Sports Columnists

By jarrodmon

October 23, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

While wondering what idiot will post “first!” here (must be nice to have something to shoot for)…

It doesn’t matter who the Falcons draft for QB, they will again refuse to get an offensive line. Better forget the fancy lads at the top of the draft lists and go after some 300 lb Lorenzen type guy who can take a lot of hits.

By justme

October 23, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Maybe they can trade for Lorenzen - he’s not doing much in NY!

By jack

October 23, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Shultz!

What the heck are you talking about?

Unless we really think one of the college QBs (Ryan, Woodson or Brohm)will be that good, Rich McKay needs to:

1. Get Vick’s $ back for salary cap purposes
2. Draft Jake Long - OT Michigan - with #2 or #3 pick
3. Pick up Derek Anderson from the Browns (Browns may go with Quinn)
4. Find RB, MLB, OL, S, K in draft or free agent market.
5. Might want to consider trading down for multiple draft picks

Time McKay to earn his keep.

Falcon’s Future so bright, we must wear shades!

By BirdMahn

October 23, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Vick made the Falcons one of the marquee teams in the NFL. Teams search for decades for players like that. Whether you liked his skills or not, none of the QBs available next year come close to Vick’s star power.

By canttakeitanymore

October 23, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

I am ashamed to say that I am a falcons fan. How much more must we endure. I do not see this franchise going anywhere but even further down the spiral. It will honestly take a miracle to at the very least get them to respectability ( 8-8 ). And I truly believe that is still a couple of years away. But this is who they are, have been, and always shall be. Blank needs to take a good hard look at this franchise and reevaluate it from top to bottom. Because nothing is working.

By matt in derby city

October 23, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Take heart Amigos, if you do land Brian Brohm the Falcons will finally have a REAL franchise quarterback. Of course that is if he does not get killed playing behind the worst O-Line in modern history.

By GT80

October 23, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

For all of MyVick’s inconsistencies and poor passing ability, it’s obvious now that he was masking the fact that the Falcons are as bereft of talent as the Miami Dolphins. He REALLY was running for his life every snap behind that O-line. Those receivers really aren’t very good. DeAngelo Hall really is nothing but a loud mouth prima donna.

Poor Arthur Blank is going to look up at 60,000 empty seats in a couple of weeks and wonder where it all went wrong.

By jack

October 23, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Question is, how do you define future? If we do not go for the #1 draft pick, we are dumb. I cannot say which QB would be the right pick, but that is what we have to have first. It may take a couple more tank jobs to also get high draft picks and get those BIG/QUICK OL players we need. There have got to be some brains upstairs that can assess free agents at the desired/needed positions. The young wideouts seem to be getting better. The defense isn`t going away and is not really that bad now. The QB situation is the KEY. Tailback is OK but, we have to run the fullback; need those Big OL. Crumpler may be getting too old. This “chess game” the Falcons are having to play is not the only team having extreme problems. ie. Look at Miami, SF Raiders, Saints, Buffalo etc. All had great QB play and a cast to go with them. The QBs are gone and so is their teams greatness; great teams of old. Now. Look at Peyton, Brady, Brett, that Cowboy QB, even Eli. The QB “is” the critical position. Lord knows if we have the proper Coaching staff.

By Roswell Ed

October 23, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Jeff

Are you a little bit COUNTRY

or

a little bit Rock and Roll?

By canttakeitanymore

October 23, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

An NFL team is just that a TEAM. Not just one player. A TEAM pulls together not apart. A TEAM executes the gameplan the coaches assign to them not criticizes it top to bottom after the fact. A TEAM overcomes challenges together not looking for one player to do all the work for them. A TEAM commits themselves to each other for victory not for the individual accolades that they aspire to achieve for themselves and the their selves alone. Are you starting to see the picture being painted here. I admit MV7 had all the talent in the world. And if he would have made good on just 85% of that talent and fulfilled that potential he would have gone to Canton on rollerskates. If he was as good as some of you think he was then the rest of the should have stayed at home and let him play the other teams all by his lonesome. ( And sometimes it really did look that way ).

