Talk about the Falcons here!

I've been a Falcons fan for the better part of my life and still think they have a solid team this year despite all the injuries. However, this team is a true enigma. You don't know what goes on with this team week to week. The sad part was that at the beginning of the year I thought they were a top 5 team, now they're fighting for the playoffs.

I like Michael Vick a lot, he's a great, exciting player and most importantly, he wins. I think he gets a lot of unfair criticism because let's face it, those receivers can't hold onto to anything. They need to do something with those receivers to make sure they hold on to his passes, because it's absurd at this point. Atlanta has wasted too many first round picks on wide receivers when New Orleans is finding a gem in the 7th round. The run game is always fantastic, but at this point, even Crumpler is dropping passes and that just doesn't happen.

The defense is also up and down with their injuries. It would not shock me if this team makes the playoffs and it won't shock me if they end up missing it. However, I do expect them to beat Carolina again and I think they can beat Dallas this weekend, which would assure a playoff spot most likely. In the playoffs though, I don't expect them to do much, a first round win would surprise me against Dallas or New York.

Falcons fans, thoughts on the Petrino hire, Vicks latest slip at the airport, the future of Matt Schaub, and the rumors of moving Jimmy Williams to safety?

I haven't heard anything about Jimmy going to FS. he doesn't fit FS in Zimmer's D he fits RCB in it. Also, Petrino was a great hire and he came here because of Vick. so that means Schaub will get traded. And Vick made a stupid mistake.

Calling all Atlanta Fans...

With less than a week to go until the draft what would you like the Falcons to do on Day One? Would you like Landry, Peterson, Anderson, Okoye, or someone else in the 1st round? Where do you see us going with our 2 2nd round picks? Maybe someone like Charles Johnson, Meriweather, an O-Lineman or have I missed someone? And what about the 3rd round? Could you justify taking Mason Crosby? Or would you prefer a LB, WR, DE or something else?

I personally would like us to draft:

1 - Adrian Peterson
2.1 - Charles Johnson
2.2 - Brandon Meriweather
3 - James Marten / Josh Beekman

and then hope that Crosby falls to us in the 4th. That would get us at least 4 potential day one starters, and maybe even all 5!

Do you agree? If not, what would you do?

They need help on defense more than offense. Unless they can get Calvin Johnson, they should go after Landry or get some help on the defensive line.

Any Falcon Fans have any input into this mess at one of Vick's homes. He had about 70 pit bulls or big dogs and they are investigating them for fighting the dogs. The dogs were neglected and in really bad shape. PETA and the humane society are all ticked off. I'll post the link:

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=642...;nav=menu45_2_1

well, he is never at the property, he bought the property for a family member. I think it just has been a bad luck offseason for Vick. I mean, this and the airport thing isnt even his fault.

For once, I have to say that I think our front office did a good job during the draft. It's especially exemplorary when you consider how many times players who were probably at the top of the board got yanked away from Atlanta within two or three picks of the Falcons taking the podium. They improvised extremely well.

Jimmy Williams will play free safety, Houston and Irons compete to start and play nickle. I'd like the Flacons to free themselves from Rossum, but first things first.

The one pick that puzzled me was Millner. I really wish we'd nabbed Jacob Ford there in light of what happened to DeMorrio and for some extra pass rush ability.

I've heard we got Burchette (DE) so far as a UDFAR.

I do like the Falcon's draft. Unfortunately, they didn't get their QB situation shored up. And, I don't care if they brought back Sid Gillman, Don Coryell, and Bill Walsh to work with him, Michael Vick is no NFL QB. Period. And, he never will be.

nyyjones- Never is a long time and the first 4-5 years of QBs such as: Young, Testaverde, Plunkett, to name a few were very similar in terms of stats to Vick and none of them had as high a winning percentage as Vick's. In an offense similar to the one V.Young ran with the Titan's, 1/2 field reads, short to deep, lot's pf moving pockets, I bet you'd see better numbers. Is he Montana, Peyton Manning, or Tom Brady? No and he never will be.

