Sports Columnists

By DC Falcon Fan

January 1, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

Please please please, trade Vick. Trade him now while we can get something for him. Pick, established players, whatever. Schaub is able enough to do the job. That defense needs bodies, warm bodies. Those cadavers we had out there today just reeked. I live in DC, and this was the first Fox Falcons game to be broadcast up here, and they switched to the Saints/Bucs game at halftime because the Falcons looked pathetic today.

By Great Falconi

January 1, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

I’ve seen some God-awful Falcon performances in my 20-plus years of being a Falcon fan, but this one was the worst. If I hear Jim Mora extol the virtues of this team (“we’re fighters”, “we compete”) in any more losing postgame press conferences or interviews as Falcons coach, I’m going to puke. This team flat-out quit today and there is no excuse for it. As a fan of this team, I know many tales of woe, but the performance today was a joke. For God’s sake, the Lions even played hard today for a lame-duck interim coach. The Falcon players and coaches did not give a damn today. Jim Mora, it starts with you.

The “culture” that was created this year should be turned over to the CDC for study.

By Fredge

January 1, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff, you are exactly right. Knapp has managed to make Michael Vick boring. And he did it in less than 2 years.

If you’re an NFL coordinator and you think the thing to do is to make Vick a pocket passer, you deserve a pink slip. He’s only good when he’s the most dynamic runner/passer in the game (with the heavy emphasis on runner) He tires out defenses, personally converts several 3rd downs a game, and sees to it that time of posession is heavily in Atlanta’s favor - or at least he used to. We don’t need M. Shaub, we need the old M. Vick. Even when he does run now, he’s still looking to throw, which makes him much less effective.

Mora defended Knapp in the AJC today by quoting stats, but all of the impressive stats came in the 8 wins over junk teams this year. Knapp must change his philosophy quickly, or he should be fired. I have all the confidence that Arthur will not stand for this.

By Ed

January 1, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

Michael to WR ! You already have your QB. WR’s will be much better in ‘06 Need beef on OL….Rabid tigers on defense. Imagination never ends. This can be fixed. Its gonna be.

By Hugh G. Rection

January 1, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this

Mora’s manic schizophrenic personality is on display again. I’m convinced he simply forgot to take his meds last week, resulting in the thrown micropohone. Clearly, he was heavily medicated to make the comments you report above, Jeff. I would like to know how the atmosphere in the room was when he made the remark.

For him to have the f*** balls to say they have created a winning culture here is insulting. How stupid does he think we are? We’ve been to the Super Bowl before he got here, we’ve won in Green Bay in January before he got here.

If Blank doesn’t take out a full-page ad apologizing for this game, he owes Dan Reeves a huge f*** apology!!!

By geechee

January 1, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

Jeff you finished up the year with a flury of primo columns and started the new year with a great one.

Mora and McKay both need to go but, most probably it will only be Mora.

Blank has put over a half billion dollars into this mess. The really great positive is we are not talking about a team that needs to be rebuilt from scratch. Blank has a great core team. He needs a self-controlled, mature, QB focused coach who can exploit the true talent of Vick and knows how to pick position coaches on both sides of the ball who can do the same.

By BirdsofPrey

January 1, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

Enough.

I am finished with the empty feeling that this “team” has left me with every year of my adult life.

I am now a Bucs fan.

By This gets old

January 1, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

To go out and hire a defensive minded coach and hire what that coach called “one of the best defensive” guys in the game and have what happened this year is unacceptable.

To continually say “We’re getting better” is ludicrous. I don’t think that the players can have a head coach who’s also their buddy.

The OL and DL? You could strain tea through them. You’re really playing with two rookie wide outs and that’s a position that takes time to learn. As for all of the Vick bashers I’m done with that drivel.

By Dean

January 1, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

if the wide out position takes time to learn why did philly’s second round pick reggie brown look so much better than either of atlanta’s.

By Realistic Falcon Fan

January 1, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

OK—I’m waiting on all the Arthur Blank slurpers to get on here and tell me where he’s led us. I’ve been saying since he bought the team that he hasn’t really done that much. Before calling me an idiot, think about it. One of the main reasons our attendance is so high is because of Michael Vick. Blank didn’t even own the Falcons when we drafted Vick. So, you can’t credit him with that decision. People made a big deal about him lowering ticket prices. Any person with half a brain could look at our situation in late ‘01 and say “Hmmm…we’re not selling any of those tickets in the upper level. Let’s lower the price.” It’s not like he did it out of the goodness of his heart. It was a business decision. Fast forward to today, and those ticket prices are higher now than they were then, and among the highest prices in the league overall. So, that one cancels itself out. Then, look at the personnel decisions he’s made (because by all accounts, he’s been HEAVILY involved in many of our personnel decisions). He overpaid for Keith Brooking. Brooking is a GREAT player—don’t get me wrong. I love to watch him play. I love that he’s from Atlanta, went to school in Atlanta (even though I hate Tech) and now plays professionally in Atlanta. Nice story. But we gave him wayyyyyy too much money, much more than he could’ve gotten on the open market. Then, he overpaid for Peerless Price (also giving up a draft pick—nice) and we all know how that decision panned out. Next, he overpaid for Patrick Kerney. When no one else was really beating down PK’s door, we swooped in and offered him a heck of a lot more than what he is worth. After a good year last year, this year he’s been a glorified cheerleader. Make all the excuses you want about him, how the rest of the line has been injured, etc. But that’s just it. If he’s worth as much money as we gave him, he should be good regardless of who’s around him. We saw last year when Rod Coleman was hurt how good Kerney was (for those of you that didn’t see it, here’s a hint: he stunk). Among the good moves he’s made has been getting Rich McKay. However, McKay was a guy that almost everyone in the league agreed was the best personnel man, and who was totally unhappy in Tampa Bay and just dying to get out…it wasn’t the most shrewd move of all time, let’s just say that. So there you go. I’m not saying that Blank has done a bad job…just that he hasn’t done quite as good of a job as some of the Blank-lovers would have you believe. As a life-long Falcons fan, I’ve seen some stink-bomb teams. I remember Turk Schonert, Tim McKyer, Steve Broussard, etc…and I realize that we’re a lot better off now than we were then. I don’t want to sound like “doom and gloom”. But I also think this season has shown that people need to chill out on the Blank love-fest. I think we all agree that the current state of this team stinks. We have a QB that apparently no one knows how to use. We have a RB (Duckett) that has seemed to regress. We still don’t have any receivers. Our TE thought the season ended after week 13, apparently. Our defense is horrible. Let’s just take the team for what it is. Mediocre at best.

By Hugh G. Rection

January 1, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

Very sound comments, Realistic Falcons Fan.

By David

January 1, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Will Blank now admit firing Dan Reeves was a mistake? With him this team would have been in the playoffs instead of watching them.

By Death from Above

January 1, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Please, Authur, show some courage. Trade Vick. Dump Duckett. Can Knapp and Donatell. Promote Shaub. Let Dunn be Dunn—-alone. Tell Mora to get tough or he is gone.

We need consistency and imagination on offense and popping and swagger on defense. You will not get this if you keep the afforementioned failed experiments. We can all now plainly see that the problem was not Coach Reeves after all.

Be brave. Be a fan. Be a businessman. Do what you must or the Dome will soon be again 75% empty.

By geechee

January 1, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

“if the wide out position takes time to learn why did philly’s second round pick reggie brown look so much better than either of atlanta’s.”

Answer: Reg had played for Mark Richt. You can’t coach speed but you can teach and help internalize what is really important.

By Dean

January 1, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

And that is what the atlanta coaches will never be able to teach.

By geechee

January 1, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

Death from Above, you fail to recognize that Vick is only an imaginary problem and that Mora is genuine problem #1.

The most like scenario is that Blank will pay Mora to resign.

By John Lighthart Jr

January 1, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

One word “PATHETIC”. At least 50% of this team needs to be canned, including The Forty Ninner crowd. Dan Reeves was old school, but I can’t ever remember him accepting the crap, I’ve seen this team play on the field the past 3 months. What a bunch of overpaid losers!

By jody

January 1, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

Mora, is trying to get everyone to keep drinking the Kool Aid. Is he serious about instilling a winning attitude? He is full of s#*@. This guy has done nothing but given us an unprofessional coach. How can you be kind to your players after a game like that? Jeff thanks for being the one writer that is not afraid of Arthur and tells it like it is. Mora, put out an apology to Mike Kenn, Van Note and the rest of the Falcons players and fans that have been here over the years. You ran your big mouth and now it got shut, you have been here 2 years and you went to the NFC Championship with Dan Reeves team and a soft schedule. So basically you have done nothing but carry on a losing tradition. Until you do something just shut up and take charge you punk.

By This gets old

January 1, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

if the wide out position takes time to learn why did philly’s second round pick reggie brown look so much better than either of atlanta’s.�

Was Reggie a holdout? How many games did he miss due to injury? Here are the stats before today’s games.

Reggie Brown REC YDS AVG LNG TD
36 494 13.7 56 2

Jenkins REC YDS AVG LNG TD
31 448 14.5 58 3

White REC YDS AVG LNG TD
25 399 16.0 54 2

I find it hard to justify that he looked so much better.

By NoMora

January 1, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Tice and Capers are gone. It sure would be nice to wake up tomorrow and find Mora had joined them.

By Tim

January 1, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

The Falcons suck. Period. It’s a miserable franchise and the current edition has upheld the standard. Sit back and await the rhetoric from team management. It means nothing. The team simply doesn’t know how to win. They lack the professionalism needed to succeed at this level. They talk big, but play small. They lack direction at the top and seemingly are lost on the field. Maybe there will be changes in the coaching staff, maybe not. It really doesn’t matter. The team simply sucks.

By pj

January 1, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

If our O-Line is so wretched then how come, when Schaub started the New England game, this slow, unmobile QB was sacked only 3 times with 2 of them for only -2 yards and the other for -10?

The bottom line is that this offense does not mesh well with Vick’s attributes and the blocking scheme.

I feel we can get Oakland’s 1st round pick and some defensive help (hey, we have to eat one of Oakland’s contracts) for Vick (Al Davis would froth at the mouth for someone with Vick’s arm). Schaub is a superstar in waiting. Let’s cut our losses and make the move.

By Vick is Worthless

January 1, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

Some of you really see the problem…some don’t. Those that say Vick should go back to being a mobile QB have probably never played football. Sure, make him a mobile QB and you will only get 1 or 2 more years out of him before he will be placed on the injured list for most of his remaining seasons. I thought all you Vick fans couldn’t wait for him to be in the pocket because of his athletic skills and great passing abilities?? Get real….lowest completion rating among NFL starters….He is just a product of media hype. Vick is a great athlete. So was Bruce Jenner, Jesse Owens, and Lance Armstrong, but they couldn’t QB either. Vick will never be a hall of fame QB, Super Bowl winner, or even considered one of the best QB’s of any year he is in the league. Trade Vick for a receiver, a few O-lineman, some first round picks, or something before his value really drops.

By NoMora

January 1, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

And pray hard that Arthur does not buy the Braves!

By Monte

January 1, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Blank will raise ticket prices again.

Guaranteed.

He fired Reeves after a WIN in Vick’s first game back from the IR so he could have HIS GUY in control.

Needless to say, I am not a Blank fan.

Blank will raise ticket prices again.

By Great Falconi

January 1, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this

Go read Blank’s comments in Steve Wyche’s column about the game. I’d hate to be Jim Mora tonight.

By April Fools

January 1, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

Everyone bought into the hype. We should have seen this coming when the schedule was released for this season. I’ve been watching since 1975 and I probably feel as bad now as ever. Last year was a fluke. Vick has been figured out, the defense stinks, and the coaching staff is terrible. Dan Reeves got the shaft and Vick got the gold mine. The only way to get out of this mess is for Blank to start lowering the boom. If not, quit buying tickets, merchandise, etc. When the money quits coming in something drastic will have to be done. After 30 years I’m about ready to make a change to someone else. We need a complete overhaul of this staff, and it needs to start now.

By Michael

January 1, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this

Before I slam some people, I should note that going .500 (not “another losing season” AJC.com editors) after going to the playoffs is hardly a new thing. Didn’t the Ravens miss the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl? The Panthers stunk last year after going to the Super Bowl the year before. It’s the parity NFL. Four losses by a field goal (one literally by a field goal) is the difference between .500 and 12-4.

Meanwhile, the Falcons have problems. Everybody has mediocrity problems but when you have the most dynamic QB, one of the top RBs in the league, and a light but supposedly quick OL, why do you line up in the I-formation all of the time? Why do you have 1 WR sets at least 5 times every game? Why do you think TJ Duckett is going to change in Week 17 and actually get 2 feet on 4th down when he couldn’t get 2 inches on 3rd? The line needs upgrades (Max Jean-Gilles is 340 pounds and can play guard and tackle!). If someone (Knapp!) will learn how to spread out offenses, use the shotgun, and allow audibles, watch good things happen.

The defense? A few good players but many upgrades needed. A run-stopping DT, a healthy Brady Smith or someone else at DE, a healthy LB corps, and replacements for everybody with a name that doesn’t rhyme with Creangelo Small in the secondary. Add to this MORE BLITZES and the 2006 theme “under 5 yards per rush!” and we’ll all be happy.

Special teams? Fairly good. I understand that Todd Peterson made all but 2 kicks but long-term they’re going to need someone who can be relied on for more than 40-yard kicks. When you lose 4 games by 3 points, those 48-yarders can make a huge difference.

By Dean

January 1, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

reggie is a rookie, jenkins a second year man. reggie did not have mcnabb throwing at him all year. If you can not see that jenkins and white are wasted picks, then thats your problem. Again brown was a second round pick, not a first like jenkins and white. This has always been Atlanta’s history, bad first round picks.

By Black (&Blue) Bird

January 1, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

To everyone complaining about the O-line…you never played the position…you pass block by forming a wall that deflects the onrushing D-line to the outside and away from a spot 5-6 yeards behind the center…this is where the QB sets up to pass downfield…if your QB is bouncing around like a pinball, chances are he will run into one or more of those D-line and get dumped for a lose…the five O-line cannot watch their block and the QB at the same time…remember this action only lasts 5-6 seconds…Vick’s performance has been marginalized every time the D-line plays to contain him and keep him in the pocket…WWVT…i’m also tired of all the complaining about Vick…trade him so we don’t have to hear or say it any more…WWVT

By NUMBAONEFAN

January 1, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

First things first…. Offesive line Sucks , the Secondary can’t cover anyone. Michael Vick is dumb as a brick, overpaid and a bust as a quaterback. Brooking is way past his prime….Duckett is an underachiever. We need O line help. D line help. Secondary big time help. Trade Vick fast.

