Sports Columnists

By Master of Flatulence

October 19, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

Joey Harrington is a class act in a hopeless situation. Leftwich is going to get killed, too. The O-line is the worst in league history.

By DOG LOVER

October 19, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

BLA BLA BLA JUST FREAKIN WIN I DONT CARE HOW YOU DO IT. FALCONS ARE ACTING LIKE A BUNCH OF SISSYS

By laved11

October 19, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this

Granted, Michael Vick has not been the best decision-maker regarding the offseason, but the struggles of this Falcons team cannot be blamed on the former Atlanta signal-caller. The reason the Falcons are not successful without Vick is the same reasons they weren’t successful with him. Poor protection, dropped passes and the complete lack of play-makers on either offense or defense is why the Falcons are 1-5. No other team (not even the Colts or Patroits) require their quarterback to play outstanding every week because it’s not possible. Eventually, great quarterbacks need to the defense, special teams or even a receiver to make a play to be successful consistently.

By No Dawgs Here

October 19, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

Even if the Falcons do draft a good QB, they will just trade him. IE Brett Farve. The main issue is not the QB. It is that horrible O-Line!! They can’t pass block and they can’t run block. Petrino has the worng personell for his offensive scheme. That is the issue! If you can’t run the ball int he NFL, chances are you lose. Unless you have Peyton Manning at QB. But, do you think Peyton Mannin would do any better in this situation? No. The QB has to have time to throw the ball. Blame this on poor coaching, and poor game plans. As long as we have Petrino as a coach the Falcons are going to SUCK. No QB can win with this team.

By PC

October 19, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

People tend to forget that the Falcons best playmaker touched the ball EVERY play!!! The threat of him running probably gave them at least 3 to 5 extra first downs a game (that estimate is probably low)…even if he couldn’t throw the ball worth a lick. But it’s time to move on. Hopefully next year the coaches will have a better game plan. Protection probably wasn’t as important with Vick since he could wiggle out of tight situations with his feet. So maybe next year they’ll concentrate more on protection.

By Don88

October 19, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

“How good would he have been under Bobby Petrino?”…after all is said, and done this is what hurts real Falcons fans the most….damn…

By Bill Burns

October 19, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

The Falcons deserve exactly what they are getting. They “protected” Vick many times over the years. Since the dog episode, many things have come to light showing clearly that the Falcons knew of many unsavory, if not illegal, things that he was involved in. For Arthur Blank to tell the public and his fans that they had no idea what Vick was really like, is a lie.

By galawyergirl

October 19, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

The blame goes to the news media, the NFL Commissioner, and Arthur Blank for bowing to the pressure of PETA! If Vick had not been tried by a certain faction of the public, and if the Commissioner and Blank had any balls (pardon the pun!), Vick could have played out this season. Instead, he’s watching the team die a slow death from home. Of course, PETA fanatics are not watching at all - never did!

By Brownthrasher

October 19, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

I’m still hoping for a Vick come back in an Atlanta uniform (I can hope). I thought this wasn’t a one-man team.

By Theedge

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

What a mess! Thanks Mike for being so selfish and team management for relying on one individual so much. Hopefully the first round draft pick next year will be able to play right away.

By Bird Fan

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Well said, Mr. Mark Bradley, sad but true; nevertheless, I remain a Falcon fan. Eventhough the season looks grim, it’s refeshing to see more than a “one man show”, 11 guys playing as a team. Joey is intelligent, speaks well and with more protection, passes well. I remain steadfast in my support.

By Tony

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

While I agree he has hurt this team, I am sadden by the fact I will never see him play in this offense. I truly believe this offense was made for him. It also pains me that what he did so many people find it unforgivable. Granted his passing numbers where not great, however he was able to hid many of the problems on this team ie. poor special team play, lack of a presence at MLB, soft at the Safety postions. NON Nfl linemen on offense. It is time to rebuild and it’s also time to forgive. He did some things that were wrong but he also did some good hree in the A.

By bill

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick was spectacular. This hid all of the flaws of this team.

Micheal Vick was inconsistent. This is why they always seemed to go 8-8.

Michael Vick could not be relied on. He was bound to get hurt or in trouble. This is why his leaving is not a bad thing in the long run.

You have to be able to see the problems before you can fix them.

Joey Harrington is a decent quarterback who has had the misfortune of starting for miserable teams.

Bryon Leftwich will not last two games (prediction), because the offensive line will get him clobbered.

By Captain Falcon

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Nice column, Mark. I’ve been trying to tell the tailgaters in the Gulch this all season. No one thinks it’s a four-to-five year disaster, at best. But it is. It’s like “Seinfeld” if, say, they’d ripped Jerry out halfway through the show’s run. Can’t recover. The team was built around Vick — some could argue not very well, as I would — but with him at the controls at least there was some chance of landing the plane. Sadly, like so many of us have experienced, it’s as if the team is stuck in a holding pattern at Hartsfield — while still on the ground.

By LARRY W. HILTON

October 19, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

Bradley, you’re wrong.You’re paid to express a written opinion about this team, and it’s just that. When the Falcons stop depending on the quarterback to win games victories will come. A paid opinion can’t kill dreams, and winning desires of players. Leftwich has shown more heart, and desire of any modern athlete. His “essence” on this team will transcend to other players. The best games of the season start Sunday.

By Don't think so

October 19, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

Yes, MV7 did give this team a fighting chance week after week, no question about it.

No, he did not hurt this team (his shenanigans aside) in any shape, manner or form. The team was and is being hurt single handedly by the owner and the management team in place and the numerous bad decisions they seem to have propensity to make. MV7 did not draft the offensive line, defensive line or the coaches this ownership and management hired, consistently substandard.

Yes, they were not going to be one-man team, so was the announcement but there was only problem, management in their infinite wisdom fired the coach who could potentially made it happen. So, let us not a put a journalistic twist of only telling to create a “buzz”.

And you thought the Smith Family was badly managing this team. Can Taylor Smith buy this team back? Valuation is not that high at the moment. Allowing for inflation, the purchase price should be reasonable.

Being followed this team since the early 70’s, thought I would never say this. Here it goes, in comparison, Smith family’s decisions were better than the decisions made by the current cast of clowns.

Changing QB is nothing but desperation and nothing but blaming someone for your mistakes. Don’t care how good this coach was in College, it is evident, he can’t coach or build a team of professionals. Don’t know how to motivate to get the best out of them.

Would like to see everyone connected with the Falcons organization to be silent until they can show, they know how to play NFL football. Heard enough, haven’t you?

Don’t blame MV7, he did more than anyone could do or could have done surrounded by this cast of clowns who, call themselves owner, manager and coaches.

Trade Arthur, Rich and Pitiful.

By Theedge

October 19, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

Amazing galawyergirl you fail to blame Mike for any part of this. Win at all costs. He broke the law you pay the price he has been treated no differently than anyone else. Get a clue

By Traci

October 19, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

This is such B.S.

YOU WANTED TO RUN THE MAN OUT OF TOWN Sooooooooooooooooooo BAD.

Now that he is gone you want to blame him for the teams problems for the next 3 years….that’s laughable.

The truth is —- VICK was the the TEAM.

In some of the Games - HE willed this sorry team to win, HE put them on his back and carried them. Now you get to see that - we never had an offensive line - we never had receivers that could catch, where the heck is Algie Crumpler…

Vick’s leadership and athletic ability is what made the team win all of those games….

Well not all of them, because - Morton Anderson won the games that Mike could pull off.

And you know what —- they tried to run Anderson off too…. and they HAD to bring him back as well.

YOU wanted Mike gone so bad, This is exactly what you get. Maybe you will think twice about chasing QB’s out of town.

Oh yeah….you sorry folks even chased Bret Farve out of town…

By Boots

October 19, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

The truth is that Vick, by his inappropriate and criminal behaviors, wrecked the franchise.

Vick, because he cared more about hanging with his homies watching dogs fight to the death, abandoned his team-mates, coaches and generous owner.

As Bradley said, it will take time to get over this cancer, but in the end, the franchise will be infinitely stronger for having experienced this dastardly act of betrayal.

It’s almost like an chance to start over. It’ll be interesting to see what team management does with this unique opportunity. Hopefully, they’ll take from this experience lessons for the future.

By The Barrister

October 19, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

You tell ‘em, galawyergirl!

I mean, what gives the NFL, Arthur Blank and PETA the right to demand that Vick act like a civilized human being? Don’t they realize that some people are scumbags who are just trying to keep it real?

By pat

October 19, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

Why is it MV fault? If he was here & got hurt what then. You thought he sucked when he played so agian, how is it his fault.

By Traci

October 19, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

Mike used to carry this team.

It was not built around him. If so, how the heck do you explain for that sorry O-line?

