ajcsportstalk

By PRJ

December 30, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

…for gawds sake, let’s not jump because we reached a “plateau” like we did w/ Leeman!

By WST

December 30, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

So, why is McKay squeaky clean in all of this? He’s the one that convinced Blank to hire Mora after being wowed with a bunch of notebooks.

He’s the one that threw boatloads of cash at “all-talk” Ed Hartwell and “Groin” Abraham, not to mention trading picks away to get the latter.

McKay’s the one who has yet to draft a Pro Bowl WR (including his tenure in Tampa).

Why is McKay’s job seemingly safe?

Now, that does not excuse Mora at all; he should go too, but why is McKay safe?

By Carroll

December 30, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Unless something is done about the tumor that is Mike Vick, then any coaching changes are just pointles—like a band aid on a shotgun wound. Even Bill Belicek could not make a winner out of this team if he was handcuffed to Homey the clown (Vick).

By Fade

December 30, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

Well, its definitely hard disregard the track records, both positive and negative, up to this point. At times I am firm believer in Mora, and at others…well not so much.

By bp

December 30, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Yes Mora should go. Both June Jones and Jerry Glanville have previous NFL experience and put NFL teams into the playoffs with the meager $$$ the Smith family provided. Jerry Glanville coached 8 years in the NFL as a head coach and made the playoffs 4 years. I think if June Jones could return as head coach and Jerry Glanville as defensive coordinator, the Falcons could be a playoff team more times than not with the support and structure that Blank has created. Their names need to start being mentioned as possible replacements. The falcons need NFL experience in the coaching positions and they have both experience and knowledge of what has to be done. June Jones would have Michael Vick leading the NFL in passing, not rushing.

By E Jackson

December 30, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

I really hate to start over, but I like everyone wants to win. I believe, if Mora doesn’t want to change his coaches, let him go. I believe the first agenda would be to define our offensive and defensive concepts. And look for a head coach with experience, in those arena’s. I have felt for years we needed another defensive coach. With the exception of Hall(jury is still out), our secondary has sucked, for years. We have constantly stayed at the bottom of pass defense stats. The falcons have tried to make up for that shortcoming, and failed.

By seve

December 30, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

**why was the team so good two years ago but underacheiving now. Can you really blame coaching. They all seem to want to play hard for the coaches and if this is the case then can’t you sumize that the talent is getting beat at least 50% of the time. Can we start by saying it is the players. If they are playing hard then they are not that good. Stop saying they are loaded with talent maybe on the defensive side where they allowed just 10 points last game. If any team in the NFL holds the opponet to 10 points they expect to win. Wasn’t it the 4th or 5th game where the defensive finally gave up a point when they had just about everyone heathy. In the beginning of the year they were one of the best defenses in the league until they had the rash of injuries. Th offense never kicked it up a notch when they had injuries on the defense like so many other teams.

Where is the talent?**

By Ronny

December 30, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Did I hear this right? I thought Lou Holtz said during half-time of the Navy-Boston College game— that Jim Mora— or maybe a staff member—may be heading to Alabama. It was so quick I may not have understood it correctly. It was in the form of a Holtz “tip.” Wouldn’t that be something! If so— and this is just from me— one possibility to replace Mora would be Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. He has a terrific record at Iowa— and was once Assistant Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens. He also was the offensive line coach! Just do a Google search on Kirk Ferentz— and read his bio. Really outstanding!

By donagh

December 30, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

Mora has clearly demonstrated that he lacks the maturity needed to be head coach in the NFL. The Seattle radio bit proves that beyond the shadow of a doubt. Many held Howard Coseel in low esteem but he called it right years ago, they are truly the “hapless Atlanta Falcons”. It is going to take a head coach and more to give this city the winner that it has awaited for 40 years.

By BirdDawg

December 30, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

McKay’s job is safe because if Rich McKay had his way, Lovie Smith would be leading the Falcons to their second straight Super Bowl right now.

Yes, it is all too true. The Rich Man is a meddler. He was overcome by Jim Mora’s CONJOB (interview) and hypnotized by Mora’s magic notebooks, and over McKay’s wishes, hired Mora and not Lovie.

Arthur sees this as his fault.

Think of everything that would have been different had McKay had his way and hired Smith.

Our defense would be AGGRESSIVE and HARD HITTING instead of passive and reactive. The name Ed Donnatel would never have been uttered in Flowery Branch.

Guys like MeAngelo Hall would be held accountable for their idiotic on-field behavior which garners personal foul after personal foul which kills this team on a consistant basis.

Alex Gibbs wouldn’t have come here to saddle this organization with a bunch of no-talent, 7th round draft picks who can cheat with the best of them and try to maim other players, but cannot man up on the goal line and cannot pass block better than my mama.

Greg Knapp would by now be a QB coach somewhere like Seattle or Philadelphia, instead of killing Michael Vick’s career and being the absolute worst offensive coordinator in football. Playcalling, game managing, in-game adjustments… Greg Knapp truly sucks at every single level of his job.

Michael Vick would have had a firm hand, instead of Mora’s loose hand. Yes, he’s needed it, and yes, I am a Vick supporter. But a firmer hand in some areas (like how he holds the ball when he runs) would have made him a top-5 QB.

Also, Michael Vick would be playing in an offense much more suited to his style of play… a hybrid of Mike Martz’s offense where you throw down the field off of play action passes.

Also, Warrick Dunn and Justin Griffin would have truly thrived in this offense, because those men can catch the ball out of the backfield, something that that idiot Greg Knapp has never utilized.

Also, if McKay had his way, this team would not have to constantly apologize for the actions of it’s head coach. The head coach would actually act like an adult instead of a spoiled, petulant, immature child.

That is why McKay is safe. Mora is not his fault, and everything that has happened under Mora is on the Rich Man’s plate and no one else’s.

As for who we get to replace him… how about Ken Whisenhunt or Russ Grimm, you know, which ever one doesn’t get picked in Steeltown?

Why not Cam Cameron, archietect of an offense suited for Vick?

Ron Riviera, anyone?

As for the IDIOTIC arguments that those guys would be a lateral move because they, like Mora was, are just assistants, I have this to say:

Mora was MEDIOCRE defensive coordinator. He WALKED-ON at UDub, because his DADDY was a coach there. He got his first coaching job at New Orleans because his DADDY was the head coach. He probably also caught on with SanFran because of his DADDY.

He has earned nothing in the NFL without his DADDY’S NAME.

He is the picture-perfect example of a silver-spoon, spoiled-brat, DADDY’S BOY who, when held accountable for his actions, continues to act the part of a petulant child.

HE NEVER DESERVED THIS JOB AND NEEDED TO BE FIRED TWO WEEKS AGO!!!

Good riddance, Little Jimmy Mora.

Thank you for taking DAN REEVES’ team to an NFC Championship Game, and then submarining our franchise and one in a million QB.

Take your BFF Greg Knapp, move back to SanFran where you guys can come out of the closet and get married, and bring your Gimp (Ed Donatell) with you!!!

By rj

December 30, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Knapp and Mora must go. Mora lacks the maturity to coach at this level and the wisdom to know when he had all the resources available to him to create a winner what to do. There is no way a store manager with Home Depot with this much failure would be retained. Mckay has been a notable absentee from this mess and should be judged as a failure as well. By the way Mr. Blank regardless of your investment you should not be on the sideline. I doubt Lombardi would have put up with you. Stay in the front office where you know about business and off the sidelines where you know nothing about the business of football.

By domeOFpain

December 30, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

The word was Mora won the job because he was so impressive in the interview; he came with a plan, and an offensive and defensive coordinator. Mora was a previous assistant before getting the job. He “talked a good game” in the interview, but talk is cheap - execution is expensive. Mora could not and will never deliver - he will be a perrennial assistant after he leaves the Falcons.

I hate to start over, but Jimmy Boy (and his coordinators) are over his (their)head and needs to go. The team has no identity, plays soft and the only consistent thing about the team is that they are inconsistent.

By Jack

December 30, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Yep - Mora has to go. Yes, McKay has made mistakes but I have also heard from good sources he wanted a full court press to get Nick Saban. Either Lovie or Saban would have obviously been light years better.

By terrell

December 30, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

Birddawg you was right of the money.Mora gots to go with his staff.We as Falcons fans are sick and tired of those losers.

By Boots

December 30, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

One thing for certain and one that will probably happen: Michael Vick ain’t going anywhere and Mora will be given a year with a new OC to save his job. They’ll entice a qualified OC with the promise of the head job if Mora is fired. That’s the way I see it!

By Cedrick

December 30, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

I say Arthur Blank should keep Mora for one more year with the stipulation that Mora needs to change coordinators. If Mora does not want to then FIRE him and move on. Us Falcon fans do not want another year with mediocre coaches.

By william

December 30, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

as a fan of the falcon sence there arrival to altanta it still besege me to believe we cannot draft players that can think while they are playing the game as I watch the game I see game situtions that a high school player should be able to reconize and why for the love of god do they have put on a show for ever play they make is it not what they get million of dollar to make even the simple ones give me a coach that can bring back pride

By larry w.

December 30, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Clean house completely. And that includes everyone that calls themselves an Atlanta Falcons coach. BirdDawg mentioned some interesting candidates. I like what Rivera and Lovie have done with the Bear defense. I also like the idea of Whisenhunt returning to coach his old team. Russ Grimm has great potential. But one name that has been mentioned only sparingly, but may be a sleeper is Mike Singletary. He’s a tough no nonsense coach that was instrumental in the development of Ray Lewis and the talented Raven linbacking corps. He will not allow the under achieving, lack of discipline, and inconsistency that the birds have grown accustom to under Mora’s watch.

By SC

December 30, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Any coach who thinks that Michael Vick will flourish behind an undersized group of cut blockers should be fired. If Rich McKay thinks this way, then he should be fired, too.

The key to Michael Vick’s leadership on the field is exceptional pass protection. He is at his best when the field is spread to its maximum, and when he feels comfortable in the passing game.

Mora and McKay are wrong about the cut blocking scheme. Not because it isn’t an unproven scheme - because it is the wrong scheme for Michael Vick.

The most important firing is Alex “Rasputin” Gibbs. If the Falcons keep the cut-blocking scheme, then they had better hire Terrel Owens, because that’s the guy that finally got Alex Gibbs to the Super Bowl last time …

By Beretverde

December 30, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Get gone Mora, and take Ron Vick and his salary wit you! “Coach Killa” Vick… two coaches… down, an NFL record… wow, too stupid to audible (can’t read defenses), a losing season, and $80 million more to go! Is Blank taking a chapter from the Smith family?

By Steven

December 30, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

I agree that Greg Knapp and Ed Donnatell have been an anchor around the Falcon’s neck. There’s nothing we can do about not getting Lovie. He’s gone so let’s move on. Mora messed up big time this year with his immature communication to his father saying in appropriate things. All of the distractions and not holding his coordinators accountable could cost him his job. If Mora stays, he needs to understand the political side of the business and go about the business of winning and keep his mouth shut. He can coach, but he needs to be a leader. LEADERS DO NOT HAVE BAD DAYS. If something does not go well, fix it, no matter how tough the decision. Lovie fired his offensive coordinator early in the season and then went on to make the playoffs last year. Mr. Blank needs to understand that the fans deserve more. The fans have proven that they support him and the Falcons. When will he support the fans by putting a better product on the field? Please release the coordinators and hold Mora accountable. I believe the Falcons can be winners with a coordinator like Mike Martz and a very tough disciplined defensive coordinator. Finally, give Michael Vick the opportunity to change plays when he reads defenses instead of calling time outs? Most quarterbacks in the league can check off, but Mike Vick always seems to be handcuffed. Work on his accuracy. Vick has one of the strongest arms in the game and he’s still the most elusive quarterback in the NFL. Keep the head coach and change coordinators. Give Mike Vick some flexibility and you’ll see a different team.

By BirdDawg

December 30, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

SC… Terell Owens didn’t take Gibb’s scheme to a Super Bowl… that was Terrell DAVIS.

And Beretverde… you’re a moron.

Yeah, Vick’s a coach killer. It’s all Vick’s fault that he broke his leg in a meaningless preseason game. And that Arthur Blank jumped the gun in firing Reeves.

And it’s all Vick’s fault that Little Jimmy Mora is an immature, petulant, spoiled-brat of a child who cannot keep his big mouth shut and has embarrassed this franchise and his owner on countless occassions.

Yeah, that’s all Vick’s fault, idiot.

By AP

December 30, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

I think Mora should stay. We’ve all put our foot in our mouth at one time or another. If Vick stays, he should stay—at least for one more season.

We need more playmakers. Would Vick and TO work? We need to go to the Superbowl! Everybody needs to shut-up and play!

By Famuan

December 30, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

Beretverde, I think Steve was asking for logical, realistic, thought-provoking responses….not the erratic, completely stupid, moronic, dumb rants like yours.

By larry w.

December 30, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

It amazes me how every Falcon blog, no matter the topic, turns into a Mike Vick bashing party. Please give it a rest guys!

By mark

December 30, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

If Jeff Fisher can figure out how to use Vince Young in a couple of months, why can the Falcons coaching staff not figure out Mike Vick’s strengths and gear the offense towards them in three years? I don’t blame the Falcons for having three first round draft picks at wide reciever that are all busts; a large degree of blame goes to the players themselves for not working on their weak areas(hands). But Jim Mora is a knucklehead. He has used extremely poor judgement several times in the last three years. If there is no reason to believe that he will begin to act more mature, then he needs to go. You can’t act like a stupid teenager all your life. Jim Mora needs to grow up. But please hire someone with an inventive offensive mindset. Mike Vick isn’t going to be young and agile forever. His clock is ticking.

By Richie Rich

December 30, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

Just a few names to throw out there as our next coach: Ron Rivera, def. cord. for the Bears, Rex Ryan, Def. cord. for the Ravens, Ken Whisenhunt, Off. cord. for the Steelers. Any of these guy’s would be better than what we have….Hell I would like to see Jimmie Johnson come and coach this team, but I don’t think he wants to come out of retirement.

By Stewart

December 30, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

There is no comparision to Vince Young and Mike Vick..except that they are black qbs who can run. Vick is 5 11, maybe 6 feet. Young is 6 5, he will be a much better pocket passer.

By carman563

December 30, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

GO MORA, TAKE, MCKAY, KNAPP AND VICK WITH YOU , HIRE JUNE JONES, MAKE SCHAUB Q.B., RETIRE DUNN , THATS O.K., FOR STARTERS, THEN WE WILL HAVE OUR FALCONS BACK ! JUST AN OPINON !,

By Jack Cochran

December 30, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

Hey BirdDawg! Do you think anyone really cares about your diatribe? I have just two more words: Ken Whisenhunt.

By Falcon4Life

December 30, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

CAN MORA AND KEEP VICK!!!! First, with Mora, he has to go. Here are some bulletpoints why:

*He has shown a lack of maturaty with his temper tantrums with the situation with Archer last year, among others.

*Mister Sunshine: the team never does anything wrong if you listen to him. Explaining the horrible play of his team, he spins it into a positive. WAKE UP MORA…When you lose to DETROIT and CLEVELAND back to back ther is nothing good you can say about it ( but he tried ). He is a spin doctor that reminds me of a used car salesman. I think he could sell ice cubes to eskimo’s but he cant coach.

*He does not hold his players accountable. He is an appologist for his players rather than a disaplanarian. I like Vick ( read further ) but he has made his far share of mistakes this year, but Mora refuses to call a spade a spade. If someone sucks in a game, then say that this guy sucks. More than that, dont pat the player on the back and start singing “the sun will come out tommorrow”, rip into him and tell him just how poor his performace was, and if that does not work, then bench him for a quarter, half, or a game or two regardless of there salary.

*The Seatle radio comments made me sick. I have lived in the ATL area my entire life and am a life long Falcons fan. When I hear my head coach making the comments that he made, well it made me sick. I personally think he should have been fired on the spot. Making comments like that do nothing but CRAP all over the Falcons and the orginization. I dont think another head coach has ever made comments like this in NFL history. I have heard the sound bite about 30 times and the entire interview around 10 times and regardless of how he wants to spin it, I truely believe that he was NOT JOKING!!! Try as you will Jimbo, but you can polish a terd!!!

And now on to Vick, everyone seems to want to bash Vick but I think that the Falcons are partly to blame for Vick. He has been playing in a system that is not suited for him and under a coach who refuses to hold him accountable. I think with a new scheme and a coach who is not afraid to bench Vick if need be for his attatude, lack of preparation, or lack of effort, then Vick would be better for it. You cant be a parent and a best friend at the same time and Vick needs some tough love at times.

All this said, I hope we can pick up a reciever or two who can actually catch a football, a few O linemen who weigh more than I do and a coaching staff who can make this group of very talented individuals into a team.

GO FALCONS

By Larry

December 30, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

The Problem: Jim Mora & Michael Vick

The Solution: Jim Tressel & Matt Schaub

Any questions?

By Dennis

December 30, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

By Vance

December 30, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

I’ll say again..DUMP MORA..Get “vick” from behind center and associate people with this organization that have more on their mind than their bank account.These above mentioned “employees” are a detriment to this club.”vick” is not a “coach killer”,he’s an organization ruination..OPEN YOUR EYES ARTY!!!!!

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

for all of these morons who say the falcons can not win with vick, i say that if no coach can win with vick, then how did vick along with reeves, phillips, and mora somehow manage to have a 38 game stretch where they went 27-10-1 with vick as a starter? how exactly could no coach win with vick when his teams went 27-10-1 with vick as the starter while during that same exact stretch, the team went 3-11 without vick as a starter? use your brains for once, morons.

i personally do not think that the gibbs cut blocking scheme is the problem. i think the problem is that although I love Dunn, Dunn is not a big back and does not move chains and score TDs in short yardage and in the red zone. The success of the team is largely based on fast dunn, vick, and norwood cutting around the corners and running outside. there is not enough action and pounding from the running game up the middle. The cure for the offense ineptitude on short yardage, 3rd downs, 4th downs, and the red zone will be get to get A BIG RUNNING BACK THIS OFFSEASON WHO CAN POUND AND COMBINE THAT BACK WITH NORWOOD. unfortunately, that means that Dunn has to go. if you get a pounding, bruising RB, that will suck the secondary and linebackers to the middle of the field and up to the line of scrimmage, thereby helping the passing game by opening things up downfield and towards the sidelines, especially if the coaches are bright enough to use the play action, chuck it deep option out of that pounding running. it will also make vick and norwood much more explosive on the corners next year because the defense will be sucked into the middle of the field and towards the line of scrimmage.

Mora and McKay have to go. When Michael Vick could lead a team that was 3-11 without him to a 27-10-1 record over a 38 game stretch, and in two straight seasons, has his teams with a 6-2 record and then a 5-2 record, and then both seasons are followed by 2-6 late season collapses, that tells me that the problem is clearly not vick.

Vick could not be a loser and is not causing the losing if he once went 27-10-1. When his team was healthy last year, they went 6-2. When his team was somewhat healthy this year, they were 5-2. That tells me that when he is provided with an adequate healthy supporting cast that has depth to it, that the Falcons will win with Vick as the starter.

The two consecutive 2-6 late season collapes are caused by (1) Poor personnel decisions which have caused a lack of adequate depth; (2) Poor financial decisions by Blank which have prevented the team from having adequate depth because the team is too top heavy and has too much money invested in the core stars that are leftovers from the Reeves regime; (3) Poor hiring decisions by Blank and McKay with the coaches; (4) Poor coaching by Mora and his boys as evidenced by the failure to make adjustments in games and during the course of a season; (5) Poor personnel decisions by Blank and McKay to hire Abe and Hurtwell who have killed this team with their injuries.

In fact, the problems with the coaching should be pretty self evident by the failures to score in the 1st quarter and the failure to throw touchdowns in the 4th quarter. The failure of the offense to score in the first quarter and the propensity of the defense to allow scores in the first quarter screams that there is a lack of adequate game planning going on by the coaches.

Then the failure to be able to throw touchdowns in the fourth quarter screams again of poor game planning and poor coaching adjustments being made.

The fourth quarter failures also make it self evident to me that the real problem with the passing game is the running game. The running game without vick’s runs is merely decent. They need that guy to be able to pound the ball in the 4th quarter. Dunn is not that guy. If they had a pounder, things as explained above would be opened up for vick to throw touchdowns downfield. It could also be argued that Vick could also run for more touchdowns like he did in 2002 because the defense would be sucked into the middle of the field, thus allowing Vick to get to the corners and score touchdowns in the red zone. Without that running game being able to pound up the middle, Vick’s running abilities are sort of useless inside the red zone because the space is too contained and because the defense is not sucked into the middle, thereby allowing the defense to spread the field and keep spies focused on potential vick runs. Defensive ends would not be able to keep outside containment because they would have to get sucked into the middle of the field along with the linebackers and defensive backs for run support if the falcons were a pounding running team.

Look at the games where Vick has thrown four touchdowns this year. It has been against aggressive defenses who made the mistake of playing up to the line of scrimmage and towards the middle of the field. Look at the Cowboys game for example. Roy Williams is notorious for playing up to guard the run, thus Roddy White could beat the secondary deep. Also, the little passes to Griffith on the outside were very effective because the Cowboys were overly aggressive and overly concerned with playing up and to the middle. I personally think that was poor coaching by the Cowboys defense that even let the Falcons hang in that game.

The Falcons may lead the league in rushing offense but i think that is kind of a false measure of how good their running game is. Too much of that is based on Vick’s run which are really not run but really screens and dumps to himself just like Brees has made a career of dumping passes to Bush and LT when no one else is open downfield. IF the Falcons running game is so good, then how come the Falcons do not even hold the ball for 30 minutes of time possession on average?

By Joyce

December 30, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

Yes, Mora and his staff should go. I think everyone is to blame. Unfortunately something is not right with the team and the general attitude around the team. I am not sure Vick has it all together either. It seems his head is screwed up more this year than last. I believe the Mora coaching influence and the rough fan treatment have hurt Vick. I just hope he can move forward and get over the past 2 seasons. If not, we better take a look at Schaub before we trade him off.

By Dennis

December 30, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

Another point. We have got to trade Mike Vick. Everyone’s enamored with him but one player does not win a championship. Get value for him while we can, put Schaub in at QB. With the picks we get for Mike we can draft some O-line studs. And, as much as I like McKay, he’s not done a good job as far as the line goes. Belichek gets Ryan O’Callaghan, who was supposed to be a first-rounder (3rd or 5th rounder, I think), after the first round and the guy has started for us. Jimmie Williams is good but why can’t we have guys who know the personnel in the college ranks? It all goes back to coaching and player development. Abraham’s always been damaged goods, we gave him a ton of money and he’s crapped out this year due to injury. Same with Hartwell. We need some talent evaluators as well as coaches!

By SC

December 30, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Hey BirdDawg, yeah, oh yeah, my bad. That’s a heck of a Freudian slip, but no I definitely do not want TO in Atlanta. Still it’s true that the Broncos never won a SuperBowl before, ahem, Terrell Davis …

By Mothball

December 30, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

I agree with Cochran on both counts.

BirdDawg – Your posts are all the same and then you have the nuts to call people idiots for expressing their opinions. Work a thesaurus in for us please. Is petulant your favorite word on the planet? How about cantankerous, grouchy, or surly?

I believe the Falcons need leadership on and off the field. Despite BirdDawg’s wordy rehashed posts, he is spot on about Mora and Rich McKay. But, Vick must mature as well.

