What if the Falcons had hired Singletary?
DIRTY BIRDLAND – Made it through the bye week!!!
San Francisco coach Michael Singletary.
Got to see the end of the Patriots win over Baltimore. Was running to the garage to listen to the end of the Browns vs. Bengals on Sirrus radio in the car. The Denver vs. Dallas game was boring. Doesn’t look like the Cowboys are going anywhere with Tony Romo as the QB. In the night game, the Super Bowl champs had a tough time finishing off the Chargers.
Now, it’s back to the Falcons. We can dig in for the long haul, starting with this San Francisco game.
The 49ers are 3-1 and coming off a 35-0 pasting of the woeful St. Louis Rams. The offense, defense and special teams all scored against the Rams. It’s their best start since 2002, the last year they made the playoffs.
The biggest question about this game is what would have happened if Falcons owner Arthur Blank had hired Michael Singletary instead of Bobby Petrino back in 2007?
Loading ...Singletary was a candidate after Petrino bolted for Arkansas, but the Falcons never called. Blank went in another direction and hired Thomas Dimitroff as the general manager and then Mike Smith as the head coach.
You couldn’t find a good “football reason” why Singletary would not make a good head coach. He played for Iron Mike Ditka. He was the anchor of those strong Chicago Bear defenses of the 1980s. His “old-school” approach to the game is what a lot of these young players need.
About the only thing circulating in the media was that he had a large family and that didn’t allow him to spend 36 hours a day at the office. That sleeping on the couch stuff might be overrated. If you have excellent organizational skills and a talented staff, there shouldn’t be a need to spend the night in the building.
Singletary was a fierce player.
It was just a matter of time before Singletary got one of the NFL’s 32 jobs.
Seven games into last season, Singletary, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, took over in San Francisco. His motivational talks have been a part of the 49ers’ turnaround.
If Singletary had landed the Falcons job, he would have been the one dealing with the Michael Vick dog fighting case. He’d probably would have had the same disastrous season that was waiting for Petrino. He likely, wouldn’t have left for Arkansas.
Where things would have taken a different path would have been over that offseason. Singletary may have had the swing vote in the Glenn Dorsey vs. Matt Ryan draft day drama.
It’s reasonable to conclude that former linebacker would have gone defense and Ryan would be the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs right now. Oakland, had taken JaMarcus Russell earlier and probably still would have picked Darren McFadden in 2008.
But history took a different path and things appear to be working out for both franchises.
What do you think would have happened if the Falcons had hired Singletary? Would he have pulled his pants down and said the team was getting their butts kick in 2007? Would the Falcons have gone to the playoffs last season?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
97 comments Add your comment
is reality check - bad news?
October 5th, 2009
2:42 pm
What happen to your boy Flacco yesterday?Looks like he couldn’t get it done.What kinda praise do have for him now?
Art Blank
October 5th, 2009
2:43 pm
Mike Singletary is not our kind!
is reality check - bad news?
October 5th, 2009
2:45 pm
I’m an idiot because Matty Lice had ZERO tds against the Patriots, but Joe Flacco had 2 tds and didn’t lose by 16 freakin points
Mike Vick Curse
October 5th, 2009
2:46 pm
2004 & counting baby
newkid
October 5th, 2009
2:49 pm
The implosion of #7 was likely inevitable regardless of the HC situation, and the need to retool was likely a foregone conclusion. This essential reworking of the roster was aided much more by the ‘get’ of TD than of the decision on a new HC. Certainly one could speculate as to whether the chemistry between a Singletary & TD would have been comparable of better than the obvious chemistry between Smith and TD, but clearly TD (and his player evaluation system) is the diamond.
With only three (Ryan, Baker, and Lofton) of his top eight ‘08 and ‘09 draft choices regularly on the field, we’re not constantly reminded of TD’s importance to the organization. Despite the fact that Jerry and Douglas are on IR, Moore’s injured and is yet to play, and Owens and Jackson are only getting special teams duty, I shudder whenever I think of the paucity of talent we’d have were it not for TD. Smith and his staff certainly coaches them up, but TD is the straw that stirs the drink.
1bighammer
October 5th, 2009
3:07 pm
Wow! Does everything have to revolve around the “Black” guy? C’mon D.O.L. we know your question is a veiled attempt at suggestin the hiring of Mike Smith was racially motivated! Geez…just let it go!
I AM THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 5th, 2009
3:12 pm
http://www.thegrio.com/2009/10/dicks-sporting-goods-recently-made.php
You will see very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
willie
October 5th, 2009
3:13 pm
Just when I think sports really comes down to the players you have, a situation like Smith with the Falcons or Singletary with the 49ers comes around. Remarkable what a good, solid coach can do.
