Kirk Cousins praises Falcons starter Michael Penix Jr. for "playing beyond his years"

Yahoo Sports Daily hosts Jason Fitz and Caroline Fenton are joined by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who discusses his relationship with starter Michael Penix Jr. and what he’s seen from the second-year pro. Catch the full conversation on Tuesday’s Yahoo Sports Daily.

Video Transcript

Spartans joined the We Give Blood drive and help MSU dominate in donations.

Lee Green, save lives and make Sparty proud.

That is the We Give Blood drive that’s happening right now, which is why we’re about to talk to Kirk Cousins.

He’s hanging out with us.

You, uh, we’re gonna talk about the Falcons.

We’re gonna talk about Michigan State.

We’re gonna talk about everything, but Kirk, thanks for joining us.

Uh, you’re confident about Sparty, uh, absolutely winning this.

Blood drive.

First and foremost, I think I’m supposed to say go green so that you can then respond.

There we go.

And now we got a weekend coming.

Michigan State stacking up against Nebraska.

I mean, donating blood also give me a little side bet.

How are we feeling about this party going up against the Cornhuskers, their bottle of 3 and 1s?

It’s always tough going to Nebraska, but I like our chances.

I think we’re off to a good start.

I like Jonathan Smith as their head coach and what he’s building there.

Uh, off the field, it’s a tough test because Nebraska won the, the We Give Blood drive last year that Abbott and the Big Ten have partnered to create.

This is now season two of that blood drive.

Nebraska is currently ranked second of the 18 Big Ten teams.

Michigan State is seventh in donating the most blood, so we got some work to do, but, uh, uh, just kind of trying to get the word out about Abbott and the Big Ten’s We Give Blood drive and encouraging everybody to go to bigten.org/abbott to, uh, to make a donation, log their donation.

25,000 people have already donated, which is more than, than last year’s entire year.

So, uh, it’s a growing program and we’re excited.

There’s a national blood shortage and so it’s important that we get.

Out and donate this blood to, to meet all kinds of different healthcare needs.

And, um, and so it’s great to see what happened in the Big Ten have been able to do partnering up and getting the word out.

And, uh, I’m, I’m excited to be a part of it.

I to transition into your NFL career, the Falcons now sitting at 2 and 2, and you have had a front row seat to watch Michael Penix Jr.’s development.

What do you make of his start in year 2?

He’s playing great.

Had an awesome game yesterday, did a really good job, uh, specifically on third down in critical moments, uh, making plays with his arm, with his legs, made great decisions with the football, um, especially considering how young of a player he is still in this league.

I think he’s really playing beyond his years.

And, um, like you said, I’ve got a front row seat to be able to, uh, you know, watch and encourage and just kind of support the best I can.

That being said, you also take a lot of pride in your job.

This is different for you.

How have you sort of managed this role in this situation for you and what’s being asked of you in this team environment?

Yeah, it’s, uh, bringing back memories of when I was in Washington and, and, you know, supporting Griff my first few years there and even going back to college when I was backing up Brian Hoyer.

So, you know, you still study, you still prepare, you still get all you can throughout the week to be ready to go if need be, but you also, uh, understand all that’s on the guy starting and how you just want to be a great support to him and be an asset to him and to the team and um, I think it’s an important role as a backup to be able to not only be ready to contribute as on the field, but to be a contributor, you know, on the sidelines as well.

Kirk Cousins praises Falcons starter Michael Penix Jr. for “playing beyond his years”

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