AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCarolina game showed Petrino’s offense does work
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Lost in the wash of DeAngelo Hall’s Sunday psychodrama — speaking of which, you’ve doubtless noted how quickly Hall went from taking any disciplinary action (his words here) “in full stride,” to planning to file a grievance over said action — was something that actually augurs well for the Falcons. Not necessarily in the here and now, but absolutely for future.
That something: Bobby Petrino’s offense worked.
The Falcons amassed 442 yards against Carolina, and those were real yards. (As opposed to what Jim Mora called “empty yards,” meaning the kind run up when a team is two touchdowns behind and the opponent is arrayed in a soft zone.) Joey Harrington passed for 361 yards, which is more than Michael Vick — speaking of whom, can you believe he couldn’t go his first month as a convicted felon without messing up? — ever managed in an NFL game. Harrington, as has been noted, isn’t the greatest quarterback in the world. If Petrino’s scheme can make him look good, imagine what it might do for Matt Ryan or Andre Woodson or Brian Brohm.
More than just Harrington, everybody on offense benefited. Roddy White made plays. Heck, even Michael Jenkins made plays. (I’d still like to see much more of Jerious Norwood, but maybe that’s just me.) An offense that did nothing the first two weeks moved easily and consistently — the Falcons punted once in the first half — and should have built a fat lead. That only a skinny margin was generated, and that Hall essentially overrode it with his emoting, reminds us that these are still the Falcons, but maybe soon they’ll be something different, something better.
With any coach who moves from college to the NFL, the question is always: Will the same stuff work at a higher level? It didn’t for Steve Spurrier, but the belief here is that it will for Petrino. That’s assuming he gets enough players. That’s also assuming DeAngelo Hall learns to zip his lip, which is probably assuming too much.
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By newteamgeardotcom
September 27, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
noit doesn’t work. this is june jones and the run and shoot all over again. the nfl is about ball control not passing. The falcons do not have a running game. when you chuck the ball around that many times against a good team it will get picked off.
By Mr. D
September 27, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
What DeAngelo Hall did was extremely stupid and had huge impact on the outcome of the game. But the $100k fine is absurd. How many times have players committed stupid penalties or argued with coaches on the sideline? It happens on a regular basis but have you ever heard of a player being fined $100k. The Falcons can’t even punish players correctly, either not enough or too much. Make no mistake D Hall and Abraham are the best defensive players we have. So for the Fans that want DHall gone GET A GRIP he’s a great cover guy. And he’s never lost a game for the Birds before so punish him and let it go. Atlanta fans and media have a habbit of driving things into the ground. The AJC will probably still be writing stories about this come week 16. Just like there still talking about the water bottle incident
By Pepe
September 27, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
There appears to be improvement from week to week as a team overall. With that I’m feeling good. However, they do have to get this running game going. I know it’s going to take time with the new blocking schemes, and I know the threat of Vick boot-legging is no longer there, but Dunn & Norwood are better than what we’ve seen thus far.
Go Falcons & Keep It Up Petrino!!!
By Carroll
September 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Actually, June Jones’s offense wasn’t all bad. The biggest problem was Jeff George…f’ing loser; plus no power in the offense whatsoever—it was total finesse; and the fact that we had a totally incompetent defense. Otherwise, it wasn’t a horrible offensive concept, and it actually led the ‘coons, despite the afore-mentioned deficiencies, to a decent 1995 season.
Further, I guarantee that if Jones made himself available as a head coach or Off. coordinator to the NFL, several teams would line up.
By Kent
September 27, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
This offense does have a lot of the run a shoot style passing. Thats ok because it does work, but we will need more mobile quarterback and a solid every down back. Norwood is a lot like Reggie Bush. He is great on the edges and in open space but not so great between the tackles. Dunn is great player and fantastic person but he is up there in his years has lost his explosivness. We need a young physical back to replace dunn.
By Mr. Obvious
September 27, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Unlike many Vick Supporters, Coach Petrino’s Offense actually DOES work….. at least some of the time.
