Sports Columnists

By Famuan

December 17, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this

I’m trying, but I can’t think of any reason to disagree with this column.

By Ignatius

December 17, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

I’ll give him a good reference. Goodbye to bad rubbish. Time to ditch an unknown commodity. He didn’t want to be here anyway. Bye to little Jim and his parasites.

By mj

December 17, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blanks claims the importance to the ” stakeholders ” when talking about the players and the team. I think if you look at the ” outside looking in theory “, the stakeholders have alot to worry about. It would be like holding alot of Delta stock at $25.00 a share and hoping to cash in for the full amount. We just seem to be letting the class, character of our organization fall way below the expected level. Its time to make a solid decision and let the stupidity of our team go. Mr. Mora needs to be available to any offers that would make him happy. Merry Christmas Jimmy Jr!

By BirdDawg

December 17, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this

Yet again, Greg Knapp packs it in the middle of the 3rd quarter with a lead and starts calling “Martyball like plays.”

No wonder Ed Donnatel wanted to punch him out earlier in the year. Knapp makes Donnatel’s job 10 times harder, and Eddie boy sucks as it is already.

Yet again, the Falcons come out in the second half and but for one brief awesome drive, cannot get it done.

And I watched Vick on Sportscenter. His groin was messed up.

How can any of you redneck idiots be calling for Vick’s head after seeing what happened to Abraham for trying to tough out a groin injury? If he stayed in the game and hurt it worse (out for the last two games) then you same morons would be calling him selfish.

Idiots. He did the right thing. Nice to see Matt Fraud throw the pick, though.

I honestly think that there is a very good chance that when we wake up tomorrow, Jim Mora and Greg Knapp will be fired, Eddie will be the interim and Musgrave the OC.

We can only pray.

By D

December 17, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

Great comments, No Discipline and this goes straight back to the coach. They probably had 100+ yards in penalties.

By Best

December 17, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Falcons did well to hang in early but failed to put it away when they got the lead. It all boils down to coaching. Goodbye Jim and Greg. You guys are not NFL material and have no business in Atlanta. Time for a PROVEN coaching staff that knows how to close the deal.

By Jeff D

December 17, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

Good column.

I take issue with Donatell. The COwboys converted too many 3rd and longs. What will it take for Donatell to realize that the soft zone crap doesn’t work? Isn’t he the same guy that was fired from Green Bay for giving up a 4th and 20 play to Philly during the playoffs?

Although Knapp may have called his best game as a Falcon, the 3rd and 1, and 4th and 1 calls were pathetic. At what point will he realize that he should run Griffith?

I’m ready for a change.

By Dman

December 17, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

This coaching is terrible. I truely believe he took Dan Reeves team to the playoffs and when it became his team, his true coaching abilities shined. My question is “did the Niners have a good team with those 2 goofballs running the defense and offense?”.

By Peter

December 17, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this

In a way those 15 minutes doomed Mora and Knapp. Coming out finally throwing to backs out of the backfield, moving the ball against a Cowboys team that had to be reeling in light of last week.

Of course good coaching staffs make adjustments and the good staff did. Our staff tried the college option play. Vick does need to go because he’d be something to see with a team that gave him the ball on the opposition side of the field with more regularity.

Or one with a coaching staff that knew how to win. Wonder what Blank will remember about his interview with Lovie as he’s signing off on Mora’s settlement?

By Whopper Dawg

December 17, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this

Yep, time to go. BUT both the coaching staff and GM!! I can pick’em better than he does.

The Whopper

By FOWLDAWG

December 17, 2006 12:57 AM | Link to this

PATHETIC REFEREEING & IT FALLS ON THE FALCON ORGANIZATION.WHO’S GOING TO GET THE CALL,THE LONE STARS OR THE DUMMIES?WHEN YOU HAVE IMPLODED YOU WILL BE TREATED ACCORDINGLY WITHOUT VERY LITTLE EMPATHY.THE FALCONS HAVE BEEN PLAYING ON AN UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD SINCE 1966 TO 2006,& IT WANT CHANGE UNTIL WE GET A SLAP HAPPY STUD AT THE TOP.JIMMY JOHNSON WOULD WHIP THIS QUAGMIRE INTO A CHAMPION OR BUST SOME AZZ TRYING.

By Destiny is a stripper who doesn't work in Atlanta

December 17, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this

A rare big game in Falcons history—it’s only been 40 years, after all—and another not-so-rare loss. Who really thought the Birds would rise to the occasion when it was prime time? It’s Groundhog’s day here in Atlanta. Again. What is wrong with this city’s sport’s teams? Not to go all Sports Illustrated on you, but what do we have for franchises here? When was the last big win for the Falcons? Playoffs, St. Louis, 2004? Before that? 1998? Before that? 1991? Shall we wait for 2009 before another big win? I have three overriding impressions from this week: 1) Mora is a nice guy who will probably be unemployed come Jan. 1. Can’t blame anyone else but his brain and his mouth and that’s too bad. The silver lining, he and Knapp can have a fierce Pac-10 rivalry going soon. 2) Michael Vick has never been the problem here in Atlanta. Really, build an offensive line that can pass block. It’ll help. I promise. 3) Atlanta was cursed when it was burned down in the Civil War. The Thrashers are now the closest city team to a championship. I almost swallowed my tongue saying those words. The Braves in big games? I get jokes. The Hawks? Reggie Theus’ jheri curl is to blame. The Falcons? Eugene Robinson lost money for bail but made it back with his bet on Denver. This can only mean that we may no longer be ‘Loserville,’ as we were in the 80s, but we very well may get re-incorporated soon.

By mrworf

December 17, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this

When the season started, I said the Falcons would be 9-7. It seems as if I was wrong. They may just lose their next two games. I can’t say I understand how Falcon fans feel about the last 40 years. As a Cowboys fan, I’ve seen my team go through several low points, but the Falcons are a complete mess! At least the Smith boys got you to a Superbowl, it was the players’ choice to foul it up. As the armpit of the NFL, they will never be respected until they hoist the Lombardi trophy in February.

By ABOUT MATT SCHAUB

December 17, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this

He was doing what he could at the end of the game.

Not to mention the OBVIOUS non-call of pass interference on the Cowboys on that interception…they didn’t call it because the refs knew if they did there’d be a race riot in Atlanta if Schaub won the game for Atlanta and Vick was relegated to waterboy, where the boy belongs.

By REAL BIRD FAN

December 17, 2006 01:44 AM | Link to this

Vick played great. Rod Coleman did too. Hartwell stinks, Crocker stinks, Was Milloy on the field? Where do I began? Penalties killed us! DHall please show up on the field! Allen Rosem on Terry Glenn?! Wow! Yeah we should have gotten the 3rd and 1 but why not take the field goal? There was still MUCH time in the 4th! Honestly I gave Mora a shot because I felt he was just struggling a bit. But bye Jimbo, bye Knappy and most of all bye Eddy! It wasn’t there fault they just didn’t know how to fix the sinking ship! Ok Art its your turn I have faith in you lets go get us a leader Go Falcons!!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 17, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this

Very good column. Sums up the season perfectly, and also sums up Jim Mora’s career. I still think Vick made two crucial errors that cost the team the game, despite his overall good performance. But looking at the season as a whole, 90% of the errors and mistakes can be blamed on coaching.

And no, there was no pass interference on that last play. Schaub threw a pick, plain and simple, into obvious double coverage. I don’t think that’s a representation of his talent or what he can do, because it’s hard for a backup to come in and play well immediately. But Vick proved today that he is the best QB on the Falcons, and when given time to throw is one of the better QBs in the league. It’s about time people canned the talk about replacing him with Schaub.

By Malted Falcon

December 17, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this

The Falcons let up in the third quarter after they scored. We all saw them on the sideline, laughing it up, congratulating themselves on a good quarter and a half. I loved the emotion and I loved the crowd. Ike Reese should get a medal and maybe some more playing time? I still believe we can win the next two and get into the playoffs but it won’t matter unless the coaches and players can hold off with all the wild celebrations and back slapping and get serious about the next play. Some nice catches to build on but four quarters of effort is what it’s gonna take. The few Cowboy fans in the dome sounded like steam escaping.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 17, 2006 01:52 AM | Link to this

Birddawg, be careful what you wish for. Musgrave was fired from Jacksonville because he was absolutely terrible as an offensive coordinator. I’d keep him exactly where he is for now, and fire the entire coaching staff after the season is over. Changing coaches with 2 games left and still having a legit shot at the playoffs won’t be anything other than a distraction.

By redddawg

December 17, 2006 02:33 AM | Link to this

why is everyone down on the coaches ………… you can’t coach stupid; and stupid is what the Falcons have at QB and DB ………. only a punk quits no matter how bathe situation gets ……… thx Mike, you showed your true colors.

By e.b.

December 17, 2006 02:43 AM | Link to this

Vick was the reason this game was as close as it was. He passing was incredible, yet you still disgrace him by calling him a ‘running back”? Boy Mark, I thought you were better than that. You sound more like Terence Moore than your usual self. I think the gimick plays using Schaub were far too much, and the 3rd & 1, than 4th &1 in the 4th Quarter proves to me that this coaching staff is to blame. greg Knapp didn’t call a brilliant game. he’s the pits, and so are you stinken “so called” fans, who continuously bash Vick for trying to win games.

By e.b.

December 17, 2006 02:48 AM | Link to this

Dman, Mora & Knapp wre let go when Mariucci was let go. They had a couple of good years, but not nearly enough to keep them around. They truly are the reason for the demise of this team. They have no clue, case in point Mora, jr putting his foot in his mouth once again.

By Real Bird Fan

December 17, 2006 02:53 AM | Link to this

I’m sure there’s a racist blog on here somewhere but this one is for Falcons fans. I’m positive that some people who really have played sports understand that a groin pull is difficult to play with, if not ask Abraham. I like Schaub but lay of the crystal meth for a minute dummies, the best QB is starting end of story! Agin I say its all on you Art! Go Art!!!

By e.b.

December 17, 2006 03:18 AM | Link to this

Malted falcon, I agree with you. I have posted this question on more than 1 occasion. Does anyone know why Ike Reese only plays on Special Teams? I mean, they paid him good $$$ to come over from the Eagles, where he played on the “D” on a regular basis.

By Jim

December 17, 2006 03:47 AM | Link to this

I hope Vick becomes a quote unquote “coach killer” and kill these coaches….he is a great QB, his jersey sells prove it. ATL is Vick…Jim who? We need a experienced coach, if Arizonia let go of Dennis Green, then we need a proven winner, How about trying to get Jimmy Johnson out of retirement? Mike Martz will make our offense awesome, we just need better coaches and the rest will fall into place.

By William Kitchens

December 17, 2006 03:54 AM | Link to this

Malted Falcon is right and that is why Mora and company need to go. All this rah rah on the sidelines with a ton of game left to play is a sign of poor coaching.

Has anyone even got a photograph of Mora actually getting mad at a player?

I don’t think I saw a single smile on Parcells face the entire game?

By jdw

December 17, 2006 04:00 AM | Link to this

our defense has been pretty bad for the most part, I like the front 7 but the secondary might as well stay on the bench they either give up big plays or big penalties. I wouldnt mind seeing reese or even beck playing middle linebacker… i seen hartwell tackle NOTHING way too many times this game it was pitiful

By midniterider

December 17, 2006 04:07 AM | Link to this

as i said yesterday there was no way the falcons were going to win this game nor will they win another this year there just not a good team.When the game is on the line they fold every time.And Vick will never be a bigtime qb no matter who the coach is and its time for Dunn to retire 1 and 2 yards a carry dont cut it Justin Griffith would have done a better job running the ball.And all the money they spent on Abe and Hartwell what a joke and it would be nice if D Hall was as good as he thought he was

By yankee

December 17, 2006 05:07 AM | Link to this

The difference between winning and losing starts with an attitude. It’s nice to see records fall, but the greater goal is to win the game. As Derek Jeter always says, “No matter how much I accomplish personally, if we lose as a team them our season was a failure.” Maybe Mike Vick should give Jeter a call so he can figure out what it means to be a winner.

By Brandyman

December 17, 2006 05:29 AM | Link to this

This game boiled down to a lousy defense. DeAngelo Hall is another “Big Play” (for the opponent)Ray Buchanen. DeAngelo needs to purchase a gallon of sun block for all the times he’s been burned this year. He’s all show and no go. T.O. took DeAngelo to the wood shed.

We also need to fire the defensive coordinator for the lousy defensive schemes as well as Knapp for the outrageous calls on 3rd and short. Let’s clean house and start anew.

By Ron Roberts

December 17, 2006 05:42 AM | Link to this

The thing I keep coming back to is….

…this guy was a defensive coordinator for San Francisco, a team headed downward with a porous defense when we hired him.

You’d have thought that with his background as a defensive coach and the additions of Milloy and Abraham (two names I never heard the announcers call out) to go with Kearney, Brooking, D.Hall… that our defense would have, oh, I don’t know, IMPROVED!

The offense did its’ part; Vick had a terrific game, save for the naked bootleg. But when the defense needs to make stops, they just can’t do it. How many 3rd and forevers has this team given up this season? Somebody look it up; it has to be some kind of record; ‘cause they always get burned on 3rd and long. And not just by great plays, but with wide open receivers. It’s damning.

The guy was a defensive coordinator before he became Jim Mora, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Suffice to say, there’s nothing to gain by firing him and his staff now, so see where this manure-for-a-staff takes this assemblage the last two games…my guess is 0-2 and out of work.

But come next time, Arthur Blank doesn’t need to be dazzled by a sales pitch; he needs to be dazzled by a resume with actual results.

Defemsive coordinator, the guy was.

By PoliticalMan

December 17, 2006 06:26 AM | Link to this

Jim Mora is not head coaching material. He cannot manage himself let alone fifty something other guys and direct an astute, coherent effort to accomplish a goal(s). Maybe Blank could evaluate lumber, but he missed the boat with Mora. The first thing that a new coach of any fortitude will do is ban Blank from the sidelines - that is not his domain.

By Falcon

December 17, 2006 06:29 AM | Link to this

This one’s for you “About Matt Schaub”, your Golden Boy has what kind of passer rating compared to Vick’s 121 in this game? You obviously don’t know anything about football. Schaub hasn’t completed a pass this season except to the opposing team. Why do you make excuses for him. If your Golden Boy is so golden, someone needs to shine him up. He obviously is not shining in practice to be replacing Vick. You deserve a “dirty bird” and a spit in the face for your racial inuendos, PUNK! By the way, I’m a white female who knows more about football than you,and your redneck momma and daddy! I imagine you’re not too hard to spot in the Dome with your white pointy hat and sheet over your head, COWARD!

By Greg

December 17, 2006 06:39 AM | Link to this

Memo to Arthur: Question No. 1 to applicants next month for Mora’s job should be, “Do you think it is the most important thing to love your players, kiss and hug them, be their friends?” A line goes through the names of any who answer, “Yes.”

By jerry

December 17, 2006 06:51 AM | Link to this

Eighteen consecutive losses when trailing after three quarters. The longest streak in the NFL.

By Ron

December 17, 2006 07:00 AM | Link to this

LOL. Coaching? How about blaming this on having a worthless defense that can’t stop the run and can’t stop the pass?

By ShadyGrady

December 17, 2006 07:03 AM | Link to this

To “About Matt Schaub” You are blinded by an insiduous psychological disease that has also diminished your cognitive abilities. Mike Vick,”boy”? “Water boy?” The man is a stud. Do you fear that? You sound like a gay, racist that wants to bow down and recieve a golden shower from your poster boy Matt Schaub. I have nothing against Matt Schaub. I think that he could develop into a fine quaterback someday. But why must you damn Mike Vick to sick this guy Matt Schaub’s duck? Mike Vick proved on Sunday that he is the unquestioned leader of this offense. Everyone needs to understand that this guy can not very well block for himself, throw to himself, and play cornerback on defense. He is dynamic. But not that damn dynamic. Recognize the apparent you imbecile.

By YGT

December 17, 2006 07:04 AM | Link to this

If we fail to make the playoffs please get rid of these 3 midgets and coaches. Webster, Rossum and Dunn…Mora, Knapp and Zonatell.

By Iceberg33

December 17, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this

1. No one can certainly fault Mike Vick for the 2nd half debacle!! While he might line up at tailback on occasion, he doesn’t play defense.

2. Who annointed DeAngelo Hall as a “Premier” or a “Shut Down” corner, line up to be shot immediately!!! He couldn’t shut down a grandma from a punchbowl at Sunday Tea!!! TO ate his lunch before breakfast was over!!!

3. On coaching, who is stupid enough to give TO a clean release off the line of scrimmage??? At least make some effort to jam him. Applicants, for the Defensive Coordinator position, please submit your resumes to Mr. Blank immediately!!!

