Sports Columnists

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

I will miss Kerney and I wish him well. Too bad it was not Vick leaving. Seattle needs some of Atlanta’s Thugs. I say we package a deal to send Vick and D-hall in exchange for some draft picks.

Also, good luck to the Lady Dawgs! Those girls are actually pretty hot!

By Casey

March 6, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Terry Pendleton, hire John Smoltz as pitching coach.

By The Grinch

March 6, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Jeff, ask David O’B what he thinks the possibillity is of us packaging Kyle Davies and a couple of prospects and sending them to Tampa Bay for Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli. He’ll love that. Also tell him R.E.M. sucks. :-)

By D-Cider

March 6, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

The seahawks benefit from playing in the weakest division in a weak conference. I wouldn’t go overboard with the super bowl predictions based on signing a DE that is past his prime and hiring an ATL leftover as a secondary coach. nice to see that Matt beat the rest of the usual morons (Larry, etc.,) in using the word “Thug” in a post. He can have the Moron of the Day award.

By shut up

March 6, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Schultz you suck as a writer. I wish we could trade you for a couple of ink pens and some notebooks. Matthew please explain to me what is a thug since Vick and D Hall are thugs yet they have never been arrested. Take that racist b****** out of here. I see you keep your robe on while typing on a computer.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 6, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

At least in Seattle, Mora’s only going to be allowed to screw up the DBs. That’s probably why they signed Kerney to begin with, to offset the fact that they will have the worst secondary in the league this year thanks to Mora. I guess theoretically it’s possible to win the Super Bowl with Mora on your coaching staff… just keep him away from microphones and ammonia capsules and nobody will get hurt.

By FOOTBALL FAN

March 6, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Matthew you are stupid. Describe who are Atlanta’s Thugs. Describe the word thug I bet you are one of those people who still use the word bling. People like you need a good a$$ whipping. How about we trade your sorry a$$ for someone new. Vick and D. Hall sell tickets. What do you sell probably gas or fruit on a corner somewhere.

By D-Cider

March 6, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Hey, Matthew what does SLC stand for? Slow Little Cracker?

By Howard Clark

March 6, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Terry Pendleton has the personality of a fence post, which may be a step up from Cox.

Ever notice how every single spring training story has Booby saying someone is “looking great.”?

Bold-faced lies and exaggerations and your roomie DOB eagerly prints every one of them.

By Call me Ishmael ... or Bob

March 6, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Lots of interesting comments and insights here. But the tragically overlooked big question is … who does Mora most resemble in the Web page photo linked to this column? To me, he looks like “Cats” composer Andrew Lloyd Weber. Or maybe a rabid chipmunk.

Kerney, by the way, in that eyeblack looks like ’80s pretty boy singer Adam Ant.

By yeahhhhhhhhh

March 6, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz…Why do you hate our Falcons…I remember you jump the gun and wrote that story about Vick and you wanst even MAN enough to apologize…I really hate the fact that Kerney is gone because now we have to deal with your whinning everytime you write a new post.

By dale in newnan

March 6, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

what is up with the black racism here? You guys are no better than the crackers! They may sell tickets, but they sure arent producing wins. By the way, why didnt Vick offer a salary reconfiguration to help with cap space? We are no better than last year. Somebody better come up with some draft magic. Ignore the haters schultzie; just keep on bringing the horrible, painful truth.

By FALCON1

March 6, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

PK we will miss you but the true Falcon fans know that it is business as usual and we’ll move on and support the 2007 squad. Give up up trying to change the way people think of Vick. It will never change. He’s our QB whether you like it or not .I see you can rob a bank in Atlanta get named the “Barbie Bandits” and get your charges reduced and no one is mad or referring to them as thugs. Look what happens when your skin is a different color.

By The Master Debater

March 6, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

I get a kick out of the pathetic jock sniffers who worship at Vick’s foul throne.

If you recall: a couple of years ago, all they wanted to talk about was their savior’s winning percentage. (Never mind the fact that being the winningest QB in Falcon history is akin to being the world’s tallest midget.)

Now that Vick hasn’t done much winning the last two seasons, his minions have changed the subject and started to crow about how their savior “sells tickets”. (Never mind the fact that a winning TEAM will fill the Dome, no matter who is playing QB.)

P.S. I can’t wait for the people who call the 30-year-old Kerney “washed up” to start pleading for the Falcons to sign the 35-year-old Joe Horn.

P.P.S. D-Cider is a buffoon.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Once again, some stupid redneck idiot has decided to post as me. Dude, people are going to catch on. But if you must continue to act like a 2 year-old, then by all means, keep on embarrassing yourself.

As for Coulter… Schultzie, you thought she was hot? Dude… were you drunk when you wrote that? Is there such a thing as beer goggles translating to Microsoft Word? Now, if you wanna go into hot conservative commentators, Michelle Malkin is where it’s at. Now, my insecure idiot redneck impersonator probably prefers a different persuasion… maybe Sean Hannity.

