Sports Columnists

By hooper

December 13, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

I don’t know. That 1996 season was pretty rough, too.

By 1st

December 13, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

1st!

By mrland

December 13, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

After they fired Mora, Mckay and Blank stated that their search for a new coach would be “methodical” and “careful.” Less than 48 hours later they hired Petrino. Obviously, they ignored their own advice and overlooked all that was wrong with him. Maybe they’ve learned a lesson…finally.

By Carroll

December 13, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Wow! I don’t want to speak too soon, but so far I am impressed with head coach Thomas. He is certainly saying the right things about the franchise, his position and even coach petrino.

Yes, Petrino took us all by surprise, and what he did was wrong. But what’s even more shocking and telling to me is that while so many around Atlanta (players and fans alike) were willing (and apparently still are willing) to give Mike Vick a break, and give him the eternal benefit of the doubt, and choose to take the high road and to not judge him, they are SOOOOOOO quick to throw Bobby under the bus without knowing all the circumstances in his life, as Coach Thomas so eloquently put it.

Not to mention that, regardless of how wrong petrino was, NONE of the players have ANY room to talk about quitting and cowardice…they quit on petrino before the season started!

By kbat

December 13, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

What’s the difference between Rich McKay and Pete Babcock when he was with the Hawks? Both made terrible coaching and personnel decisions.

By Howard

December 13, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Why does this surprise anyone?? Most college head coaches are liars anyway…they all have agents who do their dirty work for them behind the scenes which in their warped sense of values…gives them the nerve to stand before the microphones and babble the famed lines: “I have not had any discussions with any team. I will be your coach today, tomorrow, and the future.: Translated? “My agent is doing all the negotiating for a better deal than what you and your college are giving me…it’s not me. I will still coach at this school as long as my agent can’t cut me a better deal.”

By alohavampire

December 13, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Thanks a lot MV7… What a friggin’ jerk.

Atlanta is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the U.S.

The “Free Mick Vick” t-shirt fiasco on national TV was the final straw.

Think about this:

I could keep going on for days.

Wake up Atlantans… It’s time for a revolution in Georgia.

Let’s start with our football team. Fire everybody including veterans and all the coaches. Arthur Blank should recognize his situation and take action. When one realizes they’ve dug themselves into a hole and can’t get out, the first thing they should do is stop digging.

Here’s another cliche… The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

GO GATORS!!

By Mark C.

December 13, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

The Dolphins are on their way to an 0-16 season and even they can say ‘At least we’re not the Falcons’. Instead of ripping Petrino for bolting, we should be thanking him for giving the Falcons a mulligan.

By DevilDog

December 13, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

If this is true that we have truly hit rock bottom, then that means there is nowhere to go but up. Hopefully, that is the case and there is not something else waiting to happen that will drag this whole mess even lower. Maybe we have culled the problem kids and can start rebuilding with some true professionals. Hey, it’s Christmas and I can wish, can’t I?

By G. Thompson

December 13, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Fire Dan Reeves. Coddle Michael Vick. Trust Michael Vick. Hire Rich McKay. Trust Rich McKay. Hire Jim Mora. Trust Jim Mora. Hire Bobby Petrino. Trust Bobby Petrino. etc. etc. etc. etc. How did a Doofus like this make any money at Home Depot in the first place?

By Footballfan

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

While I am mainly a college football fanatic, I love all football in general. I firmly believe that the way Petrino handled this situation in a dishonest way, I also understand why he did it. The Falcons have long been known to have a mediocre (at best) and more often poor football team. The bunch we have now may be the worst collection of bad attitudes, loud mouthed, me first bunch of misfits I’ve seen lace a pair of cleats up. Who would WANT to coach this bunch? Petrino saw that he couldn’t truly COACH this team and that they were only interested in individual accomplishements (really?) and for the coach to stay out of their way. Pro coaching has been regulated to managing egos, stroking egos and covering for idiotic behavior. College coaching is much more X’s and O’s, scheming and implementng game plans. In Atlanta, each game plan should have a subtitle of “If you want to”. There is a reason I have no loyalty towards any pro team and I have lived in Atlanta my whole life. I will, instead, pull for a team that has someone I liked and admired from the college game. You can have your attitudes, spoiled babies and malcontents that always point the finger at others when THEY fail to perform. I’ll take the college game where you play for glory, tradition and bragging rights. I don’t think I’ll miss a thing.

By Scott

December 13, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

WORST SEASON EVER!!!!!

I am a 37 year old, life long fan living in Sarasota, Fl. This is absolutely the worst season ever in this snakebit franchise!

Arthur, PLEASE hire a proven winner and let’s turn this thing around. No matter what, I still love the Falcons! (It is difficult to continue, but I still support these guys)

GO FALCONS!!!

By Greg

December 13, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Petrino left when and how he did because the offer to him was made, and those kind of offers don’t stay open for three weeks, sometimes not for three days. He could foresee no way to win in Atlanta next year, and Arkansas looked like a better opportunity. The Falcons are so far sub-par in talent that even if Mckay gets the go-ahead to spend big in free agency (don’t necessarily believe it), and even if they do well in the draft (in which his record is terrible), it will still probably be 2-3 years before the Falcons are playing .500 ball. Every coach in the universe is hired and continues with a team until something the coach considers better comes along. That’s the way the business works. Everyone knows this, including especially Blank and McKay. This “betrayal” stuff is nonsense, and is only intended to cover their regret at losing Petrino and the horrible team they have built.

