AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons reacting late, correctly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
If you’re Arthur Blank, this is what you’re thinking: It’s the week of the home opener, there’s the prospect of several thousand empty seats Sunday and a good chance your starting quarterback may be booed the moment his feet hit the turf (which presumably will happen before his butt hits the turf, though we can’t be certain).
If you’re Bobby Petrino, this is what you’re thinking: You came to Atlanta with a reputation as an offensive whiz, and your team has one touchdown in two games, which basically means Joey Harrington, the aforementioned soon-to-be-booed quarterback, is making you look bad. And you don’t like to look bad.
If you’re Rich McKay, I have no idea what you’re thinking. But I’m not sure that matters much anymore.
The Falcons signed Byron Leftwich on Tuesday. This came a day after they met with him, which came a day after McKay said: “We’re not doing anything this week.”
Either McKay has no concept of time, or the flames coming off the heads of Blank and Petrino singed McKay’s ill-laid plans.
Blank, whose office e-mails are written in red, denies he exerted any pressure on McKay to make a move. He sounded relaxed on the phone Tuesday night after finishing a round of golf. He insisted that every personnel decision is “a Falcon decision,” even if Leftwich is the same quarterback that McKay never seemed enamored of in the past.
But neither was Blank mute.
“He didn’t feel any pressure from me,” Blank said. “It’s not my position to sit down with Rich and say, ‘Sign this guy.’ But I certainly raised the question [about Leftwich’s availability]. Given his experience and the fact he’s had some good results and he went to the playoffs, and all of his stats are pretty good, I thought he was somebody we should look at. He’s a big guy with a strong arm. I certainly encouraged Rich to look at him and then make the right decision.”
This is the right decision. It’s just a late decision.
The Falcons’ offense is a mess partly because of Michael Vick’s insanely stupid pastime but also because of the way the Falcons reacted to it. The front office appeared either paralyzed or in denial when Vick was indicted July 17 - when it was clear that he was done for the season and done as a Falcon. Had Leftwich or another competent veteran quarterback been acquired a month ago to compete with Harrington, maybe they’re not sitting at 0-2.
Leftwich is not perfect. He is not magically going to make the team’s other problems go away or likely turn the team into a playoff contender. But he is the best option out there. His career numbers (51-36 touchdown-interception ratio, 58.7 completion percentage, 80.5 rating) indicate he has a better chance of succeeding than Harrington (72-79, 55.5, 68.3 rating). He certainly can’t be worse.
Petrino spoke almost glowingly of Harrington at times in camp. But we haven’t heard a lot of good since. On Monday, Petrino said Harrington is playing too conservatively because he’s overly concerned about throwing an interception. That’s somewhat coach-speak for: The man has no guts.
Leftwich has flaws. He has been injury-prone and, like Harrington, has been known to take too many sacks. But this is the NFL. It’s Week 3. Did you expect Unitas? Anybody available at this time is going to have flaws: too old, too green, too slow, too injury prone, erratic, never developed. It’s what you get now.
“I feel hope - I don’t feel anger or sadness,” Blank said about the rest of the season. “This is a 16-game season. It would be the worst thing to write the season off after two games. It wouldn’t be fair to the players, the coaches, the fans or anybody.”
Leftwich will be on the sideline Sunday. But it won’t be long before Petrino exercises his new option. It shouldn’t have taken this long.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By JP
September 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t care who’s behind center because the o-line is terrible. It was with Vick here and there have been no real moves to improve it.
If I was Joey Harrington I’d be gun shy too because defenses have a free for all out there.
By michael
September 19, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
The problems with the Falcons is Blank. Firing Reaves and not hiring Lovie Smith was a big mistake. Blank need to stay up in his suite and let the football people run the organization. I hope that the Falcons will scout Southern California. They have a large and good offensive line. The absence of Vick exposed a lot of problems that this team has.
Michael
By breed
September 19, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
heck, Pejerko set the tempo of the Falcon’s new push with Harrington!!! he wanted him sooooooooooo much to be the face of Atlanta!!! guess what………now he is LOL!!!!!! way to go!!!! Karma is a motha aint it!!!????
By Scott
September 19, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
When are we going to wake up and get rid of Mckay. Poor draft choices, over-paying the wrong players, signing terrible and injury prone free agents, and worst of all getting rid of a Great Franchise QB this year are all part of his legacy! FIRE MCKAY NOW, I CANNOT STAND THIS CONSTANT REBUILDING OF THIS TEAM!!!
By Dedsquirrl
September 19, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
The guy is a statue, our line is swiss cheese, and Schultz can’t figure out why McKay didn’t want to sign him.
I hope they give Byron a blindfold with his helmet. It is going to be like a firing squad if he ever gets in the game.
