Falcons

By tcb

October 17, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

I am not happy with this move, but I understand it.

If the Thrashers fail to win their first six games, you can’t fire the team, so you fire the coach - Bob Hartley.

If the Falcons fail to win and move the ball, you can’t fire the coach because you just hired him, so you demote the starting QB - Joey Harrington.

I would have liked to have seen Joey get more of a shot, but I really don’t think the team will be any better with Byron Leftwich in there.

Not only is the OL beat up and not only are they starting undrafted free agents at both tackle positions, they just aren’t a good fit for the power running scheme Bobby Petrino has dreams of implementing.

Doesn’t a good coach try to work with what he has and try to fit the personnel to a scheme instead of the other way around?

I find no fault in moving in the direction of a power running scheme, but we just don’t have the personnel for that kind of offense right now, so I don’t think it matters who the quarterback is. I think we would have had the same problems if Michael Vick had been the QB.

Maybe Byron will provide a spark and we can somehow overcome our deficiencies. It can’t hurt.

By TopDog

October 17, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

Best move yet! I hope it’s not to late though!

By Matthew

October 17, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

I’ve had the utmost respect for Leftwich since he got carried down the field at Marshall to keep his team’s drive alive. I know he hasn’t had much NFL luck, but the guy is a gutsy team player and I think he’s just needed to find his time and place.
We’re behind you, Byron!

By Since when...

October 17, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

What a joke! The problem was mostly once the ball left Joey’s hand. Give him some receivers!!

By Alan

October 17, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Watch out people in rows 5 thru 20! Leftwich will be zinging the ball your way!

By harrywx52

October 17, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Let’s see how long Leftwich will last after six dropped passes and no protection. I am all for searching for a spark, but with the injury history of Leftwich he will not last long.If the problems on the O’line and the receivers dropping balls Byrun will be running for his life just like Harrington. The quarterback is not the main problem but is the best scapegoat at the time.

By Joy

October 17, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

I have said several times that the o-line will have to start blocking, and the receivers start catching balls. I do believe it’s time to give the starting running back position to Norwood. Dunn’s time is up. I don’t believe Byron will do any better than Harrington because they both are slow, and again with an o-line like we have here, you have to be mobile or you will stay on the ground.

By You got the picture...Petrino

October 17, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Byron may not be the answer, but it’s a good start. All the team needs is ‘A REASON TO WANT TO WIN’. I take my hat off to you, Petrino. LET’S GO FALCONS, SHOW US WHAT YOUR WORKING WITH…

By sugarlee

October 17, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

I like Joey. He’s a nice guy. He loves the game. But he just can’t cut it. He’s still a long way from being the Falcons problem. The chemistry is messed up with this team. It’s gonna take any regular QB some time to fix things on this team. Right now they look like a complete mess. And we know that they’re better than that. If Byran can’t get it going. Don’t be afraid to use Redman.

By Marc

October 17, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

I Love Dunn don’t get me wrong, next move JERIOUS NORWOOD #1 back!!!!

By ss

October 17, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

The reincarnated ghost of Johnny Unitas couldn’t do a better job with this team. Harrington is being made the scapegoat for a miserable, awful team.

By jc_atl

October 17, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t really matter. No matter who you have at QB they are having to deal with a swiss cheese offensive line and the threat of being turfed on every play. I do agree with Petrino mixing it up as there’s nothing left to lose this season.

It’s too bad MV7 was such a classless thug - he and Petrino may have done great things together.

By harrywx52

October 17, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

No quarterback will provide a spark with receivers dropping passes and the O’line not protecting. Injury prone Leftwich will not last long. Joey will get another chance.

By Very Angry EX-Falcons Fan

October 17, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

How about this Petrino? Check the rest of your offense, like whiny Crumpler. It does not matter who you have at QB, if those sad receivers and the offensive blockers aren’t living up to their million dollar pay checks, it does not matter!!! Harrington is no Brady, but Leftwich? Get serious. I think Petrino was made a fool by Vick and Blank and now he is doing everything he possibly can to make a fool of the Falcons. This is a bad move. The whole thing is a bad move. I’m going to be giving away the rest of my season tickets. The challenge will be to see if I can find anyone who will actually take them. I’m through with the Falcons.