By CJ
September 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Before it was all run and no pass. Now it’s all pass and no run. But now we don’t seem to be close to having a winning franchise. Can we do whatever it takes to have a winning franchise? Whether it’s with a running QB or Pocket Passer. At this point I really don’t give a **
By Stupi DLO
September 27, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
The offense did look pretty good. Abraham was a force too. And if I was Abraham I’d kick Hall’s stupid butt all over the locker room for making a win that much harder to obtain.
By SC_Bird
September 27, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
My thing is, the Falcons were the number one running team in the league. Why completely abandon the zone blocking running scheme? I know Petrino has his offensive package, but at the same time, if it ain’t broke………….
By NASCARfan
September 27, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
NO MORE PUNK THUGS FROM VATECH, RICH MCKAY!!!
DRAFT MORE SEC PLAYERS!!!
THE NCAA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FRANK BEAMER’S PROGRAM FOR THE EXTREME LACK OF CHARACTER HIS PLAYERS EXHIBIT AND HIS LACK OF CONTROL IN NEVER DISCIPLINING THEM!!!
NO MORE DRAFTING PUNK THUGS FROM VATECH!!!
By Vick Supporter
September 27, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
No Vick = Losing Season
By dmr
September 27, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
PUH-lease. $100K is pocket change. See his salary here
His 2005 total salary (with bonuses) was over 8 million.
No sympathy here, bubba. Shut up and play (smart) football!
By Ryder
September 27, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Philadelphia has ever had a problem being a passing first team under Andy Reid haven’t they? Same with Green Bay who’s offense is predicated on a pass-first philosophy. Also if many of you haven’t noticed that many of the “star” running backs (LT, LJ, Stephen Jackson) are all having horrible seasons and since their teams can’t throw the ball (sans SD) they are suffering big time because of it.
As usual many of you fickle Falcons “fans” will never get it. If this team ran too much you’d be complaining they never pass enough. I like what Petrino is doing to establish a passing game and get Harrington into a rhythm. As his confidence grows so will the team’s offense. I don’t think the running game will be as much of a force because of the inept offensive line until the passing game continues to be considered a threat to opposing defenses.
Unfortunately this team can’t stop the run between the tackles and that will be a season long issue. I think that the passing game will be Atlanta’s best weapon most of the time. Oh, by the way it’s nothing like the old run and shoot because they implement a tight end as opposed to the June Jones days. The setup is in place for Atlanta to have a great offense in place by the end of the year.
By Thanks
September 27, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Thank you, thank you, thank you Vick Supporter for your keen insight.
Until your post, I thought the Falcons were on their way to a 16-0 season and eventual win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Does your parole officer have you wearing a sweat patch like Vick’s?
By Milton
September 27, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
The offense is beginning to jell. Dunn needs to carry the ball more, rotating in and out every other possesion limits his explosiveness. You don’t rotate QB’s stop rotating your backs so frequently, everyone wants to get into a groove and you can’t do that when you are in and out in and out it’s crazy. Dunn is a proven veteran/pro. He’s the starter feature him as your star running back and he will as he always have delivers.
By Greg from Marietta
September 27, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Just give Petrino time, maybe 2 or 3 years, and the Falcons will not only be respectable but will be winners. Joey Harrington is going to gain in confidence and show that he isn’t nearly as bad as people are making him out to be. McKay is going to have to get a little better at his job and Mr. Blank is going to have to start acting like a boss and not a buddy in order for the Falcons to move to the next level. At last that’s the way I see it.
By tp
September 27, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
You’re absolutely right, Ryder. Our inability to stop the run, especially between the tackles, is the real killer. Not having Coleman in there hurts, but that’s not the real problem.
I love ya Brook. But every coach, every player, heck even you know your woefully out of position as a MLB.
By The Professor
September 27, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
The offense does work but it’s predicated on having a big, bruising running back - as Petrino has always said he prefers. Give him another year or two and the ability to draft/acquire the right pieces and we could be onto something special.
