The Atlanta Falcons have sky-high expectations to make a deep run in the playoffs. The team’s offense boasts so much firepower that it should be truly special to watch once the season begins. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud already believes Michael Penix Jr. can lead them all the way to the Super Bowl.
“Boy, I’m excited, and I’m not gonna be surprised by any of it,” McCloud said. “I’ve watched [Penix] every day for the last year at practice, and I’m just ready to see him go into an experienced year, a polished year, and see how it goes — go all the way to the Super Bowl.”
For the first time in a while, the Falcons enter their season without knowing who their starting kicker will be. Younghoe Koo is fighting to keep his spot after a tough season last year.
“If Stephen Curry were to shoot a (3-point shot), and the guy blocked it, does that count as a missed 3 or does it count as a blocked 3?” special teams coordinator Marquice Williams said. “Yeah. So, OK, he missed seven (because two of the nine misses were blocked). Two years prior, he missed five. Not making excuses or anything like that, but that’s not all on him when it comes to that.”
For Koo, he is just ready to get back to his old self.
“I'm ready to get back to what I know I'm capable of: being the best in the league," Koo said. "I know I can do that, just going back to the process of what I do, and yeah, I'll get back to that for sure."
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After the latest report from Atlanta Falcons reporter Joe Patrick, it appears Koo may be winning the current battle.
“I can’t recall Younghoe Koo missing a kick in training camp outside of one miss on the first day of camp. Perfect again today in the scrimmage. He’s taken all the field goal opportunities,” Patrick posted.
Koo has been the Falcons’ only kicker for quite some time, and for good reason. He can kick the ball well, but entering training camp, there was a lot of uncertainty. It seems Koo has taken the challenge head-on and continues to prove he is the guy.