AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > December > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons are a mess
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
What a mess! You’ve got a team of Falcons drawing a bead on a place in the playoffs, biggest game of the season coming up, and the coach says on an interview with a Seattle broadcaster that he’d jump ship in a split second to coach his old college team. I know, you’ve read all that, but I’m not sure you were making notes. Surely, Jim Mora must have known that the Pony Express has been bypassed by radio. News travels fast nowadays.
I know, the power was off in most of Seattle because of a furious storm, but that doesn’t mean Atlanta was in the dark. (“This is the job I want,” speaking of University of Washington. “You would leave the Falcons for that job?” Reply: “I don’t care if we’re in the middle of playoffs, I’m packing my stuff and coming back to Seattle.” Radio guy: “You would leave the Falcons for that job?” Mora: “Absolutely.”)
There’s a rather positive ring to that, I’d say. You can’t drop a bomb and stop it in mid-flight. You can’t say “if I was in the middle of playoffs” and say, “Aw, shucks, can’t you take a joke?”
There’s a little bit of sophomore in Jim Mora. The boyish grin, the twinkle in the eyes, the overload of self-confidence, but how could that self-confidence have led him to think he could take off in a such a flight of fancy and expect to get away with it. Kidding around? Two days before he had to look across the line at the Dallas Cowboys, with a place in the NFL playoffs on the line. What could his players think? What’s with this guy, who’d rather coach the Washington Huskies than us?
Most of all, what could his boss be thinking? Arthur Blank took it calmly. No furious outburst, not as if Joe Torre had been sending an unofficial message to George Steinbrenner. The Falcons owner simply said something about “inappropriate remarks,” and let it go at that, but beneath that stylish haberdashery the blood pressure had to be on a rise. Look, Blank had just extended Mora’s contract through the season of 2009. How’s this for appreciation?
As for the team, the Falcons played as if they had never read the papers or heard the news. They gave away an early lead, got a lead of their own, then lost it again when Tony Romo — not a place for ribs – found out he could pick up yards any time Allen Rossum was on the field, and the Cowboys quietened the Georgia Dome throng. And I’ll tell you this, there was a lot of Cowboys blue among that throng.
Some of the best leaders you’ll ever know couldn’t work long division. One great major league manager never got beyond the 7th grade in school. But he wasn’t dumb. This was dumb, just before the most vital game of the season. I would say this, without any knowledge or personal interest, that what Jim Mora did was talk himself out of town. Tough for me to expect the owner of a team to read such a transcript and tell its author that he wants him around three more seasons. No reason to expect a change now, but I’d guess Arthur Blank’s talent scouts are getting busy going over their private list and checking it twice.
Show you how things work out, the best the Cowboys could take back home with them in the way of clubhouse friction was merely another chapter in the turmoiled presence of Terrell Owens. “The Spit” it was titled on a Dallas broadcast. “After winning a big game like this, all you’re going to get when you get home to Texas is “The Spit,” one commentator said.
What happened — and I don’t know how we missed this during the game — is that Owens told his teammates he had spit in the face of D’Angelo Hall. Confessed in the locker room. The two had been sparring throughout the game. Hall had boasted that he would take Owens prisoner; instead Owens burned Hall with five catches, two for touchdowns. Yet, Owens did the spitting, which would get him a fine in the subway, but not in the NFL. You know, boys will be boys.
Permalink | Comments (55) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Furman Bisher
Comments
By Gene
December 17, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this
It appears that Reeves built a pretty good team, and it was Arthur Blank’s decision to hand it all over to the clown, Mora. It is going to cost Blank a lot of money and time to get back to where we were four years ago. Like Mr. Bisher says, it is a big mess.
By mo
December 17, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher is an institution of Atlanta Sports history. I would be very interested to know how he felt about Mora’s comments about the local media.
As far as that game went; the game was terrible. The defense played like their head coach stabbed them in the back. I really think that Mora beat us yesterday and that this is the last of his era. Even if we make the playoffs.
I just think we need a veteran head coach that has a proven winning system. I sure wish we could throw some money at someone like Dick Vermeil. Is he through crying enough to coach this team?
