ajcsportstalk

By firevicknext

January 7, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

excellent choice! now, let’s get a real QB.

By smuve

January 7, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

I’M NOT SURE????

By BigDaddy

January 7, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

Does Nick Saban ring a bell?

By Jon

January 7, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

It all depends on who the QB is.

Vick = coach killer.

By Josh

January 7, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

I’ll let you know when and if the Falcons decide to dump Vick.

By herewegoagain

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

So we took a chance on Mora, and I thought that was a reasonable risk to take, unfortunately didn’t work out. Now with all the coaching talent available within the NFL we have to go and take another risk?? Has anybody been watching these stud coaches like Saban and Spurrier come up just to fail before going back to college?? ugh…I don’t see this working out at all.

By REW

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

Two words - Lon Kruger

By dd

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

Can we hear from the reshirts at Louisville? I’d be very interested to know what they were told by Pettrino during the recruiting process.

By Gary

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

I believe he mite can make a difference. but i was pushing for Ken Whisenhunt. But hats off to bobby i hope him and the other coaches put us in a great chance to WIN ball games

By Dynesh

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

Seems rushed to me.

By Brian

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

Would someone evaluate this and tell me whether it is good or bad?

By HARTWELL IS ROBBING US

January 7, 2007 09:44 PM | Link to this

I THING THE FLACONS SHULD OF BROUGHT REEAVES BACK 2 CAOCH HE TOOK THEM 2 THE SUPERBOWEL HE CAN DO IT AGAIN VICK HAS HIS BEST SESSION WITH REAVES AS CAOCH MR BLANKS YOU MADE A MISTEAK!

By BJ

January 7, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

Welcome Aboard.

By Brian

January 7, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

Well, they did it again. I actually thought they might make a good hire this time, and instead we get this guy. I guess we’ll be back here in three years doing this again.

By Wreckin&Thrashin

January 7, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

Risky, risky hire. This is all or nothing. Excited to see what Petrino could do with Vick, but if he isn’t able to handle the pro game, then it will be disaster for the Falcons. If a coach can’t find a system and develop Vick within the next 3 years, it will be too late for him. Whisenhunt should have still been the top choice. I hope they have done this only after formally getting a no from him.

By Rooch Bricks

January 7, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

Thank God! Thank God! All recruits welcome in Lexington! Go CATS!

By TonyG

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Blank always gets his man. You gotta respect him for just going out and gettin it done. Go Falcons!

Now we just gotta get Calvin!

By Vivek

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Blahhhh. Ken Whisenhunt would have been a much better choice. Petrino will jump ship in two years to a nicer job.

By kevin

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Another bungle in the jungle. Should have kept Mora here and sent Ron Mexico packing. Trade Him for a couple of capable wide receivers and let Shuab be QB. He is another Favre in the making………DUH !!!!!

By 89 Bulldog

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Petrino is the poor Man’s Nick Saban. Saban works Vegas, Petrino belongs on Stewart Ave. (Metropolitian Blvd.).

No honor or integrity. He’ll be looking for the hot college job in 2 years.

By Asro Joe

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Did Billy Knight or the Atlanta Spirit have anything to do with this hire? A oollege coach from a second-tier conference? Who did he promise to bring as his coordinators? Bill Walsh and Marvin Lewis? WTF!!!!

By Shocked

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

I hope Blank and McKay are confident in the choice they made to hire Petrino.

By Ben

January 7, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this

Good move. A coach whose team beat West Virginia and Wake Forest obviously knows a little bit about football. His offensive mindset will help Vick. Now let’s just get rid of Greg Knapp and we’ll be fine. The NFC sucks.

By Glynn

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

I welcome Coach Petrino to Atlanta. At least we hired someone with head coaching experience. I think Falcons fans need to welcome Petrino and give him a chance before we decide he is a horrible choice. Coach Petrino did a great job at Lousiville and I would like to believe that blank and McKay have good reason to believe he will succeed with the Falcons

By ewendel

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

The Bressaro Nick Saban - I should be a very entertaining press conference!

By C Daddy

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

What the h*ll? I hope this gamble pays off, but then again we need to run a college offense for our all world QB.

By Just Wondering

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

Wow!!! Did not see this coming. Never heard his name mentioned regarding being interviewed.

I like it though. This team needs to put up a lot more points and his teams did just that at Louisville.

By RollTider

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

Who’s Alabama gonna get for an OC now?

By Glass Half Full

January 7, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

Surprised Petrino would walk away from Louisviile. They could potentially contend for the national Championship in 2007…oh, wait a minute, the BCS would never select Louisville as #1 or #2 because they don’t equal ratings. Pencil in Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, USC, or Michigan into those slots every year. Good move Falcons.

By Nick Saban

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Bobby P’s offense is way too sophisticated for Ron Mexico.

Prediction—-the Ron Mexico led birds go 6-10 in 2007.

By DJ

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

WHOOOOO!!

By Benny 16

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Terrible decision. And we thought the Smiths were a joke as owners?

By Rico

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Good college coach…But that has never translated into the Pro game. I am shocked that a man with Mr. Blanks money would go after a college coach and not a proven coach with Pro expierence. Wow!! Now, we have 2-3 years to wait until Mr. Blank learns another lesson. I will be cheering for the Falcons every minute, but this hire does not make any sense!-

By Talon

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

well, nothing has worked in the last forty or so years, so why not try something differen’t. Although I would prefer someone with pro experience to give these guys the leadership they o so need…

By Apaul404

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

This seems rushed to me too. We may have gone from bad to worse. I can’t say I saw this coming.

By Wilco

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Another college coach, huh? Oh well, the beat goes on….. and on…..

By Pudge

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Great move, now just trade Vick for a good WR and re-hire Mora as DC and we are set.

By Carlos

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

It is a bad choice, great college coaches usually fail in the NFL (Saban, Spurrier, etc) College success does not translate into NFL success. It is a sad day in Falcons history…I won’t renew my season tickets….

By Vivek

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Petrino will jump in two years to a nicer job. Whisenhunt was a better choice.

By David Steinle

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

Awful, simply awful. Petrino is a college coach, and when a big-time job at a BCS school opens up, Petrino will be the first name that comes up. Atlanta has shot itself in the foot, which the Falcons do oh so well.

By chuck e

January 7, 2007 09:48 PM | Link to this

He’s a dynamic exciting offense minded coach. Hopefully he can figure out how to use Mike. The flip side is that he’s as big a liar to the people of Louisville as Saban was to the people of Miami. Hope we can trust him…..

By Dan

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

Why not dip into the college ranks? Nothing else has worked. I just hope we can have a consistent winner. We should have hired Lovie Smith when we had the chance. Go Falcons!

By Disgruntled

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

WTF????

By rick

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

YES!!!!! As a season ticket holder since the dome was opened I was seriously thinking about letting my tickets go. As an Auburn fan I have seen what he can do. Get ready for some fun. This guy is a super quarterback coach and a brilliant offensive mind. Mr. Vick is in for a treat and probably knows that already. If he cannot get it done now well, maybe it is not meant to be. Hire a defensive coordinator and let him run the defense. Man, I am Pumped. No tickets for sale

By I am the decider

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

I was certainly surprised by the selection and am certainly concerned. Although I am a big fan of Vick, I think too much emphasis was placed on how he is to be handled during the interview process. It doesn’t take a whole lot of creativity to do better than, “3rd and one, hand off to Dunn” 1. NFL offenses are typically more complex than college game plans. 2. Handing a first time NFL head coach a multi-year deal is pretty risky for Mr. Blank. 3. He seemed to have success as a offensive coordinator for the Jaguars a few years back. 4. What about the O-line, secondary, and D-line? 5. The rest of the coaching team will tell us more. 6. Please don’t go back to the option play 20 times a game.

By jimmy

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

dont hate on vick cuz ur on his wick

By Mr C.

January 7, 2007 09:49 PM | Link to this

Wow. College coach. When was he interviewed. How were they able to keep it discreet? Give them credit for keeping it away from the media.

By Steve

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

it is a great choice

By jean

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

Don’t know anything about him other than that they run a high powered offense over there…the track record for college coaches jumping to the NFL isn’t too good but look what happened last time when we hired an NFL assistant, so let’s wait & see. I wasn’t too excited about any of those assistants anyway but boy the Falcons are sneaky, didn’t even know they interviewed him!! Hey Coach Petrino, Finneran’s the best receiver we got, he & Crump! You can dump Shoddy White & please draft a massive O-lineman or massive d-lineman!! Welcome to Hot ‘Lanta!!

By REALITY

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

All the best but he’d better recognize that Michael Vick is still the head huncho right behind Blank who hasn’t recognized that Vick is exciting (and sells tickets) but is not consistent, which means unexplainable losses. Not to say that Vick should shoulder all of the blame because their defense is flaky, too. Again, all the best but this should be interesting…..

By chris

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

will all you idiots shut up and get vick a line

By Bryan G.

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

What a terrible, terrible move. When are people going to realize that there are college coaches and there are NFL coaches.

See: Spurrier, Saban, Dennis Erickson, Mike Riley, Pete Caroll etc. Only Jimmy Johnson did well in the NFL and college.

This is a bad call.

By MBATL

January 7, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this

Seems like an awful quick move to me. I have nothing against Petrino, but don’t really see why we had to hire a new coach in a week. We’ll see, I guess.

By mountain_jim

January 7, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061231/COLUMNISTS01/61231020

Petrino’s quest for the perfect game

Kolby Smith has never asked Bobby Petrino if the head coach sleeps in his office during the University of Louisville’s pre-season football camps – he said he already knew the answer.

“Coach is there when we leave at 10 at night and he’s there when we get there at 6 in the morning,” Smith said. “I’m not sure he sleeps at all.”

Jeff Brohm is the Cardinals’ quarterbacks coach. He can testify about those nights when neither the lights nor the video player is turned off.

“There are times when my eyes glaze over,” Jeff Brohm said. “Coach will be running the tape back because he’s seen a weakness in a defense we can exploit. I can’t focus my eyes. He’s getting stronger.”

Ask anybody in the Cardinal football program. They all have similar stories about Petrino’s single-minded passion to build an offense that plays the perfect football game.

That is Petrino’s quest. A game where every block is delivered with precision. Every pass route is run with urgency and efficiency. Every ball is thrown with accuracy to an open receiver.

Former U of L coach Howard Schnellenberger visited Petrino’s practice Saturday and said it was better organized than most National Football League practices. “I’m amazed,” he said. “I learned something.”

No surprise. You are as likely to find Petrino in his office at 9 p.m. in the middle of June as you are at 9 p.m. in the middle of September. The man studies video the way Tiger Woods studies the greens at Augusta. It’s a relentless search for an edge – and perfection.

Maybe that perfect game will come Tuesday night when Louisville plays Wake Forest in the FedEx Orange Bowl. If it doesn’t, expect Petrino to return to the video room. Heck, if it DOES, expect Petrino to return to the video room.

“When two-a-days start, he tells the players he wants them to love the game and think about it 24-7,” said Dr. Raymond Shea, the U of L football team doctor.

“What he really wants is for them to love the game and think about it 24-7 all year like he does. But he’ll settle for the two weeks of fall camp.”

There are hundreds of reasons why U of L is playing in its first Bowl Championship Series game.

Make sure you put Petrino’s passionate push for the perfect game near the top of the list. This is a man who coaches offense as well as anybody I’ve seen in college football. A five-touchdown game has become routine.

There is no reason to overload you with hundreds of stats that prove what a remarkable strategist Petrino is. A few make the point quite emphatically.

Two Division I-A teams have ranked in the Top 10 nationally in total offense for four consecutive seasons. One is Texas Tech. The other is Louisville, which currently ranks second (behind Hawaii), following seasons when the Cardinals finished ninth, first and fifth.

Petrino has coached 49 games at U of L. His teams have scored 60 or more seven times and scored less than 10 once. Heck, they’re scored at least 40 in more than half their games (28 of 49).

“Before almost every game coach will tell us, ‘If you run this play the right way, it’s a touchdown,’” said U of L center Eric Wood.

“Before the Pittsburgh game, he told us if Pitt went into a certain defense, Harry Douglas was going to take one 80 yards for a touchdown.”

Petrino was wrong. Douglas scored. But it was only a 75-yard pass play.

But Petrino was also right. Said Wood, “You can always find a way to do it better.”

By hk

January 7, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

… let’s see if he gets rid of the west coast offense, which has virtually ruined Vick …

By Cannon

January 7, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

It is a shame that Bobby Petrino refused to honor the promise the University and to his players. He should have finished his contract. When did he break his word? If he has any success at Atlanta, how long will it be before a more prestigious NFL team comes along and hires him away from the Falcons?

By Matt

January 7, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

Petrino signed a 10 year contract with Louisville within the past year and stressed to everyone that he was their for the long haul, “I hope they Believe me”. Now he ditches them after a top 5 season. How many college coaches have had success in the NFL? Jimmy Johnson is the only one that comes to mind (B Switzer does not count to me, he won with a loaded team that J Johnson built).

This is a 3 year marriage in my eyes. Only positive I can see is Blank/McKay say he will have full decision on how to handle QB and Petrino wants a guy who can sling it for 300 + yards per game. That will NEVER be Vick. I won’t be p** about this hire if Schaub becomes our QB?!?!?!?!?!

By Brett

January 7, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

Wow! I did not see that hire coming. I was really hoping for someone with NFL experience, namely Mike Singletary, you know, hard nosed, no nonsense, tough as nails coach. I don’t know much about Petrino, but I am not excited at all about this. I have little hope for anything great to happen with him. I hope I am wrong. There seems to be little success with guys coming from the college ranks to the NFL.

By matt`Louisville KY.

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

Bobby P is a great coach and we have blessed to had have him as coach. Man lies like crazy I believe he is part gypsy and bipolar but hey he is a good coach. Not big on PR and is not Mr.Personality.Good Luck Dirtybirds From louisville

By bwash21

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

Tell me that last college coach to make a good transition to the NFL? Or just tell me any coach ever to give me some hope. Petrino would be a great hire in he were taking over Georgia Tech. It seems to me that they are alot more NFL qualified guys out there that would have been a better choice. At least Louisville ran a pro-style offense. How that translates to a Michael Vick led Falcons team, I have no idea.

By Henry

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

I do not believe the falcons would have gone to the college ranks for a Coach after what we see from Spurrier and more recently Saban. I really cannot believe it. If it is true I will be a truly disappointed Season Ticket Holder. I would have preferred any of the Assistants in the NFL that were named, preferably Wisenhunt from Pittsburgh. Let us look at the recent Assistants that were promoted and compare them to the College Coaches and you will see far greater success from the NFL Asssistants. This got to be a joke.

By JB

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

All of the recent success has come from NFL a*’t coaches taking over as head coaches (e.g. Lovie Smith) and college coaches coming to the NFL have gone back with their tails between their legs (e.g, Saban, Pete Carroll). I think the Falcons blew it.

By jilted cardinal

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

Petrino is a decent enough collge coach, but I think he will fail at the NFL level due to his complete lack of personality and charisma- If you don’t know what I’m talking about you soon will- the NFL is big time entertainment, and Bobby Petrino makes Al Gore look like Robin Williams-

By falconstink

January 7, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this

To: Hartwell Is Robbing Us.

While I agree with the statement that your name makes, you ned to learn how to type. You “thing”? Super “bowEl”? “Session”? “ReAves”? “BlankS”? “MistEAk”?

As for the Falcons…. What kind of a hire is this? If they wanted an unproven small white guy, they should have kept Mora! We need someone to help Vick realize that he makes mistakes… and help DeAngelo Hall realize that just because he won the 40 yard dash in Hawaii doesn’t mean he can’t be burnt.

By HornetWatcher06

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. If he is the answer we should have kept Mora. He had 2 successful seasons on the college level at Louisville and now he is a legitamate NFL coach? Arthur Blank is smoking some other stuff. And for all of you Vick haters wisdom says build the offense AROUND your franchise player not force him to fit in to a scheme that does not work for him.

By J

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Petrino has been an offensive coordinator in the league with the Jaguars, I think people are forgeting that. He led Brunnell to some of his best seasons.

By the podge

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

The key now is who he gets for the defense. He knows how to put points on the board!!! We ought to bring in one of Buddy Ryans boys.

By Greg

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Terrible move. College coaches rarely succeed in the NFL, and yet when they return they usually go back to succeeding in college. I give you Spurrier and Pete Carroll. I bet Saban turns around Alabama.

Some people coach colleges, some people coach pros.

BAD HIRE.

By chriis

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Nice spelling there, Hatwell. History suggests that this will not be a good hire. He needs to coach Vick, NOT try to be his friend. There is no respect factor in that. I hope he does well here.

By bob in sf

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

Petrino was the OC/QB coach at Jax Jags for 2 years and their offense was very good. He has pro experience. He has proven at every stop he had in college he was a creative offensive mind. Now lets see who he brings in to run the defense. I have feeling he will be encouraged to snag someone from the Tampa 2 coaching tree by McKay.

By Falcon fan stuck in purgatory

January 7, 2007 09:53 PM | Link to this

It’s hard being a fan of the Falcons. Another wasted pick of a head coach. And we thought it was bad during the Smith Era? I guess we fans found out the grass isn’t always greener.

By Dan

January 7, 2007 09:54 PM | Link to this

Every falcons fan who sneered at Alabama for hiring a snake like Nick Saban should ponder Petrino’sethical standards based on this excerpt from a story on his hiring:

Before the season, Petrino signed a 10-year, $25 million contract with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich. Petrino had previously interviewed with Auburn, LSU, Notre Dame and the Oakland Raiders for other jobs, but announced in August that he would be at Louisville for the long haul.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am with the commitment and the confidence that Tom Jurich has in me and the university has in me,” Petrino said after signing the contract. “I also wanted to make sure that everyone understood, I know I’ve said it, that this is where my family wants to be. This is where I want to be. I want everyone to really believe it.”

He may or may not be a good coach but Petrino is definitely yet another coach with no integrity.

By mike

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

It should be great, because a college offense is all that #7 can comprehend.

By Wayne

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

What’s the rush in hiring? Should have interviewed more NFL Assistants. Mike Vick is not the right quarterback for his offensive scheme. Matt Schaub is Petrino’s style of quarterback. Vick will probably be traded.

By GrizzlyDad

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

I hope he can he bring Brohm and Bush with him?

Excellent choice for Falcons…..but it sucks for the Cards.

Is their any integrity left in Coaching or is the almighty dollar the most important thing?

By travis

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

this may not be a bad choice. however, i am very skeptical. i just googled petrino and he has a very interesting bio. he was the offensive coordinator at jacksonville, jaguars and was the quarterback coach for brunell, who had good numbers that year, 1999-2001. then he went to auburn, in 2002 and was there coordinator. Auburn had a good year that year.

By Brad

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

Three things that bother me: 1. This seemed to happen way too fast. They probably had something under the table done weeks ago.

I had a feeling that Mike Singletary was a token black interviewee. Been hearing good things about him.

Can’t trust a college coach.

By Dan From Lilburn

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

Petrino??? Who is he??? Just shows how unattractive the Falcons job is to qualified candidates.

Trade Vick to Oakland for first pick (and more), draft Calvin Johnson, and start Schaub.

By I am the decider

January 7, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this

oh, and Vick will have to learn a new system! btw, Vick is the QB for the Falcons so a lot of you knuckleheads just have to accept that for awhile longer.

By Ugh

January 7, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

Bobby has obviously lost his damn mind.

By kp

January 7, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

It sucks we already just fired a college coach. Right now the only thing that been failing this organization is Arthur Blank. Shame on your Arthur Blank.

By Brown Eyed Girl!

January 7, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this

I’m actually a native Georgian (Falcon fan)that lives in Louisville. They just broke in on programming and announced that there was a bombshell. Petrino is right now meeting with his team and telling them of his decision. I honestly don’t like the choice. People here in Louisville have been bothered by Petrino since he’s been here. Every year he announces that he loves the city and will never leave. Shortly thereafter, we hear that he has interviewed with another team. He will probably get run out of ATL like Saban from Miami. Of all the available coaches already in the NFL, I don’t understand why they want to experiment with a guy that has no NFL experience.

By scribe

January 7, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

If Petrino can’t get vick on track, no one will. The next 3 years will define Vick’s entire career. Either he will elevate his game or end up being another Randall Cunningham.

By Rick R

January 7, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

Found this report from November at U of L: Coach Patrino: “When Tom (Jurich) and I sat down this summer to talk about a new contract, we anticipated that there would be many high profile job openings. The University of Louisville made a tremendous commitment to me and I made a commitment to the University of Louisville. I’m not a candidate for any job openings.” As reported by Rocco Gasparro / U of L Sports November 29, 2006 Hmmmm… seems coaches talking & doing something else is pretty common. Money talks, bull—— walks, so do coaches.

By Rico

January 7, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

He Rick…You can rent my season tickets for three years. That’s about how long Petrino will have until he goes back to college football. Call me @ 1-800-THISSUX!

By jay

January 7, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

wow. wtf?????????? this guy will be fired after going 2-14 because the players will tune him out…

By RA

January 7, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

Listen, back up off Vick. If any of you losers can find another quarterback that can throw for three thousand yards while running for a thousand and completing 20 touchdowns with his recievers dropping every other pass, let me know…

By Atlanta Card

January 7, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this

As a U of L graduate, I am very upset about this, but as an Atlanta resident, I am happy for the Falcons. This guy is a GREAT coach. I think that Vick may be the problem, but we will see.

I am sick about what this will do to the Louisville program and the kids. they adore him. I know that the Louisville fans are p**.

By Disappointed Shawwwttyy

January 7, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this

Talk about risk McKay and Blank!!! You had a proven offensive genius in Norm Chow who understands how to use unique talents of Vince Young. Think of what he could do with Vick? Oh well, now it is just a thought. Bobby is all offense as well but he is not Norm Chow (someone who proved them can go it with a similar talent). Falcons fans please realize it will take the D.Brids at least 2 years to turn it around once they get some more quality O Linemen and D Linemen.

ESPN also reported this morning that the new coach has permission to keep Shaub and ship out Vick if he decides he does not want him. If this happens Vick will win a Super Bowl in Green Bay or Tampa behind a meaty O Line.

Also did anyone see Mora this Saturday. He got made as H@!! when Costas asked him about the stupid Seattle radio comment.

By Joseph

January 7, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this

I thought McKay was a real football man. A college coach!?!?! Bad move…again.

By Terry

January 7, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this

UNBELIEVABLE. Why hire a college coag? Did Blank/McKay not see what happened to Spurrier and Saban? I will not be paying for Falcons tickets this year. Blank is clueless.

Whisenhunt and Cameron were much better alternatives.

By Jim

January 7, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

Vick wasn’t as great as so many thought he was three years ago, but he certainly isn’t as bad as so many think he is now. Those receivers could make Johnny Unitas look bad.

That said, how closely did Blank look at the track record of college HCs coming to the NFL? Very few success stories. I hope we’ve got one.

By FeyBo

January 7, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

He showed that he could win at L’Ville looks like a good coach, but why hire a college coach when we could hire offensive innovator Ken Winsenhunt from Pittsburgh

By JJ

January 7, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

GO BRAVES

By bob in sf

January 7, 2007 09:59 PM | Link to this

I love how everyone gets high and mighty and busts on coaches for taking better jobs. If I was sitting in my cubicle at work and the phone rang with an offer for twice the money, I’d hit the door running and 99.9% of the posters on this blog would too.

By mick

January 7, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

I’m a diehard Louisville fan and all I can say is screw’em.He may be a good hire for the Falcons though.On another note, Kentucky fans don’t get too happy, you won’t steal any of our top recruits and we’ll still beat you down next season.

By keeping it real

January 7, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

We got a QB now let’s go win!

By The Grinch

January 7, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Could be a good hire. Guy looks like he knows how to run an offense, which is a hell of a lot more than can be said for Knapp. I think Blank wouldn’t have done this so quickly if Petrino didn’t look like the man. Much, MUCH of this depends on who we get now as a DC.

By chris

January 7, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

He’s lied to Louisville on several occasions but to give him credit he has a great offensive mind.

By bark

January 7, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

I really believe this is the hire to get the offense where it needs to be. He has nfl experience and success at each level. I think the key will be who will he bring in to coordinate the defense.

By RW

January 7, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Until Ron Mexico gets his mind off his bling-bling and his ding-ding, the Falcons will remain the mediocre team they are regardless of the coach.

By Ray

January 7, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Since I do not watch or care about college football, I only have one question….who is this guy????

By billdawg

January 7, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Way too quick…is AB getting too old to lead? A NFL asst like Singleton, Whisenhunt, etc would have been a better choice. 2 years and a cloud of see ya later.

By Rob

January 7, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Petrino is another Nick Saban. He jumped ship in with Jaguars when he felt he wasn’t getting enough credit in the NFL. Went to Auburn for one year, left, went to Louisville, a year later tried to steal Tuberville’s job. I think Petrino could be a good hire but, in my gut I just don’t see him being around in five years. I pray that Mr. Blank just didn’t make another big hiring mistake. Whisenhunt would of been a better hire.

By Crash

January 7, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

After reading his bio on the web, sounds like an amazing offensive coach. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but i’m with many here, if Vick can’t cut it with Petrino, a change will have to be made at that position also…and i’m a Vick fan.

Now let’s see who rounds out his staff. Does he call his own plays or will he have an O.C.? What about Singletary for Def. Coordinator? It would be a promotion for him. Whatever the outcome…Knapp and Donatell have to go.

