The Bird Babe

By Dennis Green

November 26, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are Exactly who we thought they were!

By It is just hilarious to watch

November 26, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

these clowns implode week after week, year after year, decade after decade. It’s funny. Ha-ha funny.

By chichi

November 26, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

Yeah this game wasnt Vicks fault he ran and ran trying to put the team on his back Roddy White is a BUST. Oline sucked fire the whole staff draft Calvin Johnson trust me he will catch 9 out of the 10 balls that are recivers drop.

By marbo

November 26, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

I am a calmer person at this point. I realize that the falcons will not make the playoffs this year. I also realize that mike vick makes mistakes and he takes stupid chances. But i also realize that other than Alge Crumpler, he is do it all by himself. True Schaub might throw more with more accuracy, but damn might vick gives his all on the field and he takes a hell of a lot of hits and those damn receivers refuse to catch the ball. The play calling is atrocious, and the offensive line is even worse. I wish he would go to another team because he will never be a tradional passer but if he is put in a position where an offensive coordinator can design an offense for him he will be unstoppable. I see the potential, i see the flaws, someone is going to take advantage of it all one day and own the league because of it. I know i am going on and on but it helps to heal the hurt. I just think these coaches are not tough enough for this team. They need to get in Mike Vick’s a* and force him to be better. The way that Dan Reeves was doing. He was not in awe of Vick’s skills. Roody white is full of s, Mike Jenkins is full of s, Lelie is full of s*, the offensive line and passing blocking are two separate conversations. I LOVE the Falcons but i cant stand this type of a whooping.

By DEADBIRD

November 26, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora and staff have completely lost this team.

Blank, you made a mistake firing Reeves, we forgive you for that. But now is time to rectify that mess by letting this current staff go. You said 8-8 would not be good enough, you’re probably looking at 6-10 at best. This team has quit. I hope you’re as sick of it as I am.

By Chris McAndrew

November 26, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Vick is awful awful awful awful as a passer. He needs to move to running back or receiver as I’ve been saying for many many months. He can’t throw the ball, all he can do is run so what’s the point of him being the quarterback. Also, if he moves to receiver or running back then he could throw the ball on occasion on a handoff.

By Mark

November 26, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Put the fork, they’re done. First thing tomorrow, if Falcons managment has any balls, White should be filing for unemployment. I look at the schedule and I ask myself, “who can they beat?” I’m thinking 5-11 or maybe 6-10. Rich McCay was a genius we had to have, why?

By dean

November 26, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

I never heard of lelie having a problem dropping balls before he came to atlanta. plummer who is more accurate than vick, but the same basic type of quarterback could not make it work.

By KneeJerk

November 26, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

Where’s Marion Campbell?

By Jeff D

November 26, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

If we scored TD’s the two times we settled for field goals in the first half, it would have been a different game. Knapp’s red zone play calling stunk in the first half. Knapp should be fired.

Also, we would have had a chance if Roddy White had caught the pass he dropped. That drop was inexcusable. He needs to be demoted, again…I don’t care how much money he makes. Vick, Crumpler and the remainder of the team has absolutely no confidence in Roddy White or Mike Jenkins. They are horrible. And why is Lelie always getting his feet tangled with the DB’s? That seems to happen once a game.

I’m tire of these “high character” guys dropping balls. Let’s fire Knapp and pursue Randy Moss in the offseason.

By ATLien73

November 26, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

Good comments Marbo.

I’m just in complete disbelief of what is happening to our Falcons! I seriously feel sorry for the heat that MV is taking when these TERRIBLE receivers continue to drop pass after pass after pass.

While I DO believe that Vick has some improvements to make to be one of the greatest ever, how much more can people criticize this guy, when you see the atrocities-called-wide-receivers that we put on the field week end and week out. Both Knapp AND George Stewart need to go! Again I ask, WHY DO WE HAVE A FORMER OL AS OUR WR COACH AGAIN????

By JM

November 26, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Unless this team rallies and goes 5-0 down the stretch to make the playoffs (which isn’t going to happen), I don’t see how Mora can save his job. Last year’s collapse was bad enough, but this year’s has been even worse. Mora’s players probably like him, considering he makes every excuse for their poor play, but they don’t respect him. If they did, they wouldn’t lay down and die like this two years in a row.

Mora is finished.

By Dan reeves

November 26, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Hoping A.Blank was handing out pink slips down on the sideline after this sitcom of a football game.RODDY WHITE..YOU JUST PLAIN SUCK!!!MY 15 YR OLD SON COULDVE MADE THAT CATCH..MAN YOU SUCK!!

By KneeJerk

November 26, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

NO MORE ex-49ers on this team!

By Tired Falcon Fan

November 26, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

i don’t know where to start…the offensive play calling is horrible…offensive line is horrible, QB play is horrible…the defense gets tired quick…no depth…Dhall is overrated…COACHING IS SUSPECT AT BEST!!!…WE NEED T.J.DUCKETT BACK!!!! AT LEAST WE KNOW WHEN HE COMES IN IT’S A TD!!! RECEIVERS COULDN’T CATCH A COLD IF YOU THREW IT AT THEM!!! MORA IS HORRIBLE!!

By Chris

November 26, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

BB,

I disagree about the comment on the play calling. While it wasn’t revolutionary, they did get back to running the ball alot more and decided to let Vick be Vick and call designed running plays tailored to his ability. Today’s loss was a combo of the whole team giving up. Vick did stink throwing the ball (9 of 24), but as you said he was also let down with some unacceptable drops by the receivers.

This game was over in the fisrt quarter. N.O. came out stretching the field and once they were up 14-0 you could kiss it good night. The Falcons can’t play from behind.

I think if they’re going to continue starting Vick, then run him like they did today. Its the only way you’ll get consistent production out of him.

By Najeh Davenpoop

November 26, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Five dropped passes, including one which surely would have been a TD and 2 which would have kept drives alive on 3rd down. Cut all 3 starting receivers. Now. Start Youngblood and Jennings at WR for the rest of the year. Look at Vick’s stats, and add 5 completions, a TD, and about 80-90 yards passing to it and they are quite respectable, especially when you combine them with 160 yards rushing. In fact, who is our WRs coach? It is not that hard to get 3 first-round picks to grow hands.

Mora, Knapp, and Donatell should have been fired after last season. Throughout this season they have showed us how awful they are at developing players, making in-game adjustments, play-calling, pretty much everything a coach is supposed to do. On both the long TDs the Saints had, Donatell rushed 3-4 guys and played zone. If he had watched any film of this year’s defense, he would know that nearly every big play the Falcons gave up in the passing game came when there was no blitz and they played zone. There is no excuse for Arthur Blank to keep employing this sorry excuse for a coaching staff.

I am not going to blame the O-line for the pressure on Vick; if Knapp won’t even let Vick audible into a quick throw or change the protection, you can’t blame the line for not picking up the right blitzer. The Saints consistently rushed 5-6 guys on every play, and the Falcons could do nothing to adjust to that. Considering the circumstances, the line actually played pretty well.

FIRE MORA, KNAPP AND DONATELL. THEY ARE THE WORST COACHING STAFF IN THE NFL.

By drmondo

November 26, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

It’s time to sit some WRs and OL, fire a coordinator or two and start DEMANDING results. If Mora wants to keep his job he’d better start lighting a fire underneath some people. Its time to send a message to the team, owner and fans. Knapp has to be canned, sit White and anybody else who gave such a half-a**ed effort…I haven’t seen the Falcons play with such a lack of commitment since David Archer.

By jwpave

November 26, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

Injuries or no injuries, the coaching and preparation on this team is horrible! It is a shame that even with a good owner who has a passion for winning, we are still the same old sorry Atlanta franchise.

I think the entire coaching staff needs to be turned over and find a staff that will accept Vick is not a pocket passer and create opportunities for him.

I have always said and will say it again, the Atlanta sports franchises have always been pathetic from the top down and I have to laugh when we call the Braves a failure - BS, they are the only franchise in the town that is respected in the sports arenas.

I look forward to another stress free holiday season without caring about this sorry Falcons team because they are done. Let’s get ready for another high draft pick and draft another can’t miss receiver.

By dan reeves

November 26, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

hoping A.Blank was handing out pink slips down on the sidelines.Man what a sitcom of a football game.roddy white,YOU SUCK..U SACK OF S**.MY 12 YR OLD SON COULDVE MADE THAT CATCH.MAN YOU SUCK BAD!!

By Larry

November 26, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

This team is poorly coached and poorly led. Yes, Vick had several spectacular runs, but we saw first hand—again—the difference between a running QB who can pass a little and a true, NFL QB whose PASSING skills compliments his running game. When this team gets behind, there’s no hop with Vick at QB.

But, Vick is what he is and at least he trys. Greater fault lies in the coaching. The big plays allowed are the direct result of poor preparation.

By Brian

November 26, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

When is Blank going to fire Mora? Hell, Blank needs to sell the team. This is pathetic. He has done nothing with this team . He bought the Falcons with Mike Vick already here and had the chance to build a powerhouse. Instead he hires the defensive coordinator from a team whose defense is mediocre to be the head coach. Blank wants a head coach who will not stand up to him when he chats it up with coach during the game. Blank sucks as an owner.

By mj

November 26, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Hey Blank, we the fans want to see what you are made of. Enough is enough! Call Marcus, he would tell you not to put up with this crap!!

By Elijah Thompson

November 26, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

It was truly sad to watch today. Vick was running for his damn life. That damn Roddy White… Jenkins…. Lelie…, all f(**ing suck, how the hell they ever get drafted? Vick really need to get in these guys faces. I still believe Vick can be a passer wit the right coaching and personnel. The coaching staff gots to go. Mike Vick, hang in there. Damn weak a* recievers!!!!!!!!!

By doctor

November 26, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

Vick should be a running back.

MOVE VICK NOW.

By Boots

November 26, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

I’m assuming the conspiracy theory has been put to rest. This team will underperform, regardless of who coaches. There is an absense of leadership on the field —- someone to show some emotion and get in the face of those who are underachieving! The Field General is the quarterback. MV7 put on a show running up and down the middle of the field. Quite a rushing show by the quarterback, but one touchdown doesn’t win many NFL games.

By Tom

November 26, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

Being the Thanksgiving weekend the only good thing I can says is I’m thankful for High School football. The High school kids never quit and always play for pride. Once you get your money in the Pro’s I guess there is no need for doing the best you can. Alge Crumpler is the only consistant Pro on this team ALL the others are just living the life and not performing on the field.

By Najeh Davenpoop

November 26, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

Dean, the Broncos traded Lelie after they had demoted him in training camp. After going through last year with Lelie as their #2 receiver, they were so desperate about their receiver situation that they traded a 2nd round pick for Javon Walker, who was just coming off ACL surgery. Lelie was b*** and whining all through training camp after his demotion, and what do you know, the Falcons were perfectly happy to trade for him. They should have known they were getting an inconsistent, drop-prone, soft WR who is unwilling to go over the middle and can’t run routes properly.

By falcondawg

November 26, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

I, personally, don’t want to see our current staff draft anymore players. It seems that everyone they bring in is a bust or permanently injured (Milloy, Webster, White, Jenkins, Abraham, Hartwell,etc). Like you, Marbo, I love the Falcons and whuppings like this are so depressing.

Finally, thanks, Bird Babe, for keeping this space real for us fans who want to talk Falcons and not show our ignorance on it.

By daniel davis

November 26, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Feel the same way. No way did I expect this dismal showing. The questionable play calling and inexcusable dropped passes have taken their toll, and then some. Whatever hope that’s left is straining. By the by, is calvin johnson entering the draft?

By Imsickofthis

November 26, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

This team begin to go into the crapper the day Blank gave the big contract to Vick. This town cuts him (Vick) way to much slack. But, if I’m the billionaire owner of a football team, someone loses their job tonight, be it a player or a coach, after this embarrassment.

By Raleigh Dog

November 26, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Watch for Vick to be in big trouble for flipping off the crowd,not once but at least twice. He’s got no class. No character.

By Mohamed

November 26, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

The last play of the first half convinced me that the coaching staff is not up to the standard and ambition of Mr. Blank and the fans. We falcons fans have past those times and should never be reminded of them. Coach Mora and your coaching team, YOU ARE FIRED!

By Sam T

November 26, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

That did it for me. I will not give the Falcons another dollar or watch any more of them until a major change is made. Either Mora and staff have to go (except DeCamillis) or Vick does. I believe that Mora is a Vick-killer. The Falcons are dead to me.

By DAN REEVES

November 26, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Hoping A Blank was handing out pink slips down on the sidelines.what a sitcom of a football game.roddy white,U SUCK MAN..MY 12 YR OLD SON COULDVE MADE THAT CATCH.U ARE HORRIBLE.MAN WHAT A BUST U TURNED OUT TO BE ALONG WITH . JENKINS AND LELIE.

By Andy

November 26, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I am not sure if anyone noticed but there was a reciever who dropped a pass….what was his name…oh yeah …the entire wide recieveing core. The drop by white was the game. Period. Yes we suck in the red zone. Yes we will bring back duckett for next year. Hope Finneran will be back to actually catch balls. That alone will improve the red zone. The secondary has to begin with coaching. The d-line when it got preasure the saints went 3 and out. The falcons lost last week on sprecial teams—this week on two plays by the saints(and lack of defense) and one by white. The falcons decision to either fish or cut bait with white will be interesting. I am so angry and disappointed—-the falcons….another year huh?

By Ron Roberts

November 26, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

You could see, when Mora hit his knees, he had no answres for what ails this team.

That being said, it’s time to cut our loses and let him go. Then his dad can say whatever he wants to on the radio without repurcssions.

I mean, look, it’s not like the Saints are that much better than this team; they’re just better coached, better schemed, and better focused.

And let’s be honest… none of these supposed first round wide recievers were eye-popping draft picks, and Rich McKay’s not really done anything (short of throwing away those picks)to address this malady.

And I’m not a big Vick supporter, but you have to ask yourself… if he can get the ball TO their hands (right before they drop ‘em), then how is he the problem? The guy flat-out ran his @ss off, and we still lost. He threw the ball where only Ashley Lelie could catch it..only where Mike Jenkins could catch it… only where Roddy White could catch it… what more do these guys want?

Save for the hail mary, and the late drives in the 4th, the defense should signs of returning to decency, actually. But those guys have to learn that every play needs 100% focus and discipline.

Discipline. This team lacks that in every phase of the game. The Saints addressed that problem when they let their “player-favorite” coach go last season, and it’s not too early to do it now in Atlanta, either. I’m sure they like the guy, but 5-6 won’t cut it.

The losses to Detroit and Cleveland were unforgivable, together. Lose one, you shrug it off as “trap game;” you lose both, back-to-back, and you have to question coaching and leadership.

Time to address the personnel positions and head coach, too. The further from Dan Reeves’ finger prints we are, the worse this team gets. Any correlation?

By falcondawg

November 26, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

C’mon KneeJerk, let’s not have a kneejerk reaction to this situation!!

By bk hawk

November 26, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

++Time for Blanks to step up and fire Mora and co. Talks cheap and don’t win games, Mora got to go. Make the call Dan Reeves will respond and give him control to clean house. Vick had his best year under Reeves. Have some balls and do it man. I love the Falcons but I can’t take no more of this crap.**

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

Bird Babe,

You seem a bit disconsolate. The crybabies will be out in ful force to join you. Was this game a “fix” too? it sure was, in that it fixed any playoff hopes the Foulcons may have had. Already, Vick apologists, including Bird Babe, are talking about his magnificent effort. True, he gained a lot of yards running, but it’s points that go on the scoreboard and the Foulcons scoring was remarkable in its paucity. Vick is not a quarterback! He wouldn’t be a very good running back either. He’s an experiment which has failed miserably. Time to replace him with someone who can put up points through the air. Brees, has passed for about two thousand yards in the last five games and the Saints are playing very well. The Foulcons are on their way to well deserved ignominy. Of the last nineteen games the Foulcons have lost twelve. Vick has quarterbacked each and every one of those pastings. Time to put in a real quarterback and start playing like a real NFL team. Bring on the excuses CRYBABIES! Let’s hear how it’s not Vick’s fault for twelve losses in nineteen games.

By DL

November 26, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

I am thankful that this loss didn’t p** me off today. I’ve accepted the fact that our Falcons are cooked. Yes they have no heart and the coaches are garbage. Mora is an idiot, he reminds me of the Braves. No fire, just smoke and mirrors. He truly is clueless out there. Reeves looked as if he was going to pop an artery out there, I wonder if Mora gives a damn. As many fans out there we hope Mr.Blank can eliminate this staff right now! Bring back Reeves.

By just call me Mr.

November 26, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

You keep telling

By Big Keith

November 26, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

FIRE THE WHOLE COACHING STAFF!!! NOW!!! Promote one of the other nobodys to head coach to finish out the season and put the REAL COACHES in the league on notice that we are in the market for their services. This game clearly showed that the problem with the Falcons is COACHING!! Vick couldnt even take a five step drop without having 3 opposing players in his face, Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and now its contagious Ashley Lelie, OH MY GOD, CATCH THE GOD-D@&!? BALL!!! Softzone kills the defense again until the second half, arm tackling, poor coverage, blown coverage, need I say more. The job of the coaching staff is to prepare his players for every eventuallity and to make adjustments to gain an advantage and put them in the best position to win games, that is not being done. No Defensive turnovers in I dont know how many games. what the fu*! GET RID OF THIS INEPT COACHING STAFF OF FRIENDS, the plethora of washed-up ex-49ers and childhood friends of Jim Mora from back when he grew up in Washington State. NO MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS, NO MORE MAGIC NOTEBOOKS, NO MORE JIM MORA JR or SR AND STAFF. ARTHUR BLANK PUT THEM ON THE 1ST THING SMOKIN OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jim Mora

November 26, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

It’s Arthur’s fault! If he’d get off the sidelines & out of my face maybe I could coach the team & keep it with in 14!

By Patrick

November 26, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

This team is an utter disgrace. The entire coaching staff needs to be fired.

By Elijah Thompson

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

WHOEVER SAID D HALL IS OVERRATED WAS RIGHT. HE AINT’T WORTH A F*** EITHER. WHEN IS HE GONNA START GETTING SOME OF THE BLAME. HE GOT HIS A* ROASTED ALL DAY.

By Boo

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

Unbelievably pitiful. Been a Falcons fan since 1975. Unbelievably pitiful.

By slim

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

You can definitely stick a fork in them. The sad thing is that there are so many areas of deficiency, it’s hard to know where to get started.

By Phat Phalcon

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

I was at the game today and am thoroughly disgusted. Just in case they print it my son and little brother had their picture taken by an AJC photographer holding up a sign asking Mr. Blank if they can coach the team. My son is the one in the Dunn jersey wearing eyeblack with 440 written on it. He did this because Reggie Bush put his area code on his in college. In case you’re wondering 440 is the outer Cleveland, OH area. I grew up here and transferred to Cleveland 4 years ago. I came down for Thanksgiving and used an extra vacation day so I could travel Monday instead of Sunday just so I could go to the game. I also went to the game at Detroit as it is only three hours away. My dad has had season tickets since I was a kid and I have paid for the NFL TV package and travelled to several cities to see games live. What, Mr. Blank, will you do to satisfy me and all the other irate customers?? You are in danger of losing us Mr. Blank.

By 64ghs

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

In all my years I’ved watch the falcons I’ve never been so disappointed in my life. This is an old rivialry I don’t care what the record is, you go out fired up and beat the hell out of the saints. You don’t drop passes,miss field goals, miss tackles, oh yeah and you don’t run 3 pass plays in a row near the goal line. Blank wake up and fire Knapp now!!! Throw Mora in there to while your at it.

By Michael

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

For all y’all punks who get on these blogs every week and dog, blame, your QB who’s doing everything in his power too win games! You need to be a shame of yourselfs! This coaching staff hast got to go! Knapp and his mess! Donatell and his mess! As well as Mora! Older Mora called Vick a coach killer! Please! His staff is a talent, and really the killers of his son coaching career! Blank you just lost your fan base! By letting top notch reciever’s go to Dallas & Oakland! This s** about chracter doesn’t get you nothing but dropped passes, and poor route running, your QB sacked! And team called a laughing stock! If you jerks get on these blogs today with all your racial tones, insults, etc!!!! The AJC should ban your E-Mail address everytime preventing from logging on too their web site! And them turned in to the Law Enforcement for a possibility for hate crimes!

By BirdDawg

November 26, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

RICH MAN!!!

I’ve had it with this coaching staff!!!

This is all your fault!!!

You should have hired Lovie Smith, a mature adult instead of that petulant child Jimmy Mora!!!

You should have fired Greg Knapp last year!!!

All the blame for this team falls at YOUR feet!!!

By Eric C.

November 26, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Bird Babe,

There were 2 plays that REALLY decided this game…the ridiculous TD at the end of the first half…and the drop by Roddy White inside the 10 on 3rd down. After Roddy’s drop, the Saints took control. Take away those 2 mistakes and the game is completely different.

Sure, there were other problems… especially with the red zone offense…but the fact is that the defense did a good job after the first quick scores…and the Falcons really controlled the ball well, up until Roddy’s miscue, and had ZERO turnovers.

Those 2 HUGE mistakes above are the difference between winning and losing in the NFL.

With all that said. The Panthers and 49ers losses today were huge. The Falcons WILL go to the playoffs by winning the last five games including a win over Carolina and a win over Philly…you have to move forward and take what you can get at this point.

By ustabebird

November 26, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Put a fork in ‘em folks, they’re done. Now we go into the (for the falcons) triennial (or so) exercise of finger-pointing, coach-firing, etc., etc. Sorry, Mr. Blank. You were a rookie owner, though very experienced and successful businessman, who hired a guy (Mora) who was more big-company corporate politician than real NFL coach. You hired him because he had his team all picked out and his plan in place. I bet he even gave you a PowerPoint presentation. Well, we’ll find out how much you learned. My bet: not much. See ya, Falcons!

By Fuzzy

November 26, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

They are not utilizing Vick’s skills. Get Schaub and vick in the same backfield. Vick is a runner, not a passer. Schaub is a passer. Combine the two and look out. It’s a different concept, but nothing else is working. Try something radically new—but what do I know?

By Garet Hartshorn

November 26, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I watched the falcons for years. I tell this I will nolonger buy tickets or waste another weekend on this team. I have loved football all my life but the Falcons have destroyed my interest. I agree Mike Vick could be great, but the system he works with is counter productive and does not aid Mike win the game. I urge others to voice thier opinion to the owner. Accountablity is useless unless a plan to succeed is forward. I am perhaps uniquely qualified to force this opinion, because I am part of the Ford Atlanta Assembly plant salaried employee, the 2005 winner of the Harbour Award.

By Rich

November 26, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

This team has quit, and all the rah, rah stuff from Mora makes me sick. The coaching staff has no heart and that translates to the entire team, this team is pathetic. It’s time to call out some people and stop patting these professional (and I use that loosely) on the back and starting holding them accountable. I’m not a Vick fan but I believe the guy plays his heart out and the rest of this team is just going through the motions.
Deanglo Hall talks about he’s all pro, all world or whatever it is he calls himself but over the last few weeks he’s proven to be nothing more than an average (if that) corner back. Mr. Blank fired Dan Reeves a hall of famer in the middle of the season I hope he’ll extended that same courtesy to Jim Mora Jr.

By Vikingsouth

November 26, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

It occured to me watching the game from home today (having sold my tickets) That one of the most glaring problems facing the Falcons is overinvolvement by Arthur Blank. If it’s true that Blank wants to evaluate the whole team from top to bottom, including himself, that’s a good sign. Think about it- he decided to overpay for Peerless Price, Keith Brooking, and other free agents, which put the Falcons in a salary bind. Then he named 20 different people to various titles in the organization, some of whom obviously don’t know their roles. To top that off, he gets emotionally involved with the players, which is a big no-no. How can you profess to be so concerned with guys you may have to let go just like that? You can’t. Don’t go ove to Greg Knapp and pat him on the knee like you did today, either. Yoy’re going to have to fire him. To me, Blank suffers from “Ted Turner Syndrome”, where he wants to sticks his fingers in every pie and look over everyone’s shoulder every five minutes. Arthur, just get out of the way, hire a good GM and coach, and let them do their job.

By bmparham

November 26, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

THE FALCONS NEED TO GET RID OF RODDY WHITE, MIKE JENKINS , AND LELIE MONDAY MORNING, OTHER WIDE RECEIVER MAKE OUTSTANDING CATCHES BUT THE ATLANTA FALCON RECEIVER CATCH A COLD OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW NAKE. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COACH, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MIKE VICK., BUT THE PLAY CALLING , PLEASE. I AM A WOMAN AND I LOVE THE FALCON BUT COULD CALL PLAYING BETTER THAN THAT. 1ST AND GOAL YOU RUN THE BALL NO PASS

By Voice of Reason

November 26, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

Bird Babe Nails It! Atta girl, you sure know what is going on.

We all do. Why doesn’t everyone else on the coaching staff and management?

If the Falcons are to salvage anything this season, they must play with intensity. Mike Vick looks like he has already mailed it in. Like he has done everything and no one else has done anything. What a joke. If he could see the pass receivers running the routes, he would not have to run as much. Taking two sacks today, one in the red zone was just plain dumb.

Mora has to have the guts to change things up a little bit. Now.

1. Bench Roddy White, Mike Vick, Mike Jenkins, Warrick Dunn.

2. Fire Greg Knapp

3. Mora needs to stop being a buddy to these players. It only makes them under perform. Did you see the kiss on the helment of Mike Vick before the game? What in the world was that?

4. End the games at least trying to get a score. Running the ball out at the end, for crying out loud what an embarassment.

This is lousy watching a team that won’t even try to play for 60 minutes. Finish the Drill

Wasted Beautiful Sunday Afternoon, with only myself to blame for watching these underperformers. If I were a fan with tickets I would not show up for sure. I have watched these Falcons for years (since 66) and have watched management fire the only two coaches worth their weight (Bennett and Reeves), true football men not fancy smancy new wave buddy coaches. I would not coddle this bunch of freeloaders. Its time to run some gut checks in this locker room!

Sick of losing.

By Phil

November 26, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

If you are a true fan last season you could tell White could not catch every pass that touch his hand he drop or he bobbled the pass before he drop the ball. He is the worst in NFL HISTORY ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER JENKINS LIELEI FALLS DOWN ON EVERY LONG PASS HAVE ANYONE NOTICE THAT. MORA, KNAPP, AND THE REST OF THIS CREW NEED TO B LINE IT OUT OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA THEY ARE THE WORST EVER.

By Lynne

November 26, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

BirdBabe, Thank you for not tolerating the racial insults that have infected the blogs for the last few days.

Its clear that the 2004 season was really a result of a team put together by Reeves, and Mora & Co simply reaped some fast rewards.

By Mack

November 26, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

As Per Usual, The Falcoons Stunk Up The Joint! NO GAME!! This Sorry A* #21 Gave Up 2 Touchdowns Today Along With Crocker! Vick Does Not Have The Mentality To Get Rid Of The Ball Rather Than Taking The Sack!! The “D” Gives Up The Long Ball Again & Again..Not Much Of A Rush Untill 2nd Half..Offense SUCKS Big Time Week After Week..How In The Hell Can We Lead The League In The Running Game???? Take Away Vicks Runs & We Got To Be DEAD LAST!!I Really Believe The RECEIVERS Are Betting On The Other Team..Thats Why They Keep Droping The Ball!! Wonder How Many Falcons Could Suite Up For A Contending Club??? Maybe 3 Tops..Im Sick Of This Suck A* Franchise..Blank On The Sidelines Offering Condolences, Mora Kissing Mikie On The Helment..What A Bunch Of Crapola!! Flowery Branch For Address..Gimme A Break!! Falcons SUCK, Have Always SUCKED, Will Continue To SUCK!!!!!!!!!!

By Jacob Wood

November 26, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Vick won’t ever be Peyton Manning, but if you give him HALF of the drops this year and he’s got a few hundred more yards and at least a few more wins. Even with all the injuries on defense, which can’t be avoided, our receivers are KILLING us. The coaches do make interesting decisions, but no amount of savvy play calling is gonna make up for five drops! All three of those WR’s are worthless, and it’s killing us.

By just call me Mr.

November 26, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

You keep telling me how Vick is the problem and i’ll keep telling you how you know nothing about football!This guy is busting his a#$.These recievers suck and the OC sucks,thus you lose.Why is it that Donatell does not figure out he needs to blitz until the second half of every game and Knapp forgets thath this is big boy football and you have to run the football inside the ten.Give me a break!!!!

By e.b.

November 26, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

I think that anyone that questions heart is foolish. Anyone that questions his skill, is an even bigger fool. I think anyone with any kind of football knowledge, will realize that Vick CANNOT do it all. I see no-one step up today. I saw more dropped passes, and the one that capped it -Roddy White’s drop, was mind boggling. This team has no identity, the O-Line continues to be a mess, and Vick more times than not, is simply running for his life. The season is over, 4 dreadful losses in a row, and especially to a team like the Saints. The Falcons had no momentum, no anger. If they can’t get hyped up for the Katrina Bowl rematch, than they can’t get hyped for anything. Here’s some things to look for in off season. Fire Mora & or Greg Knapp. Get some REAL O-Linemen. You know, like some veterans that have been there before. Get some real receivers. You know, the kind that don’t drop passes. And while you’re at it, they might want to pick up a few guys to help Abraham & Kerney. Just some thoughts.

By Still-A-Fan

November 26, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Vick is like Michael Jordan in his prime playing for the Atlanta HAWKS. He cant do everything. Stop blaming him for everything. Most of it is his Offensive line and receivers. They all suck really bad. Mora needs to be fired and the team needs to be rebuilt. Its over for this year. Time to look ahead.

By "Ric The Greek"

November 26, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me??? This 4 games stretch has been absolutely unbelievable. Vick is a special talent whose skills are not being utilized by the coaches in place. Let’s get rid of Donatell and Knapp. San Fran got wise and sent them packing. We should now do the same. In addition, Roddy White has proven he’s not worthy of the first round pick we wasted on him. Let’s terminate his contract effective immediately and move on. If Michael Jenkins doesn’t improve during the remaining games, let’s do the same with him. Fianlly, since much was invested in Vick, why not invest the same to keep the kid protected. He was running again for his life today and if this continues, he will not finish the season. This has been a very disappointing season to this point.

By Jason

November 26, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

I’m at the point now that I get violently angry when I see other receivers around the league make a tough catch. Our guys can’t even make a routine catch. Roddy White can’t even catch a ball when he’s STANDING STILL!

After that play, the game was over. It killed the team. I’m not going to buy this lack of heart argument, that’s a cop out. Tell Vick he didn’t have any heart today, he took a beating. On at least two plays (the White drop was one), he stared down a blitz, took a nasty hit, and delivered a catchable ball that was dropped.

I do agree with the criticism of Knapp, his play calling has been pretty awful for the last month or so. Donatell is kind of handcuffed with the injuries on the defensive side of the ball. When we’re starting Rossum at corner, we’re going to have problems.

By This gets Old!!!

November 26, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Nobody has been in awe of Vick’s skills. If there’s no time to even set up in that free fire zone that we call a pocket there’s no passing game possible.

Excepting Vick’s running the run game is dead. No rythmn in the passing game again but the big problem is not dropped passes….the big problem is NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO GET OPEN and even if they did they’re not running real patterns.

Look at the 3rd and 5+ plays and the Falcons run really, one of two plays. The “go” route or the shorter route (our line can’t block long enough for a crossing pattern)

But this is the true idiocy…ON PASSING DOWNS WE RUN FROM THE “I” AND IF YOU HAVE A SPY (usually in the middle) and if the ends have to play contain then there’s no where to go with the ball.

But the killer about dropped passes is this. It breaks up any momentum you have. You can’t keep the opposition offense out there and tired if you’re always dropping passes or more often in the Falcons case not getting open.

