Sports Columnists

By BirdMahn

January 1, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

Right, right and right Mr. Bradley. Let’s hope Mr. Blank’s choice for next coach will be better. Happy New Year!

By Twilb Dawg

January 1, 2007 02:56 PM | Link to this

You got it wrong Arthur…you should have gotten rid of the real problem, Michael Vick. Mora should not take the blame for a mediocre QB and a horrible offensive line. Vick has one more year to turn it around, and when he fails, he should be in Blank’s office next New Year’s Day.

By Raleigh Dog

January 1, 2007 02:56 PM | Link to this

Mora’s bratty side had an equal in Vick’s stray fingers. The thing that sticks out the most though is how they had they had no fourth quarter magic, which means they lack heart and coaching. With a lousy set of receivers, an erratic quarterback, an offensive line that specializes in nearly illegal blocks and that can’t protect the passer, a porous defense and oft injured money draining signees, the Falcons are in a deep hole-as deep and inescapable as the one they were in during the early days of Norb Hecker. What a pathetic history and franchise.

By Waldo

January 1, 2007 02:57 PM | Link to this

Hope Blank told him to take his stupid cut-blocking scheme with him.

By Falcon

January 1, 2007 02:57 PM | Link to this

Well said. I agree 100%. However, I’m too convinced of the choices the AJC is allowing me to choose from. I think Cowher would love to coach Atlanta. Afterall, he will be moving to nearby NC soon. We need a Proven coach who can establish an identity for this team. We’ve got a QB who wants to win, so much he won’t cut his hair. We’ve got veterans in Milloy and Brooking who’ve been to the Super Bowl who would go all out to go back! Let’s move forward and take our time in finding the right fit for this organization!

By ricky b

January 1, 2007 02:58 PM | Link to this

great article mark

well said

By Allen McWhorter

January 1, 2007 02:58 PM | Link to this

Excellent article, Mark. And yes, Arthur Blank is my kind of owner. He seems to be kind of like the George Steinbrenner of the NFL. I mean, that man doesn’t play around. It is playoffs and or Super Bowl with him or he shows people the door! I feel confident that Blank will hire a man who posseses outstanding credentials and who has not only plan A, like you mentioned, but a great plan B as well. I would love to see Blank hire a Bill Parcells or Bill Cowher type personality. I mean someone who is a proven winner in the NFL. And yes, the Falcons have too entirely too talented of a roster to be underachieving so much! I knew after the Eagles game yesterday that the Mora firing would only be a matter of time. Now, he is now free to appy for that job in Washington or wherever! You’ve got to love Arthur Blank! If he can plainly see that someone isn’t getting the job done, he shows them the door. I just hope that he hires the right man to replace Mora and I feel very confident that he will. Let’s face it. Mora was just too immature to coach in the NFL and his play calling, especially in the red zone, was totally bizarre and left much to be desired. Good article!!

By True Fan

January 1, 2007 03:00 PM | Link to this

That was one of the finest article I’ve read this year concerning Mora.This staff could’nt out coach my seven year old son. Mora, Knapp and Donatell are the worse HC OC combo in Falcons history. If you don’t belive me check the stats. (not record) Off and DEF rankings.

By Falcons Fan

January 1, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this

Great Article Mark.

By NCR

January 1, 2007 03:01 PM | Link to this

You’re right about the imbalance. It’s a joke that the Falcons are #1 in rushing. A 7-9 team that is #1 in anything is a joke. Just goes to show you how statistics lie. Consistently, the best teams are BALANCED rushing and passing, and if you through in a good defense, then you’ve got a good shot at the Super Bowl.

So, yea, firing Mora is a good move, BUT if you don’t fix the imbalanced offense, you’ll be right back here in another couple of years.

By David

January 1, 2007 03:02 PM | Link to this

Good move to relief Mora of his coaching duties with the Falcons. He was clearly over his head. My question is who is out there that Arthur is going to hire to take over?

By Cairo

January 1, 2007 03:02 PM | Link to this

I agree totally. It is a dunn deal. Pun intended.

By NCR

January 1, 2007 03:03 PM | Link to this

You’re right about the imbalance. It’s a joke that the Falcons are #1 in rushing. A 7-9 team that is #1 in anything is a joke. Just goes to show you how statistics lie. Consistently, the best teams are BALANCED rushing and passing, and if you throw in a good defense, then you’ve got a good shot at the Super Bowl.

So, yea, firing Mora is a good move, BUT if you don’t fix the imbalanced offense, you’ll be right back here in another couple of years.

By burt bisnid

January 1, 2007 03:04 PM | Link to this

Mora proved he didn’t know quite what to make of the most talented quarterback in the NFL. <<

Maybe that’s because Mora has never had the opportunity to coach Peyton Manning.

As a QB, Vick is a joke. He’s a fine running back, though.

By famous_bt8

January 1, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

Adios, Mora, Knapp, Donatell. Thanks for the memories.

By bull

January 1, 2007 03:06 PM | Link to this

does king authur still have dan reeves telephone number?

By Tom

January 1, 2007 03:06 PM | Link to this

Next year there will be 101 reasons not to keep Vick. But they will.

By artbyshan

January 1, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

I wish Coach Mora well. There are many qualified replacements out there, but I think my first interview would be with Norm Chow due to his quick returns with a similar style QB to Vick.

By GW

January 1, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

Has any Falcons coach in team history ever left or retired on his own terms? Just wondering.

By tarmar

January 1, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

Ya nailed it, Mark. Mora proved too often that he wasn’t up to the task. This will be an exciting off season for us to witness, tho.

By Steve Brown

January 1, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

I would love to how Mora would do on the Wunderlick test.

By Amen Brotha!!!!

January 1, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this

No truer words were ever spoken. Everything starts at the top and trickles down. Vick haters can say what they want, but Mora didn’t have the ability to make adjustments, rally his team, or command respect!!! That was the main problem. Accountability starts with the coach. Vick haters crawl back under the rocks you came from… Justice was done.. Mora, Crapp, and Donafail are gone… End of story… Vick is still the quarterback and all is well. End of story…..

By dan

January 1, 2007 03:11 PM | Link to this

I agree Mora needed to go. And anybody who wants to trade vick needs a reality check. Winning is all about defense and team chemistry. Tampa Bay Bucs did it with Brad Johnson. The Ravens did it with Grbac/Dilfer. The Bears are doing it now with Grossman. So if you can win with a not very good qb, imagine what could happen with a very talented (and you can’t argue that vick is not talented, albeit at times inconsistent) one? Coaching cannot go underrated. The best coaches are the ones that win. Period. I would love to see what Belichick would possible do here in Atlanta.

By Real Bird Fan

January 1, 2007 03:12 PM | Link to this

Welp!!! Its done now, what’s next? I don’t agree because I felt Mora was ok because of a lack of candidates. We should have fired the coordinaters and gave him another year, to atleast buy us some time. What’s next????? Who’s next??????

Go Art Blank!!!!!!!

By jean

January 1, 2007 03:12 PM | Link to this

Why won’t Arthur consider Ralph Friedgen? Let’s not descriminate against the large people (i.e. See Andy Reid in Philly). We might be missing a great candidate if we just consider people with prior NFL experience. We really have to take our time & not jump at the 1st awesome interview…I’d rather have someone who’s not a dazzling interview but maybe is a coach with some depth to him, the opposite of our last one. Let Rich McKay do his job this time! I’m still a Falcons fan, I just hated seeing them play so poorly, it hurts, it really does.

By Tom

January 1, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

most talented quarterback in the NFL?????

I didn’t realize scrambling was a top rated talent.

I prefer a QB who stands in the pocket and hits a WR in stride.

By John

January 1, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with you 100% Mark,but the million dollar question is…Is there a better coach out there this yr.that can turn this team around. The last thing the Falcons need is a 2 or 3 yr coach just to get by with until a proven winner is available.

By William Waits

January 1, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

Now that Blank has gotten rid of problem #1, they need to concentrate on getting rid of Problem #2: Michael Vick. I am in no ways an Anti-Vick fan, but I can see the writing on the wall, and Vick will never lead any team, much less this one, to the promised land. Here is the plan that Blank needs to follow outside of hiring a competent coach: Trade Vick to Oakland for at least their first round draft pick… Then pick Quinn from Notre Dame, and set him on the sideline for about 3 years and put him in on mob up situation so that he can learn. In the process, let Schaub run the show. You couldn’t do worse than Vick doing that, and in three years, you will have a bona-fide QB ready to take the reins..

By ATLslimG

January 1, 2007 03:14 PM | Link to this

Thanks Arthur. Now I feel like I got my season ticket refund. I’ll gladly accept a return, no store credit I guess. Happy New Year Atlanta.

By Steve Brown

January 1, 2007 03:14 PM | Link to this

Finesse football only works in theory. Whoever came up with or decided to build around mini quarterbacks, mini running backs, mini offensive linemen, etc. is at fault. I fear Blank has been seduced by Mckay and some unknown advisory board. Why should the new decision work out any better than the Mora decision.

By Eric

January 1, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

I think the real issue is we are still fighting the civil war in 2007. Vick is a good quarterback. There are only two quaterbacks I would rather have instead of Vick, Manning or Brady. The problem was Mora and his flunkies were the problem the whole time. If you know football, you saw the playcalling was horrible. And for all you klan lovers, explain the total collapse of the team in the second half of the last two season. Sidenote: The great white hope has not won a game in his three year career.

By raydjo

January 1, 2007 03:19 PM | Link to this

DENIS GREEN IS AVAILABLE ;GREAT OFFENSIVE MIND …HE GETS A GREAT DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND WE ARE ROLLING …GO FALCONS!!!

By bucko

January 1, 2007 03:20 PM | Link to this

Mora needed to go but so does vick. He alone lost games for us or we would be in the play offs. vick is always pointing the finger when something is going wrong. I hope the next coach will interview the players and ask who they would rather be at Q.B. vick or SCHAUB. SCHAUB SCHAUB SCHAUB

By Michael Daniels

January 1, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

I had a strong feeling Mora was leaving, the offensive cordinator should be right behind him. Blank should blame himself for a losing season. Untie the coaches hands and see what happens. Yeah, you spent megabucks on a player that you thought would be the Falcons answer to a Super Bowl, what you should have done is bought more off. front line power (someone who can hold a block). It’s funny to me that when Vick is playing, the front line just can’t hold it, but when Staub is in, they hold it like the Great Wall. Maybe they don’t like Vick! Put Vick as a RB, put Staub in as starter and whoever the new coach shall be, leave his hands free to run the team. Quit trying to Micro Manage the team, that’s what you pay the coaches for!

By LEE

January 1, 2007 03:21 PM | Link to this

IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR MORA TO BE FIRED,IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED MUCH SOONER.

By eab

January 1, 2007 03:22 PM | Link to this

Great article. I couldn’t agree with you more. I am so glad this season is over but I’m now looking forward to next season and a new coach. I enjoy all your articles, Mark.

By Bopro

January 1, 2007 03:23 PM | Link to this

Thank you Arthur Blank for not letting your ego cloud reality. Mora was simply the wrong guy for the job.

Now the tough task of getting the right guy begins. Rex Ryan (defensive coordinator of the Ravens) seems to be a great place to start. It is obvious to me that a great defense is much more important in the NFL than a great offense. If you need examples look at the recent superbowl Champion teams from Tampa, Baltimore and Pittsburg and how about Chicago this year. Rex Ryan has one of the most innovative defensive schemes in the NFL. Yep, get a stout defense in here and win at least 3 more games per season. That would easily have put the Falcons in the playoffs this year and possibly would have given them a home game.

Why not give a guy that has actually done something in the NFL a chance. Ryan’s defenses are consistently ranked in the top 5 and no one can question his pedigree since his dad (Buddy Ryan) was the DC of the 85 Bears and creator of the 46 defense.

By Edd Anderson

January 1, 2007 03:23 PM | Link to this

I thought Mora would turn out to be a great coach with a lot of energy , a fresh football mind and would have a offense and defense that would scare any team. I was wrong along with a lot of other people. Thanks for the great exciting games Jim, I guess I can speak for you on this, We wish we could have won a few more of those games. From a life long fan, it wasn’t all your fault, goodluck Jim…

By James

January 1, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this

Once upon a time Rich McKay chose Lovie Smith to succeed Dan Reeves. Only Arthur Blank knows why he wasn’t hired. Look no further than AJC posts blaming the downfall of an obviously poorly-coached team on its black quarterback for a telling clue. Will Blank hire the obvious choice to follow Mora, Norm Chow? Or will he again succumb to the pressure to hire a less-qualified white man to avoid hearing that his quarterback should be playing receiver and his coach should be cleaning the locker room?

By Allen

January 1, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

Coaches had to go - no question that underachivement just as overachievement is the result of coaching - true in any sport at any level —- however Michael Vick has yet to prove he is a winner who can put his team on his shoulders and win as other championship QB’s have repeatedly done - too many examples to list - if MV does not show this under the new management it will be time to admit while the most gifted athlete in the game - he is not a “Winner” - time to stop talking about how good you are and prove it!!

By falco47

January 1, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

You go Arthur! I thought Mora firing would least wait until after today since today is a holiday, this goes to show his committment to winning, now take your time to find us a good coach who can take us to the next level! Good article Mr. Bradley, you was dead on.

By Realist

January 1, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

First, I don’t hate Vick, I just think he is not Pro QB material BECAUSE (here comes my reasons/analysis of): 1) Too short (remember Pat Sullivan great collegiate passing QB but too short to see over the Pro line), 2) does not have gametime leadership skills unlike McNabb, Warren Moon, Doug Williams who were all successful, 3) does not seem to be a team player - no effort shown cheering “his” team on while on sidelines, 4) cannot see BIG picture of team concept because of his myopic and delusional sense of self - considered HIS season a success although team record is below average and still refers to himself as “superman” (see press conference comments) , though he has lost his cape somewhere, 5) disloyalty to those that have supported him - “not concerned w/what goes on with Org” regarding questions on coaches and most glaring: the FINGER to the fans.

He may not be a “thug”, but he is a spoiled, trashy-acting, classless (the finger), self-absorbed, pouty, athlete who could not make it big in any other endeavor in life except maybe a as hoodlum. Not that there is anything wrong with being a hoodlum, if you are going to be one then be the best hoodlum you can be as the saying goes. I just think he is a better hoodlum than a Pro QB. Now if he wanted to demote his EGO and swap to RB, KR, and PR, and he changed his on-field smug attitude, then I believe he might just add some value to this TEAM.

Finally, regarding what he says at press conferences, I believe he is speaking from his heart because he does not have some “spin doctor” putting words into his mouth. So I take what he says as his true feelings and thoughts. It is true he had a great statistical season, FOR A RB!! But to say that he hopes to rush for 2000 yds next year tells me he really does not understand the QB job description. Granted the recent bad coaching has not helped him develop but has he really put forth much effort in trying to “overcome coaching” as he mentioned in an earlier press conference?

Steve McNair had been able to overcome bad coaching earlier in the year and still LEAD his team to victories until Billick made a change. Bad coaching didn’t seem to make him come unglued on the field. He perservered through it with class and grace AND WON. He never even spoke badly about the Titans org that seemed to throw him to the wolves. Can’t wait to hear Vick’s comments about the Falcons Org that has made him the highest paid 15&16 “QB” in the NFL at the expense of the remainder of the team. Unless Vick is willing to re-negotiate his contract $$ down in order to help the team, you will never change my opinion (or that of many other fans) of him as not just a Coach Killer but rather a Organization Killer.

By Dew in Savannah

January 1, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t believe Bill Walsh could win with Vick. The Falcons have a Tom Brady in waiting, Matt Schaub, on the sidelines. A quarterback does three things, takes the snap, hands the ball off, or throws the ball. Arm strength is over stated. Who cares if you can throw the ball out of the Dome if you can’t hit the receivers. Of course, whether or not they catch the ball is another story.

By Dan

January 1, 2007 03:28 PM | Link to this

At what point can we jettison the “most talented quarterback in the NFL” cliche when it comes to Vick?

Best runner/most athletic? Without a doubt.

But a QB is paid to make passes and put points on the board. After 6 years in the league Vick is too short to stand inthe pocket and still cannot throw to a receiver coming out of a break. As far as leadership, with his comments in the locker room in Philly yesterday, Vick confirmed that he has nobody’s back other than his own.

Being Vick’s coach may not be regarded as an unmixed blessing to all candidates for the Falcons job given that Vick continues to play like Kordell Stewart Version 2.0.

By sugarlee

January 1, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

I hope Mr. Mora finds himself in the NFL coaching group someday. But only if he learned anything from his very first coaching job in the NFL. Sometimes we have to be snatched back into reality before we understand what keeping it real means. It’s not always good to become too close to the people who are working for you. When you do, it makes it hard to see the things they’re doing wrong that can really hurt you. Jim Mora, I think is a good coach. He’s just experiencing some growing pains right now. I just hope his firing fixes the problem. We’ve been going down hill for two seasons. There’s no doubt, we need a well experienced head coach. I hope you can find a good one before this young crew you have gets to old to perform.

By Verran

January 1, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

Listen, get rid of Michael Vick period. Start Matt and let’s move forward. Do we remember a guy name Brett Farve? Michael will not get any better it’s over he has reached his limit now it’s time to move forward. Let’s gets some draft picks and free some cap room with the trade of Vick. Look at the numbers with Vick in the west coast offense.

By Shell

January 1, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

Twilb How many Quarterbacks would be “steller” when their O-lines are, as you state “.a horrible offensive line.” ?

By RedDawg

January 1, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

Why not hiring Bill cowher of the steelers, he want to leave Pitt, and Atlanta is pretty close to his family in North Carolina

By Falcon

January 1, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

All the hype about P. Manning vs. Mike Vick- look at the facts. Mike Vick’s winning percentage in the playoffs, 50%. PM- 33%. ‘Nough said!

By jammer

January 1, 2007 03:35 PM | Link to this

BAD MOVE!! Mora had the talent and the fire. Just stick with a coach like the Steelers did. Simplify the play book for Vick and build the O-Line. The receivers came through at the end. Mora was a scapegoat for some big money players signed by McKay who stayed hurt all year. Do not see a coach out there who will be better than mora. Vick runs this team and will do so for years to come because he sells #7 jerseys and sells out the dome. Nuff said!!

By dan

January 1, 2007 03:35 PM | Link to this

its a new year let’s be optimistic while it lasts. Falcons get a new coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators, vick flourishes, and we roll to the superbowl! Falcons Fans can finally think happy thoughts for another 9 months!

By Carlton

January 1, 2007 03:35 PM | Link to this

I would like the Falcons to interview Mike Martz an a assistant coach with the Lions. Remember the Greatest Show on Turf. This is the guy who put it together. Let give him a chance to build an Offensive in Atlanta. Now all we need in a smoking Defensive coach.

By super lou

January 1, 2007 03:36 PM | Link to this

Twib Dawg you are wayyy off with your comments about Mora’s firing. You sound RIDICULOUS. How can one man (Vick) be the reason that an inept coach got fired. Well perhaps inept is too strong. The real problem was the lack of skill on the part of his co-ordinators. If you wanna be real about it, how about dealing w/ the inconsistent play of the receivers. How about the unusual play calling? How about injuries to key defensive players? How about an offensive line who gave up too many sacks? How about a secondary who led the league in giving up plays over 20 yards? Of course in YOUR world all of these things are the fault of Mike Vick!! Football is the ultimate team game. 11 guys on offense must all do their jobs. 11 guys on defense must do their job. 11 guys on special teams must do their job. When this doesn’t happen it ALL comes back to coaching. NOT MIKE VICK!!! If you’ve ever played competitive sports you would certainly understand such things. Typical Atlanta fans have no clue about sports……..I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if Mr. Blank will get it right with his next choice.

By goober

January 1, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this

I really enjoyed reading all the posts regarding the incompetence of Mike Vick. I am a Saints fan and hope Mr. Blank keeps Vick around for years to come. We put up with his cousin, and after Brooks went to Oakland look what happened at N.O. and to the Raiders. Vick is by far the superior athlete of the two, but neither is a professional quarterback. Best of luck to Jim Mora, Jr., and Please Mr. Blank…… Keep Vick !!!!!!!

By mike

January 1, 2007 03:37 PM | Link to this

Give vick a pocket in which to throw and you’ll see your g******* results. It’s so simple, yet people make it out to be so complicated.

By steve

January 1, 2007 03:38 PM | Link to this

doesn’t anyone remember the flying birds of Michael Vick? This is disgusting and unacceptable, and telling of Vick’s appreciation for those who pay him…thus a lack of respect, which he showed to MORA…I am not defending Mora, but if house cleaning is appropriate, then lets dust out Vick, too!

By barry

January 1, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

Now…get Cowher, see if we can pull a couple of Off/Def Coord’s and get in to the free agency market. We have a good core but it needs help.
Let’s build during the off season and not get passed by the Raiders.

By Dick

January 1, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

Bring in Jimmy Johnson as head coach,Howie Long as defensive coordinator and Terry Bradshaw as offensive coordinator. Trade Michael Vick for a mature,experienced, and working water boy.

By Realist

January 1, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this

Blank is saying at his press conference that he believes Mora will be successful in the future and was succesful in the past. This obviously means that the Falcons organization, including the player talent, is the problem. So why fire Mora? What is all this B$llSh$t? Blank was/is a dumbass for being hamstringed with the Vick salary. McKay is a dumbass for not forcing Mora to change “system” before it became too late - including having the guts to bench the pouty, petulant brats, Vick and Hall and put in D.J. and Jimmy Williams to prove a point that no one is irreplacable in a team concept/system.

I want Tony Dungy - make him an offer he can’t refuse, but please remove Vick as QB and make him what he really wants to be - a 2000 yd RB (see his comments yesterday).

By Cruiser

January 1, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

I made the prediction that Mora would be fired and it came true. I am just as positive that Arthur Blank understands the offensive problem the team has. Hold on to your hats, the wind hasn’t stopped blowing! I predict many more changes once a new coach comes in. Great article Mark!

By PoliticalMan

January 1, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

I hate to see a man lose his job, but Mora was overmatched.

Vick is a cancer, he must go.

Dunn is a scat back, not a work horse. He must go too.

Arthur Blank needs to stay away from the team; he undercuts the coach. He does not need a concensus guy; he needs a coach.

By Falcon

January 1, 2007 03:41 PM | Link to this

To Tom and all other Vick Haters, What pocket? Mike Vick hasn’t seen a pocket. Wait a minute. He threw from the pocket vs. NO when Roddy White dropped the crucial pass. Who was the coach killer at that moment? Once again, I ask “where is Doug Johnson playing these days?”

By pr

January 1, 2007 03:43 PM | Link to this

get rid of mckay he cannot put a team together and trade vick!!!!!!!!

By LakerRam

January 1, 2007 03:43 PM | Link to this

I hope the Falcons trade Mike Vick. He is the worse QB in the league. Too Bad, the Rams don’t need a QB, I’d say trade him to the Rams.

Schaub is a much better QB.(not)

By YOU WANT AN ATHLETIC QUARTERBACK?

January 1, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

If you people want an athletic quarterback, why haven’t you been clamoring to sign the GREATEST ATHLETE IN THE WORLD Roman Sebrle to play quarterback, and bench Mike Vick?

Is it because you support Mike Vick because he’s a NEGRO, and oppose Roman Sebrle because he’s WHITE?

So, it’s not that you want the GREATEST ATHLETE IN THE WORLD to play quarterback, you just want a NEGRO to play quarterback, and Mike Vick is your “chosen one”.

…what a bunch of fvcking RACISTS you people are!

By pirate

January 1, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

yes, fire vick next. he’s useless, not a qb. a fine waste of $100M+. imagine the line we could afford w/ that cash + schaub. too bad it won’t happen. yet.

By J

January 1, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

It’s easy to kick a man when he’s down, isn’t it Mark Bradley? Perhaps you have an axe to grind - this article sure reads that way. A brat? Maybe in Bradley’s family but not suitable objectivity coming from a supposed professional writer. Jim Mora will hopefully learn from his mistakes and help another franchise sooner rather than later. This team failed to score enough touchdowns when inside the 20 and the defense failed to avoid giving up big plays. Classic example: the 89 yard touchdown given to Philly after the Falcons had tied the game. Bottom line in any business: If you don’t exceed or at least meet objectives, you get fired. In football, you can’t fired the team, so you fire the coaches. If Rich McKay can’t further improve the personnel, he’ll be next. I hope the management believes it has an improvement in mind and can land him right away; otherwise this is more wasted time. Good luck.

By P.SCOTT

January 1, 2007 03:45 PM | Link to this

Jim , you are to much like your dad.

By old timer

January 1, 2007 03:45 PM | Link to this

Eric!!! why don’t you shut the H### up IDIOT?

By noone

January 1, 2007 03:47 PM | Link to this

hey dick go suck one

By Eric

January 1, 2007 03:47 PM | Link to this

RACE IS NOT THE ISSUE!!! I’d prefer Donovan McNabb or Jason Campbell to Michael Vick any day. But we don’t have Donovan or Jason, we have Matt Schaub. I say give Matt a chance. He couldn’t be any worse than what we’ve suffered thru since Vick has been on his never ending learning curve. Too bad about Jim Mora, I think he’s a good guy, he’s just not a good NFL coach. Good luck, Kiddo.

By super lou

January 1, 2007 03:47 PM | Link to this

To all the idiot fans who keep spouting on about Peyton Manning’s greatness, I think he’s won the same number of Super Bowls as Vick. ZERO!! Based on the logic that most posters use, I guess Manning is the reason the Colts can never win a big game!!! He’s a coach killer. Tony Dungy would have won a Super Bowl if his “all everything quarterback” had the guts to perform against all out pressure provided by the likes of the Patriots and Steelers. I recall Manning “throwing” his offensive line under the bus after being humiliated in the playoffs one year. That’s my type of leader. Why can’t I get you Vick haters to acknowledge that fact? My point again is that Vick and Manning have the SAME NUMBER OF RINGS!!! Please come up w/ another argument…..

By Obidan

January 1, 2007 03:47 PM | Link to this

“Mora proved he didn’t know quite what to make of the most talented quarterback in the NFL.”

That right there is the biggest flaw in Mr. Bradley’s writings. Mike Vick has some talent, but the above statement is pure nonsense.

By brad

January 1, 2007 03:48 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure how much weight should be given to claims that football games are won due to running or passing or defense or balance, etc. Many give negative reasons for these conclusions: balance wins because the Falcons are a medicore team and don’t have balance, etc.

However, if we want to accept these claims, shouldn’t we want positive evidence? e.g. 9 out of 10 NFL champions have finished in the top 5 in the NFL in rushing, etc.

But no such evidence is given here to support any of these claims so we ought to withhold judgment in my opinion.

Here’s what we do know: the team that scores more points wins. So you need to be able to score points and keep the other team from scoring.

How this is accomplished is, perhaps, more a matter of taste than fact. After all, the Rams and Ravens won Super Bowls with antithetical philosophies. Also, there have been smash-mouth dynasties such as the Steelers and teams like the 49ers who won with the short passing game and “finesse.” Also, I might add, the Falcons current blocking scheme was successful for the Broncos when they were dominant in the late 90’s. So execution of the plays means something too.

So, given that I’m not sure there’s a magic formula to winning football games, I’m inclined at this point to simply want a team that can execute whatever scheme they happen to run. So I hope the Falcons hire a coach that demands execution (and this, I think, entails discipline - discipline with respect to blocking, tackling, route running, etc and with respect to avoiding foolish mistakes - penalties, turnovers, etc.).

I end with this: I wish there was a way to test this theory, but here it is: the team that can avoid blocking in the back calls on kick and punt returns has the best chance of winning a game. There sure are a lot of those, aren’t there?

By LakerRam

January 1, 2007 03:49 PM | Link to this

Falcons FANS

Please petition Blanks to fire Vick. He is a “coach killer”. At leats tha’s what Mora senior sadi.

By Dick

January 1, 2007 03:49 PM | Link to this

Getting rid of Vicks has nothingto do with color, but rather class, attitude ,work habits and team player. Blank needs to run Home Depot or stay at the beach and let his employees run the team.

By D Allen

January 1, 2007 03:51 PM | Link to this

Cleaning house by firing Jim Mora and his entire coaching staff was definitely the right first step. Hiring a proven NFL experienced coach like Bill Cowher should be a high priority as the second step to rebuilding a winning organization. Let Bill Cowher, not Arthur Blank, decide whether Vick or Schaub is the right quarterback for the club. Bill Cowher should be the only one to decide whether or not it makes sense now to trade Vick for a high first round draft pick like Smith from Ohio State or Quinn from Notre Dame.

By Cap

January 1, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

I concur, excellent article. Could the Vick haters please hang it up and please finally go home. Schaub got in and they put up his career statistics. Not too impressive with ample oppurtunity. Below 50% completion and a 5-to-5 TD-to-INT ratio. I thought Aikman was going to leap onto the field and give him a BJ until Schaub threw that pick. Yeah, it would be great to put Schaub in for six years to see if he is a better QB that Vick but I don’t think you would like the results so I advise you let the Schaub ship sail and get some sucker to give us a first-round pick for him. I think the rise of Vince Young has jumpstarted the memory of what Vick did for the Falcons. A really, really great mobile quarterback can make a horrible team mediocre. No, the QBs stats aren’t going to look good but the team isn’t any good so it is fitting. All of the Vick haters in the media criticize his passer ratings and say his scrambling ability HAS NOT revolutionized the QB position. But yesterday in the Titans game the announcer made an astute observation. “How come yards rushing and picking up first downs aren’t included in the passer rating?” If these stats were included then Vick would revolutionize the position. Who cares what a QBs completion percentage is if the majority of his passes are RB dump offs and WR screens that don’t move the chains? Mora had on this roster one of the best QBs ever at sustaining drives with individual effort and he still couldn’t coordinate a game plan to take advantage of this ability. Farewell old friend.

