Hr1 - Cooper Rush Named Falcons Starter as Penix and Tua Sidelined

0:00nothing ever goes right for this franchise. Atlanta, what's going on? It's Duke Simebele on Sports Radio 92 9 the game. We start off every day in every hour by saying, hey man, we now know who's going to start in Pittsburgh and it is not Michael Pinnix. So it is not to a tongue of my low on. Nope, it is not even Jack Strand. Nope, it is Cooper Rush. What? Who was named today by Kevin Stofansky after two of her disobleek yesterday at practice. This is already a mess and the season hasn't even started. Yes. I'm so at my wits in, Mike. And I gotta tell you, look, I blame the front office for this because they had an opportunity to either make a trade or bring in somebody else. If they knew and had talked to Michael Pinnix about where he is, but I'm starting to believe Mike,

1:01they didn't because it's almost like, well, you just tell us what's going on. And then when he said, I'm not ready, they went, oh crap. Well, that's just it. I mean, I've had all these guys tell me, you can't rush Pinnix. This is his career year. He's not going to have a career, he isn't going to get out on the field. So I know, don't project your life into Michael Pinnix's life if you're a quiet quitter. Okay, Michael Pinnix Jr. has got to impress GMs around the league who right now we're going, how is this guy clear to not playing? Okay, that's reality. It's nothing to do with just Atlanta. If Michael Pinnix is future lives somewhere else, other GMs are questioning the same things I'm questioning. Regardless, Carl, they had two options. It was either Kyler Murray or two of Tonga Velo. That's not true, Mike. They could have made a trade. They could have gone out and acquired a quarterback. If they really thought our quarterback room is going to be crap. Not to paraphrase you. Who? Who? Well, look, Cooper Rush was sitting at home, not doing a damn thing, wedding on a phone call, all off season. They didn't call him until we acquired him on the 29th of July, okay?

2:01So he was like last minute after thought. Just in case we need another guy. And now, all of a sudden, he's starting on Sunday. I'm just saying, a front office worth its salt, does its research and says, hey, we got to bring in more qualified people in here because we may be without Michael Pinnix a lot longer than we think. They didn't do that. Well, again, I thought they figured two of Tonga Velo was looking to reinvent himself because he liked to continue to get paid other than what the dolphins still pay him for not being a dolphin. But I will say that two of us, injury to start, the camp was kind of maybe a harbinger of what's going on with this guy. We think about the concussion, we worry about that. Turns out to be my aching back. So today, I mean, yesterday, he literally, it's like that scene in the Royal Tannenbaum's when Jean Hackman goes, oh, remember, he lays down slowly and they put the spoon in his mouth, pretending like he's at a stroke or something. And that's the way he went down. So guys, it's just very frustrating that, yes, we didn't have a better option. But the one thing I'm excited about is, maybe we see Jack Strand. The good news bad news on that is, if you see Jack Strand on Sunday in Pittsburgh, we're probably down by 25, 30 points.

3:03Correct. And a lot of fans will be curious to see how he responds. But this is going to be Cooper Rush, who's been there done that, has a bunch of starts, high pressure, being in there for the Cowboys years ago. But it's just so uncompaling as a Falcon fan. I want to see Michael Pinnix Jr. You don't get that. All right, we'll give me two. I don't even get that. So you're right. Sometimes, and I hate to play that Atlanta I discard. You feel like you're cursed. 404-726-0929. I told you guys yesterday, nobody. And I mean, nobody is giving us a chance to go up to Pittsburgh and win. That was prior to this decision. What is Cooper Rush? Cooper Rush is a 32-year-old backup quarterback in the National Football League, who was played 42 games and is 9 and 7 as a starter. He was 0 and 2 for the Ravens last year. That's what he is. So if you're asking, hey, what are we getting on Sunday? I really don't know a whole lot about Cooper Rush. For those Cowboy fans, you might remember him as the backup. He had moments, okay? But at the end of the day, this is a tough way to start the season.

