Sports Columnists

By dale r

December 9, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

Maybe we can re-hire Dan Reeves, Jim Mora Jr and his bunch or a step below Mr. Reeves.

By Ando814

December 9, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Great column!

By the_good_hurt

December 9, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

come on man…you dont stop always trying to keep (ish) going! why you write this blog..don’t you have a ND story to do? I just don’t seem to understand u some time.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 9, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

Any time a QB has to switch to a new system there are going to be some growing pains. The reason Vick hasn’t been as efficient under Mora as he was under Reeves is not just because of the change of system, it’s more because the new system is terrible and not suited to Vick’s skills at all. Not to mention Knapp and Mora can’t even decide what scheme to use — one year it’s a West Coast scheme, the next year it’s a college offense, but every year it’s a limited system that doesn’t use Vick’s skills properly. Looking back, Reeves’ system was extraordinarily simple — he used Vick almost entirely as a regular drop-back passer, instead of trying to design gimmicky moving pocket plays and naked bootlegs to get Vick running. Nearly every time Vick moved out of the pocket under Reeves it was Vick’s instincts telling him to do so, not the play design. Knapp thinks he knows when Vick should scramble more than Vick himself, and it severely hurts Vick’s accuracy and the ability of the offensive line to protect him properly. Reeves also didn’t limit the types of routes Vick could throw — regularly you would see plays that called for Vick to throw the ball up the seam or on a post 10-15 yards down the field, if not longer. Knapp rarely ever calls pass plays where the primary or secondary read is further than 7 yards down the field, despite having a QB who has one of the strongest arms in all of football. Sure, the change in system would lead to Vick struggling a little. But the main problem is not the change itself, but that the new system sucks.

By jimmy

December 9, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

I never understood why Reeves was fired in the first place, I guess because he played Vick in that pre season game in which he broke his leg.

Anywhoo, this bunch currently does not seem to have it.

By Anthony Foster

December 9, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

Terence,I dont usually agree with most of the things that you say.But this time you have hit nail on top of the Head! Dan Reeves was and still can be the Best Coach for Mike Vick!Bar None!Period! The Older Coaches can still coach in this league...Parcells,Marty,Gibbs=Discipline! Its not too late to bring Dan Reeves back Mr.Blank…mistakes happen!

By Michael

December 9, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

I say bring him back as a consultant! Because Dan would demand the best out of those bunch of receiver’s and that OC!

By Mark

December 9, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

Dan Reeves—

What do you expect from a man that was fired. He has an ax to grind. Typical of someone wanting to say I told you so.

Blank needs to be blank on the field. Who is really in charge on the sideline?—my guess is the man writing all the checks.

Look at Mora’s face and eyes—he is a beaten man.

Vick gives fans the finger.

The wheels have come off—radical surgery is needed.

Mark

By The great one

December 9, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Good Gawd…how many Michael Vick apologists are there?! Someday everyone will have come to the realization he is an exciting,average quarterback at best.

By keeping it real

December 9, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

open up the offense and defense. Dan did take us to the super bowl. Our offense line was still sorry.Can mora coach? He has 4 game to prove he can. This week little chuckey and next week the tuna? I ask the question can mora coach. Is he a off brand ? Can our reciver come back to the ball and catch it? Can they fine the first down marker? Can the defense stop 14 point and deep pass in the first quater? will the offense line block the next 4 game? Falcons you have been p*** footing around time to show every game!

By Birdy

December 9, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Mora can’t compare to Reeves as a coach. Reeves’ biggest problem were talent acquisition. And remember he didn’t have Arthur Blank’s checkbook to work with but 2 offseasons.

I think the team would be in a better shape with Reeves teaming with McKay because Reeves is a more hands-on team manager. He also held guys accountable (even Vick) for screwups whereas Mora seems to get off on sending poor performers back onto the field.

We need a TEAM COACH like Reeves, not a PLAYERS COACH like Mora.

By Tator Tot

December 9, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

Blank came out of a business background, where you have to be a sharp-looking Yuppie suck-up to succeed. Mora is a sharp-looking Yuppie suck-up. He’s not much of a coach, though. He doesn’t have an original bone in his body. He can’t think out of the box. He has reached his peak at .500 ball. But at least he looks good in business meetings for Mr. Blank. And what’s with Blank hanging around on the field? What an ego.

By morris

December 9, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

I just wish reeves would have hired a personnel guru instead of making some of the bad decisions in picking players. He was one hell of a good coach, the best by far atlanta ever had, but his stubborness and insistence that he make all personnel decisions was ultimately his downfall. I know he was the catalyst for getting vick here, but there were to many bad deals like trading a future first rounder to get reggie kelly in the second round. Remember who that first rounder turned out to be? Jamal lewis- OUCH! If reeves had just got him a right hand man like belicheck has in new england ( scott pioli), then he would probably still be coaching the falcons. Ultimately though, one has to wonder how a franchise as sorry as the falcons, could fire a guy with a resume’ like reeves, with 200 wins and 4 super bowl appearances. The only coach to take this sorry franchise to the promise land. The Dan Reeves firing really looks bad now that we ended up with an immature goober head like jim mora jr.

By War Eagle

December 9, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Vick is a SPACE that will never be full filled because he is rich, famous and herpes carrier. He will never WIN with as a Falcons, trade him for offensive lineman and move on.

By Jay

December 9, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

War Eagle, you obviously got an education at Auburn with those grammar skills.

Moore is right. Blank has no one but himself to blame for firing one of the best coaches of all time. Of course Reeves’ last season sucked…he lost the best player (by far) on his team for almost the whole season. Note how when Vick did come back that year we went 3-1. How do you think Mora would do with that team that had less talent then this years?

But Blank made his mistake worse by bringing in an immature coach and rigid oc who has managed to make one of most dynamic players in the nfl regress. Our coaching staff is a joke of the league and it all falls on Blank’s shoulders.

Thanks Moore for telling the truth.

By NEW JERSEY FALCON

December 9, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

How bout we scrap this version of the WCO, bring reeves out of retirement to call the offense for vick. Beteen moras drive, and reeves intlegence that’s a perfect union for vick and the falcons….think about it.

By Cairo

December 9, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

Moore,

Should have could have I want to be rich! Reeves got fired because it was time for a change and his coaching style was just as predictable as Gregg Take A Knapp! The problem is a Dan stated in YOUR column the receivers get NO separation! He is not progressing because of a mediocre offensive line and inconsistent wide receivers and an OC with an EGO the size of TO. NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE is what you write.

By falconclaws1221

December 9, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

AH HELL ; LETS JUST CALL UP THE SMITH FAMILY. HELLOOOO RANKIN

By BirdDawg

December 9, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

War Eagle,

You are a retarded moron. And I’m guessing more than just a little racist.

And I cannot believe I ever stuck up for you on the Bulldogs Board.

How the hell does having herpes have anything to do with the NFL, you dumb pr!ck? Dude, are you having a Freudian Episode? Are you trying to tell us that Syphalis is shriviling up your d!ck and turning your brain into swiss cheese. Because that could almost explain your extreme ignorance.

It’s on now, retard.

I told you to stay away from the NFL, because you obviously know nothing beyond the college game, but you had to go out and prove that you are not only NFL ignorant…

You are also an extremely ignorant SOB of a person.

Here’s some little facts to lay on your idiotic, ignorant, racist @$$…

Michael Vick is the most talented and winningest QB this team has ever had. FACT.

Michael Vick’s numbers as a first year starter under Dan Reeves are very comparable, if not in some parts better, than John Elway’s numbers under Reeves in his first year. FACT.

Michael Vick was the first QB to lead a team to a playoff win in Green Bay. FACT.

Michael Vick has proven that he can, with the right coaching, and a decent offensive line, and slow white guy catching the ball, be a very, very effecient QB in this league. FACT.

Michael Vick is about to become the first QB to rush to 1000 yards in a season. FACT.

Michael Vick is being chained to worst OC in the NFL right now, and Arthur Blank is the man who we can all fault for his favorite player not becoming all he could have been. FACT.