The only thing this team needs is a manager who is the OPPOSITE of Bobby Cox. Too bad the nose picker couldn’t have retired last year, maybe we could have gotten Lou Pinella to come in and light a fire under a team which has relaxed itself out of 9 postseasons in a row (before last season) and relaxed itself out of 3 more for sure World Series wins (1993, 1996, and 1997). The problem with the Braves during October is Bobby Cox. With the way he manages, and the way in which he runs the team. Too la dee dah, not enough fire and hustle. Too much waiting for the three run homer, not enough manufacturing runs and actually MANAGING the game (stealing bases and asking your 2 through 8 batters to bunt once in awhile). Too much sitting on his butt and doing nothing, and then when he does do something, it’s usually the wrong decision. Too much offensive talent wasted with terrible plate discipline (Andruw, Francouer) and not enough making those guys responsible for their terrible plate discipline. The Braves need something different, because for those of us who aren’t blinded by a bunch of worthless division flags at Should Have Been Named Hank Aaron Field, the last bunch of years have been nothing more than a bunch of should have, could have, would have. Like if Cox didn’t put in Liebrandt against Puckett, we would have won in ‘91. Like how if Cox just would have left Bielecki in Game 4 (because he was killing the Yankees), then Wohlers would NEVER have thrown the slidie to Leyritz, and the Braves would have won in 1996. (Stop blaming Wohlers people, he should never have been in the damn game to begin with… that’s Cox’s fault!) Like how if Cox wasn’t too busy b*** about strikezones in 1997 and instead calmed his team down and generally acted like a manager should, then maybe we could have won in 1997. Like we SHOULD have won at least the NL in 1998 (and 1993 and 2000 and 2002 and 2004). Like if Bobby Cox doesn’t start an infirm and feeble Brian Jordan in Game 1 against Houston, we could have won the divisional series in 2005. When it matters most, Bobby Cox always seems to come up small. And interestingly enough, so do his players, as all the sycophants point out to excuse Cox from any blame. Maybe, just maybe, that also has something to do with Cox, the only link in every single postseason failure we have. But you’d never get the sycophants who worship at the altar of Cox to admit that.

But dude… Ann Coulter?

By Hasavior

March 6, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

It just amazes me this psychotic burn and hate towards the NFL’s most celebrated athlete. They just hate to see his dark skin and corn rolls playing the most important position on the field. its just psychotic of bloggers to read a article that does not mention offense nor Vicks name, yet its blog turns out to be about him.

I gues Vick and the other players have come to realize that this is still the deep south, its only been approx 40 years ago.. there are still some undesireables with seething tounges await in the midst.

By D-cider

March 6, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Master Debater: If you drop the “De-” your name would more accurately describe you and your posts.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Hasavior… I agree. How unfortunate that today, in these times, we still have to struggle with ignorant people like that, with their code words like “thug” which they use when they really mean the “n” word.

But isn’t it “rows?”

By gibby

March 6, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Matthew are you done yet!

By Theman

March 6, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Seem’s as if Patrick is utilizing the wimpiest move in all of sports. “IF YOU CAN’T BEAT HIM JOIN HIM” After the beatings that he took from the Seatle tackles over the last few years (Walter Jones in particular) no womder he wants to play for that team. Also, Jeff why don’t you try joining another team as well and make the true Atlanta sports fans happy.

By singletary

March 6, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

The Master Debater (wow, I’m glad I typed that s-l-o-w-l-y) is correct. If they hire 35YO Horn (an old WR that we don’t need)with money they could have paid PK, I’m going to pre-emptively write off the Petrino years.

You know how Dungy always calls Adam Vinateri “money” when he makes those field goals? That is what PK was for Atlanta. You could always count on him to play great and improve those around him by drawing extra men. McKay should have upped his contract for the two remaining years, and then evaluated his continuing ability at 32. He’s so nimble for his size; Seattle’s gain is our loss.

Here’s hoping the rumors about Horn are mearly the flagellations of his agent. I’d much rather see us go after Calvin Johnson than pick up Horn.

By Theman

March 6, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

SO MUCH FOR THE NAY SAYERS,I.E VICK HATERS. I WILL BE HERE TO RUB ALL YOUR NOSES IN IT WHEN HE RETURNS TO TRUE FORM AND TAKE THE FALCONS TO THE SUPER BOWL NEXT SEASON UNDER TREIR NEW HEAD COACH. IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE HIM ABOUT TWO GAMES IN A REAL OFFENSE TO GET BACK TO WHERE HE WOULD PROBABLY BE HAD DAN REEVES NOT BEEN RUN OUT OF TOWN IN PLACE OF THIS DADDY’S BOY NAMED JIM MORA. JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!!!!

By that's funny

March 6, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

I hate the fact that people disguise a word by using “thug”. Don’t those ignorant redneck crackers know that the word “thug” may offend someone?

By I.T.