Oh, and as far as that whole spitting incident; I really wish we can somehow get rid of the little girl Teryl. For real, he act like a little woman, spitting on guys, keeping up drama in the locker room, and just wanted attention. He reminds me of this young chick I used to date back in high school: she was a little drama queen with a temper, too. But she kept up drama and thought that the world revolved around her; and she thought everyone was jealous. Sure, she had physical skills, but I just had to drop her to keep the insanity down.
I hope the NFL learn from my experiences.
By Sonny
December 17, 2006 07:40 PM | Link to this
D. Hall got TORCHED by Owens!! An elite cornerback??, not even close. Sorry dude, talking a good game doesn’t make you great, MAKING DAMN PLAYS WHEN IT COUNTS DOES D. HALL!!!
Lay off the tattoos and the smack talk for a while and work on your damn technique overrated mf.
By Red Grange
December 17, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big Jim Mora fan but I wish Arthur Blank would keep his big schnozz off the sidelines. That has to be at least mildly distracting to players and coaches.
By Mean D
December 17, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
Mora told the truth that he would leave in a heartbeat. Can you blame him? This is a rag tag operation with an owner whose ego just won’t allow him to stay off the sidelines. Blank just has to have the cameras on him.
By @@
December 17, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this
D Fall, J Mora and Co. Get the f********* outta’ town.
I’m joking. Ha ha ha. Of course.
By Edward
December 17, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this
Dick Vermeil? No way, wasn’t he the one who said Michael Vick was a running back playing quarterback? I don’t understand why Rich McKay gets a pass from the media. Looking at the coaches he brought in and the players (with a few exceptions) do we really want him to pick our next coach or even be involved in the process? Do we bring Reeves back? Deangelo Hall showed this year we were all wrong about him being a shutdown corner…he can’t even shut his mouth…going on TV crying about how someone spit in your face and you not going to talk to them anymore showed just how weak he is.
By the future
December 17, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
Why is atlanta cursed? just when you think the boat has righted itself another stupid jerk(see e.robinson SB 98)goes and does something like a teenager. AB needs to cut his losses and bring in a real head coach.Dan Reeves is welcome back!!
By Ronny
December 17, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
Despite the racial comments on all of these blogs, Mike Vick is the least of the Falcons’ problems. Give him a bigger, more 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, at best. 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 this Atlanta mess with a ten-foot pole. And Arthur badly botched his initial hiring search, by passing on the gem that’s Lovie Smith. So let’s look at some other people with head coaching experience as possibilities. Charlie Weiss would have to be the first choice. But it’s doubtful he could or would leave Notre Dame this soon, nor would be interested in the Falcons job. Let’s look at two other college head coaches with pro experience. Both Ralph Friedgen, as an offensive genius, and George O’Leary, a top defensive mind, have strong Atlanta ties. They’d probably be largely embraced by most Falcons fans. Granted, George (Central Florida) had his problems with his Notre Dame resume. But he’s paid for that ten-fold. Ralph has been a huge (no pun intended) boost for the Maryland program. Both coached under Bobby Ross at Tech, and then followed him to the San Diego Chargers. They went to the Super Bowl. They’re buddies, last I heard, so probably wouldn’t have problems with either as head coach. One as assistant head coach, perhaps. Or as co-head coaches maybe. Both are hard-nosed, no-nonsense, intelligent head coaches, who could take what’s here (whatever they’d want to keep)— and build upon it. Arthur should look at both of these outstanding coaches and men, as he moves to lay the foundation for the NEW FALCONS!
By Darrin "The Vent King
December 17, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
Anybody got Jimmie Johnson’s number?
By Burger Brian
December 17, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blank is a “class act”. I believe his heart is totally in his Falcons team. Mora has “worn out his welcome” as a coach. Knapp’s decision to pass on fourth and third short with the NFL’s best running attack is nothing short of insane. McKay is a quality guy. Look at what has happened to TB since he left. I thought Mora was a good hire when they got him and the first year looked as much. Unfortunately for us ~ Mora doesn’t have the “experience” that a Parcells has. Boy ~ I wish Jeff Fisher was available!!!
By BIRDY
December 17, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this
DHALL SHOULD THANK TO FOR SPITTING ON HIM,TO WAS JUST WETTING HIM DOWN BEFORE HE TORCHED HIM.IF IT WASN’T FOR TO,DHALL WOULD HAVE THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON HIS HEAD & SHOULDERS.THE REST OF HIS BODY IS TOAST.
