Black Monday: Falcons Fire Coach Mike Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have announced they've parted ways with now former head coach Mike Smith.

On Black Monday, the day after the NFL regular season came to an end, Smith became the 3rd casualty.

He coached the Falcons for 7 years beginning in 2008. And during that time, the team had quite a bit of success, recording back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their history. Smith got them into the playoffs 5 times and helped guide them within a touchdown of a Super Bowl berth.

But the past two seasons haven't been as kind as the Falcons fell victim to bad luck, injuries and problems finding quality linemen. Smith also made some questionable coaching decisions which this past season cost his team two games.

We should add that GM Thomas Dimitroff is not without blame here as the Falcons have severely lacked top flight talent on the line and have not drafted well the past several seasons.

But Dmitroff is likely to stay--though his status is a bit iffy too.

We feel bad about this, having covered the Falcons for 10-years. We were there when Smitty was hired and he was a total class act.

But the team has not produced and ultimately, owner Arthur Blank, with a billion dollar stadium on the way had to make a change. And he made it with the hope a new regime can bring in a winning team to launch the new building.

Only time will tell.

Morning Wrap: Coyotes Center Scores Game Winner For Avalanche

((ht: nhl.com))

Talk about a crappy way to lose a hockey game. This one may take the cake.

The Colorado Avalanche got a 4-3 overtime win Tuesday night vs. The Arizona Coyotes. The reason they got the win--

Coyotes center Martin Hanzal deflected a pass by Colorado's Daniel Briere into the net, past Coyotes Goalie Mike Smith.

Game over.

Briere gets credit for the goal even though he wasn't trying to score and Hanzal holds his head in shame.

Your highlights from NHL.com:

Sunday Morning NFL: Falcons Snatch Defeat From Jaws of Victory

So...NFL fans got a rare treat on October 26th, a 9:30 a.m wakeup football game featuring the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions playing in London.

And...well, suffice to say at least the Lions fans were happy about it.

Detroit got a last second, 2nd attempt at a game-winning field goal by Matt Prater to squeak out a 22-21 win over Atlanta.

Somehow after a penalty, the Lions lined up for a 42-yard attempt by Prater for the win. As he went to kick it, a delay of game penalty was called. Prater missed that kick.

But another chance, with :02, from 47 yards...that was all the former Broncos All-Pro needed.

Now, mind you, the Falcons looked nearly unbeatable in the 1st half, storming out to a 21-0 lead.

But that would be all the scoring they could muster against the top ranked Lions Defense.

Matthew Stafford threw for 325 yards and 2 TD's, and Golden Tate made up for the absence of Calvin Johnson by catching 7 balls for 151 yards and a score.

But outside 60 yards running and a TD by Steven Jackson, the Falcons struggled yet again, losing their 5th straight game.

We feel for the Falcons and coach Mike Smith. Having covered them for years. We grew to respect what both he and G.M Thomas Dimitroff did, turning possibly one of the worst teams in NFL history back in 2007 into a perennial winner.

But that was a bit of smoke and mirrors. The Falcons were beneficiaries of easy schedules and quite a few lucky breaks that bounced their way. Which masked their weaknesses on both sides of the line.

Smitty and Dimitroff are two of the good guys in Football, well liked and well respected. But it's probably time to make a change as the team is not going to be any better than they are in the near future. The foundation isn't bad, but it's time.

As for Falcons fans--write this year off, you aren't going to get better than this.

The Lions, well, after come from behind wins the past couple weeks with their best player out. The future is bright. Jim Caldwell has brought new energy to the team and may very well be the coach who finally gets a team loaded with #1 draft picks to reach their potential and get in the playoffs.

Highlights to come later today--when the NFL allows them to be online...

The anaylsts at CBSSports.com discuss:

Puck Into Pants= Game-Winning Own Goal

((HT: NHL))

Okay...

Goal or not a goal...


Apparently, in the eyes of the league...
It's a goal... and it gave Buffalo a win over Phoenix...

At 3:47 of overtime in the Coyotes/Sabres game, video review supported the referee's call on the ice that Mark Pysyk's shot deflected into the air and landed in goaltender Mike Smith's equipment and, while attempting to make the save, Smith's momentum propelled him and the puck completely across the goal line. Good goal Buffalo.

And the goalie for the Coyotes, Mike Smith, wasn't happy...

Joe Yerdon from Pro Hockey Talk via his own Twitter:

"It's an honest game and if you don't play how you're supposed to play... you get it jammed right up your butt."

And from John Vogl of the Buffalo News via his Twitter:

"I guess if they don’t see the puck they’re supposed to blow the whistle, but that’s not what happened."

But Rule 85.3 says: "Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally fall on the puck and the puck be out of sight of the Referee… he shall immediately blow his whistle and stop the play."

And it didn't happen in this case...

The HQ doesn't think this is the last we'll hear of this, either...

Mike Smith Adds Name To Goalie Goal-Scoring List

((HT: FS Arizona/NHL))

Pop quiz, rookie...

There's a second left in the game... what do you do...???

SHOOT!!!!!


Only 11 goaltenders are on the list now, but it has happened three times in the last three years now...