2008 Woodie Awards
Harrington Will Help The Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Blake Trent
Issue date: 5/29/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
As the afternoon sunshine poured out on the practice field in Flowery Branch the sweat rolled off Joey Harrington's brow. It's the first time that Joey has been an undisputed starter in the NFL since his days playing for the Detroit Lions. If life is all about second chances then Harrington is luckier than most. This will be Harrington's third team in three years and maybe his last chance to shine as a starter.
Although Harrington is the starter he wasn't expecting to be when he signed with the Falcons this off-season. Harrington inherited the job when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Falcons projected starter Michael Vick from participating in training camp. With Vick out Harrington was handed the keys to Atlanta's offense and now it seems that the Falcons will be driving in a completely different direction. Now that Harrington is the starter Falcons fans are going to see a completely different style of offense. There won't be any mad dashes or scrambles to the end zone. There will be no crazy juke moves and definitely no design runs for the quarterback. Joey Harrington is a more traditional quarterback and in my opinion that's a good thing. Vick is famous for his miraculous scrambles when the pass rush is on, but he has never had the ability to step up in the pocket and make a play with his arm.
Last season Vick broke the all-time rushing record for an NFL quarterback. While Vick was breaking records Harrington helped the Miami Dolphins beat some teams that were in the playoffs in 2006. Harrington and the Dolphins shut out the New England Patriots in a 21-0 victory. They beat the Chicago Bears 31-13. Harrington also led the Dolphins in a victory over the Detroit Lions. He threw for 3 touchdowns and 200 plus yards. Yes, the Lions were horrible last year, but Atlanta couldn't beat them.
I'll admit Joey Harrington has his weaknesses. Joey has thrown a lot of interceptions in his NFL career, but he has been behind two not so great offensive lines. Also, Harrington has never had a solid rushing attack to back him up on offense. The Falcons have led the league in rushing for two years in a row and don't seem to be slowing down for 2007. Harrington has yet to make the playoffs since entering the NFL in 2003, but this might be his year to change that. Yes, the Falcons have lost a fabulous playmaker in Michael Vick, but they have gained a quarterback that has played in the NFL a substantial amount of time. He has solid pass mechanics and in my opinion he has something to prove.
Although Harrington is the starter he wasn't expecting to be when he signed with the Falcons this off-season. Harrington inherited the job when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Falcons projected starter Michael Vick from participating in training camp. With Vick out Harrington was handed the keys to Atlanta's offense and now it seems that the Falcons will be driving in a completely different direction. Now that Harrington is the starter Falcons fans are going to see a completely different style of offense. There won't be any mad dashes or scrambles to the end zone. There will be no crazy juke moves and definitely no design runs for the quarterback. Joey Harrington is a more traditional quarterback and in my opinion that's a good thing. Vick is famous for his miraculous scrambles when the pass rush is on, but he has never had the ability to step up in the pocket and make a play with his arm.
Last season Vick broke the all-time rushing record for an NFL quarterback. While Vick was breaking records Harrington helped the Miami Dolphins beat some teams that were in the playoffs in 2006. Harrington and the Dolphins shut out the New England Patriots in a 21-0 victory. They beat the Chicago Bears 31-13. Harrington also led the Dolphins in a victory over the Detroit Lions. He threw for 3 touchdowns and 200 plus yards. Yes, the Lions were horrible last year, but Atlanta couldn't beat them.
I'll admit Joey Harrington has his weaknesses. Joey has thrown a lot of interceptions in his NFL career, but he has been behind two not so great offensive lines. Also, Harrington has never had a solid rushing attack to back him up on offense. The Falcons have led the league in rushing for two years in a row and don't seem to be slowing down for 2007. Harrington has yet to make the playoffs since entering the NFL in 2003, but this might be his year to change that. Yes, the Falcons have lost a fabulous playmaker in Michael Vick, but they have gained a quarterback that has played in the NFL a substantial amount of time. He has solid pass mechanics and in my opinion he has something to prove.
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DC
posted 9/04/07 @ 3:24 PM EST
This is terrific.
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