By Burger Brian
December 17, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
Oh and Vick played his HEART out! Actually ~ so did the receivers and backs! The defense did as well as can be expected given the injuries ~ it’s friggin’ Knapp’s idiotic play calling that killed us!!! I’m done….
By Dhall for Team Clown
December 17, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
Dearest DeAngelo H.,
Spit happens…especially to loudmouth, all talk - no walk cbs. Please shut your trap and start playing football…
Sincerely, One of three Falcons Fans still on the bandwagon (seriously considering the jump).
By ATLplayer
December 17, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
I know Mr. Blank will not see this but, Fire Jim Mora Jr. now!!!! You can not continue to allow this guy to lead your team. He has made it perfectly clear where his head is and it’s not with the Falcons. You gave Dan Reeves a very short leash and fired him during the season. Jr. makes Reeves look like the greatest coach ever! You fired Reeves and he was the only coach ever to lead the Falcons to the SB! Now, I know you will fire him after the season is over, however, I say you can’t wait. Mora Jr. has embarrassed us enough.
By Burger Brian
December 17, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this
D. Hall and T. Owens are very similar. They are “me” type players. Not “team” players. Uncharacteristic of what it takes to be successful. You may remember that it was all about “Vick” for a while. Nothing like losing seasons to kill the “me” syndrome. T.O. simply changes teams in hopes of a winning season.
By db
December 17, 2006 09:51 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 E.Hill
December 17, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this
Man what a season so far: no room under the salary cap, a Q.B. controversy with a back up that never played a full two game, Poor coaches trying to bail right after they signed extensions, free agents that have lived up to potiental about as high as a midget knees. Among others, Ed, no tackles in the backfield Hartwell, man i cant stand to watch this dude play.Can anybody else offer some finding, Im out of breath!!!!!!!!!!
By Burger Brian
December 17, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
yeah ~ with the high paid FA’s ~ it’s the “unluck of the draw” when they get hurt. Hartwell was history before he made a meaningful tackle! Abe (to his credit) has had surgery and returned to the line up in the same season. Amazingly, as bad as D. Hall was last nite ~ hurt ~ he is better than Webster was when HE WAS HEALTHY ~ which was MAYBE in camp!
By Burger Brian
December 17, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
BTW ~ forget the likes of Jimmy Johnson. Look what happened to him in Miami. He and the team QUIT simultaniously. I will never forget Marino’s last game in Jacksonville ~ what a disgrace to a GREAT career. JJ has not had anything really good to say about Vick. We have to get someone in the Bellicek(sp) mold. A proven winner that the “game hasn’t passed them by”. Dan R. did great things to move the Falcons forward ~ however, he could NOT win the BIG one!
By surfrider
December 17, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
Two years ago the Falcons were at the Championshsip game. Last seasan can be blamed away with serious injuries particularly on the defensive side. Vick has been QB for sometime now and on some fronts is doing better but on the passing front the Falcons are a serious contender. To this blame must be placed first with the coaching staff and particularly the offensive coaches. That said Mora’s comments reflect an immaturity in his mid 40’s, maybe all the power and money has gone to his head. It reflects a grandiousity that is not warranted. It’s probably time for Blank to fire the whole staff. With the talent this team has and two years running after the NFL championship game and mediocrity at best is the rule. A real pro would be so focused on the Dallas game that he may not even want to do an interview. At the same time Mora is from that area and may miss it. If he does the Falcons should let him pack his bags and pay for his ride out of Atlanta.
By e.b.
December 17, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
Mo, I’ll tell you this. I listen to the Dan Patrick show on ESPN radio, and Dan Gotlieb was filling in on Friday. Of course they were talking about Mora’s comments. Gotlieb says he covers sports in Atlanta, said Mora, jr. is the most difficult coach he has ever come across. Said he’s very private & quick with tne media. Needless to say, I don’t think he’s fond of local media, and I think feelings are mutual.
By e.b.
December 17, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
Well brian, come on now. Yes, d-Hall is playing banged-up, but you ask anyone across the boards (the so called NFL pundits), and he is considered one of the elite DB’s in the business. Now onto Webster, they clearly need to get rid of that dude. As soon as Mora goes, so will Webster & Knapp.
By furture scout
December 18, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this
Here’s a short list: 1. Dan Reeves 2. Ken Whisenhunt 3. Mike Martz
and possibly Bill Cowher, the under appreciated coach in Pittsburg….I’ve lost confidence in Mora.
