Kirk Cousins struggled during his Falcons debut, which has naturally led to questions about the QB’s health. Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that the quarterback’s “leg feels good” following his comeback from an Achilles injury, and there aren’t any “lingering issues from his surgery.”
Russini admits that “there is some rust,” which is probably as expected. Cousins didn’t play in the preseason, meaning his Week 1 start was the first time he took the field since suffering his Achilles injury in Week 8 of last season. Russini adds that the offseason acquisition is still showing signs of “hesitation when it comes to getting hit again at game speed,” something the 13-year veteran will surely shake off.
The other contributing factor to the Falcons’ Week 1 offensive struggles surround new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. After serving on the Rams coaching staff for years, this is Robinson’s first time calling plays, with one source telling Russini that we should “extend the same understanding” to first-year play callers as we do with first-year quarterbacks.
Things couldn’t have gone much worse for Cousins in his debut. The veteran tossed a pair of interceptions while leading his squad to only one touchdown. The Falcons offense also had a botched snap and several penalties. Cousins is hopeful that he can guide the offense to a more “crisp” performance on Monday night.
“I got to play better, I got to operate better and I was probably at the center of it not being clean and crisp,” Cousins said (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “So, that frustrated me deeply, because I can place such an importance on that, in running the operation clean and crisp. And that’s what has to be better Monday.”
While the Faclons’ sizable offseason commitment to Cousins would indicate they’re willing to stick through early-season hiccups, that probably won’t stop the veteran from looking over his shoulder. The team surprised many by taking Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the draft, and the front office may have unintentionally set up a QB controversy if Cousins’ struggles continue.
‘…Russini adds that the offseason acquisition is still showing signs of “hesitation when it comes to getting hit again at game speed,” something the 13-year veteran will surely shake off.’
I forget who said it, but the person said once a QB’s eyes concentrate on pass rushers rather than looking down the field, their career is finished.
I think Cousins had some legitimate excuses for not being sharp out of the gate and none of his receivers will be mistaken for Justin Jefferson. I also thought Burrows looked tentative (just 5.7 yds per attempt) so how will he react when he has to go up against all those teams that are superior to New England?
Jefferson? No. However, Cousins still has just as good a group of skilled positions as he did in Minnesota, if not better with Bijan, London and Pitts.
They should’ve played Kirk some in the preseason, seemed like a bad decision. Would’ve helped knock off the rust and jitters. I think (and hope) the team will find a groove soon.
Please ignore what your own eyes told you if you watched that game. His lack of mobility was backed up by Atlanta’s hesitancy to use him under center (negating any play action potential) and he also seemed to be exhibiting some sort of PTSD with respect to contact – thus resulting in dumping the ball off and negating the use of Atlanta’s primary weapon, i.e., its receiving corps.
The pistol sets were an odd choice. Manning embraced and made the pistol popular in Denver as a means to both see the defense and take snaps away from center, but he developed much of his own offense around it and used it as a platform to audible new plays. Cousins is a smart quarterback, but I don’t see the need to force a change away from what he is comfortable in at this point in his career.
Also, I do think that Olson has a but of a point regarding Pitts. While I don’t think that Atlanta “loses the matchup” necessarily by lining him up wide (the guy is 6’5”), lining up from a tight end spot could force more matchups on linebackers or nickels who might not be able to run with him. That could help Cousins in the ling run, and give him more audible options under center-even if Pitts can’t block well. Alternatively, Atlanta could just go ahead and play him full time at receiver and play another receiver at TE to do the same.
We can justly say that Cousins should have played-the second INT didn’t make any sense to me-and he could have made a few plays to energize the offense. Still, after watching the game, I cannot see how one can look at that contest and say, “Yeah, Cousins is the primary reason Atlanta lost.”
The only lingering issue is that he is still Kirk Cousins.
Nice game against the inept Giants but I suspect the Vikings will discover Sam Darnold is still Sam Darnold too.
No doubt.
We will know by week 4 if he’s cooked of not. I think its reasonable to not expect him go play well off an Achilles against TJ Watt and Mike Tomlin. But if by week 4 he is watching pass rushers instead of his receivers down the field then its good night Irene. I believe it was Carson Palmer that said when he played for the Cardinals he looked forward to getting those first couple of full speed hits out of the way so his body would acclimate to it. We’ll see if Kirk acclimates or not.
Is immobility a lingering issue?
Not if you own a well trained dog…link to youtube.com
“Nope. I feel great … I’m just sucking.”
Nice game winning drive for Cousins tonight. It helps when Slay lets London go right bye him for the TD.