AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > December > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAnother misstep for Mora
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
If Jim Mora loses his job with the Falcons, it most likely will be because of wins and losses. Problem is, when you work for such an image-conscious owner and in the most fickle of sports towns, random acts of dumbness tend to shrink a guy’s margin for error.
However much wiggle room Mora had as head coach on Thursday, it became significantly less on Friday. If you’re looking for his adjusted margin, you’ll need a magnifying glass.
Two years ago, Mora was viewed as a bright young coach. He was fiery but engaging. Now, there’s all this baggage. The latest misstep came Thursday. He did a radio interview in Seattle with his friend, Hugh Millen. Near the end, he was asked about his potential interest in coaching the University of Washington. Mora didn’t hide his affection for alma mater. (School officials openly showed interest in him two years ago when the position was vacant.)
After a string of questions, Millen said, “You would leave the Falcons for that job?”
Mora responded: “Absolutely.”
There was no laughing, before the question or after the answer. It looked bad on a transcript. It sounded worse on the radio.
Now, whether Mora was joking, how high does this rank on the stupidity scale?
If you’re Arthur Blank, what are you thinking? If you’re Jim Mora, are you thinking?
The season is hanging by a thread. The Falcons have won two straight but otherwise have lost 12 of their past 21. They might miss the playoffs again. Blank might want to dump half the assistants. Or possibly the head coach. Is this really the best time to goof on the radio about another job?
I’m assuming the coach on the opposite sideline tonight, Bill Parcells, would not have done this. Neither would Bill Belichick. Nor Mike Shanahan, Lovie Smith, Tony Dungy, Jeff Fisher, Andy Reid, John Fox, Tom Coughlin, Joe Gibbs, et al.
Coaches are no different than athletes. Win, and it’s amazing what people will overlook. Lose and it all depends on the depth of the resume. Mora reached the NFC championship in his first season. That’s it. Short resume.
The Falcons didn’t need another fire. Mora didn’t need another fire. There has been too much brush burned between games already. Mora’s father labeled Michael Vick a “coach killer.” You didn’t have to be a deranged conspiracy theorist to wonder if dad’s comments stemmed from a conversation with his son. (Some unsolicited advice to the Moras: avoid radio interviews.)
There also was the sideline cellphone incident last season. The interview pyrotechnics. The verbal backhand at great past Falcons linemen like Jeff Van Note and Mike Kenn, who actually were allowed to speak to the media.
Win, few care. Lose, well, here we are.
Look around tonight. You’ll find a lot of Dallas fans in the Georgia Dome. Falcons games are sold out. So who sold them the tickets?
It’s December. It’s a playoff race. But this city has ceased being consumed by the Falcons. This is Atlanta. The only task more difficult than exciting and growing a fan base is exciting and keeping a fan base. Ask the Braves.
This isn’t four years ago, when Vick won a playoff game in Green Bay and was viewed as some spectacular cross between deity and blowtorch. This isn’t two years ago when the Falcons came within one win of the Super Bowl. Tonight, they’re just a 7-6 team, blending back into the landscape.
The Falcons need to win tonight, not just to save their season but to save their status. They need to win because it’s not expected. They need to win because fans are pulling hamstrings jumping off the bandwagon. (Consecutive wins over Washington and Tampa Bay, with a combined record of 7-19, isn’t going to ignite much beyond a “Yippee.”)
Blank is demanding, and for two obvious reasons: 1) He wants to win, as evidenced by his passion and the number of times he has fished into his own pocket; 2) He knows turnstiles in this town spin both directions. He is a salesman, always pitching, listening, cajoling. The man refers to fans as “stakeholders.”
Georgia football always draws here. Everything else draws for five minutes. It’s not a market you want to test. You either win or you blow people’s socks off trying.
Looking pedestrian on the field and starting fires off it won’t do much for longevity.
Permalink | Comments (101) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
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By Najeh Davenpoop
December 15, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
This is just the icing on the cake for Mora, who really should have been fired already based on his idiotic coaching decisions and inability to develop players or design schemes to fit them. Can’t wait to see him face off against Greg Knapp in the battle for the Pac-10 cellar in a couple of years, Washington vs. Stanford.
http://www.geocities.com/firejimmora
By DON'T TRIP
December 15, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this
JIM IS RIGHT HE IS A BETTER FIT IN THE COLLEGE GAME. HIS COACHING STYLE SUITS THAT LEVEEL. GOOD LUCK JIM.
By Cairo
December 15, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I was critical of your previous article lighten up Mora. I admit it. You had a chance to rip him a new ahole but you did not this time. You even failed to mention how he threw the ATL media under the bus. I am tired of Jimmy/Jim Mora. He has done enough to this organization that does not seem bright or mature. I am a stakeholder and I am saying it is time for a new direction. Good colunm!
By Jack
December 15, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this
Great column Jeff - keep the heat on until Mora and co. are gone.
By DON'T TRIP
December 15, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this
P.S. SELL YOUR TICKET WHILE YOU CAN THE FALCONS ARE FINISHED.
By DON'T TRIP
December 15, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
THIS GUY ALSO BROUGHT US JASON WEBSTER AND HIS FAT CONTRACT. PLEASE NO MORE HIGH CHARACTER BUMS.
By Jessie Tuggle
December 15, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this
Oh Jimmy,
You really would fit in better in the college ranks. Your rah, rah approach to the game is good for 19 year olds in diapers not grown men. By the way when next time you hold a press confrence please make some sort of intelligent comment on the x’s and o’s of football. I have never heard say anything football intellegent ever.
The Falcons need an X’s and O’s coach. Give me a Marriuci!! I bet this team could go along way w/ him.
By SC DAWG
December 15, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this
The bottom line is if he doesn’t make the playoffs, he will be gone. But be prepared that if he does make the playoffs Jimmyboy, the Jimster, Jimmy crackcorn and I don’t care, WILL be around for at least 1 more year. I expect Mora’s fate to be sealed after the Falcons lose to Dallas Saturday night, effectively knocking the Falcons out of the playoffs.
By emcee fleshy (atl/sd)
December 15, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this
In the past week, Washington and Stanford have become my two favorite west-coast schools.
We wish Mora and Knapp the best in their departure. But mostly, we just wish for their departure.
By Larry
December 15, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
Seriously, if you were an NFL owner today, would you hire Jim Mora to coach your investment?
Enjoy the rain in Seattle coach!
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 15, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
I love it when people make references to TV commercials. Makes me feel like I’m not so alone in remembering these things.
19 year olds wear diapers?
By Famuan
December 15, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this
And I thought T.O. would be the one to bring the drama this week.
By SC DAWG
December 15, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
The commercial thing was to easy to pass up.
By Dan Reeves
December 15, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick is not a “coach killer”. Jim Moron just commited suicide.
By doggit
December 15, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this
Please leave Mora - I’ve never liked you from the start.
By Beth
December 15, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this
That column ruled. I like Jim Mora well enough and I think this whole situation is a bunch of hooey, but I have to give credit to a fair enough, well-written opinion piece. Thanks, Jeff!
By falcon woman
December 15, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
Didn’t his players give him the team ball a week or two ago to shoe their support? Nice job Jim! I’m not going anywhere, GO Falcons!!
By Mark
December 15, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this
Bye bye Jimmy Boy. So long!
By e.b.
December 15, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe the Falcons are finished. I do believe Mora & Co. are finished. I think Vick 7 the team will fight their arses off tomorrow night, not wanting to lose again at home. Vick fee;s the pressure, and I think the home team will come through. As for the coach, good riddance.
