AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPetrino 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.
Comments
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By Don Keeballz
September 17, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
WHY NOT BRING BACK MORTEN? He can hit under 40 and Koenan can knock out the long ones. Good move on booting Cundiff.
By tp
September 17, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Is it me, or is it more than a little disturbing that Petrino blames EVERYONE on the team for the losses except for himself? Also, it bothers me that he calls out players so bluntly in front of the media.
How about being a little contrite and state YOU bear the responsibility as well. Maybe YOU can do a little better with YOUR playcalling!
Want the undying respect of your players? Want them to give it their all for YOU and not just their bank accounts? Then take the collective reponsiblity for the team’s poor play and stop calling your players out in the media!
By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .
September 17, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Falcons fans…your wish has been granted. Long live losing.
By im4ball
September 17, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Much of the blame here lies with Petrino and the offensive coordinator. The play calling has not been good at all. For instance, with about 3 minutes in the game, they are calling for swing passes that start behind the line of scrimmage. Watching an entire game is frustrating because the play calling is so bad. Weather it is due to the personnel or just lack of NFL experience, they need to open their game up if they intend to win anything this year.
By FalconFan4Life
September 17, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
All I know is on Sunday Tatoo Prater better not be on the sidelines at all. CUTE HIM NOW! Until we get skilled offensive linemen (See Colts) it does not matter who Rich “Bad Decision” McKay brings in as QB. Sorry folks Matt Schuab would not have the stats he currently has with the Texans if he was playing with the O-Lone we have right now.
By Falcons Fan
September 17, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
How about Billy Cundiff? He was only 100% during preseason. It is also better to put Chris Houston in to start, so he can make his mistakes now while we are no good, then to wait and start him, once we get a quaterback who can make adjustments, and throw the ball away.
By right, it's petrino's fault
September 17, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
joey harrington is gunshy and waits forever to throw the ball. he has no balls. it’s not petrino.
anyone who judges petrino’s play calling with harrington under center isn’t watching the game. he’s not making qb decisions and he’s the slowest man on the field.
this “calling out the players in the media” by petrino that tp is hilarious. let’s see, he told it like it is with the problems with the sacks. it isn’t all the lines fault. he didn’t say it’s only the qb’s fault either. and, he says lewis sanders was a target. hmmm, sounds pretty honest and rationale to me. sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.
By baloney
September 17, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Has it ever occured to anyone that Petrino and his system may be like Spurriers system? People think Spurrier failed because his system didn’t work at the pro level. I would contend that he didn’t get the players to run his system and just said the heck with it to the team owner. Now Petrino is just a college coach too having to deal with a potential inept owner and an equally inept GM. Wonder how long before folks say his system don’t work in the pros?
By NASCARfan
September 17, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
At least, unlike the old idiot coaches, this coach isn’t satisfied with terrible cornerback play. He’s going to do to Lewis Sanders what Little Jimmy Mora should have done to Jason Webster three years ago… bench his butt.
By Bird Backer
September 17, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t think he’s calling out his players in the media - what’s wrong with telling us what he told them - It’s true, anyway right? This is going to take time we’re rebuilding in case you didn’t know
By Jefferey Person
September 17, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
the blame go ultimately towards the atlanta falcons as a whole from the players who fail to make plays, from the coaches and coordinator of fail to call the right plays make sure they have the right player to execute them, down to the personnel who fail to bring in the right coaches and players to get the job done. The bottom line is this is a sports yes, but all at the same time losing games is losing money. Anytime or business that contine to lose money will eventually cease to exist in their respectful field or organization. This should be a wake up call for everyone in the entire organization
By Gnupe
September 17, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with TP above. B. Petrino needs to take responsiblity as well. Calling out specific players when the team has collectively underperformed and has been globally outperformed as well as suspect play selection, is in the head coach’s domain.I suspect if things don’t turn around quickly, Petrino (the so-called offensive guru) will join the ranks of Spurrier and Saban.
By E
September 17, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
The offensive line is terrible and Joey holds the ball way too long.
By Manny
September 17, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
The O-line didn’t do that bad yesterday. The offensive scheme is skewed. That’s bad coaching.
Oh, and it’s the second week and the head coach is laying the blame on the players. Priceless!
This is a classic example of a team blowing up from the inside out.
In other words, it’s a bloodbath at Flowery Branch and it’s the fault of the coaching staff. Terrible!
By Drew
September 17, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Did you just say “CUTE” him now? Anyways… I think Petrino is a good coach and will be effective with the right players. He inherits an offense that was totally different from his style, then planned for Vick to be the QB. Give it a year or two to get players more suited to this system.
Bottom line, I think if Prater makes two easy field goals the Falcons win. Missed field goals suck the life out of a team. Very frustrating, an NFL kicker cant make 3 of 4. That cant happen. I agree with Don, why not bring back Morten? The man is automatic from inside 40…
By kudzu
September 17, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
I say cut Mckay, hire Dan Reeves as GM and somebody tell Blank to sit upstairs and keep his hands off…
By deecald
September 17, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I agree with Don…bring back Morten whose accuracy was outstanding. Now as for Joey, I say give him one more Sunday and send him packing because three(3) tries is enough both in teams and our beginning season!!! We need to BEAT the Saints not be like the Saints! As far as Petrino, remember this is the NFL, so leave the college plays at home!
Oh yeah, don’t forget…Schawb is coming!!!
By janice
September 17, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
give me a break Patrino you have no clue of what your doing. a 1:45 left in the game and your going to punt because you have 3 time outs left and thinking you can get the ball back with our defence??..and you say Herrington is to conservative
By brian
September 17, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Petrino your playcalling is weak, I hope you left a clause for your college job back. Why not try and go for it on 4th down with 2 minutes left? If you missed you turned the ball over anyway. But I figure you would try a run up the middle. I would look in the mirror because you have not impressed me yet. And you are suppose to be the leader and you are a reflection of your players.
Prater, HOLY COW! you suck bad relying on you to kick the game winner is a joke. The team needs to take you out back and “code red” your butt. I bet that will keep you from missing field goals.
Harrington you had a good day but you are playing conservative. Blind men in wheelchairs could tackle you. Hang in there I am rooting for you and all the other Falcons.. except Prater, watching you kick is so painful I would rather have my teeth pulled from the dentist.
Defense! your doing well keeping us in the game I think were going to need some points from you guys or it will be a long, long season.