Sports Columnists

By DevilDog

December 20, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

We just need to get rid of everyone and start over. This ship has sustained too much damage to be able to stay afloat. I don’t see how it could be any worse than what we have now.

By Bob Carle

December 20, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Bad Karma, it can all be chalked up to that alone. When the team chose to ignore what Con Vick was doing ( don’t tell me that they didn’t know about the dog fighting, Vick isn’t that smart), you started people all over the country praying that the Falcons would never run out of ” Bad Luck”, and now everyone can see the result. This will go on for years, so get used to it….

By In-ATL

December 20, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

And the hits keep coming.

By baloney

December 20, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Wonder if there will be even more egg on the Falcons face when they fail to attrack that big name football guy and they have to resort to saying “We never demoted Rich McCay”. That begs the question, is our local media forcing this issue like they seem to do so often? Remember how the Falcons fell back and realized they had the right guy all along in Marion Campbell? Seems like a similar situation brewing.

By Dawgs

December 20, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Plenty of high end GM’s available outside of hiring a rook for a gm in Parcell’s. The man is a decent coach that has stayed in places just a bit longer than Petrino. Get a career gm type. That is the way to go.

As far as coaches… Someone keeps saying Denny Green. Are you on crack? You could be locked up in 47 states for that comment and Georgia is one of them. I wouldn’t mind a little Marty Ball with Mcfadden though. I would prefer to have our Oline and Dline issues fixed before we have a Mcfadden.

If you offer Bill Cowher 6-8 million you might lure him out of temp retirement. I am curious as to the whole offer him the 2009 job with his imput on the draft and help selecting his coaches. See if Thomas would keep the interm HC job for another year… He’s a good man and the players seem to like him.

By Chad

December 20, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

Go get Shotty for GM/Coach! Parcells is over the hill anyway.

By Bob

December 20, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Change the team name. Change the team colors. Get rid of the entire team and ask the NFL to consider the Atlanta franchise an expansion club. Play all Sep-Oct games at Grant Field. Seriously, we have tried just about everything else. And to think that some people thought that the Red Sox were cursed!

By trippfromnahunta

December 20, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

I’ve watched the Falcons since the 1980’s and have seen all the misery. I have become numb to all the futility. Nothing surprises me with the Falcons. I mean we traded Brett Farve for Mike Pritchard. We drafted Aundray Bruce #1. When will it end?

By Catch22

December 20, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Things will go right for this franchise when Arthur Blank stops trying to make a splash with his hires and views this like running a multi-million dollar business. Yeah, Cowher and Parcells are big names that get people excited, but when you don’t get them, it tends to let the air out of peoples sails.

Blank should make the decision on who runs this team with his head and not with the notion of making a splash for the fans (who don’t support the team anyway) or the media or his fellow owners. He needs to take a step back and hire a consultant, a football front office headhunter, to find his new coach and/or GM. The Falcons organization and it’s fans have to practice patience at this critical time in the franchise’s history. Hopefully, the lesson has been learned and this franchise will hire a coach and/or GM that not only knows X’s and O’s, but who is also a good talent evaluator. Who’s that guy? I don’t know…if I did, I’d be working for the team and not speculating about it’s future.

By carl

December 20, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

I have watched and supported the Falcons from day one. From Norm Van Brocklin to Leeman Bennett to Marion “Swamp Fox” Cambell. From the Jerry Glanville Circus to the “Shotgun-redgun” June Jones to the Dan Reeves era. But this current mess has to be the lowest point I can remember. That being said, I will still support them through it. I believe Mr. Blank is trying and that’s all you can ask. You have to support your family and friends when they’re down and if ever this organization needed our support it’s now.

By Catch22

December 20, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Please people…let’s give the McFadden stuff a rest. There’s no way in the WORLD the Falcons should draft Darren McFadden. And have him run behind what O-Line? With what QB that can make a defense play honest? It’s not sexy, but the Falcons need to trade that number 2 or 3 or 4 pick down for more draft picks. Build the O-Line and D-Line and they can pick up a QB somewhere in there and a RB in the later rounds to compliment Jerious Norwood. If the Falcons pick McFadden, Matt Ryan or any skilled position players in the first round this year, they’ll be in trouble. There are so many needs on this team, it would be incredibly STUPID to spend a top 5 pick on a player and set him up to fail when the foundation isn’t in place.

By Space Mountain

December 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

This franchise is finished. No real football person wants to work here. And I dont blame them. Look at what they will be coming into. There is a real simple answer none of the players are going to the pro bowl. They truly suck. Parcells has told us no twice now. The once proud face of the franchise is in a federal penetentiary. Never consecutive winning seasons. The list goes on and on. Good luck Mr. Blank. It will take a miracle to fix this mess.

By D3

December 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

It really sucked to assume that Parcells would “probably” take the job and then turncoat to Miami at the last minute. However, a glimmer of hope that I see is wondering whether Blank knew he HAD to make wholesale changes and stop putting band-aids on a sinking ship. He has signified that he will make the necessary changes by demoting McKay. Question is who does Blank go after as a GM now? Anyone know any good, up and coming GMs who would be a good fit? I have heard many different sides about the 2 coaching hires: Who made the choice on Mora and Petrino? I’ve heard Blank made both, or that McKay made both, or that one chose one coach while one chose the other. Which is it?