By JD3

January 7, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

I think that Falcon Fans should give Petrino a chance to work his magic with Vick and the crew. Who cares if he has no NFL experience and did not even come from a major college. As a Saints fan I think this is a Great Hire.
GO SAINTS!!!

By Larry from the branch

January 7, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if I should be happy or sad. I would love this move if it was for the head coaching job for G.T., but I really didn’t want to see a rookie NFL coach for the falcons. The main problem I see with the falcons is they don’t have a leader. #7 isn’t a leader and if your starting QB isn’t a leader then your head coach MUST be the leader. I’m wondering if the players for the falcons will respect Bobby? Because they sure didn’t respect Jimmy. They said they respected jimmy, but their actions proved otherwise. I’ll be there at training camp sitting at the 50 yard line.

By PercyHarvin

January 7, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

atlanta sports teams really are struggling. hiring the louisville football coach? that is weak. Maybe the Dolphins will hire the Rutgers coach. Go Gators.

By TRACI

January 7, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

WHO?*WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?WHO?*WHO?

By Drexel Gal

January 7, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Wrong Atlanta team! Here is how it should have played out:

• Chan Gailey to the Dolphins.
• Bobby Petrino to Tech.
• Ken Whisenhunt to Louisville.
• Arthur Blank to Falcons. (He has been the de facto head coach since he bought the team.)

By supervick

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

good decision on the coach, he is a good offensive play caller that can bring offense to this team. and who is dan from lilburn who hasnt heard of petrino? shows how much you follow football, GO FALCONS VICK RULES

By Brian

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Much better than Mora, but why can’t we get a Saban-level coach?

Vick=CoachKiller, STOP HIM BEFORE HE KILLS AGAIN.

By rob

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

We blew it, again.

By rick

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Rico, you better hold on to them. This guy knows how to coach an offense. This is exactly what Vick or Schaub needs.

By diane

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

No! What happened with the gentleman from the Steelers? We need someone coming from the Pros.

By scott

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

By Anonymous

January 7, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

I love the hire of Petrino because I’m tired of all this conservative offensive crap. Petrino is a coach that likes to attack and keep on attacking. The guy was up on Pittsburgh by 20 points in the fourth and still went deep just to score again. Thats the kind of guy he his. He was kind of known as a guy who liked to run up the score. I want a guy who likes to attack down field. He also has a good running game so don’t think he will neglect that either. He also has a good track record with quarterbacks. He is good at developing them into accurate throwers. Brohm and even his backup are very accurate QBs. Even the guy before him Stefan Lefours was accurate. So I love it because I can guarantee you that the offense will be a lot more exciting.

By jean

January 7, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

People, before you get way too bent out of shape, google Petrino & see he DOES have pro experience, so that’s really not an issue. As for his leaving after signing a 10 yr contract this summer, they all do it & who in their right mind would turn down that big of a raise & the dream challenge of coaching in the big time?? No one would turn it down, so let’s cut him some slack!! I sincerely hope he opens up the quarterback position to some serious compeitition, if Vick’s so great, he shouldn’t be threatened at all & I think he’s way to complacent right about now. Go Shaubie!!!

By Louisville Alum

January 7, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

I really thought that under Petrino the ‘Ville could make a run for the championship next year. This is one year too soon. Reconsider, Bobby!!!

By G-Man

January 7, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

WTF?????? A 5 year deal. For that kind of money you could pretty much have gotten any NFL coach in the market currently. I think this move was done in haste and go against a thorough candidate selection.

Well maybe he will have beginners luck like Mora did in his first session.

By BIRDDADDY

January 7, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

BEING ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FALCON FANS & HAVING WITNESSED 41 YEARS OF FALCON FOOTBALL,I WOULD’VE HOPED FOR MORE [DON’T CONFUSE THAT WITH MORA].TO BE A FALCON FAN YOU MUST FIRST BE A DREAMER & YOU HAVE TO DREAM THAT THIS IS A GOOD MOVE.WITH A SUPER HISTORY OF CRAPPY COACH HIRING,THIS MOVE IS RISKY FOR SURE.HE DOESN’T LOOK VERY NFL LIKE BUT LOOKS DON’T BLOCK & TACKLE EITHER.I WOULD’VE PREFERED A PROVEN NFL WINNER.COLLEGE COACHES BEING SUCCESSFUL ON SUNDAYS IS ACTUALLY A LONG SHOT AT BEST.A COLLEGE COACH WAS THE FALCON ORGANIZATION’S OBVIOUS POOL OF CHOICE BECAUSE OF THEIR QB PROBLEMS ,BLANK’S INSISTENCE ON HOLDING HANDS ON THE SIDELINE WITH HIS HEAD COACH & THE FALCONS INCREDIBLY LOW ALL TIME WINNING PERCENTAGE.CAN YOU STILL DREAM, MUST BE EVERY FALCON FAN’S REACTION!

By jean

January 7, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Let’s hire Singletary as defensive coordinator!!!!

By krisg

January 7, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Saban had two losing seasons, but didn’t exactly stink up the joint. My concern is more the wanderlust, if Petrino, like Saban, will just get bored and decide to jump ship.

If Saban had stayed, they would have turned it around.

By go falcons

January 7, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

i’m with rick. this is exciting! if you don’t know anything about bobby p don’t make a damn comment. spurrier and saban didn’t stick it out and see what could have happened so they don’t count. when bill sucked in cleveland he still got another chance in new england and look what he’s doing there. welcome bobby! let’s bring the city of atlanta some wins!!!

By fred b.

January 7, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Gotta admit after hearing that this process would be long and thorough, i am a little suprised by this hire. I guess only time will tell and to all you Vick haters, don’t know what the future holds for him but the chances of him being traded are slim to none. And to Carlos if you don’t want your season tickets sell them to me because i’m sure there are tens of thousands of us on the waiting list my man

By Here's Why No Pittsburgh OC

January 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

I’m thinking Wizzenhut is the lead man for the Steelers and that Rivera and others didn’t impress.

Rivera’s D got burned last year in the playoffs vs. Carolina at Soldier Field.

I welcome the change. For a franchise with NEVER having back to back winning seasons anything is worth a shot.

By The Truth

January 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Bad move, Mora wasn’t the prolem it was the players. Move vick to a slot/Running back, Insert Matt Schuab,dump all the receivers except crumpler and our fortunes will change. And by the way somebody with the money , please buy the team from blank, he doesn’t have a clue what to do with a nfl team. FIRE MCKAY!!!!!!!!!!1

By brenda

January 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Way togo blank you know nothing about NFL FOOTBALL!! u hire a coach from the big east. not wasting my $1400 on renewing season tickets! won’t be long only 30,000 will show up for home games(if that many)in two year he’ll be gone just like the past college coaches!

By TRACI

January 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

OMG…..another Loser for a head coach…who’s brilliant idea was this.

????

i WOULD HAVE SETTLED FOR DENNIS GREEN OR ART SHELL OR JIM COWER…WHY ARE WE DEALING WITH ….WANNABE’S ?

HELL, DAN REEVES WOULD BE GREAT - IF THIS IS WHO YOU WERE GONNA PICK.

DAMN,DAMN, DAMN……

By STEALTHMAN

January 7, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

What!!?? Who is he?? I thought BLank and Mckay were going to Chi-town this weekend. Somebody lied somewhere or it was reported wrong. How is he going to go from coaching College players to Pro players making millions and coach. How tough is this Guy?? The Falcons need a Major tune-up, this might not be good. What gets me is that the choice was so quick. It must have been planned. The contract given for 5 years at 24million for him???????

By Mr. T

January 7, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Petrino lies. In Aug 2006, after signing a 10-year contract at Louisville, he says, “I can’t tell you how happy I am with the commitment and the confidence that Tom Jurich has in me and the university has in me,” Petrino said after signing the contract. “I also wanted to make sure that everyone understood, I know I’ve said it, that this is where my family wants to be. This is where I want to be. I want everyone to really believe it.”

Way to go Mr. Bidwell, er, I mean, Blank. You’re a boob. I’d say the same of McKay but clearly he has no say.

By Eric

January 7, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

We will never get a good coach so long as Rich McKay is the general manager, he is to strong of a personality so he has to hire these mascot coaches. We should have keep Jim Mora if we were going to do this. Rich Mckay brings the players in and tells the mascot coach who to play week in and out, so there is nothing for him to do.

By Jurrell Howell

January 7, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

GREAT HIRE GREAT HIRE THIS GUY HAS BEEN N D NFL BEFORE HE HAS PUT UP GOOD NUMBERS BUT THIS HIRE WE FAIL IF HE DONT HAVE TO GREAT COODINATORS THAT WILL TELL US IF THIS IS A GOOD HIRE AND ALL YALL VICK BASHERS GO TO THE DEVIL YALL STUPID

By Dan

January 7, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

I still don’t know what I think about this hire, but Falcon fans are some of the dumbest people on the face of the earth.

By Jeff

January 7, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

As a Card fan I hate it. we were on the verge of something big in the ville. I guess we’ll have to see how that shakes out.

As a Falcons fan I like it. This guy has been number one on everyones list and we got ‘em. He may fall but it will be a fun offense guarenteed.

I wish him luck.

By dan the fan

January 7, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

I think its a real gamble,but hopefully he brings in some good coordinators and a plan for mike vick

By OB1

January 7, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

It will be interesting to see if Petrino want to bring his QB Brian Brohm. He could draft him in the first round. He knows the system.

By The Professor

January 7, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

From Petrino’s bio…

During his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Petrino tutored Mark Brunnell to three of his best passing seasons in his illustrious career. Brunnell threw for 3,640 yards in 2000, which was the second-highest total in team history, and 3,309 yards in Petrino’s only term as the offensive coordinator with the Jaguars in 2001.

By gary

January 7, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Falcon fans - good luck with Coach Petrino for as long as you have him. He cannot be trusted to stay but you may not need that in NFL vs. NCAA. Less than year ago Louisville gives this guy BCS coach money for 10 years (unheard of) and this is long before he even wins a BCS bowl. Be glad for the one man but look at the 85-100 kids in Louisville that he has completely lied to. Enjoy his bland comments too…….which are probably right in line with the lying and deceit he weaves. Gary/Louisville

By Glass Half Full

January 7, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Folks, Whisenhunt is likely going to be the Pittsburgh coach since Cowher resigned. Rich history, rabid fans, great football city. Whisenhunt wasn’t coming to Atlanta anyway.

By Mike

January 7, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Another Nick Saban waiting to happen.

By CJ2

January 7, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

WTF?!?!

I have been a Falcons fan for thirty years (and I’m only 36 yrs old). I can’t take it anymore. I am so down right now. I miss the Smith family.

Well, I guess I’ll look forward to the draft, where Rich McKay will draft CFL calibre receivers in the first round and 250 pound lineman that wear lace panties thereafter. NOT.

So long Falcons, I will miss you.

By Long suffering Falcon Fan

January 7, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

I am very disappointed in this hiring i thought we would hire assistant head coach in the NFL Like Ken Whisahunt or another NFL assistant coach. I guess we still have another bad owner in MR. BLANKS.

By Michael Gailey

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Mr Blank, you got it right this time! Bobby Petrino is an offensive juggernaut! Coach will fit the offense around Michal Vick, Matt and DJ Shockley. Bobby Petrino will have the Falcons prepared mentally, something we have not seen in the mora era. The Falcons will move to the next level now. Imagine, a Head Coach capable of running the offense! I love it! GREAT HIRE! I wish he could bring Michael Bush with him??

By mdl

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Don’t know yet …give him a chance .I do know that he’s highly respected. Also shows again that Wes Durham knows absolutely nothing by swearing the process would drag out way after the playoffs were over.Shut up ,Wes!

By DeWayne A. Ross

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Excellent choice! Young enough to run with the young dogs, yet traveled enough to hear footsteps! If he can manage to keep himself estranged from that “so-so” running back Vick, he might just be the missing link in this 40 year old franchise we call the Falcons.

By Glass Half Full

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

It’s my understanding that Knapp and Donatell are already gone; they got the axe when Mora was fired.

By Rob

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

THATS IT, I AM DONE!! I have season tickets for sale! 2007 will be another rebuilding year! There are QUALITY NFL Coaches available! Why not go in that direction? College coaches take years to get to 500! Even Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 his first year! This is an amatuer move.
This move shows that Blank trusts McKay way too much! McKay may not really know the NFL anymore. His record is disolving quickly! Just when you thought things were going to change, they stay the same! Crappy team, crappy coaches, crappy owner, CRAP!! Arthor, WE WANT A WINNER!!

By Proud dawg

January 7, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Did no one in the falcons organization read what was on SI.com? No college coach in this modern era outside of Jimmy Johnson has had success in the NFL! Do the names Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban ring a bell???? Very poor decision mark my words!!!!!!!!!

By Tom

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Well, sounds just like the Falcons!! I guess it’s only right to get a second rate college coach to coach a quarterback who still plays at a second rate college level. Louisville is not a first class college football power and they never will be. Georgia Tech comes closer to rating top echelon college, than Louisville. Oh yeah, just proves that Arthur is a second rate owner.

By Steve Skelton

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Don’t compare Vick to Cunningham…..At least Randall could PUNT! I hope Petrino will be successful here in ATL, but the whole thing feels mighty rushed to me. Maybe he can figure out how to get the most out of #7.

By Justin

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Smart move, solid record and Lville has had one of the strongest passing offense lines.

Problem though, Vick…He plays like highschool kids, cant read the rush nor make adjustments on the line…then blames everyone else like a kid. Lose vick, and bump of Schaub to QB.

The only other thing I could suggest is hire a Highschool coach, and let vick keep being the amature kid.

By asswipe

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I think its a good hire. He might be a great coach. All the other NFL caoches arn’t exactly blowing every one away. Lets Gamble and come up BIG!

By bigfree

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

i don’t agree with this choice. it’s hard for me to believe there wasn’t a better choice out there.

By Mike in Woodstock

January 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

What happened? Did the Smith Family buy the Falcons back?

By TRACI

January 7, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

BRIAN,

VICK IS NO COACH KILLER - YOU CAN’T GET ON A RADIO SHOW TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU WANT A JOB SOMEPLACE ELSE…AND YOU’D LEAVE DURING THE PLAYOFFS IF YOU HAD TO - TO TAKE THE JOB ……AND EXPECT YOUR BOSS TO NOT SAY ANYTHING….

MORA…WAS A BONE HEAD!

By toocoldscorpio

January 7, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

i HAVE TO ADMIT i AM FLOORED BY THIS. i THOUGHT I WAS FOLLOWING THIS THING PRETTY CLOSELY AND HAD NO IDEA THIS GUY WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION. FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD THIS GUY IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR HIS NEXT JOB. HOPEFULLY THIS IS IT. HE IS HIGHLY THOUGHT OF IN THE PRESS AND HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER. THIS MOVE HAD TO BE IN THE WORKS FROM THE TIME OF THE MORA RADIO INTERVIEW. LOUISVILLE HAD AN AWESOME OFFENSE NOT WEST COAST MORE OF A SPREAD TYPE. BUT THEY LOST TO RUTGERS. ??????????????????????

By Unitas

January 7, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

A steal.

By alex

January 7, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

terrible choice. expect us to go from 7-9 to 3-13 or worse next season. trade vick, hire a coach who knows how the NFL game is played, and draft a brand new defense.

By foolcan fan

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Mora is laughing his a** off right now!!

By tloo

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

The true fans will be in the stands to support Petrino; i be the ones that are talking haven’t even been to a game. We Falcons fans can be horrible @ times…Not optimistic about hardly anything. I think we’re jumping the gun and being a little too critical too soon…we can’t judge all of the college coaches the same, they all aren’t and you have to start somewhere. Winning cures all you know, what about the college coaches that have been successful in the NFL. And for the record, regardless of what Petrino said in that interview, he will bench Vick a if he messes up, even if it is to open his eyes. I welcome him to Atlanta. Can we as fans rally behind him, show up @ the game and support him. The true fans will be in the stands; i be the ones that are talking haven’t even been to a game.**

By ptra

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Carolina think this is a great hire!!! This is going to be good, a college offense in the NFL. Sure worked for Spurrier. This is probably the most stupid hire I have ever seen. Once again there will be a lack of leadership, no one to push the players, and a team that will quit when things don’t work out right. I sure look forward to continued comments on the Falcons board on how bad the Falcons will suck for the next few years.

By mick

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Traci, will you please stop. You sound silly. Go to bed missy.

By Chris

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

For all the people citing Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier as examples A and B of why college coaches don’t work out in the NFL, I have 2 names for you: Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.

By Alex

January 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

He has four years nfl experience with the Jags. Two as qb coach (brunell) and as jags offensive coordinator. We will see

By eric

January 7, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Blank made a splash, which is what he had to do. Petrino is a top 5 coach in college with pro experience and he is an offensive mastermind. For you haters that missed it, he guided his team to the Orange Bowl in 4 years with a Louisville team that no one can name 5 players from. He will work with Vick and all of you will be on the bandwagon soon (BTW, Vick is our guy, Schaub is not a full time QB).

By BeenThereDoneThat2

January 7, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

OK, folks keep saying Knapp and Donatell have to go, my understanding on New Year’s Day was Mora AND HIS ENTIRE STAFF were terminated…. was that not the case?

By Bubba

January 7, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

*Hey Dan a 10:12pm Blog if you are a Falcons fan, what does that make you???? *… Dumb too right???

By Falconfan4life

January 7, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino has accepted a five-year, $24 million offer from the Atlanta Falcons to become their new coach.

Petrino’s Reign at Louisville

Bobby Petrino is leaving Louisville to take the head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons, multiple school officials confirmed Sunday. Petrino was 41-9 with one BCS bowl win with the Cardinals. Season Overall Conf.* Bowl 2003 9-4 5-3 GMAC 2004 11-1 8-0 Liberty* 2005 9-3 5-2 Gator 2006 12-1 6-1 Orange* Totals 41-9 24-6 2-2 * — C-USA: 2003-2004, Big East: 2005-2006 ** — Won bowl Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich confirmed to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that Petrino told him about 8:30 p.m. ET that he had accepted the job and that Rich McKay, the Falcons’ president and general manager, had called this afternoon to tell Jurich about the offer. Louisville sports information director Kenny Klein also confirmed the hiring.

“Bobby Petrino did a great job here at Louisville,” Jurich said. “I’m proud of what he accomplished. I just wish we could have kept him longer. He will do a great job for the Falcons.”

ESPN.com’s Pat Forde first reported the hiring earlier Sunday night. Mortensen reported earlier that the Falcons were in deep negotiations with Petrino.

The Cardinals held a previously scheduled 9 p.m. ET team meeting at which Petrino will tell his players, the source said. ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli reported that an NFL source also confirmed the hiring.

“I’m in shock right now,” Louisville kicker Arthur Carmody told ESPN’s Joe Schad Sunday night. “I’m about to walk into a team meeting right now. We’re coming off a great Orange Bowl win and we were all thinking national championship. I didn’t think this would happen. He said he enjoyed college football. He’s a great coach and we’re going to miss him.”

An announcement from the Falcons could come Monday.

Before the season, Petrino signed a 10-year, $25 million contract with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich. Petrino had previously interviewed with Auburn, LSU, Notre Dame and the Oakland Raiders for other jobs, but announced in August that he would be at Louisville for the long haul.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am with the commitment and the confidence that Tom Jurich has in me and the university has in me,” Petrino said after signing the contract. “I also wanted to make sure that everyone understood, I know I’ve said it, that this is where my family wants to be. This is where I want to be. I want everyone to really believe it.”

Louisville had just completed a 12-1 season climaxed by their first BCS bowl victory, over Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl. Petrino’s record was 41-9 at Louisville, as he elevated the program into an annual national contender.

The leading candidate to replace Petrino figures to be Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, who has taken the Golden Hurricane to three bowl games in four years after taking over one of the worst programs in the country.

The Falcons moved quickly to replace Mora, who was fired just two years after leading Atlanta to the NFC championship game. The Falcons missed the playoffs the past two years, including a 7-9 mark this season.

Petrino’s previous NFL experience includes three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including two seasons as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2001. He then moved back to the college ranks, taking over as Auburn’s offensive coordinator in 2002 before heading to Louisville.

By Hamilton

January 7, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a mistake to hire someone with only three years of any kind of NFL experience. It’s a whole different ballgame. Hell, not even Steve Spurrier could make it in the NFL.

By James

January 7, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Petrino will do too bad. If he can develope guys like Brian Brohm, then he can bring talent. Look at how his former team plays and tell me that they aren’t pro prospects. Even if he doesn’t do well, maybe Tech can pull him in sometime if Gailey leaves soon. Who knows? But best of luck to Bobby!

Now all we need to do is land Calvin Johnson. Maybe Petrino can pull in Brian Brohm and all of that offensive talent he had at Louisville.

By Again

January 7, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

The only coach that would act for the puppet master!

By OB1

January 7, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Has anyone thought that maybe Petrino is the only coach that would come to Atlanta. Too many other NFL jobs open.

By km

January 7, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Uban Myer would be a better pick for a head coach!!

By Rob

January 7, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WTH HAS MCKAY DONE TO THIS TEAM? NOT ONE GOOD MOVE! HE HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY TURNED THIS TEAM FROM AN NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TEAM TO A LOSING FRANCHISE AGAIN! THIS COACH WILL MAKE THE FALCONS WORSE FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS!!

By Steven

January 7, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Many of the comments have indicated that Petrino does not have NFL experience. He coached in the NFL before leaving for the college level. It appears he’s been a pretty successful offensive coordinator where ever he has been. Hopefully he’ll call the plays and help Vick so Vick can check off and audible. Hopefully he can win the players over quickly. Perhaps that’s why Blank moved so fast to replace Mora. Unfortunately Mora relied too much on Knapp and Donatel when he was supposed to be the head coach. Perhaps Petrino can bring some excitement. The difference between Saban and Petrino is that Petrino is picking up a team that is ready to move into the playoffs. Saban picked up a team that was rebuilding. He did not inherit a team in Miami that Petrino is getting in Atlanta. Also, had Saban picked up Brees, he may have been more successful in Miami. There should be no excuse why Petrino cannot win in the NFL (big) with the talent Atlanta has on both sides of the ball.

By DJ is Better

January 7, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

How long until Bobby P Realizes that his playbook has to be cut in half and dumbed down for his quarterback? He’ll get tired of being blamed for MVick’s horrible ability to run an offense and leave in two years.

By Kendall

January 7, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Well lets see how this works out…You have a coach who is offensive minded and has coached QBs at the pro level he could be the answer…why not trade Schaub for some wide receivers then trade White and Jenkins for some linemen that can pass and run block!!

By BIGG DADDY DOGG

January 7, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

MR. BLANK AND MCKAY YOU BLEW IT AGAIN (WHAT A COLLEGE COACH) YOU GUYS MUST BE SMOKING WEED AND CRACKKKKK? THE WORST PART IS THAT YOU ARE GIVING HIM 4.8 MILLON $$$$$$$$$$$$$ A YEAR(SMOKING CRACK) THE JIM MORA PART 2 ERA BEGINS ???????? AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AM TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY

By Gee

January 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

For the Vick haters, has P. Manning won a SuperBowl. Did the great D. Marino win a SuperBowl, give the guy a break. If you had football knowledge you would know that Knapp cost Mora his his job not Vick.Friendship meant more then employment to Mora. That is why Owens had his 1st blow-up in S.F.with Knapp because he does not have a clue. Vick said that in a polite manner last season, but no-one listened. Vick, take the money and run,you will never get a fair shake at QB being black.Gee, have we come along way……………………?

By GoPirates

January 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

I think Coach Cecil Flowe from Parkview High School would’ve been a better choice.

By mrejr

January 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

It’s easy to predict the course of events from here. First, Petrino will come in, win some games early because no one will have an idea of what he will try to do at the pro level (and it will have to be different than what he did at Louisville). The rest of the league will adjust, and he will hover around .500, and the limits of the current Atlanta QB will be made very apparent to him. At that point he will either defy the clubs owner and change the player at that position, or be stuck with a team that has to depend on good luck to make the playoffs. Does this scenario sound at all familiar?

By deadbird

January 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Its amazing how many people on this blog have zero clue about NFL football. “Great move He won at Louisville”… You people are truly ridiculous, this hire is such a joke of a move.

College football is not the NFL. If Spurrier, Saban and other top-notch college coaches cant succeed who is Bobby Petrino to think he is different.

It is apparent that Blank truly knows nothing about winning in this league and wants another ‘yes man’. Face it Falcons fans, this organization is cursed and Blank is not the savior we expected.

I hope very much I am wrong, but this was no way to show the fans you are serious about winning now. Well I guess in ‘09 we will again be searching for a coach after 2 more losing seasons. Cancel your season tickets unless you like paying for losing.

By cvinson

January 7, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Some of you are miserable idiots. Petrino has NFL coaching experience, just not as a head coach. As long as Vick is at the helm I don’t think it will matter too much if we hired Goldie Hawn.

By keeping it real

January 7, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

We need a defense man for DC . we were 22nd in the NFL on defense. This new hire seems to know offense . But we are in the NFC south . Who ever has the best defense wins. Please hire the best dc we can get! WIN Falcons! If we were 15th in defense we would be in the play offs now!

