Sports Columnists

By TonyG

January 3, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank is the best owner we’ve had since Turner. I know you’re used to being the epitome of a mediocre sports city, so please forgive Mr.Blank if he has higher hopes and dreams for Atlanta. Give the guy some credit seriously. You can tell he always has good intentions. I believe he would do anything to help the team succeed, even if that means not going on the sideline. But i like it! I like an involved, aggressive owner, it keeps it interesting. Dont listen to these idiots Mr.Blank, i know you aren’t anyways, because listening to stubborn pessimists like Mr.Moore here will get you nowhere, on the football field or in life.

By We need a hard-a*

January 3, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Whatever Terence. I pay $400 million for a team, I can sniff all their jocks if I want, much less hang out on the sideline. He’s the boss. If we hire a coach that cares about what his boss does on the sideline, then he can pound sand somewhere else. We need a coach that can bring the thunder and hold the talent accountable….if that’s done, then it’s likely the coach won’t know nor will he care what Blank’s doing. No more patty-cakes and butterfly kisses from the coach.

By Cairo

January 3, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES WHAT BLANK DOES> MUST BE A SLOW DAY AT THE OFFICE

By truefalconfan

January 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

I agree with TM 110%. First Blank’s style will be a turn off for an many established coach. Would Parcels or Cower put up with an hour on the sidelines. I been following pro football for 40 years and I never seen an owner talking to a head coach during a game. Clearly Blank can do what he wants since he owns the team but that still does mean it’s not a bad thing for the team.

By Mr C.

January 3, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Blank has no reason talking to a coach while a game is going on. He has no reason being on the sideline.

The owner undermines the authority of the coach when he pampers his QB the way Blank does. Blank needs to stick to owership. Otherwise, he will be interviewing hot assistants in 3 yrs.

By Ben Gunby

January 3, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

This city would also be better served if Terence Moore kept at a distant from a computer with a word processor on it as well.

By Jack

January 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Will Mr. Blank obtain Mr. Vick’s permission prior to hiring a coach?

By SC

January 3, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank likes to talk about his study regarding the practices of successful NFL teams. One example he cites is that successful teams tend to retain the same coach for many years.

I wish somebody would ask Mr. Blank if he thinks that weekly game reviews with the owner is a typical practice for a head coach in a winning franchise.

My suggestion to Mr. Blank would be to conduct another study which characterizes what successful NFL teams and their owners avoid.

By Real Bird Fan

January 3, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if blank slaps the players as long as he keeps signing the checks.

Go Art Blank!!!

By gwalk

January 3, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Moore…………Just lookin’ for a story. Mr. Blank knows what he is doing. I’m sure we all passed by a Home Depot on our way home from work today. He’s just under the media gun right now………fire away, I think Mr. Blank is rock solid!

By JB

January 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Let’s get a coach who isn’t afraid to tell Vick and company when they mess up. A in your face coach. Recievers not catching the ball. He bench them. Lineman not blocking,have a seat. Deangelo having a hissy fit. Sit em down. I think Blank and company will get it right cause he has learned from the past. Who cares Blank is on the sidelines.

By Beavis

January 3, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Great players and coaches (as with anyone) don’t make excuses or let something as trivial as what Mr Blank does bother them He is the owner, and everytime I’ve seen him down there (wheelchair incident not included) he has been working to uplift the team. What can be negative about that? Now Jim Mora shouldn’t have had him over for huddles during the game, and that was Jim’s fault for being more concerned with keeping his job.

I believe Blank and McKay will bring in a much better coach with more discipline and less “kiss my players you know what” skills. I’m more concerned about pass protection, consistent running game, defensive secondary issues, and recievers who some days couldn’t catch herpes. I don’t care if President Bush is walking the sideline. A disciplined team will reflect a disciplined coach, and lead to victory. Here’s to hoping we get the right man for the job. Falcons fans have been disappointed and depressed for too damn long.

By singletary

January 3, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Hey — I’m MUCH more interested in WRs who catch, defensive secondaries who shut down, and at least one huge offensive back who can ram through the 3rd-n-shorts or the x-n-goals. (I’m willing to accede TJ Duckett can be surpassed while I missed him so much this year, but the lack of which bruiser def. hurt us the rest of the season.)

While my spouse chortles/guffaws/ scoffs anytime he sees Mr. Blank on the sidelines wheeling MV7 or at the end of games… guess what? Said spouse cheers for Cleveland. They have their own set of issues.

Mr. Blank pays the freight, and he is the Board of Directors of operations in an impeccably clad one person when he shows up.

I probably would rather have the focus on the field, but I think most rising or seasoned coaches would put up with this one additional quirk to get “one of the 32 best jobs on the planet” as quoted by a recent AJC blog.

Go with it. If my favorite candidate (yet not relative) Mike Singletary can’t cut it in the final five minutes with Mr. Blank on the field, then other NFL distractions will tear him away from the prize as well.

In perspective, Mr. Blank on the field is suvivable. He is not equivalent to IEDs in Iraq. Those are deadly. His presence may be annoying, but imminently survivable if you are the coach of destiny in ATL.

By Bo

January 3, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

If I owned the team I’d do what the hell I wanted.My Boss don’t ask me if he can come look at my work. Get a Life!

By Connie Lingous

January 3, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

You nailed it T-Mo. Very astute observations. This franchise will not win with Blank until he drastically alters his meddling methods. The dude actually put on a coach’s polo and shorts and jumped into the team picture last summer. He’s the epitome of a jocksniffer, with micromanager thrown in for good measure. He needs to have a report on every game from the coaches?!?! What a joke!!!

On a lighter note, thanks for keeping your customary reverse racism out of this article, T-Mo! I really appreciate it.

By Realist

January 3, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Good job, Terrance!!

He’ll never keep his arrogant nose out of his employee’s job so he might as well just assign himself that position and skip the BS.

I know this guy personally from his early days here with HD and I experienced his hand’s-on ego then. Bernie Marcus was the brains and class of HD; Blank was just an arrogant hatchet man and lucky Bernie let him hang on his coattails.

This guy doesn’t know squat about football or football management (he is an accountant with the very typical NY raised ego) so what value can he bring to a football postgame review meeting is beyond me. I played the game (MVP in HS) and I wouldn’t be able. He certainly never has played the game unless you count sandlot in Queens NY.

Is he really able to assess talent in this industry given his record of hires/fires (Mora and his “gamenotes”) and his contract negotiation savvy (by putting too many of his eggs in one basket (Vick’s contract)? I believe he must think he is a marketing genius due to the success of HD and can make money selling Falcons jerseys and hats. However, in his case, it was simply him being pulled along by his family’s business and money and then Bernie and so many others not known. Do you really believe he knew squat about the contruction business or what made the builder tick?

He thinks he is an entrepr

For final proof of his need to nose in see below (http://www.lemonadestories.com/depot.html):

Arthur went to Babson College where he began show his entrepreneurial spirit. In addition to being president of the senior class, Arthur launched his own landscaping company, a laundry business, and even found time to baby sit on the side. “I think I first realized I was an entrepreneur, or self-starter, back in the days when I was playing ball. I was playing in the outfield, but I wanted to catch. The reason I wanted to catch was that I wanted to be involved in every play. I wanted to be in the middle of the action.”

These are his comments and words, not mine (and might explain why he wants to own the Braves too).