By Jon

January 1, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

If you fall down we will get up again …when you are falcons fan and you said “disgrace”when your team lost that is disgrace falcons fan to me…Be behind your team no matter what???? We will come back with “vengeance”…Like Jim Mora said! WE WILL BEAT THE CAROLINA PANTHERS AGAIN…

By Brendan

January 1, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

After preseason, I figured the Falcons would go 9-7 and maybe snag a wildcard berth. I was told, No way! 13-3!! This team was one step from the Super Bowl last year. I said, “I just don’t see it, but I’d love to be wrong. I don’t see a deep threat. We can’t run 75% of the time.”

However, I hardly think Falcons’ situation is hopeless. And I wouldn’t want Dan Reeves back. Knapp may be the biggest problem. Get rid of him.

I’m not willing to bail on Mora yet. There were plenty of times he went for it on 4th down this season. He just didn’t do it in the most important games, and when it counted most, down the stretch-run of the season.

Draft offensive linemen this April. And do get a WR, too. Alge Crumpler shouldn’t have to lead the team in passing situations.

If history is any guide, we’re due for “winning” season next year.

By Live Wire

January 1, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Did Vick Fumble 3 times? Did Vick allow 165 rushing yds? did Vick cover Smith? (our dbs didn’t either but you get my point. The fact is no matter how horrible the coaching and the defense is all some of you know to do is blame mike Vick!!!! How effective was schaub when the Panthers had their 1st and 2nd string still in the game? Get your head out of your $#% actualy watch a football game and stop looking for something to blame Vick for. All of you Bulldog retards, the following is an earlier post. Thanks for proving my point! (Idiots!)

Well said Brian! All these people who are talking about how we are no better now than we were when the Smiths owned the team never watched the Falcons till Vick or Blank came! When I moved here 15 years ago I could not believe the lack of interest in this team! They couldn’t tell you anything about the team or the coaching staff. All they cared about was the Braves and the Bulldogs! When SI and ESPN labeled this city the worst sports city with at least 3 major sports teams, it hurt but I had to agree with them. These Falcons blogs only confirm what they said about us. We have (some… not all of us but a lot of “Our Fans�) are the most uneducated football fans I have ever seen! They don’t understand what they are seeing on the field and lacks the ability to examine all of their preconceived notions about the QB and LB positions. If they did we wouldn’t have so many Vick and Brooking hate post. That’s the problem with these post most of these “FANS� were waiting on Braves spring training or worrying about if the Bulldogs would beat Florida or Aub and Tenn. Now they claim to be life long fans but what they really are is life long college football fans who know all about Ga,Bama,Auburn,Florida and Tennessee history but next to nothing about Falcons or NFL history for that matter. One more thing! Can we stop using Brooking bashing as retaliation for Vick bashing? It makes us all look Ignorant. Neither Vick nor Brooking is perfect, but what color they are should not determine how you feel about their play. If it does then you have the problem not them!! GO FALCONS!!!!!!

By Larry

January 1, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this

We need to get Dan Reeves to stop looking for problems with the Texans and get him back in Atlanta to identify/correct our problems. Fire Mora, Hire Reeves!!! Swallow your pride Blank!!!

By Black (&Blue) Bird

January 1, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

the falcons now have a life-time record of 251 wins, 365 losses, 6 ties…that’s a 40.5% wone/loss record…the team would have to win 114 games in a row to break even…that’s undefeated for SEVEN seasons plus TWO games…WWVT…even the Saints have a better won/loss percentage (40.6%)…WWVT

By This gets old

January 1, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

Reggie was the 3rd pick in the second round. Eight picks after White. I don’t call that a big difference.

By D-man

January 1, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

What a sorry way to end what was supposed to be a winning season with Superbowl aspirations. Ok, I, the D-MAN, knew well and good after looking at this year’s schedule that we were not going to a super bowl. And sure enough, I was dead on. I guess what I cant figure out, is why we crashed sooo hard. Yes, I realize the defense had multiple injuries. I grant that. But what was the offense’s excuse? Either other teams have figured out Vick (there is some rumors out there that defenses were teeing off on him because they had learned his body language and knew somehow what play was coming…maybe Knapp is just too dry and predictable. Maybe defenses have him figured. It is fairly obvious that when he cant get a sucessful run play on 3rd downs, he will many times follow it up with another, identical run play on 4th down. It’s also sad to see that Vick is now a diehard passer. He ran only once today for 0 yards. When defenses dont have to worry about his running, they tee off on his passing. They are NOT afraid of his passing skills. How in the world is Mora justified in saying he and his coaches have brought a “winning culture” to the Falcons organization when it is obvious they will be getting rid of so many ineffective, subpar players? (If they dont, they should be given pink slips) Mora has just been down in the trenches for so long with the players that he doesnt know how to lead them. To defend any of your concepts or players after today’s butt whooping, is just crazy. What would Tony Dungy, or Bill Parcells or Mike Shanahan have to say at a press conference after a display like we got? Well, for one..they would require a new pair of shoes for all the a$$ kicking they would have done behind the scenes…the operative word there is a$$ KICKING not a$$ KISSING. There’s too much of that in the Mora administration. Sitting there coddling Mike Vick after he does something stupid. Bill Parcells would have eaten him for lunch. His name around camp would have been “Michelle” not “Michael” when Parcells got through with him. 130 million dollars. Good grief..what a joke. Its time for someone in the Mora administration to sit Vick down and tell him the cold hard truth. Defenses do not fear him anymore. On a par with 28 QBs in the league he ranks about 21. That wont keep defensive coordinators up at night. I say lets fire the OC and get us one that can adapt to Vick’s skills, instead of asking Vick, a great talent (but limited mentally), to fit into his scheme.

By Dan in Augusta

January 2, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have talent. What they need is to strong coaching to lead them. STOP babying Vick. I don’t know how many times I heard “he doesn’t need to come to practice.” YES HE DOES!!!! He needs to pass the ball to his receivers until they “click.” A good offense helps lift the whole “team’s” morale. This year’s offense was so inconsistent it was a crime!!! They misused their greatest assets!!

Drop the West Coast Offense and create one for the current talent! Knapp needs to be fired. Schaub showed we can pass. Vick needs to go to QB camp and learn how to work with his receivers.

Shoring up a few holes would make these Falcons contenders, IF they are MOTIVATED correctly. Vick needs to stop talking about himself and talk “TEAM.”

By STILL A FAN

January 2, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

Live Wire since you know so much more than the rest of us falcon fans you must be gettin all kind of offers for these newly open coaching positions?

By Black (&Blue) Bird

January 2, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

re: Live Wire…i have followed the Falcons since the franchise was awarded…i suffered along with everyone else during those first years…3-11, 1-12-1, 2-12, 6-8, 4-8-2…then the first winning season, 7-6-1…i also suffered through the botched drafts of Randy Matson, an Olympic shot-putter who hadn’t played football since the 11th grade, Ray Jeffords, a UGA basketballer that Rankin Smith decided needed a job, and who can forget George ‘General’ Patton a UGA DT that wound up being cut from the Huntsville, AL semi-pro team because he was too slow…i watch and follow the other pro teams, baseball, football, and, basketball, no hockey…WWVT…you don’t have to eat the entire cow to determine that you have a bad steak…WWVT…long term success is attained via the draft…Falcons will not get there during my lifetime…

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this

Yeah, bring back Reeves.

Bring back his antiquaited crap offense.

Bring back the man who drafted TJ “stood up at the line again” Duckett.

Bring back a man with no imagination.

That’s the problem with Knapp.

No imagination.

Hey, all of you retards (led by ole’ Lar), how about you actually think outside of the box a bit, instead of coming back to the same old crap retreads?

But that would be too hard for some of you retards.

Mike Martz is the guy we need to take advantage of Vick’s special talents.

The man coached both a QB with a strong arm, and a crazy-legged running back. You telling me he wouldn’t have a field day with Vick in the backfield?

Mr. Blank, do everything you can to hire Mike Martz as our OC for next year. Pay him equal to Mora and make him the associate head coach.

Mad Mike would draw up the carziest s—t for Dunn and Vick, and he’d know better than to ever bring Duckett into a game.

In fact, trade Duckett. That man is a worthless piece of s—t Big 10 running back.

This team needs a presence on the defense who the offense actually respects. God knows no one respect that Bug Brooking. Yeah, he makes a lot of tackles… 10 yards down the field. He can’t cover for s—t. And he is a sucky tackler. He doesn’t wrap up well, and is vastly overrated on the whole.

This team needs a free safety who can roam around the secondary, looking for heads to tear off, and who can come in for run support.

Greg Blue is that man.

We’re going to have a mid-teens pick in the draft. Greg Blue will be available.

Rich McKay, you wanna sell more tickets? You wanna bring some excitement to your flat defense? Draft Greg Blue in April!

Then, spend every other draft pick on offensive linemen to play in Mike Martz’s scheme. Sign free agents. Get rid of Todd “revolving door” McClure. Get rid of Alex Gibbs. His cheap-shot tactics don’t work for the passing game.

There is the blue print.

I’ve actually brought something different to the table than the same old tired s—t that everyone else is. Bring back Dan Reeves my a—!

How about y’all stop being unoriginal bastards and actually think about what could help this team. Mora is staying. And you better hope to God that a GM who put together a Super Bowl winning team stays as well. But Knapp needs to go. Donatell will have a grace period because of injuries.

So there it is. Actually use that lump of fat three feet above your a—ess, instead of sticking it in your a—es.

By DavidC

January 2, 2006 01:26 AM | Link to this

I don’t know which Jim Mora I like less — the one that throws headsets and microphones in a tantrum or the one who tries to convince fans that a 33-point defeat capping a 2-6 finish illustrates an “exciting” “winning culture”.

Mora & Co. have not been very impressive. The offense has become predictable and anemic, the defense has been a virtual Make-A-Wish Foundation for opposing offenses, and special teams have repeatedly failed at critical times throughout the season.

Unless some major changes are made — both in terms of coaching and player personnel — the Falcons will be lucky to finish 8-8 next season.

By Miles

January 2, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this

I agree and disagree with some of these posts. I do think Vick needs to stop being coddled by the coaching staff and have a kick in the rear end. He is starting to become more concerned about his stats then winning at all cost. In 2002 he took advantage of all of his skills and made plays anyway he could whether is was passing the ball or running it. Now it seems that he has quit running. He had 1 carry the entire game! wow. The running lanes are there but he refuses to take them.

Some of these posts mentioning how the team should have kept Reeves, all I can say is are you kidding me?!! Anyone remember when the great dan reeves led this team to two 4-12 seasons, a 5-11 season and a 7-9 year? And does anyone remember the terrible drafts Reeves made during his years here which the team is still trying to recover from, particulary on defense?

Lets just hope we trade Schaub for defensive help, we have a good draft, Knapp gets fired and the team learns to tackle.

By RA

January 2, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this

The word Pathetic doesn’t begin or end to describe the effort, or lack thereof, that was, or wasn’t, displayed at the Georgia Dome last Sunday.

This is my thing, no professional team should get beaten that badly. No gap in talent can account for a 30+ point schlacking. Regardless of what Coach Mora says, we were looking at a Falcon team that had obviously checked out for the winter.

I’ve been a Falcon fan since before I was born, but I have never in my life been ashamed of them, until today. There was one point in the game when I thought, okay, here we go, and that was when the Falcons held on the goaline. But that was a, what was that big word that Jeff Schultz used? Oh yea, aberration, that was an aberration. Reality was watching the Falcons lay down and play dead for the rest of the game.

Now, would they have lost if they had played hard? Well, yea. Half the guys that started on defense for Atlanta today should be bagging groceries, and come next season, I’m sure that many of them will be.

Now, as for how to fix it. Bloodbath. First off, send all those losers in the secondary that got paid for watching the other team’s wide recievers and running backs score touchdowns and go untounched through the secondary their pink sheets and severance pay. Then come to the realization that whatever wacked out form of the west coast offense Atlanta’s been trying to run, it ain’t working. If the current offensive coordinator can’t manage the talent that they have, then I suggest they find someone who can.

I could rant on and on, but I’ll spare you all my frustration. One last thing. The way the Falcons played today turned my stomach, literally.

By geechee

January 2, 2006 02:23 AM | Link to this

BLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUE!!!

By kent

January 2, 2006 02:43 AM | Link to this

when the falcon won, it was” vick wins”, now that they had lost 6 of their last eight, it was suddently ” it wasn’t just me. it wasn’t just mike vick. it was other players and coaches who put the players in possition to suceed( or not ).” i understand it completely now. how can i be so stupid. it is mike vick who wins and it is the falcons who lost. that’s said, here ais my two cents worth: correct me if i’am wrong but it does seem to me that when schaub pass, his receivers catched the ball better and with room to run. this is call yard after catch and isn’t it the main philosophy of the wco ? can it also be question that mike vick throws were mostly either uncatchable or too dangerous for the receivers? people surmised that mike vick was made to throw from the pocket because the coaches wanted to, but does any one think that vick throw from the pocket because he afraid to run? vick was never a tough qb to begin with and his attitute” i only play if i am 100 percent” never dispute this. he knows that his body cannot withstand the hits from running and that is why he wanted to pass from the pocket. vick was known in college as a running qb with great arm but never a qb with good accuratcy. dom caper just got fire and the falcon need a great defensive coordinator. greg knapp can only calls game within the qb’s ability. u cannot call a passing game if your qb cannot hit an open receiver or if the receivers are too afraid to catch the ball because they know that they will get kill afterward and the credit for the suicidal catch will be call” great throw by mike vick”. imagine how many games will ” vick wins” or how many game will ” the falcons lost” without warrick dunn.

By a shame

January 2, 2006 03:14 AM | Link to this

Yea your right Schaub is so much better. Only once this year has he played against the first string defense. The defense in that game was horrible and the Falcons still lost. Do you people not understand that it is easy to look good against the 3rd string defense? The guy looks good when he plays no type of defense yet for some reason he is held in regards as if he is a future Hall of Famer. I like Schaub but i also understand football. I know that any qb can look good when he is going against soft and injury depleted defenses. Our defense once again lets a avg rb look like a all pro but the qb gets the blame. When the starting qb plays bad i speak on it but in 3 of our losses we had the lead because of our sorry qb and the defense gave up the lead. This guy wont catch a break he is better off going to a city where the fans support him so some of these fake fans can blame somebody else like the waterboy or how about the vending machine.

By Ross

January 2, 2006 03:50 AM | Link to this

As an outsider, this sums up the Falcons to me -

Mike Vick is such a pretty-boy gutless zero that it would be no fun even if you guys were WINNING. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about any football player. What a sham! And he pocketed 130 million! Today he was over talking to the boss, laughing his a** off, while his teammates were getting annihilated. If I were Brooking I’d give him a forearm to the jaw. He’s a loser, and it’s only going to get worse.

