AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > December > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlank can’t afford any more mistakes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The world will little note nor long remember what happened here Sunday. The world will recall instead the epic awfulness of a season unparalleled in the annals of sports. But say this for these star-crossed Falcons: In their final act, they played like professionals.
Said Arthur Blank: “I’ve had a team with four wins [this one], and I’ll have a team with 14 wins. And I won’t be any prouder of those players than I am of these.”
The Falcons won what amounted to an exhibition game Sunday, the erstwhile insurance salesman Chris Redman throwing four touchdown passes against a secondary tutored by the erstwhile Falcons coach Jim Mora. (Good ol’ Jimbo: Never could win a regular-season finale.) It must be said that Seattle, which was already in the playoffs, didn’t appear to be trying very hard. It must also be said that the Falcons, who haven’t had a prayer from Day 1 of training camp, clearly were.
Said Alge Crumpler, who scored two game-changing touchdowns in 82 seconds: “It has been a very long season, but we tried to quash any talk this week about what we were going to do in the offseason. We said, ‘Don’t worry about anything except the three hours we’re going to be on the football field.’ “
And now those three hours are done, three warm and fuzzy hours at the end of a season that seemed to span three decades. And now the Falcons have a general manager and a coach to hire, not necessarily in that order.
“The most logical process would be to hire the GM and then the coach,” Blank said. “We’re in the process of setting things up. We’ll be on the road by the middle of this week.”
According to Blank, outgoing GM Rich McKay will be a part of the process to choose his successor. That might not seem to make sense, but someone has to do the logistics. And Ernie Accorsi, retired from the Giants, has agreed to be Blank’s sounding board.
“We will work on [finding a GM and a coach] on a simultaneous basis,” Blank said. “We do want to be patient and be very thorough.”
So: Don’t expect any news conferences today or tomorrow. And should we expect separate introductory briefings, or one big fat combo platter?
Said Blank: “I’m tired of doing press conferences.”
The year began — literally, on Jan. 1, 2007 — with Blank briefing the media after firing Mora. Within a week he’d hired Bobby Petrino, whose name Crumpler couldn’t bear to utter Sunday, referring to him only as “the old coach.” Within another week Michael Vick had run afoul of authorities at the Miami airport. Within three months Vick had bigger and more lasting problems, and soon the team he’d left behind was about to embark on a campaign of what Crumpler called “pain and suffering.”
It was bad, yes. It was worse than bad. But it ended more gracefully than anyone had a right to expect, with the Dome two-thirds full and the crowd alive and the Falcons exiting as winners for the first time in 55 days, winning for a career assistant who’d calmed the waters roiled by the old coach’s desertion.
“He told us at Tampa Bay,” said Crumpler, speaking of Emmitt Thomas after that abject loss two weeks ago, “that we’d lost a little character and a little class.”
They got some of that back these past two Sundays, and a battered organization can at least point to one surprisingly bright finale as it starts over yet again. “I did not expect that many people to be here today,” Blank said. “That speaks to the credit of Atlanta.”
Said Crumpler: “This town is starving for good football. To see the crowd cheer, to hear them doing the wave … that’s something I hadn’t seen all season.”
And now, mercifully, there’s no more to the season that always had something worse waiting around the bend. There’s only a future, a blank slate and Blank himself. His beloved franchise has fallen so far that it has hit bottom. Whom he hires next will determine how soon it will rise. He was wrong about Vick and wrong about Petrino — to be fair, so was I — but the rich man, for all his wealth and passion, cannot afford to be wrong again.
Permalink | Comments (104) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
Comments
By capt. midnight
December 30, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
Damn you might know it. We finally won a game that meant nothing to win and would have meant everying thing to lose in regard to probable a number 2 draft pick.
By DOG THE MAN
December 30, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
I said last year when we hired Petrino it was a mistake and that we would be in this position in three years. It took one year for the prophecy to come true. The Falcons must get a coach who not only want to coach, but want to dominate. We need to get rid of teh small offensive line and go teh route of Jacksonville. Run the ball and play sound defense. That sounds like an invitation to Mike Singletary. Mr Blank, please hire Mr. Singletary and get him a GRADE A Offensive Coordinator. That is how will this team can start grow and thrive. MIKE SINGLETARY!!!!!!!!!!
By DOG THE MAN
December 30, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
I said last year when we hired Petrino it was a mistake and that we would be in this position in three years. It took one year for the prophecy to come true. The Falcons must get a coach who not only want to coach, but want to dominate. We need to get rid of teh small offensive line and go teh route of Jacksonville. Run the ball and play sound defense. That sounds like an invitation to Mike Singletary. Mr Blank, please hire Mr. Singletary and get him a GRADE A Offensive Coordinator. That is how will this team can start grow and thrive. MIKE SINGLETARY!!!!!!!!!!
By big fabric softena'
December 30, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Bradley is a nerd in lesbian clothing if he was a politician it would be refreshing for he knows not witch way the wind blows he’s like a white retarded james brown, “say it loud Mark Bradley and proud you dumber then the Rev Al Sharpton coon on the good foot you give acne a bad name do Atalanta a favor and go write for the Macon Journal because you couldn’t win a spelling be in a retard center…
By Scott
December 30, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
I like Singletary also, but what exactly has he done? The title of this article was “Blank can’t afford any more mistakes”. So what makes Singletary so special? His record with SanFran? I don’t think so. Be cautious, take your time and get the right hire. I’m not saying Singletary would be a mistake, but he’s certainly a risk.