By shc77

January 3, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying this same exact thing for awhile. Can you imagine Mike Ditka tolerating an owner plodding the sidelines?

As the owner, Mr. Blank has the license to do whatever he wants to do. That, however, should not mean that he should. Would you want to work for someone who’s constantly hovering over your shoulder? What professional NFL head coach, especially an established one, wants to work under that sort of environment? And for a new head coach, how much more pressure would that heap upon his shoulders, thinking that Mr. Blank is critiquing your every move (as well he should…just not so blatantly).

Mr. Blank: do your due diligence, hire the best people, and then trust them to do the job you hired them for. Don’t micromanage. Find other ways to be involved with the team. Even Steinbrenner doesn’t sit in the dugout with the players.

By Dardan

January 3, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

This is ridiculous. Mr. Blank has every right to go onto the field whenever he feels like it. To suggest otherwise is stupid. I wouldn’t let one of my employees tell me I couldn’t walk into his office any more than I’d tell my boss not to come into mine.

And Terrence Moore wouldn’t either.

By Rickey

January 3, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

The Falcons will never get a really good coach because of the way the organization is run.All they want is another yes man.Blank needs to keep his a* in the owners box and let the Coach do the coaching and have the authority to make the players fear for their job.

By ATLborn

January 3, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

LOL!! Some of these comments are ridiculous. Art Blank is the best sports team owner in the history of Atlanta. He’s willing to spend the big bucks to bring in whomever we need to win. So what if he likes to spend some time on the sidelines.
A coach driven to succeed wouldn’t mind his presence on the sidelines at all.

Someone mentioned how a coach like Bill Parcells wouldn’t put up with an owner like Blank…WTF?! Parcells has someone much worse, Jerry Jones. Jones not only spends time on the sidelines during games but he meddles in player personnel decisions (bring in T.O. when Parcells didn’t want him).

Even if a coach is a tad bit annoyed at having the boss on the sidelines near the end of games they wouldn’t care much if the owner spent the money to necessary to win.

By Birdy

January 3, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

I didn’t know Blank being on the sidelines could make the 170 lb RB get stopped three times at the goal line that day in Cleveland. I never considered his being on the sideline is what kept the 250lb back planted on the bench that day.

Blank being on the sideline is irrelevant. If that makes the players nervous then they have problems focusing.

Blank didn’t cause Dunn to only run for 2 fourth-quarter first downs this entire season. He doesn’t cause McClure and Lehr to get blown up in short yardage sitions or get overpowered in passing situations.

This team was soft this year. And that had nothing to do with Blank visiting the sideline in the 4th quarter.

By Just D

January 3, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Hey Darden and the rest of you lard azz idiots!!
No one is saying he (Blank) can’t roam the sidelines during games, they are simply saying that he shouldn’t Again, it’s a normal practice as an owner of an NFL team, it’s good to be heard but not seen…Blank is being heard and seen…No way Bill Cowher, Jimmy Johnson, Tony Dungy or even Dennis Green would come here with that type of breathing down your neck ownership! So Arty, relax, give the next head coach the flo…then you must go..let them teach what they know…and sit by and watch the show!

And note: It would be in the best interest to hire a coach who has been a head coach before. It’s a reason why these assistants were not picked last year when there were more job openings than now.

If these article would have been written by a red neck ajc writer, then most of you would get it and not publically complain! Although I don’t agree with everything any of these writers produce, but they are getting paid to do so, so I’ll stay on the sidelines and read.

By Smithers

January 3, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Blank is living proof that being rich does not equal being intelligent. His perpetual presence on the sideline with that doleful expression wrapped around that pitiful mustache has made him the laughingstock of the NFL. Of course, he has a RIGHT to be there. But, you morons who defend him seem unable to comprehend the difference between ‘could’ and ‘should.’

By surfrider

January 4, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

It’s about time someone say this. Let the team and coaches do their thing and there is always overshight in the office. It appears Blank got out of Home Depot at the right time. It appears he is making bad to worse coaching decisions. It also appears Mora wanted out of here and back to the northwest and hopefully better work environs, if anyone will hire him.

By JSS

January 4, 2007 01:11 AM | Link to this

Ha ha ha ha!!! I knew that old coot Reeves would finally cut his own throat!!! Now that moron bring “Bring Reeves Back” can stop posting…

I told you clowns that Chow wouldn’t get a real look… Once the A-Cards get their O-line straightened out, just pencil them for the show… I can’t believe that I wrote that but it’s true…

2007 is going to be a long year!

By Realist

January 4, 2007 01:21 AM | Link to this

Walking into an office is different than patrolling the field. No owner will get any value by looking over any employee’s shoulder - especially when he knows nothing about the subject: in the case, football!

By Realist

January 4, 2007 01:24 AM | Link to this

Blank loves to use buzz words like “empowering” people to achieve (e.g. see his foundation’s website). I don’t see this as breathing down your neck with a smug look.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 4, 2007 01:28 AM | Link to this

It’s pretty stupid to complain about Arthur Blank standing on the sidelines, considering that the guy is willing to shell out enough money to have the 2nd highest payroll in the NFL. If only the Braves were so lucky to have their owner sitting in the dugout during games and paying over $100 million to their roster. By far the number one most important quality of an owner is his willingness to empty his pockets — Blank has shown time and again that he’s more than willing to do that. Ask Cardinals fans how much they would love to have Blank as their owner instead of penny-pinching Bill Bidwill. So what if he roams the sidelines during games — even if that does adversely affect the team, he more than makes up for it with his willingness to spend.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 4, 2007 01:30 AM | Link to this

And I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t be on the sidelines. I’m saying that given the history of sports ownership in Atlanta, Falcons fans should be thanking their lucky stars that Blank owns the Falcons, not nitpicking about his sideline presence.

By P.J.

January 4, 2007 01:38 AM | Link to this

Remember when Arthur took out that full page ad (at least I think it was full page) when ATL lost to Washington in 2003? I was like WTF?!?

And I know he’s been down on the sidelines with more than five minutes remaining.

No coach who values the head coach post would sell his soul to work for an owner who strolls up and down the sidelines like a fort-guarding sentry.

By Navigator

January 4, 2007 01:46 AM | Link to this

Terrence, dog on it, I’ve written on your blog more than once this year, that Blank was sabotaging the coach by being on the side line during the game. By hugging Vick (and others), he sent a message that he made the decision on the players, not the coach. Go back to stands, stay out of site, and stay away from the players. If the coaches need to discipline a player, you don’t want them looking at you to take up for them.

By Nunna Yo Bizness

January 4, 2007 01:57 AM | Link to this

Ken Whisenhunt or however u spell it..Is a nice guy,but..

NOT THE ANSWER

Mr.Blank.. Go to the Jets and get Marty’s son.. He can bring mr.wise over with him,and reshape this p** poor O-Line we have..

Bring in Mike Singletary to coach defense,and bring in the 46 defense..

And most of all.. Bring back Herock!!!!!!! He gave us,Deion,Favre,Jamal,and others..U might bring up Bruce from auburn and other busts..But lets not forget..45 of the 53 players on our superbowl team,were players Ken Herock brought in.. And..Were 1st part of a run and shoot team that transformed under Dan Reeves,and went to the SuperBowl..