-drl

By The Dust

January 2, 2006 04:09 AM | Link to this

We’re cursed!

By William Kitchens

January 2, 2006 04:42 AM | Link to this

It’s 4:30 A.M.

Please let me wake to find Mora no longer the Falcons head coach. This game proved he is completely out of touch with the fans and his responsibilty as a head coach.

Vick trying to pass the blame? That’s enough of that too! Please please trade him for a first round pick before he loses his value. Reeves going to Houston? Send him there for their pick!

Martz might be a good choice here, though I would love to see Jimmy Johnson give Atlanta a shot out of retirement?

The next few days will determine if Mr. Blank is about winning in Atlanta or just the profit loss statement.

Vick will probably get the pass, but he better produce next season or Mr. Blank’s investment won’t be worth half of what it would be today.

By William Kitchens

January 2, 2006 04:53 AM | Link to this

And to those of you who want to play the Vick vs. Schaub game…

Schaub may be unproven, but he isn’t asking for 130 million either… If Schabb proves to be unsucessful (like Vick was this season) at least he isn’t breaking the bank!

If Vick stays he better have to earn his start next year from whoever is the head coach.

By spud

January 2, 2006 05:39 AM | Link to this

one of the problems on this team is on defense there are players on defense that are simply AFRAID TO TACKLE AND PUT A DAMN HELMET ON SOMEONE PITIFUl this is coaching i have seen 8 years old tackle better than this defense, mr blank here is my suggestion lets start with offense mick vick is NOT a leader is is not allowed to change plays at the line of scrimmage for whayever reason mu guess he is not bright enough trade him hire al borgus o c. from auburn the best o c. in the country fire knapp NOW then fire the the d.c. for the falcons get the best d.c. money can buy, mr blank spend money for GOOD COACHING did you hear me? this team needs leadership from top to bottom hire new coaches if things do not get better next year fire mckay and mora DO NOT BE PATIENT WITH THESE GUYS JUST DO IT PLEASE

By PoliticalMan

January 2, 2006 05:58 AM | Link to this

I will indulge in “I told you so”. I knew that the Falcons were flawed all along. The first half against Seattle was a good indicator, but noone wanted to see what was right in front of them.

Yes the Falcons have had a lot injuries, esp on D, which has been a factor. But the main problem of the Falcons is offensive ineptitude. The O line stinks. But I put most of the blame on Num 7 and Knapp. Vick cannot play QB and Knapp has a pathetic offensive scheme. Watching the execution and sophistication of other teams is enough to make one sick when watching the bumbling, simplistic schemes of the Falcons. If the Vick/Knapp issue is not addressed, Falcon fans will be crying for years to come. And please, please get rid of Duckett, the most useless RB in the NFL.

Blank had best step out of the way and let McKay start making hard decisions. Blank’s buddying up to Vick and Mora makes McKay’s job almost impossible to do. I think that the Falcon honchos are afraid of Vick somehow. That needs to stop now.

By Steve

January 2, 2006 06:07 AM | Link to this

What team that wins regurlarly EVER has the owner on the sideline at every game? I’m a native. I’ve seen this since it’s inception, and this franchise is supposed to lose. Why get so upset?

Go Dawgs!!!!! Now there’s something to get excited about…

By T 2 the D

January 2, 2006 06:19 AM | Link to this

Vick tried to pass the blame and it was poorly thrown like the majority of his passes; at his recievers feet, behind, overthrown. Long after Mora’s been reduced to a mere footnote in the club’s history, Mike Vick will still be an albatross. Trade him? Who’d have him?

By T 2 the D

January 2, 2006 06:22 AM | Link to this

Vick tried to pass the blame and it was poorly thrown like the majority of his passes; at his receiver’s feet, behind, overthrown. Long after Mora’s been reduced to a mere footnote in the club’s history, Mike Vick will still be an albatross. Trade him? Who’d have him?

By RETNAV

January 2, 2006 06:28 AM | Link to this

Mora will stay at lease one more year, but Blank has to impress upon him that this is a business. And like any business you have to make decisions which includes firing friends. So good bye Offensive and Defensive Coord’s. Also the reality is that we need to trade Vick while he can still play. It is true that if he goes back to his old style of play he will only last a few years, and we cannot afford that. It is true there is a lot that has to be addressed but first lets start with our coaching. And I am still glad Reeves is gone.

By CJC

January 2, 2006 06:44 AM | Link to this

This is nothing but trivia, but SI did their annual mid-season issue at the time the Falcons were 6-2. They said the Falcons wouldn’t make the playoffs. I thought they were crazy but they were just being objective and knew the Falcons would revert to form. Vick, Mora, & Knapp all need to go.

By RA

January 2, 2006 07:32 AM | Link to this

Oh, and will the Falcons please, please, please, go on and trade Mike Vick? I’m serious. Trade Vick, and leave the defense just the way it is. Don’t change anything. All those guys that were out on defense, go on and release them. No seriously, the ones that showed up yesterday will do fine if we can just get rid of that loser Mike Vick. Oh, and the offensive line, they’ll start blocking like gangbusters, and all those terrible offensive calls that the coaching staff made in the second half, oh that won’t happen either. And Duckett, he’ll finally become the Jerome Bettis that we all know him to really be. It’s not like we don’t have a franchise quarterback waiting in the wings in Schaub. He has won post-season games after all. What? He hasn’t you say? Oh that doesn’t matter. I’m sure if we just throw him out there, a pro-bowler will ultimately arise. Yea, just lose Vick, and the team will be sooo much better in 2006.

Oh, and by the way, that was that new thing they have out now called sarcasm.

By CJC

January 2, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this

I will revise my comment and say that if Knapp goes Vick should stay. But if Knapp stays what’s the point of Vick being here? All sarcasm aside, that combo just won’t work.

By Reid

January 2, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this

OK, I can understand the hysteria, but let’s calm down just a bit.

How do you win football games? Run the ball, and play great defense. The Falcons cleaned up on the first point (#1 in rushing offense) and stunk up the joint on the second, largely due to some key injuries (Brady Smith, etc.)

This is the NFL, and very little separates the contenders from the pretenders; all the cliches about “any given Sunday” hold true. Factor in the close losses, and there you have it.

Get the defense healthy next year, go grab a safety or two and have our young phenoms at WR producing for a whole year, and we’ll be in the 11-5 range. That said, how the Birds finished the season has to leave a bad taste in your mouth. Mora has to be put on notice that he needs to grow up, though it’s certainly premature to give him a pink slip.

By Lee

January 2, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this

Bernie gave us fish in a tank. Arthur has given us an NFL team in the tank. The Falcons need ownership that won’t settle for mediocrity. Kudos Bernie. Perhaps Arthur should find a more suitable “hobby”.

By Reynard

January 2, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

After this underachieving season it is now up to Mr. Mckay to get rid of some coordinators and replace them with his choices and tell Jim Mora who his new understudies are. Jim can suggest, but not decide. We need a defensive coach more than an offensive.

By Shirley Sorohan

January 2, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank: As a corporate man, every company has a dress code. Please tell Mike Vick when he is representing the Falcons, to dress like a athelete rather than a gang banger. When he’s out in public, he’s representing your organization. He’s need to go to school to learn how to speak and articulate.

Also,as a corporate man, you know if an employee does not perform, he’s out! What’s with keeping Vick and Mora? Vick needs to stop being coddled - he’s suppose to be the leader - act it - practice practice and show leadership by being one. Kick his butt or fire him - the same way with Mora. Either produce or you are gone - either one - same for Knapp.

By lawton

January 2, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this

www.trademichaelvick.com

By Larry

January 2, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this

Whenever anyone reads suggestions and opinions by Matthew, just remember this is the same “football expert” that predicted, and still predicts today, that Michael Vick will quarterback the Falcons to the first of three Super Bowl wins NEXT SEASON!

Who else among us predicts the Falcons will win the Super Bowl next year? So, either we are all “retards” according to Matthew, are maybe the “retard” is the same one who predicts the team we saw yesterday is next year’s Super Bowl Champion!”

Last year it was Peerless Price’s fault and this year it was the OL and Knapp’s fault. Who’s fault next year Matthew? That number 8 sure looked smooth running that offense didn’t he? Like I’ve said many times, change the QB or change the offense—pick one! Anyone else notice the quick delivery and decision making by the a QB that could easily see over the O-line?

By the way, Matthew, the earlier “Larry” comment wasn’t mine, but I did predict when the Falcons lost to Green Bay they would finish 9-7 and out of the playoffs. Even I didn’t predict the lack of pride and effort yesterday.

Not bad for a “retard,” huh?

By Enzo Vullo

January 2, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Mora took his medication yesterday and maintained his calm on the sidelines in the face of a dreadful performance by his team. NOT imploding at his game was essential to his keeping his job. It was evident, however, that he was unable to lead his team to any kind of an effort that may have resulted in a win. The fact is that the team did not show up to play in the final game. Yes, there are areas that require improvement, but there is a core of quality players on board. What is clearly missing is a strong, competent leader. For Mora to tell the media after the game that he cannot fault the team for their effort in yesterday’s pommeling is an insult to the media and to the ticket-buying fans. Mora needs to go back to being an assistant somewhere. If he is back as the head coach next year, Falcon fans can only expect to see more mediocrity on tha playing field.

By Jeff

January 2, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Plain and simple Vick cannot think or play like an NFL QB should, he is the MOST OVER RATED player in the league PERIOD! Good luck trading him for anything worth a cr.p What a waste of money, good job front office. The more I watch the falcons the more I love my DOLPHINS! I am a native Georgian, I will never admit to living near atlanta. Hey heres an idea trade vick and the Hawks for …..uh…. something.

By Jim R

January 2, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

Vick has to go. Tell me the last time a running quarterback has won the Super Bowl. The NFL coaches and players are too good to not be able to devise a defensive scheme to stop him. Who stopped Montana, Brady, Marino, Bradshaw, etc. in the big games? HMMMMMMMMMMM?

By Larry

January 2, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

Shirley,

Great point and great courage in making your point, even at the risk of someone calling your remarks “racist.”

I actually feel the same about Jake Plummer’s scraggly beard.

Did you notice some of the attire and grooming by some of the players who attended James Dungy’s funeral? Does someone have to look cool and pretty even at a funeral? Ever heard of a suit & tie, boys?

Shirley, it’s called poor parenting, insecurity, feelings of inadequacy, and just plain old ignorance.

By kennyboy

January 2, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick…overpaid / underachiever!! Turn “Superman’s” # 7 upsidedown and it turns into an “L” for LOSER! From Blank on down…a pathetic mess and now the finger pointing can commence!

By Jeff

January 2, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah one more thing about vick. Why is it every time they lose he just walks around with the other team saying yoo dog instaed of showing any amount of disappointment like many of his team mates? Let me think……maybe because he does not give a sh.t either way he gets his over payment of a pay check. He clearly does not care about the game like FAVRE or McNabb or someone like Elway and Marino who took pay cuts to improve the team. Would Vick EVER take a pay cut to help the team HELL NOOOOOOOOO. Get rid of him let him take his over rated a* out to Cali

By jovanko

January 2, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

the only thing funnier than michael vick fans is the fact he got someone to pay him 130 million dollars to play quarterback. he obviously has the instincts of a runner and in trying to suppress those instincts he and his coaches have rendered him mediocre at the only thing at which he is good. having a strong arm is an asset only if you know what to do with it.

By south ga fan

January 2, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

Cowboys-Walker-Vikings and the rest is Super Bowl History———Falcons-Vick-?????????

By CARLOS

January 2, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

THE PROBLEM IS NOT MICHALE VICK. VICK IS WHAT HE IS. HE IS NOT JOE MONTANA. YOU HAVE TO LET HIM BE WHAT MAKES HIM MICHALE VICK. LOOK AT ALL OF THE GREAT TEAMS WHO HAVE MADE IT TO THE SUPER BOWL OVER THE YEARS. THEY HAVE A RUNNING AND A PASSING GAME. FALCON FANS YOU MAY NOT WANT TO HEAR THIS BUT MAYBE TRYING TO BRING T.O. HERE WOULD BE A GOOD THING. HE ALREADY KNOWS HE ISN’T GOING TO GET A BIG CONTRACT, AND BY NOW HE SHOULD BE HUMBLED ENOUGH TO WANT TO JUST GO OUT AND PLAY BALL. FIRST THE MVP GOES TO WARRICK DUNN. HE PLAYED HIS A** OF THIS YEAR AND WITHOUT HIM RUNNING THE WAY HE DID, THE FALCONS WOULD OF FINISHED LESS THAN .500. THE WAY THE FALCONS PLAYED SUNDAY WAS A DISGRACE TO FOOTBALL AND THE CITY OF ATLANTA. THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME FOR A WHOLE SEASON YET ON SUNDAY ON THE ROAD THEY GAVE A MUCH BETTER PERFORMANCE THAN THE FALCONS. THEY MADE THE CAROLINA PANTHERS LOOK LIKE THEY WERE UNDEFEATED. AS MUCH AS PEOPLE PAY FOR TICKETS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, THE LEAST PLAYERS CAN DO IS PLAY HARD UNTIL THE FINAL WHISTLE. THAT WAS A DISGRACE. IF YOU LOOK AT GREEN BAY, NEW ORLEANS, AND DETROIT THEY ALL HAVE WORSE RECORDS THAN THE FALCONS BUT AT LEAST THEY CARED ENOUGH TO GO OUT AND PLAY HARD ON THE FINAL GAME, KNOWING THEY WEREN’T GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS. THE WHOLE FALCONS ORGINIZATION, ESCPECIALLY THE PLAYERS OWES THE FANS AND THE CITY A BIG APOLOGY. I DON’T CARE WHAT THE PLAYERS SAY, THE FALCONS QUIT ON SUNDAY AND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RECORD IS, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.

By B00M

January 2, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

Y0U GUYS ARE WEAK AND NONE OF Y0U DESERVE T0 MAKE THE TRIP 0UT T0 H0NOLULU.

Y0U’RE JUST LIKE THE BRAVES - Y0U SUCK AND THE NATI0N KN0WNS IT.

G00D LUCK FILLING THE D0ME NEXT SEAS0N Y0U CHUMPS !

By Larry

January 2, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

Forget it folks! We are stuck with Vick.

Honestly, if YOU were an NFL owner, would you pay 137 million for Vick? No one’s going to trade for a Vick unless Blank eats some the ludicrous and premature contract he awarded to Vick.

Anyone else notice how all the past and present QB’s and coaches in the league are no longer praising Vick and espousing his potential? The word is out—stop the run and you stop Vick, because he is simply not accurate or decisive enough to sustain a passing attack for an entire game.