Jon Gruden, a known egomaniac, has said that is he had someone with Michael Vick SINGULAR talent, he would scrap EVERYTHING he ever knew about offense, and design the Michael Vick Offense. FACT.

So you know what, War Eagle, you piece of ignorant crap, you can go to hell, man.

You dumb redneck SOB, you should have just stuck with the college game.

And Terence Moore, I cannot stand you. I believe you, at your core, are not a very good person. I believe you are a reverse racist, and do more harm to the causes you champion than good. I also think you are just about the worst writer employed by this paper not named Carter Strickland.

But you Sir, are the second writer at this paper to call out Greg Knapp for being the problem for Michael Vick, singling out his retarded reasons for not letting his QBs audible, and for that, you have my thanks.

There, I think I can get into heaven now, I complemented a person I absolutely loathe.

HA!

By Rick

December 9, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

Hey Birddung, the only fact you got right was the part about vick rushing for over 1000 yds. The rest is the hype he never will live up to. He is over rated He is over paid He is dumber than a fence post. His career is almost over and all he does is go up and down, hot and cold. good week bad week. If I remember corectly, there were a few othe guys on the field fort that green bay win. According to you , anyone who does not like mike is a racist. That little act is gettin old. Come upa with new and better way to protect the underachiving, herpy blistered, dim witted idol. Talk about a man crush. Whew!

By BirdDawg

December 9, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

Rick, you’re not a racist.

You’re just an ignorant, ‘neck SOB.

By vickisick

December 9, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

ive been saying all year i wish i could blink and it be 2002 again. reeves knew how to get vick in a successful situation on the field. vick looked more comfortable and had better options in his passing game.

i figured blank acted hastily firing reeves. it sucks to feel like the last two years have been a regression. vick is the face of this franchise and arthur needs to sit down in private with vick and find out what he wants and give it to him.

By Connie Lingous

December 9, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this

Great column, T-Mo!!

By paul02085

December 9, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

Coons will get crushed tomorrow. No Defense + Weak offense + Weak Special Teams= Lose by 10-14 points. Season over. You read it here.

By ncat96

December 9, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

WOW! I cannot believe Terence wrote such an insightful column. I am so used to him spewing negative vibes about MV7 and the Falcons that I am speechless about this column. FINALLY the press is coming around to understanding that this team is inconsistent because of their idiotic coaching staff. I want the Falcons to get to the playoffs, however, a part of me wishes that they finish 7-9 so that there will be total regime change of the coaching staff.

Let’s face it. Mora has no balls to be a strong coach. Knapp is clueless about how to use the tremendous talent on offense. And Donatell is too passive on defense. And to top things off, they really believe that they are experts at what they do-especially Knapp. What a load of crap he dished out to Schultz regarding his reasoning for not doing audibles. WHAT THE F%%K! He has to be the biggest dumb a$$ to not allow the most creative QB in the league the ability to audiblize. So like I said. Fire this entire coaching staff. The problem is if the Falcons make the playoffs, their reward would be to be stuck with this sorry bunch of suckheads for coaches. What a shame!

By ncat96

December 9, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

What happened to civility paul02085? Why are you referring the Falcons as Coons. It is okay to express reasons of why the Falcons will lose tomorrow. But PLEAAASSSSE keep the racial insults to yourself. We don’t need to know your personal leaningS. We just want to hear your sports opinions-no more, no less. Is that to hard for you and everyone else to do!

By Eli

December 9, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

BirdDawg, I gain more and more respect for you every time you post. On the other hand, ignorant pr!cks like War Eagle & Rick don’t even deserve a response — they’re just here to fan the flames and get some desperately needed attention. Terence, I’m having a really hard time remembering a single time when I’ve read your column and thought, “yeah, finally someone says what we’re all thinking!” That time has finally arrived. Thanks for calling it like it is (as opposed to how you want it to be) for a change.

By scribe

December 10, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

shut up terrence. you are an idiot. you are over-rated and your constant antagonism of the sports scene in atlanta is nothing more than a “napoleon” syndrome through sportswriting. You couldn’t carry Bonami Jones’ jock…

By loch dhu

December 10, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

So who’s next. Mora2 is obviously toast. Don Shula changed his running ways when Marino showed up. Can anyone tap the potential thats MV7. Hey why don’t we bring back Jones/Glanville what would mikey7 do in the run and shoot shoot shoot. It sure would ba a whole lot of fun. Andre Rison sure could teach the wr’s to catch. where’s Primetime and T Mathis when you need Them. Did anyone notice that when K mathis went down the season tanked. Just like last year!

By Titothebear

December 10, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

I liked the column but I don’t think Reeves’ dismissal is to blame for Vick’s numerous failures. The guy has been over rated, over hyped and over paid. He’s a mediocre talent and the Foulcons are the essence of mediocrity, They will wind up with a losing record and, probably, Vick will go to the Pro Bowl. He’s totally undeserving but people seem to love to watch that fool run around and lose yardage and fumble. The Foulcons have him and they’re going to be stuck with him for quite sometime. Eight and eight seems and impossible dream now. forget going to any Stuporbowl!

By Matt

December 10, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this

Offense has poor attitude. Attitude reflects leadership. Leadership = Coaching. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck….it’s probably a falcon.

By FalconsFan

December 10, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this

Dan Reeves was a horrible coach for the Falcons. Glad he is gone. Reeves made the worst NFL picks , could not adjust games at half time, did not know when to call a time out, could not pick the right players, and was a loser.

Vick would not be any better or worse if Reeves had stayed. It is what it is.

Only thing bigger than Vicks bling was Reeves ego.

By Mash

December 10, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this

Great article. I’ve been preaching this exact argument to my friends (with short memories) everytime they blame Vick. Why did Vick flourish as a passer under Reeves and not Mora. The system. He made some of the most incredible throws I’ve ever seen when Reeves was running the show and freaking Shawn Jefferson and Finneran were making the catches.

By Bo

December 10, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

Great job Mr. Moore. I miss Dan also. Fire Mora!!!!!!!!

By South Georgia

December 10, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this

We’re taking this thing one game at a time.The Falcons will win tomorrow and next week will be the spring board into the playoffs then to the superbowl Go Falcons Go ,Go Vick and that Powerful offense Go…You will Find Your Identity and of course that defense will be there for You……..Special Teams Lets Get ROLLING………..

By uga2123

December 10, 2006 02:24 AM | Link to this

Wow, I agree with Terrence Moore again. As a sports editor, I have a lot to learn from you. I think that Dan Reeves never should have been fired. It always takes at least 2 years to see how a decision pans out. Blank’s decisions with Home Depot didn’t turn out that well, neither with the Falcons. But, to his credit, he has shown a desire to win with the Falcons, which is more than any other owner has done for this team.

By thirteentwo

December 10, 2006 02:30 AM | Link to this

fact: (as it was already said) there was more than one player in green bay that day.

curious: i didn’t notice any complaints about the coaching when they were 5 and 2.

By marikulay sano

December 10, 2006 02:44 AM | Link to this

i like this site but i don’t think this site should be used for attacking each other,racial abuse or insulting.i think we should make our comments maturely.

By e.b.

December 10, 2006 02:47 AM | Link to this

Terence, you FINALLY got one right. It’s been years, but boy was it worth it. This article should be pinned to Greg Knapps & Jr. Mora’s foreheads before every game.

By e.b.

December 10, 2006 02:50 AM | Link to this

Hey thirteentwo, there were complaints about the coaching even last year. This is nothing new. None of the Falcons failures have anything to do with Mike Vick. He’s one guy. It has to do with coaching, and with personnel.

By marikulay sano

December 10, 2006 03:05 AM | Link to this

we should not blame mike only it is entire falcons team and the management.i think we need new coaches and players.i believe the aging players should go and bring new dynamic young players who can bring result for the team next season because this season is over for us.

By mo

December 10, 2006 04:06 AM | Link to this

I like this post by T-Moore. It raises some interesting questions, but also brings up some painful realities.