BRING BACK KEN HEROCK

IM SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Historian

January 4, 2007 01:58 AM | Link to this

My comment is brief. If Arthur Blank wants to be amateur (versus the other professional owners) let him. In football it’s an old cliche, your team is only as good as it’s management. It’s obvious you’ll never be another Wellington Mara.

By Ben Gunby

January 4, 2007 02:35 AM | Link to this

I guess a meddling owner has never worked anywhere in the NFL, has it? cough, Dallas, cough

By GHunt

January 4, 2007 02:55 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank has the right to be involved in the falcons’ franchise and to do as he pleases. I am proud that we have an owner that is committed to the success of the team. He puts his money on the line and demand performance from his employees. I would encourage him to evauate Rich Mckay’s job performance more closely as the players selected by the previous staff both drafted and free agents have not lived up to the resources invested in them (Hartwell, Crocker, Webster, Lehr, Chaucey Davis, Roddy White and Mcclure are all underachievers) The offensive and defensive schemes were both failures when compared to the elite teams.

Mr. Blank thank you for your love and interest in providing us with a team that we all know can be much better than the results we have seen the past two years. Please stay on the sideline as long as you deem it necessary.

By No Big Deal

January 4, 2007 03:03 AM | Link to this

A guy is willing to pay you millions to coach a football team and you worry about him coming on the field in the fourth quarter? Moore, you are the joke. If you are competent, whats the big deal? Aren’t the Thrashers winning, the Hawks are still here right? What kind of sports writers does the AJC employ? If he wasn’t around and not spending money (Braves) you would complain. He is by far the best owner since Ted to grace Atlanta with his prescence. He gives a darn, unlike any of the other owners in this town. He along with Vick have bought passion to this town, some of it negative but the fans are noticing. Unlike in the past, people actually care who the Falcons hire and the owner will hold their butts accountable! What more could you ask, who cares what the hell Mike Ditka would think.

By Just D.

January 4, 2007 03:27 AM | Link to this

Ben, so when was the last time cough Dallas won a superbowl….oops cough 1993 or better yet won a play-off game….oops cough 1996

That interfering owner ran the best coach they had (Jimmy Johnson) since Mr. Hat man (Tom L.). So, you spoke of Dallas which is only one team, please note * cough how about the other 31 owners cough*

Major topic, not that he can’t be on the sidelines, it’s just most current coaches are not comfortable with it, so he needs to aware of it or else we will not get a veteran coach here!

By Bring Reeves Back!

January 4, 2007 03:55 AM | Link to this

I love blank as the owner!! please buy the braves and return them to there dynasty status!!! Corporate ownership sucks, just ask the current braves and tom glavine.

By ja

January 4, 2007 04:14 AM | Link to this

This is all rhetoric. He is the owner as long as he wants a winner that is all that matters. Get the job done!

By coach

January 4, 2007 04:46 AM | Link to this

I think Blank’s motivation are good, but in the long run it’s a distraction, coaches and players need to concentrate on winnning.

When Blanks comes to the sidelines, the focus goes off the product - it can’t help and it may hurt.

By Gram

January 4, 2007 04:56 AM | Link to this

Amen, Terence. Any coach, especially a former assistant on his first job, would be rattled by the owner looking over his shoulder the way Blank does. I’m sure it bugs Bill Parcells in Dallas, and I’m curious as to why he puts up with it, given his stature. Blank needs to learn the lesson of Ted Turner, who used to be WAY over-involved with the Braves. The moment he realized that if you hire good people like Stan Kasten and John Shurholz and let them run things, the better off the team will be. Blank needs to learn that lesson, and he will eventually. Falcons fans will suffer in the meantime. I have to say though, I’d rather have an Arthur Blank whose ego is involved an who cares about winning than a situation where a corporation owns the team. Does anyone think for one second that the CEO of Time-Warner gives a damn if the Braves win or lose?

By **billy g**

January 4, 2007 05:09 AM | Link to this

At this point, Blank needs to do everything he can to make this team better. And that includes staying off the sidelines. An employee will not likely ask him to stay away, but it should be something that comes from Blank himself.

By hovering over the coach during a game, Blank is neutering the coach’s “Alpha Dog” status. It is a strong psychological message that players do not miss.

Hire the right man and stay off the sidelines. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

By Nono

January 4, 2007 05:15 AM | Link to this

Your Missing The Point Arthur Blank loves the attention—-He knows the cameras are on him especially when we lose. Its his way of hanging with some jocks as if he could even run 40 yards. Who cares, it shouldn’t be a distraction. I think I remember Glanville allowing Holyfield and MC Hammer stand on the team sideline—-look where that got him and the team—-bad example.

By Mean D

January 4, 2007 06:05 AM | Link to this

Blank is an idiot and craves the spotlight. People that know him laugh at him (like Reeves). Blank and Vick will continue to lead this team down the toilet.

By Falcons for Dummies

January 4, 2007 06:44 AM | Link to this

Someone said Blank is the best team owner in ATL since Ted Turner. Oh, really? Turner and the Braves were both complete jokes for years until he finally turned the reins over to baseball people. Remember when he made himself “manager” for the day and the MLB brass had to tell him cease and desist? The only reason he bought the Braves in the first place was to fill time slots on his crappy local UHF station. It was a business decision, nothing more. Turner only gained his status as an enlightened owner after he learned to stay put - and asleep - in the owners box. Blank might take a lesson from Turner but it is not the one you clowns think.

By BirdsofPrey

January 4, 2007 06:50 AM | Link to this

He is the owner and can do whatever he damn well pleases.

People have such short memories. Do you not forget the empty dome and the laughing stock that was the Atlanta Falcons?

Thank You Mr. Blank And MV7 for making the Falcons perennial contenders and for making me proud to say that I am an Atlanta Falcons fan.

By jerry

January 4, 2007 06:58 AM | Link to this

Congratulations, Terence.

Once again you have gotten the idiots up in arms over nothing.

By jimmy smith

January 4, 2007 07:05 AM | Link to this

absolutely right, birds of prey, he can do whatever he damn well pleases, and i guess that means hiring another weak coach who is afraid to stand up to him. so get used to being average unless blank changes. there is no chance at all that the falcons will be able to hire someone like a parcells or someone like him. the only thing that terrance didn’t mention is that blank needs to remove his nose from vicks rear end.

By dirtie birdie

January 4, 2007 07:19 AM | Link to this

who cares about him sitting on the sidelines? how could anyone care that much about it?

of course, terrence missed the total point.

lord arthur is a great owner in that he cares and wants to win and will spend his $$$ to win.

BUT king arthur is also a terrible owner in his meddling with personnel decisions. remember the whole warrick dunn/tj duckett/ashley lelie issue? avenging a 2002 draft day grudge with dan reeves was more important than us having a big back this year in short yardage, red zone, third down, fourth down, and the fourth quarter. see peerless price. see all this drafting of first round wide receivers. blank is obsessed with the wide receiver position. blank is so obsessed that he ordered mckay to draft white and jenkins in the first round, which was a stretch. white and jenkins were more likely second rounders. blank ordered reeves to draft lelie instead of duckett. reeves refused and drafted duckett anyway. arthur was made because he had just signed warrick dunn to a stupid contract. thus, 4 years later, when he gets his chance, blank makes mckay trade duckett for lelie. i think lelie is a decent wideout but without another big back for those specialized situations where you need a big back, blank’s decision to avenge a grudge with reeves over duckett and lelie really crippled this team. blank has got to put some ice on that hard on he has for pretty boy wide receivers. give me some big nasties to pound the ball over prancing deer like Lelie and White.

you should have been talking about issues like that, terrence. these are the real issues and problems with blank that detrimentally affect the team. who cares about the sidelines?

