Michael Penix Jr.'s return PLUS who to watch on Friday night vs Miami | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

What's up, Falcons fans, and welcome back to the Atlanta Falcons podcast network. Training camp is rolling along, but not for much longer because they wrapped Wednesday's practice. They've got >> one more preseason game coming up Friday night. Uh, and then >> roster cutdowns are right around the corner, Tori. So, on today's episode, we're going to be talking about everything that we learned this week in practice. We're going to be discussing Friday night's game and how that could play into roster cututodowns. On Sunday, 6 pm is the deadline. So, that's that's when everything will be learned around the league. But, we had a bit of news this week as Michael Penn Jr. made his return to practice or at least to the full team portion of practice. So, we're going to be talking a good bit about what we saw from number nine out there on the field. And then at the end of the episode, we've got our last know the foe segment. And that's how you know, Tori, that the season is right around the corner because we got the Carolina Panthers on tap and then we're done with know the foe and the foes are going to be here >> and then we will know the foes >> and we're going to know them more than ever before, right? So, that sound good to you, Tori? >> Yes, let's do it. >> Let's get on into it. Let's start with Michael Pennock Jr. Okay. Um, I I kind of rearranged our doc a little bit just before we hit record here because I felt like >> Mike is is the news this week, you know, and and sure there have been some other fun things that have developed today on Wednesday as we we record that we will get into, but let's start with Michael Penn Jr. and how has he looked in your estimation? >> Yeah, I think he's looked good. I think that it really is true what Tommy Ree said, what Kevin Spansky said that from a mental standpoint, they feel like he's sharp. he's ready to go. Was just kind of waiting for that final box to check of the physical part of it. And you know, I think there's still an acclamation period. Michael Pennix won't play in the game in the final preseason game in Miami on Friday. And we were talking to him earlier today and he was like, "Yeah, I'm not going to play. I've only practiced for three days." >> I love that. I thought that was so uh relatable. >> Very relatable. And I think that that was I think a lot of people needed to hear him say that. And so >> he says it with like a smile and kind of like a little self-deprecating. Yeah. Hey, you know, >> very Yeah, it's too soon. >> There three three practices practices. Yeah. Give me a minute. >> So I I think that that was the the right the right call and I think right response for for Michael Penn too having that awareness of you know it has only been three days of full 11 on 111 team periods. And I think within those team periods he's looked he's looked good. I thought that his first day was probably his best day and I think it was because of a lot of the excitement and joy surrounding him from a lot of players of him coming back. But I do think over the the course of the three days, we have seen him grow more and more confident and really, you know, he's always going to push the ball downfield. That's his calling card. But I think they've been very intentional about the install over this past week and and really trying to get him in the flow and the rhythm of what they're wanting him to do in the pocket. So, I think that there are probably a lot of things in his brain and he was even talking about like slowing things down for himself this week and not trying to like get too jazzed up about full being full go. Um, overall I think it was a good step in the right direction for Michael Pennic. kind of the first step of of many that are going to need to happen in a very short amount of time before a starter is named in week one. >> Yeah, I thought um a really fun honest moment from him was just telling the media every quarterback will will kind of tell you different, but like the first day of 111s, no matter where you are kind of in your career, it does always feel a little bit faster because you you just haven't >> done it in a little while. But I I thought there was a key moment um I believe it was Monday in his his kind of first practice back where he got bumped later on in a play and to a te like Tommy Ree has said this, Michael Penn has said this, that it was a good thing that it happened and that there no ill effects from it that he feels great that it was a good kind of confidence boost because that's been the missing part of it all was just the confidence that it would all hold up under duress in contact and things like that. Now it is just Mike continuing to get comfortable taking, you know, not hits right now, but when those happen, taking those hits, getting down, getting back up and and moving forward. >> Yeah. And I think that the arm strength, and we've seen this in sevens, we've seen it in one-on- ones and everything. The arm strength has been there, and it feels like will always be there with Michael Penn. Like, that's never anything that you're concerned about when it comes to him. He's made a couple there's been a couple really good moments from him. I think back to that first day and kind of lay this is all all over social media but him layering the ball over AJ Terrell to Drake London who's racing towards the sideline. beautiful throw. And then even today on Wednesday, he had a throw to Austin Hooper and kind of double double coverage in the middle in the back middle of the end zone and it was just kind of a beautiful throw just like right right to where only Austin Hooper could get it like and I think that there were there have been moments where you're like, "Yeah, that's why this quarterback competition is so intriguing is because he can go out and do those things." >> Yeah. I mean, there is just no question that Mike still has that arm strength. I want to say Jan Dodson on Tuesday was asked about it and he was like, "Yeah, he can make every single throw on the field." And that is what you hear kind of like the former quarterbacks or the analysts who have really studied it. That's always the highest praise that they can assign to a quarterback is when they say like he can make every single throw on the field. So when you hear something like that and sure it comes from a teammate, but that does stand out to you and it's what we've always known about Michael Penn. So really excited to see what he is going to continue to look like as he progresses back. Um but as you said, the competition is is still ongoing and we will see uh kind of what that looks like. There was another Do you have anything else kind of on on Mike before we >> No, I just think it was good to get him back out there. Like I think we've been talking about him getting back him getting back. I don't know how many times I put Michael Penn like discusses his rehab in a headline over the last however many months. So, it's just nice to have this behind you and then you can actually get into like, okay, like even though it's a short window of time