4:04And again, when you acquired the guy on the first day of training camp, just because, and now, yesterday was his first real, first team snaps. And he said it yesterday after practice. He said, ah, it's good to get out there because if I have to play, at least I have a feel for what's going on. Cowboy fans, where are you at with this? Because it really feels like this sets the season and the tone for the opposite direction of what we thought might, what this might look like. I heard Rusty Mansell the other day say, that's a long season. Yeah, it's a long season, but every year our seasons come down to one game, one or two games, and we win the division. So we're just gonna say, oh, yeah, it's a 17 week season, but week one is an extension of the preseason. Carl, I can't wrap with that. That's a bunch of nonsense. I mean, these games matter, okay? Now, if you're the Rams and you look like Sturfried blank last night down under, you can always come back and get it right because you're the Rams. You've got better talent than we do. Yes. But if you're the Falcons, we got no margin for error. Where you just say, I concede week one. That's why I was so irked about Panic's not being willing

5:05to go when he was cleared. All right, man, we got a lot to chop up today. It certainly changes the direction of what we thought we'd be talking about, and that is, hey, all right. Two has gotten all these raps. They got a game plan in for two, and by the way, the game plan was specifically centered around what two of us best. That's now been tweaked, and the time is ticking until kickoff on Sunday. And so I'm not telling you again, Falcon fans, that Cooper Rush won't step in and do the best job that he can, of course he is. But it just diminishes our chances. When you know you're going into a game with a guy who really gives you a 50% or less chance to win this game. And I'll be honest with you guys. That's how I feel about this. Now, if he pulled off a miracle mic, and Monday we roll into the studio, and we're talking about what a win for the Falcons, great. But I just don't feel like that. No, you need the offense to really be trucking because your defense has now what, lost. We did the math. Half of those sacks, it made us the second best past rushing team in the league last year. Those sacks are out of the building right now.

6:06At least until James Pierce Jr. comes back 10 and a half, whatever he can do in a half a season, come back. Joe Su, Mendoza hits us up on the X. He goes, I don't know what PENX putting on the Cape even means. He goes, foreign aid is a starter. Literally, it's not shown once that he can play it in a elite level. I said, and my argument is, with a better head coach, a better offensive coordinator, a real game plan, not that crap that Zach Robinson was in over his head with. That's what I want. That's why I can't wait to see Michael PENX in this sample size. That's what I mean by, give him a shot to come out there and be the hero. All right, look, we have no choice. We've got to get behind Cooper Rush. We'll see what this looks like. I hope he plays well. By the way, speaking of Jack Strand, Frost is the backup. So to Mike's point, now we're talking about him being to play away. And I've been saying this all off season. Either one of these guys are a playaway. Whether it was going to be PENX or Tua, and you guys laugh when I said, Jack Strand could be a playaway. Literally on Sunday, he is a playaway. Well, now they've talking about, they'll be an emergency quarterback. They haven't. Well, is it going to be Michael PENX Jr. Or Lama-Dezzekeas, who played quarterback in Pop Warner

7:07or in junior college that can play quarterback in a pinch? Right? No one. Now this we're bringing Heinz Ward back, or Matt Ryan is going to come out. Matt Ryan is signed on one day contract to be an emergency quarterback. I'll be down with that. I mean, bro, this is so falcony. It's just so falcony. It's what unfortunately, and I hate to tie in previous seasons with a fresh start, but the fresh start just feels like more of the same. Well, this is why Mike and I know, again, we hadn't played it down, but this is why I'm looking at the front office. What are we doing? It's almost like, what's the plan? And the most important plan going into the season, this off season was what? You guys know, it was quarterback. It was the number one thing we talked about. PENX coming off of this injury, and everybody just assumed, dude was going to be fine. How many of you guys told us he'll be ready for the season? He's not. Did the falcons front office not realize that and say, you know what, we really need to kind of double down on this and be prepared. So look, the two of thing is what it is, but many of you thought he was injury prone anyway. You thought he was injury prone anyway?

8:08I was never really sold. I mean, the one thing we can talk about, now they're not going to start him. And by the way, you and I were talking at the end of the show, guys who missed it about, you know, how does the NFL work week, you know, work because they're traveling up to Pittsburgh on Saturday morning. It's talking with Archie last night on the way home, be a text. And Dave was saying, there's some seven on seven, some red zone today, but it's not like your full, you know, day of practice that you was here earlier in the weekend, once they do the installs. So it's not like Cooper Rush is going to be beating out Jack Strand. It's all Cooper Rush. And Jack Strand won't have that opportunity. But Jack Strand is on this roster for a reason. Somebody in that building carl up, Stairer says, I believe enough about Jack Strand to take away a vital 53 man roster spot. So as much as I argued with you that he's not ready, or you can't throw him up there against Pittsburgh, I think every Falcon fan listening would rather see Jack Strand out there than Cooper Rush, just to at least see what this kid's about, you know, in the ultimate trial by fire. That's where I've been. And I said, if Tuakim play at Tuakim, I'd start. Obviously that's not who they're starting. Today, Kevin Stofansky, when he addressed the media,