By Dan

December 13, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

A great QB is the key to success in the NFL. Most defenses can stop any team that has an average to below QB. Chris Chandler and Bartkowski are the best we’ve had - one got us to the Super Bowl and the other one did all he could to get us to another. (Actually Gary Anderson had a lot to do with the Super Bowl thing!). Petrino didn’t have a QB so his coaching shortcomings were very evident and could not be hidden. Guys like Petrino are bad for sports in general - in it for self-flagellation only - no committment to his players - and little credibility to be found. Glad he’s gone!

By JUNE_BABY

December 13, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

i feel that the falcons are recieving their just desserts. they threw one of their players under the bus, and now they find that the pie has no fruit in it. mike vick was wrong in what he was doing, and now he is paying for it. but, to just cut all ties with someone when they are going through hard times is heartless and cruel. kharma is a b@@ch, isn’t it? i’ll bet allan rossum is laughing last now. or how about grady jackson! and for all of you still trying to blame this poor season on michael vick, what if instead of legal problems, he had been injured in the preseason and lost for the year? would he still have been the reason for the falcon collapse? let’s face it, mckay has no idea how to put a winning team together, whether it’s a coaching staff or player personnel. he’s done 10 times the harm(to this team) than mv7 did. that’s the difference, he get’s opportunity after opportunity, while the media and faircolored(oops! i mean fairweather) fans blame it all on the players of color, and give him a free pass, year after year. it was the same thing with pete babcock, but the same kind of fans castigate billy knight. ATLANTA! what a town. i often wondered why the A.J.C. never hire black sportswriters(and no t. moore doesn’t count), it’s because they cover DIXIE LIKE THE DEW. nothings changed in the last 50 years.

By Hobbs

December 13, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

It seems like all the AJC writers are getting thier venting in as well.

Everyone feels fooled including myself. MV7 fooled me and now the coach. Im not sure if coach Cohwer can save the Falcons.

By Truth

December 13, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Greg, great post.

By JustAnotherGuy

December 13, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

I think the next 3 weeks will be telling.

No one really knows the extent to which the players gave up on, and laid down for, Petrino.

The injuries to starters on the O-line were certainly huge factors.

Give these players a coach they’ll play for, and eliminate the injuries, and you’re looking at a middle-of-the-pack team.

Give them a solid quarterback, and maybe they’re in the upper third of the league next year.

I think you’ll see much better effort for ET than you did for BP.

But, we’ll see…

By emack06

December 13, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Wow, alohavampire, apparently you have a problem with black people. Your comments only show how stupid you are. Petrino is a grown aZZ man and it was his decision to move on, to say it is MV fault is utterly asinine. And I bet a lot went into him making that decision, mainly, his concern for his family. As I understand it, some of you overzealous nut job of a fan started threatening his family. I dont blame the guy for wanting to leave although he should have done it in a more tactful way. At the end of the day, a man have to do what’s best for his family.

By LIz' Buddy

December 13, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Where are Scarlett O’Hara and General Sherman when you need them?

It can’t get much worse for the Atlanta Falcons. While owner Arthur Blank vows with Scarlett O’Hara like passion that, “As God as my witness, I’ll never go coach-less again!”, many of us fans wish General Sherman would rise from his grave with a fresh pack of matches and a can of pine tar and burn the whole damn Georgia Dome down so we can start all over again.

You have to wonder if Mr. Blank is just a victim of circumstance, or does this Dirty Bird stink from the head down?

Jim Mora…BUST.

Michael Vick…BUST.

Bobby Petrino…BUST.

That’s more BUSTS than a drunk splitting ten’s at a blackjack table.

Maybe Sir Arthur has been smelling his own fumes too long. Just because you were in the right place at the right time with Home Depot doesn’t make you a good judge of character and talent. Phony attracts phony.

You also have to love all the indignant players calling Petrino a “coward” and a “liar.” Gee…wonder how that shoe fits on your pal Michael Vick? Where was the players’ outrage for his behavior?

Maybe it’s Rhett Butler that we need…”Frankly, my dear Falcons, we don’t give a damn!”

Liz’ Buddy in Atlanta

By kgod999

December 13, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

WHATS FUNNY IS WHEN DAN REEVES GOT FIRED, I WAS THE ONLY ONE I REMEMBER DEFENDING HIM AND SAYING THAT ARTHUR BLANK IS BEING A HYPOCRITE, SAYING HE BUILT HOME DEPOT WITH LOYALTY, THEN FIRING DAN REEVES THE WAY HE DID. I KNEW THEN THAT THE FALCONS WERE GONNA BE THE SAME OLE FALCONS. ON A SIDE NOTE, WHITE ATLANTA FANS, GET OVER IT, STOP WHINING ABOUT ATLANTA BEING A PREDOMINATELY BLACK CITY AND BEING UPSET WITH ANYTHING BLACK, YALL RUN EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD AND WHINING ABOUT ONE BLACK CITY. GEEZ THE STUPIDIDITY.

