AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJoey speaks and he’s not happy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Joey Harrington waited a day to address being demoted in favor of Byron Leftwich, but on Thursday, he spoke his mind - and he’s not happy.
“Is it tough? Yeah. It’s awful,” Harrington said Thursday, in a locker room hallway. “It’s terrible. Every week I sit here and I pour every ounce of effort I have into this team. And to be sitting here at 1-5 and to be replaced is a difficult thing to deal with. But it’s something I’ve dealt with before.
“It’s not going to change my confidence in myself and most of all it’s not going to change my commitment to this team.”
He went on.
“If I was to create a stink and throw the towel in I wouldn’t be doing my job for this team and I might miss an opportunity to get back on the field,” Harrington said. “The reality is you’re one play from being in there. I saw that this weekend.”
After taking 20 of the 21 sacks allowed - the second most in the NFL - Harrington realizes that he could be back as the starter at any time.
I’ve got a lot more Joey in an article that will be online soon and in the morning paper.
As far as the team moving forward with Leftwich, receivers said they are having to get used to catching a much harder pass. Coach Bobby Petrino also said that the Falcons could throw more downfield passes because that plays to Leftwich’s strength.
In another note, Jimmy Williams seems to have made enough progress to get back onto the field. Williams has been taking more snaps at free safety in nickel packages because of his ability to play the ball when it’s in the air, Petrino said.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Robert
October 18, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Joey is not the problem with this team…Bad playcalling and poor offensive line protection is killing drives. Can we please get a running game going?
By John in Tampa, FLA
October 18, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Joey, the fans ain’t happy either!!!!!
Why don’t you quit and get a job in the real world?
By micky
October 18, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
the falcons o-line and WR’s should be benched, not Harrington. He played well on Mon. night, the others didn’t.
By Jedi Falcon
October 18, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Harrington sucks.
By humble
October 18, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
oh well joey. granted you’re not our only problem but you are one of them. your indecivness has led to a number of our sacks and as the QB you are the first to go. i don’t think leftwich is going to fair any better, i’m at the point now where i am looking more toward the draft than the rest of the season. i hate to be like that but this season is lost and as Furman Bisher put it, it may be the worst season yet!!!
By Moose
October 18, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Joey Harrington is SOOO DREAMY!!
By Chris
October 18, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
I say we petition and get VICK back in there!!!
By David Duke
October 18, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Hard passes are a snap! But, what are the receivers going to do when the ball is twenty feet over their heads? Yeah, Ham Sammich can throw downfield. The problem is no one has a vertical leap of sixteen feet.
By Cairo
October 18, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Stop Whinning Sloey! Obviously the coaches saw enough on tape to realize you are a liability and you CAN’T throw the ball downfield. I have NEVER in my whole football life seen a NFL quarterback not be able to throw a Hail Mary past 40 yards. It is time to open up the offense and chunk it downfield. You had your opportunity over and over again. Most “other” quarterbacks don’t get that chance so man up, suck it up and take it like man.
By Jay Black
October 18, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!What a joke. But in reality it aint really his fault.
By Rob
October 18, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
The QB isn’t the problem with this team. We have the worst O line in the league. Leftwich is going to get laid out just like Harrington has been.
By biggerdaddy
October 18, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Falcon fan since 1966 and as hard as it is to watch the games lately, i just remember: they’ll be back.
I can never understand why people forget so easily how good the 49rs, Rams, Raiders, etc were not too long ago and how bad they suck now. The Patriots & Colts REALLY sucked once upon a time too, and now they’re the elite.
Who cares?! Nothing lasts forever, people…it lasts A SEASON! Maybe the next one too, but superiority has a flippin shelf life!
I learned to enjoy THE GAME. Sure, the Falcons are and always will be my team because…well…basically in Georgia in the 70’s we caught 4 channels and they were a habit that stuck, but my point is:
Enjoy the game for what it is and if your happiness is determined by what a bunch of strangers do or dont do in the fall for an hour per week…
Maybe you don’t have a life?
By BankerBird
October 18, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Hey, Joey! I’m a Falcons season ticket holder and guess what?! I’M NOT HAPPY, EITHER!!!!
