Sports Columnists

By Roberta

September 6, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have at least one new fan—me. During my 40 years of married life, I have left the room every time my husband turned the TV to football. Since I began following the Vick disaster, however, I have come to admire the team that is determined to prove its worth when few people think a winning season is possible. GO FALCONS!!

By mountain_jim

September 6, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

The season will tell, but I believe at this point that from Petrino on down, the quality of this new staff is way better than Mora’s.

Nice to hear more from Petrino.

By midnite

September 6, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

It is my hope that the Falcons can win, and therefore allow us to move ahead and forget about the immature and irresponsible Mike Vick. I really hope that by the end of the season people will say Mike who? Good luck Coach Petrino, staff and of course GO FALCONS!

By D-Man

September 6, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

I think this season will turn out a bit better than people expect. I think that Petrino’s coaching is indeed that good. I think the WRs will have a better year than they ever did during the Mora era…and lets not forget, many of us (the media as well) were not sure that Vick would be able to grasp the Petrino system. How many times did we hear “Vick must prove himself this year”, “Vick must prove he is a true QB”, “Is Vick a coach killer?”…there was even talk before the scandal broke and even right after last season of what would be the best way of getting rid of Vick without killing the team’s future regarding the salary cap. So…just because Vick is gone, I dont see it as a bad thing…not really sure they would have been any better with Vick. At least now, the Falcons seem to have a chip on their shoulder and feel like they have something to prove…I know Harrington does. And..the Falcons managed to get a REAL coaching staff and some new, excellent players…lets see how it all comes together.

By Bill

September 6, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

“We expect to win” I admire Petrino and I believe him. Finally the Falcons can play as a team, no super stars just a good coach and a group on men that want to win. I love it! I plan to be there pulling for my TEAM.

By Ryder

September 6, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

I decided to stay away from the Falcons’ blogs until the season was about to begin. All offseason long we fans cried out for leadership, from the coaching staff to the players on the field. By George, we’ve got it. I’m extremely confident in the coaching staff and the system that has been installed.

As much as I loved having Vick around, he was no true leader. He relied too much on talent. Although Harrington may not be as talented but he is more vocal in the huddle and a bit more emotional. I think it will take some time for this system to develop but as long as the primary weapons stay healthy there’s no reason Atlanta can’t show improvement as a team.

It’s almost too much to predict a record, but I can say this with confidence: I believe in Petrino, Jackson and Zimmer. GO FALCONS.

By crass realist

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

I believe the Falcons will be the New Orleans Saints of this season. Everybody seems to get behind the team that has had an undue amount of adversity.

Go ‘Coons!

By Micah

September 6, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Even when we getting ready for the season and we read an article that has a positive feeling people seem to always want to throw a cheap shot at Vick. I feel good about Harrington because of his patience in the pocket, and I really do think he can be a great qb and a leader not by what he says on the huddles but what he does on the field to show the team when a big play is needed they can count on him. I also feel Harrington knows how to put his teammates in the best position to make plays. I hope I’m right.

By NativeBird

September 6, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

Petrino was a quarterback, his siblings played football, and his dad was a coach. His family has been very successful at the game of football. I too played football from the age of seven until college and have been on some very good teams. Petrino has the ability not only to motivate his players, he has kept his quarterback mind. He calls a great game.

So, when you look at this game, it is really just blocking and tackling, which is tied to fundamentals. Petrino teaches and preaches, execution. He only keeps players that are able to execute, therefore anyone that is willing to learn and has the ability will thrive in his system.

This team is just that. They love Mike Vick the player, and understand that they had nothing to do with his private life.

Dunn, Norwood, J. Anderson, Brooking, Harrington, Horn, D. Hall, A. Crumpler, Gandy, Jackson, J. Abraham, J. Williams, etc., etc.. Atlanta still has some talent and now they have something to prove and are coached up at a high level. Watch out NFC!

THE FALCONS WILL SURPRISE EVERYONE!

WE ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS AND MAYBE FURTHER, ‘CAUSE NOONE EXPECTS IT AND THESE PLAYERS BELIEVE IN THE TEAM, THE OWNER, THE COACH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: THEMSELVES….

By Randall

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

There’s nothing but an upside, they’ll be better without the dog whisperer!

By Joseph David Smith

September 6, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

I’m a Falcon Fan O Maniac! Nothing else to say!

By johnnyB

September 6, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

There is no way that Joey Harrington is going to make the Falcons winners this year 2007.

He is going to revert back to the same bad habits that he had at Detroit. Interceptions will be his downfall and the Falcons will not play up to expectations.

4-12 at best .

But now that Vick is gone, I will support the team, go to a few games, and watch all the games I can on TV.

Go Falcons

By rocky

September 6, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

why in hell does this team think the world will cave in over one dum a*!!!!!
where the hell are the men we pay for?

By Connie Lingous

September 6, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

There’s something about these Falcons … .

By Tampaparrotthead

September 6, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

I particularly like the makeup of this team… from Petrino all the way down to the trainers and everybody in between. There’s no doubt that any team is physically better with a Michael Vick, but let’s face the music and pay the fiddler… Michael is gone, possibly forever.

While it’s true that there is no “superstar” out there calling the signals, I think that we tend to lose sight of some strong leadership on this team… people like Dunn, Brooking, Crumpler, Hall, Jackson and now, the Horn; and like his style or not, this team needed a little raz-a-ma-taz, especially after the downfall of Vick.

This wasn’t written in an attempt to further crucify Vick… I’m sure everybody wishes things had not been as they were with him. I have and will continue to pray for him and hope that his claim of having “turned his life over to God” is real now and in the future.

When I heard that there were those who were demanding refunds on the season tickets, I got nauseated. If there was ever a time that the Falcons needed all of their fans to band together and rally behind them, it’s now. Arthur Blank is a good man and I never had a doubt about him doing the right thing in this and every other situation. He is the best thing that has ever happened to this franchise.

So, we’re behind you and your team all the way Mr. Blank. GO FALCONS!!

By Orlando Rivera

September 6, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

JohnnyB, even if Harrington does revert to his Detroit days (that would be hard to do considering Atlanta does have some talent at the playmaker positions) I do think that at the end of the year Petrino’s system will be in place and there will be a complete exorcism from the Mora-Vick days. That’s all a Falcons fan can ask for at this point.

By Dave

September 6, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

One man does not make or break a team. I feel just as confident in Harrington as i would have Vick. GO FALCONS!

By Shamus Thacker

September 6, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I was pretty much gonna say what NativeBird said, though not nearly as well..

Great post NativeBird, I wholeheartedly agree!!

Petrino is a no-nonsense coach who knows how to win. He knows it, we know it, but more importantly, the players know it! The players have supreme confidence in the success of his offensive scheme. I think he has more confidence in his present group of players than anyone at ESPN would believe. I don’t think that confidence is misplaced. I believe the Falcons will be much better than last year; 11-5 and the playoffs!!

GO FALTRINOS!!!!

By Jon

September 6, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

The Saints shocked everyone last year by having a great year - maybe it will be the Falcons this year.

Who remembers that the Falcons were 7-9 last year, finishing the season with three miserable losses.

That V guy threw for more than 200 yards in only one game all year.

So long Mora. So long Vick.

This team can only improve.

By bailey

September 6, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Patrino and the Falcons are all secretly smiling from ear to ear. Patrino because he’s not strapped with a qb who hadn’t hit a receiver in stride in 6 years. Patrino says he can win with any qb that can run his offense. Harrington can run his offense.

The rest of the Falcons are smiling because now they have a chance to get some attention.

$100 million qbs- Payton has a childrens hospital named after him, old no. 7 has a bright orange jump suit.

The Falcons are going to have a great year. The Vick/Mora cancer has been cut out.

By Jon

September 6, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Go Falcons!

By Jon

September 6, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Go Falcons!

By Kenya

September 6, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Excellent article. I do believe the Falcons will make us all proud to be their fans this season. Won’t that be something if we finally make it to the playoffs without Vick? This has turned out to be a good thing in disguise for Atlanta. Good luck this season Falcons! Atlanta is behind you!

By Kenya

September 6, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Excellent article. I do believe the Falcons will make us all proud to be their fans this season. Won’t that be something if we finally make it to the playoffs without Vick? This has turned out to be a good thing in disguise for Atlanta. Good luck this season Falcons! Atlanta is behind you!

By Kenya

September 6, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Excellent article. I do believe the Falcons will make us all proud to be their fans this season. Won’t that be something if we finally make it to the playoffs without Vick? This has turned out to be a good thing in disguise for Atlanta. Good luck this season Falcons! Atlanta is behind you!

By Ripper

September 6, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

I wish Harrington the very best ,All those know it all on ESPN been making jokes talking junk about him all summer ,maybe with some good luck he can shut those smug pretty boys up .Good luck Falcon’s i’m still proud to call you my team .

By A-ville Ranger

September 6, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

I believe reports of the team’s death have been exaggerated.I said before I knew Blank was even talking to Petrino that I thought he was the best guy out there.The whole truth is, I said I didn’t think he’d be the guy because our players aren’t as big as he likes.It’s hard to say about this year except SI’s prediction of us winning only three is too low.My guess is beteewn 7 and 9.Long term though, I think Petrino is more valuable than that player I won’t name would have been to the team.

By Lucy

September 6, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

The first game will determine whether the Falcons win or lose the majority of games this season. If they lose, I will not watch or support them anymore.

Michael Vick is a former Atlanta Falcons quarterback. Let’s not talk about him anymore. He has a lot of issues and will have a lot of time to get his mind right.

Arthur Blank is the coach killer; not MV.

By Chris

September 6, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Why do people seem unable to understand the Falcons never won anything WITH Vick? Never had back to back winning seasons with him. Never did squat except for one playoff win in Green Bay. When was that, about 100 years ago?

The Falcons were never going to win with an over-hyped, “exciting” under-performer at QB. Exciting never proved to be effective. Wake up.

Losing Vick is the best thing that could ever happen to the Falcons — who never would have taken off the No. 7 blinders.

