The Falcons’ partnership that never was: Vick and Petrino
Not exactly what he had in mind: Petrino eyes Joey Harrington. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It’s a great Atlanta sports imponderable, occupying the same shelf as, “What if the Braves had signed Barry Bonds in 1992?” and “What if the Hawks had drafted a point guard instead of a guy named Marvin?” This one is especially excruciating because the principals were actually in place. But reality, as we know, interceded.
In January 2007 the Falcons hired Bobby Petrino as coach. Chief among Petrino’s reasons for leaving Louisville, which he had just directed to an Orange Bowl victory, was his desire to coach a player who, after six NFL seasons, was still the essence of talent untapped. In a conversation his first week in Flowery Branch, Petrino recalled how he and Dom Capers would sit together on team flights when both were Jacksonville assistants and say, “What would you do with Michael Vick?”
And now Petrino would have his chance. Or so he thought.
The first time the new coach met his quarterback-to-be, the issue wasn’t how Vick might fit into Petrino’s system but the strange doings involving the trick water bottle at the Miami airport. When nothing came of that investigation, the two began the process of bonding.
Petrino got the job because he was everything Jim Mora hadn’t been. The previous coach, a defensive man by trade, had hired his pal Greg Knapp to implement the West Coast Offense, the basis of which is short passes delivered quickly. Essentially Mora/Knapp wanted the NFL’s most dangerous man with the ball in his hands to get rid of the ball, which never made a lick of sense then and makes less now.
In 2002, his first season as a pro starter, Vick under Dan Reeves had thrown for 2,936 yards and had a passer rating of 81.6. In three seasons under Mora/Knapp he never threw for even 2,500 yards and didn’t achieve a rating higher than 78.1. At a time when Vick should have become a full-blown quarterback, his lack of coaching reduced him to being a glorified tailback.
Vick has since admitted he didn’t work as hard at his craft as he should have, but part of that might be traced to the realization that he was, at least as a passer, being misused. He had an uncommonly precise game at Miami in 2005 when the he’s-not-really-a-quarterback chorus was in full cry, and afterward he vented to me: “People forget I threw for nearly 3,000 yards in ‘02.”
Petrino should have been the man to make Vick a quarterback. Say what you will about this coach — yes, he’s a shameless job-hopper — but he’s among the best offensive minds in the business. (Note that Arkansas, in Year 3 under Bobby P., just finished second in the cutthroat SEC West and will grace the Sugar Bowl.)
With Petrino as his tutor, Vick was rededicating himself to football. He viewed this as his chance to shut everybody up, and Petrino, who’s famously difficult to please, liked what he saw. He told one associate: “We’re going to average 30 points a game.” (Note: Only one NFL team — New England — is averaging 30 points a game.)
Then it all turned to dust. Vick was indicted on the eve of training camp, which began with the quarterback in court in Richmond, Va., and a plane flying above the Falcons’ practice field bearing a streamer: “New Team Name — Dog Killers.” On Dec. 10, 2007, Vick would be sentenced to 23 months in a jail; hours later the Falcons would lose to New Orleans to fall to 3-10. The next night Petrino was gone to Fayetteville, Ark., where he could be seen calling the Hogs on live TV.
So: It didn’t happen here. But it’s happening in Philadelphia. If we wonder what Vick might have been under Petrino, we need only look at what he has become under Andy Reid. His quarterback rating is 104.3, trailing only Tom Brady. He averages 8.55 yards per pass, second to Philip Rivers. His completion percentage, never higher than 56.4 as a Falcon, is 63.6.
Yeah, he’s a Real Quarterback. The sad part is that he shouldn’t have had to go to Philly to become one. He finally had the right coach here. The right coach, alas, at the wrong time.
Oh, and one thing more: The 2010 Eagles are averaging 28.8 points. Almost the 30 Bobby Petrino had, back in 2007, forecast for a team led by Michael Vick.
By Mark Bradley
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
235 comments Add your comment
vmguru
December 15th, 2010
1:49 pm
First
NC Dawg
December 15th, 2010
1:49 pm
First?
Sanford Drive
December 15th, 2010
1:50 pm
(((((42-34))))) hahahahahahaha
Joycee Banicheck
December 15th, 2010
1:50 pm
BLAHHHHH
vmguru
December 15th, 2010
1:50 pm
As much of a turkey as Petrino was, it might have been an interesting matchup for sure.
Joycee Banicheck
December 15th, 2010
1:51 pm
The Eagles can kiss my a$$ right along with the Phillies.
I like our situation with Smith. Petrino and Vick? Who cares, I sure don’t…
PMC
December 15th, 2010
1:53 pm
All the story lines on this team and THIS is what you come up with.
I’m disapointed Mark. Extrordinarily disapointed. I want to talk about the Falcons.
Hell we could even discusss what’s going on THIS season with either one of these two guys if you’re just into that.
I couldn’t care less about 2007. The 2007 Falcons are dead to me.
FALCONS SORRY
December 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
THE FALCONS WILL REGRET LOOSING MV7 THE GREATEST QB OF ALL TIME TO EVER GRACE THE FOOTBALL FEILD THE EAGLES WILL WIN THE SUPPER BOWL AND THE FALCONS WILL LOOSE THEY’RE FIRST PLAY OFF GAME IF THEY DON’T CHOKE AWAY THE NEXT THREE GAMES AND BOBBY PETRINOS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN CHASED AWAY FROM ATL BY THE VICK HATERS BOBBY WILL WIN NEXT YEARS SEC CHAMPINSIP JUST WAIT AND SEA
vmguru
December 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Maybe Mark felt the need for a history article since we have a history major on all the blogs (the one who continually posts old scores from past games) wasting space for those of us who could care less about either of the 2 teams they are obsessed with.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Two dominating college coaches tried to go into the NFL and dictate to men what they were going to do. Both were paid huge amounts of money and both fell flat on thier faces. Spurrier and Petrino.
This is not to say the offensive scheme was without merit. Neither one of those guys were grown up enough to handle treating men like men.
They had to micromanage everything and speak from a bully pulpit.
Vinny D
December 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Vick needed jail to mature, this I do believe. I also believe that you are correct, his offensive coaches are far superior to what we had in ATL. However, I love my Falcons just the way they are and love Mike Smith as our coach. Yes, some call the Falcons boring and overrated but I see an intelligent team who is getting better, makes very few mistakes, and doesn’t kill themselves. To me, that is the definition of great coaching. Show me a team who doesn’t get penalized and doesn’t turn the ball over and I will show you a great coach at the helm.
vmguru
December 15th, 2010
1:56 pm
The “Supper” bowl? Really??? Is that for overeaters or something?
GW
December 15th, 2010
1:57 pm
Nothing new to bash Richt on today? Vick/Petrino old news.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
1:58 pm
Falcons Sorry, No one not even Michael Vick regrets losing MV7
MV7 is in a better place for his career than he ever was post 2003 here in Atlanta and he’s got more offensive talent around him than any other QB in the league. Enjoy watching him in an Eagles Uni. He never was going to be that good here. The 2 years in prison helped him and sane people in this city (and MV7 himself) have moved on to bigger and better. Let it die.
Take up a new cause.
cattledawg
December 15th, 2010
2:00 pm
Well Petrino just rode Ryan Mallet to the bank.
vmguru
December 15th, 2010
2:00 pm
In theory you would think that a football coach would be good at most any level if they had proved they were a good coach. It is actually pretty amazing how often coaches that are good in college flop in the NFL as well as vice-versa. PMC may have hit on it with the ability to handle mature men or college boys but it still is a not fully explained situation that continues to play out. I still expect Pete Carroll to also fail at the pro level and go back to college somewhere.
Hate to be a wet blanket, but...
December 15th, 2010
2:01 pm
Interesting hypothetical, Mark. But you’re forgetting the fact that under Petrino’s (lack of) leadership, the Falcons fractured as a team and would likely have become even more dysfunctional had he stayed. 30 points per game? Maybe, but it takes a whole team working well together to get that kind of production, and Petrino wasn’t leading the Birds in that direction.
Ozzy
December 15th, 2010
2:01 pm
Vick and Petrino are history. I am glad we got rid of him or else we wouldn’t have had Ryan. I’ll take Matt Ryan over vick any given day
Brian
December 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
Nice writing Mark. As much as I love this season, I watch Philly and wonder, what if?? But I think Mr. Blank had to take his knocks as an owner to understand how to build a winning team…..
PMC
December 15th, 2010
2:03 pm
Petrino never would have worked with Vick anyway (since we HAVE To discuss this drivel I guess) because Vick wasn’t interested in becoming a better NFL QB. He’s ALWAYS had the tools, he took them for granted and didn’t give a crap about being great. He thought he was great (Deangelo Hall suffers from the same delusions) Maybe it’s Tidewater Syndrome or somthing like that. Jimmy Williams thought he was God’s gift to athletics as well.
Bobby Petrino simply wasn’t cut out for the NFL. He can’t hack having to actually talk to other human beings.
Hankie Aron
December 15th, 2010
2:09 pm
Let’s be happy a supposed changed man is succeeding. Why do fans have a hard time enjoying someone turning their life around? Yeah we would have liked him to play this way when he was here, but so be it. Let’s just be happy our team is very good and poised to possible make a Super not Supper Bowl run.
Shug
December 15th, 2010
2:12 pm
Who says Petrino wouldn’t have quit even if he had Vick? A quitter’s a quitter regardless of the line-up.
layinlow
December 15th, 2010
2:14 pm
Slow news day? Talk about beating a dead horse. You dug the darn horse up from the grave and beat it!!