DRAFT ADRIAN PETERSON!

By CQ

January 4, 2007 07:24 AM | Link to this

Blank being on the sodelines has nothing to do with the poor play calling, that Mora and his staff did this year. Thats all on Mora.

If the Falcons were winning this would not be an issue.

By Gene

January 4, 2007 07:52 AM | Link to this

Those fans who have been around a while will remember a drunken Ted Turner hanging out with the players in the 70’s, making a fool of himself and the franchise. Turner’s interference ran Joe Torre out of Atlanta forever. When Turner sobered up and left the team alone, things got better. I applaud Terrence Moore for confronting Arthur Blank on this issue. The Falcons are like a new toy for Blank. If he wants a superbowl ring, he’d better back off.

By mark

January 4, 2007 07:58 AM | Link to this

I got it Blank and vick could maybe become like the first RAP Duo made up from owner and QB in NFL history…

By Blankety Blank

January 4, 2007 08:00 AM | Link to this

Yes, you bunch of jokers, Blank can do whatever he wants. Terence’s point is that his prowling the sidelines is indicative of his meddling style as an owner in all facets of the team. If he owned the local service station then, yeah, poke around all you want. Arthur owns a professional sports team, however, and it is not something his retail “CEO” experience prepared him for. Unless of course, he doesn’t care about all that much about being a champion as long as the great unwashed masses show up with their hard earned cash to watch his Vick sideshow. Which we will, because we never learn - and Artie knows it.

By theedge56

January 4, 2007 08:24 AM | Link to this

He needs to stay off the sidelines and up in his box in the sky. Who cares if he gets stuck in the elevator. I know he has alot of money tied up in this venture but he also has a bunch of money tied up in the front office of the team. AB sideline antics could keep serious coaching candidates away.

By Larry

January 4, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

Funny, but my immediate thought when I read articles like this, and those who are in COMPLETE agreement, is this is so typical of employees and followers versus employers and leaders. And, as we all know, Mr. Blank has been a great employer and leader, while Mr. Moore is an employee of the AJC, with the associated employee and follower mentality, which can be one of inappropriate jealousy, envy and tacky criticism.

Frankly, as an employer and leader of men and women many times, in several successful businesses and various capacities, I believe I have a little better understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and what is in the best long term interest of the entity I lead, coach and manage. So does Mr. Blank. He has brought tremendous opportunity and prosperity to our state and its people by parking one of the most successful corporations in US history, Home Depot, right here at home. He is now trying to duplicate this success with our professional football team. I think he will…scratch that…I’d bet on him! Or you can side with an employee of the AJC!

I personally am not enamored either with Blank’s potential for distraction on the sideline, as well as our new coaches potential handicap having his yet unproven, highly overpaid QB handcuffed to his interview and subsequent expectation, but, again, I’d bet on the highly successful, driven and proven Mr. Blank to make whatever decisions necessary to do whatever necessary to bring home the Lombardi Trophy to Atlanta to accompany the World Series trophy proudly on display at turner field.

Mr. Blank is the epitome of class, character, determination and persistence. As they are with him, these qualities are usually found in abundance in great leaders of people.

You can do as you wish. Me? I’ll wedge my bet on Mr. Blank—a true, and proven, successful leader!

Larry Kennesaw, Georgia

By Fionn

January 4, 2007 08:40 AM | Link to this

I don’t care where he stands. Just make sure we win. P-E-R-I-O-D!!!

By Larry

January 4, 2007 08:44 AM | Link to this

Another thought.

Funny how Mr. Moore and other weren’t complaining about Mr. Blank being on the sideline three seasons ago during the championship run.

Could it be that tacky and meaningless criticisms of our owner are tied to success or failure by the coaches and players?

By JJ

January 4, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this

While we are all in the AB bashing mood, let’s not forget that he is the one who hired Nardelli at HD.

By Kenneth

January 4, 2007 08:48 AM | Link to this

King Arthur is looking for a coach who can be a silver bullet who is very comfortable being the # 3 man behind Blank and McKay. So whoever is hired this time, Blank will be interviewing and hiring someone else in another three years. Same old Falcons.

By CQ

January 4, 2007 08:50 AM | Link to this

LOL, if I owed the team i would stand on the sideline too if I wanted to. Its my team, im paying them millions.

The NFL is the only people who can tell the owners what they can and cannot do, so get over it. Just win games and no one will care where Blank stands.

By rhett manning

January 4, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

as a falcon fan i was sorry to see jim moro leave, i thought he was a good youg coach, nobody talked about all the key injuries that made the season go south, but you cant blame the owner for keeping his hands on the pulse. you dont win until its your turn, look at the saints. i would like for people to stick together like braves GM an managers.

By nikki

January 4, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

Terrence, you are obviously short on news today. Who in their right mind wouldn’t keep tabs on a $400+ million investment? Perhaps you, because you seem to spend time sweating the small stuff. Mr. Blank has created a much over-due support of our beloved Falcons franchise, and YOU need to stop hating.

By Pete

January 4, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

Great job Terence! Blank has a retailer’s mentality for micro managing and insincere dialogue.The worst example of his lack of tact was displayed when he wheeled Mike Vick along the sidelines in a wheelchair.Tell him to go back to counting nails at Home Depot!

By rhett manning

January 4, 2007 08:51 AM | Link to this

as a falcon fan i was sorry to see jim moro leave, i thought he was a good youg coach, nobody talked about all the key injuries that made the season go south, but you cant blame the owner for keeping his hands on the pulse. you dont win until its your turn, look at the saints. i would like for people to stick together like braves GM an managers.

By klown

January 4, 2007 08:52 AM | Link to this

Arthur, do what you gotta do to bring a superbowl to ATL. Don’t worry about what the talking heads have to say. All the fans of this franchise are putting their faith in you that you will take us to the promised land. Do what you gotta do to get us there.

By Big Dude

January 4, 2007 08:58 AM | Link to this

Hey Moore, I see who you interviewed, a fired coach in the middle of the season. When are you going to get Mora’s opinion? It’s obvious you don’t know anything about leadership. A real leader walks among his people. He doesn’t isolate himself from the people he is leading. Granted he needs to let the people under him do their jobs, but if that is all he is doing wrong, then you don’t have anything to write about.

By Coach Class

January 4, 2007 09:03 AM | Link to this

Larry - Don’t write your inferiors off too soon, big shot. Follower’s, as you call them, recognize leadership when they see it.

By Reeves Supporter

January 4, 2007 09:05 AM | Link to this

Has anyone given any thought to bringing back Dan Reeves? It was more or less Reeves team that went to the NFC championship game during Mora’s 1st year.

By Larry

January 4, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank,

Here’s an idea!

I’m sure you realize that “the owner” could be somewhat of a distraction to the employee, follower mentality during a critical moment in the waning minutes of a game. Although you certainly have purchased the right to do whatever you wish with your investment, the Atlanta Falcons, as a compromise perhaps you could consider this slight modification:

1. Avoid automatically visiting every game in the final moments, especially a close game, to avoid any possible distraction to our coach’s and player’s complete concentration on winning a close game at the end (refer to Dan Reeves’ example).