from now until the start of the season, like how can this quarterback competition really ramp up now that both guys are getting to run the same race? >> Yes. And that is so important. And even though they have been finding ways to evaluate where they could throughout, now it does feel like, okay, both guys or everybody is able to kind of hit the ground running and on an equal platform. But you mentioned week one very quickly approaching and the Falcons used this kind of final week of of the preseason to have a little test run for what the the regular season cadence will look like. Did it feel any different to you? and and the cadence for those listening or watching, check out our YouTube channel, uh is basically Monday's practice was a Wednesday, Tuesday's practice was a Thursday, Wednesday's practice was a Friday to mimic a usual kind of game week during the regular season. Did it feel different to you as just kind of an observer? >> Yeah, I think so. So I think it was a very it was much more intentional I think about you know they were using cards today you know and had like scout team and and they were doing you know defensive look defensive scout team going against the first team offense and you know piping in crowd noise to to mimic kind of those in-game situations. And so I [clears throat] felt that >> because of those things, because of the situational stuff that they were working on, it did feel a bit >> different and it felt a bit more intentional about what they're doing, when they're doing it, how they're doing it. Not that they hadn't been like that to this point, but it was like the use of the cards, the use of the scout team, like that. All of that stuff are things that you see in normal practices in this in the regular season. And and even something as simple as like Jake Matthews and Jawan Taylor, two veteran offensive tackles, having rest days today. That's pretty normal to see guys like that have rest days on a Friday before a game on a Sunday. Like so there were just like little things that it was like, yeah, this week felt like a game week. >> Yeah, that's really well said. I I think especially kind of the veteran rest things, it it is important to have your body start. If this is supposed to mimic what you're going to be doing, then do it in every way possible. And I thought that Tuesday's practice in particular, you felt the kind of physicality and how teams often dive in Wednesday and Thursday as as their more physical practices, >> which makes sense. They had the pads on. >> Yeah, 100%. And it's it's funny that you kind of mention uh like Friday or Wednesday's practice, all the double days are are really getting to me, especially late in training camp. Um it almost I think it would have felt much more efficient. This like whole week would have probably felt very buttoned up if all of the training camp practices haven't felt very buttoned up. True. >> Like this entire training camp, I feel like the practices have been >> on the quicker. If they're going to miss, it's more on the shorter side just because I think they're running through everything. >> Yeah. >> Rather efficiently, which is something that I give a lot of credit to this staff >> with. Um, but it was cool to see them kind of go through that mock trial. We will see obviously what the outcome is on Friday. They said that they were installing some game plan stuff to also get used to that. Won't really see any of that on on Friday because it's preseason. You're still not going to show anything. >> But again, this is just a cool exercise from from Kevin Stfansky. >> Yeah. And in regard to kind of what this this next game is going to look like. Kevin Stfansky did say that to Tuckoa will start the game. You'll see some start. You'll see starters. Who, how long, all of those things. that was not answered in in the question presented. So, we'll we'll have more of an idea when it happens and how how what you can expect from from those guys, but Kevin Spinsky was >> in the conversation about the quarterback positions like, okay, no Mike, you're not going to see him. It's too soon. You will see Tua. You will see Cooper Rush and Jack Jack Strand kind of bringing up the rear for lack of a better term. >> We Hey, we know fans are uh really clamoring to see some more Jack Strand. very much clamoring. Me too. I might >> strand on business. I'm really like we're really workshopping. Tommy Reese said he had like tree trunk legs. Like there are some really fun Jack Strand memes. >> Yeah. >> Hashtags, nicknames all floating around the ecosphere right now. And >> Strand by me. >> Um all right, we let's kind of get into um we did hear from a few of the coordinators this week. I think we can sprinkle some of their comments in where applicable with some of the players, but as we go into this final preseason game, we thought it would be a good time to just name a bunch of the players that have stood out to us for one reason or another throughout this entire exercise, throughout the preseason, and then heading into this third preseason game, they're they're on our radar. Uh let's let's start with Tyler Goodson, a player who >> really from day one I think of camp. Obviously a newcomer this off season played his first three years at Indie. >> One of the most consistent players I think from the jump and we obviously saw his his big touchdown run last week in in the second preseason game. What what how much do you even think he's going to play on on Friday night? >> I think he'll play a lot. Yeah, I do. I think that especially if you don't get a lot of run from either of the B-ROs, >> which I would I'm not expecting any of that run. >> Yeah. So, I do think that we'll see quite a bit of Tyler Goodson, especially in that first half and then kind of maybe seeing more of Nate Carter and >> Yeah, that's who I think like and Cash Jones are going to get a ton of this game, >> right? Yeah. But I don't think that it's it's going to mean taking reps away from from Tyler Goodson. I think we'll still see him quite a bit. And it's funny because, you know, as we're talking about, you know, 53man roster cut downs and everything like that, a big way that you you kind of turn the bottom part of that roster is like who from a special team standpoint are you going to stand on the table for? And so trying to add value for someone like Tyler Goodson in terms of special teams. And so I asked Craig Aerman, who's the Falcon special teams coordinator. We talked to him earlier this week and I asked him, I was like, "Okay, I know that we saw that touchdown. everybody, you know, came off the sidelines. Everybody's super excited, but Tyler Goodson has been working kind of alongside Brian Robinson Jr. as those first guys up in terms of kick return. So, that that was something that they were repping earlier in the week. And so, I was asking him just like what value Tyler Goodson brings to the special teams unit. and he told this anecdote of like, okay, so after Tyler Goodson scores this touchdown, 49 yards, everyone celebrating in the end zone with him, the first thing he did was run over to the sideline, run up to Craig and say, "Hey, I'm going back in on