Sports Columnists

By larry w.

January 11, 2007 08:38 PM | Link to this

In today’s NFL, hiring the right coordinators is just as important as hiring the right head coach. I think that was Mora’s biggest flaw, his coordinators. I’m not really very familiar with Hue Jackson, but his receivers at Cincy are very productive so that says something about his ability to coach players up to their potential. Zimmer is a more familiar name that has a reputation for producing aggressive defenses that like to put the heat on the quarterback. We can only hope that these hires will be able to coach our players up to their potential and give us all a product on the field that will be exciting and aggressive on both sides of the ball.

By Dbl. D

January 11, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

My fingers are crossed, as always. If Bobby doesn’t “get it done” Blank will fire him also. Go Falcons !!

By brad

January 11, 2007 08:49 PM | Link to this

If the best argument you can muster against hiring Petrino is that Erickson, Saban, Spurrier, and Davis didn’t have success in the NFL, so Petrino won’t either, then I don’t think you have a very good argument.

First, what do you even mean by ‘success’? It’s unclear. For instance, in retrospect Spurrier’s years at Washington don’t look as bad as they appeared to initially. Gibbs has had a horrible time there since Spurrier left. In addition, by all accounts, Saban’s Dolphins had a successful season his first season and slipped this season due to issues at QB. If what you mean by success is merely making the playoffs, then perhaps you have a case.

However, that brings me to my second point, which is that you haven’t even begun to consider the various contexts in which these coaches were coaching. As McKay points out, these coaches were mostly handed teams that lacked talent in significant ways. It seems you try to suggest the same here in Atlanta with Petrino - you say the defense is creaky and they’ve had back-to-back non-winning seasons - but the reason Mora was fired is because by all accounts this team was significantly underachieving given their level of talent. Seriously, this team has TALENT. And that’s why I think Petrino is a good choice. He has a clue as to how to put these parts together.

Third, Petrino has NFL experience, including a season as an offensive coordinator. Again, by all accounts, he was successful. If that’s not enough experience for you, then how much is? 4 seasons? 5? Where do you draw the line? And surely the experience he does have counts for something.

So, until this is worked out in much further detail, I think Moore’s column is a bunch of fluff. Basically, he was assigned the role of being ‘bad guy’ for this news item. And it shows because he doesn’t do it convincingly.

By Flight

January 11, 2007 08:49 PM | Link to this

Arrrgh! Sounds good to me!

By Card Alum

January 11, 2007 09:13 PM | Link to this

Listen up Falcon fans. Those other birds, known as the Louisville Cardinals, have moved on with one the nation’s best college football coaches. We are not having a “bad day” here. We have moved on, not missing a step. McKay has not a drop of insight as he opines that the tremendously overrated Bobby Petrino is a good move for the Falcons. This clown is college football coach, not an NFL caliber leader. You all will find that out over the next couple of years after Blank fires his a* and apologizes to the city of Atlanta for selecting such a boner.

Bobby Petrino, you deserve the fate that you chose - that of a loser. Too bad the Falcons have to go down with you.

By Josh C

January 11, 2007 09:17 PM | Link to this

Whoever this one person is posting the same junk is crazy. May I recommend suicide for you? I truly believe it will fix your problems. Seriously.

By Josh C

January 11, 2007 09:21 PM | Link to this

Kragthorpe one of the nation’s best? Hmmm…not much credibility for you pal. He may develop but right now you couldn’t possibly put him in the top 20.

By JDB

January 11, 2007 09:23 PM | Link to this

WOW. Using other peoples names from the AFMB’s then posting racial slurs under them on the AJC blog… What a classy guy you must be. One day it will come back to you.

By Dawg

January 11, 2007 09:33 PM | Link to this

What in the world is going on in here? What’s with all the racial slurs? I feel like we’re back in the ‘60’s.

