Sports Columnists

By Hobbs

December 12, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Good article but I still don’t like you Terence!!!

By garrett

December 12, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

It’s becoming more and more clear that Blank: a) ain’t that bright. Or, b) his vanity clouds his better judgment. He is a great people person/salesman, and his drive to be a billionaire (vanity) is how he succeeded at Home Depot. He obviously wasn’t the one making the management/operations decisions or judging character of executive hirings there.

How he can be so clueless as to put his mug on MNF (again, vanity) for fifteen minutes in the midst of what was happening under his nose tells us all we need to know. I understand you are walking a fine line in your position as far as how much you can rip Blank, but let’s face it: this guy is the main problem here. McKay, Mora, Vick, and Petrino all stem from Blank not being able to assess personality/talent and being snowed as a result.

All we can hope is that he lucks into a good GM hire and gets the hell out of the way. Needless to say, McKay needs to go now and we need to start with a clean slate.

By DC

December 12, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

How can you blame him, A lot of baloney he didn’t create and noone will remmber that in 2 years when Mr. Blank fired him for not succeediing fast enough!

By Falcons Stink!

December 12, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Terrence - I don’t often agree with you, however this time I do.

By RidgeDaddy

December 12, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Just more examples of a lack of character on the part of all of the individuals you mentioned. Which is what makes those rare sports figures with true character such a refreshing change - men like Tony Dungy, Mark Richt, & John Smoltz. They are all a breath of fresh air amidst the stench of these other liars, because they conduct their lives w/ integrity, class, and honesty. What a concept!

By D-Man

December 12, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Well said Mr. Moore..I firmly expect Miles to be at Michigan next year. Especially with the competition getting tougher in the SEC and the SEC West especially. It’s far easier to win in Michigan’s conference, and he may never get this chance again, his stock has never been higher than it is now. As far as Petrino…I am glad this happened sooner than later..at least now we can get the jump on the coaching search…perhaps we can finally get a proven commodity although I am not holding my breath!!

By Houston Nutt

December 12, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

I will be telling my old Recruits at Arkansaw to come over to Ole Miss where the coach won’t quit in mid season.

By AmazonRed

December 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Don’t blame Petrino at all for leaving. What happened with Vick is not what he signed up for when he accepted the job.

However, the lying part is where you lose respect for him. Good luck to him at Arkansas.

By Marcus

December 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Dear Bobby Petrino,

Kick Rocks…. Catch Fire…. Happy Hog Rid’en…

By D-Man

December 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Hobbs…thats a stupid thing to say…how old are you? Sounds like you are in freak’n highschool.

By Bill

December 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

You finally wrote something worth readinf… GOOD JOB

By catchem

December 12, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the Atlanta professional sports scene has become all about pandering to a largely black fan base. In that light, anything black sells; whether it’s good or bad, honorable or sad, and yes, legal or illegal. Forget the fact that Vick broke the law; he’s not part of the problem, Bobby Patrino is. That ‘support black or die’ mentality is what perpetuates racism in this country and in all countries. It’s about character, stupid; it’s not about color. It may be true that next year’s turf and markings will both be black, as will the entire interior of the Dome and the faces of everyone within.

By Chris Belcher

December 12, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

So if everyone lies, including head coaches, why can’t Vick come back and play for the Falcons after he serves his time? If everyone lies, and his lies were to potentially keep himself out of jail. We know it did not work for Vick, however can we blame him? Petrino lied and he got another job, Les Miles IS lying and he will end up with the job he originally lied about. So why not Vick, who didn’t lie to damage his team, he lied to save himself from the slammer.

By Stacey

December 12, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Pity. Petrino only came to coach the Falcons so that he could coach Mike Vick — the most exciting QB in the league. It’s no surprise, then, that once Vick’s 23-month sentence came down and it became clear that his return to the Falcons was not eminent, that Petrino would bolt. I say, “good riddance!”

By Veteran Fan

December 12, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

The problem with the Falcons is that certain “stars” like Hall and Crumpler were giving up on national TV on Monday and then mouthing off about the tremendous effort they had given! The core of the team was fine, the veterans (Abrahms, Milloy, Dunn, Brooking, etc..) were coming together but these mouthy spokespeople were killing the team! As we rebuild please get rid of Hall and Crumpler but maybe they are all mouth and no ability so they have no trade value! If I were Coach Petrino and heard what these guys said after watching their lack of performance with our poor receivers support for poor Michael Vick, I would leave too. For them to put a dopehead like Vick ahead of the team mean’t that there were too many out- of- control idiots on the team who didn’t get the point! The point is SHUT UP AND PLAY FOOTBALL!

By UnHappyFan

December 12, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

Well, this is happening in jobs in many industries. It is possible that Blank could have fired Petrino at any time.

What is loyalty? Petrino is loyal to himself, as the Falcons are themselves. Whos to say Petrino stuck it out only to have Blank tell him to go in Feb..

I think Blank knew something was up and this is why he made a point of telling the world Petrino was his man.

Your arguments about Bonds and Vick remind me of sophism- I heard Billy Martin claim his mission was to ‘test’ the system to make it better. Looks as if it worked fine for Vick, minus a big portion of Vicks bank roll.

By Tom Robinson

December 12, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank lied to Petrino about having a competitive team to coach. Instead peterino ended up with no QB and a bunch of overpaid, underperforming veterans

I don’t blame Peterino for bailing on the mess the Falcons franchise is

By C Brooks

December 12, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

You all kill me. You don’t like Terrence, but you keep reading his articles. I appreciate your honesty and candor Terrence. Keep up the good work!

By BC

December 12, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

NFL owners need to realize that the Joe College “I am your King” approach does not work in the pros. Also, Vick could be on the field right now if Blank supported him from the beginning. Think about it. These billionaire NFL owners are some of the most powerful men in America who are well connected with political and law enforcement officials. Remember when Michael Irvin was going through his cocaine stuff? Jerry Jones helped him get back on the field with minimal long-term harm. Cowboys GM Tex Schramm also helped his players (Harvey Martin, Tony Hill, Tony Dorsett a.k.a. “The Cocaine Cowboys” in the 1980s. The real reason the ATL will never have a winner is because the owners and fans don’t put winning ABSOLUTELY first and foremost above all else – they’re too busy looking for guys that they “like.” GO COWBOYS!!!

By Depressed Falcon

December 12, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Here is the bottom line. Everyone, including the players, needs to move on from the Vick situation. They keep living in the past, hoping he will come back and it will not happen. On Monday night, I was at the dome and I was just mad. We had WHite come out with a Free Mike Vick shirt on and Deangelo Hall, who is part of the problem in Atlanta, come out with a Vick poster. If I were Petrino, I would have coached through the end of the year, and left. He is trying his best to move past the whole Vick crap, but players will not drop it and the fans will not drop it. How can you coach a team that keeps relying on a ghost at QB? VIck is not coming back!! I would have moved on after seeing that crap on Monday night also. Get Bill in here from Pittsburgh to straighten out these thugs and misfits and lets move on. I feel sorry for Keith and the other good guys on the team having to go through this crap. Lets get the guys on board that want to be on board and let everyone else go, regardless of their talent. I had rather have 11 guys that believed in winning that 2 or 3 superstars that keep living in the past and constantly showing arrogance toward players and coaches. This is why I watch and follow college football more than I do the pros. But, Terrence, you are right in the sense that people put up blinds sometimes, especially when they are thrust into the limelight.

By BulldawgMike

December 12, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

I don’t blame Petrino for bolting. The Falcon team as of now is a total train-wreck! The problem doesn’t stem from the coach. It is a problem of no talent players who whine and give less than full effort each week. Nobody can coach this current bunch. This host of malcontents would make Tom Landry run away!

By PlusSizeModel

December 12, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Only Terrance Moore could take a handful of examples of dishonesty and then decide that “it’s ALL lies”. So stupid.

By Fire McKay

December 12, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

The real problem is with the GM. The team was on the rise prior to getting him and since he has been here he has created a mess. Remember this is a guy who shows no loyalty he walked out of Tampa after 13 games and the next week was in the Falcons owner box rooting against his “team”. With that kind of mentality you get what you sow.

By Big Man

December 12, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Garrett you are %100 right. Nothing else to be said.

By This Gets Old

December 12, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

I told you so months ago that this guy wouldn’t stay here. Good, he did us a favor because he’s not a good fit for the NFL and he proved it. He didn’t come to coach Vick, that was one of his many lies. He came for the money, everybody does.

He won’t be back and neither will Vick so everybody grow up and move on. The Falcons ARE NOT years away from winning. There are good players there, they just need the proper coach.

Before this chicken comment gets out of hand everybody should know that Popeye’s frequently cater Falcon flights. Blank is not a racist, it’s the south and everybody around the world eats fried chicken so let’s stop it.

By Donna Outlaw

December 12, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Leave Les Miles out of this and I’m betting against your comment. He actually has clss to say what he means and mean what he says. I also believe if ESPN hadn’t gone on and on about it with their “reliabe source”, Miles would be at Michigan next year. He believes someone at Ohio State spread the rumor before the S.E.C. game he was leaving because they’re scared to face him at Michigan and now they have to face him sooner! Jokes on them.

By Paul From Milton

December 12, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Petrino knew what he was getting when he signed on with the Falcons. He wasn’t signed to coach MV7, he was signed to coach the team - good or bad. He was a bad hire and a leopard doesn’t change his spots. He’ll be out of Arkansas as soon as he sees greener pastures because someone is always going to be desparate to win.

Let’s not kid ourselves…Petrino was in over his head and he created this mess. As we now know, he had no idea how to coach men and especially a team that was reeling from the Vick situation.

In the past couple of days, the Falcons and their fans have been exposed to two men completely devoid of character - Vick and Petrino. Let’s hope that Falcons management learns from this.

By DirtyDawg

December 12, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

I suspect that even Bobby Louder is thanking his lucky stars…and about Les Miles? Unless he can get LSU to change the name of their ‘gold and purple’ colors to ‘maize and a reddish-blue’, he’s gone too.

By THE WILLSTER

December 12, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

This is simply another sad chapter in the 40-plus old nightmare that is the Atlanta Falcons. I mean, when have you ever seen any time in this franchise when you(if you are a Falcons fan) had any reason to believe that your team could contend on any level? There were the few times, like in 1982 when the Cowboys ended the Falcons first fluke dream season, then there was 1998 when the real Fluke happened: a trip to the Super Bowl, where Eugene “Pimp Daddy” Robinson reared his ugly head. Then there was the drafting of Micheal Vick, who the club took a huge chance on by moving up to the number 1 pick in the 2001 NFL DRAFT. Well, we saw how that one turned out, didn’t we? Then there was the 2003 NFC Title Game, which we thought would be the beginning of many good things for this team. But as always and has been the case with most Atlanta Sports teams, they always find the ways to screw it up. This team is a mess and I’m not sure there is a quick fix. I’ve got only two things to say about it…GO PATRIOTS!!!!

By U people are funny

December 12, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe people coming on here and defending this guy. HE QUIT. He had a contract. If a player does this you are the first to rip him about not honoring his commitment. Yet it’s okay for this guy. “Oh this is not what he signed up for because Vick isn’t here” give me a freakin break. So if a player goes to a place because of a coach and the coach leaves then the player can leave because “that wasn’t what he signed up for” RIGHT. Talking about a double standard…

By tidefan00

December 12, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

I dont Petrino for one second for leaving. He got a raw deal from the moment his plane landed in Rap City. From Vick and his convictions and lies to a team full of black racists that failed to give “props” to a coach who wanted to start gasp a white quarterback. Im happy for him and his family that they got out of this racially divided crud city. If not for my job keeping me tied here, Id have bolted years ago. Im jealous I cant get on a plane and leave this rap concert of a city myself. Ya feel me?

By salinsa

December 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Petrino is a quitter. That’s the bottom line. Of course the Falcons are a huge reclamation project due to Vick’s illegality, and Petrino did not anticipate that when he took the job. But, as the saying goes, one’s true character isn’t revealed during prosperous time; it’s exposed during moments of adversity. And Petrino has shown what type of person he is.

A person with true character and a semblance of what it means to make a commitment would not have quit after 13 GAMES DURING THE SEASON in the middle of game week. What makes it worse is he flat out lied to Arthur Blank on Monday when Blank asked him if he was takin the Arkansas job. Incidentally that’s the second time in the last 7 months that one of the 2 most important people in the organization lied to him. So, not only did Petrino quit in the middle of the season but he looked his owner in the eyes and lied to him, then PHONED IN HIS RESIGNATION. He wasn’t even man enough to tell his employers to their face that he was leaving. I’ve read some people blaming Vick for Petrino leaving but Vick’s situation may have provided the impetus for Petrino to leave but Vick did not make Petrino leave in such a classless way. Keep in mind, this is the same man who went behind his former colleague’s back and tried to take his job then got caught in a lie about doing so.

But I do not feel that bad for the Falcons because what goes around comes around. What he and Petrino did to Louisville last year is exactly what Petrino and Arkansas did to him this year and it’s gonna be exactly what Petrino and some other school will do to Arkansas in the next couple of years.

