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Mike Vick Conspiracy Theories Grow Legs as Police Erase Video

TT bOi — 2007-01-24T13:22:00 00:00

The story that won't go away just took another interesting turn. Police in South Florida have erased the videotape of Mike Vick involved in a Jan. 17 altercation at the Miami-Dade International Airport.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution filed an open-records request the following day and were told to wait while the investigation was pending. When the State's Attorney's office announced on Jan. 22 that no charges would be filed, the AJC renewed its request for the video.

"Oops," the cops replied. "We erased it. Our bad. Sorry 'bout that."

Needless to say, the whole thing stinks. First Miami cops say this thing is going to take weeks -- they're busy chasing murderers and rapists. Then the whole thing is adjudicated within four days and material evidence is sent to the shredder.

If I'm living in Miami, I'm checking to see if police cruisers are sporting new tires next week.

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Atlanta Falcons Fire Jim Mora Jr.

TT bOi — 2007-01-01T13:10:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, Atlanta

The inevitable happened just moments ago, as Jim Mora, Jr. was fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after the team ended its season 7-9.

In his departing press conference, Mora actually thanked his players, which is probably the last group of people he should have thanked. While Mora certainly had his issues, and his firing was best for the Falcons organization, the players all acted like a bunch of chumps in recent weeks when it came to Mora. This is especially true of Michael Vick who, after the teams loss against the Eagles Sunday, said this when asked what he would say if team owner Arthur Blank solicited his opinion on Mora being let go:

"Honestly, I really couldn't tell you what I'd say right now. I'd have to give it some thought and really evaluate what went down and what happened."

Then, if that wasn't bad enough, Vick had the audacity to talk about his personal accomplishments this season, saying:

"I've accomplished a lot of good things this season and I feel like I've had one of my best seasons," he said. "Exactly where things went wrong, I really don't know."

The week before that, Vick was just "Keeping it Real" when criticizing the coaching staff.

Talk about a great leader we have here in Atlanta. Too bad we can't send him packing along with Mora.

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The Falcons Disappoint Their Fans Once Again

TT bOi — 2006-12-26T08:47:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Fans

I'm going to be rooting for four teams to win their final games of the regular season: the Eagles, the Panthers, the Packers and the Giants. Why, as a Falcons' fan would I be rooting for these teams? Because if they all lose, the Falcons back into the playoffs, which is not a place they deserve to be.

Go ahead, call me a fair-weather fan. I don't really care. Next year, I'll be just as excited about the team, I'll believe in them, and probably even proclaim they are Super Bowl bound. I will do this, not until they start losing but, until they stop trying. They can go 0-16, and I will still be there, supporting them, as long as they leave everything they have on the field during those 16 losses.

Too many times this season, the Falcons have played soft, and that, as a fan, is unacceptable. We don't need Super Bowl titles every year, or even to be in the playoffs, although it would be nice. No, as fans, we just need to feel our team played as hard as they could. We need to feel like a loss hurt them as much as it did us, as we try to make it through the rest of our Sunday afternoons deflated.

Even though people are going to continue to scream that Michael Vick is the reason the Falcons failed this season, the problems are bigger than one guy. They are bigger than Jim Mora, Jr., and bigger than Greg Knapp, both of whom will likely be fired in the off-season. There are 53 players that wear the Falcons uniform, and until each of them decides to play each game like it's their last, and appreciate the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they've been given, Atlanta will not be among the elite teams in the league. All they will do is continue to disappoint with their half-hearted performances and empty excuses. Falcons' fans and the NFL deserve better.

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Panthers Beat Falcons Without a Quarterback

TT bOi — 2006-12-24T16:22:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, Eliminated NFL Teams

On a day when the Houston Texans were playing for pride and the Atlanta Falcons were playing for a playoff spot, who do you think played harder? If you guessed the Texans, you're correct, as they beat the Colts 27-24. If you guessed the Falcons, you haven't been paying attention, as they couldn't beat the Carolina Panthers, despite the fact that Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke only threw seven passes and wasn't even on the field during many plays, when Carolina ran the ball down the Falcons throat.

There's not much you can say about this game, except that it was pathetic. The Falcons players claimed last week that they love coach Jim Mora, Jr., but they didn't play like it. They didn't play like a team trying to save their coaches job. They didn't play like a team playing for pride. They didn't play like a team wanting to win. What's worse is that, with the Giants loss today, a win would have put the Falcons in the playoffs. Maybe it's better they didn't win, though, because the playoffs would have just been one more game for the team to insult the fans.

