AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOvershadowing the playoffs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons’ general manager and coaching searching is captivating the football world.
That’s bizarre because of the good playoff games coming up this weekend. Out on the web, the Pete Carroll talks are not dead, Tom Heckert is getting the job by the weekend, the don’t think Arthur Blank knows what he’s doing, Chris Mara was an unlikely interview and they want Rich McKay’s neck on a platter.
ESPN.com reported that “sources” said that “dialogue between [Pete Carroll] and [the Falcons] was ongoing Thursday.”
The report also said that a source close to the USC coach acknowledged late Thursday that, while he would probably remain with the Trojans, the Falcons’ flirtation “is not quite a dead issue yet.”
SportingNews.com tried to help the five teams who are looking for coaches. When it came to the Falcons, owner Arthur Blank got dissed — or make that disrespected — for the franchise’s multiple searches.
“Falcons owner Arthur Blank is filling two jobs. And, for the most part, it doesn’t appear as if he quite knows what he is doing,” SportingNews.com wrote.
The report [in the Baltimore Sun] making the rounds that nine people interview Rex Ryan is drawing big laughs.
“It’s the most disjointed and disorganized hiring processes ever,” SportingNews.com wrote.
SportingNews.com also called for the firing of Rich McKay, when it wrote, “The best move? Hire [New England’s Scott] Pioli and allow him conduct the interview process from scratch and allow him to hire the coach. Right after he fires McKay.”
Profootballtalk.com has a link to a wonderful story by Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star on former Falcons interim head coach Emmitt Thomas about his options if he’s not retained on the Falcons staff and his possible selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in four weeks.
Also, there’s a story which states, “Eagles G.M. Tom Heckert could be offered the G.M. gig in Atlanta as soon as this weekend.”
The site wasn’t stunned that New York Giants exec Chris Mara withdrew from the Falcons search. “Mara always seemed like an unlikely candidate to leave the Giants, considering that the team has been run by his family for more than 80 years,” PFTalk wrote.
What’s the deal with Carroll? Should Heckert be the man? Should Emmitt Thomas stay on the new staff? Should Blank show McKay the door? We’ll will be surfing Web sites daily to catch up on what’s the latest buzz. Look for postings around 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you have a Web site you think we should should check out, send it to dledbetter@ajc.com.
ajc.com note: All comments to the Falcons blog are approved by a moderator working during weekday, daytime hours.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Bubba, Lower Forty
January 11, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Hi y’all!! Well, I was getting really down about this crazy carousel of a man-hunt. Then I started thinking: Blank decides to interview Spagnuolo, after he interviews Heckert. Where is Heckert from? Philly. Hmmmm.
So, maybe this deal about Carroll is the same thing, a possible GM-to-be is giving them the names to talk to? If so, why haven’t we already hired the GM?
By Singletary
January 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Several writers indicate McKay is likely to one day command an NFL job in NYC, but having him higher on the chain of command (at least theoretically in structure if not in player personnel decisions) over an EVP/GM sends very mixed messages that will continue to allow the questions to pile up about the Falcons and management.
Other than the evidence of the recently signed contract, I’m not sure why McKay was retained for two years — unless AB & RM LIKE going on safari together. (Weren’t they in Africa when the dogfighting news broke?)
By long time falcon
January 11, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Ledbetter, are you going to shut down the blog after 10 or 12 post? Why in the hell do you and wyche continue to shut down the blogs as soon as everyone starts going with some good banter? Do you do it for pure spite or maybe you get off on it? Whats the problem?
By Falcon Fan 13
January 11, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Sports Illustrated was not kind to Arthur as well. Agree, we are looking bad right now!!!
By Blaze
January 11, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
What ever happened to Mike Singletary, I thought he was a finalist for the job last year. I think he’s a pretty good candidate.
By ricky c.
January 11, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
hire dan reeves as g.m.and heckert as v.p.then let the two of them decide the best available coach for this team.if that does’nt work,don’t panic,the draft is not until march/april,we have sometime to consider the options.for all the dan reeves haters..the run,run, pass is what got us to the superbowl don’t knock it.
By Miranda
January 11, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
A major city’s only newspaper is surfing the web looking for the “latest buzz” on its hometown football franchise…… wow….its really scary that no one in the sports department actually realizes how pathetic that is….for a number of reasons, but mainly…shouldn’t everybody else be getting the “latest buzz” from the AJC??
By Fred
January 11, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
It never ceases to amaze me how poorly Blank, McKay and company continue to run things. It is as if they look at what the great organizations around the league do, and then do just the opposite.
What is wrong with this town? I love Mr. Blank for his effort, but he has got to start realizing that he is inept in the football business and that Rich McKay is Rasputin. The Falcons are starting to become as laughable as the Keystone Cops organization that is the Atlanta Spirit.
I am really starting to believe that Blank should sell the Falcons or simply move the organization. His reign so far has been more futile than the Smith’s, a feat many thought would be impossible.
By ED
January 11, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Falcons know something you all don’t know about these candidates. They get informed information from others that have knowledge you don’t have.
By Big Dawg
January 11, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Why did Steve Wyche just give 3 Candidates you would rather see lead the Falcons in ajc Poll when Blank has already interviewed 6 or more. I didn/t care for any of the 3 in poll.
Blank needs to* hire Pioli as GM and let Pioli hire Head Coach and let them run the show. *Fire McKay. He has destroyed this Franchise with his stupid picks. Makes me sick to look at him.
Jason Garrett would be my pick as Coach.