AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > December > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPetrino was never up to the job
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
He lost his quarterback. But Bobby Petrino didn’t quit because he lost Michael Vick.
He lost players to knee injuries, ankle injuries — injuries because the JetSki went one way and his defensive tackle’s leg went the other. But Bobby Petrino didn’t quit because the Falcons’ roster was decimated.
Bobby Petrino quit because being an NFL coach isn’t just about Xs and Os. It’s about all of those things Petrino didn’t want to handle and clearly wasn’t equipped to handle. Salary cap issues. Players egos. The most basic form of communication.
Bobby Petrino quit because he couldn’t handle almost anything.
Michael Vick lied to Arthur Blank. Bobby Petrino lied to Arthur Blank. The second guy didn’t break any laws, but the two are closer than we could have imagined in the character department.
Petrino is a quitter. Thirteen games and he is checking out for a job back in the college ranks, where he can mold young men by stepping on them first, which is something you can’t do in the NFL.
Nick Saban couldn’t handle it either. Hey, at least Nick Saban lasted two seasons. By comparison, Nick Saban is a martyr.
Thirteen games. Are you kidding?
When Blank’s head stops spinning after all he has endured this season, he should breathe a sigh of relief. He should get past the fact he has to find another coach. Get past the fact that the franchise he would open a vein for has hit bottom and will take some time to turn around.
Arthur: Get past all of that, because things probably just got better. Save the balance on the five-year, $24 million contract you gave Petrino. Find yourself a coach who won’t melt down every time the temperature rises above 78.
If football is the ultimate game of physical and mental toughness, Petrino turned out to be the ultimate mushhead. This is the NFL. This is Big Boy football. The Falcons already have too many players who stomp their feet and hold their breath. The last thing they needed was a coach who did the same thing.
Petrino said the Falcons were his dream job. He said he wanted to work for Blank and Rich McKay. He said he wanted one season to see what he could do with Vick.
Things didn’t go as planned. Obviously. Petrino didn’t win. That wasn’t really his fault, given circumstances. But there were so many warning signs about how he handled situations, you wondered how he would function in the NFL environment, even without the extreme issues.
He rarely communicated with his players. He didn’t seek any input from the veterans he inherited — and while it’s certainly his prerogative as a head coach to do as he pleases, constructing such walls is counter-productive for a coach trying to build unity.
Petrino didn’t tell players when they were being benched, or why. Some found out when they got to the stadium on game day. Joey Harrington found out from reporters in a news conference that he might not start at quarterback that week.
Say what you want about Harrington — no professional athlete deserves to be humiliated like that. No man deserves to be treated like that.
Bobby Petrino. Not a man. He is running like a coward.
It has been apparent all season that Petrino and McKay were on different pages in personnel issues (Why make Ovie Mughelli the league’s highest-paid fullback if he’s not going to be used?)
Most of all, he had lost the team. That was never more apparent than in Monday night’s game against New Orleans. Hall walked into the Georgia Dome carrying a sign, and Roddy White wore a T-shirt, both reading, “Free Michael Vick.” Once you got past the vitriol directed toward Hall and White, you had to ask yourself: Would any player have done that if they liked, respected or even feared their coach?
Petrino took exception last week when I asked him about the possibility of leaving the Falcons for a college job (I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, and figured he would wait until after the season).
“My plans are to be here, there’s no question about that,” he said. “I get asked the same question every day, and that’s my plan.”
And now his plan is taking him to Arkansas. At least 13 games covers a full college season.
The Falcons now have one less quitter to worry about.
Good riddance.
Permalink | Comments (280) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Ollie
December 12, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Bye Bye Bobbie!
By Boone7
December 12, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
Jeff, to your column I just say “Amen.”
By J Kyle
December 12, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
Please Mr.Blank do not hire any more college coaches. Hey Arkansas remember Petrino history. He told the cardinals he would not leave and he did. He told Mr.Blank he would not leave before the game Monday. What did he do he leid. So in short don’t take any thing he says for the truth. The only good thing about this whole thing is Atlanta does not have to pay him for the terrible job he done. I am really looking forward to next season and getting a coach that knows how to run a NFL team.
By Justin
December 12, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
What a quitter definitely good riddance.
I just wonder how much heartache a billionaire can take.
By Falconer
December 12, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
When will NFL owners realize that college coaches don’t get the NFL? So the rat deserted the sinking ship. Good riddance.
By Paul Hoffman
December 12, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
People in Arkansas better be praying that a Big Ten job does not open up at this time next year. Petrino will take it and call it his “dream job.” This guy is a “flight risk.”
By Disgusted
December 12, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
When coaches are liars with no values, you can expect some of the young men who come to them as boys in college to become liars and thugs with no values.
Petrino running away in the middle of the night so he doesn’t have to face the man who signs his checks who he just lied to is a new low even for a college football coach. It is not a crime, but it says something about a man’s lack of morals.