Payton Manning and Tom Brady - Have a real Offensive line…..they have All Day to throw the ball.

YOU guys were trying to chase mike out of town —- way before last April. Some of you retards were calling for him to ba a running back last year. STUPID —— This is exactly what you get…

Le’t see they cut:

*Anderson during the off season *Norwood during the season *DeAngelo Hall refuse to do punt returns…. (STUPID)

Yep, all you sorry so called fans - wanted Mike gone ——

Careful - what you pray for!

By My 2 Cents

October 19, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

**Vick is not a scumbag.

The real scumbags of the earth - are the pedophiles like the one they just caught —-raping a 3 year old little girl and video taping it.

That’s a real scumbag!**

By Larry

October 19, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

Vick locked the Falcons into a morass of mediocrity. The Falcons were never going to win playoffs or championships with Vick That they are not winning now is simply the same old Falcon mindset going back for decades. Vick demeans any team on which he plays. He is clearly not worth having.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

October 19, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Mark,

You mention Ryan and Woodson in the artivle, but the natural fit is Brian Brohm. I would think he is the QB of the future and if they do not go QB then please go get Jake Long OT from Michigan!

By GeorgiaYankeesFan

October 19, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Can we move on please? Let the rebuilding begin NOW. Vick was this team’s spackle, he covered up a ton of blemishes and weaknesses. Now he’s gone and the real deal is being exposed. The problem with this team is it needs some sort of team identity. Look at the most successful teams in the league, Pats, Colts, Steelers… they have a team 1st identity which everyone conforms to. You don’t see players melting down in key situations. And if you did it wouldn’t be the coach who had to take the player to task it would be the other 53 players. Get some players who conform to that template and you will see some results. What Blank is missing is that unlike College Ball, the charismatic coach only goes so far, you need some locker room leaders to enforce this team first attitude.

By Boots

October 19, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

I am not upset that MV7 is gone. He was a distraction. His behaviors were disruptive. He could run fast, but he was a pitiful leader —- sitting alone on the bench pouting when things did not go to his satisfaction on the field —- and admitting that he had held back during several games and giving out the second half of two consecutive seasons.

He was a cancer! He ran because that was all he could do!

MV7 is not a very bright person and he was surrounded by lesser luminaries —- mental midgets —- as demonstrated by numerous mental mistakes that cost the team dearly in at least three games this season.

Vick is gone, and will probably never suit up again in the NFL. The team will move ahead and hopefully rebuild on the ruins of an overpaid, underachiever who could never live up to his salary and hype. And, six years of stats prove this statement.

By Adam

October 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

No offense, Mark, but Dany Heatley did more damage to the Thrashers organization than Vick did to the Falcons. One dead teammate and a trade demand is what we got from him. The organization is still recovering from that nearly five years later.

By Dee

October 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

“…this franchise really did revolve around the man who’s gone.”

And there lies the huge mistake made by Blank and McKay…building a franchise around one player. Now that player is gone and the weaknesses are showing. Instead of firing head coaches, how about firing the front office? Couldn’t hurt.

By Conga

October 19, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

The Falcoons are the only NFL franchise that does not have back-to-back winning seasons, and I don’t forsee that happening anytime soon?

By Tray

October 19, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

hey 1 more thing, do you even know where leather comes from?? In the states i know it’s not made of Dog hides!! PETA people probably do watch football, just like a lot of regular people do. MIKE VICK IS GOING DOWN BECAUSE OF HIS OWN DECISIONS, CAN’T YOU ALL GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS??

There is NO ONE ELSE TO BLAME BUT HIM AND HIS DOG FIGHTING BUDDIES. If the Flacons and Blank learn anything from this, it’s should be to not spend millions of dollars on idiots!

Oh, and since some don’t keep up with current events, Mike probably can’t pay back the falcons because he blew all of his money already. If he hadn’t blown his money, then why is he getting sued for defaulting on 3 million-dollar-plus loans? Why does a many with millions have to tkae out million dollar loans?? Like i said, he blew it all-poor investment when you look back on it!

By Football Fanatic

October 19, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

The Falcons put all their eggs in one basket ie.Vick and the basket had a huge moral hole in it. From paying him too much to be able to get other free agents and current players in under the salary cap to covering up his thug behavior management blew it! Now all the eggs are laying busted and rotten on the ground. Thanks Vick and management for screwing up our team for the next several years. Please no more torn baskets and rotten eggs! Throw the basket away as soon as you realize it is defective and will tear apart!

By Adam

October 19, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

One more thing. We very easily could be 3-3 right now but for Todd Frikkin’ Prater and some atrocious playcalling at the end of the Titans game.

By Mark

October 19, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Take it from a resident of Louisville, KY and University of Louisville fan. Coach Petrino is waiting for Brian Brohm to draft next year. Brian knows the system like the back of his hand and it’s somebody he can control. Just look at the former U of L players already on the roster.

By My 2 Cents

October 19, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

At some point in time we all need to call out the fools on the blog:

By Bird Fan

October 19, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Well said, Mr. Mark Bradley, sad but true; nevertheless, I remain a Falcon fan. Eventhough the season looks grim, it’s refeshing to see more than a “one man show”, 11 guys playing as a team. Joey is intelligent, speaks well and with more protection, passes well. I remain steadfast in my support.

What does speaking well have to do with this?

Harrington - is not that intelligent - he manages to get sacked at least 5 times per game.

Here is ANOTHER one of these people that wanted MV7 gone, Bird Fan—— you too —- get what you asked for!

By Matt

October 19, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Always remember people… We game up that RB,”you know the one that having so much success in SD” and we gave up building up a POOR offensive line to get get that scum bag from Va.Tech!!! Sickening huh? I’m a Falcons fan,always will be a Falcons fan but when Thanksgining comes around and I talk to God and thank him for my blessings, this team will definitly not be on my list!

By My 2 Cents

October 19, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Careful what you pray for —- you just may get it.

So all of you people that want Vick gone…..

Here you go!

By Theedge

October 19, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

What does Heatley got to do with the Falcons? This year is what this year is any of those clowns at QB know they are temporary and can only hope they play well enough to get another roster spot elsewhere when the Falcons determine it is time to throw their 1st round pick in the lineup.

Falcons management is also to blame for not building a solid team, overpaying one player, and allowing one person to destroy the franchise. Mike is to blame for his own demise and pulling the keystone from the house of cards at Flowery Branch.

By The Murf

October 19, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Biggest no-brainer in the history of sports. I’m surprised T. Moore didn’t break this story…..

By Kelley

October 19, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

I guess all the people who bashed Vick’s ability as a football player feel a little silly right now.

His character obviuosly was very flawed, but all those people who screamed he was not a “pocket passer” probably wish we had someone who could get out of that “pocket” everytime it collapses right now.

My question is: At what point do we begin to look at Rich McKay? There are just way too many weak points on this team year after year.

By Phil

October 19, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Traci,

Can you explain how anyone other than Mike Vick himself is responsible for “chasing” Vick out of town?

I’m tired of hearing people making emotional arguments and spewing the, “you got what you wanted, you got what you deserved” line while turning a blind idea to the ugly reality that Vick was violating federal laws from day one of his contract by bankrolling a freaking dogfighting ring. What an imbecile. When you say, “you got what you wanted, you wanted to chase him off, blah, blah, blah,” you sound like an absolute fool. So please, just quit your whining.

By jt

October 19, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

sorry mr. bradley, im not buying this excuse.

The only way one man can wreck an entire multi-million dollar corporation is if that man is the CEO.

Vick was just an employee.

By no_id

October 19, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

i agree mark that the team was built around vick to a certain degree..but u have to look at mckay and some of the boneheaded decisions he made or didnt make..no o line for years, some decent free agent signings but mostly bad signings, no BIG NAME wide receivers when publicly they said they would play for the falcons cause of vick, etc…vick created plays.. so now we are seeing how much vick did carry this team on his back.

By ck

October 19, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Falcons must get the offensive line retooled and then worry about who is behind center.

A good O-line makes all the difference… Ask Farve or maybe Chris Chandler. This team will rebound from the disaster that Vick built.

Vick is no longer responsible for the Falcons since he is not in unicform. What happens now is up to the coach and manager… I strongly believe the Falcons should beg Reeves back as GM and send McKay to the showers.

Keep Petrino though the end of the year and pay top dollar to bring Cowher out of retirement. If Cphwer wants complete control then forget Reeves and give it to him. We need management that can evaluate players and get them ready to play.

