AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > November > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons fumble on QB decision
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
After two straight wins, Joey Harrington learned Wednesday that he is pretty much held in the same regard by Bobby Petrino as if he had lost two straight.
Now, maybe this isn’t a great surprise. After all, just because the Falcons have won consecutive games over mediocre teams doesn’t necessarily mean they have developed offensive chemistry. And they’re still 3-6. And they still have to improve to be just average.
Improbable playoff scenarios notwithstanding, it’s Petrino’s job to find the best long-term solution at quarterback. That solution is Byron Leftwich, who almost certainly will be here next season, not Harrington, who almost certainly will not.
But really. Did the poor guy have to find out that he had no future here in a news conference? The Falcons didn’t cut Harrington on Wednesday, they just pushed him out of a plane without a parachute.
Harrington had a puzzled look on his face when told by a reporter that Petrino said Leftwich would start when healthy again, which could be Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.
Attempting, but failing miserably, at political correctness, Harrington responded: “Um, that message has not been conveyed to me. That wasn’t my understanding coming into today. But like I said, I’m not going to create a fuss.”
Except, later: “Do I think I’ve earned [the starting job]? As of late, yeah, I do.”
Now, there’s probably shared blame for this situation. But this much is certain: As much as Petrino may be a terrific X-and-O coach, his communication skills are still lacking. In fact, for as many meetings as this franchise holds between owner, general manager, coaches, players, board of directors, marketing, public relations, gardener, pillow-fluffer and the guy who wraps the colored cellophane around the toothpicks in the cafeteria, it seems communication could be better with two Dixie Cups and a piece of a string.
Here’s an abbreviated recap of events Wednesday in Flowery Branch:
• The team scheduled Harrington for a formal news conference in the media room after practice. Leftwich was available in the locker room. Such scheduling generally indicates a pecking order.
• Following practice, Petrino said Leftwich looked better than he expected but that he wanted to wait and see how much Leftwich’s oft-injured ankle reacted to the work before committing to a starter Sunday. He then said, when asked about potentially making a change after two straight wins: “Sure, it’s something to worry about, but to be honest with you, we made the decision a while ago that Byron was the starter and Joey was the backup. So right now it’s just a health issue.”
• These comments were never relayed to Harrington, either by the coach or team officials, before Harrington’s press conference. Maybe Petrino didn’t feel clarification was necessary after he declared Leftwich the starter a few weeks ago. Or maybe he didn’t care. More than likely: It was a little of both.
Harrington clearly was deluded into thinking he had earned something, and nobody told him otherwise. So here comes this poor schlep into the media room, and he gets blindsided.
“I didn’t know,” he said. “I was told before practice it was business as usual.”
You know what’s scary? This is business as usual.
Either somebody’s not talking or somebody’s not listening. But if the Falcons are really going to turn things around, whether this season or next, all parties need to reach some clarity about where things are and where they’re going. Who’s going to be signed in free agency (was Ovie Mughelli a consensus signing)? Who needs to be brought in as a stop-gap (the whole Leftwich non-signing/signing thing remains a mystery)? What’s the plan at kicker (again)?
Leftwich, of course, was borderline giddy Wednesday. He knows Petrino reaffirmed him as No. 1, despite little playing time, relatively minimal practice and no training camp with the team.
“It just shows he has confidence in me, [despite] knowing me for such a short time,” he said. “As a player you love that.”
Harrington was here for offseason workouts. Also mini-camps, training camp and exhibitions. Petrino knows all he needs to know about him.
If Harrington didn’t realize that before, he learned it after walking into a media scrum — and somebody slid open the airplane door.
Permalink | Comments (218) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Concerned Fan
November 14, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
It all boils down to wins and losses. Leftwich has not looked good in any appearance. While Harrington certainly hasn’t excelled, the team is headed in the right direction….. It won’t matter next year when Petrino drafts Brian Brohm from Louisville.
By Tim Parker
November 14, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this
I think this is a BONE- HEADED MOVE. LEFTWICH, who is VERY IMMOBILE is coming off of ankle surgery and is going against a VERY FAST, VERY AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE. Harrington may not have a strong arm, but he does know how to read the field and deliver the ball accurately to receivers. LEFTWICH’S ACCURACY SUCKS!!! I can hear Bucs defenders licking their chops now.
By Rcky_Mtn_Falcon
November 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
If Harrington was blindsided it’s only because he hasn’t really listened to Petrino since he got here.
After about the 3rd or 4th week of the season, Coach said he had a problem with Joey holding the ball to long and not taking shots down the field. Harrington disagreed, but said the coach was entitled to his opinion.
Petrino was right, and in spite of 2 wins in a row Joey still holds the ball to long at times, and I’ve yet to see him take a shot down the field.
3 weeks ago, Petrino named Leftwich the starter for the rest of the year, and I haven’t heard the coach say anything different. Leftwich is out due to injury, not due to being benched and giving Joey another shot as starter.
So if Joey was surprised, it’s because he wasn’t listening to the coach in the first place.
By Rod
November 14, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Petrino told Joey that Leftwich was the starter for the rest of the season before he got hurt. It doesnt matter next year DJ Shockley will be the starter and Petrino will draft Oline linebacker and running back.
