AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > December > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEnd Falcons’ cursed season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Tampa — For the good of the league and all who watch it, Roger Goodell needs to act. The commissioner needs to stop the Falcons before they play again.
This is the NFL, where on any given Sunday any team is supposed to be capable of winning. The Falcons can’t even come close. On any given Sunday — and there are, pending league intervention, two games remaining — the Falcons can only heap further indignity on themselves.
First this season went bad. Then it got embarrassing. Now it’s just plain sad.
The Falcons lost to Tampa Bay 37-3 here Sunday. They managed five first downs. Their latest quarterback, the overmatched Chris Redman, had a passer rating of 1.2 in the first quarter, and it went down thereafter. (At game’s end, his rating was 0.0.) The Bucs had returned 1,864 kickoffs in their 32-season history without scoring a touchdown but, sure enough, Micheal Spurlock took one the distance in the first quarter.
“Guys were having fun [post-Petrino], and that’s something that’s been missing from our ballclub,” said DeAngelo Hall, who made a nifty interception but also committed another really silly personal foul. “But obviously that wasn’t the answer, either.”
There’s no answer for what has befallen the Falcons. No team has had a season begin with its best player going to court and wind down with its coach bolting for Arkansas. No team has ever had more reason to abrogate professional responsibility. No team has ever been more deserving of a mercy stoppage.
This was Arthur Blank, delivering a message he apparently felt was so essential that he called a reporter 10 minutes after the two spoke in the hallway: “I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for us. We’ll get back on track, and we’ll be fine.”
In that hallway conversation, Blank was asked where his franchise goes from here. “We’re going forward,” he said. “What else can we do?”
Sell the team, it was suggested.
“That’s not leadership,” Blank said.
“That’s quitting,” said his wife, interjecting an unsubtle dig at you-know-who.
“Leadership is going forward,” Blank said.
You’ll pardon the Falcons if they feel this season has been nothing less than a re- treat on roller skates. They’re professionals, yes, but they’re also human beings, and in the span of six days they saw their best player sentenced to 23 months in prison and their head coach quit to go call some Hogs and, almost as an afterthought, they lost two games by an aggregate 54 points. (And on Sunday they doubtless heard the ESPN report that Bill Cowher wants no part of coaching them.) What prepares even a rock-ribbed pro to handle all that?
Said Keith Brooking: “Obviously, this is unprecedented.”
Someone asked Brooking if, assuming he lives to a ripe old age, he’ll someday be able to look back on 2007 and laugh. Cocking an eyebrow, he said: “I’ll never be able to find that spin on this year.”
The defense actually played pretty well Sunday, but that effort was always fated to fail. Redman threw an interception that Ronde Barber took for a touchdown one minute in, and that was that. The offense didn’t covert a third down and lost the ball four times inside its 30-yard line.
“We came out with a lot of passion and hope,” said Emmitt Thomas, the stoic interim coach, and for all that the Falcons lost by 34 points. Imagine what might happen next Sunday, when they meet the Cardinals three time zones from home, or the next, when the Seahawks and Patrick Kerney (and yes, Jim Mora) come to what will be a half-filled dome.
“Pray for us as a staff,” Thomas said, “to get these guys to play like professionals.”
This wretched season, sorry to say, seems beyond even the power of prayer. A season like this calls for Goodell to announce today that, for the greater good of both the NFL and the Falcons, they’ll be granted a bye these next two weeks. Nothing good can come from them showing up to play. Nothing good can happen until this season comes to its bitter and blessed end.
Permalink | Comments (336) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
Comments
By OpinionsAreLike
December 16, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this
It is possible for something else go wrong, the Falcons have two weeks to do it. I’m sure they will.
By Shawn
December 16, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
First, Coach Cowher stated he had no intentions of coaching in 2008 but of course you slant this as him saying he wants no part of the Falcons. Second, implying the Falcons should just pack it up is no better than the route Petrino took. The Falcons have had a horrible season no doubt but hopefully they will bring in a good coach this time, have a top 5 draft pick, and if they can recover some Vick bonus money will be a major player in free agency.
By Westcoaster
December 16, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Mark, I generally enjoy your columns. You are typically very insightful. However, I’m not sure what you or anyone else was expecting from this team today. I expected a decisive loss —- and that’s what we got. You act like this is news. I suggest you find another topic to write about and leave the Falcons alone. It will take a few years, but they’ll get things worked out. Let it go.
By michaelgee
December 16, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
As a Falcon fan since 1966 we are still waiting, the real falcon Fans will remain here. It is time for a GM change, after that, the new regime must make the right calls.
This time we need to get it right.
At least we have a dedicated owner.
By Rod
December 16, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Dan Reeves should be on the falcons sideline next week with total control.
By Showtime
December 16, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
The Falcons are who we thought they were. They are who we thought they were. We saw them play all season and play like it’s bulls@@t, BULLS@@T! The Falcons are who we thought they were! And that why they took the field! If you wanna crown ‘em, then crown their @ss! But they are who we thought they were! Don’t let ‘em off the hook!
