Kirk Cousins ​​uses meals and movies to build chemistry with hawks

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​knows the importance of building relationships, especially with the five offensive linemen tasked with keeping him upright.

On the first day of team activities, April 2, Cousins ​​sat down with his offensive line at lunch to introduce himself. These meals have since moved from IBM Performance Facility dining halls to national hot spots.

“That’s our first thing, checking out these chain restaurants,” Cousins ​​said last Monday. “RIP Red Lobster, so we’re going to Texas Roadhouse.”

Cousins, who signed a four-year contract this spring worth up to $180 million, including $100 million guaranteed, has earned more than $230 million in guaranteed money during his 12-year career. player.

Essentially, there is no shortage of funds to support the group of offensive linemen who eat cookies at Red Lobster or dinner rolls at Texas Roadhouse, the latter of which occurred last Tuesday.

But Cousins, 35, has found other ways to create cohesion with his teammates — a favorite method is through movie quotes.

“All the sports film shows up at practice,” Cousins ​​said. “Definitely the heavyweights, that’s a big deal right now. I’m thinking of having a watch party with the O-Line where we watch the heavyweights to introduce these guys to the heavyweights.”

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Cousins ​​added that 32-year-old left tackle Jake Matthews especially likes his movie quotes because they’re from the same generation. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, 31, is also pretty close to where he shares similar credentials.

Otherwise, there aren’t many other members of Atlanta’s young offense who understand Cousins’ quotes well – but that hasn’t stopped him from trying.

“Talking about talking to younger players, I referenced when Ben Stiller was referring to himself before he lost weight,” Cousins ​​said. “And he said, ‘I know you because I was you.’ I say this to so many teammates, so many times.

“When I see them doing something stupid, I say, ‘I know you because I was you.'”

Cousins ​​and Matthews are the Falcons’ only projected offensive starters over 30, but so far that hasn’t seemed to matter in terms of building chemistry.

And as long as Cousins ​​keeps coming, his one-liners may start to grow on his teammates, regardless of their age.

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