By 2legit2quit

January 7, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Talk about a shock! I thing Vick is a an unbelivable player with tons of talent, but he is a finger pointer. He gives it his all but his facial gestures and comments take away from his leadership. Hope the older coach can teach him some humility! I am not crazy about the hire, but there is a reason Rich has his position and was considered as a possible replacement for the commisioner job. Go birds

By Dion

January 7, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

This is what we all wanted, A NEW COACH, quit crying over who they got, everyone says we should have gotten Lovie Smith 3 yrs ago, he probably wouldn’t have had the same success in ATL. Suck it up, Petrino has experience in the NFL with the Jags, he tutored Brunell, who just so happens to be a lefty also, he runs an open-offense, (see Louisville’s NCAA record of scoring 55 or more points in 5 straight games) He was at Auburn and turned their offense around, we have a talented core of players, they just have to play together and have fun at it, which means catch the ball when it’s thrown to you, how many people want to hear excuses these players make when they are making more than most of us are ever going to see in just a few years, Suck it up Falcons fans, it’s done, he’s hired, he is the coach of the Falcons for atleast a couple of years, GO FALCONS SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS 07!!!

By beezer

January 7, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Hysterical, UL fans are just as upset as Falcons fans!

By falconfan4life

January 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino Bio January 7, 2007 www.atlantafalcons.com

Falcons appoint Bobby Petrino as new head coach

Bobby Petrino is returning to the NFL as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Petrino’s new appointment is effective immediately.

Petrino joins the Falcons following a very successful four-year run at the University of Louisville. During his tenure there, Petrino put the Cardinals football program on the national map as he quickly earned a reputation as one of college football’s top coaches and offensive minds. During his four seasons at Louisville, his teams earned a Bowl appearance every year and had a combined record of 41-9, including an impressive 22-1 at home at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

In 2006, Petrino helped the Cardinals win their first ever Big East Conference Championship on the way to a 24-13 victory over Wake Forest in the FedEx Orange Bowl. The team was also recognized by having seven Cardinals earn first team All Big East honors, the most in the league.

Appointed as the head coach at Louisville in 2003, it marked Petrino’s second stint at the school. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals in 1998.

Petrino rejoined Louisville after serving as the offensive coordinator at Auburn in 2002. Under Petrino, the Tigers offense significantly improved its position in the Division I-A rankings during the season. It didn’t take long for him to put his stamp on the Auburn offense as the Tigers finished the season with a 9-4 mark and led the Southeastern Conference in pass efficiency and third down conversions while also ranking third in the league in scoring offense, rushing offense and total offense en route to a 13-9 victory over Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.

Prior to coaching the Tigers, Petrino was a coach in the NFL, spending two seasons (1999-2000) as the quarterbacks coach and a third (2001) as offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his tenure with the Jaguars, Petrino tutored Mark Brunell to his three best passing seasons in his illustrious career. Brunell threw for 3,640 yards in 2000, which was the second-highest total in team history, and 3,309 yards in Petrino’s only term as the offensive coordinator with the Jaguars in 2001.

Petrino arrived at the University of Louisville for the first time in 1998 as offensive coordinator. In his initial stint, the Cardinals were top-ranked in Division I-A in scoring and total offense and posted the biggest positive turnaround among I-A football teams, winning six more games than in the 1997 season.

Prior to the University of Louisville, Petrino spent three years as offensive coordinator at Utah State, transforming a program which averaged a little more than 300 yards per contest into an offensive juggernaut, which established a USO record with 468.5 yards of total offense per game during the 1996 season.

Petrino spent 1994 at the University of Nevada as both the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his sole season, the Wolf Pack ranked second in the nation in both passing offense and total offense, averaging more than 330 yards passing and 500 yards of total offense per game. Nevada also averaged 37.6 points per game to finish third nationally in scoring offense.

In 1992 and 1993, Petrino was quarterbacks coach at Arizona State. During his two seasons at ASU, he oversaw the development of future All-American and current Denver Broncos QB Jake Plummer.

In 1989, Petrino served as the quarterbacks coach at the University of Idaho before being promoted to offensive coordinator for two seasons. Prior to coaching at Idaho, Petrino served as a full-time assistant in the Division I ranks as wide receivers and tight ends coach at Weber State in 1987 and 1988.

By tacdawg13

January 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

I’m open to almost anything at this point so I’ll say the jury is out. One thing is for sure; we’ll see if Vick has been a victim of scheme or is just not up to par as a starter in the NFL. I believe the latter and wish that he could be traded which is unlukely due to cap ramifications. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the staff shapes up.

By JS

January 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

As a UofL fan, I am extremely dissapointed to lose Bobby, but wish him the best in Atlanta. The Falcons are getting the hardest working coach in the business. Seriously folks, he took UofL (an urban mission basketball-obsessed school) to the Orange Bowl and won. UofL almost dropped to D I-AA ten years ago and now they’re bowling in the BCS….But I digress…there’s a reason, Auburn, LSU, Alabama, the Oakland Raiders and various other programs/NFL teams we’ll never know about took it upon themselves to recruit him away. He was a great offensive coordinator for Jacksonville and he will be a great head coach for the Falcons regardless of who is playing QB in Hotlanta.

By Kym aka Southern Girl

January 7, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Well I swear and be damn Fakecons cant win for losing. 3 years tops on this guy. Trade Vicky folks get yourself a real QB. You know there is no shame in actually having a real QB.

By Eskimo Ed

January 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

GREAT HIRE. QUIT Your Damm Crying!!! Bobby Petrino is an offensive genuis. His record the past 4 years is very impressive…… This guy will take Falcons back to Supwer Bowl and win it. Players love him and will play their guts out. Watch Petrino get the very best out of Mike too! Norm Chow is also great but there are many brilliant coaches out there. Falcon fans will come to love this guy…fast. Great Move. Can’t wait til next season.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

January 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Let’s consider the players Saban and Spurrier had to work with in the NFL.

By S. Smooth

January 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

For all of you Ken Whisenhunt lovers, I don’t think he’s any less risky a hire than Petrino, since he doesn’t have any NFL head coaching experience either. Petrino is regarded as one of the top offensive football minds in the country. He was also quarterbacks coach for two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars - remember when Mark Brunell was good? Petrino tutored him during those years. He was bumped up to Jags offensive coordinator after that, so he has NFL coordinator experience just like Whisenhunt. There are two themes in Petrino’s career: mentoring quarterbacks and turning teams into offensive juggernauts. With this in mind, his hiring is no surprise. The Falcons offense is talent-laden but completely misguided, and it also has a quarterback who’s in dire need of somebody that knows that they’re doing offensively. Don’t write Petrino off yet.

By Ken

January 7, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Petrino was an NFL coach that went to the college ranks not the other way around. His last NFL gig was with the Jags for three years until 2001 when he was their offensive coordinator…

By Hulk

January 7, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Bad Choice…..College coaches do not make good NFL coaches with all of the talent around..this is our best choice. Players Play Coaches coach…Vick is not the problem its the coaching….Pittsburgh’s old coach Cowher would have been a good choice..If he had accepted. We’ll see…Vick will have to man up..his legs are a year older..Its now or never.

By The Professor

January 7, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

My prediction for title of Terence Moore’s article regarding the hiring: “Falcons Hire College Whitey.”

By DrJay

January 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

I’m going to laugh while I watch Vick raise the Superbowl trophy over his head while thinking of all of these so called Falcons fans. What a bunch of bandwagon jackasses you all are for being critical of Vick. I’ve watched this franchise since 1979 and there has been no consecutive seasons of playoffs or a contention for the playoffs since Steve Bartkowski was QB.

I applaud Blank and his decision for Petrino. These guys no much more about football than all of you pansies will ever know. Get a life and support your team win or lose. I was almost in shock when I saw about 20,000 Dallas fans at the dome this season as I sat there in disbelief. Too many sellout and bandwagon fans in this town.

Go Falcons! Go Vick! Thank you Mr. Blank!!

Superbowl bound in 2007!!!

By James

January 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Does anybody recall Bobby Ross taking Ga Tech to a national championship, and then taking the Chargers to the Super Bowl? What about Jimmy Johnson? Not all college coaches are bad in the NFL, so don’t push him to the curb just yet.

By Brick Tamlin

January 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

I just killed a man with a trident!

By mick

January 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

I’ve had enough of reading all you people’s nonsense. It’s obvious most of you wouldn’t know football if you were hit square in the nose by one. All you haters will be back on the jock strap of Vick, Petrino, McKay,etc. as soon as they make it back to the playoffs next season.(I agree 100% cvinson)

By bob

January 7, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Rankin is still managing this deal from his grave.

By 89 Bulldog

January 7, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

I hope the Falcons have scheduled their press conference early tomorrow. I’d hate for Coach P to be late for his interviews later in the day at Pittsburgh, Miami, and/or Oakland…

By skiprope

January 7, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

thanks for leaving my steeler coaches alone although i was hoping to be a 58 year old water boy

By I am the decider

January 7, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

“Petrino tutored Mark Brunnell to three of his best passing seasons in his illustrious career.” Since when did Brunnell have an “illustrious” career? he had a decent career (past tense) but I would hold off on the superlatives for that guy. Did Petrino write his own bio?

By Nik

January 7, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

GREAT CHOICE MR.BLANK& MCCAY, WHAT THE HELL? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? BOB FROM BUFORD WASN’T AVAILABLE

By redddawg

January 7, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Too bad they couldn’t have got a kindergarten teacher that would be able to deal with Vick on a more equal basis.

By Dennis

January 7, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I can see we have a lot of talented observers and analysts commenting tonight based on their OWN OPINIONS AND NOT THE FACTS. Fact is Petrino has coached in the NFL, maybe not as head coach, but neither have most of the others out there. Whisenhunt probably would not have taken the job given Cowher leaving and the possibility of getting that job. Fact is Petrino got okay players to come to Louisville and play great. I don’t remember Louisville EVER rolling over (like we have) because Petrino’s in CHARGE, unlike Mora was. Mora wanted to be liked, period. Wrong approach. Developed a great offense, great defense at Louisville. Let’s give the guy a shot.

By Henry

January 7, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I will not knock Petrino for taking a job which offers to pay him significantly higher than his current Job, I do not know anyone who would refuse the higher paying Job. However this move is a big gamble that will either make Rich McKay looks like a genius or another overated GM. His selection of Roddy White with a first round pick and passing on a Defensive tackle has me doubting his high rating. He may be all glamour and no substance.

By coz109

January 7, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!!! This is unbelievable!!! Could somone please tell me why Mike Singletary is not the new coach? After what we as Falcon fans endured over the past two seasons, to be handed this is just insulting. Mr. Blank, this is a terrible decision. This team needs a hard-nosed coach who will make this defense tough as nails. Instead, we get another flash in the pan who probably thinks his gimmicks will work with Vick’s talent. Vick needs guidance and leadership and a defense that doesn’t hemorrage points. The Falcons has a shot at Lovie Smith three years ago and went for style over substance, look where that got us. Now, we get to sit back and watch Singletary and/or Ron Rivera become the next Lovie Smith while we try and figure out how to get Nick Saban to leave Alabama in three years after the Falcons miss the playoffs AGAIN and age and wear begin to close Mike Vick’s window of opportunity. No wonder we’ve never had back-to-back winning seasons. What a damn joke.

By eddiedawg

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Why so fast??? Why the rush?? Steve Wyche said they would make an exhaustive search for the right coach, and he is as close to the Falcons as anyone…..I don’t get it-college head coach does not equal success in the NFL, and give me a break with “he was an assistant with Jax”……Mora was an assistant also, remember???? We needed a PROVEN NFL HEAD COACH NOT ANOTHER EXPERIMENT!!

By John C. Fremont

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Get rid of Vick, then get back to me.

By QB

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Give the man a chance before everyone runs him out of time he has a track record of improving offenses wherever he goes god hire and with his offensive genius and vick now all we need is a good dc and a great draft.

By Again

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

The only coach that would act for the puppet master!

By Way to Screw It All Up Yet Again Richie McFly and Arthur Biff!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

a great college coach, but a complete unknown in the NFL! WTF! i am so sick and tired of this. arthur, you are a buffoon. mckay, you are inept. i am done. i can not take this.

i never thought i would ever say this: but trade vick. this is just not going to work. this has disaster and train wreck written all over this coaching decision.

what the hell was the rush? not even an NFL guy? WTF! same ole falcons.

trade vick not because he sux despite what you all like to say but because this is just not going to work with this coach and vick. vick for all his strengths, weaknesses and talent needs a strong leader. that much we know about vick for sure. vick is not enough of a natural born leader otherwise not to have a know it all leader as a coach.

a college coach, for crying out loud?!?!?!? didn’t we just sh!tcan a guy who was truly a college coach at heart?!?!?

vick and the falcons need a coach who will guide him and them, direct him and them, lead him and them. (dan reeves’ words this week on his interview with chuck and chernoff).

and we get a coach who does not even know if vick is good enough or not to be his QB? he is not sure so much to the point that he needs an experimental observation year to determine that? Great! let’s waste yet another year! jesus, mary, and freaking joseph!

and then, if vick is determined to be not good enough next year, we will cut vick or trade vick, take a huge salary cap hit which will cripple the team and we will suck a whole lot more for the next 3 and 4 years. HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY FOR RICHIE MCFLY AND ARTHUR BIFF!

of course, more important than the welfare of vick is the welfare of the falcons. unfortunately, for most of you but fortunately for me and many others, vick gets paid too much to get rid of. they are stuck with him. so, how goes vick, there goes the falcons! so, what do richie mcfly and arthur biff do, they hire a complete unknown?!?!?! come on, already. YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!

i was totally against hiring a coach who would cater to vick and tailor and design the offense around vick. that was a terrible idea to do anything on offense to make sure we cater to the unique talents of vick. that was the last thing we needed to do! if vick was going to be the guy and his money dictates that he has to be, we needed to scrap the WCO foolishness, abandon any idea completely of reinventing offensive football, then we just needed a traditional NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL coach with a traditional NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL NFL offensive system who pounds the ball 35 times a game with a big running back, play action fake, screen passes and draw plays, chuck it deep off the play action fake, run vick run 6x a game when the need arises, have a tough, attacking D, and all would have been good.

instead, we get a college guy we are going to take a look see at to determine whether he knows enough about the nfl to be a winner with the talent already in place here (the core dan reeves talent which went to the conference championship game two years ago with fools for coaches before the ineptness of the coaches and mr. mckay killed the solid supporting cast surroundig the core vick guys).

this smells so bad like saban trying out the nfl for a year or two before deciding his heart was in college.

or mora trying us out for a year, or two or three before deciding that his heart really lies with his alma mater. actually, mora tried to bail out on blank two years ago in the middle of that championship game run to get the uwub job until Arthur Schmuck put the kibosh on that potential flight to Washington.

It also smells like the ole ball coach. Do you all remember his little press conference when he left the Gaytors and he said merely that he merely always wanted to know whether his little system would cut it in the NFL. that was really his only reason for going to the NFL. Selfish reasons. Even the ole ball coach did not know for sure whether he was good enough or not. He just wanted to get a look see to see if his system was good enough: kind of like the girl in love with another dude, who goes on a few dates with you just to see what size rubber you wear? The ole ball coach found out soon enough he was not good enough. Well, actually, I am not quite sure if he was good enough or not. He quit too soon like Saban to have a definitive answer on that. Like Saban, the ole ball coach ran right back to campus, the place where we all wish we could run back to and spend the rest of our lives because that is where his heart and many of our hearts are.

someone up above said LON KRUGER. very well stated, my friend. LON KRUGER, indeed!

trade vick and schaub! trading vick and schaub and the 10th pick just may get you two picks in the top five, jamarcus russell and adrian peterson and maybe even a couple of first round picks and second round and third round picks next year. this is a rebuilding project with this coach. so let’s tear it down and totally rebuild. good lord. i can not believe it has come to this. this sux! i hope he is good. probably not. same ole falcons. trade vick and trade schaub. start over. whether you like vick or not, it does not matter. vick is making so much $$$$$, it would cripple the team to get rid of him. but with this coach, they will have no choice because it will not work it out with this coach and vick and it will be a rebuilding project regardless so we will suck for 3 or 4 years.

did you hear mortenson say that petrino will test out vick this year to see if vick is good enough for him?

WTF!

whether vick is good or not to a particular coach in the NFL should be clear by now.

the man has started 67 games already.

some of us say he is good enough.

the other half say he is not.

all nfl coaches are probably split the same way, it all depends upon their own individualized personal preference and the systems they run and their confidence in their own abilities as a coach, leader, and teacher.

BUT only a college coach without enough NFL experience and observation could tell an owner i am not sure if vick is good enough as an NFL QB for me, so give me a year to figure that out.

what a joke! WTF!

IF you have been coaching in the NFL for the past 6 years, you should not have any doubt either way whether Vick is your cup of tea as an NFL QB on a team you are in charge of. Only a college coach would tell a retarded schmuck of an owner, give me a year to figure out that critical detail?!?!?!

What this little one year thing with Vick tells me as it was reported by Mortenson is that Petrino does not even know enough to know whether he knows enough.

Good God! Good hire!

Do you get the experienced guys who know things about the NFL or do you get the college guy who does not even know based upon simple experience and observation whether or not your QB can QB for him?!?!?!?!

Great Job Yet Again Richie McFly and Arthur Biff!

HELP US OBI WAN KINOBI, I’M SORRY, I MEAN DAN REEVES, YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE!

By Matt

January 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

I think hes a good coach and could do well if we had a good qb. I consider this a bad decision for one reason, coaching hasn’t been the problem for the falcons in years past. I do however, know atlanta is stuck with the talent they have for now; so i guess trying to get a coach to get the best out of the atl offence isn’t such a bad idea… It’s just a shame that the atl franchise has to spend sooo much money because of one guy (vick).

By Kym aka Southern Girl

January 7, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Cant get a fair deal because he is black..you have got to be f-ing kidding me???? Vicky is talented but not as QB. Atlanta wanted a big name and they got him. Now they keep hiring any coach who is willing to kiss his itchy tushy, in order to keep him.

By bobby petrino

January 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

hey guys! i can’t wait to get started with the birds! i’m a little cardinal that’s grown up to be a falcon! who’s this vick guy you keep talking about? if you had a defense worth a damn the past 2 years, you’d be in the playoffs. obviously i’m gonna own in the NFL. i’m the man in college, and you all know it. spurrier and saban are my homeboys!!! i’m gonna make a killing when UGA fires Richt and hires me for 20mil a year!!!! Whooppeeeee! just gotta tough it out a few years here. lemme practice my speech for a few years from now… “in hindsight, if the QB hadn’t acted like he was so cool, we coulda won more than 2 games per season. i’m sorry to see it turn out this way, but someone’s gotta be last. i think we fill that position with distinction. look at it this way, you got no where to go but up! good luck on your coaching search. go dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!”

blank’s response: “we’re excited to have the opportunity to constantly stroke the gullible atlanta public. we’re bringing in a proven winner next time - dan reeves!”

By bobby petrino

January 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

hey guys! i can’t wait to get started with the birds! i’m a little cardinal that’s grown up to be a falcon! who’s this vick guy you keep talking about? if you had a defense worth a damn the past 2 years, you’d be in the playoffs. obviously i’m gonna own in the NFL. i’m the man in college, and you all know it. spurrier and saban are my homeboys!!! i’m gonna make a killing when UGA fires Richt and hires me for 20mil a year!!!! Whooppeeeee! just gotta tough it out a few years here. lemme practice my speech for a few years from now… “in hindsight, if the QB hadn’t acted like he was so cool, we coulda won more than 2 games per season. i’m sorry to see it turn out this way, but someone’s gotta be last. i think we fill that position with distinction. look at it this way, you got no where to go but up! good luck on your coaching search. go dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!”

blank’s response: “we’re excited to have the opportunity to constantly stroke the gullible atlanta public. we’re bringing in a proven winner next time - dan reeves!”

By TR

January 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Bobby who? Surprise! Surprise! The Falcons never mentioned his name all week. I heard he use to be an assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wait one minute…… Just in from ESPN News, The Falcons just hired Elmo to coach the defense.

By Misled

January 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

How can anyone look at this and say that an adequate search was conducted? Three years of NFL experience — as an assistant coach. Three years as a college head coach. Yet they give this guy a five year contract at an annual salary more than three times that of Lovie Smith — someone who has had success as an NFL head coach.

This is not a good hire, It makes no sense. You have to wonder if Arthur Blank and Rankin Smith are related.

Cut the season ticket prices back to $100 for the upper deck and maybe I’ll be there. Otherwise, I’ve got better things to do than to continue to be misled by this team’s “management.”

(BTW Arthur, I know a guy who manages an Ace Hardware who you should consider for CEO of Home Depot. Call me.)

By deadbird

January 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

As a lifetime Falcons fan I am tired of being told this guy is the “next big thing”. Zero back to back winning seasons in my lifetime does not instill the confidence that taking a chance on someone with no head NFL coaching experience is a wise choice. Why do we even have to be sold on someone’s qualifications by the “sun’ll come out tomorrow” marketing department. Hire someone who is a proven NFL winner. Come big for once. Pay a proven NFL winner. Get him from another winning NFL organization. Dont take huge gambles with a team that has never won anything…. ever. For my thousand dollar tickets I want someone with proven track record. No more experiments please.

By singletary

January 7, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

Not thrilled, bt then again hiring coaches is not my professional career.

Guess I’m a little sad that interviews with Whiz and Mike Singletary were just “cover” to check boxes toward a hire decision that had already been negotiated.

By Rooks

January 7, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

Glad to see all of you “know-it-alls” have it all figured out. Maybe you should all send your resumes in to AJC sports or ESPN. Idiots.

By toni

January 7, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

is a college coach usually they do not doing good in the pro.hope i’m wrong

By Clayton

January 7, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

We all know Bobby Petrino was an excellent college coach. I hope they made the right decision. I would have felt more comfortable hiring an ex head coach who had a reputation for discipline. I will always be a Falcons fan so lets hope Mr. Petrino and his staff and mold our franchise player into a better passing quarterback and also find some receivers that will catch the ball.

For all you Vick haters, whether you like him or not his contract is too big to do anything about remember (highest paid player in the league) so quit whining about getting someone else and just have some faith that the still young 26 year old with the right coaches and turn it around. Go Falcons!!

By High hopes

January 7, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree. Let’s just jump on the Bandwagon and wish him LUCK………. We’re all DIEHARD fans.You have to keep Vick, unless we get a stupid offer. Go BIRDS……..

By Leo

January 7, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

At first I was shocked by this hire, then I Googled his bio and I think it may be a good move. Mountain Jim’s post is another positive for Petrino. He seems to be very demanding which this team needs. I think the most interesting thing I read is how he lost Bush and his QB early in the season and still managed to coach the Cards to a very good record. Here is the link to his bio.(http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/petrino_bobby00.html) He has a little bit of everything we were hoping for. Just have to wait and see what happens.

By Zac

January 7, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is filled with by far the most fair-weathered and negative fans of any city. Let alone, half of them don’t know squat about a majority of the crap they complain about.

A majority of the top contenders for NFL HC jobs are career coordinators with no HC experience.

That was a similar hire we took with Mora-who is a good HC except for his lack of maturity and control over his own team.

Petrino has as good as or better knowledge of the game as any of the OC’s in the NFL vieing for a HC job-but he has HC experience and a track record of succes-something none of those OC’s could bring to the table.

Louisville was a doormat of a program. He apparently was able to turn that program around soo fast that few really can fathom his true ability as a HC.

Petrino-by far-was the best possible hire Blank could have made. The next critical phases of this change will be set when he hires his assistants.

Good job Blank.

By The Professor

January 7, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Brunell was good in his day. We’ve been using crappy, loser coaches from the pro ranks long enough. Time to try a new tact. To all the bandwagon fans getting ready to jump off - fine by me. I can get better season tix next year.

By Mark

January 7, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

It is understandable that there would be mixed opinions opposing and supporting this hire. I hear those making the argument about college coaches failing at the NFL level. There is some truth to that, but there are also those who have succeeded. Petrino is an offensive mind with NFL experience. I think that he will succeed provided he is allowed to make the decisions regarding who his quarterback will be. Perhaps he can show Vick the light. If not, dump Vick and build an offense that does work. It is encouraging to hear how organized he is and how he prepares his team.

By dash

January 7, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

S Smooth is on the money. Petrino has just as much NFL head coaching experience as Whisenhunt. One thing is certain. We needed an offensive minded coach and Petrino is definitely that. Also, we need a disciplinarian as a coach and Petrino is that as well. We also needed a coach who was strong willed enough to keep Blank in the owners’ box. I would have preferred Whisenhunt but keep one thing in mind, the Steelers just lost their coach. Who’s to say that he is not in line for the head job and wanted to wait it out. Petrino has been highly recruited and is highly regarded. It is not a bad hire. Now all we need is a good defensive coordinator….

By northwest ga fan

January 7, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Judging from the posts at the Louisville Courier Journal, there is no turning back - he left 25 million for 10 years up there and those folks are mad. If he gets the right assistants, we have the college rah-rah excitement here, it just might work. We will have to wait and see. The team has never lacked emotion when the fans get them into the game!

By joe_h

January 7, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

I laugh at all these people touting Schaub. Schaub isn’t worth a damn. He’s never done anything aside from spot starting and preseason. Anytime he’s gotten meaningful playing time, he stunk. So to hell with Matt Schaub. We’ve seen him in action enough to know he’d be a disaster for an entire season.

As for trading Vick, wake up people. No team is going to take on Vick’s salary. We’ve got too much invested in him to let it ride now. Vick isn’t the problem anyway. The problem is a s** offensive line that can’t protect any QB, a terrible defense, and wide receivers that can’t catch a nerf football.

