The Atlanta Falcons look like they have quite a motley crew of QBs to try to run coach Petrino’s high % passing offense.  Which QB will step up?  That is a good question.  Michael Vick is the starter and he has the physical ability to possibly do the job the coach wants.  After all, he has a strong arm which has never been in doubt.  It’s his accuracy that could present a major problem for the coach.  Vick has never come close to throwing for over 3,000 yards in a season and he’s only completed 53.8% of 1,730 career passes.  Also, the dog fighting that Vick is accused of is hanging over his head and it will not go away.  If Vick is suspended by the NFL, the Falcons season might be over before it starts.  Still, in this country you are innocent until proven guilty.  Vick had an interesting season last year as he was outstanding running the ball, but awful throwing it….and that will have to change if Vick is to be the long term answer in Atlanta.  Vick started all 16 games last season and he completed 204 of 388 (52.6%) passes for 2,474 yards with 20 TD passes and 13 interceptions (75.7 QB Rating).  He was outstanding running the football as he carried the rock 123 times for 1,039 yards (8.4 ypc) with 2 TD runs!  He was the first QB in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.  Vick’s career numbers mirrored what he did last season.  He has played in 74 games (67 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 930 of 1,730 (53.8%) passes for 11,505 yards with 71 TD passes and 52 interceptions (75.7 QB Rating).  He also has carried the football 529 times for 3,859 yards (7.3 ypc) with 21 TD runs.

The Falcons signed Joey Harrington in the off season to backup Michael Vick.  They hope he won’t have to start too many games this season, because that would mean Vick is either injured or suspended.  Harrington started 11 games for the Dolphins last season and he completed 223 of 388 (57.5%) passes for 2,236 yards with 12 TD passes and 15 interceptions (68.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the football 19 times for 24 yards (1.3 ypc).  Harrington might have the skill set to succeed in Petrino’s offense if he gets the chance because his best skill is getting rid of the football fast as he doesn’t take many sacks.  Still, Harrington’s career to this point has not been good.  He has played in 69 games (66 starts) and he’s completed 1,209 of 2,190 passes (55.2%) for 12,478 yards with 72 TD passes and 77 interceptions (68.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the football 128 times for 369 yards (2.9 ypc).

The 3rd string QB job will be a battle between local boy D.J. Shockley from Georgia and Chris Redman who played at Louisville where Bobby Petrino coached.  Shockley has no experience in the NFL, so Redman would appear to have the edge despite not playing in the NFL since 2003 with the Ravens.  Redman played in 4 seasons for the Ravens and it covered 10 games (6 starts).  In those 10 games, Redman completed 106 for 198 (53.5%) for 1,111 yards with 7 TD passes and 5 interceptions (71.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 13 times for 12 yards (0.9 ypc).