Petrino resigns after rocky season

Atlanta Falcons

Petrino resigns after rocky season

Bobby Petrino called it quits Tuesday after leading the Falcons to a 10-3 start.

Bobby Petrino's experiment as an NFL coach came to a disappointing end when he resigned Tuesday. But he was all smiles the day he was named the Falcons head coach in January.

Bobby Petrino decided to leave Louisville after an 11-1 regular season and a trip to the Orange Bowl for the chance to become an NFL coach.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank kept a watchful eye on his new coach during the first day of mini-camp in April.

Bobby Petrino quickly realized he had gotten more than he bargained for when star quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on federal dog fighting charges in July.

With Michael Vick gone, Bobby Petrino's best option for a starting quarterback became Joey Harrington.

Bobby Petrino's offense took another hit in the preseason, when backup quarterback D.J. Shockley was injured. Despite the setbacks at quarterback, the Falcons finished the preseason 3-1.

Bobby Petrino could only watch as Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons lost their regular-season opener 24-3. It was the first of three straight losses.

The Falcons managed to win their fourth game against the Texans, but it was evident Bobby Petrino was having difficulty with his players. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall was suspended for the first quarter of the game because of an incident the previous week.

The entire nation got to see how far the Falcons had slid under Bobby Petrino (with wide receiver Alge Crumpler) when they lost 31-10 to the Giants on Monday Night Football.

The quarterback carousel started to spin against the Saints in Week 7, when Bobby Petrino named Byron Leftwich the starter. Leftwich was injured later in the game.

Bobby Petrino was all smiles after the Falcons won consecutive games against the 49ers and Panthers. Perhaps he thought the team had finally turned the corner.

With Byron Leftwich returning from his injury and back in the starting lineup, the Falcons reverted to their losing ways, something that left Bobby Petrino screaming in frustration.

Again playing before a national audience, this time on Thanksgiving night, the Falcons were able to hang with the Super Bowl champion Colts for a half. But the Falcons Bobby Petrino came to know and hate showed up in the second half, with Joey Harrington taking some hard hits along the way, and they lost 31-13.

A referee felt the wrath of Bobby Petrino when Adam Jennings' touchdown return against the Rams was called back. Petrino brought his third quarterback, Chris Redmon, into the game late in the third quarter. Redmon tried to rally the Falcons, but it was too little, too late as they lost their third straight 28-16.

The final straw: After moving to 3-10 after another loss to the Saints on Monday night, Bobby Petrino finally threw his hands up and resigned to take the job at Arkansas.

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Bobby Petrino's experiment as an NFL coach came to a disappointing end when he resigned Tuesday. But he was all smiles the day he was named the Falcons head coach in January.

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