By A realist

September 6, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

The Falcons will not be a better team without Vick. When all else failed you could count on Vick to make something happen. The team no longer has that option. Joey’s interception rate is to high. Plus,just like the last six years, the defense is not that great. The secondary will be exposed(badly). Yes the team was 7 and 9 last year, but if the defense had shown up it could have been better. It’s hard to win games if offense scores 30 points and defense gives up 35(Dallas), or if a single player catches a hail mary in the end zone with 5 Falcons around him(New Orleans). And what about all the touchdown passes and first downs that were dropped by the receivers? Or what about the bad plays called by Knapp? And did anyone one realize the Falcons no longer have Joe Decamilis(special teams coach). No one player makes a team, but why didn’t they have this same type of attitude about winning with Vick. I’m sure he would have appreciated the HELP. All the players are saying they’re going to elevate their level of play now that Vick is not there. They should have been done that instead of sitting back and putting everything on Vick’s shoulder to pull a win out of a hat(Pittsburg). Vick was not an arrogant player, he didn’t think he was the whole team, The other players not doing their jobs made him the whole team. He was one of the few on the team doing whatever possible to try and get the WIN. That’s why the Dome was sold out for the last six years and every game was televised. Everybody wanted to see him do something magical or that seemed impossible. People keep saying that he hasn’t taken the team to the Superbowl, maybe with some help he could have. It toke Peyton 10 yrs to get one and Dan Marino doesn’t have one at all. Even though the things he did were wrong he is a great football player. One thing has nothing to do with the other, and people can’t take that away from him. He will be MISSED!!!!!!!! And why doesn’t someone drown or hang those pit bulls that have been mauling PEOPLE to death the last 2 weeks? Oh, I forgot we’re only HUMAN BEINGS. The only things we’re good for is paying high taxes and health insurance, and getting shipped to Irag to die!!!

By A realist

September 6, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Vick will be missed!!!!!!

By JM

September 6, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

I’m extremely impressed with Petrino. No matter what happens this year, I have no doubt we can and will will win big with him at the helm. As for this year, I’m not expecting much, but I’m not conceding anything. Even if it’s a tough season, as long as we play hard, focused football for 60 minutes every week it’ll be a huge improvement over the Mora days. Our players have been put in a situation no team should have to deal with, and all I ask is that they give a good effort this season. The wins will come in time under Petrino.

By ro

September 7, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

A realist, that was an excellent post! Many of the anti-Vick commentators act as though the Falcons have a storied history like Dallas, Pittsburg and San Fransico, Only year the Franchise came close was 1998. So many years, the Falcon lanquished near the bottom of the league. A realist is correct. I wondered what game some of you were watching, last year. We may never know what MV would have done under Coach Petrino. The losing in the past two years was a COLLECTIVE EFFORT from sorry coaching(MORA, KNAPP), no protection, sorry receivers and a pourous defense against the run and a suspect secondary….No I don’t think that Deangelo Hall is an All Pro. He has been burnt like toast several times in the last three years. A realist post is accurate and TRUE.

By D_Costa

September 7, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

I’m not on here to make any bold predictions of our upcoming season. All I want to say is that I’m extremely honored and proud to be an Atlanta Falcons fan and proud of the personnel we have on this team. We have faced tremendous hardships this offseason and I must admit I thought the team would break because of it, but this team and it’s coaching staff has kept it’s focus and that is all that I as a fan can ask for. Although, I don’t live in the ATL anymore, I will be rooting for my Dirty Birds right here from the nations capitals. Here’s to a successful season, I have a feeling that we’re not going to be as bad as many think. Good luck to us. Go Birds!

By Old Fan

September 7, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Somebody tell me—Who is Michael Vick? Oh, now I remember. He was the guy that was all for himself. Never passed just run. And couldn’t tell the truth if he was standing on it. GO FALCONS WITHOUT WHATS HIS NAME.

By Mack

September 7, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

Get the facts right people. Vick had 2 playoff wins,Greenbay(which no one has ever won in the snow there but him),and St. Louis(the score was like 45-17). Vick had a least 4 games last season where he threw for more than 200 yards(Dallas,Cincinatti,Pittsburg,Carolina,New York). Mora was the cancer on the team. The other cancer is Rich McKay who fired Reeves, hired Mora, then traded Duckett and Kerney. Vick was never going to be traded. If he was they would have never traded Schaub. Petrino turned down other teams that approached him about coaching in the nfl. HE CAME TO ATL BECAUSE OF VICK. No one else.

By Brownthrasher

September 7, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

It amazes me how everyone wants to hate on Vick. With Vick no defense could relax because he could always do something special and we loved it, the Falcons loved it (that’s why they sold out all the games) and the NFL loved it, he was a human highlight reel and we will not get that from Harrington. It’s good that you all want to support the Falcons in spite of but PLEASE let’s leave the Vick wasn’t this or that out of all of this. And the reason the rest of the team is all pumped up and trying hard is because they know that it’s true too. They are just trying to convince themselves. We will miss Vick without a doubt. All you naysayers can come back to reality any time during this season. Sure, I wish the Falcons much success but I will never discredit what Vick contributed to this team. He was a winner and no one can take that away from him. You can take away his playing time but you will never take away his game - the reality of it all was Vick was a PLAYMAKER and could make a difference all by himself. Hopefully Petrino and the rest of the Falcons can make something good happen but in the end we might just see how valuable Vick was to this team.

By Falcon

September 7, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

I think the Falcons can win. Vick does’nt make up the whole team and we have a better coaching staff in place. GO FALCONS.

By Joe

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

Great blog, I believe in coach Petrino’s philosophy and ability to coach players. Look what he did at Louisville, he put that town on the map! what was Louisville football before him????? nothing! I think Joey Harrington will have a career year in this offense and will resurrect his image. You could put Tom Brady on those Detroit teams and he would lose too. This is the best team Harrington has played with and his comfort level, completion percentage, and quarterback ratings showed that in the preseason. It took what, 6 years for Vick to have a 20 touchdown season. Harrington will have that in his first year here in this offense. Vick is a great athlete, but not a great quarterback, just an overhyped version of Kordell Stewart. I believe in the new coaching staff and the falcons win sunday! GO FALCONS!

By walt

September 7, 2007 4:20 AM | Link to this

The Falcons would never win as long as Mike Vick was quarterback. He couldn’t read defenses, always thought run first, was an inaccurate passer and threw too hard. I don’t know if Harrington is the answer, but Vick had to go.

By 007

September 7, 2007 5:35 AM | Link to this

All the people saying their fans now because of the whole Vick thing…. Yall make me laugh….The guy made a mistake and yall need to look past it. God put eyes in the front of our head so we can know where we are going not were we have been, therefore, let him turn his head in a new direction after all of this and everybody GET OVER IT.

By PoliticalMan

September 7, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this

It’s nice to have an adult as coach of the Falcons. To Mr. Blank: Stay off of the sidelines. Did you learn something?

Glad to see Vick gone. It’s doubtful that Harrington will be much. But there have been some good teams with mediocre QBs. I’ll watch em. Don’t really care about W-L.

By TheTruthHurts

September 7, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this

This season will show how overated Vick was and what a waste of money he was. Vick is no leader and what the falcons need is a leader….not some thug who only cares about himself and no one else….

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 6:26 AM | Link to this

Vick was on the run as soon as he hiked the ball because of the sorry offensive line. This QB will get his head clocked if he expect to be a pocket passer….add fumbles to his large number of interceptions. People said that Vick could not read defenses…Manning could not read them in this system because he would not have time to do so because the offensive line would break down too soon for him.

By Savannah Fan

September 7, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

GO FALCONS!! Iam a season ticket holder of (10),come to every home game,drive 3 1/2 hours up the dreadful I-16 ,get up at 4:30 in the AM,ready to tailgate at 8:00am (gate B) with my bloody mary,spend $500.00 on a parking pass,$100.00 for gas to get there,$200.00 on beer,food, etc and over $8000.00 for tickets.Iam a FALCON FAN and will continue to be with our without VICK… We are gonna rock the DOME and support the coach and team…GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By pistoffalconsfan

September 7, 2007 6:51 AM | Link to this

there are good points made on both sides but people let’s play it fair. We did WIN THE NFC SOUTH under who VICK! WE were considered a contender under who VICK! In his six years here ( really 4 lets take away his injury shortened year and his rookie year ) we went to the playofss twice and made it to the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP! Local games were blacked for how many years until who came here….VICK! For those who said we never won anything while he was quarterback you are so wrong. Yes playing around with felonious charges is just stupid and trust no amount of jail time will amount to what he has lost. The fact of the matter is if we were to look at all the quarter backs we have had from the late 80’s through the 90’s i.e. david archer, billy joe Tolliver and Hobert, Bobby Hebert, Jeff George, Doug Johnson, Chris Miller and Steve DeBerg we as a team family have only had two qb’s worth something and They were Steve Bartkowski and Chris Chandler. People who are upset you are talking from your heart and not your head. Granted this is not an excuse for what vick did but give the man his due. We as a team were feared and looked as contenders every year. And That was because of Who….Michael Vick. For those who say one man doesn’t make a team. Cmon now lets look at the names of the premier teams. Mcnabb,Manning,Tomlinson,Young,Brady,Lewis,Urlacher, L.Johnson,Mcnair,Palmer,Alexander. They are all one person. As they go the team goes so yes you have to have that one person that makes the team go. Your supporting cast raises up to a level which is guided by what… one individual. Only in college sports is a team held fully responsible and even then if you look at the Mich appilachan st game When Hart was out the team was getting whipped. When hart went in they darn near one the game. These people are called game breakers. Unfortunately the falcons now have to discover another.

By Rene'

September 7, 2007 6:52 AM | Link to this

I am a huge Falcons fan, through good and bad. I’m also a Vick fan, but I see a lot of potential in Harrington and I’m excited about this season. Maybe it’s because I know a lot of people have given up on us already, but having something to prove, and the work ethic the new coaching staff seems to have, you can’t help but believe in them.

Good luck Falcons, see you at the game!

By Jay

September 7, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

I disagree with you that “Nobody expects Patrino to win without Michael Vick”. I think a lot of people expect better things without Vick. Vick is not the great QB of this century. Granted he has tremendous athletic ability but has proven that he can not harness this to be a team leader and all around QB. His individualism on and off the field is a huge disruption to the team and polarizes the fan base. This should be somewhat of blessing to Coach Patrino. He has a chance to come to this team and city and prove himself without having to live in the shadow of Michael Vick. This team also has a chance to pull themselves together and actually act like a team rather than a bunch of individual players. I think there is also a lesson in this whole thing for Mr. Blank and perhaps the League as well. Maybe they should put more thought into throwing millions of dollars to young unproven players. Regardless of making the playoffs this is a time when our Falcon’s can shine. They need to come together as a team from the players and coaches to the upper management. While this sport will always have players that stand out, those individuals will not win you the Superbowl. Although Joey Harrington may not be our QB of the future I do believe that Coach Patrino has more than enough talent on this TEAM to put some checks in the win column.