By falconsfan

December 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Blanks has to realize the same business acumen doesn’t work now as in the big box retail arena. There is much more involved and at stake as a team owner in the NFL. He’s put the horse before the cart here and in the past. It would serve him right if McKay were to just quit now and leave Blanks on his own again.

By GA

December 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

how about just move the Falcons to Birmingham, and start another franchise in ATL.

By GT

December 20, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Until you get Blank’s hands off the wheel nobody is coming to this franchise. I wonder if McKay has told him that. It would be hard to tell Blank to get out of the way and the results would be a blur at the end of a press release. I think Petrino couldn’t bear this guy and now McKay. Remember the comment about Vick being a coach killer, Blank may be in the same league only he is taking the GM with him too.

By Dazed N Confused

December 20, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Can we just reboot and become an expansion team? There needs to be some an equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization for the sports world. Let the Falcons take a year off from playing games, fire everyone, change the name, uniforms and get to select three unrestricted players from every NFL team…just like baseball does with expansion teams. Short of that, nothing will fix this snakebite.

By Tony G

December 20, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Say all you want about the Smith family, but Blank has hit rock bottom for the franchise and the town. He should put the orange apron back on, return his wife to customer service, and buy a ticket to the Georiga Aquarium from Bernie Marcus. Fill in the Blank! L——-!

By Thomas Cianfrogna

December 20, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

This can be remedied very quickly. Does the name Dan Reeves sound familiar? Give him the control, like he once had, and succeeded. His losing years were in Vick’s absence…after viewing two other coaches here without Vick…it obviously wasn’t Dan’s fault. Get him back here…please!!!

By T.C

December 20, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

there are 31 other teams in the NFL,for those of you that seems to not accept what has happened to this franchise and keep taking shots at everyboby from vick to the water boy,you dont have to watch the falcons,go to games,read the headlines,spend your money on the team in any way.just choose a team to your liking and be what you always been,a bandwagon fan.just like if it was your job you gotta except the down falls.it is what it is and cant none of you people who post your comment can/cant do anything about it.so shut up crying and just select another team to your liking already!

By We Ain't Marshall

December 20, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

It’s all coming home to roost now. Just like Selig, Blank knew of the criminalities going on in his organization, but chose to go for the short term dollars rather than think about the long-term ramifications. Maybe if Vick was decent Q.B. that could have gotten the team to the Super Bowl within a year or two, it might be worth it. But what is it that made him such an “asset” to this team? “Wow, he can run really fast”. Never forget: Games that Vick rushed for 100+ yards last year, seven. Falcons record in those games, 0 - 7. And…a 54% career completion rate? Somebody please make sense of it all. Blank should not be a sympathetic figure - just an idiot.

By NCBravesFan

December 20, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Mark - I think you’re being too reactionary here. The news about McKay is out there courtesy Bill Parcells. By revealing the negotiations, Parcells exposed the whole matter to the public.

Perhaps I have misunderstood how this unfolded, but I do think it’s best to address McKay’s future role with the club (if any) once a new hire is made and McKay has the chance to evaluate whether or not the fit is right for him.

I mean, what’s Blank really going to be able to say at this point?

By UGA75

December 20, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

If you really think about it, no one in Falcon’s history has ever drafted well, so blaming Rich McKay for the Franchise mess is hardly fair. Mr. Blank needs to hire someone with the same work ethic he has always possessed. I think the right man could very well be Mike Singletary. We have tried making silk purses out of sow’s ears twice now, it is about time to realize that NFL teams win with Defense. There has never been a more intense competitor than Mike Singletary, and he seems to bring that same intensity to coaching. Make a committment for 6 years and stick to it.

Mr. Blank most of we Atlanta Falcon’s non-fair weather fans support you and feel the same pain you have felt and we have felt that pain longer than you have. We still support you, hire Mike Singletary before someone else does.

By Pete in Jacksonville

December 20, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Along with the complete housecleaning, Blank should do what the Tampa Bay Bucs did a few years back: change the team colors and logo (and perhaps even drop the name “Falcons” in favor of something else). This would at least give the team a fresh image, and I think the red and black color scheme was just a copy of UGA’s colors by the Smiths.

By Fed Up

December 20, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

We lose Parcells to the only team worse than the Falcons….what a slap in the face of Arthur. If he can turn this franchise around, he will be a hero. Good Luck!

By Bubba

December 20, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

The most obvious answer is: don’t talk to the press until you get things figured out. The mention of “outside sources” in any article is always bad juju. Blank should know this. Arthur: This is not Home Depot. Don’t say anything until a deal id done. Until it is, either deny or say no comment. We don’t need to see the decision-making process, only the decision itself. It’s your team, Arthur. If you get a business call during dinner, close the door before you talk on the phone.

By WestSider

December 20, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

…talking about giving something a rest (re:McFadden), lets give this “its KARMA dude! If we had only not fired Reeves” nonsense a rest.

