Falcons Staff Bring Stability, Yield Results

When your star player is convicted and sentenced to prison on felony charges, that is usually a bad omen of things to come. Such was the case for the Atlanta Falcons when quarterback Michael Vick accepted a plea bargain and was sentenced to 23 months in prison on dog fighting charges. Thus, began the downward spiral of a team that was built on the identity of a singular player.

In the aftermath, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who felt betrayed by Vick, told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen: "We are resolved to get this franchise back on the rebound and become the most successful in the NFL."

Ironically, Atlanta’s 2007-2008 season would require everyone—Blank, players, fans, and coaches—with a connection to the Falcons to channel up a magnitude of resolve.

Blank replaced Jim Mora with University of Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino to the tune of five years and $24 million. It’s safe to assume that Petrino accepted the job thinking that he would get a chance to coach Michael Vick. Unfortunately for Petrino, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely, pending some resolution to his felony dog fighting charges.

The loss of Vick and the addition of Petrino combined for a perfect storm of drama. In football circles, Bobby Petrino is known as a no-nonsense coach, who preaches accountability and demands perfection, but his rigid style immediately rubbed Falcons players the wrong way.

Infamously, during a nationally televised game against Carolina, then-Falcons cornerback Deangelo Hall received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that basically handed the Panthers the victory. After the play, Hall openly engaged in a shouting match with Petrino and assistant coach Joe Whitt, Jr.

From that moment on, Petrino’s relationship with players was touch-and-go and finally came to a head when, with three games remaining, Petrino resigned his post to become the head coach at the University of Arkansas.

Reeling from the loss of Vick, the sudden departure of Petrino and the end to a hapless season, Arthur Blank set out a mandate for change, which began with stripping team president Rich McKay of his responsibilities as general manager. Blank sought to make a splash so he went after—who else?—the “Big Tuna,” Bill Parcells.

With a tentative deal in place to become Atlanta’s head of football operations, Parcells told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen: "I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it…I don’t think there’s any deal breakers here." Apparently, negotiations hit a snag because, overnight, Parcells snubbed Blank and accepted a similar job offer with the Miami Dolphins.

In light of the snub, Blank hired Thomas Dimitroff, who served as the director of college scouting for the New England Patriots, as general manager. Conversely, the coaching search was not resolved quite as easily.

The Falcons interviewed Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who later turned down the job; Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, who withdrew himself from consideration; and Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Tony Sparano, who eventually signed on to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Four other candidates were interviewed before the Falcons introduced Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the team’s new head coach.

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