By Thomas

November 26, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are heading in the WRONG direction…7-12 in the last 19 games. Michael Vick is not the answer. He has no clue in the offense that is being run. The receivers are pityful. The offensive line is, well a joke. Our defense….what defense. There needs to be a major overhaul from the top down. As a 22 year season ticket holder I will not renew my season tickets next year. I’m tired of paying premium dollars and getting chump change in return…

Arthur, it’s time to drop back ten and PUNT!!

By JM

November 26, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

Exactly right, Lynne. Mora benefited in 2004 from having Reeves’ team, and we were pretty lucky that year if you think about it. The NFC was really week, especially the NFC South. Heck, we weren’t even that good. We only outscored our opponents by like 10 points that year. We were able to stay healthy, win some close games and catch some breaks and Mora looked like a genius. But you really find out what a coach is made of when he faces adversity, and Mora appears absolutely helpless when things start to go south.

By Brian

November 26, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts was right when he said “…but you have to ask yourself… if he can get the ball TO their hands (right before they drop ‘em), then how is he the problem?”

I say Vick is not the problem

By DAN REEVES

November 26, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

LAFFING MY A* OFF..ALL U SEASON TICKET HOLDERS.Y’ALL ENJOY THE REST OF THE SEASON..

By ThanksDAN

November 26, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Today proved without a doubt who got the best of the draft…Brees and LT for VICK. Laughable. Brees is much better of a QB and LT is a better running back. Thanks Dan….well at least you didn’t trade the pick for a Tight End.

By RealityisME

November 26, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

“”AFTER WHITE DROPPED THE BALL NEW ORLEANS SCORED 10 POINTS, SO LET’S NOT MAKE THAT A GAME CHANGING PLAY. NEW ORLEANS DROVE IT DOWN ATL’S THROAT ON THE NEXT DRIVE TO SCORE 3, THEN 7.”“

By RealityisME

November 26, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

AFTER WHITE DROPPED THE BALL NEW ORLEANS SCORED 10 POINTS, SO LET’S NOT MAKE THAT A GAME CHANGING PLAY. NEW ORLEANS DROVE IT DOWN ATL’S THROAT ON THE NEXT DRIVE TO SCORE 3, THEN 7.

By Big Play Ray

November 26, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

I thought BIG PLAY RAY was the worst DB in Falcons histroy, well D. HALL makes him look good. DID ANYONE SEE HIM TRYING TO PAD HIS STATS at the end of the half trying to get a interception instead of knocking down the ball. Nah, STAT MAN wanted a pick to put in his STAT BOOK. STAT MAN 21 need to be ambushed at the stadium and ticketed for impersonating a football player. The receivers are the worst in PRO BALL, please cut White 84, he must go. Good game Mike Vick, the rest of your team is horrible. HEY STAT MAN 21 go back to VT and get your degree your gonna need it soon.

By ugly

November 26, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

Fire Mora and crew NOW! Don’t wait. Do something with Vick (who shot birds at the crowd) besides play him. He can’t pass. Everything about this team is dreadful. Just dreadful.

By bill

November 26, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

My heart goes out to you season ticket holders. It is painful enough to watch on tv. I can’t imagine what it must be like to spend that kind of money, not to mention the time commuting for these results week after week.

By Yari

November 26, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

Playoffs? Dont talk about playoffs! Playoffs?

By lionel

November 26, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

Don’t jump on Vick, he did all he could. It is time to can this coaching staff. We are not out of this thing yet so Arthur make a move and get this team rolling again. Bring in Bobby Ross!

By joe

November 26, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

to the coaching staff for the falcons, i hope you enjoyed your stay in atlanta because by seasons end look for the unemployment line! the offense stinks, the defense sucks! the wide recievers ugh! don’t even do the simple thing and that is CATCH THE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!! you guys are 6 and 10 at best. history is going to repeat itself here, we had brett favre and traded him, now we have matt schaub and he will surely be gone after this season! he will be a star QB for a different team. Dan Reeves was right when he said that the falcons are going in the wrong direction when he was fired! Lovie Smith is the coach we should’ve hired! mike vick will never win us the superbowl! how many running quarterbacks have won the superbowl? i have season tickets for sale

By neck

November 26, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Who gives a rats a* if you’re the “TOP RATED RUSHING TEAM” in the league, if you keep having mediocre winning records???? Screw #1 rushing, GIVE ME A BALANCED ATTACK!

We’ve got this fascination with Mike Vick that, I’m afraid, we will never get over with. Maybe it’s his swagger, his strut, or whatever, but we’ve got the “deer in the headlights” look regarding Mike.

How many other teams have good “regular” QBs that are solid strong armed passers, that get the job done.

Until we get over our fascination with Mike, we’ll never have a good balanced team.

By Jack Walsh

November 26, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

It’s plain and simple. This season is over. Even if we were to “somehow” make it into the playoffs, we wouldn’t stand a chance to go anywhere. Fire the coaching staff now, and I mean NOWWWWWWWWW !!!!!

Give them the rest of this season to put their package in place, and try again next year.

Get rid of Roddy White,,, nothing but a salary drain. He has made 1 memorable catch this entire season.

Seriously look at the possiblity of Shaub at QB and have a running back trio of Vick, Dunn and Norwood. We sure couldn’t do any worse than we are now.

It’s just sad really,,, what a waste of talent.

By DAN REEVES JR.

November 26, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc2pAtAA85I&mode=related&search=

By craig

November 26, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

Mr. Mora JR sold Mr. Arthur Blank a bill of goods in his job interview. Mr. Blank being such an astute businessman should have known better.

FIRE MORA!!!!!!!

BENCH M. VICK….

Give SCHAUB a chance!!!!!

By So, Vick is an athlete

November 26, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

So, Mike Vick is a great athlete…so the f#(k what?!?

Hey, why not sign Roman Sebrle, the decathlon gold medalist from the 2004 Olympics? He’s a BETTER athlete than Mike Vick, therefore a better quarterback.

Right?

This is just f#(king ridiculous, to continue to let a talentless QUARTERBACK to continue to play the game. Sure, Vick is an athlete, but he’s no QUARTERBACK, and, last time I checked, that was the position he was playing out on the field.

Well, I guess I’m just a racist, huh?

By Joe

November 26, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need to sit down and wonder if they want to be a team or a bunch of superstars. The hail mary was a joke. If Hall would have simple knocked the ball down instead of trying to get the interception (fame), we would have been in a better position in the 2nd half.

By Rob Rodgers

November 26, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

been a falcon fan since ‘67 and i could justify terrible teams by thinking they are still a new team. but now, after making fans really hopeful, they stink again. it appears that as a team, individuals may differ, but as a team, they do not have enough pride as professionals to live up to the sales pitch they themselves participated in. It sucks and it has for too long. I don’t live in Atlanta anymore and cannot attend games so I ask the fans who can go, make your opinion heard with your feet and stay away from the ball park…if their performance is poor, so should the attendance be. Nothing personal, just business.

By Don't blame the coach

November 26, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

It isn’t mora’s fault. There is only so much the coach can do, the better question is who keeps drafting these first rounds busts. I’m not talking about Delo, he has SUCKED this year but it doesn’t take much of a brain to draft top 10…..but later in the draft, its bust after bust after bust for this franchise, roddy white, who scouted this kid? What Jerry Rice plays for a small school 20 years ago and people think every small town kid can play under the bright lights. He has stage fright every time he gets out there.

All our big time FA acquisitions are questionable. Hartwell-Bust. Abraham-all those surgery’s, and all that money? We have the highest payroll in the ENTIRE NFL, an aging RB, our defensive line is so bad we have the fatests most out of shape player possibly in the entire league out there and he is actually the best guy on the line lately.

Kearney before he went out has always been one dimensional a work our warrior that comes up big in meaningless games and disappears in big ones, but jesus these WR’s, they are atricous.

I don’t blame Mora, I do think they need to make some changes at coordinator positions, but the coach shouldn’t take the fall here. We just don’t have play makers, we are good on paper but we are bad in the trenches, and roddy white is just horrendous. I lived in Denver and Lelie was known to not go over the middle there, but in order to do well in the NFL you have to draft well and not overpay for players, the falcons haven’t done either well. Expensive free agents, bad high round draft choices…….no money this offseason.

I’d trade every WR we have and Schaub for that WR from GT. If they don’t get something for Schaub after how Rivers and Romo have done, then i give up.

By Gordon

November 26, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

I’m glad I’m not a Falcons fan. It’s bad enough being a Tech fan. If I was both, I think I would kill myself.

By AJ

November 26, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

I wonder of the younger Mora still thinks his dad was wrong? I also wonder if the younger Mora still believes he would pick Vick over any other player of all time if given one choice of who he would pick to start a team with?

By Miller

November 26, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Come on this is bad , when you have guys drop balls all day , when you QB is the leading Rusher on the day… I love the falcons but thing have to change… to me when your team can’t score more that 14 points in the last 4 games someone as to go… that just the NFL… this Season can be saved but the team is going to have to step up an make plays & not just quit….

By mr-glass

November 26, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

“… disgrace to us blacks…”? Who talks or even writes like that? Anyway…

I like to keep a pretty positive outlook but we are through the looking glass here, people.

I know alot of folks are calling for Vick’s head, but the way I see it, we got to the NFC championship game with Vick at QB.

I think our underachieving WR corps. is a bigger problem. Roddy White should be cut to make a statement. That drop may have ended our season.

By Jim Mora

November 26, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

Some people say that there’s an owner to blame, but I know….da da da da da Hell it might be my fault! Arthur, once again, get back in your box and out of my ear!

By Team Quit!

November 26, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

From Mora on down to Roddy White, this team flat quit today. To not go for it on 4th down with 4 minutes left in the game pretty much said “we give up”. In addition, it was a slap in the face of the remaining fans for the Falcons to run out the final 2 minutes without a pass play. Here’s a message for the coaches: KEEP TRYING UNTIL THE CLOCK READS ZERO! You owe it to the fans, players, and owner to keep trying to score. This team is a total mess and Blank has his work cut out for getting the fans back onboard.

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

Mr. Hartshorn,

You are uniquely qualified to represent the fan base of the Foulcons. Would you please convey to Mr. Blank our desires for a thorough house cleaning? Please ask him to dismiss all the coaches and to rid himself of Vick. We need real coaches and a real quarterback. Congratulations on that Harbour Award. Very impressive!

By Phat Phalcon

November 26, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

BTW I mentioned it on the other blog but, no kidding, DAN REEVES WAS ON THE SIDELINE WITH BLANK before the game. Don’t know what it means but I found it curious.

By richard c davis

November 26, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

The falcons are a terrible football team. Until they get rid of that worthless vick, fire the entire coaching staff, they will always be what they are now. Mediocre at best.

By reddawg67

November 26, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is not a passing QB. He will never take Atlanta to a league championship. He is the greatest QB to ever run up and down the field….but how many points did he score doing that today? Answer = ZERO

Vick shows no emotion on or off the field. He has collected his millions which are tucked away in the bank.

Mora should have been in White’s face after that dropped pass. The coaching staff is worthless….they need to go! As for Arthur Blank….he wipes Vick’s nose and gives him a little pat on the head. That says it all!

By William Andrews

November 26, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

Trade Vick!!! He is not what this team needs and can succeed somewhere else with a fresh start. Didnt the Saints do that this year and isnt it working? Its not all Vicks fault though. Mora is more interested in being “down” with the players and not a coach figure. The players should respect the coach but also fear him. Mora is jsut another one of the guys with no guidance. Bring back the Gritz Blitz days because this sucks!!

By Paul

November 26, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

So Peyton Manning would be “Peyton Manning” with these WR’s and OL?? What’s Tom Brady’s year been like since losing WR’s and OLmen?

Vick’s not a pocket passer??? What FREAKIN’ POCKET?????????

If Schaub is so great why won’t anybody really offer something for him, huh??? He hasn’t even played and there’s a reason so shut it down.

By singletary

November 26, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Let’s rename the WR’s on our team. They are WIDE, but not wide receivers. WIDE stands for Will Impecably Drop Everything.

Vick ran for his life. He was not getting even three seconds to go through his reads.

By Fred

November 26, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

It’s unfortunate the way the season has gone with such high hopes and so much work upgrading both the defense and offense. Mike Vick is just one person who leads a team. He can’t win by himself. Personally, I do not think the coaching staff i.e. Mora, Knapp and Donatell are the coaches to take the Falcons to the next level. I only hope Mr. Blank protects his investment by making some critical changes soon.

By PUPDADDY

November 26, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

With Mike Vick under center Atlanta will never be any good. Want to trade for our back up QB (New Orleans).

By Eric

November 26, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

LMAO!!!!

You guys should have traded Vick last year when you could have a least gotten a second round draft pick.. as it is, cut him now.. don’t even let him play RB where he belongs. All you chilly’s out there calling for Mora’s head when his “coach killer” QB get’s no blame are CLUELESS!!

By taco slammer

November 26, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

This team is damn near back to where it was when the Smith family owned the team. Arthur Blank has to make a move of some sort. There are multiple choices when it comes to possible blood letting, from 1st round picks that can’t catch a cold or coaches who are clearly not coaching effectively.

While I am not a true believer that Mike Vick can take this team all the way, with the poor pass blocking and all the dropped balls, he gets a pass from me at this point. Blank must make a move. We are a team in complete disarray.

By self mutilating lifetime falcon fan

November 26, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

I have always supported the Falcons, and I love Vick’s play-making, but it is time to try something else. Vick has no leadership and he is ripping my guts out week after week. I want some normality. Just a thought - trade Vick to the Raiders (Al Davis can’t resist)for Mike Huff and their first rounder (Calvin Johnson or Duane Jarrett). Yes I know another receiver, but these guys can really play.

By RealityisMe

November 26, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

VICK’S RUNS MEANT NOTHING. 127 yards rushing in the first half was an NFL record for QB’S. Result: 6 points. New Orleans bent and bent but didn’t break.

And as you heard Vick’s 10 yard sack may have cost the team 6 points.

Vick is a Stewart/clown.

By Fred

November 26, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

It was so true, the lack of discipline. Any one remember when Dan Reeves took over? The first thing he did was to instill discipline that the previous coaches did not have on the team. He took average talent, sans Jamal Anderson, and made a good football team out of them.

This team at one point had above average talent and is completely underperforming. That is coaching. Vick is capable but is he coachable? Who knows? I think the offensive scheme the coach has installed is gimmicky and the players have no faith in the system, and by default, no faith in the coaches.

The defense has been superior at times and miserable at times. Again, we are talking about coaching.

Dan Reeves could take this bunch and go 9-7 right now. Give him a season and they could go deep into the playoffs because he was disciplined. And that is a huge difference right now.

By NEW ORLEANS FAN

November 26, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

I GUESS THE NFL PAID YOU GUYS TO GIVE AWAY THIS ONE TO! BY SAINTS FAN

By cs

November 26, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this

The entire staff needs to be fired. I have never seen the Falcon playing this type of football since the Scott Case era. It is sad and Mora and staff must go and take those so called recievers with your. They cannot catch a fly if it layed in their faces. It is NOT MV it is the play calling. I think that MV does need to be bench and put in another QB. The season is not lost by it has been sad to watch the same offense plays every week. I set at home and know what plays they are going to run myself. The offense is to easy to figure out and this is why they have lost 4 games in row. USE J. NORWOOD AS A WIDEOUT AND FORGET AND THE TIGHT ENDS.

By DT

November 26, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Arthur needs to get some size on the offensive line ,and then get some receivers that can catch the football .

By Blaze

November 26, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Yeap, I think it’s time for a coaching change. Mora’s old man has seen the writing on the wall and was looking for excuses when his son gets canned!”Vick is a coach killer” no Mr Mora it’s your son making dumb play calls, thats whats killed him! I think it’s time to pick up the phone and call Dan Reeves, hell he must have had something in mind when he drafted Vick! Dan Reeves would have never kiss Vick, maybe a swift kick in the butt but never a kiss!!!!! Lets get a real coach instead of washed up Daddy’s boy who whould have never got where he is unless his Daddy was a NFL coach!

By FalconMike

November 26, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Well, when the Saints won the first game we all blamed on the emotion for the Dome homecoming after Katrina, etc. Seems like the Saints are just plain old better than the Falcons.

By Steve Brown

November 26, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Add: Receivers with no “hands” Undersized but quick lineman Undersized but quick running backs Undersized Quarterback A quarterback with a lack of fundamentals A head coach with no prior head coaching experience but very thick play books An owner with no prior pro sports experience A GM that has gambled on skill positions and big contracts versus depth in linemen Equals: The 5 & 6 Falcons

By Scott Pitcher

November 26, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

We’re done. The season is over. I am sick of the coaching staff and the playcalling. I’m sick of the receivers, even Crumpler, dropping passes. I’m sick of the defense. No pressure, too much cushion to the receivers, poor tackling.

I don’t blame Vick. I feel sorry for him. No even Michael Jordan could do it by himself.

This coaching staff has to go. Especially Knapp. If McKay doesn’t realize this by now, he needs to go too.

Scott.

By Russ

November 26, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

To me the coaching staff has not been on the same page. Dunn is getting older the O line is bad and the D has way too many injuries. Put that with BAD Wr’s and an aging tailback and that spells trouble. Heck Vick never had much time to do anything today other than run. Please hire someone who can call a better game than Knapp.

By craig

November 26, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

Deangelo Hall and Keith Brookings are Horrible!!!!!!!! What do you expect for a bunch of ACC football players….

By TD

November 26, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

What is wrong with the falcons: 1. Vick has developed “nervous feet” he is afraid to plant his feet to throw the ball because he knows he will probably get buried in the turf. the same thing happened to Steve Bartowski over 20 years ago.

1. It looks like Dunn has lost a step,or it is just taking tooooooo long for running plays to develop. by the time he reaches the line the whole, if there is one, is closed.

2. the wideouts are so afraid of making mistakes that is all they do. R. White trying to run before he made the catch and dropping a first down, possible touchdown catch, is a prime example.

3. The secondary blows their coverage. Considering the Falcons insist on rushing 4, and almost never running a stunt, quarterbacks should take long shots down the field on a regualar basis.

4. the coaching staff is lost. 3 consective times (once last week and twice this week) at 1st and goal and kicking field goals is a coaching thing.

By Paul

November 26, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

Moot points, the WR’s can’t get open and if they do they drop it. We’ve seen Vick put the ball on the money before.

I do, truly hope that he leaves Atlanta. He needs to go somewhere that he can win.

By Had Enough!!

November 26, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

I must have missed it - Raleigh Dog notes above that Vick flipped off the crowd at least twice. Is this true?? If so, Vick’s lack of class and character at least equal his lack of ability, leadership, and situational awareness and response on the field.

By Vs519

November 26, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

I didn’t expect the Falcons to win today, but as a fan I had hope.

Every week I get up early on Sunday with the hope that the offense will show me something, and every week with the exception of two weeks this season, they have not.

In a league filled with pathetic teams, the Falcons are sadly one of the worst. They may win one more game this year, but that’s about it.

By SEASONTICKETSNOMORE

November 26, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

5 thoughts from a season ticket holder.

1. You can’t blame Vick.

2. The recievers are terrible. No excuse for how bad they are.

3. The offensive line cannot pass block. This has been a problem since Mora took over. Vick’s scrambling yards mask a very mediocre run blocking group as well.

4. DeAngelo Hall is extremely overrated. DeAngelo, first of all you are not Deion Sanders. You account for more penalties than interceptions. Nice tackle once your man is halfway in the enzone.

5. And the biggest reason the Falcons are terrible. No accountability from the coaching staff. The players run the team the coaches do not.

Bonus point: Arthur you have alot bigger problems than a 5-6 team, not only did you run Dan Reeves out of town, (after a full season without Vick),I believe today may have run alot of season ticket holders away, who miss that kind of old school coach, where no player was untouchable.

By REFMan

November 26, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

Fire Mora! Where to start? Our WR’s are the worst bunch in the NFL. I said that yet McKay trade our redzone guy Duckett for Lelie?? I mean screw the Falcons filter, we need a #1 WR playmaker! Go get Randy Moss, he’s not as great as he used to be but he’s a threat that defenses must respect. Defenses key on stopping Vick & disrupting Crumpler forcing our WR’s (Lelie/White/Jenkins) to get open. But our WR’s cant get open & when they do they cant make catches. So a WR with deep threat ability will open up a lot of things. The Raiders would want Schaub & a draft pick but with Vick’s contract, Schaub can never start so get something for him. Now Duckett was a key guy we needed. He’s like Brandon Jacobs of the Giants, a redzone threat. We really miss him when we get down to the goal line. On the defensive side of things, our corners are playing bad. Deangelo Hall needs to get off his high horse & play better. He’s no shutdown corner. Roy Williams said you can beat Hall on the inside routes & on the first saints TD that’s what they did. Crocker sucks as a safety in pass protection btw. But yeah Hall also could’ve knocked the ball down at the end of the half but instead went for the INT & gave up the TD. Hall is thinking about his stats & Hawaii instead of the team. On the other hand our second CB is always garbage. When Jason Webster was in he gets picked on, when Allen Rossum is in the game he gets picked on. We need 2 very good corners. Jimmy Williams hasn’t played much so we don’t know what he can do but we need some WR’s that can cover. Teams pass at will against us. We also need a new coaching staff. These coaches have all this talent but don’t utilize them to the best of their abilities. We need a hardnosed, no non-sense type of guy that won’t accept mediocrity.

By Truth teller

November 26, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

Hey…look up the definition of “suck”…there’s a falcons’ logo there. Nuf Ced.

By carlos

November 26, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

I think at this point its obvious that most of the blame goes to the coaches. The entire offense looks incohesive and the wideouts look unprepared as usual. You dont get to this level with out a certain amount of talent, but its up to the coaches to emphasize those talents and hide the weaknesses. Look at the defense; they may not be pretty at times but at least they plug in players and give the offense a chance to win…the offensive staff is not getting it done and needs to go.

By claymore

November 26, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

how much are we paying Roddy White can we get some of that back the kid could not catch a cold, MR. Blank you have a lot invested it also looks like Mora is a bust also. Do what you have to do Atlanta is with you

By Tommy Lee Maddox

November 26, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness I gave my tickets away today. This stuff is so sad.

Does Mr. Blank simply desire a tax write off like the Smith family did?

It’s just awful.

By Spinks

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Mora, staff, and Vick are gone. Schaub at quarterback. Vicks only chance at NFL stardom is receiver or running back. Trade Vick for receivers or draft picks.

By MadduxFan

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

There’s enough blame to go around. O-line blocks for a rushing attack that leads the league: FOR THE THIRD STR8 year. It’s obvious that Mike Vick creates many of those yards, but how can one say that the offensive line is the worst in the league when they lead the league in rushing? AGAIN! BTW, even if Vick had time in the passing game, threw a perfect pass, if the receiver doesn’t grab the ball—> Don’t blame O-line!

By INeedANewTeam

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

I already know that there will be some idiots who will say that Jim Mora Sr. was right about Michael Vick being a coach killer. To those aforementioned idiots, I say shut the f**k up. Vick was the only player who kept the Falcons in that game. I don’t care if you last name is Manning, Brady, Palmer, Montana, or Marino;no QB can be effective when your offensive line gives you no kind of protection, and that’s exactly what happened to Vick today. Everytime he dropped back to pass, there were at least 2 Saints defenders in his face. By contrast, the Falcons put no pressure at all on Drew Brees in the first half, and look what he did: 9/12, 201 yards, 2 TD’s. That hail mary pass that was caught for a TD at the end of the first half was downright unacceptable. F******* trying to go for the INT;knock the damn ball down to prevent a score.

Oh, how I long for the day when the Falcons get some WR’s who can actually catch the f**king ball!!!!! 4 passes were dropped today;none more back breaking than the one by Roddy White. That ball was exactly where it was supposed to be and it would have resulted in a TD, yet the play was not made. I felt Jim Mora’s pain when the camera showed him dropped to his knees after that play. Michael Jenkins also missed a key pass that would have resulted in a first down to keep a drive going. That whole group needs to be blown up for next season, because none of them are worth the first round picks that were used to draft them.

Gregg Knapp needs to go. Like right now. No, I take that back;he should have been gone 4 weeks ago. His play calling continues to baffle me. Even the announcers were questioning why he called 3 straight pass plays when the Falcons were right there on the goal line. You cannot be effective in goal line situations if there is no running threat.

Arthur Blank needs to hold true to his statement about evaluating the entire team after the season. He needs to start with the coaching staff, particularly Mora and Knapp. If things keep going the way that they are, I predict that they will be shown the door. Next is the offensive line. Get rid of that cut blocking scheme and get some huge, road grading, block out the sun type of linemen that can open up holes for the RB and that can give Vick the protection that he needs to complete passes. Get some WR’s that will actually work to catch the ball. Install a defense that can get pressure on the QB and that can stop opposing WR’s from making big plays. Big changes are needed for this team.

By Jack

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

It’s a thin line between winning and losing these days.

Jim Mora is not inspiring this team enough to cross that line! It certainly appears our players don’t entirely trust the current leadership! You often hear coaches say, “the players have just bought into our system and that is why we are winning.” Well this team ain’t buying what Mora and staff are selling and that’s why we are losing!

The Falcons seem to lack true leadership and inspiration. Wouldn’t you love to see Jim Mora jump on Vick’s a* the way Holmgren use to do with Farve back in the days. Just once!

This team is good enough, they just don’t play like it!

I didn’t think Reeves was the man for the job and I don’t think Mora is either!

Fire Jilm Mora!

By anotherdamnjack

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Unbelievable that the Falcons lose to Detriot, Cleveland, Baltimore and now the Saints? This is unacceptable. Trade Vick to an AFC team while he has value and build this team around Schaub!!!!

By Peter

November 26, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Vick critics…what great WR’s has McKay drafted? What were the Tampa Bay offenses like when he put them together?

Something has changed since Pitt and Cincy and it ain’t Vick.

By bubbaball

November 26, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

You can’t win ball games with receiver that can’t catch. Coaches that can’t call appropriate offensive plays, and p** poor defensive secondary coverage.

I don’t care if Vick was Joe Montana, if a receiver can’t catch the ball, he might as well be throwing it to me in the stands.

It all points to the head coach Mora, he needs to do some shaking up the coaching staff before Blank does.

By Drew

November 26, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

I dropped my season tix when Blank fired Reeves. Get rid of Vick and Mora and I’ll be back………

Drew Marietta

By Let'sLaugh

November 26, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

LET’S TAKE A MOMENT TO LAUGH.

The Year: 2005

The Game (the 1st of the season): Philly at Atlanta

The Result: Atanta 14, Philly 10

The Reaction: All you poor clowns thought it meant alot more than it did. I tried to tell you. HA. 12-14 since then. Oh, the agony of listening to the Atlanta’s playoff hope, back to back winning seasons, Vick this and Vick that. Idiots.

By #1 falcon fan

November 26, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

vick played his a** of, but he can’t do it by himself. the defense gives up at least 2 big plays every game, and am I the only who thinks chris crocker was a wasted 4th round pick because he sucks he’s never where he’s suppose to be.

people stop blaming every loss on vick. our line sucks, our receivers can’t catch a cold, warrick dunn is basicly dunn! oh yeah and the play calling sucks.

and for all you schaub lovers you think he would do better behind that line you smokin crack!

how about loose the rest of our games and draft reggie calvin johnson in the 1st round and trade schaub for a 1st and 3rd and then draft reggie nelson from flordia. because crocker is garbage!

By Edd Anderson

November 26, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

We made the SAINTS look good again. It’s up to Blank to make a stand, Now !

By Bird-dog

November 26, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with DeadBird, Blank made a huge mistake when he fired Dan Reeves. In fact, I’ve said that since it happened. Reeves was unceremoniously ousted simply because Vick went down in the preseason and we didn’t have a decent backup QB. If Vick went down again, I guarantee that it would save Jr. his head coaching job. Vick is not the only problem, I know that. However, Schaub would open up a whole new opportunity for this team. A QB at the NFL level has to have some touch. Schaub has that and, if we don’t give him an opportunity, he’ll be Atlanta’s next Brett Favre. Back to Mora, he simply doesn’t have it. He’s the president of Mike Vick’s fan club when we need a coach that’s not infatuated with his QB. Vick’s face at the end of the first half headed off the field was so junior-hi as if he couldn’t care less. Vick has lots of athletic ability, no heart, and no class at all. He’s a thug…let him go! Mora has no idea about where to take this team or how to get them there. He’s a wannabe…let him go, Arthur, please let him go. You’re so close with Mckay and many really good players. Just make a couple of tweaks albeit major ones, and we’re there. There is no excuse for this mess of a football team and we’re looking to you, Arthur, to lead.

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Vick-twelve losses in the last nineteen games. You CRYBABIES keep giving the same excuses over and over. Try something new like replacing that LOSER!

By morris

November 26, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Just watched mora’s press conference and there was no rah rah crap this time. He knows after this loss that he is done. I don’t think he believes in his players and they certainly don’t believe in him. They will pack it in for the rest of the year and Mora and his staff will be gone at seasons end. I also believe there will be a shake up in the front office. I don’t think mckay will be fired but I believe that someone will be brought in to help with player evaluations. A title such as director of player personnel will be given to someone who can evaluate talent. Mckay is more of an administrator than a traditional GM who’s sole purpose is to get talented players. For some reason that was the type of GM that arthur blank wanted. We need a talent guru not a ceo type who can run the organization but not necessarily draft well. The best fix would be to divide the two duties as I suggested above- GM and director of player personnel. What do y’all think?

By Jim

November 26, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Dear Coach Mora: As long as Mike Vick (probably the best athlete on the team) plays quarterback for the Falcons, you will never, never, never, never, never, never, ever win!

His playing quarterback will cost you your job!

You had better listen to your Daddy!

By Overrated 21

November 26, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

thought BIG PLAY RAY was the worst DB in Falcons histroy, well D. HALL makes him look good. DID ANYONE SEE HIM TRYING TO PAD HIS STATS at the end of the half trying to get a interception instead of knocking down the ball. Nah, STAT MAN wanted a pick to put in his STAT BOOK. STAT MAN 21 need to be ambushed at the stadium and ticketed for impersonating a football player. The receivers are the worst in PRO BALL, please cut White 84, he must go. Good game Mike Vick, the rest of your team is horrible. HEY STAT MAN 21 go back to VT and get your degree your gonna need it soon

By lucky meena

November 26, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

I’m just disappointed. Anyone that blames Vick for this loss is just, plain mad.

Thanks, Greg Knapp, for calling three consecutive passes within the 5 yard line. Thanks, Roddy White, for dropping a sure touchdown pass. Thanks, Michael Jenkins for dropping first downs. Thanks, Jim Mora, for being so trusting of your Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. Lastly, thanks Arthur Blank, for NOT making the tough decisions necessary to get the team going in the right direction.

You all have given me so much to look forward to over the remainder of the season.

Sincerely, a fan that will not attend another game or spend another dollar on the Falcons this season.

By TONY RANDOLPH

November 26, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

FALCONS SHOULD OFFICIALLY ENTER THE CALVIN JOHNSON SWEEPSTAKES!RODDY WHITE SHOULD BE SENT TO NFL EUROPE FOR DEVELOPMENT!

By Dee

November 26, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

Uh…the Falcons suck. All week you Falcons fans have been talking mess about the first lost to the Saints was a fluke. Um…admit it…you guys lost to the better team today. Sure Vick did all he could, but HE IS NOT THE TEAM. The Falcons LOST AGAIN to the BETTER TEAM!!! You need to overhaul your receivers and teach your secondary to try to knock the ball down on a hail mary instead of trying to intercept and get on Sportscenter. You got on Sportscenter alright. That play will be #1 on the weekly top 10. In the third, the score should have been 14-13 Saints or if White didn’t drop that pass (almost spilled my drink on that one) 16-14 Falcons. Wow. Go Saints.