By John Brown
September 27, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
This never would have happen if the dumb rednecks at fox news persecute Mike Vick. This never would have happened in Chicago or Philly. People, if was a dog, not a human.
I cant wait til Byron starts in 2 weeks.
By Nolan School
September 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
More admirable PR from the MFL*. Petrino or Mother Theresa will have fewer headaches if the distractions of highly-paid narcissic morons go away. Pot-smoking dog-drowing ex QB leaves team in lurch, thin defense can’t get a break, non-covering egomaniac causes team to lose focus in a winning game. Time for Blank to define character as a team requirement, send D Hall to sit and smoke with MV, let some other team pay for his talent and ego and total lack of regard for anyone other than D Hall.
Step up Now, Blank and Petrino. Cut the cancer out of this team and build from scratch if you have to…or…sell this team to somebody in Birmingham and get the stench out of Atlanta. Our air already stinks enough.
*MFL = Me First League
By Alan Algebra
September 27, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter = Ignorant, Hate-Filled, SUPER-RACIST, Less-Than-Insighful, (Usually) Profanity-Laden Commentary
By The Professor
September 27, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Uh, John Brown, I think you need to post this response under the Terence Moore article. Let it go. LET IT GO.
By NASCARfan
September 27, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Hey John Brown, you’re an idiot.
To torture and kill any living animal for sport is sadistic and outright sociopathic.
Do you understand what that mean you unbelievable @$$hole? Do you understand what a sociopath is? Are you too stupid, too ignorant, and too caught up in your race card to understand the implications of what the kind of actions that Vick took against “just some dogs,” as you say?
It shows a total lack of respect for the sanctity for ANY life.
Why do you think seriel killers generally start out abusing, torturing, and killing animals?
Dude, your ignorance is exactly what is wrong with the segment of your ethicity that wants to look the other way everytime another brutha commits a heinous crime.
It’s just dogs. It’s just crack. It’s just a DUI, too bad the lady got killed. OJ was framed!
Dude… the world would be better off with less ignorant SOBs like you around. And that goes for ignorant SOBs like you of ALL COLORS!
By John Brown
September 27, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
I cant wait til Byron starts in 2 weeks. I will only cheer for the sorry Falcons when they have a quarterback that looks like me. It doesn’t matter if he can play good or not. I refuse to pay my money see some dumb redneck like Matt Schaub or Joey Harrington play at quarterback.
You better believe I would want Mike Vick put UNDER the prison for what he did if he were white!
If you are not the same color as me, you don’t matter to me.
By The Realist
September 27, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? Well, Mark Bradley, I guess you just couldn’t help taking a shot at Vick…who, in case anyone noticed, wasn’t on the field but you managed to sneak him into your story on the Falcons’ offense anyway. Though Harrington finally had a more-than-mediocre start for the Falcons, here’s one thing he still hasn’t done that Vick did more than a little bit of…that’s win a game in a Falcons’ uniform!
By breed
September 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
hey leave vick alone!!!!!!!!!!!! there’s nothing wrong with smoking a little weed to relieve stress because the media broadcasts your every step, portrays you as a bad guy and is the sole reason for losing his endorsements!!! hey yall, i am a former vick supporter and i just need to find some light in the situation!!! how dumb can one person be!!!!!!!!!!!!! honestly this episode might not have been so costly for the idiot if he just would have accepted responsibility for his behavior on his own!!!! he did not come clean until he realized that they had em!!!!!!!! in closing, isn’t it a shame that this blog is about the positives of the offense and some of us still overshadow that with this vick and hall crap!!!!!!!!!!
By Yeahskeiwhe
September 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Andre Woodson is just another Tim Couch, which means he isn’t even a Joey Harrington. Don’t even think about going down that road.
By MV7 fan
September 27, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
I thought this article was about falcon’s offense working and D Hall?
Stick to the column, stop hating, it’s getting you no where. Sick of hearing the same comments on every blog. Be creative and talk about football and your idea of how the team can become a winner.
Everyone has a bitter taste in their mouth for the Falcons and MV7 and for both sides the taste is legitimate.
