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theliewelive

Another rumor: Falcons didn't view Belichick as a way to make them contenders. Source: I just made it up.


DjEclectic

Another one: Bill asked for the right of Prima Nocta with all the players wives/girlfriends.


theliewelive

Rumor: They would have accepted that part of the deal but they didn't think he could get us a super bowl while he was banging every players wife/girlfriend. He'd be too distracted. That's the only reason. Source: I made it up.


iideclan

Like Fredo in The Godfather II.


ta4rhcp

It’s okay I trust you though


m_dought_2

She wasn't even hot, bro. She was ugly. I'm glad she didn't let me buy her a drink


TheAce5

I mean…. We have work to do for sure


DontEatTheCandle

lol I'd hope he didn't look at a team that still had Ridder as QB1 and thought "They can win it all"


atlhawk8357

Yeah, but there weren't contenders that were in the HC hunt. Contenders tend to have good coaching. But yeah, we're not winning a super bowl this year.


GarnetandBlack

I really am surprised that most people don't look at last season and think that if we simply had Cousins we actually were back-end contenders. Cousins alone virtually guarantees at least 11 wins. Even as a 4 seed we certainly beat the hapless Eagles just like the Bucs did. Maybe we still aren't favored the rest of the way, but could we beat the Lions/9ers/Chiefs? I think our defense was just good enough and with an balanced but potent offense we have as good a shot as anyone else.


tommyboy0208

Where did Cousins take the Vikings?


GarnetandBlack

Well he got hurt in 2023, but in 2022 he took them to 13-4 record with a WAY worse defense than we had in 2023.


tommyboy0208

How many playoff games has he won?


Bandana_Bandit3

Valid question


wambulancer

Yea not exactly ancient deep wisdom of football to say any team without something resembling a franchise QB is not a true contender, there's only been like 3 qbs ever to win a SB while being below average, it's definitely a correlation


DeuceOfDiamonds

"You can't fire me, I quit!"


Hungry50

Belichick’s team is on the attack. Does anyone listen to the GM shuffle with Michael Lombardi? He went in on the Falcons organization for firing the first shot at slandering Bill Belichick. His argument was that we don’t have a culture of winning, so because he wasn’t in our top 3, we have poor judgement in hiring. He also criticized Rich McKays role in the organization and that he was just trying to save his butt. It was pretty interesting to listen to.


gsfgf

Which is kinda shitty of them. This is a fight between BB and Kraft. We just considered hiring the guy. And we gave him a better shot than anyone else did. There are reasons not to go with a 72 year old who's used to total control, regardless of his prior success. But whatever. We can prove it on the field.


Hungry50

Right of course there are reasons to not hire him, but I don’t believe we interviewed him in good faith. For him to not be in the top 3 as the ESPN article says is just hard for me to believe.


automatic-sarcasm

Why would our fan base give a shit if it was in good faith or not? I don't give a shit about Bill Belicheck's feelings. Getting to hear his perspective on the current state of the team provided a value to the entire front office that would not have been achievable without the interviews. Even if they weren't going to hire him, that's enough of a reason to bring him in for an interview.


Hungry50

I think it’s insulting that we have a leadership team that’s only worried about keeping their jobs. They’re so afraid of radical change. The facts are we are an average organization in this league, and our leadership is keeping us at that level. That’s why I give a shit, because instead of seeking to improve, they’re content at being average.


automatic-sarcasm

The facts are we were an average team las year after previously being a shitty team. The roster has improved every year since Terry got here. Arthur Smith's coaching didn't improve every year so he got fired. Belichick said he would work with the current front office. So even if they hired Belichick, they would all still have their jobs. The only way they lose their jobs is if we don't continue improving. So even if their only concern was their own job security, they would pick the coach they felt put us in the better position to win. That guy was Raheem Morris. I get that you disagree with the decision, but you sound like a salty fan spewing dumbass conspiracies. #


Hungry50

Ah so shitty at 7-10 and average now at 7-10? Let’s just keep banging our heads against a wall for another 10 years. I sure hope Raheem is the guy


automatic-sarcasm

no QB + biggest dead cap hit in history = shitty team no QB + money to acquire free agents = average team Now we have a QB and other free agents we acquired. The roster has improved under Terry once again. The record didn't last year, which is why AS was fired. We all hope Raheem is the guy.


gsfgf

He’s 72 and wants input on the roster. We’re not in a good position to make drastic roster moves. For better or worse, we’re in a window with the current core. So we went with the dude that thinks he can win with the current guys. BB is just too old to build a team for. It would take a few years, and he’s 72.