March 6, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

You think Ann Coulter is hot? Yikes.

By Jim

March 6, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Matthew is a idiot!!! Vick and D-Hall are superstars….Vick was hurt and we all saw what Schaub did on offense. That is why he is a 2nd string. What is a Thugs Matthew? Vick and D-Hall, have more talent in their pinky fingers that you have in your limited vocabulary. Get a clue…they could buy you many times over…Thug is just a imagine used in the rap game. That is why they leave the thug in the studios, when they are appearing on talk shows.

By 25 to 1 man march

March 6, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe how the Falcons Blog turns into the “Deep South Haters Conversation everyday”. If you don’t like the South, please leave. Constantly whinning about “Thug”.. What other word are you going to declare off limits to people other than blacks. You call everyone White a racist. That’s insane. If that many whitepeople hated black people, you wouldn’t exist. Whites out number blacks in America alone, 25 to 1. Check the census. And stop hating on my board. It’s about the Falcons! I don’t care if the QB is purple, I want a championship in Atlanta. I love Atlanta, always have, always will. I just can’t stand the bigots. Jesus, please help these people. GO FALCONS!!

By who gives a crap

March 6, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Thug? A thug is someone who pushes other people around and uses force to make others bend to their wishes. As far as I can remember it referenced Gangsters of the 1920’s and 30’s. So does that mean that Gangster rappers want to be crackers? keep wishin… Peace out play’Uh

By Jeff Schultz

March 6, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Matthew – For somebody with a Biblical name, you really need to chill. Enough with the “thug” talk.

Casey – I don’t see Smoltz as a coach. That’s nothing against him or his abilities, obviously. I just don’t think that’s in his plans. I see lots of golf, charity and youth-type sports activities in his future. Personally, I think Glavine would be a great pitching coach, but I don’t know what his plans are, and most of these guys want to get off the road for a while when they retire, then decide if they miss the game enough to get back in it.

Grinch – I would but I’m not with DOB right now. I suggest you ask DOB yourself. Go over to his daily blog. He responds to most questions. REM sucks?!?!? True story: My son (now 17) was in pre-school when every kid was asked to sing a song. He sang: “Losing My Religion.” My man!

Shut Up – Inhale, exhale. Cleaning breath.

Matthew at the SLC – Dude, Annie – blonde and legs for days. But she’s lost me. Michelle Malkin: nice call. I just googled.

And riddle me this, bloggers: How is it I can say, “Hello, beautiful day isn’t it?” and it sparks a racial debate?

By Pepe

March 6, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

If you don’t acknowledge them…they lose. Not only that…but most of us want to ready about the Birds, Braves and Dawgs; not all the he said she said. Now let’s divide up into 2 groups (Optimistic Atlanta Fans vs. Pessimistic Atlanta Fans).

I’m still believe in Vick and I feel comfortable with our current backup(s). I’m just excited to see the Bobbies (Petrino & Cox) get our team’s back to where they need to be. I’ll be watching…and drinking.

If Horn comes at a decent price…I say we take him. I’d love to take Calvin, but I can’t see us mortgaging the near future on a potential day-one Pro Bowl WR. Top shelf WRs can’t play defense and they don’t normally block for the QB when he’s passing them the ball. Horn still has above average skills and he showed me a lot regarding his leadership with how he dealt with Katrina. I think he would make a nice tutor for Jenkins and White for a couple years.

If we stay at 10 in the draft I think Laron Landry is the way to go. I don’t see a better impact player being available at a position of need still there at 10.

By William

March 6, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Why is thug now off limits but “ignorant redneck cracker” is still OK? By the way, who cares if Vick and D-Hall sell tickets? I wanna see the Falcons win … I don’t really care about the player’s skin colors. The only colors I care about are red and black.

By Jeff Schultz

March 6, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Pepe … I hear ya. I’m certainly not down on Petrino at all, and didn’t criticize the hiring. I do question the roster in general, so I wonder how successful the Falcons will be next season. But we’ll see. As for Horn: Don’t know what he has left in the tank, but as we know WR is not the Falcons’ strongest position, so he’d be a good signing, for the right price.

By TRobb

March 6, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

I’ve got no problem with Michael Vick’s skin color or hairstyle.

I’ve got a big problem with his 53% completion rate and his team’s dead last passing ranking two years running.

1000 yards rushing? So what? When the Lombardi-era Packers drafted an erratic passer with speed to burn, they moved him to running back and won Championships and Super Bowls.

His name was Paul Hornung, and last I checked, he was still white.

By D-Cider

March 6, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Jeff- Yea, Ann Coulter is a blond and legs, but she has Manson eyes and an adam’s apple as big as a golf ball!

By SS

March 6, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

Jeff, please tell us how you expect two guys who haven’t played or coached in a top 5 defense and who have never been to a Super Bowl to end up in the Super Bowl simply by being together. Weak NFC notwithstanding, I just don’t see the Seahawks improving significantly on defense just because of this signing. I like Kearney and I wish he could have stayed here, but how many over 30 d-lineman are worth 19.5 million guaranteed?