4. Roddy White, can yu play like this every week?? Please????

   It’s safe to say that we’ll see a new coaching staff next year and possibly a new GM too. Rich McKay is not free of sin in this mess!!!!

By nono

December 17, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this

I quit Its just too painful to watch—-I’m a damn homer and it hurts to be so average when I know with better coaching we could beat the teams we are told we can beat. If I hear playoffs one more time, I’ll puke. Yeah, just like the choking Braves & Bobby Cox who should have been put out to pasture a long time ago, but the falcons, they are selling tickets, tv and merchandise. Believe me thats what our owner hears—-money. Only when we stop writing, tailagting, and going to the games will Blankberger make a change. 8-8, I should be used to it. I look forward to beating up on 8 teams next year and anguishing all over again. I should be used to it, after all I went to Ga Tech!

By Glenn Henderson

December 17, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this

Mr.Blank two things: 1)call Dan Reeves. 2)Get off the sidelines unless your going to coach(probably not a bad idea).

By Sean

December 17, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this

Vick had 4 TDs not 3. I really don’t think Mora is the problem. His only fault has been his “loyalty” to his players and coaches. Knapp should be gone. No question about that. Donatell should be gone. Mora needs to get that fire back. Remember when he was using smelling salts on the sideline. He was pumped up. I think Blank took that fire away from him. So what if he said he wanted to go back to Washington. With everyone being critical of him, of every move that is made, I would want to leave too. Vick isn’t the problem either. Plus you can’t put $100 million player on the bench. Notice that when he has time, as in the line actually blocks, he makes good acurate passes. He recievers have dropped alot of passes this year. Mostly not Vicks fault. Now back to Knapp. On 3rd and 1, why do you give the ball to Dunn. At least run him to the outside. Griffith should have been in on that play. Then 4th and 1, he calls the same play they had already run successfully 3 times before. You can only go to the well a few times. This also goes back to the Cleveland game when it was 4th and inches. You have Vick, Dunn, Griffith, and Norwood in the back field. He calls a 30 yard pass. Makes no sense. Like I said before, Mora’s only problem, beside the occassional foot in mouth problem, is his loyalty to Knapp and Donatell.

By William

December 17, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with Jeff D., Donatell needs to be run out of town on a rail along with Mora and Knapp. No pass rush + only token blitzing = 38 points. If you’re going to get beat, at least do it aggressively and bring the house. Romo had all day, particularly in the second half, to pick the secondary apart. Allen Rossum, God love him, may be a great return guy, but is too small to jam anybody, is no help on run support and couldn’t cover my mother with a butterfly net. If the Falcons aren’t even going to give Jimmy Williams a chance at corner, why did they draft him? He couldn’t have done any worse than Rossum getting schooled by Terry Glenn over and over. As for the offense, good job in the first half, but once again, opposing teams adjust in the second half and shut the Falcons down. Putting Vick at tailback and Schaub at wide receiver was fun to watch, but the lack of adjustment to what Dallas’ defense took away in the second half is all too familiar. Knapp is in way over his head and hopefully will bring his singular brand of mediocrity to that fine program at Stanford next year. Or maybe he can join Jim Mora and his dad on their own radio show - Moe, Larry and Curly Talk Football.

By WallStBro

December 17, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

Davenpoop is right. With only two games left, we don’t want to rock what little boat we have left. However, as soon as the last game is played, when the players are receiving their game checks, the coaches should be receiving severance checks. Offensively, we played a pretty good game, but KEEP VICK OUT OF THE BACKFIELD!!!. Each time they tried to run Vick out of the backfield, he took vicious hits. That alone, is justification for the staff firings.

By TMac

December 17, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

Is it possible to buy out Lovie Smiths contract from the Bears and find an Offensive and Defensive Co-ordinator that aren’t friends with the head coach? We should also get rid of Roddy White, (no tackling) Ed Hartwell and (although I love him dearly) Warrick Dunn. I only include Dunn because of the age factor and we need a stronger more durable back with hunger in his eyes and his play.

By steve berrier

December 17, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this

come on the falcons can’t win against the stronger teams in the nfl. the coach does need help in many ways but vick is it for the falcons he needs help next year they will play a weaker schedule & then maybe all you falcons fans will be happy since the stronger teams will be replaced by weaker teams wake up they aren’t that good yet

By Dano

December 17, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Get REAL PEOPLE……The Falcons were beat by a TEAM that was coached better and played better……better personnel?????? I don’t think so…. The Falcons have the talent, just not the coaching or the mental toughness (a Head Coach problem!!!!)

By Alex

December 17, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Once again the defense lets the team down in the 4th quarter!

MeAngelo Hall, maybe you are just not that good Mr. Hawaii, Pro Bowl, whatever. When was the last time you shut down a premiere receiver? Made a critical pick to seal or turn a game around?

Chris Crocker, now I see why the sorry a** Browns let you go. You can’t give help over the top, the NFL is a copycat league and they found out early on and you’ve been exposed as a weak player against the deep ball!

Ed Hartwell…you should wear a fraking ski mask when you get your paychecks! Has the guy made one play that stands out since he has been here! He had a pick 2 years ago, that’s about all I can recall. Yes I know…all the injuries, but if you are going to play that way I don’t care if you are a good man who just happened to be hurt, this isn’t about that. It’s about putting on the best team that can help you win. If someone like an Ike Reese, or D. Williams can play better at LB then you switch! Put that overpayed, washed up Hartwell on the bench where he belongs! Can’t believe the Falcons have such bad luck, to pay him the money that they did and he’s done absolutely nothing, nothing I tell you! They have to waive him if his contract is up, he’s not earned a spot on this team. Give me Jordan Beck, anyone else can’t be worse. Plus he gets the bone headed penalty and didn’t even get in a good shot! Hartwell, you are finished. DONE. Nobody has called you out, at least not in the local media b/c you’ve been injured so much, but it’s time. If you aren’t healthy by now, you will never be healthy enough. You are middle LB. Make a play! Tackle for a loss? Sack? Fumble? Anything? No, you rather look stupid on TV making Marion Barber look like the next coming of Walter Payton!

Allen Rossum…why is he playing cover corner? He got owned all night, people threw his direction on short and intermediate routes it didn’t matter. Is Jimmy Williams that bad? I guarantee he is not worst than Rossum. He can’t be. When you have your punt/kick off return specialist playing corner, over a guy you drafted in the early 2nd round to play CB…something is terribly wrong. Let Jimmy Williams play! If he gets burned, at least we know what we have, at least the guy is getting some experience.

Where was John Abraham when we needed a big play last night? The team needed him to sack, or get hits on the QB and nothing.

About the only defensive players trying were Grady, Coleman, Brooking b/c if he doesn’t make a tackle and resque Ed Hartwell’s a&& the score is even bigger than what it was, Boley and the guys subbing in on the D-Line.

The defense should be all ashamed to watch that game film. No adjustments…by Ed I must play soft zone Donatell.

Knapp…what the hell is the matter with you. Even the all pro’s in the booth…Deion and Marshall were wondering why do the playcalling that you did in those critical short yardage situations? Justin Griffith anyone? Run the fastest QB on a designed sweep? The freaking play gained 8yrs the first time you ran it…you need less than 2, what do you do? Oh, yeah, you throw a very hard route to a covered Ashley Leile….That is the kind of playcalling that will your a&& fired and you can take that pac 10 job at Standford, where you can ruin their playcalling and face off against your pal Jimmy Mora Jr, who will be the Huskies water boy next year!

A game that the Falcons should have won. They were outcoached, and outplayed on defense!

If they finish 9-7 it will be a miracle.

By zoy

December 17, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

WOW! Coaching is EVERYTHING! Mora should loose his job for the Washington comments alone. I’m a Patriot’s fan and a long distance observer since the ‘cell phone’ incident. I’ve got to tell you Patriot history was a disaster until we got legit coaching, ie. Parcells/ Carroll/ Belichek. the difference is night and day. Coaching is what’s grounding the Falcons.

By Tim

December 17, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

The fact is, the Falcons are a bad organization - top to bottom. That includes the owner, who hired this coach and GM. Neither the coach nor the GM are doing the job. Look at the performance of our top draft picks and off-season acquisitions. How does Rich Mackay get a pass. Blank talks about wanting players with a certain moral character, and we wind up with punks like Deangleo Hall.

Michael Vick is clearly the best player we have and he’s one of the best players in the league. His talents are being wasted in Atlanta, where the players play - but generally lose, year after year after year after year. A case could be made that we should trade Vick to a better team to give him a chance to reach his potential. It won’t happen here - this is Atlanta folks. Face it. We suck in professional sports, but the climate’s nice.

I’m ready for the Falcons to STF up and go away for a few months. I’m ready for Mackay and Mora to go away and not come back.

By thoughtibafalconfan

December 17, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

Man watching these guys kinda makes you wonder if leman bennett and dan reeves were that bad. was ray buchannon wearing #21 last night?

By p

December 17, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

No defense, bad drafts, terrible free agent signings.

Arthur Blank is the type of owner that Red Aurbach used to take to the cleaners. Running a store and running an NFL team are worlds apart and those stupid business slogans don’t apply there.

By Harold

December 17, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

how could anyone bash vick after this game? that’s ridiculous. he played great. as najeh said above: he made two costly mistakes. but he played very well.

these coaches are just horrible.

DHALL is the reason we lost this game. TO whipped and burnt DHALL all over the field. Then DHALL has to be an idiot with his bumping and woofing and screaming and hollering. JUST SHUT UP DHALL! JUST COVER SOMEONE FOR ONCE DHALL! YOU ARE NOT THE NEXT PRIMETIME DHALL!!! YOU ARE NOT EVEN THE NEXT BIG PLAY RAY BUCHANAN DHALL!!! YOU SUCK DHALL!!!!

there are many fans who say we have a ton of talent on this team but we really do not. i think most fans who say we have all this talent sound more and more like fantasy geeks every day. we have an undersized D-Line that has its moments but gets smacked around any time the other team decides to end the game by shoving it down our throats. we have undersized linebacks who are wicked fast but who also seem to get dragged 5 yards on every play. and then we have a bunch of useless DBs who could not cover my big fat slow behind.

The coaches are brutal. Donatell seems to have learned absolutely nothing from the 4th and 26 play back when he was the DC for the Packers when he let Donovan and Freddie Mitchell beat him. How many third and longs were converted by the cowgirls last night? How often did that occur because of some stupid zone nonsense where the rule seems to be that Donatell will not let any Falcons DB be within 10 yards of any receiver until the receiver catches the ball.

Can not complain at all today about the wideouts. Norwood needs to man up. Dunn is a real man. Mike, I know you were hurt and everything but you looked like a quitter. Dunn did not practice all week and he still somehow found a way to get out there and play the whole game. I love Dunn. I wish everyone on the team had his heart, toughness, and fire and desire. Crump played well.

Vick was great except for the ugly interception and that play where crump was so wide open, it was ridiculous. When is Knapp going to realize that the whole league knows that Mike only goes to his left. Absurd. And when is Mike going to read defenses and realize that the everyone knows he goes left every time and therefore at least once in a while peak over to the right and maybe see himself a wide open alge? BUT Mike was very good in that game

AS much as I love DUNN, rb needs to be addressed. They need another tough runner who can pound. WHy was griffith not used to pound at the end of the game? Knapp, were you watching them mix and match barber and jones and then use barber to pound us the same way tiki barber pounded us a few weeks ago? This is a joke. Blank and McKay decided to get rid of Duckett so that Arthur could avenge a 2002 draft day grudge match he had with Reeves where Reeeves wanted Duckett and Arthur and his boys wanted Lelie. Now we do not have a 4th quarter pounder, red zone pounder, short yardage pounder. I think if Duckett was here, we may have won this game.

Vick, stop being a wuss. Great game.. I love you. Hope you are here for the next 10 years but you have got to get butt out there until the bitter end and not make spoiled brat faces before you sit down and quit like a spoiled brat. BUT great game MIke.

Norwood, your failure to get out there tells me all I need to know about you. Dunn did not practice all week and he found a way to get out there. Why couldn’t you get out there norwood? As Mora told Vermeil, it is because you Norwood do not yet know the difference between being injured and being hurt. You are not the RB of the future of this team. YOu will always be a cute complimentary change of pace guy. You have shown me that we will need to get ourselves a pounder 16 game a year to pair up with your ice cream soft character.

Knapp, why is it that 4th and 1, we are passing again? McKay and Blank, you are the personnel guys and the geniuses who thought it was such a good idea to trade TJ Duckett so that Arthur could avenge a grudge he had with Reeves in the 2002 draft, well, why did you do that? Arthur and McKay, do you now see that in the 4th quarter, in short yardage, and in the red zone we do not have a pounder? Thus, drives end before they are supposed to and we can not run out the clocks and we do not score enough touchdowns in the red zone? And, thus on 4th and 1, we are forced to throw a stupid pass because DUnn is too tiny to move the pile.

Mora, I am actually quite angry that I woke up this morning and learned that you had not yet been fired. FIRE JIM MORA!! FIRE DONATELL!! FIRE KNAPP!!! FIRE MCKAY!! START OVER FROM SCRATCH KING ARTHUR!!!! YOU SCREWED UP BY HIRING BOTH MCKAY AND MORA!!!! GO STANFORD!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

By TMac

December 17, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

BRING ON THE DRAFT! PICK # 15 JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. O -NO FALCONS TOOK ANOTHER RECEIVER.

By Mike Falcon

December 17, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

The Falcons are just not that good. We are a middle of the pack team with middle of the pack players and coaches. We need to upgrade the coaches and the front office. McCay may have won a super bowl in Tampa but was it his design or Dungies? I think Blank should start here and start over. We need to keep the great ones when we get them ie Deion and Brett. We better wake up before Matt is gone. He may or may not be a great one but he is certainly worth a look. Vick is a great athlete but he is no NFL caliber quarterback for gosh sakes. Use him a little like Bush in New Orleans and let him run short pass routes. This guy cannot keep his mental approach at a high level long enough to think clearly and play the position. Not his fault he is just mis-placed. This is not college football guys and Vick is the ultimate college quarterback.

By Bill H

December 17, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

little bitty men can’t defend NFL receivers. Rossum and Hall average about 5’5” and can’t cover their Mothers. They get faked out of their little bitty jock straps every week. The great Falcon effort couldn’t cover up the weak secondary with our little bitty players.

By DOM

December 17, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

FIRE RICH McKAY TOO! HE HAS BEEN LUCKY FOR AWHILE UP UNTIL NOW. HE WAS RIDING THE GOOD OLE BOY NETWORK, GOOD MEDIA AND LUCK TO THE TOP. HE HAS BEEN EXPOSED!!!!

By Joe

December 17, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

WHAT DO I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? I ONLY PRAY THAT MORA AND KNAPP WILL BE GONE AT THE END OF THE SEASON. BRING ON BILL KOWHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

By james

December 17, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

You bunch of Dumb nuts????

Don’t blame the coaches you blame the players because the players is the one that have to run the plays not the coaches.

By War Eagle

December 17, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

It seems to me their is too much Vick Hip. The ajc plasters his name and picture across front pages everyday, he is just not that deserving. A good player, Yes, a great player No. why all the hype about Michael Vick, what are other player thoughts and desires playing beside him? Again, the Falcons need to regroup with ground to zero evaluations, its a mess

By jeff

December 17, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

i agree with this article whole-heartedly. how many penalties did we have for lining up incorrectly how many punts did koenen kick 30 yards when we needed a true change of field position. being a falcons fan moral victories are sometimes all we have, but this team was supposed to actually be good, yet somehow they find the same ways to lose as all the other years. Mora needs to go on tour with John Kerry, the only difference is Kerry actually can see what problems exist. Mora’s line is always, “we fought hard”, who cares? Just win already.

By joe

December 17, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

“The way the Falcons asked Vick to make more difficult throws.” ???

Shows how little you know about football, Bradley. When a play is called, it is up to the QB, THE QB, to select which receiver he throws to. There are 3 to 5 targets on every pass play, and many of them are simple throws - like the one Vick DID NOT find Crumpler on for an easy TD.

I guess you also think Reggie Ball should have won the Heismann, too.

By dt

December 17, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

In response to the blog concerning Hartwell . Demorrio Williams makes more plays than anyone when he’s in the game . In my opinion he should play every down .I’m sick of the defense playing soft coverage especially on 3rd and long .Meet the receivers at the line of scrimmage and bust them in the mouth !

By JerryLovedLSU

December 17, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

I never realized that I could tell the extent of a groin injury by seeing a play on TV.

Guess it’s time to pull the trigger and upgrade to HD.

By pj

December 17, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

you falcon fans are just foolish…you’re not that talented and any decent coach out there wouldn’t want to work for an overbearing owner like Arthur Blank!!!