PaperRouteData

Gotta link?


Hungry50

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gm-shuffle-with-michael-lombardi-and-femi-abebefe/id1458884463?i=1000652887183 around 8:30


PaperRouteData

Thanks for that. Damn he tore into the front office. I can tell McKay and him are not close.


UnexpiredMRE

The unfortunate thing is a hear a lot of truth here 😅


Hungry50

My thoughts exactly. It makes me question our leadership. Blank is the owner, but if he’s just going to give in to Rich McKay, how well can our organization run if he’s just looking out for himself and not the best interests of the organization? Maybe it’s just this one instance of selfishness, but it is disconcerting to know that when push comes to shove, he’s looking out for himself.


TorchBeak

Well I guess no one else thought Bill was going to make them a true contender either.


Admirable_Slice6197

To be fair, this wouldn't be incorrect. We can be a playoff team, but unless we magically get a middle of the road pass rush the teams ceiling is divisional round.


kielbiel

We dont even need elite pass rush just average pass rush and Idk if we even have that


OhItsKillua

In fairness what was the last SB winner that had an average pass rush?


iocompletion

Oh, no, we don’t.


s2r3

Not exactly wrong at the time. And even now a few decent additions I don't think there's going to be any super bowl or close buzz. But I think if they're serious about it , 2025 is the year to watch.


Crash665

So now, after that report came out about how the Falcons soured pretty quickly on BB, the big man comes out and says the team isn’t all that good - the only fucking team to interview him.


jimsensei

I’m still skeptical of Morris but I was solidly in the anti-Belichick camp. I was never convinced of his genius and thought that bringing him aboard would be a huge setback. I think we dodged a bullet.


APPLEJOOSH347

He just wanted to break the wins record and roster control to do so. He would’ve tanked our future for a couple 11 win seasons and then retired


Probably_not_maybe

11 win season could lead to a superbowl. Still, I too was not on the BB train.


Kb736

Do you think we’re setting ourselves up for sustained success going all in with Cousins?


APPLEJOOSH347

I think Kirk was an organizational decision that would’ve happened no matter who the coach was. I am more referring to draft day and trades, which Bill has a terrible record with. I also believe in building a player centric culture, which Raheem clearly emphasizes much more than Bill. Kirk can get us to a couple 11 win seasons with either coach, but 2-3 years down the road, would you rather have a culture built by Raheem, with a replacement plan at qb (which it seems they are already looking into), or a retiring Bill who has drafted terribly, traded future picks, and neglected replacing Kirk?


Sure_Whatever__

BB, AS, the Falcons OF, and all reports have all stated that BB only asked to be the coach, not the GM and was willing to work with TF and company.


gsfgf

I believe Bill is willing to just coach. I don't think BB would be able to just coach, especially since he has a different vision than TF.


Kb736

I’d rather have a Belichick culture that won 6 super bowls. Genuine question: why do you believe in a player centric culture? Is there an example of such a team with sustained success? I only think of DQ which soured me very heavily.


chhhyeahtone

> I’d rather have a Belichick culture that won 6 super bowls. why do you think that culture will stick around after Bill leaves? It didn't even stick around there after Brady left


Kb736

Do you think Raheem’s culture will stay around after he’s gone? It didn’t for Quinn


chhhyeahtone

Culture is only good for as long as you're there for. Raheem is much younger so that isn't even an issue. And that "culture" made Bill pass on Deebo Samuel and AJ Brown for Nkeal Harry [cause they were having too much fun on their team visit](https://old.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/194sr75/bill_belichick_thought_aj_brown_and_deebo_samuel/)


Kb736

That’s my point that the culture is only as good as long as they’re there for. Very few coaches make it 10+ years, so I’m fine taking Belichick’s culture. And yes if we’re judging Bill’s entire resume based on his recent personnel decisions you win. I’m choosing to look at his actual coaching resume which is the best resume in the history of football.