By Burt Saxby
December 12, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
Funny, I feel the same way about Houston Dale Nutt. The nation paints him as a martyr who was hurt by a few families and some fans flying banners. In reality, Nutt only coached HARD when he had to - mainly to get a win to save his sorry self.
Not to mention that two year pass and losing 8 games in two years with what most consider the best college football player in the nation who was part of the best backfield in the nation.
Arkansas had Petrino and Ole Miss has Nutt. I, too, say good riddance, good riddance to Nutt.
By throckmorton
December 12, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this
Amen. What a nozzle.
By kbat
December 12, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
Thank you Jeff! MV Lied, BP Lied. Goodbye to both. I can already feel a sigh of relief in the Falcons Camp.
By Tony
December 12, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
Agree. Good riddance. I wonder is Blank is still so proud Bobby Petrino is the head coach. This team needs a total fresh start including the coach, the GM, and any players who won’t play hard and represent the franchise with respect.
Maybe this will be a rallying point for the players and the fans. It can’t get any lower than this humiliation.
By Dawgfan
December 12, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
What a quitter. We’re better off without him.
By Phil
December 12, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
I wonder if he doesn’t bother to unpack his bag in Fayetteville.
By Lifelong atlantan
December 12, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Petrino left, It turns out he really was the perfect coach for the Falcons; No heart, no soul, no guts, and no class. Sorry Arthur, you deserve better, but after watching that team not even phone in the performance on Monday night It’s hard to blame Petrino. He knew that losing can be a hard habit to break. This team needs to be seroiously dismantled.
By Shundra
December 12, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
We need a little support here in Atlanta, there’s always next year.
By falcondawg
December 12, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
Adios, amigo. Don’t let the doorknob hit you where the sun doesn’t shine on your way out. It was obvious you were overmatched from day one. The sad part is we lost at least one quality player (Grady Jackson) because of your ineptness.
By Good Luck Petrino
December 12, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
I for one think that this man is doing what is best for him. Can you blame the man??? He unknowingly walked into a field of trip wires. Everything that he did blew up in his face. Should some blame be placed on him for the way he handled the situation…sure, but overall he did what was best for him. I would have made the same decision. When you ask the question…”Do I want to coach kids that love the sport and live for football, or do I want to coach men who fight dogs and CBs who throw tantrums that cost my team games?” I think he made the right decision for him. I don’t think that he did it the right way, but he made his decision….get off his back!
By Hustler69
December 12, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
I supported this so called coach and he just pulls this one. I hope the dawgs beat the brakes off of his team the next time they play. What a quitter!!!!
By Aghast
December 12, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
Petrino shows a lack of class in the way he’s abandoned the Falcons, but in the end, who can really blame him? And I don’t buy the fact that he came here to coach Vick. I think he figured out that he’s doomed here in Atlanta with all the primadonnas like Hall, Crumpler and friends who are constantly bringing the franchise down with their pitiful attempts at garnering attention. I feel for Arthur Blank, who has suffered financially as a result of Vick and his partners in crime that still inhabit the Falcon’s roster.
Maybe he can now turn the reins over to Hall, Crumpler and friends. Hey! What a great idea! And they can even hire Vick as an off-site consultant!
I’ve been with the Falcons since the beginning, but I’m sickened with all the crap that’s transpired this year. I’m going to find a new team to follow — maybe the Saints??
By Steve
December 12, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
Great! Another liar and a quitter is going to lead young developing men in college. Just the influence and example they need to learn from. I hate to say it but the SEC seems to be attracting a highly questionable quality of coaches, whose priorities are themselves, first and only! They do need to learn that winning at any cost, costs too much!
By dlc
December 12, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
As a Louisville fan, I could have warned you about this schmuck. He was talking to other colleges after signing an extension with us and he was talking to your Falcons before playing the Orange Bowl.
We know how you feel and we’re glad we don’t have him either.
By dawg fan
December 12, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
I’m glad he’s gone. He is not a NFL coach. To call him a used car salesman would be an insult to used carsaleman. He is a quitter, and he will Never be a success.
By Brooklyn Bob
December 12, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
People are funny. DeAngelo Hall calls out Petrino. He says he lied to Blank and he lied to McKay. He has no respect for him. And this is the same man wearing a “Free Mike Vick” T-shirt. Why not call out Mike, D? You sorry a** overpaid, good-for-nothing……God, I can’t stand you.
By PreyDawg
December 12, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
Cowher would be an excellent choice. But he wont leave the good life to come bail water in this dingy we call a franchise.
No. There is only one man up for this challenge. And he is the one that can turn this thing around. That’s Mike Singletary. His lack of coaching experience is not the big factor. We have the current coordinators for the X and O’s. What we need in this city and in this franchise is a leader of men. Singletary is that and then some. He will tell the players to stop whining. And he will can the one’s that quit on Monday night.
Singletary will provide the leadership and if they will let him and he stays healthy, Shockley will apply the balm we need as fans to come together again over this Vick debacle.
