Sports Columnists

By mo

November 27, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

Are we STILL talking about this? IS this not old news yet?

Vick apologized. Most people accepted it. There are some who will never accept his apology. It’s done. It’s over. Let’s talk about something else…

By ATLien Player

November 27, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

That fan probably got what he deserved. Ya I get p** off too when we lose like that but I don’t go crazy and start degrading the players. Anyway enough of that, two BIG plays cost us the game; That opening drive long pass and the play before half time. If not for those two plays we would not be having this blog.

By t-towndawg

November 27, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

Yeah, let’s talk about what a crappy Qb he is. The Birds will never win big with Vick at Qb.

By Dan

November 27, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

We’re never going to know what Vick can do unless we put players around him that are competent. Improve the o-line and find a way to improve the receivers, either with a new coach or with new players. If Vick fails then, we’ll at least know for sure. But I don’t think he will.

By toocoldscorpio

November 27, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

Vick gave a sincere apology. People make mistakes. He owned up to it like a man and its time to move on. I wonder if we can get Bill Cowher next year.

By Ron Roberts

November 27, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

The gesture, as Mark Bradley so eloquently laid out, belies a larger sense of frustration…from the fans, from the quarterback…from a dropped-to-his-knees head coach…probably from ownership as well.

But the fact of the matter is, this team isn’t good. This team lost back-to-back games to Detroit and Cleveland. One you can dismiss.. heck, even Chicago lost a game to an inferior team… but two? BACK-TO-BACK?? Yeah, I know…we had injuries on defense. Guess what? Every team has injuries. We’re just not good.

And all this talk about the Falcons running game… never before has it been so evident why T.J. Duckett was important to this franchise than in our first two possessions inside the red zone. I love Warrick Dunn, but he’s not capable of pounding out a 2 or 3 yard gain inside the five yard line. All those rushing yards are getting racked up between the 20s, frankly.

But Vick’s “eruption” of frustration Sunday shows that one of this team’s leaders is losing his cool; Jim Mora Jr. dropping to his knees, visibly showing his frustration not only to the viewing public, but his players, as well is telling as well. They’re getting out-schemed, and out-coached at almost every level, and all the blue-chip players and key free agents and first-round wideouts won’t change that.

Yes, Vick’s recievers let him down today. They were doing in Detroit, too, and against Cleveland at home, as ewll. Ironically, up until lately, Ashlie LeLie was the most consistent wideout, in my mind, and he’s played the least amount of time with Vick. But, alas, give him time to be coached under the Falcons’ guidance, and he, too, has started dropping sure catches.

The double-shot from Vick is worthy of some focus, but he’s not the problem. Mark asking if we’ve seen the best of Vick already is also not worthy of a response. If his corps makes the catches they should’ve made, we wouldn’t be talking about his performance, unless we’d be praising it. It’s the level of frustration that is of concern. It’s the level of maturity, from top-to-bottom, that’s a concern.

This team is lost and needs a leader. The Dallas Cowboys were, at times, a circus, earlier this season, and look what their field general has done to put them into focus. Look what his former assistant has done in New Orleans, another former corral of clowns.

Bottom line… Jim Mora Jr. is ill-suited to coach this team. He coached a Dan Reeves team, essentially, his first season, and the Falcons have slowly deterioated ever since.

For the love of Lovie Smith… Arthur Blank got wowed by song-and-dance from Junior. Remember how Blank and co. just raved about Mora’s interviews?

And yet that whole time, all I could remember thinking to myself was …

“doesn’t the 49er defense sorta suck, under Mora?”

By derek

November 27, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

a “man” doesn’t flip off kids

By dirrtybird

November 27, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

Now Mike flipped off some kids? Funny how we twist the truth to our convenience isn’t it? You’re right, a man doesn’t flip off kids, and neither does Mike Vick.

Mike, don’t be stupid. Let me flip these sorry fans off for you. You’re the face of this franchise, so let me be the finger.

Atlanta fans are sorry!!!! Prove me wrong.

If you really want to see people in Atlanta p** off, put Mike Vick in a race car!!!! hahahahahahahaha

By Dave knockahomer

November 27, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

right, Derek…..a “man’ does not flip off kids! Vick has been a hero and model to many of those kids and he gives them the finger? Apology won’t get it…..and it is so sad. Coaches need to go; receivers need to be fined by the team for gross incompetence..and on and on and on. but the buck stops with the head guy! so start with Mora and Knapp and the DC…….get rid of them all, Arthur, and start over. and for gosh sakes, find some receivers who can receive. THEN if Vick can’t make it, he can never say he didn’t have a darn good chance.

By Super Lou

November 27, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley you are truly out of touch with reality!! You continue to blame ONE *MAN for the shortcomings of an entire offensive scheme and personnel issues. People make the statement that we have “1st round” receivers, as if that means they have a degree of talent. They are garbage!! Michael Jenkins is a joke. Roddy White is a joke. And the offensive game planning is pathetic. But I guess if you have nothing to work with, then you give them NOTHING. (see Gregg Knapps playbook) I continue to be amazed at how other quarterbacks in the league have receivers make plays. Every ball wont be perfect. Once in a while a receiver has to actually get off the line of scrimmage and get open downfield. We just don’t have the guys to do that. When you put comparable talent around Michael Vick you will see a lot better performance from him in the passing game. Hell, if the O-line could keep him upright for 1 game, it would certainly help out a lot.

By TheJama

November 27, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Six years later I still find myself defending Vick to all of the non-Falcon fans in my life. From day 1 they have all said that he will never be a great QB because he is NOT an accurate passer. Say what you want, but the best QB’s in NFL history all share 1 common thread, they were accurate and had a good completion percentage. Vick is a winner, and winning games is all that matters…except when you are Michael Vick!

Why don’t we stock up on defense and let Vick put up 12-14 pts a game while we search for a wideout that can play the game.

By Frank

November 27, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are losing because. The offencive line isn’t Blocking well enough on passing and running plays. The receivers are dropping to many balls. The offencesive coordinator do’nt call good plays in the Red Zone. The defence give up to many big plays.

By alpharetta_fan

November 27, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

Vick has his issues as does every other NFL quarterback. However, when given adequate protection and decent receivers, most NFL caliber quarterbacks can flourish. Vick has proven he can do that when given the chance. Is he as consistent as Brady or Manning? Not many are. However, I would beg to differ that they have a better surrounding cast than Vick does today or has ever had during his stay in Atlanta. Yet some still expect more.

It’s amazing that we expect millions of dollars to mask the human condition. Some poor soul making minimum wage can flip off whomever they want, but the millionaire isn’t afforded the same fraility. They are both wrong. I wonder how many working class Joes would be willing to take whatever verbal abuse dished out by the boss just for the privilege of getting a paycheck. Yet that same fan believes that they have the right to verbally abuse their favorite sports figure merely because they bought a ticket.

I fail to understand how having a momentary lapse of being human translates into the us having seen the best of Vick.

By heather

November 27, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

after vicks gestures following sundays game demonstrating just how much the fans mean to him i refuse to support michael vick or the atlanta falcons from here on out…the fans are the people that give vick his career and pad his bank account so heftly and if this is the thanks i as a fan get for my support then im done…i will no longer sit in the stands for a game or watch them on tv nor will i wear the falcons logo…i will not support a team that will support a player like that…and while i am only one fan and it will hardly make a difference im still going to follow this principle because i deserve better just as every other loyal fan out there

By BirdDawg

November 27, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts…

For the first time since I started blogging on this site…

I agree with EVERYTHING you have to say.

I’ve been saying much the same things, but never so succinctly.

We’ve been at odds about a great many things, but on this, we speak as one.

I know you don’t want to hear that, but Ron, I think we finally may have found some common ground here.

By Elijah Thompson

November 27, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, you’re a smart man. You are exactly right. I’ve never seen such bad coaching in the NFL since I’ve been alive. Vick really needs a coach that he can respect. Bill Parcells would do wonders for Vick’s career. Great players need great coaches, especially one with some balls. Mora really comes across as an a* kisser. If you don’t get in these players faces they’ll never respect you. Just think about the egos these players have, getting paid millions of dollars, thinking they know everything. just look at what Parcells did in Dallas, T.O. actually isn’t a distraction, can you believe that? Put in the young recievers, I bet they’ll try to catch everything because they’re hungry to be on the field, unlike our 3 “first round picks”. We really miss Finneran. Come Arthur Blank, use your brain!!

By Elijah Thompson

November 27, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

mark bradley, you ain’t worth a f***. You get on the f*** field and see what you can do!!

By The Grinch

November 27, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

We already know what Vick can do with good receivers; has nobody watched him in the Pro Bowl? He’s suddenly a flat-out awesome passer. Hmmm.

By russ

November 27, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Bradley, you write a pretty good column and I normally agree with you,But how can you expect Michael Vick to find a happy medium when he’s had lackluster if any coaching at all since Dan Reeves left. The hiring of Jim mora was the worst move made by this organization since they re-hired Marion Campbell. Every one speaks of the offensive coordinator but anyone who knows jack about football knows a Quarterback with Vick’s skills needs an offensive minded head coach. Yesterdays game pretty well sizes up the Vick era,Since he’s been here he’s just about had to do it all himself. You say he hasn’t thrown a fourth Quarter touchdown,they’ve all been dropped.The guy creates 166 yards rushing from virtually nothing(no blocking,no time to throw)and he can’t even get enough help to punch the ball in from the 7 yard line on two ocassions. You say precision must be involved,Montana and Young had Rice,Elway had Rod smith,Bartkowski had Swann,Manning has Harrison,no Quarterback,NOT ONE !!! has ever created precision on his own. And we haven’t even adressed the real problem,How can you Expect Vick to create miracles when he has a defense who can’t stop pop warner offenses. this could go on and on I won’t even mention the play calling and all the hits this guy takes from the jail-breaks created by his horrific offensive line. Vick is probably worn out,maybe we have seen his better days…..

By Tony H

November 27, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

The man made a mistake give it a break. If he is not on the field, what do you have? Matt S give me a break Vick is the best thing we have get rid of him and you will have nothing. But a starting QB that should be on the bench in Matt S A sorry OL, Wide outs that do not come to play a conerback that thinks he is Deion A Defence and Offence coordinators that should be coaching some pop warner team and a Head coach that is a QB killer. Vick is the best thing they have and if they don’t want him let him go to a system and coach that will used his talents to his best abilities.Mr Blank I hope you are looking at this I said this last year.

By Elijah Thompson

November 27, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Alpharetta Fan, you know what the hel you talkin about. People should open their minds. People are just jealous that athletes make millions of dollars and they take their frustrations on others. those folks are some real losers.

By BirdMahn

November 27, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

It’s The following!
1. The UNDERSIZED, CUT BLOCKING offensive line is terrible at pass blocking. 2. The Offensive PLAYCALLING is very suspect. 3. The DEFENSIVE secondary is just awful.

By Mike

November 27, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

I feel that we need to trade Vick for a QB that has shown they know how to win in the NFL. For 6 seasons with Vick, we keep waiting for him to develop and along the way it seems he keeps being the same great athlete but not a true NFL QB. I agree with Jim Mora Sr. that Vick is a real coach killer for no coach is going to be able to develop him into something he is not and as long as he is the media darling that he has been and we don’t win consistantly any coach is going to be blamed. I feel that Arthur Blank needs to realize that just because of Michael Vick is a great athlete does not mean he will ever become a great NFL QB, but rather a unique adnoramlity and that isn’t going to win any coach games on a consistant basis, so therefore Jim Mora Sr. is right that Vick is a coach killer.

By gdg73

November 27, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this

Ya’ll act like Atlanta has had a long line of successful NFL quarterbacks. The Falcons have been perennial losers for decades, but the starting QB has never been scrutinized or heaped with some much blame. Is it a coincidence that he is the one and only BLACK QB during this stretch as well? Probably not. This s** makes me sick. Instead of people talking about the deficiencies on the team, you talk about the only player that came to play. You talk about no TDs in the fourth quarter. What the hell was that drop by White in the 4th? They guy could have easily passed for 200 yards and two or three Tds if not for the drops. Talk about the defense sometimes. Start a blog about Brookings sorry a*. Let’s analyze the p** poor oline. What about Donatell and that sorry a* scheme? Oh I forgot, it’s the injuries. It’s funny how every other QB in the league gets a pass when they struggle. It’s always injuries, inferior talent, or inferor coaching. Not Vick though. It’s got to be all his fault. If DJ Shockley were the 2nd string QB, I wonder how many would be calling for the backup. Stuff like this reinforces the fact that remnants of the “Old South” still exist in Atlanta and is being kept alive through the some of these articles that gloss over the real issues with this team, but instead mock the best thing to happen to Atlanta sports in a long, long time. Get a clue Bradley and stop putting this garbage out.

By Louis Vales

November 27, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this

Braves-Since 1966 ONE World Championship

Falcons-Since 1966 ZERO Super Bowl Titles

Atlanta Hawks-Since 1969(?????) No NBA Titles

Thrashers and Flames-No Stanley Cups

4 pro teams in last 40 years and a combined ONE Title is there a word for that?? Besides Mike’s salute???

By gdg73

November 27, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

Vick shooting a bird at that so-called fan had no bearing on how I view the man. If I curse and disrespect somebody, I expect for them to return the favor. That “fan” does not represent me as a Falcon supporter, probably not any of you either. But that doesn’t stop some of you from carrying on with this “b***-fest”. If you don’t want to support Atlanta after this, feel free to sell your tickets. And another thing, the same people who seem to hate Vick loved Jeff George when he was here. A team cancer if I ever saw one.

By kent

November 27, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

to all people who do not like micheal vick as qb of the atlanta falcons: do not take his fingers gesture last sunday as a sign of thugery from vick. the man was frustrated as much as we do for the losing skid. i believed him when he said that the gesture was directed at one fan who gave him and his teamates grieveses. vick, for all of his short comming as an nfl qb, does not strike me as a thug. i may be wrong since i do not know the man personally, but he just does not strike me as such. if any one followed these blog may notice, i am not a vick supporter nor i am his hater. i just try to see thing the way it really is. and the truth are these: 1) vick is a great athely 2) vick is not a nfl caliber qb 3) vick needed help which he did not and will not get from this inept coaching staff 4) vick is not a thug, he is a young man who will do dumb things like the rest of us when we were as young as he is now. that said: chang the coaching staff or bench vick in favor of mat shaub. this second option has several pluses. 1) if shaub fails, the qb controversy will be forever laid to rest 2) if mat perform well, he could be our starter next year or at the very least valuable trade 3) this move could light a fire under vick and we will have a mike vick that we all wanted. what do you guys think???? can we laid off the racist crabs and just be a true falcons fan???? pleaseeeeeeee????

By Johnny B

November 27, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

The mystery is over, now we know. The man is human. He bleeds and feels just like you and I. So the next time one of us stumbles in life, we’ll know better when the millions of eyes sees our low moments. Oh, that’s right! We can just go home and keep it moving.

By mellot

November 27, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Denver waited 10 years for Elway to become consistant. Then they waited 4 more years to win a Superbowl. Miami never won a Superbowl with Marino. Peyton Manning still has not won a Superbowl. But Trent Dilfer, Ben Rothlesberger, and Brad Johnson all won a Superbowl. That being said, the Quarterback can’t win a Superbowl by himself but a great TEAM can win even without a great quarterback. Oh yeah, Elway threw 158 td’s and 157 int’s in his first 10 years.

By pecker head

November 27, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

I said a while back that Vick would be another Kordell Stewart,but i’ll take that back,he reminds me of the above + another x qb Jeff George.

By Hank

November 27, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

I am sick and tired of people blaming Michael Vick for the Falcon’s losses.
Let’s examine three contributors to the loss that are to blame: 1. Offensive play calling: When you watch the game and you see the play calling which most of the time is predictable, it’s no wander that the team often is stopped on offense during most drives. 2. DeAngelo Hall: On the touchdown pass before halftime, DeAngelo Hall and another Falcon player should have batted the ball down that was thrown in the end zone, but instead Hall tried to intercept the ball and it went right thru his hands. He just doesn’t get it! Despite the ability that he has, he gets beat because he doesn’t play fundamental football. He tries to showboat and it results in plays like that TD pass, which is inexcusable. 3. Roddy White: He runs down the field and is in position to catch the ball, but drops it. Catch it and the Falcons surely get some points out of the drive, but instead they have to punt the ball. Another lost opportunity. It seems like every other receiver in the league catches those passes, but the Falcons receiver seems to always drop those passes. Joe Horn catches a pass with one hand, our receivers can’t catch with two. No excuse.

By Diogenes

November 27, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

Mark,

I don’t think it’s too early to send in a forfeit for next week’s game. These guys have quit; all they’re thinking about now is their condo in Hawaii and who they plan to play for next year. After you and Mora send in the forfeit, talk to Daddy Warbucks, oops, I mean Mr. Blank about buying us a team that cares about this game.

By jd

November 27, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this

elijah, i suggest you see a shrink about that anger problem. mark is a writer and a pretty good one. he never claimed to be a quarterback. as a falcon fan since 1970, i think the problem is similar to the ones the braves had for years. finally, turner put pros in charge (john and bobby) and good things happened. the owners of the falcons (smiths and blank) are/were too insecure to put proven pros in charge. they always wanted cheap and controllable management. they got what they paid for. mckay has not shown an ability to evaluate talent. mora has shown an inability to coach talent. could vick be better? sure, but vick is not the problem…the problems are everywhere: offensive line, receivers, defensive backs, injured defensive linemen, an overrated linebacker corps…my goodness. but it’s not irrevocable-look what the saints have done; look at the ravens; there are stories of one year turnarounds…BUT, the starting point is to get a staff that can objectively evaluate talent and design schemes to exploit that talent (anyone remember when the braves thought andres thomas was really a major league shortstop?) mr blank is a very smart, savvy man. i think he will realize that the problem is with the people who evaluate and coach talent, and i think he’s far too performance motivated to tolerate this level of ineptitude. i hope he gives vick a chance with a new coach, a new scheme, an improved offensive line, and a couple of receivers who can hold on to the ball (maybe they can’t catch lefties?) as for me, 36 years and counting…go falcons!!!

By Drain-o

November 27, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

SFB($hit for brains) Atlanta Falcons Fans. AJC They started the hold thing! AJC says it’s Vick fault. You acted just like some of our Fans just to get a story. Your are a hypocrite. you are class less. Tell the hold story!

By Dbltrbl

November 27, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

Grinch

This is for you and the other Vick jock-sniffers who point to his Pro Bowl performance as proof he can be a pocket passer.

In the pro bowl, you aren’t allowed to blitz

Vick and every other QB can stand back there and order a cup of coffee if they wish.

His problem starts when he senses a rush—even when his line is protecting him—and panics.

He looks panic-stricken on almost every pass play.

By AG

November 27, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

All this Vick bashing has to stop!!!! Atlanta fans need to realize that the Falcons are a bad football team. Truthfully, if you put any other QB in ATL, they would do bad — including Manning, Brees,etc. Those same recievers would still drop the ball. A couple of years ago Atlanta loved their other backup Doug Johnson, and when Vick got injured - he proved to us how bad the Falcons are without Mike! Johnson is now out the league, and I am sure if Schab was running the show, we would be much worse than we currently are!

By Drain-o

November 27, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

AJC tell the hold story, coaches are bad . Offense line is bad. how have offense line graded out in games. Reciver are clue less worsed in the leage. near 30 points a game on defense. now it’s all Vicks fault. Now AJC is out for Vicks neck and he is not the problem.

By Big Keith

November 27, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley how transparent can you get? Its amazing how when some high profile athletes get coined with cool nicknames when they are involved in these types of incidents. Names like “The Yankee Flipper” given to a former Yankee Pitcher. Vick however gets anointed as the second coming of satan because he did the same thing just about anyone on this blog would have done and probably did today on their way home on 75, 85 or I-20. Not only did this sum up what he feels about “all fans” according to the media, but the reports culminate with us having seen the best of Vick. WHAT A LOAD OF CROCK The more the South changes the more its stays the same!

By Tom

November 27, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

What a Role Model…. Atlanta.. you got what you wanted.. Vick is about as much a quarterback as Bill Campbell.. at least Bill is gone!!!you can’t build a “team” around one man.. i am so glad to be out of that chocolate city..

By Will Blog for Food

November 27, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

Hire Cowher and the Patriots WR coach. Cowher will instill discipline and didn’t have a problem demoting Kordell Stewart (who got the Steelers to AFC Championship Game) and the Patriots WR coach is able to make any no-name receiver work in their system. But then they do have Tom Brady throwing to them…

By Dbltrbl

November 28, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

For the Falcon fans who prefer a rose-colored look at their team, I suggest you tune in to the weekly radio show on their flagship station.

Tonight, see-no-evil Wes Durham and hear-no-evil Dave Archer presided over their usual pep rally and group hug. They both seemed oblivious to the fact that the Falcons have lost four straight.

I don’t know if they are groveling for a paycheck or if they are genuinely scared of Jim Mora, but I sure wish they’d ask a few tough questions.

And enough with the Mike Vick testimonials He has led his team to five touchdowns in the last four games.

I hope neither Durham or Archer lists “journalist” as their occupation.

Especially you Wes. I know you are better than just a yuckety-yuck cheerleader.

By Larry

November 28, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

The joke is people like Mark Bradley and other members of the media who think that Vick and the players should have to listen to this ridiculously excessive abuse that is obscene, profane and personal.

I’m tired of these media hacks saying, “The fans pay their salaries.” So what? That doesn’t give them free reign to act like they live in the gutter.

It happened. He apologized. Get over it, Mark. You and all the other members of the media.

By Johnny_Dragon

November 28, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

Yeah it should be over.. I mean we know what would have happened had it been say John Rocker. He would have been traded the next day.

By sam

November 28, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this

Heather, has anyone ever called you stupid? I would be surprised if it has not happened a time or two. Vick did not flick off the entire fan base. He flicked off a group of idiots, if you want to lump yourself in that group so be it. I am sure Vick appreciates the fans that are still standing behind this team and realize he played his heart out Sunday trying to get a win.

