AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA brief ray of light, then Leftwich hurt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
New Orleans — The metaphor for the Falcons’ season was a sullen-faced Byron Leftwich using crutches to ease into a back room of the Superdome on Sunday. He wore a boot on his right leg nearly the size of the gap between where his team is now and where it has to go just to become decent.
This was indecent. We’re talking about the Falcons’ plunge to 1-6 after their winnable game against the New Orleans Saints evolved into a 22-16 loss. Mostly, with Leftwich owning a damaged right ankle that could be worse than that, we’re talking about the continuation of the Falcons’ wretched quarterback situation, and much of it was self-inflicted.
In case you’re among the few who suddenly haven’t heard of something called PETA, here’s a quick review of the Falcons’ last eight months: They turned backup Matt Schaub into an starter by shipping him to the Houston Texans. They acquired Joey Harrington to back up No. 7, even though Harrington was a two-time loser as an NFL starter with a career record of 23-43. They joined the rest of the world in watching No. 7 fall into dogfighting infamy.
Then, despite Leftwich’s reputation as the anti-Brett Favre when it comes to staying healthy, they acquired Leftwich anyway.
That said, there was Leftwich, looking strong, inspired and even mobile against the Saints during his first start since joining the Falcons four weeks ago. Once, in the second quarter, he ignored the charging and snarling Saints to step forward, avoid danger and deliver a perfect 23-yard pass to Laurent Robinson. On the next play, Leftwich drilled Michael Jenkins for another nice strike of 19 yards.
There also was that pretty throw of 20 yards from Leftwich to Jenkins on another drive, and Leftwich zipping a low pass into the end zone that only a sliding Roddy White could grab for a touchdown. There was even that moment when the normally slow-footed Leftwich rambled 7 yards to help set up one of Morten Andersen’s three field goals.
Never mind that Leftwich’s goofy throwing motion nearly contributed to bad things when he got popped by New Orleans defenders on a couple of passes. This was quickly becoming his coming-out party with the Falcons, but then Will Smith turned out the lights on Leftwich during the third quarter. That’s when Smith used every ounce of his 282 pounds to slam Leftwich into the artificial surface. Before then, Leftwich had completed 15 of 23 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Before then, the Falcons had a splendid chance of overcoming a 14-13 deficit to their dreaded rivals.
Before then, Leftwich was a long way from having another ankle injury end his flirtation with giving the Falcons a rare burst this season of efficient play at quarterback along the way to victory.
“Right now, I’ll just say I’ll know more tomorrow,” said Leftwich, delivering the status of his damaged leg in nearly a whisper. Just this summer, he was discarded near the end of training camp in Jacksonville as the statue and (ahem) injury-prone starter of the Jaguars.
Nobody wanted Leftwich until the Falcons came along. He was a bust in relief against the Tennessee Titans about two losses ago for his new team, but then came hope. Here was Leftwich looking rejuvenated, with the Falcons trailing just 14-13 at the time of Smith’s mighty charge across the line of scrimmage, and with Leftwich shaking his head in despair later. “I just don’t know. I really just don’t know,” Leftwich said, his voice becoming softer with each word. “It’s really, really frustrating out there right now, man.”
That’s when Leftwich put one crutch in front of the other and left for the exit. He added, while dropping his head to the floor, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this, y’all.”
He tried, though. For the rapidly sinking Falcons, that’s all you can ask from players these days.
Permalink | Comments (96) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Terence Moore
Comments
By St. Pete Bird
October 22, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Warrick is DONE! And Brooking needs to be right behind him. Brooking is constantly getting ran over and missing tackles (except for our players, he makes those tackles). He needs to step up his play or this hometown hero needs to go while we can still get something for him.
By Kirk
October 22, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter who the QB is, these recievers can’t catch and the O-line is a joke.
By steve brown
October 22, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
You can’t sign players that have been injury prone and then be surprised when they get injured.
By the way, did anyone see a replay on the touchdown catch and run to White that was called back because the ref ruled he had stepped out of bounds. The one replay shown on air looked questionable.
By Mark
October 22, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Week after week Brooking never makes any plays of significance. His best hit all year was to knock down his own guy and allow Bush to score a TD.
By Edgar
October 22, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
There was no ray of light. Not even brief. This is a bad team. Remember after the 1982 season, the old plateau season, when Bennett was fired and Dan Henning was hired? It took us 15 seasons to fix. This one I hope won’t take that long. If the GM and Head Coach can use the draft and free agency market in a prodctive manner maybe we can get to the playoffs by 2010. Maybe. But right now this is just a bad team.
