AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 17
Monday, September 17, 2007
Petrino tired of leaving points on field
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While people in the Falcons personnel department were lining up potential kickers to replace Matt Prater, coach Bobby Petrino provided a blunt assessment of the team’s offensive shortcomings, which have resulted in 10 points and 13 sacks in two games — both losses.
On quarterback Joey Harrington: “Right now Joey’s playing a little bit conservative, playing not to throw the interception. Therefore it’s causing him to hold the ball. He just needs to open it up, play with confidence and play to go win the game.”
On the sacks, seven of which occurred in Sunday’s 13-7 loss at Jacksonville: “I’m certainly concerned about our passing game and the protection in our passing game. As I’ve said before, It’s not all on the offensive line. Anytime you’re getting sacks, it’s the quarterback’s responsibility to get us in the right protections and the get he ball out of his hands; the receivers’ responsibility to get open on time; the offensive line, running backs and tight ends’ responsibilities to protect and do their assignments and do their job.”
In regards to Prater, who missed two field goals Sunday and missed one of two in the opener, Petrino said team officials were in the process of looking at other kickers. He did not say a change was imminent but Petrino seems to have run out of patience in terms of leaving points on the field.
Petrino also left open the possibility that rookie Chris Houston could supplant Lewis Sanders at right cornerback. Sanders were pulled late in Sunday’s game in favor of Houston after Jacksonville targeted him repeatedly in the second half.