kickoff." Yeah. And Craig Oaran was just like, you know, I feel the buyin from a lot of players, but he was like, but that was a moment that from for someone like Tyler Goodson to come off of the field after scoring a touchdown, a big moment for him in Indianapolis, his kind of return back to Indie, like he was like that meant a lot to me as a coordinator, but also I think was just [snorts] really good to see in terms of Tyler Goodson trying to find his way onto that 53man roster. you can feel the passion that he he plays with. And every conversation that I've had with him, be it, you know, after a game or after the practice at Lineer High School, you know, like he he just has so much energy and like you have his full attention and he's so locked in at every moment and even before joint practices against Indie like he was kind of going up to his former teammates being like y'all are going to feel me today and they did. So I I think he has had just an outstanding camp. Somebody else who whose presence was felt in Indianapolis was Carlos Allen Jr. the the kind of >> reserve defensive line battle is always I think competitive but this year it feels as competitive as ever. There's a lot of guys especially considering the number of players who didn't play in the second preseason game. There are players who were in that game who played very well who were fighting for this roster spot. And I think it's going to be a hard hard cut down. Carlos Allen, like how do you think he's stacking up in this depth conversation and are there other guys in that mix for you? >> Yeah, I think that he's he's up there. He's he's a part of that that defensive line group that I even as I'm looking at like, oh, who I, you know, the exercise of looking at my own 53man roster and kind of projecting in my own brain what it could look like come Sunday. It's like Carlos Allen Jr. is someone who I just keep trying to find ways to put him on the 53man roster because I would worry that someone would pick him up if he goes to waiverss. Like there there are all these things that you have to think about in terms of like roster the roster cut down weekend. So he's somebody Keshan Banks who I think we've seen flash and there in the preseason has been >> an amazing get off from him. Yeah, he's been really fun to watch. And we were talking to Nate Ali, as you alluded to earlier. And some Nate Ali is, this was one of my favorite interviews of the whole week because Nate Ali is a big nickname guy. He has nicknames for a lot of people. He calls >> he calls Deshawn Han the Kingpin. Like he calls uh he he and Carlos Allen, he said his nickname for him was zone out. >> Zoned out. >> Zoned out. cuz Yeah. >> And it's because he's like, I just want you to zone out and go like not think just go get the quarterback. And I think that there is um to to what Nate Ali was saying where he was like, I that's how I want him to feel. And it seems that Carlos Allen Jr. as much as we've talked about him recently, it also felt like Nate Ali, it's like, yeah, I'm looking at this guy, too. Like I I'm I don't know if I can stand on the table, but if I can, I'm going to stand on the table, you know? And I trust that Nate Ali would stand on the table for his guys. >> Some of the other uh nicknames, Nate Ali, Ambassador of Strain. >> Yeah, Zack Harrison. >> Zack Harrison. Who do you call Big Twitch? >> Um I don't know. I can't remember. >> All right, we're gonna we're gonna have to get back to y'all on Twitch. >> Say he hasn't got he hasn't given Zidarius Smith a nickname yet, but he did say, and I quote, he's juicy. Still has a lot of juice in him. So, there should be a play on that, but we'll see. We'll see how how far that gets. >> You know, you can't toss something like that to me without my brain immediately just latching on to like now how can I combine these three words, Zidaria Smith and Juicy? Like, what what am I doing? Um, so >> can't even what he said. The first thing he said he's juicy and I'm like, is he [laughter] >> juicy juice? 100% juice. >> Yeah. >> Um, so let's I'm trying to decide. Let's stick with the Let's stick with the defense here. And let's let's kind of go and talk about some of the secondary guys because that is another >> position group where I think we feel pretty good about, you know, the the top of the roster and some of those guys. But the depth positions, a few players have really stood out and had some strong camps. I think Clark Phillips fits that bill. Like he's been here for a while, but I have been really impressed with kind of the role I think he's started to develop. CJ Henderson is another guy who has quietly just continued to pace. Is there anybody else for you who has who has caught your eye? >> Yeah, I think Kobe Bryant continues to just be someone who's fun. like he's just a fun player to watch and but I do think it's going to it's interesting because I I think that because of >> a guy like Darnie Holmes, a guy like Sydney Brown who these are veteran guys who have done a lot of things for a lot of different organizations. They they rotate in there with the ones and the twos in various capacities. There's like some um position flex especially with somebody like Sydney Brown. Sydney Brown is somebody who Craig Aerman highlighted as being a key special team core special teams guy for him. So like in terms of guys that you're carrying, I actually feel like I am gravitating towards like the Darn Holmes, the Sydney Browns, uh and then kind of beyond that, the guys that you you named. And it's like how many do you carry? If you're going to go heavy here, can you carry however many cornerbacks here? Like I think there is just so much calculus that goes into into that conversation, but I just don't I I don't see a world where someone like Darnie Holmes or Sydney Brown doesn't not only make this roster, but maybe even establish establish themselves as starters depending on where Avon Terrell is and his maturation. >> Yes, let's uh quick pin an Avon because I do want to come. But Darn has been somebody who was really who I didn't know very much about at all at the beginning of training camp. >> I've learned that dude is a a talker on the field. Um but that confidence is ausive and and you really do feel it in the secondary. Um and I I think that he >> has earned a a role on on the roster. Sydney Brown as well, but Avon coming back this week after missing, you know, a week and a half or so of of practice there. >> Uh what how did he look to you? Yeah, I thought he looked good. I thought that he So, he and Brilland Trice, I think, kind of followed a similar like line of like ramp up. So, Brilland Trice also has been out >> over the last like week and a half or so. Same as Avon. You know, they've been out there. They've been periodically working on and off, but in terms of getting in on full 11 on 11 reps, it really started to ramp up this week. And I think today, even Wednesday, I felt like it was the most run that Avon got. It was the most run that Brilland Trice got. And that's important because especially if you are going to get them out on the field Friday, which you kind of hope you can, I think for different reasons, but