2. If the game is out of hand by the middle of the fourth quarter, and losing appears obvious, to go down and quietly provide encouragement to your team would seem apropos and inarguable.

3. If the game is well in hand, and victory seems assured, you could go down and, again quietly, congratulate your troops on their hard earned win.

What this means is that you’d probably be visiting the sideline in the fourth quarter maybe 4-5 games, as opposed to every game, as most games are pretty close in the fourth quarter, or at least victory or defeat not being certain.

I would consider this an effective and more popular compromise that could be discussed with potential coaching candidates.

Would this make everyone happy?

By CQ

January 4, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this

Who ever the coach the Blank brings in here, needs let Vick have the ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage and have more control over the play calling.

With that being said, he will have 2 years to prove himself, if he can’t then he needs to go. I am a Vick fan but he has 2 more years to live up to his potential.

By Curr Vorkian

January 4, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this

To shave vick, lather blank’s butt. And, since the recent medical evidence connects herpes with dementia, it explains why vick’s walnut-brain is growing worse.

By Michael Smith

January 4, 2007 09:20 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blank is just that — a blank. Any time you hear someone from mamangement talk about “empowering” their employees by calling them “associates” instead, you know you are dealing with someone whose management style is dictated by the latest idiotic management fad.

There is a distinction between ownership and management. The former always has the right to review the performance of the latter — but the wisest owners know not to interfere with day-to-day management. They know that the best managers won’t function under the close oversight of someone who knows less about the entity being managed than they do.

Can you imagine a brain surgeon being expected to operate while someone who is NOT a doctor — someone like the hospital administrator — looks over his shoulder and questions his every cut and suture? No surgeon would stand for such a thing.

Arthur Blank and his foolish huge, multi-year commitment to Mike Vick represent two major obstacles to finding the right coach for this team. Essentially, it tells any prospective coach the following: “Here’s your quarterback, you have to play him no matter how few passes he completes or how many times he fumbles or how much he demoralizes his teammates, you have to play him and win with him and keep him happy — and I’ll be watching your every move.”

By Larry

January 4, 2007 09:23 AM | Link to this

“Coach Class,”

If you “recognize leadership” when you see it, then you’re well on your way to becoming one yourself. Unfortunately, however, your sarcastic insinuations and unabashed, unwarranted defensiveness and childish name calling leaves me in great doubt.

Perhaps you can grow into it!

By Jim Google

January 4, 2007 09:27 AM | Link to this

What does Arthur Blank and his maid have in common? Both have been cleaning houses this week…..Arthur axing Mora, Jr. and Bob Nardelli at Home Depot.

As the Soup Nazi says….NEXT!!!

By Igotta Sheet

January 4, 2007 09:29 AM | Link to this

Terrence, I agree with you. For once. Coach Reeves just did the man a favor and told him to stay off the sidelines. If Art cant see that than he is an ego maniac that thrives on having an awful mustache. Simon Legrue! He will hire another career assistant coach when he had what he needed and let it go 3 years ago. What an a* to be so successful.

By Tired of the madness

January 4, 2007 09:49 AM | Link to this

Blanks whereabouts during games is a non issue. It has no appreciable effect on the players’ perfromance. That is the REAL issue. Blank doesn’t call any of the plays, drop passes, fumble, give up long touch down passes and horrible missed tackles.

By Ace

January 4, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

Wow! You guys are amazing…if not dense! Why is it that whenever TM posts an article, you guys rip it to shreds based on how you feel about him, not his comments? If he wrote an article condeming child abuse, you’d probably stand up in defense of it! 99% of the time he makes perfect sense, and this is one of those times. Let me first say that Mr. Blank is a God-send to the Atlanta sports arena. He is the dream of every passionate sports fan. He can own every team in the A-T-L as far as I am concerned. However, I don’t care if he spent $10 BILLION for this team, him walking the sidelines is a definite distraction and I can’t imagine that ANY coach in the league would be ok with that. Listen up closely now, Bubba,(and get the chewin’ tobacky out of your ears), as someone said earlier, SURE, HE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO IT, BUT HE SHOULDN’T DO IT! Do you like it when your boss hovers over your shoulder when you are asking customers, “Do you want fries with that, sir?”

WAKE UP!!!!!!

By Jonathan

January 4, 2007 09:52 AM | Link to this

Enough! I cannot understand all of the Blank bashing. Beyond the thinly veiled anti-semitism spewed by all of these hateful douches. I mean come on, what the hell does Arthur Blank’s nose size have to do with anything? The Falcon’s may well be better off starting from the ashes. However, this is our only franchise with an owner willing to invest. Then again, even though us Georgian’s are often accused of being fair or no weather fans for our pro teams, we seem to be able to use rampant racism and religious intolerance when you look at Hawk’s blogs and almost ANYTHING pertaining to Blank. We have more than enough to bash especially the Hawks with Billy “I will not draft anyone other than a 6’10 guy with a 8”2 wingspan” Knight without Knocking people on their race or religion. ” Can’t we all just get along”?

By toshie

January 4, 2007 09:58 AM | Link to this

Why don’t you people that don’t like what Mr. Blank is doing buy your own team if you think you have all the answers. I don’t think you know what you are talking about. If I gave 545 million for something I believe I could run it the way I wanted and I wouldn’t give a s#@# what any of you thought.

By Tired of the madness

January 4, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Things have gotten so bad with the Falcons, that some people are ready to blame anything and anyone, including the owner. We are fortunate to have Blank as the owner. If I’m the owner paying my employees millions of dollars I’m going to stand any place I please. As long as Blank is not trying to coach the team or go out on the field and make plays, why does him being on the sideline cause such turmoil amongst some of you? Again, the issue is the performance of the players. Why let Blank being on the field overshadow the real problem?

By Coach Class

January 4, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Larry - Would love to chat, but the boss is watching.

By toshie

January 4, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

What did Terence Moore have any business talking with Dan Reeves about the Falcons owner? I don’t think that is any business of either one of these bone heads business. Has either one of these people successed like Mr. Blank has at anything? I don’t think so. Their opions is worth about as much as mine.

By Mike

January 4, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Everyone listen up. Why do any of you really care if Mr. Blank is on the sidelines? Mr. Moore why do you care? Does it really matter if the owner is on the sidelines or not? Does it really demonstrate mircomanagement? I don’t think so. Look at Detroit, Oakland, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston, Tampa Bay, and many others that are just as sad as the Falcons. Their owners don’t patrol the sidelines and they are still mediocre or suck as well. Look at Cincinnati more than any of them. Eight players locked up in county for stupid immature BS, maybe the owner should have been walking the sidelines as a reminder of who writes their paychecks.

I have read everyone one of these blogs and not one person can give a solid base reason as to why an owner should not be on the sideline or should not be seen or heard. That is an old myth. If a person can’t perform their job with their boss watching them, then they don’t need to be in that job. Period. Everyone of blogging in here would not have the spine to tell your boss, who signs your paychecks, that you don’t appreciate him/her being around while you are trying to work or to leave because you can’t concentrate on your duties. Everyone of you will be polite and when your boss leaves you will then complain. So to get on here and claim that Mr. Blank shouldn’t be on the sideline is idiotic.

By CJ2

January 4, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Who cares what Arthur Blank does on the sidelines? Ultimately, it has nothing to do with the success or failure of the Falcons.