By cart268

October 19, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Don’t blame Michael Vick for what the Falcons is not doing. I am a native Atlantan and the Falcons have never been a winning team in the first place. This team just need a total face lift. Granted I love the Falcons, but don’t put the blame on one man when it takes the entire team to win games.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

October 19, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

C’mon Bradley, how could you-know-who have set this franchise back? It is totally the front office’s fault for not building a TEAM around him. Is it his fault that he covered it up with his unique abilities? I blame the state of this franchise on the bad personnel decisions by Rich McKay. He brought and wasted money on Ed “Hurt”well, old men Lawyer Milloy and Joe Horn, barely average Crocker, two plays and I’m out of breath Grady Jackson, spent high draft picks on suspect wideouts, an exciting but light in the kiester RB, a seemingly bust at safety in J Williams, traded away Rossum for nothing, and went the cheap route on offensive linemen. Vick did NONE of that nor was he in control of those decisions. Yes, he made stupid decisions off the field, but that has NOTHING to do with having control of where this franchise was headed. Saying that HE set this franchise is a complete farce. You can’t set back what was already SET back. This franchise had this history of joke personnel decisions since its inception and just got lucky on Vick (except for the offseason stuff) as far as talent goes. If they never had drafted Vick we would have stunk like we did the seasons before and EVERYONE knows that. If anything, Vick kept this team from being “back” where we should and would have been anyway judging from this franchise’s personnel decisions. The Falcons are my team, but get real, they’ve never been great at putting teams together. Every once in awhile the sun would shine on there you know what, but most of the time- dung. So don’t sit there and say Vick set this already sorry franchise back, he kept it from being there where it would have been anyway while he was here playing here and this situation is totally the GM and his cronies’ fault IMO. THEY put this team together poorly, not Vick.

By Rob

October 19, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

I still can’t understand why everyone thinks things would be so much better with Vick in at QB. Rose colored glasses are fine, but with Vick at the helm the Falcons were still a .500 ball club. Michael Vick is no Tom Brady.

By Charlie

October 19, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

NO team should NEVER EVER depend on one person in order to be a success. What money did he cause them??? Please let’s not forget about ALL the MONEY they made of this MAN. Everyone else on the FALCONS team need to earn the paycheck they receive. You can make excuses all you want…….if without Vick on the Falcons team is causing them to have such a bad season. Then they deserve it!!!! A great team consist of many great players not just one.

He should have been looked as an asset to the team and not looked at as the team!!!!! Please tell old Arthur to do a better job when creating a team.

If you left your job will the AJC crumble???? NO. The Falcons is a business and the head people in charge made bad choices by allowing one man to be the team.

GET OVER IT! THEY SUCK!!

By The Murf

October 19, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

Can we please have a Vick-Free Friday?

By Leslie mcswain

October 19, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Larrry you and all the rest of the writers and fans, need to move an with your lives and stop blaming MIKE VICK for the way the falcon team is now, if MIKE VICK is not on the team, the other players still get paid to do a job, they are not kids. This only prove to me that you people need MIKE VICK just as bad as the other players on the falcon team, because if you didn’t, you wouldn’t dam keep talking about the man, keep MIKE VICK name out of your no good mouth.

By DeltaGirl82

October 19, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

All you Vick Haters keep saying Vick was not the team, but you seem to keep blaming *HIM AND ONLY HIM for all the teams flaws. Vick is gone and you still want to blame him for everything that this team has not done this season and that’s *WIN SOME GAMES, oh they did win one, didn’t they?

**Instead of Arthur Blank trying to get back $20 million in bonus money from Vick, he needs to try to get back millions of dollars in bonus money from the ones who are still there and not performing!

By JustMe

October 19, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Yes the Falcons SUCK this season! THere I said it. But being the die hard Falcon fan that I am, I can not wait until Vick’s return in a Falcon’s uniform!

I have no doubt that he will return as a Falcon. There are too many teams in the NFL that need a QB (let alone a great one)and surely A. Blank is smart enough to remember what the seats in the Dome looked like prior to Vick’s arrival!

How awful would it be to have Vick playing for TB or TN, or NO - perish the thought. Brett Farve has to retire sooner or later, Oakland and St. Louis could use an upgrade too. No way is Blank gonna let his billion dollar baby go elsewhere to play!

Vick may not be the best human on earth, but he is and will be again one of the best QB’s in the league.

Truth be told, I would mind seeing him play RB for a season. He ran more yards that a few RB’s in the NFL while he was a starting QB. Imagine how good he could be as a full time RB. I still have a pic of VIck lined up as a RB in his early seasons with the Falcons!

By noneya

October 19, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

As I said before Bradley you are the only columnist at the AJC that makes any sense. Think what you want about Vick as a person but you can’t deny what his abilities did for the Falcons. It was amazing to hear the criticism of Vick as a QB. Everybody talks about how bad the receivers and the O-Line are and offer that as excuses as to why Harrington can’t do well. But didn’t Vick play behind basically the same O-Line and throw to the same receivers? And in my opinion he played for horrible coaches under Mora Jr and Knapp. We just played in the lowest rated game on MNF in over 30 years. Hope you enjoyed it and enjoy the one against the Saints later on this year (if they don’t switch it) because we won’t be on MNF again anytime soon.

By Blame Game

October 19, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

MV7 will always be given the responsibility for this team. First he didn’t sit in the pocket long enough for you fans. The guy has obviously been playing with mediocre talent around him and at no time did we as fans support him. We as fans should analyze ourselves. We won 8 games last year with this mediocre team, only MV7 gave them the opportunity to win. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. You all wanted MV7 out of town, cause of his corn rolls. Now you really have something to blame on him when you all should be blaming yourselves. In no way do I condone MV7’s actions, but he never felt support from his own fan base when he had been giving 150% every game. MV7 is the reason we were successful. Now all of your psuedo-football experts can waddle in your mud of discontent and bias

Shame on all of you fans for the continued bashing of this guy, you all still haven’t learned your lessons. This team will always be losers cause the fans are losers. Learn to support your players, whether they are green, purple, tall, or short. As long as they’re a Falcon

By dave

October 19, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

I agree to someone elses post about Blank getting what he deserves. He knew Mike was up to no good througout his tenure here. It is like someone who knows that their wife or husband is cheating on them but do not want to believe it. They stick their head in the sand and hope it goes away. It never does. Blank chose to ignore the obvious because he wanted to be the new owner on the block and impress his peers. Throwing money at someone and hoping they will improve their behavior was a million dollar mistake. People say that Vick has put this franchise back years it really can all be layed at the feet of blank. It is ironic that HomeDepot is having so many problems now and it will take years for them to recover from their mistakes and the Falcons are in the same boat. Last point I have to make is that the Falcons just dont seem to have ny heart or courage. I am not a huge sports fan but I can see effort. If the Falcons fall behind to a team they lose their will and desire right then. If it is the first 7 minutes of a game or the last 7 minutes and they are behind then the game is over. Your cannot coach desire.

By So True

October 19, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

PETA makes me sick. It amazes me that the same people that claim to love animals dont love or care for human beings.

I will say this MONEY TALKS !! Wether people want to admit it or not VIck was a one man team. The only reason that we got as many wins as we did last season is because he could run out of the pocket. The Dome has not and WILL not sell out. The Falcons are going to feel the pinch until then and they are going to have to lower there prices.

I can bet that when all is said and done Vick is going to stay a Falcon.

By travis

October 19, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

I have 3 pairs of Falcons’ season tix and I would sell them on Stubhub and make a nice profit, when MV7 was here. Now, the tix are not worth the paper that they are printed on. The tix have 1/4 of their face value. I gaurantee that there won’t be a waiting list next year, there won’t be any sellouts, and all games will be blacked out next year.

Oh yeah, I won’t be renewing next year either. Imagine that 6 years of sellouts all gone in one year.

By Donald Johnson

October 19, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

I am giddy as a schoolgirl watching the Falcons lose. I cannot fully describe how much I abhor this team and have been rewarded with all of the misery this team has suffered through this year.

I must admit I was disappointed in the Saints who gave this team a ill-earned win. Every year I hope for a winless season and each year they mange to win at least one. As is said in sports talk, “Well, there is always next year.”

The only way this year could get better is….. Oh, I will set down the poison pen and relish the thoughts for myself.

1-15…….

By Falcon4Life

October 19, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Bradley I love your articles. You are a class act when it comes to your insight

By Donald Johnson

October 19, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Oops! I meant to state disappointment in the Texans…

I digress.

By Mr. Gilley

October 19, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Although I agree that the actions of Mr. Vick caused him to go to jail and his team to suffer, I feel this is an eye-opening realization for all the Vick critics who questioned his contributions to the team and worth as a talent. They say he was overrated but he alone made the Falcons compete and people actually said we finally have a real QB in JOey Harrington. Get that outta here. Regardless of how you feel about Vick, all I wanted was consistency and people to be honest. He was a good QB on the field. What he did was remarkable, he filled the seats and he brought life to the Falcons. Monday night football’s 5.7 ratings is a prime example. Just be HONEST people… MV7 was worth the money but it is sad for him to have to go to jail for people to finally notice the losses weren’t his fault. Receivers dropped passes all last season, but it was Vick fault. It wasn’t…It was just pure dislike of him as a untraditional Quarterback. Don’t fall for the Marketing!!!

