Two veteran members of the Atlanta Falcons made themselves available to the press today, talking about their new coach, new quarterbacks, and lessons learned from last season.
Safety Jessie Bates III said he has yet to meet his new head coach, Raheem Morris, but he is looking forward to eventually doing so. “It almost feels like I’ve played for him already,” he said.
He told the press that Morris is taking what they learned last season and improving on it. He added that the continuity between team members is much stronger these days as well.
“We started something last year, and we know who we are,” he said.
As for new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, Bates III says “Coach Kirk” is settling in well at Flowery Branch.
“His presence, just being there, is next level,” said Bates III
Adds offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom, “It feels like he’s been here for years,” he said. “You see the intensity and the preparation” from the incoming starting quarterback. And as far as the incoming backup quarterback that got drafted just last week? Lindstrom said he was excited for Michael Penix Jr. and the other new draftees. “[Falcons general manager] Terry Fontenot does a really good job of bringing in high character hard-working guys,” he said.
The players wouldn’t touch the simmering controversy over the Falcons #8 Draft selection of Penix Jr.
“Terry brought me here and I truly believe that everything he does is to help this team,” said Bates III. He said that despite the questions surrounding the pick, he plans to trust the process and trust the front office to make the right decisions.
Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith reiterated the repeated team narrative that they chose the best player for them at the number eight draft pick, but Cousins remains the starting quarterback for the team.
“What we did to get Kirk Cousins should tell everybody…he’s our guy, ” said Smith.