Like, for instance, when Vick broke his leg, Reeves had absolutely NO ANSWER. The entire offense was Vick creating and audibling. (Now that you think of it, that may be the best thing to happen in this offense.)

But Doug Johnson was terrible. Steve DeBerg was terrible.

Also Reeves had too much control. I always thought we needed a GM to make good hires when he was Head Coach.

But all in all, I always thought it was unfair that he was fired. That firing wasn’t due to his performance only. Remember, Blank wanted his own man at that position. I don’t think that Mora is a BAD coach, but I think Dan Reeves is better.

But my biggest problem with Reeves and Vick was Reeves play-calling. He was very conservative.

And his history. He took the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl numerous times with another scrambling QB with a big gun for an arm… and lost every time.

It was only after Reeves left that they went to the Super Bowl and won… once against the Falcons with Reeves as the Falcons head coach.

But I think with Vick under center, we have a shot to beat anybody.

By Dano

December 10, 2006 04:58 AM | Link to this

Thank You Mr. Moore for a great article. Thank you Mr. Reeves for confirming what many of us fans feel is the problem with the Falcons……So Sad, Too Bad….they have the talent…can they win despite their “coaches?????” Stay tuned.

By spud

December 10, 2006 06:05 AM | Link to this

the biggest mistake arthur blank made was not the firing of dan reeves it was not hiring lovie smith. arthur blank is the reason this team is where its at. mike vick would be a much better qb under any system besides the jin mora system folks this is not about coaching this is about owenership

By me

December 10, 2006 07:28 AM | Link to this

Let’s see what happens when he is traded to the Raiders.

By T

December 10, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this

Vick is NOT a QB… move him to WR and get a QB in here..

Vick had Reeves fired…

I am sick of Vick and sick of the Blank

By dirtybyrd

December 10, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this

last week mike and crew ran plays not called by knapp mike and crew have enough talent to win if they had more help from coaches. so what coach would you with mr blanks$$$$$$ would you falcons fans bring into ATL to run this football team, what off cord do you bring? if we swapped dan for jim right now with 4 games left i know that mr reeves would not put up with poor plays called at key times. EACH PLAY IS WHAT WE HAVE TO WIN!! IF WE DO THAT WE CAN OVERCOME THE COACHING, PLAYERS WILL DECIDE NOW HOW WE FINISH SEASON GO DIRTY BIRDS!!!

By kenny d

December 10, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

king arthur knew exactly what he was doing when he fired reeves. Just look at the timing of it all. Vick was out for the whole season and then was coming back. What does Blank do? Blank fires Reeves before Vick can come back and play fr Reeves. Blank wanted to fire Reeves. Blank knew that if he let Vick come back and play for Reeves and go 3-1 like he did or possibly 4-0 with Reeves coaching and not Phillips, then he would not be able to fire reeves. AND more than anything, Arthur wanted to fire Reeves. If he let Vick come back and play for Reeves, then Arthur would not have been able to fire Reeves.

BUT Reeves should have had a better option at backup QB than Dud Johnson and Kurt S**. That was inexcusable.

By HATinGA

December 10, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

The problem with Vick is the need of a QB making more than Manning,Palmor,Brady and everybody else and yet your in what do do with him mode, we have been trin to figure out what to do with him for 6years.If im going to pay you that much you better be able to drop back an deliver the ball.100mil man shouldnt have to be figured out!!!!Give me someone for a 100mil who can thrive in any system!! Im tired of the SYSTEM dont fit!!RECEIVERS are bad !!How many of them we going to go through??The bottom line is we would be a 100time better off if we would have took LT and had a Drew Brees type QB!!!!!!!!!!!

By Kudzu

December 10, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Typical (mooreish) response and those like you…don’t own responsibility for your own failures and shortcomings, there’s always someone else or something else to blame.

By Dan

December 10, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Yeah casuse Reeves was such a good QB coach. Not He is one of the most overated coaches in history he has a losing record without a HOF QB (Elway)running his team and continuously had riffs with Elway. As far as pure success by the numbers Reeves is comfortably behind that coaching wizard Marty Schotenheimer. That pretty much says it all

By I am the decider

December 10, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

Hopefully, Blank will read this article and make changes in the coaching staff. Theismann made the same comments about the Falcon receivers not getting any seperation in the FIRST saints game.

Titothebore, did you ever tire of repeating yourself? Also, repeating the same BS over and over again doesn’t make it true.

By Greg

December 10, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

Great column Moore!!! I never liked the idea of firing Reeves. I thought it was a bad decision. Reeves was only guilty of some talent acquisitons but even the current regime has some questionable acquisitions too. But Blank wanted to put his stamp on the organization so he made the change. The West Coast offense doesnt work for Vick and never will. Reeves, though stubborn, realized the unique talent he had in Vick, and would have used his creativity to put him in position to be successful. Also as Reeves stated, its not all about the offense either, he recognize that the Falcons receivers are rarely ever getting open. Why is it u hardly ever see a Falcons receivers crossing the field open? Almost all the other West coast offense that happens.

I wish there was some way we could bring back Reeves, either coordinator or consultant or something. OR at least a creative offensive guy who is willing to develop a system that could utilize the talents of your total offense.

By Vikingsouth

December 10, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

Good piece, Terence. In addition to those other stats, Vick threw 16 TD passes that year. The more I see, the I think it’s true that Vick was held back. He seems to be making progress in the new offense only now, and it’s an uneven progress. Vick’s improving, but he’s getting blamed for things out of his control. Reeves and others have pointed out that Vick can’t throw to recievers who can’t get separation and drop the ball. He had a great game last week (when the ball was actually caught for a change). He threw maybe one bad ball. Let’s see if he keeps it up today.

By kenny d

December 10, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

how could anyone honestly say that reeves is behind Marty as a coach? Reeves has gone to 4 super bowls. yes, he lost all 4 but marty has never gotten to the super bowl. hell, he had lt and brees who you all love and he still did not even make it to the playoffs with those guys.

Reeves won with Elway, won with Simms in his first year with the Giants, won with a very serviceable Chandler with the Falcons in 1998, and won with Vick in 2002. So, your opinion makes you look like an idiot - It is funny how you say that Reeves could only win with a HOF QB but then at the same time you probaby say that vick is terrible, chandler is terrible, and simms was not a HOF QB - but yet Reeves won with those guys as well - so, your opinion makes you look an uniformed ignorant idiot.

By jerry

December 10, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

To win the Super Bowl it is not necessary for your QB to lead the league in rushing or to be much of a runner at all. Vick is dead last in passing yardage and first in rushing yardage. You will never win the Super Bowl with this ratio.

By Buzzy Bill

December 10, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

As a Tech Alum, what troubles me most about the performance of our athletic teams is the continual cancellation of our “Victory Tickle Piles”.

By Famuan

December 10, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

I think the AJC needs Vick as much as the Falcons. Without him, the Falcon blogs/columnists would generate about 2 comments per topic. He is their best marketing tool. Likewise the games would generate blackout Sundays and all the excitement of a turtle race without #7.

By kenny d

December 10, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

reeves was far from perfect - but everyone keeps saying that he was not good at getting talent - but is that really true? look a the players on the falcons right now - all of the most reliable best players are all dan reeves players from crump to vick to griffith to finneran to kerney to brooking - the core of the team are still reeves guys - without that foundation this team would be absolutely horrible - all of the guys mckay and blank have brought in have been little tiny soft fast guys who are too weak and undersized to play in the NFL are who the inconsistent crew destroying the core of this team that reeves brought in here and which brought us the to the playoffs twice and the conference championship two years ago. that is not really a mora problem either - he at least brought us to a conference championship game in his first year as a coach.

FIRE MORA IF YOU HAVE TO —— BUT MAKE SURE YOU FIRE MCKAY BEFORE YOU FIRE MORE!!!