By JLS

January 11, 2007 09:37 PM | Link to this

Josh C……you show your knowledge of the situation and the college game. Kragthorpe was on many schools hot list, as well as the fact Parcells tired to hire him away from Tulsa, he was approached by Miami of Florida and North Carolina, and was number one on OK’s list in the event Stoops ever left. This is all well documented. You have demonstrated once again that you are simply another Atlanta fan who does not know what your talking about. YOUR lack of credibility goes well with the lack of integrity of your new coach. You may want to think about seeking him out on the corner when Vick is pimping him, he would like you. He would probably think you have a perty mouth.

By gbd

January 11, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

Who monitors this board?? If no one, I will volunteer. It is sad that so many people disintegrate into foul language when they have nothing to share or say. Hey AJC, get on top of it.

By Mr C.

January 11, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

I find it very annoying for folks to be posting racial insults on this blog. How come AJC doesn’t clean up the blogs. The insults is over the top. I wish the idiot will post his real name or tell us where we can meet him? You might not live to tell the story. What a moron!!!!

By Steve T

January 11, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Bobby is going to be a very good coach. He has some fire in him. I bet if we do not move the ball inside the five, some people will get chewed out.

By the way, leave T. Moore alone. For the person who stated the he will beat someone with his bible read this:

http://www.godonthe.net/wasblack.htm http://www.godonthe.net/cme/lessons/blktribe.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3958241.stm

There is a church in Lucca, Italy that claims to be the most lifelike representation of Jesus on the cross. In this he is clearly dark skinned. I’ll go with that option. Stephen Higgins, Oxford, UK

In my opinion, I think Jesus was black. From the perspective that he was brought to Africa when he was a baby and he did not appear to be odd. Also from the angle that he was a Jew and some Jews are black. Essentially is that there is no tribe on earth that is white in the real sense of the word white. Prince Peterson Odiase, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

By midnite

January 11, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Moore, good to see you have mellowed on the hiring of Petrino. I’m optimistic about the new coordinators. This means we wont be calling the plays from the stands anymore. Vick is coachable, plays his tail off, and has taken some serious licks for the sake of this team his whole career. We should be in good shape for 2007.

By JLS

January 11, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

You know what….Steve T., he probably will be fine. It is his character that should concern you. Most of this is in fun. But the core issue is the fact that Petrino was always looking, even a day after he signed an extension. This happened not once but twice…..two years ago after signing an extension, he was talking to LSU the NEXT day. And last year he left Mr. Davis to believe he was coming to Oakland, but only used that to get a 10 year deal. That is what we are talking about more than anything. As an alumnus of the university I am glad he is gone, for I got tired of the roller coaster. We did feel like he did nothing but prostitute his position for a higher pimp. Well, he has found in Atlanta with Vick.

By larry w.

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

It will be interesting to see how many of the present O-linemen stick under Petrino. From what I’ve read, Petrino likes a vertical passing game, equally mixed with a power running game. If that is the case, he will need to address our O-lines inability to pass protect and push oppossing lines off of the line of scrimmage in the run game. We will probably see a this area addressed in the draft or free agency or both.

By D.W.

January 11, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

There are coaches with extensive college experience that have not done well in the league, but there is also Jimmy Johnson.

So let’s all just wait and see!!!

By The Dean 21

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

The Falcons will be much better in 07. They finally have a football coach that will demand results from his players. They finally have a football coach that will have a game plan and be able to make adjustments. They finally have a football coach who will know his players skills and how to use them. They finally have a football coach who will not fire himself through the media!

I think the key to next season is the offensive line and defensive secondary. The play calling on both sides will be much better. I think we all should support this coaching staff because they surely can’t be worse than who they replaced!!

By scotty k.

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

who knows what will happen now that petrino has taken over the reigns. but you have to agree the falcons got a proven winner. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!

By The Dean 21

January 11, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU AJC FOR STANDING UP AND TAKING CARE OF THIS BLOG…GOD KNOWS IT NEEDED PROTECTION FROM THE NEGATIVE AND NASTY COMMENTS LISTED. MAYBE NOW WE PROFESSIONAL BLOGGERS CAN POST OUR COMMENTS IN PEACE WITHOUT SO MUCH HATE!

AGAIN THANK YOU AJC!!