By tj

November 28, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this

All we old time fans have to do is read these blogs to know things aren’t going well. When they were winning we kept hearing about ” Vick winning games” and how he could single handedly win games. Now that they’re losing we hear how everybody is terrible except him, he can’t do it by himself. The truth is early last year they were beating weak teams and kept saying we got the W that’s all that matters. When the going got a little tougher they just didn’t and don’t have it. I don’t know, but sometimes I think they all got tired of hearing how Vick could single handedly win games and said we’ll see.

By Drain-o

November 28, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this

Just because you have discipline don’t mean you can coach. people don’t mind being discipline and respected if they have leadership.some fans in the ATL want old school discipline they don’t understand nobody wants a loser.Our coaches and some of our Fans are pure loser themselves and they need discipline in leadership they are clue less.

By dirty til I die

November 28, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

Last week everyone complained that Vick walked off the field “smiling and joking like he didn’t care that he Falcons had just lost and looked really bad doing it”. This week we are complaining because the man had a career rushing day from the QB position, basically taking the entire game on his shoulders, and he howed his frustrations with losing. Of course noone wants to see him express his frustrations the way he did, but who can blame him for being frustrated. And if it’s true, as everyone seems to agree, that he was defending his TEAMMATES?!?!? Not one of whom deserved his standing up for them?!?!! That is a serious leadership move. He took the whole game on his shoulders and now, because of one finger, he gets to take all of the negative press for the rest of the week as well. You all wish you had somebody in your corner as strong as Mike Vick is standing up for his team.

Raal falcons fans don’t berate the team, no matter how bad we feel about their performance. We will call them on it, but we will not disrespect and denigrate them personally. Mark Bradley has taken the low road of journalism, and what else should we expect from an AJC reporter), by looking for and focusing on the most negative story he could possibl get from that relatively minor incident. Vick didn’t charge the fan, didn’t try to get in any fan’s face, and was clearly directing his anger at ONE ignorant a*******hole, who also had enough money to be that close to the field. But why be positive, when negativity sells so much better?

Atlanta is a transplant city, and probably will be for the next 20 years. We will always have more people here who are from somewhere else, who don’t practice Southern hospitality, and who give the REAL ATL a bad name.

By Norm

November 28, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this

Mora needs to show his authority and put Vick on the bench for a week. Take of the kid gloves and start acting like a responsible NFL head coach instead of like a buddy to every player. Any other QB struggling like this, and acting like this would be benched. If Mora can’t do that, then he’s lost control of this team!

By Alan

November 28, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this

I kept a box at the Ga. Dome for 10 years, enduring performances of “Elvis” impersonators, and the ATLANTA “POSSUMS” who went to sleep at home and got killed on the road. The crowd was usually for the other team.Thankfully Arthur came in and filled the dome so the games are on TV… now I record the games and play golf. If they win I watch the replay.It keeps me in a good mood AND see winners.

By Cap

November 28, 2006 12:47 AM | Link to this

I’m all for moving on. Is Atlanta that small time of a city that there should be two articles in the paper about the QB flipping people off? I would tend to say no being that there is a high daily volume of people getting flipped off on Atlanta’s congested highways.

By Roswell n California

November 28, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

Personally, while never condoning Vick’s post game antics; I am also excited to find such an example of demonstrated emotion (a little late) from such a moribund team. It appears that Mike gave all that he had. It’s just that all of his talents haven’t been directed in the same choreography as the best talents on the rest of the team. Its time for the coaches to win with what we’ve got and maximize the extraordinary talent we have with both QBs.

We should have beaten Detroit and Cleveland with the entire second string on the field while we nursed injuries. Its time for the coaches to find “how we can instead of why we cannot.”

By Brent

November 28, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this

I like nothing less than a player who thinks the world revolves around him, and most of the time I think Vick believes that about himself. His celebrations and general attitude toward the team have always screamed of egomania. But lets face it- last week Vick was the only decent player on the field.

We should not condone his behavior at the end of the game, but I’d rather him do that then bash his players to the media, which is what many other players (think NY Giants) would have done. He’s not an excellent passer, he never has been, and he never will be, but he makes up for it with electrifying speed that elevates our running attack. There is no player on our team that has anywhere near the positive impact that Mike Vick has. Vick was not on the field when D. Hall decided to go for a interception in the endzone (my guess is he started the ATL defense in his fantasy league and wanted the 2 points), instead of knocking the ball down like any high school cornerback knows to do. Vick was not down field when White dropped an easy touchdown pass. He wasn’t on defense when the team haplessly gave up a lengthy touch down 1 minute into the game, and he wasn’t on the offensive line when they periodically failed to provide running holes inside the redzone.

All Mike Vick did that game was protect the ball (no turnovers), run like hell when the offensive line broke down (166 rushing yards), and put the ball in his recievers grasp more times than not (14/24 if they catch the ball). That’s a pretty good game amidst a team suddenly devoid of any offensive or defensive threats.

Our recievers run bad routes, and have worse hands. I have never watched a recieving core fail to get open as frequently as ours do, and on the rare occasions they manage some separation, they fail to hold onto the ball. Our defense is miserable for the second year in a row, and not even our time of possession dominance can hide it anymore. I am ready to hear Mora jr. step up and take responsibility. Tell us that he has messed up, and that he will fix it. I’m sick of hearing our owner claim that 8-8 is not good enough. Of course it isn’t. But I wonder if Jim Mora realizes it. For once I’d like to hear him step up and tell us what he’ll do to fix this team that has fallen below mediocrity, into the cellar of the NFL.

By surfrider

November 28, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

Advice to Falcons Organization: Either fire the offensive coordinator first then possibly Trade Vick and then Fire Mora in a year or so if not improvement. Or do the following. Design offense to match Vick’s talents. That means lining him up at QB say 50% of the time and letting him rollout, run, etc..and then lining him up in the slot or wideout or backfield 50% of the time using him for both plays and decoys and always another passing option. This allows a pure passer to get in the game 50% and still we utitilize Vick. The scheme and play calling is the problem. The defense has it’s holes but it’s the offense that is the problem. Either get money’s worth on Vick or take that money and get 10 starters who can help the team in other areas.

By C Jay

November 28, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

While most of us have used the same finger(s) as Vick did on Sunday does not make it right, it makes Vick human like the rest of us. And as we the fans witness Vick’s humanity, I hope the coaches and ownership pay witness to it as well. For one, stop worshipping Vick as this phenomenal athlete every time he makes a mistake. Call it like it is and say the player screwed up. Take him off his pedestal and critique him like every other player. Our offensive showing or lack thereof the past couple of weeks (heck, even back to last year) is not solely Vick’s fault. The offensive line has learned this “cut-blocking technique”, but can’t pass protect. Play calling is ridiculous. And I don’t think I need to mention the receivers (will someone please show Roddy White the door). There is more than enough blame to go around and when a situation like this exists, it is up to the head coach and GM to step forward and say the buck stops here. Just don’t pass the buck or someone will drop it!

Now, as Arthur Blank reviews the body of work, let’s not excuse ourselves Sir Arthur from this evaluation. It was you Sir Arthur that stopped interviewing head coaches after only 2 interviews (Lovie Smith and Mora) and decided to go with the guy that brought the largest collection of sports memorabilia to his interview. Given the fact that this was your First foray into ownership of a professional sports franchise, it seems to me that if for no other reason than to educate yourself you would have interviewed no less than 5 candidates. And if then they guy with all the notebooks is the one that stands out then so be it.

Mora promised that if you hired him, he would bring Gregg Knapp and the infamous West Coast offense and make Vick another Steve Young. If Knapp goes, then so should Mora.

Now, Mr. Rich MacKay… …3 first round wide outs and not one can catch a cold. Who is in charge of scouting? Player evaluation? It is time to make cuts right now. Send a message that extended periods of poor performance will not be tolerated. Cut someone…bench someone…heck, yell at someone please!

Now, on to defense. DeAngelo Hall should be fined every time he opens his mouth, pounds his chest, waves his hands, etc. He is nothing more than a cheap shot artist that is going to get us penalties we don’t need and can’t afford. Discipline this guy and tell him he needs to put the team first or he too can/should be cut.

This team does not need a “player’s coach”, but a football coach. This team does not need a running back with a great arm, but a quarterback that can complete a higher percentage of his passes. this team needs receivers that can catch… ..defensive backs that can defend…safeties than can cover deep. Make changes and make them now. Dallas did and look how they are playing!

By William Kitchens

November 28, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this

Mark… there is a difference between flipping off the guy in traffic who cut you off and your boss’s customer.

Anonymity and some horse power can make a little old lady a braveheart.

I dare anyone who answers to a boss to try and flip off a customer in the heat of a work related disagreement.

Even those of you who own their own business would have more sense than that.

What would Arthur do if somebody on his staff behaved in such a way. Would he have tolerated it at Home Depot?

Real world folks would lose their job whether the customer on the receiving end of the salute deserved it or not.

Celeb gets the double standard free pass.

I’m sure Vick is sorry… sorry he embaressed Blank, the team and the folks at the NFL who will fine him some pocket change.

By tooltime

November 28, 2006 01:14 AM | Link to this

There is plenty of blame to go around on why the Falcons are losing these games.

35%-coaching. Out coached in every facet except special teams. Predictible play calling, running the same plays over and over, not using one type of play to set up another, ect.

35%-Vick. Has never been accurate CONSISTENTLY since he has been in the league. The ball is alway sailing over receivers heads. No touch. Alot of the dropped passes would not be caught by any receiver in the league. When you throw the ball 150 mph and the guy is 15 yard down the field and its even a little off target no one is going to catch it.

15%-Receivers. Not making the catches they should make. Some of Jenkins TD catches have been very difficult but hes not making some of the easy catches.

15%-Defense and injuries. That hail mary TD was just inexcusable. Hall has looked overrated this season in coverage especially when receivers break over the middle of the field.

Trade Vick for as many draft picks as you can get. Try to rival Herschel Walker deal. Bring in Jeff Fisher. Draft defense and offensive line with a couple free agent additions and you we might go somewhere in the future.

By James Allen

November 28, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this

You know it is amazing how my Atlantans easily forget so much and because things are not going so smoothly we want to start criticizing. And for some reason we criticize thw wrong things and in many cases the wrong person.

Let me begin by saying that two years ago when Mike Vick got hurt we criticized Dan Reeves for not being a modern coach and for a bad season we asked that he leave. During that time the problem was not Dan it was the amount of injuries to the team. But we said it was time to go.

Now we look back and that was a mistake. During Dan Reeves tenure Atlanta has thrived further than any previous and now present coach. Mike Vick was outstanding his first year. He had over 2500 passing yards and nearly 1000 running yards. He proved he can throw then and he can be the quarterback to take Atlanta back to the superbowl. Then he gets hurt the next year and it was all Dan Reeves fault so Dan gets the hook.

Now here we are as Atlanta fans criticizing Mike Vick for this franchise failure. Clearly we made the mistake of getting rid Dan Reeves that is obvious but the AJC will not address this or even make their comparison because they agreed to have Dan fired in the first place. Now as Atlanta fans we are looking for excuses.

Clearly Micheal Vick is not the problem. Alge Crumpler catches the ball and in fact has outstanding numbers compared to other tight ends. Alge makes the pro bowl. It is clear Mike is a quarterback with talent we have not seen yet that proves he can carry a team to the superbowl. But it is clearly not his mistakes when recievers drops catches.

Look my fellow falcons lets stop being so silly when it comes to dishing out the criticism. Players play and if there is talent it will show. Mike has proven that talent.No question. We just made the mistake in think Mora and crew was going to utilize this talent and surround Mike Vick with players that will make his job easier and have defenses scratching their heads when they face Atlanta. It has not happened and it will not under Mora.

Look it is not Mike Vick or any other player fault. We can say put in Matt but if recievers are not catching then no quarterback can be successful no matter what the quarterback does.

We must look for a coach that evaluates his players and coaches. To be able to have the best players on the field and the best coaches surrounding the players. He should a long time ago been trying others recievers. The best players are not always first round drafts picks!!!!!!

By Larry

November 28, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick is not the problem with the Atlanta Falcons. Just do a honest review of the November 26, game with the Saints - Drew Brees passes were no better than that of Vick - The difference was that Brees’ receivers made not just catches, but spectacular catches - one wih one hand - diving for others - hail mary in the end zone - and regularly beating the Falcons secondary pass coverage - ranked 29th in the league. Also, the offensive line is not blocking for Warrick Dunn - 4 staight games w/less than 100 yards. They also do not pass block - contrast the time Vick had to pass with the time Drew Brees, had - huge difference.

Michael Vick is another Michael Jordon - if you recall didn’t win either until he got a supporting cast.

By Cap

November 28, 2006 02:08 AM | Link to this

The comments of these Vick haters are getting ridiculous. Thank goodness people outside of Atlanta (not all of Atlanta mind you) still have some semblance of perspective and sanity.

here are the comments of Eric Allen and Joe Theismann from Number Two of ESPNs “Burning Questions”:

1. Is Michael Vick a coach killer?

Allen: No, Michael Vick is not a coach killer. If anybody causes Jim Mora to lose his job because of their play on the field it will be the receivers. These guys are former first-round picks playing like fourth-rounders out on the field. They don’t run crisp routes, don’t create separation in one-on-one situations and don’t catch the ball. How is that the fault of Vick? I understand that Vick has his faults and is far from being perfect at the QB position, but you can’t ignore the horrible play of the Falcons’ receivers.

Theismann: Vick is one of the most dynamic players in the game and he plays with a passion that you have to love when you see him out there on the field. Does he make boneheaded plays on occasion? Yes. Does he make spectacular plays that can save the day? Yes. Is he a coach killer? No. He’s the best player on this team by far, and while he has his deficiencies, at the end of the day it’s the fault of the receivers who consistently drop the ball, not the quarterback who throws the ball.

By dirrtybird

November 28, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this

Michael Jordan will never win a championship. All he does is dunk. He can’t even shoot the jumper. He’ll never jump the same after that broken foot. A player like that will never lead his team to a championship…

By Cap

November 28, 2006 02:34 AM | Link to this

I think Sean Salisbury on NFL Primetime said it best:

“Quite frankly I’m tired of everybody pointing the finger at Number 7. Sure sometimes he misses throws or makes mistakes but without Vick the Falcons aren’t SQUAT. How about some receivers? You have three Number Ones that couldn’t catch a cold or even if you walked the ball up and handed it to them. How about some help? The guy has a dome and a franchise loaded up on his shoulders, and let’s face it, if Vick doesn’t play well the Falcons have no shot. It’s really that simple. All of the fingers are pointed at Vick and he’s not a dropback passer and all the nonsense….enough! Without Vick Atlanta will be picking in the top five picks next year! It’s about time somebody else step up and start eating the Life Cereal (give it to Mikey he does everything) and give Vick some help. He’s gotta get better but he also needs some help. Three Number Ones (Jenkins, Lelie, and White), please! I could get guys in the seven round or undrafted that can outplay these guys!!”

Alleged Falcons fans, the voice of reason (one amongst many)

By Cap

November 28, 2006 02:40 AM | Link to this

What do you Vick haters think the Falcons are? Barely in front of the Saints, Lions, and Cardinals, the Falcons have to be the worst franchise in the modern NFL Era. Even the Bengals have been able to muster three and four year clusters of clarity. The Falcons have NEVER had back to back winning seasons in their entire history! But these Vick haters are talking like Atlanta would be contenders with out him. Once again look at what happened to Detroit after Barry Sanders retired and look at what happened to the Cardinals after Jake Plummer left. Atlanta, if you think things are bad now….How could some of you even fathom getting rid of Vick? Everyone (including other NFL players) see him leave everything out on the field and get no help from his teammates. Everybody in the NFL is terrified of his ability to run and he justifies this fear yet the team still can’t capitalize on it. Then the fans harass him as he leaves the field. He flips them the bird and then even his owner and the press from his own city throw him under the bus. And the Vick haters think some top flight player(s) are going to want to come here to fill Vick’s shoes? Once again, ATLANTA, GOOD LUCK SIGNING FREE AGENTS!!!

By Jim

November 28, 2006 03:48 AM | Link to this

Vick apologized now let it go….forgive and forget. The same people that talk now will be back on the bandwagon after a couple of wins…lets talk about scoring in the red zone. Maybe Mora need to look at the earlier Chicago Bears films and throw BIG Grady in there like Chicago used to do with the “Fridge” that should open up lanes inside the 5 yd line. We need to score in the red zone! You wonder how a man can scramble for his life and hit a receiver in the numbers, just for him to drop it. I would run the ball also! Vick I forgive you!!!

By Just D.

November 28, 2006 03:50 AM | Link to this

HEATHER Hey HEATHER??? HEY HEATHER YES YOU HEATHER, I’M CALLIN YOU OUT!! HEATHER, Just do as you say…DO NOT EVER ATTEND ANOTHER FALCONS GAME..DO NOT WATCH THEM ON TV…You are one stupid *zz so so call fan, take your lil penny *zz opinion and never return!! Yeah, make sure all of your hillbilly *zz friends follow your lead..see therefore all these complaining idiots would not be on this blog…no reason to *itch about MV7 or any other falcons player…just don’t attend…and please don’t watch and shut the *uck up! Oh don’t look now…I just gave you the finger..you redneck klan member!! <————

By larry

November 28, 2006 04:24 AM | Link to this

Mora needs to show his authority and put everyone except Vick on the bench for a week.

By mike

November 28, 2006 04:28 AM | Link to this

I am glad to see all the Vick haters here. Always reminds of those who cant dont other than offer idle words. The man has apologized and its time to move on. There are things in the local news far more serious and you folks dont have one word to say. If it was me I’d give all the haters a finger and keep stepping.

By Jerry L

November 28, 2006 05:27 AM | Link to this

Here’s an idea. Mike Vick runs around and expends a lot of energy. I am sure after some of his longer runs he is fatiged and out of breath. Why not after such a run, bring in one of the other qbs and give him a chance to catch his breath and get his legs back under him. I think it would really help his passing. Most all players are used like that except for the traditional qb that never runs or moves around like Vick. Would be worth a try seems like to me.

By Falcon Fan

November 28, 2006 05:32 AM | Link to this

The problem with this team is Mr. Blank. He needs to take a leadership role or get out of the business.

By spud

November 28, 2006 05:40 AM | Link to this

vick needs to be a leader plain and simple BE A LEADER, BE A LEADER. when your receivers drop a pass get in their face as soon as it happens dont wait until you get in the locker room, if vick is not allowed to change the play at the line of scrimmage HE WILL NEVER SUCEED AT QB IN THIS LEAGUE, ARTHUR BLANK YOU HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP MIKE VICK FIR YOUR CURRENT COACHING STAFF AND START OVER MIKE VICK NEEDS SOMEONR LIKE A DAVID CUTCLIFF.

By ncdawg

November 28, 2006 05:49 AM | Link to this

Yeah MR.Mo! Let’s talk about the fact that in spite of what has happened the last four games, Vick has not once thrown his O-line or his WRs under the bus. AND BELIEVE ME,THE O-LINE AND THE WRs HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM DURING THIS LOSING STREAK! If the Falcons give up on Vick, I hope he goes to the RAiders. And I will gladly spend $70 plus on a Vick Raider jersey. These bigoted Falcon fans (of ALL races) will never embrace Vick!

By H Brown

November 28, 2006 06:03 AM | Link to this

I may not know a lot about the game, but I know that when I watch Tony Romo, Philip Rivers,Tom Brady and Carson Palmer I start to wonder about Vicks potential as well as the Falcons as a team. Something is dreadfully wrong.

By Fans of Seasons Past

November 28, 2006 06:12 AM | Link to this

Falcon Fan and Spud are both correct. Blank is the problem and it is up to Blank to resolve it. He took over the team like he was taking over a retail chain and has “marketed” Vick as “entertainment” ever since. He took on pansy coaching staff to do his bidding and assumed that we - the consumers - would be happy with a Mike Vick side show. It has been an injustice to Mike and to us - the fans. Coaching is not just play calling and hand holding; it is teaching, mentoring, disciplining, leading. Mike and the rest of the team don’t seem to be receiving any of that. Mike has had a huge burden put on him by Blanks failed marketing plan. Mike is frustrated; the “consumers” are frustrated. Let’s not take it out on each other. Let’s give the finger to Blank instead.

By Nono

November 28, 2006 06:13 AM | Link to this

He might be doing the best he can Vick that is—he did run his butt off so said Me Angelo. Excuse me, I thought a QB was a team leader kind of like the President (well Bush is a sorry example)? Doesn’t a QB control the offense or at least start it or in our case flatten it——maybe it is Knapp’s bad play calling, or just poor development and coaching—-I don’t know—-all I see is a guy running the ball a lot and not using any other “weapons”. Its almost like he is trying to control the whole game by himself. Maybe just maybe—-thats all Vick knows—-I’ll bet he sucked at passing while at Virginia Tech and all Arthur could see was a race horse. Now who’s fault is it? Naturally—-the fans fault—-right?—-we are to blame for a small Offensive line that was hand picked to be a moving cut block scheme, we picked the two worst wide recievers money could buy, and we drafted that awful secondary, but most of all we picked Vick and gave him $130 million, crapping on any chance of trading him or signing anyone else.——stupid fans aren’t we—-I’ll shoot a bird at myself——and stupid fans we’ll be back for more cause this is a quality team and lots of fun!!!!!! * Raise ticket prices I dare you!!!!*

By mike smith

November 28, 2006 06:16 AM | Link to this

Fire Mora and fire Vick. Neither of them have the talent we thought they might have.

By Dennis Berdanis`

November 28, 2006 06:42 AM | Link to this

We’ve had plenty of talented receivers in here and keep trying to blame one after another. And you can’t blame Vick when he gets the ball to them and they drop it. Eventually when you have that many star receivers suddenly looking like duds you have to look to the coaching. It starts at the top. Mora is a nice guy in over his head and his staff stinks.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 06:43 AM | Link to this

I agree MV7 can NOI do it by himself. Sunday’s performance was so bad and the finger gestures just took away from the real story: MORA & COMPANY have lost control of the TEAM!!!!! The play calling was AWFUL!!!!! Twice the Falcons had it on the Saints’ 7 yd line and had to settle for a FG!!! The receivers are now trying too hard to make a big play……the TEAM is totally confused because the coaching staff hasn’t a clue as to what to do with the talent that exists…..BLANK!!!!! You need to step up and shake up this coaching staff NOW, not next year….NOW!!!!!!!!!