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

IT’S JUST SAD THAT WHITE FOLKS HAS A PROBLEM WITH YOUNG BLACKS WITH MONEY,IF YOU LOOK AT MV7 NUMBER FROM LAST YEAR HE COULD HAVE EASY BEEN MVP OF THE NFL. HE THREW 21 TOUCHDOWN AND CARSON PALMER THREW 26,HE HAD THE SOME NUMBER INT. HAS PALMER WITH 9 AND YES, P MANNING 13 INT. THESE QB YOU TRYING TO COMPARE MV7 TO HAS ALL PRO RECEIVER I WON’T GIVER THEIR NAMES AT ALL. YET NONE OF YOU’LL WHITE FOLKS DON’T WANT TO GIVE CREDIT THAT HE WAS AND IS THE ONLY QB IN HISTORY TO RUN FOR 1,000 YARD IN THE NFL. JUST PICTURE IF THE RECEIVER THOUGHT THEY COULD CATCH A FOOTBALL INSTEAD OF DROPING THEM WHAT TPYE OF SEASON MV7 WOULD’VE HAD. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT HE WAS NOT A GOOD PLAYER. AND WITH THIS SYSTEM MV7 WOULD TAKEN ATLANTA TO A NEW FOOTBALL LEVEL.

MV7 WAS THE MAN IN THE NFL!!!!!!!!! NOT ONLY WILL ATLANTA MISSED HIM THE HOLE NFL WILL MISS HIM

By David Duke

September 7, 2007 7:12 AM | Link to this

The Falcons will be better and they’ll have a better record this year than they did last year. Thank God Vick is gone! He was a sorry, no-talent, dog and coach killin’ waste of time and I’m glad he’s no longer playing professional football.

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

DAVID DUKE YOUR DADDY HANG BLACKS, CUT THEIR LEGS AND ARMS OFF AND RAPED BLACK WOMEN AND NO ONE LOCKED HIM UP. YOUR DADDY KILLED ALL THE INDIANS AND TOOK THEIR LAND AND CALLED IT AMERICA. LET’S GET REAL WHO ARE THE REAL THUGS

By YeahRight!

September 7, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

THE FALCONS WON’T BE ANY BETTER THIS YEAR!!! NO PLAYOFFS, DEFINITELY NO SUPER BOWL, AND A DWINDLING NUMBER OF FANS………..SO GET READY!!!!!

By DeltaGirl82

September 7, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

I agree with everything that has been said by A realist, 007, Brownthrasher, ro & Mack. I am a huge Michael Vick & Atlanta Falcons fan. I will continue to support Michael & the Falcons. However, I know before Michael the stands were EMPTY. So these people who say he wasn’t a good QB are WRONG!! In order for the team to win EVERYBODY has to come to play! I don’t think Michael was arrogant or all about himself. He wanted his team to win and if that meant running the ball himself, then so be it. I just don’t think he received protection from his offensive line and his receivers had BUTTER all over there fingers! The QB can’t be the offensive line, defensive line & also be the receivers. Leave Michael Vick alone!! Don’t try to take away from his talents because of a bad decision he made in his personal life. There is NO ONE & I MEAN NO ONE on this earth who is perfect. I hope none of you ever find yourself in MV7’s shoes or anyone elses shoes becasue of a mistake, bad decision, criminal act (or whatever you want to call it)& possibly facing prison time.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU PERFECT PEOPLE, BECAUSE JUST LIKE MIKE, YOU WILL NEED TO CALL ON HIM ONE DAY——SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!!

Stay strong Michael and keep the faith. Everybody is not against you. GOD BLESS YOU!

Go Falcons!

By Rod

September 7, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Hey I WISH MV7 WAS HERE - you call us racist and then claim Vick was the true MVP instead of a white guy?

YOU’RE THE RACIST.

Vick couldn’t read a defense to save his life, couldn’t learn the more complicated plays, was so dumb the coaches wouldn’t let him audible, had an extremely low completion percentage his entire career, didn’t care about holding onto the football and waved it around inviting others to knock it out (and they often did).

Get over yourself already. Vick had peaked out. Was never going to get better and wasn’t learning Petrino’s offense. It ain’t about race - it’s about integrity. Vick has none, and neither do you!

By d'oh

September 7, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Someone give MV7 her pacifier, read her a nice bedtime story, and put her to bed.

By d'oh

September 7, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Someone give MV7 her pacifier, read her a nice bedtime story, and put her to bed.

By d'oh

September 7, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Someone give MV7 her pacifier, read her a nice bedtime story, and put her to bed.

By Bill

September 7, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

Don’t judge Harrington by his stint in Detroit. He was playing with a truly awful team.

I don’t know about the playoffs, but the Falcons certainly have the talent to at least match their recent 8-8 seasons. With a few breaks, they may do better

By Rod

September 7, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

Hey DeltaGirl82 - are you insane? You’re defending Vick? You stated: “try to take away from his talents because of a bad decision he made in his personal life.” What a crock!

He didn’t make “a bad decision.” A bad decision is driving after to many beers, a bad decision is hitting someone in anger. A bad decision is NOT years of financing and breeding dogs for fighting. Going to numerous dogfights and supporting them. That’s thousands of bad decisions. He’s not an innocent victim with one mistake - he’s been abusing and killing dogs for years. He’s a pathetic excuse for a human being.

I guess your perspective is because you’re not religious and have no moral or ethical background. For your information, there was one perfect person - Jesus Christ - and I seriously doubt he supports dogfighting.

By Jamaal

September 7, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

DeltaGirl82, you’ve gotta be psycho! You think Vick made a little bitty mistake? Yeah and Ted Bundy made a little bitty mistake by killing women over and over and over and over. Vick did that crap for years, that aint a little bitty mistake, that’s a THUG attitude and Vick belongs in prison where he can get his a$$ popped over and over and over and over.

By Geep

September 7, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

I have never thought that he has his “heart” at the Falcons…..he is here for the $$$$$$ and that is all. He will be history in 2 years and get more $$$$ elsewhere. He can win, without Vick but has to work for it.

By Neil

September 7, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Well… I mean, what does one expect Petrino to say?

For those who are coming out and saying they’ll support the Falcon’s now that Vick is gone. You won’t have problems getting a ticket to a game.

I mean really, you think the national coverage given to the Falcons this year is because of the excitment of Petrino or behind a team that went 7-9 last year? No… it was about putting Vick on TV for the nation. And with him gone, not sure what in the ATL to excite NFL fans to care about the Falcons.

GO PANTHERS!!!!

By Del

September 7, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

Question for Bradley who states that no one expects the Falcons to win without Vick. If the Falcons can lose with Vick, why can’t they win without him?

By noneya

September 7, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

For the people who say Vick was not a good QB and the Falcons didn’t win with him. Let’s put this in perspective. The Falcons have been in existence 41 years and appeared in the playoffs in 9 of them. Vick led us to two of those appearances. He is 2-2 in the playoffs. A lot of blame is placed on Vick and maybe some of it is deserving but what about the smallish O line we had and their horrific pass protection, what about all the drops by our receivers including Alge Crumpler? What about the unimaginative playcalling? I am a season ticket holder and everybody in my section would sit back and predict the plays we were going to run and most of the time we would be right. There is enough blame to go around then to put it all on Vick. I’ll leave you with this. Lat year Vick threw for 2474 yards with 20 TD’s and 13 interceptions. He was sacked 45 times. And please don’t say he held on to the ball too long. He also ran for 1039 yards. That is 3513 yards he accounted for. Now let me take you back to the pre-Jim Mora debacle. Remember in Vick’s first season as a full time starter under Dan Reeves he took us to the playoffs. He threw for 2936 yds with Hall of Fame receivers such as Martay Jenkins, Trevor Gaylor and Quinton McCord. The next year he is injured in the preseason and remember how dreadful that year was before leading us to a 3-1 finish.

By Bear Bryant said

September 7, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

A good coach can take his players and beat yours. Or, he can take your players and beat his.

Let’s hope Petrino is that type of coach. I think he might be, but only time will tell.

By Football Fanatic

September 7, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

The Falcons will probably do better than 8&8 or 7&9 which is all the Dog killing coach killing non quarterbacking criminal gangsta rappa wanna be Vick could do.

By DeltaGirl82

September 7, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

Jamaal,

Learn how to read. I didn’t say anything about an itty bitty mistake. I said, and I quote, “mistake, bad decision, criminal act or whatever you want to call it.” Everybody has an opinion and I just gave mine just like you did.

And for Rod, I didn’t say Jesus Christ wasn’t perfect. I said no one on this earth is perfect—-including myself. And for your information I am a religious person & I believe in forgiving people—-just like the Bible says.

Just My Opinion!

By dturner

September 7, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

YOU MV FANS NEED TO STOP !!!! NO ONE, ESPECIALLY PETRINO, SAID MV WOULD NOT BE MISSED-

READ YOU DUMMIES !!!!!

HE SAID HE THINKS THE FALCONS CAN MOVE ON WITHOUT VICK THIS SEASON, AT LEAST GIVE THEM A CHANCE AND GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED !!!

REMEMBER….. MV DID THIS ON HIS OWN !! NO ONE FORCED HIM TO BE A THUG AND FIGHT DOGS !!! HE DID IT ALL BY HIMSELF !! WHY PUNISH THE FALCONS FOR WHAT HE, ALMIGHTY VICK DID!! LET MV DO HIS TIME AND YA’LL KEEP PRAYING FOR HIM, IN REALITY, WE KNOW HE WILL NOT BY PRAYING FOR HIMSELF, HE HASN’T LEARNED HOW TO DO THAT YET, HE IS STILL TALKING ABOUT IT !!

GOOD ARTICLE, I’M AFRAID ALL THESE MV FANS MAY SEE THAT THERE REALLY IS LIFE AFTER VICK !!

By Yo Yo

September 7, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

FIRE BABINEAUX!!! The guy is a DOG KILLER and should be gone.

Good luck Petrino. 2007 is going to be a challenge at best. Did I hear this morning that Roddy is starting over Jenkins? How could this be possible?

By Barry

September 7, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

Football is back and I am damn glad. With or without Michael Vick, who I lvoe to see play, I believe the falcons under Bobby Petrino’s system is going to florish. Remember folks, the Falcons were a solid team, especially on defense, until the injuries took out some of their major players. This is not an expansion tema here so do not get fooled. The teams the the Falcons will play will be getting a rude awakening if they believe that Michael Vick was thw whole team. Defensive coach Mike Zimmer is going to have the Falcon defense solid. And with Rod Coleman returning and the new additions of excellent young talent and veterans on the defensive line, the falcons are going to be hurting a lot of teams. Offensively, Boby Petrino’s runs a system offnse just like the old San Francisco 49ers. If did not matter who was in at quarterback, if you run the system the plays will work. It is up to the quarterback and the players to make those plays great by adding a little spice to it after the system gets them to that point. The Falcon’s have playmakers on their offensive and you will see it as the Falcons offensive evolve into the complete package of the Bobby Petrino offensive system.

NOW, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!??????????????

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is SECRET from a FALCON FAN! TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO FALCONS. WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!