So many stupid people on here that know nothing about football.

By Todd

January 7, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

To all those who don’t know. He’s coached in the NFL. He was with the Jags as a QB coach and later as an OFF Coord. So he has NFL experience.

By I agree

January 7, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with those talking about the Falcon’s fans.. you guys are just plain stupid. If you don’t like Vick then don’t watch or go to the games.

By Just Bob

January 7, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Bad bad bad. College to the pros almost never works. I feel sick about this hire. What was the rush? Ahh, to hell with them all. The quitter players, the lame GM, the truly creepy owner. I’m switching allegiences. I’m no yard dog chained to the local team just because i live here, compelled to loyally follow this crappy operation whatever new blind alley it goes down. Screw ‘em all, I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it any more.

By Doug

January 7, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Only if they keep Schaub. Trade Vick to the Raiders. Eat part of his salary if you have to. Get the number one pick and take the big OL from Wisconsin, problems solved on offence! Period of end of sentence. The Vick era should end the same as the Mora era ended.

By Steven2

January 7, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Okay all of you Vick haters. Who was the first quarterback who won a playoff game in Green Bay? Who called the plays in the red zone that fell right into the hands of the defenses? Who dropped passes right in their hands? And last, if Alge had caught that touchdown pass thrown at him in the Super Dome this year, what do you think would have happened to momentum? Give Vick a break. He’s one of the most unique athletes in the NFL. Give him an offensive line and receivers who can catch!

By derrick

January 7, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I think someone with experience would have been good. The record of college coached successfully making the jump to the pros is not stellar

By Blank is a fool

January 7, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Let’s give the man a shot. I would have rather had the dude from Chicago to kick some butts around here, but Peterino seems like a no nonsense guy.

He won’t be sniffing Vick jock and buttering up to ole Arthur either like little Jimmy boy.

By John

January 7, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

To all the people who say we should start Matt. Think for just one second, If Matt starts we will throw the ball alot better but we wont run for more than 60 yards a game. The offensive line can not run block or pass block. The only reason we are number 1 in rushing is Vick plain and simple. Dunn gets his yards becuase the threat of Vick. If we get an offensive line that could pass block Vick will be fine. He is unique in that he does not need to go thru alot of reads. He should read 2 recievers and then if nothing is there think about running. Trade Matt and the 10th pick to oakland for the number 1 and select Calvin Johnson. Get some better lineman and I bet the falcons would be contenders every year

By BirdDawg

January 7, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Y’all dumb@$$ rednecks are always slingin’ the SOS.

Why don’t y’all get some new material.

Or actually know what you’re talking about before you open your toothless mouths.

Why don’t you retards head back up to Forsyth Co, have your Klan meetings, and leave these blogs to the people who actually understand the game of football, as well as things y’all obviously can’t comprehend, like the salary cap.

Bunch of inbred dumb@$$es.

By Troy in Atlanta

January 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Petrino sounds suspiciously like Pinocchio and the similarities are scary.

Pinocchio was Geppetto’s living puppet. Petrino will be Blank’s. Look carfully at McKay and Blank’s hands and you’ll notice the strings!

Pinocchio told lies and had to learn to adhere to his conscious. Petrino, just a year ago, lied to the Louisville faithful with his comments upon signing a 10 year contract.

By JIMBO

January 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Assinine, an ego freak coach to go with an ego freak overrated qb.

By NoProCoachNoPlayoffs

January 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Terrible choice. No college coach has been successful in recent years. Spurrier comes to mind. And all you VICK HATERS can go to you know where! Vick is the LEAST of the falcons’ troubles. 5-year deal?!! That’s ridiculous! It’s not going to work. Why not wait until Ron Rivera’s out of the playoffs or even the OC for the Chargers? Vick is a great QB. No one has EVER bothered to develop him. Reeves tried to, but Blank pulled the trigger on him just beacuse Vick’s leg got broke. I don’t konw if I can take it anymore! All you naysayers about Vick will see. He’ll be traded in a few years and go somewhere like the Bengals or the Jets and he’ll get a few Lombardi trophies, then y’all talk!! We need Mike Singletary, Mike Martz, Whisenhunt! Somebody who knows the PRO GAME!!!

By blue

January 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Give the guy a chance. All you dumdass saying we should have got a NFL guy Think about this 41 years of playing 6 winning seasons and all the head coachs where NFL guys. Give me a break.. and you people who say we should draft Calvin Johnson do you think we should draft another wideout are drinking the kool-Aid

By NJ Falcons Fan

January 7, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

WTF? Why can’t the team get a guy who can fix our DEFENSE? Our D has been top 10 in the leage twice, TWICE in the last 20 years.

By kevin

January 7, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

**The likelyhood that Louisville will be back next year with a championship performance is slim to none allot things have to go right for that to happen had he been there before??? I don’t think so. We need an NFL coach with a proven track record not another risk. Does he even know NFL players, its a whole different ball game. The rules are much more strict in the NFL and you have to be allot harder on the players. I don’t think Petrino was the answere. Id rather have Bill Parcels at least he has some Rep. One win just isn’t good enough in the NFL.

By phanson6

January 7, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Best Case scenario that our new coach is most like, Dick Vermiel or Jimmy Johnson. I wanted Ron Rivera, but so long as Bobby P. is willing to work his butt off, I say welcome aboard.

By eddiedawg

January 7, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Zac and Professor- Just because we disagree with the hire does not mean we are all fair-weathered fans….I have been suffering as a fan of this team since I was 10, and 27 years later we still are a joke….but that doesn’t mean I am going to cancel my season tickets…..they needed a PROVEN NFL HEAD COACH…..we are once again trying an experiment that will not work-he cannot command the same type of respect that a proven NFL head coach would have…..BLANK IS BLOWING IT!

By BIGG DADDY DOGG

January 7, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

SHOCKED BY THIS TERRIBLE HIRE OF A COLLEGE COACH. MR.BLANK AND MCKAY MUST BE SMOKING CRACK AGAIN??? JIM MORA ERA PART II STARING BOBBY PERTRINO AS THE BEAVER!!! PAYING 4.8 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A COLLEGE COACH (SMOKING CRACK KILLS)PLEASE PINCH ME AND TELL ME IT IS ALL A DREAM????? AS A TICKET HOLDER I AM BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!

By Yo

January 7, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Can’t help but wonder how good those so called sorry receivers of Atlanta would be if they were catching another Qbacks throws. Seems they suddenly found glue for their hands when they were catching Schaub. I can imagine that catching Vick (the left handed 100 mph Nolan Ryan of pro football” the left handed throw it every where but in the right spot Qback is a pretty dificult equation. Maybe Petrino can tone him down a little and teach him how to read coverages and blitzes. Sure hope so. The fact is the last 5 Super Bowl winners were Vickless. What say we move him to receiver/running back or Move him to defensive back and we would have the 2 fastest corners in the league. :-)

By Ryder

January 7, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

At first I was immediately skeptical of hiring a college coach after the disaster that was Nick Satan in Miami. That being said, I did a check on Petrino’s bio and this is the difference between him and Mora:

1) he has experience as a head coach, so he knows how to deal with managing personalities. Isn’t that what we “fans” wanted? Someone who is experienced in keeping players in check? College or not he knows how to deal with people. Unlike Saban or Spurrier, Petrino started in the NFL as a offensive coordinator.

2) Petrino has proven over the years that he knows offense. Wasn’t that Atlanta’s greatest weakness (other than that p** poor o-line)? When healthy Atlanta’s defense was one of the best. Hopefully they will hire a Defensive Coordinator who can take care of the defense. The biggest complaint was that Atlanta was too conservative under Mora/Knapp. Petrino will open things up and that will allow Vick to AUDIBLE. A spread offense will make them that more dangerous.

3) Vick knows that he is on the hot seat. If that ESPN report is true about Petrino having the option to go to Schaub then Vick knows the onus is on him to step up. I’m sure that handling Vick was the primary factor in hiring a new coach. Perhaps the others had no idea what they were going to do with Vick, who is the franchise like it or not.

I believe Atlanta will become a dominant offense, since Petrino has a proven resume of building great offenses in the pros & college. Also, do you think that Blank was a bit gun shy about hiring another hot assistant with no head coaching experience?

Of course I expect many of you to crap on it like you always do because you don’t know any better, but i’m willing to give this a chance. Welcome Bobby and GO FALCONS!!!!

Remember no one knew about Jimmy Johnson when he came to the pros either, and he was also known as an offensive genius.

By moraman

January 7, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Shame on you Arthur for not hiring Ken Whisenhunt. Nordelli would make a better coach than Petrino.

By scott

January 7, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Terrible choice. Here we go again. I would have rather had a current NFL assistant like Ken or MIke.

By Kel

January 7, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

I’ll let you know once the thug Vick leaves.

By Interested Fan

January 7, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Not sure exactly which direction we (the Falcons organization) are going. This is definitely an interesting choice to coach this team. We have so many other needs that need to be addressed. I’m not saying I’m turning my back on the Falcons but I’m definitely adopting the wait and see approach. Petrino reminds me of Nick Saban, I know his loyalty lies in the almighty dollar. I say just do away with contracts because they are never honored.

By J.D.

January 7, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Yes, Petrino was an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL, but that was only in 2001. He was the Jaguars OC and the team went 6-10. The Jaguars were 21st of 31 teams in scoring (nothing sexy). Also, according to twominutewarning.com, the Jaguars threw 56% of the time on 1st down, 61% of the time on second down, and 81% of the time on third down. All of these percentages of passing plays were the highest of the last nine years for the Jaguars. This tells me that Petrino is a past first guy in the NFL; I seem to remember much of the same at Louisville. This scares me because the Falcons are not a pass first team. This is a team that is built for the run and as much as I haven’t liked the recent Falcons offensive scheme, I think a scheme that throws 2/3rds of the time will definitely fail with this team. If this is the move you were going to make Mr. Blank, you should have just stuck with Mora.

Hopefully I’m wrong about this hire, but I don’t like it for now.

By integrity

January 7, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

For all of you who criticized Nick Sabin for having no integrity by saying he was not leaving Miami to take the Alabama job… Patrino has done the same thing numerous times in the last three years at Louisville. A week after signing an extension of his contract at Louisville, he interviewed with LSU. Interviews at Auburn for his old boss, Tuberville’s, job, while Tommy was still coach. Just saying…

By Joyce

January 7, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Absolutely, maybe we can figure out a way to get Brian Brohm on the Falcons as well. If we have to trade Schaub this coming season for cap considerations, trade him for a first round pick and draft Brohm. We can give Vick one more year with Brohm as back up, then exit Vick when his contract is up.

By jason

January 7, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Falcons 2006 Report Card Mora=F Vick=C Brookings=B Offensive Line=F Hall=C Crumpler=C Blank=D We obviously don’t want a winning team in ATL. We might as well have kept Mora if we’re going to ge another college coach. Reaves coached Vick and the Falcons to a winning record, because he’s a veteran coach. Let’s hire a High School coach next time.

By super lou

January 7, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Please, Please” all of you **IDIOTIC Matt Schaub touters get over yourselves!!! HE wil not, I repeat, will not be the starting quarterback in Atlanta, or anywhere ever in the NFL. Please don’t ever compare him to Brett Favre. He doesn’t have the heart or the arm strength to be in that category. Mike Vick will be a pro bowl performer next year because he will have an offensive minded coach who has SUCCESSFULLY run an NFL offense. They finally found someone who can get the MOST out of Vick’s talents!!

By deadbird

January 7, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

As Falcons fans we certainly don’t “know it all”, but one thing we do know is losing. I for one sit in my seats next to the Dallas, Giants and Steeler fans yelling in my face, so for everyone that says I dont have the right to be upset with this decision, you truly need to think why someone goes to a game in the first place, to see your team have a chance at winning.

As for being fair-weathered, that implies there has been some fair weather at some point in the past. Face the facts people, we have written the guide book on “how not to run an NFL team”. So go ahead and pat Mr. Blank on the back and never, ever demand he consider the miserable past of this team when making decisions about the future. If you dont want to read any negativity about a team then how about win with consistency and professionalism. Until then, I and every Falcons fan has the right to question moves by the management. But I guess since you never complain about losing you are a better fan than me and care more. Truth is you accept losing, and I cannot.

By falcon_fan

January 7, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Its a positive move…and to all vick haters you can take a golf club and shove it up ur asses

By Misled

January 7, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Some idiot posted that Petrino and Ken Whisenhunt had the same amount of NFL experience.

WRONG!

Whisenhunt has been in the NFL for ten years, three years as the offensive coordinator for the Steelers. Petrino has three years in the NFL.

Would Whisenhunt have been a better choice? Probably. Does it matter now that King Arthur has spoken? No.

By JR

January 7, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

An owner with tons of money and no clue about NFL player or coaching talent. An obviously in-over-his-head GM. A punt returner making 130 million trying to be a quarterback. A college coach double-parked for the next big NCAA job. This could be fun. Doesn’t everyone love seeing a good train wreck?

By been there

January 7, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

another college whore..he was ready to bolt for Aubern now Atl..ask the Louiville people

By NoProCoachNoPlayoffs

January 7, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Well, I’ve reveiwed Petrino’s resume. I’m going to be in a wait and see for him. He is no-nonsense. I just hope he can turn it around like Sean Payton did down in N’awlins…

By stephen

January 7, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

I feel better after reading that Bobby P has worked in the NFL. Maybe he can get some of the issues resolved quickly. We need some accountability and discipline.

By phanson6

January 7, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Fast forward to April.. The Falcons select Wr, Ohio State, Ted Ginn Jr. Now try stopping the option now!

By Doug

January 7, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

So the Falcons got a new coach—what about the assistants and most imporantly what about VICK? He is NO NFL quarterback. I don’t know how the rest of team can be efficient when they don’t know what Vick is going to do. I think most of the players are frustrated by his—will I pass on a pass play or will I run, or maybe go in the other direction. It is no wonder the Falcons flounder on the field. The owner should stay in the owners box. As an original Falcon Season ticket holder I gave up years ago becasue of the overall disconnect at all levels. It is time to cut ticket prices again.

By SC

January 7, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

The Falcons needed someone (anyone!) who knows what he is doing offensively. If Petrino is as successful as he was with the Cardinals, then the Dome is going to be packed.

Interesting how quick this decision was made. I wonder if Blank and McKay had all but made their decision before firing Mora …

Also interesting is Blank and McKay’s agreement to Petrino’s condition that he can make the decision on Vick or Shaub.

By Jimmy Johnson

January 7, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

Arthur,You didn’t even bother to give me a courtesy interview. I believe I could have brought Terry and Howie with me.

By blue

January 7, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

For all you people criticing coachs for leaving program with time left on there contract Think about every tome a coach is fired with time left is that ok its a dog eat dog world

By GTVision

January 7, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Now let’s dump Vick make sure we secure Matt Schaub and DJ. If Calvin jumps to NFL, make sure we nail him and we done good.

By rick

January 7, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

birddawg, you are an idiot.

By BroncoFan

January 7, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

You Falcon Fans are funny. You want to get rid of Vick for a Backup!! Can you Say A.J. Feeley!! Keep your new coach trade your backup for receivers and WIN OR become the Eagles who benched Cunningham for McMahon years ago!! Believe me I have a Vandy QB who is the NEXT “ELWAY”. Yes you can laugh at us.

By JIM MORA SR.

January 7, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

**PLAYOFFS??????ARE YOU KIDDIN ME???PLAYOFFS??WITH THIS GUY???PLAYOFFS???

By Red Fox

January 7, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

I am starting to think that the Hawks GM is secretly making all decisions for the Falcons.

By Keith

January 7, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure how this is going to work out. It could be good, Petrino has had success at this level. The Falcons can’t afford to trade #7 (salary cap) so we’re pretty much pot-commited (to use a poker term). I think Petrino could get Vick to reach his potential. My fear is that if Petrino can’t do it, the Falcons will have wasted 10 years on Vick. I do think Vick can lead the team to the super bowl, we were only 1 game away in ‘04

By MusicED

January 7, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Something tells me we are in for another 7-9 season or worse for the next year or possibly longer. Bad move!!!!

By Misled

January 7, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

HEY BLANK!!!

Hiring this guy to coach the Falcons is like hiring the manager of an Ace Hardware to be the next CEO of Home Depot. It might work out, but why take that kind of gamble?

By DB

January 7, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Didn’t know alot about Petrino until I researched him on line. He has very impresssive credentials, successes, past accomplishments and a highly successful winning record with pro experience. He has a proven track record and has been a extremely successful QB, wide receiver, offensive coordinator and head coach. He has also turned around several teams. By the way, something Jim Mora didn’t have or do.

Arthur and McKay hired someone with substance as opposed to just someone with style. Based on the information I read from several sources, Great Hire. Now finally we are on the right track. Go Falcons!

By Brian

January 7, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

College coaches can’t cut it in the NFL. Maybe in two years Cowher will come and rescue us from absurdity.

By Alex

January 7, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

How some of you guys bring everything wrong with the falcons back to vick is beyond me. He is not the one that only called an average of 24 pass attempts a game, thats right on a perfect day he could only have 25 completions on average. And remember he does not pass the ball to himself. lets compare. you guys seem to like Payton Manning he averages at least 34 attempts again. I bet this too is vicks fault that he gets ten less attempts a game he must tell the coach lets reign in the offense and run the same run play over and over again. Hopefully the new coach takes note of this as one area that needs to be addressed. You can’t pass four 4000 yds on 25 attempts a game. Which according to a lot of you would make us win more games. More importantly you can’t run a balanced offense with only 25 attempts per game and we have the talent to run a balanced offense. But the defensive needs a boost also.

By Jrock

January 7, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

Surprised is the best word I can use for this hire. It is obvious this was purely an ofensive hire. Lets say he gets vick and the offense to average 24 or better a game(which would be great). Who will run the defense? What type of defense will they run? Forget vicks development for a second! What about DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams and Michael Boley developing into good if not great players.* I think he will get the right offensive personnel but if we can’t stop anyone it will be a mooked point.**

By A155MM

January 7, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

Did Whisenhunt and the other NFL coaches even get a chance to turn the job down? Did Blank make the choice because he knows a college coach will let him continue to strut on the sidelines?

The current mess isn’t the players fault; it’s Arthur’s, and it is not likely to get better at this rate.

By ro

January 7, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

Well Arthur, I hope this works out for the Falcon’s. We Carolina Fans would love it more if you trade Vick to our Panthers for Delhomme. Carolina would love to have a mobile quarterback that can throw the ball deep to Steve and Keyshawn. C’mon Arthur, listen to your dimwitted fans (Vick detractors) and send him this way! LMAO

By Ken Strickland

January 7, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

WOW, I didn’t know there were so many Falcon fans with merry go round mentalities. For them nothing ever changes, now they’re already predicting doom and gloom for Petrino. Most of them are too football illiterate to know he has successfully coached in the NFL. He has also been very successful as a college HC. How many of the other candidates have any HC experience on any level? At least the overall responsibility of HC won’t be new to him. The level of competition may be different on the college level, but the overall responsibility is very simular.

At least have the good sense to give the man a chance to succeed before you doom him to your preconceived ideas of failure. The fact that other college coaches have failed doesn’t mean he can’t be the 1st to succeed on a big scale. Some of you are like little children that lie, cry and deny when things don’t go your way. You seem so driven by a flood of emotion, preconceived notions and wishful thinking.

The real key to future success, for the HC and the Falcons, will be his choice of assistant coaches. If Mora had made sound professional choices, he would still be the HC, and we would be in the playoffs. He put friendship over competence, and HE got HIMSELF fired. AS AN KNOWLEDGABLE FALCON FAN, I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK MR PETRINO, AND WELCOME TO THE ORGANIZATION. GO FALCONS!!!

By TR

January 7, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Iam very surprised by the decision. Bobby who? Hopefully it will workout. Just in from ESPN News………….ELMO will be coaching the defense.

By Aualum

January 7, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Petrino has NFL experience as an OC, and has an incredible offensive mind. I am OK with the hire as long as it was McKay’s guy and not Blank’s (see Mora over Lovie Smith)

By Rollin Jackson

January 7, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino may become a fine NFL coach - all Falcon fans certainly hope so and only time will tell. The biggest problem with professional sports is: the athletes need to perform their first year with a basic salary; then depending on their first year performance, they will be paid progressively higher each year based on their game performance each following year. Currently, the ridiculous salaries paid in advance do not give them any incentive to play really hard.

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 7, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to comment on integrity only on if Petrino is the best man for the job.First he has been successful at every stop,he runs a pro style offense (that may or may not be good) sorry MV the truth can hurt.I posted earlier today on a uga site the fact that he has never had a recruiting class ranked in the top 25,and yet he fields one top team after another.One concern is the fact that he prefers big players and Mr Blank has said he would match a coach to the talent on this team.Even with all that Petrino is a teacher who has always got the best out of players and is a great game day coach, so I’m excited and optimistic he will get the job done.

By How 'bout 'em Falcons

January 7, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with you people? Why do some of you insist that this is a bad hire? Arthur Blank is a great owner. Rich McKay could get just about any job he wants in the NFL. Did any of you sit in on the interviews of the coaching candidates? You don’t know sh**!! Nobody wants the falcons to be more successful than McKay and Blank! Give them the benefit of the doubt.

As for Petrino? The guy can coach. He will work, study, prepare and demand excellence from this team. He won’t be their buddy like Mora. He’ll be their leader.

Just relax. Support your team and let’s see how it pans out. It should be a lot of fun. Can’t wait for the draft!

By dan

January 7, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

By HARTWELL IS ROBBING US Learn to spell you dumb sonofa@#$%^

By perplexing

January 7, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

On Vick being traded… No way. Salary, alone, will prevent it. And you know how many Falcons fans only have tickets because of him??? Blank surely knows. FOr the record, I REALLY want Vick to work out… but everytime they change systems on him, they are really stunting his growth. I hope this hire works out.

For the few Louisville fans that have written about Nat’l Titles next year… DO you realize how much you are losing this year? There only a handful of teams that can handle losing that many contributors on both side of the ball… and I really don’t believe Louisville is one of them. Don’t get angry with me, it’s merely an opinion.

On Whisenhunt… You heard that Cowher quit, right? Why would he come here, when the Steeler’s job is open?

On Singletary being the DC here… He is the Asst (or Associate) Head Coach at SF. And SF is a more prestigious job than ATL. Also, the competition in the NFC West is weak. Makes you look better when you ARE eventually going to be considered for a HC job.

On Petrino’s NFL “experience”… he was only the OC for one year, from whAt I read in his bio. I wouldn’t call that too much experience.

I hope this works out, but the success of the Asst coaches are much better. Whisenhunt is going to coach the Steelers. So I would much rather have gone with Singletary, Cam Cameron, or the Ron Rivera.

List, off the top of my head, who have been successful after being an NFL asst… Lovie Marvin Lewis Mangini Mike Nolan (they’re on the rise, believe me) Sean Payton And hold your breath… Romeo Crennel. He’ll be competitive, I think.

I’m sure there are more, but I’m not that bored.

Anyway… I guess I’ll be at the Dome next year again.

Go Gators, Go SEC!

By Josh22

January 7, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

I think the pickup of Petrino is a good move. It seems he gains the respect of his players and he knows how to maximize their potential. He should really help our offense get going and put up some points. Now if Petrino is smart he will look for an established defensive coordinater, and im sure Blank will dish out the bucks to make it happen. We should be back in the playoff hunt in 07! go falcons

By _T_E_C_O_

January 7, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

I think were screwed!!! This guy looks like another Steve spurrier. I hope Im wrong and he’s the next Jimmy Johnson. Al Davis wanted this guy last year and he’s been pretty succesful in pickin young coaches so I guess we’ll have 2 see.

By blue

January 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

I will type this slow so you will all understand coachs dont win or lose players do. We would all want Belichik for a coach now but what about after 3 losing seasons with the Browns same coach different players.And he had Brady on the bench it took a injury to his quarterback for Brady to winn 3 supper bowls

By ptra

January 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Great hire. Whisenhunt only had 10 years NFL experience with playoff and Superbowl win. Worst would have been Singletary who is only a hall of fame player with a Superbowl ring. Only has 3 recent years of experience as an NFL coach. Can’t match that 3 years Petrino had at Jacksonville or the college experience of Petrino. Being the head coach at Louisville is a much better experience. That bowl win over Wake Forest is much bigger than any old Superbowl win. I guess the people who love this hire are right. The rest of us don’t know squat.

By Rollin Jackson

January 7, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Petrino will be an excellent coach only if he is able to communicate with all the overpaid and egotistical players on the Falcon squad. Pay for all professional players should never be determined during the first year and should be made progressively higher each year ONLY BASED ON INDIVIDUAL GAME PERFORMANCE. Currently, all professional players have little incentive to play at their peak each game - they already make all the money they will need to generations to come - whether they play hard or not!

By Scooter

January 7, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Great move! I like what I have read about Patrino. Can’t wait to see who we replace Ed and Knapp with. Go Falcons!!!

By Ron, the Titan Fan

January 7, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Good hire in my opinion. If this guy can make “Louisville” a somebody in coach football in a relatively short period of time, then he can’t be any worse than Mora Jr. Maybe with his strong offensive mindset, he can utilize Vick a lot better than the previous Falcon’s coaching regime, and teach the receivers what a football looks like, and how to catch one of them if one is thrown at them!!!!LOL

Oh by the way, Go Tennessee Titans!!!!RON

By perplexed

January 7, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

And also for the record, I would have rather just seen Knapp go.

