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DEL.ICIO.USThe Tuesday Countdown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
10: This is no statement on what the Falcons’ offense is or might be. But I’m getting a little tired of Jim Mora talking about how he and Greg Knapp improved the team’s ranking from 29th to whatever. Why? (Next.)
9: Sure, the Falcons ranked 29th in 2003, the season before Mora got here. You might recall that Michael Vick was injured that season. It was Doug Johnson running the offense for most of the year. Mora needs some new talking points.
8: Does Larry Brown get a paycheck every week or do teams just leave the cash on the nightstand?
7: Billy Knight says he knows more about basketball than the rest of us do. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt on that. But how much dumber would I have to be to win fewer than 39 games in two seasons?
6: If Knight had consulted with the Hawks’ public relations people and asked, “OK, what shouldn’t I say this off-season,” they would have written up the same list of comments he told our Mark Bradley the other day. Thinking he knows what he’s doing is one thing. Articulating it in such a way that it doesn’t make you look like a pompous, arrogant goof is another.
5: I can’t believe Meredith actually slept with Dr. McDreamy again. It’s so over between us. But about Shepherd’s estranged wife …
4: I’m assuming Dany Heatley will handle this off-season better than he handled the last one. But fair or unfair, he’s already among a handful of Ottawa players being blamed for the Senators’ early playoff exit.
3: I know. At least he got there.
2: First Duke’s lacrosse team is suspended for rape allegations, now Northwestern’s women’s soccer team is suspended for alleged hazing. Duke lacrosse. Northwestern women’s soccer. Whatever happened to the good ol’ days of SEC football teams dominating the blotter?
1: ESPN talking heads are now actually complaining that they’re tired of the Barry Bonds hype and home run watch and can’t wait for it to end. Um. Excuse me. But who created this?
Permalink | Comments (26) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
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By BirdDawg
May 16, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
Dude, Mora’s tirades are becoming tiresome.
And his total bling loyalty to Greg Take A Knapp reminds me of the blinf loyalty shown by some insane Braves fans to their team, even when they already now that Cox and Co. are going to blow it in yet another October.
Meaning, of course, that it’s illogical. Greg Knapp is not one of the best offensive minds in football. In fact, he is bar none, the worst OC in football this side of Marty Schottenheimer.
The man has no imagination. He is stubbornly trying to fit Vick into a box, instead of fitting the box to Vick. All of the truly birhgt offensive minds in this game, including Gruden have said multiple times that if they had a singular talent like Vick, they’d invent a brand new offense around him!
But Greg Knapp is not smart enough or imaginative enough to do that. It’s all about ego and control.
And he is the absolute worst playcaller in football. How many runs are we going to see on 3rd and 9 this year, Greg?! How many times are we going to see Duckett get tackled behind the line of scrimage in short yardage this year, Greg?! How many times are you not going to roll the pocket for your athletic QB, Greg?! How many times are you not going to use the shotgun this year for your athletic QB, Greg?! And no, Greg, the other team gets it when you go to shotgun and only call draw plays (because they’re smarter than you).
Greg Knapp is a moron. If he were truly smart, he’d do what Gruden would do. But he’s too stupid to be innovative. He just runs Steve Mariucchi’s verson of the WCO, damn the personel!
Man, Jeff, wouldn’t you love to see what a truly brilliant offensive mind like Ken Whisenhunt could do with Michael Vick? Even though the man’s a Bug, he’s one heck of a playcaller. The man has balls. And if we’ve learned one thing from Greg Take A Knapp, is that when it comes to playcalling, Greg Knapp has no balls.
By Ryder
May 16, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
Amen Birddawg, How on earth can we have quite possibly the most talented QB to come to the NFL in quite some time with such pre-historic play calling? No wonder Atlanta can never get any consistency on offense. Any real offensive coordinator worth his weight knows that you utilize an offense to a players STRENGTHS, not his weakness. Why do you think Pittsburgh is so good on offense? They work to Big Ben’s strengths.
Birddawg is right this is all about ego and control. Fire this fool now! Of course they won’t do it until the 2006 season is already lost. Beleive it folks, believe it!
By oddman
May 16, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
I never thought that someone could make Dan Reeves seem like an offensive genius. Or, is Gregg Knapp just Dan’s pawn in a bizarre twist? BirdDawg is right, Knapp needs to wake up.
By Brendan
May 16, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
They jus’ leave the cash on Larry Brown’s nightstand, with a note. The note reads, “Last night wasn’t dope.”