PS. The 2 coaches who probably could handle Blank have jobs (Parcells and Gibbs) and the other one Jimmie Johnson obviously has no desire to come here.

By Harry

December 17, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

has anyone else noticed that TO admitted that he spit into DHALL’s face? Disgusting. DHALL, you still suck though.

By Connie Lingous

December 17, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

Several illegal formation penalties on offense - in key situations?!?! In the 14th game of the regular season?!?!?! That tells me all I need to know about the quality of our coaching staff. Get a professional coaching staff and keep Blank off the sidelines and get to winning. We’ve got - by far - the highest payroll of any team in the league (nobody seems to talk about this but it’s true) and we look like the gang that can’t shoot straight.

And I’ve never seen a team with so many players walking around with bewildered looks on their faces during a game.

By War Eagle

December 17, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Hey Connie see my post at 9:11AM about your “bewildered looks on their faces”

By falconclaws1221

December 17, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

There is no urgent time to the Falcons There is no clock management skills exerted by this coaching staff.E.I. 2:00 min in second quarter.with 3 time outs remaining—-no urgent respect of the clock if used effectively with time outs and smart play there was 6 playes the coaches could have used..FIRE ALL COACHES NOW.

By Kenny D

December 17, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

the question about vick at this point is whether he is going to be the next michael jordan or merely be remembered as the next human highlight film? he is not the greatest and he does not suck despite the whole debate being fought by the lovers, haters, and apologists.

Look at the first 6 years of Wilkins and the first six years of Jordan. Jordan would go on to the win the championship in his seventh year. Wilkins would not and never would.

But most ATL sports fans moan and complain over and over again about Dominique being traded. Although the Hawks never quite reached the heights we all wanted, don’t we all wish we could have the days of Domininque back? Hell, most ATL fans remember those as the glory days. That is where we are with Vick right now. We are not quite getting the results we all want. Will we take the next step like Jordan and the Bulls did in the seventh year? Or will we merely remember Vick like we do Dominique as an unbelievable talent who gave us alot of fun, excitement, credibility, wins but ultimately came up short when it came to the ultimate success?

most of you though are too biased about Mike Vick either way. the question should be is he going to be the next michael jordan or are we merely going to remember him and these falcons as the modern day version of Dominique and the 1980s Hawks? fun, excitement, highlights, lowlights, great wins, heartbreaking losses, enough wins to keep you in contention and make you somewhat happy, not enough wins to keep you truly happy.

so, watch yourself before you say bench him trade him, or waive him. Are you still made about Nique being traded? Do you think Knicks fans would do anything to get an imperfect star like Patrick Ewing back? Do you think the Sixers resented the fact that they traded Barkley away and then watched him go to the NBA finals the next year? Do you think that the Jazz fans would trade away all the success and failures of the Mailman and Stockton years? Why do you think the Timberwolves are so reluctant to trade Garnett? Aren;t the TWolves better off with their mininal level of success than getting rid of Garnett and losing all that? The Magic did not do themselves any favors by letting Shaq leave. You get the point.

Keep Vick. Appreciate Vick. He ain’t perfect. he may be someday. He may become the next jordan, bird, shaq, magic, hakeem, isiah, montana, marino, brady, bradshaw, aikman, etc. Or he may merely be the next dominique, marino, steve mcnair, ewing, barkley, garnett, mailman, stockton, etc. and the all the other guys who were really good but were fatally flawed in some respects wheter that would be poor coaching, poor surrounding talent or a fatal flaw within their own great talent.

By Kenny D

December 17, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Mike Falcon: You are a fool. I was agreeing with you until you started talking about Schaub and Mike Vick. Are you an idiot? Why do you think Mike Vick is not an NFL QB? 38-26-1, 2 playoff victories. He threw 4 touchdowns. Is the NFL so bad now that any so called RB can go out there and throw 4 touchdowns against a Bill Parcells defense. Get a clue dude. Or at least stop posting until such time you earn your GED

By TMac

December 17, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Coaches call plays based on what they see on the field, film study and personal experience. Until their first year with the falcons Mora, Knapp and Donetell all came from loosing teams. These are college coaches that took a projected superbowl team and made it an underachieving emotionally challenged group, that privately wants a disiplinarian type of coach that will get in the azz of those who don’t perform week after week.

By Dave David

December 17, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

I don’t blame Coach Mora for his comments. The timing wasn’t right, but look at that despicable picture of Awtha’ on the sidelines with the Coach in the AJC this morning. Who would want a Bosses boss up your colon for every game?? Awtha’ spend time with your grandson and daughter and stay OFF the sideline…Oh that is your son and wife??

If I was Coach Mora, I would have sent my Application, for the Head Coaching position at UW, to the AJC a year ago to be printed!

Keep your head up Coach! Seattle is a much better place to live!

By Jethro Bodene

December 17, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

Ed Hartwell, Chris Crocker, and MeAngelo Hall should all wear ski masks when they show up at Flowery Branch on payday. Since they are stealing Blank’s money instead of earning it..a ski mask would be very appropriate! When you get your check, then lend the masks to Mora and Knapp so they can get paid too.

By bravesfanbob

December 17, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

I’m sure most of the comments in this blog are right on. However, I can’t comment much as I live in Augusta, and being I was at a Christmas party with cable only, (the resturant cannot put a digital box on every TV), and the NFL network chose to allow only a 50 mile limit outside the Atlanta area to view this game, even when we’ve been watching every Falcons game since the TV contracts started, so I didn’t see the most important game of the season so far! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO on the money hungry NFL! Sounds like they were outmanned by a better Dallas team and especially a better coaching staff. Knapp is the torn ACL in the coaching knee, and Mora is a bad doctor who dosen’t know how to surgically repair it! At the end of this season, unless we decide to become the Steelers of 2005 from this point on, Authur Blank will pull out the huge knife, and cut them all! Mike Vick is not a coach killer. Saying to the media that you want to leave to coach somewhere else will kill you. Sorry, but you committed suicide, Mora!

By ReasonableDawg

December 17, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

This coaching staff is doing less with more. Reeves had us playing far better with far less talent. Mora took a less talented bunch to the NFC title game in 04. But since then time has shown that he is apt to make a good situation worse instead of taking a good situation, and making it great. With the right staff, this would not be happening to our team. That is obvious to even me now.

By peckerhead

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

Hey,say what you want!You can only blame Blank and McKay.If you remember McKay interviewed Mora,hired him on the spot without finishing the rest of the interviews.I’d say that puts them in the same category as guy their about to fire.

By Doo Itt

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

Hire Ty Willingham as head coach. He had such success at Notre Dame. Make the roster 100% black. This will satisfy the majority of the savage constituency that occupies so many seats at the GA Dome. The whoopin’ & hollerin’ there is truly tribal. So, having a blackie at coach and all-nigra players will make the Falc00ns the first absolutely affirmative action team in the NFL. It will put Kansas City, Indianapolis and Arizona to shame.

By Scott

December 17, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Hey Harold, shut up and quit embarassing yourself and repeating your same stupid comments over and over again. If mike Vicks groin came up lame and the game is already over would you rather him be out the next 2 games cause he tried to carry on????? and as far as Vick missin crump wide open obviously you have never played foot ball you can make a 50 yrd pass across the grain when the entire play was going the opposite way,hell even the annoucers said there was no way he could see that. Stay in your chair HAROLD!!!!!!!

By Kirby S. Mith

December 17, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Let’s not entirely blame Mora for this Mess. Blank is such a people pleaser and corporate politico that HE axed Reeves, because that’s what the media and “Falcon Fans” wanted. Then he got “His Team” assembled—young, aggressive, 49er type personnel that have the background of playoffs and a winning tradition. He buried the former ownership and the former coaching personnel with HIS TEAM. Isn’t that typical these days of corporate executives cut staff and build their teams because a Change is needed—“people of action”. BS

McKay, if I were you, watch your backside with your Employer!

5 YEAR PLAN:
Blank, take a 5 year vacation out of the country, leave your checkbook with plenty of checks in it for McKay, and Let McKay build the team and coaching staff! You have shown you know squat about football.

TIP: You let Bernie build Home Depot while you were a behind the scenes bean counter, do the same here and let McKay build the Falcons!!

By Gene

December 17, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Mora is a spoiled child who wants to be one of the boys. In spite of this, team members have no respect for him. He can’t keep his own players out of his face, and Vick just walks off the field to the criticism of Marshal Faulk and Dion Sanders. There is some talent there, but it is sloppy and out of control.

By Cool De

December 17, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

** The Falcons whole organization should bare the weight of it’s failures since releasing Dan Reeves for the son of a former head coach! Let’s not forget that Lovie Smith was a canidate for job and we all know what’s he doing in Chicago!

By Edd Anderson

December 17, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

I was there. Vick played his heart out. The defense couldn’t stop Dallas on third and long. There were no false starts by Dallas due to crowd noise, that needs to improve as well. The players shouldn’t have to tell the crowd when to yell.The Cowgirls shouldn’t have been able to think . It does help!

By The Voice of Reason

December 17, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

You heard it here first: KEN WHISENHUNT is the Falcons’ man. Get some beef on that O-line, and he’ll establish the power running game with Norwood, their back of the future. He’ll also establish a culture of winning because that’s what he comes from. Further, the man is an accomplished tactician (read: something the Falcons are sorely missing right now). Going 15-1 with a rookie QB, then winning the Super Bowl the next year says it all. AND he’s an Atlanta native, Tech grad and former Falcon. He should be Blank’s first interview.

By Reggie

December 17, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Here’s the deal: We will never win a championship under this staff. This staff doesn’t understand that there jobs are on the line and we are fighting to make the playoffs. It amazes me that we coached the same game that we did against Baltimore. Aggressive play calling the first half and “Pop Warner” calling the second half. I don’t understand for the sake of my life, why was Rossum in the game covering T.O. made-to-man? Not to mention that he couldn’t cover Terry Glenn. When a guy keep getting toasted on the same drive against one man, common sense will tell you that he needs help or put someone else in the game. Why Jimmy Williams don’t start over Rossum I don’t know. All I know is this fellows, I’ve been a Falcons fan all my life, and I am willing to through this season away just to assure Mr Blank that its time for a coaching change on both sides of the ball. This coaching staff don’t get it!

RDL

By KC

December 17, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

Let’s not forget, this was Artie’s pick for a head coach; he’d already made the decision to hire this retard - Rich could only meet with Jim!

I would rather have Dan Reeves back than this West Coast idiot! Jim Moron belongs out there and here’s hopin’ to a speedy return!

By Tom Landry

December 17, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

Waaaaaa, Waaaaaaa, Waaaaaaaaa. Year after year, excuse after excuse, the bottom line is that the Falcons do not have what it takes to be a championship team. Go Cowboys!!!

By Troy Aikman

December 17, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Falcons, the best mediocre team in the NFL.

By jks

December 17, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

One thing that seems consistent is the Falcons ability to take cheap shots at whoever they’re playing at virtualy any time in the game. This was the case during Glanville’s reign and had reappeared during this current regime. I know playing with class doesn’t necessarily matter as much as the bottom line (and T.O.’s loogie can attest to that), but at least losing with class is not quite as bad as losing taking cheap shots at the same time. Any chance on Blank taking a stand against THAT image, or is that image an ingrained part of sports today (like ‘Melo’s running away like a scared 4-year old after throwing a punch last night)?

By Eric C.

December 17, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

If Vikings lose today…just need to win next two for a wildcard spot. Two reasons Falcons lost to Dal…

1) Vick continues to make catastrophic plays on offense…eg., the ridiculous pick 6 in this game. 2) Barber ran it down their throats in crunch time…sound familiar? Remember Williams last year? When we need it the run defense fails again.

By Falcons Stink!

December 17, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Once again Falcons fans don’t get it! Mike Vick aka Ron Mexico will never be an accomplished Professional Quarterback. Groin injury? I doubt it. He was getting pounded and didn’t like it so he quit! He got his record and he quit! Bradley makes the comment that he threw the ball beautifully. Laughable, yes some passes he completed, but when a receiver is as wide open as they were on at least two touchdown throws to a running back at the goal line he better copmplete them, thats why he’s paid 10 million dollars. A highschool quarterback could have completed those passes. Still most of his throws were typical Vick, not accurate and with no touch, fortunately the receivers were still able to catch them on this night! At least they stepped up their game. Vick just offered up the same old tired Vick experience! D. Hall - Pro Bowl Cornerback? Don’t make me laugh, my sides still hurt from last night as he got burned again and again by T.O.. How pitiful and embarrassing! Yes fire all the coaches and McKay. Thats always the answer with Falcons fans. You idiots still don’t get it! None of you could do a better job then any one on this staff at this time! The Falcons are losers and will be as long as Vick and D. Hall remain on this team and Vick ain’t going no where. So with that in mind give it up your efforts and support are wasted as nothing will change even if the coaches do!

By John

December 17, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

Get a life losers. What difference does it make to you if the Falcons go to the Superbowl or go 0-16 in a season? Of course, Falcons do provide fodder to the people who make their living quacking about it, like Bradley. The Atlanta Falcons have no bearing on your lives, other than maybe your yipping and raving with a bag of Cheetos on Sundays. Then again, I guess that IS your life. Cheers!

By Ed "Too Tall" Jones

December 17, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

I give credit where credit is due, and the Falcons and their fans are the best in the NFL at making excuses.

By Mike Falcon

December 17, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Kenny D. For one I am a college graduate like many in this forum. I respect the opinions of others and you should do the same. Calling someone an idiot is a reflection of a lack of character. Vick is a great player just not the quarterback that can lead us to a victory. Any quarterback that goes around giving the fans the finger is no leader. He might make a reciever or scat back but he does not have the mental metal to play quarterback in the NFL. Between you calling other fans idiots and him shooting them birds the Falcons family is starting to become a bunch of thugs like most other professional sports families. Good luck to you my friend and dont hold your breath waiting on a super bowl team with Vick as the leader.

By robert

December 17, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

Dont throw the baby out with the bathwater. Look at Pitt. They didnt get rid of there coach when that premadona cordel stewart blew up on them. The fact is you cant spend that much money on one player and expect to have a balanced team. No one player is worth it.Dont get me wrong I think Knapp has to go, but maybe he can take vicks cap hit with him.

By Najeh Davenpoop-shoot

December 17, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

Oh Tom Landry (it’s ashame a dumbass like u uses a great coaches name in vain), and the Cowboys do have what it takes to be a championship team? I hardly think so. They’ve given 70 points and 600 yards passing & in their last 2 games. Yeah, they’re really going to go far. Go jump off a cliff, YOU IDIOT.

By Najeh Davenpoop-shoot

December 17, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Oh John, that was real enlightening. And I guess it makes you feel brave to come on here and put down Falcons fans. That’s real mature, YOU A-SS WIPE!

By RW

December 17, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Dear John, it must be important to you if you’ve taken the time to read the posts and then post a message yourself. So take your self-rightousness, and your quiche eating friends, and quack off.

By Najeh Davenpoop-shoot

December 17, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Oh Robert, don’t be an idiot and compare Vick to Kordell Stewart. Vick has the 5th highest winning % of any active QB’s, plus he passed for 230 and some change last night. Don’t be a complete dunce.

By Tom Landry

December 17, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Najeh Davenpoop-shoot, I forgive you my son. I know Falcons fans are idiots, and I was raised to feel sorry for those less intelligent than myself. Bless you.

By jc_atl

December 17, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

No pressure on Romo and a team collapse mid-way through the 3rd quarter. Roddy White finally showed why he was a #1 pick. Vick essentially cost us 14 points. On top of the interception for TD (rookie mistake yet he’s no rookie), he missed a completely wide open tight end (Crumpler?) who had nothing but end zone in front of him. Still, this was a coaching loss (again). Our offense is so predictable in short yardage situations and not good enough to give Vick any time to do his job. Our defense rarely pressured Romo last night and D’Angelo “Big Mouth” Hall was completely schooled last night. Waaahh!! He spit on my face! So what, T.O. kicked your butt all night long - no sympathy. I’m ready for a fresh coaching staff next year. HC should be a defensive genius and OC should be someone who looks at Vick and realizes how he should be used to be the most effective player he can be.

By Malcom X

December 17, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

If Vick was a white quarterback here in the South do you think we’d be reading all this hate directed at him?

By Roby SD

December 17, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

One key factor in the game was the Falcons’ inability to stop Dallas on 3rd and long, three times that I can think of, especially a 3rd and 12 when ATL was leading 28-24. This team has no killer instinct, and that has to come from the coaching staff.

J-Mo has got to go.

By Tony Dorsett

December 17, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Najeh Davenpoop-shoot, you’re an IDIOT. By the way, I think your boyfriend is calling you.

By Falcons Stink!

