AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRedman could be the next option
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons coach Bobby Petrino didn’t want to comment on who the team’s starting quarterback will be when it plays host to the Saints Monday night because players were given the day off following their 28-16 loss at St. Louis Sunday.
Even so, it seems as if is will be hard for Petrino not to give Chris Redman a shot after Redman played well in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s ninth loss in 12 games. Besides getting rid of the ball quickly and being accurate, players seemed to rally around Redman, something that they have rarely, if ever done with Joey Harrington.
That, in itself, would seem reason enough to play Redman. Petrino has given Harrington multiple chances to secure the starting job and has ended up replacing him or starting someone else, repeatedly.
Harrington has not been awful but Atlanta’s offense is mundane and unproductive. As for Byron Leftwich, his immobility seems to be his biggest drawback. Petrino would like to play him but with a shaky, injury-racked offensive line, Leftwich hardly stands a chance.
On the issue of the offensive line, Petrino’s deactivation of longtime starting right guard Kynan Forney vs. the Rams was interesting. Petrino did not want to explain why he had Forney watch the game in street clothes, but it wasn’t health related. So sitting a seven-year starter for non-health related reasons could mean that Petrino has no further use for Forney and is giving D’Anthony Batiste a shot. Petrino said Monday that Batiste played hard and competitively and was solid in pass protection.
Forney wasn’t the only player to be moved down the depth chart Sunday. Second-year safety Jimmy Williams was deactivated for Antoine Harris. Williams has struggled to do what is needed to get on the field defensively and his spotty special teams play resulted in coaches putting someone else on the field.
Whether Williams gets motivated and is on the field next week remains to be seen but Petrino has given guys 12 games to prove themselves, so he’s seen enough.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By supporter
December 3, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
redman should start, no one else really cares anymore
By Brian O'Brien
December 3, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Yeah, lets’ bench em all. Maybe we can revoke their scholarships too. This is the NFL, Petrino had better figure out how to win with what he’s got.
By gdg73
December 3, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Since Petrino is in the BENCHING mood, is Mr. Highway 56, Keith Brooking next? If not, he should be, followed by Warrick Dunn. Mr. Blue-Collar, Steady, Not Flashy, Throwback, Grizzled, Heart and Soul, Non-Stop Motor, High Character Brooking needs to call it a career. At $5 million+ a year, this clown is stealing money. Same for Dunn. This team will never amount to anything until they get rid of these high-priced, low production veterans that are clogging this roster.
By Mave2124
December 3, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
The Forney thing is interesting. Is he annoyed that Forney didn’t play sick last week? Either way, McClure and Forney may go to better teams for more $ next year as Petrino re-does the O-line. I don’t know if that will mean more of the same in terms of line play, getting rid of your two best O-linemen (Brohm not having a chance to throw the ball).
The Jimmy Williams thing is Odd. All we heard is how he has improved…then boom, his ST play suffers and he is de-activated. I dunno, this staff is a little shady on how they are treating the players.
The story I want to know is how Jamaal Anderson is holding up. He has ZERO sacks and no impact with Abraham on the other side of him. Letting PK go is looking dumber every week. Anderson is doing well versus the run, but that isn’t why you are drafted high so…fans need more on this disappointing season out of him…
I see Brooking going to New England. The Pats love veteran LBs and Petrino seems hell bent on getting young and sweeping out anyone related to the Vick or Dan Reeves era with the Falcons.
By glw
December 3, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
During the game, the commnetators did mention that when Redman entered the game, the offense seemed to “speed” up. It was very noticeable, Redman was getting the ball out of his hands but also making good reads. With Harrington often times it seems that the offense is limited and there is no life to it. It will be interesting to see what the quaterback situation will be like next year. What if Redman looks good over the next few weeks, does he merit consideration for next year? What about Shockley next year? I think Harrington is pretty much done here though, he is a backup at best and seems Redman can at least feel that role next year. I hate to bring up the Vick issue, I guess a lot will come to light next Monday when he is sentenced, but what if Vick only misses the 2008 season and is allowed to resume his football career, do the Falcons still cut him or do they bide their time 1 more season until he comes back. And do you take one of the available quarterbacks in next year’s draft and instead address some of your other problem areas, i.e. offensive line, running back?
