The Harrington Family Foundation
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Q) Hi Joey, Huge fan. I paid over $500 for an autographed football from you at an auction that benefited South American children w/ cleft palates. Money well spent. Knowing that you're a man who chooses his words carefully, and having gone through a lot of adversity, I'm curious as towards your feelings of your now ex-coach Petrino. It appears to me that you and other seasoned vets were thrown to the wolves. Being a man of class and character, I don't expect you to throw him under the bus, but I'm curious as to what you and your teammates feel about being deserted, is this Saban all over again? Thanks! Darren Thompson

--Darren Thompson - Portland, OR
A) I don't know if now playing for six head coaches in my six years in the NFL is adversity but I am learning to be flexible. I was excited to sign with Atlanta this spring because I was very impressed with the owner, Arthur Blank, and I thought it would be good to come into an organization with a coach who had a strong offensive background and was just getting started himself with the team. I still respect Arthur Blank very much. Regarding Coach Petrino, it was apparent there were going to be problems early in the season. His inability or unwillingness to communicate with the team and other coaches caused some real issues. References to Petrino as an offensive genius are misleading. A person may be knowledgeable about football but if he can't teach it to others and get them to play for him, it is a problem. We had issues in practice and play calling during games which effected the relationship with the team and coach. In the end, we are professionals and needed to work it out together. We had heard rumors about a month ago that he might leave, however, the locker room is happy to have him gone - especially after the way in which he quit on us.
Q) Well,Joey, here we go again--the quarterback who was the QB in the three games that the Falcons have won this season is not starting (again) on Sunday. I know you have said repeatedly that the NFL is a business and nothing is certain but how do you handle this over and over with such grace?? The TV announcers last week said that no one could expect the offense to get better if they never got used to one guy. The lack of continuity on the offense line and the defense too due to injuries--and inexperienced players-- has certainly hurt production. Todd McClure, center, said in an article in the AJC that no one on the team is more consistent with practice, work, study, positive attitude, support of teamates than you. How do you deal with the inconsistency and lack of big picture vision that is going on with the coaches right now? You are one first class person--you make all of Oregon proud--please know you have many, many people in your corner cheering you on!!`

--Kathy Strombeck - Salem, OR
A) That's nice of you to send a supportive note. It's been a frustrating season for us as a team and personally. Injuries certainly have played a part in this but every team is lucky to get by without injuries. Right now there are a lot of players playing on Sundays who have some type of injury that keeps them from being 100% but that's life in the NFL. It's frustrating not knowing from week to week what my status is but I guess I've got a choice. Handle it as a professional and good teammate or not.
Q) Hey Joey, Coming from a Catholic Family, was Notre Dame ever a consideration to go to college? Oregon was a good fit for you, but I'm a ND fan and think of the possibilities if you would have been an IRISH QB. Thanks Tim Grady Grand Rapids MI

--Tim Grady - Grand Rapids, MI
A) Growing up I was a huge Notre Dame fan. There is still a ND poster above my bed in my parent's house that has been there since I was in grade school. When I was in high school there were people who contacted the athletic department on my behalf - even one of the ND priests on the faculty who was a family friend. I guess they weren't interested. The good news is that I don't regret my decision to go to Oregon for one moment. We ended up #2 in the nation my senior year and five bowl games while I was there. Notre Dame didn't do as well.
Q) Hey Joey, I see you will get another start next Sunday. How do you deal with the adversity, and do you think your long term future is in Atlanta? Tony Slyter Portland, Oregon

--Tony Slyter - Portland, OR
A) You learn very quickly in the NFL that it is a business and nothing is certain. I always remember that Joe Montana got traded at the end of his career to KC after all he had done in SF. If you are going to survive at this level and be a productive member of a team, you have to make the choice to stay positive. It's too difficult otherwise and, frankly, when I can't stay positive it's time to look for something else. It's important for me to have people think of me as a good team member regardless of my playing status.
Q) Good luck with a tough game against Indy on Thanksgiving and know that you have many fans in Oregon who are very proud of how you keep your balance and focus through the chaos. Might your family be willing to share that recipe for Irish Soda Bread?