By Next!
December 15, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blank knew well before this incident that he made the wrong hire in Mora. He signed him because of his youth and the ability to shape him into the organization. Additionally, Blank felt a young coach with fresh ideas would help Vick more than an older coach that is set in his ways. Mora has proven over and over that he is in way over his head.
All he can say in a press conference is “I’m jacked up!” or “We’re sticking with the same players because they do well in practice”.
The cell phone incident at last year’s Bucs game was epic. He of all people should have known that a tie was not going to get it done.
A head coach with any balls would have fired Knapp by now. It’s obvious that Knapp’s offensive system failed but Jimmy continues to be pleased with 13 points per game. The bloggers here present ideas for the offense(shotgun, audibles, formations, getting new players involved) that magically show up in games months later. This coaching staff is simply too slow or hardheaded to make adjustments. That spells DEATH in the NFL.
Mora Sr.’s comments likely had some basis of truth from converations with his son.
Jimmy let’s his OC & DC get into a battle over who’s fault the losing falls upon. Knapp apparently blamed the whole problem on having a QB that can’t pass. See #4 above as there is likely a relationship there.
Listen to the interview from the Seattle radio station and you will hear that Mora was not joking. This was simply bad judgement for a guy in his position. He is a bad liar too as he came out on radio trying to defend himself today.
Bottom line is that Mora is not a leader for NFL caliber players. Based upon what I have seen & heard, I can only imagine what he is pulling behind the scenes at Flowery Branch. Time to bring in some new/old blood. Jimmy’s days in Atlanta are over.
By fred
December 15, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this
Is anyone really, really surprised at all about this implosion? He’s a MORA after all. Watching and hearing him eat the humble pie all afternoon was classic. As much as I hate seeing a career get killed, he of all people needed to be taken down a notch- how much better then by this self inflicted head shot! Good Column Jeff..Be sure to make it out to the Monday morning conference win or lose so Jimmy can’t say mean things about this one newspaper town…
By Michael Cox
December 15, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this
What amazes me is that some in the media (ESPN) are saying this is no big deal….”it was only a joke!” Yeah…RIGHT! Maybe Mora jr. needs to take that stupid ammonia capsule he totes around before a game, and snap it under your noses! His antics and helmet kissing are silly and tiring! Even his “I got your back” is third grade at best.
By dirty byrd
December 15, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
WONDERS NEVER CEASE (WOW) SO LONG GUYS!!
By papilugo1
December 15, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
Well, its official, it time for Mora Jr. to go away along with assistants. I really hope the birds win on Saturday, but if they dont, I think the coach has played a big factor in the loss. Its time to get Professionals to Coach and lead this team to the potential they are capable. It starts at the top and the top is to rocky to lead the team. Good luck and enjoy wherever you end up Jr!
By Peter
December 15, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
Is there ever, ever a time when there’s has been a shortage of melodrama surrounding the Falcons?
Some lunacy that has nothing to do with winning football games?
Knapp tells you that “Steve Young didn’t have audibles. And he’s a lawyer” Did Steve Young have to throw to Jenkins, White and Lelie?
Where’s Michael Vick’s Harris Barton? These WR’s on third and eight run seven yard patters and turn around.
It’s goofy. Mora, a defensive guy hires a guy to run his defense who’d just been canned for giving up a 20pt lead in the 4th qtr of a playoff game.
A special teams mistake in each of the last two games.
Enough!
By hooper
December 15, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
Once again, don’t blame this stakeholder… I voted for Lovie.
By Old school bird
December 15, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
Jimmy,Jimmy,Jimmy!! Being a stakeholder i’ve always given you the benifit of the doubt.I like the passion you brought to this team. I can understand you wanting to coach at your alma mater, I am sure most people can understand this also, but to say you were just joking was a bigger joke in it’s self! SEE YA!! WOULDN’T WANNA BE YA!
By relax
December 15, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
Jim, Don’t give up. Chin Up, This team needs you. We don’t need negativity. I think we are ready for the playoff push. Crunch time baby… A loser wins a sad man grins. Face the adversity… Take us to the playoffs!
By BIRDY
December 15, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this
Mora knew it was over & that blank was looking for mora coaches.Watching the organ grinder stroll the sidelines with that puked look,let his two monkey’s, vick & mora,know that their time was tolling.Who could’ve trumped vick’s dirtybird but the jimster?Blank’s body language tells the tale.Mora’s super bowl:better hit the drive thru @ KFC on the way out of ATL.
By Sandlapper
December 15, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
MORA-RON!!!!!!
Get out of town while you can still get your Delta miles…..LOSER!!!!
By Jim Mora Jr.
December 15, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
Even though I am so full of crap, it doesn’t matter what I say or when I say it… I’m Jimmy Freakin Mora Jr.! You people worship me and believe everything I say! Only on the radio I was kidding! I thought the mike was off, I was just horsing around, C’mon!! Daddy still loves me, and he already said I have nothing to worry about, so get off my back!
You people are idiots and don’t have a clue about NFL humor which I displayed. Go back to your pathectic lives, and when 2007 rolls around and I’m still your Head Coach, don’t come crawling back to me. I’m the best thing to ever hapeen to this city, this state, this team. Artie doesn’t have the balls to fire me, so live with it!
By The Ostrich
December 15, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank,
This is your team and whether or not this team wins is completely up to you. As long as you allow the standard to be low so that obsene getures, ridiculous coaches comments, predictable play calling and less than 100% effort from players, will not be immediately accountable, then mediocrity, at best, is what you will get. Quite frankly, that suprises me coming from a man that expected the best out of his previous business. It’s up to you, nobody else.
By toohigh
December 16, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
Do you think, maybe he has done one too may aimees in front of the media and Arthur? I do.
By garrett phillips
December 16, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this
If the timings right, Mora can take the Alabama job on his way to Washington. Ty should only be a couple more years, and that’s about average for a stint with the Crimson Tide. It would be good to polish up those college skills!
By DB
December 16, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this
From day one, Jim Mora, Jr. and his new coaching staff were a major part of the Falcons problems. There I have been major flaws in our offense, defense, special teams, play calling, red zone, receiving core, defensive line, offensive line, secondary, kicking game, etc. During Mora’s 1st winning seasons (the team and winning record he inherited from Dan Reeves) there were major problems, last year’s 8-8- season there were major problems, pre-season there were major problems and each week there have been major and different problems.
Rich McKay did a great job of finding key talent (at least the players were before they put on our Black and Red and started spending time with Mora and his coaches) and Arthur Blank is a superb owner (unless he and Rich doesn’t address the root problems of our very talented and grossly under-performing team). There has to be a reason why our initial players and the new upgraded group of players that Rich McKay brought in were extremely successful prior to joining the Falcons and not now. There is no reason we should have so many problems with the team considering with have Mike Vick, the X Factor, and probably more pro bowl players than any other team in the NFC, if not the NFL. I have always been skeptical about Mora, his rah-rah, and his coaches’ sometime excuses of injuries because injuries are a part of football and many of the Falcons problems were prevalent when the team was healthy (remember the 1st New Orleans game in which Jerious Norwood only played one play in a loosing effort, don’t forget about New York, or better don’t forget about Cleveland and Detroit). Yes, we all know that the receivers haven’t been catching the ball lately, but the Falcons problems are many and it is deeper than the receivers.
Mora’s radio interview, record, and disrespect for the team gave Arthur and Rich another reason to make a change and they should, because Mora will never be able to lead the Falcons to compete for or win a Superbowl. I always thought that winning a championship is a professional team’s goal, or at least Arthur’s goal. I am hard pressed to believe the Falcons can not do it with Mora at the helm!
