The Atlanta Falcons’ 30-0 shutout and blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers yesterday was one that had a lot of negatives and very few positives, and for the first time since he’s been the Falcons’ starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s play was a negative.
Former Falcons’ quarterback and now analyst for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network Dave Archer joined The Morning Shift earlier today and explained why he thinks Atlanta’s second year QB struggles and also talked about what he thinks Penix Jr. has to do to avoid another performance like he had yesterday.
“I thought he made some really good throws early on, off balance throws that it almost felt like he settled into throwing the ball that way the rest of the day.” Archer said
Dave believes Michael Penix Jr.’s struggles yesterday stemmed from him getting away from his fundamentals and mechanics because he was facing pressure and trying to get the ball away quickly.
“His fundamentals and his mechanics can’t go in the toilet when he starts having some pressure or some things in his face. He’s got to get back to his fundamentals.” Archer said
The former Falcons quarterback also said that Zac Robinson and the Falcons’ offensive staff will have to work with Penix Jr. on where his eyes are going in certain coverages as well. Dave said he believes Michael missed some opportunities for big gains and open receivers yesterday because his eyes weren’t in the right places.
Finally, Dave finished his thought by talking about how the main thing Penix has to fix moving forward is the "fundamentals with his feet".
“He’s got to get back to his fundamentals with his feet, setting his feet, moving his feet, keeping his feet alive, and then getting his body involved in throwing the football.” Archer said.
Sunday marked Michael Penix Jr.’s sixth NFL start, so hopefully this game can just be chalked up to growing pains for the Falcons’ young quarterback, and as Head Coach Raheem Morris called it a “wash” game for the entire team that everybody will be able to bounce back from.