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 7, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Reading the comparisons to other college to pro coaches the one that comes closest I think is Tom coughlin, they are both very detail oriented, rather stiff,and will never be out worked.

By Jonny

January 7, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Bad move. I don’t think Patrino will be able to kick Vick into shape. Unless he benches Vick for not showing up to practice, shoot, if Vick isn’t the first to practice. We’ll know how Patrino will do if Vick continues acting like a Queen.

By Retnav

January 7, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

I have been a season ticket holder since 88. My gosh how can somebody explain this stupid move. Except one way the front office needed a yes man and they got it now. I wonder if Vick was part of the interview because we all know it is all about him. Blank you have really disappointed me to the max. I thought you really cared about winning but the truth came out tonight. It is all about the money and thats it. I hope you lose your a@@ on this one big time. What a rediculous move you just made. I bet every owner in the NFL are laughing thier butts off at you right now. Sorry college coaches are not successful in the NFL you moron.

By Powerpro

January 7, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Petrino has been the “HOT” coach ever since he left Auburn for Louisville. I believe that he will improve the offense but I hope he can find out a way to draft Brian Brohm ( a Louisville quarterback that already knows his system )and trade Shaub. Once Petrino finds out that Vick is a running back playing quarterback then he can put Brohm in a position to make the Falcons a winner. Just need to keep Mr. Blank from pushing for Vick at the wrong position - QB - too much longer.

By ptra

January 7, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

So Blue (I am typing slowly also) Coaches are not needed? I guess all that coach induced training, planning, scouting, nutrition, etc. is not needed. Hell, let’s just line them up on a Sunday, choose sides and play the game. I would get a big kick out of Mike Vick drawing up plays in the dirt. Mike would just say,” ok, you go up to that 20 marker and turn right, you go to that 15 marker and button hook, you go long.” That would be classic!

By mrejr

January 7, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

On the NFL radio network (Sirius 124), Howard Balzer, respected NFL writer, reported that the Atlanta job was offered to Mike Martz who would only take it if he were allowed to install Matt Schaub as his QB and find something else for Michael Vick to do.

By Falcon Fan

January 7, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

I believe it’s hard to say. College success has not equated to NFL success for head coaches, but someone has to break that trend. I do agree it’s risky hire, but it’s definitely not a terrible hire. Obviously, Blank & McKay felt Petrino had more potential to be successful as an NFL head coach than the NFL assistants available, so all of the naysayers need to tone it down a little and just wait and see.

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 7, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

One thing that occurs is that Calvin Johnson would be a perfect Petrino type receiver.

By ro

January 7, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

For the Falcon Fans who are so sure that their team would be better without Michael Vick, Booby Petrino is a very good choice for your new Haed Coach. He will not tolerate the lack of discipline the team exhibited, this season. He will hold the players accountable for their play or lack of play. Maybe you Falocn Fans should have noticed that quarterbacks need wide receivers that can catch a ball thrown in their hands. Maybe you Falcon Fans should know that Michael Vick doesn’t play defense. If you watch the games on television that played after the Atlanta games, maybe you should noticed how much longer, the Mannings, Tom Brady and Romo have to allow thier receivers to get open. Maybe you Falcon Fans will notice that your O-line looks like a group of midgets compared to the rest of the NFL O-lines. HMMMM, maybe there is another reason you Vick-haters show such comtempt for your quarterback. What could that be?

By luke

January 7, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

No doubt in my mind the other candidates told Blank they weren’t about to take the reins of a losing organization with the knowledge that they were stuck with Vick. Petrino’s a college smuck who saw dollar signs and knew he could tough it out with the RB-Vick until he lands himself another job.

This is what happens, Arthur, when you have a scab QB that you put your whole franchise on.

By C from Marietta

January 7, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Here come the doomsayers. Give the guy a chance. He is a great offensive mind. He runs a balanced offense. Something that has been lacking here in Hotlanta. Just cause you have been a season ticket holder since blah blah. Does’nt mean you know st about football. If you continued to pay good money to watch this cr*ppy franchise. It tells me you don’t know st. BTW…. he was succesful as a NFL coach.

By Clean Dirty Bird

January 7, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Biiiiiig risk. If it fails, Vick will be on the down half of his career…what a waste of 100mil…and why is Blank writing blank checks left and right - over paid for this coach

By C from Marietta

January 7, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

To Luke:

Get a freakin clue. Your hatred for Vick is blinding your logic. That is just about the most idiotic blog I have read in a longtime.

By cool breeze

January 7, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino has had success in louisville with two CONVENTIONAL drop back nfl type qb’s like a matt schaub who ran a pro style offense in college. Atlanta fans who don’t see what matt schaub is are blind. The guy has SKILLS. If vick doesn’t get more accurate and perform matt is going to take his spot and if matt leaves in free agency they will be bringing brohm from louisvile to atlanta in the draft. bank on it

By caleb

January 7, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

Let see if the man can help Vick turn it around cause he is really not the blame need good offensive cord. atlanta fan love to hate vick for whatever reason.

By Mark

January 7, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

First of all, a lot of you clowns are giving the head coach far too much credit in whether ball games are won or not. The players win ball games. Secondly, it is completely unfair to call Spurrier and Saban’s time in the NFL a failure, and even more absurd to use that as a gauge by which to justify your disapproval of Petrino’s hiring. Spurrier and Saban both took off for the money and inherited lackluster NFL franchises that would have failed under Belichick, Gruden, or whoever else is supposedly a good coach these days. Turning a franchise into a winner in only 2 years is too much to ask from anyone.

I think Petrino has the tools to be a fine coach in the NFL.

By Phat Phalcon

January 7, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Those who believe that Petrino will dive into the next BCS job…

HE WAS OFFERED THE LSU AND AUBURN JOBS. HE TURNED THEM DOWN, ALONG WITH THE RAIDERS.

I won’t sit here and pretend to know the future but I think many people are missing the big picture. Petrino has three years in the NFL, one as a coordinator. Check Whisenhunt’s resume. He came in on Mularkey’s coat tails running the same offense. Singletary was politicking for a job four years ago, saying he’d work for free. I could care less what he did as a player…most great coaches weren’t great players. The key, I believe, was that neither of these have ever run their own show. Mora is gone because he struggled to spin all the plates and manage every aspect of the team, as evidenced by his PR gaffes and the fact that the team failed in a different area each week. Cameron and Petrino have both head coached (albeit at the college level) , meaning they had to be THE man, build and manage a staff, and run the show. Cameron failed miserably at Indiana while Petrino enjoyed rousing success at Louisville, winning over 80 percent. I’m glad they got a coach accustomed to being the head man and I’ll bet he surrounds himself with good people. Del Rio for DC if he’s out in Jax?

By Samuel I AM

January 7, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

This is a great hire by the Falcons. Should be a perfect fit for the Falcons,Vick or Schaub.

By ptra

January 7, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

Luke is a little extreme but he is a bit right. Vick has never, EVER completed 60% of his passes in a season. This included Reeves and Mora, playoff and non-playoff seasons, good receivers and bad. He has not been a very good passing quarterback. He has great skills but has not shown to be a leader and never challanges the other players to do better. He better step up now or no more excuses.

By Dejay

January 7, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

My my, it didn’t take long for everyone to tout off judgment on the new hire. While I may not be the biggest Bobby Petrino fan in the world, I would say that he is a pretty good coach, especially considering what Louisville was before he got there. Whether that translates to the pros, well, it remains to be seen and that’s where I’ll leave it for now. A shakeup in the offensive line wouldn’t be a bad place for Petrino to start, though. You don’t hire Walmart security to protect a Kay Jewelry store and you shouldn’t depend on 2nd-3rd caliber linemen to protect your $130 million investment in the backfield, either. Just my opinion.

As for some folks calling out Arthur Blank, I have a quick question for you. Where would this team be without AB in charge? Probably in route to Los Angeles or San Antonio by now, if they weren’t there already. Considering the Family Dollar-style tactics Time Warner is using right now to run the Braves into the ground and the absentee ownership the Hawks are getting from the Spirit group (in spirit only because there isn’t a live body who can legally claim he’s in charge), Blank has been a blessing and a half. He’s brought a passion of wanting to win big to an franchise that was in desperate need of it. Is he perfect? Of course not, but I’ll take his willingness to spend $$$ to win over what I saw when the Smiths ran the show.

I’ll hold out on Petrino; folks waited on Jimmy Johnson in Dallas and for Bill Walsh in San Francisco when they left the college game. Neither of their teams went 14-2 their first season. I did hear of them making a slight adjustment or two to get better…

By Falcon4Life

January 7, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

This is a risk, but I am ready to roll with it. Time to support the new coach.

The fact that this comes only 6 days after the firing of Mora tells me that in Blanks mind, Mora was fired immediatly after Mora’s Huskies comments. IMO Blank had his top dogs looking at potential coaches 3 weeks ago and had a good idea who he was targeting well before the offical firing of Mora.

Also, the Falcons have an incredible smoke machine as I am guessing that Singletary and Wisenhunt were not at the top of the list as everyone thought.

I am happy to see that this hire came down sooner than later. There are several coaching jobs opening up and each time a coach gets hired, another canidate comes off the list. Also, this gives us a chance to go after the staff that we want before the other new coaches get a chance.

Petrino has NFL experiance as a QB coach and OC and is an offensive guru. Thats good news for us.

Welcome coach Bobby, I hope you have continued success.

By Blake50

January 7, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Great Hire! Bye, Bye Coach Killer Michael Vick. See ya! Fire up one up and toke it in Oakland.

By ptra

January 8, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Washington and Miami lackluster franchises? That is hilarious. I have to know, where do you think Atlanta fits in that group. Come on, I need a laugh.

By Tom

January 8, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

I just want an Atlanta team that can actually win for a change. Whether it’s the Falcons, Braves, Hawks or Thrashers, I don’t care. We need to restore some sports pride back into our city instead of being a joke. The Falcon’s looked decent for the 1st few games of this season & then took a turn for the worse. The Braves did the same & lost the NL East pennant to the Mets (of all teams). They get our hopes up every year & then crash & burn usually when making it to the postseason but didn’t even get close this year. The Hawks looked promising the 1st half of the season & look at them now, it’s gotten ugly. The Trashers are in the same predicament. Oh well, I guess I will pin my hope’s, once again, on the Braves this year, maybe they will have a repeat of the ‘95 season. The Falcon’s? Well, I am trying to forget this season so I don’t even want to think about next season until August.

By Trade Vick

January 8, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

Welcome Coach Petrino!!

We, the people and fans of Atlanta, have NO PROBLEM with trading Mike Vick!!

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 8, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

RO don’t you ever get tired of the race baiting,it’s about FOOTBALL!!

By SAINTS FANS

January 8, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

THANKS, ROTLFLMAO

By Greg

January 8, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

Vick is a great RB playing QB with no leadership skills. Because he can run a 4.2 40, he sells seats, so he stays at QB. He overthrows/underthrows his wr’s
as often as they drop his passes. As a Pittsburgh fan, I hated how long we kept Kordell Stewart. I hope Petrino will see VIck for what he is, so the Falcons can get over the hump and win a Super Bowl.

By alan

January 8, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Who really thinks B.P. will be here in 5 years. He is just another merc looking for the next job. How about hiring somebody that really gives a damn about our team. I would rather go 8 and 8 with Dan Reeves than make the playoff’s with a legal prostitute using our team as a stepping stone to the next team that will pay him more. Unbelievable!!

By GARY

January 8, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

I HATE VICK!

TRADE VICK!

WELL, NO, NOT REALLY.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT OUT LOUD ONCE TO SEE IF IT MADE ME FEEL GOOD OR SOMETHING SINCE EXPRESSING STUPIDITY SEEMS TO BE SO POPULAR WITH MANY OF YOU.

NOPE, IT DID NOT WORK.

SORRY

By FrankTheGenius

January 8, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

By Louisville _hater

January 8, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

You can have him he is overrated and sucks he will fit in with a bunch of losers like your falcons

By blue

January 8, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

Ptra i did no say you dont need coaches but players win games not coachs. Just tell me why Belicheck could not win at the browns. Let me tell you what i think no players.Gibbs cant rebuild the redskins,Parcells Cant do anything with the cowboys,Grudin sux now i can go on but see my point

By D-Man

January 8, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

This blog isn’t about Vick its about the coach….I hope Vick gets a trade to get away from these fair weather damn fans.

I also hope this coach knows what he’s getting into and understand how solid our Defense needs to be.

For all you Tony Nomo fans I hope you’ve seen what he does under pressure, I’ve never seen Vick play like that or through that many ackward passes not to say he doesn’t throw any but they are not as many as Tony Nomo threw in that playoff game.

By Stephen

January 8, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

First of all you can win with Vick at Quarterback, he didn’t have a great season but there are about 20 other players on this team that failed us this season. So if your going to throw Vick under the bus then a few other names need to be right beside his.

Second, more coaches have failed at the head coaching level besides college coaches. Cordinaters fail all the time, but everybody keeps hiring other cordinaters and your all ok with that. There has been college coaches succeed as NFL head coaches in NFL history and there will be others. Patrino is as good of choice as anybody else. We won’t know anything about this guy or any of the other cordinaters ya’ll like until this time next year. But this is as fine of choice as any other.

Goodluck Vick and Patrino, don’t listen to these guys.

Were do I feel out my season ticket renewal. Cause I’m a Falcons fan and no matter who is wearing the black and red I want to be in the dome screaming my heart out for them.

By Peerless' Mama

January 8, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

Now that most of the rednecks have gone to sleep…..YA’LL NEED TO GET MY BOY!!!!!!!!

At least he didn’t call out the job by name and deny it ala Nick Satan.

Yeah, we pay attention to college a bit.

GO VOLS!!!!!!

By BOBO

January 8, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

Great job, Petrino will do a great job with the Falcons. True Fans should give Coach Petrino your support and blessing . He will need it!

By Bonequeesha

January 8, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

It amazes me how EVERYONE likes to blame Vick for Atlanta’s woes. Vick and Crumpler were the ONLY play makers on the Falcons THE ENTIRE YEAR. Tell me what other NFL team that is currently in the Playoffs that has ONLY TWO consistent Play Makers? Yall need to get off Vick’s back as does the rest of Atlanta’s offensive players. Dunn was less than effective, but we really can’t blame that on him, THEY didn’t really give him the ball. Norwood sat most of the season. I won’t even mention the receivers. For all you Shaub suckers put him behind that Offensive line and with his mobility let’s watch him get Trent Greened. Petrino will do the same as Mora. Three and out.

By Stephen

January 8, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

You IDIOTS are going to run the best thing to ever happen to this franchise outside of Blank right out of Town.

Where the hell was this franchise before Vick? We’ve been to the playoffs multiple times with him and it actually feels like an NFL city down at the dome on Sundays. I never felt that vibe before number seven.

Y’all are jaded and are turning Vick into what all of you have turned the Braves into. about 25 or 26 other baseball franchises would have traded places with the Braves over the last 15 years but it isn’t even good enough to get y’all to the Ted. Don’t turn Vick into something similar.

By What The?

January 8, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

The guy that is available that has the most NFL coaching experience to put the Falcons back into the playoffs with this current roster is DENNIS GREEN!!! Damn, what happened in Arizona. Dennis Green had to rebuild that team. Now some other coach is going to enjoy the fruits of his labor, just like when Tony Dungy got fired and Grunden won a championship with HIS squad in Tampa.

Dennis Green is still a good coach. He would have made a better coach than Patrino. Has Mr. Blank lost his Home Depot mind? By the way, how many minorities does he have in key positions in either of his organizations? This isn’t about race, but… The most proven available candidate out there is Dennis Green, given the current roster. He would have the best scheme for a Michael Vick. Patrino has only coached pocket passers. Those of you out there that think that this is going to work, I hope that you are right. But, I don’t think that this was a good hire. Has Mr. Blank payed any attention to the success rate of college-turned-pro coaches lately?

You mean to tell me that Norm Chow was not interested? Damn, if Vick is your guy, you need a coach that will be able to utilize his talent.

By herewegoagain

January 8, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

This is all about having a coach that can be controled as far as vick is concerned. To hire someone on the basis of one player is a surefire plan for failure.

By Kim

January 8, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

Davis, Spurrier and Saban all failed. Why would Petrino be any better? Vick is the problem, not the coach, Mora lost his players after that stupid comment about becoming the new coach at UW. He says he was joking, sounded serious to me, so maybe now he will get his wish. Vick seems disgusted and angry; I would be too if in the last 5-years I had to learn 3 new systems. The Falcons need to do a better job of getting the right coaches to deal with the personnel. Petrino may have a rep as a QB handler, but the only pro QB’s he’s handled are Jake Plummer and Mark Brunell, ummm last I looked, both got benched in favor of rookie QB’s. I just don’t know what to think about this hire. Kudos to Blank though, can’t say he’s not committed to winning.

By Eugene

January 8, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

I believe where the Atlanta Falcons are headed other professional football teams will soon follow. Should an NFL team risk hiring the coach of Boise State as their head coach?

By JOE A

January 8, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

you people are retarded to think getting rid of Vick is the solution. Last I checked Schaub has never won a game. Get a F’ing clue!

By verbal

January 8, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

Suprise choice!!! Could be great worked with the Jags(QB Coach) and Auburn (QB Coach-Helped Jason Campbell). The Biggest Problem is the people that write DUMB Blogs, you’re don’t Know Football. Vick isn’t problem, it’s the small offensive line, overpaying 2nd tier players, Bad Receivers,Garbage Secondary, Wrong Defense (Run the 3-4 with Demorrio ). Trade Schaub to Oakland For Randy Moss ( If Schaub was a starter he would took Vick spot before the Long Contract, He just got ONE WIN!!!!! people compared to least 30…..)

By TEDDY JACK EDDY

January 8, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

Nothing is a sure thing!I thought Joe Gibbs was a great get for Washington and big tuna will have next sunday off. But if you know what you’re seeing Petrino coaches’ a very advanced pro style game, he has been successful everywhere he’s been.Urban the legend is a great college coach but his offenses are college style that was the problem with spurrier,well that and tee time! this is more like J. Johnson and even more like Tom Coughlin than those made for the ncaa offenses.

By Snuffy Smith

January 8, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

I hope you IDIOTS get your wish and they trade Vick to Tampa Bay. That way he can Beat us TWICE a year and once in the first round of the Playoffs (Yeah right like that is going to happen). Then you slobs will be moaning about how we let him get away and WHY did they trade him to a team in our division. CRUMBS Atlanta has SO many Super Bowl Championship banners hanging from the rafters, I almost forgot.

By Jack

January 8, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

I will wait and see what Petrino can do. He was on my short wish list along with: Martz, Ryan(Oakland Defensive coach) Frigden from Maryland and Mike Sherman. I wish RP well and I hope that it is the right hire. Now lets dump McKay and find someone that knows how to draft. We have wasted more 1st and 2nd round picks than any other team in the history of sports!

By What The?

January 8, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

VICK IS NOT THE PROBLEM HERE PEOPLE!!! The man has shown you what he can do, given time to throw the damn ball!

Think of the best QB ever… Put him under center with this current offensive line…. Say your magic words… And, he is not the best QB ever anymore!!!!

Fire Rich McKay!!! This idiot can’t seem to see what the REAL problem is… The Offensive line.

Let me ask you Vick hater’s this… Why is it that Mr. Blank won’t get rid of Vick? Answer: He does not want to see Vick on another team and make the mistake like the Smiths did with Brett Farve. Yeah, Schaub is a pretty good QB. But, he can’t do what Mike can do. Have you looked at the attendance numbers since Vick joined the Falcons? Ultimately, this is a business decision that has made Mr. Blank a good deal of money. That is what you Vick hater’s need to get through your thick skulls!!!

By Kdub

January 8, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure if this was the best hire, since there are many good NFL coordinator that we could have chose from. Only time will tell.

As far as those who think we should trade Vick and start Schaub, keep in mind that Schaub would still have to play behind the same offensive line that remains inconsistent, and throw to the same receivers who tend to drop a lot of passes and have never required a double team. We haven’t had receivers consistently draw double teams since Tony Martin and Terrance Mathis in ‘98.

Maybe no one remembers that Schaub has yet to win an NFL game, whether as a starter, or in mop up duty. Was his performance against the Eagles(1TD, 1INT) that impressive, especially against the second and third string defense?? At least Vick threw a TD and no INT’s against the starting defense. Schaub had the opportunity to win that game, and didn’t.

For those who place all of their cards on his ‘05 performance against the Patriots(which was a loss), remember that Richard Seymour, Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Eugene Wilson, and Randall Gay did not play(wow, that 3 out of 4 starters in their secondary, as well as the two best defensive players on their team). He was suppose to put up good stats against a team that was missing 5 defensive starters.

Trade Schaub for a 1st and 3rd round draft pick, then we can surround Vick with the talent that is needed to effectively run an offense, as well as put playmakers on defense.

No matter who the quarterback is, he must have a good supporting cast. As of now, until he proves otherwise, Matt Schaub is Doug Johnson to me. Then again, at least Doug Johnson won a few games which he started.

Stop blaming Vick for all of the Falcons problems.

By Stan Schmenge

January 8, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

Is it too late to sell the team back to Jed, Jr.?

ha ha, just kidding Mr. B., I know you read these bloggs, don’t wanna to upset you.

ATB, Stanley

By David Allison

January 8, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Ok for all you folks saying we need someone with pro exp…uhhh he HAS it at jacksonville being the OC and qbs coach last time i checked that’s NFL.

By Raython Chom

January 8, 2007 01:03 AM | Link to this

I wonder if knows Cornel Sanders

By cirehol

January 8, 2007 01:25 AM | Link to this

this will be interesting. have not seen many college coaches have success in th NFL

By Sir Leftfoot Jones

January 8, 2007 01:27 AM | Link to this

Two words. Jimmy Johnson! Well here some more words. Blanks had to often Coach P the job right after Mora made that dumb comment. Because this was a quick move. Maybe a smart move because the Steelers are going to give the head coach job to Whisenhunt. Can’t wait to see what he is going to do in the 2007 draft. Then I will decide if he is a cool coach or not. Anyway Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!

By max

January 8, 2007 01:27 AM | Link to this

I Dont Think Much Of The Hire Either..However, I Did NOT Like Any Of The Canidates Mentioned In The Papers! Was Hopeful There Was “Something” Behind The Scenes With Bill Cower..Oh Well, I Dont Spend The $ Supporting The Falcons..Just Watch Games On T.V. Or Listen On The Radio..They Have Been A Sorry A$$ Franchise Since The Beginning And Continue To Be A Sorry A## Franchise!! Way To Go Blank/McKay!!

By Feudfinder

January 8, 2007 01:32 AM | Link to this

I don’t know much about this coach, but all I can say is that it is time for Mike Vick to tighten his belt. There is no more time for same input same result, otherwise, it is going to be a long season from the bench. I hate for you to be the stinking player on the team.

By NCR

January 8, 2007 01:33 AM | Link to this

McKay is a LIAR! He said there was “no timetable” when they would hire a coach. Not 1 day, not 1 week, not several weeks. And what does he do? Not even a full week goes by and he hired a college coach.

Can you imagine how much REJECTION the Falcons got this week from their interviews??? They apparently interviewed at least 3-4 NFL coordinators, and NOT ONE must of wanted the job. NOT A SINGLE ONE!!!

And so, the braintrust thinks that hiring another “offensive-minded” college coach is the answer. You should of kept Mora, at least he has 3 years NFL experience now. And he wasn’t the real problem (outside of his own personal goofs).

The problem remains: still don’t know how to treat Vick, still don’t have 1st string WR’s, still have a ‘soft’ line.

Great, so now Vick can run for 2000 yards in a season, and still we get nowhere. Unbelievablely dim-witted on Falcons management.

At least if you had gotten one of these talked-about NFL coordinators, then the public wouldn’t 2nd guess you if they started going downhill.

But now, welcome to all the naysayers that are going to 2nd guess hiring another college coach. College and NFL are different. God, why are you guys soooooooo Fcking stupid??!?!?

By Ken Strickland

January 8, 2007 01:38 AM | Link to this

Just a bit of info for those cry babies having fits over hiring a college coach with NFL experience. Some of you CRY BABIES/FOOTBALL ILLITERATES, have used Saban, Davis and Spurrier to justify your doom and gloom predictions for Petrino. Remember HOF NFL coach Bill Walsh, of 49’er and the WC OFF fame? How about former coach and analyst Jimmy Johnson? Yes, the same Jimmy Johnson some of you have been promoting as a viable HC candidate. The Vikings, after Bud Grant, were a floundering franchise, until they hired a college coach from Stanford named Dennis Green. He changed the face of that franchise and went on to create one of the NFL’s greatest OFF. Remember, a missed FG against the Falcons kept them form a trip to the SB.

Let me show you how truly stupid it is to predict instant failure for Patrino based on the failures of a few other college coaches. There have been far, far more NFL assistants hired as NFL HC’s than college coaches. Therefore, the assistants have produced more successful HC’s, but they have also produced far more failures. The Falcons have had 3 examples of this( Donatell, Mora, Knapp)on the payroll the last 3yrs. You also failed to mention the college coaches that have had NFL success. IF YOUR FOCUS IS ALWAYS ON THE GLASS BEING HALF EMPTY, YOU WILL USUALLY END UP HAVING A NEGATIVE, ONE DIMENTIONAL, AND OFTEN UNINFORMED PERSPECTIVE.