Regarding Vick, why bother bash him or heap accolades on him at this point? Until he does something to prove that he is anything but average and capable of leading this team, yapping about him is a waste of time. I certainly hope that there is someone out there who can win a championship with Vick at quarterback because the Falcon’s are stuck with him for better or worse.

Barring a big Redskin comeback, the Falcons are done for this year as they should be. Time for changes a plenty.

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

why does everyone keep saying that Schaub is an answer for anything? how do you even know that? you don’t. you have absolutely no basis to believe that Schaub should be starting. None of us have even seen the guy play. This love affair with Schaub is maddening. I certainly hope Schaub someday turns into a great QB, especially if he has to fill in for Vick someday, but I have no reason to believe that Schaub is anything special at all. For all these people who say get rid of Vick and play Schaub next year, I ask you: Why Schaub? Why not some other QB with a proven track record? Why wouldn’t you want David Greene or DJ Shockley as your QB? GReene and Shockley have done as much as schaub has in the NFL and they both certainly were better college QBs who had more personal and team success than Schaub at his little Virginia school. Now, as much as I love DJ and Greene, they are not better options right now in any way over Michael Vick. Vick has proven alot in the NFL, even with his many imperfections. BUT i have no reason to believe that Schaub is any better at all than Greene or DJ. What am I missing in this love affair with Schaub? I do not want to hate on Schaub but this silly simple minded support of Schaub without any basis at all for such blind loyalty is just maddening.

By BigdaddyJ

December 30, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Arthur needs to stay out of the way and let McKay do what he was brought in to do. With that said, it’s time for McKay to start showing some brains on who he brings in - Jenkins, White, Crocker, Hartwell all busts. However, let’s give credit where it’s due - Norwood. Ok that is 4 busts and one good bring in. Knapp is a clown. You would think he might go upstairs and actually watch the game to get a clue as to what is going on. Except for two games, the offense has been nothing short of horrific. How many different coordinators is it going to take until Vick can actually read a defense? Let’s stop making excuses for the guy. Great athlete - poor QB. Mora- don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. Your teams are outcoached each week. see ya!

By Keith Helms

December 30, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

Yes, Jim Mora should leave, along with all his assistants who have any intelligence or intestinal fortitude or pride. MIKE VICK is a egomaniac who does not care about anyone or anything except himself. ARTHUR BLANK is VICK’S little toy who makes the rest of the organization do as VICK wishes. VICK is actually more disruptive and dangerous to a team than T.O. because he controls the ball every play and does not hesitate to change the play to suit his ego regardless of the results. MR. BLANK needs to admit his infatuation with this cancer, get rid of him, and then build a winner.

By Famuan

December 30, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

Never ceases to amaze me, the question is specifically about Mora and what candidates to consider in the event of his termination…and yet dimwits HAVE to bash the QB because apparently no conversation about the Falcons, regardless of topic, can take place without mentioning the favorite target. This proves what the basis of the bashing really is…and it certainly is not about football.

By JW

December 30, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

This is some of the most amusing stuff I have ever seen! Ryan? Whisenhunt? Singletary? They are nothing more than Mora Jr. before he was hired. How many of you thought Mora was the answer when he took us to the NFC Championship? Lovie Smith? What has he done that Mora hasn’t? Get rid of McKay and Knapp? Funny how they were the second coming just a couple of years ago!

And then we get to Vick. He is as good as he will ever be. He wasn’t drafted last year. Having grand illusions of Vick “coming into his own” is over. Maybe in 2001, but not 07. Sorry. Exciting sells tickets, but it won’t win championships…and Vick only has a couple of more “exciting” years left. Trade him while you can. He has been here for how many years? How many head coaches? How many different offenses? How many coordinators? How many championships?

How about this: Step up the intensity. Play with more dicipline. Quite reading your press clippings. Find an offense that everyone understands. Learn how to throw,catch,run and tackle for four quarters. Oh, wait a minute! Thats to much to ask. Let’s just fire the coach, extend Vicks contract, and sign TO.

By Craig

December 30, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

Mora stays. OC and DC go. First, who would take Mora’s place? Second, the defense is TERRIBLE (see last Sunday). And the offense is not that good either.

By Famuan

December 30, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

reverend run, you know as well as I do what the love affair with Schaub is all about. We don’t need Cornell West to explain it…its RIGHT there, just read between the “can’t read defenses, not a good leader” hyperbole….its crystal clear.

By Dennis

December 30, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

Reverend Run,

Not slamming Mike at all. It’s about the team. Mike puts the team on his back and wins some games, but he can’t do it over the long haul. I’ve posted before, but when Drew Bledsoe came back from injury and Tom Brady was the QB, Belichek did not put Bledsoe in because he thought the team would look to Bledsoe to make plays and ease up, even subconciously. With Brady in, each guy knew he had to do his job well. We’ve got the same problem. If someone blows a blocking assignment, it’s, oh well, Mike will improvise. I love Mike but we can make the team stronger by trading him, as well as improving our salary cap situation. Schaub’s unproven, I’ll give you that, but he’s shown a lot of promise when he has played. Not knocking Mike at all. Do we want the best athlete in the league, and one of the better QB’s, or do we want to win? Mike’s not going to get us there as the team is now, because guys look to him to make plays, which he does. They just don’t do their own jobs. Plus we can get draft picks and build something. He’s not a coach killer, he’s gotten killed by the coaches, but he’s still got to go, that’s what’s best for the team. Only one man’s opinion.

By dale r

December 30, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

Fire Mora and all his staff, time to start over.

By TEEDY JACK EDDY

December 30, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

All you wanabe experts think you could coach, bull sh**!I agree Mora is likely coaching his last game with the birds,but to say this blocking scheme is flawed is to ignore 5 rings in S.F. and 2 in Denver.So Mora is going and someone else is moving in,it’s probably the right move but guess what if they hired Shanahan and he used this blocking scheme and these linemen he would win ball games. .

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

Mr. Keith Helms: you are very disturbed and also quite ignorant. did your really say the one of the problems with vick is that “he controls the ball every play and does not hesitate to change the play to suit his ego regardless of the results.” ARE YOU THE LAST MORON IN THE ATL WHO HAS NOT YET HEARD THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FALCONS IS THAT VICK IS NOT ALLOWED AT ALL TO CHANGE ANY PLAYS WHATSOEVER? just that statement alone reveals that your hatred for vick is not based upon anything intelligent or football related, and is just based upon your own hatred and prejudice which you will never admit actually having. until you catch up with the rest of us and realize that Vick does not create problems with audibles because he is not permitted to audible, then you really should not share anymore opinions about vick or the falcons because you are too ignorant about the reality of the team. What I personally think is that you watched the Friday Night Lights marathon today on Bravo and that you saw the black QB on that fake high school team change plays without the permission of the coach and somehow got yourself all confused and do not know the difference between the little fictional black QB on the television show and MV7.

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

dennis: i can respect your opinion even though i do not agree with it because you seem to have logic and objectivity to your opinion. so, do not think that my little (actually quite long) rants are directed at you.

By ja

December 30, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Would it be terrible to bring back Dan Reeves?

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

the braves brought back bobby cox and that worked out pretty well. why not reeves? i would imagine that if reeves came back though, he would tell king arthur that mckay has to go with mora.

By Steve T

December 30, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

My feeling is Mora is to loyal to Knapp. In the NFL, you can not have friends. With the Ravens, the OC was the head coach friend. The offense did not click so he fired him.

Mora should have demoted Knapp a long time ago. The falcons have talent. If they did not they would not have gone 6-2, 5-2. They fade away after the first 8 games. I believe the other teams have watch enough films to figure the falcons out.

Let me state my case. The falcons started the season with the shotgun option. The NFL did not have a clue of how to stop it. They were running all over people. Then they figured it out. What happen next. The falcons starting passing. It worked well. However teams figured out a way to stop it. What happened next. They put Justin at TB and almost beat Dallas.

My point is in the NFL, you have to mix it up. Let look at Vince Young. He is running the shot gun option; however, Chow has designed several plays off that set.

Knapp can not design play. He has talent, but he does not know how to use it. Justin has shown that he can make big plays, but he does not use him. The falcons should have a 3 headed rushing attack. We can run Justin at FB. We can run Dunn. We can use Justin in short yardages and goal line. Then we can use Norwood for the change of pace and our home run hitter. We can run play action off the running game.

By Tell it like it is

December 30, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Vick should be the first to go..At least move him to running back. He is not good enought to be qauterback..Bring Glannville back..

By FREEDOG

December 30, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

* No need to fire Mora* He quit 2 weeks ago.

By BirdDawg

December 30, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

Well, the Giants won, so Mora is as good as FIRED!!!

THANK THE LORD!!!

By FREEDOG

December 30, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

* No need to fire Mora* He quit 2 weeks ago.

By Richard

December 30, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

I think that if Mr. Mora wants to coach at Washington State so bad then by all means let him go . Mr.Blank can get a coach that wants to coach the Atlanta Falcons . There is a lot of people that would love the chance to coach Mike Vick and company.

By reverend run

December 30, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

adios jimbo. tiki just put the nail in your coffin tonight.

By VICK HAS HERPES

December 30, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Well, not that it mattered, but now that the Falcons have NO hopes of making the playoffs, Vick is SURE to be thinking about hip-hop New Year’s Eve parties in Atlanta tomorrow night.

Having a good game is NOT a priority - remember: Mike Vick has genital herpes.

FACT.

By fubar

December 30, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

Now that the Falcoons are out, it’s time to do what needs to be done - trade Vick and replace the coaching staff.

By Geno

December 30, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Your all a bunch of dummies! Keep Mora and Mckay and dump the rest. can’t you see the light?

By calvin jones

December 30, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

let him go 8-8 7-9 let him go his dad started this w/ the “coach killed” comment. how do think the players really felt after try heard that. u tell me how would you feel. find someone thats wants to be there.

By Skott

December 30, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

Fire the coaches because they certainly do not know how to best deploy Vick. He is NOT a Pro QB. Vick is a great athlete, that’s all. And he is not the fr$cking savior of the black race. So please, all you Vick apologists, quit whining that his critics are racists.

He was a very good college QB because he was so much better an athlete than many college players and as QB he always had access to the ball which gave him the ability to out-athlete college players with his legs.

A Pro QB needs to be able to pass the ball to his receivers first and foremost (i.e. Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Donte Culpepper, etc.) If you want to see him run then make him a running back. If he wants to be QB then I want to see him make consistent, accurate, catchable (by this I mean with touch) passes to his receivers for 1st downs. I know his receivers drop passes, but some of these are caused by him having such happy feet as soon as he feels any pressure which changes the dynamics of the pass play. The play suddenly becomes an improv play which is not what has been practiced and therefore more subject to failure. Not to mention he often over throws the ball - in velocity not direction, which makes the ball often uncatchable if it is the least bit off target.

I suggest everyone compare Vick to Vince in their QB styles. Many seem to think they are comparable, but are they really? I see very significant differences even in their running styles. Vick is more often just scrambling back & forth (East/West) whereas Vince is a more often quickly moving North/South as a runner.

By kenny d

December 30, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

how could we forget that vick has herpes, loser like you will not stop talking about it as if you are a bunch of repressed in the closet homosexuals who are overly concerned with the sexual habits of another man. the fact that anyone has herpes says nothing about anyone’s character. it just means that he was unfortunate enough to have sex with the wrong woman at some point in his life or even perhaps that his mother passed it onto him at birth. grow up, losers! when you get all high and mighty about stuff like that you sound like (1) a homoerotic fool or (2) a dude who has had not had many sexual experiences

By Russ

December 30, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this

If this is some type of poll, absolutely, Jim Mora should stay. As a fan, I didn’t think for a moment Coach Mora was serious about leaving the Falcons to coach his alma mater. I do believe letting Coach Mora go, in hindsight, might be similarly viewed as the trade of a quarterback named Farve though. Keep Coach Mora! His players believe in him. His fans believe in him as well.

By Warren

December 30, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

Just trade Michael Vick for a real quarterback rather than firing coaches and other players. It will save a lot of money to get rid of the “coack killer”!

By chuck e

December 30, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Well Arthur, you have Got to flush Jimmy. Yes, we made the playoffs year one with a weak schedule, Reeves team and a healthy Vick….years 2 and 3…a dose of Mora reality. This guy generally sucks. His ability to choose assitants sucks. His judgement and demeanor sucks. There IS a better choice to LEAD this team!!

By Geno

December 30, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

I think Mora is a good coach, you can only try to get the player’s to do their job, thats what they get paid to do. I get paid to do my job and they get paid to do theirs.if i don’t do my job I get fired. (get it)

By Ronald Honululu

December 30, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

Your Mama

By Geno

December 30, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

reverend run you need to get a life,,,,

maybe a women or something you are falcon festerd or something.

By ATHLETIC QB???

December 30, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

If it’s an athletic quarterback you want, why haven’t you people clamored to bench Mike Vick and sign the greatest athlete in the world: Roman Sebrle?

Is it because Vick is a Negro, and Sebrle White?

…what a bunch of f_cking racists you people are.

By Ignatius

December 31, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

Schaub is not the future. Mora sure as hell is no the future. He may get one more year, but like the column in the AJC the other day, it is just because there is nothing better out there to replace him with at this time 9scary as that is). Vick is a good player with lots of potential. He may not be super bowl material, but he is a very good stepping stone to super bowl talent. My opinion, humble as it is, this year clean out the assistants. next year send Mora packing to Washington or wherever the hell it is that would have him (Abalama has a vacancy), let him take his ammonia poppers and go corrode another program somewhere else. We have the talent, believe it or not, we have the fan base, now Mr. Blank, we need leadership. Please give us that and just like William Wallace, we will follow you and believe in you and our team.

By Greg

December 31, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

I am tired of Jim Mora looking like he has been lobotomized on the sidelines. He needs to go away. Also Knapp is a terrible OC, I haven’t seen Vick call an audible hardly all year. The defense plays way too much zone and they have got to let Hartwell, Webster, and Williams go. Mora dumped all over the Falcons and us fans when he said that about coaching Washington. Also I know that Blank is the owner but stay in the pressbox please!

By Louis Lewow

December 31, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this

The thing that amazes me in this whole University of Washington debacle is that I don’t recall Ty Willingham’s job ever being in question. So Mora breaks the unwritten law of head coachs by discussing his interest (yes Jim, I know it was a joke…some joke huh?)in someone elses job. In most circles, that is an unforgivable offense. Kind of like the unforgiveable offensive scheme Greg Knapp keeps trotting back on the field week after week. I’m sorry, Mora’s got to go.

By Ignatius

December 31, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this

And what in the hell does having herpes have anything to do with quarterbacking?! It takes two to tango my friend. The recipient should know you take risks and responsibility whe you sleep around.

By STFU

December 31, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

jesus, what you want michael vick to carry this whole f*** team?? You think one player can do EVERYTHING, include block for himself and catch his own passes? Or stop the run and prevent opposing qbs from passing for 500 yards every f*** game?? Give me a break!!! Michael Vick is not the problem you racist, ignorant haters that don’t know s** about football. Give him a decent coaching staff—decent is all i’m asking for—and you’ll see your f*** results.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 31, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this

Well, as we expected, the Falcons were eliminated after the Redskins lost to the Giants. So what are we waiting for? I think it’s been established that Mora and his staff haven’t done any of the things a coaching staff is supposed to do in the NFL: call good plays, come up with effective game plans, design schemes that emphasize your strengths while exploiting the opponent’s weeknesses, and develop and motivate players. There’s really nothing this staff has shown it is capable of doing that makes them deserving of another chance. After last year’s collapse, this year was the year they had to get it turned around, and they didn’t.

Vick and Crumpler have it right — this team has way too much talent to be failing this miserably. First-round picks and expensive free agents are literally everywhere on this team. In fact, the offensive line is really the only place where there isn’t a lot of talent. A halfway-decent coaching staff would have this team at least as a #3 seed in the NFC. Fire Mora and his staff, hire Ken Whisenhunt, Ron Rivera or Cam Cameron as head coach. Unlike Mora, those NFL assistants actually have experienced success in the NFL.

http://www.geocities.com/firejimmora/

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 31, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this

And no, Whisenhunt, Rivera, Cameron, etc. are not the same as Mora after 2003. The difference here is that Mora coordinated a mediocre unit before he came here, whereas these assistants are coordinators of elite systems. Whisenhunt developed a mobile, strong-armed, somewhat inaccurate QB (Roethlisberger) into a Super Bowl winner in 2 years. Rivera coordinates the best defense in football (Chicago Bears) despite starting only 2 first-round picks on his unit (Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris). Cameron’s Chargers are the best team in the league right now, and under his schemes the Chargers have developed 5 Pro Bowlers on offense (Tomlinson, Rivers, Gates, McNeill, Neal). Mora, on the other hand? 15th in the league in defense in San Francisco the year before he was hired here.

I didn’t like Mora the day he was hired when he said he was going to introduce a speed-based undersized defense and a West Coast offense with an undersized offensive line, and I like him even less now. For 36 years of the Super Bowl existing, sacrificing size and physicality for speed has never worked consistently, and will never work consistently. Yet Mora thought he could go against 40 years of Super Bowl winning formulas with his flawed schemes. Can’t go back in time and make the right decision (hire Lovie Smith) but at least they can right their wrongs now. It’s about time the Falcons cut their losses and got a real coach.

By Najeh Davenpoop

December 31, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this

As for McKay, his trades haven’t worked out well, but he has drafted well throughout his time here. I don’t blame him for the coaches’ inability to develop Roddy White and Michael Jenkins — it’s McKay’s job to accumulate talent, and the coaches’ job to develop and mold it to fit the system. Say what you want about Jenkins and White, but they are incredible physical talents. A good coaching staff would have them running routes properly and catching the ball. And McKay’s draft record really is very good — he unearthed gems like Michael Boley, Jerious Norwood, Demorrio Williams, and Matt Schaub, as well as solid values like Jonathan Babineaux, Chauncey Davis, TJ Jackson, DJ Shockley, Jimmy Williams, and Darrell Shropshire in later rounds of the draft. Successful NFL teams not only get a lot out of their first-round pick, but they also find talent in later rounds, which is what McKay has done.

He doesn’t get off clean though — his trades have been pretty suspect at best. The Abraham trade was misguided, trading for a guy with an obvious injury history. Same with the Crocker trade — the Falcons could have kept that pick and drafted Georgia Tech’s stellar safety Dawan Landry, who is starting now for Baltimore and would have complemented Lawyer Milloy, instead of duplicating him. He tried to replace Finneran (a slow but reliable receiver who could make catches in traffic and ran routes well) with Lelie (a fast but unreliable receiver who can’t make catches in traffic and runs routes poorly) — the results were to be expected. But all things considered, he’s done a good job assembling enough talent to be a contender. The blame should fall on the coaches for not developing this talent.

By Gt fan

December 31, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this

Give the team back to Reeves where it belongs!!

By The Row (what a brutha know...)

December 31, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this

How soon we forget! Many are you are calling for Schaub for the very same reason that many called for Doug Johnson to start a few years back. Doug Johnson got his chance and I am sure we all remember what happened. I really believe many of you don’t know much about football let alone ever played. You really can tell by the post posted as to the poster’s presupposition.

But I digress…I think Mora will stay yet lose his OC, DC and WR coach.

By theedge

December 31, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this

If Mora is fired, Vick should be too. Vick is the primary reason (he is one of the worst rated QBs in the game, this in his 6th season) that the falcons can’t (and never will with Vick) win the big one. Get rid of Vick while you can still get a couple of players of value. But, no; that will never happen in PC Atlanta. Vick sucks,

By kelvin robinson

December 31, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this

How about Bill Cowher

By Julio_Thomas

December 31, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this

At the start of the year, I figured this team, warts and all, was good for double-digit wins and a Playoff berth. We are assured of having neither. Talent wise, this team is as good as any of the Playoff teams in the NFC right now. The parity that exists in this league makes proper coaching, development,(and a little luck healthwise) more important to success than ever before.

How many times this year did you feel our staff “outcoached” the other staff? I know I never did. I’ve never felt our team was coached up like the coaches in New Orleans, Tennessee, or New Jersey have.

We have Pro Bowl calibur talent at QB, RB, TE, LB, DT, DE, and DB. The team is not getting the results their talent dictates they should have.

To date, Vick is responsible for a combined 21 TD and 3400 yds. Only 7 QBs in the entire league have thrown for more yds than that, and none of them have made any appreciable yds on the ground. We have THE singular best dual-threat QB IN THE LEAGUE, and our Coaches can’t figure out how to use him? We have a better than average running attack, and we don’t play action off of that? I’ve seen 9 year olds playing Madden on their XBOX 360s figure that out.

The whole Mora regime needs to go.

By theedge

December 31, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this

Hey, STFU: No, I don’t expect Vick to BE the whole team. However, when he makes $130M and is considered the “Franchise” player, I expect a he** of alot more from him than he has shown, like throwing for a least 1 TD in the 4th Qtr (which your Sir Vick has not done in over 18 games). Vick has NEVER brought the team from behind. He doesn’t have what it takes (maybe intelligence??) to win consistantly. And don’t give me that bull about his “winning” record as a QB for the Falcons; since he has been in the league, many of he has supposedly beat have really sucked. Sorry if you think that I am a racist. I don’t give a crap what color (or gender for that matter) he/she is; just win the games that count. That is why we pay $130M for. And yes, I said we, because in the end, it is you and I (and everyone else who attends the games or buys their merchandise) who pays the salaries. They sure as heck can’t print money.

By BIRDLESS

December 31, 2006 01:38 AM | Link to this

THE FOWLCOONS, ALREADY BEING ONE OF THE MOST PATHETIC ORGANIZATIONS IN PROFESIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISE HISTORY,HIRE BABY HUEY MORA HAS HEAD COACH.THE ORGAN GRINDER HAS HIS MONKEY’S VICK & MORA AND DESERVE THEM BOTH.BLANK MUST HIRE A CHAMPION TO COACH & THEN LEAVE HIS ORGAN AT THE HOUSE WHILE KEEPING HIS BROWN NOSE IN THE OWNER’S BOX DURING GAMES.THE NFL STANDS FOR, NOT FOR LOSERS, AND BABY HUEY IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR CRY BABY LOSERS. THERE ARE SOME GREAT HIGH SCHOOL ASSISSTANT COACHING JOBS OPEN IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.MORA WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER TOMORROW.

By Mystrtee

December 31, 2006 01:52 AM | Link to this

I am not a coach, owner, former player or know everything about the Falcons. I am a FAN! I love the Falcons and as a Falcons fan I want my team to WIN and WIN NOW!! If this means that Mora has to leave then he has to go but if he leaves MAKE sure that there is someone that is either proven or hard nose enough to make sure to get the right people in the right place and have an offensive plan for the quarterback with the best arm in the NFL. If Tennessee can draft a taller Vick style quarterback and form an offence for him and let him thrive as the quarterback then how come the Falcons can not do the same thing??

Do as Al Davis wants his team to do, “Just Win, Baby!!”

By Mike

December 31, 2006 01:53 AM | Link to this

If you fire Mora, McKay must go too

By Kevin

December 31, 2006 02:12 AM | Link to this

Ah yes for pround Falcons will Roll over…and play dead for Mora n Vick be sacked till out of Game as Eagles light scoreboard n make it Tilt!Oh By Mora please No let door hit u where sun never shines.