Ringold

By tom

September 7, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

d’oh & Rod hit the nail squarely on the head.

Racism is a belief or concept that inherent differences between people, in particular those upon which the concept of race is based, may involve the idea that one’s self-identified race or ethnic group or others’ race or ethnic group is superior. For that reason it is I WISH MV7 WAS HERE who is the true racist, and obviously a very poorly educated one, at that. The misspellings and lousy grammar in his blog make his lack of ability to communicate clearly apparent.

*But now back to football. * Vick’s abilities as an athlete were astounding. He was both fast and illusive when he carried the football, which he did too often. Others said that he thought of running first. He certainly did. But he had few other options. Although his arm could fire the football down the field like a cannon ball, but his accuracy was poor, at best. Not all of that was his fault. Falcon wide receivers consistently failed to catch the football in critical situations, but catching a cannon ball isn’t the easiest thing to do.

The past is the past. Vick is gone and will never be back. The team must move on. *So let it be written, so let it be done. *

By terrell barron

September 7, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

Chris, evidently you are not a Falcon fan. We were in the NFC Championship game just a few years ago, with the worst coaching staff in history. Get your facts together man. I’m over Vick, but at least tell the truth. In his first 4 years as a starter, we made the playoffs in 2 of them. Started 6-2 in the others and with better coaching probably would have made the playoffs in all 4. Remember he was hurt in 2003 and Chandler started his rookie year. Harrington was the 3rd pick in the draft. He’s the one who hasn’t done anything. I wish him the best this year though. GO BIRDS Do you know how many times Peyton Manning made the playoffs in his first 4 years or are you just concerned with statistics. The only stat that matters is wins and losses.

By Sea Breeze

September 7, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

God does not like ugly and the entire Mike Vick episode is UGLY. Michael made a serious mistake and he will be punished accordingly. However, there seems to be an under current of joy for his dismaay. Instead of the jealously and bitterness, let’s wish Michael well and move towards positive energy for the Falcons. If we continue to celebrate Michael’s defeat, we might as well dig two graves- one for Micheal and one for the Falcons. Go Falcons and good luck to Michael’s redemption.

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Everyone keeps talking about Vick…he is gone…get over it. Then everyone keeps talking about what the coach is going to do….what they need to do is give that offensive line some balco juice so they can keep people out of the backfield. Everyone keeps talking about a pocket passer when you don’t have an offensive line like the Colts or Seahawks. Joey will get sacked the first time he hikes the ball for a pass. Then you people will be p** off because he does not have the skills vick had to get away from it. Man I can’twait to see him get punished…..

By dturner

September 7, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

TO: I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

Go sit you ghetto a$$ on the porch and wait for a ride to come up and give you a lift to go to the prison and visit MV, be sure you take some honey bun & chip money cause he will be BROKE !! Also, you must really be as deranged as MV to have all those feelings and thoughts about hanging and killing.

Go get yourself some professional help- you will be the NEXT BLACK STATISTIC IN THE PRISON SYSTEM. Maybe you and MV will have a EF# thats close together, will that make you feel better ??

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

HEY ROD HOW DO YOU KNOW MV COULDN’T READ DEFENSES COVERAGE. PETRINO STATMENT HE THOUGHT MV7 HAD A OUTSTANDING OTA AND MINI CAMP AND WAS HIS STARTING QB. SO I FOUND OUT THAT YOU CAN NOT READ AT ALL DUMB A**. ADDRESSING THE RACIST ISSUE, SOMETHING THAT YOU DID NOT SPEAK ON; READ YOUR HISTORY BOOK. YOU TALKING SO MUCH PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE A SEASON TICKET THAT YOU WILL ATTEND ALL THE HOME GAME THIS YEAR.

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Don’t speak for everyone Mark, I beleive we have a better chance to win without Vick, because we now have a real quarterback who can read defenses, do his check downs and find an open reciever.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST,

The Saints wwere exposed last night, anyone who tyhinks that team is going to the Super Bowl is crazy.

Tampa sucks, Carolina has always been overrated, the Falcons win the division with ease!!!!

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

dturner WHY IS MV DOG FIGHTING ANY DIFFERENT FROM HORSE AND DOG RACING COMPETITION BECAUSE THEY KILL THE NONE PERFORMING AS WELL BUT FOR SOME UNKNOW REASON WHITE FOLKS DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT YOUR DAD WHO MAKING MONEY BY GAMBLING. I’M SURE THAT YOU WOULD NEVER MEED EF# BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU’SAINT O BUT YOU TOLD ME TO GO EAT SHT. I WOULD TELL YOU THAT YOUR MOTHER WANT BE WITH ME BUT YOUR DADDY WOULD KILL HER AND THAT YOUR DADDY NEEDS TO STOP F* YOU AND THE DOG ON REGULARY. NOW FINDS YOUR LOVE IN DOGS AHOLE.

By Keith Helms

September 7, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

There is one definite advantage this team has over last years’ group. They are or can be a TEAM.Remember last year when they came roaring out the gate? Of course Dunn and a few others got more press and had better stats than Vick, the egomaniac “star” of the Falcons. That was the end of the season. I am glad he is gone and hope he stays gone, all for football reasons.

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Why would he be disappointed, I bet behind closed doors he’s down giddy!!

He does not have to play a quarterback who’s simply too stupid to run his offense.

He can put in the guy who I guarantee he’d rather have running his team once he found out the same thing Coach Reeves and Jim Mora found out,that they had to simply the game plan because Vick is as dumb as rock, and don’t mean the rock he smokes!!

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Why would he be disappointed, I bet behind closed doors he’s down giddy!!

He does not have to play a quarterback who’s simply too stupid to run his offense.

He can put in the guy who I guarantee he’d rather have running his team once he found out the same thing Coach Reeves and Jim Mora found out,that they had to simplify the game plan because Vick is as dumb as rock, and don’t mean the rock he smokes!!

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

dturner you seem to have a lot of information on how the prison system works…ef numbers…know to bring change..how can you belittle someone when you are some one close enough to you that you went to visit was in prison…so keep your stank comments to yourself

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

BUSHWACKER….How can he do a check down or read defense with three defenders in the backfield as soon he hikes the ball. I don’t agree with what Vick did but when (THE FEW TIMES) he had time to throw he did a great job…..You guys will see here shortly….he will get sacked ten times per game….Vick got sacked a lot and he runs a 4-40

By dturner

September 7, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

To MV7:

Go away, go on back in the house, get you a shot of liquor and lay down, its still cool enough outside that you won’t be sweating…yet !

I have a question for you: What is Black and Brown with Red all over it ???

Michael Vick being bitten by a pitbull in the a$$ !! :-)

You right, I won’t need an EF#, I went to school and got an education so I dont end up like YOU & MV…CONVICKS OR A STATISTIC !! I’m sure you make your race PROUD !!

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Another thing Bushwacker….now if a guys who is as dumb as a rock makes made more in one check than you did in you lifetime…what that makes you?

By zorro

September 7, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Nobody was as big as a Mike Vick as myself, I met him 5 Years ago at Fanfair at Northpoint in Alpharetta And acquired An NFL football with his autograph. The fact is this was the end of his tenure, if he did not flourish under Petrinos system he was a gone A##. There is no reason we shouldn’t have made the playoffs the last two years with the talent we had. And for black atlanta who are in denial about that and want to keep it REAL as you say. THATS REAL.

By dturner

September 7, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

yes, i do have someone close to me in the prison system. My sons father who is a LOSER and LIAR. Most women know how it feels to be with someone who leads a double life, some men should know also because you do it !! Like MV, you all try to be cool and act like you got it all, when the REAL truth is that you got it illegally and YOU GOT CAUGHT !! Or, you played some part in a n illegal activity and guess what NOW YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL !! Then when you get to JAIL, you want to cry about finding GOD and all that BULLCRAP !! My sons father did it, ALL incarcerated men do it AND SO WILL MV !!! Oh, and SO WILL “I WISH MV7 WAS HERE”- From his dummie comments, HE WILL BE NEXT, hope he doesn’t rob you or me !!

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

ROAD DOG, the reason Vick got sacked was because he would not stay in the pocket, its hard for the o line to block when they don’t know where the is. We’ll see, all I know is Joey would have had 3 td passes in just over a 1/2 if Roddy catches the ball in game 3.

Vick in the last 18 games, zero td passes in the 4th qtr!!!

Don’t come to a battle of wits unarmed!!!

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

WHY DO YOU’LL HATE MV7 IS BECAUSE HE WAS THE HIGHEST PLAYER IN THE NFL IS HE WAS NOT YOUR YES BOY TPYE* WAS IT BECAUSE HE WAS A YOUNG BLACK WITH THE PROTENTION TO CHANGE THE GAME FOR MORE BLACK QB * OR IT’S ABOUT PUTTING BLACK MEN IN THEIR SO CALLED PLACE* * I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE REAL REASON, PLEASE ANSWER THE ? * MAY THE BLESSING GOD CONTINUE TO ABIDE WITH THEE FOR ALL THA DAYS* MAY LOVE OF JESUS COMFORT THY HEART FOREVER AND FOREVER MORE

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

RYAN LEAF signed for millions also, maybe we should bring him back. Just because someone is stupid enoufgh to give you alot of money does not mean you are a great football player!!!

again, come with some game dude!

By Falcons Fan

September 7, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

I will pull for the Falcons now that they have a QB that I can respect. JH is a leader by example and football is a team sport, and is not about one person.

MV is an athlete playing QB. He is not a leader in a positive way, and has probably had a detrimental effect on other players. I am glad he is gone. I hope he never plays in the NFL again, much less for the Falcons.

He will learn the lesson that everybody is expendable and no one is necessary for a team. Everyone can be replaced and it is true for business and for sports.

In the end MV cared more about himself than he did for his team or his fans. If he didn’t he never would have gotten caught up in anything illegal to get him removed from the team.

I am so glad he and that gangsta mentality are gone. The teams that win consistantly and go to the playoffs do not put up with that kind of crap.

Do you see it in Pittsburgh, New England, Seattle? The answer is no because those teams’ management do not tolerate it. Character matters.

I will cheer for the Falcons this year and think Joey Harrington will find success in Atlanta due to his leadership and abilities. He was a jewel out of college picked by a crappy team (Lions) and then went to a team on a downhill slope (Dolphins) whose coach dumped them for Alabama.

Joey will be successful here but remember that in football the QB gets too much credit when they win and too much blame when they lose. It is a team sport and MV forgot that. It was all about him to MV.

I am glad the Falcons are a team again.

By dturner

September 7, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

TO ROAD DOG:

Hey, I think you are my sons fathers old roomie in prison- I know his mane was “Road Dog”- or are there more than one of you out there ??