Focus on important topics:

Why can’t the Falcons draft NFL calibre WRs?

Why did the Falcons re-sign two petite offensive linemen that fit the zone blocking sceme when they fire the coach a month later and the new coach will likely want to change blocking schemes?

Why do the Falcons and Rich McKay have a love affair with little linemen that wear lace panties?

Why doesn’t the front office take the Safety position seriously?

By scott matthews

January 4, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

i like seeing athur blanks on the sidelines it show he is involved in interested in the team being a winner ..its better than the previous owners that just didnt give a damn!!the day the falcons become consistent winners is when mr blanks will dissapear from the sidelines ..but i like whhat he is doing with the falcons!!!i,m just very hungry for them to be the elite team that they should be …I LOVE THE FALCONS!!

By coach

January 4, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Blank is learning - he will figure it out - he may be one coach away from getting it right - Ted Turner is a good example. The Eagle’s owner is another good example - but he has had it right for a number of years. It took the New England owner two or three coaches, now he has one of the best organization in football.

Most owners have made it work staying off the sidelines - players and coaches often see the owner after the game in the locker room.

By Blank is a fool

January 4, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I have lost all respect for Arthur Blank. Nobody is going to want to coach for his over controlling a@s.

By Ronnie Freeman

January 4, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Mr. Blanks has earned the right to be with the Falcons anywhere that he chooses with the purchase of the Falcons for 400 million dollars. I see nothing wrong with him being on the sidelines. He is obviously showing that he cares about what is going on. He does not attempt to do the coaches jobs nor does he give instruction to the players. I say let the coaches coach and let Mr. Blanks show his support by being where he pleases. This whole blog is stupid because Mr. Blanks is going to be where his heart and passion for HIS team leads him whether its in the box or on the sidelines. If I was in his position, then I would too. The new coach has to realize that he does have a boss and that his boss will check in on him from time to time. If he wants to remain employed by the Falcons organization then respect your superior. If the new coach does his job, then Mr. Blanks should not be a distraction even if he chooses to stand right beside him as long as he doesn’t attempt to send in any plays, call a defensive formation, etc. You guy that are hating on Mr. Blanks, get a life. For the amount of money the new coach is going to be paid, he should just shut up from the begining and concentrate on coaching and not sideline patrolling.

By Tired of the madness

January 4, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Now that Mora is gone, the rage has turned to Blank and McKay. It’s always been about Vick. Artur Blank does not read these blogs. Even if he did, he would be a complete fool to allow people who don’t have a clue about running a pro football team, have a say so in his decision making. The ONLY choice we have as fans is to decide whether we’re going to support the team or not. NOTHING ELSE!!! No amount of venomous ranting will decide how Mr. Blank runs HIS team. Some people just like to complain no matter what. Some people are just naturally bitter and negative and upset because of their inability to control every aspect of their life. I’ll be happy when things begin to take shape for the Falcons so some of this acid laced commentary can subside. I know that it will never go away completely, but at least it might slow down and sensible folks can talk about the falcons in a civilized manner without insults, put downs, name calling, finger pointing and useless drivel leading to nothing.

By ICEMAN

January 4, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Tired of the madness,

Good insight. My sentiments exactly.

By DOM

January 4, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

DAN REEVES STOP CRYING WE ALL REMEMBER HOW REEVES GOT FIRED. WHEN THE ONLY TRUE DIFFERENCE MAKER (MIKE VICK) ON THE TEAM GOT HURT REEVES COULD NOT COMPENSATE. ARTHURS MANAGEMENT STYLE IS EXCELLENT EXCEPT THAT HE BLINDLY PUTS TO MUCH EMPHASIS AND VALUE ON SUB PAR TALENT CHOIR BOYS. THIS IS AN AGGRESSIVE, VICIOUS GAME CHOIR BOYS ARE NOT WIRED THAT WAY!

By kingfish

January 4, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Blank should be on the sidelines if he wants; he has every right, it is his money that has been spent for this team. The problem is not him; the problem is Vick. Put Vick on the sidelines for good and let Shaub or Shockley get this team going in the right direction. Enough already of this circus that we have seen this year.

By A Fool No More

January 4, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank has a right to be on the sideline during games, but I don’t think it is a good idea. Especially since it appears that he continually sucks up to MV#7 when he’s on the sidelines(long term contract for millions is playing out to have been a really bad idea).

As long as that is the case, the Falcons will never be a Top NFL contender, because MV is not a “TOP” NFL caliber QB. Being an exciting athlete, to watch on the field, does not equate to being one of the elite NFL QBs with PASSING ACCURACY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. However, MV does sell tickets and move merchandise (I’m predicting that might change after next year…the hype is slowing dying a slow death).

Hopefully the new coach and staff can bring significant changes to the Falcon’s organization. I’ve been a season ticket holder since the Fulton County Stadium days, so Arthur Blank, even with him standing on the sidelines, is a welcomed change from the Smith Family’s ownership.

By Brian O'Brien

January 4, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

As many of you have stated, A. Blank owns the team, he has every right to roam the sidelines, talk to the coaches and players etc. Just as any serious head coaching candidate with any possibility of success has the right to choose not to work in that kind of environment. Just because you have the “right” to do something doesn’t mean you should.

By Diesel

January 4, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Please! Dan Reeves didn’t run Vick on the goal line in that Cleveland game because of Blank? Unreal. He rarely used Vick on the goal line! I can rememeber a game against the Dolphins in ‘01 when Vick played for three quarters, compeletely shredded the Dolphins and Reeves ran four straight dive plays with Bob Christian on 1st and goal with the game on the line!

Yeah Reeves, that’s why you were run out - it was Blank’s sideline antics.

Give me a break Moore, don’t craddle Reeves’s Johnson because he’s not here anymore. What a joke… Arthur Blank standing on the sidelines during the end of games doesn’t make the Falcons win or lose and it especially wasn’t the only reason Reeves got booted.

Would someone please ask Dan Reeves why he gave up a 1st round pick (which turned out to be the fifth overall pick by the way) for Reggie Kelly? Huh? Would anybody ask him that one freaking time?!

Or how about Jammi German over Hines Ward? Huh?!? Nothing?!?!

By CK

January 4, 2007 01:22 PM | Link to this

And if Blank was Black Terrance would say He needed to be on the sidelines to promote more Black owners. Sorry but i feel TM is racist towrd anything white or close to it.

By BeTough

January 4, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

As a long time Falcon fan I sit back and look at this situation and I just shake my head… We are all looking for a tough coach, who instills discipline, doesn’t baby his star players or any players for that matter, a coach with experience and a winning pedigree, and will respect but not put up with a meddling owner… Well it looks like we let him go three seasons ago! If any of you have the time think back to how good Vick was under Reeves, also remember that #83, #28, #56, and #97 were making pro bowls when he was here also… Take a few moments and wiki, or google Dan Reeves this sob has a pretty good resume and coming to the perrenial loser Falcons did not hurt it either, C’mon guys he took us to the Super Bowl! That’s got to count for something and the bad part is he was building us back up again! I appreciate Blanks intentions but he pulled the trigger on Reeves to soon! My real Falcon fans will remember that the day after Dan left he sent Vick a Christmas gift, it was a book about being a great leader. He recognized Vick had all the potential in the world but he still wasn’t quite were he needed to be. Mora simply ordained #7 this great leader and player with out even witnessing it! Remember Vick was the new 4th quater comeback King under Coach Reeves…What happens to a dream deferred? It shrivels up and dies! I just sit back and ask What a ride it could have been?