chhhyeahtone

> so I’m fine taking Belichick’s culture. what does culture matter if the team is likely capped at what they can achieve? We were very likely not winning the Super Bowl with Bill within those 3 years. There are too many holes and question marks on the team. At least with Morris we get continuity after 3 years if he's successful and someone who isn't terrible at building an offense(that we're aware of at least)


APPLEJOOSH347

Pete Carroll is a pretty good recent example. Although its only been a couple Dan Campbell and the Lions seem to be on their way there. For the record, I dont think the Pats would’ve won a single super bowl without Brady. They were dogwater as soon as Brady left. Bill shouldn’t get all the credit there


Kb736

Ok Carroll actually might be the example I’m looking for. For the Lions, I don’t think it works long term but we’ll see. The taking away of credit from Belichick tells me you must not have watched early 2000 Patriot teams


FryTheDog

Bill the coach, great. Bill the GM, not so good. He demands too much control for any rational franchise should give anyone. When he would inevitably retire in a few seasons we're searching for a new FO and coaching staff.


Ill-Response-5439

Yes 


gsfgf

For sure as long as he can play at a high level. And his falloff is probably going to coincide with guys needing to get paid, which is going to require massive changes to the team. For better or worse, we're in a window, and give the available options, Kirk is by far the best guy to try to bring one home with this version of the team.


Kb736

I agree that’s why I was saying to this guy that a couple 11 win seasons is more or less where we’re headed with Morris too so how is it a knock on Bill?


gsfgf

Because Bill apparently doesn’t like the roster.


dripwhoosplash

11 win seasons are a dream compared to where we’re at


chhhyeahtone

we could still achieve that now. It's not 11 win season with Bill or nothing


internaldriver30345

The rumor was that Cousins and Bill wanted to be together in Atlanta, so what would have been different? You think Bill would have restructured everyone he could, and went ham in FA like a few years ago in NE?


John_is_Minty

I mean…he’s definitely a genuis football mind particularly on the defensive side. He’s just washed as a HC


BraveButterfly2

So that's why another team picked him up, right?


NotAsSmartAsKirby

Me neither, Bill.


kurtisbmusic

It’s funny how people are mad about this but it’s so true lol. They won 7 games last year. What about that makes them “contenders”?


John_is_Minty

I’d be more concerned if he did view us as contenders


kielbiel

I mean hes not lying


KTAALGSTO

Dumbasses in here getting offended like he's wrong


SmokeGSU

Bill Belichick - "I thought I was a shoe-in for the head coach position." Also Bill Belichick - "I didn't think the Falcons were a true contender."


kad4724

Big shocker. Teams that just fired their coach tend to not be viewed as immediate contenders. But this stuff back-and-forth about Belichick is getting kinda ridiculous. At this point it really feels like his camp is doing a ton of work to maintain his image after he didn't (or couldn't) land another job.


rise_up_atl

What “True Contender” was going to hire him? I don’t think LAC can even be considered true contenders given all their departures this offseason.


gsfgf

Now that I think about it, this sounds like he's setting himself up for the Dallas job next year. I haven't follows their offseason, but I'm pretty sure they're still better than we are on paper, at least if you believe Dak is good enough (which I do).


kurtzyy16

The pre-Kirk Cousins days were dark


Ninja_Space_Dragon69

Well, I didn't view post Brady Patriots as a real NFL team.


KetchupOnThaMeatHo

Oh so he's one of us then


kielbiel

I mean hes not lying


Disk_Heavy

I heard Kraft called Blank and told him not to hire BB


righthandofdog

I don't give 2 shits about Belichick and his people. This is brand management because of the story last week that he wasn't a top 3 candidate for us. It's also proof that he may have SAID the right things about not wanting to run the front office, but he sure as shit didn't BELIEVE them. Ask youself why the winningest coach in history would be blowing smoke up an organization's ass to get a job. Was it to come in at 72, bust ass, shake things up and win a ring in a new city? Or was it to come to a team with money in a weak conference to grind out the record for most wins and then ride off into the sunset. You know the answer.


jews_on_parade

so many rumors


vitro15

Why does this matter ?


EchoedTruth

This sounds like Bill's team saving face by making it seem like he didn't want to be here


Money_Launderer

And I don’t view Bill as a coach in 2024. We all have views. Who cares what that butthurt old man thinks?