I think that >> when it comes to making a 53man roster, obviously Avon Trail is is going to move, but like for someone like Brilan Trice, who has not yet played a down unfortunately for this organization despite being drafted two years ago because of injuries, it's like that's a big question mark that I have too like And I I don't know exactly where where that's going to fall. And how much would a preseason game and getting that confidence and seeing him go live, would that change the calculus? Like would that change the way you think about Brilen, someone like Brilen Trice who has such upside, but we haven't gotten the chance to see it unfortunately. Like there there are just I know you asked me about Avon Trail, but like within this whole injury conversation, he's somebody that I'm like >> I want to see him go. I want to see him full go, but can he yet? And if he can't, like what does that mean for cut downs this coming weekend? >> Right? Because the best uh ability is availability, right? And and it is a prerequisite. You got to be healthy to get out there and and you can look so good when you're on the field, but if you're not able to be on the field all that much, then that is such a huge factor in the in the math equation there. But I agree with you is Brilland Trice has had some flashes out there on the practice field where you and I are both like, man, this guy can play and that would be so great to see, let alone on a Sunday, but like see it in this preseason game because I he hasn't even had the opportunity to do that. And so he's he's going to be a good one. I I think Avon, real quick to kind of put a bow on him, was like the thing that stood out to me in talking to Justin Hood, the secondary coach today, was how his uh understanding I think of the the game and specifically like the NFL nuances of the game, the short motion versus kind of a cross formation motion and the communication and how that has to all play is really important for a young corner and especially somebody who's going to be playing in the slot where you're closer to the action where the communication has to happen both ways. days. Um, so I I think it'll be really interesting to see how Avon progresses throughout his rookie season. >> Yeah. And I think how how quickly does he maybe make his way on to that starting defensive look? You know, obviously at Nickel, you have a guy like Darn Helm, who we talked about, who's been taking a lot of that those first team reps. Sydney Brown getting [clears throat] in the mix. Uh, but Avon over the last couple days has gotten more and more reps with that first team in 11. So, I don't know. I think it's a it's a question that could maybe change and evolve as the season goes on. >> All right, let's flip over to offense. We started with Tyler Goodson. That was a mistake on my part. Sorry everybody. We should have We should have just >> You're just so excited to talk about Tyler Goodson. >> I You know I am. You know I am. I just see his name and woo. >> And you're like, "Oh my gosh." >> Uh all right, let's let's go with James Brocker. Let's go from a guy I'm excited to talk about. Not that I'm not excited to talk about you, James, but I know Tori has been just a fan from day one. >> Yeah. I think that I went into this training camp being like I could really see a world in which someone like James Rockermire who who has like kind of the pedigree that he did from college guy from Miami who played well like wa watching some of his film from Miami like played really well last year. Um could he find his way onto this roster? like was there a way knowing that the Falcons have a they have Ryan Newsel, they have Cory Leven and James Brocker as this like center conglomerate and the more that I think about it, the more and the more that time has gone on. I think if you would have asked me this question like a week and a half, two weeks into training camp, I probably would have a different answer. I think that Cory Leven has actually established himself more as that backup to Ryan Nel here lately, especially after a couple of preseason games. So, it wouldn't surprise me if like when you're looking at this offensive line, you're keeping eight or nine guys. I don't know if James Brocker Meyer makes that cut, but I don't want him leaving because I think that he's somebody that I know he's a UDFA, but he's somebody who I think could maturate into into a pretty good player, a pretty good center, and or a good a good solid backup for you and kind of following the the Ryan Newsel blueprint. So, I I have appreciated kind of the the conversation around the center because it's not the sexiest of conversations, but I think that it says a lot about Corey Lean kind of elevating himself into that backup role. >> Yes, I I think Corey Leven has done a great job of that, but like you said, James Brockmire like would fall into that lineage of developmental centers [clears throat] that the Falcons have had. And we know that developing players is near and dear to Kevin Spansky's heart as he has said many different times. So maybe James falls under that category. Sticking with Cory, how much do you think his kind of guard center versatility has factored into that? >> 100%. I think it does, especially unfortunately Kyle Hinton is working through an injury right now. So Kyle Hinton, who's your guy who has kind of been your backup guard for a couple years now, like he he's working he hasn't been out there at practice this week. And um so I think that there is that has to go into it as well. You hope that it's nothing serious for Kyle Hinton and that he can get back out there and they're just being overly cautious. But I do think to your point, the fact that Cory Leven does have one that center guard flex. Also too, he has been coached by Bill Callahan previously with the Tennessee Titans. So there's that familiarity. I just think that make that that makes a kind of perfect storm of an opportunity for him. >> Yeah. Um, what are you looking to see from kind of Ethan Onian, Michael Jerrell? Yeah. On Friday night. >> Great question. And I think that >> for me it's the continuation of what we saw from them >> from last week up in Indianapolis. I think that the first game for both of them, they pro they probably had some moments that they would want back. And there were a lot of things in terms of protection, in terms of run game efficiency that I think the the Falcons really wanted to see the offensive line take a step. And I absolutely think they did. And I think that a lot of that does have to do with the what Michael Jerel and Ethan Onian were able to do and the steps that they were able to take in terms of, you know, just getting downfield and making sure that they're on their P's and Q's in terms of who they're going after, who they're blocking, what their assignment is, knowing their assignment, and executing it. And I think that there was a very obvious difference between game one and game two with those two guys specifically. Um, so I want to continue to see that transpire in this game in Miami. Can you do it again? Show me you can do it again because it's like, okay, we now have two sides of the coin. We