Jim Mora tosses some grenades at the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora, right, and quarterback Michael Vick (7) watch from the sideline late in the second half as the Green Bay Packers seal their 33-25 victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)
Lil’ Jimmy Mora is already running off his mouth in his new post at UCLA.
In an interview with Mike Carvell of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mora took some not-so -veiled shots at the current regime.
“The bottom line is this: The last time the Falcons won a playoff game, I was the head coach,” Mora told the AJC. “Kids remember that game, the 47-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams. A lot of kids around Atlanta, the state of Georgia and the Southeast follow the Falcons. They know that was the last time that the Falcons have won a playoff game.
“So kids are interested with that connection to the Falcons, and the parents are interested in that, too. They all wonder why the Falcons haven’t won a playoff game since, and I can’t answer that question. For all the success that the Falcons have had since we left, they still haven’t won a playoff game — and that resonates with people”
“When we recruit kids around there, people remember me as the coach that led the Falcons to the NFC championship game, and the coach who coached Mike Vick. So I think things like that are very helpful when recruiting in that area.”
Really?
No, really?
Mora took credit coaching Michael Vick. The same player who admitted to basically freesytling and to not bothering to read his game plan. Vick was the same player that he let run around the field dangling the ball around like a hand grenade. (BTW, he called it athletic arrogance. Others called it poor fundamental mechanics.)
Mora is correct. He is the last coach to guide the Falcons to a playoff win.
But he’s also the last Falcons coach to start the season 6-2 and finish 2-6 in 2005. He’s also the franchise’s last coach to coach a full season and post a losing record.
After going 11-5 in his first season, he went 8-8 and 7-9 before getting fired. His final record was 28-23 (.549) and 1-1 (.500) in the playoffs.
Smith, who took over after Vick was sent to federal prison and Bobby Petrino bolted under the cover of darkness, is 43-21 (.671). Smith is 0-3 (.000) in the playoffs.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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124 comments Add your comment
hiramsaint
February 13th, 2012
5:50 pm
@ j-lo- so that makes those playoff losses ok????? i guess it does when you’re forced into settling for mediocrity
J-Lo
February 13th, 2012
5:52 pm
Yellow, Mora is trying to steal your recruits and all u care about is a rivalry that hasn’t been competitive in years? Refocus your energy
JoFo
February 13th, 2012
5:53 pm
Yeah, sure Lil’ Jimmy! I DO remember some things about you while being entrusted as the leader of our team! I remember the time, I saw you on the sideline (while the FALCONS were behind in the game) dialing up someone on your cellphone during the game!!
You shoulda been coaching!
Ray C.
February 13th, 2012
9:23 pm
Jim Mora is right and there is no need to sugar coat it. The numbers don’t lie and I’m sick and tired of the Falcons organization trying to hoodwink Atlanta fans into believing that we can win with this mediocre team. Our players don’t have that true football grit and swagger in them the way that I see other teams. Wake up Atlanta, Wake up!!!!!!
bms4343
February 13th, 2012
10:58 pm
good old jimmy mora or is it jimmy lessa…….mabye he will hook up with some single A high school program next GOD help them if he does!!!!!!!!!!
atlol
February 14th, 2012
7:29 am
Love it when DOB gets real
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
February 14th, 2012
8:38 am
The only way the Dirty Birds will win ONE playoff game is a Multiple Choice question: A) on a fluke, B) great defense that leads to a last minute TO in the 4th QTR for the go ahead lead, C) get rid of “MATTY ICE” aka “NOODLE ARM” ; D) Smitty actually doesn’t choke on critical calls in a big game; E) Awtie Blank refuses to wear a Mustache until the D-Birds win, or F) All of the Above……..
Matty Ice, your excuses for losing are running out bro………..who/what are you going to blame next? Quit saying WE and start with “I”……that would be a good start!
David
February 14th, 2012
8:45 am
Its the difference between a coach that has class or not. Mora has shown more than once that he is arrogant, hot headed at times and classless.