By jarrodmon
December 30, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
I was at the game and the crowd was in it from the first play. It was a great experience, and all of the people crying about draft picks can kiss our collective 40,000 asses.
Even a #32 draft pick doesn’t mean anything if you don’t get the right person. Redman can throw the ball accurately. We need linemen. You’ll all cry if we don’t get a flashy name for first pick, but we have seen in ATL that flashy names don’t mean squat. Jamal Anderson ( the first one) was round #7. That worked out pretty good.
By Gm a must for the future
December 30, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
Blank you are a good owner. use your head and your heart. You must get it right on the gm this is a must! Just hope you will give Vick another chance in 2009. Most of the season ticket holders would stand behine you. Not the media they will throw you under the bus.
Mr. Blank get the Management fixed first please . you and this city will be happy for year to come.
Management has been the problem for 40+ years for the Falcons. Just get this right!
By Twedledee
December 30, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
“I couldn’t be any prouder”
Why does Blank continue to say dumb, overly rah-rah things week after week?
Artie, if you are proud of a 4 win team, I want to come to work for you. Maybe I’ll show up every other week—like that team you are so proud of.
By NASCARfan
December 30, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Leave it to this RETARDED organization to win a game that means absolutely NOTHING and screw themselves out of picking either Jake Long or DMac, two players, much like Joe Thomas or Adrian Peterson, that can turn a damn team around.
So congratulations Falcons, you won the game, but you’re a bunch of losers in the end.
Like Forrest’s Mama says, “Stupid is as stupid does.” And the Falcons Organization is the KING OF STUPID!!!
STUPID! STUPID!! STUPID!!!
By gregg
December 30, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
ron jawaski (former eagle qb)would make a good gm instead of the regular retreads
By gregg
December 30, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
ron jawaski (former eagle qb)would make a good gm instead of the regular retreads
By Cairo
December 30, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Mark,
There was no mistake with Vick. I wish you ALL would get over the Vick situation we surely are and I am a huge Vick fan. Damn it is done please move on. If you could be specific on the mistake maybe that will help. I will add it was the contract ONLY. The guy did what he was SUPPOSE on the football field. That is what he was getting paid for. How can you say what Blank can and cannot afford? Last I checked he is a billionaire and you write lousy articles for a newspaper. LOL. I think he can make any mistake he wants and he is still a billionaire. It must be nice to be BIG MONEY BLANK!!! Go Falcons…
By John
December 30, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
The Falcons should hire me as GM/Head coach. I ca n give this city what it wants and craves… A Consistent Winner. The first thing I would do in the upcoming draft is to go after Big offensive lineman and Bigger/quicker Defensive lineman. This would allow this team to be built the way all championship caliber teams are…. Built in the trenches. I would then draft younger, linebackers and defensive backs.
By Jaws a loser
December 30, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Deion Sanders would make a better Gm he knows what it takes to win !Jaws has always hated the Falcons and he is a punk . Jaw went to be big game but got his sorry @ss kicked. Keep him on the tube that all he can win at!
By AJC need to cool it
December 30, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Time for the home town newpaper to turn the heat down. Next year you guy must give the home teams a break!
By joebrave
December 30, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Shut The He!! up about that g******* Mike Vick,He is nothing more than a worthless SONSABITCH!!!!!!!!!
By long time falcon
December 30, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Blank just continues to show that he is a complete idiot. Rich Mckay is involved in the process of hiring a new GM and coach? The same rich mckay that recommended bobby petrino to Blank! What in the name of god makes Blank think that Mckay should be involved in this process. How in the world did this man become a bilionaire? I have always heard that he rode bernie marcus coattails and now I certainly believe that to be true.
BTW, take a look at profootballtalk.com/photo.htm and scroll down to see rich mckay and his new job duties. LOL! Take a look and get a good laugh.
By falconmaniac
December 30, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter if the falcons have the 1, 2, 3 or 10 pick. They’ll make some dumb draft choices as usual, and end up with another bad roster next year, no matter who the coach is. They need to get rid of all these attitudes on the team, starting with meangelo hall and draft players with character.
By DecaturTechFan
December 30, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Vick was a huge mistake. I called in to both radio talk shows in the afternoon and called it 6 years ago. Now with the tired veterans and overpaid VT thugs still left, I say it like Jack did in the first Batman. “This team needs an enimma(sp)”. Draft an RB, O-lineman, and shoot for defense in the 09 draft. Trade D-Hall and Roddy W. for a couple of draft picks and cut anyone else that played for V-Tech loose. Apparantly, Beamer doesnt preach class or ethics.
By Joseph Allen McWhorter
December 30, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
Mark, give Arthur Blank this much credit- from talking with Bill Cowher and Bill Parcells about the head coaching job in Atlanta, despite the fact that both men turned it down, at least Mr. Blank shows signs of serious intentions to hire a real N.F.L. coach for the Falcons for 2008. I would kind of like to see Mike Singletary come to Atlanta. I just personally don’t think that he will screw it up this time. And the hiring of the right man for the head coach is a very important decision because that will be a major step to turn the Falcon’s mess around! And it is a mess! Is it ever!!!
By Chris F.
December 30, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
If things are this bad, I would have to wonder if I would even be willing to accept the G.M. assuming AB would even contact me about it.
By Mitch
December 30, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
I hate when people value loosing so as to get one spot higher in the draft. The Patriots are not b*** about not picking 1, 2 or 3 or crying about winning so they could climb one spot. They don’t pick 1, 2 or three and they win. So shut up about the need to loose in order to pick higher in a crap shoot. Just try to win and be happy when you do. If you want to lose, you are a loser.