By steve
October 18, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
if the receivers would catch a few of the balls and the line would block maybe the offence could do something. then get the defence to step up as well. well let’s just scap the team start fresh and maybe in 5 yrs win something!
By Christopher Wells
October 18, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Joey has been labeled as a loser because of his association with the BAD Detroit and Miami teams. I think Coach Petrino is a little to quick at pulling him.
By BirdMahn
October 18, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Joey played “ok” but just ok and he has a wuss of an arm. The WRs and Alge had key drops Monday night and we all know the OL has been bad for years. But you have to do something when you’re losing and the QB is the easiest thing to change. Now coach needs to change the starting RB too.
By John in Tampa, FLA
October 18, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
!!!!!!!!!!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arthur Blank has just announced a name change for the Atlanta Falcons.
Hereafter they will be called the Atlanta Futility.
!!!!!!!!!!!BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Todd
October 18, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
I how stupid the falcons were to bring on Leftwich for such a high price. We were so glad to get him out of Jacksonville.
By theDon
October 18, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Well, what can one say?? The Falcons simply suck to say the least. We need a completely new team. From linebacker’s to hard hitting safety’s, to wideouts, you name it. Byron is not doing himself any favors getting into the starting lineup of the Falcons. He will probably hurt his chances of getting another starting job if nothing else.
By onlooker
October 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
“receivers said they are having to get used to catching a much harder pass”
since when is this bunch catching anything but VD? Even the announcers in Monday nights game said the receivers were “crapping all over Harrington”. They can’t catch Vick’s passes, Harringtons, Leftwich’s, street corner ho’s.
Look, there are 5 things wrong with this team:
Putting Leftwich in is not going to make one difference at all except for how the ball is spinning.
i’ve never been more uninterested in an NFL team than i am this group right now.
Thank you Michael Vick for screwing the whole town over. You suck.
By Pepe
October 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
I’m up for trying anything different, but I wasn’t thinking Harrington was the problem. I guess its easier to replace the QB then the whole OL. Hopefully, Byron’s deep ball can help open some holes for Dunn and Norwood. Who’s ever in I’m pulling for him…Go Falcons!!!
By Pitbull
October 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
The team seems to have the same problems it had the past few years. Poor playcalling,too many dropped passes,not protecting the quarteback. It is a wonder the team was even relevant. Any reasonable person has to admit one thing Mike Vick was a hell of a football player. He was able to mask too a certain degree, problems this team has on the field and in the front office. If I was Arthur Blank I would have done more to protect my investment. Maybe if the Falcons had not been so quick to distance themselves from Vick he might have not plead guilty so fast. Once the furor had died down he probably could have gotten a better deal.
By Change in the air
October 18, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Joey weare not happy Vick not here! Your holding the ball no run game and your offense line let you down!
By Bob
October 18, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Didn’t anybody notice… Harrington has a much better quarterback rating than Vick. The TEAM stinks this year. The only difference is that they have way too much tied up in a player who will probably never see another down in a Falcons uniform.
By Rick James
October 18, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
The lack of offensive production, as a result of the terrible offensive line and hideous wide out play, give more credibility to the talents of Mike Vick. He was able to take those same bums, that Joey “BUM” Harrington has and win games.
By FALCONSFAN5114
October 18, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Mo aint lookin’ so bad now. Petrino has taken the no-huddle offense to a new extreme. It is now simply a “no offense”.
By chris is a retard
October 18, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Stupid idea, Chris.
By Mike
October 18, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Benching Harrington solved one problem. Now what about the rest of the problems the Falcons have? Even if the Falcons end up with the 1st pick in the draft they will mess that up too.
By Joe
October 18, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Seriously, if they wanted to replace Harrington they should come up with a better reason because he isn’t the reason they’re not scoring. We need a LINE, for pete’s sake…
By Jay Black
October 18, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Petrino is too quick to pull the plug.
By mark
October 18, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
harrington is not the problem morons….pay attention to the games! Joey looks downfield EVERY play, no one os open, he has no time to throw so he dumps it off. The entire team is just not good. When things so wrong, a change has to be made and the QB is the most obvious place to make that change.