have a not so great side from that first game where they had some moments they want back and then you had some really solid key moments of really good run blocking and and really really good um execution overall. Can you show me that again? Because that will mean a lot to I think the confidence you feel about who you're carrying in those eight maybe nine spots on that offensive line. >> Yeah, consistency is always kind of like the most important and maybe last piece of that puzzle for a good NFL player is that consistency bit because I've seen every player have a play where you're like, "Oh my gosh, that's that's so good." But now for somebody like Ethan Onian, for somebody like Michael Derel, it is you had a good game against Indianapolis, go back out there and do it again in this third preseason game. Um so that'll be important to see for as you mentioned just the depth and how good are you feeling about the group >> going in. Um, wide receiver has been a fascinating position battle for me, uh, really over the last couple of weeks because on the one hand, you've got two familiar faces in Dylan Drummond and Chris Blair, and I think they have looked consistent. I just mentioned that word throughout camp. Um, >> Dylan Drummond getting a lot of special teams reps. >> Yes. Chris Blair has been somebody who I think is is starting to work his way with reps into that first team group, but really in that second team group and he's >> building some chemistry, I think with with both quarterbacks, honestly, all the quarterbacks, frankly. Um, >> how do you feel about those two guys? And then is there anybody kind of on the other group, the undrafted rookies, all of that who have caught your eye? Yeah. So, with with Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond, there's they're the kind of guys that over the last couple of seasons, it's like >> I know they're there. You know, I know they're there and they've been on kind of been on the practice squad, been key guys that you've used practice squad elevations for over and over when you've needed them. I think those type of players are very valuable. And I think we have seen a when you're you're talking about guys like that who are your practice squad guys that you're going to elevate who may get a chance, may not get a chance. you hope that they don't get a chance because that means something's happened to like Drake, but when they have gotten their chances, especially someone like Chris Blair, they've made the most of them. And I think that we've continued to see that through training camp. And so I feel like I don't know exactly where he fits for the 53man roster, but I just I can't imagine that there's a world where Chris Blair isn't in this building. Um, same same type of thing with Dylan Drummond. I in terms of some younger guys, I think Vinnie Anthony has been kind of the leader in the clubhouse. >> I've really enjoyed watching him. >> Yes, he he's been I think so good with Jack Strand specifically and Cooper Rush. I think that they've that that group of quarterback receivers like I think that they have >> really blossomed into having good relationships and good understanding of where to put the ball and >> it was Vinnie down the right sideline that caught the deep pass from Jack Strand against Indie. That was Vinnie. I believe so. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, that goes to it. It's just like the confidence, the faith, the trust of being like, "All right, there he is." And he put it in the right spot and and like he looked over his outside shoulder late on that play. It was really really well done. >> Yeah. So, Vinnie Anthony, I would I put a little like asterric in just to be like, "Okay, like what's what's going to be his what's going to be that next step for him?" if he is on a roster in some capacity. >> Do you think it is a good sign for him if let's say we get out there Friday night and he is involved in the return game and gets like a couple of of looks as a returner? >> You have to you have to find value. Like you have to have value in multiple places. It goes exactly back to what we're talking about with Tyler Goodson. It's like can you do multiple things for this team? When you're talking about the bottom 10 players on a roster, you're talking about depth. You're talking about the cross trainining. You talk about versatility, but you talk about special teams. And if you have value on special teams, if you show that value on special teams, it makes it really hard to send you on your way. Like really, really hard. And so that is something that if I'm Vinnie Anthony, I'm like itching to get out there on special teams to make a play. That's why we were talking about Malcolm Dewalt very early on after that first preseason game because he goes out and he has a killer special teams tackle. And I I think that it's like hold up, someone's playing their out of their mind on special teams. That matters like that matters to what you're wanting and what Craig Aerman said, like you're wanting to even establish for your unit. >> Are there any players who because each roster I think usually has a a couple if not more core special teams guys like these are they're on the roster to bolster our special teams. >> Who are those players right now do you think for Atlanta? Yeah. So, Sydney Brown, I think, is one. I think Josh Woods is another one. Mike Ford is another one. >> And he's somebody when we talk about corner, >> he may not immediately first come to mind. That's a corner spot on your roster. >> So, like let's say you're you have six spots that you're going to go to corners and one of those is Mike Ford. Like there is >> Yeah. The math starts getting you have to start pulling and and moving and thinking about it in a different way. And so Mike Ford, Josh Woods, and Sydney Brown are three individuals who I think are at the center of that conversation. And I I think that they are they have like veteran presences. I think that I know Jeff loves Josh Woods and the heart that he plays with. I know that Craig Aerman I think Josh Woods has really adhered adher he's really I think won him over to a [clears throat] certain extent too. And even someone and I know he this guy's gonna make the roster. who's drafted. But Harold Perkins Jr. was somebody that Craigman also talked a little bit about like, hey, he he's out there and he's young and he doesn't really, you know, a lot of these young rookies come in and they don't really play special teams in in college, >> but the very best players in college because the rosters are so big and you got walk-ons and you got all that. Yeah. They're they're not putting Bjan Robinson of Texas is not playing Gunnar on special teams. >> Heaven forbid. And but because the rosters are so small in the NFL, you have to do that. And he was talking about Harold Perkins drew two flags against Indie, which is like >> in backtoback kickoffs. And so there are those there are those things matter. Two roster touchdowns, roster construction. >> They absolutely do. I mean, you got to be >> everything is evaluated under the lens of can I trust you on a Sunday when everything does matter? and we've we've