By Jim 70
December 12, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this
not surprising he left - but when he took the falcons job he did not land in a bed of roses. you trade the no. 2 qb (at the time a very good move), the no. 1 goes away, and the no. 3 tears an acl. all in preseason! if it wasn’t for bad luck, we’d have no luck at all.
saban and spurrier found out the hard way that nfl and ncaa are not comparable - jimmy johnson was one of the only coaches who made it work, but then look at who he had playing for him.
hall is still a punk and will always be one - even the diehard vt fans up here don’t like him. i was disappointed in alge making negative comments about petrino, especially playing as poorly as he has this season.
one thing positive for the falcons, i don’t think they will go after another college coach. however, as said on monday night, it is going to be a rough two/three years for us unless we can pick up a good free agent qb - not a joey/brian!
By Ken
December 12, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
I love seeing pompous Arthur Blank getting his hat handed to him one lousy choice at a time. Money can buy you alot of things, but it cannot buy you any common sense. The Falcons fodder has unfolded like a dark comedy, with Blank as the central goat in the whole play - beautiful!!!
By Leandre
December 12, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Well, Well, Well…. Mr. Blank you should have hired Lovie Smith when you had a chance.
I love it !! These clowns are getting exactly what they deserve.
By old fan
December 12, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
I don’t blame Petrino one bit. Who would want to coach this bunch of over paid crybabies anyway? The Falcons are the worst team in the NFL. The only reason the Dolphins haven’t won more is because they didn’t play Atlanta this year. No way any coach with half a brain takes this job. Talk to Cowler or Schottenheimer? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
By Old School Al
December 12, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this
Welcome to the SEC, Petrino! And this guy thought playing in the NFC South was tough?
As a former coach and parent of two D-1 SEC scholarship players, how can this guy look any parent in the eye and expect them to trust him with their kid?
By ndadome
December 12, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
I just read that MGM is re-casting and re-shooting “the Wizard of Oz” with Bobby Petrino in the part of the Cowardly Liar. Arthur, forget Cowher, get on the phone with Mike Singletary. .the man you should have hired in the first place.
By Leandre
December 12, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
Should have hired Lovie Smith when you had a chance…
I love it !!!
You deserve it Falcons. You threw you QB under the bus.
By Truth Hurts
December 12, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
The truth is that every single decision Arthur Blank has made is terrible! From firing Reeves to Rich McKay to peerless…..etc…
Who is ultimately responsible for making the decision to partner and elevate all of these flawed characters? The answer is obvious. The Falcons are doomed with Blank as an owner. He is truly clueless.
By bootsiebanty
December 12, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
CALLING MARION C-A-M-P-B-E-L-L CALLING MARION C-A-M-P-B-E-L-L!! LOL!!!
No quality NFL coach will work for Blank and the Falcons.
By Dan Reeves
December 12, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Wow, he didn’t have the courtesy to tell his players, staff, and Blank in person he quit. Arkansas, this is what you have to look forward to. A coach that gives up on you. Atlanta fans should be happy this morning.
By GOOD LUCK PETRINO
December 12, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Lou Holtz left the NY Jets at the same time in his tenure. I believe that he became one of the greatest college coaches in history, and I don’t think anyone would say that he is a man without character. The bottom line is that some people fit better in the college game. Maybe it is a good thing that he will be working with impressionable young men, rather than the roster full of jackasses that he has been dealing with for the past 8 months. Leave the man alone
By PM
December 12, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Anyone who is not emotionally invested in the Falcons can easily see that they are a totally messed up enterprise. DeAngelo calling out Petrino? 5-6 starting quarterbacks in the last two years? The Vick situation? The perennial bottom feeder in the NFL for 35+ years, save one year (thank you Mr. Reeves and Mr. Chandler).
By Hogfan...LKY
December 12, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Sounds like just sour grapes to me and if he is a looser why you writing a article about him then? Can’t have it both way. And Louisville fan I live here in Louisville and know for a fact U of L would take him back in a heartbeat. Don’t be a hater cause he did for U of L what you had never experienced and more then likely never will again.
By Becky
December 12, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Right on, this is not a person of character. Unfortunately, it was predictable. Too bad he is back in the SEC.
By Vince Lombardi
December 12, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Bravo to the comments of Ken!!! The NFL owners comprise a group of people who earned their money by NOT being football guys. In the case of Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons, that fact is painfully more obvious - and evident - every single day!
By Leandre
December 12, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
I love it !!!
You could have gotten Lovie Smith !
NFL is different than wood and screws !
By mart
December 12, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Quitter, coward, loser, jerk. Even by Arkansas standards, this is pretty low.
By Bank of America
December 12, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Maybe Petrino lend some money to Vick…..Talk about two guys who have character issues!
By cricket
December 12, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
WOW! I can’t believe people are taking petrino’s side. He destroyed whatever was left of this team, bolted on the highest paying contract and people are saying that’s ok because he did what is best for him? I can’t believe I’m saying this but I agree with DHall on this one. This creep lied to Blank even a day before he declared he’s leaving, which led to Blank going on MNF and making a fool of himself with all the talk of rebuilding the team under this guy’s guidance..