I’m pretty sure that every team has had its share of bonehead moves…is the Patriots current season a reward for their GOOD karma? Please…

By John Lovelace

December 20, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank is just as wishy washy as any of the people he has hired, fired or walked away. He deserves whatever happens to the franchise.I think that some of the players that McKay picked would have probably been better, but not in Atlanta! Blank is not in it for glory. He wants the money, period! He is a buisnesman and money is his game. I almost knew that Bill Parcells would’nt come here, The only coach or GM that will link themselves to the Falcons will be someone looking for a start. Blank got burned. McKay made bad decisions, Wellso did Blank! He made the wordt decision of all! He bought the Falcons! I guess he did’nt realize that Atlanta is not the place for an NFL team. The hatred and racism in this town is scary, and evertone contributes to it. The Falcons don’t have fans, because if there is one little problem and they don’t win, then here it comes. Racial garbage and stupidity is what you hear. The AJC contributes to all of it with their Falcons Vent Column (VERY STUPID) and comments (Like this one) after storys. All I can say is: if everyone thinks we will get a high profile coach and GM in here, Don’t hold your breath! Arthur needs to sell this franchise to someone who will take it away from here. Fourty ome years ought to tell the story pretty clear. It’s not going to work!

By HBGB

December 20, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

the Birmingham Falcons.. I like it!

By Scott

December 20, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

CATCH 22 has nailed it. Hire Marty, build the line and let Norwood run wild. There are good QB that will be available in free agents.

By Pete

December 20, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

This town………..this franchise………..is a train wreck beyond human comprehension. It is a prime example of human greed and power gone mad. A microcosm of a world gone completely down the toilet. The answer ? Go to church. Radical, you say ?? And how is the current way working out ??

By Falcons 4 Life

December 20, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

If everybody take a long look, the problem actually started with Rich McKay. He had his hands in getting Dan Reeves fired for what reason, i still don’t know. he brought in 2 unexperienced head coaches. He is in charge of the darfts and free agency pick ups. Name me on player that he drafted or in free agency that has caused a major impact for the Falcons. We didn’t spend the right money or drafts on the offensive line and now look what we are left with. they should grab a GM who knows how to build a team personnell wise. What about Dan reeves? Blank need to swallow his pride and beg him back. If he isn’t available then look to hire someone from a successful organization. I think Tony Dungy had more of a hand in evaluating talent in Tampa bay than Rich McKay did. Whatever we do, I will still be there to watch. I suffered through Chris Miller and David Archer, then I can suffer through hopefully Shockley or maybe McNabb.

By Talkin' Sense

December 20, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

Build a new open-air stadium on the south side or the north side, just somewhere outside of downtown Atlanta. Bring back the original jerseys and red helmets. Hire Dan Reeves as GM and get the hell out of his way. Allow for a 5-year plan like the Braves did with Bobby Cox in 1986. Trade your first-round draft pick for several high picks and use them on offensive linemen and defensive linemen. Worry about skill positions after you’ve gotten bigger and stronger up the middle. Lower ticket prices. Stop selling the best seats to corporations for gazillions of dollars. Sell them to real fans. Ya gotta get back to basics, Arty. Good luck.

By dj

December 20, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Someone answer this question: Why is Parcells being used as the fall guy for all the problems the Falcons are having?

By Corndawg

December 20, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

You have to give McKay credit for not quitting during this last week after Blank appears to be hanging him out to dry.

By 2N4YEARS

December 20, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

OK, This is it guys. You need to take a hard, long look at for Great coach. Not a ‘Good’ coach. Not a ‘college’ coach. A Great coach. Someone like Cowher. Then hire a GM. That’s right, hire the coach first. Hire a ‘search commity’ to find the coach, then have the coach pick his players. He should use the GM for support, that’s why he (the coach) needs to hand-pick the GM, or at least have a role in it. The coach needs to know the Game & what he needs to succeed more than the owner or the GM.

By B

December 20, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Was it not Parsells who first said McKay could stay? Never mind. The point isMr. BlanK is making every effort to rebuild this team. Looking for new GM, New Coach, And Many new players. This is not a easy task. Give the man time, when you hit bottom you can only go up. Good call again Mark.* Please put Dasso Hall on the road, what trash.*

By D3

December 20, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Completely agree with T.C. For God sakes if so many of you hate the Falcons so bad, just cheer on someone else. Why do you waste your time slamming a team who is bad? I mean, those of us who are true fans don’t care about your ignorant opinions. Its one thing to be a fan and be critical, which is totally justified after a slew of terrible decisions. But its quite another to to be vitriolic and hateful just to get shock value. NO ONE CARES!!!!

By Chris

December 20, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Just hire me, Arthur. I couldn’t do any worse.

By Ohiostatebuckeye

December 20, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Boy What a loser Mentality here in GA. Mr. Obivious I guess you create a Home Depot like Mr. Blank! Once again a Lot of people talking about something they do not know anything about! Mr. Blank is a great owner and he will learn how to do it right because he wants to create a winning team for this loser fan base limited knowledge town!

By BUM

December 20, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

IS THERE NO LIMIT TO THE BONEHEADEDNESS OF THIS ORGANIZATION?