9:11was not upset. He was not read in the face. He simply delivered the information. And I've said this about him. I do like this aspect. Even when we're kind of freaking out about stuff, he is right here all the time. And so he said that they have always had a plan. I'm not sure if that's true. I think this is reaction. OK, I don't think this was part of the plan. Action, reaction. OK. But he said, hey, we've always had a plan. But Gary, four quarterbacks, isn't that, doesn't that mean you anticipate it's some stuff? I think the four quarterbacks was, we know Pinnix now is not ready. OK. So at least we've got three. OK. That's what I thought. They weren't expecting Tuakim to go, ah, my back. You know, Carl, we're live at Twin Peaks here in Buckhead. Can I give a shout out real quick to start the show? Absolutely. Carl, I believe that children are our future. And you and I have talked about Gen Z being soft. Randy Watson said that. Being weak. Yeah. Having no balls. That's not what's happening right here. Three young men from the University of Georgia, hardworking guys, Duke's and Bill List, there's Carl.

10:12They only got to see national championships with Kirby. Young men right there just got certified as an agent, as a professional sports agent. How cool is that? One guy's in banking. One guy's in real estate. They're here to bird dog chicks. Let's give it up for these. You know what? Gen Z. They're not all worthless. Oh, that's good. That's good. Way to go, Gen Z. All right. Too bad. It's a room full of dudes right now. I know. Yes. And then once you hit 25 to 54, you help Carl and I hit our bonuses. So you get you guys get that birthday soon. All right, man. Good to have you guys in the building. Appreciate you guys coming out. You can come out here and hang out with us. The drinks, the eats, the scenic views, as we like to say. Here at Twin Peaks. All right, we got a lot to get to. We're going to talk to our man, B-Mac. Bryant, McFadden, two times. Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was already leaning Pittsburgh. He was already killing us. We said this today on the pre-show on Twitch and YouTube. He's going to be chirping like there's no business. I mean, you know how much he's going to be chirping today. All right, we'll talk to him. And last night, all that Rams hype come down.

11:13We're live at Twin Peaks on a Friday at Stukson Bell. Do we have to do this interview? It's Stukson Bell, Sports Radio 92 9-2-9, the game. I don't want to hear about it. Because you don't want to hear about it. No, he's just sitting there laughing right now. We love it, though. Bryant McFadden, two times. Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which ironically is where our Falcons start. Listen to him. He's already laughing. Start the season on Sunday. And he is a CBS NFL analyst, guys, by the way. Check him out. But this news, I think, is rock-falken fans world today that Cooper Rush is the starter because in a short period of time, six weeks, we've gone from Pinnix to Tuah to neither to this love fest with Jack Strand. And now it is Cooper Rush, who, by the way, again, I repeat, was at camp July 29th. That was the first day of camp is when he showed up. What are your thoughts being? What are you thinking about this? Because that's the starter for Sunday for the Falcons.

12:13Man, I'm surprised. I'm surprised just like you guys are. Tuah was just named the starting quarterback a few days ago. Right? Has it been a year? I know, man. I know. He just was named the starting quarterback. And now he's already in Grady. And hand plate was snapped. Again, it was a back spas and prime, please. It's an uplink. It's not getting crazy. You already in Grady. You know what? You know what? It's become a Grady baby already. Already. I will say this. He may never play a down that counts for the Falcons because at some point, Michael will get to 100% but Michael Petix Jr. will be really to play. And Tuah might not get on the field. We got more guys talking about Jack Strand, our fourth string quarterback right now. So the question is going to be without having the guys that created all those sacks last year on this roster. Do we just have to blitz? Are you thinking some of the OGs we brought in can actually get after Aaron Rogers? I mean, I think being able to dial up pressure