Hankie Aron
December 15th, 2010
2:14 pm
Brian- you hit the nail on the head. Blank had to hire a personnel expert like Dimitroff and solid coach like Mike Smith to learn his lesson to stay out of the way. We will see Blank on the sidelines many times in the future but we won’t see him pushing an injured player in a wheelchair ever again.
Birthday party
December 15th, 2010
2:21 pm
I’m not sold on Vick being this new upstanding citizen. Didn’t his old pal in crime get shot at his birthday party a few months ago? The same guy the feds told him he had to stay away from. How soon people forget when a guy starts playing well. Lets see if he keeps his nose clean for a few years then we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, I seriously doubt he will be able to continue to take the pounding. A few ESPN analyst reported after the Cowboys game that Vick was limping badly on his way to the team bus. He won’t last to much longer.
Say What???????????
December 15th, 2010
2:23 pm
Mike Vick states: “I would love to get another dog in the future,”
Thats RUFF
gcs
December 15th, 2010
2:23 pm
I am perfectly happy how the Falcons turned out. Vick will eventually get hurt and/or let the Eagles fans down.
As for Petrino, winning in college football does NOT usually translate to winning in the NFL (Holtz, Saban, Spurrier, Pete Carroll…).
.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
2:24 pm
Hankie, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy we are seeing it. If anything, it makes me feel better for having defended Mike’s abilities for so many years. He’s as exciting as anyone we’ve ever had here and I loved him when he was our QB…. it’s just ashamed he couldn’t do this here…. but I hope the best for him as long as it doesn’t hurt the Falcons.
Nauti-boy
December 15th, 2010
2:26 pm
IF a frog had wings he wouldn’t bump his ass every time he hopped.
Vick and Petrino – both had talent, but no character – two unsavory peas in the pod add to no good.
Good riddance.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
2:26 pm
Petrino is still at Arkansas because
1) Michigan made a bad hire and thus lost Ryan Mallet.
2) Ryan Mallet went to Arkansas
3) BUYOUT!
Petrino is a douchebag, I don’t really care if he donates his entire salary to kids with cancer either. Nothing can make that guy a good human. Hell of a college coach, horrible human. He’ll be on to the next job once the buyout is low enough to jump.
C
December 15th, 2010
2:31 pm
This is what you come up with Bradley? We have an 11-2 team on the verge of locking up home field through the playoffs, with a dominant, record setting offense and THIS is what you write about? You are catering to the lowest common denominator and that’s incredibly sad.
Andy Ried and the Eagles are going to regret rolling with the Vick show here soon enough. The next month will show that.
You and John Kincade and go and spoon each other in Philly.
Insane Braves Fan
December 15th, 2010
2:32 pm
The NFL is adjusting from Vick the runner to Vick the passer. His rating will go down, but my question is why are we talking about two people who took a dump on the Falcons franchise?
C
December 15th, 2010
2:34 pm
Oh…and Petrino is douchebag.
wxwax
December 15th, 2010
2:35 pm
The untold part of your story is how wrong Arthur Blank was when he fired Dan Reeves.
Reeves knew how to use Vick and had famous victories with him. Remember the monumental win over Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau in the 2002-03 wild card playoff game? 27-7. At Lambeau.
The next year Vick gets hurt, the Falcons predictably stumble and Blank’s knee jerks into Reeves’ groin.
I always thought it was the wrong decision. Reeves deserved better.
observation
December 15th, 2010
2:35 pm
Yawn….
Talk about a lazy, pack it in column.
Seriously?????????
December 15th, 2010
2:38 pm
Mark, generally I love your columns and insights (even when i dont agree) but WHY must this continue over…and…over….and…over…an…over…and….over be drudged up again?? The Falcons are 11-2, finally got that back-2-back winning thing off their back, have a wonderful GM, coach, coaching staff and QB, and a great chemistry team and this is the best you could do? This is relevant, HOW???????
For the love of all that is good in the world, please do not write another article about either of them where it concerns us. GO 2010 FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!
Leroy
December 15th, 2010
2:38 pm
First of all…stupid article Bradley.
Without the dog fighting madness–Petrino wouldn’t have lasted the 2 years it has taken Vick to be successful in a new offense. The clock is ticking for him at Arkansas…those clowns will have to give him raises every month now to keep him from interviewing. He has been there 2 years, which is 14 years in dog and Petrino years.
Plus, Vick did not have any respect for authority at the time. Meanwhile, Petrino is a perfectionist that demands you do it his way or not at all. This was a personality clash waiting to happen. (Think T.O. with…well…everybody.)
Next there is Vick’s preperation. He would not have prepared the way he does today without having his whole life taken from him for a time. Now he sees how good he had it and what it is like when it is gone. That perspective drives him to keep the great life he has all but earned back.
Bradley next I want to see an article about whether or not one of Hershel Walker’s personalities could have been a good fit for NASCAR. Personally, I think the right one could have beaten Dale Earnhardt in a race to the moon in special NASCAR rocketships emblazoned with the numbers 3 and 34. Let me know your thoughts…
GSU Eagle
December 15th, 2010
2:41 pm
Still a dog killer. We’re going to the Super Bowl without him.
I’ll take our class quarterback, coach, and GM over these two.
jarvis
December 15th, 2010
2:45 pm
F’ Petrino. I hope he dies.
Dan Henning
December 15th, 2010
2:47 pm
I can’t wait to Vick comes here with the Eagles and absolutely crushes the falcons. But win, lose or draw this city will continue to show him love. You guys keep hating the guy but you just don’t understand that he can’t fail. People are literally praying for the guy to succeed & that’s why he’s doing so well.
jarvis
December 15th, 2010
2:49 pm
P.S. This article about two people that are no longer in Atlanta (and haven’t been for about half a decade) not being in Atlanta at the same time is about as relevant as:
What if Jeff Francour had played for Chuck Tanner?
Neither is here anymore, who cares that they weren’t here at the same time.
jarvis
December 15th, 2010
2:50 pm
He can’t fail?
I’ve seen him fail several times (his defense attorney too).
JoeFann
December 15th, 2010
2:52 pm
Who cares? Nothing to see here. Move on. Move on.
FalconUGAFan
December 15th, 2010
2:54 pm
I totally agree with Seriously?????????…I know you guys need the Vick page hits but come on….Our Falcons are 11 and 2! Vick and Petrino are gone.
long-time dawg
December 15th, 2010
2:56 pm
THE FALCONS WILL REGRET LOOSING MV7 THE GREATEST QB OF ALL TIME TO EVER GRACE THE FOOTBALL FEILD THE EAGLES WILL WIN THE SUPPER BOWL AND THE FALCONS WILL LOOSE THEY’RE FIRST PLAY OFF GAME IF THEY DON’T CHOKE AWAY THE NEXT THREE GAMES AND BOBBY PETRINOS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN CHASED AWAY FROM ATL BY THE VICK HATERS BOBBY WILL WIN NEXT YEARS SEC CHAMPINSIP JUST WAIT AND SEA
The Egils will win the Supper Bowl and all they can eat at Denny’s.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
2:57 pm
The question to that Dan is why do people want him to succede at the expense of the Falcons?
How can you possibly treat a guy better than that team and this city treated him?
Labo
December 15th, 2010
2:58 pm
Mark,
While I like the premise of your article, and it is often fun to think about ‘what might have been,” the part you’ve neglected to mention is the type of offense Andy Reid is noted for running… the same west-coast offense that Vick floundered in under Mora/Knapp.
So while Vick might have been suddenly great under Petrino, let’s give some credit where its due and acknowledge that perhaps Vick’s indiscretions, and not some coach, are what finally got him to focus, work hard, and play up to his abilities. His year this year is proof that he had the potential to be great in any offensive system.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
3:01 pm
Dan, He sold you out, and you love him for it? Doesn’t make sense.
Post-it
December 15th, 2010
3:03 pm
It kills me to see this subject come up again and again in these blogs only to see it brought front and center by you, Mark. I was a huge fan of Vick when he was a Falcon. But I also know that the team had no choice but to cut ties after he went to prison. This whole fiasco has caused a racial divide in Falcons fans that I’m afraid won’t subside for decades. Thankfully we have a fresh start with a great (if somewhat less exciting) quarterback. Vick has a fresh start in Philly and we all know what he’s doing with that. True fans for both teams should move on and stop dredging up the painful past. Wishful thinking, I know.
observer
December 15th, 2010
3:04 pm
What Vick has in Philly that he didn’t have in Atlanta is an outstanding receiver corps. Watch the films and you will see Vick throwing(for the most part) to wide-open receivers.
Joycee Banicheck
December 15th, 2010
3:04 pm
Dan, you sir are an idiot. Nice post ya moron…
observer
December 15th, 2010
3:08 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention: When he throws it to them, they catch it.
GSU Eagle
December 15th, 2010
3:09 pm
Vick will flame out in Philly just like he did his last two years here.
ben pines
December 15th, 2010
3:10 pm
what if Mark Bradley was a girl maybe he would be in Playboy Magazine. My point is Mark? Who cares. Please talk about something relevent. Petrino is gone, Vick is gone. Please talk about now. They are 11-2 that in itself is a great story. You are the Mike Hampton of sportswriters.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
December 15th, 2010
3:10 pm
Mark, I’ve enjoyed reading you for many years. You’re one of my all-time favorites.
With that said, I agree with those who believe a column on our present Falcons to be a better use of time and bandwidth.
The Vick era here is long over, time to move on, we (The Atlanta Falcons) are ELEVEN AND TWO, for Christ’s sake..
Was SO disappointed, as soon as I saw the title of the piece..