By johnnie b. goode

December 31, 2006 02:13 AM | Link to this

Mora has always appeared unprofessional in a professional game. However, he’ll get the gate mainly because the grossly overpaid 6 year work in progress that might be the most overrated athlete in NFL history simply can’t read a defense or throw the ball. You know Blank and the rest of the Falcons heirarchy would love to give Schaub a shot, but it would be a public relations and fiscal nightmare with the millions of salary and advertising dollars wrapped up Mr. Vick.

By DamnTheMan

December 31, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this

While Mora will deservedly be gone soon, no head coach candidate with other options will come to Atlanta as long as Vicky is Blanks little golden boy. A good HC will want to control his teams destiny, not have the owner meddle all the time. There’s a reason no one want to coach the raiders: meddling owner Al Davis. Blank has been nearly as bad with Mora and no HC wants to deal with that garbage. Anyone think Blank would let a HC bench his little ticket seller Vicky? No good HC candidate is going to want to get involved in that mess.

By Mean D

December 31, 2006 02:40 AM | Link to this

Vick stinks. Plain and simple. He’s a coach killer and no team will ever get to a SB with MC Herpes in charge.

By NumbaOneFan

December 31, 2006 03:00 AM | Link to this

Here is the best case scenario for tomorrow’s Falcon game against the Eagles….. We can all pray and hope that our so called QB who can’t read defenses, has disgusting hygiene and body odor, is a dumbass thug with herpes,smokes weed like a fiend (it shows in his eyes, facial expression and incoherent babble when hes interviewed) and was flunking out of of college hence his rush to declare himself NFL ready has a career ending or at least a couple of years out and in turn Matt Schaub replaces him and leads the falcons to victory. Mora and his OC abd DC are fired and they bring in a coach who will instill discipline and hold the players accountable. Fols our problem is 50% M vick and 50% coaching and schemes that wont fit our personnel. Michael Vick is a disgrace as an NFL quaterback and an even bigger detriment to this city and it’s fans. So Long Jimmy, Eddy, and Gregory don’t go away mad… but please just go away and let’s hope we can solve our $130 million cluster phuck of a salary cap issue with a career ending injury to Mr stupid and stinky

By mike

December 31, 2006 03:13 AM | Link to this

I am glad to still see all the Vick haters on here. The next time I see Mr. Vick in the bank counting all his millions, I will remind him of all the local suckers who always hate on him. Mainly those of you who cant play this game or any other. But seem to have some misguided views that your opinion counts when those fellows are performing on the field. Get a life people and stop wanting Mr. Vick’s.

By Ripme

December 31, 2006 04:09 AM | Link to this

If Blanks don’t fire Mora he will lose a big fan base. If he don’t keep his word to the fans he will pay at the gates etc. Hall needs to go with his gutless coach. If Blanks don’t have the balls to pull the trigger, I’m d%#@ glad he didn’t buy the Braves.

By Chris

December 31, 2006 04:12 AM | Link to this

Blank should fire everyone except most of the players. GM, head coach, offensive coach, defensive coach etc. should all go.

By Steve T

December 31, 2006 05:08 AM | Link to this

I finally got to the root of the falcons problem. Brace yourself. It is not Mike Vick. It is the O-line. Last week, Dunn ran the ball 9 times for 29 yards. That is 3.2 yards a carry and that is not going to get it Dunn. Against the saints, 19 carries for 52 yards and 2.7 yards a carry.

Against the Ravens, Dunn had 15 carries for 52 yards and 3.5 yards a carry. THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY 2-11-18%
FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-2-0%

This tell me that we got whipped up front. Last week were 3-10 on third downs. We are getting whipped up front.

By Derrick

December 31, 2006 05:10 AM | Link to this

Mora has to go. People keep making excuses, but no coach still with a job has made an a* of himself in the way that Mora has over the last 2 years. That shows a lack of judgement, which might help a little bit when running a pro team.

And while I’m no huge Vick fan. The Schaub love reminds me of Scott Mitchell about a dozen years ago. Whenever Marino went down, Mitchell would come in and look like Johnny Unitas. Some Dolphins fans starting actually asking for Mitchell to be named the permanent starter. Then Mitchell got signed by the Lions for huge FA bucks and was brittle, scared in the pocket and just pretty much a backup. Schaub might be better, but you can’t know what you have until they are actually a starter with starter responsibilities.

By coach

December 31, 2006 05:17 AM | Link to this

When things go bad on the field, the personel people generally have the ear of the owner. Failure to meet expectation is caused partly because we were sold on the fact that our players as a body had a championship level talent.

When we fail, it is either we were over sold on the talent level or our coaches failed to bring out the best in this jaugernaut which had been provided them by the draft and free agency.

When I see the Falcons play I don’t see overwelming talent. Clearly we have a srappy play hard offensive line, but almost every time the Falcons pass they look very below average to me.

With the exception of Alge our receiver core looks below average to me.

Our runners are above average and they play behind a offensive line, which altough not super talented relentlessly go about their work.

Michael who is one of our true talents, may be being asked to play in an offense which does not allow him to take full advantage of his talents. Stat wise Michaels best year was his one full year as a starter playing for Dan Reaves. I would like to see Michael passing from a 7 step drop when taking the ball from center or dropping deeper (11 yards of the LOS) when taking a shotgun snap. The deeper drop is better for a 6 ft. QB, particullary one with great arm strength.

Our defensive stats suggest we are average,, I see 11 guys who play hard have good team speed, but I don’t see dominating talent. I think some players who were forced into action because of injuries have played well, which in my mind reflects well on the coaching. However our pass defenders would have been much more effective had our two starting defensivie ends been able to play all year long.

My assessement average talent, average coaching, average record.

At our very best, we were going to be a scappy over achieving team who was going to have enter the play offs with a 10 or 11 win season. At our best we were a team of above average talent, who still had to steel a win or two from a team which showed up on Sunday unprepared to match our determination and tanacity.

By Gunner

December 31, 2006 05:25 AM | Link to this

So I guess Mora’s contract extension was meaniless? Blank’s “word” doesn’t mean much,huh?

Why sign a contract with Blank if he won’t honor it?

I’m sure the Falcons will get a first class coach to sign a deal with this guy,NOT!

By renee roow

December 31, 2006 05:33 AM | Link to this

NUMBAONEFAN YOUR BRAIN IS NUMB. YOU PROBABLY SMELL JUST AS BAD AND WE KNOW YOU ARE JUST AS STUPID.

By Retnav

December 31, 2006 05:33 AM | Link to this

Alright I agree Mora and his crew has got to go. And if we stay with Vick we need a Pittsburg kind of offense. You know big linemen who can form a pocket for Vick to throw out of. Now for the defenders of Vick. Lets be honest this guy at best is a High School grad and thats it. And that could probably be questioned also. The fact is to be a QB in the NFL you have to be pretty smart to understand how to run and offense. Yes Vick is probably one of the best athletes in the NFL, but that don’t take a lot of brains. People keep saying why don’t they let him autable at the line? You ever think maybe he can’t understand the playbook good enough to do it. Now Vick deserves to be in the NFL but not as a QB. I just don’t think the guy has enough brains to run an offense in this league. I bet there is some recievers in the league who have the same arm strenght as Vick. But they had a coach in the past who recongnized that they would be best suited for thier future in another position. And please don’t play the race card on this. The facts are the facts.

By RENNE

December 31, 2006 05:35 AM | Link to this

NUMBAONEFAN YOUR BRAIN IS SO NUMB IT STINKS ALONG WITH THE REST OF YOUR BODY.

By stanmos

December 31, 2006 05:59 AM | Link to this

to bigdaddy ok vick cant read a defense,he’s not allowed to change the defense thats in front of him, so how can you say he cant read it if he have to run the play that was call

By Robert

December 31, 2006 06:21 AM | Link to this

Mora has to go. Too many times we played flat and too many times we played DOWN to the level of teams we should have beat ( Lions & Browns ). We lat the Saints kick out butts twice and lost to a team that didn’t even have a Quarterback ( Carolina ). The team seamed to Lack motivation and desire to win ( Mora ). Our game plans on both side of the ball were inconsistant ( Mora ). We claimed several losses on injurys but everone has those, the good teams find a way to win anyway ( Patriots, Eagles ). We need a hard nose Coach like Parcells, Belichick or Cowher. We need a Coach who will hold all his players accountable and sit them if they are not performing..no matter who it is. I think Vick has proven that given the time to pass, he can be a good as anybody and he runs better than everybody. Keep the Players and get a new coaching staff who can utilize what we have.

By Cap'n Nard

December 31, 2006 06:42 AM | Link to this

The falcons are an odd team. The fan base.. well for the most part sucks. But that’s not our fault. How in the hell have we never had back to back winning seasons? Crazy. Maybe I’m wrong, but I just don’t see us having the fan loyalty of Green Bay, Buffalo, or places like that. But then again, those places have a good tradition of winning (if not recently) while on the other hand, we have a tradition of… crap?

I’m not football ignorant, I’ve played my share of ball, and I can tell a hook from a post and can read a defense (at least as well as Vick… maybe not an achievment). There are alot of problems with the Falcons, alot of them have been named above. Yes, Vick is a horrible QB in the conventional sense. But UNconventionally, he’s elite. I think I saw a stat above that said 3400 total yards and 20+ total TDs. Look, I don’t care how he gets it done, as long as he does get it done. And if you ask me, or anyone with enough football sense, it IS actually better to have a dual-threat QB (duh). It’s similar with running to pass or passing to run (anyone heard of those theories?). D’s cant just pin their ears back and rush the hell out of Vick because that will open running lanes and he’ll burn them like nobodies business, opening the passing game. Bottom line: Vick is an asset… for now. (KEY STAT: 3400 total yrds, 20+ TDs) As to vick’s attitude? Do any of you actually KNOW him? Doubtful. “Well he flicked the fans off!” Bottom line: So would you. What I see is this guy going out and giving his all (“what about the look on his face? He looks like he doesn’t care!” Shut up. Facial expressions dont define everyone. There are some people in this world who can smile when they kill you or keep a straight face when they watch you sit in dog crap.) Vick performs. LEAVE IT ALONE. Anyways, this blog isn’t about Vick. It’s about Mora and his staff.

Yep. Mora needs to go, and will go. Knapp.. well.. eh.. yeah, probably going to go.. Vick performs.. but it hasn’t really translated into much now has it? I understand Mr. Knapp, it’s hard to coach such a strange creature at QB.. sorry dude, doesnt matter how tough your job is, if you don’t do it, you’re gone. Now DEFENSE!! WOOOO!! Holy crap. It’s sad. We’ve GOT the talent… we really do. I don’t pretend to know what the hell this guy is doing with defensive schemes but I know damn well it’s not working. (By the way.. did I see someone mention getting rid of Jimmy Williams? Dude, shut up. He’s a rookie. Just SHUT UP.) And DHall.. what can I say? He’s awesome. “But his attitu—” Shut up. Since when did being nice contribute to performance on the field? (T.O. anyone? Everybody hates him.. dare you to argue with his numbers.)

And as for those of you complaining about Blank patrolling the sidelines… I ask you.. whose team is it? It’s his. Doesn’t matter that we provide income for it, he bought it. Do you own the marlboro company? Do you own coca-cola? Nope, ya sure don’t bud. I think it’s great that he’s involved, what the hell would be the point in buying an NFL team if you’re just gonna hand over the riens to a GM and have absolutely nothing to do with it? It’s his right and not yours to take it away from him so give it a rest along with all the rest of the useless babble spitting out of your mouths.

Ahh the Schaub debate. Is he a good QB? Hell yeah he is, and we’re running the perfect system for him minus the Vick add-ons… but he’s not going to produce any more offensively than Vick (Total yards people, total yards, remember doesnt matter how you get them as long as you get them.) So it’s really an either/or situation.. sure we could TRY to trade Vick for some more players/picks.. but no one is going to want to pay that kind of money for him. He’s nearing the end of his athlete days faster than people realize, and he will never be worth a damn if he can’t take off and run the way he does now, that’s a fact. Atlanta is as good a place for him as any other and we CAN win with him if we get our receivers to improve. Our receivers are good really.. just not good enough, that can be fixed, I promise you.

So… who to replace Mora and Co.? Tough question.. well here goes. Jimmy Johnson? Dude you’ve lost your mind, I’d puke all over myself every time I saw him, and besides that, it’s not going to happen. Dan… REEVES? Simply put, no. There was a reason we got rid of him, no he’s not a bad coach, but we’ve been there, done that and we need BETTER. Who mentioned the guy from Iowa? Erm.. come on man. Woohoo the guy can put out pretty good seasons in a weak conferance while being dominated by the few good teams in it. Enough with that. Now, Cowher.. I’d love it. That’s a MAN. A role model. A bad mamma jamma and a half. He would be the best if you ask me, he knows his stough and he’s hard a* enough to get the job done and then some. I KINDA like the idea of the guy from SD.. but no, we need a defensive mentality like what’s available in CHI and BAL, defense really does win championships and we’d damn sure have one with either of their minds matched with the talent we have on that side of the ball.

Summary/Quick Notes *Later Mora and Co. maybe you did your best, tried hard… good for you. Not good enough, didn’t do your job: Win. *Vick= excellent QB (total yards/td production people.) *Run game: I like the idea of a big back and Norwood mixing it up.. hate to lose done but gotta do what ya gotta do. *WR: Catching isn’t so much of a natural talent as an aquired one, it can be taught. *Defense: Get a real DC from BAL or CHI, Arthur’s got the money. Schaub vs. Vick: Vick (total production!)

That about sums it up, hope you can make sense of all of that, it’s been sitting on my chest for a long time and is probably a mite confusing :-p

By Retnav

December 31, 2006 07:24 AM | Link to this

Capt n Nard

I have been a season ticket holder since 88, and yes I have suffered. Now you mention GB or the Bills fan base. Heck yes they have a strong one with tradition and all. But also you have to take in account what else is there to do during the winter. I think Atlanta has a good fan base. I am originally from Ohio (GO BUCKS), but my pro team is the Falcons. A lot of my tailgate buddies are from other areas in the country too. But they cheer on the Falcons all the time except when thier home town team comes in. I would’nt expect anything else from them. Lets face it Atlanta is a melting pot. No buddy is going to move to Green Bay or Buffalo to live. At least I know I don’t want to go back north to live. I threw out my snow shovel when I moved here an never want to have one again.

By AngelDust

December 31, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this

NO MAS NO MAS I CANNOT STOMACH EVEN ONE MORE SECOND OF THAT COMPLETE MORAN FOR A HEAD COACH. JIM MORA HAS ALREADY DONE THIS SONG AND DANCE. REMEMBER LAST SEASON WHEN THE FALCONS STARTED OUT 6-2. REMEMBER WHEN THE FALCONS PLAYED SO BEAUTIFULLY AT THE START OF THIS SEASON AND EVERYTHING LOOKED SO PROMISING WHEN THEY WERE 5-2. AMAZINGLY, THOSE TWO STARTS ARE A COMBINED RECORD OF 11-4, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY STELLER. HOWEVER, THOSE TWO FINISHES OF 2-6 AND 2-7 (WHICH INCLUDES THE LOSS TO PHILLY WHICH WILL OCCUR TODAY) IS A COMBINED RECORD OF 4-13. MORA REPRESENTS A TALE OF TWO COACHES. HE’S EITHER GOING TO LOOK VERY BRILLIANT 6-2 OR VERY MEDIOCRE 2-6. WHAT THE FALCONS NEED FROM A HEAD COACH IS SOMEONE WHO WILL BE CONSISTENT ALL THE WAY FROM THE START TO THE FINISH LINE. WHAT MORA SHOWED IS THAT HE IS A GREAT FIRST HALF HEAD COACH. ALL HE HAS TO DO IS TO DUPLICATE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON WHAT HE DID IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON AND JIM MORA WOULD STAND AMONG THE ELITE HEAD COACHES IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

By Bob Watkins

December 31, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

Dan Reeves is available to finish what he was not allowed to complete by the hardware store owner. Remember they were 3-1 when Vick came back, including a blow out of the soon to be NFC champ Panthers.

By kirk

December 31, 2006 07:46 AM | Link to this

Enough said, read below King Arthur:

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing.

You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time.

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that’s first place.

I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don’t ever want to finish second again.

There is a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers.

It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.

Every time a football player goes to play his trade he’s got to play from the ground up-from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play.

Some guys play with their heads. That’s O.K. You’ve got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you’ve got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you’re lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he’s never going to come off the field second.

Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization, an army, a political party or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win. To beat the other guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don’t think it is.

It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That’s why they are there. To compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game.

The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules-but to win. And in truth, I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline.

There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat.

I don’t say these things because I believe in the “brute” nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Vince Lombardi

By relliott

December 31, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

Sad to say, we need no Mora Jim.

Owner Blank needs to learn the painful lesson that Ted Turner finally mastered: concerned ownership alone won’t translate into on-the-field results. Get a GM whose football performance is more like the Braves John Schuerholz and then find a coach who can work with/ for him.

Falcon fans would gladly settle for a team that’s consistently competitive.

By Darrin "The Vent King

December 31, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

The damage Mora has done is beyond repair. I believe Blank is very unhappy about thit and he should be with Mora AND himself. He is the one that hired McKay, who in turned went out and spent his money on FA busts. The failures of this team is just as much Blank’s fault as it is McKay and Mora. None are free of fault. I hope Blank doesn’t become another one of the owners who THINKS he knows what he is doing only to realize this ain’t Home Depot. Follow Ted Turner’s lead and hire some real “experienced” football guys with a better record(or in Mora’s case, ANY record) and go sit your butt down in the owner’s box and let them do their job. Until whatever is done IS actually done, I will hold on to my s, season ticket money- thank you very much.

GO FALCONS!

By dave

December 31, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

Mora has to go. For me, it all boils down to the the late-season flops the past two years. It appears Mora can get his guys motivated and on the same page during the offseason and they play well early in the season. As the league adjusts to what the Falcons are having success with, and staff has a week to prepare for upcoming opponents instead of months, Mora does not have the ability or guts to adapt.

This inability (unwillingness?) and slowness to adapt, shown in a microcosm last week against CAR when the Panthers continually snapped the ball to someone other than the QB for decent gains, indicates to me that perhaps Mora can X-and-O a good game when he has time to carefully deliberate but can’t think on the fly as well as the better coaches can and do. Perhaps, also, he cannot teach his players in the shorter time contraints of the regular season.

Just my thots.

I also think we Falcons fans need to accept eternal mediocrity from this franchise. I think Arthur Blank has finally found something at which he can’t be successful, and that is the Atlanta Falcons. We’re cursed to roam the earth with ne’er consecutive winning seasons nor Super Bowl victory. I think we should just get used to it and keep on rootin’, like I’ve been doing for 30-plus sad years now.

When can we start talking NFL draft?

dave, a Falcons fan Tommy Nobis

By DHD

December 31, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Mora….gone. Vick….gone. All WRs…..gone.

Trade Vick to Oakland and draft Calvin Johnson. Trade Schaub/Dunn to Detroit for their first pick and draft Brady Quinn. Trade the WRs to whatever OL/DL or draft pick you can get.

I’m dreaming…..

By Pleabargain

December 31, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

DUMP HIM!!!

Mora is too immature to be a head coach

By Tony Hard

December 31, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Why all this talk of a coaching change in Atlanta?? It doesn’t matter who this team brings in. The Falcons suck and are the most overrated football team in the NFL. Mike Vick is horrible. Crumpler has fallen off the map. De Angelo Hall is a waste of my time. FALCONS STINK!! All Falcon fans are GARBAAAAAGE!!!

By Dannotdan

December 31, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Replacing Mora is like placing a band-aid on a headshot. It wouldn’t hurt but it will do very little to address the extensive long term problems that will plague the Falcons until Blank checks his ego and starts acting like an owner and not a love sick Mike Vick fan.

Blank has built an organization around the players where star building, specifically the building of the Mike Vick’s star superceded team building. You can blame Mora, he is certainly responsible for 3 or 4 losses over the past two years, and you can blame McKay whose Falcons draft and trade record here is certainly not the stuff that ledgends are made, but everyone in football knows that Rich McKay does not burn a first round draft pick on a WR, let alone three first round picks on WR’s if not ordered by Blank to do so as part of his misguided plans to make his beloved Mikey a star.

There is a reason McKay wanted the commissioners job and Mora was so open about his desire to take on the Washington job. They both want out of an organization with an owner that has forced them into a situation where they are tasked to do everything possible to promote Vick and winning is secondary.

Vick’s dismal performance this year will end Mora’s coaching career, it will place the new coach in a can’t lose situation and it will lock the Falcons in the middle of the pack until Vick grows tired of Blank and we get the lovers quarrel needed to allow the owner to authorize the GM and head coach to do what is best for the team not Mike Vick.

Minnesota had the Hershel Walker trade that killed them for 10 years after they mortgaged their entire future on one player, we have Vick who will do the same for the Falcons.

By Doug in Snellville

December 31, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

JIM MORA HAS TO GO.

FYI-MICHAEL VICK IS NOT TO BE APPLAUDED FOR RUNNING FOR 1,000 YARDS. THIS IS A STUPID GIMMICK IN THE NFL. (LINING A QB UP AT TAILBACK TOO)

BLANK SHOULD HAVE KEPT DAN REEVES.

VICK FLOURISHED UNDER REEVED. BLANK FIRED REEVES FOR MICHAEL VICK BREAKING HIS LEG.

By Tony Hard

December 31, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

Oh did i forget to mention….THE FALCONS SUCK!! ALL OF YOU PEOPLE GET A LIFE AND ROOT FOR A REAL TEAM

WHO DAT WHO DAT

By Hotrod

December 31, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

Go get a new coach from college ranks. Fresh, new.

Dont go get a past Falcons coach. Old, stale, enjoying hawaii and retirement.

By Robert Luciano

December 31, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Lovey Smith was available when the Falcons hired this clown. The Bears had far less talent to build on, yet they have a tremendous coach and the results speak for themself. Hopefully his beloved Washington Huskies will have an Assistant Coach position available and the Falcons can hire a real NFL coach.

By Birdy

December 31, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Mora showed that he was a product of privilige, cronyism and bogus salesmanship — not a self-made person who beat odds through preparation, effort and significant results. In so many ways, he represents the “Anti-Blank”.

Perhaps Blank saw someone he thought he saw someone more “executive-like” bcause he was fast on his feet in the interview. That sometimes indicates a certain level of savvy in other areas. Too bad it didn’t. He let the better man go to Chicago and instead hired the snake oil guy. Time to cut the losses and move on.

He and his coordinators showed that they were really no more impactful than just pulling the plays out of a barrel in the woeful performance against Carolina. A nickle defense against DeAngelo Williams at “QB”? These guys proved that what little success they DID have was not by their in-game knowledge, but mere luck (or players “overcoming coaching”).

An NFL team where the QB cannot change the play? Are they serious? Montana changed plays in SF. And therefore so did Young. NFL teams (heck, HIGH SCHOOL teams) do this to make success EASIER for the QB. Kissing a QB’s helmet is one thing. Looks like something on TV to the uninformed. But deliberately hamstringing him on gameday, hoping the fans would NEVER KNOW, and thus limiting the team’s opportunity for success due to ego or blatant ignorance is a whole different thing altogether.

These clowns have to go. Period.