YOU TELL ‘EM ZORRO- MV was washed up last year, Dont worry, Black Atlanta knows he is a loser, they just dont want to admit it. Its easy to admit someone is a loser when they dont have anything. It almost IMPOSSIBLE for them to admit when one of their own, who has money & power, looses it because of an illegal activity. Which most of them do ! Its always about a “front” they maintain that comes crashing down !! ALWAYS

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Ok…first game Joey gets punished or I will send you the most expensive cigar I can find. If not I will send you The biggest bottle of your favorite alcohol.

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Ok Bushwacker…first game Joey gets punished or I will send you the most expensive cigar I can find. If not I will send you The biggest bottle of your favorite alcohol.

By Joe Don

September 7, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Yo Brown Thrasher:

To suggest that Vick is the reason the Dome sold out is silly. Want to sell it out every f-ing game? WIN. That is the only thing that matters. Win, and field a solid team. I’m tired of morons like you thinking Vick was the only reason we were any good. Remember the Superbowl run under crappy Chris Chanddler? Okay then. We had the right TEAM around him. And we’re sorry Harrington is white and all, but watch out — nobody expects anything from him, and he has something to prove. This year he will put up some big numbers I bet and you will finally see the rise of Michael Jenkins. Why? Because we have a QB that can deliver the ball. F&^% Vick!

By techaholic

September 7, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I am not a Falcons fan but I thought the Petrino hire was the best the Falcons have done in a long time.

He’s convinced me he’s the right guy after all this mess. I believe they will be a team that plays well under him and this season will not be wasted.

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

BUSHWACKER HOW MANY DID JOEY HAVE ALL OF LAST YEAR MIAMI? DON’T COME TO BATTLE WITH KNIFE WHEN YOU NEED A GUN JUST LIKE U.S. THE WILL NOT ALWAYS BE ONESIDED IN WAR BECAUSE SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL MATCH YOURS; NO MATTER WHO THE ARE, ON THE REAL.

By Gwen

September 7, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

First, Vick is still on the roster and that means he is a FALCON. This thing is not over. Blank will try and recoop some of his money, in the meantime, Vick will get loads of interest off of 22 million.

I have season tickets and will miss Vick. I love Petrino;Mora was a different story.

Vick took us to the Super Bowl.

Stop looking back people and look to the future. We are fans no matter who is on the line. I love all of you and we need to stop hating and have fun.

I will be wearing my #7 Jersey..look for me

By Darrin "The Vent King"

September 7, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I’m not going to lie, the “Vick Disaster” floored me when it first went down, but IT’S STILL RED AND BLACK ALL DAY BABY!!! And now that I’m recovering from that, I sincerely hope “Petro” can get it done. He is our ONLY hope right now. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from his offense and word is- we haven’t seen anything yet which is amazing to me because it’s been a good minute since we had a coach that was worth a dime. I’m cheering more this season more than ever because the whole world has left us for dead and I’M NOT BUYING IT!! The men on those other teams put there underwear on just like our Birds do and even as much as I liked Vick, one man should not make a team and I think it’s high time the guys on this team prove that. I’m worried about the defense and the O-line, but if that comes around I’m certain we can win 7 or 8 games and with a little luck slip into the playoffs. Those are some big “if’s”, but if that happens, it will be so-ooooo sweet ‘cause only the REAL fans remain now and we will reap all the rewards. This season ticket holder is staying down with the home team even if all goes south, because I believe if not this season, in the near future “Petro” will get this ship right. It’s just so nice to have a coach that has some sort of clue. LET’S GET IT!!

GO FALCONS!!

By Joe Don

September 7, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE: you are an idiot. The dude BROKE THE LAW. What do you want? Should he be let off because he is black? How about because he’s making $130 Mil and “trying to change the game for other black QBs”

He broke the law, it was a felony, and he was prosecuted. If Brett Favre did that, he would be prosecuted as well.

But no, in Vickl’s case, everyone’s after him because he’s black. Without reading a single post here, I could have predicted that someone would make this racial. Thanks for being that single-minded fool and proving me right.

Oh, and learn how to spell…dummy.

By Breezmom

September 7, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Having been born & raised in Atlanta my family has always supported the Falcons-even during the bad seasons; they have been true, die-hard Falcons fans all of my life. I must admit that I am a Michael Vick fan; always have been and always will be. He made a mistake. If everyone just stop for a minute and think about something stupid that they’ve done, especially during their younger days then maybe we will be more forgiving. He’s young, he was foolish, but he is a hell-u-va QB. Should Mr. Blank be as stupid in his decision to release Vick as Vick was to think that dog fighting was entertainment then the Falcons will one day regret their decision. Michael Vick will redeem himself and he will be a better man, father, son, and person because he erred and has learned. I’m sure that there are teams standing by the sidelines waiting for the Falcons to once again make a stupid judgment call. God bless the team that will put a football back in his hands; I’m sure that we will see them in the Superbowl.

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

DTURNER Why are you and zorro trashing black folks? Dturner how can you talk when your childs father is a convict and you are living in a broken home. Truth is It is way more white folks on welfare than blacks….you hide in the woods in these trailer parks and drink your bush beer and in-breed. Don’t know what a wash cloth is because you use the soap and your hands and thinks that gets the dirt of your wet dog smelling a@@es. No I never had the pleasure of a jail cell with your baby daddy but slide me your number…I will take over his fatherly duties…hell my taxes are paying for to live anyway…

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

DTURNER Why are you and zorro trashing black folks? Dturner how can you talk when your childs father is a convict and you are living in a broken home. Truth is It is way more white folks on welfare than blacks….you hide in the woods in these trailer parks and drink your bush beer and in-breed. Don’t know what a wash cloth is because you use the soap and your hands and thinks that gets the dirt of your wet dog smelling a@@es. No I never had the pleasure of a jail cell with your baby daddy but slide me your number…I will take over his fatherly duties…hell my taxes are paying for you to live anyway…

By Falcons Fan

September 7, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hey I WISH MV7 WAS HERE : I can tell you are a product of the Atlanta school system and probably graduated Magna Cum Laude from Atlanta University.

It is a terrible thing to waste a mind, but in your case buddy I think it has already happened. Better just finish off some Mad Dog (ironic, huh?) and go to bed and sleep it off.

By Yoti

September 7, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Don’t hold your breath all you Vick haters!!!!

Harrington was a washout in Detroit and couldn’t grab hold of a vacant QB job in Miami; duhhhhh!!!!

You all got your wishes when Vick took the plea but your hopes for a successful Falcons season left with Vicks plea. YEAH I GOT HIS BACK; WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT? NOT A DAMN THING!

And I’ve got season tickets; you want to buy them?

By Mark

September 7, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE 7:10 AM

You are a prime example of a Vick supporter. What inner city school did you “graduate” from? Geesh!

Here’s a site for you to visit: www.dictionary.com

By Brock

September 7, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

This is pointed directly to IWISHMV7. You said what is the difference in horse racing and dog racing? Let’s look at that for a minute. It’s legal you f’n moron!! And if they do put down any dogs it’s done in a humane way like the people at the Humane Society do it. See what I did there. I used a word that all you Vick apologists don’t like to hear. Humane! Another word you guys need to look up is Intent. It was not a mistake. He intended to do what he did to those poor animals and then confessed or should I say negotiated the truth with the feds to get a better deal. He did not admit the truth. Believe it or not.

What don’t you guys understand about Vick and dogfighting? It’s Illegal!! ANd don’t bring that crap about white people want to keep a young rich black man down. I don’t see anyone saying that about Mcnabb, Warrick, Culpepper, Barkley, Lebron..who else should I name. They don’t break the f’n law that’s why they are not mentioned. You guys have this idea that this is what the Falcons fans wanted. This is so not what they wanted. Everyone wanted Vick to be the QB but sorry guess what? He’s going to jail for ADMITTING to this cruel inhumane disgusting act.

Let met enlighten you on this killing dogs thing. Do you know how hard it is to keep a 50-60lb dogs head underwater with it fighting with all its strength because he knows he’s not suppose to be underwater. Even after the dog has been fighting for it’s life in the pit I can only imagine how hard that dog would fight for a breath while its head is being held underwater by guys who are laughing about. If you can support someone who can do that then you have no morals in your life whatsoever.

And BTW(that stands for:by the way just in case you didn’t know that) what my ancestors did before I was born i couldn’t care less. It’s who I am and how I choose what and what not to believe. My ancestors probably did do some things I’m not proud of but that has no bearing on me. So go ahead and call me and my family racists but before you do look at your words and actions and people you call friends and people you support and see what kind of man or lack there of that you may be.

By sherrel

September 7, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

vick did dat s**

By john

September 7, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

I’m an Oregon alum. I’ve followed Harrington’s career. The upside potential for him is very big. His career so far has been in broken organizations. I don’t know the Atlanta players well enough yet to have an opinion about whether this team is different. But if the team responds to Petrino and his system in a positve way, Harrington will do his part.

By dturner

September 7, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

TO ROAD DOG, YOU ARE SO TOTALLY MISUNDERSTOOD

There is one difference in me and your “typical” white woman with a black “baby daddy” (as ya’ll put it)- I’m educated and live FAR from a trailor. You started this conversation when you told me to keep my “stank” mouth shut. So deal with the truth that it holds !!

Oh, I dont live in a broken home, I am with someone who knows how to treat women and children. Thanks for being concerned.

I would give you my number, it would probably be the best you had, thats what he said ! But, I don’t need another one like him, they all the same at the end of the day !!

Thats all Road Dog, you need to change your name if you ever want to be respected in the “real” world- Oh, and for my son, he has a father, I do have a little respect for him, so I call him my son’s father, not a “baby daddy”- you can save that term for your girlfriend.

By MIKE

September 7, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

ALL I WANT TO SAY TO ALL THESE NEW FALCON FANS IS I NEVER SAW YOU GUYS IN THE DOME. VICK COULD READ DEFENSES THIS IS NOT MADDEN ON EA SPORTS. HE PLAYED THE GAME FOR REAL AND NONE OF US HAD TO SIT BEHIND THAT SORRY LINE AND RUN FOR OUR LIFE. THE FALCONS AND THE NFL SAY THEY DON’T CONDONE ANIMAL CRUELTY YET BABINOX IX STILL ON THE TEAM ACCUSSED OF KILLING HIS GIRLFRIENDS PITBULL ACTUALLY SLAMMING IT AGAINST THE WALL. ANIMAL CRUELTY IS ANIMAL CRUELTY SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. MY TAKE ON THIS WHOLE THING IS WHY DON’T THEY GO AFTER CHICKEN FIGHTERS THE SAME WAY AS THEY DO DOGS, LET ME TELL YOU. AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS AS LONG AS A WHITE MAN IS DOING THIS IT IS FINE WHEN A BLK MAN STARTS DOING SOMETHING IT GETS SCRUTINIZED. A WHITE MAYOR IN BLUERIDGE WAS CHARGED AND YOU HEARD NOTHING EXCEPT A LITTLE TIDBIT. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH PETRINO IS TRYING TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT. HE KNOW HE CAME TO THE FALCONS TO COACH VICK AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DREAM. YES VICK MESSED UP BUT IF IT WAS PEYTON OR BRADY WOULD IT HAVE BEEN DRUG OUT LIKE THIS. i BET IT WOULDN’T HAVE.