By paulywantawinner

January 11, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

lets all wait and see. who the hell knows what next season will bring. i mean look at new orleans who would have thought. lets all be opened minded and give these guys a chance. as someone said, they surely can’t be any worse than what we had. so to all true Falcons Fans! Win Lose or Draw, let’s pull for the new guys, Go Falcons!

By gigaman13

January 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I have the answer to all of ATL’s problems! 1) draft Calvin and Kenneth Darby, 2)get ogres on the left side of the line, 3) get the best corner in free agency, 4) grab Tre Battle in the 5th round, and 5) get a DB’s coach that will teach the secondary what it is supposed to do. No need for thanks, I’m just here to solve all of the falcons’ problems. BTW, the answer to the goal line is to hire 3 or 4 big mamajamas that all they can do is push people into the end zone. Two words, Grady Jackson!

By ICEMAN

January 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

We must keep in mind that McKay and Blank want to win to. I think we forget that sometimes and get caught up in what we want. Their jobs and wealth are invested in this. That is not the case with us. All we do is voluntarily buy tickets.

By Hal

January 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me the success rate of NFL assistant coaches,without prior head coaching experience, that become head coaches?

By RD

January 12, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Speculations about the Falcon’s future are a dime a dozen and yes, if you are an Atlanta fan you want to be optimistic. Petrino did well as a coach at Louisville and just about everywhere else he has been, and is truly a mastermind when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.

Regardless of his talents, I just don’t understand why everyone is so caught up in his strengths and weaknesses when I think what really builds a good football team is the character of a coach and the way the players respond to him. This is what seperates college from the pro’s. Petrino had the respect of his team at Louisville, but in the professional ranks, it is ESSENTIAL that a coach needs to have respect from his players. I believe the future of the Atlanta Falcons hinges on Petrino’s respect factor. If he can get the respect of Vick and the team as a whole it’s like a blank check in terms of how far they will go.

By ICEMAN

January 12, 2007 01:10 PM | Link to this

RD,

Your comments are right on the money. I just hope that some of the idiots on this blog realize that.

By GA-DAWG33

January 12, 2007 01:13 PM | Link to this

I THINK THE FALCONS GOT A GOOD ONE IN PATRINO. RULE 1 FOR PATRINO…..1) DRAFT CALVIN JOHNSON!!! GIVE MIKE SOMEONE TO THROW TO THAT WILL CATCH IT DEEP SO THAT WILL OPEN UP THE RUNNING GAME. ALSO, GET TRE BATTLE IN THE 4TH ROUND TO HELP BOLSTER THE SECONDARY. WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SNEAK KENNY IRONS OUT IN THE 3RD ROUND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

By Magneto

January 12, 2007 01:18 PM | Link to this

ATTENTION EVERYONE!!!!

Ken Strickland and Cap are the same person!

By Georgian in CA

January 12, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

Dean 21, Corncerning O-Line: I wonder if the Falcons should go after Bengals guard, Eric Steinbach. Clark Judge on CBS Sportsline lists him as one of the top 10 available free agents.

“[The Bengals] invested so much in tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, I don’t know that they go to the mat again for a guard who could, and maybe should, command money more suitable for a tackle.” -Judge

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9921183

If Hue Jackson has a good relationship with Steinbach, this might be a good opportunity to snag him right up.

By ICEMAN

January 12, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

Dean 21,

I looked at your long list of necessary changes and they were good except for one thing. You listed what every single aspect of the team needs to improve on but the Quarterback. Below 50% completions(even with dropped passes) is not going to cut it. What would you suggest that Vick do better?

By ChicagoDawg

January 12, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this

College football head coaches often crash and burn in the NFL.

Well yeah, but most NFL assistants crash and burn when they become head coaches, too. It’s basically a crap shoot either way. A great head coach who wins consistently, like a Bill Cowher or a Jeff Fisher, is a rare find.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 12, 2007 02:11 PM | Link to this

Terence, Petrino being a college coach is not the reason you should be skeptical about him. You should be skeptical about him because he barely has any NFL experience, and in the few years he was in the NFL he didn’t have a lot of success.