By Dick Trickle

December 31, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

I was so glad to see the Giants win and totally eliminate the Foulcoons from any playoff hope. Now we need the Eagles to beat them like they stole something! Both Jim Mora and Ron Mexico have been exposed and they have to be leaving on that “Midnight Train FROM Georgia”. Mora and Vick are in way over their stupid heads. However, you have to give them credit for taking King Arthur to the cleaners by getting a lot of his money! So Adios to Mora and Mexico!! We won’t be missing either of you… : )

By rick

December 31, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

The falcons have been 11-4 if you combine their first halfs of the past two seasons and 2-12 if you combine their second halfs. That to me speaks volumes not about the players but about the coaches. It is the coach’s job to motivate the team and keep the players focused even when things are going good. Obviously, this is not the case with Mora and co. At the middle of the season, he and his staff, for some inexplicable reason, become lax and stop coaching. Sure, injuries hurt, but c’mon. Plus, vick was 27-10-1 under Reeves and Mora’s early “Reeves-like” regime. Then Mora started to get his hands dirty and his detrimental effect shone clear. Vick can win people! Just give this man some help.

By mdh

December 31, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

Today at approximately 6:30 PM, we, as Falcons Fans, will lay to rest yet another dissappointing season by a talent-laden, underachieving tEaM(get it? - big “Me”)..

If you are a UGA fan, & watched the game last night, you saw in the UGA team exactly what is lacking in the Falcons-Pride. We can debate coaching, players, schemes, et all. At the end of the day, all NFL teams have pretty much the same talent-hence the salary cap. Good coaching is what separates good teams from mediocre ones. But players play, & our players(with a few exceptions s/a Dunn, Crumpler, Brooking, Kearney) have no pride. I am so sick of hearing DHall tell everyone how great he is, while he is chasing yet another reciever into the endzone, only to then commit a gutless personal foul. I am so sick of watching a 6 yr QB not able to complete passes to open receivers. I’m sick of seeing high-priced free agents robbing Blank on payday while they recover from injuries.

And guess what-The Michael Vick window is closing. 2 more years & he won’t be beating people to the corner. Then what will we have? Sooner or later, this guy is going to have to be able to play the position from a more “traditional” sense.

I am not a coach, player, Xbox spanker, or anything else-just a fan that has grown up watching this franchise stumbel over itself for the last 30 years.

At leats, it will all come to an end today. But if you are a UGA fan, we have alot to look forward to.

Regards & Happy New Year to all

By dd

December 31, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

I agree. Mora lacks the maturity to be a head coach. If he had some class, I’d say give him some more rope and keep him next year to be fair to the guy, but he wasn’t ready for this job and it looks really bad for Atlanta and the fans when he opens his mouth. We need a hard nosed guy who knows how to coach and knows how to handle the media and conduct himself with class.

By Dannotdan

December 31, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

By Dannotdan

December 31, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Corrected

Replacing Mora is like placing a band-aid on a headshot. It wouldn’t hurt but it will do very little to address the extensive long term problems that will plague the Falcons until Blank checks his ego and starts acting like an owner and not a love sick Mike Vick fan.

Blank has built an organization around the players where star building, specifically the building of the Mike Vick’s star superceded team building. You can blame Mora, he is certainly responsible for 3 or 4 losses over the past two years, and you can blame McKay whose Falcons draft and trade record here is certainly not the stuff that ledgends are made, but everyone in football knows that Rich McKay does not burn a first round draft pick on a WR, let alone three first round picks on WR’s if not ordered by Blank to do so as part of his misguided plans to make his beloved Mikey a star.

There is a reason McKay wanted the commissioners job and Mora was so open about his desire to take on the Washington job. They both want out of an organization with an owner that has forced them into a situation where they are tasked to do everything possible to promote Vick and winning is secondary.

Vick’s dismal performance this year will end Mora’s coaching career, it will place the new coach in a can’t WIN situation and it will lock the Falcons in the middle of the pack until Vick grows tired of Blank and we get the lovers quarrel needed to allow the owner to authorize the GM and head coach to do what is best for the team not Mike Vick.

Minnesota had the Hershel Walker trade that killed them for 10 years after they mortgaged their entire future on one player, we have Vick who will do the same for the Falcons.

By Corliss

December 31, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

This is the 2nd year in a row the Falcons have failed to beat a playoff team. Even w/all the alleged upgrades this team still cannot beat teams when it matters most.Poor coaching,overrated guys who look great on any Madden game(Vick)and poor scouting/drafting=ATL Falcons current situation. This franchise is cursed;simply put.Guys who are worldbeaters on their previous teams come to the Falcons and are mysteriously injured most of the season.For all the talking some of these guys do it’s too bad it doesent=leadership. This season had SO much promise in Sept,then the Falcons went Falcons on us.

By gg

December 31, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

it’s time for a coach to come in here and provide some discipline instead of being the players’ best freind. Reports keep coming out and saying the players really like Mora but yet on the other hand they are saying things need to change. I think what some of those players are saying is they want a coach with a firm hand.

By mdh

December 31, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

Well Put, Dannotdan.

As a talent, I love MV. He was alot of fun to watch in college, & he is fun to watch on the highlights now. But if you are a Falcon fan, you must be sick of seeing this guy underacheive, as both a player & a leader. I mean, flipping off the fans was not good. I understand that he was “in the moment”, but let’s not make excuses for him.

You know, there is a saying..” when someone shows you who they are & what they are about, do no be afraid to believe them”. I don’t think you have to have played in the NFL to have an opinion of MV, but if you do not agree, then simply listen to the analysts that are former players talk about MV. It’s the same stuff!

By Chains

December 31, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Fool’s, All this BS about bringing back Reeves. HE’s A hundred years old. How bout we get Marv Levy or Tom Landry. Since the seasons for Atlanta don’t overlap anymore, Let Bobby Cox coach, like he could do any worse.

By Dixie Normus

December 31, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

To Mora Sr. who said Vick is a “coach killer”. You are wrong sir…Vick is a TEAM KILLER. He is a thug straight from the ghetto in Newport News, Virginia. He is not a leader. He does not have the intelligence to read defenses and audible. If he did call audibles, the other players could not understand his words. He was born with fast legs..so what? That and 5 dollars will get you a cup of Starbucks coffee. Just watch the game today..he will play like crap..sit on the bench between series and twirl his cornrows. Then after the Falcons get their a*******es kicked, he will be shucking and jiving with the Eagles like they are best buddies. Cause in the back of his mind, he is counting all the money he has stolen from Arthur Blank. Now Ron Mexico can emerge and Vick can get back to the weed, the hoes, and the thugs he surrounds himself with. Blank..grow some NADS and trade Vick!!!

By gg

December 31, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

i’m starting to wonder if vick really is a coach killer. we may be seeing the third coach since vick’s arrival.

By Jimmy Boy

December 31, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Jim mora preaches character but, when confronted about his comments on the Seattle radio show he lies to us fans. Joking? I heard the interview and he was not joking which means he is a liar. His character is questionable at best. Move on Jim!

By gg

December 31, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

All of the media is going nuts about Vick’s rushing records-it just makes me sick. That is no different than when Glanville was here and Chris Miller was setting all of these passing yards in a gimmick “duck and shoot” offense. Why can’t we ever get a real coach with a real defense and offense. I must be stupid to follow this cursed team year after year.

By mdh

December 31, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Dixie-That is hilarious! Well stated

By mdh

December 31, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Prediction for today’s game-

• Dhall gets beat W/ Crocker in chase

• Vick - 10-23, 135 yds 1Int, 30 yds rushing

• Dunn - 9 carries, 28 yds

• Receivers, 4 drops

• Team - No heart or fire

• Mora s-canned

Prove me wrong Falcons!

By Carroll

December 31, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

There is only one thing that could be done at this point to fix this pitiful franchise for the first time in its existence: Pull off a herschel-walker-to-the-vikings, or ricky-williams-to-the-saints type of trade whereby we send Vick to some team stupid enough to take him (yes, I’m looking at you Oakland), and we get virtually their entire slate of draft picks and a solid defensive-type player. Give Schaubby the starting job, and have DJ ready in case he turns out to be another Doug Johnson (although not likely). Bottom line, I want a team that isn’t built around one player, be it Vick, Schaub, Jeff George, Jamal Anderson…it has NEVER worked out well to have a team so dependent on one stinkin player! We need a system (like Denver) whereby we can plug in new guys and continue success.

If these moves took place, this team would become a dynasty that would even make the Braves envious.

By mdh

December 31, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

gg-

Take heart in the fact that you are not alone. Despite what the rest of the country says, Atlanta is a football town. Look in any suburb & check out all of the college flags! THE BEST football is played in the south. Atlanta is not a Falcons town. I mean, people can only take so much mediocrity.

By firemora

December 31, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

The bird’s should clean house. Please don’t mention june jones he god awful. Any man who gets into the shotgun on 3rd & inches and under center on 3rd & long should never coach in the nfl again. Lovie should have been here but blank wanted to do the right GOOD OLE BOY way. The whole pie stinks from Blank to Vick.

By firemora

December 31, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Brady Quinn. Don’t think so!

By RENE

December 31, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Dixie Normus go outside and check on your trailer. You are the epitome of po white trash.

By gg

December 31, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

That is a sick part of me that wants the Falcons to just get their asses kicked today. I don’t want a hard fought tight game or a Falcons victory, I want the Falcons to get it handed to them today, so there will be no question about Mora’s future with this team. To Jim Mora: Happy New Year!!! Your life may be changing tommorow.

By annie

December 31, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

Dixie Normus go back to your trailer. You are po white trash at it’s best. You wish you had Vick’s money and half of his brains.

By The Real Ron Mexico

December 31, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

Hey STFU..dude, its pretty easy to guess what color your melanin is. You are probably a thug just like Ron Mexico. A-hole, its not about the color of the skin. Its about the whole package. Yes, Vick can fun fast. SO WHAT? So can a damn cheetah! Vick does not have the intelligence to read defenses or call audibles! Why do you think he ran for over 1000 yards? Because he cannot throw the ball effectively. He is not a leader..shooting birds to the fans who pay his ridiculous salary? He sits on the bench between series just staring with that stupid look on this face and playing with his cornrows. When he speaks to the media, its all you can do to understand his ebonics..all you hear is “dis”, “dat”, “you know”, “we be”, etc. Shall I go on or do you finally start to get the picture tarbaby?

By antonio nardi

December 31, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

the only answer to all the problems is DAN REAVES he know Micheal Vick and remember the first year as Vick pleyed the best of his career in the NFL.

By annie ro

December 31, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

Dixie normus you are trailer trash go and get a brain and maybe some deodorant because you are the one who stinks.

By annie ro

December 31, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Dixie Normus you aren’t man enough to get Vick’s hoes because nobody wants you garbage man.

By chris

December 31, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Was at the Carolina game and everyone in the stands knew by the third time they ran that play they were runing it. Come on, 11 times they ran the no quarterback run and they succeeded 8 times. 2 times they were stopped by penalties and 1 time by the defense. Mora needs to go.
Go get a real coach. Maybe we can get Cowher as he wants to be close to north carolina where his kids are.
I agree that who ever they get has to be a strong coach and blank needs to stay off the field.
The real question is can Blank give up some of his power so the team will succeed.

By mdh

December 31, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Hey- This just in… Alabama in search of coach…discussions with Mora underway….more to come…

Guys, can we please quit with the Dan reeves stuff. I like the guy too, but HE was not the reason for Vick’s success in his first year. No one had seen anything like Vick at that time. He surprised everyone with his running skills. But guess what. Teams got wise, starting with the teams in our Division. Tampa Bay owned Vick, until their talent aged. The Saints are in position to do that, now. Also, the rest of the leage is not stupid. 8 in the box, no blitz, & watch him make a fool of himself!

By gimmie-a-break

December 31, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Well it’s not like making the playoffs would make a difference. It’s just one more loss. All I can say is thank God this is an away game. Prediction: 7-9

By terrific tony

December 31, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

Let us all be professionals Here !! Arthur will do the right thing please be patient! Off to the gallows we go!! Yahoo!! Terrific Tony

By kenny d

December 31, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

brady quinn, puhleeze. what big game did he ever win for notre dame? what was he really before charlie weiss? john tenuta and tech made him look mediocre in the first game of the season. what do you think that NFL defenses and NFL defensive coordinators are going to do to Quinn in the NFL?

By Birdy

December 31, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Here’s hoping Arthur Blank and Rich McKay will really closely at the performance of Philly’s offensive line today.

I hope they pull out the stat sheet and notice their line is much larger, and consists of much higher draft picks than the Falcons.

They can spin it however they want, but when you deliberately go small up front AND at RB, you are not going to win the NFL championship.

What more proof do these guys need? 3 playoff teams from the NFC East + New Orleans kicking our butts twice — and not a small OLine/cut-blocking scheme among them.

GET GIBBS AND HIS “LET’S BE WEAK” PHILOSOPHY OUT OF HERE.

By No Bill

December 31, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

You call Raleigh “close” to Atlanta? That’s 356 air miles. Cowher is quitting the Steelers so he can LIVE in North Carolina with his wife and daughter. (Two other daughter are playing basketball at Princeton.) Besides, he is still under contract to the Steelers in 2007. You think Blank would give up draft choices and eight million dollars to hire a coach who wants to live out of state? All that doesn’t take into consideration that Cowher would not want to come to a ridiculous third-class organization, where the owner is a clueless rich idiot who prowls the sidelines with a retarded expression.

By BobE

December 31, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Yes, MV is often fun to watch but he is more a marketing novelty than a leader and QB. In hindsight, mistake. Peace.

By redddawg

December 31, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

I don’t really care what happens to Mora; but for goodness sake Get rid of the Cancer from VPI* It would also be nice to have someone in the front office that knew the difference between a football and hemmoroids

By webhead

December 31, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

If we’re going to keep Vick then hire an old Okl. coach and put in the WISHBONE.The man can’t throw

By kenny d

December 31, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

consecutive 2-6 collapses after starting 5-2 and 6-2 tells me this: (1) when the falcons stars are healthy and play together, they are a good team and Mike Vick can win with those guys; (2) When the stars get hurt, the lack of depth provided the team by McKay is exposed; (3) When the stars get hurt, the poor financial and contractual decisions made by Blank are exposed because the resultant lack of depth on the rest of the team is exposed; (4) The poor decision to hire Mora and his best buds becomes exposed as well because the coaches are poor game planners, are poor motivators, and more importantly are terrible at making the necessary adjustments until things have totally unraveled.

A team that cannot score in the first quarter and gives up too many scores in the first quarter is clearly a coaching problem caused by poor game planning.

A team that cannot throw touchdowns in the fourth quarter is clearly a function of poor coaching adjustments being made - the battle between Knapp and the other coaches is lost because when things matter in the 4th, the opponents have made all the necessary adjustments for which Knapp can not react and adjust well enough too.

The inability to convert in short yardage, red zone, 3rd down, & 4th down is caused by (1) poor personnel decisions which has resulted in DUnn a very small RB rendering our running game futile in these situations; and (2) Poor coaching decisions by Mora and Knapp where they stretch run Dunn in short yardage, hand it off to Dunn 7 yards deep in short yardage, do not use griffith in these situations even though he would clearly be the better option.

The poor coaching can also be seen in the underutilization of Dunn and Norwood. Why no screen passes or dumps to Dunn and Norwood? They would seem to be perfect in their skills for such utilization. How come Sean Payton can find ways to utilize the undersized Reggie Bush in unique ways but Knapp after 3 years can not find ways to get passes thrown to Dunn and Norwood even though it would make more sense to use Dunn and Norwood based upon their skill sets.

By Reynard

December 31, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

I like many others feel the Mora gang should move on. I don’t know who I’d choose as a head coach but I sure would like to see Mike Singletary as the next defensive coordinator.

By SiriusStuff

December 31, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

I am not a big Jimbeaux fan but I say keep him for one more year and get rid of the DC and OC. Look if you keep McKay you have to keep Jimbeaux. Now if he doesn’t go along with the plan of canning the OC and DC due to them being his friends, well they all can go up to the PNW and wait for the U of Wash job to open up.

By Terry Hicks

December 31, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

This Team Has No Heart And No Leadership ,The Talent is Their The team Mora Took Over Had Heart and The Dan Reeves Gave That To Them; This Team Needs A leader Mick Vick Is Not He’s To Much About Himself. The Head Coach Is InCharge Of EveryThing On The Team So I Think Moro Doesn”t Have What it takes Look At What Other Coaches Have Done With Less talent cut him Lose Dont Blame The Players

By Tru Fan

December 31, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Blaming Vick for the passing offense is ludacris. He is not ALL the blame. Dropped passes and playcalling are to blame as well. Not to mention that Vick is the only QB in the league that is told NOT to audible. That is ridiculous. Plus, the man’s arm is a cannon and you make him throw short slants??? No, he is not the best passer the league has seen and he probably won’t be close unless you take the stupid shackles off!!! People see what Vince Young is doing in Tennessee. Vick should have been doing that years ago.

The problem: The offensive adn defensive schemes.

The solution: Hire a new coordinator that goes vertically down the field and allows for audibles to be made at the line of scrimmage. Be more aggressive in the defensive scheme. There is too much speed and intelligence on that defense for our defense to not be killing people.

Play hard Falcons. Let Mora fire Knapp or fire both of them. Then bring in coaches and coordinators that can maximize the potential of these players. DO NOT stunt Vick’s growth as a QB by bringing in a whole new offense. Just give him some freedom and the “Magic” from 2002-2003 WILL return.

By Boots

December 31, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

The reality of the situation for Mora, Vick and the entire Falcon’s organization is: 15 and 9 over the past 24 games. That’s an ominous trend for Mora, Vick and the organization. However, I truly believe Mora will get another year!

By Roy

December 31, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

I got a better idea, Trade Vick and fire Mora. We have one of the worst QB’s in the league!

By Pamela

December 31, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Why you call Vick names ie Homey/Clown? If you think he should go just express that and leave the name calling out. Mora should go definitely. He is no more a NFL coach than I am today.

By scribe

December 31, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

with injuries to abraham at the start, then to kearney, then to webster, we haven’t seen the defense at full speed. knapp needs to go. vick needs to go. the cancerous hip hop attitude of these falcons like vick and hall. you want to be gangsta thugs like iverson, do it in some other city. i don’t want to win with these poor examples of maturity

By Dixie Normus

December 31, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Annie Ro…shouldn’t your name be “Annie Ho”? All you AtlantaJungleBunnies need to get off the Ron Mexico train. All you understand is the race card and use it because its your only defense. Vick is a hip-hop thug who should wear a ski-mask on payday cause he is sure stealing from King Arthur. Blank is afraid to trade him because of the thug-nation revolt that will surely follow. What other NFL team owner pushes his QB in a wheelchair? What other head coach is seen kissing his QB prior to a home game? Blank and Mora kiss his butt because he is a brotha..nothing else! So you welfare-collecting porchmonkies shut up and let the people with some intellect run this blog!!!

By kenny d

December 31, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

again folks, vick went 27-10-1 from the fifth game of the 2002 season until the 9th game of last year, 2005. The guy can win. BTW, the team record without him during that stretch was 3-12.

They started last year 6-2 and this year 5-2. Obviously, Vick could win when his supporting cast was healthy.

When the injuries mounted up and the lack of depth was exposed, the team failed.

Also, when coaches have to go the extra mile in the second half of games and in the second half of seasons, the coaches failed this team with poor game planning, with poor offensive adjustments, with poor defensive adjustments, and with poor motivational skills.

A team that is good enough and talented enough to go 27-10-1 with a certain QB at the helm and is good enough and talented enough to start two straight seasons 6-2 and 5-2 with that same QB is not failed by the QB or by the core stars of the team unless the core stars are injured when the teams ends up with consecutive 2-6 finishes.

That to me at least is clearly a personnel problem caused by the GM/Owner which kills the depth of the team and a coaching problem because they are not motivators, not good game planners, and do not make all of the necessary adjustments in a timely manner.

Just look at what CMR did with the dawgs this year in the last 3 games. Obviiously, there were problems. The status quo was not working. He motivated his team to keep fighting. AND CMR did not have to do it like an amateur by yelling FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! like mora. he also made adjustments by letting Bobo call plays. He also made the necessary personnel grouping adjustments by ending the QB and RB controversies. He also made necessary adjustments in the second half of the Va. Tech and Ga. Tech games. So, although he may have been outcoached from a game planning standpoint by both Tech schools at the beginning of the games, he then outcoached the coaches from the other schools during the second half of both Tech games, thereby leading to victories. although he may have been outcoached for a five game stretch this year, he bounced back and made the necessary adjustments at the tail end of the season to salvage the season and end up 9-5. Again, just like the falcons, the problem with the Dawgs was that the Dawgs lost those 5 games during that stretch because (1) they did not have the right personnel and/or the right personnel groupings; (2) the coaches were getting out game planned; (3) the coaches were not making the necessary adjustments; and (4) the coaches were finding the right motivational tone during that stretch. The personnel groupings were a big problem. It is funny that once the QB controversy went away and the RB situation cleared up with the injuries to Ware and Brown, that the Dawgs started winning.

Mora, Blank and McKay have taken a team built by Reeeves to be on the brink of The super bowl and slowly killed the team by giving them a lack of depth, poor personnel decisions, poor personnel groupings, poor contractual and financial decisions, poor game planning, poor adjustments, and poor motivational skills

By Ignatius

December 31, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mora and staff flip off the four Falcon fans in Philly today after the thrashing.

By Dixie Normus

December 31, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Hey RENE..I may live in a trailer but I pay for it myself instead of living rent free down in the projects..aka..the hood. How may welfare babies you be having Rene? Dey be habing diffrunt baby daddies Rene? Day bee littel blakbasturds? Keep supporting Ron Mexico and the FalCoons will keep losing!

By goober

December 31, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

“DO NOT stunt Vick’s growth as a QB”?? you are kidding right !? how many years does he get to grow…10,,12 45 ? At some point all you Vick Lovers are going to realize this guy cannot lead a TEAM. He is a wonderful athleate but cannot lead. LEAD!!! that is what a QB MUST do. “allow for audibles” ? this guy cannot read complicatd defenses and you want him to audible? I can see it now…. Vick audibles,Vick runs,,Vick audibles,Vick runs,,Vick audibles,Vick runs,,..And this will win a Super Bowl? NO !!!

By Rascal

December 31, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Blank’s first mistake was firing Dan Reeves…Reeves has been a WINNER every place he has been. The man knows football. The man is very good coach. Hiring a young inexperienced coach as Mora was McKay’s doings. Blame McKay for most of this. I’d take Reeves back in a minute…and Michael Vick…he would like that a lot.

By Boots

December 31, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Please note: I should have said that the Falcon were 9 wins and 15 losses over the last 24 regular season games.

By LaCresha ShaNeequa Smiff

December 31, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

yall bee hating on Mike Vick need to shut yo mouffs..he bee a thug fo sho..butt he beez a rich thug by takeing all dat cheeze from dat Jew Blank. Vick bee a fine brotha with da herpeze and he beez a baby daddy too. Da Foulcons sho nuff stink but Vick beez a ballar..so you whiteys shut da f upp..

By Tim Dawg

December 31, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

People are whispering that Mora may be the coach of Bama. As a Dawgs fan, would that make you happy? It would make this Dawg fan happy. Does anyone on here think that that Mora is a better coach than Richt, Spurrier, Fulmer, Meyer, Tuberville, Miles, Nutt? I think not. Thus please bama go hire Mora and do me a double favor by getting him off the falcons payroll and by ensuring that Bama will suffer for at least 3 or 4 years as a result of having the 8th best coach in the SEC, thus allowing me to have one less team to worry about and compete with. And do not tell me that he is going to be the next pete carroll. Mora is more likely to be the next ron zook as a college coach than he is to be the next pete carroll

By David

December 31, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

Don’t make another huge mistake…..beg Coach Reeves to come back. You’d be in the Super Bowl within 2 years.

