Falcons GM tells Kay Adams ‘there are never any surprises’ after viral NFL Draft room video from Michael Penix Jr. pick | D0REE0T | 2024-04-30 02:08:01
Falcons GM tells Kay Adams 'there are never any surprises' after viral NFL Draft room video from Michael Penix Jr. pick | D0REE0T | 2024-04-30 02:08:01
A FORMER Atlanta Falcons general manager has attempted to explain the team's draft pick.
On Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL world by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.
The selection wouldn't have raised eyebrows if the Falcons hadn't signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal just weeks before the draft.
Fans were left baffled by the decision, and many thought they saw Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot explaining the decision to team owner Arthur Blank in the draft room.
However, former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff explained he didn't think that was the case.
Dimitroff spent 13 seasons with the Falcons from 2008 to 2020, and said there are never any surprised during the draft.
"Arthur Blank is the owner, obviously it is his train set," Dimitroff said.
"The way that they made it look in the social media was that he was explaining it right in the draft room about a move like that.
"That's not the case. The reality is there is a lot of good, thoughtful discussion within that organization because of Arthur's approach.
"That picture you see right there is not the explanation, it's more talking about next steps and what's going on. That's the way I see it.
"We would always meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday of the draft and go through many scenarios.
"So there are never surprises for an owner like Arthur or anyone else within the building.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> "There might have been differences of opinion outside. I can almost guarantee within that building there was so much discussion about it that it wasn't polarizing inside the building, which I think is important."
The pick was certainly polarizing outside of the building, as most of the NFL world was caught off guard by the selection.
"I've had time to process the Michael Penix Jr. draft pick. Now that it isn't so fresh and surprising, I can say it is the worst draft pick of all time," one fan said.
"Yeah, I still don't get it. They just signed Cousins to a 4 year/$180 million and $100 million is guaranteed. No trade clause," another fan said.
THE FALCONS' QB CONTROVERSY
The Falcons now have two No. 1 quarterbacks in their building and no one knows what their plan is for them.
On one hand there is Kirk Cousins, who is a proven veteran and is owed $45 million per year for the next four years.
On the other hand they spent a top-10 draft pick on Michael Penix Jr, who will be 24 years old by the time the 2024 season starts.
If Cousins plays out his entire four year contract, Penix will be 28 before he gets any playing time.
However, if Penix comes in sooner, the Falcons will have wasted $180 million on Cousins.
It is a peculiar situation that likely won't have any resolution until years down the road when results show which quarterback was the right decision.
The Falcons drafted Penix even though they just signed Kirk Cousins for $180 million[/caption]
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