Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is losing support of the fan base, and Sunday’s 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers may have been the breaking point. Despite Robinson’s rough day calling plays, the team still made the blame-shifting decision to bench quarterback Michael Penix Jr. late in the fourth quarter.
Confined by Robinson’s obsession for 11 personnel, unwillingness to commit to the run, and overuse of the pistol formation, Penix has been forced to play as a pawn in a very predictable offensive scheme.
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Robinson’s attack has featured nothing more than intermediate five-step route trees, uneventful play-action, and very basic check-down options for Penix to assess in the flat. Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero had no trouble shutting down the Falcons offensive concepts in Week 3.
Penix is being subject to a play style that does not fit his mold, and his errand throws appear to be a sign of mental fatigue and frustration rather than inadequacy. Instead of sending in concepts in the vertical passing game that play into Penix’s strengths, Robinson continues to sequence in passing schemes that favor throwing the ball at the intermediate level, outside the hashes, into tight windows.
Falcons reserve quarterback Kirk Cousins led the NFL with 16 interceptions last season and Penix is treading in the same direction thanks to the predictable play calling of Robinson.
Through 66 total plays Sunday, the Falcons produced 332 total yards and zero points. For emphasis, Robinson’s 42 total passing plays produced an average of just 4.2 yards per pass attempt and 20 total incompletions.
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Ultimately, if the Falcons plan on improving offensively, it may be time to abandon Robinson’s approach or consider moving on from him as their play caller.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. better without Zac Robinson?