By Beretverde

December 31, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

MY NEW YEAR PREDICTION: RON MEXICO WILL BE 2 AND 0… UNDEFEATED IN THE “COACH KILLING” GAME!

By David

December 31, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Don’t continue to be an idiot, BEG COACH REEVES TO COME BACK and you will be back to the Super Bowl within 2 years.

By david

December 31, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

DAN REEVES = SUPER BOWL

By William Kitchens

December 31, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait to hear what Mora and Knapp have top say about Vick after they are no longer coaches here. Knapp will probably take the hight road but Mora will open his trap at some point… he can’t help it.

By dirtie birdie

December 31, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

BOOTS, you know i like ya, bud. but you keep posting the same thing on here about the record over the last 24 games. how about a little analysis about what has caused that record. expressions of mere statistical trends without an understanding of the root cause of the statistical trend is absolutely meaningless.

But I guess you are like my pops. You probably would say I do not care what the reason is. It is a problem. It is a problem I have given all of you a chance to fix. You all have not fixed it. I will fix it for you by getting rid of all of you. If I can go 9 and 15 and out of the playoffs with all of you, I can go 9 and 15 and out of the playoffs without all of you.

Oh well, i made it through the season without suffering a heart attack. At least today’s game will not be too stressful. In fact, i am looking forward to watching it because I think it is going to turn into a real drunken hatefest for me. it is going to be hilarious to watch. A little advice for everyone: do not take the game seriously today. Watch it with a very sarcastic mindset. You will have alot of laughs if you watch the game that way. A few beers will increase the fun as well. It is funny how if you watch the game that way, you actually end up starting to be an objective observer and do not get sucked in by your love for any of these chumps.

By Rascal

December 31, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

DAN REEVES DAN REEVES DAN REEVES DAN REEVES DAN REEVES DAN REEVES PERIOD……

By rottie

December 31, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Reality Check: Mike Vick, love him or hate him, is the face of this franchise. Vick sells tickets. Vick brings attention to the Falcons (positive and negative). Blank is not going to hire a coach that will be given the authority to bench him under any circumstance. Woot, there it is. The type of coach that will be hired is another yes man…Yes, Mr. Vick, may I kiss your feet Mr. Vick…

By garry

December 31, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Lets not just jump out there and fire someone without a replacement look at Alabama i say we keep mora and change the offense Mora is a defensive guy he can get the defense back after all they werent the problem most of the year the offense was.What good does it do to lead the league in rushing when you dont make the playoffs.Change the offense

By Jaye

December 31, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Name calling and race baiting is the sign of a small mind. One too small to hold any knowledge about the real game of football. I’ll bet some of you people couldn’t draw a basic chart showing how all the players line up. I doubt some of you wouldn’t even know how to call the easiest of plays. Punks.

By annie ro

December 31, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Dixie Normus I live in Dunwoody and I have a 6 figure income so puleeze don ‘t assume I am trashy like you. How many po cracker baby mamas do you have in yo trailer?

By dirtie birdie

December 31, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

william kitchens: i love vick but i have to agree with your assessment. i think knapp has been a gentlemen through all of this. he is not a good coach but i do have to admire the way that he keeps his mouth shut and does not say stupid things and does not throw people under the bus. look at the graceful way he handled TO disgracing him on the sidelines all those years ago. Mora, on the other hand, is a mental midget and will inevitably say something stupid that he should not say (even if what he says may be the painful truth.) So although I totally disagree with you about vick I do have to agree with your assessment of what mora and knapp are likely to say. I think that knapp has shown incredible grace under fire his whole career and has been the consumate gentleman through his whole career while Mora has always shown that he is a wayward bozo. With that being said, Knapp and Mora both need to go.

By RushingQB

December 31, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

I said it before, I’ll say it again: JIM MORA = Just Can’t Win! I am really pushing for ARTHUR BLANK and RICH McKAY to bring in URBAN MEYER!!! He is #1 on my list.

Others include: 2. Ken Whisenhunt 3. Cam Cameron

We need an Offensive Minded Head Coach!

By Roy

December 31, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

Rottie, I love this Mr. Blank is trying to build a good guy image. Is Ron Mexico giving the fans the finger that image he wants!

By jaye is gaaay

December 31, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

jaye nice words of wisdom loser, you should be on the dr phil’s blogs wth all that wit you have. i just called your mom and told her she could have left the e off your name. she told me that it looked smarter with the e ?????????? she seems a little crazy

By Hamilton

December 31, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

If my boss heard me say that I wanted to work for another company, I would be fired on the spot. Get rid of Mora.

By dash

December 31, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

I have tried to refrain from commenting on this blog but when I read certain comments by readers, I have to reply. The Falcons are an underachieving TEAM. The blame does not fit solely at Mike Vick’s shoulders. BirdDawg’s comments were on the money!Good Job! Vick does not play defense,offensive line, receiver nor special teams.

In answer to one of the comments, a 2-time Pro Bowl QB can not be considered a clown. Regardless, he accounted for over 2,000 yards passing and over 1,000 yards rushing.Vick does need to take a page from Payton Manning and become more a serious student of the game.No more parties.He needs to improve his reads and progressions. He will not be successful if he does not.

The Falcons defense leads the league in big plays given up. The safeties are frequently out of position. Webster is not a cover corner, never has been.DeAngelo Hall needs to play within the system and his teammates. See Champ Bailey. Also, the injuries on defense have been devastating.You can not lose an Abraham, Kerney and Coleman without it affecting your team. John Abraham is one of the best DL in the league. Ask Tom Brady about it. The Falcons defense does not dictate the game, it is very reactive, at best.

Also, the offensive line is built for running in the Alex Gibbs scheme. They are among the smallest, lightest lines in the league. They are not built to block Michael Strahan or Julius Peppers. That is why Vick is one of the most sacked QBs in the league. Most of the time is runs because he has to, not because he wants to. Matt Schaub would not last behind the current line, he would fair far worse.

Also, the receiving corps is awful, they lead the league in drops per pass attempts. If you only throw the ball 20 times a game, you can not have 4-5 drops per game, because the drops are usually at crucial times. Roddy White should have been cut or sat next to the Gatorade.Also, has the receiving corps ever heard of a double move? The offense is far too predictable. The Falcons have Norwood(4.3), Vick(4.3), Dunn(4.5), Leile(4.4),Jennings(4.4), and White(4.4). Why does’nt Greg Knapp use that speed to create mismatches against the opposing defenses? Like Sean Payton is doing in New Orleans…

To whom it may concern, I believe that it would be helpful to watch the NFL channel or NFL live to gain a better understanding of the game.

By Wings of Victory

December 31, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

It must be a slow day for the aryan nation based on the posts I’ve seen here. No matter what the subject of the blog, it turns in to the vilification of Mike Vick! Very humorous. It’s obvious from the rage exemplified in some the posts that they are not about football. The laughable part is that Vick, McKay nor Blank could care less about these kluxers who spread their hate on sports blogs. That’s why your great grand pappies got their collective azzes kicked up and down the Mason Dixie line. BECAUSE THEY WERE DUMB! No one is dumber than a racist southern craker! THE SCOURGE OF THE EARTH!

By Michele Shantihan

December 31, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Dan Reeves + Super Bowl.

Super Bowl LOSER. LOSER. Much despised by John Elway.

‘Granny’ Reeves.

The game has passed him by. He needs to find a rocking chair with Marv Levy and loudmouth Ditka.

He is not the answer to the Falcons, and Ott will NOT have him back.

By DOM

December 31, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

RICH MCKAY IS SCARED OF JIMMY JOHNSONS EXPERTISE!!!

By dash

December 31, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

To Dixie Normus;

This blog is no place for your racist comments. What do “porch monkies and welfare babies” have to do with the current subject or the Falcons? Sports is the one thing through out the world than transcends race, creed or color. Have you ever watched the Olympics?

Sports fans write to the blog because they enjoy football and enjoy the opportunity to express their opinions.The South is trying to move forward. Racism is still being kept alive by people like you. Look around you, your type of racist is now the minority group.

If you do’nt have anything relevant to say on OUR sports blog, don’t say anything.Please take your ignorant, small minded rants elsewhere. I would suggest the KKK website…

By Terry

December 31, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

man, it looks like we just endured 4 months of all of this stupid blogging for nothing. well at least, we have the draft to look forward to. hopefully, we will find someone in the draft who is good enough to help us go 38-27-1 with him as a starter, including a 27-10-1 stretch, and who can bring us two playoff victories and an appearance in the conference championship game. hopefully, though our well intentioned owner will realize that he is not a football man and that he needs to trust his football operations to football man. And BTW, Arthur when you have a coach/personnel guy who has coached his teams to appearances in 4 Super Bowls and who had brought your team to the playoffs the year before and was building his team around the most talented player in the history of your franchise who he drafted, you do not get rid of that coach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKZHz6iryA&mode=related&search=

By Big Joe

December 31, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

The falcons need a coach who is provides discipline to a very undisciplined team. What we have in Jim Mora is an apologist who does not accept the burden of that discipline.

Mike Vick is a truly gifted athlete and his athletic gifts are both his blessing and his curse. What we should be asking ourselves is this: Is Mike Vick a better quarterback now than he was when he arrived in the league? Unfortunately, my response would be that he has not improved as much as he should have irrespective of what scheme he plays under.

I believe that Mike Vick has become so used to out-athleting his competition that he has not ever done the things that less gifted athletes do to improve thamselves. In college, he hads such a speed and quickness advantage that he never had to work to get better. I get the impressions that he shows up for games but does not spend the off field time preparing for the team he will be facing. Perhaps, this is why no one on the staff has confidence in his on field reads and audible calling ability. Most people who reach the upper echelons of sports get there through some innate ability and lots of hard work. Does anyone believe that Mike Vick works as hard at his craft as Tiger Woods does at golf. I am not sure if Mike Vick will ever achieve his true potential as a quearterback until he puts in Tiger Woods time on his quarterback craft.

By scott

December 31, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

Whether you are a Vick fanor not, the bottom line is that he is eating up the majority of cap money. THis is the time to dump Mora and trade Vick to get players/ picks and free up cap room. Keep Schuab, renegotiate Brookings, etc. As much as I like wide open offense, the bottom line in the NFL is tough defense and a pounding run attack.

By Wings of Victory

December 31, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

Dixie Abnormal is the epitome of the Appalachian inbred coward that spews their hate by stealth on a sports blog. Some one to be pitied. No doubt, some insecure school boy who can’t get a date and plays with himself while looking at his mama’s picture. Some one that is so depraved even the kluxers, as dumb as they are, wouldn’t accept them in to their pathetic membership. Probably lives no place near Atlanta. More like Hahira or some other little kluxer conclave in south georgia. Dash, you are wasting your energy and time trying to reason with some one with the IQ lessthan that of a single cell.

By Peter

December 31, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

As a 20-year season ticket holder, I believe that it would be a mistake to fire Jim Mora after this season.

First, in Mora’s 3 years, the Falcons’ records in their first 8 games are 6-2, 6-2, and 5-3. There is no 3-year stretch in Falcons’ history that comes close to that performance. Today is only the 2nd meaningless game that the Falcons have played since Mora arrived. (Last year’s final game against Carolina was the other one.)

I have sat through many a season where if the Falcons got a 5th or 6th win at all, it would come during a meaningless December game played in a nearly empty stadium.

There is understandable disappointment in the fact that the Falcons were only able to build upon their great start in Mora’s first year. I think that is where the end-of-season evaluation should concentrate on and not throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Second, the current Falcons’ situation is similar to the circumstances surrounding the worst firing in the 40 year history of Atlanta professional sports; the Braves release of Joe Torre after the best 3-season stretch the Braves had in Atlanta until 1991.

Both Mora and Torre (in 1982) came to their teams after years of generally poor performance. Both took their teams to the playoffs in their 1st season. Both lead their teams into playoff contention in their 2nd and 3rd years before falling short near the end. Then Torre was then fired the day after the 1984 season.

I hate to see Mora get the quick hook here. I think that there are enough positives to justify keeping him through next year.

By kenny d

December 31, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

The Vick contract is hurting the falcons. I do not blame him at all for taking it though. if the owner is too stupid to realize the ramifications, what are you supposed to do? i would take the $$$, just like the rest of you would. I think the Falcons can get some cap relief by getting rid of Dunn because Norwood is his replacement. they may also get some cap relief by getting rid of Hurtwell or by asking Hurtwell to restructure his contract.

By Who's Your Daddy

December 31, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this

Fire Mora, fire the receivers and start over (again). Blank needs to think about wins and not “buy ins and consensus building” that’s great corporate speak, but the Falcon’s need to return to fundemental football and working with the talent at hand. Need a coach that is respected and shows respect toward the fans and media, Mora was way too cocky; why, who knows?

By Jim

December 31, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this

Mora was a defensive coordinator prior to being hire as ATL coach….so what happened last week against Carolina. How could a team run the same play over and over and over and over……bring in Baltimore Ravens defensive Coord as the new head coach, they are awesome!!!!

By dixie normus

December 31, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

SINCE YOU GUYS ARER ALL MAD AT ME I WOULD LIKE TO TELL A LITTLE JOKE AND MAYBE WE COULD BECOME FRIENDS,SO HERE GOES…. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE BLACK WOMAN HAD AN ABORTION ???????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? CRIME STOPPERS SENT HER 500 DOLLARS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH

By Jim

December 31, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

we have to pick apart Dallas, or New Englands coaching staffs…hire a coach who has been mentored by a proven winner.

By mo

December 31, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

Well folks,

The season is almost over. All but this game, that is looking like the kind of game that the Eagles will use as a stepping stone into the playoffs. It’s been really ugly this year, but I am at least happy that we know where we are.

See, I know now that McKay can go out and make a deal for the greatest players out there on the field. Heck, THIS year’s team on paper looked like they can just change into a wierd uniform and represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Dunn rushed for another 1000-yard season. Vick ran for another 1000 yards. Oh, and he had games in which he passed for 4 touchdowns in single games.

And we had another season of 7-8 (so far.) We may even beat the Eagles and go 8-8, which was exactly where we were last year. And the team imploded just like last year. Right after we went 5-2… just like last year.

So, what’s the difference between this year and next year? We know that it isn’s a player problem. These players played well in other offenses and other defenses and other schemes. And there was no one or two player that was consistently bad. There was just too much, inconsistency.

See, when the offense was working great, the defense wasn’t. When the defense was playing lights out, the offense was struggling.

Heck, when the defensive LINE was doing well, the defensive BACKS couldn’t hold their own. Or when Dunn played well, Norwood didn’t.

See? just plain-old INCONSISTENCY! The Falcons reeked of it. And if you have a TEAM that cannot get on the same page and play consistently all season, the problem is coaching.

So, say goodbye to Mora, Knapp, and the boys. I honestly do not think that Mora was (see, past-tense) a bad coach. I kind of wish to see him come back to coach the Falcons next year. I do, however, think that Knapp and Donatell’s systems will not work in Atlanta.

But I am not convinced that anyone can come in here as head coach and instantly change the Falcons into a Super Bowl contender. I do, however, think that a drill sargeant at DC and a genius at OC can change it pretty quickly.

By Tell it like it tiz

December 31, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Of course Mora and his entire staff should be fired as well as McKay. First of all, Mora was a loser in San Francisco, and only another loser (McKay) would choose a loser to become a Head Coach. Secondly, the Falcons not being able to win with Michael Vick is like the Chicago Bulls not being able to win with Michael Jordan, and anybody who cannot manipulate and exploit the talents of Michael Vick should not be coaching in the NFL. Lastly, I must say that we as fans are tired of spending our hard earned money each year for season tickets only to bare witness to the exact same “loser mentality” football we had to sit through the previous season. And to Arthur, we’re behind you but you too have got to get it together or its going to start costing you at the ticket office.

By Wings of Victory

December 31, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

The falcons have missed out on the opportunity to bring in a coach that will make them playoff/Superbowl caliber team within a short period. I say keep Mora and bring in a tough minded DC and an inventive OC that knows how to take advantage of Vick’s strengths. For you kluxers and aryan boyz, David Duke is not under consideration. Go wash your sheets and sharpen you dunce hats so you can be ready for your rally and cross burning tonight! titothing, queen d, trixie abnormality and the rest of you kluxers…STFU!

By dawgh8er

December 31, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

As a die hard Tech fan, this is going to hurt….Why not Mark Richt? He seems to be doing well for himself at that school in Athens, so why not give him a shot? Is he even interested in the NFL? Just a thought.

By rene

December 31, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Dixie Normus yo mama slapped you with a brick and it shows. Crime stoppers wants u bad.

By UGA @$$ Holes REDNECKS

December 31, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

By Dawgh8er you U R NUTS! We need the best coach we can fine. No more rejects, and smoker. Don’t fire Mora just to be firing him! We need a scheme change Alix Gibb and the cut block scheme need to be gone!

Who is proven out there? Donatell need to be gone his defense is to soft and the player stay hurt ! Norm chow or just get new OC and DC. If you don’t get the real deal don’t jump out of the frying pan in to the fire. Mr . Blank please use wisdom this time around!

We need big linemen on both sides of the ball. we are just to small on offense and defense!

By South Georgia

December 31, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

We’ll be better next year,and we’ll make it to the Super bowl!!!!!!!!Go Falcons Go Vick Go!!!!

By Dennis G. Berdanis

December 31, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

I really do think Mora is a nice guy. But we need a coach, not a nice guy and this guy is in over his head. Maybe he needs another decade as a DC before attempting to be a head coach again. He’s not ready now. Fire him, please Mr. Blank. Before we use up all of Michael Vick’s years without an NFC championship.

By trey

December 31, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

i don’t know so much about richt as head coach of the falcons. i am not going to get into the pros and cons of his coaching abilities. I will say this though: That would be a very poor business decision by Arthur Blank. The fan base here, for the most part, loves the Dawgs first and foremost. Taking the coach away from the Dawgs would tick off so many of your loyal fans, that you would be looking at a very disastrous situation. Many of the fans would be rooting against Richt and the Falcons for showing disloyalty to the program. You would be setting the falcons up to fail by hiring Richt. Even those Dawgs fan who hate Richt and want him fired who also happen to be Falcons fans would also root against Richt as a way of showing that they were right about not liking Richt as the coach of the Dawgs. It will never happen. There may be many pros and cons to the hiring of Richt but from a business standpoint, it would be a wildly unpopular decision which would only exponentially increase the gloom and doom of the long time fans here who seem to love to see the Falcons fall on their face

By Chains

December 31, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Get rid of Vick!!! Here’s the plan,Schaub and Shockley. 2 different styles,(Pocket passing Schaub. The quickness of Shockley) Worked for a couple of years just up the road in Athens.(Green,Shockley)Big salary cap reduction, after you unload the baggage at Hartsfield.

By Boots

December 31, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

Dirtie Birdie, I like you, too and hope you had a Merry Christmas. The reason I repeated the post regarding the last 24 games is we’re in a precipitous decline. For whatever reason, and it really doesn’t matter, the Birds are in the crapper. I don’t care how many games they’ve won over the past three years, the recent past sucks and must be dealt with. I’m guessing Mora will stay, but most of the coordinators will be replaced. I agree, if I was the boss, I’d fire hime based on his stupidity —- letting his mouth overload his butt on radio. That’s inexcusable for a man who just got a contract extension. Well, good buddy, enjoy the game and a prosperous New Year! And, give your wise father my best wishes for the New Year! Adios!

By NASDAQ

December 31, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

HOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU “START SCHAUB” PEOPLE GO TO WHATEVER TEAM HE’S TRADED TO IN THE OFFSEASON LOL! Let’s go Mr. Blank, get Vick some talent and toughen up that defense. Bring back the hard hitting attitude like we had with Jessie Tuggle and Scott Case, now those boys use to bust heads! Go Birds Go!

By NASDAQ

December 31, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

ALL OF YOU “START SCHAUB” PEOPLE CAN MIGRATE TO WHATEVER TEAM HE IS TRADED TO IN THE OFFSEASON LOL! Lets go baby, bring back that hardhitting attitude on defense that we had with Jessie Tuggle and Scott Case. Get Vick some targets that can catch and watch this team go. Go Birds Go!

By UGA @$$ Holes REDNECKS

December 31, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

BY nasdaq U R RIGHT BUD!

By DIXIE NORMUS

December 31, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

RENE, LET ME GUESS YOU HAVE 5 LITTLE NIGGLETS RUNNING AROUND,AND MY MONEY I EARN IS PAYING FOR THEM. I ASLO BET YOU ARE ABOUT 400 POUNDS, YOU TRIP OVER YOUR LIPS AND YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON GRADY JACKSON. I HOPE YOU COME BACK WITH SOMETHING BETTER THAN YO MAMA HIT YOU WIT A BRICK.VERY BLACK. THEY DO HAVE A HOOKED ON PHONICS FOR BLACKS LIKE YOU. IT IS CALLED EBONICS B-GONE YOU SHOULD BUY IT WITH YOUR NEXT WELFARE CHECK

By Michael

December 31, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

I’ll take the Washington job if Willingham is leaving…

By NASDAQ

December 31, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

TO “DIXIE NORMUS”

Why do you hate blacks? Does the fact that I’m a 26 year old black professional working for a trillion dollar mutual funds company and earning almost 6 figures a year anger you? You see me, I love everyone: blacks, whites, asians, mexicans, it really doesn’t matter to me. I love the game of football also, so leave race out of it because it has no place. LOL you really need some help! Go Birds, just go baby!

By Frank

December 31, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

What? Atlanta has a football team?

By Dave

December 31, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Blank just needs to make the best decisions for the Falcons. I hope he consults with many people who know the game and not just Falcon insiders. Let’s just hope whatever is done is done RIGHT!

By Greg

December 31, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Bench Vick and Replace Mora for Not Benching Vick when he did not produce. The Fans want Results.

By hudog

December 31, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

Please be for real:

College coaches are a wild card in the NFL.

Richt- great coach as proven again last night.

Meyer- While a gator hater, I’ve gotta believe his system is the only system that would truly use Vick’s gifts.

Weis- Forget about it. Not leaving for the ATL job.

5.Defensively- Not as bad as you think. Who could function without Kerney, Abraham, Hartwell, Webster and the list goes on. (just a very unfortunate year for injuries) This will be better next year, but MUST resign Patrick!

I love this team and hate this season, but the Falcons are still my team and will be regardless of the outcome today. As fans in the ATL, we need to take notes from the great cities who support their team in the good and bad. I don’t hear any rumblings in Pittsburgh, Green Bay, etc. Support the Falcons, Braves, etc. and make this a city where the greatest of Coaches and Athletes want to be!!!!

By Jerry Ellinger

December 31, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

i am watching the jags-chiefs game right now. jack del rio is not the greatest coach around (their record with alot of talent is not any better really than the falcons)(but even he rejected BAMA). BUT i saw del rio do two things i have never seen jim mora do: (1) yank an ineffective starting QB. This Quinn Gray kid is providing a spark to the team as a result; and (2) after gray scored his second rushing touchdown, del rio ran over to the jags bench and screamed at all of his players to get up off the bench and huddle around him. he then proceeded to scream at the defense to start playing hard. the speech does not seem to be working very much as the D is getting rolled on again. BUT at least he was acting like a coach trying to spark his D. MORA NEVER DOES THAT! look at how often the falcons O & D just sit there on the bench lounging when the other unit is playing. they do not root on their teammates and they do not seem have a care about how the other unit of their team is performing. very disturbing. It was very disturbing that Del Rio had to even give the speech in the first place. Why was the Jags D just sitting there on the bench as if their third string QB did not just score his second rushing TD in a span of like 5 minutes? Bizarre!