seen the outcomes of good and bad seasons and everybody >> is aware of just what's on the line on a Sunday and and so do I trust you to go out there and do everything perfectly and at a high level that is the standard and that's what they're looking for. >> Um >> do we have anything that we haven't already said in our coverage and in other about Jack Strand going into this [laughter] game? I mean like >> Jack Strand >> he's on the one hand been like one of my favorite players in any training camp. I think just to watch from somebody who again I didn't know anything about going into training camp to just how I feel about him right now. It's it's been a genuine honor, surprise, fun, just time covering him. >> What do we expect on Friday night? Cuz like he's passed every test seemingly so far. >> Yeah. I think again it goes back to show it to me again like you know it goes back to can you do it again? We saw what you did against the Indianapolis Colts and we we saw kind of >> he ran more than I I was kind of I was waiting to see that element of his game and we saw it. >> 16 yard touchdown run. And so I I do think that in terms of mastering the offense and I know what they're going to show on, you know, in preseason games are kind of the vanilla watered down versions of what you expect the offense to actually look like. But in that, and I think it was something Tommy Reese talked a little bit about as well earlier in the week was about Jack Strand's understanding of the game, understanding how his footwork applies to what he is being tasked with, what he's being asked to do, how he maneuvers in a pocket. Like there are just certain things coming from a school the size of where he's coming from and that you're in the NFL and there are things are happening a lot quicker. And heck, even Michael Panick talked about how quickly things were happening for him, let alone and he's been in the league for a little bit. >> Jack Strand, >> I'm sorry, but not not anywhere close. So that that that learning curve, I think, is expected to be pretty significant. But I think that Jack Strand has handled it very well. And I think we've actually seen him through the learning curve grow and develop. And I think uh Tommy Reese even gave a lot of uh kudos to AVP Alex Vanpelt, the Falcons quarterback coach, for just what he's done in Jack Strand's overall development. And I think Jack Strand is absolutely something I curious to see if Jack if the Falcons carry three quarterbacks and it's Jack Strand like cool. What happens if the Falcons only carry two quarterbacks? Do we think, and that's the big conversation right now amongst all of Falcons fans on Twitter is like, would you let Jack Strand hit the waiver wire? And that's a big question mark because everyone's talking about Jack Strand right now. Everybody's like, you have Pat McAfee being like, he literally ran over the Indianapolis Colts. Like he Jack Strand has become a big name in training camp in the preseason. Do you let him hit waiver wires even though it's not been likely in the history of the modern NFL that UDFA quarterbacks don't clear waiverss? >> Yeah, I want to say there's only been like two over the last however long, 25 years or whatever. But the other fascinating thing to me in not just this situation, it applies to this situation, but anytime you're dealing with something like this is the fervor that we're feeling in Atlanta, >> is that applying to the other 31 team? Like are are the other 31 teams feeling the same way when they're watching Jack Strand or they're hearing about like as the like environment and atmosphere here in Atlanta? because that always can and you feel this about any free agent or any kind of like hometown player. Does that excitement locally inflate their value to a point where maybe it exceeds externally? And so that is when you're talking about could a guy clear waiverss or not. It's not just about how you feel about him here. It's about how does that compare with everybody else and are you almost getting a false read >> on what could be possible based on the environment created here. It's it's fascinating stuff and not easy to to draw out because again there's only 53 spots and when we're talking about okay >> this player this player at only you know you're carrying five players at this position >> there's math and you got to like you know rob from one side to pay the other and and all of that. We also don't know what Kevin Spansky's philosophy is on the emergency third quarterback, you know, like that. Also, that's that's a whole another conversation that you'd have to have about the the quarterback position, how you're carrying a a quarterback. >> We could literally be here all day talking about it. Um, but so just so we won't, >> let's move on to our camp champ. >> Yeah. >> Uh, this is, I believe, our final camp champ because we won't have another practice to evaluate in training camp. So, I don't know if we will declare our camp champ. Maybe we got to tabulate some of our our voting and maybe we'll save that for a future pod maybe in a week or so. >> But who has been your camp champ over the last >> few practices? >> I think it has to be Michael Panick Jr. and because finally got that green light. Finally, we've been able to see him in all of his 11on1 glory and the plays that he's been making. And I think, yeah, it's not looked perfect. nothing ever does. But I think that just the way that he even talking to him today, the way he's carrying himself, the joy that I feel like he is kind of giving off right now is palpable. He feels grown. He feels mature. He feels ready to get out there, like itching to get out there, which he is like, and it's nice to see him operate in a pocket again. I I think that >> he's been through a lot and there, right? And there is this level of, you know, covering covering guys from when the moment they're drafted and kind of being in that first 24 hours with them that and then seeing kind of the the dog days of their rookie year and then >> for unfortunately the Costco call >> and then the Costco call you're Yeah. you're now the starter and uh put down your hot dog like let's go like get to work. Low key, Ally brought him some hot dogs from Costco the other day and I was so excited. Those are great. >> Shout out Costco. I don't know. They're probably We love your hot dogs. We do. And your pizza. You guys have big great. Um, but no, I'm very excited to see what Michael Pennix does with this opportunity because like we said, competition's open. >> So, can you win it? >> Yeah. >> Can you win it? And if you do, what can you show us in the season if it's you? And I'm excited to see this really get going and really feel like we have the full weight of an evaluation to be able to mount between Tua and Mike to make the right decision. >> It's very well said because there was no guarantee for Michael Penn that he was going to come back to a truly open competition, right? Like that there was the opportunity I think there for this to be put to bed rather early and it it wasn't. And so for Michael Penn now to get that opportunity, let's see what he can do with it. So I think that's a great a great