SawThat1nce
December 15th, 2010
3:14 pm
Vick will be out of the game in 3 yrs. or less, and the only thing that he will be remembered for, is being incredibly stupid enough to blow a fortune, and his cruelty to animals.
Just when you think that the subject matter of this article has been worked to death, someone with an apparent case of writer’s block, resurrects it for the umpteenth time, can’t you think of anything relevant to write about.
Who cares about Vick and Petrino, their departures were the best things to ever happen to the Falcons.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
December 15th, 2010
3:18 pm
SawThat1nce: “Who cares about Vick and Petrino, their departures were the best things to ever happen to the Falcons.”
I can’t overstate how thoroughly I agree.
Enemas for Christmas
December 15th, 2010
3:23 pm
If not for Petrino screwing this team, there never would have been a Matt Ryan/Mike Smith/Thomas Dimtroff combination that now has this team headed to post season play.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
3:25 pm
U have 2 admit Vick was the best QB so far.
THE LAST THUG OF KRYPTON
December 15th, 2010
3:29 pm
MIKE VICK IS BETTER THAN THIS WORTHLESS TOWN FULL OF HATERS DESERVE.
YOU ALL KNOW YOU WANT MV7 AUTOGRAPH TOO!
YOU GO MIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KimZ'spackage lover
December 15th, 2010
3:31 pm
Vick now says he wants a DOG. HAHAHA. Never you POS Ghetto Thug.
PAY all your debts first because I am sure those people want their money more than you want a dog. I am sure Child Molesters want to be around children too, but that ain’t going to happen either. You want some dogs, then buy and pay for the years of training for a Service dogs for the Handicap. You can go visit them with their owners there.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
3:35 pm
Vick said he wood take care of this dog cuz his kids want 1. A fater should be able to buy his kids a pet.
GTJeff
December 15th, 2010
3:37 pm
I don’t care if Vick has a career 156 passer rating, wins 10 Super Bowls & passes for 700 TDs in his career. What he did to those innocent animals will ALWAYS be horrific. He is and always will be a monster. I was one of his biggest fans back in the day & thought he was the greatest. After I found out what a deplorable human being he really was, I burned every Vick Jersey I had.
We have a BETTER TEAM & ORGANIZATION without those two clowns (Pukterno & the Dog Murderer) in there.
GO FALCONS!
GO JACKETS!
KimZ'spackage lover
December 15th, 2010
3:39 pm
Last Thug of Kryton
Yes I want a MV7 autograph. I want him to sign my Akita’s Collar. All I want is MV7 in the pen, with a sharpie, and the collar on my dog. Mike can sign it while it is on my Akita’s neck or he can try to get the collar off. I don’t care. He just doesn’t get to come out of the pen until the Autograph is done or Mike is done. Either way I don’t care because MV7 will never play football after this autograph session.
james g
December 15th, 2010
3:39 pm
Mark, please let this go. I was and remain a fan of the gifts and talants of MV7. However, his departure was a result of his actions and he appears to have moved on. I am a falcon fan and have been one since my childhood and the days of Zook,Humphery and Nobis. I love THIS falcon team and THIS quarterback, Matt Ryan. Just like we had to move past the Danny White for the injured Rojer Staubach. The “we have reached a platou” Leeman Bennet decision. Vick is gone. Move on!!
Edd
December 15th, 2010
3:40 pm
Dan Reeves had him on right track but EVERBODY wanted a coach who could let Mike run run run. Dan was making him a qb, Mora let him do what he wanted, not practice, be lazy. Authur Blank and a lot of fans and the media’s fault for letting Dan go and letting Vick lose years of real coaching. Now Andy is picking up where Dan left off. Go Vick, we love ya, what a talent to watch but now I am a Matty Ice fan. Hope you don’t bit us in the butt, so to speak, go Falcons !!!!!!!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 15th, 2010
3:41 pm
WHO cares. VICK has nothing to do with the ATLANTA FALCONS anymore. Please stop writing about the waste of human life. We will see after a long time if MV7 has really changed.
GTJeff
December 15th, 2010
3:44 pm
If Mike Prick were a serial child rapist, bruthas like LAST THUG OF KRYPTON would still defend him to the end. Pathetic.
GTJeff
December 15th, 2010
3:45 pm
Edd your an idiot. Move up to Philly & cheer that thug all you want up there.
Ken Pate
December 15th, 2010
3:52 pm
I have looked at Petrino’s coaching record and the “only” time one could say he was a “shameless job hopper” would be when he left the Atlanta Falcons midseason.
It would only be natural that a coach would want to coach in the SEC and I do not understand the finger pointing when he sought the Auburn job. The ship was sinking at Atlanta and Petrino had an out and he took it. Just as Lou (the doctor) Holtz jumped ship thirty three years ago.
I hope that he has a long and successful career at Arkansas, but I doubt that it will stop the perjoratives from being thrown his way.
Just sayin'
December 15th, 2010
3:56 pm
Mike Vick wants a dog. He must be hungry.
moorman
December 15th, 2010
3:57 pm
I DONT GET IT. mark bradley wasnt trying to stoke no racial fires or anything, the man is reporting on a QUARTERBACK and how he finally realized his potential, and how that potential couldve and shouldve been realized in atlanta. if anything, if the falcons hadnt got rid of dan reeves, who vick seemed to listen to, he wouldve realized his potential even BEFORE petrino. this was a FOOTBALL TOPIC, not all the other garbage brought into the conversation.
Mave2124
December 15th, 2010
3:58 pm
Good post…thank goodness we have a good squad with Ryan and Smith that we don’t have to dwell on this too much…at least until the Eagles come to the GA Dome for the NFC championship game, LOL
Buckeye
December 15th, 2010
4:14 pm
Petrini is scum. Pure and simple. Tressel will prepare well and take the quiter down.
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:31 pm
Joe Tess/FALCONS SORRY/Etc…= bag o’ hammers.
hind tit
December 15th, 2010
4:33 pm
Anybody got pitbull for sale?
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:34 pm
@ MWC……You wanna go pal? Any palce any time!
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:34 pm
There is no way, on this earth that you can be that stupid.
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:35 pm
What’s a palce idiot.
Jelly Sandwich Meat
December 15th, 2010
4:37 pm
The scenario for this blog:
Bradley thinks to himself….It’s been over a week since I wrote about the Falcons….Is the season still going?……Don’t know….I could look it up, or I could just ramble on about Vick, an idiot who has not been a member of the team since 2007…..Yeah….Through some Petrino in there…..That ought to get a couple hundred responses……Damn this job is hard, but I am a genius.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:37 pm
Why must U call me names?
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:40 pm
shoe fits… another question?
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:40 pm
Why come U smell like kitty litter? HAHAHAHAHA
GTBob
December 15th, 2010
4:41 pm
Vick getting arrested and Petrino leaving was a painful but needed event in Falcons history. We are better off for it. We have a great team now with a great quarterback and most of all, a very respectable group of guys. Its hard to imagine anyone wishing that Vick was the face of their franchise instead of Matt Ryan. Vick is having a good year but who knows how long that will last or how long he will stay out of trouble. The guy is a cancer that we are lucky we got rid of.
Tough guy MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:42 pm
I’m only 5′4″ tall but I am an internet tough guy. I got a small willy too.
The Walrus
December 15th, 2010
4:45 pm
I said from day one that Petrino was not going to work out as a head coach. The absence of Vick is not what did Petrino in. Petrino did himself in. He’s not NFL material. Never has been, never will be. Even if Vick had been around, Petrino never garnered the respect from the players. He was unapproachable, threw himself around like a tyrant and treated grown men like they were redshirt freshmen.
I was shocked, but glad, when he turned his back on this team, and I’m thankful every day.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:45 pm
Flacons turned there back on Vick.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
4:47 pm
Really Joe? Turned their back? THey turned their back on 25 million dollars that he owes them and Arther Blank still calls him and wrote him in prison.
Turned thier back? Mike Vick disrespected everything they ever did for him and the FALCONS are to blame?
Really?
Where do you guys come up with your opinions?
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:49 pm
They did not try 2 defend him, the let him go 2 jail and they did not try to sigh him once he got out. He is leeding vote getter for pro bowel now and he is on anoter team.
They tuned there backs on Vick.
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:50 pm
Joe,
Don’t miss the short bus in the morning…
If you get to school, try looking at a dictionary.
BTW, #7 is gone. Get over it.
PMC
December 15th, 2010
4:50 pm
I’d like to, I don’t hate you guys, I just don’t understand for the life of me why you continue to think Michael Vick was done some kind of injustice in this town. It never happened.
This is not a remotely rational viewpoint.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:51 pm
Raven help defend Ray lewis and he kilt a guy. For Vick it was just a few dogs……Just dogs. Falcons did nuttin 4 Vick
MWC
December 15th, 2010
4:52 pm
Vick going to the pro bowel…Joe said something right for a change.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 15th, 2010
4:53 pm
Vick brought the team up from nuttin peeople were finaly payin attenton 2 the Falcons cuz of Vick. He gets in a litle truble and they dont try 2 help him. 4 all he did for this city it sad
Camaro Bob
December 15th, 2010
4:53 pm
Not shure why sum of U cant see that Vick was good 4 this city.
It's Dark Where I Work
December 15th, 2010
4:54 pm
Scrote
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
Interesting to wonder what might have been – a motivated Mike Vick and a coach hand-picked to develop his talents.
But looking back now, I think Vick had to hit rock bottom before he was gonna wake up. We’re all familiar with Vick’s rock bottom because in a smaller way, as Falcon fans, we all experienced it too (that’s a great pic at top of the blog where Petrino woefully beholds his new starting QB, Joey Freaking Harrington).
