'Falcons offense has to click or it will be a long, difficult season'

0:00the countdown to game day is on and if you want your Falcon flag, well today's your lucky day. Atlanta, what's going on? It's Duke Simbell on sports radio, 92 9-2-game. We start off every day and every hour by saying, hey man, we are live at Napa Auto Parts guys right here and tomorrow and we'll be here until around 630 today, the Falcons, the cheerleaders are gonna be here, Falcon Legends, Freddie the Falcons are gonna be here and again, Mike, it's 5280 Jonesboro Road and we're down here because they are gonna be handing out Carflax and for everybody, every year it feels like this is a big deal and every year, Mike and I are surprised at how many people stop by and get their car flags, getting ready for the season, it kicks off on Sunday, Falcons, on the practice field guys, we'll tell you what B-Jahn had to say, what Coach Daphanski had to say as well and of course, Tua is gonna speak a little bit later on but man, another beautiful day in the A to be down here. Hey man, as we like to say Carl Clayton is popping and every time we come down here man, it's literally lined up around the corner.

1:04So we will do the flag giveaway Falcon promo team as Carl mentioned will be here cheerleaders, Freddie the Falcons, not sure who the former Falcon legend will be here but they'll be signing autographs, taking pictures. But yeah, the flag giveaway begins at 5 but you're more than welcome to come down now, say hello, holler at your boys, hello! And again Carl, look at the growth, we've got new buildings going out across C-Day Day, the Duke's Abel bounces real, here in Marlick City. Yeah, it is coming up down here, no doubt. So if you're driving by man, blow your horn, alright, if you're on the road as you pass this Napa Auto Parts and we'll certainly give you guys a big wave. Here's what's interesting Mike, B-Jahn said today and here's the quote, we have the product, we've been doing it, it's been looking good in practice, now it's time to show it. And of course he's talking about the offense, right? He's not talking about the defense, right? The offensive guys are working with the offensive guys and the defense is working on what they're working on trying to slow down A and Rogers on Sunday. But what is showing it look like? And is this offense going to be able to punch it in and have a real efficient red zone offense this upcoming season?

2:09I'm not going to judge the entire year by one game, but it does set the tone. When we get into these games, Mike, early on, and we always talk about biggest game of the season, important game. It is an important game because this is the first time we're going to see a Kevin Stofansky, Tommy Riesoff and it's on Sunday. And it's the first time we're going to see all the starters on the field together. We really haven't seen that in preseason, it was a mixed bag of things, you know, guys got a couple of series, some guys played, some guys didn't. So I am curious, but B-Jahn's feeling pretty good about it saying we've got the product, it's been looking good, and now it's time to show it. But will they show it? Yeah, man, how's Tua going to handle it with the Steelers? We're going to throw at him. I heard Mark Schlabeau on great conversation with Andy Randy on the way driving here to Napa. And basically saying, like the last couple of times you've seen Tua in the NFL, it hasn't been great. And he didn't see that Denver tape, and of course that was a moment that everyone went, oh geez, that was just ugly. But then of course he did better in practice, did better on 11 on 11, but there was a lot of, you know, let's be honest, Carl. Effort is uneven, best way to describe what we've heard anecdotally from some of the reporters and what we saw with our own eyes about Tua's preseason.

3:12Can he handle the pressure? Can he reinvent himself? Can he win this job? Keep it, or is he just simply a placeholder until Pennick's junior was ready? Well, let me, let me say this too, for all the Tua haters out there. Who brought him here, Mike? Matt Ryan and Ian Cuttingham. Correct. Did they have other options? Well, it was Kyla Murray or him, both guys were cheap. One guy's more of a long term real threat to win this job. One guy's a placeholder. I thought into it. They could have made a move for Cooper Rush and been done with it. He's on the roster. The point I'm making is this current regime is the one that made this decision. They did not make the decision on Michael Pennicks, but they made the decision on Tua. Did they just say, all right, well, he's only a million dollars, we don't give a damn if we win? Or did they feel like he could be a player and really help this team win? My point is, guys, if you want to point the finger, point in at Matt Ryan and point in at Ian Cuttingham. Because they brought him in here and they feel like he can help us win. I do not know what we're going to get to Mike's point. If he is hot garbage, as we like to say, then we'll see Cooper Rush sooner than we want to.

4:14And I don't think that boards well for the Falcons, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. I hope he comes out and plays well in week one. But this whole idea like, well, I don't know why we have Tua. Matt Ryan and Ian Cuttingham are why we have Tua. And they had other options this off season. But that's where they decided to go. And I think they went there again because of the experience and the possibility of the rehabilitation under this offense and this coaching staff that he could maybe have success. So this conversation kind of starts and finishes there. We blame the past regime for drafting Michael Pinnix. Have no problems with that because many people including Mike said we shouldn't have drafted him. And I think a lot of people say that now knowing where the situation is. But let's also talk about the new regime and their decision to bring into us. That's why he's here. Right. And guys, without getting the definitive word because no one's going to commit to anything whether it's the president or the general manager of the coach. Tua, can you win this job? I don't know. I mean, it is a good fit this offense for what his skill set is. As Carl just pointed out, he had the most experience of all the guys that were available. A better, slightly better track record than Kyle Murray who flamed out in Arizona.

