AJC > Sports > Falcons > Training Camp Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPetrino: ‘We got a lot done’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — The Falcons minicamp concluded rather uneventfully Sunday, a dramatic reversal from Friday’s circus atmosphere surrounding Michael Vick.
Instead of 60 or so newshounds at the start of the workouts, less than half dozen media looked on during a rather quiet Mother’s Day, including our Steve Wyche and D. Orlando Ledbetter. There were nearly as many Falcons media representatives holding out microcassettes during the interviews.
Even traffic to this reclusive patch of outer Gainesville was a breeze — less than an hour from Marietta. Only the meanderings of a frightened deer out onto I-985 near the I-85 split was cause for commuting alarm on a still Sunday morning.
There was just one practice today, which broke up around noon, and with no major casualties to report. The only player who didn’t look good coming off the field was free agent defensive end David Patterson, a rookie from Ohio State, who walked off very gingerly halfway through the session and didn’t return.
The only Grady Jackson sighting was on the other side of a thick window in the Falcons’ compound as he looked out on the proceedings, breaking into a big grin for a moment.
Warrick Dunn got a little more time in drills today, which head coach Bobby Petrino made note of that in his post-practice comments.
Five practices in three days, in which the coaches “threw a lot” at the players. Now comes a summer of detailed film breakdowns to analyze what everyone did as the staff sharpens its preparations for the start of training camp in August.
“We got a lot done,” Petrino said. “Defensively we had a good day today … they improved a lot from Saturday.
But …
“We’ve got a long way to go.” He was talking about the entire team.
That was the general theme echoed by his coordinators as a new staff has come in to usher the Falcons through a transition, with a new offensive scheme, a different philosophy on the offensive line, a lot of new personnel on the defensive side of the ball, among other things.
Once again this is a franchise in flux in terms of personnel, philosophy and approach to meeting owner Arthur Blank’s unchanging demands.
Asked to state his concerns, Petrino smiled and said: “I’m never going to tell you anything that’s not good.”
He found a lot to like after getting his first closeup look at his new team.
The offensive line, he said, “is getting a good feel.” The secondary “looks like it understands” the schemes being taught. “I’m happy with how we’re getting the ball down the field.”
As for the drafted newcomers, “I like our rookie group. They’re not intimidated. They’ve fit some of the needs we really have.”
A lot to take in, and a lot to absorb. Steve Wyche will have more in tomorrow’s paper (and which will be posted tonight on ajc.com) about “What We Learned.”
I’ll post later this afternoon on some specific areas the Falcons are addressing, toss out some more observations of today’s practice and relay my conversation with former UGA wide receiver Fred Gibson, who’s fighting for a place on the team.
Stay tuned.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By KING
May 13, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
I have read everyone comments about Vick and I just want to know what has vick actually done? He had a water bottle with a secret hiding spot that is sold in stores. There was not any drugs found in the bottle and then the police sent it to the lab to find out that there hasnt been drugs in the bottle. And this dog thing is really being blown up. I mean he does not live there and didnt live there. It is not like he is standing in the way of the police doing the investigation, he is helping as much as he can. I mean really if you think about it in a way he told on his own family. Most of yall out there wouldnt even have done that. We wasnt winning anything before he got here and since then I havent missed a game yet. I think we just need to accept the fact that football players are human and that they make mistakes. The quicker we can get over all this bs, the quicker we can get the falcons back to the playoffs!! One question also for the people out there, when did a yard change? A yard is a yard, whether he throws or runs for these yards we should be happy. Only stat that really matters with me and my Falcons is wins and loses, and it is time to get more wins than loses.
By Vinnie
May 13, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know where I can get one of those neat Mike Vick type water bottles with the secret compartment for storing my jewelry?
By KD
May 13, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Spencer Gift store!!??!!
