Sports Columnists

By Alex, Washington, DC

December 19, 2005 02:27 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley is right for one of the few times. This Falcons’ offense was punched in the mouth over and over and did not respond. For a run-oriented offense, they are pretty finesse. The rah-rah attitude by Coach Mora was needed last year, but he had to grow up as coach and put more pressure on the team to win but pointing out the Falcons’ deficiencies rather than going on and on in his press conferences about how great the other team was. Also, quit babying Michael Vick and put some pressure on him to start being more accurate with his passing and whatever happenned to Justin Griffith? The defense will be fine next year with with hopefully less injuries and several second year players with valuable experience. It’s simple the good teams have figured how to stop Vick so if the offense doesn’t change they’ll never have back to back winning seasons.

By Todd

December 19, 2005 03:48 AM | Link to this

Whatever direction the wins blows, Bradley will be there.

Last blog said, “Against all logic, I like the Falcons chances”

But then this blog in entitled, “…Falcons aren’t that good”

Well which is it and it took 14 games for you, who makes a living analyzing teams, to figure out that this team is not that good. Just why is it again that the AJC pays you?

Fact is Bradley you are a prostitute for the Falcons until the very last moment when your readers would stop reading and advertisers would stop buying if you continued your sillyness in supporting this team.

By Big Steve

December 19, 2005 03:54 AM | Link to this

I am more of a sports realist. I don’t just post things like “they suck” all the time. The Falcons are not a good football team. You will not get more out of Michael Vick so don’t expect it. I do agree that Matt Schaub is a better pocket QB. You do not need to be a great runner as a quarterback. Peyton Manning isn’t, Tom Brady isn’t, hell even Johnny Unitas or Bart Starr wasn’t.

The offsensive line is vastly undersized. Warrick Dunn has worked miracles behind a very average line. Our wide receivers are less than good. Fineran can catch and so can Crumpler. Last night Roddy White and Michael Jenkins were non-existant. Our original two miracle workers Dez White and Perless Price are gone.

Greg Knapp is a poor play caller. Or maybe Vick is a poor play executer!! His best plays are ususally broken ones where he has to scramble. But no TD’s against Carolina and Chicago tells the whole story. I get the feeling that Mora’s luster is tarnishing and Arthur Blank’s weekly appearance on the sidelines needs to be for a good reason like finding out what is wrong here. It isn’t working.

I am constantly reminded of the John McKay quote when questioned about his teams execution after a loss. His reply…”I’m in favor of it.”

By dale in newnan

December 19, 2005 04:11 AM | Link to this

The Falcons are just not that good of a team when they face big physical teams. One cannot deny the fact that they were man-handled on both sides of the ball. Worse yet, they were bullied. Just like the Carolina game, when they got punched in the mouth they became cringer and slinked away to hide. Fast, undersized linemen may get you 7-9 wins a year, but when the men show up in dec-jan, you’re going to get ppounded. Big time. By the way has anyone put out an APB on Mike Vick’s game?

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 04:21 AM | Link to this

“Cold truth is Falcons just aren’t that good” you got that right Mr. Bradley. Earlier in the season the Falcons got the “breaks” to gain victory. They were never dominant, just lucky. How about putting comments about Vick aside and give some credit to the efforts of Mr. Dunn. A 5.2 yards per carry this season average, but always in the shadow of Vick’s publicity. Thank you Mr. Dunn for your contributions this season. You are the real “gem” on this offense.

By blq byrd

December 19, 2005 04:29 AM | Link to this

I’m not giving up on the Falcons because they are my team win or lose, however, I’ve said this all year long, THE FALCONS ARE NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME. Vick need to find himself and we need players in every position that are mean SOB’s. Getting manhandled by all of these teams really infuriates me to no end. I figure that if I, a fan, take offense to the overly physical play of our opponents, then our guys out on the field should take exception to their tactics as well. They play so soft as soon as they get hit hard they stop playing hard.

It seems that especially when we play the teams in our division along with Seattle and Chicago that they are trying to knock our guys out of the game with career ending injuries. I know that I am not the only one that has noticed this. How many times have our guys helmet been either knocked-off or snatched of of their heads leaving them exposed to major head injuries? I don’t think that I am unique in feeling this way but when I played sports back in my day, no one and I mean no one was more physical then I was. I firmly believe in an eye for an eye and then some. The Falcons need to adopt this philosophy in order to gain respect throughout the league. The hardest hitting teams always win. This weekend illustrated that fact quite clearly.

Next years Falcons will be known as the bully’s of the NFL, I hope.

now if we can somehow muster up one more win we can finally get that not having winning seasons back-to-back off of our backs.

go Falcons!

By Bob Wuxley

December 19, 2005 04:39 AM | Link to this

Does anyone remember a single game where Micheal Vick has performed well against a strong, fast defense that knows how to shut down the run? I don’t. I’ll get back to that point in just a second. But first, how do you call for Duckett to run on third down, watch him lose a yard, then call for him to run again on fourth down just to watch him lose another yard? Oh yeah, you’re the Falcons! This team has quickly turned into a joke again, and if Vick doesn’t get some receivers to throw to soon, and learn how to throw under pressure, he’ll never win the Big One in his career. As soon as he gets rattled he loses his cool and can’t seem to complete a single pass. Why tease us like this. I’d rather go 1-15 and at least get a solid draft pick than just barely miss the playoffs, make some ridiculous choices in the draft, then miss the playoffs again next year. Also, when the run’s not working, don’t go to it over and over again, on fourth down, in the red zone. Give the ball to Vick and let him use his feet at least. Honestly that’s about the only weapon the Falcons have against a team like the Bears. And even that weapon looked pretty darn rusty tonight.

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 04:55 AM | Link to this

Excuse me Mr. Wuxley: “Give the ball to Vick and let him use his feet at least. Honestly that’s about the only weapon the Falcons have against a team like the Bears.” WRONG……That is why the offense falls apart…too much emphasis on “VICK.” The Falcon’s offense is too predictable, and a good defense will shut them down every game!!

By Garet

December 19, 2005 05:25 AM | Link to this

There just no excuses. We got beat. The Falcons are not a playoff team as had been hoped. Vick is not a superman, nor I’m afraid even a quarterback. I was hoping for the Falcons to at least when nine games. You see I grew up in Chicago and played football there too, so to use the temperature as an excuse..no.

By Todd

December 19, 2005 05:28 AM | Link to this

Hmmmm. Manning, Palmer, Hasselbeck are in the top 4 YTD right now in QB ratings and where are their teams in the playoff hunt?

What if Atlanta had a good QB in place of Vick? How in the hell can any of you say that Atlanta would not have more wins? Sure seems to be a correlation to ratings and wins to me. I know it is not that simplistic, but to say the team rallies around this rumbling, bumbling, idiot appears to be pretty simplistic too.

Fact is, Vick has throw a ton of interceptions (not including the ones that aren’t his fault) and put the team in a lot of bad situations and it appears he has a monkey on his back that has to lower morale on the team too. “We hold the other team and this idiot comes in and throws a knee jerk interception. I am tired of it, but Blank is a stupid SOB that gave this idiot a 130 million dollar contract.”

Let’s all laugh at Vick’s new conference 4 or 5 games ago about him having proved himself and not wanting to answer any more questions about his QBing ability.

By midniterider

December 19, 2005 05:31 AM | Link to this

its hard to win with your best qb on the bench and the play calling is so bad

By Todd

December 19, 2005 05:36 AM | Link to this

Big Steve,

Some of John McKay’s comments are classic. I remember that one from an ESPN show one night.

Speaking of McKay.

Tampa Bay 24, Atlanta 14.

The record goes to 8-7, 1 game from 41 years of misery. Keep the streak alive and can Mora and Vick this time next year.

By Tom

December 19, 2005 06:23 AM | Link to this

Somebody please explain to me why the Falcons ran two consecutive “up the gut” running plays with the suddenly ineffective TJ Duckett? Third and one, and fourth and two, because Duckett lost on that yard on third down. Who did they fool exactly? I think those two plays were indicative of the entire football game from the Falcons perspective. What happended to the team that beat the Eagles in the first game of the season with hard runs and even harder hits? BTW…why is Dunn only carrying the ball 15 times a game? Even then he is chewing up yards….

Signed, a very confused Falcons fan.

By Jay

December 19, 2005 06:57 AM | Link to this

Did anyone besides me see Vick’s tantrum after he threw his interception last night? But Mora made everything alright by running over to Vick and putting on Vick’s jacket for him. The weather? I believe Grossman (a Southern Boy) played in the same conditions that Vick played in so don’t give me any excuses about the weather. Vick needs to grow up and Mora needs to quit babying Vick. He needs to kick him in butt when he screws up instead of making excuses for him. I agree with the previous blogger in regards to Mora’s “rah rah” coaching method. Look at the coaches that have their teams set to play in the playoffs. Dungy, Holgrem, Billichek and Lewis. See them sucking up to the overpaid superstar? I think not. We’re stuck with Vick for the next decade at $13 million per year because no one in his right mind would pick up his contract. We are in need of a wideout aren’t we?

By Ricky

December 19, 2005 06:58 AM | Link to this

After watching Brian Urlacher, it just goes to show that Keith Brooking is indeed one of the most overrated LB’s in the NFL. He never makes a play at or behind the line of scrimmage. All of his tackles are five yards down field.

By Jarhead Jim

December 19, 2005 07:00 AM | Link to this

Suddenly ineffective Duckett? No balance, no vision, can’t block, came in touted as sub 4.4, but can’t hit the hole fast and runs more like 210 lb than 250. Thanks Reeves for the wasted draft pick and thanks Mora for bringing Knapp with you. We don’t have a lot of talent on offense, but when I can sit and tell my wife draw on 2nd and long and get the call 80% of the time, you know Lovie Smith is all over 1rst, 2nd and 3rd downs 100% of the time. Knapp hasn’t suddenly become predictable, either. Santa, please send us Ralph Friedgen or Don Coryell’s brain with a USB port for somone to plug into.

By steve g

December 19, 2005 07:10 AM | Link to this

If there’s just one problem area, it’s the offensive line; beef it up not just in size but in talent and you’ll give MV some time to properly assess the downfield situation. Too much credit’s been given to the line for the success of the running game - but when you weigh in the number of tattoos opposing defenses have imprinted on Vick’s body when he’s tried to set up, a completely different, and sad, picture comes into view. Other thoughts: Given the talent, the play calling is usually barbaric in critical situations. I admire the way the defense is trying to hold up.

By Freedawg

December 19, 2005 07:17 AM | Link to this

Can we all please admit that Mike Vick is just not that good? Yes from time to time he will amaze us with his running ability, but his has NEVER been a consistent passer. The line can’t block for him becuase he won’t stay in the pocket! He also fails to see open recievers or recievers who are coming open, and when he does he throws it over their heads, behind them, or in the ground. I am over the hype machine! People say “yeah but he wins”, I say Warrick Dunn wins, Alge Crumpler wins, and many time in spite of Mike’s play. We have a good team! However dynamic Vick might be, he is average at best as a QB at this point in his career. He is a big part of most of our lossses this year with his 22 turnovers as compared to his 19 TDs. Maybe it time to reevaluate…

By Freedawg

December 19, 2005 07:23 AM | Link to this

On Duckett, will someone let him know that he is supposed to ram the ball in the hole. We aren’t looking for a cut back runner here. You weight 260 pounds run hard at the hole until you hit something and drive forward, DO NOT stop to cut when the hole isn’t five feet wide!!! William Andrews knew how to hit the hole and break tackles at the line, Duckett knows how to get through the line when there is a hole and break tackles in the defensive back feild only!

By Tommy Ray

December 19, 2005 07:38 AM | Link to this

Say what you will about the Bears Game, the problem with the falcons is on the side line. Jim Mora is an embarrassment to the Falcons as well as the entire National Football League. You can never be a champion when deep down you are nothing more than a cry baby. When Atlanta gets a coach who can stand up like a man then and only then can you expect the plays to do the same.

It was embarrassing that Vick would return to the side line like spoiled little child after having his head handed to him by the Bears D, but after Mora’s display and ranting could anything better be expected from the players. A fish rots from the head.

I stopped being a Falcon Fan when they moved in doors. Football is not to be played in doors. It’s to be played in the mud and the cold by real men. Men who do not accept defeat but do not throw temper tantrums when things do not go exactly as they want.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 07:43 AM | Link to this

Geezoo, everybody jump off the bandwagon at once. And Big Steve, that’s a big dumb statement, they won’t get much more out of Vick. C’mon man, it’s the kid’s 3rd full season as the starting QB, lets give him some time. Crying out loud. I think perhaps we were all spoiled by last years sucess, that this one hurt even more. Listen, the truth is, we are dinged up a bit. When guys like Antuan Edwards & Ronnie Heard, and Michael Boley are out there making plays (or not making them), then we’re in trouble. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got some good guys on the D-Side, but they still give up the big plays every now and then, and they continue to have trouble stopping the run. Now, this isn’t an easy fix, and the Falcons are going to have to spend some money in the off season, but they also need to surround Vick w/ some beefy O-Line for better protection, and he needs more weapons. No offense (literally) to Jenkins, Finneran and Roddy White, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some veterans out there stretching the field. So here’s the deal. It’s a 2 game season, and I think the Falcons will be jacked-up. Listen, did any of you really think we were gonna beat Chicago last night anyhow? When they said there were 4 games left, and 3 of them were against division foes, and the other was against Chicago, I mean -c’mon, what are the chances of winning out. The Falcons have some payback to the Bucs, and the Bucs look a little vulnerable right about now. So lets get back to some positive thinking. And another thing, if it’s not Bradley w/ the bad mojo, then you have that horrible Terrence Moore, or whoever the hell he is.

By Lance

December 19, 2005 07:43 AM | Link to this

Ok, I’m sick and tired of watching the Falcons look like a little league team out on the field. I could not agree with you more Freedawg. Vick is OVERRATED!!!!! Let me say that again. Vick is OVERRATED. That’s the first obvious thing that is clear. Vick is SO inconssitant! Earlier in the year all I heard was, Hey, if I’m winning games, what difference does it make? Well Vick, you’re not winning games. You are far from it. Defense’s have figured you out. Put pressure on you. You can’t pass worth a damm. Vick needs to be a special teams player and a tailback or anything besides a QB. Sure, he’s fun to watch and is exciting but that doesn’t win games does it. We need a real QB, a passer. Vick is NOT that great and it will take 2 or 3 more years for Blank and the Falcons to finally wake up and see that.

Next is TJ Tip Toe Duckett. He runs like a 190 pound rookie. He gets to the line and starts “tip toeing”. He is Horrible and if the Falcons re-sign him after this year, they are idots. Thank God his contract is up after this year.

The conservative wussy play calling by Gregg Knapp is a JOKE!!! Hey Greg, You’re not even close to giving the offense the best opportunity to win the game. It would be nice if the Falcons could through the ball more but since Vick can’t through worth a s**, I know you’re limited to what you can do.

I’m over the Falcons for this season. They do not deserve to make the playoffs and if they do, like Bradley said, They won’t last long…..(NFL) Not For Long is what that means Mora. Trade Vick and get a QB who can through the ball.

By Todd

December 19, 2005 07:45 AM | Link to this

JarHead Jim,

Are you serious, Ralph Friedgen? Maryland signed this idiot to a 10 year contract. Yeah he had 3 (10 win) seasons (2001-2003) but he never beat FSU in those 10 win seasons and he is coming off 2 (5-6) win seasons.

Clearly, 5 years of never having beaten the best in the league OR having two losing seasons back to back would not be something Atlanta would want.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 07:51 AM | Link to this

Easy Lance, take it easy. If Vick is overrated, what does that make Donovan McNabb? C’mon, Vick is special, the real deal, don’t get sour on him. This team was in teh crapper before this kid came along. Don’t give me this crap. I remember the Bobby Hebert days, the Chris Chandler’s, the Chris Miller’s, the Jeff George’s, so don’t hand me this crap. This kid is a human highlight real, and because he has a few bad games, it’s all on him??? C’mon, where’s his help. Where are the receiver’s getting open, or the O-Line blocking, or the defense stopping the run? Those are the problems…NOT VICK. And another thing, Duckett is an excellent runner, who is hardly used anymore. If this kid breaks into the secondary, those 180 lb. DB’s can’t stop him. This Greg Knapp doesn’t call his number enough, and because of it, I guarantee you we won’t see Duckett next year. Here’s a few other things we could stand to get rid of in the New Year; Leading the list are all you Vick bashers, and bandwagon jumpers. Secondly, get rid of Greg Knapp, get rid of Jason Webster, get rid of Bryan Scott, and get us some real receivers.

By Mark

December 19, 2005 07:57 AM | Link to this

First, not only have we lost 4 of 6 — those two wins were against Detroit and New Orleans. And a loss to Green Bay. Not only is Vick overrated, the Falcoons are, too.

Second, we now know positively that this is Jim Mora’s son. A whining baby with an explosive temper. An embarrassment to this city and this team. That interception was ruled a non-catch, because a receiver that catches the ball in the air must retain possession when he hits the ground. Jenkins did not! Had he landed on his feet and then fell to the ground, then the old “ground can’t cause a fumble” would apply. But he didn’t and it doesn’t. Read the rule book Jimmy!

I said in September that the schedule was set up for a fast start and a horrible finish and it is playing out perfectly. A .500 season keeps the streak alive and I don’t see this teaming beating either Tampa or Carolina over the holidays. This season will end on January 1.

By CFalconsfan

December 19, 2005 07:58 AM | Link to this

1. The Falcons need to stop treating Vick with kid gloves.

2. TJ Duckett needs to reach down deep inside and start hitting some people, not tip toeing up to the line of scrimmage and falling down.

3. Jim Mora Jr needs to start acting like a football coach, not like one of the guys. And people wonder why the Falcons are undisciplined. To be respected you need to demand respect. Sniffing ammonia with your players does not bring respect.

4. The Falcons are a good team, just not a great team. When they face a stout defense the Falcons fold.

5. Warrick Dunn is one of the only bright spots on the Falcons this year. He may be a small guy but he runs with more heart up the middle than TJ Duckett who outweighs him by over 50lbs.

By Stewart

December 19, 2005 07:59 AM | Link to this

It’s good to see the “Atlanta Fans” back to normal!!! You are the idiots! Came into Miami talking about how great your team is etc. Now look at you… Your team simply got beat by a very good team at home in really bad weather conditions. It’s not an excuse, its reality!!! Atlanta doesn’t deserve an NFL team.

By E.B.isastupidtwit

December 19, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this

EB,

Do you realize how stupid you look defending Vick week in and week in? Obviously not.

Vick got beat by Orton in one half and Grossman in another. Orton was last in the league and still is. Vick is 26/33 YTD. I believe this is his worst year yet and other than a few games has consistently shown himself to be inconsistent.

And there you go again. Wait till next week. You are such a ball-less SOB. Admit it, you were wrong about Vick.

By lawton

December 19, 2005 08:02 AM | Link to this

told u guys that mora,knapp and mckay messed vick up with the west coast. let me tell you what michael vicks real problem is. the white quarterbacks, eli manning, john elway, dan marino, etc. when they came into the league THEY TOLD THEIR ORGANIZATION HOW IT WAS GOING DOWN. mike just sits there and let them dictate to him that he gonna play in the west coast offense. they didnt consult vick, they just did that crap. eli and elway came into the league AND TOLD THEM THEY AINT GONNA PLAY FOR A ENTIRE ORGANIZATION, MUCH LESS A PARTICULAR OFFENSE. vick needs to open him damn mouth and like terrell owens and demand they scrape that b** offense and go back to a pro set play action type offense like he had under dan reaves. vick can throw in a good system. the falcons offense aint crap because its made for a quarterback with limited physical abilities.

Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F Post a comment

By Mark

December 19, 2005 08:02 AM | Link to this

Vick is not overrated? Where is his help? All you have to do is look at the long pass interception when the game was still undecided? Vick rolls out, is well-protected and not under any pressure, and he leans back on his toes and flicks a pass to a wide-open receiver. Only problem, was the flick came up 10 yards short. That’s Vick. Lousy mechanics, lousy attitude and temper tantrums. He said it was “My Team,” so take it and do something with it Mike - quit talking about it.

By tamarcus

December 19, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

I am so sick and tired of people saying Michael Vick sucks and blaming him for every ill that has plaqued the falcons this year. It is actually pretty simple what has happened.Teams have not figuered Michael Vick out he has become so obsessed with listening to people saying he should pass more that he has forgotten what made him special(kind of like Donovan McNabb)In trying to pass the ball for 300 yards in every game the falcons are starting to lose time of possesion and as a consequence the undersized defense has become more exposed. vick will be fine once Jim Mora and Gregg Knapp are gone and Vick stops trying to be something he is not and if passing numbers are so important How is Curt Warner doing in Arizona and How many Super Bowl Ringsdoes Dan Marino have total team concept people.

By Larry

December 19, 2005 08:07 AM | Link to this

Excuse me while I remind you:

I TOLD YOU!

Where’s Matthew this morning? Now everyone knows what I already had learned. Matthew likes to call others “idiots” because that’s just what immature little kids do when they disagree with the more wise and knowledgeable. No one needs to call little Matthew any names okay? He does a good job of convicting himself.

And where’s the others who predicted victory against Chicago?

Bottom line, the Falcons had better can this gimmick at QB soon or we’ll be arguing like this for a long time. At least Chicago’s coach had the courage to pull his non-passing QB!

Vick is not a passer and his inability to do so is now common knowledge around the league. Don’t blame anything or anyone else for last night’s loss other than # 7. His inability to complete the most basic pass when the Falcons had all that great field position in the first half is why the Falcons lost.

Now, the same thing will happen this Sunday at Tampa because of the same reason: Tampa’s fast defense will simply focus on the run and virtually ignore the Atlanta passing game because atlanta has the most innacurate QB in NFL history. As a former QB, I can tell you that Vick has the worst throwing motion (baseball like) and the worst footwork I have ever seen in the NFL. Combined the two result in throws that are embarassing to watch.

At season’s end, remember the Green Bay game.

By Mark

December 19, 2005 08:11 AM | Link to this

Lawton - what the hell are you talking about? Do you really think that white QB’s call the shots on their teams? How can you sit there watching Blank push Vick around in a wheelchair (never saw anyone do that for a whitey) or watch Mora try to put Vick’s jacket on him while he has a temper tantrum (never saw Dungy do that for Peyton), and say that Vick doesn’t call the shots for this offense?

He is the prima-dona of the NFL today! He keeps telling us that he doesn’t care about the stats or the offense, that he “just has to be me.” He is doing whatever he wants and when he gets up against a great defense that won’t let him do his playground antics, he gets beat. Every damn time!

By Rob D

December 19, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

When can we get some real football observations around here. We all know everybody hates Vick and wants Mr. Schaub to be the Qb. Hell if Vick stays in the inept offense any longer he will suck. He should feel no pressure now, cause everybody has jumped off his bandwagon. But lets check this out, how can you win and have a passing offense when you have to keep Alge and two backs in to protect the QB. They rushed 4 people all night, and we couldnt block them with 8, crazy. That leaves 6 people to cover 2 and you wonder why the passing yards stunk. When he gets time, he picks the d apart. You people are so cynical, last time I checked this was a damn game, you are weak if you have to come on this blog to rip people for something that doesnt relate to play on the field. But hey its good to know how most of you think about us as rumbling bumbling idiots, thanks.

By Lance

December 19, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

e.b. - Vick has been fun to watch. I will admit that but the defenses have caught up to him. Ok, he’s better than Chris Chandler. I’ll give you that. I could care less about a human highlight reel. But being a human highlight reel doesn’t win games. It’s a team sport.

Duckett, an excellent runner??? What have you been smoking? The reason he isn’t used anymore is because he is a “Tip Toe” slacker who have NO burst of power whatsoever….He’s not going to make it to the Defensive backs because he will never get that far.

I do agree with you on getting rid of Webster, Scott and Knapp though. I can almost predict every down what the Falcons will run. Knapp is terrible.

By michael batcheolr

December 19, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

I live in Denmark in Europe (after growing up in northeast Alabama) and am the biggest falcon fan in this hemisphere. And against the bucs later this week I will again be glued to the television wearing my no. 7 jersey and yelling at the refs. go Falcons. However, when is vick going to stop making idiot decisions!? To catch that deflected ball and lose 13 yards is a total rookie mistake. Michael isn’t a rookie anymore. I adore our fearless leader but he has to realize that stability and not flashes of greatness is the way to the superbowl in years to come.

By berrier

December 19, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

no kidding!! tougher schedule than last year the falcons are just an average NFL team da Bears defense just proved that Green Bay smoked the falcons get used to it atlanta they are just am average team sorry

By Rick

December 19, 2005 08:20 AM | Link to this

I like Joe Theisman but that comment he makes (and he has made it before) “when Vick has time, he picks the defense apart” sounds so fing silly. Couldn’t that be said of 90%, no check that, 100% of NFL QBs?

Vick makes bad decisions. Catching your own blocked pass is a mistake. It cost Atlanta 13 yds and set the tone for the second half. Some leader.

By Larry

December 19, 2005 08:28 AM | Link to this

Lawton,

“Consult Vick!” For what? How to wear a cap backwards, grow long braids, find the biggest earrings in town, and talk and act like a 17 high school hip hop “artist?”

I can hear Vick now with his consulting advice to Blank and McKay: Yo man, you bros need da led me run da ball mo down da field and find me sum receevas bout 8 feed tall wid long arrms to cadch my pazzes. Do I look preddy on da field?

No, the Falcons don’t need to consult Vick, they need to reposition him.

By jj

December 19, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this

Sure Vick is sorely overated- he has a 71.8 passer rating which is good enough for 26th place and is even bested by Carr at Houston who is 2-14! WHAT? This is our FRANCHISE PLAYER making a zillion dollars. I could go on and on but I will sit back and read. Falcons will finish 8-8 and miss playoffs and winning season; FIRE KNAPP and for crying out loud change is BS WEST COAST OFFENSE to SOMETHING ELSE to MATCH OU

By Enzo Vullo

December 19, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this

Mora is a poor excuse for a head coach. His behavior on the sidelines last night was an embarassment to the Falcon organization. Maybe having a temper tantrum with the officials is his way of demonstrating his leadership. Think not!!! Until the Falcons get a real head coach in place, they will continue to struggle.