What a silly statement. The irony here is that Atlanta has had a top 10 offense in each of the last two seasons. It's the defense that's let the team down.

But this is Vick's make or break year. As long as he's on the field, Atlanta will be in a much better position to win.

To be honest, I'm much more concerned about the running game with Petrino's change in philosophies than I am the passing game.

I have to side with Bipolarboy here. Whether or not Vick throws for 4000 yards is really irrelevant. He needs to win football games. I do also agree that this is a make or break year for him, and that the Falcons' organization is going to be under intense scrutiny from fans if Matt Shaub carries the Texans to a playoff birth in 2007. People are constantly going to question the decision to let Schaub go.

The biggest question surrounding the Falcons at this point is whether or not they can maintain the level of defense needed to make a playoff run all year long. This is a team that has shown flashes of being very good defensively, but their secondary and LB corps must (I repeat; MUST) play all 16 games. They tend to go to sleep at times, and no team will make it to the playoffs with that happening.

It'll come down to hard coaching and good conditioning. I'd also like to see them get a bit younger on defense, but that takes time.

It's really very simple. As long as Michael Vick is Atlanta's QB, they are a one dimensional team. Run...Run...Run. Oh sure, every once in awhile he'll put together a couple of games where he passes for 60+ percent...just enough to get the poor Falcon fans excited, and then...the real Vick will once again emerge. The Vick with the 53.9 lifetime completion percentage. A percentage not considered even decent, since the league loosened the restrictions on the OLs use of their arms, and clamped down on the DBs being able to even touch a WR down field.

As a runner, Vick has few peers at the QB position, and probably no equals, VY included. As a thrower, Vick also is all by himself...at the bottom of the heap. IMO, the really good teams will start clamping down on the Atlanta running game, and make Vick beat them. As I've maintained now ever since seeing him in his rookie year, this is no NFL QB. And, as I've also said on more than one occasion, he couldn't hit the south end of a north bound cow with a handful of rock salt.

Mark it down now...Atlanta will never go to the SB with Vick as the starting QB. I guarantee it.

P.S. - Plunkett played back in those days of old, when men were men, and the ball was HANDED to the ref after a TD...not like today, when Sharpies are pulled out, and the players perform live ballroom dancing in the end zones. And Vinnie started playing just as these rules were getting refined. However, you will never hear me mention the name "Testeverde" when it comes to great QBs either. At best, he was mediocre. Another over-rated, and over hyped UM player is what he was. And, his lift-time stats will attest to that.

Despite the very Gilliganian outlook that you unfortunately added to the end of your post (times change, intelligence is the ability to adapt to your environment), you still present a fairly valid point. However, it's easily disputable on the grounds that this team has finished in the top 3 in the NFL for rushing each of the past 5 years.

My guess is that when Baltimore went to the Superbowl on a strong rushing attack and a great defense, that you weren't sitting back knocking them for being 1-dimensional. It really doesn't matter if a team is 1-dimensional 2-dimensional or 8-dimensional. As long as it works. And as long as they win the games. If they can carry the ball 50 times a game and gain 250 yards and 3 TD's between 3 players, it doesn't matter who they're up against, they have a chance. The addition of a solidified defensive unit would certainly help their cause.

And while you may debate Mike Vick's validity as an NFL QB until the cows come home, he's plenty good enough to take the snap, fake the handoff, roll to his left, and deliver the ball to his TE. That's exactly what being the #1 Rushing team in the NFL gives them the ability to do. The biggest problem with Mike Vick is not his talent level or his ability to throw the ball. I know, because I remember scouting him. And he certainly has a hell of an arm.

The biggest problem with Vick is that the Falcons organization has failed to utilize him. They've put him in under 4 different coordinators, and 4 different playbooks. They've asked him to be a WCO Quarterback and reduce his running, they've asked him to be himself, and they've asked him to contribute to the ground game.