By Covington,Ga
November 14, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this
Awww….They hurt little Joey feelings and they are putting in another black QB man the world is coming to a end guys….ha ha
By Clayton
November 14, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Lets face it. Even though Harrington has won 2 games in a row, it was against probably the 2nd worst team in the league and a team that has a 43 or 44 yr old 3rd string QB that barely passed the ball.
Harrington can’t throw the ball down the field and only seems to know timing routes, if timing is not there in the 2 yrd flat, he throws it a way or gets sacked or picked
Leftwich may not be accurate but he can throw the ball down the field and check down from the first receiver to another, not just a running back.
Leftwich does give the Falcons the best chance to win. Go Falcons!!
By FalcFan
November 14, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
And Petrino can’t figure out/doesn’t believe he is losing the locker room?
Whether you believe Harrington or Leftwich should start, the fact that Petrino didn’t talk with Harrington is classless, pure and simple. What’s more, whether they say anything publically or not, you can bet the other players on the team are paying attention to how the Head Coach is treating Harrington and wondering when/if it will happen to them. For a first year coach whose job depends on these same players buying into his system and executing well for him (because, let’s face it, it’s easier to replace a coach than it is a team), and one who has already PO’d both Crumpler (the ultimate team player) and DHall (maybe not the best team player, but probably the best player on our team), he certainly stepped in it this time!
By BirdMahn
November 14, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Jeff, did you and the previous commenters miss something??? I DO remember several weeks ago that Leftwich WAS named the starter. Did you all miss that? His injury doesn’t mean he lost his starting job. I think Petrino is right to say he’ll start AGAIN when he’s healthy. Face it people. Harrington QB’ed and we barely beat two bad teams. Harrington is a good guy, but he is NOT NFL starting QB material. Jeff, I’m tired of you constantly trying to stir up controversy at Flowery Branch. You’re a putz!
By Eric
November 14, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Joey hasn’t been terrible. Didn’t he complete 70% of his passes last game? He’s not great but he at least deserves to be updated by the coaches. Why keep players in the dark like that? Petrino is just a weird bird. By the way, I just heard that McKay and Osama were hiding out in the same bunker. We’ll never find either of them.
By edith
November 14, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Covington,Ga suck your mother feces hole
By Jeff
November 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Does Harrington score points? Because last I checked, the team with more points, wins.
By stendec
November 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
I have never been a Harrington fan. HOWEVER! JH has displayed heart, desire and fire even if he sorely lacks talent. Petrino is garbage for not treating him like a man. Hey, Leftover is no great shakes either. Redman is probably the best of all Falcon quarterbacks. Petrino does not like Redman. Anyone know why? Oh well. Harrington will never be a top flight field general but he deserved better from Petrino. BP has proven to ALL Falcon watchers that he is NO D++N offensive genius! Still expect him to bolt after this season. JUST A LINGERING HUNCH! Sorry Joey. You do deserve better.
By BnB
November 14, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Jeff, why such a shrill effort to drum up some drama? As said by others, Bobby said Leftwich was his starter for the rest of the year before Byron was hurt. Because we beat two of the worst teams in the league…largely due to defense…it doesn’t change anything. Maybe if Joey didn’t throw six yard passes on third and twelve he could lock up the job? He’s done the best he can and he’s a good team guy but that garantees nothing.
By Scott Mann
November 14, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
I disagree with this move but I disagree with the way it was handled even more. Throughout his career Joey has ALWAYS treated other players and coaches with respect. It would nice if this CLASSLESS coach would do the same.
By dannycardwell
November 14, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
blank,mackay,and petrino are a class act, low class and no class. backstabbing runs in the crowd, blank and vick on reeves, mackay is a weasel and petrino showed his true colors with the tuberville throat slasing at auburn.
By John Minnix
November 14, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Terrible move! Joey is having a pretty good year. He has thrown 5 total picks, three of which were off the hands of Falcon recievers (thank you, Jenkins). He has a QB rating of 81 (which would be higher if Falcon recievers could catch) and a QB rating in the Dome of 86. A career QB rating of 86 would put you 12th all time (tied with Dan Marino), so it ain’t that bad. Leftwich may be a better long term fit, but he hasn’t practiced or played. Harrington is winning. Let him play until we lose another game.
By preston
November 14, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
Schultz- you have to be kidding…..as has been pointed out already, Leftwich was publickly named the starter for the rest of the seasons weeks ago. Harrington has done fairly well while he has been on the field, and no one can dispute that, but if this coaching staff feels as if Leftwich allows them to do more things offensively than Harrington, then what is the problem??? When Leftwich first came on the field against Tennessee, the rust was apparent to everyone, his timing was way off…. but no one can deny that when he started against New Orleans, he was much better, and the team had a positively different feel to them. I know that it is difficult for Harrington, but he definitely was not in the dark on this.
By Scott Mann
November 14, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
I don’t care that BP said BL was the starter for the rest of the season; you don’t set up a media conference for the guy only to have the reporter’s inform him he’s not the starter. It’s bush league and doesn’t say much about Petrino as a professional. I’m sure he wouldn’t like to find out he was fired that way!
By quint
November 14, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
This just stinks. I mean, maybe Leftwich is the better quarterback, but remember, he got cut too. Harrington has done just about everything the coach has asked. Coach Petrino needs to realize that these are professionals, not the amateurs he has worked with in college. As a kid in school I understood that my professors, supervisors, coaches, whomever, had the right to make their decisions without consulting me first. But after I graduated, I expect my supervisor, employer, or coach to treat me with greater equality. Some professional courtesy would be nice.
