Sports Columnists

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 28, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

Actually, if Dallas loses their 1:00 game to Detroit, Philly would have clinched the division and would have nothing to play for by the time the game starts at 4:15. Oh wait… they are playing Detroit. Never mind. It’s more likely that New York beats Washington on Saturday and the Falcons have nothing to play for by Sunday.

One thing I want to know — why in the world did Todd McClure and Todd Weiner get contract extensions when they are incapable of run blocking without trying to tear defenders’ ACLs?

And finally, you mention three Tech players (including Ball) being academically ineligible like it’s a bad thing. No, the truth is that Chan Gailey didn’t have the balls to bench Ball, so GT’s registrar did it for him instead. Taylor Bennett is going to have a better game for Tech than Ball had all year. Don’t know if it’s enough to get them a win, but it’s enough to make it close.

By JeffD

December 28, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the McClure (or Weiner) extension. Why would they continue to utilize this cut blocking crap? Why won’t Blank invest any money into protecting his QB?

I’m losing all confidence in Blank.

By Ronny

December 28, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

All the picks aside—let’s get back to the nitty—gritty.The next Falcons head coach. Ralph Friedgen of Maryland fills the bill. He’s a great offensive guru. He was offensive coordinator under Bobby Ross at Tech. Then he followed Bobby to San Diego, where they went to a Super Bowl in a very short time. They didn’t win, but they had the formula, until the San Diego management proceeded to decimate the Super Bowl team. Ralph turned Maryland around quickly. Not saying Ralph would want to get involved in the Falcons mess. But he would be a championship head coach, no question about it. I mentioned this on another blog. But people kept throwing out names like Jimmy Johnson (not interested), Charlie Weis (good luck), June Jones, Jerry Glanville, Reeves and all kinds of other non-starters. Let’s get real folks and get one of the great offensive minds in the game.A proven head coach, with pro experience. RALPH FRIEDGEN OF MARYLAND!! Go for it, Arthur!

By Tator Tot

December 28, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Schultz gets the big bucks for missing 88 games against the spread? Fire Schultz! Fire Mora! Fire Ron Zook! Fire Mike Shula! No, wait! KiLL Mike Shula! Hire Nick Saban! Fire Nick Saban!

By joe

December 28, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff, Somebody has to say it. How can you claim any expertise at predicting football games when you lose to a coin flip? Sorry; not many of us have jobs where anyone gets to see our misses.

Joe

By Steve

December 29, 2006 03:46 AM | Link to this

I look at things logically. If Iraq gets rid of Saddam, we can get rid of Mora. Its just logical!!

By Tyrone Willingham

December 29, 2006 04:35 AM | Link to this

Jeff, if that job opens up, (and it appears that this will be the case), you’ll find me at the head of the line with my resume in hand ready to take that job. I’m serious. You ask if I’m available?

It doesn’t even matter if I’m available. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of a playoff run, a BCS Bowl (which we are not), I’m packing my stuff and coming to Atlanta.

Hey listen, old Jim Mora, he’s done such a fine job, but if he decides to move on, then I’m there.

By Brainman

December 29, 2006 05:02 AM | Link to this

Just go Falcons. Do your best. Have pride.

By Nono

December 29, 2006 06:23 AM | Link to this

Good Blog Najeh Why keep Clabo, McClure, Weiner unless you don’t think they are the problem? You mean to tell me you might scrap the zone blocking scheme? But, that would mean Greg Knapp’s whole “moving pocket” designed to protect Vick isn’t working and your starting over? I’m getting my Christmas present next weekend, Oh, about the second quarter when Philly is up by a couple of touchdowns and the camera focuses on Arthur with that look of disgust. What, you thought throwing money at so called professionals would buy a title like your bretherend George Steinbrenner? Looks like youv’e been fooled! See just because they say they are number 1 and the best, and will bring you a division title doesn’t mean it will happen. Next weekend, when your interviewing new coaches, look at their resumes and pay no attention to all the a$$ kissing, handshakes, and smiles. Then Arthur, you might just buy this city a winner.