FOUR YEARS AGO THEY HAD WADE PHILLIPS AS INTERIM COACH AND HE WANTED TO BE HIRED AS HEAD COACH. THE FALCONS HIRED JIMMY MORA INSTEAD. NOW WADE PHILLIPS IS 12-2 WITH THE COWBOYS AND FALCONS ARE IN THE TOILET.

LET’S FACE FACTS AND ADMIT THE OBVIOUS:

ARTHUR BLANK IN AN INCOMPETENT MORON WHO HAS MADE ONE BAD DECISION AFTER ANOTHER IN DESTROYING THIS FRANCHISE. THERE’S NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT. EVERY SINGLE MOVE HE’S MADE HAS BLOWN UP IN HIS FACE. HE’S GOT NO ONE TO BLAME BUT HIMSELF.

By George Holman

December 20, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Very poor management and judgment on the part of Mr. Blank. Sell the team to someone who can get out of the way and let professionals fix this mess.

By James

December 20, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

All has been said, all has been done. We do not need to hear any more excuses or promises to steer this organization into reputable organization.

Here is the fact without it been said. The success of this organization came under one intelligent hire….DAN REEVES. Like it or not Blank made this mistake and it is time get this man back into this organization. He do not have to be the coach but he sure is needed to get the right person as GM if he so wishes to need one but he has the knack for getting talent on the field. Those are the facts that speaks for itself.

If Arthur Blank do not get this man back in the mix he will see the same results as this year has produced throughout his tenure as the owner.

By Ryan

December 20, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Anyone thought about trying to throw a truckload of money at Jimmy Johnson to be VP? He’s gotta be tired of the studio by now, right? Then bring in Singletary as Head Coach. Make a play, at the very least, for Donovan McNabb and draft McFadden. We’ll be good to go.

By A sad fan

December 20, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Where is Dan Reeves? Why not bring him in at a level to help rebuild this team at a VP or temporary coaching level. Historically he is probably the most loyal, consistent part of the organization.

By It's obvious

December 20, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

McKay just stinks. Period. Good riddance.

By darrell

December 20, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank is the problem. Not Petrino, not Parcells, not McKay. Whay is Blank not being held responsible???????

By Breezmom

December 20, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

All of the perfect, never made a mistake saints (and I don’t mean New Orleans) can always seem to find a way to put the blame on Vick. If Michael were released TODAY and were able to play on Sunday the game would be a sell out, not to mention one helluva game w/the players that’s in place now. I’m glad that the Petrino fiasco happened - because it shows Mr. Blank that you can’t trust what “they” say either.

By Forrest Gump

December 20, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I wonder if Arthur is behind all of these premature announcements. He has made a joke of the city and elevated Terrence Moore to the level of ESPN court jester. Blank would be better advised to get a signature on a contract before making announcements. McKay seems bewildered and probably should be replaced by Arthur Blank’s wife, thus giving Terrence another comedy shot on ESPN. Throughout this circus, the constant has been Arthur Blank. I like the suggestion of Arthur moving the franchise to Birmingham and Ted Turner, or even Jane Fonda, starting a new one in Atlanta with a “Gone With the Wind” theme.

By Lynne

December 20, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

LMAO! Oh well……at least y’all can HEAR the games next season on DaveFM….how long before those Falcons 365 stores in Lenox and Perimeter go out of business?

By BUSHWACKER

December 20, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

I’m telling you people its all about KARMA!!

You fire a great coach for not making the playoffs with a second string wb, THATS JUST WRONG!!

The only way to reverse bad karma is to rectify the action that caused it.

Until Blank offers the job back to DAN REEVES , he does not have to accept it, just have it offered to him, then nothing is going to change.

Laugh all you want, but when you do someone wrong it eventually bites you in the butt!

Offer him the job NOW,if the FALCON are lucky DAN REEVES will have this same team in the playoffs next year!!

By GE

December 20, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

It appears to me that Blank is more concerned about his personna than the success of the Falcons. The man is full of himself. Why else would he push MV around in a wheel chair on the sidelines for TV? If he does not reduce his profile, the Falcons will never win. I believe that Petrino saw this as well and got out of town.Just like Charlie Tuna, ego freaks and power players recognize each other and instinctly know who has the biggest gonads or bank accounts. The players on the team will never come out and say so because Blank pays them well and treats them even better. Maybe that is why they do not play with heart.

I have a feeling that McKay has never been able to perform his job because of King Arthur. Remember, that this guy was instrumental in putting Home Depot on the map. You can bet the bank that he threw a lot of people under the bus in doing so. Like all people of his ilk, his money and power rules. Do you really feel that Mr. Blank would invest $130 million in MV and not know of his problems with dogs and the company he kept. He is too smart not to have known.

I really think that Mr. Blank and his $1000 suits is a major problem. He needs to remove himself completely from operations and let the real football mines take over. The fact that this blog is talking about his actions and not the Falcon organization is proof.