By jacson
October 18, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
I have grown old watching the Falcons lose since the 1960s. Really, there have only been a very few years that have been that enjoyable and even they ended up “Bummers”. No back to back winning seasons, just when it looked like we were going in a good direction….Something would go wrong. ETC. But I have got to say, as and old timer with lots of history with the Falcons, the way all this has played out is by far the biggest darn Mess we have EVER been into. I truly hope Coach, Mgrs. and players can somehow pull us out of this. As Churchill once said, “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP”!!!!!
By mark
October 18, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
todd, you are an idiot. we paid next to nothing for him. go away. fast
By shan
October 18, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
bad play calling!terrible LINE omg what is going on here! its not the quaterback all the time you folks blamed vick a lot…and he had to scramble to get away a lot so the line is s**! AND RIGHT WHERE IS THE RUNNING GAME! or get us a QB that can run and throw or is that a tough thing to find these days
By James
October 18, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Neither Harrington or Leftwich are the answers. This team needs to be rehauled during this offseason. The team plays without heart. If Vick was here, the Falcons wouldn’t be playing much better. The team at the start of next season should have a new starting qb, wide receivers, and a rehauled offensive line. They should go with Norwood at tailback. On defense, a rehaul needs done at both safety positions and at cornerback. Lets also spend some money on a reliable field goal kicker. This current team is a mess but my allegiance still remains here which is more that could have been said for most season ticket holders. Its a disgrace that “fans” are absent b/c the team doesn’t have vick and isn’t winning.
By johann
October 18, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
“Coach Bobby Petrino also said that the Falcons could throw more downfield passes because that plays to Leftwich’s strength.” Are you kidding me? Doesn’t it take time for the receivers to get downfield. Isn’t that the crux of the problem? That the QB doesn’t have time to wait for the plays to develop with our stellar OL. Good think we have such a fleet of foot qb taking over.
By Ripdog
October 18, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Awwww, little Joey isn’t happy. I’m not either. Why don’t you get a job a Neiman Marcus playing the piano and take your dumb a!! head coach with you.
By KrisG
October 18, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
No one is telling Joey to shut up and play?
By Boots
October 18, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Biggerdaddy: You’re a freakin’ philosopher!
And, I like it!
It’s just a game and win or lose my life goes on. I love the game and am a zealous Falcon fan, but it is just a game and with or without Vick, the outcome would be essentially the same. There’s not enough quality throughout the ranks and the best Vick could do with this bunch was 15 and 17 —- so get over it and just enjoy the GAME!
And, by the way, a lousy game goes a little better with friends and a touch of Jim “the Man” Beam.
Adios and Go Falcons!
By Gnupe
October 18, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Joey is just being Joey. No different from the cold in Detroit to the warmth of Miami and now Atlanta.
He is the epitome of sub-mediocrity at best, with a spark here and there. Nice guy, great attitude, but lacks real football talent, as well as athleticism and on-field awareness.
He reminds me so much of a coach’s son who was groomed very early and taught well,looked the part, but never had the skill set to play the position, but because he was the coach’s son, he was deemed to be the quarterback; while better suited players were switched to other positions.
He has been given multiple opportunities to succeed in The NFL and the same thing happens multiple times. 1)Poor performance! 2)Benched!3)Demoted! 4)Released.
Joey is marginally a NFL cailber quarterback. Check his win/loss totals; TD/INT ratio. Sorry folks! He has got to go!! Bye Bye Joey
By Lumber Jack
October 18, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
So little Joey isn’t happy? Well BOOHOO BOOHOO!! How would you like to be a Falcons fan? Do you think we are happy? At least you are a MILLIONAIRE and don’t have to work to survive in the real world. You had your chance and you SUCK just like pretty much everyone on the team. Arthur Blank is not making very good decisions and the Falcons have paid the price!!
By chuck e
October 18, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
So the answer at QB is to go from a guy that holds the ball too long and doesn’t move much, to a guy that can’t move at all and doesn’t know the offense…..when we still have an O-line that couldn’t block the Little Sisters of the Poor…..good luck!!