By Artie
December 12, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
I’m laughing my a$$ off!!!!
I KNEW this would happen. This is the type of guy Petrino is. He’s the same guy who met late-night on a runway in Alabama with Auburn boosters to covertly oust his so-called “close friend” Tuberville. The guy is PURE TRASH!!!!
By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE
December 12, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
It’s sad that all ajc sport columnists and white talk show host will never unstand real world issues without thinking there narrow mind ways are not the only way in life. Would you continue to coach a team that has shown that they were not concern about the reason that you came to coach in the first place(MV7),when Arthur Blank did not care for a man which he had invested 130 million into. what would make you think after two or three season with 3-13 record that he would still want to see you as the Falcon head coach. But now you have a chance to move to a better job, would you not take it? And lastly, the AJC sports columnists and radio talk show would have run him out town in a matter time anyway, so i truely think him did the right thing for him and his family. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU COACH BOBBY PRETRINO!!!!!!!!!! A JOB WELL DONE
By George Halas
December 12, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
To the NFL owners: When are you pompous, arrogant idiots going to learn? Spurrier; Erickson; Saban; Petrino…..and the hits just keep on comin’!
By Bugman
December 12, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Sneaking off in the middle of the night - wow Petrino, I guess this wasn’t the job you dreamt about after all. You are a no class tool that has only contributed to the downfall of this franchise and city. Good riddance.
I look forward to the Dawgs taking a bite outta yer azz next season.
By wrench
December 12, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
I know things look bleak now However, in the long run we will be better off. Petrino was not an NFL coach.
By mqew
December 12, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Who the he11 didn’t see this coming. He came here to coach a football legend in the making, to become part of the legend. With his playbook, Vick was the perfect QB, not Fairrington!
Don’t blame him, the Falcons suck without Vick. What winner wants to be part of a losing team/city?
By woodstockgt
December 12, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Great article Jeff. What a loser! Why would Ark. want him? He had some success at Louisville but his lack of loyality to his teams is going to catch up with him. Now I have another coach to pull against- Sabin and now Patrino.
By William
December 12, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
I remember reading several blogs from Louisville people at the outset of the season that Petrino would bolt at the first opportunity but didn’t believe it. Wow, those folks were sure right on the button. To leave with no notice, to flat out lie to a good and decent man like Arthur Blank and quit before the season is even over is really lame. This betrayal ranks right up there with the Colts sneaking out of Baltimore in the middle of the night for Indianapolis. If I was a Razorbacks fan, I don’t think I’d be too thrilled about hiring this mercenary. I’ll assume that honesty, integrity and loyalty won’t be stressed too much by Arkansas’ new coaching staff. Screw you Petrino, and the horse you rode in on, you deceitful douchebag.
By Hog Caller
December 12, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Gee, if Petrino is such a loser, why all of the mudslinging at his going? If he is as bad as you say, you’re article could have been two short sentences, “Thank goodness he’s gone. We didn’t think he would ever leave.”
By E.Lamar
December 12, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Keep your head up and hire a Good NFL Coach:Singletary,Cowher,Schottenheimer,Garrett etc.
By Disgusted
December 12, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
Bobby “Pinocchio.” Your nose is growing
By mike
December 12, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
I think all of us Falcons fans - those of us who supported and didn’t support the team during this season’s fiascos - ought to lay back, cool down the rhetoric, and let Blanke figure out what’s going on. I think that the best thing we can do is to actively support the team regardless of the mess they’re in. I’ve been a Falcons basher this year and certainly not in Vick’s corner. But, I think enough’s enough - rock bottom it is. Now, let’s support what’s left of the team and the organization and move on.
By BB
December 12, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Give me a break. Big boy football? Big boy Football? Big boy’s don’t get paid millions of dollars and buy dogs to kill them, or ride jet skis in season. Noone can control these brats, and he is smart to leave! Coward is writing articles behind a newspaper about other grown up men!
By Jeffrey Laurie
December 12, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
I’m behind you, Arthur. Hire anybody you want to and I hear the offensive coordinator from Troy State is a pretty hot commodity. As long as this cash cow we call the NFL continues to hemmorage money in our direction, who gives a damn what the paying customers think?
By BiggestDawg
December 12, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Petrino screwed the Falcons? Hardly.
I actually feel sorry for a guy that stepped away from a good, comfortable coach head coaching job and into a program with the NFL’s hottest commodity under center; only to find out that the star QB is a repugnant, low-life dog killer who is on the fast track to nowhere but the state pen.
Petrino has every right to leave the Falcons job because the mess he was put into was certainly not the promise held out to him by Arthur Blank.
If Arthur Blank were to hold accountable the appropriate person, it would be himself for tolerating Mick Vick in the first place. He coddled and babied this thug and actually seemed surprised when the inevitable self-destructive explosion happened.
Sorry Arthur, you got exactly what you deserved.