By soontobeformerseasontixguy

November 26, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

That will do it. Even the coaching staff’s biggest advocates in the post game guys have given up on Knapp. Waste no time!!! Mora, Knapp, Donatell….. that isn’t a fanny pat you’re feeling, its the door hitting you in the butt on your way out.

soontobeformerexseasonticketholderguy

By mj

November 26, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

And Mr Blank said 8-8 would not be acceptable. We will be lucky to see 6-10. Its hard to blame just Vick for the horrible offense. I just can’t understand if you know (Knapp) he’s not the brightest and most accurate passer in the NFL, why would you put him in the position to fail? Its just obvious we are lost and there just one thing to do. Got to let Mora and Knapp go. Defense had some laspe at times, but if offense does it job it might create different situations for them. However just no excuse for the hail mary or getting beat deep because Crokers out of position again in the first series. Changes need to happen this week with the coaches!

By GritzBlitz

November 26, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Like last year, I don’t know what happened to the promising start and subsequent implosion. I’ve been giving these coaches the benefit of the doubt the past two seasons and all that keeps happening is we keep getting worse!!! Something’s wrong that we are losing like this with the talent we have. I’ve been a true-blue Falcon fan for the past 28 years and it just rips my heart out when we we perform like this. Someone has to be held accountable.

By blackfalcon

November 26, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

i am so sick of Mora and the stupid things he says during his press conferences. he never calls guys out when he SHOULD. i am not for calling guys out, but produce or find yourself on the practice squad. the falcons will not make the playoffs this year. Bring back DAN REEVES and JERRY GLANVILLE, and BILLIE WHITE SHOES JOHNSON. White shoes would step in and be the best receiver we have. Get the ball to ALGE someway, somehow.

By Bird of Prey

November 26, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

since the season is pretty much over,I think it’s time to rest some people and see what we have on the sidelines. Who knows, we may have some gems just waiting for an opportunity to shine.

By Alex

November 26, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Nope Can’t blame Mora for this one. The Hail Mary wasn’t his fault…..they were in the may day defense there, Delo should have knocked that one down…the big pass early…..that’s the DB’s fault. Can’t blame Vick, he played his a* off. WR’s…….yep alot of blame there. I know alot has been made of the fact that 3 first round draft picks are out there but that doesn’t matter…..the reality is they just aren’t very good.

If you wanna look for who to blame, its the front office……its the guys that evaluate these players, Roddy White, yeah he sucks really bad, he is as bad as Peerless Price almost. Lelie? well ask Denver about him, he always sucked. You guys draft poorly, whether its duckett, or roddy white, or trading first round picks for guys like Abraham that are injury prone and one dimensional or giving huge money to guys like Hartwell who have good statistical years because they are playing between Ray Lewis and McClaster, you spend no money on the offensive line.

Take the kid Norwood you drafted. He’s a WR……..yeah hes is very very fast, but he’s not a running back. Rossum had one good year and he’s horrible in the secondary. The gift the falcons got when Williams dropped to you in the second round? Has he even played?

No….if you wanna know why Atlanta has a losing record it goes to 1. bad luck with some injury’s, 2. WR’s are bad. 3. You never draft lineman high and lineman win or lose most games for you. 4. Knapp is not very good.

It isn’t Vick…..he more than makes up for his passing with his legs, and it isn’t Mora, Mora should have fired Knapp, he should have pulled jason webster earlier in the year but mainly the other teams have better players in the trenches and on the edges than we do.

That is the front offices fault. 5-6 players are half the payroll on this team, you can’t do that and win.

By d j shockley

November 26, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Can I have a shot at playing since it looks like we’ll be 6-10 at the end of this atrocious season.

Maybe another qb can add a option to a dead end football season. Mike let’s switch…you play running back and I can play qb and maybe we can win a few games and save some face.

By dirty turds

November 26, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Wow. That was tough to watch. Nice play calling Greg “take a” Knapp. The redzone playcalling was hilarious. I wonder if our recievers have ever heard of Stick-um. My grandmother could have caught that pass Roddy White dropped. I have never seen three starting recievers have so much trouble catching a pass. Obviously it’s mental. Welcome to the falcons Lelie! So long hands! The only highlight of that game was Vick running for his life and flashing that elusive speed. However, this team will never go anywhere with an oft injured defense, no pass protection, horrible playcalling, stupid penalties, crap special teams play and recievers that can’t catch. You can complain about Vick all you want-but who is he going to throw it to?!? Give the other recivers some playing time? They put Adam Jennings in for 1 play and he jumped offsides! So much for giving the rookie a chance. Fire Greg Knapp! I’m a patient fan, but this deja-vu season is painful to watch.

By Steve

November 26, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Mora and the whole coaching staff has to go. Name one other team where the offensive coordinator sits next to the quarterback the whole time when the defense is on the field. Knapp needs to be upstairs looking at the field instead of constantly babying Vick. If he stays on the field, then he needs to adjust the attitude of some of these miilionaires by getting in their faces when they drop passes or pout on the sidelines.

By trent

November 26, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Only Gradkowski is a worse QB than Vick.

ATL will never win anything with him behind center.

By dirty turds

November 26, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Wow. That was tough to watch. Nice play calling Greg “take a” Knapp. The redzone playcalling was hilarious. I wonder if our recievers have ever heard of Stick-um. My grandmother could have caught that pass Roddy White dropped. I have never seen three starting recievers have so much trouble catching a pass. Obviously it’s mental. Welcome to the falcons Lelie! So long hands! The only highlight of that game was Vick running for his life and flashing that elusive speed. However, this team will never go anywhere with an oft injured defense, no pass protection, horrible playcalling, stupid penalties, crap special teams play and recievers that can’t catch. You can complain about Vick all you want-but who is he going to throw it to?!? Give the other recivers some playing time? They put Adam Jennings in for 1 play and he jumped offsides! So much for giving the rookie a chance. Fire Greg Knapp! I’m a patient fan, but this deja-vu season is painful to watch.

By Dr. I.Q.

November 26, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

I suggested a while ago that the only thing a businessman like Mr. Blank understands is the economics of the situation. If he doesn’t make substantial changes —- meaningful changes —- in the organization, an economic boycott of his product is in order. HE’LL UNDERSTAND EMPTY SEATS!

BUT, THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION IS THAT CHANGING COACHES WILL NOT MAKE MV7 A GOOD QUARTERBACK! HE IS WHAT HE IS AND WHAT HE IS WILL NEVER TAKE THE BIRDS TO THE BIG SHOW!

MV7 can run like a freakin’ rabbit, but he’s not a leader on the field, is not emotional enough to instill confidence in HIS team! MEDIOCRE! Look up that word in the dictionary and you’ll find MV7’s picture right by it!

By GritzBlitz

November 26, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

I hate to say this, but this coaching staff is only producing declining results as time goes on. There are no excuses for some of those plays we witnessed today. Someone has to be held accountable.

By SAWB

November 26, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Vicki will not be benched no matter what. The Falcons do not want to foment a race riot on Peach-tard Skreet.

By tdogg

November 26, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta Flopps does it again, hope you Flopp fans are’nt expecting anything else, what hurts me on Sundays is that you want put but 1 game on forcing everyone else to watch this mess, give us a choice there are other fans in Atlanta besides the Flopps fans.

By Mike White

November 26, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Pro Bowl? If I hear that again as D.Hall likes to refer to himself as he should donate at least one half his salary to charity because he is giving it away. Mike Vick is a grown man. Why does the coaching staff keep babying him? Sure his receivers dropped passes;however, in the first half he was out of synch in his passing always a beat behind his droppers (receivers). I still love the falcons but they make it hard.

By Paul

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

Brees V. Vick

On Bree’s TD’s who was in his face? Did his WR’s go agressively to the football? We drop passes, other WR’s go and take the ball.

It’s a mindset!

By tim

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

The falcons lost this game early because Drew Brees had all the time in the world to throw the ball.The defensive coordinator is the reason falcons starts out slow.Do you notice in all of the games we had lost he use that sofe zone in the first half and not even blitz once.Those games we let the other team go up by 10 or 14 points.Big Tony,who is one of the commentators said early if the falcons want this game then blitz aleast five so that brees get some pressure.Maybe they could get a turnover and have a chance of winning the game.The falcons defensive coordinator mostly use blitzes during the second half,when they have little fighting chance.Knapp is still the same old knapp.Mike Vick played his heart out and the reciever couldn’t catch the ball in a key point of the game.The offensive line didn’t give their quarterback no time to do anything but run for his life.I still feel that it doesn’t matter what quarterback is in the game will struggle with no protection.Mora just don’t have that mental toughness to coach a professional team.I think the falcons will finish at 7-9.Please!Get some reciever that can catch the ball and also fire Mora,Knapp,and Ed.

By Gary

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

The wide receiver corp in this organization must be the worst ever for the NFL. The Saints were making difficult catches, our guys were dropping everything. The whole group should give Mr. Blank his money back. I have seen high school kids make far more difficult catches than this bunch has made. How did they get a college scholarship? You don’t forget how to catch the ball. I agree, the whole staff needs to go. Vick is not going to get you a championship. He couldn’t do it in college why should we think he can in the NFL? It just kills me to have to start over again.

By deepsouth

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

The sad truth of it is, the Falcon’s are caught between a rock and hard place created by Arthur Blank. He goes out and pays an outrageous amount of money for a long time on an unproven quarterback and he sacrifices the rest of the team to do it. This scampering quarterback, while skilled at running, just does not have the overall talent to lead an NFL team to victory. Blank said that Vick will carry the Falcons for the future. In that, he as much said that all you have to have is Vick and that we will win with Vick, no matter what. Now the excuse makers are saying its the rest of the teams fault. I don’t think so. A quarterback must be able to run AND throw AND he must have a physical stature large enough to be able to see over the defensive line. He also must be a team leader. While a small running quarterback may be able to make it in college, it just doesn’t work in the NFL. Some may say, “look at the dropped passes” but if you look very closely at the passes he does make, there is always something wrong with them. They are thrown either too hard or they are just plain bad. They are not thrown with confidence. Blank should face up to fact that he paid too much money for Vick and that even Vick would have been better served to be paid less money and to have had to compete. At least he would have had some incentive to play. Paying one athlete on a team a HUGE amount of money doesn’t sit well with the rest of the players who go out there every week and risk being hurt and it does not sit well with the fans. How the hell are we supposed to feel about the guy? For the obscene amount of money he is paid we should have a Super Bowl contender every year but, one man does not a team make. The best advice to Blank is, either use Vick in a different capacity or get rid of him and get some karma back to this team. As long as you have one player that is making this much money, you will never win. Also, bringing back an old burnout of a coach is not going to help. This team needs a complete facelift with a couple years of re-building. Arthur, get some equity in the Falcons organization and you will win.

By Little Timmy

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

JUNE JONES!!!! At least he will get in the players faces!!

By Long Time Fan

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

As a long time fan, these Falcons have the same mental outlook today as teams of many years by gone. They play at the level of the bad teams and when down, get down and give up.

Knapp will be gone to give Mora one more year. Vick sells seats, he will stay. Bring Dan Reeves back.

My other suggestion: find another sport or something else to do on Sunday.

By dirty turds

November 26, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

Wow. That was tough to watch. Nice play calling Greg “take a” Knapp. The redzone playcalling was hilarious. I wonder if our recievers have ever heard of Stick-um. My grandmother could have caught that pass Roddy White dropped. I have never seen three starting recievers have so much trouble catching a pass. Obviously it’s mental. Welcome to the falcons Lelie! So long hands! The only highlight of that game was Vick running for his life and flashing that elusive speed. However, this team will never go anywhere with an oft injured defense, no pass protection, horrible playcalling, stupid penalties, crap special teams play and recievers that can’t catch. You can complain about Vick all you want-but who is he going to throw it to?!? Give the other recivers some playing time? They put Adam Jennings in for 1 play and he jumped offsides! So much for giving the rookie a chance. Fire Greg Knapp! I’m a patient fan, but this deja-vu season is painful to watch.

By GeauxSaints

November 26, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

Being a Saints fan living in Atlanta I must say I am quite pleased with today’s outcome. I won’t have to hear the radio and my Falcon fan friends talk about how we aren’t for real.

I hear on the radio a lot of people talk about how Shaub should start. It doesn’t matter how accurate your passes are when your receivers can’t catch. Also, I heard a lot of excuses about our win over ATL in the Superdome earlier this year(emotion, turf, set-up, Falcons let us win, etc.) What are the excuses for today’s blowout?

By Phat Phalcon

November 26, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

where did the posts go?

By mike

November 26, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

plain and simple, this is arthur blank’s fault for bringing in mediocre wide receiver talent. he’s always said he is a hands on owner and therefore these personel decisions had to at some point come thru his office. we have seen talented receiver we could have had, but arthur has to realize that not every receiver is not going to have a marvin harrison personality.not saying that these wide receivers are awful, but who did they have to teach them how to play the game on the nfl level.how do you learn how to be a no.1 receiver if you’ve never been around 1? that’s like asking coach mora to come out of high school and be a legitimate nfl coach.

By What's UP

November 26, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

CAN YOU WAIT UNTIL THE DAY VICK IS NO LONGER PLAYING FOR ATLANTA? I can’t. There is a clear agenda but I can’t discuss it as BirdBabe will pull my post.

By Hopeful in Hotlanta

November 26, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

Either make Schaub the QB and move Vick to running back/wide receiver or trade Vick, take the $100 million and buy a whole new team !

By Just Win baby

November 26, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

LMFAO its always the coaching staff isn’t it some of you are so stupid. The coaches aren’t the one’s not making plays, dropping balls, not blocking, etc, etc.

You just don’t have very good players folks. No coach in the NFL could win with those WR’s, what you think Lovie Smith would be having better results here, or Saban? Get real.

By Saintsfan

November 26, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

Why not switch vick to another position and use the backup qb? If you’re going to use him as a running back anyway, at least have someone else handle the whole qb thing….cuz he ain’t doin it!

By PW

November 26, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

BirdBabe clearly asked everyone to refrain from all of the racial taunting and what happens here?

You don’t find it to this level ANYWHERE on fan blogs around the country.

AJC SHUT THE BLOGS DOWN. DON’T ASSOCIATE YOUR “PAPER” AND WRITERS WITH THIS TRASH. SHUT THE BLOGS DOWN.

By rcsaint

November 26, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

I am a saints and a falcon fan.Go to espn nfl and look at atl team stats. If you look on te right,when Vic leads at rushing ATL looses, When Dunn leads Atl wins.Atl needs to get more covnentional with their game calling,take the pressure of Vic, then rely on his ability when thsy need it. If atl tries to ride Vic alone, the Falcons will fall. Its called a team sport for a reason

By Calvin Johnson

November 26, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Calvin Johnson here folks. Look the falcons need me. Here is what I suggest they do. Trade Shaub to Vikings for their first round pick. Childress almost traded for him last year and Brad Johnson is like 40+ now. Take that first round draft pick and your own mid rounder and trade into the top 3 to get me.

I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. I am as good as Larry Fitgerald and we all saw what he did today and the does for his team most days.

After you draft me, use all other draft picks on lineman.

By TLC

November 26, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this

The only good thing about the Falcons failure this year is that Arthur Blank will be forced to overhaul the coaching staff. Gregg Knapp couldn’t call a girls flag football game. I know that Arthur will not allow this type of failure year in and year out. He is a very savy buisness man who will be successfull. If your a long time Falcons fan then you know; Theres always next year!!!

By Elaine

November 26, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have given up and so have I. The offensive line sucks! The defensive backs suck (except D. Hall) and the freaking wide receivers have to be the biggest joke in the NFL right now!! Teams really dont have to cover them right now, the arent catching the freaking ball!!! If Vick had protection he could play better. I say fire Roddy White and Michael Jenkins and put Alge Crumpler on notice. Donatell and Knapp should be fired too. Mora well you already know you wont be around next year. This season is shot!!

By Tia

November 26, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

I am a huge Michael Vick fan and have advocated for him to stay. But at this point Atlanta needs to let him go. Not because he isn’t a great talent, but because since he has been a Falcon he continues to be put in a position to be the offense. Sometimes he succeeds, but inevitably that cannot/could not continue. 11 guys need to show up all the time and he shows up more than he doesn’t and many times over compenstates for what is lacking on the rest of the offense, defense and special teams. He isn’t the Atlanta Falcons. For the effort he is makes and the way he sacrafices the longevity of his career (127 yards in a half???? How ridiculous is that???? Sadly he has no other choice!), he deserves to be with a team that surrounds itself with players who will do the same and coaches who can get that type of performance from everyone on the field. The Falcons can’t. Arthur, you aren’t satisfied with 8-8? This season we will be on the wrong side of 500. Unless you have been an Atlanta Falcon fan all your life, your disappointment is NOTHING compared to many of us who are life long fans (I grew up, good-bad-indifferent, on Falcons ball). I sometimes wish that those “Smith Boys” still owned the Falcons. At least you knew to expect nothing. This tease that we seem to get year after year under new ownership is worse and has become unbearable. The promises are empty. I guess I should go back to expecting exactly what this team seems destined to deliver….nothing. My Dad, a season ticket holder, can’t even give his tickets away. How sad is that?

By PWisRayCharles

November 26, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Hey PW,

Wanna bet. You ain’t looking hard enough. AJC is mild compared to some of the blogs I have seen.

Whatever happened to sticks and stones or knifes and guns will ….

By BirdBrain

November 26, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Bird Babe should be fired.We haven’t won anything since she started her blog. Bo back to Podunk, typing out the girl Scout cookie Report.

By WebHead

November 26, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Its Time For Change! How many successful teams are suffering an identity crisis going into week 11? This team has the worst scheme and makeup than any team in the league. And the head coach is totally responsible! Cmon, the lowly 49ers and Browns are better than the Falcons… personnel that fit the scheme and coaching. This team has absolutely no confidence! Once again…coaching.

By mike

November 26, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Here’s the way I see it:

Who cares? It doesn’t affect my life one way or the other if they win, lose or move to another city. My life will go on as usual.

By PW

November 26, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

THANKS AS I SAID AJC SHUT THE BLOGS DOWN. THIS IS WHAT YOU PRESENT TO THE WORLD AS THE FACE OF THE CITY IN WHICH YOU RESIDE.

YOU ALLOW THESE BLOGS WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH THE KKK. THE USE IT IN POSTING AND IT STAYS THERE.

INTERNATIONAL CITY OR WATERHOLE?

IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO KEEP THIS OFF OF THE BLOGS THEN SHUT THEM DOWN. THIS IS YOUR LEGACY? THINK…KEEP THE WRITERS AND EITHER HOLD “US” RESPONSIBLE AND BAN SOME OF THIS OR SHUT THE BLOGS DOWN.

By 41 years and counting

November 26, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

Hey falcons fans,at least we still have the hawks.Oh wait,nevermind!

By Brad

November 26, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

Vick is a running back, not a quarterback. Sure he can run, but he sure as hell can’t pass. Even the worst of teams has a receiver who will catch a ball every now and then. Put Schaub in. Pitch out to Vick. Let him run or try to pass. Fire the offensive coordinator, and whoever else that caused embarrasments like today and hope for a 500 finish. The coach killer comments fit the situation in Atlanta. As a lifelong Falcons fan, this is pathetic.

By Dwayne

November 26, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

So when Vick doesn’t have a good game, it’s because the o line didn’t help. It has nothing to do with his happy feet and poor throwing decisions?? Where is the Falcons that lead the league in running, they have fallen into a deep hole. So much talent on this team and this is the year we are having. Too bad, so sad.

By R.C. Chambers

November 26, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

Trade Vick to Oakland for Moss and a choice Fire the entire coaching Staff Cut Jenkins and Roddy White Please do something Mr. Blank, this is totally embarrasing When you evaluate the team at the end of the year who are you going to be relying on for your information? I hope its someone different than you’ve trusted so far.

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By TTCO

November 26, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank, I know you cant be pleased with this joke of a team? the Falcons are. It is way past time that on field decisions are not made by a coach or organization that is trying to win a popularity contest! Changes need to be made this week and that is obvious to anyone. Start with Vick yes he is a great rusher but a horrible quarterback he is more suited to be a tailback running out of an I formation. The game of football does not have to be changed to accommodate Vick! The team has tried to come up with an offense he can work with since he got here and it has not happend yet! It is time to go with a REAL pro offensive scheme and sit him down because he obviously cant get the job done! It is entertaining watching him run the football but it is more entertaining to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES! Yes there were 3 dropped balls today but there were about 10 that couldnt have been caught. Another game with less than 100 yards passing? This is pro football not Pop Warner! . The team acts as if they are just going through the motions. PI$$ING AND MOANING ON THE FIELD LIKE A BUNCH OF 10 YEAR OLDS IE VICK, CRUMPLER AND D.HALL these guys are supposed to be leaders on the field and they are acting like children! Bad decisions by Hall and Vick cost us the game today and it has become a habit that cant be broken. The coaches are not the greatest either but they cant THINK for the players on the field. Being a great athlete is not the only part that makes a great player and that is obvious at several positions on this team. Mr. Blank we as fans want a winning team and hard decisions are going to have to be made to obtain that no matter who gets upset!

By G-man

November 26, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora and coaching staffin needs to quit come Monday! To think that I was excited about meeting him in the Bahamas during spring break. This game by far was worst than the lost that we suffered from the Saints in week 3. Whoever the genius that decided that Alan Rossum is a cornerback should be stripped of his NFL creditinals.

Its time to clean house big time. I’m saying starting with Rich McCay. He had opportunities to bring real receivers like Keyshawn Johnson and TO but he focused on building team with character. Ummm…didn’t we just have a lineman suspended for steriods?

I’m just so disgusted with this performance today. And to think that we interviewed Lovie Smith and passed on him.

By JD

November 26, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

40 year sideshow.

By SUICIDE WATCH

November 26, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

I am tired of all the blame being on Vick yea he does not pass like we want him to all the time. But give the man some help Mora, Knap , Donatell and Roddy White all should be sent home with no check today. And how the hayell do you have 6 dbs around one man in the endzone and he catch the ball with 7 seconds to go..PHUCK IT I am going to jump.

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By REFMan

November 26, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

If we trade Vick now, he’s going to be a huge cap hit… which would force us to cut Brooking, Hall, other players to get under the cap. So trading Vick right now is not possible. We’re stuck with Vick for at least another 2 seasons so we should get Moss for Schaub/Draft Pick or trade our 1st rounder/Schaub for a top 3 pick to get Calvin Johnson.

By BDawg

November 26, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

I’ve had it with the Falcons!! I’m sick and tired of Mora talkin’ about how this team is going to overcome…I’m sick of “Meanglo” Hall talking about how’s he’s one of the best in the NFL…I’m sick of these premadonnas talking about how they’re going to do this and that…not to take anything away from the Saints…they played a heck of a game and YES, they ARE for REAL!! But, I’m over it…I’m over the Michael Vick hype…look who we could have had…LT…nuff said!! The fans that have been with this team deseve better than this…hard workin’ folks payin’ hard earned $$$ to see good, quality football are goin’ out and seein’ a bunch of CRAP!! I think everyone of the Falcons players and coaches should donate their weekly pay to a charitable organization because they sure heck didn’t earn one today!! PITIFUL!!!

By G-man

November 26, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora and coaching staffin needs to quit come Monday! To think that I was excited about meeting him in the Bahamas during spring break. This game by far was worst than the lost that we suffered from the Saints in week 3. Whoever the genius that decided that Alan Rossum is a cornerback should be stripped of his NFL creditinals.

Its time to clean house big time. I’m saying starting with Rich McCay. He had opportunities to bring real receivers like Keyshawn Johnson and TO but he focused on building team with character. Ummm…didn’t we just have a lineman suspended for steriods?

I’m just so disgusted with this performance today. And to think that we interviewed Lovie Smith and passed on him.

By mike

November 26, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

dum da da dum may they rest in peace til next year

By GatorsCheatedByBCS

November 26, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Ok, whoa…Blank made no mistake firing Dan Reeves. He had to go, plain and simple. Reeve’s mentality and approach to the game was out dated.

I just read an article where cameras twice caught Vick giving the finger to the crowd at the Dome. What is that, Vick? Franchise players and leaders of the team don’t do that….even when being heckled by your own fans. Who are you, Jake Plummer? I don’t know if the spotlight is just that more intense or if it’s his attitude, but Vick seems to listen and be effected by criticism more than a lot of players- I’ve never seen a player go out and try to play to shut up his critics like Vick. He’s just lost himself.

Bottom line, Vick, you’re being payed $100 million +, and you’re not getting it done - in crunch time, regular time, any time. If you’re a football team and you’re paying over $100 million to your QB, who would you rather have…Peyton or Vick? AFter being in the league for 6 years and tauted as one of the games best athletes, your team should be better than 5-6.

How about this? Start Matt Schaub at QB and have Vick, Dunn and Norwood in the backfield…now that would be interesting to watch.

By chipdip

November 26, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

put dj shockley in…..vick is over rated.

By Geno

November 26, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

The falcons played there hearts out except the wide receivers go falcons i’m still with you

By What

November 26, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

PW,

Keep the writers? Are you serious Cynthia and her sister Terrance are two of the most racists people at the AJC. Talk about coding racist comments. Look no further. Cynthia is sad. She never accepted herself.

By Dano

November 26, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

Bird Babe…..thanks for the censoring…. So sad you told most of the story……Twice Falcons had it on the NO 7 yard line…after MV7’s 51 yard run, a time out is called!!!! Then a VM7 run (-1yard) and then TWO PASSES!!!! Next Norwood runs for 13 down to the NO 7 and NORWOOD runs twice more (5yds and NO GAIN)!!!!!Then MV7 gets sacked for -10yds!!!! AWFUL!!!! Four dropped passes…..sure MV7 ran for 166 yards…SO WHAT!!!! He was 9/24 for 84 yds…..Dunn only carried 19 times!!! Falcons had the ball for 34 minutes to the Saints 26!!!!! Blank better “seek consistency & accountability.” on this one!!!!

By Bird Brain

November 26, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

To the Falcons, I hope you are reading everything your true fans are saying, it has relativity to everything going on with the organization. The team is getting their a* whipped each week, they do not lose they get there a*’s handed to them. As a fan, it is appauling to watch this team, and many players and coaches are to be held accountable. Mora is out of place as a head coach, period. The rest of his staff has tons of holes. Vick, as was stated on this blog, is/was a ‘Project’ and it is no working, period. We as fans sat through years of ‘Flag Football’ Falcons with Glanville and Co. and beyond, and it was pathetic, but now days I’d welcome that staff compared to what is being allowed now in Atlanta. If Jim Mora cannot tell his QB how to hold the football then ‘can him’, get us a coach who’s not afraid to ‘COACH’. Sorry to Mora, but either he or the Vick Show has got to go.

By Shanterria

November 26, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

The season is done for us. Blank need to make coaching changes and make them soon. The players are not playing with any heart. They gave up a crucial touchdown going into half time. I get up and go to every home game and support them every Sunday. But NOW I am MAD AS HELL!!!! And so should every other season ticket holder. Changes must be made! We have lost four straight, we are not going to the playoffs and we are being laughed at by every sports show on TV. I am sick at the effortless plays by the players and the coaching staff. I say start with the leaders and get rid of them. Jim Mora can’t coach BOTTOM LINE! I am ready to see someone get their AZZES chewed out because of the game today.

By REFMan

November 26, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

Hmm someone who went to the game said during pregame Blank was all smiles with Dan Reeves at the 50 yard line yet when Greg Knapp went to shake Blanks hand, Blank blew him off completely. Interesting indeed.

By **MICHAEL RICHARDS**

November 26, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

PUT IN SCHAUB!!! PUT IN SCHAUB!!! PUT IN SCHAUB!!! PUT IN SCHAUB!!! 50 YEARS AGO, SCHAUB WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT QUARTERBACK!!! PUT IN SCHAUB!!!

By Ed

November 26, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

**an insider was on 790 just now and he just said some very interesting things.

KNAPP WILL BE GONE AT THE END OF THE YEAR!!!! VICK APOLIGIZED ABOUT FLIPPING THE BIRD!!!! VICK WENT OFF ON HIS RECEIVERS DURING THE GAME AND SAID “If you guys aren’t gonna catch the balls I throw to you than ###### it I will do it myself!!!” He said Blank went up to Vick after that to call him down.

Blank and Reeves were walking around the 50 yardline before the game and Knapp approached Blank to shake his hand and Blank totally ignored him.

He said a coach will be fired withing the next 2 days. Either the DB coach or WR coach**

By brownthraasher

November 26, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

JIM MORA, GREG KNAPP are Quarterback killers. You can’t blame Vick for this season or the way the Falcons play. Mora Sr. was trying to stir up trouble to keep his son’s job. But ARTHUR BLANK needs to man up and confess that he made a terrible mistake on hiring this group of has beens and never-will-bes. I love the Falcons and I love Mike Vick. Despite the fact that a lot of people here want his head on a platter, Vick does at least try. How many times did you see a receiver actually TRY to catch a ball? And WHY did we not PRESSURE BREES the entire game? Yes, Vick needs to be improved, but perhaps Blank can help by hiring a Quarterback Coach who can coach the likes of Vick. The announcers were constantly saying that Vick is a UNIQUE QB who needs someone to design an offense with his special talents. It AIN’T this group of Coaches. The coaches have no balls. Instead of Mora sinking to his knees when Roddy White dropped the open pass, minutes after Ashlie Lelie dropped his ball, Mora should have been IN HIS FACE. There is no heart to the coaches and that filters to the TEAM. This season is a wash. And since it is, we can hire some other coahces to get a head start on next season. Trade Roddy, Ashlie and Michael J for Randy Moss or Joey Porter. I MISS TJ DUCKETT.

By The Falcons Quitter

November 26, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A FALCON TEAM THAT PLAYS CONSISTENLY FOR 4QTRS. MORA SUCKS!!!

By Geno

November 26, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

It’s not all Vicks fault somebody neeeds to catch the ball???? duh

By Boots

November 26, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

I don’t think we’ll hear anything from DeAngelo Hall. He made two tackles today —- and one, well he caught the receiver from behind as he was about to clear the back of the end zone —- drawing a penalty. Way to go, Pro Bowl!

By Benny

November 26, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Aurther, what do you think about all the money you gave Vick now ?

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

COACH KILLER! He’s costing Mora his job. Mora Sr. was so right! Vick is a terrible quarterback and you fools who defend him need to remember he’s lost twelve of the last nineteen games he’s played in. You can’t change that but the Foulcons can change quartebacks. And they will!

By STEALTH MAN

November 26, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU MR. BLANK! Making a statement this week. I am glad that you spoke up and also allowed Dan Reeves to stand by your side before the game.(“What a greater statement”). Now I hope you become like Darth Vader in Star Wars and Use the Force. Somebody has “Got to go!” The long pass before the Half time was a real dissapointment. When everyone sees the re-play, they will see Falcon players not attacking and trying to Go for the Ball. Vick’s running for his life made up for what he was doing wrong because it did put them in key Redzone positions. I cannot ever understand why any coach in this world would pass in the Redzone. Why did they not run to the outside near the Cones on a bootleg, or trick play, or put Fred Macrary in if you are going up the middle. Fans I’m sorry, Dunn is good at times, but up the middle we need an Earl Campbell, or someone as big as Jerome Bettis (the Bus). What in the world was with Roddy White dropping that ball? Are you Pro-Football Player or what? Also I think it would have helped if Jim Mora Sr. would have made a team apology as well as individual to Mike. This game was “too” important. The *Flowery Branch name needs to “go”, as well as the San Fran”sissyco” coaching crew. Jim Mora Jr. is too young to coach this team and too soft. We need Dan Reeves back or someone *WITH EXPERIENCE to coach and in a tougher named city for a Footballteam. Mr. Blank “please” make changes in the off season, because even if we make a Wild Card appearance, Im sure Fans know what will happen if met Chicago or Dallas. “GetMoss and T.O. in the off season or anyone who can Catch a ball.