By Greg

December 29, 2006 06:47 AM | Link to this

Ronny has had a brainstorm with his Friedgen proposal. It seems obvious when you think about it, but it took Ronny to come up with it. Unfortunately, I doubt he’d ever fit, or want to fit, into the Blank-McKay management scheme. Note on this weekend: As we look at how the Falcons play, at their effort and how much their heads are into the game, in Philly, we’ll see eloquent testimony (one way or the other) of what they think about Mora and his staff.

By coach

December 29, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this

I agree with the comments on Ralph Friedgen - he is proven to be a fine offensive coach.

I think the Falcons will play hard in Philly, both for their own jobs and the jobs of their coaches, however they are going up against one of the very best coaching staffs in the NFL.

Falcon defense should have a good understanding of the Eagle offense - which should help - most coaches would rather have Vick over Garcia - Garcia was an out of work free agent before he was signed by the Eagles.

A Jim Johnson coached defense will make our offensive coaches and player earn this week’s paycheck. We win this one I will take my hat off to all of them.

By Randy R

December 29, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this

Mora is one of the most successful coaches in Atlanta’s history, and deserves to have at least one more year.

In Defense of Mora:

1. Mora has the exact W/L record that Reeves had his first 3 years (Mora: 26-21, Reeves: 26-22). Reeves lasted almost 7 years before he was released from his contract.

2. Since 1980, only 2 Atlanta coaches (Mora, Reeves) have winning records their first 3 years coaching.

3. Bennett’s first 3 years produced a 22 -24 record. He was allowed to coach Atlanta for 7 years.

4. Cambell had a 11 - 36 record his first 3 years back with the Falcons. He was allowed to coach for almost 7 years.

Atlanta is a mediocre team. Always has been. Always will be. Don’t throw the coach under the bus, because Blank sold everyone a rotten bill of goods.

By fatz

December 29, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank, i want you to read the “assessment” article on the falcons going into 07 in todays AJC. as i read it, the impression i get is that the falcons are about as “set” as any team could hope to be- could use an offensive lineman, a wide-out with two hands, a safety, and has to answer a question about warrick dunn’s place next year…..but it sure doesn’t read like this is a team which needs a major overhaul. now maybe that means the reporter is clueless, or maybe it means this years team got absolutely NO leverage to the upside from its coaching staff. hey, everybody- please hope the falcons lose - that probably makes the coaching argument a non-starter and assures that ticket sales in the Home Depot Georgia Dome will go into the dumper if this regime comes back. and that thought, more than super bowl glory, will get Mr Blank moustache smokin.

By TGram65

December 29, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

Todd Weiner was a decent blocker in Seattle before he came to the Falcons, so I sort of get that move. Whatever the Falcons do, at least he could be a backup. Hopefully, they didn’t overpay for him , like they’ve done with half the team. part of the problem in improving the Falcons will be to create enough space under the cap. Right now, they’re at about none million. There are several team near thirty. That said, I ( a season ticket holder) expect huge changes this off season. Extending the contracts of guys like McClure and continuing this cut-blocking crap aren’t exactly what I had in mind. Might be time to give someone on that shrinking season ticket waiting list my seats.

By Jeff

December 29, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

JEFF FISHER I’m telling you he can be lured away from Nashville & will win now!

By Jim O

December 29, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Living in Northern VA I get to see/hear a lot about Ralph. He did great his first year, but Maryland has not produced after that. You would think the QB and offense would have been great with Ralph there for a number of years, but they have stunk up College Park on too many occasions.

Mora was a good NFL assistance coach as was Sean Payton for the Saints. Maybe another one year wonder???

Getting a proven NFL head coach is taking somebody’s reject, and it is a crap shoot with an assistant. MAYBE Mora is still the man, but the front office had better help him choose his assistant coaches and coordinators.