December 17, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

At least someone on these blogs gets it. Pittsburgh did not fire Bill Cowher and didn’t giove up on him as a coach. Kordell Stewart was a problem just as Mike Vick is a problem. I heard this questions asked by one analyst of another on one of the football shows this week - “Who do you blame for Vick’s progress at this stage of his career?” The inference being that it must be the current caching staff’s fault. Not hardly! Its Vicks fault. He is not interested in being a great quarterback, he just wants money fame and records, nothing more nothing less. Vick is to blame for Vick’s lack of progress as a true NFL Quarterback. The game is too fast for him and his decision making is very poor! The only real decision he makes is when to run not when to check down or make a good pass unless its so wide open he can’t miss, which most of the time he does any way so then he runs even more! Great players find a way to win and involve everyone on their team and to make those around him better, i.e. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Tom Bradey and Joe Montana and so many others. Mike Vick does not have this quality or ability! Vick should go! Then this coaching staff would not be tied down by running a college offense to appease Arthur Blank and his stooge Mike Vick! The falcons could go out and get a real quarterback and then and only then will I support them again!

By Ken Strickland

December 17, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

We all know a chain is no stronger than its weakest link. With that said, our weakest link on OFF is our OC, Gregg Knapp. He has the NFL’s #1 rushing OFF, 3yrs running, the top rushing QB in NFL history. With 3rd and 1 on Dallas’ 37, he calls a handoff to Dunn, instead of QB sneak. On 4th and 1 he calls a pass play that requires his QB to roll out and hit his REC while both are on the run. What happened to QB sneak? IF you are going to roll Vick out in that situation, why not roll the RB’s as blockers, and let him run for it.

Like I said in an earlier post, in order for the Falcons to win, the players will have to overcome our 3 stooges, Mora, Knapp, Donatell.

By Assassin No. 3

December 17, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

I have a question for the pathetic jock sniffers who worship at Vick’s throne:

What is your savior’s record in his last 17 games?

Answer: 7-10.

So much for his “high” winning percentage, huh?

Oh, I forgot, as far as the Vick-heads are concerned, their savior gets ALL of the credit for the team’s wins, but NONE of the blame for the team’s losses.

P.S. Hey, Malcolm, I thought you were dead. Since you’re still alive, you should call Marcus Vick and see if he’ll set you up with one of his girlfriends.

By Vickfan

December 17, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Harold, Good Blog, I have to correct you on one thing you said about Vick. On that roll out when he missed crumpler wide open, it was no way he could make that pass, he vision was covered up by D Ware and the other linebacker, even Deion Sanders and Marshall Faulk said the same thing it was no way he would have been able to come back to the right that is why Crumpler was so open, no need to guard him when the Quarterback has been flushed to left with pressure.

By Famuan

December 17, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

So Falcons Stinks, why exactly are you posting here?

By NumbaOneFan

December 17, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

Horrendous job of preparation as usual for the defense. D hall is all talk and no walk… this biatch can’t cover. This secondary is pathetic. Jim Mora is toast…… time for a change in coaching and philosophy. This coaching staff is horrendous from top to bottom. Get em all the hell outta here. I am not a Vick fan but the guy is doing all he can with an undrachieving O line. How many times have I seen warrick dunn bounce off the a* of of an O limeman this year becuse they cannot open up a hole. The biggest cancer on this team has to ne D Hall… he is a wimp and a loudmouth.

By jrex

December 17, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

4th and 1. Crumpler wide open on the right. It never should’ve been a pass play, anyway. When we get our foot anywhere near an opponents throat we blow it…..every blasted time. Mike Martz, where are you?

By Ostrich

December 17, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

C,mon people. When Cowher was down it was because of lack of talent. There is PLENTY of talent on this Falcon team but it is not properly coached. Do you think for one minute that Cowher would have accepted his quarterback throwing the finger at fans, or saying on national TV that he has been working his entire career to beat the QB running record? I guess winning a “TEAM” superbowl is not a goal? I think Vick is fantastic but he’s not getting proper leadership. Or our supposed star CB blatantly missing a tackle at the goal line because he was trying to bump instead of wrap. DHall is much more of an “I” man than a team man. NO, Cowher would not accept this garbage. What we have is a coach that says “I’m proud of my guys…even though we lost” BS. Keep lowering the standard to make the mediocre feel better and you will NEVER excel or win a championship. NEVER. What has to happen is that the organization, the owner, the GM, and the coach MUST expect a winning attitude from each and every player or THEY DON”T PLAY. Period. High Expectation, High Standard, High results. There is a ball busting coach who is currently not coaching and LOVES Vick. Jimmy Johnson.

By dirtie birdie

December 17, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

why should vick go? why? so we can go back to crap? 1-1; 8-6-1; 3-1; 11-4; 8-7; 7-7. Why should vick go? you are probably the same morons who say that we should have never let Nique go too right? Or you are the same idiots who say the hawks would have done better without Nique right? Have the Hawks ever had the success or credibility without Nique that they had with Nique? NO! NO! NO! NO! Don’t trade Vick. Stop being idiots. See that the real problem with the team is this (1) Poor management by Arthur and McKay; (2) Poor coaching by Mora and his boys; (3) poor personnel selected by McKay and Blank.

Poor trades, poor signings, poor draft picks, overpaying the stars already on the team by McKay and BLank and poor coaching by the coaches have gradually and now finally eroded the supporting cast talent Reeves handed off to the inept crew of Blank, McKay, and Mora.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM IS NOT VICK. ANY INTELLIGENT FAN WOULD PLAINLY SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TEAM IS POOR PERSONNEL CHOICES AND THE RESULTANT TALENT EROSION.

the core guys from the reeves era: vick, dunn, crump, finn, brooking, kerney, have all proven that they can get to the playoffs, win playoff games, and get to the conference championship game. The problems with this team should never be blamed on those guys. the problems with this team should always be blamed on the idiots who have tinkered and tinkered and tinkered with the roster such that the surrounding talent surrounding the core reeves guys are no longer a playoff quality supporting cast.

but keeping being simple minded and lazy and attacking convenient targets like vick if that makes you happy.

By perry

December 17, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

dooley’s son just got a job. hooray for a great day for nepotism.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2700339

By Ralph

December 17, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

3 Things you can count on in life:

1. Death
2. Taxes
3. Below Average Atlanta football teams

By dirtie birdie

December 17, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

does anyone else realize that mike vick is #5 in the nfl in TD passes per pass attempt? but he is just a glorified RB, right? he ain’t perfect. he is far from it. but many of you need to get a clue.

By John Lovelace

December 17, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Blame it on the coaches, blame it on the players. I blame it on the fans and the media, but mostly on the owner. Somebody needs to wake up! It’s been fourty years and every time the Falcons get a promising coach, He’s FIRED! It takes time to build a winning team. None of the coaches were ever given the time. The owners wanted a Superbowl team right now. It’s not going to happen! When the Media and the fans stop hyping up the team that thinks they are the best thing since apple pie and Mike Vick is the eighth wonder of the world, then they might think about playing football, but I don’t think that will happen, at least not in Atlanta. THATS ALREADY BEEN PROVEN!

By David

December 17, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

If you’d like a good site from a guy who’s Atlanta-based, check out www.bustedplay.com

It’s really good.

By BUM

December 17, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

“Jimmy, we hardly knew ye.”

Even IF the Falcons run the table, finish 9-7 and advance to the playoffs, Jim Mora is HISTORY.

Adios, Jimbo.

I wish him the best of luck getting hired to be an assistant coach or coordinator in Arizona or Cleveland next season.

By Carroll

December 17, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Just send the damned franchise to L.A. already…they deserve one another.

By Rdawg

December 17, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

TIME FOR SHOE-SHINE BOY MORA AND HIS HIGHSCHOOL STYLE OFFENSIVE “PERSON” TO TAKE A HIKE TO THE 1ST COLLEGE THAT WOULD TAKE THEM. ALTHOUGH EVEN IN THAT ENVIROMENT I DOUBT VERY SERIOUSLY THAT THEY WOULD SURVIVE MORE THAN A YEAR. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SEE THE “DUNN UP THE MIDDLE” PLAY TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY AGAINST THE OTHER HIGHSCHOOL TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE WILL THAT WORK. HAVE WE EVEN ONCE USED MR. DUNN TO HIS FULL POTENTIAL. WHILE I’M AT IT…..PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE…NFL NETWORK!!!!BETWEEN THEIR 2ND RATE ANNOUNCERS AND THEIR CAMERAS GOING COMPLETELY BLANK I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS THE WORST COVERAGE OF A “BIG GAME” I HAVE EVER WATCHED. I WOULD HAVE RATHER THEM GO SILENT IN THE SECOND HALF THAN TO BRING IN THOSE “I THINK I’M MORE IMPORTANT THAN I REALLY AM” X PLAYERS THAT NEED TO STAY OUT OF THE BOOTH FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

By Sick and Tired

December 17, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

For all you idiot blacks who think it’s a racial thing every time somebody DARE to criticize Vick, do you not remember when Jeff George was here? That man was treated like he was the devil (and deservedly so)…hell, people would prolly throw rocks at him today if he was seen walking around the streets of Atlanta. But you prolly wouldn’t remember that anyway because you guys didn’t even give a s** about the Falcons until brother Vick came along. Bottom line: do your job well and the fans will love you…do it poorly and they will criticize…regardless of race.

By Malcom X

December 17, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Sick and Tired, why all the hate towards blacks, brother? Your sister dating a black guy or something to make you so angry at blacks?

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

From Norb Hecker to Norm Van Brocklin to Marion Campbell to Leeman Bennett to June Jones to Jerry Glanville to Dan Henning to Jim Mora, the Falcons course has remained steady and predictable. They’ve all helmed a ship that was lost and headed into a Bermuda triangle of unaccountable inability to become better. Dan Reeves has been the only skipper to find a safe harbor where performance met the reward of a season where wins overwhelmed losses significantly. He’s the only coach to take the Falcons to a Super Bowl. He, like all the others, except Mora, was fired. Mora will be fired. He just hasn’t been fired yet. Can it be that none of these men knew much about coaching? I don’t think so. The Falcons, and their fans, have always over-rated the talents of the players on the roster. When a coach didn’t win or, in Bennett’s case, win enough a cry went up from the fans that the team was woefully under-performing. Result-out with the encumbent and in with a new savior. With the exception of one year, 1998, the results have never come up to expectations. Mora will be fired and a new coach brought in. Two years from his coronation, he will start getting the criticism Mora is getting now. After year three, he will probaly be fired. A new coach will be brought in————-. The Falcons represent the twilight zone of the NFL. Nothing about the franchise would make sense anywhere else. The name of the coach changes but everything else remains the same. In forty-one years of existence the Falcons have never had consecutive winning seasons. That is an incredible thing to contemplate. It would seem that the laws of probability have been suspended where the Falcons are concerned. Mora will get the axe after game sixteen and a search will be commenced. Marion Campbell will be introduced for his third stint as coach of the Falcons. See the signpost up ahead in the twilight zone.

By Jamal Jenkins

December 17, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Why is it some white cracker like “Sick and Tired” always have hate on the black community everytime he disagrees with the truth? If Vick was white, honky boy would be singin a different tune.

By gwarrenga

December 17, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

You racist fools, Mike is not the whole problem. Your white coach does not want to work here. Its like a bad marriage, if your hearts not in it the marriage is doomed. Mr. Blank, your head coach just said he will be gone in a NewYork minute if the right offer comes along. Let this Franchise Killer go. Do the Right Thing, Please !

By Ron Roberts

December 17, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

Had some time to sleep on it (after my 5am hour post above) and ya know, some things come to mind…

The defense did let us down, but at the same time, the lack of a running game (which we all were expecting with Dunn and Norwood banged up) had them on the field far too much in the 2nd half, too. They were probably winded.

That being said, when it counts, Ed Donatell can not stop or slow a balanced attack to help this team win a game - pure and simple. Ya know, I’d personally love to see what a coach like Joe DiCamillis could do as a coordinator; he’s always got the special teams unit playing above themselves. He has no background in it, but a guy like Joe D. would certainly be nice.

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Mr. Jenkins,

Would you classify ‘Sick and Tied’ as a wheat, saltine or ritz? Seems you may have a little hatred of your own to deal with. Personally, I don’t care for Vick as a quarterback. To be honest, the Falcons have never had a quarterback I’ve really liked. Every one they’ve had has been over-rated. It’s no different with Vick! He plays pretty well sometime and horribly sometime. He gets lots of praise and goes to probowls and doesn’t deserve either. By the way, I put the honky in honky tonk. Before my arrival, they were known simply as tonks.

By BigDaddyJ

December 17, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Folks, either the coaching is awful or the GM has brought in some really bad players - Jenkins, White, Lalee, Crocker, Hartwell, blah blah blah. I am more apt to go with the bad coaching as the reason though since our play calling is awful, our coach is clueless, and our d-coordinator is playing the soft zone which basically means please have a first down on us. Look at these winners we have sufferedd with over the years - Marion campbell (2x), Jerry Glanville, June Jones. Might as well try Santa Claus next year.

By Peter

December 17, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

I’ll start to think that Vick is stupid if he doesn’t want out. Who wants to play with fans like these? He catches crap win or lose and he might do that elsewhere also.

But to remain in Atlanta and turn himself into a ‘Nique or a Nobis when he can go somewhere else and win is idiotic.

Other players in the league want to play with Vick. I can’t remember anyone other than Jamal (for one year) that other teams felt they had to control to beat the Falcons.

Other teams have legit rushing attacks, OL that block, WR’s who catch the ball and a defense that gives you a chance. Sure some fans will always be on you but the specific nature of this isn’t worth it. Hell you’ve got the coach wanting out of Atlanta. Why should Vick stay for this?

By Jay

December 17, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Of course it is the coaches fault. Dalls made adjustments, Falcons didnt. How else do you explain that we scored only 7 points in the 2nd half while they scored 17 unanswered?

The coaches on this team SUCK. Its plain as day and we’re made fun of constantly.

Where are all the Vick haters now? He played his tail off and put in a game we all know he is possible of.

By terrell

December 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

The good news is that the falcons still has a good chance to make the playoffs.The bad news is that they will be the six seed and most likely would play the Cowboys again.I know the falcons will never defeat the Cowboys if they don’t keep constant pressure on Romo.They Falcons lost this game period,do to the lack of pressure bieng applied to Romo.The Falcons need a whole new coaching staff.The falcons offensive coordinator is the worst ever in the NFL.The birds defensive coordinator plays the softest and worst defence in the league.I’m really surprise that they are still in playoffs hunt with these losers.The falcons would have won the game,if they would stayed with the blitzes in both 1st and 2nd halfs.Last but not least,the coaching staff not Vick is the main reason why every other franchise look down on the falcons organization.Peace! and Happy Holidays

By lee

December 17, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

Idiots. Blame pass blocking on the line, go ahead. Idiots. The line has no idea where pretty boy vick is running around at to block for him. Clue, when he is running, thats not called pass blocking. Idiots. All you idiots look every year to blame the loss’ on the line, the coaching, the defense. Never Mikey. Why dont Arthur sell the team to someone who can make the quarterback run plays. Mikey knows one number, 7. You can take a high school quarterback and move a team down field that works together. Its all about Mike and his plays. Not the team. Like I said in August, he will be a .500 QB his whole career.

By shinetyme

December 17, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Dont blame the Falcons blame every other team they play.Defense is the problem, lets fire that guy who runs the defense.We are too small on the line.By the way we are not out of the playoffs yet.DeAngelo shut up you sick.

By craig Miller

December 17, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Falcon Pro Bowlers: Vick, Crumpler, Dunn, Griffith, Coleman, Kerney, Abraham, Brooking, Hartwell, Hall, Milloy

That is half our starting lineup. That tells me that the problem is coaching.

By Scott

December 17, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Jenkins, youve got the racial problems my man, i for one am white and i think my vick is great i wear his jersey every game so please cause a couple idiots on here wanna slur racial remarks, be the bigger man and dont step down to there level. the reason i say you have the problem is cause one guy says somethin and you attack all of us. I dont refer to him as “black” vick. he is just vick the fkn man. 4 tds says enough. HEY all you haters on vick tho, dont act like manning hasnt ever thrown an interception.

By Robert Lynn

December 17, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

Vick played his heart out and made some big plays but was beaten by a better QB. He has a game like this 3 or 4 times a season. After 6 years of potential but no breakthrough on the performance side it’s time to move him while he retains some value. Get some draft picks, get a black QB if that’s what’s important to you but I can’t see any improvement in the Falcons until the change is made. They are an underperforming .500 team.

By Scott

December 17, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey for Falcon’s Coach!

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Did Mora throw the interception returned for a touchdown by the Cowboys? No! Did he cover T. O.? No, although he did cover him as well as Hall did. Coaching didn’t lose this game. Players did! Vick and Hall, directly, gave points to the Cowboys. For once, put the blame where it belongs. Mora is not a great coach but he is not to blame for the terrible play of Vick and Hall!