By DaNooch

October 23, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

The Falcons must fire Petrino, first and foremost. Has he made ANY moves that have even hinted he can be an NFL coach? The way he has handled the QB’s proves he has no class and no clue about handling QB’s in the NFL. He obviously is completely out of it when it comes to RB’s. Everyone in the known universe is begging him to play Norwood, and yet, week after week we still see Dunn go out there and do absolutely nothing. Even in the middle of games Petrino is completely oblivious to what is going on with the running game, and everything else. What was Boley doing trying to cover Devry Henderson one on one? So, Petrino is clueless on offense and defense. On special teams what has he done? He sends Morten Anderson out repeatedly to try to kick from beyond his range. He let’s Allen Rossum, one of the top 2 or 3 punt returners in the league, go for Adam Jennings, because he doesn’t think punt returner is worth an extra roster spot. Well that’s 3 for 3, offense, defense, and special teams. He can’t coach football. And before all of you morons even think about mentioning his record at Louisville again for the millionth time, GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!! LOUISVILLE!!?!?!? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! THIS IS NOT LOUISVILLE. THIS IS THE NFL!!! The guy has no clue. He will never win in the NFL.

By Jim

October 23, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t know which makes me more ill in my stomach —— watching the Falcons attempt to play football, or the thought of Hillary Clinton as President…….

By DaNooch

October 23, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

too bad,

Try learning to read and write before post. Adults are talking here. Go play your video games.

By Doc

October 23, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

You know, I find the football knowledge in this town to be atrocious. Race this…thug that, man that crap is getting old. Please stop the insanity! The fact is the Falcons built this team around one player. Shame on them for that idiotic plan and for being so short sided. When you put all your eggs in one basket, meaning all your salary cap dollars, there is no magic well to get a better offensive line and no cap money available even if there were. The current offensive line was built for Vick’s type of play; usually run first and throw as a last resort. That’s why the Falcons have had such undersized guards and tackles for the last 6 years (thanks for the great plan Rich & Alex). Combine this with the limited funds available due to the fact that Vick accounts for most of this teams cap space and that equals a pocket quarterbacks nightmare.
Unfortunately how many times will these idiot GM’s try to ram the running quarterback down our throats. It does not work in the NFL. Give me brains over athleticism any day. I kind of doubt that Brady can run a 4.3 40 or throw a frozen rope 40 yards but I don’t think the fans in NE mind.

By k-man

October 23, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

You gotta feel a little sorry for Bobby. He takes a job where he thinks that he can build around the most exciting, athletic player in the NFL, and it has degenerated into this mess! I never thought the Falcons under Blank would so closely resemble the Falcons under the Smiths….but this franchise is a disaster! If I had the dough to own an NFL (or NBA, etc…) team, the first thing I would do is hire someone to make sure that these young/suddenly rich athletes received some counseling on how to handle themselves and their money. Some of that responsibility should be with their agents, but they seem to only be concerned about their percentage. When Warrick Dunn retires I would beg him to take that position, he exemplifies how a professional athlete should present himself, and how they should be involved in the community. I know that as much as Arthur is hurting right now over the 1-6 record, he cares even more about how his team and players are perceived by the football loving public, and I cannot believe that he will let this trend continue. And all of you that think that winning is the most important thing, and that we should get Vick back — grow up!!!!

By Ryder

October 23, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Count me in the minority, but I really don’t think Atlanta should even consider drafting a QB. Whichever pick they end up with they need to trade it down to obtain some blocking. I do believe Leftwich will be back this year and will have time to get adjusted to Petrino’s system.

As for the future the first thing they need to do is draft a line who can protect their QB, get another RB (because Warrick is finished) and a second WR to go along with Roddy White, who looks to be the real deal.