Things worked out the way they did because things worked out the way they did. MV7 wouldn’t be the QB he is now if he had stayed here – dog fighting or no.
He paid a helluva price for his transgressions. He’s taken his punishment like a man. I don’t think the redeemed man and NFL QB we see today could have happened in Atlanta as a Falcon – regardless to who was coaching him up.
DirtyBird80
December 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
What happened that year was the best thing for the Falcons. Vick was gone and Petrino left like the coward he is, and the Falcons drafted Matty Ice, acquired Turner, and brought in Mike Smith. The Falcons have only had three straight winning seasons and have a great chance to play in the Super Bowl this year. I actually like Vick now, but jail changed him for the better and he’s a much smarter QB and more hard working now than he ever was in Atlanta. Petrino is just a D Bag that I have no respect for. Quit in your 1st year before the season is over??? He should never be allowed to coach in the NFL again!
Patrick
December 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
FALCONS SORRY…You’re an idiot!
Joey Harrington
December 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
Petrino ruined my career.
Holiday Styles
December 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
Not many people remember that training camp that year but I do. All of the reports coming out of Flowery Branch was that Vick looked unstoppable in Petrino’s Offense. I was at 2 Practices that year and I can honestly say that it looked like Vick was running skeleton drills out there ( thats with an 11 man defense on the other side).
Even Michael Smith who was reporting from Falcon training camp that year was a believer, and kept reiterating that the teams around the League better hope something comes of this Dog Fighting, cause with what he had seen with his own 2 eyes… Vick was going to light the league up.
I also remember the comments from the WR’s… they were estatic and stated that they were going to do serious numbers.
I always said that Vick would be a MONSTER in a Mike Martz type offense… and Petrino runs a VERY Similar style.
But now all is well… we have Matt Ryan who is a winner… do I miss Vick… HELL YEA… but it worked out for both parties.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
Joe Tess Fish House I am bad but try “Falcons turned their backs on Vick.”
If I lie to your face, do drugs, kill your dog, spread sexually transimtted deases, and didn’t work at the job you gave me, then what would you expect me to do? Keep kissing your butt while you sit in jail? Let you just take over the QB job when you get back? Not get a new QB while you were in jail? Not move on to a new QB not knowing what the NFL was going to do?
Joe you need to get real. VICK did this to himself just like Farve did it to himself while he was in Atlanta. If Vick is lucky and learned about himself while in Atlanta, then maybe Vick can be just like Farve. I doubt it, but it could happen.
Atlanta didn’t do anything to VICK that Vick didn’t cause himself.
Chris Redmond
December 15th, 2010
4:58 pm
Petrino saved my career
Wreck Garz
December 15th, 2010
4:59 pm
If Mike Vick wants to have him a dog again I hope he buy UGA.
See how you haters like it when Mike to your precious sorry bull dog what you all try to do to him when you put him in prison. FOR NO REASON !
Enemas for Christmas
December 15th, 2010
4:59 pm
Insane.
Selective Memory Much?
December 15th, 2010
5:02 pm
Petrino’s a douche bag because he quit the Falcons with three games left, so what is Blank for firing Reeves with three games left? Hypocrits…
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 15th, 2010
5:06 pm
Dear Wreck Garz.
Huh!!?
Actually, yours is a pretty coherent post for a guy who just chased half a dozen percodans with a fifth of Grey Goose.
Maybe what you wrote is in some kind of code that only you and your parakeet understand.
KimZ'spackage
December 15th, 2010
5:08 pm
Selective Memory have you had many good jobs? Anybody can be fired for a bad job any day of the week. Most people that quit a job give 2 weeks notice. If the company or boss choses not to have you come back then so be it. It is not a Hypocrit. Reeves knew what was coming and understood the job. Blank and the team had no idea it was coming and Petrino said nothing to Blank just days before.
"Da Real" Damon Evans
December 15th, 2010
5:10 pm
Mike Vick will always be better than Matt Ryan and there is nothing anyone can do to change this.
Unless mike vick killed your dog, he had every right to do what he wanted to do with his property. The stinkin’ mutts were his property just like furniture. This country was founded on property rights, some of you must have been sleeping during history class.
How he treated his dogs in the eyes of the state of virginia was no worse than a parking ticket.
Mike Vick served time for gambling, none of you clowns are offended by gambling. After all the Hope scholarship is funded by gambling.
Mike Vick is back, he leads in pro bowl votes. Matt Ryan will once again not make the Pro Bowl. Mike Vick is an ATM machine.
That left arm is a thing of beauty that only a higher power could have created.
Greg Mendel
December 15th, 2010
5:11 pm
Mike Vick wants a dog? A dog probably wants Vick less than Jodie Foster wants a date with John Hinckley, Jr.
Enough
December 15th, 2010
5:16 pm
I know you need page hits, but pleeeease give the Vick story a rest. He hasn’t taking a snap for the Falcons in 4 years.
Ijery Prune
December 15th, 2010
5:19 pm
@ Joe Tess Fishhouse
What exactly is the PRO BOWEL
Ijery Prune
December 15th, 2010
5:23 pm
Is it anything like the SupperBowel,,,,
kudzu
December 15th, 2010
5:36 pm
Yeah, Vick is gone, Petrino is gone, and a lot of dogs are dead. What is the point here?
still@the bar
December 15th, 2010
5:40 pm
If Vick wants a dog I think we should make him adopt Snookie from the Jersey Shore. She is a DOG for sure and just what Mike would deserve.
St. Clarkston
December 15th, 2010
5:47 pm
My biggest Falcons regret is that they passed on Hines Ward in the draft. Think about 12 years of those sure hands and the best blocking from a wide receiver ever.
The biggest difference in the Falcons story is when the Smiths finally sold the team to Arthur Blank. Thanks mr. Blank for giving us a franchise to be proud of.
Falcon Josh
December 15th, 2010
5:58 pm
This article is a bunch of crap.
Reality Check
December 15th, 2010
6:04 pm
Top 10 in NFL Pro Bowl fan voting (as of Dec. 15):
1. Michael Vick, Eagles: 981,687
2. Tom Brady, Patriots: 947,194
3. Peyton Manning, Colts: 806,025
4. Adrian Peterson, Vikings: 736,603
5. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: 690,619
6. Drew Brees, Saints: 662,953
7. Philip Rivers, Chargers: 633,269
8. Arian Foster, Texans: 519,154
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons: 484,949
10. David Garrard, Jaguars: 479,018
Fear Monger
December 15th, 2010
6:09 pm
“The Eagles are coming, the Eagles are coming”
Larry
December 15th, 2010
6:15 pm
Why the surprise that Vick is leading in pro bowl votes? Look at who votes for him…those who have no jobs and have ample time to vote as many times as they can!
This isn’t rocket science!
Eagles vs Falcons - Destiny can't be denied!
December 15th, 2010
6:16 pm
No matter who the Falcons play in the playoffs, they can’t avoid a final showdown between Vick and his replacement.
The Eagles with all that fire power…….
1st in NFL in total offense
1st in NFL with 16 offensive plays of 40 yards or more.
1st in NFL with 7 offensive plays of 60 yards or more.
1st in NFL with 3 offensive plays of 80 yards or more.
There is talk already that a championship game in the dome with the Eagles vs Falcons will be the highest rated game in NFL history.
Just imagine all of those number 7 jerseys, some Falcons and the rest Eagles.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Matt Ryan handles all that pressure and then he has to face the game time pressure.
Reality Check
December 15th, 2010
6:18 pm
@Larry
Kind of hard to make that argument when you are on the blog during normal working hours – don’t you think?
Reality Check
December 15th, 2010
6:20 pm
@Larry
Is it possible that those same so-called unemployed voters, also voted for Matt Ryan? Just only half the times as for Vick, since there is about 400,000 vote differential.
supa
December 15th, 2010
6:20 pm
No one outside of Arkansas has any respect for or trust in Bobby Petrino. He is a pathetic man. Karma will catch up to him, if it hasn’t already.
what!!??!!
December 15th, 2010
6:21 pm
Lazy Story Mark. Just sooooo lazy. Your better than this.
al
December 15th, 2010
6:22 pm
Some of you are wishing that Vick will get hurt. A word of caution,same thing could hapen to Ryan.
Reality Check
December 15th, 2010
6:22 pm
@Larry
Correction: 500,000 – my bad.
Bleed Green
December 15th, 2010
6:24 pm
al
December 15th, 2010
6:22 pm
Some of you are wishing that Vick will get hurt. A word of caution,same thing could hapen to Ryan
Actually the Eagles stand a better chance of winning if Ryan stays in the game.
SUPERBOWEL
December 15th, 2010
6:28 pm
So Mike Vick wants a dog,,, thats funny as he//
ATLfan94
December 15th, 2010
6:28 pm
Why would write about what could have been with Petrino and Vick? Especially when the Falcons are 10-2 and on the road to the Super Bowl, I could understand if the Falcons were 2-10 right now. C’mon MAN!!!!! Plus I would take Smith and Ryan rather than Petrino and Vick.
DHD
December 15th, 2010
6:29 pm
Maybe the AJC writes more articles about Vick than does ESPN talk about Favre and the Yankees.
It is truly amazing. Man crush city.
SUPERBOWEL
December 15th, 2010
6:32 pm
I’m not wishing Vick will get hurt but I am predicting it,, its just a matter of time.
Larry
December 15th, 2010
6:38 pm
What does Mike Vick, Jamarcus Russell, Vince Young and Cam Newton all have in common? Double digit IQ’s that can throw a long tight spiral!