By Jagsbch
October 18, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
This season has been a complete slump for me, now that Byron is starting again I feel like I am about to be liberated out of prison. It has been Hell… Byron is finally going to reveal to the world just exactly what he is capable of when allowed to be all he can be. He never had control of the offense in Jacksonville, we are about to see what he can do whne he has it.
The man is the next Dan Marino. IMO, JDR’s conservative offense was a ball and chain on his career, Byron is about to be unleashed. Be prepared to be shocked… It is on…
Byron is about to make JDR look like the idiot he truly is… Jaguars still have the 21st ranked passing offense in the league, that is probably as good as it will get for them that team this season. They have JDR to thank for that. I have a feeling Atlanta is going to pass them this weekend. It is like the season is just getting started for this fan.
By Tyger
October 18, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, Joey can settle in as a teams’ 2nd/3rd option. The kid just doesnt have “IT”.
Can he be a career backup? Probably, with the right system, mentality and temperment.
That said, the Falcoons have more problems than Joey Harrington. They Stink in all phases of the game. Its like a cancer that has spread from the QB to the OL to the special teams and defense.
The coaching is suspect, but youve got to give Bobby Petrino a pass. Too much confusion to hold the man liable. But truth be told, he doesnt look like NFL head coach material and his players dont play like it either.
When will M.Vick not be responsible for every mishap in the Falcoons organization? He hasnt been on the team since August.
When are the other 53 players going to strap it up and take responsiblity?
No excuse for M.Vick, but there were insinuations from the top that the team would be better with a drop back QB.
Well, that may be true, but no way to tell w/ Harrington, but look at Matt Schaub - the shine is gone in Houston already.
Leftwich will be a little better, he’s a proven winner in the NFL, he’ll find a way barring injury. But thats the rub, he cant bar injury and the Falcoons cant protect him.
Did we pass on Adrian Peterson for Jamaal Anderson in the draft???
When is Rich McKay going to held responsible for RUINING the Falcoons?
All these geniuses, gurus and prodigys fall flat on their faces when put in the meat grinder, while loyal, dedicated and more experienced personnel get passed over year after year in the NFL plantation.
By Long Time Fan
October 18, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
None of this is Harringtons fault and I feel for him. Even with Vick, the Falcons would have struggled this year. The talent on this team is simply not there and McKay should be held accountable. I often wonder what would have happened if Blank would have left the structure of the organization alone and not changed things just for the sake of changing things. Such as keeping Dan Reeves (as a coach or at minimum as an advisor), keeping the talented group of scouts and front office folks that had brought in some true talent? My guess is that we would be in MUCH better shape than we are now !
By realist
October 18, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Harrington is a bust and all you people know it. whether u like vick or not, that dome was packed every sunday because of him.Harrington has been given chance after chance and should not be in pro football. He SUCKS.. U people may not like the thug image, hell I dont like it either but he was productive. Petrino needs to go also. A few good years in college doesn’t make u a pro coach, It’s been proven. The falcons have taken a major step back..
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 18, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
When has any QB ever been happy after being benched?
Joey’s not good, Byron Leftwich is not going to be good either. I guess it will be more entertaining to watch a guy who looks like Fat Albert playing QB, not to mention he has a stronger arm. But this team as it’s currently constructed needs an extraordinary QB to mask its weaknesses, like Vick did the last few years.
Pretty hilarious though, that the same people who blamed Vick for 100% of this team’s problems last year are all of a sudden trying to shift blame off Joey as quickly as possible, even though the surrounding team sucked just as bad last year as it does now.
By BC
October 18, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Joey is not the problem! He has to have an offensive line to protect him and give him time to throw the ball and for the receivers to get down field. Leftwich won’t have time to set-up either. Draft picks are the only answer and sad to say that’s in the future years! Meanwhile, players need to keep their mouth shut, no stupid penalties (D Hall)… Guess the D stands for Dumb? Blank needs to be checking up on the backgrounds of other players to keep andther Vick episode from destroying the team in the future.
By Scooter
October 18, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
I,ve said it for the last 3 years that we need an offensive line and safeties that can cover. Our offensive line still sucks and our safeties couldn’t cover a twin bed with a king size blanket much less a receiver. Until these positions are addressed we’ll cont. to be losers. And as for our qb situation, its not Harringtons fault he can,t complete a pass from his back. T. Bradshaw or J. Montana couldn’t help this team.