#1 key asset for ANY winning football team is innovative, consistent coaching. And that can't be pawned off on Mike Vick because he's not Roger Staubach.

And in addition to that; You wanted to guarantee that while Vick is at the helm, they won't go to a Superbowl. I'll say this: Any of the 32 NFL teams that rely on parody to attain success (I.E. the Lions trying the "WCO" and the "Tampa 2") will not go to a Superbowl. The key to winning in the NFL is not trying to make success based on somebody else's, rather, creating your own style of play. Which is exactly why the best coaches in the NFL are guys like Bill Belicheck, Monte Kiffin, Mike Holmgrem, and Mike Shanahan.

The biggest problem with Vick, is his four different coaches have been enamored with him...too
enamored. There always seems to be a few in each sport. Great athletes who play the sport, but have no "real position." I don't blame Vick for taking QB money at all. If an owner, General Manager, and/or coach wants Vick to be the QB, and pay him that money, that's their perogative. However, if I were the GM that drafted Vick, he would now be playing WR or DB, not QB, and it would likely be WR. He could be a RB too, but he could still be handed the ball on reverses and trick plays from the WR position. His speed, and open field manuvering is unquestionably superior, and his size would be a definite plus as a WR. He would be giving opposing teams nightmares in their matchups as a WR, IMO.

That being said, he is the QB. Besides his poor completion percentage, I do not believe Vick is very adept at reading a D either. A very serious flaw for a QB. On top of that, he has no touch. Sure, Baltimore won a SB with a great running attack, but it was their D that won it for them. And, at least Dilfer was consistent, and provided a calm influence at QB, not the inconsistent, helter skelter appearance Atlanta has shown with Vick.

As for Baltimore, they won the SB. Were they the best team in the NFL that year? I really don't think so. Still, they won the game (You might also say that Kerry Collins was their 12th man in that game...both offensively and defensively). You know what's happening with the Ravens now? Ray Lewis is another year older...and their coach isn't too close from the hot seat either.

Could Atlanta win with Vick at QB...Sure...give them the old Baltimore D.

Did you mean 'parody', as in SNL showing Condi Rice as Lucy, W as Charlie Brown and Iraq as the football? Or 'parity' as in the NFC North all going 7-9?

Vick could also use Keenan McCardell and Brandon Stokley, the old Baltimore receiving corps was better than most people think. The fact is that the Billy Joes [Hobert and Tolliver], Bubbys [Brister] Rusties [Lisch and Hilger] et al. have all been starting QBs. Will Vick be a Brown Steve Young? Perhaps not, but he can win in the league and has done so in the past.

Young would have started for most any other team, so that argument is no good. Testaverde was what? You tell me the Great Vinnie's lifetime stats. What, did he ever, ever do? So, I'll just pretend you even mentioned him here. And finally, Plunkett. He was always hurt, In NE, he had absolutely no OL...period. As soon as he went to an OL rich team, the Raiders, well, as they say, the rest is history. Plunkett was always an elite QB. He just happens to be one of the few success stories of his time, when today's simple knee operation was still a great experiment. If he'd spent his whole career behind Oakland's OL (not to mention the receivers), who knows what kind of records he might hold still. So his name doesn't fit in your example either. So, ya got 3 more?

Hey, bc...think a brown Bobby Douglas...who also was left-handed, I might add...and who also couldn't hit the south side of a north bound cow from 10 feet with a handful of rock salt.

Here's why I see Atlanta fans being very disappointed again this year, although they'll talk a great game now. Please take heart though, I could be wrong, and have been on numerous occasions, but this is what I see for the near future.

1) Not that Petrino isn't, or won't be a good coach, the fact remains he's a "rookie" coach, and he'll make his fair share of rookie mistakes.

2) I'd say that by the 3rd game of the season, Petrino will wish he had his old college QB playing for him. Unfortunately, Atlanta probably won't get the chance to draft him without giving up the farm, not to mention Vick, because they have a very weak schedule.