By Reynard

January 2, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

Last year Jim Mora came in thinking as a coach. After the success, this year he came in as one of the boys (sniffing amonia with teammates to prove himself a friend). It’s time to get back to coaching or packing.

By Frank Plumb

January 2, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

I read in a local column today that the Falcons have an owner, a GM and a head coach that are capable and ready to win. I disagree. a. no owner should be on the sidelines with the team . It is a distraction. b. the GM is just a “salery cap” problem away from going to greener pastures. Ask Tampa Bay. c. the head coach called posibley the worst play in the history of the NFL in the first Tampa game when he had the backup QB drop back deep into the endzone on third and a mile. Not to mention the “cell phone” incident. This team is far from being among the top flight programs like Tampa, Indy, Carolina etc.

By dannycardwell

January 2, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

when you look back to last year, our defense and special teams won all but 2 games. the offense was only average at best. then we got rid of hey players to over pay several big name players. we got rid of chris draft who ate our lunch in both games against carolina. we got rid of ed jasper and travis hall. we got rid of bolden. we turn around and over pay vick, over pay hartwell, who came in out of shape and looked bad in the 2 games he played before getting hurt. for those wanting a new bigger offensive line, what will you pay them with? all the money was spent on 8-10 players. in football money management is key. when new england had 3 offensive linemen up for free agency last year, tom brady took a huge pay cut to sign them. you will notice they are in all his commercials too. the falcons need to shed some of the biggest contracts and rethink. either get rid of knapp or vick. trade vick for the first pick in the draft and get reggie bush in the same back field with dunn, or get an offensive coordinator that will mold an offense around vick. bear in mind that jimmy johnson traded herchel walker to minnesota for i think 11 draft picks and players and built a dynasty from it. when i look back i wish i had bought the 10 dollar tickets in the end zone when arther blank let the ticket brokers and scalpers buy them all. any body notice that those tickets only went up 5 dollars the last 2 years while the others went up 15-25 dollars? i wonder why. plese dont buy the braves arthur. they have enough problems as it is with aaramark draining its customers.

By Jon

January 2, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Schaub passed for almost as many yards as Vick in one quarter. And yes, the Carolina first string D was still mostly on the field. He also ate up the New England Patriots, who are now in the playoffs.

Vick masks a higher pass completion percentage by passing to Dunn and Griffith in the flats, and then sails balls 10 feet over his receivers.

Oh yeah, and then the attitude, “I’m the greatest,” and the temper tantrums he throws on the field. Grow up, Mike. Just do it somewhere else.

Please trade Vick for a first-round pick.

By RA

January 2, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

Vick is the easy answer to what’s wrong with the birds. It’s fine not to like Vick, but he is going to be Atlanta’s QB for a long time to come. For those that find that hard to accept, you might want to start by accepting the fact that there are much deeper problems at work than having the most physically gifted quarterback to appear on the scene in at least the last twenty years.

By Freaque

January 2, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

COACHING is what LOVIE SMITH is doing in Chicago! Atlanta decided to bypass a proven winner and his staff to take a chance on a group of losers. I can only imagine what Lovie would have done with the talent Atlanta has. By the way, Atlanta even passed on Romeo Crennel. One last thing, Cleveland won 6 games this year, 2 less than Atlanta and I doubt if Cleveland has 6 pro-bowlers. As for Chicago, they have a first-round bye and the NFL’s best defense.

By Al Davis

January 2, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

Lets examine the great Arthur Blank’s decisions since he took over. Fire Dan Reeves and hire Mora who proceeds to take the most talented but inaccurate and unexperienced player in the game and put him in a precision offense that requires multiple check-downs. Peerless Price, Roddy White and Jenkins, Brooking’s contracts…etc..etc… BLANK IS THE PROBLEM! I never thought I would see the day. Some may consider it heresy but the reality is that better decisions were made at the end of the Smith family era than Blank has made. Unless he fires Mora now and changes the offense and personel to suit Vick (Down field passing and play action ala Dan Reeves)I am afraid Vicks career is over and one of the best talents to come into the league in a long time will fizzle. What a downer that would be!!

By Jim

January 2, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Vick is mediocre……… he can’t even talk… all he knows how to do is pull his floor draggin britches up over his feet and grin at the other team after the Falcons lose … providing he is not destroyed and has to cry off the field…

That is what his grin is about… simple …. I lived thru another 10 rounds and can go get my corn rows lined up and my crotch draggin britches on and play big shot again…

Say what you will folks, the stands aren’t filled with crotch draggin britches folks in corn rows….they’re full of hungry football fans that want their team to kick A$$…. and the only A$$ getting kicked is the Falcons…

Defend Vick and Knapp and all the rest of the bums slurping up their undeserved paychecks… the cycle has come full circle and the Falcons are back….

Come on Arthur and McKay….do the dirty work and get rid of Vick…. he is not an NFL QB … he is a money sucking hip hop dance watcher… I know he can’t rap, and I bet the only dancing he can do is on the sandlot…. he sure as heck isn’t doing it here!!!

By Barry

January 2, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Mora said “I did not see anyone Quit in this game. After I review the film, any such problem will be addressed”. It is 10AM on Monday. I presume that Carpenter and Webster (above others) are long gone from this town by now. They were pathetic.

By Larry

January 2, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Sorry guys,

I just can’t come to the point of having a head coach in the NFL by the name of “Lovie” or “Romeo.” I’m still trying to accept having an NFL quarterback who dresses, talks and acts like an MTV hip hop “artist,” and being tortured by the incessant rap music at the Georgia Dome on Sundays. A coach with a sexy name would send me over the edge!

The coach who wins the Super Bowl will probably have a name like “Bill” and his QB will dress like a mature adult and have a name like “Tom.”

By jb

January 2, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

First of all, everyone’s giving McKay a pass (except Vick who’s not capable). This is the man responsible for personell, or lack thereof. The defense had a lot of injuries but Mckay’s supposed to make sure there are backups that can play the game. Every team has injuries to overcome, hell New England’s d-backs were all injured throughout the year. But their guys played well because they were players. Also, Vick passing the blame is too funny. Let me see, If we win it’s all about me, but lose and it’s all about the team? Classless! And finally, with all of the problems this team has, why do some of you moan about Blank being on the sidelines? The man paid a lot of money for this team, he can ride out on a chariot if he wants. Besides, Jerry Jones Comes down to the sidelines, I don’t think anyone’s worried about him.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Hey, Lar, it’s easy to make a prediction towards the end of the season as opposed to making one before the season begins.

But I have made the prediction and will stick to my guns, something I’m sure you know absolutely nothing about.

But where’s your outside the box thinking, Lar?

All it seems you can do is criticize, like the rest of the retards, but offer absolutely no solutions.

I guess I shouldn’t be asking a man with no imagination to give opinions that require imagination.

Freaque… you may be on the right path about Lovie. It may take a year to be apparrant (because you cannot get a whole picture off of two years) but Lovie Smith maybe should have been our coach. I love the way his defense hits. Our defense hits like creampuffs. It’s the Bug attitude permutated by Brooking. Shouldn’t be too surprised. Getting Blue in here would change a lot of that attitute. Maybe Brooking would learn how to square up and tackle.

How much of this lame tackling and poor skills can be laid at Donnatell’s feet? I don’t remember his Green Bay defenses being a bunch of p—sies like this group of Falcons. His bend don’t break defense is just as bad as Knapp’s play not to lose offense, and it needs to change next year. I wish we had coaches who weren’t so married to a scheme. Looking back at it… maybe Blank should have waited and hired Charlie Weiss two years ago. There’s a man who has no problem fitting his scheme to fit the players available.

So, people, stop complaining without solutions!

Think outside the box, don’t be a Larry.

Who would you draft, where would you draft (secondary… o-line?)?

What would you do to fix this. And please, be REALISTIC. Vick is not going anywhere. He has already proven he can win, but this trying to fit him into a box thing isn’t working. If you are going to advocate firing someone (like Knapp) who would hire to replace him? If you want to trade a former draft bust (TJ Duckett) where does he go and what do you think we can get for him (4th rounder at most). Think about the cap ramifications that face this team (Warrick Dunn). Whom do you keep (Warrick Dunn!)? Whom do you get rid of (Jason Webster!)?

Let’s stop the bithching. Get over it, and let’s get to some positive thinking!

By Mark Kelly

January 2, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

It’s all pretty simple. Michael Vick is an athlete, not a quarterback. An athlete at the quarterback position will get worn down physically if he keeps trying to run, so you design an offense where he can do his scrambling at opportune times (like Steve Young).

When Michael Vick first entered the league, it took a while for defenses to develop plans to stop him. Now they do.

But here’s the rub: Steve Young was educated in a passing offense at BYU. Michael Vick wasn’t. It takes time to develop a college quarterback into an accomplished NFL QB. Some guys don’t make it.

For every Peyton Manning, there’s a Heath Shuler. For every Chris Simms, there’s a robot Heisman Trophy winner coached by Steve Spurrier who can’t tie his shoe laces in the NFL.

Remember Gary Beban? Heisman Trophy winner from UCLA. Pat Sullivan? Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn. Both failed in the NFL. The list is endless.

Some QBs perform well after going to the CFL or NFL Europe. Joe Theisman and Warren Moon are perfect examples.

Here’s the reality check Mark Bradley wrote about prior to the Tampa Bay game last week: the Falcons have $130 million invested in Vick, and the investment is going sour. With the salary cap, that sour investment really smells to high heaven.

Think of the defenders some of that money would get. Think of the receivers. Plus, Warrick Dunn, great as he is, isn’t getting any younger. So, at some point, they have to replace him.

A $130 million man HAS to make plays when they count. Third and long. Fourth and long. Long drives at the end of games. You know, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Chris Simms type performances.

Do the Falcons get those performances from Vick on a regular basis? No.

Many fans of Vick consider him the Michael Jordan of football. In many ways his talent is equal to Jordan’s, but there’s a distinct difference: while basketball wears athletes down with the running grind, football is a physical grind few can imagine. A nice scramble down the sideline that ends with a linebacker slamming Vick to the turf leaves a bruise that may become a hairline fracture next week when another linebacker makes a similar hit.

And Jordan was the master of winning clutch games.

In other words, you have to be extremely careful with that kind of talent at QB or he won’t be playing every game. It’s a balancing act, but for $130 million my vote is the balancing act and education of Michael Vick isn’t working.

I hate to say it, because he’s an incredibly gifted athlete and I enjoy every spin, dip and dash down the field.

But I’d rather see a last minute touchdown pass in the last seconds of the NFC championship game to seal a trip to the Super Bowl. After 40 years of suffering with the Falcons, that’s the image I want to celebrate.

By Larry

January 2, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

dannycardell,

You nailed it!

By Dan

January 2, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

All the talk about the injuries and what if’s are for losers like the Falcons. Anybody notice that the Bucs won the South with a 2nd string QB and 3 rookies starting on offense? Go Bucs!

By GritzBlitz

January 2, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Mora and the players emphasized that the team didn’t quit. If this is the case, someone needs to explain how 100% effort ended in a 40-11 drilling. Changes are necessary here starting with Knapp. If I can predict 75% of his plays from my living room, opposing defenses must be laughing. In addition, Vick is a mediocre passer and will continue to be stuffed by good defenses until this changes. When/if he learns to throw effectively, it will be harder for defenses to allocate a dedicated spy on each play.

I expect that the offseason will involve the release of multiple defensive players- namely Scott & Webster, some on offense- Duckett, and Knapp should be the only coaching casualty. Blank should use the offseason to instill a new philosophy from Mora on down that family can be replaced. Coaches and players have become too comfortable under Blank and their effort the last half of the season is proof.

By mike otten

January 2, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

If the problem is Mora’s inability to coach a star like Vick is supposed to be, then it needs to be fixed quickly. If the problem is that Vick is mostly hype and little substance, trade him and let Schaub do the job. All in all, I’m just amazed that year in, year out, the Falcons blow it.

By Dave

January 2, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick is the leader of this team. He is paid like Payton Manning he needs to practice like him as well. Mike has reaped a lot of rewards if he is serious about going to the next level he will pass on all off season endorsements and take the time to get his receivers together in the off season and work on timing. He needs to understand his mechanics in a lot of situations were poor in throwing off his back foot, not throwing a catchable ball, and hitting his receivers on the numbers.

By Peter Wirhun

January 2, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

At the beginning of the season Mora said we had gotten rid of all the players that were detrimental to the “team”, and had gotten players that were team players…….this next season I hope we have a few players that can actually cover, block and tackle.

Perhaps we should get rid of the coach who wants to be everybody’s pal, and instead of tea parties come up with an offense and defense that works!

By Larry

January 2, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Matthew,

I stand corrected! I know you are a punkish, bratty, little soldier who is burdened with immaturity and size issues (Napoleonic syndrome), but until now, I’ve credited you with some intelligence.

I was wrong. Anyone who stands by their prediction that the Falcons team we saw yesterday will win the Super Bowl yesterday has too much pride to admit he’s laughably wrong or is simply disguising ignorance and marginal intelligence. I now think it is mostly the latter.

Face it Matthew, your goose is cooked! Now everyone on here knows you have no credibility when it comes to knowing what a team is, isn’t and what the solutions are. Think about it Matthew—how can a team that needs so many of your solutions be considered the Super Bowl favorite for next year?

And by the way, I predicted the Falcons would go either 10-6 or 9-7 BEFORE the season started. I also predicted the wins/loses—with the exception of yesterday—perfectly since they were 6-2.

Lastly, little soldier, I played the QB position while you were pinching zits in ROTC.

You have no credibility and know one here with any smarts takes you serious any more. You should ask for forgiveness, admit your weaknesses and wrongs, and be honest enough to tell everyone that you are not an authority when it comes to football, and that secretly you still regret never being good enough to play football.

Come on Matthew, be a man and an honorable representative of our countries finest and clean up your language on here where both ladies and our nation’s youth visit and form an opinion of our military because of you.

By Doug

January 2, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

Although the offense did not show up in several games, they played good enough to be in the playoffs. They scored enough in four games they would have won if there was any defense at all. Donatell’s defenses didn’t work in Green Bay, and they don’t work here either. Defense wins (see Bears), so Donatell must be the starting point for change.

By Larry

January 2, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Mark Kelly,

Touché!

By Dan

January 2, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

Trade Vick?? For what?? To which team?? The Texans have a QB and will take Bush. The Saints already gave up on their “running QB” and will take Matt Leinhart. Plus who will eat Vick’s $130MM nut? Best option is for Vick to restructure his contract for the good of the team … uh that will happen.