13:15with scheme would be very, very important because you're two best individual pass rushers, like you said, or not in the lineup. But you know, the thing about the game of Indiana NFL, right? When you think you know, you don't know. That's the unique thing about the sport. That's why we love the sport. That's why it's the best sport in our country because when you think you know, you don't know, you know what I mean? So anything can happen. Who would have thought Drew Lockwood come into the ball game in the second drive with the first quarter and lead the Seahawks to a victory against Drake May, right? Who would have thought San Francisco would just dominate the Rams in the fashion in which they did last night? So I understand there's some quarterback concerns for Atlanta. There's some defensive concerns for Atlanta, but you just don't know. So if I'm the Pittsburgh Steelers, you applaud the problems for Atlanta with their top pass rushes being out one suspended, one injured. You applaud the issues with the quarterback position, but you don't overlook them.

14:15You cannot overlook them. That I agree with. And that's the wackiness of week one. I think it's the wackiness of the month of September. Be to be honest with you because we're still trying to figure out these teams. But here's the thing we can't debate. I don't think we can deny. If you don't have a quarterback you trust, you're already behind it. And that's part of our problem going into week one. I know Cooper's played a lot of football, I get it. But the confidence level right now is not what it would have been, maybe even if Michael Pinnix was healthy, certainly Tua. And I just feel like that is like where we are as a fan base right now going into week one. We can't debate that, right? Yeah, you can't debate that. I mean, for Atlanta, Falken fans, week one is that week where all fan bases are optimistic. But for a Falken fans, you took a blow knowing that Cooper Rush is going to be a starting quarterback, even though you didn't have a lot of belief in Tua, you believe more in Tua just from the experience factor than anything. But, but I'll say this, for Cooper Rush,

15:19if you just go manage the system, make timely plays and don't turn the football over, allow your playmakers to do what they've been paid to do. All three high level playmakers in the offense, Kyle Piss, Drake London, B. John Robinson have been paid deservedly so. They are really, really good at what they do. And the cupboard isn't there when it comes to the skill positions on the offense. And I do like the offense line as well. So yeah, you might have major concerns at the quarterback position in which you should. But everything else is intact. So if you're Cooper Rush, who's been in the lead for quite some time, I know you guys said he just got to Atlanta the end of July. But he's been around the game of football in the NFL for quite some time. He's experienced guy. Man, just don't trick it off. Protect the football and get the football onto the hands of your play, man. Hey, crossing routes, slants, boom, boom, boom. Ball's got to be accurate. But then a ball comes out. B. John get the ball. I think the number we came up with 25 touches. I know I don't want to run this guy in the ground. We're not talking about abusing him like, say, one, Barclay with the Eagles.

16:19But they're going to. But B. John has to be the guy you lean into. Of other way, Cooper Rush, 9 and 7 has started quarterback. 9 and 5 is time with Dallas. But B. Mc, the thing that we keep coming back to was Carl brought up earlier in a week. Still the team is pretty mediocre on offense themselves. I mean, DK Metcalf, Pittman. I know that that's an elite defense from Houston last year. But they look pretty awful on offense down the stretch last year. Maybe it. Maybe it. I'll see. Here you go. See, there's the first shot. We need objective analysis and you have objective analysis. You right. They look horrible in that playoff game against Houston. And this is a new year. I think the offense line is going to be better. And I'm going to tell you this much. And this is a guy you guys are familiar with based on 2025. Rico Dotto is going to be a huge asset to the offense. Rico Dotto. Yes. Rico is going to be a huge asset to the running game. And yeah, you remember he ran exceptionally well for Carolina last year.

17:23Right. So the addition of Rico, you know, Michael Pittman Jr. is another, you know, big, big body wide receiver that can move the chain. The most important thing for Atlanta is get impression on an rajas. Because if you do not understand these in his 40s, but the above the shoulder game is still intact in terms of dissecting you up. He's going to carve you like a Thanksgiving turkey. If you don't put pressure on it. So that's the biggest thing for Atlanta. Can they put pressure on an rajas like what we saw from Houston and make him uncomfortable because he can't if he sits in that pocket and go through his progression. He knows exactly what to go to football. Yeah, that's it's my number one concern. And it was prior to this whole quarterback thing. We're talking to B-Mac guys, Brian to McFatin here on Sports Radio 92 9 to game. We're live at Twin Peaks and Buckhead. If you're just joining us, Cooper Rush officially named the starter for Sunday. It is not Pennix. He's out in active. It is not Tua. But as Mike said, the emergency quarterback still yet to be named, but they said they've got a plan there. I want to ask you about the hype on the Rams. Because I know it's all Australian.