By billy g
December 16, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
I remember the season we went 3-13 and Croudip and Norwood died in separate car accidents. That was the worst season in Falcon history.
Everything that has happened this season is a temporary setback. Not life or death. Let us all collectively get a grip and forge forward. This is a rudderless ship. But, we will get a new rudder and the journey will continue.
Ask the commish for a break? I realize that you are joking. The problem is that the joke reveals your true nature. If you are inclined to quit, then step aside. This country ain’t about that.
This is the moment to act like a true American. Look to the early settlers of this country and draw courage. Stop behaving like losers.
In short: grow a pair.
By Bert Lawson
December 16, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
You need to stop blameing the Coach, who by the way made a great choice for him, and start to get rid of the Virginia Tech scum that play for the Falcons.
By Orra
December 16, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Huh, I was just sure that Harrington was the cause of all our troubles. Wait, there’s got to be some way to blame him.
By Cruzin
December 16, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
This comment is left intentionally blank. Just like the way the Falcons play….
By GW
December 16, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
Meanwhile the winless Dolphins found a way to win a game. The Falcons need to at least find a way to keep these last two close.
By bob from winder
December 16, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
BRADLEY NEEDS TO GIVE IT A BREAK..ITS ONLY FOOTBALL.. the falcons still do not have the worst record in the nfl with all that has happened, whats there exscuse? bradley is a full time hater with nothing else to do but state the obvious.
By Bk Hawk
December 16, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Another great job mark. Fire McKay tonight! Hire Dan Reeves as GM and Clean House. Put H (THUG) Hall on the road. I will never ever pay to watch a team with Hall on it,again. The whole team quit before the season started and it was not all Petrino fault.Vick and McKay sce#%@ this team. Time to start over Mr. Blank, with new GM and TOP COACH. If you let Mckay stay, its over before you start.
By lee
December 16, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Arthur Black is not a FOOTBALL man. He is a team owner. Mr McKay is a GM. Arthur needs to become invisable and let McKay take over. Marty Schottenheimer could be a candidate. But I’m sure the players will choose who they want as the next coach. He certainly will not be a man with any discipline, and the Falcons will continue the same old thing. Losers. We need a professional coach and a professional brand of football. The NFL product takes work and dedication, not what we are seeing. I think folks are tired of dropped balls, no blocking and guys who don’t respect their coach. Champion teams are alot differant from what we see.
By AL
December 16, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Once again “Me Hall” makes stupid mistakes. The good plays he makes never make up for all of the bad. Get him off of the team.
By Shaad
December 16, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Lawson, If you think they should get rid of D-Hall and the rest of the VT players then they mind as well get rid of the whole team, D-Hall played the best out of everyone. Lets face it man the FALCONS are who we thought they were! This joke of a football team barely could win with Vick(the best player ever) occasionally They dang sure not about to win without him! So just tell to start over cause when Vick get back he gon stomp who ever they put on the field.
By B
December 16, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Bob- Mark is not the Hatter. That’s T. Moore and Jeff S.
By who you gonna blame now
December 16, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
The players, lead by thug DeAngelo Hall, quit on Petrino around game 3. Petrino did the smart thing, pack up and leave. But the local media and the thug fans all back their thug players. You thug fans even think Vick is still innocent and deserves more chances. This has nothing to do with skin color. There are upstanding players on the Patriots and Colts who are of many colors. The Falcons and Bengals are filled with thugs and look where they are. At the bottom. Thugs never win and never will. Blank needs to cut Hall for his on-the-field actions yet again. You thug fans will then praise Hall. Get a life losers.
By Ross
December 16, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
They don’t need a coach. They need W.T. Sherman to burn the Dome to the ground so they can start over.
Personally, I think it’s the uniforms. You can’t play football looking like a gay pride parade. Go back to the basics.
Oh, is there some way to cause D-Hall to go somewhere else? I get so sick of seeing him pout and whine like a 2-year old.
-drl
By BUM
December 16, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
If you want to know why a team is on the BOTTOM, take a long hard look at the TOP.
Arthur Blank = LOSER. CLOWN. MORON.
THE FALCONS ARE THE WORST FRANCHISE IN THE NFL FOR ONE REASON, AND ONE REASON ONLY: ARTHUR BLANK.
ROCK BOTTOM = ARTHUR BLANK
By Bk Hawk
December 16, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Let McKay take over…are you crazy? He has hired 2 coaches Mora and Petrino and you want him to take over….@#$%… get a life Lee. McKays a Joke.
By Old Falcon Fan
December 16, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Get rid of the troublemakers—-we all know who fits this bill—-I must mention HALL—-Hire the best coach available—-bring back Dan Reeves as GM (if he will come)—-and prepare to be patient—-this is gonna take a long time Falcon fans.
By Shaad
December 16, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
I hate to say it man but I love what has happened to this team due to the Mike Vick situation. This organization through Mike under the bus when he needed someone in his corner but they acted like he was known for going to jail. I’m not saying they could have got him out of jail but if you really care for someone and appreciated what they did for you throwing him under the bus is not the answer give the man some moral support we convicted murders running the street and we bashing this dude like he the worst criminal ever.