By Gary

January 2, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

Whoa!!!! Everyone calm down and take a breather. Mora is in his second year and everyone is ready to can him after and 8-8 season?? I remember one year ago exactly everyone was excited about how he was better than Dan Reeves. Ok before you start making those stupid comments about Dan Reeves would have had us in the playoffs already, more likely he would have drafted a few more TEs and we would be 5-11 this year. Mora is building a good foundation for this team. However this past offseason the Falcons were strapped financially and couldn’t afford much with the exception of Ed Hartwell who got injured early on. They now have some flexibility and will be able to pursue FAs. The top 3 things they need to work on: OL - they need big OL to help protect Vick and the running game, Right side of the D-Line- I don’t know if Brady Smith will ever be the same, get someone in there that can pass rush, Secondary - D Hall cannot do it alone and when he tries he gets burned. We need safeties that can come up and help stop the run, not get blown by. We also need another CB who can stop the pass, Webster is hideous. All of these things can be filled out through FA and the draft and i expect them too with a guy like McKay running the show. Falcons will be back next year, b/c if i know one thing Mora and Knapp are thinking how bad they let Vick try to be a passer only type of QB and got burned. remember early on Vick was running all over the place and that is why we went 6-2 and then the D injuries set in with hartwell and smith out and then Knapp decides to make Vick a pocket passer. This won’t happen next year, We have a good offense with Vick, Dunn, Ducket, Crumpler, Jenkins, and White. They have plenty of potential to score big and often against good defenses (just look at the two Bucs games). Mora just needs to let Vick be Vick. Frank Bemer did and look where Vick took VT. Finally stop this nonsense about Dan Reeves, he is old school and Vick knew he could be not be coached by old school Dan. Give Mora some time, this is only his 2nd year. Next year if they miss the playoffs then yes it is time to fire Mora. But we have to give him one more chance. He did almost have us in the Superbowl one year ago.

By Jim

January 2, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Vick’s feeble quote says all I need to know about his heart….

“It’s not just Mike Vick,” he insisted. “I’ve got other players around me, other people around me — coaches who are supposed to do everything in their power to put everyone in the offense in a better position. It’s not just me.”

Oh yeah? Vick is a little wimp who can run when his britches aren’t down to his ankles and the defense is clueless.

His signing was one of the biggest goofs in NFL history…. I sure would like to be proved wrong but see no evidence of it…

By Thom Underwood

January 2, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

Mr. Vick needs to go Matt Schaub has a far better understanding of the offense. Also need a new Offensive Coordinator, what happened to the DVD system that got us to the playoffs last year? Dunn was Beyond Great this year…. TJ was great when Utilized but was not used to the full potential.(Thanks to Knapp) and Vick that is another Story. He is a very poor excuse for a quarterback. Mr. Blank the writing is on the wall, just pull the trigger on Knapp and Vick !!!!

By fatwallet

January 2, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank — imagine you hired Jim Mora to run your Home Depot organization, and during the first year he managed to continue operating the profitable company with slight gains. But during the second year his leadership of the company resulted in inexcusable losses, lies to the shareholders, ect……how long would you wait to make a move?

By Eric

January 2, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

You can trade Vick because as soon as you do it’ll come back to bite you. I’d suggest making him WR or a RB. But if you let him go, somebody will turn him into the Falcon’s worst nightmare. If it’s possible to have a nightmare worse than the one we’re in now.

By Tommy Ray

January 2, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have been blessed with good talent on both sides of the ball. The break down is the talent’s assembled are not properly deployed nor properly prepared. This was never more evident that in the Carolina game. Until the cry baby mama’s boy is replaced with a real coach the Falcons will continue to disapoint the fans.

By kc in fla

January 2, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

I’ve read all your comments, and I can’t believe I’m the only one thinking that Vick’s talents might be better utilized at a different position than quarterback. I totally agree that if Vick is allowed to scramble from the QB position, his life in the NFL will be a short one. But how about putting him at tailback, or slot receiver?
With Schaub handing off to him, or better yet, throwing to him, Vick’s remarkable speed and running ability could be taken advantage of, with a lower risk of him being injured. Just trying to think outside the box, Matthew.

By Jim

January 2, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

So we have a cry baby mama’s boy for Head Coach and for QB…. what a dynamic duo!!!!

By jason

January 2, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

The real problem here is the west coast offense lead by Jim Mora. Please give him the pink slip and lets bring someone in who will let Mike Vick be Mike Vick. Quite honestly Mike Vick is one of the least exciting pocket passers in the game,let the man make plays with his legs, tire defenses out, and then continue to pound the defense with a mix of Duckett and Dunn. On a final note,I don’t care what anyone says,the Falcons quit on their fans yesterday.

By Jim

January 2, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Who’d have thunk it?

Corn rowed, crotch draggin Michael Vick’s season is over before little brother criminal QB’s is!!!

Yeah “Mike” get your rows touched up and your little gutless hip hop britches on and pull up a chair and watch “little bro” this afternoon…. wow a new hip hop star… “Little Bro”

Maybe “Little Bro” is smart enough to learn something when you’re not… maybe his crotch draggin attire has a reason? “Mike” yours sure don’t …. they’re empty for sure!

By Gator

January 2, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

You people are truley idiots. There is not a Coach in the history of the NFL that would start Schaub over Vick. If Vick goes to another team he will end up being the greatest qb ever. The Falcons have a bad offensive coordinator, terrible recievers, a bad offensive line, and a drama queen for a head coach. Not to mention a defensive unit that couldn’t stop Parkview High School. Vick came to one of the worst franchises in sports and took the Falcons to the playoffs his first two years as a starter, and had it not been for the defense he would have done it a third time, not to mention he did this with no talent around him. He has been voted to the Pro Bowl all three years he has started, and by the way fan voting for the Pro Bowl only counts 30% so I guess the other players and coaches in the NFL think pretty highly of Vick. People in the NFL, that actually now something about football, ALL know Vick is great. I have always heard that Atlanta was not a football town, I see that now. The Falcons have the dumbest fans in football.

By Fan of Vick

January 2, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

1) I think it’s worth noting that the worst hits Vick took this season were in the pocket, with a few exceptions. He’s safer running down field.

2) We need a safety that people are afraid of.

3) Our season looks a lot like Tampa Bay’s last year: lost a lot of close games; at times looked lost on offense, etc. I’ll also point out that last season, people in Tampa were beginning to think Gruden’s Super Bowl was just a hangover from the foundation laid by Tony Dungy and Rich McKay. My point is that the line between winning and losing in the NFL is razor thin. Give Mora time.

4) Rich McKay is the best at what he does. Fortunately the right people know that, and are not taking advice from the lunatic fringe.

By Andy Williams

January 2, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Issues like the Falcons face start at the top, with Arthur Blank. Yes, the same guy who (has temporaraly) filled the seats with smoke and mirrors, who was so proud of his aquisition of Peerless Price, who wheeled his boy onto the field (haven’t seen that trick again), who had to make yet another harassment issue go away, who paid Vick millions over far to long a period… Left to their own devices, he has the personel to put a consistent winner on the field. I have no doubt, he extends his owneship role too far into the day-to-day, and should just be happy with his role of counting the money.

By TechMan

January 2, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Ok everyone take a deep breath. Mora hit his sophmore jinx and the offensive scheme was the problem as much as Vick was this year. Everyone’s got to understand that he’s not a good Quarterback..he’s actually more. He has created a new position…He’s a Dollarback. Our offensive scheme has got to allow him to run more. What’s the difference if he scores running or throwing-they both count 7 points. Carolina had an off year after their Super Bowl run and nobody panicked and they are in the playoffs this year. With a couple of pieces here and there, I still think the Falcons have the team to win it all next year. most important project for next year is to stop the big play on defense.

By RD

January 2, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Although it is unlikely, the Falcons need wholesale changes in leadership and scheme. The head coach is being exposed as a head case player-pal and cheerleader with little coaching substance. Play calling by the OC and DC were abyssmal, and both need immediate replacing. The WCO was a horrible fit for the Falcons offensive talent. “Bend but don’t break” was an inaccurate label for a Prevent Defense that did nothing more than prevent victories. Watching mediocre offenses like Tampa march down the field like a hot knife through butter when the game was on the line was too much to bear. Vick’s pocket passing is hideous, but good coaching and the right offensive scheme to fit his talents might still remedy that as well as his lack of leadership on the team. I wish I could say that ownership and the GM will step up and make the tough decisions, but I don’t have that confidence. If not, Falcons consumers will have to treat this like a business and vote with their pocketbooks to get the message across. I believe Atlanta fans would like nothing more than to be loyal, but we have a right to expect sound management from the team. The ball is in their court now. Surely Arthur Blank will understand that.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Larry,

In this realm of the NFL, changes happen from year to year that let any team be able to challenge for the Super Bowl. Are you so unintelligent that you fail to understand this?

I made the prediction, and yes, I am sticking to it. To change now would amke me look like you: a bandwagon jumping fool.

Who’d a thought last year that this year the Giants, Jags, Bucs, Bears, Bengals, etc. would be vying for a Super Bowl?

We all had the Falcons, Eagles, Chargers, etc. Some had the Lions and Cardinals.

Anything can happen from year to year in the NFL, Lar. It’s called parity. You show your total lack of football knowledge and discredit yourself by not understanding this simple fact that a 5 year old can understand. You sir, have no credibility left.

And parity is different than parody. Parody is what you post here from time to time. A parody of someone who thinks they understand football.

And you still haven’t added a damn thing to the conversation, Lar. No outside the box or imaginative thinking from the Lar-meister.

To quothe that paradigm of wisdom, the great Bunny from Brooklyn by way of the Bronx (so said Mel Blank), Bugs:

“What a maroon!”

By callermike

January 2, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

The Falcons will never…repeat, never…be a legitimate contender while Michael Vick is the quarterback. Contenders have pure pocket passers as quarterback. Name a running quarterback who has ever won anything in the NFL. Granted, some winning quarterbacks were pretty good runners, too (Bradshaw, Young), but they were primarily pocket passers who could also run when necessary. Vick is a running quarterback, and an exciting one, to be sure. But in the pocket, he is only average, or perhaps even a little below average. Until the Falcons obtain a legitimate, exceptional pocket passer as quarterback, we are doomed to more years of 8-8, 9-7 or maybe even 10-6. O.K., but not good enough to win the “Big One”.

By crossing the border

January 2, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

While, I have come to accept the Falcons as losers (for God’s sake, I grew up a Lions fan) yesterday was a disgrace. Luckily, living on the coast, I am closer to JAX. Go Jags! Meanwhile, you can’t blame Blank. He deserves a little return on investment. I hope he makes the kinds of business decisions that made him successful at HD. Vick has turned into a backfield pansy.

By Shirley Sorohan

January 2, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Larry: Thanks for your kind comments about courage. My comments about gang banger were not intended to be racist by no means. But it is a reality that we have gangs and he is a professional football player and the NFL should not condone that mind-set whether black or white. Vick is attempting to imitate them and I just think as a pro - it is not something that a role model should advocate. Kids admire atheletes and we really want our kids imitating this image? I admire a talented athelete black or white. but I don’t admite Vick’s values. Image speaks volumes of the quality of a professional that you represent and he needs to shed that image and send a positive message that he’s a leader, or he will always be overpaid overrated athelete that never made it to the big game.

By Garrett Phillips

January 2, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Start Shaub, have Vick lining up all over the place. The possibilities are endless. This coaching staff has ZERO imagination, that’s a big problem. Also, Duckett is underutilized. Knapp needs to go.

I’ve got a spot for Jason Webster at my detailing shop—-he’s gonna need it.

By Garrett Phillips

January 2, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Start Shaub, have Vick lining up all over the place. The possibilities are endless. This coaching staff has ZERO imagination, that’s a big problem. Also, Duckett is underutilized. Knapp needs to go. Mora should get one more year.

I’ve got a spot for Jason Webster at my detailing shop—-he’s gonna need it.

By Brian

January 2, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Rich McKay must go! I lived in Tampa for almost 20 years and watched Rich in action. What is happening to the Falcons is exactly what happened to the bucs under McKay. The bucs never had an offence. McKay never invested in offensive talent and condoned Tony Dungy’s dumb down the offence coaching style. When the Glaziers finally had enough and fired Dungy, McKay tried to hire another the defensive oriented coach. The Glaziers vetoed this and hired John Gruden themselves. The rest is history! Superbowl Champs 2003! McKay has a great reputation as a cap expert. I believe he left he bucs to come to Atlanta because he knew he had screwed the bucs in relation to the cap. I also think he undermined Gruden’s attempts to upgrade the talent. At least Dungy learned from his mistakes and left he offense alone in Indianapolis!

By Billy

January 2, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

As a transplant from Cincinnati,Ohio all i can do is just sit and laugh at all the comments about how the Falcons had a bad year. Try watching and listening to all of the things that went wrong with the Cincinnati Bengals over the past 15 years. The one bad year the Falcons had this year would pale in comparison. Bad coaches,players,management,and drafts of players you never heard of or never saw because they never made the team. Season records of 4-12,3-13 and 2-14. Fans with bags over there heads after about 4 games into the season. Excuses one right after the other. One year ticket prices raised 10 minutes after the season was over with. You name it i have seen it. To go through it you have to be dedicated and hope that one day your loyalty will payoff. I am extremely happy for the first time in 15 years i will attend my 1st playoff game as a dedicated fan of the Cincinnati Bengals. All i can say to Falcons fans is i know your pain and one day you will have a team to be proud of. Just hang in there and don’t despair.

By RAWDAWG

January 2, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

Thanks Live Wire, I was beginning to think no one in this city knew anything about football.

Mike Vick is the problem for all of the Falcons’ woes. Also, let’s stop talking about this team as if they’re the Houston Texans. We lost two games against the Bucs where we were leading by a touchdown with less than 4 minutes to play. If our horrible defense makes a stop in those games, we’re 10-6, going to the playoffs, as opposed to 8-8.

Offensively, Knapp must either come up with a more imaginative offensive scheme or be replaced. We must draft some offensive linemen that can actually pass protect. Duckett should be traded, if we can find any takers. Our receivers are fine. White proved to be a better option than Peerless Price, and Jenkings was much improved.

Defensively, the Falcons must try to replace Brady Smith. Even if he comes back, chances are he will not be the same player. The biggest difference from the 2004 defense and the 2005 defense is the pass rush and run stopping. In 2004 our defense got pressure on the QB with 4 linemen which left 7 guys to cover 3 or 4 receivers. This year we had to blitz to get to the QB, if we got there at all. Our young linemen are good reserves but not ready to fill Brady’s shoes.

Also, our secondary sucks. We must find some safeties that can cover and tackle. Preferably, tackle with attitude! This team really missed Kevin Mathis in the nickel package, which forced us to play a lot of zone.