By Steve T

December 17, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

I wish I could let all you guys just watch what Vick has to go through to get a pass off.

By dirtie birdie

December 17, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

if your QB did this, would you want to get rid of him?:

2002: 344 completions; 534 attempts; 3713 total yards; 24 touchdowns; 12 turnovers; 64% effective completion percentage; 8-6-1; playoff win at lambeau

2004: 301 completions; 441 attempts; 3215 total yards; 17 touchdowns; 12 turnovers; 68% effective completion percentage; 11-4; playoff victory; berth in NFC conference championship game

2005: 316 attempts; 489 attempts; 3009 total yards; 21 touchdowns; 15 turnovers; 65% completion %; 8-7

2006: (projected over 16 games) 346 completions; 537 attempts; 3742 yards; 24 touchdowns; 15 turnovers; 64% effective completion %; 7-7; playoff bound still to be determined

career average gor every 16 games: 353 completions; 546 attempts; 3723 total yards; 22.4 touchdowns; 14.5 turnovers; 65% effective completion %; 38-26-1; 2-2 in the playoffs; average record of 9-7 every year for a franchise which has never had any success

Well, those are mike vick’s true records. you all are too simple minded to analyze it that way. instead of realizing that you have a unique QB who you have to quantify his “effective production” in a manner different than you have to quantify other QBs, you all are lazy and insist on being reliant upon the traditional numbers.

if you look at the effective production for all the QBs from today and from the past, you would realize that his effective production is right up there with everyone else.

If you do not understand that, then understand this: mike vick is essentially throwing screen passes to himself when he runs, thus this should be included in his effective rate of production. look at brees: he looks for horn, colston, but then dumps, and dumps and dumps again to bush, deuce, and LT for his whole career. young and montana did the same thing: they looked for rice and taylor and then dumped and dumped and dumped to brent jones, ricky watters, william floyd, and roger craig. vick is just doing the same thing: he looks for alge, looks for a receiver, and then dumps to himself because who else on the team is going to average 8 yards on a screen or dump pass other than vick.

but whatever. i am wasting my breath. if you hate vick, you hate vick. nothing i say or show you is going to make a darn bit of difference with your hating hearts. vick ain’t perfect. he is far from it. he also ain’t an all time great or HOF yet either. BUT if takes the next step during the next 8 or so years like most QBs do between 27 years old and 35 years old, then he may yet go down as the one of the all time greats. If not, oh well. his current effective rate of production is good enough for me.

He may never end up being Michael Jordan but as a long suffering Falcons fan, I sure as hell will settle for the modern day football version of Nique and the 80s Hawks. Why won’t you?

BUT maybe you all want to go back to those Jeff George years, huh?

BTW, George’s average effective production per 16 games was 297 completions; 497 attempts; 3357 yards; 19 touchdown; 15 turnovers; 60% completion percentage; 6.75 yards per attempts.

Again, Vick’ effective production per 16 games is this: 353 completion; 546 attempts; 3723 yards; 22 touchdowns; 15 turnovers; 65% rate; 6.82 yards per attempt

Elway per 16: 335 cmps; 549 atts; 3753 yards; 23 tds; 15 turnovers; 61%; 6.84 yards per attempt

Brees per 16: 358 cmps; 546 atts; 3728 yards; 24 tds; 14 turnovers; 66%; 6.83 yards per attempt

McNabb per 16: 361 cmps; 570 atts; 3816 yards; 27 tds; 11 turnovers; 63%; 6.69 yards per attempt

aikman per 16: 313 cmps; 489 atts; 3293 yards; 17 tds; 14 turnovers; 64%; 6.74 yards per attempt

kordell stewart per 16: 316 cmps; 491 atts; 2968 yards; 19 tds; 14 turnovers; 64%; 6.04 yards per attempt

randall cunningham per 16: 309 cmps; 488 atts; 3365 yards; 23 tds; 13 turnovers; 63%; 6.89 yards per attempt

aaron brooks per 16: 353 cmps; 576 atts; 3790 yards; 24 tds; 16 turnoversl 61%; 6.58 yards per attempt

steve mcnair per 16: 331 cmps; 508 atts; 3435 yards; 21 tds; 11 turnovers; 65%; 6.77 yards per attempt

vince young per 16: 347 cmps; 568 atts; 3459 yards; 24 tds; 21 turnovers; 61%; 6.09 yards per attempt

tom brady per 16: 355 cmps; 551 atts; 3680 yards; 25 tds; 13 turnovers; 64%; 6.67 yard per attempt

peyton manning per 16: 377 cmps; 574 atts; 4255 yards; 32 tds, 16 turnovers; 66%; 7.42 yards per attempt

marino per 16: 348 cmps; 572 atts; 4063 yards; 28 tds; 17 turnovers; 61 %; 7.10 yards per attempt

montana per 16: 322 cmps; 487 atts; 3519 yards; 24 tds; 12 turnovers; 66%; 7.22 yards per attempt

steve young per 16: 321 cmps; 461 atts; 3537 yards; 26 tds; 10 turnovers; 70%; 7.67 yards per attempt

favre per 16: 368 cmps; 579 atts; 3935 yards; 29 tds; 18 turnovers; 64%; 6..79 yards per attempt

namath per 16: 224 cmps; 438 atts; 3177 yards; 21 tds; 25 turnovers; 51%; 7.25 yards per attempt

bradshaw per 16: 235 cmps; 414 atts; 2881 yards; 23 tds; 20 turnovers; 57%; 6.96 yards per attempt

fouts per 16: 311 cmps; 515 atts; 3847 yards; 24 tds; 21 turnovers; 60%; 7.47 yards per attempt

phil simms: 285 cmps; 487 atts; 3387 yards; 20 tds; 15 turnovers; 59%; 6.95 yards per attempt

bulger: 389 cmps; 589 atts; 4395 yards; 28 tds; 17 turnovers; 66%; 7.46 yards per attempts

big ben per 16: 298 cmps; 448 atts; 3456 yards; 23 tds; 18 turnovers; 67%; 7.72 yards per attempt

carr: 321 cmps; 496 atts; 3122 yards; 14 tds; 14 turnovers; 65%; 6.29 yards per attempt

delhomme: 322 cmps; 523 atts; 3609 yards; 25 tds; 17 turnovers; 62%; 6.90 yards per attempt

carson palmer: 362 cmps; 544 atts; 3902 yards; 29 tds; 16 turnoversl 67%; 7.17 yards per attempt

do what you want with all of that. i think that a true look at the effective production reveals that vick ain’t the greatest and he ain’t the worst. it also reveals that he is better than the mediocre label some of you like to pin on him. because if he is average, then i guess so was john elway just from a statistical standpoint. and if you think elway was only average, then i am going to have a serious problem with you.

for those of you who like to be lazy and compare vick to his cousin and to kordell, take a good look at the effective production stats: the yards per attempt clearly reveals that vick is far better than aaron brooks and that he is light years better and more effective than kordell. but keep pretending not to be racist when you make that comparison if that is what you lazy simpletons want to do. or you can bring out a calculator or an excel spreadsheet and figure out if the stats truly back up your silly opinions

By lee

December 17, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Mikey wanted to play for another team just a few weeks ago. You Mikey lovers havent been riding him about that! Please Mikey limp this week. Even that 3rd string guy from GA could move the team with a little practice. .500 .500 .500 nah nah na nah na. Mikey is all about Mikey. Dont you think those othe guys play their butts off too! Seems like I remember 3 weeks ago calling a sneek on 4th and one and Mikey just folded up and laid down behind the line. Do you blame that on coaching. It is not the fans that are poor, it is Mikeys effort from day 1. He plays when the camera is on or the contracts up.

By super lou

December 17, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

This is directed to my man “Sick and Tired”. How ignorant are you? You are the worst kind of racist, redneck; an IGNORANT one. You think the blacks in this city just started following the Falcons since Vick got here? Obviously you’ve been sniffing some of your cross burning chemicals! The problem with most Atlanta fans is they don’t have enough sports knowledge to discuss issues of significance. If you look at Vicks performance compared to any other quarterback in Falcons history, he has exceeded what they’ve done. If you look around the league at all of the TOP quarterbacks in the league they have been sacked HALF as many times as Vick. Pretty amazing when you consider he is the FASTEST QB in the league!!!! If you look at the number of drops/attempts by recievers, I would bet the Falcons are in the top five in the NFL.

Vick, if he is not currently, will be the all time winningest QB in Falcon history. Accomplishing that w/a mediocre O-line, 2nd and 3rd tier recievers, and for the last 3 years, with an inept offensive coordinator is pretty amazing. But to your point about the Blacks of Atlanta not following the Falcons in years past, I again say you are a TRUE IDIOT!! The suggested order of making comments is to use your brain first, THEN speak!!

By titothebore

December 17, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

hey, titothebare, I am not sure if you put the honky in honky tonks, but I am pretty sure you put the Dumb in Dumba$$es. before that, they were just A*******es. That is an incredible thing to contemplate. Nice to see your mom is letting you use the computer

By Scott

December 17, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

why do rednecks love doin it doggy style?

By Scott

December 17, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

so they can both still watch nascar ……lmao

By Lanny

December 17, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

I don’t think this game was any fault of Jim Mora I think all the blame is on the shoulders of Dontell his defensive shemes to hold the lead sucked Dallas picked the falcons apart in the 4th quarter. The first one gone is defensive cord. then offensive cord. then the offensive line coach

By Bird Doo

December 17, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

My prediction of a loss came true. We just don’t have the D. And D-Hall, for all his mouth was exposed by the best receiver in the league…for all T.O.’s mouth and spittle.

Don’t blame Vick…he played great…and don’t blame Shaub…what do you expect when the guy hasn’t played? Give him some reps and this guy will be great. But Vick can still be great if he has an OC and coach that know how to use him ala Dan Reeves.

Mora and Knapp should be run out of town. They flat out suck. J-Mo is loved by his players because he doesn’t discipline them and is their “buddy”. This doesn’t get it. While Parcells is a friend to his players, he won’t hesitate to read them the riot act, bench them or cut them if they do not perform…friend or not.

Don’t blame Blank or McKay…they don’t coach the team and have given the staff all the tools they need to win. You can blame injuries, but all teams have them and they must be overcome.

Bottom line, the players on this team won’t lay down, but the coaching staff will hand them two more loss’ and we’ll finish 7-9. That should be enough for A.B. to cut J-Mo and crew.

One more note, Rossum is a great kick return man, but he is no CB. He was repeatedly burned. If the coaches had groomed Jimmy Williams properly, he would be a star in this league. But look at what they have done to Vick. The problem with the team is clearly coaching. Goodbye Mora and Knapp…and good riddance.

By gltg

December 17, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

Who cares!

By monty

December 17, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

Our defensive line beat their offensive line in the 1st half. Our offense beat their defense the 1st half. THe 2nd half it reversed, Why? THere was great effort and intensity by the Falcons. I just believe that we got tired with all the extra effort. WHat does that mean? It means the Cowboys were more physical in the 2nd half. THey weren’t wore down from trying to do the impossible, beat a team that was bigger and stronger. If Dallas did anything early it was they underestimated how fired up ATL would be. At half time they made the adjustments and took it to another level and we had already been playing at that level and we got tired.Our defensive backs were no match for their receivers.We couldn’t pressure Romo in the 2nd half for some reason and then their back Barber played like a man possessed. that same scenario of our defense getting tired has happened many times this year. Knapp should have been more aggressive in his play calling. We got conservative and tried to win with defense. The only hope we ever had was to score and keep scoring.

By mike

December 17, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

gltg, obviously you do otherwise you wouldnt be posting DUMBA$$.

By ken

December 17, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

MORA, KNAPP , DONNATELL, DeAngelo Hall here are the four reasons the falcons are falling apart. I can almost stomach a loss to Dallas but i still can not get over losses to CLEVELAND, DETRIOT and to the New York Giants. Coaching was awefull in all of these games and so was D-HALL he is a joke. I wish all these people that vote hm in as a all pro could sit every Sunday and watch every play that involves him. I would almost guarantee his name and all pro would never be mentioned in the same sentence again.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

December 17, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

will someone please tell me where all this supposed talent on this team is? i keep hearing don’t blame mckay, he has have given the coaches such great talent? what talent are you looking at or speaking about? i just do not see it.

Name 5 guys other than the Reeves holdover Vick, Dunn, Griffith, Crump, Finn, Brooking, Kerney……. Name one if you can?

You got Norwood, Boley, DHALL, DWILL sort of….. but they are a bad fit because they are all pretty boy undersized guys who get shoved all around the field because we do not have any physical people up front because the whole defense is based upon skinny undersized fast guys who for some reason manage to get both shoved all over the field and burnt all over the field. now that is a truly remarkable feat. Before you start naming names of great guys McKay has brought in, ask yourself how they fit in with the other personnel and the offensive and defensive scheming.

Just getting big names does not mean you have upgraded the personnel. They actually have to be worth the $$$$ paid to them and actually fit into the scheming and philosohoy of the team.

Abe is always hurt and a waste of money.

Hurtwell is a waste of money and always hurt.

Jimmy Williams has done nothing.

Lawyer is old and over the hill.

Crocker and Webster are garbage.

Coleman had one great year two years ago and has done nothing since except for the first half last night before he got himself shoved all over the field last night in the second half when the cowboys put the game away.

Jenkins, White, and Lelie have been terrible.

They traded Duckett and have had great problems this year in short yardage, & red zone and scoring in the 4th quarter and in keeping the ball away from the other team at the end of games as a result. BUT hey, Arthur wanted Lelie in the 2002 draft and Reeves wanted Duckett and Arthur avenged that grudge in an ill fated trade this summer.

They gutted the core of the defensive line in getting rid of jasper, brady, and travis.

draft was a good physical linebacker but they let him go.

bolden was a decent corner albeit a car thief/pothead but they let him go after he had done a good job for us.

SO, where is all this talent? Before anyone else says that we have all this talent, please tell me where it is and how that talent makes any sense for this team? You can’t, go ahead and try though. But no longer post that the talent is better than it was 2 years ago because it clearly is not.

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

By titothebore December 17, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this hey, titothebare, I am not sure if you put the honky in honky tonks, but I am pretty sure you put the Dumb in Dumba$$es. before that, they were just A*es. That is an incredible thing to contemplate. Nice to see your mom is letting you use the computer

Courage is your middle name, isn’t it? You don’t even have testicles enough to sign in under your own user name. Wow! Really impressive! You put the cow in coward! Your Foulcons are just like you, miserable and without a clue. Get bak to us when you have something more intelligent to say Boy!

By Brady

December 17, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

Please give my opinion weight due to the following: I played Division 1 Football in the mid 90 at the FS position and my team was the Champions on our conference and we went to many bowls, including the Cotton Bowl. During my junior year we finished the season rated number 1 in the Nation in Pass Defense Efficiency. During my time playing college ball, I only had 3 passes over forty yards completed against me in man coverage or in my zone. And guess what my 40 time was??? I ONLY ran a 4.9 forty, was 5’9”, and 175lbs. So with all that being said, I hope you know that my success was not due to talent, but a understanding of the game and I hope you will take my football opinion seriously!

Why does DHall have such a hard time understanding that he is NOT a good CB? Is he a great athlete? YES, but you have to have more then athletic ability to be a good or even a decent CB. You have to also play with INTELLEGENCE and this is something that DHall does NOT do.

It is amazes me to watch him in post game interviews! He will just have made one of the most stupid mistakes that ANY football player knows NOT to make…aka going for the interception instead of knocking the ball down at the end of the half…and he is hamming it up with the reporters on TV after the game. Not only do many of his choices on the field make him seem like he does not possess much intelligence, but then I watch an interview with him and he is acting like a fool.

Congratulations Falcon Fans, we have “The Fastest Man in the NFL” who not only makes stupid decisions on the field but also acts like a fool off the field.

Personal Note: DHall PLEASE humble yourself and ask your coaches who could best teach you the fundamentals of the CB position and then go figure out a way to incorporate those God given talents you have with some good fundamentals and then hopefully you will TRULY be one of the best DBs in the league.

By I am the decider

December 17, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

hey, tito, I’m “bak” and I posted the “bore” message. Let me know you finish gargling my testicles so I can take a leak.

you come on and post messages trying to employ some sort of pseudo-intellectual BS which I guess are supposed to impress us, but all you have to say is the same tired message. Yes, Vick threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, but Romo also threw an interception that led to Atl’s first score, so that is pretty much a wash. But, every week it is the same thing, “Vick sux..blah, blah, blah,..” what a loser. Get “bak” to “us” (not sure who you intended to include in the “us” ) when you have something worthwhile to say. what a loser.

By mardrew

December 17, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Y’all just keep tearing each other to shreds while your “city of the new south” can’t be found. Who the H*ll are you people kidding?