By Kudzu

November 28, 2006 06:52 AM | Link to this

Michael Richards APOLOGIZED, now, lets all just forgive and forget…right?

that’s what many of you are saying in this blog and want us to do regarding your love-child #7, but its funny how you won’t let up on Richards till he’s laid in the ground … what a bunch of hypocrites.

If Vick was to have pulled out his gun and shot off a couple of rounds (up in the stands), there would still be some of you who would continue to defend him…

Proves once again you blindly follow…

By coach

November 28, 2006 06:54 AM | Link to this

KEEP IN MIND, THIS GUY MAKES,OVER, 20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR…. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HIM GIVING THE FAN(WHO PAY THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY) THE FINGER. NO EXCUSES, HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL. I GOES TO SHOW YOU HE HAS NO CLASS, AND DOESN’T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING OR ANYBODY, JUST LIKE HIS BROTHER.

By jerry

November 28, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this

The drop by Roddy White was underthrown. I doubt that it was designed that way. He should not get all the blame on a poorly thrown pass. If Jerry Rice had Vick for a QB, he would not be in the NFL Hall Of Fame.

By jerry

November 28, 2006 07:12 AM | Link to this

The finger thing doesn’t bother me at all. What does bother me is that we have an owner, coaches, et al who continue to pass Vick off as an NFL QB when it is clear that he is not an accurate passer, does not read defenses well, and is just not a student of the game,but relies on his athletic ability and instinct.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this

Kudzu and coach,

Get a life!!! Forget the finger flipping!!!! The Falcons have much bigger problems!!!

Kudzu stop with the Richards, Vick comparison……did you see the tape of Richards ranting???? The man is sick!!! I was at a comedy club in Atlanta when someone threw a glass salt shaker at the headliner. He could have gone ballistic, but he handled it in a professional manner and went on eith the show….Richards is now seeking help for his “Mental Tirade.”

Vick acted out of the frustration of losing four games in a row….His coaches have not a clue as to what to do!!!! I don’t condone his actions, but hold Blank and Company more than partly to blame for MV7’s frustrations.

By Fake Fan

November 28, 2006 07:13 AM | Link to this

Atlanta is a transplant city with transplant fans with transplant hearts. That’s why I love hating the Falcons so much. Unlike real sport cities like Pittsburg, NYC, Clevland, etc, ATL fans are bandwagon fans. I love the city of Atlanta but I can’t root for an organization this stupid. Grow a brain Blank! and get off the sidelines!

By Lawrence

November 28, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this

I think it is dispecable what Micheal Viock did and it showed all of us fans, who are paying his salary (after all it is our dollars which are paying him his $100 million), what he really thinks of us.

I say we show Mr. Blank how unhappy we are by boycotting the Cowboys game, thus not buying the Dome’s 9 dollar beers and 5 dollar hotdogs to fill vick’s pockets.

The lions did this last year and received a lot of national press.

By jackyldo

November 28, 2006 07:24 AM | Link to this

One only needs to look at Michael Vick, and his press conference demeanor to see he is not far from being a punk.

You don’t see the leagues elite quarter backs interview with an attitude and hip hop swagger.

His apology to “his” fans, Michael if Matt Schaub comes off the bench and wins in the coming weeks, you’ll see the fans are Atlanta Falcons fans, not yours, not his. {;ayers are transitory and the name they leace in all but a few cases fades quickly. It’s your decision what name you leave.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 07:30 AM | Link to this

Schaub will not play for the Falcons this year people. Get over it.

The Falcons are not going to risk Schaub starting a game and looking bad because that takes away trade bait in the off season.

Think before you type.

By mister.earl

November 28, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this

Say What?

“You don’t see the leagues elite quarter backs interview with an attitude and hip hop swagger.”

jackyldo - Was hip hop swagger in style four weeks ago?

Does it sell millions of dollars of merchandise around the world?

Is it imitated and duplicated in every facet of advertising and fashion?

Does it make one bit of difference in a quarterbacks’s efficiency rating?

Can you define it?

What the heck is “hip hop swagger”?

Help me out here.

By RC

November 28, 2006 07:32 AM | Link to this

I’m no psychologist but I’m starting to believe that Mike Vick is ADD. When he’s really focused/passing he’s as good as anyone. Seems his performance is best when there’s some sort of ‘challenge’……

Arthur should follow Jerry and Big Tuna’s example(they cut their big money kicker for not performing) and put R. White on the street along with another player or two. Pick up a guy like Proell or go all out and trade for T. Holt ( maybe 21?) When does Finneran come back?????

By mister.earl

November 28, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

Cool. A boycott of the Cowboys game.

Can I have your tickets?

By mister.earl

November 28, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this

Please, oh please, play Matt Schaub so the endless whining over the next “chosen one” will cease.

Quarterback is only one of the many problem areas this franchise faces.

No one is talking about the relationship of winning to good business but…. the bottom line is Artthur Blank is sweating bullets because he wants a new stadium.

Losing does not buy him votes or style points.

By Kudzu

November 28, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this

And hip-hop is littered with (the finger) and the (n) word in most outlets; so, it’s OK…really, it’s OK…why, because it sells, just like Vick

No, really, it’s OK…

Once again, as I said above, all you do is defend…it’s the (defend) band wagon…

By Art

November 28, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick gets paid over $100 Million to do extraordinary things both on and off the field.

By fatz

November 28, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this

D*mnit, Mora (and for that matter McKay)…How DARE you NOT fire your receivers coach. How DARE you not put an underachieving receiver on waivers to make a point to the rest of them. DO SOMETHING! Did you notice Mike Vanderjagt getting his papers in Dallas- a $2.5MM mistake but at least they got proactive and let the rest of team know they wouldn’t put up with it. the “life” of these teams is just too short, you don’t have year upon year to get it right, dude. Vick’s legs won’t last forever. and then we will be stuck with an aging QB who will have lost enough speed to be stuck in the pocket and is inconsistent passing.

By charlie

November 28, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick’s main problem is he’s not SMART enough to play QB. Put Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in the Falcons systems and the Falcons would be 8-3 instead of 5-6. Vick do everyone a favor and try studing a little, it can only help.

By Jack

November 28, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

We all know this season is over - Yes, Mora and staff have to go.

Vick is the highest paid player in the league and will always be held to a higher standard - unfortunately that will be pressure that he simply can’t handle and we are just STARTING to see how it will play. Blank should make Mora start Schaub just to diffuse this issue that will never stop until we know what Schaub can do. Arthur’s nightmare scenario is “Uh Oh Schaub is Good- I’m screwed” OR Schaub takes the Vikings to the Super Bowl.

By Nick

November 28, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

How can so many people miss the obvious—Vick and the rest of the Falcons need coaching that can help them win, not just compete. Did we forget that we couldn’t handle Brett Favre, but the Packers got the job done. HelllllO!!! How many more superstars are we going to mishandle before we get an owner who lets McKay pick the coach (he wanted Lovie) and hire a football coaching staff that is not hesitant to insist on discipline (which DeAngelo Hall and others do not have), is aggressive in their play calling and accepts no excuses for poor play. Its amazing to me how Warrick Dunn can work in such an apathetic atmosphere.

By Bill Falcon

November 28, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

Anyone that saw his press conference would know he was sincere. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s not forget the reasons of his frustrations:

1 - He cares and wants to win 2 - The O line is letting him get killed 3 - The receivers are the main cause of his being hung in the media.

NO ONE can do what Vick does. Had those receivers caught those 4 main passes, we’d have one and he’d have passed for 200 yards, ran for 166 and everyone would be bowing to the guy.

JEEZ. I am sick of arrogant sports columnists who have never played sports in their life.

By Bill L

November 28, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

Anyone that saw his press conference would know he was sincere. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s not forget the reasons of his frustrations:

1 - He cares and wants to win 2 - The O line is letting him get killed 3 - The receivers are the main cause of his being hung in the media.

NO ONE can do what Vick does. Had those receivers caught those 4 main passes, we’d have one and he’d have passed for 200 yards, ran for 166 and everyone would be bowing to the guy.

JEEZ. I am sick of arrogant sports columnists who have never played sports in their life.

By Bill L

November 28, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

Anyone that saw his press conference would know he was sincere. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s not forget the reasons of his frustrations:

1 - He cares and wants to win 2 - The O line is letting him get killed 3 - The receivers are the main cause of his being hung in the media.

NO ONE can do what Vick does. Had those receivers caught those 4 main passes, we’d have one and he’d have passed for 200 yards, ran for 166 and everyone would be bowing to the guy.

JEEZ. I am sick of arrogant sports columnists who have never played sports in their life.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

Well said Nick….

By Bill L

November 28, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

Anyone that saw his press conference would know he was sincere. Everyone makes mistakes. Let’s not forget the reasons of his frustrations:

1 - He cares and wants to win 2 - The O line is letting him get killed 3 - The receivers are the main cause of his being hung in the media.

NO ONE can do what Vick does. Had those receivers caught those 4 main passes, we’d have one and he’d have passed for 200 yards, ran for 166 and everyone would be bowing to the guy.

JEEZ. I am sick of arrogant columnists who have never actually played competitive sports in their life.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Man Schaub is not taking any team to the Super Bowl anytime soon. If he did start behind this offensive line do you think he would make it thruogh the regular season.

Vick ran for his life out there Sunday, because the receivers could not get open and he had no blocking. I do not think Schaub would have made it through that game because he does not have Vicks speed.

By james

November 28, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

Some day Mike Vick will come into the Georgia Dome as the leader of another team. Mark my words, when he returns in uniform of the opposing team, he will rip the Falcons defense to shreads for 40 points. Just you watch. Mike Vick will be the best player in the NFL, but not while wearing red and black. Mike Vick has not reached his potential because of coaching…..OUR coaching. Place 100% of the blame solely, irrefutably on the grossly incompetent clowns we have managing this team. I never thought I would long for the days of Dan Reeves, but I do.

By Craig H.

November 28, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

Again we have the same situation. Week in and week out it’s the same old song and dance. I do think though that Blank may finally be coming out of his COMA as to this team’s shortcomings. He said he wants to know why 3, count’em, THREE!!! former 1ST round picks can’t catch a football. The stats for these 3 guys: 3 receptions for 20 yards with the longest one being to “DUDE” (hahaha) for 14 yds. This guy should be named “DUD”! When you have the nerve to hold out of camp because you think you’re good enough to demand the kind of salary of a top receiver, boy you better be able to back it up. It’s plain to see he isn’t getting the job done. I also do not believe how this team scouts talent. People go on the trading block for a reason Mr. Blank, Mr. McKay, “Junior”, and the rest of the incompetents. STOP PICKING UP OTHER TEAM’S GARBAGE. When teams let players go because their salary cap is too high and they have found other players that are quality replacements (i.e.: INDY’s RB’S James and Addie) that’s one thing, but when people like Lelie are benched and allowed to be traded by a team who can tell the difference between good players and under achievers, that should tell you something. And this team we have now makes so much money there is no room to sign even a half way decent receiver. It’s time for Blank (if he’s got an once of intelligence) to clean house, players, coaches, EVERYONE! Again there will be quality players and coaches available at season’s end, DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By dude

November 28, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

You Vick lovers just don’t get it. It’s true he can look brilliant for a game, maybe two in a row as evidenced earlier against the Steelers and Bengals. Then everyone says he’s turned the corner only to look like the worst QB in the league again in the next few games. To win in the NFL you need a consistent QB. It’s obvious at this time he is probably the most inconsistent highly touted QB in the history of the NFL. I’m sorry I’ve pulled for him since the get-go but it’s just frustrating to continually support the Falcons when you don’t know which Vick is going to show up.

By barry

November 28, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

I told you guys before, Mark Baradley and many of the AJC sports writers are previous losers from their past here in Atanta. They do not know how to write positive assertiive sories about our local sports teams, regardless if they are the Falcons, Braves, or Hawks. Win a loss occurs with any of these teams they spin the most negative story they can think of regarding the loss. It appears that they are trying to turn readers against these local professional teams before they even get started and/or get something established in this city. A local sports writer should be write positive stories, whether we win, especially when we win. When we lose, they should talk positive even with the lose. What they do now is write artcles that appear to want to start a “lynching” of sort of our local sports teams and athletes. For the well being of the sports community, and the community at large, the type of sports journalism being practiced in this city currently and in the past needs to change. When I read these articles, I feel like I am in a rival city, even when we win. When we win the articles ar blause’ to say thew least. But when we lose, you can just feel the happiness in the authors writing of the article. Hey, this is our city sports writer, if not yours. We do not like the type of articles you write about or teams and players. It appears many of you live in the past and cannnot change your writing style to reflect the positive change this city desires to go with its sports teams. Truthfully, I believe you all need to go. You represent the past and you are too, too old to change your perspective on sports in this city. We need a change and a change NOW!!! at the AJC. We need new young writers who now and played sports and not just write about them. We need them to have love for this city and their sports teams. Even when we lose they neeed to spin some positive things that can be done for the next game into the story and end it on a positive note. Help the teams improve and get better and not write stories designed to destroy the sports organizations that exist in the city of Atlanta. As a reader, I beg for a change at the AJC for positive sports writers who care about our city and the sports teams, fans and community of this city. We need a change from these old, loser sports writers. We need young, envigorating, positive sports writers who care about sports and the sports climate we want this city to have. We want our community to be behind our sports teamand not against them. With positive sports writing, a winning attitude will permeate among the teams and among the fans in this city. Right now we see none of that. AJC,WE NEED A CHANGE!!!!! HELP OUR COMMUNITY BY CHANGING THE WRITERS ON YOUR SPORTS WRITING STAFF!! PLEASE!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! This is a secret fron ATLANTA SPORTS FANS!!!!! TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ringold This is from ATLANTA sports fans.

By Harry

November 28, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

for all the people who insist that for vick to be a leader, he needs to get in the face of people on the sidelines and put on a big old show for all the fans and cameras by doing so: Aren’t you all going to be the very same people who go ballistic on him when he does that? you all are going to say see he is not a leader, he is a cancer in the clubhouse, how classless he is, that is the same hip hop attitude again showing itself. He is going TO on everyone. Just another dumb me-me-me black player. Yeah, you know that is what you are going to say. Vick can not win with you guys no matter what he does or does not do. That is the bottom line. he is damned if he does and damned if he does not.

As a former athlete myself, albeit at a much lower level than the NFL, I have always found that the guys who play the rah-rah-rah i am the leader crap really are not leaders. In fact, they usually are cancerous idiots on every team I ever played on. The media however lose morons like that. They usually call that their heart and sould guy. He is the heart, the soul, the brains of the team. And the gullible fans eat that up. Never realizing that the reason the media loves these rah-rah-rah, i’m gonna get in your face guys is because these are the same guys who love to talk to the media, go out for drinks with the media, and basically play grabass with the media. These rah-rah-rah, get in your face guys rarely are team first guys. They are usually me first guys.

You can see my point with Ray Lewis. he gets in everyone’s face and pretends that he is this great leader of the Ravens. the media eats it up and portrays him as this fearless warrior and unquestioned leader. the fans of course are so gullible they eat it up too. But if you heard the quotes from Mr. Hurtwell a few weeks ago before the Ravens game, the players on the Ravens really do not look up to Ray Lewis as some leader of the team. Ray Lewis is really a me first guy and not a team guy who jumps up and down and gets in people’s faces and pretends to be deep quoting dopey movies like Gladiator so that he can appear to be the fearless leader of the team when in actuality he is doing all of that so that the camera will be focused on him and only him at all times.

Chris Carter did the same thing with the Vikes 4 or 5 years ago. Do you remember how he kept jumping in the face of culpepper and moss? did that help the team or those two young players? NO! in fact, i think it made things much worse and the team was not very good that year and the vikes had to get rid of carter that year because of how cancerous he was becoming in the locker room

By Mike

November 28, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

Mora that’s the person I blame, he is to passive with the players and coaches nonperformance I can’t understand him playing Rossum when everyone in section 105 was hoping he would pull something to get him out of the game. The offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is lost he no idea of what to do with the players on this highly talented team. As a lonetime fan we deserve better. Mora get tough be a coach not their admirer, or Good Bye ATL

By **Dale Earnhardt, Jr.**

November 28, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

I had a horrible year last year because made a horrible mistake during the offseason getting rid of my cousin Tony Eury, Jr. as my crew chief. I was smart enough and man enough to admit my mistake and I brought Eury, Jr. back and I was back up there with the leaders contending for the title this year.

Arthur Blank made a horrible decision to get rid of Reeves three years ago. As Eury, Jr. is to Earnhardt, Jr., Reeves is to Mike Vick. Bring back Reeves and Vick will once again flourish. Trust me.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

James,

I do agree with you. The Falcons are going to let Vick go 1 day and when he comes back here. He will destroy the Falcons. Whatever teams he play with, I will be wearing that Jersey.

Farve did the same thing.

By robert

November 28, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Time to clean house . Time to start over. This formula doesnt get it done for us. We need to totally rebuild the offense. Coach , line , recievers , and by then Vicks contract will have run out. Nobody lasts much longer than ten years in the N.F.l. AND no Vick is not Farve , He will never hold a candle to his arse

By Hasavior

November 28, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Charlie, that was very insensitive of what you said about Vick or any QB in the league of that matter. It goes to show the level of intelligence you have in regards to the game and how it is played.

Payton nor Brady would not be as effective in winning consistent games with offensive linemen and shemes that do not protect the Qb for no more than 2 seconds, coupled with recievers that drop balls on a consistent basis, during key drives, unable to make plays and adjust. their Qb ratings will also be low.

This is how far your intellegence takes you: You mention Brady and Peyton because they are traditional in the sense of what the so-called Qb should be. It is harder on the eye for you to accept and recieve a QB that runs and throws east to west, verses north and south, hence peyton and brady.

Doug Williams was the perfect idle pocket passer, no running or scrambling skills at all, yet never got the due respect as his other counterparts at that time and he did this consistently -yeat after year.

Does your intellegence take you there to respond maturely? Then here comes in Kurt Warner and breaks Dougs record and celebrated all over the atheltic press because of his promotion from a developmental league. He has been garbage sense them, straight garbage. He has been sat down by every team he has played on since then.

My point is why we are so apologetic towards other Qb in the league verses Vick? Rothlisburger is having a horrible year, yet we are so apologetic towards his, ratings, interceptions, shut out offences?

Then there is Eli, who I think is most trash. Look at his play and the enormous lame passes he throws. Analysts are so apologetic towards him. They put the blame on the recievers for some of the plays. Why not say this about the Falcons recievers.

This is my take on things. Let me see your intellegent response to this.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Bill L,

It takes a WELL COACHED TEAM TO WIN!!! People need to stop thinking MV7 can do it all by himself, including MV7!!!

Did you watch the Seahawks effort???? They never gave up!!!! Hasselbeck was 17/36 157 yds and threw 3 interceptions, but also PASSED for 3 TDs!!!! They were down 21-19 at the end of the 3rd quarter…..and won 34-24. Vick made that kind of thing happen, not for the last year and a half!!!! That is what your “arrogant columnist” and many fans are concerned about. If those four passes were caught, would we have score more TDs???? We twicw had it on the Saints’ 7 yard line and settled for FGs…..would have been 21-21 after three quarters……and the Falcons would have been on the up side instead of mulling a 21-13 score going into the 4th quarter…….thank the playcalling in the red zone for that and the fact that MV7 is a different player than he was……he runs….but for the sidelines….rightly so…..he could get seriously hurt…..where is the big back to bull it in for the score inside the 10 yard line????? Dunn can’t do it all in the running game and not having alternatives puts pressure on Vick…..bad play calling….Norwood (203) is fast, but not a power runner…where is Griffith (232) when we need him??? What about McCrary (247)and McIntyre (240)???…..come on Blank, be a man and make the coaching changes necessary to win….we have the talent!!!!

By jg

November 28, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Wayne Gandy said it best, “One thing I’ve learned about Atlanta, they turn quick”. If the fans suck, how can they expect the team to be good? That’s why ATL has always been among the bottom-feeders in the NFL. The home-field advantage is a joke. And the fans were mad after the game because they just bet and lost their welfare checks to the NO fans in the stands. If you’ve ever been to an ATL-NO game, you know that wasn’t a sarcastic comment.

By Big Man

November 28, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

All I have to say is Ron Roberts you are a genius. You hit it right on the nail. There is nothing more to be said than your last few lines. I love my hometown Birds, but the 49ers were my first love and I am still a fan. The defense sucked with Mora at the helm and how did Jason Webster get a contract? I was flabbergasted.

By Tony

November 28, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

In one word, Schaub

By spotman

November 28, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

Hey Russ. Iwas at most of Bartkowski’s starts in ATL and he never had a Swann on his team

By jack

November 28, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

Okay the receivers dropped the balls and Vick’s stats may have been more impressive. I’ll stipulate and say good game Mike. He may have another good game this week. Then what? Two or three more atrocious games, thats what. It’s his nature. He is the most inconsistent QB in the league as he has demonstrated for six seasons. At this point in his career he should be in his prime but his stats have gotten progressively worse since 2002. Let’s face it being a QB in the NFL is probably the most difficult job in all of sports and some people despite all of their God-given talents just aren’t cut out for it.

By Mike

November 28, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

First off, where do all these people get off saying that Vick haters are racist? Get over it. Quit with the ridiculous race card. Its overplayed. It makes you look and sound stupid. The fact is, people think that if Peyton Manning were QB, he would do wonders and thats not the case. Vick needs a better than below average O-line and at least one top wide out to get the job done. The coordinators did a good job implementing and utilizing new plays in the offseason, but have failed during the course of the regular season. I think Mora is only guilty of surrounding himself with subpar coaching.

By bobby

November 28, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

Look - He has really been in one system. The Dan reeves system lasted one year and he was out the next year. Find the right system, the right coaches? How about finding the right offensive linemen and maybe Tory Holt or someone who can catch the ball. How about some linemen who can get Dunn more than 50 yards a game now.

By words from belichick

November 28, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

when bill belichick was asked two years ago why his team was so successful, he said there are three principles that guide his coaching: 1. What are the strengths of his players? 2. What are the weaknesses of the players on the other team? 3. What kind of game plan does he need to come up with to take advantage of the strengths of his team and the weaknesses of the other team?

