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