Why Falcons QB Kirk Cousins says profitable in Atlanta 'might imply a little bit extra'

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Kirk Cousins is the brand new quarterback on the town for the Atlanta Falcons, however the space has been one thing of a second dwelling for him through the years.

Cousins’ spouse, Julie, is from practically Alpharetta, and graduated from the College of Georgia. They received married in Roswell. The Cousins’ named one among their sons Turner after the then-Atlanta Braves ballpark (which was named after media mogul Ted Turner). And Julie’s household occurs to be made up of diehard Falcons followers.

When Atlanta confronted the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Cousins received his father-in-law, Michael, tickets to the sport. Cousins watched from dwelling — and was rooting laborious for the Falcons. He had former teammates who performed with the crew and associates on the teaching employees. Plus, an emotional Michael within the stands.

The Patriots ended up profitable, 34-28, after Atlanta infamously blew a 28-3 lead. It was the most important comeback in Tremendous Bowl historical past, and the Falcons’ fanbase was devastated. So was Cousins.

Cousins was enjoying for Washington on the time and stated he by no means actually thought of in the future he’d play in Atlanta. The 13-year veteran signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons within the offseason. He has not forgotten what that loss felt like seven years in the past, at the same time as an outsider, and what it may imply to do one thing that has by no means been seen earlier than in Atlanta: the Falcons profitable the Tremendous Bowl.

“To actually not have a canine within the combat [while] enjoying for Washington, and to be as crushed as I used to be after they misplaced, I can solely think about what town felt,” Cousins advised ESPN. “And sure, I do suppose that to cross that end line can be past gratifying. It could imply a little bit greater than what it means to possibly different cities, and to different cities it will imply loads.”

Cousins is taking his position as Falcons quarterback very severely. He has labored laborious to rehab a torn Achilles that prematurely ended his 2023 season to be wholesome in time for a full, profitable coaching camp. Off the sector, he has put his cash the place his mouth is locally.

Final week, Cousins hosted a gaggle of youngsters from an area Boys & Women Membership at a Falcons apply after which traveled to the membership himself afterward to shock the youngsters, serve them pizza and provides the older ones a seminar in monetary literacy. It was all a part of Truist Financial institution’s “Past the Area” program.

“I imagine we’ve a platform that many individuals haven’t got,” Cousins stated. “There are various individuals who have assets that do not have the platform {that a} skilled athlete has. And so, I wish to steward that effectively and use it to make a optimistic affect on the group, however particularly younger folks due to the affect they then can have paying it ahead. So, it is a privilege, but in addition a accountability to get entangled.

“You are feeling such as you’re representing much more than simply the title on the again of your jersey, your loved ones for certain. You are representing a complete metropolis, and also you wish to make good on that. And never all people will get to go to a job that represents the entire metropolis on the entrance of their shirt.”

Coaching camp has come to an finish and Cousins shall be sporting “ATL” on his jersey in Week 1 in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8. Expectations are excessive in Atlanta after the signing of Cousins, in addition to different additions akin to edge rusher Matthew Judon and security Justin Simmons, each former Professional Bowlers.

New coach Raheem Morris credited Cousins’ presence with attracting gamers to Atlanta when different choices may need been obtainable to them. Having a quarterback like Cousins, with a confirmed observe document, can change the tradition.

“Once you go get a man like Kirk, folks wish to play with him, proper?” Morris stated. “As a result of they really feel they’ve an opportunity to win. And when you’ve an opportunity to win, that enables firm to come back, that enables folks to wish to come play with them.”

Morris has a crew favored to win the NFC South, in response to ESPN BET, and one which offered out its season tickets previous to coaching camp for the primary time in 20 years.

Cousins has stepped up as a pacesetter, as effectively. He has hung out after practices this summer season working with the likes of promising younger extensive receiver Drake London and tight finish Kyle Pitts, in addition to extensive receiver Darnell Mooney, one other new addition to the crew this yr. London has stated the vibes in Atlanta really feel “totally different” with Cousins because the crew’s sign caller.

“I felt what it is wish to be with a QB of that caliber and with the ability to go on the market and sort of do what I, what I do know I can do,” London stated. “So now, I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. So now, it is a consistency factor.”

Cousins, 36, stated it is laborious to guage how good Atlanta may be simply from apply. When the offense is enjoying effectively, may that be an indictment of the protection? If the protection is getting stops and takeaways, what does that say concerning the offense? However he has been within the league a very long time, and he has a sure really feel for issues.

“I go searching right here in coaching camp, and I believe we’ve an opportunity is principally the language I’d use,” Cousins stated. “We’ve an opportunity, we’ve the items that give us an opportunity to do one thing, and now we gotta go see if we are able to do it.”

Morris was on the teaching employees of the Falcons crew that misplaced within the Tremendous Bowl. He was additionally a defensive assistant in Washington when Cousins was there early in Cousins’ profession. There may be familiarity there, in addition to not directly with new Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who’s a disciple of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, as was Kevin O’Connell, Cousins’ former coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Cousins stated O’Connell advised him that Robinson “all the time had good solutions when it got here time to convey up some new concepts or some X’s and O’s factors.” And Morris has been the one defensive coach Cousins has seen who would spend time within the quarterbacks room, studying the language of that place.

“There’s loads of coaches who do not take the time to have the ability to do this,” Cousins stated. “However he did. And I believe it’s a part of what enabled him to essentially be taught either side of the ball so rapidly.”

Cousins stated he was talking to a Corridor of Fame quarterback after he signed with the Falcons, and the participant — who he selected to not establish — advised him that when he was a free agent years in the past he considered what it will be wish to go to a metropolis the place, if you happen to gained, “it will actually be particular and actually come alive.”

“I believe Atlanta is that metropolis for you,” Cousins stated the QB advised him.

Cousins stated he harkens to that Tremendous Bowl LI loss and remembers the road from the film “Miracle” once they talked about how Herb Brooks got here so near profitable the Olympic gold medal as a participant however did not get it. “After which as a coach, they have been saying he he was gonna do no matter it took as a result of he knew how shut,” Cousins stated. “And I believe there’s a few of that in the way in which we work. It is an understanding of how shut the Falcons have been to not get it, and the way [we can leave] no stone unturned. We have gotta do every little thing we are able to.”