By Q

December 19, 2005 08:37 AM | Link to this

Some of the comments that i have read are ludicris.Everyone is talking about VICKS QB rating.Who cares about a rating;its about winning ballgames.Yes,Peyton Manning has a high QB rating for the past few years but how many SuperBowl rings does he have.How many rings did Dan Marino get.(ZERO)Baltimore didnt have half of a QB the they won the BIG ONE.If people watch the came close enough every week they would realize that playcalling has something to do with it,and no adjustments being made in the second half.No QB can win games against a good team with conservative playcalling.We had a chance to score a TD in the second quarter but our coaches played for the FG.Some of you people must be watching a different game from what im watching because football is about moving the chains,scheming,taking what the other team gives you,and the Falcons coaches arent doing neither one.Im not blaming the coaching staff for everything,but theyre the ones who put the game plan together.OPEN UP YOUR EYES PEOPLE

By mountain_jim

December 19, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

After the 3rd and 1 Duckett stuff it looked like Vick looked over to the sideline angrily and waved his arm (after receiving the play-call to run the same dang worthless play)

It appeared he disagreed with the play call, as did I, the commentators, and everyone else with any sense.

Vick is here, he has the contract, and I believe he would improve greatly next year if we replace our Offensive Coordinator and improve the oline.

How about bringing in Mooch as OC? He knows the WC offense and is not the idiot Knapp has proved himself to be.

mj

By nitwit

December 19, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this

What is the website for “FireJimMora.com”?

By blackscorpion

December 19, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this

Mora is a ticking time bomb. The man lacks maturity and imagination. Players like Vick and Hall need firm leadership on the sideline. I thought Mora was a bad hire from the start. How long before Blank will do something to get some returns on his 130 million dollar investment. Mora is riding Vicks coat tails and those coat tails keep getting shorter every game. You just can’t cottle players like Vick. Last night was an embarrasement for the Falcon nation.

By Torrie

December 19, 2005 08:54 AM | Link to this

Honestly, there were a couple of plays in the game in which Roddy White was wide open for a touchdown and Vick over-threw him on one play and under-threw the ball on the 2nd play so let’s stop saying we need WRs that can get open. Play calling was horrific and it was obvious Vick was not comfortable playing with those sore ribs. With the season on the line, why didn’t we bring in Matt Schaub just to see if he could jump-start our passing game?

Mora, I want to see you swipe at Vick the same way you did the umpire after the fumble/interception by Jenkins because putting Vick’s hood over his head after a bad series is not what the fans or the rest of the team wants to see. Try sticking your frozen toes up his a** for a change and maybe he’ll understand the JIM MORA EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!

By Kudzu

December 19, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this

Lawton…Vick ‘s not smart enough to tell the coaches what “he would like to do” What the hey? I sat in my chair last night thinking why do we continue to laud upon this #7? He is not what we are paying for. I would cut his cold, baby, coddle me, whinning a**, as soon as possible. At least make the QB position open for some competition. Put somebody back there that has a freaking brain.

Vick was cold last night; damn did you see the images of #54 for Chicago? He didn’t seem cold, he looked intimidating, and thats what happened to #7, he was cold and intimidated and “didn’t really want to play in the cold”…that’s the way he looked.

Before the game, on the sidelines, he was all huddled up there with his posse; a true QB (leader) would be stoking his players up, encouraging them, banging some helmets; but this guy Vick, he’s so coddled by management and ownership that “he doesn’t have to come out and play if he doesn’t want to” Crap…

And yes, by now I am beginning to question Mora’s abilities and judgments toward the tenure of the game and his abilites to motivate and lead players… He must stop this pampering charade of Vick. Mora will be a respectful and honorable coach when he gains the guts to bench the “cold baby all great one” and find a replacement…

C’mon Mora don’t wait till you wind up like papa and have some melt down in public…get a firm grip on this team, bench the weak, wanabes, and put some player’s on the field that will not lay down you. Please do the right thing. Get your head out of the sand and face the fact that Vick is not the player for this franchise…I guess though, that that is hard to do when you have your (bill paying) boss breathing down your neck…

VICK IS NOT THIS TEAMS LEADER, he’s a crying, whinning, ignorant, wuss, that likes thinking highly of himself.

By Peter W

December 19, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this

The Falcons are a pretty good team, with the opportunity to go into next year with a palyoff attitude, BUT, and here are the Buts as I see it.

1. Mike Vick has to work on his game period. His feet are the reason his passing is so erratic. Joe Thiesman made refrence to that last night, he throws with his arm, and his release is a wind up and very slow. He also is a 5th year pro, and they made reference to quaterbacks with less time in the league, that have progressed faster.

He needs a mentor of some type, and frankly if he doesn’t improve next year, I say trade him for a group of players like the Hershal Walker trade of years past.

They also made reference to him last night not understanding what defenses are doing since they change up on him all the time, so he concentrates on what they are doing on third downs on film. Well that to me says he is a slow learner, and can’t make good decisions, or the offensive coach is not understanding either, or teaching.

1. Both lines are too small, and only drafting or trading will change that.

2. Lack of speed, and mediocre special teams. Yes Alan Rossum got hurt, and after one wonderful year, he is not producing. You have the slowest guys returning kick offs and punts of any pro team I have ever seen.

3. This year we had many key injuries. but look at how New England is doing, and look at the Bears with all their starting safty’s hurt are doing. Perhaps we are very young at a few positions, but in this league any guy could get hurt, and our team has to get better back ups at some positions.

4. Finally the biggest weakness is no doubt the secondary, with exception of Hall, would any of our current defensive backs be able to start on the winning teams in this league? I see Mora as a guy who has favorites back there, and that has really plagued the team all year.

As a season ticket holder, I watched as the quaterbacks in the league picked Carpenter apart every game, that has either set up a short second or third down, or allowed for an easy pitch and catch to a reciever who could run for an almost certain first down when needed. If we have him starting next year, well I don’t see how much will change for the defense.

All that said we were in the NFC Championship game last year, so our schedule was very tough. Next year it won’t be as tough, and hopefully we have a chance of getting back to that title game!

By lawton

December 19, 2005 08:58 AM | Link to this

these rednecks posting aint gonna let it go into shaub is the quarterback. like i said, when dion sanders ran the ball back in the dome and showed the ball to the falcons as he ran down the sidelines, their coaches ducked their heads in shame (ihave this on tape), yall ran dominique wilkins outta town, he always had more love on the road from fans, yall ran david justice outta town, who told the truth about the braves organization and chipper jones. yall ran peerless price outta town. yall didnt want randy moss or terrell owens, even though you got the worse receivers in football, u didnt want barry bonds back in 1992, even consulted sid bream about it, ive got a good memory, atlanta is the worst city as far as winning because yall let your racism get in the way and back the racist decisions of the organizations, the braves,hawks,falcons, thats why players never wanted to come here and thats why EVERY CITY IN AMERICA LAUGHS AT ATLANTA. that good ole boy crap put lovie smith on the sidelines in chicago and they b..slapped the falcons all over the field. thats why jim mora was cussing. smith showed him and arthur blank up. blank been shooting blanks ever since he bought the team and you good ole boys jumped on that wagon. put shaub in, they still gonna be sorry. at that point, what u gonna do, blame vick? say vick stunted shaub’s growth. when they put shaub in, they really gonna tee off and slam the falcons offense.

By H Charles

December 19, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this

Q, you are WAY off.

QB’s job is to do what it takes to win, and QB ratings are a great indicator that the QB is doing his part. Know who the top QB rating QB’s are this year? Manning, Hasslebeck, Palmer. Guess where those teams will be playing after the regular season? Conservative play calling has won Superbowls for the Ravens and the Giants, so don’t blame that, either.

By Torrie

December 19, 2005 09:00 AM | Link to this

We don’t want to hear no more of this “OUR BACKS ARE AGAINST THE WALL” crap anymore. Because if your backs were against the wall then you wouldn’t have gotten screwed in the a** last night by those horny/hungry BEARS!!!!! I think Duckett likes it though!!!!!!!!! WUSS!!!!

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 09:02 AM | Link to this

My GOD this team SUCKS!!! I’m sick of everything about the team! Sick of a million dollar QB that looks completely lost, a non-existent defense, retarded play calling, and a bunch of low-class, two bit thugs trying to start a fight on every play! Hello boys!! This isn’t the inner city Atlanta ghettos…try and at least act like professionals and adults while your on national television. Time to shut this beeeyatch down and start all over AGAIN!!!

But for the record, the refs refusal to overturn the “interception” in the forth was perhaps the worst call I have ever witnessed in my life.

By Jim

December 19, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this

What happened to those “human highlight reel” plays No.7? Looks as though you’re not “ready for prime time” any longer!!!! And Artie, you have wasted millions on a position player that is a better “actor” than football player. May as well cash in and eat your losses now and start anew next year! And don’t you wish you had made Lovie your coach now?

By keeping it REAL !

December 19, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this

let’s keep it real vick has won games for this team but the system is weak who else can he call on. remove vick; have they won no, the system is not a winner system put in our # 2Qb so it can prove the system suck. Vick has a problem it’s call Gregg Knapp , when one man fall the system should have other to step up who step’s up . now vick you are missing some passes you need some help from the teaches call coaches they have no anwser every good team has good people around them on offense we may have two people that stand out. we need to bring in a builder who can build this team not a smoke blower. If vick is not the anwser so be it but right now I blame the system this system will fail any team un less we get some more player, blame him all you want to it’s the system we use and weak player we have he need help from top to bottom we are going the wrong way ,from water boy to GM. one standard we need is 300 lb player with speed real speed on both side of the ball . mike need help and he has to improve!!!

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

Lawton: you are truly a racist idiot. Most people want Vick benched/gone because he SUCKS!! If you can’t see that it’s only because YOU are the one who is blinded by the color of his skin!!! I used to sing his praises because he just seemed to always find ways to win. But ever since the NFC Championship game last year he is completely lost. It is time for change! Trade him to the Cradinals (with Denny Greene you know they’d just LOVE to have Vick under helm); get their first and second round picks and their best defensive player and best receiver; use that first pick to get Bush if possible, if not get Lienhart; after that, spend every pick and every dime on getting a kick a* defense. It’s just like power pitching in baseball….a fast, smash mouth D is the difference maker.

And NOBODY wanted Dominique out of town my friend!! That call was made by a black head coach of the Hawks (Lenny Wilkins) and cost the birds their only realistic chance of an NBA championship that they ever had! Not to mention that we got a black player in return!! How on earth could that be racist???!!! Get Real!

By lukespack

December 19, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

Hey, don’t expect any sympathy from a Tampa Bay fan. We got our butts kicked by the Patriots. A great defense will always beat a good offense and especially in the cold. Vick always looks better indoors where his speed can be utilized and weather presents no problems.

By DLuke

December 19, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

Hey, don’t expect any sympathy from a Tampa Bay fan. We got our butts kicked by the Patriots. A great defense will always beat a good offense and especially in the cold. Vick always looks better indoors where his speed can be utilized and weather presents no problems.

By Lance

December 19, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this

Lawton - “YOU ARE AN IDIOT” How the hell does this have ANYTHING to do with racism. You are a MORON.

By T Robb

December 19, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this

Speaking purely as a colorblind Falcon fan, I would rather see Schaub than Vick. I believe he offers the team a more consistent opportunity to win. Vick’s performances are uneven - one week he’s great, the next he can’t hit water from a boat.

We’re four years on, and I haven’t seen the development people talk about. If he proves me wrong, that’s great. I doubt it. I want consistent play, accurate passing and good decision-making from the QB position, and I don’t get that from Vick.

Those of you who say those comments are racist, look in the mirror. It’s not a black/white thing, it’s a won/loss thing.

By Astro Joe

December 19, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

Didn’t we pass on Woody Harris? Don’t we pass on virtually every big, physical offensive or defensive line man in the draft? We are a finesse team and typically, finesse teams play well in the regular season and get exposed in the cold, hard-hitting months close to and during the playoffs. Sure, Vick played like a scared, little girl last night, Knapp made his usual assortment of bone-headed calls and Mora came across as a spoiled brat. But is our personnel, especially on the O and D lines that outstanding? We’re a middleweight fighter going up against legit heavyweights. We can’t keep asking 280 pound linemen (on both sides of the ball) to play against 350 pound lineman and expect to win 12 games. Oh, and can someone please ask the police to go and find Rod Coleman.

By Garrett Phillips

December 19, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

“By Freedawg

December 19, 2005 07:17 AM | Link to this

Can we all please admit that Mike Vick is just not that good? Yes from time to time he will amaze us with his running ability, but his has NEVER been a consistent passer. The line can’t block for him becuase he won’t stay in the pocket! He also fails to see open recievers or recievers who are coming open, and when he does he throws it over their heads, behind them, or in the ground. I am over the hype machine! People say “yeah but he winsâ€?, I say Warrick Dunn wins, Alge Crumpler wins, and many time in spite of Mike’s play. We have a good team! However dynamic Vick might be, he is average at best as a QB at this point in his career. He is a big part of most of our lossses this year with his 22 turnovers as compared to his 19 TDs. Maybe it time to reevaluate…”

I might add Vick is too short to see the field effectively and doesn’t instinctually move about the pocket like a real QB—-he freaks out immediately and the play breaks down. In addition, he just plain ain’t that bright. I say get some imagination and move him around. Shaub should play QB with Vick lining up all over the place. I’d like to see defeneses stop that. The possibilities are endless, and Shaub is smart enough to run that kind of offense.

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 09:22 AM | Link to this

TRobb: EXACTLY!! I just wish these people could grow up and realize that if we criticize Vick, that doesn’t mean we hate black people. What simple minded nonsense! STop taking it so personally! Hell, I criticize Chipper Jones mroe than Mike Vick!

As to your Vick comments, I actually think he’s pretty consistently good against sub par teams. But as soon as you throw some adversity his way, forget about it. If he goes up against a fast, smash mouth defense, he starts running scared. Hell, did you see his feet last night??!! He looked like he was standing at the edge of the grand canyon trying not to fall in. It’s just sad really. What happened to our playmaker??!!

By Larry

December 19, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

lawton.

You are embarrassing yourself.

Stop talking like Vick and re-enroll in the 4th grade for basic grammar and come back later.

At least Vick can run fast.

By Bob

December 19, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

With Michael Vick as QB,the only post season bowl appearance the Falcons will EVER make is the toilet bowl!

By pml22

December 19, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

Well, there are a lot of bad teams in the NFL that prop up a lot of middle of the road teams, sure. Read Sports Guy’s column about the NFL. He identifies 13 MISERABLE NFL teams. Maybe the worst NFL bunch of teams, ever.

Which leaves us the Falcons. They are not a miserable team. They are a decent team, no more. They feast on the miserable teams and loses to the good and especially to the very good teams.

They are what they are. In the NFL, when you have a good year you play a tough schedule the following year. If you have a terible year you play a weak schedule. This fraudulent scheduling to promote “parity” is nothing more than a scam to prop up incompetent owners.

Arthur Blank is not an incompetent owner, but this more than anything else explains the Falcons inability to win two seasons in a row. The Falcons will end up as a good team, but given the salary cap and the scheduling fiasco, it takes time.

By rob l

December 19, 2005 09:26 AM | Link to this

o.k. enough about how bad the offense was. How about ed donnatells bend and break defense.If your going to let quarterbacks like rex grossman sit back in the pocket and pick you apart, you need to find another career like coaching shuffleboard in florida. THis guy plays percentages instead of being creative and aggresive.you cant be a run team if your always behind. FIRE THIS CHUMP.

By Torrie

December 19, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this

What the hell does this have to do with what color necks people have? This isn’t about race, it’s about our Falcons and how we feel about the team. We are all entitled to our opinions whether it be good or bad so please save that race card for another day. However, if you only see color then let’s break it down. Vick, our black QB played horrible last night!! Knapp our white offensive coordinator called a very poor game last night!!! Duckett, our powerless black RB played like he was crushing grapes for a wine factory last night!! Mora, our white head coach can’t call a game because he’s still experiencing Vick in his mouth!!!!

Red-The color the Bears had the Falcons seeing!

Yellow- The cowardly look we possessed the entire game!

Black & Blue- The color Jenkins and Finneran will see when they change clothes!

Green- The color of money I lost for Falcons playoff tickets! Well, at least that’ll be my deposit for next year.

That’s just my colorful 2 cents!!!

By nitrodust

December 19, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this

Yeah this was all vicks fault. We should have won easy. The Oline kept opening up gapping holes all night. Duckett was pounding it in there moving the chains. Vick should not have fumbled that interception. Vick made the wrong call on the replay of the Jenkins catch. I saw Vick bite on the Bears reverse to the receiver. The coaching staff really called a great game. Why Vick did not get that 1 yard on fourth down is beyond me. I mean you could have driven a truck through that hole. The defense kept making big play after big play against this awesome bear offense. The way we held down future hall of famer rex groosman. It was a thing of beauty

By h charles

December 19, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

Lawton, your perception of reality is truly pathetic.
1) Nobobody in this city wanted Nique traded, and he was traded for a black player, not a white one, so how is that racist? 2) The Cowboys “ran Peerless out of town” after we cut him — are they racist too, or is it just perhaps he isn’t very good? 3) Yeah, Randy Moss and TO — they really brought wonderful things to Philly and Oakland. Man, wish the Falcons were in the same spot as those teams! 4) The Hawks have a black GM, a black head coach, and start 5 black players — that is racist? 5) Players will go where the money is fisrt and where they can win, second. It has NOTHING to do with race.

Thank goodness there are very few fans out there with your distorted view.

By SRF

December 19, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this

The two big differences that I saw were: 1) The Bears defense hit and punished runners and receivers. The Falcons defense just tripped and arm tackled if they tacked at all.

2) The Falcons offensive line was run over on all but about 3 plays where they opened a good hole for Dunn.

I would fire EVERYBODY except Warrick Dunn and DeAngleo Hall.

By Dahl McDermitt

December 19, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this

Exactly right but also needs to be said. (and I like Coach Mora) but he lost his control strating with the early challenge flag when he could have saved the timeout at 2 minute warning. The players flowwed his lead and seemed frustrated and well hit hard as heck to by a team that wanted it more. DJ Eastman, GA

By Gravy

December 19, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it….when we signed Vick for $100M++ we fouled ourselves.

There’s only one player in the league worth that kind of money, and he plays for Indy.

Vick’s more of a $20M over 5 years kind of guy, until he PROVES he can be an acurate passer.

I’d prefer to give Shaub his shot rather than see Vick’s junk again. At least the receivers would have some enthusiams to run precise routes if they believed they had more than a 1 in 5 chance of having the ball delivered in catchable distance.

By Tom

December 19, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

Todd:

You obviously don’t know much about Friedgen. He’s a genius on the offensive side of the ball. Started at Maryland, several ACC championships. Moves onto Georgia Tech and they win the mythical national championship. Next onto San Diego and they go to the Super Bowl. He comes back to Georgia Tech and they amass one of the greatest offenses ever with Joe Hamilton. He later takes his resume to be head coach of Md. and has several great years with bad talent. That said, he has had two down years but there’s no doubting his credentials. Perhaps he can’t recruit and is just an offensive coordinator. At any rate, the Falcons would be so lucky if they could get Ralph.

Folks, you’re the same idiots that will be on the Falcon’s bandwagon when they start winning again. The problem is not Vick, not Duckett, not Mora….it’s Knapp. His offense is not working. Vick is not a West Coast QB. Defensively, we don’t have the same team as last year. The DL took a hit with defections and we’ve had injuries, most notably Hartwell. STICK WITH YOUR TEAM, ATLANTA!!!!! One change is needed and it’s Knapp. I mean, what did he ever do in S.F. anyway????

By lawton

December 19, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

knew i would wake u losers up. vick showed he can play under dan reaves AS A POCKET PASSER, vick did it all under reaves. sure, some of my comments about racism COULD be taken as in error, but, deep down, the racism is still there. maybe i shouldnt haved used racism, maybe i should have said yall run your superstars outta town because yall did run jeff george outta town also, he wasnt the reason june jones tried to play pitch and catch in the nfl. bret favre couldnt help it that yall gotta have good character guys in losersville. so ,yes, you guys are right, its not racism. ITS SORRY LEADERSHIP IN THE ATL. HOW IN THE WORLD TAMPA BAY WIN A SUPERBOWL BEFORE ATLANTA, the marlins got TWO RINGS, the hawks have never made it to the conference FINALS, much less THE FINALS. the trashers, what in the world is a thrasher? the only good thing georgia has ever had is GEORGIA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTING WITH GORDON SOLIE.

By pml22

December 19, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

Peyton is not the only QB worth that. I’d sign Tom Brady as well. 3 Superbowl wins in 4 years, and he’s still in his 20s.

By steve

December 19, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

By TR

December 19, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

The facts: 1. We are stuck with Vick because of the extremely large contract he was given before proving his consistency. Blank make Vick attend year round passing clinics or hire an actual QB coach that will help him be more consistent in his passing.

1. Mora is still a rookie HC and it’s evident that he has some growing up to do. With all the HC experience he’s been around all his life, he still doesn’t have a clue on how to make his players and staff accountable.

2. I don’t care how high Knapp’s offenses have been ranked. Truth is he can’t be any more transparent that he has been with the playcalling. We need an OC that actually has a game plan designed for each team; a “one for all” offensive plan will NOT work in the NFL.

3. We need bigger offensive & defensive lineman on this team. They’re plenty of big buys with speed in the NFL so I’m tired of hearing this smaller/faster is better lie. Oh and another thing…get an actual running back that can pound the ball and not tip-toe through the hole.

4. Donatell has taken a lot of criticism for his “soft zone” defense; from me included. I believe he is doing the best with what he has…which ain’t a whole lot. Get the man another DT & DE that can actually put pressure on the QB…Lavalais is NOT a starter, but a backup at best. And since we seem to love LBs so much, why don’t we get some with size and speed that can actually knock someone backwards? Demorrio is a safety perpetrating a LB—move him there.

By dennis

December 19, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

With the great field position the Falcons had against the Bears in the first half, they only got 3 points! Time after time the defense and special teams put the offense in position to build a lead, and they got one measley field goal. You can say all you want about the defense, but 3 points ain’t gonna beat anybody! Vick is so rattled by the sorry O-line play, that even when he has time he can’t complete a pass. This offense needs to be completely re-vamped, starting with the offensive (he certainly is) coordinator.

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Steve: I agree about the love-fest with Vick. Hell, from his first day on the job, Mora started going all Brokeback Mountain over Vick. If we’re gonna keep Vick (which I wish we wouldn’t), we need a new coach and a new offense….he needs a disciplinarian like a Reeves or Parcels….it seems that Mora has already bloated his ego beyond recognition.

By wd

December 19, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this

Mark, finally you and I agree on something. The Falcon aren’t good enough. Vick is several years away from being a QUALITY QB in this league, if ever. It’s time to look at other options. Such as moving Vick to another position or possibly benching him for the remainder of the season.

By GT

December 19, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this

The NFL has learned since the Carolina game how to stop Vick from running. Once he has to pass he has no real receivers outside his tight end. They now have stopped Crumpler. They need to put Crumpler over the middle more to get the attention of the spy that sits there and rings Vicks bell when he runs. I think Vicks in determined to show the world he is a pocket passer. It’s like Marilyn Monroe saying I have a singing voice too, who cares. Get rid of the spy by overloading him and get Vicks back to running. This will open the passing if we have someone that can catch it.

By BIG JIM

December 19, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this

I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE COMMENTS CONCERNING OUR SUPERSTAR QUARTERBACK. HE IS NEVER GOING TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER AGAINST A GOOD TEAM. HE REMINDS ME OF SOME OF THE BRAVES SUPERSTARS THAT ONLY PLAY UP TO PAR IN A CONTRACT YEAR. THE REST OF THE TIME THEY ONLY GO THROUGH THE MOTION. HELL, HE HAS HIS BIG CONTRACT, WHY RISK GETTING A BRUISE. IT IS OBVIOUS VICK WILL NEVER BE A QUARTERBACK SO PUT HIS A* AS WIDE OUT AND GET SOME USE OUT OF HIM. PUT SCHAUB IN AND PLAY THE REST OF THE SEASON , SINCE IT IS OVER ANYWAY, AND GET SOME EXPERIENCE FOR NEXT YEAR.

By Todd

December 19, 2005 10:01 AM | Link to this

Tom,

If Freidgen was on the GA Tech that won the NC that would have been 1990. Are you serious? How many freaking field goals did that inept team have to kick to win the NC. And that year was the year Tech shared it with Colorado. Yeah and Brigham Young has a NC won a NC in 1984! Please!

So Freidgen was with the San Deigo team that went to the Super Bowl. Are you serious? San Franciso trounced SD 49-26 and the game was not that close. Sounds like the offense was across the field from Freidgen.

And GA Tech had one of the best offenses ever with Joey Hamilton. Just when did they play for the NC and what was GA Tech’s highest ranking during that period.

Yeah, you schooled me on why Ralph FatBoy Freidgen should be coaching with the Atlanta Falcons.

By D-Man

December 19, 2005 10:02 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have an average QB, average offense, average defense and average special teams. Its like so many have said, the tougher teams have made mince meat of our team for good reason. We are only AVERAGE. Now..what I dont understand is why like Chicago did, Mora did not bench our starting QB for the backup just to see what would happen, a spark, ANYTHING. It was obvious by the half that Vick was truely lost out there. He had no clue (blame his offensive line, Knapp, the weather, heck..blame Vick) whatever, the result was still the same..what would it have hurt to bring Schabb in just to see if a spark could have been ignited? I dont know. This game..this season, its just all too ugly. The Falcons owner and GM (as well as the coaching staff) have alot of work to do in the off season. Hey Blank..forget about buying the Braves, you have your hands full with the Falcons. No winning season this year. Both Carolina AND Tampa have the same type of defenses that Vick and the Falcons CANNOT overcome. Man, swept by both Carolina and Tampa this year. MMMMM…at least we swept New Orleans. :)

By mike

December 19, 2005 10:02 AM | Link to this

Here is the cold hard truth. VICK SUCKS. It’s not the receiving corps.. Did you morons see the throw this stiff is throwing to these guys. There should have been 4 interceptions, balls in the dirt, jump balls down field thrown short. This guy doesn’t even look like he wants to be out there. Of course throwing for 40 percent with 2 picks i wouldn’t want to be either.