By ScoobySnacks
December 12, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
We should have known something was up. When Alge Crumpler of all people is going to the press about the coach. De’angelo Hall is a loud mouth I’ll give you that. But Alge! Come on. Then there were all these people rallying behind Petrino just because of his title Head coach. More like head job. And every veteran in that locker room knew it from day one. Maybe this season would have been marginally better if they had some kind of real leadership from the coaching position.
A filthy, worthless, spineless, gutless, pitiful coward. Less than a man. Barely deserving of having his name spoken.
Worst yet he gave me and Schultz a topic to agree on. What a putz.
By virtueandvice
December 12, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Well, you know what they say: Pigs love to roll around in their own s*. Now they have a big pile of it to roll around in at Arkansas. As for Mr. Blank, you made a huge mistake running Dan Reeves out and you have continued to pay for it since.
By The Fox Sports Network
December 12, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Television blackouts of Atlanta Falcons games? As Bill Parcells would say: “That’s not a bad thing, OK?”
By The Alpha Male
December 12, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
Bobby Petrino is a professional quitter….. just check his resume. The Falcons are a trainwreck thanks to two pathetic liars, one of whom is rotting in jail where he belongs, the other is condemned to live in Arkansas. I’m not sure which got the worst of it.
By Jakester
December 12, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
We could have told you so. Heck, we did tell you so! Petrino is simply a pathological liar. Love, Louisville
By scott
December 12, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
nice blog i’m so glad he is gone i never like the hiring of him from the beginng we need profesionals in atlanta not quiters and felons i think pertrino will fine caoching in the sec is not all gravy either can’t wait until next season start and they play the dawgs and all the other hard nose football teams in the sec
By Bridgette
December 12, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
They should have NEVER gotten rid of Jim Mora! They need to bring him back!!!! With everything that has happend with Vick, the Falcons needed the stability of a Great Head Coach on their side & they let him go, now they need to do what is right & get him back.
By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE
December 12, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
It’s sad that all ajc sport columnists and white talk show host will never unstand real world issues without thinking there narrow mind ways are not the only way in life. Would you continue to coach a team that has shown that they were not concern about the reason that you came to coach in the first place(MV7),when Arthur Blank did not care for a man which he had invested 130 million into. what would make you think after two or three season with 3-13 record that he would still want to see you as the Falcon head coach. But now you have a chance to move to a better job, would you not take it? And lastly, the AJC sports columnists and radio talk show would have run him out town in a matter time anyway, so i truely think he did the right thing for him and his family. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU COACH BOBBY PRETRINO!!!!!!!!!! A JOB WELL DONE
By Brock
December 12, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
Brooklyn, I was saying the same thing when I heard this loudmouth nonperforming so called dback talk. He wants to bash Petrino for what he did(which someone should) but hold up a picture of Vick while running out on the field before the game. What a hypocrite. If the tables were turned he would be called a racist. Again, just goes to show you how moronic Vick supporters are.
Petrino is no better than Vick in the character category. I’ll give you that. I hope he fails at Arkansas just for phoning his resignation in. See people, I don’t care if Petrino is white or black.He deserves nothing but failure for his actions. Dhall on the other hand needs to learn when to talk, what to say when he does talk and most importantly when to shut the f*#k up. What an idiot.
By jack
December 12, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
Arthur Blank. Wow! God Bless you Man! I, for one and a LONG LONG TIME FALCONS FAN, do not know what to do for this mess. I have no advice, no solution. I doubt if ANY qualified Coach will be TRULY interested in this job, at this time. (Maybe for enough $$$$$$$$$). I just want you to know, I personally appreciate your willingness to spend your honest, hard earned money trying to put US REAL FANS a winning team on the field. Yes, you have a real mess on your hands….God help your and your managemnt team to fix this disaster.
By Tim McDaniel
December 12, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
I can’t blame him, I think we are only getting part of the story. The bad thing is that we probably won’t get to hear the other half. In my opinion, I think Petrino’s hands were tied. I think that he was probably told to start Dunn instead of Norwood. I also think that due to Blank needing a new “face” of the franchise, he was probably told that the Falcons if possible would be drafting MacFadden instead of Bryan Brohm. I bet he doesn’t have to worry about Senior’s next year whining to the media about a Sophomore getting playing time.
By Falcons = Quitters
December 12, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Why would a good coach want to come here and deal with a bunch of unprofessional, quitters? The Saints’ game was a disgrace. Boo Hoo…we lost our QB, all is lost, I’m not even going to try. Most of this team STOLE a paycheck all season long. Patrino had a lot of faults but this team showed it’s true colors all season - worthless, egomaniacal, quitting, babies completely incapable of dealing with the tiniest adversity.
Cowher ain’t coming - he’s used to dealing with professional winners!
By michael
December 12, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Enough of the Vick was “thrown under the bus” comments. Vick threw Blank, his teammates, fans and the city of Atlanta under the bus. He turned out to be a selfish, undisciplined, sociopath who delighted in the torture of defenseless animals. Stop supporting this guy because of his skin color. Vick let eveyone down….black and white.