Petrino has the right to name his starter, but he needs to learn some tact and sit down with these guys before he makes statements that can be construed as controversy.
Man, these Falcons need all the help they can get.
Hey Joey, don’t worry. You’ll be back in the game sometime around 4:48 in the first quarter when “Lead-Legs” Leftwich goes down with another ankle injury. So, you better start warming up. And hey, instead of being a nice guy, you need to develop into a mean a** S.O.B. and start playing football that way. Go sit next to Deangelo for a while. Maybe some of that “athletic arrogance” that Mora loved will rub off on you.
By Scott Mann
November 14, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
In truth, I don’t know what we are all arguing about. Based on his history, BL will get injured again and Petrino will turn to Joey once more. I’m not wishing it on Leftwich, that’s just his history. Why do think J’ville released him?
By Flappin Falcon
November 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
What’s the fuss? 3 weeks ago Petrino made it very clear to the press and anyone who can read that Byron was the starter for the rest of the season. Injuries don’t knock players off the depth chart. Now that Byron is healthy again he will start. Byron has a stronger arm and can throw the deep ball well. Every GM in the NFL will tell you BL should start over JH. Joey is a good backup QB…exactly what Petrino brought him in here to be. Please quit trying to stir up controversy when you have nothing else to write about. Just plain bad, gutter journalism, Jeff. Another painfully unoriginal Schultz article.
By bk hawk
November 14, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry Joey because Leftwick can’t take the beating you have. He will be back on DL in one or two games, just ask Jacksonville. Joey may not have the arm leftwick does but he Joey is a leader.
By Ken Strickland
November 14, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
I can understand Petrino’s position and his decision. Petrino has had to limit his OFF options to play to Harringtons strengths. However, he can’t overcome Harrington’s lack of arm strength and overall confidence problems. Harrington is very reluctant to throw into tight coverage, which is one of the reasons our redzone OFF suffers. It was shown, during a recap of the gm, that twice at least one WR was open down field but Harrington chose to throw the safe short pass. That was the reason Petrino replaced him with Leftwich the 1st time around.
Petrino is an OFF coach and he wants to maximize his OFF, not limit it. Leftwich has the arm strength and confidence to challenge DB’s down field and throw into tight coverages. He should improve our poor redzone OFF. Harrington has done a good job under the circumstances. However, Leftwich has demonstrated over his career that he can do better. If the opportunity to expand the OFF, and do better overall, why wouldn’t you make the change.
By Reggie
November 14, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Excuse me I am confused!!! Do you trust your coach or not. He is at pratice everday. Is he stupid? Does he want to win? You loved the cold delivery from your coach before why not now?
By Adrian's Perspective
November 14, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Once again, Leftwich was publicly named the starter 3 weeks ago. Harrington is a backup QB, who has some heart, but nothing more. This is the NFL people. The person that gives you the best chance to win should always be at the helm. We have always known these truths before, which still remain true to this day. Let’s move on, get thru the season, see what happens, and get to the draft.
By Diane
November 14, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Petrino is nothing more than a prize a*. He has proven it over and over.
By terrell barron
November 14, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Harrington is the only Falcon who didnt know that Byron had been named the starter and he was the backup. WOW
By mykhalc
November 14, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
RckyMtnFalcon, you said it as accurately as it could be stated. JOEY pls read his post!!! ‘nuff said!!!
By preston
November 14, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
Scottman- you are funny….As has been pointed out Petrino made no secrets about Leftwich being the starter for the remainder of the season weeks ago…..so you say, “I don’t care that BP said BL was the starter for the rest of the season”…..very apathetic statement that makes no sense…..then you have another post saying of Leftwich. “Why do think J’ville released him?…..well, what does that say about Detroit and Miami releasing Harrington??? Why do you think those teams released him??? I really do not understand some of you people…..Petrino has expressed his frustrations with Harrington, and apparently he wants to do things offensively with this team, that he feels Harrington can not do……again what is the problem with that?????
By Enough
November 14, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Honestly, anyone watching the Game Sunday knows we won inspite of Joey not because. We were as inept as Carolina who had reasons to be inept. The guy is proactive and trying to give the team the best chance to win. Did Harrington even attempt a pass over 15 yards? That game should not have been close but the coaches had to play conservative and let the defense win. Garcia and Tampa will move the ball and the offense can’t put all the pressure on the defense as they have the last two weeks. Its really not even a debate, Joey is a back up, he did his job and should be ready to be a back up until needed. This is a positive week, but JS is trying to rain on the parade. The Falcons and Petrino can do the unthinkable and make a real playoff push. This game is key and call me crazy but the Colts are as vulnerable as they have been in the last two years. I believe that the Falcons will win this divison. Sunday is the key. Joey will start but look for a extremely small margin of error or his regular ineptness.