By Deez
December 18, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
Man I’m glad I live in Tampa…we suck and we know it no guessing about the playoff pitcher and not getting strung along then heart break and praying for a wild card ….I feel bd for you guys ..all the talent on O and no coaching staff..well I mean they’er there but they might as well have lawn chairs an grills with a few buds..they got the best seats in the house to WATCH the game
By Gt fan
December 18, 2006 03:52 AM | Link to this
if we win the next 2 games well be in the playoffs. Taken that philly looses to dallas next week since giants and cowboys have tiebreakers over us. Even if we make the playoffs i question how far we can go because we dont have a experienced big game coach like Reeves! People say that reeves never won the big game….but usually in the big game his teams were outclassed. (denver of 97, 98) would KILL any team out now! I say bring back Dan, he should be able to retire a falcon after taking us to the promised land….remember he did beat the mighty vikings in the NFC championship. Not to mention all the AFC championships he won. Go Falcons!!
By Ken
December 18, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
I listened to Mora’s entire interview and I’m surprised that no one has mention this fact. When he started the interview and 1/4 of the way thru, the host asked him about his dad’s coach killer comment. Mora then said that his dad made a mistake in responding to a question posed to him by a radio show host and he should not have done it. He said his dad should’ve known better. Then, not 10 minutes later JR. does the EXACT SAME THING that he chastised his dad about.
I thought that was very interesting, to use a word.
By Dan Cook
December 18, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
Your comment about the 8th-grade dropout not being dumb, just minus the last few years of high school reminded me of an elderly lady in my small Alabama hometown who sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of her home, never went anywhere but knew everything that went on around her. My uncle, a country lawyer, talked to her and obsered that she had a knack for asking questions that getting answers when she talks to anyone who comes by. Some people, yes uneducated, are just smart.
By ae
December 18, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this
It sure seems that D-Hall gets toasted an awful lot for being a premiere cb in the nfl.. T.O. completely got the best of D-Hall and then spit in his face.. D-Hall needs to quite whining and try playing football instead. He got beat TWICE for TD’s and then embarassed by the spitting incident. I’d be mad too, but the spitting was simply a result of his terrible play..
By greg
December 18, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Fire them Now! Arthur, he has told the world that his hearts not in it. Do you really think a team will follow this man into battle. Get a coach who is ready to put his players on the field to compete. If not get outta town.Falcons no team respects you! Im going to the chargers.
By james
December 18, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Jim Mora’s very sincere remarks over the airwaves last week were every bit as heartfelt as Michael Richard’s racist tirade in an LA nightclub last month. Further, Mora’s apology was equally as empty and insincere as Richards’ apology. I am embarrassed that the Falcons have such vast incompetence at the helm. We are not going to the playoffs, so Blank fire him now. The well has been poisoned enoough already.
By kingfish
December 18, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
I don’t blame Mora for wanting to split from Atlanta, would you want to stay in this quagmire of a city? How would you like to coach a team that you can only coach to a point, no full authority. Do you think he can sit Mike Vick on the bench? Do you think he can really, truly run this team? No way. Open your eyes, dunces and you can see it. Vick has put a lot of fans in the seats and that is what it is all about to the owner. ($$$) So deal with it, it isn’t going to change barring a catastrophe of some type. The falcons are sunk for the year; and until someone can take the bull by the horns and really tell these spoiled, overpaid idiot players what they can do and not do, it will be more of the same. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; stop making football a big idol, it will all burn anyway!!!
By peter
December 18, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
Mora is a joke, the team plays part of the time, and all that laughing and joking before a game really tells the story.
The Falcon’s are not disciplined as a team, just look at the penalities we have each week.
Look at the way we play the weaker teams in the league, and look at the defenese that said starting the season we would be one of the elite DEFENSIVE teams in the league…….at least that is what D Hall said on talk radio…….
So here we are Monday, and D Hall crying about TO, and saying he should be suspended…….maybe this is his plan to get us in the playoffs…….HA HA HA………
Why doesn’t D Hall and all the potential car jacker big mouth thugs just hush up and do their job for a “CHANGE”……
Good luck to this franchise…….
It seems we have drawn a “BLANK”…..with the coaching, the picking of injured free agents, and the joke of a QB that plays some games, and then quits when things get tough!