By Matt
December 12, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
I usually think that the columns here at cheap shots at people and it si just way to boost the writer’s ego, but this time Jeff you are right on! The only thing that I would say is that maybe Petrino should have looked at the Michigan job. He would have looked better going there with the yellow streak that he has going down his back!
Petrino……you’re a LOSER!!!!!!
By Observer
December 12, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
To all of those who say, “Can you blame him?” I say YES, I CAN!
Bobby Petrino, you are a liar and a LOSER! You’re a loser of a coach, but what’s worse, you’re a loser of a man.
You showed everyone your true colors when you met with Auburn officials about yanking the rug out from under your “friend” Tommy Tuberville. Oh yeah, that meeting was held while you were still under contract with Louisville and without their permission. These are the actions of a liar and a LOSER.
This week you spoke with representatives of the University of Arkansas while you were still under contract with the Falcons and again, without their permission. When Arthur Balnk heard the rumors of this he confronted you and you looked him in the eye and said it wasn’t so. You are still a liar and a LOSER.
Now you have your “dream job”. Conratulations. Unfortunately, a big part of your new job is sitting in the living room of a high school prospect and trying to convince their parents that you are the coach that will turn their son into a better player and a better man. Sadly, all your history has shown them is that your example will teach their son how to be a liar and a LOSER. Good luck trying to recruit anyone with even a modicum of character.
GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
By Matt
December 12, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I usually think that the columns here at cheap shots at people and it is just a way to boost the writer’s ego, but this time Jeff you are right on! The only thing that I would say is that maybe Petrino should have looked at the Michigan job. He would have looked better going there with the yellow streak that he has going down his back!
Petrino……you’re a LOSER!!!!!!
By kerry
December 12, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I, too, am amazed at the support this guy is getting. I will have to say the people who are supporting him are made of the same moral fiber. The man made a commitment to this team and then slunk off in the middle of the night. And that’s okay because he didn’t get to coach Vick and he should do what’s best for him? Baloney! A person of class, dignity and character would never dream of exhibiting such behavior.
My team is in bad shape right now, but will rise again. I will continue to support them.
By jeanE
December 12, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I got my wish, Petrino is gone. But even I couldn’t have imagined he’d dump the team before the season was even over! How can this so-called man even look himself in the mirror?? How could Arthur, who’s been made to look like a complete fool and McKay have been so wrong AGAIN? We need Bill Cowher but he will never come to this circus, why would any credible coach? And they fired the most decent, respectable coach we have had, Dan Reeves, because what he wasn’t exciting enough? I’ve had just about enough excitement with this team to last a lifetime. I don’t understand how Arthur was so successful at Home Depot and is so bad at being an owner when he genuinely seems to want to make this team thrive…He must fire McKay, which is hard, I know since they seem to be close but McKay is largely responsible for this debacle. Start completely fresh, hire a proven, respectable GM first & then take your time & go from there. Please don’t be sold another bill of goods from some snake oil salesman who can talk a good game. None of the Bills would’ve put up with the cr— from these players, not Cowher, Parcells or Belichek. At least B. Finn wasn’t part of this, he didn’t even want to come back to Quitter Petrino but now that it’s up in the air, maybe he’ll be back catching balls on a fade route in the end zone just like he used to, remember those days? It’s very hard to. You truly are a pig and right where you belong Petrino.
By mountain jim
December 12, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
**Finally a Schultz column I agree with whole-heartedly!
Good Riddance to the lying Weasel indeed!**
By Boom
December 12, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
I watched the Hawg conference to see if Petrino would talk about being committed and wanting to coach “the right way.” I saw his two children sitting there. Did anyone stop to think what it’s like for them to move from Louisville and then be ripped out of their Atlanta schools to suddenly be living in the “garden spot” that is Fayetteville, AR? Petrino didn’t seem to think about it. No matter how many games he wins at Arkansas, before bolting in 2-3 years, the man is a l-o-s-e-r as well as a quitter.
By Singletary
December 12, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Is he a child or just a bad person?
He lies constantly, and this is documentable in the media. He slithers between jobs always looking for the next paycheck.
Good riddance.
P.S. After the bright lights of Atlanta, imagine Arkansas.
By dean
December 12, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
I think this is a blessing in disguise. This guy was terrible. I gave up on his ability after what happened during the Tennessee game and he just conitnued to show what a fool he is. No need to panic. We have gone through a lot this year. Now please, don’t hire another idiot. Let’s go get a good coach and get this thing back on track.
By springman
December 12, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Mr. Blank - Put Petrino behind you, FAST. Quite a few pundits, analysts and fans questioned his “word” even before no. 7 flamed out. There’s only one guy who can rebuild your ship and that’s Bill Cowher. Dial him in now and get him in place for the TB game. Things aren’t done that way? So what. Why wait? The interim coaches will probably be heading to pigland anyway. Put somebody in charge NOW who’ll show you’ve said “ENOUGH!” If he’s interested - and I think he would be because he already sees you as the perfect owner - you’d be putting in a proven, credible CEO that would be able to quickly assess what’s needed for next season - and he’d probably be able to unite the core performers to grind out another couple of wins. Repeat after me “Cowher Now, Cowher Now.” It can be done.