By BUSHWACKER
October 18, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Joey’s showed he can play in this league if give an offensive line that can block. If I were him I would ask the Falcons to release me because I several teams that would love have him, Carolina comes to mind.
Don’t waste your time here Joey, ask for you release and move on to a real franchise!
You know Byron LEADFOOT WItCH will get beat up so bad that he will only last a game or 2 then they will come crawling back to you.
I’d tell them to kiss my butt and move on!
By larry w.
October 18, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
Joey Harrington cannot throw a deep ball. In the NFL that is a kiss of death. Yes, there were times when Joey had little or no time to look over the field, but there were plenty of times when Joey had time and was too busy looking at the on coming rushers and not down field at his receivers.
A quarterback cannot worry about the oncoming rush. He has to maintain his concentration down field and throw the football. Joey failed often in this regard and I would wager that is the reason Petrino got so frustrated with him.
I don’t know if Leftwich will fare any better or not, but an offense operates on timing, and the quarterback has got to get the ball out on time.
No coach can justify continuously starting a quarterback who cannot get his team in the endzone.
By Greg
October 18, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Everyone is right to complain about the pass protection and run-blocking. But Joey does bear some responsibility here. His reads are too slow (it’s not just the receivers not getting open), and his feet aren’t quick enough either when he’s under pressure. He just doesn’t get the quick release. Guess he doesn’t have those fast-twitch muscles (like the Mannings, for example). Sadly, I don’t think Leftwich is any better in this regard. Also, he throws a hot ball, much harder to catch. And he’s no more accurate. His only advantage is that he’s harder to bring down and will get off some throws while in-the-grasp. Someone complained on a blog yesterday the Falcons will likely go 3-11. I’d like to know who the two teams are that person believes we’re going to beat. I think 1-13 is a very real possibility. Very real.
By Joe C...
October 18, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Who Cares!!!! We want the first round draft pick and the sup. pick because of Vick-we have salary cap room in ‘08-we have a nice group of QB’s (please pick up Colt from HI no Brohm for Louisv.) to pick from next year. Vick screwed this season up for us, but who cares…they might as well put the Patriots name on this years Lombardi trophy-we would not have been able to win the SB this year anyway. Dunn will be gone, Noorwood will be our guy, Vick will be gone for good and hopefully June Jones will have some more influence in Atlanta by getting his QB here…I hope….
By Are You Serious?????
October 18, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Joey!! Are you serious? Really? I figured that you would have seen this coming. Even Stevie Wonder called and told me that you SUCK. Also he asked me what happened to MV7, but I told him that was another story, LOL. Anyways Joey, dont be sad. I hear you guys have the BEST gator aid on the sidelines. Enjoy yourself b***!!!!
By MrKnowGood
October 18, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
So when are Terrence Moore, Steve Wyche, and Jeff Schultz going to write a column about the REAL problem that has crippled the Falcons for years!!! POOR OFFENSIVE LINE BLOCKING!!!!
Even when Michael Vick was playing, he became a master at getting positive yards out of broken plays; but no one is asking, “why were there so many broken plays?” The answer is simple…our O-Line has been getting manhandled by every team in the league for years!!!!
How many “3rd and 8” or “3rd and 10” situations did Michael Vick run for 15 yards and a 1st down!!! How many times did the receiver’s drop the ball? AND MICHAEL VICK WAS CONSTANTLY CRITICIZED FOR IT!!! How many times has Warrick Dunn been hit in the backfield and still managed to power his way forward to get 2 or 3 positive yards! So now that Michael Vick is no longer here…Joey Harrington is the new scapegoat!
Last season, the problem wasn’t our defense…the problem was that our offense couldn’t score! This season, our defense is great and once again…OUR OFFENSE CAN’T SCORE!!! Guess What…YOU CAN’T SCORE IF YOU NEVER MOVE THE CHAINS! And that starts with the O-Line! And you can’t blame Bobby Petrino…he stated when he first arrived that we needed a bigger O-Line…and he was right!
Let’s face it…Michael Vick’s legs (or at least the threat of his running) were the reason we won the games we did last year. We are now seeing how horrible this team would have been if Vick didn’t “run too much!”