If possible begin to let go some of the older players (Brooking) on defense as they are constantly getting pounded with the running game. Draft a hard hitting safety because Malloy is at the end of his career. Also get a kicker who can make kicks beyond 20 yards.

All of those who want Petrino out are going to regret it later down the line.

By GS

October 23, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

I agree with an earlier blogger, the Falcons have the curse of Ms. Celie. Stop trying to go after money from MV7. It’s quite obvious that he earned it all. No QB would work here. First draft pick won’t do any good with a no good team. One good pick can’t be the team’s savior, not with the Falcons. They need a slew of Miracle workers. This isn’t MV7’s fault anymore. Can’t blame it on him forever.

By johnmrog

October 23, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Falcons fan since 1966.

Let me say one thing: I don’t feel sorry even one little bit for Arthur Blank. Heck, as bad as the previous owners (the “Bodine” Smiths) were, this team would be no worse now if they had kept the team instead of selling it to Blank.

Blank sold the heart of the franchise and made a nice, tidy little bed for a guy who could not have cared less for him or the team. And that guy, after being given everything, took a nice huge dump in the middle of that bed. Arthur Blank chose to make that bed. Now he’s got to lie in it… dump and all.

Enjoy, Arthur.

By Me

October 23, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

The Falcons might have a shot next year if they can figure out a way to have about 10 picks in the first round.

By GS

October 23, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Still got mad love for MV7 all you haters. You spoiled idiotic brats thought all these years you had a team, you didn’t you had MV7. You won’t admit it, but you have to now. The Falcons are being exposed for their truth. Sports is about athleticism. You can’t force everybody into your cardboard QB image. Stay the heck out of people’s private lives. Football is played on the (Football)field not anywhere else. You wan’t to publicize people, publicize all the players, not just one you wan’t to choose to display negative about. What ever the sentencing is, he still has a future. * STILL GOT MAD LOVE FOR MV7* He will always be loved, and you haters will always hate. Bet you even hate yourselves. MISS YOU MIKE Say what you wan’t this team NEEDS MV7.

By will

October 23, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Roswell Ed stop playing with yourself, you are either really sick or really really gay. Try having an adult conversation sometime in your life

By kgod999

October 23, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

why is everybody feeling sorry for the falcons. last time i checked they have doubled in value since michael vick was drafted, somewhere close to a billion dollar franchise. wake up, its the fans who aways lose. then, to top it off, when the nfl blackmails you to start coming back to the games (blackouts), the owners make more money. get real, blank and company are shedding no tears of sorrow, just us fans, black,white,chinese, doesnt matter, its the fans who lose.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

October 23, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

This is what ignoring the MOST important part to an NFL team (the O-line) and wasting high draft picks on bust rcvrs and lame duck free-agents will do for you- NOTHING. The RBs can’t run without holes and the QB won’t have time to throw. WHY CAN’T THE FALCON’S MGMNT GET THIS THRU THEIR ULTRA-THICK SKULLS!! And you wonder why you can’t make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons? Forget that dubious record, how about the most consecutive years without seriously upgrading this integral part of the team at TWENTY-FIVE years and counting? I swear if we don’t draft an offensive lineman of high merit in the next draft I will never step foot in the Dome again. This is beyond ridiculous! It’s broke dummies, FIX IT!!

By canttakeitanymore

October 23, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Please, some of you people get a clue. Michael Vick is GONE. It sucks I know. Wish we had more time to see what could have been. But we cant. There is little to no chance he will ever return to the NFL as a player.And if he does return I am certain it will not be for the Falcons. With our luck he will probably go to one of our rivals and become an MVP & Super Bowl winner. Unfortunately we have to deal with what is. And that is we have a terrible team : No defense, No offense, No Special teams, No hope. Same old Falcons why are we so surprised. Its not like they are coming off a Super Bowl win and are suffering from a hangover. Its the FALCONS people. They have always been this way.

