The Atlanta Falcons legend discusses their struggles this season, his alma mater LSU and the most important tales within the NFL.
Former Atlanta Falcons heart Todd McClure says he’s dissatisfied together with his former group’s season to date, and is now questioning whether or not Michael Penix Jr. is the reply at quarterback.
The Falcons are at the moment 3-8 forward of a recreation towards their fiercest rivals, the New Orleans Saints, and they’re now outsiders within the NFL betting to make the playoffs.
In our unique interview, McClure discusses the place it has gone mistaken for Atlanta and his faculty alma mater, LSU, and likewise shares his ideas on a few of the NFL’s greatest tales.
What have you ever manufactured from the Atlanta Falcons to date this season?
With how final season ended with Michael Penix Jr. coming in in the direction of the top, and enjoying nicely, it created some hype for this season. There have been hopes that they had been going to have some success.
Final 12 months, they struggled with the go rush and attending to the quarterback, so that they even addressed that by getting in guys like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Now they’ve a protection that’s enjoying quick.
However the season has been disappointing.
The offense has been a little bit incompetent. The scheme, playcalling and timing haven’t been one of the best. Now, your beginning quarterback in Penix is out with a critical knee damage.
You’re sitting right here with three wins as you get able to face the New Orleans Saints. It’s simply not what the followers or anyone in that constructing anticipated.
With a postseason look wanting unlikely, what ought to the Falcons’ objectives be for the remainder of the season?
I’ve been in seasons like this the place it was fairly dangerous. A kind of was when Bobby Petrino was the pinnacle coach. I do know the sport has modified a little bit bit, however as professionals, you’re nonetheless enjoying to receives a commission.
In the event you’re an expert who’s attempting to show one thing otherwise you’re in search of a brand new contract, you exit and attempt to play your greatest.
Kirk Cousins can be taking on at quarterback, and he’s a terrific instance of this. He nonetheless has some issues he desires to show. He desires to show he’s not the participant that folks noticed him as final 12 months when he was coming off that Achilles damage.
So, the Falcons gamers nonetheless have quite a bit to play for.
No matter whether or not we had been profitable or dropping, I all the time performed for my group and my delight.
The Falcons nonetheless have guys that may get it achieved too, particularly up entrance. They’ve acquired some actually good guys on the offensive line in Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom, who’s a perennial All-Professional.
So, they’ve acquired the precise leaders. I feel they’ll maintain competing.
They’ve misplaced a number of video games this 12 months late or in additional time, so it’s not like they’ve been fully out of video games. However that’s the NFL. It’s important to win these shut video games, and when you don’t, it’s going to be an extended season.
When wholesome, has Penix Jr. proven indicators of being a franchise quarterback?
After watching his quick physique of labor to date within the NFL, I do query a little bit bit whether or not he is usually a franchise quarterback.
His arm is extraordinarily robust, however I’m uncertain about his pocket presence. That is the place he has a tough time.
It is likely to be an unfair comparability, however while you watch some nice quarterbacks like Tom Brady, they weren’t essentially the most fleet of foot, however they’ll step up three inches, keep away from that go rush and make performs down the sector. As of now, Penix Jr. hasn’t proven this sufficient.
Within the draft course of, we heard about how athletic he was and his skill to maneuver, however that’s not the quarterback we’ve seen to date. I performed with Michael Vick, and he was a quarterback who may actually get out of the pocket and transfer.
Penix Jr. hasn’t been extraordinarily correct, and he’s had a tough time shifting within the pocket.
In the event you ask me proper now, and I hate to say it, however I don’t suppose he’s the long-term man for the Falcons.
I hope he proves me mistaken.
What are your ideas on Raheem Morris’ place as head coach of the Falcons?
The kitchen is getting scorching over there.
I really like Raheem. I really like the best way he coaches his group, however this league is about manufacturing. On the offensive aspect particularly, the coordinator and scheme have struggled this 12 months.
I’m certain Mr. (Arthur) Clean goes to get antsy. They acquired a style of the Tremendous Bowl a number of years again with Matt Ryan, however Mr. Clean is getting older now. He’d like to see them get again to the Tremendous Bowl and win it.
So, I’d say there’s quite a lot of warmth in that kitchen proper now.
