Falcons rumor: Blank wants Singletary as HC

"An industry source tells us that 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary is the guy whose name has initially popped up in discussions regarding the potential successor to former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino.

Per the source, Blank wants Singletary; Petrino was hired at the behest of G.M. Rich McKay."
--PFT.com's rumor mill

Here is a breakdown of five potential candidates who may garner consideration:

Bill Cowher: Sure, Cowher has said he wouldn't consider another coaching opportunity until at least 2009. But could mega-bucks from a desperate owner - say $8 million-plus or even higher a season - change his mind?

Marty Schottenheimer: There is no better proven option for a team looking to quickly rebuild than Schottenheimer, who worked wonders earlier this decade with Washington and San Diego. For a team as damaged as the Falcons, Schottenheimer's lack of postseason success is an afterthought. But after his blow-up with A.J. Smith in San Diego, the question is whether he could co-exist with GM R McKay.

Jason Garrett: The former third-string quarterback is the NFL's hottest offensive coordinator because of his work with the Dallas Cowboys. With the Falcons likely to have a top five pick, Garrett could get to mold a promising prospect like Hawaii's Colt Brennan or Boston College's Matt Ryan. But does Garrett want to step into such a mess when more attractive options may be available down the road?

Josh McDaniels: Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin has helped break the stereotype that young head coaches can't win in the NFL. McDaniels is only 31, but when all is said and done this season, no offensive coordinator in NFL history may have fielded a more prolific unit than he has with the Patriots.

Mike Zimmer: Atlanta's defensive coordinator is the most likely to garner consideration. The statistics aren't pretty but a No. 5 NFL rating in third-down defense is impressive. That indicates Zimmer's unit is still playing hard despite Atlanta's offensive woes.
--foxsports.com

Whoever the new coach is - expect him to have an offensive background. The Falcons, who have gone through three starting quarterbacks this season, need to rebuild much of the offense and will still likely draft a quarterback.

Among NFL offensive coordinators, Jason Garrett of the Cowboys and Brian Schottenheimer of the Jets, are usually referred to as among the top young minds in the game. On defense, Jim Caldwell of the Colts and Jim Schwartz of the Titans are also considered viable candidates.
--yahoo! sports

yeah yeah yeah, i would like this move. free VICK!!!!ocdog45

yeah yeah yeah, i would like this move. free VICK!!!!ocdog45

Falcons turn to Thomas as interim head coach

The Atlanta Falcons selected defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas as the team's interim head coach on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

A 64-year-old assistant with the Falcons since 2002, Thomas has no previous experience as a head coach, but has 28 years in coaching. Thomas, who has worked under head coaches Dan Reeves, Jim Mora and Petrino in Atlanta, has been coaching at both the college and pro ranks since 1979.

Thomas is the first black head coach in the team's history. STORY

yeah yeah yeah, i would like this move. free VICK!!!!ocdog45

WTF? Dude, I must be one of the biggest Vick fans around here... or was. I knew about every part of his life and how it went along. Childhood, high school, College years, Pro... All of that. I was one of his biggest fans.

I don't know how ANYONE can still forgive Vick for what he has done. Even the biggest fan of his. The only possibility for that is if you're a premature elementary kid still learning what puberty is.

Dude your an idiot, free vick, are you mental? vick killed hundreds of dogs, and is crazzy out of is mind, he will never return to the NFL, and if he does, I will never watch footbal ever aain cause thats just retarded!!![QUOTE="ocdog45"]yeah yeah yeah, i would like this move. free VICK!!!!gstonyr

Not hundreds. Only like 15 or so. But still.

Thanks for posting this. It's an encouraging article. It's hard to imagine a big name coach coming into this mess. However, Arthur Blank likes to grab guys with some sexy on them. Singletary, Cowher, Shottenheimer, McDaniels, Jason Garrett. WHOah.. I think I just got chills!gfxarts

Thanks for posting this. It's an encouraging article. It's hard to imagine a big name coach coming into this mess. However, Arthur Blank likes to grab guys with some sexy on them. Singletary, Cowher, Shottenheimer, McDaniels, Jason Garrett. WHOah.. I think I just got chills!gfxarts

someone who can actually throw you into the play-offs not some first year college qb like Chase danniels.Seriously when was the last time you saw a first-year college qb throw someone into the playoffs?

(Sorry as a Denver fan I sometimes have to make myself feel better).

The first half got cut off...

But you still won't have a qb. And by Qb i mean

Though I mean you could Probably pick up Donovan mcnabb other wise known as "the qb whose made out of twigs".

McKay expects lots of interest -link-

"With an owner such as Arthur [Blank], who's willing to give you the support necessary, the facilities necessary, I don't even think it's an issue if coaches will want to coach in this situation. I think that there's no question that when you look at it, that it's different than last year."

Hadley Engelhard, a longtime Atlanta-based sports agent, believe the Falcons will attract some top candidates.