18:24Everybody's talking about and criticizing the plan and how they got there with the Rams. And then I saw Miles Garrett say, look, I just didn't play well. Man, I'm not 100%. Okay. So is this team over a hype? What are your thoughts after this matchup with the 49ers who they owned them yet last night? And that's the thing about those two teams. They go back and forth. You know, if you look at the history between Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVey, you know, it's always a split in the series series, the season series with these teams in years past. I just didn't expect to see San Francisco dominate in the fashion in which they did. And for the Rams, the Rams looked like they were sluggish. They looked like, obviously, they had no chemistry, no rhythm. And a lot of that have to do with them not participating at all and anything in preseason related. And then they dropped 40 plate in preseason, right? He got out there with the guys and he was able to orchestrate a few drives. And he looked to be extremely precise in that ball game. Matthew Stafford looked to be off. Even when his wide receivers had created separation, the ball placement wasn't there.

19:25So it just, it seemed like the rhythm was never there. He talked about Miles Garrett. Remember, Miles Garrett missed a lot of time in training camp because of injuries. They would say it was giving him rest days and things like that. Here's Tech engine like came on in the first quarter. I mean, he was, he was on fumes in the first quarter. He had no gas. He had no legs. And the thing about Miles Garrett, you would never question his ability to be in an elite pass Russia. But there's one area concerning this game is, is, is stopping the run. Jerry versus the better run stopper than Miles Garrett. And they missed that element from Jerry versus when you look at the down here running game, that Stafford Cisco was implementing in the offense. So is it, do you still believe the Rams, you know, can get to a snowball? I do. Yes. I still believe they can be a high level team. But clearly, they didn't perform to the level of expectations that we have for them, especially with all the additions. I mean, week one can be a fake out because some teams just come, just come back and not

20:26to mention being a, we spent a lot of time last week. 49ers got there. They had a week to get ready. The fly in the night before the sleep experts, I think blew this one because they literally looked like they were sleepwalking, including Matthew Stafford. It's our man B-Mac, Brian McFadden, guys, two time Super Bowl winners rely from Twin Peaks here in Buckhead. The Patriots, I know Drake May guys, and you, you agree when it comes to teams with the winning record. Last year in the regular season in playoffs, 11 touchdowns and 11 picks. So it, and the, and the C-OX had the same formula. They got after that butt, man, police and everybody and he couldn't handle it. Yeah, and that's the thing for Drake May. If he just protect the football, they probably win the ball game. That's it. And he started to press. He was pressing in a moment where he didn't need to press. You know, just understand when the defenses were kind of dictating the flow of the ball game, it's okay to take what they're giving you. And also, too, you have to understand, and those type of ball games was a close net situation.

21:26Field goals are like touchdowns. Field goals, they, they feel like touchdowns because it's hard to drive the length of the football field when defense are dominated. And for him, he just reverted to a rookie Drake May when he was trying to press to make things happen. And they weren't there. If you look at all three inceptions, all three inceptions were bad decisions. All three, especially the last one when you're already in field goal range. So worst case scenario, you keep a field goal. You go in the overtime. And in this case, you score a touchdown, where you don't turn the football over, not there. And for him to be in his, in year three to have the MVP caliber year last year, you would think he wouldn't make that type of decision. Totally agree. All right, B. Close game, you said it. Handle, you know, long down situations, put yourself in, you know, third and short. Make the short passes. Give the ball to your playmakers. Which Falcons keep this close? What are your thoughts on the game Sunday?

22:28We covered it three and a half. Well, it's up to five now. It's up to five now, Joe. I was doing news. Well, I hope y'all got it at three and a half. I got it at three and a half. And I'm happy. I'm elated that that three and a half is where I got it at. But we cover. So I'm just talking about the initial spread. We covered it three and a half. But like I said, and no one might McCarthy and no one the veteran coach that he is, which I love him in this spot. He will make sure the guys in the locker room that will be wearing that stealers helmet. Helmet, they're not overlooking Atlanta. Check that extremely serious. This is weak one. This is the week of unknowns. Yes, because you know exactly what you're going to get from Atlanta, defensively or offensively. So don't don't overlook them because Cooper Rush is lining up in the heart. You know what I mean? Go hunt Cooper Rush like he will hunt to a tongue of I love go hunt them. But don't take them for granted. And also to another name I forgot to highlight Zachariah Branch that he got some juice to him. He got some ish to him. Either guy that can be a difference maker along with the other guys that we highlighted.