By Dan

March 6, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

I moved to Atlanta from Michigan in ‘99. I have pretty much adopted all of the Atlanta teams. I am a 3 year Hawks season ticket holder.

One thing about the sports writers in this town, they love to rip on the home teams. It is like they are against them and would rather they lose. It is not like that in othe towns. Just here.

Schultz rip the Hawks now. If they ever start to turn things around (I believe they will) don’t jump on the bandwagon. You have been against that team and the other Atlanta teams for years.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

D-Cider, that’s what I’m saying!

Please, guys, if you see MY name, and the post is a) racist b) lacks perspective or c) bats—t crazy, it’s not me, it’s my idiot redneck stalker. I think he likes boys. It’s kind of flattering, but I keep on telling him that I don’t like guys. I told him he just needs to come out and things will be better for him, but what can you do? It’s like a sitcom. My idiot, racist redneck stalker. SWB. Single White Blogger.

So Jeff, the biblical name is all good, just realise that the SWB is using my name for ill will. And yeah, Michelle Malkin is pretty sweet. TRobb, long time no blog, for both of us, I think. I just recently came back after about a year, and I’d like to think I’m a little calmer. Hah! Anyway, I understand where you’re coming from, but for me, it’s all about coaching. Realize T, that his first year as a starter under Reeves, his numbers were almost identical to Elway’s HIS first year as a starter. Phil Simms said that when Vick was drafted he was drafted into the perfect offense for him. So in hindsight (and I was wrong about this, too) firing Dan Reeves and hiring Jimmy Mora and his crappy best friend Offensive Coordinator was the worst thing Arthur Blank could have done to Vick. It’s all about coaching. How can you blame Vick when Warrick Dunn and Alge Crumpler both came out last year and said they were tired of the opposing defenses knowing exactly what play the Falcons were going to run because Knapp was so predictable, and then having the offense stuffed time and time again because Knapp stupidly wouldn’t let Vick audible, because, “None of my QB’s audible, it’s not part of MY offense.” How can you blame Vick, T? You can’t. Anyone with real perspective can see that. Add that in with recievers who run sloppy routes and don’t catch the ball, and an O-line that’s a sieve, and Vick HAD to run for 1000 yards just to not get killed.

The most telling quote I’ve heard from Bobby Petrino yet: “I looked at all the tape, and he [Vick] actually got hit worse, and more consistantly when he dropped back to pass then when he was scrambling.”

So if Petrino could see that Knapp was the problem, everyone else should be able to see that, too. With proper coaching, Vick can be something truly special. All it takes is someone with vision and imagination. Gruden has said repeatadly that if HE had Vick, he’d scrap the John Gruden Offense and invent the Michael Vick Offense. I believe, and y’all should hope, that Petrino is that guy.

By JSS

March 6, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Ha ha, I love this State… The word “cracker” has always meant a boastful person… Poor caucasians Southerners have their tighty white interior de ropa all bunched up!!!

Ann Coulter hot??? Schultz they sould fire you for being both blind and stupid! The only men who should be offended are John Edwards and John Ameche… Schultz get that unemployment claim in before Tuesday so you can pay your Spice Channel bill…

By Luv 2 Hate Me

March 6, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Folks haven’t you learned by now. It’s Jeff Schultz that starts the bloggs under names like “Matthew” to get bloggers fired up. He does it on purpose so he can keep his job. He’s a first class jack a$$.

By grizzly bear

March 6, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

mike vick restructured his contract to make salary cap room last year. does he have to do it every year, or does arthur blank need a new accountant?

By Matt

March 6, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

I got no problem saying that I voted Billy Knight as Atlanta’s best GM, although more to make a statement that he isn’t a bad GM than anything else.

My reasoning is simple: I think that Knight’s strategy has been a good one. He tore down the Abdur-Rahim/Robinson foundation that was taking the Hawks NOWHERE, and started rebuilding from scratch. That was exactly what a GM in his position should have done.

His strategy after that seems clear to me, though I think it’s lost on most everyone else. He stocked up on the 6’8/6’9 athletic types that have historically been the most likely players to become stars. My guess is that he was planning to stock up on them, see which ones pan out, and build around them by trading away the guys who don’t.

Any it’s working. JJ is already an All-Star and J-Smoove is on the rise. Williams is showing some serious signs of life too, and Childress has been a reliable piece off the bench. Johnson and Smith are clearly the guys to build around, though.

This offseason is the first real test for Knight, in my view. Here’s why:

2003: He tore down the house, which is just what he needed to do. I think he should have gotten more for Terry, but that’s not a big deal, since a shoot-first undersized PG/SG is not what the Hawks have needed.

2004: Childress turned out to be a solid pick, and J-Smoove turned out to be a steal.