By mike

December 17, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

i hate racist spearchukin tarbabies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By mike

December 17, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

bluegummed big lipped nigs

By Drez

December 17, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Last night, the Falcons played with passion and enthusiasm. The problem I have with Mora is, if they had played with that same passion, they would have beat Detroit and Cleveland.

Questions: 1) If Jimmy Williams is able to play in nickel packages, why isn’t he starting in place of Rossum? He can’t be any worse.

2) Why does Ed Hartwell start? He overruns every play and hasn’t made a big play this season. Actually, I can’t recall the last time he made a solo tackle.

3) When the Falcons have 3rd and 1, or 4th and 1, why not put Griffith at tailback and McCrary at fullback and bust it into the line?

By DaveDawg

December 17, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a big Vick critic over the years, but it’s time to cut him a break. He kept the Falcons in this game.

Despite his faults, I think he plays with heart - I’ve never questioned his heart - and for that to be questioned is ridiculous.

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

I am the Decider, like Bush, you haven’t the intellect to make any decisions more complicated than which socks to wear. You probably can’t get that right. Vick sucks! He threw an interception and it was returned for a touchdown. The team, with Vick quarterbacking every game, has gone 9-13 since the mid-point of the 2005 season. You can’t handle the truth! Vick is terrible and so are the Foulcons. Their fans, as exemplified by maggots such as yourself, are complete idiots who know nothing about football. Stay off this blog unless you can muster up something that would speak of some sort of intellectual acuity. I know, and so do you, that you are a product of the gutter whose fifth grade education does not allow for enlightened social intercourse. Be gone Boy!

By GeorgiaSportsNation

December 17, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

At what point is Arthur Blank going to take some ownership of the way this thing has shaken out. He ran Dan Reeves out of town. If there is any objective fan that believes that Mike Vick would not be one of the best three or five QBs in the NFL with Reeves, you are insane.

As a 22 year old, Vick threw for nearly 3000 yards. Can you imagine Vick throwing for 3000 yards and rushing for another 700+. It is possible. However, he and the Falcon organization need a real coach.

As much as many of us focus upon Vick’s development, imagine the manner that all Falco players would improve. This is unacceptable!

Jim Mora, Jr. has to go. If Blank will not fire Mora, he needs to sell the franchise to an owner that will take more accountability. If not he should sell this team. We deserve better than Jim Mora, Jr.

We could have hired Lovie Smith (see the Chicago Bears). We could have hired Marvin Lewis (see the Cincinnati Bengals). Instead, we get Jim Mora, Jr. who would prefer to coach in college. I’m tired of this guy. I don’t even want to watch the Falcons with Mora on the sidelines. He is a walking DISTRACTION!

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

December 17, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

YOU ALL KEEP HATING ON VICK IF YOU WANT TO. THE MAN IS 38-26-1 DURING HIS CAREER, A 59% WINNING PERCENTAGE. HE WAS ACTUALLY 22-11-1 WITH A 66% WINNING PERCENTAGE BEFORE THE INEPT BUFFOONS MORA, MCKAY, AND BLANK RUINED A GOOD THING. ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT THEY ARE 9-20 IN THE GAMES HE HAS NOT STARTED SINCE HE WAS DRAFTED. COMPARE THE LIFETIME RECORD OF VICK TO SOME RECORDS OF THE FOLLOWING CURRENT AND FORMER PROMINENT NFL COACHES:

JOHN MADDEN== 103-32-7-0.750 %

LOMBARDI==96-34-6-0.728

GEORGE ALLEN==116-47-5- .705

SHULA==328-156-6-0.676

HALAS=====315-148-31-0.669

JIM LEE HOWELL==53-27-4-0.655

JOE GIBBS 140-76-0-0.648

SEIFERT 114-62-0-0.648

DUNGY 102-58-0-0.638

COWHER 141-82-1-0.632

SWITZER 40-24-0-0.625

ANDY REID 70-42-0-0.625

LAMBEAU 227-133-22-0.623

SHANAHAN 122-74-0- 0.622

PAUL BROWN 166-100-6-0.621

BUD GRANT 158-96-5-0.620

HOLMGREN 138 86 0 0.616

BILL WALSH 92 59 1 0.609

LANDRY 250 162 6 0.605

MARTY 186 124 1 0.600

STEVE OWEN 151 100 7 0.599

MIKE SHERMAN 57 39 0 0.594

MIKE MARTZ 57 39 0 0.594

MV7 38 26 1 0.592

BOBBY ROSS 74 63 0 0.540

AL DAVIS 23 16 1 0.588

ART SHELL 54 38 0 0.587

GREASY NEALE 73 51 7 0.584

BUDDY PARKER 110 81 9 0.573

CORYELL 111 83 1 0.572

HANK STRAM 131 97 10 0.571

GRUDEN 73 55 0 0.570

PARCELLS 163 123 1 0.570

CHUCK NOLL 193 148 1 0.566

DENNIS GREEN 108 83 0 0.565

MORA, JR 26 20 0 0.565

CHAN GAILEY 18 14 0 0.563

JOHN FOX 36 28 0 0.563

BELICHICK 99 77 0 0.563

MARV LEVY 143 112 0 0.561

DITKA 121 95 0 0.560

CHUCK KNOX 186 147 1 0.558

JIMMY JOHNSON 80 64 0 0.556

BILLICK 62 50 0 0.554

WADE PHILLIPS 48 39 0 0.552

RAY BERRY 48 39 0 0.552

SID GILLMAN 122 99 7 0.550

DELRIO 26 22 0 0.542

FAIRBANKS 46 39 0 0.541

JIM MORA, SR. 125 106 0 0.541

REEVES 190 165 2 0.535

JEFF FISHER 97 85 0 0.533

COUGHLIN 85 75 0 0.531

JACK PARDEE 87 77 0 0.530

JOHN ROBINSON 75 68 0 0.524

VERMEIL 120 109 0 0.524

FASSEL 58 53 1 0.522

MARIUCCI 72 67 0 0.518

BUM PHILLIPS 82 77 0 0.516

WEEB EWBANK 130 129 7 0.502

BUDDY RYAN 55 55 1 0.500

WAYNE FONTES 66 67 0 0.496

DAN DEVINE 25 27 4 0.482

GLANVILLE 60 67 0 0.472

HASLETT 45 51 0 0.469

CALLAHAN 15 17 0 0.469

HERMAN EDWARDS 29 35 0 0.453

SAM WYCHE 84 107 0 0.440

DENNIS ERICKSON 40 56 0 0.417

BUTCH DAVIS 24 35 0 0.407

GENE STALLINGS 23 34 1 0.405

JUNE JONES 22 36 0 58 0.379

STEVE SPURRIER 12 20 0 0.375

HENNING 38 73 1 0.344

JOHN MCKAY 44 88 1 133 0.335

LOU HOLTZ 3 11 0 14 0.214

COMPARE WHAT THEIR AVERAGE RECORDS ARE FOR EVERY 16 GAME SEASON:

JOHN MADDEN 12.0 4.0

LOMBARDI 11.6 4.4

GEORGE ALLEN 11.3 4.7

SHULA 10.8 5.2

HALAS 10.7 5.3

JIM LEE HOWELL 10.5 5.5

JOE GIBBS 10.4 5.6

SEIFERT 10.4 5.6

DUNGY 10.2 5.8

COWHER 10.1 5.9

SWITZER 10.0 6.0

ANDY REID 10.0 6.0

LAMBEAU 10.0 6.0

SHANAHAN 10.0 6.0

PAUL BROWN 9.9 6.1

BUD GRANT 9.9 6.1

HOLMGREN 9.9 6.1

BILL WALSH 9.7 6.3

LANDRY 9.7 6.3

MARTY 9.6 6.4

STEVE OWEN 9.6 6.4

MIKE SHERMAN 9.5 6.5

MIKE MARTZ 9.5 6.5

MV7 9.5 6.5

BOBBY ROSS 9.5 6.5

AL DAVIS 9.4 6.6

ART SHELL 9.4 6.6

GREASY NEALE 9.3 6.7

BUDDY PARKER 9.2 6.8

CORYELL 9.1 6.9

HANK STRAM 9.1 6.9

GRUDEN 9.1 6.9

PARCELLS 9.1 6.9

CHUCK NOLL 9.1 6.9

DENNIS GREEN 9.0 7.0

MORA, JR 9.0 7.0

CHAN GAILEY 9.0 7.0

JOHN FOX 9.0 7.0

BELICHICK 9.0 7.0

MARV LEVY 9.0 7.0

DITKA 9.0 7.0

CHUCK KNOX 8.9 7.1

JIMMY JOHNSON 8.9 7.1

BILLICK 8.9 7.1

WADE PHILLIPS 8.8 7.2

RAY BERRY 8.8 7.2

SID GILLMAN 8.8 7.2

DELRIO 8.7 7.3

FAIRBANKS 8.7 7.3

JIM MORA, SR. 8.7 7.3

REEVES 8.6 7.4

JEFF FISHER 8.5 7.5

COUGHLIN 8.5 7.5

JACK PARDEE 8.5 7.5

JOHN ROBINSON 8.4 7.6

VERMEIL 8.4 7.6

FASSEL 8.4 7.6

MARIUCCI 8.3 7.7

BUM PHILLIPS 8.3 7.7

WEEB EWBANK 8.0 8.0

BUDDY RYAN 8.0 8.0

WAYNE FONTES 7.9 8.1

DAN DEVINE 7.7 8.3

GLANVILLE 7.6 8.4

HASLETT 7.5 8.5

CALLAHAN 7.5 8.5

HERMAN EDWARDS 7.3 8.8

SAM WYCHE 7.0 9.0

DENNIS ERICKSON 6.7 9.3

BUTCH DAVIS 6.5 9.5

GENE STALLINGS 6.5 9.5

JUNE JONES 6.1 9.9

STEVE SPURRIER 6.0 10.0

HENNING 5.5 10.5

JOHN MCKAY 5.4 10.6

LOU HOLTZ 3.4 12.6

HMMMMMMMMMMMM……

UMMMMMMMMMMM….. MIKE VICK AIN’T SO BAD AFTER ALL IS HE NOW.

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GOT FOLKS BECAUSE YOU JUST MAY LOSE HIM SOMEDAY JUST LIKE YOU ONCE LOST NIQUE.

THE HAWKS AND THE ATL WERE NEVER THE SAME AGAIN AFTER NIQUE’S DEPARTURE AND THE SAME WILL BE TRUE IF YOU ALL PUSH MV7 OUT OF TOWN ANYTIME SOON.

VERY INTERESTING TO SEE RICHIE’S DADDY JOHN MCKAY HAD A VERY TERRIBLE RECORD. LOOKS LIKE DADDY’S BOY RICH MCKAY IS HELLBENT ON DRAGGING OUR FALCONS DOWN TO THE STANDARDS SET IN THE NFL BY HIS DADDY. HIS DADDY WAS A GREAT COLLEGE COACH BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE NFL, EXPANSION TEAM OR OTHERWISE. MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE A BUNCH OF PAC-10 GREATS HERE WITH THE FALCONS. WE NEED TO SEND MCKAY TO BE THE AD FOR USC AND KEEP HIS FAMILY LEGACY OVER THERE, SEND KNAPP TO STANFORD, AND MORA TO HIS BELOVED WASHINGTON.

MAN, I AM TURNING MYSELF INTO A BIG PAC 10 FAN. IMAGINE IF USC, STANFORD, AND WASHINGTON DECIDED TO SOLVE ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS FOR KING ARTHUR BY “STEALING” AWAY THE INEPT MORA, MCKAY, AND KNAPP.

I CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY……

SANTA, ARE YOU LISTENING…….

SEND THESE MORONS OUT TO THE PAC-10 FOR ME

By Steve

December 17, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

I watched the wretched first game of the Falcons miserable existence, and the last one was just as smelly, with nothing of real substance in between. 239 wins over 30 years equals 7.9 wins per. They need just win .9 game with the two they have left to be right on target.

Why get upset? This is who they are! Send them to another city. This is a college football town. Go Dawgs!

By Indydawg

December 17, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

My God I never knew.

1) Skin color plays a role in Wins and Losses….

2) Maybe the football itself is racist-secretly deciding who it will perform for.

3) I guess effort and playcalling has something to do with race as well.

Putting race in this arguement may be the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Performance people. When it gets down to it in sports, it’s all about performance. The rest of the bunk some of you are speaking on here sounds like you have some personal issues to resolve.

Anyone who has grown up here knows that all of our QB’s here have been scrutinized, the ATL just has never had anyone like MV, who just happens to be black.

Black, White or Purple, one man can only do so much.

While Vick is a good player, and has the potential to be a GREAT player, he has unfortunately been the victim of being overhyped by the media and the NFL. This has filtered into fans who want to see him do well, and they get p** at him when times are bad because they see the face of the franchise.

Notice how the national media rarely discusses how sorry certain people on the Falcons are playing… I am not going to call any names, lets just say one of them is wearing number 21.

What Vick needs to make him a legend is a big fat Superbowl ring. He needs ice.

This worked for John Elway.

This worked for Steve Young.

This worked for Terry Bradshaw.

All of these guys caught hell from people until they won big. Most fans tend to have short term memory.

The way for him to accomplish this is for the Falcons to bring someone in that holds EVERYONE on the team ACCOUNTABLE for their miscues and bring players in who want to get after it.

The coach doesn’t want to do his job.

Mora can’t coach this team. He is afraid to coach this team and he doesn’t have the football IQ to do so. He doesn’t want to be here anymore. Accomodate him. Put him and Mora Sr. on a plane out to the Bermuda Triangle with half a tank of gas…

I got your coach-killer…

Blank needs to also quit trying to be a play-play owner and put the fear of God into this team. I mean that is unless he really wants to win a Superbowl. I just think he is content with making that cash right now.

Mark Cuban (although he has yet to win one)really wants to win championships.

George Stienbriener (as much as I hate him) really wants to win championships.

Jerry Jones really wants to win championships.

The problem is, I don’t know who to bring in for this job. Carroll? Stoops? Wisenhunt? Jesus?

Help a brother out. Who can coach this team?

Aw hell, let’s just all go to Applebees and get drunk…

By The real David

December 17, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

I going to assume that Atlanta won’t make the playoffs this year. Next year we can loof to have no Mora, Knapp, and Schaub. Whoever they bring in will have to understand that the offense has to be built around a more simple game plan. You run, or you throw to a designated receiver, or you give MV the flexibility to do what he thinks necessary. You need to get rid of defensive players that are out more than playing. You’ll have MV’s favorite receiver back, and that will do wonders for his confidence. No matter who Atlanta gets as coach, the fans cannot expect to be a super bowl contender. It will take at least one season just to shake out the changes. They need more depth (or changes) on the offensive line, and probably one or more changes on the defensive line. Man, here we go again.

By DIRTIE BIRDIE

December 17, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

actually steve, the falcons all time record is 250-364-6. the falcons have an all time winning percentage of .408. Their average record over a 16 game season is 6.5 wins and 9.5 losses

By the rev

December 17, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

All of this blogging about the falcons and their chances is much ado about nothing. Owners worth billions, mike vick making 140 million, a coach that doesn’t want to be here. A city divided over philosophy of how to best win these games. Think about what any of it means. It doesn’t matter if you’re the greatest and have millions. When you step into eternity you will meet the Lord Jesus Christ and the bottom line is you better know who HE is and what you need to make your life right. The money or fame is not going to get you anything except a whole lot of accountability to the One who created you. Find out what is really important in life; I don’t think it is all this hoopla about football. What do you think?? The Rev.

By I am the decider

December 17, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

ahh, Titothebear, such a small-minded little man. Vick threw an interception and it was returned for a touchdown, but it wasn’t the play that decided the game! Sorry, pal, I have a graduate degree and you are just some sort of frustrated writer who composes trite little lines to impress. I got news for you, little man, it’s not working. So, you can go “bak” to your dictionary and your little thesaurus and amuse yourself.

Also, June Jones and Jerry Glanville are in Hawaii and Dan Henning is about to get fired in Carolina. yeah, they were great coaches. I repeat, “what a loser.” I use my username in a facetious manner and to ridicule Bush, moron.

By Brownthrasher

December 17, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

No wonder the NFL did not choose MCKay as the Commissioner. He doesn’t know enough about football. Fire Mckay. Fire Mora. Fire Knapp. Fire Donatell. The team has talent but no one to bring it out. Why Rossum is covering anyone is a big question mark. What’s with the lousy play calling and WHY DO WE NOT RUSH THE PASSER?????? I hope we don’t make the playoffs because that will assure that these bozos are still coaching here. I love the Falcons but I am rooting for the Panthers and the Eagles because I want to Coaching Staff GONE!!!!!