23:30So the offense for Atlanta can score points. They just got to get the quarterback situation right. And I hope they don't get it right on Sunday. Right. He's listening with the hamster. So I'm going to cut you off and I said, check that up to six now on draft Kings MGM. Six Carl. That's a promise. We're now we're a touchdown dog on the road in Pittsburgh. Guys, it's a quarterback league. Yeah. It's just what it is. Whether he's crap or not fans know the brand of two of and when you're Cooper Rush they that Vegas jumps the numbers. All right. Be appreciate you as always man. Enjoy the games and we will talk to you next week as we hit towards the show. Enjoy him that much. Well, you know, as a football fan. Look at this. Be get out of here man. All right. We're done with you. You know, are we doing the state dinner? Are we doing the state dinner? Rush Jersey. Yeah. You know what? You can't you can't fight one. You got to order that online NFL.com Playboy. All right. We're going to do the state dinner with this one or not for what this guy got to cover six. You got to cover six. I'm out on this game. Are you serious? This wasn't I signed up for. I'll slap rock over here. I didn't sign up for this.

24:31Huh? The bet was made. The bet was made. We know we were going to have a quarterback circus going on. You know, he doesn't drink. We get off easy on this. Just pay for the stipulation to the bet. Fine. Fine. Fine. Yes. He's like, unless he orders bananas foster or something. Okay. We're good with this. I don't like that on fire. All right. We choose. Yeah. Sounds like pick it. Pick it. I'll take it. Brian, we'll talk to you next week, man. Yeah. Brian, make fat and look, why wouldn't you feel good if you're thinking about being, you know, on the Steelers? I get it. I just feel for us, guys. Brian made a valid point. We'll get into this on the other side. And I'm going to let you hear from Cooper Rush. I'm going to let you hear from coach to fanski as well. And Mike, a quote that I've got to read from coach that just says everything you've been saying all week long. It's next on sports radio, 92 9 the game.

25:35So Cooper Rush is the starter. We're live between peaks in Buckhead for week one, one o'clock kickoff, eleven o'clock pregame here on sports radio, 92 9 the game. That announcement coming from Kevin's to fanski today. I want to read you a quote before we let you hear what's the fanski had to say. And also Cooper Rush because he spoke to the media yesterday, right after practice. And it was really the first time we've had a chance to hear from him because there's been no reason. I mean, he was literally the third string guy. You know, it was perceived to be that with pinnocks and two, but Kevin's to fanski today. Mike, when asked about Michael pinnocks, Mike will be ready when he's ready. I trust in this process. I'm not going to get into next week. And the reason he said that is because people said, hey, well, you know, I'm all open up against Carolina. How about that one? Our situation right now, coach. I'm not going to get into next week like Mike told you he's getting very, very close.

26:39Okay. Cooper Rush of Jack Strand with a quarterback's present with the main drill, a quote in our buddy, Mark Ramande from ESPN.com. When the media got to see practice, Cooper was throwing primarily Michael Pentax Jr. was across the field with the reserves. Okay. I'm not surprised. No, I mean, I'm not going to it is it is what it is. I'm not arguing about this anymore. I think it's, I think to some fans, if it comes sort of, maybe you didn't agree with me at first, but you're coming around because the situation now has changed and the circumstances have changed and sometimes requires a little, you know, deeper dive into where you're at. You know, but that's, that's his style. And again, hopefully someday we'll get a chance to catch up with him. Yeah. After he's established himself as keeping people talking about what happened these last few weeks. Let me say this though, Mike. And look, I'm, I'm with you as the fan in me wants to see the urgency of him wanting to come back as soon as possible. The other side of this is, and I had a friend say this to me and I said, okay, you're right. If you were advising him and we're not, we are cheering for this football team and want

27:43them to do as well as possible. The advice you would give him is do not get out there until you give yourself a real chance to get a bag. And his next bag, not this rookie bag, the next bag is what he's, he's trying to get to already got his, by the way. You got his in my hand, right? We're talking about $200 plus million, $150, $180 million guaranteed, whatever it's going to be. Don't know what the contract look like, but those are the numbers when you start talking about these quarterback contracts. And he said, if you were advising him, you would say that, right? And I said, probably, but that's not where I'm at. I'm on the other side of that where I go, this is probably the best option for us to win. And I need him and he's been medically cleared. So look, there are two sides to that, right? And I get it, but I'm as frustrated as Mike is and certainly as many of you are with the whole idea that now we're in this quarterback predicament, quarterback chaos. And his, his mindset is not changing. I said to Mike yesterday, because Mike said, maybe he comes to the rescue.