By Laurence

January 8, 2007 01:45 AM | Link to this

Mora Jr. has more class than the foul-mouthed Bobby Petrino who will get ZERO results getting in a cussing match with Michael Vick. This is the worst move the Falcons could have made. Petrino will be fired by midseason after the Falcons start 1-7. His screaming might work with college kids afraid to lose their scholarships but not with a bunch of overpaid prima donnas.. I don’t understand this move. Not at all.

By Corrie J. McCrary

January 8, 2007 01:49 AM | Link to this

Very poor choose. I saw this man go into a tire rade over a call that was made in the Orange Bowl against Wake Forrest. The call was reviewed by the ref’s and there was undisputable evidence that the right call was made. But Petrino lost his cool big time over a call that was reviewed on video and was the correct call. Can this man keep his cool in the high powered game of the NFL. I don’t think so. But we will see.

By Cap

January 8, 2007 01:54 AM | Link to this

Horrible move. Almost no college coaches make the successful transition into the NFL. Has Blank not watched the Nick Saban saga unfold? And no college coach has been successful in the free agency era. Period. Even Jimmy Johnson tanked in Dallas (and then with Miami) when salary-cap restrictions were put in place. I was looking forward to Matt Schaub being traded for picks (or pro bowl caliber veteran) to get offensive line help and Ted Ginn Jr. being drafted to give Michael Vick the Santana Moss-playmaker-come back to the ball and get yards after the catch-style wide receiver he has lacked his whole career. I’ve got a sinking feeling that come opening day Vick will be gone and somehow a number one pick will have been used on Brian Brohm. Brohm and Schaub will battle for the privelege to QB a team with no inside running game, no pass blocking, and no playmaking wide receivers. However, the defense will be healthy and likely very good. But then again so was Oakland’s defense this year and look where that got the Raiders.

By The Thin Guy

January 8, 2007 02:01 AM | Link to this

Now the Falcons will be able to beat Wake Forest. Mora, Vick, and Dunn are all 4 letter words. We need to be rid of all 3. A running back QB and a midget running back aren’t going to win. All championship teams have great defenses. Start there. The Bears have the best team in football and they have Rex Grossman as QB. QB sell tickets they don’t win games.

By kg

January 8, 2007 02:04 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, according to most of these blogs, the hiring of Jimmy Johnson out of the college ranks was the biggest bonehead hire ever. Before his hiring, no college coach was ever successful in the college ranks. As for questioning his integrity, I’m assuming that none of you would leave your current employer if a head hunter came to you and doubled your salary? Give me a break. Hiring Mora was risky, he had no head coaching experience. From what I’ve read, Petrino is a Dick Vermeil type, very focused, very organized, very passionate about the game. My feeling is that players who don’t have the same passion for the game are going to be gone. Don’t look for any of his teams to fold in the last half of the season. So he only stays for 3 years, he just might win a Super Bowl in that time. I wanted Whisenhunt, but this sounds like a better hire. At the very least, the Falcons offense will not be predictable. Also sound like, if Vick doesn’t pick up the system, then he could be gone.

By Matt

January 8, 2007 02:05 AM | Link to this

im from louisville and have followed them through the entire petrino era. one thing i do know is he does not know how to stop mobile quarterbacks such as mike, or little brother marcus. what this means to me is that he doesnt understand this type of quarterback and doesnt know how to use them. if he knew how they worked or how to use them he would be able to stop them somehow, but he hasnt. for four years at louisville he has been shady. expect a real offensive genious, but a man who does not stick to his word. just like saban at miami, petrino while at louisville said he wasnt interested in any other jobs. just beware he isnt true to his word, not a true southern gentleman. good luck ATL, and i hope your players can abide by his strict guidelines.

By Tampaparrotthead

January 8, 2007 02:08 AM | Link to this

I’ll say this and leave it at that… “He ain’t here yet!”

By Laurence

January 8, 2007 02:09 AM | Link to this

Mora Jr. has more class than the foul-mouthed Bobby Petrino who will be fired midway through his first season with the Falcons after a 1-7 start. His screaming and sideline ranting might work with college athletes worried about losing their scholarships but not with overpaid prima donnas like Michael Vick. This is a bad choice Mr. Blank. Not at all.

By Speakingwhatsreallyoneveryonesmind

January 8, 2007 02:44 AM | Link to this

It wasn’t Mora’s fault, this is what you get when the most atheltically-blessed moron tries to run an offense

By Speakingwhatsreallyoneveryonesmind

January 8, 2007 02:45 AM | Link to this

It wasn’t Mora’s fault, this is what happens when the most athletically-blessed moron tries to run an offense… GET RID OF VICK

By Cap

January 8, 2007 02:54 AM | Link to this

I’m becoming convinced that Vick will not be here next season because of a very creepy history of another horrible NFL franchise. For all of you “old timers” who can remember, isn’t Vick’s career becoming eerily similar to that of both Doug Williams and Steve Young? Obviously the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the worst team of their first few years of existence and until Tony Dungy the Bucs were essentially considered the worst team of the modern era below the Falcons, Lions, Saints, and Cardinals. Even the Bengals had a respectable body of work in the 1980s. But the youth forget that for about a four-year span between 1979-82 beginning with Doug Williams second season in the pros the woeful Bucs only a few years old were the class of the NFC Central and sometime conference contenders. It is amazing to see the parallels (even though it was almost 30 years ago but rednecks and hillbillies are amazingly still around in full force in Atlanta) but just like Vick and the Falcons, at the time in Williams mid-20s when he should have been able to rely on a solid veteran core, good players just weren’t there due to poor drafting (and the illness of Ricky Bell). When the Bucs began to show they were really a one-man team on offense of course the racists started sending him hate mail and harassing him at his own home stadium. Williams bolted to the USFL and came back to the NFL to produce the best QB performance ever to that date (in 1988) in the Super Bowl and won the NFL championship for the Redskins. Tampa Bay ran him out of town when Williams turned 27. Michael Vick is turning 27 this year. But it is similarly creepy of how Vick, not yet even in is prime, is being wished away by racists. But we all know what happened to the Bucs. After Williams left they became so horrible that their number one draft picks (most notably Bo Jackson) would not even play for them. After the USFL collapsed and both Doug Williams and Steve Young came back to the NFL, Young played two seasons for Tampa Bay. In his final season his numbers were in 14 games a 53.7% completion rate for 2282 yards and 425 yards rushing. Very similar to Vick’s numbers this year except Vick threw 12 more touchdowns than Young (Young threw for 8 TDs and 13 INTS) and rushed for 700 more yards. But the Bucs got rid of Young at the age of 26. Michael Vick is 26. We also know that Young would win a championship for the 49ers a full seven years after leaving Tampa Bay. Are you haters sure you want the Atlanta Falcons to give up on Vick at the age of 26 going on 27? Look what a similar situation did to the Buccaneers. Twice.

By Richard

January 8, 2007 03:30 AM | Link to this

Vick deserves better than the thankless Atlanta fans. I can’t wait for him to get traded so I can follow whatever team he’s on.

By hitwriter

January 8, 2007 03:46 AM | Link to this

Wow! Shocked… could this be the begining of the end for Vick in Atlanta… could Cowher be on the radar for 2009? Stay tuned!

By Tom

January 8, 2007 04:08 AM | Link to this

Blank should stick to being Bernie Marcus’s accountant. He may be a numbers cruncher but this is the effing stupidist think I have ever heard. You know, Blank did not think the aquarium would bring in even 1/3 the numbers it did in the first year. What a dumbass. He clearly has no understanding of the sport of football. I’ll think I’ll just buy Direct Tv and get the NFL ticket and follow the Bears. You know it is effing stupid when Mark Bradley is spooging all over himself in euphoria over something.

By Get Real

January 8, 2007 04:09 AM | Link to this

Typical Falcons-joke selection. This no-name wins at a low-level college school. Welcome to the NFL. Just look at Spurrier’s record. And Saban. And Holtz. and Butch Davis. And so forth. Of course, this being the Falcons, this was probably the best they could do. I mean, really, do you think Whisenhunt would take THIS job when he has a chance to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers? A REAL team.

By Dorkydad

January 8, 2007 04:13 AM | Link to this

When will Blank ever learn? Mark my words: in 3 years, Petrino will be out and we’ll be starting this whole search process once again—deja vu!

Christ, maybe McKay is the problem?

At least Blank won’t have to change the juvenile manner in which he adds “y” to the end of his head coach’s first name since Petrino is already known as “Bobby”.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

January 8, 2007 04:44 AM | Link to this

Atlanta franchises make my head hurt. They never do what winning teams do, maybe THAT’s why they never win. When is the last time a college coach came upt to the NFL and won? Jimmy Johnson is THE only one I can think of and that’s one my WHOLE life! With all the proven coaches that have PROFESSIONAL experience why get someone that doesn’t? There goes my season tickets, I’m through torturing myself, I’ll just watch this fiasco free on t.v. Vick, it was nice knowing you. After this, the beginning of the end of your career has unfortunately began. They will use this to get rid of you for sure now. Never have I seen one city with franchises that make strange moves across the board. Bobby Cox and his loyalty to loser pitchers, the Hawks and their owners and terrible drafts, now Blank has gone crazy too. How do you trust a guy that just saidhe would never leave Louisville and signed a major contract with to supposedly confirm that just ONE year ago? I already don’t like the guy just off that. He must have went to the Larry Brown/Nick Saban school of liars and as soon as the heat goes up here, he’ll be gone. Blank what the @#$% are you thinking?

By kris in alpharetta

January 8, 2007 04:45 AM | Link to this

Apparently the man has NFL credentials since he worked with the Jaguars for a few years. Coincidentally, Mark Brunell was the Jags’ quarterback back then and I remember Petrino receiving high praise for developing Brunell, who was excellent at that time, leading the Jags to the AFC Championship in 2000. Good luck to the new coach! I hope this is the beginning of much better days for the Falcons! We know they have the potential, the talent, and the resources to become legendary in this league.

As fans, we get disgusted with the team because we know they can do so much better than the half hearted pathetic “playing” e have seen in recent years. I think its safe to say the majority of fans in Atlanta either believe in- or want to believe in -this team, whether most admit it or not, and it explains why so many people take the time to participate in this forum. Mr. Blank, it has beeen said repeatedly that Atlanta fans are sore losers and unenthusiastic. Well, fine, then give us a reason to get enthused: Give us consecutive winning seasons, sensible play calling, sensible staffing decisions, and a common sense effort to actually go out on that field and win as opposed to baiting the press and playing The Blame Game. Right now, the Falcons resemble a very expensive and totally disorganized stage show attraction.One good decision was made in getting rid of Mora. I can’t help but feel this is a very important turning point in the history of this city and this team. Hopefully, they can capitalize on these new possibilities. And by all means get rid of Knapp! Its time to turn this thing around.

By B_Bro

January 8, 2007 04:54 AM | Link to this

I love your selection “Tampa Bay Fan”

By JUST D.

January 8, 2007 04:58 AM | Link to this

HERE’S SOME VERY IMPORTANT NEWS AND ADVICE TO TOM, HITRIDER, GET REAL AND THE REST OF YOU WHO SUPPORT THEM……TAKE YALL SORRY AZ$S TO ANOTHER CITY AND ROOT FOR THEM, STOP READING ABOUT THE FALCONS, STOP COMMENTING ON THE FALCONS, STOP WATCHING THE FALCONS AND MOST OF ALL STOP ATTENDING THE FALCONS GAMES! THAT SHOULD MAKE EVERYONE OF YOU SAPSUCKING LOW LIFES HAPPY! NOW IF YOU CONTINUE TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THESE ATLANTA FALCONS WHICH YOU DON’T SUPPORT, THEN I SUGGEST ALL OF YOU READ THE AJC REPORT ON DEAD IN THE MENTAL HOSPITALS…WHICH MEANS EITHER COMMIT YOURSELF TO A MENTAL WARD, GET THE HEL$ OUT OF ATLANTA OR BETTER YET, KILL YOUR DAM$ SELF FOR ALL THAT MATTERS…BUT PLEASE, PLEASE STOP POSTING YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT A TEAM YOU DON’T LIKE, YOU DON’T SUPPORT AND ABOUT A MAN (VICK) YOU HATE! JUST GRAB YOUR KIN FOLKS, YOUR VOLKSWAGON BEETLES AND MOVE BACK TO THE HILLS YOU CAME FROM! OH, AND DON’T FORGET YOUR WINDOWS 95 COMPUTERS YOU ARE USING!!

TO ALL THE OLD FALCONS FANS WHO KNOW THIS TEAM WHEN IT WAS OWNED BY THE SMITHS I KNOW YOU ALSO APPRECIATE ARTHUR BLANK AND FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO FOR THIS FRANCHISE…. WELCOME TO ATLANTA COACH, PLEASE EXCUSE US AS WE THROW OUT OUR DIRTY WHITE TRASH AND OUR SPOILED ROTTEN UNCLE TOM’S!!!

By B_Bro

January 8, 2007 05:10 AM | Link to this

If y’all don’t want Vick here we’ll be glad to take him in Tampa. And the fellow that was making the errie comparison from Vick to Doug Williams has obviously been smoking way too much of that Atlanta ghetto weed. Whatever Tampa did and didn’t do did end up in some trips to the playoffs and eventually a Superbowl Championship. Although I do think that hiring a college coach is like starting completely over again and I personally would of went after a good quarterback coach in the NFL. Good Luck Atlnata you’ll need it, oh by the way..
“Go Gators”

By JUST D.

January 8, 2007 05:11 AM | Link to this

HERE’S SOME VERY IMPORTANT NEWS AND ADVICE TO TOM, HITRIDER, GET REAL AND THE REST OF YOU WHO SUPPORT THEM……TAKE YALL SORRY AZ$S TO ANOTHER CITY AND ROOT FOR THEM, STOP READING ABOUT THE FALCONS, STOP COMMENTING ON THE FALCONS, STOP WATCHING THE FALCONS AND MOST OF ALL STOP ATTENDING THE FALCONS GAMES! THAT SHOULD MAKE EVERYONE OF YOU SAPSUCKING LOW LIFES HAPPY! NOW IF YOU CONTINUE TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THESE ATLANTA FALCONS WHICH YOU DON’T SUPPORT, THEN I SUGGEST ALL OF YOU READ THE AJC REPORT ON DEAD IN THE MENTAL HOSPITALS…WHICH MEANS EITHER COMMIT YOURSELF TO A MENTAL WARD, GET THE HEL$ OUT OF ATLANTA OR BETTER YET, KILL YOUR DAM$ SELF FOR ALL THAT MATTERS…BUT PLEASE, PLEASE STOP POSTING YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT A TEAM YOU DON’T LIKE, YOU DON’T SUPPORT AND ABOUT A MAN (VICK) YOU HATE! JUST GRAB YOUR KIN FOLKS, YOUR VOLKSWAGON BEETLES AND MOVE BACK TO THE HILLS YOU CAME FROM! OH, AND DON’T FORGET YOUR WINDOWS 95 COMPUTERS YOU ARE USING!!

TO ALL THE OLD FALCONS FANS WHO KNEW THIS TEAM WHEN IT WAS OWNED BY THE SMITHS I KNOW YOU ALSO APPRECIATE ARTHUR BLANK AND FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO FOR THIS FRANCHISE…. WELCOME TO ATLANTA COACH, PLEASE EXCUSE US AS WE THROW OUT OUR DIRTY WHITE TRASH AND OUR SPOILED ROTTEN UNCLE TOM’S!!!

By Dick

January 8, 2007 05:12 AM | Link to this

Um, shouldn’t the Jim Mora experience be lesson enough that the Falcons need to hire a PROVEN HEAD COACH who has taken a team to some SUPER BOWLS.

By patrick

January 8, 2007 05:25 AM | Link to this

they made a big mistake…vick needed to go! They should have traded him last summer for a “hershel walker” type of trade. they waited way to long to dump vick. what team is going to want him. I feel sorry for the new coach he walked into a death trap.

By JUST D.

January 8, 2007 05:28 AM | Link to this

MR. DICK, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT PROVEN SUPERBOWL COACHES ARE AND WERE AVAILABLE, PLEASE POST WITH SOME FACTS!!
WE HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED THAT BILL COWHER WILL TAKE A YEAR OFF AND HE IS ALSO TOO EXPENSIVE TO SIGN RIGHT NOW DUE TO A YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT WITH THE STEELERS AND DRAFT PICKS WE WOULD LOOSE. BILL PARCELLS DOES NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH THE COWBOYS, JIMMY JOHNSON REALLY DOES NOT WANT TO COACH AGAIN, IF SO, IT WOULD BE IN MIAMI WHERE HE RESIDES, UMMMM LET’S SEE WHO’S LEFT…YOU SURELY DON’T WANT A COACH WHO HAS SIMPLY TAKEN A TEAM TO THE SUPERBOWL AND LOST DO YA? OH THAT GUY (OOOPS GENIUS) IN BOSTON WILL NEVER LEAVE THE PATRIOTS AT THIS POINT, AND MIKE MARSH…KIDDING RIGGHT?
SO, MR. DICK UMMM WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SAYING?? PLEASE FOLKS, JUST SUPPORT ANOTHER TEAM, SAVE YOURSELF SOME TIME AND AGONY AND GO TO NORTH CAROLINA, CLEVELAND OR GREEN BAYS WEBSITE TO POST!

By anotherdamnjack

January 8, 2007 05:38 AM | Link to this

His resume and numbers are impressive, but can he coach as well in the NFL, as he did in the college ranks? I suppose we’ll see what he can do with Vick’s talents. If I was him, I’d give Schaub a shot….if he gets the chance……….

By JUST D.

January 8, 2007 05:40 AM | Link to this

PATRICK, YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL SON, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS THING IN THE NFL CALLED SALARY CAP UH? NEVER REALLY GOT IT THAT MIKE VICK MAKES ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT YOU, YOUR TRAILER PARK AND YOUR SADISTIC FRIENDS ON HERE…SO, GO TO YOUR 6$ AN HOUR JOB TODAY, DRINK YOUR OLD MILWAKEE’S BEST AT LUNCH AND STAY AWAY FROM YOUR SISTER’S COMPUTER OK!!

By Boots

January 8, 2007 05:52 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure if Patrino was their first choice and the NFL coaches were a smoke screen or if they went to Patrino when there was a lack of interest from the experienced coaches. I hope he will instill some discipline into this organization —- and that he can develope Vick’s potential. Patrino may be a great developer of QB talent, BUT IS VICK TEACHABLE? Adios and talk to you when the season begins!

By Nono

January 8, 2007 06:11 AM | Link to this

I’m in Snock Still Who? No real NFL experience—-this better not be one of those interviews where the coach who kissed king Arthur’s A$$ the most got the job or McKay your out next time. I hope Petrino realizes what he is walking into and needs to be dealt with. Yeah, all the crap and ghetto personalities floating around the toilet that should be flushed before we even talk football. The leagues worst passing team for you Vick supporters—-keep it real, dre out, we got a 7-9 record with a QB who can’t through with accuracy and it looks like he is here till his knees blow out.Lotz of other spoiled young turds that need to drop all the hype and play like they did in college, remember, before you got that fat contract.

By DB

January 8, 2007 06:22 AM | Link to this

Would have probably made a good Offensive Coordinator…..why a college coach? I think he should have worked his way up. Look at least Jimmy Johnson won a National Championship coming out of college. Here we go again…..I hope I am wrong and this does work. We are not looking to win a few years down the road so forget the learning curb. We should be winning now…..

By Kendall

January 8, 2007 06:22 AM | Link to this

I don’t know about a college coach becoming an NFL coach—for som reason they end up back coahing in college.

By midniterider

January 8, 2007 06:23 AM | Link to this

Only time will tell but with Vick at qb it wont take long to tell

By Dr. I.Q.

January 8, 2007 06:29 AM | Link to this

I don’t know much about Patrino’s demeanor, temper or proclevity for bad language, but he’s gonna have to be one mean mother to yank this group of losers into shape. It’s going to take a genius to teach Vick —- didn’t you hear, Vick makes $130 mil and is a legend in his own mind, even though he went 9 and 16 in his last 25. When you’re the MAN, what is there to learn? I really don’t think Vick is teachable either!

By TIRED OF VIC

January 8, 2007 06:41 AM | Link to this

I AM NO FOOTBALL EXPERT….ONLY A FAN…THIS WAS A DUMB DUMB DUMB MOVE!!! WHO IS BLANK TAKING ADVISE FROM???? THE SMITH FAMILY??? ANYBODY WITH 1/2 A BRAIN CAN SEE THE PROBLEM IS THE GANGSTER IN THE BACKFIELD THAT SHOWED HIS TRUE COLORS FLIPPING US OFF…VIC IS A PUNK….”THE” PROBLEM…WHEN CHICAGO HAD A QB ISSUE WITH A PUNK QB THEY HAD THE GUTS TO TRADE HIM….BUT HE WAS A WHITE BOY… MY SEASON TICKETS WILL NOT BE RENEWED….

By TY

January 8, 2007 06:44 AM | Link to this

WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH A COLLEGE COACH. THE PLAYER WON’T GIVE HIM THE REPECT THAT THAT HE NEEDS TO RUN A PRO CLUB. THE RATIO OF COLLEGE COACHES WINNING IN THE NFL IS NOT GOOD, STEVE SPURIER AND DENNIS ERICKSON COMES TO MIND RIGHT OFF. KEN WISENHUNT WILL BEEN A BETTER CHOICE. WE DID NOT EVEN INTERVIEW THE OTHER CANDIDATES WHO HAPPENS TO BE MINORITY.

By Eternal Optimist

January 8, 2007 06:49 AM | Link to this

Not a bad choice, though I was hoping for Cam Cameron. Patrinos creativity offensively makes him a solid choice. He will bring balance and an array of formations to keep the defense on it’s heals. He has a good track record with QB’s and Vick will learn a lot from him. He will need a solid staff to support him.

By RC

January 8, 2007 07:00 AM | Link to this

Initial reaction to his hiring wasn’t good but after checking his record, including NFL jobs, looks like it could be a VG hire…….esp if we can trade Ron Mexico for Calvin Johnson.

By dawgfan

January 8, 2007 07:09 AM | Link to this

Does it really matter who the coach is? As long as Vick is in control of the team. If this new coach can come in and right off let Vick know, hey i am in charge and if you dont like it you will sit and take notes. And when you decide you would like to be a part of our system. And not your system then and only then i might allow you to begin takeing a few snapes again. But if our new coach and Mr Blank will not allow this to King Vick. This new coach will be history soon, and so will the franchise.

By bigfan

January 8, 2007 07:16 AM | Link to this

Get off the Minority Bull s—-. As long as King Vick, is Owner and VP. It would not matter if the new coach was Red or Yellow, Black or White

By FanB

January 8, 2007 07:16 AM | Link to this

Let’s take the emotion out of the comments and look at it as “mr. Spook’ would lok at it. Everything (decisions) come down to 3 things and 3 things only …Sex, Money and Power. Let’s assume that we can eliminate sex from the above 3 (I have not heard any gay rumors.) That leaves us with either money or power driving the decision.

Blank and McKay need the power, so the coach selection was based on who will not be a threat to their power. Money enters the decision process in a more silent manner. We can not throw money at a coach, that is what the players are for. So we buy a college coach who costs less than a NFL coach. The new coach gets money with this job and all he has to do is wait a couple of years to get back in the college ranks IN ONE OF THE BCS schools and he has the power that little old ‘Loolie’ did not have.

So, in 2-3 years our coach moves into a major conference with power and money and the owner and GM of the Falcons continue to have their power and money.

By JohnGTFan

January 8, 2007 07:19 AM | Link to this

WOW…so many fans were dying for Mora to be fired, and a new coach here. We get one, and before he’s even officially introduced, he’s being bashed! Fair-weathered fans, what else is new. Wouldn’t know football if it jumped up and bit you. To the morons calling for Reeves to come back, please stop watching football. For everyone upset that Whisenhunt wasn’t hired, you have no idea what went on. For all that any of us know, he didn’t want the job! Give the guy a chance and see what he can do! And by the way, Vick won’t destroy this guy. It’s been made known during the interview proces…THE NEW COACH WILL DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF VICK IN ATLANTA…NOT THAT VICK WILL DETERMINE THE COACHES FUTURE! And that is exactly how it should be. This guy will come in, develop the best way to utilize his talents, and see what happens. If he doesn’t succeed, then he will be put on the bench! And don’t think he won’t do it! Atlanta will not trade Schaub now because of this. They know Petrino will bench Vick if he doesn’t produce, and Blank and McKay made that known. They are finally doing what they should be doing as an owner and GM…putting the decision making with the coaches, not the QB. I think this is a great day for Falcons football!!! Welcome aboard Petrino!!!!

By Eric

January 8, 2007 07:31 AM | Link to this

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

A Second-tier college coach is all that we could entice to come take over this bunch of losers with Ron Mexico at the helm.

Maybe he is intending to institute the option and put Herpes man in his real position RUNNING BACK..

Enjoy another 3 years of SUCKING.. hope you have a nice buyout option when Kordell gets you fired in a year or so Mr. Petrino.

By TimMcKyer

January 8, 2007 07:32 AM | Link to this

Is Nick Saban going to be the D-Coordinator? I’ll come back and play.

By Hotrod

January 8, 2007 07:34 AM | Link to this

This is the right direction.

It doesnt make sense to dust off an NFL coach enjoying retirement.

This is just the start of many more changes to come. You’ll see.