That sounds very simple but clearly the falcons coaches do not seem to understand these concepts.

Belichick said that what separates him from other coaches is that many other coaches b*** and complain and harp on the weaknesses of the players on their own team instead of highlighting the positives of that player and getting whatever use he can out that player’s strengths. He says he rarely ever wants to hear about what any of his players can not do.

BUT when he is playing another team, like the Colts and Peyton Manning, and Peyton Manning he blitzes and disrupts Peyton and makes Peyton move around because according to Belichick Peyton is rendered useless when pressured and forced to throw on the run.

By Blaney

November 28, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick is not the first Atlanta QB with high expectations to suffer from a clueless owner and sorry coaching. Anyone on this blog around when Steve Bartkowski was here? The guy was rookie of the year, 2-time all pro, 3-time league leading passer, took us to 2 divisional championships, and set all kinds of team records and had some pretty good league stats his 11 year career. He did all this during the hopeless Rankin Smith years and with some less than stellar coaches. Yet he was more often than not criticized for being oversold and not living up to his potential. To this very day if you mention his name most folks will shake their head and claim he never amounted to much.

Point is, the QB is going to get the glory or the grief depending on the what is in the win/loss columns. If all the goofy play calling was producing wins then Mike would be a hero and Mora/Knapp would be hailed as football geniuses. That is not the case though so Mike is the current goat. He is just going to have to find a way within himself to suck it up and deal with it until things turn around, hopefully.

By chgfalcfan

November 28, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley- With those crap receivers,that play calling and a running back who gains 45-52 yards on 20 carries for 4 consecutive weeks HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY JUDGE VICK? Put anyone in those shoes and see how they fare? When you hit a receiver in the hands and they drop the ball that is not on the QB. When the QB runs for 166 on 12 carries NONE OF WHICH are designed runs, he is escaping for his life. How many other QB’s in the NFL would have done that? versus how many would have been sacked 9-12 times like BIG BEN pocket passer. You clearly dont watch the games! This team needs an O-line, and some receivers and a OC that has any clue whatsoever NOT a new QB.
Look what happened when they actually pass blocked, didnt drop the ball, ran effectively and had a decent scheme against the bengals ? It was spectacular.

By Tony R

November 28, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

When the leader of your team is flipping birds to the fans, something is wrong.

When the leader of your team isn’t vocal in the huddle or on the sidelines to help motivate our team, something is wrong.

When your QB isn’t able to audible in his 6th season, something is wrong.

When the leader of your team is calling people out in the media, something is wrong.

When the coaches let this kind of behavior continue without any perceived recourse, something is wrong.

When players play like punks on the field, and play selfishly, and don’t use their brains, something is wrong.

When the coaching staff sticks with a starting QB who can’t lead a team from behind, and when we are struggling to move the ball, because they are afraid that he’ll pop off, instead of going with the backup QB for a spark, something is wrong.

When the owner, who doesn’t have a football background is meddling with coaches on the field and meddling with football personnel decisions off the field, something is wrong.

By Dave

November 28, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

Would there be a question as to what Arthur Blank would have done to a Home Depot employee who made the same gesture to a customer as Vick did? If Michel Vick, who can’t pass but can run, is considered a great quarterback then San Diego should bench Philip Rivers ans move LT to quarterback. Look at all of the great quarterbacks being wastd at running back! Tiki Barber, Larry Johnson, and Shawn Alexander to name a few. Think of all those years Detroit wasted with Barry Sanders; but I digress. We have a coach who just last week said if he could have any player he would choose Michael Vick. Amazing. He would pass up Peyton and Carson for Michael. Mr. Blank, if you can’t figure out the problems with this team, you had better get back in the lumber business.

By prophet

November 28, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

True it was Vick’s fault sunday, he did give up the 76 yd touuchdown on 3rd and long. He also gave up the he11mary at the end of the half. he drop atleast 5 passes, he called 3 pass plays on 1st and goal. he didnt blitz brees in the 1st half, and he also has started ALLEN ROSSUM at cornerback the last 3 gms. I just dont understand why he’s even a FALCON!!!

By DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!

November 28, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

a little advice morons. you need to earn the right to boo your team and your players. buying a ticket does not by itself earn you the right to go boo your team and players. if you buy the ticket and then go to the game and then cheer and root and chant your team on like a bunch of crazed nuts trying to push the struggling team over the top, then you have every right to boo if they stink it up or play like a bunch of lazy dogs. But to buy your ticket, go in there with a negative attitude, never root, chant, or cheer, but then to boo, you deserve every middle finger a player can give you.

A little advice: 4th quarter, the saints are driving, they are deep on your side of the field, they are now however bogged down in a third down situation, if they score the game is over, if the D stops them, your team still has a chance, and on top of that, your team’s season is going down the drain, the franchise Qb’s career is going down the drain, and the coach’s career is going down the drain.

What do you do? What do you do?

REAL TRUE FANS ARE SUPPOSED TO CHANT DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! at the top of your lungs until your throat is killing you. you do not sit on your hands and act like it is just another play in the middle of the second quarter of a darn preseason game.

if you root your hearts out and the team and players and coaches let you down yet again, then and only then do you have every right to boo.

remember that negativity only breeds more negativity until all the negativity just perpetually feeds upon itself.

your ticket to the game entitles you to nothing but a seat in an ugly dome

By jackie

November 28, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this

take 3/4 of michael’s pay until he improves. if nothing else money talks. he is not worth his pay anyway.

By Scott Case

November 28, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

Lets run the wishbone

By Ron Roberts

November 28, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the ‘attaboys,’ guys… BirdDawg, I wasn’t aware we’d locked horns before… I usually don’t keep up with whom I disagree with, though… it’s just sports, and life goes on. Disagrement doesn’t mean disrespect, right?

Prophet makes a solid point, too. I was at the Superdome for the first Saints/Falcons tilt, and the dome field advantage there was deafening. Maybe it just doesn’t translate to television well (I live in Louisiana now, but am a life-long Falcons sufferer), but the Georgia Dome,to me, got loud once in the third quarter when we were actually playing well.

I see this far too often from my hometwon fans, though… a lack of intensity from the fans to actually affect the game. Not since the Braves’ early 90s playoff runs has a visiting team been the least bit intimidated by playing a key game in Atlanta. Remember when the chop and chant was so eerie it sent shivers up your spine and goosebumps all over?

The Falcons play in a domed stadium, and I’ve been there when it was loud… the last time that dome was loud when it mattered was the ‘98 playoff game against the 49ers. Can anybody think of a moment that matches or beats that, intensity-wise, since then?

By DS

November 28, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

The paragraph:

Of Sunday’s game, in which he rushed for 166 yards but threw for roughly half that, Vick said: “I try to win. That’s why I ran the ball as much as I did. I put my heart into it.”<

says it all. It takes 11 players on offense. Vick is an enormous talent, but he can’t expect to single-handedly win every game.

Draft some receivers, let them learn the system, and have Vick work with them, and success will follow. If he doesn’t want to do the requisite work to help make the Falcons an elite team, then cut him.

And finally, who cares if he flipped a fan off? Who is going to remember it next week anyway.

By Dave

November 28, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

I CANNOT believe what I am reading, either from Mark Bradley or from those who support him.

Mike Vick is probably the most gifted all-round athlete in the NFL. He is capable of winning a game with his feet or his arm (provided his pathetic receivers ever catch the balls he consistently put right on their hands).

In EACH of the past four games, I have seen, not once, not twice, but AT LEAST THREE TIMES, perfectly thrown balls that hit the receiver in stride right on the hands DROPPED!! In each case, the drop cost the Falcons AT LEAST a first down and many times, a sure touchdown. Had half, JUST HALF, of those balls been caught, the Falcons would have won AT LEAST the Cleveland and Detroit games, and possibly the Baltimore and New Orleans games as well.

I am not a passionate Falcons fan (I save my passion for the Braves), but when I saw Roddy White get hit IN THE NUMBERS by a pass that, at a minimum, would have meant first-and-goal (and may have been the go-ahead touchdown if he could have beat the only defender with 10 yards of him), then take his eyes off it and, ONCE AGAIN, drop the ball, I jumped out of my seat in total disbelief, screaming at the televsion!! Then the so-called fans get on Vick’s case because his inept receivers CANNOT CATCH THE BALL???

Way back (I am not sure which year) before the Falcons had Vick, a receiver dropped a sure TD pass. You know what happened?? He got released the next day. I believe that is what HAS to happen here. If someone needs to be held accountable, it MUST be the butter-finger receivers the Falcons currently have.

There ARE free agent wide receivers out there; the Colts just signed Proehl. Let’s get them in here and give them a try! They may provide some receptions when the ball hit THEM on the hands! They sure as HELL could not do any worse than Jennings, White and Leleigh!

Just my humble opinion

Just my humble opinion!!

By scott

November 28, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

all these comments about mike vick,what about d. hall and the rest of the defense getting torched on a weekly basis.The guys speed is overrated as he can never catch anyone from behind.His botched play on the hail-mary.Hall continues to run his mouth about how good he is.Yet dhall cannot back up his mouth with his sorry play on the field.What about jabraham the heartless one who would not even suit up for the jets in the playoffs and yet is still living off his performance vs carolina in week one.The best linebacker the falcons have has played like one game in two years.For the money give me the sunday ticket and all the games,instead of watching the heartless prima donnas quit on another season.

By WallStBro

November 28, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

“Something’s not right with Mark Bradley or Jackie!!! First of all, I’d like to say how disappointed I am with Mark Bradley. I know the AJC gives you an avenue in which to express your twisted opinion, but learn the game of football before you make an ill-advised attempt at criticizing Michael Vick. While Terrance Moore is the most ignorant columnist in Georgia, you appear to be running a close second.

As for Jackie, she suggested that Michael Vick take a 25% pay cut (that’s withholding 3/4 of his pay Jackie and Mark), obviously she didn’t read Prophet’s blog or watch the games. Despite what “Roadrunner” does in the cartoons, Michael Vick can’t throw AND catch the balls. In addition, he does not play in the Falcons abysmal defensive secondary. How dare he not intercept the Hail Mary at the end of the first half.

By taco slammer

November 28, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

If we were to rank the bad components which form the Atlanta Falcons, Mike Vick would not be close to the weakest link. We have the worst set of wide receivers in the NFL.

Rich McKay has been a huge disappointment building this team, especially his draft picks. Mike Vick should be giving Mike Jenkins and Roddy White the bird instead of the fans.

Arthur Blank convinced me when he bought the team that he would build a winner. This team improved to a degree but is no longer moving forward. Changes must be made.

By spotman

November 28, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Hey Russ. Iwas at most of Bartkowski’s starts in ATL and he never had a Swann on his team

By Dano

November 28, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Hey DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!

Were you at the game???? Probably not, you don’t even have your facts correct…..it was third and 7 on the Saints’ 45 yard line, the defense just gave up -2 and 5 yards to RB McAllister. Brees connected with Henderson for 46 yards with Rossum covering!!!! (Great game plan.)

What are the fans to do??? Week after week watch their team lose because of bad play calling, are supposed to smile and say that’s OK, next week will be better???? They watched MORA kneel to pray for help, they watched Crumpler act like a big baby throwing hissy fits……they watched their beloved MV7 running for his life…..and they watched as the Falcons failed to score in the fourth quarter!!!!! I THINK THEY EARNED THE RIGHT TO BOO, DON’T YOU?????

You said: “your ticket to the game entitles you to nothing but a seat in an ugly dome.” Who is being negative and who is the moron?????

By IPickVick

November 28, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Silly me! I thought that it was more than one player on the team

How has Sunday’s game become all of Vick’s fault? We wouldn’t have had the points that we did get if he wasn’t a great QB. If he had no protection and no one to catch the passes that landed just right, how could they win. He is only one man and can’t do it all alone. Get lost fairweather fans!! True fans stick by through good and bad times. The Saint’s fans are good examples of that. How embarrassing to have Falcon Fans boo their own team. At least wait until the guests leave to gripe. No home training!

By Will

November 28, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Mike, if you’re reading this, then check me out: although you’re the highest paid player in the League, you do NOT have to succumb to the pressures around you. You are NOT the sole source of woe on your team! You are a marvel that Atlanta and the NFL are thankful to have. Your coaching staff has failed you and your teammates miserably and they—no matter how much you like them personally—must be held accountable for THEIR lack of leadership.

So please—stop covering for them! As we’ve seen with Jim Mora Sr., they will throw you under the bus just like a lot of these stupid sports writers have. If you know in your heart that there needs to be major changes in offensive and/or defensive philosophy (or personnel), then speak out. Yes, everyone has lines in the sand they cannot cross, but that doesn’t mean you can’t say anything! Get folks off your back. Speak the truth about your faltering team and coaches… and let the chips fall where they may. It’s time for the blame to fall where it’s supposed to fall—on the REAL people who are making the mistakes!

By Michael

November 28, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Yeah! It’s call being human! Every week for the last few years. Especially on these blogs, I’ve witness this man being called a nappy headed nig9er, stupid, idiot, clown, monkey, people has talked about the man family, people he hangs out with, the way he dresses, his personal relationship with women, how much money he make, even alleged that he might had been smoking weed when it clearly was a black & mild, people has talked and low rated his race! etc! etc!!!! And we has access too this mess! What make you think that Michael, don’t just like we do! And the people of the AJC let this type of behavior go on? On their blogs! I look at or read Terrance Moore, Steve Wyche and others columns, who work their and read these blogs and don’t address them! Especially when there’re same race as Michael! But I’am really facsinated as too why you guys don’t mention it when you go on national TV ESPN,& Comcast, Fox, CBS, and tell this side of the story? No you do just the opposite! You say he must show class! That kids look up too Vick. But these same kids parents, friends, what ever! Get on these blogs, and call Vick a nappy headed nig9er, or monkey! They teach hate too their kids, because that is the way it was tought too them! And this mess has really gotten out of hand, because the man got a 130 million contract! So who owe, who an apology? Some fans love the Falcons, and see what the real problems with the team. But when the Falcon lose they blame one guy! Where in the hell is fairness in that AJC? I mean from bad play calling, poor tackling, O line not blocking, defense giving up big plays, poorly coached!!! Some or majority get on these blogs too spread their hate! Tell me something AJC, do Peyton Manning, Brady, Farve, and others, get called the hatred names, or their race insulted like Vick, get called when he loses or have a bad game? Why don’t you post some of these blogs in the national media? So America, can see this critism & hate, because he is young Afro American kid who happens to play QB for the Atlanta Falcons!

By BJohnDawg

November 28, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Dear Michael,

Dont listen to this fool Bradley. You had numerous dropped passes by your receivers.Your offensive line is well …offensive.And you were nowhere near the field of play on that joke of a heil mary pass at the end of the half.

You also did not let the saints burn you on two fourth quarter passes that was the icing on the cake.

This is a team sport. No one man is the game. Ask Reggie Bush. Ask Donovan Mcnabb. Dont think like Terrell Owens who thinks he is the game.As you share the glory…so much the blame be shared. Trust us there is enough blame to go around. 1) the play calling was bad. 2) the fact that you cannot check off is a joke….how can you not be able to check off in the NFL.3)oh hell, lets get over it, move on and smack some sense into those recievers during practice.

Your Friend, Santa

By lee

November 28, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

There are some serious sports problems in Atlanta. And that includes the fans, too. First, we just moved after 10 years in Atlanta and I’m glad to leave. One thing I will miss is the daily sports section over breakfast. I’ve read many papers over 60 years and the AJC writers are up there with the best. I think their objectivity is key to their successful writing. They don’t hate Atlanta teams. Second, MV is not the great NFL QB many in Atlanta think he is. He can improve to the point where he will definitely win games and a lot of them, but not without a supporting cast of competent players who sincerely want to play and learn the game of football. These present “divas” don’t cut it. Third, the Falcons and their fans need an owner, management, and coaching staff who can organize and lead a team and instill both pride and discipline. Along with that this staff must be able to teach and strive to improve performance on the field. I don’t see any of that and didn’t see it after Dan Reeves was shown the door. Lastly, one episode with a player giving the finger is not the end of the world. He made a mistake and probably won’t do it again. Go Redskins!

By CQ

November 28, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have too many issues that is not on Vick.

1. The running game sucks. The Falcons need a legit runner. The falcons need a legit back. Norwood is not an every down back but a good 3rd down. Dunn is getting slower.

2. The Offensive line is the worst in the league besides the Raiders. Vick can’t pass or no one else in the league can behind that line. Keep it real Schaub fans

3.The receivers- the worst in the league by far.

1. The offensive system does not fit the man you have at QB. It will probably fit Schaub better.

2. Defense- Rossum covering #1 receivers? and Tight Ends?

Where is Jimmy Williams, Why not blits more it may produce turnovers

Chris Croker sucks

By Big Papa

November 28, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Looks like Mora and Rhett Blank have decided on loyalty and friendship over good business and leadership. If we lose on Sunday in Washington will we read and hear more of the same-“we’ll keep fighting” or if we win will we hear that things have suddenly turned around?

My Christmas List:

1.Trade DHall for a solid WR.

2.Give Crocker a blind fold so he won’t have to close his eyes before trying to make a tackle.

3.Replace Knapp or at minimum put him up in the booth where he might be able to SEE something.

1. Replace the tennis ball during receiver drills with a beach ball.

2. Try, just try, not replace, try Vick at HBack with Shaub at QB for a few series, not even a game. Imagine the things that would free up with double coverage on Vick.

3. Get Vick an endorsement deal with Isotoner gloves and stitch up all the middle fingers.

4. Hire Steve Bartkowski to coach.

5. Hire William Andrews as an investment advisor to Vick.

6. Re-sign Billy White Shoes

7. Invite me for Christmas dinner at Grady Jackson’s.

By Old school bird

November 28, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Maybe if Mike Vick takes the snap, provides his own blocking, throws the pass, run down field and catches his own pass, some of you idiots would be satisfied! As for the gesture after the game, it was a terrible reaction from a frustrated guy directed at some ignorant frustrated jerk, not some kid!! Give it a rest, it’s over, move on!!!

By No$$fromme

November 28, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Let me get this straight. A quarterback has a contract worth $130,000,000 plus unknown endorsement income and his “frustration” leads to flipping off a stadium of folks (including kids) that are paying hard earned money to support his exorbitant salary? I think frustration due to inability to pay for food, heat, and housing for ones family might be understandable and/or acceptable. Even a chronic or debilitating illness of yourself or a loved one might lead to some frustration. Losing a football game? Sure to some minor extent, but to the point of insulting the people supporting your lavish income and lifestyle? CERTAINLY NOT!!

I am willing to bet that Mr. Vick and many other professional as well as college athletes have absolutely no idea how long the average John Q. Fan has to work in order to pay for tickets, parking, concessions, and souvenirs for 2 to 4 people. Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Blank is not the true employer of Mr. Vick. Sure he signs the checks but it is the FANS who pay for this outlandish contract + endorsements. What would happen to the same John Q. Fan if he did the same double-barrel salute to his employer? Think most employers would be so understanding and forgiving??

Mr. Vick I am sorry for your frustration, but forgive me for not taking it or your apology too seriously.

By Alphafalcon

November 28, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

What Michael did shows a lack of discipline all the way to the top. Arthur Blank showing up on the sidelines…undisciplined. Jim Mora dropping to his knees…undisciplined. Jim Mora allowing Vick to play with his chin strap unstrapped…undisciplined. Jim Mora not benching DeAngelo Hall for not knocking down the Hail Mary…undisciplined. Jim Mora not benching his wide receivers for dropping all the balls and finding someone who will catch them…undisciplined.

By shannyeight

November 28, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

i’m not gonna lay the all the blame on mora…the only blame i lay on him is that he continues to vouch for knapp…the man has GOT TO GO…we need an offensive coordinator who can attack, not play checkers….donatell is wore out his welcome too, with his “lets put pressure on them in the 2nd half after they run up the score on us” type planning…i’m not gonna blame this all on vick…everyone tries to make him the scapegoat…the receivers need to step it up out on the field and stop playin for a cushiony paycheck…the defense-especially the secondary need to get their assignments right, and stop tackling like scared lil grrls…other than mora, vick, dunn, norwood, abraham, kerney, and d. hall-everyone else is EXPENDIBLE…if they dont step it up then they deserve a PINK SLIP for their christmas bonus…

By Charles

November 28, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

I have never been a fan of Mike Martz because I think he is an arrogant prick, but he is an offensive genius. It would be interesting to see just what he could do with the Falcons. Vick is a rare talent and I believe he requires a coach with rare abilities and is there any coach out there that can run a modern NFL offense like Mike Martz? I can’t think of any.

Martz was the architect behind the greatest show on turf and he knows a good WR when he sees one. I think he could be the coach that gets the most out of Vick. I doubt it would happen but it’s just a thought.

By Alan Ritchey

November 28, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Professional football has the word professional attached to its title for a specific reason: the athletes who play as “professionals” within the league are paid according to their “professional” abilities. At the same time, these “professional” athletes are expected to maintain a professional demeanor at all times, despite the circumstances.

Vulgar behavior from our professional athletes should not be tolerated NOR should vulgar performances be tolerated from a group of overpaid, spoiled, ego driven athletes.

By David Moss

November 28, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick did everything he could to win that game. If he could have snapped the ball to himself, block, run the route and then most importantly, Boldcaught the ball….he would have. I feel like he is going to leave this town, go somewhere else and win big.

By dizzy

November 28, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

You do the crime, you live with the results. Apologize to REv. Billy Graham and the Pope. And oh yea, George Bush

By JohnnyReb

November 28, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

I gotta news-flash for some of ya’ll…Vick will never be a consistent pocket-passer, he doesn’t have the savvy or intelligence to read defenses or master a complex offensive system. With that being said, the WRs have stunk it up and the O-Line has been inconsistent. The coaching on both sides has fallen off & the injuries on defense have hurt us badly. The Birdz will probably end up at 7-9 (8-8) at best. We need to make some big adjustments during the off-season (@ OL, WR, etc.) or we’ll miss the playoffs again next season.

By tony

November 28, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

Once again management has made a mistake with a very poor hire! It is not Mike’s fault, he is, what he is, for 10 million dollars!! Ha,ha,ha,

By Robert Sams

November 28, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Before we condem Vick, fire the receivers. They should have been fired on the spot, Sunday. Coach should have asked the receivers to leave the stadium and the uniforms behind. In ohter words, give the man some hands! The Falcons are a joke, at least this team, from the owner to the ballboy and everybody in between.

