The Atlanta Falcons enter the regular season with major hype as their now experienced offense looks to take the next step. Their goal is to end the team’s playoff drought. On Tuesday, the Falcons and Titans held a joint practice, and it’s safe to say Atlanta outperformed Tennessee.
“Overall takeaway from the first Titans practice today is not good. They seemed sluggish to start offensively. A lot of balls on the ground. Struggled to run the ball in team period early too. Meanwhile Michael Penix and the Falcons cut up the Titans secondary. It's one practice so no need to panic but it wasn't good today,” Titans reporter Turron Davenport wrote.
Following the ugly practice on Tuesday, the Titans entered Wednesday’s joint practice with an unforgiving mindset. There was some trash talk throughout the session, which isn’t unusual. However, it eventually escalated into a scuffle, with Michael Penix Jr. in the middle of it.
“Big brawl just happened. Michael Penix Jr. looked like he was right in the middle of it and might’ve taken some shots. Biggest fight I’ve seen so far between Falcons and Titans,” Fox5 Atlanta’s Miles Garrett wrote.
Penix was vocal in his post-practice press conference, making it clear that he was raised not to let anyone talk down to him.
“I don’t really do a lot of talking unless someone does it to me…they probably looked at me as just a QB…I’m from Tampa,” Penix said.
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Penix getting into an altercation is unusual, which he confirmed with his statement about the incident.
“I was somebody else," Penix said of his headspace in the moment. "so I don't even remember."
Penix is by no means a fighter or someone who likes to talk trash unless provoked. While scuffles happen in the preseason, Penix isn’t used to them by any means. The Falcons will face the Titans on Friday, where tensions could boil over — but Penix will not suit up for Atlanta.