Atlanta Falcons Fire Jim Mora Jr.

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.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

1-01-2007 @ 1:50PM

mike tartaglia said...

I know coaching pays well but it's nomadic life. Things totally out of your control get you fired. He improved the team and had one sub-par year and he's out. He can't pass, catch and block for them !!!!!!!!

1-01-2007 @ 1:40PM

Buddy Hardigree said...

Well Jim Sr. was right.Mikie Vick is a coach killer. His B.S. comments for the last 2 or 3 weeks...and his (and other team members ) sub-par play lead to Mora's being fired. They fired the wrong man. Vick should have been traded to anybody for anyone. He's a poison apple. He lead the falcons to they're current position.

1-01-2007 @ 2:13PM

Harry Taft said...

Vick is just responsible as Mora. Maybe the statement from Mora's Dad is true, "Vick is a coach killer."
Staub looked more effective than Vick has all year with his passing game. Maybe next year they will consider both quarterbacks playing to give Staub a chance to prove himself.

1-01-2007 @ 2:11PM

Vick just as responible as Mora is for the sub standard season for a quality team. Maybe Mora's dad was right, "Vick is coach killer."
Staub showed he was more effective passing than Vick has. Maybe next year they should consider playing both of them in all games to give Staub a chance to prove himself.
Personally, I think Vick's running over 1,000 yards is maybe proof, they should make a running back out of him and put Staub in as quarterback.

CD said...

Vick, you suck..........a little leadership skill and self-deprecating behavior on your part would've made all the difference.........Mora was NOT the problem

1-01-2007 @ 1:56PM

nm said...

we are sick to see this talented coach be let go.....

1-01-2007 @ 1:57PM

Dale Going said...

First of all I do not recall an "I" in team. Jim Mora lost repect and with that he would lose ultimately lose control.

This happens in business all the time and Pro Sports is a business, first and foremost. I do not know what has happened between Mora and his players, but they were not a good match for one another. This does not mean that Jim Mora is a bad coach, but actually in a wrong scenario.

I feel sorry for the next coach, because the owner of the team has responsibility also. If the owner does not get control of the prima donna's that are in the Falcon's locker room, then no coach will succeed.

Now, for Michael Vick, I believe most will agree that he is overrated. He is a gifted athlete, but is a terrible leader. He wants to tell the world how great he is, but the coach is the problem. Well MIke the coach may run the team, but the offense is your team on the field! Mike sometimes plays as if he is the only offensive player on the field. I can't believe his criticizes his coach then talks about how great he is, maybe Mike is the "Queen Prima Donna".

My advice since the firing ball is rolling is that you
trade Vick and the other trouble makers and give your new coach a realistic start. His wins may be low for a couple of years but he can build "His Team", a team that has his respect and his back.

I am not a coach, but I do run a Multi Million Dollar Business with a great team beside me.I have been in Jim Mora's position and I have had Prima Donna's that I had to come toe to toe with and this has made "My Team" stronger.

1-01-2007 @ 2:14PM

scott said...

Poor Mora!

It starts at the top and goes down from there.
Arthur Blank is a business man and expects performance,especially when you get paid good money.

Mora is not a strong leader, he tried to be thier buddy rather than a leader or father figure. Not only should Mora go, but he should take his croanies too, like Knapp and the rest of his coaching staff that he thinks so highly of. They do not belong in the NFL and good luck to you all in the College world, maybe high school would be more of your calibur.

Mora is not too bright... Showing your unloyalty to someone like Arthur Blank was stupid. I guess that shows how bright Mora is, not.....

1-01-2007 @ 2:21PM

Jeff said...

Get Vick out of there. He doesn't know how to play QB. He is a speedy athlete. Probably has good rhythym too. HA HA Get a QB that has a passing mentality like manning. Move Vick to WR or athlete or better yet scrap him and start fresh. That overpaid waterbug.

1-01-2007 @ 2:25PM

john said...

mora,s dad said the truth vick is a coach killer..now lets put him down the road,,he is just like cordell stewert........

1-01-2007 @ 2:29PM

I want to add to my last blog. Black QB really only want to play for black coaches or black influence on the team. Eg Steve Mc Nair around that murderer Ray Lewis. Now he decides to play after he turned on the Titans when they did so much for him.