By coach

December 29, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

Coaching changes are always good for season tickets, but not always good for the long term sucess on the field.

The new coach is held in the same high esteem as the back up QB during a losing streak.

By Falcons for Dummies

December 29, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

Maybe the Falcons will win if they score more points than the Eagles, or does that not work for us either?

By JB

December 29, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this

I posted what Jeff just posted: Jeff Fisher is the guy. And he could lure Norm Ckow as OC which would take care of both sides of the ball. Fisher was yanked around all year by Nashville ownership and Chow would be in the mix if he is offered an elevation to Assistant Head Coach.

Fisher instills toughness. He was the best deciple of the old 46 defense, and Chow develops QB’s, most recent: Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinert, and now Vince Young in the pros.

Maybe it is too logical?

By Falcon Fan NoMo

December 29, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

Awesome! TVLand is having a Gunsmoke marathon this Sunday starting at 4:00 PM. Good quality wholesome programming where the good guys always win, and the bad guys lose and make excuses. Why watch anything else? “Falcons” you say? Why watch the bitter-beer-faced owner? The clueless coaches? The overhyped inconsistent QB? A LB who get’s dragged 5 yds. per run? A mouthy CB that talks his way to the pro bowl? I’ll watch Festus ride Ruth in circles around the Long Branch. You guys watch the Eagles ride the Falcons around Lincoln Financial.

By lojak

December 29, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Actually Norm Chow at Tennessee Titans is one of the guys the Falcons should at least look at. Proven offensive genius at several stops with several NFL qb’s on his resume.Our next coach needs to be an off. minded guy to get Vick help, and stability.

By JeffD

December 29, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

For viable coaching candidates, we need look no further than our opponent Satrday.

Jim Johnson has lead a defense that has ranked near the top for over five years. The Falcons’ defense, onthe other hand, hasn’t shown any aggression since Mora arrived. We need an aggressive style. I’m sure that philosophy would carry over to the offense, as well.

Obtaining Johnson as head coach would be swell.

By Nick Saban

December 29, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

I just want to let it be known i am in no way interested in the Atlanta job (i have to say that you know. call my agent).

By james

December 29, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

I am highly skeptical of the Falcons’ intentions and mindset heading into the Philly game. I honestly believe there is a high probability many players will “throw” this game and approach it with every intention on losing it. Of course, there will be no way to prove this, but I believe this team is void of any sense of integrity and has such low regard for ethics that they will intentionally lose the game to seal the fate of the entire coaching staff.

By Navigator

December 29, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

Jeff, when you start talking about how the Falcons could get in, I begin to wonder whether you’ve been here too long. The Falcon fantasy has taken over your mind. For crying out loud, the Falcons are playing the hottest team in the NFL, and a team on a mission. You’re forgetting that the Falcons are never on a mission, with them it’s about individual statistics. Vick rushed for a 1000 yards, and Bobby Douglas almost rushed for over 800 yards as QB. He was out of the league in 6 years, because he could not pass efficiently. I don’t want to draw anymore comparisons, the politically correct blog police will lock me out, as they’ve done before.

By Blind Homer

December 29, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

Vick puts butts in seats, Blank loves Vick, Falcons will reamin mediocre for…..How long does tha t$130M contract run? No one can make a super bowl team out of the Falcons as long as they’re stuck with the coach killer.

By Dawgone!

December 29, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

By Steve

December 29, 2006 03:46 AM | Link to this

I look at things logically. If Iraq gets rid of Saddam, we can get rid of Mora. Its just logical!!

Hey Steve,

Can we hang his arse on nation TV or Pay Per View? Hell we can even ask Skip C. to do the play by play since he is looking for a job now anyway.

By Remaining Fans

December 29, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

James @ 09:44, throwing games is not new for the Falcons. Remember when Vick was out for while a few years ago and suddenly no one could do anything right for his back-up?

By larry w.

December 29, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

James…Are you serious?