By I See Your Argument Noneya but....

October 19, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Good points. But the real people who have set the team back is ownership and the front office. I never liked the hires of Mora Jr., Knapp and Donatell. Remember the NFC Championship game year was preceded by the Falcons going to the playoffs two years prior, the next season MV7 is hurt in the preseason and what a horrible year it was but when he came back it was electric how we closed out the year. Look at Vick’s stats under Dan Reeves’s staff. You might be surprised. And McKay’s track record is highly questionable. Look at his draft picks? Who is consistently contributing to the team besides Boley? If we had more talent we would be able to soften the blow of losing MV7

By C Brown

October 19, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Bradley you are all over the place. Make up your mind already! A couple of weeks ago you said that the Falcons would be okay, now you sing a different tune. Moore and Schultz have already written about this along with all the other writers across the country! How many other columnists could get away with this flip/flopping. Grow a pair and write something other than the status quo!

By sc

October 19, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Falcons were never going to win anything with Vick,he was a one man sideshow to entertain shallow minded football fans and even a shallower minded owner who hasn’t a clue.

By Conga

October 19, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

The Falcoons are the only NFL franchise that does not have back-to-back winning seasons and I do not forsee any winning seasons in the immediate future?

By Traci

October 19, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

PHIL…et al

ALL YOU FOLKS COMPLAINING THE FALCONS ARE DAMAGED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS —- ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WEEK AFTER WEEK, WHEN HE WAS PLAYING —- WANTED HIM GONE.

I never said MV7 didn’t have anything to do with his demise.

What I am recalling and YELLING —- is every week on these posts all yall Vick haters was talking about he wasn’t a “true quarter back”, “he scrambles too much” “We need some one else” Yada yadah yadah…

SHALL I PULL OUT THE ARCHIVES…

ALL YOU HATERS - GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.

This team is cursed - because the fans are wishy washy fair weather - whiners and complainers!

By Eric

October 19, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Losing sucks, but not as much as MV7…

By Boots

October 19, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Blame Game: You’re wrong on at least two counts: The Falcons only won 7 games last year — and based on Vick’s own confession, HE DID NOT GIVE 150% EVERY GAME! He GAVE UP on his team and confessed to doing so! And, who can forget the second half collapses over the past TWO years?

By trdofUvickH8rs

October 19, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

I’m tired of all of you hating on Vick. When he was helping ATL win you were happy. It doesn’t matter what he has done in his personal time the Falcons were STUPID to build a team around 1 person. So you can’t blame the losing on Vick. You should blame it on the FAlcons for having a bunch of non-professional players on their team. This is suppose to be professional football. But I can’t tell. Harrington is washed up. He is like the guy from the movie “the Great White Hype”. No matter what he try to do he is a loser. That’s all he is “HYPE”. The Falcons are done, face it. Blame the coaches, owners, who ever else, but don’t blame Vick he can’t lose a game if he is not playing. And when he comes back to the league whatever team he plays for will win because, he is a winner in his heart and he can play football.

So don’t h8, APPRECi8,,you losers

By Traci

October 19, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Mike was not a ONE MAN TEAM -

He had the will to win. And that brought out the best in everbody else. He got everyone else to play to their potential.

Everyone loves to associated with a winner!

Every week on these posts while he was playing —- all you haters were complaining. We want Schaub. —-well look at Schaub NOW!

All you HATERS —- You Got WHAT YOU ASKED FOR

By Jack

October 19, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Question: Where was Falcon management/leadership during all of Vick’s early missteps? (Ron Mexico, the finger incident, the magic bottle in Miami, and standing up Congress — surely the dog fighting incidents didn’t come as a total shock to management). If anything, Falcon’s management were enablers!! How many other players who were injured were pushed around in a wheelchair by Mr. Blank. For Pete’s sake, for anyone with an investment worth millions, think that Falcons management would have protected their investment just a bit more than they had the spine to do!!

By hank

October 19, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

You hit several nails on the head. The change to Leftwich is purely psychoogical. Sometimes it works. More often it is a moment in time only.

The most noticeable problem will be the inability of Leftwich to move in the pocket. The offensive line has not exhibited any sign of being able to come together and Leftwich will spend a lot of time on his back

By Denise

October 19, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

You have to stop blaming Mike Vick for everything wrong with the Falcons. And now that he is gone, ATL really sees just how bad the Falcons really are. They have no direction no leadership right now. Why don’t you and let this team rebuild…and leave Mike Vick alone and let him attempt to live his life the best that he can.

By Bryant

October 19, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Vick was an excellant quaterback however the Falcons failed to build an strong offensive line around him na draft some go to receivers. They still suffer from the same problem now. I believe if Vick played this season the Falcons would still have a loosing record. Lets not blame the loosing season on Vick not being there. Lets get to the root of the problem.

By WTF???

October 19, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Matt, thats not god your talking to buddy. LOL

You guys sit around and act like you never go above the speed limit, cheat on taxes, or your wives, take paper form the office. Your all a bunch of angels and everybody else is wicked and should be sent to the 7th ring of hell. Get a grip. MV made a mistake. Humans tend to do that. If someone hadn’t forgiven you along the road you wouldn’t be here to cheer on someone elses fall from glory.

If I were a professional athlete I’d play for money because the loyalty you display I can live without.

BTW, I never liked Atlanta with Vick.

I can see why this city has such a losing tradition (minus the Braves), the fans are pathetic.

Go Falcons and take the Hawks with you. LOL

If they got the 1st pick in the draft they’d draft Hershel Walker. LOL

Finally, you could get an O line from the Hall of Fame and they couldn’t turn around a team that has such a tradition of losing. You don’t want a team, you want a scapegoat.

The whole city reaks of an ambush waiting to happen.

By Randy

October 19, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Whoa! Don’t put all of the blame on Vick. Sure what he did was stupid and self-destructive but wouldn’t we be in this same position if he had been hit by a truck on 285. Seems like the real problem we’ve had all along is average (or below average) players at the skill positions. That seems to be more of a GM problem to me!

By Conga

October 19, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

The Falcons are the only NFL franchise that does not have back-to-back winning seasons, and I do not forsee winning anytime soon?

By queeniez3

October 19, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

I argee with galawyergirl PETA made sure that Vick would never play again, which goes to show you that they are not going in the backwoods and stopping people who dogfight all the time. He made more money that PETA and they are jealous. Somebody pay the commisioner off so VIck can come back and salvage a bad season. This is too painful to watch.

By gwc

October 19, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

We are expecting a winning team when in four years they have NEVER had to play as a TEAM. As long as the shinning star Vick was in the game everyone let him work. Now the Falcons have to become a REAL football team with EVERYONE pulling their weight, this will take time to sink in. Mora had it right “VICK IS A COACH KILLER, DURING AND AFTER HIS TIME!”

By Greg

October 19, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Funny how MV7 was the blame when he was here, and how he is the blame now that he is gone, somebody explain it to me. I see Schaub is doing marginally better with a good line. He wouldnt do crap here either. As bad as the moral decisions of MV7 was It is by far not the worst. Is he being treated unfairly, you et he is. How many Federal dog fighting cases have you ever heard of. You get a NBA ref with mob ties fixing games and it that story gets trumped by a dogfighting case, go figure. Fair you say. That speaks a whole lot about who you are and your whack some of your views of justice are. The Falcons have been a average team at best in the past 5 sewasons. We were just luckyenough to have a UPERSTAR although not the best human being QBing for this team.

By Robert

October 19, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Well, Well, Well, I suggested in another post that when the season started people would be begging to have Mike back at the controls. Atlanta fans it is just the begining, by next years 0-7 start, Blanks will be plea barganing to get Vick back in the saddle.

By Dr. I.Q.

October 19, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

*Traci *In all my years of dealing with those who are mentally deficient, I think you stand at the top of my list —- along with a few others who saw in Vick a great messianic hope for the black community.

I’m sure his demise is devastating for you, but you must move on. Life is move than football and Vick. Vick is going to jail and as disappointing as it is to see a person self-destruct, his playing years are gone. He seems destined to follow in the footsteps of Mike Tyson. Sad. Truly, sad.

By Get-over-it!