But successful NFL assistants do overwhelmingly have better careers as NFL head coaches than successful college head coaches. I know people read that and say “well, what about Jim Moron Jr?” The difference is, most of them actually had success as coordinators. Jim Moron led a mediocre defensive unit in San Francisco and did not succeed in developing any notable players. Another common thread among successful ex-NFL assistants is that they usually learned from established and successful coaches — Bill Walsh’s and Bill Parcells’ “coaching trees” have produced most of the league’s best head coaches.

Here’s a list of current NFL head coaches who were hired because they were successful NFL assistants. It’s important to remember that nearly every NFL coach has at some point been an NFL assistant — the difference is, these are coaches who made their name as successful NFL assistants and received a head coaching job as a result. The ones in bold are the ones who, in my opinion, have been successful so far as NFL head coaches:

Sean Payton, John Fox, Jon Gruden, Andy Reid, Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, Mike McCarthy, Lovie Smith, Rod Marinelli, Brad Childress, Mike Holmgren, Mike Nolan, Scott Linehan, Brian Billick, Marvin Lewis, Romeo Crennel, Bill Belichick, Eric Mangini, Dick Jauron, Tony Dungy, Jack Del Rio, Gary Kubiak, Jeff Fisher, Marty Schottenheimer, Herman Edwards, Mike Shanahan.

As you can see, among current NFL assistants-turned-head coaches, the success rate is higher than 60%. And that list doesn’t include recent retiree Bill Cowher. Even among the head coaches on that list who haven’t been successful yet, many of their teams have shown steady improvement and look to be successful in the near future, such as Mike Nolan, Mike McCarthy, and Scott Linehan. And obviously there are assistants who have failed as head coaches, like Mike Mularkey, Dick LeBeau and Jim Mora, but overall assistants tend to do well in the NFL as head coaches.

In comparison, recent or current NFL head coaches who were hired primarily due to college success include the recently fired Nick Saban and Dennis Green, the underachieving Tom Coughlin, Bobby Petrino, and the failures Butch Davis, Steve Spurrier, and Dennis Erickson. Obviously there are exceptions, like Jimmy Johnson, but overall college coaches definitely have had less success in the NFL.

Sorry about the long post.

By CC

January 12, 2007 02:12 PM | Link to this

Come on guys wake up, this entire hiring reeks of collusion. Mora is a smart guy, just think he was smart enough to get the gig here. If he didn’t learn anything from his Dad he did learn that the media will destroy if given the opportunity. Mora had got wind of his firing the day of that interview. It’s human nature and he was venting his frustration. Blank bent the rules, and possibly got away with it.

Petrino comes off more like an old school car salesman to me. He’s about the money. I like the guy, let’s see if he can make the money and make us happy.

By flcnsfootbll

January 12, 2007 03:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Terrance, what gives, they up your valium. Why aren’t you ripping Petrino for something, his hires, his leaving college, heck his hair cut. that would be more your style.

Good luck Petrino. I for one think you ARE off to a decent start.

By mark

January 12, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

32 coaches one superbowl trophy the odds kinda suck don’t they? Most coaches fail. College or pro most never get their big flashy rings.As for Bobby we are behind you through thick and thicker win or tie. remember even if you never get your ring and all you have to show for your efforts is a few million dollars,you’ll still have the money and your brain. Thats more than Terence can say.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