By Brian Hunt
December 30, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
Today’s win did nothing to cost the Falcons in the draft. If anything, it saved them some money. Picking 3rd is a little cheaper than 2nd. I’d be surprised if either Miami or St. Louis wanted a QB. They may both want Offensive linemen and Defensive linemen, but either way, the Falcons should still be able to get a good player.
By Falcon 4 Life
December 30, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Screw the draft. I’ll take the win.
You always try to win, no matter what. That is the definition of spirit, class, honor—whatever you want to call it. Today was a big step in showing that this team still IS.
By neckville rednecks
December 30, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Joe brave Decatur techfan you rednecks don’t buy ticket and most season ticket holder would love to have Vick. we had Three QB this year and =all three could not do what vick did last year. 1039 rushing 20 TD passing 2 TD rushing. Now when Vick comes back to Atlanta and he will be back because he is the best talant under contract. To all the Vick Haters he is still on this team. And when he does come back the necks will die. Necks get your grave ready. You guys Heart is full of pure hate. Go MR. Blank and go Falcon And Mike Vick Is still #7 under contract Necks! And tech fan Most UGa rednecks are like you are a Vick hater,you should pull for Georgia because u r a pure REDNECK! you should get more redneck to read your book how to be a Georgia redneck for 19.95. U R a pure @$$nhole from neckville! don’t tase me neck !
By will
December 30, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Atlanta doesn’t need Mike Singletary. Not that he might be a fairly good coach, but they need one who has been a head coach with a winning team and a winning record. Marty Schottenheimer might be the best candidate at this time. He has proven that he can build a contender if given the opportunity, support of owner, and the right GM helping make the right personnel decisions. At any rate think Head Coach with experience after hiring a GM with the same background. Go Falcons.
By will
December 30, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
This is for all of you who know so much. Where do you get the idea that the Falcons have screwed themselves out of the 2nd pick in the draft. Whether they won or lost today the fact is they would have picked third based on St. Louis’ inability to win. If Falcons lost they would have had same record as the Rams and the Rams would have won the tie breaker and thus picked 2nd. Get off the Falcons back for winning. The game was indeed important to them to help regain character and it lost them nothing. So until you know what is what please don’t make any more comments!
By Whopper Dawg
December 30, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Hire Cowher. Pay him and let him sit for 2008 (I don’t care who coaches 2008). Let him evaluate the draft and then he starts in 2009. Provide great entertainment (pregame and at half) and discount 2008 tickets to fill the seats in 2008. Great plan. Do better than that. Name a coach or GM outside of the New England organization that gets you more excited than the above plan.
By Bill
December 30, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Yea!! Falcons. I still think you will see them in the play-offs next year. They just need a good professional coach. Don’t worry about a GM or A. Blank. Just get a procoach abd see what happens. I’me still and Falcons FAN. Win or lose!!! A bunch of you are loosers who still want to keep putting them down. Go Falcons!!!!!!
By Falcon forever
December 30, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
I think it’s time to take their time on a GM and coach. Too many times the media has squalled some name as the head coach that should be hired and Rankin Smith along with Arthur Blank fell to their advice. Mike Singletary would have a good defense but he teams would still lose or tie 0-0. Leeman Bennet was a good coach who led the team to the playoffs to be fired by the Smiths for having one bad season. Bennet came from a organization that was used to winning.
Just don’t fall to popular opinion and hope for a quick fix. Get someone as GM from the Patriots or Dallas and they won’t draft the turds who come from thug colleges.
Just take your time, Mr. Blank and don’t cave in to the loudmouths in the news media who know nothing about running an organization.
By Dee
December 30, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
I hope Arthur can woo Dan Reeves into being GM. He would be an exceelent choice. I hope that bridge is not burnt. The coaching job should be determined by the GM and Blank. You have to build an organization that is committed to building a world class team. Its stupid to call player thugs if that defines who they are as people. Showing class is a 2 way street, you must have class to recognize class. For those who hate the race card, stop using thug as a term, we know the word it replaces in American culture & society.
By Jeff
December 30, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
In the past 5 seasons, every single NFC South team that finished last went on the win the division the following year. Every one of them.. so keep your head up everybody. Also, the Falcons were incapable of earning the 2nd draft pick, just look at the tie-breakers. 3rd was the best pick possible, so quit hollering that they should have thrown in the towel.
By Miranda
December 30, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
LOL…..get used to HEARING the home games in 2008 if you live in the 404, 678 or 770 areacodes.
By al
December 30, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Once again, the falcons showed their stupidity in winning a game they needed to loose. There is nothing good about the victory. I have no confidence in Blank. He is retailer who does not have a clue about football. The good news is that we will have many more years of great Bulldog football and horrible Falcon football. Over time, the Falcon investment will continue to loose value just like his Home Depot Stock. Buffet was famouos for saying, “how do turn a billon in millions…buy and airline company.” Blank will be famous for be known as the man who turned several billon into millions by buying the falcons.
By Drexel Gal
December 30, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Need a caoch with NFL experience, who has taken the highest-profile pro team to the playoffs every season? And coached his college team to a bowl every season? A winning record every season? He is available. he is Chan Gailey.