By Gary
November 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
I agree this isn’t about who is the better quarterback. This is about whether Petrino is a jerk or if he has what it takes to be a successful NFL coach. I think this shows he still has a long way to go in the class department. (Can you say Auburn?) I know he’s looking forward to having a quarterback who can stretch the field and open up the running game but hey, with the way Joey has played the last 2 weeks, he deserves more respect from the head coach. I still don’t think Petrino’s the answer and this incident sure isn’t going to change my mind.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
Some of y’all seem to be missing one key point — Harrington was never promoted back to starter. Leftwich has been the starter ever since the Saints game, and Harrington has been the backup. Just as any backup should, Harrington came in when the starter got injured and filled the hole. Now that the starter is back, he will resume his previous position. As far as the depth chart is concerned, this is no different than Matt Schaub filling in for Michael Vick for one game and going back to the bench the next game.
If you want to give Harrington the credit for the last two wins, that’s fine. Personally I don’t think two close wins against mediocre opponents erases the 1-5 record that came before it. In the brief time that Leftwich was the starter he proved he could perform at least as well as Harrington if not better. Leftwich and Harrington are both average QBs — the one advantage Leftwich has is a stronger arm. Y’all might say it’s unfair for Harrington to be benched after two wins, but I think it would be just as unfair if not more so for Leftwich to lose his starting job due to injury.
By michaelgee
November 14, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
You never get it do you, Joey can’t throw the deep and mid-range pass. Byron does, it is so simple but some knowledge of the game of football is required to see beyond the fact that Joey squeeked out two wins. That is what you will never get. With half the season to go we can’t afford to dink and dunk, it is time to move the ball. Jeff, have you ever even played a single snap on a football team? The obvious is just out of your range isn’t it? sheesh, doofus!
By steve79
November 14, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Very unprofessional move from Coach Petrino. How can he expect his players to respect him when he does not respect them. Harrington deserved to find out from his head coach. Don’t worry Joey, you will be in by halftime for sure. I can’t see Leftwich lasting any longer than that.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 14, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah one more thing: Harrington can be as shocked as he wants. The truth is Petrino didn’t communicate anything because there was nothing to be communicated. For four weeks now, the depth chart has read 1. Leftwich 2. Harrington. If Harrington needs to be reminded of this, then he’s the one not paying attention.
By Singletary
November 14, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Najeh makes a point in his 10:58 posting, but I’m just not sure the HR department and Petrino’s K teacher would check the box “plays well with others.”
There are great leaders who inspire and lead lesser men (and women) into battle. And there are those who threaten folks into something resembling blind loyalty without corresponding respect.
I want the Falcons to win, win, win, but I hate to see decent people trampled for lack of communication in the process. (A simple reminder email before a press conference would have been appreciated if not the most tactful manner.)
By Grant
November 14, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Why has the sports culture in America made it a coaches responsibility to tell the players who is starting and who isn’t? These guys get paid millions to play a game! A game! They should feel lucky! If you aren’t the starter, then get better.
By will
November 14, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
All this nonsense about who told who what is simply that nonsense. How many of you actually heard Petrino say JP would or would not definitely start. It seems to me that it is the same age old problem. MEDIA! The media is always stirring up something controversial in order to generate more news. If perhaps, they would simply stick to actual facts and less I heard junk there would be a lot less controversy and perhaps fans wouldn’t be so disgruntled and fail to support their teams. If Leftwich does start then that is all part of the game isn’t it. Doesn’t the coach have the right to start who he feels is better qualified. Until he is proven wrong people should simply shut up and let the team play ball.
By StupidBlank
November 14, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Petrino is not starting Black leftwich, Blank is. Stupid, stupid man. How in the hell do you get so rich being so stupid? Put the best QB in that will lead us to more victories and the blacks will follow the team. Leftwich is no longer a Jaguar because he was not good. Jesus. We need to pray for brains not rains.
By norman
November 14, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Yea, the article is right on about coach Petrino. At least tell Joey he is not the starter and should tell him he is not in the team’s future and release him so he can get with a team that needs a quarterback. Just like Alge and Warrick stated a few weeks ago about coach Petrino No-Communication!
By tj
November 14, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t know why anybody would be surprised at Petrino’s sneaky ways. From the looks of his face when DeAngelo went off on him he’s not man enough to face anybody. He’s known to do things in secret, ask (Tuberville at Auburn).I’m not sure he told Grady when he cut him, I believe he had Zimmer do it. And did anybody even know the Falcon’s had interviewed him when they hired him after he had just signed a new contract at Louisville. Maybe his not being willing to do things openly is why he was not in demand when he was an assistant at Jacksonville. After all, an offensive genius like him should have been flooded with offers.
By FalcFan
November 15, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
As many of you have said, this isn’t about who is the better QB…this is about leadership and communication.
Great leaders (which NFL head coaches must be) find ways to inspire others to follow, and that includes good communication skills. Poor leaders attempt to force other people to follow, and do so with little to no effort at communication.
All I can say is this: Petrino better hope this team responds well to this situation, and that Leftwich lights it up and stays injury-free. If that doesn’t happen, I can’t see how he is long for this coaching job. Regardless of the fact that this is happening to Harrington, the other players are watching, evaluating, and forming their own opinions about how effective Petrino is at coaching this team. Just because DHall, Alge, and others, aren’t publically speaking out, doesn’t mean they don’t have an opinion.
Meanwhile, I’m guessing Harrington has already been on the phone to his agent…
By mike
November 15, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
Joey did a good job sunday but even I knew if Byron was ready he would get the call.Byron will probably be injured in the 3rd quarter but hey give him another shot.
