Leftwich Not the Falcons' Answer

Byron Leftwich will not be the answer to what ails the Falcons.

The offensive line can't be held solely responsible for the 13 sacks Atlanta has surrendered through two games. Harrington has held the ball too long on occasion, and he has thrown a pair of interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns.

At the same time, Leftwich doesn't provide the x-factor Harrington lacks. Both are drop-back passers with decent arms and limited mobility. Both are former first-round picks whose careers might have been unfairly sidetracked by mediocre supporting casts.

Whenever Leftwich is ready to step in for the Falcons, who figure to be winless if that time is two weeks or two months from now, he is going to be hamstrung by the same mediocre offensive line and receiving corps that Harrington is struggling with right now.

Left tackle Wayne Gandy is proving to be too old to protect anyone's blind side, and now his dealing with a left hamstring injury. Renardo Foster, an undrafted rookie, is Gandy's top replacement. Which means this Sunday, Foster could be starting next to fellow rookie guard Justin Blalock on the left side of Atlanta's line.

Falcons coach Bobby Petrino needs a quarterback who can make quick decisions and release the ball in a snap -- which doesn't describe Harrington or Leftwich. Still, Leftwich will be given a crash course in the offense with the hope he can push Harrington for the starting job in a few weeks.

Falcons Cling to Crumpler News

New Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he was excited to have TE Alge Crumpler on the field when the team opened training camp Thursday. It's understandable that Petrino is clinging to anything remotely positive in the wake of QB Michael Vick's troubles and RB Warrick Dunn's back surgery that will sideline him for most or all of August. But there is still reason to be cautious about Crumpler. Granted, he's coming off a career-high eight touchdown catches in 2006 and Petrino's offense is fairly tight end friendly -- Gary Barnidge was third on the team with 31 receptions in 11 games for Louisville last season. But he turns 30 in August and is coming off two seasons of knee pain that resulted in April surgery. And then there's the Joey Harrington factor.