January 12, 2007 03:54 PM | Link to this

I must admit when I first heard of this hiring I was like “Oh no, not a college coach” and ripped Blank and McKay a new one in a blog in this very same paper last week. Now after hearing Petrino talk, this may not be so bad. He sounds like everything Mora was not- capable of giving this team discipline and an identity. Hearing things like Petrino believing in pass protection and a “real” running game has lifted my spirits. Stuff like “innovative offensive mind”, “not a nice guy”, “good with mobile left-handed QB’s” reinforced that. Also adding a defensive co-or that don’t take any junk sounded real good.(Priority # 1- deflate the ego that is “D-Hall”). I may have gotten it wrong, maybe Blank learned his lesson and is attempting to address what went wrong with the previous regime and I can live with that. No one is perfect, but at least when a mistake is made an attempt to learn from it must take place and it looks like that is happening now. I like the things I’m hearing and have hope for the future again. I believe with “real” blocking (not that no pass protecting cut block crap), this team will make unprecendented strides and Vick will benefit the most. It won’t be easy as winning a championship shouldn’t be, but it can be done. The most surprising thing is reading that T. Moore has realized that too after that article ripping this coaching choice just a week ago was printed. Now that’s amazing!

GO FALCONS!

By falcon 30901

January 12, 2007 03:55 PM | Link to this

I agree with the fact that our play calling will be alot better on both sides of the feild. Mora’s major problem was that he didnt have a feel for the game. He was a smart guy and could quote you anything that happened in the NFL. I just think that he gave his staff too much control and that his feel for the game wasn’t any good. I think we need to focus on finding a trainer that will prevent hamstring and groin pulls. That should be good for atleast 2 wins.

By Bruce

January 12, 2007 04:31 PM | Link to this

Don’t you just love all the Louisville fans posting messages the last several days trying to convince us that they have moved on and are glad that Petrino is gone and how much better the program is now going to be without him. If all that is try fellas why are you coming around here on our boards. Best of luck next year!

By Joey

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

in my humble opinion, this is going to be a very good situation for the falcons. mr. blank has given the quarterback dilema to petrino. if he doesn’t like the effort put forth by vick, schaub, or even shockley, than they are gone. it has been publicly stated that when dan reeves was here, he had to dumb down the playbook for vick by a considerable margin. i don’t think petrino is going to tolerate this. the bradys, mannings, palmers, kitnas all have huge playbooks that open up an offense. vick either does not have the mental capacity or the desire to learn a sophisticated offense. it is the guys that know the playbook in and out, that can call audibles by looking at how many defenders are blitzing, or how many defensive backs are dropping back into zone coverage, that are successful. petrino knows this and he will not go to battle without being as well armed as he can be. he demanded the best from his players in louisville, he will demand the best from the falcons players. mark my words, there will be some casualties on the roster, but he is inheriting a stellar defense, a great wide reciever corps, and a wonderful set of running backs. the only loose end is the starting quarterback spot. yes, vick led us to the championship game three years ago, but there were a lot of factors that got us there. our red zone efficiency was better, our field goal kicker was better, and we had a healthy brian finneran. duckett is gone now, finneran is comming back from a horrible knee injury, and our field goal kicker was one of the signers of the Constitution. i do believe that if these three items are fixed, than we will go far. i hope that vick can become a real quarterback and not just a runner under the new offense. now the items above are just excuses. the colts lost ederin james and are still awesome. the cowboys lost their starting quarterback and their kicker couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn and they still rolled. the jets lost curtis martin and made it to the playoffs. the broncos made a rookie their starting quarterback and did well considering. the eagles lost one of the premier quarterbacks in mcnabb and put in journeyman garcia. they are still dancing. teams have issues that they have to deal with. the falcons do have a connundrum with the state of out quarterback situation. when vick is traded to oakland and we draft calvin johnson, don’t be mad. i know for myself i can’t contain my excitement. just remember, a reciever is only as good as his quarterback. jerry rice is the greatest ever because he played with montana and young. put him in there with a lackluster quarterback and art monk is the leading reciever in most every category.

By falcon 30901

January 12, 2007 06:05 PM | Link to this

We welcome you Petrino. That song is funny as hell though. lol

By The Falcon Great

January 12, 2007 06:15 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick did what he could do as a quarterback.Could he have done better as a Quarterback?YES.But given what he was given(no audibles)he preformed as best as he could have.Great recieving corps!You are phuckin blind as hell JOEY.Even sure hand Alge Crumpler was dropping touchdowns,1st.downs, and just regular position passes.As NFL players you have to preform the way your coaches tell you to preform. Mike Vick,to me ,was probably his 2nd. best year as quarterback:20td’s, 12 ints,1,000 yds. rushing.All that with p** poor coaching.3rd & 1-PASSING?What the phuck were they thinking.Defense wins championship and our defense SUCKED.Recievers dropping major passes.This next season is the year of the RAT…..Petrino time to exterminant.