Thanks guys. Great effort. And now, for the phrase all too familiar in Atlanta: We'll get em next year.

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The Biggest Reason Jim Mora, Jr. Needs to be Fired

TT bOi — 2006-12-20T12:43:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip

Forget about his blind, and I mean blind allegiance to offensive-discoordinator Greg Knapp. Forget about his stupid comments about leaving the Falcons during a playoff run to take another job. The real reason Jim Mora, Jr. should not return to coach the Atlanta Falcons next year is he's a friend of the players.

DeAngelo Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mora is basically their cute little buddy. "We are behind him. We love him. He's a player's coach. He looks out for us."

If you're a football player in the NFL, the head coach is not supposed to be your friend. He can be friendly, sure, but he is not there to hold your hand, tell you how great you are and give you a reach around after a night out at the movies. He's supposed to get your prepared each week to play your ass off. If you are a receiver and you drop ball after ball, he's supposed to do whatever it takes to make sure you don't drop another. If you're a defensive back who can't seem to shut up, but continually gets burned on Sunday, he's supposed to tell you to stop yapping and start making plays.

I always thought Dan Reeves needed to be fired, and I'm not sure that it still wasn't the right move to get rid of him. However, as much as Dan loved Michael Vick, he was more of a father figure than a friend, which is something that both Vick and the entire Falcons team could use right now. Someone to say:

"Stop whining. Start winning. Or I'll be on your back forever more. Cause that's what coaches are for."

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How Do the Falcons Make the Playoffs?

TT bOi — 2006-12-19T13:52:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFL Playoffs

Naturally, the easiest road for Atlanta is to win both games. Then, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, who is in charge of tracking all of the possibilities, one of three things must happen:

1. Dallas beats Philadelphia on Christmas Day, or
2. Dallas beats Detroit in Week 17, or
3. New York loses one of its remaining games (New Orleans, at Washington).

In other words, two Falcons victories combined with one Cowboys victory OR one Giants loss in the next two weeks puts Atlanta into the tournament. (Side note: anyone else notice that 'tournament' is becoming the preferred term in the NFL?)

According to Elias, a loss alone on Sunday does not eliminate the Falcons from postseason play - but it gets really convoluted at that point.

[No reason for a picture of Keith Brooking except that we don't say it often enough: the guy is an absolute beast.]

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Falcons' Coach Jim Mora Quits on Team, Fans, Season

TT bOi — 2006-12-15T19:13:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip, NFL Media Watch

So here's the situation: you're a third-year coach who has a short week to prepare for a nationally-televised game that will define your team's season and, to a lesser extent, your coaching ability. What do you do?

(a) lock yourself in the practice facility and study game film
(b) curl up in a fetal position and crap your pants
(c) go on a radio program and say you want a different job

How dumb is Jim Mora Jr.? Given the stakes, he has no business acting as if he's part of some zany Morning Zoo crew in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Now he has to spend even more time going on all the local radio and television stations, backing away from his earlier claim. More distractions an already unfocused team doesn't need.

Maybe it's for the best. Let both Mora and Greg Knapp go muck around in the Pac-10, continuing its proud history of mediocre football. And anyway, I think deep down most fans would agree that if the Falcons do win against Dallas on Saturday, it won't be because of the coaching staff but in spite of them. Given the leadership, we've come to understand sometimes you've got to overcome coaching.

You can listen to the interview here. Tell us if you think he's kidding.

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Falcons Greg Knapp Wanted for Head Coaching Job

TT bOi — 2006-12-12T11:50:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Rumors

Sometimes you just wake up to great news in your local sports section. Such is the case today, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Falcons offensive coordinator has been contacted about another job.

According to the report, a Stanford University search committee has contacted Knapp to gauge his interest in becoming the school's head football coach. Yes, you read that right; someone wants to hire Greg Knapp. Instead of asking the obvious question of why, it's probably better for Falcons' fans to ask "how can we help get him hired?"

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Vick: "Sometimes You've Got to Overcome Coaching"

TT bOi — 2006-12-04T16:39:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip

That little nugget drew some chuckling from the media attending the post-game press conference after the Falcons beat the Redskins Sunday.

Who said it? Yep, ol' number 7, getting in what was (we assume) a good-natured dig at maligned offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. After quickly falling behind 14-0, Atlanta was able to scratch out a 24-14 victory at FedEx Field. A key play came in the third-quarter, when Chauncey Davis's interception return gave Atlanta the ball on the Washington 25-yard-line. Two plays later, Vick hits WR Michael Jenkins on a post pattern.

Woot! Falcons lead 17-14.

