FLOWERY BRANCH – After not making the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, the Falcons cleaned out their lockers on Monday.
It was a somber place with players turning down interviews and Kirk Cousins skipping the session altogether after they finished 8-9.
“(There) were a lot of ups and downs, but we showed a lot of great things,” quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. “A lot of great things on film. A lot of guys on this team that can make big-time plays all across the board. That’s what we are excited about.”
The Falcons were 6-3, but finished 2-6.
“Obviously, it didn’t go like we wanted it to go as far as making it to the playoffs this year,” Penix said. “We know that we have to attack this offseason so that we come back with the right mindset and be even better.”
Penix, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson are clearly the core of the offense moving forward, along with a strong offensive line. The use of tight end Kyle Pitts remains a project.
“We are young,” Penix said. “We have a lot of young players who can make big-time plays. I told Bijan yesterday, some of the stuff you do is crazy. I have to hand the ball off, but sometimes I want to peek and see what he’s going. He’s a special player. Those guys on the outside are special as well. And the offensive line, we can’t do it without them.”
The Falcons believe they have enough talent to get things turned around.
“There was just a lot of talent around this team,” Penix said. “I think a lot of people see that. A lot of people believe in the culture and this coaching staff. We are going to continue to grow as the years go on.”
Penix, who was taken with the eighth overall pick in the draft, was supposed to learn behind Cousins this season. But after Cousins started to throw interceptions at a high rate, he was replaced in the starting lineup.
“It was fun,” Penix said of his rookie season. “The whole time was fun. I enjoyed it working out there with the scout team. Doing my best to give the defense a great look. So that they can play good on Sundays.”
While Cousins was hard for the media to find late in the season, Penix appreciated his support.
“It was special,” Penix said. “Obviously, Kirk, with him being in Year 13, he’s amazing. He’s been nothing but a great support. Always helping me throughout this whole process from Day 1.”
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett noted that the team battled to the final game of the season.
“Overtime losses with playoff implications on the line, is super highly emotional because those game could go either way,” Jarrett said.
Center Drew Dalman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent.
“It’s been an awesome experience and I hope it continues and all of that,” Dalman said. “Playing with incredible teammates over the years and having incredible coaches. I’ve enjoyed it and savored every bit of it.”
Dalman was pleased with Penix’s play.
“Yeah, it was great,” Dalman said. “We take a lot of pride that we are going to execute our job regardless of who’s playing quarterback...He’s a professional just like everybody else in here. He did a good job.”
Dalman missed eight games with an ankle injury. Ryan Neuzil filled in well. Both are slated to be free agents. Dalman said he wants to return, but didn’t want to discuss his pending free agency.
“Yeah, I’m not even going to discuss that kind of stuff,” Dalman said. “It’s personal and team related.”
Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone earned some playing time from scrimmage this season.
“It was great getting a chance to support my teammates, even though the season didn’t go as planned,” Malone said. “I was able to contribute. That’s all that matters. I feel that the team is trending in the right direction.”
He played 90 snaps from scrimmage after playing just two last season.
“Week by week, I felt like the defense was getting better and better,” Malone said. “Our pass rush, coverage wise. Things didn’t end as we wanted it to be, but I feel like next season we’ll take that next step.”
Other defenders, like safety Jessie Bates III and linebacker Matthew Judon, turned down requests for interviews. Bates, Cousins and Jake Matthews, three of the team’s captains, did not speak to the media.
Jarrett was the only captain to address the media.
But Malone, who played Cedar Grove and Western Kentucky, is looking forward to the offseason.
“Honestly, just coming together as a team,” Malone said. “The comradery and just playing together. We have the players on this roster to get anything done. Just believing in each, come closer and have one mindset.”
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