By d-man
October 22, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Same song - 6th verse. It’s really sad to see how far the Birds have fallen in such a short time. Seems like in every game, parts of the team play well part of the time. but can’t get it done for the whole game. For instance, even though Leftwich was injured, the offense managed to take the lead back, but guess what, then the defense gives up a long drive (again) and the Falcons lose the lead and the game (again). This defense NEVER holds a lead when it really counts. I know the offensive line is really offensive and Warrick Dunn is done and Norwood does not get the ball enought etc etc etc, but the fact is we had the lead and once again the defense can’t hold up. I figured Leftwich would get hurt sooner rather than later, and it is just a matter of time before Abraham goes down for the count (again). Why we let Kearney and Schaub go is beyond me, but we are really paying the price now. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. By the way, are Leeman Bennett and Steve Bartkowski available?
By BRIAN HUNT
October 22, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Looks like I was right about Leftwich and ankle injuries. His feet are too small for his large body. Not a good combination behind a leaky O-line.
By Swiftie
October 22, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
As a Falcon fan, I’m just as sick as everyone else about the state of our team. So what to do? Well, we can sit around , point fingers, wail, whine, blame. I think it’s time to take inventory and think about the future. I believe Bobby Petrino has handled a bad situation as well as any one could. I believe in him, his ability, and his dedication. Bobby, I’m glad you’re here! Please hang in. Let’s try to make the best of a bad situation. Why not play everyone on our team and see if any of your rookies show signs of future greatness? How about Darren Stone as my darkhorse pick. He showed some occasional signs of brilliance in pre-season. I’m sure there are others. Let’s get some of their rookie mistakes out of them this season, so they can be ready to go next? I think the Falcons’ future is bright with coach Petrino, so rather than try to blame someone needlessly, let’s look forward. Thanks coach.
By Tony
October 22, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Hey T, I will agree with “strong, inspired” but “even mobile”????
Don’t mistake taking one step with being mobile, the dude’s a tree and he is destined to stay planted until cut down, as he was yesterday.
By Gene
October 22, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
The Falcons’ problems are much bigger than any quarterback could fix. Petrino will fly after the season to another college job. McKay has been awful. Arthur Blank needs to hire some proven people, then retire to his box and stay out of team matters.
By McKay Sucks
October 22, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Bright light my azz! Run Norwood! 3rd in the league 5.8 average! Need more than six carries a game! Terrance Moore dont know nothing about sports! What a fraud! Write why coach Pee Pee play calling stinks, why Norwood isnt getting the ball.
By Ed
October 22, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
It is really amazing to me. Every game I watch. When a team gets 1 or 2 points ahead, they go into “PREVENT DEFENSE”.
By Chris
October 22, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Norwood: 47 rushing attempts in 7 games (slightly under 7 per game). Average: 5.8 yds/carry with a long of 67.
Dunn: 95 rushing attempts (13.57 attempts per game). Average: 3.1 with a long of 18.
Now, am I missing something here? I love Dunn. He’s a great competitor and an even better person. But I thought the idea here was to (try to) win football games. Can anyone explain to me how having Warrick Dunn on the field twice as much as Jerious Norwood helps the Falcons win a game? I just really don’t know what the deal is.
All season long, the coaching staff has talked about getting Norwood more carries. And every game, he gets 6 or 7 attempts. Do the coaches know something I don’t? Cause from my seats in 302 and from my coach in front of my 60-inch, it looks to me like Norwood is the truth and Dunn’s better days are behind him. I’m get frustrated when I’m wearing the jersey of a player that only gets the rock 6 times a game, when he should get the ball 3 or 4 times as many as that.
By Pastor
October 22, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Bring back Mike Vick
By doctor
October 22, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
I didn’t see any improvement with Leftwich. When he left the game, the Falcons were behind.
By Big Ron
October 22, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
What is the problem with the defensive coaches you see we cant get pressure with the front four why dont they blitz more enough with just sitting back in zone and getting carved up we aint going no where the h* with it just blitz and keep blitzing lets see how good deangelo hall and chris houston really are man to man enough zone it aint working and also would someone please tell me why warrick dunn is still starting everytime he carries the ball its a lose or a minimal gain at least norwood turns a negative play into a positive maybe if we get to 1-10 maybe he will finally start and last the falcons wont never do anything great offensively until they fix that o-line and im not saying get rid of them all i like the guards and the center we need some massive tackles feel those needs and i say next year with a nice draft and some free agent pick-ups we will be playoff bound.
By FalconHeroZero
October 22, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
It is the O-Line.
As a QB your O-Line must be able to able to take at least three seconds to make three steps and two reads.
It’s idiotic to keep blaming QBs.. There have been 5 QB since Chandler who have not been able to step-up into the pocket (to step into their throws after 3-5 step drops).
Two or Three of these starting O-linemen were here when Chandler, and Reeves were here.
Everything has changed but the O-Line.
Stop just atttacking skiled-position players because that’s all you know.
By By Deacon
October 22, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
You can’t bring Back Vick. He has 12 law sueds against him at this time. Probably 5 to 25 years in jail. He made the wrong choice in life and where we like it or not thats the law. We must move forward with God’s will Pastor and pray for Vick.
