One of the big questions over at ajc.com is whether D.J. Shockley or Joey Harrington will be the Falcons No. 3 quarterback. The proper answer will be none of the above.With Matt Ryan set as a the team's quarterback for years to come, what the Falcons should be looking for is a quarterback who could eventually become a solid No. 2. And if he can develop into a potential trade chip down the road (a la Matt Schaub) that''s all the better. Neither of the two candidates fit that role.
Joey Harrington deserved better than the treatment he got from coach Bobby Petrino. But at this point, there's no real reason to keep him as a No. 3 quarterback. He's a completely known commodity, who could be a reliable backup in a best-case scenario, but gives no real advantages as a No. 3. If the Falcons were forced to turn to Harrington, it means the season is already in the tank--with Matt Ryan and Chris Redman hurt. And at that point, there's not that much difference between Harrington and some of the QBs the Falcons could find looking for work.
But that doesn't really mean there's an argument for keeping Shockley.
While a whole lot of Georgia fans may be hoping Shockley makes the team, he hasn't shown any signs that he'll be a likely future No. 2. This year he's 6-for-20 for 87 yards with two interceptions and two sacks. Last year he was 9-of-17 for 123 yards with one interception, and as a rookie, he was 17-of-36 for 186 yards, one touchdown and two sacks. Overall, that adds up to a pretty putrid 32-of-73 for 396 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and four sacks.
Yes, Shockley has very good wheels for a quarterback, but that doesn't make up for three straight preseasons with below a 50-percent completion percentage. When he was a rookie, you could dream that this was the start of something. Two years later, he hasn't taken any steps forward. He may have had an ACL injury last year, but that doesn't really serve as a free pass to explain why the Falcons should keep a third-year quarterback who hasn't really progressed.
So what should the Falcons do? Scour the waiver wire. Look for a young quarterback who a team is trying to slip through to the practice squad. A couple of years ago the Browns stole Derek Anderson from the Ravens, and last year the Chiefs swiped Tyler Thigpen from the Vikings. This year, he'll be their primary backup.
There's a chance that the Bucs will cut fifth-round pick Josh Johnson because of their logjam at quarterback. If so, he'd be an outstanding pickup for the Falcons as a developmental quarterback. Even if he's not available, there will liekly be someone else who can better fill the role.
