Drop him up on the north pole on some of that thin ice that I keep hearing about.
"I can't do this no more," (DeAngelo) Hall said. "I won't do this no more, let me say that. I will not be a part of a losing team another year, no matter what I got to do, no matter who hates me, whatever. I won't be a part of a losing team again, not if I can help it. "
Hall remains an outspoken critic of (former Head Coach Bobby) Petrino, who resigned ... after just 13 games and left for Arkansas. Despite missing the Pro Bowl team ..., Hall insists he's more upset that the Falcons are in disarray after (Team Owner Arthur ) Blank fired (former Head Coach) Jim Mora and replaced him with Petrino. Hall, a former No. 8 overall draft pick, grew so tired of what he described as an unapproachable attitude from Petrino that he still doesn't regret their sideline fight in Week 3. Hall also believes he was justified to carry a poster of imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick onto the Georgia Dome field two weeks ago.
"You've got to understand, too, that this is a new generation, a new kind of player," Hall said. "The rah-rah, threatening (approaches) don't really work no more ."
No DeAngelo, you don't understand. It's about submission and respect. Sometimes you have to let others call the shots, do what your told and keep your mouth shut.
And the kicker?
"I don't think it's come to, 'Get me out of here right now,"' Hall said. "I wouldn't say that, but it's just that the offseason ... (is) definitely going to be interesting to see who we bring in, what free agents are available to go after, what draft picks we make to try to get better."
No, Deangelo, let me use what you call your persistent willingness to be "brutally honest." It's come down to we need to get you out of here right now. We will be going after free agent cornerbacks curently playing for Oakland and Seattle, and trading your sorry #### for whatever we can get for it.
There would be no question that recent Atlanta Falcons teams would try to exploit a defense that had just given up almost 300 yards rushing the week before. The Falcons led the league in rushing each of the last two years. They always emphasized the run under former coach Jim Mora, but this is a new era.
The Falcons play Sunday at Jacksonville, which was supposed to have a strong defensive front but instead gave up a franchise-record 282 yards rushing in a 13-10 loss to Tennessee last week. Meanwhile, Atlanta running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood combined for only 88 yards rushing in a 24-3 loss at Minnesota.
The Falcons have released the following statement:
"We appreciate the speed at which the Miami authorities concluded their investigation, and we are pleased to learn of the outcome of the investigation. This is another reminder of the high-profile nature of a professional athlete and the close scrutiny players undergo related to their conduct on and off the field. We look forward to putting this matter behind us."
Why did I expect any more? Did I really think that the NFL would set the moral high standard? I am so naive.
For some reason I figured the NFL would look into this matter further and then that the Falcons would follow suit. It is good management practice from what I understand. Stupid me, I'm thinking like an MBA again.
The Falcons. What a joke of morality.
####! Get your #### here! Contracts available for flicking off fans and throwing coaches under buses. Free water bottle with secret marijuana compartment with every purchase or contract.
And just what the hell is that grafitti on his neck?
"So it turns out Michael Vick was not carrying a water bottle laced with marijuana on his way through the Miami airport. Case closed, right? Hardly. Even though Vick was cleared of possible drug charges following his "Bottlegate" encounter with the TSA, there's still a very vocal segment of the football-watching audience in Atlanta that believes it's time for the Falcons to get rid of their quarterback. Vick has become a lightning rod for all that ails the Falcons -- and the incident at Miami International Airport last week only fueled Internet and talk-show chatter about what should happen next.
Even the Falcons hierarchy seemed quick to blame Vick when police said he was reluctant to give up a bottle that smelled of marijuana and had a secret compartment. The quarterback was quickly summoned to a meeting at team headquarters with owner Arthur Blank, general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino. The whole episode raises some legitimate questions about Vick's judgment. If he wasn't carrying anything illegal, why did he allegedly balk at turning over the water bottle in Miami? When he got back to Atlanta, why didn't he hold a news conference to strongly proclaim his innocence?"
Appearances are such that non-conspiracy theorists like me are howling coverup as well as others.
"Smells like a Miami coverup to keep the NFL happy and insure future SuperBowls for Miami"....posted by scot
Petrino told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Vick's incident at Miami International Airport last week was "unfortunate" -- but that it's time to move past the episode. Lab tests on the bottle, which contained a hidden compartment that police suspected may have contained marijuana, later found no evidence of drugs. Vick was never arrested or charged in the matter. The meeting with Vick on Jan. 18, a day after the incident, was Petrino's first face-to-face meeting with his star quarterback since leaving Louisville to succeed Jim Mora as head coach of the Falcons.
