Hodgepodge

It's old news by now, but Byron Leftwich is taking over for Joey Harrington as Atlanta's starting quarterback going into Sunday's game at New Orleans. I'm not overly shocked by the move, but the timing of it is interesting. I said in a column earlier this week that the Falcons needed a shakeup. This would definitely qualify, but I also said holding off on a move at the quarterback position might be better served after the bye week (Oct. 28). I felt that the extra game week on the bench and a bye the following week would probably better prepare Leftwich to take over if the coaching staff decided that was the route it wanted to go. At the same time, I understand why head coach Bobby Petrino would make the shift now. Against New Orleans, the Falcons have a very real chance of getting back into the thick of the divison race, and with the way things were going the past couple games offensively, a change at quarterback now could help things out.

But quarterback is hardly the problem, so the change is a little puzzling. The Falcons' troubles have been well-documented by, well, me since the season began. Those problems would include and non-existent running game, an inconsistent passing game, a completely unreliable kicking game and an offensive line in desperate need of help. Leftwich is going to be under the same pressure Harrington was, so it will be interesting to see how differently he reacts to it.

------

The Atlanta Thrashers fired head coach Bob Hartley earlier this week and GM Don Waddell took over as interim. The move seemed to pay off as the Thrashers won their first game of the season the following night after starting the season 0-6. Hartley's firing was a big surprise to NHL insiders and Thrashers fans, but I understand letting him go. He got swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season by the New York Rangers - a series the Thrashers were favored to win and the first time they had ever made it to the postseason. Hartley was lucky to still be on board after the 2006-07 season. Here's the thing: Waddell was the one who hired Hartley four years ago and, despite the difficulties the team faced to start the season, Hartley was a good choice. Waddell obviously knows how to find good coaches, so it's safe to assume the Thrashers' next one will be able to turn things around.

------

The Rockies are fantastic. No, sensational. No, unbeatable. I now can't see either the Indians or the Red Sox downing them. Sure, a lot of people have said the Rockies will lose their magic with eight days off before the World Series gets started, but the Indians and Red Sox are just beating the hell out of each other right now. I think the ALCS will go to seven games, which allows for little rest for either team.

I've got to salute members of the Big Red Machine for congratulating and admiring the Rockies. The former Cincinnati Reds, who won seven straight games on their way to a World Series title in the 1970s, were awe-struck by what the Rockies have accomplished so far. The 1972 Miami Dolphins should take notes on how to be classy. Every time the final unbeaten NFL team loses, the Dolphins toast their accomplishment as the only undefeated NFL team in the league's history with champagne and smiles. Another undefeated NFL team would be just as good for the NFL as the Rockies are for baseball.

------

Random thoughts, rumors and hot air:

Good for Joe Torre. The line for his services should be very long right now. ... Atlanta got a WNBA team. Crap. ... The Indianapolis Colts will suffer their first loss of the season to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. ... Yes, the New England Patriots will lose eventually. Get the champaigne ready for the '72 Dolphins. ... Buffalo QB Trent Edwards might be worth picking up in your fantasy league.