3) Despite what Atlanta fans say or think, I believe Carolina had a better draft, and has better overall talent as a team too.

4) Did I mention New Orleans?

5) Their current depth chart has Houston listed as a starting CB. I don't like the history of rookie CBs in the NFL. They don't usually have too much success...just ask the Dolphins, among others regarding this. Look for opposing teams to go after him, and go after him a lot.

6) Other than RB, and perhaps WR, they have little depth to write home about. God forbid, but if any starters go down or they'll be in trouble. Did I mention John "8 game" Abraham?

7) Age is starting to creep up in a few key areas, i.e.: MLB & DT.

8) Say what you want, this is Vick's 7th year as a starting NFL QB. As an NFL QB, is anyone really impressed? Am I the only one who's not? IMO, as an NFL QB, Vick is a coach killer. Sure, he has a great arm. However, what good does a great arm do you if you throw the ball the same way every single time, whether the receiver is 5 yards from you, or 50? He has no touch at all, and he does not throw a ball that’s easy to catch. It’s easy to blame the WRs, but I’m willing to bet if Manning, Brady, Brees, Hasselbeck, Rivers, or some other QB had these same WRs, they would be looking a whole lot better. It took John Elway a couple of years to learn this, but he did. I also don’t like Vick’s football intelligence. He does not read a defense very well at all, does not run a good huddle, and is too animated. At times, it seems like he doesn’t even know his own playbook. He is supposed to be the ‘leader,’ but he looks confused and too helter skelter in the huddle, and at the line with the game on the line. When the Falcons need him to be a QB, and not a RB, he usually fails. On top of all of this, there are the off field issues.

That being said, if Atlanta is to have any chance at all with Vick as their QB, they have to run a very simple and basic offense. I understand Petrino is supposed to be working to keep him in the pocket more this year, but I see his ‘happy feet’ sabotaging that. He does look okay when his protection is real good, but otherwise, he looks for Crumpler, who is the only one capable of catching his bullets, tries to force the ball, or takes off running. And, if you run a simplified offense, it probably means a lot of close games. If Atlanta’s behind in those games, and Vick HAS to be a QB, history says Atlanta will lose more than not.

I’m sorry, Atlanta fans, but as great an ‘athlete’ as Vick is, IMO, as sure as the sun rises in the East, he has too many negatives to be able to lead you anywhere, but to year after year of high expectations, and big disappointments. I’m extremely glad he’s not the QB of my teams, the Giants and the Chargers. BTW, he could have been…but the Chargers traded the 1st pick in the 2001 draft to Atlanta so Atlanta could draft Vick, getting Atlanta’s pick, No. 5 overall, plus other players and draft picks…the result…LaDainian Tomlinson was picked in Atlanta’s No. 5 position. The lesson…if you want a RB, draft one. If you’re going to use the 1st overall pick in the draft on a QB, then he better be a QB, not a combination player/athlete like Vick.

A little ironic, isn't it? While the rest of his teammates gather in the huddle at training camp on July 26, good ol' Mike will be huddling with a few of his illustrious dog fighting cohorts, his attorney, and the judge in Richmond, VA, in a court well known as "The Rocket Docket." In other words, it'll be highly unlikely this case gets postponed, or if it does, it won't be for long. Even worse, are the gambling allegations, which if proved, might spell the virtual end of his NFL career. Here's a guy who, with endorsements, was making over 20 mil a year. NOW, on the Atlanta Falcon's NEW web-site, there are no longer any pictures or references to Michael Vick. Is his real name Michael Vick...or Michael Dumb Ass? The umbilical cord is already being cut. According to ESPN, he had a personal meeting with the Comish in April, where he assured Roger Goodell that he had nothing at all to do with anything that happened at his house in VA. If it is proven otherwise, it will be very interesting to see how Goodell reacts to being flat out lied too while Vick looked him in his eyes. What could be his ultimate downfall, is therumor that his own cousin has turned state's evidence on him. His inability to play QB in the NFL aside, Michael Vick has at least brought the sorid and seamy sides of soap operas to the NFL. As I stated in another post, and if you're old enough to remember an old television series, it is looking more and more like Atlanta fans need to change their tune to...H-A-Double R-I-NGTON spells Harrington...& Son.

