Bobby Petrino

The Atlanta Falcons didn't waste much time in hiring Louisville Cardinals' head coach Bobby Petrino and the Cincinnati Bengals receivers' coach Hue Jackson has since been hired to be the offensive coordinator.

While most of the Falcons' fans have been positive about the move and sports fans, in general, agree with the move by a 2 to 1 ratio, analysts and "experts" seem very split on the idea.

First off, Petrino does not have a great deal of NFL experience. He was the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback coach for two years before taking on the offensive coordinator position for one season.

Another concern is the fact that Petrino has bounced around quite a bit in his coaching career. Just last year, he committed to Louisville by signing a 10-year contract and even commenting afterward that he and his family were so happy to be there. Just a year later, he's off to Atlanta.

One positive I've heard is from current (maybe not for long) Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. He was the head coach of the Jaguars when Petrino was on the sidelines with the team and Coughlin stated that Petrino has the most genius offensive mind that he's ever known. Petrino's creativity and innovativeness on offense has also been compared to the likes of Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan.

Almost every bit of commentary I hear regarding the hiring of Petrino, it segues directly into how it will affect quarterback Michael Vick. No questions regarding the tailbacks, the receivers, the offensive line, the tight end, fullback, defense, or special teams. No, the questions go directly to Vick. There's already been speculation that Vick may be tradable during the course of the regular season if he and Petrino don't click right away. There's speculation that if the first year isn't a success, Vick could be traded in the off-season. Some have asked about the "quarterback situation" between he and Schaub, believing that Vick may not start next season or that he could be benched in favor of Schaub if he doesn't get off to a great start. Many claim that the hiring of Petrino was in direction connection to helping Michael Vick make the most of his abilities. All I can say is that these people are idiots.

First off, why in the world would a team hire a coach to potentially benefit one player on their team? If Vick got hurt, so much for that plan. Hiring a coach is about sending a team into a new direction and hopefully the right one. Why's it always about Vick? Vick, Vick, Vick, Vick, Vick. Geez. Can Michael Vick improve? Yeah, of course he can. But, he is not the only player on the team. What was one major problem for the Falcons this past year? Vick was asked to do too much. Yeah, he ran for over 1,000 yards, becoming the first quarterback to ever accomplish that feat, but many of these yards came after the great five-game start for starting tailback Warrick Dunn. Dunn's numbers were depleted in the final 11 games of the season and Atlanta's leading rusher in those games was quarterback Michael Vick. Having a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL, who can take off on a broken play or when no one's open, is great. But, to have to count on your quarterback to be your main threat in the running game, along with being the obvious main threat in the passing game, is too much to ask of a guy. If the Falcons can get more yards out of their backs, Vick will be able to relax his legs a bit more and be more efficient in the passing game.

ESPN analyst Len Pasquerelli commented on the hiring a couple days ago and again, who'd he mention it to be connect with? Vick, of course. He complained of Vick apologists pointing to his great record in his first 3 years and now to his stats this past year. What if I were to switch things around on the Vick bashers? While Vick apologists may be looking for positives to find during his career, Vick bashers are simply trying to find negatives. Skip Bayless and now Tony Kornheiser (neither of which know a whole lot about sports) both claim that Vick is the most over-hyped and overrated player in the league, without question. I have a question for them. How can a guy be the most over-hyped and overrated player when so many "analysts" and "experts," like them, claim that he is exactly that? How does that work exactly?

This hire is about the Falcons. Yes, they have a team in Atlanta. Michael Vick does not have a one-man club that he takes with him across the country for a brutalizing 16-game schedule every year. It's amazing HE went 7-9 this year given that fact. I'm getting fed up with these "analysts" and "experts." I don't think I've ever heard so much bashing of a quarterback. I don't want to make it a racial issue, but I think the fact that Vick is not a traditional quarterback has sparked much of the bashing, and the fact that he hasn't "developed" into a traditional quarterback. These "analysts" want to see that traditional-style quarterback, throwing the ball from the pocket, and not rushing for a record-breaking 1,000 yards. He's not a championship quarterback. He's not a leader. He hasn't grown. He hasn't developed. He'll get hurt. He's careless. His passer rating shows what kind of quarterback he is. The 7-9 record is a direct reflection of Vick's play. He's too inconsistent. He'll never be able to win consistently. He's a coach killer. Yeah, I've heard them all. If Peyton Manning doesn't win a title this year, is he the guy to blame? If the Chargers don't go, is it all Marty's fault? Is Grossman solely to blame if the Bears fall short? It's a team sport! The Colts' defense has to show up, just as the offense does. The players' have to execute Marty's gameplan in order for it to be successful. The Bears have to run the ball well to open up the passing game for Rex and company. It all starts up front with the Falcons on both sides of the ball. If their line doesn't open up holes for the tailbacks and protect Vick in the passing game, all else will be null and void on offense. Petrino is in Atlanta to better the team, not just one player, so please, just give up on that one. Also, what's with the obsession of Matt Schaub? Schaub seems to be more overrated than Vick, because I hear these "analysts" and "experts" speak more positively of him than of Vick. Schaub has never won an NFL game, as opposed to what Dick Stockton said during their final game at Philly. The guy could be somewhat efficient in the right offense, but he has a rather slow lofty ball, is not the most graceful, and can't be trusted on with the deep ball. He is somewhat accurate and heady, so I think he could make a very solid back-up quarterback, but I really can't see that guy starting, unless he's in the perfect offense. So, please, let's stop with the Schaub talk. It's great to have him as the back-up, but let's not "overhype" and "overrate" a quarterback who completed less than ten passes this year, has yet to win an NFL game, and has a rather low career passer rating and touchdown to interception ratio.

I'm very curious to see who they hire as defensive coordinator, because Ed Donatell did not make the most of his speed and talent on the defensive side of the ball. As we saw with that infamous 4th and 26 conversion Philly had against Donatell and the Green Bay Packers in his last game here, he consistently attempts to make opposing offenses beat themselves. I'm sorry, but in the NFL? Good luck with that philosophy. With their current players, Atlanta's strength on defense resides in their speed. But, he was rather reluctant on blitzing, especially in the first half, and by coincidence (uh huh), the Falcons fell behind early. So, I'm anxious (and crossing my fingers) to see who they hire.

I have mixed feelings on the hire of Petrino. If he had some more NFL experience, then I'd be more comfortable with the hiring. I see that the guy has potential. I believe he will attempt to balance the offense more so than Greg Knapp did. I highly doubt there will be as big a disparity between Atlanta's run and pass game next year. But, how successful will it be and how many points will they be able to put up in the process? Also, how quickly will the new offense click and gel? How long will it take for the offense to learn and feel comfortable with the new playbook? What adjustments will they make in personality and scheme? Will they stick with the zone-blocking (I hope not) on offense? Will they be more traditional in blocking to give Vick more protection in the pass game and to become more efficient in short-yardage situations? I think Petrino is very creative and has a great offensive mind. The potential is definitely there. THE question I have, though, is, does Petrino have a great football mind or just a great college football mind? That is yet to be determined. I hope he has a great football mind, regardless of the level, but we'll just have to wait and see.