Granted Mora is an idiot too but you guys need to realize your QB isn’t a QB.

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 10:02 AM | Link to this

If Mora would have connected on attempted b!tch slap of the ref last night, it would’ve been the hardest hit made by a Falcon all night!

By nitrodust

December 19, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

I get tired of this race stuff. So let me state the facts. Some of the bloogers are racist who can’t stand a black QB “leading ” their team. Some of you are just making good points and give Credit after the team wins. The true football fans know what is going on. Those who call for Matt Schaub are not being realistic. I think about $45,000,000 of Vicks contract is guaranteed. Folks he is not going anywhere. Vick has soled out the dome for the forseable future. I didn’t see this when Bartkowski,chandler,hebert or miller was here. For the haters you should probably switch to the panthers or the Bucs they have a white quarterback. As for YOUNG BLACK MILLIONAIRE MICHAEL VICK. Whether you like him or you don’t like him get use to him because he is the FRANCHISE. The Falcons will be competitive as long as he is here. Thrills and Chills.

By Gary S.

December 19, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this

Vick is not an NFL quarterback. Mora is not an NFL coach. Vick cannot pass the ball. He either underthrows or overthrows his receivers. I see on TV open receivers all the time. He can’t hit the receivers. He doesn’t set his feet. He is always on the run. The Falcons never throw deep. THey have fast receivers but they know Vick won’t throw them the ball. He throws most of his passes to receivers behind the line of scrimmage. He’s not big enough to be an NFL quarterback. He has 5 or 6 passes a game knocked down. How many 6 feet tall quarterbacks are in the league. Matt Schaub can throw a football. They’ve got Vick hyped into Superman now that defenses have found Kryptonite to stop him. It’s called pressure. Vick has speed but so does EVERYONE in the NFL. THe Falcons need to trade him for a couple 1st round picks before he gets seriously injured. Vick only has a couple seasons left with the kind of hits he is taking. He’s going get really hurt and his career will be over because he can’t pass. I look over the NFL and I don’t see any other quarterbacks running the football. When it comes to passing Vick reminds me of Kyle Orton. He CAN”T throw the ball downfield. The Falcons can’t find any receivers? Maybe it’s the quarterback. Against New England Matt Schaub had a 300 yard passing day with the same bunch of receivers we have now. Jim Mora is a rah rah guy he can’t coach!

By Get Real

December 19, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

Gary: funny that you mentoned how well Schaub did against NE. We almost won that game and would have if we had any kind of heart on defense. But don’t you get the feeling that if Vick had played against the Pats it would have looked a lot like the game last night?!!!

By Sloan

December 19, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

I knew the Falcs would not win this game when in the first quarter, in the red zone, three running plays were called. Absolutely no attempt at going for a first down or the end zone on 3rd down. The players didn’t lose this game, the O-coordinator did…nice message to send the offense…”we don’t think you can do anything else against this defense, so we’ll just settle for 3”. You can’t call a game that timid, hoping to win the game 6-3 or 9-6, and expect to win. You’ve got a golden opportunity to position yourselves for the playoffs, a very winnable game, and the coaches were scared to death to even try to be aggressive on offense. Pathetic.

By Lance

December 19, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

For 130 million dollars a year, Blank got screwed. Vick deserves about 3 million a year instead of 13 million dollars a year. We have a great team, we just need a QB who can be stable and through the ball. Vick doesn’t even run the damm ball anymore. He sucks. He needs training.

By Brian

December 19, 2005 10:12 AM | Link to this

Well, Well, Well, I guess everything has already been said. Except that this team has no veteran leadership, forget Brooking and Kerney, they aren’t the types that would slap Deangelo Hall upside the head when he is out of line, which has been all season. He talks too much crap, and wants to be a thug instead of a football player. The whole defesnive back field is weak and can’t tackle. Brooking keeps shooting the wrong gaps and exposes the rund defense, no wonder a guy is 8 yards down field before eanyone puts a hand on them. We got tid of a lot of leadership on offense and defense. This team is really young and inexperienced. Who id going to lead, they remind me of the post-season Braves, you just can’t stand around and wait on Vick to do something spectacular before the whole team gets it going…Mora needs to gain control of the team, this dates back to the Tampa game with all of the personal fouls, and shoving after plays. Vick, has turned to pooh, all bcuz he wants to proof individuals wrong, he hasn’t effected one game positively with his feet this year, oh but his passing numbers are better. This is what some of you wanted. Better passing doesn’t mean more wins. Hopefully next year the media and fair weather fans will let the guy just go out there and win. Everybodu on the field is cluseless, except for Dunn, he seems to be the only person out there that acts like he’s played a down of football. Vick is too indecisive, run if you’re going to run, throw if you’re going to throw. Maybe Mr. Price had a point, when he’s open the ball doesn’t get there, and then ehen he takes a play off bcuz he doesn’t know what the hell #7 is going to do he gets criticized, eventhough Dallas released him. I feel sorry for the younger recievers. Chicago’s defense wasn’t that dominating..The Falcons offense is usally worth 21 points, what happended to the greast play calling from last year. Cann you say overall, from top to bottom. I predict the Birds still will not have back to back winning seasons 8-8 merry christmas…

By mike

December 19, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

The guy E.b. is a joke? Is he for real? Vick is the real deal? Passing for 40 percent??? Come on dude wake up the guy is garabage? Give him some time?? Brady had 2 super bowls in his first 3 years and can’t rush worth a damn. You guys are blinded by the hype.

By Dave

December 19, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

I’m a Bears fan from the suburbs of Chicago whose son is a Falcons fan. Obviously there was split emotions watching the game last night. From a Bear’s fans perspective I have several questions.

1. Why isn’t Dunn given the ball more often? He is one of the best backs in the NFL.
2. Why does the Falcons offensive coordinator insist on trying to make Vick a “pocket quarterback”? Use his running ability and roll him out. Thats when he is most effective.
3. In the series where Duckett was stuffed twice, the Bears were expecting Duckett..be inventive don’t be predictable.

Finally, as a Bears fans I know how frustrating a bad season can be. Hopefully the Falcons will look for some solid draft picks for the offensive line, make a deal for a effective wideout and get some help at linebacker. Hang in there!

By phibeta

December 19, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this

I hate how hormonal sports journalist and analyst are. Most, if not all, do not know anymore about football than my nine year old daughter. Mr. Bradley’s rant is a classic example of this.

He is wrong… the Falcons are very good team. The Falcons are NOT the elite NFC team that they were last year. Nevertheless, I’m proud of them as a TEAM and an organization. Of course, there are individuals who have clearly underperformed, but the organization should be commended for making the offensive decisions that are hurting us now but will reap many rewards in the long-term (ie. cutting Price and benching Dez White).

Mr. Bradley’s analysis has failed to account for the abscence of our starting DE due to injury for nearly the entire season; our #1 and #2 WR being cut or benched; losing 3 nickel DBs for the season; starting 3 Will-LBs. Our Falcons are having a tough go but they ARE NOT a BAD team.

However, I do agree with some of the previous post on the following points:

1. When need to utilize Justin G. more.
2. Mora needs to mature more as a coach and stop being just a cheerleader.
3. Knapp’s playcalling is VERY predictable.
4. We need stouter Offensive linemen (we play Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans six times a year not the Chiefs and Raiders)

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this

First, if you are a true fan of the game, you’ll forget this black/white commentary. That is so WRONG.

Second, admit Blank made a mistake giving Vick a $130 million dollar contract. Vick should be MAN enough to renegotiate and give back enough to afford a roster to compliment his style of QB. I don’t hate Vick, just feel he is a victim of being taken advantage of. The Media hype has created an artificial “superstar” that Vick can not live up to.

Third, dump the West Coast offense and create plays that compliment Vick’s skills. The Falcons have some great offensive players (led by Dunn) but are so focused on Vick, they are not using them properly. I’ve said it before, this is a “team” sport not centered around one player. Mora is an embarrasment, but has potential. Blank needs to get some competent veteran former NFL consultants to advise him as to the problems the Falcons are having. He is a business man and should be familiar with that concept. He has money but no football knowledge. Forget the EGOs and lets field a quality TEAM.

Fourth, the Falcons fans are so desparate for a winner, they are blind to what is going on. Many see Vick as a superstar and expect him to singlehandily lead them to a Super Bowl win. WAKE UP, this is a team sport. Support the TEAM and demand that the Falcon Management do the same. Falcon Fans stop the special treatment reserved for Vick and adopt the TEAM as a whole. You’ll be surprised how they will respond by giving 110% every game.

By JB

December 19, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this

I’m so tired of the “o-line stinks” crap. Any line would look sad if their imitation quarterback failed to learn how to step up in the pocket to avoid pressure. Number 7 gets happy feet and roams out of the protected pocket, and if he does get the pass off he can’t fathom the simple fundamental of planting his feet to throw. Also, how can you run the ball when the defense can stack eight in the box because they know the QB can’t pass accurately? Can this experiment now!

By george

December 19, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

It is time to bench Vick. It is time to give the opportunity and watch Matt Schaub run the offense, complete passes, use proper footwork and technique and win. The Bears have shown they have the guts to bench a quarterback and win with another. Vick will never be a Hall of Fame quarterback. The franchise, not any longer.

By Jim

December 19, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

Out thought, out coached, out played. When are we going to admit that we don’t have an offensive play caller with any imagination or vision and that we don’t have a quarterback who is consistent enough or smart enough to play in this league. Five years is enough time for anyone with the brains of a turtle to develop. Physically gifted? Yes. Competitive spirit? Yes. Consistent and intelligent? Not really.

By mike

December 19, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

Nitrodust,

Your right we are stuck with him.. Your also right we sure did look competitive against the bears and carolina with our offense not scoring ANY touchdowns. You Vick lovers all you have left is the race card..

By mark w

December 19, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

Mark did you even watch the game JENKINS DID CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR CAME DOWN WITH BOTH FEET AND EVEN TOOK A HALF STEP THEN HIT THE GROUND ON HIS BACK.NO FUMBLE. with that said we still could not have won. we are to predictable.as for Mora I like some enthusiasum.

By Jim B*** Mora

December 19, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

Hey but we kicked Detroit and New Orleans butts didn’t we!

We are clearly tier 3 team and that is something to build on so I can nurse this ride as long as possible.

By John

December 19, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this

I wonder does Jim Mora put Mike Vicks Robe on after he gets out of the shower? Here you go Vickey wickey…..Can I get you anything else 130 million dollar man? Can I make you breakfast? How sweet that was of the Falcons to put Vicks robe coat on so he wouldn’t get cold. Bless Vicks heart. He was cold. Hell for 13 million a year, tough it up.

By Todd

December 19, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this

I bet Mora bends over and picks up the soap for Vick too.

I don’t think Mora was that mad last night as much as he is scared (which he has always been) that this thing is gonna become unraveled and at best he’d better have Atlanta making great strides against good teams next year or he is out.

By chris

December 19, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this

face it, mike Vick is not a good passer and can not read defenses, he is our version of Ryan Leaf,Vick he is the most overpaid player in sports.

where have you gone Ladian Thomlison!

By mike d

December 19, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this

Point blank MICHAEL VICK IS OVER RATED. This team has serious issues. The offense sucks. The defense has taken a step back from last your. The fact remines that Michael Vick is the 2005 version of Kordell Stewart. He can’t pass and to make it worse Gregg Knapp suck as an offensive coor. This team can lose at anytime to anyone. That is the problem. They are not a top tear team. I have season tickets and love the Falcons to death, but the fact remain until they stop holding Vick hands and treating him like a god we are still going to just be avg. Remember people we haven’t beat a over 500 team this year. Saints twice. Jets. Philadelphia. Miami. Buffalo. Detriot. Minnesota is the only one and they sucked when we played them. Real Falcons fans be truthful with yourself. THIS TEAM WAS OVER RATED.

By eb's biological father

December 19, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

All of you Vick apologists keep on drinking that cherry flavored Kool-Aid, alright?

Whenever the Falcons win, y’all give Vick all the credit. Whenever they lose, it’s somebody else’s fault, i.e., the line, the receivers, the OC, the defense, the head coach, President Bush, etc.

You say Vick needs more time to “mature”? This is his FIFTH season in the NFL. He’s been starting for parts of ALL of those seasons. How long does it take for “the light” to come on? No one questions his physical abilities, but if you’re not starting to doubt his mental and emotional makeup, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Let’s face it: few QBs in NFL history have been babied as much as Vick. It’s obvious that Mora and his assistants treat him with kid gloves so they won’t upset him. Meanwhile, Vick’s jock-sniffing fans are eager to deal the race card from the bottom of the deck anytime anybody has the ‘dacity to point out the fact that he doesn’t walk on water.

Did anybody else notice that, whenever the Falcons had the ball last night and there was a timeout, Vick would walk to the sideline and put on his parka, with the help of an underling, usually Mora? Vick can’t bear to stand in the cold for a minute or two? That makes me wonder about his mental toughness.

Also: other fans on ajc.com have pointed out that Vick has significant mechanical flaws in his delivery. These flaws were glaring last night as he threw numerous passes without setting his feet. Why is he so fundamentally unsound? Is it a lack of coaching … or a lack of “coachability”?

The Vick-sniffaz who say that the Falcons should just let him “do his thing” are delusional. With his history of injuries, how long would he last doing that?

Even if Vick managed to stay healthy, “street ball” may work against the dregs of the NFL, but when you’re facing high-caliber defensive units, you have to be able to execute plays like they are drawn up in the playbook. Vick has yet to display the maturity to stay calm in the pocket, locate his second or third option, and deliver the ball in an accurate manner.

The Vick apologists keep talking about how their guy is “the future” of the NFL, but the fact of the matter is that, when it comes to winning championships, QBs need brains more than they need incredible physical gifts. If you don’t believe me, just look at the list of the guys who have won Super Bowls.

Sure, I’ll take Vick in a footrace, but if we’re down by four and on our own 20 in the last two minutes, give me Tom Brady any day of the week, and twice on Sunday (or Monday night).

Until he corrects his mechanical flaws and demonstrates the ability to operate effectively from the pocket, Vick will be nothing more than the ‘Nique of the NFL: a handful of spectacular plays and lots of praise from brain-dead TV commentators and mindless fans, but no rings.

Oh, well, let’s look on the bright side: at least the Dome will be full of people who enjoy style over substance.

By SouthernJackassradiopersonalitygonehaywire

December 19, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

The Failcons need to give ol’Bobby “Booger” Cox a shot at being their head coach—He would just love M Vick, “Hey Vicky, come on kid, get up” would be his cry from the sidelines. Also, and very importantly, “Boogie” would put Vick’s rob on for him, and even cinch up his jockstrap—and Coxy might even get them to the playoffs—BUT NO FURTHER!

By Darrell

December 19, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this

It obvious that most fans do not understand the game of football. Anybody who says that Michael Vick is not a good quarterback is insane, Vick is a great quarterback who needs a supporting cast. Jim Mora can talk all he want about the ability of the offensive line, but the bottom line is the offensive line is undersize and subpar as playes. Vick makes mistakes such as not planting his feet when he throws and not changing plays at the line of scrimmage when he see how the defense is line up, but he is an excellent quarterback who will only get better with time and help from the offensive line. The Falcons will always be a subpar team until they address their offensive line. When the Falcons investment in quality offensive line you will see a more consistent Mike Vick. Also, you will see a more balance team. People who say play Matt Schaub are not in tune with football. Matt Schaub would get killed behind this offensive line. and Matt Schaub is not near the quality quarterback as a Michael Vick. The same people who say start Matt Schaub are the same people who said that Doug Johnson should be the starter. Defensively, we need a sold end to compliment Pat Kerney and a Ted Washington type to pair up with R.Coleman. We need better safeties and we need to replace J.Webster. To be a Pro bowl linebacker, Keith Brookins miss too many tackles, however, he is our best option for now.

By woodenmike

December 19, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this

You guys faced an ANGRY Bears team that was looking for redemption at home. 5 games in Soldier Field we’ve held the opponents to under 10 points, you ain’t the Lone Ranger! Mora is a good coach, I’d trade Lumpy Smith for him anyday. Did you notice how he didn’t wear a hat in the sub-freezing temps? That was a great psychological ploy to take his players minds off the bitter cold! (Either that, or he’s certifiably insane!) I was born in Chicago, and I’m a lifetime Chicago Bears fan. I knew the Falcons were in deep doo-doo when you had Dez “Hands of Stone” White as a starter! LMAO!

Face it, da Bears “D” is GOOD, darn good! Eventually, the Falcons will be fine. You just got crushed by a very hungry team in their house, it happens all the time in the NFL. Best of luck in the future!

By SouthernJackassradiopersonalitygonehaywire

December 19, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this

Vick sucks so bad—Hell, the Braves may try to get him to close games for them!

By Chuck

December 19, 2005 10:51 AM | Link to this

Close games for the Braves? He’s definitley not accurate enough to close games for the Braves. He would be walking everyone

By steve

December 19, 2005 11:00 AM | Link to this

Darrell are you nuts? What NFL games have you been watching? Vick is not a great qb. Manning is, Brady is, McNabb is, and Farve is (or was). Marino was, Montana was, Bradshaw was, Staubach was, Unitas was. See any similarities between these guys and Vick? I didn’t think so. Being a great qb entails leadership and an understanding of the game, not just physical skills.

By dealcloser

December 19, 2005 11:02 AM | Link to this

WOW, IT WAS A BAD GAME. GOT BEAT BY THE #1 DEFENSE. QB PLAYING WITH HURT RIBS AND NO PROTECTION. THE SECOND HALF KILLED US. THEY ADJUSTED, WE WERE OUT PLAYED AND OUT COACHED. NEVER SAW THIS MUCH HATE IN OUR LOSING YEARS. VICK IS HERE TO STAY, UNLESS WE KEEP THE SAME OL. ATLANTA NEEDS MORE IMPACT PLAYERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. INJURIES DID HURT, BUT COACHING MUST STEP UP BIG TO SUSTAIN AT THE NEXT LEVEL!!!

By Greg from Marietta

December 19, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Bradley,

I think it took great courage and conviction to say that the “king had no clothes”. As much as many of us have tried all season to say that the Falcons were something more than just an average football team it took the games against Carolina & Chicago to finally open our eyes. Unlike some in this blog I am not going to play the blame game or point fingers. However, if I were Mr. Blank I think that after the season is over I would get my brain trust together and assess the team as a whole, both the players and the coaches. We have talent on this team so all is not lost there is just a need some adjustments here and there.

By Brian

December 19, 2005 11:09 AM | Link to this

Two comments:

1) Race has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion. It is insane that it should ever be brought up.

2) Vick is very inconsistent. We’ve seen him make bad passes (like the whiff on the open receiver last night that became an INT) and great passes. Bottom line though is that inconsistentcy at QB is not acceptable. At this point in the season, with as much inconsistency as he’s shown, there needs to be some indication from the organization that Schaub may get a few snaps. He (Schaub) deserves it at this point.

I think Vick would benefit from seeing his job threatened. There’s a very easy temptation to sit on your heels when you 1) Get $13 mil a year and 2) Have the starting job locked up.

Regardless of how well he can run, his passing consistentcy is the key to Falcon success. If that cannot happen, we need someone else. Because as the defenses lately have shown, the Vick scramble IS defensible. I just hope he can calm down, and show us he can effectively manage a football game in the last two chances he has this year. Otherwise, I think we need to think hard about the QB position for next year. Do we make Schaub a token to get us a #1 draft pick?

By Mo

December 19, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this

Hey Larry, How did you like Vick’s footwork last night? He needs to go back to school man. Trying to throw the deep ball with both feet in the air, it’s getting boring. I’m sick of watching. I’m outta here for the rest of the year. No since watching these idiots anymore. Mo

By T.Hill

December 19, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

This new vick is the reason the Falcons have been losing. He has proven he can stay in the pocket and pass for a lot of yards but he’s not winning games. If he’s going to be a pocket passer the falcons should just start Matt Schaub because Matt is the better passer. If Mike wants to win he has to RUN. I think the falcon should have benched Mike in the second half sunday after he proved he couldn’t get the cold weather out of his head. After every series he ran to the sideline for his coat if your thinking football your not thinking about the cold. Suck it up and play or let Matt run the show in cold weather.

By RAY

December 19, 2005 11:19 AM | Link to this

YOU PEOPLE FORGET THE FACTOR THE WEATHER PLAYS IN GAMES LIKE THIS. THE WEATHER WAS HORRIBLE I USED TO LIVE IN CHICAGO SO I KNOW HOW COLD -8DEGREES IS. IT’S HORRIBLE I HATED IT THEN & I HATE IT NOW. NOT MANY TEAMS FROM THE SOUTH PLAY WELL UP NORTH LOOK WHAT HAPPENNED TO THE BUCS. VICK WAS UNCOMFORMTABLE DUE TO THE COLD(HE HAD HIS HANDS IN HIS WAIST POCKET GOING UP TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE) & THE BEARS ALL OUT PASS RUSH THE O-LINE PASS BLOCKING WAS HORRIBLE AS IT HAS BEEN ALL YEAR. THE FALCONS NEEDS SOME ATHLETIC TACKLES WHO CAN BLOCK THESE QUICK, ATHLETIC DE’S LOOK WHAT DIVISION WE PLAY IN WITH GUYS LIKE PEPPERS, RICE, RUCKER, W.SMITH, ETC. THE FALCONS HAD NO ANSWER FOR BROWN & OGUNLEYE. I THINK IT’S TIME TO DRAFT AN ALTHLETIC TACKLE W/QUICK FEET SO VICK CAN HAVE SOME TIME TO THROW TO READ THE D-FENSE & STEP INTO HIS THROW INSTEAD OF ALWAYS HAVING A HAND IN HIS FACE & THROWING OFF HIS BACKFOOT GOING BACKWARDS. WHERE WERE ALL YOU VICK HATERS WHEN VICK WAS PASSING THE BALL AT A HIGH LEVEL. IF YOU’RE REALLY A FAN OF A TEAM YOU LIVE WITH THEM & YOU DIE WITH THEM. IT’S OK TO BE CRITICAL. THIS TEAM WENT TOO YOUNG & NOW THEY’RE HAVING TO TAKE A STEP BACK BECAUSE OF IT. THEY STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS & MAYBE THESE YOUNG GUYS WILL BE BETTER NEXT SEASON.

By H charles

December 19, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

THE SUCCESS OF THE SUPER-MOBILE QB IN THE NFL IS A MYTH. All of this hype about the NFL moving to running style QBs is BS. Look at your recent champions. It isn’t the McNabb, Culpepper, Vick, squads. It is the slow footed Bradys, Kurt Warners, Trent Dilfers. Even the mobile Elways and Favres never won anything when they were young and fleet of foot — only when they were older and more drop-back QBs did they get a ring. Look whose teams lead the NFL this year — Peyton’s, Palmer’s, Hasselbeck’s, and Dehlomme’s — all traditional drop back QBs. Teams with running athletic QBs are the following: Vikes (Culppper hurt) Falcons (Vikc banged up, no playoffs) Eagles (McNabb hurt) Saints (Brooks benched) 49ers (Smith terrible)

As special an athlete as Vick is, to date nobody has been able to win a ring with a true running QB. Steve Young is close, but he really was a passer first by the time he got his ring. The problem is two-fold: 1) Like any new trend, NFL defenses catch up to you (remember the run and shoot?) 2) NFL defenses are just too big and fast to have your QB running the ball. Vick has already suffered many an injury. Look at the injured guys listed above as well. Guess who has never missed a start? Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who I could outrun in a footrace.

I love Vick. He is special to watch. But the D. Wilkins analogy is appropriate. Flash doesn’t win championships. Boring, consistent, precision-like accuracy does.

By Bill

December 19, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

Off subject Mark: It’s not a reverse. It’s an end-around. I’m not even a huge NFL fan, and I know that. You should too.

By JBFalconsFan

December 19, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

In all my years of watching the Falcons I’ve seen worse teams but this one that had such high hopes has to be close to the top of the list of most disappointing. The O-line can’t protect the quarterback, the D-line can’t stop anybody, and the special teams have even dropped off thanks to injuries.

I don’t know if Schaub does any better because the O-line is so bad. But I remember how well he played in the Patriots game only to have someone post this funny comment: “Vick is a winner. With Schaub at quarterback, we might not even make the playoffs.” What are our chances looking like now with Vick?

I agree the play-calling was mind-numbing. The Duckett run on fourth down after being stuffed on third down. On the next fourth down attempt, Vick tries to throw a 30-yard pass. Maybe we need a little east coast offense.

I’ve been a Falcons fan for thirty years and I’ll always be one. But it’s time to get some quality receivers and protection for the quarterback. I hope the defense will come around once injuries heal. I don’t know where you begin to address all the needs on offense. Turns out Orton scored enough points to shut down this offense.

By James

December 19, 2005 11:22 AM | Link to this

If Mr. Blank had made decisions when he was starting Home Depot like he did with Vick’s horrendous and idiotic contract, he’d be stuck with an Ace’s Hardward franchise in Snellville. Vick is all hat and no cattle. If I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he worth, well, hell, I’d have $130 mil! The Falcons will go backwards until they get a quarterback who can throw the ball quickly and consistently.

By petey

December 19, 2005 11:22 AM | Link to this

Easy Fellas. Vick sucked last night. That said, to blame everything on him is foolish. He has easily the WORST WR corps in the league. Arguably the worst pass-blocking line in the league. We have no-name 270lbs offensive linemen. That doesn’t get it done when you play a smash-mouth team. Jason Webster? Oh man he is bad. Vick’s career winning percentage speaks for itself, he is not a “loser”. But the coaching staff refuses to take advantage of what he is. Don’t jump off the bandwagon. For those of you that want Schaubb in the game…. Well, you got your wish in the pre-season two years ago. Remember that year? Remember Doug Johnson? Everyone basically had the same opinion of him as they do Schaubb now. The back-up QB is the best player on every team. Vick needs to control his emotions and play his game, Mora needs to stop treating him like a pre-madonna, but the sky is not falling. We have Vick, Dunn, and Crumpler. That is absolutely IT on offense. Not enough to get it done. And our secondary? ATROCIOUS, McKay needs to make some moves and shore up the Defense and add 1 playmaker to the WR’s. I fear we are too far gone with this offensive line scheme to make any quick changes. We are not a playoff team this year with Tom Brady or Joe Montana at QB. Everyone needs to face that fact and chill out with the Vick drubbings.