2005: The Johnson trade has turned out to be well worth it. The Williams pick wasn’t remotely close to being as bad as people make it out to me - someone please show me 3 articles written the day of that draft saying that the Hawks really should have picked a PG rather than the guy who pundits said had the most potential. And please also tell me that you’re so smart that you already know who’s going to be the better all-around player 5 years from now.

Yeah, I thought so.

2006: Claxton was the best bet on the market for a starting PG - and we had to try to get someone- and the draft class just plain sucked. Yeah, Shelden was a bad pick, but who was really a helluva lot better for us then? People would have said we were reaching like hell if we’d used that pick on Rondo, Sene, or O’Bryant - all three of whom have actually been even less productive than Shelden.

And the guys picked behind Shelden who have outperformed him this year by any noticeable amount are SG/SF guys that wouldn’t have been seeing the PT they’ve been getting this year if they played for Atlanta (i.e. Roy and Gay).

So this year is his first real test. And I’ll be the first to damn Knight after this summer if he doesn’t use at least one pick on a legit big or PG, and/or use the pick we get to anchor a trade for a legit PG/big.

But until then, I think that we have to understand that when you start with with what Billy inherited in 2003, you’re not gonna be back in the playoffs for the next 3 years unless every break goes your way.

So give him one more offseason before damning the brother to hell.

By Matt

March 6, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

I got no problem saying that I voted Billy Knight as Atlanta’s best GM, although more to make a statement that he isn’t a bad GM than anything else.

My reasoning is simple: I think that Knight’s strategy has been a good one. He tore down the Abdur-Rahim/Robinson foundation that was taking the Hawks NOWHERE, and started rebuilding from scratch. That was exactly what a GM in his position should have done.

His strategy after that seems clear to me, though I think it’s lost on most everyone else. He stocked up on the 6’8/6’9 athletic types that have historically been the most likely players to become stars. My guess is that he was planning to stock up on them, see which ones pan out, and build around them by trading away the guys who don’t.

Any it’s working. JJ is already an All-Star and J-Smoove is on the rise. Williams is showing some serious signs of life too, and Childress has been a reliable piece off the bench. Johnson and Smith are clearly the guys to build around, though.

This offseason is the first real test for Knight, in my view. Here’s why:

2003: He tore down the house, which is just what he needed to do. I think he should have gotten more for Terry, but that’s not a big deal, since a shoot-first undersized PG/SG is not what the Hawks have needed.

2004: Childress turned out to be a solid pick, and J-Smoove turned out to be a steal.

2005: The Johnson trade has turned out to be well worth it. The Williams pick wasn’t remotely close to being as bad as people make it out to me - someone please show me 3 articles written the day of that draft saying that the Hawks really should have picked a PG rather than the guy who pundits said had the most potential. And please also tell me that you’re so smart that you already know who’s going to be the better all-around player 5 years from now.

Yeah, I thought so.

2006: Claxton was the best bet on the market for a starting PG - and we had to try to get someone- and the draft class just plain sucked. Yeah, Shelden was a bad pick, but who was really a helluva lot better for us then? People would have said we were reaching like hell if we’d used that pick on Rondo, Sene, or O’Bryant - all three of whom have actually been even less productive than Shelden.

And the guys picked behind Shelden who have outperformed him this year by any noticeable amount are SG/SF guys that wouldn’t have been seeing the PT they’ve been getting this year if they played for Atlanta (i.e. Roy and Gay).

So this year is his first real test. And I’ll be the first to damn Knight after this summer if he doesn’t use at least one pick on a legit big or PG, and/or use the pick we get to anchor a trade for a legit PG/big.

But until then, I think that we have to understand that when you start with with what Billy inherited in 2003, you’re not gonna be back in the playoffs for the next 3 years unless every break goes your way.

So give him one more offseason before damning the brother to hell.

By Matt

March 6, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the double post…I waited 5 minutes and didn’t see it post the first time…

By blah

March 6, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

ann coulter is to hot what george bush is to genius

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

and to what john kerry is to alive and to what hillary clinton is to nice lady and to what rush limbaugh is to skinny… what’s your point? Be an equal opportunity hater, blah… otherwise, you’re just a sheep… maybe you should be “baah” instead of blah

By Dray

March 6, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

First off, Kudos to Jeff S. for actually reading the blog mail that is created by his text. Real cool to see his responses in the mix. That’s what I call passion, caring for one’s craft, and improving. You can have a vision (and your own expert opinion), but until you are perfect, you have to watch, listen, and improve as well. This is what I am hoping to see Mike Vick do, under the regime of Petrino. He is still very very young folks. Steve Young may not have started a full season of games at the age of 26. But he has to realize he’s not a perfect QB (far from it in fact!), and he has to improve. He has to learn how to make the unspectacular play consistently. Leading consecutive boring drives down the field. Win a game 42-10. Hit his receivers consistently for 3 or 4 games straight. This is what the best QBs do. Vick can be better than all of them because of the other things he brings to the table, but he has to do what they do too if he ever wants to be the best. When Vick does not do the basic things that good veteran QBs do, I am hoping that this coach will ride him, and not make him feel comfortable until he learns to be consistent.