When Mora leaves or asked to leave and takes his West Coast offense back to the West Coast, Arthur and Rich can hire a competent emotionally mature head coach. Hopefully, the new coach will hire a great coaching staff, work with Rich to improve the secondary and hire numerous offensive linemen from Nebraska. Hopefully, the new coach will also understand the difference from having a great practice versus practicing the right things.
In closing, we love the Falcons and its organization, but they are too talented to not have a highly talented effective and successful coach. Mora has sealed his faith and it is now time for the Falcons to move forward in a positive way. Hire a coach that can help build a winning franchise (Lovie Smith vs. well, you know the, Jr.). Mora good luck in the NCAA!
By Whopper Dawg
December 16, 2006 02:09 AM | Link to this
If I were Blank, he would have the opportunity to interview for whatever job he could be interested in as he would be fired today.
By bk hawk
December 16, 2006 02:09 AM | Link to this
Mora is a d@#* liar. He was not joking, he is a disgrace to the Falcons, Fans,Town and State. Blank needs to can his as# and make Mckay coach the rest of season. I remember Ted telling Bobby Cox to do that. The players and Fans deserve better.
By Jibo
December 16, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this
What does Jim Mora and John Kerry have in common? Both can’t tell jokes and both are liars. Blanks please do your job and fire the cry baby Mora.
By Cap
December 16, 2006 02:42 AM | Link to this
What’s funny is that today ESPN ran an NFL’s Greatest Ever Games episode featuring the NFC Championship Game of the Falcons vs. the Vikings. The episode kind of left off with the drafting of Vick to be the cornerstone of the franchise that had essentially collapsed since the Super Bowl defeat. When Vick got hurt, Blank used the Falcons going back into the tank for just that one season as an excuse to fire Reeves and get his guy in. Much like Gruden winning the Super Bowl with Dungy’s team or Larry Coker at University of Miami winning the national championship with Butch Davis’s recruits, Mora’s early success was the remnant of Reeves’ team. Now we are seeing what an inexperienced coach from the beleaguered 49ers organization hath wrought on Atlanta. Reeves may not have been the long term answer (and he was prone to sign Tommy Maddox at any second) but he brought stability and credibility to a franchise that never had it before. And now Mora is going to be on the first thing smokin’ when Willingham gets fired after next season at UW. “I’m just kidding”! Yeah right. Every lie is 90% truth.
By Jay
December 16, 2006 03:14 AM | Link to this
“Falcons games are sold out. So who sold them the tickets?”
Our nationally-known awful fans.
By Step Up Blank
December 16, 2006 03:27 AM | Link to this
Get rid of this clown tommorow night if the Falcons don’t win! Let Musgrave get his shot, heck his resume is better than Mora’s anyhow. We can see why this team appears to lack true focus and don’t seem to really give a hoot because it starts at the top. The players like the coach talk a good game but man the effort looks extremely lackluster at times. This guy is not even a good coach so I don’t see what keeping him around proves. He thinks anyone who hasn’t sniffed NFL players jockstraps since they were youths have no clue as to what we are watching on Sundays. Honestly, if the guys last name wasn’t Mora would he have even been considered to be a coach. This guy is so enamoured by the players that he can’t coach them. The defense is unaggressive though stout because there are good players who are not being put into position to be great players. Same for the offense, that give away each play with the formations and we all know how predictable it is. can you imagine being Vick, honestly I would beet that most of the fans sitting in the Dome, know whats coming. The other defense surly knows as well, yet it takes Vicks and Norwoods x-factor abilities to get decent production out of this hybrid west coast crap. We want to believe, but Atlanta Fans aren’t suckers Mora, we know crap when we see it. I think we have the smartest fan base in the country, we are not blind loyalist. Win and we are in. Heck, honestly who can root for a franchise that has been in rebuilding mode all but maybe 3 years of its existents. I really hope Blank brings back Reeves, right a wrong and I know Vick would be more than receptive to it!
By Mrs. Glanville
December 16, 2006 03:44 AM | Link to this
Like Father, like son. But who cares? All I can say is: Bring back Jerry Glanville.
By Bryan
December 16, 2006 05:01 AM | Link to this
I was listening live with yer buddies “Softie & Hugh…See ya back here in Bellevue..uhmm…unemployed…way to “Coug it” pal !
Bryan , Bellevue WA
By Nono
December 16, 2006 05:32 AM | Link to this
Rest assured, his fate is sealed You just spit in my eye and then said it was a joke! You think if we had a beat Detroit and Cleveland, the front office would let this interview go? Not a chance. There are many amoung us who live and breathe Falcon football. I was thankful when Mr. Blank took over our organization and convinced Rich Mckay to assemble a winning team. I was puzzled by the Donatle and Knapp hires, but gave you a pass. Now your on the eve of our biggest game, conduct an interview and jokingly state you want a job that isn’t vacant? What kind of dumba^^ are you? How much more of this crap is Mr. Blank going to stand for?——-Not Much, he has already started a committee to find your replacement——word has it he like every true Falcon and Falcon fan is waiting to see if we as players will clean up your mess and prolong your job, or Parcells and Romo will have their way in our house and you’ll be out before Christmas.* I believe today will be a great day for Falcon players, fans, and yes coaches, but I also believe you just sealed your fate. You forced this organization to make a move despite the great win over Dallas tonight!!——Oh well——I never liked your enthusiastic but mindless plans anyway—-I have played for high school coaches with more skills and understanding of the game than you and Greg. I and every player will give it all and lay out every Lineman that gets in my way—-I and the rest of the team will have a great game despite your short comings coach!!—-maybe you can join your dad for a couple weeks of Christmas fishing out in Washington*
By spud
December 16, 2006 05:42 AM | Link to this
I think what jim mora said was shocking we now know where he wants to coach. Arthur blank should have shown him the door friday morning, having said that the problem with this team is the problem this team has had for 40 years OWNERSHIP. The smith family did not have much sucess because they did not no anything about football or how to hire the right people leeman bennett and dan reaves were the excepetion Arthur blank in my opinon is one of the worst owners in football, his intenions are good, he spends a lot of money on players he has upgraded the dome and drafted mick vick in order to fill the dome. He has to stop walking on the sidelines and talking to players and coaches the players and coaches dont know who their boss is this kind of intereference will not work in the NFL. Arthur stay upstairs DO NOT come down on the sidelines unless the falcons win the super bowl, this team will not be sucessful until this is done.
By KneeJerk
December 16, 2006 06:46 AM | Link to this
If Cowher decides to stay in Pittsburgh, I’d like to take a run at an ex-Falcon H-back: Ken Whisenhunt. Was anyone shocked that the RB we brought in this past week came from…..San Francisco? Enough of the ex-49ers!
By KneeJerk
December 16, 2006 06:51 AM | Link to this
Are you kidding? The reason the Falcons aren’t successful is because the owner comes down to the sidelines? Yeah, I’m sure that if Robert Kraft would’ve come down to the sidelines that the Patriots would’ve never won a Super Bowl. I’m sure that Dallas would’ve never won a Super Bowl if Jerry Jones ….wait a minute.