By Titothebear

January 1, 2007 03:52 PM | Link to this

Bradley’s sucking up to Vick has become too sickening to read anymore. He’s not the most talented quarterback in the league as you allege. Hell, he’s not even the most talented quarterback on the Foulcons roster. Matt Schaub is a far better qb than Vick. As for the coach killer, send him somewhere else. He will ruin whichever program is unlucky enough to wind up with him. The Foulcons were 7-9 this season and they were at 8-8 last season. You folks claim the Foulcons should be doing much better because, you maintain, they have superior talent. They don’t! The talent here is way over- rated! No one, in the history of the NFL, has been as over-rated as Vick. The Foulcons, in order to improve, must dump Vick and install Schaub as their quarterback. Any other move will bring another 7-9 or worse.

By Omikron

January 1, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this

McKay and Blank, here is your chance! Oakland has the #1 pick and they are total idiots. They got Warren Sapp and Randy Moss on the downside of their careers. They like big name guys. Offer them Vick for the #1 pick, then use it to draft Brady Quinn. Use our pick to trade up and draft Calvin Johnson. A Quinn-Norwood-Johnson offense would be good for a very long time.

By Jimmy

January 1, 2007 03:54 PM | Link to this

Maybe Blank has a blank stare when it comes to leading a football team. The real problem is an incosistent passer who has less consistent receivers. When an owner pays too much to a mediocre quarterback he can’t “buy himself” receivers. Eye hand coordination guys.

Jim Mora has all the potential, but when a mustache twisting, priority inefficient, business minded man gets sold a bill of goods on an athlete and not a team builder we will never have a SuperBowl Team.

By blq byrd

January 1, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

I hope that he has plans to get rid of those very inept coordinators aswell. As for as a replacement for Mora, my only choice would be Cowher from the Steelers if he decides to stepdown from there. Give him whatever he wants including the keys to the city if that is what it takes to get him here.

By STEVE IS DUMB

January 1, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

STEVIE BOY LET IT GO, DID VICKS FINGER RUIN YOUR LIFE. NOTICE EVERY ONE ELSE LET IT GO. YOU SHOULD TO. ARE YOU FROM DUNWOODY YOU SURE DO SOUND LIKE IT. IF YOUR FEELINGS ARE THAT TENDER GO TO OPRAH’S BLOGS. JUST REMEMBER STEVIE JESUS LOVES YOU AND FORGIVE AND FORGET

By Titothebear

January 1, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

Bradley’s sucking up to Vick has become too sickening to read anymore. He’s not the most talented quarterback in the league as you allege. Hell, he’s not even the most talented quarterback on the Foulcons roster. Matt Schaub is a far better qb than Vick. As for the coach killer, send him somewhere else. He will ruin whichever program is unlucky enough to wind up with him. The Foulcons were 7-9 this season and they were at 8-8 last season. You folks claim the Foulcons should be doing much better because, you maintain, they have superior talent. They don’t! The talent here is way over- rated! No one, in the history of the NFL, has been as over-rated as Vick. The Foulcons, in order to improve, must dump Vick and install Schaub as their quarterback. Any other move will bring another 7-9 or worse.

By Cap

January 1, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

I’m tired of the idiot comments by people who don’t actually watch football. If Vick is too small to play quarterback how come he is as tall as Drew Brees and outweighs him by five pounds? If height is the barometer for success, how come Troy Aikman is the only QB in the Hall of Fame over 6’3”? And how many starting QBs in the NFL right now have been to more Pro Bowls than Vick during the span of his career?

By preston

January 1, 2007 04:00 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight……some of you people are saying that after 6 seasons, it is time for Vick to go?????? Are you people crazy…..did it not take John Elway 13 years to finally win a superbowl after being with the same team for all of that time??? Yes, and I know that Elway had went to 3 previous superbowls, but the goal was to win right??? Remember…The Atlanta Facons with Vick as the starting QB was the first team ever to beat Greenbay at the frozen tundra in the playoffs….so I think that he will accomplish more given the time. Oh yeah, and the most prolific passer in the game today…Peyton Manning…has been in the league for close to 10 years with the same team…and everyone is still waiting for him to win it all. Give Vick a chance, b/c after all we dont need a great qb to win it all……just good, hard-nose defense, and a good coach!!

By William

January 1, 2007 04:03 PM | Link to this

As I’m sure with alot of Falcons fans, Michael Vick is a mystery to us. With all that talent and ability he has, he still has the mentallity of a junior high kid. He’s too much me first, he’s too willing to throw his coaches and teamates under the bus, and after six years he should have a pretty good grasp of the pro game. He said that he considers himself an elite player, but the difference between a Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Carson Palmer to Michael Vick is their work ethic and willingness to perfect the quarterback position. There willing to work year round to perfect their game, is he. Sometimes you have to wonder about his committment to being a QB. There’s no doubt alot of these problems came from the coaching staff and they needed a change, but the way Michael Vick threw Jim Mora under the bus was disgraceful and not becoming of a franchise type quarterback. The Falcons when selecting their next coach need to get someone in who won’t baby MV7 or any of the players on the team. The fact is is that they’re soft, undisciplined, and selfish. They need someone who’s not going to be their friend and will cut players who don’t perform. New England, NY Jets, and New Orleans are prime examples of players playing for their jobs. I think Mike Singletary would be perfect. He knows football, he’s professionalism all the way and has been since his playing days, and he would re-establish a sense of order and discipline in that locker room.
He knows enough people around the league to put together a top notch coaching staff that could utilize the falcons players and push them to play hard. More importantly, he wouldn’t be afraid to put the quote in quote franchise quarterback in his place, bench him, or recommend him being traded. Michael Vick has become too accustomed to knowing he’s the man and not having to compete for his job. Maybe doing what Mangini did in New York to Chad Pennington would kick Vick’s a** in high gear. If not Singletary, then Russ Grimm, Ken Whisenhut, Jeff Fisher, Rex Ryan, or Josh McDaniels from the Patriots could do the job for this team and their quarterback.

By lee

January 1, 2007 04:03 PM | Link to this

I think Mora will be a fine DC or Asst Head Coach, but he shouldn’t be a head coach yet. He needs to see the seriousness of his actions and inactions. He may be like Norv Turner, not a good head coach, but one hell of an asst. When did Vick become the most talented QB in pro football? That is definitely a debatable subject.

By Don't feel sorry

January 1, 2007 04:04 PM | Link to this

Don’t feel sorry for Mora. The guy was paid millions to get the job done. He didn’t and now he’s gone. Thanks to Arthur for being decisive. Let’s hope we get Cowher or someone of his caliber.

By Darius

January 1, 2007 04:05 PM | Link to this

Great article, very well written. I totally agree with all the points stated.

By Hayden

January 1, 2007 04:08 PM | Link to this

Walmart always needs greeters!

By john borum

January 1, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to see that the Falcons got rid of Mora right away.It shows they are serious about heading in the right direction. Now get an offensive line and some decent receivers. Maybe then Mike could lead the team to more vic(k)tories. Go Falcons.

By Chris

January 1, 2007 04:10 PM | Link to this

And next year when Vick continues his “me-first” selfish play into mediocrity, he will still be kept on and praised as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

By notgg

January 1, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

The Chargers passed up Vick so they could get LT. Their loss was the Falcon’s gain. Ever watch LT’s press conferences? Winning (ie,the team)takes precedence over personal achievements. Maybe character counts after all.

By So what

January 1, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

What you dumba$$ people fail to comprehend is that these are grown men playing a kid’s game! Get a life!

By Ron Roberts

January 1, 2007 04:12 PM | Link to this

Get over it, folks… this franchise is not trading away Michael Vick, and Michael Vick wasn’t the *”coach-killer,” here, either.

The man had career highs in rushing yardage and TD passes. His stoned-handed recievers cost him better passing yardage and evern more TDs, frankly. The loss of a more physical back (we missed Duckett) and a more stout offensive line stunted the skill players and their ability to score in the red-zone, pure and simple.

The defense wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t as good as the names would indicate it should have been…Lawyer Milloy, Keith Brooking, John Abraham, Patrick Kearney, DeAngelo Hall… at least five Pro Bowl-caliber guys on one squad, and yet we gave it up like Pam Anderson on a boat in front of a video camera.

Norm Chow makes the offense work in Tennessee, with a Vick-like guy, who doesn’t have Vick-like speed, or Vick-like arm strength, let alone Vick-like experience. The lack of protection for Vick and the running game cost us; the lack of sure-handed recievers (aside from Alge Crumpler, who arguably had an off-year himself, really) hurt us; Michael Vick didn’t hurt us.

I don’t know what it is that fuels the anti-Vick sentiment; for some I think it’s skin tone, for others the middle-finger, for others, he’s just a target for frustration because he is the face of a franchise with a 15-17 record the past two seasons. But when ya dig a little deeper, and look a litle harder, and pay a little more attention, you’ll find that Vick isn’t the problem He needs a better o-line, beetter recievers, and a better coaching staff.

Hopefully in the offseason, the line and wideouts can be enhanced; we’re appaerntly already into looking for the better coaching tandem.

Thank God.

By ricky b

January 1, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

for all the crazy brady quinn lovers out there, what exactly did your sweetheart brady with the offensive guru weiss do against tenuta and tech? they both looked pedestrian. look at this white guy from west virginia who is truly a QB who can not pass and he is storming up and down the tech defense. Brady Quinn is an overrated piece of crap. he will be the next rick mirer. but at least rick mirer actually accomplished some things when he was at notre dame (like meaningful victories other than the service academies). Why though is everyone saying that jamarcus russell will be the #1 pick? I know that man is a beast and a physical freak but i have been watching him for 3 years and for the most part he has been inconsistent. and he has also been perpetually mired in a QB controversy during the course of his career. Do you remember last spring and summer where they were not even sure he would be the starter this year? BUT now he might be the #1 pick? I pity the fool who makes that pick. he would be a better option than Brady Quinn by far but he ain’t worth drafting that high either.

I WANT THE FALCONS TO DRAFT ADRIAN PETERSON FROM OKLAHOMA. DRAFTING THAT GUY AND POUNDING THE HECK OUT OF HIM WILL BE A CURE ALL FOR MANY THINGS ON THIS OFFENSE AND BECAUSE THE OFFENSE WILL BE BETTER, IT WILL ALSO BE BETTER FOR THE DEFENSE BY KEEPING THEM OFF THE FIELD. GET PETERSON TO BE THE WORKHORSE THAT DRIVES THIS SHOW A LA TOMLINSON AND LARRY JOHNSON

By blq byrd

January 1, 2007 04:14 PM | Link to this

I hope that Mr. blank has plans to get rid of the most inept duo of coordinators in the league aswell. As far as the new headcoach is concerned, the only choice is Bill Cowher, a proven winner in the NFL. He is a tough nosed no nonsense personality and he at one point mentioned that he would love to be able to coach Mike Vick. I say offer him whatever he wants including the keys to the city if that is what it takes to get him here.

By Jerry L

January 1, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

One word: LOSERSVILLE

By Hayden

January 1, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

My granny is a better QB than Matt Schaub. Hey - let’s sign her!

By Peter Tinkham

January 1, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

The coach, present and past, have not been the problem with the Falcons. It’s the owner’s relationship with a QB that can’t understand the “game plan.” The QB stated all of the talent, etc, however, NO teamwork! No on field leadership from the QB.

p.s. The Falcons will always be second run, as the Hawks.

By O Pinion

January 1, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

Under no circumstances do you interview Dennis Green. He has enough baggage as is. His firing puts Mora #1 on the Cardinals list, though. The Falcon’s talent is there for a deep run into the playoffs for several years. I think ANY Falcons fan would like some consistency. 11-5 and easily in, 8-8 and needing help, 7-9 and hoping for something - whoever the team hires needs to provide consistency. That is something that a Falcons fan has never had (positively, anyway). The new coach has to make Vick a McNabb 3.0 - someone who can run when we need it AND pass when the opportunity is there. Vick can do that and hopefully the new coaching staff will take care of that.

Sometimes, I think, Mora was trying playground plays - run down to the trash can, turn twice, run up - jump high and I will have the ball there, can’t do that in the NFL.

This is the first time the player structure is in place for a new coach - take your time and offer a few more Home Depot gift cards and see if some of the “locked” in coaches might want to live in ATL. Never know until you ask!!!!!! Just an opinion

By dannotdan

January 1, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this

CJ You can not compare Vick to Brees while he was QB for San Diego. Brees brought leadership, experience and was a proven winner. In his four seasons with the Chargers Brees completed 1,125 of 1,809 passes for 12,348 yards with 80 touchdowns making him the most accurate passer (62.2) in San Diego Chargers history. This year with the Saints he is even better completing 65% of his passes with a QB rating of nearly 100. passing for 4400 yards. Vick on the other hand is a career 52% passer with a QB rating of 75, passing for 2400 yards.

In college Brees Had an honor-filled career at Purdue, including being a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1999 and 2000…Won Maxwell Award as nation’s outstanding player in 2000…Finalist for Davey O’Brien Award as nation’s top quarterback in 1999 and 2000…Left Purdue as Big Ten and school’s all-time leader in passing yards (11,792), touchdown passes (90), total yards (12,693), completion percentage (.611), completions (1,026) and attempts (1,678).…………………….Vick on the other hand played only 21 college games in a tricked up, dumbed down Va Tech run oriented offense, where he was the most exciting player on the field but not a very good passer of the ball. When Vick left Va Tech as a red shirt sophomore it wasn’t as a school leader but rather a poor throwing athlete with questionable eligibility for the upcoming year………………..at least he wasn’t run out of town on gun charges like his equally athletic and equally dumb a* brother. So if you want to compare Vick to a Pro Quarterback pick someone a little more in Vicks class like C Stewart, T Couch, R Leafe, Randell El not a smart, talented, accurate guy like Brees…………………if fact Brees’s backup in San Diego Phillip Rivers has quickly passed Vick in all QB stats except rushing, and Rivers backup Charlie Whitehouse has a much greater chance of being an accomplished NFL QB than Vick.

So if you must compare Breese to Vick the comparison would look something like this: Brees……Smart, Vick……………….. Dumb-a*

Brees….Leader, Vick………………………………Punk

Brees…..Accurate, Vick………………………………Wild

Brees……Winner, Vick……………..Loser

Brees…..Team Builder, Vick ..Team Killer

Brees…Character Guy,Vick…….Not so much

By pete

January 1, 2007 04:21 PM | Link to this

Vick’s positives: Strong arm Runs Fast

Vick’s negatives: Very Inaccurate Too short Not strong enough to even convert a QB sneak Not a leader…always pouts when his team is behind. Can’t audible Can’t read a defense Playbook has to be limited No touch on the ball…doesn’t know when to zip or lob a pass. No passing TD’s in, what, 19 straight 4th Quarters? That is laughable. Plenty more negatives. but enough is enough, isn’t it? Someone please tell me why this guy should ever take another snap for any team at QB.

By Sid

January 1, 2007 04:21 PM | Link to this

He should have fired the other loser in the organization, McKay and traded Vick at the same time. This team will always be mediocre with these people around.

By special ED

January 1, 2007 04:23 PM | Link to this

To all you who are defending Vick, get a clue. The man is the greatest athlete in the history of the game, however he cannot throw the football accurately with any consistancy. In the pocket, on the run, whatever, he consistently throws the ball at peoples feet or ten feet behind them or over their heads. His receivers and his line have not helped him, true. Nevertheless, he couldn’t complete a pass if he had a brick wall in front of him and his receivers all had super glue on their hands, because he doesn’t throw it anywhere near their hands most of the time. And when he does hit their hands, he’s 10 feet away and throwing the ball about 200 mph so nobody can catch it anyway. For those of you who defend him based on his performances at the pro bowl, check the rules of the pro bowl. YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO RUSH THE QB!!!! Hell, any half wit could complete passes when they know they aren’t gonna get any pressure.

My plea is this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Mr. Blank, TRADE VICK AND GET SOMETHING FOR HIM WHILE YOU STILL CAN. Another year of his lack of ability and you won’t be able to get a 3rd round pick for him.

Jim Mora Sr. had it right. Vick is a coach killer. And if you don’t act now, Mr. Blank, whoever you get to replace Mora Jr. will be looking for a spot on Mora Jr’s staff at bum@#$ university in a couple of years.

By LL

January 1, 2007 04:24 PM | Link to this

Mora was indeed outcoached on a number of occassions. For all of you Vick Haters, when the man had time he playe well. No QB (manning,manning,brady, or whoever) could endure with the type of pressure Vick withstood. He’ll never be a great passer but he can be good enough with the right defense to win many ballgames. We need a offensive minded head coach that can use the talents we have or get us the talent we need to move to the next level. 30 dropped balls in a season could have equated to at least 1-2 more wins which would have been a playoff birth perhaps. Micheal Jenkins, Roddy White you would be next on Arthur’s list of being let go. We have the players we just need a no nonsense coach to come in and do just that coach not be a pacifier for 16 games.

By Ron Roberts

January 1, 2007 04:25 PM | Link to this

How many playoff games has Drew brees won, so far?

By Dianne Hawkins

January 1, 2007 04:26 PM | Link to this

It was inevitable that Mora was fired after that disastrous radio interview. Mora is a conceited know it all who thought he was above every body else. Arthur Blank was right in firing him…keeping him on after that interview would only hurt the Falcons. I don’t know where Mora’s mind was the day he made all those comments. Did he think he could say all that and Arthur Blank wouldn’t take any action against him? Arthur Blank didn’t get to where he is by suffering fools gladly.And Mora was a fool for thinking otherwise.

By Andrew . O

January 1, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this

The firing of Mora and the coaching staff is a welcomed event.This was long over-due. From the on set, Jim Mora’s hiring was a collosal mistake (a la, his antics and mannerism during games, he never came across as a head coach that knew what he was doing. For a lack of a better word, he was evidently OVERWHELMED).We need a coach that will design and scheme plays adaptable to your players and not the other way around. we have the nucleus in place to be a powerhouse NFL team, see what sean payton is doing with the Saints. GO FALCONS AND ARTHUR BLANK

By Carlton

January 1, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

Atlanta remember Brett Favre! A back up for the Falcons. The rest is History. Now Matt Schwab who has good skills but have only started in two games. Not enough to past judgement. Atlanta drafted a back up who will be a Hall of Famer. Let not make the same mistake twice. Let see what we have in Schwab. We just have what we need.

By dannotdan

January 1, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts

I think that you would be the ideal candidate for a three way with Blank and Vick. You sound like a pathetic love sick little girl defending your little Mikey.

Let me see if I understand your point

The coaches are bad The receivers are bad The offense line is bad The defensive Line is Bad The defensive secondary is bad

Mike Vick is great

Get your head out of your a*, these guys are all professionals and they all quit on this team knowing they have no chance to win with the undersized, empty helmeted, track star you we have playing quarterback.

Give these guys a QB that gives them a chance to win and they will play up to their potential.

.

By one

January 1, 2007 04:34 PM | Link to this

yOU PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO DOGG vICK ON THIS BLOG. KEEP DOGGING HIM BECAUSE HE IS HERE TO STAY. HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP TRYING TO COMPARE BREES TO VICK NEED TO REMEMBER THAT DREW BREES WAS THE WORST QB IN THE LEAGUE UNTIL HE TURNED THINGS AROUND WHEN THEY DRAFTED RIVERS, THE QB THEY THEY HAVE NOW

By george

January 1, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

Mora Sr had it right…Vick IS a coach killer…he needs to go along with Mora. Both were useless.

By William Sexton

January 1, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

Great article Mark. I am worried. I actually agree with you. Now lets see if Arthur Blank has any real backbone & cut that finger pointing QB. Should be good trade bait.

By T

January 1, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

Glad Mora is gone… now lets work on the following…

Owners, please stay in your box, not on the sideline

Trade Vick .. NOW .. Vick is not a QB, will never be a QB.. a good running back yes.. get rid of him and his mouth

By JBC

January 1, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

Playing together as a team is what it is all about (well, that and a good game plan!) Bill Belichick’s contract is up after this year…one of the best coaches ever. It would be a long shot, but one worth taking.

By tony

January 1, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

i agree whit you Mark.i hope that mister Blank will hire a coach better than Mora which is not easy to find. Happy new year

By Ron Roberts

January 1, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

dannotdan… dude, did you actually WATCH all 16 Falcons games, this year, man?

See, I shelled out gooood money pay DirecTV to beam ‘em to my house in Louisiana, and I watched ‘em all, painfully.

And yeah, the offensive line wasn’t protecting Vick very well; the only reason Warrick Dunn saw success when he did was because of their cut-blocking scheme and his smallish size giving him ability to work through small creases. When they were asked to blow a defenders off the line (ya kknow, like in goal-to-go situations that we failed in so many times), they couldn’t do it. And we didn’t score many of those TDs, either.

And c’mon, man… how many dropped passes did you miss, this season, dannotdan? Roddy White come to mind? How about Alge’s lapses, this year? It became contagious, too, when Ashley Lelie started dropping tosses thrown right to his hands. But that’s the QB’s fault, right?

And Vick, the quarterback, doesn’t *call” the plays; he puts ‘em to work. You telling me the play-calling was good?

Who’s head is stuffed up a rectum, here, dannotdan? And who the hell told you to mouth off to me or anybody else that way, dannotdan?

Try discussing the Falcons with a sense of humility and decorum, if ya don’t mind. Otherwise, carry backwoods, 4X4 mud-boggin’ I’m a bad-a* redneck so let’s go kick some foreign @ss attitude back to your huntin’ lodge, k?

By BirdDawg

January 1, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

Once again, the outright ignorance of the Falcons “fans” is disheartening.

I didn’t know so many people from Forsythe Co, not to mention 1950 had access to the internet or knew how to work a computer.

All you people who utter words like coon, and thug, and gangsta to describe only the Falcons black players, none of whom (accept MeAngelo Hall) have ever done anything on a consistant basis to deserve such hatred are going straight to hell when you die for being a bunch of ignorant, racist, redneck fools.

Have fun down there with George Wallace, John Wilkes Booth, Hitler, and Milosovic.

Truly pathetic human beings.

By henri

January 1, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

is anyone looking at jimmy johnson . i think we need a coach that will put a guy on waviers if he make a stupid penalty or drops passes over and over again . i dont care who you get if the falcons cant stop anyone on defense then . we will be here every 3 years . i work around 3 die hard saints fans so you can imagine what im feeling right now .

By ricky b

January 1, 2007 04:46 PM | Link to this

DANNOTDAN:

Vick holds the NCAA freshman record for passing efficiency

Vick led his team to the NCAA championship game as a freshman.

Brees is a darn good player but come on already.

Vick: two playoff victories

Brees: zero playoff victories.

vick: conference championship game

brees: no conference championship game.

brees record as a starter: 40-34

vick record as a starter 38-28-1.

vick: Dunn, Duckett, Norwood, & crumpler and a ragtag group of wideouts

Brees: Tomlinson, Gates, Michael Turner, Lorenzo Neal, Keenan Mcardell, eric parker, david boston, curtis conway

By Forget bill

January 1, 2007 04:46 PM | Link to this

Cowher plans to LIVE in North Carolina. Last time I checked Raleigh was approximately 400 miles away. Very hard for Cowher to co-habitate with his wife unless they are in the same city. Also, he is still under contract to the Steelers for 2007. The general feeling is that Cowher would accept the head coaching position of the Redskins in 2008.

Plus there is the fact that the Falcons MUST interview at least one black candidate.

By Christopher Carangio

January 1, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this

I’m not a sports reporter. I think Arthur Blank is partially right. If Art wants to be the “Coach” then he should do so. Then he can fire himself when he panders to a selfish player who has only their own agenda at heart. If Arthur Blank wants to deliver a winning professional football franchise to the Atlanta fans then he needs to either stay off the sidelines and let his coaches do their thing(let them sink or swim on their own)or take the reigns himself and figure out a winning game plan for his team. I’m not a coach either(Mr. Blank), But you seem genuine in your quest. Sadly Jim Mora wasn’t the person for the job, but you need to take stock of your options and finish the job. Obviously you need a new coach(whether it be you or??). Why not a coach that has proven they are a winner? I particularly liked the idea of trading M. Vick. You have a very good Q.B. in Stuab, and Shockley has proven he can sit on the bench as backup, can learn while he does and can get the job done in both the Quarterbacking,(and more importantly) leadership area. That move would give you more possabilities in the short run than most others. Hire a proven winner, leave them alone and let’s see? You have aquired a lot of proven players. You have a championship team. Hire a good leader that is a winner. Winning is an “attitude” thing. Like the old saying goes, the difference between winners and losers, Is that winners do whatever they need to do to win!!!!! lOSERS DON’T.

By ricky b

January 1, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

you have got to absolutely love an idiot who keeps trying to tell us over and over again that matt schaub is the next brett favre but then does not know how to spell matt schaub’s name. if you do not even know how to spell your man crush’s name, then you do not know enough to even speak about the QB situation with the falcons. go home, fool

By Dano

January 1, 2007 04:51 PM | Link to this

Good article…..It will be interesting to see what happens now….all the things these blogs “debated” will have a chance to prove who was right….is Mora Head Coach material????? Can Vick turn into the superstar many think he can be??? Do the Falcons have the team and just lacked proper leadership?????? Stay tuned……..

By ralph dawg

January 1, 2007 04:51 PM | Link to this

3 games ago:

Dawgs: 6-4

Tech: 9-2

record now:

Dawgs: 9-4

Tech: 9-5

in a down year, the dawgs end up with a better record than the bugs in their best year this decade. LOL!!!

By PC Police

January 1, 2007 04:55 PM | Link to this

Well, I wonder if we got an all black staff, who will the black fans blame if the team doesnt win? It will be an interesting dilema. We cant blame the black coach or the black quarterback, right?

Vick tauts his 19, now 20, career high TD’s. 11 of those came in just 3 games. How many times have we seen Vick start to get sacked and just heave the ball way up into the sky. No 4th qtr touchdown passes in almost 20 games. No opening drive touchdowns in almost as many games. I have seen Vick make some passes that possibly only he could make and then make some of the most mind-numbing bad throws that make you scratch your head with as much regularity too. At the same time Greg Knapp does not have a clue how to use Vick. For such an original athlete there was no originality to this offense.

Still, Vick was in his 6th NFL season. Going into the year this was the year that he really would step out and we would see the light finally come on. He set a career high (20 tds) and the QB rushing record. MMMM. Let me know if anyone saw a real improvement in his passing poise or accuracy. These 3 first round WRs certainly didnt help either, but other QB’s have done with less than this WR’s bunch.

Political Correctness aside. I would love to see Vick become a well rounded QB and become that dual threat that we thought he would become. However, if Vick is traded Arthur Blank and Rich McKay would have to leave with him. They are in the un-enviable position of being in a predominantly black town with a black quarterback.

However, he performs, statistics be damned….win-loss percentage whatever. If you criticize or trade Vick you are immediately a racist. Now I will be told I am racist and others will point out other white quarerbacks bad stats to me. Oh, well.

By Drew

January 1, 2007 04:58 PM | Link to this

Mora’s comments doomed him after not making the playoffs. Too many immature comments and actions for him to survive the situation.

There is no doubt in my mind, however, that Vick has as much to do with the team’s failure as Mora. His comments, over and over again, are equally painful and he lacks leadership qualities. His inconsistent play furthers the issue.

I’ll take Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair(if only for 1 or 2 years), Marc Bulger, and Tom Brady today over Vick. Over the next year or two, I would rather have Vince Young, Jay Cutler, and maybe even Tony Romo over Vick. Arguments can be made on a handful of other quarterbacks(Roethlisberger, Rivers, Leinert).

Too selfish, too egocentric, too eratic, too inconsistent. Send him to the Raiders for draft picks and start over in a total, new direction. New head coach, new QB, and if no improvement on future draft picks and signings, new GM.

By Rock Preston

January 1, 2007 05:01 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is not the problem. The offensive philosophy is! Jim Mora was married to Greg Crapp and his system. 6-5 Quarterbacks (Matt Schaub) who run a west-coast offense come a dime a dozen. 6-1 dazzling playmakers don’t! Make it happen with the dazzler! He(VICK) IS going to make it happen…TRUST ME!

By bobbydawg

January 1, 2007 05:02 PM | Link to this

When you have a 1 in a million quaterback, you have to tailor the offense to him, not him to the offense. Mora had to go. We need to adapt our offense like Norm Chow has done with Vince Young

By Terry B.

January 1, 2007 05:03 PM | Link to this

Get a life. If you don’t like football, why are you even on this blog.

By Dan

January 1, 2007 05:05 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora will be a winning NFL coach. I hope he soon receives another shot…maybe Oakland 2008?

For our Falcons; Head Coach - Jimmy Johnson, Offense Coordinator - Norm Chow, Defensive Coordinator - Dom Capers…you get what you pay for…

By Christopher Carangio

January 1, 2007 05:05 PM | Link to this

I apologize to Mr. Schaub for mispelling his name. I hope Ricky B. was not referring to me. Perhaps he is ashamed to put his full name for everyone to see. Maybe I am a fool. I’m not apologizing to him that cannot see their own shortcomings.