By Patrick

December 19, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this

Has it ever occured to any of you, that maybe the play calling is so bad, because we have a QB that can only handle a basic offense. How is it whenever Vick has a bad game, everybody blames everyone but Vick? If anyone with sense looked at Vicks numbers through out his career, could tell u they are horrible. Even last year, he had a negative 1 TD/TO ratio. Compared to that Delhomme in Carolina who had a plus 10. Whether or not Schaub is the anwser or not, he is definatly the cheaper option. It is not only Vicks dreadfull play that has us b***, but also that horrendous contract they signed him too…Does Lawton not understand that the NFL is a hard capp. We can not just throw money at every player we want…it is a numbers game….and when we have a QB that has trouble getting 300 yards in running/passing that is an issue.

By Mark

December 19, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick is the most overrated overhyped football player in NFL history. As a QB he stinks. Even Al Michaels stopped worshiping Vick. Can’t say the same about Joe Thiesman though. He was still gushing nonsense about him last night. Theisman said that Rex Grossman was ahead if Vick in their development. What garbage. He is still on the Vick bandwagon. Vick is not even as good as Randell Cunningham. Remember him? He ushered in the running QB prototype in the 70’s. Can Atlanta beat a team with a winning record? Not with Vick.

By Randy

December 19, 2005 11:27 AM | Link to this

2 more teams with winning records = 8 - 8 season. The Falcons need to get a left offensive guard in the draft, # 61 gets pushed around like a rag doll week after week. He needs to be put on waivers before the Tampa game.

By bob

December 19, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

Why don’t the Falcons, or any NFL team run the option? Most of the coaches in the NFL worked up from college, where it is used a lot. With Vick and Dunn, I think it could work, you’d just have to use it sparingly for a surprise and the fact that you don’t want to get Vick killed. You could even throw in Griffin or Duckett at FB and make it a triple option.

By Virgil Seagle

December 19, 2005 11:31 AM | Link to this

It’s politically incorrect to say it. But, Michael Vick will never be a big time NFL quarterback. And with the inept offensive line he has to play behind, he may be a paraplegic before long. And the offensive play calling is pathetic!

By QUINTEN

December 19, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

Torrie,you are way off.Those 2 teams that won the big one also had stingy defenses,which the Falcons are lacking.You cant win big games with both** conservative playcalling and a suspect defense that is allergic to bump and run coverage and a bunch of arm tackling.**This is a reflection on the coaching staff no matter how you look at it.Its apparent that you dont know much about football.**Its more to it than a QB rating,and until MANNING,PALMER,and whoever gets a ring,i don`t want to hear anything else about a QB RATING**.

By drdeal

December 19, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

Mark,

Cunningham played in the 80’s and early 90’s. Fact Check!

By Indy

December 19, 2005 11:46 AM | Link to this

Jay,

Rex Grossman is not a southern boy who has never played in the cold. He’s an Indiana boy…and Indiana is VERY cold.

By Dave

December 19, 2005 11:46 AM | Link to this

Terrible play calling on offense again . Pitiful effort by the players again . Disgusting team to watch again .

By Patrick

December 19, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this

Quinten - How about Brady, Montana, Young, Elway, Aikman,Favre,Eiasison, or even Brad Johnson. They all had good QB ratings. Against who: McMahon, Dilfer.

What we wont have that the latter two did is a smash mouth defense, because all our money is tied up in a running QB, that cant even read defenses. Do u not understand Baltimore and Chicago had all their money in the defense. It is not only his lack of leadership, bad play, it is also his big cap hit, that we are all complaining about. Production versus cap value…there is an odd concept!!!!

By Alex

December 19, 2005 11:52 AM | Link to this

Lets see if the Falcons have any heart and soul as a team and show up in the “next two must win games” as they’ll be called from now on. Must win? What is a must win? Were you trying to lose the rest of the time? Are the other games not important? All I hear from the Falcons camp is excuses. Man up. Admit you got beat by an excellent defense, and move on. It helped that your offensive playcalling sucked. It helped that your “tough yardage” RB forgot to show up. It helped that you played scared and not to lose.

With Tampa looking for revenge after their loss to the Pats, do you think it’ll be any easier to go to Raymond James and win there?

To win the Falcons must play better than they have all year. If this team goes out flat, and gets beat and man handled by the Bucs, the people to blame are the coaching staff. It’s their job to get everyone ready to play. If these highly overpayed bunch of guys don’t show the desire and heart in the Tampa game, when will they ever show it?

It’s frustrating being a Falcons fan right about now, isn’t it? Just Damn!

PS…Ralph “Fridge”, stop lobbing for a job with the Falcons through the AJC blogs:lol:

By Warren

December 19, 2005 11:52 AM | Link to this

Finally people are waking up to the fact that “the birds ain’t that great”. I still think they will win more games this year to slide further down the draft. Maybe we can get a coach who can avoid 15 yard penalties!

By John

December 19, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this

Comments from afar. Did you know that the Bears had 3 defensive starters out? the first three safety’s on the depth chart did not dress. my view of your team is that some of them didn’t want to be there. I would not put Brookings in that class though looks like he is playing out of position. Vick quit, Duckett quit, Finneran can play. The coach seems immature. But take faith the teams not that bad and with the mediocricity of the NFC you can still be there. I was not impressed with Carolina or Delhomme.

By joe

December 19, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Patrick.

The Falcons have the Reggie Ball of NFL QBs. Flashes of brilliance before the stot to the foot. The neither coaching staffs trust either to check off to other plays and/or read the defenses, or call a play. It’s difficult to determine, but I’d say that that is fault of both coaching staffs, more than the players themselves, but there’s definitely enough blame to go around.

Don’t make this into an “issue”. One example, DJ Shockley is the complete player, and I credit both DJ for working hard, and the UGA coaching staff for PREPARING him to play the game.

I think the Falcons and GT coaches should re-evaluate their QB coaching. Maybe Blank should do it. There might be too many coaching buddies involved for an objective decision from Mora.

By STEPHEN

December 19, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this

It’s a sad state of affairs when just about everyone watching the game from the sidelines can predict which offensive play the Falcons will run next. After last night’s performance (including the 3rd and 1 plus the 4th and 1), it is VERY OBVIOUS that the offensive coordinator NEEDS TO GO.

Hopefully Warrick Dunn will be selected for the Pro Bowl.

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 12:05 PM | Link to this

It’s tough to beat a great defensive team like the Bears on the road. Throw in the frigid weather and it was nearly impossible. When the Bears switched to Grossman the game was over. I feel the Bears are now the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Our Falcons were hit so hard by the Bears last night, the Falcons didn’t need to take a plane home. Am I the only one who thinks Vick looked not only cold but afraid as well? The Bears can frighten even the best of players, but Vick looked especially timid. I still think we can make the playoffs, but we better pray we don’t see the Bears again.

By Other Mark

December 19, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this

Those that keep bringing up T.O. as our potential saviour —- did it occur to you that Knapp was the offensive coordinator that caused T.O. to leave San Fran in the first place? Now, Knapp says he could coach him again, but who’s to say that Owens would like the offense any better?

I’m not an expert and won’t claim to be, but I don’t recall seeing Vick make alot of play adjustments and audibles at the line, like a Brady or Manning. Am I blind?

By Darrell

December 19, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this

Steve, my contention is the same. Michael Vick is a great quarterback. If you take all of the quarterback you listed as great quarterback and you put them behind the Atlanta O-line, we would not be having this conversation. All of the quarterback you listed, played in the same system for more than two years. Favre is still a great QB. M.Vick is a leader and does understand the offense. All the great receivers had a go to receiver and an offensive line that could block. People can hate of Vick as much as they want, however, Vick is a winner. The Falcon will be a super bowl team with Vick. Like Peyton Manning, Vick will have bad games,however, I am sure that Peyton will never receive so much hate mail as Vick. There is a lot of hate towards Vick in Atlanta, that’s unfortunate but that is the way things are,so he need to get use to it. Hank Aaron was treated the same way, but he rose above the hate and Vick will do the same.

By Other Mark

December 19, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

Stephen - normally I would agree with you that we can sit and predict what the Falcons will run on every down. But last night, I was absolutely SHOCKED to see Duckett run the same lame off-tackle play on 4th down!!!! Did anyone else have that one coming?

By Ironfeet

December 19, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this

I agree that the Falcons did not play well. But they lost as a team. Everyone seems to heap all the blame on #7. He didn’t play well, but in his defense, this O-Line is not good enough to match up with an elite D-line. This team is not tough enough on both sides of the ball. And to me, that reflects totally on the coaching staff. Mora lost his poise on national TV and he should be ashamed of himself. When the coach is not mentally tough, how can you expect your team to be. Greg Knapp is stealing money. Ed Donnatell is also. Mora needs to revamp his staff before he is given the boot. If any fingers are to be pointed at any one, its the coaching staff first. They need to be made accountable for the lack of discipline and preparation. I hope in the off-season wholesale changes are made, especially with the coaching staff. Sign and draft some bigger, tougher OL/DL and some better DB’s to help D-Hall. This team needs some toughness and that starts up front. Remember, to win in this league you must be strong up front on both sides of the ball. That is the difference between the elite teams and the Falcons.

By Miles

December 19, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

I cant believe someone just said that Reeves shoud be the head coach again. Here is a reminder on what Reeves did here in atlanta. 1997:4-12 1998:14-2 1999:4-12 2000:5-11 2001:7-9

Yea he did a terrific job for us..lol…we had 1 good year which turned out to be a total fluke. He should have been fired on the spot after the 99 and 2000 seasons but our old management was so incomepetent that they chose not to. And will people stop calling for Schaub who has never completed more than 50% of his passes in a game and yet he has played in the WCO for over 5 years! Why take out Vick for a Qb who has even worse accuracy based on his stats. Oh but he had 300yd and 3td against the 31st ranked secondary in the league so he has to be the starter. Now im not going to say that Vick played well against chicago, far from it but he was up against the number 1 ranked D and no one outside of Dunn stepped. Cut Duckett because he is wasting cap space and is nothing more than a goal line back and also get rid of 3/5 of the o-line. These scrubs can block if their lives depended on it due to their small size. At this point if they arent going to block then they should get the hell out of the way and let everyone else get on with their jobs. The safety position has to be addressed in the offseason, 3/4 of our secondary wouldnt even be starting on almost every other NFL team. Carpenter should be a nickel back at best because he has some of the worst hands I have ever seen despite having good ball sense. Scott needs to be cut, Heard should be kept as a reserve, webster should be cut if possible but honestly I could live with him being on the team another season because he has good funadamentals to make up for his lack of athletic ability. We also need to add depth the to the o-line because the loss of Brady Smith has really hurt the pass rush. They are now just double teaming Coleman and Kerney on the right side and if we cant get to the QB then our poor secondary is in trouble. Face facts poeple, we have holes on this team which need to be addressed. You cant tell me that we have a championship caliber defense. Of course the passing game needs to get going but based on stats its improving and you cannot expect consistency from Vick if a pass rush is in his face in almost every play and the receivers dont get open. Roddy White is still just a rookie and needs more time to develop, history shows that good receivers have their breakout season in their sophomore year so I expect some big things from Roddy in 2006. Hopefully management will address the issues I have stated and if they do I can assure you we will be very much improved next season. Keep your heads up falcon fans, we could be a lot worse than 8-6.

By Paul

December 19, 2005 12:21 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick the highlight film is exciting to watch. Michael Vick the QB is 100% garbage, trash, godawful. You’d be better off with Chris Chandler NOW. He’s a loser and always will be a loser. THAT’S the Ron Mexico experience.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike…U IDIOT, Brady won’t even be playing, if it wasn’t for a Bledsoe injury, and that team was pretty darn good…in all departments. So yea, I am for real. Vick is the real deal. Surround him w/ some talent, and a very good O-Line, and this team has all the makings. As someone said, there’s enough talent on this team, it just needs a few more guys and some tweaking.

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 12:29 PM | Link to this

I guess no one in Atlanta understands what the hell is going on. All they can think about is the playoffs. Last year was a fluk, the falcons were no better this last year than they were this year. The division is tougher, the schedule is tougher. The worst thing to happen to this team since the new management took over was to make it to the NFC championship game last year. They were not ready for that and they are not ready this year. A season of 8 - 8 should bring them down to where they should be and the understanding that it takes time to build a solid team. The Falcons were not very good until Mora and his crew came along and you now expect them to win the division and go to the super bowl. Get real people. It will take time to build this team. They have the plan and the leadership to do it. The only answer fans can come up with is fire Mora, bench Vick. Lets start all over next year. I see good young players on this team. This is a team that cannot afford injuries at key positions and still win. A rookie coach and staff had immediate success. Now they are understanding the real world and will learn from it. I know it is hard to swallow but we need a consistant force behind this team. The majority of fans cannot see past the last loss or win. Lets just change everything, they are all stupid.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this

…and another thing. To compare Vick’s situation as QB for 3 full yrs and Tom Brady’s situation w/ the Patriots, is a joke. I mean, c’mon man, how many guys win the Superbowl…let alone 3 in his first 5 years? Don’t you think it also has something to do with the Patriots as a whole, or are you that narrow-minded that you think the whole game revolves around the starting QB? Man, you people who blame Vick are really really dumb. Have any of you watched these Bears this year? They have been destroying people at their field all year.

By Whopper Dawg

December 19, 2005 12:32 PM | Link to this

Do you think the Bears would trade Grossman for Vick? Just asking. And by the way, the Bears are not a “big time” football team - just watch the playoffs, which is exactly what we will be doing.

By Thought

December 19, 2005 12:32 PM | Link to this

Why not trade Vick while he is at the “top” of his game and get something for him.

Utilize Matt Schaub to bring passing accurancy to this offence to open up the running game to something more than Dunn (a keeper)and scrambling Vick(permanate disability waiting to happen)

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this

Nah Jeff, I don’t buy that. Last year wasn’t a fluke. If that’s the case, what happened to Carolina & Tampa Bay last year? Gonna blame that one on injuries? Geez…Falcons could do that this year, don’t ya’ think. If you’re gonna say one year’s a fluke, then how do you explain how good Chicago is this year? Last year they were pretty bad. Does that make this year a fluke for Chicago? C’mon, give me a break.

By Vickenstein

December 19, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have had the same problems all year long, and nothing has been done to fix those problems. It boils down to coaching, and they once again were outcoached. I know they have a few young players, but when they make the same mistakes week in and week out it is because they’re not being coached. When you come out of halftime and have to take an immediate timeout, it falls back on coaching. When the team makes stupid plays and penalties week after week and no one is held accountable it falls back on coaching. When it is third and five for the opposing team and our corners play ten yards off letting them have an easy first down game after game who does it fall back on? That is what got Ed Donatell fired in GB and that is why he should be fired in Atlanta. Jim Mora and Greg Knapp need to go with him. I could coach the team better than Mora. In fact, I believe if I was the coach the team would win the next two games. It isn’t that the team doesn’t have talent, it is what they are trying to do with that talent.

By Ironfeet

December 19, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this

I heard a caller on the radio say that the Falcons are not tough. He also said that the coaching staff is not creative enough to adjust the scheme to suit lesser players. I totally agree. When you are a average team, superior coaching can make the difference. This staff cannot make adjustments at critical times. They panic when they have some adversity. When the coaches panic, what do you think the player will do?

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

I agree Vickenstein. I think much of this boils down to coaching. Knapp tries to get fancy w/ his playcalling, Donatell drops the DB’s off, so they don’t give up big passes; He doesn’t send enough blitz packages (although, you could contribute much of that to the loss of Brady Smith). The coaching does need to be examined. Only problem is, these “West Coast” offense guys think they are genius’, and that any team that doesn’t know West Coast offense philosophy, and so on…is dumb. It’s kind of like if you go to an arty movie, and then you stand around in the lobby afterwards, and try and have a conversation w/ the other theatergoers. They are a bit snobby, and they think their opinions are always right. Well, this is a big problem with the Falcons. I guarantee you, they don’t think there’s a problem with coaching, when there really is.

By Lionel

December 19, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget Rich McKay in all of this. The drafting of “athelets” ( faster,quicker and smaller) and not “football” players is showing on the field. This beat down by more physical,aggressive teams is a true indicator of his draft philosophy.

Last night the Falcons looked like a school yard girl amongst men. They couldn’t fight back even if they wanted to. Greg Knapp please!!! You are a schoolyard girl!!!!

Unless Rich forgets his philosophy and starts to draft some real “football” players this bend over and take it in the plug will continue.

I want to see hitters on defense not dance partners. I want to see some BIG mean nasty O-linemen that will stand right in front of you and punch you in the mouth, not cut block from the side.

By Tony G

December 19, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

Come on so called footbal fans. Don’t get on the Falcons for being a marginal team at the least. You should have known the falcons are not a good team when they lost to the dreadful Packers. How could anyone in their right mind want this team to make the playoffs? Vick isn’t a bad QB. He has no wide outs. The one here couldn’t even be starters with Houston or the Jets. Dunn & Vick are the only ones on offense who are built to play in the west coast offense. Also, they don’t like to hit hard anymore. What we have here is a bunch of imitators not intimidators. Football is not a sport for anyone who doesn’t like to get hit. The Falcons have too many soft players, some just disappear when they play a physical team as the Bears or Carolina?

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

Miles, well said. I agree with almost everything you said, but I do like Duckett, and just don’t think they’re using him enough. They seem to only bring him in late in the game, or when Warrick needs a breather.

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this

e b, Thanks for proving my point. Lets take the Bears. They hire Lovey Smith and they were not successful. It was the same ole Bears. Now Lovey had a couple of bad seasons but stayed the course. In his first year the Bears did not play for the NFC championship, they had a loosing record. The Panther and Bucs had down years last year. The Panthers because of injuries, the most players on IR of any team in the league. Circumstances last year were favorable for Atlanta, minimum injuries and weak schedule. Even the first round playoff game was a weak opponent for Atlanta. Man, the facts speak loud and this year is the proof. this team will be an elite team in the NFL but it will not be because they have Vick, but because they have a solid foundation and consistancy in the leadership. That is the TEAM concept and provides longivity in this game.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this

Lionel, I agree with you. We do need some heavy hitters on defense, but I do think we played a very good first half last night. Matched up physically w/ them, and our defense looked pretty good for awhile. The change came when they brought Grossman in, it seemed to spark not only the entire Soldier Field, but the team as well. Also, the real turning point was Keion’s fumble. Holding a team down there was futile, but giving them the ball back like that is just plain sad. Also, the Green Bay game consisted of like 6 turnovers. Sure, the Falcons should have won that game on paper, but when you turn it over 6 times, isn’t that like giving the game away?

By Jim Armbrewster

December 19, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

Bottom Line:

Vick sucks. Mora sucks. Falcons suck.

Your welcome.

By William Kitchens

December 19, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

After e.b’s second post I jumped ahead… sorry if this comment has been made.

I am through with giving Vick the benefit of the doubt.

He can not pass a football. This is not high school or college football and his athletic ability will only take him so far.

He was overated and hyped long before he proved himself at this level.

Nike needs to make him some elevated shoes so he can least see over the opposing Dline.

No touch, no timing, all hype!

Our receivers are fine. In fact Finneran showed courage last night to keep taking the hits he did.

Our healthy defense and Dunn took us deep into the playoffs last year… remember us stoping the run last year.

VICK needs to be traded while his stock still has some value to some team.

Let Reeves have him when he takes over at Houston for their draft pick. Anything. But Mike Vick will never be real NFL QB.

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

Darrell…you prove the old saying “Love is BLIND” and obviously you love Vick as QB. Please do not compare Hank Aaron and Michael Vick. Mr. Aaaron has more class in his baby finger than Vick has in his whole body!! Mr. Aaaron earned the respect he gets, Vick is demanding something that comes with time and “Blood, Sweat and Tears.” I don’t blame Vick, I blame the Media and Falcons Management for creating what has been eluded to as “Vickenstein”, also known as the Falcons current QB.

By Larry

December 19, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

For those among you who contribute every negative opinion about Vick as “racist,” may I ask you a simple question?

What would be your opinion of Vick’s performance this season, and particularly last night, if Vick were “white?”

I thought so! You see, this isn’t about skin color; this is simply about throwing a football accurately enough that your receiver can catch it.

I saw two QB’s last night who couldn’t throw the football, one black and one white. One was replaced and the other wasn’t. The one who replaced the one who couldn’t pass sparked his offense. The one who couldn’t pass was not replaced and his offense continued to sputter. This is an accuracy issue, not a racial one.

Keeping it simple!

By Miles

December 19, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this

Well I thought the team came out with plenty of intensity in the 1st half. The D was fired up and they played well, especially considering that they finally managed to stop the run to at least a certain extent. But I think our team has some of the worst luck this year. How else can you explain Carpenter making an incredible interception and then Webster running right into him causing a fumble. That play was the defensive version of the Vick/Dunn collision which cost us the bucs game a few weeks ago. Or how about Jenkins making a good catch and then being down by contact yet the officials rule it an interception and the change it to a fumble, it makes no sense. Did anyone else finad that pass interference call on Hall total crap? And did anyone see the bears receiver hit webster in the back on a fly route and yet no flag was thrown? unbelievable, but after all we are the atlanta falcons.

By Miles

December 19, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this

Well I thought the team came out with plenty of intensity in the 1st half. The D was fired up and they played well, especially considering that they finally managed to stop the run to at least a certain extent. But I think our team has some of the worst luck this year. How else can you explain Carpenter making an incredible interception and then Webster running right into him causing a fumble. That play was the defensive version of the Vick/Dunn collision which cost us the bucs game a few weeks ago. Or how about Jenkins making a good catch and then being down by contact yet the officials rule it an interception and then change it to a fumble, it makes no sense. Did anyone else find that pass interference call on Hall total crap? And did anyone see the bears receiver hit webster in the back on a fly route and yet no flag was thrown? unbelievable, but after all we are the atlanta falcons.

By William Kitchens

December 19, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this

And to those you say Vick wins games…

He did it running, not throwing… so stick a 2 in front of the 7 and change the Q to H

By carman563

December 19, 2005 01:17 PM | Link to this

im sick of hearing about, VICK, at least the bears had enough sense to change quarterbacks, mora and vick have snowed, blank long enough, what in the heck are they paying schub for, a # 1, qb, any place else, the falcons are doomed, the fans are dupped and vick and mora laugh all the way to the bank, sad, aint it !!

By brewerfaninATL

December 19, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

Leave it you Mr. Bradley for another two-faced column. You are truly pathetic! Just 2-3 days ago you claimed the Falcons were good enough to win the last 3 games and reach the playoffs. Now, after a very tough loss to a GOOD team, you claim they aren’t very good. That’s funny…I once thought you were a pretty good journalist, but the truth of the matter is, you really aren’t very good!

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this

Whopper Dawg, I wasn’t implying Grossman was better than Vick. The Bears have a great defense, but with Orton at the helm their offense was god-awful. When Grossman came in the Bears offense played at a different level. With a good offense. the Bears are the best overall team in the NFC. Anybody could see the Bears became better when they switched quarterbacks. As far as Vick, I’m not ready to reserve a spot for him in Canton as quickly as everybody else is. As a QB Vick is average at best. The Falcons needed him to step up last night. Instead he was cowering in the backfield. Yes, the Bears are tremendous intimidators, but Vick laid on the ground when he was barely touched on one play. The ball he threw on his back heel, which was intercepted, was a high school mistake. Vick stopped running in the 2nd quarter after he took a couple of hard hits. If Vick doesn’t run he is worthless, because he sure can’t throw accurately. Grossman did what he had to to help his team win. It’s a shame our All-star QB couldn’t do it for us.

By Randy

December 19, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this

Well said, William and Larry.

Ironfeet, Darrell, Petey and E.B. How can you sit there and say that Michael Vick wins games for the Falcons, yet, in the same breath, when the birds lose, you say they lost because of the o-line, the d- line, the secondary, the receivers and/or the coaches? IF Michael won the other games, then he definitely lost that one last night. They win, or lose as a team. If he has won all these games, then he also lost all the others, (Except the Patriots). If this is the case, bench him NOW.

Vickenstein, same goes for you.

I agree there were breaksowns on offense, defense last night, and I don’t alwayse agree with the play-calling, (especially 3rd and long, but they lost as a team.

Instead of a “winner” last night, Michael looked more to me like a cold, scared rabbit. He came out on the first possession, running like he was playing street ball. “Let him do what Michael does best.” He did for a total of three points. (Wait, I think Peterson scored those three, not Michael) Hmmmm. he was held COMPLETELY scoreless, doing what he does.

OUCH!!!!!!!!

By long time falcon's fan

December 19, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES whether the Falcons win or lose?

They have always been terrible, and i guess they always will be terrible.

I gave up on this season 20 years ago. Occasionally they do something that makes you think, “hey, maybe this team is different…” But then the next year, the next game, the next play sometimes, they prove they’re the same old Falcons.

I quit getting angry over it years ago, i’m not letting their sorry play send me to an early grave.

For all you fans under 30 you might as well forget it. They will never amount to anything worth anything. But i guess you’ll figure that out in the next 10 or so years.

