<p>Kurt Kittner had a quarterback rating of 8.7 in the Atlanta Falcons latest loss. Dont ask how thats computed, but this much is clear:</p><p>Its not good.</p><p>Kittner completed only 8 of 27 passes for 80 yards, with two horrendous interceptions, in a 23-20 overtime loss at New Orleans on Sunday.</p><p>To demonstrate the depths of Kittners rating, Saints running back Deuce McAllister attempted one throw, which fell incomplete. His rating was 39.6.</p><p>After four starts in place of Doug Johnson, who had replaced the injured Michael Vick, it seems apparent to all that Kittner is not capable of handling the job. Apparent to everyone except Dan Reeves, that is.</p><p>The Falcons coach didnt pull Kittner against the Saints and hasnt given up on the idea of starting him against this weekend against Tennessee.</p><p>Ill tell you on Wednesday, Reeves said, his tone turning testy. I think hes making a lot of the right decisions. Is he as accurate as we would like him to be throwing the football? No. Is his decision-making as good as you would like it to be? No.</p><p>Kittners arm strength is mediocre. He gets a lot of passes tipped at the line. And he certainly cant afford the sort of mistakes he made against the Saints.</p><p>The Falcons defense played brilliantly, handing the offense a 20-3 lead at halftime. Tod McBride returned an interception for a touchdown, and Juran Boldens pick set up another TD.</p><p>Kittner couldnt hold it. A pass forced into heavy coverage was intercepted by Fred Thomas, leading to New Orleans first touchdown. Then, with a chance to put the Saints away, Kittner scrambled out of the pocket and threw a pass right into the arms of Jay Bellamy at the New Orleans 5.</p><p>I just kept backing up to the end zone and he finally saw me, Falcons receiver Brian Finneran said. He tried to dump it to me, but I guess he didnt see Jay Bellamy.</p><p>The Saints drove for John Carneys tying field goal with nine seconds left in regulation, then won the game in overtime with another field goal.</p><p>Kittner wouldnt make himself available to reporters on Monday, but he was brutally honest about his performance after the game.</p><p>The main reason why we didnt win was because of quarterback play, he said. It falls on me, and I take the blame for it.</p><p>Since becoming the starter, Kittner has completed only 37-of-97 (38 percent) for 338 yards, with two touchdowns and four interceptions.</p><p>Johnson threw for more yards in his next-to-last start _ 352 against Minnesota _ than Kittner has managed in four games.</p><p>The Falcons havent had much success with either quarterback, going 1-5 with Johnson and 1-3 since Kittner took over. But some things have changed since Johnson lost the job.</p><p>The defense is playing much better, led by a revamped secondary. The running game has improved greatly _ Warrick Dunn has 340 yards the last two weeks, averaging more than 7 yards a carry.</p><p>The circumstances would work in my favor, I believe, Johnson said.</p><p>But he declined to lobby for the job he once held.</p><p>You do what youre told to do in this business, Johnson said. Its not my decision on who plays. My job is to do what Im told, and thats all Im going to do.</p><p>Well, at least Vick is close to getting back on the field. He resumed practicing last week and wouldnt rule out the possibility of playing against the Titans, though a game at Houston the following week seems more likely for his season debut.</p><p>I may get to play some. I may not. We dont know, said Vick, who broke his right leg in the preseason. Its all up to the trainers and how everything goes on Wednesday.</p>
