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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > December > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlank enjoying a great ‘08
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Courtesy of that pit bull thing leading No. 7 to prison and overmatched coach Bobby Petrino bolting in the middle of the night to call Hogs in Arkansas, no NFL owner had a worse 2007 than Arthur Blank.
Now look: Courtesy of astute hires everywhere and a rookie quarterback with veteran tendencies, no NFL owner is having a better 2008 than Blank.
Here are four reasons why Blank is flourishing during his eighth season as Falcons owner.
The general manager
Logic says you don’t hire somebody to run your hemorrhaging football operations via webcam. Well, so much for logic. Blank hired Thomas Dimitroff, a scouting executive with the New England Patriots and a neophyte to an NFL GM job.
Dimitroff changed nearly half of the roster (22 players) that won just four games last year, and he joined Blank in hiring Mike Smith as head coach.
The result? Splendid. Despite Sunday’s loss at New Orleans, the retooled Falcons are deep in the playoff hunt at 8-5.
“When I spent time with him in that first video conference, I was struck by how creative he is,” Blank said. “He is a very clear thinker. He’s an extremely good listener. He pays a lot of attention to what people are saying, but he is not afraid to make up his own mind, and he is very decisive when he makes up his own mind.”
The head coach
Blank hired the wrong person in Jim Mora, the eternal players’ pal, and he blew it with Petrino, a college guy who, as Blank said he was told by Falcons players during last season, “His preference is to watch tape versus talk.”
This time, Blank let his football people deal with the X’s and O’s in the search for a new head coach. Then Blank went back to his successful days as the co-founder of Home Depot for the other stuff.
“There always was an emphasis (at Home Depot) on character, integrity and trust — people who understood the value of those things and who would work within the organization,” said Blank, with all of those things leading to Smith, a solid football coach with toughness behind his always quick smile.
The quarterback
More than a few eyes rolled around the NFL when Blank paid Matt Ryan $72 million after the Falcons made the former Boston College star the third pick of the 2008 draft.
“When you’re giving out that type of money, you want to make sure you’re making the right decision,” said Blank, chuckling, recalling how he allowed his football people do their thing again before he returned to his Home Depot playbook on the other stuff. “Is this a young man who not only is going to perform well on the field — in the opinion of the experts — but is he going to carry himself well? Does he have leadership qualities. … My conclusion was that there was no question that he was going to be able to do it.”
All you need to know is that Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Favre have won Super Bowls, but they have lower passer ratings than Ryan’s 92.0.
The culture
Even before last year’s chaos (Michael Vick, Petrino, losing), the Falcons had become a needlessly edgy franchise after Blank fired Dan Reeves following the 2003 season. At one point, the PR staff even hovered over the shoulders of reporters during player interviews.
Now professionalism is back for the Falcons, along with victories.
“I think it’s the new coaching staff, and just the climate around the facility has been completely different than before,” second-year offensive guard Justin Blalock said recently. Added Blank, “(Smitty) has recruited a fine coaching staff. He doesn’t get as much credit for that, and they don’t get as much credit for the success we’ve had this year, but they should.”
So should the owner.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
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By jack
December 9, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Well, this is one of the few times I have agreed with you, even though you have overstated the obvious. Any knowledgeable fan knows you must have a good owner who will fund a franchise and take a particular interest in it. Arthur has taken some gulf over the years for a few rookie type moves but, he certainly got it mostly right this time. Way to go Arthur and thanks for being more that just a good owner; you are a GREAT owner.
By rainman
December 9, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Tampa Bay is pretty much a ‘must win’ if the Falcons hope to make the playoffs.
We can do it if we eliminate turnovers on our side and maybe cause a couple on their side.
If we fail, we still can be excited about evaluating where the team is now and about what should and will be done to get even better.
By LCNorthside
December 9, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blank rocks. Even though he messed up with Petrino I knew he would do whatever it took to turn things around. We are lucky to have an owner such as him that is so dedicated to his team, winning, and the community.
By Jimmy Boy
December 9, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Last year, I was so down about the Falcons. I stayed a fan and never booed but, inside I was hurting. Mr. Blank…thank you for healing my pain. Winning is fun! Losing stinks but, at least this year we have been in almost every game. That doesn’t make it acceptable but, it does make it easier to take. I love this team too. Great guys!
Thanks Arthur, Thomas, Smitty and staff!
By mountain_jim
December 9, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
No more Mckay top 10 draft picks spent on a player (JA98) he was too lazy to go see/interview in person prior to the draft!
So far that pick is not looking too stout, either, making it likely another DE will have to be drafted next year. (Though it took Patrick Kearney a few seasons to get going, so there is still reason for some hope)
By Sam Gaines
December 9, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Arthur finally did the right thing. He hired a good General Manager, and has so far left him alone to do his job. If more owners in the NFL would learn that lesson, they could spare themselves and their fans a lot of agony.
By bill
December 9, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to Mr. Blank, the coaching staff and the entire team for this year’s complete turn around. I am proud to be an Atlanta Falcon fan again. Just one complaint. “Arthur, get off the sidelines! Stay in your box! You don’t need to be on the field for any reason! Thank you!”
By Barry
December 9, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
KUDO’s to Arthur Blank. I personnally believe God is with him in regards to him and the Falcon organization being taken advantage of by overzealous coaches and players. God will always reward those who are oppressed (rich or poor). Oppression is a behavior of total disregard , disrespect, and abuse to another person and/or his property. In that regard, Blank was opressed and now God is blessing him triplefold with coaches, players, fans, and wins. Thanks to Blank, we as Falcon fans and the Atlanta community will be provided with fun, exciting, quality football that is entertaining to young and old alike.