By Bubba, Lower Forty

December 13, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Hi y’all!! As for as I’m concerned, Vick and Petrino are in the past, gone. I cannot blame either Mr. Blank or Mr. McKay with this. From what I’ve seen, both of these people really wanted to create a winning atmosphere in the Deep South. Unfortunately, trying to pick an up and coming coach out of colleges and assistant coaches is almost the same as throwing a dart blindfolded. My personal opinion, go talk to Bill Cowher. Explain what we are looking for. Explain to him why is the perfect fit. Make the necessary financial arrangements. Get him here. Get him here now…

By los

December 13, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

To me the biggest mistake made was during the offseason last year when they rushed into finding a head coach after firing Mora. It was almost like Blank and McKay had some deadline to meet in hiring a coach. Obviously things didn’t go as planned when Petrino took the job, however he should of stuck out the remaining three games and then decided to leave. He would of received less criticism, plus I’m sure Arkansas would of held the job for him. I believe Arthur Blank really cares for this franchise but in hiring a new coach the search should take a much longer time, escpecially after what has transpired this season. The Falcons need a tough no nonsense coach, preferably an older coach. I believe Emmitt Thomas would be a great coach for the team, and also others like, Cowher and possibly Bill Parcells if he could be talked out of retirement. We see how he turned things around in Big D. I think too that this is the final chance for Rich McKay. Truly he has and continues to make terrible decisions. He is like the Isiah Thomas of the NFL. The Falcons are missing a few pieces from being a playoff team and one thing is a good head coach and some help up front, in the receiving core, use J. Norwood and on pass rush. I believe if Blank and McKay really care about the fans of Atlanta they will do everything they can into making this offseason very beneficial and bringing the right people to the Falcons. I don’t think the players quit I just don’t think they really understood in what direction Petrino was taking the team. When you cut your best defensive player at the time(G. Jackson) for apparently no good reason, then you have lost control and the team was doomed from then on. People are talking about there being a blueprint for beating the Patriots, how about finding the Patriot blueprint on building and sustaining a winning franchise. For the fans, that is what it eventually comes down to.

By Ryder

December 13, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

I see a lot of blame being passed around but as usual no solutions.

Ok, time to get back up. Let’s look at the candidates:

Jason Garrett: No way he’s leaving a comfortable situation in Dallas for this. Next.

Josh McDaniels: It’s easy to look like a genius when all you have to say is “Brady, throw it deep to Moss”. Next.

Bill Cowher: Great disciplinarian, but will he be patient enough to see this through? People praise him often because of what he did in Pittsburgh, but keep in mind the Steelers franchise has always had good teams there, why do you think Tomlin is having a good first season? If he’s willing to build this team up, go get him!

Marty Schottenheimer: Same as Cowher, he will come in and install a good work ethic and get results. However, the postseason is a totally different animal for him, and eventually people in Atlanta will get sick of “Marty-ball” not getting it done when it matters most. He’ll come a bit cheaper than Cowher but will probably want to make personnel decisions as well. Get him if you can’t get Cowher or this man:

Mike Singletary: I don’t even think his resume needs to be mentioned, but the players will be willing to go through a brick wall for this man. (I can hear Terence Moore whooping it up in the background) Whether it’s taboo to mention this, he will have a strong presence not only on the team but in the community both black and white. Draft McFadden and get a good LT and RG in free agency and in two years this team will right what is a very ugly ship.

By NewsJunkie

December 13, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

**If you’ll carefully watch the video of Bobby Petrino’s welcome-to-Arkansas moment, notice how he introduces his family.

His conniving, micro-managing style comes out in the way he urges his son to “wave” and then notes how, after his daughter stands up, “she dropped her cell phone.” The guy is all about appearances.

Anyone who has ever worked for a shark-eyed, lifeless personality type has wondered: “How’d this fellow ever get this job?” That is what thinking Falcons fans ought to be wondering too.

If the Atlanta brass is loaded with such astute captains of business, how is it that this braintrust misjudged Petrino so? Isn’t it easy to see such personality-less people from the start? Maybe it takes one to hire one — and that is the scary part. Perhaps the corporate honchos behind the Falcons are little more than Rankin Smiths with better portfolios and prettier wives.

That is no indictment of the team’s higher-ups; they’re competent enough. It’s just that when it comes to hiring, sometimes it’s important to let the people who’ll be working for the coach or boss have some input. Petrino appears to have been hired to be the sheriff of a too-loose Falcons bunch under Jim Mora Jr. What he turns out to have been is Barney Fife with no bullets.**

By kmanfromga

December 13, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Art,

It will be tough to find a quality coach givin the situation. Who would want to come into this mess!!However I am a businessman like you and if MY operations were run like this with the kind of issues that just never seem to end, and the continued falure at all levels I would fire whoever was running it. If you want to get a quality coach, (did I hear the name Cower mention??!!)he will want to be in full charge to deal with this mess. MaKay should go for this, (and all other) disasters and seek your coach from a position of strenth by being in the position to offer him Head coach and General manager>

By D. Ellis

December 13, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Well since we are at rock bottom…the only way is up. It can start with the right hire for a head coach…and a good draft. Fans, Players, MGT…they can all sit around and cry about this. Petrino the liar is gone…..time to move on. Seriously Falcons…and Falcon fans…he’s gone…and it is probably the best thing that he is. The start of a new era can begin with the right choice of a head coach. Arthur…Rich…get it right this time!!!! Give this city and this team something to be proud of. Get the team and get the fans a head coach that can bring this team out of the depths of the hole that has been created.