October 19, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

blame game You hit the nail square on the head! The Falcons were just a mediocre franchise with Vick on the field. When ever he hit the field he gave his all. The reason he was forced to run so much is because he didn’t have adequate blocking. His speed was the reason they won the few games they did. Let’s not forget how many 1st downs he obtained on his own. I don’t condone his off the field actions either; however, Blank, the media and the haters got exactly what they wanted. There was so much talk on these blogs when he was playing about trading him away. Well guess what? He’s gone now and look at the bullst they have to work with. It’s evident now that he carried the team. And as for the person who said he sat on the side lines pouting. He was disgusted with the screwed up plays that were given to him by Reeves and Mora. The Falcons stunk before Vick got here. If he had been traded or hurt I wonder what would be the excuse these so-called football experts on these blogs would use then. **FOOD FOR THOUGHT

By MrKnowGood

October 19, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

When are the AJC sports writers going to stop blaming Michael Vick for this team’s failure…SORRY AJC…YOUR’RE WRONG! THE OFFENSIVE LINE HAS BEEN HORRIBLE FOR YEARS! AND NOT EVEN TOM BRADY COULD SURVIVE BEHIND CENTER!

And when Byron Leftwich runs for his life to avoid being sacked again, I’m sure you’ll find a way to blame that on Michael Vick as well. It’s beginning to look like the real reason why the AJC came down so hard on Michael Vick is because he wouldn’t give you an interview when the story broke. But that is old news.

I wonder what will be written on Monday morning after the Falcons have lost another game. Maybe someday, the sports writers at the AJC will finally realize that Michaell Vick was never the problem with this team…he was just its scapegoat!

By Get-over-it!

October 19, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Boots You are just as wrong my friend. You have to be kidding me! The Falcons were never a second half team even before Vick arrived, so there’s now way you can blame second half folds on Vick alone. It amazes me how some of you clowns convinced yourselves that you are football experts.

By Bo Diddley

October 19, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Ok Bill Burns..Name 3 things that came to light showing clearly that the Falcons knew of many unsavory, if not illegal, things that Vick was involved in. Just like the radical “don’t cook a chicken, we don’t know a damn thing about football PETA crowd…you are a bunch of hot air. The Falcon organization deserves every thing coming their way. As a former Blank and lifelong Falcon and yes Vick fan, I could have sworn I saw the ghost of Rankin Smith on MFN. Vick was the ticket we had to a chance of making the playoffs and we were dogged by PETA to make a feel good non-football decision. Ray Lewis shot up Buckhead and he’s still around because the Ravens did not make rash decisions…Last time I heard the captain goes down with the ship, seems like Arthur said hell no to that and let Vick drown in the media storm! By the way Joey..Petrino saved you a few concussions from that offensive line that couldn’t block six old ladies wearing Depends.

By Chris

October 19, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

It is so sad that we live in a world where people kick people when they are down. Ask yourself first what have I done that’s against the law and haven’t got caught yet? The problem with people is that we want to pass judgement on people. God is the only one that can judge us. Mike has asked God for forgiveness and it doesn’t matter whether we forgive him or not. Maybe God had this to happen because as fans we don’t know how to appreciate a good thing. The season thus far says it all. Mike might now have been the best quarterback in the league, but he was damn good and brought excitement to the game. So Mike if you are reading this I forgive you and I hope one day that you play football again with another team, because it’s obvious that when someone has made a mistake as we all do all the time, they will kick you to the curb. I’m a Dallas Cowboy fan and I have been one forever, but Atlanta is where I live so I try to support the hometown team. Mike keep your head up and know that God has forgiven you, even though some of the ignorant people that make stupid comments in this column don’t know what to say, and obviously aren’t God fearing people. Mike much love and respect for you and what you brought to Atlanta when they had nothing to build on.

By Falconian

October 19, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Gee Mark, That’s a pretty firm grasp of the obvious you have there. But MV didn’t put the O-line together; he just survived it’s inadequacies better than most.

Yeah, JH isn’t that bad; he also isn’t that good, either. That his record as a pro. Mediocre.

By Boots

October 19, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Vick was an athletic specimen who had flashes of brilliance with his speed and agility. He possessed the body of an Adonis and the brain of a 9 year old.

Hence, his poor choices and judgement!**

By BUSHWACKER

October 19, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

adam, no body cares about hockey so let it go!!

By DR

October 19, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

It is an irony that 70% of posts here has nothing to do with the current state of Falcons. It is all about people pushing their on agendas and blaming everyone else for the current sorry state.

Mr. Mark Bradley, the only people responsible for screwing up this team is the owner and GM and the clowns they hired. Just like in any business, it succeeds or fails on the basis of how good or bad the management is.

Mark, it is pathetic of you to bring up someone who is not here and blame him for this sorry state the Falcons are in. You are giving way too much credit, power and assigning responsibility to someone who is not here, can’t defend themselves and did not have the power the shape anything other than donning the uniform to get on the field and do the best.

Everything that happened to this team, happening to this team and will happen to this team will happen because of the clowns running this organization.

You know what, no coach with a winning reputation would want to work for these clowns, how could they?

By the way, your predictions will be wrong if the current clowns learn from their mistakes and get the right coach. Last I remember Coach Reeves took them to the Super Bowl in Miami in his second season, you are wrong; it doesn’t take 5, 10, or 20 years to a build team, it only takes the will to build a team.

If the current clowns don’t change their ways, even 100 years of rebuilding won’t do it.

Let us talk football and leave your racial prejudices and political and personal agendas to yourself and post some where else.

We all know what happened, what will happen and any amount of senseless argument is not going to change a fu**ing thing.

ENOUGH

By KRIS

October 19, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Lat 2 seasons 8-8,7-9 under Vick-all he did was cover up the bleeding.

By ex-Georgian

October 19, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Disclosure first — I’m white, a dog lover and even before the allegations became public, I was never sold on Vick as the answer to decades of frustration.

That said, I don’t see how Mark Bradley or anyone else can blame Vick for the Falcons’ current pathetic state. Did Vick put together that O-line? Did he bring in those ham-handed receivers? Did he hire Mora or fire Reeves? (OK, maybe he did have a hand in Reeves’ dismissal …) Still, I think the bastion of ineptitude that the Falcons are now and have been historically is the work of many — not just one player who, for whatever reason, is not in uniform this year.

By TW

October 19, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

It’s not the caboose on the Vick train that is destroying the Falcons - it was the engine. With the run around quarterback a proven failure in the NFL, Atlanta is one of the few cities in the country that could have been suckered by the Vick draft - and we were. Vick was never anything more than a combine guy - nice wheels, rocket arm, no ability to read a defense. We pay now for a bad draft pick. The Super Bowl is as elusive today as it was during the height of Vick’s play. Take a look at the teams who wear the ring.

By Rick

October 19, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Someone please remind Leftwich that our receivers are not 15 feet tall. I said it before and I’ll say it again, the #7 Falcons jersey is retired forever, who would wear it? The stench will never wear off.

By Kimberly

October 19, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

MV was not/is not the reason the Falcons are where they are today! If anything, he was the only hope they had. Place the blame where the blame is due on the offensive line and Petrino and staff.

By falconess

October 19, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

GET WITH IT PEOPLE. GET OFF THE NOTION THAT THE FALCONS ARE LOSING BECAUSE OF VICK. YOU SHALLOW PEOPLE WANT TO BLAME HIM FOR THE FALCONS NOT WINNING. WHAT IF VICK WAS NOT CONVICTED FOR DOG FIGHTING AND HE HAD ANOTHER REASON NOT TO PLAY THIS YEAR. WHO FAULT WOULD IT BE THEN. IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB DO YOU THINK YOUR COMPMANY WILL FOLD. STOP BLAMING AND REALIZE THE FALCONS NEED A NEW COACH, NEW OWNER AND EVEN SOME NEW FANS. BLAME YOURSELVES FOR LOOKING TO A FELLOW HUMAN BEING AS BEING SOME SORT OF GOD. GET REAL, GOD IS GOD, MIKE VICK IS JUST A YOUNG MAN IN TROUBLE.

By flipper

October 19, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Please Mr. Blank bring back MV7 who cares what he did off the field, fans here in Atl want to see wins and thats all. If we cared about having a good ol boy running the show at QB the stands would be packed every week but its not. Bring back MV7 if you want to see you stands full if not enjoy being the laughing flock of the NFL.

By cb

October 19, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Look I realize that this is a legitimate forum for commenting on the Vick situation but ENOUGH ALREADY. I have been a falcon fan from the franchise’s beginning in 66 and have seen the ups and downs of this organization. Mike’s situation is tragic but he put himself into this situation. He willingly participated in this illegal enterprise. The blame for HIS actions lies with HIM. My concern is with the overall coverage of this illegal act as compared with that of other prominent athletes. The list is long on athletes abusing WOMEN with scarely a mention in the local paper other than the obligatory mention in the “other news” section. I am not a feminist, nor do I have any hidden agenda. I am a football fan and have moved on from the Vick situation and am more concerned about the product on the field now. The real question to us all should be “What kind of society are we in when we emphasize the life of dogs over that of human beings?”. Are we as concerned over what happened to the young lady in West Virginia? Do we even remember her? Ask yourselves that.

