[Bette]

It's become a familiar tune for Joey Harrington. He's named the starting quarterback. He loses the job.This week, the Atlanta Falcons became the third NFL team in three seasons to bench the former first-round draft pick.
"This isn't going to shake me," he said Thursday. "Does it hurt? Yeah, a lot, but it by no means is going to tear me down to the point where I can't do what's right for this team."
FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Harrington upset about going to the bench

[EmpireWF]

Any QB worth their salt wouldn't be happy about being benched. But it's not even like Leftwich will give them a better chance to win. It's one or the other. It's a guarantee Atlanta will draft a QB with their top pick anyway.

[Lefty Noob]

Empire nailed this one. Neither QB gives them a great shot to win. I guess they're looking for a spark, but still... seems like change for change sake.

[JRL]

I wish I knew what the braintrust in the Falcons organization was thinking. The team has simply imploded since Vick and the Hush-Puppy incident.

Guess the new scheme doesn't fit the players we have or they are mailing it in - either way it sucks. I'm done for the year Go Colts!

[garron]

Some guys and I at work were saying about 2wks ago that this year would separate the true Falcons fans from the rest. My dad says that back in the "old days" that the number of fans that would show up at the stadium for a Falcons game could just about all be fed with one pizza the number in attendance was so small. We haven't reached that point yet but we probably aren't too far away.

Anytime there's a big offense flop the coach will bench the starter QB and get the pine rider up off the bench. It's like a kneejerk reaction of frustration. But if the media remark about "leftwich is the guy for the rest of the season" is a TRUE quote from Petrino and not some crap warped by one of the AJC writers then he must see something in Leftwich in practice that the rest of us are not privy to. Some secret, powerful arm I suppose.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by garron

Some guys and I at work were saying about 2wks ago that this year would separate the true Falcons fans from the rest. My dad says that back in the "old days" that the number of fans that would show up at the stadium for a Falcons game could just about all be fed with one pizza the number in attendance was so small. We haven't reached that point yet but we probably aren't too far away.

Anytime there's a big offense flop the coach will bench the starter QB and get the pine rider up off the bench. It's like a kneejerk reaction of frustration. But if the media remark about "leftwich is the guy for the rest of the season" is a TRUE quote from Petrino and not some crap warped by one of the AJC writers then he must see something in Leftwich in practice that the rest of us are not privy to. Some secret, powerful arm I suppose.

My support goes back to the days of Tommy Nobis, Ken Reeves, Ernie Wheelwright, Mitchell, Charmin Harmon Wages, Junior Coffee etc. I didn't miss a game, except while in the service (68 - 71), from the first day up to the year they drafted Bubba "Brick Hands" Bean. I didn't renew my season tickets after that stupid draft.

I'm sorry but I have grown weary of rebuilding every year save a few.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by JRL

I'm sorry but I have grown weary of rebuilding every year save a few.

You think I havent gotten weary of the Cowboys now and again? I've threatened to cheer for whatever team was at the very bottom more than once.
You'll be back. You just wont be able to help yourself.

[simple simon]

Mr Blank is a smart man -- Home Depot didnt build itself -- lets just see if he is smart enough to hire the right football people

[garron]

Originally Posted by JRL

I have grown weary of rebuilding every year save a few.

I hear ya. Losing gets old fast.

[legend]

From the looks of that offensive line, it won't matter who is back there. They are doing Harrington a favor by benching him, as now he won't get killed right away.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by simple simon

Mr Blank is a smart man -- Home Depot didnt build itself -- lets just see if he is smart enough to hire the right football people

No doubt he can sell hammers - but can he score TD's - I have my doubts.

IMHO owners should be owners and not buddies of the players and coaches and let's not forget - it was Blank that rained money down on Vick. Vick sold tickets but.............

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Empire nailed this one. Neither QB gives them a great shot to win. I guess they're looking for a spark, but still... seems like change for change sake.

I disagree. If you can protect Leftwich, he's a much better quarterback than Harrington. Much better.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I disagree. If you can protect Leftwich, he's a much better quarterback than Harrington. Much better.

That may or may not be true, but even if he is, what good does it do him if his receivers have dropsie?????????????

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Bette

That may or may not be true, but even if he is, what good does it do him if his receivers have dropsie?????????????

True, but that doesn't mean you don't play the best QB.

[azrael492]

Harrington shouldn't worry. Leftwich will be hurt again very soon, and he will have the starting job again.