You say Vick won’t play for falcons again so what’s the beef, do you think it’s a possiblity?
Let’s move on we have 13 games to play and some sorry a* talent
By James Brown
September 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Hey John Brown, you mean you’re 6’5” 250 pounds, walk with a limp and throw like Len Barker?
By Anti-Frank Beamer
September 27, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
D. Hall makes me wonder if it’s not a Virginia Tech thing.
By Not an MV7 fan
September 27, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Vick apologists feel so sorry for him. Why apologize and worship someone who is no obviously morally backrupt? He is obviously sick, twisted, cruel and mean. The guy had everything and p!ssed it away. Is there not someone else more worthy of your sympathy? My sympathies are with the apologists. You all need help more than MV7 does.
By Jim P.
September 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
This offense will work, but we do need to produce more from the running game.
The defense will need to pick it up and shut the holes against the run, and get more pressure on the QB. Our safties and CB need to do a better job covering.
We can beat Houston, and Tennessee. Lets do it!
By Vick Supporter
September 27, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
I am so sick of all you white people thinking you are so much better than us because you obey the law and have education. I make $75,000 a year as a Systems Network Engineer for Crisco. All my white coworkers act like that hate me because of my substandard work, my negative attitude, my short temper and my rudeness, but I know they are truly hateful and jealous of me working alongside them just because of my skin color. I teach my son to stand up for himself and speak his mind just like me and distrust all you sorry white people too!
All Vick did was kill some dogs while that white hockey player killed a human being and got nothing for it because of his race. GET REAL, PEOPLE!!!
The Falcons are NOTHING without Mike Vick!!! You all got your redneck quarterback and you now see what that got you.
I hope we lose every single game!!!
By JC
September 27, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
We had losing seasons with vick so whats the diff. Petrino its looking better each week keep it up and get rid of knucle heads
By Eric
September 27, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Vick supporter=convicted felon’s jock strap.
By breed
September 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Not an MV7 fan dont think there are any Vick apologists worth mentioning on this blog!!!
By AlphonsoW3
September 27, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
You gotta be kidding me. Gimme some of what you are smoking cuz you must have mistaken the Falcons for the Colts. The Falcons are winless and average 10 points per game on offense. Meaning , no offense. Lots meaningless statistics.
By Hey Bradley
September 27, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Another thing the Falcons have to do is not give up 10 yards a carry to running backs when a stop is necessary to have any chance to win. Foster got a first down every time he touched the ball in crunch time.
By Jim
September 27, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
First things first…….a positive article about an Atlanta team from Mark Bradley. Holy Friggin’ Crap! that’s rare!
Like I’ve been saying. This team could EASILY be 2-1. A bad kicker cost us one game and D-Hall not being able to stay under control cost the other. I see a lot of positives. They aren’t going to be a playoff team this year, but it might be real soon. Considering that they have a new coaching staff, new system, a new quarterback, and all the well known off-season adversity—— I think they have looked pretty damn good. Now if we can just keep Petrino from job hopping to the Cowboys, 49ers, etc. within a couple of years, we might be on to something.
By clthurman
September 27, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
I think the water bottle incident has been shown now to be a precursor to Vick’s deficiencies, not as a player but as an employee…and let’s not forget he was that….an employee!!!!
By Jim
September 27, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hey AJC, can we get a separate RACISTS blog so that all the Racist A-hole idiots OF ALL RACES could go over there, and leave the sports blogs to people with some amount of intelligence and class that actualy want to discuss issues relating to the topic? Sad stuff people…You really need help.
By David Duke
September 27, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
In Dan Reeves’ first year the Falcons were 1-7 at the midway point. That team won twenty of the next twenty-four games they played. That same sort of progression is what we are witnessing here. Falcons fans talked about Reeves’ quarterback, Chris Chandler, as if he was a talentless bum but he, and only he, was the quarterback who took the Falcons to the promised land that is the Super Bowl. Joey Harrington is, much like Chandler during that time, being maligned and disrespected but the fact of the matter is Joey Harrington is a very good quarterback. In six years of experience he’s thrown for 13,238 yards and 74 touchdowns. The offense, led by Harrington is becoming more adjusted and more prolific each succeeding week. The Falcons will be fine if they continue to work hard. Joey Harrington will lead this team to a Super Bowl if Petrino will stick with him.
