Parcells screws the Falcons … again
December 19, 2007 at 5:03 pm by Scott Freeman in News, SportsTwenty years ago today, the Falcons were in dire straits. They wanted a big name. They wanted someone to come in and turn the franchise around.
Bill Parcells, who was then the Super Bowl-winning coach of the New York Giants dispatched his agent to talk to the Falcons ownership. They talked, he seemed on his way and then the deal fell apart because he was still under contract to the Giants.
After telling reporters last night that he was probably going to take a job directing the football operations of the Falcons, today Parcells backed out again.
How many hits can one franchise take? In the space of 10 days the team’s star quarterback was sentenced to federal prison for almost two years, the owner went on “Monday Night Football” talking up the future with the new head coach, and then said head coach quits the very next day and goes to Arkansas.
No one’s talking yet about what happened but, obviously, something happened today in Parcell’s meeting with team owner Arthur Blank to change his mind.
The Falcons have historically been a franchise enamored with futility. But this goes beyond the pale.
The Big Tuna just left a big stink in the city of Atlanta.
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December 19th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Purcells didn’t screw anybody here. Blank essentially offered him managing control over a nice steaming pile of crap, and he first he said he’d think about it, and then he said no thanks. I don’t see how his being offered a steaming pile of crap obligates him to accept it.
It would be nice if Falcons management now took all this mess behind closed doors. Don’t make any statements, comments, news releases, etc. until someone is signed. The franchise is reeling badly, and making a further public spectacle of what is sure to be a painful search process isn’t going to help.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Just to be fair, nast, Parcells is the one who spoke to numerous media outlets saying that he would “probably” sign the deal with the Falcons. The team responded when Parcells jilted them. Given that he said he was likely coming publicly and then turned away, I think jilted is an accurate description.
I was excited at the prospect. But now how can rot in hell. I hope he catches syphillis, ignores it, goes blind and gets run over by a train.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:11 am
I am relieved that he is not coming to Atlanta. My dream is for the Falcons to flee the roost in Atlanta and move at least 75 miles away, so I may enjoy watching some quality teams play on television without the usual blackouts as a result of our home team. I cannot stand the Falcons! If only they could move to Valdosta or Bainbridge I would be oh so happy a man!
Parcells may have provided some hope to this organization, that I have watched in glee crumble over the past months.
Go Packers!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Yes, Mr. T, Parcells was the one to leak the news. But instead of saying “No comment” or “We’ll make a statement when everything is finalized,” Blank also talked it up and was effectively caught doodling “Mr. Arthur Blank-Parcells” in his notebook before Purcells had even said he would go to the prom. Now he just looks overwhelmed and has publicly castrated Rich McKay.
There’s a lot of people who screwed us here and plenty of scorn to go around - Vick, Petrino, Blank himself. I just don’t see how Parcells, who was associated by word only for less than 24 hours and never even set foot in Atlanta, should get any of the blame.
With that being said, I’m anxiously anticipating the beginning of the Samurai Mike Singletary era in Atlanta. Screw the Packers!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
The Tuna got wind of how much Mr. Blank wants to keep a thumb in the pie. It’s not the Tuna’s fault, Mr.T, it’s Mr. Blank’s fault for not letting a real football person run the show without the boss hanging around the sidelines like a groupie. Get real, people!
I can’t wait for Vick to start for the Raiders!