What have you ever manufactured from Drake London’s performances this season?
I feel he’s displaying he is among the elite receivers within the NFL.
Once they drafted him, I believed they wanted extra of a man who can go take the highest off of coverages. He’s not a participant that’s going to do this, and the Falcons are nonetheless lacking that kind of participant on offense.
However with Drake, he’s a giant physique, and you realize he’s not going to have many drops. If you may get the ball in his space, he’s going to catch it. He’s going to get open, and he’s going to make use of his physique like an influence ahead within the NBA.
It’s exhausting to match folks to GOATs like Larry Fitzgerald or gamers which have been doing it for years like Mike Evans, however London jogs my memory of them. That’s the kind of receiver he’s.
I just like the physique of labor Drake London has put on the market to date in his profession.
What do you suppose of the present state of LSU soccer following the firing of Brian Kelly earlier within the season?
It has been a dumpster fireplace just lately. They’ve been embarrassed by groups like Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Alabama.
It is a proud program.
They had been paying Kelly some huge cash. I’ve talked to some folks near this system who stated they weren’t doing any kind of labor on inside runs or 9-on-7 drills. They haven’t been capable of run the soccer up to now two or three years. That is regardless of having guys on the offense who’ve been excessive draft picks like Will Campbell.
So, to not have the flexibility to run the soccer when you’ve gotten gamers who went on to turn out to be excessive draft picks, that reveals me the issues are within the weight room and the kinds of practices being held.
Lots of people say Coach Kelly was getting his test, however he wasn’t totally dedicated to LSU. He was enjoying golf quite a bit.
If you may get the LSU followers onside and win ball video games, they’re going to get behind you. But when they really feel such as you’re not giving them every part you’ve gotten, they’ll activate you.
His seat acquired too scorching, and the folks signing the checks weren’t completely happy. They made the transfer to fireside him, and now it appears to be like like they need to transfer for Lane Kiffin. I’m hoping he would be the proper man for this system.
If Lane Kiffin had been to turn out to be the brand new LSU head coach, what would he carry to this system?
One of many issues LSU hasn’t had in a number of years is an offensive thoughts in cost.
That they had Les Miles, however he was an offensive lineman whose mentality was to line up 11 guys within the sort out field and smash the opposition down.
What I really like about Lane is that he’s revolutionary. He is aware of find out how to assault the weaknesses of a protection. I really like his power too, together with his trolling of all people on the web.
It gained’t be boring, and we want that proper now as a result of it’s been boring for the previous three or 4 years.
He’d be nice at LSU as a result of though it’s barely completely different now with NIL, now we have nice athletes in Louisiana. We now have a ton. For instance, have a look at the historical past of receivers who’ve come out of LSU. In the event you put the precise man on the helm, he might be very profitable right here. I really like his offensive thoughts and his ardour.
I don’t know what Kiffin would resolve to do with the defensive aspect, however I like Blake Baker and what he’s achieved with that protection.
If Kiffin desires to be nice, he’ll come to LSU. He’s all the time appeared as much as Nick Saban and related coaches, so he’ll need to make his personal mark at a program like LSU.
He’s made feedback about Ole Miss followers not displaying up or making noise. If he wins at Tiger Stadium with LSU, his solely fear can be site visitors after the sport as a result of it will be packed.
I’m hoping he desires a brand new problem and is keen to take the LSU job.
An ex-LSU participant in Will Campbell is having a profitable rookie 12 months in New England. What have you ever manufactured from Campbell and the Patriots this season?
They’ve been nice.
I’ll begin with Mike Vrabel. I really like every part he’s about, together with how he handles the press and the appreciation he reveals in the direction of reporters. He makes it private with these guys.
I really like the best way he talks to his group and the respect he will get from his group. He’s discovered quite a bit from enjoying underneath Invoice Belichick. Clearly not the rostrum bit although as a result of Belichick was a little bit dry there.
He’s taking care of these gamers in New England, although. He’s going to draft guys who match his mildew and his will.
Will Campbell is clearly a type of guys. He loves soccer. He loves competing, and he all the time says the precise issues. He has such ardour for the sport, and Campbell has simply been a stud since he first walked on campus at LSU.
