame that maybe there weren't There wasn't 766 00:34:24,800 --> 00:34:28,319 Speaker 2: one more performance like that this season? Yes, and then 767 00:34:28,360 --> 00:34:30,319 Speaker 2: you're having a different conversation right now. But the way 768 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:33,319 Speaker 2: they played against the Giants is deserving of a team 769 00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:35,839 Speaker 2: to make the playoffs, even if again they've had one 770 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:38,080 Speaker 2: too many games where maybe they fell short of that 771 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:41,399 Speaker 2: tearing any any final thoughts on the playoff picture, No. 772 00:34:41,719 --> 00:34:46,320 Speaker 5: Not until tonight's outcome between Tampa Bay and Dallas has decided. 773 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, we're all going to be well. Terreen's going to 774 00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:48,840 Speaker 4: be on a flight. 775 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:51,920 Speaker 6: You're going to ruin the surprise. Tell he listens to 776 00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:52,760 Speaker 6: this six am. 777 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 4: Tell your mother not to listen to the podcast until. 778 00:34:55,760 --> 00:34:57,839 Speaker 1: After wake up when you land and say, hey, I'm 779 00:34:57,840 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 1: going to surprise you. 780 00:34:58,680 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 3: Don't listen to this podcast, ye, Karen, Karen, she gotta 781 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:03,960 Speaker 3: go because Karen needs to catch a flight ye to 782 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:05,640 Speaker 3: get home to her family for Christmas. 783 00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:09,600 Speaker 2: So let's just say happy Holidays to everybody. It was 784 00:35:09,640 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 2: a great win to go into you know, the week, 785 00:35:13,719 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 2: but we will be back on Friday. I will not 786 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 2: be I am also traveling, but Tory will take over 787 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:22,960 Speaker 2: the reins and have a lovely preview podcast to preview 788 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:26,239 Speaker 2: a huge game on Sunday Night Football, So for Tory 789 00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:28,879 Speaker 2: mclaney and Taren Walk, I'm Will McFadden. Thank you guys 790 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,320 Speaker 2: so much for listening to the Falcons final whistle presented 791 00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 2: by Zaxby's. 792 00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:33,319 Speaker 1: We will see y'all soon.