Arthur Blank’s Solution
I feel sorta bad for Arthur Blank…and really bad for Arkansas. Petrino is twice the liar that Saban was and that’s saying something!! 
After Petrino shook Blank’s hand on Monday and told him that he was his head coach, he went right out the next day to Arkansas.
[Sidenote: Arkansas got a good head coach. But don't get all lovey-dovey with Petrino. In the 5 years he's been a head coach, he's looked for a head coaching job in all 5 of them. Even at Louisville.]
Back to Blank. He’s the owner. He’s the one that tied up a ton of money and confidence in Vick. He hired Petrino. So some of this is his fault. But there’s an easy solution…well, simple, not easy.
Go after Bill Cowher, Marty Schottenheimer, or Mike Singletary. All are men of high integrity. All are hard-driven men that won’t take crap off anybody – see DeAngelo Hall. All will be more concerned about getting the right guys on the team first, then winning championships. All are available fairly quickly.
Then stay the heck out of the way, Arthur. Don’t show up on draft day saying you HAVE to have a certain player. Don’t protect a player from the head coach’s discipline or doghouse.
5 Responses to “Arthur Blank’s Solution”
Ahh, I am loving this. Interesting tidbit: back in 03 Rick McKay hit the road right before the Bucs and the Falcons final match up of the year.
This weekend the Falcon’s play guess who – my boys! Now, if I believed in Karma then this would be where I would make a comment to the sort of, well what goes around comes around. But hey, I think McKay has already proven his mettle for Atlanta – I mean big money in extensions to a guy who never ever lived up to his potential, would he have, who knows? The same salary cap hell that he left Tampa to wade through he is now facing in Atlanta – it sure is interesting to me to say the least. Also interesting that we had discussion regarding the Bucs last year, same day, although this was about the Falcons – still related though (to me).
all i will say about petrino is he doesnt make good first impressions.
Clay – I think you guys got a great football mind…the question is for how long?
I ragged on Saban long and hard last year about saying “I’m not a candidate for the Alabama job” then taking it. He should have said something different but he finished the season with the Dolphins, told his players and his boss face to face he was leaving, and he said the reason he was leaving wasn’t about “his family” but because he loved coaching college more than pros.
Petrino did none of that. Nothing he has done concerning this job changed has been admirable or upright. Plus, he’s burned every bridge behind him. Nowhere is he wanted back.
If he stays in Arkansas for 10 years – that will go a long way healing that rep.
As far as McKay goes – he did fine as long as was with someone who knew talent and character and fit with the organization – Tony Dungy. McKay could work the numbers, work with the agents, et al.
When Tony no longer handled that, Bucs got in deep weeds.
In ATL, McKay has had to NO help with evaluation of talent and he’s proven he can’t do it on his own.
Like I said – that fault lies on Blank ultimately.
i wasnt talking about his coaching skills. i guess personality wise he is a complete 180 from coach nutt, so it might take some getting used to.