"I told him I didn't think our first meeting would be under these circumstances, but it was good to get to know him a little bit," Petrino told the Journal-Constitution. "He told me what happened and how it happened, and from that point we decided we're going to get past that," Petrino told the newspaper. "It's unfortunate but we're going to put that behind us and it's hopefully football from here on. I'm really looking forward to moving on." "There's no questioning" that Vick is the Falcons' starter next season, Petrino told the newspaper.
Get used to it Bobby. Welcome to the Hot Seat. Now serving, Falcons coaches. So you think this is the only such meeting you will have with Vick? Don't count on it, he's really good at keeping that fire stoked.
While quarterback Michael Vick ended up being exonerated in the now infamous "Bottlegate" incident at the Miami International Airport, the manner in which the Falcons organization responded to the situation is what is most noteworthy in the whole mess. A lawyer by trade, McKay held a hastily-called press briefing in which, among other things, he expressed the organization's disappointment over what occurred. This was based on a police report that mentioned an undetermined trace substance with the aroma of marijuana had been discovered in the secret-compartment bottle that Vick had reluctantly tossed away while going through the screening process at the airport, and before final test results on that bottle were released and eventually cleared Vick of any wrongdoing (besides stupidity, that is, for simply not surrendering the bottle to TSA officials when he was originally asked to do so). The fact that the Falcons didn't allow any modicum of due process to run its course before chastising Vick speaks volumes to the diminishing esteem in which he is held within the organization. Along with the team just coming off a second straight disappointing finish to not qualify for the playoffs, the Miami airport episode was the latest in a growing number off-the-field public relations snafus - his 'Ron Mexico' alias in a #### case, an Internet picture of him apparently holding a marijuana cigarette, and giving Atlanta fans the finger after a loss, are others - have helped to erode Vick's stature.
The Falcons have closed ranks and relied on the McKay interview, or terse press releases authored by Reggie Roberts, the vice president of football communications, or Kim Shreckengost, the executive vice president of operations for Blank's foundation, to address the issue. Shreckengost, of all people, was the organization's designated mouthpiece on the latest bit of Vick news, as she quelled rumors of a Vick trade to the oakland Raiders being bandied about on the Fox Sports website, as well as shooting down any thoughts that Vick would be released. Any thoughts of cutting Vick - thehighest paid player in the NFL with a 10-year, $130 million contract that expires in 2013 - may make for great sports-talk fodder, but in reality, would be committing salary cap suicide. If the Falcons decided to do such a thing, it would cost them approximately $23 million against the 2007 cap total of $109 million. The team would be forced to make other cuts to get under the salary cap, and would be greatly hampered in efforts to sign draft picks and potential free agents.
Talk about mismanaging the salary cap. What a mess. In the words of Charlie Brown, Good Grief. Or maybe the end zone painter in the Chefs commercial said it best. Great Googly Moogly.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Bobby Petrino will have an impact on Michael Vick and the Falcons. Just ask team owner Arthur Blank. Blank sees Petrino, who was hired away from the University of Louisville, "as a difference-maker." "Bobby knows how to motivate," Blank said Monday. "He knows how to teach. He knows how to get the best out of his athletes. ... He'll push Michael Vick to higher levels."
I have made it very clear to Bobby that Mike has eight long years left on his contract and that this team better damn well win with Michael Vick. Bobby has only two years to get back to the playoffs or I'll can his #### too. He better act different with Mike than Jim did. He best not contest anything Mike says or he'll be looking for work at the University of Washington with Jim.
The Falcons, first in the league in rushing but last in passing, ranked 25th in scoring in their disappointing 7-9 season that cost third-year coach Jim Mora his job. Vick made history this season as the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards. He also passed for a career-high 20 touchdowns, but his 13 interceptions, 52.7 completion percentage and 75.7 quarterback rating were indicators he had not made satisfactory progress as a passer.
We have to get Mike's passing yards up and get everyone off his back because his jersey sales are down. I have explained this to Bobby and he damn well better get it or else. I know our defense sucks but screw that, this is about marketing man, filling the stands, selling beer. It's about the money man. We make more money if we make the playoffs, but I am not fool enough to spend enough to bring in the best players available.
Petrino, 45, polished his reputation as a top offensive coach in four seasons as Louisville's head coach. His 41-9 record included a 12-1 mark and No. 5 national ranking this season. The Cardinals ranked fourth in the nation in scoring and second in total yards.
I've told Bobby that I hired him because I got him on the cheap because I did not want to hire a known name because it would cost to much. He knows just like Jim did that this is his shot. Take it or else. He took it now he better make it work.
After three years with Mora, who came to Atlanta with a background in defense, general manager Rich McKay and Blank agreed it was time to bring in a coach whose specialty is offense.
I am not an ####. Neither was Bill Clinton. I read the poles. They want offense so I went for offense.
McKay and Blank spoke with other candidates but moved quickly on Petrino, making the hire Sunday -- the same day they had their first contact with the coach.