By Kimberly

October 19, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Well, all right then DR!!!! I agree with you all the way.

By Gene

October 19, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

The Falcon’s problem was one of leadership and competence at the top. Vick was just one aspect of Blank’s inept management. Jim Mora was another key player in the destruction of the franchise. I agree that it will take years to recover. Blank needs to clean house, then just back off and let football people run the team the way Ted Turner turned the Braves over to Cox and Scherholtz.

By BigBirdFan

October 19, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Mike Vick is not to blame for the state of this team. Mike was one player, what about the other 52? What about the coaches, GM and Owner?

Last year a lot of people were complaining about Mike and wanted him gone. Well, he’s gone.

It’s not like the Falcons have had a winnging record year after year and just started losing after Mike Vick was gone. The Falcons were never a New England. They won a few games with Mike and now the Falcons are back to their old ways.

Damage caused by the players, coaches, GM and Owner sets team back for years

By RD

October 19, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

DR

your soooo wrong! this is all a conspiricy and everybody is taking this out on MV7. your the clown

By Kimberly

October 19, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

CB…you and I can write about the value of humans versus animals all day; however, it’s not going to do any good. I wish it was just the opposite. The legal system is being run by people with their own personal agendas. They are influenced by organizations like PETA because of their contributions and also because politicians and people in the legal system are members of such organizations. Anyway, certain individuals are punished more severely than others. That will never change. MV has made millions for Blank (far more than his $130+ million contract)and this is the thanks he gets. They are trying to strip this man of all his money to the point where he wouldn’t be able to make a living. Now you tell me, what kind of crap is that? Blank’s and the NFL’s decision to try and get back MV’s bonus money is not busines at this point, it’s personal. So I guess a “guarantee” is not a “guarantee”, huh?

By Big Ron

October 19, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Vick did ste us back a few years but u know he was on his way out anyway basically vick had one year left to prove what he could do anyway it just happened a year earlier thats all and just like a earlier comment on here they really lack playmakers the only one we have is Norwood and he doesn’t even start, I say this hopefully we can get the top pick and next years draft cause i really want either Mcfadden or dorsey or maybe even a top offensive tackle trade deangelo hall i starting to think he is overrated we can get another first round pick for him and as far as quarterback goes and what we should have done sign culpepper and draft a rookie and the second round get a couple of o-linemen and a proven veteran receiver still in his prime and with the 20 million in extra cap room we will have all this should be possible and i say next year we should be able to compete again because we would more of a complete team.

By Touch Down

October 19, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Vick is done in the A-T-L. Other teams make moves to stay competitive. Falcons must do the same. Enough excuses already.

By Scooter

October 19, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Yeah I agree the Vick thing could hurt the Falcons for a couple of years. But wise moves in free agency, and the draft can turn around a team faster than you think. This team has some good parts, but are lacking in several key areas. The off. line has to be addressed first. Blalock was a good start. The safeties are just plain terrible. They can’t cover or tackle very well. A couple of big hefty girls could provide better run support than they do. After that we need a middle linebacker and a running back. T. Taylor would be an improvement over Brooking and i’m a GT fan. He’s always over running the play or just being run over by off. lineman. And his cover skills have just about evaporated. So as you can see these few things could be addressed in 1 or 2 years. Falcon fan since 1969 and will always be.

By Chanel

October 19, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

you suck

By McKayMustGo

October 19, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

All you have to do is look to my screen name for the answer as to why the Falcons are in the position they are today. As a GM you have to have a plan in place in the event your starting QB goes down—for whatever reason. You’d think he would’ve learned after Vick’s injury that sidelined him for a year and horrible backup that stepped in during his absence. Granted Vick should have had the good sense to not be involved in the things he was, but the current state of the Falcons can be attributed to good ol McKay. He should have never allowed Alex Gibbs to dupe him into getting seventh rounders and undrafted FAs to build his OL…look at the mess we’re left with now that Gibbs is gone. Shoot even while Gibbs was here the OL has always been subpar; Vick just covered it up as an additional runner that teams had to prepare for. Arthur is also to blame; for getting wayyyyy too close to his players…this ain’t Home Depot Artie…it’s the NFL, where players aren’t with your team Not For Long. He thought his boy Vick was going to be a Falcon FOREVER—just as most of us did. As an owner and GM you always have to plan for the worst and hope for the best; as we can see they never planned for the worst. Oh well, it will be interesting to see how Petrino builds the Falcons for the future; just don’t let McKay make the decision on who gets drafted.

By Peter

October 19, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Yes Vick was a problem, and Yes MeAngelo is a problem, but it goes much higher than that………

LOOK at the top of the organization, and tell me what have we gotten in the draft, look who we have gotten as free agents……..

Sorry Folks this is about management, this is about the GM, the guy who brings in the new coaches, and the new talent.

If you want to look at why we are three years away……. Go to the top of the food chain, and see management as the issue…..

NOT ONE GUY IN VICK !!!!!

By Blame Game

October 19, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Correction we won 7 games last year

Just give the guy the same benefit of the doubt that Peyton Manning would get It’s sad I have to say it that way, but this is America(South).

PS This whole dogfighting thing played a key role in directing people’s attention from the war and the deaths of American Soldiers and Iraqi’s. Get your priorities str8!

By a football guy

October 19, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Michael Vick didn’t “set the Falcons back” three years. Arthur Blank and Rich McKay did. While it’s a given that being an NFL GM is a tough gig, it is their roster moves (wagering the “franchise” on Vick’s $130 million deal, trading Matt Schaub, SIGNING Byron Leftwich, NOT suring up the O-Line; drafting WR’s in the first round, etc., etc.). While Vick’s off-the-field behavior has some bearing on the Falcons’ woes, did his “on the field” behavior ever warrant $130 million? I never saw it. Now, if Blank and McKay signed him because he was “box office” (sells tickets), it was money well spent (from a business standpoint), but you can’t lay this 1-5 start at Vick’s feet. The Falcons were not exactly the Colts, Patriots, Steelers, etc. when Vick was taking snaps.

By hotlanta

October 19, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

I sm s native Atlantian. some of yall are from somewhere else and I can say the Falcons have always been a horrible team way before Michael Vick. They could be playing a good game and mess it up after the 2 minute warning. That is true some people wanted Vick gone before the dog fighting allegations. I wonder how some of these so called animals lovers doing since we have a drought and they are sending all of our water downstream. Do they want to go around funky or do they want the fish to be extinct. Tough decision.

By Da Cheerleada

October 19, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

You got what you asked for… MV7 is gone.. He did exactly what he was hired to do.. put You and bodies in the Dome!!!

When will you people realize, when you have an enept front office, that has never played the game, quality decisions such as picking effective players will never happen.

When you select a head coach, allow him to coach.. that includes selecting the quality of players needed to win games….

Coach Cowan, please come back to the NFL… the Falcons need you..

By BIG RUBE

October 19, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

**This is probably the epitome of futility, but I am asking some of you guys to pull your heads out of your asses. You cannot blame one man for the state of this organization. All share some of blame. Ownership, management, staff, players, and fans. Ownership and management was always willing to look the other way on players indiscretions as long as they had such opportunity. Staff aided those indiscretions, if they, themselves, did not profit or gain from them, players were aware, if they did not participate, in said indiscretions, and “fans”, who love to sling muck, are so quick to point fingers and burn others for indiscretions. This is a dangerous business. Let us all be honest here people. Those who think that number 7’s actions were so horrible do not know or do not care about who Mike Vick is. They do not care where he comes from or who he hangs out with. You think that because he is a quarterback he is supposed to forget from whence he came and walk the line that you draw for him. You made him your hero and your role model and the moment he does something that you don’t like, you are chastising him and labeling him as the scourge of society. Mike Vick is a man. Able to make mistakes and make amends for those mistakes. You all should search your souls, think of your own indiscretions, which at any could become someone’s agenda to exploit, and then think of your role in the downfall of The Atlanta Falcons.

By Danny

October 19, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Mark, good article. You’re the best columnist at the ajc.

I have to disagree with your assessment, though. ATL is so accustomed to blaming Vick for everything that ails this team, it continues to do so, even though he’s gone.

Dan Reeves was fired - Vick did not like him.

The WR’s drop easy catches - Vick throws too hard and is not accurate.

The offensive line can’t block - Vick just runs too much.

The Falcons hire an offensive coordinator who does not allow his QBs to audible - Vick can’t read defenses.