By Ken Ner

November 26, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

I’m a Saints fan, so I’m happy with today’s game, especially with Drew Brees and Sean Payton. These two guys have turned it around for us. From my perspective, I don’t think Vick is the problem in Atlanta. The problem in ATL is Jim Mora Jr., he’s a QB killer.

By Seen it too many times

November 26, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Dear Arthur, Maybe you should have judged a man’s body of work instead of judging him on one season without his starting quarterback. At least that coach knew how to use a QB with special talents. Sad to say Mora and Knapp have no clue what to do with Mike. If anything they have destroyed his confidence and damaged his ability to get the job done. BTW Mora’s playoff first year was with the team that Reeves built and a healthy Mike. What’s the team’s record after that? I think you can count, it’s not good!! Another BTW, you and I both know the elder Mora’s comments were a result of seeing and hearing what the younger Mora’s concerns are….as in he’s shaking in his boots because he doesn’t have a clue how to solve the problems with this team. Arthur, do something before this team sinks deeper into the same mediocrity when the Smiths owned the team.

By Adel Purvis

November 26, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Lets trade M. Vick for a true RB, LT or LJ, then build a traditional NFl offense, I am sick and tired of watching a nontraditional QB lose in a traditional fashion…Mike Vick nor J Mora Jr will ever win a Sbowl…look at his dad…apple did not fall far from the tree! Playoffs what playoffs?

By Mary

November 26, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Did everybody see Mora “this text will be bolded” Kiss Vick before the game?? eeewwwww…

By Had E. Nuff

November 26, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Mick Vic flip us the finger? Mick Vic flip us the finger? Mick Vic flip us the finger? Mick Vic flip us the finger? Mick Vic flip us the finger?

They can blur out your finger but they can’t blur out your play.

By Geno

November 26, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

i am going to lowe’s because i know they can catch and not fumble my order.

hahhhaahah

By Benny

November 26, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Arthur what do think about all that money you gave Vick now ?

By lawton

November 26, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

when roddy dropped that ball, that was the end of this season. But,the real problem is simple,Blank needs better coaching. I like the comment Andrew Young made on 790 the zone during the off season when asked about why Vick doesnt stay in the pocket. Andrew said “what pocket”. the defensive linemman drop back WITH vick when he trys to set up.

By MrEmerkin

November 26, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

As a long suffering Saints fan, all I got to say is “welcome to the club”.

We got rid of Haslett and Brooks, and can you hum “we’re moving on up….”

By CNote

November 26, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Well, after week and another disappointment. After today’s game there are two things that need to happen tomorrow. First, fire offensive coordinator Greg (no playing calling) Knapp and second please release wide receiver Roddy White. He is the main reason they lost today. His play single handly lost the game man that guy is horrible. Then at the end of the year we need to Fire Head Coach Jim Mora. I tell you one thinh Arthur Blank better not raise my season tickets next year or I will be more than happy to give them up.

By todd bremt

November 26, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Vick is a “coach killer”…and a “game killer”…and most likely a “season killer.”

By ATLslimG

November 26, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

How can we continue to waste the best talent in the league? He should have pulled an Eli and stayed away from Atlanta! As a season holder since Arthur, this hurts because we still don’t have all the pieces. With the NFC down, we should at least make the playoffs. Good News, we may have a shot at drafting for Calvin. Let’s pull Vick, Abraham, Hartwell, Brooking, Hall, Coleman, Crumpler….enough weapons to win. Come on Blank, McKay, Mora….Make some changes please.

By Come back Reeves

November 26, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Can we all admit now that Reeves was screwed by a new owner that wanted to make his mark on the team??? It is hard to find a top tier coach in this league, and we had one who took 3 teams to the superbowl, including the dirty birds. Now we are reaping what blank has sowed.

By TJ Ducket

November 26, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

When it was announced that TJ was gone and in comes Lelie…all you idiots out there thought that was great. Was I the only one that thought this was a major screw up of the personnel deparatment? Dunn yards after contact has to be a negative number. Also, I would cut the whole receiver corps at the end of the year or seriously evaluate the receivers coach, hand gear, maybe even a head shrink could help. Saints receivers make Dree Brees look damn good…in which he is.

By TJ

November 26, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

One other thing….When Rowdy Roddy White gets cut…I bet you never hear nothing about him again. I’ll bet anyone out there any amount.

By e.b.

November 26, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Man, I agree. Greg Knapp’s RedZone playcalling was atrocious. This guy should be hung out to dry. I don’t know how he can walk around Atlanta safely. He is absolutely horrible at his job.

By jim jam

November 26, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

1. TRADE VICK for DRAFT Pix
2. Start SCHAUB
3. FIRE ALL COACHES IMMEDIATELY Vick CANNOT THROW MORA and his staff suck. i am disgusted

By gabugman

November 26, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

All I want to know is who is in charge of this team? Mora certainly ain’t. Nor are any of the a*’t coaches. I wouldn’t be surprised if AB isn’t running the practices by now. Seriously, this team has lost heart and plays with no immediacy or concern for the outcome of the game. Funny how “the interview” with MV 5 weeks ago lit a fire on this team then just disappeared. Dropped passes = not the recievers’ fault. Blown pass coverages = not the secondarys’ fault. Bone head decisions in the back field = not MV’s fault. There are individual mistakes made during a game and that’s to be expected. The collective failures that are befalling the Falcons now are not the result of that, they are coaching failures. This team has no leadership, no direction, and no future. Until the wonder boy and crew are run outta town, I’ll expect the same results. Thanks for another ‘05 Mora et all…

By Ed

November 26, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

What was wrong with Vicks’ play THIS week?

Hell he is leading the league in rushing this week… He threw some decent passes to his sorry receivers…

By Kajun_Gumbo

November 26, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

Finally!!! Revenge for Big Ben in 78. Jim Mora Jr is following Jim Hasslets playbook from last year: Staying with a non producing QB. His fate will be the same also.

By demondh

November 26, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

this is the worst line in the league with the exception of oakland but oakland got reserves in this week and blocking better so maybe we do have the worst line. vick had 166 rushing but i don’t think he wanted to run that much, he appeared to be under seige!!! fire mckay, mora, and greg knapp should be banned from the league for conduct detrimental to fans!!!

By Who's Your Daddy

November 26, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

The Falcons talk-talk. The season is over stick a fork in it.

By JSearcy

November 26, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Well - I saw what was coming at the end of the 3rd Quarter. I took advantage of an otherwise beautiful day and washed my car. I believe it is time to stop the bleeding in organizational chaos. Some people needs to go. Vick, though a good QB seems lacking in comraderie with the offensive line. Maybe Shaub can do it better. Vick can’t win games by himself and today confirms it. LOUSY PERFORMANCE BY ANY STANDARD OVERALL and I hope Arthur Blank steps in and take care of business…painful though it may be.

By Let'sLaughMore

November 26, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Remember when Atlanta beat the “defending SUPER BOWL CHAMPS” and everyone was so high (cept me and the rest of the world that evaluates each win at face value)

HA. Baltimore 27 - Pitt 0. Pitt is now 4-7

By Benny

November 26, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Mr Blank, it is time to cut your loses, please buy us a real quarter back for Chirstmas. Turn Vick into a receiver.

By YODA97X

November 26, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Let’s put it perspective, who could have been the head coach is kicking butt in Chicago for the Bears with the NFC’s best record. If only the Falcons would have gone with Lovie Smith. I hope they bring the right coach in for next year. The Falcon’s roster is as talented as anyone’s in the NFL. And they are about as healthy as any team this time of the year in the NFL. And Arthur Blank is more committed that a lot of owners. But is is time to start over with a new coaching staff. Look what Sean Payton has done for New Orleans. An entire coaching change is definitely needed. I thought Mora was a “one year” wonder. Hopefully, Rich McKay will find his next Tony Dungy this time. When is the NFL draft?

YODA97X, Panama CIty Beach, Florida

By Hotrod

November 26, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

There has to be some kind on consequence for these dropped passes.In high school , it would mean running a mile in pads after practice. For a pro , it should be 3 miles.After practice.

During practice, I would do 2 hours of routes with coverage. These guys just seem to have forgotten what it is like to catch a ball that hits both hands. There are all kind of drills to remind them.Its up to coaches to put it together. Then about Thursday I would maybe start looking at the other teams plays.

We are at the point where we need to go back to basics.If we show up at Flowery Branch Monday and go through the same routine week in week out, then the same result will be waiting for us at 4:15 next Sunday.

By mavid

November 26, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

We have a real problem!

Coaches… Ok, yes, fire them

But, what do we do with vick?? remember, we signed him to a 10 year contract! Do we try to trade him?? Do we keep playin him at QB??

I wish we had drew brees and LT right about now… :(

By pc

November 26, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

i think it’s time for a coaching change. The team may not have liked Reeves, but they won. Mora is a “players coach” but they have not been consistent with him. The college offense needs to go along with Knapp. The Def. secondary has been terrible. DHall is one of the most overrated players in the league. Deion was a great corner but unfortunately, the young players learned his dances & not his cover techniques. B4 the season started I picked them to go 9-7. They may be lucky to be that good. Holla,

Ex season ticket holder.

By Bring back Reeves

November 26, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Every player that ever played for Dan Reeves hated his guts. John Elway won’t speak to him to this day, the Giants ran him out of town after he took them to the superbowl, and Mike Vick was thrilled when he was fired. YOu know what else they did…won a heck of a lot of football games. Bring back Coach Reeves.

By dirty til I die

November 26, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOU FOOLS ON THESE BLOGS. HOW IS MIKE VICK THE PROBLEM???!!? HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ANY QB TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THIS RIDICULOUS EXCUSE FOR A PASSING GAME? HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU SAY HE ISN’T A LEADER WHEN HE IS THE ONLY ONE ON THE TEAM LEADING BY EXAMPLE GIVING HIS HEART AND SOUL EVERY PLAY? MIKE, IF YOU HAPPEN TO READ THIS, DEMAND A TRADE NOW BEFORE THESE FOOLS COACHING YOU AND HATING ON YOU RUIN YOUR CAREER! AND HOW CAN YOU BLAME D. HALL FOR NOT STOPPING A PLAY WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH A RECEIVER WHO MADE A GREAT PLAY TO GET TO THE BALL? WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING!?!?!?!?!

I’m through screaming at FAKE A$$ fans. My sober analysis of the game is 1. The receivers are terrible and the coaching staff makes them look even worse. They get no separation because they only run two routes, GO and STOP. Lelie did get separation ONCE, but Vick evidently felt it was more important to get the sure 11 yards with his feet and keep the drive alive than try once again to get a receiver to make a play. The receivers fall down more than any receivers in the history of football. They fall down every single play and then look around and wonder why they don’t get a penalty. It’s because the DB is still standing trying to make a play on the ball you just gave up on! This is reason #1 to fire Greg Knapp and whoever is pretending to coach the receivers. 2. Nobody is blocking. Nobody is pass blocking and nobody is run blocking. Vick is having to scramble almost every time he drops back, even on simple 2-3 step drops. Inability to design an offensive scheme to compensate for small linemen is reason #2 to fire Greg Knapp. Even our FB did not throw a decent block today. The Saints FB blocked THREE Falcon defenders by himself on the first Duece McAllister TD. Inability to teach or motivate professional athletes to Block somebody is reason #3 to fire Greg Knapp and put the O-line coach on notice. 3. The overall offensive play calling is beyond ridiculous. There is no need to call designed runs for Mike Vick. He will get his rushing yards when the pass protection breaks down. Everyone knows by now that empty backfield means Mike Vick going left. We all know that the Falcons are going to run off tackle left and off tackle right. Just look at where the FB and TE line up and you will know which way the play is going. The Falcons ran misdirection exactly once today, and it was a 10-yd gain for Norwood. Transparent playcalling is reason #4 to fire Greg Knapp.

1. Our improved defensive secondary can tackle. But Crocker keeps lettting the same deep slant route get behind him. Today he bit on a rhort route that was already well covered. I played DB all my life and the first lesson every safety gets from day one in Pop Warner is “DON’T LET ANYONE GET BEHIND YOU”. D. Hall looked bad on that play as well, but had Croker even been close to the right position that underthrown pass was an easy pick, or maybe Brees doesn’t even think to throw it. Rossum is a good return man, but a lousy CB. Even when he is there, he isn’t really there. He doesn’t have the instincts and he is constantly trying to guard tall receivers. Everyone knows that you can’t take the chance of throwing at D. Hall. He needs to shut up and concentrate, but he is a great CB. We are getting burned consistently on the other side of the field and across the middle where our linebackers also cannot cover. Where is JImmy Williams? Could he possibly be worse than what we have had all season? Part of this is bad personnel decisions, and part of it is bad coaching.

Everyone (even the Vick haters) knows it’s time to fire Greg Knapp. It should be very public and very unpleasant for him, to send a message to the rest of the coaching staff.

BTW, thanks bird babe for protecting us from the small minded racists who hijack these blogs. This is one instance of censorship I wholeheartedly support.

By ralph the dawg

November 26, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Is the problem really that the wide receivers drop pass after pass?

Or is the problem that the wide receivers can never get themselves open?

Somebody needs to be cut, benched, waived, and fired this week.

MCKAY HAS TO GO!

KNAPP HAS TO GO!

MORA HAS TO GO!

RODDY WHITE BE GONE!

JENKINS ADIOS!

LELIE SEE YA!

I WISH I COULD SAY IT WAS NICE KNOWING YOU BUMS BUT I WOULD BE LYING

By Tommy

November 26, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

When the starting Quarterback of an NFL team throws a bird to the Fans he shows his true class. This is like the Kramer rant during his act the other night. No matter what is said from the stands there is no place for that!

Jim Mora has real problems on his hands, his recievers have been missing balls all year and it has killed the offense. When the tight end leads the team in catches something is wrong. Roddy is in another zone, that was a bad pick and its on Mora and his staff. Three # 1 and they all drop balls like it’s OK. Well you don’t win staying third and eight or nine all game long.

Vick is a coach killer algight, any QB would when his recievers can’t catch the ball. It didn’t start today. it has been going on all season. That is why AL is here.

Vick should be suspendend for his actions (the bird) then the fans would see how bad it really is in ATL.

This team is in the lower 1/3 of the teams in the NFL without Vick and in the middle with him. Never one of the top teams, the coaching staff isn’t there.

Watch coaches like Denvers,Chicago, Dallas and a few more. They don’t act like Mora. He is always kidding around, those guys are always down to business. They are there to WIN. It is a serious Game to them, it seems like to Mora its fun and games.

By Mark

November 26, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Let me say this a LEADER the QB of a NFL team Looks like a LEADER…and Vick does not. The Coach of the Falcons has failed to manage the team with any authorty at all.It looks as Blanks has saddled himself with a huge contact(Vick) and a Head coach (Mora) who cant get the job done

By jeff

November 26, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Let’s see if Fred Blitnekoff will come out of retirement. He would be better than any receiver we have now

By Imad

November 26, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

All the receivers are sorry, we need to fire Mora and hire is Father Jim Mora Sr. There is no reason to blame Mike Vick cause he’s not superman and can’t do it himself. With all the injuries to the defensive line they still step up and do the job. Our starting receivers need to get different day jobs. I dont know how Roddy white was a # 1 pick. That dude couldn’t even catch a beach ball.

By Talons of Fire

November 26, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

No matter what, some people are hell bent on blaming Vick for the Falcons’ debacle. If it wasn’t for Vick, the Falcons would have had no points …Period. Even the commentators chronicled the Falcons penchant for dropped passes all season long. The Falcons have NO running game outside of Vick and a few flashes by Norwood. Dunn is not getting it done. The secondary is third class. That being said, I will ALWAYS be a Falcon fan, but this year it will take divine intervention for them to even sniff the playoffs. Fire the Coaching staff, get rid of the high school receivers we have and start over. I’ll be cheering the Falcons on for the remainder of the season and I plan to see EVERY remaining game. GO FALCONS…..IN 2007!

By Ol'Coach

November 26, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

The NFL has caught up to the Falcons offensive scheme: put 8 in the box, stuff the run, and dare Mike Vick and the Atlanta receivers to beat you through the air. Yes, MV7 will sometimes run for 120+ yds, but that’s not going to beat you - keep the rest of the team to under 150 yds rushing, and you get the ATL offense off the field, and put that defense on the field. Then it becomes a war of attrition, and the defense collapses in the 4th quarter.

BTW, I thought you were supposed to knock the Hail Mary pass down, not try to catch it, right DHall21??? Right, Milloy??? I figured you knew better… That was the back breaker.

In every NFL game, you can point to 1 or 2 plays per game that are tide turners. That was certainly one - you’re probably thinking that the R. White drop was the other. Nope, for my money, the 3rd play of the game (76 yard TD to Henderson) was the other. That means the Falcons were behind yet again. This team epitomizes the term front runner - they can’t fall behind, ‘cause they ain’t catching nothing (pun intended).

By Dano

November 26, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

Hey e.b.,

That’s the problem, the brilliant coaching staff has MV7 trying to do it all by himself. In four of the wins, Dunn had 20+ rushes. In 5 0f the 6 losses, Dunn had 19 or less rushes. Sure, MV7 will probably get his 1,000 yards rushing this season….SO WHAT!!! The play calling is awful!!!!

By Knapp sucks

November 26, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

We need new WR’s, OL, DB’s, and LB’s that are not injury prone.

By BigGun

November 26, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick flipping off the fans after the game pretty much sums up the issue with this team….MIKE VICK. This is not a coaching issue, it’s a player issue. Mike can run, but he sucks as a passer and LEADER. Bench him, start Schaub and build on next year. We are done. This time next year Vick will be selling drugs with Marcus in Virginia.

By Ryder

November 26, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

I did see Vick flip off the fan at the end of the half, and I lost a lot of respect for him after that. Like it or not, he is the face of this franchise, and he CANNOT do those things no matter how upset he may be. It goes beyond wide receivers dropping passes, it goes beyond Hall not knocking down that Hail Mary but choosing to catch it in order to up his stats. This comes down to the coaching staff and the inability to take charge.

Forget any changes this offseason in the staff. Blank is convinced this will work and will not fire anyone. Instead they will simply blame injuries to Finneran and to the defensive side of the ball. They will say that the losses were due to a few drops and missed assignments, not due to a lack of scheme. Blank will say that Mora is a leader and Knapp is still the best OC for this team. Why you may ask? It’s like a girl being in a relationship with a horrible boyfriend but afraid to cut him loose because she feels there’s no alternative, so she keeps the horrible boyfriend around and continues to lose whatever confidence she has and eventually her identity.

This is the Atlanta Falcons here now and forever. Blank has no alternative if he fires Mora, Knapp, and Donatell. He made this choice and now has to lie in it. That being said, it’s a shame that a player of Michael Vick’s talents will be wasted and we will see many moments like Sunday for a long time to come.

So look beyond the drops, and the missed opportunities and look to a future of indecision, lack of accountability, and a lack of identity. These are your Atlanta Falcons.

I will truly enjoy watching the Washington Redskins beat them into the ground next week like the scrubs they are. Living here in DC I’m thankful that we have a black quarterback who has actual talent around him who are willing to play the game of football 100%

By todd bremt

November 26, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

3 biggest bonehead plays today. 1. Vick fumbling again…holding the ball like he’s Earl Anthoney at the Medina open. 2. D-hall trying to catch the ball before halftime only to miss it completely and allow NO to score. 3. And my personal fav, Brooking jumping around the field like a lunatic after he made a tackle.

By Gus

November 26, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

This Falcons team would have been great in the beginning of football, prior to the creation of the forward pass. The Falcons cannot pass and cannot stop anyone else from passing.

By larry

November 26, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

The longer Michael Vick and Reggie Ball play football the worse they get. If Roddie White played for the Colts, he’d be an all pro. The only quarterback worse than Vick in Atlanta is Ball. At least Vick can run. The Falcons already lost 1 good coach because of Vick. Now they’ll probably loose another. The Falcons will never win in the NFL with a quarterback who cannot complete a down field pass.

By Boots

November 26, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Vick is to the Falcons what A-Rod was to the Texas Rangers —- an overpaid player who caused resentments among his team-mates, strangled the teams ability to buy other supporting players and never did anything to move the Rangers toward the Big Show. Ultimately, he was traded. Do you think anyone would pick up Vick’s enormous contract? I don’t think so. So, Bird-fans, suck it up! Vick is here to stay!!

By ptra

November 26, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

I am not a Vick fan and don’t care if the Falcons win or lose. I will say that Vick does give an effort. Vick is not a leader though. If he was, he would be in his receivers faces on the sidelines telling them to catch the ball, in the face of his offensive line to protect him. If he is not able change the play at the line, then he should be in the coaches faces telling them to allow it. If they do not listen, he should be in the media saying that they should allow it. Vick should become more vocal in the leadership of this team. He is the quarterback. He has been in the league long enough to have the backbone to stand up to this.
As far as the team, skill players may be the focus of the highlight films, but the team should be built from the offensive line. The line makes the QB look good by giving him time, makes the RB look good by opening holes. This is where the Falcons need to start.

By s.allen

November 26, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

This is not a Vick Problem. This is a case when the numbers are not telling the hold story. It is very difficult to compare Vick to some of the higher rated passers. Vick rarely has more than 3 options to throw to. Due to the offensive lines inability to pass protect. He doesn’t a number one receiver.(Some one that commands double coverage) Play calling.?????

By Roy

November 26, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

Come On Mora grow a backbone and tell Mr.Blank your sitting his boy. Vick reminds me of his cousin A.Brooks, ask the Saints if they want him back. Please trade Vick before everyone else realizes he’s the worst QB in the league, lets get something for him. Your Dad’s right he’s a Coach Killer! You better turn this around now or your toast!

By GeorgeWright

November 26, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

I usually do but this time I have nothing positive to say. Even Ashley Lelie, who was brought in to catch balls because our other receivers didn’t, has now caught the dropsies instead. I watch other teams play and I see them with a fire in their eyes when they get behind and then pick themselves up with determined play. This batch of Falcons have a look in their eyes of someone who is ready to go home… in the 2nd quarter. I had such hope this year too based on them on paper and after the first game. Now it’s over and if it’s not going to bother the Falcons, I guess it won’t bother me either.

By NOLAMike

November 26, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Seems like the first game won wasn’t because of all the Katrina emotion—it was because the Saints are better.

By Jared

November 26, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

oh well. it’s just a game you dudes.

By Tim McDaniel

November 26, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Long time fan is correct, much to the displeasure of alot of us Vick will stay simply because he puts fans in the stands, and he would be too much of a cap hit to let go. Even though it is alot of the recievers fault for dropping passes, I cannot believe that any wide receiver who comes here simply “forgets” how to catch. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that Vicks throws are reverse rotation due to the fact that he is left handed and to the fact that he simply throws it so hard. I would love to see Shaub get some playing time, I know we have alot invested in Vick, but we need to make a decision of which to keep. Also, putting Shaub in would also raise his value if he does well. On the Coaching side, I believe that Knapp, Donatell and Mora need to go. I don’t know who to bring in, but I think that the decision needs to be made AFTER you decide what to do with Vick. I have been a Falcons fan all of my life and I will continue to be. But you must question with barely over 4 minutes left to go in the game and you’re down by 11 points, why not go for it. When they punted the ball, I turned the game off. Because the coaches gave up then and so did I.

By p

November 26, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

Man if we had Drew Brees, we’d be 9-2, at least

By Reynard

November 26, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me the last time (before today) that a hail mary worked in the pro game. If that is not a true indictment of this coaching staff, what is? I’m a Vick fan but the Falcons are going nowhere this season. Bench Vick a few games for giving the fans the finger and see what you have in Matt. He might prove a winner.

By moo

November 26, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Whatever happened to the H-Back?

By Sunny Ray Willy

November 26, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

s allen -Come on Vick rarly sees past his first option let alone his third! It’s true however that this team has many problems and the coaches have lost these players, so fair or not Mora has to go.

By josh

November 26, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

FIRE MORA, KNAPP AND DONATELL. THEY ARE THE WORST COACHING STAFF IN THE NFL.

By Boots

November 26, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

PTRA —- I think we’re the only two who see the obvious. The quarterback is the emotional sparkplug of the team and the “leader on the field.” The TV cameras and commentators have never documented a single incident of Vick getting in the face of his team, challenging them to a higher level of performance. That’s on him. In addition, the coaching staff opened up the passing game for Vick and would give him the right to “audiblelize” if he demanded it. He hasn’t demanded it because to do so would make him responsible for the outcome of his decision.

By chadinga

November 26, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

I went to high school with a bunch of thugs. If they could run like Vick, they’d be in the NFL today. Instead, they’re selling drugs, collecting a “check,” laying up with their babies’ mommas, or in jail. If Vick wasn’t such an “athlete” that’s what he’d be doing today as well. HE’S A THUG!! CAN HIS A*!!

By Big Keith

November 26, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

You Idiots Keep Calling For Vicks Head??? Lets use a little common sense here. If your offensive line does not give you 3 seconds to pass drop back, go through your reads and make a decision you will not be successful passing the ball (Screen Plays and slant passes Excluded). Clarification: Pro Football players are taught to count 1 1000 2 1000 3 1000 and get rid of the ball or yell fire to alert the lineman and run. When you have 2 - 3 people in your face almost at the snap of the ball and your receivers and playcalling vs defensive scheme are suspect at best, (for some reason Atlanta’s coaches never use slant passes or screen passes as would be customary throughout the league to aleviate pressure and do not allow the qb’s to audible out of a bad playcall vs defensive alignments)add to that the fact that the receivers we have cannot get off of jams or tight coverage or run crisp routes to get open or gain yards after the catch. Additionally because of our penchant for drafting small offensive linement 2nd smallest lightest in the league behind Denver at 302lb avg. we cannot hold our blocks long enough for anything other than a perfectly called run play or adlibed run from the qb out of a pass configuration to be successful. All of the aforemention qb’s including both Mannings, Brady and Drew Brees, have the size up front to both pass protect and score (power the ball) in the redzone. They also have receivers: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Plaxico Buress(ATL passed on him), Amani Toomer, Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell,Joe Horn, Marques Colston and so many other capable backups. So Apples to Apples you are biased in your assumptions that Vick cannot get the job done in ATL because he has not been given the same tools of those by which you Judge him. Watch something other than just the ball during games and you will see this as fact that’s what good coaches and fans do (they break down film) most of ours dont. Also avoid always buying into what commentators say during the game they are color commentators not analysts. Above all and I think the real Atlanta fans who love our city and our team will agree you play hard until the final whistle blows and you try to score as many points as possible so that you instill in your team a dont quit attitude, thats what Sean Peyton did for N.O. today, what did this coaching staff do? Run the clock out running the ball (QUIT). I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT THAT TELLS ME ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS COACHING STAFF, WEAK!!! P.S. I think Matt Schaub is also a good qb but I know based on the above he wouldnt perform much better based on the above. We need to, as Atlanta fans, let this franchise know that we dont want anymore gimmick coaches and gimmick schemes in Atlanta I for one have had enough of the smoke and mirrors. GET US A REAL COACH WITH A SOUND, SOLID SCHEME AND I GURANTEE WE’LL SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WIN COLUMN, LOOK AT N.O. THEY DID IT!!!

By John Brown

November 26, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

How can we blame Jim Mora, when he is saddled with the worst quarterback in the NFL. Mike Vick is not a professional caliber quarterback, and with his latest outburst after the game I put him in the same category as Terreoo Owens and Randy Moss. A cancer to his team

By Falcon

November 26, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

I agree with marbo. Vick will one day will be run out of town by these knit whits who know nothing about football. He will excel with another team with a successful franchise, with more appreciative fans. My only glory left for this year is when Dallas comes to town an Terrell Owens whips our tail! I can’t wait for him to cuss Gregg Knapp out one more time, just because Mike Vick has too much class to do it! Vick should be throwing to T.O. to this year, but Knapp was in the way!

By Kajun_Gumbo

November 26, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Revenge for Big Ben of 78…Finally!

By Dwayne

November 26, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

How are people still saying that Vick is not the problem?? Check out espn.com and look at his stats. Like his td/int info, his qb rating. Even someone like McNabb who has been in the NFL only 2 more years than Vick has TWICE as many passing yards. Yes, the O line, the coaching and receivers have problems, but don’t put it all on them when other qb’s are able to step up and do it for their team when their team doesn’t.

By falconfan24

November 26, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

The offensive coordinator (KNAPP) he must go. I’ve been thinking this for awhile. VICK ran his butt off today of course because he has no one to throw too. I had faith in our young WR’s @ first but after these last three games .. its no hope. We need an OFFENSIVE LINE/GOOD WR’S AND AN OFFENSIVE CORRDINATOR…waisting my Sundays on this…

By Jack

November 26, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

THink the only thing that will get their attention is empty seats!! And that goes for season tickets next year!! Just think — at the beginning of the season there was talk of a new stadium!! No need for a new stadium until we get a decent team. One question: are the receivers and Vick practicing during the week?? They do not look like it!!!

By Had Enough!!

November 26, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

Problem is there is no accountability by anyone associated with or part of the team!!!

Maybe if Vick sat out a game or two he’d realize (likely not) that he is not the QB he thinks he is…

By steve

November 26, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

fire mora, hire paul johnson from navy and run the option.

By midniterider

November 26, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

Vick showed he has no class at all today He should be kicked off the team for that .The fans had every right to boo the team they pay good money to see the game and they dont make 130 mil . No class Vick should go

By Arthur Blank Jr

November 26, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

If Vick stays because no one will take his salary, they should use him and Shaub the way the Florida Gators use their 2 quarterbacks. Rotate them and let Vick run his plays from the shotgun. It works for Florida, but then again, that’s creativity designed to maximize the strengths of your players.

By tim

November 26, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

Thanks!The Bird Babe.All the racist comments was just plain childish.Bird Babe is the numble one blog on AJC.

By Matt

November 26, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

OK folks, quit p*** footing around. Vick is one of the big problems. He’s a great athlete, but he’s not a great quarterback. He does not have the leadership or the touch or the mental vision required.

The offensive scheme is one of the big problems. Reliance on solely the run — which is easy to stop when you have an undersized o-line and undersize, large heart running back.

The play calling is another big problem. Knapp has no emotion and no where with all to coach — he cottles Vick way too much.

The secondary is over taxed. They play every down and most of them are on special teams. Also, having someone in your secondary lead the teams in tackles is not a good thing.

Finally, the fans and ownership. We set our expectations too high. The experts picked this team to be a 7-9 team. This is pretty likely. I think they can pull off two more wins.

I am a season ticket holder and I have given away my season tickets for the rest of the year. I’m over it. Mr. Blank, do what you will — but if you raise the ticket prices for this product — you will lose your entire fan base!

By Talons of Fire

November 26, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this

Besides Vick, the Falcons no longer have a running game. I agree that they should be running the ball in the red zone. The O-Line can’t protect well enough to try to throw it and even if they did the chances are very good that the receivers will drop the pass. I never saw this coming (4 losses in a row) Especially after starting 5-2. How can this year be as bad or worse than last year. The Vick haters will ALL scream…It’s because we need a new QB! That gets old! If Blank doesn’t hire a new coach, then perhaps he’s plannning on selling the team.

By TTCO

November 26, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this

Politics as usual, your comment was right on the money but they wont admit it even though most of them realize it is true. Maybe Vick CAN be a better QB and if he gets benched it will get his head straight all I know is something needs to be done at that position first! If you dont realize that you are just fooling yourself or as I have stated before you ARE a fool yourself!

By Frank

November 26, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Mora the job in Miami with the Hurricanes is open

By Bill

November 26, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

SAD!!!

By Diane

November 26, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

I love the Falcons, but I am embrassed every Sunday. Mora has to go!

By Matt

November 26, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Is it time to start rooting for the Titans?

By Jack

November 26, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Get some receivers who want to play football …..NOT BADMITTEN!! And they call themselves pros!!! Really pathetic today!!!