By Boo Boo

December 20, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Maybe Blank can just stop making payments on the team and let the NFL take over, like MLB did with the Montreal Expos. Let them play 4 “home games” a year in Puerto Rico, then have them play 2 games a season in Tampa, Nawlins and Charlotte, calling them the home team one of those times. The last home game could be scheduled in Atlanta, if the circus or a hair replacement convention isn’t in town. Under that senario they wouldn’t need a GM. They could just keep hiring other team’s retreads - people who otherwise would be out of a job. Trade all draft picks and wide receivers to other teams, for cash. Run the triple option and forget about trying to season a quarterback for the future. Develop new plays like “the spiraling scrum,” where the whole offense gangs up, holding hands, around the one with the ball, and they slowly shove that runner downfield. They can create varieties off that play, like SS left and SS right and SS center. Eventually some real owner will want to buy the team (when its value is zero or just above), rename it the Pit Bulls, and move it to Canada where it could win the Stanley Cup. Of course the NFL would still keep the franchise in the NFC South.

By Bk Hawk

December 20, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Blank is a great owner. His biggest problem has been trusting the wrong people. He always was trying to better the team. Firing DAN REEVES was a big mistake but he got the wrong advice. Give the man time he wants a winner. God is good.

By Steve

December 20, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

You want to see what is wrong with this franchise?Go to a game.It all starts with the fans.Ticket holders over the past 5 years have encouraged and embraced this alternative “THUG” culture with Falcon players.Players have shown no respect to coaches,fans,and Falcon front office.Michael Vick is gone-he’s not coming back.Crumpler-shut up and quit second guessing your coach.Dante-quits fighting with your head coach and play.Blank-stop pushibg the QB in a wheel chair for photo-ops.Let Mckay do his job,hire Mike Singletary,build the line,quit wearing free Michael Vick tshirts.Michael Vick is no Nelson Mandela

By Dusty Buster

December 20, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bland is discovering that in the real world, just having NY money behind your expansion does not work in football. Hopeless Depot was built with unlimited NY money funding the construction of ever larger big box home supply stores at a time of mad, mad, mad home building in America. Loews is a better version of the hopeless depot model, and gee, the Charlotte football team is a better version of the falcons. Maybe the NY boys can sell Blankie a quarterback. ha ha ha, something to take to the dog races

By Jim P.

December 20, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Well, at least McKay will not be in charge of football operations either.

But think about it, If I was Parcells, would you rather be part of a team, that has the blacks calling for black players and black coaches…and if you dont hire them your a racsist….and you have the whites wanting white QB’s and White Coaches, and then you have the Vick followers that say he got a raw deal. OR you could take over a team in a tropical area with half naked girls on the beach….some of them mostly naked. Hmmmm where would I go?

SOUTH BEACH Here I COME!!!

By Dawgcrzy

December 20, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

It seems we need a well respected GM to even get a quality coach to talk to us,there is only one quality coach/person around and Mark Richt ain’t going anywhere!

By scott

December 20, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

falcon need a qb first and then build your team around him i notice some her think the falcons should draft O&D linemens and running backs but you need a team leader first . so blank have to take the best QB in the draft , get over that old man parcell it’s old news right now keep trying falcons you have my support

By matt

December 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Being a long-time Bucs fan, I think you give good ol’ Richey too much credit for his tenure in Tampa. He was a good NFL office person, but he benefitted from a good scouting department (Angelo) and a good coach in Dungy for player evaluations. Unfortunately, all his free agents were middle-of-the-road blue collar players that didn’t amount to too much. Along with the fact that he devastated the team with bad contracts that set us back a few years with the salary cap and then he ran. Parcells? Yeah he passed on us twice after he agreed so stay away…he was a temp anyway.

By billy g

December 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Scott Pioli, Pat Kirwan and a few other GM candidates are out there.

Blank has to quickly hire a search firm and quietly hire his GM. Once the GM is in place, the rest will follow. If he waits too long, the franchise will lose valuable scouting time and will have several other teams to compete for candidates.

By DR

December 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley what is your point? You seem to go back and forth about McKay.

We call this reorganization in the corporate world and we don’t hold press conferences or telegraph decisions ahead of time to the press.

Journalist, especially sports writers are Monday Morning quarterbacks who gets paid to create sensation and are allowed to speak with both sides of their mouth simultaneously.

Mr. Blank is doing what he needs to do. To all those critical of Mr. Blank and his decision making capabilities, you’ll won’t be hanging out here if you’ll were as successful as Mr. Blank is, a billionaire, would you now?

Mr. Blank hired Mr. Mckay and gave him the power to make decisions and to advise him and now Mr. Blank believes, he got bad advise on Mora, Petrino and McKay’s high dollar free-agents haven’t panned out either and may have had something to do with Reeves firing. All high profile decisions Mr. Blank made on the basis of Mr. Mckay’s advise turned out be bust. Wasn’t it also written in AJC that Petrino is long time friend of Mcaky? What would you do? Yep, call a press conference, telegraph Mark Bradley, air your dirty laundry and ask T. Moore, M. Bradley and Shultz what needs to be done. Are you kidding?

Like it or not Mr. Blank is known as one of the best owners in NFL. I was hoping Tuna had matured and had stopped playing one against the other and would take over but he hasn’t changed a bit. Knowing that, why would Falcons want him.

