FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Very rarely, if ever, does quarterback Kirk Cousins deviate from his daily routine. That discipline helped Cousins become a four-time Pro Bowler and has turned into a benefit for safety Jessie Bates III. It allows Bates to know Cousins' whereabouts. Specifically, when Cousin watches film. Because Bates wants to join whenever possible.
Bates first asked Cousins to watch film together during the Atlanta Falcons' offseason program. It was just the two of them, and both parties found it to be a positive experience. So much so, they'll continue it in training camp, which began Wednesday, and possibly beyond.
"There's a lot of game that he can pass along — and he's willing to do that as well," Bates said. "That's what's exciting about Kirk. He's one of the top quarterbacks in this league, and it's not by mistake. I've watched how he works day in and day out. That's just something that you try to take pieces of from everybody's game, and Kirk is someone that's definitely going to be a great resource for me to use throughout this year."
Cousins is entering his 13th season in the NFL, his 10th as a starter. His resume includes four postseason berths and the aforementioned Pro Bowl nominations.
Bates, meanwhile, is on his seventh season in the league and always been a starter. He has made two playoff fields and earned his first Pro Bowl nod last year after registering a career-high six interceptions.
Basically, Cousins has already made a name for himself. But Bates is well into the process of doing so himself.
"I need to get to know him more," Cousins said. "There's a lot more to go. But I just have a lot of respect for him as a football player, first of all, and his presence. There's guys in this league who are great players that don't really impact anybody else around them. I feel like Jessie goes beyond being just a great player. He affects the whole secondary, the whole defense."
As the saying goes: Greatness recognizes greatness.
Bates and Cousins are key communicators who need to diagnose information quickly and accurately during games. Knowing how each position operates will help their respective units find success. Bates likes learning what Cousins is thinking as a play unfolds, especially how he processes what's happening in the defensive backfield. The lessons are reciprocated, though, with Cousins finding it beneficial to pick Bates' brain as well. It's almost like insider knowledge that benefits the entire team.
"We just always talked on the field when we're out there during OTAs," Bates said. "He's like, 'Hey, Jess, that was a good break.' Or (I'm like), 'Kirk, that was a good look off. You looked me off here.' And then it kind of just continued to develop that conversation, those relationships."
Bates had never worked with a quarterback 1-on-1 like this, and shared that he didn't feel comfortable enough early in his career to break that offense-defense barrier. Cousins had done so before with defensive backs of the past, but not enough to consider it a norm during his tenure.
"I wish I had in Year 1, 2, 3 grabbed a DB and sat down with them and made the time and asked questions," Cousins said. "But as a young player, you may not even know what questions to ask. So, now, at this stage in my career, I know how to get a lot out of that meeting. Make no mistake: In my final years, I'm going to do those kinds of things and maximize those opportunities."
Neither has anything to lose, really. Only gain.
If anything, this is exactly what Falcons head coach Raheem Morris loves to see, and he didn't even have to get involved.
"When you talk about Jessie Bates and you talk about Kirk Cousins, you're talking about high-level ball," Morris said. "Anytime you get a chance to be a fly on the wall and be around those guys – how they talk and how they move – that is always interesting.
"And this is exactly what you want. You want this player-led environment, this player-friendly (environment), this family environment. You want to be able to cultivate those things."
Welcome back the guys as the Atlanta Falcons return to the field in Flowery Branch during the 2024 AT&T Training Camp.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Kentavius Street #93 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 and wide receiver OJ Hiliare #11 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 and assistant head coach of defense Jerry Gray during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 and defensive lineman LaCale London #94 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 and defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive line during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and kicker Younghoe Koo #6 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 and tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players reunite during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97, and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons huddle during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 hands off to Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during the practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receivers during practice during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