By JIMMY MORA
December 16, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
HOMECOMING!
Hey, Atlanta. I’ll be back in town in less than TWO WEEKS for my homecoming game against my former employer.
So, how’s it going since you fired me? Have things improved? Are you better off?
I’m looking forward to MY return to the Georgia Dome. Are you?
See Yah in two weeks, LOSERS!!!!
JIMMY MORA
By JSS
December 16, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Loving it!!!
Never has a city or its populution deserved the fate that has befallen it as the ATL!
Whether it be the Braves, Falcons, Thrashers, or Hawks, one thing has run through it all, UNGRATEFUL and vengeful fans…
Oh for all of you crying for Dan Reeves, it was that man who got us into this mess with poor picks and personnel decision before McKay even saw Flowery “Polluted” Branch, no thank you to bringing back Chan Gailey the Elder!
You people have bad dunka!!! Look it up!!!
And Jeff Schultz still sucks!!!
By Brent
December 16, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
It is infathomable just how bad this team has become in such a short period of time.
And it’s all because Rich McKay has proven to be woefully inept at putting together a team with any degree of depth; this team hasn’t changed a lick since Dan Reeves (forgive us, Coach…we knew not what we did) was here: As Michael Vick goes, so go the Falcons.
By Larry
December 16, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Bill Cowher coach the Falcons?
Is this a joke?
There is NO WAY anyone with integrity, class, dignity or self respect EVER coaches this franchise.
The Falcons are a JOKE.
No one would want to be associated with these clowns.
EVER.
Call Chan Gailey or Dave Campo. They’ll take the job.
But Cowher? Parcells? Johnson?
NOT IN A MILLION YEARS would these guys get involved with a joke franchise and LOSER owner like Arthur Blank.
Not going to happen.
EVER.
By FalconManiac
December 16, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
The falcons need to keep after Cowher—-for $10 million per year, he will take the job. Blank’s a billionaire and can easily afford to pay big money to hire the best coach available: Bill Cowher. But, the falcons screw up everything and will hire another loser coach, like always.
By Dylan
December 16, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
* Mark whats your thoughts on Marty Schottenheimer as Falcons Coach? What about McKay, is it time for him to go?*
By Hank McCoy
December 16, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Good thing we are moving forward after Pig Sooey and getting back to falcons football…oops
By scooter
December 16, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Sell this team as quick as possible.find someone who will build in the suburbs and have some real outdoor football.We are in the south.
By popcornular
December 16, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Now the whole world really knows what an ignorant city Atlanta is. Was money from cotton worth this??
By Tyrone
December 16, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
This is all due to the racist treatment of Michael Vick, who didn’t deserve to go to prison for fighting a few dogs, since white players get off with a slap on the wrist for much worse. The whole system is designed to keep the black man down, like the old plantations. Arthur Blank should pull some strings to get Mike out of prison and beg him to come back to make the Falcons winners again. Without Vick, this team will go downhill fast.
By george
December 16, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Shaad, what the hell are you talking about? The Falcons threw Michael Vick under the bus. Are you kidding me? If the truth be known, Arthur Blank has probably bailed Michael Vick out of more trouble than we know about, including the water bottle incident in Miami. Ever wonder why a bottle that smelled like marijuana to trained law enforcement officials turned out not to be marijuana residue? Money talks, and I wouldn’t bet against money talking in that situation. Arthur Blank did everything possible for Michael Vick…paid him far more than he was truly worth as a quarterback and treated him like family. What did he get in return? Seems like Michael flat out lied to the man, along with the NFL commissioner. Then when the heat was on, and his fellow thugs rolled over on him, he copped a guilty plea. Even then he didn’t come clean, and lied to the judge, not to mention smoking another joint or two while pending sentencing. Any wonder the judge had no sympathy for him? Those actions alone bought him another 6 months in the big house. No, Arthur Blank and the Falcons, did not throw Michael Vick under the bus. Michael Vick showed everyone he didn’t give a damn about anyone but himself by becoming involved in criminal activity. In the long run, the Falcons will be much better off without his type.
By JR
December 16, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Shadd, Please buy a dictionary and learn to use it. Your post was hurtful to read!
By george
December 16, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Tyrone, “the man” made Michael Vick break the law and end up where he belongs. Actually, the man (Arthur Blank), paid Michael Vick $130 million dollars and trusted him too much. But, I don’t think you will see him compounding that mistake by begging Michael Vick to do anything, except maybe to stay out of Atlanta.
By Boo Boo
December 16, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
A bye?!?! Let them forfeit the last two. I’m sure the Player’s Union will support the idea. No since in risking any injury to some dues paying millionaires (many of whom made guaranteed millions before ever playing a down professionally). Let them stay home in their mansions for the holidays. When’s the next strike? Maybe the Falcon’s Scab Football team from the 80’s can they be recalled to play out the last two games? If so, they can let Redman play with them, since it will be his last games as a “professional” football player. He’ll love the memories.