At the same time as a younger child approaching recruiting visits, you knew he was going to be one thing particular.
Campbell goes to place the time in. Folks would possibly discuss his quick arms, nevertheless it doesn’t matter in case your approach is nice, and his is excellent.
His go units are unbelievable, and you probably have all of this and also you’re a scholar of the sport, you may play for a very long time, and I feel Campbell will do this.
His quarterback, Drake Maye, has been unbelievable too. The Patriots’ success to date this season reveals it’s important to have the precise man underneath heart pulling the strings.
In the meantime, Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie working again Ashton Jeanty has struggled at instances in his rookie 12 months. Why do you suppose Jeanty has struggled to copy his faculty type to date?
It’s important to have the precise guys in entrance of you and the precise scheme. I’m undecided if Jeanty at the moment has both of these.
He has all of the instruments, although, and also you noticed that with the success he had in faculty with Boise State.
It’s powerful for rookie beginning working backs although, as they’ve to absorb quite a lot of new info.
They’re attempting to be taught a brand new scheme and attempting to get that chemistry with their offensive linemen. They’re additionally attempting to be taught the passing recreation and protections, plus they should learn to cope with off-the-field issues and media. There’s quite a bit thrown at these guys.
It will probably take a 12 months or two to essentially get going, so he’ll be okay.
Primarily based on his measurables and physique of labor in faculty, I nonetheless suppose Jeanty can be actually good.
What can the Raiders’ offensive line do to assist Jeanty and that offense?
It’s important to have the precise group of fellows, and it’s important to have a superb scheme.
I performed for 14 years, so I performed on a number of completely different offensive strains. Whether or not it was accidents or wage cap points, we didn’t all the time have the precise combos up entrance.
However our greatest teams up entrance weren’t all the time essentially our most gifted. The very best teams had been those that had been shut on the sector, shut off the sector and, extra importantly, they communicated nicely.
It’s a tough piece to place collectively, however while you get it proper, it may be an enormous enhance on your offense.
The Chicago Bears have proven enchancment in Ben Johnson’s first 12 months as head coach. Ought to Bears followers be inspired by the performances of Johnson and second-year QB Caleb Williams?
I feel followers in Chicago must be actually inspired by the Bears this season.
You have a look at Caleb Williams, he is usually a little flashy when it comes to his model and portray his fingernails. However when it’s going nicely, he reveals how a lot skill he has. He makes some unbelievable performs.
If you have a look at the razzle-dazzle and the massive playmaking skill, it sort of jogs my memory of a former teammate of mine in Michael Vick.
I’m actually inspired by what Ben Johnson and Williams are constructing in Chicago. I feel they’ll be good for a very long time.
Then again, has Johnson’s former group, the Detroit Lions, proven indicators of lacking him this 12 months?
I feel they are surely lacking Johnson.
Dan Campbell has stepped into play-calling duties, which reveals that he clearly feels one thing is a little bit off.
Johnson’s success in Chicago reveals you what they’re lacking. It’s important to have a man calling performs who can get your offense in the precise rhythm.
Proper now, Detroit is lacking that, and it’s clear as a result of quite a lot of the items on the sector are the identical as final season.
When you’ve gotten an offensive coordinator who is aware of his group and is aware of when to name sure performs, it truly is one thing. That’s why one of the best offensive coordinators will all the time handle to get a head teaching job.
The Falcons are lacking an offensive thoughts like this too.
One other former Lions coordinator in Aaron Glenn has struggled in his first 12 months as head coach of the New York Jets? What have you ever manufactured from his begin to life as a head coach?
It sounds easy, however generally it’s in regards to the Jimmys and Joes, not the X’s and O’s.
The Jets have been a little bit little bit of a catastrophe for the previous few years. They tried bringing in an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, and even that went mistaken.
They only traded away some key items like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. They’ve quite a lot of constructing to do relating to that roster.
I like what Glenn brings to the desk as head coach. They only want much more items on the sector to have any likelihood of success.
Do you suppose Justin Fields can nonetheless turn out to be a franchise quarterback?
I feel that ship has sailed.