By larry w.

January 12, 2007 06:38 PM | Link to this

Joey…We have a great wide receiver corps? We have a stellar defense? The only loose end was the starting QB spot? What team were you watching?

By YaDaddy

January 12, 2007 08:21 PM | Link to this

I think someone is a bitter Louisville fan(JLS). How long is it going to hurt man? Maybe you have a point but you really DO have to let it go at some point.

I for one am very excited about the team Petrino is building. At least if it doesn’t work this time it won’t be because we ran the same three plays every series.

YaDaddy

By dirtybyrd

January 12, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

2006 TEAM RANK STATS yds per rush-1 rush yds -1 rush plays-1 RUSH T.D. #23 HOWS THAT POSSIBLE! 1ST downs #20 by passing #28 by rush #2 PREDICTABLE THANK GOD WE CAN RUN THE BALL yds per pass#30 12.1 rec avg pass yds-#32 where is the passing game total pass plays-#32 no pass all run 3rd down conv-#19 total off plays#17 total off yds #12 yds per play#11 mike vick got sacked 45 times and lost 300 plus yds WHERE IS THE O LINE AT!! RODDY HAD 0 T.D. LELIE HAD 1 T.D. DUNN HAD 1 REC T.D. NORWOOD 0 REC MCCRARY 1 REC T.D. DEFENSE HAD 14-5 TAKE AWAY RATIO 37 SACKS 12 INT ranks 14,19

By JohnGTFan

January 12, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Terence, don’t you dare give any praises or positive feedback you contradictory idiot. You just bashed this hire a few days ago. You aren’t PERMITTED to write anything positive about the Falcons this year!

By Maddogg

January 12, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Yo Joey, you must really hate Vick, if you knew anything about football or watched the falcons play this past season, you would know that without Vick the falcons would have been 4-12 at best. If everybody on the falcons would bring thier level of play up to that of Vicks, and matched his intensity and passion the falcons would be unbeatable. As far as the new coach and his staff are concerned, i will reserve my judgement until after the first few games are played to assess the teams potential. We all can speculate all we want, but the proof will be seen between the hash marks.

By dirtybyrd

January 12, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

in defense of the defense, even though it is ruff we still came up#9 stopping the run. got burned in secondary,we are keeping sec coach- hope new scheme works with pressure. if these coaches get mike to throw like we saw for 2 good games this yr still run the ball, fix secondary blown coverages yep - we are looking better, now let mckay do some draft day moves will see.

By NS in Kennesaw

January 13, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

Agreed with Joey - great post man.

I am one of those fans that got re-energize in the team since the draft of Michael Vick 6 years ago. But, last season, I could not help but thinking back to other young bright star like Drew Brees, Payton Manning - - both have made a tremendous progress. But our dear MV7, after 6 years has never done audible nor making frequent adjustments at the scrimmage like these 2 did. So, it triggered me to think that there must be more problems at our QB than the coaching ability to make calls or plan the games.

On the other hand, watching Matt Schaub played the last games … made me wondering that perhaps he could have been a different maker this season had he been a starting QB.

One last point, I hope coach Petrino would also make sure that Flacons players do their talking by demonstrating their capability on the field instead of using their mouths for those trash talks

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 13, 2007 02:27 AM | Link to this

One thing to consider is Petrino never had a top 25 recruiting class, so unlike Saban his success was due to good judgement in players and good coaching.So I think other college coaches that used salesmanship to build had more of an adjustment than Petrino will have.

By Edward

January 13, 2007 03:07 AM | Link to this

Rich McCay should be fired. Why not Whisenhunt if we’re going to take a offensive guy? I believe if we would’ve been patient and waited for Rex Ryan his brother comes here as the D-Coordinator.