Oscar McBride's "Oh... by the way." Blog

Former Arizona Cardinal Tight End Oscar McBride has joined the Sportscity.com team. Throughout each week, McBride will be providing opinions, thought provoking subject matter and edgy, "in your face" point of views. McBride will also give weekly analysis of big game match ups, blow-outs and upsets. Stay tuned, this is one blog site you don't want to overlook.

The Dirty South

Written by Oscar McBride on December, 20th 2007

Ahhhh Georgia... the Peach State in the antebellum south. Home of “the south will rise again,” Paula Deen and the boys, and cold lemonade on a hot summer day beneath your favorite shade tree. Home of the storied Georgia Bulldogs playing between the hedges and the newly rebuilt Atlanta Hawks to name a few. But the great state of Georgia is also home to the “Dirty Birds” of Fulton County... Atlanta’s very own Falcons.

Wow! Where to begin with this one? I could be like everyone else and start in on the Mike Vick dog fighting bit, but quite frankly I’m over it, and I would advise America to do the same. Mike made a bad decision that involved his supposed childhood friends that landed him a 2 year stint in prison for “keeping it real.” He now has to pay his penance and unfortunately we (America) will never let him forget that he wasn’t perfect in his decision making. There are even episodes of CSI (the award winning series on CBS) that involve dog fighting, gambling and murder... give it a rest for cryin’ out loud! I think we all get it.

The focus of this article is more about the Atlanta Falcon’s organization in general. What’s with Arthur Blank’s comments? What happened with Bobby Petrino? What the hell is going on? First thing first – Arthur Blank... what’s with the fried chicken & fries? I know I wasn’t the only one who sat at home watching the interview going, “Oops, he let that one get away.” Sadly enough, the comment, regardless of intent, did make news headlines. Now, before anyone takes me the wrong way, I’m not saying that Blank’s comment was meant as a racial slur or dig, HOWEVER, he DID say it. He needs to be held responsible for what he said. Isn’t that the whole message that’s being sent with the defamation of Mike Vick? “Make bad decisions and you have to pay the necessary restitution. No exceptions.” Unfortunately for Blank, regardless of whether the statement was maliciously made or not, he is still accountable. I mean, does he also have fresh watermelon sliced with mint julep at practice for the team? Whew! We’re all aware that the margin for error to an NFL quarterback is zero... but what is that same margin for an NFL owner???

Bobby Petrino. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. All I can say is... good for you! This man wasn’t happy with the decision he made and made immediate steps to correct it. Petrino comes into the Falcons job with tons of excitement and expectations, not to mention a pro bowl caliber quarterback driving an offensive team that led the NFL in rushing in recent years. He signs Joe Horn to help take some of the pressure off of Alge Crumpler and help the abysmal receiving core that was previously assembled. It seemed like he was making all of the right moves... playoffs here come the Falcons! And then – WHAM! He’s thrown into the middle of a world-wind of illegal gambling, lies, deceit and ill gotten gains. Bobby, you’re not in Louisville anymore! No Mike Vick. No Matt Schaub (he was traded and signed a monster deal with Houston), D.J. Shockley goes down with a knee, Joey Harrington... well, is Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich can’t get healthy and finally we have Chris Redman a quarterback at the helm who hasn’t played since there was no substance abuse testing for Major League Baseball (oops that’s another article). Petrino made a commitment to the Falcons and Arthur Blank. The Falcons and Arthur Blank also made a commitment to Petrino. Based on where the organization sits today, both sides have an argument for who didn’t deliver.

In all of the filth and dirt, however, there is still a team. A team roster of 53 men and 5 developmental players that had unspeakable adversity to overcome, a team that had it’s heart ripped out by not only its leader, but by the media and the negativity surrounding them. Still, they managed to come to work and all things considered, do a helluva job staying together. Maybe the stat book isn’t quite where they want it to be and they may fall short on the scoreboard... but they are still a team. In spite of everything they have endured throughout the course of this season, they have remained unified as they plug along what has to be a miserable road. That says a lot about their character. I think they understand the meaning of the word TEAM. Who else do they have?