By BlankLuvsFriedChicken

December 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

How funny to read the blogs and y’all think that a coach would make one bit of difference.. Anybody who plays Madden can make the calls.. It’s the players who suck and I don’t blame Petrino for running like Forrest Gump,he would have been let go at the end of the season anyway…. How about they work on getting Vick on a work release program next season, maybe they can win on Sundays… And I think Brooking and Hall are just mad b/c they wanted to run but Petrino beat them to it… ooo the poor falcons.. we can’t win b/c we have no coach or quarterback.. let me wipe the tears from y’alls face. Isn’t there a female football team somewhere???? Maybe it’s time for the falcons to switch leagues…. in more ways than one! P.S. Free Fried Chicken at Arthur Blank’s house this Sunday!!!!!

By Bart Kowski

December 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Petrino DID NOT come to the Falcons to coach Mike Vick. He came for $25 MILLION and nothing else. But he found out right quick he was in waaay over his head and bolted. He’d better bolt his feet to the ground now, because fewer will be willing to bring him in, now.

By JH

December 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more with the comment about the overpaid and spoiled players. We have lost several good coaches all because the players whined because they were not getting their way. Now we have a losing team that if anybody was smart would not want to coach.

By LARRY

December 12, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

The following statements are NOT lies:

(1) Rich McKay is a failure as GM.

(2) Arthur Blank is a FOOL.

Face the FACTS. It is what it is. These clowns hired an unfaithful, dishonest, vagabond (Petrino) who has acted exactly as his resume and history indicated he would act. No surprise. No shock.

Blank & McKay got EXACTLY what they paid for: a coach who would always be looking for another opportunity while he’s supposed to be doing the job he’s got. That’s who Petrino was the day Blank hired him. And that’s the way he is today.

Face the FACTS:

(1) Rich McKay is a failure as GM.

(2) Arthur Blank is a FOOL.

“Stupid is as stupid does.”

By falconmaniac

December 12, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Blan—-good at selling hammers, sucks at running an nfl franchise. The falcons are once again the laughingstock of the sports world—-the worst professional franchise in the United States, any sport. I gave up my season tickets and will not go back until they get a serious product on the field and get rid of all those thugs and overrated showboats on the team.

By BUSHWACKER

December 12, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

First of all D Hall is the last person “not man” to talk about respect, you let a real man spit in your face and did nothing,nobody has respect for a gutless punk like D Hall.

Next, these prima dona players say the coach needed to earn their repsect?

BS..he was given instant when Blank made him the coach.

This team never gave the man achance because when their convict qb left the team, the immediately quit just like the year Vick broke his leg.

The players have to earn the coaches respect, not the other way around.

And after that gutless performance Monday night I don’t blame him for leaving.

Jim Mora Sr was right, the coach killer just cost the 3rd Falcons coach his job!

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, if this new age of pro athlete is allowed to cry and whine and pout and show no respect for the coaches or the fans or each other for that matter, your going to see more and more of this happening and it will get harder and harder to hire a good coach.

Petrino was not the problem, its the gutless crybaby punks “I’m not talking about all the players” on this team “and they know who they are” that need to go along with Rich McKay.

By Cory

December 12, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

I don’t want to hear about Vick not being here tough thats life you were supposed to be the coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Petrino is a scumbag don’t forget about all the assistant coaches that moved their families and changed their lives to be apart of the staff and he doesn’t even tell them or his players about his decision. Why not finish out the year and give people a chance to prepare and why cut guys like Grady Jackson when you knew you were leaving for at least a month. He is a coward.

By salinsa

December 12, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Petrino is a habitual liar. Per Espn:

This is the fifth straight year Bobby Petrino has tried to get another job. Every single season he’s been a head coach, he’s ended it by pursuing something else.

• In 2003, his first year as a head coach at the University of Louisville, Petrino went behind the back of his employer and his onetime boss, Tuberville, to negotiate a deal replacing him at Auburn. He held a clandestine meeting across the Ohio River from Louisville in southern Indiana with Auburn officials, two days before both the Tigers and Cardinals played their final regular-season games.

It was, by any rendering, a spectacular bit of philandering by both interested parties.

Petrino lied about having any contact with Auburn officials — until two reporters for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal confronted him with documentation of the private plane that brought the university president and athletic director into Petrino’s backyard. I was one of the two reporters. And even when faced with the evidence, Petrino resisted telling the truth until Auburn issued a statement owning up to the whole affair.

Boxed into a corner, Petrino asked forgiveness and chalked it up to the inexperience of a “young coach.” Louisville forgave him because he was 9-3 and his offense blew up scoreboards.

It wouldn’t be the last time Petrino toyed with the school’s loyalties, or the last time he was forgiven for doing so.

• In 2004, Petrino interviewed for the Notre Dame job and had discussions with Florida and Mississippi about their jobs. Then, on Dec. 7, he pledged his loyalty to Louisville.

“I want to make it clear that I’m not interested in any other coaching jobs, and am happy at the University of Louisville,” Petrino said. “… I’m very excited about our move into the Big East, the opportunity to play in a BCS bowl game and the chance to compete for a national championship. [School president] Dr. James Ramsey and Tom Jurich, through their hard work and dedication, have made this the best job in the country. As I’ve stated before, Louisville is the perfect place to raise a family and I plan for all four of my children to graduate from high school in Louisville.”

On Dec. 21, Petrino signed an enhanced contract to stay with the Cardinals.

On Dec. 26 — well before the Petrino children had graduated from high school — he interviewed with LSU to replace Saban. On Jan. 1, 2005, when it became obvious that he’d lost out to Les Miles, Petrino pulled out of consideration.

On the inside, several Louisville administrators were disappointed they had to keep him. They were sick of the game — but there was no firing a guy who just went 12-1.

• In 2005, Petrino interviewed with the Oakland Raiders. That’s after telling people for years that he had no interest in coaching the pros — college was where he wanted to be. He ultimately turned down the job and professed his commitment to the Cardinals again.

• On July 13, 2006, Petrino signed a 10-year contract worth up to $25 million — a staggering deal for a school of Louisville’s modest football heritage and fan base. The day he signed it, Petrino vowed again that Louisville was home. He made a point of insisting that a $1 million buyout provision be put into the contract, putting his money where his dissembling mouth is.

“We did want to make a statement,” the disingenuous drifter said that day about the buyout. “… I wanted to make sure everyone understood — I know I’ve said it — that this is where I want to be, where my family wants to be. But I want everyone to really believe it.”

Sure, he wanted everyone to believe it. Not because it was true, of course. Just because he was tired of answering questions about his wandering eye.

Five months later, he was gone to Atlanta.

Even this time around, there have been recent pronouncements of commitment to the task at hand and the people who write his checks.

On Nov. 26, Petrino told the Associated Press that he was staying in Atlanta. “I haven’t given it [college coaching vacancies] one bit of thought,” he said.

Shockingly, that didn’t hold up, either.

By J. Hudson

December 12, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Screw that worm Petrino, Atlanta doesn’t want him anyway. He releases good players from the Falcons to fit his style and then quits w/out warning. What a crap pile he is.

And I hope he enjoys getting throttled by SEC power house schools. Arkansas sucks. Speaking of that-Falcons please do not draft a QB this year-draft D.Mac-find an off season QB and draft a QB in 09.

By John

December 12, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Comparing Petrino’s statements and actions to three people who lied about their voluntary decisions to commit felony criminal acts is absurd. Very few people would turn down a better job when it was offered to us.

By Quitter Resigno

December 12, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

How can you blame me for leaving, there was too much on my plate in Atlanta. The players don’t like me and my money will go further in Arkansas than Atlanta. Plus I can do less in the SEC and keep my job longer.

By DR

December 12, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I thank Petrino for leaving Falcons. Now, Falcons can get an NFL coach.

Mr. Blank, if you can’t get Cowher or Marty, please bring back Reeves. All three know how to coach NFL and the get the best out of players they have. After all Reeves took this team to Super bowl in his second year. With the right coach, this team make it to the play-off next year. As always, this team always had talent but never had the right Head Coach to get the best out of the players.

Two coaches in the history of this franchise has done it, (1) Leemen Bennett (2) Dan Reeves and both were fired mistakenly; one by the Smith family the other by Mr. Blank himself.

A note to those who want #7 back, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison and won’t be back for a while and stop masquerading like you have some brain cells left and pretending like you know to use the sparse brain cells you have.

Harrington and or Redman would just do fine in the right scheme and Shockley will be back. Get rid of Leftwich. This team needs a bruising running back, offensive line and few defensive player. Don’t waste money on a QB, it is not the immediate need.

By Steve

December 12, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

It’s true that lying is rampant in American sports. That being said, lying is rampant in every industry including journalism and every aspect of American life. People lie for two reasons most of the time: 1) To cover up their potential guilt as related to a particular incident; and 2) To avoid hurting someone else’s feelings (like telling your wife she looks great even if she’s gained 30 pounds since marrying her). This will never change as honesty in a system of capitalization and survival simply will never fly. Everything would collapse as we know it and no one, including you probably, will let that happen.

By Kevin Nix

December 12, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

I believe that some people lie and some people mean what they say at that time. Then circumstances change. This is a business and in a business, you do not always stick around until the stock goes up, or until the merger goes through or until the layoffs are complete. You leave when you feel you have to based on what’s best for your family. I think you should therefore avoid addressing “future” questions for that very matter.

By Black Panther

December 12, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

HA,HA,HA,HA!!!! You stupid people got just what you deserved. Don’t you get it, Vick was EVERYTHING to the FALCONS!!!!! Petrino came here just to work with Vick!! Noone wants to coach those losers in a city full of ignorant stupid redn**ks!!! The ship is sinking fast and I am loving every minute of it!! This organization and city deserves this all because you should have backed Vick and helped support him!! Who cares about some stupid dogs!! There have been celebrities involved in far worse mess and got only probation. We let out star athlete go to jail for some stupid dogs!! This franchise won’t recover from this for at least a decade. There are only two things that will pack the dome in this city!! Either you have a winner that is capable of making the playoffs, or you better have a BLACK superstar!! Otherwise the dome will be empty and blacked out!! Where are all the Vick haters now? Probably at their Klan gatherings hiding from black people!!

By ck

December 12, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Hire Dan Reeves for GM go after Cowher and certainly fire McKay. Mckay has ruined this team.

By Thank goodness

December 12, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Well, at least now we can use our first pick now on a giant OT, rather than that loser Brian Brohm. Then pick up Erik Ainge in the second round. Life is good. Petrino sucked.

By jhrgfiuiargf

December 12, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

I GUESS KING ARTHUR WAS TELLING THE TRUTH WHEN HE SAID HE HAD FULL CONFIDENCE IN HIS COACH

By Tom Jones

December 12, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Duh! You write a very good article, but the NCAA has not been telling the truth with impunity for some time. See these examples: President David Swank (chair of NCAA/COI held a “national press conference” and said that he was not telling the truth — nothing followed; NCAA President Miles Brand committed perjury, but had to finally admit it; do you recall what the NCAA has done in the Reggie Bush/USC case? As one former member of the NCAA/COI has said,”The NCAA/COI is now has a ‘selective enforcement’ policy.” In the NCAA today the money is big and lying is in order.

By Paul

December 12, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

I wonder how the people in Arkansas will feel a couple of years from now when Petrino leaves for the Auburn job.

By Mr. B

December 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

DR

I agree with Marty of Reeves. My thing on #7 is that he is still “property” of the Falcons even though he is “property of the feds. Why not keep him? It’s like fantasy football the minute you release a player, that the one that kills you later.

Arthur Blank has got to be the dumbest Billionaire in captivity. Image over winning. Terrance Moore got it right for a change. They all Lie. Football is thugball plain and simple. If you believe that they are GOODguys then you bought the LIE.Treat all liars the same.

By KrisG

December 12, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

I don’t care what anyone says, Crumpler and Hall have been vindicated. Especially Crumpler, who everyone treated like the big dumb loudmouth athlete after YEARS of being a loyal Falcon and team player. Alge deserved enough trust from the fans to see that when he spoke up, he was doing it for the Falcons and his teammates, right or wrong… turned out to be 200% right.

By Karl Rundles

December 12, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Oh boy, Mr. Moore, I have to say you are looking like a genious right about now!!!! Props to you, you were and I repeat, YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE THAT SAW THROUGH THIS GUY!!!!! You called your shot right out of the gate, I was very critical of your analysis of this situation regarding this coaching carusel. When you noted that Bobby Petriono said the same thing to Louisville, I really got on you for not giving a guy a chance to chase his “Dream Job”

I can not believe I am saying this, but you Mr. Moore, knocked one right out of the park on this one, and you need to come out and take a bow!!!!!

By Disappointed

December 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

T. Moore got it right.

By Tad

December 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino is truly a coward and owes Atlanta Falcons fans and this organization an apology. He was undoubtedly dealt a bad hand of cards, but played them all wrong.

He followed in the failed college-to-NFL footsteps of Steve Spurrier, Pete Carroll, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, Steve Mariucci, Butch Davis, Bobby Ross, and Dennis Erickson, to name a few.

Bobby Petrino didn’t have the common courtesy to honor 3 more weeks of the first year of his 5-year contract by finishing this wasted and embarassing season. He had the cowardice to sneak out the back door to Fayetteville the day after a nationally-televised embarassing performance on Monday Night Football to the lowly Saints.

It was clear early on that Bobby Petrino was incapable of communicating with the Falcons players and had no control over the player’s conduct on the field.

The offensive genius was an offensive failure. He managed to score 14 points per game, 30th in the NFL ahead of the Chiefs and 49ers. He lost in embarassing fashion in all 3 nationally televised prime-time games. He allowed Deangelo Hall to lose a game by his on-field tirade and let insubordinate conduct on the sidelines virtually penalty-free. He demoted the starting QB after a season-long 2 game winning streak. He allowed the players to embarass the city of Atlanta on Monday by their display of “Free Mike Vick” from his guilty plea to felony dog-fighting charges.

