Byron is a bird

By: T. Love

“I think Joey is playing a little conservative and playing not to throw the interception, stated Bobby Petrino. Therefore, it’s causing him to hold the ball. He needs to open up his confidence and play to win the game.”

Well, I guess Bobby P. and Rich McKay do not have too much confidence that Joey is going to do these things and have scooped up former Jacksonville Jaguar Byron Leftwich. As I stated in my earlier post, the Falcons should make a move on Leftwich, but after two weeks it’s apparent that he isn’t even going to save this team.

The offensive line is terrible, the receivers struggle to get open, the running game is non-existent and the defense is average at best. Byron is less mobile and has a slower release then Joey.

I really do appreciate the move by the front office to get a quarterback in here to compete and alleviate all fear that Chris Redman will actually touch the field. Nonetheless, we should really just save the money (because we aren’t getting shit from Vick) and use it towards free agency next season.

Byron has completed 789-of-1,344 passes (58.7 percent) for 9,042 yards, 51 touchdowns and 36 picks. Not too bad, but not much better. I really don’t expect Leftwich to ever wrestle the position away. Just give the team a change of pace to keep Joey from folding like a cheap lawn chair every time he sees a blitz.

The silver lining? Both Byron and Joey have two-year contracts which make both on the roster next season. Let these two tussle in the grass like school girls for the starting job this year and next, while Darren McFadden runs up to speed in 2008. Then a quarterback the next year and the Falcons are back in business.

You heard it hear first!

Welcome to Atlanta, Byron. Don’t let Donovan McRibb discourage you, we love black quarterbacks here.