By Diane

November 26, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

I love the Falcons, but I am embrassed every Sunday. Mora has to go!

By Mike in Woodstock

November 26, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

It’s not even fun to come on this blog anymore. Even to critique the obvious. I really hate that because I had a lot of faith in Arthur Blank. I feel like we’re back in the Rankin Smith era. Hell, they should just go ahead and bring back Jerry Glanville.

The organization seems to have imploded. Now we’ll start hearing the idiotic cliche’s of “Wait till next year.” I really enjoy being a season ticket holder because I like going down for the “game day” experience. Games like this make it harder to justify their purchase though. Even the scalpers are starting to get that look of desperation in their eyes.

Look on the bright side though. The Dallas Cowboys are coming to town next month and you can still hock your tickets on ebay for a pretty nice price. They have a dedicated fan base ya’ know. But of course they’ve got a bunch of Super Bowl rings to give their fans reason to support them. Even in off years.

By patrick

November 26, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

From a long time saints fan. Keep your heads up. Jim Mora is not a bad coach. He has alot to build with, it will not be long before the falcons will be flying high again. But if you jump ship now, you won’t deserve to enjoy the good times that will come. Good luck for the rest of the season . Please blow out Carolina and Philly for us.

By TPM

November 26, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

The guys who play on this team need a reality check. They are paid to catch the ball, block and make tackles. On the rare occasion that they do these things, they celebrate like their crap do not stink. They need to wait until they get into the end-zone or win a game before they act like they won the superbowl

By Disappointed Falcon

November 26, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

It is very sad to see that for the last 3-4yrs. the Ga Dome has been “sold out”, and we don’t have a winning football team. Mr. Blank needs to cut “all” his ties with the coaching staff. From head coach all the way down to QB coach. I hate when people say things and don’t be man or woman enough to say what they mean. Jim Mora Sr. that’s another story, but all I have to say is that I certain that Jim Mora Jr. complain to his father bout Vick for his father to make the “coach killer” comment. That right there Mr. Blank needs to cut all ties with the coaching dept. There is a sense of lack of integrity in that locker room. To end this story, Mr. Blank, go ahead and get Randy Moss, and that rookie from GTech name Johnson. Move Vick to a position what Kordell Stewart had in Steelers, and put Shaub as QB. Last but not least…Coach Cowher from the Steelers!! Before you all comment about it, sit down and think about it..

By paul02085

November 26, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Start Schaub next week and watch how miraculously we start playing better. Mark my words!

By mellot

November 26, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

I guess all the people saying the Falcons will never win with Vick a QB have really short memories. Only 2 years ago they went to the NFC Championship and lost to the Eagles. 2 years before that, they beat the Packers in Green Bay in the playoffs. Vick was at QB both years. Daryl Johnston was stupid to say that Vick getting sacked cost the team 4 points. It was third down, if he had thrown the ball away to avoid a sack they still would have had to kick a field goal. Vick takes sacks like that when he is trying to keep the play alive. If he keeps it alive everyone says “what a great play”. If you didn’t know, in John Elway’s first 10 years he had a passer rating of 73.77, he threw 158 TD and 157 Int. and completed 54% of his passes but he is considered one of the all-time great QB’s.

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

November 26, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

So would anyone still trade

Michael Vick

Tim Dwight

For

Drew Brees

Ladainian Tomlinson

Didn’t think so. Mora and Vick need to go. Vick completely lost his compsure at the end of the game. Arthur Blank should come down very stern for this classless act by the “face” of the franchise.

I am disappointed as a fan that this is all we have got out of Vick in 6 years. As long as Vick is here we wil not win the Super Bowl. This trick offense that they use is to easy to defense. What a shame.

By mike

November 26, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Blame the coaches all you want, but personnel is a bigger problem with the Falcons. When are people going to realize that Vick is not a QB. He threw for 80 yards today. It is the same every week. And in regard to the receivers, QB’s make receivers (see Calvin Johnson last night, 2 catches for 13 yards). Deangelo Hall is highly overrated; he has gotten torched all year. Maybe he should have knocked the ball down at the end of the half instead of trying to catch it to pad his stats so that he can lobby for the pro bowl while the team loses. He is not even close to the real Prime Time 21. Coaching changes do not solve the personnel issue.

By The Donald

November 26, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Blank: Your quarterback, Michael Vick, shot a bird to hundreds, if not thousands, of your customers. He told your customers to go screw themselves. If you had an employee or manager of one of your Orange Boxes do that to a customer, what would you do? I hope you apologize to your “paying customers” and seriously discipline your employee. If he were my employee, I’d say, “You’re fired!” (Or, since it is Michael “It’s All About Me” Vick, I’d put him in time-out for a week or two.)

By MrEmerkin

November 26, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

find a way to get Brooks from Oakland.

You can platoon them as QB in obvious passing/running downs. If you talk real nice, you might get Moss as Lagniappe, and finally put a real receiver on the field too.

By Tony

November 26, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Vick is definitely not a coach killer. And he’s definitely not the worst QB in the league. The Falcons don’t suck because Vick is their QB. They suck because they’re one dimensional. They’re not a one dimensional team because Vick is their QB. They’re a one dimensional team because their receivers, WR coaches, and offensive coordinators suck!

How many times did our receivers fall down today? How many passes did they drop? Sure, some of the passes would have been tough catches, but this is the NFL!!!! All the WRs on our opponent’s teams this year have made tough catches. When are these bozos that play for the Falcons gonna start coming up with some of these catches? And don’t even get me started on Roddy White!

Not once did they show a coach or a player up in somebody’s face. This team has no heart! They gave up today. They quit. If this were just about any other team in the league, you would have seen someone in their teammate’s face. You would have seen the QB go to the WRs on the sideline and challenge them. You would have seen an O-line coach up in his linemen’s grill. You would have seen the head coach having more than just a casual discussion with the other coaches of the team.

If real changes aren’t made quick, this season will be another wash. If things aren’t turned around, some heads need to roll. Mr. Blank, we’ll see if you’re a man of your word!

By coach Mora

November 26, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

Ma was right I do suck !

By J4

November 26, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

“fight, fight, fight”….YEAH, RIGHT

By Robert Sams

November 26, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

Hey, Keep hope Alive! We can still make the playoffs. Keep hope Alive!

By REFMan

November 26, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

I think you have to put some of the blame on Rich McKay. He’s a great defensive talent evaluator (besides Hartwell) but poor at making offensive decisions. When he first came to the Falcons he said he heard Green Bay’s GM greatest regret was not surrounding Brett Favre with more talent. And he said he would put great talent around Vick but he has failed. McKay tried with the draft picks of Jenkins & White but they’re not good receivers. We all know Vick isn’t a great passer, so you should build an offense which would give Vick the best opportunity to succeed in the passing game. Which would be to get the best pass blocking Offensive Lineman you can find & get him the best WR’s you can (true #1 superstar). However, the Falcons did the opposite & got a bunch of no name Offensive Lineman who are good in Alex Gibbs run blocking scheme but poor at pass protection. You don’t have any WR’s worth anything, instead passing the opportunity to get a TO, Randy Moss, Javon Walker by not taking them. In essence you setup Vick to fail in the passing game. He isn’t a pocket passer, he needs help in the passing game, he isn’t a drop-back QB so you must put talent around Vick that’s pass-oriented for him to succeed in this area. We all know Vick can run like crazy so we don’t really need a run oriented offense. Our offense is setup to run the ball, which really hurts the passing game. Vick needs some playmakers around him. Dunn’s career is coming to an end. Crumpler is a stud but defenses know our WR’s suck so they gameplan to frustrate Crumpler. What this team needs is Olineman that can block in the passing game & a stud WR. With this setup I think Vick can be consistent in the passing game & show week in & week out what he did against the Steelers & Bengals.

By Boy oh boy

November 26, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

LT is something else.

By william

November 26, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

It is perplexing why the Falcons receivers drop so many Mike Vick passes. This has been occurring in every game this season - not just today. It’s true the offensive line does not give Vick time to throw and we have the worst secondary in the league. After the first two games this year, our pass rush has been non-existent. If the Falcons play out the season as today, there WILL be 5 more losses. It’s time to start planning for a new head coach, staff and VP for next season. This season is history and there is no reason to keep bashing all involved those with the Falcons. Falcons

By Jonny

November 26, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

First things first: Most QB’s cannot carry teams. Even those QB’s that can carry a team still need guys that can block and guys that can catch and an RB that can run. And a coach that can coach with the talent he has on hand. And a owner that keeps his ignorant be-hind off the field.

The Falcons have one element: The Run. Vick can run. Dunn can run as can the other HB. But Vick is a terrible passer with terrible receivers. Muhammed makes Brady look good on some bad passes but Brady is generally pretty accurate. Vick has neither accuracy or receivers that make him look good, except for Crumpler. But can you imagine if Tom Brady only had one decent receiver and that receiver was a tight end?

Run blocking looks decent but Dunn and Vick make that easy for the run block. Pass blocking is lacking somewhat but the receivers aren’t making things easy on the pass block by not getting open. Vick’s arm being so wild make it impossible to thread a needle. Vick literally needs someone to be wide open in order to get the ball to him without the INT.

And then there is the coaching and the owner. Mora is a poor coach with respect to knowing his talent. The offensive playbook needs to be simple for Vick which is fine for a scrambling QB when a play breaks down or Vick simply cannot see an open receiver.

As far as Blank… he needs to fire himself from field and stay in the box. Then he needs to find a grind it out style coach that can use Vick better.

By mike

November 26, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

Blame the coaches all you want, but personnel is a bigger problem with the Falcons. When are people going to realize that Vick is not a QB. He threw for 80 yards today. It is the same every week. And in regard to the receivers, QB’s make receivers (see Calvin Johnson last night, 2 catches for 13 yards). Deangelo Hall is highly overrated; he has gotten torched all year. Maybe he should have knocked the ball down at the end of the half instead of trying to catch it to pad his stats so that he can lobby for the pro bowl while the team loses. He is not even close to the real Prime Time 21. Coaching changes do not solve the personnel issue.

By Jack

November 26, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

BLANK——-A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN. GET YOU A NEW BROOM AND FIRE MCKAY, MORA, AND TRADE VICK. BAD AS HE IS YOU CAN PROBABLY GET A TON FOR HIM IN A TRADE.—-LOOK WHAT DALLAS DID WITH ALL THE PLAYERS AND PICKS THEY GOT FOR HERSHEL WALKER.

By STEALTH MAN

November 26, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Why was Jim Mora kissing Vicks helment before he ran out on the field for? This is Football, this not the first Grade. Your’e too soft Jimmy. The real man was on the field fans, next to Arthur Blank before the game. It was Dan Reeves, what a statement by Mr. Blank. This is why this team is too soft. The Coaching should be tough. I feel that Mora is too young for the Job and inexperienced for this job. What is Gregg Knapp on the field for? He did not hardly throw to his Pro-Bowler CRUMPLER. Check out my 6:13 no2 blog.

By Laughing

November 26, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

I vividly remember so many Falcons fans saying Reeves does not know how to use Vick. So Dan left. Now its Mora and knapp dont know how to use Vick. Let them go and what will you say about the next coach when the same thing happens? Blame another coach. Look at the one continuous piece of the puzzle the whole time. Lotta highlights, HUGE price tag, and no consistency. Maybe Mora Sr. was not all that wrong after all. You will continue to blame every coach because Vick is inconsistent. Enjoy it Falcons fans. You wanted him, you deserve him. I will go back to watching real QBs and teams play.

By Mike

November 26, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

On Offense

Michael Vick should never drop back in the pocket. He should always be rolling with the option to run on every pass play. That would eliminate many of the sacks and help the receivers get open. (of course nothing is going to help them catch the ball)

On Defense

Atlanta was putting all kinds of pressure on the quarterback early in the season. I realize there have been a number of injuries to key defensive players but injuries are part of the game. Atlanta’s secondary is not good enough against a quarterback with time to throw. They must rush more than 4 men the majority of the time.

Special Teams

Thank God for Morten Anderson.

Overall

The team has no direction, players have no confidence in the coaching staff and it shows. The coaches appear to be mad scientists experimenting every week instead of building a solid game plan based on fundamentals and designed taking full advantage of the talent that they have.

By John Madden

November 26, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

“Is there any truth to the rumor that Michael Vick and Reggie Ball are the same man? It might explain a lot of things, except why their coaches don’t bench them when they need to.”

By Duncan

November 26, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

JENKINS + WHITE + LELIE = GARBAGE, Do not pin this loss on the coaching staff. Our receivers have been subpar all season long. Mike Vick showed what a true fighter he is today.

By barkeriv

November 26, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this

The trouble with the Falcons are that the wrong Quarterback is leading the team. Vick is a great player but his skills are no longer at quarterback as they are at running back and options. Move the number 2 to 1 and use them in the same backfield. I believe our recievers will never be able to catch Vicks passes because he will only throw bullets. You need a thrower with a softer catchable ball like Peyton Manning. A healthy Defense won’t hurt either.

By TJ

November 26, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

I said it when they traded TJ and I will say it again. We have nobody to pound the ball when we got a receiver for him that can’t catch a cold. Does anyone see now how badly we miss TJ in the red zone? Nice trade McKay!

And Ryder, how can you compare the pathetic Falcons to the more than pathetic Redskins? Snyder is certainly no example of how to run an NFL team.

By Rocky

November 26, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

This is some b******! We look a damn mess! Fired this over paid coaches. Mr. White I am very disappointed. Pack your s** and head for another city. Falcon’s this is sad.

By Paul McGuire

November 26, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

I think there may be something to the rumor that Michael Vick and Reggie Ball are the same man? It might explain a lot of things, except why their coaches don’t bench them when they need to. It’s pretty scary when you think about it.

By Dwayne

November 26, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

So Vick showed what a true fighter he is today, is that when he was giving the finger to all the people who pay his salary?

By Since 1980.....

November 26, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

….these MF have been getting my hopes up and letting me down. Again…aint nothing changed. Same ole Falcons. New Ownership, new GM, new coaching staff, new players, new stadium, enthusiastic fans, and Mike Vick still equals same ole Falcons.

When Mr. Home Depot took over I knew that this franchise was finally going to begin and sustain a winning tradition. It appeared that the same ole Falcons were resolved and dead. Not..and I cant figure it out. Its not my job either, its the Authur Blanks, the Rich McKays and Jr. to right this sinking ship.

Roddy Whites’ dropped ball today is a prime example of the futility of this franchise. That was some ole…well, no its Roddy White. This receiving corps is the biggest travesty in the history of western civilization.

As mentioned above, its not my job to figure this thing out, however if I was the Owner or GM, here is what I would do after todays game

Release Roddy White and fire Greg Knapp. I would meet with Mike Vick and Jr., issue an ultimatum of if they dont make the playoffs I need to see them the day after Christmas.

If they dont make the playoffs, I will fire Jr. inform Mike Vick that the QB position will be an open battle between him, Shaub and Shock. I would then try and lure Pete Carrol from USC or Bob Stoops from OU.

With that said, I must end this by giving a shout out to my baby currently up in Phili “newtothegame.” I miss you girl, see you next weekend. They still dont know what ups!!!!

By Old Ga grad

November 26, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

For a QB, Vick is a great running back; for a running back, he’s a decent passer. The problem is he’s neither one, and the NFL has no need for a running QB. This was a bad draft decision that Atlanta will be paying for for a long time.

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

Parcells changed quarterbacks, over the objections of jerry Jones, in Dallas and the Cowboys have a legitimate chance of going to a Super Bowl. maybe the Foulcons should try that. Otherwise, the season is lost!

By mike

November 26, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

…Just heard about The Vick’s new dirtybird gesture to his adoring public - - man, get rid of the bum. just give us a team that tries. Give us Schaub for a while…at least give the guy a chance. What do we have to lose? Another game? And put The Vick somewhere else.

By Diane

November 26, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Yes, too many balls were being dropped. No excuse for that. They know to catch the ball first THEN run.

BUT….it’s also hard to play the other team AND the officials. The lack of penalties being called on the Saints was ridiculous. Had half of the penalties been called that SHOULD have been called, this would have been an entirely different game. All I ask is that a fair game get called and it didn’t happen today.

By WSams

November 26, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

Roddy White does not have what it takes to play in the NFL. Crumpler is the only stand out receiver on the team. But the bigger problem is the lack of coordination between Mora’s staff and Vick. Either they don’t call good plays for Vick or Vick doesn’t execute well for them: it’s probably a healthy combination. But we’ve gotta start getting some real production out of the QB position.

By Falcon

November 26, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

I’VE WORKED RETAIL FOR OVER 10 YEARS. NEVER DID A CUSTOMER COME INTO A STORE, DRINK ALL THE BEER ALLOWED, AND THEN HECKLE OUR STAFF. THE ONLY CUSTOMERS THAT EVER ACTED OUT WERE THOSE THAT WERE THIEVES OR CHERRY PICKERS. I DON’T AGREE WITH FLICKING THE FANS OFF, BUT AT SOME POINT MIKE VICK FELT LIKE HE HAD TO DEFEND HIMSELF. HE WAS DOING ALL HE COULD TO WIN TODAY AND THE COACHING STAFF DID NOT SHOW THE SAME PASSION. BESIDES THE FANS HECKLING VICK AREN’T TRUE FANS, THEY ARE DRUNKS WHO HAVE NO CLUE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY SHOULD BE IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY REPENTING RATHER THAN BROWBEATING THE TEAM.

By TEDDY JACK TEDDY

November 26, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

We all pretend to know if Vick is the problem, what is obvious is he is impatient, reads defenses poorly, is not accurate, is consistantly late on throws, and rarely sees past his first option and his own feet.Ok so he is part of the problem, what we can’t see in the current context is, can he over come these tendencies with another coaching staff. standby I’m thinking we’ll find out next year.

By Laughing

November 26, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

Lots of hype, a huge salary, and a somewhat decent college career does not equal a good NFL QB. Dallas starts a journeyman, average in college QB, who makes Vick look like a wanna be. Enjoy the highlights during the season, but, watch teams with younger and real QBs win SuperBowls.

By Michael Irvin

November 26, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this

*I hope we can find out if there is something to the rumor that Michael Vick and Reggie Ball are the same man? It might explain a lot of things, except why their coaches don’t bench them when they need to. *

By Bubba

November 26, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this

I have been saying for years that the Falcons will never win with Vick because you have to be able to pass. Every year I got criticized, every year I see a coach getting fired as the scape-goat for Vicks’s incompetence.If you let Schaub go you will regret it. BTW, NICE JOB GIVING THE FANS THE FINGER MICHAEL. WHAT CLASS.

By Hopeful in Hotlanta

November 26, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

Lets see, 9 for 24 passing, ranked 25th in the league in passing rating, and he is going to lead us to the next level ? Yes he can run, then make him a running back. To be great in the NFL you have to be able to do both. And finally for shooting the bird at the fans, classless !

By KENNY

November 26, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

on second thought MV7, i kind of liked it better when you were giggling and playing grab a* with ed reed and mcnair last week as opposed to giving me the the Dirty Bird.

By Ryder

November 26, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

‘50 years ago, you would be strung up in FedEx Field with a football up your a**.’ ‘He’s a Falcons fan, he’s a Falcons fan…’

At least Snyder would spend money to bring in players (even if they don’t pan out, but at least he tries) and fire that worthless coaching staff, something Blank is too spineless to do!

By bill

November 26, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

TO MANY PROBLEMS TO FIX. FIRING THE COACH WON’T HELP. KEEP THE COACH FIRE THE PLAYERS

By brian

November 26, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

This was sad i dont think shaub is the answer. The falcons need to take these guys t a thrashers practice in duluth. they are soft and self centered and have no idea what making a sacrafice for the team is about. Meangelo Hall Mike Vicky!!!!!!!!!! Take matters into your hands you have the talent,now go with it.

By bill williams

November 26, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

Is it racist to criticize Michael Vick on his performance?

By mike

November 26, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

uh, let’s see…where would we find some of the Falcons right about now? Celebrating? Buckhead? Big dinners? Midtown? Enjoying their big paychecks? Strip clubs? Trying to forget about how lousy they are?

By Jimmy Johnson

November 26, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

**I agree with you Michael. I wish we could find out if there is something to the rumor that Michael Vick and Reggie Ball are the same man? It might explain a lot of things, except why their coaches don’t bench them when they need to.

And how about them Cowboys, in spite of Jerry Jones?!!**

By Ryder

November 26, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

‘50 years ago, you would be strung up in FedEx Field with a football up your a**.’ ‘He’s a Falcons fan, he’s a Falcons fan…’

At least Snyder would spend money to bring in players (even if they don’t pan out, but at least he tries) and fire that worthless coaching staff, something Blank is too spineless to do!

Vick in Atlanta? He gets crucified by fans who want their QB like they like their coaches, as white as the driven snow.

In DC Vick would be considered a star and praised as such for his abilities. At least he’d have competent receivers and a great offensive line.

It’s ok Falcons fans, at least next week you’ll get to see what it’s like to have talent at the receiver position and a line who knows how to protect their QB

By drew

November 26, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick’s obscene jesture to fans confirms what I’ve long suspected: he’s just like his brother - a hood. Great move Arthur Blank in signing Michael to a gazillion dollar contract. You’re the only one who likes him Maybe you two can go party together.

By ptra

November 26, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

In earlier seasons of the 2000’s the New Orleans Saints had a quarterback names Aaron Brooks who led the Saint’s to their first playoff win in team history. Great story. He continued playing with some success, being replaced with a QB named Jake Delhomme who did a good job. Brooks had some trouble in games and the fans thought Delhomme should have been inserted to see how the team would play. Delhomme played some and again had some success, making him more valuable as a player. The Saints could not afford both players and made a decision to keep Brooks and allowed Delhomme to sign with Carolina. The rest is history.
Wonder what will happen to the Falcons.

By K-Factor

November 26, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Okay, I’ll try to keep it simple:

1. Trade Michael Vick. He is, at most times, a one-dimensional QB.
2. Trade Warrick Dunn for a larger, more aggressive RB.
3. Draft new wide receivers and trade/release the ones currently here.
4. Draft/Trade for an effective offensive line.
5. Trade Abraham and Hartwell, as well as Brooking, DeAngelo Fall, Rossum, and Webster.
6. Fire the entire coaching staff.
7. Arthur Blank, please find a press box during the game, and stay in it with a grocery bag over your head until you can turn around this franchise. Listen to us bloggers! “You can do it. We can HELP!”

Bloggers, did I leave out anything??

By mike

November 26, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Hey, I heard the Falcons accepted a bid to play in the new Pudding Bowl in Fargo in January.

By Lito

November 26, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

I am washing my hands of this team. I watched them since I was a young child and they first came into the league. 40 years is enough. I’m finished with them. Go Redskins. I hope they jack-up Vick everytime he turns around next week. I hope Tampa Bay, Dallas and whoever else they play does the same to him too.

By mj

November 26, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Well you knew Michael had to be like his brother Marcus, it was just a matter of when it would come out. He’s a classless loser. Flipping off the people whom pays his stupid $100 mil. is just unaceptable. If Blank is serious about character from his players, he won’t let Vick get away with that kind of ignorant jesture from a loser. The Vicks are just a bunch of classless losers. Hey Michael, I hope you think you made your mother proud.

By bill williams

November 26, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Why is it that Vick laughs and cuts up at mid-field after most losses. I would prefer that he at least act like it bothers him to lose. Peyton Manning gets upset walking back to the side line after he does not convert a third down. I just wish that Mr. Big Time would at least act like he gives a hoot, even if he does not.

By rr

November 26, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Well, with the Falcons pretty much out of the playoff picture at least I can spend my Sundays doing more productive things and not breaking remote controls watching so called professional football players drop open passes and some playing with no heart. Vick did all he could, but even he can’t prevent the titanic from sinking. Blank has five more weeks to decide how he will conduct his “firing” sale.

By tiredfalconsfan

November 26, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

It’s disappointing to know MV gave the fans the finger today. The team itselft deserved much worse. As a fan, I was disgusted by what I saw today. As a PAYING fan, I was ticked off. People pay their hard earned money to come see professionals drop passes when they’re paid millions to catch them. If I did my job the way they do theirs, I’d be fired. Somebody needs to go. Maybe I’ll take my season ticket money to see the Hawks play. At least they make it interesting.

By David

November 26, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

How did Reggie Ball manage to sneak in and take Vick’s place?

By Doug Flute

November 26, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

In spite of the many similarities, I believe there is no basis to believe the rumor that Michael Vick and Reggie Ball are the same man? When things go badly for Reggie - he doesn’t use his middle finger to communciate what he thinks of the paying fans, even though they are pretty irritating sometimes. So now we just have to keep wondering why both their coaches don’t bench them when they need to.

By mellot

November 26, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

Will someone explain to me what constitutes an accurate QB. I thought if the ball hits the receiver in the hands it’s supposed to be caught. Last year Vick had a problem with throwing the ball too high. This year most of his incompletions are from dropped passes and throwaways. The pass that he threw to Crumpler in the endzone last week was caught but the ground knocked it out of Crumpler’s hands. Some passes have to be thrown low so only the receiver can catch it. Some have to be thrown outside or inside for the same reason. Watch you great QB’s and see how many of their passes are right between the numbers. Other receivers make catches on balls that our receivers don’t. Joe Horn made a catch today that none of our recievers make. Give Vick time in the pocket and watch the placement of the ball. His high number of incompletions have less to do with his skills than it has to do with other factors like pressure, drops, lack of separation by the receivers or lack of effort by the receivers. Other QB’s frequently throw to open receivers in the middle open area of a zone defense after having time to survey the field. Vick has no time to survey the field and defenses play a lot of man to man because of the receiver’s inability to get separation. Matt Shaub or even Peyton Manning can complete a high number of passes without help from the receivers. By the way, Dan Marino a pure pocket passer and one of the best, never won a Superbowl.

By nativefalcon

November 26, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

I agree with your comments bird babe, i was at the game, Vick tried hard, but our recivers couldn’t catch to save their lives. He hit Roddy white right in his hands. Any receiver in the NFL can make that catch. D-Hall was standing, at the end of the half and was involved in the last touchdown could have prevented it but didn’t.

Dan Reeves was at the game, and he was talking with Arthur Blank, wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall of that conversation, considering Blank now publicly said he screwed up firing Reeves. All these coaches, and recivers all suck and need to go. Hire Reeves back please KING ARTHUR.

By Easy LaFoon

November 26, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need their diapers changed - what a bunch of BABIES. THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE OUNCE OF CLASS AND DESERVE THE BUTT-WIPPINGS THEY GET.

By Cedrick

November 26, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

L O S E R S !!!!! Fire all of them starting with Mora!!!! Another year wasted. Another year NO Playoffs!

By Shell

November 26, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

You people are silly. You put Schaub in and you still have the same Oline that will give him even less time to pass because he cant avoid the rush. But go ahead put him in, you wont believe it untill you see it. Can you say pick six? Not that I want Schaub to do bad,but lets be real here, with the same oline and same pass dropping receivers how good to you really think Schaub will do.

By mellot

November 26, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

If giving someone the finger makes you a thug, then I guess we are all thugs. No one on this blog can honestly say that they have not done that before.

By CAQ

November 26, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Lelie had the same problems at Denver as he is having with the Falcons. He is not a true #1 hes more of a 3rd receiver. Why do you think Denver was so willing to let him go? He always seems to fall when running.

The Falcons need to completly start over on Offense. 1st thing is Knapp must go. 2nd The whole offensive scheme must go 3rd The offense line has to be beefed up. 4th The Falcons have to get a true #1. Moss should be available in the off season. 5th Either Jenkins or White has to be cut or both 6. Fire the receivers coach. How is a 260lbs man coaching receivers on running a good NFL rout anyway?

Also, the Defensive coordinator needs to be fired. He has done nothing. For the 5th straight week the same post play has gone 50+ yards for a touchdown.

Why the heck is Rossum still playing defense. Is Jimmy Williams that big of a bust? Rossum got picked on the whole game.

By coach myself

November 26, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is not getting it done as a coach, the players have no respect for him or his staff. He is to worried about trying to make all the players like him and trying to be cool. Lets be honest when is the last time that you have seen Mora get on a player or even coach a player during a game. Every other coach in the NFL makes adjustments and coaches there guys during the game. NOT MORA. The falcons need a coach that demands perfection and discipline from the players. Mora is not the guy, maybe DITKA will come out of retirement

By Tony

November 26, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Can people stop saying Vick can’t pass! He had two games where the O line gave him time to throw and look what he did. Vick was amazing in high school and just as good in college. Why? Because those coaches made it work with him, and they passed the ball. Vick took VA Tech to the Sugar Bowl and guess what, he didn’t set any rushing records that year. Brian Randall actually ran more than Vick did and VA Tech only made it to the Gator Bowl with him. No he is not the most accurate all the time but he makes it up in other ways. Atlanta will miss him if he goes! You think Schaub would do better?

By Dear Arthur

November 26, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Dear Arthur - Nobody wants to be like Mike anymore. Mike had already proven himself a LOSER on the field — NOW he has proven himself a LOSER off the field with his “DIRTY BIRD” gestures after the game. Kinda makes you long for your Home Depot days when you could fire people on the spot for that kind of behavior — don’t it, Arthur?!?

By T-Payne

November 26, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Since this season is now over, the Falcons need to accomplish 3 to 5 things before next season:

1. Jimmy Johnson, you are now on the clock…tell the guys at Fox you’ll see them in about 4 or 5 years depending on the contract Blank gives you.

2. Draft, find, put together a Frankenstein monster or get the DNA from other great receivers (like on GI Joe) and put together two good receivers that can catch.

3. I hate to say it, but trade Vick to Oakland, try to move up and get Brady Quinn or Adrian Peterson or somebody that can actually block.

4. Slash payroll..Hartwell, Jenkins, Lelie, Coleman…it’s time to roll em’ out..

By jean

November 26, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with Bird Babe!! This team is such a mess, where do we start to fix it? This season is essentially over, unless Arthur is going to step up and hold people accountable NOW. Oh wait, that won’t happen ‘til the offseason & then Mora will never be let go. That would mean admitting he hired the wrong guy!! And that guy brought along Greg “Elmo” Knapp & Jason Webster!! He should be canned for those 2 things alone. But there’s plenty of blame to go around. Offense: Vick is what he is, he won’t change. But he could be alot better with the right offensive system, playcaller & actual receivers besides Crump & Finn, who Thank God, will be back next year. This offensive line is exactly that, odiously offensive, phew! Rebuild, pronto!! We need behemouths who can actually block & protect. Defense: I know Donatell will be given a pass b/c of the rash of injuries, OK, I will deal with that for now. It’s Rich Mckay’s fault Abraham is here, not Donatell’s. I am unimpressed with Chris Crocker, who is always out of position! D. Hall is good but not as good as he thinks he is, just shut up & play for the team, not the pro bowl!! We need to aquire an actual corner, not draft one and they better be big! We’ll see what happens with Hartwell next year, that will be the test. He’s still not right this year. Mora is simply overmatched & out of his league. It is quite obvious to everyone, wrong hire, big time. But if there is only to be one firing, it better be Knapp!! Every single week without fail, the TV commentators are baffled by the sequences of plays called, well welcome to Elmo’s world!! This season is a wash, they will never come around, it’s too late. They don’t believe in themselves & no one else does either. It is so sad, it really is. Mike aint getting any younger, Arthur!!!

By Larry

November 26, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Blank:

You are a smart business man who knows little about owning a football team but I have faith you will learn and deliver the winner you promised Atlanta. A few suggestions: Your coaching staff is more than suspect.You need to make many changes. Start with your GM who made talent decisions in the draft. The wide outs are really bad and were bad picks.

I assume Vick is a team man, so ask him to move to slot and allow Schaub to be your QB.

If Vick rebels,trade him now. His leadership is very suspect after his childish display after today’s game.

These are multi-millionaires acting and playing like high schoolers. This group will never represent you and the City of Atlanta the way you envision.

