PFT: Falcons sign Byron Leftwich

[WoodysGirl]

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

FALCONS SIGN LEFTWICH

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Atlanta Falcons have signed free-agent quarterback Byron Leftwich to a two-year deal. Terms are not yet available.

Leftwich was abruptly dumped by the Jaguars on September 1, one day after announcing that he'd be cut or traded. The Ravens showed some interest in the seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft, but talks reportedly broke down after roughly 3.5 hours of negotiation.

In Atlanta, Leftwich could find himself playing sooner rather than later. Joey Harrington has been so-so so far, and the Falcons will want to figure out whether Leftwich can be the guy before the team positions itself to land Brian Brohm of Louisville, who was mentored until last season by new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino.

 

[zrinkill]

I am surprised it took this long.

 

[Mavs Man]

Finally.

 

[HardHittin'Witten]

Aww, they didn't want to keeping rolling with Joey?

 

[Deep_Freeze]

ESPN just said 2 years at $7 million for Lefty, if I saw it right, lol.

 

[dallasfaniac]

They should have stuck with Harrington to be assured of Brohm. What is Leftwhich thinking, Atlanta is one of the last places you want to be.

 

[FCBarca]

Made the most sense for them, really....Makes Cleveland pick a little more appealing now

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Leftwich will revive his career down in ATL.

 

[fortdick]

How did we miss out on this guy? HE should be our starting QB....................nevermind.

 

[AtlCB]

ESPN just said 2 years at $7 million for Lefty, if I saw it right, lol.

It's a good signing for Atlanta. He's a lot better than Harrington.

 

[TheCount]

I'm sure all the Saint's fans wish they'd stuck with Joey.

 

[Yeagermeister]

ESPN just said 2 years at $7 million for Lefty, if I saw it right, lol.

The money is a little surprising for a team waiting for Brohm but it's a good signing. He'll be starting by week 4.


Do they give him the #7 though?

 

[lspain1]

Isn't Harrington's problem the the fact that he holds the ball too long? Doesn't Leftwich have the same problem?

We'll see.

 

[Danny White]

Isn't Harrington's problem the the fact that he holds the ball too long? Doesn't Leftwich have the same problem?

We'll see.

I do know he has the longest wind up and delivery in the NFL.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

The money is a little surprising for a team waiting for Brohm but it's a good signing. He'll be starting by week 4.


Do they give him the #7 though?

Actually that was the joke about #7 that they said on ESPN, lol.

2 yrs for $7 million is alot to me too, but that is the contract.

 

[Doomsday]

What the heck were they waiting for.

 

[TheCount]

What the heck were they waiting for.

Joey to magically transform into Carson Palmer. Or more than likely, Petrino had such a big ego and/or fear of looking foolish, that he wanted to try and get it done with the players he had instead of making moves.

 

[dbair1967]

What the heck were they waiting for.

gee why hurry? nobody was beating down the guys door

he isnt a very good player, hence very little interest

at best he's going to be exactly what he was in Jax, a mediocre starter...since Atlanta is a worse team however with a pathetic OL, odds are he is going to look very bad

David

 

[dbair1967]

Isn't Harrington's problem the the fact that he holds the ball too long? Doesn't Leftwich have the same problem?

We'll see.

yeah...long very slow delivery and release, and almost zero mobility

he's gonna get killed behind that sieve of an OL

David

 

[FCBarca]

BUT, Leftwich has better accuracy, IMHO...Certainly better than Joey Ballgame's.

Look, anything that might help Atlanta rise from the ashes and not slot ahead of Cleveland in the draft is a welcome sign, non?