The 2006 defense can’t stop the run (as evidenced by the fact that the Panthers attempted four passes) -Vick’s fault.

Harrington is QB, and the team stinks - Vick’s fault.

**This is absurd. At some point we have to place the blame where it belongs - on Rich McKay. All Vick did was use his talents to conceal the fact that this team is horrible. Now that he’s gone, McKay the team exposed. The fans and media, however, continue to find a way to blame Vick.

**Vick is not solely responsible for the state of the team … the only thing Vick harmed was himself.”

By arvoe

October 19, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

no no no Mr. Bradely. I would expect Terrance Moore to write a column like this but give me a break. Assume Vick broke his leg again, or had a career threatening injury, the team should be able to function without him. And if they can’t, the blame goes to the GM who didn’t bring in the right players. You wouldn’t blame Vick if he tore his acl, so why blame him because he was envolved in dog fighting? You didn’t even mention mcKay’s name in your column. Look at all of the high price free agents and draft picks that McKay are responsible for that turned out to be busts. Peerless Price, Ed Hartwell, Mike Jenkins, and Roddy White to name the most obvious. And please tell me why McKay doesn’t think that having a reliable place kicker isn’t important in the NFL? Going back to the Jay Feely days, I’ll venture to say that the Falcons have lost at least 10 games simply because of missed field goals that should have been made. So please, enough is enough. Let Mike Vick deal with his crime, and start writing columns about the real people who should be blamed for this horrible Falcons season.

By M.A.

October 19, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Joey Harrington brought something Michael Vick could never bring to the Falcons. CLASS! We will never have to worry about what he is doing in his free time, what substance is in his water bottle, what disease he gave someone and God knows what else. He walked into an incredibly difficult situation and gave it 110%.

By 82DAWG

October 19, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

This team was more flawed than just Michael Vick. Yes, it will take years to overcome, but look at Dallas today. Remember a few years ago when they were depending on Quincey Carter as their QB? It will take a shrewd GM, a talented scouting staff and great coaching. These are what build a program. This is what the Falcons have always lacked.

By Buschemi

October 19, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Has Mark not noticed the parity in the NFC. We just need to go get us some free agents who can block. Then, make some good draft pickups and we are right back into things. I really think the problem for years to come will be Petrino. By benching Joey and restricting his abilities (yes, he does have them) he is just strangling us. Then all the hype about the lack of respect for veterans just shows he has no clue what he is doing. So, add get a real coach, to the list above and the Falcons will be fine.

By alchemy

October 19, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

You really get to see an interesting cross section of social heirarchy with these Falcons fans. Those who still support Michael Vick the uneducated, heartless typical redneck voice of the south, while those who want Vick to stay away are the whiners who make excuses for future failures.

By ATL SOLDIER

October 19, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I agree! The League and the team caved in on Vick and now the price has to be paid. Due to the dog episode his business ventures are now hurting miserably and those that don’t know anything are thinking these were illegal ventures as well. There are too many people thinking Vick is the cause of the Falcon’s woes. the problem is the coaching and management of the team. Management knew years ago they did not have adequate skill on the O-line and that defensive secondary was weak. They also knew they needed a big back to relace the one they traded. Mike was a godsend but he wasn’t the total answer to the problems of the team. I hope to see him back in a Falcon’s uniform.

By gater

October 19, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

bring back mike, bring back mike bring back mike bring back mike

By S#5

October 19, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Funny how many of you are complaining how terrible the Falcons were under Vick and how they were ONLY a .500 team…. Bet you pray for that .500 now, huh?

And for all you moral cronies, where’s the “outrage” for Babineaux, the 1st-degree murder of a dog? He’s still drawing a paycheck every week. Where’s PETA now? Man, you people kill me with your “selective moral high ground.”

I used to tailgate EVERY home game, but now I just laugh at you dummies every Sunday as I PASS the Dome and I live 1 mile away.

Oh yeah, and Joey does “speak so well”…. AFTER he spits the turf out of his mouth! Enjoy Joey’s post-game speech at the end of the 1-15 season…

Grow up and stop blaming a man that gave you multiple wins every season! He’s gone! MOVE ON and blame the boss, not the employee!

By **PEYTON MANING**

October 19, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

GREAT ARTICLE!!! I overheard some people talking at the Varsity Restaurant that Vick will be playing for Oakland or Dallas. I just hope that we could get him. I could learn so much from him

By threedeep

October 19, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

IF MV7 did not make the off field decisions and just was hurt for the season the Falcons would be in the same situation. This points to the GM for not having this team prepared to play on both sides of the ball. Look at Cleveland, they are winning with a soon to be ex-no-name QB who will cash in when Brady Quinn has to start for the hometown fans next year.

By JackP

October 19, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Bush did it.

By Miranda

October 19, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

This spin that Mike Vick is to blame for the Falcons is just stupefying. Basically…MV is blamed because he’s not here to play behind this bad O-line and make us think its better than it is and he’s not here to pick up first downs by himself when no one is open and its his fault that he’s not here to take the blame for everything else…basically, MV is being blamed because he put himself in a position to where they can’t blame him NOW.

By LL Cool Scott

October 19, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

**2 important points:

1. Michael Vick was a far better quarterback than most fans realized, our play this season and in seasons past when he was injured is obvious proof of that.

2. Michael Vick did this to himself. It’s true that he’s been treated unfairly by the media - but he is the one who brought all this upon himself.**

By ATL SOLDIER

October 19, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Traci, You are wasting your time, These retards would complain if MV was a choir boy. They complained when the Falcon’s were winning, in spite of the lack of an offensive line, and now they complain becasue he is gone. Either way, only the negative things have been attributed to MV. MV was a breath of fresh air to Atlanta both athletically and financially. Reality is that the fair weathered Atlanta fans are as lost as the both the owners and PETA.

By Gwen

October 19, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

galawyergirl, you must have heard me talking. If anyone is to be blamed, it is PETA first and then the nutless commissioner and owners.

It is ridiculous that sales have fallen in The Dome, because the number 7 materials have been removed.

People are looking for Vick shirts etc. We have several season seats around the Dome. So all of the rest of you,who were so glad to see Vick gone…..lick your wounds. We are not going to the Super Bowl.

Oh Vick did take us there….did you all forget that?

By Cincy Falcon

October 19, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree with you at all Bradley. Vick didn’t hurt this franchise as much poor drafts and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff has. Petrino’s offense is designed to use large power linemen, not the small quick quys we have now. The defense is over-worked and has actually did the best they can considering they spend 3/4 of the game on the field. Harrington has actually done well considering he has to make most throws while in the grasp of. I don’t think Leftwich is going to last two games, he holds the ball longer and is even slower than Harrington. Hopefully his injury isn’t career ending. I do agree this team is three years from being competetive again, but the blame doesn’t lie with Vick but rather those who draft and have built this team. That said I like Petrino and hope he can weather the storm until the sun shines for the Falcons again!

By Lynne

October 19, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

The problem with Bradley’s assertion, and all those of people somehow blaming Vick for this pitiful season, is that you admit he was responsible for making this inept team look better than it really was. What if he had a career-ending injury in the first game? Oh, so you thought the O-line would magically get better because Mike Vick is under center? Or are you admitting that his ability to run around was necessary when the front office puts other team’s rejects in front of him for blocking? LOL….yeah, how pathetic that its come to this….blaming the man for masking the team’s problems. Indeed, haters have reached a new low.

By Mark Kelly

October 19, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Football is a team game. Sure, you want the best skill players available. At the same time, if your offensive line and other areas of the team are less than stellar, the team suffers. Period.

I remember John Elway going to management several times to have his contract restructured so the Broncos could maintain or sign impact players the team needed to win. Peyton Manning has done the same thing in recent years (I know there’s a groan or two with his endorsement deals, but team’s success has led to extra endorsement $$$.).

With free agency the problems of team chemistry are even more accute than in the past. I lay most of the blame on this fiasco on Rich McKay and other folks reviewing and selecting players. New England certainly has the ability to maintain its competitive edge, same for Indy.

Vick will always be remembered as a curse in the history of the Falcons and NFL. But bone-headed management moves certainly stirred the pot!!

Plus, get rid of the awful uniforms — the team looks like a bunch of ice cream salesmen instead of football players!

By dealer

October 19, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

The team were losers with Vick and now they are losers without Vick. He was a unemotional non factor. Good Riddance!

By Mr. Byrd

October 19, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I thought Vick was the problem when he was there according to most of you guys. You wanted a stay in the pocket quarterback. Harrington was supposed to be a better system quarterback or whatever. I guess Vick was not the problem after all. Maybe the falcons need to be there with a Limousine and an Armani suite when he gets out of prison.