Mr. Blank will find the right GM and the right coach, just give him time. It may have taken him 4 years but he ain’t no dummy!

By matt

December 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought any owner could make the Smiths look good by comparison. Blank through Dan Reeves under the bus after he took us to the Super Bowl. He humiliated Reeves. Blank is a preening self serving PRICK ….

By scott

December 20, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

falcon need a qb first and then build your team around him i notice some here think the falcons should draft O&D linemens and running backs but you need a team leader first . so blank have to take the best QB in the draft , get over that old man parcell it’s old news right now keep trying falcons you have my support

By Jack

December 20, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Wll, HOORAY FOR MR. BLANK!! He has made the best personnel decision he has made in years — getting a new GM!!

By OpinionsAreLike

December 20, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Things will not change. This franchize has such a dismal history and unprofessional reputation that no one in their right mind will come here. Why would they? For the money? There are a list of better opportunities and places to go. Atlanta has nothing to offer anyone, coach, players or general manager. Blank is no better of an owner than the Smiths unfortunately. He may be a nice fellow but that counts for zip. 41 years of failure. There always has to be a worse example in every sport and the falcons are just that. It ain’t gonna change. I don’t what is worse, being a fan, being a player or a sports writer have to write about failure every week. I acutally feel sorry for Bradley, Schultz and Moore, for having to cover this travesty of a team.

By George Halas

December 20, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank: as in his checkbook philosphy (Vick; Petrino) or the whipped, pouting look on his face (Parcells; Cowher, McKay)?

By Dizzle

December 20, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

In our general office conversation this morning, we’ve decided to start a Dan Reeves for GM campaign. Although Mr. Blank would have to eat a crow the size of King Kong, it would start the organization moving in the right direction. Although we doubted a few of his personnel decisions, the man know football. Comments?

By Boo Boo

December 20, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

The Atlanta metropolitan area has over one million rabid football fans. However, the vast majority are rabid about Bulldog football; and, after getting wasted on Saturday they are in no condition to watch the Falcons play - live or on TV. The other 5,000 Atlanta rabid football fans fluctuate between supporting GA Tech and the Falcons, with some rabid enough to support both, no matter what. The problem is the other 65,000 warm bodies that fill the seats at the GA Dome. They all transferred to Atlanta from some place else, with rabid football allegiances to other place teams. Without a winner in Atlanta (which rarely happens) all these people do is complain or celebrate losing.

The Falcons are the by-product of a Bulldog - Rankin Smith. The red and black colors are because he wanted his own little bulldog team. He wouldn’t let them draft Pat Swilling simply because he played for Tech, when Swilling loved the Falcons and wanted to play here. But, because Rankin made the team into mini-bulldogs, there’s only so much heavenly win-power for Georgia teams of red and black colors. One has to lose, so the other can win. The Falcons are the odd man out, illegitimate step-child team. The only viable way to change the karma is to trade the Falcon organization to Miami, for the Dolphins. Just like Carol Rosenbloom (Rams) did with Robert Irsay (Colts). Nothing changes but the karma. The players stay and play in the same city, under the same name, but without the evil bulldog voodoo on them. Its that, or read my previous post … if that one cleared the censors at AJC.

By Steve "I own UGA" Spurrier

December 20, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Mark Richt as coach of the Falcons? Gimme a break. That’s insanely funny, even by the moronical UGA obessive standards!

By Brian

December 20, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Get Marty to be the GM. Draft defense and spend the salary cap portion allotted to Vick on a couple of free agents.

By Gwen

December 20, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

God don’t like ugly; and He ain’t too good with cute either.

Blank is getting what he deserves. He didn’t fight for Vick. Now, his empire is falling.
He must start from the beginning and build up another or sell it. What kind of business man is he?

What is next?

By Blind Homer

December 20, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank had so much success with the touchy-feely team approach at the Depot that he is incapable of realizing the same model won’t work in the NFL where nice guys generally finish last. McKay should have been fired outright from all responsiblities as Petrino was his choice. Now we just need a GM and coach that will trade Sheangelo and the other malcontents for the best available O and D linemen. Win the trenches, win the game.

By Gimme a Break

December 20, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Now I see why our govt slips so much crap right pass us. You people are so distracted & consumed by foolishness going on with a football team. Get back to work & read a book when you get home.

By D3

December 20, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Ryan, like your ideas. And I think my natural tendency would be to do the same thing. I know McFadden will be a stud in the NFL and would love to have him. But after listening to several of my friends, I’m starting to come around to the fact that we need to start a foundation on the lines. I’d hate to pass on McFadden, but I’m starting to think on the same line that we should trade down to get more picks. If you’re going to pick a skill player in the 1st it better be McFadden. It would be a terrible idea to draft a Matt Ryan in the first. Check out some 1st round QBs of late: Michael Vick, Joey Harrington, David Carr, Alex Smith, Byron Leftwich, Patrick Ramsey, Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, JP Losman, Jason Campbell and Matt Leniert. For every Ben Roethlisberger and Phillip Rivers there are way more mediocre QBs or Busts. Adrian Peterson’s success is due, in part, to the Vikings superior line.