PMC
October 5th, 2009
3:22 pm
Much like with Smitty and BVG I think he would have instilled a hard nosed attack on defense.
I love Lofton, but I can’t imagine any team wouldn’t want to have Patrick Willis.
midnite
October 5th, 2009
3:23 pm
@Reality Check-Well you can tell school is out. Bad News is online again. Did Mommy fix milk and cookies for her little man when he got off the short bus?
Mike Singletary is THE MAN !!!!!!!!!!!
October 5th, 2009
3:24 pm
What if the AJC had actually hired a qualified candidate with a mastery of the English language and good football knowledge to write for this Falcons blog instead of the sub-standard person they hired and overpay based simply on his/her demographic?
Mike Singletary would take this Falcons team to the Super Bowl!
( AND WIN IT !!! )
# 50 FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PMC
October 5th, 2009
3:35 pm
You know the other thing about Singletary. He wouldn’t quit after a little adversity. He might moon some poor underachievers but he would not tolerate foolishness in his players preperation or thier game play.
Steve
October 5th, 2009
3:51 pm
What if we stood sideways and fart with our mouth open????
SimpleDawg
October 5th, 2009
3:51 pm
Stupid subject…..
We are better off now because of the hiring of Putrid Bobby.
As for Singletary, great player, good man, good coach, wish him luck…except this weekend.
F-105 Thunderchief
October 5th, 2009
3:58 pm
Wow these latest posts make me think my Chris Mortenson crack wasn’t so bad afterall. Geez.
dl
October 5th, 2009
4:33 pm
Hey DLED-I’ve read quite a bit of “Off Topic” comments on this blog. You sir are a hipocrite. I see you only pick and choose whatever comments strike your fancy! Like I said, you are a hipocrite!
robertussen
October 5th, 2009
4:43 pm
Does anyone remember Oakland wanted Mike Vick and offered Randy Moss and the number 1 over all draft pick for him. We already had Matt Schabe at QB. Mike Vick would have gone to jail and Oakland would have lost out. No 4-12 season or bad media. But things worked out and we’re building for lasting success so why look back?
Alan
October 5th, 2009
4:55 pm
Ledbetter someone needs to stuff a sock in your mouth to even think of something like this, the work that TD, Smitty and the players have done for this franchise is the best thing that has happend in the world of Falcons football, go stick you head in the sand and don’t come up for air.
Larry
October 5th, 2009
5:05 pm
Mr. Ledbetter,
I know it’s a rainy day but why are you spending it asking a hypothetical and thus meaningless question? What if we’d hired Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, John Madden or others that have been propositioned in the Falcons’ past?
Let’s live in and debate the “what is,” not dwell on the “what could have been!”
Alan
October 5th, 2009
5:06 pm
Reality Check, donate your warped mine to a medical center of your choice and don’t let the rest of us know your choice.
tyger
October 5th, 2009
5:08 pm
Never happen, Arthur Blank likes his Blacks on the field and in the kitchen…the Petrino hiring is proof. He’d rather have a redneck piece of Ark. hogsht than a Black NFL Hall of Fame pedigree…see Emmitt Thomas and Mike Singletary.
Barry
October 5th, 2009
5:46 pm
Hey Y’all:
I believe we have an “OLD SCHOOL”" coach in Mike Smith. I am satisfied with his selection. He likes “SMASH MOUTH”, on the offensive side of the ball, and he loves “SMASH MOUTH” on the defensive side of the ball, which he proclaims is his strength. Playing the “what if” game with coaches does not solve anyhting. MIKE DID AND IS DOING HIS JOB. He came here to the ATLANTA FALCONS, and in his first year, took us to the playoff with an 11-5 record last year. He established a team, no nonsense philosophy that the players bought into in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” He put the “T” in TEAM. And this year, he took risks in revamping his defense with “YOUNG GUNS” which, playing only 3 games, we are going through “growing pains” with them and I believe the results will be positive. “THE PROCESS” CONTINUES IN GETTING US TO THE SUPER BOWL. But it looks like these young guys are maturing on the field and are going in the right direction with some more than good coaching. But that is what it is going to take with this young defense, COACHING, until they start playing on “AUTOMATIC”" which I believe will be by the 6th game. Therefore, pay close attention to these FALCONS through this “PROCESS.”