By Wes

October 23, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Round 1 pick: Jake Long, Offensive Tackle, 6’ 6” 320, Michigan

Round 2 pick: James Laurinaitis, Middle Linebacker, 6’ 3” 244, Ohio State OR Phillip Wheeler, Middle Linebacker, 6’ 2” 228, Georgia Tech…depending on which is still available

Round 3 pick: The best RB left on the board that weighs more than 220 lbs.

Round 4 pick: Best Quarterback still left on the board.

Subsequent rounds: LINEMEN

Last time I checked, two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Tom Brady and Tony Romo, both came out of draft rounds later than the 3rd.

Build the foundation first, find a SMART quarterback that can slowly learn and be worked into the complex offense that Petrino wants/needs to run, and let DJ Shockley, who is a smart quarterback and should be back healthy next year run the team in the meantime.

By Bubba

October 23, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Hi Y’all! Well, I guess I need to throw some positive thinking into this foray. We’ve lost 4 games by a touchdown or less. We’ve started a new guard that people are talking about being a cornerstone of the future. We’ve got a rookie corner that is now starting. Trey Lewis is pulling his weight. Boley is a hoss. Jamaal Anderson, I hope, is learning the DE position and will show us more in the future. We have Houstons’ 2nd round pick next year (c’mon, lose a couple more games there Texans). So, we’ll have a high first round pick, two high second round picks, etc. If Brohm doesn’t pan out to be to our liking, pick up ol’ Jake Long and look at a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round. Heck, we got Schaub in the 3rd. I just hope that Petrino will stay focused on the Falcons long enough to iron the remaining issues out.

By Killa

October 23, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Doc, Very very good post!

By Mark

October 23, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

You think the Falcons are bad? I moved from Atlanta (too much traffic) to South Florida a few years back. Take a look at the Dolphins! They haven’t won a game, lost their only productive offensive player - Ronnie Brown - to a knee injury this week, lost their starting QB to a concussion and the backup makes them miss Harrington! At least Atlanta won 1 game, Miami may not do that!

By Davd Beckham

October 23, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

There is without a doubt a better brand of “footie” played in Europe than in Atlanta!

By wowie

October 23, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

I am a Falcons fan and after the past few weeks it is obvious that this team can not perform any one aspect of the game well. With that said I would still rather see this team struggle with the below average QB’s they have then ever see a dog-beating animal killer step foot into the Georgia Dome and embarass this whole town.

By 3 Rivers jacket

October 23, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

It isn’t that you are an sportswriter who looks to be negative all the time it is that you enjoy it so much and you think somehow that it makes you appear to be so much more cutting edge with your sarcasm. A little is ok and admirable but if you are trying to be a sports H. L. Mencken you are not getting it pal. And if you are tryng to be funny you are not. Something tells me you were the last one picked when ther was a sports choose up in your neighborhood and when you were picked you could only play a little while before your mommy would call you for your piano lesson. You can still hear the jeering so you resent hose who play the game. Just a theory.

By Old School Al

October 23, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Where have all the true coaches gone? Quick: Besides Billy Boy in Boston and Mike Holgren in Seattle, do any these guys deserve their jobs: Bobby Petrino (I’m still laughing at that hire); Sean Payton (one year wonder); John Fox (better as DC of the Giants) John Gruden (please!); Mike Nolan (lucky sperm club); Wade Phillips (see Mike Nolan) Scott Whatever in St. Louis (gone after this year); Brad Childress (flop); Gary Kubiak (living off Denver rep, made with a guy named Elway chucking the rock); Mike McCarthy (thank God Favre camm back for year # 17); well, you get the idea. Even Tony Dungy was marginal until he landed in Indy, which happened to be where Peyton Manning was. NFL football, and its coaches, just plain sucks!

By Roger Goddell

October 23, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Hey, Atlanta: I’m sure you would willingly give your - ahem - “franchise” to a worthy city. There are plenty of worthy cities, but nobody wants the pile of horse dung that Arthur Blank and Rich McKay have masterfully crafted!