By Cornel Banks

March 6, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

All the atlanta sports’ beat writers suck so much. I mean all hate on the falcons at least once a day. That jeff dude you suck so much calling mick vick a thug and everything else in the book. Let me ask you a question what is a thug? If you tell me what thug is I tell u what a racist.

By Yo

March 6, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

I think that now makes Ann Coulter qualifed to be a sports writer and blogger.

By D-Cider

March 6, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Matthew at SLC, my apologies. I hope those knuckleheads who post under other’s IDs are enjoying their little jollies.

By D-Cider

March 6, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

maybe Ann C. can make next year’s SI swimsuit issue. HA!

By Jeff Schultz

March 6, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Wow, am I really on an island with this Ann Coulter thing? Look, I’m not saying she’s like MAJOR eye-candy or Victoria’s Secret level. But take politics out of it. Has my eyesight gone that much? Maybe I’m just getting old and my standards have gone down. Selah. Oh wait, that’s Furman.

SS— I see Mora as a much better assistant coach than head coach and he’ll do well with the Seattle secondary. And Kerney will make an impact to a team that already was one of of the best in the NFC. Tim Ruskell also is one of the best personnel men in the league. So I don’t think projecting them to go to the Super Bowl is going out on a limb.

Dan — When the local teams do well, I praise them. When they don’t do well, I criticize. I have no agenda other than to call them as I see them. If you want to believe otherwise, that’s up to you. As for the Hawks, ripping them gets old after a while unless you can do it with a new twist. So when a new twist arrives, I’ll be there

By Seminolefan48

March 6, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Good Luck in Seattle Patrick you deserved this contract. Mr. Blank you jumped the gun firing Dan Reeves, Michael was successful under Reeves. You jumped the gun hiring Mckay you should have hired his assistant Ruskel (Ruskel is probably spelled incorrectly). Who is the General Manager of the Seahawks. By the way I’m White.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Jeff, here’s the new twist, as delivered by the blogger Matt: REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY!!!

I mean, that’s what Matt was doing when he was defending all of Billy’s drafts, and his signing / trading of THREE back-up PG’s. That’s what he was doing when he was defending picking Williams, yet ANOTHER 2 tweener 3, over Paul.

That’s what Matt was doing, right Jeff? Using REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY to shame Billy Knight into breaking down and resigning for his horrible mismanagement of the Atlanta Hawks.

Right?

By TechRox

March 6, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Schultz……..I LOVE Ann Coulter! Most men are intimidated by tall, beautiful,SMART women. Those are the best kind. And if they earn lots of money, you can marry them and let them work while you play golf after dropping the kids off at school. BTW, the Hawks suck and the two Affirmative Action hirees, namely Woodson and Knight, should be on the way out soon. Vick sucks too. It wont be long till Blank realizes he cant cover for this sad hoodlum much longer. As my granny used to say, “the fruit dont fall far from the tree” Case in point. Look at young Marcus Vick. The Falcons best bet is to convert him to a slot guy like the Steelers did with Ward.

By TechRox

March 6, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Hey D-Cider……..I be done seen bout everything, when I sees an Elephant fly.

By Eli

March 7, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this

TechRox, I’m nominating you for tomorrow night’s “Worst Person in the World” award on Olbermann, despite the fact that you’d probably revel in such an honor.

By Dray

March 7, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this

Vick is a QB, not a running back. Unlike Hornung, Vick does not have the body to run directly at offenses and take so many hits. It would be a short-lived disaster to move him to running back. We either play him at running back or trade him. I agree that 1000 yards rushing should not be the barometer for success for a QB, but it’s still a damn good achievement. I think that you can bring stats like that and fast legs to the table as a QB — and it can add value to the team. Again, look at Steve Young. He always had the threat to hurt you with his legs, and it was this additional threat that led the 49ers to dispatch the greatest QB of all-time Joe Montanna. But the key in Steve’s case is that he then developed into the BEST passer in the game as well, and of course he led the most lop-sided and impressive offensive victory of all-time in the biggest game of all, the Super Bowl. With that precedent, Vick’s potential, and youth, you almost have to see if through Petrino if we can have the same or better results here. Again, Vick is ahead of Young at this stage in his career, and the key now is to take him to the next level. Our last regime may have made the mistake of allowing Vick to believe that he was already on that next level, when clearly he’s not. Hopefully, Petrino will do better.