By Les O. Mora
December 16, 2006 06:54 AM | Link to this
Whatever anyone wants to think abour Blank, at least he cares. Yes, he’s overbearing and he’s made mistakes (overpaying free agents, hiring Mora). I think he’ll learn from those, much as Ted Turner did. Remember that the Braves started winning when Turner turned things over to StanKasten, Bobby Cox, and John Schurholz. Blank really does want to win, and I think he’ll find a way. He’s just got a lot to learn. I’m a season ticket holder, and I’m coming back next year because of the facr that, mistakes aside, Blank cares. Do you think Time Warner or Liberty Media or whoever gives a damn if the Braves win? No, it’s al about stock price. Be thankful we have an owner whose ego and emotion is involved.
By jerry
December 16, 2006 07:17 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Freud is dead. Maybe he could help this guy out. Maybe this entire confused,depressed, clueless, and sick franchise.
By Gunner
December 16, 2006 07:19 AM | Link to this
Just who do you think would take the HeadCoaching job of the Falcons?
Right now a change would just be another setback.
When you change head coaches you can almost automatically flush four or five of your draft choices as not fitting the “new scheme”.
When in doubt “reorganize”?
By jerry
December 16, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know why Mora was in Seattle to begin with? I would have thought that he would have his hands full in Atlanta, with already a short work week to get ready for Dallas.
By FalconsFan
December 16, 2006 07:58 AM | Link to this
**I was encouraged when I saw Mora Jr kiss Vick on the helmet.
I thought it meant the kissing Vicks ars part was now going to be over.**
By Snoop Kitty Kat
December 16, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this
Sgt. Schultz is just jealous because he saw Mora kissing Vick.
Mora should have known that Schultz is Vick’s beotch.
By Howdy Doody
December 16, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this
Hey FalconsFan…why do you think Vick wears that face shield? That keeps Mora from kissing him directly on the lips. Mora is a poor excuse for a head coach..and he really proved that with his latest screw-up..but wait, he was only kidding..BULL#%@T.
By buzzy bee
December 16, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this
We need Mora as GT coach. He would enjoy the “tickle piles” so much more than Chan.
By Good
December 16, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
Gunner: You wrote that we will lose 4-5 draft picks that don’t fit into the new scheme if a coaching change is made. Fact is these 4-5 players don’t fit into Mora’s schemes so we have nothing to lose.
By Robert Sams
December 16, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
If Blanks don’t get rid of Mora Jr. now,,,,,Blank is a butt hole!
By Gene
December 16, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Mora’s behavior, like that of Vick, resembles that of a spoilled child.
By Drayton
December 16, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
He was serious. He said it himself when asked to clarify himself. “Dead serious.” “Absolutely”. He got the job because Blank believed he was hungrier and wanted it more, but based on Mora’s comments, it now appears that this might be a silver spoon situation, i.e. a guy who has been given so much in life that he doesn’t realize how blessed he is (and how hard others have to work and fight to get less). If the Falcons don’t make the playoffs, I now think that Mora will go down (whereas before, he would have been asked to stay if he made changes).
By bmullis
December 16, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
Cap, Enjoyed your blog about ESPN’s Greatest Game Ever. After seeing the kind of coach we had in 98 and the coach that replaced him, I want to carve an image of Dan Reeves on the side of Stone Mountain.
By dirtie birdie
December 16, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
DB:
why do you keep saying that this is a very talented team? it is not a very talented team. if anything, this team is very top heavy with the talent they have. they have vick, dunn, woodie, crump, finneran, kerney, abe, coleman, grady, brooking, dwill, boley, dhall, & lawyer. the rest of the team is garbage. just look at special teams - there is a reason why the special teams have had significant slippage over the last two years - namely, because the surrounding talent just ain’t that good - at least not as good as they were 2 years ago. The special teams coach did not go from being real smart 2 years ago to real dumb today. The failures of the special teams has been caused by Blank & McKay. Teams are not made up of stars alone. the supporting cast needs to “support” the stars. the supporting cast is not very good. Why you continue to say that Blank & McKay have done a good job of bringing in talent is beyond me. It is simply not true. Reeves left behind him the talent keys for anyone to come in and take the team to the championship. However, as Blank & McKay have tinkered and tinkered with this roster, there has been significant supporting cast talent erosion. BUT for some reason, everyone acts lazy and blames guys like the coaches and the all of the key performers named above. you have to dig deeper and stop being lazy by picking on the easy targets like all of the players I named above.
BUT even when you say that there is alot of talent on this team, you are not entirely correct.
QB - Vick is a great talent and has accomplished much for this franchise but nevertheless remains very inconsistent and has not yet anywhere near reached his full potential. (that can be called a coaching problem). (THIS IS THE FAULT OF THE COACHES AND THE QB HIMSELF AS WELL)
RB - Dunn is great. I love the guy. BUT he is also just a cute little RB - useless in short yardage and in the red zone - causes drives to die sooner than they should have, causes less touchdowns to score. The utility of Dunn is very limited. Dunn has proven throughout his entire career that he has to be used in conjunction with using a big bastard RB like Alstott and Duckett. BUT Blank & McKay let Duckett go so that Blank could avenge a grudge he had with Dan Reeves about the picking of Duckett in the 2002 draft - Reeves wanted and drafted TJ, Blank wanted Lelie. Norwood is a tremendous talent who may or may not be ready to be the full time back. In any regard, however, he does not appear to be the kind of back who will be very effective in short yardage and in the red zone. Again they will need to pair him up with a big guy. Dunn is also getting old and he seems to have lost 2 or 3 steps. Before you jump down my throat with that comment, ask yourself how many times has dunn electrified you this year - he used to do that alot more. (THIS THEREFORE IS A GM/PERSONNEL PROBLEM.)
WR - the wideouts are a joke. an absolute joke. finneran is still the best wideout and he has not played all season. (who’s fault? Mckay and Blank - THIS IS A PERSONNEL/GM PROBLEM).
TE - alge is great. thank you mr. reeves. it toook you many picks to finally get yourself a quality TE, but you finally got us one. the credit for alge however goes to reeves and not blank or mckay. (THERE IS NO PROBLEM FOR ANYONE WITH THIS POSITION) alge does need to stop dropping so many passes though.
OL - lol! lol! lol! THIS IS A COACHING SCHEME/GM PERSONNEL PROBLEM! but what is everyone’s problems with this scheme anyway? is it really a coaching philosophy problem? then how come the broncos have had so much success with this kind of O-Line? Is it perhaps because they have a better GM/personnel guy locating better talent to plug into the offensive line? Probably, just from all of the other personnel follies of McKay, it is probably more of a McKay problem than anyone else. This sort of thing tends to happen when you act like an impulsive fool like Blank and overpay Dunn. Now this whole Alex Gibbs offensive line coaching philosophy with the Broncos is typically used with a whole bunch of bags of donuts guys at RBs - the less $$$ you have to spend at RB, the more you have to spend on supporting cast - Blank & McKay of course are too foolish to realize that (THIS IS A COACHING PHILOSOPHY and GM/PERSONNEL PROBLEM POSISITION BUT MORE OF A GM/PERSONNEL PROBLEM THAN ANYTHING ELSE - THE SCHEME AND PHILOSOPHY WORKS FOR OTHER TEAMS - THE PLAYERS BEING PLUGGED IN TO DO IT ARE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH - THANK YOU BLANK AND MCKAY FOR YOUR CONTINUED INEPTITUDE.)