I am not saying that Vick should be benched and that Schaub should be the starter because I think that is totally not the answer. BUT i think it may have been appropriate at times to yank Vick just to maybe give the team a spark every once in a while. AND then it certainly is incumbent upon a coach to get his lackadaisical players up off the bench and light a fire under their butts every once in a while.

By keeping it real

December 31, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

When they trade Schaub will we get a 1th and 3th rounders. Hope we get some real beef on the defense line and offense line. please no more 5th and 7th rounder on the offense line. Gibbs offense line scheme need to be fired!

By rene

December 31, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Dixie it’s sad your mama can’t do a retroactive abortion but oh that won’t work because you sprung up out of an ape at the zoo.

By West, Fro, & El

December 31, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

hell, trade schaub for a 2nd, 3rd, and 7th rounder. i do not care too much about first rounders. they are usually overrated and overpaid anyway. mckay also seems to do better with lower picks than high picks. so, maybe he can trade for a second, third, and seventh rounder. that will provide the team good depth. he may be able to get a good lineman, wideout, or defensive back with that pick.

i would also fire Mora, Knapp, Donatell, cut Dunn, cut hurtwell, tell brooking to restructure his contract because he is not earning his money (based upon performance not effort).

By Dixie Normus

December 31, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

to the 2nd Dixie Normus..dude, those are some pretty good jokes / blogs. I was laughing so hard about the “Ebonics-G-Gone” one that I almost forgot how bad Ron Mexico is for a second…its too easy to bait the porchmonkies on here!!! Keep it up!!

By DIxie Normus

December 31, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

hey dash…let me guess..D stands for DUMB…A stands for A*…S stands for SOUTHERN…and H stands for HICK. Put those all together and you get DUMBASSSOUTHERHICK. So I see why ‘dash’ is a great name for you..porchmonkey lover

By Dixie Normus

December 31, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Hey NASDAQ..why do you want to be telling lies on Sunday dude? Whats that “I earn ALMOST 6 figures” crap? I did not know they paid dat much down at da Waffle House. Oh..by 6 figures you mean as in $12,364,00? Dumba$$..that is actually 7 figures.. You are another example of why two black cousins should not have cheerun!!!

By yancy

December 31, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Dixie Normus did you steal your computer from the Goodwill store or is it a donation from Mike Vick? I think I met you at Hosea’s feed the hungry. Were you the one smelling like a rat?

By Vick Lover

December 31, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

The razzle dazzle that Mora put on during his interview - was all the B.S. that his Dad told him to say to get the job. This year has been all “HIM”.
Mr. Blank is a very smart business man that will make the right decision. Personally, I think he should hire —- DAN REEVES. (No relo cost), I think I would take “Old School- too conservative” play calling - any day over that MESS I saw at the end of the season.

For all you Reeves haters..you found out just how bad “CREATIVITY”, can make your team.

HIRE DAN

By George Holman

December 31, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

The way this team has underperformed, one can only blame the coaches for general lack of preparation and motivation. Time to clean house and find a tough, no-nonsense coach to get all this tallent going in the right direction. Mora’s “ra-ra” style is better suited to the college ranks, but it is bush league when applied to the pros.

By GM

December 31, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

Blank will can Mora next week. He’s a proven immature kid coaching an NFL team. Next question, please.

By yancy

December 31, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Dixie Normus let me guess the 6 figures you earn watching portapotties is 000000.

By Chains

December 31, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Dixie is really A blackman.. Or would like to be!!! Sounds like some brother made him his b*%$h during his overnight stay at fulton county for his DUI in buckhead.

By West, Fro, & El

December 31, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

no first series scores for 23 straight games. coincidentally, the falcons are 9-15 in the last 24 games. no first series TDS in 23 straight games tells you all you need to know about the poor game planning by Knapp.

no fourth quarter passing touchdowns for 18 straight games. coincidentally, they are 7-11 in those 18 games. great game planning and great offensive adjustments by knapp.

oh, look at this. first play for the eagles. bootleg rollout setting up the pass to westbrook who of course rolls for dozens of yards. Don’t Dunn and Norwood have similar talents to Westbrook? Do we run similar plays? Of course not, silly! it would make too much sense to throw similar passes on the outside to Dunn and Norwood. No, when they do occasionally call those kind of pass plays, they call it so that it is thrown to Griffith. Ridiculous! how maddening! they have it totally backwards of course. when you are in short yardage and the red zone, you use griffith to run for the ough yards. you then use dunn and norwood for those kinds of passes on the outside.

I guess that is why everyone says we have the talent. the personnel groupings are curious though and the personnel used on many play calls are also beyond curious

By West, Fro, & El

December 31, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

mora will not be the next pete carroll in college. he will be the next ron zook (only if he is lucky to be even that mediocre). Please hire Mora Bama. Do the falcons and the dawgs a favor by doing so.

By keeping it real

December 31, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

New blocking scheme for 2007. Cut block scheme is a loser add we lost. Whisenhunt or norm chow. we need head hunter and big bodys on defense. Vick now has 20 TD for the year win falcons and win Vick!

By Dicksie Abnormalus

December 31, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Hi. My name is Dicksie Abnormalus. Forgive me. My mother hates me. My father hates me. Blacks hate me. Whites hate me. I desperately cry out for attention because no one loves me.

By keeping it real

December 31, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Dicksie Jesue love you! And that keep it real!

By Gt fan

December 31, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

im watching the falcons game now and its 7-3. Wow the falcons actually scored a touchdown when it didnt mean s**! I bet vick will feel proud if he wins this game today 2. let me be the first to tell u vick….this game dosent mean s**! All your individual accomplishments dont mean sht! we didnt even ake the playoffs this year, your selfish and obviously dont spend enough time on your short passing skills! If you really want us falcons fans to love u..u gotta live and die with your team man…not smiling and shaking hands after a loss! Im going for the falcons to loose today as bad as i was going for them to win last week. why? because its the best thing for the team! with a 8-8 record we would get around the 20th pick in the draft. With a 7-9 record we would get the 10th or 11th pick! big difference!! THe eagles just scored…..YES!! By tha way….since my team isnt in the playoffs this year…go Saints!!

By Bo

December 31, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

The BEAR would turn over in his grave if Bama even thought of hiring that bum. If Blanks has got the BALLs, Mora the Cry Baby should be gone.

By gno

December 31, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

gtfan, you are not really a falcons fan. no falcons fan could pull for the saints. absurd

By hudog

December 31, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

ONCE AGAIN!!!

Falcons Score- Next series Griffith out! This saga continues. Look for him to get paid somewhere else next year while making the Pro Bowl.

Second series- second string backfield = PUNT!!!

By Ripme

December 31, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

**IF THE FALCONS DON’T WIN TODAY PLAYING AGAINST THE PHIL’s BACK-UP TEAM……What a joke!! The 2nd team will beat the MORA FALCON’S. Mr. Blank it will not be starting over getting a new coach because Mora has done nothing to start over from. You said you would put the best on the field, so please take Mora and his staff to the house and Hall with him. COWHER, June Jones ,Reeves , wade Phillips anybody better than MORA.

By Calf rope

December 31, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

Gt fan Goat trainer you sound like a uga fan. YOU must not go to any games to say that. You can go back to blow city and pull for them!The school on 10th street would not have in breeders! Go vick and #56!

By Gt fan

December 31, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

Thank God we didnt get that last touchdown. Looks like the falcons are really trying to mess up that draft pick. Are yall really that shortsighted? You would really rather have the #20 pick than the #10 pick?? this team dosent deserve to go out feeling like winners. They need to loose and vick have a bad game so they all realize they have to work that much harder in the offseason!!!
As far as pulling for teams go i moved from Atlanta to New Orleans for a job transfer and lived there for awhile before moving back. I love underdogs…how can u NOT love the saints this year…after what that city went thru?? Dont get me wrong thou…Falcons #1 for life. if only our qb had HALF the passing skills of breese tho! wheres chandler when we need him? i miss the good ol 98 team. Now that was a team! not half the selfish bs this team shows!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Considine, Eagles CB #37, runs down Vick on bootleg early on. This is not Vick’s fault though, it is total ineptitude by coaches to understand Vick while a great athlete, is not a pro QB. Two long passes he has thrown are both knocked down and should have been intercepted. Third long pass is late getting there and is knocked out of receiver’s hands. Vick cannot even pass against 2nd teamers. He is not a Pro QB!!! I remember the great Hail Mary passes of Bartowski at Fulton County Stadium. I just wish we had a coach that had the balls to position him properly. Mora is walking around arrogantly smiling and touching Vick after FG - what a loser!!! I think Vick must be giving Mora some of his $$$ to let him keep playing at QB. Explains all the smooching going on between them. I am a Falcon fan and I hope they lose 1) so no excuse not to fire Mora and staff and 2)to get better draft pick. And yes, I wil pull for NO as well. It will help that community!!!

By MBATL

December 31, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Why, why why is Vick even on the field? We’ve got NOTHING to gain. I’m not a big Vick supporter, but would hate to see him hurt in a meaningless game. Give Schaub some snaps, even if it’s just to enhance his trade value.

By Ray

December 31, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

3rd and 34 on the goal line you always call dunn up the middle! whoever called that play should BE FIRED AT HALFTIME!!DON’T LET THEM BACK IN THE COACHES BOX, DON’T BUY THEM A TICKET BACK TO ATLANTA!!!!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Did you see Vick’s assinine play that was almost a safety? More proof he is not a Pro QB. He has no sense of what is required of the position - listen to Aikman. Vick thinks he is superman, but he cannot even beat the Eagles 2nd team. Good QBs don’t play like him, i.e. Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, even Vince Young.

By Ray

December 31, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

3rd &34 on the goal line always run dunn up the middle, whoever called that play should be fired at haltime and not given a plane ticket back to atlanta!!!!

By Calf rope

December 31, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Why is allen Rosson IN THE GAME? Donatell need to go to Bama! this guy do not need to be in the nfl!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Vick is on the field because he IS 2nd string at best. No really, Mora still thinks he can salvage his job is the reason!!! Problem is he cannot out-coach Andy Reid even w/ Reid using 2nd/3rd stringers.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Passing game analysis by Troy A is so right on as to Falcons coaching. Mora is ultimately responsible so he and all MUST GO!!!

By Lune

December 31, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

Shango….PLEASE Send this message to someone to report.

WORST COACHING JOB OF THE YEAR 2006……………………………………………………………………………………

Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles!!!

(Number two is your guy in Atlanta, he asked to be fired right away after his radio party….man,come on!)

How can you go from a Pro Bowl QB and LOOSE then win with an also ran?

Because you don’t know how to coach above the grade!!

This is why people ask for pocket QBs, they don’t know how to expand thier mind, no creativity!!

The same thing is happening to Vick in Atlanta.

Just because you don’t know how to play Guitar in my note don’t mean that I can’t sing baby!

We need better coaches that know how to coach better athletes!!

Case in point, Fran Tarkenton and John Elway.

Fran held the record for rushing in the QB position AND went to 4 Super Bowls-Lost all four-

John went to three Super Bowls -and lost them all- until they got the man Terrell Davis at Rb to help him -and a different coach to call the plays- Two win two and retire “The MAN”!

Why is it that Bryan Westbrook can all of a sudden run the damn ball?

Fifty, fifty NOW! 65% to 35% with Donovan. Who the hell called the plays when Donovan was taking them to all of those championship games?

I’m from Chicago and I’m a Cowboys fan, but these old school coaches are killing us with their lack of knowledge.

If an athlete can win it all in college -Where all players come from- They can win it in the pros, if only the coach would learn how to use another part of his brain!

Luner Rose.listening from the radio at ESPN.COM

By gno

December 31, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

BREES DOES NOT HAVE HALF THE PLAYOFF WINS VICK HAS EVEN THOUGH BREES PLAYED WITH TOMLINSON FOR 5 YEARS. IN FACT, VICK HAS MORE PLAYOFF VICTORIES THAN BREES AND TOMLINSON COMBINED.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

It’s funny watching Knapp and Vick looking at the pictures. Vick has no instincts as a QB so even using those pics won’t help. He can beat the average athlete, but not pros.

Oh, and Rossum sux as a returner now too (mostly I think to more bad coaching). If coaches thought they were keeping their jobs, then they would be trying someone new at the position. When is the last time special teams done something special and I mean w/o a penalty?

By Beretverde

December 31, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

NOT “COACH KILLA” it’s “TEAM KILLA!!!!!! Ouch! Get gone with Mora… WE WANT SHAUB!!!

By Play that funky music whiteboy

December 31, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

The day they hired Jim Mora Jr. I told my neighbor, “only an idiot could take this job and screw up with all that talent.” Well, congratulations Arthur - you hired a true idiot. The two incidents that really stand out to me in the tenure of Mora, probably didn’t seem like much to most folks when they happened, but they showed me just what kind of moron we were dealing with at head coach. Example #1 - the “Cochranesque” way that Mora talked round and round in circles with the media the day after the Rod Coleman “wreck” at 2am. Anyone else remember the circular logic exchange with Matt Winklejohn? I thought at the time “Why is he even addressing this and not Coleman and why won’t he just come clean with what really happened?” Example #2 - the night game in Chicago last year. “I’m not going to wear a jacket so I can show how tough I am”. Well bozo, we don’t need to see how tough you are - you should stay warm so your brain functions correctly throughout the 4 hours you are out in the cold. I could also cite the “smelling salts” before the game, but that is so insane it makes me wonder about his overall sanity.

Lets look at Norm Chow. Something deep down tells me he would have a tremendous impact on Mike Vick and would also go the Charlie Weis route and hire some top flight assistants to be on his staff (not just a bunch of buddies - hasn’t worked for Willingham either has it?) Chow would be a great fit here. As a Notre Dame grad that actually hurt to type! Chow as head coach, Amato as DCoordinator, keep the special teams coach.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

Reallist did you see the line break down and bad play calling. Vick is fine. The line Suxs. What game are you looking at!The Offense can’t block the 2nd team!More proof fans don’t look at all whats going on. and it’s all vick fault! Alix Gibbs system what a waste. And this guy get paid for killing this team. And donatell let Allen rossum play. proff the coaches are clue less. And I guess because the coaches are clueless Vick at fault. You guy you guy are blind.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this

Vick will never see playoffs again if status quo is maintained. Brees & Thominson will pass him him shortly - count on it.

More on special teams- punter has 35 yd avg. Sux for pros!

By ConyersDawg

December 31, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

Fire mora!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

goat rope, I agree all these coaches suck too, but why did he wait until he was almost on his back BEFORE throwing ball away? He doesn’t know crap about playing QB. Sure he is a great athlete, but not a QB as he thinks he is!!! Please refer all your comments to Troy Aikman who sees the reality of our situation.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

The coaches the coach coaches. Please no more rejects and smoke blower. shaub in let see what he can do!

By max

December 31, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

Dear Mikie, Im A 14 Year Old “Bro” Who Has A Few Questions. 1-Is It True They Pay You Millions To Wear The “C-Row”..The Chin Hair & That Streak Down Both Sides Of Your Face?? 2-Is It True You Have The “Herpes”? 3-What Happened To The “Respect”?? 4-Whats With The Cubic-Zirconia Studs In Your Ears?? 5-When Will You Learn The King’s English? 6-When Will You Figure Out There Is Very Little Talent On This Team?? 7-When Will You Take One For The Team?? 8-Will You EVER Be A Team Player-Team Leader?? 9-You Would Fit Right In At The “Hood” Ball Field..But I Dont Want You On My Team, Ok?? 10-FINALLY…That Big 400lb Woman In The Stands With The Row..And YOUR Kid..Is That Your Mama??

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Art etal, Are you listening to Troy?

By Gt fan

December 31, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

VIck looks lke a damn fool with those braids hanging behind his helment. I hope a eagles player yanks one of those nappy things out of his head. Lets get a coach in here that wont put up for any more of this selfish bs weve seen this year!! O great….shuab gets a chance….about time huh? mora sucks….he NEVER used schuab this year? isnt that the point of backups…to put in the game when the starter is tired of having a bad game??? By the way shuab just hit 2 guys in the hands with the ball but one fell down, and one let it go thru his hands. I guess our recievers arent used to having catchable balls thrown there way! Man i love vick as any true fan should, but hes GOTTA improve! we have NO 2 minute offense…and almost NO passing game! Great watch shuab come in the game and lead us to a victory. 2 little 2 late falcons….all your gonna accomplish today is messing up a good draft pick!! We didnt step it up when it counted….s** we couldnt even beat the lions or browns! All we had to do those games was run the ball 70% of the time and wed beat those teams! instead what did we do? we all know what happened….after vick got a big head after beating cinnci and pittsburh he thought he was marino. Man….mistake of the year Mora! we win at least ONE of those games and the season turns out So much different!!

By bob

December 31, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Lets Fire Rich,He Wanted To Leave For The Com. Job, Right!! He Wasnt Woth A Tinkers Dam At N/O..Case In Point, Look At Them & Look At Us..Hell, You Think Mgmt. Would Have Let Him Go If He Was Woth His Salt?? Hell NO!!

Lets Fire Mora & All The Assistants..His 1st Year Record Is Indictive Of What The Reeves Team Put Together!!

Lastly Lets Fire Blank!! After All, He Pays “Cornrow” & All The Other MORONS!! Move This SORRY A* Franchise To Bayminette, Ala.. 33 Years Out Of 40 With A Stinking Forlorn Record!! Here’s My Dollar, Start Packing!!

By Ripdog

December 31, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Jim Mora is a thug and he must got. When he cussed the guy out from Dave FM last year, that did it for me.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

shaub this the second game he can’t hold the ball for a field goal. Mora is gone! and mean d is at it again!He is a infected @$$ hole with hate .Its not max its Mean d!

By Harry

December 31, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

the second year in a row and the falcons have quit in their last game. i love ya, vick but you quit too. do not tell me you are injured. spit on it and go down with the ship. do not sneak off to get x-rays. oh well, at least all the whiteys will now get to see how much schaub sucks. everyone says that we needed to bench vick in this game so that we could showcase Schaub for a trade. What you really should be calling for is for Vick to play so that we can hide Schaub on the bench and let this crazy bidding war start for a guy who has not even completed 50% of his passes in the NFL. oh well, now vick is injured and we are playing schaub. after schaub stinks it up out there during the second half, we will have no chance to get a first round pick for him. hope all you morons are happy

By Ray

December 31, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

THE FALCONS SUCK!!!! PUT IN DJ LOOK HOW GOOD PHILLIES 3RD STRING QB IS DOING!!!!!!

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

Mean D is sick. you will reap what you sow!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Give me the Andy Reid system of coaching, he can call plays that beat most teams. Mora is a Ammonia- sniffing dunce who has no clue about Knapp’s ability to call plays. I know that has to kill many brain cells and how long has he been doing that? Face it goat, our team is in total disarray. Would a 12 & 4 TEAM put more or less fans in the seats than an 8 & 8 group of athletes? I think that is the big question. I would love to have Vince Young at QB because he IS a QB not just a scrambler. BTW, Tarkinton was an excellent passer and held many passing records. He won games not with his legs but his arm!! Just “keeping it real”.

By Bear

December 31, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

I think Mora and his staff should be fired for a lot of reasons that are apparent, but for this specific reason..look how they are playing today against an Eagles team that is playing mostly backups. They are struggling to get points and can’t stop the Eagles. This is a pitiful team with no sense of direction.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

Gt fan is a UGA Redneck fan!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

Listen to Troy!!!!!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Troy just said it indirectly that Knapp has put Vick in best situation to be successful. Obviously he has a clue given his record.

By Mothball

December 31, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. By the tone of this blog, it doesn’t appear that we will all be meeting later for a group hug and that’s a pity. It is clear that the Falcons current state affects all of us.

Go Birds in 2007!!

By MBATL

December 31, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Harry… huh?

By Realist

December 31, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

Mora’s last stab at us - he finally puts in Schaub (well not really) for Vick, Schaub wins meaningless game and we lose draft pick position. Why are any of our starters on the field in this meaningless game? MORA is an Idiot!!! What will the falcons gain by winning now, pride? It’s a little late for that - remember the Cleveland and Detroit games?

Oops, Philly goes ahead thank goodness.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Troy has not been at all the games. Knapp suxs . Be gone Knapp. T.O said he suxed he played for the clown!

By john

December 31, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Mr. Blank has to look long and hard at Matt before he makes a move.

By Harry

December 31, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

aikman average season: 16 tds, 14 ints. big whoop. he had the greatest offensive line of all time. one of the top 5 greatest running backs of all time. a wide receiver who should be in the HOF. a pro bowl tight end. other threats at wide receiver. a great defense. one of the greatest coaches of all time. a very good offensive coordinator (Norv Turner) during his time with the cowboys. Aikman was nothing special at all. he was just surrounded by the right people. does anyone else remember that game where he threw 3 INTs in the first quarter of a conference championship game? the truth about aikman is this: he was horrible his first 2 years, below average his third year, he was then above average for 2 years, average for 1 year, above average for 1 year, average for 2 years, and then horrible again for one year. when the pieces were all lined up around aikman, he was decent. when he had a great coach and probably the greatest collection of talent ever amassed on one team, he was a serviceable QB. when the talent was not there in the beginning and then again not there at the end, he was brutal (MUCH WORSE THAN MICHAEL VICK). but most of all, aikman was only decent when he had one of the greatest coaches there has ever been. so spare me with having aikman tell me how it is. phil simms who was just as good as aikman sang a very different tune about vick earlier this year

By MBATL

December 31, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Vick is adequate at QB, but costs way too much, and our entire offense must revolve around his tender sensibilities. Dump the prima donna, and play real football.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

By john you are right MR. Blank need to look very hard for a trade for before they blows that!

By Gt fan

December 31, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

What are you talking about goatboy?? Thank God the eagles just scored a TD…we really need that #10 pick!! maybe CJ will drop down in the draft and we can get him. Ive always been a big vick supporter…but at this point i say we TRADE vick to the Raiders and move up in the draft to get CJ. Make Schuab our starting QB….get a power running back next year and with a healthy defence we will be a GREAT team next year!!! By the way…we just scored a 4th quarter td pass in how long?? and who threw it?? ok i guess u blackies can admit to being wrong now! (haha…u did call us whities harry…what u expect) By tha way…your a black dude named harry??? thats a first! GO Falcons…well…next year when it matters again!

By Harry

December 31, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

named after harry carson, gtfan

By Realist

December 31, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Goat, If you are basing your opinions on “TO speak”, then I can no longer expect rational thought from you. I thought you had the ability to see reality for yourself but I know different now. Sorry to see you go.

Going forward, as I listen to the announcers discussing the falcons, I see how much everyone is enamored w/Vick. However, Mr. Talent is the one winging it. He has conned Blank as much as Mora did.

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

Gt fan are you watching the game? And I know you are a UGA fan but Schaub is not that good > Trade him while you can get something for him. Go Vick. Remember we are playing the 2nd and 3th string!

By Mothball

December 31, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

Harry Carson was a stud on the field and continues to be one off the field with charity work.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

harry, given that Troy had all that talent around him (including the coaches), he would naturally be a good recognizer of talent. I was not comparing his ability to Vick’s as a player. However, he was a leader of all that talent to the tune of 3 SBs, so maybe he can evaluate the leadership skills a QB needs to be successful. Besides, Vick hasn’t even been average - he is below average.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness Schaub missed Jenkins!!!

