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Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Blank still sets tone for Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
If it seems we haven’t heard quite as much from Arthur Blank as in past offseasons, there’s a reason. He’s comfortable with his franchise. He feels the Falcons are better grounded than at any time since he took ownership in February 2002. As training camp opens Thursday, he believes this team is primed to win big.
How big? Playoff big? Super Bowl big? “Both are possible,” Blank says. Then: “We have a sense of urgency to do better now. We’re ready to make that move.” And then: “Our offseason moves [trading draft picks for veterans John Abraham and Chris Crocker] aren’t indicative that we’re [building for some distant future].”
Upon buying the Falcons, Blank was upbeat and out front in his attempt to win over a disillusioned fan base. Today Blank sounds less giddy, more businesslike. He has known improbable seasons (2002 and 2004, each of which yielded playoff victories) and sobering ones (2003 and 2005). Of the latter two, last year was the worse.
“Michael [Vick] breaks his leg [in the 2003 preseason],” Blank says, “and we had the loss of a player and the impact of the loss of that player, and then we had the thing with Dan [Reeves, fired near the end of the ‘03 season], which was difficult. Last year was in many ways a lot more disappointing. On the surface, we had a difficult early schedule: Remember how people were saying, ‘If you come out of that 6-2, you’ll be in great shape’? We had some injuries, but I don’t think our injuries were any worse than a lot of teams. We just didn’t play well.”
From 6-2, the Falcons wound up 8-8. It was the first real tactical failure of the Blank regime. In short order the Falcons recalibrated, firing their quarterbacks coach and hiring a Pro Bowl defensive end and two new safeties. Blank also extended Jim Mora’s contract through the 2009 season, although it’s fair to say the owner’s feeling toward his chosen coach has undergone some modification.
Blank calls Mora’s documented tantrums “a little disappointing.” Asked if, as an owner, Blank had to harness his exasperation because the team and its fans didn’t need to see two guys throwing things, he says, “Jimmy wouldn’t think it’s a good idea to throw things, either. I love his emotion, his passion. But too much of a good thing is a problem sometimes. I do it [stay stoic] because I think that’s the way to be, not to counterbalance anything.” For the record, Blank says: “Jimmy’s maturing.”
In the early days of his regime, Blank was caught between having his people in place and making do with the Smiths’ holdovers. Today the Falcons are almost exclusively Blank’s slate, allowing him to be a bit less obtrusive. “I’m as [high-]profile as I need to be,” he says. And then: “We have Jim Mora and Rich McKay and Dick Sullivan and a terrific support staff. I’m very comfortable that they understand me and my value system.”
Is it as much fun owning the Falcons in 2006 as it was in the new-toy days of 2002? “Absolutely. I love this franchise. I love this city. I love being part of the Falcons. But the second half of last year was no fun.”
One thing Blank loves somewhat less — the venue he inherited. “We continue to discuss issues with the authorities at the Dome,” he says. Wouldn’t he ultimately like to build his own stadium? “That’s our hope. We’re committed to playing in the building through 2020, but I don’t think that will happen. I think [a new facility will be erected] well before 2020.”
Where? Alongside the Falcons’ training complex? “No, we’re not building at Flowery Branch,” says Blank, laughing. “I hope it will be where the Dome is now.”
And what of his pursuit of the Braves? “I think Time Warner has decided who it wants to go with,” he says, speaking of Liberty Media. “But TW has said if that doesn’t work out, they’ll be back to us. They know our number. They know where we live.”
Even in lower-profile mode, Arthur Blank isn’t hard to find. He’ll be stalking the sidelines in the fourth quarter. He’ll be the guy who isn’t throwing things.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
McKay the commish? No way.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Rich McKay isn’t going anywhere. He never was, at least when it came to the Falcons general manager leaving to become NFL commissioner.
It isn’t a done deal that Roger Goodell will be Paul Tagliabue’s replacement, but it’s pretty close. For two reasons: First, Goodell has been Tagliabue’s right-hand man forever and involved in every major decision involving the league during their years together; second, Tagliabue wants Goodell to be the man.
In other words, this won’t resemble 1960, when it took 23 ballots for the owners to elect somebody named Pete Rozelle. Neither will it take the seven months of infighting that occurred in 1989 before Tagliabue was picked over long-time NFL executive Jim Finks.
In early August, when the owners vote this time, Goodell will be the league’s pick, and McKay will remain the Falcons’ man.
In other words: Both sides will win.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Quick Hit, Terence Moore
McKay the commish? No way.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Rich McKay isn’t going anywhere. He never was, at least when it came to the Falcons general manager leaving to become NFL commissioner.
It isn’t a done deal that Roger Goodell will be Paul Tagliabue’s replacement, but it’s pretty close. For two reasons: First, Goodell has been Tagliabue’s right-hand man forever and involved in every major decision involving the league during their years together; second, Tagliabue wants Goodell to be the man.
In other words, this won’t resemble 1960, when it took 23 ballots for the owners to elect somebody named Pete Rozelle. Neither will it take the seven months of infighting that occurred in 1989 before Tagliabue was picked over long-time NFL executive Jim Finks.
In early August, when the owners vote this time, Goodell will be the league’s pick, and McKay will remain the Falcons’ man.
In other words: Both sides will win.
Permalink | | Categories: Quick Hit, Terence Moore
