Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > May > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlank can ill-afford more slip-ups
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons have an image problem. Now let that sink in. After all, from his GQ attire to his spiffy facilities throughout Flowery Branch to his stated emphasis on keeping fans happy and coming, no NFL owner is more obsessed with the perception of his franchise than Arthur Blank.
So this isn’t good: Starting with December 2006, there was Jim Mora boasting to a Seattle radio station that his “dream job” was coaching the University of Washington football team instead of Blank’s professional one in Atlanta. There was that dogfighting mess with Michael Vick. Then Bobby Petrino bolted in the middle of the night with three games left during his first and only season as Mora’s replacement to call Hogs in Arkansas.
Now you have rising linebacker Michael Boley sacking what was a good-guy image after he was arrested on battery charges against his wife.
“It’s been hard. It’s been a hard [17 months],” said Blank, easing into a laugh to keep from crying. “Everything you do in the NFL is played out in the eyes of the public. It means that owners, executives, coaches and players, all of us, we have to take real responsibility for our behavior. It’s not just a matter of winning on the field. It’s a matter of what we do off the field as well.”
So this is good: Blank knows his franchise can’t keep suffering these mighty blows to the belly without having its legs wobble more at the gate. He knows the Georgia Dome already is becoming a lovely place for empty seats during the NFL season with the Falcons spiraling the past three seasons from 8-8 to 7-9 to 4-12.
Blank knows, all right, but what about those around him? It makes you wonder, especially since these things keep happening. “Well, they know how I feel,” he said, adding that there are significantly more folks who have helped the Falcons’ image than harmed it during his six years owning the team. “When you have certain situations that are disappointing, they’re just disappointing. You go back, and you examine all the research of anybody we’ve drafted and the free agents. Did we miss on character, and if so, why?
“There are things that happen that can change somebody. They get married. They end up with a lot of money and end up with a lot of distractions. So you think you know somebody a certain way, and you do know them. And then things happen in their lives that give them other choices, and sometimes their choices aren’t always the best.”
Take Boley, for instance. One day, he was entering his fourth season with the Falcons as a 25-year-old on the verge of stardom after spending 2007 with three sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. The next, he was interrupting Blank’s evening at a black-tie affair with news that he had been arrested and released on a $1,200 bond for physically abusing his wife of less than a year.
A stunned Blank stepped into the hallway to speak to Boley for 30 minutes over the phone. Through it all, the owner had the same feelings he had during those other moments of woe with his Falcons over the last 17 months. “Well, you know, the first thing I am is disappointed, disappointed in the individual,” Blank said. “Then I have a variety of emotions. Some are anger. Some are trying to figure out how I can help. Is there any way I can help with our coaches or GM or Rich [McKay], our president, or is there anything I can do to be productive and not get into anybody’s way? I’m pleased to say that this kind of thing doesn’t happen very often.”
No, it doesn’t, but when it happens for the Falcons these days, it happens big. And this is an owner who doesn’t even like things to happen small when it comes to negative images of his franchise.
That’s why this makes no sense. Then again, neither did the actions of Mora, Vick, Petrino and Boley.
Permalink | Comments (66) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Comments
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By Jim
May 13, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Terrance why don’t you try to come up with something new-Same old **
By sunshine and thunder
May 13, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Falcons and hawks are making a big comeback around Atlanta. Unfortunately they are birds of prey and not sports franchises.
What an insult to two very noble raptors.
By Al
May 13, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Complete Fluff! Why don’t you get off your butt and find something to write about.
By Craig
May 13, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
For once you nailed one Terrance. Bravo!
By Jim Mora
May 13, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Blank is the richest idiot I know.
Notice how there has been nothing on the Vick case of late. Blank is desparately trying to figure out how to get Vick back. Watch.
By Boiler
May 13, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
How can you compare Vick and Boley’s unlawfull actions to Mora and Petrino. Mora was undermined by Vick in the press and Patrino was left coaching a talentless team with the arrest of Vick. So they left…but they didn’t commit crimes.
