ATLANTA— Franchises with a history of success can take enormous risks, test new techniques, and pursue daring new approaches. As for the Atlanta Falcons, fan loyalty is only as strong as their last series.
Atlanta made the greatest offseason move in the NFL, signing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, investing a first-round pick on another QB, and undertaking a total philosophical overhaul under new head coach Raheem Morris. After a good training camp, confidence was high.
The regular season started. Atlanta lost its season opener Sunday to Pittsburgh 18-10, again seeing fans throw up their hands in resignation
After two nasty interceptions, Cousins failed to move the football and vapor-locked in the second half of a game that was winnable until the final minutes.
“I was disappointed, certainly disappointed,” Cousins said after the game while Falcons owner Arthur Blank watched. You always expect to play well, and we didn't today.”
After joyfully playing team dad throughout training camp, Cousins looked like a dad on a disastrous family vacation after the Pittsburgh game:
overloaded, stretched to his limit, making the wrong choices over and over again. Cousins had 155 yards passing, 16 completions, 2 interceptions, and 1 score. Like the dad after vacation, there's no break, only work.
“We have to flush it and understand that it's a loss,” Cousins added. “You must move forward and treat each game separately. You go there after a win or loss. Your mind must get there.”