By CJ
December 12, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Well said Jeff. This guy was clueless, only loyalty is to himself. We need to support Blank and this team, he must be feeling awful after two big disapointments.
Hire Mike Singletary.
By robo
December 12, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
There are not enough adjectives to describe Petrino, especially seeing him all smiles while whooping it up at the Arkansas press conference with cheerleaders and all. I’m just happy to see this cancer leave and now it is Arkansas’ problem-and believe me they will have problems; they lost a nutt and gained a spineless yellow headed no class coach. Prepare for hard times razorback fans. Blank will be smart and hire a proven NFL head coach or an experienced NFL assistant who will turn things around with the guys we have and will add some more talent to get us back to the playoffs which I predict will happen in the 09 season. This year is over and as Hall said they are at rock bottom now and there is only one way to go which is up.
By RA
December 12, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Understand, I detest the writing of Jeff Schultz and everything that he seems to stand for. I see him as evil incarnate where Atlanta teams are concerned, but on this particular occaision, he’s right. Petrino is bum. That job at Arkansas would have been right there after the season was over. He should have been man enough to complete one season!
Anyway, the Falcons need to correct a year long mistake. Bring in Mike Singletary! I’d dare a player to show up to a game with a sign or a T-shirt like the ones they had on Monday night. I don’t think Singletary would take it away. I think he’d shove it down their throats. Say it with me “Mike in 2008!”
By Patman
December 12, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
I can’t belive that Jeff Schultz took a minute from hating Michael Vick (who I am not a fan of or defending) to say something that I agree with. bobby petrino deserves no respect and I am all too happy to see his quitting behind gone. Now if only he could take MeAngelo Hall and Shoddy White with him.
By Maria
December 12, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Thanks for saying what needed to be said. Petrino was never ready for the NFL and proved how much of a coward and incompetent coach he really is. Who cares if he didn’t get Vick? He still had Crumpler, Hall, White, Horn, Brookings, Jackson (until he got rid of him), and Abraham. A true coach can handle any situation.
By Bait
December 12, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Let the door hit you…The Falcons are having a bad case a deja vu; DHall (Primetime), and Roddy White (Andre Rison)are taking us back to the “Bad Ol’ Days”. We need a coach with a backbone and a size 14 boot…we need you Billy C!!
By Blaster
December 12, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately, BP is only the symtom of the cancer that permeates the Falcon organization. Vince Lombardi would have quit by now if he had had to deal with the bunch of no-talent, whining, under-achievers that call themselves professionals. After 40-plus years this organzation is right where it started…square one.
By jase
December 12, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
Dear MeAngelo,
Please shut-up. True Falcon fans, not MV7 a$$ kissers, know that you played a huge role in this debacle. Who in the hell wants to coach a moron like yourself. You are nothing but a gimme man. Gimme love, gimme attention, gimme respect, and gimme the ball after an interception. There is no “I” in TEAM, but there is “Me” in MeAngelo. Shut-up fool.
By pffft
December 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
honestly can you blame him? he takes a job with an average at best team that melts down before the season starts, vick, hall (who has no room to talk about character)and a city that never believed a college coach would make it and never supported him. and working with a bunch of overpaid babies. yeah he is running back to college but your getting what you wanted anyway so just say goodbye and prepare to bash the next coach. it is a bussiness and none of this should suprise any of you. atleast he isnt costing you money against the salary cap for the next how many years while he is in jail of suspended.
By chip jones
December 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Little harsh today, Jeffey. Kids playing on your lawn again? Neighbor’s dog peeing in your pansies? Who wouldn’t throw up their hands on the Falcons? Too long in the wilderness. Birds of a feather…
By G Talley in Arkansas
December 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
The NFL has become a joke and this year the Atlanta Falcons are the punch line. It’s because of the players and owners. NFL coaches do what they can. NFL fans take what they can get. The Bobby Petrinos of the world have too much character to hang around with a bunch of arrogant players and owners. Not to mention putting up with o-so-sure their opinions matter arrogant sports writers like Jeff Schultz. So, Bobby, welcome to Arkansas and the SEC. You have entered a world where the “game” of Football still has meaning. We expect great things. Don’t let us down.
By I WISH MV7 WAS HERE
December 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
WHY IN THE HE11 DO PEOPLE STILL WANT TO CONTINUE TO BLAME MV7 FOR ATLANTA FALCON FAILURES, HE DIDN’T TAKE NOT ONE SNAP THIS YEAR AND I STILL HEAR HE IS THE PROBLEM. MY MOTHER ALL WAYS TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE PROBLEM WHEN WHITE FOLKS STOP TALKING ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN YOU ARE MAKEING PROGRESS THEY WOULD WANT TO SEE YOU HANGING FROM A TREE. SO I REAL HAD TO LIVE LIFE AND SEE THAT THIS IS SO TRUE. MV7 HAD 22 TOUCHDOWN,RUN FOR 1000 AND THE HIGHEST PAID IN THE NFL, WHITE DIDN’T BE HAPPY FOR HIM INSTEAD THEY WANTED HIM GOING. WHEN JESSUS RETURN HE WILL FIND THAT MOST HAVE NOT LOVED AT ALL BUT CARRIER HATE THAT HAD TO BEEN FROM HE11 IT SELF.