Vick, who completed 8 of 16 passes for 122 yards (a 115.1 QB rating), was asked about the call.

"[Jenkins] actually wasn't even in the read. Sometimes you've got to overcome coaching. I told him before the play to make sure he ran his route to win, and he did. Nobody on the field knew what I was going to do but me and him, so it kind of works out that way."

Zing! Strangely, though, that line didn't make it into the papers, or even in the team's official post-game quotes.

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Falcons Finally Win One; But Don't Be Fooled

TT bOi — 2006-12-03T16:07:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

By finally winning a game they should have won, the Atlanta Falcons have extended their season -- and Jim Mora's job -- by at least one week. It's sad, however, that the team is in a position where today's 24-14 win against the Redskins is not all that exciting.

The Falcons winning one game is not exciting because they also have to win next week against Tampa Bay. Then, if they win that game, it won't be that exciting because they have to play and beat the Cowboys the next week. The Falcons have put themeselves in a hole where one more loss could mean the end of any playoff hopes. So, while it's great the Falcons won today, especially given how they have been playing lately, us Falcons fans should not be fooled into thinking today's win really means anything. Yet.

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Jim Mora, Jr. Says Falcons Not Interested in Changing Losing Ways

TT bOi — 2006-11-28T09:04:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

While teams elsewhere in the NFL are not afraid to part ways with offensive coordinators and players that are inconsistent, Jim Mora, Jr. doesn't seem to think the Falcons have any reason to change how its offense is run.

When asked about possible changes to the offense, Mora told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "When we had those moment of truth plays when the ball was in the air. It's sitting there and either he's going to make it or I'm going to make it. That's the moment of truth. We didn't make the moment of truth plays."

Ah, truth. That's an interesting word coach. Let's talk about truth:

The Falcons have lost four straight and its offense has scored only 50 points in those four games. (Falcons' opponents have scored 102 points)

Is that enough truth for you? Of course, the bigger truth is that Greg Knapp is your boy. You brought him with you from San Francisco to be the Falcons offensive coordinator and now the offense is paying the price for your loyalty. Mora, however, says his relationship with Knapp doesn't change anything. "It doesn't make it any more difficult," Mora said. "If anything, I'm able to talk more frankly with him."

I admire you wanting to stand behind your boy and all, but not to the detriment of the Falcons. Like it or not, the Falcons organization is bigger than you and your friendships.

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The Many Excuses of the Falcons' Roddy White

TT bOi — 2006-11-27T10:00:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

Mr. Lowlight Reel, Roddy "I kind of just dropped it" White, can't catch the ball, but he sure can spew excuses and clichés. Here are just a few following the Falcons' loss to the Saints:

On the pass in the end zone:
"I lost my footing and lost the ball on the way down."

On the pass inside the six-yard line:
"It was just a lack of concentration. I took my eyes off the ball. I was trying to score before I caught the ball. I kind of just dropped it."

On how tough that play was on him:
"It is discouraging. If I make that play it is a different game."

On the confidence of the receivers:
"We are the men to get the job done. We just have to get focused and concentrate on the ball. We have to catch the ball and help Mike out. That is what we have to do and we have five more games to do it."

On how Vick handles the situation:
"Mike is not the type of guy who gets in your face. He is always encouraging us. He knows we are going to keep fighting and get better."

And now, for Falcons fans and Roddy White's family, here is footage of White catching a touchdown pass. Beautiful.

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Mike Vick Apologizes for Flipping the Dirty Bird

TT bOi — 2006-11-27T08:14:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip, Overpaid NFL Players

Michael Vick has apologized for flipping the bird to Falcons' fans after the team's loss Sunday, but does it really matter?

Here is the official statement on the Falcons' website:

"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate actions with fans today. I was frustrated and upset at how the game was going for my team, and that frustration came out the wrong way. That's not what I'm about. That's not what the Atlanta Falcons are about. I simply lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I apologize and look forward to putting this incident behind me."

I have defended Mike Vick through all of the ups and downs, and I still think he's a great player that can help the Falcons win. He was the only one that even showed up on offense yesterday!! But, as the cliché goes, you learn about team and its players when their backs are against the wall. Well, both Mike's and the Falcons' back are slammed up against the wall, and through this simple action, we see exactly what Vick is made of. This isn't about whether he can pass the ball, which I still think he can. (Roddy White you are horrible!!!!) This is about being a leader and Mike Vick is, sadly, a long way from being a leader.

(There is a picture of the gesture here.)