MCKAY IS THE REAL VILLAIN TEARING THIS TEAM DOWN

hey mr. moore, you like to be the contrarian - why don’t you show some imagination for once and write an article that tells everyone, wait, hold on a second stop blaming mora & vick & knapp (they are not without fault either) - the real problem with the team is Personnel - mckay and blank have weakened this team but getting rid of good hard nosed players like travis hall, brady smith, ed jasper, duckett, et. al and have brought in a bunch of soft fast guys who get pushed around - i.e. why the best receiver on the other team always gets 150 yards receiving - why the best rusher gets 150 yards (tiki, betts) when the other team decides to shove the ball down our throats - why our receivers can not get any separation and can not get open - vick is not the most accurate guy and he never will be but it is hard to throw to people who never get open and never get any separation from the DBs - just look at the receivers on the other teams against our D - they get all the separation they want, most of the time seemingly 10 yards of separation - whereas our receivers seemed to be covered like glue - that first saints game was the prime example - how did the saints D seemingly have the ability to blitz vick like crazy, have a spy keeping outside containment on vick, and then we had receivers on the outside who should have been covered one on one, man on man and the receivers still could not get open and beat the defense deep.

the problem with this team is primarily McKay and Blank. It is actually not with the core talents guys Reeves has provided this team and it is not really mora because mora has proven that he can win when given the core talent reeves provided this team. However, when McKay and Arthur strip away the talent surrounding the core guys Reeves brought in and which was good enough for Reeves and Mora to coach to the playoffs and to bring to the conference champiionship game, MOra and the core guys Reeves brought in are forced to suffer the inconsistent and inadequate play of the guys McKay and Blank have brought in.

By Dennis G. Berdanis

December 10, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Firing Reeves wasn’t the mistake. Hiring Mora and Knapp coming off a 2-14 season together in San Francisco was the mistake. The Niners were happy to send them packing.

By Long Time Fan

December 10, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

Reeves was the Best when compared to Mora and many others….

Knapp needs to go now….

Mora too.

Call Dan Arthur….Please

By knowledgable fan

December 10, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

I believe that Blank is harming the Falcons when he goes down on the field in the last two minutes of a game, even if he is just standing there being with his team. I also believe in voodoo, witchcraft, psychics, and lots of other bs. My IQ is 50.

By Bill

December 10, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Reeves was a mediocre coach at best. His many victories were due to Denver’s high altitude and a bunch of very good players. Like Ditka at Chicago (remember Ditka at New Orleans?), Reeves’ success was wrongly attributed to coaching skills. His fiasco with the Falcons in the Super Bowl showed how bad a coach he really was.

Alas, Mora is worse, and should be coaching high school football, if coaching at all. Arthur Blank is an improvement after the Smiths, but who wouldn’t be? Blank is a good example that building a great hardware empire doesn’t qualify someone to build a great football team.

Fire Mora, keep Blank off the field, make Vick a wide receiver or running back, and get a real NFL quarterback.

By SL

December 10, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

ID DAN REEVES IS “THE ANSWER” THEN WHY MIGHT I ASK HAS NO OTHER NFL FRANCHISE HIRED HIM SINCE HE WAS FIRED! WHILE I AM NOT DRINKING THE MORA KOOLAID, REEVES CONSERVATIVE STYLE WAS ENOUGH TO KEEP ME FROM MISSING HIM!

By McDonoughDawg

December 10, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

As to the comments about getting a real QB. I would like someone who feels this way to tell who is available that has a better overall winning percentage than Vick does that we could get to replace him? Some folks don’t realize just how good he is. He wins games, last year, if not for the D collapsing in at least 2 games, we are 10-6 and in the playoffs. Being serious, I would like to hear someone’s answer to this.

By Interesting....

December 10, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t it basically the AJC columnists that were calling for “regime change” with Reeves a few years ago?

I am not arguing for/against either Reeves, Vick, or Mora… instead just amazed how sports columnists (and fans) can be awfully short-sighted.

By Afro

December 10, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

Hey BirdDawg..Here is a fact: those who can’t pass run!

I hear my old High School is running a dumby down version of an offense that Vick can run.

Not saying that Dan R is/was the right answer. But I wish we would have never traded to draft Vick… The real winner here are SD Chargers.

If only we had drafted LT instead of Vick…. Drew Brees would have also still been available in the second round that we could’ve picked up. Ron Mexico is the wrong Answer… I see the open receiver in section 230 way before he does.

That my dirty bird friend - is not the fault of Mora (NOT MOORE),Knap or McKay.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

December 10, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Square peg, round hole. It’s as simple as that. The more they try to force this on Vick the more he will suffer and be called a bust by ignorant so called “fans” of the Falcons. They only look at the surface and then talk like they are offering expert analysis. “He’s too dumb”, “He can’t read defenses”, “He’s a runningback, not a QB” are the usual sheep-like comments you hear from people just repeating crap they here from other sheep that watch too much t.v. We didn’t have this problem when Reeves was here and what’s funny is Vick was a rookie then. Where have you ever seen a QB get worse with time? How can you blame Vick when you’ve seen him have sucess under a different coach and system that was suited to his abilities? Under Mora is the ONLY time in his career Vick has look mortal. If you’re taking the stance that it shouldn’t matter the system or compare Vick to other QB’s and their progression, you are exactly who I’m reffering to. The ills of this team is far and beyond Vick, it should be considered a crime if you blame most of it on MV7, when there are 10 TO 12 players on this team that would not only NOT start on other teams, but wouldn’t even BE on those teams. These players include members of the O-line, the rcvrs, and members of the secondary. All those issue greatly outweigh the few flaws Vick has. Think about it, the Ravens and Bucs had more sucess with Trent Dilfer and Shaun King respectively and there is NO WAY, you can say you rather have those two QB’s over Vick. NONE! That right there proves it takes more than the QB playing perfect for a team to win, which is exactly what the Falcons have to have. You have to have a good enough team to where even if your QB is having a bad day, others can step up and carry the team to victory. Look at Chicago, you’re going to tell me Rex Grossman is better than Vick? What if we made a trade with Chicago, say Vick for Grossman, which team do you think would have more sucess, Rex in Atlanta(“bwah-aa-hahaha!”) or Vick in Chicago? (I bet Chi fans would welcome MV7 right now..) Enough said.

GO FALCONS

By dan

December 10, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

great post darrin. Exactly my thoughts. It’s just sad to think how good vick might have been under reeves. But it’s not over yet. The way a player becomes great is through the playoffs. Hopefully we’ll make the playoffs this year, vick will turn it on, and people will finally just shut up. GO FALCONS!! GO VICK!!

By Dan

December 10, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Kenny d speaking of uninformed reeves winning % is worse than Martys it is what it is that is fact not opinion. As a Giants fan I saw what he did to ruin that team with terrible drafts. He is simply a mediocre coach and as for Mcdonough dawg vicks winning % is 52% and if you look at drafted qbs from 2 years prior to vick until current that is the 7th best mcnab brady brees palmer leftwich and rothles burger all have better % AND before you go there only rothlesburger (4.6)and mcnabb (4.29) has had the luxury of playing with more pro bowlers (on average on the team than vick (4.2)so like many of his stats that too is overated.
Does he take more heat than he deserves? probably so, however he also has been given far more praise as well and is the higest paid player in the league because of that. In the long run he is still far ahead

By h2hummer

December 10, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

MY, MY, SUCH SHORT MEMORIES

DAN REEVES HAS COACHED 2 of THE GREATEST QUARTERBACKS IN THE NFL He is the best Coach for MV7

It amazes me that every week the pundits who never played on a team or even sat on the bench for a team, can tell you what is wrong with the Falcons. Most of these guys can’t put on their jock strap correctly!

Steve Wonder and Ray Charles can see that if the RECEIVERS don’t catch the ball it is going to affect the QB’s percentage and ratings. If the receivers get the ball thrown to them and they DROP the ball, there isn’t much he can do.

THESE ARE SOME SORRY RECEIVERS

Next - Terrence Moore is right. Dan knew how to develop a young QB.
The reason that Tony Roma is so good for the Cowboys —-is because he sat on the bench for 4 years.

I am amazed by all the people who got a lot to say, and never played anything more than X-BOX.