By Rick

January 1, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Like father, like son. Perpetual underachievers.

By trez-paz

January 1, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this

I pity the man that has to coach this team of overpaid punks. Until the NFL adopts a system wherein there is a monetary incentive to win and there is a monetary penalty for losing (as is the case in the real world of business), the whole league is going to go down the tubes. With contracts like the one the lack-luster Vick and some of the other players got with Blank, no wonder they don’t give a damn. Would you? Either way, they are going to get paid for sitting on their sorry @$$’$. From what I see of Blanks business dealings in pro football, I can only surmise that he is a very, very lucky man to have been as successful in the world of business as he has. Then again, he sells out the dome to dumb-@$$’S every home Sunday no matter if Atlanta wins or loses, doesn’t he? That may make him brilliant, at the expense of those fan’s who actually give a damn whether Atlanta has a successful team. Screw the Falcon’s. After 32 years, I say, to hell with the whole sorry mess.

By Michael

January 1, 2007 05:08 PM | Link to this

You people are just right stupid!You all blame Vick for all the short comming of team! Mora got himself fired for not firing his friends! And put that foot in his mouth! Especially when the Owner went out on a limb too retain you! To say Vick is not a leader is just carzy! Who do you think led this team too NFC Championship, Playoffs, turned this sorry a* franchise into one of the nfl elite! With far less talent than what they got now! The year they tied Steelers they was down by 3 TD’s? Who you think led you back too win the against the Vikings? Who do think led you against Greenbay? Who led the team against Carolina in the Dome? You people just kills me with some s** you say! Now I ask just one question. Who or what game has Matt Schuab won or tied? He played against back ups and didn’t win the game!!!!!!

By Vickhata

January 1, 2007 05:08 PM | Link to this

I TOTALLY disagree with this decision. Mora’s dad had it right. I said it 6 years ago and I will say it now. The Falcons WILL NEVER EVER WIN A SUPER BOWL WITH VICK AS QB. He is a helluva RB, but sucks as a QB. Why doesnt Blank hire Green from Arizona and then the Affirmative Action of Atlanta Group can be complete. The Hawks and the Falcons are like two mules, fightin over a turnip…….they both SUCK.

By NJ Falcons Fan

January 1, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

Everyone is talking about Vick. What about the defense? Wasn’t that the strength of the ‘98 team?? This team needs to get healthy, consistant, and BIGGER on the defensive end. There is talent there, a top LB, an excellent corner, and some speedy ends, but a small line and a bunch of 230 lb linebackers aren’t gonna stop many above average running games in the fourth quarter (especially after being on the field the whole game). The Falcons D never seemed to deliver many crucial late game stops. Its aggravating!

By Tired

January 1, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

I am so tired of this town’s obsession with Schaub. Someone please tell me what you are basing this on? When he has played, we have not won. He is a back up for a reason guys. You think the white guys in suits would ever play a brotha over a white guy if he were better? Backups look good because they normally play against other backup’s. Most of you have never been on a football field, let alone played QB. Your QB is as good as the guys around him. When we blocked, ran the ball, and caught passes, it is amazing how well he played. Did you you see Manning against the Steelers in the playoffs last year? No protection, he looked like Doug Johnson. Get a clue people!!

By keif

January 1, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this

Somebody get Rich Rodriguez on the phone! White/Slaton = Vick/Norwood = Superbowl!

By CJ

January 1, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this

It’s about time! This team had the talent to get the job done, Mora came across as a buddy and not a coach!

P.S. Can someone hold the bus before it leaves town please?, there’s gotta be room for Chan Gailey next to Mora.

By Rip

January 1, 2007 05:12 PM | Link to this

I agree Mora had to go but I’m not sure this will solve the issues. Coaches don’t catch and they don’t throw accurate passes, or block for the QB. I’m not a football fanatic but don’t the QB have a certain amount of time before play breaks down and it becomes a scramble. When I watched some games seems like Vick was always in scramble mode which means the recievers are not getting open or he is holding the ball to long. Starting today MV should be practicing throwing angles and hitting moving targets in stride. He has been in the NFL too long not to be completing at least around 70% of his passes. If he can’t do this there will never be balance with the run.

By NFL

January 1, 2007 05:13 PM | Link to this

You guys dont know anything about what it takes to be a coach in the NFL. what is so funny is …in the next two years, Jimmy will make more than you outspoken idiots will make in your life..So the joke is on you !

By gg

January 1, 2007 05:16 PM | Link to this

Who the hell is the idiot that came up with the rule that every team has to interview at least one black coach? That is so stupid…If I was Blank I would interview a black fan in the stadium and move on. This is not to say I’m against a black coach, but that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Why doesn’t the NFL have a policy that requires all NFL teams to interview at least one Asian candidate, one hispanic candidate, one American candidate…etc. And please Blank, do not, I repeat do not, hire Steve Mariucci, all he is just another Jim Mora, talks a good game, kisses everybody’s a*, wants to be everybody’s friend but can’t coach worth a crap. Hire Wisenhunt or Chow…!!!! Don’t fall for the pretty neat little playbook and so-called “qualified coordinators”. We need an a* hole to come in stir some stuff up and get rid of the dead weight like Fartwell, DFall, John Abraham…

By shorty

January 1, 2007 05:16 PM | Link to this

Falcons go 5-1 before the defense is hurt from injuries. the offense has sucked for the past 5 years period. you can’t win with 20 plays in your play book. If I’m a coach candidate, I’m changing my voicemail to say “if this is the falcon’s please change your personnel and I will call you back”.

By Greg

January 1, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

I can’t agree with the line that Vick is “the most talented quarterback in the NFL”. If he was the most talented qb in the NFL, I can assure you that we would not be 8-8 and we would not be sitting at home during the playoffs.

By Eric

January 1, 2007 05:19 PM | Link to this

Who would take this team???? I’m so curious who would give up their reputation to take over a team that has so much money tied up in a LOSER at quarterback. No matter how much you spin the “talent” of Ron Mexico.. you couldn’t get a third round draft pick for the guy, and he’s your “star” player.

This is going to be like the Alabama coaching job.. “no thank you , i want a team with talent.”

This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to Mora… watch him get picked up and succeed with a team that actually has a quarterback,,

Mr. Blank… you don’t have the balls to admit when you made a 100 million dollar mistake..

By Need A Coach!!!

January 1, 2007 05:20 PM | Link to this

Time to step up and talk to one Mark Richt! He was a QB and is good with the thug type playas like Mr. Vick. This would really be a good fit. Also he does not have to pick up his family and move them from Athens. Wow, what a great idea! Falcons will be winners in no time!!!

By DJ

January 1, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

I agree with Mr. Blank’s decision and much of the comments below. The Falcons problems seemed to coincide with what I have noticed to be a “degeneration” back to the Glanville days (and some of the Reeves era as well)where the Falcons became a bunch of trash-talking,cheap-shot, penalty killers who couldn’t back up their play. ( Scott Case, “Flag on the Play ” Ray Buchanon, Robinson’s Super Bowl escapades to name just a few.)What sealed it for me was watching Alge Crumpler’s dancing and showboating after scoring against the Detroit Lions-while the Falcons were still down 10 or so and it was obvious they were still being outplayed and would probably lose. Talk about being clueless. Remember when Mora spoke about only keeping team members with the right character? That didn’t last long. I won’t even go into Hall’s liabilities, no matter how talented he is. Anyway, I hope this move leads to something better because I truly want this team to succeed.

By Realist

January 1, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

I was listening to the press conferences and I come away feeling confused and conned by this current organization.

First, Mora needed to be fired because he was unwilling to bench Vick in games where Vick was rattled and unable to create any offense thrust. He was also unwilling/unable to direct Knapp to create successful game plans against the likes of Cleveland, Detroit, and Weinke-led Carolina (all we needed was 11 points to win that one). That would have created a 10-6 playoff record.

Having said that, Mora appeared he was happy to go because he is a “glass half-full guy”. I guess I would be too, given the handcuffs he chose for himself in Knapp and Donatell and those he didn’t in Vick’s Contract. He now has a chance to go elsewhere (say Ariz) and start fresh.

He was not a good CEO which is the head coach’s position for all of you who try to equate the sport to a business (the QB would be equivalent to the COO). Unfortunately, sports cannot be directly equated to businesses because where would the COO be making more than the CEO,the BODs, and 75% of the rest of the organization taken together and not be considered replaceable, even for a lack of bottomline performance - team’s W/L record. It doesn’t make much sense for a business to keep selling a product (and thus increasing its gross revenue) if it has a negative net income as a result. However the Falcons seem to want to continue to do this. The only way they can continue this is to pull another Enron/Worldcom scam. Artie Blank doesn’t know sh%t about the sport of football but he does know something about Enron/Worldcom.

I knew him when he was a HD newbie w/ 3 stores in ATL. He was a fired Handy Andy dandy from CA who got lucky hanging onto Bernie Marcus’ coattails. In those days, he was the hatchet man and wore the gold chains and watches and open collars cause he was cool. Bernie was the brains and class of HD. Artie just had an ego. I refer you to their contributions to ATL since their HD days. Bernie builds a world/first-class aquarium (for the people - cause he gets nothing more than a place where he can take his grandchildren and mingle with peeps, no skyboxes, no struting around on the field for all to see his Egoness) and Artie builds a FINGER-Waving circus (for the $$). Has he apologized directly to the fans for this action by a member of his organization? Doesn’t the buck stop with him, isn’t he ultimately responsible for his personnel’s behavior? H$ll NO!

Don’t believe his BS that he really cares about building a team for ATL, it’s for his ego. For proof, does anyone think Jerry Jones doesn’t have an ego? (well documented and admitted to) Artie is following his footsteps to a tee. Jerry has T.O., Artie has Vick. Both put fannys in the seats and help maintain an interest (both positive & negative) in their organizations which in turn creates $$$ in the business of sports entertainment. Artie, please stick your ego where the sun don’t shine. The best owners are those not seen, who really care about their hometowns and create a WINNING TEAM above all else. All his BS about “stakeholders” is just that - BS.

Please give this team back to the only real stakeholders - the many Southern fans who have been here since the beginning cheering the likes of Tommy Nobis, Claude Humphries, Billy White Shoes Johnson, Steve Bartowski, William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Mike Kenn, Jeff Van Note and many, many others. These guys realy gave it up for their team win or lose and earned the fans’ respect.

And, yes I know Andrews is in jail. If Bro Vick has such class, then why doesn’t Bro Vick help another bro out? Class, class, no crass, crass.

If Artie thinks Vick is the ANSWER to “the goals”, then I would like to know what those goals really are. Nevermind, I do.

I left once and became a Dolphins (AFC) and a Redskins (NFC) fan. I can leave again and watch my new adopted teams every week given the technology today.

Of course, all of you who believe Vick is, or more accurately can become, a consistent winning NFL QB are smoking the same BS as those who believe the US is winning or can win in Iraq. Just keeping it real for all of you!!!

By Realist

January 1, 2007 05:23 PM | Link to this

McKay at press conference: “QB is about as important a part on the team”. Dumbass, it is the MOST important part. He believes “Vick will be a successful NFL QB one day”. Any chance that will happen in the next 5 years?

By Buzzy Bill

January 1, 2007 05:23 PM | Link to this

Mora was immature and when he was caught attending a Georgia Tech “tickle pile” that was the last straw.

By Need a Coach

January 1, 2007 05:24 PM | Link to this

Call on Mark Richt! He works well with playas lke Mike V!

By reverend run

January 1, 2007 05:26 PM | Link to this

for all of you who think that mike vick was not raised right, i present to you the brees white trash clan:

Drew Brees Hates The Witch He Has For A Mom If Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his mother were, you know, speaking to each other, this would make for a rather awkward Thanksgiving. Fortunately, he hates her! The NFL quarterback and Westlake High School graduate has told Mina Brees, an Austin attorney, to stop using his picture in TV commercials as she runs for a spot on Texas’ 3rd Court of Appeals, saying their relationship is now “nonexistent” after souring six years ago.

http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume5/2006-1101-brees.html

Drew Brees Really Enjoying Opponent Calling His Mother a Whore

        Drew Brees couldn’t wipe the smile from his face on Sunday as his opponents continually tried to rattle him by insulting his mother.

        “I yelled at Brees across the line of scrimmage and told him that his mom was a dirty skank and that I was going to kill her,” said Ravens linebacker Bart Scott. “He just laughed and said she was indeed a skank. And then between plays he gave me her address and encouraged me to go to her house and kill her. It was weird. I’ve never experienced that with a player before. Usually when you insult a player’s mother they get ticked off and lose their head, but he loved every minute of it.”

        Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas said nothing he could say on Sunday was able to trump what came out of the quarterback’s own mouth.

        “Every time I’d insult his mother, he’d come back with something even cruder and more disgusting about her,” said Thomas. “It got to the point that by the fourth quarter, I was getting p** off and defending his mother myself. He was really laying into her and no matter what their issue is, no one should talk about someone’s mother like that. Even if it is someone talking about their own mother.”

        Brees has been estranged from his mother for six years and recently threatened her with a lawsuit if she continued to use his picture in her campaign ads touting her candidacy for a Texas appeals court.

        But as much as the quarterback loves hearing opponents come up with new insults for the woman he despises, Brees says he needs to keep his focus on the game.

        “Opponents insult my mother thinking it will get in my head and make me angry and take me off my game,” he said. “And it does get me off my game, but not for those reasons. It’s because I get so caught up in insulting my mother along with them that I lose my concentration. And that’s not good because a loss in concentration will result in losses on the field – and me losing will probably just make my mother happy, being that she is a hateful, vindictive, syphilitic demoness.”

NFL QB Demands Mom Stop Using Him in Campaign Commercials

On October 20th, Saints quarterback Drew Brees (or his agents, anyway) sent his mom a letter demanding that she cease and desist using his name and likeness in a TV commercial. Mina Brees is running for a spot on the Texas Court of Appeals.

In the commercial, Mina Brees notes that she is the mother of Drew Brees, the sister of former Texas quarterback Marty Akins, and the daughter of longtime high school football coach Ray Akins. She says that the commercial is intended to identify her with her sports-oriented family, which she says taught her the value of preparation and hard work.

They apparently didn’t talk much about intellectual-property law around the dinner table, though, or at least that’s what CCA Sports and its attorneys implied with their letter. “The unauthorized misappropriation of an individual’s indicia (picture, name, etc.) for this current purpose is an infringement of his personal rights, property rights and common law trademark rights,” the letter states. Probably a standard form letter that they have to send out to everyone who mentions Drew, but maybe one of our IP readers can clarify whether a trademark can really be diluted just because your mom uses your “indicia.”

Mina Brees agreed to stop using the spot. Her media consultants were to have new spots ready on October 30. They will feature a different son, Reid, who is presumably not trademarked.

The incumbent judge, David Puryear, declined to comment, saying that the focus “should be on the qualifications of the candidates.” Refreshing, but not really part of the game plan this time of year, as the chairman of the Travis County GOP made clear in a written statement. He called for Brees to withdraw from the race because of her shocking conduct. “Her failure to act appropriately and inform media outlets of her wrongful use of Drew Brees’ indicia subjects her to litigation and demonstrates her morally rudderless political opportunism,” the statement said.

Well, that’s okay, but not great. Let’s see if we can punch it up a little bit. How about something like this:

Until this moment, Ms. Brees, I think I never really gauged your cruelty, or your recklessness. Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel as to do an injury to your own son's indicia. It is, I regret to say, equally true that I fear he shall always bear a scar needlessly inflicted by you. If it were in my power to forgive you for your morally rudderless political opportunism, I would do so. I like to think I'm a gentle man, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me. Let us not assassinate this lad's indicia further, Ms. Brees. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, ma'am, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?

Yeah, that’s more like it.

http://www.loweringthebar.net/2006/11/nflqbdemands_.html

By LakerRam

January 1, 2007 05:29 PM | Link to this

Falcons, Please trade VICK

He’s useless and you will never win with him at QB.

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

I agree with the firing of Mora, and as stated earlier, he was simply in over his head. I hope McKay and Blank do a much more thorough job in interviews this time around. I did love something Blank and McKay said…basically, they will not hesitate to make trades or attack free agency…money is not an object! Gotta love that. Either way, I’m sure REGARDLESS of who the new coach is, Knapp and Donatell will be terminated! amazing how there are still in-bred UGA fans that have to log into the “ATLANTA FALCONS BLOG” to talk UGA/TECH So Atlanta drafts 10th…don’t know if either will be there, but would love to see the huge OL from USC or the DE from Michigan. Of course would love CJ, but will not be anywhere near available at 10.

By Realist

January 1, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

To all those who continue to throw out Vick stats as to his greatness: Vick sells tickets because of his ability to polarize fans (see T.O.) and because once in a blue moon he makes a spectacular play with his legs. That does not win games consistently (see T.O.) which creates unrest amoung those fans that want a positive, winning team.

By Wiz

January 1, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

DearvAtlanta football fans, Thank you for your interest. I know that Atlanta is a great football city and that you deserve a championship football team. That being said, there is no way that I, or anybody I know or have respect for, will coach a team that has Michael Vick as the quarterback. I am sure that the intelligent fans in Atlanta have had enough exposure to see that making a short running back into a quarteback will not work in today’s NFL. Mike’s a great guy, and has an outstanding agent (selling ice to eskimo’s kind of guy) and he is black.. so I’m sure he’s well liked in Atlanta. Best of luck in the coming 5 years… I’ll be coaching a team with talent.

Sincerely,

Ken Whisenhunt

By Rip

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

One of the main problems I have with the falcons are they have all the big name talents on the squad and approach every game like they are suppose to win and the opposing team is suppose to let them win. Thats all I hear them say we have all this talent. I would rather have a bunch of no-names who were willing to work their asses off to win than a confident bunch of losers. At this point no one has proven they should be starting next year! The new COACH should come into this job with the “you got to earn it to play” attitude, and if you start slacking you will be benched. I bet you that will make play more consistent.

By Patrick

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

I was a fan before Blank bought the team. Despite all of his money, he apparently can’t buy class or common sense. Blank should have never fired Dan Reeves. I’m enjoying seeing his decision(s) to throw a bunch of money at a bunch of thugs backfire on him. Looks like the NFL is headed the way of the NBA - A bunch of tattooed thugs with no class who celebrate a routine play like they just won the Super Bowl. Arthur, I would suggest you and your staff review some film of the early Steeler or Bills teams to see how a team should act. Chuck Knoll and Marv Levy, now that’s class. Jim Kelly, Terry Bradshaw - true leaders and quarterbacks. Mike Vick - true thug.

By Bring Reeves Back!

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

VIck can get us enough wins to get in the playoffs but i dont feel like well ever win the superbowl without having a qb that can run a good 2 minute drill. Schuab makes accurate passes and led us down the field twice in the last minutes of the game. I say trade vick to the raiders for the draft rights to Calvin Johnson , resign kerney,get a power back for short yardage situations and well have a solid team next year. Im so tired of watching vick throw little 5 yard passes on 3rd and 20…..its like he cares more about padding his stats than winning the game! I like vick and the attention he brings to the falcons but hes no leader, and is the opposite of elway when it comes to 4th quarter comebacks. At this point i wish chandler was our qb again, man he could throw a accurate ball! u cant tell me that vick would of led that comeback chandler did against the vikings in the nfc championship game! 2 be the top team in the league u have to be able to forget the run sometimes and throw everydown to catch up and not waste time. I dont see vick being able to do that. It would be different if vick was a leader on the sidelines cheering his team on, getting in guys faces like brady or manning, but i dont see that either. Hes like…well i got my stats…im good!

By Stevenh

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

Very good article. In retrospect the Falcons would have been better off hiring Lovie Smith 3 years ago, but Blank was wowed by Mora’s interview and plan. Hopefully whoever the Falcons hire this time around will be someone who is more than just “a great interview”. Regarding Vick, he’s not the team’s problem, although he probably needs to grow up a little. The Falcons need better offensive linemen, a more balanced approach to the offense and receivers who can hold on to the ball, among other things.
Who should the next coach be? I’d rather see an experienced assistant such as Chow, Whisenhunt, Singletary, Grimm, etc. than an NFL head coach retread such as Jimmy Johnson, Steve Mariucci, or Mike Martz. Definitely not Martz. To me he’s similar to Mora in his emotionality, inability to adjust, and “my way or the highway” attitude.
How about Singletary? Or Chow? We need somebody with character and teaching ability.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

Hey ricky b, Are you familiar with the term “What have you done LATELY??????”

Brees lead TEAM: 10-6, 6264 total yards, 49 TDs

Vick lead team?: 7-9, 5310 total yards, 32 TDs

Can Vick do better with a different Head Coach and OC?????

By buzzgp

January 1, 2007 05:32 PM | Link to this

Why is the race card the only thing people can come up with when defending Mike Vick as a quarterback? He has been here six years and is no closer to being an NFL QB than in day one. He is the best athlete in the NFL bar none. Being the best athlete does not automatically make him an NFL QB. A great NFL team should not have the QB rushing for 1000 yards in a season. Schaub played better that Vick yesterday. They both played against scrubs from Phil., but Matt just looked better. I did'nt see R. White dropping any of Matt's passes. I'm not a J. Mora fan but the real problem in ATL is the O line and the QB. I defy anyone to say Vick would lead any other NFL team to the Super Bowl.

By Ronny

January 1, 2007 05:36 PM | Link to this

Now the Mora experiment has ended, thank goodness. So let’s stop the racial epithets and talk Falcons football. First of all— as far as the quarterback controversy is concerned— the problem was neither Vick nor Schaub. It was the coaching. When either got PROTECTION— they were both fine. But let’s also get away from “all that talent” garbage. The Falcons do not have “ALL THAT TALENT,” so forget that argument. They couldn’t handle Philly’s second and third stringers! Granted, Atlanta has some top-notch people, but needs several upgrades or improvements, too many to get into here. As for coaching, under the new regime, a primary item of business should be the offensive line. Get some BIG, MOBILE guys who can both protect and run-block. They’re out there, it’ll just take some time to find them and coach ‘em up. Alex Gibbs’ philosophy didn’t work here.If Arthur can’t pull off a miracle and land Bill Cowher, I would definitely look at Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. Why? He’s put fine teams together for eight years in Iowa City. He’s a steady, no nonsense LEADER. And more importantly, he has PRO EXPERIENCE, AND GOOD EXPERIENCE AT THAT. HE WAS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH AT BALTIMORE. AND ALSO COACHED THE OFFENSIVE LINE! Do an internet search and look at his bio. IMPRESSIVE!

By ScottDawg

January 1, 2007 05:39 PM | Link to this

Michael

Let me get this right. Vick should get all the credit for “leading” this team to the NFC championship, and the playoffs and he is the one that “turned this sorry a* franchise into one of the nfl elite.” And yet now that we have more talent (you say) it’s Mora’s fault we’ve sucked the last two years, not Vick’s? Think your arguments through before you type them, bud.

You also said it was Matt Schaub who lost the game against back-ups yesterday. Well Vick played longer (against those same back-ups) and I don’t remember us winning when he left the game. All Schaub did was come into a game where we were already losing and fight an uphill battle.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 1, 2007 05:40 PM | Link to this

Thank you Arthur Blank for making the tough decision to fire a friend. Mora couldn’t do the same with Knapp and Donatell, which is one of the main reasons for his leaving. Too many gimmicks on offense (stifling Vick’s development), and too little aggressiveness on defense (soft zone coverages). Mora’s probably not as big a problem as his coordinators were, but he contributed to the mess all the same.

And let’s hope Blank and McKay look at results this time while hiring. You know how they talk about “workout wonders” in the draft — players who didn’t produce in college but had great 40 times and bench pressed 500 pounds and inflated their draft stock? Mora’s the coaching equivalent — an “interview wonder”. Let’s hope this time these guys get a coach who has actually accomplished something, instead of a guy who coordinated the 15th ranked defense in the NFL.

Having said that, the one time I got to meet him in person he came across as a good guy. Hopefully he gets a shot somewhere else and has some success.

By justanotherguy

January 1, 2007 05:41 PM | Link to this

Nice article, Captain Obvious.

RIP Jim Mora.

I just don’t know how much of an upgrade is available…

Now we wait for the other shoes to drop on Knapp and Donatell.

And I’m not happy with special teams, either.

By reverend run

January 1, 2007 05:42 PM | Link to this

http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume5/2006-1101-brees.html

Drew Brees Really Enjoying Opponent Calling His Mother a Whore. Drew Brees couldn’t wipe the smile from his face on Sunday as his opponents continually tried to rattle him by insulting his mother. “I yelled at Brees across the line of scrimmage and told him that his mom was a dirty skank and that I was going to kill her,” said Ravens linebacker Bart Scott. “He just laughed and said she was indeed a skank. And then between plays he gave me her address and encouraged me to go to her house and kill her. It was weird. I’ve never experienced that with a player before. Usually when you insult a player’s mother they get ticked off and lose their head, but he loved every minute of it.” Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas said nothing he could say on Sunday was able to trump what came out of the quarterback’s own mouth. “Every time I’d insult his mother, he’d come back with something even cruder and more disgusting about her,” said Thomas. “It got to the point that by the fourth quarter, I was getting p** off and defending his mother myself. He was really laying into her and no matter what their issue is, no one should talk about someone’s mother like that. Even if it is someone talking about their own mother.” Brees has been estranged from his mother for six years and recently threatened her with a lawsuit if she continued to use his picture in her campaign ads touting her candidacy for a Texas appeals court. But as much as the quarterback loves hearing opponents come up with new insults for the woman he despises, Brees says he needs to keep his focus on the game. “Opponents insult my mother thinking it will get in my head and make me angry and take me off my game,” he said. “And it does get me off my game, but not for those reasons. It’s because I get so caught up in insulting my mother along with them that I lose my concentration. And that’s not good because a loss in concentration will result in losses on the field – and me losing will probably just make my mother happy, being that she is a hateful, vindictive, syphilitic demoness.”

By Dave

January 1, 2007 05:43 PM | Link to this

WE could have had LT, or Chad Pennington back a few years ago.. and were stuck with Vick. I remember enjoying FSU kick Va Techs butt in the sugar bowl when he was qb there. He dosnt look any different now than he did then. I just hope we get a coach who lays down the law, otherwise its the bench,but of course Blank will make the law…oh well

By Dave

January 1, 2007 05:43 PM | Link to this

ANYONE who could objectively look at the Falcons knew they had the talent to win this theNFL and finish at least 10-6.

ANYONE who saw the way the Falcons played in Detroit and especially at home against Cleveland knew the reason they lost was NOT the talent, but the coaching!! The Falcons had just beaten two superior AFC teams back-to-back. To then lose to the two doormats of the each conference on successive weeks was inexcusable!

We are just lucky that Washington did not pull the upset on Saturday, because then the Falcons may have made the playoffs and Blank would NOT have fire Mora.

I like Mora the man! I am glad to be rid of Mora the head coach!

He needs to get himself a coordinator job like Dan Henning and learn to be a NFL coach. Maybe in 10 years or so, he can then try for a NFL head coach position.

Just my humble opinion!

By tyyosh

January 1, 2007 05:45 PM | Link to this

I am just waiting to see DJ Shockley get his shot. Good passer, good runner with escapability, good leader, team guy, coach’s son. Not as flashy, but more effective as the total QB package maybe with more sustained drives, more consistent execution, more team cohesion, etc.

By curvm

January 1, 2007 05:48 PM | Link to this

HI FALCON FANS… GO A HEAD GET RID OF VICK SEND HIM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WATCH HIM WIN A SUPER BOWL AND U GUYS CAN WAIT ANOTHER 31 YEARS…. REMEMBER THE HAWKS WHO GOT RID OF DOMINIQUE …

By RJW

January 1, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

To all of you Vick haters take a breath and reflect on the facr thst the Falcons have never had a decent offensive line to block for ANY quaterback they’ve ever had. Vick can’t be traded at this time so get over it! The problem is in the coaching and the play calling. Blank did make a mistake by not hiring Lovie Smith, but now Dennis Green is available. Now lets see if he can make the right choice by hiring a coach that will lite a fire under the players and the staff and not try to suck up to ownership.

Improve the defence by having them play man on man instead of zone. And Please trade DeAngelo Hall. I don’t think the devil himself gets burned as much as Hall does.

And finally, teach the receivers to CATCH THE DAMN BALL!!!

By Johnny U

January 1, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

I agree Mora had to go. He lost his team’s confidence and respect. He wasn’t supported by his coordinators when the going got tough. I don’t remember a time when he ever made any adjustments to come from behind and win a game. I think the bigger problem is Vick doesn’t show any leadership qualites. He showed such a lack of respect (and class) in the postgame interview yesterday. He has to earn respect from his teamates and I don’t think he has that ability. The ability to scramble and run is only a small part of the QB job. The great QB’s are graded on the amount of championships they win. I hope they can find a new coach that will be able to turn this team around. I’m not a big Falcon’s but I have lived in the ATL for over 7 years and would like to see good football game every Sunday. It’s good for our city.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

Hey reverend run,

Change your name to Reverend Mud because you sure like to sling it…….what has Drew Brees personal life have to do with football??????

By Stevenh

January 1, 2007 05:49 PM | Link to this

Good points Ronny. We definitely need some better linemen. Also, Ferentz would be a good head coach choice, if we can pry him loose from Iowa.