By NF
May 13, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
First off, KING needs to wake up and smell the “green particulate”. I am not saying the cops were trying to frame him, but when the report reads “a green particulate that smells strongly of marijuana,” something is fishy. Second, Vick is in no way innocent just because he didn’t live there. When he allows his name to be used to sell the dogs that are being trained to fight, he is either involved, or an idiot for not keeping better tabs on what is going on in his house. Either way that does not make him innocent. There are just too many coincidences for him to be innocent in all of this. He is a thug that needs to go and Schaub should be here instead.
By Ray Buchanan
May 13, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Hi, my name is Big Play Ray. I was a awful cornerback for the Falcons now I am a snitch for the Media. I told that Mike Vick is into dog fighting because I am a hater. Yes I will admit it I am a hater and a sorry excuse of a man for being a snitch. Did I mention I was a sorry cornerback and couldn’t cover a high school receiever. Anyway it is good to see my name in the news again, the last time I made headlines it was for writing bad checks in Vegas. I hope I have redeemed myself.
By Nunna Yo Biznezz
May 13, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
LMAO@NF….
I knew it..He is a Schaub nut hugger..He has no argument..No color was ever reported of the substance at the bottom of the bottle..It was reported a dark color..The word green was never ever in it..Unless your lying a* has a link???
I don’t believe that u do,and as for Schaub..He will be benched by game #8,watch..They will really miss David Carr..
By a monotti
May 13, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
As Big Play Ray noted, Vick has been into the dog fighting for a number of years , and probably heavily involved.
Lets face facts, you do not have your dog kennels at your own house if you are #7. You keep them at a location where you can go and chill and maybe watch a few matchs, sell a few dogs, buy another rape stand or two.
I doubt the NFL will suspend Vick and take away any chance the Falcons have this year 2007.
My question is how do you not know this information if you are McKay or Arthur. Sure seems like someone would have mentioned to them about this long ago if its been going on since 2003.
Go Falcons
By The Grinch
May 13, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Good blog, Wendy Parker. Happy Mother’s Day if applicable. Thanks for the info, and don’t take the cretins to heart.
By King of the Ring
May 13, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Is that Kurt Ferentzs’ son in the photo for this article with Jerious?
By tclo
May 14, 2007 6:01 AM | Link to this
Yes Vick hasn’t clearly done anything wrong yet, but the media portrays him as Pacman Jr…a real outlaw. Ray Buchanan may have a grudge and is just making up the stuff about Vick and the dog fighting. You can’t necessarily hold someone responsible for what happens at a property they own in another state. Blank and the NFL are being too hard on Vick, but I guess they are doing it to protect their own rear ends. Sad to see, but that is big business for you.
By Gordon
May 14, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this
One thing after another. I just wonder what this guy has to do to make people realize he has little if any character. If his head were any bigger he couldn’t get in the door. One day the world may understand that stardom does not come with a free pass for all transgressions. However I doubt Mr. Vick or his rabid fans will.
By ATLER
May 14, 2007 6:39 AM | Link to this
Why are all you jealous white people still talking about Vick in this article, when it’s clearly talking about training camp. Let’s face it Vick is our QB and the face of the Falcons. Stop The Hating All the Time you simple minded red necks. ( that includes you too Big Play Ray )
By Jack
May 14, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
Hey Atler, Just what makes you think all these posts are by white people. And what pray tell, do they have to be jealous about? Stick the subject, man, and leave your racist trash out of it
By BOBO
May 14, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this
YOU IDIOTS THIS IS NOT A BLCK AND WHITE THING. THIS IS ABOUT FOOTBALL
By Ray Buchanan
May 14, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
I wuz just kidding around when I said that I know a LOT about Vick and the dog fighting…it was a joke and now my name is being slung around the press. My comment was taken out of context what i meant was that Vick likes to go to dog fights and that his dogs look liket the dogs that fight but I don’t really know or sure if he owns the dogs that fight….now hopefully this will clear things up and get Vicks Lawyer off my azz??….