By Dan

December 10, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

My my what selective memories R Reeves was constantly add odds with elway and elway didn’t win until he was gone. And I hope you aren’t calling vick one of the other Great QBs he coached because even if you except vick as great it is all ad lib and not coaching or has been so far

By Rob G. (ATL Homeboy out in San Diego)

December 10, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I really hope this information gets across to the individuals that needs help. I have always been faithful to the Falcons, regardless who they have had as Headcoach, players, general manager et. al. One of the points I would really like to get across is this: The true fans are the ones who really stick together whether winning or losing. Yes, it is sad when your favorite team fail to win a game or certain players doesn’t fit the scheme such as (the team concept). Yes, I rooted for such acquisition like Peerless Price, the defensive backs who didn’t pan out, just to name a few situations that didn’t work out. However, I will tell you this. I was one of the biggest rooters wanting to obtain Mr. Vick for the Falcons. That particular year when San Diego had the first pick, I had this gut feeling that Mike would end up in Atlanta and forever change the losing, mediocre ways of the Falcons for many years to come. A franchise player, with a supporting cast in order for the City of Atlanta to be recognize, finally. I knew the City of San Diego, the Chargers et al. would not embrace Mike with such excitement as the City of Atlanta has. There are a number of reasons why, however, there is no need to fault those who has not come to grip with reality. For all those who read and comment on this blog, take this to heart. I come from Atlanta, actually Macon of all places and sometimes I wonder if things are the same or have they changed for the betterment of life. I moved on from Macon, Atlanta to see if the attitudes are the same elsewhere. And believe it or not they are. Not just the U.S. but the whole world in general. For the love of god, people refuse to recognize each and every last one of us as the same. It is a shame as many of look forward to 2007, and believe me it is not a giving….(reality check). That the attitudes and the respect of others are taking for granted. I am trying my best not to use those negative words such as: Racism, hate, white people, black people, mexicans et. al. in my conversation. But it is pretty hard, when you read some of the unwarranted things that are said on this blog. This is a blog for meaningful, intelligent, insightful conversation about football, the Falcons etc. So, those of you who take life for granted and you know who you are. Find something else worthy of your time and not rile up people who truly understand the game of football and everything else that is a positive influence in life and not the negative things that seems to continue to exist in this day and age (2006). Have we truly overcome? Out!!

Homeboy from the ATL. Shout-outs to Big Boi, Andre 3000 all my peeps, you know who you are.

Rob G.

By glorydays

December 10, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

**Educate me but I thought in large part Reeves was fired BECAUSE he is not a good coach for Vick and the existing staff was hand picked for Vick, even going to Steve Young for recommendations because he is the closest QB to Vick in skills

By nunna yo biznezz

December 10, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Dan Reeves was way too concervative in his playcalling..He would score 14 points and sit on it,lol..Did u forget??? He made plenty of personnel decisions that were crazy..And he had the dog house..1 mistake and u are in it..

I wish Blank just didn’t fall for the “WCO”concept that Mora sold him when he got interviewed..Blank was promised by Mora(from my high source)was that,if Vick was in the WCO.. 1.Vick would reduce his chance of injury by 70 percent..3-4 step drop and pass..All timing..

We need an offense designed for him.. What type..I’ll tell u later..

By h2hummer

December 10, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

Dan - I am from Denver - was there when Elway replaced Craig Morton. Elway and Vick looked EXACTLY alike. Elway ran all over the field too. after 2 years they tought him to slide…He bumped heads with Elway, because Shanaughan (his asst) undermined him. Elway had an ego that was bigger than Mile Hi stadium. I lived in Denver - it was a big mess.

Elway and Vick early in their career - were exactly alike.

By kenny d

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

Dan:

If you truly are a giants fan, you would know that Dan Reeves did not destroy the giants through the draft - George Young was the GM and George Young, if you knew anything about Giants football over the last 25 years, was an ornery bastard who never let anyone tell him what to do or who to draft - not even Parcells - why do you think Parcells was so hellbent on leaving the Giants - as he has so famously said, he wanted to buy the groceries. No one told George Young what to do. Actually, the reason George Young was brought in as a GM by Pete Rozelle was because Rozelle was absolutely sick of the Moras fighting with one another - the team was suffering as a result for years - and Rozelle put Young in there to have final say because no one was going to tell YOung what to do - not the Moras, not Parcells, and not Dan Reeves. I heard MIke and the Mad Dog go round and round with the stubborn beyond belief Young the whole time I was growing up.

With that being said, I was actually glad to see Reeeves leave the Giants in 1997 - those last 3 years of Reeves was the most painful football I have ever watched in my life. All they had was Rodney Hampton and Jessie Armstead. If you can tell me why the hell anyone thought Dave Brown should have been the QB during those 3 absolutely long painful years, I would love to know. Young made the mistake of drafting that guy in the first round of the supplemental draft and cut simms the next summer, and Reeves and the Giants were handcuffed for the next 3 years with a terrible QB from freaking Duke who should have never been playing in the NFL. Painful.

When Reeves had a decent QB, he won.

the winning % for vick is actually 57%.

when brees makes it to a playoff game, come talk to me about brees. when brees wins a playoff game, ask me if brees is better than vick. when brees wins two playoff games, tell me brees is better than vick. when brees make it to the playoffs twice in his career, tell me that brees is better than vick. when brees make it to the conference championship game, then tell brees is better than vick.

UNtil brees does those things, do not tell me brees is better than vick - if you take away all of the little dump passes brees dumps to Bush, LT, and Duece, Brees is not any better than Vick. the opposite is true if you take all of Vick’s runs and count them as screen passes (because essentially that is what they are) vick’s stats are pretty much exactly the same as brees.

BUT that probably does not matter to you. You would rather tell me that Marty is better than Reeves. The only thing that matter is that Reeves has been to the Super Bowl and Marty has been to none. Marty came close twice. What happened? In case 1986 and 1987 were too long ago for you, Reeves and Elway beat Marty in the conference championship game and advanced.

AND everyone stop telling me that the chargers got the better of that 2001 trade. if you are shallow, that may be true. If you like to watch great players who never win and never get to the playoffs, then fine. please go be a chargers fan. if you have your values in the right place, then please stick around with us and continue to be a falcons fan because we actually like that Vick has helped us to two playoff victories during his tenure here. I would rather watch a team in the playoffs or at least in playoff contention every year than watch an LT or Brees amass a bunch of pretty boy meaningless stats every year and never get to the playoffs.

BUT maybe that is just me.

By la

December 10, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Vick has won under Reeves unlike other quarterbacks who have never won regardless of the coach for example,David Carr of the Houston Texans. Vick has lead his team to the playoffs and has posted winning seasons unlike David Carr. By the end of this season, Houston will have invested $35.25 million in Carr in bonuses and salaries, and that isn’t counting any performance incentives that he might have earned the past years. The return on that investment: A record of 20-51 as a starter, and a winning percentage of .282. But at about $1.75 million per victory over Carr’s five years, the numbers simply don’t add up.

By GM R

December 10, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

Well there sure are a lot of Monday morning QBs out there. I still remember all of the calls for Reeves’s head due to unimaginitive play calling and poor draft choices. Now it seems he was a coaching God. As I recall the Falcons made the Superbowl with the tried and trusted offensive ingredients - a pocket passer, a reliable, fast receiver, a strong North/South tailback. They don’t have any of those ingredients today in part due to the Reeves MV7 strategy. I also recall all of thse occasions when the opposition was were at third and ten and a pass over the middle would pretty much guarantee not only a first down but another 10 yards on top. Yes Dan Reeves did a great job getting the Falcons to the Superbowl but he also started a costly experiment that brought back the fans but ultimately failed if you measure success by trophies - this team will not return to the Superbowl until it gets a passing QB over 6 feet tall. And let’s not look back at the Reeves era with rose tinted spectacles.