Now, Vick douchebags, that was a ridiculous spectacle you participated in on ESPN. You all booed those who agreed with Vick’s being brought to justice and you made excuses and talked about how he was receiving too much justice. The next day we got the news he had tested positive for drugs. You morons need to shut the hell up! Vick is a convicted felon. He’s being investigated for involvement in a murder and there are, potentially, other charges waiting for him. He’s a former player in the NFL and he will remain a former player. Get used to it girls. Mike Vick will never play in the league again. He chose to be a thug, just like all of you, and he got what thugs get. Word to ya’ll mammy!
By JC
September 27, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight white QBs are rednecks and black QBs are thugs if only the world was so simple
By bwtbird
September 27, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Nice to see such a high intellectual plane that this post is progressing on. The inability to express oneself without resorting to juvenile name calling is bad news for the future of the republic. Everyone is apparently either a “thug” or a “redneck”…I wonder if there are any “redneck thugs”???
By clthurman
September 27, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
I think the water bottle incident has been shown now to be a precursor to Vick’s deficiencies, not as a player but as an employee…and let’s not forget he was that….an employee!!!!
By The Realist
September 27, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Okay, all the ingnorant Vick-is-a-murderer-for-killing-a-dog HYPOCRISY aside (imagine that people!)…David Duke, in all your stats you left out Harrington’s career win-loss record? “Joey Harrington is a very good quarterback”??? Wow. That’s right, I forgot that WINS & LOSSES DON’T COUNT! What was I thinking?
By Patrick from Detroit
September 27, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Man, you Atlanta bloggers have some deep racial issues to resolve. We Detroiters got most of that out of our system with the 1967 riots.
Harrington was damaged by the inept Lions organization. Given the right offensive and some players around him, Joey should be fine.
The Falcons, just like the 2007 Lions, need to get the running game going. Without it, your just a poser!
By David Duke
September 27, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Realist? Here’s reality dirtball, Mike vick is being investigated for the murder of a human being in North Carolina! Wins and losses do count. the Falcons, with Vick, had more of the latter than they did of the former over the past two seasons. Stop talking about vick. he’s rendered himself null and void and totally irrelevant.
By Ken Strickland
September 27, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
TP, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Grady Jackson is an excellent DL in a 3-4 DEF, but lacks the speed, quickness,lateral mobility and overall athletic ability to be as effective in a 4-3 DEF. The Falcons DEF has had trouble stopping the run, especially between the tackles, since Grady has been here. Of course, not having an actual ML contributes to the problem.
Once our redzone OFF starts scoring more, teams will start doing more to keep us out of the redzone. That means DEF’s will have to slow down our passing gm, which will open up our rushing gm. I said earlier that this team will start out slow, but finish strong. You can see the improvement from gm to gm.
This is for all of you ignorant monkeys that are still abcessing over MVick. And that includes you MICHAEL BRADLEY and your co-worker CLARENCE THOMAS MOORE. MICHAEL VICK IS NO LONGER A FALCON OR IN THE NFL, SO GIVE HIM AND HIS ISSUES A REST AND STICK TO REPORTING ON FOOTBALL. MICHAEL BRADLEY, I can’t believe how stupid and/or lacking in perception you are. Otherwise, why would you compare Harringtons stats to Vicks, when Vick’s OFF led the NFL in fewest passes attempted 3yrs running. You incompetent morons seem more competent doing tabloid journalism than sports reporting.
By idiots
September 27, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Yall are p** me off with your snobby ignorant posts of thugs and rednecks relating to every player in the league..