By DR
December 12, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Thank you Bobby.
Mr. Blank, please don’t hire NFL assistants or college coaches. You tried an NFL assistant in Mora and a College coach in Petrino, neither of them worked.
This organization needs a classy guy like we had in Coach Reeves.
Go get Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer both men of class and know how to coach, motivate and take sh*t from players.
Please spare us fans from another experiment. NFL Assistant Coaches and College coaches might work in some organizations that have matured but unfortunately, Falcon organization never have.
Please, Please get Bill or Marty. I will even renew my season ticket.
By DeltaGirl82
December 12, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
I’M LAUGHING MY A__ OFF!! THIS IS TOO FUNNY. LOOKS LIKE MV7 ISN’T THE ONLY LIAR IN THE FALCONS ORGANIZATION. BOBBY PETRINO LIED TO HIS BOSS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION & WAS TOO COWARD TO EVEN TELL ARTHUR BLANK FACE-TO-FACE THAT HE WAS QUITTING!! BOBBY “PUNK” PETRINO. HE ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE HE WAS HAVING A BOWEL MOVEMENT ON THE SIDELINES ANYWAY. GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!!!!
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP MICHAEL!!
By bootsiebanty
December 12, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
mqew wrote: “Who the he11 didn’t see this coming. He came here to coach a football legend in the making, to become part of the legend. With his playbook, Vick was the perfect QB, not Fairrington!”
Uh, perfect QB? Vick has a strong arm and can do certain acrobatic moves and is a decent running back, but an NFL QB he ain’t. Haven’t figured that out by now? Old news.
“Don’t blame him, the Falcons suck without Vick. What winner wants to be part of a losing team/city?”
Care to check Falcon W/L records with Vick?
By KB
December 12, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
First, let me start out by saying that I am an Atlanta native, not a Falcons fan, not even a fan of the National Football League. After watching that nightmare of what the National Television Audience called a Monday night football game it is obvious that Bobby Petrino lost total control of this football team. Coach Petrino is a quitter, and in order to fix what this town calls a National Football League franchise, the Falcons need to clean house with some of the hip hop thugs they have in their locker room. The Falcons are at least two years away from being fundamentally competitive again. For every Warrick Dunn and Joe Horn, there was a posse led by punks and thugs such as D Hall, Roddy White, and the chubby Algie Crumpler. In closing I would like to say congratulations to Arkansas and to the entire Razorback nation for hiring a man that has zero integrity, that is a lying lump of crap. People of Arkansas, are sadly mistaken if they think that bull crap that worked in the big east is going to work in the SEC
By Kelley
December 12, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
I really feel sorry for the die hard Falcon fans who pay the absurd prices to go to the games more than anyone else right now. They are the ones who have gotten the bad deal this season (and most seasons in this franchise’s history).
Fortunately for me, I’m a bigger Braves fan. Yeah, I know it’s a different sport, but thank God for Bobby Cox and John Schureholz, they know how to run a professional organization.
By Mark C.
December 12, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Good, it was a bad hire and now we get a mulligan. Thanks Bobby! Enjoy the SEC West, you’ll fit right in.
By Baghdad guy
December 12, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Of course you are p** off because he didn’t tell you his plans. The media in general are always trying to step on people, to the point of putting lives at riskk, essentially a bunch of selfish murderers that step on lives to get a story, I think personally it’s a GREAT thing when the media doesn’t get their way and I see one of them throw a fit. So what if Petrino moves? Why would he want to work with an organization that protected a worthless criminal? And what’s wrong with not telling the media ANYTHING? I love the fact that linemen don’t speak to the media, it’s GREAT!!!
By david
December 12, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
A Vickless Falcons team is not what Bobby Petrino signed up for. And the culpability for the situation playing out this way lies with Arthur Blank and Co. The Falcons organization perpetually played codependent to Michael Vick and the reckless impunity with which he committed, at the very least, one peccadillo after another. Don’t kid yourself that the Falcons organization was not complicit in Michael Vick’s habit of continually flouting the law. Their enabling of his failure to comport himself as an upstanding citizen only empowered his belief that the rules didn’t apply to him. Of course Michael’s an adult and could not be subjugated to the Falcons 24/7, but it would be naive to believe that the Falcons had no inkling of his dogfighting involvement. Given the evidence, retrospectively they certainly should have known. And if they didn’t know the extent of it, it’s because they looked the other way hoping it would never come to light; that, and the need for plausible deniability. So while the knee-jerk reaction is to vilify Bobby Petrino, at least acknowledge the root of the problem. Go Hogs!!!