By Mark

September 7, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE 7:10 AM

Your illiterate posts are making my day! Keep posting, please.

By dturner

September 7, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

TO MIKE,

HEY, RIGHT NOW, LOOK AT THE FRONT PAGE OF THE AJC, THEY HAVE ARRESTED PEOPLE IN SNELLVILLE FOR DOGFIGHTING AND CHICKEN FIGHTING

AND, BY THE WAY, THEY ARE WHITE, SO I GUESS THAT BLOWS YOUR THEORY OUT OF THE WATER !! SORRY !!

THE RACE GAME IS SO, SO, SO, SO VERY OLD, YA’LL PLEASE TRY TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER EXCUSE !!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSEEEE !

By MV7 Fan

September 7, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

DTurner has a lot of knowledge of what goes on in jail. EF#’s and honey buns and chips. He must have served time in jail.

By Mark

September 7, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

You keep posting too, Mike Your ignorance is amusing as well.

By Brock

September 7, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Mike I’ll tell you like I told MV7. Peyton and Brady don’t break the law!!! Yeah, IF it were peyton or Brady IF!! That is the word to focus on now isn’t it. IF if’s and butts were candy and nuts we’d all have a Merry F’n Christmas. But keep using that little word IF. It obviously gives you guys hope in some way of explaing your mind boggling low rent intelligence.

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

DTURNER. Now you know all the folks on this site who don’t like blacks don’t like you now that they found out you have a ZEBRA. You were teaming up with ZORRO bashing Blacks now you messed it up…trust me he hates you more now that you have a baby by a brother. He knows you have experienced the snake and can’t return to the worm because all he will do is fall in…smile.

Now you and Zorro messed up my conversation with Bushwacker….so bushwacker…are we on or what? Joey Boy gets sacked twice in the first quarter!

By VickBeliever

September 7, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

All you Vick haters on this blog that are screaming Vick ran to much and was not a accurate passer and we would never win with him. Well guess what you all got exactly what you have been waiting for the day we could run Vick out of town. Now my question to all of you is now that YOU have the type of QB what will you say now. Some of you people never like Vick even when we were wining games and by the comments you post the obvious truth is still hidden behind your words. Based on what you have all stated in your Vick hatred now that we have a QB who can’t run we should win more, not that we have a QB who ccan read defenses we should win more. I can’t wait o hear what you KKK members are saying after week 6.

By JEN

September 7, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

the era of michael vick is over. lets move on . go joey harrington alot of people and fans are pulling for you.

By JEN

September 7, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

the era of michael vick is over. lets move on . go joey harrington alot of people and fans are pulling for you.

By JEN

September 7, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

the era of michael vick is over. lets move on . go joey harrington alot of people and fans are pulling for you.

By 2cool4U

September 7, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Hay, all I have to say is we need to be more concerned about what the falcon team is going to be like now, that the meaningless preseason is over. The real season starts sunday,they pretty much have the same offensive line they had last year,I dont see them scoring a lot of points against good teams , Joey will be thow more interceptions, and have a high sack rate compared to the quarterback we had last year and yes we will not be the number 1 team in rushing this year eithier. the falcons need to fix their offensive line and draft a new quarterback to start for next year. All Im saying is lets shoot for a for the 1st pick in the draft next year and draft big offensive linemen then maybe in about 3 years we can dominate like P.manning and the colts. GO FALCONS……HAHAHAHA

By dturner

September 7, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

TO ROAD DOG:

I WOULD RATHER HAVE A ZEBRA THAN A MONKEY !!

AND, I COULD CARE LESS HOW MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME OR WHAT I SAY.. I SPEAK THE TRUTH !!

By dturner

September 7, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

TO ROAD DOG:

I SAID I SPEAK THE TRUTH…..

Dont tell nobody but the snake joke was funny, I did laugh……. BUT, its not true.. its just a MYTH !

By scott

September 7, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

This is why I am a Cowboy fan although I have lived in Atlanta for 8 years. I still like to see the home teams succeed, but anyone who thinks a franchise which has NEVER had back to back winning seasons can have a great year with a new QB and a college coach is dreaming. THIS IS THE NFL, not Pop Warner. I remember all the turmoil we had with the Cowboys back in Dallas during the 1990’s. Guess what we still supported the team and enjoyed 3 SUPER BOWL WINS in 5 years.

Atlanta fans are “happy” to finish 2nd in a weak division. (Did anyone see the division favorite Saints get waxed last night).

Atlanta has a cut off it’s nose to spite it’s face mentality towards “certain” athletes. Remember David Justice, all he did was help the Braves win their 1 World Series, and they threw him out like yesterdays trash. I believe he played and earned a few more RINGS and World Series appearances with the Yankees and Cleveland.

Vick will be back in the league in a few years. Look at the starting QBs in the league right now (KC,MINNY,DETROIT, TB, etc).

For those of you that says the time off is going to hurt, remember the Falcons backup has not been in an NFL game since 2003. (Tim Couch is back in the league after a few years off and remember Randall Cunningham in 1998?)

By sharon

September 7, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Whenever I need my daily dose of hate all I have to do is come to any AJC Blog. I don’t for one minute believe MV7 is a Black person. To the people sitting back predicting/hoping Mike Vick will be sexually assaulted in prison is too sick to comprehend or comment on. Sorry, to disappoint you though. It is is widely known that he will not be in a prison with violent offenders. He will be in there with people like you who think their s-it don’t stink. For those of you who are saying that he doesn’t know how to read a defense, how do you know? Are you repeating what you hear the drunk fans say. Have any of you played football (little league doesn’t count). He must have meant a hell of a lot to this team and this city because on the eve of the Falcons first game people are still talking about what he can/can’t/didn’t do.

By Mark

September 7, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

If having a snake instead of a worm is the only asset you can come up with, it’s no wonder you’re still a minority.

This has become a black vs white situation only because blacks are quick to say so. It’s not the white man holding you nogs down. It’s your ignorance and racism….

By Snupe Doggy dog

September 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

I KNOW I BETTER SEE PETA ALL OVER THE ACWORTH P.D. OVER MY HOMEBOY MARCO’S DEATH!!!! AND YEAH WHAT ABOUT THE DEKALB ANIMAL SHELTER OVER THERE “SMOKIN” DOGS??? I AIN’T HEARD FROM NO DAMN PETA!! IF NOBODY ELSE KNOWS HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MY HOMIES, POLICE UNITS AND ANIMAL SHELTERS SHOULD. WHERE YOU AT PETA??? OR ARE YOU JUST A BUNCH OF MONEY GRUBBING HYPOCRITES??

By Keeping IT

September 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Love Vick but he is not here so we will see. The defense has to show up for us to win something Vick did not have the defense was 22nd in the NFL last year. Hope we get the QB from Kentucky(SEC) next year in the Draft he is good!

By Football Fanatic

September 7, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Now rumor has it that Arthur Blank is possibly going to sell the team to Curtis Martin. GEEZ just how bad is the fallout from that punk Vick going to get. He has ruined the team and I hate his dumb a#^ for it! I hope he gets the maximum sentence and is banned from the NFL for life. He is a useless piece of sh%^. How can supposed intelligent human beings want to defend this idiot is beyond me.

By Blind Homer

September 7, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

If the defense holds up we could just sneak into the playoffs. Someon in the NFC will probably get in at 8-8 if they win the right 8 games. That is possible with our schedule. We’ll know something real soon. If they don’t beat the Vikings, it’s gonna be a long year. Go Falcons!

By Rutuger

September 7, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Every time I read the comments by the Vick extremists (from either end of the spectrum), my IQ is lowered at least two points.

Do you people realize the entire nation—black, white, green—is LAUGHING at your absurd twisted ignorant arguments? Meanwhile the intelligent people of this city are getting lumped in with you embiciles.

If you’re just a “Vick fan” and not a Falcons fan, YOU ARE NOT WANTED HERE. Your leap from the bandwagon is the silver lining in this mess to those of us who are loyal to this TEAM (which means the WHITE players, BLACK players, HISPANIC players, ASIAN player…) because we love our city and love FOOTBALL.

GO FALCONS!!!!

By sharon

September 7, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

dturner it is in poor taste to be putting your business out like you’re doing. VickBeliever, I’m predicting 1-5 after week six.

By T.C

September 7, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

you columnist are just falcon haters,first you say vick is not a real Q.B and cant play the position.then you turn around and say the falcons cant win without him.i wish some one will bring forth another newspaper besides AJC with some real columnist.

By ken

September 7, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

dturner you are wrong about the arrests, none of them are white, they are all hispanic,please put out accurate information and i am white by the way. Lets just try to diffuse some of the anger. Mike Vick is going to jail, he plead guilty and is going to pay. So why do people keep on throwing punches. Everyone let it go and lets focus on the upcoming season.

By Debra

September 7, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Oh lord forgive Michael Vick, We miss his flashy flips and end zone tricks!

People go to church early on Sunday to see Vick and the Falcons and talk about his greatness on Monday,

Oh Lord forgive Michael Vick, It was wrong that animals suffered and died and even more disappointing the pain Vick bore when asked about it he lied.

Oh Lord forgive Michael Vick, God has forgiven Him, God Bless Michael Vick

By Real person

September 7, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Mike,

Also google the name David Tant, a man in S. Carolina serving 40 years for dog fighting and guess what , he’s WHITE!!! Also, Vick’s name came up during the investigation into Tant and some other dog fighting investigations in S. Carolina. So it was only a matter of time before they were going to catch, his cousin just sped it up by getting busted for drugs which is the original reason law enforcement had a warrant for that house. Vick wasn’t targetted, his was stupid.

By VickBeliever

September 7, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

All you Vick haters forgot to tell you this about your so called pocket accurate passers. Drew Brees who was one of the top QB’s was 28/41 192 yards and 2 Int’s. Sounds like to me that he could not read the defense was not accurate and they lost 41-10. Imagine what Joey is going to do for us and New Orleans has a better team.

