MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. apparently has a fan in Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey made time during Tuesday’s practice to seek out Penix — the Falcons’ divisive first-round pick — and offer some words of encouragement.
Miami Dolphins Get Early Look at Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
“He’s a great player,” Penix said afterwards. “Obviously, did great things in this league. I definitely respect his game and he told me he respects mine. It’s always been mutual between me and him. He’s a good dude. I’m cool with [him].”
Penix in his first real test of his young NFL career handled himself as well as any Falcons quarterback did — and actually moved the offense better against a stout Dolphins defense than starter Kirk Cousins, who seems to still be favoring his reconstructed right Achilles tendon.
The dynamic of that quarterback room certainly is one of the more compelling storylines of the NFL this training camp. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million free agent contract with the Falcons in March, only to see them draft Penix eighth overall a month later.
But after seeing Penix’s live — although occasionally erratic — arm in person Tuesday, it’s hard to blame the Falcons for doubling down at the quarterback position.
Among his highlights? Touchdowns in back-to-back plays during goal-to-go drills late in practice.
“it comes with the game,” said Penix, who won the Maxwell Award his final year at Washington. “As you continue to grow, continue to learn and continue to keep watching the game, keep learning the game, stacking those days on top, good things will happen. That’s what I’ve been doing every day. Try to be my best with the team.”
Penix will likely get lots of exercise in the Falcons’ preseason opener here Friday.
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“It’s going to be fun,” he said about appearing in an NFL game for the first time. “It’s a blessing. A dream come true. I always dreamt of being here. But now that I’m here, I’ve got to stay here. I’ve got to show that I belong here, and that’s what I’m going to do each and every day. The way that I go about my business. I’m attacking each and every day like it’s my last.”
As for his evaluation of the Dolphins defense?
“They’re good,” he replied. “They’ve got a lot of good personnel out there. They’ve got a lot of really good athletes out there. They came ready to practice, we came ready to practice, and it was a lot of great work.”