The Atlanta Falcons need to start cleaning up this embarassment of a franchise ASAP.

By Falcon121

December 12, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Everybody knows what needs to be done but the people in charge have no clue. If so many of you commenters know better, then make your way up to Flowery Branch.

By Here we go again

December 12, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Good article Terence. I was thinking the same thing. It’s come to the point that watching WWE on Monday night is more entertaining than MNF. What a day for Atlanta. Franchise quarterback goes to prison for 23 months, team collapses on MNF and head coach slinks out to Arkansas. I say good riddance. Petrino was in way over his head and everyone saw it.

Why not this for a suggestion? Hire Dan Reeves as his General Manager. Let Reeves pick a head coach.

By Big Daddy in Dville

December 12, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

IT’S TIME FOR MARTY BALL!!!

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 12, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Who was the D lineman that was let go earlier this season? Jackson? Bet that guy is really pi$$ed now. He was one of the good players on the line I think.

By football mom

December 12, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

so too big of a deal was made over “some stupid dogs”, huh? What a crude, heartless and insensitive comment…of course it displays the total lack of respect for life that is at the heart of so many problems faced by our society today.

I can remember a time when NFL football players and coaches were role models for kids…of course, some still are, but increasingly this is not the case.

We need to move past this black/white thing and just learn to appreciate decency and strength of character. We need to demand that these highly-paid professionals give back to society by upholding a higher standard of behavior.

Dude, I pray that some love and compassion finds you this holiday season. you sound like a bitter, heartless, Godless racist individual. (maybe in your next life you get to come back as a stupid dog…that would be justice)

By cj

December 12, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Dont forget Nick Saban saying he was not going to be the Alabama coach right before he became the Alabama coach. Pete Rose. Jerome Bettis. The list goes on and on. But hey, we are a society of liars and half truth tellers.

By doctormojo

December 12, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Black panther, I am not one of the local white smart alecks who uses the term “race card” to dismiss anything apparently said by a person of color. I’m a black man, who sees that the use of the word “thug” has replaced other words as a putdown for black athletes. I see how Michael Vick’s case had racial undertones, that almost certainly helped sentiment reach the hyperbolic levels it reached. But that being said, Atlanta needs a GOOD QUARTERBACK. Doesn’t matter what color, doesn’t matter if he runs well, only matters that he can help lift this team. You need to reexamine yourself if you think being black or frustrated by what has happened gives you license to be racist. Vick did at least 90% of this to himself, the attitude toward the culture of the black athlete only greased the skids for him.

By SEC

December 12, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Petrino better watch out if he ever brings Arkansas to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. Atlanta fans will not forget this!!!!

By AS

December 12, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Mr. Arthur Blank,

You could not give me falcon’s tickets right now. If you have any chance at saving your investment you need to clean house. The image of the falcons is a bunch of poorly moraled individuals who lack the want and will win. The team is filled with poorly educated individuals who lack self control and respect for the game. Most think it is justified to “Free Mike Vick”. How can you tolerate these disgraceful players? Why don’t I support some guy that rapped and murdered children.. time and time again so we can win a football game because I can’t step up my game. Serial killers start murdering and harming animals. It shows no respect for life and disregard of morals. Just blatant disregard for laws of society. People know what’s wrong and right. When you know what’s wrong and you keep breaking the moral law and government law, we don’t need you in society. That simple. There are a ton of players that would love the opportunity to play in the NFL and would be grateful.

What are these players and others that justify Mike Vick and other players like him that have audacity to think they can do whatever they want thinking?? Hmm…I need some repeated liar, repeated drug user, repeated dog murderer, repeated town disgrace to come back and win football games because I, as a player can’t step up and do my part. I need some humble (ha! - “Everybody loves Michael Vick.” - Michael Vick.) guy from the ghetto to come and show me how on national television and in front of thousands live to show me how to play football and be a respectable man. Haha. What a bunch of cry babies! Playing football in the NFL is a privilege not a right. I do support the work ethics of Dunn and Brooking, but they are working out their last couple of years. You need to work hard at getting a coach and players that will build this organization not just be a team of uneducated glorified thugs. You need a coach that is going to be able to clean house and lay down the law. Don’t put up with that. Take charge and mean business. If you bring in another coach that is going to have to baby sit these college drop outs then you might as well plan for another decade of thugs and loss of support from the city.

I think it’s pretty simple. Get a coach that is going to be efficient and is strong. He needs to clean house and have set some standards/expectations of himself and his players. Just as if you would have some standards of your employees. What’s wrong with setting your standards a little higher? You might achieve more than you thought as a owner, coach, player, and spectator. You might end up with a Tony Dungy, etc… You might even get into the playoffs in a year or two. He should not care whose feet he steps on. A players performance should stand for itself. If you have been practicing and playing well, it should stand for it self. No more excuses or crying or blaming others. Also, how about letting players prove their worth a little more before giving them all the cash. I think that would give them more of an incentive to play well and consistently. A little better evaluation of players potential and mental capacity would be great, too. I think you lost out letting Schwaub and Kerney go, but hopefully in the future you will be a little more careful before releasing players without evaluating the effect they will have on your team.

I hope that you, as a smart shrewd businessman, you will figure it out. I hope one day that the Atlanta Falcons will be a team that I can be proud to take my son to see as a season ticket holder in the future. We as fans can only take so much.

Go for Cower and give him all the power!(To clean house -GM, players and all.)

By Gene

December 12, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

I have watched the Falcons as a comic soap opera since Blank fired Dan Reeves. A fitting logo of the Blank era would be the image of Arthur Blank pushing Mooky in the wheelchair on the sideline. Jim Mora was the Falcons’ version of Michael Scott. I loved it when Mooky compared himself to Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, then gave the fans the finger. And Mooky just walked off the field last year without telling anyone, and the players were looking around for a quarterback. Mooky was just tired of the game and walked away. “Let Mooky be Mooky.” The episode of the vanishing dope bottle and not showing up for Congress were definite highlights that a script writer couldn’t even make up. I have to add the photo and Free Mooky t-shirt from Monday night and Arthur’s comment about eating fried chicken in prison to the highlight reel. But events turned from funny to ugly with the dog fighting issue, and things have finally caught up with Mooky and with Blank for that matter. I am not laughing any more. These clowns have made a joke of the City of Atlanta. I wonder when Petrino will have to pay the piper. Hopefully parents will tell their sons, “You can’t play football for a man who lies and smiles about it.” The only person who could sort out this mess is Dan Reeves. Blank should apologize to Reeves on ESPN and appeal to him to come back. I think that would rally the city and the team.

By T. Dwiggins

December 12, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

College and professional sports continue their sink into the muck. Honor and integrity as real values worthy of defending are dead. Petrino has now done his part to hasten the decline. Grab the money and run to the bank is the bottom line. The only thing that’ll stop the slide —- fans having enough, walking away, and finding better things to do with their time.

By Gary Harrison

December 12, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

I wish to address Mr. Blank: I want to apply for the position of Falcon’s head coach. I have NO football experience, coaching or playing but look at what others did who DID have experience. I don’t steal, lie or cheat and I am an ex-Marine (Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful). Considering what you have had in the recent past, I would be a VAST improvement. At least until I take over the NFL Commissioner’s job.

By BulldawgMike

December 12, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

The Georgia Dome…where coaches go to die.. Mora Sr. was exactly right. If ever a team was a coach killer than people, the falcons are it!

By spaceman109

December 12, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

in the wake of the skirt-wearing girly-girl petrino wimping his was out of the falcons job only 13 games into a five-year deal, i am issuing this official rule which shall be obeyed. no argument. no debate.

from this day forward, all contracts between professional sports clubs and players, coaches, gm’s or whoever shall be written using pencils. this would fit right into the lack of respect for contracts which is all too pervasive today.

thank you. good night and drive home safely.

By Spare The Rod

December 12, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

I simply can not believe how many people are defending this blatant liar. Arthur Blank asked him MONDAY AFTERNOON if he had any intentions of leaving. If those players who offend many of YOU were the problem why didn’t he get rid of them?

By the way those players have gone to an NFC championship game without complaining and they weren’t the only ones who complained.

Petrino embarrassed Harrington by not even telling him that he was benched. He had our #2 pick not even in uniform on Monday night. Petrino is the one who left the PK decision up in the air. Pro players are not just out of HS and you can’t treat them that way. It was Petrino who wanted Muheglli and then didn’t play him.

Has one player stood up and defended the scumbag?

By Joph

December 12, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Time to move on. Kick Petrino to the curb, get a new coach and play football!! This is not worth all the hand wringing & teeth gnashing. Face it; we have an owner w/o alot of common sense surrounded by YES men who do whatever he says immediately. It’ll be very hard for this team to ever win alot under those circumstances. If you’re a Falcons fan, go into it knowing this and life will still be ok. We are the east coast version of Clippers fans.

By MV7

December 12, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Terence Moore lies

By Tigers03

December 12, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Has anyone ever heard Les Miles actually start any of this Michigan stuff? Whenever Lloyd Carr said he may retire after the season, it was the media who started the Miles “bolting” scenario. And wasn’t it a Michigan newspaper who broke the story yesterday about Miles? Miles has not said one time that he will go to Michigan. He does not talk about Michigan unless asked.

By JackP

December 12, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Bring back Jerry Glanville.

By Mark

December 12, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Petrino never struck me as an NFL coach. He always looked confused on the sideline. Hell, He’s not even college material. Basically, he couldn’t pour p** out of a boot without directions on the bottom.

By jw

December 12, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

THIS IS A VERY SHORT AND TO THE POINT COMMENT TO THE ATLANTA FANS. YOU GRIPED AND COMPLAINED ALL YEAR ABOUT PETRINO, YOU THOUGHT HE SHOULD BE FIRED OR SHOULD LEAVE FROM DAY ONE - HE DOES EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT AND NOW HE IS THE BAD GUY - GEEZ - GIVE US A BREAK. IF HE HAD THIS MUCH RESPECT FROM YOU EARLIER, THE SITUATION WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THE WAY IT IS. HE NEVER HAD A CHANCE - THE ATLANTA FAN BASE MADE SURE OF THAT - BUT THEN AGAIN - CHRIST HIMSELF COULDN’T HAVE DONE ANY BETTER AND YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL OVER HIM. OH, AND NOW D’HALL IS A GOOD GUY? A VOICE OF REASON? GIVE ME A BREAK! COWHER IS CRAZY IF HE FALLS FOR THE PHONEY BALONEY OF THE ATLANTA FALCON FAN.

By Forrest Gump

December 12, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

“Suuweee, here piggy piggy.”

Petrino is calling the piggies right to the bacon plant.

As my mama used to say, “stupid is as stupid does” mister piggy college president.

By real mother 4u

December 12, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

People….This is the NFL. It is a business. You all act as if the Atlanta Falcons are the West Lowdnes High School Panthers. Well…they are not. Get over it. the season is lost. Plan on getting ready for the next year. In the NFL the turn a round rate is extremely fast. The Falcons may be Super Bowl Champions next year. Who knows?

First they have to address the business aspect of this sports. That being the finacial aspect. Put fans back in the seats. Bill Cohwer is a marquee name. He will do it, but I think Mike Singletary would do the same.

It is a business folks…that being said. Bring in the Clowns!

By BUSHWACKER

December 12, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Don’t talk about the coach quitting on the team, you bums quit on him before the season started!!!

If we still had coaches like Bear Bryant and Vince Lombardi most of these sissy boys would be crying after the coach yelled at them and they would quit the team and be playing soccer.

By carnage

December 12, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

There are lies right in our high school football ranks. I beleive there is a team that was juiced to play in Ohio and to win the AA State Championship. I also think the GHSA knows it. Only proof we have is by the large Barry Bonds type growth over a year. Something seems fishy here.

By al

December 12, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

It is real simple: In business, you can’t let your boss know that you have outside interest or he will fire you on the spot. Blank probably knew more than he is letting on to knowing. At the same time, Petrino knows that coaching in the SEC is much more admirable job than coaching thugs from the Virgina Tech team. The Falcon’s problems began with Virginia Tech picks.

By Greg

December 12, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

I guess it’s everyone’s frustration with the Falcons’ performance this year that has made them so angry. Petrino lied? Nonsense. All bets are off when you get a better offer…period. That’s the way of the world. It’s true in academia, in business, and in the legal and medical professions. And everyone understands it. There are no “promises.” Everything is qualified by “unless there’s a better offer.” Why was this a better offer? Because any moron could see that the talent level on the team wasn’t fixable in one year, even with lavish free agent spending (which McKay is not known for—-don’t take at face value Blank’s promise to spend big to fix the team). Petrino saw no way in the near future to be a winner. Arkansas offered a good opportunity to be a winner. End of story.

By huskies1

December 12, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

In response to doctormojo, I to am a black male who says go with the odds and and says Atlanta should go with a white quarterback. I do not have the facts but I have been watching football for at least 40 years and can only remember 1 black quarterback winning a superbowl. Doug Johnson and the was in our Nations Capital (go figure). I am not saying blacks are not capable of winning it all but if I want to win I’m going with the best odds.

By Harry

December 12, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

I went to the game Monday and have never seen such a bunch of over paid goof-off’s in my life. If Hall and Crumpler are so great they should act like it on and off the field. Crumpler couldn’t catch the ball with a basket in a pressure stituation. Wish Petrino the best of luck in “HOG LAND”, get rid of McKay, keep Blank off the side lines, and move on!!!!