Again, thank you Mr Blank for hanging in there and overseeing a great organization. We the fans and the Atlanta football community are behaind you. Remember, we do this in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!! SEEYOU AT THE DOME!!!
"ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!"Ringold
By Jeff
December 9, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
I’m an old retail guy….when you hire QUALITY people, you are on the RIGHT track for SUCCESS!!! Why do you shop or eat at the places you frequent,because you get good service…..it’s a NO brainer.Mr.Blank has gone back to his roots for success!! The BEST is yet to come. GOOOOOOO FALCONS…..
JC in AUGUSTA
By JB
December 9, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
I picked the wrong year to give up my season tickets.
By Walter
December 9, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I’m still waiting for you to go after the untouchable Keith Brooking. Is it not paifully obvious that this guy is a liability at this stage? I’d like to see Steven Nichols get a shot.
By Needabaillout,too!
December 9, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Being that Blank is a very successful businessman, I was certain that he knew what it would take to turn things around, and I knew he would do it this year. Yes, Atlanta is fortunate to have such a great owner in Blank, one who selflessly provides the rest of us limited incomers some great Sunday afternoon entertainment.Even if the Birds don’t make it to the playoffs, we have the foundation now in place for a future dynasty, and I’ve had a blast watching, hoping, enjoying this ride. Thanks, Mr. Blank, for not giving up on our team, our city, on us.
By dave
December 9, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Good column, Terence. Thanks.
dave
By dave
December 9, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Walter, dude, lay off Brooking. He just lead the team in tackles against NO. He is second on the team in tackles this season. He plays hard and is a team leader. He probably has at least one more year left in him after this one.
dave
By Sun Tzu 7
December 9, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
They’re also doing so well they’ve moved up the deadline for season tickets to 12/30 from April and increased the required deposit amount from $100 per ticket to 1/2 the entire balance.
They be doing well on the field but I am curious how they are doing financially.
You would think an NFL team would not be hurting for money. However why is the balance due on 12/30 instead of something after 12/31? Are the Falcons trying to make 2008 look more profitable than it actually was?
By You got to be kidding me
December 9, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Can we stop giving players and coaches stupid, little, “cutsie” names? Treat them like the professionals they are and call them by their real names or titles! (enough of this Smoltzie, Tommie, Chippy, Smitty, Mattie, Mikey, etc..) If someone called me a name like that at work I would hit them!
By truth
December 9, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Let’s not forget that T. Moore is a HUGE FAIRWEATHER FAN/WRITER He will be the first to jump ship and write about how the Falcons are doomed forever and there is no hope. I don’t think anyone in their right mind can disagree with that. I say get rid of him, AJC.
By T. Moore is an Idiot
December 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
I just watched T. Moore on ESPN’s “Rome Is Burning”, Jim Rome and Randy Sklar made him look like the idiot that most of us in Atlanta already know that he is. T. Moore you need to stop the buffoonery man. You sound like you are totally clueless when you are speaking to other knowledgeable sports people. This article that you wrote is pointless. The Falcons are going into a very big game and you write this stupid crap that everyone already knows. Why rehash 07, the team is winning in 08. Petrino and Vick are gone, quit brining them up and tell us something we don’t know.
Better yet just go back to OHIO.
By SCBird
December 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Please make Houston CB Dunta Robinson a priority in free agency. He’s a local boy that may want to move back home. Him, and a legit pass rusher opposite Abraham!
By drew
December 9, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
He just increased my season ticket prices by 20% and we had 4 games left!!! He also wants 25% of the total up front before Christmas!! What nerve on this guy! You can still end up 8-8…Jerk!
By BugKiller
December 9, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Moore!
Where’s the HUGE mea culpas about the last two Falcons’ no. 1 draft picks?
You’re the one who said the Falcons shouldn’t take the awesome DT from Louisville, and that they should take the BUST, Jamaal Anderson.
You’re the guy who said that Matt Ryan would be nothing more than a servicable QB, unable to win a Super Bowl when they picked him this year when you were demanding they take Dorsey.
So where’s your mea culpas, smart guy?
By Walter
December 9, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Dave, Keith just about always leads the team in tackles. The problem is the majority of them are well down field. When is the last time he forced a fumble, got and int or a sack? Keith was a decent player never a great player. No offense but it’t time to take the GT blinders off.
By slim
December 9, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Can’t believe doggy is retiring. Is huddy coming back? Can’t wait to see Frenchy come out of his slump.
By Terence Moore
December 9, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
It cannot be stated enough that Arthur Blank has gone back to his Home Depot roots in running the Falcons. You can see a lot of what he is doing now with the franchise in his book on Home Depot called “Built from scratch,” published during the late 1990s.
After more misses than hits during the early-to-middle part of Blank’s stint with the Falcons, he is flashing signs of providing more hits than misses.
It all goes back to those nice hires for Blank at GM and head coach.
By Dogbyte
December 9, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Well said, Mr. Moore. I knew you had it in you. I just didn’t know if you would ever get it out.
By Zach
December 9, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Congrats not only to Arthur Blank, but also to Terrance Moore for writing his first decent article.
By ..11-5 ..FALCONS!
December 9, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Beat the Bucs , Vikings, and Rams! 11-5 equals playoffs!
By Gene
December 9, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Blank made big mistakes, but he is on the right track. It is amazing what the departure of thugs and whiners can do for a team.