Too bad there is ZERO leadership on the team, and we can laugh all the way to another lousey season with our smiling coach!
Oh by the way I love after a loss……and now 4 in a row at home, Mora stands there saying how hard the players played…….please tell me well when is he going to stand up and say WE have been out coached yet again!
By JimmyB
December 18, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
There’s a lot of misplaced anger out there at Jim Mora. The buck stops at Blank. He chose to go with charisma, which is important at Home Depot and the NFL, over proven talent and ability to outcoach the best in the world, obvious must haves. Blank blew it. My question is will he be able to step aside and let a Lovie Smith guy get picked by the football guys and do we have the football guys who can pick a great coach, even if he’s just an assistant or in college and unproven against the best in the world?
Imagine what this team would have been like with Lovie and LT versus Mora and MikeyV.
By Falconator
December 18, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
Where is the “swamp fox” when we need him?
By The Remaining Fans
December 18, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Dear Arthur,
This mess is all your fault. Owning a NFL franchise is not like owning a MacDonalds or something. This isn’t business; it’s football. Your “CEO” acumen will not work here. So stop being a schmuck, hire some solid front office football people to run the team, and stay in the owners box where you belong.
And for crisakes shave that stupid looking mustache off and chuck the three-piece suits. You look like cross between a Latin American band leader and prep-school headmaster.
Get on it, will you. Our patience is wearing thin.
Warmest regards,
The Remaining Fans
PS - Stop calling us “stakeholders”, unless of course you plan to start paying dividends.
By Jim Feely
December 18, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Personally, I think both Mora, his staff and Vick should go. Vick can’t read defense, is too short to see over the rush, and now appears to hav lost a step or to from bing hit so often. The tm is virtual mess and needs realignment. Stab has it al, including the ability to scrble. It’s also a matter of time before th Vick family genes manifest themselves. What does Vick do in his off time beside insult people who approach him politely. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear, and this guy is a classless sort living and playing in Mecca. Just watch.
By ICEMAN
December 18, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
The Remaining idiots,
Professional football is a business you anti-intellectual! Mr. Blank has done, and will continue to do, every thing he can to bring this city the Super Bowl it wants.
By Christian
December 18, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
I am very disappointed at how the falcons have been playing. I am a very very very big fan of the falcons. I really know that they can play better. Plaese play herder
By Ryder
December 18, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
For the last time, Atlanta wasn’t going to draft LT when they still had Jamal Anderson’s contract on the books. Get over it! Getting Vick was still the best thing for this franchise. Unfortunately Mora wasn’t, and I guaranteed as such when I suggested getting Lovie as well.
He would’ve brought a much needed discipline to match Mike’s unbelievable talent (interesting how well he does when he has time in the pocket to throw? no one has anything bad to say about him now? hmmmmm)
That being said, Atlanta is STILL in the hunt for the playoffs. Although Philadelphia has been a force these past few weeks, I sincerely doubt they can beat Dallas in Dallas on Christmas Day, TO or no TO! Also, Atlanta has to muster enough chutzpah to put Carolina away once and for all (that team will be seriously retooling after this year). Then we have a winner take all showdown in Philly. It would be fitting for Atlanta considering their last two trips to the postseason has ended in Philadelphia. Wouldn’t it be great for Vick to finally get over the hump?
By The Remaining fans
December 18, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Hey ASSMAN, bite us. No one doubts Arthur’s intention to bring this city the Super Bowl it wants: one which includes the Falcons as one of the contestants. His methods to date are questionable, however, no matter how much an intellectual or dapper dresser he may be.
Kiss off,
The Remaining Fans
By chuck
December 18, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
The officiating was suspect against the Falcons. No one has mention all the holding the Dallas o-line did when they were in third in long. Go back and watch the film. Many of us sitting inside of Barnacles watching the game on jumbo screens could easily see the holds on several third and long plays. Anytime a defenders shoulder is turned out by an offensive guard or tackle, that is holding!!! We were waiting for coach Mora to complain to the refs about it. Complaining to the point of risking getting tossed out the game. Mora said nothing. Did any of the Falcons’s coaches notice the uncall holds? This is another area of good coaching. A good coach would have caught those things and annoyed the refs about it. Mora, you must get in the game mode of thinking. You do not have time to be on talk radio before a big game!!!! The Falcons’s coaches were out coached by Parcells and his staff. Where is Jimmy Williams? Rossum is too short to cover bigger defenders in third down passing situations. Play hard Falcons, we still have playoffs hope. Go Falcons!!!!!!!!