THere are some Falcon legends in this young bunch. We made a good choice with Mike Smith as head coach. I believe he is really going to get “nasty” and “in your face” once he gets the defense tightened up. And that is when the fun starts. In fact, it has already started with this “BYE” week over. IT IS ON, BABY!! NOW, SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL, SOUTHERN STYLE, BEGINS IN THE ATL. NO MORE BREAKS. IT IS ON!! in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. THE FANS AND THE COMMUNITY ARE BEHIND YOU FALCONS! CAN YOU HEAR THE BEAT? THUMP!! THUMP!!! THUMP!!!!THUMP!!!!! IT IS ON IN “ONE HEARYBEAT!!!!!! THUMP !! THUMP!!!!
LET”S GO FALCONS AND KICK SOME NINER BUTT. REMEMBER, ONE GAME AT A TIME. IT”S ON!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
THIS IS A SECRET FROM A FALCON FAN! TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………..”ONE HEARBEAT,BABY!!!!!!…………..
Lil Larry
October 5th, 2009
6:15 pm
Who knows what kind of team we’d be. The circumstances would have been totally different with Singletary here…different owner, GM, coaching staff, potential players, etc. We wouldn’t even be the same Falcons team with many of the questionable players we signed/drafted.
Reality Check
October 5th, 2009
6:17 pm
“Alan
October 5th, 2009
5:06 pm
Reality Check, donate your warped mine to a medical center of your choice and don’t let the rest of us know your choice.”
That’s spelled “mind” not “mine”…..I think you will be ahead of the line…………
What an idiot
Ronald Millsaps
October 5th, 2009
6:17 pm
I promise you our defense would be better.
Janey Jackson
October 5th, 2009
6:19 pm
Remember my hit song “What have you done for me lately”?
Smitty, Thomas & Matt
LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janet Jackson
October 5th, 2009
6:20 pm
Remember my hit song “What have you done for me lately”?
Smitty, Thomas & Matt
LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
October 5th, 2009
7:31 pm
Enter your comments here
What a pointless article. What if Atlanta had hired ___________________? Endless speculation. How does Ledbetter even have a job? This is just something to take up space.
Erick Seglem
October 5th, 2009
8:20 pm
No one with less than a triple-digit I.Q. should be allowed to offer thoughts in this column. As it is, huge volumes of bile is flowing through the gutters of Atlanta tonight. Cheers from San Francisco!
Ryder
October 5th, 2009
8:59 pm
I was one of those who wanted Singletary here because this team was desperately in need of some discipline during that time. That said, he came into a great situation in San Francisco: little fanfare and expectations. Already he has helped them develop confidence and they look like they a threat to win the NFC West.
That said, I like what has happened here in the ATL. We are seeing two teams who are on the rise in the NFC. It remains to be seen if Atlanta will be able to get back to being a true running threat with Turner on Sunday. Since the defense is going to take time to develop, the Falcons offense must be more aggressive against the Niners’ defense.
June '81
October 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
I’m glad things turned out the way they did. While I am glad to see the 49ers back and the downfall of the cowgirls, I think the falcons are going to have their coming out party this week. A couple of adjustments and we are the best team in the nfc (defensively especially). If our defense comes up with the big interceptions, it looks totally different!
June '81
October 5th, 2009
9:15 pm
By the way, I like your style Barry!
mike
October 5th, 2009
9:38 pm
I really dont understand the purpose of this article. Obviously this moron writer has nothing better to write about other than a what if. Singletary was a monster football player and a Hall of Famer that has finally gotten the opportunity to coach. Judging from a lot of the comments here, there is still that underlying thinking going on here. So lets move away from the what if’s and try to deal with the fact the falcons have a long road to hoe. Lets just see what teams make it to the Big Show. Or you morons can think like the braves fans. We got close so that is good enough. And great for Mr Singletary since he is coaching and you clowns aren’t.
Humble Fan
October 5th, 2009
10:59 pm
I don’t care who the coach is,i just won’t to win.I an’t in love with any of them. just win.After saying that i thank the Falcons made the right choise.Give smitty a year or two he will put togather a CS team,however i was very dissapointed in the effort and coaching last sunday.need to get it fixed.
cdog
October 5th, 2009
11:32 pm
I SEE THE BALTIMORE RAVENS EXPERIENCED THE SAME TERRIBLE OFFICIATING THAT THE FALCONS GOT ON BEAT IN FOXBORO AGAINST THE PATROITS. THE LEAGUE SHOULD CLOSER MONITOR OFFICIALS. THERE ARE A LOT OF CROOKED ONES OUT THERE. THE FALCONS GET JIPPED EVERY TIME THEY HAVE TO GO ON THE ROAD. EVEN IN THE COLLEGE RANKS LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGIA ON SATURDAY VS LSU
ToccoaDawg
October 6th, 2009
12:29 am
I’ll take Coach Smith over anyone.