1-01-2007 @ 2:44PM

K.O.D. said...

Vick thinks he had a great year...32nd in the NFL passing again. This is the same thug that laughs when he throws interceptions. Most over rated player in N.F.L. history. If he was white, he would have been benched a long time ago...FACT!

1-01-2007 @ 2:54PM

Vick, most over-rated player in NFL history...thinks he played well with the lowest pass rated offense in the NFL. This is the same thug that laughed when he threw an interception against Carolina in 2005 to ruin a shot at playoffs. The truth is there has never been any player who has had more excuses made for him. The truth is this, if he was white he would have been benched a long time ago.

1-01-2007 @ 3:11PM

edward said...

they fired the wrong one,get rid of vick,well at lease mora will be rid of a non quterback team,i think he could end up at alabama or either the cards.vick you suck!!!!!!

Bender said...

I think AOL needs to invest in some comment moderation.

1-01-2007 @ 3:18PM

theodore said...

Jim Mora is lucky to be rid of mike vick. mike vick is the teams worst problem regarding a winning performance. My grandma is taller then mike vick and can pass better then him too - next season she said she will try to take his job away. You go grandma. Jim Mora will land with another pro team which come back to haunt and beat the atlanta falcons. arthur blank you made a poor decision firing Jim More. Good Luck Jim Mora, and; to the rest of your Coaching Staff.

1-01-2007 @ 3:33PM

monroe ginn said...

i think letting vick play back and lettin staub play quarterback makes alot of good sense too bad mora didnt wanna try that i wish mora the best seemed like a good man

1-01-2007 @ 3:37PM

Not only does Mora and his buddy Knapp need to move on but so does Vick... He is deffinetely the most overrated Quaterback in the NFL.. It is too bad Arthur made Vick the franchise. Vick can blame the coaches for the play calling, he can blame the offensive line for not protecting him, but in the end it is he who is the sub standard player. Maybe Blank needs to open his eyes and see that a change would be good at the quarterback position too. But then you wouldn't sell out games. Vick is not much of a team player either, he seems to point blame at alot of his teammates, look in the mirror dude, just because you are a black football player, doesn't mean you are any good. You may have been good in high school and College but this is the big league, you have to be able to pass and throw the ball, instead you try to be the quarterback and score touch downs on your own.

Nice teammate. Ego!!!!

1-01-2007 @ 4:17PM

Billy Boy said...

Man O Man ... was that a professional team we are supposed to have in Atlanta. Vick is the worse Quarterback in the NFL and thinks he had a good year. He fumbles, throws interceptions and enjoys the challenge of 3rd and 20+. We saw what a real NFL quarterback looks like in the 3rd and 4th quarter against the Eagles. Matt is a quarterback not Mike. Let's see if Mr. Blank and Mr. McKay have the ability to review the franchise objectively and make the changes to make the team better. The money is sufficient to deliver a great team for the fans in Atlanta. Mr. Blank built a great Brand in business with his leadership. When he purchased the Falcons he hired professional management,changed coaches and bought players supposedly with great skills and paid them well. Now it is time to evaluate everybody not just Mora. Falcons need a quarterback who leads with his arm ... a defensive back who leads with his helmet not his sideline interviews of other players. Discipline is a tough think to instill in an organization and the Falcons have none.

1-01-2007 @ 5:18PM

Reg said...

A few of these comments seem more focused on race than on actual talent. Jeff claims Mcnair turned on the Titans but I recall the Titans locking him out of their facilities, so that he couldnt workout, before the preseason. They made a business decision not to resign him because of the salary cap. So how did he turn on them. And black QBs are no different than white QBs, the want to play for a coach that is a leader and a winner. I am sure New Yorkers are just as pissed at Eli, who is also underachieving. One reader says to get a passer with Paytons passing IQ. What QB in the league has that type of passing IQ and is available.

Mora seemed like a decent coach but the better coaches take control of their teams and dont make crazy comments like I will leave, even during playoffs, if I could go to University of Washington. I am not saying it is all his fault but normally changes usually start with the head coach.