By MycousinWalter
May 13, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
At this point, the Falcons have no where to go but up. I fully expect this to be a 2-3 year rebuilding plan if not longer. But really, What more can they do catastrophically wrong compared to what they already have done.
By Danimal
May 13, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, The new coaching staff and new players will bring this team back to being competitive in the NFL and giving back to the community that supports them. The building blocks of a winner have been put in place. Now they must build from them. The fans should realize that this will take several years, and that Rome was not built in a day and neither are Championship teams.
By Tron
May 13, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan certainly seems to fit well into the Falcons’ current image overhaul. Hopefully, he can be a true leader and the other guys will follow his example. It’s worked pretty well for Peyton and Brady controlling the troops, except for the occasional shoot-someone-in-the-hand-then-hide-the-gun-in-a-bucket-at-your-car-wash scandal.
By Singindablues
May 13, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Typical media. Boley’s incident has been blown way out of proportion. No one seems to really no all that went on. Not excusing the alleged behavior but it’s hard for fans to be objective when the media fans the flames. I say let’s see where the facts lead before we make further judgments.
By Wesley
May 13, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
I was wondering where this was. I knew TM couldn’t let all this positive press about the Falcons the last 3-4 days go unchecked. Way to go Terrance, your terrible.
By bJohnDawg
May 13, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
I think Blank will be just fine. To much drama Moore. I remember when Rankin Smith owned the team and players were fighting in the huddle in the four quarter. That was a low point for the Falcons.The gate may suffer short term. But give ATL a winner and all is forgotten. Need an example…look at the Hawks.Team stinks, they give Boston run for their money, the fans sell out the arena…and the media jumps on the bandwagon.
It will be the same with Football and the Falcons.They lose and you moan about Vick( how could Blank of all people know what stupidity lurked in the brain of MV) and Boley( how could Blank know Boley would hit his wife…should he move in and police his players home life) and Babs and anything else that can be pulled from under a road.They win and they are the greatest and all those number 2 jerseys will be jumping off the shelf and the media will be saying Blank is one of the best owners in the league.
Lets talk about character. Did we know OJ( he was once considered of great character)would be a low life? Did we know that Joe Hamilton considered of good character would do something stupid like DUI and leaving an accident?
Has he(Blank) made mistakes,,,sure.But he is not responsible for his players.This is not high school or college recruiting. This is professional sports.Where guys are PAID money to play.And produce.
The AJC pays you and expects you to produce. If you hit your wife is the AJC to blame?
Do players make mistakes.Every player is not Warrick Dunn. Yes they are human.and humans f up.But everyone makes mistakes, especially sports writers.Dont they TM?
By Matt B.
May 13, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Thank you Captain Obvious!
By Vick Supporter
May 13, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
The Falcons have a curse on them it seems. What happened to #7, he did it to himself, and of course, I’m still behind him, despite how most of the white folks feel in this racially divided city. I love to see people bunce back from adversity, black or white. I really do believe that Vick is a special player, and he will show his potential with the right team. The Falcons will continue to struggle because they don’t know how to build a team correctly. We all seen the flaws that the team had without Vick, yet Vick never went public about his teammates. Matt Ryan? I’m not even gonna get into that besides saying that he can’t hold a candle to Vick. The team doesn’t seem to respect the upper management. Jim Mora and Petrino was a joke. Good luck to the Falcons, they’re gonna need it. II know me or none of my family will never step foot in that Dome, at least until Vick comes back with another team. It will be the only sell out that they have for a long time. We love you Vick!!! Keep your head up!
By BC Grad
May 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Rumor has it that Matt Ryan will be a big improvement in the image department. Here’s hoping that he’s a big improvement in the QB department as well, once he’s earned the job and there is a decent offensive line in place.
