Update: Rourke re-signs with BC

[Lui05]

When there's a fork in the road, you get one chance to make a choice. Evidence seems to indicate he chose poorly if actually playing and growing his skills was something of interest to him, which I think it is.

If only this was predictable.

But if you really want to take one more NFL shot, I'd head out to Las Vegas where all of your QB options are bad at the moment.

Also, let's not kid ourselves that Tommy DiVito is good. He isn't. He's terrible.

I completely agree with all your points. Unfortunately, the NYG and the rest of the NFL do not appear to.

With the path he's chosen, I really think he will never do anything of substance on any football field ever again. He's in complete stagnation and "waiting for the phone to ring" mode and no NFL team has any incentive to give him a real chance. The Jaguars was a strange choice with the $55MM man already firmly number 1. But both Patriots and Giants (although they do have $40MM per year tied up in their QB1 - who is about as good as DeVito) are in serious need of a QB. If he can't get a legitimate look in either of those locations, he is either...
1. Not as good as he thinks he is
2. Being slighted for size and not being a high draft pick

Regardless, I see it being very possible that his preseason touchdown against Dallas is the peak of his NFL career, and his 10 game stretch with BC is the peak of his CFL career.

Time will tell.

[Hambone]

And Rourke has signed with Atlanta, the team who also tried to claim him on waivers when NYG got him.

https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/atlanta-falcons- ... -1.2156918

[Hambone]

But both Patriots and Giants (although they do have $40MM per year tied up in their QB1 - who is about as good as DeVito) are in serious need of a QB. If he can't get a legitimate look in either of those locations, he is either...
1. Not as good as he thinks he is
2. Being slighted for size and not being a high draft pick

Did you miss where New England took a QB 3rd overall as expected? And signed a veteran in Jacoby Brissett to back him up or at worst be starter insurance if they feel Drake Maye needs a bit more time? And then in a surprising move that really cooked Rourke's goose drafted a 2nd QB in Joe Milton in the 6th.

[Lui05]

But both Patriots and Giants (although they do have $40MM per year tied up in their QB1 - who is about as good as DeVito) are in serious need of a QB. If he can't get a legitimate look in either of those locations, he is either...
1. Not as good as he thinks he is
2. Being slighted for size and not being a high draft pick

Did you miss where New England took a QB 3rd overall as expected? And signed a veteran in Jacoby Brissett to back him up or at worst be starter insurance if they feel Drake Maye needs a bit more time? And then in a surprising move that really cooked Rourke's goose drafted a 2nd QB in Joe Milton in the 6th.

I did not. That's really my point. No NFL team has anything invested in Rourke. Whereas the success of the 3rd overall pick directly affects the long term employment prospects of the GM. There are very few GMs that have the balls to not double-down on a mistake. GM of 49ers is one example of the exception. He completely overreached on the trading of 2 1st round picks to get Trey Lance. But instead of doubling down, he hid the player and traded him for a 2nd round pick. (Both Justin Fields and Mac Jones only cost a 6th rounder because they had more video).

What do you see as more probable? The Falcons GM also has the guts to toss aside his trade for Cousins and drafting of Penix because Rourke is better? Or does Rourke get limited reps and if lucky, makes the practice squad?

I hope he makes the practice squad. I'm not wishing him to not succeed. I just don't see any path for it to happen.

[Toppy Vann]

Atlanta Falcons sign him and maybe it's a Hambone post that just might come true for Nathan Rourke.

Also, if it's a genuine competition, this bit of info might be a bit favourable for Rourke"

The native of Oakville, Ont. will compete with Heinicke for the number three job in the preseason. The former XFL quarterback, who has started 29 career NFL games with Carolina, Washington, and Atlanta, re-negotiated his contract this offseason and nearly halved his salary cap hit in exchange for $3.32 million USD upfront in 2024. The deal was struck to provide Heinicke with extra insurance against the growing possibility he would be released, though the Falcons can still save $1.21 million USD in salary if they were to cut ties before the season.

The Falcons will open the preseason when they travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins on Friday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/08/01/cana ... a-falcons/

[Hambone]

A Falcoholic blog from yesterday.

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2024/8/5/ ... rk-cousins

[Toppy Vann]

This sounds intriguing

Based on those recent trades, the Falcons could potentially net a conditional late-round pick in exchange for Heinicke. Depending on the desperation of the acquiring team, it could swing from a seventh to a fifth-round pick. Heinicke’s 30 career stats could be valuable for a team looking for an experienced, game-ready backup. Coupled with the Falcons losing a fifth-round pick next year as part of their tampering penalties, recouping even a seventh-round pick in 2025 could soften that blow.

