in NFL Articles

Everybody has a hobby. Some of us like to bet on NFL games. Some people put paper pirate ships in to glass bottles. Others play sports or collect stamps. Nerds across the world engage in World of Warcraft, while a slew of wannabe rounders engage in hours of Texas Hold ‘Em.

Then there’s Michael Vick.

Vick is in serious trouble after being indicted for his role in a dog fighting group that is equal part gruesome and disappointing. The one-of-a-kind athlete may have jeopardized not only his career, but his sponsorships and the hopes of the Atlanta Falcons franchise and fan base.

+4500 to win Super Bowl XLII

+ 2000 NFL odds to win the NFC

+2600 NFL Odds to be #1 seed in NFC

The Falcons were a +4500 to win Super Bowl XLII going in to the preseason. They added the nasty Jamaal Anderson (not to be confused with Jamal Anderson, the Falcons running back who broke both of his knees by out juking…himself) at defensive end and brought in Joe Horn to add some veteran leadership to the receiver corps. They also shipped off Matt Schaub to the Houston.

But now everything is up in the air with Vick’s indictment. There are rumors that he may be forced to sit out the season and take a paid leave of absence by the NFL. He could flat out go to jail. Lord knows that he will have to face the wrath of Roger Goodell after he lied to his face.

So what lies ahead for the Falcons? With Matt Schaub slinging passes in Houston the Falcons have to turn to the next man on the quarterback depth chart. That man is – wait for it – Joey Harrington.

Mr. Piano Fingers himself has somehow lucked himself in to the most promising position he could have for the second season in a row. After being ousted in Miami in 2006. He ended up starting eleven games for the Fins as Culpepper was benched to salvage his aggravated knee injury.

Now he finds himself landing in the right spot at the right time. Vick will, in all likelihood, not play in 2007 which all but flushes the Falcons chances down the toilet. Harrington is atrocious, and I’m trying to be kind here. He still suffers from chattering feet, makes terrible reads and forces passes in to coverage.

In 2006, he managed 2,236 yards on a 57.5 completion percentage. He notched twelve scores coupled with an ugly fifteen interceptions. He has a career quarterback rating of 68.1. This is not the guy you want under center when the whistle blows.

The NFC South is a highly competitive division, though it is often overlooked by experts. The Panthers are evolving in to a playoff-caliber team once more, and the Bucs are making a lot of good moves. The Saints are clearly the favorite to win. There is absolutely no way the Falcons can win with Harrington.

Your money is about as safe with the Falcons this season as a football is in Joey Harrington’s care. Like the football, your money will end up in somebody else’s hands.

The 2007 and beyond!