By buck
May 13, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Take Vick out of the equation and there isn’t much substantial to talk about here. Yet, he is only mentioned twice (briefly) in the article.
By OpinionsAreLike
May 13, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
So you put Boley on the trading block and see if you can get a quality O or D lineman for him. Let it be know that one screw up and you are out of here. Of all the things that the Falcons screw up, not holding people accountable for their actions is the worse. Nip it in the Bud Andy!
By ssi mc
May 13, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
CHANGING THE SUBJECT TARRENCE—HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW ABOUT THE BRAVES TRADE OF A. JONES TO THE DODGERS—SHOULD YOU APOLOGIZE TO BRAVES—-WHICH YOU STRONGLY CRITICISED—HOW MUCH IS A. JONES REALLY WORTH TERRANCE?
By Don
May 13, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
The fact that Arthur Blank interrupted his evening out to speak to a player by phone speaks volumns about the extent of his envolvement in the day to day operations of the team. Surely one or more of the many levels of management that now exist between player and owner could have handled this situation and notified Blank in the normal course of reporting to him. Considering the Falcons recent history, policies and procedures should have been in place for events of this nature without his personal involvement. This event is a glimpse of the behind the scenes control the owner requires. As long as players have direct access to the top guy, it renders coaches and management ineffective. It seems Mr. Blank has hired qualified people to run the organization but still refuses to let them do their job. We may never see what this team could achieve because of the this owner’s refusal to leave it to the people he hired.
By DawgNCalifornia
May 13, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
I’m not ready to pass judgment on Boley. Things happen. Tempers flare. People make mistakes and we don’t know all the circumstances. ++++ Let’s wait and see what his wife decides to do. ++++ Besides. If we can forgive Bobby Cox, we can forgive Boley.
By A Real Fan
May 13, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
First,I have to say that Boley was wrong for man handling his wife. But what woman in here right mind starts accusing a man who has been drinking of cheating on her, then refuses to talk to his mother and hides his car keys? You do notice that she didn’t call the police until Boley locked her out of the house he is paying for! Young pro players should not get married until it’s time to retire! Less drama that way.
By Seer
May 13, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Understanding why Ryan was the first pick is becoming crystal clear! Team not only rebuilting from a talent level but a image level as well. As a eleven year season ticket holder I’m very satisfied with Mr. Blank’s direction.
By Terrance
May 13, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
what ever what ever what ever!!!
By A sign of things to come
May 13, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Terance, you really need a hobby.
By Falcon_21
May 13, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Why is it that everyone is worried about Arthur Blank? They say that Karma is a b*h and it is true. Think about this. Bobby Petrino did the same thing Blank did to Dan Reeves but no one is saying anything about that or asking him about that. He fired Reeves when Vick was hurt most of the season for no reason and replaced him with Jim Mora. Mora’s defense in San Franciso never ranked above 12th in the NFL the whole time he was there. Mora as coach only had one good season and he was gone after 3 seasons. Next he hires Petrino who is a college coach and anti-social. He bolts after 13 games and after receiving a $5 million/year contract. Now with Michael Vick, Blank was in trouble once he started rolling Vick around in a wheelchair. Blank’s problem is he wants to be seen when a owner should not be seen or heard (only when they are doing community events). He needs to stop trying to be a Jerry Jones. That is the last thing Atlanta needs. As you can see, I do not feel bad for Blank, I feel bad for the Falcon fans who have supported the team and have to deal with the losing. Also we should have drafted Glenn Dorsey instead of Matt Ryan with our first pick. Dorsey would have helped the team out big time. First we have average cornerback, but if we have a good defensive line that is fine because of the pressure that the QB would have felt. We need a defensive that can keep us in the games this year. Ryan will not be able to contribute this year. We do not have an offensive line so he will end up on his back like the QB’s from last year. Michael Turner will be in the same boat because of the line. He will end up looking like Edge James in Arizona. But our owner need a new “face of the fanchise” and wanted a QB for the role. Let see the “face of the fanchise” in Baltimore is not a QB, Miami not a QB,… The point is no one cares who the “face of the franchise” is as long as the team is winning games. I could go on and on about the Falcons and what is wrong with the team.