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Michael Vick Flips Off Falcons' Fans

TT bOi — 2006-11-26T19:09:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors

Although network cameras missed it, the NFL Network and other media outlets are reporting that when Michael Vick left the field today at the Georgia Dome, he gave Falcons' fans the finger.

It's bad enough that your team just lost its fourth game in a row, which is enough of a "F*%$ You!" to the long-suffering Falcons fans, but to extend your middle finger to them? There are no excuses Vick can offer to excuse this, because there is nothing that a fan could have said that deserves that reaction. Even if the fans were yelling about Vick's mom and saying she likes to do dirty things at Magic City, he still has to show more class as he's leaving the field. Hell, he should be in a rush to get to the film room and see what went wrong, causing the fans to be upset.

As a player in the NFL, fan scrutiny and even fan rudeness comes with the multi-million dollar contract. If Vick didn't know this when he signed his contract with the Falcons, he's too stupid to lead the team. If there's anyone that needs to see his middle finger, it's his receivers, his offensive coordinator, and himself.

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The Falcons Lose Again; Anyone Really Surprised?

TT bOi — 2006-11-26T16:09:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, Eliminated NFL Teams

I feel so cheated by the Atlanta Falcons that I can't even think straight. Here are just random thoughts that are coming to me as the Falcons basically end their 2006 season with a loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Roddy White should not be starting in the NFL, but I have no animosity towards him. The coaching staff knows he is a bust and puts him on the field anyway. Which is why Mora, Jr., Gregg Knapp should be fired.

Michael Vick was the only one that showed up today and no one guy can win a game by himself.

DeAngelo Hall has a big mouth, it's just a shame his game isn't as big.

You're Greg Knapp, it's first down, what play do you call?
A) Run up the middle.
B) Run to the left.
C) Run to the right.
D) Let Vick run it either up the middle, to the left or to the right.

Why does the defense always decide to start pressuring the quarterback in the second half, once they are already behind?

Jim Mora, Sr. thinks that Mike Vick is a coach killer and is not a passer. Well, it's hard to be a passer if you have no one to catch the ball.

Jim Mora, Jr. is a team killer, and will never be a great head coach.

The Falcons organization owes its fans an apology for this season. That, or they should all show up at my house, give me $75 each, then sit down and watch me do something poorly for four hours.

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Michael Vick Mad at Mora Sr. for "Coach Killer" Comments

TT bOi — 2006-11-22T15:37:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, NFL Gossip

As if he doesn't have enough to worry about -- his drop-happy receivers, his erratic play, and the Falcons losing three in a row to name a few -- Michael Vick is now having to answer questions about comments made by his head coaches father, Jim Mora Sr.

First of all, what Mora said to host Craig Shemon, who suggested Vick was a "coach killer" during a Fox Sports Radio interview:
"I think you're correct, and it worries me a little bit because my son is the head coach down there, ya know? But he's a great athlete, my son likes him a lot, he's a good kid. But he's not a passer. And you need a passer at quarterback to be successful consistently in the National Football League. And he ain't getting it done in that category. I agree with you."
When asked about the comments during a press conference Wednesday, Vick's response was:

"Honestly, I really don't know what to say. I can't even respond to that. He's a commentator. He's going to say what he wants to say. I think it was inappropriate but he's a commentator and he has every right to say what he wants to say. I'm just going to keep playing football. At the same time, it's crazy."

Vick went on to say that he had spoken with Jim Mora, Jr. about his father's comments, but that it didn't make much difference.

"Yeah, he came to me and talked to me about it but when I've got to answer every phone call -- I got 50 people calling my number, asking me did I hear that comment -- it starts to burn on you an little bit,"

Did the Falcons really need another distraction? Probably not, but it doesn't matter. The team is in the toilet and the lid is about to shut. And those of us who predicted the Falcons would make it to the Super Bowl? We realize how wrong we were. As for making the playoffs, well, Jim Mora Sr. probably has something to say about that too.

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After a special teams letdown, Atlanta drops to 5-5

TT bOi — 2006-11-20T11:40:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

Now that we've had some time to get over the emotion of a third straight defeat, it seems the most frustrating thing is that there's a different reason every time the Falcons lose. Sometimes it's the run defense (Giants), sometimes it's the pass defense (Lions), sometimes it's the offense (Browns) and sometimes it's special teams (Ravens).

The first half was a combination of a short-handed, tough-minded Falcons defense and a mistake-prone Ravens offense. But as the game wore on, the Ravens were able to grind down the patchwork defense for 24 points, scoring on each of their second-half drives.