By freek

November 28, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Go back back up north!!!! There has only been one super bowl winning QB who was Black. I am sick of people saying this is a race thing and that everyone down here is racist. If it was so great up north, then why are you here? Most of the transplants do not even follow the falcons unless they are winning. Go Home you bandwagon jumping yankees!

By Robert Sams

November 28, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

D. (the little drummer boy) Hall is a joke also. Maybe we should call him. D. Hail Marry Hall. Who told this guy he is all pro. And the falcons are going to stay the course? Well, they don’t care about us fans as long as the pay check keeps on comming. I just threw my season tickets away. We should stage a boycott, come to the stadium, but refuse to go in.

By carman563

November 28, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

its so darn simple and the falcon brass cant see it !!, put vick at running back, schaub at qb, and make those running yards mean something, what good is running for 200 yards, if u still lose the game, wise up falcons, watch the game film, start getting ur moneys woth, and hey, fire those recievers, they cant catch, why apologize for them, thats what pro sports is all about, pay those that can do the job, wish nascar wasnt over, long winter

By Robert Samms

November 28, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Let’s Go Hawks!

By Tim

November 28, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

It is great to know that I have been right from the very beginning about Vick. I have always said that he was not a great quarterback and I was right. If you can not throw over a 100 yards a game—something is wrong. So he can run—WOW—-but he can not win games. Yes his receivers suck and can not catch a ball but what is new about that. When you paid that much money for someone who can not throw, you will never be able to get good receivers. Plus Hall is so bad on defense that it is not even funny. If I was the quarterback for the other team, I would throw over his way most of the time because Hall is pathetic. It is not all Vick’s fault that they are losing but he has alot to do with it. It will not matter who they bring into coach the Falcons because they are going to continue to loose. Ifor one refuse to but any jerseys for any sports team in Atlanta because none ofthem care about the fans. Most of the Falcons and Braves will not even give the fans the time of day. So if any you are buying their products—shame on you because now you see what ot gets you. They are nothing more than spoiled babies that whine and cry when they do not get their way. They do more hard than good. Wehn Cal Ripken Jr. left baseball, that was the last person in sports that care about the fans.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

JohnnyReb,

How do you know how intellegent Mike Vick is? Hes intellegent enough to be capitalizing off of his fame.

By BJ

November 28, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

Many AJC readers, definitely this reader, have begun wondering if, after way too many seasons, Atlanta’s already seen the best that AJC Columnist Mark Bradley has to give.

And this reader thinks Bradley’s “simple” statements after Sunday’s loss to the Saints is indicative of Bradley’s mounting lack of insight on how athletes think or how sports really work.

Bradley has rarely if ever been a participant on any field, court, track, or lockerroom - And he’s an expert- How Counter-Intuitive is that?

By Joe Bob

November 28, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Is it time for Schaub? No. I love Vick. He is a very talented QB and needs the right offense to play in. If you put Vick into the Eagle offense I guarantee he would be extremely successful. What is Vick doing wrong..he is not checking down to his underneath receivers. Where are the slant routes? Where are the backs coming out of the backfield? If you look back at the tapes of Cincinati and Pittsuburg - Vick did this very well. Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore and N.O. he did not accomplish this. Roddy White would have been released if I was the coach after that game. You CAN’T drop wide open passes like this. Catch the BALL!! That is your only job as a receiver. He couldn’t even use the excuse “I was about to get hit hard”. I’m sick. I’m sick. I’m sick and tired of this coaching staff. I’m not 100 percent sure anymore that Mora is the guy to get this done. I’m not 100 percent sure that Vick is the Quarterback that will get us to the promise land. Our defense played well yesterday but when you have an offense that consistently lets you down week after week. Would you be willing to play hard on defense every series..NO!! Absolutely NOT!! It is time for changes! NO BS by Mora will be tolerated anymore! I’m sick of his pressers. When the job is not getting done on the field.. SAY IT.. Don’t BS your Fans. We’re trying very hard to support you Mora! Where is your support for us (the fans who watch us lose week after week). Get the job done or get out!!

By joshua

November 28, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

2001 NFL DRAFT

1. Atlanta Falcons (from San Diego) - Michael Vick, QB Virginia Tech

2. San Diego Chargers (from Atlanta) - LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Texas Christian

WOW…CAN YOU SO BRETT FAVRE JINX ALL OVER AGAIN…….GOOD THINKING FRONT OFFICE.

By The Truth

November 28, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Blank, Mora and Vick lovers are not afraid of Matt failing. They are afraid he will succeed. How will it make their golden boy look. Blank screwed this team when he jumped the gun and signed Vick’s contract. Now we will never know since he can never be benched.

By VP

November 28, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Yeah Mark, and six years later, we still don’t have an offensive line that can pass block!

By thefutureofsportsanlalyst

November 28, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

I think Mr. Bradley brings up a great point. Maybe Vick was already in the right system to begin with. Maybe Dan Reeves should still be here and Jim Mora should be gone because i sincerly believe that this type of skid would have changed under Reeves. Vick does not need to be a pocket passer, but he can pass in the pocket and he can pass outside of it.

When you think about it Vick is the only person who throughout the whole game kept his composure and his cool when his recievers were dropping pin point passes from him. He tried his best to bring this team to a victory, but he got no help from his offensive coordinator or his wide recievers. It is only natural for someone who trying his best not put anyone down to explode if his team is heckled especially if he is the one that should be blowing up at some of his teammates

PErsonally I dont feel Vick needs any form of the West Coast Offense I think they need a new coach the only one we should keep is our special teams coach c=because he is the only one who seems to make change even if they are drastic after his unit performs horribly. And also I think Vick and his recievers need to get together in the off system and train and drill because when you look back many of the teams who can pass the ball real well got together at least one off season and drilled.

By WallStBro

November 28, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Johnny Reb, since we’re on the subject of intelligence, this should be made known to you and everyone else that keeps referring to Michael Vick’s lack thereof. Michael Vick scored significantly higher than Dan Marino and slightly less than Brett Favre on the Wonderlic test, which the NFL uses to gauge intelligence. Considering Marino is a Hall Of Fame QB and Favre will surely be a first ballot HOF’er, it should be noted that Vick’s intelligence is on par with the great ones. Call him dumb if you want, but he can count to 130(million for the detractors that don’t get it).

By Maclin

November 28, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Vick is an excellent passer, but you can’t be a consistent passer with incosistent receivers. That’s not possible. If you pay attention to the games you see the only reliable receiver is Crumpler and he’s the tight end. Keep ya head up Vick and ask for a trade outta this loser town!!

By Remy Martin

November 28, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Vick, Dunn, Crumpler….that is all we got gang. No receivers, no line, no scheme. Vick has a right to be frustrated. They are playing 3 on 11 all day long!!!

No one would have blinked at his behavior 30 years ago….it happened all the time. Now there is a camera watching his every move….Vick is human and he just got beat and he reacted….BFD

By Dirty Dawg

November 28, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Hey folks, this is the Falcons, whataya expect. From the get go they have been dedicated to disappointing us just when we thought they were ready to make us proud. Even the Super Bowl appearance ended up flawed with Robinson’s night before ‘relaxation’ bit.

This year started out the same way…Vick had a couple of games that made us think that finally he, and they, had gotten it together…buutttt noooooo. So just let it go. Don’t bother getting your hopes up cause they’re just gonna’ crap on us in the end…they seem to delight in it.

I’ve found that an easy way to ease the pain and suffering from yet another embarrassing Falcon’s exhibition, is to bet against ‘em. It’s amazing how pulling for your money can make the difference.

Plus the fact that I always preferred Lowes to Home Depot anyway.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

November 28, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

THE FALCONS ARE A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE! NO ONE PERSON IS TO BLAME! THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION IS TO BLAME FOR THIS! THIS IS QUITE SIMPLY A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE FROM THE VERY TOP DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM!

Is it the player’s fault or the fault of the coaches? If it is the fault of the coaches, then fine so be it. It is hard to believe that it is solely the fault of the coaches.

If it is the player’s fault, then of course be angry with the players.

BUT the person you need to blame for the players then is McKay and Blank.

McKay and Blank made the personnel decisions.

it is their job to assess player talent, attitude, competitiveness, and so forth.

if the players are not good enough, that is a player problem but most of all it is a management problem.

Coaches are usually only as good as the players management give them.

Did Bobby Cox turn into a really bad manager this year or did management not give Cox the right players this year?

Was that the fault of the GM? No! the track record of John S. has proven that if given the resources he will provide Cox with the right mix of players.

The players for the Braves last year just were not good enough.

The fault does not lie with Cox b/c we know what he will do if only given the talent.

The fault does not lie with John S. because he has a track record of providing the players the team needs.

The fault lies with ownership who tightens the purse strings and does not care at all if the braves ever win another game.

BUT then look at the Falcons.

Is it the fault of the coaches? Perhaps, it is. Probably unfair to say that though. These guys did make it to the conference championship 2 years ago. (yes, if you give MV7 credit for that, you also have to reluctantly give mora credit for that as well). Thus, they have shown when they have the talent, they can take the team to the brink of greatness. Albeit, that was Dan Reeve’s talent pool of players. But nevertheless Mora went to the conference championship in his first year as a coach when he was given good players.

BUT what happened then? The GM and the Owner is what happened then.

McKay and Blank have systematically diluted the talent pool Dan Reeves handed off to Mora.

The players are not as good as they were two years ago. McKay & Blank have made horrible personnel decisions from day one from the draft picks to the trades to the free agent signings to the amount of the contracts paid to the players already on the team. Terrible.

So, when I examine the falcons I start with the coaches vs. the players.

Is it the players or the coaches?

I have seen these coaches from Mora to Knapp to Donatell get to the conference championship game.

*I have seen several players from Vick to Dunn to Crump to Kerney to Coleman to DHALL to Finneran to Brooking make it to the conference championship hame. *

So, I do not blame any of these players or coaches from the team 2 years ago or the coaches too much. i have seen them accomplish near great things together

When these players and coaches I am speaking of had the necessary talent surrounding them, they went to the conference championship game.

So, what has changed? Talent erosion around these coaches and players is what has changed. The players surrounding these players has changed. These other players are obviously not very good and have dragged down very good players and coaches with them.

So, you can be simplistic about it and blame these new players. But the reality is that **you need to go look over in the direction of McKay and Blank and ask them point blank which one of you are making these personnel decisions.

Arthur, if you are the one, as McFly once told Biff, get your damn hands off her.

McKay, if that man is you, then you need to be fired and gone from this team long before Mora or MV7 get the boot from this team.

Just compare what is causing problems for the braves and you see what is causing problems for the falcons. when assessing blame for pitiful performances, assess the blame as follows by going up the chain of command:

1. players vs. coaches

2. coaches vs. Gm

3. Gm vs. owner

I think it is as simple as that. With the braves it is obvious that the players last year were not good enough so it was not a coaching problem. You know John S. is usually good, so it is not his fault. Then you are left blaming the ownership.

The new falcons players who have been asked to replace key players from that team two years ago have dragged those players and coaches who were good two years ago down to their mediocre level. Thus, at least for me, this Falcons mess the last two years is really a matter of assessing who is more at fault for it: McKay or King Arthur? therein lies the problem.

But the rest of you can be simple minded and keep being lazy and pick out convenient targets like Mora and Vick.

And then you will be left wondering why does this team ever have two consecutive winning seasons.

Start digging deeper people.

Appreciate everything Mora, Knapp, Donatell, Vick, Crump, Dunn, Finn, Brooking, DHALL, Kerney, DWILL, Coleman all accomplished collectively together two years ago. They have all proven they can win when they are surrounded by the right talent.

Somebody has pulled the talent pool rug from out under all of these guys i just mentioned, thus why the falcons are not winning. blame mckay or blame arthur. but first figure out which one is to blame. maybe they both are to blame.

Arthur ain’t going anywhere. neither should mora. neither should vick or anyone still left over from that team we all loved from 2 years ago.

MCKAY has to go. he is a fraud who only has a job because of who his dad and family are.

McKay is not COmmish timber and he is not GM timber either.

By WarHokie

November 28, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

For sale, one quarterback, known to have flipped off fans, thrown left handed passes from own end zone for interception, engaged in road rage incidents, cannot throw from pocket, routinely throws into double and triple coverage, single handledly caused extensive playbook to be dumbed down, thereby strangling normally highly productive offense, still led team to AFC Championship game (and choked). Call M Shanahan, Dove Valley, Colorado and ask for the “Jake the Snake” sales department.

Be happy, very happy, for what you have. Give Vick a break. He has no supporting cast. He can’t throw it and catch it too. My dog catches frisbees better than Falcon receivers catch the ball. If anyone thinks Ashlie Lelie is your best receiver then God help you. One great catch and 5 dropped gimmes, how many times have I sat in Mile Hi and seen that? But reunite Jake and Ashlie and they can complete 3 yard passes on 3rd and 8. So what does Vick do after no running game and many dropped passes? Tries to win the game for you on his own. Then gets booed. Hmm, seems like he played pretty well for Reeves, (you are welcome from all Bronco fans) but now all of a sudden he stinks? Can’t pass? He could pass a couple of weeks ago. I’d look a little deeper, folks. No comment on some of the comments posted here, other than “wow!”

By DT

November 28, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Get a bigger offensive line and some receivers that can catch and you will see a big difference . Vick has to run for his life as soon as the ball is snapped .

By snotdawg

November 28, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

Hi, Elijah! You are like Vick, NO class. Anyone who makes $130M (more money than I would make in 20 lifetimes, much less 6 years) deserves to be held accountable when not performing.

By Remy Martin

November 28, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

I have the notion that at least on occasion he needs to be used as a runner/decoy. Here is how it could work. Schaub is under center. Split Lelie out left. Crumpler and Beverly split out right. Vick lines up behind Crumpler and Beverly. That will draw 3 or 4 defenders out right. Lelie goes long up left side and then a deep post. That will draw 1 or 2 defenders. Now you hand the ball off on a draw to Dunn and it is our line against 5 defenders. That would work almost every time….let me know gang. Mora Jr, are you reading this. Just putting Vick outside as a decoy would be very effective. They have to respect him out there…..that means 4 defenders. I know I know I know it is Slash/Cordell Stewart all over again, but Vick is twice the athelete that Slash was. Now if you throw a backwards pass over to Vick in the afoementioned set, he could throw it long to Lelie(who by now has out run his coverage) or short to Dunn or take off running his own bad self. Would one of you so called experts tell me what I am missing here??????? THIS WILL WORK

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

November 28, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

once again for all the fools: Tomlinson is great. of that there is no doubt. but tomlinson is in his sixth year as well and he has never played in a playoff game ever. when gets to the playoffs twice, then come talk to me. when he goes 2-2 in the playoffs, then talk to me about how tomlinson is better than vick. when tomlinson makes it to the conference championship game, then talk to me about how the falcons should have drafted tomlinson as opposed to vick.

AND DO NOT EVER CALL TOMLINSON LT. THERE WAS ONLY ONE LT IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL AND THAT IS THE WAY IT ALWAYS WILL BE.

but hey you are probably the same people who say that brees is so good and tomlinson is so good. well, they played together for 5 years, why did they not ever win a playoff in those five years? hmmmmmm. i do believe we get more than a few simple minded folks who post on here

By ET

November 28, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Despite fan rhetoric and public outrage of Vick’s indiscretion, herein lies the real problem. A coaching staff is present that is non-aggressive and fails to execute. Well to the Mr. Mora and the coaching staff, it was nice knowing you. You will be traded to another team very soon.

By j

November 28, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

All defenders of Vick you SUCK! HE is terrible and you will never win a championship with him. Please save this blog and post it by your picture of Vick and in 4 yrs when this guy is retired you will be able to remember what an idiot you were trying to defend this guy.

By Shaad

November 28, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

I’m sick and tired of you falcons fans complaining about Mike Vick. I hate the falcons, I just wish the falcons would trade Vick to the Bears. The Bears would love to have him. Vick would then have everything he needs as far as supporting cast(defense,coach,and proven recievers that will actually catch the ball). I read someone’s blog saying that Vick’s pro bowl performance didn’t count because they weren’t blitzing, but if that meant it was easy then all the pro bowl QB’s would have outstanding games. But if the check the stats no one really did. You guys always talk about is inaccurate throws but I could not tell in the pro bowl because everything he threw was on target and the recievers actually caught the ball!!! The falcons organization is so dumb they got rid of a key player in T.J. Duckett so they could pound in the red zone, they should have gotten rid of Dunn, because Norwood can do his job if not better. The defense is a joke!!! So is Deangelo Fall!!! Ha! Ha! I’m convinced that if Mike Vick would have not ran the ball at all against the Saints that they would not have scored at all. I guess I’m kind of happy that you guys complain about Vick, cause that increases the chances of you dummies trading him. Bye Atlanta Suckerrrrrs!!!!!!

By j

November 28, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

Stop with the racism! Vick gets a pass for flipping off paying customers. If it had been Schaub and he did that with a person of color anywhere near that area of the stands it would be a law suit. It’s not because he is black it’s because he sucks!

By MV7 Fan

November 28, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Vick, get out of dodge before your career is derailed. You gave us 6 years and what did we give you in return? You can’t win games by yourself. If you want to win a Super Bowl or have hopes of making it to the Hall of Fame, you need to go to a team that will employ an O-line to protect you and a core of receivers that can catch the ball. The fans who really understand football can see that you are pressing too much to make things happen on the football field. I love Atlanta, I love the Falcons and would hate to see you go for selfish reasons, but it is clear to me that this our fans, our team, our coaches cannot help you get the success you seek.

Dare I say it….we are QB killers…literally.

Finally, since when did entertainment mean the ability to degrade another human being? Come to my job calling me names, you may just get flipped off too!

By The truthteller

November 28, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

The reality is once again money!! You idiots will buy tickets to go se VIck, Buy his Jersey, Buy his Shoes, he is laughfing all the way to the bank. He does not care if they win or lose. He will never develop into a pocket quarterback, the 130 million dollar man is the 29th ranked passer in the NFL.LOL, the receivers the O line, the coaching, the weather, You Idiots will always find an excuse for him… Where is Tom Bradys Pro Bowl receiver? Drew Breezes? Dan marinos in his time? Dan FOuts? they all had one guy they could go to . Vick has Crumpler and the benefit of lining up behind the best rushing aatack in the league, meaning defenses have to stack up the line, and yet this non passer cant complete but 50% of his passes on one on one coverage. That is nor right! All defenses in the NFL when they play the falcons dare Vick to trow, and he cant. Amazing how all receivers even some with 1000 yards seasons in the past coem here and forget how to catch.. its HIM… understand that. You dont make it to the NFL if you can catch as a receiver. Well i guess you can make it to the NFL if you cant trow as a quarterback, Michael Vick has proven that..lol…

By MV7 Fan

November 28, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Vick, get out of dodge before your career is derailed. You gave us 6 years and what did we give you in return? You can’t win games by yourself. If you want to win a Super Bowl or have hopes of making it to the Hall of Fame, you need to go to a team that will employ an O-line to protect you and a core of receivers that can catch the ball. The fans who really understand football can see that you are pressing too much to make things happen on the football field. I love Atlanta, I love the Falcons and would hate to see you go for selfish reasons, but it is clear to me that this our fans, our team, our coaches cannot help you get the success you seek.

Dare I say it….we are QB killers…literally.

Finally, since when did entertainment mean the ability to degrade another human being? Come to my job calling me names, you may just get flipped off too!

By theedge56

November 28, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

I think that the racist comments and crap these athletes have to put up with from the fans is ridiculous. MV gets crucified for flipping the bird but what did the so called fans say? People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Most of those drunken idiots would flip you of for getting in the lane in front of them on I285!

By Dano

November 28, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

Hey No$$fromme ,

Nobody forces fans to buy those tickets. The TV shows more of the game anyway……MV7’s frustration comes from the fact that he IS paid that much and has been told he is a great QB and nothing short of Superman. Most of his fans believe that and even some of the media……It’s a matter of pride and FACE….but you probably wouldn’t understand that since your blog makes you appear to be too stupid to live…..

By CQ

November 28, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Thetruth,

Crumpler is a tight end, not a #1 receiver The Falcons have the #1 rushing attack only because of Vick, who has close to 800 of those yards.

By Bill

November 28, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Almost 3,000 dead and many more maimed for life American soldiers due to Bush’s war, and you morons write long-winded “essays” about some sandlot quarterback and receivers thinking more about their end zone dance than catching the ball??

Vick is a room-temperature IQ living inside an extraordinary body. Arthur Blank thinks building a hardware empire qualifies him for bulding a good football team.

Get over it. Surf the Sunday TV channels for good games, drink beer, and chill. Concentrate on the cheerleaders.

By The truthteller

November 28, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

One LT yeah the coke sniffing one there is one for the ages LOL the new LT is the already in the top 5 running backs of all time. WHat is mike vick? the top what? draft bust of all time? the top running quartecak of all time? the top 5 paid players of all time? WOW mike vicks top 5 really isnt that important…LOL…. just telling the truth!!!!

By WallStBro

November 28, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

It’s official, J is an idiot!!!! That fool brought racism into a conversation that has nothing to do with race but has everything to do with respect and performance. OK, so Vick flipped off some fans, we all agree that wasn’t cool. Tell me though, what about Romanowski spitting in players faces? What about Kyle Turley throwing his helmet toward fans in frustration? More recently, what about Brayton kneeing Jerramy Stevens in the groin on national TV?

Quit trying to play the race card and stick to the facts. Vick is not the best passer in the league, but good enough when combined with proper talent and his amazing athletic ability becomes one of the best options at quarterback in the league. As for him being out of the league in 4 years, the only way that will happen is due to injury. What these Vick haters don’t realize that while this is his sixth year, he rarely played as a rookie, and was out virtually all of his third year. When he did return, he went 3-1 in his four starts. That’s a 75% winning percentage, in case you can’t do the math.