By Paul Body

December 19, 2005 01:33 PM | Link to this

Next Sunday the Falcons travel to Tampa. By car this is approximately an 8 hour drive 453 miles down I-75. The Tampa Bay area is the next emerging major metropolitan area south of Atlanta on I-75. The Falcons and the Bucs being in the same region of the country and in the NFC South or some call the NASCAR Division make a great rivalry. I like to call this game played twice a year in Atlanta and Tampa the I-75 Bowl. I wonder why calling games between the Falcons and the Bucs the I-75 Bowl has not caught on. The game is truly a great southern rivalry in which most games are usually hard hitting affairs and most often times the scores between these two teams. With the explosive Michael Vick on the Falcons and Cadillac Williams on the Bucs this game has the potential for all kinds of fireworks.
Then there is that hard popping defense of the Bucs which has been their trademark since Monty Kiffin has been their defensive coordinator. Michael Vick being challenged by this defense should make for a very exciting game. But please someone start calling this rivalry the I-75 Bowl. You have my permission

Sincerely,

Paul R. Body

By FalconFeverFan

December 19, 2005 01:34 PM | Link to this

My only comment, and one that “hurts” me to say, but Micheal Vick needs to concentrate on performing for the team, instead of Proving himself to the media. His biggest asset was that he could run and avoid and make big plays. That has been lost this year while he and the Falcon coaches have insisted he is a pocket passer. He is neither a pocket passer or even average passer considering his accuracy is HORRIBLE. He may have the strongest arm in the league, but he needs to HIT the receiver, not those in the stands. Go back to running!

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 01:35 PM | Link to this

Randy, because Vick does win games. He’s 30-16 as a starter, the 3rd most winning % among any starting QB’s. He has proven it. He totally dismantled Green Bay 2 seasons ago, you’ve seen his stuff. And all these people who say he sucks, well, they’re pretty darn happy when he wins games for us, aren’t they. But boy do they jump ship. That’s how you know a true fan. How quick they jump ship. And I totally disagree that Vick has talented WR’s, and I completely stand by my comment that his O-Line sucks. If he had Peyton Manning’s O-Line, trust me, this team may be unbeatable.

By Jeffrey

December 19, 2005 01:38 PM | Link to this

SAME OLD “SWAN SONG” FOR THE FALCONS..THIS IS THE REASON THEY’VE NEVER WON BACK TO BACK SEASONS AND WON’T ANYTIME SOON. THEY SIMPLY CANNOT WIN BIG GAMES (ALA LAST NIGHT IN CHICAGO)..WHO CARES ABOUT THE COLD WEATHER?! TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER, AND WITH INJURIES..TAKE THE PATRIOTS, FOR INSTANCE..THEY HAVE HAD MORE INJURIES THAN ANY TEAM IN THE NFL THIS SEASON, YET ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT SUPER BOWL CHAMP. THE FALCONS NEED TO WATCH FILM OF THAT WOOP-A* THEY PUT ON THE BUCS ON SATURDAY, BUT INSTEAD, THEY WILL GET THEIR BUTTS KICKED ALL OVER RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM AS ALWAYS..THIS TEAM WILL NEVER MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH VICK AT QB. DEFENSES HAVE FIGURED HIM OUT, AND WITH NO PASSING ATTACK, THEY PLUG UP THE RUN AND WIN. THIS TEAM HAS FAR TOO MUCH TALENT TO BE SITTING AT HOME WATCHING THE PLAYOFFS. BUT THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN. MORA IS A GOOD COACH BUT NO BILL BILLICHEK. THEN AGAIN WHO IS? THEY STILL ARE LACKING SOME COACHING IT APPEARS.

By NEEDDDDDDD

December 19, 2005 01:39 PM | Link to this

EB, Unfortunately 2 years ago was a different Mike Vick and the defenses have figured him out. His ability to make the defenses “guess” was his asset. That is no longer the case. The winning record as a starter, well the case can be made we have only beaten (1) team with a winning record this year. Shouldn’t the win total be escalating, not going down?

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this

Hey Paul, I agree with you. I think Vick listens to his critics too much…the Michael Jordan syndrome. He needs to get back to what he knows, and focus on what the team needs. Also, for all you people saying how bad the Falcons were last night, in case you didn’t notice, Chicago had their with our entire division…4-0 this year.

By DocInDallas

December 19, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this

Go easy on Mike V. Falcons are indeed a good team. The Bears Defense has been doing the same thing to opposing QBs all season.
Pressure from the tackles, pressure from the ends, linebackers with 4.3/4.4 speed that hit hard (Urlacher, Briggs and Joe). Safeties that Pop. Corners that pick. It’s tough to win on the road in December. It’s tough to throw in swirling winds.

By Pat Patterson

December 19, 2005 01:57 PM | Link to this

Maybe Mark Bradley needs to move to Chicago. I have yet to notice him writing anything good about any team in Atlanta.

By Patrcik

December 19, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this

D’Angelo Hall spotted at Sidney Marcus QT talking smack and flexing at gasoline pump after filling his tank. When asked what he was so pumped about Hall replied, “nobody thought I could fill this tank. Not you, not the gas pump, nobody. But I showed you all. I’m the greatest.”

By Randy

December 19, 2005 02:04 PM | Link to this

I was a bit offensive earlier, and I apologize. Michael has indeed won many games for the Falcons, but my point, as always, is that he can’t do it himself. The praisers cannot accept that. The detractors cannot accept the fact that WHEN the birds lose, it is a team effort, just like when they win, it is a team effort.

I stand by my statements from day one, MV needs to work on passing as a first, second AND third option on pass plays. Running should be a last resort for many reasons, the mos important 2 are: 1: it is a much better weapon when only seen 2 or 3 times a game, not 2 or 3 times a SERIES. 2: He needs to think about long term effects of being pounced on every time he touches the ball. This isn’t street ball where 1 out of 500 kids have the talent, strength and SIZE to make the NFL. This is the NFL where 499 out of 500 have these traits.

Michael will not last lon, and we will be looking for another QB soon, if he doesn’t become a QB with great ability and NOT a great athlete @ QB.

By ChicagoFalcon

December 19, 2005 02:07 PM | Link to this

From my vantage point at Soldier Field, I saw a team that was overmatched and pitifully unprepared. Having to call a time out on the first offensive play after halftime is embarrassing. This one can’t be blamed on the weather, either. No one complained a bit about the weather when Vick and the Falcons went up to the frozen tundra in Green Bay and slapped the Pack out of the playoffs a couple years ago. The bottom line: Vick has regressed as a quarterback since Reeves left; Mora and Knapp have failed to develop him and capitalize on his abilities. It’s painfully obvious that Vick is not comfortable in Knapp’s offense and probably never will be. Hopefully this season is a much-needed wake-up-call for the entire team. The days when they could simply hang around until Mike did something amazing to win the game are over.

By Balme does not just go to one person

December 19, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

Last nights loss was a combination of many things; 1 lack of mental preparation by the players 2 lack of coaching preparation 3 lack of flexibility within the coaching staff to change plays and players once the offense was shut down in the 1st quarter 4 lack of maturity by the players

This loss cannot be blamed on one person. As with any other organization everything starts at the top, without good/consistent leadership the employees can’t execute. Jim Jr. neglected to deal with his offensive and defensive coordinators who were not getting the job done. In terms of offense Mike V. could only execute what was given to him…sorry plays that Chicago had seen on film since we first began this season, and runningbacks that are not wise enough to read defenses. The entire left field was wide open the entire game, however neither Dunn nor Duckett saw this. The defense was playing too close at the beginning of the game and then they were too relaxed toward the end of the game. Finally each player had a responsibility to overcome the mental roadblocks of playing a team like Chicago and in the cold. The NFL was not born yesterday playing in the cold is nothing new…make the adjustment to overcome despite the circumstances.

In order to get better the team needs to admit that there are some serious weaknesses in physical strength and stamina, mental strength, knowledge of the NFL game (this is not college football), team cohesion, coaching knowledge. Atlanta needs to begin to match players with their gifts/talents and recruiting for the voids (wide receivers,corners, guards, etc.) For example, TJ Duckett could probably play better defense than he has ever done on offense, Dunn might need to be moved to special teams. Carpenter and Webster might do better coaching high school football. There are several players around the league that are either unemployed (TO and Peerless Price), wanting a trade, or are not a good match for their current team, that could ultimately help our weaknesses. We are not going to have a SuperBowl caliber team with a bunch of 22-25 year old players.

By A Thinking Fan

December 19, 2005 02:11 PM | Link to this

know ya’ll want to hate on VICK!!! BUT THE GAME WAS lost in the TRENCHES. Chicago was minus to of its’ D-backs, BUT their FRONT 8 - WOW!!! It doesn’t matter who they play. But ya’ll keep HATIN’ON VICK.

OUR D-line is to banged-up and too young to be competitive right now!!!

I’m glad someone mentioned the OFF-SEASON moves of our GM. He weaken the D-LINE by not re-signing two of them

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

Well ChicagoFan, I agree. It IS obvious Vick isn’t comfortable under this offense. And it becomes more apparent when teams shut down his weapons. Atleast Dunn had a few good runs last night. However, I don’t feel like it was a total mismatch. Matter-of-fact, I feel the Falcons held their own for the first half, and even had some good scoring opportunities that they didn’t get, because of Chicago’s excellent defense. However, it seemed to totally change when they brought in Grossman, and when Keion fumbled away that INT.

By A Thinking Fan

December 19, 2005 02:17 PM | Link to this

REMEMBER Chicago is not winning with the BEST QB or OFFENSE. It is winning with good old fashion DEFENSE BABY! And their fans don’t eat at the soul of the team through one player - VICK HATERS…

WHAT has been their point spread of victory over the last 6 games VICK HATERS?

By steve

December 19, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this

Darrell, Darrell, Darrell. How in the world did the word hate creep into your comments? Nobody hates Michael Vick, some people are just expressing their opinion regarding his football skills. Please lighten up and Merry Christmas!

By kensue

December 19, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this

Eb’s daddy,

I am as disappointed in this Falcon team as anyone else, but what I am able to do is be fair and honest. The fact of the matter is, MV was drafted into the league for the 2001 season. He started in two (2) games when Concussion Chris was out. In 2002, his first year as a started, the Falcons went to the playoffs. In 2003, MV didn’t even play until week 12 after breaking his leg in preseason and then, the Falcons won three of the final four games when he played. In 2004, we all saw the Falcons go to the NFC championship. Is MV a great, good or bad QB? Well, I say he is all of the above. He is great when he sees an opening and determines to get through it. He’s good when he has the protection to pass the ball. Finally, he is bad when he doesn’ have the protect and can’t make up his mind if he wants to be a running QB or a pocket passer, which is what we have seen a lot of this year. I believe if the Falcons don’t get an offense that is tailor made for him, he will never grow into his potential. Shaquille O’Neal is a terrible outside shooter, and he can’t hit the broadside of a barn from the free-throw line. But guess what, he has three rings. Why, because the Zen-master Phil had the triangle to take advantage of what Shaq brings to the table, his size and dominance in the paint. For people who are truly “keepin’ it real� the jury should still be out until the Falcons have the right personnel. The team played scared last night. The defense, though better, allowed too many plays that could and should have gone in their favor (the safety that never happened at the beginning of the game, the fumble on the 2 yard line, several INTs that were dropped). I don’t know what the future holds for these guys, but you can best believe, Arthur Blank is not going to take any of this season lightly. I think he is too smart of a business man. These guys don’t need to go to the playoffs. They just don’t have the IT they need to win. Mike needs to grow up and play his game (patience comes with maturity). I think as a coach, Jim Mora needs to have one more year to make things right with the organization and with the fans. Though, I am sure that Mr Blank and company does not read these blogs, I am positive they hear what is being said about this team (remember the full page add in the AJC apologizing for a bad season?). AB is a New York boy and I believe if it ain’t going according to his time table, he will make changes in a New York minute.

By Marc M

December 19, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this

I am an Atlanta native and have been following the ups and downs of the Falcons (mostly downs) since they began. Every year, hope springs forth that they will be able to do something good.

I have never been a Michael Vick fan. I think that he is certainly over-rated as a QB and his smirk and sneer and ghetto conversation peppered with “uknow” this and “uknow” that and “uknowwhatimsayin”, etc., show where his true roots are.

His lack of intellect is beginning to show. The “skreet ball” style of play where the QB says, “go to the telephone pole and turn around and I will hit you w/ the pass” doesn’t play in the NFL, where the successful quarterbacks all scored more than 800 on their SATs.

Arthur Blank got taken to the cleaners with the $13 mil per year he is paying to Mr. Vick. Vick may be a nice guy, and exciting from time to time, but in the reality of the NFL, he will only be a mediocre quarterback because of his intellect. Move him to WR and put Matt Schaub in. Schaub is a UVA man who shows athleticism AND intelligence in the same package (same as Manning, Brees, Brady, et al).

Racist? No. Realistic? Yes.

By joe

December 19, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

All he does is win? Vick has dropped to 30-16 as a starter, likely 30-18 by the end of the season.

Take away the ONE fluke year and he’s roughly a .500 quarterback. If he’d played the year after that, which would have been the tough schedule year for finishing high, he’d be below .500 now.

Spare us the Vick-winner nonsense, and fix teh problem. draft an offensive line, and a decent MLB.

By David

December 19, 2005 02:39 PM | Link to this

Three thoughts: I’ll start off saying huge Falcons fan and the reality is, Vick played bad (period) last night no excuses, but lets not blow up the team, we are not the 49ers. First of all everyone who says trade/sit Vick is living in a fantasy land. Other than Peyton and Brady, Vick is the most valuable [money maker] player in the NFL. Do you guys not see the Dome filled every home game? the 2 new Falcon 360 stores? 3 Monday Night Games in one season? Vick may only win with sub-par throwing (and that angers some people), but no one with financial interest in the NFL cares, Vick is a cash machine for the Falcons and the NFL. So trading him, sitting him, or waiving him is just a waste of internet space, who wants a Matt Shaub jersey…thats right no one. Falcons played bad last night up in Chicago, and you know what , it happens. Vick deserves blame for his performance, and rightfully so he’s getting it, but lets not forget when they win it’s usually because of him.

But more importantly when it comes to last nights game, who with an internet connection or Cable TV did not know that it was going to be freezing in Chicago on Sunday? And then notice that, hey Atlanta is in the south which is getting a little cold but not to that degree…mmmm….maybe we (The Falcons) should practice at the very least outside so that we are some what ready for the cold of Soldier Field, but no that would have taken a PhD degree and Jesus himself to figure out so instead Mora decides to practice inside. INSIDE!!! the game was lost when that decision was made, not on the field. They wasted gas by flying up there when they could have practiced for Tampa instead.

But regarding the game. Stop calling Ducket the Hammer, please its an insult to all hammers out there. The play calling of 2 runs with Ducket on 3rd and 4th down was bad, but come on at least get to the line. Fall forward, dive over the pile and get stopped but hey at least you are back to the line of scrimmage with forward progress, but when someone as big as Ducket cannot even get back to the line on back to back runs, Its time to stop taking carries away from Dunn, because all Ducket is doing is taking up space on the team flight back. He’s the short yardage RB. 3rd and 1. 4th and 2 that’s short yardage, so if you cant get anything there, give it to Dunn or go old School and give it to the FB.

By a real fan

December 19, 2005 02:41 PM | Link to this

Yea Vick had a terrible game straight plan and simple. I just find it funny how all these bloggers wake up when the Falcons lose but when they win they are no where to be found. Vick has to and i mean has to get more consistent. Whoever Dan Reeves was gone hire to help him with his footwork needs to be found and hired. What is our qb coach doing? I like Schaub but come on his completion percentage is lower than Vick’s so how is he gone make this team any better. Some people are acting like the Falcons have been putting up a lot of winning seasons so their spoiled. Well i got news for you this team has been horrible for a long time and i think they are finally on the right road to get this franchise turned around. I will support this team no matter if they win or lose.I dont jump on the wagon when they win and jump off when they lose like the majority of these bloggers.

By Miles

December 19, 2005 02:50 PM | Link to this

yet schaub completes only 47% of his passes despite playing in the WCO for 5 years! If you are going to replace Vick at least suggest someone who has better accuracy otherwise the point is moot. Manning, Brady, Brees, Green, Palmer, Hasselback, etc all have great o-lines. so lets improve that and see how vick does.

By ChicagoFalcon

December 19, 2005 02:57 PM | Link to this

Marc M,

Realistic? No, I would say your words are pathetic, and they would be equally so whether your SAT score was a 600 or a 1,600. By your standards, a northener would be justified in calling someone from Georgia stupid because he talks funny and says, “y’all” all the time. Give me a break. If you want to criticize Vick’s play on the field, go for it. But please show a little more intellect on your own part, and a better knowledge of the game, than to resort to saying “he’s dumb.” You’re only embarassing yourself and revealing your own ignorance.

By Bernard K.

December 19, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this

good gracious. The Falcons aren’t as bad as you all say they are. yeah, yeah I know and mike vick is the worst QB in the world. please, i’m sick of people just slammin this dude so much. he impacts the game no matter how you slice it. and he comes up short sometimes but who doesn’t!! the falcons are a work in progress. and have been catching some bad breaks lately.

I do however have a problem with knapp. sometimes I just don’t understand the calls. its horrible.

hopefully the falcons end this terrible streak without back to back winning seasons and build towards the future. this is a young team that needs time to grow.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 03:01 PM | Link to this

Hey Kensue, whatever you do, make your points without bringing my name into it. And furthermore you A*****, my Father is deceased, so I would appreciate a little sportsmanship amongst the friendly banter.

By Bwarren

December 19, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

The bears game was a horrible thing to watch. Several times I had to turn off the TV because I was so angry. With our backs agains the wall, we managed to eek out 3 points. VERY SAD. The only things that work on this team when given a chance are DUNN and VICK. As any real football person knows, everything starts up front. Without a good O-line,nothing else offensively functions properly, not the QB and not the RB. Vick hardly ever has time to throw the ball before someone is in his face. If you will notice, the times that he is given sufficient time, usually because the defense has decided not to rush him not due to any skill by the boys up front, he throws a nice ball and pretty accurately. DUNN is a great RB, patient, finds holes. If you will notice, a lot of Dunn’s yards he gets on 20 yard plus runs. There is no consistency in the running game. Yes ATL has the number one rushing attack based on yards per attempt. This is misleading because a lot of this comes from Vick on busted plays and from 20 yard Bursts from DUNN, which helps out the average. DUNN has a good average in the game last night, but you coud harldy say the running game was effective. Take away the 29 yard run and the average does not look so good. Don’t get me wrong, Dunn is great. He would be much greater with a better O-line. Opposing defenses know that Dunn is going to break a 20 yarder or two on them, but controlling the O-line consistently will keep the Falcons running game in check. and finally DUCKETT. He has 11 total yards in the last two games on 19 carries. I think Duckett has some skills but you can’t blame the guy when he’s being tackled in the back field because the OLine got pushed back on its heeels. But i will agree, he does need to stop tip toeing.

Special teams-non existent, Defense-good enough to win games with a little more help from the offense. The problem with them is that they can’t hold momemtum. We scored first last night and the bears came right back and scored on us. This has happened numerous times during the season.

I have been a Falcons fan for 25 years and I have to say it was more fun not expecting them to win and having the occassional upset of San Fran or occassioally making the play offs than to expect them to win and having them rip your heart out. Almost like being a Braves.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this

Yea, Marc, it is pretty racist. You sound like your typical blowhard. You can say the same thing about Allen Iverson, and all his ghetto glory, but the kid brings it every night. And getting on Vick for smirking, you’re a freakin’ idiot. What is he supposed to do - CRY? C’mon man, he’s a 25 yr. old kid, in a huge spotlight, with huge expectations. Give me a break. Without Vick, we’re not even talking about the Falcons. Where were they 3 seasons ago? They were going nowhere fast.

By Jonesbore Jeff

December 19, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this

David, David, David ignorance is your middle name. where you practice does not have any bearing on how you play. The Falcons practiced outside last week, in the ice and rain and cold. Power was out at FB and they did not cancel practice. Remember it was cold for both teams and I do not care where you are from nobody can get used to 9 degree temps. It is just something that you live with and play the game. I did not hear the Falcons make excuses about the weather. Looking at that game all of the Falcons weaknesses were exploted by a good coach who has excellent talent on his defensive team. I don’t think the Bears generated that much offense. Grossman threw an interception and we gave it back to him. I do not consider that great offense just luck. No this team will get better as time goes and we will win games not with smoke and mirrors but with pure football savy. this management team has had two drafts and look at the players on the field from those draft. Half of your dline, two linebackers, cornerback, and two receivers. Now tell me when a Falcon team has had a two drafts that can put players on the field. I want longivity, not a one year wonder. I want to win every year and compete in the playoffs. These Falcons are not the old Falcons, it will happen and when it does it will continue through the years, aka New England.

By Learned Hand

December 19, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this

I think that we(Falcon fans) are seeing the emergence of two distinctive and dominate camps of thought. Both seem reflexive and defensive.

The first camp, I’ll call them the Vicksters, do not like any type of critique of Vick that places blame on the quarterback. They react to all criticism of Vick in terms on race and disingenuous motivation.

Any constructive observations doesn’t seem possible with this group, at least none that include Vick.

The second camp, I’ll call the Old Southern Guard. They see the Falcon’s problem as Vick, Vick, and solely Vick. “Everything will be ok if we get rid of Vick” is the foundation of their perspective. They use phraseology such as “too dumb”, “only an athelete”, “move him to wide receiver”, that echoes the type of lnguage used by those who once thought(and many still do) that African-Americans couldn’t play the position at any level. Many young African-Americans who might have played QB in high-school, never got the chance to play the position in college or the pros because of the conventional wisdom that African-Americans didn’t have what it took to play the position.

When confronted as racists when using such language to voice their displeasure with Vick, this group completely dismisses the historical precedent of their language and insist that they can’t be racist because nothing they said was explicitly racist.

Trying to reason with group is as useless as the first. They cling to their perspective that Vick’s play is not just unsatisfactory, but beyond any hope of improvement.

Hopefully the rest of us, who can hold two opposing thoughts in our heads at one time, will continue to support our team….it is support(not just complaining) that is the hallmark of a true fan in any sport.

It is possible to be a fan and (appreciate Vick), and know that our QB has poor footwork, and inconsistent passing, while at the same time realizing as someone has already mentioned, that he is 30-16 at this point iin his career! Winning is the bottom line is it not?

Football is a team sport, more so than any of the big 4. We therefore, to be fair, have to assess all segments of the team. If Vick is the problem and a “pure pocket passer” is all that is required, then you have to find another Atlanta quarterback who has had the same winning percentage as Vicks, or better. If you can’t find one, then your analysis is incomplete at best, harmful at worst.

By Sloan Cleaver

December 19, 2005 03:17 PM | Link to this

I told you people 2 years ago, the Falcons will never win a championship with Michael Vick @ QB. Make him a running back and get over it!! You have the best QB sitting on the bench.

By Jonesboro Jeff

December 19, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this

this text will be bolded EB, 25 year old kid!!!!! come on I do not think he is the reason we lost and I think he will be an excellent QB but he is a veteran not a rookie and is getting paid for his services, no breaks from me….perform or suffer the abuse.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this

Several things about last night’s game are just mind boggling; We held our own first half, which was great. But the first whacky thing was Keion’s INT & fumble on what was Chicago’s 3rd down, which obviously resulted on becoming a First Down on the 1 yard line. Unbelievable! Secondly, Jenkin’s fumble, which I’m not so sure about, because everybody seemed clueless on that one. The other thing was late in the game, Mr fancy playcalling - Knapp gives Duckett the ball on 3rd & 1, they lose momentum, lose a couple of yards, go for it on 4th down -WITH THE SAME PLAY????? Amazing, and truly horrific.

By blq byrd

December 19, 2005 03:23 PM | Link to this

First and foremost, football is truly a team game. Just wanted to get that out there. Since noone else has mentioned this, I felt obligated to do so before I head off. Did any of you guys check out the Colts, Chargers game? Peyton Manning was ruffed up pretty good by the Chargers and as a result there were times when he seemed quite flustered. If I recall, he threw three INT’s and missed his recievers on several passes because of the pressure that San Diego put on him.

The result of that game gave tha Colts their first loss of the season. I mention this only to point out that even the best of QB’s have bad games, especially when the pressure is on and they are hurried and pounded as much as Michael Vick usually is and as much as Peyton Manning was this past Sunday.

The Entire Falcons team played poorly last night with the exception of Warrick Dunn ofcourse.

Gotta go, see ya.

go Falcons!

By David

December 19, 2005 03:27 PM | Link to this

Jonesbore Jeff , Yeah, I know that weather shouldn’t matter, and they did practice outside one day, but its a game of match ups most of the time, and not only did we have to match up against their running game (Which I was very surprised we were able to do for much of the game) but also against the weather. Most of the players said that last year the weather bothered them in Philly in the NFC championship game, so why not practice every day outside, it could have only helped. Oh and my middle name is Lazy, should have typed that they practiced one day outside, but leaving it out made a more dramatic point. And I agree need more time for the players to develop (2 rookie WRs starting, Jenkins is basically a rookie)

Oh and Knapp’s got to go. Thank you

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 03:29 PM | Link to this

Jonesbore Jeff, I whole-heartedly agree with your previous post, basically that this is a marathon, not a sprint. And I think Falcons fans were spoiled by last season’s success. Trust me, I live near Philadelphia, and you should hear these blowhards come down on their beloved Eagles for this lost season, of which they have made up a myriad of excuses. However, Vick is still green at QB. He’s hardly a veteran, having only started 3 full seasons. He’s especially green in this system, and until management realizes his full potential, and works around that, then this team will not succeed. Management is so topheavy w/ this West Coast philosophy, that it is almost cult-like. Greg Knapp is perhaps the big problem here, and until something is done about that (and it won’t be, because he’s Mora’s right hand man), things will not progress. It’s sad that management/coaching cannot see past their downfalls.

By 900K

December 19, 2005 03:36 PM | Link to this

The Falcons pretty much suck guys sorry… Its not all on Vick which is the main problem he needs a line first then maybe he can start to show you something. The wideouts are not as bad as most say. The focus on Vick is so BIG it causes people to miss the real issues the Falcons have on Offense. mainly the O-line then a solid #1 WR would fix them up easy. The tricky thing here though that many of you so called football guru’s is that the wideout situtation is an easy one BUT it comes second, the O-line needs to be fixed first. However this is can usually be a 2-3 year fix. Which causes owners and GM’s to keep the cycle going in the wrong direction B4 realizing it’s going to take some time and the win now mentality has to be replaced with the build now and become a dynasty.