How can Yall say that every qb is a redneck? yall nappy root idiots. Is Payton Manning a redneck? Is Joey Harrington a redneck? Is Tom Brady a redneck? Is Tony Romo a redneck? Is Matt Hasselbeck a redneck? Is Brett Favre a Redneck? No, they all are hard working quarterbacks that do not break Laws. They put their fans and their jobs on the line first and work their a@@ off day and night. Do you see them smoking weed, killing dogs, flipping fans off. No you nappy roots idiots. Yall are mad cause your own kind really turned out to be a THUG. GET IT. is Vince Young, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair all are THUGS? No, they are hard working quarterbacks. We dont hate VICK because he is your color, we hate him because hes a CRIMINAL THAT ONLY THINKS OF HIMSELF. Vick doesnt give a damn about you or any of your own kind. GET IT. GO HARRINGTON, VICK IS GOING DOWN.
By Falconian
September 27, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Petrino just needs to get a hoss running back in here, and some of his type lineman, and we will be fine. This is more of a Dan Reeves offense when it has the right players. It will be 2 years from now, that we see what this offense can really do.
By cmorrisdee
September 27, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
What do you call not breaking laws? Bret Favre was hooked on pain killers and was getting them illegally!
By Just a game
September 27, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Wow black and white divided. The more things change the more they stay the same. I thougt this was a blog for the Atlanta Falcons team not a blog for racist comments and un-necessary chatter. Seriously if you are not talking about football go and post your comments elsewhere this is for football fans.
By DJ55
September 27, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
These blogs might be more about sports and less about rasism if the AJC columnists could resist spiking their columns so as to stir the racial pot…..which lately only takes the slight mention of Vick and his legal issues.
By Towelie
September 27, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
Well, Just a Game, you just made a post about how this blog is about football, yet you made not one football-related statement.
The pot calling the kettle black (or white…whatever), indeed.
By george
September 27, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
DeAngelo Hall is going to have to be traded unless his repentance for his actions is for real. Coach Petrino cannot put in a system when a player like Hall cannot accept punishment. He will become a target for other teams and refs. He could become a cancer for the Falcons.
By GADirtyBird
September 27, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
I’m liking the way the offense is improving week to week, and for anyone who thinks we can’t run the ball, we were averaging almost 5 yards a carry on sunday, but there was no need to run when harrington was passing like he was.
By Roy
September 27, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
Forget Brohm. Bring in Brennen.
By ARealFalconFan
September 27, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
news flashnews flash*bradley the game isn’t decided by how many yards you gain its decided by how many points you score. You want to talk about DeAngelo Hall and the 67 yards in penalties why don’t you talk about the other 7 penalties? Or how about the fumbles? Better yet why not talk about the 175 yard the Falcons gave up on the ground. After Hall’s penalties the Panther’s TIED the game with 7:19 left in the 3rd quarter. The team had a quarter and a half to take the game so please don’t try to put the loss off on Hall. I didn’t see Keith Brooking have any impact on the game other than the times he was getting ran over or the touchdown pass he got beat on. Warrick Dunn didn’t have much of an impact. These are the guys with “class” that are so called “real professionals” but they were invisible when needed. Petrino’s offense has scored a total of 30 points this year, it’s 24th in rushing and 14th in passing. The difference between last year and this year is we would probably be 3-0 and leading the league in rushing instead we are 0-3 and leading the league in nothing. One last thing don’t drink the Kool-Aid with Harrington.
By Rod
September 27, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
We dont know if it works yet. All I know is that its boring and painful to watch at times. I believe its boring and painful because of the QB situation though not the system. Hope Shockley makes it back becuase I think this offense could be very fun and exciting to watch with Shockley under center. Winning is good and all but it also needs to be fun and exciting to view as well. If we had won the first 3 games that would have been great but either way it was not fun to watch. Who wants to watch boring ways of winning games?