Still, this was a winnable game. Baltimore only put together two quality drives: a 10-play drive at the start of the second half that resulted in a field goal, and the bruising, 8-minute drive in the fourth quarter that basically squashed any chance at a comeback. The Ravens held the ball for more than 10 minutes in the final quarter, and the Falcons were done.

Atlanta was 2-for-11 on third down conversions, and 0-for-2 on fourth down. Then there were the five sacks. But the killer was the coverage on special teams: two of B-more's touchdown drives were 17 yards and 37 yards, each set up by consecutive, 59-yard kick returns by B.J. Sams.

So how does Atlanta rebound from losing three straight? A distracted Jim Mora Jr. was asked that during the post-game interview. In between calling out final scores from other games as if it was breaking news, and "without going into specifics," coach said:

"Our plan is to work hard every single day with a good attitude, continue to stay positive, hold each other to a high standard in practice and in games, continue to look for ways to put our playmakers in a position to make plays and then expect them to make plays..."

Then, doing his best Yogi Berra impersonation, Mora added:

"As long as you're in it, you're in it. And we're in it."

Well, technically, yes Jim, I guess you are. Bravo.

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Are the Falcons Cursed?

TT bOi — 2006-11-19T15:48:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South, Eliminated NFL Teams

I don't want to start speaking in clichés about a fat lady warming up her pipes, or the sudden need for giant fork, so I'll just put it this way: the Falcons' season is as good as done. And it's hard not to wonder if there are higher powers at work here.

For the third straight week, the Falcons lost a game they should have won as they were beaten up by the Baltimore Ravens 24-10. There was no reason the Falcons couldn't have or shouldn't have won this game. Other than, well, they are the Falcons. They are a team without identitiy. A team that needs a new coaching staff. A team that we once believed could go to the Super Bowl, but now realize may not have a winning season. But, is there something else at work here? Is it not time for us to start wondering about a curse? If Boston Red Sox fans could talk about a curse because they went through a drought of World Series wins, what about the Falcons never managing back-to-back winning seasons? What about them starting strong and fizzling out in recent years? Were the Falcons cursed by Bret Favre after the Falcons traded him to Green Bay? Yes, that must be it.

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Falcons coaching staff finally taking some heat

TT bOi — 2006-11-14T10:11:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

Well, now it seems like the local media is finally catching up to what we said a month ago: Mora is inadequate as a pro football head coach.

"Perhaps Mora's men will respond to his gentle urging. But after last season's collapse and the Falcons' mood swings of the past five weeks, it's reasonable to wonder if they still believe in this coach and his coordinators. Say what you will about Dan Reeves, but his teams played pretty much the same way every time. For reasons unclear, Mora's 2006 team has a fainter signature than in his giddy inaugural season, and these Falcons are more talented than in their run to the NFC championship game."

On Oct. 10, our post said "I won't take Mora seriously until I see something that indicates otherwise. He must be a hell of a coach during the week, because all I see on Sunday is another fan with a great view of the action. I'm not sure I trust him to properly prepare his staff or the team for big games."

That was when they were 3-1. This is not to show how wise we are, but point out the fact that (for example) Michael Vick's performance gets turned inside out when the team performs poorly, but nobody ever questions the leadership on the sidelines. In a media market like Atlanta, there isn't the will to ask tough questions ... a throwback to traditional Southern manners, perhaps, where journalists are reluctant to antagonize the guys they're paid to cover. Nobody likes to have their job performance scrutinized, but this is the big leagues, and Mora, in our opinion, has a lot to answer for.

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Falcons Lose to Browns; Announce to NFL They Are Pretenders

TT bOi — 2006-11-12T13:58:00 00:00

by TT bOi

Filed under: Falcons, NFC South

Say all you want about injuries, but if you can't beat the Cleveland Browns when you have "dome" field advantage, then you are nothing more than a pretender. Sadly, after losing to the Browns 17-13, the Falcons have announced to the NFL and their fans that they are, indeed, pretenders.

As of this moment, all talk of a Falcons Super Bowl appearance must stop. All talk of a Falcons playoff appearance must stop. All talk of the Falcons having a winning season must stop. This is truly a team without an identity. One week they are a defensive force, putting pressure on the quarterback and shutting down the pass. The next week they couldn't even spell pressure if you spotted them the p, r, e, s, s, u, r and e. One week they are an offensive juggernaut, with a QB who can throw for 400 yards, run for 50 more and look like an MVP while doing so. The next week they are an anemic offense with a QB determined to prove his critics right and wide receivers that couldn't make a community college team if their father was athletic director.

It's a sad day to be a Falcons fan.

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