5:16I mean, if we were talking about Cooper Rush starting this season, I think there will be a lot of people going up. There's an L. I mean, despite the fact he has started the games in this league, I just want to win. Okay, I don't care. I'm sick and tired of arguing about this. Hey, what's up brother? Sick and tired of arguing about this with listers. I just want to see Pinnix out there so I can see what he is. Right. And we've gone and we talked about this and we're blue in the face. Is Tua going to do enough where he doesn't give up the job? I mean, what if you go three and two? I mean, if you go three and two are four and one with two, you tell me you're going to bench him. I mean, that's hard to wrap your head around. That's why I mean, this is not supposed to be a gap year. And guys, I'll argue with this with people. Well, Pinnix, you can go ahead and read it. I go, I want to see him start this season because I think he gives us a better chance to win than Tua. That's my gut. Now, only time we'll tell, the thing Carl is, I got these guys I'm arguing with going, well, it's too early. He's not ready. So what's this Steelers game on Sunday? I almost said it. Exhibition. Yeah. I mean, what have we been in the last three years? One game away from winning this division. So you're just going to throw a game away.

6:18That's not how it works in the NFL, guys. Yes, teams come out looking sloppy and they regroup in the second week of the season. We've seen it in college already. Happens in the pros. But I just, I just want to win period. But I just hope Tua is up for the challenge because Pinnix is going to throw some meat at him. 404-726-0929. I hope B. John's right. I hope as good as he feels about what he sees and practice, which again, nobody's been privy to. These are closed practices now, guys. I mean, it's not as if everybody's watching. I hope this offense comes out and does some work because for me, that's where it starts and finishes. Yes, the defense is going to have to step up. I still don't know where the pressure is coming from to get to Aaron Rodgers, which we'll discuss in detail. West Durham is going to join us coming up the voice of the Atlanta Falcons and we're going to head to Pittsburgh and just a little bit next hour to talk with a guy that covers the Steelers. And, you know, look, I don't know what the expectation is. Stealer nations, Steelers fans always think they're going to Super Bowl because there is a rich tradition of winning. Right. Right. And that is an organization that's been ran right. Guys, three head coaches and it's an existence.

7:20I mean, there's nobody around the NFL that can state that. So there is a level and a standard. We talk about that word standard around the NFL and people throw it around. It's not our standard. Dude, you don't have a standard. The Steelers do. And so the fan base expects high things to happen, high expectations for them to get to where they need to be. For us, Mike, this offense has got to click if we're going to look like anything this season. If we're struggling again, offensively, man, it's going to be another long. Yeah, but you think, man, look, you put your money where you're mouth is. You you boat up, you signed up Drake, a beach on you knew that contract was extended. It was going to be extended. And of course, Kyle Pitz, we thought for a minute was going to be strictly playing on the tag and then they give him an extension. So they believe in our skill position players. The delivery system is going to be the question. Can these guys step up? Can two of us step up and will he hold on to this job or will Michael Pentax Jr. come in and win this job? Establish himself as the franchise quarterback. The the option is then picked up in May. But first things first, to your point, let's not mail it in against Pittsburgh. Steelers offense, I don't think is anything special, but what is our password going to look like?

8:22I mean, we don't really have that designated password right now that we lost James Pierce for this suspension. We were expecting Jalen Walker to take a big leap. I'm excited about guys like Kendall Daniels and some of the new looks, A.B. on Tarell on our defense. But where is that password coming from, Carl? I don't know. I mean, I'd love to tell you, but I honestly, I have no idea. And this goes beyond Jalen Walker's injury guys. James Pierce Jr. we know he's out. I'm just simply telling you that the benefit of having two guys like that was you could just call your base defense and they could make place. Now you're going to be more reliant on scheme. And I made the reference yesterday of patting the ball. We're going to hear a lot of it if we're not getting after the quarterback. And if I'm patting the ball three or four times, that means I got five or six seconds. Guys, the quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers will eat you up. I don't care how old he is. He can still deliver the football. So Mike, the rookies A.B. on A.V. and certainly Kendall Daniels. Another question for me is what kind of impact are they going to have? See, this could go both ways.

9:23You're starting two rookies on your defense and you're hoping to get major production out of them, which I think is possible. But the other side of that is they may play like rookies. And if that happens, then are they difference makers? I don't quite yet know, but they've earned the opportunity to be starters. And that's something again, insert some new blood in their man. And A.V. on is going to be our nickel guy coach today. Talked about Billy Bowman being on his way back. He's very close and they're excited about where he is. We know that Bowman from last year's a ball hawk. But I'm curious to what these two rookies are. Are we going to get above rookie performance from Kendall Daniels and A.V. on to real? Like 2016 Falcon Draft class. Correct. It's a super bowl where D.O. you know, D.B.O. did his thing, Keanu Neal. Everybody contributed. Devon, I mean, we had guys, Devon, a Campbell, all everybody. Brian Poole's undrafted. Hooper was great on the offensive side. So yeah, that's what you're shooting for. Aaron Rodgers said 29 times last year, 24 touchdowns, seven picks. The last couple of weeks of the season really took it in the key. D.B.O. would Seattle, the Jetson, then of course that Houston playoff game but can we generate that kind of heat with the down Limon or in this case the outside

10:25linebacker that walks up with your three lineman or is it going to have to scheme the pressure which is high risk with a guy, even like Rodgers at this stage of his career. No doubt your phone calls are welcome, guys. As we are live down here tomorrow at Napa Heraldle Parks by the way. And again, flagged gave away won't actually start until five. We just had a gentleman stop by, get a photo with this hanging out. Had a couple folks drive by and blow their horn. in the area man we love to get a chance to see you and meet you we appreciate your support support and certainly listening to Dukeson Bell and sports radio 92 9 the game. Alright we're coming back. Brage losing ugly one last night. I think he's kind of worked his way out of the rotation by the way. We'll get to that and Mike just told me something new about this LSU SCC battle that's going on. We'll give you the latest when we return on sports radio 92 9 the game.