By Dan

December 10, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Well even if you agree vick and elway were the same which is a huge stretch vick is a far better runner and elway a far better passer you summed it up in saying it took 2 years to calm him down and it was a mess until then. Vick is in year six.
as for the brees marty debate. everyone has opinions I was simply putting facts out there so people could better form those opinions with a senses of context. I actually think Reeves is probably better than marty and his record is long and he should be pround of it but it does not make him an elite coach, the marty reference is for context Reeves is much more like Marty than like parcells belichik walsh and co. and while people say all vick does is win whether the 52 or 57 number is right it is still only 8 or nine wins a season it just is not a stat the stands above a nyriad of others.

By gg

December 10, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

here’s the thing, it’s obvious vick had better success in reeves’system but blank didn’t want to stick with him. lets face it though, reeves isn’t coming back and we have to make the best of what we have right now and there is no need to re-hash the past.

By Dan

December 10, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

la strange you pick carr for comparison why not compare harrington as well? But if you want to compare $ per win better yet brady, brees, manning, palmer, mcnabb, rohtlisberger, bulger even hell delhomme and pennington Vick is the highest paid player in the leagued and has at best a 57% winning %. Sure it is a solid number but $ per win could probably be the stat that makes him look worse than almost everyone (although he did bring a lot of folks into the dome but thats a much larger picture than wins and loses)

By amasha

December 10, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Mr Moore It is not typical for me to respond to “blogs”, etc. However, I feel compelled to offer my views regarding your editorial and subsequent reader comments. Firstly, I felt your comments were insightful, on target and provocatively interesting. However, a lot of your responding readers have seriously contaminated your program. I felt a desire to immediately take a shower after reading pathological minds vent their racist garbage that do not belong in a context where decency should prevail. I extend my kudos to the intelligent responses that intended to analytically put viewer responses in correct perspective; i.e. “Bird dog, ncat96, markulay sano, Darrin ‘the vent king”, and especially “Rob g.” Because of the risk of eduring any more pathological, SICK ululations such as those I found (“paul02085, war eagel”, and especially “afro”), I will read your next article and postings with caution, and if reader responses continue to contain actual pathological material I have a responsibility to avoid your interests altogether. You do have a social and civil responsibility. Please elevate your professional sports column and I will continue to relish your column and reader responses.

By Mark

December 10, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

14 Million a year or whatever it is..no room for excuses..life is not a little Disneyland..you should be able to earn your pay and feel good about it..stop blaming everyone else…

By The real David

December 10, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

I’ve read the article and many responses, and everyone has their point of view (based on whatever social situation they come from). Cut this out and paste it somewhere, Vick will have his career, and when it’s over one epitaph will be written. The team play never reached it’s potential, and they never played in or won a championship. Vick’s situation reminds me to Cleveland in the Jim Brown period. Collins was their quarterback, and even with all the Team’s talent, they only reached the promise land once. Some quarterbacks look great on paper, and sometimes statistically, but for some reason never quite reach their potential. Right now you can even draw a parallel to Manning at Indy. Both will be hailed as championship material, but neither will be champions.

By Bruno

December 10, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Atlanta has an unfortunate history of firing good coaches after one mediocere season. Who can forget the firing of Leeman Bennett in the early 1980s for the Falcons and the firing of Joe Torre for the Braves? In both cases, overexpectations led them to being fired, yet both of their replacements were total disasters (Dan Henning and Chuck Tanner).

By fastenema

December 10, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

This is not about which coach is the best for vick; it is about how the other NFL teams figured him out after a couple of years. Shut off the running lanes and make him throw (which he cannot do very well, very inconsistent). Rely on the defense to win the game for you. Today will be more of the same; Tampa Bay, which is a bad team like the redskins, will probably win because they are playing at home and really have nothing to lose. Prediction: Vick fumbles twice and is intercepted three times. Bring in DJ or Schaubie and get this team going. Another prediction: Jim Mora is toast; he is not a coach, he is a cheerleader and good ole arthur is about to send him down the road.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

muffed kickoff. what a start. thank you allen. rossum needs to be cut at the end of the year. he has not done anything in the last 2 seasons.

decent little run by dunn.

another dropped pass on a not so accurate pass with a defender hanging all over jenkins.

third down. when in doubt - crump. crump of course catches it - first down.

decent little run by dunn.

another good run by dunn.

3rd and long one. stupid roll out. bucs see it happening. containment everywhere. no one open. why do they not just smash mouth the ball for a first down. i forgot: we do not have duckett anymore and dunn and norwood are too cute to get a first down in short yardage and the red zone.

stupid punt formation. again, the falcons acting too cute.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

chrissakes, pittman looking emmitt smith out there, getting the first down.

great job looking like a chump - cadillac made him look like a chump.

Hey, Alstott smashmouth football - first down on a third down conversion - remember when duckett would do that for us - now we just do rollouts on 3rd and 1 instead of running over the other team like a mack truck. i’m tired of these pathetic coaches and i am tired of this soft personnel provided by McKay to this team.

Is anyone on the Falcons D going to tackle someone today? cadillac on a four yard screen makes a few falcons miss.

thank god gradkowski is the QB for the bucs. tipped pass. no thrd down conversion.

bucs kick field goal.

falcons down 3-0

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

hey, hey, what do you know? Rossum still knows how to return a kick without fumbling not once but twice.

Good pass to lelie. Good play call. Lelie wide open. FIRST DOWN!

Good pass to blakely. Good play call. Lelie wide open. FRIRST DOWN! We are now on the bucs side of the field.

Run, Norwood. Good run. 6 yard gain.

Rollout by vick to the left. Throws deep. Lelie open. Vick terrible off target. Thrown way out of bounds by vick. Could have been a TD if an accurate throw.

Great run by norwood. That kid is explosive. 3rd down conversion. FIRST DOWN!

Explosive run by Nrwood on first down for another first down. Keep the kid in. Norwood gets killed at end of run. Hard hit. Inside the red zone now.

VICK SACKED! Ugly play.

Vick on a planned draw it looks like. VICK goes nowhere. The BUCS are just going aftervick. He hasnowhere to run in thisgame. The BUCS have containment in this game. VICK is not going to getmanyyards rushing in this game. They had better run Dunn & Norwood 40 times if they want to win and have Mike pass when he needs todo.

TIMEOUT CALLED! The Falcons of course are rolling until they get to the end zone. Then they get cute - pass on first down leading to a sack - vick run on second - all for negative yards and now we are in 3rd and 17 on the BUCS 27. The red zone needs to get fixed.

Vick drops back to pass. GANDY gets beat bad. Vick forced to scramble out left. Looking, looking, buying time, either no one open or he can nto find himself an open man. Throws it away. Gets hit really hard near the sideline. Looks like he might be hard.

Field goal attempt set up. SCHAUBIE muffs the snap. Covers up his screwup. No field goal. Bucs now have the ball. The falcons suck! This is an ugly team. Soft offense. Soft defense. Terrible special teas.

BUCS still up 3-0.

By tbo

December 10, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

What a pitiful team! The falcons would screw up a steel ball. Fire Mora.

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Right now, we are getting out coached. The falcons are doing some good things but not enough. They are using Blakely nmore in the passing game. However, the Bucs are bring pressure on Vick and forcing him to the left. If I was the OC, I would roll him to the right with Blockers in front of him.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

3 runs by the cadillac resulting in first down for the BUCS.

Bucs now at midfield. Didn’t we just have a first down in the red zone? What happened? Now the bucs are on our side of the field.

Good pass to pittman by gradkowski.

END OF FIRST QUARTER. Falcons stink. Once again, no points in the first quarter. We never score in the first quarter. Vick has not thrown a 4th quarter TD in 16 games. This is a poorly coached team. End of one, BUCS 3, BIRDS 0. Bucs still have ball and are driving down the field.

Alstott rumbling, stumbling for 17 yards. That guy is so old. That is ridiculous. TACKLE SOMEONE ALREADY! IT IS OKAY TO TACKLE!

Decent 4 yard run by cadillac.

Gradkowski throws an incredibly weak pass. First down. Rossum is covering a RB pittman and is not within 5 yards of pittman as pittman catches the ball at the 10 before going out of bounds.

Cadillas for 5 yards down to the birds 5 yard line.

Cadillac throws it away out of the end zone under pressure.