Last year Tampa Bay missed the playoffs, but they didn’t panic by firing the coach and overhauling the team. They simply improved those areas that were weaknesses and they were back on track. The Falcons need to do the same thing. We were a game away from the Superbowl last year, with mostly the same players from this season. There’s no need for a team overhaul.

By catchthis

January 2, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Pull yourself off the ledge folks. While we are all disappointed in the season. The fact is that the Falcons would have easily made the playoffs had our defense been effective.. The difference in this year and last year was the Defense last season actually was quite good and this year the D was one of the worst in the ATL in a long time. It was sickening to watch our defense let us down all year. I do not remember one key stop that the Falcons made on Defense the whole season. Let’s stack up on Defense in the offseason and we’ll be back in the playoffs next year. Those of you who say Vick should be traded should have your head examined. As I recall this is the first time a healthy Vick did not go to the Playoffs. Have we already forgotten how horrible it was to watch the Falcons pre-VICK.

By larry hardy

January 2, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

I agree wholeheartedly with the writer. The problems above all are the offensive lapse from forcing Vick be what he is not and obviously a too slack defensive backs group. We need a new offensive coordinator and we need a new defensive coaching staff for the defensive backs. Too mnay offensive plays were obviously too off… 14 seconds to go in the Tamp Bay game with a time out showed we did not have confidence in Vick

By ATLborn

January 2, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Many of the posts on this topic prove that Atlanta has some of the dumbest fans in all of pro sports. And one reason above all others is the cause, and that’s race. Say I’m playing the race-card or whatever u want, but race is the reason M. Vick takes so much heat and his back-ups are always glorified as the next big thing.

U folks are the same that called for Doug Johnson to start over Vick, then Kurt Kitner. It was an “ABV” anthem, Anybody But Vick. When your precious DJ started u saw what he was really about. Same thing with Kitner. Schaub was a decent QB at best in college and he wouldn’t even be that in the pros. He would just be “OK”, that’s all. Schuab has decimated 4th and 5th stringers and u all want him to replace Vick. Some of you all call yourselves long time Falcons Fans. I believe that to be true. You all are the same folks that NEVER called for Chris Miller’s head when he stunk up the joint for so many years. In his short career, Vick has led the Falcons to the playoffs more times than Miller, but you all didn’t call for his head. Never was their a public outcry for Miller’s back-up to supplant him.

When Chandler was stinking up the joint u all didn’t cry for Vick to supplant him. No QB would win a championship with this years squad. The coaches have brain farts when faced with critical game situations, the Defense can’t tackle, can’t stop the run nor can it stop the pass. The O-Line is horrendous. The Falcons have spent a first round pick on an o-lineman since Lincoln Kennedy. U can’t win for long in the NFL without pro-bowl caliber offensive linemen. We’ve had scraps on the o-line for Vick’s entire tenure. Our best receiver is our tightend, the entire NFL knows that he’s the only legit threat to catch a pass so he’s constantly doubled and tripled. R. White is an emerging threat but still has to develop. Finneran just learned to catch a year ago, he’s a 3rd wideout at best. The rest of the wideouts aren’t worth a dime.

Vick has a long way to go in his development, but he’s one of the best players in the game. He’s the difference maker that Schaub is not, nor will he ever be. I would hate for Vick to have another injury that would have him sit for multiple games, but that would be the only thing that’ll show u bubbas that Vick is the truth and Schaub is not the real deal. OH wait, what am I saying, it won’t do a bit of good. After this Schaub fails and goes the way of DJ, you all will just align yourselves with the next great white hope on the bench.

By Scotty

January 2, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

Dial up the Stargate and send the Atlanta Coaching Staff through!!

This staff has done the worst job of assessing individual talent in the history of the NFL. For example, Justin Griffin is a diamond in the rough, under utilized talent. He is a Bryan Wesbrook, under cover and could create a four-headed monster in the offense.

Dump the secondary, with the exception of DeAngelo Hall, from the second game of the season. If assessing talent was priority, Demario Williams, would have been the strong safety.

Last season, the coaching staff rode the back of Vick to Victory, with a boring offense. In the NFL, teams prepare and Vick is a victim of preparation.

From the cuts in the secondary, be sure to include on the shopping list an offensive line with enough “beef” to handle the rush and allow Vick to develop his skills, in yet another new offense.

By jovanko

January 2, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

ATLborn:

if i say tom brady is a far better quarterback than michael vick will ever be, does that make me a racist? get a clue.

By Conyers Dawg

January 2, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

I just got on for the first time and there are way to many post to have read all BUT GEECHEE my friend you are an idiot if you think McKay needs to go. He is one of the best in the Buisness.

Hey Mathew I used to disagree with you on Knapp because the offense needed some time and the WR’s are new and you didn’t have Peerless to blame. But I agree with Knapp needing to go. Vick is not developing. Who is the QB coach? He for sure needs to be fired!

Vick is our QB, it is the defense that needs addressing. Please release JASON WEBSTER, He was embarrassing yesterday.

I am looking forward to next season though. Blank and McKay will evalaute and make the changes that need to take place. Another season of mediocrity and Mora will be will be fired.

By lawton

January 2, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

www.trademichaelvick.com

By Indy

January 2, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

GO COLTS!

By Brian

January 2, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is going to be our quarterback. It’s as simple as that. He needs a lot of improvement in order to lead us back to the playoffs. The team overall is average (accurately reflecting their 8-8 record. We need better schemes on offense and defense. Jason Webster just has to go. We can’t continue to play ten yards off the receiver on each play. That won’t get it done.

For all that bring up Tom Brady, let me just mention that I’m from Michigan and watched Tom Brady while he was at Michigan. I’m a Tom Brady fan, but he wasn’t a great quarterback in college; he was a good quarterback. The offensive scheme Charlie Weis created in New England and good coaching (no more Lloyd Carr) made him a better quarterback.

The Falcons 8-8 season is a disappointing one and hopefully will bring about much needed changes. That being said, it should be noted that the 2002 Patriots went 9-7 and missed the playoffs after winning the SuperBowl the previous year. I think history has shown that they rebounded pretty nicely.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

I like how the playoffs have shaped up for New England.

They get the warm-weather Jags, not the Steelers to come to Foxboro. Instead, the Steelers and the Bengals get to slug it out to see who gets to play Denver in Denver. The only way the Pats have the AFC Championship at home is if they play the Steelers. But, here’s an interesting antectdote: the Pats have played only one AFC Championship at home during their current run. They can win anywhere and will win when they play Indy. You just don’t bet against Brady. He may lose (even Joe lost a time or two), but you don’t bet against Brady (just like you’d never bet against Joe Montana).

The Colts is a team that is not playing very good football right now, and will be majorly rusty coming off what is essentially a three week to a month break. San Diego gave New England a good preview on how to beat the Colts in a game the Colts wanted to win (not that Belichick needs much help).

Man, there is nothing in this world I’d like to see more than Peyton Manning do his usual big game flop and start the finger pointing on the field, like he’s done the past three years.

Go Mighty Patriots!

And except for Conyersdog and a very few others, I’m still not getting any actual realistic and intelligent discussion as to what needs to be done to fix the team in the offseason.

I guess I should expect as much. I mean, since the blogs went public and they let anyone post (re: the Lar-meister), the quality of blogging has been diminished by far.

Come on y’all! Pull your heads out of your a—es and actually think some intelligent thought!

By Drew

January 2, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

The Falcon organization is getting what it deserves for firing the only coach that took us to the Super Bowl and hiring Jim Mora that had zero NFL head coaching experience.Please Dont let Blank buy the Braves!!!!!!!! Drew Marietta Former Falcon season ticket holder

By True Fan

January 2, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

You people are unbelievable. Fire the entire coaching staff that went to the NFC Championship game last year. Bill Cowher went 3 straight years in Pittsburg(1998-2000) without making the playoffs. Can’t understand why they kept him. Heck, Denver should have fired Mike Shanahan at least 3 times. Yeah, that’s the right thing to do, fire everybody. If only New England had fired Bill Belichick after they didn’t make the playoffs in 2002. Surely they would have won back to back Superbowls had they gotten another coach.

You people need to grow up and start acting like real fans. Yeah this year was disappointing, yes the Falcons mailed it in yesterday, and yes Knapp is a horrible playcaller. But, the fact remains that it’s still just one year. When was the last time the Falcons won 19 games over a two year span? The fact is this team is still more competitive than any team in the Falcons history. Give this staff time to build a winner. You all will be the same people praising Mora next year when the Falcons are back in the playoffs.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

Yeah, cause Dan Reeves was so great (losing record, only two winning seasons) at coaching this and was absolutely amazing a judging and picking talent in the draft and in free agency!

Yeah, Drew, you’re right on the money!

I bet you were like the people in Dallas who hated Jerry Jones for firing Landry. What happened to those people when Johnson won two in a row?

Go away Drew. I said intelligent discussion and creative and imaginative problem solving. Guess you didn’t get the memo.

By Carroll

January 2, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

The real problem is with Rich McKay. He was supposed to be the Schuerholz-like genius. Instead, he ruined our team this year. In this age of salary cap and parity in the NFL, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket….you must stockpile a bunch of affordable, above-average players (see the NEw England Patriots). Instead, he let all of our moderately-priced, above-average talent go by the wayside (a la Jasper, Hall, Draft and others) and replaced them with one overpriced guy (Hartwell) who wasn’t even playing that well when he was healthy and then the levy completely broke when he got hurt because we have no depth. These guys oughtta hang their heads in shame.

By Bugman

January 2, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

I’m not a football coach or anything near it. But I have played the sport at a semi pro level and can see several things that bother me regarding the Birds.

Vick is a gifted player but has several things working against him (mainly Knapp and Mora). He is not a precision passer and never will be (scrap the WC offense). He is an excellent runner and has an uncanny ability to see “downfield” while doing so. Knapp has impressed me over the last 2 seasons not a lick. His situational play calling is awful and he regularly fails to exploit opposing defenses weaknesses or make in-game adjustments. In case no one noticed yesterday, Carolina assigned Thomas Davis to Vick all game. Vick didn’t have any running lanes, Davis was always there. I don’t think Knapp even called a designed QB run all game. That meant Carolina had 1 less linbacker/safety in coverage. Where did the Birds take advantage of that? Where did Knapp make adjustments? Musta been when I went to the fridge for another cold one…

Great call: Knapp out, Mike Martz in.

Sorry gang, when your offense can’t control the ball (read: time of possession) the defense is gonna spend alot of time on the field getting beat up. Yesterday’s TOP in favor of Carolina (35:08 v 24:52) left an uninspired 2nd and 3rd string D to get pummeled by a fired up Carolina team. Kudos to their 1st half goal line stand, that was great! The fear of tackling and poor fundamentals execution during the rest of the game makes me wonder how some of these guys got on the team to begin with (friends of Blank/Mora/Donatel/Vick?). Simply put, if the O isn’t executing, the D is in for a long day.

One thing that is missing this year from last is the lack of fundamentals on both sides of the ball (especially defense). The poor tackling, fear of getting hit, and lack of aggression has made them dessert for opposing offenses. Anyone remember tackling 101 - don’t look at the ball carriers upper torso? Unbelievable how many times I watched would be tacklers grab thin air this year! What happened to the tenacious attitude and respectable execution that was here last year? It’s obvious to me that we need a balls-to-the-wall, no fear safety/LB that can set an example for the rest of the defense to follow. What the hell happened to Bryan Scott this year? Anyone know? Did he decide to focus more on his music career??

Great call on Greg Blue and big Max.

Since Vick is here for several more years (no one is going to take his contract and we shouldn’t eat it), here’s a novel idea: move him to WR and give Schaub a shot. I’m not gonna espouse the bs of Schaub being pro bowl material (he’s unproven) but the kid can throw, appears to be able to read defenses pretty well, fits Knapp’s scheme (if he stays) and CAN SEE OVER THE O LINE! Think about it: Vick’s open field running ability and not getting the weekly abuse in the pocket. Vick might just last 10 years in the league and be more of a threat there than QB.

My last comment has to do with team attitude. Starts from the top down. I’ll give Mora a break since it’s only his second year, but he needs to re-evalute how he relates to the squad. A head coach should not be a players buddy. You’re there to coordinate the rest of the staff, motivate your orginazation and ensure accountability at a minimum. You are NOT a homie, babysitter or cheerleader. His comments and seemly unemotional response to yesterday’s 3rd rate performance make me want to put a boot up his a$$ (problem: I might kick him in the head). Given time, I believe Mora will become one of the better NFL coaches. The only question is, do we have the patience?

Arthur Blank, hands off! You hired personnel to do specific jobs, allow them to execute at their specialties. If they don’t perform to your expectations, replace them, but don’t interfere.

I couldn’t wait for the ‘05 season to start. By week 10, I was ready for it to end. Anyone get deja vu about then from the ‘02 season?

C’mon ‘06, I’ve got my bottle of bitter pills right by the remote control!

By Mark Solomon

January 2, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Falcon fan, but I am a football fan. Here are some thoughts that need to be carried into the offseason.

The Falcons season went in reverse at a time when the elite teams either turn it on or continue to play better. They beat only 2 teams with winning records, and those were the Vikes and Dolphins—the weakest over-500 teams Ive seen in years. They won two games outside a dome, and one of them (The Saints) was played outdoors only because of Katrina. They lost 4 fgames by 3 points, all to playoff teams…

These trends speak volumes. The Falcons cannot play tough, smash-mouth football against physical teams when the weather may be a factor. And they can’t make key plays against good teams when the games are on the line.

The franchise is going backwards. Coming off last year, this team should have won their division and gone to the playoffs. This is worse than years when they went 5-11, because they were expected to stink then. Vick will be going into his 5th year, and unless Blank pursues a quality wideout like Owens to stretch the field, they will go nowehere

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Carroll,

I totally agree with Martz and Blue (since I’ve been talking about it for 2 weeks)…

But how is moving Vick to wideout in any way realistic?

Come on, your other points were great, but you lost me with the same old Vick bashing.

Look, he’s not going anywhere. He’s our QB, and we can win with him. Mike Martz would design the craziest s—t for Mike Vick. You’re right on the button when you say Knapp isn’t working. He’s handcuffing Vick. Vick cannot win when he’s that uncomfortable. You wouldn’t ask Tom Brady to be a scrambler, so why ask Vick to be a total pocket guy?

Case in point: look at what Shanahan has done with Plummer this year. He gets out of the pocket on just about every play. He has Plummer roll to left and the right on every play to let plays develop and lanes open up. Why isn’t Knapp doing this with Vick?

Oh yeah, because Knapp is an f-ing idiot!!!

Mike Martz in!

Draft Greg Blue!

These two moves will correct just about everything on the offense and defense.

I’d love to see Blue come in and stick it to some of the veteran “leadership” on defense, like that overrated Bug, Brooking. Talk about a man with no desrire on the field. My grandmother can cover and wrap up better than Brooking.