By Bk Hawk
December 30, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
Great win today. Everyone was fired up. Eveyone’s giving their take on Coach and GM so I’ll give mine.* Hire Jeff Ireland or Scott Pioli as GM. either would be great. Then hire Russ Grimm as head Coach and keep Zimmer on the staff.The Falcons have some great Coaches without Petrino to screw them up. Keep as many as possible.* Hire Singletary only if new GM wants him. God Bless the USA in 2008.
Keep up the good work MARK..you are the Best.
By Falcon forever
December 30, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
If the Falcons had lost today they would have had the second pick. They would have been tied with the Rams and since they lost to the Rams, they would have taken the tie breaker.
A win is always good! What’s the difference in the number 2 and 3 pick anyhow? There is no certified number one this year. I can think of 3 or 4 potential quarterbacks in the draft. Even Vick did not start when he played his first year. What they really need is the stud defensive lineman at LSU or the running fullback at LSU. I would think the QB at Boston College would be best QB for them.
By Bo
December 30, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
* Winning today did not drop the Falcons to 3rd in Draft. They would have been 3rd if they lost. You people need to check the facts before running your mouth. It was a great Win. Amen!!!!!*
By Jay
December 30, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
Darren McFadden train, now taking new passengers. All aboard!
By Big Dawg
December 30, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
AL, YOU MAKE ALL UGA FANS LOOK BAD WITH YOUR STUPID REMARKS.
By Jacka770
December 30, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank,
She has to have some hands-on experience before becoming NFL Commissioner…, so I say consider Condoleezza Rice.
True, she’s no X’s and O’s coach, but as a senior executive, she just might be able to lead a team toward the process of rebuilding. Besides, she’ll soon be available.
Just joking…I think.
By Bo
December 30, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Falcon forever- Read Chris VIVLamore post in AJC Title ” Falcons pick 3rd in Draft.” The Rams Had strenght of Schedule which put the Falcons 3rd no matter if won or lost. Check it out.
By Bk Hawk
December 30, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Condoleezza Rice would do just as good as McKay.
By Ron
December 30, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
You dumb dolts should read the newspaper once in a while. If you did you would know by now that today’s Falcons win DID NOT cause them to slide down the draft selection order. Get your facts straight. Read the story - Falcons would have still picked third even if they had lost today. Great game, especially Chris Redman. Maybe we can use that pick on a running back or a dominating defensive player.
By Larry
December 30, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Crumpler, along with the rest of the Falcon Five, is still a no class bum. Babineaux is even worse.
By Ron
December 30, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
“al”, would you please go back to school and start over. Your opinions carry little weight when they’re so poorly written. Learn the difference between “loose” and “lose”, for starters. Ugh.
By JR
December 30, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Big Dawg I think Al is one of the smarter UGA fans!
By Al Sharptongue
December 30, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
YEA THE SEASON IS OVER.. REDMAN SHOWED HE SHOULD BE THE STARTER NEXT YEAR WITH SHOCKLEY BACKING HIM UP. HIRE DAN REEVES AS GENERAL MANAGER AND BRING IN CHARLIE WEISS OR CHAN GAILEY. BY NO MEANS HIRE SINGLETARY WE DONT NEED ANYMORE RACIAL DIVISINESS IN THIS TOWN AND HE WILL ONLY MAKE RACE MATTERS HERE WORSE WITH HIS PRESENCE. THIS IS STILL THE SOUTH AND WE DONT NEED THEM LEDING A TEAM WITH WHITE BOYS ON IT. WITH THE THIRD PICK WE SHOULD GET A OL OR TRADE DOWN FOR MULTIPLE PICKS. WE DONT NEED A QB SINCE REDMAN LOOKS LIKE THE REAL DEAL, KEEP NORWOOD AND DRAFT A RB LATER DONT TAKE MCFADDEN HE PLAYED AT ARKANSA WITH ANDERSON SO I QUESTION HIS WORK ETHIC AND CHARACTER WHEN HE GETS HIS HANDS ON SOME MONEY. TRADE HALL,CRUMPLER AND RODDY WHITE.CUT JOE HORN. WE DONT NEED THOSE MV SUPPORTERS AROUND TO BRING THE TEAM DOWN NEXT YEAR. I WOULD ALSO REPRIMAND ANY PLAYER WHO THINKS ABOUT VISITING THAT THUG VICK IN PRISON. TELL THEM IF THEY VISIT VICK THEY SHOULD SEARCH FOR A NEW JOB ALSO. ONCE WE CLEN HOUSE WE SHOULD BE OK FINNERQAN WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR ALONG WITH BROOKING. IF WE CANGE SOME LB’S LIKE VRABEL OR ORSLOVSKY TO GO WITH BROOK THAT WOULD SHORE UP THE MIDDLE OF THE DEFENSE
By william
December 31, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
listening to the rap version of sportscenter, stuart scott’s back boo yah….. sorry. nice column.now, if we don’t take #5 in the draft, same old falcons. best player in the draft… we messed up & won & got ahead. i bet we take a big slow ol from michigan.
By sparta bubba
December 31, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Y’all can write Mike Singletary off as Falcon’s head coach. His chances are slim and none and slim is headed to Miami. Being Black is his first knock and having a white wife is the fatal blow. Ok, so who is your second choice?
By Techie
December 31, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
I was an original Falcon season ticket holder. It got so bad that I couldn’t give them away and I has 50 yard line seats—I finally cancelled them when they moved to the Dome. As long as Blank micro manages he is no better than the Smith’s. Having money is one thing, but having a ego to go with it won’t float in the real world (us peons that buy tickets). The Falcon organization needs a great flush. Even with a water shortage it should be done.