By samiam
May 14, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
King, Once again, we are looking at others for a dumb mistake that we have made. I don’t recall the man putting the bottle in MV’s hand or having a cousin that’s been arrested for selling drugs. And yes, he is responsible for the property that’s out of state. Wake up people.
We as black people need to stop trying to find an excuse to blame others. He needs to stop or get the Heck out of town.
I love the way MV plays, but this stuff is just plain stupid.
We give people reasons to call us stupid.
By TradeMe
May 14, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
NF, Dude, Patrick Kerney had a rape take place in his house, while he alledgedly slept……so with that said…..
By TradeMe
May 14, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Samiam, MIKE VICK made judgement errors, NOT the entire African American race………WE don’t look bad, this single individual, looks suspect, until proven guilty!!!!!!You sir are borderline suspect with your comments!!!!! Check yourself!
By Paul Hamilton
May 14, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Its so funny reading the comments on here, it basically goes one way or the other with MV. Those defending him say he hasn’t done anything wrong, which isn’t necessarily true. He hasn’t been caught doing anything wrong in this case, at least not yet. Those hanging him out to dry basically claim everything he has done is criminal.
I think you defenders fail to miss the big picture. Mike Vick is one of the faces of the NFL, he is most definitely the face of the Falcons and city of Atlanta. He does get paid $130 million to win football games and to be the ambassador of this city. He is a role model to lots of children, black, white, asian, red, green…etc. He isn’t doing either right now, which makes him even more of a target.
The whole MV experience isn’t what is use to be, and it is wearing thin on a lot of people, including the man who signs his paychecks. Its a shame because MV seems to be a likeable person, he is just lacking in the common sense department.
By sowega Thug
May 14, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Hello sports world lets get to the chase Michael Vick is a Great athlete not the best quarterback but great at what he does this is why you drafted him as #1 he sells tickets before he came along your a* was dealing with a guy who would get in the playoffs and yarn at the line of scrimmage!!! This guy is a dual threat this year under petrino you will see that he can also throw as well as run about the other bs he’s an athlete not a role model role models are parents and most of them ain’t perfect so don’t try to confuse football and that other stuff football needs thugs are it would be pussyball and no tickets would sell azz holes
By Joe Don Barker
May 14, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
I have always been a big fan of Vick, and think that he is a good QB regardless of all the crap you read about how he’s “not a passer” etc. He does give us a chance to win week in and out. However, all this off field stuff has become a distraction and an embarrasment to the city and the team. Fighting pit bulls? Come on Vick. You’re a MULTI millionaire that’s constantly under the microscope. When you hit that status, you have to behave. You can’t be involved in illegal dog fighting, or trying to sneak your hash on a plane, or anything else that fuels the media blitz. They want to make you out a thug, and you keep proving them right.
I hate to say it, but it’s time to trade Vick. Too bad Joey Harrington is our backup.
By Joe Don Barker
May 14, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
yo Sowega - who cares how many tickets the Falcons sell? As a lifelong fan, I could care less. All I care about is them winning games - and THAT alone sells more tickets than one flashy player ever will. Look at the NE Patriots… do they sell out every game because fans want to see Corey Dillon? They sell out every game because the team wins. We don’t need Vick to sell tickets… we need a competitive team
By sowega Thug
May 14, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
If you want to be competitive give the guy some help he does his job and yeah he is for self but I can tell you didn’t do well in sports Joe Don Barker cause if it was you you would say damn them to and play they get Vick killed if it wasn’t for him ATLANTA would not even be a issue!!! who can he depend on other than his running backs, Hall of faker Keith Brooking, (your so called GA boy) What QB takes the whole team and put them on his back other than Vick he is the Falcons don’t give me that about New England Tom Brady will be just like Bledsoe he is a product of the system and Peyton never earned nothing he was always surounded by talent even in college VICK is not and never has been so to you all that don’t understand what it’s like to be on the field by your self you go suit up and have to lead your team to victory SUCKERS!!!!