By buzzgp

January 1, 2007 05:51 PM | Link to this

Since they cut my post off after 1 sentence, i will repeat. Why is the race card the only argument that people use to defend Mike Vick as and NFL QB. He is the best athlete in the NFL , however that does not automatically make him a great QB. Vick has been here six years and he is no closer to being an NFL QB than in his first game. Great teams do not have QBs that rush for 1000 yards. How many super bowls did Cunningham win? How many super bowls did Fran T. win at Minn? It does not happen. I remember when Reeves was here. As soon as Vick started his slide , everyone said Reeves is too old school , too good old boy system , the game has passed him by. Now they are all whinning away for the good old days of Reeves. I don’t think Mora was the answer , however I do know that Vick is not the answer. Schaub schooled Vick this week and they both played the same Phil scrubs. Vick looked as he always does.

By T

January 1, 2007 05:51 PM | Link to this

Did I just read that Vick is “The most talented quarterback in the NFL”? Who are you watching? This guys stinks and always has! I’m not a Falcons fan, and can admit he can give you some highlight reel footage and may be one of the best athletes in the NFL. Other than that he just chokes in important games, he is a turnover machine, he quits on his team, and doesn’t know how to play the QB position.

Philly rested its back-up QB (and all other starters) so they could bring in their 3rd string who proceeded to trash the Falcon’s defense with the type of day “the most talented quarterback in the NFL” has never seen (22/33, 321 yds, 3TD and the win).

“The most talented quarterback in the NFL” is ranked 20th in the NFL looking up at the likes of Jon Kitna, Damon Huard, and J.P. Losman.

“The most talented quarterback in the NFL” threw for less yards and only 2 more TDs than Donovan McNabb. That would be fine except that McNabb only played 8 games.

Only rookie Vince Young had a lower completion percentage than “the most talented quarterback in the NFL” and very few QBs took as many sacks.

It’s time for the Falcons to get a clue and realize he may not even be the most talented quarterback on the team roster yet in the NFL. He’s just a busted 1st pick.

By domeOFpain

January 1, 2007 05:54 PM | Link to this

Very well written article and I agree 111%. Mora was over-matched as a head coach. I knew we were in for a long year when there was talk of watching Texas and other colleges to get an idea on how best to use MV7. Going into the 3rd year, thar’t right, the 3rd years, Mora was still trying to figure it out; we had no offensive identity unde Jim Mora. Let me restate that, we did have an identity: 1st series (or most series) hand the ball off to Dunn - 2 yard gain; hand the ball off to Dunn - 1 yard gain; 3rd and long, MV7 gets blitzed with no pass defense to help him or the receivers get no separation - incomplete pass; punt the ball. Every team in the league knew those 1st four staple plays.

On the defensive side of the football, we played soft on the run (see last game in the Dome that last TWO Years) and pass defense was nonexistant.

It was time for Mora to go. I hope the players realize some of them are also likely to go.

By Nunna Yo Bizness

January 1, 2007 05:54 PM | Link to this

“Bring Reeves Back”.. U Yahoos are so funny.. Schaub led the team downfield with only a 3 man rush,nutbrain.. Didn’t lead Jenkins on a sure TD pass that was behind him.. As in pre-season,he is doing this on a 3rd and 4 team defense,LOL…. Over threw another reciever and got a nice pick(good going lame).. And..when u critic Vick and his mobility,your beloved Schaub can’t even back up,LMAO>>>> **Matt Tripped over his own feet,and Vick has gained over 1,000 with his feet”“..

Schaub sucks..and u country bumpkins do to..BAD!!!!

By reverend run

January 1, 2007 05:55 PM | Link to this

yeah, i know pretty trashy. i am sorry about that. but it is funny how so many of you think that herpes and Ron Mexico and the clothes Vick wears has anything to do with football as well. i will admit that it was very uncalled for to post that about brees but when are the rest of you going to admit how trashy you all act when it comes to slamming vick about irrelevant issues?

By Boots

January 1, 2007 05:57 PM | Link to this

I think we all understand why Mora was fired. I would have fired him for his stupidity —- the radio interview when he’d just received a contract extension. But, the rest of what you propose, Bradley, regarding the Falcon quarterback and depth of talent is overrated and exaggerated. Wait and see what the new coach accomplishes. This is a team of sluff-offs, slackers and underachievers who, rather than accept personal responsibility for their lack of performance, threw their coach under the bus —- and that shows a lack of character that typifies these LOSERS!

By RANDY

January 1, 2007 05:58 PM | Link to this

MV may be one of the best athelets in the NFL but he is no QB and as long as the Falcons Head Honchos think he is the results are going to be the same no matter who is coaching. One of the biggest problems is Mr.Blank has got so much $$$$ tied up in MV the Falcons are stuck with him for a while. I am so glad I did not renew my season tickets for this year (after the price doubled from what I originally paid for for them)My $1,000.00 is still in my pocket and the Falcons still have MV.

By Nunna Yo Bizness

January 1, 2007 05:59 PM | Link to this

HEY WAIT A MINUTE.. WE ARE ALL ON HERE TALKING ABOUT MORA BEING FIRED..

HE HAS BEEN FIRED AS COACH.. HE INSISTED AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE THAT HE STILL LOVED THE CITY AND WILL KEEP HIS MORA FOUNDATION HERE..AND HE IS LISTED ON PRESSERS AS BEING,”FIRED AS COACH”.. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE WILL MEET WITH BLANK IN A FEW WEEKS..

HE MAY BE STILL HERE IN SOME COMPACITY.. AND..KNAPP AND DONATELL,ARE STILL HERE AND NOT FIRED!!!..

PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE!!!

By xplayer

January 1, 2007 06:00 PM | Link to this

Can you say Coach Killer!

By LakerRam

January 1, 2007 06:01 PM | Link to this

Dan Marino was by far one of the worse in NFL history because he played 17 years with ZERO championships, right?

The number of championships does not make a qb great. Football is a TEAM sport.

The QB position is overrated.

By norm

January 1, 2007 06:03 PM | Link to this

Ok…step one, fire Mora complete.

Step 2: Hire Cower when he bails on Pittsburg.

Step 3: trade vick for the highest draft picks you can get.

Step 4: use those picks on defense to get paul puzlosski (sp?) of penn state and more secondary help.

Step 5: shaub becomes the starting quarterback he is and should be under cower. Receivers are fine and will be fine without a jittery running back at QB.

By HOUDAWG

January 1, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

Here’s Mora’s PLAN B ……..

He can now go sit at a STARBUCKS in Seattle and wait for the UW job to open up ! How’s that ?

By LakerRam

January 1, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

Dan Marino was by far one of the worse in NFL history because he played 17 years with ZERO championships, right?

The number of championships does not make a qb great. Football is a TEAM sport.

The QB position is overrated.

By Sam Sunn

January 1, 2007 06:05 PM | Link to this

Reeves gone, Mora gone, whose gonna be dumb enough to want the job, much less take it?

By Haven't gat a job

January 1, 2007 06:05 PM | Link to this

Now that we got rid of that nasty white coach, we should hire Art Shell. He knows how to comuncicate with Mike. After they loss a game they can at lest get them some ho’s and stuff. that will be fine ‘cause the NFL is the best baby..

By STEALTHMAN

January 1, 2007 06:09 PM | Link to this

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! That is what Mr. Blank is saying to Jim Mora. And he wrote Jim a “Blank” check too. Now I wonder if a new coach comes in with his own staff or do we need to keep Knapp and crew. I’m not happy about the way the players have performed either when you really think about these salary’s. These guys get “paid” man. I don’t know who Blank will choose next, but I’m sure he will remind the next coach that Atlanta Fans want their moneys worth. And watch your mouth if you are interviewed by Radio or TV. In other words be a Man, and coach this team right. If a player is not performing correctly consistently, pull his butt out. I don’t care what color or who he is. If these guys get paid what they do, folks it really is no excuse if this is your Job. I’m glad Blank made the change, know its time to serve notice on the players, or next New years day Fireworks must come.

By michael

January 1, 2007 06:12 PM | Link to this

I do not care what you say. I will never play for Atlanta again. I will take my ball and go home. Y’all stink.

By dean

January 1, 2007 06:12 PM | Link to this

anyone want to talk about the draft. looked at a couple of early mock drafts. one had atlanta taking an offensive lineman from penn state and the other had them taking reggie nelson, safety from florida if he goes pro.

By Dear Nunna Yo

January 1, 2007 06:12 PM | Link to this

You’re an idiot, too. Obviously, you know little about the game. Let’s say Schaub is below average…he still did something against the same defense M. Flick had played against all day - he threw a TD which is something Flick hasn’t done in the fourth quarter in two years!! It will take magic for any coach to win consistently with M. Flick at QB - the position in the NFL demands much more than Flick has. He’s a classless thug who has no desire, understanding, or ability to become a team leader.

Good luck Arthur, you’ll need it if you stick with Flick.

By fal "coon" fan

January 1, 2007 06:14 PM | Link to this

A QUOTE FROM VICKS INTERVIEW YESTERDAY: “I’SE NOTS SURE IF IZE WANTS DAT COACH BACK CUZ HEZ NOT DA BEST COACH OUT DERE YO. I AXED DA PLAYAS ON DA TEAM AN DAY SAYZ DAT DEY DONT BEEZ SUREZ EDA BOUT DA COACH MORA CUZ DEYZ BOUT LIKES I BEEZ ON DIS SUBJECT, GET ME? I BEEZ KEEPIN IT REALZ YA NO?” yeah vick. you are keeping it real alright.. REAL DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Doug

January 1, 2007 06:16 PM | Link to this

We all know that If Jim Mora would not have had shown favortism towards Mike Vick & other certain players the falcons would be a minute subject today ( too much babying his players).I’m a big Mcnabb fan so this is not a racial issue.Matt Schaub should be re-signed to starter money & hire Ken Whisenhunt to coach him to be a better quarterback. Take a survey on who would be preferred to keep as q.b. for the falcons.gurantee Matt Schaub will be there at the top of the list.

By LEROY

January 1, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this

NUNNA YO BIZNESS- ARE YOU RETARDED?? MORA WILL NOT BE BACK IN ANY CAPACITY. HE WILL BE MEETING WITH BLANK TO FINALIZE EVERYTHING. ALSO, KNAPP AND DONATELL ARE GONE!!!!!! HE IS KEEPING THEM AROUND FOR THE DRAFT. THE NEW COACH WILL BRING IN ALL OF HIS NEW PEOPLE. THEY NEVER KEEP THA COACHES.. KNAPP AND DON KNOW IT IS OVER FOR THEM.. GO BACK TO SCHOOL NUNNA.

By Jim Mora

January 1, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this

I hate y’all…

By Tired of these racism posts

January 1, 2007 06:18 PM | Link to this

I am sick and tired of people saying the criticism of Mike Vick is racially motivated. It’s win - loss motivated, and passing efficiency motivated. I could care less if Vick was white or black….the fact is, he desperately needs to improve his passing game. He’s been in the league 6 + years now, and a ‘team leader’ making 130 million should not be pointing fingers at others. I do think Vick needs at least one more season to see what he can do. But consider this…I was watching the Philly game yesterday (not sure why) and Schaub threw a TD in the 4th quarter…VICK DIDN’T THROW A TD IN THE 4TH QUARTER ALL YEAR!!!!! That is horrible…not matter what color your skin is. I honestly hope Vick works out and wasn’t a waste of our franchise’s time, and I certainly hope we don’t ultimately give up another Favre (Schaub). But enough of this racism junk. I think it’s time to move on from that and stop hiding behind it….its much too easy to sit there and say Atlanta hates having a black QB. I guarantee you if Vick wins and passes like a top tier QB should, then those critics will go away. All you racists theorists…shut your mouth.

By D.C. Falcon

January 1, 2007 06:19 PM | Link to this

How does firing Mora turn into Vick bashing? I agree totally that Vick has regressed tremendously, but exactly when did this start? Seems to me in began when Mora and Knapp came in with their crappy offense. It didn’t work. A true coordinator would design his offense around his most talented players. How can Vick carry a team when he can’t even audible out of obviously bad play? Let’s not bring brains into this. Has anyone ever heard that he couldn’t learn the plays? Right now there aren’t any obvious replacement for Mora, but I’m still glad he’s gone. I say hire a “real” proven defensive minded coach to light fires under some butts. Inform the new o coordinator that priority #1 is to get with your QB and build your game plan around him. If Vick fails then all the bashers can have the last laugh. Let’s play aggresively on “D”. Provide some Deion film for Hall to watch and learn how to be a shut down corner. Get some beef on the D-line and allow the linebackers to roam and make tackles. BTW, this probably means that Webster is gone too. No more watching him get beat on 3rd and long.

By WANT AN ATHLETIC QUARTERBACK?

January 1, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

If you really want an athletic quarterback, why haven’t you people clamored to sign THE GREATEST ATHLETE IN THE WORLD: Roman Sebrle?

Is it because Roman Sebrle is WHITE and Mike Vick is a NEGRO?

…you fvcking RACISTS!!!

By MoraSr

January 1, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

The Falcons made the right decision to let Mora go. His biggest problems were: he was young and a little stupid, a bit arrogant and refused to change with the circumstances (all the usual pitfalls of youth). I’m a coach, though not a professional one by any means or even a football coach, and one thing I can say is you don’t continue bumping your head against a brick wall. If something isn’t working, it must be changed and changed in a hurry to have success year in and year out. Though you can’t listen to everybody, you must also realize that everybody usually doesn’t tell the same lie about what obvious problems are in your organization, especially when they are exposed on a weekly basis for all to see. You survive by adapting and making the neccessary changes, even if those changes at the time anger some and ruffle a few feathers. If you need to sit your franchise player for the common good, you do that. I think the first time an athlete started spouting off and being insubordinate, you sit his a** down and let him think about it for a week. Contract dollars don’t win games, leadership, performance, execution, talent and desire does. It wouldn’t have been popular, but at least, everybody would realize there is some backbone there to make tough decisions. However, that approach can only work, if you are respected as a coach yourself and that doesn’t happen with crazy public comments that are detrimental to your team. In this case, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Only Daddy Mora actually appeared to be a competent coach to go along with his big mouth. Also, don’t get me wrong, I think Michael Vick is exceptionally talented and in the right system he will excel as more than just a running quarterback. But he can’t be called on or even attempt to fool himself into thinking that it’s his sole responsibility to make the Falcons into winners. Everyone on that team has to take on that responsibility, that’s why they have a 53 man roster and not a 1 man roster.

By h_charles

January 1, 2007 06:21 PM | Link to this

Vick has one more shot with coach #3 to prove he isn’t the problem. As for the next coach, you bloggers need to wake up to reality BILL COWHER IS NOT COMING HERE. There is no reason whatsover for Cowher to leave a championship organization to come to the mess we have here in Atlanta. Plus, he has already lived through the nightmare of trying to make a running athlete an NFL QB. NO way would he try it again after the Kordell fiasco.

By Tony

January 1, 2007 06:21 PM | Link to this

Stupid idiots still continue to blame Vick for the Falcons’ woes. I guess having a career high in touchdown passes and being the first QB to ruch for 1,000 yards(not to mention pass for almost 2500), despite a knuckleheaded OC, ridiculous playcalling, a line that can’t block and receivers that can’t catch is just not good enough, huh. I guess he should be blocking and receiving for himself, too. Maybe he should be out there tackling and covering receivers too. If you clowns are so high on Peyton Manning, carry your silly @$$e$ to Indy, we don’t need you here in Atlanta. Put Manning in the same situation as Vick and I guarantee you’ll be trying to run him out of town too. I’m a huge Falcons fan, and I do wish Vick would leave so he can go and win a Superbowl for a real coach and a real team and all you assclowns would be crying for him to come back or asking why we let him leave. MIKE, THE REAL FANS ARE WITH YOU, IGNORE THE IDIOTS AND CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE FEW BRIGHT SPOTS FOR THE FALCONS!!!!!

By Murray

January 1, 2007 06:21 PM | Link to this

Right on, Bro!

By eddiedawg

January 1, 2007 06:22 PM | Link to this

Hey NUNNA- First of all, it’s capacity, I have no idea what compacity means…..

And here is what McKay said today:

McKay: I think there is a chance that some will be retained. They were last time. I think that is always a prerogative of a new coach. That is the way it should be. It doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t recommend certain coaches and push and so on and so forth. But in the end, it’s the head coach’s decision. It was Jim’s decision when he came in and it would be the new head coach’s decision when he comes in. By the same token, there may be some coaches in the next couple of weeks that have opportunities elsewhere and that would go elsewhere. But, I would envision some of the coaches being retained. It typically happens, not a lot, but some. I hope that again, this is one of those decisions that when you change coaches there is a lot of collateral consequences. One of them is the assistant coaches and the families and so on and so forth. It’s a very tough decision. I would hope that some of them would have the opportunity to be retained, but we’ll wait and see.

There is no way a new head coach will retain the two coordinators….and Blank will probably get rid of them, too…..

All you Vick-haters-get over it, Schaub is gone next year via free agency, and Vick is untradable due to the salary cap and Blank’s ridiculous contract ….you have to learn to live with him…..and with a new coach, he will be a different QB….

By VICK HAS HERPES

January 1, 2007 06:23 PM | Link to this

i agree. art shell is dumb enough to communicate with vick. i think denny green would be too intelligent.. either that or hire vicks brother to come coach and hang out with the homies.
VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES VICK HAS HERPES.. RON MEXICO.. VICK HAS HERPES

By brian

January 1, 2007 06:23 PM | Link to this

In a lot of ways, a case could be made that Mora’s dad was right. Mora simply paid the price for the franchise’s marriage to Vick. Whoever comes in next will suffer a similar fate if expected to win with Vick under center. The reality is that Mike Vick is not an NFL quarterback. He is an Antwan Randle El, a phenomenal athlete that doesn’t possess the accuracy, pocket presence, or savvy to be an NFL QB. The Falcons lead the league in rushing every year because of the yards Vick contributes through improvisation. They are annually among the worst passing teams because of the things he lacks as mentioned. Mora’s teams underachieved the past two seasons for sure, but firing him will not fix what is wrong. Until the Falcons brass admit that this Vick thing has been a mistake, fix it and go get someone who can throw the ball, it won’t matter who the coach is, the result will be the same. Keep Matt Schaub, trade Vick to the Raiders or some team who thinks he’s a quarterback, and move on.

By samiam

January 1, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

Why does white america consider a brother with braids a thug? I don’t have them, but that’s a very racist statement. That’s why most people around the world don’t like americans (if they don’t look or act like us, then they are not good people). We as a country has a long way to go.

With that said, I think it may be time for a change at QB. I like MV, but he has a lot of improvement TO MAKE as a qb.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

Hey Nunna Yo Bizness,

You must have a short memory……Vick tripped and FUMBLED twice during the season……All QBs passes are right on the money every time????What good did 1,000+ yards do????? The Falcons only scored 32 TDs…..not Vick’s fault though, that’s why Mora is no longer Head Coach…bad play calling and a loss of respect by the entire team. That really wasn’t a game Sunday….the Falcons are a mess, Vick didn’t want to get hurt and Schaub took over with very little preparation. The only thing that sucks on this blog is your biased logic……..so go runna nunna…..

By Dingo

January 1, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

After yesterdays game, we should see about trading our 1st round draft pick to Philly for a REAL quarterback A J Feely, now there’s a quarterback Vick could learn from. After riding the bench as Feely’s backup, maybe Vick would learn how to be a quarterback.

By Swamprat

January 1, 2007 06:25 PM | Link to this

I just HATE to tell you that I TOLD YOU SO three years ago and again at the start of this past season that as long as Mora was coach and Vick was the QB that the Falcons would NEVER see the end zone of a Super Bowl. And, if you DON’T ever remember another thing for the rest of your life - REMEMBER THIS. No matter who AB hires to replace Mora, the Falcons will NEVER see the end zone of a SUPER Bowl ——UNLESS, REMEMBER, unless, AB rehires DAN REEVES. Ok, lol from all of you. Go ahead and get it out of your system. DR is the only coach that has the fortitude and smartness and knowledge to get to the SB with VICK. Even Vick said so himself - that he wished he was still playing for DR earlier this year. SO, ALL YOU EXPERT FOOTBALL FANS OUT THERE, I’LL SEE YOU AT THE END OF NEXT FALCON SEASON WITH MY REMINDER AGAIN “THAT I TOLD YOU SO”. Good Luck…

By The Answer

January 1, 2007 06:28 PM | Link to this

**NORM CHOW, IS THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM! HE DEVELOPS QB’S AND IS A PROVEN WINNER. PLEASE HIRE THIS MAN, MR. BLANK.

By EJ

January 1, 2007 06:30 PM | Link to this

I have a question. If Matt Schaub is as great as all of you Vick haters seem to think he is, then why haven’t the Falcons been offered anything of value in a trade for him? No meaningful players. No first round draft picks. If Matt Schaub is the future Superbowl Superstar MVP that all of you Vick haters seem to think he is then why isn’t some other team willing to give up something of value for him? The answer is simple. Only the Michael Vick haters think he can actually win. His record as a starter thus far doesn’t bear that out. But, what difference does that make to the Vick haters?

By FLICK VICK

January 1, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this

Okay, the team made the first step in me not throwing my season tickets away. They will still end up in the trash if Vick is back. Time to move on Arthur and get an NFL Quarterback!! If not, you won’t win and you’ll never see my season ticket cash again. You can take my 6 tix and give them to Vick.

By fal"coon"fan is really gay

January 1, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this

1st, Coach you made some good points. 2nd, Shawn, you have to realize that while publicaly Mora was giving Vick praise, privately he was also “throwing Vick under the bus” as you call it. Think about it, his dad Mora Sr. only spoke what the little Jimmy was thinking. Plus, If I was Vick, I wouldn’t have tried to give him a vote of confidence either. Remember, Vick wasn’t the one who gave the Seattle radio interview saying that his “dream job” was UW and “he would leave for that job in a minute, even if they were in the middle of a playoff run” (which technically the were at the time.) To use your term, Mora threw the whole Falcons organization “under the bus.” Must anybody forget, only Blank wanted Mora, McKay wanted Lovie Smith or at least a coach with a “proven record of success” (Lovie did come from the Patriots you know). Only Blank canceled coach interviews after only two coaches. Only Blank was impressed by Mora’s charts, graphs, and other “smoke and mirrors.” There was a reason why Knapp and Mora where about to be fired from San Fran and Donatell was already fired. 3rd, My choice for head coach would be Jimmy Johnson. Does anybody remember over the last few weeks on the Fox show when JJ was asked would he come out of retirement to coach the Falcons, he has never said “no.” If anything, he has been extremely coy and calculated in his responses. Now a month or more ago, he used to say that he is enjoying his retirement. You heard it hear 1st folks, Jimmy Johnson will be the new coach. Remember, Blank for Jimmy “Comb-Over” Johnson like Jerry Jones for Bill “Big Tuna” Parcells isn’t afraid to pay what it takes to put a winning product on the field. Now for OC I wouldn’t mind seeing Mike Martz or Norm Chow. And for DC Mike Singletary could bring some of that “Monster’s of the Midway” nastiness to these pansies on defense especially the secondary that acts like it wants to play flag football. 4th, I have been a strong Vick supporter. I say let’s give him one more shot with a coach who will actually play to his strengths. Remember Bill Walsh even said that the whole reason he developed “The West Coast Offense” was to help hide the fact that his quarterback Joe Montana just didn’t have that strong an arm. He thought up the offensive scheme to play to his quaterbacks strengths of having “quick feet and a quick release.” That is the type of head coach we need. We need a coach who is not trying to force his offensive schemes on a qb that isn’t suited for it. He needs to develop a scheme that gives flexibility to his qb. No matter how against people are against Vick, you have to remember, he is at his best when he is allowed to improvise. Besides, we need a coach(es) who isn’t (aren’t) afraid to change his (their) play calls when the game dictates their original schemes aren’t working. Remember, Vick wasn’t even on the field last week when Carolina only threw like 5-6 passes all game. Our DC still decided to stay with that lame a** zone scheme instead of stacking 8-9 men in the box. Fox played to Weinke strengths, which basically was he was good at handing off the ball and not trying to force plays. Plus it gets real frustrating how EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE our offense and defenses were. Look at the play calling all YEAR. It was 1st down…. run. 2nd down… run. 3rd down…. pass. 4th down… punt. How many times over Mora’s three years did we open up the game with a deep pass…. 3 times. He was so focused on establishing the run, that he would never alternate his game plan to keep other teams guessing. I’m sorry, injuries, ineffective play by W.R.’s and D.B.’s all go back to coaching. As for motivation in games, that still boils down to coaching. We need somebody that is not a “Player’s Coach” but almost (i did say almost) a “Player’s Enemy.” And we need somebody who is definitely “Old School.”

Finally, I just couldn’t let it go without a response. Max, Fal”coon”fan and Jimbo Junyer, you guys are the exact kind of “fans” this team, this city, hell this earth needs. It is one thing to state an intelligent opinion like others who don’t like Vick have stated in a constructive way. But yall cross the line with all this race baiting. I’m sorry that your “inadequatcies and shortcomings” are played out by the “Black Legend” of size matters. What makes me feel so sorry for you guys is I’m white and I’m sick of your talk. Yall are all so brave talking in cyberspace behind the anonymity of your computers, “Keyboard Cowboys.” I am sorry you “Brokeback Mountain Cast Rejects” are so envious (Pnis Envy that is) of the “hoodlums and thugs” as you call them. Yall are probably sitting in your mothers’ basements typing on your ‘puters in the dark while playing with yourselves staring at Mike Vick posters on the wall wishing he was “that guy” that you met in the shower at the YMCA in Midtown off 14th St. who said you were “pretty.” You know the same guy that had you over his house for ice lattes, naked jello “Twister”, and listening to Cher’s greatest hits. The same guy that dumped you because you cheated on him and he said you felt like he could fit a “Mack Truck” and a trailer “in there.” You just weren’t as “tight” as you used to be. I’m done with these fools, somebody else take a turn. Oops my bad, the whole “C-Block” did last night at Atl city jail when yall “faked” getting drunk to start a fight at “Bulldogs” and barhopping to the “Backdoor” so you could get locked up. Only FGS are happy to go to jail like yall.

Everybody else, I am sorry for the long vent, but we need to keep fools like these idiots off the blog. I now return you back to your regularly scheduled program.

By falcondawg

January 1, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this

To Realist: You say you don’t dislike MV but I noticed that in all of your posts you create reasons for firing him. Get real. Own up to your dislike for the man, you hypocrite.

By Tim

January 1, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick may be (I’m not convinced) the most talented quarterback in the NFL but he’s not a winner and has no heart. Twice late in the season he left games with the outcome still in the balance with minor injuries. See Delhomme of the Panthers playing yesterday with a thumb so bad he couldn’t grip the ball. That’s heart and Vick doesn’t have it. The Falcons better find a miracle worker coach.

By eddiedawg

January 1, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

By the way…. Thug is the wrong word to use….look it up-it means robber or murderer, and Vick has done neither of these things….. Hoodlum is more appropriate-look it up-it means an aggressive youth, and Vick is definitley that….. Hoodlum or not, Vick needs to be a more vocal leader and stop pouting when things don’t go his way….

By Ron Mexico

January 1, 2007 06:36 PM | Link to this

Dingo may be right.My legs are pretty tired from all the running for my life I’ve been doing this year, what with that lousy offensive line I had to play behind. And believe me when I say they really stink. I could use some time off to get rested so I could go TV and be on “Dancing with the Stars. I’m a better dancer than that chump Emmitt.

By mikehunt1

January 1, 2007 06:39 PM | Link to this

Mora is also gay.

By C-Mack

January 1, 2007 06:39 PM | Link to this

I am a Falcon Loyalist and i think it is time for a change. When high expectations are not met this is what happens. It ain’t how you start but how you finish and starting 11-5 and come within 1 game of the super bowl to 7-9 and failing miserably to miss the playoffs in a spand of 3 years throwing in 8-8 no playoff 2nd season after spectacular starts will get you relieved of duty. this team is too talented to mire in mediocrity and once again i’m forced to look to the future instead of preparing to call out from work the upcoming weekend to catch the ATL on the tube in the playoffs. 2 losses stick out like a sore toe: the loss to detroit where that team seems to have accepted losing and losing royally and matt millen’s job security is as secure as i pay taxes through the nose and fellow bottom feeding cohort cleveland. Horrible losses that can’t be forgiven. Just imagine two wins against those cellar dwellars. Long live Mr. Blanks and Rich McKay finding the right guy for a Great Team, for a Great City. Long live Alge Crumpler and Brian Finneran leading a overhauled recieving crew that will actually catch the ball. And Long Live waiting at least 2 more years for 2 straight playoff apperances. Out.

By Emmitt

January 1, 2007 06:48 PM | Link to this

Who you calling a chump?

By bobby ray

January 1, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

This team has numerous problems and Mora was the scapegoat. 1st thing Mora needs to learn: don’t make enemies with the local news media. When you tell your players to not talk to the papers, this will lead to numerous articles saying that you should get canned.

Vick, even after 6 years, is a whiny girlyman. Every week it’s: I can’t do it all myself, I don’t know what is going on with our coaching, these guys need to help me out, blah blah

You never see Tom Brady or Donovan Mcnabb whining about their coaches and teammates like this. Anyone who thinks that Vick will take this team to the promised land is living in a fantasy world.

I pity the fool that takes Mora’s place…

By The Answer

January 1, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

**NORM CHOW IS THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM, HE DEVELOPS QB’S AND IS A PROVEN WINNER! MR. BLANK PLEASE CONSIDER MR.CHOW AS A CANIDATE FOR THIS POSITION.