And Mad Mike Martz drawing up plays for Mike Vick that takes advantage of the cannon attatched to his left shoulder (like he did with Warner) as opposed to silencing it (like that f-ing idiot Knapp does) and takes advantage of his legs (like he did for Marshall Faulk… when he didn’t forget him) instead of attatching a chain to them (like that f-ing idiot Knapp does) is like some wild dream come true.

You know Mike Vick would salivate and jump at the chance to have Martz as his OC. So would the rest of thye offense. You’ve heard it in very subtle intonations from Vick and Crumpler. They’re tired of Knapp and his f-ing idiocy. Just like T.O. tired of Knapp. They just have more class than to blow up at him on the sidelines.

ARTHUR BLANK: HIRE MIKE MARTZ!!!

RICH MCKAY, DRAFT A BULLDOG TO TEACH A BUG HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE! DRAFT GREG BLUE!!!

By gdg

January 2, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

The Falcon’s problem’s boil down to the coaching staff. Greg Knapp and Donatell are pathetic. Both are too conservative and lack the guts to challenge opposing teams. I truly believe Blank is going to give both an ultimatum. Either get more aggressive with your schemes or get the hell on. Blank is going to spend money in free agency and Mckay is going to conduct a good draft, so I am confident the players will be in place. It is up to the coaching staff to put the players in position and schemes where they could make plays. And for the bloggers who say Vick is the problem, get real. The guy is the X-factor that was not used properly. Vick needs to improve just like every other 25 year old NFL player. I swear, I believe alot of this hate is due to the fact that many of you were never comfortable with Atlanta having a black QB. You couldn’t say anything about him while he was winning. As soon as the team started losing, Vick all of a sudden became the reason. I guess Vick was the reason Carolina scored 44 #$cking points. Face it people, the defense ain’t @#it. The Dline sucked, the LB play sucked, and the secondary minus Deangelo Hall sucked. Draft FS Greg Blue, draft a 300Lb++ DT, draft two young corners, and spend Free Agent money on Steve Hutchinson from Seattle. He is going to cost some money, but he is worth it (Check Alexander’s numbers over the last five years). Seattle can’t afford both him and Alexander. Also, find a decent OT to replace Shcaffer. A reliable punt returner and another young rb should also be addressed in the draft.

By Bugman

January 2, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Matthew,

Didn’t you request “outside the box”? LOL!

You really can’t see the move? One of the fastest players in the league? Strong, decent height, great jumping ability? The best open field runner in the NFL? Instead of making him work from the pocket (read: running), let him work in the open. Who’s gonna be able to cover him man on man?The more I think about it the more it makes sense. Plenty of college QB’s that went pro and moved to CB or WR, definitely not new.

I’m not bashing Vick, my point is he’s not the right fit in Knapp’s design. If Knapp stays, move him to WR. If Martz were to come in, keep him at QB. The man has talent. It’s being wasted in the current implementation.

Vick is not the problem, the way he’s being used IS!

By Fansince73

January 2, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

It’s not McKay’s fault. McKay didn’t want Mora as Coach, that decision was Blank stepping in and overruling. We could have easily had Lovie Smith last year. Instead, we get this little brat as coach. Blank’s constant involvement with this team is hurting the Falcons success. The team had to get rid of Hall and Jasper because of the Vick contract and the stupid salary cap. No team can pay a contract like Vick’s and field a competitive team.

Mora will never be a tough coach. Does anyone think he would ever bench Vick for carrying the ball like a loaf of bread?? Blank would not let him. How many stupid fumbles must we endure because of his poor ball handling? Anybody get their butts chewed out over all the blocks in the back on punt returns?? Scott was finally benched for poor tackling but how long did it take?? Face it; the Falcons don’t have coaches who can light a fire under the players. They can’t or won’t hold players accountable. Heard any rumors of teams going after our coordinators as head coach replacements? Not likely to happen folks.

Brooking was sick to his stomach over the loss and not making the playoffs. Vick is laughing with the opposing team after the game and crowing about how it’s not his fault in the post game interviews. Big difference folks. Brooking may not be one of the best linebackers in the league, but he is a blue collar player who gives it 100% every game. Ron Mexico should be traded. Only one rush with no yards?? Ole Ron didn’t care about erasing the worst legacy in professional sports. I’d rather see Detmer play than watch that crap again! If Vick doesn’t run, he is not even an average NFL QB. Will we spend the off season watching Ron Mexico on court TV? Vick is not a team player and is not improving as a QB. Defenses have figured him out. No one is scared of him anymore. Mark my words, Vick’s contract will cripple this team for years to come.

By Bugman

January 2, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Matthew, one more thing. I’m gonna hafta agree to disagree on Brooking. I beleive him to be one of the best WS LB’s in the league. If you look at his career you’ll see that he has been continually forced into the SS position (that doesn’t suit him). He ain’t Mike Singletary but he’s been forced to play that position most of his career (more coaching bolo’s). Fansince73 hit it on the nose: the guy is a blue collar team player that never gives up, he’ll always have my repsect for his demeanor, sincirety and humbleness. And yep, I’m a Bulldog fan!

Adding a decent run stopping, hard hitting MLB should be high on the list for offseason.

By falconsfan4life

January 2, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

All of you people wanting Vick traded or that believe he is the problem are insane. He puts butts in seats and gets on national TV, and for every bad throw he makes, he makes a throw or run that only he can make. He is very similiar to Brett Favre, he makes mistakes but he makes special plays more. To say that is not intellectually capable of playing Quaterback in the NFL is racist and so is calling him “dumb as a brick.” We need a ball-hawking safety, some big nasties on the DLINE, and another running back to complement Dunn, one who will HIT the hole!

By ghs

January 2, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are losers..plain and simple. They have had a few “flickers of success”, but overall they have been miserable since their inception in 1966. First it was the Smith family ownership. The Falcons were their toy. If they won fine, but what the heck, we can keep payroll low and use the TV money to cover that, even if the stands are half empty. Leeman Bennett was shown their gratitude by getting fired because they wanted a coach who could take them to the “next level”. Other than Bennett, the only coach who attained any sort of success was Dan Reeves. We have had a bunch of misfits (Glanville, etc) in recent years. Mora won last year with the team that was basically assembled by Reeves. This year things caught up with him. First, I have my doubts as to whether Michael Vick is indeed an NFL quarterback. I do know that he is NOT an NFL quarterback using the Falcons current offensive scheme. Say what you want about leading the league in rushing. Passing is the name of the game in the NFL. Either the scheme has to go or Michael Vick has to go. Along with the scheme, I would suggest taking Mora and Knapp also. Every year we hear excuses…I’m tired of hearing excuses. Fix one thing this year and it will be something else next year. Every year it is “wait til next year”. It would never happen, but if a team coached by Vince Lombardi had quit like the Falcons did yesterday, all of them would be unemployed today.

By PETE

January 2, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YALL SOME WHAT FALCONS FANS. YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE DUMB TO TRADE A QB THAT A YEAR AGO DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS COULDN’T SLEEP ALL WEEK GAMEPLANNING TO STOP VICK. SCHAUB IS A GOOD QB, BUT VICK IS BETTER. THE PROBLEM WITH IS HE GOT TO SHOW THE MEDIA THAT HE IS A “POCKET PASSER”. VICK NEEDS TO STOP LISTENING TO THE MEDIA AND PLAY HIS GAME!!!!!!!! NOW IM 15 AND WHAT YOU MIDDLE AGED GUYS ARE SAYING SOME OF THE MOST RIDICOULOUS THINGS THAT COULD BE SAID BY A FAN. IF BLANK TRADES VICK WE WILL BE DONE. THERE ARE SOME GM’S THAT WANT SCHAUB. WE COULD TRADE HIM FOR SOME EARLY PICKS. WE DON’T NEED REEVES BACK EITHER. VICK DID DO BETTER BUT HE IS NOT WHAT WE NEED. ALSO JENKINS AND R. WHITE DID BETTER THE LAST PART OF THE SEASON. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THEM NEXT YEAR. WE NEED A TO GET RID OD DUCKETT ALL HE IS DOING IS TAKING TD’S FROM DUNN. DUNN GETS US ALL THE WAY TO THE GOALINE THEN DUCKETT COMES AND GET 2 YARDS AND HE ACTS LIKES HE DID SOMETHING. UNTIL HE LEARNS TO HIT A HOLE LET DUNN RUN WILD. WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS A OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. GREG KNAPP IS SO PREDICTABLE. IF I KNOW WHAT THE PLAY IS FROM MY SEAT AT HOME THE I KNOW GREAT COACHES AND PLAYERS KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO RUN.HERES AN IDEA BE CREATIVE. ALSO MORA SAID THIS TEAM NEEDS TO BE BUILT FOR SPEED. BUT WE NEED AGGRESSION. WE ARE NOT AGGRESIVE ON DEFENSE OR OFFENSE. WE DON’T HAVE A TRUE HITTER ON DEFENSE THATS WHY WE NEED BLUE OR HUFF TO TEACH A RECIEVER NOT TO COME THRU THE MIDDLE. I WANT A HITTER!!!!!!!!!!! WE ALSO NEED TO GET RID OF WEBSTER. HE IS NOT A CORNERBACK. HE SUCKS. LOWE HAD BETTER TIMES ON THE FEILD THAN WEBSTER. WE WILL HAVE A BETTER YEAR NEXT YEAR WIT VICK AT QB. VICK FORGET ABOUT THE MEDIA AND PLAY YOUR GAME.

By gdg

January 2, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Fansince73 is the type of blogger I was talking about. You people need to stop. You continue to talk about Vick like he is the problem. You people make me sick to my stomach. Hate really blinds you. You lost any respect when you said you would rather watch Ty Detmer as QB. Why would Mora bench his best player dumb a$$. How many games has Schaub won? I don’t think the front office would have offered Vick his contract if they felt it would cripple the frachise. And another thing, I hate to bash Falcon players,but Keith Brooking ain’t s@#t. However, you all continue to put his weak a$$ on a pedestal. I guess Vick is suppose to sulk and get mad at the world because we lost a game due to our gutless coaching staff. If Brooking was so sick to his stomach, he should have showed up more durig the season. It amazes me how you rednecks continue to give this guy a free pass.

By rw

January 2, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

I have been a Falcons fan since the Steve Bartkowski days, so I am used to seeing this kind of Jekyll and Hyde play from the Falcons. But what I can’t understand is why when we finally get a quality player (Vick, when he’s allowed to utilize his best skills) our coaching staff can not utilize him to his best abilities.

I agree there needs to be a shakeup in the coaching staff of the Falcons…the collapse in this season has got to be by far the worst I have ever seen as a Falcon fan.

Even though the Falcons, after having been turned away by the Eagles last year, open this season with an impressive win over them and on to a 6-2 record in the first half, there was still that sense of caution about being too optimistic, because these are the Falcons.

I feel that when the Falcons finally learn how to put together back to back winning seasons, they may position themselves to be as dominate in their division as the Braves. (Can Bobby Cox coach football???)

By where is the defense

January 2, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

Leave it to the fake falcon fans to blame the qb although the defense gave up 40 points. How is it the qb’s fault that the opposing team is driving up and down the field with no problem? Im so sick of this Schaub looked good crap, look he was playing in garbage time what qb doenst look good in garbage time. Its the same as pre season, IT DOENST MATTER. The guy throws a td with less than 2 minutes left in the game and people think he is Johnny Unitas. GET REAL

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

No, moving Vick is not realistically thinking outside the box.

Bringing in Mike Martz… that’s a realistic outside the box thought.

Here’s the thing… Mora needs to be let known by Blank and McKay tonight that his attitude needs adjusting and that his OC needs firing.

For the love of God, Arthur Blank, fire Greg Knapp!!!

By JB

January 2, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Guys, I can’t believe no one has brought up “THE TRADE”, that ultimately, may go down as one of the worst moves in Falcons history. Let’s go back in time shall we? The year is 2001. The Charges trade there #1 pick to the Falcons who get Vick. In exchange the Charges get the #5 overall pick – that they use get the great LaDainian Tomlinson and then in another great move, they got Purdue quarterback Drew Brees with the first pick of the second round along with Tim Dwight and a pick in 2002. I’ll be honest; at the time I thought it was a great move for Atlanta. They were in desperate need of a dynamic/impact player.

But when I go back and read all the comments from 2001, from analysts and even fans back then. Many thought the Charges got a steal! Most felt that Vick either would not be a good fit in the then Dan Reeves offence or just would not live up to the hype (hmmm…).

See comments below:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/yourturn/news/2001/04/23/reacttionsatlsdtrade/

The numbers don’t lie. This year Drew Brees was the 10th ranked QB and threw for over 3500 yards! Vick was the 25th ranked QB, didn’t come close to the passing yards of Brees. So right there, even if the Charges only got the pick for Brees (second round pick), they still would have come out ahead at this point!!! Unbelievable! But guess what they got a whole more.

I love Warrick Dunn, but I think we all have to admit he is not the caliber of player that LT is. Bytheway, LT did not play the entire season at 100% but still ranked higher than Dunn despite the great year Dunn had. And most NFL analysts will still tell you that LT is one of the very best players (not just RB) in the NFL.

So let’s start the debate. If you are the Falcons management and you had the chance to do that trade all over again back in 2001. Do you still trade for Vick?? If you ask me, I say HELL NO! Yeah, the Charges did miss the playoffs, but really, which team is better built for future success??

By Donnie

January 2, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

A team that has a good coaching staff will improve from year to year…don’t give me all the crap about injuries..ie..Patriots, noboby had more people hurt than they did and they didn’t cry and complain…they strapped it on and played.Yesterdays game was as gutless a performance as I have ever seen and I have been watching the FAalcons sine the Dave Hampton, Jim Mitchell days. Vick will be the qb but like many others have said he must stop being treated like a baby. I thought I was gonna puke watching Mora run to him with a jacket whenever he came to the sidelines in Chicago. You do not have to be the greatest athlete in the world to run hard. If you give your best and lose that’s one thing but being gutless is totally something else

By Fansince73

January 2, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this

I’m not blaming Vick for the Falcons woes this season. His contract is the problem. Look at the Vikings trade for Hershel Walker. The Cowboys built a dynasty off of the picks. With the salary cap no team can afford to put so much in one player. Vick is not running anymore and his passing is mediocre at best.

The defense needs better players in the secondary. Every expert in the preseason said our safeties didn’t cut it and guess what, they were right. Webster is another 49er has been and is finished. Our coaches cut our best d line backups because of CAP concerns.