By David

December 19, 2005 03:41 PM | Link to this

Well said e.b., the team need more time. But management need to move things around. Mora needs to do the same thing we all ask of Vick…learn and evolve. Vick needs to get more accustomed to the pocket so he doesn’t have happy feet on every possession, and Mora needs to evolve as a coach. He did great last season, and has done a good job (good is less than great, relax people I’m not saying he’s Belichick) this season, but he needs to stop being everyone’s buddy from down the street and learn to be the coach. So no more imports from the 49ers. Knapp, Webster, Heard, and others. We have enough SanFran on our team already, and frankly I want less. So he needs to learn to be the Head Coach and tell Knapp “I’ll see you in the summer and at the family parties, but I need to go out and get a new Offensive coordinator, you were great in SanFran really, but now you have to go.”

By Nate Green

December 19, 2005 03:44 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is too short to be a pocket passer! And don’t let weather and the other team dictate what you do on offense! Do what works best and roll Vick out and when you get starting field position at mid-field take advantage of it! Giminy Christmas!

By David

December 19, 2005 03:47 PM | Link to this

Oh and I understand everyone is looking for the racist post on here, and there are a lot on the AJC boards, so to clarify. By evolve, I did not mean Vick needs to stop running or talking like he does, become more white, less black, more black or less white or anything. I just mean throw the ball more effectively, so that defenses are forced to play man to man and then he can run it without the whole team looking at him like they did in Chicago when they basically played zone all day. I think that would allow him to make more of the plays we all love to see, 3 defenders on the floor wondering how many times they are going to replay that on Sportscenter.

By A Thinking Fan

December 19, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

LH is right, both camps want to shot each other and themselves in the foot and think they can succeed as fans!!!

By Mark

December 19, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

Any of you guys want to give me a reason that Vick passes only 20 times a game other than it’s because he’s a runner. A “double threat” as the media likes to label him. I’ll tell you why. It’s because the coaching staff knows he isn’t a very good passer at all. They call all the plays for him don’t they. They see the interceptions at crucial moments in games, the fumbles and the bad passes and call running plays. That my friends is why Vick can’t win games when the Falcons are behind or in the last two minutes of a game like all the great quarterbacks such as Brady, Montana, Manning or Marino could do. Problem for the Falcons id that the Falcons can’t trade Vick because no one would take his contract so you guys are stuck with the most overrated and hyped below average QB in NFL history. Keep dreaming of the Super Bowl. Not with Vick anyway. It gives a new meaning for Falcons fans to the “Micheal Vick Experience” Once of the greatest financial scams in the NFL. 130 million dollar contract for a stiff that can’t throw a pass. Do any of you feel like total fools after buying the #7 jerseys, the tickets, and listening to Al Micheals blather on and on about the greatness of a guy who throws 12 touchdowns in a season and has more interceptions and fumble’s than TD’s?

By Lionel

December 19, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

Hey EB I agree…but the problem is that with these fast starts there is no finish. It’s like a Heavyweight and a middleweight going toe to toe. Oh yeah the middleweight will bring it for a while but then at crunch time the late to middle rounds, all the body shots will take its toll and then comes the knock out.

The Falcons can not bring it for 4 qtrs against a physical, aggressive team. They are to small and to soft, physically and mentally.

Where is this more aggressive,mean defense that Mora promised to bring to the Atl? Where is the explosive unpredictable offense that Greg Knapp was bringing to the Atl? I tell you where, getting bit**ed slapped like a jailhouse lover all over the field.

By ebineezer

December 19, 2005 03:55 PM | Link to this

Ron Mexico could pass better if he could get rid of that nasty little rash that keeps him itching all the time. Now as far as Vick goes, you cain’t really just blame him when the o-line is getting dominated. Why cain’t Vick check out of a play and into another? High school qbs can do this but Vick cain’t? Whats up with that? Some of you professional guys with access to Mora, ask him about it. The Falcons defense played well. They were on the field the whole game and were up for the challenge.

By chrisj

December 19, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this

Everyone: Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.

1)Generally, the offense has played well this year-with the exception of Chicago and Carolina.

2)Our safeties are terrible- both must be replaced. The good news is that this coming draft appears to be a good year for drafting safeties.

3)Both lines could use an upgrade in size and physicality.

By Reality Bites

December 19, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this

I’ve got to disagree with all of the trade talk about Vick. Think about it - if you were another team and just witnessed the year that Vick has had (better yet, look at his career numbers), are you going give away a truckload of your team for him? Would you give up the chance at Reggie Bush, Leinert, etc. for a QB who has not lived up to expectations, and who has not yet played an entire season w/o injury? I don’t think there’s any team that would touch him and that bloated salary. Falcon fans, you’d better get used to him, or accept a bunch of marginal players in a trade - no one is giving up a star or high draft pick for Vick.

By A Thinking Fan

December 19, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

Thank GOD the military doesn’t act like ATL FANS ANYMORE!!!

By Charlie

December 19, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this

Hopeless, hapless and out of tricks. The birds are done.

Let’s get some players next year.

By William Kitchens

December 19, 2005 04:05 PM | Link to this

Learned Hand… winning is indeed the bottom line and Vick ain’t winning anymore.

His overall record doesn’t mean anything this year… there are no play-offs for 30-16 teams.

This is the first time I have really ranted about Vick giving him the benefit of the doubt. (Other bloggers will testify).

But pompous comments that echo “chill out” to bloggers really get my knee jerk into gear.

Why don’t you “Not worry” about what others are saying and allow the fans to vent for 24-48 hours before you lecture us from some soap box defining the class of bloggers Pro/Con Vick.

I waited 14 regular season games before I exploded last night.

By thomas

December 19, 2005 04:05 PM | Link to this

To the person taking up for Vicks winning percentage. We do have a better example. His name is Favre and we had him. However, the rest is history. Don,t get me wrong. I love Michael Vick. However, something is not working. A good coaching staff should be able to make adjustments or at least go to some plays that do not continue to fail.
I just cannot believe that the Falcons are this much worse than last year..Maybe Chris Draft and Travis Hall were more important than Atlanta thought. I’m a lonely Falcon fan in Raleigh,NC. Now I have to listen to all these Panther jack-asses rag about the Falcons. Thank the heavens that you are at least among other miserable Falcon fans.

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 04:08 PM | Link to this

Let’s get over last night’s game. We lost to a better team who came to play and wanted to win more than we did. We can win our next two games, their defenses aren’t as dominating as the Bears.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Lionel, I agree. With Mora’s background as a Defensive Coach w/ SF, and his mindset, you would think he knows what needs fixing. I’m like all you other guys, Webster has to go, as does Keion & Bryan Scott….totally useless. Not having Brady Smith is hurting us, but losing Jasper & Travis Hall and Draft has definitely hurt us as well.

By gagrad

December 19, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

When I saw Vick huddling in a huge parka on the bench before kickoff I knew he was beaten. Didn’t look at all like someone who wanted to play. That attitude rubbed off on the O-line on those 3rd and 4th and one’s.

By Learned Hand

December 19, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this

I still believe that if someone is going to say that the Falcons “cannot win with Vick”, then they have the burden to explain why this is so in light of the 30-16 record. His record also includes already, two trips to the playoffs, and one to the NFC Championship game.

In light of our franchise’s history, I can’t think of any comparable record by another QB. What was Bart’s record after the same time? Chris Miller’s? Chandler’s?

So somebody please explain to everyone how getting rid of the most winningest

By Learned Hand

December 19, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this

I still believe that if someone is going to say that the Falcons “cannot win with Vick”, then they have the burden to explain why this is so in light of the 30-16 record. His record also includes already, two trips to the playoffs, and one to the NFC Championship game.

In light of our franchise’s history, I can’t think of any comparable record by another QB. What was Bart’s record after the same time? Chris Miller’s? Chandler’s?

So somebody please explain to everyone how getting rid of the most winningest in our QB

By Great Falconi

December 19, 2005 04:13 PM | Link to this

I have to admit that all the “racist” accusations being thrown around on here are pretty ridiculous. I wonder if any Saints fans felt like Aaron Brooks was being discriminated against when Haslett benched him. He actually was being discriminated against, but that’s because you have to discriminate between awful play and good play. Todd Bouman came in and played like crap against the Panthers yesterday. What the Saints learned from this experience is that:

1) They aren’t any good (As if they didn’t know this already. After all, they lost to the Falcons twice.)

and

2) A 33-year-old backup who’s never been a starter in the NFL isn’t good enough to start in the NFL.

There’s no way the Falcons will bench Vick for Schaub because the Falcons are still in the playoff hunt. If Vick was getting paid what Kyle Orton is making, they might make a move. However, Vick is the guy that the Falcons’ organization have tied their hopes to, so he has to find a way to get it done.

Believe me, I hope that Vick will become an average passer. With any luck, maybe he’ll be an above-average passer. I just know that he’s going to be the QB in Atlanta for a while because of his salary. If he never progresses, no one would want to trade for him. If he does progress, it would be stupid to trade him. It’s not the best position in the world to be in with a QB that has a $130 million dollar deal.

Sometimes having a lot of money to throw around isn’t a good thing, Mr. Blank.

By David

December 19, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this

No Mark I don’t feel like a fool for buying the jerseys or watching the games, Does a Colts fan feel like a chump for buying a Peyton Jersey when he hasn’t won anything close to a big game in his career? No, they don’t they go to their Dome and Cheer Peyton and the Colts, they see him throwing 49 TD passes in a season and that’s cool, because no one has ever done that before. Just like I will go to our Dome and Cheer the Falcons and see Vick make people trip on their own feet, and every once in a while drop back and throw a 60 yard bomb just by flicking his wrist. And when he does that I cheer and notice that hey this is so much better than being a Cardinals fan or having Chandler at QB again. Doesn’t mean I can’t criticize the team or Vick, but I still believe that Vick is the only QB that can make The Falcons relevant. You think teams were scared when Chandler was the QB of the Falcons, Its not like we have a history of Greatness here. But we will.

and that’s why he gets paid what he does for playing a sport, because on days like this no one is pointing the finger at anyone in a Falcons Helmet but Vick. Ducket sucks, our O-line is small, we have trouble stopping the run, out best WR may be Finneran, Dunn doesn’t get enough touches, Hartwells injury might have killed the defensive philosophy of the team, Knapp is telegraphing his play calling. But in reality our biggest problem is Vick? No our biggest problem is that WE fans want a Super Bowl and we want it now, forgetting that 5 years ago we only talked about Super Bowls when we laughed about how in 98 we still don’t know how the Falcons ended up in the Super Bowl.

By gamer2003

December 19, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

It’s a question of when the Falcons(Blank) realize that Vick will never lead them to the promised land. porbably today there are several teams that would respond or even jump at getting Vick. I would think that a brave move would be to go after a top pick in the draft (Bush or Leinart)while vick is still worth something. Two years from now everyone will be lamenting how we are still paying Vick with nothing to show for it but some highlight film broken plays.

By mark

December 19, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

I’ll explain the winning percentage nonsense when it comes to Vick. He has wins this year over the Jets, Bills, Saints (2), Lions Dolphins Vikings, Eagles. Can he beat a good team? NO Has he ever beaten a good team in the playoffs? NO. And please don’t bring up a win vs the Packers in the playoffs at Lambeau Field against a washed up Brett Favre.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

Thomas, silly comment comparing Vick’s winning % to Favre. Come on, Favre’s been in the league 14 seasons, Vick’s been in the league 5 seasons, has started 3 seasons. Please, lets be realistic here.

By David

December 19, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

PLEASE STOP!!

This”No one will trade for Vick” talk is crazy, Vick could be making 200 mil in his contract and out of 32 teams 28-30 teams would cut everyone on their roster to make room for him, TONIGHT. You think Arthur Blank paid him that money because he liked pushing him on to the field on the wheel chair that much. No its became if he didn’t, every other team in the NFL will. Vick puts Jordan type money into the Team and the NFL and he wins (You guys could argue it until we all die, I’m 24 that’s a long time, he wins check the record). Have you guys not noticed that Vick has gotten just as far as Peyton has in the playoffs, and he’s only in his 4th year in the league, while Peyton is in his 7th?

Besides Falcons fans should have learned from experience you don’t give up on your QB just because he has accuracy issues, remember Favre? He’s done pretty well last time I checked, while we have done pretty bad.

By Robert

December 19, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this

All the people that want to get Vick traded…..Its plain Economics: Value and Production that Vick has, lets say there are 60,000 of you and all you have season tickets, and you all get organized, and march down PeachTree with chants, banners, and even funny posters. Demanding that the Falcons trade Vick or you will stop watching and going to the games. You want to know what will happen? Arthur Blank would meet you outside the Georgia Dome and say that’s fine I have 100,000 other people that will take those season tickets thank you very much, oh and get off the property.

You see when your QB is a mix between Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia, you march and demand a trade. When your QB is Vick, you consider yourself lucky you are not the Cardinals and Vick actually resigned with the team instead of playing for the Jets in NY. You don’t think the Jets would sell their souls for Vick in the Big Apple??

By William Kitchens

December 19, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this

great David…

I understand now… Vick is a marketing tool who happens to know a snap count.

Ahhh… I get it. It’s not the game that matters, it’s the branding and package.

By Great Falconi

December 19, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this

David, the Falcons gave up Favre because he was a drunk. He went to Green Bay, cleaned his life up and lived up to his potential. Glanville and June Jones wouldn’t have been able to get that kind of production out of him because they were sorry NFL coaches and Brett enjoyed the Buckhead nightlife too much.

Also, I’m not advocating a trade of Vick. I think there are plenty of more pressing issues (safeties on defense, defensive line depth) that need to be addressed before the Falcons can lay the blame for this season at No. 7’s feet. Vick certainly hasn’t played well this year, but he’s not the main cause behind the Falcons’ (almost guaranteed) failure to make the playoffs.

By Jeff

December 19, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this

We aren’t going to get as much as everybody claims we can get for Vick. His contract alone is a boat anchor. Vick is the most exciting player in the NFL. Unfortunatley, being the most exciting doesn’t mean your a good quarterback. Teams will trade for him, but I’m not sure he will get us even an early 1st round pick. Please, don’t think I’m trying to blame Vick for the Falcons misfortunes. He just isn’t a top notch quarterback. His accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. He has a cannon for an arm, but what good is it if he can’t get the ball to his receivers. His style of play leads to injuries, we’ve seen that already.Football teams don’t make trades like baseball teams do.Vick is our QB for better or worse.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this

Mark, actually that Green Bay team he beat that year was pretty good. As for his winning percentage, and the teams the Falcons beat this year, kind of clouds in comparison to the awful teams the Colts have beaten. How do you like this; The Titans twice, the Ravens,Rams, Cleveland, The Texans twice, and the 49ers. Kinda makes ya’ wonder…eh?

By KAT

December 19, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this

The cold truth Atlanta is not that good. What team would be if the defense can’t stop the run and the offense can only run. I think that Atlanta has some good player, I think they now need to get some good coaches. I know it is up to the players to perform but it is up to the coaches to prepare. Gregg Knapp play calling since he’s been there has sucked. He’s too soft. Ed Donatell defense sucks. He’s too soft and Mora soft, let me give you hug, it’s them not you guys attitude suck also. Teams take on their coaches persona. The Falcons are no different, they’re too soft. Mora too rah-rah, always making excuses and complementing the other teams play instead of getting into his team’s a**. But that’s not his style, so please let’s not expect anything different from the team. Now Mora doesn’t have to go but he, McKay and Blank’s better get some coaches in there that know how to play smash mouth football because the people they have in there now don’t. Once again give the black man a chance and get Ron Meeks from Indy in there to built that great defense that we need. I know those guys are probably good guys that you have known for years but as they have shown they are not the best guys for the job. Let’s not settle for being good, let’s be great.

By thomas

December 19, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this

eb, I was being funny about the Favre comment.
I am a big Vick fan and think that he can be a winner for years to come.
Like I said. I am in Raleigh. All my buddies always bring up the fact that the Falcons let Favre go. I’ve been a Falcons fan all my life. So I am accustomed to having shots taken at my team and having to respond to them. My biggest concern is the O-line and play calling.

By Great Falconi

December 19, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

e.b., the Colts have also beaten the Jags (twice), Bengals, Steelers and the Pats. That’s four out of the six likely playoff teams in the AFC.

By lawton

December 19, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

blanks problem isnt throwing money at vick, blanks problem is NOT throwing money at a REAL OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR and GENERAL MANAGER. John Gruden, Rich Mckay and Jim Mora Jr. all benefited and made names for themselves off players that other people developed. Gruden destroyed the talent tampa bay had with Dungy, Mora is destroying the talent Atlanta had with dan reaves. blank NEEDS a coach like a vermeil, schottenheimer, reaves, gibbs, a old school get down to the basics and kick some butt dominant type coach who helps make personnel decisions based on his system. atlanta aint got no direction. blank just put together some good ole boy crap. mckay aint done nothing other than hang on to his dads coattails like mora did with his father. he shouldve hired lovie smith, oh, my bad, he was on the sidelines in chicago while his defense b….slapped the falcons all over the frozen tundra. embarrassing, at least 5 falcons should be on espn’s “u gotjacked up!” next week. embarrassing.

By scott

December 19, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this

Lawton:

Peerless Price was cut by the Cowboys and cant find a job now. Find me an NBA team with more than 2 white folks. Find me an NFL team that is majority white. Atlanta public govenment is lead by blacks. Every street in Atlanta has been renamed for blacks so spare me the racisim crap.

I am white and proudly let my kid wear Vick jerseys and posters in his room. The issues are simple:

Vick has got to simply be more consistant and accurate as a passer / The Falcons need better and more creative play calling/ They need to retool the seconary they dismantled next year.

Spare me the racism comments.Pull your big girl panties on and come to the table with a thoughtful argument.

By David

December 19, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this

William Kitchens, “It is what it is” Vick is the QB of the Falcons, who also happens to be the best marketing tool in the NFL, because of who he is a winner, young, hip-hop, street. a lot of the things people seem to resent him for. Is he Marino? NO, but he doesn’t need to be, he just needs to keep winning and improving as a passer while not forgetting to run.

We all may go to the games and watch on TV because we love the game, but the game is a billion dollar BUSINESS so please you have to know that its ALL about Branding, packaging and Marketing. That’s the only reason why I have to sit through what seems like 30 commercials about “60 minutes” every Sunday. And the reason why you have to get a satellite to watch the NFL. So please don’t give me this, what about the game?

By chill

December 19, 2005 05:02 PM | Link to this

Last night was a big blow to our playoff hopes. After having many of the teams who we are in contention with for a playoff spot lose in preceding games everything was laid at the falcons feet to take control of their destiny and win a game they had to have, unfortunately the only thing they laid was an egg. The bottom-line is this team is just not ready to take it to the next level of becoming perennial NFC contenders year end and year out (at least not yet). The lack of a win against the upper echelon teams has demonstrated that. I can be disappointed all I want but a spade is a spade it’s as simple as that.

When it comes to Vick, it amazes me that you can have a group of people watch the same thing, but come to different conclusions. I like to think that I’m the type of person to call it straight down the middle and not be a “Vick basher” or a “Vick lover”. With that being said last night was a horrible game for a quarterback who’s this year is having a penchant for horrible games. I know that it was cold, but the inconsistent play and lack of basic passing fundamentals is (for me anyway) becoming mind boggling. Who is the Qb coach??? Whether you love him or you hate him the truth is he is supposed to be a lot further in his progression as a quarterback then he is. I can name a couple of QBs that are younger and/or have less snaps at the position but are further along than Vick in Palmer & Eli(even though Eli has looked shaky in his last 3games). People want to find excuses like the wide receivers or the O-Line, who I’ll admit aren’t the best, but didn’t Schaub put up 300 yards with the same group of receivers and at this point in the season shouldn’t these receivers be getting better instead of getting worse? Isn’t this the same O-line responsible for the “#1 Running game” in the league? As bad as the O-line may be they can’t get all the blame. Did you know that David Carr for the Houston Texans who’s had the worst O-Line in the league for the last 4 years now still passed for more yards in his rookie season (when he broke the record for being sacked the most times in a season) than Vick passed in his best passing season, when he almost broke 3,000 yards? Read that again and let it sink in. You want to blame the O- line but looked at last nights game. If you know that the QB is struggling throwing the ball just put eight in the box, rush seven, let your fastest Lb Spy Vick and dare him to pass. The line didn’t have a chance because there wasn’t a threat in the passing game and the Falcons became one dimensional. If Vick’s passing were a little more respectful they couldn’t do that thus making the O-line’s job a lot easier in blocking 4 or 5 instead of 6 or 7. I’m glad we have Vick as our quarterback. He is a marvel of an athlete and the sole reason the falcons have become relevant not just to the nation, but locally as well, remember all the games being blacked out?? However, last nights game was the first in which I wondered should the Falcons try Schaub to see if he can do something against that defense. If Vick’s play is ever going to match his hype lets hope it happens sooner than later Falcon fans.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

e.b., you are an idiot. You obviously know nothing about football. Vick sucks, along with Duckett. Even if no one rushed Vick, he couldn’t hit the side of a barn with his passes. Very few of his passes are on the mark. By the way, how long has Carson Palmer been in the league? What is his record this year? Vick is not a QB. Put him @ WR where he belongs. Duckett is scared to death. He has tip toe’d through the tulips the whole time he’s been here. He wanted no part of Urlacher. Warrick, Alge and Pat K are the only players on this team right now. By thw way, Hall sucks too.

By Other Mark

December 19, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

Mark w -

yes, I watched the game and that was not a catch. The rule says a receiver must make an “athletic move” after catching the ball -and putting two feet on the ground ain’t it! Quit listening to the so-called experts and make up your own mind based on the actual rule, not what someone tells you to think.

Even Buck Belue this afternoon covered the rule again to make sure everyone understands it was not a catch and the ground didn’t cause anything.

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe the talk of getting rid of Vick and “the Falcons will never get to the Super Bowl with Vick!!!! Shut your mouth and open your eyes!!! Vick can not do it by himself!!!!! When the Falcons win, it is “because of that superstar Vick.” Up until last night, out losses were due to that “defense.” Today it is “dump Vick”, he can’t win the big ones!!!

HELLO!!!!! Football is a TEAM sport. The term “on any given Sunday” comes from the fact that although teams and QBs like the Colts can have a bad day AND some teams pull together and have the best game of the season when least expected and can beat the best there is!!!

The Falcons are a good team….it is great coaching and motivation that creates winners….watching yesterday’s game, it is obvious the Falcons have neither one of those necessities right now. Too much emphasis on Vick and not enough on the rest of the players!!! It was said above, Vick is selling tickets and making the NFL big bucks, that is good for busin ess and bad for Vick’s development. How many times have I read that “Vick doesn’t have to practice.” Well let me tell you, it shows.

In a prior blog, I mentioned the career of Fran Tarkenton….a scrambler that could pass….hey Mora, Blank read Fran’s story and look at his stats……Exciting, elusive scrambler, Rushed for 3,674 yards, 32 TDs,.Led Vikings to three Super Bowls, Two-time All-NFL, Pro Bowl selection nine times. Fran was traded after six seasons from the Vikings to the NYG and then back to the Vikings. At retirement led lifetime passers in attempts (6,467), completions (3,686), yards (47,003), touchdowns (342.) Vick has the potetial to be even better and COULD lead the Falcons to a Super Bowl WIN, but it takes a WHOLE TEAM , not just a great QB…ask Dan Marino. Are you there Mr. Blank?????????????

By Robert

December 19, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

I wonder if last year when the Flacons where on their way to the NFC Championship game, was Arthur Blank supposed to trade Vick for a number one pick? or is only this year? what about if they beat Tampa and get into the playoffs? does he trade him then? Should Shaub (a good QB and by all accounts good guy) take over the starting line up then?

Right its only when the Falcons are having a bad stretch (we were in the NFC Championship game last year, we are not that bad) That Vick needs to go, when he’s killing defenses, we all then love Vick. You know what we Falcons fans sound like? Philly Fans and how they turned on McNabb. Do we really what to be Philly fans?

By David

December 19, 2005 05:12 PM | Link to this

chill,

You should chill, did you just say you’d rather have David Carr’s passing numbers? he’s won 3 games this season. Hello Vick won that much last season in 4 games when he cam back from injury. Its hard to post here and not fall into a Vick-Hater or Vick-Supporter. We lose because of him and win because of him it appears

By lawton

December 19, 2005 05:16 PM | Link to this

let me clear up a couple of things. first, any comments i make that seem racist, well,they are, if YOU are being a racist when u comment about vick. if it doesnt apply to you, dont sweat it. second, im a falcons fan and i was upset about the interception call, but,WAIT A MINUTE, afte being disgusted along with the rest of falcon nation for a few minutes after the play wasnt overturned, one of the announcers made a good observation, THE BALL NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND,thus, it was a interception any. the refs made the right call FOR THE WRONG REASON.

By lawton

December 19, 2005 05:16 PM | Link to this

let me clear up a couple of things. first, any comments i make that seem racist, well,they are, if YOU are being a racist when u comment about vick. if it doesnt apply to you, dont sweat it. second, im a falcons fan and i was upset about the interception call, but,WAIT A MINUTE, afte being disgusted along with the rest of falcon nation for a few minutes after the play wasnt overturned, one of the announcers made a good observation, THE BALL NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND,thus, it was a interception anyway. the refs made the right call FOR THE WRONG REASON.

By Foss

December 19, 2005 05:27 PM | Link to this

View from a Chicago fan…Your guys did some good things, but, the speed of our LBs was never matched. Your Offense only seemed to have rhythm on the finesse runs by Dunn. Vick’s rolled into trouble a couple times…too predictable. His mechanics were poor, falling back off of throw. The Pick he threw to Green was brutal, Green is our worst safety, and was badly out of position. Anything but an underthrow was 6 for you guys.

IMO, if you look again at the replay of the contested Vasher pick…your guy only got one foot down when he got creamed to the ground…yes, the ball came out when he hit the ground, but, according to the rules covering that situation, had the ball hit the ground instead of being picked, it would have been ruled incomplete, due to “no football move”…instead, the Bear DB caught it…so…not a ground forced fumble, but a live ball INT. In either case, your offense was outplayed by our inept offense slightly, but your D just couldn’t match ours in intensity.

Small consolation, but your DBs especially DeAngelo, did a pretty good job. Commit to a running game with Dunn more consistantly, and you guys will be okay against most other Defenses in the league.