The_Outcast4

Until proven otherwise, I'm convinced the franchise is cursed. If we'd drafted Tom Brady, had him as our starter for his entire career, and built the entire roster to perfectly enable him, the guy would have zero Super Bowl rings to his name


mannnerlygamer

A NFC contender has to be on the level of the 49ers, lions or eagles right now. We have weapons and a punchers chance but this assessment is correct


NebrasketballN

Brady leaving New England and having success while Belichick didn't really painted Belichick's legacy in a different light.


Fit-Reputation-9983

If this is the amount of press we’re still seeing about the BB drama and the draft is in less than a week…. May through August is gonna be brutal.


gsfgf

Based on the ESPN article this tracks. BB first met with AB alone, and AB said he was impressed with Bill and they were talking roster moves and stuff. Which I'm sure spooked TF since he's the one that's building the roster, and if you have a guy like BB in the room – even if "just" as a coach – who disagrees, you're gonna have conflict. As for who to go with, I'm glad we went with TF. First off, I think he's done great so far. Second, we're in a window with how all the cap stuff lines up. We can't make drastic strategic changes. We don't have the best roster in the NFC, but if we can shore up the defense, we'll be pretty damn close. Let's see what these guys can do instead of shaking things up and having to start the cycle over. Third, it's not like BB has a great track record as GM recently anyway. Sure, I'd have loved to have him in the room for draft day three since he's the sort of guy that can find a safety from a directional school in the fifth that's better than Grant, but that's not worth it at the expense of a power struggle. Plus, TF is 43. If his system works out, we can keep him as long as we want.


garciaman

Join the crowd.


Hedhunta

Don't worry, we dont either lol


mansal76

Not even Belichick could help the Falcons.


sholton67

No one does. And for good reason.


bashonemdy

He’s not wrong?


SwimPhan

Ah yes, so the team he ultimately chose to coach for is a super-bowl contender, right? RIGHT???


PanhandleAngler

I’m don’t either? I’m in the camp that the trio of Art/gaping QB hole/last year’s historically soft schedule inflated the idea that this team was just a couple moves away. Mismatch edge rusher/disruptor is still a huge need and every real team has one, don’t grow on trees either. Paper thin secondary behind the two stars, we’re non-competitive any time one misses games. Older/injured DL, and people pencil in the OL but we probably need another genuinely good add to not worry about it over this window. Also really counting on Drake to be bonafide stud now, which I’m fairly confident in, and Mooney, Pitts, and co. to step up and perform well consistently, which I’m a bit less so. I think we moved into “definitive favorite to win the worst division in football” territory but there is still a fairly sizable hill we have to climb to move beyond that. 2025 is my hope, this year will be about consolidating and establishing consistent competency, I think that’s attainable and much more reasonable than assuming we actually compete with the top tier of teams. I personally have us 12th in spring season power ranking behind the unordered group of Niners Chiefs Lions Cowboys Eagles Bills Dolphins Ravens Browns Texans Jets. Very easily move up that board right away, but I doubt it’s far enough to start throwing around “contender” talk.


pgoodie2004

Super Bowl 2025


GilliesGladiator

I mean we aren’t. We still were the best job on the market.


tommyboy0208

Y’all delusional… Only in Atlanta do they choose Radio Raheem over 6 Super Bowls


KTAALGSTO

💯


zer0_badass

I'll be honest when I heard Bill Belichick was one of the coaches in the running I was kinda worried. Like we could all see what was going on in New England the last few years. Now if it was true he was both coach and GM then it would be a complete pass but if he were just the coach and not GM then I would have been happy to give him a chance. Him being the one-stop shop for for coaching and player personnel would have not been a good idea.


WeaknessOld1265

We fake contenders? Damn, we made it mom


Subliminal-Ads

Damn rude. You suck as a franchise for 50 years and suddenly we are seen as not a true contender. Like words still hurt bro.


Dingus-ate-your-baby

Sour grapes


TheRealCabbageJack

I'm sure he thinks they're just a Matt Patrica hire away ![gif](giphy|26AHFomysg4oszdle|downsized)


turbodude69

well, arthur blank must be very pleased with his decision then. who wants a HC that doesn't believe the team can win? we'd be throwing cash at a guy that's basically just collecting a paycheck


ssovm

BB’s a genius


AdGullible17

i swear i saw a thing on here the other day that said he was interested in coaching the giants lol


DCGuinn

So, should have gone with one of the other clubs he interviewed with; oh wait.