By Dirty2Death
October 22, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
This team has been cursed by Miss Celie. “Until you do right by Mike Vick, everything you even think about gonnna turn to dust”
By matt in derby city
October 22, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Advice: Go to Las Vegas, take every dime you have and find a sports book that will take your wager that Petrino will leave the Falcons at seasons end for a college job. He cannot stand to lose, can’t stand it. This has to be grinding his guts every waking moment and he does not sleep much. He must have complete and utter control of the organization he is in and the players must be slave robots to him and that sure does’nt look like what he has in Catlanta. Good luck.
By Dee
October 22, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
This team is pure garbage from top to bottom. The coaching is horrible. How many times will he run Dunn up the middle? What wrong with the the full back they signed? Why is the offensive line letting defenders coming in without being touched? Where is the play call diversity? The defense is not getting the job done against the run.
I could go on forever……….
This is the worst Falcon team ever that was masked by the performance of one player who is now gone…..
By Jeremiah
October 22, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Leftwich is a very good QB but he cannot stay healthy. You have to feel bad for the kid. He tries hard.
By FalconHeroZero
October 22, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
As a QB, your O-Line must be able to take (at least) three seconds to make three steps and two reads.
It’s idiotic to keep blaming QBs.. There have been 5 QB since Chandler who have not been able to step-up into the pocket (to step into their throws after 3-5 step drops).
Two or Three of these starting O-linemen were here when Chandler and Reeves were here.
Everything has changed but the O-Line.
Stop just attacking skilled-position players because that’s all you know, and the public recognizes them more.
Just because your coach can vouch for a college O-Lineman, or a former backup, does not mean that this is the way to build an O-Line. How many QBs have run a 4.3 to play for this team?
Another note: They probably won’t receive the top pick in the next NFL Draft (even after a possible record of 2-14).
By rbg
October 22, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
this will be the best week in the Falcons season….The Bye Week!!!
By IkonFan
October 22, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
For those people that keep blaming Vick for all of our problems and keep saying how he set the franchise back 4 or 5 years could you please answer these question:
1. How many Super Bowls have the Falcons won before Vick?
2. How many back to back winning season have the Falcons had before Vick?
3. How many consecutive games were sold before Vick?
4. How often the Falcons played prime time games on Television before Vick came?
5. How can you setback a team that was already accustomed to losing?
The truth of the matter is that before Vick came, the expectations were low for the Falcons, just like they are now he is gone. So now instead of saying we expect to win, we are saying we “hope” to win.
By dj
October 22, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Where’s the pressure defense we were suppose to get and the power running game? Let the rebuilding begin!
By MrKnowGood
October 22, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of everyone coming down on our defense. STOP THE MADNESS!!! Our defense continues to make plays, but the problem is (and always has been) that OUR OFFENSE CAN’T SCORE. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!! AND AT THE HEART OF THAT PROBLEM IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!! STOP BLAMING THE COACH, THE QB, THE RB…IT’S THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!
Michael Vick ran most of the time of 3rd down to get a 1st down! WHY DID HE HAVE TO RUN…BECAUSE OF O-LINE DIDN’T BLOCK! Joey Harrington gets sacked 3 million times per game why…because our O-Line didn’t block! IS ANYONE SEEING THE CONNECTION? STOP THE MADNESS!!!
No matter how good our defense is, we will continue to lose games because our offense can’t get a first down, much less a touchdown!
By MrKnowGood
October 22, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of everyone coming down on our defense. STOP THE MADNESS!!! Our defense continues to make plays, but the problem is (and always has been) that OUR OFFENSE CAN’T SCORE. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!! AND AT THE HEART OF THAT PROBLEM IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!! STOP BLAMING THE COACH, THE QB, THE RB…IT’S THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!
Michael Vick ran most of the time of 3rd down to get a 1st down! WHY DID HE HAVE TO RUN…BECAUSE OF O-LINE DIDN’T BLOCK! Joey Harrington gets sacked 3 million times per game why…because our O-Line didn’t block! IS ANYONE SEEING THE CONNECTION? STOP THE MADNESS!!!
No matter how good our defense is, we will continue to lose games because our offense can’t get a first down, much less a touchdown!
By GS
October 22, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
So is this Mike Vick’s fault too?
By Sweet
October 22, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Brooking needs to go!! I Love Dunn but Norwood needs to play more.
By martin
October 22, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
To all the Vick Supporters: Yes, we would be a better team with #7. Nobody is arguing that. It’s a shame he chose to run a 5 year organized crime ring instead of making this city proud to have him.
It is what it is.
By Itoro in Nashville
October 22, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Amazing. Leftwich with his old-school MLB throwing motion was getting the job done….until he folded and crumbled like a cheap Italian knock-off suit.
They looked promising…but, no. They will win 2 games this year and draft the entire U of L offense in 2008.