All I can say at this point to interim head coach and future Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas is “good luck.”
Good luck picking up the pieces of a team that has been completely shattered. Good luck cleaning up the mess that was left by your previous head coach. Good luck handing the scrutiny that will come with the job no matter how long you may have it.

Good luck my friend, good luck.

Ahhhh Georgia... the Peach State in the antebellum south. Home of “the south will rise again,” Paula Deen and the boys, and cold lemonade on a hot summer day beneath your favorite shade tree. Home of the storied Georgia Bulldogs playing between the hedges and the newly rebuilt Atlanta Hawks to name a few. But the great state of Georgia is also home to the “Dirty Birds” of Fulton County... Atlanta’s very own Falcons.

Wow! Where to begin with this one? I could be like everyone else and start in on the Mike Vick dog fighting bit, but quite frankly I’m over it, and I would advise America to do the same. Mike made a bad decision that involved his supposed childhood friends that landed him a 2 year stint in prison for “keeping it real.” He now has to pay his penance and unfortunately we (America) will never let him forget that he wasn’t perfect in his decision making. There are even episodes of CSI (the award winning series on CBS) that involve dog fighting, gambling and murder... give it a rest for cryin’ out loud! I think we all get it.

The focus of this article is more about the Atlanta Falcon’s organization in general. What’s with Arthur Blank’s comments? What happened with Bobby Petrino? What the hell is going on? First thing first – Arthur Blank... what’s with the fried chicken & fries? I know I wasn’t the only one who sat at home watching the interview going, “Oops, he let that one get away.” Sadly enough, the comment, regardless of intent, did make news headlines. Now, before anyone takes me the wrong way, I’m not saying that Blank’s comment was meant as a racial slur or dig, HOWEVER, he DID say it. He needs to be held responsible for what he said. Isn’t that the whole message that’s being sent with the defamation of Mike Vick? “Make bad decisions and you have to pay the necessary restitution. No exceptions.” Unfortunately for Blank, regardless of whether the statement was maliciously made or not, he is still accountable. I mean, does he also have fresh watermelon sliced with mint julep at practice for the team? Whew! We’re all aware that the margin for error to an NFL quarterback is zero... but what is that same margin for an NFL owner???

Bobby Petrino. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. All I can say is... good for you! This man wasn’t happy with the decision he made and made immediate steps to correct it. Petrino comes into the Falcons job with tons of excitement and expectations, not to mention a pro bowl caliber quarterback driving an offensive team that led the NFL in rushing in recent years. He signs Joe Horn to help take some of the pressure off of Alge Crumpler and help the abysmal receiving core that was previously assembled. It seemed like he was making all of the right moves... playoffs here come the Falcons! And then – WHAM! He’s thrown into the middle of a world-wind of illegal gambling, lies, deceit and ill gotten gains. Bobby, you’re not in Louisville anymore! No Mike Vick. No Matt Schaub (he was traded and signed a monster deal with Houston), D.J. Shockley goes down with a knee, Joey Harrington... well, is Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich can’t get healthy and finally we have Chris Redman a quarterback at the helm who hasn’t played since there was no substance abuse testing for Major League Baseball (oops that’s another article). Petrino made a commitment to the Falcons and Arthur Blank. The Falcons and Arthur Blank also made a commitment to Petrino. Based on where the organization sits today, both sides have an argument for who didn’t deliver.

In all of the filth and dirt, however, there is still a team. A team roster of 53 men and 5 developmental players that had unspeakable adversity to overcome, a team that had it’s heart ripped out by not only its leader, but by the media and the negativity surrounding them. Still, they managed to come to work and all things considered, do a helluva job staying together. Maybe the stat book isn’t quite where they want it to be and they may fall short on the scoreboard... but they are still a team. In spite of everything they have endured throughout the course of this season, they have remained unified as they plug along what has to be a miserable road. That says a lot about their character. I think they understand the meaning of the word TEAM. Who else do they have?

All I can say at this point to interim head coach and future Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas is “good luck.”
Good luck picking up the pieces of a team that has been completely shattered. Good luck cleaning up the mess that was left by your previous head coach. Good luck handing the scrutiny that will come with the job no matter how long you may have it.

Good luck my friend, good luck.

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