By Kelly

October 23, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Why are the Vick Supporters on here still unable to type in anything remotely resembling English?

By GS

October 23, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Weedin out the kids *Mike Vick was not a top-of-the-line QB. Top-of-the-line talent perhaps, but not a top notch QB or leader of a football team. End of story. * Looking back and Looking on now, he was a leader of this team. Honestly, the Falcons are now playing like their leader is gone. He lead so good that they actually did look like they had hopes of going to the Superbowl. Especially the year they made it to Philadelphia. If the rest of the team had did their part, we would have had a chance to beat Philly. Now that he is gone, you want to erase all that he’s done. You hallered and screamed when he was running the ball, it was all good because you probably won your bets put on the Falcons. Now that they are in a situation to be seen as they are, then you want to continue to dog him. Mike Vick was also put in a bad situation when he was playing with Atlanta. No protection, no receivers, no team support. But now that “JOEY” is here, it NOW becomes relevant. Not racial huh? Be Really REAL. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. He lead this team as much as it could be lead. The even won more than one game with him. As sorry as they are. Be honest VICK HATERS.

By Vick4Life

October 23, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Even in prison, MV7 will still be the FALCONS All-Time M V P -

Most

Violated

Pillowbiter

M V P !!

M V P !!

By Ron Roberts

October 23, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

I’m sure my post will get deleted because, for some reason, being a Falcons fan who’s sick and tired of the ignorance coming from the MV7 supporters (I can’t believe there ARE still MV7 supporters calling themselves Falcons fans to begin with, frankly…) is taboo on the ajc.com.

Get over it; “your” QB broke the law, got caught, and more importantly, slaughtered innocent animals in the name of some ignorant gambling “fun.” Not only do I NOT want him back on MY team, but I don’t want him back in the game, period.

Yeah, his skills were at a higher plane than anybody else in the game, but guess what, kids? It brought us ZERO Super Bowl appearances, let alone titles. In football, there are 11 men on the field per team, per play, and he was just one player, with his own flaws, on a team that had its flaws. Physically gifted? Yes. Mentally gifted? Uhm…

As for Leftwich (and Harrington, too)… the problem’s the awful offensive line and the scheme we’re playing ‘em in. We had under-sized OL pieces before, which is why we utilized the cut-blocking scheme. So with Petrino’s way, we dropped it, but didn’t do much to upgrade the parts on the OL, and that was a mistake.

By Roswell Ed

October 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Lighten up Francis…err Will

You say we’re trying to have an adult conversation.

Adult conversation about what?

A football piece that starts out with a Marie Osmond reference?

or

a blog with all the MV7 apologist idiots?

or

an article about pro sports? A topic about grown men playing children’s games?

If you want an adult conversation try the William F Buckley web site.

I was born in this town the same year as the Falcons opened up. Except for a few other franchises no sports fans in the country have endured more heartbreak and disappointment over that time then me.

So excuse me for laughing at it, because the alternative would be for me to cry.

Bring back Dan Reeves!!!

By glw

October 23, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

LL Cool Scott is right on point, this team was built around 1 player, and that 1 player is gone, so now that Vick is gone, the weaknesses have been exposed by everyone.

There are draft needs and free agent needs. I am iffy about drafting a QB in the 1st round. I tend to agree with the idea of taking Jake Long in the 1st round. Obviously the QB issue is a concern, Leftwich is injury prone, Harrington will never be more than adequate, (i.e. backup QB). Shockley should be given more of a look and other issues should be addressed first.

MLB is a definite need after seeing Brooking tackle his own man and allow Bush to score Sunday.

The drafting of a lineman or two and at least 1 free agent pickup on the offensive line.

A big RB to match up with Norwood would be ideal. What is T.J. Duckett doing these days?

By Roswell Ed

October 23, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

TJ Duckett is at the Golden Corral eating at the trough.

What were some of you doing in English class?

Not conjugating verbs I would guess.

I consider myself horrible at spelling and writing but I can handle the basics.