By Rev Al
October 22, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Bring back Vick! he our only hope!
only Vick can save us now
By Dominic Hughes
October 22, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
Fourth down with under two minutes to play, needing a touchdown, and the Falcons punt the ball away to let the Saints run out the clock? I had faith at the start of the season but I think it’s gone now.
By rick
October 22, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
I finally have to agree with most. Brooking made the worst play I have ever seen. He could have crushed Bush but totally fanned and knocks off the guy who had at least stood Bush up. He wasn’t even blocked, I guess he just closes his eyes. Pitiful
By Famuan
October 22, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Ummm…Terrence, Schaubie got knocked the he!! out yesterday and his back-up came in and threw 4 fourth quarter TDs to try and win, and the Texans still lost to a Titans team being led by a back-up QB. So please, the QB situation falls squarely on the front office once again. Apparently if Vick were still here and got an injury to end the season in the first game, it would still be this way…and evidently Schaub is not ready to be crowned either…as I’m sure his bandaged head can attest too.
By bk hawk
October 22, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
TM, Why did you remove my blog? My opinion not as good as yours?
By Juice
October 22, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Who ya got this week?
Falcons VS Bye Week
My money is on the Bye Week.
By canttakeitanymore
October 22, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Please. Tell them to forfiet the rest of their games this season. Concede them to all losses. Get the first overall pick in the draft. Get rid of all the players 27 years of age or older. Get as many draft picks as you can for them. And go to work. Tell the coaches we want results not excuses. Tell the front office you have 2 years left to help the coaching staff put a winner on the field. And I dont mean a one year wonder. Tell Blank to take himself and his huge nose to stay in the owners box. Unless he is going to suit up and start making plays on the field. And finally tell the players to shut up and let their play on the field do all the talking and not through sound bites through th media.
By Same Soup
October 22, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Falcons are the same soup, just reheat it.
By Consultant
October 22, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
It’s sad. Anybody who buys tickets to see the Falcons or the Saints needs to be barred from voting or having kids. Too masochistic, too much despair.
By bk hawk
October 22, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Why is Joey a loser? He can’t help it if he played with two bad teams…Now, three bad teams. How many good players do you know that play for bad teams all their life?Does that make them LOSERS?
By kevalbany
October 22, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Everything begins and ends with your offensive and defensive lines. Period! Sounds old and corny but it’s true. Look at the Patriots, look at us. They protect Brady. If Brady played for the Falcons, his career would have been over 4 years ago from a concussion. Until we protect our QB and pressure our opponents QB, we will lose. Period!
By SouthDeKalb
October 22, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
If the O-Line would block somebody for a change and keep people off our OB’s maybe we would have this problem
I am a native, not a transplant I have seen it year after year since 1975, the O-line can’t block
1985 the O-line can’t block 1995 the O-line can’t block and so on
By Chris
October 22, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Did anyone actually expect something out of Leftwich? He’s a statue. He’s injury-prone. He was a starter last year and released this year. He winds up like Hideo Nomo. No team would give him a look, and we sigh him for two (2!!!) years at $3.5 million per.
Peerless Price, Ed Hartwell, Byron Leftwich…Does anyone see something wrong with this picture? Either Rich McKay has lost the magic of evaluating talent that he had in Tampa, or Arthur Blank thinks he can throw money at a problem and make it better.
Will, Arthur, if that money goes to a bum, the bum will play as a bum does. Horrible, disastrous personnel decisions since Dan Reeves was canned (not that his decisions were much better…O.J. Santiago ring a bell?), and there’s no end in sight.
The bottom is so far down for these Falcons that it is embarrassing. People keep saying, “Well, there’s nowhere to go but up.” I disagree. I think this team can go down a bit more.
Well, at least Joey doesn’t have to look over his shoulder for the foreseeable future, unless Chris Redman is getting the call soon (didn’t he flop as a Brave already this year?). Looks like I picked the wrong time to buy season tickets.
By BigBirdFan
October 22, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Uncle T (and I dont mean Terence), can you write a column that does not include MV or anything about him? Don’t you think you have used him enough to try and further your career.
By Tyger
October 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
K. Brooking is soft as pudding.He plays with his eyes closed and its getting worse year after year. He’s no MLB! Ever since he’s been in there we’ve been run over. Move him back outside where he can run people down like a CB.
By Soryu
October 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Yes, this is all Vick’s fault too. Because if he had not run a criminal enterprise and got caught—and if you run a criminal enterprise you will get caught sooner or later—all this would not be happening.
There are two types of fans in Atlanta; Atlanta Falcon fans who hate Vick for what he has done to this organization and hopes the Falcons do well or at least if they must lose, the Falcons can draft high in the early rounds to get talent to build for the future and then there are Vick fans, who don’t care about the Falcons and never did, hope the Falcons never win another game without Vick and if Vick ever plays for another team they will instantly become “fans” of that team.
By no_id
October 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
like it or not, i think people will continue to bring up vick until we see where this team starts to play like a team..cause they are proving to us that they cant do it without #7..