Prun by pittman on third down. Falcons stuff it. DWILL, Brook, and Lawyer swarm all over. Loss of yard. Drive stopped.

Bucs kick the field goal.

BUCS 6, Falcons 0.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

decent return by rossum on the kickoff.

Thid possession:

first and ten: little run by dunn for about 2 yards.

2 &8: stupid little option draw play for 5 yards. FOX just showed a great replay of the bucs having two spys for that stupid little cute college play

3&2: bullett from vick to crump. CRUMP has to catch that ball but alas this is the falcons and crump drops the pass!

Falcons suck!

PUNT!

BUCS now have the ball.

SHOULD I keep watching or should I go get myself a life? I’ll give them to the half.

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

People are still running slants on us. How in the LLLLLL after all these weeks are people still running slants. Someone needs to put a hit on those guys.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

bucs have ball for their third possession

Gradkowski tries to throw deep to galloway. He has absolutely no arm. Can’t throw the ball more than 25 yards. Broken up by DHALL. Of course DHALL needs to jup up and down like he just did something prime time esque and wag his finger like he is mutmbo.

5 yard run by cadillac.

GALLOWAY SMOKES DHALL. SMOKES DHALL. SMOKES DHALL JUST LIKE HE DID IN THE FIST GAME THEY PLAYED.

Run for no gain by carnell.

Dropped pass by galloway? Other teams drop ball too?

Grad runs for years and only ends up with 2 yards.

BUCS are now punting. NO! They call the TO and go for a field goal. It is missed by Bryant.

BUCS 6, Falcons 0.

Falcons should now have good field position. HERE’S A LITTLE ADVICE KNAPP: RUN NORWOOD, RUN NORWOOD, RUN NORWOOD UNTIL HE RUNS YOU RIGHT INTO THE END ZONE!!!!

By garrett

December 10, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

Can someone dig up the columns that Moore wrote incessantly ripping Reeves back in the day? Worst. Columnist. Ever.

By garrett

December 10, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

“but when Arthur made the decision [to fire me], I told him that it was going to set [Vick] back. I said, ‘You just can’t bring people in with different systems, because it’s going to take time for him to adjust.’”

Translation: Vick is too stupid to do anything fancy with.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

FALCONS HAVE BALL at their own 40 with 7:27 left on clock.

Vick drops back. Looking, looking. Dumps a pass off to dunn as vick gets hammered. Great pass, great run by vick.

Little run by dunn for one.

Deep for crump. 5 yards overthrown into the endzone. No chance for crump to go get the ball. Vick shows no touch on it.

Pass to crump for 8 yards. One yard shy of first down. GO FOR IT!

Fourth and 1 at the bucs 32. Bad looking play and formation. Took to long to develop on 4th and 1 for my tastes. Great blocking by o-line and by freddie mac. DUNN FOR 9 yards. First down.

Stupid cllege option play. Norwood gets hammered for one yard,

vick rolls left. Containment on vick everywhere. Fires it to lelie. GREAT CATCH by Lelie. Bad throw by vick under pressure. Frst down!

Pass to norwood in the flats. Good catch and run by woodie.

Dunn takes it hard up the middle. No hole. Too soft to push the pile.

CARELESS TOSS PASS UP IN THE AIR. INTERCEPTED. TERRIBLE PASS! CARELESS PASS! EVEN WORSE PLAY CALL BY KNAPP! AND EVEN WORSE EXECUTION BY LELIE WHO DOES NOT EVEN TRY TO GO GET THE BALL! BLANK & MCKAY NEED TO STOP BRINGING THESE SOFTIES INTO THIS TEAM. LELIE DOES NOT FIGHT AT ALL FOR THE FREAKING BALL! GETS OUTHUSTLED. MCKAY AND BLANK KEEP BRINGING THESE SOFTIES INTO THE TEAM AND THIS IS WHY WE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING IN SHORT YARDAGE AND THE REDZONE.

BUT IT WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR BLANK TO EXACT REVENGE UPON REEVES FOR THEIR DRAFT DAY DISPUTE ABOUT LELIE VS. TJ ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. SO WHEN LELIE WAS AVAILABLE. DUCKETT HAD TO GO. NOW WE HAVE 8 LESS TOUCHDOWNS WITHOUT DUCKETT. WE DO NOT HAVE A SMASHMOUTH GUYS IN THE REDZONE AND WE DO NOT HAVE A SMASHMOUTH GUY ON SHORT YARDAGE SITUATIONS.

BUCS GO THREE AND OUT

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this

Ashley needs his behind kicked for that play. You have to fight for the ball. Big George should put his foot in Ashley’s hindparts.

We should use Blakely on those fade. Brain would have made that catch for Vick. I am getting in to my mad scientist mode. It would be wicked if we could have Blakely, Crumpler, and Fin on the goal line. You could run a fade to each corner.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

BUCS GO THREE AND OU

Vick looked angry on the sidelines. Angry at himself. Angry with everyone. Stewart has to go over and calm him down.

FALCONS GO THREE AND OUT

terrible play calling.

Terrible clock management.

The half ends.

HALFTIME! BUCS 6, FALCONS 0.

I quit. This is ugly.

They do not deserve the playoffs.

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

Vick is upset at Ashley for breaking his route off. That was a timing route. This is part of the WCO timing routes. How can we run a WCO when the WRs break the route off. Ashley has to get to that spot because Vick will just drop back and throw to a spot.

Now it goes back to the coach. I would still be chewing on Ashley. I would like all the WRs know that if we run a fade if you can not get to the spot, the DB better not get there. I am still upset about that play. The bottom line Mora is gone because he can not control his team.

By luke

December 10, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

Of course Terrence is going to look for someone to blame to make Vick look like a train that fell off the track “accidentally.”

How much money are we paying this Running Back (Vick) to “develop” as a QB? How many years did you say Reeves had been gone…and Vick still doesn’t have it? Duh.

He looks like a well-developed RB to me so what’s the problem?

Oh that’s right I forgot: we’re spending tons of money for him to wear the QB hat.

Please Blank GET RID OF VICK.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

the falcons are getting outcoached and outtoughed in this game!

RUN NORWOOD! only 15 carries combined for Dunn and Norwood. they need at least 40 combined carries in this game. Norwood needs to be allowed to take this team over. I think he can do it if they let him.

Let’s see what the second half adjustments are.

the defense is playing alright.

vick is not going to be able to run in this game. they have a double spy containment thing going on. adjustments need to be made.

the receivers actually appear to be open in this game.

WHy wouldn’t they be open? if they are wasting tow men spying on vick and dunn and then they have 4 men up front, there should be people open downfield

By bravesfansince1966

December 10, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Are you fans (idiots) going to support these overpaid losers next week at the dome? Can’t wait til April—GO BRAVES!!!

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

great play by the defense on the bucs first drive of the second half. They had them stopped. There was only one bad pass play where they get burnt.

But than a stupid penalty by coleman gives them an auto first down on a 3rd and 15 situation.

Deep pass to galloway overthrown. DHALL was burnt again by galloway. Galloway owns DHALL.

Now the Bucs are rolling again. The falcons let them off the hook. Little pass to piuttman turns into big gain for about 8 yards after the Lbs do not tackle him.

Little run by cadillac for first down.

Pass to alstott for about 9 yards. However, holding called on falcons. AUTO first down due to Boley holding.

Run by cadillac for nothing.

JIMMY WILLIAMS Of all people making an appearance. Makes a great play stuffinfg the run. But then of course gets up talking crap, bobbing his head up and down. Jimmy, who the heck are you? You have made one great play and then you want to be a hot dog! Go back to the bench. That is part of the problemwith the falcons. A whole lot of attitude and no back up of it all.

GREAT PLAY BY ABE!! HELL YEAH!! ATTABOY ABE!! SACK, LAWRENCE TAYLOR TYPE CHOP ON THE QB ARM. CAUSING THE FUMBLE, RECOVERED BY DWILL, TAKEN TO THE HOUSE FOR THE TD! THAT’S WHY WE GOT YOU ABE! WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL OF THESE WEEKS SINCE GAME ONE FOR EXACTLY THIS! GAME CHANGING ABE!