Sorry, brothers, but the guys quarterbacking Super Bowl Champions year after year like Brees, Manning and Brady have triple digit IQ’s and are not obsessed with tattoos, ear piercings, braids and longing to mate with any female species walking along the sidewalk!
KakNiqueTree
December 15th, 2010
6:39 pm
As for drafting Marvin Williams instead of Deron Williams or Chris Paul…since ‘it’s the Hawks” what would have happened was that they would have drafted one of those guys and passed over Marvin and Marvin would have become the superstar, the Olympian, and the All-Star & fools would have wanted to know why they didn’t draft Marvin.
al
December 15th, 2010
6:40 pm
Superbowel, your prediction could come true,but i am predicting Ryan’s next injury will be worse than the turf toe he suffered last year.
Matty Ice
December 15th, 2010
6:51 pm
I do not wonder what could have happened. Mike Vick is gone. ATL is better off now. Glad Mike Vick is doing good, but for the falcons to move on, Mike Vick had to leave. Our offense is better than Mike Vick and the wounded Eagles. Home Field Advantage may be our undoing if Mike Vick comes to ATL in the playoffs. He is really fast on turf! I still take Matty Ice at home with the game on the line though. We cannot look back. We can only look to the future of our organization, and Falcons fans it sure looks bright. We have an opportunity to have a successful team for years, and I personally could care less about what might have been. Its been rough to be a Falcons fan for most years, and I want to enjoy our success.
Clifton
December 15th, 2010
6:55 pm
Who cares?
Child Support
December 15th, 2010
6:59 pm
@Larry
Didn’t Brady leave his pregnant girl friend?
sidslid
December 15th, 2010
7:03 pm
Ya know. We now have the right QB in the right situation. Things turn out. Always had faith that Arthur Blank would put this organization together. He built a real company as opposed to the Mark Cuban/Daniel Snyder make a quick billion mold. That is the difference. I think pushing McKay aside was the key decision of his tenor. I’ll bet he had to replace a store manager or two in his early HD days
FrontRow
December 15th, 2010
7:08 pm
Eagles fans….admit it; you cringe every time he (loosely) tucks the ball and runs.
From experience let me tell you he will:
1. Get the ball knocked out
2. Get his clock knocked out
Yeah the arm’s great but how many drops has it gotten you this year?
A great player but a turnover / injury waiting to happen. Enjoy the good times because the bad play WILL happen and you are going to love him as much as you loved him when he was here.
And you all know the NICE things you said about him when he was a Falcon.
crafty
December 15th, 2010
7:30 pm
Assuming Petrino could coach Vick better than or even as good as Reid is astoundingly naive.
This Gets OLD!
December 15th, 2010
7:36 pm
And……of we goooo. Thanks Mark, guess you guys can’t go two months without a piece about a guy who doesn’t play here anymore.
Falconmike
December 15th, 2010
7:39 pm
-It pissed me off what Mike Vick did to my team.
-It offended me to no-end to hear MV7 admit that he didn’t work hard here w/ Falcons.
-MV7 would NEVER be with the Falcons what he is now with the Eagles.
-who cares about Pitrino and his poor character.
I just thank god everything since then has gone the way it has. And coach Smith and Matt Ryan continue with the direction and success we are seeing now.
GO FALCONS!
This Gets OLD!
December 15th, 2010
7:51 pm
Off we go. I can’t go two days without making a mistake around here
vickwho
December 15th, 2010
7:51 pm
Wasted space. Point in writing this column is ????
Matt the Brave
December 15th, 2010
7:53 pm
Mark, I know you’re being nostalgic, but can we focus on the task at hand? The 2010 Falcons are 10-2 with a chance to match the 1998 Super Bowl team. Why can’t we focus on that team rather than the fiasco that was?
Also, please don’t bring up your quote about the 1996 Atlanta Braves being crowned the new kings of baseball after we won the first two games of the Series. That would be painful as well.
Amaysn'
December 15th, 2010
8:02 pm
Suppose Mr. Blank had hired a competent GM and never fired Dan Reeves.
Pat
December 15th, 2010
8:13 pm
::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;;;YAWN::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joe Mama Angie Daddy
December 15th, 2010
8:15 pm
I agree with vickwho, WHO CARES!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2010
8:29 pm
Knowing what we know now about Petrino’s personality, I doubt he would have been a great long-term fit for the Falcons, or any pro team. To me it’s pretty obvious that he came to the Falcons for the sole reason of coaching up Vick and thereby boosting his own resume as an offensive genius, and his single-minded focus on one player probably would not have gone over too well in the locker room.
With that being said, I think he would have worked wonders for Vick’s career. Then again, I think Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey would have worked wonders for Vick’s career as well, as would pretty much any coaching staff with a basic level of intelligence that Mora and Knapp completely lacked.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2010
8:31 pm
“admit it; you cringe every time he (loosely) tucks the ball and runs.”
Actually, that’s probably the most improved aspect of his game. He has become much, much better at protecting the ball when he carries it. All the other so-called “improvements” are in my opinion a little overblown — I think he had the instincts to be a good passer here, and was stifled by the coaching staff’s mind-numbing stupidity — but the criticism about how he held the ball was valid, and he has completely changed that aspect of his game.
D-Man
December 15th, 2010
8:32 pm
I do not understand why after all the countless blogs regarding this subject that brings about the UGLIEST responses the ajc continues to drag this story back up over and over. Do you enjoy all this bickering and ignorance spewed when the darkest moment in Falcon’s history is brought up? We had three ugly years of hearing and reading about all this and NOW when both parties have moved on, had success, and wounds have somewhat healed or at least subsided you rip the band-aid right back off. What more can be said (or typed) about this? Too bad, so sad that this paper and people in general will never be allowed to move on from this. This scar will be apart of Atlanta sports and brought back up whenever there is a slow day in sports news I guess if the ajc has their way.
What a shame…
D-Man
December 15th, 2010
8:33 pm
PLEASE STOP BRINGING THIS BACK UP!
scott
December 15th, 2010
8:37 pm
why is this even talked about now you got the falcons 11-2 playing some good football this city should be excited and going crazy about now and you bring this up??whats the point??i like vick but he is no longer an atlanta falcon ..and i,m crazy about my Atlanta falcons can we talk about this team presently on a 6 game winning streak and the possibilty of home field advantage throughout the playoffs..it doesnt get any better here in Atlanta the falcons are in a great position..better than in years..talk about that instead and lets get pumped up!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2010
8:41 pm
I also think this idea that “the Falcons are better off without Vick” is pretty hilarious, as if they wouldn’t be at least as successful with him right now. No, the Falcons are better off without the clown show known as Jim Mora, Greg Knapp, and Ed Donatell. It’s not just Vick that suffered under their pathetic excuse for coaching. People like to pretend like Roddy White blossomed because of Vick’s absence (conveniently forgetting that Michael Jenkins hasn’t blossomed in Vick’s absence). What about Jonathan Babineaux? Is he also playing better now because Vick isn’t here?
Yeah, the Falcons are doing great right now, because they methodically execute and don’t make mistakes, particularly when they are at home. Credit Mike Smith and his fantastic coaching staff. But the one thing the Falcons are missing on both sides of the ball, which is the main reason they continue to get dissed by the national media, is the threat of the big play. The general feeling I get from reading what national media has to say about the Falcons is that they will face some team in the playoffs at some point that will step up and execute as well as the Falcons AND make the big plays necessary to beat them. We’ll see if it actually happens or not. But do you really think Vick, the league’s ultimate big play threat, wouldn’t dominate with the Falcons’ O-line, that power running game, a version of Roddy White that has actually had his raw talent developed by a competent coaching staff, and the greatest tight end of all time? The man is #2 in the league in passer rating and has only lost one game he has started and finished this year. You can’t play at a much higher level than that.
Blame Falcons’ brass for not hiring people like Dimitroff and Mike Smith back in ‘04, when they purged the old regime and tried to start fresh. It’s not Vick’s fault he had no help from the people drawing up the game plan.
adelfersy
December 15th, 2010
8:44 pm
C’mon Bradley, I don’t have time for this crap. 11-2, there has to be some angle about this team that hasn’t been explored by the mainstream media. Do your job and don’t keep harking back to a couple of clowns who used to play here. I here enough about MV on espn etc. I come here to here about these extraordinary Falcons!
nash
December 15th, 2010
8:49 pm
no one ever talks about what if Matt Schab had stayed? Look at what he has done in Huston. I hate that the team lost that guy. What do you think would have happened if the team had kept him?
Atlanta Peach
December 15th, 2010
9:00 pm
I bet’cha you know who wished he could blog here on this site ! (wink)
Real American
December 15th, 2010
9:08 pm
LOL…Vick still the main draw huh?
nash
December 15th, 2010
9:17 pm
Ok tells play this game. What if Vick had not forced a Matt Schub trade and he stayed? Look at what he has done in Huston.
falconfan58
December 15th, 2010
9:24 pm
“The Falcons sit atop the NFC? Alert Mark Bradley.”
lamac66
December 15th, 2010
9:39 pm
Pathetic. This fishwrap NEEDS Vick. I can’t recall any other newspaper enthralled with a former player that goes on to another city. Amazing!
lamac66
December 15th, 2010
9:41 pm
Oh, by the way Vick would have done some of what he is doing in Philly here in ATL under Petrino. Overcoming those butterfingered WR’s at the time would have made it difficult though. Mike Vick lives on in this town..lol.
Jinx Master
December 15th, 2010
9:43 pm
Arthur Blank resume as an owner to date.