By Waldo

December 12, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Go Falcons & take those Braves with you!

By BUSHWACKER

December 12, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Nobody is defending Petrino for leaving, but don’t defend the sissy boy players either….THEY QUIT ON HIM before the eseason even started!!!!

Anyone honest person mad at Petrino for quitting the team should be equally mad at the players for quitting as well.

Get rid of the whole bunch, what a sorry excuse for a football team.

By TWILB Dawg

December 12, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I wonder if Petrino will take VanGorder with him to become his D-Coordinator at Ark?? Just a thought.

By Disgusted

December 12, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Many athletes tell lies and have no morals, because their college coaches tell lies and have no morals, and are abetted by college presidents and A.D.’s who pay them to lie and have no morals

By Big Man

December 12, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

tidefan00 we wish we could buy you a ticket back to whatever backroad you are from. It is kind of idiotic to decry racism while making racist statements. Idiot! Go back to Bammer.

By Ryan

December 12, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

My two bits: 1. Don’t trust Petrino 2. Don’t trust DeAngelo Hall

Two very classless, underhanded pseudo professionals who don’t deserve the success they have.

By duane donovan

December 12, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Very good article Mr. Moore. I just e-mailed John Kincade of 680 The Fan and I would like to share my comments with you as well. I don’t blame Bobby Petrino one bit for leaving. He was duped, he was hired last year to coach a great talent in Michael Vick, and a group of up and coming stars. What did he really get, a QB in jail, and a bunch of immature athletes who have done nothing but cry, complain, form a mutiny and blame everyone for their troubles except look in the mirror. I don’t know which coach out there would even want to come to this mess!

Have a great day! Duane (Falcons Season Ticket Holder since 2000)

By af

December 12, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

As a NFL fan transplant, I don’t think at this rate the falcons are going recover from this. All good teams have the will to win and the fans see it and know it. All good fans we have faith in our teams in good times and bad, but you have got to give us something to be hopeful for.

It’s pretty sad that the dome has fans from all over the NFL coming in and packing the dome. Ie.. Packers, Colts, NY, fans, etc coming in because they love their team.

Tell me how many Atlanta fans travel to see the falcons? Hahahaha.. couldn’t imagine that right now.

Putting a bunch of uneducated cry baby thugs receiving a paycheck just for showing up together in dome doesn’t make a football game nor does it for a night of entertainment.

Clean house. Get rid of the babies or force them to grow up. Get a coach that knows what is expected of him and what his job is. Give us some hope with men of character— Not a bunch of VT and other school drop outs or future ex-cons. Bring in some winners not some body that just collects a check for losing. They got to be able to work together. It’s a team not the one-man show.. That only goes for long.

Atlanta - Great city with no sports.

Black or White fans are united by their city and their team. Let’s unite under a team and city here. Mr. Blank give us a team that we can unite under. You do you your work and we’ll do ours.

By D-Town

December 12, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Petrino=Douche Bag

I’ve already seen plenty of problem with Petrino based on his attitude toward players, personel decisions, and play calling. But this takes the cake.

And I don’t want to hear any crap about how Falcons didn’t fit with his scheme. That’s a cop out. A good coach schemes around his personel, not the other way around.

By Jake

December 12, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

My Bellsouth DSL is still down!!

By No Falcon Fan Here

December 12, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

The Falcons have made a conscious decision to market their team as a GHETTO TEAM. From the players they put on the field, their gansta attitudes, the unrelenting rap “music” hammering at you from the loudspeakers, Blank obviously wants to make this the image of his team and appeal to that market.

Fine. Mr. Blank if that’s what you want then don’t be surprised as attendance tanks, and success on the field eludes you. Just announce that instead of a football game you will be attending an “urban” experience with all that entails. When your players are wearing “Free Mike Vick” along with their do-rags remember that is the culture you have invited. Petrino couldn’t stand it anymore and I don’t blame! him.

By RC

December 12, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Black Panther, your colossal stupidity is both amazing and embarrassing. You are doing a disservice to your “people”. Hey moron, Vick hung himself and has no one else to blame - his conviction was not due to killing “stupid dogs” but to gambling/racketeering. Your comments do more to contribute to racism and polarization in our society, and creates a self-fulfilling prophecy…but you are too dumb and arrogant to realize that. BTW, I am not a “white racist redneck”…I am white, and my brother-in-law is black, so I am far from a racist. You are a complete idiot and a disgrace to your race…..go away and stay in your hole.

By Bob

December 12, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

I’m just glad the Falcons promoted a secondary coach to be the interim head coach. If you can’t see right through that move as a strait PR, then you don’t have your eyes open. Both Blank and McKay are on the diversity board and that is totally what this is just to appease the fans that were Vick supporters. I don’t know anything about this guy, but since Rich McKay has come aboard, the Falcons have become an embarrasment.
I don’t blame Petrino for leaving. I wouldn’t coach those thugs (D. Hall, R White, et) either, and not have full backing from the front office.

By Falcon

December 12, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

It all started when Bill Clinton lied. Gee, what role models we have in society!

By GeorgiaYankeesFan

December 12, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

At the end of the day, it is the GMs fault. As the great Parcells once said, you can ask a great chef to come in and cook but if you don’t allow him to shop for the groceries, the food aint gonna be as good as it can be. I’m sure McKay has tried his best but if we want to get a top flight coach (and I dont think one would step into this awful situation) you have to make McKay hand over the personnel decisions. There is no reason why a team that in essence loses one player should be in this bad of shape. Mort Andersen is our FG kicker? Any value from the draft in the last few years? If the Colts or Pats lost their QBs they might lose a few more games, but do you really think the teams would tank like the Falcons. No way. McKay had enough time to get his act together but the new coach needs to work with a personnel guru who knows what the heck he is doing.

By RLU

December 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I say good ridence to Petrino. Anyone who doesn’t have the decency and maturity to tell their bosses to their faces that they have decided to take another job isn’t worth all this attention. And I say good ridence to Michael Vick. What a fool!! Had it all and now it is gone.
Black Panther—-what a racist piece of doodoo you are! Let’s get talented and honorable young men to play for the Falcons. If the Atlanta Falcons were predominatly white and winning like crazy, wouldn’t you be there? I would. And I would if it were predominatly black and we were winning. Winning is good. It is what we want in our sports teams no matter what level but it shouldn’t come at any price. If I were a coach and my quarterback flipped off the entire audience on national television, he would pay and pay dearly. I wouldn’t care HOW much talent he had. Let’s face it, Vick wasn’t the be all and end all as a quarterback. Quarterbacks must poccess more than being able to run and throw. They also must be able to lead. Vick couldn’t do it any more that Petrino could. So, as I see it, we are better off without them both. Mr. Blank, I am glad I’m not in your shoes!!

By LHY

December 12, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Hey do you think if we can get Jason Garrett he can pursuade Tony Romo to come with him! I WISH!

Good riddance to bad rubbish to Petrino, I have been saying ugh to him being coach from day one.

By DR Foulkes

December 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Dishonesty can have too sides. We need to be careful in our suspension of Habeas Corpus. Sometimes the truth is with the publicly convicted. Even when you become cynical as many of your examples would lend themselves to feeling, remember the spotlight may well be turned on you one day. In the case of Floyd Landis he spent millions and is now in debt to defend his “honor” in a case of questionable laboratory practices and a french race bureaucracy that seemed intent on burning a (especially american) witch! Evidence by distinguished experts most of which testifying for travel expenses (including the inventor of the machine used to detect non human hormones) revealed lab practices that were well below what any hospital would apply and therefor invalid. In the 2 for/ 1 opposed decision the committee oddly stated that unless practices improved the next case they might rule against! This was so odd that the European court of Arbitration is now considering reversing the decision. We must always suspend judgement and use the highest lab standards to convict or we will all become tarnished in the rush to burn another witch!

By myother

December 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Open your eyes. It’s just business and that’s the way the world works. Executives and management will spill their spin to squeeze as much as they can out of the employees(Yes, I’ve been outsourced twice in the last two years). So employees, players, and coaches have to do the same thing to have a life. Coach Petrino should put his family and life first because if he doesn’t do it who will? When the Falcons force somebody out it’s understood to be a business decision. This is nothing more.

By DeltaGirl82

December 12, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

EVERYBODY LIES TERRENCE, BIG LIE OR LITTLE LIE, EVEN YOU LIE, YOU JUST HAVEN’T BEEN CAUGHT IN ONE YET!!

I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOUR FALL FROM GRACE—-YOU THINK YOU ARE SO PERFECT!!!

By Jesse

December 12, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone surprised and angry that Petrino bailed on the Pigeons (oops, I meant the Falcons)? Let’s face it, the Falcons are a joke; always have been, always will be. (and that includes their Super Bowl appearance, THAT was a joke, too).

Petrino knew that he more than likely would have been fired within a year or so if he would have stayed, so he got out while the gettin’ was good.

Petrino didn’t quit on the Falcons. The Falcons quit on themselves.

By ATL Native

December 12, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I hope Petrino’s first year at Arkansas feels like he gave birth to a flaming porcupine with rabies on the floor of an igloo during a hemorrhoid attack. Good riddance, Benedict Arnold.

By Peyton

December 12, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Bobby — don’t let the doorknob hit ya where the good lord split ya, and good riddance you piece of garbage. I wish DeAngelo Hall would have punched your lights out when he had the chance earlier this year.

By BS Aplenty

December 12, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Terrrence, Terrence, Terrence (that’s thrice for effect),

To lump Bobby Petrino in with Barry Bonds is a mighty, mighty disservice to poor Bobby - he’s not charged with perjury. The lie he told is like when your wife told you she was a virgin before you got married. That kinda lie - no crime, just maybe some hurt feelings.

Art Blank’s a businessman and he knows contract & employment law in the State of Georgia - at will, without a contractual stipulation otherwise.

P.S. When you see DeAngelina Hall, the AWOL run-support corner, tell him his hissy fit during the Panthers game was a priceless commentary on the non-value of his opinion.

By Dave

December 12, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Can we trade the Falcons for another team? I would take the 0-13 Dolphins over the Falcons at this point!

By Ex-Home Depot

December 12, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

You guys saying Blank should stick to what he was successful doing don’t understand. This IS how he ran his business. He was successful because, when you are willing to pay the highest salaries, you can hire a lot of smart people for every duffus you hire. Look at who he groomed for his successor at Home Depot. That guy almost bankrupted the business. Many of his earliest hires were a waste of volume on the planet, but the smart ones left could overcome Blank’s lack of judgement.

The only reason Home Depot succeeded and the Falcons are failing is that Home Depot doesn’t have to draft store managers and marketing people; plus, there is an overabundance of smart, hard-working people willing to change companies IF you pay over-market pay. There are few people qualified to play pro football. You could see Monday night none of them were playing for the Falcons.

By Diana

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

Good for Petrino!!! You have to look after yourself and your family first. My guess is that he would probably have been fired at the end of the season anyway with the record the Falcons have. It’s the same thing in all of corporate America - you’d better look after yourself because the “company” sure isn’t going to do it!

By gttim

December 12, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Rankin Smith is starting to look like a genius compared to Blank.

By Weather Man

December 12, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I LIKE TURTLES!!!!!!!!!!

By Weather Man

December 12, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I LIKE TURTLES!!!!!!!!!!

By Weather Man

December 12, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I LIKE TURTLES!!!!!!!!!!

By jj

December 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

When you have teammates wearing Free Mike Vick t-shirts I’d quit too. It’s a freaking circus. People need to stop lying to themselves first. You’d have to be crazy to stay in Atlanta, it’s going to bad for a bit.

By art

December 12, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

The NFL is epitomized by the problems with the Falcons. The Falcons are nothing more than a bunch of thugs coached by an incompetent loser who was used to being a big catfish in a small, redneck pond.

This will go down as a great business blunder: Selling Home Depot stock to buy a crap piece of the National F—-ing Losers.

By Dan

December 12, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino had little choice

If any one was lied to it was Petrino about Vick, Vick is uncoachable because he is not self-controled

He obviously had not been told how much Blank had panderd to Vick

The only thing worse than scum is pandering to scum

Do you really think Blank would not fire him at season end

Then what would Bobby do with college recruiting under way?

BP had to watch out for himself before the press, players and owners lynched him

He may not be suited to the pros

but most of the problems of this year can be laid at Vick

Then guys liek Hall, Crumpler and White for being so dad gum unprofessional on the field

Bobby may need to go

but so do plenty of others

Blank should provide resources and then stay out of the way

By Ken Davis

December 12, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Catchem Let me get this straight, you think the Falcons are catering to the black fans and you think that causes racism in this country? You are not only an idiot but you appear to be a racist idiot at that. The “black” fan base wanted the birds to hire Lovie Smith when they hired Jim Mora. Now, 3 coaches later, we still don’t have the right guy running the ship. Arthur Blank isn’t brimming with character himself. I remember when he left his wife to be with the young chick that worked for him at Home Depot. So character starts at the top. I hope you take that little nugget with you when you go to your klan rally this evening. I hope you see too that Mike Vick masked a lot of the weaknesses on this team so we were never very good to begin with. Mike made us look like we were better than we actually were.