28:44Mentally he's checked out right now. He's already told you I'm not playing this right. So there's no way that that was going to play out where all of a sudden yesterday that goes down with two and he comes to coach and says, hey, by the way, I'm ready to go. This is where we thought it would be. He's an active for week one. I'm just curious to know who the hell the emergency quarterback is. And again, I don't think it's like we're writing a script for a Disney movie, you know, that like we joked around about this earlier this summer, like all Tom Cruise movies. I'm the man I doubt myself. I get my confidence back. I win the day. Thought that might happen. Not happening yet. And look, I'm a different generation than some of our younger audience. And I don't, I just think it's most guys who've competed in their lives understand what I'm talking about. Some guys don't. Some guys say, look, it's about self preservation and the Falcons, you know, because they didn't draft and they don't owe him anything and he doesn't owe anything to the Falcons. He doesn't. I don't think that necessarily though that helps you around the national football league. Yeah. Look, that's what I'm saying. That's because I mean, there'll be personnel guys around the league that look at this and go, what the blank is he doing? That conversation is valid.

29:45If you're advising him, if that is your son, you're telling him you didn't get on the field until you can give yourself a chance to secure this back. And that is the problem. And we want him out there. And so Mike, it'll happen, but I thought that was interesting that's Kevin's defansky. And again, I read that in a way where he didn't deliver it that way, but that's what it sounds like. He's not ready. He told you he's not ready. Like that's what it feels like. Hey, I'm reinforcing what you guys already know. Let me hear Cooper rush because this is the first time again. We hadn't really, you know, camp we talked about him, but Cooper rush was asked if he's getting ready to be the starter. This was before the announcement was made literally about an hour or so ago. Yeah, not sure what happened, but you know, it's Thursday practice practice has to go on. And so you're up next. And that was a good day. It's good to get out there and get some real wraps of that group. And it will say happens. And what's going to happen is he's under center on Sunday. Rush also said he feels ready to be the quarterback if he got the call. And now that's the case. Yeah, I feel the camp was camp was good.

30:46Got caught up to speak pretty quickly. I think to test me to the staff how well it's coached that you can fall along and pick it up pretty quickly in terms of how it's organized the systematic, systematic stuff of it. And so that's been, that's been really helpful. And I think kind of everyone being the first year together definitely helps it too. The interesting thing is Andy and Randy asked coach Defansky yesterday is there too much bejohn? Is there such a thing? I don't care who the starter was going to be this year. I already felt like they were going to try to run him into the ground. That's just me. I may be wrong about this, but I think at the end of the season when we look at carries attempts, that he's going to be right up there as either the league leader or second, depending on how things shake out. And it's putting a lot of pressure on bejohn. Not that he doesn't want it, but Mike, that's part of the thing that I think most teams are going to play us understand, right? Take him out. Take him away. How does this offense look? But Defansky was asked that question.

31:47Here was his response about is there such thing as too much bejohn? Yeah, listen, he's a great player. He's a great player for us. I love the person and the player. And then we'll have a plan as each game rolls around. Can he get every rep? No. But we feel really good about the plan for bejohn. If we're really good about the plan for Brian Robinson, we'll mix and match as the game calls for it. We think you have to get into games and there's a little bit of riding the hot hand at times. So I feel really confident in coach Petry. We'll go into it with a plan ready to adjust. But I think it's important for us to have a plan for our guys in week one, recognizing that it could be an 80 play game, right? And it could be an X number game season. So you have to always take that into account as you're putting these plans in. Okay.