3 words for Falcon MGT-GET IT RIGHT 3 Words for Falcon players-Play for honor 3 words for Falcon fans-Support your team

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By Donald

December 13, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Yeah, kgod, and the problem is; we should be running this ‘one black city’. Maybe then, Grady wouldn’t be broke, the city coffers wouldn’t be stolen bare by the likes of Cambell, and the city’s infrastructure wouldn’t be caving because of your interest in black issues over any other issue. It’s not all, always, about YOUR PEOPLE! Why don’t ‘your people’ learn not to defecate in their own plate?

By reza

December 13, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

What goes around must come around. Falcons stole Bobby from Louisville. They knew he back stbbed the Cardinals. Petrino did the exact thing to Atlanta that did to Louisville. It is going to be a lose lose situation for Arkansas. IF he does good in Arkansas he goes to a different school. If he does not perform he is going to quit.Bobby Petrino is a mover and quitter.

By mecca12

December 13, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

I do agree that Arthur Blank and Rich McKay deserve a small portion of the blame, because Petrino should have never have been hired however 98% of the blame goes to Petrino. He is a jacka$$ and a quitter. When you sign a contract you must honor that contract and not quit just because the times get a little rough. Sean Salsbury said it right when he called Petrino a “fraud”. COACH COWER PLEASE COME AND HELP THIS TEAM!!!!

By Bear Fan

December 13, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Hey Arthur……KARMA is a B@*$H!! Look what you did to Dan Reeves, what goes around comes back around. Now they are also taking away one of the tailgating lots to build a park!! Arthur you really know football and it’s fans!!! NOT!!!

By bull-gator

December 13, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

NFL…need I say more? Professional sports in general have become a farce. I wouldn’t pay $5 to attend either a falcons, hawks, braves, or thrashers game. The majority of the players, coaches, owners and support staff are living in a dream world. What a bunch of whiney a*******ed individuals masquerading as a team. Pathetic.

By reza

December 13, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

one story not many people knew about Bobby Petrino is. He put his name for the University of Florida head couching job after Ron Zook got fired. He immediately withdrew his name onec he found out Florida was not going to hire him. what a deceptive charctor.

By Gordon

December 13, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

The good news is that it is only sports. No one died (which is why 1989 is still the worst), and in the grand scheme of things this just isn’t important. I wish the Falcons were the only thing any of us had to worry about.

By Paul

December 13, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe I’m actually looking back on the Mora era as the “good old days.”

By John

December 13, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Petrino is nothing but a self-centered person who cannot keep his commtments. Look at his work history! It angers me not only for what he has done to all the Falcon fans, but especially the betrayal and hurthe has caused the players. Those guys have had to endure a lot this year with the Vick distraction, as well as having to buy into a new coaching philosophy and leadership style. I was one to give the first year coach a break becuase of his lack of experience on the pro level, but Patrino has proved to be an unreliable, selfish and cowardly quiter. I want the team to know that they have my support and remain in my prayers. They are good guys and I will pull for them even harder! Hang in there team, at least you don’t have to deal with “Bumbling Bye,Bye Bobby” anymore.

By SCBird

December 13, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

What’s done is done, now it’s time for Blank to dust his self off and rebuild this organization. In my opinion, here’s how…

1)Hire an experienced Coach like Marty…Think about it, there are a lot of Chargers that will be free agents in 2008. I’m sure they would love to play for him again

3)Get a playmaker on offense. Hint,hint….Darren McFadden

4)Get a QB via free agency or draft.

By Richard Stripling

December 13, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Another coach bites the dust in Atlanta.So what else is new for one of the worst franchaises in pro sports.People are quick to jump Petrino for leaving.Why would any coach want to try and lead a sorry group of sub-standard players? Do not forget folks this is a team(?) that has NEVER had back to back winning seasons. There are no more than a handful of players(?) that even deserve to have on a uniform much less be expected to compete every week. Good bye Bobby! Who’s next on the failure chart?

By woody

December 13, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Yea we know what Petrino did was a jerk move. How quickly were those thug players jumping on national TV to say to shame Petrino.

However, when Vick went to jail where was their shame then. They had nothing to say and still have nothing to say about a guy who did a real crime. Vick has also abaoned his team. Instead they celebrate him and want an admitted criminal freed.

Sounds like we are witnessing yet another double standard. Is this the blatant racism you seek?

By aph

December 13, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Apparently, Bernie Marcus must have made all the personnel decisions at Home Depot because Blank does not have a clue.

By FalconsDude

December 13, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

The only thing Petrino did wrong was not being a man and meeting his players face to face, being honest with his boss (Blank) and just saying “I can’t cut it here, I belong in college, the Arkansas job is available and I really need to take it, that is where I belong. I’m not doing this team any good by being here” Had he done that, he would have left on good terms and with respect. But, by sneaking out like he did, that is where all the anger comes from. Not because he quit, but because he turned tail and ran. He is like the guy on the front line who crawls away hoping no one notices.