By Remaining Fans

January 4, 2007 01:27 PM | Link to this

Tired of the Madness @11:28 - What is the point of this blog if we - the fans - can’t have our say?

Just like with politics where one is free to talk all you want and then make it offical with your vote, the fans can talk all they want but they really say it with cash. Arthur the businessman may not read this blog, but he most certainly reads sales reports.

Besides, no one is saying that Blank has no rights as an owner and/or has to listen to us. Rather, we are offering opinions on the product he provides for purchase. If we don’t like the product we can gripe about any aspect of it from the owner on down. If he doesn’t like it then he needs find a new line of work.

By CK

January 4, 2007 01:39 PM | Link to this

well said be tough…..

By SteveF

January 4, 2007 01:57 PM | Link to this

I have said all year the Blank is a real problem and nothing but a Jerry Jones wannabe. This team simply needed receivers to catch the ball and they would have been in the playoffs. How can Blank possibly think he is supportive when he is on the sideline and yes talking to the coaches in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. If he keeps it up, Atlanta won’t be buying what he is selling. I am certainly glad someone with a pen had the guts to say what needs to be said.

By SteveF

January 4, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

I have said all year the Blank is a real problem and nothing but a Jerry Jones wannabe. This team simply needed receivers to catch the ball and they would have been in the playoffs. How can Blank possibly think he is supportive when he is on the sideline and yes talking to the coaches in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. If he keeps it up, Atlanta won’t be buying what he is selling. I am certainly glad someone with a pen had the guts to say what needs to be said.

By mbnum2

January 4, 2007 02:01 PM | Link to this

I usually dont agree Terrence..but this time i do. You cant put one individual in front of the whole franchise. Giving him kisses on the helmet like Mora, and pats on the a$$. It turns players into babies, just like it did Vick. Vick used to go out there and give it his all everygame. Now, he just plays when he feels like it. He looks lethargic out there or even stoned sometimes…He doesnt have the heart of a winner anymore.

By tiredofallthebadness

January 4, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Arthur Blank can pull off the gratest trade of the Century.

The Falcons for the GA Aquarium!

By Tired of the madness

January 4, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

“Remaining Fans”, most people who don’t like a product simply don’t buy it. Complaining about it doesn’t get you a better product. Venting your complaints on these blogs is not going to get you or any of us what we want. Though you certainly have the “right” to do so. I believe that Blank is trying to provide a better product. Often it takes time to “Build a Better Mousetrap.” the fans can talk all they want but they really say it with cash. That is exactly right, if you don’t like the product, don’t buy it. That is what a prudent person would do. Take their business elsewhere not sit back and complain endlessly to no gain. Complaining on these blogs is not going to keep most of the fans from going to Falcon games nor watching them. Some will watch out of curiosity and others looking for an opportunity to say I TOLD YOU SO. I could understand it better if we had a long history of winning or had gone to multiple super bowls and won. We haven’t. Does that mean the fans should get use to a losing team? Absolutely not! I say give Blank a chance. He’s a fairly new owner and I believe that he has the desire and the means to turn the Falcon franchise into winners and do it consistently. No harm intended.

By dawgsrulejacketsdrool

January 4, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank should hire a coach capable of doing the job and then get off of the sidelines. It is a distraction and a joke for him to be there.

Go hug him in the locker room after the Falcons win the Super Bowl. Other than that, get away from the cameras.

By Carlos

January 4, 2007 03:09 PM | Link to this

When I moved to this town all you heard about was mike vick this and mike vick that. arthur blanks was the best owner in the nfl. he’s young, sharp, hip, energetic. if you archive the ajc, you will see what I’m talking about. But now that it hasn’t worked out, all you hear are these jealous rants, and racist overtones (vick & blank should become a rap group). that crap is not funny. what you are a talking about is a football team playing a game. it’s entertainment folk. if you don’t like the program don’t watch. but don’t think for one second that these racist remarks go unnotice. 2007 what a shame atl

By shane

January 4, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Jounal readers could use TM to keep his writing at a distance. Negative or nothing at all.

By Play that funky music whiteboy

January 4, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this

TM - I think you and Dan Reeves both have it all wrong. I think if a coach had enough guts to tell Arthur Blank in the interview, “Look, I’m going to come in here and win championships - NFC South, NFC, and contend for a SuperBowl. I’m going to give you a team that plays with passion, heart, and intensity and a team that WINS. I need you to stay off the sidelines during games - it’s a distraction to the staff and the team. You will always have access to me at any other time, just not immediately before or during the game.”

Blank would hire a guy like that in a New York minute. But you can’t start out being all mealy-mouthed and Aw Shucks like Dan Reeves, then expect to turn it on. You got to set the stage from the beginning.

By ICEMAN

January 4, 2007 03:46 PM | Link to this

Carlos,

Why don’t you hop back over the border and mind your own business? What goes on here is our business not yours. One more comment like that and I’m calling INS.

By Erroll

January 4, 2007 03:46 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank hasn’t been on the sidelines during the opening drives of the last 24 games when the Falcons have failed to score a touchdown. He isn’t on the sidelines when our receivers are dropping the ball all over the field. He isn’t on the sidelines when our offensive line, made up of dwarfs, fail to block anyone. I went to the Saints game. On their opening drive they picked up 2 yards on their first 2 plays. Then on 3rd and 8 they dropped back and through the ball the length of the field for a touchdown. Blank was in the booth when the Saint’s wide receiver blew past our defensive backs like they were stuck in concrete. Who cares where Blank stands or what he says or does. The players and coaches are being paid stupid money to win. So start winning. No Excuses!!!!

By Carlos

January 4, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

Hey ICEMAN,

Sorry, born right here in the good old u s of a. But maybe you were talking about the Georgia border?? hmmm

Carlos :)

By jacson

January 4, 2007 04:30 PM | Link to this

When we win, everyone one is a fan. Our players and coaches can walk on water. Blank and company are the 2nd coming of Christ. When we lose, you clowns think you have all the answers. Who is at fault, who is dumb, who is worthless, how to fix problems, etc., etc., etc. Well, you do not know the answers and Monday morning QB`s are a dime a dozen. On Blank, He is far and away the best owner in the league. Not afraid to spend money on the teams needs and is learning how to run the organization. Remember the Smiths? Even though I wish Arthur would stay off the sidelines, it is his dime and he can go anywhere he pleases as long as he stays of the playing field. TM is welcome his opinion, but mostly his thoughts and blogs leave something to be desired.

By mandrell

January 4, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

King Arthur done won him some big fans up in here sticking with the V-Man! Hope they spend their money at Home Depot cause a lot of us are going to Lowes instead! Ain’t no use in financing a losing @$$ team like the Falcon’s by buying their tickets or by supporting King Arthur’s company stock.

By big tone

January 4, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

VICK IS A COACH KILLER!this town needs a disciplinarian like rivera or singletary.