Isn't Kirk Cousins feeling a bit threatened or miffed as he hadn't planned on the drafting and pushing up of a QB like the Falcons did with Penix?

[Hambone]

This sounds intriguing

Based on those recent trades, the Falcons could potentially net a conditional late-round pick in exchange for Heinicke. Depending on the desperation of the acquiring team, it could swing from a seventh to a fifth-round pick. Heinicke’s 30 career stats could be valuable for a team looking for an experienced, game-ready backup. Coupled with the Falcons losing a fifth-round pick next year as part of their tampering penalties, recouping even a seventh-round pick in 2025 could soften that blow.

Isn't Kirk Cousins feeling a bit threatened or miffed as he hadn't planned on the drafting and pushing up of a QB like the Falcons did with Penix?

It likely caught him by surprise. However I think of the QBs taken in the 1st he was thought of as having high potential but being one who would need more time. It's surprising he came off the board so soon, but there is incentive for teams to draft QBs in the 1st as they get an extra year of control that they don't get after the 1st.

While taking him 8th overall comes across as too soon I believe they took him with the same train of thought as the Chiefs did when they took Mahomes. KC had then 33 year old Alex Smith as incumbent when they took Mahomes 10th overall. Smith had been excellent for the Chiefs in the 2 or 3 years leading up to picking Mahomes. Mahomes never played a snap in his rookie season until KC rested Smith for the season finale. They then dealt Smith to Washington that offseason.

Cousins turns 36 in 2 weeks. It's a prudent move for Atlanta to get their potential future long term solution now. They can be patient in developing him for the inevitable transition. If he progresses quickly the Falcons can do as KC did with Smith and trade him to a QB hungry team be it next offseason or the offseason after that.

[Toppy Vann]

The thread name might be a bit old new.

I thought (and might be mistaken) that the Falcons owner is pushing Penix development.

This video suggests the owner was shocked the GM drafted this guy after they paid Cousins $180 million.
Suggests the GM is now heavily invested in justifying both Cousins and Penix.

But being the third QB on the depth chart is a few steps above no. four.

https://talksport.com/sport/1843705/awk ... hur-blank/

Most head coaches and general managers spoken to by The Athletic's Dianna Russini believe the Atlanta Falcons' No. 8 pick of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was "logically incoherent."

According to Russini, one NFL general manager said the pick doesn't make sense given the age of 81-year-old Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

"Mr. Blank is how old? He wants to win now… he's not obsessing over '26 and beyond. They have needs now," the GM told Russini.

https: //bleacherreport.com/articles/10118729-nfl-gm-confused-by-falcons-michael-penix-jr-draft-pick-says-team-has-needs-now

[Toppy Vann]

Falcons release first depth chart of the 2024 season
Ahead of their preseason opener against the Dolphins, the Falcons are unveiling the depth chart.

By Tre'Shon_Diaz Aug 6, 2024, 6:19pm EDT

Rourke is 4 as expected but former Als star Austin Mack is 3rd at WR.

Another guy who kicked around the NFL with NFL dreams instead of staying in the CFL and trying to light it up here with just one season in Canada is Austin Mack:

Did Austin Mack get drafted?
Before joining the CFL, Mack spent three seasons in the NFL, starting with the New York Giants after going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

His one year stats were and play was great here. At 26 he could have stayed with the Als and built a nice career but decided to try the NFL again.

https://www.cfl.ca/players/austin-mack/167550/

Mack listed in the depth chart caught my eye.

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2024/8/6/ ... S42MC4wLjA.

[Toppy Vann]

David Archer (also CFL QB) does overview of Falcons -Miami joint practices here and what it's like to practice against another NFL team as he did with the Falcons. Some clips but not much.

But for any watching NFL this year, I stopped the video as his graphic of the NEW KICK OFF RULES at 6:20 min:

[Toppy Vann]

I can't seem to edit all that extra stuff. Apologies.

[Hambone]

Penix starting tonight likely indicates Cousins won't play. Wonder if Penix and Heinicke will split or if Rourke will get some reps in the 4th.

EDIT: Heinicke came in with about 6 mins to go in 2nd qtr.

[B.C.FAN]

I didn’t see the game but Rourke was just 3 of 13 for 37 yards. He did rush twice for 24 yards.

If it’s any consolation, Heinicke was an equally unimpressive 4 of 11 for just 11 yards. He was credited with 2 rushing attempts for 0 yards, and was the only Atlanta QB sacked.

Penix put up decent numbers as starter, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards.

[Toppy Vann]

https://3downnation.com/2024/08/09/cana ... -dolphins/



https://www.nfl.com/videos/fins-cap-goa ... o-end-zone