Vick may leave the game as the all-time leading rusher at QB, but you’ll be without a championship.

Of course, it’s not all Vick. The O-Line is average, the TE has gained weight and lost a step, the receivers…well, you know the rest.

The arrogance of #21 is incredible, his play is stupid as he has shown with major penalties and several broken coverages recently.

I know that making major reconstructive changes is tough, but not making those calls will guarantee that the Falcons continue to lose.

It’s your money, your team but the sporting image of Atlanta is at stake. Please execute a new plan.

By Chris B

November 26, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Let cooler heads prevail. Somehow we are still in the playoff hunt. Every team in front of us lost except Dallas. This is a team with an identity crisis. We need to make the best of this season and take care of our problems in the off-season. Knapp out, Jenkins cut, Leslie out, White demoted,.

By Keep Fighting Falcons

November 26, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

I am not ready to give up yet. There is still hope. But…… Mike Vick is just as twisted as his little brother. I guess it runs in the family. Vick has no class. I thought only scum like Jeff George would give the fans the finger. I was wrong. Keep fighting Falcons………

By Terry Bradshaw

November 26, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

Vick gives a new meaning to the word Dirty Bird ..|..

By The Willster

November 26, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

I think today we saw the end of the Falcons for the 2006 season. We may have also seen the beginning of the end of Micheal Vick’s career in Atlanta. Make no mistake about it, I was, at one time, one of the biggest Vick fans on the planet. The talent and electricity he brought to the table was unparalleled for the sport. He was unbelievable. However, somewhere along the line, it has changed. Whether it is the play-calling, the coaching, or the league simply catching up to him, I didnt know what had happened, until today. What he did to the fans after the game was deplorable. I understand he must be frustrated, as he no doubt should be if he had any guts. But to wave the fans the finger, who by the way were just as frustrated as he was, was gutless and classless. I understand that this loss in particular wasnt all his fault by any means(The receivers have all gone to hell), but when you are the highest paid player in the NFL, you are held accountable by default. I think Mora, Knapp, and the entire coaching staff need to be evaluated, and some just plain out fired. Also, whenever a QB runs for more than he passes for in a game, you will never be successful in this league. I truly believe, and this is sad to say because I really did like the guy, that the Falcons will never when a Super Bowl with Micheal Vick at Quarterback. Not to mention, we found out he has no character at all. I mean, kids were watching this game for pete’s sake…

By Shell

November 26, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

Today I saw Saints receivers making great catches, hard tough catches. I also saw brees have all day to throw no pressure whatso ever in the first half. I saw falcons receivers dropping easy passes,you know the kind that hits you right in the hands betwen the numbers. I saw the falcons qb taking massive hits delivering those very catchable hitting them in the hands passes that were dropped.

By Rob

November 26, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

3 WORDS: HOSSA KOVALCHUK AND KOZLOV LETS SIGN THEM. NOT AFRAID TO GET HIT GOOD HANDS AND VERY ATHLETIC. OUR WR DONT LIKE CONTACT AND HAVE HUGE EGOS. MAYBE IF OUR OFFENSE COULD STAY ON THE FIELD LONGER OUR DEFENSE COULD HOLD THE OPPOSING TEAM WHAT A CONCEPT.

By Thoughtful One

November 26, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

**I personally think a name change and uniform color change would solve the problems. I hate bird names in dark red uniforms. Whoever heard of a bird flipping a bird anyway.

Doesn’t that other struggling team also have a bird name and have red uniforms? There you have it!!

Let’s make some changes quick!!**

By Q

November 26, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

MAYBE D’ANGELO HALL NEEDS TO GET SUSPENDED BECAUSE HIS PLAYING LATER APPEARS LIKE HE IS USING DRUGS. NEWS FLASH D’ANGELO…YOU ARE NOT A PRO BOWLER…FACE IT.

By BeBe KID

November 26, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

Eric Moulds, the wide receiver now at Houston was available as a FREE AGENT. The Falcon Front Office should have signed him. Roddy White plays like a scared man. Getting Vick a big time wide receiver should be priority number 1.

By hirejunejones

November 26, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

Hire June Jones!!

You want an imaginative offense with Vick, June Jones is definitely the man! Bring Glanville along with him. A variation of Jone’s run and shoot along with Glanville’s defensive mind. I like it.

By THE DAN

November 26, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM STARTS IN THE FRONT OFFICE,WHY CAN’T WE EVALUATE TALENT BETTER? 3 1ST ROUND DRAFT CHOICES THAT CAN’T CATCH NOR GET SEPERATION FROM DB’S.AN O LINE THATS TOO SMALL TO PUNCH IT IN FROM THE 1 YARD LINE.WE HAVE COACHES THAT CAN’T COACH,AND PLAYERS THAT CAN’T PLAY.AND TO TOP IT OFF JIM MORA SR RUNNING HIS MOUTH,AND HE’S BEEN A LOSER EVERY WHERE HE COACHED. THIS IDIOT HAD PEYTON MANNING IN INDY AND STILL LOST.SO HE CAN JUST SHUT THE F UP.WELL MAYBE NEXT YEAR

By Xplayer

November 26, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank I’m right there with your team! I’ve given up on the season. I lost all heart to finish wathcing them on Sundays. I didn’t have any in the first place, but I see that your team has lost all faith in Vick.

Please don’t put Schaub in now. At the first of the season he could have saved us, but the way Vick has killed this team you won’t do anything but hurt him. If he goes in now with the team giving up like it has. the Vick suck ups will have a field day.

Yes, Vick is a very fst runner, but I thought that was what we had running backs for. Yes, Roddy dropped a pass that any highschooler could have caught, but if I remember right he is a rookie and ya’ll are ready to throw him under the Vick Bus. Vicks been here 6yrs and still can’t get it right.

All you Vick lover need to go help him rub one off so he feels better about himself. He just missed setting the record for yardage. He didn’t do anything for the team, but he can run the ball when all the defenders are down field and not looking at him! What did Brees do 0 yards rushing 20 points on the board in the first half. IS there anyone that would really trade 31 points for a 167 yards rushing QB. I didn’t think so!

The Falcons have a lot of problems. They all stem from trying to create a system that Vick can play in. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Vick is an idiot he runs like he stole it because he don’t have to think about it. He reminds me alot of Forrest Gump.

Vick fans Be carefull what you wish for. If they bring in a better coaching staff Vick will be on a bus home cause there’s not a good coach that would have him.

By marbo is right

November 26, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

Great summation marbo. I too love the Falcons and will always support them, but this is too much to take. The Falcons are the most undisciplined team I’ve ever seen. No heart, no real desire to achive and it’s squarely on the coaching staff and personnel men.

Roddy White absolutely must be released on Monday. I could not believe he was allowed to come back out on offense the next series. Show some guts and cut him Jim. Someting must be done.

[sarcasm]Great horsecollar tackle in the endzone Hall. You really showed him who’s boss.[/sarcasm]

And why was Vick flipping off the fans? The only reason that could be excused is if they said something racist or about his momma and even then he should just ingore it and go to the lockerroom.

By ATL

November 26, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

Cons are playing bad football there is no doubt about it.If everybody is dropping passes every week, what is the common problem.You guys know the answer but do not want to come out and say it. What if we had drew brees at QB.He has no star wide outs and a good back with deuce.Who does that remind you of .. the FAl CONS. I did not put the name together cause they do not deserve to be. Drew gets the job done..PERIOD…. coming off shoulder surgury no less 300 plus yards in 5-6 whatever it is straight games. Forget brees look at vince young,Romo,Philp Rivers, Tough to win with out a passing QB. You will win some games but can you win the super bowl, I miss chrystal chandalier how about you guys?

By mj

November 26, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this

Hey mellot there is a difference. It was done on national TV, in front of his hometown fans that are paying his $100 mil salary. So go into work tomorrow and flip off your boss in front of all his and your workers and see what that gets you. And by the way, he supposed to be our kids idol. No matter how frustrated the game, and I said GAME, you don’t do that unless your just ignorant and uneducated. Blank should do something serious about that classless jesture!

By THE TomH

November 26, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

Vick IS a coach killer.

He may run for 160 yards, but then put up a 49.0 Passer Rating and his team loses. He is a QB, not a running back.

The passing fad of the “Athlete QB” has run it’s course. Give me a Peyton Manning, a Donovan McNabb (reformed athlete who is now a field general), a Tom Brady, in other words a pocket passing QB who is the field general and distributes the ball, over Vick any day of the week.

They have a potential star “Classic” QB in Matt Schaub, who many teams are drooling over once his rookie contract expires and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but Vick makes too much money and sells too many jerseys to bench him. Artie Blank is all about marketing, not substance.

Increasing revenue has overtaken winning games as the primary objective of these Falcons.

By Drez

November 26, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

I think it’s very unfair to jump on Vick every week the offense doesn’t perform. It’s so easy to say “Vick should be a running back”, or “he will never be a good passer”. The Falcons need to put a decent OL in front of this guy and give him some NFL caliber receivers who can catch and get separation from DB’s. Once this happen, and Vick’s game still doesn’t improve, then u move him and go in a different direction. Mike Vick reminds me a lot of Steve Young. Look at Young’s numbers playing behind the OL at Tampa Bay, with the quality of receivers he had. Compare those numbers to his numbers when we went to the 49’ers and played behind that great OL and threw to the likes of Jerry Rice and Dwight Clark. Amazing how that works when u surround a QB with talent.

By Dawg Fan

November 26, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

Sooner or later Blank and the Falcons will sign players with heart and quit marketing the hip hop players.

By johann

November 26, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC

I am no Vick fan, but this wasn’t his loss today. Here are some suggestions.

1- Trade MeAngelo Hall. He has always been more concerned with “trying” to pad his interception numbers instead of actually covering his receivers. How many times will he be burned before he is benched or even repremanded in some way? (Didn’t Mora say a few weeks back that he would rather have nobody’s playing with heart than players who aren’t giving their all. Jim, be a man of your word and do something about this.) Even Rossum busted his tail today and broke up plays.

2- Bench every receiver we have. Inactivate all three to the practice squad and move some up to play next week. What can it hurt? At least they may TRY to catch the ball.

3- Bench Dunn. He’s too small and too old. In the past few games, he’s averaged less than 3.25 yards/carry, while Norwood has averaged 5.86 in the same period. Warrick, why do we abandon the running game? Because you suck.

4- Fire the coaching staff. Blank should fire someone new each week until something changes starting with Knapp and Donatell.

5 - Aurthur Blank - Sell the team to a competent owner. Someone with the ability, or should I say guts, to make some decisions. How can an owner be so enamored with their under performing QB that they are so blind. Are you being slipped a ruffee every twelve hours or what? vOf course, no team in their right mind would take vick for the price you paid for him. We may have to eat half of his pay to unload him, but at least we may be able to win a couple of games. You mentioned that you need to re-evaluate this team. My advice to you. Start by looking in the mirror. You may know hammers and screwdrivers, but not how to run a football organization.

By TMay

November 26, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of fair weather fans! Does anyone know what the “fans” said to Mike? He is out on the field playing by himself and losing. Wouldn’t that frustrate you? All this Herpes talk is silly and unintelligent. I hope Mike leaves Atlanta so he finally starts playing with a real team. Where were the Falcons before Vick?

By Tanner Gordon

November 26, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick…if you read this….

THANK YOU!! For all your shortcomings, you are a hell of football player! Yes, you could throw better, be better at checking off/audible-ing, but my God man, you play your a* off - and we all enjoy watching you run. How do you keep playing, play after play, as you get the hell beat out of you on the field?? Bring your team together. If each man on the team would simply pour their heart out the way that you do….the Falcons would win!

It is easy for us laymen to point out where you and your team fail, so just keep playing your a* off and try to persuade your teammates to do the same!!

By CAQ

November 26, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Another thing, if you so called Falcons fans feel the need to keep comparibf Vick to Manning and Brady then go be a fan for their teams.

Schaub will be traded this off season so get use to it. May we can ship him to the Raiders for Moss or Porter.

Whats the deal with Wayne Gandy. As a matter of fact, whats the deal with all of McKays free agents. Has any worked out except Morton Anderson?

By RSmith

November 26, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Alright everyone be honest, you just watch the game to see how many times Vick will mess up so you can get on this blog and critize. I wish all these arm chair quaterbacks would look at the game for if they did they would see what is really going on. If vick get’s sacked and has to run for his life, how in the world will (slow-footed) shaub do what vick cannot do. People realize, defenses does not respect atlanta’s receivers so they will allow man to man coverage and place eight in the box to blitz the falcons. Now you shaub lovers tell me how will schaub get the job done?

By Jack

November 26, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank, would you take your grandkids to a Falcons game and allow them to watch such poor play, and then be treated with obscene jestures at the end of the game by one of the highest paid players in the league?

Think that the ball has now been thrown into your court. Who will you bench and fire on Monday morning??

By Bill Clontz

November 26, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this

With 8 minutes left in the third quarter,Mora leaves the field, and I thought to myself, maybe now we have a chance! But, he came back ! Did anyone else notice that ? Don’t think I’ve ever seen a coach take a pit stop during a game! The reason I bring that up is because there were no other highlites to talk about. It’s hard to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, and that’s as close to winning as it gets as long as the Falcon’s keep this poor excuse for a coaching staff. The dropped balls, the poor play calling, the no desire (last play of the half when 1 guy goes up and catches a touchdown with at least 6 defenders around and only 1 making an effort…There is alot of talent on this team, and that’s been proven in the games that the Falcons have won. My humble opinion is ” Get a new coach and staff and let the new staff get used to this team before seasons end, that way you get rid of the slackers before next year. I’ve been poor all my life, and hunger is the greatest motivator I know of. Don’t give these guys all that money up front, put in performance bonuses and watch what happens! Boycott is a powerful tool to motivate ownership! If you have a game and nobody comes to see it, you have to make a change! Oh well, that’s my humble opinion, what’s yours?

By I keep reading people's posts

November 26, 2006 08:15 PM | Link to this

wanting to move Vick to RB. I’ve said that from day one, but it’s never going to happen. The politics of the NFL will never allow it. Vick will never allow it.

The NFL is what? 80% black? Maybe higher. They will bend over backwards not to offend. Heck, Ray Lewis is still playing. OJ would still be playing if he wasn’t too old.

Blank painted himself into this corner.

By Vickofdatpurp

November 26, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

One should understand that the Falcons are imploding and the ship has sunk on another dismal season!!!!! I really disagree with the fact that Mike Vick is considered a coach killer. He is a proven winner and we have a shot at winning any game that he starts. The fact that we are losing games can be contributed to Mike Vick, the Secondary, the Receivers, and the coaching staff.

First, Jim Mora Jr. is a joke of a coach and his staff sucks a** to!!!! The fact is that the Atlanta Falcons can and will win a Superbowl championship with an unconventional style of play from the quarterback position. I am tired of all the Vick haters because the same issues Vick faces in the pocket, a traditional “Pocket Passer” would encounter the same inconsistencies of the O-Line blocking!!!!! People say Vick is not a good passer and he is not accurate. When Peyton Manning was pressured what happened? He made mistakes and they loss the game. Under normal circumstances the offensive line for the Colts do a great of protecting their pro-bowl quaterback. We simply don’t have that luxury.

Mora p** me off with his post-game speeches pertaining to the fact that he loves adversity but bro you are losing. Our gameplans are ineffective and Greg Knapp is the worst OC in the business. I can sit in the comfort of my home and watch the game and say that the Birds are going to run the ball. I do not get paid millions of dollars to study game film and Arthur will correct the wrongs in the off season. I still feel Abraham will be a force for us as years go on but we need to get rid of Hartwell. He doesn’t really do a great job of clogging up the middle. Besides he played next to Ray Lewis and that alone can make a player better. He wasn’t the heart and soul of the B-More defense because everyone knows that is Ray’s defense.

There are coaches out there who would love the opportunity to coach a Vick led Falcons team. I am staying optimistic for the long haul but as of right now I am assuming the role of a pessimist and stating that the birds will fall short of the playoffs. The reason I think it will be positive is because I hope we invest in an O-Line that will protect #7, Quality receivers, a power back for goaline situations, and a entirely new coaching staff.

The main point is that the falcons have a shot and it is a very long shot but we gotta start catching the ball!!! That just kills any momentum that we build up. I blame the receivers for dropping balls and the coaching staff for actually recruiting these garbage a$$ receivers. We need change. One more loss and we are officially done. We need to win the rest of the games to be able to make the playoffs and string together 3 wins in January to be called the best in the league!!!!!!!! If you trade Vick it will come back to bite the city of Atlanta in DA A$$ because he will win wherever he goes!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Rock

November 26, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick needs to be benched. It is time for SCHABB. The receivers can’t catch. The line can’t block. And by the way, where is DAN REEVES? Why was he fired?

By The Dump

November 26, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora talks about being “fired up”. Well, he can drop the “up” part of that.

By Alan

November 26, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

What hurts the most are all the three and outs. You will never have a sucessful team with Vick at QB. There isn’t a system he can run sucessfully, can’t pass with enough accuracy, can’t run all the time, he will eventually get killed. I think Vick’s biggest problem is that he isn’t smart enough to run a complicated system. Hell, this is his 6th year and the same old, same old.

By kc

November 26, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank is the problem. I am glad to see Jed and the rest of the Clampett’s gone - I really am. Yes, I know that Arthur spent ALL that money and has invested even MORE in this team… However, its something that is still best left to the professionals (say it with me now: Rich McKay). Arty was the one who hired Dan, it was Arty who went for Vick (let’s look at his body of work), and it was Arty who hired Mora… Arty, its NOT Corporate America - you will actually have to let people do their F’in jobs!!! Especially if you want to raise ticket prices for a loosing franchise.

By Steve

November 26, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

Thoughful one, you are right! The Falcons and Cardinals are starting to look more and more like each other (uniforms AND records).

By scott

November 26, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

It is going to be great when Michael Vick wins a Super Bowl with another team. The local fans will not be satisfied until they have “killed” or have the golden goose traded.
Remeber Steve Young played for Tampa Bay and all the critics talked about the faults of the “40 million dollar man”. He goes to a talented 49er team and coaching staff that builds a scheme for his talents and all of a sudden he is a Super Bowl winner and HOFer. Just like Tampa in the 80’s, the Falcon fans can not stand success, so please run Vick out of town. I am Cowboys fan anyway.

By dude

November 26, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if Vick plays great the rest of the year. He’ll still suck eventually. Every year he has a couple of good games. Everyone says he’s turned the corner, only to suck again for a few or more weeks. He will never be a consistently good QB. It’s no ones fault, it just is.

By Straight$$$$Homie

November 26, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

To all the “Classless” bloggers in AJC, Don’t go away mad, just go away!!! After today’s performance by MV7, for anyone to question his leadership, heart, or skills sincerely lacks the intellect to comment on anything relating to him or the Falcons. The issues are many. If Mr. Blank hopes to salvage the season, someone has to go immediately. If I were in his position, ALL of the following would be gone NLT Monday night. They are as follows: Greg “no audibles allowed” Knapp, Ed “bend but don’t break” Donatel, Allen “1st down” Rossum, Keith “ove ” Brooking, Ed “overpaid bust” Hartwell, Roddy “can’t catch” White, Jason Webster and the guy imitating Ray Charles # 37. This would send a message and hurt the cap, but I’d rather go to battle with Jordan Beck, Michael Boley, DeMarrio Willliams, and Jimmy Williams. Next, I’d call Randy Moss and apologize for my GM’s stupidity and offer to do design and offense similar to the one the Vikings ran in 1998 (15-1) if he’d agree to rededicate himself to being the best WR the NFL has ever seen. The offense would start with MV7, Moss, Norwood, and Dunn. Anyone who questions Moss’s work ethic, google Doug Gabriel’s requests to the Pat’s to sign him before the trade line. Short and sweet, his work ethic is unquestionable. He forces his teammates to raise their game. Don’t judge Oakland’s current situation. Al Davis has a hidden agenda. Moss would help Jenkins and Lelie raise their games. Matt Schaub must be traded for a 1st rounder, to keep the bloggers at bay. I’d give Mora one last shot to right the ship, but his attitude and direction must change. These things must happen or something similar. But please, if you can’t do any better in Vick’s situation, please refrain from commenting……

By Tanner Gordon

November 26, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick…if you read this….

THANK YOU!! For all your shortcomings, you are a hell of football player! Yes, you could throw better, be better at checking off/audible-ing, but my God man, you play your a* off - and we all enjoy watching you run. How do you keep playing, play after play, as you get the hell beat out of you on the field?? Bring your team together. If each man on the team would simply pour their heart out the way that you do….the Falcons would win!

It is easy for us laymen to point out where you and your team fail, so just keep playing your a* off and try to persuade your teammates to do the same!!

By Phil

November 26, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

NFL’s alltime worst ‘price-performer’ = Mike Vick. Dollar-for-dollar, he has been a complete bust. While there was 3 legitimate WR drops (including the most obvious Roddy White drop - which was actually quite underthrown if the truth was told), Vick’s passing performance was his usual pathetic. So let’s say Roddy catches that one, and Lelie catches his and Jenkins catches his - Vick is still ONLY 12-24 for 110 Yards. THAT DOESNT GET IT DONE. Vick is 25th out of 31 starting quarterbacks. Oh wait, Vick-lovers like to talk about how he is a winner - does whatever it takes to win. WHATEVER. He, and DeAngela Hall are nothing but trash-talking egomaniacs. Vick’s flipping off the very people who pay his $120mill contract is pure proof of that. A classless loser, plain and simple. Keep your money Vick, you definately hustled us out of it. In fact, go ahead and retire, buy your tropical island, ‘hire’ your Ron Mexico groupies, and get lost. We will take any of 29 other NFL quarterbacks with class and integrity over you. 29 other quarterbacks would leave the field today with conviction to improve their skills, decision-making, etc. You, instead, choose to leave by flipping off the fanbase. What a pathetic classless BUM.

By DEADBIRD

November 26, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

The AJC’s coverage of this game is like the Falcons secondary, non-existent. What’s up with that? I hope the beat writers are on to a story about Mora and his staff being shown the door.

Mr. Blank, if you had a product on the shelf that didn’t sell, what would you do with it? Would you contact the producer of that product and request improvements, or would you let it set on the shelf, and lose money, or, better yet, would you remove it from the shelf entirely? This entire coaching staff resembles a bad product all the way around. Asking for improvement is not going to work with this product, especially when it seems to be getting worse. No need to let it set there and take up space, go ahead and take it off the shelf. There’s always a better product to be found. Sometimes in life people screw up, and this may be your first time, and with all your riches I don’t doubt it. Let go of this awful product of a coaching staff. Falcons Fans have suffered long enough.

By Brian

November 26, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

All of the “so-called” Falcon fans have it all wrong! Don’t act like Michael Vick is a hero, playing on a team with no support! Vick is a over-paid thug, that showed his class today with the obscene gesture. What, if his thug little brother had been there, maybe he could have borrowed his gun and threatened the crowd for booing him. I say, let him walk with his $130 Million.

Take a look at the other leaders in the NFL, would Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb ever show their fans the finger…not ever! They are not thugs, Vick is classless and needs to go. I don’t care if this team wins another game this year. Winning with class and losing with class are what matter. Imagine how many kids saw his display today…some role model.

By Bear,

November 26, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Babe, When Jeff confidently predicted that these guys might get fired up and beat the Saints, I suggested to him that he needed to send in the forfeit early to prevent them from getting beat by a handful. Jeff’s getting to be too much like Mora — he is so blinkered by hope that he can’t see the obvious. These guys, as you suggest, are not interested in football. They all want to go home to their Hawaiian condos and play for some other team next year. The off-season will be real interesting. Blank will have a winning team, regardless of what he has to do to get there.

By Nikki

November 26, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

I knew this season was toast before the Detroit game. The writing was on the wall then. It makes you angry that you spent so much of your hard-earned dollars for that type of play. I went in to the season expect quality football. I came crashing down to earth well before midseason. It would have been different had I gone in to the season with expectations from past seasons where you don’t expect anything. It hurts more when you expect good things.

By killdog

November 26, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

Gregg Knapp + Jim Mora = No Leadership

By keeping it REAL !

November 26, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Vick I love you man you played your heart out to day. nobody wanted to help today. MR. Blank I know Mora and crew are gone but who is going to be our next coach?PLease no more smoke blower. Vick did not give up 31point today. There need to be some real though to who the next coach is going to be. I can’t take this much longer. Our linemane are to small on both side of the ball . please don’t hire gibbs and this scheme any more. Donatell good by!season ticket no way!

By Tanner Gordon

November 26, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick…if you read this….

THANK YOU!! For all your shortcomings, you are a hell of football player! Yes, you could throw better, be better at checking off/audible-ing, but my God man, you play your a* off - and we all enjoy watching you run. How do you keep playing, play after play, as you get the hell beat out of you on the field?? Bring your team together. If each man on the team would simply pour their heart out the way that you do….the Falcons would win!

It is easy for us laymen to point out where you and your team fail, so just keep playing your a* off and try to persuade your teammates to do the same!!

By juan

November 26, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

Take a look around there is not a single QB in the NFL who looks to run like Vick does. The Colts, Bears, Patriots, Chargers, Ravens all have drop back passers. Vick has no business being the QB of Falcons. He continues to make the sames mistakes and seems to be regressing each season. And frankly, after his double bird salute to the fans, he should be benched. Give Schaub a chance, put Vick in as a receiver since the rest of the group couldn’t catch a cold in winter. Vick truly is a coach killer.

By Tanner Gordon

November 26, 2006 08:29 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick…if you read this….

THANK YOU!! For all your shortcomings, you are a hell of football player! Yes, you could throw better, be better at checking off/audible-ing, but my God man, you play your a* off - and we all enjoy watching you run. How do you keep playing, play after play, as you get the hell beat out of you on the field?? Bring your team together. If each man on the team would simply pour their heart out the way that you do….the Falcons would win!

It is easy for us laymen to point out where you and your team fail, so just keep playing your a* off and try to persuade your teammates to do the same!!

By Tanner Gordon

November 26, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick…if you read this….

THANK YOU!! For all your shortcomings, you are a hell of football player! Yes, you could throw better, be better at checking off/audible-ing, but my God man, you play your a* off - and we all enjoy watching you run. How do you keep playing, play after play, as you get the hell beat out of you on the field?? Bring your team together. If each man on the team would simply pour their heart out the way that you do….the Falcons would win!

It is easy for us laymen to point out where you and your team fail, so just keep playing your a* off and try to persuade your teammates to do the same!!

By Josiah

November 26, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

I completely agree with the calls for the coaching staffs heads. However, who are we going to get? Looking around, I really don’t see any top notch coaches out there and I would be really nervous about another “rookie” head coach.

By Moe

November 26, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Even stoned on pot, Moss wont be stupid enough to come to Atlanta to play. Vick would get 1 pass per game to him where he would be able to catch it. Moss, like Jenkins, would scramble to change his route, backtrack, etc. and make a valient attempt to pull off a miracle catch. And when he just cant adjust to the poor throw, (barely missing), the ignorant Falcon fans would claim that he dropped it, simply because he was able to get his hands on it.

By Xplayer

November 26, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

Alot of you guys are right it’s not fair to compare Vick with Manning, Mcnabb, and Brady. You can’t compare Vick with any quality QB. Heck it’s not fair to refer to him as a QB.

By Kelley

November 26, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

The best thing Arthur Blank could do for himself would be to buy the Atlanta Braves so he could work with a General Manager and Coach who know how to lead a team. There is no leadership on the Falcons. Things that go on with Falcons’players would NOT be tolerated by anyone wearing a Braves uniform, no matter how big their salary is.
Case in point: Algae Crumpler pitching a fit like a child today when other WR’s dropped the ball. When players are coached to put the team first, they know not to be critical of other players in public: HERE’S A THOUGHT CRUMPLER, WHY DIDN’T YOU GET OPEN SO YOU COULD CATCH A BALL?

Another point: DeAngelo Hall has seemed to make some games about himself and not the team (Cincinatti, Detroit) running his mouth to the media about being a “pro bowl player”. DHall looks more like No Big Play Ray Buchanan to me. The whole secondary is horrible. D Hall doesn’t mind running his mouth to the media about how great HE is rather than focusing on the team. Braves players know that the team comes first, their coach instills that in them.

Yet another case in point, Vick flipping off fans today. Yes, he should be frustrated. He seems to be the only one left giving any effort. The poor guy gets NO protection from his line. A DISCIPLINED team knows that treating your fans like that will not be tolerated.
Ask any Braves player what Bobby Cox would do to them if they shot a bird at the fans, it would not be pretty and the players know that. I doubt Mora will even talk to Vick about it, he will probably kiss him on the helmet again.
No Vick shouldn’t have been booed, but the team should have been, they deserved it.

There is no discipline on this team.
The coaching staff needs to go.

Only about four more months to Braves baseball….

My husband Billy adds: Brian Finnerian would you please come home?

By Robert

November 26, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

When Mora first came, I was impressed. He had a fast paced practice that was supposed to mimic real game situations. Unfortunately, he has now lost this team. I have seen nothing but excuse after excuse, and his melt-down last year worried me, and this year appears to be even worse. Vick has made his mistakes, but for the moment I am willing to give him a pass. I remember his brilliance under Coach Reeves who took a far less talented team to greater heights than this current staff could ever hope to achieve. I’m afraid Mora must go.

By Wes

November 26, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

I cant believe so many of you put the blame on Vick. You say Vick is a poor passer. Thats not his game. He keeps the Falcons in games because of his talents. Payton Manning has to be a good passer because his grandmother could out run him. It is the Coaching Staffs fault and primarly Moras fault. They dont play to Vicks strengths. The offensive line cant protect Vick and The recievers are awful. They dont need to play another game. Get rid of them. I live in Tennessee and I need you people in Atlanta to call the local news people and call the talk sport shows and get the word out to fire Mora and the coaching staff now. Instead of paying top dollar for the Players start with paying top dollar for a real coach. The Falcons can be a winner with Vick but they have to have a coach that has the heart to win. In the history of the franchise they have never had a top quality coach like they had in Dan Reeves. And they will continue to be loosers until Arthur Blank relizes that.

By DJ

November 26, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

Mr Blank, you have wasted millions on under achievers.

By Hard but Fair

November 26, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this

I am born and raised in Atlanta and I have always said Atlanta fans are the worst I ever seen. Why should everything be put on Vick when the falcons are loosing. No one points fingers at Favre or Manning when they go to the playoffs time and time again to get killed because of a pathetic defense or weak oline. The falcons receivers are terrible 5 drops which caused Vick to be 9 for 24 for 84 yards instead of 14 for 24 with almost 200 in the air and almost 200 on the ground. If those are bad stats you must not know football. I really hope Mike Vick does leave for his sake, so another coach can put him in the right situations. Playcalling and coaching makes the difference and its not happening here. Lets put Schaub in so he can get pounded on account of a terrible oline and receivers who can come off the ball and get open.

By Antonio

November 26, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

Three words my friends: MORA-KNAPP-Donnatell MUST GO!!!

By Phat Phalcon

November 26, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

Check out the ajc.com game photos. My son is holding the poster in photo #5. Brought him all the way from Ohio to see that crap.

By rj

November 26, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

Falcons—Over Promise and Under Perform—- Fire Mora and Fine the Players for their poor Performance. Mora has had all the capital ( money ) laid at his feet to get the players and can’t keep them focused and can’t keep the coaches accountable.

By terrell

November 26, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

Im a big time falcons fan,but im not upset with their seasons. The reasons why im not upset is because I knew from early in the season that the falcons didn’t have the right coaches to make them a contender in the playoffs or maybe superbowl.I did thought the falcons would make the playoffs and loss in the first round.Mora has notepads and he doesn’t wear a headset.A headcoach is the leader of the team.I have watch all of the falcons games and I seen a team with no heart,confidence,and just confuse most of the time.This starts from poor coaching.Knapp same old play calling and Ed soft zone in the first half is the main resons why the falcons are out of the playoffs.Fire them all.

