The Falcons seem to be casting a wide net as they search for their next head coach. If they land Mike Vrabel, though, could it just be a redux of what played out the last three years?
Atlanta’s vacancy stemmed from the firing of Arthur Smith, who delivered a trio of 7-10 finishes after taking over the Falcons.
Smith had been lauded for his rise with Tennessee, becoming a respected offensive mind after his work as offensive coordinator and play-caller with the Titans. That never translated in Atlanta though, despite the talent on paper to have a high-flying offense.
Now, the Falcons reportedly are considering Smith’s former boss, Vrabel, for their head coaching vacancy. Beau Morgan said during Tuesday’s show of The Morning Shift on 92.9 The Game that he has his concerns about a Vrabel era not differing much from the Smith era.
“You’re telling me the reason Vrabel is a good hire is culture," Morgan said. And if Vrabel couldn’t get along with not one, but reportedly two GMs in Tennessee, why is he going to come here and get along with Terry Fontenot? If you can’t get along with the front office, it creates a bad environment. Also, what about what Mike Vrabel tells you that his culture is going to be different from Arthur Smith’s? …
“You know what people said when Arthur Smith came here: Is he bringing Derrick Henry with him? Is Mike Vrabel bringing Derrick Henry with him? The point is, you can’t say Arthur Smith was nothing without Derrick Henry, and then say that Mike Vrabel is this and that.
“I’m not knocking Vrabel, the guy is a hell of a coach and an intense dude and he’s a football mind, and he was a good player. I just get caught up when we get over our skis about one guy because there’s something we saw that we liked about him, and then we hammer another guy for the exact same reason.”