D-LINE - kerney, coleman, grady, & abe. abraham of course is always hurt. he has always been hurt during his entire career. but of course our genius gm/personnel guy goes out and overpays for the oft-injured abe. coleman had a great year two years ago but where has he been since - is he still on the team? coleman was always and undersized speed guy at DT anyway. grady is good but nowhere near as good as many fans make him out to be. teams are still running on us. why did no other team want grady? why were we able to pick him up a week before the season started? because grady just ain’t that good. kerney is kerney and kerney is injured but i have no problem with kerney because he brings it when he is not injured. i will warn kerney though that the use of steroids does tend to make your biceps, triceps, and pecs a little too big for their own good and for your body composition and that therefore causes tears. so i would tell you to lay off the roids kerney but you have been using them from day one, so i will not tell you to get off of the roids because i do not know how good you can be without your beloved roids. why exactly did we get rid of the likes of ed jasper, travis hall, and brady smith? these were very underrated guys who worked their butts off. we were better defenisvely with those guys than the hodge-podge of flawed supposed stars we have at D-Line. (AGAIN FOR ALL THE SIMPLE MINDED FANS: THIS IS A MCKAY AND BLANK, GM & PERSONNEL PROBLEM).
LBS - brooking, boley, and DWill have played their butts off. but it does seem like teams can pass when they want to or runn when they want to. the LB do tend to be undersized and do get dragged sometimes 5 yards down the field as a result and then then sometimes get beat deep on a pass. i think their biggest problem is the underperforming D-Line and a horrendous secondary. HURTWELL is a huge overpaid problem with the performance of this team. (THIS IS A GM/OWNER/PERSONNEL PROBLEM).
DBS - they have Dhall and lawyer and nothing else. jimmy williams has done nothing except for two good plays where he started bobbing his head up and down last week like we all knew he was this great DB or something. what a joke! webster, crocker, rossum, et al. just ain’t cutting it. dhall has been very down this year. he must be injured or something and not tellling us. because although he ain’t nowhere near being the next prime time, he sure as hell can not be this bad. lawyer i guess is doing a decent job. you do not hear his name called as much as when he was with the patriots though. and teams have alternated killing us with the pass or the run which lawyer is suppposed to help prevent. the other safeties and CBs on this team however are an absolute joke. i do not like donatell’s scheming all that much - htye are too far off of the ball, man, and line of scrimmage - but hell how deep and how often would these guys get burned if they were asked by the coach to get up in their guy’s jock? (THIS IS A GM/PERSONNEL/OWNER PROBLEM.)
Special Teams - Great 2 years ago. Not so much this year. Stars do no play special teams. Supporting players play special teams. THis is not a special teams coach problem. the special teams coach did get dumb all of a sudden over the course of two years. This is a GM & PERSONNEL PROBLEM. the GM needs to provide better supporting players to fill up special teams in order to make the special teams unit work better.
BUT if you want to continue to blame the coaches and players go right ahead. you are entitled to be stupid and simple minded if you want to be. Or you can start digging deeper and realize that your guns need to start pointing at the GM and that you need get McFly and treat BLank like he is Biff and tell Biff Blank to get his darn hands off of the team. Don’t stop being an owner - we love the passion and the zeal and the willingness to try and to spend but you are not a football man and you do not belong on the sidelines and you should not be telling football guys who to buy, sign, and trade.
AS for Mora, I do not think he is a great coach. I am thankful that he took my team to the conference championship game though and that he has the highest winning % of any coach in falcons history. How come everyone says Mora and Vick suck and that there are so many coaches and QBs out there that are better but then Mora and Vick together have won at a higher rate than any other QB/Coach combo in team history?
BUT mora did hang himself yesterday. he can not keep his job after that what he did yesterday. as steve wyche (the one newspaper man he referred to in this one newspaper town) pointed out - there were half-truths in what mora was saying even if we were stupid enough to trust more and stupid enough to assume he was only joking. the tone was not joking either. Think about how much time was wasted with him giving an interview where he admitted the desire to abandon his team, then playing rabbit ears all day yesterday listening to our reactions, then going on buck & kinkade at 3 and the stews at 3:30 crying and begging for our forgiveness and then having a press conference again begging for forgiveness. when exactly was he game planning and preparing his team yesterday? does it matter anyway though? he does not wear headphones on the sidelines when the season and games are going down the drain, so is he even involved in game planning? but then blank handled it all wrong yesterday himself. he issues a statement saying that he expects the team and the coach to be very focused on preparing for the cowboys but then he makes the team and mora waste the whole day away apologizing and playing mr. rabbit ears. Blank should have better controlled the situation and had a little press conference, told mora to get back to work, you screwed up too big this time to get it fixed, let him coach tonight, and then fired him at midnight tonight. BUT Blank of course was more worried about his ego and image being ruined than by his team getting prepared for tomorrow. Thus he had no control over the situation and no preparation was made for today’s game.
Imagine if we heard some Miami grad or FSU grad interviewing CMR, and CMR had the gall to say on a radio interview that he would leave the DAWGS in heartbeat in the middle of an SEC runn or national championship run to take the job with Miami or FSU. as much as i hate Mr. Adams, i would certainly expect Mr. Adams to fire CMR on the spot without a question being asked of CMR.
By gary
December 16, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
Like father, like son.PEACE!!!!!!
By REAL BIRD FAN
December 16, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
Letter from Arthur Blank
Dear Real Bird Fan, Do you see the nonsense I put up with? I mean is Jim serious or what? Well he can’t say I didn’t give him a chance. Hopefully I can make an offer to Mora Sr. Lol just scerwin with ya.
P.S. Don’t I look important when I walk around the sidelines?………yeah I’m the man b@tch’s! Go Falcons!
By t-bone
December 16, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
No Mora!!!!
By wade8
December 16, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this
The bill of goods that is Vick, Mora, and Knapp that was sold to this town is panning out just like those shrewd enough thought it would. Mora is flat out squirrly in the head, just like his dad. It wouldn’t take 10 seconds to bait this guy into a fight if you crossed him in the street. He’s a walking stereotype that needs to go take his act to the west coast where all the other squirrels can appreciate him.
By Falcon Flyer
December 16, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
So what happened to the “bunker mentality” Mora always talks about? Maybe if he had holed up in his bunker (office) and spent more time preparing game plans instead of doing interviews the question of changing jobs wouldn’t have even been an issue because this team might have a better record.
Why is it that in recent weeks we’ve only heard comments from the coaching staff or from Mr. Blank? Has Rich McKay’s status changed? Does the media ever ask him for an opinion on what’s going on in this organization?
No one should be surpised about what’s going on with this team. Jim Mora defenses for the most part were only a little better than average in San Francisco, and I don’t believe they had many top 5 offenses either under Knapp except possibly when he had a hall of fame QB and WR. Then we have a defensive coordinator with the same m.o. who had just been fired for a team implosion in a playoff game.
By Harold
December 16, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
falcon flyer:
you heard mora: this is a one newspaper town with two terrible sports radio stations who focus on strippers and idiotic macho nonsense that makes them sound like a gang of no good retards (mayhem); plain ole stupidity (chuck smith who is killing chernoff); dimino (boring beyond all belief); 2 live idiots (who never seem to have an intelligent thought about anything, alright, alright); rude & dukes (how about the ad wizards who came up with this concept: pair a cheesy wacky morning deejay who really is not so funny and not so wacky with a dumb former jock who can not speak or articulate an opinion with a wannabe rush limbaugh. freaking painful); the herd which has no finger on the pulse of the state of ATL sports (do we call this show jim rome lite? or do we just call colin the poor man’s Jim Rome?); Dan Patrick (the most arrogant, shallow, superficial sports personality there has ever been on ATL sports radio. when was the last time this guy had a genuine opinion that was well informed and well thought out. he’s just another jock sniffer, and even worse, a hootie sniffer who blows fish); Buck & Kinkade (a dumbass former jock who is afraid to express an opinion even though he is actually paid to give opinions and a yankee nontalent who wants more than anything to be the next mad dog russo but more than often comes off like he is trying too hard to be that guy instead of expressing the opinions he truly feels.
that is why guys like mckay are allowed to hide, why no one holds cox, john s. and the braves accountable, why no one even seems to remember that the hawks even exist anymore, etc., etc.,
Mora said alot wrong things yesterday but he got that one right at least.