And to those who doubt…just count how many times this week Byron Leftwich has to run for his life because there’s a LB in the backfield when he drops back. Then count how many times Warrick Dunn gets hit in the backfield. It doesn’t matter who we have at QB, if the O-Line can’t block, then we will continue to lose!!!!
And as Joey Harrington (aka new scapegoat) has proven…Michael Vick should have gotten hazard pay in addition to his salary! HE CERTAINLY EARNED IT!!!
By Ken
October 18, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Leftwich hasn,t completed a pass downfield since Jimmy Smith retired?
By JD
October 18, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
Joey was replaced in Detroit his last season also as he was blamed for the mess there. Jeff Garcia came in and was even worse, 3 TD, 6 INT and a 65.1 passer rating. By the end of the season Joey was back starting and it commonly recognized that Garcia’s career was over. Then Garcia goes on to outstanding seasons with Philly and Tampa and once again it is proven that it is the TEAM and the situation that often determines the QB’s success and Detroit was just plain lousy regardless. Joey has since just had the misfortune of then going to 2 even worse situations, Miami, where he won 5 games (you know in the last 2 seasons the Dolphins haven’t won ANY games by a QB other than Joey Harrington) and now Atlanta, a team built around the best running QB in the history of the game. And as for the 40 yard hail mary, I have seen him wing it 60+ yards … here he through it way up in the air hoping one of his guys would make a play on it. The more telling thing was that as long as hit hung in the air not a single Falcon receiver came within shouting distance of even tipping the ball. That showed more about their effort then anything else. That and the fact that Joey H has been knocked down more than any other QB in the league (43 times) tells the story of this offenses problems.
By falconetti
October 18, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
Let’s see. The mediocre QB that we had last year is on his way to prison and his backup gets traded. Then, we get another mediocre QB who prefers sacks to incompletions. Now, we are going to start yet another mediocre QB that might possibly be the worst one of all. Anyone see a pattern here? Can it get any worse?Whose next, Reggie Ball? The most troubling thing about all of this is that QB isn’t even our weakest position. That distinction goes to the offensive line. Have they ever played tackle football before? They play like a girls’ powderpuff team. On game day, I wonder if it says “Sunday” on their panties.
By STEALTH MAN
October 18, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Leftwitch??? Are you joking??? Is this real. Some of you speak of Him as if he is the answer. Did you remember the Titans…Game??? Leftwitch had the ball hitting airplanes. He throws too dam high. The receivers will need jetpacks, Ok?? Playoffs??? Playoffs??? are you kidding me??? Play dam offs???
By Danny
October 18, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
onlooker,
Vick didn’t screw up the Falcons. The only thing he screwed was himself.
The GM and the rest of the organization screwed Vick by surrounding him with less than mediocre talent. Now that he’s gone, the manner in which he was screwed is evident. Yeah, Vick posted a 15-17 record the past few seasons, but no other QB in the league could have done any better with this team (Brady and Manning included).
The Falcons do stink, but it is not Vick’s fault.
By Boots
October 18, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
A tail gunner in a B-29 has a longer life expectancy that a quarterback with this O Line.
By Buzzjob
October 18, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
A lot of Atlanta people are saying Harrington sucks but most of them do not have the mentality to understand Mike Vick is the one that really sucks. He was never a team player, he dumped on the city of Atlanta, the team, the players and it’s coaches. Boy, what a dumb a$$ MV turned out to be. So all you Mike Vick lovers, deal with it !!!
By vick
October 18, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
joey is a bumm who cares if hes mad im mad for wathchin them on tv and havin my out of town friends clown me and the city for this replacement looking nfl team atl has its a ashame joey u suck go jump off a bridge in 5 olcock traffic the falcons showed how desperate they were when they signed him they should have jus gotten vinny atleats hes a proven winner even if hes 60 years old
By Luv 2 Hate Me
October 18, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to see Left get sacked! I think they were better off with Joey. Left has 2 left feet in the pocket. I can’t wait to get a good laugh on sunday. Now your starting to see the issue was not Vick (Stay with me people. I’m talking before he got into trouble). It was the O-line and receivers. It’s hard to run around avoid sacks get back into the huddle and avoid sacks again. That’s the kind of problems Vick had with Atlanta. After running around like a chicken with his head cut off then people expected him to get throw TD’s. Any human would understand you get tired of that cycle mentally and physically. I’m a person who forgives unlike some of ya’ll supposedly CHRISTIAN folks. I forgive Vick and we need him back!