By breed
September 19, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
Scott, this blog does not need to go any further!!!! you have covered it all!! LOL!!!
By Scott
September 19, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, I have been a life-long Falcon fan. What’s worse, I currently live in Tampa area and I can see 2 franchises that weren’t that far apart last year going in totally opposite directions! IT REALLY IS GETTING HARD TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE FALCONS!!! AT LEAST THERE IS STILL SEC FOOTBALL
GO GATORS!!!!
By Scott
September 19, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, I have been a life-long Falcon fan. What’s worse, I currently live in Tampa area and I can see 2 franchises that weren’t that far apart last year going in totally opposite directions! IT REALLY IS GETTING HARD TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE FALCONS!!! AT LEAST THERE IS STILL SEC FOOTBALL
GO GATORS!!!!
By Loyal Fan
September 19, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz: Perhaps you would consider a job with Star or In Touch, where ridiculous speculation pays. Honestly, I find it incredibly ridiculous to come across all of you “arm-chair” quarterbacks who are constantly speculating on who should have done what when.
Who would all of you have proposed to sign four weeks ago with our salary cap restrictions, etc.? And do you honestly feel that Joey Harrington did not deserve a shot at it (giving the timing of how everything has transpired)?
I find it incredibly sad that we have one of the best minds in the NFL serving as our GM, and Jeff Shultz thinks his journalism degree substantiates his false accusations. Fingers are pointing at you Jeff Schultz. I believe Rich’s finger has a Super Bowl ring sitting on it — not sure about yours?
By D-Cider
September 19, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Scott, in order to rebuild, there must have been something there in the beginning and there wasn’t. this is a team that has never had consecutive winning seasons, so every time they post a winning season it is somewhat of an aberration. I thought things would change once Blank took over ownership, but the front office is full of nitwits.
By Australia
September 19, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
You know what, Schultzy, baby. Leftwich and Harrington are so close in skill it’s not really an upgrade. Both have flaws. Both have checkered pasts. Neither is the answer now or in the future. So, your little hypothesis that Leftwich is such a great move is in reality more of your stupid BS.
By Jamaica
September 19, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Yeah, mon. You stupid to tink Leftwich gonna be any better than dat other guy. I tink you been smoking too much ganja.
By France
September 19, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Sacre bleu! Jeff Schultz est un idiot!
By fayncbird
September 19, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
With the OL as pitiful as it is, how is fat AND slow Leftwich an improvement?? The Jags have a far superior OL and fatboy still couldn’t cut it! Somebody must have thought acquiring Leftwich would make the black fans happy! Well, as a black fan, let me make one thing clear: I AIN’T HAPPY!! ANY AJC WRITER GLORYING THIS IDIOTIC MOVE IS STUPID!!
By Terrible Truth
September 19, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
What’s the line on whether or not Artie appears on the sideline this week?
No matter what, I still don’t miss that dog killin’ maternal fornicator.
By oh my
September 19, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
The QB POSITION IS ONLY PART OF THE SOLUTION, GETTING AN O-LINE, AND FIRE MCKAY IS THE ANSWER!!!!!!
By Gilly
September 19, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
September 18, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
The only reason falcons sign Leftwich because he is black.Arthur Blank want to get back some of the black fans in the Georgia Dome and you know the reasons why.Arthur is about getting that mighty dollar and I understand what he got to do to get it.Leftwich made a bad move when he sign with the Atlanta falcons.Whenever Leftwich get his first start and do not perform well then the necks and blue eyes will ride him out of this racist city.I feel for my brother and he will realize that he made a terrible decision signing with this Vickless team.The falcons want win with Leftwich or any other quarterback with that offensive line.I will pray for you and Vick.I still say the falcons need Michael Vick.
By GlennP
September 19, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
The race thing in this city is pretty darn sad and speaking as a born and bred southerner, it is also rather embarrassing.We are discussing football and football players, yet the race of these talented young men continues to be an issue. Sad
By harvel72505
September 19, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
you start a white qb your racist you sign a black qb your racist after reading these comments every week the falcons need to rebuild their fanbase instead of the OL
7 is done in atl not because of the whites or blacks because of #7By JSS
September 19, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Schultz, are you still talking? Man just stop writing, talking, or for that fact existing!!! And you’re still a NO TALENT HACK!!!
By Rich
September 19, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Being one of many transients that live in Atlanta, and wanting to root for your team, your problem is BLANK. The team is about HIM not winning. He is on the sidelines, he is commenting on player signings. GO Sell HAMMERS and leave football to the real football guys. You are not Jerry Jones and never will be.
By Curious George
September 20, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Will Falcons ownership have Leftwich over for some 3-way action now that Vick is…”detained?”