| Randolph Charlotin. 12th December, 2007 - 10:57 pm
 Back in January when the Atlanta Falcons introduced Bobby Petrino as their new head coach, General Manager Rich McKay told the assembled press, “I really believe you don’ hire the right coach who fits one player because that player could get hurt.”
But the right coach didn’t share the same opinion. It took Petrino less than 24 hours after his 10th loss of the season on Monday night to turn his back on what he called “the best job in the NFL” for the Arkansas Razorbacks' head coaching position.
Petrino’s enthusiasm for the opportunity to coach quarterback Michael Vick was obvious. Bobby probably had dreams of what he could do with an athlete like no other playing quarterback for him. That dream became a nightmare when Vick was charged with involvement in the dog fighting ring and suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. On December 10, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison, meaning Petrino wouldn’t get the chance to coach Vick no sooner than 2010.
Couple the loss of Vick with a fourth-consecutive double-digit loss, and Petrino had enough. The ship was taking on water quickly, and the captain was first off the boat.
Petrino left with the skill of a ninja wearing tap shoes. Apparently he called a 10-second staff meeting to say he was leaving, and he’d be in contact. I thought Nick Saban’s departure from Miami was bad.
Bobby Petrino wanted the challenge of coaching Vick. If he could be the one to transform Vick into a passer, it would only add to the legend Petrino cultivated while at the University of Louisville as an offensive guru and master of developing quarterbacks. He could even use current Cardinals' passer Brian Brohm as an example. Brohm wasn’t the same this year without Petrino in 2006.
If Vick’s legal problems arose before Petrino accepted the Falcons’ 5-year, 24-million dollar offer, Petrino wouldn’t had taken it. Honestly, what coach would? But to turn tail and run like Petrino did is cowardly. While he wouldn’t be able to coach Vick, there were 52 other players ready to give their best efforts in hopes of trying to turn a bad situation around.
Even with the expectations lowered or even completely eliminated, Petrino made a bad situation worse. He clashed with the veterans on the team treating them like college kids instead of grown men. In a move many believe was to send a message, Petrino cut defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who had been the team’s best defensive lineman at the time. What was left was a team with inexperienced players who hadn’t accomplished anything in the league, trying to find their way
The biggest disappointment is the Falcons' offense that ranks 24th in total yards. He failed to get consistent play out of Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, and Chris Redman. If Petrino really is good at developing QB's, it hasn't shown this season.
Did Petrino expect to inherit a playoff-ready team? If Jim Mora Jr. kept the team in the playoffs, he’d still be the coach. Atlanta wasn’t in complete disarray, but the team needed work. They used the eighth pick on defensive end Jamal Anderson, and they likely would have a top five pick in the 2008 draft. They could select a new franchise QB to start a new era.
But Petrino had no desire to wait. He didn’t even have the decency to wait until the season ended. He showed the players no respect by not sticking through this trying season until the end. Then again, Petrino didn’t show the vets respect anyway.
Owner Arthur Blank and McKay feel betrayed. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, constantly at odds with him, said he thought Bobby Petrino was here for the long haul. Petrino repeatedly talked about next year, but now we know it was just posturing.
Hall was somewhat right about linking Petrino to a long haul. Bobby made a long haul to Arkansas, turning his back on a bad Falcons' team and making them in worse shape.
Randolph Charlotin can be contacted at lordrc@netzero.net |
