Good News for Falcons' Fans!

Well, we have yet to see what Bobby Petrino and the rest of the coaching staff can do during a game, but I'm already liking a couple of the decisions made by Petrino. First off, the whole zone-blocking scheme that I've been complaining about? Fuh-get about it! It'll be no more. Petrino said this week that, while it'd be difficult to carry out a major transformation on the line, he will ask them to beef up and add a few pounds. On top of that, owner Arthur Blank has mentioned the idea of signing a couple big free agents in the off-season, free-agents, as in an offensive guard and tackle. So, that's great news, as far as I'm concerned. Yeah, Atlanta's led the league in rushing the past three years, but they've also been near the bottom in passing. Yeah, people can solely blame Vick all they want to, but if they're regular viewers of the Falcons, they'll know that he typically doesn't get much time in the pocket when he drops back to throw. Yeah, the smaller, quicker linemen can be beneficial in the zone-blocking scheme between the twenties, but that size can very well work against them in the pass-blocking game, as well as the short-yardage and goalline-running game. So, this is great news. I was ecstatic when I read this!

Secondly, Petrino is going to do something that Mora and his coaching staff never did, allow Michael Vick to call audibles. That was stupid of Mora and the coaching staff, as far as I'm concerned. Any quarterback will know when they face death right in the eye on a certain play call when they see a particular defense. But, he still has to go with the play the coaches called? Eh. This will get Vick more involved in all phases of the game and will prevent there from being "wasted" plays, as I call them.

We never know what it may translate to on gameday, but thus far, I like what I'm hearing from Atlanta's new coaching staff. We still have solid running backs, in Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Justin Griffith, and Michael Vick. The zone-blocking scheme won't help or hurt them any. Vick will be given more time to throw. Receivers will be given more time to get open. The tailbacks will be given more of a push forward on short-yardage or goalline situations. Those are all good, very, very good! And now, the quarterback, can truly be referred to as the leader and captain on the field. Before, he was just a follower, like everybody else. Now, he can truly lead the team, like he should.

It's quite the bummer that today is the final football game of the regular/post-season. There is always the Pro Bowl, I guess. When's the draft again? ::sighs::