By Wedgie Evans

March 7, 2007 3:20 AM | Link to this

Matt, I think Billy Knight did a pretty good job as GM until the 2005 draft, when he passed up Chris Paul and Deron Williams for Marvin Williams. Billy Knight started with a terrible situation and decided to blow it up and start over, which was the right move. Picking Childress over Andre Iguodala may have been a reach, and trading 2 first-rounders for Joe Johnson when he could have signed Johnson outright was probably unnecessary, but he ended up with good players to build a team around, so he can be excused for that. But picking Marvin Williams in the 2005 draft was a stupid move, regardless of how good he turns out to be. Marvin may turn out to be a very nice small forward, but he still was not going to fill the team’s biggest needs, which were (and continue to be) at point guard and in the post. When you already have a combo forward in Josh Smith, you don’t draft another combo forward in Marvin Williams — as we can clearly see now, their games don’t mesh very well. I usually lean towards picking the best player available near the top of a draft, but Paul and D. Williams were just as worthy of the #2 pick based on their college careers and skill sets. Nobody would have faulted the Hawks for passing up Marvin to pick Paul or Deron Williams at the time, keeping in mind the makeup of the Hawks roster. Marvin may have been touted as the best player in the draft, but Chris Paul was being compared to Isiah Thomas by a lot of people, and Deron Williams proved what he could do in the NCAA Tournament. There was no excuse for passing up on either of these players, with such a gaping hole at point guard, and considering that they were as close to sure things as you can possibly find at point guard in a draft.

And regardless of how Marvin turned out, by trading away this year’s first-round pick to Phoenix with so little protection, Billy Knight obviously intended for the Hawks to make the playoffs this year; if he had envisioned any situation where this team would still be a lottery team this year, he would have made that pick lottery-protected. This had a significant impact on the Hawks’ 2006 offseason, which ended up being a disaster, since BK frantically tried to plug the Hawks’ holes in time to make a playoff push this season. Billy Knight picked Shelden Williams a full round higher than he should have gone despite his age and lack of upside, because he thought Shelden was an NBA-ready post player who could instantly beef up the Hawks’ interior defense and post-up offense. Turns out Shelden may never be NBA-ready. Knight also signed Speedy Claxton in free agency with the intent of rectifying a big problem the Hawks had last year, which was the lack of a point guard who could penetrate defenses and set up teammates with easy shots. Instead, the only thing getting penetrated is Speedy’s knee by a scalpel. New Jersey’s Marcus Williams and Boston’s Rajon Rondo have both shown in limited playing time that not only would they have fit this team’s needs better than Shelden, but they would probably be more productive than all of the Hawks’ current point guards. Taking Rondo or Marcus Williams with the #5 pick may have been a reach by 15-20 picks, but Shelden arguably shouldn’t have even gone in the first round, based on what another undersized rookie PF, Paul Millsap, is doing in Utah having been taken in the 2nd round. There’s no doubt if you see Rondo or Williams play that they would have instantly solidified the point guard position for this team. As it stands, the Hawks have Indiana’s pick in the upcoming 2007 draft, which is strong overall, but quite weak at point guard. Acie Law’s really the only starting-caliber point guard in this draft, and it’s increasingly looking like he will be gone by the time the Hawks pick. In other words, the Hawks may have to wait until 2008 to get their point guard of the future, unless they can swing Marvin Williams for a young, up-and-coming point guard somehow. I still think the Hawks have a bigger hole in the post than at point, but the point guard problems are more glaring because the Hawks very easily could have taken care of that in the 2005 draft.

I’ll admit that if the Hawks had better luck with injuries this year, they might have made it to the playoffs. Take away a stretch in December where they lost 12 of 13 at less than full strength, and this team is in the thick of the playoff hunt. But that wouldn’t change the fact that this is still a fatally flawed roster, and this team would have had little chance at making any impact in the playoffs. Billy Knight set himself up to fail by trading one first-rounder too many in the Joe Johnson trade, and followed that up with a horrendous offseason in 2006 that set the Hawks back significantly in their development. You say that Billy should be given until next season to prove himself, but his own moves dictate that last offseason was his chance to make this a playoff team. I don’t think Billy’s incapable of being a good GM. At the very least, he’s better than Forbes boys Billy King and Kevin McHale. But he rolled the dice in Atlanta, trying to form an unconventional team built around swingmen, and the experiment failed. Billy has worn out his welcome here, and he needs to go.

By This Gets Old

March 7, 2007 3:28 AM | Link to this

It never ends does it? Never, ever, ever.

By JohnGTFan

March 7, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

Just curious…why do people keep saying “PK, WE will miss you”? Please don’t say “we” as in all Falcon fans, because that is certainly not the case.

By Dray

March 7, 2007 7:09 AM | Link to this

very solid analysis of the BK regime by Wedgie. the only thing to add is if he survives (unlikely) another two years, it’s at least possible that Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, at the ages of 23-24, will be considered league-wide as the most talented starting forwards in the NBA. it all depends on Josh continuing his current pace of progress, and Marvin (who definitely has the potential) stepping it up.