By mark d

January 8, 2007 07:38 AM | Link to this

Anything is better than what they had, which was a second rate QB, and a infactuated coach who seemed more in love w/ M Vick than winning. Mike is cool but that does not equate with winning…. We need stability at QB, its time to stop feeding the public BS about a learning curb and face facts, M. Vick is a coach killer, raw talents does not a QB make, play him like R. Bush and lets go to the SB.

By SCBird

January 8, 2007 07:48 AM | Link to this

Vick,Vick,Vick….People please…If Vick is so horrible, let’s see you all do better…Why don’t you go and try out for QB,Fat boy?

By Elvis30188

January 8, 2007 07:51 AM | Link to this

This decision does not suprise me.The Falcons seem do do everythig half way. I was hopeing they would prove me wrong, but they did’nt.There was nothing wrong with Mora, Vick is the problem ! But fine, you want a new coach , go get a real coach like Cowher or Jimmy Johnson.Cowher didnt retire !!!!! He just wants more money! He’s said that ! Maybe the Falcons just cant afford to pay a real coach sice they spent all of their money on that brain dead Vick. At any rate …college football coaches never make it in the NFL. I’m just happy that with the comming of a new year Vick is one year older and one year closer to retirement.

By Filster

January 8, 2007 07:52 AM | Link to this

Petrino wasn’t on the “A” list of available coaches, i.e., Weisenhunt, Singeltary, the Tennessee guy, etc. Guess the response the Falcons got from Weisenhunt and the Chicago guy made em go from whomever they could get. I know that here in the South people live and die by college sports, but given how many college players don’t make it to the pros (and succeed), hiring a college coach was a pretty dumb idea. Just like paying Vick 130 million and firing Nardelli with a 210 million parachute. Petrino is just another example of Blank’s poor judgment. So, Art, if the Falcons don’t make the playoffs next year or finish 8-8 is Petrino toast as well?

By Racinoto

January 8, 2007 07:53 AM | Link to this

Mark I agree with most of what you said in your column; however, one of Coach Petrino’s best assets is that he’s not a nice guy. He won’t put up with those over paid prima donnas that quit on Coach Mora. It will be his way or the highway. Mike that means you too.

By Ronnie B

January 8, 2007 07:55 AM | Link to this

Good move? It all depends on whether Petrino is a rah-rah guy, or if he’s got more coaching wisdom than most from the NCAA ranks. We all know that Vick’s not going anywhere; people come to see HIM, not Matt Schaub. But Mora—as infatuated with Vick as he was—didn’t have the coaching wisdom to expect 3x as much from Vick in terms of leadership, studying the QB position, etc. And Vick lacked the maturity to expect more from himself. Too many coaches have let Vick be a freaky athlete, but too few have expected him to be cerebral. He CAN be. What Petrino needs to do is be the first person to ever tell him so.

Low expectations resulted in an underachieving performance this season. Raise the level of expectation of Vick, and the rest of the team will follow. Let’s see of Petrino can do this.

BTW, mark d; the term is “learning curve”, not ‘curb’.

By laren40207

January 8, 2007 07:58 AM | Link to this

I WISH PETRINO NOTHING BUT “BAD LUCK”.THE PROS ARE DIFFERENT FROM COLLEGE. HE IS A LIAR. HE HAS SAID NOTHING WOULD TAKE HIM AWAY FROM LOUISVILLE, WHEN HE SIGNED HIS LST CONTRACT. I WORRY ABOUT ONE OF HIS PLAYERS IN LOUISVILLE THAT SAID HE DID IT FOR HIS FAMILY. I GUESS HIS FAMILY CAN’T LIVE ON 2,550,000 A YEAR. POOR PETRINOS. HE LEFT HIS BROTHER HERE,WHEN HE COULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM ALONG IN THE DEAL. TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL, (ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY), GAVE HIS SON A POSITION ON THEIR FOOTBALL TEAM. LOUISVILLE DID EVERYTHING FOR HIM AND HE HAS ANSWERED WITH HIS DEPARTURE. HE ONLY IS THINKING OF BOBBY PETRINO. ANOTHER SELFISH COACH LIVES. I HOPE HE GOES ALONG THE WAY WITH JOHN SMITH AND LEE CORSO. THEY LEFT LOUISVILLE ALSO AND NOW THEY ARE NOBODIES.

By Sean

January 8, 2007 07:58 AM | Link to this

I am telling you.. If I am head coach and I would tell Mr Blank time for Vick to trade for best draft.. So I believe that SCHAUB will be great QB.. He is tall than Vick.. Vick couldnt pass and poor read plays. I am hard fan of Falcons.. Please let Schaub play.. anybody agree with me ??

By Mark

January 8, 2007 07:59 AM | Link to this

Lets see….Petrino broke his contract with Louisville to go to Atlanta and he told Louisville and the press he was not leaving. Lets see if the AJC rips him like they did Saban. They won’t because the AJC hates Alabama. Just another example.

By Lou Hotz

January 8, 2007 08:00 AM | Link to this

What a dumb decision. All the creditable coaches available and possibly more becoming available after the playoffs is over. They turning this franchise into a joke. We are looking for back to back winning seasons not more back to back losing seasons.

By 82dawg

January 8, 2007 08:02 AM | Link to this

It is proven that star college coaches do not make good pro coaches. It is an entirely different game. Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier Butch Davis, Nick Saban are just the ones that come to mind right away. Bobby Ross took San Diego to the Super Bowl, but was back in college in just a couple years after that. I am at a loss to recall a college coach who translated his success into the pros.

By lakeman

January 8, 2007 08:02 AM | Link to this

a bad hire….this guy will not be able to get these airheads to respond..ask saban…the pro player is a different animal(pardon the pun) that the college athlete..blank will regret this hire…plus , we still have the coach killer around for another two years…

By Tee

January 8, 2007 08:06 AM | Link to this

Get use to it rednecks….Mike Vick is the starting QB and will be the starting QB until he retires.

Start packing your bags so you can move with Schaub when we trade him in a few months…lolol

By Stu

January 8, 2007 08:07 AM | Link to this

The question is does he know how to coach a $10M baby? All they are talking about is how they will throw the ball…Michael can’t throw the ball down field. The one year they had a winning record under Mora, the Falcon’s won 3 games at the very end due to Vick scrambling. NFL teams have learned to contain him. The NFL will also quickly fiqure out Petrino just like every other great college coach that have thrown themselves in the ring. Mad move!

By Billy

January 8, 2007 08:08 AM | Link to this

Carrot top

By EW

January 8, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

As long as we trade Vick to Oakland for their pick and get Calvin Johnson then this will be a great choice.

Vick cannot run Petrino’s system, hell he couldn’t run a dumbed down version of Mora’s. Either Schaub or Shockley could do better.

By The Old Ball Coach

January 8, 2007 08:16 AM | Link to this

You dumb birds. You don’t win football games with your quarterback running the ball. That’s for sissies, rugby grunts, and little Pop Warner boys who don’t wear jock straps. Did any of you losers watch any of the play-off games this weekend. What did Brady, Garcia, and Manning do that Vick DOESN’T DO. They stayed in the f* pocket and threw the f ball!!! That’s how you win ball games, and if this new ball coach can’t stop Superfly from running to the border every f* third down then he hasn’t got any greater chance of success than that little baby faced boy, who, by the way, needs to wear a ball cap so he can throw it down when he’s mad— the smilin’ little sissy. Go Gamecocks!

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 08:18 AM | Link to this

THIS HIRE SUCKS. COLLEGE COACHES ARE NOT SUCCESFULL IN MOVING TO THE NFL.

By Russ

January 8, 2007 08:22 AM | Link to this

If you want to talk about a true offensive mind with NFL, Playoff, and Super Bowl experience how about Mike Martz? When are they going to get rid of that stupid, demeaning rule where these black coaches are interviewed just to say I talked to a black knowing d* well they have no intentions on hiring them especially in Atlanta, where we’ll have a Black President before the Falcons ever have a Black Coach. One day the Falcons will realize in order to get to a championship you have to have someone who knows what it takes to get to one ie; Dan Reeves, Mike Martz, Mike Singletary, etc.

By PlayoffsWhatPlayoffs

January 8, 2007 08:23 AM | Link to this

For every Spurrier and Saban, there’s a Jimmy Johnson or Switzer. If he can coach he can coach regardless of where he came from. If you had a choice right now of ONLY Mora or Petrino, everyone would take Petrino any day of the week, and Mora is supposedly the prototypical “PRO” coach (Pro coordinator/assistant-to-Head Coach). Give me a break with that lame arguement of college coaches can’t coach in the pros. Plus, Petrino was an Offensive Coordinator in the pros, so give the dude a chance.

By Blank's an idiot

January 8, 2007 08:25 AM | Link to this

An extremely awful choice. Not only a college coach, but one from a pretty freaking minor college at that. What did Howard Schnellenberger die? Prepare for all-time lows Falcons fans.

By Lee

January 8, 2007 08:26 AM | Link to this

Bobby Petrino had 2 of the best quarterbacks in the history of Kentucky HS football. A dominant run-oriented QB (Michael Bush) and a drop-back, pro-style QB (Brian Brohm). Look what he did there…went with Brohm and converted Bush to a running Back…sound like Vick and Shaub?

By jcfromindy

January 8, 2007 08:27 AM | Link to this

The Falcons and owner Suck! this is horrible. With all of the talented, experienced coaches in the NFL, you go get a college coach. Forget that he is offensive minded. It’s Vick you idiots who needs to go. How many foolish mistakes will the Falcons continue to make. What a nightmare. Good Luck. I say you’ll fare about as good as the um HAWKS oh yeah!!!

Go Colts! Go Ohio State. Let’s do the dam thing!!! Yeah baby

By Changes

January 8, 2007 08:31 AM | Link to this

Petrino has the balls and guts to make the necessary changes in the franchise. Heads will be spinning straight out the door once he makes camp at Flowery Branch. Changes need to be made and he’s the guy to do it. He’s not a salesman like Mora. He’s a hard-nosed coach who will not take sh. Blank will allow Petrino to make the calls and be accountable for it. That’s a mindset of a leader.**

By Not my choice

January 8, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

In the last 20 years there has been only one successful college coach to make it in the NFL ( Jimmy Johnson). All others have failed Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Lou Holts, Gene Stallings, Dennis Erickson and so on. I think they should have hired Hartwell is robbing us LOL he can’t even spell!!! I’m glad I’m not a season ticket holder!!!!!!!!!!

By Changes

January 8, 2007 08:33 AM | Link to this

Petrino has the balls and guts to make the necessary changes in the franchise. Heads will be spinning straight out the door once he makes camp at Flowery Branch. Changes need to be made and he’s the guy to do it. He’s not a salesman like Mora. He’s a hard-nosed coach who will not take sh. Blank will allow Petrino to make the calls and be accountable for it. That’s a mindset of a leader.**

By tb

January 8, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

It just kills me to read the comments of all these Vick haters. He is a very good qb that just needs good coaching around him and please remember that he cannot throw and catch his own pass. Oh by the way, for all of you that believe that the backup is better, can you say Doug Johnson. Let’s give Bobby a chance.

By Blank's an idiot

January 8, 2007 08:35 AM | Link to this

Guess we know Blank describes the owner’s brain. And, this incredibly stupid move has the stink of the incredibly stupid Dick McKay all over it. My God what a tragedy.

By BB

January 8, 2007 08:40 AM | Link to this

Tee. Get used to losing with Vick the QB that can’t find an open receiver even if there’s no defence on the field.

By New2Atl

January 8, 2007 08:43 AM | Link to this

I will have to agree with tb, it looks like a lot of Vick haters who are suppposed to be Falcons fan. For the record I am a Bengals fan. Remember football is a business, Vick is bringing in to many $ by packing the stands both home and away, and the team sales items. He isn’t going anywhere. He generates to much buzz in the NFL. I think the Falcons main issue is the receivers with the dropsies. You will not win a superbowl when your tight end leads your team in receptions every year. However, Vick does need to get in a system which will allow him to have time to survey the field and make a pass (and have that pass caught). He has to have a system designed around him where he does not have to win every game on his own. I think he will become a lot better qb once his physical skills start diminishing, ala Michael Jordan, when he first came to the bulls, yes he was scoring 50 per game, but not until he starting slowing down physically did they start winning championships, because he realized he had to get the team mates involved.

By die hard falcons fan

January 8, 2007 08:45 AM | Link to this

dumb just dumb

DUMB = MR. Blank and Dumber = Mr. McKay

Oh well back to blackout games!!!

I think that was a dumb move.

COLLEGE BALL AINT PRO BALL!!!

WHY YALL DIDNT HIRE THE RIVERIA CAT OR THE SINGLERATY OR HELL WHY NOT DENNIS GREEN?!?!?

Man if I was Vick I would demand a trade to the Cowboys!

By Changes

January 8, 2007 08:48 AM | Link to this

Blank is an idiot? Let’s see, Blank buys the Falcons and we loved him for what he did…turned around a chump team that the Smiths owned. He hires a young coach to take us to the playoffs. The coach admits he’s not committed to the Falcons and Blank fires him. He hires a coach that will not take sh— and will develop each player to their fullest potential. Oh, btw, Blank took a startup company and made it into a multi-billion dollar company and he’s not wasting his time in these blogs. Who’s the idiot?

By Mark

January 8, 2007 08:48 AM | Link to this

It will be interesting to see what Blank does when Petrino benches Vick for not running the called play and starts winning with the backup qbs.

By msteven

January 8, 2007 08:50 AM | Link to this

So I guess this means the Falcons wont lose any more games right? Hello? is anyone there? HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLO! hmmm…the sound of crickets! The Sounds of Silence.. Are you guys trying to tell me something? I mean clearly since Dan Reeves and now Jim Mora were “Team Killers” now that they are out of the way the Falcons will lose no more games. Right? And if yall believe that Santa Claus is really Tinker Bell in drag.

By Realist

January 8, 2007 08:50 AM | Link to this

I hope he starts MATT FRAUD and Trade Vick, Vick we will open you with welcome arms in Carolina!!!!!!!!!

By dawgfacedboy

January 8, 2007 08:54 AM | Link to this

Considering Spurrier and Saban were bigger than Petrino and they fell on their egos why am I to believe that Petrino is going to come in here and be successful? Terrible move!

By ro

January 8, 2007 09:00 AM | Link to this

Please pardon my last post. (Computer problem). Teddy Eddy Jack, my question isn’t met to racebait. It was met to have those FALCON FANS search themselves. Obviously, they are not watching the same game we watch or have NO understanding of football. Due to the defiencies that I pointed out (poor receivers and O-line), no quarterback would have great results. I would like to see what Vick could do with an offense that would give him time to throw the ball and receivers that will catch the ball. Most of the posts that I have seen that are critical of Vick are NOT about football. If you read these blogs, YOU KNOW this to be true! To those fans who gripe about his contract, HE DIDN’T sign Arthur Blank’s name on the contract. Oh BTW, if the Falcons don’t upgrade the O-line for better pass protection, he won’t be around to collect it. Most NFL contracts are not fully guaranteed. The FALCON FANS crucified him when he injured his groin near the end of the Dallas game. So I am supposed to believe that those posts are about football?

By lawton

January 8, 2007 09:00 AM | Link to this

this move just proved that arthur blank wants someone he can control, end of story.

By Redd

January 8, 2007 09:01 AM | Link to this

We’ll see if Petrino can get the job done, and y’all can forget it cause Mike Vick ain’t going no where, no time soon

By Redd

January 8, 2007 09:02 AM | Link to this

We’ll see if Petrino can get the job done, and y’all can forget it cause Mike Vick ain’t going no where, no time soon

By Redd

January 8, 2007 09:02 AM | Link to this

We’ll see if Petrino can get the job done, and y’all can forget it cause Mike Vick ain’t going no where, no time soon

By Xplayer

January 8, 2007 09:08 AM | Link to this

There isn’t a system that can be designed where Vick will be successful. The only way Vick will help the Falcons is if he asks for a trade. Bobby will do well if he gets rid of Vick.

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 09:15 AM | Link to this

JIMMY JOHNSON IS THE ONLY COLLEGE COACH THAT WAS WORTH A DAMN IN THE NFL THAT I CAN THINK OF IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. EVEN WITH HIM, IS QUESTIONABLE. HE DIDN’T LIGHT THE WORLD ON FIRE WITH THE DOLPHINS. WITH THE COWBOYS, THE STAFF WAS GOOD - WAS IT ALL JIMMY JOHNSON OR COULD SOMEONE ELSE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WIN LIKE THAT AS WELL?

By Mike

January 8, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

It is certainly good to still see the Vick haters out in full force as usual. Hey Mike you need any help counting your money? BTW the best thing Calvin can do is go somewhere he will be appreciated.

By Brent

January 8, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this

If you hillbillies want to blame Mike Vick for this horrible season…PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM YOUR METH PIPES and go back to watching NASCAR!! If it wasn’t for Mike Vick this team would have been 3-13.

We all know that these “Klansmen Vick Haters” don’t attend the falcons games anyway, SO WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK!! Was there a waiting list for season tickets before Mike Vick arrived?

Look at the number of passing attempts Mike Vick had and tell me HOW COULD HE BE #10 in passing TD’s. The problem is COACHING!!

If Mike Vick is a coach killer what is Peyton Manning? I guarantee you if the colts don’t make it to the superbowl, Tony Dungy will be fired. I guarantee you these Klansmen will not call Peyton a coach killer when that happens…lol Peyton has been in the SAME system with PRO BOWL RECEIVERS AND O-LINEMEN for almost 10 years, but you condemn Mike Vick when he has horrible receivers and a horrible O-line…TALK ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS AND RACISM!!

AGAIN…PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE METH!!

By LAE

January 8, 2007 09:19 AM | Link to this

What a smoke screen you pulled, Mr. Blank, or was it Rich?? One thing for sure, if Bobby boogers his stay in the ATL Rich should be tarred and feathered on his way out of town! I’m tired of wasting my $$$ on unproven head coaches.

By whynotsingletary?

January 8, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

Wow this was a stunning choice…in that his name didn’t pop up anywhere??? even locally during the interview process…

I was hoping they would give Mike Singletary a shot. The defense needed a strong willed coach & a proven NFL player to motivate the lackluster underacheiving defensive talent. He also is an Assistant head coach involved with personnel decisionson an NFL level

I’m amazed that Falcons extra had not mentioned anything about this hire or the fact he was being interviewed??? last night. Gerald Riggs is obviously way out of the loop LOL!

I wish Bob Petrino well with the Falcons…

By GOGTGO

January 8, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

Send Vick to Oakland for the #1 pick and some offensive-line or defensive help, TAKE CALVIN JOHNSON(IF HE COMES OUT) with the #1 and let Shaub do his thing!

By Beavis Tucker

January 8, 2007 09:22 AM | Link to this

Vick will not work in Petrino’s drop back and throw down the field offense.

By MountainDawg

January 8, 2007 09:25 AM | Link to this

I doubt Petrino’s college success will transfer to the Birds. He’ll probably not be able to implement his same offensive “wizardry” against NFL caliber defenses (& talent). Besides, Vick has proven he isn’t smart enough to master a complex offense (or read defenses for that matter). I say trade “Bling Bling/Yoyoyo” Vick for a stud OT and maybe a top tier WR &/or LB. Let’s get some talent for Vick while we can!

By Matt

January 8, 2007 09:25 AM | Link to this

What a joke! The Falcons may as well have hired Derek Dooley, Mike Bobo or Patrick Nix. There must have been at least thirty NFL assistant coaches with better experience and abilities to choose from.

By milla

January 8, 2007 09:27 AM | Link to this

I HATE TO SAY IT BUT! I DONT THINK IT WAS A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE FALCONS! HAVE THEY NOT WATCH HOW THESE COLLEGE COACHES HOW THEY FAILED WHEN THEY GO TO THE NFL! WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT WE ARE NOW NEXT YEAR! I WONT BE NEEDING ANY TICKETS THIS YEAR!

By mikesucks

January 8, 2007 09:29 AM | Link to this

I dont care who the Crows bring in, as long the coach has the balls to confront Vick’s b***’ and bench his butt when needed! No more babying the $100 million player! No more kissing on the top of his helmet after he fumbles! And as long McKay is still GM, the crows wont have a chance, ever!

By mike

January 8, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

Petrino might work out but get Singletary for defensive coordinator. If we lose Schaub, get a proven QB who is at least 6’2” and can see over the larger linemen and have time to read the defense and not have his passes knocked down. Rolling out gives away the opposite side of the field.

By DS

January 8, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

Hmmm…Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Panthers fire Fox after next season and hire Cowher? Fox gets $5 mil/yr in Carolina. Cowher would like $8 mil/yr? I bet after a year or two off he’ll work for 6 or 7 a year. If Blank coulda held on to Mora for one more year, he may mave had a shot at Cowher…oh well.

I hope Petrino works out….but I don’t think the Falcon’s will do much better. They may have a great first year, then the honeymoon will end and the inmates will be running the asylum again.

I think the real test will be…If Petrino believes Vick isn’t the long term answer, is Blank willing to cut him if he can’t get good trade value for him by then?

The next year will certainly be interesting.

By patrick

January 8, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

sad to see another coach get stuck with vick. i think the falcons missed the golden goose…they should have done a “hershal walker trade” last year now what coach would want the vick curse!

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

BRING JIM MORA BACK!!!

By Dave

January 8, 2007 09:34 AM | Link to this

No No No!!! Not another college offensive genius from college to the pros. Anyone remember Spurrier? Does history mean nothing? Another .500 season looming. Geez!

By The Old Ball Coach

January 8, 2007 09:38 AM | Link to this

Hey Brent, who ya callin’ a hillbilly, you ignorant turkey. Let me point out something to you and your other jive turkey Vicky defenders. The Falcons were last, last, l-a-s-t in the entire NFL in passing. Old man Reeves and that baby faced boy had nothing to do with that, because all Superfly is interested in is his rushing stats. Does your pea sized brain comprehend that. THE FALCONS WERE LAST IN PASSING IN THE NFL. You dumb birds are right, Vick ain’t goin’ nowhere—certainly not to the Superbowl

By skot

January 8, 2007 09:41 AM | Link to this

I hope he wins. However, what is the record for college coaches entering into the NFL? Rivera coached a good defence. Cameron coached one of the better offences in the league and worked with two seperate QBs that had some good seasons. I don’t think this is a good move. I don’t forsee any winning seasons in the near future but that is the history of the Falcons.

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 09:52 AM | Link to this

MICHAEL VICK IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. NOBODY WILL CONFRONT HIM AND TELL HIM THAT HE IS FIRED.. EVERYONE IS AFRAID THAT IF THEY DO, PUNK VICK AND HIS THUGS WILL COME AFTER THEM AND SHOOT THEM. PERHAPS IF WE HIRE MIKE TYSON OR THE BIG SHOW OR SOMEONE TO BE FALCONS COACH/GM. THE FALCONS COULD THEN FIRE THEM ONCE THEY FIRE PUNK VICK.

By JohnGTFan

January 8, 2007 09:54 AM | Link to this

No, history doesn’t mean much at all. Every coach is different. So many people kill this decision, and he hasn’t even had his official introduction to the team yet. Give him some proven assistants, and I think he will succeed. Look people, vick haters and vick lovers. If this guy brings a winning mentality and gets the team to play hard, then ATL will win. And that’s the bottom line. Doesn’t matter if Vick is QB, Schaub, Shockley, or whomever! As long as ATL wins, that is what puts butts in the seats! As FANS (not many true ones left), we should at least welcome him and give him a shot! Let’s see what ideas he and the front office has. Maybe they will trade Vick, maybe they won’t. Maybe they will trade Schaub, maybe they won’t. I do know this for sure…he won’t baby anyone, and finally finally finally we are probably going to see a shake up on defense. I doubt we’ll have to see Hartwell and Brooking starting next year if they “perform” in summer camp the way the did this past season! D-Hall better get his head out of his &^% if he wants to stay in the lineup. Vick better start holding that ball when he runs if he plans on starting. This guy WILL bench you, regardless of who you are! He’s been given that power by the front office without the worry of what anyone would say! That’s the type of coach ATL needed!!!! Simply put, let’s just give the guy a chance. He may do some wonderful things here! If not, find something else to do then. I forgot who said it here earlier, but most of you don’t go to the games anyway. So why do you talk about “wasting your money” and feeling like you’ve been *&^%ed over by the Falcons? What have you done for them? What jerseys have you bought? How many games have you attended?

By Play that funky music whiteboy

January 8, 2007 09:56 AM | Link to this

To all the football “knownothings” posting on here - Bobby Petrino is a fantastic coach running a prostyle system to perfection in Louisville. He knows talent and will be a terrific fit here in Atlanta. Arthur Blank found a diamond that has been sought after by many.

The best thing Petrino has going for him is as far as I know, his daddy didn’t coach anywhere and isn’t calling all his friends trying to find his son a job. Here’s to hoping Arthur Blank learned a valuable lesson with Jimmy boy. If they didn’t get there on their own, they don’t deserve it.

By Goober

January 8, 2007 09:57 AM | Link to this

Petrino might work out, but only if he can do this: rid his mentality and experience in coaching college players, and become a psychiatrist overnight specializing in coddling together the egos of 45 testosterone-driven, spoiled, unmotivated semi-adult brats who know nothing about reality.

Having watched all levels of football for 40 years, I am convinced that the pros (in any sport) today really don’t give a damn because they make so much money. The head coach / psychiatrist somehow has to find a way to fabricate some kind of motivational carrot to get these guys to practice and play well for 24 games (pre-, regular-, and post-season) from July until January.