By msteven
May 14, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
O.K. First my post is not for agreeing or disagreeing. I could give a ratz azz on either. I like Vick. I am not a huge football fan. I usually watch Falcons games. I have seen this Vick person move so fast he looks like a black version of the The Flash. There is something unique about No.7. thats a given. What I see that appears to be the problem, not with just this youngster. 26? 27? Too much, too soon. Not mature. Lots of folks(he thinks are his friends) Carring a what appears to be a bunch of No good, good for nothing Family members.(WE all got them, every last one of us on this blog so quit tripping. some of You(myself included) have sorry folks in our family that try to leech on us. Mike is no different. Thug? No such thing. Made up slang street term. The folks calling him a thug, I am sure you got a few Angels in your family too. You dont wanna go there with me because I will definiately Mow your azzes(i purposely spelled it like that instead of using “s”)down. Mike’s Company. He needs to Clean House. Family Members(Especially. got go. where ever the hell they(family members)were living before he signed that 130mil they need to go the hell Back. If that was the streets..oh well.He is not suppose to support his entire family. ie cousins, nephews etc. his immediate family. children, moms, maybe a sibling or two. And still giving a cousin an almost 800,000 having had to sell it for less then half 350,000 because of the Dog Problems is sad. This cousin really showed how grateful he was to Mike. I have no doubt in my mind the cousin was doing all kind of crap. Was Michael aware. I am going to say yes. And I will gladly apologize if its Proved he knew nothing. As one post said, either Mike is an idoit for not knowing what going on, on a property he owns and name is attached to. Hey MIKE! every heard of “Dropping By” to see how things are going? I mean the house was almost worth a million dollars. and you just give it to a cousin(a young cousin not much older then you) and never visit? Sorry Mike, I dont trust my cousins and relatives or so called friends like that. His cousin was not working.housed 70 pit bulls and others. Any pea brain should suspect hmmm..Let me check on this kid(cousin) In the words of the Queen of Soul, “Aint No Way” I am going to just give a house that large and property to any relative friend with my name and not occassionally even if I have to send PR(public relations )rep by just to check on things and bring back a report.If he and this cousin was so damn close, you mean he never visited the house. If he likes dogs so much(as I do(I own four shepherds) I should think he should be checking on the dogs just to see how they are doing. Something sounds fishy. His past woes..the herpes(which i believe) the weed smell(which I believe, never knew jewery smells like weed. remind me to sniff my necklace when I get it out the shop) The obsene gesture.(That was his way of saying thanks for the $130 suckers!) Nawww..he was just frusterated but with the millions he make. Frusteration goes with the terroritory. Your getting millions to loose games. (Your a millionare but no one promised you a rose garden) Can He Change. With all of these distractions..it remains to be seen. But I will say this..Arthur Blank’s patience is wearing thinner as we speak.The NFL aint playing and if they do find out he was directly involved they Will Act. Unlike most on this board. I wish him well. I dont wanna be him(never did)I feel kind of bad for him.but it aint over yet. Many thought Kobe, Michael Jackson, was going to jail. They still free. However, I dont see neither Kobe or Michael endorsing Anything of late. Wonder why :-/? OJ and Robert Blake both found innocent but I dont believe Hollywood is trying to cast them in the latest movie. Neither is that old. I do believe even if your cleared of something, once Public opinion of you has faded. its bascily over. Heres some advise Mike. Clean HOUSE! literally. Get rid of ya dawgs(friends) if you got a passion for pit bulls( change to shepherds, or co-cker spaniels or something!) Join a club for displaced youths. show them how to be a quarterback whatever.Get rid of all those mooching family members and friends. And grow the hell up. Your going on 30 in a couple of years. your not a teenager anymore so stop trying to act and dress like one. Grow the hell up!