By bill
December 31, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
why don’t we make goffy as GM and mickey mouse coach or vice versa.
By Awesome
December 31, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this
Hire Singletary and draft McFadden (Miami and St. Louis don’t need a back). For all of you that are against bringing in Singletary, who in the hell wouldn’t want to play for a hall of famer? If you were an NFL player, wouldn’t you take him seriously? Let’s break the habbit of hiring these bland coaches (Reeves, Jones, Mora, Petrino). All of them sucked. And for of you calling on Dan Reeves, he’s a great guy, but didn’t you get tired of seeing the Falcons come back after halftime running the same tired plays that teams stopped in the first half? Plus, he couldn’t win the big game anyways. And don’t forget, we have Shockley also.
By Ticket holder
December 31, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
KEEP ARTHUR BLANK OFF THE FIELD. I DIDN’T PAY FOR A TCKET TO SEE HIM ON THE SIDELINES WITH HIS 1930’S MOVIE STAR LOOK.
By Awesome
December 31, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
For all of you that keep using this word “Thug”. Where in Atlanta do you live? North of the city? Because your meaning of the word is far from the truth. Most so-called “Thugs” I know don’t play professional sports.
By joebrave
December 31, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
Neckville,kis my redneck @ss,you little doof@ss,Mike Prick,will be released,in June,and will be sued by the Falcon’s,for oh say 20 MILLION dollars… read up and get your facts Boy!! that worthles B@stard is HISTORY!!!!
By BillW
December 31, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
VT=Vick Thug
By joebrave
December 31, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Hire Reggie Mckenzie,and then Jason Garrett… Draft McFadden and maybe trade Meangelo Hall to Oakland and get Colt Brennan(A real QB)with theat Pick!!!!! gotta start somewhere
By joebrave
December 31, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Oh and Artie,Stop playing that $hit Music at the Dome,No one wants to Hear that $hit!!!! Put some Hank Jr. on the Loudspeakers and play some Real Football!!!!!
By joebrave
December 31, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
The only thing Mike Vick is,Is Bubba’s Biznitch right about now!!lol!!HAHAHAHAHA!!!
By Ryder
December 31, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
Good points Awesome. Let’s take a look at where the Falcons stand for next year in regards to the draft.
Miami: We all know they are going to want to build around a star QB. Should Parcells decide to build with a veteran QB as he’s known to do then he’ll draft Matt Ryan from Boston College.
St. Louis: Orlando Pace ain’t getting any younger, and they already have a QB and an RB in Steven Jackson, so they will go for Jake Long to help that offensive line.
Atlanta: Here’s where it gets interesting. Dunn is getting up there in years and it’s obvious that Atlanta needs someone who can pound the ball to not only keep opposing defenses honest but to also rest their own defense.
That said, do what the Atlanta Hawks did and get the safe pick: Darren McFadden. This team needs a go-to guy on offense and he fits the bill.
Keep in mind that Atlanta will also need a QB to build their future around, regardless of who’s the coach. They will have the third pick in the second round as well, and can use that to pick up either Erik Ainge from Tenn or Chad Henne from Michigan. Have that QB sit under Redman/Leftwich for a year and then the QB will be able to develop slowly.
Atlanta does have some complimentary pieces to build around (Abraham, Boley, DHall) on defense and Roddy White and Jerious Norwood on offense. They need to put the core around them for the future.
Whatever happens it is going to be quite the offseason in Atlanta. I for one can’t wait!
By bill
December 31, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
GO JOEBRAVE TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
By Objective Lou
December 31, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
Well, I promise you one thing. The Little Choir Boy from Boca Raton turned Rambo will never be leaving for the NFL. And, NO!!!!! It is not solely because he is so abundantly happy living so close to Commerce, Georgia. The MAIN reason Georgia fans never have to worry about the former 2nd string QB at Miami entertaining NFL job offers is BECAUSE some coaches can work best with boys18-21 and some coaches work best with MEN and try to IMAGINE Markie Mark’s approach working with someone who can’t have his scholarship yanked!!! Yes, That would work. Would be very similiar scenario to why Liver Spots in Nole-Lo-Contendre was NEVER viewed as an NFL coach—-The “shucks” and “dadgumits” don’t work with males over the age of 21. Never have and Never Will!!!
College coaches stay where you belong in some state with a fertile recruiting base that you have locked up due to childhood loyalties and playing in conferences where you out talent 6 of 8 conference foes and play 3 non-conference puff pastries and one pretty good rival. That assures you 9 wins and if you go 1 and 2 in the competitive games you sit at 10-2, and you are a “genius”. That is until you go to NFL where parity rules and you must COACH and MOTIVATE and where there are no gimmes—Outside of Miami—and no “Homecoming ” teams dotting your schedule. Reference Spurrier, Saban, Petrino, Carroll—-All came back to the easier gig.
mark and Bladder Bobby got it right all along.
By Jim A.
December 31, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this
Too Bad we can’t back up and re-hire future Hall of Fame, Three different teams to the Super Bowl (including the Falcons, Best coach Atlanta ever had: Dan Reeves!!
By Jim A.
December 31, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
I still love the Falcons and really missed seeing them on TV.
By Pfunkatl
December 31, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this
YES! This WIN feels right, and it DIDN’T cost us in the draft! ALL season LONG I felt SICK about our team…I LOVE Vick, but his dumb-a** cost our team, not to MENTION AB,who KNOWS how many seasons of losing and frustration. PLEASE STOP the UGLINESS tho bois…I have BEEN in cities that have RUN or have LET RUN teams out of town. We may NEVER get another NFL team if THAT happens.