By Terry

September 7, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick was one of the best qb’s in the game in the last 4 years and I truly believe that he would have became the best qb in the nfl.Most white fans that didn’t like vick,because he played a position that historical has been reserved for whites[mens]and and would break every qb record[s]and would have made him the [hank Arron]of tomorrow.I still hope in the falcons,but I think that the Vick haters need to move on[they got what they wanted] now I hope we can all live with what they wanted.Go falcons

By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE

September 7, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

I HOPE THAT MV7 DON’T GO JAIL AND GET PROBATION, LET’S SEE HOW MANY OF YOU’LL WANT HIM THE TEAM WHEN FALCON A 1-6 RECORD. PRAYER HIS TALENT ON THE FEILD AGAIN. **MARK, SOUND LIKE YOU MAY HAVE A SENSE, BUT I KNOW YOU WOULD FEEL HAVE DIFFERENT POINT OF VEIW IF IT WAYS BRADY OR MANNING. BECAUSE KENERY WAS IN HIS OWN HOUSE WHEN YOUNG LADY GET RAPED AND I DON’T SEE YOU ON THAT BLG TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE BROKE THE LAW. THE WHITE HOCHEY PLAYER WHO KILL HUMAN WHILE BEING DRUNK; I DID NOT SEE ON THAT ONE AS WELL. SO STOP STAYING THIS IS NOT RACIST ISSUE AND THE WHAT IF HASN’T HAPPEN. YOU’LL JUST SEE IT DIFFERENTLY WHEN IT’S A BLACK PERSON INVOLVED.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU ALL AND YOU’LL WITH HIS GREATEST GIFT OF ALL FORGIVENESS (10 FOLD).

By DIRTY BIRD

September 7, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF “RED NECKS” IN HERE.. BUT WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT, IT GA… ALL THESE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT “THUGS” AND “YOUR RACE” ETC…BEEP, BEEP.. HERE’S A NEWS FLASH.. THE BIRDS HAVE STATED THEMSELVES ON THEIR WEBSITE.. “THAT 67% OF SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ARE BLACK”…. SO LETS TRY TO BE EASY ON THE RACIST TALK… BECAUSE I CAN NAME SOME REAL “THUGS” AND TRUST ME, THEY AREN’T BLACKS….. AND YES.. MOST BLACK PEOPLE CAN GIVE 2 SHT ABOUT DOGS, WHEN THEY LIVE IN POVERTY, CRIME INFESTED AREAS, SHTTY SCHOOLS.. ETC… FOR A LOT OF US ITS NOT THAT SERIOUS.. AND YES.. I’M I CHRISTIAN AND YES, I’M COLLEGE EDUCATED (PEN STATE)…. AND YES I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER.. FOR OVER 8 YEARS.. AND I CAN SAY THIS.. IF I WAS VICK… MY PASSING RATING WOULD BE S** ALSO… WHO THE HELL DID HE HAVE TO PROTECT HIM OR TO CATCH THE BALL.. YOU COULD PUT P. MANNING OR T. BRADY IN HIS SPOT AND THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME…

AND I REMEMBER GOING TO A DIRTY BIRDS GAMES IN 99.. AND THE DOME WOULD BE HALF EMPTY.. THAT WAS UNTIL MIKE CAME…

HE’S AN A$$ FOR HIS ACTIONS OFF THE FIELD!!!! AND DESERVES EVERYTHING HE GETS FOR HIS ACTIONS!!!!

By renap

September 7, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

This is a great article. I really liked hearing from the Coach.

We need to back off of Mike Vick and let him straighten his life out and hopefully find some compassion inside himself. The Michael Vick’s of the world happen when greedy team owners like Blank hire young men that drop out of college and pay them obscene salaries. There’s lots of blame to be passed around here.

Hopefully one day our society will get our priorities in order and police that risk their lives everyday will make millions, and someone that plays ball will make what its worth - nothing.

By dturner

September 7, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

SHARON, YOU ARE SOOOOOO RIGHT, thanks for helping me get my head out of the gutter !!

And KEN to you, I apologize, I had just seen the headlines and assumed- that was my bad…..sorry ! I guess these people and their comments got me all out of sorts- Ya’ll continue the football talk.

I will miss MV but I do believe he brought it on himself and now he needs to do his time and try to make a better person out of himself !!

By doogie

September 7, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Petrino has nothing to do with the improvement at the QB position. Before Vick’s off field troubles he was one of the worst rated qb’s in the game. Falcon coaches, players, and fans should feel a tremendous amount of relief that they do not have to watch a profootball game turn into a peewee free-for-all every week.

By Jim P.

September 7, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I will be so happy when I can read a newspaper, without the name of the past QB all over it. It’s time to move on. I have.

By Joe Don

September 7, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Look at the Falcon’s record the past two seasons WITH your prescious negroid-quarterback-who-is-immune-to-American-law-because-he-is-black, Michael Vick: it’s 15-17. Sub-F*G PAR. Now what???? How in the heck can you argue how great he was, and how the team will stink without him. We stunk WITH him.

Morons.

By Real person

September 7, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE: you should take a grammar class. you grammar is awful. We need to stop bringing up what other people have done. Danny Heatly’s accident was just that an accident, he was not legally drunk and he should have gone to jail. The family of the man that was killed asked the courts for leniency. I believe as the family they had that right to ask. Michael Vick some very bad decisions over the course of 6 years that they know of. This is by no means an accident, it was calculated, planned and executed. Yes, I do believe that people were jealous of Vick, but I don’t think it was his color, there were 130 million things to be jealous of. I’m jealouos, I’d love to make that kind of money, but just because I’m jealous does not mean I am happy about what has happened to Vick. It is tragic to see what has happened to him. He probably would have been on of the best QB’s in NFL history, but he made his choices, he knew right from wrong and he knew what he was doing was illegal and he ddid it any way and you have to admit that Vick did have some other troubles, Ron Mexico, the stolen watch incident, the water bottle, flipping off his own fans, not that will make a fan real happy. NOT!!

Thug is not a word that means black or white, it’s not the color of the skin, it’s the attitude of the person that makes them a thug. It’s sad that such a racial divide is happening over a football player.

By MN Guy

September 7, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Geez, pull up the AJC to see what GA is saying about Sun’s game and I see the Vick debate continues. Speaking as a 15-year Vikes season ticket holder and neutral outside observer, I can speak for the majority of MN fans in stating that we’re thrilled to face Harrington instead of Vick. Harrington’s never won in the dome, and we’ve seen him screw up for years in the central division — even with Detroit teams that had some talent. Vick always killed us (ask Packer fans too). Lastly, every new coach seems like the “next big thing”, so don’t get too excited about yours yet. I hope the Falcons win all their regular season games this year EXCEPT the opener — you guys deserve it.

By Soryu

September 7, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Deltagirl, do you work for Delta?

Explains much over the last few years, no?

I don’t plan to be where MV is now because I don’t plan to engage in a long term criminal enterprise.

What Michael Vick did was not a mistake. A mistake is say flying Delta instead of Evergreen or Singapore Air. Running a criminal enterprise for six years is well a criminal enterprise?

And as for being a good QB look at his rating QB rating—lower than Plummer’s who Denver dumped.

I also seem to recall the seats being full during the 1998 season as well as the start at least of the 1999 season.

Maybe if you actually can string a few wins together and perhaps have at least two winning seasons in a row you may can get fans to come out.

By VickBeliever

September 7, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Joe Don you are a dummy. Vick was the least of the problems this teams has. Think about it Michael Jordan did not start wininng championships until he got help. The Falcons have taken 3 steps back with Harrington and you think Vick was bad.

By Second Chance

September 7, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

if the stars and planets line up we could still see Vick this season, even though Petrino rules it out - if the judge gives Vick probation Goodell should consider that fact that even though Vick was convicted, he is a first time offender - Pac-Man’s season long suspension was driven by the fact that he has a chronic problem with the law and Pac-Man’s fracas out in Vegas resulted in a guy being paralyzed - Georgia Tech shoulda given O’Leary a second chance when Notre Dame kicked him to the curb and Blank should do the same for the contrite Vick

By oops2u

September 7, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

I agree that the Falcons can prevail, not with Petrino. This goon is a slickster and you falcon fans will see, just wait and see.

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

to I WISH MV7 WAS HERE dude,Joey was on DETROIT, THEY SUCK..YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT, PUT JOEY ON A GOOD TEAM AND LOOK WHAT HE DID IN 1/2 A GAME…keep talking you make look smarter than I am!!!

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE try speaking english so we know what the heck you are trying say!

By BUSHWACKER

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

I WISH MV7 WAS HERE dude we don’t like Vick becuase he is a criminal and he sucks as qb,you do the math!!!

Why do you hate people who dislkie him for legitimate reasons: becuase YOU ARE A RACIST!!!

By oops2u

September 7, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

You white folks in the deep south are rearing your ugly head again! Who cares that you’ll go the falcons game now that mv is no longer there. It’s sad Joey Harrington has to be the center of the hostility & hatred you folks have in the south. You and your new coach are doom for disaster. And because of your mentality, you will be curse with a curse.

By Joey Harrington

September 7, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Dear I WISH MV7 WAS HERE,

I think your “caps lock” is on. To turn it off, just hit the button that says “Caps Lock”. Give it a shot.

Everyone take care, and try not to look like a bunch of racists (both sides), please. This article is linked on ESPN (Bill Simmons column), now, and my friends from outside of Atlanta are emailing me to tell me what a joke my hometown is.

Fantastic stuff, thanks!

By VickBeliever

September 7, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Hey you Vick haters and Harrington supporters the game is Sunday. Can’t wait to here what you guys will say on Monday. You better hope that Harrington does not have to win the game as one Mr. Vick had to do on several occasion.

By Aztec Dave

September 7, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

I would like to point out to Mark Bradley that no Super Bowl team has ever had Michael Vick for a QB! In fact no other team has ever had Micahel Vick at QB. It is pretty clear that teams can and do win without Vick. Why not the Falcons? What a concept, playing without Vick just might work better. The Falcons were nothing special with him. Go Joey, Go Falcons!

By ROAD DOG

September 7, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Cant you clowns see that IWISHMV7WAS HERE is a white guy making you guys show your colors? TO MIKE..smile…that snake thing got under your skin huh? I know man…I feel your pain…every white woman I have been with are taken to a level you will never understand…eating don’t do the job when the spot is waaaay up there….remeber this saying….WHEN YOU GIFTED BETWEEN THE HIPS YOU DONT NEED WHATS BETWEEN THE LIPS…at least not as your ace in the hole because I like to taste it every now and then…I see how you guys hide on nude beaches when a brother roll in…smile. DTURNER..you my darling can never go back…..smile

By Aztec Dave

September 7, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Would somebody tell me when Michael Vick brought the Falcons back in the closing minutes to win a game, other than the well known Greenbay game, which was eons ago. Please, I don’t remember. I do remember him walking off the field last year with a pretend injury when the game was on the line. I remember key fumbles killing drives when the game was on the line. I know for a fact we had a losing record over the last two years. I know that we had the worst pass offense in the league in spite of having two number picks a wide receiver. I know our offense sucked. But, I don,t know of a single time since the Greenbay game that we came from behind in the fourth quarter. In fact, I believe the records will show the Falcons to be the most inept team in the league in the fourth quarter.