Coaching in college doesn’t require this because the players are younger, less jaded, unpaid, and there’s a sense of urgency because of the 4-year short-term eligibility.

If Petrino can become this overnight psychiatrist and get into the pysche of the Sunday warriors, his offensive mindset can do the rest. Oh, and one more thing, Bobby — put in your contract that Arthur will not come down to the sidelines, during games or practice. No great coach wants the owner or anyone else looking over their shoulder. Just check the history of pro sports.

By baddog

January 8, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

BAD BAD BAD CHOICE THE FALCONS WILL NEVER BE WINNER. FALCONS PLEASE STOP BUILDING A TEAM AROUND VICK, AND FOR GOD’S SAKE STOP DRAFTING PLAYERS FROM VIRGINA TECH. I HOPE THAT WE GOT THIS COACH ON THE LOW LOW

By Eric

January 8, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I am amazed that most of you want to hand over the reigns to a quarterback who has not won a game and could not even beat the 3rd team from the Eagles.

By Tmac

January 8, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

A DADDY COACH! JUST WHAT THE YOUNG TEAM NEEDED

By dawgfacedboy

January 8, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

While I agree that people are hard on Vick I don’t think it has anything to with his race. Saying that I love Brett Favre or Peyton Manning and I don’t like Mike Vick does not make me a racist. Saying I don’t like that (insert racial slur) makes me a racist. I think that Vick has had to run for his life at times but when you run 15+ yards in the wrong direction, and run with the ball out like he does these are not smart decisions. Someone might want to give MV a little coaching in public relations as well though. He needs a little more Ladanian Tomlinson in him.

By 1st and 6

January 8, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Vick and third coach. I believe Vick deserves a one more chance but if not Matt or the guy who played UGA are real options. New coach should have the call…

By Bo

January 8, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

John from Dunwoody and Old Ball coach, don’t you have a KLAN meeting to attend…Get off your computers… PECKERWOODS..LOLOLOL!!

By shoulda got Singletary

January 8, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

stupid hire…. we need a disaplinarian like Singletary… a defensive minded coach to rebuild a broken machine…… Mike Vick (Ron Mexico) has 2 go…. send him to Dallas with T.O. ….. was this coaching hire quick or what??!!! This guy wasn’t going anywhere… we could have taken a little mor time! So we got a college coach in hopes to suit Ron Mexico a little more… how many years will we give Vick 2 live up 2 his potential??? He’s a high priced NON-PRO BOWL QUARTERBACK

By Eric

January 8, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

To the old ball coach. One of the reason for being last in passing is Last in the league in attempts and the first in the league in dropped passes. It involves the coaches as well as the players.

By Rod

January 8, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

How many games has Matt Shaub won again??? Or is it his “Pale face” that you love so much??

By Warren

January 8, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I don’t know much about Patrino.Don’t realy care where he’s been just want to know where he wants to go.Welcome to Atlanta Patrino lets play some football.

By Steve

January 8, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Can you say ” Petrino will be like a deer caught in the headlights?”

By Casey Smallwood

January 8, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I like the hire. He has a great track record and an elite offensive mind. Even though I have pretty much given up on Vick I will give him one last chance. It Petrino can’t help him no one can. My real question is who is going to be our defensive coordinator.

By Changes

January 8, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

HEY BRENT, get off this forum you racist. Surely you can’t generalize “Vick Haters” as being hillbillies, rednecks, klansmen. Stop playing the race card. That goes to all of you (white, black, yellow, red, brown) people who have the same ignorant thoughts in your heads.

By SuwaneeDawg

January 8, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

I’m one of those on the fence with this hire. At least he has head coaching experience of some type and has at least been in the NFL. However, his loyalty issues concern me. It seems that the whole Saban situation would have made Blank a little more wary. My first thought is that he’ll be gone in 2-3 years. While I’ll put some trust into Blank on these types of things, he’s going to be paying a 1st time pro head coach almost $5 mil a year?!?! Yikes!

Also, he is a very good offensive coach but what about the defense? Yes, he built Louisville into a very, very good team but they haven’t won many games with defense. As surprising as this is, I’m reserving judgement until we see the rest of the coaching staff.

By JohnGTFan

January 8, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

If nothing else, a lot about Vick will get answered. If he can’t get it right, this will be his 3rd coach in what, 7 years beginning next season…then it’s not a coaching problem. There has been talent around him. I’m not a huge fan of his receiving corps this past season, but he has had decent ones. As I said before, I thought Finneran was a big loss for him. But…if he can’t get it together in the next year or two, then it will be obvious, it’s him! Blank has invested a lot of money and time in him. But this hire is a GOOD ONE. This guy can be a winner in the NFL. If Vick can’t win, it’s on Vick! He’s the QB. He needs to be studying film, working on his problems, reading defenses. I’m very intrigued because COACH will give him the ability to audible. For all any of us know, that may prove to be a huge plus for Vick. Remember, he wasn’t afforded that last year! How can you not allow your QB to audible. Well, I believe those days are over. The next two years will decide Vick’s fate as an NFL QB.

By A-Town Vet

January 8, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I kills me to hear people say that our OC sucks ouir O line can pass protect and that our WR are not worth a Darn then say Vick is not an NFL QB. What other QB in the NFL would have success with those odds stacked against him. Vick threw 20 TD’s this year. BRady threw 24. It is one thing to overcome coaching or maybe inferior teamate but both. that is just a little to much to ask one guy. I think this is a good hire considering the Falcon Brass want some one they can mold themselve and do not want a coach that is bigger than the franchise itself. It is really crazy how the media and fake falcon fans down vick for every little thing. For christ sake before he got here know one knew who the players were because of constant blackouts.

By b man

January 8, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

I personally like the hire of Petrino. He’s a proven offensive mind and that’s what I like about him…I’m sure he’ll add some much needed creativity to the offense.

He’s never coached a QB like Vick (granted not many coaches have) but I have faith he’ll tweak his scheme to fit the strengths of Vick.

Given the current history of college coaches going pro (Spurrier/Saban to name a few), it was intresting the Falcon’s brass choose a college coach but I really think Petrino fits the mold of what ATL needs.

Now, let’s see which staff he brings over w/ him. I’m especially intrested in DC.

Go Falcons!!!!!

By bigbob

January 8, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

WHAT???? %$#@!!!!

By NCR

January 8, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Amazing how McKay’s stock has fallen. Less than 6 months ago he was being considered for the “NFL commissioner” job, and now he pulls this. LOL!

Like I said before, he’s a LIAR. He said they would wait, and they didn’t. He said they would interview all prospective candidates, and I’ll bet there still were some available.

Let’s put it in this perspective. Would Arizona, Miami, or any other NFL team looking for a HC have hired Petrino? Nope. Only Atlanta. Only Atlanta wants to experiment with another college-minded “offensive genius”.

Meanwhile, all the other NFL teams will get their Whisenhunts, Riveras, Chows, and so on, meanwhile, we’re stuck with another 2-3 yr project. Yeah, great.

And on top of that, we still don’t have an answer to our SORRY WIDE RECEIVERS. Petrino isn’t going to catch the damn ball. Or how to take a fast Running Back and turn him into a real Quarterback (ala Brady, Manning, etc…).

You can design all the fancy offensive plays in the world, doesn’t matter squat, if you don’t have the personnel to EXECUTE it.

Or it all could have just been a smoke-screen, and maybe they were after Petrino all along. Highly unlikely.

My hunch is that all the people they interviewed are just scared of coming into Atlanta and trying to win with Mike Vick. Imagine how much REJECTION Blank and Mckay got this week, that they had to pull a college coach out of their hat.

By Vickisajoke

January 8, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Now this man is a coach…not a buddy, helmet,rear end kisser..but a coach to the core!! He’s been on both sides of the table college and pro, no need to worry!! As for leaving his contract at Louisville for a Pro contract…LIFE IS SHORT!! You don’t get offers like he got everyday you have to run with it. Relax…surely Vick will either show he can play or be put out on the curb where he has belonged for at least 4 years.

By long time falcon

January 8, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Everyone likes to point out all the college coaches who have failed in the pro game. There is also a list of college coaches who have done exceptionally well- bill walsh stanford/ jimmy johnson U miami/ dick vermeil ucla/ tom coughlin boston college. I’m not saying petrino will succeed but there is precedent in the league that it can happen with the right fit.

A lot of falcon fans wanted to hire one of the leagues young assitants, but some of these guys had worts. Did you know that cam cameron was the head football coach at Indiana University and failed miserably. I also read that a pittsburg insider was qouted as saying that whisenhunt was a great X and O guy but not neccesarily a great leader. He predicted that grimm would get the job over whisenhunt in pittsburg based on grimms leadership qualities. Singletary may be a great canidate one day but as of now he just hasn’t got enough experience. Ron rivera in my opinion would be the best NFL canidate, but is he really the reason chicagos defense is great or is lovie smith the catalyst behind that unit.

By Miss QC

January 8, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

GO VICK…..GOOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!..

GOOD LUCK COACH PETRINO

By UT96

January 8, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

As a long time Falcons fan and season ticket holder, I say this is the worst hire ever in he Marion Campbell, June Junes sense of the word. The Falcons are headed for another run of futility. Petrino won’t last two seasons. His gimmick offense much like June Jones run and shoot won’t cut it in the pros. Also, it doesn’t play to Vick’s strengths.

By Eric

January 8, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

One quick question, If Vick and Manning traded places, who would have a better season? One team has pro-bowl and Hall of Fame caliber talent and the other has middle school type talent at receiver. It has to do with the supporting cast. Terry Bradshaw is a Hall of Fame quaterback but could not read defenses and was not smart enough to enroll at LSU. He was surrounded not by pro-bowl talent but Hall of Famers. In the NFL, you need to be in the right place at the right time.

By Bartkowski Fan

January 8, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

He will succeed with a bigger line and a real QB

By Savannah Guy

January 8, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

College Coach for a college QB?

Is Blank building a team around a sandlot player?

No answers…just questions.

By Big fan

January 8, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

why oh why can we not get it right…whishenhunt is available and now this???

It is obvious that Arthur needs to BACK AWAY and let his FOOTBALL staff do their job…

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

EVERYONE SEEMS TO BLAME THE WR’S FOR DROPPING PASSES ON WHY MICHAEL VICK IS AND THE COACHES ARE NOT ‘GREAT’. THIS IS A BUNCH OF CRAP. OVER IN NEW ENGLAND WITH THE PATRIOTS, THEY KEEP PLUGGING IN NO NAME WR’S THAT COULD NEVER MAKE IT WITH ANOTHER TEAM. TOM BRADY MAGICALLY KEEPS THROWING THEM CATCHABLE AND ACCURATE PASSES THAT THEY CATCH. THEY BECOME SUPERSTARS. THEN THEY LEAVE AND GO TO A TEAM WHERE THEY SUCK AGAIN BECAUSE THAT QB CAN’T THROW A CATCHABLE PASS.

By tired of falcons losing

January 8, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Peyton manning works harder in the offseason with his receivers than any QB in the league. That is why they have great chemistry. While manning is working with his receivers vick be all up in the club.

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

BOBBY PETRINO WOULD MAKE A GREAT STORE MANAGER AT HOME DEPOT.

By Want to be a fan

January 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Now get rid of Vick to Oakland for some great future draft trades.

Great athlete doesn’t mean great QB. Keep Schaub and trade Vick. Schaub fits the prototype found with the successful NFL teams.

By BUD MAN

January 8, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

I’LL COACH THE TEAM FOR BEER!

By 紅城

January 8, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Great another college coach to try his hand at the NFL. Does Steve Spurrier or Nick Saban ring a bell?

Expect three years or so of below .500 football and then another coaching search.

By Al Bundy

January 8, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

When Petrino is fired in 2-3 seasons, you doubters will see that “Ron Mexico” is indeed a Coach Killer. Why can’t King Arthur accept that fact? Matt Schaub is the only real QB on the team. Shockley needs a couple more years and he will do fine. Get rid of Vick while he has a little value left. Otherwise, next season is 8-8 at BEST.

By Ga Liberal

January 8, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Two words: Steve Spurrier. ‘Nuff said.

By SCBird

January 8, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

You guys are so funny. You act like the Falcons were such a powerhouse before Vick got there! I bet you he’s one of Falcon’s winningest QB’s….Get real people I bet you want Jeff George, Chris Miller, or Billy Joe Tolliver back. You guys are a joke.

By RON MEXICO: Coach Killer

January 8, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Next on My Coaches-to-Kill Hit List:

Bobby Petrino

-

By The Old Ball Coach

January 8, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

To answer your question, Eric, if P. Manning and Vick traded places, Manning would still have the better season despsite the team differential. The key, which seems lost on most of these bloggers, is A) Vick has to throw the ball (if he wants to roll out, let him, but he’s simply got to look off CB’s and find an open man B) The Coach has to convince Vick that running the ball is not in the long term interest of the team or himself. This is not an Oakie offense from the seventies, it’s the NFL for Christ sake, where real QBs, not sissies, stay behind the scrimmage line and heave the f** ball downfield to guys who are supposed to be able to catch it. Example: Brady ran for 12 yards the other day—his longest playoff run ever. He had to run, not because he wanted to, because he absolutely had to. The difference is entirely lost on Blank and Vick, and apparently, most of these ignorant bloggers. If it was some dorky white QB constantly runnin’ the ball and losing games, these Vicky defenders would be cryin’ for a trade.

By UofLCardinal

January 8, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

I hope you good people of Atlanta are ready for some wide open,high scoring football.BP is great ball coach but unfortunatly he has no ethics and is probably one of the biggest liars in the business.He didn’t even have the decency to tell his coaching staff he was leaving.They found out from the local media.He’s not the kind of guy that likes to live in the fish bowl and thats what we have in Louisville.The University of Louisville is the only game in town and I think he figured out finally that he can’t lie to and extort the town and get away with it anymore,so he took the big bucks(25 mill. in 5 yrs.instead of 10 which is what he had here).His first order of business will be to get rid of Vick.He’ll tell the Vick nation that he’s your QB but he’ll backstab you without blinking an eye.Some of you may think I’m just blowing up because we lost our coach but I’m actually glad the liar’s gone.We have the best AD in college sports in Tom Jurich and I’m sure that our next coach will take us to a higher level than “ol snake in the grass” BP. Good Luck Falcon Fans

By Eric

January 8, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

To John from Dunwoody, you don’t think the scheme and the coaching staff has anything to do with the sucess of New England. As for the talent we have wide receiver, we don’t have any talent. Lets go back to the Mike Vick under Coach Reeves. Vick threw for almost 3000 yards and he had great wide receivers like McCord, Jefferson and Gaylor. I don’t think they are even in the league now. Let just face it. You hate blacks at QB and you are missing your KLan meeting. Mike is a more than capable QB. Will you be embarrassed to call yourself a Falcons fan if a black man leads you to the SuperBowl.

By Charles

January 8, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Why not either get the offesive coordinator from the Chargers or the Boise State coach if taking a college coach. He showed me an imagination and coaching execution excellence on the 3 key plays which I have never witnessed before or since. I hope this guy either trades Vic or used him and a runner/receiver. He has definetely proven that he is NOT a pro QB!

By Kdub

January 8, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure if this was the best hire, since there are many good NFL coordinators(i.e. Chow, Singletary) that we could have chose from. Only time will tell.

As far as those who think we should trade Vick and start Schaub, keep in mind that Schaub would still have to play behind the same offensive line that remains inconsistent, and throw to the same receivers who tend to drop a lot of passes and have never required a double team. We haven’t had receivers consistently draw double teams since Tony Martin and Terrance Mathis in ‘98.

Maybe no one remembers that Schaub has yet to win an NFL game, whether as a starter, or in mop up duty. Was his performance against the Eagles(1TD, 1INT) that impressive, especially against the second and third string defense?? At least Vick threw a TD and no INT’s against the starting defense. Schaub had the opportunity to win that game, and didn’t.

For those who place all of their cards on his ‘05 performance against the Patriots(which was a loss), remember that Richard Seymour, Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Eugene Wilson, and Randall Gay did not play(wow, that 3 out of 4 starters in their secondary, as well as the two best defensive players on their team). He was suppose to put up good stats against a team that was missing 5 defensive starters.

Trade Schaub for a 1st and 3rd round draft pick, then we can surround Vick with the talent that is needed to effectively run an offense, as well as put playmakers on defense.

No matter who the quarterback is, he must have a good supporting cast. As of now, until he proves otherwise, Matt Schaub is Doug Johnson to me. Then again, at least Doug Johnson won a few games which he started.

Stop blaming Vick for all of the Falcons problems.

By joe

January 8, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

You can bring in Jesus Christ to be coach; as long as Mike, “I did this”, I did that”, did you see my run?” Vick is QB, the Falcons will suck. Don’t know much about this new coach. Haven’t heard glowing things about him other than this past Orange bowl. He did leave town after just signing a contract to stay @ Loiusville which says loads about his integrity. I give him less than 2 years if Vick stays. Get rid of Vick & get a real team player as QB and watch the team come together.

By Dawn

January 8, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

It was a very quick decision, and as a season ticket holder I started the ‘06 season not sure I would renew my tickets. AND WITH THIS DECISION I WILL NOT RENEW. FOOLISH IS DEFINED AS REPEATEDLY DOING THE SAME THING AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS!

By Nomora

January 8, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

The Falcons will never go into a playoff with Vick under center. I hope Petrino dumps him for a true QB.

BTW HARTWELL IS ROBBING US: My 2 yr old spells better than you.

By Play that funky music whiteboy

January 8, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

UofLCardinal - Hey, John L Smith is available again! I know you guys would love to have him back!!!

By thg

January 8, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

I bet the Falcons draft that running back that got hurt for Louisville early in the season. He had a knee injury. Other teams will forget about him and he will be around in the third round? His name escapes me right now.

By John from Dunwoody

January 8, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

IF I WAS A RACIST, I WOULD BE CALLING OUT THE FALCONS TO GET RID OF, I DON’T KNOW, HALF THE PLAYERS OR WHATEVER. THAT IS STUPID. -JOHN FROM DUNWOODY (STEVE MCNAIR FAN)

By Ripdog

January 8, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

WTF! A college coach from a mid tier school to solve our problems. This is some bulls*!). We need a coach that can give us wins against Philly, Carolina, New Orleans, not Wake Forest or Cincinatti. What are these morans thinking?

By b man

January 8, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Forgot to mention 1 IMPORTANT thing…

I think the way Petrino uses Norwood will be just as important as how Petrino tweaks his offense for Vick.

From seeing how fast & dangerous Norwood is in the open field, if he’s used right (think of how the Saints use Bush or how the Eagles use Westbrook), I think he could be the missing piece this offense needs. Think for a second how difficult the Falcon’s would be to gameplan for w/ the threat of Vick and Norwood getting the ball more in the open field via screens and such.

I honestly believe the Falcons WR’s have the potential to be good…given the fact the WR’s weren’t in any kind of rhythm since ATL was a run heavy team and saw so few passes. Yes, the drops are unexcusable but on the flip side, they have each had games where they looked comfortable and had nice catches.

Should be interesting to see how the Falcon’s offense looks next season…can’t wait!

Go Falcons!!!

By Ken

January 8, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

The Falcons have had great talent and poor coaching. Petrino is stepping into a situation that is much better than what Spurrier or Saban went to. GO FALCONS!

By dennis

January 8, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

One thing is for sure - as far as this blog goes, it doesn’t matter who the Falcons hired, there are dozens of folks who are going to take pot shots at it. For all you people who wanted a coach “with NFL experience”, where do you think Mora and Knapp and Donatell came from? I’d rather have a proven winner AT SOME LEVEL than just another clown with experience. For you Whisenhunt fans, he is probably the next HC at Pittsburgh, not Atlanta. For those who say they hired too quickly, I guess it would have been better to wait until ALL THE OTHER TEAMS had hired their coaches, and the Falcons take WHOEVER IS LEFT OVER. Then you would have said “why did we wait so long?’ The bottom line is, some of you people will never be satisfied unless the Falcons are 16-0 and win the Super Bowl, but even then you will find something to b*** about. How about we give the new man a chance BEFORE we crucify him. okay?

By DeputyDawg

January 8, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Unless Mr. Blank wises up and fires Michael Vick this will be another..”different coach, same old crap” decision. Vick IS a “coach killer”. Now that we have a new coach, lets get us a REAL quarterback!!!

By jbzm

January 8, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Well we do know there choice of coach has no regard for his word; signing a contract and less than six months later goes else where. I think this is the same man who cost Auburn their AD and President. By this choice you can see the weakness in Blank’s character.

Remember when Blank bought the team and had the $10.00 per seat sections and stated at the press conference thoses prices would not change for five years.

By Hitemndabut

January 8, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I thought Blank was a baller. He should’ve went after Bill Cowher. I don’t care if he’s retired. Everybody has their price. What is this dude Petrino going to do with Vick? Vick runs the team, not any head coach. If Petrino can’t utilize Vick’s talents, he’ll be golfing right along side Dan Reeves and Jim Mora. I haven’t seen any evidence that Petrino can set up an offense for a mobile quarterback. At least Cowher has a little history with Cordele Stewart. This wasn’t a good move.

By Bud

January 8, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

He will not be able to handle Vick—Blank will not allow “anyone” to direct him, he has his own agenda and the team is second to himself he has his $$$$ and has no hunger factor no motivation—TRADE VICK AND 100% OF PROBLEMS WILL BE GONE.

By Bud

January 8, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

It is a wait and see game for Petrino. Arthur and Rich should have made Vick the coach because they seem to make their judgements on everything he says anyway.

By Haley's Comet

January 8, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

I think it’s a great move, I just hope he has the power to sit Vick if he does not work out. By the way I hope he does.

By Bud

January 8, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

VICK—SANDLOT QUARTERBACK—MY BALL, YOU PLAY MY GAME, MY RULES—I’M THE STAR*DON’T LIKE IT—I DON’T CARE!!

By NCR

January 8, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Great, so of all the NFL coaching vacancies, we hired FIRST. Great, so what does that tell us. It tells us that of all the NFL coordinators that we interviewed, not ONE wanted the Falcons job. NOT A SINGLE ONE!

With all the supposed talent that we have, not ONE was interested enough in it. So, I guess Blank & Co. panicked and jumped on Petrino to save face. That is my only conclusion as to why they made this hurried decision.

By Fade

January 8, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

I think that this is going to work, being a Georgia native, a Falcons fan, and living in Montana I can say that I have gotten to Montanan’s sensibilities. Generally they are no nonsense about getting things done, and in an accountable degree, something that fans can be proud of.

By Don KeBallz

January 8, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Vick is a stud, I can’t believe there are so many haters out there! Good choice in Head Coach, should be an exciting time at Flowery Branch. Lets draft the UofL QB as a back up and get rid of Schuab, AKA D.Johnson,s. Mitchell, etc…

By Fade

January 8, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I think that this is going to work, being a Georgia native, a Falcons fan, and living in Montana I can say that I have gotten to Montanan’s sensibilities. Generally they are no nonsense about getting things done, and in an accountable degree, something that fans can be proud of.

By Jetrains

January 8, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry that Petrino is going to your losing franchise. He is too good for that team. He would be better if he went to the Jets or Chiefs. His family will not like Atlanta and they will be disappoineted they left the Bluegrass.

By Joe

January 8, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Blank should have fired himself. He’s the idiot who gave Vick the enormous contract that they can’t get out of. Petrino will be an excellent coach but just like Mora he has a qb with no brain to work with…

By moondawg

January 8, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

NEVER HEARD OF HIM

By Louisvillian Living in Atlanta

January 8, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

As a UofL alum I am upset with this move. So Petrino had a few great years. I don’t think he has a long enough record to prove anything to the Falcons. Also, I worry that all his star players will follow him to the NFL and leave a developing program in ruins.

By Jaye

January 8, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m excited at the chance to start over. Once the team starts winning again, this bandwagon’s gonna be soooo crowded. Glad I got my tickets now.

By Tommy

January 8, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame Blank can’t fire some of you ‘fans’ the way he fired Mora…so we hire a college coach and of course everyone screams ‘he has no pro experience!! [a lie, but it’s a convenient argument for the most negative fans in the NFL].

If we hired an assistant like whisenhunt or rivera, it would be ‘he has no head coaching experience!’

If we hired a big name head coach like lovie smith, it would be ‘he’ll leave as soon as a better job comes along!’

So from what I can tell, a lot of you want an undefeated coach with both college and pro experience, who was a head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator [all at the same time], who signs a blood oath to fulfill his contract at this afternoon’s press conference.

Does that cover everything??

Petrino is here because he runs a wide open offense, doesn’t put up with much crap, and as a first-time NFL coach there won’t be any ego battles with Blank and McKay. It’s a very logical decision, if you think it through.

And for you clowns saying ‘Jimmy Johnson is the only guy to successfully jump from college to the NFL’, Barry Switzer, Bill Walsh and their super bowl rings might like to have a chat with you

By Eagles Fan

January 8, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

I have no comment on the Hiring. I do however have a comment about Mr. Vick,

I am sick of people calling fans KKK memebers when we state something about an obvious project at QB (No Pun intended). Hey I grew up in the hood 100% black and From Philly.

Who would you take?

Vick or McNabb

Close this blog

McNabb has out played that feable minded QB in College, H.S., and the Pros. McNabb could run for 2k yards if he wanted to, but he would rather WIN. Vick needs a translator to read the playbook in the huddle hahaha