By Edgar

December 19, 2005 05:28 PM | Link to this

To all the critics,

Are you guys from around here?? You guys complain about the QB, the Coach, the GM, the DB, the weather, the cheerleaders. All complain, and all just want to trade everyone. You guys must have just gotten to Atlanta, but if you go back not even 8 years this team was the Atlanta Hawks of the NFL, they sucked and always did. We had trouble filling half the dome, blackouts for the games were the norm, the term franchise QB was not used, no one ever said “Hey, those Falcons can make the Playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl” at the start of the season, heck we have never, ever had winning back to back seasons. I say Mr. Blank keep doing what you are doing, I’m not saying everything is perfect, keep improving (Knapp needs to be fired) but don’t over react like us Fans, a lot of us are thrilled with the results, we actually remember the Pre-Blank and Pre-Vick days. Where we lived in a season long blackout here in Atlanta.

By Punk Mora Jr.

December 19, 2005 05:31 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if anybody has mentioned this or not because there are a ton of messages on this thread today.

But does anybody believe that Schaub could not have come in and done as well as Grossman did? 3 years in the NFL and has played hardly any and yet played better than Vick. Lovie had the courage to put Grossman in but Punk Mora Jr didn’t have the same courage.

Why is it Atlanta will not give Schuab the reps. It is almost like they don’t want him to outshine (lol, like that would take a whole hell of a lot) Vick.

By Caleb

December 19, 2005 05:40 PM | Link to this

I’m a little sick and tired of fair weather fans. After reading a bunch of these comments I realize that probably the reason the Falcons are struggling right now is because we obviously have the crappiest, most critical fans ever. Seriously people, how can you call yourself a fan of a team when all you do is put them down. Bottom line: the Falcons would not be where they are without Michael Vick. Anyone who disagrees clearly knows too much about making ridiculous comments than football. He wins games-end of story!!!! And just because a team is struggling and doesn’t seem to have all the tools needed to win a super bowl doesn’t mean you write them off and insult everything about the organization. That is not going to make it any better. Its not like anyone in the organization cares about what drunk idiots shooting their mouths off say anyway. I think we should recognize problems and support the team that is doing everything they possibly can to fix them. Its not like any of us inexperienced fans could do any better. Why don’t we leave the football playing and operations to the PROFESSIONAL football player and coaches. Another thing, we are acting like 8-6 is the worst record in the NFL. We act like we are the Houston Texans or something. Really, come on!!! It could be so much worse. We could already be eliminated from playoff contention!! Does anybody wanna go back to the “glory days” when the falcons could barely muster 5 wins? I know I don’t. Lets just be greatful we have a team we can actually support in the December. Instead of just sitting around waiting for April when we get to witness another year of domination before yet more disappointment from an entirely different team playing an entirely different sport. But that’s a totally different story for a totally different blog!!! So stop hatin’ and start appreciatin’. After all, you could have grown up in Arizona!!!

By chill

December 19, 2005 05:45 PM | Link to this

David: did I just say that I want David Carr’s passing numbers?Ummmm…. no. What I said was that even a bad Qb in his rookie year with an O-line even worse than ours still managed to put up better passing numbers than Vick. Just detailing that as bad as our line may be that it is still possible to complete more than 9 passes a game. Do you agree??

By DawgFalcon

December 19, 2005 05:49 PM | Link to this

When is Blank gonna learn?

Hire Mark Richt as head coach and throw in Herschel as RB coach. Only then will the birds be any good.

Yeah C’mon DawgFalcon

By Robert

December 19, 2005 05:56 PM | Link to this

Caleb, I’m in total agreement. One thing is to criticize. Like say Vick sucked last night but it happens, Peyton sucked yesterday too and Knapp needs to stop telegraphing the play calling. Another thing is to say Vick is a illiterate black QB that should be traded for some field turf. People come on here and instead of supporting and trying to discuss what the team needs to do, they come here with ignorant/racist/unproductive posts. All the people that post that type of bile be it towards Vick, Brookings, DHall or whom ever, if they saw them on the street they would never have the balls to say the type of stuff they write here from the comfort of their homes. The team has major faults, but it sure isn’t because one player is black or white, its because last night the Bears beat the Falcons up on both sides of the ball, and the falcons did not answer. The team played bad, Vick on down now they have to get ready for Tampa. Changes will be made in the off-season, but that is a given, the season is not over we have 2 divisional games still. I’m happy to see that thought the majority of the game the Falcons didn’t let the Bears totally control them with the running game. I hope they build on that for the Tampa game

By Florida Bear

December 19, 2005 05:59 PM | Link to this

A Bear fan point of view.

I have seen Vick do things on the football field that I don’t think any other human can do. But last night? He quit. Midway thru the 2nd 1/4 he just quit.

By Dan in Augusta

December 19, 2005 06:00 PM | Link to this

Caleb,

Many of theses fans are the same that complain about the Braves not winning the World Series every year. They need to stop whining and try to enjoy the GAME even though it has turned into a big business. The basics are still there, a battle to see who wins…..just like the gladiators of old!! The fun of going to baseball and hockry games has been forever tarnished by the greed of “big business.” Basketball and Football are headed down the same path. No “team” play, just greed and “I am the “TEAM.” Win at any cost….

By David

December 19, 2005 06:15 PM | Link to this

Chill, Yeah Vick was bad last night, But even then you cant compare Carr to Vick, I don’t care how many passing yards Carr throws for. Besides Houston as an expansion team may have better individual players at more positions than the Falcons. We are a better team though.

By Chicago Mark-

December 19, 2005 06:24 PM | Link to this

Human Hightlight Reel?

Being here in the freezer (and damn it is cold!) I can see a cold, beaten, man when I see one. I saw it in Vick’s eyes. He wanted to be somewhere way far from where he was.

I don’t question Vick’s abilities more than I question his heart. This was a must win for both teams and the Bears simply wanted it more. The result would have been the same whereever they played.

For the record, as far as I know the only Human Highlight Reel in Atlanta was named Dominique.

By David

December 19, 2005 06:32 PM | Link to this

This is what happens when you get rid of a great coach and settle for a wannabe!

Have fun watching the playoffs.

By tom (chicago

December 19, 2005 06:37 PM | Link to this

Coming from a bears fan, The bears Defense has made many teams look bad this year. Not just Atlanta, but Carolina, Tampa, Green Bay, Minn, Detroit Twice, and knowck Ramsey out of the Wash game.
Everyone of those teams said they played bad. They weren’t a good team. But the truth is the Bears have a Super Bowl Quality D that out muscles other teams. If our Offense could score 3 tds without the help of the D, we will be in the Super Bowl. P.s. Farve had the same look on his face as Vick after he was done with the Bears D.

By Florida Bear

December 19, 2005 06:37 PM | Link to this

Believe me we know about dumd coaching moves. We fired Ditka for Dave (can’t win anywhere) Wanstadt. AHHH!

By Don

December 19, 2005 06:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd, It’s amazing how anaridiculous your comments are. This statement is just as personal as yours about Vick. One idiot begats another idiot. Sure, Vick gets bashed when they lose but the majority of you are somewhere getting toasted after they win. Yes, Atlanta is undersized but has made great strides within the last two years. Remember the losing seasons. Let’s be mature fans who support their team when they win or lose. Sure, the bears were better on a cold night in Chicago. But there will be other days. Remember, winners begat winning.

By Al Pittman

December 19, 2005 06:57 PM | Link to this

Just a correction, Rex Grossman is not a southern boy, born in Bloomington Indiana, played high school ball at Bloomington North, was “Mr. Football” in Indiana, played college at Florida, all the men in his family played at Indiana Univ., not known as a football power, I live in Indiana, been a Bear fan for decades, with Grossman back, the Bears will be a force to deal with. Bear down Chicago Bears!

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 07:01 PM | Link to this

t-towndawg, next time try and leave a thoughtful and convincing post, one which doesn’t remind us of the stupid humans that exist amongst us. AMEN…you dear lost soul.

By e.b.

December 19, 2005 07:07 PM | Link to this

That’s right Chicago mark, a human highlight reel, and enjoy your success now, if I remember correctly, The Bears have been pretty bad except for a fluke year by Jim Miller a couple of years back. Your team has no offense, and that will not get them far in the playoffs. Superior defense -yes, but where was that trap of yours last week when you got run over by the Steelers?

By robert

December 19, 2005 07:13 PM | Link to this

When that idiot Blank fired a proven winner lke Dan Reeves, he set this organization back 10 years. Dan Reeves left the cubbard full for Mora and look what he’s done with it. Jim Mora is a shell of his father and thinks screaming like a kid will get results. How embarassing for the Falcon organization to get penialized 15 yeards because he can’t control himself. Say good riddance to Blank and Mora and this longtime Falcon fan will return!!

By JockEwing

December 19, 2005 07:26 PM | Link to this

Should’ve kept Dan Reeves. I keep saying it over and over because this team is slowing starting to cirle the drain.

Next year I predict we will finally “tank”. Mora needs to start wearing a skirt and a tank top like the cheerleaders. Head Coach, MY A*!!! The man has no class and he acts like a school boy and he it too old and she be more responsible.

Arthur Blank made a huge mistake and it is going to take another 3-5 years to retool this thing once again because this new crew is screwing us big time.

If Vick was in his fifth year under the Reeves system (which he was much better at) we possibly would have made the Super Bowl last year and would be making another run this year. Systems take time and Vick should not be regressing but getting better in his second year in the Mora/Knapp system. We all see that he is not.

Bottom line here folks, Blank pulled the trigger too fast on Reeves and he and all of us are going to pay for it for the next 2-3 years. Mark my words, you read it here first!!

By DIRRTYBIRD

December 19, 2005 07:32 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is 18-11 as a head coach with the Falcons and 8-6 this year. Let me remind everyone that the Falcons have a winning record. I’d swear that we were headed towards the #1 pick with the posts you guys are leaving on here. The Falcons are not Super Bowl Contenders this year. Everyone is upset, but you set your expectations a little high when you try to go from being the doormat of the NFL to Super Bowl Champs in two years. We need an offensive line that can pass protect. We need a new offensive Coordinator and we need our starting linebackers back so that we can stop the run. This isn’t our year. We have a lot to look forward to in the next 5 years. All of you so called “fans” amaze me with your sorry attitudes. You can’t win a Super Bowl in one year. We have a lot of young players on this team and it’s going to take time to develop them. We have some offseason moves to make, but until then we are not out of it yet. We can still make the playoffs. We lost to the #1 D in the NFL and looked bad doing it. Suck it up and move on. Sorry Fans.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 07:36 PM | Link to this

eb It doesn’t take much thought to see that you are an idiot and Vick, Duckett and DHall suck. The stupid humans among us are the ones who think Vick will ever be a decent quarterback. Of course, the “white” coaches suck too.

By Bwarren

December 19, 2005 07:53 PM | Link to this

Falcon fans listen up. The falcons have been more relevant and talked about in the 5 years that Vick has been in the league than all the prior years of falcons history combined. Why is this. Because he loses..no because he wins. Every year that Vick is here we at last have a chance at the playoffs and other teams give us consideration and notice. You could never have said that with Bartkowski, Chris Miller, Chris Chandler, Bobby Hebert, Jeff George or anybody else who played signal caller for the falcons. And besides that plenty of hyped up QBs that were recent top draft picks are no longer in the league, Cade Mcnown, Akilli Smith and others. If Vick were truly overhyped he would be gone already and considering the Falcons brilliant history of success, NOT, you Vick haters should be happy. What the heck are you complaining about. The falcons have sucked for YEARS. VICK is a winner. NFC champship game last year, playoff win in Greenbay of all places. You Vick haters act like the Falcons have won the last 10 superbowls and VICK came in a screwed up. Think of life before VICK, if you are having trouble doing that just keep repeating the names, Bartkowski, Chandler, Miller, George, Hebert and see how that feels. GO VICK!!!!

By David

December 19, 2005 07:58 PM | Link to this

Amen, Bwarren. People seem to think we have the Cowboys history of wining or something. No people the Falcons were the Arizona Cardinals not 5 years ago. SO GO FALCONS!! 2 game playoffs stating Saturday.

By Marc M

December 19, 2005 07:59 PM | Link to this

To Lawton: say bro where you lurn to rite? you be rantin and ravin about rasism. why you be so mad at da white man? you lurned to speak and rite and spell in dat ebonics s**t in da gubberment skool and sho nuff dat make you mad cause whitey sez dat da black cwarterbak is stoopid.

If you could eloquently post with correct grammar and punctuation, maybe SOMEONE would take you seriously. By the way, what triple digit score did YOU make on the SAT? Jeez, you try to help some people…

By Falcons Fan

December 19, 2005 08:01 PM | Link to this

I think the game is too big for Greg Knapp.

In big games, he never attacks the opponents first. We had plenty of chances to take control of that game in the first half, yet we not once threw downfield to make a touchdown reception or even get an all-important pass interference call.

He either is so pig-headed and out of touch with the players he coaches, or, in his arrogance, does not truly trust them to make plays unless Schaub is quarterbacking*.

When are we going to see the Falcons be the first team to attack downfield with Vick as quarterback?? We always wait until we are down double digits.

Knapp’s background does not give him any kind of true “connection” with the players he coaches. And I suspect that different cultural background also leads him into not trusting guys like Vick, Roddy and others to make plays until things are desperate.

Either that, or the game is simply too big or him and he’s afraid to seize the lead.

By FalconW810

December 19, 2005 08:05 PM | Link to this

Two problems, Vick and Knapp, I’m tired of Vick being silly enough to say he rewinds and watches, rewinds and watches etc. his great moves, this guy needs to be rewinding and watching his mistakes, so as not to make so many game after game. Knapp can’t surprise a guy with amnesia, if this WCO stuff is so difficult for Vick&co. to learn, then start using the stuff these other young QBs are mastering, or stop making excuses for Mr. Knapp. Problem is Mora will never let him go, or is Vick the problem? How many more batted down passes do we have to watch before we say there is a problem in this department? Drew Breese, same height without the same problems, what’s up? Oh and a lot slower. I like Vick, I just hope he rewinds the tape of his mistakes and becomes a student of the game and not some giddy wide eyed kid watching himself on tv going, “Did you see me do that?”.

By David

December 19, 2005 08:09 PM | Link to this

Yes Marc M we know your speech already. Bench Vick, he’s illiterate. Anything non-white is stupid. White Power. We know. White Power, We know how you feel. Thanks for dumbing down the discussion even more. Now can we get back to discussing the Falcons, and not. Marc M’s inferiority complex.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 08:14 PM | Link to this

FalconW810, I’ve liked Vick since VaTech, but he is not making any progress. He still makes the same mistakes he made 3 or 4 years ago. Bad mechanics, carrying the ball like a loaf of bread. I also hate the play calling.

By Marc M

December 19, 2005 08:17 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, a West Coast Offense? Vick should be running the “West END Offense”! (As in West End, ATLANTA, for the Lawtons and E.B.s out there.) I can hear the play calling now…”ok uknowwhatimsayin tyrone goto the manhole cover and turn left and willie goto the skreetlamp and uknow turn around and i’ll uknow hit you with the pass uknowwhatimsayin?”

Vick is too dumb to be successful in this league. Did anybody see his interview after the Detroit game? He looked like a complete IDIOT with the interviewer. Can anybody say 680 SAT?

By Mike

December 19, 2005 08:17 PM | Link to this

LOL the great black hope is the great black JOKE..

By David

December 19, 2005 08:21 PM | Link to this

I would like to see Ducket decide what he wants to be, a power back or a finesse runner. If he wants to be a finesse runner, cool, be that, ON ANOTHER TEAM, we have that already and a really good one in Dunn. So Knapp needs to stop using him and then just give it to the FB Griffin or better yet, give Dunn more touches, he’s yet to disappoint this since he’s been here in Atlanta. Vick needs to be confident on his throwing abilities and on the WR. When he plays with a bounce in his step he has put up respectable numbers, and he’s willing to go deep to the WRs and has confidence in them. Finneran is putting a really good year together and him and White are good complements in the passing game. I just don’t like Jenkins he seems to drop too many passes, but I think he’d be better as the # 3 and let Finneran be the #2. He comes up with big catches.

By Dee Sims

December 19, 2005 08:22 PM | Link to this

Well to put it bluntly the Falcons are a poorly coached, poorly prepared team besides being short on talent. Vick will never reach his potential playing for Greg Knapp, I understand him and Coach Mora have history together but he needs to be fired immediately!!!!! The Vick and Matt Schaub comparison is a moot point. Vick should have been pulled and Schaub put in, Vick was in effective and that might have put a spark in the team, he is a much better passer. No more excuses for Vick, he is a 5 year vet people and should being playing alot better but the offensive coordinator has to put the team in better situations and give the players a chance to make plays. One wideout and tightend in the pass route 90 percent of the time won’t beat a Recreation Team. Too predictable, Heck I can call better plays than that for alot less money. That team showed no Character and no willingness to win!! I am very frustrated and upset as a fan of the Falcons and pro Football. They should be ashamed, Mora his staff and the Falcons owe the Fans BIG TIME!! They’ll be sorry when the DOME stops selling out. Time for a change in the Staff, Mora is too soft and makes too many excuses!!!!

By David

December 19, 2005 08:33 PM | Link to this

If this board had been around 5 years ago before Mr, Blank and Vick you know what people would have said about the Falcons…..NOTHING. They had no relevance in Atlanta or anywhere else. This team Sucked, we were a joke, the Bengals were better than us……The Freaking Bengals. Yet now people have a winner and they want a Super Bowl every year, and if they don’t get that everyone should be fired and its the Blacks players fault Fault. The Team has issues all over the field still, regardless of the QB being White or Black. Brookings is a white guy who is our best LB (Pro Bowler) but is playing out of position because our Black MLB is out injured. Its not Vicks fault, or Brookings its just the game. And last night, the Bears played better than us. The team needs to improve on both sides, and every is to blame, Coaches, Vick, O-line, WR, D Line, LBs, and the Secondary. We got killed. And true the Great black hope (Vick) like some one joked had a bad game, but the great White hope (Peyton) sucked yesterday too.

By Jarhead Jim

December 19, 2005 08:33 PM | Link to this

Mark - Puerto Rico job makes it tough to catch any games… How many crossing routes do we run, 25, 50 75% of the time? Given that they’re always open and we’re not, I bet the % is about 0.

By Marc M

December 19, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this

Hey David, “White Power” never entered into the conversation or the thinking behind it. It has nothing to do with being white or black; it has to do with being ignorant and illiterate. My post earlier was directed at Lawton, who has no ability to communicate in an intelligent manner.

I don’t dislike Vick because he is black; I dislike Vick because he is being paid $13 million and can’t string together a coherent sentence, much less run a professional football offense. To be successful in the league at the QB position, it takes BRAINS as well as athleticism. Vick may be the nicest guy in the city (I have heard that he is extremely personable) but that doesn’t make him a successful team leader.

Everybody is so quick to claim “racism”…now THAT shows ignorance.

By BillyV

December 19, 2005 08:41 PM | Link to this

Marc M, Nothing wrong with Public schools mine got me to Georgia Tech.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 09:22 PM | Link to this

Marc M, you make more sense than anyone on the blog. Why does every negative comment have to be seen as racism. It is not about race, but performance. I happen to think Mike Vick is a terrible NFL QB, but not because he is black. At the same time I think Warrick Dunn is one of the best backs in the NFL, but not because he is black. Look at his numbers year in and year out, not to mention that he is the most humble and giving person in sports. In sports, colr means nothing, only results. By the way, trade Vick and draft Shock.

By s. Lorenz

December 19, 2005 09:26 PM | Link to this

In my opinion; The Falcons with Vick as their quarterback will never, ever be anything but competitive-overachievers. I watched Mr. Vick tear up the big east [ I live in syracuse] much as I watched D. McNabb do the same thing before him. Both of these men did very well in college where their games. Then they were drafted.

Their scrambling abilities did not translate into sustained winning seasons [McNabb is more complete as a quarterback and bigger to. He also has done his best to learn and grow]]. Pro defences are capable dealing with fast, athletic, option type quarterbacks. Did you see B. Urlacher run donw the speadster last night? No one is afraid of Vick anymore.

The Falcons are mediocre , because they accomodate Vick. By developing their team’s strategy to showcase Vuck they are dooming themselves to occupying the middlin level of the sport - with an occasional sojourn to a pretty good season [only when all the stars are perfectly aligned, that is], forever.

The Falcons will need to come to grips with all of this. They should trade Vick ASAP, and start to build a real TEAM before Vick loses the HALO the media has hung over his head and his marketability with it! Or, learn to love Vick and what he brings on game day and shut up!

Sal Lorenzini Ayracuse, New York

By Marc M

December 19, 2005 09:28 PM | Link to this

To Billy V:

So what? The “diversity push” lets even people like you get into institutions like GT even though there are those who are MUCH more deserving. Thank goodness for quotas!

(And I am not referring to RACIAL quotas…I am referring to socio-economic quotas. To come from a rich or successful family or to have gone to an “elite” private school is now frowned upon by college recruiters.)

By the way, great punctuation and grammar in your post. “Mine Public school” obviously strongly prepared you for the rigorous curriculum you experienced at GT. Congratulations on your wonderful education!

By BillyV

December 19, 2005 09:34 PM | Link to this

Marc M, If you are going to quote me, then quote me right. I wrote: “Marc M, Nothing wrong with Public schools mine got me to Georgia Tech.” not “Mine Public school” I missed the punctuation between schools and mine. And yeah I’m very happy with my education, thanks for caring.

By hitter44

December 19, 2005 09:41 PM | Link to this

falcons are having a disapointing season as everyone knows. vick is the main reason because he cannot pass the ball, throws to many interceptions, runs the ball way to much and he is not to great at it any more. we would be better of with schwab at quaterback. i dont think he would throw as many interceptions! Falcons stinks

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 09:59 PM | Link to this

Racism will always exist as long as blacks use the race card as their ace in the hole. Why can’t we talk sports and leave the race thing alone?

By David

December 19, 2005 09:59 PM | Link to this

I forgot the Number One rule for being on the AJC blog. Never respond to any racist comment, because when you do you only encourage more people to put their two cents in about how they are not really racist, yet all you have to do is read their previous posts.

I just hope the Falcons get it together for Tampa. This is how it should be to get in the playoffs you have to beat the people in your division, its going to be two great weekends of Football.

By For Real

December 19, 2005 10:10 PM | Link to this

The facts are out and this coaching staff has loss control of this team. Vick is a good QB, who makes great plays. But, he is not in a scheme that matches his talents and the staff doesn’t create good gameplans and stubbornly sticks to them when they aren’t working. I can bet you Lovie Smith and a few other coachs A. Blank shafted for good ole boy wonder Mora, would be winning with Vick. The play calling sucks, always puts Vick in predictable passing situations and the Defense tees off. Number 61 was horrible and the rest of the line was suspect as well. Things have come a apart, the rah rah stuff has played out. Mora is in denial, this crew he has assembled is soft as hell. Not sure what has happened but this is not the team from last year. Where the hell is the creativity on both sides of the ball. Ultra conservative last night and that set things up to fall the way they fell. Come on, challenge the other defense, way too much respect. Blame Vick but its hard as hell to complete passes with 2 rec on underneath routes and the entire defense sitting on top of things. Not to mention that defense was laying wood, while ours can barely make solo tackles on thier own. Everyone was to blame, really need to lay off Vick somewhat, though they do baby the hell out of him. If he is not 100%, put Schaub in, hell the bottom line is winning and nothing like competition to feul competetive fire! Disapointed like hell, can’t believe how this team has responded to what appeared to be a golden opportunity to make a championship run. Really we are becoming 49ers east coast as I feared from the beginning. We hired a bunch of loser coaches and this is what we are going to get.

By BillyV

December 19, 2005 10:12 PM | Link to this

towndawg, you haven’t said anything racist you just said you think Vick is not a good QB, and you are entitled to that opinion, and thus should be benched. But then you go giving props to Marc M who if you read what he has written, has been nothing but racist. Read what he and others have written and see why people bring up the word racism. Its ok to say Vick sucks, but to say Vick sucks because he is stupid and gangsta (black) is a whole different story or to ridicule street slang and public education, that’s racist because it was said with the understanding the person its meant for is black. Whether the person that writes it admits it or not.

By David

December 19, 2005 10:18 PM | Link to this

Now that hurts I hope we don’t become the 49ers of the east, we are 8-6. Come on Lets keep perspective. But we may be moving that way since we have their coaching staff and what appears to be every player from their secondary that played under Mora. You have to give it to him Mora is one loyal guy. LOL But even with all that happened yesterday a win in Tampa, and Oh what a Nice Holiday it will be!

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 10:19 PM | Link to this

For Real, you are right. The whole organization has gone downhill in one year. Vick gets all the blame because the media made him out to be the best thing that ever happened to the NFL. As I posted earlier, he has not progressed this year, and I do not think that he is a NFL QB, but the lost season is not totally his fault. The defense cannot tackle. the o-line cannot pass protect and Duckett is a joke. Warrick, Alge and Pat K are the few true stars of this team.

By DbleD23

December 19, 2005 10:25 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are too flooded with white players in the important roles. DE, WR, LB, S. This has been their formula since ‘66 and they have yet to win in back to back seasons. Lets get a team with blacks in every position that requires speed (cut the Brookings and Kerneys, they suck anyway) and lets win a Super Bowl. You whites have seen your kind play here since ‘66 and stink it up, we need more rapper types playing the game…… ..nah just kidding, thats what you guys sound like with the racism though. its OBVIOUS people don’t like Vick b/c he’s black but even that doesn’t cove the fact that THIS TEAM SUCKS! When Vick has a bad game, NOT ONE PLAYER can help him and thats a shame………… Knapp sux and Mora is just a loser like his daddy. The 5th place schedule wasn’t around to help him this year…….

By Tony

December 19, 2005 10:30 PM | Link to this

I tell you what the best thing that could happen is take the Atlanta Falcons and ship them to another state! No not because they just lost to Chicago but because you stuipid Southeners don’t deserve a football team I mean just listen to yourselves Trade Mike Vick, Fire Jim Mora, Start Matt Schaub, I mean you people are very very dumb and I feel very very sorry for all of you. I know what why don’t we ship the team to San Antonio and let’s see how many people call for Schaub’s number.