Since J doesn’t know about the NFL, it should be noted that Peyton Manning established a league record for sacks his rookie year, Indy countered by getting him a good line and receivers that get open early on routes. I don’t care who you are, there’s not a QB with a bust in Canton that would want to play behind this O-Line or throw to these receivers.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

November 28, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

the problem with the receivers is not that they drop passes.

believe it or not, a pass or two is dropped in every nfl game.

they are not dropped like how roddy drops them however.

BUT the problem with the falcons receivers is that DO NOT GET OPEN!

it is easy to focus on dropped passes but then think about how often do they get open.

how often do they beat someone deep?

you can say that brady does not have good receivers and you are right. the problem with that argument is that vick was once a decent passer when he had crappy receivers too. the problem is that they then went out and got three first rounders who sucked and essentially traded another first rounder for peerless. now the team is stuck trying to justify those draft picks by keeping throwing them out there to stink up the dome every sunday. the lions had to learn the lesson to get rid of the first round wideouts and go get themselves a bunch of no named furrey animals. look at falcons: every year they try to push finneran down the depth chart, and every year by the end of the year no name finneran ends up being the best receiver on the team.

the falcons do not need to go draft any more wide receivers. they do not need TO or Moss. they do not need to trade or sign any good big name receivers. forget the big name ticket items. go get yourself a bunch of no frills hard nosed receivers like the patriots love and like vick had in 2002. just get 3 or 4 no frills guys who either are tall, have good speed, and just go get the ball because they know if they do not get the ball they could be bagging groceries at local walmart in their hometown next week. stop playing first rounders who do not seem to fear for their jobs

By Shaad

November 28, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

I forgot to add that the O-line stinks too. Mike runs for his life everytime he snaps the ball. I’m suprised he doesn’t get hit even when he hands the ball off. Either coaches are dumb or that don’t care about an athletic QB. If you got a QB that can run doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need protection, if want him to make more consistent and accurate passes give him pocket he can stand in and set his feet, instead of running from sideline to sideline away from defenders to get a little daylight to throw the ball. If Peyton Manning had the line Mike had he would’nt do nothing he showed that when a lot of his lineman went down at the end of last year. But you all probably don’t remember that because they don’t show when Peyton is struggling.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

November 28, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

mike vick has won playoff games, you stupid loser.

what the hell has tomlinson ever done to make his team win?

is tomlinson one of the best 10 RBs of all time? I think he probably is. only an idiot who loves his flavor of the week says that tomlinson is top 5 already.

BUT I guess what you are saying is that you would rather have a top 10 or top 5 RB on your team for the sake of having him on your team and watching him than have a QB who has helped your team win playoff games and who has LED your team to a conference championship game.

If that is what you are trying to say, then fine. that is your sad choice. i prefer to desire team success over individual stats.

By IQ

November 28, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Okay, suppose for a minute Mike Vick is “dumb” as some of you claim. A lot of folks also thought Terry Bradshaw was dumb. It turns out they were right, but he did lead the Steelers to more than one Super Bowl before his idiocy was confirmed. So, maybe we should chill for awhile longer.

By prophet

November 28, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

There are a few remedies that could help the falcons.

1. Play norwood more, dunns a good back from the 20 to the 20, but he cant pick up 3rd and 3 or 4th and 1. its just very hard for him to pick up yards when defense knows he’s going to carry the ball. this isnt a shot at dunn, barry sanders was the same way, as well as tiki barber is today, as well. even putting griffith at tailback on goaline would be a vast improvement.

2. Our offensive line has to play better, they have to hold blocks longer. enough said, lol

3. Jenkins has been solid at times and so has lelie, so i think we just stick it out, but roddy has got to be replaced as 3rd receiver, insert jennins, he does provide a different element.

4. We have to provide more pressure on the qb, our defensive line is solid, and we have a nice group of linebackers. our problem is the SECONDARY…hall is solid when he not gambling, trying out his deion impersonation. lawyer, does what we brought him here for to help with run defense, not to be a pass coverage safety. croker has got do better, i replayed the 76 yd touchdown pass a few times, he actually came up to cover slot receiver who was WIDE open, because ROSSUM did not bump him on the line. doesnt matter how good a cornerback is, if u dont have inside help on a post its a touchdown more times than not. THE MAJOR problem is our #2 cornerback and our nickelback. for the last 3 games we have started rossum and someone from our special teams,lol. I dont know how long JIMMY WILLIAMS is out but we gotta get this kid on the field.

5. Its funny to me how ppl keep calling for schaub, If mike vick cant buy enough time to dropback what makes ppl think schaub can. schaub is a solid qb from the limited time he has played, but its easy to look good when a defense doesn’t specifically GAMEPLAN for you every week. REMEMBER the last time ATLANTA so-CALLLED fans asked for another qb to play, we got the “DOUG JOHNSON” experience, I guess this has been forgotten, lol.

By JRL

November 28, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

I haven’t read every previous comment so if this has been mentioned I apologize.

I read last week (in the AJC) that Vick wasn’t allowed to call an audible - in fact the article mentioned the audible package hasn’t been installed yet. WTF does that mean? High Schools have audible packages and the Falcons don’t – give me a break. The coaching staff must think Vick is to dumb to handle the package or their collective ego’s will not allow thinking – either way that situation is pathetic. How successful would Payton be if he were not given the freedom to read the defense and audible out of a doomed play?

I’m not convinced Vick is the one to lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl on the other hand is he given the freedom to recognize impending disaster and check off.

Arthur pull the plug – please – and get a staff in here that knows how to win games.

By peter

November 28, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Terrible coaching is probably the main problem……..I have never watched a game and seen the head coach not involved the way Mora is……..does he know how to put on the head set?

His dad stunk, then cried……is there crying in football?

He stinks, and looks like he wants to cry by the end of each game lately…..but before the game he is all jokes, and kissing his QB’s helmit…. so what is that?

Give me a guy like Bill Cowher, he looks like he wants to eat your kids before a game……….game face, looking madder than Hell, chin sticking out…….then he typically gets results……this year yes has been bad for them, but he has been to the big dance and WON IT!

Even JUNE JONES, with a girl’s name looked like he was more into it when the Falcon’s were playing……..

Come on Arthur Blank, get us a real coach, and things will be allot different for VICK, and the Falcons!

I watch each week to see how we are going to implode……..and it usually happens in the most typical ways!

By The Future

November 28, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Trade him, put D.J. Shockley in. Now that’s a QB with class who can throw and run. Get a defense for the Vick trade.

By Newnan Fan

November 28, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

I read this blog several times a week and I am appalled at the comments that people make here. Mike Vick is only one team member. However, he is the team leader and must be held to a different standard. However, every other team member must do his part in order for the team to function properly.

Obviously this isn’t being done!!! Mike knows he has blown it with some of the fans and multiple apologies won’t change a thing. He can only move forward from here and by his actions prove to the fans that he appreciates them.

In a corporation everything starts at the top (success and failure). Make the changes at the top and you see changes in the team.

I the Falcons don’t make the right changes, let Mike Vick to to a franchise run by good team managers and watch him take a team to the Super Bowl!!!!

Somehow Atlanta teams are known for being poorly managed.They get premier players and then let them get away.

Atlanta is sometimes referred to as the “city to busy to hate”. However, as an African american citizen/observer, this phrase appears not to fit based on comments made about Mike Vick.

By bk

November 28, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

Vick should take a lesson from Donovan McNabb on how to handle adverse situations. Why is it that McNabb always seems to say/do the right things yet Vick usually reacts the wrong way. Plus McNabb takes so much more heat playing in Philly than Vick does.

By 49er Fan

November 28, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

Can the Falconstrade Vick to the 49ers? I would love to have him wearing our jersey. You guys don’t know how good you got it.

With Frank Gore and Vick plus our receivers we will win the West.

By ED FR0M ELLIJAY

November 28, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I WILL NEVER GO TO ANOTHER FALCON GAME. I DO NOT WANT MY 5 YEAR OLD TO WEAR A VICK JERSEY AGAIN. VICK IS A THUG!!!!! HE IS THE WORST QB IN THE NFL AND HAS THE WORST CHARACTER TO GO ALONG WITH IT!!! GET RID OF THE BUM!!! NOW!!! TRADE HIM!!!

By Mike Sucks

November 28, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

ONCE AGAIN, VICK JUST SUCKS!
HE’S NO QB OR LEADER! HE THREW HIS TEAM UNDER THE BUS ONCE AGAIN! HE POINTED THE FINER AT HIS TEAM AND SAID THEY NEED TO PLAY BETTER AND THEN MENTIONED MAYBE HE NEEDS TO THROW THE BALL BETTER! MIKE JUST SHUT UP AND ACCEPT YOUR NO NFL PASSER! THE TEAM WAS ROLLING UNTIL HE COMPLAINED ABOUT BEING A PASSER LIKE MANNING! SO THE CROWS ADJUSTED THE PLAY CALLING FOR VICK’S EGO! HE HAD TWO NICE GAMES THEN THE BOTTOM FAIL OUT! MORA SR. CALL IT FOR SURE, HE’S A COACH KILLER! HE KILLED ONE ALREADY, AND MORA JR IS IN HIS SLOW DEATH! THE CROWS NEED TO TAKE A PAGE FROM THE COWBOYS, BENCH YOUR STARTER AND TRY TO SAVE YOUR SEASON BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! PS I HAVE A SIGNED VICK JERSEY FOR SALE! ARE THERE ANY SUCKERS?

By bob gillesspee

November 28, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Would Brady flip the fans????? Of course not. The different is the coaching. Pat’s have class. The falcons blame the injuries, Do the Pat’s have injuries ???? Good bye play offs for the Falcons.

By Scooter

November 28, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Don’t you just hate that we were all so excited at the begining of the season with all the new additions to the team with Abe, Milloy, Crock, and Jimmy. This was also going to be Vicks third year in the “west coast offense”. We even come out and beat Carolina who averyone was picking for the superbowl. Now here we are with a four game losing streak and a losing record well into the season. What we have to look forward to now is watching all the changes Arthur Blank makes. Maybe they will get Vick some pass protection and also a new coaching staff would be exciting. Maybe we should replace Crocker too, I don’t think he is that great at covering the deep ball. As for our first round recievers, I don’t know what to do about them, we are paying them so much money I don’t think we can just cut them. I’m sure Blank and McKay will come up with something and we will be excited and ready to watch them next season just as we were this season.

By David

November 28, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

He barely played his first season, missed almost an entire season and is just passed half of another. That does not equal 6 seasons of playing time Mark. Get this guy a real OLine and WRs that can not only catch, but get separation and then evaluate him.
He was wrong to flip those ‘fans’ the bird, but he did it, apolgized for it and it should now be over. I suggest you and the other fans get over it as well.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Bears’ Fan, You said: By Shaad November 28, 2006 11:51 AM I’m sick and tired of you falcons fans complaining about Mike Vick. I hate the falcons, I just wish the falcons would trade Vick to the Bears. SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THIS BLOG?????

What criteria for top RB???

Emmitt Smith is all time leader with 17,162……Jerome Bettis is 10th with 11, 542……Tomlinson is no where near the top ten with 8,507 to date…. What benchmark are you using…money???

By 49er Fan

November 28, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

LOL, you so call moral fans kill me. You act as though you have never given the finger in your life, used profanity, or for that matter ever sin. Im sure your kids seen the finger before. Im not saying its right but real is real. How many times have you gone to a sporting event and the person beside you curses up a storm. Do you leave?

Is that the only word that people not of color know-THUG. If you really want to see a real life thug and get the real definition of a thug go to Bankhead around 11pm.

Hip hop has nothing to do with thug. Ask your kids what hip hop is so they can tell.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

I remember when we had Bryan Scott at free safety and people complained. Has the situation got any better with Crocker?

By ICEMAN

November 28, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

All of you idiots are using Vick to spew hatred at each other.

By Sir Stealth

November 28, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

It’s certainly not “unthinkable” that Vick’s best passing season was in 2002, which of course was his last full season before our current clownshow coaching regime.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Hey DIRTIE BIRDIE, You said: “BUT I guess what you are saying is that you would rather have a top 10 or top 5 RB on your team for the sake of having him on your team and watching him than have a QB who has helped your team win playoff games and who has LED your team to a conference championship game.”

Like the saying goes “That’s nice, but what has he done lately.”

By SC

November 28, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

I agree with Mark Bradley that Mike is frustrated. I think the incident also demonstrates that Vick is not just showing up to collect a paycheck. Mike is frustrated, because he truly wants to win. I don’t condone Mike’s reaction, but in an odd way, it is proof that he is just as mad about the situation as any of the fans. And that’s what I wanted to see.

We keep hearing the refrain, “we just got to execute.” Well ok, but I don’t see much ‘execution’ from the coaching staff. Example: the defense ‘stiffens’ in the second half. That’s because Donatell has been afraid to use blitz in the first half. I don’t understand why he is so reluctant - the secondary is getting beaten in zone coverage. How many games does it take to understand that?

By Big Pimpin'

November 28, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s see:

Receivers dropping balls

An o-Line that coundn’t keep the girls scouts out of the backfield.

A defensive secondary that stinks again

But Mike runs for 166 yards and throws the ball OK ( not great ), has receiviers dropping passes and no time to even set up in the pocket and he sucks ????

Wake up people, and look at the real problems …. A supporting cast for the poor guy !!!!!

I give props to Mike for only finger the guy and not pulling a Ron Artest on him.

By JACOB

November 28, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

WHAT CAN ONE SAY? AFTER ALL THE SOUR GRAPES AND NAY-SAYER PUTDOWNS, THE BOTTEM LINE IS: WHEN YOU WIN YOURE’ A HERO AND LOSE TURNS YOU INTO A GOAT. SO MUCH FOR LOYAL FAN SUPPORT. AS A METRO ATLANTA NATIVE, I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT,ATLANTA AND GEORGIA AT LARGE, HAVE NEVER DESERVED A WINNER. GET OFF IT SPORTS FANS, YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE! IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GIVE THESE GUYS A BOOST INSTEAD OF A BOOT! TO HAVE A WINNER BE ONE.

By ICEMAN

November 28, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

It’s too bad that playing with heart isn’t enough to win a Super Bowl.

By Scott

November 28, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

I would like to see a true pocket passer behind this line. Then we would really know if the problem is the line, the recievers, or Vick.

It seems to me that the problem is not just Vick, not just the O-line, and not just the recievers.

Vick is such a dynamic athlete that often when he starts to move the it seems the line gets confused about which way to block or direct defenders. This also causes recievers to start to break off of routes which only adds to the problem. The two games in which Vick seemed to show true progress we saw recievers catch the ball in stride and not have to make major adjustments to try and make a catch. Vick was also staying in the pocket helping the line maintain thier assingments.

Maybe I am seeing things the wrong way but all of these factors combined seem to be the problem. So why not try Shockley or Schaub for a game and see what, if anything is different. If we see the same things then we have a better idea of what needs to be addressed. If though we see improvement, then we know how maybe we need to scheme a little better and develop some plays to utilizes Vick’s talents in ways that he can help the team.

Moving Vick is not really an option, his salary is too much no one is going to make that kind trade with his salary.

By Jack

November 28, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

CALL OAKLAND!! See if they are hiring!!!! Knapp needs to go also!!!

By GTC

November 28, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

We traded to get Vick instead of LT? Give me a break. The Falcons signed a $100 million case of herpes and screwed the organization for years. Get rid of him. If he was a white quarterback he would be gone already.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Anyone selling their Falcons/Dalls tickets for the Dec game. i will buy them for $20.00

Give them up since you don’t want to see them or stop bthing.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

November 28, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Let me ask this:

What team would ANY of our offensive line start for?

What team would any of our WR’s start, or hell even play for?

What team would anybody in our secondary, including D-Hall help improve another team’s defense?

What other team has a kicking game that was and sometimes is in total dissaray?

Now I just pointed out about 25 players on this team that wouldn’t amount to a sqirt of p** on any other squad, but Vick is supposed to make up for that? How is that possible?

The man goes out, runs for his life and that of the team’s and people shout insults at him? He just ran for more yards than every last runningback in the league that weekend save one, and they blame him and berate him? You would be uncomfortable on a throne built on top of a castle made out of WheatThins too. This team was put together terribly by an owner who wants so bad to show the world his buisness savy who went out and hired people who interviewed great. I can lie great too, maybe I ought to put in for the HC job next time if that’s all it takes for Blank. It certainly doesn’t matter how empty your resume is. What has Mora done to make him a better canidate than Lovie Smith? What has Rich McKay done since he’s been the GM besides making terrible draft picks and bringing in free agents busts? There is so much blame to pass that Vick’s accuracy issues are the least of them. MV7 is the quickest QB ever but constantly gets leveled because this O-line can’t block man to man, but you want a less mobile QB in Schaub in there to right all the problems I just mentioned? You think he can make Roddy catch? Make D-Hall stop acting like a nut? Heal “Hurtwell’s” knees, Abraham’s groin? Can Schaub teach J-Webb how to cover? People just spouting out crap about Vick this, Vick that, when it is so obvious that Stevie Wonder could see that there are about twenty plus other losers on this team who don’t have an inch of the guts MV7 has that is causing us to lose in embarrassing fashion. Bad draft picks, bad FA pick-ups, drop passes, no blocking, can’t cover, can’t catch, and bad play-calling. Yeah, that’s all MV7’s fault and Schaub is the answer. Riiiii-iiiight and I have some beachfront property in Iraq that I would like to sell you lugnuts.

By paulo

November 28, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

Hello people!!! Even if you blame the last loss on the receivers, Vick has demonstrated inconsistency his whole career. So he may have a couple of consecutive good games. So what. He’ll just stink again eventually with consecutive bad games. We need a consistent QB to win a Super Bowl. Look at how his QB rating has steadily declined from season to season. He is in the prime of his career now. How should this be happening? I hate to say it but I don’t believe he has the mental faculties to be an elite QB. Everything he does is with sheer athletic ability. If he doesn’t get it(reading defenses) after six seasons he never will.

By former falcon fan

November 28, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

any person let alone a high profile athlete that would infect his partner knowingly with herpes is a scum bucket.

his true character is finally coming to the surface.

michael vick is nothing more that a hoodlum just like his younger brother.

he does not deserve even the least amount of pity but rather total disdain!

By Ron Waters

November 28, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Now I don’t think the problem is Michael Vick. I think the problem is the offensive coordinator bringing the west coast offense to a team that didn’t need it. Yet, seeing that the offense isn’t working, it’s easy to blame the quaterback. The Falcons knew what kind of quarterback he was when they signed him. Is he a pocket passer, yes he is. Just because he chooses to run when the pass isn’t there doesn’t make him less of a quarterback. I don’t think you have to be a pocket passer in the NFL to win games. The people that are spectators of the sport just want pocket passers. I think Authur Blank should fire Gregg Knapp and evaluate the situation from there.

By matt

November 28, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that the Falcons have some of the same problems as the dawgs. Poor offensive line, underperforming WR, and overall coaching/scheme issues. The Detroit Lions have already proven that going out and wasting multiple 1st round picks on WR don’t work. Defense needs a little help to. Too much running your mouth and not enough making plays! Michael Vick is not your prototypical QB; so what!! If his receivers would catch the fu*&^% ball this season would look a lot different. Some of those drops are just mindboggling (Roddy White).

By CQ

November 28, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Ron

I agree. How are you bringing a West Coast offense to a team that has a QB that runs a 4.2- 4.3. The West Coast offense is designed for non athletic QB’s or pure passers. Reeves had Vick in the perfect offensive system and Mora and the crew messed that up.

By Turner

November 28, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Trade Vick now. He has reached his potential. Mora has almost made it to his final game as Atlanta’s head coach……………..Lets get Bob Stoops and a real stadium. Who plays ball in a dome in the South. What were we thinking.

Vick couldn’t lead sex offenders to a whore house.

By BradATL

November 28, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Time to let this subject die. Vick made a mistake, he apologized, his apology appears very sincere, so let’s just drop it.

By bah-humbug

November 28, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Is Drew Brees a better passer than Mike Vick? Absolutely! He has touch on the ball. His passes don’t fly through the air like missiles but thsy do reach their targets in stride.But the question is, could Drew Brees play behind Atlanta’s offensive line and be the same QB he is now? NoWay!I bet Mike Vick drools when he watches the film of Sunday’s game and sees the 5-6- 7 seconds Brees had to sit back in the pocket and pick out his receivers.Did you see that Saint receiver make the over the shoulder one handed grab? You won’t see that with Atl’s receivers this year. The Saints didn’t muster much of a running game Sunday or they would have beaten us by 30. But they did protect the QB. Something our O-line can’t do when the running game is taken away from us,making us one dimensional. If Mike Vick waasn’t one of the top 3-4 fastest men in the league. He would avg. getting sacked 6-7 times a game. DO you seriously think Drew Brees would be a Pro-Bowler taking that kind of abuse? Dream on.

By Ronny

November 28, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is the least of the Falcons’ problems. The whole team— from coaches on down— is falling to pieces. Losing Finneran and Duckett has turned out to be a disaster. That said, why doesn’t Arthur try lure Charlie Weiss away from Notre Dame? He probably can’t leave just yet. And most likely wouldn’t be interested in getting involved with the Falcons mess. But Arthur has the money to try. One thing for sure— Charlie wouldn’t put up with all this crap for one second. He worked with and learned from the hard-nosed Bill Parcells. Charlie’s resume is astounding. Compare it with Jim Mora’s!

By JohnnyReb

November 28, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

CQ & WallStreetBro, You imply Vick’s intelligence due to his contract $? It was his agent that negotiated that high dollar deal (& also takes a monstrous cut therefrom). BTW, I’m not saying Vick is “dumb”…only that he’ll never be a pure pocket passer (ala Manning, Brady, etc.). He leverages his God given atheletic ability well, but needs to prove more consistent in his pocket decisions and overall offensive prowess. Also, Vick does indeed need a better supporting cast (especially @ OL & WR). There indeed are many reasons for the Falcons demise.

By Alex

November 28, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Honestly it was immature of him to react that way but he apologized. And I can understand his frustration. The Falcons wide-outs wouldn’t even be on the practice squad of most NFL teams. They’re atrocious. Vick played his heart out and his team let him down. Had his recievers caught the ball, he would’ve had 200+ yards passing and 2-3 TD’s in the air. I can understand why he often chooses to tuck and run instead of throwing to unreliable hands. Vick is not the problem.