By vick was not the gm

October 19, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Boots you post the same crap over and over and over. I see you are stuck on that 15-17 record the last two years. Why dont you ever post his career record? Name me one qb who would have done better with this horrible talent. Honestly I dont even know how we won 15 games the last two years after seeing these guys this year. People stop saying they built this team around Vick. What qb wants to be surrounded by wr’s who cant catch, an o line that cant pass block, a defense that cant stop the run one game the pass the next or neither in other games, a gm who cant draft, and clueless coahces. Name me one. You wont be able too. This team was built poorly and not around Vick. For the life of me I cant understand how people are defending Harrington. What has he done in his 6 years to show he has the talent to be a starting NFL qb. The guy has thrown 4 td’s and 3 interceptions that have all been returned for touch downs. Im sorry but the great white hope is not cutting it. As far as Schuab. Well he is having a hall of fame season with 5 tds and 5 picks and a few fumbles. It is funny to see people complain about the same terrible o line and wr’s that have been stunk it up the last 2 to 3 years. Why all of a sudden the o line and wr’s suck but they didnt the previous years? Before it was all Vick’s fault no matter what and now its everyone elses fault but Joey. Sorry people but deal with it. You have been crying about how this team sucks with Vick and we need a pocket qb. Tito even went as far as saying Joey would be great in this offense. WELL HOW IS THAT CROW TASTING? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

By d. lilly

October 19, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Enough with the M. Vick Blame. When he was there, people wanted him gone.

This is the same sorry Falcon’s that played when Vick was the QB. It’s the same sorry O-Line that made Vick have to become another Running back. Too bad Herrington can’t scramble away from the defense like Vick did. Vick was the reason the Sorry Falcon’s won games and it’s showing now.

These are the same caliber sorry receiver’s that could not catch when Vick was there.

It’s the same sorry defense that can’t stop anybody.

Quit crying over Vick. He’s gone. That’s what people wanted before any of dog mania came up.

Wonder what Herrington’s QB pass ratio is with this bunch since it was so important when Vick was there.

By Soniboi

October 19, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of cry babies! Stop blaming Michael Vick and move on already and stop kicking a man while he’s down. There is a new thing going around, its called forgiveness, have you heard of it, well, get some and move on. I think Vick has PAID his dues in the mess and we should forgive and forget and let him go forward with his life. Heck, OJ probaby cut of two peoples heads and he plays golf everyday. I say let Mike back in the league next year. He made some mistakes, he’s PAID $everal dollars in fines and penalties. STOP KICKING A MAN WHEN HE’S DOWN ATLANTA!!

By RJ

October 19, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Gwen: M vick never played (and never will) play in a Super Bowl)

By Boots

October 19, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Vick was not the gm: It may be the same crap, but some of you guys just don’t seem to understand —- the Vick era with the Falcons has been lackluster at it’s best. Yet, you guys act as if it was the Golden Age of Success.

Now, I don’t give a crap, to use your word, about the circumstances —the Vick era was not as spectactular as you Vick apologists imply.

His 1000 rushing yard record between the 20’s didn’t accomplish very much.

And, in addition, we had to contend with all of his dirsuptive and distractive antics.

Vick was over-priced and over-hyped and Blank was the ultimate sucker to buy into the “messianic black quarterback” horse hockey.

Adios, my friend. And, go Falcons.

By David Duke

October 19, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick will be in prison next year, and the year after that and the year after that. He’s done in the NFL!

By cantbelieve

October 19, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

It’s not MV’s fault. To put a rest to all this blaming Vick, understand that The Falcons and you haters are reaping what you sowed and your losing Falcons are suffering the consequences of taking away Vick’s job for some stupid 4-legged, ugly, dangerous dogs. You people are so mean & hateful!!!!

By Soryu

October 19, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

ATL SOLDIER:

Sure Vick will be in a Falcon’s uniform (after a few years in a prison one) if the Falcons move out of town. Otherwise, Vick has about as much chance to be in a Falcon’s uniform as Tommy Maddox has in wearing a Broncos uniform.

Vick will be lucky to be wearing any NFL uniform.

By PoliticalMan

October 19, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

The plan fact is that the Falcons have limited talent, Vick or no Vick. I don’t know how they managed to let the team deteriorate this far. They have no receivers. One so-so running back. O-Line bad. D-Line almost as bad. So-so LBs. A loud mouth for a DB. Where’s the talent. They have the talent for 2-14. It looks like they will achieve it.

By buddy

October 19, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

i am an atlanta native and a falcons fan to the end…i’m also a mike vick fan despite all of his current issues…he made bad decisions and hurt his football team as a result…he must now face the music and my piling on him doesn’t help the falcons or us fans…however, it’s odd to me that no one is saying anything about the fact that the organization has done very little to build a truly balanced and competitive team.

truth be told, this team isn’t all that different from what dan reeves in his final season…there are new faces but, at the end of the day, everything revolved around mike vick…mora and his staff rode mike’s coattails to respectability but couldn’t do enough to get the team to the playoffs in their final 2 seasons…should mike coach and draft, too?.

3 drafts have come and gone w/out a dependable receiver or an OL that can protect the passer…people complain about how much mike ran from the pocket but no one ever thinks for one second that he actually had to run b/c the protection was avg at best…the most dependable receiver on this team still brian finneran and he’s been hurt for 2 seasons…is that mike’s fault?

mike’s life is in ruins, he’s a pariah, and he has to live with that for the rest of his life…however, the falcons have to take some of the blame here as they placed all of their bets on 1 player…football is a team sport and it takes a TEAM to be successful…the falcons were content b/c the stadium was full and they made lots of money off of mike vick wearing that uniform each sunday…this article is just another way to kick the guy while he’s down and blame him for everything that has gone wrong…the truth is that many factors contributed to this and the falcons’ organization is just as much or even more to blame than mike for its shortcomings this season.

the shame of all of this is that the falcons are being allowed to get a refund on the money that they’ve already paid to mike vick…many believe that they’re entitled to the money they’ve paid…i don’t know the details, but, i do know, that he wouldn’t be entitled to the balance of his contract if they’d decided to cut him before his contract was up…the falcons have made countless millions off of mike vick and have decided to pile on him to be politically correct…if they were so sensitive about the welfare of animals, jonathan babineaux would’ve been off this team the minute those dog-killing charges came out…he’s still lining up on sundays…don’t let the falcons fool you into thinking they’re repulsed by vick’s actions, they only care about preserving their revenue stream…mike vick messed up but the entire falcons’ organization did also!

By 1 More Thing

October 19, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

For all the folks that just hate Black People - so much.

Why do you bother to watch sports.

If you want to get on the blogs and spew hatred and say what you are really thinkin ( but you can hide behind the blog), Why don’t you just turn off the TV.

The worst part about Atlanta are the closet racists that get on these blogs and spew this nonsense.

Football is a TEAM SPORT it requires EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER to ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL. Black, White, Purple Green..it doesn’t matter.

And FANS,…. if you profess that it’s your team —- and you are a die hard fan…then you are a FAN for everybody on the team…Not just the white guys, or only the black players.

THIS IS STILL THE DIRTY SOUTH.
NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY… THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED ONE BIT!

By John

October 19, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, your article speaks to the irony of Michael Vick. It’s basically this: the fall of the franchise is spectacular because the man who ruined the franchise is the one who took them to the heights they enjoyed in the first place. He’s an irreplaceable component in a team that relyed way too heavily for way too long on his skills and his flash.

Arthur Blank can complain about the damage MV has done to his “brand” all day. Bottom line is that Arthur’s “brand” was what it was largely because of MV.

Vick’s wondrous athletic gifts lifted a mediocre team to respectability. He also turned a sophisticated, international business man/team owner into a giddy little school girl, so infatuated with Vick was he. As unseemly events surrounding Vick continued to unfold, the more foolish did the owner look for his unbridled affection. You don’t make powerful men look foolish, Michaael Vick. You will pay heavily for that. The owner needs to look inside himself as he is the reason he looks foolish. Now he also appears quite vindictive.

Because Vick never acquired the all around skills demanded of his position, his game impact eventually max’ed out. Good teams learned how to contain him. Two years running the Falcons settle in as a .500 team. Vick’s statistics as a runner grew gaudier each year but his neglected receivers began to atrophy. A significant segment of the fan base tired of Vick’s hip hop image and lack of improvement. Vick’s off-field/post game behavior exposed numerous character flaws.

Toss in racial polarization over the issue and you got a mess too darned depressing to contemplate without first slugging down a stiff drink.

By Get-over-it!

October 19, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

For once I’m finally happy to read a blog full of Vick supporters. He’s received nothing but hate and ridicule from the AJC and the rest of media. MIKE KEEP YOUR HEAD UP