By Historian

December 29, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

So I read that the Falcons will demand a 1 and 3 round draft pick for Schaub. No team is going to give that for a back up QB. I guess that Falcons can control a guys career, even though his contact with them is over. Now we can say the Falcons have a coach killer, and they are a career killer.

By Authuritarian

December 29, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Nothing will change as long as Arthur Blank sees managing a sports franchise the same why he sees managing a retail business. He may be better dressed, not to mention wealthier than Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders, but Arthur’s own personal approach to hands-on management is having the same effect on the Falcons.

By Larry

December 29, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

NO!

We do not want Ralph Refrigerator! The last thing we need is to look at the sloppy naval of the morbidly obese.

We need a winner! We need a champion! We need class! We need professionalism! We need proof! We need excellence! We need a leader who commands respect!

We need Jim Tressel!

By ICEMAN

December 29, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

All of you who want Vick gone are wasting your time. As long as Black Atlantans treat him like he’s Martin Luther King with braids, he will not be sat down.

By ICEMAN

December 29, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

The only Vick fans in this world are Black Atlantans,(and a few whites). When I talk to people in other areas of the country, black or white, they all say the same thing: Get rid of Vick. It is only black Atlantans that think he should be kept. Even Blacks outside of the city know better than that.

By Muhammed Saad Abdul Salim Jones

December 29, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

All you whiteys is haters. It dont matter if MV is ranked last in stats and it dont matter if Falcons never go to playoffs again. My man puts people in the seats and that all that matters. Like my bro said “Its way to much talent in this lockerroom to be losing.”

By Dano

December 29, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

GREAT COACHING:

The football odyssey of Damarius Bilbo continues. The former Georgia Tech quarterback who was shoehorned into the role of receiver has surfaced this week on the Dallas practice squad. His gifts were put to unusual use this week — imitating Michael Vick in practice as the Cowboys prepared for the Falcons. By next season there may be yet another position change for Bilbo, this one just as radical as the one at Tech. “We might look at him at safety. He’s a big kid, 215 pounds, with great athletic ability. And a pretty smart kid. We might just try him there,” Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said.

AND:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On the eve of his last regular-season home game, the Giants’ Tiki Barber talked about what one of his former coaches, Sean Payton, meant to him and his career. And it was considerable. But look what Payton’s doing now for the New Orleans Saints. He has them at the top of their division. He has them in the playoffs. And he has them within a victory of a first-round bye. Now you know why Payton is a dead-bolt cinch as the NFL’s Coach of the Year. Sure, there are others who are other deserving candidates, but Payton accomplished the improbable — returning life to a franchise that barely had a pulse a year ago. The Saints won three games then. They didn’t have a home. They didn’t have a future. And a handful of their top performers, including defensive end Darren Howard and center LeCharles Bentley, left because they wanted to escape an atmosphere of losing. Bad decision, guys. Had they stuck around, they might have witnessed one of the greatest U-turns in league history, with the Saints’ 30-7 demolition of the New York Giants Sunday their 10th victory of the season. It wasn’t the Saints’ best performance, but it was close — with New York never taking a snap on the New Orleans side of the field. And that’s what you love about this victory. It was decisive. It was complete. And it was timely — occurring when both teams needed to win, and only one showed up. “I was proud of our team,” said Payton. He should be. It didn’t just beat the Giants; it annihilated them. In fact, things got so bad that with 12 minutes left, more than half of Giants Stadium was empty, with those who were left booing the home team every time it dropped a pass, missed a tackle or committed a stupid penalty. But let’s forget about the Giants. This was all about one guy, and I’m not talking about Tiki. I’m talking about Payton, who was the Giants offensive coordinator before leaving for Dallas in 2003. It was in Dallas where he came to the attention of Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, who became sold on the guy immediately after interviewing him. “It wasn’t any one thing,” said Loomis. “First of all, it’s his background. We knew he was a good coach from his success in the past. Beyond that, it was his presentation and leadership ability. “It doesn’t do you any good to have a great plan if you can’t sell it and make people believe in your plan. Just immediately I got the feeling this guy can communicate; he can teach; and he can lead — all those qualities you’re looking for in a head coach.” The Saints’ selection of Payton was a minor upset. The club interviewed Mike Martz, Donnie Henderson, Maurice Carthon and Mike Sherman — with Carthon and Sherman considered Payton’s competition. But New Orleans stuck with the unheralded Payton, and let’s hear it for Mickey Loomis. His choice of Payton was the first step in the reconstruction of the franchise. Dec. 24, 2006 By Clark Judge CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