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

to oops to you,

We don’t like VICK because he is a criminal and a lousy quarterback.

You don’t like white people because we are white.

you are showing everyone you are the RACIST!!

By BUSHWACKER

September 7, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Good point AZTEC DAVE, that Green Bay team was not very good anyway.

Here’s a fact a bet all the VICK lovers don’t know, in VICK’S last 18 games, ZERO TD passes in the 4th quarter, hard to lead a come back with those kind of stats!!

These Vick supporters are not supporting him because he is good, they support him because he is black!!!

IT shows 3 things,

1, all of us who just want to win and don’t care what color the qb is are not the racists. 2, They would rather lose if the qb is white which makes them the RACISTS. 3, they are also too gutless too admit they hate white people!!!

By Dontjumpoffthebandwagon

September 7, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

**THE ONLY THING I HATE ABOUT FALCONS FANS IS THAT THEY ARE FAIRWEATHER FANS….ALTHOUGH I THINK THE FALCONS WILL WIN 8 OR 9 GAMES, LET’S NOT FORGET THAT THE OTHER TEAMS AREN’T GOING TO FEEL SORRY FOR US, THEY’RE TRYING TO WIN TO…SAYING THAT, DON’T JUMP OFF THE BANDWAGON, THOSE THAT ARE ON, IF THEY LOSE 1 THIS WEEKEND, B/C IT WILL BE A LONG YEAR…BUT THEY WILL PREVAIL…GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By Dontjumpoffthebandwagon

September 7, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

THE ONLY THING I HATE ABOUT FALCONS FANS IS THAT THEY ARE FAIRWEATHER FANS….ALTHOUGH I THINK THE FALCONS WILL WIN 8 OR 9 GAMES, LET’S NOT FORGET THAT THE OTHER TEAMS AREN’T GOING TO FEEL SORRY FOR US, THEY’RE TRYING TO WIN TO…SAYING THAT, DON’T JUMP OFF THE BANDWAGON, THOSE THAT ARE ON, IF THEY LOSE 1 THIS WEEKEND, B/C IT WILL BE A LONG YEAR…BUT THEY WILL PREVAIL…GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By Dontjumpoffthebandwagon

September 7, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

THE ONLY THING I HATE ABOUT FALCONS FANS IS THAT THEY ARE FAIRWEATHER FANS….ALTHOUGH I THINK THE FALCONS WILL WIN 8 OR 9 GAMES, LET’S NOT FORGET THAT THE OTHER TEAMS AREN’T GOING TO FEEL SORRY FOR US, THEY’RE TRYING TO WIN TO…SAYING THAT, DON’T JUMP OFF THE BANDWAGON, THOSE THAT ARE ON, IF THEY LOSE 1 THIS WEEKEND, B/C IT WILL BE A LONG YEAR…BUT THEY WILL PREVAIL…GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By Freddy K.

September 7, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose and somtimes you get rained out. I think the Falcon’s will do the same.

By John

September 7, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Mark my words: Petrino will be gone withing two years.

By John

September 7, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons will be just as good this season as they were last season. Everybody says that sense we don’t have Vick we will suck, but lets not forget the last two season we HAD Vick and still missed playoffs. As long as the O-Line gives Harrington enough time he will be fine. But if the O-Line hasn’t improved….LETS GO HAWKS!!!

By Russ Brock

September 7, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

The Falcons will go 10-6 and make the playoffs as a wild card. They will win the first round but get knocked out by Dallas or New Orleans.

By Rutuger

September 7, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

The great part about Vick being gone and taking the fairweather fans with him is that now there won’t be people screaming and doing the wave while we’re on offense.

Idiots

By O1

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

MY WIFE,KIDS,AND I MOVED HERE NINE YEARS AGO. I SUPPORT THE FALCONS TREMENDOUSLY.HOWEVER,THIS SUNDAY,TARVARIS JACKSON IS GOING TO SHOW THE FALCONS AND THE WORLD THAT HE’S THE EPITOMIE OF THE NEW-AGE.QUARTERBACK. I’VE KNOWN HIM AS WELL AS HIS FAMILY ALL OF HIS LIFE;AND I MUST SAYHE’S ABETTER PERSON THAN THE EXCEPTIONAL QUARTERBACK WE ALL WILL WITNESS ON SUNDAY. I HOPE NO ONE GUESS UPSET BY MY COMMENTS,BUT THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. SEE YOU MONDAY. GOOOO TARVARIS AND MAY GOD CONTINUOSLY BLESS YOU.

By Jerry in South Carolina

September 7, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

I think Blank is one of the best owners in football. He lavished money and praise on both Mora and Vick and deserved a better coach and a better quarterback. I hope he now has both.

By Soryu

September 7, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

So second chance, how long have you been smoking opium? Because if you think that MV is not going away to the Fed Pen for at least a year if not longer and that he will not be suspended after he gets out for at least another year you are hitting the pipe.

Don’t expect to see ole MV until at least the 2010 season, if ever and then only as a special team player. MV days as a QB in the NFL are over as are his days as a Falcon.

I know you think ole MV could walk on water and everything, but forget about him—at least as for as the NFL is concerned, he no longer exists.

By northgeorgiafalconfan

September 7, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

i can’t wait till gameday.GO FALCONS.

By Big Bull

September 7, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

oops.. the only thing rearing it’s ugly head is your spelling!!! where the heck did you go to school..MV dog training school!!Vick was a loser. just look at his record.He was a running back trying to play QB.They had to give him a coloring book and crayons for a playbook!The Falcons are going to adapt to this system and get better and better.All we have to do is go to the games and cheer like crazy and show our support . that’s the best way to motivate a team

By A Realist

September 7, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

To Soryu The Dome was not sold out in 98. The Falcons were in the Super Bowl and still got blacked out in 99. The Dome has been sold out since 01 so people did go to games. That tells me you have probably never been to a game. Plenty tickets are available now for the bargain price of $9. Better get you some for next year to cause of course it won’t be on tv. Even if the Falcons go 16/0 they will still be blacked out. Vick brought the Falcons visibility and revenue. That’s why Arthur invested $130 million into him. Don’t be stupid, Arthur got a lot of return off that investment. Vick has made him more than $130 million. Arthur is a business man. He probably bought the franchise because of Vick. Nobody wanted to buy it before. So he probably is going to try and sell the franchise to Curtis Martin. He knows his money maker is no longer here. So regardless of what Vick did or didn’t do on the field everybody in the world and the Nfl wanted to see him for some reason. The Falcons had back to back losing seasons, yet they still have 4 prime time games this year(meaning they will be seen all over the world). The Colts have about the same amount and they won the Super Bowl. What does that tell you? The franchise get paid for things like this. Vick made Arthur money and plenty of it. Way more than $130 million. And don’t be surprised if the networks start to change some of those Falcon prime time games. Everybody doesn’t want to see Joey. Please stop putting all the blame on Vick and put it where it belongs(DEFENSE,COACHING, RECEIVERS). He did a lot for this franchise regardless of race. No one can dispute that FACT! DEION SANDERS LAID THE DOME’S FOUNDATION, MIKE VICK BUILT IT!

By Chadrow1

September 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Many of you knuckledheads never played sports let alone football and it shows! You spite your venom here hiding behind your computers. Seems cowardice to me…

BTW, I hate to spoil it for many of you but “I WISH MV7 WAS HERE” is not a brown guy.

Thanks,

Romans 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

By O1

September 7, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

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

MY WIFE,KIDS,AND I MOVED HERE NINE YEARS AGO. I SUPPORT THE FALCONS TREMENDOUSLY.HOWEVER,THIS SUNDAY,TARVARIS JACKSON IS GOING TO SHOW THE FALCONS AND THE WORLD THAT HE’S THE EPITOMIE OF THE NEW-AGE.QUARTERBACK. I’VE KNOWN HIM AS WELL AS HIS FAMILY ALL OF HIS LIFE;AND I MUST SAY HE’S A BETTER PERSON THAN THE EXCEPTIONAL QUARTERBACK WE ALL WILL WITNESS ON SUNDAY. I HOPE NO ONE GETS UPSET BY MY COMMENTS,BUT THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. SEE YOU MONDAY. GOOOO TARVARIS AND MAY GOD CONTINUOUSLY BLESS YOU.

By Chadrow1

September 7, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Many of you knuckleheads never played sports let alone football and it shows! You spit your venom here hiding behind your computer. Seems cowardice to me…

BTW, I hate to spoil it for many of you but “I WISH MV7 WAS HERE” is not a brown guy.

By Tampaparrotthead

September 7, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

If this wasn’t so seriously pathetic it would almost be funny!

White, black, mistakes, decisions, passers, runners, snakes, worms, prisons, schools, spelling, grammer and on and on and on it goes! Does anybody else see it here… THERE ARE NO WINNERS IN THIS SITUATION!

Michael Vick did not make a mistake or a bad decision… as good as he was, as bad as he was, as fast as he was, as slow as he was, as black as he was, as white as he was, as rich as he was, as poor as he was… Michael Vick lived an illegal lifestyle. And admit it or not, there’s a huge difference in making a mistake or a bad decision and living an illegal lifestyle.

It takes a big man to stand before the world and say “I’m wrong and I’m sorry” but unfortunately it was too little, too late. It’s like calling someone an S.O.B. and then telling them that you didn’t mean it… the damage is done and it’s too late for that.

I hope that he has taken the steps to get his life in order, as he says he has. I truly believe that he has and I hope that it’s a permanent change for him and he’s looking forward.

All of us need to do the same thing!

By Daniel Harrison

September 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else ever notice that when Matt Shaub came into a game the falcons all of a sudden had a passing game? Sure Vick might avoid a sack a game, and create maybe 3-4-5 rushing first downs, but a completion percentage of even 8-10% higher would more than make up for it. I think people are underestimating the falcons PASSING game, and maybe overestimating their running game…

By Falcon Fred

September 8, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

The Falcons got rid of the dirtiest, herpes spreading, lying, sick, brainless nig nog in the NFL. Things only get better.

By Falcon Fred

September 8, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

The Falcons got rid of the dirtiest, herpes spreading, lying, sick, brainless nig nog in the NFL. Things only get better.

By Gary Gambino

September 8, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

I hope the Falcons have the league’s second-worst record this season, and it has nothing to do with Vick. You see, I live in Louisville, and I don’t think pathological liars should be rewarded with sweet NFL coaching deals. For the record, I like your city, just not Petrino.