And, with their first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...the Atlanta Falcons select (___Fill in the blank___) - QB.

One other thing. I have been called a "Vick Hater" on more than one ocassion. However, my anaylisis of Mr. Vick have always concerned his ability to play the game of football at the QB position (actually, his inability to play QB in the NFL). I do not know him, so I really couldn't "hate" him. He is not the only player whose skills I disect, and find wanting. I will, and often do the same for many players from teams I root for, including one Mr. Jeremy "What have you ever really done" Shockey. In fact, I really don't know one person that I "hate." On the other hand, if these barbaric allegations prove true, I will put Mr. Vick into the classification of being someone I would not want to associate with...ever. However, until he's proven guilty, I, as should everyone, will assume that he's innocent. The real losers here, the ones I feel sorry for, are the Atlanta Falcons, their fans, and the NFL. I also believe that even if he is found innocent, the Falcons will be way better off in the long run if they bite the bullet and divest themselves of his presence, and find a new leader, and "face of their team." Wheter he gets convicted or not, this may ultimately go down as the worse trade Atlanta ever made, especially since they could have the classy LT running the ball for them now if they had never made the trade.

They are going to make a serious example out of him.

I have very mixed feelings about this whole situation. Dog fighting is horrifying and cruel, but it's part of southern rural culture.

How could Vick be so stupid as to get financially involved? If he had such predelictions, he could have indulged them without breaking the law simply by remaining a mere spectator, right? Did he really need profits from this stupidity?

The NFL is about to lose one of their best features and drawing cards...such a shame.

I have a problem with your statement here, Steve. "Dog fighting is horrifying and cruel, but it's part of southern rural culture."

First, it seems like you are stereotyping "southern culture," and lumping all "Southerners" together. The fact is, it is just as prevelant, if not more so in the southwest too. And, although it does attract people from all walks of life, just as drugs do, it is, percentage-wise, not even close to drugs. Also, Ohio, the last I noticed, is a "northern" state. So, is it a part of "northern culture" too?

Here is my problem with this. I know first hand that Pit Bulls are not really a violent breed inherently. The ones that are, are bred and trained to be, and that is why they kill the ones that don't perform.

I don't know this from fighting them. I know this because I had two of them when I raised my children. I know this because the U.S. Marine Corp used to have one as its Mascot until it died because it is credited with saving lives. The truth of the matter is this...2% of the Pit Bulls receive 99% of the publicity. Let me also inform you that there are only 3 breeds of dogs where there is no record of them "turning" on their owners, in other words, the 3 most "loyal" breeds of dogs. They are, the American Stafordshire Terrier (also known as the Pit Bull), the Black Lab, and the Welsh Corky. My daughter was raised with my dogs, as were my two youngest brothers, and my youngest sister. They all had friends over, as did I. My friends had no problems bringing their children to my house, or their own dogs to play with mine. It is how you raise the dog. The two things about this breed, is one, they do not realize just how strong they are, pound for pound, and two, when one does attack, it is definitely an all out and viscious attack. They have, by a significant margin, the strongest bite of all dogs. The Stafordshire Terrier sports a bite strength of approx. 2200-2300 lbs./sq. inch, vs. the next hardest bite of the German Shepard of approx. 800 lbs./sq. inch. On top of that, they have the ability to lock their jaws, just as a Snapping Turtle can, and will only let go if they believe they can get a better grip. As a fighting machine, no other breed can compare, or even come close to it, although people in the dog breeding/fighting arena have tried for over a hundred years. The now popular Akitas and Chows are two examples.