By DJ

December 29, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

The FalCOONS have been in the league 40 years and have NEVER had back-to-back winning seasons. What is the NFL doing in passionless sports town like Atlanta, anyway?

By Bayou Tiger

December 29, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Pro football is a joke. You might as well watch the NBA: the last last two minutes are the entire game (If indeeed you can stomach that much). Watch some real football as the meaningful bowl games start on January 1. GEAUX TIGERS!

By Max

December 29, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

POSTED 4:50 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

MORE WEIRDNESS FROM MICHAEL VICK

Michael Vick continues to prove that, in reality, he’s a glorified tailback with a strong throwing arm and marginal accuracy.

A quarterback he isn’t, in any sense of the word. First and foremost, quarterbacks are leaders. We’ve presented in the past evidence to support our belief that Vick isn’t. Most recently, he was wearing a groove in his back after setting the single-season quarterback rushing record in a defeat that dealt a crushing blow to his team’s playoff prospects.

In a Wednesday conference call with Philadelphia reporters, Vick provided even more proof to support the conclusion that he’s not a leader by taking steps to insulate himself from any blame for the team’s 7-8 record.

“I rushed for [over] 1,000 yards this year,” Vick said. “I threw a career-high 19 touchdowns, still one game to go. I’ve accomplished a lot of things. I think I’ve played consistently week in and week out. I can’t say what more I could’ve done. What I can say is that I feel good about what I’ve accomplished this season.”

So what went wrong for the team this year?

“I don’t know. I can’t really say,” said Vick. “That’s for you guys to go watch the film and see what really went wrong. Stat-wise, everything looks good. It looks gravy. I think we had a good year, but at the same time something didn’t go right. That’s the question that needs to be answered.

“Anytime you have over 3,000 yards of total offense in a season as a player, I think you should be in the winning bracket in the wins and loss column. You should have way more wins than you have losses.”

Another account of the conference call includes an admission from Vick that he recalls little about the Falcons last visit to Philly, for the 2004 NFC Championship Game, other than the fact that it was cold and that he “wished he had taken it more seriously.”

He also said that one of his priorities for the New Year’s Eve game in Philly is to ensure that the Falcons get back to Atlanta before midnight.

Nice. Hey, Falcons fans, you and the “real” media created this monster. Now that he’s crapping all over the furniture, what are you gonna do about it?

By Mike Kenn

December 29, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

Roger Goodell flew into Atlanta a few weeks ago and went to vist the Falcons during practice…The news delivered was, “You ain’t going nowhere this year boys”, because we want a feel good story for New orleans…Thus Saints are the darlings, games being given to them, and hey, better luck next year…This year has been dictated by the NFL league office, with them deciding who is in the playoffs, and those that are out…wake up people, this is entertainment, and like the WWF, all scripted…

By Ronny

December 29, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Hey— if the Falcons get Ralph Friedgen of Maryland— the club could stage a weight-loss contest between Ralph and Grady Jackson! Ralph’s got to be up to 375 by now, just like Grady. Imagine the great publicity the contest would generate! Got to think of all the angles here. I realize there’s been some rough sledding in College Park recently— but Ralph’s overall body of work(no pun intended) is excellent. And he’d definitely pull the offense out of the doldrums. Couldn’t even score a touchdown against Carolina— in a must-win game. Good grief. And with Ralph on the sidelines, there wouldn’t be any room for Blank!!! .

