EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR SUBSCRIBE TO AJC[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 12/10/03 ]
Reeves opts out
By MATT WINKELJOHN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
YOUR TURN
This survey is not a scientific sampling and does not reflect the opinion of the general public, but only of those who choose to participate.
Related:
• Forum
• Dan Reeves timeline
Flowery Branch -- With one of the worst seasons of Dan Reeves' 23-year career as an NFL head coach winding down, Falcons owner Arthur Blank released his head coach from his contract Wednesday morning.
The Falcons are 3-10, with three games left in the season. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who followed Reeves as head coach in Denver after Reeves' contract was not renewed there following the '92 season, will finish the season as Atlanta's interim coach. Phillips also was a head coach in Buffalo, and recommended by Reeves to Blank as interim coach.
Reeves and Blank are expected to speak at a 10:30 a.m. press conference at team headquarters. Reeves also attended the press conference after he was fired by the Giants following the 1996 season.
"[Tuesday], I advised Dan that we've decided to bring in a new head coach beginning in the 2004 season," Blank said in a statement issued by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "Dan asked to be released from his position immediately and we agreed to do so, even though our desire was for him to stay on through the rest of the season."
With a career record of 201-174-2 in regular season and postseason games, Reeves ranks seventh in NFL history in career wins. His record with the Falcons was 52-61-1, including a 16-3 mark when the team lost to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII after the '98 season -- Atlanta's only appearance in the Super Bowl.
The Falcons were widely predicted to compete for a playoff spot this season, and they were even picked by some to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this season after the team went 10-7-1 last season, losing in the second round of the playoffs at Philadelphia.
Quarterback Michael Vick was key to that success, but he missed the first 11 games of the season, and did not start until the 13th -- last Sunday night's 20-14 overtime victory over Carolina -- after breaking his right fibula Aug. 16 in a preseason game.
Reeves has frequently said that he wanted to be made aware of Blank's plans for him, and last summer Blank said that he wanted to include Reeves in the decision-making process if there was a transition.
Just last Friday, Reeves clarified when he said, "All I said was if he was talking about the job with somebody else, I wish he'd tell me. I don't want to hear that from someone else."
Blank normally attends practice on Fridays, but was not present last week, leading to speculation -- never confirmed -- that he was meeting with LSU coach Nick Saban, whose team was in Atlanta for Saturday's SEC Championship Game.
Of the names that have come up most in connection with the Falcons, Saban, former Cowboys and Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson have been mentioned, although it is believed there is very little chance Johnson will consider coming out of retirement, and LSU officials have said publicly they plan to give Saban big raises.
"We want to begin the process of searching for a new head coach in a thorough and honest manner," Blank said in the statement. "In order to do so, and as Dan and I previously discussed, I wanted to let him know of our decision first. This conversation also puts the club in a position to operate in an open and honest environment during the final weeks of the season, and to proceed with our plans for the future."
When Blank bought the team in Feb. 2002, he immediately gave Reeves a three-year contract extension believed to be worth about $10 million. Reeves' contract was in the process of expiring at the time.
But now that the Falcons are assured their fifth losing season in the seven years since Reeves was hired early in 1997, and the appearance at times this season that Reeves may have have lost the faith of some players, Blank determined that a change needed to be made.
"The decision to hire a new head coach beginning in the 2004 season was based on a number of factors related to the long-term plans and success of the franchise," Blank said in the statement. "This decision is purely tied to our plans for the future success of our franchise.
"We have made significant commitments to our fans and the community, and significant changes throughout other areas of the club. Now is the right time to set the course for our future in the coaching area, as well."
The Falcons have no general manager, and Blank has said on several occasions that he wants to hire one. Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay remains a candidate. Blank interviewed McKay for the job in the winter of 2002.
Asked two weeks ago whether it was important to have a GM in place before the team's coaching situation was assessed, Blank would not go into detail, but said two or three times, "We have to have a GM in place."
Before Reeves' regular Monday press conference, Falcons vice president of community affairs and communications Susan Bass asked a reporter, "Do you think with [Vick] back, if things keep going well, the fans would give Dan a reprieve of sorts, kind of a second chance?"
When it was suggested that most fans would probably consider Reeves' five losing seasons in seven years to be more relevent than the use of Vick's injury as an excuse for this season, she said, "You're probably right."
The statement issued by team officials Wednesday morning said that it is anticipated that a head coach will be named after the regular season, which ends with a Dec. 28 game against Jacksonville in the Georgia Dome.
Reeves opts out
By MATT WINKELJOHN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
YOUR TURN
This survey is not a scientific sampling and does not reflect the opinion of the general public, but only of those who choose to participate.