I THINK JIM MORA DID A FINE JOB, HOWEVER HE LACKED THE EXPERIENCE, HE LEARNED ALOT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND WILL BE BACK AS A TRUE LEADER NEXT TIME.

VICK NEEDS AN HONEST SHOT AS A QB, HE NEEDS A LINE THAT CAN PROTECT HIM. HE DOES NOT WANT TO RUSH, HE IS RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE.

WE NEED A REAL LINE, COMPOSED OF BIG FOOTBALL PLAYERS. LETS BUILD A FOOTBALL TEAM THAT LOOKS LIKE A FOOTBALL TEAM. BIG MEN! WITH GUTS AND ALL THE ABOVE!

AND IN CLOSING, I THINK DAN MORINO IS A GOOD QB, HOWEVER WITHOUT A RING. HE IS NOT ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE GAME. GREATS OF THE GAME, WEAR A RING TO PROVE IT!**

By justanotherguy

January 1, 2007 06:51 PM | Link to this

One thing that it appears that you can take to the bank is that Arthur means what he says.

So, when the next coaching candidate walks through the door and asks him, “Do I have COMPLETE CONTROL over who plays and how much?”, expect Blank to say YES.

If not, we’ll end up with a eunuch like Mora, who had no power (or no will) to discipline players for poor performance.

And that spells THE END of the coddled Mr. Vick.

By Ackshun

January 1, 2007 06:52 PM | Link to this

I love reading this blog. No matter what the article is about the sordid collection of deep south trailer dwellers always turns it into a “DUMP VICK” session. You guys long for days of the NFLs answer to the “beverly hillbillys” the Smith family. I know Rankin promised you rednecks he would never allow a black quarterback to play for the falcons, but its Arthur Blank’s team now and thankfully he grew up North of the Mason-Dixon line so Vick is definitely here to stay. Now as long as Vick plays here he will hear it from the red-neck pro Schaub fringe (by the way I loved watching the great white dope trip over his own legs and blow the game tying touchdown.) Just Remember Mike, don’t take anything these guys say too seriously, the same people ran their mouths about Deion. You just have to remember that Georgia is dead last in the nation in high school graduates.

Michael Vick will do just fine. If you get an o line that can pick up the blitz and do a decent job of pass protecting, Vick will be a league MVP. His presence on the field alone requires the full attention of 3 defenders (2 ends and a spy). That type of mismatch usually equals points (except of course when you have Greg Knapp for your Offensive coordinator). I saw Vick go to the playoffs and beat Greenbay at lambeau in his first full year as a starter. I saw him play his butt off to get the birds to within one game of the Superbowl. Now Mora said then his system was only partially installed, the more of his “system” he put in place, the wosre things got. In 3 years no one has done anything significant to fix the offensive line. And Mora apprarently listened to Dunn when he said a pint sized running back could score in goal line situations. A quick note to Warrick, you are a great player but you got schooled inside the 5 this year. When Duckett left he took at least 3 wins with him and blame for that goes past Mora. Let Arthur work his magic and get us a proven winner who knows how to keep professional distance between himself and his players. If he can pull this off the Birds will be where the Saints are now this time next year.

But personally I am glad this Ammonia Huffing, cell phone addicted, embarassment has been given the keys to the street. If any of you are ready to part with your season tickets… I need two on the aisle.

By Mac

January 1, 2007 06:56 PM | Link to this

If you think Vick is the best QB in this league, you are in need of an eye exam. He is an over paid big baby just like all the rest. My bet is that most of the games this season were rigged to be lost, so Mora would pay the price; think about it. These over paid babies have nothing to lose by not producing victories; coaches and families ultimately do!

By fal"coon"fan is really gay

January 1, 2007 06:57 PM | Link to this

I actually agree with you eddie dawg. At least you took the time to think up a more befitting “insult” to describe Vick. I also think that is so funny that the way these people hate on Vick are the same qualities that Jerry Glanville thought about Brett Favre. But when Favre went to a coach who wasn’t afraid to adjust his schemes to the player’s strengths not the player to scheme’s strengths, well you know the rest. For all the Vick haters, remember this: Look at Favre, Marino, Elway, and P. Manning. Look at the many, many years they had in the league before they made any “real” accomplishments. And also remember, even with all the talent and skills in the world, it takes a “TEAM” to win championships. Fortunately, M. Jordan was smart enough to overcome Doug Collins coaching to get as far as he did. He was also smart enough to give up some of his salary for a couple of years so the Bulls got some actual “players” around him. Again, history speaks for itself. Let’s just hope that MV7 looks and remembers Jordan. Then after Jordan got a couple titles, then the Bulls went and made up for his salary in his last two season for his personal sacrifice and being a “team player” for the overall betterment of the “team.”

By Dano

January 1, 2007 06:58 PM | Link to this

Hey EJ, I’m not a Vick hater, but your comment: “His record as a starter thus far doesn’t bear that out.” doesn’t make sense….Schaub has started a total of two games…….he has thrown for a TOTAL of 161 ATTEMPTS in three seasons….how can you measure a QB on those stats???? AND as eddiedawg pointed out: “Schaub is gone next year via free agency.” So another team will give Schaub a chance……will another team give MORA a chance??? I think NOT (my opinion.)

By Marcus

January 1, 2007 07:03 PM | Link to this

Hey wait a minute! Me and Mike share a double wide with our homeys. And one of our favorite shows has always been “The Beverly Hillbillies”. Mike thinks Jethro is a Stud. I like Ellie May.

By RPhDawg

January 1, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

The problem with the Falcons was not the coach - it was and still is the QB. Or rather the lack of an NFL caliber QB. Vick will never be a great NFL QB. He cannot read defenses, he is arrogent and self-centered and not team oriented, he cannot pass accurately, he does not check through the progressions the way NFL QBs must to find the open receiver. He looks at one maybe two receivers and then looks to run. That works in college but will never work in the NFL. How many Super Bowls did Kordell Stewart win doing the same kind of crap? At least Pittsburgh had the guts to stand behind their coach and make the player adjust to what was best for the team. That will never happen in Atlanta. To many excuse makers for Vick, even after he gave them the finger, twice. These people choose to blame the receivers, not Vick. Receivers cannot catch everything and almost everything he throws is off target. Give them credit for catching what they do. And besides, some very good receivers (Lelie and Price, just mention a few) have come to Atlanta and the team still lost because he cannot get them the ball! All a team has to do to beat Atlanta is make Vick beat them by throwing and he cannot do it. Crumpler is the only receiver he can complete a pass to, so if he is covered, game over. And for all the Vick apologists out there, look at the teams in the playoffs with true NFL caliber QBs who (like Montana, Young, Aikman and so many others) work within the framework of their offensive system. Guys like Garcia, Romo, Grossman, et.al are not better athletes than Vick, just better QBs. Look at their stats and records and what they do for there team. That says it all. Mora’s father was right, Vick is a coach-killer. Watch next season when the results will be the same and you will see.

By Terri

January 1, 2007 07:09 PM | Link to this

Gentlmen & ladies- all of your I’m sure knowing more about football than me. (My husband has tried for years to help me learn the rules and concepts of the game. Some I understand and retain from season to season.) Having said that, let me say this I love the game of football on Sundays in the Dome, or @ Jock & Jill’s- for example. There is just nothing like cheering for you team!!!

On the issues of racism,Zip Code here are my thoughts:

Racism - Please don’t go down that part of the feild. Everyone in Atlanta & the country was excited about the possibilities when Mike was drafted. Every nationality was supportive. Now six years later many people are suggesting trading our quaterback, because of skill related issues. Folks, skill related issues are issues of job performance not whether God made you black or white. Sad things have been happening for our Falcons here in Atlanta and for we the fans also, and racism has no place in this topic.

Zip Code- When we are is the Dome we don’t sit by zip codes. I don’t care where you live- you just buy a ticket, spend too much for the beer, cheer, or boo if things are going bad. My fellow Falcon fans from assorted zip codes, if you were @ the Dome the other Sunday when we were being so… beat by the Panthers- don’t you remember ever zip code in the place was making it clear that viewing satifaction was not being met on the football feild. We all booed our backsides off most of the game. Now if every zipcode was upset watching the game, that also means discussion & dissatifaction would go back to the different neighbors of the Falcon fans as well- including Buckhead, Conyers, College Park, Marietta, East Point, Union City, Decatur, Midtown, Valdosta, Macon & ect.

Remember at the start of this I mentioned that I don’t understand much about the football rules & the concept part of the game, so I’ll leave the rest of that to you guys. Just remember to paly nice.

See you next season! Terri

By Sir Stealth

January 1, 2007 07:10 PM | Link to this

Very well written column. Mark Bradley actually seems to be in his renaissance lately, I didn’t think he had it in him but credit where credit is due. To all the Vick haters out there, you might as well just accept the fact that a choice has been made and the Falcons will be Vick’s team in the next era as well. You can b*** and root against him or you can decide to actually be a fan and get behind a team that still has a lot of potential.

By JSS

January 1, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this

You people are pitiful!!! Good luck to Jim Mora, you are better off out of fair weather land… They’ve run off anyone that’s ever won ever here sans that coward Dooley. Torre, Wilkens, and Geofferion were all run off. Now I thought you made great mistakes in judgement and in staff, I still respect what you brought back here after the debacle that was Dan Reeves, a chance to at least be in a game.

Now for you crazy Atlanta fans, 90% don’t know a lick about professional football, Bill Walsh went to the playoffs with Jeff Kemp as a quarterback!!! The West Coast offense is not the problem, the OC was the problem… Schaub is not the answer, Vick is the question and the answer… Go clone that baldheaded dead O-line 49er coach and teach that line how to block… There is only one team in the playoffs that is a brute force line block, everybody else is finese… So grow up!!! The Steelers were an aberration… Those grown men we call receivers need to pay some money and go to Cris Carter’s pass receiving camp this off season… That clown of a 21st century shutdown corner needs to skip the Pro Bowl and get his medical problems taken care of, because it better be something medically wrong for all that toast he was serving up post game 3 on… Oh take Jimmy “the Bite” with you… Note to all of you clowns, Norm Chow and Bill Cowher are not coming here… Cowher condescended on Pittsburgh’s tough media all the time, the fans too… But Steelers fans put up with it because he won most of the time. He’d go ballistic dealing with you clowns… The only way Chow comes here is if Bidwell forgets he’s got a brand stadium to pay for!!! He wants to win, and let’s see: Fitzgerald, Johnson, Pope, and Bolduin vs. Jenkins, Lelie, White, and Crumpler… Now ask that stupid question again… Falcon fans are like Alabama fans, not a clue!!! Also, I have say this, I’ve lived other places the past few years (including Pittsburgh), and the racial crap thrown on Vick is known very well… Why would Chow bring his family into that? Not enough money in the world to listen to the John “the closet bigot” Kincaid or Larry “the webblog genius” defame one’s intellect or character… Note: Ted William spit on fans in Boston in 1957 during a game… Now say something!!!

Two words: Tim Lewis

By zach

January 1, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t care who the Falcons play and in what year they play those teams in, you have to win every year. No coach can get worse from 11-5 in 2004 to 7-9 in 2006 and keep his job.

By azboy

January 1, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick could get any coach in the NFL fired. I feel sorry for Mora I also feel sorry for the next Vick victim.

By Charles Crowder

January 1, 2007 07:12 PM | Link to this

We will remember this day in the history of the Falcons. It took the Falcons 10 years to get over letting Leeman Bennett go after an unfortunate season. Our quaterback here is the problem. When will everyone wake up and see this fact? He does not care and his attitude shows it. He said this morning in the paper that he “can’t do it by myself”. No one said you have to. I never saw Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, Doug Williams or any other great quaterback cry in the paper weekly like our beloved #7. Arthur Blank needs to quick babying this guy and haul him in the office for a good butt chewing. I saw where someone posted that Arthur Blank was the Steinbrenner of the NFL. What a joke. Steinbrenner is not afraid to call out his stars when they no performing. Does Arthur have that kind of moxie? I don’t think so.

By John from Dunwoody

January 1, 2007 07:15 PM | Link to this

TOO BAD JIM MORA CAN’T TAKE STUPID, WORTHLESS PUNK MICHAEL VICK AND HIS DUMB THUGS WITH HIM.

By Mike

January 1, 2007 07:18 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I can sure see That Unselfish #7 giving up salary to help the team sign better players. Maybe it’s time to realize the Falcons will NEVER be in the big game with Vick as their quarterback. With all the money in Vicks salary that leaves little cap space for signing Real players.

By rvdcoach

January 1, 2007 07:18 PM | Link to this

Mark, you must be kidding about having the most talented quarterback in the league. Michael Vick will not take this team or any other team to the big game. The reason is a complete lack of intelligence and understanding of the pro passing game.He cannot make multiple reads and looks to run as soon as his first receiver is covered. I guess its easier for Arthur to admit the mistake of hiring Mora, instead of the 100 million dollar mistake of signing Vick to a long term deal. Having been a coach for over 20 years, I wouldn’t want either one of them.

By John from Dunwoody

January 1, 2007 07:20 PM | Link to this

SIR STEALTH IS HERE. GET READY FOR SOME STUPID NONSENSE FROM FAIRY LAND. IN SIR STEALTH’S WORLD, MICHAEL VICK IS BETTER AT BEING A QB THAN MICHAEL JORDAN WAS AT BASKETBALL. SIR STEALTH IS A JOKE.

By @@

January 1, 2007 07:28 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Mora’s gone. The idea that he was “joking” is asinine. And it’s an insult to everyone’s intelligence that he even tried to pass that off as humor. Yesterday’s game was heinous. They couldn’t beat their 3rd string???? Horrid coaching. Really putrid coaching.

As far as Vick goes, people need to quit putting him above the game and quit trying to scheme around him. He’s one player. I think it’s painfully obvious that he’d do better with a more conventional pass blocking scheme, but for several years now we haven’t seen anything like that. It’s preposterous to roundly design an offense around the notion that one guy is bigger than the game and that he’s that much better than everyone around him. This isn’t the case. All we’ve heard and been fed is that the entire team must be molded in Vick’s image, or his perceived image/abilities, and all we’ve seen is a team without an identity, poor coaching—desperate coaching and terrible, nauseating play.

I like the notion of Cam Cameron coming in; with his experiences under Bob Knight, I doubt we’d have this ‘player’s coach’ mentality. Some of these spoiled brats like D’Angelo Hall might want to prick up their ears here. His kind of mouthy tripe has to go—me me me. Hopefully whomever Blank chooses will put a ban on that behavior toot sweet.

Personally, I’d like to see a blockbuster trade: Vick and Hall…for who or what, I dunno. But Al Davis (just wince baby) might just be senile enough to take that bait.

By buzzgp

January 1, 2007 07:30 PM | Link to this

I said my part about Mike , I, me , Mine , Vick. The Falcons also need to find a way to get some O line help. How many years do we have to go with a patchwork O-line? Get a quality O-line and then any pro QB can have good games. Even possibly Mike Vick. I must repeat however, 1000 yard rushing QB is nothing to be proud of in the Pro game. It is a sign of a glaring weakness , weather it be the QB or the O-line.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

Gee JSS, are you Jesus???? You seem to know everthing there is to know….maybe you should be the Falcons’ Head Coach!!!!!!!

Mora was way over his head…he didn’t have a clue….his daddy tried to save him and paid the price…..Jr. is a nice man, but a lousy head coach. Vick has the talent, can Blank find the man that can harness that talent and channel it for the good of the TEAM???? Pray Rverend Mud, pray!!!!

By surfrider

January 1, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

Sad day for the Falcons. Mora had the best record probably in his first three years than other Falcon Jinxed coach. Yes the second half’s of the past two seasons let him down (is anyone thinking maybe NFL DC’s are figuring a way to beat a Vick run offense). It’s hard to argue against firing Mora after his landish comments and his father’s, but maybe the real problem is Blank, The GM and Vick. To win in the NFL is to be able to pass and comeback. Yes the Defense has holes and other areas but to spend two 1st round draft choices on questionable wr’s and over $100 mil on a Qb and have coordinators that are questionable raises ire about the whole organization starting at the top.

By old coot

January 1, 2007 07:35 PM | Link to this

Blame Vick all you want, and he deserves a share of critisism, but wasn’t Mora a defensive minded coach? Not many times in the last 3 years do I remember the Falcons defense rising up to save a game that Vick played great in, i.e Dallas this year. If Mora’s defense didn’t make the Charlie Fryes of the world look like Joe Montana, he’d still have a job.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

Hey John from Dumbwoody…..go flush yourself into the sewers since you spew crap…..

By eddiedawg

January 1, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

Give Vick a chance with a competent coach and an offensive geared towards his skills…..what Mora and Knapp have been doing is trying to meld Vick to fit into their crap offense…..7 will be fine if we shore up the D….that’s why I like the Rex Ryan suggestion….

By Dave H.

January 1, 2007 07:44 PM | Link to this

NORM CHOW IS THE ANSWER

He tailors his offenses to the strengths of his talent. He did it at USC with QB Matt Leinart and then did it again with the Titans and a completely different style of QB in Vince Young. Michael Vick could really prosper with Chow as well.

But the Falcons better act quickly, because the Cardinals will be looking at Chow to reunite him with Leinart.

By JSS

January 1, 2007 07:51 PM | Link to this

I know enough to know what’s not the problem Dan-O… Save your need for a deity for the religious blogs. I said mora made some very poor judgements and in staff. You get what you ask for in this world, and Falcon fans are about to get it two-fold, a lot of losing!!! If you would paid attention to what I said, there’s a coach out there, he won’t be popular with fan base due to racism and Jack Daniels consumption, that’s Tim Lewis… He coached under Cowher and he’s seen first hand what not to do working for Coughlin. I remember all of these so-called ATL fans moaning about reasons not to hire Lovie Smith three years, there’s a lot of revisionist history in this town…

By th

January 1, 2007 08:00 PM | Link to this

Did anyone see the triple axle by Kimmie Meisnner on Espn? She Landed it but dropped to fourth place overall.

By GForce

January 1, 2007 08:00 PM | Link to this

No real coach worth their salt will be willing to work for Arthur Blank. His self interest, and hands on approach in areas in which he has no expertise would send a great coach running for cover. He should spend less time putting on makeup for interviews and more time staying off the field watching from his press box and letting his coaches focus on coaching. All the AJC writers know this is the real problem and all of us 12th men know it and are waiting to see which writer is first to put it out there.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this

Terri: What’s your number? My wife and I swing a bit at times. Are you and your husband interested at all? Holla back, girl.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this

HEY JSS,

You wrote: “Save your need for a deity for the religious blogs.” The Jesus comment was a JOKE…..you need to chill dude (or dudette)….Blank will do the right thing. I believe he has learned his lesson…..you will learn too….I have faith brotha’ or is it sista’???

By NumbaOneFan

January 1, 2007 08:10 PM | Link to this

Jesus Christ folks…. Mora and his OC and DC are not the only problen with this organization. Yes Mora and his boys did a pi$$ poor job and had the wrong scheme along along with the wron philosophy. The othe half of the proble is Michael Vick period. He is a world class thug and lowlife who only thinks of himself and his statistics. This guy is Chit and will always b e Chit. No heart, no talent, no freaking future. Cut your losses and hire someone to take out his knees next year. Yes I amwhite and I am not a racist or hater since I love the sistas more thank the white ladies. It’s just a a fact…..Micahel Vick is 50% of the proble. Arthur with all due respect finish the job and trade the clownwith herpes and thug attitude.

By Tony R. Boies

January 1, 2007 08:11 PM | Link to this

I am an Eagles fan, always thought Jim Mora was incredibly annoying and glad to see him gone. I see the Falcons problem as similar to the Redskins: lack of consistent play at key positions. Not all the blame should go on Vick’s shoulders but when the QB isn’t doing well it can have a trickle-down approach if the team loses confidence in him as a leader. If I were the Falcons, I would have very secretive discussions in the off-season to see if anyone would be willing to give up a lot to get Vick. If not I would try to draft USC’s Jarrett or GT’s Johnson because the Falcon receivers are not that scary except for Crumpler. Falcons have several issues to address, though.

By JSS

January 1, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

Dan-O,

Hey Mark David Card still confessing for murdering little girls? Stop trying to call out everyone online before you write a check you can’t cover Mark Foley…

Now back to Foootball, Norm Choow will not come here!!! Blame yourselves…

By Dano

January 1, 2007 08:21 PM | Link to this

JSS,

What do you mean Chow would not come here? Doesn’t the AJC blog prove that the ATL would be just so embrasive of an oriental coach? Can you imagine how warm and receptive we would be to a disappointing season with a minority coach and a minority QB?

By eddiedawg

January 1, 2007 08:22 PM | Link to this

Hey TH- Best post yet…..I laughed my arse off….and no, I missed her triple axle-maybe it will be on ESPN Classic tonight???? LOL!

By Bear

January 1, 2007 08:23 PM | Link to this

Well stated, Mark.

By ss1984

January 1, 2007 08:27 PM | Link to this

I think firing Mora was the best thing for the Falcons, although I dont feel that Jim is at fault all by himself. We need a better offensive and defensive line.

By JSS

January 1, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

It is simple, there are 4 better jobs in terms of his strengths that are going to be available: NY Football Giants, Scary enough the Arizona Cardinals, possibly Denver, and the Raiders if the house cleaning is as complete as what’s being reported in the Bay area. I still can’t dismiss the Titans job because of the internal management conflict there…

Warm and receptive to a minority coach and QB? Atlanta??? Ha ha ha ha, this town has turned on Michael Vick like it turned on the party that gave most of them light and clean water for their homes. There are too many fans like #1 bigot or Tito for you truly believe Atlanta will be ready for Chow… I like Norm, he’s done miracles everywhere he has stepped foot. But being a realist, I know it won’t happen… Instead I have to hope that Lewis will still be available, I know he has tough skin, he’s survived NY… And too many people in this town don’t realize just how important that is in town which people work to undermine others with great glee like John Kincaid. We all pay for it in the end…

By BIRD 4 LIFE

January 1, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

MV I LIKE YOU A LOT BUT IF YOU DON’T PROVE YOURSELF NEXT SEASON WITH A NEW COACH I WON’T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT YOU ANYMORE. I GOT YOUR BACK FOR NOW, BUT I NEED YOU TO PROVE ALL THOSE HATERS OUT THEIR WRONG.

By BIRD 4 LIFE

January 1, 2007 08:48 PM | Link to this

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY THE FALCONS HAD A 300LB WIDE RECEIVER COACH.

By P

January 1, 2007 08:48 PM | Link to this

Absolutely right Mark Bradley! The Vick haters are quick to point to an inept offensive line, and an inconsistent performance by Mike Vick, but have nothing to say about a defense that couldn’t stop the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns. Michael Vick doesn’t play defense! The bottom line is the head coach is responsible for putting together a coaching staff that can game plan week to week according to the competition…and regardless of injuries (…Andy Reid). Jim Mora was junior league! It showed on and off the field.

Let’s hope Arthur Blank also learned his lesson as well, and will not leap for the next “…well prepared candidate with all the answers”. Let’s hope he peeks under the hood to make sure he isn’t getting a super polished Edsel.

By jan

January 1, 2007 08:48 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank will not get rid of Vick, he loves Vick. Who is the first person he goes to on the sidelines, Vick. I wish he would trade Vick, He is the most overrated QB I have ever seen. That’s all you hear, VIck, Vick, Vick. He’s a one man team, and after this year I will not attend or watch any games as long as a finger flicking ungrateful player is on this team.

By real deal

January 1, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

we will never win a super bowl with mike vick. Has anyone ever one a superbowl with this type QB? no!!!! we need a real quarterback! someone who can throw, run, and think. Mike vick makes the wrong decision 9 out of 10 times. trade him. lets get about 3 or 4 draft picks for him.

By sam

January 1, 2007 08:51 PM | Link to this

To All The Vick Haters It really bothers you that he makes all that money. You demonstrate your lack of football knowledge or supidity when you ignore: 1. an ineffective scheme, we never out schemed the good teams 2. an ineffective/inconsistent game day approach 3. lack of half-time adjustments 4. a team that lacks enough playmakers;how many INTs/forced fumbles this year? 5. personell decisions; MLB, CORNER, SAFETY,RECEIVERS, backups at key positions were a drop-off in performance 6. fair at best pass-blocking, undersized and in the red zone the cut-blocking has not been effective 7. receivers that generally get none or very little seperation 8. poor performance from special teams,esp. punting and kick returning which created poor field position on a regular basis 9. inability to stop teams on 3rd down 10. inability to stop the run period 11. inability to consistently pick up one or two yards in 3rd or 4th down situations 12. zero running attack inside the red zone 13. repeatedly in 3rd an long situations because of no gains or short gains after running on the first two downs 14. I have yet to mention injuries and dropped passes Despite the aforementioned, to the Vick Haters its all his fault and the fact that Mora lost his job. Might I remind all of you, that the same type disparaging comments were made about Michael Jordan before he got a coach that understood how to play with him and got some talent around him and a scheme that other coaches found difficult to prepare for. Coaching and coaching decisions are critical in football. Football is a game that requires more than the other major sports that every aspect of the organization from the 53 players to the front office must work in cohesion to put together a consistently winning franchise. The irony of the Vick Hater comments is that they are not Falcon fans. So, I’m wondering why are they so concerned!!!! Oh, I almost forgot, THE MONEY. Folks, its truly team game. GET A LIFE.

By Terry Hamlin

January 1, 2007 08:54 PM | Link to this

Mike is a great qb..We loved him at Va Tech. He took us to an undefeated regular season and the National Championship game. He’s been running for his life most of the time down there in Atlanta. How ‘bout finding some lineman who can hold their blocks for more than a 2 count or a defense that dares to make a stop giving him something less than 90 yards to negotiate every posession. Injuries have hurt… but give him a supportive cast and some schemes that utilize his talents. Seems like he is expected to shoulder the offense and make an occasional tackle on defense too. His clock is ticking…I hope Mr. Blank can find an offensive mind that can tap into his abilities and some players that will provide the balance the Falcons so badly need. Talent wasted is a horrible thing, no matter the profession.

By Dano

January 1, 2007 08:54 PM | Link to this

Real Funny whoever posted:By Dano January 1, 2007 08:21 PM That wasn’t me….Neither was: By Dano January 1, 2007 08:04 PM | Link to this Terri: What’s

Enough said…The Real Dano signing out for this season…..enjoy your games imitating bloggers….the AJC should be able to prevent the duplication of names, but I guess they don’t care….have a Happy New Year Y’all……..

By STEALTHMAN

January 1, 2007 09:03 PM | Link to this

Happy New Year Fans! John Gruden man be the answer here. He has shown interest in how he would handle Vick. Tell Blank to call him. And some are concerned what may happen to Mora if he lives in Atlanta. He said he will meet with Blank in 3 weeks, it may be about a Home Depot management Job. Anyway, “Call John Gruden !!” or Re-hire Dan Reeves, he did take them to the Super Bowl before remember. And Reeves knows how to coach Mike, this way there will not be a greater set back for this team. What do you Fans think?? Just a thought…Gruden or Reeves or loose more years with some new Guy?? “Peace!”

By Steve

January 1, 2007 09:07 PM | Link to this

Sorry Sam .. money has nothing to do with it. Vick is overrated.

Let’s put it this way, if Vick were white and Schaub black, every Vick backer in Atlanta would be switched around, while the current Schaub backers would admit he is the better QB, despite color. Vick is one heck of an athlete and a runner, but he cannot get by on just athleticism in the NFL.

As for all those who think Chow will come here you have got to be the biggest morons on the planet. If you think he would choose coaching a malcontent QB who has gotten this franchises two most winning coaches (by percentage) fired, you are nuts. Chow is no idiot. If anything he will go to Arizona, where they have a real NFL calibre QB, and not just a glorified running back taking snaps.

In fact, good luck convincing any coach with any talent to come to Atlanta. Like it or not, what Mora Sr. said was absolutely true .. Vick is a coach killer. If you cannot see that from the fact the two best coaches in the history of the franchise have been run out of town due to his erratic QB play, then you really are sad and pathetic. You are not doing the city, nor the team, any favors by backing an ineffective QB who only shows up against inferior teams.

By Jwilster

January 1, 2007 09:09 PM | Link to this

Blank’s To Do List 1. Hire Jimmy Johnson 2. Trade for a higher draft pick so as to get Calvin Johnson 3. Hire Tech’s Defensive Coodinator Tenuta 4. Trade Jenkins and Roddy White for a decent #2 proven receiver.

By diehard falcons fans

January 1, 2007 09:14 PM | Link to this

Wow..yall got a case of amenisa?

i remember when reeves was running the show.. and Chandler was the QB…yall were crying a river and begging for Vick to start. Chandler was a good QB, personally I think Vick wasnt ready to start but he made the most of his opportunity.

we have some damn good WRs and a damn good defense line and offensive line..

i remember when we draft vick as nbr one pick.. i was like damn why didnt we get LT??? Jamal Anderson have suffer a career ending injury even though he try to play for the patroits…

frankly we can talk about it all day about what we should have done in the past…

it took a while for michael jordan to get to a nba finals…

the bottom line Vick is a good QB when he has a line that will help him.. did yall see the pro bowl.. he have all kind of time to throw to WRs….that aint no flag football exhibiton match either…

Mora should have been fired as soon Mr. Home Depot heard that interview. If I was working at coca cola and said I would love the job at pepsi.. and u know i would be fired so fast i would even have time to clean my desk.