By Larry

December 29, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

My patented quote:

“Michael Vick is the best running QB in NFL history,

and,

Michael Vick is the worst passing QB in NFL history.”

Any questions?

By Blick Vank

December 29, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Okay, I give up. I’ve been wanting to believe that Michael Vick has what it takes to be a NFL quarterback; to be a team member; to be a team leader. He might have some skills as quarterback, but it is now plain that he is sadly lacking in the other areas. He doesn’t look, act, or sound like he gives a crap about anything but himself and his personal stats. Vick and Blank are never going to take this team anywhere. One of them has to go. Sounds like we are hosed for the foreseeable future doesn’t it?

By Sean Payton

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

Mike Kenn:

No one gave us any games. But, let’s suppose your rediculous supposition held some merit, and poor Atlanta was forced by Goodell to throw their games against the Saints; what’s your excuse for the rest of the season? That the league wanted to get Detroit and Cleveland in the playoffs? Blame Mora, Blame Vick, Blame Blank. But don’t blame other organizations that get paid to play, just like the Falcons. It’s not their fault if the Falcons don’t execute at clutch time.

By ICEMAN

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

Mike Vick is not a black quarterback, he is a negro quarterback. There is a difference.

By Dexter

December 29, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Why do Atlanta people always fill the spots blogs with race issues? What craziness! Look outside of your narrow little world people and realize that we have a common designer, and that we are exactly the same race….Human! We have common relatives, not apes and monkies…but, ADAM AND EVE! When we talk about sports, let’s leave race out of it!

By Gt fan

December 29, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger: are you kidding me?? college football sucks compared to pros! college football will always be a “wanna-be” great sport until they put a playoff system in place. Its all politics…and no action! And all these bowl games are lame. I watched a 6-6 team last night celebrate like they were national champs after winning some lame trophy of the werelame.com bowl. In no other sport does teams not ranked in the top 10 at the start have NO chance to win a championship….even if they go undefeated!! After your team looses the game whats the point of following them if they dont even have a CHANCE to win a championship?? Even if my team (ga tech) had gone undefeated this year they STILL wouldnt be in championship game! So how does that qualify for a real sport?? or even a real league?? Pro Football and college basketball are kings. Ohio State lost a game at UNC to start the year in basketball. might as well close the curtain on the season and look forward to next year. OWait this is a REAL sport where mistakes happen and the better team sometimes looses. Who would of “voted” the steelers into the superbowl last year?? Now u see that your favorite sport sucks and its all about making $ on pointless games and hyping up over hyped, over privlidged athletes. And giving them a chance to dance around on the field like a bunch of monkeys for some shiny trophy that rewards them for having a 7-6 season. What a bunch of crap! who watches all these BS bowls anyways? get a life…

By Bayou Tiger

December 29, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

GT Fan (which ONE of the TWO replied, anyway?): So, you claim - quote - (“College kids) dance around the field like a bunch of monkeys for some shiny trophy that rewards them for having a 7-6 season.” As opposed to the humble, classy displays of sportsmanship practiced on almost every play in the NFL? I suggest that you also check the records of all the participants in the pro football playoffs. A Georgia Tech fan lecturing others on football: now THAT’s funny!

By savannah foulcoon

December 29, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

i sean payton and the taints on go on to the nfc championship game, won’t he be coaching someone else’s team?

moran did it his first year. now folks say it was reeves team.

i’m not a moran fan but i am about fed up with the lack of production. the steelers and cincinatti game is what i wanna see more of. vick & company looked like giant killers.

what went wrong?

sigh. i’ve waited more than 4 decades for a winner. guess i’ll wait some “mora”.

By Vegas Falcon

December 29, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

I have been a Falcons fan since Gerald Riggs left Bonanza High here in Vegas back in the early 80’s.

I’ve seen it all. The sh!t years and the good years.