By JohnGTFan
October 18, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
Joey should be upset. Saying that, I do not believe he can lead this team to a winning record…I doubt anyone could. I do agree that at times he holds the ball too long, but my goodness..there is PLENTY of blame to go around. Start with play calling…some of the calls on Monday night were just pathetic, especially the times we stared inside NYG territory. Then you can go to a horrible offensive line..which honestly, isn’t completely their fault…they were built for a particular system, and Petrino’s is NOT it. The running game (partially the O-line’s fault) is terrible. I’m tired of hearing Petrino and his staff say they have to find a way to get Norwood the ball more….JUST DO IT! And of course, the receivers have not helped much. Roddy did have a drop Monday, but he’s played very well. The rest of the WR’s have been pathetic, including Crumpler.
Again, I think he should be upset…but I also agree that any change that has the opportunity to start a fire needs to be done. But there are a lot of holes to fill on this team.
By JohnGTFan
October 18, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
luv2hateme
I agree that Vick should be forgiven…I mean, many many many people have done much worse. However, I also think that Vick supporters and lovers should let him go as far as being an Atlanta Falcon. Those days are WELL over. Never to return. And be happy about it. The money owed to him can be better used filling mulitple positions, instead of on one guy who has a cannon of an arm but no accuracy or intelligence on NFL defenses.
By Danimal
October 18, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
The worst thing that has happened is that Shockley got hurt. Joey, time for Arena Football. Oops, your release is not quick enough. Maybe selling car insurance would be a better career move. Come on fans, Blank put the change on. He paid too much money for the guy to let him sit. Enjoy the circus, sanity will return next year.
By Matt the Brave
October 18, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Wow. Should Harrington be benched after a 1-5 start? Probably. Should the Falcons have been the team to do it? No. Why? Because this Falcons team stinks. Like dead possum on the road for a week stinks. Harrington is going to make a club very happy next season. I honestly think that with a decent offensive line (such like the Falcons have been lacking since, oh, about 1991) that he would be pretty darn good. Yes, he does hold onto the ball too long sometimes, but it’s hard to throw to your receivers who just run down the field without ever looking back to see where something might open up. Lack of talent is going to be the downfall of this team. I honestly predict that we might win one other game. It’s a sad day in Atlanta again. Welcome back to Loserville people!
By raydjo
October 18, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
ARE YOU GUYS MISSING MIKE VICK .YET? Y’ALL THREW HIM UNDER THE BUS AND NOW YOU ARE WHINNING?COME TO FIND OUT ..MIKE VICK MADE THE FALCONS BEST DAYS!!!! YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL ITS GONE ..WHO YALL GONNA BLAME NOW HUNNN!!!!
By HMMMM
October 18, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
I HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT WHITE QUARTERBACKS AND THEIR WINING AND THE AJC DIDNT POST IT. I WONDER WHY?
By Tommy
October 18, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Some idiot compared Lefty to Dan Marino! Now they have been smokin’ CRACK. With this O-Line Tom Brady could not win. Mike Vick had to run like a wild indian just to throw the ball. He was next to terrible as a passer but a great runner as a threat. We all may as well face FACTS the Falcons SUX AGAIN and it will be that way for a while. Mike Vick brought some excitement to the game and got us all hipped up then he screwed up and he is gone for good. A few days to years in jail. The Birds got to start over with a new QB, someone fresh, a new coach, this guy aint got it. He is college material at best. Mr. Blank better beg somebody to take this job over and start all over.
By falconsdeservethis
October 18, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
In all of the Falcons posts last year, the bloggers were whining:
MV needs to stay in the pocket, he can’t pass, he can’t do this, he can’t do that…
I am sooooooooo glad that some exposure has been brought to the offensive line and the receivers.
THE FALCONS ARE STILL LOSING!!!