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

Matt Sachuab you got him what did he do! Trade his @$$ now!

By Realist

December 31, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Goat, Mr. Talent playing against the 2nd & 3rd string too.

By Realist

December 31, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

OK, I will face it. This entire team sucks, offense, defense & special teams. I really feel sorry for Dunn and Griffin. They try very hard to no avail.

By Teggiebussa

December 31, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

Matt Schuab did great today! He should replace Vick! Yea Right… 3rd and 1 and he trips himself up???? He also Threw a pass directly to Eagles DB for an interception. Vick haters, please realize that #7 is here to stay and he needs to!!!!!

By Bulldog

December 31, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

I’m just glad that arthur didn’t buy the aquarium.Put bernie marcus in charge.

By eddiedawg

December 31, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

Hey Roddy White just made a great catch!! Oh wait, it was meaningless at the end of the game……what a garbage team…..I say scrap everything you can, Blank, starting with Mora-he sold you a bill of goods like a masterful politician……

By chris craven

December 31, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

WE CAN”T EVEN BEAT THE 2ND STRING!!!!!

PASSING ALL OVER US!!!!!!

THE PLAYERS HAVE NO HEART!!!!

NO FIRE!!!!!! NO FIRE!!!!! NO FIRE!!!!

ONE THING TO DO IS FIRE!!!!

WE SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The Row (what a brutha know...)

December 31, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Matt Schaub huh? And how do you people blame the QB for this porous defense?

By goat rope

December 31, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this

BY realist you are right that shows what kind of team we have. It not all vick falts nor schaub. The scheme sux. Now let’s build a real team. Schaub see yea some where in the NFL. This was you last Game here . But I wish you the best!Realist the cowboys have T.O. .He may run his head off the field but he is one of the best in the game. Knapp is now comepost . See yea clown!

By Nono

December 31, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Please Santa I didn’t ask for much——Trade Vick to Oakland for a decent DB and a couple of draft picks and keep Shaub——Mora isn’t as bad as Vick is irratic!!!!!!!!

By Falcons 1966

December 31, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

**HERE IS YOUR BACKPACK

Ingrediants include:

Granola Bars Greg Knapp Trail Mix Alex Gibbs Starbucks Ed Donatell

Enjoy your future, you’ve made my year miserable. I would rather sit and the stands and watch a coach that loses and tries instead of a loser who doesn’t want to be here and has no passion or fight.

I don’t know who’s coming next but I can’t wait. Just to think, I was ready to keep you 4 weeks ago until you showed that you were totally in OVER YOUR HEAD!!!!

Say hello to Courtney Love for me!!!

Season Ticket Holders Unite. He has to go!!!!!!!!!!

Go Falcons!**

By Steve T

December 31, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

I hope can now see that the problem is the system. People talked about what Tory was saying and did anyone hear this. That was a poorly design play. You had White and Crumpler in the same area. Vick did not have anywhere to go. That was a huge statement.

What was Knapp thinking during the 2 minute drill when he ran the shotgun option? He should have been fired on the spot. I wish I was in McKay shoes, I would have taken over play calling a long time ago.

Bottom line Mora is fired. It is not Vick it is the system. The falcons need to look at how the 49ers used Joe and Steve.

By MJB

December 31, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

The issue with this team is more mental and emotional than anything else, which points to coaching. I can name 10 other staffs in the league I’d rather have. Would you rather have the Panthers staff? What about the almost fired Titans staff? You betcha! When you start to compare who we have to other team staffs, you start to realize a significant difference. Also, I’m sick of Dunn complaining about carries. He has been ineffective in the last 10 games and you can only have so many 1st and 2nd downs for almost no gain. Even today, you could see they ran to try to appease Dunn and what happened? He went no where. I’d play Norwood more, his legs are faster and he’s just quicker. In the end, we’re not a Super Bowl team, but the coaches have got to go.

By Black Knight

December 31, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Leadership has been, is now, and will always be a problem unless people start stepping up. If you look at what the “team” said about each other last week, there is NO LEADERSHIP! They blame everyone else.

Leadership starts at the top. Blank bought the team and put in the money, but standing on the sidelines does not lead the team. He hired McKay and Mora, but neither have been able to effectively lead their team. It is always someone else’s fault. Michael Vick, Patrick Kearney, Ed Hartwell, De’Angelo Hall and others are incredibly talented, but have not learned how to lead. Warrick Dunn is a leader, but he gets no credit for the things he has done and cannot lead a team that is willing to blame everyone else, accepting no responsibility of their own.

THEY NEED LEADERSHIP! THEY DON’T HAVE IT!

By chris

December 31, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

Gee what would have happened if Schaub played the whole game. He was apssing better than Vick and ran when he had to. He is going to be a great QB for someone next year.
Too bad Vick had to get hurt to show how good he is.

By Dennis

December 31, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

By Myra Conwell

December 31, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

I’m from Atlanta! I love the Falcons, but I’ve almost become used to them losing. I would suggest any young player coming into the league should look elsewhere before signing with the Falcons, because once you do…beware there is a spirit of losing surrounding you. And, when it happens, the fans will blame you!!!

By Dennis

December 31, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Black Knight,

Couldn’t agree with you more, team definitely lacks leadership. Everything rises and falls on leadership….EVERYTHING!!!! Look at NC Tarheels. Matt Doherty recruits big-time but can’t win. They bring in a great leader in Roy Williams and with the SAME team, they win the NCAA championship. Mora’s not a good leader, too immature at this point. Might be later on IF he learns from his bone-headed blunders. Doesn’t look like he has yet. Heck, being a UGA fan, as much as I hate to say it, I’d take Urban Meyer over Mora.

By LADYBIRD

December 31, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

MR.BLANK PLEASE TAKE YOUR STUPID TEAM SOMEWHERE ELSE,THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE DUMB-A&&,FALCONS FROM DAY ONE ARE JUST SO FED-UP WITH STUPID DUMB-A&&,OWNERS, LIKE YOU,WHO IN THE BEGENNING PROMICE US EVERYTHING,AND PRODUCE ABSOULTLY NOTHING BUT HIGHER PRICES,A TEAM THAT IS SO SOFT THAT MY, GRANDSONS PEE-WEE TEAM WOULD SCARE THE HELL OUT OF EVERY-ONE ONE YOUR PRO-TEAM ALL OF YOUR PLAYERS AND BOZO COACHES TALK ONE HELLVA-GAME,BUT THEY PUT THEIR TAILS,BETWEEN THEIR LEGS AND RUN AND HIDE,BEHIND THEIR MAMA’S SKIRTS WHEN THE OTHER TEAM GETS TO THE G.A.DOME YOU NEED TO FIRE EVERYONE INCLUDING YOURSELF,OR YOU NEED TO BRING IN SOME COACHES,WHO WILL MAKE THESE LITTLE GIRLS,STAND-UP AND HIT SOMEBODY IN THE MOUTH,AND PROVE THAT THE SORRY FALCONS OF THE PAST ARE REALLY GONE.ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FALCONS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME OLD-SAME-OLD THEY GET PUSHED AROUND BY EVERYBODY,AND THEY JUST DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS TO STAND-UP AND FIGHT BACK,THEY RUN AND HIDE IN THE 3AND4THQUARTERS BEHIND SOMEBODYS SKIRT LIKE ALWAYS,AND THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE AN RACE ISSUE WITH THE FALCONS,FOR YOUR INFO,MR.BLANK,THE TRUE FANS OF THE FALCONS DON’T CARE WHO PLAYS WHAT POSITION,AS LONG AS THEY PLAY AS HARD AND ALWAYS GIVES THE FANS 100% ALL THE TIME,NOT JUST WITH THEIR BIG CRY-BABY MOUTHS.YOU SIR. MADE PROMICES TO THE FANS, BEGGED US TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOU, AND WE DID EVEN AS YOU RIPPED-US OFF RASING PRICES EVERY YEAR,NOW PLEASE SIR,SHOW THE FANS THAT YOU ARE A MAN AND NOT A LITTLE GIRL AND A MAN OF YOUR WORD AND GIVE US WHAT YOU PROMICED US A TEAM THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF!

By Myra Conwell

December 31, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

I wish the narrator would just once log in and stop the racist talk and insist we talk football. This is one reason why, around the league bashing Mike Vick if O.K. At home, the racist come out of the sewer to make my home town look bad. Stop it!

By barkeriv

December 31, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

Mora should stay. The new quarterback of the Falcon should be Schaub. Trade Vick for draft picks. With the picks we need to strengten the offense line and go for another running back. We still have two good quarterbacks. The coaching staff and Mora cann’t catch the 32 plus dropped passes this season. Vick gave us the bird well its time we pass it on to another team. Changing coaches every 3 years is the sign of losers not winners.

By Willie

December 31, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

I thought my computer was broken when I saw that the Falcons threw a 4th quarter TD and then I saw it was Schaub and it all made sense. That now makes 19 consecutive games where Vick hasn’t thrown a 4th quarter TD. I hope Mora stays and keeps playing Vick out of position at QB as simpleminded Falcopns fans want. Aa a chargers fan, Vick is the best thing that ever happened to our organization.

By Darrell Ingram

December 31, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

Mora stays, asst. coaches go, especially the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. Vick is the most over rated, over hyped player in the league. He has talent, but it was not utilized. Too much talent to finish 7-9.

By Tom Patterson

December 31, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this

Keep Mora - Give Vick Away & The Team Will Improve 100%….

By Steve

December 31, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

You people bashing the cut-blocking scheme by saying it is not the right scheme for Vick’s talents have got it ALL WRONG.

“Mora and McKay are wrong about the cut blocking scheme. Not because it isn’t an unproven scheme - because it is the wrong scheme for Michael Vick.”

Funny how it worked for Elway, Young, and even Green Bay used it during their Super Bowl runs. No .. the problem isn’t with the cut-blocking scheme .. the problem is with a QB who has no idea what a timing pass is.

Anyone who has ever watched any film, which I doubt most of you have since you are probably nothing more than beer-guzzling arm-chair QB’s, would see how painfully obvious it is that Vick routinely holds the ball too long. Most of his passes does he does not release the ball until the receiver is not only open, but has made eye contact with Vick!! That crap might have worked at VaTech, but in the NFL the defenses are just too good and they can almost always make up ground if they know where the pass is going.

Vick just doesn’t really know how to play QB against NFL caliber opponents. His best game this year was one in which he threw and completed 2 bombs. Throwing the passes without eye contact and letting his receivers make the plays. This opened the underneath routes and screens and made the gameplan work as it should. The problem is, he reverted right back to the same old craptastic Vick the last two weeks.

Vick is nothing more than a glorified running back and would be better suited in a Reggie Bush type role in the NFL. In the meantime, he already ran the MOST successful coach in Atlanta history out of town, and now he is in process of helping the SECOND MOST successful coach in Atlanta history out of town.

Do you people not understand this?? No coach .. no offensive scheme .. no anything besides the other teams walking off the field, will ever make any team Vick is QB’ing a CONSISTENT winner.

Mora needs to go because of lack of direction, but let’s get one thing straight .. there are alot more problems here than the coaching staff, and until certain members of the Falcons fan base understand this, they are doing their team a disservice. As for the Washington comments, every single one of you has probably said something much worse, and if you don’t unclench and understand it was sarcasm, then you are absolute morons.

By Tommy in Adairsville

December 31, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Just like his dad… they both stink as head coaches. The number one draft picks are pitiful, and everyone including my dog knew Abraham is injured goods. So, what do people not understand about “General Manager” he must go too!

By chuckie d

December 31, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Fire Mora! Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher are both tough minded kick a** coaches. They won’t put up with the soft play from this team. Let Dunn go, great guy but his time has past. Go to Norwood and Griffin and pick up a big power back. Got to improve the O line. Vick gets happy feet when he gets rushed. Gotta give him more time. A 1000 yard rushing QB is a pretty meaningless record, it doesn’t produce wins. He has got to be able to pass the ball effectively. And passing the ball effectively means having receivers that can actually catch the ball. Having Finneran back next year will help. Would love to see Calvin Johnson here next year. On the defense, D line and linbackers are servicable but we’ve got to get alot better at pass coverage. All in all, lots of work to be done between now and next fall. Start with a new head coach!!!!

By David

December 31, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

There needs to be a total evauluation of this franchise and a vision for where the owner wants it to go. We need a coaching staff that knows how to win consistently. Money is not a problem. No more hiring of head coaches with no head coaching experience. After the new head coach is hired surround him with adequate staff and player personel that will win and bring this city a consistent winning football team and a Superbowl.

By lee

December 31, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

The head coach and most of his staff should be fired. And get rid of that damn blocking scheme. Having written that: You can’t simply decide whether a coach should be fired and let it go at that. In this case there are other variables to consider. Ownership is a serious problem because the owner hasn’t done the right thing and allowed his football people to hire a head coach and staff. That should be a football decision. All Blank knows is that he looks cool walking the sidelines. Hiring a consensus guy as head coach makes no sense. If, as so many fans and players like to say, it is a war in there, then you want a leader who decides, not one who wants a consensus. I’m not sure Lombardi, Noll, or Ewbank knew what consensus was on the football field. This team also has a bunch of players who can’t seem to play well together. if they lose then a few gripe to whomever will listen and ensure the listener knows that he played well and it wasn’t his fault. But that’s also a problem in many other cities as well. The league is saturated with “meism”. Last summer, before we finally moved from Etlanna, the AJC was full of articles about how good the Falcons would be with the players they had. It’s a totally different story now. And every team had injury problems, not just this one. Philly lost McNab and they didn’t pack it in and go home. I’m very glad we moved from Etlanna. I’ve never seen a city so mired in racism. You can’t have a decent conversation about players without racism getting into the talk. I’ve never seen this anywhere I’ve lived. These blogs are often written by some of the most racist and stupid people walking on earth. I’m just glad I’m far away.

By Eric

December 31, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

The problem is Vick, NOT MORA. Until the coach killer is terminated, the falcons will stay toward the bottom of the pack…plain and simple.

By dan

December 31, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this

Mora has got to GO GO GO GO! He is a loser that cant handle the pressure. Mr Mora go put on a bowtie and watch Mr Rogers you wimp.

By cool breeze

December 31, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

shouldn’t have fired dan reeves in the first place. Man got atlanta to a superbowl and the playoff with vick and only time mora got to playoffs was with dan’s team!. Stupid to fire him and vick had his best year under him.

By Shell

December 31, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

How is Vick a coach killer? He went to the playoffs with Reeves, and broke his leg the following preseason, returned for the final 4 games and went 3and 1. So just how did Vick kill Dan Reeves job?

By Schaub Fan

December 31, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

I think it shows something that its been over a season that Vick has thrown a 4th quarter TD and Schaub gets one little chance and does it like it was nothing. You cannot win in the NFL with a running QB, plain and simple. The NFL weeds out those types of oddities that can succeed in College because the best of the best are playing. Best way to win is a solid O-Line and D-Line and a QB who drops back and looks to pass with accuracy and can see the field. Vick will never do this as he is too short, does not have the accuracy and this in turns keeps everyone else on the offense out of sync. Regardless of who is coaching, the way to win is what has proven successful for over 4-5 decades.

By Gino

December 31, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

Tomorrow, Blank should do 2 things:

In the next few weeks, hire a real GM, then make a deal for Vick to get some top draft choices, and use them to build the defense

By falconspoop

December 31, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

I think the falcons should let Mora go. He’s obviously lost the respect of the owner and his QB. I think the falcons should consider using Schaub and Vick next year. Let Vick use his legs and for razzle dazzle plays. Use Schaub for long yardage plays. If they are not going to use Schaub they should trade him to get a decent recievers. I lost count of how many drop balls I saw this season. I think Crumpler is the only guy on the team who can consistently catch a pass.

By skeptical falcon

December 31, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

I think the Falcons need changes. I do not think Mora will nor should be retained. As for his assistants, clean the whole house. But, Mr. Blank, needs to rethink what kind of team he wants the Falcons to be. Vick will never be a consistent winner. Trade him and start over with an entirely different scheme.

By jacketnation

December 31, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

Get rid of Mike Vick, trade him for some hight draft pick like ahhh, Calvin Johnson. Keep Matt Schaub. He is a better QB than Vick. Vick is a runner, not a pocket passer. Keep Jim Mora. We loved him last year and he has only been hear 3 years. Don’t be stupid!

By Eric

December 31, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

How is Vick a coach killer?!? How about some stats:

2006- 52% complettion effeciency with 13 interceptions 2005- 55% with 13 INTs 2004- 56% with 12 INTs 2002- 55% with 8 INTs

An average of 54.5% completions is horrible and Vick is horrible. Am I theonly one that sees the pattern? This pattern KILLS COACHES.

By BIRD 4LIFE

December 31, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

HOW IS VICK THE PROBLEM WHEN THE O-LINE DON’T PROVIDE THE PROTECTION HE NEEDS. ALSO MIKE DON’T PLAY DEFENSE.

By Chains

December 31, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Too many dear in the headlights moments for Vick, like he just came out of a snooze and some dudes are chasin him???? Most (PRO) quaterbacks can at least check off 2 recievers. Duck and run??? Shockley!!!! How much worse could this offense get??

By elvis

December 31, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

I will not EVER buy another falcons ticket, go to a falcons game, buy or wear a falcon symbol until they trade or release that Coach Killer thug.

And I’ve followed them since 1966. Me-Attitude thugs are terrible role models for my kids, and I am through with you. Its really that simple.

By Falcon Fan4yrs

December 31, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

This is justice as only as it should be. MR I am a NFL OWNER has created these issues and refuses to accept the responsibility. BLANK refuses to let the football people make the decisions necessary to make the team better and instead brings in these lame has beens and alleged stars. Vick is not the quarterback to make this team better. Abraham was a bust and don’t even get me started on the rest of the team.

Arturo the “wonder owner” has created this mess and is now going to throw Mora under the bus. Loyalty with BLANK HEAD, is doing what he wants and keeping his players around. I hope Mora gets fired, no one is going to want this job with Arturo, Vick and the players on this team.

GOOD LUCK ARTURO, YOU FIRED DAN REEVES AND HAD THINGS GOING RIGHT, UNTIL YOU GOT INVOLVED. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

BY THE WAY, MAKE SURE YOU RAISE PRICES, WE ALL WON”T BE THERE.

By gimmie-a-break

December 31, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

Ladybird, Steve T, Goat Rope, and Ripdog…based on your ability to spell, annunciate and your grammar, I’d say your opinions are worthless, just like your thought processes. No doubt you most likely ever made it past the 3rd grade….Would you like fries with that?

By gimmie-a-break

December 31, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

Chains, Too many “dear” ? You ignoramus….

By BIRD 4 LIFE

December 31, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

SO WHAT IF THE FALCONS HAD A O-LINE LIKE THE DALLAS COWBOYS HAD IN THE 90’S. OUR TEAM WILL BE HEADED TO THE PLAYOFFS ALSO. MV WAS SACKED OVER 50 TIMES THIS YEAR THAT’S NOT HIS FAULT. STOP HATING ON THIS GUY, BRETT FARVE LEADS THE LEAGUE INTERCEPTIONS AND NO ONE SAYS A THING.

I WILL TAKE MV ANY DAY, THE GUY JUST NEED A COACH THAT DON’T TAKE NO CRAP.

By RA

December 31, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

Okay,

First off, I remember a time, and it wasn’t that long ago when there were no playoff expectations for the falcons. 7-9 would have been considered progress. Blank has taken the Franchise forward, but field leadership must change. The Falcons have too much talent to be sitting at home, again. Now, in fairness to Mora, if the Falcons hadn’t had devestating injuries to guys like Abraham, Kerney, Hartwell, Mathis, Finneran, Webster, Dunn, Norwood (yea, they were hurt too), and multiple injuries to offensive and defensive line, there’s no question that the last couple of years would have gone differently. I’m not debating that. What I challenge is the fact that Mora could not rally his troops when there was something on the line. Today, I say the 2-13 Detroit Lions play with more emotion and more determination than the Falcons did the entire second half of this year. That is what I think is pathetic and that is why Mora has to go. Now, as far as Vick is concerned 20 TD’s, 1000yrds. rushing, and the ability to strike fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators everywhere. Last time I looked, Schaub lost again today.

By Bee

December 31, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

To the racist ignorant beings that send these ridiculous blogs, why not try to educate yourselves and try to become better human beings, you obviously have some serious issues that do not involve football….. Meanwhile Mike Vick is truly a gifted and phenomenal athlete who had a great season, sure, it could have been better, but he cannot be blamed for all the dropped balls, and the absurd comments that Jim Mora Jr made. Let everyone accept their portion of the existing problems within the team. Mike Vick will remain in Atlanta as their franchise quarterback, the owner needs to entirely revamp the coaching staff, and start the 2007 season fresh. Would you be throwing racial slurs at Mike Vick if they made it to the playoffs, and or Superbowl? Stop bashing Mike Vick, you are only hurting yourself. Falcons Forever!! Go Mike Vick!!

By BIRD 4 LIFE

December 31, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

AJC PLEASE FILTER THE RACIST COMMENTS.

By siesta

December 31, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

Last time I checked…..Vick is the 26th Rated QB, never been higher than 24th, we have won ZERO NFC Titles, ZERO Super Bowls and haven’t seen Playoffs in 2 years; we FREAKING TRADED the BEST RB in NFL history for him….what a joke! Yet, Look at the young QB studs in the NFL; all in the playoffs, all costing 1/2 the price of Vick.

By Kerry

January 1, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Wow, you people really are a bunch of losers. I’m depressed about the Falcons, I really am, but the fans here are terrible. Seriously. Just awful. I wonder if it’s something specific to Atlanta that brings out all of this racist garbage! Oh my GOD, you people sound as if this is 1956 and not going into 2007! There are so many under-achieving QB’s in this league and I never hear any personal attacks against them. It is open season on Mike Vick here. Some people blog here and it’s an intelligent logistical discussion of what needs to be done to improve this team.

Others blog and it just disentergrates into this hateful nasty personal attack. Some of you need help. I come away from here at times just feeling sick to my stomach. Why are you watching? Just stop watching the Falcons if you feel that badly about them! I don’t get it!!!

I love this team. Always have, always will. True fans do. I’m disappointed, sure, but I love my team and will go on supporting them. I truly wish some of you would not any longer…

By Peter

January 1, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Finally Season is over for Falcons. It is so simple. Fire Mora with his staff. Please trade Vick. We saw the proof today that Vick was the tumor. Back up QB was much better playing the game. Arthur Blank and his management and coaching staffs are so hard headed.

By G-Man

January 1, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

Maybe Vick is the problem. He demonstrates a lack of leadership during critical phases of games and he is poor at reading what defenses are throwing at him. Think about it, Vick hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter all season. Atlanta we have a problem. Mora may need to go, but lets get a quarterback who can be a leader.

By JKJ

January 1, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

I love being a Falcons fan. I’ve been a fan since i was 6 years old, and my dad and i would watch the games together on tv. I’m 35 now and it hurts to be a fan.

Blank…give us something to believe in again. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 8 years now and i’m happy you’re the owner, but the past two seasons have been embarrassing.

As a small business owner, i’m a firm believer in taking responsibility for my firms failures, whether i’m personally responsible or not. The buck stops here. Well, Mr. Blank, it’s time for you to rework this team. Something isn’t right and in the end, it’s your responsibility.