By Mark Bradley
December 16, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
To Dylan: My thoughts on McKay, as semi-articulated in Saturday’s paper, are that he should stay as president but cede GM duties to someone better able to pick personnel. Whether that’s also the new coach depends on the new coach: You might trust Bill Cowher to pick players — moot point now, I know — but you wouldn’t give the franchise keys to a career assistant who’d just gotten his first head coaching position. As for Schottenheimer: I think he’d be a solid choice but not an inspired one. He has proved he can get teams to the playoffs; he has also proved he can’t get one to the Super Bowl.
By ab
December 16, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Tyrone, you are a moron
By Gene
December 16, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
This team could not possibly be as bad as they are playing. An expansion team would show more talent. Whatever else happens, I really hope that Hall goes away.
By Gene p.s.
December 16, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Footnote to George: Vick’s “water bottle” not only smelled like dope, the entire bottle mysteriously vanished from the evidence room.
By kris in alpharetta
December 16, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it, the Falcons have always been a basement team. There has been one lost Super Bowl 9 years ago, and a lost NFC championship game 3 years ago. Michael Vick brought something to the Falcons that they had not enjoyed previously: Validity. No one actually believed the Falcons would go all the way in ‘99 but they did. Reason being, the Falcons legacy had been one of failure and loss and the saga continues. I think the high profile nature of some of the players has given fans the delusional impression the Falcons are somehow an elite team and that losing is foreign to this city. The Falcons can draft, re-draft, change colors, coaches, quarterbacks, socks, MARTA buses, or play musical chairs but nothing will change. What may help is getting rid of Mckay whose only in it for a paycheck. Otherwise, the Falcons are not the Patriots, Cowboys, Packers, 49ers, orSteelers. To sum it up, losing is part of the Falcons reality. Get used to it. The players certainly have. Business as usual.
By Get the Picture
December 16, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Not sure I have ever heard of a coach asking fans to literally pray the players play better.
I do like Blank’s attitude. He certainly seems to badly want to win, but he has not done a good job of making it happen. Books should be written about the management mistakes that have been made.
By Jock Ewing
December 16, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Anybody with half a brain knows Blank paid off the water bottle situation to protect his boy. Problem is, his boy didnt appreciate it and lied to him about the dogs.
Vick is one stupid MF. He could have been the first to plead guilty and would have been out of jail by early 2008. He is getting what he deserves and so is Arthur for firing the Dan Reeves who commands respect in this league.
Sell the team Arthur or move it to LA. I am done and so is about 50% of your season ticket holder fanbase. You rode Bernie Marcus’ coattails and are nothing as an NFL owner.
By flafalcon
December 16, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
MIKE SINGLETARY
By flafalcon
December 16, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
MIKE SINGLETARY
By flafalcon
December 16, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
I’M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN MIKE SINGLETARY
By flafalcon
December 16, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
I’M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN MIKE SINGLETARY
By What Else To Say?
December 16, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
I’m not gonna be negative. This team makes it HARD for you to like them not to mention love. There is a lot of frustration on real Falcons fans heart and soul. This city is just so hateful. This team gives you a lot of bad things to say about it. But what has this team done for fans to be royal towards it? Everyone wants to “play” GM and hide behind his computer.
If I was Mr. Blank, I would uproot this whole franchise and move to a city that would actually CARE about having a NFL team.
Ask yourself, honestly, would you care or be upset if the Falcons were not HERE anymore? NOBODY CARES about sports in this town. Why should we? What do we have? The Braves used to matter, but they could only win it once.
I said I wasn’t going to be negative, but, WELCOME TO LOSERSVILLE, USA!
By flafalcon
December 16, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
AND AGAIN……. MIKE SINGLETARY
By Bucs Fan
December 17, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
Take it from a Bucs fan - getting rid of Rich McKay isn’t going to help the situation. They do need to put him back in the front office handling the league matters. Rich is NOT a good judge of football talent, period. People praised his great drafts in Tampa, but he had Jerry Angelo and others doing the work while he took the credit. He had VERY little serious input.
A huge problem in perception the Falcons have outside Atlanta is that Blank is a control freak who won’t stay out of the football operation. If you want to get a coach at the level of Cowher, he’s going to have to back off and let the man run the show. I don’t see it happening.
And Falcons folks, again - stop letting McKay make personnel (players and coaches) decisions - he’s killing your franchise with his mistakes.
By flafalcon
December 17, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
DID I SAY …MIKE SINGLETARY
By jeff
December 17, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
First, get rid of Deangelo Hall..anyone that disrespects their coach should be treated like anyone else here…You get FIRED….