By Rod
September 27, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradely sense you know beyond a shadow of a doubt the system works in the NFL now after one good game and poor play by the Carolina defense. You do realize carolina has only two preasure sacks in the first 3 games right? And one sack was to Joey Harington. Caroline is probably the weekest defense in the NFL. Mark are we going to the Superbowl in 3 years if we draft Brian Broam who reminds me of the next Chris Wienke, or Woodson? We need McFadden and or other postions first if we want to go to the superbowl anytime soon, in my opinion. Keep Joey Harrington next year and DJ Shockley and fix the other areas of the team.
By Rod
September 27, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
ARealFalconsFan, Now thats some facts! Thanks for facts. Mark Bradley you need to research your facts better like a real falcon fan.
By Anthony
September 27, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
TO JOHN BROWN, IT MUST MATTER TO YOU BECAUSE YOU OBVIOUSLY RESPONDED TO A WHITE MANS COLUMN. YOU’RE STILL JUST TRYING TO GET UNDER PEOPLES SKIN. SOME OF US JUST SEE YOU AS HAVING NOTHING REALLY IMPORTANT TO SAY SO YOU’VE GOT TO BRING UP THE RACE CARD TO MAKE IT SEEM YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT. HA HA
By Anthony
September 27, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
TO VICK SUPPORTER, I LIKE MIKE VICK ALSO. I’M WHITE AND STILL THINK HE IS THE MOST EXCITING PLAYER TO COME ALONG IN A LONG TIME.IF YOU HATE THE WHITE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH SO MUCH THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. YOU NEED TO BE HAPPY, NOT BITTER. I WORK A HARD PYSICAL JOB EVERYDAY AND MAKE ABOUT 150,000 A YEAR BUT I ENJOY MY JOB. TRUTH IS IT AIN’T ABOUT THE PEOPLE, YOU WORK BECAUSE OF THE MONEY. DON’T BE BITTER. TRY TO LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN PEOPLE, BLACK OR WHITE. THAT’S WHAT I TEACH MY KIDS. THAT’S WHY THEY HAVE BLACK AND WHITE FRIENDS ALIKE. THANKS!
By Marlo J. Archer, Ph.D.
September 28, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Hi, Colleen!
Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a licensed psychologist in Tempe, Arizona. I do several different types of therapy, including traditional talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, and a type of therapy known as psychodrama.
With a name like “psychodrama,” it’s hard enough to convince clients they should try it. Other random uses of the word don’t particularly help, either, but we really can’t expect everyone to have heard of it, so I’m taking this moment to introduce you this incredible treatment modality in hopes that we can further inventor, J.L. Moreno’s, desire that this simple and powerful method be shared with all of humanity.
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Please reference this posting to receive the free demonstration of psychodrama
Thank you for your time in reading my e-mail!
By stendec
September 28, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Offenses which fail to produce points CANNOT be considered successful! Sorry. Football fact of life! Many offenses excel between 20 yard lines but gag like maggots when in close. Falcons maggot-like. Receivers liability on offense. Brooking MAJOR liability on defense. Stats are for losers. Toast yards gained in defeat whether six or 600? WHY?
By willdave
September 28, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Mark, I agree that the Petrino offense can be successful in the NFL. The problem is, the Falcons have loaded their team with players who lack character and do not seem to have that drive to win that they should. Thus, they are already 0-3 when, given the relatively medicre level of competition they have played so far, they should realistically be 3-0. Quality players like Schaub, Kearney, and Rossum are traded or let go. Meanwhile, street-type players like Vick and Hall remain on the team in one capacity or another. The challenge for Petrino is whether he will be able to load his team with the quality players he needs to win before the fans and the front office lose their patience with the team’s continuing lack of success.
By c
September 28, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Joey Harrington passed for 361 yards, which is more than Michael Vick — speaking of whom, can you believe he couldn’t go his first month as a convicted felon without messing up?…That was a cheap shot..and how dear you compare him to the loser Joey Harrington..So what he passed for 361 yards..they still lost.