By David

December 19, 2005 10:31 PM | Link to this

I think we all disagree on Vick, but I think we can all come together in saying that Ducket is horrible. No more using the nickname “The Hammer” for him please! He runs like thinks he’s a scat-back.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 10:32 PM | Link to this

Billy V, I was referring to his post @ 8:34 pm, where he says that “Everyone is so quick to claim racism…that shows ignorance”.

By DbleD23

December 19, 2005 10:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Tony, its georgia, what more do you expect from theese hicks? They woould rather lose with the white guy than win with the black guy. Its the truth around here, why do you think they think Brooking is good? Or Finneran?

By David

December 19, 2005 10:41 PM | Link to this

Any positives from the game last night? I thought the run defense, coming into the game I think we all figured the Bears were going to do us like Gado did a few weeks back. But I was surprised at how the Run Defense did. Which is huge since after seeing how NE beat Tampa (Stop Cadillac, take your chances with Simms) it might be a bright spot for this weekend. Its not like the Falcons are out of it. Anything but, we play the teams that are ahead of us the last 2 games.

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 10:41 PM | Link to this

DbleD23, has the black guy won lately? Oh yeah, he beat the sorry A!! Saints.

By A Thinking Fan

December 19, 2005 10:44 PM | Link to this

It all STARTS WITH THE GM and HIS TRADES, DRAFT PICKS, and TEAM BUILDING PHILOSOPHY!!!

NO LINES NO TIME! No time for the QB and too much time on the field for the D-Line…

By t-towndawg

December 19, 2005 10:46 PM | Link to this

David, the D as a whole played a good game. Only a couple of big plays and the pass int. against DeAngelo ” I’m the Greatest” Hall. Tampas O is a little better than the Bears, but there is a little hope. It will take two miracles to get in the playoffs now.

By Robert

December 19, 2005 10:47 PM | Link to this

DbleD23, Its not a black and white thing. Brookings is a great LB, there’s a reason he goes to the Pro Bowl all the time. This year he’s playing out of position again since Hartwell fell to injury. And its not Finnerans fault his white, regardless he’s our 2nd best WR, the coaches just think they should put the 2 fastest WR out there when Vick has no time to let a Long route develop, that’s why I think Fin as the # 2 is better, plus he actually catches the ball unlike Jenkins. Oh its useless this will just continue to center around race instead of football. I’m out!!

By David

December 19, 2005 10:55 PM | Link to this

Towndawg, you are right Tampa’s offense is a little better than the Bears, but we are also much better than what we showed last night. And besides as a longtime Falcons fan I know very well, hope is all there is really. But things have been changing these past years, team needs to improve though from last night— A LOT. But since everyone always say football comes down to blocking and tackling, last nights run defense gave me hope, since Cadillac killed us last night, and Thomas had been killing people with Orton at QB. So you never know weirder stuff has happened like the Falcons making the Super Bowl in 98.

By William Kitchens

December 19, 2005 10:56 PM | Link to this

David… I need no lectures about marketing. And… What about the game… you just said yourself two great weekends of football. Or do just watch for the commercials?

Winning isn’t everything… It’s the only thing. Vince Lombardi.

Let me say this again… I was a Falcon fan before Vick was born. Before Mora Jr., Knapp, Donatell, and even Blank and most of the franchise made a living with the Falcons.

The team belongs to the fans in spirit. And when the team is failing to meet expectations from a promise to excel (remember Mora telling Blank giving him the game ball to build a bigger case?) the fans have every right to critize the team, any player, the coach and owner.

Because the fans, even the angry ones are still gonna be here pulling for this franchise after they have moved on and switched loyalities.

If anyone is on a bandwagon it is not the fans as much as the players themselves. because when the money goes… they go to the money.

Fans have no obligation to remain loyal to Vick when he doesn’t do his job. It is to the honor of the team they remain loyal to! And right now, the fans are being laughed at because of Vick, the over hype and the poor coaching.

Getting upset is our right and duty…

Anyone here who thinks the Falcons are playing at the level they should be, should be ashamed.

It is and should be our desire to be the best… not average!

It with that attitude of mediocrity that coaches and players find themselves updating their resume.

By DbleD23

December 19, 2005 10:57 PM | Link to this

Robert, it is about black and white with these folks.

t-towndawg, Schaub hasn’t beat ANYONE! Ever…..

By kent

December 19, 2005 10:58 PM | Link to this

after watching the way the falcons played the last six games, there are a fews things that have become painfully obvious to me: 1) greg knap is not a very good offensive coordinator. his penchant of calling passing plays to the right side hurts the falcons passing game big time. 2) mike vick is not a good passing qb, matter of fact, he is not even a very good running qb as of late. maybe all those hits that he took finally are getting to him. that bring up number 3. 3) if vick cannot not pass, and by now evry body knows he can’t(why else do defenses stacked the line with 7 or 8 men to try to stop the run if they have respect for the pass?), and now he cannot run…what good is he? 4) contrary to what other think about the falcons wide out, they are good when the ball is throw in their direction and not at the moon. remember the new england game? the receivers were pretty good because the balls were all catchable. 5) that’s said, vick needs to keep the ball down a bit. every times the receivers catch the ball, they have to go way up to get them, that exposed their bodies for dbs and safeties.

By David

December 19, 2005 11:05 PM | Link to this

William Kitchens, No I’m with you Fans should be angry about the performance last night and expect results. But they shouldn’t say stuff like “trade Vick” because that’s not going to happen. Bench him, call him a crappy passer, sure. But to call to trade him when he’s in his 4th year and being who he is for the franchise is just dumb, in my opinion. And yeah I went a little business crazy on that post just trying to make the point that you cant trade Vick, bench him for a game, maybe, trade him no way. The Franchise in 2005 would never recover. And like you said the reason all fans watch is for the game, and the commercials only during the Super Bowl.

By kent

December 19, 2005 11:06 PM | Link to this

after watching the way the falcons played the last six games, there are a fews things that have become painfully obvious to me: 1) greg knap is not a very good offensive coordinator. his penchant of calling passing plays to the right side hurts the falcons passing game big time. 2) mike vick is not a good passing qb, matter of fact, he is not even a very good running qb as of late. maybe all those hits that he took finally are getting to him. that bring up number 3. 3) if vick cannot not pass, and by now evry body knows he can’t(why else do defenses stacked the line with 7 or 8 men to try to stop the run if they have respect for the pass?), and now he cannot run…what good is he? 4) contrary to what other think about the falcons wide out, they are good when the ball is throw in their direction and not at the moon. remember the new england game? the receivers were pretty good because the balls were all catchable. 5) that’s said, vick needs to keep the ball down a bit. every times the receivers catch the ball, they have to go way up to get them, that exposed their bodies for dbs and safeties. 6) our defensive line need more beef. so is our offense line. the falcons need to look forward to the future now. let schuab play, he surely cannot be any worser than vick. and maybe, who know, we may have another tom brady or even a bret favre waiting for a chance to play. it’s time for the falcon front office to admit that ” the micheal vick experience” was not working out well. like coach mora like to say: it is what it is. time to trade vick when he ‘s still comand value before the rest of the nfl realized that vick cannot pass. stop the run and the falcon is done.

By Edgar

December 19, 2005 11:13 PM | Link to this

“stop the run and the falcon is done.” Yeah that goes for any team, have you not seen the Cardinals rushing stats? Or the Rams when Martz refused to run the ball and how Bulger got killed each time he dropped back to pass and now is on the bench injured.

By kent

December 19, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this

yes eb, i do remember the days of chris chandler, especially the days of the super bowl season. as i recall, the falcon had a very good running game, an ok defense and a qb who cannot run to save his life but he can throw some. i also remember another” human highlite reels”: dominique wilkins of the atlanta hawk. the hawk went to the play off a few times when he was playing but let’s not forget 2 things: mose malone was playing for the hawk at that time too, and even that didn’t bring the hawk to the final. let get away from the hype and see things the ways they really are. how many more receivers will be blame for micheal vick’s failure as a quarter back???

By Willie

December 19, 2005 11:39 PM | Link to this

Will you HATERS just shutup! Do me a favor and post for your loser team boards! The Packers or Cowboys or whatever. Stop cluttering up Falcons fan boards with your non-sense! Just watch, AJC will stop allowing you idiots to post after an article because of your DUMB>>> comments!

By For Real

December 19, 2005 11:41 PM | Link to this

Vick is still the best thing to ever happen to Falcon Football and has brought interest to the Falcons that has never been there. With that said, he still has to step up his game and execute better. However, I still think that the soft coaching is not going to help him progress nor keep him hungry. Really, being honest the Falcons will not win their last two games if they come in with the same approach. This offense sucks, and is not suited for Mike Vick. Its a dink and dunk offense, that in itself calls for touch passes that Vick has trouble executing. The guy will get better, but the time to develope is during the preseason and we see how he has been handled. Incoporate the deep ball, reverses, screens, 4 rec sets things that he has shown that he can be successful with. We are not good enough anymore to dictate what we want to do we have to counter those defensive approachs and it is not being done. Coaching, or lack there of. Blaming the refs or making freaking excuses is all this guy Mora has done all year. Folks, stop the racial crap, good players bad players of all colors. Vick just has to play his game, unfortunately he has taken too many whacks this year and can’t run effectively anymore. His passing game hasn’t developed, hell how many recieving corps has he had in the last two years. Finn and Crump are his most reliable but they are trying to force Jenkins in the role that Finn has played better. Just bad coaching decisions, and Webster still sucks.

By Falcons Fan

December 19, 2005 11:44 PM | Link to this

Rob D is right. We need pass blocker who can handle their men 1-on-1 and not these light rejects.

The joke’s not funny any more, Rich McKay. Our former starter, Garza, is cut, goes to Chicago and barely makes the team as a backup. Lehr is cut twice last year (Rams and Cowboys) then comes here and start.

What’s wrong with this picture???

What’s wrong is, for all the money this team has spent on fabulous facilities, it goes for naught if you go cheap on pass blockers. Vick cannot outrun the best defenses by himself. We have 1 maybe 2 guys up front who don’t need constant double team help — Forney and sometimes Shaffer.

The joke’s on us, Falcons, for thinking we can compete ignoring Oline quality.

Weiner must go. McClure must go. Leher is a joke.

Read all the blog posts, if you’re out there McKay. No one is fooled by this “strategy” any more — including the opponents.

GET VICK SOME HELP UP FRONT!

By cjc

December 20, 2005 12:06 AM | Link to this

Hey Falcon fans your team will be sitting home this postseason watching the playoffs!!! You guys thought you were Superbowl material what a a joke!!!!! At least the lonely Saints had a natural catastrophe to deal with & what are the dirty birds excuse this time??

By LT

December 20, 2005 12:48 AM | Link to this

I respectfully agree, this is not a very good team, and we are destined to be bad for at least two more seasons if this team keeps Brooking, Kerney, Brady Smith, Webster, and Finn. This is reality Y’all. These are overpriced situational players, they are not everydown players and you wonder why we can’t win the close ones…. New England Three minutes remaining we have the lead…Tampa Bay Two minutes remaining with the lead and lose both games….Visions of Doug Johnson’s Fate is this why everyone wants Vicks head. This kid in more games have put this team in position to Win yet we end up losing…He does not play Cornerback….Defensive End….are even MiddleLinebacker.. Where are these players the so called Team Leaders… I have defended the O-line all year until last night HORRIBLE….. MISERABLE…..1.5 seconds is not enough time to operate and offense effectively……T.O. may be a LoudMouth/Me Person but he did tell the true about Knapp’s playcalling, Flipper can do a better Job than this guy.

By Steve Lukaszewski

December 20, 2005 12:52 AM | Link to this

Dear Readers,

There is not doubt in my mind the Falcons lost that game to the cold weather. You could see it in their demeanor. They wanted no part of any physical battle with the Bears as the game wore on. When I saw Mike Vick huddled up trying to keep warm, I knew they were not going to win. Also, why did he insist on wearing short sleeves?

It’s much too difficult for a warm weather dome team to play in cold weather. It’s much easier for a cold weather team to play in warm weather.

I am saying all this about weather and temperature because I do know a little something about…I live in Buffalo, NY. I’ve seen warm weather teams come into Buffalo in he middle of December and really struggle.

I still think Vick is the most exciting player in the game but unless he learns to get tougher…forget winning in the North in December. After all, the game was invented in the Great Lakes region…so any complaints about it is wasted. It’s a man’s game and playing in the cold is part of it. Domes are for basketball.

Steve L.

By Dan in Augusta

December 20, 2005 02:11 AM | Link to this

I was born and raised in Detroit. I played football on the heat and cold (Michigan weather.) Football is a cold weather sport. It was easier to play in the cold than the heat. The human body heats up when physically challenged. I played basketball in zero weather in my drive way. Snow and rain are the only problems to really affect football. Cold on the sidelines can get you down, but in the heat of battle, you don’t even feel it!! Just another sign of how spoiled these over paid “athletes” are. By the way, the domes were also created to keep out the heat……..Most of you arm chair coaches do not have a clue……

By GT BearFan

December 20, 2005 03:18 AM | Link to this

To all of you Falcon Fans:

Last year when the Birds went 11-5, they had a top notch defense. They could actually stop the run. Now, it seems that every third string running back could pick up a hundred yards. Has Michael Vick progress? The answer is no, he hasn’t. But he is still way better than a lot of quarterbacks out there. I would rather have Michael Vick than a Chad Pennington, Mark Brunell, Gus Ferrote, Jeff Garcia, Joey Harrington, etc. The list goes on for bad quarterbacks. As for the Chicago game, the Bears made many quarterbacks look silly. Keion Carpenter could had held on to the pick, and the Falcons would have still lost 3-6. Matt Schaub would have been Bear food too, probaly even worse. In the games where Vick passed good (Green Bay and Tampa Bay) the defense let the team down. In the game versus New England, the defense let them down. So many are quick to blame Vick when the team lose, yet so quick to claim the ” whole team effort” when the team wins. My friends, it is also a whole team effort when the team loses. How many miss tackles will Bryan Scott committ? How many times Keith Brooking going to tackle someone 10 yards from the line of scrimmage? Did anyone see how Urlacher stuff the hole? How come Brooking not doing that? Urlacher did miss Vick one time, and if that was Matt Schaub in the pocket, Urlacher would injured him. You would have to put in Vick anyway. The Bears just whipped the falcons. The only reason it seemed competitive because of the Bears quarterbacks. So lay off Vick, even though he is not great he still gets the job done. It is not fair to compare Vick to the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning because those two quarterbacks are lightyears ahead of everybody. It might take 3 years, but the Vick-led Falcons are going to win a Superbowl, when the “whole team” is actually better. One more thing I must touch on, Georgia Tech DOES NOT have racial quotas, anyone with an education there has EARNED it.

By jerry

December 20, 2005 06:32 AM | Link to this

Someone please agree with me when I say that both the offensive and defensive philosophy needs to be changed. The offensive playcalling is atrocious and so utterly predictable. We ran the same EXACT play twice during the Duckett run! I’m beginning to miss the Dan Reeves era where he actually played to Vick’s strengths (the cannon for the arm, bootlegs and roll outs). Vick would be so much further along in the passing game if he was not in the west coast offense. As for defense, all aggression seems to be completely lost. We run a defense that does not blitz (and cannot pressure the QB without Brady Smith) and that has the cornerbacks consistenly give up a 7 yard cushion. A 7 yard cushion on 3rd and 2! Opposing teams have just been running quick slants and picking up first downs (just like in Madden). By the way, has Jason Webster made a good play in recent memory? The best play he had on Sunday was when he cut off that recievers route in the end zone and got away with blatant pass interference. I understand we have a lot of rookies playing full time but this season has just been a tease followed by loads of frustration. This is basically the story of all Atlanta teams (except the Hawks… but hey who knows, I hope they get red hot). When will an Atlanta sports team finally get a player/players who will leave 120% out on the line for victory instead of griping and screaming at officials (ahem… Jim Mora) when it is clear they did not prepare ahead of time for a Rex Grossman appearance.

By Robert Sams

December 20, 2005 07:22 AM | Link to this

VICK FOR THE NUMBER 1 PICK—— BRING IN REGGIE BUSH! GET RID OF JIM MORA AND BRING BACK DAN REEVES!

By CAS

December 20, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

To all of you that are hating on Micheal Vick, I say where would we be without him? All of you that are calling for our second string quarterback to start, again what has he done when he has started? Do you really think our second string quarterback would have faired any better against the Bears last Sunday? He would have been a sitting duck waiting to get hammered just like Vick was. What we really need is a line that can block better and T.J.Duckett to run like he’s 260 lbs bruiser instead of like he’s 120 lbs. tailback. Vick may not be the most accurate passer there is but he gets the job done. What’s the difference between Vick throwing for 150 yards and running for 60 more for a total of 210 or him throwing for 210 yards? A quarterback must use everything in his arsenals - Peyton does his by throwing for 210 yard while Vick will do his with the combination. Back to Duckett, how many times this season have the Falcons needed 1 yard for a first and gave it to Duckett only to see him lose yardage. He runs soft..Hopefully, in the upcoming draft, the Falcons get a lineman that can protect Vick and a big back that’s not scared to run. One last thing, how soon are we to forget the horrible quarterback we had in the past. We Atlantans have very short memories. At least true Falcons fans who are real Falcons fans know how special Vick is to this team.

By David

December 20, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this

I believed the hype at the start of the season and expected the Falcons to be a contender for a divisional championship. I know they were not Super Bowl caliber yet, but could mature into one. I’m tired of the sportscasters saying how Vick is having trouble learning the new offense brought by Mora. How long does it take to learn? All other players are expected to learn their assignments and perform or be let go. Vick’s less than 50% completion, numerous fumbles and interceptions is not worth the enormous salary he gets. Matt Schaub has impressed me as an emerging QB that will be a great loss if the Falcons lose him. In summation, I guess I am like other fans and am at the point where Bold VICK MAKES ME SICK.

By mark

December 20, 2005 09:01 AM | Link to this

Sorry CAS but Payton throws for 350 a game with 3 or 4 TD’s. And so does Brady,and 20 other NFL QB’s. Vick is terrible. Atlanta is stuck with him. No one will take that contract with his pathetic numbers.

By Jim Feely

December 20, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this

In addition to your coment”the Falcons re just not that good”, add ths one;neither is Vick. Too short, not bright and can’t read defenses or see over his own linemen. trade Vick, go with Schab and get draft picks for linmen with size and speed.

By CAS

December 20, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

Mark, Both of the quarterbacks you compared Vick to are established quarterbacks that have an offensive line that support them. Where is Atlanta’s support on the offensive line? They cannot pass block (period)! Vick run around like a chicken with no direction because he has too..Put our second string quarterback back there and he would be murdered in the long run. Remember the Polish Rifle - Steve B . Again, how quick are we to forget what we had at quarterback before Vick got here. Vick has his faults but I will take him over what Detroit has, St. Louis has, Miami has, Texas has, Arizona,and many more. Oakland or The Jets would love to have Vick running their offense. Vick is still a yound quarterback trying to learn a new system. It took Steve Young 5 years to learn the system. The jury is still out on him regardless of what many of you feel. Put Vick up for trade bait and see how many takers there would be. Vick is still the most electrifying player in the NFL and you people should relish what you have..get rid of Vick, please, you must be kidding. Get rid of Duckette, please!

By kensue

December 20, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this

eb,

I apologize if I offended you. Someone blogged in as “eb’s biological father” and that is the person I was responding to.

By kensue

December 20, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this

eb, just so you’d know, this is the person I was responding to.

By eb’s biological father

December 19, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

All of you Vick apologists keep on drinking that cherry flavored Kool-Aid, alright?

By Big D

December 20, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this

it’s the same thing every week, PUT ALL THE BLAME ON MIKE VICK, he’s not a good qb, he hasn’t learned the system, he can’t perform under pressure… you guys are insane…No qb can perform great if he has no blocking, i don’t understand why you guys cant figure this out, no qb in the league would be successful in the falcons offense, even the great white hope peyton manning would look like trash if he did not have such awesome protection. you guys will not be satisfied until vick is hurt or on another team, then maybe you can focus on destroying someone else.. the falcons are not ready this year they dont have the quality personnell to compliment vick, over the past few years vick has managed to bail the falcons out time and time again, but those days are gone, the league has figured out how to stop him, therfore the falcons have to go out and get him some help.. the falcons need to get rid of duckett and get a real running back to help dunn out, you cant expect to pound a defense with a back that weighs 180, duun cant carry the load by himself, WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE AVERAGE PLAYERS AND GET GREAT PLAYERS. trade: duckett, brooking, finnernan, rossumn, if we replace these players with great players we will be superbowl bound……

By CAS

December 20, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this

Why is it that so many so-called Falcon fans want instant gratification when it comes to Vick and the Falcons? Too many of these so called fans can’t remember when Atlanta was called LOSERVILLE. Where were these fans before Vick came, oh that’s right they weren’t fans!! Before Atlanta can do anything we must first achieve a winning record 2 years in a row. Vick is not Brady or Payton, but I’ll take him ahead of the rest. Alot of teams would love to have Vick as their quarterback but apparently Atlanta has won so many Super Bowls that we can be selective. How many Super Bowls did our other so call great second string quarterback that everyone was saying should take place lead us. I don’t think Johnson is even in the league today, but he was suppose to take Vick Place. There is a reason why most 2nd string quaterbacks are 2nd string.

By brewerfaninATL

December 20, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

Big D: You are totally correct, man! I can’t understand why people are criticizing Vick so much. It wasn’t totally his fault for the Bears game, try the O-Line. I ask this question again: How would Schaub have fared against that Bears front 7? Come on people, reality check here! The run was completely shut down and the receivers were blanketed all night, so what was Vick to do? Get an O-Line and the offense will be just fine. How did the Steelers beat the Bears? With an awesome O-Line! To all you Vick haters: you may get your wish and Vick could be gone one day, but when you’re back to your 4-12 and 5-11 days you’ll be wishing why Vick was let go prematurely and running circles around you!

By Russ

December 20, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

Knapp has to go! Vick obviously is not an accurate passer, but he has strengths that a good offensive coordinator would take advantage of. If the Falcons had a WR as talented as Moss or Owens, Knapp would probably just have them run 5 yard hooks and outs all the time. I can’t believe I’m saying this because I think the guy made a terrible head coach, but someone who might be available that would be a great choice as OC is Mike Martz. I know he was way too pass oriented in St. Louis, but I think he is smart enough to adjust to the talent he has and he is very creative and unpredictable in his play calling. Also, he is very aggressive with throwing the ball downfield, he wouldn’t call all the little short passes we are seeing now. Vick is never going to be an accurate passer, so you are better off at least aggressively throwing the ball downfield to keep the defense honest. I lived in St. Louis for a while and can’t stand Martz as a person, he is an arrogant SOB, but I think he could totally turn this offense around.

By thank you real fans

December 20, 2005 02:05 PM | Link to this

Thank you to the real fans with real football knowledge. How is our second string qb going to do any better and he is only completing 49% of his passes? How is this better than our starting qb? Some of these bloggers cant be real fans. They must not remember the days of Doug Johnson, Jeff George, Kurt Kitner, and so on and so on. People are acting like the Falcons have won at least 6 super bowls and Vick is messing up the tradition of the franchize. Well i got news for you, this team has always been known as losers. The only time people takled positively about the Falcons is when they brought up Deon Sanders. He left and won two superbowls with other teams. Teams that complimented their qb, something this team doesn’t seem to know how to do . You can talk about Vick not being accurate all day and your correct but you have to get this guy some protection. If you watch any games you will notice that most times defenders are in the backfield before he can even go through his reads. If we can get somebody to come in the offseason and help Vick with his footwork(STEVE YOUNG PLZ) and some o line help i think this guy will make strides. We also need a OC who can mix up some plays and get creative. Its been too many times where i knew what play was being ran before the ball was hiked. It was like this last year and its like that this year. I hope Vick doesnt become the next ATL superstar to get fed up of the support and bolt to another team and have fans here wishing he was still on the team.

By dale in newnan

December 20, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

Who is this lawton character? Just like there still remains the isolated ignorant redneck; there also resides the occasional ignorant negro who blames everything on racism: he must work for dekalb county govt. Vick’s stats do not lie. white- black-yellow a 72-something qb rating, accompanied by a plothera of turnovers mean you suck. deal with it. move into the 21st century. it aint all whitey’s fault. we have better machinations to keep the homeys down than sabotage a second string qb.

By Thank You Lawton

December 20, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

Everybody needs to calm the @#$ down. Face it WE ARE JUST NOT THAT GOOD this year. You can blame Michael Vick untill you are blue in the face, but the truth is the problem runs deeper than just the QB position. The problem starts with an unimaginative Coordinator, a young inexperienced defense that is among the NFL’s worst, and an O-Line that is severely undersized and therefore cannot pass block. Let’s keep everything in perspective and stop with the hyperboles about Vick. The truth is he has helped us get to the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years that he has started, He has helped us get National exposure and he has played a big part in selling out the dome the last 3 years. I honestly feel that if he had time to throw Vick could become an effective passer coupled with his athletism, you would probably have the most formidable player in the NFL. And you want to throw that away for an unproven 2nd string QB? you guys can’t be serious.

By Bernard K.

December 20, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this

Now people want to trade him. where were you people last year. or they year we beat green bay at lambeau.

what QB’s would you take over vick right now. lots of team don’t have a qb who changes the game as much as vick does. I mean he creates running lanes for Dunn by just handing the ball off. atlanta still has been scoring points this season and the defense is to blame for most of those early season losses. Plus, Chicago, has shut down plenty of teams this year. and they have one of the best defenses in years.

I just want these people who talk about vick so bad to keep the same tune when he accomplishes more things in his career. let you people tell it Vick is the worst QB in the NFL and Schaub is the answer to all the falcons problem. vick is 30-16 in his career and this is only his third full season as a QB and his second in the west coast offense

he’s 25 for christ sakes.

By p

December 20, 2005 08:50 PM | Link to this

Bernard.

yeah he’s 25, he’s also making 13 million per year and has looked indiffernt to awful in the majority of games this year.

he’s also in his FIFTH year, and sinking fast. 30-16? so what we won’t finish better than 8-8.