Petrino, I hope you love it in the SEC…you are about to find out the SEC might just be as tough as the NFL, and Arkansas fans won’t be any better at forgiving a coach who loses more than he wins than Atlanta fans are.

By Mike

December 13, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

You can’t blame the coach. He found him self in the cess-pool of the Atlanta Falcons and wanted to get out with as little stink as possible.

By James

December 13, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Should Chris Redman really remain as the starter? Should he even be on the team? After all he is the lone disciple of the Petrino debacle. He probably commands no respect in the locker room and is viewed with skepticism. I realize he is the best available QB out of three woeful options. But Emmitt Thomas should reconsider this decision.

By Bob

December 13, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

This whole thing is more good than bad despite the unseemly and unexpected suddenness with which it went down. Yes, Petrino is a louse - a quitter and a hypocrite. But good riddance; he was in over his head in an NFL coaching job and did the Falcons a favor by departing sooner rather than later and allowing them to get back to the drawing board right now. Rich McKay’s time had better be now or he should be the next guy out the door.

By James

December 13, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Wouldn’t you just love to see the Missouri Tigers crush Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl?

By Scott

December 13, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Change the whole image of this franchise. Turn over 60% of the roster when we hire a new coach. Get rid of the ME first playazz with their “free Mike Vick” shirts and their MV7 eye black. Who cares how good they are, move on team we have to start fresh with a new attitude and new TEAM players!

By loafer

December 13, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Hey, how come we’re not clamoring for Dan Reeves? He took us to a Super Bowl with Chris Chandler for goodness sakes. What are you doing Dan? We need you bad!!

By loafer

December 13, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Hey, how come we’re not clamoring for Dan Reeves? He took us to a Super Bowl with Chris Chandler for goodness sakes. What are you doing Dan? We need you bad!!

By Dawgbyte

December 13, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

To Arthur Blank:

Swallow your pride, if you have any left, and hire Dan Reeves as GM. Then, go to your booth, do not pass go, and let him rebuild the team.

Will you do it? Hell, no.

By Bk Hawk

December 13, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Mckay is the blame for Mora and Petrino. Mckay tells Blank who to hire. *FIRE MCKAY * get a new GM first, then Coach.

By gator

December 13, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

fitting for a city known for rising from the ashes. college coaches don’t often work in the nfl and frankly he has done the team a favor, it wasn’t going to work anyway. better to remove the cancer now than later.

Marty Schottenheimer went 14-2 last season and is sitting on his hands, would someone pick up the phone and call him. he keeps getting fired for not winning playoffs, i say for this team winning the playoffs would be monumental and the guy wins everywhere he goes.

By DirtyDawg

December 13, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Well those Arkansas Razorbacks have done it again. For some time I’ve repeated the old joke: ‘I can’t believe those Arkansas fans, they’ve got a pig for a mascot and are proud of it’. Now we can add ‘plus now they’ve got Bobby Petrino for a coach and are proud of that too.’

By Philip

December 13, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Maybe it is time for Blank and McKay to bite their lips and go crawling back to apologize to Dan Reeves. He may not have been the best coach in the league but he did take us to the superbowl, kept the team together, protected Michael Vick from bad influences and is generally respected in the NFL.

By Patman

December 13, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

What Blank needs to do now is get rid of both Rich McKay, the Pete Babcock of pro football, and the insufferable, trash talking p[rima donna jerk meAngelo Hall. maybe then he’ll show that he isn’t just another Smith Family type owner.

By Earl

December 13, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Can you blame a decent man for not wanting to be associated with this band of ghetto thugs? As a person in law enforcement I sure as hell would like to see half the passion and effort put forth on these blogs by obvious black males towards being a role model and parent to their kids as they have defending a convicted felon. It would also be good to see just one player for the Falcons come forward, while they are still an active player for the Falcons, to step up and just say it like it is, that Vick did all this. Granted, he’d need protective custody and a new identity afterwards.

By Shamus Thacker

December 13, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Remember Pat Peppler? He’s the Falcons GM who’d never coached a football game IN HIS LIFE, at ANY level, EVER. He prowled the Falcons’ sideline after Rankin pulled the plug, (at Pat’s urging), on Marion. Rankin related to Pat that “if HE thought HE could do a better job, then the job was HIS!”

THAT was rock bottom, THIS is mere child’s play in comparison…

By FREEMAN

December 13, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

ALL YOU PEOPLE NEED TO READ THE STORY IN THE AJC ON (HOW PETRINO’S EXIT UNFOLDED). THIS WILL TELL YOU ALL THAT ARTHUR BLANK HAS NO BALLS……. BLANK SHOULD HAVE HAD MICHAEL VICK BACK….JERRY JONES IS A MAN THAT SUPPORTS HIS PLAYERS. JERRY JONES AND AUTHUR BLANK ARE THE MOST RICHEST OWNERS IN THE NFL..BLANKS WORTH 1.8 BIL. JONES WORTH 1.3 BIL. THEY WERE FRIENDS UNTIL JERRY JONES LEARNED THAT BLANK HAD NO BALLS…. MICHAEL ERVIN HAD PROBLEMS TO! BUT JERRY JONES HAD HIS BACK. STANDUP UP FOR YOUR PLAYERS BLANK!!!!!

