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12/12/2007: "Help Me Now, I'm Fallin' ..."

Believe it or not after yesterday's record-length rant, there's still ink in the ol' pen ...

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I'm a Florida Marlins fan, so Im used to the idea of a professional franchise in free-fall. But even I'm amazed at the train wreck that the NFL's Atlanta Falcons have become. Only 1 day after star QB Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his part in bankrolling a major dogfighting ring, head coach Bobby Petrino resigned and was later introduced as the new head coach at the University of Arkansas.

Wow ... it'd be time to pull the ripcord if only there were a parachute. With the Marlins, you at least understand some of the underlying reasons for the decisions that are being made - no stadium to bring in revenue, few fans, etc. But the Falcons' plight is something of a surprise, especially considering the men at the controls. Rich McKay has long been considered one of the brighter minds in the game, and was snatched away from Tampa Bay for his smarts. And owner Arthur Blank was the force behind the Home Depot and its domination of the home improvement market. These are smart guys, but they've clearly made bad decisions.

Without sounding stereotypical, no one was surprised to see Michael Vick get in trouble. As has been documented even by his own defense team, he was raised in a bad part of Newport News, VA, without much guidance. Only his athletic prowess allowed him to escape his background - a feat that his equally talented brother Marcus was unable to completely replicate. Now it seems that he was unable to leave the past behind him - something that should have been clear to the Falcons when they vetted his as a potential high draft pick.

As for Petrino, he's been known as an ambitious coaching vagabond for over a decade. He's repeatedly gone behind the backs of his employers in search of a better position, only to prounounce his undying loyalty when caught. The fact that he was announced as the Arkansas head coach literally hours after resigning as Falcons coach (over the phone, no less - class act, Bob ..) demonstrates that there were at least days of communication between parties - all while Petrino was talking about the upcoming game against Tampa Bay. Again, the Falcons should have known that it would take more than a 5-year contract to settle his restless ways.

About the only positive I can see in this is Petrino's apparent realization that he doesn't belong in the NFL. The Falcons' season is already a writeoff, and now they're free to pursue a new coach. As for Petrino, I hope he'll be happy back in college ball, because this act is like taking a flamethrower to any future NFL opportunities ...