Arthur Blank dumb moves:
1) Firing Dan Reeves – it would have been 4th yr with Vick in his system
2) Hiring Jim Mora – a yes man & overrated DC
3) Giving Vick a huge contract – not listening to whispers of character issues
4) Hiring Bobby Petrino – another overrated OC with character issues
Arthur Blank smart moves
1) Lowering ticket prices – rejuvenating fan base
2) Bringing in a new GM & HC – someone with a blueprint for the org.
3) Signing Turner in off season – Even after getting burnt on the Vick contract
4) Drafting Matty Ryan – young QB that will grow with org.
There has been a – & + journey for Blank,but one thing is for certain every move made along the way nobody could have predicted the outcome. So this article makes no sense, maybe you should be writing about true possibility. The fact that if things continue at this rate that these teams the Falcons & Eagles have a real chance to meet up in the Dome for what may be the most watched & highest rated playoff game in NFL history!
Ed
December 15th, 2010
9:52 pm
Vick wants to own a dog. Stupid thug makes me sick. Hey MV, just as child molesters are forbidden to be around children, you are forbidden to be around dogs. If you want a pet, get a fish IDIOT.
Ed
December 15th, 2010
9:53 pm
Of course if you did get fish, I’m sure you would put some fish in the tank that would eat them all and laugh watching. right.
extremus
December 15th, 2010
10:04 pm
Mr. Bradley,
Just when the Falcons are enjoying the crest of what could be a very special, maybe even Superbowl championship season, you had to bring up the topic of the most polarizing figure in Atlanta pro sports history. What-ifs can be interesting diversions now and then, but considering the kind of outright hate and nastiness (generally along racial lines) thrown about on these boards weekly and the disruption caused by people who won’t acknowledge our present quarterback Matt Ryan (because of his skin color; let’s call a spade a spade here) and can’t let go of the past, this article was clearly not thought through sufficiently. I think it was poorly chosen even if your points have merit, simply because of what the Michael Vick mess has put this team and its fans through to this very day.
All you did with this article, Mr. Bradley, was to throw gasoline on a fire that was finally, hopefully, about to go out on its own as more folks realize that we have a pretty darn good team (and quarterback) right now. The Atlanta Falcons didn’t need this, and we fans (the TRUE fans) who regularly post on this board and support our Atlanta teams sure didn’t need it. The past is dead and it stinks; let’s leave it buried, please.
Jinx Master
December 15th, 2010
10:13 pm
Your real name must be Mr. Ed why would you even compare molested children (some of which were murdered after the act) to dogs or animals. Some molesters may even live in your neighborhood. Your the same person that are screaming about dogs, but doesn’t see anything when a child gets snatched MORON ! Poor choice of comparison.
bob
December 15th, 2010
10:23 pm
Ironically, it was Petrino that was the Dog killer in Athens this Fall.
yo mama
December 15th, 2010
10:39 pm
i am glad what happened in 07. as i look back on it, I had grown tired of the vick offense that couldnt figure how to win the tough games. heck, chris chandler won bigger games than vick. he became a waste of money. matty ice has come in here, and out performed vick the whole time. he is a winner, and is smarter than vick. vick is all performance, no brains. he has trouble throwing in the red zone, matty ice doesnt. give matty ice the recievers vick has right now, and we are hands down nfc reps in super bowl. its not vick in philly that is making the difference, its the coach, and the receivers. any qb could excel in this system. i am happy for vick, but i am happier with the present team, and its future. built to last.
bad dawg
December 15th, 2010
10:50 pm
Vick has reached new heights in his road back in the NFL,better wait till the end of the story to weigh the misfortune of the Falcon side of his story,cause it ain’t over yet.Don’t forget he’s still MV7,and once an MV7,always an MV7. Not really sure what happened at his birthday party.He’s a naturally bad decision maker so stay tuned!
bad dawg
December 15th, 2010
10:59 pm
Also I’m hungry,when is that supper bowl?iiiieeee…
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
December 15th, 2010
11:08 pm
WOW….another article from Bradley about Michael Vick….SURPRISED???? NOT!!!!!
Sid
December 15th, 2010
11:15 pm
yawn
Tidomonkey
December 15th, 2010
11:15 pm
Good riddance to both. I don’t care if the felon is playing well for Philly, he brought an embarrassment to this organization it may never get over.
Foolish
December 15th, 2010
11:45 pm
Vick wants a dog. That’s like giving a murderer a gun.
Eric
December 16th, 2010
12:16 am
I’ve been on you for not writing about the Falcons for two weeks and this is what you come up with? Wondering “what might have been” with Vick and Petrino when the current franchise is 11-2 and knocking on the door of Atlanta’s first number one seed in the NFC ever? What the hell is wrong with the AJC sports writers? Mike Smith is the best coach we have ever had and Matt Ryan is (or will be) the best QB. Why bring up this old crap?
As a footnote, I hope the Eagles do come down to Atlanta for the NFC Championship game. Then maybe we can finally put to rest the question of who is the better QB for the Falcons: Vick or Ryan….
JuneBaby
December 16th, 2010
12:32 am
For all u haters, regardless of what he did i would prefer him as a friend than any of u hypocritical scrubs. At least he has admitted to his transgressions, and that’s more than any of u haters have ever done. And at this time and place i would prefer him as the qb over Matt Ryan. I have nothing against Ryan, he does the best he can with the talent he was blessed with,but Vick is worlds better. Ryan doesn’t have one third the talent that Michael Vick has, nor the smarts, and if Vick was the qb this year the Falcons would be undefeated, and wouldn’t be struggling to put teams away. Again, i have nothing against Ryan and i hope he leads the Falcons to a superbowl victory this year, but i only wish Vick had been smarter with the choices he made. This is a reply to all these overly judgemental folks blogging their ignorance and hate over an incident that should be well in the past!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2010
12:33 am
Mike Vick’s first endorsement deal since getting out of jail… like him or hate him, I have a hard time seeing how anyone can’t laugh at this.
NYfalcon
December 16th, 2010
1:08 am
I made this almost exact claim back then as an excited season ticket holder to see it never get a chance. My peers at work when I was in Atlanta all spoke ignorantly negative…and then came the dogs. The guy(Petrino) did make those college quarterbacks(bums) on the roster back then at least look like decent NFL backups. I guess we will never know…..
Michael Conner
December 16th, 2010
2:29 am
Bradley, why don’t you just go and propose to Mike Vick and get it over with? At least get a job in Philly or something. This is ATLANTA, you jackwagon and we are 12-2 with the team WE CURRENTLY HAVE! Figure it out!
Tissue?
Jen
December 16th, 2010
2:33 am
nsane Braves Fan
December 15th, 2010
2:32 pm
The NFL is adjusting from Vick the runner to Vick the passer. His rating will go down, but my question is why are we talking about two people who took a dump on the Falcons franchise?
A MEN!!!
I’m pretty dang happy with THIS Falcon ORG and team
Vick can’t stay healthy for an entire season….hmmmmm just like when he was with Atl.!!!, he’s not all that.
falconfan
December 16th, 2010
2:43 am
this story is ancient history. Must of been a slow news day
Nativebird
December 16th, 2010
6:58 am
and your mention of an Owner that coddled, kissed, and enabled the then “Gangster”-version Vick is where in this revisionist history? C’mon Man. Yes Mora was an incompetant midget-ego-case, but this constant attempt to shield THE one man that had the actual ability and authority to fix and thwart the franchise-killing disaster that was to become known as Michael Vick, is truly embarrasing.
CarrolltonTrojans!
December 16th, 2010
7:01 am
The Falcons are 11 – 2 with a great shot at being the #1 seed in the NFC. This is what you have to write about? Who cares about these ghosts of football past? How about some positive, forward thinking perspectives or is that beyond your limited thought and writing ability?
Mark
December 16th, 2010
7:27 am
Bradley you num nut…you do realize Vick is playing in the West Coast offense now….do some research.
Timbo
December 16th, 2010
7:42 am
What’s the point of this article? Vick is gone. Petrino is gone. The Falcons are now 11-2. YOu’re becoming like a gossip columnist just trying to inflame the fanbase. In the last 3 games, Vick has 4 picks and like 6 fumbles, and it’s always a legitimate question whether he will finish the season before getting knocked out. Has Vick ever played a full 16 game season? Petrino proved that he couldn’t handle the pressures of the NFL. I’m sorry Mark that 11-2 is not good enough for you to envison “what could of been” for the Falcons. You know real sportswriters in Philly, NY, Chicago, Boston/New England are writing about the current state of their franchise, not stories of how New England would have been if they had held onto Drew Bledsoe and the like. You’re becoming such a hack it’s pathetic. NO wonder the major sports cities laugh at what kind of sports town Atlanta is. This drivel you have given us today does nothing to help that perspective. Here’s and idea Mark how about an article about Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner, and a young defense that will get better and better as the years progress’ on its way to a playoff run and possibly home field advantage….And yet we get Vick and Petrino? Really?
Timbo
December 16th, 2010
7:46 am
Mark, you have contributed to the decline of the AJC. You know the people/target market that actually drove the newspaper and advertisment sales over the years are quickly going away never to come back. Your projected target marked rarely reads anything and certainly won’t purchase a newspaper. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. What a hack..
JSS
December 16th, 2010
8:23 am
Well I truly hope this has been cathartic for all of those so raptured by hoping that Michael Vick would never evolve as a quarterback or as a human being. I avoided this blog on purpose to see how it would play out. As usual, it has descended into a hot mess. The Falcons get no respect crybabies are at full throat. The Mike Vick is a _ _ _ _ subculture have brought their same empty plate to the table again. Just goes to prove that a fool rarely goes hungry.
The only good thing about this has been that the “Sociologist” has not weighed in his usual “Willie Martinez, I lost my mind in Fallujah” rants, Hallelujah!