Ed-Covington
October 6th, 2009
12:55 am
“The biggest question about this game is what would have happened if Falcons owner Arthur Blank had hired Michael Singletary instead of Bobby Petrino back in 2007?”
This is the biggest question about this game?
Remember, and I have always been a Singletary fan; he was not even a coordinator in 2007. He was a LB coach. Nolan Jr. hired him as a DC last year and he replaced Njr. when he was fired.
Ed-Covington
October 6th, 2009
1:13 am
If, as some have stated, TD did not expect any immediate help from this year’s draft; he was mistaken in doing so. With the possible exception of Jerry, who had an injury history at Ole Miss, I see no potential starters from this draft. Middleton is already gone; Moore is hurt (AGAIN! he also had injury problems at Mizzou); Owens is not even a nickle back. The “steal of the draft”, Sidbury, plays little even though we need an improved pass rush desperately. One could legitimately say that TD missed on Jerry, Owens, Moore, Middleton and Sidbury.(the lower picks are what they are: subs & ST players.) They may start contributing later or even next year; but I see no one there that TD could have really thought was going to replace any of the 5 starters lost to the defense. Luckily Jax cut Brian Williams and we signed MP; if not for them this defense would be awful.
Origional Fan
October 6th, 2009
2:10 am
Emmet Thomas turned down the HC job. Try another one bigot.
vafalconfan
October 6th, 2009
9:48 am
Petrino was hired to save vick’s career and nothing more.Vick was in a downward spiral the last 2 seasons as teams had figured out how to tame the “wildcat” and he was asked to learn to throw a pro style pass. He’s still trying to learn that skill, but he’s someone else’s problem now and we have the best front office staff in our miserable history. Our future’s so bright we need to wear shades!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 6th, 2009
9:59 am
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-to-workout-three-155713.html
Can any of these guys help? Are Falcons worried about run defense or pass rush.
Falcons to workout three defensive linemen
By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons are set to give tryouts to three defensive linemen on Tuesday, the team confirmed.
Antwan Lake, Orpheus Roye and Paul Spicer set to visit and workout.
Lake, 30, is a former Falcon. He has played 79 games in the league including 12 starts. He played 29 games for the Falcons, with four starts in 2004 and 2005.
Oprheus Roye, 36, has played for Pittsburgh and Cleveland since 1996. He’s played defensive end and tackle. He has 180 games and 128 starts in the league.
Spicer, 34, played for Falcons head coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville. He also played for Detroit. He has 28.5 career sacks.
Michael
October 6th, 2009
1:54 pm
…umm, why? I do not give a crap about Singletary.
Mike Smith is the man!! This article is over a year too late…sorry Leadbetter
Singletary is a great coach, but seriously…why are we writing this?
collegedude
October 7th, 2009
10:39 pm
We couldn’t have hired Singletary instead of Pigtrina. He would have MADE Vick show up for meetings, practices, workouts, film study, and all other team functions. He would have also MADE Vick put forth an effort to improve his game. Therefore, Mr. Blank had no choice but to avoid Coach Singletary because he couldn’t risk his big investment getting upset at having to earn his money, and then quitting on the coach & team like he did with Coach Reeves. Thankfully Vick’s stupidity caught up with him and we only had to suffer less than a year with the over-matched college coach & we could get the team turned around with TD & Coach Smith.
And why does it feel like you’re holding the race card and acting like you’re going to play it 2 or 3 times before deciding to put it back in your hand during this blog?
dawes
October 8th, 2009
5:53 pm
i why would you want singletary when you coach smith singletary who
RB
October 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
Had the Falcons chose Singletary the first draft choice would have been Dorsey (who would have been better under Singletary). The second choice would have been Flaco ( who will prove to be better than Ryan). The falcons would when a championship faster with Singletary than with the current regime. Despite all this the Falcons will be fine.
RB
October 11th, 2009
2:02 pm
Mike, Ledbetter is not the moron, you are! The man gets PAID to stir the pot and get intelligent thinkers as well as boneheads (see Mike’s comments) to write in. You have proven his subject has merit.
JewellNelson
October 19th, 2009
2:01 pm
We dont need Mike Singletary and we dont need Mike Vick. We have Mike Smith who is a great head coach. Even though Smith is in his second season, the Falcons play outstanding, steller football and have gotten the attention of the national media with their rousing vick-less victory over the Bears last night.