The greatest sports quote the past year was actually not from Billy Knight. It was coach Woodson, who stated, “I’m not concerned about our record. Records are records. We can’t control our record.” That’s a real quote, folks.
That’s grounds for dismissal right there. And as for Billy Knight, Steve Belkin was right all along. Boris Diaw is now receiving NBA honors? Are you stunned? Or did you predict this?
Now, as for that “blindsiding turncoat” Dany Heatley, let me ask you this? Didn’t Dany Heatley say he was ‘glad’ to be back in Canada, in a real ‘hockey market?’
Well Dany, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. YOU JUS’ MIGHT GET IT. And you did. The hockey media in Canada is a “little bit different” from the hockey media in Atlanta. And now, you’re finding that out.
Dany Heatley had a 50-goal season in Ottawa, including many on the powerplay. How many goals did Dany Heatley score against Buffalo?
The answer: One. It was a Power play goal in Game One. Where was he for the rest of the series? That’s the question that the hockey media is Canada is asking him. I doubt he’d field that question in Atlanta, where he’d be patted on the back and told, “don’t worry about it, Dany. We’ll get ‘em next year.”
Up in Toronto, former Maple Leafs GM and Head Coach Pat Quinn failed to make the playoffs for the only time in his tenure there. The result? The Maple Leafs GM, John Ferguson, Jr., FIRED HIM. That’s Canada, where hockey is taken a lot more seriously. Can you imagine Don Waddell heading into a seventh (7th) season without a playoff berth in Toronto?????
Riiiight.
And finally, as for Mora and Knapp, the honeymoon is already over. Time to produce or perish. I don’t know what the Falcons strategy is. Michael Vick isn’t the only one LOST in the scheme. Jus’ let Michael Vick be Michael Vick and things’ll probably work jus’ fine.
Which now brings us to the Braves, who cannot simply “will their way” to another division title. It takes winning games and having good pitching, and a consistent bullpen to do that. Smoltz should be a closer, not a starter. Bobby Cox is a “player’s manager,” and gives them entirely too much leniency. But don’t blame any of this on the departure of Leo Mazzone. This streak had to end eventually.
But ask yourself another question. “Do you still think of the Braves as the ‘Team of the Decade?,’” like when they won the World Series in 1995. The truth is, the Braves haven’t been to an NLCS since 2001, and haven’t been to a World Series since 1999, when they got swept by the Yankees.
The last time the Atlanta Braves seriously contended for a World Series title was 1996. Yeah, the year the Olympics were here. It’s been a great run for these Braves. But when you fail to address fundamental concerns about starting pitching, middle relief, and closers, and your team relies too much on the “long ball,” then those concerns don’t just disappear.
By crs
May 16, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
What color dress and what size heal are you wearing out this weekend Schultz?
By mark
May 16, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Good pitching beats good hitting anyday and we don’t have good pitching outside of Smoltzy and sometimes Hudson. Birddawg it must be something in the water that causes these playcallers in the state of Ga. to have no balls!! The town about an hour or so north of Atlanta has a play caller that might be more predictive than Knapp!!
By BirdDawg
May 16, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
I trust CMR to do what he does. It wasn’t the offense last year which lost the Sugar Bowl for Georgia, it was the non-blitzing defense of Martinez. If they would have just blitzed Leak, they would have won the Florida game, even if Joe T sucks.
But CMR has won two real titles doing what he does. He took full advantage of Shock’s supreme athletic ability and his powerfull right arm by having him roll the pocket, play out of the shotgun, and throw deep (many of which were dropped, unfortunately). But at least CMR has some imagination and offensive brilliance.
Greg Knapp has no balls, no imagination, and is an offensive moron. And I mean offensive as his job, and just truly offence-ive to this Falcons fans.
He needed to be fired last year, and unfortunately, he’s going to take Mora down with him. But Mora has made his own bed by latching himself to this moron.
Look for the headlines next year: Ken Whisenhunt comes home! Ken Whisenhunt, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons! Local Boy Made Good! Whisenhunt Unleashes Michael Vick! Bombs Away in Ken Whisenhunt’s Offense!
Believe it you guys, it’s gonna happen. Mora is an idiot to tie himself to that moron, Greg Take a Knapp.
By 74 dog
May 16, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
great point @ 1. espn, Jeff. Who is running the Crybaby on Crybaby special ad infinitum? who cuts to every Bonds at bat? MLB had the right idea for once: just ignore him…maybe it will all go away,or maybe both legs will fall off from all the steroids, who knows?
