Falcons coach Bobby Petrino is not a coach who can do a lot with another coach's guys. So for good or bad, a lot of this year's team won't 2008.But here's the big question, is it a better idea to dump the players or get rid of the coach who can't win without "his guys"?
To review, here is just a small sampling of the guys who aren't Petrino's guys:
1) Cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He's only the team's best player. But Petrino doesn't like his mouth,and the two have sparred this season so there's a good chance that Hall will be leaving either this offseason in a trade or next offseason as a free agent. Of course, elite cover cornerbacks are much harder to find than unproven ex-college coaches in the NFL, but that's the Falcons choice.
2) Defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Just a year ago Jackson was considered one of the linchpins of the Falcons' defense. But he and Petrino never got along, which eventually resulted in the Falcons cutting Jackson midway through the season. Of course, just after deciding to waive Jackson (despite the fact that they are on the hook for his entire 2007 salary for cap purposes), the Falcons had a series of defensive tackle injuries that left the team extremely thin. It's a situation where keeping Jackson would have proven valuable, but it was another chance for Petrino to prove he's boss.
3) Offensive guard Kynan Forney. As Len Pasquarelli explains in this week's Tip Sheet ($), the previous Falcons regime considered Forney to be the team's best offensive lineman. Now he's been benched because he doesn't fit what the Petrino-led team is looking for. On a team with plenty of offensive line injuries, the Falcons left Forney on the inactive list last week, one week after he sat out the Thursday night Colts game with a sinus infection. Apparently Petrino wanted Forney to play with the illness by taking an IV and Forney refused. The Falcons are on the hook for $3 million for Forney next season, but he'll likely be cut in the offseason.
4) Running back Jerious Norwood. There doesn't seem to be any other explanation for why Norwood only has 69 carries this season despite showing exceptional big-play ability (while playing behind the struggling Warrick Dunn). At least this is one Petrino screw-up that doesn't seem to be unfixable. Petrino this week seemed to acknowledge the error of his ways and said the team has to get Norwood more carries.
5) Tight end Alge Crumpler. Crumpler questioned whether Petrino really knows what he's doing just a month into the season. It's not a surprise that Crumpler is on pace for his worst season in five years.
6) Quarterback Joey Harrington. At this point if Harrington killed Petrino I don't know if many juries would convict him. Harrington may not be a great quarterback, but he deserved better treatment than what Petrino's given him. He's lost his job on three separate occasions, including one time when he had to find out from the media. He also watched the Falcons' decision to pull him for Byron Leftwich likely cost the team at least one win, has bit his tongue every time Petrino has jerked him around and generally has taken the high road more than Petrino.
With the exception of Harrington, most of these guys are among the team's best players. Which begs the question, is the problem some disgruntled players or a coach who treats professionals like they're 18-year-old freshman in danger of having their scholarship yanked?
The Falcons appear happy to put their trust in Petrino, which isn't a bad idea--you have to trust your coach. But in the case of Petrino and his need to completely revamp the team, the question quickly becomes whether Petrino is good enough to trust with a multi-year rebuilding job.
The NFL is littered with good college coaches who couldn't hack it in the NFL (ask Steve Spurrier, who was a better college coach than Petrino). Maybe Petrino will turn into another Bill Belichick as a non-communicative, grumpy genius, but there's just as good a chance that the Falcons will find out he's nothing special, but thanks to trusting in his way, they'll find out two or three years from now after getting rid of a lot of the team's best players, which will force yet another rebuilding process.
It seems like a pretty dangerous gamble.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-08-2007 @ 1:03AM
Spoonman said...
I would disagree on most of these points.
Hall, yes. There is clearly a problem there, but I wouldn't say he is even close to our best player, or even on Defense. He sits behind John Abraham and Michael Boley, and is burned way too often to be an elite cornerback. And to be fair, Hall already said he would hit FA before he even met Petrino.
However, Grady Jackson even admitted to not even playing in Zimmers defensive scheme. They play as a team, and he gave up the run much more than hit tackles for losses. Look at the stats, the next week Atlanta shut down the Panthers run game, when they have otherwise ran up and down the field with no problem. Notice the LB's and Safeties having better games because the DT's have tied up the O-line.
Forney has been a disappointment. Since his shoulder injury he has not been the same player, and I don't remember the last time I saw a player out for a sinus infection.
Norwood I don't understand, the guy is amazing. The only negative I have heard about him is his pass protection isn't as good as Dunn's. I think the difference with choosing Norwood this week is Redman gets rid of the ball, and Harrington held on to it like a lifeline, so pass protection was put ahead of run ability.
Alge is mad because he hasn't gotten the ball. That is because Joey doesn't throw to anyone who isn't Roddy White. I think last week, in one quarter Redman got the ball to Alge about as many times as he had gotten it the previous 3. I'm sure he will be happy now that there is a QB to utilize him.
Harrington has been benched on every team he has been on. Remember him being benched for Cleo Lemon. Ugh. Harrington has a career of mediocre play, and he shouldn't be surprised when he gets benched after putting up 3 points in 3 quarters! Seriously. He has the money and should just retire, because it's clear between 3 different teams that he isn't pro quality. And how mad should he be? He is benched, and we have 2 TD drives in a row for the first time the entire season.
And we should expect some backlash after Mora, who I think would hug players after a disappointing play.
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12-08-2007 @ 9:04AM
Elsquare said...
I am not a Petino supporter, but I think he is on the right track. Atlanta is a half-way house for the collection of athletically talented Primadonnas who are for me, me, me. They do not constitute a team and never will (my opinion); and, it starts with the General Manager, who is the Peter principle personified. If players don't want to be on a team, get rid of them. If coaches don't want to be on a team, get rid of them. If the General Manager is not competent, or has an axe to grind, the owner must get rid of him. If the owner does not have the inclination to replace the General Manager, then sell the team to someone who does. The owner is the one person who can change anything. Do it Art!
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