Knapp and Donatell goto to go as well. No sense in keeping these two coordinators. they sucked big time..

Jimmie Johnson would be a nice coach for the Falcons but does he still have that fire in him?

We need a coach who isnt gonna be no damn buddy with the team but a leader and doesnt take bs from anybody. We need a coach who will kick the shyt out of their players and make sure they ready for any given sunday.

Chow is a nice OC but what his position on defense. Let now get fool by the hype, and see what he can do for the team and organization and the fans.

Cant beat over a dead horse … I too want Lovie Smith to be the Falcons coach but now he having QB problems but his defense is top notch.

Race shouldnt be an issue in football. A Win should be an issue. Getting the damn Lombardi Trophy in atlanta should be the BIG ISSUE and ultimate goal.

Can we do it? Yes but changes needs to be made pronto.

Coach is gone.. now we need a Real coach and some real playmakers who wants to play for the super bowl ring.

We need some REAL WR’s. Randy Moss anybody? I doubt it because he crazier than Terrell Owens! lol

D-Hall wearing 21 shouldnt be acting like Prime Time because he got burnt easy

Jimmy Williams need to start next season please cut/trade/waive/buyout Jason Webster because he aint jack.

Secondary need to step it up

We needs some hogs on the offensive lines… look at the saints and especially the chargers’ lines LT scored 30 touchdowns?!?!? that is almost 2 touchdowns per game! crazy

Well good luck to the teams that are in the playoffs and good luck Mr Blank … please dont be waiting to make a decision in getting the new coach.

Also i want a price break in the tickets next season

By night train lane

January 1, 2007 09:17 PM | Link to this

The problem is Art Blank. Look at his history. He got fired by Home Depot’s board of directors for his arrogance and lack of performance. He was running that company into the ground. Now it is even more years of downhill. Mark my words — the Falcons will lose even more games next year. Blank should get out of the way, stay off the field and sell the team to a better owner. The Falcons are not his personal toy. Blank and Vick ought to shove off. Both overrated.

By Steve T

January 1, 2007 09:28 PM | Link to this

Guys like Garcia, Romo, Grossman, et.al are not better athletes than Vick, just better QBs. Look at their stats and records and what they do for there team. Grossman! You have to be joking. The fans in chi-town want to run him out the city. He has a good running game and strong defense. Romo has been fading.
I keep telling you guys this is the NFL and they keep books on QB. The book on Romo is to pressure him and keep him in the pocket.

The book on P. Manning and Tom Brady is to hit them. If you can hit them enough they become average. My book on Matt is he is afraid to get hit.

By MJK

January 1, 2007 09:34 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need to change things up. Mora seemed like a good guy and was everyone’s buddy, but the Falcons need someone to come in crackin’ skulls.

I hope the Giants fire Tom Coughlin and Arthur Blank introduces him at a news conference shortly afterward.

By falcoon fan

January 1, 2007 09:36 PM | Link to this

A QUOTE FROM VICKS INTERVIEW YESTERDAY: “I’SE NOTS SURE IF IZE WANTS DAT COACH BACK CUZ HEZ NOT DA BEST COACH OUT DERE YO. I AXED DA PLAYAS ON DA TEAM AN DAY SAYZ DAT DEY DONT BEEZ SUREZ EDA BOUT DA COACH MORA CUZ DEYZ BOUT LIKES I BEEZ ON DIS SUBJECT, GET ME? I BEEZ KEEPIN IT REALZ YA NO?” yeah vick. you are keeping it real alright.. REAL DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Steph

January 1, 2007 09:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s be objective:

1. Jim Mora had to go for his lack of leadership. The team’s record wasn’t great but that is the case for many, many teams even some that made it to the playoffs. A. The comments about his dream job. B. Not demanding performance out of your friend and OC. That includes play calling that makes sense and a scheme that fits the players you have. C. Not demanding that your DC always, always put the best talent on the field (Demorrio Williams sits over and over to play Ed Hartwell who obviously has not panned out. Jimmie Williams gets no shot over Jason Webster (another Mora pal) and Allen Rossum who can tackle but due to his size could not break up passes. D. Too friendly with players. No one should be above riding the bench and that includes Vick and any other starter. E. MV’s best year was his first. The regression started after Mora and company and their offensive scheme.

2. Mick Vick played pretty well this year given what he was surrounded by. 20 TD, apprx 2500 yds in passing and 1000 rushing. Improvement in accuracy. For the performance on offense, it was a wonder we won anything. People continue to say we cant win with Vick. The reality is that we only had a shot in many games b/c of him. Even in the stands, opposing fans are asking if their team is playing against the Falcons or just Vick. Numerous games where nobody made a big play besides him. A. The offensive line offers little to no pass protection. MV is not scrambling by choice. He gets no time to run thru progressions which is unacceptable. They get run over and around and often times are just standing on the field. This is why when Justin Griffith fumbles, Ashley Lelie is the person to hit Dallas and cause them to fumble the recovery and MV recovers. Where are the rest of the players? B. The receivers lack of play. At least 2 games are solely on their shoulders for missing easy, touch, right on your number passes. Unacceptable.

3. Schaub played average as well. I think the thought that he is an undiscovered pro bowl QB is a little much.
   He drove the team down the field twice to try to tie but was intercepted once and on the next drive tripped over his own two feet on 3rd down and over threw on 4th down. Maybe he is a little rusty but maybe, just maybe he is not that great either.

4. Enough with the thug comparison and shots at personal character of the QB unless you are willing to really open the door. Braids and liking hip hop music do not make a thug. Jim Mora likes hip hop. Matt Schaub is the only QB on the Falcons roster to get arrested, I believe in a bar room altercation. Drew Brees appreciates opponents calling his mother a whore and gives her personal information with the okay to kill her. Peyton manning called his team out after poor offensive line protection caused them to be humiliated in a playoff game. Not saying Vick is or will be a Peyton manning but I am saying that you must have the supporting cast no matter how good a QB is.

5. Enough with the questions around Vick leaving the game for a groin injury. We have how many falcons players with the same injury that missed half the season?

Do I think Vick has more maturing to do.. yes. Do I think he still has much improvement to make… yes. Do I think giving the finger was wrong.. yes. Do I think it makes him a thug.. not unless the middle aged white female I saw do this in traffic two weeks ago with two kids in the car is a thug as well. Do I think he is comparable to where many QB who are very good right now were after starting 3-4 seasons.. yes. Was the offense scheme all wrong and did it take way too long to see this and the impact on too many players.. yes

Let’s have some perspective people.

By Denverfalcon

January 1, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure how many readers made it this far but in my opinion Mora wasn’t ready for a head coaching job. He and his staff were “OUT” coached in several games: Cleveland, NY, Detroit, Bmore, Philly, & NO. The team was never balanced on both side of the ball. And another thing, why all the Vick haters?????? Does Vick drop the passes, block the defenses, give up punt/kick returns? Vick certainly is not perfect and did some things that didn’t help at times but that’s what it takes to be a competitor. Atlanta was predictable on offense and could not stop the pass on defense.Andy Reid, John Fox, Bill Bellick?sp.. all have won with injuries to key players. Mora is no village idiot and is a bright dude, however, I just didn’t think he was ready (who cares about the play book and notes he had!) Knowing the concept and applying it are two different things. Good luck to him at U of W the college game I believe is more his speed right now.

By Jack

January 1, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

VIC IS A LOUSY QB——THATS NOT A RACE ISSUE AS SOME WANT TO MAKE IT. IF HE WAS WHITE HE WOULD STILL BE A LOUSY QB VICK IS A GOOD RUNNER WHEN HE RUNS, A LOUSY PASSER WHEN HE PASSES (INCONSISTANT) AND A LOUSY LEADER—-FAILURE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSES FAULT. HE IS AN ALBATROSS AROUND THE TEAMS NECK AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNTIL HE IS TRADED OR RETIRES. GET RID OF VICK AND HIS BIG BUCK CONTRACT, AND WATCH THINGS IMPROVE WITH A NEW COACH. MORA DIDNT WANT TO ADMIT IT WHEN HE MADE MISTAKES, AND BLANK DOSENT WANT TO ADMIT HE MADE A MISTAKE WITH VICK

MR. BLANK——CUT YOUR LOSS AND MOVE ON.

By Realist

January 1, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

Great scenario, Mr. Stallings!! Exactly what is needed. More of the same with other players wouldn’t hurt either.

I have said before that the Falcons Organization is an oxymoron.

Now I don’t hate Vick, I just think he is not Pro QB material BECAUSE (here comes my reasons/analysis of Superman): 1) Too short (remember Pat Sullivan - a great collegiate passing QB but too short to see over the Pro line), 2) does not have game time leadership skills necessary to rally TEAM around him unlike McNabb, Warren Moon, Doug Williams who were all successful, 3) does not seem to be a team player - no effort shown cheering “his” team on while on sidelines, 4) cannot see BIG picture of team concept because of his myopic and delusional sense of self - considered HIS season a success although team record is below average and still refers to himself as “superman” (see press conference comments) , though it seems he has lost his cape somewhere, 5) disloyalty to those that have supported him - “not concerned w/what goes on with Org” regarding questions on coaches and most glaring: the FINGER to the fans.

He may not be a “thug”, but he is a spoiled, trashy-acting, classless (the finger), self-absorbed, pouty, athlete who could not make it in any other endeavor in life except maybe a as hoodlum. Not that there is anything wrong with being a hoodlum, if you are going to be one then be the best hoodlum you can be as the saying goes. I just think he would be a better hoodlum than a Pro QB. Now if he wanted to swap to RB, KR, and PR and he changed his on-field smug attitude, and he re-negotiated his contract to help the TEAM with cap issues, then I believe he might just add some value to this TEAM.

Finally, regarding what he says at press conferences, I believe he is speaking from his heart because he does not have some “spin doctor” putting words into his mouth. So I take what he says as his true feelings ad thoughts. It is true he had a great statistical season, for a running back, but to say that he hopes to rush for 2000 yds next year tells me he really does not understand the QB job description. Granted the recent bad coaching has not helped him develop but he has not really put forth much effort in trying to “overcome coaching” as he mentioned in an earlier press conference. Steve McNair had been able to overcome bad coaching earlier in the year and still LEAD his team to victories until Billick made a change. Bad coaching didn’t seem to make him come unglued on the field. He perservered through it with class and grace AND WON. He never even spoke badly about the Titans org that seemed to throw him to the wolves. Can’t wait to hear Vick’s comments about the Falcons Org that has made him the highest paid 15&16 “QB” in the NFL at the expense of the remainder of the team. Unless Vick is willing to re-negotiate his contract $$ down in order to help the team, you will never change my opinion (or that of many other fans) of him as not just a Coach Killer but rather a Organization Killer.

By Chris

January 1, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

Ok, ok, ok……………. yeah lets trade Vick, yea lets trade him to ……..um lets say the Raiders maybe, or may be to the Bears, or even Greenbay. Maybe the falcons get a a starter and a first round draft pick, but all in all Vick will probably have a better line, a better defense, definantley better coaching and in one year he’ll probably have a championship. Truthfully speaking, if you put Matt Schaub behind that line you will have eactly what you have in Houston, David Car on his back. Mike makes things happen, he doesnt run because he wants too but because he has too because of that line. Matt Schaubs a gonner if he starts more than two games behind that line and thats the truth. So all of the haters out there that say Mike Vick is the problem, maybe you werent watching the Panthers run the same play 15 times on us with no quarterback in the game, or maybe you saw the New orleans saints play us the same way both games by walking down a safty as a spy on vick, yet we still ran bootlegs and meaningless counters. Our coaches never made adjustments thats why we lost to the Eagles second string team.

By Sue D Nym

January 1, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

Glad to see Blank pull the trigger on this formality. A previous blogger nailed it on the timing with Mora’a HC career; he needs to establish an identity and stick with it and he will be successful. Vick is a waste of talent. He confuses fire with heart, talent with leadership. A summer of whispers of “coach killer” in his ear will have an impact next year.

By Pamela

January 1, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Congratulations! Mr. Blank -enough said

By Realist

January 1, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Steph,

Here’s some perspective, Vick sits and pouts rather than cheering on his teammates. That tells me he is no leader and a team will not win unless the QB is a leader. Face reality, bro.

By bk hawk

January 1, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks Blank for firing Mora. Derrent Williams a great kid gone for no reason.My prayers go to his family. RON Roberts thanks for your thoughts, not only about the Falcons but also with the Braves.Mike Vick with the right Coach will once again be the best in the League and I don’t care what color they are as long as we win. Hall needs to go! Blanks needs to buy the Braves! People in the USA need to forget Race and party’s and stand up for America and each other. Happy New Year! I love you all.

By Chris

January 1, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Wow * QUOTE FROM VICKS INTERVIEW YESTERDAY: “I’SE NOTS SURE IF IZE WANTS DAT COACH BACK CUZ HEZ NOT DA BEST COACH OUT DERE YO. I AXED DA PLAYAS ON DA TEAM AN DAY SAYZ DAT DEY DONT BEEZ SUREZ EDA BOUT DA COACH MORA CUZ DEYZ BOUT LIKES I BEEZ ON DIS SUBJECT, GET ME? I BEEZ KEEPIN IT REALZ YA NO?” yeah vick. you are keeping it real alright.. REAL DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!*

How racist can you be……… I know were in the south and the fact that the falcons have a African American quarterback makes you sick to your stomach, but this is not acceptable at all. I’m tired of racially toned comments against Mike Vick. The guy in my opinion is comparable to Allen Iverson (who gets the same kind of stereotypical hatred towards him)meaning he has braids, he grew up in poverty, he has friends that grew up in poverty, he’s a great athlete, he made a great business decision hiring a good agent that got him a great 130 million dollar deal, and he now lives in “Dixie Country”. Give the guy a fair break. Any quarterback with out a line, and the option to call audibles is what we call a “sitting duck” Give me any other quarterback in the league behind this line and I promise we would see a 0 and 10 falcons season.

By Chris

January 1, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

!!!!!!!!!Here’s a new rule!!!!!!!!!!!! Before you decide to post your comment, please watch the game film from this year, last year, and the year before that. You will see that teams are simply adjusting to the falcons game plans. I have watched every falcons game for the past 17 years, and I can honestly say Jim Mora was living off of Dan Reeves success. he built the team and offense to make a run at the super bowl, when mora took over, we got to the NFC championship but got out coached from the very beggining. Here’s how you stop Vick you walk a spy down to make 6 to 7 men in the box your spy will be a safety or for carolina Julious Peppers. You dont have to blitz because the line is so weak just a four man rush is all you need. We killed everybody in the begining of the year with the run, but they watched the film and they caught on. We have slashers at running back but no pounders (thus we cant score in the redzone). We lost Brian Finneran in the preseason, (thus no possesion reciever), and we picked up maybe the weakest middle linbacker in the league in Ed Hartwell. I dont believe he has a single solo tackle this year. Please do some film study Sue, and Realist before you all decide to chime in because you sound ignorant.

By blackfalcon

January 1, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Dear Falcons fans. talking about players who produce or don’t should be fair game. Bagging on people about their personal life should be off limits! Would you like all your dirty laundry to be aired for the world to comment on? This also ISN’T a black or white thing. I live in Nebraska and have been to 5 games in Atlanta, and watch them every week on Directv. The people in Atlanta, whether black or white have always been great to me when i have been there. Let’ grow up and talk about the team etc, and less about black and white bullsh*t, herpes etc. I think Vick needs to grow up, flipping off the crowd is unacceptable. And people, Blank is the owner, he can do as he pleases, he isn’t going to not go to the sidelines because the fans ask him to. I have no problem with him going onto the sidelines toward the end of the game. Let’s right the ship, and please play nice. I love people posting on here talking about Schaub and cannot even spell his name right.

By Steph

January 1, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

To Realist:

I agree that Vick does do the pout and p** off look on the sideline instead of firing up the team. That is why I said there is more maturation that needs to happen. ( Note compare to Ray Lewis when we played aginst Baltimore. He was injured on the sideline but so fired up that a few times coaches had to pull him back b/c he was almost on the field). But, I still see him play with heart and make a play in almost all games and there are very few other players on the team I can say the same about.

I am also saying that Peyton manning, who does rally the troups, also has the same number of superbowl rings as Vick (zero) and will likely have the same result this year. The weight that people put on this type of thing (sideline behavior, rallying the troops) is laughable. Peyton can rally all he wants but until they can stop the run, the chances of the big prize are slim, even though he does all the “right” things according to bloggers like you.

The same for the Falcons. Yes Vick needs to improve but he is not anywhere close to the main problem on the team.

Also, I am not a bro. Note the name of Steph.

By Tony B.

January 1, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Well Tom if you watched the games this year intstead of making idiot comments about wanting a quarterback “that stands in the pocket and hits WR in stride” you would have seen that MV only had about 2 seconds every time he dropped back in the pocket because the undersized offense line couldn’t protect. Most of the time he was running for his life trying to make a play.

By Last Days

January 1, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Wow! It looks like the number of self-righteous posters is up. I missed you guys in church today. It’s funny that the folks that keep bringing up the Vick-Finger incident probably give the most one-finger-salutes this side of the perimeter. As for all the Shuab talk, did I miss something? Did he win a game in little league or something? From what I remember, he lost most of the games he started. If you’re going to Vick bash at least be realistic. Let’s see how Vick performs with a solid offensive line, a good defense, and good coaching. Only then can one give an accurate evaluation.

By Brandon

January 1, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

For all of the Vick supporters, wait until next year when we will have another incosistant year and it will be because of VICK. I have never seen a qb drop back and see that the first read is not there and instead of CALMLY moving around the pocket while scanning the field, he just freaks out and jitters around and most of the time creates a negative play. It is just the curse of being a falcons fan. We have three more years of VICK and they will all end the same. After all of this I still love my coons’!!

By Tony B.

January 1, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Great respone Ron Roberts to that idiot dannotdan

By Bob Baker

January 1, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

True, Arthur Blank, just as Jurassic Park’s eccentric millionaire, John Hammond, “spared no expense.” Blank’s financial commitments deserve timely results. Unfortunately how to realize those results are not solely in the hands of the head coach.

In defense of Jim Mora, of whom I am essentially indifferent, he inherited a team from Dan Reeves that wasn’t too far removed from the team that Reeves took to Atlanta’s only, and Reeves’ fourth, Superbowl appearance. The biggest single difference between those teams was at quarterback. Chris Chandler, a slow, lumbering, journeyman classic NFL style pocket passer, who put together a career year, brought some consistency to a previously erratic offense. Alas, Chandler’s journeyman status was no long term solution, so when the Falcon’s draft position placed within their grasp “the most exciting player in the NFL,” as he was to become known, they jumped at him.

Nevermind that he came from a Virginia Tech offense that didn’t remotely resemble anything run in the NFL. Nevermind that his height was insufficient to deal with the goliaths of a typical NFL defensive line. Just throw all your eggs in one basket with the hope that the way he was able to run in college would be an adequate formula to win in the NFL. That’s the NFL, not the Big East or the ACC.

With the possible exceptions of New England and Indiannapolis, no team in the NFL is as dependent on the performance of their quarterback as are the Falcons. But both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the aforementioned classic NFL pocket passers and, at 6’4”-6’5,” equal to the task of seeing the entire field and all of their receivers over and through that rush of goliaths. For Brady and Manning, running is part of an off-season conditioning program or the last resort of a busted play. Down in Atlanta those poor offensive lineman must continue to deal with blocking for a “passer” whose whereabouts are often unknown to them sometimes to the point of blocking their man right into the path of “the NFL’s most exciting player” as he darts about like a waterbug trying to avoid being devoured.

Dan Reeves lost his job because of the absence of Michael Vick. Jim Mora lost his job despite the presence of Michael Vick. One a proven NFL head coach, the other an up and comer. Jim Mora probably won’t take another head coaching post for a couple of years. More likely he’ll take an assistant job somewhere and continue to draw Arthur Blank’s money before entertaining another offer for the top spot. The chaos in Atlanta can too easily be explained away. Too much money invested in “the NFL’s most exciting player” to bench him for the more conventional style of a Matt Schaub. Eventually the offers will come.

Meanwhile the Falcons will continue to search for offensive consistency with a nine-year college quarterback. The next head coach, probably another NFL assistant or a college coach, neither with any NFL head coaching experience, will have to find a way to deal with that college quarterback in a professional world. Failure to do so will only strengthen the validity of Jim Mora, Sr.s (and perhaps secretly others’) assessment of Michael Vick as a “coach killer.”

Once a new head coach is signed it will be interesting to find out how many other prospects were considered and either expressed no interest or outright declined the Falcons’ offer. I can hear it now — a Flowery Branch news conference announcing that Coach so-and-so was “the only one that we seriously considered.” Yeah, and I’ve got some oceanfront property in Oklahoma that I’ll let you have dirt cheap …

By ODogg

January 1, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

**YO! MORA NEVER PLAYED A SINGLE DOWN THIS YEAR.

HOLD THE PLAYERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR LETTING DOWN THE FRANCHISE.

ANY COACH WILL LOSE IF PLAYERS DONT STEP UP AND PLAY WITH HEART.

STOP THE MADNESS ON THIS BLOG. WE NEED TO MAKE WHOLESALE TRADES TO GET PLAYERS WITH HEART. **

By Dave H.

January 1, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Although Norm Chow is older and might only coach 5-8 more years, that’s still the probable extent of Michael Vick’s pro career. Vick is our $100 million dollar man and no one else is better-suited to coach him than Norm Chow.

By andrew

January 1, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

If the falcons could hire Marion

Campbell twice,why not Dan Reeves?

By rl

January 1, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Mr. goober what do you mean about us keeping vick like that a joke. Your saints is only winning because the league is pushing them to win and it’s that feel good situation and as i recalled most of the games that the saints won was giving to you by the ref. so don’t be so proud because we will see the real aints lose in the playoff.By goober

By andrew

January 1, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

If the Falcons could hire Marion Campbell twice,then why not Dan Reeves?

By Dave H.

January 1, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Although Norm Chow is older and might only coach 5-8 more years, that’s still the probable extent of Michael Vick’s pro career. Vick is our $100 million dollar man and no one else is better-suited to coach him than Norm Chow.

By seasonticketholdernomore

January 1, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

People are amazing. I’m willing to bet, that the same people who are bashing Vick today, were singing his praises when he took the team to the NFC Championship game and when he passed for over 3,000 yards under Dan Reeves. Now suddenly,he’s not accurate and should be a running back? Give me a break. Granted, he shares some of the blame for what happened this year, however, he wasn’t alone in this colossal failure. Anybody with work experience knows that success or failure flows from the top down, not the other way around.

By Tony B.

January 1, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Now we have “cracker” Brandon on here with his racist remarks. Wonderful.

By Bring Reeves Back!

January 1, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

I just read this on espn. The falcons are 0-17 in the past couple of years when trailing in the 4th quarter!!
So all you idiots supporting vick and comparing him to manning can just stop right there! It sad just because of a persons race u cant see past his faults! I agree vick can lead us into the postseason yes…but in the playoffs when playing the top teams were bound to be loosing the game at some point in the 4th quarter. Is vick the man to get it done at that point?? i wish because i dont think well get rid of him, but being real, No. Vick Prove me wrong man…i wanna love ya…but youve got to improve your leadership skills, and work on your passing game!!!!!!

By CaliFalcon

January 1, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Enough of the Vick, Schaub comparisons. Mora and his staff are gone and thats what we needed most. Vick is and will be our starter. Under sized lineman and play calling on offence that looked like they picked plays out of a hat is gone. While most key on our offensive woes, Mora was supposed to have been a defensive coach, what happened to the D in his tenure? We need a strong defensive coach who can find and hire a coach who can run the offense and call plays.

By Tyre

January 1, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Prediction: Arthur Blank will keep Michael Vick. The next Head Coach will be fired in his first 5 years.

There are only two places you can MV during the game - on the field and on the bench.

A QB can’t sit on the bench for half the game and lead his team to victory.

By WhoCares

January 2, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Now Arthur, do us a favor. Pack Vick and his #7 jersey up and send him out with Mora. Darn, why didn’t we keep our pick when Vick was drafted. We would have Drew Brees? Let’s see. Chris Miller or Bret Favre? Mike (can look but for one second, to one receiver without running) Vick or Matt Schaub? How can a line block for a quarterback that they NEVER know where he is? How can receivers come back, run their routes, when Vick only stands there for a second, looks at Crumpler and runs? Vick is proud of his accomplishments? Wow, now maybe that should be what is discussed. If the next coach isn’t allowed to bench Vick when is he once again doing HORRIBLE, we will have the same ole same ole!

By Bob Baker

January 2, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

Not all of “us” were singing Vick’s praises when the Falcons made the trip to the NFC title game. Many of us considered it an anomaly, much like the New York Jets winning Superbowl III. Neither that Jets team nor any subsequent Jets team has returned. The ‘69 Mets, the ‘58 Hawks, the ‘55 Dodgers, the ‘67 76ers, the Tampa Bay Bucs, the ‘69 Kansas City Chiefs — all freaks of nature that either shouldn’t have won a championship or haven’t repeated in years, some even in decades. For now there’s no reason to expect the Falcons to return to an NFC title game in the near future. They already have a short term built in excuse — a (soon to be named?) new head coach, new scheme, etc. So, were those of us correct in labeling that NFC title game appearance as an anomaly? Considering the current state of affairs at Flowery Branch, it would seem that we were.

By Bring Reeves Back!

January 2, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Trade Vick for draft rights to calvin johnson (the next michael irvin) keep schuab as a starter, resign kerney…get a power back to compliment dunn or norwood, get a defensive coach who can manage the game like reeves used to so well, and well be a top team next year!!

By Brownthrasher

January 2, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

Tank You Arthur Blank for firing Coach Mora. Please make sure he takes his staff with him. People want to blame Vick for everything. I agree he needs to grow a little more mature, but then a real mature Coach would have put Vick in his place and made him grow up. Vick is here to stay so all the haters might as well deal with it.

However, Mora is gone. And I’m happy to see him go. Let’s hope Blank takes his time and get a good coach this time around.

By Skott

January 2, 2007 01:04 AM | Link to this

Steph,

I am not comparing Vick to Manning regarding SB rings, and you are right it takes a defense too to win. That’s my next move after benching Vick - draft Paul Posluszny of PSU, de-Deionize Me’angelo Hall, play Jimmy Williams at safety (he tackles well), find two more above average CBs, beef up DL as much as possible.

But, now that you bring Manning up, I will compare these two QBs regarding consistency at winning games. And name me one teammate that really shows respect for Vick as a leader. Look at the luv with Manning and his receivers - do you see any of that in ATL?

Besides, tell me there is any coach in this league that would choose Vick over Manning right now. Name one, please. Again, keep it real, non-bro.

BTW, if the Falcons players had as much guts and heart as this Boise State team, I wouldn’t be having this conversation. What a f%cking great game i just witnessed. The heart of a winner as #92 says.

By sean

January 2, 2007 01:06 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank addressed 50% of the problem by cutting Mora loose. He needs to finish the job by moving Vick elsewhere, which won’t be easy considering Vick’s contract. The one team that could make it happen is the Oakland Raiders.

Think about Vick in Raiders black after how bad they have been the last 10 years. A marquee star that will put fannies in the seats, sell tons of merchandise and need a quarterback desperately. The Raiders have the first pick in the draft this year and could easily justify giving up that pick along with their first pick next year. No one knows for sure if Schaub is the surefire solution but Vick sure as hell hasn’t shown the Atlanta faithful that he is either.

After flipping off the Falcon fans earlier this season along with his comments about not always giving a 100% effort at times, the fans are ready for a change. If you can’t give the fans a 100% effort while sitting on a $130 million contract well it’s time to get out of Dodge. Vick is a great player at times and you can’t put the blame solely on him for the Falcons shortcomings these past 2 years but he needs a change of scenery to revitalize his career and Schaub needs to be given the chance to prove himself. And if things stay the way they are there is a good chance we’ll be having this discussion again this time next year except that Schaub will be on some other NFL teams’s roster with little or no compensation to the Falcons.

By anthony

January 2, 2007 01:09 AM | Link to this

it’s was not the coach who pick the player but the manger. this was the same manger who made tamabay into a team a defense power house but the offense into a black hole that could not score many point because he put all the money into the defensenow who is the blame

By Skott

January 2, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this

Vick is the “most exciting player in the NFL” - mostly to our opponents who get excited seeing him run around to no avail. At least he should be trying to go North/South rather than the scattered sandlot method he employs.

By Realist (Skott)

January 2, 2007 01:15 AM | Link to this

Steph,

I am not comparing Vick to Manning regarding SB rings, and you are right it takes a defense too to win. That’s my next move after benching Vick - draft Paul Posluszny of PSU, de-Deionize Me’angelo Hall, play Jimmy Williams at safety (he tackles well), find two more above average CBs, beef up DL as much as possible.

But, now that you bring Manning up, I will compare these two QBs regarding consistency at winning games. And name me one teammate that really shows respect for Vick as a leader. Look at the luv with Manning and his receivers - do you see any of that in ATL?

Besides, tell me there is any coach in this league that would choose Vick over Manning right now. Name one, please. Again, keep it real, non-bro.

BTW, if the Falcons players had as much guts and heart as this Boise State team, I wouldn’t be having this conversation. What a f%cking great game i just witnessed. The heart of a winner as #92 says.