By Patman

March 7, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

hey TechRox, if Billy Knight and Mike Woodson are so-called affirmative action hires, what was Stan Kasten and Pete Babcock’s tenures all these years? I would argue that both would have been fired long ago if they had a different paint job! Also please explain Jim Mora being hired by the Falcons over Lovie Smith who eventually led his team to the Super bowl that Mora watched from home! the fact that you admire Ann coulter proves that you’re an idiot! Your references to Woodson and Knight prove that you’re an ignorant bigot who believes that only certain people should be doing certian things and that is so 18th Century!

By Brendan

March 7, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

If Don Waddell’s moves lead to a Stanley Cup, I’ll never doubt Forbes Magazine again.

And on second thought, of course I will. They’re not a sports magazine.

By shut up

March 7, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Schultz the fact that Jim Mora called you out about your lack of football knowledge says enough for me because that guy didn’t know what he was doing. Now why dont you go inhale some white out until you get dizzy.

By TechRox

March 7, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Lawsy Lawsy me, Patman, arent you supposed to be in court b/c of all your off the field problems? Oh right, thats Pac-man. U are right about Pete Babcock, though. He must have had some dirt on someone at Turner. But last time I checked, Stan Kasten did a pretty good job with the Braves. What does Lovie have to do with any of this? We are talking about two Basketball boobs and one football thug hiding behind a magnificent P.R. job by Mr. Blank. Soon as Blank stops covering for him, Vick is HISTORY. Face it, guys, you can take a bro outta da hood, but you cant take the hood outta da Bro, bro. BTW Pac-man use spellcheck, it helps. Ann Coulter Rocks.

By TechRox

March 7, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Oh, BTW Patman and Eli, I think Terry Pendelton should be the next coach of the Braves when Cox hangs up his cleats. No sheeaat. Chew on that while yawl are eatin fatback down yonder on Stewart, I mean Metropolitan Ave. And Knight and Woodson still suck. So does Vick.

By Pockasnocka

March 7, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Got nothing against Pendleton, but, heck, why not hire Smoltz as manager?

By Patman

March 7, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Ticksux, do you talk that stuff to black folks in real life? I’d respect your lame attempts at racist humor a little more impressive if you had the guts to say that stuff to my face instead of anonomously on a blog. You are a coward and a punk and have the manhood of a gnat. Begone Forrest Chump.

By Eli

March 7, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

So here’s the million-dollar question: When will the AJC finally pony up the $30k a year it would cost to hire an entry-level moderator for these blogs? I’m not in favor of censorship, but there are too many posts here on a daily basis that clearly cross the line between poor taste and blatant libel. The journalists who write these columns shouldn’t be forced to defend their credibility to a few morons who like to hurl insults just to see their names posted on the Internet, and those of us who come here for intelligent conversation and debate shouldn’t be forced to sift through a half-mile of racist, ignorant crap from hatemongers like TechRox (who, quite obviously, isn’t a Tech fan or grad, but likes to impersonate one). It’s time for the AJC to take itself a little more seriously, and a blog moderator would be a great first step.

By Tyger

March 7, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

BK gets my vote, none of the others have done so much with so little. Lets recap:

1)BK inherits SAR, Big Dog, Ratliff - over the cap, aged and going nowhere; 2) Drafts JSmoove and JChildress - more talent in one draft than the prior regime acquired in 20; 3) Team doubles its wins 100%; 4) Trades Diaw for Allstar Joe Johnson; 5) Drafts Marvin Williams - adding to his stable of young stallions; 6) Trades Harrington for 2007 #1 pick; 7) Team still below the cap, has a #1 pick in pocket and will win more games than the prior 3 seasons. For the long-term, Hawks are on track.

Braves and Falcons have steadily declined Falcons under their new regimes. And Waddell benefited from expansion draft, while BK had to manufacture his the ole fashioned way.

By Eli

March 7, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Tyger, the Braves have not “steadily declined” as you claim. Yes, their string of division crowns finally ended, but don’t forget that they won the East in 2005 with rookies all over the field. The foundation of the Braves is set for several more years thanks to the moves made by Schuerholz. I agree with you that BK has made some good moves for the Hawks, but he’s also made some questionable ones as well. The fact that Speedy Claxton is getting millions of dollars to be both mediocre and injured is inexcusable, especially considering he was the backup last year to the guy (Paul) we passed on.

By RW

March 7, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

I didn’t read all the posts, so I don’t know if anyone else has mentioned this, (probably not). I think the Braves’ next manager will be Ned Yost. He’s done good things in Milwaukee as they have become competitive and he has ties here. Also, from everything I’ve read about him, he’s pretty much Cox-lite. He treats players like Cox, has the same rules, i.e. no music in clubhouse, that kind of thing. At least last I heard he did. Haven’t heard anything negative about him. Also, for a team that’s still posting losing records every year, he’s not on any kind of hot seat. Must be some reason for that. Cox’s first stint with the Braves produced a losing record, but respect for his managerial skill, Yost’s first managerial stint will end probably with a losing record when he leaves for a new team -after ‘08?- but with respect for his abilities as a manager…Seems like the right fit to me.