Tuesday Links: Manning is “definitely” interested in “possibly” going to Houston | Goal-Line Stand | Blogs | theScore.com
February 14th, 2012
9:29 am
[...] Mora Jr. would like to remind you that he’s still the last Falcons head coach to win a playoff game. He’s also the team’s last coach to be on the sidelines for a full season and post a [...]
Jax Falcon/Dog Fan
February 14th, 2012
9:55 am
Judging from the number of comments on this blog, Jim Mora has certainly had a polarizing effect. It does seem unreal that his act hasn’t grown completely unbearable yet, at least in the college ranks. His hiring at UCLA isn’t as shocking once you consider the track record of his predecessor. Could he possibly do much worse?
Mike Smith’s playoff record is not acceptable, and, as big a critic as I have been this year, he is still a better option than keeping Mora would have been.
Sid
February 14th, 2012
10:05 am
Mora’s departure from Seattle…………….Reprinted without permission:
Mora attended a meeting Friday morning with management, at which time he was told by Leiweke that he did not win enough games to save his job. The Seahawks ended the season on a four-game losing streak to finish 5-11.
Mora was shocked by his dismissal, believing that when he was called to Leiweke’s office that he would be in a discussion about the team’s vacant general manager’s job, Seahawks sources said.
Jax Falcon/Dog Fan
February 14th, 2012
10:11 am
Now THAT’S funny, Sid.
iceBIRDcold11
February 14th, 2012
10:41 am
PLAYOFFS………………… is HE talking about PLAYOFFS?
jalan67
February 14th, 2012
10:45 am
Coach Mora enjoy your stay at UCLA. We definetly don’t want your coaching presence anywhere in the south! I can’t believe you made such a bold statement, considering how the Falcons spiraled out of control after coach Reeves left.
Coach Reeves would have had the Falcons in the Super Bowl again and you never would have. The best Coach the falcons ever had is at the helm right now-Coach Smith!!!!!
GO FALCONS !!!!!
iceBIRDcold11
February 14th, 2012
11:30 am
He won’t even last at UCLA. Let’s see how many times he wins that division….0 as long as USC is still there. He should be looking ahead and the kids in the south DON’T CARE ABOUT MORA.
Falcon Jonk
February 14th, 2012
11:57 am
I don’t have any problems with Jim Mora when he did good here nobody talks about it then when he did bad…you can hear everthing from ???? let it be and do NOT be surprised if he rakes all good players from GA High in years to come yeah? how about Ted Nugent ” You can kiss my Arss” lol
Lessa is Mora
February 14th, 2012
4:28 pm
His mouth got him in trouble here and is still causing him trouble now. A perfect embodiment of the Peter Principle – except he is still above his level of incompetence. His continuing downward career spiral should eventually get him where he needs to be – coaching his grade school kids.
rin
February 14th, 2012
6:15 pm
that is all wrong wut moraa said
techduck
February 14th, 2012
8:35 pm
Hey d led,Would you please find another picture of your self in the sports edition.The one you got now looks kind of (well you now)???????
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 15th, 2012
7:05 am
techduck — That’s the best picture we could come up with. The photography had to make due with what he had. It’s not like he was working with Kate Upton, you know.
Hi Rise
February 15th, 2012
8:35 am
I like Jim Mora a coach with a personality. I don’t want to hear St Louis should not have been in playoffs. Wins in regular season mean nothing if you can’t win a playoff game. Last time I checked we have been embarrassed by two teams we should have beat I don’t care how hot they were.
KQuark
February 15th, 2012
10:28 am
Mora is an idiot. The Falcons lost two road games and all the NFC teams they lost to ended up going to the SB. In fact every team they lost to beat two other teams in the NFC playoffs as well. So the whole 0-3 in the playoffs thing is overblown. Not saying the Falcons should be proud of that or be better but c’mon it’s not like they lost to schlubs.
Peter Principle
February 15th, 2012
11:03 am
Mora Jr. rose to the level of his incompetence and is searching downwardly for his highest level mediocrity. In the end, Mora may find he’s better suited for the broadcast booth than the sidelines.
shunt011
February 15th, 2012
7:32 pm
Hey Dirtyo11, The Falcons won the NFC championship in 1998 and the Brave won the World Series in 1995. 1994 was a strike season. Get it straight!!