Joey is a pocket passer, very accurate quarterback, he has great numbers…complete opposite of MV.
THE FALCONS ARE STILL LOSING!!!
How many passes were dropped last year? Did Monday night’s game seem oh so familiar. Why was MV running instead of passing? HE HAD TO!
….And Byron Leftwich is not the answer!
By David Duke
October 18, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
Now listen-up all you retards, rump-rangers, morons, imbeciles and idiots! The problem, now, is the counterfeit coach, P-U-trino. He’s cost the Falcons, with stupid decisions, three wins. Now he’s pointed his nasty stankfinger at Joey Harrington and declared it to be his fault. It’s not! Once Ham Sammich carries his rotund a* onto the field, defenses will be on him like Mike Tyson at a beauty pageant. I hope Joey doesn’t get too comfortable because he won’t be on the bench for long. Buffalo-Butt has a history of being injured and he can’t run a lick. If he makes it through one game i will be surprised. Go Saints!
By the fat lady has sung
October 18, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Boots you post the same crap over and over and over. I see you are stuck on that 15-17 record the last two years. Why dont you ever post his career record? Name me one qb who would have done better with this horrible talent. Honestly I dont even know how we won 15 games the last two years after seeing these guys this year. People stop saying they built this team around Vick. What qb wants to be surrounded by wr’s who cant catch, an o line that cant pass block, a defense that cant stop the run one game the pass the next or neither in other games, a gm who cant draft, and clueless coahces. Name me one. You wont be able too. This team was built poorly and not around Vick. For the life of me I cant understand how people are defending Harrington. What has he done in his 6 years to show he has the talent to be a starting NFL qb. The guy has thrown 4 td’s and 3 interceptions that have all been returned for touch downs. Im sorry but the great white hope is not cutting it. As far as Schuab. Well he is having a hall of fame season with 5 tds and 5 picks and a few fumbles. It is funny to see people complain about the same terrible o line and wr’s that have been stunk it up the last 2 to 3 years. Why all of a sudden the o line and wr’s suck but they didnt the previous years? Before it was all Vick’s fault no matter what and now its everyone elses fault but Joey. Sorry people but deal with it. You have been crying about how this team sucks with Vick and we need a pocket qb. Tito even went as far as saying Joey would be great in this offense. WELL HOW IS THAT CROW TASTING? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
By TO GA.
October 18, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
**GOD IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE WAY SOME OF PEOPLE AND SOCALL FANS TREATED MICHAEL VICK……….LOOK AT THIS TEAM!!!!!ALSO LOOK AT THE WATER PROBLEM YOU ARE HAVING NOW!!!!!!!GOD IS NOT HAPPY WITH YOU…………………. AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU AREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THIS CITY AND STATE WILL NOT OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL MICHAEL VICK IS BACK ON THE TEAM…………………ASK YOURSELFS WHAT WOULD GOD DO. :)
By mountain_jim
October 18, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
I am happy to replace noodle arm and see what happens. I do wish Shockley had not gotten hurt. I think he would have been the starter by now if he was still here. And I hate GA so it’s not because of that. He had the arm and the mobility.
I am ready to see the QB throw long. Joey can’t do that. Clearly.
By A-ville Ranger
October 18, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
If Blank had a hand in Harrington’s demotion he’s foolish.What this team needs is for Petrino to take absolute control and for Blank to make it clear he backs his authority.I think the malcontents should be moved out (including Crumpler) and a team that reflects Petrino’s vision put together over the next 3 years.Jimmy Johnson lost 15 of 16 his first season and didn’t win till his third year.If Blank leaves the smallest crack between him and Petrino he deserves to lose.I believe Petrino can win but not while fighting players and the owner.I know Mckay has a say in who is signed but once thet’re on the team it should be Petrino who decides if they play and if they stay.
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 18, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Not that it matters, but since it’s been brought up, Vick’s record the last two years is 15-16, not 15-17. Where did the extra loss go? Oh yeah, to everyone’s favorite Matt Schaub.
By Buzzjob
October 18, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to see the Falcons put Leftwich and Dunn in the game to be use as tackling dummies and keep Harrington and Norwood healthy for the future.