AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHarrington upset over QB issue
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coach Bobby Petrino said today that when Byron Leftwich is healthy enough, he would start at quarterback for the Falcons. Neither Petrino nor Leftwich ruled out the possibility of Leftwich starting this Sunday against Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome.
Leftwich went through his first full practice since having ligaments surgically repaired and fortified on his right ankle three weeks ago. Petrino said he was surprised at how good Leftwich appeared. Leftwich said he felt great. How Leftwich’s ankle responds to the physical stress will determine how soon he would be back on the game field.
As for current starter Joey Harrington, he wasn’t happy. Especially since it was a query from the AJC after Petrino and Leftwich already spoke to reporters that led him finding out about him being on borrowed time.
Harrington, who was taken aback, said he thought he earned the right to remain the starter but took the high road for the most part from there. Once again, communication seemed like a problem — sort of.
Petrino, in his remarks, said weeks ago that Leftwich was the starter for good and that Harrington would be the backup. Though Leftwich’s right ankle injury temporarily threw a wrench into things, Petrino said he would stick to the original plan of having Leftwich be his guy when he’s ready.
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By Chris
November 14, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
Seems a bit classless, no matter what was said a few weeks ago, for Coach Petrino not to address this first with Joey.
It may be about the Wins, but you don’t have to be a jerk while getting there. Had enough of that with the Smith ownership. Didn’t believe it would happen with the Blank ownership.
By JohnGTFan
November 14, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Harrington should be upset…with himself. So much promise coming out of college…yet he has still yet to learn, through all these years, how to get rid of the ball in time.
By Next year
November 14, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
Folks LWitch should have his shot and Joey should get more snaps as well. Need to make some decisions on who we might want to keep on the roster for next year and the future. This year and the next couple are shot to rebuild, just like the last couple or three years were a waste coutning on MV to reall build a team. We need to face it that we are in a 16 to 32 game preseason mode. Firgure out who on this squad really wants to WIN and fill the vacancies.
MARK MY WORD - NO QB will take the Falcons to the top witha any level of consistancy until we 1) Change the THUGISH attitude and 2) Build an OFFENSIVE LINE. MV was not B. FARVE woiuld not have been nor Herrington or Leftwitch.
By Chandra S.
November 14, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Harrington should remain the quarterback for several reasons:
If the Falcons keep playing the way they are now, they have a chance of making it to the playoffs this year despite their slow start.
By Jay Black
November 14, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Wow. All I heard was a slap. I turned around, and Harrington’s face had a handprint on it. There’s Petrino again, not communicating with the players. Harrington had to find out through somebody other than the coach. The teams’ chemistry will be destroyed.
By deadbird
November 14, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
You think Bellichick, The Tuna or other successful coaches wouldn’t do the same thing. He believes Leftwich gives his offense a better chance to move the ball. Simply put. Harrington has done what he was supposed to do. This does not make his employee of the year or something. Shut up and play when you are asked to do so.
By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .
November 14, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
Joey Harrington is lucky to be on an NFL roster period. So is Leftwich for that matter. Who really cares? Neither will be here next year.
The Falcons WILL NOT be going to the playoffs this year. They will do just good enough to screw themselves out of the draft pick they wanted. Go Falcons!!
By Next year
November 14, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Again, The falcons problem is not a coaching or QB problem.
By jon
November 14, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Havent we had enough of inconsistancy this year? Making another change in the QB doesnt make good sense. I am NOT impressed with Petrino at ALL. After all the team troubles this year, I think he is adding to the frustration for the players. I think Arthur drew a BLANK on this coach and the season.
By Jay Black
November 14, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Even the Tuna would have told the QB himself though. This aint college. These guys are getting paid and talking to the media. They need to know the direction their career is going not through the media, but through the coach. I hope Petrino doesn’t keep doing this.
By Next year
November 14, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
The Attitude is the responsibility of the coach and management now but with this group you can not expect the coach to change it in a year given what he inherited>
By pms
November 14, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
Puhleeeze. Joey needs to be given more of a chance. Leftwich cost us at least two games. How many more losses do we need?
By slick
November 14, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
My My I sure am surprised.
By mountain_jim
November 14, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Joey has a short memory, apparently. Leftwich was named the starter for the year and quickly got injured, when a starter heals, he gets his job back. Defense won the last 2, not can’t-throw-it-downfield noodle-arm.
I don’t see where Petrino needed to tell Joey anything.
By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .
November 14, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
pms,
We need all of the losses we can get. The draft is coming up and this season is over. Falcons are hurting themselves with each win from here on out.
By turducken
November 14, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
Lets see,
Joey Harrington, 81.0 passer rating, 3 wins, missed one play due to injury in 8 starts.
Byron Leftwich, 68.3 passer rating, 0 wins, averages one injury per 3 quarters played.
Why jeopardize a winning streak and team chemistry in a game that could redefine the season by starting Leftwich who, by the numbers, offers a significant dropoff in productivity, and an exponential increase in probable injury?