By JSS

January 2, 2007 01:19 AM | Link to this

A new year and the same old rhetoric from the howling bloggers! You got your wish, Mora is gone, now suddenly reality has set in, this team has no direction… You come on here and and talk about QB having VD and being a thug… Ted Williams physically spit on fans at a Red Sox game in 57… Joe Dimaggio once attacked two hacklers at Yankee Stadium with a bat before Hank Bauer saved them… Mark Richt’s wife had cancer of the cervix, there is only 2 ways you contract that form of cancer, and they both require sexual transmission. It would have shown up on her PAP smears long ago… No one is perfect, not even the Jesus Freak in Athens, Grow up!!!

I will say it one more time so you people can stop deluding yourselves: Norm Chow is never, ever, ever going to coach the Falcons!!! There are better jobs in better situations to fit his strengths as coach… Be realistic Falcon fans, here are your choices: Tim Lewis http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=10 and Ray Sherman http://www.titansonline.com/team/coaches/staff.php?PRKey=112 Solid resumes, tough skin, and they know what they are getting in to here… Good night

By Realist

January 2, 2007 01:22 AM | Link to this

To all the Calvin Johnson fanantics: comparing him to Michael Irvin is not a great endorsement. It might mean substantial time off for substance-abuse in that case. Give me USC’s Jarrett assuming if he is not like M. Irvin who just another I,I,I blowhard.

By Draft Adrian Peterson

January 2, 2007 01:26 AM | Link to this

someone just said, where’s jamal anderson when we need him? EXACTLY! almost every single problem with the Falcons this year has been caused by the lack of a Jamal Anderson type of player for the Falcons. Failures in the red zone, short yardage, third down, fourth down have crippled this team because we do not have a big back like jamal anderson. also, 4th quarter failures are caused because we do not have a big back like jamal to take us home when we need him to take us home. Go get us another Jamal Anderson and see how much different this team looks and how much more we win. We lost Duckett this year and he was not great but he also averaged 8 touchdowns a year in the red zone and countless short yardage conversions and we never replaced that.

Imagine how much more effective vick and dunn and norwood and the receivers would be on the outside and down the field if the opponents had to be scared to death about a big back killing them up the middle.

someone up there tried to make the point about schaub getting us to the red zone. but what happened with schaub in the red zone. nothing happened just like not a whole lot happens in the red zone when vick gets down there. Why? Is is Schaub’s fault or Vick’s fault? No! Part of it was poor play calling. BUT a big part of it was that we do not have a Jamal to pound for us and take us home.

We are going to have a pretty high pick this year. Adrian Peterson has a little baggage right now so he may slip down to us or we may be able to trade up a few spots for him. If we had the 10th pick and we needed to get up to the sixth pick to get Peterson, would you trade Schaub and the 10th pick for that sixth pick to get Peterson and also for a second rounder and a third round pick. I would.

Most of these offensive problems plaguing this team can be fixed with Adrian Peterson. DJ will be a good second string backup next year and we will get much more utility out of peterson than we will out of Schaub sitting on the bench.

DRAFT ADRIAN PETERSON!

ALL THE INEPTITUDE ON THIRD DOWN, FOURTH DOWN, RED ZONE, SHORT YARDAGE, AND 4TH QUARTER WILL GO AWAY AS A RESULT. WE WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO WIN THE TIME OF POSSESSION WAR, THEREBY HELPING OUT OUR DEFENSE BY PROVIDING THEM LESS EXPOSURE TO OFFENSIVE ATTACKS OF THE OTHER TEAMS.

POUNDING PETERSON SUCKS THE DEFENSES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD AND UP TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE AND WILL THEREBY OPEN EVERYTHING UP ON THE EDGES FOR VICK AND NORWOOD NEXT YEAR, DOWNFIELD FOR THE RECEIVERS, AND WILL MAKE SCREENS AND PLAY ACTION FAKES AND CHUCK IT DEEP PLAYS THAT MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.

DRAFT ADRIAN PETERSON.

PETERSON WILL MAKE THE VICK, NORWOOD, ALGE, AND THE MUCH MALIGNED OFFENSIVE LINE AND WIDE RECEIVERS ALL THAT MUCH BETTER.

A BIG BACK IS THE MISSING INGREDIENT.

A GOOD PLAY CALLER IS AS WELL.

DRAFT ADRIAN PETERSON!!!

By Draft Adrian Peterson

January 2, 2007 01:34 AM | Link to this

Realist: why would you want Jarrett over Calvin? For all the complaining we get on here about punks and thugs and loudmouths and bad tudes, did you watch jarrett today trash talking, showboating, hotdogging all over the field. it was rather disgusting. i have never seen calvin conduct himself like anything other than a classy gentleman. jarrett on the other hand made me sick. he is an awesome player but that hotdog stuff was gross. i am not normally a prude but jarrett was an absolute punk on the field today. i think many scouts may have been drooling over the kid for how he performed. but i also think that for every two draft pick statuses he gained today with his performance, he lost yet another pick status with his punkish attitude. i felt really bad for that michigan player who got called for a late hit on jarrett as jarrett was entering the end zone. jarrett could have been in that end zone 3 seconds before. but he slowed down to hoot and holler and talk trash and taunt at the player. jarrett should have been the one with the unsportsmanlike call and not the michigan DB.

Drafting Calvin would never be a problem for me because he is a classy extremely talented guy.

jarrett on the other hand is very talented but very much a punk.

i think this team though would be better off with adrian peterson and a big back offense and then picking up a bunch of no name no nonsense wide receivers like finneran who play their guts out

By a khan

January 2, 2007 01:52 AM | Link to this

BRING IN DENNIS GREEN AND RANDY MOSS

By JSS

January 2, 2007 02:19 AM | Link to this

People like Bob Baker (don’t defame Barker) should never post on any blog again… The 70 KC Chiefs and the 69 Jets were longtime winners in the AFL leading to the merger, they knocked on the championship door for years. Say what you like about the 69 Mets, the core of that team won for 6 more years or were at least in contention… They actually played the best against the A’s of anyone during that run… I know you know nothing about BBall (modern or ancient), Bill Russell said it best, “the only time we were ever overmatched was in 58 when Pettit scored 50 a night at will, we had no answers…” The 10 years of Dodgers during 40’s to 50’s would have won at least 4 more titles at any other time… Check what happened from 59 to 65 in the MLB… Stick to defaming MV…

By Draft Adrian Peterson

January 2, 2007 02:43 AM | Link to this

trade the 10th pick and schaub plus a fifth round pick for the #1 pick overall and Randy Moss.

then trade the #1 pick to the bucaneers for the bucs 4th pick and a second round pick and a fifth round pick.

if adrian peterson though is still going to be around by the seventh pick, then you do not make the trade with the bucs.

you then trade the #1 pick to the vikings for their seventh pick and a second rounder this year and a second rounder next year and a fifth rounder this year.

You then use either the fourth pick or the seventh pick to draft adrian peterson depending upon his draft board status to cure all of the short yardage, 4th down, 3rd down, red zone, and fourth quarter woes.

By Draft Adrian Peterson

January 2, 2007 02:55 AM | Link to this

when the team collapses in the second half of seasons, that is the coaches not making the necessary adjustments.

when the team does not ever once score on the first series of a game, that is poor game planning by the coaches.

when a team is miserable in short yardage, red zone, third down, fourth down, and fourth quarters, that is a coaching problem. it is not the fault of the players or warrick dunn that dunn is too tiny in those situations and thereby cripples the team in those situations.

when your team is badly outscored in first quarters, that means you came to the game with poor game planning on both offense and defense.

again, when you get outscored in the fourth quarter, that shows that you are getting outcoached because the other coach is make far more superior adjustments to what you are doing.

when you start a season 6-2 and then collapse to 2-6 that shows that you were grossly outcoached in the second half because the other coaches figured out what you were doing, made the adjustments, and you did not adjust back enough.

when you start 5-2 and then collapse to 2-7, the same thing is true. you were once again outcoached and outadjusted.

do you truly expect these players to support these bozos? the players knew they were being crippled by poor coaching

By Told You So

January 2, 2007 05:03 AM | Link to this

Mark, finally someone writes what I feel in a real publication, but what took so long? No one saw this last year? or is it just me?

By rotowiz

January 2, 2007 06:06 AM | Link to this

Now it’s time for Vick to go. No heart. Think of all the times you’ve seen him staring off into space during games while Knapp was analyzing defenses and drawing up plays, then remember the Bears game in 2005 when it was so cold and before the game you could see that Vick was more worried about the cold than winning the game, then think of 19 straight games without a 4th quarter TD pass, then think about leaving (quitting) in 2 games this year with minor injuries. No heart. Trade him to the Raiders for whatever you can get Mr. Blank.

And, please please please do not hire Mike Martz!

By theedge56

January 2, 2007 07:22 AM | Link to this

They need to get Norm Chow. An offensive mind that has proven to adapt the playcalling and gameplanning to the talent available. McKay needs to address the offensive line and the defense. The linebackers are showing their age. The secondary is about as effective as the New Orleans leavees. The D line needs solid backups.

By dogleg

January 2, 2007 07:52 AM | Link to this

Vick is incomparable, but he’s also unreliable and uncoachable. Good riddance to Knapp but in his defense, how many times did we see sideline shots of Knapp looking at the pictures of the defensive schemes while Vick sat there staring into space as if he couldn’t care less. “I don’t need no stinking coaching, just gimme the damn rock.”

By wAYNE

January 2, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

Let’s get that Boise State coach - at least he shows some inventiveness.

A good analysis of a plan gone wrong with a poor choice.

By scribe

January 2, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

Vick couldn’t read “Curious George” let alone an NFL defense-I’m sure Mora will succeed in his next job, without the gangsta attitudes of the falcons

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

The Vick detractors suffer from Cognitive Dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the perception of incompatibility between two cognitions, which can be defined as any element of knowledge, including attitude, emotion, belief, or behavior; in other words, it is the uncomfortable tension that comes from holding two conflicting thoughts at the same time. The theory of cognitive dissonance states that contradicting cognitions serve as a driving force that compels the mind to acquire or invent new thoughts or beliefs, or to modify existing beliefs, so as to reduce the amount of dissonance (conflict) between cognitions. They simply hate Vick, jealous of his salary and in spite of their ascribed “superior intelligence”, they can’t do the things that Vick does nor have even a remote chance of making the money he makes. What an incredible paradox! It’s not Vick’s fault that the Falcons could muster only 1 yard on running plays. It’s not Vick’s fault that the DBs would have a difficult time defending passes against a High School QB. It’s not Vick’s fault that the receivers dropped passes during the most critical points in the game. Perhaps…just perhaps, if Mora had better people as the DC and OC, he’d still be the coach. In the final analysis IT IS WHAT IT IS. Vick detractors it’s real simple. Go cheer for another team. You can’t make some one else choices. You should never allow some one to make yours. GO FALCONS! GO VICK!

By Southerners Aren't So Nice

January 2, 2007 08:47 AM | Link to this

What’s up with this “thug” lable that some people like to attach to every black man who disappoints them? Enough already! When has MV ever presented himself as a “thug?” Oh, I almost forgot, this is the South. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

January 2, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this

Can’t argue with this one at all. I just hope Blank does not get “smoothed” talked into hiring a “rah-rah” guy again. These millionaires need a guy who’s going to plant his foot in their a** more than they need a “sunshine” buddy-buddy guy. I believe Mora is a good guy, but too inexperienced. I think Mora believed he could charm these grown men into playing for him with his enthusiasim. Problem is, this is the professional league, not college. I have no doubt that Mora would be perfect for college ball. He should have done that first then pro. Whoever the next guy is has to be more serious, have a solid plan they are going to stick with and be the basis of their identity. The next coach may want to reconsider the offensive line scheme also. A “power” RB with some weight on him would be nice too. I’m not sure which coach can accomplish all these things in one off-season, but someone other than McKay should be in charge of that. McKay filled this roster with these FA hobos who are just killing cap space. The next coach should also have a “BIG” say-so in those personnel decisions. Last thing whoever the next coach is should include a clause in his contract that he is NOT to be visited by the owner during the game EVERY game. Who wants their boss hanging over their shoulder when they’re trying to do their job. Just hire them and get out of the way. If we can do those things we will be okay in the future.

GO FALCONS!

By PECKERHEAD

January 2, 2007 09:19 AM | Link to this

Attention = All avaliable coaches don’t, and i’ll repeat, don’t even think about the Atlanta job. Heres what you get! with the birds a qb that should be at reciever or rb. The only problem is the salary, so he stays at the qb position, a position he’s not capable of running except the coaches off. “Take” it, new coach, you’ll get that a* fired also!

By DOM

January 2, 2007 09:38 AM | Link to this

THE COACHING STAFF IS HISTORY SO LETS TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT STILL ARE HERE. RICH MCKAY IS A FAILURE IN ALL AREAS, HARTWELL IS A CON MAN, WEBSTER IS A TIMID DEACON, KERNEY IS AN OLD BUSTED POLITICIAN, RODDY AND JENKINS HAVE NO SPIRIT OR TALENT, IKE REESE SHOULD BE A SMILING INFOMERCIAL HOST, OFFENSIVE LINE HAS THE TENACITY OF A YUGO, OUR BENCH PLAYERS SHOULD BE IN THE STANDS NEXT TO ME AS FANS. THE WILL BE NO STADIUM DEAL IN ATL UNTIL ALL OF THIS IS CORRECTED ARTHUR. WE CANT AFFORD TO OVERLOOK ANOTHER GREAT AFRICAN AMERICAN COACH EITHER.

By The Old Goober

January 2, 2007 09:47 AM | Link to this

The “game day experience” that Arthur (can I call him that) bragged about when he took over the helm still eludes me. Admittedly, I don’t go to the Falcons games to drink and smoke and yell at the top of my lungs. I like to see good, tough, smash-mouth football played by players who show some energy and use good football technigues in the 4th quarter. Well, all I get for my money is a bunch of loud, smoking, drinking Eagles and Cowboys fans and a bunch of Falcons defensive players who think they need to flap their arms in the air to implore us to scream for them as they miss tackle after tackle and as they let receivers run free over the middle and laugh all the way to the end zone. Well, Arthur (again, may I call you Arthur?) it is not much of a “game-day” experience for me. There must be better things to do in Atlanta than to watch a bunch of over-paid, under-motivated big people who are underachievers and who depend upon the so-called “leadership” of a mega-millionaire who goes by the alias of RON MEXICO and who does not know an “audible” from his paycheck and who is purely and simply UNCOACHABLE in the truest sense of the word! What a sad and tragic organization is the Atlanta Falcons and their “home” they call the Georgia Dome.

By The Stoic

January 2, 2007 09:52 AM | Link to this

Although warranted, the firing of the coach is only a small, easy initial step to recovery. Unfortunately, hiring a first-rank coach will be all but impossible given the Falcon’s meddlesome owner and his anointed “quarterback”. Arthur Blank has created problems that will at best take a few years to rectify, mainly because of the insane amount of money he has spent on Michael “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Vick. His lax, playground style of football (and in turn his ineffectiveness) can hardly be tolerated much longer - except by MV7 hypsters & cultists.

And for his own good, get rid of Matt Schaub too - he does not belong in this pathological organization. In arguably the Falcon’s biggest contribution ever to the NFL, they launched a Hall of Fame career when they traded away Bret Fauvre. Conceivably, Schaub might also develop into an actual first-rate NFL quarterback - something beyond the realm of reasonable expectation in the case of Vick.

By Tony H

January 2, 2007 09:59 AM | Link to this

Well U Vick Haters Mr. Blank got it right and I hope he and Mc Kay get it right with the new coach. But Vick has never been the problem if anything he is the reason you had a shot at the playoffs. What Vick needs is the coachng that Mc Nabb has had and even the coaching that Brees is getting in the NO you can’t win in NFL without it. So U Vick haters keep on hating while true fans and our Owner and GM bring in the right man to get this team going in the right direction oh yes by the way you Vick Haters I understand there is a sell on confederate flags in the North Georgia Mountains.

By Steph

January 2, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

I actually have heard receivers talk about their respect for MV and how he didn’t point the finger when everyone else (rightly so) did.

Overall, the lack of passion and fire comes from lack of confidence in coaches abilities. Two seasons in a row where the team collapses at half way point means other coaches watched film and adjusted and our coaches didn’t. We couldnt adjust to carolina and the run was no surprise since the QB was not on the field.. are you serious. I think there are coaches who would like to coach Vick , Vince Young ,etc b/c of the opportunity to do something innovative.

5 top passing performers Palmer, Bulger, Kitna, Manning and Brees, First three are at home with the Falcons this week b/c the complete unit is not cohesive and working on all levels. And the colts likely will be gone early in the playoffs b/c they cannot stop the run. Saints have best chance b/c offense, defense and special teams are all generally working well and yet they still would likely lose to Charges (#9 in passing) or the Ravens (#14) who both have complete units. See the pattern. Tell me again why MV is the reason we are not in the superbowl or how Indy receiver’s respect for Manning will take them anywhere beyond making the playoffs for the second year in a row. Yes, still better than the Falcons but again the weight we give this is laughable..

Why do we not give MV that same benefit of the doubt with an offensive line that does not protect (and not b/c they cant keep up with the scramble- if they protected in the first place no scramble would be needed) and wide receivers who miss wide open , touch passes that hit on their number. Also a secondary that still needs work. Keep Milloy. Put Jimmie Williams at safety. Get a power corner and tell D Hall to stop relying just on his physical ability and focus on learning the technical points of the positions.

I am not saying MV doesn’t need improvement but I am saying again that his regression started in the Mora era and that is undisputable. I don’t think he got a fair shot under Mora. Yes I think he needs to re-negotiate his contract and help build a superbowl team. He would get that back in endorsements in 2 years with a superbowl win anyway. But replace with Schaub.. I don’t know. Again two drives down the field. One ended with an interception and the other when he tripped over his own to feet on 3rd and overthrew on 4th.

Again, everytime I see thug or lack of class I will say it again. The only Falcons QB to get arrested is Matt Schaub. Can not dispute can you?

If Jim Mora had the guts to fire his friend , the OC and demand performance from his DC ( he gets a pass due to injuries)and hadnt campaigned for a new job on the radio he would still be here, even with record. All things he could have controlled and didnt.

By PAUL WESLEY

January 2, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Mark, can you write an article to answer these questions so Atlanta fans will know and understand. Why did we fire Dan Reeves? Can Mr. Blank look at that decision now and say that it was a mistake? Does he feel like Coach Reeves firing was pre mature and unwarranted? Does he feel like owning an NFL franchise and a very successful building supply company can be compared to each other and marketed and produced in the same manner? Is Mr Blank really serious about doing a good job keeping fans or is he more about pushing buttons and becoming the next Ted Turner. Does Mr Blank realize that if we were to make a short list of ex head coaches from the falcons they would all be better options than what the short list looks like now. The list would be LEEMAN BENNETT, JUNES JONES, JERRY GLANVILLE, DAN HENNING, and DAN REEVES. All are alive a ready to coach, and all would be better than any candidate out there currently. Add Jim Mora Jr to that list and it seriously drops off the table. Can Mr Blank just listen to one fan. Can he give the fans the list of candidates, present them to the fans and let the fans vote? Would he agree that the popular vote would be better than any of his or Mckays choices? Is the Taylor family still making decisions? Lastly, just why did we fire Dan Reeves? Was it a good decision?

By Steph

January 2, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

To Skott (Realistic)

I guess we will know soon enough about the interest to coach Vick.

But I do agree players need a lot more heart. I would like to see the dedciation I saw from the ref who got hit by Steve Smith, got up to make the call and then immediately went back down. Now that is dedication to the job.

But come on you have to admit that a scoach truly ready for the HC job ( whih Mora was not)would welcome the challenge in Atlanta as long as Arthur let them run the team.

Arthur doesnt get a pass either b/c he made three critical mistakes that players and fans have paid for.

1. Firing Dan reeves after a poor season as a result of MV breaking his leg. Reeves should have gotten a pass.

2. Not hiring Lovie Smith, who Rich McKay wanted)

3. Yes , the MV contract is a little much.

By Bill

January 2, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

The Glaring problem with the offence is VICK!!! His avg passing yards for 16 games is 154.6 yds. That stinks! Matt Schab was 15 of 21 for 175 yds in half of one game after sitting the whole season. Vick can’t find an open receiver even if the guy standing their jumping up and down waving his arms (Ask Alge, 2 games ago vs Dallas). When Matt is in all of a sudden everyone is open and the offence is much, much, much more balanced. Is #8 the answer? I don’t know, but he is definitly the best quarterback on the falcons. Not the best runner that would be Vick. A QB has to find open receivers, do progresion, throw accuratly, complete passes. The Wideouts looked fine the 2nd half, because the ball was thrown were they could catch it. I will not pay any more money to watch Michael Vick’s incompetence anymore. Ex-Falcon season ticket holder.

By 49ers Fan

January 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

This was no surprise to 49ers fans. Mora was a terrible defensive coordinator. He was great with the media and popular with the players, but his teams always, always underperformed.

By peckerhead

January 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

By Paul W = I bet if the truth were know, I bet Vick had a lot to do with that dicision.

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

To Bill. Good riddance. The Falcons don’t need you nor your season ticket holding behind. The immutable facts are that Schaub’s 15 of 21 for 175 yards still ended in a loss. What’s your point? Your comments are a glaring indication that you know nothing about football. Vick has done all of the things you mentioned in your post. Your myopia refuse to allow you to see it. The Falcons don’t need you. You are one of thousands of fans. Go cheer for another team. There are many others you know. Better yet…move to another city and please learn how to spell when you get there! Geez!

By David

January 2, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

It is ridiculous to read BLOGS where people are talking about bringing back former coaches. If they were good enough to stay here in the first place we never would have kicked them out of here in the second place. WHAT THE FALCONS NEED IS A PROVEN WINNER WHO CAN DEAL WITH TODAY’S PRIMA DONA ATHLETES. MIKE HOLMGREN, BILL COHWER, BILL PARCELS, JIMMY JOHNSON NAMES LIKE THAT COME TO MIND. If we bring back Leeman Bennett or June Jones, neither of them have a Steve Bartkowski to throw for them again. If we brought back Dan Reeves, he doesn’t have a Chris Chandler, Jamal Anderson, Tony Martin or Eugene Robinson. MIKE VICK IS A COMPLETE PAIN IN THE REAR END AND A PILE OF $HIT TO TRY AND COACH. Who out there can deal with someone who makes so much money that he doesn’t care if he wins or losses because he figures that he just ripped off the Falcons of millions of dollars. Mike Vick is a punk and a thug in cornrolls and I would get rid of him next. You can even keep the remainding assistant coaches but please RUN VICK OUT OF TOWN ON A RAIL. Vick should be held accountable for flipping the finger to his fans and bosses. Vick should have been cut from the team for doing that. TRADE VICK FOR RANDY MOSS, PROMOTE SCHAUB TO QUARTERBACK AND HIRE DENNIS GREEN AS YOUR NEW HEAD COACH. That would be a quick fix to ALL of the remainding problems and the Falcons would never experience a losing season ever again.

By David

January 2, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Well, I have read all of the comments. I have been a fan for 40 years, but no more. All the money that has been wasted for nothing! Rich McKay has brought in recievers that will not catch the ball, an offensive line that lacks the size and talent to block, a quarterback that is loved by the owner who can’t see past that. Vick is a great talent, but not one that will lead Atlanta anywhere. Just looking at the Philly game Sunday. Why is it that Shaub came in and had no problem dropping back and passing. Vicks talent is running and that is all it will ever be. Our secondary would have trouble covering most college teams. Hall claims to be so great but he constantly gets beaten. Injuries always play a part in the season. We have never had the talent to plug in. We have brought in some good players over the years but if they do not perform then what can you do. The coaches can only put them in the right position, they can’t make the play for them. Most of the players on this team are pretty lucky to be picking up a check every week for the effort that they make. And, Mark isn’t freedom of speech wonderful…as usual your articles are critical but no substance. You must kiss up to someone at the AJC to keep your job because you do not perform much better than those you criticize.

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

David, you are a complete idiot! Nuff said.

By J. Jackson

January 2, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Great article, except you got mistake Ron Mexico for a great talent.

Ron Mexico is a coach killer = we now see that. Race aside, the kid is a thug like his brother and even Dan Reeves had to use crayons and coloring books to lay out a playbook. Just look at Ron Mexico in interviews. His eyes are half open and he cannot speak. Like a burned out dope user (e.g. brother and most likely all his family), you are going to tell me he never parties with bro and he’s posse??

Trade this thug and put your money into drafting talent. The Eagles showed that a 3rd string veteran QB outperformed Ron Mexico as we have seen over the years. This team needs leadership, not thugs, college coaching and the stupid dirty bird crap. Long time fan who is once again hoping next year it will happen.

By Steph

January 2, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

To J. jackson. Matt Schaub is the only QB on the Falcons roster to get arrested. It was a bar room altercation. Is he a thug too?

Maybe he had a sip Sunday and that is the reason he tripped over his own two feet less than 5 yards from th end zone.

Okay that was a low blow but in 2007 everytime I hear the thug comment I will bring this up until someone can give a legitimate response.

By BTP

January 2, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Delta has a flight to Seattle. Get on it, Jim.

By PAUL WESLEY

January 2, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

To david: first of all a*, no one was calling for those ex head coaches to be hired, simply stated that list looks better than the list that is presented in the AJC today in the poll. I could live with Mariuchi. But dennis green? Give us a break. Like he can handle a team much less a single player. Randy Moss? cmon, are you serious? None of those guys you mention would set foot in Atlanta except Dennis Green. Thats ridiculus! And to say we will never have another losing season….oh my gosh what r u smokin?

By David

January 2, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

As it turned out, the words of Jim Mora, Sr. turned out to be prohetic about his son—MICHAEL VICK IS A COACH KILLER. Those words are the ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!! Vick’s play will kill every coach that gets hired as long as Vick is here. VICK IS THE PROBLEM. GET RID OF HIM TODAY. Call a news conference and announce that you are giving him his pink slip. Arthur Blank should just eat his contract and give him his walking papers. I don’t even care if we get anything for him, I don’t think he’s worth much. Schaub showed THE WORLD on Sunday that he is the greatest quarterback in the universe. The immutable facts on Schaub was evident, 15-21, 175 yards in ONE HALF OF FOOTBALL. Pro-rate those numbers for a complete game and you get 30-42, 350 yards, 2-3 touchdowns and somebody heading for the Hall-of-Fame. The falcons don’t need some thug sucker, finger flipping punk leading their football team. MATT SCHAUB HAS EARNED THE STARTING JOB!

By Boy Stop....

January 2, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Just a comment…. Schaub didn’t play all that well against Philly either. And this is who you think is the future??? Get real…

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

J. Jackson. You sound more like David Duke than a life time Falcon fan. Who needs fans like you? The Falcons sure as heck don’t. Get over yourself! Your incessant whining will not help you have your way! You know nothing about Vick’s family. I’m sure you and your family are paragons of virtue. Your comments reveal a great deal about your train of thought. a bigoted, narrow minded azz hole who hasn’t played a down of any kind of football at any level! One who would deign to impose his world view on everything and every one. You should be embarrassed for posting that lame, bullsh!t, foolishness! You are probably a bigger thug than Vick or any of his “bros or posse.” Go back to the primordial ooze that spawned your stupid azz! Wow! Mora killed himself with is coaching and putting his foot in his mouth. Of course you’re to simple minded to see this or you simply don’t want to see it.

“Race aside, the kid is a thug like his brother and even Dan Reeves had to use crayons and coloring books to lay out a playbook. Just look at Ron Mexico in interviews. His eyes are half open and he cannot speak. Like a burned out dope user (e.g. brother and most likely all his family), you are going to tell me he never parties with bro and he’s posse??” This comment alone exposes you as the racist azz hole you really are. Go get ready for you klan rally or something!

By Navigator

January 2, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Mark, you’re just a fluff reporter (just like you were in Lexington). It’s easy to write an article that blames the coaching staff for all of the problems. It’s like getting in front of a mob, and inciting them to riot. It’s a lot harder to write a tough article about a selfish quarterback, who after six years, has not improved as a quarterback. Why not go after McKay for drafting receivers that constantly drop catchable passes. How about writing about Alge Crumpler, who didn’t even run out his pattern, when Schaub came in. Or maybe write about a mettlesome owner, that comes on the field and has conversations with the head coach while play is going one. Man what I wouldn’t do for a tough minded writer who addresses the problems with a team, rather than playing up to the management.

By j. jackson

January 2, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Ron Mexico (i.e. “Thug”) IMO =

Left college early w/o graduating Paternity suits Herpes suits Brother’s criminal history Incoherent interviews Lack of leadership (pouting on sidelines) Non Team Player
Always an excuse for why I am not a very good QB Wardrobe Finger to Crowd Not a good role model to kids

Great athlete by far, but folks will not understand that he will never be a great QB. Many reasons why the Falcons stink (coaching, injuries, chop blocks by small lineman) but in six years he is what he is as many commentators now have the guts to say. A great athelete but not a great QB. Are we stuck with his contract and time and try to go forward with Ron , or do we cut bait and move forward with another choice. And it is not Schaub by far. He is a back up on any team. We simple need a veteran QB (black or white) who is mature and has experience to lead. It is a disgrace when your QB is the leading rusher on the team and the TE is the leading receiver…. how hard can it be to throw the ball to a receiver further than 10 yards…. bad blocking or not… other coaches must laugh at our offense’s ability to not push the ball down the field.