Hell it had been a week and I was getting sick of spending so much time with McKay. You know I need a CEO for Home Depot to get hired too don't you? Besides, I am allergic to McKay's aftershave.
McKay said a provision of the agreement on a five-year, $24 million deal is Petrino will pay his $1 million buyout from his Louisville contract. "I was certainly committed to the University of Louisville and staying there," Petrino said. "I did not go out and seek any other jobs and did not go make a phone call to any NFL teams, and then this came up."
I, (Bobby) was trying to figure out if I wanted KFC for lunch again when I heard the controversy Mora created with his Washington comments and my cell phone rang and it was Arthur.
Upon being introduced as Falcons coach, Petrino was hit with so many questions about Vick and his plans for the quarterback that finally he declared, "Michael Vick is our startingquarterback today. There's no question about that." "This is my first day on the job," added Petrino, who said he had not yet talked with Vick. "I'm really looking forward to getting to know him and watching him and developing and working at it. We haven't been able to get out on the field yet. We haven't been able to get in the video room yet. But I know he's a great quarterback and a great competitor."
What? You think I didn't understand what the hell Arthur was saying?
McKay said he was looking for more than a new quarterbacks coach for Vick when he recommended hiring Petrino. "I really believe you don't go into it saying you've got to hire the right coach who fits one player, because that player could get hurt," McKay said.
I (McKay) am trying to find Vick an advertising contract for a condom company and we are thinking about getting us a Muslim Cleric to work with Mike and help him find 100 virgins.
Petrino called the hiring a "whirlwind" process. He said he had calls about other NFL jobs but "immediately told them no." "I think the No. 1 thing that drew my interest was Rich being here," Petrino said. "I was able to see the commitment that has been made here. I believe this is truly the best football job in the NFL. It was an easy decision for me."
I (Bobby) am using the whirlwind reference because biblically it represents disaster and that's what I am afraid I have gotten myself into here with this coachkiller for a quarterback that can't keep it in his pants.
Petrino was quarterbacks coach for two years (1999-2000) and offensive coordinator in 2001 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mark Brunell, another left-handed quarterback, threw for 3,640 yards in 2000 and 3,309 yards in 2001. While with Jacksonville, Petrino became familiar with McKay, then the general manager in Tampa Bay. McKay said he tried to hire Petrino as offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers in 2001, when Petrino left the Jaguars to become the offensive coordinator at Auburn.
I needed something on my resume to help me stand out so I threw in the left handed quarterback thing. It seems they bought it. I thought that Arthur and McKay were dimwits when they bought into it but now I think it was me that got hoodwinked. ####, I thought that since there was nobody that coached Ken Stabler still coaching, that it was a good angle too.
But Petrino's knowledge of McKay did not bring immediate familiarity with the Falcons' offensive struggles. "I saw that stat this morning of what we were in the passing game," Petrino said. "We definitely need to work on being balanced, there's no question. ... I'm looking forward to the challenge in developing the passing game here.
I knew the money sounded too good and that I should have at least waited until the waitress at the IHOP we stopped at after they picked me up at the airport had brought us our coffee before telling them yes.
" Petrino plans to call plays from the Falcons' sideline and said he hopes to hire a blend of veteran NFL assistant coaches and young assistants from his Louisville staff. Petrino's brother, Paul, who was Louisville's offensive coordinator, is an obvious candidate for the Atlanta staff. Another possibility is Louisville co-defensive coordinator Mike Cassity. No assistant on Petrino's Louisville staff has coached in the NFL. Asked about his brother, Petrino said "I think he's a candidate [for the Louisville head coach position]. We'll have to wait and see."
I know some of my old NFL buddies and Louisville friends are going to need work so given I am not going to be here long I might as well help them get another year or two of work in so they can retire.
One member of Mora's Atlanta staff already has found another job. Special teams coach Joe DeCamillas was hired by Jacksonville.
I (Joe) am smart enought to get my #### out of town.
Despite recent improvements in the past four games by the Atlanta defense, the pass D still ranks 25th in the NFL. And this week there is no weak replacement quarterback named Chris Weinke on the opposite side of the ball. Yes, there is a replacement, but he's not weak. Jeff Garcia has proven to be anything but that.
The Eagles still bring the 3rd best pass offense into Sundays game that kicks off at 4:00 p.m. eastern on FOX. Can the Falcons step up and stop it? I doubt it. Indeed, in my opinion the pass D is likely to be the log that breaks Mora's back.
The Philadelphia Eagles passing game is averaging 250 yards each contest while the Atlanta defense gives up 220 yards per game. So, I look for the Eagles to get around 240 yards off of the Falcons. That will likely give the Eagles the offensive edge and allow them to win the game. My prediction, Eagles 21 Falcons 19. Oh yes, and, unfortunately in my opinion, Mora gets fired.
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