By BirdDoo
December 16, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
Mora, we don’t care about what you think or what you say. Win, or your gone. Your probably gone anyway. You have shown your true ilk. Blank is going to toss you out on your can after this season.
You are immature, a terrible coach and an even worse leader. You have let down your owner, your team and the city of Atlanta. You are an idiot.
By Tony
December 16, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
Give me a break. Rich McKay is to blame for this debacle. He picked Jenkins and White in the first round. And Blank is a egomaniacal Jerry Jones wannabee.
As for Jeff’s comment that Bill Parcells wouldn’t have done this. Ummm, Parcells was negotiating with the Jets during Super Bowl week while coaching the Patriots.
By Jeff Childress
December 16, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Whether he was joking or not, I don’t think he has a chance in hell of getting the Huskies job someday or ever being a head coach in the NFL after this year. He is not even half the coach Willingham is. I see him as a special teams coach somewhere or maybe as a great high school coach. I just hope that Blanks and McKay are seriously looking for a professional NFL coach with credentials and a proven track record of managing men.
By Ed Bouchette
December 16, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this
Your contention that big-name experienced coaches wouldn’t do this is ridiculous. Bill Cowher openly used the expansion Cleveland Browns as leverage in 1998. His eyes brightened when he talked about the “opportunity” that someone was going to have as GM/coach. Even now, he is playing ‘Hamlet’ as he keeps everyone wondering if he will return as Steelers coach next year. At issue is, as usual, money. Cowher wants $8 million. So, this brouhaha over Mora (who is an upstart never-was) is neither new or important.
By Mike Falcon
December 16, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
Mr Blank is an accomplished buisness man who has figured out over the years what drives the customer or in this case the “FAN” to purchase and participate. Aurthur is no fool and right now he is just waiting and trying to do what is best for his customers “FANS” in the short term. Jim Mora JR has went too far and Mr Blank knows it. Unless Jimmy JR makes the Super Bowl he is bird feathers. Jim Mora JR lacks the perspective and character to work in an organization led by Arthur Blank. He is an embarrassment as will be dealt with as such. As a long time Falcons Fan I can honestly say this is the most disapointed I have ever been in our coach. We need a leader on the sidelines with experience, perspective and the ability to take responsibility for the loses. Dan Reaves was a product of Tom Laundry now there is someone who saw leadership and character first hand. Dan was conservative but he was a winner. Look at Schotenhiemer he is still going just like the energizer bunny. We need to trade Jimmy Mora for Jimmy Johnson or a top notch offensive coordinator from a team with a great head coach like the Saints did? Good luck Jimmy Mora and please don’t leave mad just leave.
By Al D.
December 16, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank:
As one of your stakeholders (3 for that matter) I suggest you take the necessary action and CEO would take. You need to replace an ineffective coaching staff AND See what Matt Schaub has to offer before you give him away and you pull another Brett Farve>
PS Post an email address for you and McKay…your stakeholders may have some useful things to tell you
By JSS
December 16, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
Even more revisionist history by Falcons Fans… Dan Reeves was 10 games below 500 here!!! He was like George Halas once the game passed him by, not a clue…
You have a right not to like Mora, but making Dan Reeves into something he is not, that is intolerable!!!
There is no pleasing Falcon fans… Leeman Bennett ran a predictable offense but won, you ran him out of town… Glanville ran a loose ship but put points on the board, ran him to Hawaii… Mora has won more than he has lost, and you’ve never made him welcome here… I love Louvie Smith and Tim Leweis, but they don’t coach the Falcons… Get a grip!!! There is a reason this town ends up with Pat Pepplers, Marion Campbells, Dan Hennings, Bob Weiss, Eddie Haas, and a long list of losers heading teams here…
By Gt fan
December 16, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
Bring Back Dan!!! How can anyone hate on the only coach to ever take the falcons to the big dance!!
By bmullis
December 16, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
JSS, Any thoughts as to what Reeves record would be do date if Blank had not replaced him with the straw boss?
Mora has twice the overall talent that Reeves had in 98, but the learning curve is too steep for his lack of experience and character.
By Edd Anderson
December 16, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this
I am walking out the door . Going to the Dome. Maybe we will do a better job at yelling. Hope it’s a good game and we win.. Later….
By Don Schmick
December 16, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
I wish Coach Mora great success in the final weeks of his NFL Head Coaching career, and in the new career he begins next year.
By Dennis G. Berdanis
December 16, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t even mind if it set the Falcons back 2 years in building a winner. It would be worth it to get rid of that incompetent Mora (and Knapp) now and get a real coach in here.
By JSS
December 16, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
Twice the talent? For all of the flaws of the 98 NFC champs, it had two players that this team does not in the locker room: Mathis and Bennett.
Dan would have continued his pattern of being near 500% and they would have never have drafted players like Norwood, Koernan, Boley, or J. Williams… Instead we got miscast players like Byron Scott, Reggie Kelly, and that O-line from hell that still haunts us today. Remember how much he pouted when McKay was brought in? Dan was so classy!!!
Speaking of Rich, I don’t let him off the hook for his picks of wideouts. I feel sorry for Roddy White, his problem is 80% mental now… A change of scenery may save his career. He reminds of what Juravicus was like in NYG under Fassel, pretty lost. I’ve never been a fan of picking Big 10 or SEC wideouts high in the draft, aside from Anthony and Cris Carter. They were special.
By Justa Fan
December 16, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
Well, with Mora & company self-imploding again, it is time for the coaches to put Vick on the bench and see what Schaub can do. It is plain Vick cannot win here and needs to be traded before his value declines anymore. You onder if the Falcons would have drafted Rivers if he was available. He is doing a good job in San Diego, and he impressed me while at NC State.
By Dano
December 16, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Schultz, I used to wonder about your mental well being, but this column removes all doubt….you are a fence sitter…. you jump from side to side depending on the current events. I have lost all respect for you as a sports writer FOR the Atlanta teams. You moan about the fans, but you don’t support the home team. Also, you wrote: “Look around tonight. You’ll find a lot of Dallas fans in the Georgia Dome. Falcons games are sold out. So who sold them the tickets?” DUHHHHH……FOOTBALL IS BIG BUSINESS….LOYALTY IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE….IT IS MONEY!!!!! MOST FOLKS SAY: “SHOW ME THE MONEY” AND SELL AWAY PRECIOUS SEATS……ALL PRO SPORTS ARE LIKE THAT….ASK TOM GLAVINE…….GO WRITE ABOUT POLITICS, YOU’LL FIT RIGHT IN!!
By Harold
December 16, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jones/061215
By Harold
December 16, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this
Bomani Jones VICK = ENIGMA
By Dano
December 16, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this
Hey By dirtie birdie December 16, 2006 10:30 AM
WHAT A WASTE OF GOOD WORDS…..YOU ARE SO FULL OF CRAP I CAN SMELL YOU OVER THE INTERNET!!!! LET ME START WITH YOU DUNN COMMENTS…..YES, HE IS “LITTLE” BUT HE HAS MORE HEART AND LOYALTY THAN ANYBODY ON THE TEAM!!! YES, HE CAN’T POUND THROUGH WITH THE “LITTLE” O-LINE BLOCKING….THAT IS WHAT A FB IS FOR!!! WE HAVE THREE, TWO ARE MONSTERS!!! HAVE THEY BEEN USED????
