Who gets fired first: Jim Mora or Art Shell?
Michigan
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The Raiders have been horrible the entire season which has given Al Davis a long time to think about it. The Falcons have been a more
gradual decline.
I'm guessing that Jim Mora is gone before the end of this week, it is not just that ill advised comment about wanting a college football
job but the inability of the team to get to the super bowl.
The Raiders have got to clean house especially on offense, Randy Moss should be the first to go, he has talent but his negative attitude
is really hurting the team. Warren Sapp looks to be on his way out as well.
gradual decline.
I'm guessing that Jim Mora is gone before the end of this week, it is not just that ill advised comment about wanting a college football
job but the inability of the team to get to the super bowl.
The Raiders have got to clean house especially on offense, Randy Moss should be the first to go, he has talent but his negative attitude
is really hurting the team. Warren Sapp looks to be on his way out as well.
0
Comments
Art Shell I think will survive the chopping block. But that Raiders team will go through a serious revamping.
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
well neither could Dan Reeves, come to think about it, no one has been able to coach Vick to a championship. Boy what a bunch of lousy Coaches, it couldn't be that maybe Vick is the problem?
Nah, just every coach can't figure out how to use him.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eaglesQuotesDetail.jsp?id=62655
Game vs. Falcons: Falcons Head Coach Jim Mora
December 31, 2006
On the loss: First of all I just want to congratulate the Eagles and Andy Reid and their team on winning their division. It is a heck of a team, and I'm sure they'll have a great run in the playoffs. I was proud of the way our guys continued to fight today. We just came up a little bit short."
On not being able to get off one final offensive play following a long completion before the end of regulation: "Those are frustrating ones. It was such a long throw down there that we couldn't get down and get set to spike it and get one off. I was proud of the way Matt [Schaub] came in and performed and fought and made some plays for us."
On the injury suffered by quarterback Michael Vick: "I think that it was diagnosed initially as a high ankle sprain. I think we're going to have to wait and see what they say tomorrow."
On what he said to his team in the locker room following the game: "Just that I was proud of their effort and that I appreciate all of the hard work that they have put forth this year."
On his assessment of Atlanta's season: "It's a little too early for me to say that. I think you need to separate from it a little bit before you do any of that."
On what he expects to happen next: "I expect to get on that plane and go home, and then after that, I don't know. I haven't thought any further than the moment that I'm in right now and trying to get this team ready to perform today and play as well as we could."
On the ability of the coaching staff and players to concentrate despite the speculation about his future: "They're professionals, and that's what they're supposed to do. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. I really think that it's a high character group of individuals ? both players and coaches. Hard workers. Devoted. High integrity. Not guys that point the finger. Those are the kind of people that you like to be surrounded with, and fortunately I am with this group. That's both players and coaches. I don't mean to limit it to just players and coaches because it's our entire organization. That's kind of what we're founded on."
On the fact that the Falcons were defeated by a Philadelphia team that played primarily its back-up players: "I know that. I believe [the Falcons] fight hard, and work hard. I watch them work hard at practice. I'm talking about effort and character. That's what I'm talking about. I'm not necessarily talking about making plays or talent. I'm talking about their effort and their character. I appreciate their effort, and I really appreciate their character ? the way they come to work every day and give their best. That's what I'm evaluating when I say I'm proud of that."
On his sense of disappointment in the outcome of the season: "Anytime you work as hard?you guys [the media] know because you're in the business and you spend a lot of time around coaches?as hard as everyone works - coaches, players and front office - and you don't have the success you want, it's extremely disappointing. You can't deny that it's extremely disappointing. We put great effort into trying to win, and putting forth the best team that we can. When you come up short, it's very disappointing and very hard."
On whether he would like to be the coach that leads the future turnaround of the Falcons: "I love to coach football. That's what I do, and what I've done basically my entire life. I have a strong passion for this organization. I love this organization, and of course I want to be here. That's all I've ever wanted."
On the developments that occurred since the Falcons were last at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFC Championship Game in 2004: "There's a lot of things, and I probably could talk for a long time about it, but I don't know that now is the right time to get into all of that. When I talk about these players, I'm talking about the character, the effort, the camaraderie, coming to work everyday, being on time, and putting forth great effort. Those are the things that I'm talking about when I praise them. That's what I'll say. I appreciate that we don't have a bunch of guys that are negative, that point the finger, that are late. Our guys are accountable and they do what we ask them to do. I appreciate that out of them."
On how far away Atlanta is from being a playoff caliber team: "I think you need to step away and look at that. I think you [the media] can go ahead and make your own assessments on that. Obviously someone [in the media] pointed out that we got beat today by basically some back-ups. Everyone should be able to play in this league, but we obviously have some things that we have to improve upon. That will be the focus. It's difficult anytime you lose. It's difficult when you lose that last game of the season and it knocks you out and it means your season is over."
By GEORGE HENRY, Associated Press Writer
January 1, 2007
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta fired coach Jim Mora on Monday, just two years after he led the Falcons to the NFC championship game.
The decision to dump the fiery coach followed two straight disappointing seasons. The Falcons lost six of their final eight games in 2005 to miss the playoffs, and they finished 7-9 this season by losing seven of the last nine contests.
Owner Arthur Blank made the announcement at the team's suburban training complex.
Atlanta went into the final weekend with a slim chance to slip into the playoffs with a .500 record. That ended Saturday night when the New York Giants won at Washington; the Falcons closed the season Sunday with a meaningless 24-17 loss at Philadelphia.
Mora's final game was in the same stadium where the Falcons lost to the Eagles for the NFC championship at the end of the 2004 season, coming up one victory short of the Super Bowl.
The 45-year-old Mora, son of longtime NFL coach Jim Mora, went 26-22 in three seasons as Atlanta's coach.
A former defensive coordinator in San Francisco, the younger Mora led the Falcons to the NFC South title in his rookie season. The team slumped to 8-8 a year ago, then endured his first losing record.
"This was an extremely difficult decision for us," Blank said in a statement before holding a news conference to announce the decision. "We had the highest hopes and aspirations for a long run with Jim as our coach, but we feel this decision is in the best long-term interests of our franchise. I have great respect for Jim's passion for the game, and we wish Jim and his family all of the best."
Mora had two years left on his contract, which was extended before this season. He could not immediately be reached for comment; a message was left on his cell phone.
Updated on Monday, Jan 1, 20