By Carol C

November 28, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is too soft and frequently appears confused. Remember the cell phone call during the game last year?The Falcons need a Bill Parcells or Mike Ditka type who wouldn’t be afraid to bench a player if need be.

By deepsouth

November 28, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

The mere fact that Mike Vick is so devisive, as evidenced by these blogs and the vent, is the reason he will never be a great player. Whose he going to get support from, the 50% of the fans that are BLIND to his inconsistency (for WHATEVER reason)year after year, game after game? He is not a team builder. If he is this devisive to the public then it will filter down to the team. They may not admit it, but it will. Now the “reverse haters” can twist this anyway they want to. Nobody can make these blind people with an agenda see anything other than what they want to see. They would rather see the Falcons founder than, heaven forbid, critisize one of the “role models” and that is why they Falcons are doomed to mediocrity. They are up against political forces that will make them unable to change the direction of the team.

By GKU

November 28, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

If Vick is so good as some of you think, why are you having to defend him so much and so often? Almost every week. Open your eyes and see it. If Vick were nearly as good as some of you claim, he could pass 100 yds. per game with a bunch of cripples. Look at his ratings and performance and let the facts speak, instead of your emotions. It is not just Vick, there are many other problems, but quit defending him. He is a great athlete, but a below average NFL QB. Face it and trade him.

By SaintsFan

November 28, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

The so-called “fans” deserved it Michael Vick’s “dirty bird.” Vick is too good for Atlanta. Having a pro sports team is like a marriage….in sickness and in health. They’re down, you support them; they’re up, you support them. Quit being a fair weather city and embrace your team. Be thankful that the Falcons’ owner doesn’t move the team in the cover of darkness like the Baltimore Colts of yore.

Michael Vick, you ROCK for expressing what you felt. Unfortunately, you have to deal with the negative backlash. Don’t let it get you down.

By SICEM

November 28, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

One thing I did notice was that Vick was actually tucking the ball when he ran sunday he fumbled it anyway 1 time and was carrying it in the hand pointed toward the field instead of the side line but at least after 6 years in he NFL he was actually tucking the ball! Dosent take but 6 years for him to learn something and some of you folks think he is dumb. I guess he proved you people wrong huh? LOL.

By dude

November 28, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

bah-humbug wrote:

It’s about going to the line as a QB and recognizing what the defense is and where they may be vulnerable. It’s about checking off if you have a grasp of the offense to a play that works. It’s about quick decisions in the pocket as to which receiver to go to and progress through to the secondary targets…Quick and recognizing being the key words. All of the elite QB’s can do this. MV after six seasons in the NFL should. It’s doubtful to me that he ever will.

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

What is with you idiots (gdg73 in particular) that keep saying that race has something to do with the criticism Mike Vick is receiving and that this proves the “Old South” is alive and well in Atlanta. The ignorance from normal people just blows my mind. No one is disappointed at Vick because he’s black, but because he is underachieving and failing to reach his potential.

This town has been in love with Vick from the word go, how do you even begin to explain the hipocrasy? We were pretty sure he was black when we drafted him…Chandler didn’t get a pass because he was white, but because he sucked and no one expected much from him.

Making this a racial issue is ignorant and completely un-called for.

And GDG, you are an absolute MORON if you think Keith Brooking is a “sorry a**”. Watch a game every now and then before you start spewing nonsense out of that hole in your face.

By L.

November 28, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Vick.

YOU SUCK!!!

I hope that THIS gets your attention.

-An Atlanta who is embarrased at that fact that YOU are the quarterback who represents my city in the NFL.

By Macca

November 28, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

Where’s June Jones when you need him?

By CQ

November 28, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

Who ever said that you had to be a pure pocket passer to be a QB in the NFL? Where did that come from?

I have a good idea. Probably from non athletic football players.

By chuck

November 28, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

Vick is no different than the rest of us. We are all capable of losing control at anytime and that is what the viewers saw happen with Vick. The only difference between his and ours is the media (TV) caught his nationally. Vick is not the problem for the Falcons faltering season. Vick makes his share of mistakes like most NFL QBs but his team doesn’t play well enough to rebound and neither does the coaches play calling allow for recovery. Vick has basically been the heart and soul of this Falcon team every game this season. We all know that Vick is not a perfect passer but he gives his receivers plenty of opportunities to prove themselves and they continue to drop catchable balls. If half of the balls been caught Sunday then this blog would be discussing a win not another loss. Vick keep your head up. Continue to develop as a passer but more importantly as a generous person. Dan Marino never won a SuperBowl and it took John Elway forever to get his two at the end of his career. So Vick just keep chugging and plugging your games with perfected efforts and disciplines and you will get your Lombardi trophy. Thanks for owning up and apologizing for losing control emotionally.

By Jon

November 28, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Read Pete Prisco on CBS Sportsline re: the Saints/Falcons game. That sums Vick up better than anything I’ve read so far.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

Drew, I understand what you are saying but look at the facts first. How was Vick able to be sucessful under Reeves and go to the Pro Bowl and be the MVP? Could a man with no talent lead a team to the NFC championship game?

If you were a sales person and made a $1 million dollars under your manager , then the company changed your manager and he made changes and your sales went to $75,000. Would you think it was the new management or the changes from management?

By quint

November 28, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Vick needs to become a team leader. He needs to snatch those receivers by the facemask and tell them that if they don’t run flat out on every route then they won’t see the ball again. Or, in a game that becomes out of reach he should use that cannon arm to hit them in the back of the helmet with the football as they are racing down the field. He should do something just that radical (stupid) to get their attention. If this is his team, then he needs to lead.

Coach Mora needs to quit acting like a kid and be a man. That thing he said about loving the situation they are in, that it is exciting, etc… was I the only person who saw through that bull? I saw a kid who didn’t know how to answer a question about his team’s desperate situation and said the first dumb thing to pop into his head. Is it even more fun now?

He should watch every press conference Bill Parcells gives. If he is frustrated he lets you know. Does he coach the team through the media…probably. Does it work? Seems to be. Is there anyone who wouldn’t trade Jim Mora, the younger, to Dallas for Bill Parcells?

Vick voiced his opinion about the play calling and then had his two best back-to-back games. The supposed argument/fight between Knapp and Donatell occurred at the same time didn’t it? Make them fight every Monday. Sure couldn’t hurt this pitiful team.

Radical idea, just to stir up the nest: Trade Vick to Green Bay (where he won a playoff game as we are constantly reminded) for one season of broken down Brett Favre. I’d give anything to see him play one more game in a Falcon uniform. Probably could get a couple more picks for him too.

By dp

November 28, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

Vick has no class. It must run in the family. Noticed that after Vick ran out of bounds the ref was waiting for him to toss the ball back to the ref. Instead he dropped it on the ground at the feet of the ref. It does not take much to show a little class. Big Egos, Big Money, and NO CLASS seem to be the norm with many players.

By jeff

November 28, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

The underlying problem with the Atlanta Falcons is the city which they represent, the good ol’ ATL. Atlanta, being the hip hop mecca of the south, is more concerned with Michael Vick’s clothes or what size rims he has than his completion percentage or QB rating. The Georgia dome on Sunday afternoon is more like a rap concert than it is a football game. Arthur Blank should be ashamed. This atmosphere may be fine for getting an Atlanta population to come to football games, but it is NOT conducive to winning football games. The top QBs in the league (Manning,McNabb,Palmer) generally are products of their city. Meaning they are well spoken, blue collar, hard working guys who want to make a difference on the football field and not just in the night clubs. We do not have that. We have not very well spoken guys who like to be seen in buckhead with their suped up SUVs. There are exceptions to this. Someone needs to tell the Atlanta marketing team and event coordinators on Sunday that you can sell jerseys that way too. People do take note if you are good on the field but not a good rapper (see the Braves). So it is not fair to blame Michael Vick and Jim Mora for the Falcons woes. The Atlanta people should point the finger at themselves and the hip hop culture that we have created in this city. Midseason meltdowns should be no surprise because our players are more concerned with being a celebrity these four months they are in the spotlight and they quit working as hard. You cant blame them. Blame ATL for making them more than football players. This environment will NEVER be conducive to good football teams or basketball teams (but that is a conversation for another day). I would like to see less rappers and entourage’s on the sidelines during games. A little AC/DC during timeouts seemed to work before.

By WallStBro

November 28, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this

No, Johnny Reb we never said Vick’s intelligence was based on his contract. The only reference was that he could count to 130. The itelligence issue was based on the Wonderlic test. As far as his agent is concerned, I don’t know if you’re aware, agents only collect 3-4% on player contracts. Doing the simple math that comes to $4-5 MM for the agent. While not a paltry sum, pales in comparison to Vick’s $130 MM.

I agree he’s not a pure pocket passer, but if you read my blog, I said that he’s good enough with proper talent and athletic ability to carry the team to the promised land.

BTW, the way you just backpedaled on that blog, you might want to try out for the secondary, you might make the team.

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

CQ: I’m lost. You put my name at the beginning of your post but I don’t think you were replying to me.

By Phil

November 28, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this

Who gives a F* about Atlanta fans anyway they don’t support their teams THEY don’t know a thing about football. Any fool can clearly see Falcons need Receivers and a NEW COACHING STAFF to compliment YOUR TALENT. drop balls will kill any team and Atlanta Receivers have drop more ball than any receiver Corp in the history of the NFL. compound that with Horrific Coaching equal nothing but LIMA’S. So VICK I’LL FLIP THOSE FAN FOR YOU :- Don’t let those poor broke bastards see you lose your cool, Come monday you’ll still be millionaire and starting QB IN THE NFL playing a kids games and those F*** will get up go to their job they hate and blame you for all their failure in life believe that, KEEP PLAYING HARD LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO.

By dude

November 28, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

bah-humbug wrote….If Mike Vick waasn’t one of the top 3-4 fastest men in the league. He would avg. getting sacked 6-7 times a game. DO you seriously think Drew Brees would be a Pro-Bowler taking that kind of abuse? Dream on.

It’s not about speed, it’s about going to the line as a QB and recognizing what the defense is and where they may be vulnerable. It’s about checking off if you have a grasp of the offense to a play that works. It’s about quick decisions in the pocket as to which receiver to go to and progress through to the secondary targets…Quick and recognizing being the key words. All of the elite QB’s can do this. MV after six seasons in the NFL should. It’s doubtful to me that he ever will.

By Edd Anderson

November 28, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

We expect Vick to save all of us from years of Falcons let-downs. We expect the same of Blank , Mckay, Mora and the whole team. Expectations are high for us to get over the hump. Blank felt he put us in position to be winners. He may need to drop back and punt but I trust him to get the team back on track.

By CQ

November 28, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

I hope Vick goes to the Browns, so he can know what real fans are.

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

Jeff - What in the hell are you talking about? What does hip-hop have to do with making the Falcons a lousy football team?

You contradict yourself and say that “this city isn’t conducive to good football teams or basketball teams” but it is conducive to baseball teams? What is it about baseball that makes it immune to the ‘insidious’ influence of hip-hop?

Inanity, thy name is Jeff.

By Phil

November 28, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

Why are you fools talking about hip hop this is football a***** rapper rap football plyer play a game a kids game no one has attended a Falcons games and seen THE PLAYER IN NOTHING BUT A FOOTBALL UNIFORM BUTTHOLE stop watching MTV AND BRING THAT S** TO THIS FORUM. MY LAST GAME ALL i SEEN ON THE FIELD WAS COACHING STAFF, PLAYER AND WHERE DO THESE SO CALLED ENTOURAGE STAND ON THE SIDE LINE STOP WATCH THAT S** ON HBO AND BRING IT UP.

By Phil

November 28, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

A* wipe Steeler QB GOT SACK 9 TIME SUNDAY

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

How do all these blogs turn into Atlanta fan-bashing, Phil and CQ? Atlanta has its fair share of real fans and plenty of fair-weathers just like any other city.

Does booing the Falcons after 4 mediocre performances and 2 losing seasons, considering the talent they have on paper, seem unjustified to you? I argue that other teams with so-called “great fans” (read New York and Philly) would have started booing a lot sooner.

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

I said 2 losing seasons when technically we were .500 last season

By Phil

November 28, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Hello dumb and dummer Roshlisberger got sack 9 time sunday Guess he could not reconize blitz either huh. IF OLINE DON’T BLOCK DEFENSE WILL FEAST ON ANY QB. Stop while you are behind

By falcons fan45649

November 28, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

there was a man at the middle somewhere who said that if he was any other place or qb he wouldve been benched did brett farve get benched no and what about byron leftwhich did he get benched after what happend in the colts game and i can see why guys say this is the worst city that cant support there teams look at the browns they suck they still have true fans and so do the lions so i hope if vick does get traded he gets traded to a team that has loyal fans

By Drew diggity

November 28, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

falcons fan45649: Wow, what impeccable logic. Those other quarterbacks didn’t get benched, therefore it only makes perfect sense that leisurely discussing our options in a sports BLOG makes Atlanta fans disloyal. How did I not make that connection before?!?! Equating intellectual debate with treason, you could have had quite a career with the Buash administration.

By bah-humbug

November 28, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

To Dude : You obviously never Qb’d growing up. Everytime Drew Brees got pressured by our anemic pass-rush he got flusterd amd threw poorly. He’s like most good passers. If you give him time to survey the field he’ll pick a poor secondary apart. Something even no-name Qb’s have done to Atl all year. Did you see ELi Manning against the Jaguars 2 weeks ago? Pressure is a Qb’s worst nightmare.Pressure is something Payton Manning rarely ever sees. Put him against a pressuring defence and he loses play-off games. Give Payton manning a poor rushing offense, with poor pass protection and see what happens, check-offs not withstanding.Give Vick a decent running attack where he is not the only one doing the rushing, give him time to survey the field, give him a wide receiver like a Marvin Harrison insted of the 3 stooges and I think you will change your tune. Oh yeh, give him some decent play calling instead of 3 straight throws from the 7 yard line. Coaches know the O-line is too wimpy to smash it in on the ground. Any rational human being will see the light.

By Hotrod

November 28, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

Vick is uncomfortable being the leader and being a good interview. I doubt he ever will be because he probably does not like going it which is cool. I just wish he would ease up on the fan crackbacks.

By Falcon 4 life

November 28, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

can you say Matt Schaub? Look at how Bledsoe was thrown out with Tom Brady in New England and Bledsoe again with Tony Romo in Dallas..Isn’t it a time to see what Matt Schaub can do before he leaves Atlanta next year on free agency?

By 1bighammer

November 28, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

I don’t Usually come to the defense of overpaid professional athletes, but I have to stick up for Mike Vick this time. No matter how bad the team plays, true fans don’t boo them, out loud. What else could Mike Vick have doen on Sunday. They won’t let him play defense! He can’t throw the ball to himself!

Mike Vick is THE most exciting player in Professional Football, ther is no denying that. So why do the Falcons continue to try to put him into an offensive scheme that isn’t suited for him. He ISN’T a pocket passer, never has been , never will be. You don’t put a square peg into a round hole!

My last suggestion is this, put Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, and Ashlie Lelie on the bench and bring the guys over from the scout team. They want to play and would give way over 110% if they wer in a game. Can we say that for our starting three?

By michael

November 28, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Bring back Dan Reaves ASAP

Michael

By Craig H.

November 28, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

TRUTHTELLER: GET A CLUE MAN!!!!! Did you actually watch the game on Sunday? This is the only team I know that has 3 number 1 picks at receiver and all of them, I repeat, ALL OF THEM had more drops than catches. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that MV. is worth the money they are paying him. Nobody is worth that much money and yet it’s funny that in this country that seems to be the way it is. The less you do, the more you’re worth. To tell you the truth, I despise most people in the entertainment industry, and the more they make the more I despise them. I mean who really deserves more money: The surgeon who is going to have a life in his hands or some bozo saying he wants $37,000,000.00 to star in a movie (Tom Cruise, who by the way sucks as an actor, got this for “War of the worlds”). What about this: Teachers who put up with all the crap that the kids give to them day in and day out for $35,000.00 to $40,000.00 (avg. yearly salary) or the athlete who has over $100,000,000.00 in endorsement deals before he was even drafted (LeBron James). I mean when I hear about crap like T.O. wanting more money after signing a $47,000,000.00 contract because he “has to feed his family” that just makes me wish these guys were a custodian in a school cleaning up crap out of a sink because his buddies dared him to do it, or wiping urine off the wall and floor because some kid thought it would be cool to pis* some place other than the toilet. The point being all of these people should be in an underappreciated job until they realize what a cakewalk through life they are getting. Anyway back to football. I would just as soon watch the arena league football or minor league baseball or hockey or small town college football because these guys get paid very little or not at all and they have to give their all all the time in order for them to make it to the big leagues so you know they are gonna push it to the limit. I think they should put into effect a pay system like they did with Ricky Williams or like the Jets did with Chad Pennington which is quite simple: You perform, you get paid. You meet certain goals, you get paid more. You don’t perform, you don’t get paid and you don’t play. You get injured you don’t get paid full salary. Simple concept and yet nobody is really willing to impliment this type of payroll system. OWNERS, GET SOME COHONAHS!!!!!! or at least get some players who can catch a football and defend a Hail Mary.

By toshie

November 28, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Heather you sound like you think you are a saintly or as if you have never seen anyone flip off someone. I bet everyone of you have done it at some time in your life. You forget these guys are human and have emotions also. Vick tryed to win that game as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen. If you can’t see the reasons we lost then you are not much of a fan.

By coopdawg

November 28, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

I am glad to see a lot of Vick supporters are still out there. It is a hell of a lot more dramatic to blame Vick for recent woes than to examine the obvious problems that have existed since Reeves left. Honestly, If I were Vick I would have given up months ago. Being the scapegoat for a pathetic group of recievers and coaches would have driven me mad. Vick has not given up yet, and there is something to be said about a guy rushing for 166 yards trying to do his best to win the game knowing his teams limitations. For those of you who think verbally abusing sports stars is acceptable, I feel sorry for you. You probably do the same to your children for the simple fact that you put a roof over their head, huh? I think there is a slew of folks that blog here that deserve a couple of “one finger salutes”…. I believe it needs to be done more often.

By jamaal

November 28, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

Lets forget Vick for a second

Can someone catch the ball please!!! Block a little. Man, if Crump would have turned around and blocked on that real long run, Vick would have scored; instead we got a FG, because the playcalling the red zone is just disgusting.

*A Hail Mary! Are you serious! * 35 DB’s back there and the only one who jumped was D.Hall(and he’s so worried about stats, he tries to get an INT instead of just knocking it down).
Horrible!!!

Forget Vick, he’s the least of our worries. The rest of these cats are ridiculous. Come on,shut down corner, you get beat on 3rd play of the game!!!??? I guess Vick should have played D too!

I love D.Hall, I even love the trash talking( I do it too) but the real #21 (Deion) talked it and walked it… all the time!!!

How about the playcalling once we do get in the red zone. Last week we threw a fade to the back-up TE no one knows (didn’t even know he was on the roster)! I love these guys, but damn, it’s hard to watch!!!

By Marvin

November 28, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

The coordinators for the Falcons both offensively and defensively are garbage. They need to be taken out by the trash collectors. Jim Mora needs to tell his father that Greg and Ed are the coach killers not Mike.

We need Dan Reaves back to coach. The only reason he had a poor season the year he got fired was because Mike broke his ankle, and the back-ups were trash like our coordinators we have now.

PLEASE DAN REAVES COME SAVE US!!!!!

By jamaal

November 28, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

Craig H I was with you on the first few sentence than you started to sound to bitter about rich entertainers. This is the wrong blog for that, but good points.

To the receivers; make a play! No QB throws the ball perfect everytime. Delhomme just lobs them up to S.Smith, but good players ,make plays! S.Smith doesn’t need pin point percision passes, he just needs the ball thrown at him!

Vick doesn’t need fantastic receivers but guys that do their job and catch basic passes and basic routes. He’s the superstar, all he needs is a little bit of your help and he’ll do the rest.

All good players are like that; look around the league.

Nearly every team (passing) has this recipe. Javon Walker-Broncos, D.Driver-Packers, J. Galloway-Bucs, R.Williams Lions, A.Johnson-Texans

All receivers with mediocre QB’s (expect maybe Packers) but the still do well becuase they make plays!!!

By mike mooneyham

November 28, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

You could bring back Jerry Rice in his prime, and he wouldn’t have success as a Falcons receiver. Michael Vick is a runner first, a passer second, and not a very good one at that. Having a QB like that can’t bode well for a receiver’s psyche.

By Joe

November 28, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

Vick has had games that are as good as any QB in the league. We seen them just not on a consistent basis. To me that is coaching. Knapp is not the OC for Vick. He maybe good for a conventional QB but Vick is not such a QB.

Mora has tied all the ships together and he will sink with Knapp. Anyone have Ken Weisenhut’s phone number in Pittsburgh.

By Craig H.

November 28, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Sorry Jamaal, just needed a place to vent and didn’t want to “whip the finger” to show my frustrations, but you make an excellent point as well. Vick doesn’t need great receivers or even good receivers, just solid ones. I was watching Tennessee and NY and Vince Young threw a ball down the middle of the field and the receiver had to jump up pretty high to get it and on the way down he just got pounded. But the key is he made the catch. Give me that guy over these “butterfingers” anyday.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Hey, Darrin “The Vent King”

You asked:

What team would ANY of our offensive line start for?

A. Todd McClure 6’1” 286 - ALL 31 OTHER TEAMS

What team would any of our WR’s start, or hell even play for?

A. Ashley Lelie 6’2” 200 - ALL 31 OTHER TEAMS

What team would anybody in our secondary, including D-Hall help improve another team’s defense?

A. Probably only a Team depleted by injuries with no other choice.

What other team has a kicking game that was and sometimes is in total dissaray?

A. I didn’t notice a disarray in the kicking game!!!

HELLLLOOOO!!!! THE FALCONS HAVE A TON OF TALENT……AND TERRIBLE COACHING THAT HAS LED TO THE DEMORALIZED MESS THAT REPRESENTED THE ATLANTA FALCONS LAST SUNDAY. i SAID IT BEFORE, THE FINGER FLIPPING JUST TOOK AWAY FROM THE REAL STORY “THE COACHING IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE!!!!!!” THE PLAY CALLING COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BY A HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT COACH!!!! IF BLANK DOES NOTHING, THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE UNTIL THERE WILL BE FIGHTING AMONST THE PLAYERS…..IT HAS ALREADY STARTED VERBALLY AND MAKES FROM A LOUSY TEAM ATMOSPHERE RESULTING IN THE PLAY WE SAW IN THE FOURTH QUARTER SUNDAY!!!!