By Soryu
October 22, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
IkonFan:
Answer me this? How many times did Vick take Atlanta to the Super Bowl—zero. How many NFC Championships? One, which they lost badly. How many back to back winning seasons? Zero.
The Falcons were just as bad with Vick as they were before. Vick was never going to bring you a championship and if he had played for say the Broncos, he would have been gone long ago. Where is Brian Greise and Jake Plummer now?
By Chris
October 22, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
no_id, we couldn’t do it WITH #7.
Yes, he won 15 games over a 2-year span. But if you’re not going to get into the playoffs (which we didn’t the last 2 years), what’s the difference between winning and losing? The difference is a high draft pick.
With Vick, the Falcons weren’t a playoff team. Without Vick, they’re still not a playoff team, but hopefully the losses will be rewarded with a high draft pick and Vick’s $13mil/year salary can be spent on 3 players that could help us win, not just 1 player.
And we’re REALLY paying Joe Horn $4.75mil/year for 2 catches a game?
Joe Horn, Byron Leftwich…Blah blah blah. This team is chilling in the gutter.
By Soryu
October 22, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
bk hawk:
Archie Manning for one as he played on bad teams his entire career. His numbers aren’t so bad considering who he played for.
By ebineezer
October 22, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Brief ray of light??? Brief would be right. The Falcons were losing when he went down. Where is the ray of light in that? Harrington came in and got the Falcons a lead. Does he get a brief ray of light? The Falcon were playing the Saints and it was just like old times. Two of the leagues worst teams battling for the cellar. Tell me again, exactly why did the Falcons fire the coach that got them to the superbowl? Exactly how good of a coach do you have to be to get the Falcons to the superbowl? Does anybody else believe that the Saints got a little sympathy “help” from around the league last year? Anyway, the only way Petrino has a chance is if he gets control over all the player/personnel decisions. That will never happen with the Falcons front office….
By A WI
October 22, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
D. J. Shockley will return to lead this team next year…so,wake me up when Shockley is back…
By Soryu
October 22, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Shockley wasn’t even good enough to beat out David Greene who wasn’t even good enough to make it in the NFL as a 3rd team QB. But knowing how bad the Falcons are, yes, they’ll probably make a second-rate college QB their starter next year.
By Chris
October 22, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
“D. J. Shockley will return to lead this team next year.”
I laughed so hard when I read this that Coke shot out of my nose.
Shockley will never, NEVER, lead an NFL to a winning season. He is not that type of QB. Even the guy that he backed up at UGA can’t stay in this league; you think the dude that played behind him has a shot?
What has D.J. Shockley EVER shown anyone that would make them think he is capable of running an NFL team? A scout team, maybe, but come on! Stop being ridiculous.
By G Wallace
October 22, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
LOL@juice. That was actually funny!
By Leave It Alone
October 22, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Leave it Alone!!! Are you people that dense?? MV7 is not coming back. He’s going away for 5 years! Which means if he’s lucky, the earliest he’ll even be considered in the NFL is 7 years from now. More likely, it will be 10 years. This does NOTHING for the Falcons!!! I’m SOOOOO sick of the “bring back Vick comments on this blog”. Get over it and let’s move on! He was awesome for this team when he was here, but that’s in the past. Bring in Ryan, Brohm, or Woodson and some BIG O-LINEMEN!
By Chris
October 22, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
I have a good feeling about our QB of the future. Falcons will have a top-5 pick, and that will bring us Brohm, Ryan or Woodson. I like all of them.
Brohm, I think, would be the most likely to step in and play right away. After all, he ran Petrino’s system at Louisville, so he already knows the playbook better than Joey or Byron.
Ryan is a straight-up stud. He lights it up through the air on a running team. I was at Bobby Dodd Stadium when he absolutely thrashed Tech’s D, which isn’t all that easy to do. He had lots of time, but he made some great decisions and some fantastic throws.
Woodson is a beast, plain and simple. Kentucky would easily have 2 or 3 more losses without him on the team. This looks like the best draft for QBs in years, and I like all 3 of the top guys.
Now as long as they don’t screw it up by winning a few games, the Birds will have a franchise QB come April. Then we fix the OL, DL, yada yada. But at least we can fix the QB problem.
By A WI
October 22, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
you never know what’s going to happen just like you wouldn’t thought that vick is now gone,i just have a strong feeling that Shockley is the one we can rely on…another thing,you guys are always blaming,your judgements always stand on the result,when Falcons lost to the Panthers,everyone blamed on Hall for his improper behavior,but imaging if we’ve won the game,you guys would probably talk about it’s Hall’s behavior braced the Falcons to win,the penalties suddenly become arousals…oh,that’s fair…
By Don't Leave it Alone
October 22, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Bring back Vick!!!!!!!!