By MMaffett

December 17, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Marion Barber should be a poster boy for steriods. The man ain’t natural. This game also showed us all the Falcons weaknesses beyond the valient effort of Michael Vick. I’m also glad Arthur Blank stayed in his box. An owner has no place on the sidelines.

By DW

December 17, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora doesn’t have the fire to take the Falcons to the next level. Greg Knapp doesn’t know what to do with a QB like Michael Vick. Arthur Blank, until you get a championship-caliber coach and an offensive coordinator willing to TRULY open up the offense, you’ll never get your Super Bowl ring.

By kerry

December 17, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

Brandyman, you are hysterical. I am STILL laughing at your comments.

By Ronny

December 17, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Let’s stop this bickering and get down to the fundamentals. First of all, despite the racist comments, Mike Vick is the least of the Falcons’ problems. Give him a bigger, PROTECTIVE offensive line, please. Secondly, the coaching staff is all wrong. Jimmy is just like his dad, a big mouth who’s only a mediocre head coach. They’re outta here— but probably not before their last game. So where do we go from here? First of all folks, Jimmy Johnson wouldn’t touch the Atlanta mess with a ten-foot pole. So let’s go to the realistic possibilites. Charlie Weiss would be the first choice. But doubt he would leave the Notre Dame job this soon, or would be interested in the Atlanta job anyway. But who knows? Let’s look at two other college head coaches with pro experience. Both Ralph Friedgen as an offensive genius, and George O’Leary as a top defensive mind. Both have strong Atlanta ties, and would be largely embraced by most Atlanta fans. Granted, George (Central Florida) had problems with his Notre Dame resume.But he has paid for that ten-fold. Ralph has been a huge (no pun intended) boost to the Maryland program. Both coached under Bobby Ross at Tech, and followed him to the San Diego Chargers. They went to the Super Bowl. They’re buddies last I checked— so probably wouldn’t have problems if either were head coach. Or assistant head coach. Co-head coaches, or whatever. Both are hard-nosed, no nonsense coaches, and would take what’s here and build upon it. I think Arthur should look at both of these outstanding men and coaches, as he moves to set a foundation for the NEW FALCONS!

By Ronnie D.

December 17, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Mark, I finally agree with you……

By Reverend Run

December 17, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

rev:

shut the hell up already! just live your life. be a good man. stop hiding behind the bible. you do not need the bible to be a good man. you should not be judging others either - that ain’t very christian is it? it is just a game. we all know that. but it is a fun little diversion for all of us. sometimes we all like to fight with one another. but we do it over the internet. we use sports to make us feel good, even though it can often make us feel bad. have you ever truly asked yourself why do you believe in jesus christ? why do you believe it is so essential to believe that jesus christ is the son of god? is he really the son of god? probably not. is the bible a bunch of man written philosophy and nothing more and nothing less? yes, without a doubt. so get over yourself. I think maybe you need to check yourself and ask yourself why you insist on being so mindless in your faith in Christ and the Bible. WHy can’t you just be a good man without resorting to Scripture quotes and all the other nonsense. Here is a philosophy I have in life: THE MORE SOMEONE QUOTES SCRIPTURE AND THE BIBLE AND JESUS CHRIST, THE MORE CONCERNED I GET ABOUT THE PERSON WHO IS DOING THAT. THE PERSON WHO QUOTES GOD AND THE BIBLE AND JESUS IN MY EXPERIENCE IS EITHER (1) A MINDLESS RETARD WHO CAN NOT THINK FOR THEMSELVES; OR (2) A VERY BAD EVIL PERSON WHO DOES NOT WANT ME TO KNOW HOW BAD AND TRULY EVIL HE IS, SO HE HIDES BEHIND THE BIBLE. the rest of us just live our lives, have fun, and act like good men because we are good men. we of course all believe in God. But as for the Bible, Church, and Jesus, all that is not necessary. When it comes time for heaven, God will judge us on who we are and what our actions have been. He will not respect us if we were mindless followers or if we are evil people hiding behind the Bible and Jesus.

By Scott

December 17, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

you know why blank stayed in his box, cause if hed a gone down there he would of fired him then and there abd he know he needs to wait until the end of the season doing it now does us even worse damage.

By MoeMan

December 17, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

Great posts “Dirtie Birdie” with the facts. I’m sure this is going over most peoples head, especially the Vick haters. Hopefully, Dan Reeves is somewhere laughing

By Titothebear

December 17, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

I am the Decider,

What a moron you are! You haven’t a degree of any sort, much less a graduate degree. You may have graduated from some second-rate, public high school but your scribblings don’t indicate any sort of intellectual ability or language proficiency. Please shut your ignorant mouth and back away from the keyboard. You have absolutely nothing to say that I, or anyone else, would find remotely interesting. Apparently, you, in your ignorance, fancy yourself an apologist for Vick. That was a great pass he made to the Dallas defender. Right in his hands and he knew what to do with it. It did cost the Foulcons the game! Keep writing stupid things fool. We love to see ignorance paraded proudly, rather than kept cloaked under a cloud of reticence. It’s good to read your proclamations of idiocy. Please keep them coming boy!

By MoeMan

December 17, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

Poor Titothebear I bet he’s never been out of the state og Georgia

By one

December 17, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this

HOLD ON, Mark Bradley finally has a good artical?

Didthe now deceased Ed Bradley write this?

By Jack

December 17, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

OK - so now that Jimmy will be gone,here are some other problems that still will need to be addressed:

Even with the higher salary cap next year - the Falcons are one of the worst in terms of having space for improvements (today’s ajc).

Also- McKay -you’re not blameless in this at all. Hartwell - a HUGE miss with alot of $$ spent. Crocker - miss again for a 4th round pick. Lastly, in Tampa McKay did pretty well on judging DEFENSIVE talent in the draft but was HORRIBLE if you look at his offensive picks. I will give him Alstott but a blind squirrel with a dart board could have done better with all the picks that he missed on. Yep - we still have some problems.

By gltg

December 17, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Mike,

You are obviously an uneducated ignorant hillbilly. Climb back under your rock!!!

By Edward

December 17, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

McCay should be the first person fired!!!!!

By OpinionsAreLike

December 17, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this

For Rev.Run,

Merry Christmas!

By Shell

December 17, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone complaining? You got what you said you wanted. Schaub at Qb and Vick at rb. Vick passing and reciceivers catching the ball,.. finally. Vick throwing four td’s and Schaub given the opportunity to stage a late game comeback that ended with what…an interception. You all should be very satisfied now.

By DB

December 17, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

From day one, Jim Mora, Jr. and his new coaching staff were a major part of the Falcons problems. There 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 consistently, 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 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 type vs. well, you know the, Jr.). Mora good luck in the NCAA!

By I am the decider

December 17, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

Titothebear, you don’t mind if I call you “teats” do you? Teats, Your vocabulary is impressive, but you seem to be an idiot savant.

“Please shut your ignorant mouth and back away from the keyboard.” Wow—what a convoluted sentence. of course, since I am not speaking, only typing, I would expect a more coherent choice of words. “It did cost the Foulcons the game!” How? the Falcons came back and took the lead after that play. Repeating the same BS over and over doesn’t make it true, but I am sure you will, “stay the course”

I find your writings are about as thought provoking as a 2 year old having a temper tantrum. “Vick sucks! Vick sucks!” “Keep writing stupid things fool” What’s wrong teats? Couldn’t think of any 3 syllable words? Of course, I find it amusing you so proudly proclaim “You haven’t a degree of any sort, much less a graduate degree.” Wrong again, teats. No comment about the coaches?

By I am the decider

December 17, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

hey, teats, one more thing. First you say, ““Please shut your ignorant mouth and back away from the keyboard.” and follow that impressive sentence with, “It’s good to read your proclamations of idiocy. Please keep them coming boy.” Wish you could make your mind up. First you want me to go away and then you want me to stay..so confused..

Sleep tight, teats..don’t forget your teddy bear..One bear loves another, right? HA! I crack myself up!

By Glenn

December 17, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Since their birth in 1966 and the drafting of Tommy Nobis I have always been a loyal TV fan of the Atlanta Falcons - through good times (which there have been very few) and bad. It absolutely gauls me to see anyone, player or coach, to do or say things that show DISLOYALTY to the hand that writes the check. Mr. Blank didn’t take a national store chain and make it successful by making unwise decisions. I have tremendous faith in him to “tool” the Falcons in much the same way that he “tooled” the depot. The thread has come unravelled in several areas this year, from Vick, THE MARQUE PLAYER OF THE TEAM, giving the “finger” to the world to Mora making statements about other employment. It all adds up to disloyalty and a total loss of focus. When one is loyal to an organization these thoughts and gestures just never come to the surface, no matter what. Discipline, or the lack thereof, is the reason why our homes, our schools, our society and our TEAM is failing. If the head is undiciplined and cannot keep itself in check, then how can anyone expect the rest of the body to be any different. I honestly believe that Mr. Blank wants a winner and that he will do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. He has already made a statement to the affect that EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is being evaluated. There are no Sacred Cows, not even Vick when it comes right down to it, although Vick is one of the most talented players in the league. We can criticize and blame all day long because it all involves pieces of the puzzle. Right now, my money is on Arthur Blank and the confidence that I have in him in recognizing which pieces fit and which pieces have to go. He already knows that the puzzle has problems.

By Mr Wrestling #2

December 17, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

Had Vick not broke his leg Dan Reeves would not have been fired in 2003. We are now reaping what was sown then. Dan Reeves was done wrong by King Arthur. Perhaps King Arthur should go back to selling sheetrock and get out of the football business.

By Real Bird Fan

December 17, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Wooooowwww! I mean am the only who has realized that there is a lot of racism on this forum? Honestly a persons race has nothing to do with there abilty to play football period! I’m trying to understand why would you not just log on to the KKK blog and join your buddies! I belive all racist should comit suicide no matter if your white, black, yellow or orange. Its 2006 let it go geneticlly we are all the same human!

If you hate Vick because he is black kill yourself!

If you hate Schaub because he is white kill yourself!

I’m a falcons fan when they suit up I support every player on the roster!

If you don’t support the Falcons because of Mora and his staff or Art and Mckay or Hurtwell and etc. Guess what? Home games will still sell out and Vicks jersey is still gonna be top 10 so I agin say GO FALCONS!!!

I’m a Falcons Fan B*tch

By Lawrence Rutt

December 17, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick Sucks and he is a coach killer. He doesn’t understand an NFL offense and he hasn’t won more than 10 games on more than one occasion. He makes 10 million a year and for that money he better win a Superbowl every damn year. Two coaches and you still can’t win it can’t be their fault year after year. This is the NFL and only David Carr gets more chances than Vick and the Texans are an expansion team. What is Vicks problem he isn’t as good as everyone thought. He can’t run the ball or know when to pass it. Vince Young makes Vick look bad. A rookie who knows an NFL offense Norm Chow is his coordinator and VY bombed the wonderlic test. Vince Young has 7 wins and his team is 7-7 after 5 straight losses and they have no talent and are young compare to the falcons. Vick needs to be released and shown the door leading out of Atlanta. He is a waste of money and a joke to every NFL QB. So what if he can run eveyone is comparing Vick to Vince Young saying that he should be where that guy in Tennessee is talent wise and ability. Michael Vick should be ahead of VY but it’s the other way around. Vick is a bust and the fans must admit it when the Sr. Mora said the truth that he is a coach killer.

Go Vince Young.

By Moran&Crap

December 18, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

Been saying this since the start of last year…sorry to say, but I told you so

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this

It’s been six National Football League seasons since a Tennessee Titan was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but check the newsstands this week and there’s quarterback Vince Young.

If you miss V.Y. on SI, chances are by the end of the day you’ll see him somewhere else, perhaps on ESPN’s SportsCenter or in USA Today. The biggest surprise to analysts: Young is so good, so soon. Some have admitted they were wrong, but some remain skeptical that Young has truly arrived.

Young’s recent surge also has NFL analysts looking back and pondering why the draft unfolded the way it did.

Said Salisbury: “Now the question is, should you have taken Vince Young over everybody?” Don’t blame Michael Vick’s groin for the entire season or the past 5 years. The guy isn’t NFL material he doesn’t get the NFL system or West coast Offense. What was his problem with Dan Reeves? Don’t tell me that Reeves was too old of a coach and didn’t understand his job. He has more experience and wins as a player than vick ever has. Vick needs to leave Atl and go to NFL Europe it did Tony Romo wonder and he too is a winner.

By Tralfaz

December 18, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

Yep, Mora is an embarrassment and needs to go; he is simply in over his head, and his incompetence has wasted three years that could have been more successful.

And Michael Vick is not only a “professional” quarterback, he’s a damn good one, as both the statistics and the performances prove.

But most importantly: That “sniffing your cross burning chemicals” line? That was f’in brilliant. Someone needs to give that man a regular byline….

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

“Not only do I think he is the Rookie of the Year right now, I think outside of (San Diego Chargers running back) LaDainian Tomlinson, he may be the MVP of the league,” Baldinger said. “He has far exceeded everybody’s expectations. The fact he’s having this kind of success so early on a team that, let’s face it … isn’t the most talented in the league. … They look geniuses for taking him.”

Some still skeptical

Most national NFL experts were surprised in April when the Titans used the third overall pick of the NFL Draft to select Young.

The conventional wisdom outside Nashville was that the Titans would draft quarterback Matt Leinart, who had played under Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow at the University of Southern California.

Leinart wound up going to the Arizona Cardinals seven picks later. He’s starting and playing well, but the Cardinals are 4-9.

The Titans also took a look at Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler, who was drafted 11th by the Denver Broncos and only recently took over as their starter.

“I had Leinart rated first, Young second and Cutler third, and I think certainly time will tell,” said ESPN’s Mike Golic, a former NFL lineman. “Leinart is playing well, and I still think he is the best passer and came in the most ready to step in and play a pro-style offense. I think both Matt and Vince have a chance to be exceptional NFL quarterbacks.”

The biggest surprise to analysts: Young is so good, so soon. Some have admitted they were wrong, but some remain skeptical that Young has truly arrived.

Selling the most NFL jersey’s doesn’t win a championship right now #25 for the Saints is the top seller and Brees is a winner not a bust coach killer Vick. There isn’t race involved only the reality of Vick not cutting it for the amount of money he is making. Brees went to the lowly Saints and they spanked the Falcons twice and clinched the NFC South the Falcons will be watching the playoffs from Atl. Vick needs to go this is a reality check and he should be on another team or NFL Europe.

By go dawgs

December 18, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

What will it take to get Jim Mora out of the ATL. I’m a coach and I would never pass a ball on 4th and 1 with receivers that are not sure of themselves. This is the second time this season that this have happen this alone is grounds of firing someone.

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this

Mora is out on the field when Vick chokes the past three years? Blame the player not the coach. He is a coach killer and Vick can’t cut it in a west coast offense. He isn’t VY or a winner just another QB in the same category as David Carr a waste of a #1 pick.

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 01:05 AM | Link to this

It boils down to wins and losses. A coach is only as good as his players and Michael Vick isn’t that good. It’s not about color but about the “W” in the Win column so don’t start the race card “Jimmy the Greek/David Duke”. Donovan McNabb is a QB who has delivered the goods and taken his team to the Superbowl. David McWilliams won a Superbowl and he was black and played in DC not ATL. Vince Young wasn’t wanted by the coaching staff in Tennessee since the Texas Longhorns played in the shotgun and don’t run an NFL Westcoast offense. He was said to be the gamble of the draft and a guy who couldn’t understand Norm Chow’s offense. He stayed late and learned the complicated NFL offense. He didn’t run and blame the other team mates when he screwed up. He knew he was given talent from God and wanted to learn and prove people wrong. What drives Michael Vick an X-box video game cover or something that won’t win games? He needs to realize that being accountable and steping up and admiting I am the QB the leader the one where the plays start with me and end with me so goes the wins and losses. Vick is so far behind Vince Young in understanding the game it is embarassing. Now the Falcons are the laughing stock of the NFL not the Saints or the Titans.
Vick can’t lead an offense down the field against his own shadow. A groin injury come on what an excuse kind of like a broken finger get over it and play shut the hell up. There are tons of players who play injured Favre, T.O. and McNabb just to name the great ones. Vick is a Coach Killer face the music.

By Real Bird Fan

December 18, 2006 01:12 AM | Link to this

Lawernce Rutt this is an Atl blog. Who cares about VY I’m happy for him. But honestly did you have to make three posts on an Atl. Falcons blog licking his pecker? Well ill give you an “A” for effort. VY is not MV7. Please read Dirdie Birdies post sir. ??Is this guy serious??

Go Falcons!!!

