The buzz around the NFL Draft’s biggest surprise on opening night, the Falcons taking Michael Penix Jr., has yet to die down, but less than 24 hours after the shocking decision, the rookie quarterback has been selected for the draft. He expressed his excitement to be a part of it. organization.
And the man who helped lead the Washington Huskies to the College Football Playoff national championship game last season is looking forward to emulating one of his favorite NFL quarterbacks, Michael Vick.
Penix told reporters Friday that the former Falcons star had watched Vick play since he was a kid and that he “had all of Vick’s cleats, too.”
When told that the No. 8 overall pick would be Michael, the second left-handed QB in franchise history, Penix responded, “He’s done a great job here.”
“I keep in touch [Vick] now. He was someone I could contact at any time. Actually, I received a congratulatory email from him this morning. that’s great. I’m glad I’m old enough to see that era. To see what he did for the game and how he changed the game just by being able to do that both in the air and on the ground. The way he did it and the level at which he did it. ”
Penix has several large shoes that meet these expectations.
Not only is Vick a quarterback who can move the ball through the air, he’s also a mobile quarterback who can run defenses to pieces, setting NFL records in the process.
Vick ran for 1,039 yards in his final season with the Falcons in 2006, setting the record for single-season rushing yards by a quarterback.
Corey Chavos, 21, scores a 46-yard touchdown run in overtime in a 2002 Falcons victory. AP
Although Penix’s ability on the ground is not as threatening as Vick was at the time, the rookie proved he can be a gunslinger, completing 64.4 percent of his passes while throwing 36 touchdown passes in his final year with the Huskies. did.
The Falcons’ decision to acquire Penix made a splash Thursday night, as the Falcons signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract last month, with $100 million guaranteed.
Penix told reporters Friday that Cousins contacted him.
“I’m going to keep it just between me and him for now,” Penix said. According to ESPN.
“But it was definitely a good conversation. I’m very excited to work with him, and he said he’s the same as me.”