choice. And you did feel his energy kind of being back out there on the field. And he even like this was a little bit of you know what he was talking about too and I know we're trying to get out of here so I'll be quick about this but he was talking about how this even the surgery and the procedure that he underwent to repair his good his ACL was a different type of procedure than what he had done previously and he's had two other ACL surgeries but because of you know advancements in technology and how we think about injuries and everything like that he was talking about how the procedure was a little bit different with the intent of strengthening the ACL. And so because of that different type of procedure and because of his own history with ACL injuries, they were a bit his doctor and his medical team, they were a bit more like, we want to make sure that we're getting to these checkpoints, which is why it took a little bit longer for him to get that full green light, full clearance comparative to what his other two injuries were. I think that's important context to have too because it's not that >> he wasn't like I think that there was like oh he's not physically ready like I I don't necessarily think like personally and I'm not a doctor but we we are around these type of injuries all the time and you you you talk to these guys about what they endure and I talked to Grady Jarrett >> for hours about his what his process was like getting back and his rehab getting back and I think that there is something to be said about like the way new new technology or new procedures or just trying to do something different to strengthen this part of your body. I love that stuff and I love fascinating, >> right? Like and I was I love that he opened up about that because I think that that just again it adds so much context to where he's at. It's something I wish we had known. Like I I think that would have made this process a little bit more like there would have been some patience extended I think his way even more than there already was. But like >> to your point, he was in college the last time he had his his two surgeries. So now being a professional in the NFL, the access to different like medical advice and experts and whatnot, like maybe that's greater. Again, we're not doctors, so this is all purely speculating, but there are some serious differences. And then when you hear on top of that actually the procedure itself was a slightly different one than previously with the intended goal of making it a more durable final product. >> That that matters too and so like we will see ultimately what the outcome of it was but great week for Michael Penn Jr. camp champ. Really excited to have him back. Uh I'll keep this very brief. We've talked about him a ton. I'm going to say Kendall Daniels. The rookie linebacker continues to impress. He has been very vocal. It's not very often that you see somebody bat a pass away from Drake London and then kind of like let them hear about it. It's also not very often that guys are are looking down at Drake London and Kendall Daniels does that as well. So he's the rookie is is turning some heads out there. >> One note about Kendall Daniels is and Bjon told us this earlier today when we were talking to him. He like went up to Kendall early on in camp and was like, "Hey man, like what do you need from me?" Like >> which I loved hearing that too. That's that's awesome. Yeah. And he's like, you know, how can I what can I do for you? Anything at all. And Kendall Daniels response to that was get in my ear. >> Like talk trash to me. Like get me hyped up. And it's hilarious because Bjon, we've covered Bjon for a while now. Bjon's not that guy. Bjon very very >> puppy dog energy. Like golden retriever puppy dog energy. >> It's literally like he he's going to let his moves do the talking and that is who he's always been. But there has been a very obvious evolution and change to Bjon because he will jaw at >> Kendall Daniels. Yeah. And they have everybody will it's so great. They have gone back and forth and they had him and Bjon and that was one of the early the early moments where I was like oh Kendall Daniels is a little bit different because he was him and Bjon were going at it and you never never saw that from Bjon. So hearing from be today and him talking about how that was something that Kentle Daniels asked him to do and Bjon did it like that's a cool like teammate camaraderie type of thing like that I really liked hearing >> and Nate Ali also had a lot of praise to to send Kendall Daniels way which again this is a rookie linebacker that we're talking about and you're getting your star player on offense talk about your defensive line coach saying yeah our guys are hearing from him up front hey do this do this do that and He was say Kendall Daniel said he kind of thinks he learned it playing middle school basketball was where he first learned just to yell. And I immediately started picturing just how loud it could probably be in a gym. Squeaky shoes, everything echoing all the voices. So you would probably have to learn how to be pretty loud to cut through that noise. So Michael Pennock Jr. making making noise with this play back out on the field. Kendall Daniels just making noise, period. Those are those are some two good camp champs we got. >> Uh all right. Well, this has been a longer pod than expected. We do still have our know the foe, so please stay tuned for that. But really appreciate y'all for for listening throughout training camp to this episode. It means a lot uh to both of us. So Tori, anything else before we throw to camp champ or throw know the foe? >> Yeah. So next week we're going to be bringing our time capsule back out the time. So, if y'all have been with us since the start of training camp, we the very first training camp preview episode that we did, we talked about things that we wanted answers to or or even predictions that we had or things that we're hoping to questions we're hoping to get answered by the end of training camp. And we're bringing it now that training camp is officially over, preseason is almost over, cutdowns are almost here. We're going to go back to that next week and really see how much we've learned over the course of training camp. >> Yeah. So, we'll we'll be doing that next week. It's going to be a lot of fun. Uh can't wait for that episode. But this has been great, Tori. Thank you so much uh for for breaking down kind of the last week of training camp. We got one more preseason game and then roster cuts. Uh so that'll do it for today's episode, but let's get to know the foe. Carolina Panthers on tap. All right, we got the last know the foe of the 2026 preeason. We're going to talk about the Carolina Panthers today. They were the NFC South champions, uh, but they also had the same record as the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they made the postseason by virtue of the tiebreaker. and they nearly managed in the playoffs to defeat the Los Angeles Rams for the second time last season, which was a shock the first time around, but they ended up on the wrong side of a 3431 loss in the wildard round. So, that was the