33:08Yes, with the Geroin, as you say in Texas, yes, sir, to Sean Hand with the knee, but these guys all participated as did Michael Pennix with his knee. Cedaria Smith with a shoulder, John Taylor, the knee, but he got the day off yesterday as a veteran. And Jake Matthews got the older guy day off today. Hmm. All right. And of course, two of did not participate with the oblique. Yeah, of course. Well, again, it's affecting his throwing. I don't know. That's the other part about. We never get it. Guys, news flash. That's another thing. We're never going to see two of us talking about low and starting game for the Falcons this year. Realistically, because it takes a few weeks for this to heal. And it's either going to be Michael Pennix, you and you will eventually look at the man in the mirror and say, are we ready? And then he'll go, but I don't think we see two. Yeah. The oblique thing is it's a throwing motion, doesn't matter right left side. And if you're feeling discomfort there, it's what it is. Didn't you try Drake Baldwin have that at some point? He did. He did. Yeah. Let's hear Jeff Olbrick, Mike, because as much as we're talking about the quarterback and yes, it's a big deal. I've been saying to you guys, if we let Aaron Rogers pat the ball all day, this is going

34:09to be a long Sunday afternoon. And Jeff is the defensive coordinator for our Falcons. He is tasked with how do you face this dude who's seen every coverage in the book. You're not going to do anything sunny to him. He hasn't seen. Okay. 20 years in the league, guys, he's seen it all. So our DC talked about the challenge of facing Rogers in this offense. Yeah. He is obviously one of the best quarterbacks that has ever played this game. I'm still playing at a very high level. And on top of all of that, I think he's got an arsenal of weapons at his disposal as well. So receiving core, the tight end group, the two running backs. So, and then the way that historically Coach McCarthy has featured guys with very specific roles and skill sets, it's going to be a great challenge. And from a defensive perspective, these are the games. I'd like to say every game is the same. And it is, but at the same time to go up against a player of Aaron's magnitude and the players

35:10around him from an offensive perspective. It's a great challenge. It's one that they're all super excited about. I'm excited about as well. He has a lot more respect, I think, than most because he was there when Aaron went to the jets. He was their defensive coordinator and saw Aaron Rogers every day leading up to him running out on the field with that damn flag and injuring his Achilles. I think he knows. He's seen him at practice way more than most and he understands what they're up against. And you know, the respect thing is that's just NFL conversation there. But Mike, Jeff Olberg's got to be thinking, I don't have my two big guns on the outside. I don't have all the things I need to slow this dude down. No, and as we said, I mean, you've just got guys that you're hoping will bring some heat. It's just it's kind of old timers day. You know, I mean, and guys coming off of injuries. I mean, we talked about, you know, Samson Epicom. He is three years removed from nine and a half sacks, a mysticism in between.

36:11Loves it area Smith. He brought some great energy. Maybe he brings him that Kalea's camel type juice, right? We know the story. It's a personal story. Losing his mom stepping away from football, but that's a 34 year old guy. You know, that you're hoping can bring some heat. That's why you got to blitz a little bit more. Now if you're starting to bring some of the corners or safes, then that's high risk, high ultimate. I'd love to see him do some of the things he did with Kaden Ellis, but in the form of Kendall Daniels, because I love his game. You know, but again, underneath step will go for a big play if Aaron Rogers gets the ball out. If you don't get home, it's going to be interesting. It really is. We'd love to hear from you. You can text us 4047260929. Follow Mike ATL Bell 929 and follow me and put them up. See dukes. And of course, this radio station in 929 the game follow us at Dukeson Bell 929. You agree though, if we see Cooper Rush, things are going horribly wrong. Cooper, I mean, check that Jack Strand. Cooper Rush will start Jack Strand. We'll be the backup. I mean, for those that want to see Jack Strand in a real environment, at an environment. Yes. That could be, well, I don't want to wish ill will.

37:12That would either be an injury or the game is out of hand. I was going to say Mike, Cooper Rush is one TJ watt off the edge play from being out of this game. Like that's the reality of this. So yeah, man, look, I hope that's not the case, but we'll see what happens. Right. We'll continue to talk about it with you. When we come back, Bravestarter Big Series. This news with the quarterback thing is front and center, but big series at truest. Also, the SEC is not issuing punishment to LSU. We'll dive into that. Georgia hosting Westeren Kentucky tomorrow and Georgia Tech gets in a seat. Scary. Yeah, we'll get into all of this stuff, man. Stay there. We're Dukeson Bell. We're live between peaks and bucket.