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this

I am just stating what every announcer is saying Vince Young should be the one who is way behind Michael Vick not the other way around. Bill Parcells made the right decision, Mike Shanahan made the right decision, so did Dennis Green bench your starter and take a chance on another QB. Tony Romo has three years in the NFL and more splinters than any than a lumberjack. Michael Vick is over paid and over rated, look at Drew Brees he was kicked to the curb by the Chargers and now he beat the Falcons and they are winners not the lowly Aints. It boils down to the decisions a player can and can not make and Vick doesn’t make the right ones. He either runs too much or doesn’t pass the ball. Tony Romo spreads the ball around to his players and he wins. Leinart does the same things he is young but gets the job done and they are suppose to suck compare to the busted non playoff Falcons. Face it Jim Mora Sr. was right Michael Vick is a coach killer. If you fire Mora do you think in one season you will win it all. Come on no team has ever won it with a first year coach. Mora is better than you disloyal fans think. Vick sucks simple facts look at his wins. How many does he have in his 6 years in ATL? The fact are there year after year since Vick got hurt he hasn’t been the same and he needs to leave the team. You can’t team some players to understand an NFL offense Ryan Leaf, any heisman QB from Miami or FSU and Vick is one of them.
He is the laughing stock of the NFL and numbers are great but wins and making the playoffs get the job done. Great job on the rushing title by a QB too bad you won’t enjoy it in the Superbowl or in Hawaii where I will be watch the Pro-bowl.

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 01:39 AM | Link to this

he falcons all time record is 250-364-6. the falcons have an all time winning percentage of .408. Their average record over a 16 game season is 6.5 wins and 9.5 losses and Vick only adds to the great winning history of this horrible franchise. He is the David Carr of the Atlanta Falcons both need to seek new employment in the offseason.

By nick

December 18, 2006 02:05 AM | Link to this

FIRE JIM MORA…ENOUGH SAID!

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 02:49 AM | Link to this

Waive Michael Vick, Fired Jim Mora and start over in the 2007 Draft. It can’t get any worse than it is now and get a new QB that can learn an NFL System and win and a coach that is able to win and get the job done!!! Any solution other than the afore mentioned is just bullsH!T and as Falcon fans you are in a fantasy world.

End of the Topic.

By Cap

December 18, 2006 03:02 AM | Link to this

Lawrence Rutt, who the hell is David McWilliams?

By Eternal Optimist

December 18, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

Lawrence Rutt (you don’t know football buddy) Why is everyone still calling for Mikes head. I mean, yeah this has had an somewhat off season, but the guy is going to throw for 2500 yds, 20+ touchdowns and run for a 1000 yds. What more do you want. This coaching staff simply has no clue. 3rd and 1, 4th and 1, we throw the ball. C’mon man, does that really make any sense at all. Vick is not the problem with this team.

By I am the decider

December 18, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Cap, he meant doug williams!Ha! I guess that what happens when you sit down at the keyboard after drinking too many lone stars. (are whatever they drink in Texas.)

By Titothebear

December 18, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

Decider,

Your posts have a certain comedic value but the joke grows old and fettid. Vick’s interceptiom, and resulting touchdown, definitely contributed mightily to the Foulcon’s loss. As for you, and your invented education, dream on! I have a graduate degree and I’m a professor in one of our universities. It’s quite obvious to me that your level of education is not what you represent it to be. You seem incensed, and incredulous, that anyone would have the knowledge to use two and three syllable words in their vocabulary. Your degree, if you possess one, is probably of a vocational/technical nature. No shame there but certainly not in a class with the more learned, including myself, on this blog. I understand De Vry provides a good education for those in the technical field and you should feel proud of your accomplishment. However, such a degree does not qualify you for membership in the elite intelligentsia. Shut up fool!

By Ricardo

December 18, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

Well all I got to say is I have read alot of commits and it boils down to this The falcons or a good team. Vick as one say is not a great player.HE is the greatest player. He can be a pocket quarterback if he doesnt have the receivers to throw too period. the mess with atlanta is that. They had 2 players that would have had us undefeated if they would have just got one of Randy Moss wanted to play for us and Terrell Owens we would have been sitting in the playoffs now with home field so dont blame Vick he doesnt hire any players and dont draft them either. Start from ground zero why. Look at Vick, Dunn, Norwood, Griffith, Crumpler, Hall, Williams, Lelie will be better next season we have foundation Just need a nail or two. Lets be real atlanta can still won a superbowl this year with who they go. If they catch the ball a little more. so lets try for a five game won strike and the superbowl is ours. Ownership and Coaching is the blame. Someone Bring Back Dan Reeves Please.

By Wow !!!! Unbeliveable

December 18, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Wow, a guy throws 4 tds and 1 int, (by the way gives a decent effort to try tackle the defender on the int) rushes for 56 yards, lines up at running back and gets creamed, hustles down the field to recover a fumble, damn near pops a groin and he’s a quitter? Unreal. True enough, MV7’s leadership skills need work, but he is not a quitter. Stop listening to some of these commentators (especially Mr. Deion “I’ll let somebody else do the tackling” Sanders) and taking their opinion as fact, they are paid to create controversy. Football is a “TEAM” game. Think about all those 3rd and longs we allowed the Cowboys (and every other team for that matter) to convert. Think about all those times we refused to blitz Romo (or any other qb)when it was clear that blitzing is effective. Think about this, when we do blitz, why are dbs off the receiver by 10 to 12 yards. Think about how our return game has kept us behind the 20 consistently all year. It’s amazing to me how people are discussing the one time the qb misses a wide open Crumpler, but neglect to think about the fact that the receivers as a unit have dropped 40 + passes this year, 6 were sure tds. (Check the stats I’m not making this up)Think about this, the o-line has given up 35+ sacks and 5 were attributed to the qb. Think about this the Falcons play for a city has only has a handful of tried and true Falcon fans the rest are just observers and only support when things go well. If you think a qb change would have fixed this season you are dead wrong.

By Real Bird Fan

December 18, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

I think people forget that Dan Reeves was too conservitive. Trust me we don’t need Dan! I like Mike Martz he has the offensive creativity to come up with something The NFL has never seen before. Lawrence Rutt you are strange person, understand one thing Vick will win a Super Bowl In the A! Did Vick take your girlfriend or something?……………..MV7 is one of the most dynamic players the game has ever seen, he just needs guys around him who can do the basic things…..like block, catch the football, tackle, and cover. Breeze has an great supporting class look at the roster swap Breeze with Vick and I’m postive Vick would have at least ten wins. As for as ESPN anaylist those guys are idiots (i.e. Salsbury, Jawaroski very crediable experts) and speaking of a sytem he had 4 touchdown passes in this slaw, flawed west coast antique system. Be honest your just mad Vick is Rich. Lol

By football tom

December 18, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Hey guys, Lets give Jim Mora a break. I believe that we have all missed something. Jim Mora does have SOME talent. I believe that he could be the best junior high school football coach in the nation, after he gets canned from coaching the Falcons.

By Sam Fugarino

December 18, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Seems like the Blank, the Vick fans, and the media just won’t admit Vick is killing the Falcons. Vick’s interceptions and fumbles are killing the Falcons. Come-on, the Vick has got to go. Didn’t he throw an interception that resulted in the second Dallas touchdown! It’s all about Vick, even in a loss. He’s the quarterback and throwing four (really five if you count the interception) touchdown passes doesn’t mean squat if your team loses the game.

By Willie

December 18, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Yes, keep thinking Vick is good and a real QB. If you watched the game on the NFL network, you saw a very telling stat- the falcons were 0-17 (now 0-18) when trailing going into the 4th quarter. Why? Because that’s what happens when you have a “QB” who can’t consistently complete passes and is forced to read defenses/pass protections late in the game when trailing which Vick couldn’t do if he was allowed to practice with the other team’s defense all week and was given a copy of the other team’s playbook. Another good stat- Vick is now something like 8-17 against winning teams. As a Chargers fan, we love how the Falcons fans are so blinded by stupidity about Vick. He’s the best thing that ever happened to the Charger organization.

By lawrence rutt

December 18, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Vick flips the bird to the fans that love him and he can’t win more than 8 games average of his 6 years and you love him. Come on face it the guy is an idiot a coach killer and he won’t be squat next year with a new coach and he makes another 10 million for sucking. When will the people of GA get it? It’s like bad service on AOL it’s not worth the trouble and Vick isn’t either. You won’t go to the Superbowl with him and the fact is you have a talented team. Bill Parcells and other coaches have gone with new QB’s so waive Vick.
What do Michael Vick and David Carr have in common? They are both overpaid and can’t win enough games and there isn’t enough return on the investment of the fans or owners. No matter how you say or what you say Michael Vick may throw for 100 TD’s but he isn’t Payton Manning a record is great but Rings are what everyone plays for in the NFL. He isn’t Payton Manning or close to him so why keep him. He must look great in the black uniform. Dallas and other championship teams are winners for a reason they want to win and don’t let mediocre players control the team. The Steelers started a rookie and in his 2nd year Superbowl, Drew Bledsoe who is better than Vick and has a ton of records was bench for lack of productivity. Now Tony Romo leads the team and they beat the Falcons in ATL and won the NFC East.
Play injured it’s just another excuse for the fans to feel sorry for a bad player who can’t cut it in the NFL. Read the stats and Vick is way behind VY.

By Lawrence Rutt

December 18, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Leaders is what wins games and talent but if the team doesn’t believe in the QB the rest is down hill. Dallas Cowboys have an older team with a few veterans Drew Bledsoe couldn’t scramble and is old they lost at the start of the season. Tony Romo a 3 year bench warmer comes in sparks them gives them a mobile QB and they win he gets their respect and leads the team. Vince Young a team with no talent and 41 million under the salary cap wins games. Who does he have that is great? The Falcons are a team loaded with talent look at the roster. Brees is a winner and Vick isn’t. You say he might win in the future. That’s not the here and the now he isn’t and that’s what matters wins. Explain Vince Young a rookie who leads his team to win and believe they beat Jacksonville with defense not offense but they believe in VY. The Falcons don’t believe in Vick or they would win games and not give the fans the real BIRD.

By jay

December 18, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

c. Just wondering: Is John Abraham made of paper mache?

See SI.com today Peter King

By VICK for MAYOR

December 18, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

This game should settle the QB issue once and for all. Matt Shaub is a 4-yr veteran and played like a rookie. For those who hate Vick, tell me your hopes for the win didn’t drop when Shub came out for the last drive? Even the biggest Vick hater wanted Vick on the filed for that drive. vick was incredible. sure he gave up 1 td, but threw 6 (2 called back). and what about the holding penalties not called????? Great game, Dallas was just a better team.

By excellent driver

December 18, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Two questions, Did Brooking know during the game TO spit in D Hall’s face?

Is D Hall a man or a mouse? F* the game, I don’t care if Andre the Giant spits in my face, I am all over him! Granted I’d get my A__ KICKED , but when a some one challenges your manhood, you’ve got to stand up!!

December 18, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if we lose the game AND it costs us the playoffs, SOMEBODY SHOULD HAVE HURT THAT SOB!!!

Scott Case would have knocked TO into next week!!!

By will50

December 18, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Most of the resentments leveled toward the Black QB’s in the NFL stem from resentment and jealousy. Why….because most Whites want to look at the QB positon as “passing only” and “computer brain”…terms that they like to “reserve” for themselves. If a Black encroach on any position that Whites deem as a “leadership position”, “takes reasoning/thinking/computer like deciphering” they immediately attack that individual, especially if the individual isn’t of the acceptable “skin pigmentation”. Those my friends, are the reasons for all the “dumping” on Vick and other Black QB’s.

You see, most Blacks like to play the game of football at the QB position with a sense of athleticism, spirit, playmaking and spontaneous big plays that are exciting. Most whites resent that…because, lets face it, most of them (not all) that play the position lack the skills to display such athleticism, thus, the “fear” that if they accept blacks at the position, then there would be less positions on the teams for “them”. There can be no other reasons for all their antiquated reasons for always downplaying the performances of Blacks at the QB position…now matter how well the Blacks perform and even if their teams have winning records…’ole Jim Crow is alive and well.

By I am the decider

December 18, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

titothebear (or teats, for short) I am no problem with individuals who choose to use lengthy words to make a point, only when they come across as a pompous a*. Such as, “However, such a degree does not qualify you for membership in the elite intelligentsia.” Did the institution that gave (obviously you didn’t earn it) you your degree (if you actually have one) print that on your diploma? And yes, I am member of a national honors society with a B.S. and M.S. No, the interception did not mightily contribute “mightily” to the Falcons defeat. The team had already overcame the deficit and lost the game for entirely other reasons. Also, to choose the word, “mightily” instead of say, “significantly” just demonstrates to me that you are some sort of frustrated writer or worse.

You appear to view the game with some sort of contrived bias against Vick and obviously can not watch a game objectively.
I can not believe you are actually a professor when your interpretations of the game are so juvenile. If you are a professor, the higher education system is in worse case than I thought. Answer me this, I make much more than a college professor, why did you chose your profession, to get next to young men?

By Russ Brock

December 18, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

The Falcons lost because Vick threw an INT directly into a LINEMAN’S hands and then did not even look at his own favorite receiver Crumpler standing all alone with nothing but green in between. Instead he throws to a blanketed Leleigh and the playoffs are nothing but something the Falcons are used to - watching it on TV. Vick is a curse. He is a coach-killer, a team killer, a hope killer. The whimp took himself out of the game because he tweaked his groin and, yes, I know what it’s like. For $10 Million a year, I sure as heck would’ve made it back in. But wait, come to think of it, he did what’s best for the team. He let a real quarterback come in. However, since Schaub hardly ever gets any reps and he was not allowed to warm up, what do you expect? I will buy tickets again when Vick is no longer the Falcons’ QB. I must admit, I do like winning the money I have betting against the Falcons.

By Falcon in Playoffs?

December 18, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

Why isn’t anyone talking about the way the running back quit? Mike Vick took himself out when the game was on the line because he new he couldn’t get it done. Great QB. Great competitor. I suppose that is the coaches fault too?

By I am the decider

December 18, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

I guess the defense didn’t give up 31 points! I must have been watching a different game…Also, if you take away the Vick INT. the defense still gave away more points than the offense scored and Vick threw 4 td passes Down by 10 with a minute and half left in the game, yeah, the game was really on the line…all the falcons had to do was score immediately, get an on-side kick and score again. piece of cake.

By NorthsideWRGrad

December 18, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

Terrance and most of the bloggers here, I agree with most of your posts. I have two major points I want to touch on. 1st, I think Mor(on)a and his staff are highly underqualified. Only one other person brought up the point that McKay brought in the new “hot young coach” in both Tampa and Atlanta. Keep in mind in both cases, Dungy in Tampa and Reeves in Atlanta, the new “hot young coach” took their respective teams to the conference championship and/or Superbowl with essentially talent assembled by the previous “experienced/seasoned” coach. In both cases, the original coaches basically blew-up a very underachieving roster and re-built the teams from scratch. It was just like in Vegas, one guy “warmed up the slot machine but somebody else hit the jackpot.” And at the center of it all was McKay who hired both Gruden and Mora after coming in when the previous coach were at the edge but were one season away from winning it all. Now look at both cases, a pattern is developing.

2nd, If yall remember Blank fired Reeves in the middle of the season with a few games left. Reeves was too old school and classy to play a “lame duck” coach. Reeves would have rather left than try to half-heartedly tried to coach. It wouldn’t have been fair to his players or himself. He was like if I have to go, why should I stick around for “a two weeks notice” so to speak that would benefit nobody but Blank. Besides, with Reeves contract, he got paid for the rest of his contract, whether he stayed or went home. Everybody is acting all surprised over Mora’s comments on the radio show last week. If yall remember, it was at about this time of the season when Blank fired Reeves. What people may not realize is that Mora has to put out those “job feelers” because maybe he wasn’t smart enough to put in his contract a safety clause. Mark my words, he is gone by the end of the year but he is trying to hold on for two things, his paycheck and exposure for potential positions.

By ridiculous

December 19, 2006 03:22 AM | Link to this

The defense gives up 38 points but somehow Mike Vick is gettin the blame for the loss. Im to the point where i wish Vick would ask for a trade or a release so this team can go back to winning two or three games a year. He plays his heart out and the defense cost the team a win just like they did in several games last year but Vick gets the blame. There are a lot of people who are posting who have no idea of what they are talking about. Vince Young is a nice story and all but his numbers suck compared to Vick. If u compare both of their first years starting its not even close that Vick put up better numbers so please save that dumb thought. David Carr is horrible. Ask the Houston fans who would they rather have Carr or Vick and they would take Vick a million times. I would bet u anything that if they had Vick they would have more wins than the sorry no defense having Falcons. Until the Falcons get a real defensive coordinator(he has really been getting a pass for some reason) they will continue to suck. The offense will have to score 50 a game to win with this sorry d.I hope they make the playoffs but with this defense it wouldnt matter they woldnt last past the first game.