end of the Carolina Panthers season, but it was a season of growth for Carolina and the second year under Dave Canales. Really, it was uh viewed as the team being ahead of schedule. uh a lot of Panthers fans, and I'll caveat this by saying I've got a couple in my immediate family. Uh my brother and my dad are both pretty heavy Carolina Panthers fans. So, I did reach out to my younger brother to get his thoughts on on the Panthers. So, I'll sprinkle those in where I can. Uh but last year was really kind of a year ahead of schedule for Carolina. The a lot of Panthers fans were expecting this team to be able to make a playoff run hopefully soon. I don't think many Panthers fans expected that to be in 2025. So now, where are they? Well, because of that kind of first couple of years with Dave Canales and the success that they've had, which is the most since the Ron Rivera era, they've been able to build up their roster kind of following one identity. And if you think back to where the Falcons have been, particularly on the defensive side of the ball over the last 5 years or so, where you've got Dean Peas and then Jimmy Lake and now Jeff Olrich, and it felt like for a couple of years there, they were ping ponging back and forth and and kind of getting some different body types. The Panthers have at least been able to build in in one direction incrementally. And so now a lot of that is, okay, what has that gotten them? can they rise above the ranks of making the playoffs to now being a legitimate year in and yearout contender? And they attacked free agency heavier than pretty much any team. They had 15 free agent signings the first week of free agency with $191 million committed in salaries during that time. That was the fifth most of any team in that opening week. And a lot of that money went to uh Jaden Jaylen Phillips and uh really improving their pass rush which was a key issue for them last season but has historically been a strength for the Panthers. The best Panthers teams usually have a really good defense and that is what this off season was about for Carolina. It's also another one where Bryce Young and kind of what his ceiling is and how quickly he can get there uh is and and so that is kind of the offensive story centers around Bryce Young and how far he can take them. Defensively, this was a huge adjustment and bringing in some new faces. And we'll get to those new faces here in in just a moment. Uh my my brother though, here's a a quick quick note for him uh about the Bryce situation, which he says the biggest is the biggest offseason storyline. Uh but this quote, I feel like he shows enough to keep you hanging and he shows flashes, but I feel like the word consistency is the key word for him. Then he later said, either be consistently bad or consistently good, but either way, just be consistent. And so I think Panthers fans what that means is they want an answer on Bryce Young in 2026. Uh and that that is where it stands with the quarterback position in Carolina. So, the biggest offseason departure, honorable mentions for Aan Robinson, the defensive tackle, and Rico Dattle, who It's crazy if you look at I pulled up the top six games, individual games by a player in terms of scrimmage yards last season. Rico Dattle has number three and five on that list. So, it goes Jonathan Taylor had 286 yards in a single game. That's number one. Jir Gibbs behind him, Rico Dattle at three. Then you got Bjan Robinson against Buffalo. He had 238 yards in that game. Rico Dattle again at number five. And then Bjan Robinson at six. So you got Rico Bjon. Rico Bjon. That's the NFC South has had some good running backs recently. Um and they may continue to have one in Carolina with Jonathan Brooks who So even though Rico Dattle is gone, Jonathan Brooks is is stepping up. But the biggest departure for the Panthers is Cade Maze. the center was not really expected to be a departure for them. He left to go to Detroit this off seasonason. Um, and he was a huge reason why Bryce Young was able to kind of have any of the success that he did last year because the pass protection, especially right in a quarterback lap, is critical. And Cade Mays was among the very best and did not allow a sack the last two seasons according to Pro Football Focus. their biggest addition this offseason. I mentioned it, but Jaylen Phillips, he is one of the premier pass rushers, young pass rushers in this league. Carolina was tied for 28th in the NFL in sacks last year and had just 30 overall. Uh, and so getting a pass rusher on day one of free agency who now can be the guy for you off the edge was a huge get um for Jaylen Phillips. He did play and start all 17 games last season. So even though he dealt with injuries in 2023 and 2024, that was big uh for him to see. And my brother said Carolina's pass rush last year was in his words absolutely atrocious. So we'll see if Jaylen Phillips can improve that. Devin Lloyd, quick honorable mention for him, linebacker. I'm excited to see what he can do in Carolina as well. Finally, what is the team identity and how does that match up with the Atlanta Falcons? kind of touched on this at the top, so I'll be brief here, but they're a young ascending kind of defense first, at least in 2026 offseason, uh, turnaround story. They were ahead of schedule last year, as I mentioned. T McMillan is is truly a fun and ascending young wide receiver in this league. We'll see what he can do uh in year two, but I think it's safe to say he's already kind of the best receiver Carolina has. Um, and ultimately, it kind of comes down to the defense. How much can that defense improve and take a step from last year? If they can, then Carolina's going to be a a real considerable force, I think, in the NFC South and in the conference as as a whole. And when it comes to the Panthers Falcons specifically, good luck. Your guess is as good as mine. Uh it feels like every one of these games recently has has been kind of tight, contentious. Obviously, we know that that season finale in 2024 was crazy. Bryce Young has 14 career wins. Of those 14, 12 have happened because of game-winning drives. Uh, of those 12 game-winning drives. Three have come against the Falcons. The final score of those three games were 9 to7, 44 to 38, and 30 to 27. So, that is all over the board when it comes to outcomes and the range. You have a defensive battle, you have a 44 to 38 game, and then you got something kind of more in the middle, 30-27. Who knows what this year will hold? Um, but we do know that Bryce is probably going to have a pretty good game. So, we'll we'll see if what the game plan is uh to slow him down this year. But that's the Carolina Panthers. Uh, I probably spent way too long talking about a team that most of you are very very familiar with. Uh, the 985 rivalry is or the I85 rivalry is uh is always one of my favorite and with familial ties. So, can't wait to see the Carolina Panthers twice again this year. But, thank you guys so much for listening to today's episode. Know it was a long one. Appreciate you guys as always. Um, and [music] we will see you back again on Sunday evening for roster cutdowns. Until then, take care.