I agree Mora was way over his head as a HC and belongs in college. Knapp is a joke. Donetell, well with what he had the defense did ok. The cut blocks are bad taste period. Old man “Gibbs” and his undersize lineman should be shown the door as well.

By GJY

January 2, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Mr Blank, How does it feel to make a 100 million dollar + mistake??? Will you ever admit what everyone knows?

By theedge56

January 2, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Since when is thug the new “N” word. That is BS thug has no racial connotations examples: Jeremy Shocky thug and punk, Bill Romanowski thug, I could go on. I have not called Vick a thug nor do I think he should be traded, but I cannot for the life of me understand why calling someone a thug and you are the grand dragon.

Poor coaching, bad gameplanning, inability to make adjustments for anything (injury, being behind, teams stopping the run), and too much money going to a small few of the players, a meddling owner that needs to stay in the owners box, poor decisions by entire office have led to this.

I believe for the best bang for your buck trade Schaub now he is an restricted FA after next year you will get nothing in return if you do not pull the trigger on this thing this off season. I wish Mike would restructure his contract to allow the offensive line to be upgraded from the cast-offs they have now. SUMMARY alot of crap needs to be addressed even beyond Mora but I think they can get there with a realistic look at player performance not arrogance and team needs.

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Left college early w/o graduating Paternity suits Herpes suits Brother’s criminal history Incoherent interviews Lack of leadership (pouting on sidelines) Non Team Player Always an excuse for why I am not a very good QB Wardrobe Finger to Crowd Not a good role model to kids.

Nonetheless, he’s a multi-millionaire starting QB for a pro football team and expected to earn millions more in the future. Quite an accomplishment for a thug don’t you think J. Jackson? What’s your resume’ say J. Jackson??? What are your accomplishments? Since you are obviously holier and more virtuous and using your logic, you should be doing a helluva lot better than Vick. Are you? If you were, I seriously doubt you’d be spending your time blogging. Yet, you can judge this man and his family whom you’ve NEVER met nor spent one second with. AMAZING!!!! You are one piece of work!

By Michael Gailey

January 2, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Mr Blank, You did the right thing in releasing Mora. Knapp, Gibbs and Donnatell should join Jim elsewhere.

Hire the best HC you can find but please hire whomever was calling the Offensive plays in the Boise State - Oklahoma game for your OC. That guy was always ahead of Bob Stoops and the Sooners. What a brilliant offensive mind, the guy was totally unpredictable. With an OC like him, Michael Vick and the Falcons can win. Mora and his staff has no creative genius in the whole outfit. Paul Johnson at Navy is that same offensive type playcaller.

By ET

January 2, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I want to say something nice about Jim Mora. He is a nice guy. Nice guys finish last.

By D-Man

January 2, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

J.Jackson you called Vick a Thug, give me the definition of that? What you all fail to relize and think that Vick is the reason of Mora’s Demise is that he didn’t make Mora say those comments about Washington Huskies. So please understand this coaching change was very well needed big time. Any dedicated coach don’t fire himself the way Mora did. So I have no idea if you all are finding reasons to fire off at Vick or just love Schaub that much but please be intelligent about it.

Ohh and I like Schaub myself and hope we are able to keep him but I knowwwww he isn’t a starter over Vick period.

By j. jackson

January 2, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

Wings of Victory, you’re an idiot. Maybe Bill Cosby is right. I guess my kids who are of color, should quit school and look up to thugs such as TO, m. tyson, oj, and etc…. because athetic ability will get you there….

By TRACI

January 2, 2007 01:08 PM | Link to this

BRING BACK DAN REEVES

HIRE A HEAD COACH - NOT ANOTHER ROOKIE OUT OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Not someone whose THEORIES and charts and schemes worked on the College Footballs - BCS Bowl Game. Not some one who was a Coordinator - and walked around holding the Head Coaches Headphones.

No more theorist, and people who are still drinking SIMILAC.

Get a SEASONED Professional - who knows how to WIN, and has actually DONE IT at the Pro-LEVEL.

God Speed to you Mora —- Hello Seattle.

By ICEMAN

January 2, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this

All of you people that are crying for Vick to leave are wasting your breath. As a member of the Black community, I can attest, that we think he is the Martin Luther King of football. You cannot get rid of him as long as that type of mentality exists.

By TRACI

January 2, 2007 01:28 PM | Link to this

Hire Jerry Rice as the Receivers Coach

PLEASE!

I can’t believe some of the wide receivers - supposed to be #1 draft picks….. drop the ball more than they catch it.

By Bring Reeves Back!

January 2, 2007 01:36 PM | Link to this

Wings of Victory: what a bunch of bs that just came out of your mouth. So its not vicks fault when he threw the ball 20 feet over the recievers head on the biggest 3rd down of the season?(against carolina) or that he throws 5 yard passes to pad his stats on 3rd down and 20?? or that the falcons are 0-17 when trailing in the 4th quarter the past couple of years??? No im not jelous of s**, i actually wanna like vick but hes proven hes not a leader and dosent have the work ethic it takes to be a true champion like tom brady!
Realist: your wrong about wanting jarret over CJ, CJ is a class act all around not to mention the best reciever coming out in the draft in years! Cj is the type of player id like to spend my $ watching! Schuab proved what he wanted to everyone, that hes a much better drop back passer than vick and actually showed touch on passes! Was anone actually stupid enough to want the falcons to win that final game?…i was so glad when schuab tripped because it ment we got the #10 pick instead of around #20. I think our recievers get a bad rap because vick throws at there feet or over there heads way to often. I know we didnt score but once, but schuab did throw the first 4th quarter touchdown in forever! And he did lead us down the field 4 times in the 4th quarter. More than ive seen vick do in any 4th quarer this year. like i said…vick:0-17 when trailing entering the 4th quarter…speaks for itself! I mean really…how can u defend that? Vick is the anti john elway.

By Gwen

January 2, 2007 01:55 PM | Link to this

I HAVE BEEN A FALCON FAN FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THE VICK HATERS NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THE GAME, VICK IS NOT THE PLAY CALLER, BLOCKER, RECEIVER, SO ALL YOU VICK HATERS GET A LIFE AND READ ABOUT THE GAME AND FIND OUT WHAT THE ROLL OF THE QB REALLY IS. I LIKED MORA AND I THINK BLANK GAVE HIM A CHANGE AND HE BLEW IT, SO IT IS TIME TO SAY FAREWELL AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST, BUT HE WANTED TO GO ANYWAY BECAUSE NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD MAKE A COMMENT LIKE IT DID, RIGHT BEFORE ONE OF THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR, SO I SAY FARWELL. I HOPE WE CAN GET A COACH WITH SOME BACKBONE AND HEARD NOSE COACHING. VICK IF YOU ARE READING ANY OF THIS BULL PEOPLE ARE WRITING, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT WE STILL LOVE YOU AND WE KNOW YOU WILL STILL BE AROUND NEXT YEAR AND YEARS TO COME UNDER THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND BRING THAT SUPERBOWL TO THIS GREAT CITY. KEEP THE FAITH VICK, YOU ARE AS GOOD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE MAYBE EVEN BETTER.

By El Birdo

January 2, 2007 02:07 PM | Link to this

What a BAD article! Let me count the ways:

1) Lewis, Crennel and Saban have really been lighting it up in the NFL! I love both Crennel and Saban, but if that’s your best shot, please! And Smith is in charge of a prototypical NFL team, not an 80’s west-coast bunch of midgets.

2) “Great coaches adjust. Mora’s teams tinkered — some games they’d throw a lot, others scarcely at all — but never established a forceful signature”. Too funny! Bill Belichick is considered a “genius” because his game plans change dramatically from week to week. SO I guess Belichick just likes to “tinker”.

3) “The Falcons under Mora were always one of the NFL’s more gifted assemblages” So, I guess the parts are more important the whole. Once again, I’ll point out Belichick’s team-oriented Patriots as the antidote to that silliness. This team is simply not built to compete in today’s NFL.

4) “Ultimately an owner has to ask: Are we losing because we don’t have the players or because those players are being misdirected? This was an easy call. There was no reason for this offense — No. 1 in rushing, No. 32 in passing — to be so imbalanced” Ummm, yes there was! Let’s see…we have a gifted QB who can run, but cannot pass with any consistency. We have an O-line scheme that is designed for run blocking, not pass protection. And we have receivers who cannot hold onto the ball. Pretty clear to me!

Mark, you are either on the board of HD or own a lot of stock…or have drank too much of the cool aid.

By Gwen

January 2, 2007 02:11 PM | Link to this

To everyone:

I’m sorry if I got a little out of hand defending Vick. I don’t have a man of my own so therefore I have to fantasize about men I can’t have. I respect all of your opinions about Vick and this team.

Go Falcons!!

By July Jones

January 2, 2007 02:21 PM | Link to this

Yo Gwen, bottle it up.

Blank got rid of Mora and rightfully so. His decision would have been right on the money if he told Vick to pack up his $hit and go too.

Vick isn’t the play caller, blocker or the receiver. He’s the quarterback. He has his hands on the ball 60 times a game. He put up a whopping 3 points on the hapless Panthers - who beat us without playing a quarterback - and fumbled the ball on the game winning drive against Cleveland.

Schaub comes in against the Eagles and, with the same blockers, the same receivers and same play caller and moves the ball up and down the field.

We ain’t going to win with Vick.

By El Birdo

January 2, 2007 02:28 PM | Link to this

Gwen, fans like you are part of the problem. Sycophants who are willing to believe in the cult of personality rather than production are why AB will probably retain Vick. Keep buying his shirts and his BS, and AB will keep trotting out this exciting but flawed team to break our collective hearts ever December.

If MV7 were an item at HD, AB would place him on the clearance rack because we was too tired of all the negative returns.

By ICEMAN

January 2, 2007 02:37 PM | Link to this

July Jones,

Did Schuab win the game? Why don’t you at least root for someone who’s a winner. This is why people like Gwen called you a hater.

P.S. The play caller, blocker and receiver didn’t do their job either, are you going to rag on them now?

By j. jackson

January 2, 2007 02:51 PM | Link to this

quoted by “the genius3.” Sorry genius, but this says it nicely. We are here to talk about the Falcons (overpaid underperforming crybabies who are right now on vacation in $1000 night hotels), not agenda’s. And I’m not convinced Schaub is the answer, a nice reliable backup, sort of like Gracia or Bulger, or Culpepper.

By genius3 January 2, 2007 01:23 PM | Link to this I know that all of you have been waiting to hear from the genius. Well, here is my take on the Jim Mora poofa. Jim Mora is NOT the problem; he does not play on the field and really has little to do with the falcons performance. Fact is: The players are not playing up to their level of compensation. Not too many years ago, professional players for the most part were exactly that, professional. They played with pride and cared about the team; now it is about money, it is about business. QB Vick is a good talent, a very fast runner. But all you have to do is listen to him in a press conference and realize he doesn’t have the aptitude to lead a kid out of a tunnel, much less lead a pro team or read defenses. It is not a knock on Vick, it is just the way it is. He needs to be in the backfield as a runner and that is the way it is. Did you see Schaub yesterday; yes, he had an interception. My goodness, why would that be a surprise when he is stuck in the game on the spur of the moment? He did a masterful job; he is a born leader. But he will most likely be lost to another team for 2007 and we are going to have the same mixed bag mess that we have had the last several years. It won’t make any difference who Blank brings in as coach; it will be the same Mike Vick mess that we have endured in the past. Don’t make it a race issue because that is not the answer; the answer is to get these players up to their potential. The genius has spoken

By July Jones

January 2, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this

ICEMAN - Schaub didn’t win the game. He isn’t the answer. But he completed 15/21 against Ron Mexico who went 8/14. He also completed a touchdown pass in the 4th quarter - which Vick hasn’t done all year.

Which winner do you suggest I root for? Mr. $130 Million, 7 win - 9 loss Michael Vick with a quarterback rating of 72 ?

By The Stoic

January 2, 2007 03:22 PM | Link to this

Although warranted, the firing of the coach is only a small, easy initial step to recovery. Unfortunately, hiring a first-rank coach will be all but impossible given the Falcon’s meddlesome owner and his anointed “quarterback”. Arthur Blank has created problems that will at best take a few years to rectify, mainly because of the insane amount of money he has spent on Michael “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Vick. His lax, playground style of football (and in turn his ineffectiveness) can hardly be tolerated much longer - except by MV7 hypsters & cultists.

And for his own good, get rid of Matt Schaub too - he does not belong in this pathological organization. In arguably the Falcon’s biggest contribution ever to the NFL, they launched a Hall of Fame career when they traded away Bret Fauvre. Conceivably, Schaub might also develop into an actual first-rate NFL quarterback - something beyond the realm of reasonable expectation in the case of Vick.

By The Stoic

January 2, 2007 03:31 PM | Link to this

Although warranted, the firing of the coach is only a small, easy initial step to recovery. Unfortunately, hiring a first-rank coach will be all but impossible given the Falcon’s meddlesome owner and his anointed “quarterback”. Arthur Blank has created problems that will at best take a few years to rectify, mainly because of the insane amount of money he has spent on Michael “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Vick. His lax, playground style of football (and in turn his ineffectiveness) can hardly be tolerated much longer - except by MV7 hypsters & cultists.

And for his own good, get rid of Matt Schaub too - he does not belong in this pathological organization. In arguably the Falcon’s biggest contribution ever to the NFL, they launched a Hall of Fame career when they traded away Bret Fauvre. Conceivably, Schaub might also develop into an actual first-rate NFL quarterback - something beyond the realm of reasonable expectation in the case of Vick.

By regulator

January 2, 2007 03:33 PM | Link to this

I remember the belly laughs from my friends in the Bay Area when the Falcons hired Mora, guess they were right, also this Brady Quinn crap is stupid, he couldn’t carry Micahel Vicks jock, get a real coach in here and see what happens.

By Mothball

January 2, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

ICEMAN – I would like to be properly educated as to how you can legitimately compare a leader of men and champion of peace to Michael Vick. On the surface, I find the comparison very troubling.

With regards to Vick, he will have an opportunity with his third coach to prove that he is a demigod or not. In 2 or 3 years, all of this speculation will be unnecessary.

I, for one, hope he hoists the Lombardi trophy proudly as a Falcon. However, the body of evidence suggests that continued inconsistent play resulting in average seasons is as likely a possibility.

Go Falcons!!

By Navigator

January 2, 2007 03:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve tried to digest all of the dump Vick blogs. I just have one question for both sides, Vick is one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL. I want to take race out of the question, so here it is. If you have an opportunity to evaluate the careers of two quarterbacks, Vick and McNabb, which one would you like to have as your quarterback (given both are healthy)?

By Paul

January 2, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

2004 11-5 record really belongs to Dan Reeves. What was the reason for firing Dan? Yes, he had a bad record but, Vick was hurt.

Ummmmm Mora, what a sorry coach and a coaching team.

Get a coach that can coach and take advantage of the talents of players, that is what good coaches do, make adjustments and game plans according the team talent. Not the other way around.

By hcoop

January 2, 2007 03:44 PM | Link to this

How interesting that two recent AJC articles involving Mora’s firing inevitably lead to negative blogs about Vick. The fans have spoken. A Blank, are you finally listening?

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this

“Bring Reeves Back” your very name makes ANYTHING you have to say invalid! Geez! LMAO @ you!

By July Jones

January 2, 2007 03:56 PM | Link to this

Right on Mothball. MLK vs. MV? No comparison. Insulting to MLK.

However, it is nice of ICEMAN to at least admit that he is a member of the black community and show his true allegiance.

The fact is that if Vick was a white quarterback, with his stats, flippin’ off the fans, spewing herpes around, making country music videos, blamin’ the offensive coordinator then he would have been run out of town last year.

He wouldn’t have got a pass on his 7 year ‘development’ plan either.

By July Jones

January 2, 2007 04:02 PM | Link to this

NAVIGATOR - McNabb hands down. In fact, I’ll go one better and say that I’d take Vince Young over MV. I’ve seen more ‘development’ out of VY in 1 season than I have with MV in 6.

MV is the same quaterback as he was at Virginia Tech except that he now runs out of bounds rather than taking a hit.

Still can’t throw consistently, can’t read a defense, fumbles the ball too much, gets sacked too often and kills his coaches.

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 04:09 PM | Link to this

**By j. jackson

January 2, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

Wings of Victory, you’re an idiot. Maybe Bill Cosby is right. I guess my kids who are of color, should quit school and look up to thugs such as TO, m. tyson, oj, and etc…. because athetic ability will get you there….**

I don’t care if your kids are purple, this doesn’t give you the right to disparage Mike Vick and his family. You ARE a piece of work with your bullsh!t elitist attitude. What does TO, m.tyson, oj, etc. have to do with this? Just because of your attitude, don’t be surprised if your kids DO turn out to be like the very people that you dispise and feel are beneath you. Don’t think it’s possible? I’m not here to defend any of them. I’d just like to know when you became a deity so that people can recognize you as the god you aspire to be. Be careful of the stones that you throw. Some one make throw them back and break your little glass house! What an azz hole! LOL!

By falconclaws1221

January 2, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

FOR ALL VICK HATERS KNOWLEDGE IS POWER UNLESS YOUR IQ LEVEL IS SUCH YOU CANNOT COMPREHIND.

Pro Career 2004: Named to his second Pro Bowl after starting all 15 games played and completing 181 of 321 passes for 2,313 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions…Also posted career-highs with 120 carries for 902 yards along with three rushing touchdowns…Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on two separate occasions during the season…Became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game in a performance against the Broncos (10/31)…Set an NFL playoff record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards against the Rams (1/15/05)…Led the team to an 11-4 record, which was the third-best record for a starting quarterback in team history behind Chris Chandler (13-1 in 1998) and Steve Bartkowski (12-4 in 1980)…Tied a modern-day NFL single-season record for the most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback with three on his way to setting an NFL record for the most career 100-yard rushing games for a quarterback with five.

2003: Completed 50 of 100 passes for 585 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and rushed 40 times for 255 yards and one touchdown in five games played with four starts…Made first appearance of the season at Houston (11/30), entering the contest with 2:14 left in the third quarter after a LB Chris Draft interception, relieving starter Doug Johnson, with Atlanta trailing 17-7. Looked impressive in 2003 debut, completing a crisp 8-of-11 passes for 60 yards and rushing three times for 16 yards in just over one quarter of work to pull Atlanta from behind, but effort fell short in a 17-13 loss…Started for the first time all season the next week vs. Carolina (12/7) on national TV on ESPN and amassed the third-highest total rushing yards EVER by a quarterback with 141 yards on 14 carries and scored one rushing touchdown to lead the Falcons to a come-from-behind 20-14 overtime victory. The 141 yards trails only the 150 by Tobin Rote from Green Bay on November 18, 1951 and his own NFL record of 173 at Minnesota December 1, 2002 on the NFL’s all-time list for quarterbacks. The 14 carries were a career-high, besting the 10 he has had in a game four times. A 43-yard rush in the fourth quarter on the game-tying drive was the fourth longest run ever by a Falcons quarterback. Completed 16 of 33 passes for 179 yards and accounted for 320 of the team’s 380 total yards worth of offense…At Tampa Bay (12/20), he engineered a 30-28 victory to knock the Buccaneers out of the playoff race and stop a five-game losing skid vs. Tampa Bay. Completed 8-of-15 passes for 119 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 119.2. It was the sixth, two touchdown game of his career. Rushed 12 times for 39 yards with a long rush of 12 yards…Closed out the season with a 21-14 victory vs. Jacksonville (12/28), where he completed 12 of 22 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

2002: Became a bona fide star and MVP candidate in his first season at the age of 22…Named to the Pro Bowl in 2002 to become only the sixth quarterback to be voted to the NFL All-Star game in his first year as a starter since 1970, joining Dan Marino of Miami (1983), Brett Favre of Green Bay (1992), Kurt Warner of St. Louis (1999), Daunte Culpepper of Minnesota (2000) and Tom Brady of New England (2001)…Blessed with rare athletic abilities not before seen at the quarterback position in the history of the NFL…Possesses deft combination of blazing speed as a runner and a cannon for a left arm…Intense competitor…Called the “most electrifying and exciting player in the NFL” by his peers and media throughout the League…Missed 11 games in 2003 after breaking his right fibula vs. Baltimore (8/16) in preseason…Returned to start in Week 14 and led Falcons to a 20-14 overtime victory vs. Carolina (12/7)…Guided team to a 3-1 overall record as a starter in final four weeks of the season…Established four new NFL records in 2002, including most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 173 yards at Minnesota (12/1) to shatter a 51 year-old mark…With a 141 yard rushing day vs. Carolina (12/7/03), he now owns two of the top three best rushing games ever for a quarterback in NFL history…Ran for more yards in his first two seasons (1,066) than any quarterback in NFL history.

2001: Started two of eight games played and completed 50 of 113 passes for 785 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions…Also rushed 29 times for 289 yards (9.9 avg.) and one touchdown…Made NFL debut at San Francisco (9/9) and saw limited action.

College Career

One of the most exciting athletes to ever play college football. Applied for early entry into NFL draft (as a redshirt sophomore) after two seasons as Virginia Tech’s starter and one appearance in National Championship Game. Led the Hokies into the National spotlight for two seasons and carried the school (on his arm and legs) to compete in the National Championship Game in his first season as a college starting quarterback in 1999. Captured the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football Player of the Year as a redshirt freshman that season when he led the nation in passing efficiency at 180.37, the second-highest total ever, and guided the Hokies to a perfect 11-0 regular season record. Set an NCAA record for a freshman in the process and established single-season school records for highest yards passing per completion (20.4), per attempt (12.1), highest completion % (59.2) and most yards per play (9.3). Appeared in 10 games, completing 90 of 152 passes for 1,840 yards with 12 touchdowns, and rushed 108 times for 585 yards with eight more scores. Averaged 242.5 yards of offense per game. His incredible performance in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida State for the National Championship included completing 15 of 29 pass attempts for 225 yards with a 49 yard touchdown pass, as well as gaining 97 yards on 23 carries with a three yard score, to total 322 yards of offense in almost single-handidly engineering an upset before falling, 46-29. Finished third in the balloting for the coveted Heisman Trophy (matching the highest finish ever by a freshman) while coming away with the hardware for Big East Conference Offensive and Rookie of the Year and finished runner-up in voting for the Associated Press Player of the Year. Became the first player in Division I history to win a league’s Player of the Year Award in the same season he won Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore in 2000, he completed 87 of 161 passes for 1,234 yards with eight touchdowns while carrying 104 times for 607 yards. Finished his career with a 20-1 record as starter at Virginia Tech.

Personal Bio

Was a spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and the Empty Stocking Fund. He gives credit to the Boys & Girls Club in his hometown for helping him grow as a youth. He provided a monetary donation through a player performance pledge to the local chapter for every touchdown pass. Vick also invited more than 100 kids from the Boys & Girls club locally to the team’s facility after a Saturday practice for a punt, pass and kick competition, as well as a flag football game. He purchased tickets for the kids to attend a Falcons game the next day. As a part of ESPN.com’s “Jocks to GI’s”, he had a GI email pen pal overseas during the war with Iraq that he communicated with in the spring of 2003. He and SSgt, USAF Angela Geist from Lawrenceville, Ga., shared emails and life experiences. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s “101 Most Influential Minorities In Sports” in May of 2003 at #77, the highest-rated current football player. This list is comprised of “men and women who are reshaping the sports industry and opening doors through which others will follow”. He was chosen to be the EA Sports cover athlete and spokesman for (John) Madden NFL 2004. Vick has always been a big fan of the game. He is the second cousin of Saints QB Aaron Brooks. He became the 11th quarterback selected with the top overall pick in the NFL draft since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 and the first African-American quarterback ever taken with the #1 overall choice. He was ironically drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB draft despite not playing baseball since the 8th grade. A three-year starter at Warwick High School in Newport News, Va., under coach Tommy Reamon, he passed for 4,846 yards with 43 touchdowns during his career. He also added 1,048 yards and 18 scores on the ground. He accounted for 10 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns as a senior as he passed for 1,668 yards. His brother, Marcus, followed his footsteps at Warwick H.S. and is a quarterback at Virginia Tech. He hails from talent-rich Tidewater, Va. area that has also produced the likes of athletes such as Allen Iverson (76ers), Ronald Curry (ex-UNC football and basketball player) and Brooks. He throws the football left-handed but does just about everything else right-handed. His mother, Brenda Boddie, is a strong positive influence in his life. Born Michael Dwayne Vick on June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia.

By Mothball

January 2, 2007 04:43 PM | Link to this

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2717393

Soothsayer, racist pig,informed sports writer? Inquiring minds want to know.

By El Birdo

January 2, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this

alconclaws1221

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, nothing wrong with that

By sam

January 2, 2007 04:51 PM | Link to this

after as 3 seasons in the nfl, brady quinn will be a much better qb than vick. i like vick but he just isnt an nfl qb. a great athlete but not the qb we all hoped he’d end up being. right now, i’d trade brady quinn’s nfl future for mike vick’s.and remember.. GO IRISH!

By Jul y Jones

January 2, 2007 04:52 PM | Link to this

Falconclaws - here’s some more stats.

2006 record 7-9 2005 record 8-8

2006 Cleveland Browns - fumbles football without anyone hitting him on game winning drive in 4th quarter because he was carrying it like a loaf of bread.

2006 passer rating of 75.7 despite having a contract of $130 Million dollars.

Hasn’t engineered a 4th quarter scoring drive in memory. Hasn’t thrown a 4th quarter touchdown pass in 23 games (longest in NFL).

Hasn’t scored on an opening drive all year (longest in NFL).

2006 - Has a completion rating of 52% (lowest of any started in the NFL) and his team’s offense has the worst passing game in pro football (not including Canada or NFL Europe).

2006 - Went 0-7 when leading his team in rushing.

Has a career completion percentage of 53% despite 4 different coaches working on his “development”.

2001 - 2006 Can’t read a defense. Can’t find his outlet receivers. Can’t throw an accurate pass consistently. Makes up plays in the huddle.

2006 - Blames his problems on his ‘discomfort’ with the coaching staff and his offensive set.

2006 - Flips off fans who are displeased with his performance

Sorry, but my IQ must be a little too low for you since I think he isn’t worth the money he is getting paid.

By falconclaws1221

January 2, 2007 04:57 PM | Link to this

MOTHBALL GO BACK TO YOUR CEDAR CHEST WHERER YOU BELONG

By coach

January 2, 2007 05:04 PM | Link to this

Well guess Vick is a coach killer.

By David

January 2, 2007 05:20 PM | Link to this

As a fellow blogger pointed out so clearly before, Michael Vick’s talent is running and Matt Schaub’s talent is passing. Since Schaub is now a restricted agent and he will be out of options next year, why don’t we SIGN BOTH OF THEM (Schaub and Vick) to long-term contracts and hand the keys over to Schaub as the new starting quarterback, while moving Vick over to the tailback position. We would be able to utilize BOTH talents brilliantly and it would assure us of not losing another Hall-Of-Fame quarterback like we did when we lost Brett Farve. The facts of the matter are this: when Vick drops back in the pocket he is unable to find his receivers and his favorite targets. When Schaub played in the game in Philadelphia, Schaub had NO TROUBLE AT ALL FINDING HIS RECEIVERS, passing for 15-21, a buck seventy-five (175) in literally only ONE HALF OF FOOTBALL. That is one of the BEST quarterbacking talents in the league but no one can see it because they are blinded by Vick’s $130 million dollar salary. Rich McKay and Arthur Blank: I am calling you guys out to do the right thing. Give Vick the starting tailback position while promoting Schaub to first string quarterback. Then go out and hire a really good head coach (say a Bill Walsh or someone of that calibre). You will then have all the ingredients for an NFL super powerhouse team and you will have done yourselves proud after wasting six years of Michael Vick’s enormously brilliant talents.

By Mothball

January 2, 2007 05:21 PM | Link to this

Oooooh! So feisty!

Jump over to Wyche’s new blog and let’s here a little more elaborate response. After all, you have proven to be quite an orator.

By Wings of Victory

January 2, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

These rebel, civil war losing, rednecks are ALL insane. The fact that they can’t have their way with regards to Mike Vick, eats them alive everyday. So they come on these blogs hoping to satiate themselves a little with insults and redneck rhetoric. A pathetic bunch they are. Some of them, the more EVOLVED ones, even make feeble attempts at intellectualizing. No wonder the South is light years behind from the rest of the world. These retards think it’s 1857. Anyone who is not a southern WASP is the enemy. Ranked 47th in education and sliding and it is glaringly evident on these blogs. People have a nice idea of Atlanta until they get here and deal with these backwoods rednecks. The Jimbobs, the cooters, the billyrays, the bubbas and “things” like that. They know Vick isn’t going anywhere, but their limited intelligence just can’t get them to acccept it. They know that Schaub can’t do any better, so they invent stuff for their own sick little pleasures and imaginings. I know people in other parts of the world who have mistakenly ventured in to the Falcons blogs and run away screaming. Some have even confused it as a supremacist website. Instead of opting to cheer for another team they sit back and pretend that they have a say so in how the falcons franchise will be run. WOW!!!!!! Inmates wanting to run the asylum! LOL!

By GET A LIFE

January 2, 2007 08:10 PM | Link to this

WILL YOU ALL PLEASE JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!!

GOD, THE SEASON IS OVER!!!

GO OUT AND GET A LIFE!!

WHO CARES ALREADY!!

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU CAN NOT CARE MORE ABOUT THESE TEAMS THAN THE PLAYERS, COACHES, GM, AND OWNER DO!!!