What Panthers coach Dave Canales said about Falcons QB Kirk Cousins ​​before the start of Week 6

Do you like that? Dave Canales does.

Before their Week 6 game in the Queen City, Dave Canales spoke about his awe of Atlanta Falcons first-year quarterback Kirk Cousins. The 36-year-old signal-caller comes to Carolina with absolute heat. In his final outing, Cousins ​​threw for 509 yards (an Atlanta Falcons franchise single-game record) and four touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Falcons victory.

Carolina’s rookie head coach Canales praised both Cousins’ impressive on-field skills and his saintly character. The two met during one of Cousins’ four trips to the Pro Bowl and there was a brief interaction between Canales and his daughter, who stayed with the head coach.

“You can just see how conscientious he was about everything,” Canales said. “Just the relationship, the way he approached it, he connects with people. He’s also just a great person. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Cousins ​​is known to have a friendly personality, but on the field he is a killer. After a slow start with Atlanta following a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in 2023, the Falcons quarterback has found his rhythm. He and his cast, including first-round draft picks Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, will pose a tough challenge for Carolina’s struggling defense. Canales knows it.

“He’s so well-rounded,” Canales said. “He knows the game. He understands coverage, he understands the different attacks that a defense is trying to put on their offense. He understands his system. Just the rhythmic way, the efficient way he plays, getting the ball out quickly, finding those quick finishes and knowing when to get his shots off, he just has that feel about him… He’s been so accurate in his career , I have so much respect for him.

It’s up to Canales and his staff to figure out how to slow Cousins ​​this afternoon. The Panthers’ defense, led by coordinator Ejiro Evero, has been shredded by opposing passers in recent weeks. Most recently, Caleb Williams (20/29, 304 yards, two touchdowns) and Joe Burrow (22/21, 232 yards, two touchdowns) had their way with Carolina. Next up is Cousins, and if he can repeat his success from Week 5, it will be a long afternoon for the Panthers in an important divisional game.

Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith upset the Panthers for their latest QB move

Dave Canales isn’t ready to hand the QB1 job back to Bryce Young just yet

Jonathon Brooks wants to play, but knows there’s no need to rush

What Panthers receiver Diontae Johnson said about his next contract