By JD
October 22, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Continually holding the QB responsible in this mess (or any other) is just lazy thinking by people who don’t understand football or understand the situation around this sorry team. As for Jo Jo’s past record, look what happened to the previous teams the year AFTER he left. Detroit 3-13. Miami 0-6 (so far, Joey won 5 games starting for them last last year). As for Vick, he has made an effort to resolve this in the right way with his apology and if he continues in this manner he will be back in the league. And the worse the Falcons look the more value he will have when the bidding war starts.
By bigTone
October 22, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
How bout we sign Shaun King, he’s doing commentary for ESPN right now, he’s young and healthy and deserves another shot at the pros! He never did anything but win. I hope Petrino isn’t waiting on Brohm, he’s not even the best QB in the state of Kentucky.
By lester
October 22, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
The long and short of the Falcons’s sorry season: Mike Vick’s buddies aren’t going to give any other quarterback any protection or try t score. It’s like they think if they play the same way they’ve played for years (even with Loser Vick), they are trying to be even worse than sorry. If Arthur Blank is dumb enough to fall for this - and he is dumber than dirt - well so be it. It is money. He should fire the whole bunch of them. Anybody who remains a fan of this bunch of bottom feeders is a total idiot.
By No Respect
October 22, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Bring Vick back, BRING DAN, BACK BECAUSE IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICE THIS GUY STINKS LIKE CHITLINGS!!!
By Horton
October 22, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Vick isn’t coming back. Thank God.
By Nick
October 22, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Unbelievable that the Falcons are not giving the rock to Jerious Norwood more! The numbers don’t lie, it’s really mindy boggling that an NFL coach gives the ball twice as much to a guy that has half the average yds/carry. What is he doing!!!??
By King Arthur
October 22, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Dear Fans,
I’ve been working with Bernie Marcus behind the scenes and I just wanted to let you know that he has graciously accepted my offer of putting the entire Falcons team into his beautiful acquarium. Once the exhibit is in place, you will be able to visit and see such wonderful species such as the the Brooking fish, which swims all over the place but never, ever touches another fish. Also, there will be a special revolving quarterback fish display, but the exhibit I’m most proud of is the black and white comparison that will be named in honor of my good friend, Terrance Moore.
Love,
Arthur
By Ry
October 22, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Bring back Vick? Why, so we can go 7-9 or 8-8 and not make the playoffs AND not get a high draft pick? The team lost with Vick and now they are losing without him…the only difference is that without Vick the Falcons have the chance to become better. Also, you could see a huge difference in the play of Leftwich compared to Harrington. Leftwich was much better and was able to spread the D with the long pass. Harrington really has a weak arm. I hope the Falcons do not do something stupid like winning another couple games and screw themselves in the draft.
By hew
October 22, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
NEWS FLASH!!!! Atlanta Falcons have been busted for using #7 has a performance enhancing agent. I will be filing a grievance on the grounds that the owner knew his ball club was a phoney he deliberately used #7 repeatedly in an effort desceive the paying public thereby achiving what can now be described as over achivement.
By DR
October 22, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Dunn up the middle loose 1 yard, second and 11, OL can’t hold, QB gets sacked, 3rd and 15, QB runs for life throws the ball, receiver drops the ball. That about sums up what I saw yesterday.
Coach, in case you haven’t noticed, Dunn is great player but he can’t run against 300 lb defensive line get any yards. You need to go back to your tape room and stay there, may through the entire game, even better for rest of the season.
Coach, you are way too predictable. It is not the players, it is your play calling and coaching combination. You have pretty much lost the locker room, unless you can replace all starters, you pretty much lost it.
Like Edgar said, same crap happened after Leeman Bennett was let go, 15 seasons of apathy.
History is repeating itself, it seems.
Like someone asked and Why did Arthur fire Dan Reeves?
Arthur, please sell the team to someone who wants to win. You lost credibility in my book.
You can raise season ticket prices 200% I don’t care because after this season, I ain’t buying. Your product sucks!
By bk hawk
October 22, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Soryu, You are right about Archie Manning. Great QB bad team..Thanks.
By Juice
October 22, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
I predict the Bye Week will edge the Falcons in a hard fought loss by 3 points.
By Roger
October 22, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Many, you boys are negative. Smile guys. It’s just football.
By Master of Flatulence
October 22, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
I cannot believe the AJC can do no better following the death of Falcons great Jim Mitchell than the pathetic little story put together over the weekend. All it does is regurgitate what the Shelbyville, Tenn. paper had, even attributing the years he played for the Falcons to that newspaper. You guys don’t have an archive? You can’t even get that information for yourself, and supplement that with perhaps some career highlights? You don’t have anyone who might call Leeman Bennett, Taylor Smith, Steve Bartkowski, etc. and get some comments from them? JESUS H. CHRIST THE AJC SPORTS DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN PATHETIC!
By Itoro in Nashville
October 22, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
The BYE WEEK is favored over the Falcons. I got the BYE WEEK covering the spread and I’ll take the under on the total of 13 1/2 (the average scoring total for the Falcons this season).