By Knute

November 26, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this

Sahib Blank, I hear drums.

By morris

November 26, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

I have been a mike vick supporter since the day he arrived in atlanta, but all that changed today when he made an obscene gesture to the fans. His little bird flip is being shown all over the major sports networks. What a complete embarrasment for an organization that claims to only sign high character guys. I have never seen peyton manning, tom brady, warren moon, donavon mcnabb or any other great leaders make a gesture like that to their fan base. He is supposed to be the face of the franchise and its leader, yet he acts like an immature punk. Today I finally gave up on mike vick because he is not a leader and will never develop into a quality passer. He will finally get exposed when the next coaching staff comes in and he is unable to execute an offense. Four straight games of 14 or less points and some of you still refuse to believe that the QB doesn’t have a hand in this debacle. YEA RIGHT! I don’t know if shaub is the answer or not but if I were running things, one more loss and I would see what I had in #8.

By keeping it REAL !

November 26, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

We want the best coaches that can win ball games. get the best no more no less. Mr. Blank you are the coach KILLER. we want the best so get the best. pay them but get the best and please don’t hire Gibbs and this blocking scheme. Please get big player with speed who can block. Get a reciver coach first who can coach. Then player who can catch the ball! our db need real time help. we must have a stanard MR. Blank on winning!

By demondh

November 26, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

to bird babe. i sincerely beleive if we fired every non-athletic white guy on this team we would win the superbowl easy. if u were objective that would be obvious!!! get off vick he is the best qb ever. this line is the worst and if u don’t acknowledge that ur bias!!!

By Brownthrasher

November 26, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

Nothing like the good ole South to want to crucify Vick and Ball. I wonder what they have in common. You so-called fans are ridiculous. Mike Vick will be the QB as long as HE chooses to stay in Atlanta, take it or leave it. Besides, Schaub wouldn’t be able to play with this O-line and receivers. No to mention the number one TEAM KILLER coaches. Call Vick what you like, he is still packing th dome and making money for Arthur Blank. Get over it. It’s obvious that most of the Vick haters just don’t think QBs should be black. That’s not a racist statement, it’s a fact.

By ptra

November 26, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

For those blaming the receivers on Vick, Vick has a passing rate that is currently on track with the rest of his seasons. 2002 54.9%, 2003(injury)50%, 2004 56.4%, 2005 55.3%, 2006 to date 52.4%. Compare with John Kitna same years 62.2%, 62.3%, 58.7%, 58.6%, 62.1%. Chad Pennington same years 68.9%, 63.6%, 65.4%, 59.1%, 61.9%. Kurt Warner same years 65.5%, 58.5%(injured) 62.8%, 64.5%, 62.6%.

All of these quarterbacks played on teams that have been good, ok, and really bad. Does anything stand out? I have to highlight Kurt Warner the last 3 years. Sacks were high, turnovers were high, he still managed to complete over 60% of his passes. All QB’s get sacked, all have receivers drop balls, what does a QB do with his other chances?

Vick is your QB and highest paid player. He should be the offense leader and a team leader. He has not gotten any better and he has not challenged the team to get any better.

By Joe

November 26, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this

Vick’s $130m salary forces the Falcons to hire inferior OL’s, and to not be able to afford any defensive depth. ITS ABOUT THE SALAY CAP PEOPLE. If you take the money, Vick, you have to take the deal to. Quit whining about your line, or your receivers. Anyone see what Vince Young did against the Giants today in the 4th quarter? the same giants that beat the crap out of Vick? The Titans have a worse OL than the Falcons, and NO RECEIVERS. Yet he stepped up and scored 24 points in the 4th quarter with his arm and his legs. WHen is the last time Vick brought the Falcons back in the 4th quarter? Anyone?

By Dre

November 26, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

Yall are a bunch of dummies. How you gonna hall off and call the man names because of a hand gesture. Yea it was rude, but DID ANY OF U NAME CALLERS hear what was said to him!!! I bet every piece of my money that the person that made him mad was a person pretending to be a Falcon fan, cause REAL FANS don’t trash their own players like that. U take that mess to Philly. Hecklers are the most annoying thing when you’re out there playing, people calling u every name they can think of, talking about your love ones, but when a player gets mad and show his anger, everybody wanna get on the athlete and call him names. Think twice before calling somebody out like that, cause it was probably YOU that made Mike mad. He’ll get his fine and learn his lesson and we’ll move on, but the stupid pepole will never forget this.

By Cathy

November 26, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank, How bout letting ME Coach the remainder of the season, Sure as HELL couldn’t do any worse!!!!! I would sit those receivers DOWN FOR SURE, and give someone that actually want to catch a pass a chance. And don’t get me started on that defensive scheme calling!!!!!

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick’s form was perfect! He delivered with emotion and purpose. His left arm shot out like a snake leaping from its coil. Determination was on his face and and a curse word fell from his lips. No, I’m not talking about one of his passes. I’m talking about when he gave the finger to the fans. It’s the only thing he did with precision all day. Bench the loser!

By The Thin Guy

November 26, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

For the rest of the season Jim Lessa should coach the cheerleaders and let the cheerleader coach direct the Foulcans. Michael Vick is a very good running back who can throw. He is not an NFL quarterback. Put the back up in as quarterback and let use both Dunn and Vick in the backfield. Blank Blank fired the only coach who put Atlanta into the Superbowl and now we have rah rah guy who don’t know nothing about those Xs and Os.

By Westside J.

November 26, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

As a lifetime FALCON FAN and season ticket holder since 97, and someone who travles to Carolina and N.O. every year I am fedup. I apperciate our owner and what he has done for this city. But I wounder where is the accountability on this team. It certainly does not come from our coaching staff. Their is to much GLAD HANDING and BUTT SLAPPING on that sideline. When your head coach is chest bumping the players they ain’t worried about playing time. We need a wake up call on that team. Some players or coaches need to lose a job. Establish that we won’t wait for the end of the season. Mora, Knapp, Stewart wr. coach, White, Jekins,Lelie, J. Webster should be out of here this week.

I played reciver in H.S. and college I have never heard a coach say that The QB throws toooooo hard. If its close you make the catch or you sit next to the coach and thats on every level. Elway, Farve they were strong armed QBS also.

Why would you handcuff your team and not allow your QB to get you out of a bad play. Thats not just #7 thats #8 or who ever is taking the snaps. Knapp doesn’t allow audibles. That is absurd. The other teams players and coaches get paid to. And their athelets are just as good a ours.

Oh heres something they coach in pop warner. When they throw the ball up at the end of the half just knock it down. Dont try for the int. your not going to run it back 100 yrds D. Hall. Oops I forgot your trying to pad your stats. Again no accountabilty. The coach in Dallas would have chewed some TAIL.

By mj

November 26, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with you morris. I don’t think any head coach can teach him class and character. His mother screwed that up with both boys. The fans pay the bills and he did the unthinkable today. Everyone doesn’t need to take it lightly. The guys a loser! It will be hard for a quality head coach to even consider the job unless he has the reign to dump this classless loser when he pulls the same crap. Arthur Blank is big on character of his players and giving back to the community. Well Vick gave! The finger.

By Phil

November 26, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Brownsthrasher, it has NOTHING to do with race, it has to do with the fact that Vick just can’t pass. He stinks, it’s pretty simple and quite obvious. Don’t feel bad, I can’t pass either.

By Kay

November 26, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

All the Falcons played like they expected to lose today … but Vick flipping off fans shows just how class-less he is … he really isn’t nothing more than a thug … like the vent said this morning … Vick is the most exciting mediocre quarterback you’ll ever watch.

By HadEnough

November 26, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank, in addition to a refund for tickets purchased to see a shoddy product, I want reimbursement for parking and mileage.

By Bigdrew

November 26, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

I just loaded my car with all my falcon stuff, cups, shirts, flags, tags, towels and everything else. On my way to Flowery Branch, they can have iy all…I’m done.

By Cathy

November 26, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank, how bout letting ME coach the remainder of the season, I sure can’t do any worse!!! I would first of all sit those over payed receivers down and give someone that actually wants to catch a ball a chance. Also, that defensive play calling has to be changed!!!

By dirty til I die

November 26, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

Chris Collingsworth just said the same thing that all you chuckle heads on this blog must think. The problem is that Vick isn’t going through his progressions. He pointed out the goal line pass play on 3rd and 2 where Vick was sacked. Vick dropped back and looked left to see the recever covered like a blanket and not even trying to break free. He then turns to scramble and is almost immediately hit. I guess Collingsworth couldn’t expand that video clip to show that the Falcons DID NOT SEND ANY OTHER PLAYERS INTO PASS PATTERNS. That was an all or nothing shot to the endzone, because every other player was involved in faking a running play to the right.

Let me rephrase and repeat that for those of you who don’t watch football or believe everything those knucklehead “experts” say. THERE WAS NO OTHER RECEIVER RUNNING A ROUTE ON THAT PLAY! Therefore, Vick has only two options, remember it’s third down and throwing the ball away is basically giving up and settling for the field goal. Option 1 is he can throw the ball anyway, and hope the receiver somehow makes a play (yeah, right.) Option 2 is he can try to make something else happen, because he doesn’t want to give up on the obviously blown play. Unfortunately, as you can clearly see on that video replay, the defense has already overrun that fake run to the right and is bearing down hard on the QB. Even if he had another receiver in a pass route, he would have been smothered if he had just stood there in the pocket and looked for for a second option in the pass (which, I say again, was not even there.)

This is the kind of fair and balanced evaluation of Mike Vick as a quarterback that we see from everyone in the media. It’s too easy to pick on Mick Vick because he is the QB, or because he makes the most money, or because he is not a conventional drop back passer. That kind of idiot playcalling and complete lack of execution on the part of someone other than Mike Vick is the problem. It’s almost like Knapp wants his second option to be Vick scrambling and making it happen with his playmaking abilities. No other coordinator in the league leaves the QB out on a limb like that, and they would be roasted at the stake if they did.

Run Mike Run. All the way out of Atlanta. They are going to make you crazy and then blame it on your corn rows being too tight.

And yes, he did flip off the crowd, and YES that was wrong, unprofessional, and should earn him a fine for conduct unbecoming and NFL player. And the fans booing and screaming at him like it’s his fault we lost, still deserved it. At least he finally lost his cool like you guys want, and showed that he really cares what you think about him.

By Kevin Harrison

November 26, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

NEW FALCONS HEAD COACH(HINT, HINT MR. BLANK)- KEN WHISENHUNT. Bring him home to Atlanta to coach. The Steelers have fallen apart and he is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. THIS IS A NO BRAINER.

By fsands

November 26, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

Vick is pathetic. A great example of a moron player that thinks he’s better than he really is. A decent quarterback would have won this game.

By monty

November 26, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

Why did Atl lose? Because we couldn’t catch? Partly so. Because they couldn’t stop drew Brees late in the game when they needed to? True. Because we couldn’t knock a hail-Mary pass down when it was 3 defenders to 1 receiver? True. Did we lose because of poor play calling.A repeated occurrence.But the main reason we lost is because the offensive line Cannot pass block because they are too small and they can’t run block either. Take away Vicks long runs which were runs off of break downs in pass protection or else our receivers couldn’t get open and Atl had nothing going in the running game, Again. The reason Atl can’t score in the red zone is because they know they cannot run against teams. Knapp called 3 straight pass plays because he knew they couldn’t line up and power the ball in. It took 4 tries from the 2 yard line to finally get one in. Maybe they will draft some lineman in the draft. Fire all the wide receivers and start over. You couldn’t do any worse.

By tramond

November 26, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

word on the street, tryouts for WR will be held tomorrow in flowery branch. All walkons will be given a chance. Also note that anyone with coaching potential is invited !

By Tom T.

November 26, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

Who to whom it may concern,

Last week I called my wife into the family room to watch the Broncos vs. Chargers. I asked her to tell me the difference between this game and the Falcons play. She said the Falcons look like amatuers and are inconsistant. The Falcons don’t even appear to be an NFL team as recognized by my wife and myself week in and week out. All of you Michael Vick fans need to get into reality. He is a bad QB period. He will go down as the biggest bust at QB since Cordell Stewart. You can’t reinvent the NFL. I don’t care how fast he is. I watched Vince Young and Jason Campbell show more command of their teams and the game management as rookies than a six year man Mr. Vick. I wanted the Falcons to take Drew Brees. Look at his progress at his position and he is on a new team this year. Don’t give me any excuses about Vick’s changing offence schemes. I don’t want to hear about the talant level not being as good as other teams. We have excellent players who are not doing their jobs, underacheiving and not coached. Ashley Lellie was a graet player on the Broncos. He come to Atlanta where the climate is that it is acceptable to be a loser and all of a sudden he looks and plays badly too. Vick looks like a deer in headlights every week. Put the second string in and if that dosen’t work play the third string. I would play the trainers if I had to. I would bemch every lazy bumb on that team until I found 11 men that would play the game. I don’t care how bad wee get beat. I just want to watch a team that plays like professionals. Do something different. The Falcons are so predictable a High School Coach could prepare his team for them and win. I won’t put all of the blame on Vick. He hasn’t had any help and even Tom Brady would struggle with receivers who can’t catch(are these guys making millions per year and called pros)? They are a disgrace to their profession. If I performed that badly at my job I wouldn’t pick up my paycheck out of embarassment. Mr. Blank should quit cutting bait and fish this week. He should fire every coack on the team and start over. I am not on a witch hunt for anyone. I am just stating the obvious. Mora couldn’t coach a little league team. He needs to go and we need to start now. There is no reason to wait until next year. Let’s not settle for 2nd best. He thinks our goal should be to get to the playoffs “eveyone has a chance once you reach the playoffs”. Mediocre teams don’t become consistant just because they reach the playoffs. They get sent home embarrassed. Our goal should be to win every week and win the Super Bowl. That is the measurement of an elite team in this business. Can’t anyone see what I see?

By Chris in New Orleans

November 26, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons should trade for Randy Moss. Then they’d have a quarterback who doesn’t want to throw and a receiver who doesn’t want to catch.

By Politics as Usual

November 26, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

Race is certainly not the issue here. I’ve been a Falcon fan since way before Bartkowski was in town. Atlanta kept him for years, thinking he was the answer. He wasn’t. They rid themselves of him, and the team became better. (He was white, and he sucked.) Vick has great talent that is wasted because he doesn’t care. He doesn’t have to care. What does it matter to him? He gets paid his $$$ whether the Falcons win, lose, tie, don’t show up.

Vick just doesn’t have the full ticket. A star QB needs more than athleticism. He needs brains to make quick decisions and class to lead his team in the public’s eye. He lacks both. That he is black means that he is black…nothing more.

Ron Mexico, anyone?

By pb

November 26, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

My first game in 3 years and it was very uninspiring! There is a definite leadership and discipline problem and it starts at the top…yes Mr. Blank, ownership included. The talent is there, the difference is the Team and the entire organization is not one. Mistakes are made…it is all about how we can adjust. Mr. Blank needs to take charge now!

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this

Don’t you all get it? It’s somebody else’s fault. I am great! My teammates are slackers. The coaching sucks. The fans don’t cheer for me enough. I am great! - MVick

By demondh

November 26, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this

knapp ran t.o. from san fran. why is vick always running for his life meanwhile peyton manning walks faster than he runs yet he never get pressure!!! the saints changed their whole roster not just brees. it’s funny how some people thought the first saints game was a fluke cause the saints made great changes in the line, but notice they didn’t make major changes to the line when brooks was their.

By JockEwing

November 26, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

I couldnt care less about Vick and his race. I dont agree with the finger thing, but HELL they guy tried to win a game today by himself. Whats next? Hes got to catch his own damn passes?

Problem is coaching staff and Blank and his making Vick the Falcons. He needs to back off a little and get a quality classy coaching staff.

Maybe he finally realizes firing Reeves was a knee jerk reaction and is maybe trying to find a way to bring him back in some capacity.

By A saints Fan

November 26, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

all your comments sound so familiar. You have been h ere before many times as we have - we may have a descent coach but we thought the same thing of Haslett after his fisrt year. The saints are doing good and it just their time. The Falcons (known as the “Dirty Birds) will come back maybe as early as next year. You have an owner who has his nose too close to his team. Plus your job id similar to his dad. Vick is over rated - you need a tradional quarterback.

By ptra

November 26, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight. An NFL, thats right, NFL team has a 3rd and goal from the 2 and runs a play with 1 player running a pattern, 9 players staying in to block. Sorry homes, don’t buy that one. By the way, I will take Chris Collinsworth review of a play over yours at any point.

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

You are all racists! I am great! I am great! The white coach is intentionally losing games to make me look bad. I am great! - MVick

By keeping it REAL !

November 26, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

Vick has had to take this $hit all week from the media some a$$ hole so call fans. The coaches dad came down some on tv at Vick. We have some A$$ hole in this town. They want to pore $hit on you and you not to say a thing! Vick has been a good kid and thank him for that . The Devil job kill steal and destroy . Some so call fans and media are just that!

By Michael

November 26, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

I just want cheap tickets. Need two for SEC championship!

By T Thompson

November 26, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this

FIRE the lot of them Knapp, Donatell, and Mora. As a season ticket holder ASrthur Blank should refund my money.

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this

I am great! I am great! It’s everyone else’s fault! You are all racists! Just because I lose game after game doesn’t mean I suck! I am great! - MVick

By Moe

November 26, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Vick, just RUN. Dont pass. EVER. Get it? Act like the bling-blang you claim to be and dont take $hit from the MAN. Just run every play. PLEASE PLEASE DONT PASS ANYMORE. OK?

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

For three years I have been begging the Falcons to trade Vick. His entire game is built on his wheels and they are slowing down. He has no respect for football, his coaches, his fellow players, his defensive coach —how else can you explain his lack of maturity in protecting the football. At any level of football, down to even “pop warner” show me a QB that doesn’t protect the football and I will show him the bench! Vick is getting a free pass from the coaches because they are in awe of his athletic ability (aren’t we all)but that doesn’t make him an NFL QB!

Lastly, I have heard from one of the Falcon’s players that he has never seen so much “pot” as he has seen in his tenure with the Falcons. Why am I not surprised!

By Bart

November 26, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that there are an infinite number of ways to loose a game and that it is the sad fate of the Falcons to discovery them all. As a long time fan and season ticket holder, my only consolation is that there is a special place in heaven for me, because I have spent my time in H*LL. Today’s loss was perhaps the worst and that’s saying a lot.

By you people are crazy!

November 26, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

shame on you for bringing up mike vick’s genital herpes. if statistics are true, over one fourth of you bloggers have genital herpes. get a life!!!

By vick sucks

November 26, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

KlanStan- i dont like your name, but that was sooooooo funny!!!!! i needed a laugh tonight. MR. HERPES!!!! THAT IS SOOOO FUNNY. WHY WAS MORE KISSING VICK, HE WANTS HERPES TOO??? SO FUNNY… I LOVE IT. MAYBE MORA ALREADY HAS HERPES?? THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY HE LEFT THE FIELD IN THE 2ND HALF? DONT WORRY, MR. HERPES WILL CONTINUE TO BE QUARTERBACK NO MATTER WHAT. HE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE A LOW CLASS, EBONICS SPEAKING, SCUM! AND, HE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HERPES FOREVER.

By Terry

November 26, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

First of all, I would like to say that I am a diehard Falcons fan. And right now I am DYING. I am a Michael Vick fan and yes he has made mistakes, but until he has an offensive line that can give him the time and protection to do his job, I refuse to blame him for his performance. Mike, I know that you are extremely frustrated, I see it when you are on and off the field. I really see it during the post-game interview when you are struggling to maintain your composure and to “say the right things.” I certainly understand your frustration with losing and the constant criticism of your game, don’t stoop to the level of the hecklers and naysayers. The finger incident, not professional. All these clowns are ready for you to lose it so that they can compare you to your brother, maintain and keep on keeping on. I look at other team receivers and they dive, jump, run back to the ball in order to make plays. Our receivers do not do that. I truly feel they want someone to gently place the ball into their hands. Jim Mora has lost control of this team, they do not believe in him or his staff and it shows throughout this team. Right now we are truly Falcons (Periguine), we as diving at the rate of 200 mph right into a concrete wall. Mr. Blank take control and let’s start over.

By Big Al

November 26, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

I’m not wasting any more Sundays on this team. I’m glad I sold my season tickets on Ebay when I did! I’m just feel sorry for the poor souls that bought them.

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

lose is l-o-s-e not loose that is what your pants may be!

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

Moe, Mel, and Bart, You are all racists! I am great! You just hate me because I’m black. I am great! MVick

By Tell it like it is

November 26, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Mora…I think U of Miami is looking for a coach…Please inquire.

By Xplayer

November 26, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

Why in the world would you put more than one receiver in a play. Vick won’t look at more than one receiver before he tries to pad his running stats To heck with the team.

By Al

November 26, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not wasting any more Sundays on this team. I’m glad I sold my season tickets on Ebay when I did! I just feel sorry for the poor souls that bought them.

By Moe

November 26, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

Two things last forever - Herpes and a Vick’s 75 quarterback rating, best case

By cutty

November 26, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank- I assume you either saw or read coach Mora’s comment that he would begin a franchise with Mike Vick over any football player in history.If that doesn’t raise serious doubts about his ability to evaluate players I don’t know what will. It was the most disrespectful comment to the game that I’ve heard a coach make. And almost on cue the guy gives the finger to the crowd.If you are really the guy who built Home Depot there will be consequences, otherwise I hope Rankin’s ghost gives you a workforce of similar souls.

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

MVICK—part of our problem is worrying too much about race. I would gladly take another black QB just not this one!

By pblsn

November 26, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Blank -

Treat this team like a non-performing HD store and fire the management. You made your billions in business and giving your customers what they want. This is a business - win, make changes or we stop coming!

By justanotherguy

November 26, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

OK, I actually took the time to read all the comments posted above, and a couple of things hit me as “truisms”:

1. It really isn’t Vick’s fault. He is what he is, and that is not your traditional NFL QB. Normal logic does not apply to him; he is unique.

2. We really do need a very creative and talented offensive coordinator to design a totally different offense around Vick. Sort of like Mouse Davis did with the run-and shoot. If he’s going to be the centerpiece, at least design an offensed that plays to his strengths.

3. The receivers suck. Except Algie. Even Algie was cussin’ ‘em today.

4. Get off Mike’s back. He’s one of the very few on this team that is giving everything he’s got, and you can’t ask more of the man. He may not be worth the money or getting the results you want, but that’s more a function of the great contract he got, so credit his agent, don’t hold it against him.

5. If I hear Jim Mora say anything even remotely similar to “we thrive on adversity” would someone please remind him that his job is actually to avoid this kind of adversity? OMG

6. Tell Knapp to get off the sideline and up into the booth where he can see his team getting whipped. You can’t see sh** from the sideline.

7. Arthur, get up in your suite where you belong. Quit giving emotionaL support to Knap and Mora and start kicking a*!

By Fans of Seasons Past

November 26, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this

There is no spirit on this team, no life, no heart, no soul, no interest, no since of responsiblity, no nothing. A corpse looks more animated than this bunch of losers.

Just as bad, there is no leadership in the owners box, on the sideline, or on the field. Fire all three and the let the fans control of the team. Could we do any worse? At least we’d have fun.

By Xplayer

November 26, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this

By the way The QB’s we shouldn’t compare Vick to are winning today!

By dom

November 26, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this

DONT WORRY WE GETTING JIMMY JOHNSON. SO CHILL.

By mike

November 26, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick sucks, he is all class. Most over-rated player in the league

By Bobby

November 26, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this

Vick, go back to the ghetto, take your middle finger with you, you clearly dont use to it pass very well.

By GM R

November 26, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

Just as you predicted Jim, it was truly awesome. Awesome to watch all that expensive talent implode. As for Mike Vick - he gives his all but I have come to the conclusion that the experiment with the athletic QB has failed. Sure he’s exciting and fills seats but there is too much inconsistency. Time to revert to a pocket passer who costs much less and spend the dollars on a good o-line and a proven big time receiver.

By Tony

November 26, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

Section 332. Season ticket holder: 1)what did Blank see in Mora N’ company to give him an extention after posting an 8&8 last season? THIS O-LINE IS HORRIBLE. D.HALL needs to step up. Crocker is a bust, he’s been beat’n every week. Allen Rossuem can’t cover anybody. the defense is like swiss cheese, Horrible. Why on 3&5 we throw the ball 40 yards to see a receiver FALL DOWN EVERYTIME! Mora you keep staying “we gotta keep fight’n” you first got to get in the DAM RING!

By UGA PINK-O sissy GAY

November 26, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

The A$$ hole are comming out. we have pure $hit and meat head for fan where did all the redneck come from. This is football not the redneck GAMES!

By James

November 26, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

So is Jr. going to have an outburst like Pops had his two famouse outbursts. I say yes. Pops is right. Unless you bring in a head coach that has the cojones to bench Vick if he doesn’t do what is necessary to be a great quarterback, aka do your homework and be a leader. Vick can be a great quarterback but not as long as he is babied. Brian Billick would be the perfect coach for him. Trade him to the Ravens.

By mrejr

November 26, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

i’ve been watching the colts-eagles game, and man, that colts qb is crap. he hasn’t broken a single long, dazzling run that espn will feature tonight. lucky for him though, his receivers do catch the ball, most likely because they aren’t shocked when it gets to them anywhere near their hands.

By At least the Dawgs Won

November 26, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

Vick just needs to throw the ball 50 yards downfield and a little higher. That way he can run underneath it and catch it himself because his receivers stink.

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

You are all racist! If you criticize me you are racist!

Racists!

Racists!

Racists!

So what if I have herpes! You are racists!

I am great!

I am great!

I am great!

• MVick

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

HERPES IS FOR EVERYONE—it does not respect color!

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

ATTENTION FALCON PLAYER PERSONNEL: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT DRAFT REGGIE BALL. HE WON’T HELP!

By Mister.Earl

November 26, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

Atlanta football fans are demonstrating less class than Mike Vick.

How can Atlanta think about wining anything with such an undercurrent of hatred?

The shiny buildings and fake smiles cannot hide the layer of resentment that dates back years before the Falcons ever arrived.

the south will not rise again

By Too Threw

November 26, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

All the blame, all the comments… finger pointing and inmature remarks aren’t going to change the fact that Atlanta is a farm town for the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers etc. As soon as it looks like we might be able to contend with the major markets in sports, we trade great players for poor wannabe’s and has beens. we trade Duckett for what ????. We have no reason to blame those who try because they can’t do it alone. (Crumpler)

There is no motivation in any of Atlanta’s teams. Not Just the Falcons. Seriously though… Arthur, you need to stay in you suite box until the falcons figure out what toilet there are in. Coming down on the sidelines is fine and dandy when you are winning week in week out but not when you’re losing. Mora grow some balls or pack your bags… and get a carry on bag for Knapp too. you can just send those droppers (so called receivers) in the regular bulk mail. they need not go Fed Ex out of town.

Why is it all the other teams seem to be able to put together a winning game plan when they play you guys? I like Rossum but take him out of the corner back position. We can’t continue to hope we win. We need players who know they have what it takes to win without throwing up their hands hoping a flag gets thrown on behalf of their poor play.

We need Coaches who know how to adjust their game plan with an already thought of back up plan from the tapes you supposedly watched in prep for the game.

Vick you need to apologize for the stupid brother marcus gesture you did. We all want to have something to brag about sunday night and monday morning. but you guys are making Monday’s terrible @ the water cooler.

Here’s a thought bet your remaining salaries and bonuses on whether you can win and if you lose donate them to a worthy charity.

It’s obvious you guys are happy getting paid for non performance. So if you really care whether you win or lose the step up and take the bet.

By Triharder

November 26, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

Why???

1. Why is it that our wide receivers (thats really a misnomer - “runners with arms flailing” may be more appropriate) cant catch a ball when they are all alone and the ball hits them in the hands?
2. Why is it that other teams wide receivers can catch a ball with 3-4 of our defenders draped across them like a finely made suit from Sears?
3. Why does DeAngelo Hall think the best way to make up for getting burned is to act like a three year old, throw a fit, commit a personal foul and put us 15 yards FURTHER in the hole on the next play?
4. Why does Vick get this “I give up” look on his face and mail the rest of the game in?

Why???

By ptra

November 26, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

I agree with otherguy:

1. Normal logic does not work with Mike Vick, he is unique.

2. Let’s put him in the run and shoot. It will be great for a guy who has NEVER completed more that 57% of his passes in a season to pass more. I bet he can run it better that that Warren Moon guy did with Houston.

3. The receivers do suck. Vick hit them in the hand with every pass and they did not catch one.

4. Let’s get off of Mike’s back for making hundreds of millions of dollars and not performing all the time. Who does. We made John Koncak our hero when he was with the Hawks and made millions of dollars for not performing, we should do the same for Vick.

5. I agree, there should be no adversity on the Falcons. No other team has to face adversity, why should the Falcons.

6. Knapp should be in the press box. Forget Knapp, let’s get June Jones to bring back the run and shoot again.

7. Blank, you paid for the franchise and the players and paid for upgrades to the Dome, what give you the damn right to be on the sidelines. You think you own the team?

Great post.

By Mel

November 26, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

The NFL is racist, if you don’t believe it, show me the white RBs. Since whites make up 75% or more of the population than there should be about 75% white RBs. The NFL is racist! Where are the Paul Hornings, Jim Taylor’s Donnie Anderson’s, John David Crows?

By Xplayer

November 26, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

OOPS I just saw manning wave both hands at the crowd, but I think he was trying to hype up the crowd, I guess we shouldn’t compare that to Vick either that might be racist.

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

Mister Earl: Your comments show that you’re nothing but a bigoted, racist jerk! We don’t need racists like you! You lost the war a long time ago, racist!

I am great!

Mister Earl is a racist!

I am great!

• MVick

By long time falcon

November 26, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this

Forget Vick’s flash, streaking Saints loving hot Brees
Nov. 26, 2006 By Pete Prisco CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Pete your opinion!

ATLANTA — The coaches will talk about schemes and blitzes and coverage and formations and all that stuff Monday when they evaluate the New Orleans Saints’ 31-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

But I can save them all the analysis and sum up why the game went the way it did. Here goes: One team can pass the football; the other can’t.

Saints QB Drew Brees isn’t flashy, just effective.
It’s that simple.

Michael Vick continued to show he’s the best single-wing quarterback in the league, rushing for 166 yards against the Saints, second in league history behind the 177 he had in a game in 2002. It makes for wonderful highlight material, his zigzagging through a defense bringing a roar from the crowd every time he takes off, but it doesn’t win games. Plus, it puts this high-price investment at risk far too much.

“He’s going to be hurting bad Monday,” said one Saints player.

So what does win? Look at the other team Sunday, where Drew Brees, a short quarterback with a not-so-great arm, threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the fifth consecutive 300-yard passing game for Brees, putting him on pace for the second-most passing yards in league history.

His passing has the Saints at 7-4 in the NFC South, one game ahead of the Carolina Panthers and two in front of the Falcons. The Saints continue to be one of this season’s best stories.

“The quarterback is spectacular,” Saints coach Sean Payton said after the game.

Funny thing is, he was talking about Vick. And he’s right. He is spectacular to watch, his ability to escape pressure and turn a bad play into an amazing one. No one before him has ever done it like he does, but it’s also a curse, since the legs are always an option.

Give me a quarterback like Brees who can read the field, make all the throws and check down to an open receiver when needed. In fairness to Vick, he did have passes dropped, including a couple of potential big plays, but he still is reluctant to wait in the pocket and make throws. He rarely checks down.

By contrast, Brees seems to always have an outlet when he’s pressured, somebody he can get it to if the receivers are covered and the pressure is bearing down on him.

“Drew is very smart,” Saints receiver Joe Horn said.