By The Realist
September 28, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
David Duke, wow, “dirtball” huh? How intelligent…name calling…really brave. Anyway, back to football…in your rush to take MORE shots at Vick, you forgot to address the fact that you called a qb w/ a career losing record (by far) a “great quarterback.” When you’re done ripping Vick, how about we talk a little football? Why am I even bothering…you obviously don’t know football…
By KB
September 28, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
People, will you please let the M. Vick go? Give it a rest! M. Vick is gone. He is not coming back. Let the feelings of hate, indifference, or whatever go. You really sound a bunch of overgrown kids who need to get some professional help!!!
As for the football, Petrino’s system does work. He just needs the talent to make it work. This team is in rebuilding mode and McKay is in trouble. I say give Petrino three solid years of picking the players he wants and he will put the Falcons in the Super Bowl!!! He just need to get the players.
By David Duke
September 28, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
The (not really) Realist, calling you dirtball was a mistake. Please forgive me. What I should have called you was Snowball. Joey Harrington has the ability to become a great quarterback, no doubt about it. Coming into this season, with one year less experience than Vick, he had thrown more touchdown passes than had Vick. So far this season, he’s thrown two and Vick hasn’t thrown any. The problem in Detroit was (is) Matt Millen. One of the problems here is Rich McKay. For Petrino to be more than the second coming of Dan Henning he will need considerable autonomy in selecting his own players. He doesn’t have that now.
By The Realist
September 28, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Aaaah, David Duke…more name calling…more intelligence…more internet bravery…wow. Well, since you OBVIOUSLY can’t make an argument for Harrington without including Vick…I’ll oblige. Yes, Harrington had thrown one more TD than Vick coming into this year (72 to Vick’s 71) but he had also thrown 25 MORE INTERCEPTIONS (77 to Vick’s 52)! Harrington’s career passer rating is 69.1 compared to Vick’s 75.7. Since LOSSES don’t count in your football book, I won’t even mention the win-loss percentage thing. Maybe your hatred for Vick has hindered your “ablility” to speak objectively about the sport of football. Harrington’s “ability” is reflected in the numbers.
By The Realist
September 28, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
KB, how about we get a win under Petrino’s offense before we decide that it works, okay? I’m not saying that it won’t ever work, I’m just saying that it’s tough to make the argument that it does when we’re only 3 games into the season. Where’s the proof that it works? I’ve been following the Falcons all my life &, I don’t know about you, but I’m not in the mood to suffer another 3 years of misery to find out whether it all works or not.
By David Duke
September 28, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Realist, let’s keep it really real. The “thug” Vick is someone I do not care for. Joey, despite his having been with a very bad organization, has always been a better quarterback than Vick. Harrington has improved in every game he’s played in, for the Falcons, and he will continue to get better. The game against the Panthers should have, and would have, been a victory if not for the sabotage of DeAngelo Hall. You say you don’t want to wait three years to see if Petrino’s system works. You don’t have to. it works! Dan Reeves started off 1-7 in his first eight games here. His team won twenty of the next twenty-four and went to the Super Bowl. Petrino’s Falcons have embarked upon the same journey and they too will make it to the Super Bowl. Harrington, like Chandler before him, is the object of much derision, unjustifiable, and has the same sort of ability Chris had. Chandler is the first quarterback to get the Falcons to a Super Bowl. Joey will be the second. Sunday, Matt Schaub, who always outplayed Vick and who should have been the starting quarterback here, comes back to town. He’s going to light up the Falcons’ defense in a really big way. it’s my hope Joey can put up a ton of points to counteract Matt’s play but it’s going to be tough. It’s a shame that a talent like Schaub was traded away to appease a miserable, thug, felon like Mike Vick. McKay should be fired for that horrendous move! That’s being a realist!
By The Realist
September 28, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Aaah…more Vick bashing…feel righteous yet? I guess that was the bait to keep me from talking about the pathetic career of Harrington. He’s “always been a better quarterback than Vick”? Wow…no comment. lol. “Joey can put up a ton of points”? Wow again. Here’s your reality…numbers don’t lie…especially WINS & LOSSES (oh yeah, NFC championship appearances don’t either). Why am I even bothering? Consider this exchange finished. We can pick it up again when Harrington has ONE WINNING SEASON!