I happen to know all of this because a friend of mine had one, and he was an unbelieveable dog, and my 3 year old daughter absolutely loved him. She was the one who wanted one, so I did my research before I purchased my own dogs. They happened to be the most intelligent dogs I've ever owned, and if they had one negative, it was they could never, ever get enought attention. They just love to be petted. More than any other breed I've owned, they are probably the closest to being "human." When I came home from work each day, I literally had to brace myself, because my 40 lb. male would jump up for me to catch (something he'd done since he was a pup). The problem was, he would launch himself with so much force, that if I was not braced, and ready, he would knock me down with the force he generated, which happened on more than one ocassion.

As far as "southern culture" is concerned, yes there is a distinct segment of society in the south, as well as there is in the north, east, and west that are involved in dog fighting in one form or another. However, in most, but not all instances, these are uneducated, naive people, or people with deeper problems. As the Hulk used to say (I never watch that so called "sport" either, although it is very popular amongst dog fighters - but he did have some good commercials), these people are generally "uncivilized." They are, more often than not, the dregs of their communities. I think that lumping "southerners" into such a stereotypical statement, especially since I now am one, is a disservice to the many good, and growing number of people who do live south of the Mason-Dixon line.

As for Mr. Vick, I don't think he'll be playing QB anymore for Atlanta, and will likely never play in the NFL again, should he be convicted. It's also interesting to note that the US District Court he'll be tried in has a touch over 95% conviction rate, which tells me they probably don't go to trial too many times without believing they have someone dead to rights, so to say. I really feel sorry for Arthur Blank, who has only tried to make the Falcons a winning organization, and especially for the long-time Falcon fans who really do deserve a winner to root for. In the end, I do hope they can solve their QB issues, whether it's by Vick being found innocent, or having the charges against him dropped, or in getting a QB they can truly be proud of. Yes, they have a few other spots to address, but it all starts at the QB position. You at least need a serviceable guy there, who is capable of winning a game for you in the last minute or two with his arm, brain, and leadership ability...and they haven't had anyone that fit that description, since Steve Bartowski.

What was the name of that "southern rural" area where you live, Mark?

Why did you edit my quote, before taking off with it?

Didn't Chandler get them to the Super Bowl? And they drafted Favre! Well my dad grew up in Surrey County, Spring Grove VA to be exact, and went to Jackson the "Black" school. We still have land there and I can tell you that though there has been "semi-pro" dog fighting [with small bets and the dogs were more pets than investments] in that area since the 1870's, these pro rings with underground DVDs being shot of the fights and thousands being bet is a pretty new phenomena. Vick, if guilty, needs to get 10 games minimum he is a gay who has been walking on thinning ice for a while. Wouldn't the Petrino offense fit the "retired" Jake Plummer pretty well? Culpepper might rate a look too.

I didn't "edit" your quote, Steve. I just copied and pasted your second sentence. As for the "rural" area I live in, I don't. However, I do spend time in the country around here quite a bit, and know and have met a lot of very fine people who live there who would not think of participating in this sort of thing. The point I wanted to make is you just can't stereotype all "rural southerners." As there are undesirable people in New York, Washington, Miami, and LA, There are also the same type of people in Bangor, ME, New Paltz, NY, or any other city or rural town you can mention, whether it be North, South, East, or West. You could, however, make a brain teaser out of this.

Yes, bcdrama, but I was referring to the "face" of the franchise type of QB, which Bartkowski was too. One difference between him and Vick, was good ol' Steve COULD hit the south end of a north bound cow with a handful of rock salt from 10 feet away. Unfortunately, injuries where his problem, and robbed Atlanta fans of perhaps having a championship team awhile ago. Back then, they had a MLB named Tommy Nobis...if anyone else here remembers...as good as they come.

