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Atlanta Falcons fire Dan Reeves
ESPN Online ^ | 12/10/03

Posted on 12/10/2003 7:02:56 AM PST by TheBigB

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons fired Dan Reeves on Wednesday, dismissing the sixth-winningest coach in NFL history with three games left in a disappointing season.

Dan Reeves Broncos, Giants, Falcons 201 Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will take over as head coach for the rest of the season, according to the Falcons' team Web site.

The Falcons scheduled a morning news conference to announce the stunning move. Reeves had one year left on his contract.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Reeves met with owner Arthur Blank on Tuesday night, and Blank informed Reeves that he intended to hire a new head coach before next season.

Reeves responded that if Blank was going to fire him, Blank should do it immediately.

Reeves' job security had been a subject of speculation as the Falcons fell from the playoffs a year ago to one of the worst teams in the league after quarterback Michael Vick was hurt in the preseason.

Still, the timing of the move was curious, coming only three days after the Falcons (3-10) defeated Carolina 20-14 in overtime in Vick's first start of the season.

Reeves began the season with his 199th career victory, the Falcons winning 27-13 in Dallas.

Atlanta then lost seven in a row before Reeves finally got his 200th win at New York against the Giants on Nov. 9. Afterward, he said, "It's great. But when you've lost seven in a row, it was all about trying to get them to win No. 2."

Vick broke his right leg in the preseason, exposing the Falcons as a one-man team. Initially expected to be out 6 to 10 weeks, the third-year quarterback's rehabilitation dragged on for 3½ months.

At one point, there appeared to be a rift between player and coach. Reeves said Vick needed to get back on the field; Vick responded that he wouldn't play until he was fully recovered.

Vick played the final two series in a Nov. 30 loss to Houston, then finally made his first start last weekend. He rushed for 141 yards -- the third-highest total by a quarterback in NFL history -- and finally brought a little hope to a dismal season.

But Reeves won't be around for the rest of it. He leaves with a career record of 201-174-2, including the playoffs.

Only Don Shula, George Halas, Tom Landry, Curly Lambeau and Chuck Noll won more NFL games.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: hiredeonsanders
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To: TheBigB
Just out of curiosity, what sorts of personality problems are there among the Falcons players?
21 posted on 12/10/2003 7:19:19 AM PST by r9etb
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To: Mpatl
Coach Reeves is a honarable man and deserved a better handling of this situation.

He is a good man. I wonder how he'd do as a commentator - he's a pleasant-looking guy with a nice, low-key personality, and it certainly would be a lot less stressful than coaching.

I could never understand why Mike Ditka went back to coaching AFTER a heart attack, when he had been a commentator for a few years.

22 posted on 12/10/2003 7:19:29 AM PST by Inspectorette
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To: Inspectorette
Some guys can handle being near the action, some guys need to be in the action. Ditka was never shy about the fact that he didn't really like being a TV guy, near the action isn't good enough for him, in it or away from it completely that's how it's gotta be for Iron Mike.
23 posted on 12/10/2003 7:21:36 AM PST by discostu (that's a waste of a perfectly good white boy)
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To: beaureguard
More recently...the U of Iowa punt return specialist--I've forgotten his name just now.
24 posted on 12/10/2003 7:22:30 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Mpatl
I bet you can't name one talented player that they have traded.

Ever heard of Brett Favre?

25 posted on 12/10/2003 7:22:38 AM PST by TheBigB (Just because you talk slower...doesn't mean your thoughts are any deeper...)
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To: beaureguard
That was a long time ago, and Coach Reeves was not employed by the Falcons then.

You can blame the Smith family for that one.
26 posted on 12/10/2003 7:22:55 AM PST by Mpatl
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Comment #27 Removed by Moderator

To: Alberta's Child
You won't get any argument here. But, didn't he win Coach of the Year during his tenure there?
28 posted on 12/10/2003 7:23:53 AM PST by Mpatl
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To: Dysart; Vigilantcitizen
>>How does "Coach Prime Time" ring with Falcon fans?

That's *not* funny.

29 posted on 12/10/2003 7:24:10 AM PST by FreedomPoster (this space intentionally blank)
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To: cars for sale
>Dan Reeves is a real man....a John Wayne kinda man

Oh yeah? Did Dan Reeves
ever punch a fellow coach
for bad play calling?!

30 posted on 12/10/2003 7:24:11 AM PST by theFIRMbss
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To: TheBigB
SO Mike Vick breaks his leg and the Falcons are 3-10 and its Reeves fault, but Chad Pennington breaks his wrist and the Jets are 5-8, and its not Herman Edwards fault...it's because Chad was out (Chad came back 4 weeks ago).

Does this make sense?

31 posted on 12/10/2003 7:25:06 AM PST by montag813
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To: TheBigB
I think this was a good move. It's time for them to part ways with Reeves.
32 posted on 12/10/2003 7:25:32 AM PST by tru_degenerate (Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.)
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To: TheBigB
There's a press conference scheduled at 10:30...

Live stream will be found at WXIA-TV/DT Atlanta.

33 posted on 12/10/2003 7:25:53 AM PST by mhking
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Comment #34 Removed by Moderator

To: montag813
Yes, the Jets can still be 500, the Falcons can't. If the Jets end below 500 expect Edwards to be on the street too. Also the vastly different style of play the entire team had when Vick came back showed that Reeves was no longer leading the team, they were responding to Vick (just look at the defense), why pay a coach to not coach.
35 posted on 12/10/2003 7:29:01 AM PST by discostu (that's a waste of a perfectly good white boy)
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To: TheBigB
Reeves was a loser, and they should have fired Vick at the same time.

The Patriots are in the process of establishing a dynasty with Belicheck at the helm and Brady at QB. They're the best thing to come down the pike since the 49ers and Montana.
36 posted on 12/10/2003 7:30:31 AM PST by jerod
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To: TheBigB
See post # 26.
37 posted on 12/10/2003 7:30:56 AM PST by Mpatl
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To: TheBigB
Is the Denver Bronco's coach Mike Shannahan next? Rumor has it along the front range of the Rockies that he's on thin ice.
38 posted on 12/10/2003 7:32:25 AM PST by BluH2o
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To: discostu
Just remember Dan, "Never let them see you sweat."
39 posted on 12/10/2003 7:32:41 AM PST by dfwgator (Are you blind with an IQ under 50? Then you too can be an ACC football referee.)
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To: Baynative
Yeah, me too. While I don't mind when the player jumps into the stands and everyone pats him on the back, I roll my eyes on the stupid end zone butt dances. I can live without that.
40 posted on 12/10/2003 7:34:11 AM PST by Enterprise
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