By BOBCEE

December 12, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Another quitter who could not handle the pressure. Apparently has the personality of a hard boiled egg. I wouldn’t believe him for one minute and if any assistants that are called to be on his staff should turn the offer down immediately. The guy is a psyscho. And he had to call Arthur Blank - Didn’t even have the guts or the maturity to see him in person. And this is a leader - A persn who a young colleg player needs to look up to. If my son was thinking about Arkansas I definitely would steer him to another school. Way to go Arkansas. You are guys are dummer than a pig - Oh well that is why you are the Razorbacks.

By portcityallstar

December 12, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Honesty,integrity and loyalty are the attributesfoundations on which great organizations are built. Vick, Petrino are now gone, and the ilk that are the Atlanta Falcons should be gone too. Lets not forget to jettison Rich McKay as well. He needs to take responsibilty and ownershgip of his short-sightedness and failures. Lets see if he’ll step up to the plate. I doubt it.

By fatz

December 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Terrance, you got to start pushing to get Mike Singletary the job here. he’s a good fit for the town and the team. i’m not sure you could pay cowher enough to come here and we Do….Not..need to look at anybody at the college level. Singletary is a hardnosed, no BS, moral guy who might be able to bridge us through these troubled, troubled waters of how to make a historically miserable franchise fun to watch and support for ALL Atlanta

By strbuk

December 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Mr. Moore as are so many other woefully ignorant sports columnists you have gotten it completely wrong. Floyd Landis does NOT claim that his positive tests after the 2006 Tour de France were due to a natural occurrence, though I have no doubt this made for easy writing on your part. The LNDD , I’ll make this simple to save space, screwed up the test which would NOT even have been a positive in other WADA sanctioned labs.This is what Mr. Landis will contend at his impending CAS hearing. For God’s sake IF you are going to publish something for public consumption PLEASE do your homework, Sheesh!!!!

By trust but verify

December 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Italic: *Floyd Landis still contends that it was “a natural occurrence” when performance-enhancing drugs were found in his system *

This is factually incorrect. Landis says the test was faulty, and did not find what it claimed to find. Repeating this suggests the author is less concerned about facts than scoring points.

Details at Link: Trust But Verify

TBV

By STH (Season Tkt Hldr)

December 12, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Well, darn…what’ll you know…another lie! Now when anyone connected with the team tells the truth; it’ll be the funniest joke in the world. Seriously, I’m not surprised that the boy bolted; I’d heard through the grapevine that most of the players were about to tar & feather him and put him on the first thing smokin’, mainly due to the lack of communication that he had with everybody; owner, coaches, players, training staff, etc, etc. Bottom line…some coaches are just not fit for the professional ranks in any sport for a ton of different reasons. At least he was smart (or scared) enough to leave ALIVE !!

By DunwoodyMan

December 12, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Sports Teams… Boy O Boy…

Since joining the Major Leagues in 1966, just look at ALL the Championships to show for it… ONE 1995 Braves.

The Braves, first to come in 1966, 41 years, Division Winners in 1969/1982/1991-2005. Pennents in 1991/1992/1995/1996/1999/2000.

Falcons came here in 1966 as well only ONE Super Bowl trip and little else over the years…

Hawks Came in 1968, won a little in the early years, but are now andhave been a laughing stock.

Flames came in 1972, were for the most part winners, but not in the playoffs, in 1980 the LOSER owner tom cousins sold them and now they are The Calgary Flames… Stanley Cup Winners in 1989. BTW.

Thrashers came in 1999, not much to show until last year, but a bad GM will not get the type players needed and another losing season is upon us.

Why can Atlanta Sports teams NOT WIN?

We have First-Class facilities, a large fan base and an upscale city…

Is it the OWNERS we have ?

Braves owned by a group in Denver, WHAT #@% ? What the hell do they know about, or care about Atlanta ?

Thrashers/Hawks… Boy this is a good one, run by a group of NITWITS to say the very least, they cannot even arrange a meeting where all will attend, yet they proclaim We Are Building Championship Teams… yeah Right Pal.

Falcons… Arthur Blank, what looked like a Grand move when he bought team has turned into a Circus Side Show. He acts stately, but it seems the Falcons cannot find the lumber aisle or checkout stand anymore.

So what do the fans of Atlanta do ?

Cheer for out-of-town teams ?

Flat Give Up ?

Stay The Course and listen to the hollow claims We are Building Championship teams.

I would rather say this… I think these owners need to go look at the sucessful teams. See how they do it year after year… Like Dallas Cowboys or San Antiono Spurs or New York Yankees or Carolina Hurricanes… They stunk last season but are at the top of the SE now…

It can be done, but these owners, ALL OF THEM, need to ANSWER to THE FANS OF ATLANTA, if you do not We Will Stop Paying Your Bills, We Deserve Much better than WE have recieved over the years… Maybe a few seasons of FREE tickets as repayment is in order…. We have suffered enough, Get YOUR various loser acts togather and change the face of Atlanta Sports once and for All… Make us a WINNER !!!!!!!!!!!!

By dwynn

December 12, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

If a man has no integrity when it comes to dealing with his employers and employees who pay him millions of dollars.what? lies do you think he would tell tO some impressionable high school recruit about playing time and his unflinching belief in his talent. Arkansas believes in a man with no integrity along with alabama.So it has become common place for liars to make millions of dollars and you wonder why their is such cynicism in athletics. Maybe before signing a contract the participants may want to be brought up before the senate judiciary committee to sign so they can be held accountable. You are fool if you send your child to play for this liaR.

By JAMES STEWART

December 12, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Lieing is the in thing in pro. sports. there are not mant people involved in sports that have integrity and very few role models for kids. dont watch basketball or football and baseball is slowly becoming just as bad can anything be done about it.

By lee smith

December 12, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

The whole Vick thing shows how differently Black people and White people feel about things. Especially crime and punishment. To most White people Vick is a vicious, lowlife criminal. To most black people, even the mayor of Atlanta, he is a victim and a hero. In the Jena La matter thousands of black people asserted that the blacks thugs had a right to beat the hell out of a white boy because some other white people had made them angry. In Houston right now black people are marching and threatening the life of a good, decent citizen because he sent two black predators to the hell they so richly deserved. Go on the Houston Chronicle web site and see for yourself. Black people asserting that black people have a right to break into the houses of white people and that white people have no right to do anything about it. I don’t blame Petrino one bit. Who would want to be a part of an organization that has come to symbolize everything that is wrong with pro sports, an organization that glories in criminality, thuggery and irresponsible behavior. His biggest problem was that he would not kiss the rear ends of a bunch of spoiled, childlike thugs who think they are accountable to noone.

By GeezGuys

December 12, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick made the Falcons look better than…what? Lying cornrowed gangstas headed for prison?

Petrino was the only one with an ounce of sense in the whole organization. He ran like hell after being sold a bill of goods. The Falcons represented themselves as a NFL team, and when he got here all he found was a collection of self-centered millionaire hoodlums and their enabling owner, with numerous idiots who love them.

Good for Petrino. May the Falcons ship hit bottom and stay there.

By Falconator

December 12, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Man, all this drama is making me real hungry. Anybody got any fried chicken and french fries?

By WHO WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT THIS ORGANIZATION?

December 12, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Seriously, what kind of idiot would have given up a pretty good job at Arkansas to have been fired at the end of the season to be replaced by a coach of a darker skin color?

Bobby Petrino is no idiot, and he saw what the Falcons orginization was Monday night, with all of the pandering to Michael Vick, a man who plead guilty in federal court to running an illegal interstate gamblring ring.

If at all possible, the NFL should fold the Atlanta Falcons franchise - Arthur Blank deserves to lose a lot of money for his poor business decisions, and it would teach a lesson to other NFL owners and potential owners of the next franchises in L.A. and Atlanta.

Atlantans, wash your hands of the Falcons!!!

By Brian Slaughter

December 12, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

You are way off base on the Micheal Vick story. Nobody gets this kind of time for animal cruelty. He was a victim of his celebrity.

By Native Atlantan

December 12, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Lay off of Blank. You have an owner who cares and who is willing to sign checks to make things happen. He has made some poor decisions in hiring and firing but he is putting the money up. Remember the Smiths? We were the joke of the league as a franchise not just as a team on the field. Ted Turner didn’t fare so well with the Braves at the beginning either but he spent money in the right places eventually and built a powerhouse team. The Falcons don’t have a farm system and the cap is a hindrance but you have an owner who still cares as much as Ted did then. Lay off of Blank.

By buster

December 12, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

How is it that coaches can renege on a contract without being punished and players can’t?

By highflyrep

December 12, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

You have to include journalism when someone tells you the sky is blue!

By highflyrep

December 12, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

You have to include journalism when someone tells you the sky is blue!

By David Duke

December 12, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Terence, a bit of advice for you: try harder to make Hobbs like you! P-U-trino is gone and it is so good to know we won’t have to listen to anymore of his lame comments after another blistering butt kicking. It’s been a great week, so far, with Vick being sentenced and P-U-trino hoisting the white flag. Now, if we could get rid of the players who put on the disgusting show of support for the dog killin’, gamblin’, lyin’ scumbag Vick!

By grlsports fan

December 12, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Uh, I think it’s called KARMA…wasn’t it Arthur Blanks who fired Dan Reeves with only a few games left in 2003???

KARMA sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

I don’t condone what Petrino did at all. If nothing else, his integrity towards himself should have kept him around for the last few games. I don’t understand the sense of urgency. His actions showed a lack of respect for all involved, including himself.

By DHD

December 12, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Give Bill Cowher whatever he wants NOW!!!

By stendec

December 12, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Why even bother with written contracts anyway? They are as fragile as the paper they are scribbled on. I see Arthur Blank in a new light. Instead of intense anger I feel only pity. The owner is a goldfish in a pool of sharks. Surounded by liars and those with personal agendas. Putridwino was in over his head as NFL coach. Blank is in over his head as NFL owner. More is the pity. Do not say things cannot get any worse. THEY CAN!

By ScoobySnacks

December 12, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Falcons Coaching Probables

1)Bill Cowher——(I could only wish but never going to happen)

2) Jason Garrett——(You really think Jerry Jones is gonna let go of his “Coach of the Future”. Not a chance)

3)Mike Singletary——(That would be very interesting. I like the idea. But a black coach in Georgia. especially after Blank’s fried chicken remark. Doubt it.)

4)*Some Random unknown useless Jack@?? *(All but guaranteed)

By Bad week for a Falcon Fan

December 12, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Yes…this is a bad week for this franchise. In all honesty, I think that once the indictment of MV7 surfaced, Petrino already knew what he was going to do. I’m sure the repeat losses also had a major impact on this decision as well. With that said, I am kinda glad that Petrino is gone. It was evident through the play of the team and the non-aggressive nature of the play calling that the towel was thrown in a long time ago. Goodby Petrino.

By Jay Black

December 12, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Lets go Emmitt Thomas!!!!

By glasshalffull

December 12, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Well, maybe this was a good thing. The falcons can now really start over and hopefully get someone who really wants to be here. I really don’t see how any parents of a top recruit could ever trust one word out of Petrino’s mouth though. The man has no business teaching young people about honor or integrity or honesty. Send them to UGA…they have a coach who knows the meaning of those words.

By riggo

December 12, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

As a long time season ticket holder I feel like the falcons need to get some of that money back from Petrino, the QUITTER.

By Filbert

December 12, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Having moved here ten years ago from “up north” (as In Virginia), I am repeatedly amazed, disappointed, and disgusted at the incredible amount of racism that prevades virtually every aspect of life in Atlanta. I know I’ll garner numerous “move out” replies, most probably lacking any wit or even proper English, for saying that, but it goes with the sterotypes down here. Blank, while a businessman, is a horrible NFL owner. I hope he does sell the team. Name me one right decision McKay has made as a GM (anyone recall trading Schaub to mollify Vick, and where each player is now?). He should go as well. Atlanta’s only hope is to get a real coach in here. Someone like Cowher who can mold a team by force of his personality and his competence. Also, players who repeatedly run their mouths like Hall should be let go. I’m sure with their educational achievements and social grooming they’ll undoubtedly achieve much success in other endeavors (think Dennis Rodman). If Atlanta is so he!! bent on classifying everything by race, why don’t y’all look where all the white individuals at issue in this mess are compared to all the black individuals. And I know there will be plenty of idiots who will do exactly that. For the city that styles itself as being “too busy to hate,” that’s about all I see from here. Andyes, I am moving a soon as I can so good riddance back at ya.

By kay

December 12, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Please Lord! Let Bill Cowher have pity on the Falcons and this city and come and coach!!!!!!!!He is the only coach that would be able to get the Falcon’s out of the abyss.

By Pamela

December 12, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino is just performing true to form. Louiville gave him a 10 year contract in 2007 and a few months later he signed wot coach the Falcons for 5 years and a few months later he sneeks out in the middle of the night to take another job. Obvious, contracts mean nothing to this man. And clearly his words mean even less!

By Richmon

December 12, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

You poor Atlanta fans. I don’t blame you for not showing up to overpriced, boring games. I would refuse to pay for such mediocrity also. Keep up the good fight!!

By Big Ed

December 12, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Petrino was in over his head. He knew it. We knew it, so let’s move on. Let’s start with the non hitting and tackling MeAngelo Hall. He should be the last person we take at his word. All mouth and no play. So let’s go to Parcels, Cowher, Marty Shotenheimer, and make the pitch. These guys are HOF coaches who have a track record of turning a franchise around. We can’t bring someone in with a 6 year plan or who’s trying to make a name for themselves. Oh by the way Terence, if this is the best article you can put together for such a big story you must have something on a big wig at the AJC. Very weak. But your pal Jim Rome still loves and that’s all that counts.