--Doretta Schrock - Portland, OR
A) I am always reminded of the people who still support me from Oregon and I really appreciate it. The Irish bread is made by many in my extended family. There's always a debate around the table over whose is best. My great grandmother never used precise measurements. A handful of this and that so everyone's is a bit different but it's great regardless of who is making it. Sorry but I don't really have a recipe to share. Maybe later in the year I can talk to someone in the family who will write it down for me.
Q) Hi Joey ~ Proud Oregon Duck here...my husband Brad was the offensive center when your dad was the QB at Oregon. We have been fans of yours ever since your career began in high school and especially during your Oregon Duck days. We have followed you to all of your teams, and feel that none of them appreciate or deserve you! We have always been so impressed not only by your athletic skills, but your positive attitude, enthusiasm, determination and grace under fire. You are a class act, and your family has every reason to be extremely proud of the man you have become. All the best now and in the future. Go Ducks and Falcons!...Jan Halverson, Hillsboro, OR

--Jan Halverson - Hillsboro, OR
A) Thanks for the nice email. I still hear from many Duck fans and it is really great to have their support. Tell your husband that we might have to call him up as a reserve. We've lost a lot of our offensive line to injury this season so he might have to start working out again. Can he get to 310 lbs. by next week? I will pass his name on to the coaching staff. Thanks a lot.
Q) Hey Joey, Congratulations on a great win vs. Carolina. You really took a shot there at the end of the game but you made a great throw. I was watching the press conference with Bobby Petrino and I don't understand why he would ever consider not leaving you in as a starter. You guys have played the best ball you have all year and changing what has worked makes no sense. The way you handled the press conference where you heard the news was great and is a lesson to eveyone as to how you should handle yourself. I hope to see you behind center this week and for many years to come.

--Frank Loglisci - nesconset, NY
A) I have learned that nothing is for certain in the NFL and all I can do is be prepared each week. It was a pretty good shot on my shoulder and arm but scoring a TD on the throw certainly helped. Thanks for the support.
Q) I heard you say once in an interview that nothing surprises you in the NFL. So you're probably one of the few who isn't dumbfounded by the Falcons' QB carousel. One thing that has surprised me is the number of people who have recognized the dignity and professionalism with which you have handled the situation in Atlanta. You may not even be aware of how many people have come forward with positive comments on your behalf, but the number is truly overwhelming. In a time when people only seem to care about wins and losses, I want to thank you for proving that character counts and for inspiring people to come forward and voice their appreciation. By the way, the Dolphins could really use a good quarterback. You interested?

--Karen Baer - Miami, FL
A) That's very nice of you to say and I appreciate your comments. I have learned that life in the NFL is a lot of ups and downs and there isn't much to be gained by complaining in the press when it's not going your way. I still love the game of football and I love to compete. Hopefully, there are still good things to come.
Q) Congratulations on the gritty, hard fought victory over Carolina last weekend. My wife and I were in Charlotte and at the game celebrating our first wedding anniversary, and seeing you throw the game winning TD pass was an awesome way to cap off a great weekend. I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to sign my #3 Ducks jersey on your way off the field after the game - it will be framed and hanging up in our new house very soon!! -Bret Whitaker

--Bret Whitaker - Columbus, AK
A) Happy to help in the celebration of your anniversary. With all the NIKE changes in Duck uniforms, that's probably going to be one of a kind. Thanks for your support.
Q) Great finish in today's game against Carolina. You've proven to be the better QB and I hope to see you start next week! You took some tough hits - none tougher than on the TD toss to Alge - I trust you are alright. Your positive attitude and determination is inspiring and certainly appears to have won the loyalty and support of your teammates! Keep fighting the good fight!! Thanks for being a Falcon! Cindy Ingram - Wilson, NC

--Cindy Ingram - Wilson, NC
A) That was a good win yesterday. The Panthers brought a lot of pressure throughout the game and especially on the last play when I hit Alge for the TD. I didn't get to see the catch and run because I was hit pretty hard. My shoulder was driven into the ground and I ended up with a stinger down to my finger tips. Good thing he scored. I think we are playing better football right now. It makes a difference to win the close ones - especially to come from behind to win. Thanks for the comments.