Next, MV7: he WAS progressing until Jimmy Moron got a ho;d of him, now he is going backwards!!!! Fire Mora and Knapp and see what happens….A MIRACLE!!!!
All the rest has to do with TEAM building of which Mora knows nothing about….he is a “friend” not a head coach…..the personnel is very good….the coaching is lousy….the only thing worse is YOUR analysis!!!!! According to you: (THIS IS A GM/OWNER/PERSONNEL PROBLEM). Keeping that awful coaching staff is THE biggest problem!!!!
By Mike Falcon
December 16, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this
Hello JSS. June Jones is in Hawaii not Glanville? Glanville was an idiot. He left tickets for a dead man for gosh sakes. ( Elvis) Dan reaves took a team to the super bowl three times and has a ring of his own. Mora has nothing but a job to do and he cannot do it because he lacks experience and character. How many excuses has Bill Cowher made this year? None. He is loosing but still representing his team. look at Jeff Fisher , down but not out. This guy played for Iron Mike Ditka another Tom Laudry associate coach. These people know football, Mora knows excuses.
By BIRDY
December 16, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
PLEASE DON’T REHIRE REEVES.USE HIM ON THE HIRING COMMITEE.GET A BUTT KICKER LIKE JIMMY JOHNSON OR TRESSEL OR CARROLL.THIS FRANCHISE’S DISMAL HISTORY REQUIRE’S THAT WE GET A CLASS ACT THAT CAN COACH A TEAM UP STONE MOUNTAIN.TUNA’S TO ARROGANT,SPURRIER WANT COME.IF MEYER WINS THE NC,GO GET HIM.WE NEED A HERO/LEADER WITH GRANDMASTER X & O SKILLS.WHEN THE ORGAN GRINDER WENT OUT ON THE LIMB WITH HIS HIRING OF MORA,MOST FALCON FANS KNEW THAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR mORA COACHES SOONER THAN LATER.
By Ribbit
December 16, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this
What Mora said was inexcusable and is a fireable offense, but after watching the first 20 minutes of the game on this “NFL Network”, I think he should be given a pass and everyone should focus their wrath on what has to be the worst TV coverage of a pro football game I have maybe ever seen. Announcer with bad laryngitis?Scoreboard onscreen obscuring passes and cutting off heads, and not even lind up with top of screen? Flip over to the high school championship coverage on local PBS, it is better, I kid you not.
By Harold
December 16, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this
The birds are looking geeked on the opening kickoff..
First drive starting at boys 13
1st and 10 – incomplete pass from room intended for owens
2nd and 10 – room fumbles on exchange – Chauncey davis with the sack
3rd and 11 – crowd going nuts. Gumbel remarks on crowd noise. Rome with all day to pass. Witten and romo find opening. 19 yard completion.
1st and 10 – barber runs for no gain. Vermeil remarks on lack of size on falcons front 4 except fo grady.
2nd and 10 – romo rolls left, turns and fires a horrendous pass
3rd and 10 - romo with all day. Pressure begins with brooking coming up middle. Romo moves right up into rod coleman sack.
Cowgirls punt – rossum calls for a fair catch for no apparent reason. FALCONS BALL. GOOD JOB FOR THE DEFENSE SO FAR.
FIRST DRIVE BY FALCONS
1ST AND 10 FROM FALCONS 14 – VICK DROPS, LOOKS, NOTHING, SCRAMBLES, CUT DOWN FOR NO GAIN BEFORE HE GETS ANYWHERE
2nd and 10 – vick looks, scrambles for 9 yards
3rd and 1 – dunn for 2 yards and first down
1st and 10 – dunn run for no gain
2nd and 10 – dunn run for 3 yards
3rd and 7 – crump tripped by newman – incomplete – no interference call – probably right call even though I don’t like it as a fan
Falcons punt – another so what first quarter drive for the falcons
COWBOYS SECOND DRIVE
1st and 10 - complete on little pass to outside for 2 yards to TO – dhall covering
2nd and 8 – pass complete for first down to glenn – rossum covering
1st and 10 – handoff to jones for 6 yards
2nd and 4 – jones run for 3 yards
3rd and 1 – play action fake run leading to pass to fullback pollite for first down
1st and 10 – from falcons 41 – run for loss of 2 yards by jones. Boley decks the FB.
2nd and 12 - pass complete to witten for 9 yards.
3rd and 3 – pass complete to witten for first down
1st and 10 from flacons 26 – run by barber for first down – a likely touchdown is prevented when ref gets in the way
1st and goal from falcons 9 – run by barber for minimal gain
2nd and goal – 7 yard TD pass complete to Owens from ROMO. DHALL BEAT AGAIN. DHALL YOU ARE NOT THE NEXT PRIME TIME. NICE ONE HANDED CATCH FROM THE BUTJOB TO.
By Harold
December 16, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
I DO NOT HAVE HD BUT THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURE, HD OR NOT, SHOULD NOT BE THIS BAD. WHAT IS IS THIS, CABLE ACCESS?
By Harold
December 16, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this
NICE RETURN BY ROSSUM FOLLOWING TOUCHDOWN
1ST AND 10 – 8 yard run by dunn.
2nd and 2 – pass complete to Jenkins by schaub. Big moment but NFL NET is oblivious to it all. Oh no. we are at a boys –birds game but we need for some reason to have a big kiss up session between vermeil and faulk for no apparent reason. Where was Vick? Was he in the game as well? Where was Vick lined up? Analysis, anyone? Anyone? Phil Muschnick with the New York Post is going to have a field day with this.
1st and 10 – run by dunn for no yards
2nd and 10 – vick drops, under pressue, terrible, terriblethrow, throws without looking, intercepted in a one handed reception by ware – returned all the way for a Touchdown – Boys 14 – Falcons 0.
GREAT, GREAT COACHING. PUT SCHAUB IN AND THEN VICK THROWS AN INT ON THE NEXT PLAY. WHAT A COINCIDENCE. IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE, THAN MAKE A CHANGE. STOP BEING SO DARN CUTE. WHAT HORRIBLE COACHES WE HAVE. AND THAT MR. VICK WAS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE PASS. STELLAR OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY AS ALWAYS HOWEVER.
By Harold
December 16, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this
FALCONS THIRD DRIVE
1ST AND 10 – RUN BY DUNN FOR 3 YARDS
2ND AND 7 – HORRENDOUS HIGH THROW BY VICK TO JENKINS – INCOMPLETE.
3RD AND 8 - VICK WITH ALL DAY. STARTS TO SCRAMBLE – SACKED FOR A LOSS OF 12 YARDS.
THIS GAME IS GOING TO BE VERY UGLY
By Harold
December 16, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this
PRESSURE BY ABE FORCES HORRIBLE PASS BY ROMO INTERCEPTION BY LAWYER. GRADY OFFSIDES. INTERCEPTION REVERSED.
1ST AND 5 – RUN FOR NO GAIN
2ND AND 5 – RUN FOR 3 YARDS - GREAT PLAY BY BROOKING
3RD AND 2 - HORRIBLE PASS BY ROMO TIPPED AND INTERCEPTED BY BOLEY.. GREAT RETURN. TIPPED PASS BY ROD COLEMAN
FALCONS BALL FROM COWBOYS 12
1ST AND 10 – RUN FOR 10 YARDS AND FIRST DOWN BY VICK —— VICK HIT REALLY HARD GOING OUT OF BOUNDS
1ST AND GOAL FROM THE 2 – TD PASS TO GRIFFITH.
