NFL 2021 Season

[Timber]

Hahah certainly would be a draft party dampening moment for hotlanta fans . Plenty of talent left at the top of round 2 so would expect to see some more trades flying about tonight

It's hard not to understand the anger though.

Loads of people keeps mentioning Jordan Love at GB but that feels like apples to oranges. GB were fairly stacked, with Rodgers coming to the end of his time, newish GM/HC with a history of being successful at transitioning QB. And it was a late 1st rounder (22). This is a top ten-pick, $100m guaranteed paid to Kirk over 3 seasons Penix being 24 years old (2 weeks) with an injury history. You also get no benefit of the rookie salary cap at QB - given the money you've paid to Cousins. It feels like a team so burnt by QB purgatory that it's blundered really bad. Either back Cousins or get an actual bridge QB so you can allocate that $90m on defensive players you need.

Of course if Penix does successfully play in Atlanta then all of that goes out the window and certainly the successful transition of Love is being touted as proof this can work. But it's hard not to imagine this is either a really bold move that pays off or a really dumb move that doesn't pay off. No in-between. Going to be interesting to see how this one plays out.

 

[Grimley]

The consensus on this 1st round is (to me) Is why all the fuss & head scratching about The Falcon's 1st round choice? MP JR. seems a pretty good choice to me. I'm satisfied that my team (Vegas) picked a TE (quite aware hes a 2 time NCAA FBS Champ) to replace Hunter Renfrow.

 

[Timber]

The consensus on this 1st round is (to me) Is why all the fuss & head scratching about The Falcon's 1st round choice? MP JR. seems a pretty good choice to me. I'm satisfied that my team (Vegas) picked a TE (quite aware hes a 2 time NCAA FBS Champ) to replace Hunter Renfrow.

I think in part it's a story because it was the only real surprise that stood out. A lot of the first top-10 pick were predictable and not many big-trades happened. And it has that 'drama' element that media will love reporting on.

Penix Jr is clearly talented and could be a very good choice for ATL and the discussion isn't really about him, but more the $180m they committed to Cousins not long ago.

 

[Grimley]

1st NFL draft in 41 years that 6 QB's picked in the 1st round, 3 of them in the hall of Fame (Marino, Elway & Kelly) I wonder if looking back 20 years from now, how many of this crop will end up in there. I may not be around to see that.

 

[gazref]

The consensus on this 1st round is (to me) Is why all the fuss & head scratching about The Falcon's 1st round choice? MP JR. seems a pretty good choice to me. I'm satisfied that my team (Vegas) picked a TE (quite aware hes a 2 time NCAA FBS Champ) to replace Hunter Renfrow.

They shafted Cousins and opened a can of worms in the locker room. Things could derail quickly in ATL if they don't get off to a good start

 

[gazref]

I do like to study the draft but when it comes to Day 3 I have no idea who's who. Draft throwing on the injury guys, physical specimens and delinquents. Gl to your teams

 

[Timber]

I do like to study the draft but when it comes to Day 3 I have no idea who's who. Draft throwing on the injury guys, physical specimens and delinquents. Gl to your teams

Yea, when I do follow it tends to be opening night only and even then I zoned out after the top-10 picks. I think if you don't follow the college game its very difficult to really be invested in any team or their players going through the draft. You miss that connection or looking out for particular names. I remember following North Western players when they were good a few years ago. But with the first round or the top picks the same names tend to be discussed constantly by the almost 24/7 draft coverage that begins so early now.

This year was very memorable and whatever happens will be a night I don't forget in a while. Hopefully for the right reasons, but as you say 'good luck' to all the players.

 

[AndyCr15]

I don't follow College, so don't worry too much about mock drafts and such, I just wait for the actual draft, then look into players after. Mind you, I've not even done this yet, but people seem quite positive about the Commanders draft. From the little bits I've heard, I might have preferred us to take Drake Maye with the #2, but let's see.

 

[gazref]

Quite surprised we didn't see any draft day trades. 9ers open to dealing both wideouts but no movement yet. All eyes to those post June 1st moves.