Having said THAT, I hope the team makes a GREAT GM hire(Pirioli comes to mind, or MAYBE Marty Schott) then gets a GOOD coach to take over for now…(again Schottenheimer comes to mind). Let him GROOM a guy like Singletary as his successor, someone who can take the HELM of this team for a DECADE or more!
By Quenmarc
December 31, 2007 2:26 AM | Link to this
Mr. Blank. It’s real simple. Redman and D.J. Shockly seem to be good quarterbacks. Cut Joey and Byron (weak ankles) Get a good big offense line. Tom Bradley and Peyton Manning would be average quarterbacks with the linemen the Falcons have now. Also get a dominant wide receiver who changes the whole complexity of the defense. Don’t give up on Vick 2009. Hire Singletary w/good offensive coordinator “Go Falcons”
By KrisG
December 31, 2007 2:59 AM | Link to this
I’m glad everything worked out, winning without losing our spot in the draft. The players deserve that after what they’ve been through.
I’m also glad that players don’t feel the need to answer for their every action and loyalty, and that the racist entitled control freaks that dominate all the AJC boards cannot “reprimand” players for visiting a former teammate in jail. Who do you people think you are? All these extremists, thinking that the world needs to share their personal views or there should be hell to pay. Will you allow his family to visit, or is it only the players who don’t get to make their own decisions regarding a man they worked alongside for 6 years?
By The Truth
December 31, 2007 3:39 AM | Link to this
Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb are hireing Ajax Babaloochee for the new coach.My friend D.Hall told me that!
By carl harris
December 31, 2007 5:02 AM | Link to this
Where is the AJC coming up with these “genius” sportswriters? I miss the Furman Bishers, Jesse Outlars,etc. Bradley has no clue and only writes idiotic articles. He is like the Smiths’ were when they owned the Falcons. They didn’t have a clue either. Blank on the other hand has just made some bad choices. I am actually excited about the futhre now.
By bob
December 31, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
Hire Singletary as head coach and keep the current coaching staff. They really did a remarkable job considering everything that happened this year. The Falcons were not out of many games and considering we were using third and fourt string lineman most of the year, you’ve got to give the coaches credit. Build by drafting OL and DL. Look at the Patriots. Three OL’s are pro bowlers. Why is Brady so good? Look at the time he has to throw.Build from the Line up. We had almost no pass rush this year. Bring new QB along slowly. Redman can handle it if he has a good line in front of him.
By June Jones
December 31, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
What a 3-ring circus the Foulcons are! The Smith family must laugh extra hard on Sundays at how much they suckered Blank and how much $$ he paid them for a worthless team. The real problems began when King Arthur tried to pander to “BlackLanta”. He brought in thug players and started playing ghetto hip-hop music at the dome. When I saw him pushing Ron Mexico in the wheehchair I knew the wheels were coming off the bus. King Arthur…your product SUCKS and you are pandering to the wrong demographic! You have forgotten that “WhiteLanta” is much more affluent and intelligent than the “BlackLanta” that you have chosen to cater to. In the end..Foulcons SUCK!!
By jerry
December 31, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
I would venture to say that since their inception the Falcons average draft pick is near the top of the league and where has it got them. It is far better to have a lower pick and know a good player when you see him than to have a higher pick and not know a football player from a mountain goat.
By Joe
December 31, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Cut any player with braids or gold teeth. That would be a good start.
By Joseph Allen McWhorter
December 31, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
I think I saw someone post a comment in this article that said with the right coach the Falcons would be back in the playoffs next year. Hahaha. That is a total laugh. If Vince Lombardi himself were still alive, he couldn’t even turn this mess around in a year! Try about two years!
By Charles
December 31, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Give it a rest Mark. I hope the first person fired next year will be you. Then Terrence Moore. You two are the worst sports writers of all time.
By Big Dawg
December 31, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Since Petrino hit the road undercover of darkness the Falcons have played 90% better. The new GM and Head Coach should try to keep Jackson and Zimmer who have done a out standing job since given a chance.
By Tommy
December 31, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
To all of you ‘experts’ melting down because the win moved the Falcons from 2nd to 3rd in the draft, let me remind you that in 2001, vick was the #1 overall pick. LaDainian Tomlinson went 5th. Randy Moss was a 18th overall pick, and Tom Brady was a 6th ROUND pick.
IT DOESN’T MATTER.
Seriously, couldn’t the AJC put up some sort of quiz people have to answer before they can post on here? Questions like 1) have you ever watched a NFL game while sober, or 2) do you really think DJ Shockley could be a competent NFL quarterback? ‘No’ to #1 and ‘Yes’ to #2 would disqualify about 90% of the posts on here
By JASON
December 31, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
The Falcons winning or losing yesterday had nothing to do with their draft placement. The Rams were already locked into the 2nd pick through winning the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker. Falcons could not have picked any higher than third, which they ended up doing by winning the 3rd tiebreaker amongst teams with 4 wins.
By sports report
December 31, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Charles, whats your problem? I agree about T. Moore but Mark has been right on. Jeff and Moore are the pits……..
By KB
December 31, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Joe Brave,
With comments like yours, it makes other people around the world view of Atlanta as one of the worst cities around. Join the 21th century clown! The South lost the Civil War. Women have a right to vote. General Sherman left Atlanta a long time ago. President Ike signed the Civil Rights Bill. Heck, I-Tunes are the new way to get music.
