Bobby Petrino is about six weeks into his new job at the University of Arkansas now.
Some of the vitriol that accompanied the new Hogs head man to his new locale has subsided. Apparently not all, judging by the comments left on this article by jilted Atlanta Falcon fans.
In my debut article on this site, the whole point was ESPN's double standard concerning Petrino's departure from Atlanta contrasted with Rich(er) Rodriguez' messy exit from West Virginia.
This writer was called an "idoit" among other things. I assume he or she meant I-D-I-O-T. There were a number of other asinine comments. In other words, it was a successful debut.
The "idoit" comment was one of the kinder comments left by the "anonymous" clan. Which raises a few questions: Is that a Turkish name? Did the whole family join in the fun? Are there any branches on that family tree? Do these people really think that by leaving such comments under the cowardly cloak of anonymity, that it will stop me from expressing an opinion?
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Many of the commentators missed the point entirely. The point was Bobby Petrino may not have been a good NFL coach, not that 13 games in truly enough to tell. 13 games with no quarterback and a meddling owner, at that. Jimmy Johnson was 1-15 in his debut campaign, Bill Walsh not much better.
The point was Petrino may be a jerk, he may be a liar. He may be a "disingenuous drifter". Whether Petrino is any or all of those things, Razorback fans will judge for themselves. He arrives with an opportunity and a blank slate. If the man chooses to go elsewhere in 3-4 years, it will mean that he won big.
If he goes 7-5, who would want him? Where in the NFL would he go after the firestorm ignited by his departure?
Therefore, Petrino is in Fayetteville for a minimum of 3-4 years, most likely. The Nostradamas' of football never thought Lou Holtz would stay seven years on the Hill, who knows?
Just so all those "experts" in Atlanta don't think I'm alone in my assessment of the Falcons, here is a link they might find interesting.
Some of the opinions in the original article were due to a Kevin Scarbinsky interview with Petrino's agent.
The Falcons' problems did not start with Bobby Petrino This is the team that traded Brett Favre, after all.
Of course, that was long before King Arthur's reign of error began. But as Shannon Sharpe's recent comments indicate, there is a growing suspicion around the NFL that there are serious problems with that franchise, problems that begin and end with Arthur Blank.
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6 months ago
good job . unfortunately ESPIN has a double standard for reporting 'TRUTH' based on advertising . they will spin anything to make the big ten and michigan look good . filthy rich left his team without a coach for the bowl , so did nutt , neither team played well enough to win . no bashing from ESPIN . coach petrino left a sinking ship with no chance for a play off and he is a horrible person . ESPIN should have been sued for slander both by coach p and the U OF A after they told recruits not to attend arkansas because of coach p . this has been used against the U OF A .
6 months ago
Welcome to our new world where coaches cost more than the football fields they coach on. The so call reporters from ESPN that were saying the worst about Coach P were from Louisville area. They are not that smart and showed how bad and low they will go when pushed. I would hate to be married to those type of people. And hope they did not harm as much as they wished.
6 months ago
Roger,
I've enjoyed reading your articles.
Keep up the good work!
6 months ago
Thanks guys. What a refreshing change, people who actually use a name! instead of "anonymous.. For any dissenters, I can take constructive criticism, but won't be easy on personal attacks followed by "anonymous".
6 months ago
Let 'em whine and grouse all they want. Every Razorback fan I know is absolutely stoked about Bobby Petrino. We traded a jalopy for a Mercedes-Benz. Too bad ESPN feels jilted with AB.
6 months ago
great read, thanks tony baker
6 months ago
Great Read! Funny how everyone forgets when Coach P took the job, Blank lied to him and said the whole Vick thing was nothing and it would blow over. The whole Rich Rodriguez double standard made me lose respect for ESPN.
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