 

[dr_volki]

They shafted Cousins and opened a can of worms in the locker room. Things could derail quickly in ATL if they don't get off to a good start

they may have, but contract structure kinda already told the way it was going to go with him. With him being done after year 2.
I still believe teams should do this more often, too many young qbs have gotten wasted by being dumped into the starting job on a bad roster.

and realistically if Cousins performs, the falcons won't be picking this high again for the next few years.

 

[Timber]

they may have, but contract structure kinda already told the way it was going to go with him. With him being done after year 2.
I still believe teams should do this more often, too many young qbs have gotten wasted by being dumped into the starting job on a bad roster.

and realistically if Cousins performs, the falcons won't be picking this high again for the next few years.

I think there are some errors being made on the numbers from some of the channels debating this. Someone did say that the $100m guaranteed is over the 3 years, not 2. So if cut into the start of the 3rd season it still means a $25m dead cap hit. Certainly 'doable' but that cap hit is still a lost elite pass rusher, or a couple of solid starters on the roster. It will hurt the Falcons or certainly offset the benefits of underpaying a rookie QB. Based on what more knowledgeable people have said it reads as if the real 'out' on the contract is the final year. A much more manageable $12.5m cap hit if cut (of course they can't trade him).

I think Mina Kimes put it best on ESPN; 'it's the opportunity cost' that makes it hard to like this move. So for example, Jordan Love has worked out for GB. But what did they lose when Rodgers was MVP'ing it up two times in a row? Maybe they would have got over the hump with more weapons and backing and won a another SB (or had a better shot).

 

[dr_volki]

I think there are some errors being made on the numbers from some of the channels debating this. Someone did say that the $100m guaranteed is over the 3 years, not 2. So if cut into the start of the 3rd season it still means a $25m dead cap hit. Certainly 'doable' but that cap hit is still a lost elite pass rusher, or a couple of solid starters on the roster. It will hurt the Falcons or certainly offset the benefits of underpaying a rookie QB. Based on what more knowledgeable people have said it reads as if the real 'out' on the contract is the final year. A much more manageable $12.5m cap hit if cut (of course they can't trade him).

I think Mina Kimes put it best on ESPN; 'it's the opportunity cost' that makes it hard to like this move. So for example, Jordan Love has worked out for GB. But what did they lose when Rodgers was MVP'ing it up two times in a row? Maybe they would have got over the hump with more weapons and backing and won a another SB (or had a better shot).

I know the dead cap is 25mil in year 3, still only half of his actual caphit then (at least according to spotrac when i checked a few days ago).

On the love thing, that is certainly a valid point. Still for me if given the chance to find a successor i probably would. As being without a qb your team is just not competitive.

 

[Timber]

I know the dead cap is 25mil in year 3, still only half of his actual caphit then (at least according to spotrac when i checked a few days ago).

On the love thing, that is certainly a valid point. Still for me if given the chance to find a successor i probably would. As being without a qb your team is just not competitive.

Unless I'm reading them wrong Sportrax have different figures, they have $35m as the cap hit. Not sure why.

I suppose its timing of now vs future. And unless the actions result in a Superbowl win (ala Tampa in 2020) it's very difficult to say one way or another.

Personally I would have taken Penix (or another rookie QB) and not paid Cousins nearly $200m. I don't think he's worth anywhere near that.

 

[gazref]

Teams can stick void years in contracts for the purpose of kicking GT money down the road and sometimes beyond the playing part of the contract.

Maybe he asks for a trade after yr1

 

[Timber]

Teams can stick void years in contracts for the purpose of kicking GT money down the road and sometimes beyond the playing part of the contract.

Maybe he asks for a trade after yr1

I think one concern for Atlanta is that their young core (Pitts, Robinson, London) all need paying over the next 1-3 years, before they would need to look at Penix's contract in 3-4 yrs (ideally). So pushing guaranteed money further back may not be great. And hence the front loading of the contract.

I'm not sure Cousins has much choice but to try and ball out and make the Falcons regret the pick. There aren't that many landing spots and next year he will be overshadowed by FA Dak whose might be hitting the market. I suppose the other option is retirement but I don't know how the contract handles that.

 

[gazref]

Kirk Cousins Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Kirk Cousins contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

Surprised. Just had a look and it is all front loaded. They can cut him after 2 with little penalty. They have done him dirty but ultimately up to him how he plays it. Accept the situation or while they're on the hook for so much try use that leverage in some way.