I hope we sign M-Ball or Bring Mr. Reeves back. This team needs a vetern hand to run it. Nor more rookies head coaches. This team has way to many immature players on it with no clue how to be professionals in the NFL, let alone how to win as a group. A vetern head coach would change that.
I would hope that the Falcons use the pick to get either Ryan or Brohm with the 1st pick. I like McFadden, but he would be dead with this crap of an offensive line we have here. While you at it looking for a GM, look of a vetern offensive line coach too like Hudson Houck of San Diego.
By Dacat
December 31, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
1- Can someone specifically point out the draft order tie breaking procedure. As far as I can see, if the Falcons had lost yesterday, they would have had the same record as the Rams, the same in conference record, but St Louis had beat them head to head. To me that translates to the #2 pick for the Falcons, but I still don’t understand why the Super Bowl Champ Colts got to host the Patriots earlier this year. 2- The only major difference between the #2 and the #3 pick in this draft is that it would be worth that much more if you are trading down, which is what both the Dolphins and the Falcons should be doing with their premium picks. Just too many needs. If the Falcons trade down to 8-12th pick, they should still be able to get a QB, but get 1-3 extra picks in rounds 2-4.
3- Vick. IMO, the judge should have taken in the financial losses into his decision of jail time, but I also felt that way about Martha Stewart. I do not believe he is a horrible repugnant person, but he is also not worthy of the devotion that many fans give him. He knowingly did something that our society had decided is worthy of a felony sentence. If you believe there was an injustice with this you should be working on making dog fighting legal. Good luck with that because it does not appear that society’s attitude toward this practice will change. Once he is freed from jail, he should be given an opportunity to play again, but not on the Falcons because… 4- Vick is the starting point to the fall of this organization which will likely last 2-3 more seasons. No one can really say what would have happened with Petrino had he been coaching a Vick led team. Perhaps an 8-8 or 9-7 team would have been enough for Petrino to overcome his basic instincts of being a quitter. The NFL attitude towards College coaches is to stay away unless 1) Their successful, 2) Their doing something in college that can translate well to the Pros, and 3) They have some NFL experience. Petrino had all 3. He also had a track record of being an unreliable person, so it was a very poor decision to hand over the leadership of the team to that type of person. 5- Arthur Blank has made some very poor decisions as owner. He fired Dan Reeves after a bad season that was not his fault. He signed Peerless Price for way too much money. The team let Pat Kearney go, and of course Petrino. But just a few years ago, the team was one game away from the Super Bowl. If Mr. Blank has a weakness is that he is susceptible to taking people at their word when really they are not righteous people. At Home Depot, it would be a very rare situation for someone to attempt to pull the wool over the board’s eyes. In the NFL, between agents, other team’s GMs, and coddled athletes, it’s a daily thing. I have a feeling Mr. Blank won’t be fooled again. We will see. 6- For the GM, the Falcons need to look to organizations that have had success in the modern era. The modern era means post-salary cap. They need to look to New England, Indianapolis, or Pittsburgh. I don’t think that Dallas has been consistent enough to be included in the short list. Nor has Green Bay. There just has to be some executive who wants to come out of the shadow and prove themselves. 7- Schottenheimer as a GM is intriguing because he would not be in a position to make poor decisions in the midst of a heated playoff game. But does he really understand how to deal with personnel under the restrictions of the cap? Most coaches do not. I would rather give the opportunity to some young, hungry person who wants to make a name for themselves, then some one who already has a high opinion of themselves. 8- Singletary would be a risk. A risk that the Falcons may need to take. I have not yet seen a short list of other assistant coaches who are ready to take the leap. Mr. Singletary may have the best pedigree.
By BillW
December 31, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Blank had better realize he’s just the owner.
By jack Atlanta
December 31, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Proud of Redman; Crumpler; Coach Thomas; Warrick Dunn; and the overall effort that was made. Hope that we have learned one thing from this sad episode: no single guy can make a team, but one bad guy can pull the plug on a team.
Have an idea that ‘money runner’ Petrino may meet his match in Arkansas! Doubt if Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, or even Kentucky are going to be very sympathetic to the former coach of Louisville! Can’t wait to see him go into the mouth of the SEC!!!
By Boots
December 31, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Just one simple question: Apart from being a nice African American, what has Singletary accomplished over the past five years that would cause one to believe that he is a viable candidate for head coach anywhere?
By boots
December 31, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
DaCat: As a general rule of thumb, you should not write a blog post twice as long as the original article. Not sure what you wrote, but it could not be THAT important…
I’d personally like to see Blank hire a couple of private investigators to monitor Arkansas football for a few years. I’m willing to bet Patrino cuts corners and acts classless there, too, and the NCAA might be able to do what the NFL couldn’t - hammer Patrino for being an @ss.
By Boots
December 31, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
boots, I’ve been using this moniker for several years on this blog and don’t appreciate the possibility of being associated with comments I didn’t make.
Thanks! And, adios.
By timmy jones
December 31, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
mike vick rapes puppies.
By scott
December 31, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
there you racists idiots go again bashing the possible hire of singeltary on the color of his skin .i do think the falcons should look harder befor they hire him let just say he is not the man i like to see as the falcons next coach . but d@mm give this man a chance . GO DAWGS
By William Byrd
December 31, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blank’s heart is always on building a winning franchise, but his mind has become a victim of bad decisions with players and coaches. Any talented and motivated coach would love to work for Arthur Blank because he will do whatever it takes to build a winning franchise. Hire Mike Singletary and your coaching problems will finally be resolved.
