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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > April > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USConfident Blank leaves draft choice to new GM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s been an epidemic for days, maybe weeks. Whether the setting is a supermarket, a red light or a church parking lot, inquiring minds keep asking, “So who are the Falcons going to draft?” To the chagrin of the questioner, my reply always is the boring but honest, “I don’t know.”
That’s because I don’t know, which brings us to some wonderful news for those dreaming of a Dirty Bird replica someday in terms of success. When I asked Falcons owner Arthur Blank that question of the moment earlier this week at his Buckhead office, he chuckled before responding in a hurry, “I really don’t know.”
Such an admission is huge, because it means the omnipresent Blank when it comes to his preferred role of running an NFL franchise is taking the right approach regarding this weekend’s NFL draft. He is suggesting that he’ll stay out of the way and that he’ll let his football people do what they were hired to do.
“They’ve done really good work,” said Blank, referring to general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith, both only months on the job of trying to restructure a heavily flawed roster for a franchise that has digressed steadily on the field for three consecutive seasons. Added Blank, “I think Mike and Thomas really have a great relationship. Often times I’ll call them pretty late at night, and they’re always together, always watching tape. So I’m real happy with that relationship.”
Said Blank later, after describing the strengths and weaknesses of others he has hired since buying the Falcons six seasons ago, “I’ve got complete confidence in this duo. I really do.”
Sounds like Blank is edging closer toward that historically successful NFL model, where owners own, general managers general manage, coaches coach and players play. Then again, let’s make sure. Barring a possible trade, the Falcons will spend Saturday on the clock with the No. 3 pick overall. What if Dimitroff wants defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, but Smith wants defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and Blank wants quarterback Matt Ryan?
Whose voice would count the most, and would others in the Falcons’ war room hear Blank’s voice at all?
“Thomas will make the decision,” said Blank, flatly, before scaring us a little by placing some roundness to his answer with the following: “But Thomas is a very collaborative guy. The decision will have already been made [by Saturday] … They’ll tell me that these are the five or six players … If Miami [who signed offensive tackle Jake Long earlier this week at No. 1 overall] and the Rams [at No. 2 overall] take this player and this player, this is who we’ll take at No. 3. They’ll run every scenario for me, so I’ll be aware on Saturday, and obviously, they’ll be aware of what the final pick will be.”
Yeah, but how much will Blank influence that No. 3 pick either now or later? He has spoken with Dimitroff and Smith “on a regular basis” regarding the draft, and the owner was scheduled to spend “three hours” on Thursday in Flowery Branch reviewing the draft board with the general manager and the coach. Plus, at the request of Dimitroff and Smith, Blank joined them on a trip to scout quarterbacks.
Sounds like the owner is doing more than just owning. “I would say this. Who I want [in the draft] is not a factor in this. I mean, it really isn’t a factor,” said Blank, leaning forward in his chair. “What I want is Mike Smith and Thomas (Dimitroff). It’s the coach and the general manager. It’s their decision now to make the football decisions. I’ve made the decision to hire what I think are the two outstanding people to run the football side of business for us.”
Sounds like the owner actually will just own in this case. Hopefully, for the Falcons, it will happen in all cases.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By adfsasdf
April 24, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
1st
By Herschel Talker
April 24, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Terence - you stink!
By Shamus Thacker
April 24, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope so.
By Fred
April 24, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
To be honest, I’m getting a little bored with the talk of who the Falcons will get with the #3 pick.
The team will be shaped much more dramatically with what they get with the rest of their 10 picks that are basically being ignored.
Thusly, you can’t dissect the draft by separating the 1st pick from the other 10, especially the other ones that are in the 2nd/3rd round.
It’s called a game plan folks - something the Falcons have never had entering a draft apparently, but I have faith that Mr. Dimitroff will bring his draft success (in the position he was in up in NE obviously) here and concentrate on having a great DRAFT - not worring about making a great single DRAFT PICK!
By The Great Escape
April 24, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Whatever….
By Tim
April 24, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
I think you’re trying to write something positive about Mr. Blank. You still come across as negative. This perplexes me. How long did you play in the NFL Mr. Moore? Oh!!! You didn’t! Guess I’ll look for my NFL news from a more positive, knowledgeable source… like the Grim Reaper perhaps. I have no idea why Mr. Blank would even let you in his office. Did it need spring cleaning? Maybe a new coat of paint? Did you come to his door in a Home Depot tee shirt? Lighten up Terrance.
By Hamad Meander
April 24, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Please Falcons and Mr. Dimitroff, if Glenn Dorsey isn’t available @ 3, TRADE DOWN. Matt Ryan does the Falcons no good - if you think so, tell me why he is any different than the QBs on our roster now? Anyway, no QB, Peyton Manning included, is effective when they are running for their life or lying on their back.
There needs to be a lot more beef on this team. There are at least 3 positions on the offensive line where the Falcons have substandard talent. The time to address this is NOW.
I swear if the Falcons only pick one offensive lineman, like last year, I will not continue to support them at games or with merchandise. It will just defy football logic to bring in more skinny skill players to run around for no gain or get sacked.
By David Lee
April 24, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
No kidding, the GM will make the call. Better him than these blowhard hacks on talk radio (e.g. Steak FATHEAD Shapiro, Buck & self righteous Kinkaide, and know nothing yank Lorantino (sp?)) doing it. They have been talking about who the Falcons will take at #3 for 3 weeks now. Who are the Falcons going to take at 3; who the Falcons are going to take at 3; who the Falcons are going to take at 3…blah, blah, blah. Give it a rest and get some new material.
By Falconi
April 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
I have confidence in the new GM & coach, unlike the previous administrations. I’m hoping for Dorsey. If he’s not available, maybe a trade to Chiefs or Ravens as they need a QB (Ryan). Chiefs have two 1st Round picks to offer.
By morris
April 24, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
I will reserve my judgement until I see proof that Dimitroff is truly calling the shots. In fact with both Smith and Dimitroff’s resolute stance that they believe in building a team from the inside out, a selection of matt ryan saturday will reek of arthur blank and his mettling ways. The worst case scenerio for the birds, in my opinion, will be the rams selecting dorsey and the falcons not able to trade down. Then what? Especially if Dimitroff doesn’t want matt ryan. I think the falcons will just have to reach a little and draft either the next best offensive tackle or select sedrick ellis at #3. Any thoughts if this unfortunate scenerio plays out?
By some sense
April 24, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
At this point, it’s about as close as you can get to a no-brainer. Dorsey at #3 or trade down for about as close as you’ll ever get to quantity AND quality.
By DHD
April 24, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
BEEF, I say!!! Beef up both lines. The rest will take care of itself.