READ!!! HOW PETRINO’S EXIT UNFOLDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLANK!! ITS TAKES A MAN TO BE A NFL TEAM OWNER. MAYBE YOU NEED TO SELL THE TEAM!!AND STICK TO SELLING LUMBER (HOME DEPOT) BLANK YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By SD

December 13, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Crumpler and Halls big showing for Vick did a lot of good I see. Ha ha. Hell, in a year or two these thugs will be MV7’s cellmates. Now the big question is if Vick will be a total bottom in prison? He always appeared a little light in the loafers to me anyway, like a punkboy. Bottom I say…yeppers, total bottom.

By hamp

December 13, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Even thought this is rock bottom it is a blessing. We have a clean slate. Clearly patrino was overwhelmed and not just with this team with the whole pro experience. The only thing he could be in the NFL is an OC if he could stick around for that. I think his system could work but he didn’t give things time. The team needed to make wholesale changes to fit his system and that takes more than 13 games. I think the next coach (MIKE SINGLETARY), will need to bring in a balanced attack. Our defense is not that bad but when you continue to go three and out, the best defense will be ineffective because they are tired. I say take D Mcfadden if you can, Woodson, Brennan or the BC qb. buid the line through free agency and there are not too many sure fire OLs out of college look at the last ones we are still waiting to see what thomas will do but I think of gallery and other bust the first rounds are for skill players. you can get quality lineman in later rounds. I won’t leave my team I love them even though I think MGMT has made some bad decisions, today you can turn a organization around fairly quickly. To the fans hang in there true fans will. band wagon fans like bobby P good riddance we don’t need your kind ‘round here. If they get a big back a qb capable of just managing an nfl offense we will be fine I think D shock might be a good fit Petrino said he was picking up the offense well he deserves a shot he has been in the league three years if he is not ready now he will never be. I think mr. blank needs to cater to the fan base. Know what your city wants as a whole you can’t please everyone but you can give us a very good product if you do your homework for the next coach and what the city as a whole may want and I think you will be fine we will return, people just be patient support your team thru good and bad we have already seen as bad is it can be. HOLD ON!

By shane

December 13, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

To Carroll, who posted 3rd from the top… what fans are you talking about? Who’s giving Mike Vick a break? oh, you mean the majority of the black folks in this town are giving Mike a break - not necessarily “The Fans” - I would wager that most of “The Fans” are still pretty p** at him for screwing our team, our coach, and embarrassing our city, yet again. For some reason, black folks in the south don’t care what heinous crime you may have committed; if you’re black, you’re innocent. man, this town is so full of idiots, it just saddens this native soul.

By Falcons Fan

December 13, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need to be rebuilt from the ground up. Trade all of the big mouth troubleakers that worship at the MV7 alter (start with Hall), and clean out the coaching ranks too. Trade the players that gave less than 100% to make Petrino look bad.

Even the MNF commentators were talking about how the Falcon players did not apperar to be going at full speed during the game. Trade for decent players and get the best that is available in the draft. Start building the team over.

By Pete

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

What we have witnessed with the Falcons this year and what we will see in 60 minutes regarding MLB and illegal drugs is a result of a culture gone mad. Our dear grandparents would only weep to see what we have done in this world they left us. Please…………go to church, people. Trust me, I’ve seen the bottom. There is hope……….in God.

By Bo

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

Hire Dan Reeves as GM!!!!!Fire McKay today.

By Shamus Thacker

December 13, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I’d love to see Dan Reeves back myself. In reality, age and a faulty ticker make him a bad choice for ground-up rebuilding.

By jdawg

December 13, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

The franchise has never won anything. We have always been losers and will always be losers as long as we have a “self” mentality. We’ve always had nothing but a bunch of “self” personalities. Why can’t it ever be about T-E-A-M? We are all talking about how terrible this year has been for the falcons.Every year has been terrible in my opinion. We make it to one super bowl in ‘98 and it was tainted by a bunch of selfish people, who then, caused a bunch of distraction going into game.It caught up with us in the long run, just like it always has. Eliminate S-E-L-F and then you will have a winner.

By krod1955

December 13, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank delightfully used MV’7’s amazing talent to make himself one of the what, 5 richest men in America and did not at any time do anything to insure the quality of the rest of the team..what wins championships is consistency, chemistry, quality and character..when the protesters were out in force at training camp, Blank should have been at the entrance saying,”We understand your cause, but Mike is not here now..no one else at this facility is under indictment for what he did..this is a football team, and we are in the business of preparing to play football. Please respect that and let our players concentrate on the task at hand.” But he didn’t, Peta and company came in and demoralized the whole organization, and he stood by and let them..SHAME..and as for Mike Vick..NOBODY in that locker room condoned what he did, and they still don’t. But I am certain that to a man, they loved him as a team-mate and they wanted to offer him support, and they new how valuable his skills were to their success. It’s okay to support a fellow worker, and I have no problem with that…MV has lost his reputation, his ability to earn a living, and Millions of dollars..he has paid his debt to society and then some, and he hasn’t even barely begun to serve his time yet. Whatever money they say Vick owes them, the Falcons have made it up with sellouts a hundred thousand fold. All Petrino had to do was finish out the season, and no one would have blamed him. But the Falcons had to see that there are all kinds of deception to focus on starting over. Peyton Manning has only had one Offensive Coordinator and one Quarterback’s Coach and two Head Coaches at Indy…gee, I wonder what contributes to his success????