I’m hoping I’m mistaken as a result of I like the child and what he’s about. However to achieve success on this league, you’ve gotten to have the ability to throw with some accuracy persistently. He’s turn out to be a little bit too one-dimensional. He can run, and he’s nice at that.
He would possibly keep within the league, however so far as franchise quarterback goes, he’s had three pictures now in Chicago, Pittsburgh and New York. It’s virtually not possible to get a fourth shot within the league.
The Seattle Seahawks have stunned some with their document. Do you suppose they’re authentic contenders this season?
Yeah, I positively suppose the Seahawks are contenders within the NFC.
You have a look at Sam Darnold, and he is a superb instance of getting the precise items round you. He acquired drafted excessive and didn’t have success early. However when he has the precise items round him in the precise scenario, you may actually see why he was a first-round choose.
He might have struggled towards the Los Angeles Rams just lately, however total, he’s performed at a really excessive stage this season. I’m certain the Minnesota Vikings are wishing they might’ve saved him.
Seattle has all the time had canine on protection, and that’s the identical this 12 months, so that they have the precise items on that aspect of the soccer too.
Is Darnold the long-term reply at quarterback for Seattle?
I feel they’ll ultimately look to the draft to get their long-term quarterback.
Having stated that, I feel Darnold is nice sufficient to take Seattle the place they need to go over the subsequent couple of years.
However on the identical time, it’s important to suppose long run and get that elite man who can lead the franchise. I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they went and picked a quarterback as early as subsequent 12 months.
Which transfer on the commerce deadline stunned you essentially the most and why?
Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
I’m a giant fan of Williams and his play, so I used to be stunned the Jets allowed him to go away. Dallas has been a catastrophe, and Williams is a high-level participant, so it is smart for them.
I perceive the Jets know they should rebuild, so that they want as many draft belongings as they’ll get. However I used to be nonetheless shocked by that one as a result of he’s such a superb participant.
Can Williams assist remodel Dallas right into a contender?
I’m undecided. On the offensive aspect, they’ve Dak Prescott, who will make nice performs when given time. However on the defensive aspect, they’re nonetheless lacking Micah Parsons, who was traded throughout that circus earlier within the season.
At this level within the season, I don’t know if they’ll flip it round this 12 months. It’s too far gone for Dallas to make a run this season.
Shedding Parsons was too massive of a loss. Nearly as good as Williams and Kenny Clark are, they don’t make up for the lack of Parsons. When he’s wholesome, he can change a recreation so rapidly.
I used to be shocked that they let him go, however that’s the character of the enterprise. You may’t pay everybody what they demand, and Jerry Jones has proven he might be ruthless. With Jerry, it’s all about enterprise and the {dollars}.
As a longtime NFL heart, who had been a few of your favourite NFL linemen to look at through the years?
After I was arising, I beloved watching the Cowboys, and I all the time beloved Mark Stepnoski’s recreation. I watched him quite a bit.
He was a smaller man, nevertheless it didn’t matter as a result of his palms and ft had been actually good.
There was additionally a man in Miami, Tim Ruddy. I beloved watching him play as a result of he performed the sport the precise means.
One other man who may actually play was Dermontti Dawson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a little bit completely different to me, however I keep in mind watching him once I was a little bit youthful. He was extraordinarily athletic, and his palms and ft had been so good.
So, these are the blokes who I loved watching, and I all the time tried to take one thing from their recreation.
Which defensive gamers did you relish the problem of dealing with, and which present gamers do you suppose would pose the hardest problem for you?
You lose quite a lot of sleep over dealing with sure guys.
A few examples had been once we would play Tampa, they usually had Warren Sapp and Booger McFarland. Or once we would play the Carolina Panthers they usually had Kris Jenkins. These had been guys who may rapidly embarrass you, so that you needed to be in your A-game.
When Ndamukong Suh was on, and it was his day, he posed quite a lot of risk.
I’m glad I didn’t should play towards Aaron Donald.
When it comes to present gamers who I’d hate to dam, I can’t look previous Vita Vea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He’s only a fireplace hydrant, and I struggled towards guys like that. I simply couldn’t transfer them. Vince Wilfork was a man I performed towards who had an identical construct to Vea. He would simply stand there and take two blocks. It’s important to simply do your greatest and attempt to maintain on.