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QB Joey Harrington, Atlanta Falcons

HT: 6-4, WT: 220, Born: 10-21-1978, College: Oregon, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3

2008 Projections

Best Case

Harrington could get the nod at starting QB if Chris Redman melts down early on in 2008 and Matt Ryan proves unable to take over as the starter. Harrington would be asked to manage the offense and not make a lot of mistakes, leading to pedestrian outings much like those he produced as a starter during 2007.

Worst Case

Harrington could wind up the #3 QB on the roster and never see playing time at all during the regular season.

Outlook

Harrington is probably going to hold the clipboard, mentoring Matt Ryan through his rookie jitters, for much of the 2008 season. If he sees much playing time, the Falcons' offense will be unspectacular in the passing department.

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Harrington had difficulty finding any rhythm during the game. From the first series, he was under consistent pressure the entire afternoon, being sacked a total of 6 times. Harrington's completion percentage was decent, finishing 22 of 32 for a 68.7% completion rate. However, he rarely threw the ball deep, tending to settle for second and third safer option on many plays. Joey Harrington finished with 199 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Both interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He also had one scramble for eight yards, converting a third down.

Week 2 - Harrington appeared poised when he had time to throw, and completed a high percentage of the short and intermediate passes he threw, some of which were turned into significant gains as a result of good running after the catch by his receivers. However there were periods during the game where it seemed the Jaguars' pass rush affected his rhythm and he missed open receivers at times. He did keep his team close and on their last series of the game displayed good athleticism in evading a pass rush and scrambling for a long gain and first down. That play was nullified due to an offensive penalty, and Harrington was sacked on the next play, which ended the drive and in essence the Falcons' chances of forcing the game into overtime.

Week 3 - Harrington had an excellent game throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns. It was his highest passing yards since week seven of 2006. He spread the ball around to eight different players and was extremely efficient, completing 70% of his passes. Harrington did not throw an interception and was only sacked once after being sacked 13 times in the prior two games.

Week 4 - Harrington had a very good game. He looked very comfortable directing the offense and made good decisions in the face of an aggressive pass rush. Harrington made a variety of throws and appeared poised and confident throughout the game. He spread the ball around and did not lock onto any one receiver, while displaying good touch on shorter passes and enough arm strength on longer ones. Of his six incompletions, one was intentionally overthrown and two were excellent defensive plays by defenders who deflected his passes at the last moment.

Week 5 - Harrington struggled in the first twenty minutes of the second half, leading to coach Bobby Petrino's decision to pull him from the game with the Falcons trailing by one touchdown. Prior to exiting, Harrington was averaging less than three yards per passing attempt, and was failing to execute the offensive game plan hinging on completing a high percentage of passes, for which he was just above 50%. The Falcons play the Giants at home on Monday night in week six, giving the coaching staff an extra day to evaluate whom they believe will give the team the best chance to win.

Week 6 - Harrington and the Falcons passing offense did little in the first half as he completed eight for 14 for 69 yards. Atlanta's offensive line came in to the game depleted as both starting tackles were out with injuries. The Giants started to get a better pass rush as the first half went on, and they sacked Harrington three times, and put pressure on him often. On the last Giants' sack of the first half, Harrington seemed to get his ankle twisted, but he was able to stay in the game. He had an interception to end the first half as he threw up a jump ball with one second left.

Things didn't get better for Harrington in the second half as the Falcons struggled moving the ball and sustaining drives. Harrington was very inaccurate only completing 18 of 39 attempts. He was under a lot pressure when he dropped back to pass and his own receivers didn't help him by dropping many balls.

Week 7 - Harrington entered the game following an ankle injury to Byron Leftwich and completed 67% of his passes for an average of 6.6 yards per attempt, but couldn't find the end zone or lead the Falcons to victory despite not turning the ball over. Harrington distributed the ball fairly evenly and in similar distributions to Byron Leftwich, throwing five passes to Michael Jenkins, four passes to Joe Horn, three passes to Roddy White and two passes to Laurent Robinson.

Week 9 - Harrington started off badly and didn't get much better as the game went on. He was able to stay composed under pressure, however, and completed a few third and short passes that made a difference between the team potentially scoring or punting. His favorite target was Roddy White, but he sure did a lousy job of actually getting him the ball. Harrington's saving grace was that he didn't do anything really wrong (save for one interception), which was enough for the win on this day.

Week 10 - Harrington went 19 of 26 for 192 yards and a touchdown. He managed the game well and avoided the mistakes that have cost the Falcons in previous games. He wasn't intercepted and was sacked only twice. Harrington made the play of the game when he hit Alge Crumpler perfectly in stride for a touchdown with just 26 seconds left in the game. In the first half Harrington was drilled and had to come out of the game. He only missed one play though.

Week 11 - Harrington entered the game late in the third quarter with Atlanta already down 24-0 and played well in relief of Leftwich. He finished 16 of 20 for 139 yards and the team's only touchdown, connecting with WR Adam Jennings from seven yards out to get the Falcons on the board and avoid the shutout. Harrington's play in this game, along with his success in the past two weeks, make it a bit of a mystery why he was bumped this week in favor of Leftwich.

Week 12 - Harrington had problems against the Colts, throwing two interceptions. He failed to effectively get people other than Roddy White involved in the offense due to accuracy issues. Roddy White caught six of the 14 completions Harrington had, who managed only 155 yards passing on 30 attempts. One of those attempts was a 48 yard pass to Roddy White for a touchdown, showing that he only threw for 107 yards on 29 other attempts.

Week 13 - Harrington did not make it past the third quarter, as he was yanked after an interception. Early in the game, he appeared to be making progress against the Rams defense, but repeatedly came up just short in each case.