By jerry

December 12, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

If I post a blog bashing Terence will you little p** ants like me? I mean it is the “in” thing to do if one has nothing to say isn’t it?

By Luv 2 hate me

December 12, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I hope bobbi sticks around long enough to play UGA. Sic the dogs on dat pig. Go bulldogs!

By Shannon

December 12, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

I understand everybody being p.o.’ed that Bobby Petrino lied about staying with the Falcons, but honestly can we blame him for leaving given the circumstances that have surrounded the Falcons this year and season???? I’m only surprised he stayed this long.

By derek major

December 12, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino made the best decision although it should have been at the end of the season(at least cam cameron is still maintaining his job) except for the fact he is probably taking a 2-3 million dollar paycut. He is indeed a no nonsense coach and there was way too much nonsense. The things that deangelo hall and roddy white did during that game were atrocious and embarassing. By freeing a felonious criminal is completely immoral. The shirts should have said “Our best wishes to you MV7”, but the immaturity of these players is just ridiculous. I won’t be a falcons fan until michael jenkins(just because he sucks), roddy white, and deangelo hall are removed. What jokes in the nfl they are. Not to mention that Hall brought upon a bunch of nonsense to the franchise earlier in the season. Alge crumpler made the only mature comment but should have been in private quarters. The falcons are without an identity, head coach, and a solid GM.

By AFemale

December 12, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Well, let me say to Authur Blank. Be careful how you judge people and take away their lively hood and be careful with who you allow to sway your decision (and I’m talking about the PETA organization). Vick did make a mistake; however it does not mean you take his means of making a living away because he lied to you. It would be a whole nother ball game if he was allowed to continue to play this season and allowed the court system to take it’s course. But no, you allowed an organization to force you to make a rush decision. Well, now you know that it is human nature to lie. Petrino lied to your face as well and still has another job. You took Vick’s salary away including his signing bonus which was aweful of you to do. Now, you are going to lose $142 million and then some. I don’t feel sorry for you. I’m sure you are feeling really ill right now. Why talk to Goodell and recant your decision to now allow Vick to come back. Or atleast, make it so he is able to enter back into the NFL. Football is all he knows and the only way he knows to make a living. You might be blessed in the future if you do something good by him.

By Jen Thomas-Williams

December 12, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

HELL, THIS AIN’T HARD!! GIVE ME THE DARN COACHING JOB! I don’t know crap about football, but know how to surround myself with those who do; I am a great communicator; can tell people what to do and make them like doing it; I can get the job done; and I don’t lead people on like some coaches we know. Salary? Just pay my rent, utilities and beauty shop appointments, and provide an endless supply of Snickers, sunflower seeds, J. Renee shoes and Wal-Mart shopping sprees and we’ll be straight! (laugh)

By Jay Black

December 12, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Petrino left because he couldn’t handle the team. He had no balls. You think Cowher or Parcells would have taken the mouth on Deangelo? Crumpler’s point was proven when Petrino cut Grady Jackson. There are people saying he should run away because of the way this team acts toward him and the direction the team is going. AYFKM?! Would the Tuna run? Cowher? Shanahan? Dennis Green? Ditka? A strong coach takes a team of malcontents and turns them into Superbowl contenders. He’s a liar, a quitter, and a snake. And he’s gonna do it again, because he’s gonna find out that he’s in the same situation when Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, Florida, and Bama flips him on his stomach and makes him bite a pillow.

By David

December 12, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Garrett pretty well has it down. I think Arthur needs to put the team up for sale. Go find another venue where you can show off your fancy suits. Let’s start from scratch for the fans. Man, does the whole nation think we are a joke?

By HedgeHead

December 12, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Really Terence? I half expected you to say that Petrino “did the Falcons a favor” by resigning.

By Big wal

December 12, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Get a proven coach.
Marty Shotenheimer or Bill Cowher

By DC Dawg

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Mike Singletary would be a great choice for us. The Falcons need to rebuild on both sides, and the defense could excel under Singletary. He’s waiting for a NFL job -

By Krys

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

I knew he would be out after this season, but to leave like that. He will probably never get another job in the NFL. But I’m sure that’s just fine with him because he doesn’t have the balz anyway! WHAT A LOSER! LET THE DOOR HIT YOU WHERE ONE OF VICK’S DOGS SHOULD HAVE BIT U!!

By Krys

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

I knew he would be out after this season, but to leave like that. He will probably never get another job in the NFL. But I’m sure that’s just fine with him because he doesn’t have the balz anyway! WHAT A LOSER! LET THE DOOR HIT YOU WHERE ONE OF VICK’S DOGS SHOULD HAVE BIT U!!

By HenryB

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Terence Moore, it’s a good article, and like others have said I don’t always agree with you, but I do this time. Part of me is glad Petrino is gone. Unless we won big every year, controversy would always surround Petrino and if he was going back to college, so better we get a coach who is going to stay in the NFL for good. It really is a shame how all this happened though. Atlanta is a great city, and the past few years have been rough on her sports teams. The only team to make the playoffs recently (not counting the Force, worthless excuse for a sport) was swept, and our proud Braves have been struggling. The most troubling aspect of this was how he lied to everyone and didn’t even have the guts to tell his players he was leaving in person, he only wrote a short letter. Also, Arkansas, I think he will stay there for a few years, but you better watch out, his history says it won’t be for long. Also, since he has been thinking about this for a while, what does it say about the current losing streak, was he putting his all into the job? Lastly, feel bad for Redman, he got the chance because of Petrino knowing him, now he might lose his career, again, and he is a pretty good quarterback. Now Mr. Moore, just stop talking the Hawks passing up Mike Conley Jr., Al Horford is going to be rookie of the year. GO FALCONS!!!

By Krys

December 12, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

I knew he would be out after this season, but to leave like that. He will probably never get another job in the NFL. But I’m sure that’s just fine with him because he doesn’t have the balz anyway! WHAT A LOSER! LET THE DOOR HIT YOU WHERE ONE OF VICK’S DOGS SHOULD HAVE BIT U!!

By oldfaithfuldawg

December 12, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Folks, outside the limits of the city of Atlanta, few of us give a rip. Pro sports is nothing but paid entertainment, just like the dancing bears at the circus. We would rather be entertained by vibrant young people who are still excited about the game. Give us the NCAA. We love our Dawgs, Jackets, Eagles, etc, because the give us their best, win or lose, and provide us good fodder to harass one another in fun. Nothing about the Falcons is fun. Maybe when they start acting like adults insteaed of spoiled brats, that will change, but it ain’t happened yet, and I don’t expect it to happen any time soon.

By fishtales

December 12, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

At least Saban stayed til the end of the season…told his players and owner face to face. So what if he wasn’t forthcoming with the media…now we need to be sensitive to everything they want? Poor wittle Miami reporters kept hounding and hounding him and rather than be disrespectful to his current team he stated he wasn’t going anywhere. Can he not change his mind? Seems like if you don’t tell Jim Rome, Pat Forde and Dan LeBastard the WHOLE TRUTH then you aren’t fit for society. Screw the media who think they are holier than anyone else…they are scum who are just trying to break the story before anyone else (see Herbstreit re: Les Miles).

By mike

December 12, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

I see people are still blaming Vick for Petrino’s antics. And to lee smith you forgot your hood and robe on the counter. Why dont you fans apply for the job? I am wondering with all that knowledge you people have why aren’t you down on the field on Sundays.

By HenryB

December 12, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

To people posting about Vick playing this year, it wasn’t Aurthur Blank’s decision, the NFL suspended him. They specifically asked Blank NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE BFL DECIDED WHAT TO DO. Vick couldn’t have played this year anyway, he has been IN JAIL SINCE NOVEMBER. Also, he had to deal with the actually court case, it would have been a terrible terrible distraction had he played. I love what he did, but it was impossible for him to pay this year.

By AFemale

December 12, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Blank - What’s up with the “fried chicken” remark. That was a racist comment. You should know better. It’s funny how people slip up and say certain things, huh! Now you’ve shed a whole nother light on yourself. But I won’t harp on that one. It is what it is. Oh and by the way, Bill Cowher or Bill Parcell is the only way to go. It’s going to cost you but it will be worth it in the end. My #1 choice: BILL COWHER.

By trademe

December 12, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

catchem- WTF? Did you forget that you are in the A! Not the sticks? If you can’t stand it leave!!! Go back to where ever your inbred generation comes from. This is 2007, not 1827!!!

By tommyt

December 12, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

You know I watch Terrence on Tv and I agree with him most of the time, but when I read his columns after he apparently does real good research I always agree with him. He is in ink an almost always right guy.

By RC

December 12, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Brian Slaughter, you are the one who is way off base….playing the “victim” card. He committed a felony, about it, got sold out by his “friends”, and got what he deserved. I imagine you proudly wear a MV jersey and carry a “free MV jersey”. You are a moron with your conspiracy “victim” theory. Oops, my bad….MV is a victim of the way he was raised - NOT !! You are an idiot.

By Winston

December 12, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

The NFL needs to impose the death penalty on this sorry franchise and start all over again.

By KD

December 12, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Good stuff Mr. Moore! Coach Petrino will NOT be successful at Arkansas (see Dennis Franchione)…Go Birds!

By summertime

December 12, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

How did the issue of Petrino ducking out on his contract become a race debate? It’s so frustrating when people paint any race with a wide brush. I just wonder why is it that when a black poster brings up race they are playing the race card and everyone comments on how they (meaning all blacks I assume) are perpetuating racism in America. But I rarely see anyone comment when a white poster makes blatantly racists comments. Does that not also perpetuate racism? Why aren’t you equally outraged.

For all you saying Petrino left because Atlanta is too urban and “ghetto”- where are you getting that from? Did he tell you that? I am sick of every forum being turned into an attack on blacks. Most of us are hard working, intelligent and law abiding, and sick and tired of reading this crap. So stop sitting behind your keyboards and posting cowardly comments.

By jrod

December 12, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Alot of you people up here are complete hypocrites and as ignorant as the so called thugs you are talking about. So if you wear a t-shirt supporting someone you care about you are a thug? I thought you atleast have to go to jail to be a thug. This is why so many blacks think whites are discriminating against them. EVERYBODY knows when someone says thug there are now only talking about blacks. I have never ever heard of any white athlete or person called a thug. And it is almost funny when i hear people called the falcon players black racists. How? Because they want their friend and qb not to be in jail for something they dont think deserves it. And you dont see any blacks walking around waving pro-slavery confederate flags or praising people that gave their life to keep a race of people slaves.

Also stop blaming vick for this team problems. Alot of you before this season thought he was a bum who couldnt throw. How is a bum not being on the team holding this team back. Lastly Petrino is trash, anybody who blames vick for petrino’s action is an idiot. I thought people are responsible for their own action. Or does that just apply to vick

By Bobby Petrino

December 12, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

D Hall made me do it. He was a bully.

By Debra

December 12, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

I guess you all are seeing things differently now. You all crucified Vick because of “Dogs” and said that he’s a disgrace, what is Petrino to the City now. You people are so cruel-damned if you do or you don’t by your own supporters. What’s wrong with most of you is this: you can’t admit that Vick “was” the Atlanta Falcons and it’s been proven since he’s been gone! Let’s get over this and move on after all you got what you thought you wanted. Arthur Blank is no fool and he’s a powerful influential person therefore the leaving of Petrino was no secret to him it was just kept from you and I!! He didn’t want to coach without Vick and that’s the bottom line right or wrong he made the decision!! White American pulled every evil malicious comment that they could to make sure Vick was pulled off the team and suspended indefinitely before he was ever convicted-how evil! You all think that Blacks stick together no matter what and that we condone what Vick did and that’s not true however, we don’t place a higher value on “Dogs” over a person’s life but I know that you all can’t understand this because you think more highly of “Dogs than Blacks after-all you used your dogs to attack us! You act like Vick killed your momma. Yes, it is about race and sadly it will always be. Racist politicians, law enforcers, and Coaches. As long as our Black players are bringing in the money for the owners and coaches everything is fine or doing as the public wants them to do. Im glad to see some of the players support Vick, what are they suppose to do- kick him to the curb. We’re not like you all we don’t just kill a person because they make a mistake!! Terrence you’re making sure you keep your job and that’s why you make the comments that you do as you so distance yourself from the rest of us. Kudo’s to Mayor Franklin, someone in the city had enough courage to speak truth and not care about popular opinion. I wish that we could all get alone and be treated fairly but we’re not so in the meantime, we all have to do what we think is best for us and remember some day your father or son may be in this same situaion or similar and I hope that we are more forgiving then than we are now!!

By AFemale

December 12, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

HenryB - First of all, if Blank had stood up for Vick and told Goodell he wanted Vick to continue to play until his sentencing phase it would have been done. However, since #! PETA was protesting at Flowery Branch Blank felt the pressure of deciding against Vick. Second, Vick has only been in jail since November because HE chose to get an early start on doing jail time because he saw the writing on the wall with the judge. Why CERTAIN people have to be made examples of….well? Authur needs to do right by Vick and plead to both the Federal and State court system to be leniate on Vick in hopes he will not have to do the time that has been handed down to him. IT IS TOO HARSH FOR THE CRIME (WHATEVER) AND FOR A 1ST OFFENDER!