By SonuvaDawg

October 17, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

Nothing to lose at this point. Might as well try it. Maybe Redman can get a start here in a few weeks.

By Brown Paper Bag

October 17, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

We trade in Piano Man for Anvil Feet, with this line it’s still isn’t gonna get any better only MV7 could make this sad pile of losers look like a real NFL Team.

By Sir Purr

October 17, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Fat Albert flopped in Jax; he’ll die like a dog here. Forgive the pun. He has poor fundamentals and moves like molasses at the North pole. yep, another buzzard winner.

By SINGLE WING

October 17, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

AT THE END OF THE DAY LEFTWICH STILL CANT MAKE THE FIRST GUY MISS WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IN THE NFL AND WHY JAX LET LEFTWICH GO - OUR PLAY CALLING IS ATROCIOUS - IT’S PETRINO WHO’S TOO CONSERVATIVE, NOT HARRINGTON - BOBBY YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR JOB, SO LET IT ALL HANG OUT - CONSIDER THIS QB SWITCHEROO DESPERATION MOVE NUMBER 1

By FalconDogg

October 17, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

Let the hate begin!

By Mac

October 17, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino is a looser. What a stupid mistake to hire him as head coach. When you have a great team player like Alge Crumpler complain then ther is a problem. let see…get rid of vets and expect to win? Come on, even I, a moron, would keep veterans in my first year! Oh, by the way, I am white and I support Michael Vick. I wish we had him back. let see, 1 and ? for the season? Oh well, I hope Vick does his time and then comes back to the Falcons. At least Vick brought excitement to every game.

By jack

October 17, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Watch out Saints, the Falcons are marching in with Leftwich leading the parade.

Leftwich will throw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns Sunday. Falcons win 31-21!

maybe!

By DK

October 17, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

It will not matter. The shame of it is that Byron and Joey would probably succeed if they played for a decent team, but the current Falcons roster sucks. This team is career poison for QBs in their respective situations.

By JohnGTFan

October 17, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

It’s very obvious that a lot of the problems on offense are not Joey’s fault. But I don’t believe that Byron will hold the ball too long and hopefully we’ll see a spark on that offense and actually find the end zone. There is one out there guys!!!

By terrell barron

October 17, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

We were going nowhere fast with Joey, why not make a change. We’ve already seen what Joey can do, so now its time to see what Byron can do. The season is lost anyway.

By Ryder

October 17, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

Don’t know if this comment will be reached but I don’t think that this change will benefit unless they change the starting RB as well. Norwood should be allowed to be the feature back as he has that playmaking ability that will allow Leftwich to get the ball to him quickly once the line breaks down.

Honestly I think Petrino’s wanted to make this change since they signed him, it just took time for them to get him adjusted to the offense. I think that had Joey won in NO next week he’d be forced to keep him as starter after the bye week. Whatever happens, GO FALCONS!

By John in Tampa, FLA

October 17, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

BFD. It will be the SOS.

By TN Jeff

October 17, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Wow - apparently by the non-response nobody cares. Pretty much sums up professional sports in Atlanta these days.

By ken

October 17, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Why isn’t PETA filling in all of the empty seats at the Georgia Dome? Anyway i thought Harrington was the great “White Hope” lets see what happens, but i hope he shows more than he did on his debut when he was overthrowing everyone. Its obvious Mike Vick was the falcons. Now let all of the negativity and racism begin.

By mountain_jim

October 17, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

I am happy with the move. Can’t get any worse than it has been. We saw just what a noodle arm Joey had on that hail mary play last week - and too often he took the checkdown right in front of him which had no chance for a first down, rather than escape the (non) pocket and throw it a little further.

Of course if the receivers drop his throws like they did Joey last week, it will make little difference.

Still I like knowing that he can stretch the field with his arm, something Joey obviously could not.

Let’s see what he can do.