I've read that Atlanta wants to sign Culpepper to be their QB this year, but for some reason they need to get Vick to agree to a leave of absence. There must be some kind of financial aspect to this for them to be waiting. If I were them, and they are truly interested in Culpepper, then I'd sign him anyways so someone else doesn't get him before me, and announce that he's now my starting QB. Perhaps that would give Vick the incentive to take that leave, and the dollars, whatever they are offering, and go take care of his court business. If he shows up, I'm quite certain, guilty or not, that there will be hundreds of protesters at the Falcon's practices, which are open to the public. It will become a very big distraction, and will doom any chance this team has of competing. As I understand it, the Feds are using a paper trail of Vick's finances to directly link him to the dog fighting. If they have the financial evidence, he's doomed in court. I used to track bank accounts and money trails back in the 80's, and it's not real hard to nail someone, even in a very well thought out scheme, once you know what they've been trying to accomplish. He just better hope he doesn't get caught for tax evasion next, if that's the case.

I also remember Harmon Wages [a very poor man's Hornung], Ernie Wheelwright and Junior Coffee!

There is a rumor going on that at 6:00 p.m., an Atlanta television station is to break news of yet another Falcon in trouble with the law. I don't know who the player is, or the details of the charges, but I understand one of Atlanta's TV stations is supposed to break it on the 6 o'clock news.

On yet another front of the Vick story, his bonus is apparently tied to him showing up on the first day of training camp. which will be difficult to do, since he'll be in court in Virginia. If he defaults by not showing up, the Falcons can then cut him, and will also be able to go after the $28 million in bonus money they've already paid to Vick, and they would also see a net gain of $6 million in cap space this year, probably enough, and perhaps more than enough to sign Culpepper. If Vick does miss the first day of training camp, it's my opinion that you can look for the Falcons to cut him by Friday morning. I'll bet Dante's phone is ringing now.

Vick has reportedly agreed to take a leave of absence.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Ho...mp;pageId=1.1.1

I read an interesting article where Joey Harrington said the Atlanta corp of WRs is the best he's ever played with. For years now, I've steadfastly stated that the problems the Atlanta WRs had holding onto the ball were not their doing, but was due almost entirely to the way Michael Vick threw the ball. He just did not throw a "catchable" ball. He had no touch either. His passes usually had one speed...fast. Now, Harrington will never be confused with Vick athletically, but IMO he will show Atlanta fans the difference between a QB with a little touch, vs one with no touch, and how it correlates into completions by the receivers. I'm not saying Harrington is the answer for Atlanta's QB problem. However, he was a former No.3 overall pick, and perhaps Petrino can salvage his career, or at least create a serviceable alternative until one is drafted, traded for, or acquired via FA.

Here's the link:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedi...3/falnotes.html

There's an old saying, "I was born at night, but not last night!" I for one put VERY little credednce in the happy talk from a recent signee whose NFL future may have been saved. I have long said that Joey Harrington would do well in the right situation. Also it must be said this team is better than the ones he QB'ed in Detroit, but his gratitude and happiness is preventing him from noticing none of his current WRs could carry Roy Williams jock.

As I said, bc, I'm not saying Harrington is the answer to Atlanta's QB problems. My point is I have never thought the Falcon's WRs were that bad, especially considering their present general youth. Ever since Vick arrived on the scene, the only one who's been able to consistently handle his passes has been his TE, who is much bigger and stronger than a WR. It is, and always has been my opinion that Vick does not have touch, or throw what is known as a "catchable" ball. Hence, his WRs have always looked bad. Now, if this was an isolated instance with one or two WRs, I might not see it as I do. However, we're talking history here, and he has never had a WR that anyone could call a true No.1, because the odds are the ball will arrive slightly off target, or arrive like a heat seeking missile...I don't see this as the WR's problem. Most WRs can deal with an off target throw, if it's delivered with touch...not with enough force to leave them with an X on their chest, ala a young and inexperienced John Elway used to do to his WRs. Simply put, he learned...Vick did not.