By Splinter
December 17, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Amen, the decisions made the last few years could be used in business school as primo ejemplos in how NOT to manage an organization. I’m just glad I’m not a season ticket holder to this whoa-pig sew-ee slop…
By BRING BACK REEVES
December 17, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Hey jss you say it was Reeves that got us into this mess? He drafted Brooking, kearney, Vick who you and everyone else thinks is still the face of the franchise..it was the other coaches that drafted our two sure handed receivers and the thug of the NFL DIRT BAG HALL, SO YOU WERE SAYING WHAT? He’s been the best we have had
By tj
December 17, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
It’s no wonder Redman had good things to say about Pigtrino, he gave him a job. Anybody even capable of playing that bad should thank the person who gave him a job. If Joey had ever played that bad his locker would have been cleaned out before the game was over. I know Joey is not the QB of the future, but this team actually was competitve most of the time until they started jerking him around and it’s been all downhill since. And now they say Redman will continue to start. Talk about rock bottom.
By Racebaiter
December 17, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this
Shaad’s what’s wrong with the black race. They always have an excuse for criminal behavior. And they’d rather look good to their homies and lose than look bad to their homies and win.
By Robert S
December 17, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
Dateline: April 15, 2008.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s search for a new head coach has narrowed considerably in the last two weeks. After months of being rebuffed by such notable coaching talent like Bill Cowher (who mistakenly believed Arthur Blank was prank calling him when he was actually serious), Marty Schottenheimer (“Playoffs? Playoffs? What’s that?”) and Mike Singletary (quoted as saying “You gotta be outta yo mind, brotha!”), the Falcons have narrowed it down to three choices - Jerry Glanville, Dan Reeves, and local garbage collector Hugh “Big” Bottomley, with Bottomley seemingly getting the most consideration since he knows what stinks worst and wishes to keep, in his words, “That Falcons tradition”………
By Think about it
December 17, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
Why aren’t any white players on the team labeled “Thugs”. It seems like “Thug” is used as the new N-word.
By GeorgiaYankeesFan
December 17, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Will Blank ever tire seeing D-Hall embarrass his team? I’m glad the team lost yesterday 1. it gets us closer to a great draft choice and 2. it exposes McKay as a terrible GM. Sunday’s game reminds me of when the really strict teacher is out sick and the students take advantage of the substitute. The only problem here is that the Falcons are supposed to be professionals. One can only hope and pray that Blank puts in a football expert and leaves the personnel decisions to him. Blank can meddle with the team’s marketing, etc. Mr. Blank you are many things but Jerry Jones you are not, you do not have adequate football knowledge, get somebody in here who does and let them do their work. Look at Kraft in New England. PS If Cowher were interested in coaching the Falcons and was tossed enough $$$ and given enough control of the personnel, he would set up shop down here. The fact of the matter is that there are about 10 other NFL destinations he would rather go to. Cowher going to a place where he has 100% control.
By Killer
December 17, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
Shadd, Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt!
By Killer
December 17, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
Tyrone…..What an idiotic statement! The Falcons can attribute much of this season’s mess to Michael Vick! Would you not agee? Please go get educated in areas of rational thought! Geez!
By Killer
December 17, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
Tyrone…..What an idiotic statement! The Falcons can attribute much of this season’s mess to Michael Vick! Would you not agree? Please go get educated in areas that might lead to rational thought! Geez!
By Jon Gruden
December 17, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this
I agree that Bobby Patrino is a POS, but Big Arthur Blank deserves what is happening to the Falcons. If I remember correctly, just a few years ago he told the Tampa Bay Bucs they need to act professional and let Rich McKay go ahead and leave the team before the season was over in 2003. So he should have no problem with what Bobby Patrino did. It seams to me if situations are good for him he’s all about it but at the same time if it hurts another team for him to gain he has no problem doing what’s wrong. Or is he a man only for himself? What a classless piece of garbage. Thank God he is getting what he deserves. And watching the Bucs b*$#h slap the Falcons today was so much fun to watch. You reap what you so Arthur!
By Still a True Fan
December 17, 2007 2:21 AM | Link to this
Bill Cowher made a promise to his family. He’s keeping the promise. How is that a poor reflection upon the Atlanta Falcons?
This city has had two owners willing to spend what it takes to win. Arthur Blank and Ted Turner, how’d the first TEN years of Turner’s ownership turn out?
McKay was the consensus top GM candidate for the Falcons. Has he worked out? No, turns out Ruskell was the guy. Blank will get it turned around and hopefully all of you racists, buffoons, defenders of criminals and these blogs will be a bad, distant memory.
The Atlanta sports fan? Give me a break.
By they stink
December 17, 2007 2:26 AM | Link to this
well i see it wasnt the coach today it was the team theylook like the cant vene match up to the competition like their a replacement team their the worst team next to the dolphins and ravens they need to get something together because next season might look just like this one if we let mckay do another stupid draft and f@ck everything up
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 17, 2007 3:52 AM | Link to this
The worst part about this whole thing is that there are actually people wishing that the Falcons didn’t fire Jim Mora. Yeah, the Petrino experiment was a failure. But let’s not forget what a horrible game day coach Jim Mora really was. Let’s not forget how idiotic the play calling was on a weekly basis. Let’s not forget his complete inability to answer even the most basic football related questions in his press conferences without spewing nonsense cliches. Let’s not forget that his refusal to fire Greg Knapp and Ed Donatell not only kept this team out of the playoffs the last two seasons but significantly sidetracked Michael Vick’s career (before Vick finished the job himself).
