AJC > Sports > Falcons > Training Camp Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHarrington loving the new offense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This morning was a fairly quick practice for the Falcons, and Bobby Petrino used it as an opportunity to rest a couple veterans and a few others with nagging injuries. Alge Crumpler, Wayne Gandy, Kynan Forney (stiff back), Lawyer Milloy and Darrell Shropshire (groin) all joined Warrick Dunn and Rod Coleman on the sideline.
Petrino’s focus this morning was on tempo and kept things moving with a 40-second clock between plays. He said, other than one play, he was satisfied with the ability of the offense to keep up.
Joey Harrington addressed the media after the practice and again praised the new system. It’s becoming pretty obvious that Harrington wasn’t a fan of the offense he was running in Detroit, but he’s liking what he sees so far from Petrino’s offense.
“It was a bit difficult to pick up initially,” he explained. “But now, it’s great. I love it. It’s by far my favorite offense I’ve played for in the NFL.”
He also complimented the group of receivers he’s working with. Laurent Robinson continues to have a great camp. It seems like every time there is an impressive catch from the group of wide receivers, you look and it’s No. 19 making the play. I know this is a group that took a lot of heat last season because of dropped passes, but the addition of Joe Horn to go with a talent like Robinson should really help.
Harrington called Robinson a “tremendous” receiver, pointing out that his huge strides close the gap real quickly between him and a defender.
“And he’s open to criticism and open to learning,” Harrington pointed out, two positives you have to like from a rookie.
For the first time that I’ve noticed, there were officials out on the practice field during scrimmaging. Petrino said they were just there to answer questions from players and keep everything within the rules.
Lastly, as we continue to follow positional battles, I spoke to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer about the play of Jimmy Williams who is battling Chris Crocker at free safety and thought his response was pretty candid.
“Jimmy’s got great range,” Zimmer said. “He’s really a good kid and he’s trying to learn everything. Sometimes he’ll get a little brain lock like all of the do. They get a little tired so we have to pick up his focus and intensity. I like a lot of the things that he does. We just have to keep the nail on him all the time. Not because he’s lackadaisical, but because he’ll go to sleep on you and that position, going to sleep is not a good thing.”
No, it’s not.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Jim
August 2, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
It’s good to finally read a Falcons article without the term “dog-fighting” included. Go Harrington! Go Falcons!
By Mike Wright
August 2, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
How is Vincent Marshall looking at WR and KR?
By ag17
August 2, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
the more i read and hear about harrington, the more i think we might be ok at QB. sure mike was more dynamic and he could break loose at any time, but i think (hope) that joey will be able to give us the passing attack we have been missing the last couple of years.
By TheeDr
August 2, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
You will love Joey and his positive attitude until one or both things keep repeating: 1) He throws a 3yd completion on 3rd and long 2) Under pressure he throws to a wide open man… from the opposing defense.
By SC
August 2, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Another great report, Craig. It’s good to read that Joey is comfortable in the offense. I didn’t get the impression last year that the previous starting QB had any faith in the scheme of the previous OC.
I think Jimmy Williams will turn out alright. It may take a little longer, but it sounds as if Zimmer thinks that JWill is worth the time and effort to coach-up.
What’s with all the first names on the falcons that start with the letter J? We have JRock, or JNo. JH will be throwing to JH. Should Harrington be known as JAir? And Blalock could be JBlock. How about Jason Snelling? With Snelling and Norwood in the backfield, you’ve the triple-J formation. Then there’s the defense. JA and JA at the ends. JB starts the season at UT. Start counting last initials, and the line is the 4J Ranch. JWill may start at safety. Sorry - I just can’t wait for first preseason game … GO FALCONS
By rj2ko
August 2, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Joey will be a great qb for the falcons, And i am a lions fan so i am not biased here.
By James
August 2, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
We might win two games this year, but only if DJ Shockley gets two starts…
By Steve
August 2, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or am I seeing smiles and camaraderie on the practice field that has been missing for quite a while? Could it be that the “superstar - must win” pressure is off? I like it!
By Rod
August 2, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
Why does the national websites like espn and cbssportsline have Redman ahead of DJ on the depth chart but the falcons website has DJ ahead of Redman? I went to practice this evening and DJ looks good but Redman was getting most of the reps. DJ seemed to get way less reps than Redman. I dont know what they see in Redman. Please explain because I dont see any upside at all with Redman.
By Mr. R
August 3, 2007 7:13 AM | Link to this
Free Vick. A Gwinnett Cnty Sherrif can put up a $10,000.00 reward for the conviction of information of dog fighting, but can’t put up the money for the conviction of gang banging and murders of human life. Where’s our priorities. F**k a dog, leave Vick alone.