By vronca
December 31, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Why should singletary be hired as coach: for one thing he should not not come to this racist state, the second is that he is married to a white woman, which is taboo for both blacks and white here. I don’t care who they hire.
By morris
December 31, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
If I hear one more mental defective clamor for dan reeves to be the GM I think I might scream? Are you retards talking about the same dan reeves who traded a #1 pick one year to move up in the second round to draft reggie kelly? BTW, that pick turned out to be the #5 overall selection the following season and the ravens used it on a guy named jamal lewis! Or are we talking about the same reeves who used our #1 pick one year on that gem of a cornerback michael “toast” booker? How about when he used our #1 pick on T.J. duckett when every expert said we should draft ed reed ( multiple pro bowl safety for the ravens). What about those great second round choices travis claridge and bryon scott? Do some of you have brain damage or memory loss from smoking to much weed or are you just plain stupid? Reeves was a good NFL coach but a horrible personnel decision maker. Not only does Atlanta have the worst pro football team in history but some of the dumbest fans as well.
By GREGGP
December 31, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Ist of all Vick wasn’t drafted by Blank but he did pay him fairly as Vick sold out stadiums,plural; and sold much for the NFL. The mess he got himself into ,no one could forsee,even with the water bottle etc. Blank is a smart man,he will learn from his mistakes and get a good coach and hopefully as public opinion cools with time,give Vick another chance to play here. Let him redeem himself here where it all happened rather than have another owner get the credit.Vick will come back to the NFL and he will be great as ever,who wants to bet?
By SeminoleWarrior
December 31, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Arthur, sign Floyd Reese as the Falcon’s GM right now! 110 wins over ten years as GM of the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oliers. A closer look reveals this resume: He was a key architect in the development of a team that has had one Super Bowl appearance, one AFC championship, two AFC championship appearances, two division titles, four playoff appearances, and a winning playoff record since 1997. He drafted THREE rookie of the year selections in Vince Young, Javon Kearse, and Eddie George. He knows how to build a team. All he is doing right now is cooling it on ESPN with Sage, Dana, and Jay. Fire up the jet Mr. Blank and sign this veteran GM and EXCELLENT talent evaluator now!…
By Bob from Winder
December 31, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
I KEEP HEARING WITH THIS TALK ABOUT SINGLETARY, WHY? AB WANTS TO APPEASE THE BLACK ELEMENT AROUND TOWN. HE THINKS THEY WILL COME TO THE GAME AND CHEER FOR THE FALCOS. WHAT HE DOES NOT UNDRSTAND WAS THE BLACK FANS DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE FALCONS THEY WERE THEIR TO WORSHIP THEIR CORNROLLED TATTOOED THUG GOD MV7. SINGLETARY IS NOT A THUG SO HE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. WHAT AB NEEDS TO DO IS GET A GOOD GM LIKE DAN REEVES FIND A QUALITY COACH FROM THE PATRIOTS OR PACKERS AND DRAFT A QB IN THE 1ST ROUND. TRADE THE MISCREANTS LIKE DUNN CRUMPLER,HALL AND RODDY WHITE.. I AGREE WITH OTHR POSTERS THAT ANYONE WHO ASSOCIATES WITH MV SHOULD ALSO BE CUT OR TRADED IF ANYONE WANTS THEM. WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE AND GET PLAYERS WHO KNOW WHAT CLASS AND CHRISTIAN VALUES ARE. HE SHOULD ASLO INSTITUE A DRESS CODE LIKE THE YANKEES NO HAIR PAST THE COLOR AND NO BEARDS EARRING OR MSTACHES AND TATOOS. THIS WILL GIVE THEM A MORE PROFESSIONAL LOOK. ALL PLAYERS WITH QUESTIONABLE MORALS SHOULD BE FORCED TO SUBMIT TO A FALCONS OFFICAL SHOWING UP AT YOUR HOUSE ANYTIME OF THE DAY TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND TO MAKE SURE IT IS RIGHT.. I THINK FORMER BULLDOG DVID POLLACK WOULD MAKE A GOOD DEFENSIVE COACH, AND WE SHOULD ALSO GIVE DAVID GREENE A LOOK I UNDERSTAND HE WAS ON THE PATRIOTS PRACTICE SQUAD. HE CAN BACK UP REDMAN NEXT YEAR UNTIL OUR NEW QB COLT BRENNAN IS READY…
By SeminoleWarrior
December 31, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Now for my coaching moves Mr. Blank. First, hire Offensive mind Josh McDaniels from New England. Look at what he has done the last three years with Brady. He will work the same magic with Matt Ryan. Keep Mike Zimmer as DC and ask Coach Jackson to work the magic he worked in Cincy with White, Robinson, and a nice FA WR acquistion in the form of Patrick Crayton. Good bye Horn, Jenkins, and Jennings. Return the O-line to the zone blocking scheme that was so successful under the Mora regime. (NOTE: That was all that they did right..the blocking and running scheme). First three picks in April; QB Matt Ryan, OLT Chris Williams, and CB Leodis McKelvin.
By DR
December 31, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Only good thing that happened to the Atlanta Falcons is PETRINO QUIT.
Now time to get Mary and to have a MARTY BALL.
By morris
December 31, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Bob from winder, congrats you have been added to the dan reeves for GM retards list!