In terms of Petrino, you made a deal with the devil… To paraphrase Shaquille O’Neal: “How does his _ _ _ taste?” Nothing good can ever come of a man with social standards of Thom Watson or the character traits of Sonny Perdue.
How bout them . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 Falcons
December 16th, 2010
9:25 am
The way to the Super Bowl goes through the Georgia Dome,
if we beat the Saints.
Penelope
December 16th, 2010
9:26 am
The bigger point made here is the 3 years wasted on that dolt JIM MORA and his band of idots led by GREG KNAPP. They both proved since leaving ATL that their nonsense doesn’t work anywhere. Knapp got fired from Oakland and Seattle and Mora was literally handed the reigns to the Seattle franchise and got axed in one year. No telling how Vick could have developed if that jocksniffer (MORA) and his clueless buddy (KNAPP) were never hired.
How bout them . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 Falcons
December 16th, 2010
9:39 am
Mike Vick unfortunately, never led the Falcons
to three straight winning seasons like Matt Ryan.
Eagles more than Vick
December 16th, 2010
9:53 am
Falcons at 11-2. Eagle beat Falcons with no Vick which shows us the Eagles are good because of their speed all over the field, namely DeSean Jackson. Vick throws it as far as he can and Jackson runs under it. How many times have we seen that play?
Vick is playing well, but the Eagles are more than Vick.
Blank learned
December 16th, 2010
9:56 am
Bad Move : Firing Dan Reeves which took away the discipline from Vick.
Good Move : Hiring Thomas Demitrof. No one is perfect but lots of good free agent signings and draft picks.
FrontRow
December 16th, 2010
9:56 am
Penelope – BS on you. If Mora and Knapp were never hired; MV would have STILL been smokin’ weed and fighting dogs.
Everybody gets fired at Oakland. Seattle is a mess and they are stuck with a RAH RAH college coach.
Arthur Blank layed his investment in the roach-stained fingers of Mike Vick. I could care less one way or another about Mora but to blame his crew for a QB that was stealing Arthur’s money is equivalent to blaming a turkey for you post-Thanksgiving belly ache.
Thank your lucky stars TD had the sense to pick an ego-less “face of the franchise”.
Brian Hunt
December 16th, 2010
9:56 am
Running out of ideas Mr. Bradley? Did this really need to be rehashed? You are aware that the Eagles run the west coast offense right?
FrontRow
December 16th, 2010
9:57 am
DeSean Jackson is a smurf that lays down to avoid the big hit. I would love to see that smurf running across the Falcon’s secondary again.
Lets Hope
December 16th, 2010
9:57 am
How bout them . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 Falcons
December 16th, 2010
9:25 am
The way to the Super Bowl goes through the Georgia Dome,
if we beat the Saints.
Actually just beat Seahawks and Panthers. Then against the Saints play the starters for the first qtr and sit them.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
9:58 am
Totally Agree Najeh. The Falcons had to move on and try to win games during the 2 years Vick was in prison. They couldn’t afford to wait those 2 years and see what he had. It worked out well for both entities.
The real crime was that awful Jimmy Mora got to coach this team at all and his answer for offense was a guy who needed a Jeff Garcia type more than Mike Vick. Gregg Knapp is a guy who would drive a Ferrari around in 2nd gear all the time.
He’ll say… oh we got to the NFC championship game…..and got worse every single season.
Jim Mora set the team back actually more than Mike Vick ever did.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
9:59 am
I just don’t think Mike ever reaches his potential if he never goes to prison.
I mean, the difference between press conferences here, and press conferences there is night and day. Mike matured a lot during that process.
Eagles own Falcons
December 16th, 2010
10:02 am
If the Super Bowl for the NFC Champs goes thru Atlanta, then it will just be another home game for the Eagles. The last time the Falcons beat the Eagles, was with the current Eagles QB. LOL
Eagles own Falcons
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
Did anybody notice how on Monday on the homepage, the AJC had Vick’s picture and stories about the Eagles win? But the Falcons were not mentioned on the homepage at all? LOL, well….got to give the people what they want obviously. Evidently that’s what they want.
Timbo
December 16th, 2010
10:08 am
Talk about revisionist history with the influence of the style of offense and the coaching staff. Mike Vick has readily admitted in several interviews that he DID NOT STUDY THE PLAYBOOK, DID NOT TRY TO LEARN HOW TO READ DEFENSES, AND RELIED SOLELY ON HIS ATHLETIC ABILITY…He also readily admitted that he made no attempt to stay late after practices to watch film and never attempted to be a team leader….I believe in second chances and redemption and am truly happy for Mike Vick. Hell! i even have him on one of my fantasy teams, but to suggest that the end result in Atlanta would have been any different based on a different coaching staff or offensive system is inaccurate at best and down right intellectually dishonest. At that time of Vick’s life, he truly was a coach killer, and Dan Reeves, Mike Smith or even the great Andy Reid would not have been able to change that.
Vick rules
December 16th, 2010
10:14 am
Vick still demands all the attention.
Matt who?
Capologist
December 16th, 2010
10:16 am
I dont blame Bradley for writing this. Vick is a national draw, it is what it is. Almost a million votes nationwide by fans and The Eagles games have been ratings hits. Love him or hate him, you’ll watch him.
UGA fan
December 16th, 2010
10:23 am
waaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
There are lots of reasons why my Bulldogs keep getting beaten in football – and none of it’s our fault! Those other players are just tougher than us. That’s not fair.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
10:27 am
Mark…GREAT ARTICLE man.
For years, I watched the Falcons with Vick at the helm, and you could see…especially in 2006 that Vick was turning the corner, but I always said that coaching and personnel was holding him back…its turns out he was holding himself back also.
Really, what did Vick have to get excited about? An at the time immature Roddy White? Jenkins? Peerless Price? Dez White? LOL. Exactly. I know you’re thinking “he was making 130 mil” apparently it doesn’t matter once you have the money. Vick was already rich, so the money didn’t really matter. The thing was, football wasn’t fun anymore for Vick. You could tell that it was stressful for him. He recieved ALL OF THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING…defense…you name it. He was expected to make every play. Look at him in Philly. He’s calm in the pocket, smooth, and the best QB in the NFL. After Reeves was unjustly fired, i knew it was over from there. Jim Mora/Knapp??!?!? No one on the team respected them. Vick just flat out didn’t care after the first year, and I don’t blame him. Blank is a good guy, but he and McKay thought they could put scraps around Vick and win. Wrong.
Look at Vick now. You people on here said that Vick would never play again or be any good. Wrong again. Matt Ryan? Not even in the same league as Vick…look at the stats. If the Falcons lose Michael Turner, your season is over. Its looking like my Eagles will be coming to ATL for a playoff game, due to the Falcons having a cupcake schedule. My Eagles will win, i gurantee it.
I told you Vick would shine again. I told you.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
10:40 am
Ok, this all being said, What were the Falcons supposed to do? I still don’t understand why you all hate the Falcons? They made a couple of God Awful coaching hires…. Vick went to prison.
Were they supposed to spend 3 years with Joey Harrington???
We go from the most exciting player in football to Joey Sunshine and Byron Leftwich????
That was miserable.
I so hope Bradley’s next column is breaking down playoff scenarios in 2007. Or 1984.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
10:42 am
Hell remember 2004. Doug Johnson? Kurdt Kittner. And he actually beat the Giants in New York.
It’s really baffling how bad teams were in the past, we need to appreciate the good ones while we have them.
Capologist
December 16th, 2010
10:54 am
Petrino had no choice but to leave the way he did. He had practically been begging to be fired from the minute he knew he wouldn’t be coaching Vick. The man did everything possible to get canned – like George Constanza on Seinfeld. Yet still Blank wouldn’t just let the man go…so he dipped in the middle of the night.
megan
December 16th, 2010
10:59 am
What in the world prompted you to write this ridiculous column Mark? As I have to constantly remind certain whining friends, quit thinking and worrying about what you CANNOT do with what you DO NOT have! Focus on what you CAN do with what you DO have! We have Matt Ryan, we are 11-2, we have just made it 3 winning seasons in a row… I do not miss Mike Vick!
FALCON FANATIC FAN
December 16th, 2010
11:22 am
Mark- Not sure what the point of this article is. A lot of ‘what if’ scenarios. We are in the Conference lead, we are 11-2, we have a great quarterback. I loved Michael Vick as well when he was with the Falcons, but he caused his problems, no one else. He has now made good of himself, paid his dues, and is with Philly (and I am very proud of him), and I think he is fantastic talent, but let’s talk about the FALCONS, and now!, and not this “what if history could have changed’” crap. Get with it and write some articles with meaning for us FALCONS fans who are hungry for SUCCESS NOW, and today! Maybe you should write some syndicated articles for Philly papers and avoid the AJC Sports section until after the season is over.
Seriously?????????
December 16th, 2010
11:25 am
I do find it interesting that MB wrote this article and has yet to post any response, which he frequently does. Which to me could mean a couple of things. 1) He had no purpose other than to get people riled up. Like throwing a rock through a window and hiding behind a car so you can watch what happens next. or 2) He didnt figure that most people (from what I can tell) would have the reaction of “who freakin’ cares” and “why are you writing this??” and decided to back away.
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
11:35 am
@FALCON FANATIC FAN
Mark is writing this story because I believe he knows the Falcons would be more dangerous with Vick at the helm. Vick is a way better QB than Ryan and you know it…everyone knows it whether they want to admit it or not.
