They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Whoever "they" are, they're right—at least when it comes to Bobby Petrino. Petrino's "getting going" all right—going all the way to the state of Arkansas to return to college coaching, without even bothering to see his first NFL season all the way through.
Petrino is the epitome of a tuck-tail-and-run type of guy, and if the Atlanta Falcons hadn't been set back far enough with the Michael Vick saga, these latest developments have caused the franchise to take another step backward. For all intents and purposes, the events of the last six months have left the Falcons as nothing more than an expansion franchise.
Petrino swore up and down he had no interest in leaving the Falcons or heading back to college, despite the suspicions of many. He told team owner Arthur Blank numerous times that he was in it for the long haul. In fact, as late as Monday Petrino looked Blank in the eye and told him he was in Atlanta for the long haul, with no desire to head back to the amateur ranks. Everyone harps on Vick for lying to Blank, but what about Petrino doing the same? Wanting to follow your heart and get back into the college game in and of itself may not be all that offensive of an act in and of itself. However, considering the circumstances surrounding this decision, one can't help but think Petrino was just looking for an escape hatch—and found one at Arkansas.
Petrino came to Atlanta expecting to have the chance to coach Michael Vick and tailor an offense to his young quarterback's amazing athletic gifts. But we all know how that turned out. The loss of Vick began the derailment of this train formerly known as an NFL franchise. Since Vick's departure, Petrino has had numerous run-ins with veteran players. He has antagonized these players to the point where he has turned many of them off, forcing Petrino to recognize his lack of power over them—something he wasn't too happy about. While Petrino never actually clashed with the media, his relationship—as expected—wasn't a bed of roses either. His team was losing, he was playing musical chairs at quarterback while getting nothing out of it, and his supposed area of expertise (offense) had produced one of the most wretched and anemic units in the entire league. However, he's an upstanding man, right? He's going to see this on through and tackle the rebuilding process head-on, right? Wrong. He's going to tuck tail and run, taking the easy way out of Dodge.
Atlanta can look at this as a positive development. For all the reasons mentioned above, perhaps Petrino wasn't the right man for the job. His handling of the veterans, his ridiculous decision to cut Grady Jackson, his unexplained roster moves—such as deactivating Pro Bowl lineman Kynan Forney last week—and some questionable playcalling have left many Falcons fans unendeared with him. So, it's not like the city is weeping over the loss of Petrino—not at all. Most fans will hardly miss him and actually may be glad he's gone as the franchise starts anew in 2008.
What's discouraging, though, is the manner in which he left, which showed poor character on his part. But what's more discouraging was his phasing out of the veterans on this team, only to bolt himself. But therein lies the silver lining: Hopefully, the new guy Blank brings in will be able to win over veterans such as Milloy, Crumpler, Hall, and Brooking. Petrino's exit may mean there won't be an exit for some of the Falcons stalwarts who were likely to leave, or be asked to leave, in the offseason.
But for the time being, it doesn't seem things can get much worse in Atlanta...well, unless they hire Chan Gailey.
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8 months ago
falcons suck anyway so I guess I'll interview for the job.
8 months ago
Seems to me that being a college football coach is a pretty good deal. Much better to be a big fish in a small ponder than to coach in the NFL...unless you're Bill Belichick?
Why give up job security and status for extra money when you're purchasing power is about the same (living in Atlanta vs. Fayetteville for example)?
8 months ago
I have always felt that college coaches need to be personable. They need to be creative and open to change. They need to be salesmen. These are the qualities I see in successfull college coaches.
NFL coaches, however don't really need all of these qualities. I tend to see guys in the NFL who are X's and O's. They might be micromanagers. They need to be able to lead without belittling. There is no recruiting and there really is no "selling" of your program.
That's what I see in the two differences, and I see Petrino purley as a college coach, much like Spurrier and Pete Carroll. I'm not degrading them, I'm just saying that there is a big difference...and certain people fit into the positions better than others. Just my thoughts...
-R.H.
8 months ago
No Respect for Petrino. Be a man a stay true to your word, the man signed a 5-year deal with ATL.
8 months ago
Actually Robert, I think Petrino is held in the exact opposite regard. He's a man without much of a personality but a brilliant Xs and Os type of guy. However, it is apparent his niche is in the college game.
from 8 months ago
Good point. Thanks to his decision though, I guess we'll never know if his personality would've paid off in the long run...?
8 months ago
He should have been loyal to his team. You dont just sign a 5 year contract and then tuck tail when the going gets hard!
8 months ago
He should have been loyal to his team. You dont just sign a 5 year contract and then tuck tail when the going gets hard!
8 months ago
Coaches these days are ridiculous... Petrino isn't the only whore of a coach... his buddy Nick Saban is King Whore
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