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Tue. Dec 11, 2007

Losers Quit

As this year began, the Falcons not only had one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, they also had a damn fine backup quarterback, and they claimed they’d also finally hired the man to coach them, one Bobby Petrino.

On Monday, that “top quarterback” stood before a judge in a black and white jumpsuit and got sentenced to 23 months in jail, their damn fine backup is starting for Houston, and viewers who tuned in for prime time football got sentenced to watching yet another sorry performance by the puddle of misery the Falcons have become on their way to a 3-10 record.

At least they still had the new coach. In fact, when the team owner was interviewed on national TV Monday night, he even referred to Bobby Petrino as “our football CEO” (which had to be a harsh phrase for General Manager Rich McKay to hear), and praised how he had handled this oh-so-difficult year.

But that was Monday, when things were all butterflies and puppy dog tails. Tuesday, things actually got worse. Coach Petrino … quit.

Before the Falcons’ 34-14 loss to New Orleans Monday, Blank said that he had heard rumors that Arkansas had targeted Petrino to replace Houston Nutt as head coach. So he said he asked Petrino if he was considering that job.

Petrino, who was signed from the University of Louisville to a five-year, $24.5 million contract Jan. 8, told him Monday afternoon that he definitely would be back to coach the Falcons in 2008.

It was the second time Blank had asked Petrino about his commitment to the team and the second time Petrino told him he would be back next season.

Petrino quits Falcons to take Arkansas job

In other words, it wasn’t the first time he had lied to Arthur Blank, but it will be the last time. I bet he’s got to be tired of people in whom he’s invested millions just bald-faced lying to him. First Vick. Now Petrino. It’s got to be enough to make a billionaire consider hiring some hit men, just to make sure no one is stupid enough to ever lie to him again.

Personally, I’m stunned. Petrino not only could not find it in himself to finish out the freakin’ season, he phoned in his resignation. A man gives you a five year $24 million contract, you coach 13 games, and then you call him at 5:45pm the day after a stinker of a team performance to say “sorry, I’m done.”

Q-U-I-T-T-E-R. And a hypocritical one, at that.

Over the past few weeks, after Yet Another Falcons Loss, we’d hear happy coaching platitudes from Petrino about how the players couldn’t just go through the motions, they had to play out the string, because that’s what professionals do.

They don’t quit.

Not with three games left in the season. Not when you signed a ten year contract that you honored for about six months, then broke it to sign a five year contract you’ve honored for thirteen games.

Given that kind of track record, I bet Mrs. Petrino lives in fear he’ll break his contract with her any time she looks at him funny. And given that level of commitment, you can’t help but shout, “Good Riddance! One less quitter on the team payroll. Go off to be forever known as the guy who couldn’t even hack one season in the NFL.”

But, Lawd Have Mercy, this season must be downright unconstitutional, because I’ve never seen such cruel and unusual punishment.

Later, 3pm 12/12: While you might have been watching the endless droning of another debate on CNN, I was watching a press conference by Arthur Blank.

He is politely pissed. He used one word repeatedly … “commitment.” He said specifically, “13 games is not a reasonable commitment.” He said Petrino had every right to leave, and he would never “hold him in bondage,” but “the timing of his decision was wrong.” He gave the opinion that, by not even finishing out the season, Petrino was letting down all the other coaches and families who moved to Atlanta to play with him.

Blank: “I don’t know if I feel used, I feel abused at the moment [...] I do feel a sense of betrayal, a sense of trust lost.”

General Manager Rich McKay said it simply wasn’t right for the players to hear about it on TV, rather than from their coach (Petrino left a typed letter on the locker room wall, to which a player added some graffitti). McKay also detailed the process that ended up with Petrino quitting. Petrino got all the reassurances he needed, from Blank and McKay, and the team said it was not inclined to allow him to negotiate with other parties (like Arkansas). Blank got his direct commitment, not once, but twice, that Petrino would be the coach of the Falcons in 2008. That was Monday.

Tuesday, he quit. It was all lies.

So Petrino has got a new job. And a reputation as someone who can’t be trusted, someone whose only commitment is to himself. Hope that job in Arkansas works out, as getting the next one might be a bit tougher, with that kind of rep.