TOUCHDOWN! 54 yard fumble recover return by dwill!

Gruden wants to review. Refs say they can not. Refs change their mind. Say it is now reviewable. The blind are now leading the blind.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

ruling on the field stands. TD upheld.

extra point good.

Falcons 7, Bucs 6.

ATTABOY ABE!!!! finally earning King Arthur’s $$$$.

TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE DEWILL!!!

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

Run by cadillac for nothing!!

Terrible, terrible pass by bad grad. Way behind the intended receiver.

False start on bucs offensive line.

Little pass for eleven yard gain. No first down!

Bucs punt. Rossum somewhat muffs the punt!

By la

December 10, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

Dan, I picked Carr as a comparison because he is the prototype quarterback that many of you all praise so I was pointing out that he has not been a winner at all. Vick has taken the Falcons to the playoffs whereas Carr has not. Carr has a lot of money tied up him and he has not done anything but lose. At least Vick is earning his money and he has experinced success with one coach whereas Carr is a coach killer along with Jake Delome of Carolina.

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

Justin is in the game and we have been crying all season long about running Justin in the red zone.

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

falcons first drive of second half:

good play call. Good pass to griffith for 8 yards.

Now they are blaming the wind for rossus screwing up.

Run by dunn for little gain and first down.

GREAT RUN BY DUNN for 9 yards. Only inches to go for first down.

Norwood for a little gain. Enough for a first down. Dunn looks injured on the sideline.

Run by woodie for 2 yards.

Bullet pass to lelie for 20 yards. GREAT THROW! GREAT CATCH!

Terrible run by norwood. Very, very soft. Now he can’t get up. He looks hurt.

Both dunn & norwood are now injured.

GRIFFITH FOR A 21 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN!!! WHO KNEW?!?!? MAYBE GRIFFITH IS FINALLY OUR ANSWER FOR OUR RED ZONE NIGHTMARES

EXTRA POINT GOOD.

FALCONS 14, BUCS 6.

OH YEAH BOYS, WE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

griffith for 2 yards.

Griffith for 2 yards

great pass, great catch by roddy for 12 yards.

Griffith for 5 yard run.

Vick rolls out to the left for 2 yards. Containment. Vick can’t run today.

Great pass, play call, catch by crump for first down.

No one open. Under pressure. Rolls out left in response. 2 yard gain.

Griffith rumbling stumbling for 3 yards.

Deep throw for lelie. Not really a catchable ball, especially when you are like Lelie and you do not fight to go get the ball. A great receiver would have gone and got it. A good receiver would have made it closer by fighting for it. There is no fight in lelie. He cowered, showed no fight and the ball drops incomplete. Lelie saw 2 people might hit him and he basically hits the dirt. SO SOFT!

Did Johnny Cash say once never trust a boy named Ashley!!

By dirtie birdie

December 10, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

GRADKOWSKI IS A TERRIBLE QB! I DO BELIEVE THIS WILL BE HIS LAST YEAR IN THE NFL!

3 AND OUT FOR THE BUCS!

FALCONS BALL AFTER THE PUNT!

now if you truly are a playoff team, you need to get the ball here and ram it down their throats and score a touchdown and end this game and put a victory in the books. let’s see how they screw this up

By jim

December 10, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Face it - Reeves only sin was not being “flashy enough”. All he did was win and as the article points out, take us to our only Super Bowl. Thanks Arthur - You may very well know tools and toilet seats but you sure don’t know football.

By PW

December 10, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

I’m asking this because I really want to know. Am I the only one that really gets bothered by the tone these posts take or am I just the only one left?

I mean I’v heard Cowher, Madden, Shanahan and others who are REALLY in the league say that Vick is a terrific QB who needs better players around him.

Am I crazy?

By Steve T

December 10, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

**I mean I’v heard Cowher, Madden, Shanahan and others who are REALLY in the league say that Vick is a terrific QB who needs better players around him.

Am I crazy?**

You are not crazy! These guys know football and they have all won Super bowls. These guys are some of the best at finding talents and they use that talent.

The thing that people do not realize is that a QB has to have a good line and people who want to catch the ball. For example, the move Ashley made on the goal line would have gotten him chewed out by those 3 coaches you mentioned. I mean really chewed. They would have questioned his manhood.

A lot of coaches want Vick. Bill Cowher would be dreaming of stuff he could do with Vick. The problem is our OC is not too bright. I think our next OC needs to be from Pittsburgh, Washington, or San Diego. Why? They have great line play.

By Historian

December 10, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Please people, this is a blog. You don’t do a play by play, give an opinion or several opinions. The falcons gave two number one draft picks for Vick (draft). With all of his experience now, do you think any coach in the league, would give you two number ones for him today. If they could, I think the ownership would float his name at then end of the season.

By jroc133

December 10, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Its so funny to see all of these people w/ such shortsigthed opinions of Michael Vick and this Falcons team. Either you fall in several categories but the main one is this: For Vick, against Vick.

Newsflash for all the idiots out there - he’s not going anywhere. He earned his contract b/c Arthur Blank was smart enough to know that there are still 20 teams in the league that would take him in a heartbeat and he wanted to lock him up for the business of winning games and selling tickets. Take the passer rating and throw it out the window, but the one stat no one can deny is 63% wins in 6 seasons (4 as an actual starter)!!

These are the easy facts to deal with: Dan Reeves got fired b/c the team fell apart and he didn’t do a good job of keeping them together. If Arthur wanted to fire him before Vick came back it was his prerogative - he owns the team and he writes the checks. Besides, Mr. Blank did what he always does - he gave Dan Reeves everything he needed to succeed as an owner, Dan Reeves screwed it up so he had to go - especially if your head coach is saying public statements crapping on the fan base. The Mora regime has been given the same thing especially w/ offseason moves by Rich McKay to succeed. This current staff is hanging themselves b/c they aren’t coaching these players up to win games - End of Story on that topic.

Now - Mike Vick. 2nd most wins of any Falcons qb and everyone is ready to throw the guy under the bus. He wins despite the many problems that this offense has and Gregg Knapp is the biggest. Knapp is a product of the WC system and that’s all he knows. As you can see, Knapp does a terrible job of dictating to defenses of what he will do and Vick has suffered b/c this guy couldn’t coordinate his way out of a paper bag. Its not just the qb whose given up on the guy as their OC, all the skilled position players have done the same thing.

The problem w/ the receivers is simple - hire a new receivers coach b/c these guys are underperforming. They have the talent, but they aren’t given the mindset or preparation to succeed and be consistent. The rest of the national media, by those who are fair and unbiased, is already starting to pick it up that this team is underperforming and it deals w/ receivers and coaching staff. With all of that said - I want all you who don’t want number 7 to realize he gives you the best option to win. If you can’t deal w/ it, then become a fan of the Houston Texans or something…

By Gene

December 10, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

I agree that Vick would be much better off under Reeves. Mora lacks both the maturity and the knowledge to be a head coach.

By SC

December 10, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

-I hope everybody noticed that the defense did not give up a touchdown.- Ok, I know it’s the Bucs but hey, remember the Lions and the Browns?

The problem with this team is the offense. The defense has held its own.

Steve T, you are right about Justin. He hit the holes as hard or -harder- than anybody for the entire season. Coach couldn’t make the change while Dunn could still pretend to run (despite an injury). Mora had to wait until his hand was forced. Why does there have to be a pecking order with offensive backs when the run isn’t working (e.g. the red zone)? This team seems to be coached two moves ahead - in the last game.

Perhaps the receivers should be catching more balls from Vick during practice instead of a machine. Good to see Roddy White make some key catches. -It’s better for the Falcons if Roddy succeeds-.

Saints vs. Bears. Who wins? Saints.

By Shell

December 10, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

To all you people who repeat this mantra “Vick isn’t a very good passer”, exactly what games are you watching?

By dale in newnan

December 11, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this

Usually i think you are a journalistic idiot; however i must admit that this is an excellant column. Is there hope for you yet?