Falcons fire Mora after disappointing 7-9 season

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:34 pm

Falcons fire Mora after disappointing 7-9 season

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- 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.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:48 pm

Well now he can go coach Washington like he wanted.

Skins2daGrave · Post by **Skins2daGrave** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 7:22 pm

Jake wrote:Well now he can go coach Washington like he wanted.

now he's stuck with nothing actually :lol:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:12 pm

Can they PLEASE take Gregg Williams away from us? PLEASE? :roll:

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:47 am

Skins2daGrave wrote:
Jake wrote:Well now he can go coach Washington like he wanted.

now he's stuck with nothing actually

Aside from sitting on his rear and collecting a paycheck for the next two years.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:18 am

joebagadonuts wrote:
Skins2daGrave wrote:
Jake wrote:Well now he can go coach Washington like he wanted.

now he's stuck with nothing actually

Aside from sitting on his rear and collecting a paycheck for the next two years.

Krispy Kreme is hiring down the street Jim!

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:58 am

Looks like Vick lived up to the billing of "Coach Killa". I don't hink he'll be getting a Christmas card from the Moras this year. :lol:

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:39 am

sch1977 wrote:
joebagadonuts wrote:
Skins2daGrave wrote:
Jake wrote:Well now he can go coach Washington like he wanted.

now he's stuck with nothing actually

Aside from sitting on his rear and collecting a paycheck for the next two years.

Krispy Kreme is hiring down the street Jim!

Mmmmm....Krispy Kreme...... =P~

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:23 pm

I think that Mora was overrated.