Joey still the starter

By: T. Love

Straight from the horses mouth… “I think it’s in our best interest and gives us our best chance to succeed if we stick with Joey (Harrington). I think he understands our offense, he knows what we want to do and how we should execute. Yesterday, he took a lot of hits and toward the third quarter, I felt he wasn’t completing a lot of passes he would usually complete. I thought making a change (at the position) would provide a spark for us and help us get something going. I think it was the right thing to do. It did provide us with a spark, but we weren’t able to finish it off and get the ball in the end zone.”

Coach Bobby P. is starting to do the “Lovie Smith” and this could get ugly real quick. Unfortunately for Joey, do to a pitiful offensive line, an awful running games and receivers that block like Outland Trophy winners and catch like them too, he is taking all of the heat for the offensive downfall.

Harrington has been sub par at best this season completing 105-of-156 passes (67.3%) for 1,070 yards, four touchdowns and three picks… all returned for touchdowns. Joey’s real problem has been his inability to stand in the face of pressure and his lack of arm strength to deliver a deep ball.

Pressure makes the piano player fold like the Mets, which is no secret. Tennessee applied constant heat and held Harrington to an 87 yard output after passing for 223 and 361 yards the previous two weeks. The weak arm also always opponents to play up closer to the line of scrimmage, single cover wide outs and lock in on the flats. The offense is a bit limited with No. 13 under center.

However, for now, he gives this team the best chance of being competitive due to his knowledge of the offense. Insert Byron Leftwich, who stepped in late in Sunday’s game and delivered three passes into the stands to finish 2-of-8 for 28 yards. Maybe not the best time to put him in the game, but it is evident that there is a ton of rust and the only read was deep. Byron needs time.

The QB controversy is just starting up. But, as I said in my previous post, there is no controversy. Both of these guys suck and the one we need is going to prison.