By Matt
May 13, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks Moore, for another enlightening and uplifting article about Atlanta sports. I actually forgot about Vick/Petrino/Mora, but luckily there are sports writers like yourself to tell people what they already know, and kick the home team while they are down.
By THE TRUTH HURTS
May 13, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Mr. MOORE you are right. This franchise is the laughing stock of the NFL. If we were winning then that would make it a little btter than it is. It makes you second guest your owners and staffs members. I am proud to say I have lost all of my support for this franchise. It continues to let the hold fan base down. SOme may say I’m not a true fan. I think I’m not a idiot. This franchise will use any gimmick to take your hard earn money. Yes i said take. Because what we have seen on the field and off, is embarrassing and not worth a dime of my money. Matt Ryan, I hope or should i say pray that you recieved all the guaranteed money that could. NO line means broken QB’s text to be linked
By Jim (not Mora)
May 13, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Jeez! Little by little, we’re getting rid of the thugs. But wait a minute. Now, we’ve got a thug that wasn’t supposed to be a thug, What’s next?
By T to the D
May 13, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, Who is this pointed at?
Blank, Vick, Boley?
When an employee steps out of line, when does that become the sin of the banevelent owner?
By Vikash Gautam
May 13, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Why does EVERY Falcons story in the AJC the last year have to mention Vick, Mora, and Petrino?? yes, we get it….do you have to shove this story down our throats every time?? we know what happened ok?? Can you guys please try to put at least SOME positivitey in ANY Falcons story that you do?? Even the ones touting Matt Ryan HAVE to bring up Vick, MeAngelo Hall, etc….I am so SICK of hearing about this stuff that has been repeated OVER AND OVER AND OVER…please, if you cant find anything to talk about other than the same topis, dont waste your readers time.
By Caring
May 13, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank cares about this franchise, the players, and most of all, this city. Is he very involved in the intricate operations of this club? Yes, and he should be. He has invested his hard and well earned fortune to deliver a winning NFL team to this city. He came very close a couple of years ago and now, in a couple of more years, he will do the same. This time, though, it will be with class and integrity. Thank you, Mr. Blank, for hanging in there, in an extremely challenging business. Winning in the NFL is much harder than selling hardware and building materials.
By Gunner
May 13, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
aT LEAST THEY HAVEN’T BEEN CAUGHT “SPYING” LIKE NEW ENGLAND
By Bo
May 13, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Better days are on the way, Have Faith!
By Najeh Davenpoop
May 14, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Blank can’t help it if Vick, Boley, Babineaux, or any other player chooses to act like an idiot. That’s not his fault. What is Blank’s fault is repeatedly hiring incompetent idiots to run his team. You can say what you want about Vick, but if the Falcons had a better coaching staff and a better front office who would have built a tougher, more physical team around him, they would have won a lot more games while he was here. It’s pretty early in the post-Vick era, but so far (based mostly on the horrendous draft that just took place) things don’t seem to have improved in the front office. It’s this type of chronic mismanagement, which has taken place the entire time I’ve been a Falcons fan, that has driven me to no longer be a fan of this team. Even if your players suck there’s always hope if the people running the show know what they are doing. When the top levels of any organization make stupid decisions, the stupidity will trickle down through the organization. And that’s what continues to be the problem for the Falcons.
By Najeh Davenpoop
May 14, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
In fairness to Boley, though… it can be pretty stressful raising a kid with autism. I’ve seen this personally. He’s still wrong for pushing his wife or whatever, but that’s a pretty demanding job he and his wife have.