Some QBs, Testaverde, Cary Collins, one who late in career was a "Parcells Guy" and lead a team deep into the playoffs and Collins was a SuperBowl starter. These were strong armed guys who took a long time to mature, I think Vick is way behind both in character, but I still say in a stripped down offense he could do as well as about 1/2 the QBs in the league. Aaron Brooks is very common [skills set wise] I bet he'd fit Petrino's set well.

Aaron Brooks has always had talent. I think his decision making and refusal to take any responsibility for his mistakes or the lack of success of the teams he's lead have been his problems. Seems as if is an arrogance problem more than anything else.

Testaverde and Collins could also throw the ball with the right amount of zip on it. Vick, if nothing else, is consistent with the speed of his throws no matter if the WR is 5 yards away, or 50, he usually fires the ball in. That is my point...and Marvin Harrison would look bad with Vick as a QB. Another thing, neither Testaverde or Collins were really anything to write home about as NFL QBs, especially Collins...and, neither of them were ever the "face of the franchise" QB who had a $120 million dollar contract. And lastly, when will people stop making excuses for, and stop blaming other people for Vick's inability to grasp the intricacies of the QB position? They blame the WRs, the coaching staffs, and everything in between. This would have been his 7th year as a NFL QB. He has not shown any...ANY improvement as a NFL QB during that time. Most teams would have already changed QBs by now. His athletic ability has charmed too many coaches into the unemployment line already. IMO, in the long run the Atlanta Falcons, and their fans will be better served with another QB who understands how, and when to deliver the football to the receivers, than one they continuously need to make excuses for.

I make no excuses for Mr. Vick I just made it clear that there have been and still will be QBs that though they are slow to develop may still pan out. Vick may or may not prove to be one of them, but it's too early to know what his second act might entail. He might get worse, better or stay the same.

bcdrama,

I don't disagree with your statement about some players taking longer to develop than others. What I do disagree with is this...Michael Vick has played the QB position in the NFL for 6 years. Can you name me one team, who has taken a QB with their No.1 pick (not to mention Vick was No. 1 overall in 2001), and watched him NOT IMPROVE for 6 years without replacing him? I will not argue Vick's success as a "runner." However, as a QB, he has not improved at all. He still can't read a D. He has still not developed "touch." He still runs a disorganized huddle. He still gets "happy feet" when his TE is covered. He is still has a "run first," and throw second mentality. There has been no progression to his game. What you see, or saw last year, was basically what you saw his rookie year. Perhaps a different position would suit him better, but I'm sorry, bcdrama, his performance just does not cut it at such a premium position as QB in the NFL. If I was an Atlanta Falcon fan, I would have been screaming for a QB two years ago, and screaming especially loud the day they traded Schaub.

I think Mike Vick's days in the NFL are numbered. The one thing that the Falcons have been able to fall back on is that they've had the #1 rushing offense in the NFL for a few years now. But as Mark pointed out, he's never once improved his ability as a Quarterback. I particularly think that the Falcons will be better off without him. Having a QB who can run for 1,000 yards per year really doesn't matter when you're only turning in 5-7 wins. It's not like they are playing in the toughest division in the NFC, either. As a matter of fact, both Tampa and Carolina have failed to live up to expectations the last couple years. And Vick has still not been able to take advantage of his under-achieving competition.

With his involvement in the dogfighting case, and the fact that his two key co-defendants have basically rolled over on him, I think he's going to be locked up for some serious jail time. In my very humble opinion, the Vick era has already ended, and the Falcons finally get to move on. How about Andre Woodson in the first round next year?

Are they going to go with Joey? Or do they have other plans? An interesting thought here.

http://video1.washingtontimes.com/redskins/

Well, at this point it looks like Joey is the man. But behind him, they've got Chris Redman, and D.J. Shockley is out for the year. They'll make a move to add a QB before the regular season starts. I see either of two scenario's working out.

(A) They'll wait for roster cuts to be done, and see who's available.

( They'll start inquiring about trades with some teams that have extra QB personelle. I.E. Chicago, Indianapolis, Miami, or New York (J).