The Falcons are 11-2…so what?!? Apparently most of you fans don’t believe in them, just like the rest of the country doesn’t. No GREAT team is afraid to come to the GA Dome in the playoffs. Ya’ll really don’t have a great home field advantage like it used to be when Vick was here. that’s especially true if the Eagles come here for a playoff game…it will be a home game almost for the Eagles because alot of people including myself would actually go to that game to support Vick.
Its good that you’re proud of your team man, its just that Vick is on another level and as you can see, this town will never get over what could have been with Vick. Ryan just isn’t the guy with talent or charisma that Vick has.
LT
December 16th, 2010
12:00 pm
For anyone who questions the sanity of the Falcons parting of the ways with Vick, watch the interview Jim Mora did with him earlier this year for the NFL network. He had success on the field despite the fact he admitted he never watched film (he threw them on the floor of his car), he thought he as above the law and didn’t care about working harder to become a better player. HE said no one could have changed the path he was going down other than him. Not fan love, not coaches, not success, not the ownership. The way some talk, Atlanta sent him to prison, sat around and watched our team get to the playoffs, mislead him into thinking ownership would welcome him back, and then made a fool of him by shunning him. No team with ownership worth a damn would wait around for ‘what if.’ Vick said that only by being in prison did he learn to appreciate his gifts and to not take things for granted. He paid his dues to society, got a break in Philly and is making the most of it, and good for him. The Mike Vick we see now would NEVER have materialized in Atlanta, by his own words and at his own hand. He’s a worthy adversary just like Brees, Manning, etc. but we’ve moved on because we had no choice. I hope to see him as the starter in the Pro Bowl, if only for the fact that it means he won’t be playing the following weekend….:>) As far as Eagles fans being in the Dome for a playoff game….blah, blah, blah…ask the Packers and Ravens fans how well that went. Opposing fans in the Dome this year are a non-factor. The absolute key for any of the top teams to reach the Super Bowl is keeping their stars healthy. I’ll roll the dice with our guys.
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
12:09 pm
@LT
You’re correct on alot of points, but you fail to mention that the other parts of the problem besides Vick…coaching, management, etc.
And Ryan will be Vick’s backup at the pro bowl. Just the way it should be. Vick is just better than Ryan. Period. Vick is a top 3 QB. Ryan is MAYBE the tenth best….and that’s pretty good also.
All I'm Saying Is...
December 16th, 2010
3:47 pm
Great post Bradley! Most folks don’t want to think about ‘what if’ considering how well the Falcons are doing but that is the reason, in my opinion, for the sentimental and supportive view many have of Vick. Allow me to explain: You only have so many superstars in sports and any city is lucky to get one or two or have a GM smart enough to get you a few. And in Atlanta, Dan Reeves traded up to draft Vick and together they did some great things: winning playoff games, winning a playoff game at Lambeau and taking us to the NFC Championship game. One reason for some antipathy to Arthur Blank is everyone knows he used Vick’s injury as an excuse to fire Dan Reeves and then turned around and hired Mora when other better candidates (i.e. Lovie Smith) were available. Who knows how things might have evolved with Vick if Reeves were still his coach and, as Bradley points out, who knows what we might have seen on the field with Vick leading a Petrino offense. We all wish Vick had been more dedicated to craft and more mature about his life and his play in Philly only underlines that angst that some of us have. This does not mean we are not Ryan fans. We just wish things had been different because, man oh man, we were on the cusp of doing some remarkable things and potentially getting a ring or two.
All that typed, we all appreciate and love what the Falcons have done so far this season and what they are in a position to do in the season’s final weeks. So thanks, Bradley, for the trip down memory lane and the chance to play ‘what if’ but now its time to focus on what is and what could be!
LET’S GO FALCONS!
megan
December 16th, 2010
3:58 pm
To all the Vick lovers, how many more Super Bowl rings does he own than Matt Ryan?
megan
December 16th, 2010
4:02 pm
What if Vick didn’t get convicted of FELONY dog fighting and stayed? What if Bobby Petrino still wet his pants and ran to Arkansas? What if the Falcons were today 6-7 and Vick were out for the season? Ohhhh that would be so much better!
megan
December 16th, 2010
4:04 pm
And by the way, I’ll take the Falcons 11-2 record over the Eagles 9-4 record every day!
JSS
December 16th, 2010
4:05 pm
@ Eric….
“when the current franchise is 11-2 and knocking on the door of Atlanta’s first number one seed in the NFC ever?”
They (the Falcons) were the No. 1 seed in 1980… The Eagles were No. 2 seed. The Vikings were the Central winners and received a bye to meet the Eagles at the Vet. The Cowboys and the Rams met in the old Wild Card round with the Cowboys winning and advancing to meet the Falcons. Dallas eliminated the heavily favored home standing “Team of the 80’s” Falcons. They were 6-2 at home during the regular season…
joe hatcher
December 16th, 2010
4:16 pm
Nice sports journalism. Creative and interesting; wish we had more like this..
Falcon66
December 16th, 2010
4:22 pm
Eagles have Vick, we have Ryan and I’m sooooo happy Patrino is not in this state.
Clifton Jones
December 16th, 2010
4:29 pm
The volume of comments and the number of Pro Bowl votes lead to one conclusion that everyone should agree on…Mike Vick sells!!! His talents, his faults, the Falcons history and future are debatable, but you will pay to watch Mike Vick play quarterback. The Hawks blunders are too long to recall including not trading Josh Smith for the big guy making history in New York. Atlanta is a city very busy hating and with a legacy on being on the wrong side of history.
LawDawg
December 16th, 2010
4:40 pm
Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll take Matty Ice and Mike Smith any day over that trainwreck tandem.
LawDawg
December 16th, 2010
4:41 pm
Clifton Jones: Agreed, like him or not (a strong “not” for me), Vick is the most exciting player to watch.
Also, I love that just as he is getting back in people’s good graces, he says he wants a dog. What a freaking imbecile.
Christopher Chance
December 17th, 2010
5:55 am
Bobby Petrino didnt sign on to coach a bad Falcons team in 2007. I dont blame Petrino for jumping ship. Owners fire coaches all the time when a team is doing badly…..why cant a coach say F-This-Shyt…….and leave…..especially when what he signed on for (an All-Pro QB to build an offense around who gets sent to prison) disappears?
Petrino didnt want to coach a bunch of losers for a couple of years. The Falcons got LUCKY with the quick development of Matt Ryan (in reality, VERY FEW rookie QBs excel their first year). There’s no way that Petrino could have foreseen that.
Tee
December 17th, 2010
10:28 am
Bradley, you write more articles about Mike Vick than Matt Ryan. You screamed to the top of your lungs with joy 3 years ago when Mike Vick was gone. However, over those same 3 years we see yet ANOTHER weekly Mike Vick article whether its you or one of your co-workers. MOVE ON…Mike Vick could care less what YOU think or your knuckle dragging admirers! You haters NEVER wanted him here since day ONE…so enjoy what you have now if you can. Its obvious that MV7 is STILL keeping the lights on at the AJC!!
Bubba
December 17th, 2010
10:34 am
The falcons could win a super bowl this year and they STILL wouldn’t get the respect that this team had during the Vick years! Heck the falcons don’t get any respect now from ESPN or NFL Network and you are 11-2. lol
Amy
December 17th, 2010
10:36 am
I think Bradley has a “man crush” on MV7…do you sleep with his jersey on???
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
All this “haters” crap gets old.
The only one who deserves blame in this whole affair is Michael Vick. He’s the first to admit that. Why rag on the Falcons? Why rag on the fans who were glad to see him go. Let’s face it. They have a point.
Vick was less than motivated his last few years here. He never studied game film. He was the last to get to practice and the first to leave. He rolled outta bed on Sunday mornings, flicked the sleep crud from the corners of his eyes and relied on his God-given talents alone to get him through games. Teams figured out how to contain him. The Birds became a .500 team. Stagnation, I believe you call it.
Dog-fighting aside, Mike had issues here – mostly related to his poor work ethic and the company he kept. His mother tried to square him away, but she finally got discouraged and went home to Virginia.
Vick met the media tricked out in hip-hop garb and garish accessories, looking more like a knuckle-head teenager you’d see at the mall rather than an NFL quarterback. Hell, I’d bet my wedding band he conducted a good number of those interviews in a marijuana-induced haze.
But that’s history. Vick’s not the same guy now.
He’s in the process of redeeming himself as a man and realizing his immense potential as an NFL quarterback. Good for him. Good for the NFL.
Stop making excuses for the “old” Michael Vick. He caused his own downfall.
JOELEATHER222
December 18th, 2010
9:33 am
This is a great piece, Mark.
People forget what almost was, but life went another direction, and details get hazy.
Thanks for pointing out the forgotten facts-
Vick had a great year passing under Reeves.
Mora/Knapp had an asinine scheme for Vick.
Petrino (loser that he was) knew how to use Vick appropriately.
The truth in your words is borne out by the year Vick is having in Philly.
Hope we don’t have to face him in the playoffs.
Go Falcons!
Michael Skelton
December 19th, 2010
1:55 am
You suck as a columnist, Petrino is was, always has been a quitter, and always will be. As for Vick, he killed dogs, Why would I want him on my team? I don’t hate Michael Vick, but he is a scumbag. I hope the time in jail made him think long and hard about what he did. I have forgiven him for what he did but I haven’t forgotten what that low life did. I couldn’t care less about him as a football player. I am glad he doesn’t play for the Falcons. He can go to hell. To “Falcons Sorry” dude, you need to learn how to spell because you make yourself look like an idiot. Go back to school and study this time.
Billy
December 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
Petrino can go to H-E-double hockey sticks!
Michael lamb
December 20th, 2010
8:34 pm
who cares??