By Dr. Warren
May 14, 2008 2:53 AM | Link to this
These Falcons, like many teams before them, will find a way to lose, then find a way to win, until eventually, like all the previous others, they will be good again, only long enough, of course, to make it just that much harder when they once again start to lose. It is a pattern that has continued for years and will continue to torture our fans here for years to come. The problem is, no one steps back and sees it for what it is. The drama, cyclical and predictable, finds new victims each time around!
By David C
May 14, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this
Just how could Blank have prevented the Boley incident? Ignorant , worthless column
By RA
May 14, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
David C Good point. Now here’s the thing. Say what you want about owners, coaches, players, etc… In the final analysis, these are all grown men. Now, granted, Blank has the money to put everyone on his payroll under 24 hour a day servailence. That having been said, who wants people that you’re going to have to watch all the time in their employ? Blank did what he thought was best, hired who he thought was best, drafted who he thought was best. Now, how many of us have hired someone that looking back we wish we hadn’t, dated someone that looking back we wish we hadn’t, trusted someone that looking back we wish we hadn’t. I have.
By Cybed
May 14, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
More Anti-Falcon bias from the AJC. Your newspaper is succeeding in its mission to make the fans in ATL and online not care about this team.
Now, PLEASE STOP!
By Ken Strickland
May 14, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
It appears Blank has no problem marketing, except what needs to be marketed. He got himself into this mess by marketing players and HC’s instead of marketing a winning program. Drafting QB MRyan is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Drafting DT GDorsey would have had a tremendous impact on our entire DEF, especially our Pass DEF. The problem with drafting Ryan is having to rush him onto the field, possibly prematurely, just to get any value out of drafting him.
For the short term, Redmon can provide whatever Ryan might be able to accomplish. We could have drafted Flacco for the long term. This idea of having to have a QB as the face of your franchise is rediculous. The Chargers(LTomlinson), the Bears(BUrlacher), the Ravens(RLewis)and the SB Steelers(the Bus)have done quite well marketing their none QB stars. RememberRB’s OJ Simpson, WPayton, GSayers, EDickerson and JBrown, LB’s LTaylor and DButkus, RBrazil, etc?
By kreese31
May 14, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Terrence Moore, I must say that you are the biggest jerk out of you schultz and bradley. why in the world would you attack Mr. Blank. yeah he is making mistakes but he is a fairly new owner to the game. this is his first real transition(there was already a transition hapening when he bought the team)he has provided a winning atmosphere for ATL and as a reward, you thrash him. well let me tel you tht you need to focus you writing more, concentrate on isolating a topic a report favorably about Mr. Blank, not Matt Ryan. Plus, I don’t like you cause you didn’t do MV7 any justice while you were here. go report on some other team where you know what the hell you talk about and someone might care what you think
By david
May 14, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
You are probably the worst sports columnist in history.
I cannot figure out how you still have a job.
By Cybed
May 14, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Just another example of the AJC trying to turn the fans in Atlanta area and online against this team by reporting nothing but negativity. Way to go AJC!
Now, PLEASE STOP!
By brent
May 14, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
While waiting to meet Willie Nelson on his tour bus at the Tabernacle in 2006, Mr. Blank stepped off the bus. I told him to his face that Vick was a thug and he should cut his ties with the man. Mr. Blank sneered at me and told me to mind my own business. Mr. Blank’s problem is that he is blind to the obvious, and will not listen to people who are not fellow millionaires. Good luck, Art…and congrats on your $540 million investment.
By Terence Moore
May 14, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
To the Truth Hurts,
Your comments, along with those of others, is closer to the point here. When you have a team losing on the feld and off the field, that is a brutal combination.
As I wrote, to Arthur Blank’s credit, he understands that the Falcons have to change both situations sooner than later.
The problem is actually doing it.
By TT44
May 14, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Trade Ryan now, rebuild, draft M. Stafford next Spring. Shore up the O line now, bring in the next J. Elway! And with all the draft picks for Ryan, we can get Moreno too!
