Kirk Cousins ​​almost perfect, rookies are solid

BUFORD, Ga. — At 6:17 p.m. Saturday night, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​raised his hand, greeting a group of fans lined up on a metal fence overlooking the northwest end zone of Seckinger High School football stadium.

“I love you, Kirk,” one of them shouted, prompting Cousins ​​to gesture.

On Saturday night, Falcons fans got a chance to see Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in March, play in person. Due to ongoing construction at IBM Performance Field, fans are not allowed to attend regular training camp practices.

But the Falcons are hosting two off-site sessions, the first taking place Saturday night. The fans brought their energy and the players responded with an hour and 45-minute session followed by a lengthy autograph session.

It’s worth noting that first-round rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. signed footballs, caps and other items for more than a half-hour after practice. He was one of the last players on the field, joining safety Jessie Bates III, right guard Chris Lindstrom and local hero Taylor Heinicke.

Before spending time with family and letting loose with the fans, the Falcons held an 11-on-11 practice. Here’s what to remember from the team’s third practice:

Cousins ​​efficient again, Penix intercepted, Allgeier scores

After Cousins ​​and Penix both shined in Friday’s practice, the Falcons’ quarterbacks went in different directions Saturday.

Cousins ​​was effective again, completing 13 of 14 passes. He completed 4 of 4 attempts against Atlanta’s starting defense, hitting receivers Darnell Mooney and Drake London. Cousins ​​threw an interception to linebacker Troy Andersen, but the play was called off because of a possible sack and the throw was hardly representative.

Tight end Kyle Pitts saw Cousins ​​tackled four times, including two big gains on catch-and-run opportunities. Cousins’ lone incompletion came on a pass to Pitts down the right sideline — the ball hit Pitts in the chest, but a late challenge by safety Micah Abernathy proved impactful enough to rule the pass incomplete.

In the red zone, Cousins ​​completed 2 of 2 passes, hitting receiver Ray-Ray McCloud in the back left corner—although McCloud was able to step out of bounds before the pass was thrown. Nonetheless, the play was ruled a touchdown.

During two 11-on-11 practices, Cousins ​​made 28 of his 30 aerial shots.

Penix, meanwhile, shot 6 of 10 overall. He missed his first two passes, but followed with a well-placed shot against sixth-round rookie Casey Washington.

That pass started a four-game scoring streak by Penix, who added a short pass to tight end John FitzPatrick on a play-action play, a 20-yard ball to receiver Rondale Moore down the right sideline and a 15-yard curveball to receiver Chris Blair, who then fumbled the ball after a punch from cornerback Mike Hughes.

Penix completed 2 of 3 passes in the red zone, including a mid-stride touchdown pass to Moore, who made a full-extension catch after beating cornerback AJ Terrell. Penix’s only incomplete pass was a pass to FitzPatrick on a potential touchdown.

After the fall, which was FitzPatrick’s third in the last two days, Penix approached the third-year pro and offered words of encouragement.

Penix’s biggest foul of the night came on his first — and only — pass against the second-team defense. Targeting Moore, Penix was intercepted by cornerback Clark Phillips III, who had leverage underneath and inside throughout the snap, allowing for an easy catch.

When throwing routes in the air, Penix had a few misfires, the most frequent being those that were high and too far in front.

Regardless, Penix made several impressive throws, was operationally cleaner than Friday and continues to hold his own while playing primarily against Atlanta’s starting defense.

Elsewhere, during the red zone play, running back Tyler Allgeier found the rare gem. Allgeier ran behind right guard Chris Lindstrom, who dug a huge hole.

Defensive rotations turn heads

The Falcons’ starting defense continues to feature Mike Hughes at cornerback, Richie Grant at safety and James Smith-Williams at defensive end.

Conversely, a trio of second-year pros in cornerback Clark Phillips III, safety DeMarcco Hellams and defensive end Zach Harrison are working primarily with the second team — each of them projected starters entering camp.

Hellams rotated a few starters alongside Jessie Bates III, as he did the first two days of camp. He often rotated when linebacker Troy Andersen replaced Nate Landman, suggesting package-specific rotations.

Harrison also played with the first team, including when the Falcons played starters versus starters. Atlanta ran a lineup with Harrison and Smith-Williams on the line of scrimmage, with Smith-Williams playing a two-point position on the edge.

Another surprising note from the first-team matchup was that defensive tackle LaCale London saw a few snaps. London started camp with the third and fourth teams, but moved to the first and second defenses on Friday.

The Falcons have used a lot of five-man lines so far, with linebacker Kaden Elliss filling a few spots as an on-ball SAM at the end of the line of scrimmage. Fifth-round rookie J.D. Bertrand also handled that responsibility for a while.

Because of their heavier fronts, Atlanta has opted for a lighter defense. Hellams said after the workout that the Falcons have yet to use three safeties in camp. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen used several such formations late last season, but his replacement, Jimmy Lake, has yet to do so.

Among the lower depth battles, the competition to be Atlanta’s No. 6 corner appears to be between Kevin King, a 2017 second-round pick who has been out of football the past two years, and Anthony Johnson, an undrafted free agent in 2023. The Falcons’ top five corners are Terrell, Hughes, nickel Dee Alford, Phillips and reserve nickel Antonio Hamilton.

Linebacker Milo Eifler shined a few times Saturday night, including when he quickly connected with star running back Bijan Robinson on what could have been a short gain. After the play, he and running backs coach Michael Pitre had a very positive interaction.

Eifler and Donavan Mutin played as Atlanta’s No. 5 linebackers. They are competing for a spot that likely won’t make the roster but will likely end up on the practice squad.

Beginner’s Report

Besides Penix, several other rookies had good days.

Washington had perhaps his most impressive day of camp, showing solid body control and sure hands to make several catches just off the sideline. He had a smooth adjustment on a pass thrown behind him by Cousins ​​and had a long reception from Penix on 11-on-11.

Jase McClellan, the Falcons’ other sixth-round rookie, took his first runs in team drills as a pro. McClellan missed all of OTAs and minicamp due to an undisclosed injury that occurred during the pre-draft process. He had a few nice runs, but Carlos Washington Jr. saw the majority of third-team reps.

When Atlanta’s second-team defense was on the field, Bertrand commanded the group. During Atlanta’s “youngsters” period to close out practice, Bertrand ran an effective interior blitz on one play and nearly intercepted backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke on another.

On the defensive line, second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro continues to work with the second team. Fourth-round pick Brandon Dorlus spent time with several units, including the first team, during the starters’ game.

Sixth-round defensive tackle Zion Logue was a third-team defense in all of the Falcons’ practices.

The Falcons return to Flowery Branch for the fourth practice of training camp at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. They will have Monday off and resume their preparations Tuesday. Atlanta’s second and final open practice of training camp will be Aug. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.