By Debra
October 22, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
“The Michael Vick Experience” it is for real people. Love Him or Hate him, it is for real.
Terry Bradshaw once referred to Vick as the most exciting player in the NFL! Maybe P.E.T.A can replace Vick with all that money they are scheming to get the Federal Courts to force Vick to pay? P.E.T.A. should be lobbying in front of the Dome for a job well-done in getting rid of Vick and ruining the Atlanta Falcons Fanbase, and emptying the Georgia Dome. Oh, P.E.T.A. isn’t the most deserving animal rights group anyway. Dogs are killed daily and listed on website detailing their dates to die if not adopted. Where is the fight for life from P.E.T.A. on that stage?
Nike lost revenue, Georgia, City of Atlanta, and maybe they can just have some P.E.T.A. protesters buy seasons tickets, and recoup concessions, jerseys and everything Atlanta is losing.
P.E.T.A. don’t have that kinda power over the courts and the NFL in a million years. This was stupidity on the behalf of anynoe that would listen to them thugs called P.E.T.A. Do peta people watch football? probably not. Just hating on a magnificant superstar.
peace
By jsmith770
October 22, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Lets see….an injury-prone quarterback + a horrible offensive line = Harrington as starter for the rest of the year. Lets face it we need to rebuild this team. The only veteran that made plays was Alge Crumpler. Brooking is a first down tackler (Once a RB gets 10 yards Brooking is on him) we need playmakers or at least young talent. We need more pressure coverage in our secondary and stop playing 5+ yards off the recievers. Our complete offensive line except Blaylock needs to changed as well as the o-line coach. There are so many changes needed I would need my own column. I’m a Falcons fan and I have respect for veterans but a good GM knows when its time to move in a new direction lets hope McKay gets a clue
By Reaonability
October 22, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Not one single QB in the game would not have been hurt on that play… The hit was low to begin with and he intentionally rolled on his ankle. Look for a fine to come down on smith for that play….
By jrod
October 22, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Please stop saying vick is going to get 5 - 1o years. Most experts think he will get between 6 - 18 months. Also I understand he made a felony mistake but why are so many people hoping he doesnt get another chance to play. Why do so many people Hate mchael vick? Is it this just because of dogs? and if so why no outrage over other animals? This is why vick has so many supporters. Not because people think he is right, but because people are coming after him the way they have never gone after anyone else not named o.j. Is his mistake worse than Sen Byrd? This guy was a Klansmen, and this country has not only forgiven him, but have him represent us on congress for over 50 yrs. You mean to tell me we cant forgive vick. please stop the hate cause it only causes more hate.
By Cheryl
October 22, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
So, Debra, Honey, could you please share with us all exactly what Michael Vick tastes like?
By Rob johnson
October 22, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
The Falcons are a sad bunch, and to think they get paid for this, think about this, if you went to your job and performed at the level these guys perform; the boss would call you and fire you. Bottom line, sell the team and start over in about 7 years.
By jrod
October 22, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
jamal lewis tried to buy a kilo of coke from the feds and he served four months in the off season and received hardly no public outrage. Yet you people want vick to walk the blank. Why? Is it beacuse you dont care lewis is selling crack to other blacks as much you do that vick is hurting dogs? if not it sure does seems that way. You name me anything that has this much public outrage.
By Me
October 22, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
As the great Alex Hawkins said, “the prevent defense just prevents people from going to sleep. It doesn’t prevent anybody from scoring.”
By Birdy
October 22, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
Do the Falcons believe Warrick “Done” and Keith “Hometown Hero” Brooking are marketable to the paying populace?
Do the Falcons think the fans here are stupid? That we cannot see the ridiculous “production” of these two teachers pets?
Please sportswriters, columnists and and commentators, state the obvious: These two are finished and the team is making a mockery of itself keeping them on the field (and Brooking NEVER leaves the field, so aftraid is he that his backup will outshine him).
The farce must end. We are not amused.
By Clarence Thomas
October 22, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
RE: jamal lewis tried to buy a kilo of coke from the feds and he served four months in the off season and received hardly no public outrage. Yet you people want vick to walk the blank. Why? Is it beacuse you dont care lewis is selling crack to other blacks as much you do that vick is hurting dogs? if not it sure does seems that way. You name me anything that has this much public outrage. - jrod
Yes, jrod, you are absolutely correct!
Dogs ARE more important than the customers of Jamal Lewis. Dogs are also MORE LOYAL, MORE INTELLIGENT and MORE LAW-ABIDING.
That is the truth, so you have the following choices of what you can do about it:
Deal With It
Go Back to the Other Side of the Atlantic Ocean
Go to Dog Obedience School
Take Your Own Life
By IkonFan
October 22, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
Soryu
If the Falcons have never won a Championship or had a back to back winning season, you still failed to tell me how can you setback a team that was already accustomed to losing? It’s also funny how you could only answer 2 out of 5 questions.