By Pop
August 3, 2007 7:23 AM | Link to this
When will you folks wake up….the reason Redman is ahead of DJ is because the “powers that be” want a white boy behind center.
If DJ was Stafford(even if Stafford had only played one year), he would be the STARTER…PERIOD!!
I love it, because Arthur Blank WILL be filing bankruptcy within a year and at least (1) of those Falcon stores will be CLOSED within 6 months.
By T.P.
August 3, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
All of a sudden you IDIOTS are in love with Joey Harrington…lol
You would rather see a horrible white QB, than a very good black one…SAD!!
By Ray
August 3, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this
Mr. R.,
You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, sir!! These same “dog lovers” will send death threats to Porshe Foxx because of an interview with Mike Vick.
Can you believe that SH#T??? This shows me that this has NOTHING to do with “Pitbulls”!! These are folks that would love to turn the clock back to the 1950’s.
It’s too late for that AmeriKKKa!! That’s why I could care less if Mike Vick was fighting dogs or cats. I guess if we came from a culture that kisses our dogs in the mouth and probably even have intimate relations with them…we would be in an uproar too.
By SC
August 3, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
This article wasn’t about Michael Vick, so don’t turn it into another dog story. Get over it, he’s done..Have you ever hear the saying, if you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all? The RACE card is old on this issue. Did Joey make MV screw up? NO!!! MV did that all on his own. Support your QB and team or having nothing to do with the Falcons so the rest of the true Falcon fans can enjoy football.
By Krunch
August 3, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
I was at the evening practice and was impressed by #3 at QB. I have no UGA bias but that guy zips the ball into space. He was making better reads than the other QB’s. Redmon (#8 i think) can not throw a consistent out pattern, DHall was licking his chops all afternoon. It will come down to preseason performance.
By Justin
August 3, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Ohh My GOD!! Why are all you idiots still talking about all this Racism CRAP. You know the only reason why this city is like this is because idiots keep bringing it up. LEAVE IT ALONE.
Now back to football please.
Yes, everybody knows Shock is the best backup. PERIOD. I dont care were Redman played in college Petrino will eventually go with the best QB if, if Joey drops the ball. I mean what legacy did redman leave at louisville, I didnt even know who the hell he was until he arrived to the Falcons.
If Shock gets the call and does well then he will play. Black or White is not an issue. I love Atlanta, but the racist A holes are the reason why other cities talk about how racist the south is. PLEASE, PLEASE LET IT GO!!! ITS SO NIEVE!!!
ITS ABOUT FOOTBALL AND MOVING FORWARD NOT BACKWARDS. If Vick did it then he will hopefully be convicted, if not then HOPEFULLY HE WILL BE BLESSED WITH INCOCENCE!!! But its not about race.
By loafer
August 3, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Thanks for these updates. I travel and it’s the only way to keep up. I also love the fact that there is no “dog” references.
This is getting me excited about the upcoming season. Although I’m not a Harrington fan, I will root for him and if he does good I”ll be his biggest supporter.
Not much has been said about the new D-Coordinator. I have high hopes for our defense this year. Our corners need to start taking the ball away and be more aggressive on flats and balls over the middle.
The linebackers are our biggest challenge though. With all those new linemen, the backers are going to have to really plug holes on 1st and 2nd down.
By doodiebuddy
August 3, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Justin, I think we got your point.
Go Buccaneers! This is the year! Froget Vick, fellas…he is toast. He’ll never take another play in Atlanta ever again. He was worthless anyway. A good RB. Give me one instance where he was worth the 130M contract. Harrington is here for 6M. Let’s look forward. Maybe this is the place for him to really hone his ability with Petrino. Remember how terrible Steve Young was with the Bucs back in the day? Farve was freaking THIRD STRING HERE!! Let’s move past the black/white issue here (Although its tough in a city not too busy to hate!) The best QB gets the job, period. Still, the Bucs have my support, then the birds.
By Expert
August 3, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Laurent Robinson is looking terrific in training camp, but don’t get too excited until preseason games commences.Once he does it in the preseason games, then we can declare him as the star of the receiving corp.
By PB
August 4, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Craig, Great job.
Since the new staff allows the OL to eat. Who has really taken advantage of the new policy and is noticeably bigger? Who do you think will do better under the new scheme on the OL?
PB
By mwilk
August 4, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Nice job Craig
This is my first time on your blog and I feel compelled to say that your thorough descriptions leave me as a reader with the feeling of being there, without being there. Appreciate your focus on both who is doing well and who is struggling. Thanks for this.