Mr. Blank, I am aggravted that some of these players let you down and us Fans.
All the thugs that were associated with M. Vick, need to be cleansed from this team.
We Fans desrve a Super Bowl! (VICTORY)
By Keeping It Real
May 14, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
It is a good thing that we bloggers do not represent the thoughts and opinions of all. Why do you keep bashing the AJC writers when they keep giving us opportunities to express our stupidity? The Falcons are a busineess with a clientele that only wants a winning team. I don’t care about thugs, character, franchise faces, blacks , whites, hispanics, etc. Just win some games and stop worrying about us bloggers who like to see our thoughts in prose. Yes, I am including myself also. We all need to get a life.
By Moore Hater
May 14, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Moore,
Why don’t you move out of the ATL and take a job in Oakland. Then you might find something to write about. All the people you put down over and over again, you have written great things about. They should make you go back to school to learn ethics or a simple 101 journalism class
By ChicagoPOW
May 14, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Was there a story in there somewhere?
By ET
May 14, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
About this Boley mess. I see idiots here wanting to get rid of him before they even know the real story about what happened. From the reports I’ve seen so far his wife was out of control because she thought he was cheating on her. Boley pushed her. There was no slapping or punching. He pushed her out the door. He pushed an out of control wife. That was the abuse.
He should not have lost his cool like that but most of us would have been in trouble in this situation as well. From what I’ve read on this board many of you would be in jail for punching her. I hope I could walk away if my wife was in my face screaming at me that I was cheating on her, but I think I might just as easily push her out the door just like Boley did. I won’t know until it happens.
I realize he is a pro athlete and probably twice her size and could have hurt her really bad, but shouldn’t she take that into account before starting something that escalates out of control. I want to know what she did and said here before I execute Boley.
By BOBO
May 14, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
BLANK KEEP VICK
WATER BOY AT LEAST.
HE CAN THROW WATER BOTTLES TO THE PLAYERS ON THE FIELD.
YOU WANNA SELL TCKETS DONT YOU? SCREW IMADGE MANY OTHER TOP TEAMS HAVE CRIMINALS PLAYING.GIVE MV7 ANOTHER CHANCE AT SOMETHING MR BLANK
By Badnewz
May 14, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Lets just have some faith everybody.I think we should look much better this season because of our offseason moves.Our offensive line should be much better with the addition of Sam Baker,Justin Blalock is in his second year, Todd Weiner and Kynan Forney are healthy. We are better at the QB position, we have solid Recievers(watch Roddy White and Laurent Robinson this season)and we are much better at the Running Back position. Coach Mike Smith has done a good job so far. These are signs for success.
By Jae
May 14, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
That’s why what makes no sense? Completely lost me at the end there Terrance.
By Big Daddy in D'ville
May 14, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Forgive & forget and all goes away.
By bill
May 14, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I like how you failed to mention Vick as an emberassment. At the end of your artcile, you just kind of snuck boley in there, but terrence I think you shouldn’t be so ashamed of being black. But the Vick travesty has more gun powder than Mora, Petrino, and Boley combined. I’m sorry that truth doesn’t fit your agenda… get some talent.
By michaelgee
May 14, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Why does every article yuou write start with a rehash of the past? Are you that vindictive that you judge everyone and hold everything up to try to get negative attention? Mr Stupid, in case you didn’t hear,
Mora is gone. Your hero Mr. Vick is gone. Petrino is gone.
The past is just that, PAST!
You are a black man, it seems that you would learn something about having the past held up against you. Apparently, you are just a vindictive idiot who hates white management in sports franchises, Terrance, how can you be the Judge, Jury and Executioner for Arthur Blank? Is it that you have such a case of penito envy that you simply have a need and desire to attack and slam Arthur Blank with every article you write? Since it is so apparent that the ajc uses you to excite rascism in Atlanta you are just a simple minded stooge. You said nothing about the current regime, you only repeat the past and slobber over your lust for hating Arthur Blank.