By adam cosby
November 15, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Petrino is a joke. He is a failure as a coach, and a much worse failure as a human being. These are grown men and can handle truth whatever it is.
He is a part of the reason why there is no chemistry on this team. I wonder if Blank was this shaddy in his business dealings, and at the end of the day, this is all this is.
i dont particularly like Harrington, but Leftwich? Get real.
Professionals talk to those who they oversee with the facts. They dont rearend them.
What a joke.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
November 15, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
So Joey Harrington is going public with his complaint first without talking to Petrino about Petrino going public about the switch first without talking to him? Umm, okay.
GO FALCONS!
By JM
November 15, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Leftwich wasn’t cut by the Jaguars because he couldn’t play. He was cut because they had a very good QB in Garrard who simply beat him out. Leftwich wasn’t happy as a backup, and that’s why he was let go.
I’ve tried to get behind Harrington, and he did do a fine job early on, but he’s gotten worse as the season has gone on. From what I’ve seen of the two QB’s, Leftwich has much better pocket presence, and is a quicker decision-maker. He may not be mobile, but he handles the pass rush well, or at least better than Harrington. Harrington seems to often run into the rush, and is indecisive. I used to always think he got a bad rap in Detroit, but I understand their frustration now that I’ve seen him up close for several games.
I feel bad for Joey because he really is out there playing as hard as he can possibly play. He probably knows that his window for being able to start in the NFL has been pretty much slammed shut now, because no one is likely ever to give him the shot the Falcons gave him (even though it was not entirely by choice) ever again. I wish he could make it in this league because he’s a great guy and competitor, but I don’t see it.
By D_Costa
November 15, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand many of you (Jeff included)? You all say that Coach Petrino didn’t communicate w/ JH about the starting position when in actuality he stated VERY clearly that BL would be the starter for the rest of the season. [b]IT DOESN’T GET ANY CLEARER THAN THAT![/b]
Everybody knows the starter cannot lose his position because of injury. It’s a fact and it’s the way it has always been. Seriously, what is the problem here?
If JH was side-swiped by the reporter that informed him of the obvious statement made by Petrino, then it is JH’s fault that he wasn’t listening in the 1st place, not Coach Petrino’s!
What does JH expect, just because he was in the starting lineup when the Falcons actually won a game that he was directly responsible? No! The fact that we played two of the leagues worst teams had more to do w/ those wins than he did.
JH is trying to drum-up support for a cause that is fruitless! No one views him as a true starting caliber-type QB. He is a back-up! Maybe he has an issue w/ that, but that problem lies w/ him, not Coach Petrino.
By #7@Falcons
November 15, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Joey, Joey we are 3 and 6 not 6 and 3 I am unhappy too!!
By humbug
November 15, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Hey folks, The Falcons is not the first team to realize that Harrington simply is not qualified to be an NFL starting quarterback. Let Petrino run things. It amazes me that the d******* are on the field taking responsibility but all the knowledge and experts are on this blog and have no responsibility. Get a job coaching.
By #7@ATL
November 15, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
I have read some of our clueless bloger say the coach run the team and the boss tell you what to do! Joey the boos say’s you are #2 The red neck way. I don’t here any body tell Joey to just shut up ! The boss did not tell Hall when Big Grady was gone and I don’t here any Rednecks telling Joey to just shut up! Black and white? Black need to just shut up and white can speak freeley.
By Michael V.
November 15, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
This is obviously a racist move. The blacks are not buying tickets with a white quarterback. Putting Leftbench in is just to appease the black racists.
By gemini
November 15, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
people lets just be falcon supporters take the good with the bad and sink with the ship and hope someone anyone recues us
By Anthony
November 15, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
I want to win and don’t care who quarterbacks. But if we have won two games straight with JH then let him keep going. If he has a bad half then yank him. Sure Harrington isn’t the best in the world but cmon, BL isn’t either. He’ll be like standing in quick sand back there. And remember he’s gonna get hurt again. Shoot, give redmon a chance. He’s the only one not gripping. As for Petrino, he’s losing his players respect with the boneheaded ways on handling communication with his players and the media. He thinks he’s still dealing with college kids.
By tasman
November 15, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
This is funny. I am a lifelong Falcons fan and I am truely disappointed with the product that is on the feild. However, this blog is full of idiots and this S#!$ is funny. You all are a bunch of d@&% fools.
By BooBoo
November 15, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz might know where to place commas and semi-colons, but he sure lacks the sense of how to give a head coach in the NFL at least one full season before being banished to Jeff’s doggie house.
Harrington was signed as a back-up. Harrington has played like a back-up. Leftwich is CERTAINLY NOT the “long-term” answer at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons (I doubt he is able to walk well enough to finish this season healthy, once he gets back to starting games); but, as long as he can effectively hobble around and miss defensive ends, he can play like a starting NFL quarterback.
The choices (this year) are three. One: Play Harrington and get back-up quarterback-led team results. Two: Play Leftwich (when he can walk) and hope he doesn’t break both ankles before he can lead the Falcons to maybe 5 victories this year (weak opposition). Three: Forget using a QB the rest of the year and direct snap to Warrick Dunn, like Carolina did successfully against the Falcons last year.