FALCONS 14, COWGIRLS 7
FALCONS FORCE FUMBLE ON KICKOFF – RECOVERED BY COWBOYS
1ST AND 10 – 1 YARD GAIN.
2ND AND 9 – ROMO RUNS FOR 2 YARDS. HOLDING CALLED. 10 YARD PENALTY. REPEAT SECOND DOWN
2ND AND 19 – ROMO PASS TIPPED. INCOMPLETE
3RD AND 19 – GUMBEL REMARKS THAT ATL FANS ARE NOT NOTED FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASM. PASS FOR MINIMAL GAIN BY BARBER —— GREAT PLKAY AND INTENSITY BY ROD COLEMAN – ROD, WHERE YOU BEEN BUDDY? KEEP IT UP, YOU LOOKING GOOD BOY. IT’S BEEN 2 YEARS
1ST AND10 - RUN BY DUNN FOR 2 YARDS
2ND AND 8 – SCHAUB IN, VICK AT TB – PITCH TO VICK – RUN FOR 4 YARDS
3RD AND 4 – BEAUTIFUL PASS BY VICK FOR 52 YARDS TO RODDY WHITE – HE ACTUALLY CATCHES IT – SING IT LUDA, SING IT LUDA – MOVE B1TCH, GET OUT THE WAY, GET OUT THE WAY.
2ND AND GOAL – VICK TO JENKINS FOR TD – CALLED BACK BECAUSE OF PROCEDURAL PENALTY
2ND AND GOAL AGAIN – PASS BY VICK TO JENKINS FOR TD. ATTABOY VICK. ATTABOY JENKINS. GREAT BLOCK BY DUNN ON INCOMING LINEBACKER, KEEPS PRESSUE OFF OF VICK
ATTABOY FALCONS, 14-14.
SING IT LUDA, SING IT LUDA. MOVE, GET OUT THE WAY, GET OUT THE WAY, GET OUT THE WAY
By Harold
December 16, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this
MORTEN ANDERSON – ALL TIME POINTS LEADER
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH, IKE REESE WITH A KILLER HIT ON THE KICKOFF - THAT RETURNER BOYS GOT JACKED UP – SAY IT IRVIN. SAY IT TOMMY – HE GOT JACKED UP BY IKE
1ST AND 10 – RUN FOR MINIMAL GAIN
2ND DOWN – PASS TO WITTEN FOR 8 YARDS
3RD AND 2 – PASS TO BARBER FOR FIRST DOWN
1ST AND 10 – RUN BY JONES FOR 8 YARDS
2ND AND 2 – NFL NET PICTURE KEEPS BLACKING OUT. RUN BY JONES FOR FIRST DOWN
1ST AND 10 – ROMO TO TO, DHALL BURNED AGAIN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YEAH RIGHT, HE IS THE NEXT PRIMETIME. THAT WOULD BE A FUNNY COMPARISON IF I WAS NOT A FALCONS FAN.
COWBOYS 21, FALCONS 14.
DHALL, YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Harold
December 16, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this
1ST AND 10 – GREAT RUN BY GRIFFITH – FUMBLE BY GRIFFITH – RECOVERED AND THEN FUMBLED BY COWBOYS – RECOVERED BY VICK
1ST AND 10 – OVERTHROWN PASS BY VICK DEEP FOR CRUMP
2ND AND 10 – RUN BY VICK – LITTLE OPTION PLAY – RUN FOR 5 YARDS – OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT
3RD AND 5 – BLITZ – HEAVY BLITZ – PASS COMPLETE T CRUMP FOR FIRST DOWNN – GOOD PLAY BY VICK AND CRUMP
TWO MINUTE WARNING
1ST AND 10 - VICK SCRAMBLES – LOSS OF 2 YARDS
2ND AND 12 – RUN BY DUNN FOR 2 YARDS
3RD AND 10 – GREAT CATCH BY RODDY. GREAT PASS BY VICK FOR 43 YARDS. PASS INTERFERENCE CALLED ON GLENN OF THE BOYS
1ST AND GOAL – RUNN BY DUN FOR LOSS OF 1
2ND AND GOAL – PASS BY VICK TO GRIFFITH FOR 3 YARD TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY CALLED.. PROCEDURAL PENALTY. LOSS OF 5 YARDS. WHAT A KILLER PEALTY.
3RD AND GOAL FROM THE 8 —- GREAT FREAKING PASS FROM VICK TO LELIE. GREAT FREAKING PASS. TINY LITTLE WINDOW FOR VICK TO GET IT THROUGH- GREAT FREAKING PASS. SAY IT AGAIN. GREAT FREAKING PASS. HE ALSO JUST HUNG IN THERE, AND HUNG IN THERE AND HUNG IN THERE SOME MORE AND THEN AS I SAID MADE A GREAT FREAKING PASS FOR THE TD TO LELIE
FALCONS 21, COWBOYS 21
By Harold
December 16, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
SACK BY COLEMAN AND THAT IS THE HALF BOYS.
FALCONS 21, COWBOYS 21
ATTABOYS DIRTY BIRDS.
THE SCORE IS REALLY FALCONS 21, COWBOYS 7 IF ONLY DHALL WAS NOT PLAYING FOR THE FALCONS
By Harold
December 16, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this
SECOND HALF STARTS
GREAT RETURN BY ROSSUM
1ST AND 10 - DUNN RUN FOR ONE YARD
2ND AND 9 - GREAT PASS AND CATCH BY LELIE FOR FIRST DOWN ON A SLANT
1ST AND 10 – PASS COMPLETE LOW TO CRUMP DEEP FOR 26 YARDS
1ST AND 10 – RUN FOR 1 YARD BY VICK. UGLY, VERY UGLY PLAY
VICK IS LOOKING VERY TIRED AND WOBBLY AND WOOZY AFTER THAT LAST UGLY PLAY
2ND AND 9 – SCHAUB LINES UP AND THEN GOES OUT TO THE SLOT PASS TO CRIMP FOR 8 YARDS.
3RD AND 2 – FIRST DOWN RUN BY DUNN
1ST AND 10 – GREAT PLAY, PUMP FAKE AND PASS TO JUSTIN GRIFFITH FOR ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN
FALCONS 28, COWBOYS 21
By Max H Ray
December 16, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this
REASONS THE FALCONS LOST THE COWBOY GAME MORA CONTRAVERSEY D.HALL #21 Gave Up 21 Points Via The Pass AND The MOUTH…..Mr “NO COVER” 2nd Half Looked Like A Completely Different Club..No FIRE-No GUTS-NO GLORY NO Pass Rush..Personal Fouls.Trick Plays The Falcons Have Always SUCKED..They Will Continue To SUCK..Its In Their Gene Pool To SUCK!!!!!!
By chop
December 16, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this
Jim,
You just lost. Again.
By Dano
December 16, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Harold,
Dude, where are you……turning point of the momentum of the game….. Falcons drive from their 20 to Cowdudes 37……3rd and 1…..run Dunn….4th and 1….pass?????? Where’s the beef??????? Three FBs and they can’t use one to get a yard????
By retard
December 16, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this
Well here we go again. Get rid of vick and mora and put in schaub. Time to make some changes and salvage the season. What a joke this team has become. They had their chance, they had the lead. No excuse for this loss. Now we will be lucky to beat the Panthers.