Emotion May Favor Falcons Against Bucs

Naturally, it would be hard to come out here and state that a game approaches where there is almost a lock when it comes to a betting win, but if there was ever anything that comes close to resembling such a thing, the Atlanta/Tampa Bay game in Florida this Sunday is it.

Opening at 10 for the Falcons with a total of 39, the line tumbled like the Falcons season when head coach Bobby Petrino walked out on the team this week, leaving a short letter instead of meeting with the organization and the players.

We all have our thoughts (many common) on what we think about Petrino’s departure, but what isn’t being talked about is how his departure will unquestionably motivate this team.

The line has fallen to 13.5, but Petrino alienated and angered many of his players by coming up with foolish rules that made many feel like they were being treated like children, not the grown professional men they are.

Warrick Dunn, one of the elder statesmen of the offensive Falcons, was unwavering in his displeasure with Petrino.  "We're not college kids," said the 32-year-old, 11-year veteran. "I'm a professional, grown man. Look at me eye to eye. Talk to me."

Dunn said Petrino implemented rules such as a television ban in the locker room at the team's training complex and no loud talking at team dinners when the Falcons played on the road. "It got to the point where I never went down to team dinners to eat because I was not going to sit there in silence," Dunn continued. "It's a joke. You tell kindergartners things like that."

Less than 24 hours after leaving Atlanta, Petrino was seen cheerful in a press conference announcing his hiring as head coach at the University of Arkansas, and his statement referring to “commitment” with respect to the hiring quickly angered many Falcons players.

Star defensive player DeAngelo Hall told ESPN SportsCenter that “… you are going to be angry because this guy came here… lied to Arthur Blank (owner) … Rich McKay (GM)… he told us he was signing up to be a part of this thing for the long haul… we gave him everything we had…”

The Falcons named secondary position coach Emmitt Thomas as interim head coach for the remainder of their season, as they will not be making the playoffs at 3-10. It is an interesting choice considering the two coordinator positions are usually looked at to get bumped up in such situations. But Thomas is well-respected in inner NFL circles, having been the defensive coordinator for good defenses in Philly, Green Bay and Minnesota.

Bettors must beware of the fact that in-season replacement coaches have not done well once hired. Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, such coaches have compiled a record of 119-261-1, or at a .314 winning percentage.

Do not look for that record to be reflective on Sunday. This Atlanta Falcons team will be motivated to show the entire NFL that Petrino, if not anyone else, was the reason for their misfortune and that they can perform at a high level with him gone. They have lost four straight and the Petrino leaving will make them more tired of that fact. Tampa is a good team at 8-5, but they are not among the elite and the Falcons should definitely be able to stay within such a high spread.

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