By BooBoo
November 15, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
And another thing … Tampa Bay will eat Joey Harrington for lunch Sunday. Tampa Bay could usually eat Mike Vick for lunch and shut down the vaunted Falcon running game. If Harrington starts and begins to assume the fetal position, anticipating a hit, I can assure you Petrino will have Leftwich on the field by the second half.
By FalcFan
November 15, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this
Again, this is not about who is or is not the better QB…
I’ll tell you what, if I were Bobby Petrino and my job depended on the players buying into my program and performing well, I surely would not be treating any one of them with the lack of respect and common decency he displayed on this day. He seems to have lost sight of the fact that, for him to keep his job, this team has to improve. Improvement is tough to come by when the players don’t respect and trust the coach - concerned that they will, one day, be treated the way Harrington was treated today.
I hate to say this because I really hoped Petrino would turn out to be the exception..a great coach for this team that came from the college ranks; however, I’m beginning to wonder if the best thing for both the Falcons and Petrino would be for BP to move on at the end of the season. Clearly there will be/needs to be alot of changes made this off season - and that would be difficult enough under the best of circumstances. The situation with Petrino and this team is not the best of circumstances…
By Jim
November 15, 2007 4:07 AM | Link to this
This team is a mistake from Petrino, to Leftwich, to… having Arthur Blake finish what Michael Vick started when he hired Petrino. This team went to having a chance to “no chance”. Hoping the TV blackouts continue and we can watch real football teams with real coaching staffs. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to play for Petrino. If he thinks bringing more Louisville players here is going to help he is in for a surprise. He should have stayed there.
By athensjack
November 15, 2007 4:16 AM | Link to this
Okay, after watching stupid move after stupid move I’ve given up. Who cares what Dumb*ss Petrino does to destroy the useless Falcons? No matter how much I root for the team, the management/ownership alway find a way to screw it up. Way to go, coach! Go back to the U.of Loserville.
By Sivart
November 15, 2007 4:59 AM | Link to this
Your entire column makes no sense at all. First off Coach Petrino made Leftwich the starting QB several weeks ago. A move serveral of your so called journalist colleagues agreeded with. When Leftwich was injured did anyone hear Coach Petrino say that Harrington would now be the starter for the remainder of the season? NO, he said Leftwich would be back once he was healthy enough to play. Case closed. And the argument that you pose that Leftwich should have been at the press conference is plain stupid as Leftwich is not certain to be healthy enough to play against Tampa Sunday so who else should come out to speak but Harrington.
In the future, please write sports articles that make some kind of sense. Not this trash journalism.
By Nix
November 15, 2007 5:31 AM | Link to this
Joey took the hits and played as hard as anyone else the last 2 weeks, i think he at least earned a face to face with Bobby Petrino to find out he’s being benched. I’m fine with the switch, but you need to be respectful to these guy’s, no matter what our record is i believe these guy’s are working as hard as they can and as a coach with the level of talent the Falcons have thats all you can ask for.
By Webspinner
November 15, 2007 5:56 AM | Link to this
Your column makes no sense. Leftwich was the starter when he got hurt. Harrington had already lost the starting job. In the NFL, the starting QB does not lose his job due to injury. If Harrington, and you, didn’t know Harrington had been designated the backup, you both need your heads examined.
By We ain't Marshall
November 15, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this
I think that it should be pretty clear by now…The move to “Leftfoot” was made to put more of the Vick contingent back into the stands. It is obvious that wins will not fill up the stands this year, so Blank and Co. are desperate to salvage some fan base. Harrington deserves better than this, and I wish him well next year with a team that is more concerned with substance rather than petty symbolism.
By TD
November 15, 2007 6:23 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, Falcons didnt fumble anything. You’re the one that fumbled. Did you actually hear Petrino’s comments. I just watched them on falcons.com and sounds like to me it was business as usual. He commented that it was all a health issue. Leftwich was named as starter before he was injured and nothing has changed. Not an issue of “not telling Joey” before the decision was made. It’s called “coaching and managing” the situation. Why do you try to make something out of nothing. What a jerk!
By Tommy
November 15, 2007 6:28 AM | Link to this
Patrino in this WIDE open offense has left out Alge Clumpler an All-Pro. Its time to can this joke and beg DAN REEVES into coming back. Alge plays about 25% of the time now. It won’t be long before he’ll want to be traded and who can blame him. Its sick to watch, by next season the dome will be empty again. All games will be blacked out back to the old days of radio. Thanks Author and MV
By Falcon Faithful
November 15, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this
Just hang in there, Joey. You will get your chance again. Fragile Leftwich will get hurt …again … and you will get to play. In fact, be ready Sunday, it will probably happen then.
By FatAlbert
November 15, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this
Petrino will be out of here after this season anyway. He’ll be back in his element coaching college ball at Auburn. Then maybe we can get Dan Reeves back and make some progress. Anyone remember when Wade Phillips was our coach?
By davo
November 15, 2007 7:05 AM | Link to this
Petrino is a classless, unprofessional jerk. He has polarized the entire team and most of the city against him. He has made countless foolish mistakes and appears to be over his head in pro football. The Falcons need to package him and McKay, and start over again. Just wait until the season is over and see all the veteran’s he let’s go!
