DeAngelo Hall seen above in a heated argument with coach Bobby Petrino is once again upset with the falcons coach and organization, after the team released defensive lineman Grady Jackson. The pro-bowl cornerback believes the team has already given up this season and looking towards next year. He has already been fined once by the team for a sideline confrontation with Petrino.
Hall was quoted as saying," I don't know what kind of message is being sent to let Grady go' Hall also said, "I am trying to go all out on every snap. But alot of guys feel like everyone from the top down are kind of turning it in." Petrino denied that is the case at all.
" It had nothing to do with anything but football" the coach said. "It's just the way we wanted to go." Players feel as though the coach has given way to the young guys in expense of the veterans on the team. Hall is not buying what the coach is selling to the fans and media at all.
"If that's the case... they can probably cut me to," Hall said. "They need to cut all 53 of us. Nobody is playing the way they should be right now, obviously. I mean we're 1-6. To sit there and single out Grady is assinine. It's ridiculous."
Other players were just as stunned as Hall. RB Warrick Dunn said "It's a shock, and we are all asking the question why?" As the loses piled up TE Alge Crumpler blasted the play calling of Petrino and said that the team was focusing on the younger players and leaving the vet's out in the cold.
Hall also said this about his contract with Atlanta. I didn't just sign a lucrative deal where I can sit around and watch this ship sink," Hall said. "I can't do that. I've got one more year on my deal. I feel as though I can go out and get a ton of money, whether it's here of somewhere else. I've got a lot of stuff to play for."
One things for certain and that's if coach Petrino doesn't right the ship the team is in jepordy of losing another good player from this team. Something Atlanta can ill afford with the shots it has taken to it's roster so far this season. You can bet on one thing, when Hall's contract is up there will be plenty of teams looking to use his services. Hey Hall we sure would welcome you in New Orleans when ever you are ready to come.
The season is far from over yet. I'm sure there will be plenty more grumblings going on in the Falcons locker room. It will be interesting to see if coach Bobby Petrino can get his veterans to go along with his plan. I doubt it, so look for more Drama from Atlanta soon.
I'll stand behind Crumpler and Hall in bashing Petrino, however, I do not agree with their view regarding letting Jackson go. In my opinion he was a weak spot on the defensive line for the last two years. I often confused him with Wayne Gandy on the offensive line who also sucks.
Regarding Jackson's dismissal I like the way Joe Horn put it better than what Hall and Crumpler have said and are saying.
"Veteran wide receiver Joe Horn also played with Jackson in New Orleans.
'Grady is a good friend of mine,' Horn said. 'I know his wife and I know his children. I'm sad to see him go. But, decisions like that obviously are made from upstairs... Grady is a great guy -- a friend around the locker room -- but that's the decision the higher power made. We have to respect that.'"
While Jackson's replacement is young and unproven, Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Bobby "Petrino said rookie defensive tackle Trey Lewis will now have a key role along the defensive front," I agree with this move. We have to build for the future now. There is no need to keep marginal veterans around.
Last edited by 14Falcons on October 24th at 4:03 PM.
Im not all that knowledgable of the goings on in Atlanta, but it seems like Petrino is trying to bring a collegiate attitude to the Falcons, emphasizeing speed and agility, and therefore has alienated guys like Crumpler and now Jackson. I havent watched him much, but i know that hes one of the few left from a dying breed of beefy, space eating and run stuffing tackles.
Whats confusing to me is that the one veteran which i think should see his playing time cut in favor of a younger, more explosive player, Warrick Dunn, is still getting far more carriers than the up and coming Jerious Norwood. This team is obviously not in a position to win now, and with what looks like a youth movement taking place in Atlanta, you would think Norwood would get double digit carries.
On a different note, i would like to see Grady Jackson in a Bears uniform. The Bears line has been very beaten up. Dusty Dvoracek has been IR'd and both Tommis Harris and Darwin Walker have been bothered by injuries. Both of those guys are more pass rushers than run stuffers anyhow, so Jackson would be a welcome addition even if they weren't nicked up. Lets see if Angelo could do something to help his team get back to teh playoffs.
14falcons, Joe being as how I know him from his days here in New Orleans always say's the right things to the media about his teamates prior or former. That doesn't mean what he may realy think about it. He has to say that because he's a long time vet and he is trying to get his team to play ball. If all these moves cause DeAngelo to leave after his contract is fulfilled, Then Petrino will have much to answer to. But hey your a Falcons guy, if you can live with it I surely can.
Mike, I agree, as far as I'm concerned that team is done. The locker roomis in disarary and the vet's like Hall are just going to get out their and go with hte flow now until the season is over.
Chitown, If you lok up Grady's stats since being with the Falcons he led them last year in tackles for a loss and was also leading them so far this year. WTF is Patrino thinking?
Reading chitown's comments I am recalling that it was Grady's inability to get a sack in pass defense last year that was buggin' me. Of course, I have slept since then.
I love DeAngelo. But he needs to shut up and step up. He clearly cost us one win this year and I haven't seen him win one for us to make up for it yet. If he doesn't step up, who knows, I might throw him under the bus for gambit's king cake.
14Falcons, Yeah Hall did cost you guys a game against the Panthers. Also last week against the Saints he didn't do much of anything. I think he's just as guilty of tanking the season as anyone on the team.
p.s. Would gladly send you King cake during Mardi Gras season if you like. I know this great bakery here in New Orleans that ships King cakes all over the world.
Grady was good, but his time is limited. He is getting older, and yea, Hall is probably right, they are already preparing for the 08-09 season with 9 games still left to go in this one.
Hall may have cost us ONE game... but did you see him against the Giants?? He set up play after play for our offense who couldn't do #### with it.
As for Petrino... honestly, it's too early to tell. And what in the hell does everyone expect from a coach who hasn't coached in the NFL? Would you expect the same from a rookie player who was like an 11th round pic? I personally saw this coming.
On another note... I agree with chitown about Dunn. Norwood is explosive and should be getting WAY more play time than he is. I am STILL confused about what is going on there.
I might take you up on that this winter. Believe it or not we have been able to find King cakes in St. Louis and Des Moines. Hmm, could it be the French heritage and Louisiana Purchase connection? Who knows? Maybe.
All I saw against the Giants was a team that didn't have a chance. I saw six dropped balls. I remember that.
Petrino did not have a long standing proven track record in my opinion and based on what I am seeing I do not expect anything out of him. Louisville! Please. That's not even SEC caliber right there, much less NFL caliber. Sorry.
What I am learning, sadly, in the fifth year of my return to the Falcons is that Arthur Blank sucks! Unfortunately for Atlanta, I think the city is doomed as long as he is the owner. He has through 09 to get us back in the playoffs or I will move on.
I notice my old Chiefs are leading the AFC West. And I am counting on a job offer coming in from KC within two weeks. Is a return to a regular seat at Arrowhead in the cards?
Last edited by 14Falcons on October 25th at 11:30 AM.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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