By No Fan of the NFL

October 17, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Did anybody on the Falcons’ coaching staff happen to notice how Leftwich played in his brief stint at the end of the game against the Titans? He was beyond pathetic. Sure, it was his first action of the season, but is there any excuse for an NFL QB to miss receivers by such ridiculous margins, especially the one to a wide open receiver for a touchdown.

Instead of benching Harrington, why not sit the receivers who dropped all those passes against the Giants? Guess those were Joey’s fault. If Petrino wants to make a change that’s actually merited by performance, why not release Horn? He’s been useless. And if Crumpler is going to run his mouth, maybe he should actually do his job and catch the ball.

If the Falcons receivers suddenly start catching the ball this week, conspiracy theorists may attach some ulterior motives to their performance. That may be unwarranted, but no more so than Harrington being demoted not because of his own play, but primarily because of his teammates.

One of the consistent stupidities in the NFL is the wrongheadedness of making the QB responsible for everything that happens on the field. If the QB does his job, but the defense can’t stop anybody, the receivers can’t catch the ball and the lineman don’t give the QB enough time to throw, why is the QB punished?

Harrington is certainly not one of the best QBs in the NFL, but the Falcons’ 1-5 record is certainly not his fault. The only person on the team who has almost singlehandedly lost a game is the star cornerback, who may be a little lighter in the wallet, but continues to get burned by opposing receivers. Haven’t noticed his rear end on the bench that often, even though the secondary was torched all Monday night by Eli, #21 included.

Welcome to the NFL, Petrino. Your team stinks, so what’s your reaction? Bench the quarterback. If Leftwich doesn’t play any better than Harrington, who’s next? Jeff George, maybe?

By City

October 17, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Well if nothing else it will be interesting to watch. We knew it was only a matter of time. Byron is a better player for sure. I just hope people lay off Joey. He was brought in here to back up #7. Not be the starter. And when #7 left us high and dry Joey did his best to step up for a bad team so it isn’t necessary to bash him. It wasn’t like he held a press conference to announce he was the 2nd coming of Joe Montana. He did his best but now Byron is ready and we are moving forward. Thanks for helping out Joey. I don’t blame you for a horrible team, GM, and rookie coach. You didn’t put together the weak O-line, draft bad WRs, or sign 97 year old safties. I just hope we get more help for Byron. I can’t wait to see him suit up as the starter. The last thing this team needs is to draft a rookie QB in 2008 so hopefully Byron will play well enough to get an extension and we can build on the O-line and defense.

By huh

October 17, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Please explain to me why all of a sudden it’s not the qb’s fault but the o line and wr’s ? Im going out on a limb here so correct me if im wrong but isn’t this almost the same sorry o line and set of wr’s we had last year? So with basically the same players (better in some instances)they all of a sudden suck now but they didn’t the last few years? WOW. Im sorry but its clear that people just disliked Vick so much that they were going to blame him for everything no matter what. Fans with agendas are getting what they deserve with this sorry team.

By terrell barron

October 17, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

We also need to Give Tony Taylor or Stephen Nicholas more time in the middle. Brooking is over the hill, and is the worst I’ve seen at covering or stopping the run. I like him as a person but its over for him. Warricks days should also be numbered. We need to see if Norwood can carry the load. We should have sent Dunn back to Tampa for those draft picks. And one more thing, please let Laurent Robinson start. Michael Jenkins should be released, and Joe Horn’s playing days are over. We can keep him around for inspiration though. I think he’s showed Roddy how to play in this league. For that reason, and for that reason only ,should he be on the team. Can yall say Darren Mcfadden? Rich, if you draft Brian Brouhm, I’m done with the Falcons. Super Bowl qb’s can be found after the first round. REMEMBER THAT!

By rick

October 17, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Ken,

Either you are an idiot or that was a good joke. 99% of the people that blog here don’t give a dam what color the quarterback is. We all WANT TO WIN!

