By: T. Love
Undrafted rookie free agent tackle Renardo Foster out of Louisville has been sent to the IR after suffering ACL damage in Atlanta’s 22-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, while starting QB (for two quarters) Byron Leftwich’s return to the field is uncertain after suffering a high ankle sprain in the same contest.
Foster (6-7, 338 pounds) was anointed the starter after veteran Wayne Gandy went down with an ACL injury versus the New York Giants.
It’s about time the Falcons draft a decent trainer too. I’m pinning this one on you Rich!!
The team is already thin at offensive line, starting an UDFA, but since McKay refused to draft or sign any offensive linemen, this is the mess the franchise has been left to do with.
Atlanta’s O-line has given up the second most sacks this season (25) and Leftwich was a victim of the turnstile play of the group.
A five-year veteran out of Marshall, Leftwich was signed by the Falcons a little over a month ago and took over the starting job for Joey Harrington following the Monday Night Football blowout. With a history of injuries on his resume, “Lunchbox” was destined to go down but after two quarters? Seriously?
There is no timetable for his return, but Bobby Petrino has termed the injury as “serious”. Leftwich gets an extra week to heal heading into the bye week, but if he is not ready to go versus the 49ers on Nov. 4, Harrington will continue his quest to hit the most check down routes in a single season.
Again, I can’t help but feel bad for Petrino. He came here to coach Michael Vick, but he was too busy winning purses with “Jane” and threw away his entire NFL career. Then he is stuck with the weak armed, yet very articulate Joey Harrington. After months of begging for someone that can air it out further than 10 yards, Byron comes to town. Two quarters later, back to the ivory tickler.
Don’t worry Bobby P., if you don’t get offered one of the many college vacancies this offseason and skip out on us like you did Louisville, your replacement has screwed up bad enough that the Falcons may be able to take Darren McFadden with the first pick and get Brian Brohm in the second.
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It should be noted that Harrington’s average yards per attempt (7.1) were actually HIGHER than Byron Leftwich’s (6.3) in last weekend’s game. In fact, Leftwich’s average per attempt was lower than Harrington’s for the season (6.6). Moreover, the game’s longest completions (32 yards to Roddy, 25 to Robinson) came from Harrington. I thought Leftwich looked good while he was in, but the “ivory tickler,” as you call him, isn’t doing as poorly as everyone seems to believe. Statistically, Harrington is having the best of his less-than-impressive career, this behind a line that is extremely weak and a nonexistent running game, save for the few carries that Norwood has been given. The Falcons aren’t going to win many games this year, but the fault shouldn’t lie with the quarterback. The Falcons season has been marred by a series of unfortunate events, yet they have managed to stay in most games, with four of their six losses being by a touchdown or less. The biggest problem for the Falcons, as Alge Crumpler noted, has been executing once they cross the 50-yard line. With a better running game (i.e., with Norwood getting more carries), the Falcons could pick up some wins. I’m not delusional, but I am hopeful.
Good stats. No, none of this situation is Joey’s fault. The offensive line has been terrible for years, but the arm strength of Joey is a huge concern. Remember, that was Roddy getting YAC on that play (finally). QB is probably one of our least glaring needs. We have to get an offensive line, running back and a defense so whomever plays QB here will be successful.
“Ivory Tickler”, I thought it was pretty funny.
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