He’s also an MVP candidate. Not bad for a guy coming off major shoulder surgery when he signed with the Saints. I admit it: I questioned the move. I thought Brees was a system passer who excelled for the Chargers because of the people around him.

CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · Ne « Back · 1 · 2

He’s far more than that.

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“He knows what he’s doing out there,” Saints fullback Mike Karney said. “He’s so confident in the huddle. He knows what to do and when to do it.”

It helps that Saints coach Sean Payton is one of the best at calling plays in the league. If teams load up to stop the run — which the Falcons did early — Payton will challenge down the field.

On the third play, he showed that. Faced with a third-and-seven at his own 24 on the opening series, Payton called for a deep pass to Devery Henderson. Brees got time in the pocket, read the coverage right and saw Henderson run by safety Chris Crocker and gather a 76-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.

It was a tempo setter. When the Saints made it 14-0 on a 1-yard run by Deuce McAllister later in the quarter, it meant Vick and the Falcons would be forced to throw the football more. That’s asking a lot, especially since the Pee Wee game on the Georgia Dome field following Sunday’s game probably had better designed offenses than what the Falcons use.

Vick finished 9-of-24 for 84 yards. When a quarterback completes three fewer passes than rushing attempts, something is wrong. When a quarterback runs for almost double the amount of yards he throws for, something isn’t right.

It’s not all on Vick. Aside from the receiver drops, the Falcons offense doesn’t feature many throws to the middle of the field. Most of Vick’s plays Sunday were long balls down the sideline. It’s almost as if they’re afraid of the possibilities in the middle of the field.

Payton has no such misgivings about his quarterback, nor should he. Brees leads the league in passing yards with 3,463 yards. That puts him on pace for 5,037 yards, which would be second all-time to the 5,084 yards Dan Marino threw for in 1984.

Brees also has 19 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. But the number that really stands out is his yards per attempt, which is 8.38. That is a career best, significantly better than his previous best of 7.9 from 2004 when he was with the Chargers.

After the game, Brees was asked if he’s dispelling the notion that he’s just a short passing-game quarterback.

“I don’t pay attention to what people say,” Brees said.

People like me. When he signed a six-year, $60-million deal that included an $8 million signing bonus, I wrote that it was a risky move for the Saints. Why give a passer coming off shoulder surgery, one who didn’t have a big arm to begin with, a big-money deal? Now we know why. The Saints made the right move, and it’s a move that fits perfectly with what Payton wants to do on offense.

He takes an aggressive approach that requires a quick-trigger passer. Even without leading receiver Marques Colston, who missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, Payton didn’t back off, which is why it’s nice to have a quarterback like Brees.

Vick doesn’t give his team that. Brees also gives his team leadership. One has to question whether Vick does after what he said after the game. Asked about how he remains calm when passes are dropped, Vick laid out his receivers.

“It is tough,” Vick said. “I am just doing my job giving guys the chance to have some success. Somewhere along the line, guys are going to have to start catching the ball and making plays. Maybe I could throw it a little quicker and anticipate the throw, throw the ball before he comes out of his break.”

Quicker like Brees does. Anticipate a receiver getting open like Brees does.

It’s almost funny when you consider their physical abilities to be saying that Vick should do it like Brees, who doesn’t come close to Vick’s talents in terms of athletic ability.

But Brees can do something Vick can’t, which is to put his foot in the ground, scan a field and find the open receiver.

It’s called passing the football.

It’s the reason why the New Orleans Saints are in first place in the division, and the reason why the Falcons are in a freefall wondering if the playoffs are still possible.

Oh, but they have all those Vick run-around highlights to hang their hat on.

« Back · 1 · 2

Does this make pete prisco, one of the best NFL writers, a racist just like the smart Atlanta fans who see vicks shortcomings as a QB? You see folks, the rest of the intelligent football world is starting to see the truth about this fraud of a QB.

By Hopeful in Hotlanta

November 26, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Two tickets to the Atlanta Falcons $150

Hot Dog and Bear $ 12

Watching Vick get fined/benched or traded PRICELESS !

By Ernie Logman

November 26, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

maybe in the spring draft the falcons can draft a quarterback who knows how to THROW the ball

Face it Falcons fans: Vick is a BUST

By MVick

November 26, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

Pete Prisco’s a racist!

Anyone that criticizes me is a racist!

I am great!

You are racist!

-MVick

By OpinionsAreLike

November 26, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

FALCONS means Fans Always Left Counting On Next Season

By no guts

November 26, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

Sit vick for the next Game for not taking his arthritis medicine. Matt should start and finish next week to show Vick that he and his brother can’t lose their composure with dissapointed Fans. Roddy…Pack up!! and jenkins and lelie too. Algae I feel ya but you dropped som passes to. When Morten missed a gimme FG. that was a sign of what was to come the rest of the day. Go get Duckett. the only one that seems to play with passion is Algae. and he probably wishes he could opt himself out of his contract and jump to any other team.

By If the NFL is racist,

November 26, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

what about the NBA??? RACIST!!!!!!!!

By shane

November 26, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

THANKS FALCONS and Especially the receivers, that was easier than we expected.

P.S. WE LOVE YA RODDY, AND DEANGELO SAINTS ORGANIZATION.

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

If Vick starts next week, and I doubt he will, against Washington, you CRYBABIES will have another fresh wound to nurse. He’s leading the league in braids and obscene gestures to fans but, otherwise, he’s a complete and miserable failure. The Foulcons need to dump him now, if they have any interest in trying for a playoff berth. Time to jettison this excess bag of flatulence and put in a real quarterback. One who could throw with some accuracy would be a tremendous improvement! Holla!

By Mel

November 26, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

To all black and/or African American readers: 99.9% of white people could care less about race or color—quit harping on it because we don’t care. We don’t care! Do you get it yet? We really really don’t care! Now that we’ve got that covered, we do care about professionalism (see Emmitt Smith) we do care about winning (see Michael Jordan)we do care about integrity (see Tiger Woods).

Now for those who bash the South as being racist: I refer you to Los Angeles (Rodney King) Boston, MA ( numerous incidents) Michigan (numerous incidents) etc etc.

By dunk

November 26, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

V-Very

I-Inconsistent

C-Coach

K-Killer

By Mel

November 26, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

I will take Washington’s Jason Campbell right now straight up for Michael Vick and never look back. Jason has class!

By Ronny

November 26, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

ARTHUR— TRY TO HIRE CHARLIE WEISS!! Not that he’d want anything to do with the Falcons. One thing for sure, he wouldn’t put up with any crap. Check out the resume! Outstanding— and he has pro coaching experience— at one time working under Parcells. (Oh sure, ND lost to SC this weekend. But so what? Charlie has put Notre Dame back on its feet very quickly.) HIRE CHARLIE WEISS!!

By david A

November 26, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

I am glad I dropped my season tickets three years ago. I feel sorry for all the fans paying big bucks to watch this team play. The Falcons say they have 50 thousand people on the waiting list for tickets, I find that hard to believe. There will be plenty of tickets available next year. I know Mr Blank will come out next year and promise the fans a winning season. He is a good salesman.

By MikeT

November 26, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it. Vick is a great runner, but to be nice, he is not intelligent enough to be quarter. He does not make decisions quick enough. Make Vick a receiver and Shaub or Shockley would do just fine.

By BogartJoe

November 26, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

No y’all know why college football is so popular here.

When are you people going to realize that Vick stinks. He’s overpaid and thinks way too much of himself all the while making stupid decisions on the field. By the way Vick, you showed great class by flipping the bird to the fans today.

By Keith

November 26, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

The team has lost heart and direction. The team has enough talent to make a run at the play-offs. Yes, there has been injuries on defense. However, a strong running team should keep the defense off the field more often. Is it time to cheer for them to lose so that the coach and GM will be fired? I am also finished with Vick. Finished. I don’t care if we have Bledsoe, Harrington, AJ Feeley, Carr we need someone new. Someone that understands how to play the position. UGH!!!

By Jerome

November 26, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

Hey Vick. I stand by you and giving the finger to all these fair weather fans. A couple of weeks ago you all were kissing his a**.

By the real roddy white

November 26, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

OK..OK,ITS NOT THE HERPES THING..I’LL JUST COM OUT AND SAY IT…I SUCK !!BUT WITH A COACH LIKE MORA AND STAFF,SUCKING IS A GOOD THING

By the real roddy white

November 26, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

OK..OK,ITS NOT THE HERPES THING..I’LL JUST COM OUT AND SAY IT…I SUCK !!BUT WITH A COACH LIKE MORA AND STAFF,SUCKING IS A GOOD THING

By the future

November 26, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

SUSPEND VICK BRING ON SCHAUB AND WIN SOME GAMES

By Corliss

November 26, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

Unbeliveable. Like Bill Parcells said many years ago:”You are what you are in this league.” Since the Bobby Butler days the Falcons’ secondary has been whipping boys for opposing offenses. Frankly, it doesent matter WHO is in the secondary,time after time YEAR after YEAR these 4 guys get torched. A 76-yd BOMB on the 1st play? Not being able to cover a hail mary@the end of a half? Unbeliveable. Having wideouts set records against you(Ward, Williams, et al)? Who are you? You’re the FALCONS,that’s who. Poor scouting/evaluating(Hines Ward was still on the board) poor coaching, poor execution(5 dropped passes) poor luck(see missed FGs in J-ville & Tampa)lead to games like this. There’s a reason why this franchise has NEVER had 2 straight winning seasons. The reason:they’re the ATLANTA FALCONS, that’s why!! All sizzle and NO steak. It’s not just Vick, it’s an organizational thing; people outside ATL really WOULDN’T understand. I know Vick(et al)is frustrated but you just CAN’T do that to the fans(ESPECIALLY@home)!! W/the upcoming schedule I’d b surprised if these guys won 1 game. Like I said: Unbelieveable.

By Charlie Pride

November 26, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

All of you are WAY too Hard on Mike Vick. No he isn’t perfect but even Peyton Manning has bad days. So Vick isn’t the most accurate passer, he hits those bum receivers of ours in the hands. If you are playing at the NFL level and consistantly DROP balls that hit you in THE HANDS you have NO excuse. Maybe Alge should put on a clinic how to catch footballs thrown by Vick. Mike goes out EVERY game and does his best. You can’t blame Him for others trying to make him something he is not, (A pocket passer). Dude does his best work on the run. Mora and his staff should recognize this and utilize his strengths instead of trying to make a ferrari drive like a Mustang GT,because everyone else wins with a Mustang.

By melisha

November 26, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

The racist coach killer comments against Mr. Vick caused him to play bad today. He’s probably the best QB in the NFL, but the racists in the league are trying to keep him down. Blacks are getting oppressed by the man everyday and must stand up to it!

By D-Hawk

November 26, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Several posts suggested that the Falcons replace Vick with Schaub or DJ. Just say NO to drugs and post comments that atleast make you sound like you played the game.

For the person that said hire Weiss….is that the same coach that got blasted by the only two good teams his Irish played this yr????

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

November 26, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

This is a dead end team. So what now? the problems with this bunch run wide and deep,V. Young looked more ready to play in this league than Vick. Six years and he looks like he’s’ never seen a pro defense.I see only one way, fire the coaches’ is it fair? it’s life. Mora knows the score, he had his chances and didn’t get it done. In my mind this is a matter of when not if so I’ll start looking and post a list of candidates soon.

By D-Hawk

November 26, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Several posts suggested that the Falcons replace Vick with Schaub or DJ. Just say NO to drugs and post comments that atleast make you sound like you played the game.

For the person that said hire Weiss….is that the same coach that got blasted by the only two good teams his Irish played this yr????

By JHT

November 26, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

In my opinion, the Falcons have great athletes that are put under too much pressure from Blank.

Athletes are not people that work at Home Depot and do not do well under threats. Blank needs to get his tail off the sidelines during the games, let Mora coach and Vick and his teammates play the game without a pat on the butt or the evil eye from him.

Blank never played a down in his life, so Arthur, shut the heck up, get in the press box and leave the team alone!

By Unbiased observor

November 26, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

Y’all should face it. CK (That’s coach killer) will never be a good quarterback. He thinks he is superman and tries to do it all himself and makes bad decisions. Twice today he got them into scoring situations only to screw both of them up with dumb decisions.

By scott

November 26, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Some of you people need to get a life.

By FalconsGal

November 26, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

Shame on you, Falcons coaches. You have turned an entire city against our home team with your arrogant attitude. You have lost any last vestiges of respect from us, the season ticket holders, who expect more than lame excuses after every defeat. Our team plays like they don’t care anymore and that is YOUR problem to correct. I hope we have seen the last of you after this season - if not, I’m not renewing my season tickets next year and I’m thinking there will be Goodwill racks full of Falcon jerseys by January 1.

By Zach

November 26, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

People ask me why I’m cynical towards the world…I tell them I’m not cynical, I’m just a Falcons fan

By Brad

November 26, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

Melisha,He is making $130 million what is oppressive about that????? But I guess my statement is racist also. Oh by the way go to this link and you can see what kind a guy superman is http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2006/11/26/1127gestphoto.html

By Al Davis

November 26, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

Falcons Staff: PLEASE don’t go after Calvin Johnson!! He already had to put up with Reggie Ball for years, he doesn’t deserve to be sentenced to Vick!!

By Matt

November 26, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or is it time for Michael Vick to find a new home somewhere else in the NFL? I mean, yeah, he’s been great for the Falcons in terms of bringing them into the highlight reels, but his behavior as well as his attitude today (and in all years past) has made him more of an expedature than an asset. His basic idea that the only person who can make a play for him is himself is ludicrous at best. Greg Knapp is a good offensive coordinator, but it doesn’t help when your QB doesn’t listen to what you have to say. Another thing is that Vick has already gone through three QB coaches, not to mention that he’s had Garcia out of San Fran to come in and help and he has yet to put any of these teachings into practice. From what I can tell is that Vick is pretty much the same QB that he came out of college as. He’s great on the run, can make decisions quickly while on the run, but can’t pass worth a flip. It would be more beneficial to the Falcons if they were to move him to a running back position and let Schaub run the team. What people forget about Schaub is that he was the ACC player of the year his junior year, and also was a pretty mobile QB with better accuracy than Vick had at UVa. Also, a case could be made for DJ Shockley. Many had commented last season while Shock was playing for the Dawgs that he was a more accurate Michael Vick. Why not give these two guys a chance? At least if they fall on their face, then we can go back to Vick, apologize for our stupidity, and hope that the Falcons can do something other than lose like they have been for the last 41 years. The Falcons also need to draft offensive linemen and secondary on the defense with first and second round picks, not sixth and seventh rounders like they are so apt to do. By the way, did anyone think that it was odd that Dan Reeves was pictured with Arthur Blank before the game today? Could this mean that Blank is alreday looking for a coach? In my personal opinion, the reason that the Falcons got to the NFC Championship game in Mora’s first year was that the Dan Reeves system was more or less still in place. There was not a controversy between him and Vick, and it probably would not have been one. I personally didn’t like that they unceremoniously fired him, even with such a horrible record. Let’s get to work Falcons…we still do have a chance to make it to the playoffs this year if you work your butts off.

By Brad

November 26, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

In the words of the great Mora SR. PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS!

By Vic Sux

November 26, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this

Hey Vic, did you see how NO was able to THROW the ball to another player DOWN FIELD? You’re an idiot and dont deserve to coach pee-wee football, let alone QB in the NFL.

By Mike

November 26, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

First off Melisha pro athletes are paid to play through adversity and they are all far from opression…esp Mike Vick.

I think the falcons are a great audition for the wiz of oz this year… Greg Knapp=no brain Mike Vick= no heart Jim Mora= no courage and the fans just want to go home!!!!

Blank are you going to tolerate Vick flipping off the people he suppose to represent…you say you want a better class of athlete here..put your money where your mouth is!!!!!!

By Vick is a Spoiled Child

November 26, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

.

Nothing says “leadership” like a childish gesture …

.

By Steve T

November 26, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this

I have found the coach killer. Folks it is not Vick. The coach killers are the OC and DC. The defense was killing the falcons. That soft zone stuff has to go. People are talking about D. Hall, but he is trying to play in a system that doesn’t fit him. Also, I would beef Chris Crocker up and move him to strong safety. The guy loves to hit. I would go get a Free safety that can make plays on the ball. It was funny to hear Goose suggest to Mora that he blitz more. Hey I think we have been crying that the Falcons needs to blitz more. The Blitz will work. Now we need to get our DBs to play one on one. Mora please to do bring any more ex 49ers to this team.

The offense has problems. It took a while for Knapp to go big, but it works. Did you see how they drove the people off the ball on that TD run. We need to use power on the goal line. The falcons should have scored when they had the ball inside the ten. We have a 300 pound TE and two big FBs. Justin is a threat and we do not use him. On the goal line he could replace a WR because he can catch and block.

Finally, people lay off Vick. The guy tried to do everything he could to win this game. He needed help. After he made those long runs, someone has to step up to help him out. Why didn’t we go to the power game to pick up a first down? Why the mistakes he made. I can tell those who never played a sport. Hey stuff happens, when you try to hard. Again he feels as if he has to do it all himself.

By Falcons Fan

November 26, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

Coach Mora needs to learn from Bobby Cox. Dropping to his knees and holding both hands on top of his head makes him appear to be at a total loss.

By Steve

November 26, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

Turn out the lights… the party’s over. Bench Vick. NOW! He’s not a leader. He’s a spoiled brat with an itchy middle finger. Bring on Schaub or Shockley. I’d love to see DJ in there.

By Al Davis

November 26, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Falcons Staff: PLEASE don’t go after Calvin Johnson!! He already had to put up with Reggie Ball for years, he doesn’t deserve to be sentenced to Vick!!

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

Steve T writes:
Finally, people lay off Vick. The guy tried to do everything he could to win this game. He needed help. After he made those long runs, someone has to step up to help him out. Why didn’t we go to the power game to pick up a first down? Why the mistakes he made. I can tell those who never played a sport. Hey stuff happens, when you try to hard. Again he feels as if he has to do it all himself.

Alright Steve, we’ll accept that for today’s debacle. Now, what about the other eleven since mid-season of last year. The Foulcons have lost 12 of their last 19 and Vick has quarterbacked ever one of them. What about those losses? Won’t work Steve. Vick is a loser and he needs to go!

By Chazzy J

November 26, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Yeah go ahead and put Shaub in. I would then suggest you order him a casket. The O-Line can’t keep the Sun out of a mouse hole and the O- coordinator can’t tell them how. I ask anyone to count up the number of dropped passes this year and do a total analysis of the circumstance, yards lost and momentum effect it had on the team. All these goobers that think they know the game will never understand that Peyton has won the same number of Super Bowls as Vick and for the same reason….Defense wins Superbowls. Confused? let me help you Pittsburgh,Patriots,Ravens,Rams all had great defensive teams. The Falcons problem is they can’t win a low scoring game and all the number 1 teams every division can.

By Expensive finger

November 26, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this

Was that a 130 million dollar finger we saw this afternoon. Shame on you Mike!!!

By John

November 26, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are a Bad football team. If they are to win with these players the Matt S. has to be the QB and put #7 at H back. The offense would then have the right players on the field. I am afraid that Arthur has fallen into the Tampa Bay trap. Look what happened to them when Rich McCay got through with them. It is happening here now.
Can’t wait to hear Jimmy Mora telling us how hard this team will play for the remainder of the season. O gues he did not see the last drive by the Saints. ANd what was that the last time the Falcons had the ball…talk about mailing it in!

By Some Real Truth

November 26, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

OK, here is some real truth if you all want to hear it. The Falcons as a team are a mess, but if you are going to blame anybody wearing a uniform, you have to start with the QB. I am sick of everybody saying, he is not a pocket passer and you can’t expect him to be. It’s not about really about that people. Vick is not a leader.

This started with his half-hearted off season workouts. He doesn’t put in the time. Not watching film, studying plays and defenses, going through routes and progressions with his receivers, nothing…what makes QB’s like Brady, Manning, and Palmer special is not their arms or pocket presence. it’s their leadership. The Colts whooped up on Philly Tonight and their RB had 4 TD’s. What did Manning do to contribute to the game? Ha managed it. He managed the clock, the play calling, he kept his squad energized and ready to play. he did all of that. All the great ones do…and Vick just isn’t a great one. He is an amazingly talented freak of nature, but he doesn’t have the total package of skills that it takes to win in this league. Sure, his WR’s are not catching balls, but he is the reason for that. They have no chemistry. They barely know eachother. He is too arrogant to reach out to them and say, lets spend some extra time getting our timing down. He makes no effort to try to help his team play better. As far as he is concerned, all he has to do is go out on Sunday and play the best he can and that is somehow enough, and even worse, he has convinced some fans that its enough as well. Its not. It doesnt win games. We need a QB that is committed and will go the extra mile to win. Vick just isnt it and the sooner we all reaize that, the better off this team will be.

By J

November 26, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

I like how we got rid of Peerless Price and bought 3 More Prices. Can we pleas get a high end receiver. T.O. or Moss….PLLLLLLEEEEAAAASE. If they drop passes then its the QB but I hate to break it to you its not the QB.

By Dennis

November 26, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

The team has no heart, they need someone on the field to look up to. Vick is not the guy and never has been. But with his antics today, his time in Atlanta should be over. Mora needs to go as well. Mr. Blanks said he would give us a winner, was he joking?

By J

November 26, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

I like how we got rid of Peerless Price and bought 3 More Prices. Can we pleas get a high end receiver. T.O. or Moss….PLLLLLLEEEEAAAASE. If they drop passes then its the QB but I hate to break it to you its not the QB.

By Titothebear

November 26, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

Cheezy,

Glad you got it figured out Homes. But tell me this, if the Foulcons’ offensive line, and coordinator, are so bad, how did they manage to score more, and win, against the Bengals and Steelers? It’s not the fault of the offensive line, nor is the coordinator at fault. it’s the quarterback and he stinks! He’s playing his way out of the lineup and out of the NFL. I can’t wait to see him go! Holla Homes.

By Terry Bradshaw

November 26, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this

I just Tivo’ed the game so let’s analyze Vick’s passes (9 for 24).

5 passes were dropped (so that’s 14). Three times Lelie decides to fall down (when he didn’t seem to be pushed or tripped, maybe he knew he was gonna drop it so he tried to get pass interference calls - that’s 17) Vick threw the ball away 4 times when no WR’s were open and pass protection broke down (that’s 21) Vick threw 3 bad passes ( 1 - overthrew Crumpler in the endzone on a rollout to the right, 2 - Pass tipped at the line intended for Jenkins / looks like it could’ve been caught before tipped, 3 - Threw one at the ground, receiver’s feet when he was on the run ). (that’s 24)

I wouldn’t really call it a bad passing day. Vick played his heart out today & I wouldn’t put the blame on him. He seemed to be the only one that played his heart out. Although that middle finger incident was unneccessary I feel Vick was really frustrated after how hard he played & they came out with the Loss… fans heckling him, heat of the moment.

By saints fan 87

November 26, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this

hey your team is a piece of s** that just got scooped up on the sidewalk because thier done and i guess you ignorrent a***** can lay that conspriacy theory to rest you a***** you got what you deserved with those late touchdowns to copper in first half and duece in the second half and hey you son of b*** we were not running up the score and like i said before go suck on a dick bird babe yall were the turkey today your done stick a fork in the falcons their done saints all the way to the super bowl you stupid clowns

By Mike L

November 26, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this

I am a from New Orleans and a Saint fan. I know what you guys are going through. The dropped passes today are a killer, a couple of catches here and there and it would have been a different game, at least it would have been a lot more competetive and I think a whole lot closer. Last week the Saints dropped at least nine passes against the Bengals with a couple that would have been big gainers and a touchdown. That along with two interceptions in the endzone was the difference in the game.

Atlanta has to find a way to make plays. I like M Vick but am not a fan of running quarterbacks. From the Saints point of view we rather have the QB running then passing, this makes a team one dimesional. It has been proven throughout NFL history that a pure running QB cannot win in this league he must posess passing talent to compliment his mobility. Sorry to say Vick lacks that passing talent. He has on occasion had a couple of big passing days but that’s the exception not the rule. Until he can show consistency in finding receivers and the ability to move a team downfield via the passing game Atlanta will not have a winning season. Vick has the greatest of abilities in running but that should be used when needed to escape a rush.

If a QB is good enough he shouldn’t have to run. (of course unless the line breaks down)He has other players around him, backs and receivers that are at his disposal and it is up to the field general to utilize those players. I believe Vick still has to learn that, now is that possible, I don’t know. As far as Jim Mora goes he has developed the team this way and it is a failure. Much of this collapse is in coaching and something needs to be done by the owner at the end of this season. If nothing is done then you’re in for yet another season of false hopes and heartbreak.

I wish you guys the best and I hope you bounce back next year and continue the rivalry. By the way I remember years ago sitting in Tulane Stadium watching the Falcons beat the Saints 62-7 People in New Orleans still remember that game, I will never forget it, that’s when the rivalry really started.

By elteco

November 26, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Donovan Mcnabb said it best “can someone get this man a receiver” this man being Mike Vick. Also after todays game Mike mckenzie a CB for the saints was asked his opinion of the falcons receivers, he laughed and sarcasticly said that they just had a bad day, Joe horn just straight up ripped them. People can blame Vick all they want but its obvious they have no clue what they’re talking about. Vick goes out there and plays his @$$ off every week, if not for him scrambling to keep drives alive today it would have been over sooner than it was, and what does he get in return boo’s and hecklers, nice, real nice falcon fans boo the guy who plays his @$$ off. Those fans deserved more than just a finger thats if you can even call them fans, why dont you guys find something else to b!&%h about like the braves, oh but wait you guys already do that because having like 11 straight playoff seasons is not good enough. Mike Vick will be a great QB if they just get the personnel to help him out or maybe we’ll just give up on him and trade him, then watch him be a hall of famer for another team, sound familiar, if not here’s a clue #4 for the green bay packers.

By Cap

November 26, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Interesting assessment bird babe: “Vick isn’t a good passer…” I wonder why that is? Sorry Vick haters attempting to pass themselves off as Falcons fans but Atlanta’s dirty secret has been exposed in front of a national audience. When Brees came back on the field with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter Vick had more yards of total offense than Brees even with his 76 yard TD pass on the games third play. The difference between Vick and all of the “dropback passers” you haters are enamored with is that their receivers tend to actually make all of the yardage whereas Vick actually has to make all of the yardage himself because for the 50th time, Vick can throw just fine, HIS WIDE RECEIVERS CAN’T @!#$%&* CATCH!!!! If they did not drop those balls Vick would have been a very respectable 14 of 24 for over 200 yards. First of all haters, Vick hasn’t turned the ball over in two games. But the reason why he fumbles (he actually has never really thrown an inordinate amount of INTs throughout his career and has a positive TD to INT ratio) is because for a quarterback he is forced to handle the ball way too much outside of the pocket. No QB in the league has the responsibility of making a team as horrible as the Falcons competitive. So when you are moaning about Vick taking sacks by scrambling around in the pocket buying time or throwing without his feet set ask yourself, “Who is going to make plays besides Vick?” The Offensive line? The Wide Receivers? The special teams? Schaub?

By ATLballer

November 26, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are just like the city of Atlanta as a whole, more worried about flash and what looks good than any kind of substance. Vick is flashy and exciting which puts butts in the seats, but he’s not going to deliver a championship because he’s not a leader and is only worried about himself and his boys. Blank worries more about what makes for good marketing then putting a winning product on the field.

Next thing you know the Falcons will get Marcus Vick so they can grab headlines and make a ton of Vick commercials.

BTW, those of you that think Napp or Donatell need to go…if you fire the 2 main assistants you might as well fire the head coach too.

By Cap

November 26, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

It gets pretty bad when in the middle of the game when Fox is showing blooper reels of the WR drops all season. Week after week the devoted few who are actually watching the game come in here to tell the haters that Vick really isn’t that bad of a passer, his O-Line can’t block (lay off the ‘substance’ abuse Barry Bonds…I mean, Matt Lehr) and his Wide Receivers CAN’T CATCH. But of course the haters want Vick traded and Schaub inserted or Favre traded to Atlanta. Sorry folks, Favre already did his time in Atlanta and the front office blew it then and right now the front office is blowing it now. Vick’s abilities aren’t regressing. His actually a better player INDIVIDUALLY now then he was in his second year when he was just fine under Reeves. But this Falcons team is by far worse. Keep Vick, Crumpler, Norwood, Dunn and everybody else on offense can be shipped off. If Blank is going to make moves he needs to have this offense retooled NOW. The defense will be better when it is healthy but we need a stout presence in the middle; Brooking at this point in his career needs to be out on the edge rushing the QB. Lawrence Taylor had to make this move later in his career but with Kerney out you have to utilize the talent that you have to get a pass rush. The DBs are out on islands in coverage for too long.

By eriecliper

November 26, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

Vick’s work ethic is not good. He is not allowed to call plays at the line because he does not have a good understanding of the play book and is not a student of the game. He cannot read a defense and relies on his raw talent to bail him out rather than do his homework.

Every receiver that the Birds get is not a bad receiver. The constant here is MV. People seem to be using the shotgun approach to curing this teams ills. The problem is, that the offense has lost confidence in Vick. You demand good work from everyone else but the team sees his lack of work ethic everyday at practice. If you do not practice well, if you do not do your homework, you will not play well and the team will not trust you. You cannot be just a game day leader! Mora Sr. is right MV is a coach killer, but then it is up to the coach to motivate the team and demand the best from it’s players, or sit them on the bench. BUT!!! In Jim Mora’s defense, MV did get Dan Reeves fired, didn’t he?

As for the defense, MV and the offense keep them on the field way too long. If you allow a Pro-Offense to just fire away at them all day there are going to be some let downs. At the same time playing defense with the lead is very different than having to be ultra conservative when playing from behind. The inverse is also true for the opposition.

I say sit MV on the bench for awhile and let’s see what Matt and D.J. can do. Hey…What the hell the season is lost anyway! Mora; it just might show where the real problem lies and that could save your job!

By Dre

November 26, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

Ok, smart people every play Vick was running for his life. If you start Matt, he can’t for his life, he’ll be on his butt all day like Ben was today.

By AL

November 26, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Lets see, once again Mike Vick shows no class, only his IQ at the end of the game.All the money in his contract isnt able to buy him some class.

By Cap

November 27, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

Listen to this blog. Vick needs to go. Vick’s not a leader. Vick can’t pass. Atlanta will never when a championship with Vick. Are you haters blind? Vick poured in 250 yards of total offense with no O-Line blocking and definitely no receiver help and you are talking about CHAMPIONSHIPS? In the immortal words of coach Mora’s dad “Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?!? We’ll be lucky if we can win another game!” You haters better stop worrying about making Vick a pocket passer and start worrying about the Falcons going back to being the laughingstock of the NFL. Have you read what the Saints feel about Vick’s performance? Did you hear what Joe Horn had to say about our WRs? Other players in the NFL are going to see these game highlights folks. They are going to see Vick putting on one of the greatest individual efforts in the league and leaving everything out on the field then they are going to see the footage of Atlanta’s ignorant fans razzing him as he leaves the field. Then they are going to read the Atlanta press cutting up the only quality player on the team as being classless for flipping the bird to all the haters. HEY ATLANTA, GOOD LUCK ATTRACTING FREE AGENTS. I’m sure every beloved immobile pocket passer is real eager to come and play behind the Falcons O-Line and throw to these wide receivers.

By Dave

November 27, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

My personal opinion: The team has not quit. They are fighting quite hard actually, just as Mora has repeatedly implored them to do as if it were his yoga mantra.

However, no matter how hard a football player “fights”, if he is in the wrong spot on the field, taking improper angles, or lacking subtle detail in his technique; than all “fighting” does is make you pull harder in the wrong direction. Let there be no doubt Falcon fans…this is all about bad coaching. Period. End of story.

By eriecliper

November 27, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Maybe the O-line would be willing to block for a producer.