You simply refuse to prosper and make any kind of improvement, you have no desire to make your newspaper appear to be ABOVE such gutter garbage.
You are garbage.
By michaelgee
May 14, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
One more thing Terrance,
Do you actually realize that young black and white kids might read your jealousy and hate filled ANTI-Arhtur Blank agenda ridden articles and grow up to HATE just like you do?
What good is going to come form showing Atlanta’s young kids how to hate successful people like mr Blank?
Is your rage against WHITE people so deep that you don’t care about Atlanta’s Youth at all?
Mr Moore, you are a beacon for our youth to be resentful and hate mongering people, you are exactly what is wrong with society.
What an inspiration you are TM.
I pray that young kids never see your continued attack on the white establishment.
You were not so unfortunate to have been born 100 years ago. We were not here then and neither were you.
But, you refuse to let your hate and resentment go. If you didn’t experience slavery first hand, what’s the deal? We didn’t experience it either..
I can’t help but ask, “What did white people ever do to you to make you so resentful?”
By Shady
May 14, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Terrence, don’t go away mad, just go away!
By gabluesdude
May 14, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
michael boley, sounds like a he said, she said incident to me. Until he is convicted, no one will know the truth. doesnt take much to get a guy sent to jail these days. All allegations at this point.
By saint
May 14, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Blaming Blank for off-the-field problems is like blaming the police commissioner because there is still crime out there.
By michaelgee
May 14, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
**By Terence Moore
May 14, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
To the Truth Hurts,
Your comments, along with those of others, is closer to the point here. When you have a team losing on the feld and off the field, that is a brutal combination.
As I wrote, to Arthur Blank�s credit, he understands that the Falcons have to change both situations sooner than later.
The problem is actually doing it.**
I quoted what you wrote, you should want to be a better MAN than what you write every day, “The problem is actually doing it.”
You must be one unhappy man.
By Mcey
May 14, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
why isn’t Boley’s wife’s role in this mess under scrutiny. I doubt she was an angel that day. I do think she got up in his face and tried to antagonize a big man for some reason. we shouldn’t hit a lady, but a female that wants to act like a man and get in a man’s face is not a lady. when will we be hearing from her with an apology? that’s right, never, talk about gender discrimination and a lack of equality.
By The Realist
May 14, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
michaelgee, I don’t see any mention of race is T. Moore’s article. What, is a black writer not allowed to voice displeasure with any white athlete or sports executive?
For the record, I’m also concerned about the youth but I’ve got a strange feeling that your average young person doesn’t even know who T. Moore is. I’d be willing to bet that if you let them read his articles without the interjection & bias of an adult, they’d say, “Hmmmm. I guess he’s not feeling this Arthur Blank guy.” See, they’re not the ones on this board throwing around the “you’re a racist for your opinion” card.
It’s people like you that turn his critique of Blank into a race issue. If you’ll notice, Moore also has plenty to say about the black athletes & executives whose actions he doesn’t approve of. So what, does that make him a racist against his own people too? I’m assuming you’re just as outraged about those articles…
By hop
May 14, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
first of all i am not a falcon fan yet, but what has happen to them is not unique at all,but can be found throughout the nfl.
that is why we have a new nfl commissioner who has laid down such strong rules and regulations to improve the overall view of the nfl. there far more teams in the league who have experience players, coaches who break rules,laws and etc.
this is not only falcon problem but an nfl league wide problem.
By Moorei s an idiot
May 14, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
T. Moore , You are a Moore -on
By GT
May 14, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
I do notice the Braves seem to have a better public image than most teams. I wonder if Blanks bought them if that image would be tarnished. You sit down and talk to Terry McGuirk and you began to see quickly why that team is superior in character to the Falcons. Old Terry doesn�t have the ego or pr machine or lackeys, like CM pouring over his product but then he and John and Bobby really don�t need much if any of that.