Over half of these posts here are from some ignorant mother ef’ers.

I question the “fans” that post here. Perfect example was the week after the Cincy win. Suddenly that week, everyone’s back on board. And as the year progressed (or regressed) everyone’s back off.

I am frustrated as well, but the bottom line is the Defense has had a player or two out just about every game with the exception of the first game of the season against Carolina. That day, the offense ran & passed just fine & the defense was great as well with both Abraham & Kerney.

Knapp, however, kills the drill & out-thinks himself at (most)times.

Deal with it folks, it’s the ebb and flow of being a Falcons fan.

All this heart-ache will be forgotten soon…..well maybe not that soon.

PS. For all you dipsh!ts that like to play the race card….GFY!

By dirrtybird

December 29, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

ICEMAN,

By DJ

December 29, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Many years ago, I was a D-1 scholarship athlete; participated in the camp of a professional football team, and coached at the collegiate level. I think it is fair to say I understand the game of football at its highest clinical level. The simple fact of ther matter is that QB’s are judged - at every level - by wins and losses. That will be the legacy of Michael Vick, too. Everything else is just smoke-filled, coffee house horseshit!

By dirrtybird

December 29, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

ICEMAN,

You’re an idiot. I live outside of Atlanta and that sentiment certainly does not exist here. Do you mean to tell me that you’ve gone all around the country and interviewed every region as to what they think of Mike Vick? Highly Doubtful. You probababaly talked with your drunk narrow minded buddies who don’t understand or accept people different from you and decided the rest of the nation must feel that way too. Don’t be a dumbass. Anyone making references to Vick’s attire, hairstyle or they way he talks is off the subject of football and onto the subject of ignorance.

By Vegas Falcon

December 29, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

dirrtybird,

WORD.

By gizmox

December 29, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is not the answer. Jeff Fisher would turn this team around.

By Bob

December 29, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger

You are right about a Tech fan lecturing us about college football. And as far as a 7-6 team celebrating after winning…hell, that would probably make the playoffs in the NFC. There is no comparison between the boring Sunday NFL games and a Saturday in Athens or Knoxville or Ann Arbor or Clemson or Austin or Norman or Lincoln or Baton Rouge or even West Point. No comparison.

By Bob

December 29, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger

You are right about a Tech fan lecturing us about college football. And as far as a 7-6 team celebrating after winning…hell, that would probably make the playoffs in the NFC. There is no comparison between the boring Sunday NFL games and a Saturday in Athens or Knoxville or Ann Arbor or Clemson or Austin or Norman or Lincoln or Baton Rouge or even West Point. No comparison.

By Bob

December 29, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger

You are right about a Tech fan lecturing us about college football. And as far as a 7-6 team celebrating after winning…hell, that would probably make the playoffs in the NFC. There is no comparison between the boring Sunday NFL games and a Saturday in Athens or Knoxville or Ann Arbor or Clemson or Austin or Norman or Lincoln or Baton Rouge or even West Point. No comparison.

By Bayou Tiger

December 29, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Bob: To even further accentuate the point of the passion of the college game vs. the individual circus of pro football; NFL gurus should watch a 65-year old Bobby Ross (who won both a (split) National Championship at Georgia Tech and an AFC Championship with San Diego) race excitedly along the sidelines reacting to a play by his Army Cadets; in the alternative, check out video of a guy like the deposed Mike Tice cluelessly “coaching” the Minnesota Vikings; staring blankly onto the field; pencil behind his ear; probably misplaced at that!

By Gt fan

December 29, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

first of all…im a GT Basketball fan!! Football was great when ross was coach or when we had hamilton, but i cant stand Oleary as coach, besides college football in general has more meaningless games than any other sport. I enjoy college football but have grown sick of the politics and see supporting it as pointless. Only when pple stop supporting and showing up to all these lame meaningless bowl games will college football become a great sport and have a playoff system! I see no point in playing a season when at the start u already have no chance to win it all??? would u play in a rec league like that? no. even division 2 and 3 football gets it right! So i guess if u care about meaningless wins….then college football is your sport. U must not be a auburn fan…or even a uga fan…because if uga would of went undefeated last year when they had a great team they still would of got screwed! any true fan of sports and competition has to see the hypocricy of college football and im shure once your team gets screwed over a couple of times youll tire of it 2.