It makes me wonder if the people who write in favor of Vick are faking their comments and writing so badly in order to make fun of his supporters.(Is that a run on sentence?)

I hope that is the case but something tells me that it is not.

What did you get on the English part of your SATs?

Coffee stains?

By Trill Phil

October 23, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

I agree with WES. A first round-pick QB is not, REPEAT IS NOT THE ANSWER. Jake Long, or any other top notch OL-man who surfaces between now and April SHOULD BE our first pick. The second rounder should be spent on either a stout DT (if Glen Dorsey isn’t selected by us with said first pick, which btw would also be good), or another stout OL-man who would be considered a steal (a la Hank Blaylock).

THEN with the second 2nd rounde or a 3rd, we get the QB we need. And if you people hated Vick, get ready to dislike PAT WHITE, because he’s is the ONLY QB with the mental acumen and athleticism needed to SURVIVE playing behind this atrocity that you people call an “offensive” line. Pocket passer aside, and it works in Indy and NE, but it’ll NEVER GET IN GEAR DOWN HERE. Yeah I said it, pocket passing simply will not work in the A T L.

If you’ve seen enough of the OL for the past 6 years like I have (GA Dome employee) then you should know that it will take at least 3 draft classes to significantly upgrade the line to allow such an offensive mentality of the “pocket QB” to fully develop.* So yes, WE DO NEED ANOTHER “ATHLETIC, MOBILE, AGILE, 4.3-4.5 STYLE” QB, because the more “you people” implore for “your downfield-scanning, stand up like a rock, new school Earl Morrall” kinda guy, then the Falcons will go broke and fold up like a tent in a hurricane because there won’t be one slow footed white, black, chinese, latino, or martin QB who’d want to play behind a line that couldn’t block the Turner Middle School Cardinals football team, ok??*

No MV7 comment here, just a COM-PAR- I-SON (syllabic for the culturally dyslexic ;-), but those of “you” who know what I’m talking about take heart to what the words say and what the messenger means…

and if you, like, don’t know well like, read a book, or like something and like you know like watch one of those whatucallits, a like football game and like you know whatever, watch the OL play or like, something and then you know you might like, I dunno learn something like about the game and like, maybe you’d like, see what some of the like fans have been like, you know have been complaining about when like #7 had to like put up with that same, like stuff that that Joe guy has to like put up with now or whatever … lol @ THE HILLS!

toodles!!

By Trill Phil

October 23, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

Spell check: “2nd rounde” (2nd rounder), “martin” (martian)…

Now my post has a good clean feeling. Fabulous! ;-)

By no_id

October 23, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

man, this is getting so old with these comments on here..the same thing is being said everyday about vick, negative and positive.

By Trill Phil

October 23, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

no_id:

I KNOW it does. But unlike some detractors who post here for simple but vicious “pleasures”, I at least attribute my posts to football matters. That is I observe the style of play, playcalls, players, and positives/negatives of each play’s outcome, rather than just rail on and on about one guy all day. Now THAT’S crazy…

but I wish I could “rail on” Melyssa Ford though ;-)

Pecae up, A town down brother, I’m takin’ a little siesta!

By Kennesaw Brown

October 23, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Universal truth: What goes around, comes around. The Falcons have acumulated too much bad karma, and now the “Chickens have come home to roost!” There are a lot of chickens, too: The premature firing of Dan Reeves, the refusal to draft Georgia/SEC players, raising seating prices even after losing seasons, cutting Grady Jackson suddenly from an already struggling D, not cutting Brooking after he tackled his own teammate(that beats all) and definitely for trying to steal guaranteed money from Vick…You guaranteed it to him!! That means you promised it to him, and now you are crawfishing, Blank! I remember when you said that he seemed like a son to you. Oh, that’s when those #7 jerseys, Nike’s, tickets, ads, and Prime Time games were coming in. I’m sure all of that amounts to more than what you’re trying to get back from him.