By BADDOG

December 12, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

wooooowwww do you think Mike Singletary has a snow ball chance in hell being the Falcons Coach not if Rich McKay has anything to do with it

By falconfan4life

December 12, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

I have not read a lot of the posts here, but I have been listening to all the talking heads and so called fans on the talk shows. I have to admit that I am stunned at the attitude many have taken about Petrino’s departure. Lets take a long hard look at a few things, and please keep in mind that I am in no way defending Petrino. First D’Hall and Roddy White need to grow up. They never made an effort to work with the new coach, and their displays of support for a convicted criminal in Mike Vick on Monday night was absolutely appalling. While Vick as a human needs personal support and guidance, for them to slap the fans and team (not to mention other players) in the face with their “salutes” was WRONG! Second the fans refused to welcome this coach as well. Third players complained about finding things out in the media, but they turn to the media to vent their opinions, rather than deal with them behind closed doors. What is good for one is good for the other. I do not blame him for leaving, frankly I am surprised it took this long. And just one more thing on my soap box; police officers, teachers, pricipals, and others who have to deal with our children often wonder why they are so out of control. Well spectacles like D’Hall and Roddy White, along with blind support of criminals could be part of the problem. D’Hall could not cover a table with a cloth, and Roddy White forgot he is supposed to actually catch the ball. It is a shame that so many of you allow your kids to call these two heroes, oh and lets not forget Vick. Lets be for real, he is a criminal thug…enough said….guide your kids towards more genuine players like Warrick Dunn, Lebron James, etc…I say cut Hall….cut White….and even though I love your Crump, if you can’t keep your mouth shut….c’ya as well. Now Petrino is a wimp and a coward, but look at both sides of this. Get us a coach we can get behind and build the team that Blank has sought….god bless the Falcons and happy hollidays!

By KrisG

December 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Vick is neither a victim nor a hero to the African-Americans of Atlanta. He is a tremendously stupid man who substituted talent for morality, and lost everything. Contrary to popular belief, most blacks see it as his own fault.

The conflict comes in because it always seems to be the black players that pay the price… for instance, all the attacks on Barry Bonds, but no one mentions Roger Clemens, who everyone pretty much knows in on the same stuff. And lately in America, no one can live with an opinion the government doesn’t endorse, so the law goes hard after Barry Bonds, and the Feds go after Vick in primarily a state crime. Certainly, you can disagree, but you have to understand the precedence that has been set over and over with blacks and the justice system. Now we’re supposed to trust it because most whites do? Be realistic.

The other thing blacks believe in, second chances.

My personal opinion, Vick wants to be a better person, but doesn’t have a clue how. He’s weak. He’s been cut too many breaks, been taught by dishonesty, and has a father who would ruin just about anybody.

By BeBe KID

December 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

You reap what you sow. Although Vick was clearly wrong his case was more of one exercising poor judgement due to a lack of maturity. The Falcons treated Vick like a leper. Now the Falcons organization has leprosy and the rats are jumping off a sinking ship. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Believe me when I tell you there are hard times ahead for the Falcons and I am being prophetic. Take heed Terence!

By wba347

December 12, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

To tidefan00:

What’s the matter you can’t get on plane to leave Atlanta? If you can’t afford a plane ticket,you can always “Go Greyhound”.

By DR

December 12, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

This actually a good week for the Falcons. Didn’t have to fire a ineffective coach giving Mr. Blank to correct a huge mistake he made in hiring Coach Petrino.

Petrino proved over and over again he cannot coach in the NFL. His communications skill was awful, players disliked him and let us not even talk about his play calling on game day, clueless.

Get an upstanding NFL coach like Marty, Reeves or Cowher. No more NFL assistants and no more college coaches.

Draft McFadden, get an offensive line. Keep Joey, Chris and DJ. Get rid of Byron. Team can easily go 8-8. No, I am not dreaming, not hallucinating or smoking illegal stuff.

Been Falcon fan since early 70’s.

By Patrick

December 12, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Everyone needs to consider something here….

Blank obviously knew something was going on here, otherwise he wouldn’t have made the comments he made on MNF regarding his CEO/Coach.

What is interesting, though, is Petrino not only p** off the Falcons (players, staff, ownership, etc) but someone you would not expect.

There is a VERY p** off person right now, well actually two. After the game in Jacksonville on Dec. 23rd, Lane Kiffin and Arkansas agreed to announce that he’d be the new head coach of the Razorbacks. It came as a total SHOCK to Lane today that they brought on Petrino… Lane was Arkansas’ 2nd choice, Petrino was #1. They didn’t think Bobby Petrino could get out of his contract. But just recently, they went back to Bobby and told him what their plan was (to hire Lane). After Monday night’s game, and the Vick sentence, Petrino most have said “screw it” and took the job at Arkansas.

The letter he wrote say’s it all…I did it for “me.”

Nobody should be surprised at anything and I only hope that the Falcons really get an honest person to bring stability and success to a franchise of disenchantment and chaos.

By KrisG

December 12, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Alge Crumpler should tell all of you where to go. He’s a smart guy and a team player and the first to tell us there was a problem with Petrino. And you’re still telling him to “keep his mouth shut?” Who are you to say players are to be seen and not heard?

By jrod

December 12, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

lee smith wrote:

“In the Jena La matter thousands of black people asserted that the blacks thugs had a right to beat the hell out of a white boy because some other white people had made them angry.”

That is an ignorant statement. Blacks were upset because 1.they were hanging nooses which is the same as a threat from Al queada to blacks. 2. White kids beat one of those black boys with bottles and they were not charged 3. White adult male pulled out a shotgun on some black kids and the black kids were charged 4. And Lastly before Rev. Al Sharpton got involved all of these boys were looking at getting a maximum of a hundred years.

And Please stops suggesting people who listed to rap are thugs. WHITES buy the overwhelming majority of rap music. And I know no one is suggesting white kids are thugs. right?

By Jay Black

December 12, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Thank you Summertime!!! Somebody had to say it!

By Brady

December 12, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Who can blame him!!?? He leaves to come to Atlanta with a premiere athlete that was supposed to be the Falcons future, who ends up being a felon. Some of his “leaders” started crying about his system after he was only there for a full 5 months. And he has to hear about his job being on the line knowing full well with Vicks contractual obligation he has no prayer of being able to rebuild in the next 3 years. You don’t coach pro players. You become a day care center supervisor and a mediator. Most have no respect for managment or the coaching staff. He tested the waters in the NFL and like many coached that have realized that coaching in the college ranks is for the most part much more fulfilling.

By claytoncountycowboy

December 12, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Husker1, It was Doug Williams not Doug Johnson who won a Superbowl for Washington

By bazzard

December 12, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

People have to remember that professional and college sports are a business. Most Coaches at both levels are always looking for the next big pay day. There is no “Loyalty”. The problem with these NFL owners are they are always looking for the next big name coach, not the good assistant coach who may have put the years in through hard work and effort and just might happen not to belong to an exclusive Country Club or plays golf with the “Crowd”. For fans to look at most professional players as these role models “please”. We should admire what they do on the field or court and leave it at that. We are all part of this society from the “White House” to the “Out House”.

By Honest Abe

December 12, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Some suggest “Letrino’s” decision is “just business.” Will, no business person I know can consistently lie like the “letrino’s” of the “sports business” and expect to have any clients or customers. In sports liars become head coaches. In the real business world, liars are called con men and get flushed straight to jail.

By steve-o

December 12, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Arther Blank, the Falcons, and their fans have been bamboozled by two people and two people only: Mike Vick and Bobby Petrino. Both of them lied to his face and both of them let down their team. At least Vick confessed his wrongdoing and is making good on his crime. He even reported to jail early. Petrino, on the other hand, is a freaking weasel that quit his job over the telephone. Arkansas thought Houston Nutt was crooked…hahahaha, wait til they get a load of Petrino!

I can see why Hall and others are so outspoken. I would too if the coach had no resepct for team or his own job. People on here need to lay off the players and place the blame on the shoulders of Petrino and Vick.

By Jonny

December 12, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

This team needs a dose of Marty-ball. It is clear this is not a traditional QB dominated team and weren’t when Vick was here. We are and should continue to be a run team. Marty could do this and he would draft a some OL-men to make this happen.

By David Duke

December 12, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Now, the Falcons must rid themselves of all the recalcitrants. Deangelo Hall, boy hit the road and find a new team to disgrace. Alge Crumpler, limp on in to retirement. Shoddy, Roddy White, get the hell on out of town. The criminal element, and those in support of it, must be eliminated from the Falcons before the team can become any better. No coach, of any real ability, will come here. This organization is lacking in character, football intellect and will. The Cowboys at their lowest point, when they went 1-15, had a purpose and a direction. The Falcons have neither! Except for one year, 1998, it’s been forty plus years of drifting from one disaster to another. The first thing to do is to purge the roster of those who have been associated with Vick. It’s the only way to put this debacle into the rear-view mirror.

By Bill

December 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Things I’m having a problem understanding:

1. Michael Vicks get convicted of Dog Figthing, while Arthur Blank is in Africa on a Canned hunt to kill animals that are not bothering anyone. Hum………

2. Petrino coaching a team he can’t wait to get away from. Hum……

3. Arthur Blank talking about Mike staying in shape by not eating too much FRIED CHICKEN and french fries. If he had done his home work, he would have found out that on the Federal Prison level, no food is fried. Hum………

By Luis Berrios - Marietta, GA

December 12, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

I have lived in this city since 1986 and have always followed the Falcons, always wishing to see them succeed. Finally, success came when Dan Reeves came here, so much so that the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl. Since then it’s all gone downhill. Why? I believe the Falcons organization made a huge mistake by drafting Mike Vick. He was nothing more than a great running QB, with his passing skills still under scrutiny. The Falcons organization made it a point to build a scheme around one player, instead of building a system and then look for the talent to fit that system. Case in point New England. Over the years they have not had the best talent, but the talent they had fit the system and performed within that system very successfully. Now that Mike Vick is gone, the Falcons team disintegrated, at least on the offensive side of the ball. I commend the defense. They have spent an enormous time on the field this season and kept an inept offensive team and scheme in many games. It comes a time, abreaking point and the Falcons defense is simply exhausted. Petrino showed a tremendous lack of character and honesty in leaving the way he did. The bright side of all of this is that now the Falcons can start their search early. The new coach should do a ‘fire sale’ and get rid of the Mike Vick era players and start rebuilding with a new identity, within a system that provides consistency and the opportunity for many other players to come in here and succeed.

By Jay Black

December 12, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

ALGE WAS RIGHT!!! And to falconfan4life, since when do you rely on anybody else but YOU to raise your kids? Children are out of control because of parenting!! Ask Mike Vick.

By TRyan

December 12, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Let “Mister Know It All” DeAngelo Hall coach the team now and have Alge Crumpler be his assistant No doubt the Falcons will win the remaining three games …. No?

By HAHA

December 12, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

doesn’t feel so good when you are lied to, does it Artie? What goes around comes around. You did the same to Dan Reeves…

By David Brandon

December 12, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Terrance Moore for you to talk about trust in sports is an absolute travesty. When it comes to trust you and your media misfits are the ones that can’t be trusted. And yes, this is personal Terrance;I’ve seen you change from a pretty desent reporter, with dignity and integrity into someone whos looking for that national attention, whos willing to say anything that you feel the public wants to hear, weather right or wrong, true or false. Terrance you have become a total “sell out”. And this has nothing to do with race, not a thing, it has everything to do with values and morals or lack of in your case. You all of a sudden wants to be political correct, write what you feel the masses want to hear. Terrance is it hard for you to sleep at night, or what do you see when you look into the mirror.Heres a bit of advise Terrance; always, no matter how unpopular it may be or how boring it may sound, always tell and write whats right.When you follow your heart { depending if you have a soft heart} you will always almost everytime do the right thing. I don’t know if this has anything to do with your article,but I just felt like letting you know how I feel about your writing and reporting; it needs to improve , restore your crediability.

By IT WASN'T THE DOG FIGHTING

December 12, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

IT WAS THE INTERSTATE GAMBLING OPERATION

People could have been playing “tiddly-winks”, and if Vick were running an interstate gambling operation, he would have gotten the same penalty, and would have been out of the NFL.

The National Football League is not too fond of people that run INTERSTATE GAMBLING OPERATIONS playing for them. If you don’t understand why, I’ll tell you: ORGANIZED CRIME can easily “influence” people that are involved in INTERSTATE GAMBLING OPERATIONS, and the NFL frowns upon being made too look like either professional wrestling or NASCAR, both of which are, what you call, “fixed”.

By David Duke

December 12, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

The prison diet consists of pickled pigs’ feet, fried chicken, chitluns and watermelon. Vick will come out weighing about 350.

By rlynn

December 12, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Forget this black and white crap. Vick couldn’t get by the sandlot because he was not intelligent enough to be a QB playing against the big kids, or he didn’t have the right skill set, or he was unwilling to learn the playbook. Vick was a mediocre QB and seems to be a puffed up bozo. He’s gone and his clown buddies will get cleaned out by the next coach too. The Falcons loaded the salary cap onto one underperforming player while the rest of the team aged and the talent flow dried up. Where’s the tradition on this team?

By nobody

December 12, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

I’m shocked that he stuck it out this long. I would have left a long time ago. The falcons need an entire overhaul and get rid of the ATL Dirty Birds image. Vick did this to himself get over it. What an idiot. Petrino is just looking out for Petrino. I would do the same working with this sorry team and owner.