By Darrin "The Vent Queen"
December 3, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Man, Redman looked AWESOME!!! I cannot believe Petrion hasn’t played him before now. He knew his offense and is more mobile than those sea urchins Joey Slowey and Brian Leftfoot.
Give him a few more years and Redman can have the Falcons in the Super Bowl! Shows how ban NFL personnel people are to let this guy sit, when he’s obviously the next coming of Joe Montana.
By Miranda
December 3, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
People…lets not go overboard…Redman looked good…against THE RAMS….in the 4th quarter, with the score 21-3 and the Rams defense going soft because at that point, the win looked obvious. Joey looked decent when he came in against the Bucs too….and we all know that was a mirage. This whole “Petrino needs his players” crap needs to stop…this is the NFL, he doesn’t get to scrap 53 people and bring in 53 more.
By Petey
December 3, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Something tells me that Kynan’s “Sinus Infection” may not have been a good enough excuse to miss the Indy game. Maybe it had more to do with a short turn-around and wanting a week off.
This is going to be a process, and getting rid of the guys who won’t lay it on the line is the first step in cleansing the “Jimmy Mora Sunshine Summer Camp” attitude that this team was stuck in.
By Vick Supporter
December 3, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
If the Falcons were smart, they would swallow their pride and keep Vick
By Poor McKay
December 3, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Heck, at this rate, Morten Anderson, Doug Johnson and Warrick Dunn should all get a shot at QB too. And we also seem to be holding open auditions for any big-boned dudes to play O-Line. I don’t understand how all of these non-Vick related issues can be so easily swept under the rug this season. Jimmy Williams can’t get on the field. Jamaal Anderson looks no better than Chauncey Davis. We have scrubs instead of depth at O-line. What does any of that have to do with the Vick debacle? Not a damn thing. My brother Rich needs to be relieved of his GM duties and take the role of principle figure head until the league offers him a gig in NYC.
By Chris
December 3, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Redman…Super Bowl? You say this after 1 quarter of football from a guy who hadn’t played since 2003? He looked good, but let’s not jump the gun here.
Yes, you absolutely take a QB with a high pick in the draft. It’s rare that a team wins a Super Bowl without a really good QB (yes, I know it happens, but rarely). Look at the teams currently at the top in their leagues: Patriots, Colts, Cowboys and Packers. All 4 teams have very good QBs, and 1 of those teams will likely win it all this year.
The QB is the 1 guy that touches the ball on every offensive play. You build around the QB. Hell, if the pick is high enough the Falcons may be able to trade down and still get a QB while also adding another high pick. But trust this: Bobby Petrino WILL get a QB in here to mold in his system.
By John Lovelace
December 3, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
I have the answer to all of it! First of all, Blank needs to talk to someone who knows something about football and make a lot of changes in his staff, players too! Then move the Falcons to football country, maybe Birmingham or Huntsville, or even Montgomery. The Falcons need to be somewhere other than ATLANTA! This city is full of transplants that know nothing about nothing, much less football. A team has to have support, not ridicule! This place can have no kind of sporting organizations. When you listen to the so-called fans it makes you weant to barf! WIN, WIN, Win! How about FUN, FUN, FUN? 90% of the fans are disgusting!
By JohnGTFan
December 3, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter…you are so funny. Every week you have a comment about Vick that is nothing more than a dream. LOL HE’LL NEVER PLAY HERE AGAIN…IF ANYWHERE! Monday, he’ll be sentenced to probably 2 years. Then maybe in 2010..MAYBE…he’ll sign on like his little brother somewhere…make the summer team…then get cut during pre-season. His days are OVER. You and the other “supporters” might want to leave Fantasy Land and jump back into reality. Sure, I wish he were still playing, even though he couldn’t hit sand if he fell off a camel…but he was fun to watch.
By Mark
December 6, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter Get back to life. Vick will never play for this team ever again. He lied to the owner, the coach, and he let his team down. He risked millions to do something so ignorant as dog fighting. Quit supporting this thug because he’s simply black. That shows me that you are as ignorant as he is. He wasn’t a good QB anyway. Let’s see how he likes the prison game called “Hide the weenie” LOL