By Joe t

December 13, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

How can you cut bait and run on your own team and especially your own coaching staff….not to mention your own brother!!!these coaches have families and roots in the area because of him….I tell you one thing; I am like Sean Salisbury of ESPN: You dont want to have “P**” with you in a dark alley b/c he would be the first to tuck tail and run!!! This whole situation is like trying to get with a married woman or married man. If they are willing to slip around with you behind their spouse’s back…why wouldn’t they do it to you someday! “P**” screwed Louisville to come to Atlanta…why did we think he would be something different for us? Blank…you should be counting your blessings this punk is gone. YOU DONT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH HEAD COACHES WITH NO CHARACTER. PERIOD!!!!!

By Patpeppler

December 13, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Oh please, I’ve followed the Falcons since ‘67. This is probably somewhere between their 6th and 11th worst season. And don’t believe that they’ve hit rock bottom (yet).

By Juice

December 13, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

krod1955, well said!

By Rankin Smith

December 13, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

So, what do you think of my ownership tenure now?

By Lynn

December 13, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Well…I am now a Razorbacks fan….love the way Petrino left. Love how Dhall and Alge tried to tell you fools…but the hate and disdain for black players is so great that they were immediately dismissed as spoiled, whiny thugs. Immediately Monday morning I knew the vile remarks would start about the players outwardly showing they care about their former QB. So it was with much satisfaction that I welcomed the news of Petrino leaving….especially how he did it…just beautiful. Here’s to future blackouts, total irrelevance, and more 3-13 seasons. Hopefully DHall gets a big fat contract with an actual pro team, as well as Alge….no need to stay here in this mire.

By Boo Boo

December 13, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

You and everyone keeps saying that Mike Vick harmed the Falcon’s franchise, by being involved with dog fighting. That conclusion places Mike Vick as one of the smartesxt and powerful people in the world, with pure intent to destruct. The reality is Jim Mora Junior did more to destroy the Falcons, because he turned in Mike Vick. He acted as the secret informant, when everyone since day one (2002) knew Mike Vick was just a stupid backwoods Virginia boy who thought fighting dogs was cool. Nobody ever told him to stop. Nobody ever told him how his life could disintergrate, should someone turn him in. You know Federal authorities are too undermanned to actually go sniff out dog fighting rings. Its all about people turning people in to authorities; and, people who turn people in are not God fearing good citizens. They are people that have grudges and vendettas. Mike Vick is guilty of stupidity. Quit making him seem evil.

By Matthew Valentine

December 13, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

This season had been rough since traning camp. Agree with me or not, this is my opinion. Since July, Vick had gave the Falcons a bad name. Through out the season, majority of the players didn’t do their job. This had led to cause Patrino to quit. I don’t agree with him quiting. It is sas the season is turning out this way. I hope Patrino will do good with Arkansas. I hope that we get the former Head Couch of The Steelers. I also hope that we get a good quarterback. It was hard for Patrino coach a group of self first players who don’t want to play as a team. Despite of Patrino quiting on us, I say lets wish him well with Arkansas.

By Big Ed

December 13, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

I’d like to take this opportunity to say what a disgusting, ignorant, and tasteless article Terence Moore wrote this morning re: Blank’s to blame. He says that no top notch coach should come here and basically gives up on the Falcons for the near term. I put T. Moore in the same COWARDLY sentence as Petrino. They are the same person. Run away when the going gets tough and give up. Yea that’s what we should do. Me along with a lot of people in Atlanta were not brought up that way. Terance, you are not a man either. I hire people that will step up when times are bad. Anybody can look good when the team is winning. There is an old saying that asks who would you trust to be in a fox hole with you. T Moore is not one of them. How the AJC justifies your lack of talent, creativity, and attiude is beyond me. Maybe there is an opening in the backward state of Arkansas for you too.

By BeverlyAnn

December 13, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Every adjective used to describe this wuss on Wednesday was right on point. He was a Fraud and the 3-10 record proves it. Not only was he a fraud but he was a liar and spineless.

By George Holman

December 13, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

For a guy who prides himself on character evaluation, Blank can take the total blame for this debacle. Vick, Patrino, and a whole host of players who just don’t care have confirmed that this is the worst franchise in all of pro sports.

What a bunch of losers!

By DawgNCalifornia

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

Was there anything more awkward than Bobby Betrayno demoralize himself by doing that insipid Sooey Hogcall? I must admit, I got a kick out of watching him humiliate himself that way. I don’t think he’ll be there more than 3 years. If he loses there, they’ll get tired of him and fire him and if he wins, he’ll leave for a more prestigious program with more resources and money.

By dan anders

December 13, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

What would have been the point of Petrino staying for three more ugly games with a team he had clearly lost the respect of? Leaving the way he did, Petrino actually did Blank a favor. Not only does Blank save millions in salary, but more importantly, Petrino striped away the illusion that this team is headed in the ‘right direction’. If anyone needs a kick in the rear here, it is Arthur Blank. Followed, hopefully, by Rich McKay getting kicked out the door.