By A Falcons fan walks into a bar. . . .

December 20, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Let’s get a high school coach.

By momo56

December 20, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

I have lived in Atlanta for over 40 years and all we have are excuses on why the Falcons dont win. The team is young, the owners are bad, we have players in jail - who cares - just play ball.

By GT80

December 20, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Wow, it took the Smith family, 31 years to finally bring in a professional football coach in Dan Reeves. I hope it won’t take Blank another 31 years to make a similar choice.

Blank might want to get on bended knee and apologize to Dan, ask him to come back and right the ship. Let a lifelong professional football man be in charge instead of a hardware selling billionaire.

By jimmythec

December 20, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

P Price, Edge Hartwell, that FB from the Ravens, c’mon, those were awful. Colemen and Abraham are looking weak too. McKay has been a boob. Look at the team since we went to the Supra Bowl, we lose before it starts, we get rid of the Clampette’s, we sell our team to a guy from NY, and run off a Hall of Fame Coach because of, well, because a 19 year old kid, who is under 6 feet tall and cant throw two good passes in a row, wants a new age coach. Welcome Mora who had never did much before and really was not that good of a DC. He gets job b/c he packages himself with a west coast offensive guy. yea, the guy that got embarrassed on the sidelines by Jeff George (oh yea, T.O.)the year before. Yea, great catch. And the DC we DO hire is the guy from GB that gives up a 4th and a million to the Philly Eagles so they can go to the SB. Brilliant!

So it does not surprise me that we are hear today. Patrino is a scumbag and I could tell from the beginning that his ego is the problem. We get spurned by the Tuna, so what?

We need to build from the grass roots and not the shinny box off the shelf. Singeltary is a character guy and we can start from there. You can pull one of the other GMs out of retirement or promote a guy that is willing to stick around for a while who is already here. Southeast College talent (all schools not just the SEC) is the best around. We need only to look in our own backyard.

Hey it ain’t that hard. Coming from this native, I have seen it all. Get the egos off the team: D Hall

Get Mike in here and shape up this louse bunch of bones, cut the older guys, and start rebuilding now.

By TC

December 20, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

If things could get any worse up in Flowery Branch, somebody let me know. In a series of missteps that makes things seem a lot closer to the ole days in Suwanee, we now have a situation that Waste Management might not be able to clean up. Although I was quite in favor of the move to hire Petrino, he showed himself as nothing more than a spineless coward. And, although the situation may have been far different that he expected upon entry, his jaunt to Fayetteville under cover of night reminded me of Bob Irsay’s midnight move of the Colts from Baltimore to Indy. Although seen as a life line by him, the move will likely hinder to him and his reputation, forever, and on that note I speak from fact. The Falcon ship seems rudderless, McKay is now 0 for 2 in head coaching selections and now on his way out, the talent pool on the squad is about as shallow as Lake Lanier, the sand is running through the hourglass to make a call on a new stadium, and none of that has anything to do with #7. We are well past the point where one draft class and a few free agents are going to remedy the issue. No Cowher, no Parcells,………..you do know how to fix things thing, right Arthur?

By Heidi

December 20, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

…Could it have occurred to anyone that maybe Dan Reeves has absolutely no desire to leave newfound relaxation that retirement brings? Has he expressed to anyone his burning desire to return to the team that cast him aside during an active season because he was deemed outdated? We aren’t coming up with feasible solutions here, only far-flung, imaginative dreams….

AJC, thanks for giving the Falcons’ customers a collective medium for brainstorming and venting. For most, it’s much cheaper than therapy. I wonder if the franchise’s administrative office is logged on and getting a very clear idea of how we really feel? An important business fundamental is—Take care of the product going out (team performance), and the product won’t be returned. Take care of the customer, and they’ll always return. Really, so simple.

By Betting Man

December 20, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Blank and Marcus virtually invented the concept of big box specialty retailing that has become the pattern for other national chains. They created one of the world’s largest companies with no pattern or model and were considered foolish to butt heads with established retailers like Sears and Ace Hardware and I am certain they did not get it right the first time. They were smart enough to ignore the know-it-alls and the naysayers on the way to becoming among the richest men in the world. Just like with Home Depot, I have no doubt Blank will ignore his Monday morning critics here in Atlanta whose minds are even smaller than their check books.

Blank put in the effort and had the smarts to get Home Depot right. He has shown that he can and will find a way to get the Falcons right. To all those critics fighting traffic to their 9 to 5 jobs at the loading dock or using the compny’s computer in their 5 X 5 cubicles, I would advise them to do what the really smart people did nearly 30 years, put your money on Arthur Blank.