By stendec

October 17, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

I probably need help because I UNDERSTAND the quarterback change. No one believes Leftover is Hall Of Fame material but a drastic change HAD to be made! Personal stats are meaningless. If a quarterback completes 100 percent of his passes but fails to generate points he is a FAILURE! If, on the other hand, a quarterback has two passing yards plus an interception but his team wins then he may not be personally successful but his team succeeds. That is all anyone looks at anyway! Wins and losses! Interceptions by Harrington have not been inconvenient but devastating! Anyone else out there agree?

By Vick Supporter

October 17, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

No Vick = Losing Season

By BirdMahn

October 17, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

With his lead feet and release slower than a knuckleball pitcher this may get ugly real quick. Leftwich is NOT the longterm answer at QB for the Falcons. But what they hey, throw him in there and see what happens! As some have said, the season is lost anyway.

By jimmy

October 17, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

youve got to be kidding me ? i like both of the qb’s but the O.L is not gonna protect leftwich no better than it did harrington. AND BL is less mobile than JH. if its ok to demote someone (say,,,a qb) bc someone else isnt doing their job (say,,,a receiver,,pick any of them) then,,,,,can we trade owners????

blank,,youre demoted to towel boy,,,,robert kraft,,,youve been demoted to owner of the lifeless atlanta falcons ! sorry !

By Rick

October 17, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

Well it wasn’t all Joey’s fault but he does hold onto the ball forever, maybe Byron can get the offense going. He does have a cannon and is as tough as they come. I think Petrino has been dealt a pitiful hand this season and he is just trying to make the best of a terrible situation. Looks like Mike Vick needs to pay off some loans so he may be interested if any of you guys have a part time job for him. Sorry had to throw that one in.

By Barry

October 17, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

You can put any quarterback behind that O-line it won’t matter if he is all-world…he’ll stink. The line must give a QB time to throw. They must open holes for running backs to run through. Unless our line suddenly develops strength, speed and skill…any quarterback is going to be killed. But then, I state the obvious.

By j

October 17, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Byron Leadfeet promoted to starting QB. Fantastic. He should be able to easily evade the defensive linemen walking untouched through our pourous OL with his fleet footedness. Petrino, you are an idiot. A spark? How about repremanding the receivers who are incapable of catching anything that hits their brick hands. How about demoting Joe Horn to the practice squad. He is a waste of space on this roster.

By HerdfaninATL

October 17, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

I think coach definately needs to change things up…I am an alumni of Marshall, so watching Bryon play there and the way he played at Jacksonville…I think he will do just fine with the Falcons! Im glad to see him finally start…let him show you what he can and will do!!!

By Ron Roberts

October 17, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

Moronic move; it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is with an offensive line that’s so offensive. Switching from the cut block scheme was too hasty, givent he personnel, and that’s on Petrino. Without power backs, and without power linemen, going to another scheme was a waste of our time.

The line has given the running backs nothing to run through, either, so do we bench Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, too?

Bench the line; if only we could. Tom Brady would look bad behind that batch of nothing.

By Vick Supporter

October 17, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

thats right Falcons fans, u still have your vick jokes. u will eat your words. this team sucks. u got what u wanted, your pocket qb. quit making excuses for joey. its funny how its the o-line and reciever’s fault now,lol. Atl fans are a joke.

By samiam

October 17, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Why is “Thug” the new buzz word? MV7 isn’t te sharpest knife in the drawer. To be honest with you, he’s very stupid. Corn rolls and dark skin does not make a thug.

However, the new buzz I guess is the new “N” word.

By athensmack

October 17, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino and Arty Blank….Dumb and Dumber!!!!

By Thrash

October 17, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Man, I thought the Falcon teams of yesteryear were pathetic…

By Toby

October 17, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

If I were Leftwich, I would fear the wrath of his soon-to-be surrogate father, Arthur Blank. Why don’t the Falcons just fire Petrino. The players don’t like him. He didn’t want Leftwich in the first place.
He thought Harrington could do the job. That should give you a sense about his football acumen.

Better yet, I say we trade the entire team for the Brazilian Men’s soccer team The Flamengos. We will do better with that sport, if we get those players.