By Stephen
October 22, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
Any quarterback playing behind the current Falcons’ offensive line will be hurt and/or killed. They could hardly block a defensive line comprised of little old ladies for an entire game. Which is sad considering the offensive line has not been on the field that much (three and out).
Hopefully the off-season will provide the organization the ability to acquire larger offensive linemen. The line that we have constantly gets knocked off the line by the opposing players who are larger, stronger and faster.
By Terence Tom Moore
October 22, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Soryu and other clowns on here are funny. People act as if this franchise has a long history of winning. People talk about the 15 wins the last two seasons. Well after looking at these losers every week im amazed we won more than 6 games the past two seasons .We have no talent. What is the point of having a high draft pick if Mc Kay is going to blow it like he did the past year. This guy is horrible. Im sorry but Vick has not taken one snap this year so to blame the problems of this team on him is laughable. If he would have been hurt this year instead of beign in trouble with the FEDS guess what, WE WOULD STILL BE LOSING BECAUSE MC KAY HAS PUT TOGETHER A POOR TEAM. This guy gets a pass for his horribl decision making. Wake up people. Vick is not on the field. How about blaming the guys who suit up every week. They have no heart….. Terence Uncle Tom Moore. Seriously when do you leave this paper to go work with ESPN? You have been writing the same garbage every week. We know Vick was fighting dogs dumb a*. That is like saying water is wet. Thank you Mr Obvious. You are a stuttering.spitting hack who has no talent. You remind me of the character from The Boondocks, Uncle Ruckus… You and Jason Whitlock could easily replace this guy… If you dont know who he is. .. Go to youtube an watch a few clips and you will see the resemblance.
By Patricia28
October 22, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Clarence Thomas the only reason you know dogs are more intelligent is because you are on their level. It takes a beast to know a beast. There is a place in Hell with your name on it.
By jc
October 22, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
first of all I want to know who paid those announcers calling the game cause the way they were pumping up Leftwich you would have thought Tom Brady was out there. look folks no one really expected much this year we knew that coming in. we have a new coach (if you want to call him a coach) new quarterback but the same sorry O-line, defence, receivers etc and we knew this year would be a building process so why the anger and surprise. every game except for the Monday night game has been close and a promising out look for next year. but when you have a coach that is changing quarterbacks like Paris Hilton changes her boyfriends no one is going to get used to each other and build the relationship that a quarterback has with his receivers. The Falcons have once again put money in to a player that came with some baggage. They knew Leftwich was injury prone I mean come on that is why Jacksonville got rid of him but no we will take him why not we love to waste money instead of taking that money and getting some good receivers and O-line I mean why would we want those kind of players. I think people like TM and the fans of Atlanta have come down to hard on Harrington he really has not done that bad of a job considering what he hast to work with I mean last week he ranked #6 in quarterbacks so far this year and there are what over 30 something in the league heck that’s not bad and for those who continue to say if MV were here it would be different no it would not we still would not be heading to the play-offs so let it go get over it move on.
By L'il Bow Wow
October 22, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Patricia28, if I pick you up by your ears, it won’t hurt quite so much and maybe you won’t be so grumpy.
Dog Obedience SKOOL might do you some good, “lady,” especially since it doesn’t sound like you completed any other type.
BOW, WOW, WOW,
Yippy Yo! Yippy Yay!
By Rick from Pi
October 22, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
First, if Mike can’t come back…forget Brohm and get Dennis “Whatever his last name is” with Oregon. Second, Petrino SUCKS!!!! Hey, Artie!!! Bill Cowher LOVES the South!!! (HINT-HINT!)
By Tim
October 22, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
The falcon are a sorry team.MV7 is the only reason why the falcons have a game on national television.The falcons opponents had to game plan to stop MV7.Now their opponents just blitzes them most of the time.I hope he plays again soon.I really don’t care which team he would be playing for but he will make a big difference for what ever team he is on.The falcons are finish.
By jc
October 22, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
here we go again. Tim you would have better out come playing with yourself then MV coming back to the NFL and making a differnce. Brady and Manning are the quarterbacks of the century no debate.
By TELEVISED PRESS CONFERENCE
October 23, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
Terance Moore, Jeff Shultz, and Mark Bradley…..
How about a press conference with Arthur Blank and Rich McKay? We would like to know their thoughts on this mess.
We should have an explanation of their:
Intention this point going forward
Why this has happen up to the point.
Who is going to be held accountable with the price of the tickets and no performance.
Will some of the players making $4-7 mil a year have to pay the falcons some of their payroll back, ( lack of performance)so we can free up some of their money to get better players?
Will they be selling the team to the highest bidder?
What’s the deal, lot of unanswered question, feel free to free your mind, we deserve an explanation from the Falcon’s front office.
Week in and week out we keep getting the same song -7th verse, thinking it’s about to get better and steady getting worse.
We the fans demand to call the note due from the “Falcon”
Thank you