By Cruzin
November 14, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Coach Petrino shows he is still a college coach. Harrington deserves the next start. He won two in a row, had a great throw that won the game, and he did toss 361 yards in one of the earlier season games. You can kiss off this team until they get a professional coach.
By Dawgs2007
November 14, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blsnk is a fool. I used to have the upmost respect for Mr. Blank and now I am ashamed to be a Falcon fan. And yes, I am a white guy.
By CHRIS
November 14, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
I would never question a coach when it comes to making personnel decisions(he knows the players and his offense better than anyone) but the way Coach Petrino handled this was pretty classless in my opinion.
By gdg73
November 14, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
Petrino sees the NFC South division there for the taking and is going to put his team in the best position to succeed. That means Leftwich will be the starter when healthy. If the team has any visions of winning games, they have to open up the offense/play-book and score points. Joey has proven that he can not do that consistently. The guy just does not make enough plays. It is what it is. Petrino sees it, as well as the rest of the players. They rally around Leftwich. I know Joey represents a “SAVIOUR” to many of you. But face it, he is not that good. Could all this un-dying loyalty to Joey be due to the fact that he is…….? Oh never mind.
By AL
November 14, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
What does it matter if Byron starts? He won’t make it through the whole game anyway. Joey will be back.Vegas needs to offer a bet on which of his legs are going to get hurt again.My money is on the right!
By Big Bull
November 14, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a falcons fan since 1966..If Petrino makes this switch after the momentum we’ve gotten started, then I’m finished with this crowd. Joey deserves to start..He has more heart than any player on the team! We’ve won 2 games in a row stupid!
By Bamabird
November 14, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
Byron is the starter and Joey is the back-up..Whats so hard to understand about that???
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 14, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
Chris 1ST COMMENT
Your very first point could have ended the blog. Nothing needs to be said more.
By cb
November 14, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
The DEFENSE has kept us in games long enough for our anemic offense to “pull games out”. I am not the only falcon fan who can recall how efficiently this offense was run with Leftwich at the helm, albeit for only one half. The fact that Leftwich’s ability to stretch the field by THROWING DOWNFIELD effectively opens up what running game we do have and allow it to be more effective & situationally productive. With this in mind our last 2 wins could have been a lot more lopsided and decisive than they were. In Petrino’s defense he doesn’t owe Harrington anything. Harrington has been given ample opportunity to produce and has come up pedestrian at best. I understand that the offensive line that he has been operating behind is below average and needs to be upgraded but it is the same offensive line that allowed the “less mobile” Leftwich time to throw downfield. Harrington doesn’t have the arm to throw effectively downfield and thus is less effective running Petrino’s offense—-period.
By Next year
November 14, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
ANY COACH COMMING IN IS STARTING FROM ABSOLUTE SCRATCH OR BELOW. COACH P BASICALLY STARTED FROM SCRATCH THIS YEAR BUT AFTER THE ROSTER WAS SET…… AND THEN OUR KEY GUY THAT GAVE US ANY CHANCE AT ALL (50/50 AT BEST) TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS GETS CAUGHT IN HS BS. HAD TO SEE IT COMMING.
COACH P SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE A YEAR R TWO IN ATTEMPTING TO REBUILD THIS MESS OF A TEAM. GET OFF HIS BACK.
By Fade
November 14, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
completely dumb-founding if you ask me. Heads are going to start rolling very soon, and it should start at the top with Rich McKay. Mr. Blank didn’t this team, and invest this amount money to have some college league coach shoot him in the foot. enough this non-sense, we should have went after Bill Cowher. Go after him now for that matter.
By falcondawg
November 14, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry fellow fans. Leftwich won’t be healthy long enough to start more than a couple of games at best. Just bide your time, Joey. You’ll be starting again shortly.
By Max
November 14, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Is Petrino afraid to talk to his players directly instead of through the media? If he ever wants loyalty from his team, he needs to show them some respect first. Harrington has been a team guy all year and given 100%, but Petrino can’t walk across the locker room to tell him he’s not starting this week? No wonder he’s losing the veterans. They’ve been in the NFL a whole lot longer than he has and that should merit some degree of respect from the college coach.
By fred
November 14, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
is it me or is Arthur and company making it a habit of hiring coaches lacking in the character department and the ability to lead men. Petrino’s still the same guy who was involved in trying to backdoor his old boss at Auburn. And for the record, please name the last college coach not named Johnson who had success in the NFL.
By bf_smiff
November 14, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
Let me go back to what I said earlier about Blank and Petrino: Dumb and Dumber.
By woodman
November 14, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter, Lwich won’t last more than a half. The man is made of glass. Don’t worry Joey, your job as starter could not be more secure this year.
By Gabriel
November 14, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
I think Leftwich is a much better QB than Harrington. It was just a look at their record of victory and defeat.
By Skippy
November 14, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
Petrino is either a genius or a jerk. Or both.