Just because Rich McKay made a stupid hire in Petrino doesn’t make the decision to fire Mora a bad one. Similarly, just because McKay made a stupid decision to hire Mora doesn’t make the decision to fire Dan Reeves a bad one. If McKay had hired someone like Lovie Smith instead of Mora, who knows, maybe this team wouldn’t have underachieved so badly in 2005 and 2006. If McKay had hired someone like Mike Tomlin or Ken Whisenhunt instead of Petrino, who knows, maybe this team would have handled this season’s adversity better.
If there’s one good thing about Vick’s off field problems, it has exposed the fact that this team was really, truly, completely horrible with the exception of #7. It has exposed what a poor job Mora and McKay did acquiring and developing players. Hopefully now that this has been exposed, McKay will be replaced with someone who knows what he’s doing.
By ahmed
December 17, 2007 3:56 AM | Link to this
i think michael vick shouldn’t have been fighting those dogs. peyton manning doesn’t do that. tom brady doesn’t do that. we need more white people on the team.
By Falcons R Horrible
December 17, 2007 4:15 AM | Link to this
Just think, if the Dolphins win two games and we lose the next two—-duh——we will be tied with the worst team in the NFL.—-record wise that is. We already hold a lot of the worst categories on offense. Way to go Birds for another enjoyable season to remember———-oh sorry excuses, excuses blaa blaa
By CRIPVET
December 17, 2007 4:28 AM | Link to this
Greetings from the West coast! I do so get a kick out of reading some of the posts that appear here, borderline(?) racist rants, moronic rants in defense of the the un-defensible (Mike Vick) and BTW as a Black man i find the whole dog fighting thing mystifying and utterly disgusting, never even heard of it and i have been around and i’m over 50. Yes indeed, your team is on the critical list, look forward to next year and stop it already with the MV7 shirts, you do look VERY idiotic to the rest of the country and as for the racists, just like the song say’s: “land of cotton ol times there AIN’T forgotten”.
By PoliticalMan
December 17, 2007 5:29 AM | Link to this
During the MV era, the Falcons seemed to be unconcerned with character. It burned them. There are some in the same mold on the team now - can you say #21. Get rid of them.
Get a QB and a coach and march forward.
By Birdfan
December 17, 2007 5:30 AM | Link to this
Tyrone, If they made hats to fit brains, you would wear a peanut hull.
By Bill B
December 17, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this
Up until yesterday, I had no sympathy for the Falcons. Today, I have a little. Blank needs to look for a coach and players with “character.” Vick had none and we see now that Petrino was missing that quality. Of course, I question how much character Blank has. He lied to the public when he actually said he did not know what the “real” Vick was like. If he didn’t know, he should have. Real character will overcomew many shortcomings. We are in this sorry situation because there in not enough of it in key areas of the team.
By Shaldon O.
December 17, 2007 5:43 AM | Link to this
Greetings to my Atlantan natives. We have been here in this position for over what 30 something years. One day the sun will shine on us brightly. I am a native Atlantan. My father made watch the Falcons growing up. And I will continue to watch them. So Arthur Blank please don’t sell. We need the FALCONS!
By Russ
December 17, 2007 5:53 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you sound just like the guy you so heavily endorsed as being the savior of this franchise just weeks before he bolted for arkansas,It’s funny how without a Mike Vick on the roster everybody wants to give up and quit,even the local media.
By Chris
December 17, 2007 6:09 AM | Link to this
Let’s see….. Defense played fairly well, however, lack of professionalism by a few players cost them. Bench them. Offensive line apparently has a difficult time blocking,and picking up defensive stunts, time to coach them. Receivers drop passes more times than they catch them, at least 500 catches per day. The QB makes a poor pass early on, more time reading defenses and film. Special teams had a difficult time staying in their lanes and fulfilling their responsibilities,giving up a touchdown, film room and practice again. These athletes make my salary in one game. Do your job. I am encouraged by Mr. Thomas. It will take time to stop the bleeding.
By Elainer
December 17, 2007 6:19 AM | Link to this
So, the Falcon players are telling us that without Vick, none of them are capable of playing football? Its very sad when a team depends solely on one player to win games. Clean house Arthur. You have more trouble makers than you have players.
By Singletary
December 17, 2007 6:23 AM | Link to this
FlaFalcon is right: Mike Singletary is a proven leader. He’d take this job and forge a new identity. I’d hoped for his selection last time. Now, I think it is even more critical.
Imagaine the kudos for (finally) hiring someone qualified who wanted the job and who didn’t come in to try to force the WC offense on a team. (Admittedly now, I think there is a complete blank slate.)
Acknowledge the fact that Mike Singletary came up through the defensive ranks and hire a power Off Coordinator. These HC’s who call plays are suspect. Have the OC call the plays, but have the HC on the mike to organize clock management. Those are both big jobs that should be done by separate people.