By uga4ever
May 16, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
Woodson is a JOKE for his thoughts- “I’m not concerned about our record. We can’t control our record.” How in the HELL can anyone support this guy. HE IS OUR HEAD COACH AND HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT OUR RECORD. He is a good ASSISTANT COACH and provides MORAL SUPPORT and that is about it. People claim he is a defensive genius.. WHAT? Has anybody seen the team stats?
Billy Knight- Do people think just because he had a successful career in the NBA means he will be a good GM. What a joke? Indiana demoted him, so he left (they go to the playoffs the next 5 years) Memphis fires him…. Jerry West comes in and hires Hubie Brown then Mike Fratello to groom and coach the “youngsters” and they make the playoffs 2 yrs straight. Sorry Billy, but it is time to hit the road!!!!!!!!!!
By chatham24
May 16, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this
what’s up with #5? It’s like reading a bad poor man’s Bill Simmon’s article.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Reward the history of the braves. And have Joe Boaever teach the staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with commentary about lame TV shows.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Reward the history of the Braves. And have Joe Boaever teach the staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with commentary about lame TV shows.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Reward the history of the Braves. And have Joe Boaever teach the staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with commentary about lame TV shows.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Best pitching skills I have ever seen. Thus, they will reward the history of the Braves. Also, have Joe Boaever teach the current staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with the commentary about lame TV shows.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Best pitching skills I have ever seen. Thus, they will reward the history of the Braves. Also, have Joe Boaever teach the current staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with the commentary about lame TV shows.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to bring back Gene Gerber as pitching coach. Best pitching skills I have ever seen. Thus, they will reward the history of the Braves. Also, have Joe Boaever teach the current staff the joys of throwing the palm ball.
But most of all, this loser who writes the column needs to stop with the commentary about lame TV shows.
By uga4ever
May 16, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this
tim raymond- take your dildo out before postind, it causes spastic reactions
By uga4ever
May 16, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
tim raymond- take your dildo out before posting, it causes spastic reactions
By Ryder
May 16, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
Tim, only press the post button once, we got your point the first time. I agree with the fact that this is a sports blog, save the entertainment mess for that part of the site
Gene Garber as pitching coach? Anyone that can teach these kids to throw the junkball will be an upgrade.
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
uga4ever don’t you know that Billy Knight has a great plan? After next year, he will get rid of 1/2 of the roster, and claim that it is time for a “youth movement”, and ask the fans to be patient and then raise ticket prices so it is about $300 to me and my kids to the game….
Doesn’t that sound GREAT!
By Tim Raymond
May 16, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this
Bob Horner should be hired by the Braves. He can teach some of those skinny boys (LaRoche McCann Francouer) how to eat.
And get rid of Giles he’s an idiot and just clogs up the lineup with his homerun swings that do nothing to move anyone over on the basepath, just himself, from the batters box to the bench
By doc
May 17, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this
you know, i just dont get this thing of watching bonds go past ruth. didnt henry aaron do it, what 32 years ago? what is the importance of being second? what does that prove? it is ludicrous and an embarrassment to baseball that anything is said or done if bonds passes the babe other than acknowledging its occurance. i mean no one got into a huff about henry becoming second and passing mays did they?
baseball and espn needs to suffer on this one big time so they will begin to understand the true meaning of historical perspective, the fact that no one cares who is second and they shouldnt have either. the real issue will come as bonds goes to pass henry. otherwise, it just goes to show you that real sports people most of the time are not in charge of programming and it strikes similar to the gaffe of the nba at the beginning of the second round and its rediculous way to seed teams.
By Mr. C
May 17, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this
Tim, Click Start, Shut down. You have no business being online. Go mess with ur Typewriter.
By doc
May 17, 2006 01:10 AM | Link to this
jeff, are you trying to say mcdreamy’s estranged has junk in the trunk and you like it?
thought so.
By Tim Raymond
May 17, 2006 04:42 AM | Link to this
Mr. C…. I’m don’t know the meaning of the word “ur” that you use, so I cannout understand what you are trying to say. In any case, What happened to Tom Paciorick? Ron Gant sucks. He couldn’t even announce his own funeral.
By Gene
May 17, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this
I like Ron Gant. I am still amazed at the ability of the Braves to produce these young players. I don’t think that they will make it to another world series unless the owners spend some money on proven relief pitchers. Cox is a great manager with limited support from stingy owners.