OR maybe we should getg Blank to apologize to Vick, get him back and see if the season can be salvaged.

By Unbiased_Blogger

October 17, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Looks like everybody misses VICK :) The drop back passer “aint” working. This is too funny.

By McNasty

October 17, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Joey is being made the scapegoat, With what little he has to work with he has done an good job. Joey’s arm may not be as strong as leftwichs but at least he can move around, Leftwich can’t get out of his own way, Man I am sorry but you need a calander to time the guy in the forty. With that being said how about we start giving out a big fine,say $1000.00 for each ball that is dropped that should have been caught.My Gut feeling tells me that leftwich won’t last the entire game this weekend.With our OL and BL’s ability to move this is going to be one sad sight to see.

By athensfalconfan

October 17, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

How could Blank take a perfectly mediocre team and totally screw it up in such a short period?????????

By Jeff

October 17, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

I hope all of you loser season ticket holders who want to give up your tickets will do so and get the h*ll on. By By. Jump on the Patriots bandwagon. We don’t need you!!!!!! And when the Falcons are good again, hope you have moved away. YOU SUCK!!!

I’m so tired of the bad mouthing of this team. We all knew they were a bad team this year before the Vick mess. Yet you still want to hang the coach. All the bad luck that has happened this year and you can’t give the coaching staff room to feel out there players and have a chance to succeed. These are the guys who “hate the Falcons” yet are blogging about how much they hate them????? How about you just leave? What a great idea! harrywx52 By No Fan of the NFL Since when… Very Angry EX-Falcons Fan

Please let me know if I left you off the list. I would love to add more to the loser list.

By Ron Mexico

October 17, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino is clueless. Harrington is not the problem. He puts the ball in the receivers hands and they drop it. Now, in addition to drops, we’ll get Leftwich sailing the ball over their heads.

By merlynsdad

October 17, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Good luck with Leftwich! We figured Harrington was getting tired of getting sacked, and since Leftwich was popping off on the sidelines about how he didn’t want to be a backup, let him have a shot. Unfortunately, he has the mobility of a lawn statue and couldn’t get out of his own way when he was down here in Jacksonville. With your O line the guy will go down hard and often, and he’s relatively easy to hurt. Keep Joey suited up.

By akhenaten21c2

October 17, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Well, the Falcons have been exposed@ All you Vick detractors ought to be eating crow. MV lets to run the ball but he had to run. Also opposing teams no longer have to prepare for Vick. Now they prepare for statues. Everybody knows Joey holds the ball to long. everyone knows we cant run. Formulae for failure. Falcons have sucked for 2 years and Vicks absence just makes it worse. We were better with him than without. It would be a great story for the team to welcome him back in 2044.

By Committed Falcon Fan

October 17, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Great move from a potentially great coach. No it is start to stop playing Falcons politics and start the best players. The second would be Norwood and their are a few on onfeense and defense.

This year we have a better group of player and better coach but embarrsing losts and a under performing offense even prior to the offensive line injuries. Hopefully, everyone will now understand how talented MV7 really is on the football field.

I don’t condone what he has done or not done off the field, but he has already suffered more than the majority of criminals in this country. Hopefully, after he receives his second or official punishment, the Falcons will swallow their self-rightougoues pride and reinstate MV7. Many might not want to face the truth, but he carried this team! Without him we will be rebuidling for the next three years.

By Deanh

October 17, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Falcons will still suck… they have already given up on matter who’s the QB is. Too many Vick friends on the team to give Joey a chance… Bad move coach…

By Boots

October 18, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Vick Supporter: Quite obviously, you have had you head up you butt for the last two seasons.

NO VICK = NO WINS IS HORSE HOCKEY!

With your messiah, we DIDN’T WIN 50% OF THE GAMES. CAN YOU SAY 15 AND 17? NOT MANY TEAMS MAKE THE POST SEASON WITH AN 8 AND 8 AND A 7 AND 9 RECORD. AND, THAT’S WITH YOUR FREAKIN’ MESSIAH.

Get over it and get a life!!