Finally, don’t wait until the draft. Make moves now. DHall is a top 3 cornerback, but if Mike Singletary doesn’t want him, trade him to Cleveland for Quinn or Anderson. Then, you have from February to set up a play book instead of later than April to try to sign your new #1 pick!!!!
Timeline: January: Mike Singletary named coach.
February: Mike Singletary executes brilliant trade: DHall & a 2009 2nd round pick for Brady Quinn.
Don’t wake me up. This could really happen.
By ET
December 17, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this
Cecil Flowe announced he is also not interested in the Falcons’ job.
By Falcons Stink!
December 17, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this
Oh, you misguided and ill-informed. The mark of Cain is upon you! You moron Falcon fans keep blaming McKay for hiring Petrino and Mora. You numbskulls keep forgetting that Blank wanted Mora after his meeting with him. As for Petrino, I’m sure Blank had a major influence on that decision as well. You morons and thugs are some of the worst fans and people I’ve ever had the displeasure to hear voice an opinion. Thug-Hall needs to go! Oh yes and your next coach will be black, not a racist thing, a fact, because Blank needs to fill seats and he knows that will sell tickets. Thats why Leftwich is on this team, to sell tickets not win! He could care less if your team of losers and thugs wins at anything. It’s about the money! Please Sir Arthur, may I have another? If you Morons continue to buy tickets you’ll get what you deserve! an to all who would call me racist, look in the mirror to see a real racist!
By Dumbing Down
December 17, 2007 6:39 AM | Link to this
Coach now “Franchise Killer” Vick’s legacy lives! The Falcon players sure showed Petrino a thing or two against the Bucs! Petrino did the right thing, although he could have handled it better. Cowher says no, and who can blame him. You are an idiot to be with this “snake bitten” franchise!
Keeping “MeAngelo” Hall on the roster is insane.
“Too slow” Brooking is another waste of money.
McKay and Blank.. Laurel and Hardy of the NFL?
By DR
December 17, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this
Few here go on like Bill Cowher won 4 super bowls or something. Folks, he only won one and retired. If he doesn’t want to coach, so be it. Throwing money at him and busting the salary cap is not the way to go for building this team.
Get Dan Reeves or Marty they have the experience and leadership qualities to fix this mess. Joe Gibbs went back to coach the Redskins so why not bringing reeves back. Neither one may not be the long term (10+ year) solution Mr. Blank is looking for but that goal seems way low on the list compared to immediate needs. Immediate needs would be:
Get some pride as a team Get the players motivated to play Get a coach players can respect and respect players
and finally:
Do not and I mean do not put all your eggs in one basket (bad experiment). We don’t need go out franchise players and pay them 1/3 of the salary cap instead, create an environment where players can become franchise players. High payed franchise players generally seem to work out, let us go get players with heart and soul who want to play hard and have something to prove to themselves and the foot ball world.
Brady was not super star with Patriots when he started. Rothleisberger was not a super star when he started with Steelers and nether was Favre.
This crap about media manipulating super star players and coaches is nothing but crap!
By David Lee
December 17, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
Falcons - The WORST team in the history of Sport
By jc_dawg
December 17, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this
1st step….
hire 1 of the following 4 people.
1)Bill Cowher
2)Marty Shottenheimer
3)Dan Reeves
4) Mike Singletary
Step 2….
Mckay needs to be replaced.
Step 3….
1st round of draft…at qb get Matt Ryan from BC. Brohm is not too bad either.
Step 4….
Load up with as much OL talent as you can. The Falcons are so weak at that position. Its so bad that the game is over before it starts! For the love of God…please focus on this position!
There is only 1 direction for this team now…and that is up.
By Steve
December 17, 2007 6:57 AM | Link to this
The Falcons should first get rid of thugs like D Hall. Just another leftover from the Vick era that is now gone. Wipe the slate clean and start over.
By Sloan
December 17, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
Enough already about how the Falcons lost Michael Vick. He’s one player. He didn’t play on the defense. He didn’t block on the offensive line. The Falcons are just plain awful. I don’t blame Petrino for wanting out, but he could have handled it better.
By Glenn
December 17, 2007 7:08 AM | Link to this
Keep focused!!!High draft pick…who cares if they win or lose? When is the last time you even watched?
By jc_dawg
December 17, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this
The year was 1988…I went and saw the Falcons play the LA Rams at Atl fulton county stadium. The final score was 37-0…Rams.
At the time…I was depressed. Why do the Falcons have to be so horrible? Will they ever be good again?
The next morning…I heard the news that David croudip…db for the Falcons…had died of a cocaine overdose. That puts things into perspective.
Just a few years later…the Falcons were a playoff team.
This miserable season shall too pass. Don’t give up.
By Jim
December 17, 2007 7:23 AM | Link to this
WAS PETRINO THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRADING SCHAUB OR WAS MckAY THE CULPRIT ALONE?