HEY, 1bighammer,

You said: “Mike Vick is THE most exciting player in Professional Football, ther is no denying that.”

I disagree. He may be the most exciting QB in the NFL, but I’ve seen more exciting players during the past few months…… They say love is blind…..

You also said: “No matter how bad the team plays, true fans don’t boo them, out loud.” That’s part of the game!!!! You cheer them when they do good and boo them when they get really bad. The Falcons were REALLY BAD on Sunday…..

By voice of reason

November 28, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

There are many things wrong with this falcon team. However since we are talking about vick let’s judge vick objectively. The reality is he can be great at times and there times you shake your head with inaccurate throws. But honestly guys how many quarterbacks in the NFL would you trade for this guy. And how many former Falcons qb’s would you say are better. I’m not telling you vick does’nt have shortcomings because he does. However he is not the only reason the falcons are losing. I think we all need to accept the fact that this falcon team (the coaches and the players combined) are not an elite team but playoff expectations are not much for us falcon fans to demand.

By BlueBlazer

November 28, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

Shout out to Ween….We going to the Dallas game or not? This is getting good and I sense a Vick comeback. The WR can’t stay crappy for the rest of the season. Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant….

Tell Jen there is still money left for a good Christmas gift!

By Pitbull

November 28, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

IT IS TRUE THAT QB’S GET TOO MUCH CREDIT WHEN TEAMS WIN AND TOO MUCH BLAME WHEN THEY LOSE. IT IS A TEAM SPORT.

VICK CAN THROW THE BALL, BUT HE CANNOT CATCH THE PASSES OR BLOCK THE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS. POOR PLAY BY TEAM MATES CAN MAKE A DECENT QB LOOK AWFUL AND THAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

By j

November 28, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this

Wallstbro: my yard needs some more work now get your dumb a$$ off this blog and get back to work.

By james

November 28, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

I haven’t read where that many people are criticizing MV for his performance Sunday and most everyone are rightly criticizing the receivers. The point that most anti-MV people are making is his inconsistency. I’ll be generous and give him his due for a good game Sunday but next week he’s liable to stink the place up. It has happened throughout his career. One or two good games followed by one or two horrible games. His QB rating and completion percentages continue to drop when with the amount of time in this system he should be flourishing. His inconsistency makes it extremely frustrating to watch the games. How much longer are we (Falcon fans) supposed to wait for MV to become a good NFL QB?

By bucko

November 28, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

No shi- bradley anyone that knows football new that from the start. Mora will go down with vick just like all his supporters. Who do you honestly think would pick up vick as there number one Q.B. if he was let go. Mora jr. better listen to Mora sr. and it is probaly to late. Please all of you no football idots don’t forget about the passes that he did not connect on in the game just because two balls were not caught. For his sacks he creates most of them because he can’t find his receivers. Old Bucko said this would come true and here it is, but wait the fun is not over because Mora going to keep playing a looser and go down with vick. THE HELL WITH THIS SEAONS LIKE A TRUE FALCON FAN CAN’T WAIT TO NEXT YEAR

By trent

November 28, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

now if vick was jumping up and down and screaming in the faces of all these guys, does anyone really truly think that is going make them catch the ball?

or is that only going to make matters worse?

if they can’t catch the ball and they can’t get themselves open, how is vick going to make a darn bit of difference by screaming and belittling them?

he’s not.

so why should he waste his breath trying to scream at his teammates?

besides, i think the same people who are saying that he needs to do that would be the very same people who would come on here and blog all day and night about what a thug and an idiot and what a classless leader vick is for screaming at his teammates like that.

the only QB who i have seen do that really in the last few years was Matt Stafford early in this season. he did not yell and scream but you could see the body language, the rolling of the eyes, and the head movements which suggested that he was displeased with his receivers. did that help any of them catch the ball? and didn’t most of us get annoyed with stafford for doing that and call him a spoiled brat for it? and didn;t we all say that was one reason early in the season why he was not ready to be a leader and a starting QB?

By David

November 28, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

Mark, I know you don’t read the bloggers, but I will say what I said six years ago. Atlanta paid two first round picks to San Diego, who didn’t want Vick in the first place. With Atlanta’s first pick Tomlinson was available, and Brees was available in the second round (with a trade up). That still leaves the other first round pick not used for a top notch player. Brees started slow, but has progressed into being one of the best quarterbacks in the league. LD is the best running back in the league. Our owner wanted Vick, so maybe he should fire himself, and stay away from running this team.

By Wayne B

November 28, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

I think that Mike Vick is taking a disproportionate amount of the boos when things are bad…just like he gets the majority of the cheers, comes with the posiyion. I’ve had season tickets for 26 years and you can tell the look on a quarterbacks face when he starts a play that he doesn’t feel comfortable with, or agree with, but plays it anyway…usually to the result he expected when it was called. Throw on top of that what I do believe is the worst receiving core in the time I’ve been watching (Crumpler rightly not included), an Offensive line that may play with heart but are often outsized and you get the feeling that maybe Vick wants to come up in the stands with us and boo back at the field too.

Defenses stack up the middle and dare him to pass…not that he can’t, they just know who he’s throwing to! Some good pieces in the Falcon puzzle, but it’s more a patch work quilt then a flowing tapestry, and that all comes from upstairs, not on the field. Any coach can win with a solid crew of great players. Great coaches win with whatever they have at hand. Is it the plan? The coaching staff? That’s Mr Blank’s chore. As for the booing, hey, I PAID dearly to for them to be there, no one on that field paid ME to be there so they only have the right to do the job they’re paid to do or sit down, shut up, and take their medicine.

By e.b.

November 28, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

Hey H Brown, you ever notice how much time those QB’s you mentioned spend time in the pocket? Okay, now I ask you, does the Falcons O-Line seem like anything to brag about? Okay, I didn’t think so. Lets start with that problem first. Did you see how much time Hasselback & Favre had in the pocket Monday night? I don’t recall one sack. Falcons need linemen, BAD.

By Chadberg

November 28, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

If you throw the ball to millionaire receivers you probrably expect to them to catch the ball but not our lovely #1 picks. Vick was fantastic, he really gave it his all but idiot Atlanta Falcons fans are quick to love you and even Quicker to hate you. 4 words (Stick by your Team)

By dude

November 28, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

bah-humbug wrote…. Everytime Drew Brees got pressured by our anemic pass-rush he got flusterd amd threw poorly.

All Qb’s are hurried. You have to have an idea what to expect and make QUICK intelligent decisions. This is what separates the men from the boys.

Drew Brees stats: 21-30 349-yds 2-TD 0-int.

Why does he and other elite QB’s have such good stats? Could it be that they come to the line, survey the defense, and are able to make an intelligent assumption on the scheme, ie…if they are going to be blitzed, what the coverage is going to be, audible if need be, quickly go through their progressions and exploit the weak area… Intelligent, being the key word. Given MV’s track record after six seasons in the NFL I can never see this happening.

By Terry Hicks

November 28, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

The Wrost thing Blank Did was let Dan Reeves Go, a Coach Who is a Proven Winner, So What He Lost the Super bowl at Least He Gets their Dan Reeves Got a Raw Deal/The Year after the super Bowl the Players Were The Ones Whe Let Him Down Jamal anderson was Overweight Out Of Shape thats Why He got Hurt and the Offence Line Did Not Protect Chris Chandler

By sugarlee

November 28, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Ron you hit the nail on the head. After Mora finally weeded out the Dan Reeves scheme of things. It’s been down hill ever since. Papa Mora couldn’t do any thing with the Saints and have the nerve to talk. If he was any good he would still be coaching in the NFL. Papa, please come and get your punk son and ride off into the picture tube.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

November 28, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this

did anyone else notice deion throwing mike vick under the bus for being classless for flipping the bird?

although i understand where vick was coming from and how frustrated and fed up he was with everything and everyone of course the flipping the bird thing was absolutely immature and classless and inexcusable.

but it is not the crime of the century.

but that is not my point.

Who the heck is Deion to call someone else classless?

I love Deion.

he is the greatest CB there ever was and DHALL just insults the legacy of Prime Time by comparing himself to good ole Neon Deion.

BUT Deion did some very classless things in his career.

The Tim McCarver thing was a perfect example of how classless, immature, childish, and crass Deion could be when he wanted to be.

Now, I have always hated Tim McCarver.

Always have and always will.

In fact, I wish that somebody would go Deion on him every time McCarver showed up to a ballpark.

Something about that man irritates me to no end.

BUT the bottom line is that the Deion incident with McCarver was completely classless and he never apologized for it.

At least Vick apologized for the childish and inexcusable thing he did on sunday.

Now, some might say well deion is just older and wiser and has learned from the error of his ways and is just trying to help out mike vick by pointing out how classless and inexcusable mike vick’s finger incident was?

AS Lee Corso would say: Not so fast, my friend.

If anyone had read the New York Post on nypost.com on October 26, 2006, you would have seen that Deion was presented with the perfect opportunity to apologize for that mccarver incident and to finally say the right thing about it. Did Deion take the bait? No, my friend, he did not. He showed himself to be as classless today about the incident as he was about almost 15 years ago.

Here is an excerpt:

Q: You have spoken so much how have you learnt during your career. One of the things that people think about as maybe not a highlight was when you dumped the water on Tim McCarver after the NLCS in 1992? Do you regret that and have you ever reached out to McCarver to say, “I wish I hadn’t done that,” even though I know he said some derogatory things about you?

A: I’m not going to say that I regret that and I was wrong. I was acting out of my age and the environment, which I grew up on. If someone does something to you, you do something to him. Yes, I have gone to him to allow him to understand what really was going on. I don’t think he really understood what really was going on. Do you?

Q: I know he had said some things about you on-the-air and then in the [1992 NLCS winning] celebration, you got some ice water and dumped it on him?

A: What he said about me that “It was an act of total selfishness” to want to participate in two sports on the same day. OK, now being in the television business, I understand how friends take care of friends. He was a friend of John Schuerholz and I’m sure he was prompted to say some things that he didn’t even know the totality of them. Why I was so angry was because I had a contract with the Atlanta Falcons to be a football player from August until the end of the season. My contract ended with the Braves in June so I’m hoping the Braves out in anyway possible, pinch-running, doing anything I need to do to help an organization and I’m not even under contract. So really it was an act that I was doing was misconstrued as being a selfish thing. He didn’t have his facts right. The facts weren’t even right in how he portrayed it. That is what upset me.

So it is clear that almost 15 years later and Deion still can not apologize for a classless thing he did when mike vick was just starting junior high school.

So who really is the classless guy, Deion?

Vick apologized. Why doesn’t Deion apologize to McCarver already?

the justification Deion offered explains his frustrations at the time and why he did such a classless thing.

BUT Deion’s justifications merely provide explanations and not excuses for what he did.

There is no excuse for why Deion has not yet apologized.

Is he still not man enough to do it yet?

If you remember McCarver taunted him at the time and told him afterwards, “you’re a real man, deion. you’re a real man.”

Deion and Vick did classless things.

At least Vick was a real man about it and aplogized about it the next day.

Deion still is not enough of a real man to apologize for it 15 years later. So who is the classless guy, Deion?

By Chadberg

November 28, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

This message is for Greg Knapp (You are running the wrong pass routes) If you pay better attention to the defenses teams play against the falcons you will notice that 10 yard curls and outs are almost always open. I am not just a fan i am a student of the game and a man with common sense. If you get the receivers a couple of catches early and get them warmed up and ready with 10 yard curls and outs i am willing to bet my house that the dropped balls will decrease. When you run the ball 10 times and then throw a deep pass on a broken play to a non-confident rarely used receiver this is what you get.

By james

November 28, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

Vick’s performances reminds me of the old Gomer Pyle saying… Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me.

By jr white

November 28, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

How can Vick be criticized for his performance if his receivers are dropping a bunch of passes? Five dropped passes in ONE game? come on - if those passes had been caught, we wouldn’t be talking about Vick not being a good QB. the guy can run around like a college option QB and yet he CAN pass, it’s just that he needs wide receivers that can catch.

i think we need to look at the free agent wide receivers and also look into drafting a wide receiver, but only if we can get one like calvin johnson. then, we would have a wide receiver who can actually catch passes. as a result, we would’nt be talking about this.

Also, to whoever said that Deangelo Hall is not a good player, well even the good ones make mistakes. Deangelo Hall shut down Chad Johnson and shut down T.O. last year as well. If a corner makes it to the Pro Bowl, then why criticize him? What we need to criticize is the wide receivers and the O-Line. you can’t criticize the D-Fense as much as you think you can because, how can you criticize the defense when you have a bunch of starters who are injured?

if we draft correctly and can find receivers who are reliable, then we will make it to the playoffs. however, we will not be a top contender until we can get some GOOD receivers, even if Vick is running for over a 100 yards every game.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

GEE e.b., you must have fell asleep …. both QBs were sacked and Hasselbeck with all that time only completed 17 of 36 passes (47%.) He also had 3 interceptions and 3 TDs….what kind of QB is he???? Yesterday, he was a winning QB!!!Falcons need a better GAME PLAN and an attitude adjustment BAD!!!! They have the personnel…they need a head coach that can lead them in the right direction and a TEAM leader among the players to give them what for if they are not doing their job!!!!

By midniterider

November 28, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

What a joke parcells would of had vick on the bench 3 games ago whata laugh

By Straight$$$$Homie

November 28, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this

It’s impossible to accurately rate a QB without all the variables in place. No OL, WR, on offense and as long as Allen “1st down” Rossum is on the field playing defense, we have the opportunity to lose. Donatel’s defensive scheme is ridicules and Knapp’s play calling is the same. If White and Jenkins hold onto their TD passes and Crumpler turns around and actually blocks someone, Vick scores and we win big. The QB’s stat line would’ve looked something like 15 / 23 for 250 yds 3 tds / 185 yds rushing 1td on 12 attempts (new NFL record). If the DB’s knew how to defend a “hail mary”, and Crumpler lower’s his pads and takes the little DB into the endzone instead of allowing himself to be run out of bounds, Falcon’s win big. Vick can’t do it all by himself. Even the talking heads are starting to give him some slack. I pray everyday that you fans who desire Schaub, get your wish and Mike gets to play somewhere he’s appreciated. By the way, a note to all ticket buyers. You do not pay the players’ salaries. The TV contracts, sponsorship, ect… do. All that ticket entitles you to is the right to view the game from that venue. You may cheer, boo, yell, scream for your team, but you’re not entitled to yell derogatory remarks towards anyone. Security should remove anyone who does such things. If you wouldn’t approach a player in an alley one on one and press your luck, then shut up. The guys get paid because the revenue is generated. If you possessed their talent, you’d be on the field instead of crying all the time about how much they make. The NFL is violent and they deserve every dime. Do you Schaub supporters realize that he’s a loser (hasn’t won a game) and has a penchant for off the field (bar fights etc…) Just a thought!

By hammin

November 28, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

To the jerk who said we will never win with Vick get your stupid a* out there and catch some f*** passes. The man fustrated about loseing!s** me to if we get the right personnel around him we might do the damn thang.

By Tator Tot

November 28, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Can’t we call get along? Except, you known, for the receivers!

By Sick Of It

November 28, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this

I am so sick of all the Vick bashing going on, like this crap of a team is his fault. Correction, like this crap of an offensive line, crap of a receiving corps is his fault!!! Give me (and MV7) a freaking break. Name one quarterback in the NFL, past or present that has had success with no blocking and no consistent receiving. We get so wrapped up in his physical gifts that we expect him to work miracles in spite of the severe limitations of his supporting cast. He is far from perfect, true, but you can’t build consistency as a quarterback when your line and receivers are so inconsistent. Put someone, ANYONE, around him that can block and catch and if he fails then, then we can let the Vick Bashing begin, but until then, shut the hell up…unless you plan on blocking and catching for him.

By Joe

November 28, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

Let’s just face the truth. The Saints are the better team. Better coaching, smarter players…just plain better.

By Dano

November 28, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Sick of It,

You said: “We get so wrapped up in his physical gifts that we expect him to work miracles in spite of the severe limitations of his supporting cast.”

Physical gifts????? You are funny!!!!

Let me repeat: The Falcons need a better GAME PLAN and an attitude adjustment BAD!!!! They have the personnel……they need a head coach that can lead them in the right direction and a TEAM leader among the players to give them what for if they are not doing their job!!!!

Will you stop with the Vick god making?????

By bah-humbug

November 28, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

To Dude The stats prove my point exactly. When I said our pathetic pass rush,thats what i meant, we only pressured him 7 or 8 times the whole game. I believe we got 1 sack. THe times we did, he threw incomplete. The other times he had all day to pick us apart. Give any NFL QB 5-6 seconds to throw and they will be PRO Bowl material.AS I recall watching the game Sunday, I didn’t see Brees checking off at the line of scrimmage. He sat back in the pocket and had time to go through all his reads. Vick has on avg.3 seconds to throw or he had better take off running like a mad man.Heck, even the nose tackle of the Saints penetrated so fast he caught Mike Vick! THe announcers couldn’t believe he got in that fast. He blew his man up!

By frankie

November 28, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this

I’m not a professional athlete, coach, trainer, or coordinator. I am not involved in any way with the day to day operations of any professional sports franchise, so I am in no way uniquely qualified to rush to judgement with regard to the performance of those who are. And neither are most, if not every one of you who have taken the liberty to express your dissatisfaction with the Atlanta Falcons in this blog. But you can at least take comfort in knowing that no matter how often these “professionals” let you down, or incite you to riot by their sloppy, impotent and classless performance, on or off the field, they will still drive home at the end of the day in their Bentley’s and Bugati’s, wallets full of cash and credit, most of them set for life. That’s not something to be jealous or judgmental of. But it is something to be mindful of. Think about it. These guys actually get paid to play a game. Not that you don’t have to be somewhat athletically inclined to do it and do it well, but we’re still talking about a sport here. While all you “fans” wail and holler and p** and moan and belabor the point, the fact is these are grown men playing the modern equivalent of a blood sport in the tradition of what the gladiators did in Ancient Rome, mius the blood and gore and death. When I was 10 years old I wanted to be a star quarterback for some NFL team. That was 28 years ago. Now, I am befuddled by the notion that there are grown people among us who actually get p** off when “their” team doesn’t win games or worse, they hand down indictments to those they accuse as “fair weather fans”. Grow up. Or at least take an objective viewpoint for a change. Disconnect your self from your pathetically shallow emotions and egotism long enough to see that it doesn’t matter if they win this week, next week or ever again. Most of you will probably never even get the chance to meet Mike Vick or Jim Mora in person or share a steak and truffle with Arthur Blank at Ruth’s Chris. So don’t fall under the disillusionment that your opinion or presence in these people’s lives matters. But most importantly, don’t forget that whether they win or lose, it’s all about the entertainment factor. If you can’t laugh at Mike Vick giving you the finger, or find something hilarious in Roddy White dropping a pass thrown directly into his capable hands, then you’ve lost the ability to be a spectator as opposed to a “fan”. Be a spectator. Be a fan when the day comes that their in the Superbowl, there’s two minutes left in the fourth quarter and they’re up by at least two or more touchdowns.

By edward

November 28, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

I think Sean Salisbury had it right on ESPN when he said, “Get off #7’s back”. It isnt fair to say Vick cant throw. Would anybody want to throw to people wide open (see Roddy White, Jenkins, Lelie) and watch them constantly drop the ball? Jenkins had it on the run in a perfect throw only he could have caught and he dropped it. White, did it really happen, had it hit him dead between the numbers in his chest. 3 number one picks at receiver and no one can catch. Crumpler is the only sure handed receiver we have! Vick can throw the ball fine. Maybe no one actually watches the games, but I have seen ALOT of good passes that have been dropped. The numbers look bad, but hey, lets look at the numbers for the receivers and see how bad those are?? I bet if you look at the number of dropped passes by them, you would wonder why they were even drafted! And going even more deeply, look at how many drops were made on game-changing plays? LETS ALL LOOK AT MORE THAN VICK. YES HE MAKES ALOT OF MONEY, BUT HE IS ONLY ONE PART OF 52 OTHER PEOPLE. THIS TEAM WOULD MAKE MONTANA,ELWAY,AND MARINO LOOK BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!

By DHALL SUX STILL

November 29, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this

How does DeAngelo Hall (21) explain the propensity to give up big passing plays this season? ‘We are just taking the bait,’ he says.

*D’Hall Man up B*** and backup your trash-talking thug a* *

Peace Out!

By DHALL SUX STILL

November 29, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

To TheJama what are U smokin dude, VICK is a loser, 12 losses out of his last 19 games.

By Cap

November 29, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

to support Edwards comment I will repost the transcript of Sean Salisbury from NFL Primetime:

“Quite frankly I’m tired of everybody pointing the finger at Number 7. Sure sometimes he misses throws or makes mistakes but without Vick the Falcons aren’t SQUAT. How about some receivers? You have three Number Ones that couldn’t catch a cold or even if you walked the ball up and handed it to them. How about some help? The guy has a dome and a franchise loaded up on his shoulders, and let’s face it, if Vick doesn’t play well the Falcons have no shot. It’s really that simple. All of the fingers are pointed at Vick and he’s not a dropback passer and all the nonsense….enough! Without Vick Atlanta will be picking in the top five picks next year! It’s about time somebody else step up and start eating the Life Cereal (give it to Mikey he does everything) and give Vick some help. He’s gotta get better but he also needs some help. Three Number Ones (Jenkins, Lelie, and White), please! I could get guys in the seven round or undrafted that can outplay these guys!!”

Upon request I can continue to repost this transcript until the Vick haters come out of their collective state of denial that prior to Vick the Falcons, Saints, Cardinals, and Lions were the worst franchises in the NFL’s modern era. And the Lions and Saints have collectively beat the Falcons three times this year. But yet the entire world sees Vick flipping the bird to fans harrassing him after he laid everything he had out on the field. As an NFL player I’m sure I’d want to come play in front of these fans. HEY ATLANTA, GOOD LUCK ATTRACTING FREE AGENTS!!