Talk about a team in need of his services. I think everyone here knew that Harrington wasn't the answer at all.
Falcons, QB Leftwich agree to two-year deal
ATLANTA -- Out of work for the past two weeks, former Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Byron Leftwich found a new home Tuesday, signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The fifth-year veteran, released by the Jaguars just before the start of the season, when coach Jack Del Rio abruptly decided to elevate David Garrard into the starting role, met with Atlanta officials, including owner Arthur Blank, on Monday evening. He then took a physical exam Tuesday morning, worked out for coaches and personnel officials, and entered into negotiations.
For now, Leftwich will serve as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, behind starter Joey Harrington and backup Chris Redman, while he assimilates the offense of first-year head coach Bobby Petrino. But if Harrington continues to struggle, there is a good chance that Leftwich will eventually compete for the starting job.
Leftwich, 27, has appeared in 46 games, 44 of them as a starter. The former Marshall star, chosen by Jacksonville in the first round in 2003, has completed 789 of 1,344 passes for 9,042 yards, with 51 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions.
The big question mark with Leftwich has been his durability, and he has yet to play a full 16-game schedule. But Leftwich underwent offseason surgery to address a chronic ankle problem, and said in training camp that he was 100 percent physically.
ATLANTA -- Out of work for the past two weeks, former Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Byron Leftwich found a new home Tuesday, signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The fifth-year veteran, released by the Jaguars just before the start of the season, when coach Jack Del Rio abruptly decided to elevate David Garrard into the starting role, met with Atlanta officials, including owner Arthur Blank, on Monday evening. He then took a physical exam Tuesday morning, worked out for coaches and personnel officials, and entered into negotiations.
For now, Leftwich will serve as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, behind starter Joey Harrington and backup Chris Redman, while he assimilates the offense of first-year head coach Bobby Petrino. But if Harrington continues to struggle, there is a good chance that Leftwich will eventually compete for the starting job.
Leftwich, 27, has appeared in 46 games, 44 of them as a starter. The former Marshall star, chosen by Jacksonville in the first round in 2003, has completed 789 of 1,344 passes for 9,042 yards, with 51 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions.
The big question mark with Leftwich has been his durability, and he has yet to play a full 16-game schedule. But Leftwich underwent offseason surgery to address a chronic ankle problem, and said in training camp that he was 100 percent physically.