I KNOW THE COMPARISON IS A LONG WAY FROM RELEVANT, BUT THE DECISION TO SIMPLY HAVE IN ESSENCE NO BACKUP TO THE PUNK VICK WAS AT LEAST AS STUPID AS HIRING PETRINO ….
By Zerblis
December 17, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this
Bring back the Clampetts!
By RichCobbGuy
December 17, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
How about Marion Campbell?
By WestSider
December 17, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
I love all the typical comments when the Falcons start to play badly…Fire this guy or trade that guy, etc…sell the team, they are losers…blah, blah.
Talk about fair-weather fans! The NFL is lopsided…always has been always will be, but I think that any franchise can turn around in the span of 3-5 years and at least be a contender. Fan support is crucial…but in the ATL unfortunately you have so many fans that will show up the next week after we start losing in the opponents jersey. This is the South…college football is King. NFL is a side-line for all of the transplants, so get used to it. Have fun, support the team, tailgate your butts off, don’t invest too much emotionally, and forget about firing people…that is what got us into this mess in the first place.
By Let's all laugh
December 17, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
**DAN REEVES WAS 0-4 in SUPER BOWL ATTEMPTS. ELWAY WAS 0-3 (or was it 0-2) UNDER REEVES.
IDIOT REEVES IS NOT THE ANSWER.**
By Greg
December 17, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
I don’t know why anyone in his right mind is thinking a high draft pick will somehow turn around this franchise. You mean a high pick like Michael Jenkins, MeAngelo Hall, Roddy White, or Jamal Anderson. Yeah those guys really moved us to the top of the mountain. I’m also convinced now that Rich McKay knows nothing about talent - enev the guy from Tampa Bay who posted earlier said so. Let’s get rid of him at the end of the season and start fresh with a new coach and GM. Also, PLEEAASSE get rid of Meangelo Hall. Did you read his most recent stupid-@$$ comment that the team was having fun without Petrino around. That’s all this idiot cares about is getting his huge paycheck and not being held accountable for anything. We need players who don’t find fun in getting their a*******es stomped by a collective 54 points in 2 games. This guy is a total loser - DEANGELO HALL IS THE NEW FACE OF THE FALCONS !!
By Demetrius
December 17, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
The problem isn’t the players, rather the leadership, or lack there of. A coach that commands repsect from even the most questionable of characters can still win.
As for Atlanta fans, the problem is with all of the yankee trash migrating down here. No one that lives in Atlanta is from here anymore, which creates an atmosphere where everyone is quick to jump on the band wagon and even quicker to jump off. Go back up north where you belong, no one wants you here; your ruining our city.
By yankee
December 17, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
You think this is bad? Try being from Detroit.
By Tommy Maddox
December 17, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this
McKay and D. Hall should be shown the door.
As for a first draft choice - it’s awful when you could draft a top flight quarterback but have no one to protect him. They might need to draft a slew of giants first. There again, what good does it do to have a slew of giants to protect someone who can’t throw the ball?
Oh boy, I’m glad the Falcons brass gets paid the big buck to make these choices.
By pewterpower36
December 17, 2007 7:46 AM | Link to this
McKay is/has done to your team, exactly what he did to The Bucs. Exceeded the cap and made very poor player choices. The sooner he is out the sooner you can start trying to rectify his mistakes and then to rebuild. In our case, it took 5 years. Good Luck!
By cooter
December 17, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this
Hey Falcon fans, drop your Falcon season tickets and replace them with GT season tickets. See an exciting football team next year. Don’t waste your money at loserville.
By reb
December 17, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this
This team has 100% quit playing football on a professional level. They are clearly going through the motions and could care less about their integrity on the field. Professional’s they are not. It’s sad to see such a complete meltdown as we are having endure as their fans?
By change in the redneck media tone
December 17, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
Read this blog page as a player or coach why would you come to this. The redneck fans are hateful and clueless and the sport media in this town is the same or worse. Build this team offense line.
By truth
December 17, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
Character, character, character - Atlanta has none. Vick had none, Hall has less! The receivers collectively are the worst - including block-hands Crumbler. And all they can do after ech pitiful performance is mouth off about the coach. None have any accountability, always blaming everyone else. Dump them all, hire on character, not stats (see m.v.) and see what having a little personal accountability can mean to a team.
By duward
December 17, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
those poor, poor millionaires…hopefully the big millionaire will hire another milionaire to motivate them to work harder for their millions
By bum5Phillips
December 17, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
Fair weather Falcon fans I hope you lose your feathers and don’t come back. Blaming Arthur Blank after 30+ years with the Smith’s, come on…………
By alan from Atlanta GA.
December 17, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
It’s time to get rid of D Hall watching him play yesterday made me sick. He’s a thug, by the way take McKay with him. The Falcons need a new start, when is Blank going to let McKay speak? Does he even know how, after licking Blanks shoes.
By change in the redneck media tone
December 17, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
redneck fan base killing this team. Black player run as fast as you can to get out of here AND uga BLACK PLAYER THEY HATE YOU TOO! Have most of the black player got their dregees at UGA HELL NO!