By jimmythec
November 15, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this
Amazing this coach. He has the off-field skills of a guy clearly over his head. The pro game is much more than just X’s and O’s and he has looked pedestrian in that regards ever since arriving here. “Chicks dig the long ball”…complete, incomplete, or 20 years in the stands (like the Jags game), it does not matter. I suppose we should be calling him Mrs. Coach Petrino.
By h3
November 15, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
Joey has worked his butt off and deserves he respect of not being left in the lurch at a press conferce like this.
I’m pulling for Patrino but if he doesn’t have the awareness that he should take care of a player who’s worked as hard as Joey has and not leave him open for a blind shot like this…well…he’s got a lot to learn.
By carman563
November 15, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
the falcons are a joke, no matter the qb, not aggressive at all, when you need 8 yards for a first down, you have to throw the ball over 8 down field, is just not happening, their are a lot of good qbs in texas football, maybe they should get one, a good teas highschool football team, could beat the falcons,
By Myrtle Beach
November 15, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
If we are not going to the playoffs, which we are not! It does not matter who’s at QB, Joey makes 3 mill a year to keep his mouth shut and do what he’s told. Anybody out there who would not trade places with him? Let’s take it like men and get a high enough pick to take Bobby’s golden boy. Give the guy a few years to put together his roster then we’ll take off, Schultz this is high school girl locker room reporting: Come on you have to have something better to talk about?
By SA
November 15, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
What differfence does it make on which QB starts? The Falcons stink. That is what matters! Petrino stinks and should be FIRED! The Falcons need to start all over beginning with a new QUALITY PROVEN head Coach.
By Gunner
November 15, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
I give Lefwich about a Quarter before he blows his other ankle, then Joey will be back in. Hurry up and get well D.J.
By JR
November 15, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Petrino is looking more like Jerry Glanville with his personla likes and dislikes of players.
Yep, Glanville didn’t like Favre, traded to GB and rest is in history books, literally I mean.
Coach Petrino, if you don’t know how to handle professional players professionally, you will not build a team.
Where is Dan Reeves? Call him coach, take advise and you need it badly. If that is not possible, read his book!
By John McEnroe
November 15, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
CLUELESS FANS YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!
Joey Harrington wouldn’t start in the Arena Football League. HOW MANY (3 AND OUT) SHORT THIRD DOWN PASSES DOES HE HAVE TO THROW FOR YOU TO REALIZE THAT WE WE GOT A LITTLE LUCKY TO WIN THOSE TWO GAMES??
Leftwich can get the ball downfield and stretch the defense..this will in the long run open up our running game —just give Bobby a chance he knows how to manage an offense HE JUST NEEDS PLAYERS THAT CAN EXECUTE!! NUFF SAID BP TOLD THE WORLD THAT BLEFT WAS THE STARTING QB—NO QB CONTROVERSY HERE….ya’ll just a bunch of punks looking to put flys in the soup bowl….suck it up and be a real fan!!
By Techster
November 15, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Michael ConVick and Jim Mora screwed up this season and the team and now reporters are looking to keep things stirred up and pile on the current Falcons coaches and players so they’ll have more negative stories to print. I couldn’t care less about Joey Harrington’s little feelings getting hurt or anyone else’s there. Jim Mora spent three years kissing all the players a$$@s and look what that got the team. Petrino is a coach, not a counselor, or best friend, or big brother. I hope he continues to kick a$$ and get rid of players with bad attitudes like ones who sue their own team, or like Me-angelo Hall.
By Mark
November 15, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
I will admit that Petrino should have told Harrington, but that doesn’t mean that he should be the starting QB. It was his TERRIBLE play at the beginning of the season that caused them to sign Leftwich. People don’t put too much stock in the past two games. Let’s not forget that Joey was signed to be a BACKUP in the beginning. He doesn’t deserve to start. We have only scored an average of 20 points the past two games.
One final thought Petrino could care less about some of the players on this team because most of them will be gone next year. Mora made babies of them and they can’t handle being treated like men. The coach isn’t suppose to be your best friend. Harrington needs to accept that he is nothing more than a NFL BACKUP. There is a reason he has been on 3 teams in the past 3 years.
By ZO
November 15, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
I sure hope Mike only gets probation! It will be in DEC, maybe the judge will be in the christmas spirit! W.V.(With Vick) We need a pocket passer a smart Q.B. A.V. (After Vick) we need to win a game, sell tickest so there is no blackout. Mr. Blank don’t be stupid again you can’t please fans/ armchair gm’s. If you get the chance to get Mike back use your head over your heart!!!
By samjam
November 15, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
I feel much less aggravated since I stopped reading Terrence Moore’s pathetically structured hackneyed cliched attempts at writing. Now I will start skipping over Jeff Putz’s downer and unfunny columns and go straight to Najeh Davenpoope’s comments where I can find logic and substance, and not constantly conjured panty-waste negativity towards OUR sports teams here in OUR home city.
Go Mark Bradley!!!! You Rule the AJC’s writers.
By Jim P.
November 15, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
To the coach of the falcons…. I question your leadership skills, I question your COMMUNICATIONS skills I question your coaching skills. Sir, In a nut shell, YOU SUCK!
GOD, were is Marty S. when you need him!!! Fire this idiot and Lets have MARTY BALL in GA!!!