I do take execption to Vicks attitude after the game. A true competitor never takes a butt wipping with a smile. If anyone on this blog needs a lesson on that just watch the playoffs and see how the defeated teams take it. As far as Vick’s skills go. Everyone agrees he is not an accurate passer. How do you become a great QB without being able to get the ball to the recievers?????

None of us know for sure what happened in the second half of the season because falcon brass has excellent spin control. We know something is going in the locker room or on the coaching staff because of Alge’s comments.

I am sick of the race crap being brought up anytime anyone says an ill word about Vick. He is one of the highest paid players in the NFL. He is not exempt from comment about his play. I could care less about his skin color. I just want the Falcons to do their best. He could have pink skin and wear a purple dress for all I care. I just want a qb that can get us to the Superbowl and obviously I have my doubts about him being able to do it and so do alot of others.

I was a fan back in the Bartkowski days too and benching bart put him on a track towards success. He got the message loud and clear that starting was not a given just because he was the first pick in the draft. He had to earn it every game. If you don’t believe me, go ask him!

By gdg73

January 2, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Fansince73 you want a Qb that will take the Falcons to the SB, but you would have Detmer QB the team rather than Vick. If you are such a knowledgable fan you would see that Vick is not the problem with the Falcons. Bartkowski was benched for his own safety because he was getting killed behind a ragged OL. Just like Vick.

By gary

January 2, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

The plain truth is that Michael Vick is certainly the most exciting player in the NFL. Trading him is pure insanity. Greg Knapp trying to put him in a box is even more insane. The coaching of the Atlanta Falcons this year deserves a grade of F. No ability to respond to situations, predictible all the time and a out of control head coach. My disapointment with the last half of this season is more than any time I have followed the Falcons(since 1966). The first round draft choice was a bust(after he held out for money). Both head coordinator’s should be looking for new jobs and the head coach who hired these failures should have one year to straighten this franchise or he should be gone also.

By JB

January 2, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Which makes this years draft HUGE!!!!!!!! We have to take advantage of having a decent draft pick this year. PLEASE FALCONS, IN YOUR EFFORT TO GET BETTER ON DEFENSE, DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR HORRIBLE OL PROBLEMS!! GET A GREAT OL PROSPECT! I think the OL is just as bad as the DL.

By t-towndawg

January 2, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

Vick still sucks!!!!

By Garbage Time

January 2, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

I hate all of you.

By This gets old

January 2, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

My God! I read in the Book of Revelation that there’s a tribulation coming upon us! Trade Vick now before it happens!!

By Sam

January 2, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Shouldnt of fired Leamen Bennett, shouldnt have fired Dan Reeves. We deserve our fate.

By Dan in Augusta

January 2, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Hey JB, What are you smoking???

What is all this about the Chargers and comparing Dunn and (the GREAT)LT???

LT: receiving - 51 for 370 yards a 7.3 avg Dunn: - 29 for 220 yards a 5.1 avg

LT: rushing - 339 for 1462 - 4.3 avg Dunn: - 280 for 1416 - 5.1 avg

What is so great about LT???

Dunn had a bad hamstring for four games….Vick was to busy trying to be a hero and Dunn didn’t get the runs or passes!!!!

ATLborn: “Great White Hope”????? Gee, wonder where you are coming from. Race has nothing to do with non-performance. Your comparisons are so far off you are not even on a scale. All your other QBs didn’t have a $130 million contract. I think Vick can succeed with an offense geared to him. Please stop with this racial crap. It is getting really tiring. Vick brings on a lot of criticism himself with his mouth and his actions.

Let us pray for guidance for the future!!!

By Fansince73

January 2, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

I said I would rather watch Detmer out of frustration with the way the Vick played. I have never said Detmer is a better QB than anybody in the NFL. Vick’s great running plays that we all fondly remember were never designed plays. They were spontanious. So either Vick was told not to run or he is deciding not to run. Outside of a couple of short yardage touchdown runs this year, Vick has had very few spectacular runs. He has had some injuries to deal with (the hamstring and knee) that have limited him earlier in the season. We were told that he had recovered from these. You combine only one run in the Carolina game with his attitude after the game and it makes a person wonder how important winning the game was to him.

Again, teams are so secretive these day who knows what he was told or what was going through his mind.

Bart was benched for poor play. I have read his book and have met him and heard his story about that time in his life. The benching made him rethink his attitude about everything in his life. He was a much better player and person after that. He had a poor line his first two years in the NFL. He had two knee surgeries as a result. Vick has had better players around him that Bart did those early years.

It’s football 101 to secure the ball when you run with it. Vick still holds the ball out from his body. Other teams know this and go after the ball when he runs. He has been in the NFL 5 years now. He should be held accountable for playing better. You don’t hear any of the experts talk about Vick the way they did two years ago. Defenses know how to contain him. They force him to beat them through the air. Rush 7 with man coverage and Vick is a scared rabbit. I don’t like our small o linemen, we need more beef on both sides of the ball, but I’m not sure that is the whole problem…….

By Big Boss Man

January 2, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

I love it when buffoons like ATLborn denigrate Schaub as “the great white hope.”

ATL, evidently you don’t know it, but 38 of the first 39 Super Bowls were won by white QBs. More than likely, it’s about to be 39 out of 40.

Thus, doesn’t that mean that Vick is “the great black hope”?

By jovanko

January 2, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

Big Boss Man:

your use of logic to prove your point will not be appreciated in some quarters.

By gdg

January 2, 2006 08:29 PM | Link to this

With all this Vick bashing going on, everyone fails to notice the weak Oline and Defense. Some have mention this as the main reason why the Falcons are sitting home while others talk about how Vick carries the ball and how he brings criticism on himself because of his actions and his mouth. You must be kidding me. And Big Boss Man, explain to me what a denigrate is.

By trip trop trobe

January 2, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

This message board only reaffirms my belief that Atlanta-area sports fans are the biggest fcking idiots on the face of the earth. If one more person says the Falcons should trade Vick and start Schaub Arthur Blank should just pack up and move this team to Los Angeles because Atlanta doesn’t deserve to have the most gifted athlete maybe in NFL history playing in this city. Let Vick play against the Patriots when Seymour, Harrison, Bruschi and half the other defensive starters are injured and he’s going to account for 28 points *by himself. Whatever offense Dan Reeves was running in 2002, bring it back, and get Knapp as far away from Atlanta as possible. Knapp hasn’t just stalled Vick’s progress as a QB, but his scheme has caused Duckett to regress as a RB as well. Duckett’s north-south running style clashes with the zone blocking cutback scheme Knapp likes to run. Jenkins and White are both in their first year starting, give them some time and they will be good. Dunn is the only player on the offense who has benefited from Knapp, since he is the type of cutback runner who fits in Knapp’s scheme. Call some more plays with deeper routes by the WR’s, max protect if your garbage 5th round pick O-line can’t protect by themselves, and quit making Vick run naked bootlegs all the time. Those bootlegs were basically the only plays he was given an alley to run, and if the opposing DE stays at home he’s forced to run for his life or dump it off in the flat to Justin Griffith. Vick may some day become a reliable pocket passer… who knows, he’s only 25, he has plenty of time. But right now he is still at his best running. Let him play to his strengths.

Most importantly GET SOME DAMN SIZE AND TALENT ON THE O-LINE AND D-LINE. We are starting a 3 7th rounders (Shaffer, Forney and McClure) and 2 5th rounders (Weiner and Lehr) on the offensive line, and you wonder why Peppers and Rucker get in Vick’s face 2 seconds after the ball is snapped? Way too many times this year I saw the Falcons in a short yardage situation and the O line was unable to get any kind of push because they were too small and weak to get movement against the league’s better DT’s. And did anyone notice how the D-line was unable to hold their ground against ANY well-coached offensive line this year? Seattle, Green Bay, Carolina, Tampa, hell even New Orleans handled our undersized D line. We didn’t just let the Shaun Alexander’s of the league run for 100 against us… no, we let Samkon Gado, DeShaun Foster, Cadillac Williams, and the formidable Antowain Smith/Aaron Stecker combo run for over 100 yards against us. The Vikings’ Pat Williams, maybe the best run stuffer in the league, was a free agent this past offseason; but oh yeah, “size is secondary to scheme” according to Mora, so we instead drafted a 280 pound DT (Babineaux) and took our chances.

And how about our “defensive-minded” head coach teaching his players how to tackle? You can hide behind youth and inexperience all you want to explain missed zone coverages or gap assignments, but that still doesn’t excuse your players from being unable to tackle. Keep D Hall, Brooking, Coleman (even though he can’t really play the run either), Kerney and Hartwell, move Demorrio to safety, and cut everyone else ESPECIALLY Jason Webster and Bryan Scott. Get rid of Knapp and get yourself an offensive line that can power block as well as zone block so Duckett doesn’t become completely useless. How about using a first rounder on an offensive lineman for a change? It’s unfortunate that Vick in his 3 years as a starter has had to learn 2 different offensive systems, but if Knapp can’t get his head out of his azz it might be in his best interests to learn a new one. And finally let D Hall play some more man to man, even if the rest of the secondary is not good enough to. Enough soft Cover 3 that lets people complete passes underneath on every play.

By trip trop trobe

January 2, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

To the guy saying the Vick for Tomlinson trade backfired on us… don’t forget, just a year and a half ago the Chargers thought so low of Brees that they drafted Philip Rivers to be their QB of the future. Schaub was drafted to be a backup and in the eyes of every sane observer nothing has changed. Four years after the trade, the Chargers who supposedly won the trade so big missed the playoffs just like the Falcons, a year after winning the division just like the Falcons.

Speaking of the Chargers though, just as an aside, their defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has the number one rushing defense in the league. That name ring a bell to anyone?

By gdg

January 2, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

Outstanding post trip trop trobe. You hit the nail dead on the head. These morons on this blog are ridiculous. Your post was excellent, especially those Oline observations.

By JockEwing

January 2, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

The only problem with Vick is he has become a prima donna that Arhtur Blank helped create by pushing his wheelchair and showing him preference in 2003. This is bad for team chemistry and it is not starting to show on both sides of the ball. Vick has become the loner and his fellow teammates have an issue with him getting special treatment.

The real problem is Coaching by a bunch of overgrown high school kids. They have now started making Vick hands off because they are afraid of Mr. Blank.

This is in stark contrast to Dan Reeves who called it like he sees it and dont really give a s**. It cost him his job because Arthur wanted a yes man and he got it plus some!!!

Next year, 5 or 6 wins tops!!! You heard it hear first.

By Coleon

January 2, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

You guys that want to trade Vick are stooopid. John Gruden said if he had him, he would design a whole new offense around him. Mind you Tampa Bay beats Atlanta on the regular but a good coach knows how to use talent. See the problem is Greg Knapp is not adept at matching the west coach to Mike Vicks talents. The 49’ers did not light it up under Greg Knapp either. Greg Knapp is only here in Atlanta because of Jim Mora not because he is some offensive guru. To make Vick stay in the pocket would be like making Peyton Manning run the wishbone offense. The coaching staff that the falcons have are clueless at how to employ the weapons that they have on offense. If Vick gets traded to say the Raiders then Atlanta fans will see how stooopid they have been calling for Mike Vick to be traded. Then again Atlanta is known for getting rid of great players i.e. Brett Farve and Deion Sanders. So go ahead trade Vick and watch him win superbowls for another team with better coaches. Last time I checked John Elway & Steve Young did not STAY IN THE POCKET. They scrambled, they utilized the shotgun and played several years and won superbowls. Atlanta fans can’t spot talent if it bit them on the nose.FACT: Joe Montanta passed for less than 200 yards a game in the west coast offense in his first 5 seasons, and I think he turned out pretty good. I remeber when he made the pass on “The Catch” to Dwight Clark he was OUT OF THE POCKET and on the edges. But go ahead Atlanta fans trade Vick if you think this offense with this coordinator and Matt Schaub can take you to the Super Bowl. LOL!!!!!

By dannycardwell

January 2, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

well guys, all that want a new offensive and defensive line, 1 corner back, 2 safeties, what are you going to use for money, when most of it is spent on 8-10 players. we got what we payed for. and nearly all mckay and mora got rid of are in the play offs with other teams. hello matthew.

By Daddyo

January 2, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

OK all you Dan Reeves haters… here is what you wanted. Dan Reeves formed his offense around Vick. Jim Mora is trying to fit Vick into a west coast offense. Hope all of you “Fire Dan Reeves” chanters at the Dome 2 years ago are content.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

Dan Reeves sucks.

2 winning seasons out of 7.

Drafting 6 tightends a draft.

Drafting Michael Booker.

Drafting Keith Brooking, the most overrated, crappy tackling, none pass covering linebacker in the NFL when he could have gotten Takeo Spikes. Takeo Spikes can wrap up. He can tackle. He can cover tightends and backs in the passing lanes.

Drafting that big slow stupid running back, TJ Duckett out of the Big 10 when we had Warrick Dunn.

Yeah, Dan Reeves was great. He was awesome.

By John

January 2, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

Matthew, wow, all you did was focus on the extreme negatives of who he didn’t draft. You could use that logic to bash every coach in the NFL. “__ should have drafted ___. He did not, therefore he is an idiot.” Just fill in the blanks right Matthew? What a weak argument.

By Matthew

January 2, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

2 winning seasons out of 7.

By JockEwing

January 2, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Matthew, you obviously dont know football Boy!!

We have a bunch of high school punks coaching this so called professional football team.

Yeah, Reeves had two winning season out of seven but Vick was just settling in to his offense and Blank goes and fires the guy.

Knowing Vick is not the brightest bulb in the pack. Last year was a fluke. If we dont change this offensive scheme we will be stuck with winning 8 or 9 games max every year.

By Rex

January 3, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this

I know that Rich McKay has only been here 2 1/2 seasons but I do not know how he always gets a pass on this board. This guy IS cancer - he always thinks he is the smartest guy in the room but he has made brutal moves between the Bucs and the Falcons he never admits to.

It has taken the Bucs 2 1/2 full seasons to recover from his blunders. For the bucs he gave Gramatica the largest signing bonus ever for a kicker (no longer in the NFL), Marcus Jones (any one remember him for the Bucs) got a $14 Million signing bonus & was out of the league within a year after the contract. Gave up multiple draft picks to get Kenyatta Walker. Gave Booger McFarland, the most over rated DT in the game $15 million signing bonus. Booger hasn’t had as many sacks in 3 years as Sapp had in 1. With the Falcons, he has ignored the middle of the defense, drafted poorly in the middle rounds and hired a Mora cause he knew his Daddy.

Blank got blinded with all the talk about how much the league loved this guy, Mckay was to be the next commissioner etc etc. There was a reason the Glazers let this guy go with out any compensation within their division.

By Jim

January 3, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

Yeah some other quarterbacks scrambled…. but they also had three things Vick does not have….

HEART….. GUTS….. BRAINS