By mj

December 12, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Dear certain Falcon fans: To all those of you who used to constantly chant “trade Mike Vick, trade Mike Vick ” — be very careful what you ask for. YOU JUST GOT IT!!!

By Ray from S.C.

December 12, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

To Terence: While you were flapping nonsense about Vick ”getting it”,Scooter Libby was quietly dropping his appeal over the whole Plamegate scenerio. Btw, his 30 month sentence would’ve been 7 months more than Vick’s. Do you suppose scooter finally ”got it, too”. the vick thing was just a example of the two worlds that edwards keeping talking about…..quit cooning for ESPN, they are such tools up there…….

By Lynn

December 12, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, Mr. Blank. If your employees came to work with tattoos or whatever on them in support of a criminal, would you want to work with them. After the showing of your players and their support for a criminal - Michael Vick - on Monday night, I don’t blame Coach Petrino at all. If his players were more concerned about the criminal than in winning a football game - which it is evident that they were, then I don’t blame him for wanting to find another job and coaching a team that is there to win.

By Interested

December 12, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to many Professional Sports venues and there is always someone picketing about something. That is not the main problem in this case. If Vick is allowed back in the league, where do you “put” him that the cameras don’t find him? You simply can’t have him roaming the sidelines while sponsors’ logos are on the screen. He didn’t just show up at someone else’s house and stumble upon a dogfighting match and place a bet and walk away. HE bought, designed and operated a property where HE tortured dogs by starvation, fighting in “death matches”, lynched and drowned. As for AFemale’s assertion that Mr. Blank could have made Mr. Goodell intervene: they tried to throw Michael Vick a lifeline on Draft Day and he LIED. Once it became a Federal case, the train had left the station. The NFL policies that held Mr. Vick accountable prior to his conviction were instituted at the behest of active players who were doing the right thing and got tired of being lumped in with those who break the law. Read the Collective Bargaining Agreement. GAMBLING is a violation that can result in a LIFETIME ban from the NFL. It is not about Vick, Atlanta or Mr. Blank. It is about Corporate Sponsorships, whether it is via Advertising or Luxury Box leases.

By U people are funny

December 12, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Listening to the press conf. MacKay said they had to “settle” for Tony Dungy. I hope no AA coach gets the HC job here. He will not be the choice by the Booby prize

By BossLady

December 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe I read Moore’s article, wow

By chilidog

December 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

I don’t blame Petrino not one bit. The Falcons are the laughing stock of the NFL. The only way they will regain any kind of respect is to clean house with some of those wanna be pros. Starting with Mr BigMouth D. Hall. He can’t cover any receiver in the NFL, I don’t care what team they are playing. He definitely can’t tackle, but he can pile on or stand around the pile and clap his hands like he has done something. As far as use to be “glue finger Alge” is concern, all of a sudden he has become “old butterfinger Alge”. He can’t catch anything anymore, or maybe he was trying to get Petrino fired, but Petrino beat him and D. Hall to the punch by quitting on the sorriest team in the NFL, and not dealing with the sorry bunch of big mouth, overpaid, wanna be Pros.

By john

December 12, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Article judged fairly and was succinct. Thank you for both Mr. Moore.

By Ricardo

December 12, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Perhaps Arthur Blannk was naieve when he believed Patrino at the same time whoever thast dummie was that said he isn’t to bright doesn’t know him or can’t appreciate a very successful accomplished philanthropic person. If that idiot had any sense he would not be talking like that.

Patrino was a bad hire (McKay’s Choice) who didn’t fit and doesn’t have much chacter and less spine. He will not be missed. Our gain Arkansas Loss our gain.

By Rock

December 12, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Anyone that believes that Petrino came to Atlanta to coach MV drank the Kool-Aid. What happened if Vick blew out his ACL? What if Vick broke his femur? This is the NFL (Not For Long) and the one constant is change. It is simple, Petrino did not know how to change from the college mentality to the pro mentality and it showed at each and every game played this season. It showed in how he communicated with the players. He was in over his head and I blame Rich McKay for hiring him. Rich has consistently displayed poor judgment in personnel both on the player side and the coaching side. This would be a perfect time for Mr. Blank to kick Rich to the curb.

By Brent

December 12, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Moore, this article just goes to prove you don’t research anything. You just sit down and write. If you were to research some more you would find that Martina Hingis’ hair sample showed no signs of drug use, and that the officials at Wimbeldon had mishandled her samples. Also they could not assure anyone that those were infact Hingis’ samples. You really should be fired. You are the biggest racist in Atlanta. I can’t believe ESPN would ask that you appear on TV, but then agian they do at times need idiots so I guess that’s why the come to you.

By Mike

December 12, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Petrino’s a bum for sure, but I hope those screaming the loudest will also say the same about Vick. But the blame goes much deeper an unqualified coach.

Blank is a walking photo-op. He’s always posturing near the cameras on the sideline, his name is spread on a big banner in each end zone so it can be seen on TV during extra points and field goals, his pushing Vick in a wheelchair was the ultimate in pandering, and the huge contract to Vick and Petrino smacks of lunacy.

Now let’s look at McKay. He’s responsible for the two most recent loser coaches and he’s ruined more drafts than a faulty tap.

Until we get an owner who stays in the box and doesn’t posture himself to be the centerpoint of the team, and a GM who isn’t lame brained, we will continue 40+ years of being a punch line.

By judah

December 12, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

NOBODY IS PERFECT, LIKE YOU HAVEN’T LIED BEFORE,OR BEEN LIED TO. GET OVER IT PEOPLE! NOBODY IS PERFECT IN THIS WORLD. THAT”S WHAT YOU GET FOR TRUSTING man and NOT GOD. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LIE UNTIL JESUS COMES BACK.

By JEFF DAWG

December 12, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Terence,

Your lack of courage in calling the Georgia players and Mark Richt “fools” after the Florida game with UGA has unfortunately permanently eliminated any serious consideration of your opinion. Anyone can sit behind a computer monitor and say cowardly things like that. It takes a real man to say it face to face, and my guess is you don’t have the guts to say that to Mark Richt’s face, much less Rennie Curran, Asher Allen or Thomas Brown.

By Phillip

December 12, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

What a mess!!! But this could have all been eliminated with better judgement in a series of bad decisions. All woven with the same threads, CHARATER and RESPECT. Let’s review: . Get rid of Dan Reeves, although he said at the time the Falcons were making a mistake, setting the QB and team back 3 years. He was always about operating with character and respect. . Hire Jim Mora, unproven, and undisciplined. . Make a long time, huge money committment to Vick, even though he was displaying poor charater and leadership. Then ignore the continued signs of trouble with him as the leader of the team. . Trade Shaub, leaving the cubbard bare with only a quetionable Vick. . Hire Petrino, unproven and a history of quesitonable character. . Allow public displays of no character, and respect from players, without consequences.

By WhooPig

December 12, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Bobby P - turns out to be the smartest Falcon of all. Never play a losing hand - Fold it. It is ridculous to hear the Falcon players say they gave 100%. DeAngelo gave his coach 100% lip. I bet the Hogs won’t have a corner getting 65 yards in penalties during single drive.

Hey Houston Nutt - find any potential among the News Anchors in Oxford?

By Colin

December 12, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Moore, I have to second the comments by Brent (at least some of them). You clearly have not bothered to research your “facts” about the Floyd Landis case either. The claim is not that the “discovered” drugs were “naturally occurring.” The defense is that the testing was abominable, LNND (the laboratory involved) did not follow the guidelines established by WADA, etc. Many of their results were thrown out by the arbitration panel and anyone who has actually followed the case (and others) has to at least question the way the whole drug testing apparatus is doing its job.

By letigre'

December 12, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Mr. Moore, Les Miles never told a lie. As a matter of fact, before the SEC championship he had to go on TV to correct a lie from a person in YOUR profession! How many people in the press/media are willing to tell a gigantic lie, then hope that somehow it comes true? It’s all about the scoop! In fact, there’s more poop than scoop most of the time. Today you toss out a question, in effect, calling Les Miles a liar. I understand you do it under the guise of journalism, but it sure is yellow! Saban, Vick, Petrino, etc. HAVE lied & it has been shown by the events following their statements. How about having a little integrity yourself & basing your opinions on the Falcons’ failures alone & letting others prove one way or the other whether they have done anything wrong? Those other guys deserve the label, Miles hasn’t earned the label. As a matter of fact, EVERY statement he has made thus far has proved exactly the opposite. Put some truth in your pipe & smoke it!!

By heidi

December 12, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

My, my, my! We certainly are a mean-spirited bunch.

As far as lying—our society lost its sense of honor and integrity long ago.. Someone’s ‘word’ hardly ever holds any value anymore. Neither apparently, does one’s signature on a contract…We all lie to some extent, especially to preserve our own agendas, even though we know its wrong, even though we’ve been taught better. Unless we’re under oath, the penalty is nearly non-existant. The mega-watt bulb illuminates brighter on those in the public spotlight, especially those who lie over their own physical endevours, and their fall from grace is much more precipitous.

Coupla thoughts over the comments I’m reading:

MNF antics by Hall and White didn’t sway Petrino over the edge of no return. He’d already made his mind up the previous week.

Vick isn’t incarcerated because he lied. He’s in the pen because he broke the law.

Vick won’t be back in the NFL because he hasn’t earned it. People forget that playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. Vick chose to throw his privilege away because the prospects of winning $2,000.00-$10,000.00 prize money clouded his judgemnt. He’s part of Atlanta’s past, not it’s future.

Blank didn’t take away Vick’s means of making a living, Vick did. Vick can now choose to become a blue-collar worker when he gets out, and figure out life on meager wages like the rest of us.

Parcells would never consider coaching here.

Crumpler is at the end of his career anyway, and probably will be dismissed at season’s end.

Hall has become too much of a liability and hopefully will be shipped out.

Dunn can retire a satisfied man, having achieved the pinnacle of rushing milestones. Changes in the roster are imminent.

As the vehement vitriole of the various bloggers mounts, it’s apparent that Atlanta will never overcome it’s racial divide. Mr. Moore’s article was about the loss of integrity in sports. Maybe this city needs to have a different dialogue.

By Carlea

December 12, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

What ever happened to a lil ole thing called “professional integrity”? I was always taught to not quit before the job was done. Petrino’s inability to commit says a lot about his character, a fact that should have been considered before he was hired.

By doc

December 12, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

why are people surprised when the married person they had an affair with has an affair on them?

By Glenn

December 12, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

This article just about says it all: Petrino to Arkansas: Infidelity in the SEC

By Serving in Afghanistan

December 12, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Terence, see how good it feels to write a piece free of racial bias and overtures. If you keep this up, I might be able to read your work every now and then. A race-free column. I guess miracles do happen. As for Petrino leaving the Falcons in great hast, he should have never headed south to begin with. If he were still at Louisville, they would have had a better record than they did this year and assuming the Michigan job opened as it did, he might have been high on the replacement list. Given his history of hiring moving companies, he might have been able to put one on retainer for a move to Ann Arbor.

By Dolphanatic

December 12, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Petrino is scum, but at least he did not continue lying for weeks about his future like Nick SATAN did to the fans of the Dolphins. Nick SATAN completely discounted the worth of the fan base by refusing to tell the truth for weeks before bolting to Tuscaloosa. At least he did leave Miami. Between Nick SATAN and Dave Wannstedt, the future of the Dolphins was mortgaged by trading draft picks left and right, and now Cameron is dealing with the aftermath.

By dtwooten

December 12, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Now that Petrino lied, shouldn’t he be locked up for something?! Vick was lambassed for not telling his boss he committed a crime and went to prison. What about this liar who said that he would be back?

The Falcons should have forced his hand and made him give some money back like Vick. What about Arkansas’ interference with the contract the Falcons had with him.

Ultimately, why can’t the players just bolt too?! We’re losing, the coach is gone, I need to go too!

By Rock Troy

December 12, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Petrino is a quitter, no doubt. But the Falcons problems are at the very top: Blank is a jock-sniffing loser. There are reasons the Vicks and Petrinos lie to him: It is easy and Blank is starstruck. The Falcons will never ever EVER win with Blank as owner. Never. It is time for Blank to remove himself from ownership — if only for his own sake; if only to save himself from being the FOOL he is and always has been.

By Robert

December 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Get this, I heard a radio personality say that the Falcons should Hire Jason Garrett as head coach and make Mike Singletary (Hall of Famer) the assistant head coach and Defensive Coordinator. I think it should be reversed, Mike Singletary should be the head coach and they should leave Jason Garrett where he is. He is yet another unproven coach that will not be able to gain the respect of the Falcon players, but I bet Mike Singletary can!

By Donnie

December 12, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Does Tony Dungy have another assistant coach????????

By Bingo

December 12, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

BOTTOM LINE All of Artie’s (Vick’s) cap cash is tied up in court for the next 3 years. This means no shopping money to replace the thugs that were driving Petrino out of his treehouse with their behavior and lack of professionalism. Just a smart/timely move by Petrino to avoid his own 23 month sentence in pergatory (where fried chicken is readily available). Mark these words, after we go 3-13 again next season we will all be calling Bobby the smart one. Just like we were two weeks ago. We all feel “had” so all of a sudden Bobby is not a great coach or person. It’s what happens when people are caught off guard. They point the finger at the other guy. Wow… a revelation… the finger pointing all started with Mr. Vick. The lie-ing all started with Artie and his treatment of Reeves. McKay is just the country club son/ball boy of a dad with connections. He’s next….watch and see! As cocky thug DHall says. “Make the popcorn…the show ain’t over”