By MovieTall1
December 18, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
I have always hated Terrell Owens. I wish SOMEONE would beat the living s* out of that immature worthless piece of garbage. He’s a LOSER! HE ALWAYS HAS BEEN & HE ALWAYS WILL BE!
By genius3
December 18, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
Can you believe that poor little crybaby, deangelo hall? Seems he doesn’t have trouble running his big yap about everything else and then underperforms as usual and tries to divert the blame and attention to Terrell Owens. A little bit of expectorant should help him to get his focus on the game and do the job that he is (over) paid to do. Send these thugs and clowns to another team and get a new coach, maybe Mike Ditka or Isaiah Thomas.
By james
December 18, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
And I wish someone would do the same to DeAngelo Hall. No doubt he deserves it too.
By fast-enema
December 18, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
What a blessing and early Christmas present it would be if Mike Vick would take the day off sunday and sit on the bench. It will be hard for him to do; he would probably want to play at half strength (or whatever it is he plays at) and keep himself in the game. If we want any chance of winning this game, Schaub needs to start. Matt can move this team and do it well. Maybe Arthur will make this decision and keep Vick on the bench.
By phillysteak
December 18, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
Yes, those eagles can beat the cowboys in dallas; probably beat the stuffing out of them. This philly team is for real and they are gonna do some more stomping when the birds come to town. You can kiss your season goodbye no matter how many playoff scenarios that you put together. You can blame it on Mora, Blank, Vick, Hall, take your pick, it doesn’t matter. Philly is gonna win their division and the falcons will be watching the playoffs at home (if they can bear to watch!) Eagles, Cowboys and Giants; you heard it here first. Go Ron Mexico, keep losing those big games for the falcons but keep laughing all the way to the bank!!!
By KC
December 18, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Dan Reeves if you are reading this: I AM SORRY! Then again, looks like you’re the one who lucked up and got out.
By Southside
December 18, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
People can say what they want but VICK has been playing Great this Season. I mean damn he has 19 touchdowns and counting. The problem is the Defense. We dont have one. Hall is not D. Sanders. Greg Knapp needs to sit its a* down and Mora if he wants his job needs to just Unleash VICK. I mean when the Offense line half way block and the recievers catch the ball Vick throws touch downs. We can and will make the Playoffs. GO FALCONS
By Navigator
December 18, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
All things considered, I would probably like to coach Washington too! Who in their right mind would want to coach the Falcons. Except their records, what’s different between the Titans and the Falcons. The Titans are going up, and the Falcons are going down, baby!
By ReasonableDawg
December 18, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this
I don’t think McKay is the problem. Say what you want, this Falcons team is far more talented than the one Dan Reeves took to the playoffs in 02. It’s the coaching, injuries and overall play on the field that is lacking. If the Falcons make some good decisions this off season they could go deep into the playoffs next year. If not, we could easily have a mediocre team next season. All about DECISIONS.
By shane
December 18, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this
Like father like son. Blah blah blah..oops, there’s a foot in my mouth! Heeheehee!
Jim, proof is in the pudding buddy not in the instructions on the box. Stop talking and win us a couple of ball games. I do not care what the media says. Shut up and win!
Being a season ticket holder is starting to become a stale prospect.
WIN!
By ShadyGrady
December 18, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
MovieTall1,
You sound like a real woman asking for someone to beat up T.O. for you. Are you serious? If you are a man, then y don’t u do it yourself. Talking smack and crying for backup is pathetic. Go Vick, go Falcons! The coach is a clown like his father. Get an oldschool coach with an oldschool D’Coordinator and a new school O’Coordinator and lets get to the super bowl and win it.
By Mark
December 18, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Mora isn’t mature enough to be a successful long-term NFL coach. I’d like to see if Pete Carroll has an interest. He’d be my first choice.
By D Hall
December 18, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
I’m tired of D.Hall talkin about what he can do.Every game this year he has got torched he’s always braggin.Remember that Lions game when Roy Williams burn him alive the best hu shut up and get the job done like Champ Baiely that’ a true CB