We NEED to have a crappy record this year in order to get the good draft picks we need in order to build for the future. We also need to scuttle the guys on the team with bad attitudes. His behavior is conducive to both, because Byron Sandwich is not going to win us any games since he won’t be able to finish any.
But let’s be honest here, folks. We’re going to win 1 or 2 more games, tops. Let’s look at the schedule:
Tampa- that’s a loss Indy- that’s a loss @ St. Louis- maybe a win New Orleans- maybe a win @ Tampa- that’s a loss @ Arizona- that’s a loss Seattle- that’s a loss
We’re either going to be 3-13 and get our QB of the future or somewhere between 4-12 or 5-11 and NOT get that QB of the future, whether it’s Woodson, Brohm or whoever. We can be mediocre for the next few years or terrible this one with the chance of real improvement. We’re not going to be mediocre this year and good next.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
November 14, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe what I’m reading. Any other player on this team comes out and says his not happy about anything like CRUMPLER for example and all of y’all would (and have) ripped him to shreds. Now you defend Harrington for doing the same thing? Harrington is garbage. Y’all know that. He didn’t win anything, this TEAM did. Just like you said with YKW. If anything, Dunn’s running and ESPECIALLY the defense had WAY more to do with the win than anything else. I know the San Fran game was blacked out so most of you did not see it. Couldn’t have. Joey was pure unadulterated hot garbage. There’s NO WAY you could have seen that game and not see that. None. If you know who had played that way and we won, you all would have torn him a new one and complained that we won in spite of him. I’m ONLY mentioning that because the unbelievable level of hypocrisy I’m witnessing is amazing. The fact is, Joey is lucky to even be a #2 qb in this league. I GUARANTEE he will be nothing more than that IF that on ANY other team. If a freaking rookie coach can stand him and another franchise CUT him, he can not be as good as you all are trying to make him out to be because the TEAM won 2 in a row. Dunn was the offense vs the 49ers and even that wasn’t enough. If not for the defense would have lost and if not for the DEFENSE we’d be 0-9. Now Joey played better than any of these two last games earlier in the season (when we were facing no serious pass rush I might add), I will give him that. He did play well THEN. But for you all to say he EARNED the right to be the starter AFTER Petrino had already named Lefty the starter for the rest of the season no matter what and now Joey is surprised? Certain fans are surprised? Whatever happened to “a player never loses his starting position due to injury”? I haven’t seen anyone even mention that. If ANY other starter went down due to an injury and the backup came in and won just two games, NO ONE would be surprised or upset when in the third game the healthy starter returned. No one. I’ve seen it happen too many times not to believe that. Now what is Joey surprised about? The starting qb position wasn’t up for debate. Petrino made it LOUD and CLEAR who the starter was. Since when does a 2nd string qb need to be told first? Class? C’mon. Maybe that would have been the nice thing to do, I’ll give you that, but Joey should have already known this was coming. So should the fans and the sad thing is, I know you all have seen this occur before, so why the surprise? And I think it shows less class for Joey to come out publicly and complain about this than for Petrino not to tell him first. Joey has a right to complain as does everyone, BUT he should have done the same thing he is complaining about Petro NOT doing and going to Petro with that complaint before going public. Two wrongs do not make a right. How does complaining about this publicly help this team beat Tampa? It doesn’t. It just detracts from that goal and Joey is wrong for that IMO.
GO FALCONS!!
By Dennis
November 14, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
I find it hard to believe that this isn’t being done to satisfy black Atlanta and fill empty seats.
I’m pretty disgusted that this totem pole will return to QB the birds.
By #7@Falcons
November 14, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
Vick is still the man! Haters I know you hate it!
By Mike
November 14, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Joey has every right to be angry. He’s earned the right to remain the starter. Just when you think Coach P’s finished making bad decisions …
By dan ryan
November 14, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Joey Harrington is a CLASS ACT…. Simply Put….Play him Sunday…WE WIN…..SIT HIM…WE LOSE. Dannyo
By Glynn
November 14, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Harrington should be upset. I dont like this shady behing the scenes secrecy of Petrino. Joey deserves to be the starter. We were cautious to sign Leftwich becuase hes injury prone, during his first start Leftwich gets hurt. Thats not a coincidence. Joey may not be our QB of the future, but Leftwich is definitely not. I feel bad for Harrington.
By stendec
November 14, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
I have never been a Harrington fan. HOWEVER! JH has displayed heart, desire and fire even if he sorely lacks talent. Petrino is garbage for not treating him like a man. Hey, Leftover is no great shakes either. Redman is probably the best of all Falcon quarterbacks. Petrino does not like Redman. Anyone know why? Oh well. Harrington will never be a top flight field general but he deserved better from Petrino. BP has proven to ALL Falcon watchers that he is NO D++N offensive genius! Still expect the oppotunist to bolt after this season. JUST A LINGERING HUNCH! Sorry Joey. You do deserve better. I wish you well.