By JP
November 15, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I don’t see the purpose of this article. Petrino made it clear that leftwich was his qb a couple of weeks ago. Harrington hasn’t done anything special in the past two wins for him to get all this attention. The offense has looked terrible with harrington in there and thats just a fact. Petrino needs a qb who can stretch the field and harrington can’t do that. The defense is the reason we have been winning. Find something else to write about because whether you white guys believe it or not leftwich is the better qb.
By Mossback
November 15, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
I hope the Falcons win, whoever plays. But Bobby Petrino is a slug with no class, much like that other “genius,” the Smith’s hired, Dan Henning. I fear his results will be similar.
By mountain jim
November 15, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
**Q: Is there any question on who will start at quarterback on Sunday? A: “If we were going today, Joey (Harrington) would start because we don’t know how Byron’s health is.
Q: Do you worry about changing the quarterback after you have had a couple of wins? A: “Sure. It is something you worry about but, to be honest with you, it’s a decision we made a while back. Bryon would be the starter and Joey would be the backup. Right now, it’s a health issue.”**
After a night to think on this, and reading exactly what Petrino was asked and what he stated, this ‘controvery’ was once again created and fan-flamed by the ajc hacks who live to create controversy and sell it to us via page-views and newspapers. Again. Wyche started it, and Jeff gleefully piles on, as usual.
By mark
November 15, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
This is such a retarded article and stupid responses… Oh Joey has heart… he has played well… Not true… He checks down way too often and Petrino says so in EVERY post game presser. He named Leftwich the starter for the REST OF THE SEASON before he got hurt a few weeks back. Leftwich was 15-23 (65% completion percentage) for 145 yards in one half before he got hurt. That is 9.6 yards per completion in his first start in this offense.
By KB
November 15, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Lets use the term correctly … the “starter” is the player who begins the game. Quite clearly, Joey has been the starter the last two games (despite whatever Petrino said three weeks ago about Leftwich). Incidentally, do we know who the “starter” is this Sunday? It still seems to me to be up in the air.
By Mike
November 15, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
I just think the organization sucks in general - from the top down.
By JD
November 15, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
The main reason people think BL should start over JH is that BL can get the ball downfield. Well it seems to me that the reason JH is opting for shorter passes and/or dump offs to Dunn/Norwood is because the O line is not giving him time to stand in the pocket and wait for downfield routes to open up. The O line didn’t give that much time for him to throw the winning TD pass to Crumpler in Carolina last week that’s why JH took such a huge hit and that wasn’t even a deep pass route. I would rather a QB take a sack rather than throw a pick any day and JH has only 5 picks all year. Romo threw 5 picks in one game against Buffalo and the great P. Manning had 6 picks last week against San Diego. For the people who say BL was named the starter last month and you don’t lose your job due to injury well Tom Brady got his opportunity in NEW ENGLAND because Bledsoe got hurt and he led them to their 1st Superbowl win that year. In 1998 Randall Cunningham was brought to Minnesota as a back up. Brad Johnson got hurt and Cunningham stayed the starter and led them to a 15-1 regular season and to the NFC champ. game only to lose to the Falcons ironically.BL played one good half against the Saints who got exposed last week by the Rams, a team who had not won a game all year.
By Zoomie
November 15, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Sorry, Jeff. You’re way off base on this one. Petrino didn’t do anything wrong. Harrington was not named the starting quarterback. He was never led to believe that he was in competition for the starter’s role. Based on the information available to us, Leftwich is the current starting quarterback for the Falcons. A simple statement from the coach reaffirming this fact shouldn’t be construed as a knife in Harrington’s back. If Joey thought he was in competition for the starter’s job, he only deluded himself and is solely responsible for any disappointment he is experiencing.
Jeff, you normally do okay, but this is s**t-stirring at its most base level …
By BUSHWACKER
November 15, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
PETRINO is an idiot,what he ahs done is send a signal to the rest of the team that it does not matter if you are one of the few players that actually help the team win, you can still lose your job to a guy that has done zero to justify being handed the satrting job.
It’s like Lucy pulling the ball away at the last second, GOOD GRIEF CHARLIE BROWN!
Ask the receivers who they would rather throwing them the ball, the acurate passer or the guy or not only cannot hit ths side of the barn, he throws it overr the barn!
DOH!!!!
By BUSHWACKER
November 15, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Zoomie, what has LEADFOOT done to deserve being the starter?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
By sam
November 15, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
just wait til next year….
By B-nard
November 15, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
For the people who are bashing the Falcons, are you true fans or the ones who fell off the bandwagon? I’m so sick you, and yes I’m talking to you, who only have words of dumbdom when things are low, but get happy when things are better. Just stay off the wagon and go back to the state you came from and don’t talk about a city’s family when you not from here. Go Falcons
By BUSHWACKER
November 15, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Keep your head upJoey, I imagine the next time LEADFOOT starts it will be just like the last time,he will play maybe a 1/2 before he stubs his toe or something and is back on the sideline.
By BUSHWACKER
November 15, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
WEBSPINNER, tell DREW BLEDSOE about not losing your job due to injury while Brady is wearing his 3 rings!!
By Dante is stupid
November 15, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Falcons suck, Falcons alway have sucked, Falcons always will suck. The reason is the owner. Art Blank should stay involved in his Orange BIG BOX store and stay the hell out of football.