Related:
• Forum
• Dan Reeves timeline
Flowery Branch -- With one of the worst seasons of Dan Reeves' 23-year career as an NFL head coach winding down, Falcons owner Arthur Blank released his head coach from his contract Wednesday morning.
The Falcons are 3-10, with three games left in the season. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who followed Reeves as head coach in Denver after Reeves' contract was not renewed there following the '92 season, will finish the season as Atlanta's interim coach. Phillips also was a head coach in Buffalo, and recommended by Reeves to Blank as interim coach.
Reeves and Blank are expected to speak at a 10:30 a.m. press conference at team headquarters. Reeves also attended the press conference after he was fired by the Giants following the 1996 season.
"[Tuesday], I advised Dan that we've decided to bring in a new head coach beginning in the 2004 season," Blank said in a statement issued by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. "Dan asked to be released from his position immediately and we agreed to do so, even though our desire was for him to stay on through the rest of the season."
With a career record of 201-174-2 in regular season and postseason games, Reeves ranks seventh in NFL history in career wins. His record with the Falcons was 52-61-1, including a 16-3 mark when the team lost to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII after the '98 season -- Atlanta's only appearance in the Super Bowl.
The Falcons were widely predicted to compete for a playoff spot this season, and they were even picked by some to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this season after the team went 10-7-1 last season, losing in the second round of the playoffs at Philadelphia.
Quarterback Michael Vick was key to that success, but he missed the first 11 games of the season, and did not start until the 13th -- last Sunday night's 20-14 overtime victory over Carolina -- after breaking his right fibula Aug. 16 in a preseason game.
Reeves has frequently said that he wanted to be made aware of Blank's plans for him, and last summer Blank said that he wanted to include Reeves in the decision-making process if there was a transition.
Just last Friday, Reeves clarified when he said, "All I said was if he was talking about the job with somebody else, I wish he'd tell me. I don't want to hear that from someone else."
Blank normally attends practice on Fridays, but was not present last week, leading to speculation -- never confirmed -- that he was meeting with LSU coach Nick Saban, whose team was in Atlanta for Saturday's SEC Championship Game.
Of the names that have come up most in connection with the Falcons, Saban, former Cowboys and Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson have been mentioned, although it is believed there is very little chance Johnson will consider coming out of retirement, and LSU officials have said publicly they plan to give Saban big raises.
"We want to begin the process of searching for a new head coach in a thorough and honest manner," Blank said in the statement. "In order to do so, and as Dan and I previously discussed, I wanted to let him know of our decision first. This conversation also puts the club in a position to operate in an open and honest environment during the final weeks of the season, and to proceed with our plans for the future."
When Blank bought the team in Feb. 2002, he immediately gave Reeves a three-year contract extension believed to be worth about $10 million. Reeves' contract was in the process of expiring at the time.
But now that the Falcons are assured their fifth losing season in the seven years since Reeves was hired early in 1997, and the appearance at times this season that Reeves may have have lost the faith of some players, Blank determined that a change needed to be made.
"The decision to hire a new head coach beginning in the 2004 season was based on a number of factors related to the long-term plans and success of the franchise," Blank said in the statement. "This decision is purely tied to our plans for the future success of our franchise.
"We have made significant commitments to our fans and the community, and significant changes throughout other areas of the club. Now is the right time to set the course for our future in the coaching area, as well."
The Falcons have no general manager, and Blank has said on several occasions that he wants to hire one. Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay remains a candidate. Blank interviewed McKay for the job in the winter of 2002.
Asked two weeks ago whether it was important to have a GM in place before the team's coaching situation was assessed, Blank would not go into detail, but said two or three times, "We have to have a GM in place."
Before Reeves' regular Monday press conference, Falcons vice president of community affairs and communications Susan Bass asked a reporter, "Do you think with [Vick] back, if things keep going well, the fans would give Dan a reprieve of sorts, kind of a second chance?"
When it was suggested that most fans would probably consider Reeves' five losing seasons in seven years to be more relevent than the use of Vick's injury as an excuse for this season, she said, "You're probably right."
The statement issued by team officials Wednesday morning said that it is anticipated that a head coach will be named after the regular season, which ends with a Dec. 28 game against Jacksonville in the Georgia Dome.
I agree with Bernievegas. Over is the play. Neither team can stop the run and both teams have great skill players. Indy has averaged 34 PPG their last 3 at home and according to my numbers Atlanta has the worst D in the league. UH OH! Now for the Colts, they gave up 31 to the Jets and 38 to New England their last 2 at home. Vick should be able to make some things happen against a struggling Colt defense.
Indy 31
Atl 27
GL,
KMAN
Indy 31
Atl 27
GL,
KMAN