By Bayou Tiger

December 29, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this

GT fan: To set the record straight, I said the MEANINGFUL BOWL GAMES start on January 1. You are a true Tech fan in where the focus always shifts to basketball. Even though Tech stinks there, too, you can’t be serious in debating the merits of the strength of an entire basketball schedule! Do you really think the major powers don’t play cupcakes early in the season? As evidenced by 95% of your half-assed generational bretheran; the proprietary rambling (no pun intended) of your disgraceful sentence structure; acronym-spouting; syntax-challenged rant painfully underscores an inability to debate a topic on merit. One last thing, Genius: anybody who goes by the pen name of Bayou Tiger is most-assuredly NOT and Auburn or UGA fan!

By Bob

December 29, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Bayou, Good point again on Bobby Ross and his Cadets. And GT, you are right, I am a Dawg fan. But more than a Dawg fan who loves the passion (yes even with warts and all)of College Football. Also, even though I am not a huge fan of the BCS, it sure does make EVERY game important. Does anyone really care that Tech beat Troy State or Georgia beat Savannah State.

Just the games today ought to be enough. Kentucky wins a bowl for the first time in years. Oregon State goes for two with 22 seconds left needing only one to take it into overtime. Yeah college football has flawes, but it also has passion. That is something sorely missing from most NFL teams and far too many of their spoiled brat, loud mouth super stars.

By Skott

December 29, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Hey Dexter, when you talk “sports” leave your religion out of it too.

Vick is a great athlete, that’s all. He is not the fr$cking savior of the black race. So please, all you Vick apologists, quit whining that his critics are racists.

He was a very good college QB because he was so much better an athlete than many college players and as QB he always had access to the ball which gave him the ability to out-athlete college players with his legs. A Pro QB need to be able to pass the ball to his receivers first and foremost, (i.e. Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Donte Culpepper, etc.) If you want to see him run then make him a running back. I want to see him make accurate, catchable (by this I mean with touch) passes to his receivers for 1st downs. I know his receivers drop passes, but he has such happy feet as soon as he feels any pressure which changes the dynamics of the pass play. The play suddenly becomes an improv which is not what has been practiced and therefore more subject to failure. Not to mention he often over throws the ball - in velocity not direction, which makes the ball often uncatchable if it is the least bit off target.

I suggest everyone compare Vick to Vince in their QB styles. They are thought to be comparable, but are they really? I see significant differences even in their running styles. Vick is more often just scrambling back & forth (East/West) whereas Vince is a more often quickly moving North/South as a runner.

By Navigator

December 29, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

One of you guys said hire Tressel. Are you insane, that man is a god in Columbus, and will have one of best football jobs in the world, for life. He would some how trade that to coach (2-3 years) with the Falcons. I proposed this to my dog Maxx, and he hasn’t stop laughing.

By Mean D

December 29, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

No falcon coach will ever win as long as that stinking,illiterate, stupid, cornrowed turd is at QB. PLEASE fire the whole coaching staff so these fools - ron mexico apolgists - can be shown that he will STILL stink under other coaches coach killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Gt fan

December 30, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

well tiger if u really think your LSU tigers r so good why dont u think they should be playing in playoffs for at least a SHOT at the big game! The Idea of everygame counts is a great idea and all but schedules are uneven…the west coast teams play weaker teams in conference than the SEC, ACC. (most years!) And as far as gramar goes who cares….its a freakin blog…not a essay paper. Oyea and as far as basketball goes GT has one of the hardest schedules out there! Who was there first loss 2? thats right…UCLA. after they destroyed memphis!!