By bb

December 20, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Here’s Arthur Blanks problem. Come renewal time, he’s going to be STUNNED by the number of seats NOT renewed. I,ve been a season ticket holder since day ONE ( yes, there are about 900 of us ) and when you lose people like me, you’re in BIG trouble. I’ve stuck by through it all and now, I’M DONE. Ticket prices go up every year, they treat you like an enemy at the dome, the music SUCKS and is too loud, they’ve given away our parking to the Club Level Corp buyers ( that alone keeps me away ) no longer can you tailgate with your same crowd, because we’ve been priced out of the lots or scattered all over, the food inside the Dome sucks, the Ushers are rude, and on and on. Sorry Arthur, you’ve lost me and a bunch more like me, after 40 years, I can’t ( and won’t ) take it anymore. $20.00 short of $2000.00 for 2 tickets ? I’ll save the money and buy a few tanks of gas.

By Catch22

December 20, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Building a football team is like building a house. The foundation has to be there first. I said it once, and I’ll say it again. If you don’t build up your O and D lines, you’re building a house of cards. To the person saying “draft a QB and build around him”…that rarely works in the NFL…look no further than the Houston Texans and the David Carr experiment and how their OLine woes have gotten Matt Schaub (who was overrated anyway)beat up. Most teams have to get the foundation in place first. Look at New England, Green Bay, Dallas, Indy…yeah, they all have good QBs, but they’re good because they’re not getting face planted on every play. Manning and yes, even Tom Brady get happy feet and thrown off their game when they’re hit a lot.

Another thing…where was all this Dan Reeves love when he was fired. I recall most fans thinking it was the right move back then. Hindsight is 20/20, but boy…some of you guys are ridiculous. Dan Reeves wasn’t the best evaluator of talent and he wasn’t the best coach…he’s just better than what the Falcons have put on the sidelines and in the front office in recent memory. Let’s stop looking at the past..this franchise needs to look to the future.

By Donna

December 20, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Betting Man - Amen.

By FSSikes

December 20, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Parcells- You’re low - Using a team that is down on it’s luck and everything else for that matter to get a better offer from another team. That’s just wrong. I hope you fall flat on your face!!!!!!!!!!

By Gunner

December 20, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Bill Cowher has publicly stated that he wanted one more year off to spend with his daughter. I’d wait.

By Tanya

December 20, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

If you remember in Tampa, they fired Tony Dungy because they thought they had Bill Parcels too. Then he changed him mind and the search for a new coach beagn. They got Chucky. Won a super bowl with Dungy’s team and when Chucky started making changes, the team fell apart. Get rid of Mckay!

By Don

December 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

The only consistent thread since the Falcons were bought by Arthur Blank is Arthur Blank himself. He needs to find himself a football version of John Scheurholz and then stay the heck out of the way.

By FALCON-MAN

December 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

TO ARTHUR-GET US A GM GET US A COACH GET US SOME WINS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL WORK ITSELF OUT-GO FALCONS

By Blanktheman??

December 20, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I wonder if Dan Reeves is enjoying this? It would be nice to see him back helping the team but after Blank-Blanked him because Blank thinks he is the man—Reeves should never think of helping him.

One has to think the falcons would be better off had they kept Reeves.

Blank-Hire Marty and stay out of the locker room and off the sideline.

By drew

December 20, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

To Betting Man, How long do you think season ticket holders will put up with this though. I am done after more than 20 years. A looser organization that only thinks about money (selling no 7 shirts). At least the old owners wanted to win. They just couldn’t figure out how. Regarding the Petrino early escape…. payback is a motherf#$@$#er…. remember how mr Blank got rid of the only real coach we have had since Bennet

By BUSHWACKER

December 20, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

catch 22, you are right alot of people wanted Coach Reeves fired, mainly people who don’t know football and most of them realize now that was mistake.

Think about this, the team started out 0-6 in Coach Reeves first year, thats worse than this years team, yet they finished 7-9 going 6-3 the last 9 games AND went to the SUPER BOWL the next season.

The reason they finished 7-9 is because they DID NOT LAY DOWN AND QUIT like this team did before the season started.

They kept playing out of respect for DAN REEVES, they ddi not care that they knew they would make the playoffs, they wanted to WIN FOR HIM!!!!

That’s the kind of man I want leading my football team!!!

By ET

December 20, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Maybe Mr. Blank should make all the football decisions. He could not do much worse than the losers we have had who were supposedly knowledgeable.

By Reverie

December 20, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

When is someone going to realize that what this team needs is men of character with sporting abilities. Men of character understand the great gift they possess to actually be paid a lot of money to play a child’s game. Men of character understand that when you work for someone you owe them your loyalty. Men of character understand that it takes an entire team to win and don’t expect one member to carry the entire team. Men of character recognize that when a dog bites you once it isn’t unreasonable to expect him to bite again.

Men of character do not allude to a person’s ethnicity or religion when discussing a person’s sport. They neither one have anything to do with it. Men of character tend to shun men without character because they recognize that you can build a nice house in a slum it becomes a part of the slum.

Reverie

By Norman Cochran

December 20, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

The Falcons need to follow the same route the Braves took to turn things around. Hire a GOOD GM with the ability to evaluate Good Talent. Then hire a coach who knows how to use the talent provided. Start from scratch and build from within. The Braves went from cellar dwellers to first place for many years with the touch of Bobby Cox. The Falcons need to proceed the same way.

By D3

December 20, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Question:

Schottemheimer or Singletary?

McFadden or OT Jake Long?