By LooneyTune

January 1, 2007 01:01 AM | Link to this

Hey, calling all KKK members:

Leave this blog immediately! The hate-monger blog misses you!

By Bernard

January 1, 2007 01:34 AM | Link to this

I think the Falcons must get someone that will motivate theses players. I think Coach Mora’s statment that he wanted to coach the Univ. of Washington spoke loud and clear—his mind is not on the Falcons (they lost their final three games after his statement). I judge a head coach by his career. Coach Mora is winning about 54% of his games. Excluding his first year (that team was basically Dan Reeves’s players), he is winning 46% of his games. The question I advance is, “Would you be interested in spending a couple hundred dollars to take your family to see a team that has a a 54% chance of winning a football game? You can argue that the Falcons have lost key players the past two years and that is the reason they have played poorly in the second-half of the seasons. This season, Philly lost their starting QB and still made the playoffs with their second string QB. They beat the Falcons with their third string QB and backup players. Moreover, Would you travel to Philly to view the Falcons? The Falcons are too talent to have a losing record and losses to the Browns, Lions, and Panthers (the final home game) were totally uncceptable. They should easily be 10-6 this year. Vick is a Great QB and had a pro bowl year. I think Vick is human—after so many drop passes by his 3 wide receivers (all first-round draft picks), he lost confidence in them. Also, would you support a coach that is blaming you for his possible firing (I am not stupid—Jim Mora Sr. was speaking in behalf of his son when he said that Vick was a “coach-killer”). By the way, Coach Mora Sr. What team did you take to the Superbowl? If it were not for Vick, the Falcons would win about 3-4 games a year. If the Falcons want to keep their fans in the stands, they need to start winning next season. Next season will be crucial for this franchise. They need a coach that demands his team to win (i.e., Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Fisher, Andy Reed, etc.) or you do not play on th first-string. A losing professional team (the Falcon have never had two consecutive winning seasons) must hire a proven winner to change the losing attitude (the Falcons are playing not to lose games).

By Doc Wassermann

January 1, 2007 02:46 AM | Link to this

Blacki vikki has finished another season as he has done all others. And will always finish. In da-feet. But, good noose: He got home in tyme to spead more joy & herpes amongst all reddy & willin hos. Free sexual disease! Mo settle-mint $ for sistahs! Otty Blank stands loud & proud fo kone-roed degenerate kotter bak!

By Neutral

January 1, 2007 02:47 AM | Link to this

To Reverend Run, MIKE VICK IS A TERRIBLE QB, THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. HE WILL NEVER BE A MANNING OR MONTANA. FANS DON’T BASH HIM BECAUSE HE IS BLACK, THEY BASH HIM BECAUSE HE ISN’T AN EFFECTIVE QB.

Please take your racism to another forum like the Moorehouse College or the NAACP.

By Al

January 1, 2007 02:57 AM | Link to this

Yes, Mora needs to go, along with Knapp and Donnatell. By week seven, everyone in America knew what our offensive scheme was, and made every adjustment necessary to shut us down. Our illustrious coaching staff never did figure out that WE needed to make adjustments as well. As for Vick - why would we get rid of someone who gives 150% week in and week out. He isn’t pumping his ego - he is making ADJUSTMENTS for the lack of performance by his teammates. As for Schaubbie — in the words of my grandmother — “if he is so great, why hasn’t anyone else tried to get him????” To Dennis’ comment on Saturday of trade Vick and get some OL studs — we just need a real OL, some guys that will provide some real protection for WHOEVER is under center.

By coach

January 1, 2007 06:03 AM | Link to this

When we can’t beat Andy’s back ups - with a bunch of guys who should have been playing for their jobs - we have a directionless organization.

Let’s see what our owner had learned,

I wish he would stay off the sidelines, he has a right to be their if he wants, but when the games is over win or lose the focus should be on the coaches and players. Over the long haul he would get and deserve the credit for the success of his team, but day to day he should be in my opinion behind the scenes.

By yancy

January 1, 2007 06:57 AM | Link to this

Doc Wassermann are you over there in bed with Dixie Normus? You two are such losers. I am sure nothing that breathes would have either one of you. Your brain has a herpes blister.

By What If!

January 1, 2007 07:22 AM | Link to this

You know.. there is something to be said about playing INSPIRED FOOTBALL. I watched so many teams yesterday, even teams that had nothing to play for other than their dignity. There is a very noticable difference in the the way they play and the Falcons!! I can’t even explain it. The Falcons have NO CREATIVITY WHATSOEVER WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING THEIR OFFENSE!! Do any of you watch the highlights on NFL channel?? You will see a clear difference the way the action plays out on those teams.

The Falcons are a sluggish lazy playing team with NO HEART. That says COACHING to me. Once again they showed they are a ONE TRICK PONY. I wanted to throw up when I saw MV run that same sorry @ss handoff to Dunn up the middle into traffic for the first two plays of the game. And 3rd and 34 and they try to run the ball from deep in the endzone for an almost safety??? Explain this to me PLEEEAAASE?

As a fan I could not be more disappointed. There has to be some major changes…

By Peter Tinkham

January 1, 2007 07:57 AM | Link to this

Jim Mora, Sr., comments about Vick being a “coach killer” seems to be true! Further, there’ll be no coach change as Vick isn’t a smart person, nor QB — how many years has he been vying to understand the current game plans?

By Jim

January 1, 2007 08:52 AM | Link to this

Blank still has his Home Depot mentality = appearance is reality (i.e., pile things to the roof and folks will think the place is inexpensive). Well, this is the NFL and the won/lost records are reality. The main problem? Vick. The guy simply cannot go through reads, is not a pocket passer, and can throw the ball two miles but not 10 yards accurately when needed…but with the huge contract in place and Blank’s marketing scheme that needs him, Vick will stay. Mora’s Dad was right. Mora will go, but the Falcons will never make it to the top with Vick. The guy looks at one receiver, then it’s “let’s run like a squirrel.” I’ve had enough of this all show and no go guy.

By Eric

January 1, 2007 09:07 AM | Link to this

You can fire whoever you want.. but until you get rid of the ABSOLUTELY NO TALENT, NO BRAINS QUARTERBACK.. you will have exactly the same result… Ron Mexico should be out there spreading herpes, not leading a football team. Please trade Vick while you can still get a 4th round draft pick (maybe) for him.

By glenn hitchcock

January 1, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

Call Vick mouth-all-mighty or motor-mouth, and remove him from the Falcons. His mouth has caused more damage to the team`s ability to win than anything anyone else has done. All of his comments are self-aggrandizing. Mora should have relegated him to running back months ago. Glenn

By georgiadawgg

January 1, 2007 09:34 AM | Link to this

what i saw sunday, after slick,sick vick left the game.when schaub came in he did take the team upfield. wake up igmo blank, schaub is the man to pay big bucks. make vick your houseboy. i was hoping that the eagles would have broken his legs off. schaub made a few mistakes but not like slick vick.

By georgiadawgg

January 1, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

what i saw sunday, after slick vick got injured and schaub came in the game, he at least moved the team down the field. it seemed the offensive line wanted to block for him. i was hoping that they would have boken his legs off.you mr. blank needs to make him your houseboy, if you want to keep him around. and make mora jr. your limo driver.

By Falcon

January 1, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Vick Haters- have you forgotten how Vick beat GB at Lambeau a couple of years ago? He is the only $130M player that I know that earns his paycheck, trying to do it all. In case you didn’t watch the game on Sunday, and as a bandwagon fan, you probably didn’t, Vick got hurt and limped off the field. Schaub came in and provided no life whatsoever. He even threw an INT. So my message to you- get off Vick and focus on the real leadership wearing the golf shirts. Mora should fire Knapp, Gibbs, and Donatell. Since that won’t happen, we need to let him work through 2007 and then hire Cowher after he takes a year off!

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Happy New Year’s everyone!!! Well, another season of disappointing football is finally over. Not at all surprising to watch our birds lose to back-ups…but pretty embarassing. This blog is a great place for us to vent our frustrations and disbelief of how this team performs, but you know what, EVERYONE OF US will be waiting impatiently for next year with new hope!!! As for the racist blogs…do you honestly have nothing better to do than discuss race. Aren’t there websites, or clubs, or somewhere you idiots can go? And I love reading all the “Rich McKay” blame, when his hands were pretty much tied all year. Sounds strange as a GM, but he didn’t get ANY of the coaches HE wanted, and he certainly didn’t want the blocking scheme for Vick. And for all you people wanting Vick to leave or be traded…LOL LOL LOL LOL…you can’t honestly believe it will happen. Might as well gear yourself EVERY YEAR for him to be behind center. There are about…oohhh…..136 MILLION reasons why he isn’t going anywhere!
Well I’m getting ready for the Gator Bowl…and to be honest, I feel a little cheated. I was supposed to have…I HAVE A RIGHT to curse and boo Reggie Ball one last time in my life!!!! I’VE BEEN CHEATED!!!! Go Jackets….Taylor Bennett era?? Thank goodness for Tenuda (who should be DC for Atlanta) CJ, Choice, and an aggressive defense that plays with….hey Falcons…here’s a thought….that plays with…..that plays with…..HEART! Happy New Year’s everyone!!!

By Falcon

January 1, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Hey Georgia Dawg, If you were for real, you’d be lobbying for Shockley to be moved up to starter. I did notice that the white offensive line blocked for Schaub. I was hoping he’d get his legs broken. You don’t remember Doug Johnson do you? He was “so great” two years ago, apparently. Where is he now? 3rd Stringer for the Bengals! Vick had his best season ever despite Mora & Co and the Offensive Line.

By georgiadawgg

January 1, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

hell, blank can’t hire a new coach, he pays it all to a jitterbugging slick can’t chew chewing gum and think vick. somebody take pity on us falcons fans and come in here and make us a winner. mr. blank i should have heard today that moron mora is fired. hire donald trump to say you’re FIRED!!!!!!

By georgiadawgg

January 1, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

hey, falcon i agree with you 100%, I BELIEVE DJ could and would do a better job than slick, sick vick, but you know how that works.moron mora don’t want a winner.the idiot moron mora has to go along with slick vick.

By JB

January 1, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

McKay’s performance makes Mora look like “Coach of the Year,” material. Maybe he could trade for a coach.

By georgiadawgg

January 1, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank your ears should be burning off. So, get up out of bed and make the phone call to MORON MORA your FIRED!!!!!!!!,SLICK VICK not to quick, YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Everyone should probably have a little patience. By Sunday, at the least, Donatell and Knapp will be gone. And ATL had to play Shaub and hope he played well…otherwise, kinda hard to trade him. I think Mora will be gone also, but the coordinators will probably be fired first…and probably by Wednesday. The most important person to probably come into this organization next year will be an OC. I believe ATL will change this offense around dramatically, not necessarily the personnel. The receivers will be here, so will Vick, but not sure about Dunn. Jerious will probably be starting next year, and I think ATL will go back to an offense similar to 1998. I think they’ll go out and draft big lineman, hopefully a good via free agency/trade. They’re going to trust Vick to get the ball down the field. ATL will not be drafting a WR early, nor trade up for one (CJ). But I think if they can muster a trade for a proven WR, big, fast, game changer…most people will disagree…but T.O., Moss and others will be available. And this guy may not be a “star” in the league, but I thought Vick really missed Finneran this year. A 6-5 target with really good hands would have been such a difference maker. He’s a great possession receiver…one that will go across the middle…made the tough 3rd and 6 catches. I really believe of all the injuries, he was the most significant. Just my two cents.

By M. Vick

January 1, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Hey, this is Mike Vick and I just made $250,000 for not playing or being a leader but I do know that me and my possee(which includes coach jimmy) will be partying until the sun comes up tomorrow. If I’m lucky maybe I can get another STD. Where’s my bro Marcus, we like to party together.

By Bubba

January 1, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I don’t care if you have Lombardi coaching this team. Vick is the biggest reason they suck. 6 years and you have nothing. Go look at QB’s who have risen during the same time period.(Many of them with horrible O-lines and no-name receivers) Quit blaming everyone else Mr. STD and nice job throwing your Coach and team mates under the bus during your post game press conference.

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

It is kinda humurous though seeing all these people blame Vick when our STARTING DEFENSE gave up over 300 yds passing to a back up QB, with back up WR’s. I ask every week, and every week the support diminishes…where was Brooking? I saw so many missed tackles…AGAIN. Out of position…can’t get off blocks…AGAIN. Yes, he was solid for many years…problem is, that was YEARS AGO.

By Cowboy Al

January 1, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

The “Pep Rally” is over. Now to the facts. The team played the entire year without “PASSION” for the game. Jim Mora is a player’s coach and must go. Atlanta needs a hard * coach who will get on players, sit the non-performing ones and make halftime adjustments. Vick puts people in the stands and the owner can’t afford to lose credibility in the ATL. However,what happens if they continue the same course. Credibility will be lost anyway. The team lacks a player who is a leader. ” I” or “I have” should never come out of a leader’s mouth. A true leader should lead by example and call out players. Here’s my opinion of what should happen.

1) Fire all coaches and bring in a hard *coach. 2) Tell Vick to commit to learn the new offensive scheme and work with the WRs the entire offseason or be traded. 3) Convert to 3-4 defensive scheme and dump the “West Coast” offense. Get LB DeMario Williams on the field. 4) Commit to getting a speed receiver to open up the field 5) Get a non-dancing punt/kick off returner 6) Look for a hard hitting safety to go with Lawyer Malloy 7) Send a message that we are serious about winning: a) Tell all players no job is safe and work this offseason b) Cut DBs Webster,Rossum and Crocker c) If Vick works this offseason, Trade QB Matt Shaub to Oakland for Moss or Porter d) Find a 3rd down 250 pound RB to get 1 or 2 yards as needed (Not Duckett) e) Set the tone in 2007: Atlanta will be an physical football team

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

I hope Cold Pizza is wrong when they said that Blank and McKay are going to exercise the 48 hour rule. I think this is a mistake!!! For anyone who doesn’t understand this…it means… If Atlanta doesn’t find a good replacement within 48 hours, they will retain Mora, and probably force him to fire his coordinators, and hopefully, to include Gibbs I don’t mind if they retain Mora, as long as the light a fire under his @ss and force him to stop being a buddy and be a coach. But to only give yourself 48 hours to make a decision…when a lot of people you want are coaches or asst coaches on playoff teams…that I don’t understand. Maybe someone with more intelligence could enlighten me???

By MexRonIco

January 1, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Here is a quote from “Einstein” Vick:

“I don’t see how people can point the finger at me,” he said. “I think I had a great season. … I can’t do it all by myself. I call myself Superman, but I really don’t have the cape on my back. I can’t change the game in certain situations. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t.”

Hey Einstein, how about your sorry a* QB rating of of 75.7, which was 20th out of 32. Of the 12 teams going to the playoffs, only one (Chicago’s Grossman) had a lower QB rating.

I realize you’re an athlete and can’t be bothered by distractions like thinking.

You’re right, it’s not your fault.

By JohnGTfan

January 1, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Head coaches being fired….1 down, many to go…Dennis Green will be fired this afternoon at an Arizona press conference

By Mark

January 1, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

The Falcoons and all their fans are losers again. The Falcoons suck and will always suck.

By MT

January 1, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

MORA SUCKS AND HIS STAFF,WE SHOULD HAVE GOT LOVIS SMITH WHEN WE HAD THE CHANCE INSTEAD OF A SILVERSPOON FEED COACH USING DADDY TO GET INTO THE NFL

By The Answer

January 1, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Blank,

PLease hire, “Neon” Deion “Prime Time” Sanders as the next Atlanta Falcons Head Coach.

Reason 1. He knows your team better thsn the current coaches and has a better rapport with them.

Reason 2. Every superstar in the league will want to play for him.

Reason 3. He is a proven winner when on the field, that will translate to the sidelines as well.

Reason 4. Who else can teach Mike Vick to become a winner in this league.

Reason 5. What else do you have to lose, go outside of the box and try something different.

By bravesfansince1966

January 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Give all your thug players their final kiss goodbye Mora! The thug mentality and acceptance of bad behavior has been a key part of the Falcons’ poor team performance over the past several seasons. I have reason to believe that Arthur has had enough and you will see wholesale changes with personnel this year. He will no longer allow his team to be the thugs of the NFL any longer. I for one look forward to having a team that I can respect, even if they do go 7-9. Spring training starts in about seven weeks…GO BRAVES!

By bravesfansince1966

January 1, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

To “the answer”.. You are a comple idiot…the LAST thing they need is another thug like Deon…

By Marshall Lane

January 1, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are lucky to have Jim Mora and Greg Knapp. Jimmy is one of the great minds of football and Knapper will soon be a head coach in this league. Execution is the key to the Falcons failures. The coaches aren’t the ones dropping passes or misreading defenses.

By drew

January 1, 2007 01:02 PM | Link to this

Can we fired Arthur Blank? He needs to sit down, shut up and sign the checks. He’s too worried about getting his face on TV and selling #7 jerseys.If Mora is fired, he wont be the last Vick gets fired. What is the over/under on the number of coaches Vick will get fired over the course of his career. He have too much money wrapped up in this guy and I dont think he will ever be an accurate enough passer to run any offense. He might could have gotten away with this in college, but his act will never producer a consistent winner in the NFL. Trade him now while he still may have some value and some other team may be foolish enough to take him and his ridiculous salary.

By William Kelly

January 1, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

Somebody please, please contact Blank and McKay and tell them to hire Josh McDainels from the Pats. As a Falcons fan since birth I’m making a desperate plee for this message to get to the right people. If this choice is not made, we will regret it for a very long time. So somebody please please help make this happen.

By drew

January 1, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

“I don’t see how people can point the finger at me,” he said. “I think I had a great season. … I can’t do it all by myself. I call myself Superman, but I really don’t have the cape on my back. I can’t change the game in certain situations. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t.”

This a mighty bold quote from a QB that did not throw a single touchdown pass in the 4th quarter all season. What a great leader. TRADE THIS SELFISH IDIOT!!

By Shell

January 1, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this

That was a nice comeback that Matt Schaub engineered. Oh thats right he threw an interception to end the game.

By C Yancey

January 1, 2007 01:19 PM | Link to this

Without doubt Mora may have opened his mouth before thinking, but give the man a break when you have to deal with Blank on the side lines that shows there is a indication of trust in the people you have working for you and tring to do their job ( very frustrating) or maybe it’s he needs to baby sit Vick and make sure he isn’t crying. No one likes Micro management. Secondly, When you have a QB that cannot perform as a QB but wants to be a RB, plus who is so spoiled that he cannot even control his actions toward his dedicated fans( Oh I guess we should look beyond that mistake. Leadertship cannot only be on the sidelines but has to be demonstrated on the field. We need someone that can allow our offense to know how to protect rather chase down to know what play is being ran.We don’t need superman on the feild, we need someone who wants to be part of the team.

By Chris

January 1, 2007 01:20 PM | Link to this

Although Mora has a lot to fix with himself, Vick’s pointing of his finger at everyone, but himself (at all) is a little ridiculous - don’t you think??

Each week it’s either the receivers, or the blocking, or the scheme of the coaches, etc…

He’s a great athlete and, at times, a great quarterback, but maybe the best solution would be to trade Vick while he is such a hot property and make out like bandits (the Vikings/Cowboys Herschel Walker deal ring a bell with anyone??).

We’ve already got a quarterback that has shown flashes of brilliance in Schaub.

Trade Vick to Detroit or Oakland (you know they would jump at the chance); grab a couple of first round picks; and, even get a player or two needed (Wideouts Roy Williams or Mike Williams from Detroit; help in the secondary; etc…)

Whether we keep Mora or not, this could be a great (and gutsy) move that could see similar benefits that the Cowboys saw when they made the move with Herschel….

By jaye

January 1, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this

To Jaye is gaaay

There’s an ‘e’ on the end of my name because I’m a woman, not cause I’m “gay.” Oh yeah, it’s it’s so enlightening to call someone gay when you don’t agree with them. And while you were calling my mama, you should have asked her about the game of football. I’ll be she knows a lot more about it than you!

By Marshall Lane

January 1, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

BIG MISTAKE letting Mora go. The Falcons are losers and will continue to be losers!

By Steve

January 1, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

Throughout its exostence, the Atlanta franchise has wallowed in mediocrity, with occasional eises above the norm.

The Falcons have one of the largest payrolls in the NFL, with SQUAT to show for it, save a handful of superlative players.

Sh*tcan the players who are dragging their butts around the field, and let the rest hear, loud and clear, the message that was delivered to the settlers at Jamestown, VA, when they had become accustomed to just getting by - “If you don’t WORK, you don’t EAT!”

By Shell

January 1, 2007 01:29 PM | Link to this

To you people who say Vick is not a ggod QB, How come in the Pro Bowl he played so well. Could it be that he was behind an All Pro line and throwing to All Pro recievers who actuall can catch? Hmmm And come to think of it he did all that against an All Pro defense. And thats who you want to get rid of? You want to get rid of Vick and keep no win , no come from behind victory leading Matt Schaub? Interesting…

By Shell

January 1, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

Trading Vick to a team that can pass block, and that has recievers that can catch, and an adequate defense, will be the biggest mistake ever.

By drew

January 1, 2007 01:34 PM | Link to this

Shell…what game were you watching Sunday? Schaub’s last pass was a completion to Roddy White. Take your #7 off, open another forty and pray the Falcons trade Vick.

By Long Time Fan

January 1, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

The Falcon’s Franchise has gone through more Head Coaches, some twice, than any other team in the NFL. It is not the Head Coaches’ fault, it is the players’ fault. The team did not want to play for Dan Reeves after a while because he probably got on them about a lot of things. They got their feelings hurt. Get rid of half of these players and get some that love to play football, and don’t care how much money they are going to make. Mike Vick dancing around in the backfield looking for a receiver and getting sacked is not going win games.

I predicted they were going to have another losing year when I saw them not protecting their quarterback, and it doesn’t matter who is the quarterback.

While all the other teams started out lousy, they improved or got good. The Falcons started out good, then became lousy.

This Franchise needs a good base roots cleaning!

By drew

January 1, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Shell, I guess I have to repeat myself. Mike Vick had no 4th quarter TD passes this season. If you want highlights for three quarters, then Vick is your man. If you want a QB that lead your team in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line, you’d better find another QB.

By Shell

January 1, 2007 01:45 PM | Link to this

Ypou people are the same ones who wanted to dump the only coach to take the falcons to the Super Bowl. Idiots

By Chris

January 1, 2007 01:48 PM | Link to this

I’ve got it!

Let’s trade for an All-Pro Line and All-Pro Receivers so Vick can shine. Gosh if that’s all we needed, why didn’t we think of that a long time ago…

As I said in my previous post, Vick is a great athlete and at times, can be a great quarterback, but real-world is week in and week out, you’ve got to LEAD your team.

Vick isn’t doing that.

All I’m saying is why not upgrade the team by making a move like that. You’ve already got a guy at QB who has shown flashes, so you wouldn’t have to go trade for one.

You get more of what we need to fix the situation by trading Vick, not Schaub.

By Cowboy Al

January 1, 2007 02:43 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Blanks, First, thanks for reading my recent post. You have fired Jim Mora!!!!!!!! Please read the rest of my suggestions/ideas on ways to improve the team. If not, listen to GM McKay and hire a firm head coach this time. Jerry Jones has won SuperBowlssssss. So, please stay off the sidelines next year. Jim Mora, there is a coaching vacancy at Alabama. Your skills and fire belong in the college game. Please don’t take that as an insult.