By Mike Tyson

December 13, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

The Free Mike Vick t-shirt spoke volumes about the character of the team.

By alw

December 13, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

I want everyone to pay close attention to the posters who continuously use the word THUG in their rants about the falcons or any athletes. Thug is the new N word. They really want to say the N word, and would like to refer to the players using the N word, but can skate around it by using the word thug instead.

I seriously doubt if any of these people have ever referred to a white person as a thug.

Just an observation on the closet bigots we have posting.

By Brock

December 13, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

FREEMAN, It’s hard to have someone’s back when that person is sticking a knife in yours.

By Anonomous

December 13, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I have inside infromation that this was all a distraction. That’s right. Blank, already aware and knowing of the problems arising with Con-Vick, has McKay to fire Mora and hire then Patrino, Con-Vick gets sentenced, then imediately after, McKay and Blank convince Patrino to leaves abrubtly in order to take the stink off VIck, then after spending 23 months learning how to read and enunciate his words properly under close tutaledge, Vick gets out and then gets yet another chance with the Falcons to prove what a real loser he is.

By Harrison

December 13, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Ultimately me being a caucasian male , i feel that we judged people unlike ourselves unfairly. This whole situation shows that. Yeah Michael Vick did wrong, made a mistake and what not but we are always quick to crucify black people in all walks of life when mistakes are made but defend ourselves or justify what other whites as doing as ok. The coach quit, had a player said you know what ..I’m done and was black…he would be roasted, wanted to be hung, etc..etc..it’s as if black people that make it financially owe you something…but they don’t. It’s like its jealousy for black athletes from white people..because they don’t have to live check to check like you do…sitting at a computer spewing racist remarks..get over it..people make mistakes (BILL CLINTON)..people quit (BOBBY PETRINO)..people lie (GEORGE BUSH)..people steal (CORPORATE CEO’s), etc…

By Diogenes

December 13, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

But Lynn, the fact remains, Me-Angelo and All-Me ARE spoiled, whiny thugs. People may have various motivations for describing them thusly, but that doesn’t change the fact that it IS a fact. Any incoming coach worth anything will realize this, and jettison them ASAP.

By O. Verit

December 13, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

To everyone who’s ever trotted out the “well, when you’re at rock bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up” cliche…do you actually believe that? First, I don’t even think this club has hit rock bottom (but you can certainly see it from here). Second, rock bottom is a very hospitable neighborhood…it’s always ready to have you come in and stay a good, long while. I don’t know who would be crazy or desperate enough to throw their hat into the ring to be the next Falcon’s HC, but forget about Cowher, Parcells, etc…it’s a seller’s market and they will be asking for the world, not to mention a level of control that will make His Blankness have a coronary. Singletary is a good possibility seeing as how he interviewed for the job once. I like Schottenheimer…never mind his playoff record, if he can even get this team into the playoffs as a wild card they’ll rename Peachtree Street in his honor. Finally, to the last few “Free MV7” clowns out there: he’s not a political prisoner, you know. It’s not like he’s Nelson Mandela (NM7?). He pleaded guilty and then did everything he could to ensure he would do time, including being an uncooperative lying pothead. Let it go already!

By Diogenes

December 13, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Uh, no, alw — the use of the word “thug” is not a reference to someone’s ethnicity, but rather a direct reference to that person’s character (or lack thereof). Gee, that’s what we understood we were supposed to do all these years — judge a person by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin. What, have the rules changed yet AGAIN? Please keep us posted.

By Mike Tyson

December 13, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

ALC- Sorry. I checked a thesaurus, we should use these words instead: bully, criminal, delinquent, gang member, gangster, gunman, hood, hooligan, killer, mobster, punk, troublemaker.

By shane

December 13, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

To alw - you are an idiot.

but since you insist on showing your idiocy to us, what other words can white people suddenly not say? Please, enlighten us so we can continue to try to placate you.

Funny thing is, no matter what anyone (but especially white folks, right?) says, as long as it is disparaging and is directed at someone who is African-American (black? I’m sorry, I don’t know the proper nomenclature anymore, again, enlighten me) they are going to accuse you of being racist (at least in the south they will). black folks down here are the easiest group of people to offend. Problems of race arise more often because of the thickness of one’s skin as opposed to the color. go and marinade on that one for a bit.

and please, what words are off limits for us OTHER folks again?

idiot.

By Diogenes

December 13, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

And you know what? I don’t think Petrino was a “thug” — he was law abiding (as far as I know), worked hard (even if he didn’t accomplish jack-you know what in Atlanta), and appears to actually be a father to his kids.

That being said, he is a lying, dishonest, quitting, unprincipled, loser, insipid JERK, who deserves nothing but our scorn and contempt. Everything he has done in his career screams “JERK.”

But then, I don’t mean that word (“jerk”) as code for some derogatory term about white people in general, ya know … .

By Dawg4Life

December 13, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

If anyone out there would like to read something humorous, go to this link: [text to be linked}(http://nwanews.com/blogs/slophouse/2007/12/12/blockbuster-hire/#comments)<