By RON K

January 4, 2007 04:58 PM | Link to this

IF THE FALCONS HAD A HEAD COACH LIKE JUNE JONES OR JERRY GLANVILLE IT WOULD MATTER TO THEM BECAUSE NOBODY COULD OUTCOACH THESE TWO ANYWAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE IN THE HUNT WITH THE FALCONS FOR THE JOB. I ALSO KNOW ARIZONA WANTS THESE TWO ALSO. THEY ARE PROBALLY THE ONLY COACHING STAFF THAT COULD MANAGE VICK, MAKE HIM BETTER AND GREATLY IMPROVE THE DEFENSE ,PLUS IMPROVE TEAM MORAL. ADDITIONALLY THEY WOULD SELL TICKETS TO THE WEEKLY GAMES. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

By Realist

January 4, 2007 05:08 PM | Link to this

Blank seemly (to me) does not have the experience to make successful player talent assessments in the professional sport of football although he has shown he thinks he does by the confounding (to me) contract with Vick (as well as other notable player picks) at the expense of being able to create an above average team which the Falcons are NOW not. The results are 8&8 and 7&9 over the most recent 8 financial qtrs with his current distribution of wealth scheme.

Blank throwing money at Vick has also not made Vick a more successful player because the true measure of success in this sport is the TEAM winning more often than not and not individual stats.

To those who make the claim that Blank does not call the plays (and thus cannot be part, or any, of the problem for the below average on-field performance) is not considering that he has influenced indirectly the called plays and the schemes by his choices of where he threw his money. As it is said, “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (which I think may be a Hebrew truism).

Everyone seems so enamored with the fantasy that he can and will continue to throw money at players and they will respond by winning the SB. This scenario is fantasy because of the rules (e.g. salary-cap) in place in this entertainment/sports business that has seemly out-witted him so far. BTW, the truly excellent orgs/teams are those that can win despite having a large amount of money spent. That is real ROI.

Frankly, how is success defined for a pro sports owner. I believe it is having the interested community (the “stakeholders” as he likes to say) embracing his ability to make them have fun at the 16, or more hopefully the 16+, parties he throws each season (remember, this is an entertainment business).

Consider the following: if our team lost every game of the season by a single point, I believe every fan, if honest, could, and would, say, “at least we had fun at those games.” We would be saddened that we came so close in every game, yet proud of our guys giving their effort. Would that not be the best story in sports that a team played every time to a single point loss yet they played each successive game with same equal hard effort and dedication they did in the first game of the season?

Blank prowling and scowling does exude fun by the host!!!

By Realist

January 4, 2007 05:13 PM | Link to this

Hell, Jacson, why not let him suit up and try his luck? You call him “the best owner in the league”. You are defining best as the one who throws the most money. What about one who provides the fans a TEAM they are proud of and happy with.

By hitwriter

January 4, 2007 05:17 PM | Link to this

Those of you singing Blank’s praise based on his check book seem to forget there is a salary cap. He can only spend so much and no more than any other owner.

He can stand on the sideline the entire game as far as I’m concerned as long as he doesn’t talk to the coach. It’s simple and respectful.

The Reeves story was great to read on how Arthur interfered during a game. I wonder if Reeves ever discussed it with him before it appeared here in print?

The NFL should really have some rules on owner sideline protocol.

By FOXsportsdotstoopes

January 4, 2007 05:26 PM | Link to this

Fox Sports is “reporting” that Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoopes is “high on the Falcons list” as is Steve Mariucci & Mike Martz…

too bad they are not the Falcons interview list….

“moore” top-notch reporting guys…pun intended

By Chuck Sosebee

January 4, 2007 05:27 PM | Link to this

Mr Arthur you got rid of the wrong man. You need a QB that will play for the team- LIKE hand the ball off to the good backs etc you have. A one man show is not the definition of a TEAM. Wake up sir you just fired one of the best coaches in the NFL. Forget about the Universty of Washington!!!!!!!!

By Orlando Rivera

January 4, 2007 05:29 PM | Link to this

Iceman, one more comment like that and i’ll backslap you so hard your mama will feel it after she’s done sucking deez n*ts! The only thing colder than your nickname is your bedroom. I’m sure you’re one of those people who have to stand up to raise their IQ.

I’m glad we have an owner like Blank. Heck I’m glad the city of Atlanta has ONE sports owner that actually gives a crap. Do you think he could take over the Hawks? Those gawd-awful uniforms would go and so would the “keeping it real” group of Knight and Woodson would be gone too!

He realized he made a mistake when he let go of Reeves and is attempting to correct it with his next hire. Realizing he messed up is no different than some of you morons who screwed up in past relationships (if you’ve ever had any to begin with) and now spend your weekends ogling the women on the weather channel in an attempt to relive the past!

Let’s get the right coach in the McKay and bring this team back to where they belong. Blank, keep doing what you do!

By Lesa

January 4, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

TIRED OF THE MADNESS, I totally agree with your comments: “Some people just like to complain no matter what. Some people are just naturally bitter and negative and upset because of their inability to control every aspect of their life. I’ll be happy when things begin to take shape for the Falcons so some of this acid laced commentary can subside.”

For two weeks this season, after the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati games, the haters were totally absent from the AJC blogs. That’s because they couldn’t criticize Vick’s performance in those games, and the team looked good winning those games. As soon as we started losing, the haters were back to blame Vick, Blank, the water boy, whoever. Once the Falcons start doing well again, the haters will disappear again. I, for one, anxiously await that day.

By BIG DADDY

January 4, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this

A few questions for you would be coaches:

1. Just what is Rich McKay’s job?

2. How would you like to try to discipline Mike Vick?

3. Would you like your owner parading the sidelines and talking to your players when you are up to your neck trying to figure a way to win the game?

It’s not a matter of whether Arthur Blank has the RIGHT to walk the sidelines, it’s a question of whether or not it’s the smart thing to do. In no way can it be seen by the players as an endorsement of the coach. It simply cannot be.

By rgillispe

January 4, 2007 05:38 PM | Link to this

After reading all of these blogs, the problem is still VICK. I have not been wrong on my picks with the Falcons the past 3 years, Next year with Vivx maybe 9-7. My pick has always been befroe the season starts, Go Pat’s

By NOT A FALCONS FAN

January 4, 2007 05:50 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick’s job is NOT to win games.

His job is to sell merchandise.

THAT is why he will continue to play professional football.

Note: look for a uniform change next year, in order to sell more #7 merchandise.

If you want a winning team, stop buying #7 merchandise. Then Arthur Blank will finally hire a head coach who isn’t a “yes man”, and that new coach will get rid of #7 and hire a quarterback who can win games - like Steve McNair, for example.

But, I guess I’m just one of those “racists” because I would prefer Steve McNair over Mike Vick, eh?

By T 4 REAL

January 4, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

To Not a falcons fan, Are you serious? The NFL is much bigger than MV7. You really thinks he starts just to sell jerseys?….How old are you really? With good blocking you’ve seen how accurate he can be. Without blocking you see how well he can improvise. Actually he’s the best at it. 70% of his 1000yds came from trying to make things happened when his offen ln broke down or when he had to run for his life. How are you folks so blind? EITHER YOUR DUMB OR RACIST OR BOTH! PROBABALY THE LATTER. VICK ISN’T EVEN IN HIS PRIME, THAT’S WHY HE HAS THE 130 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT. ONE DAY HE’LL DELIVER AND THEN YOU VICK HATERS WILL BE SILENCED FOREVER! WELL, MAYBE NOT BECAUSE THEN YOU’LL SAY HE WAS ON STEROIDS OR HE’S NOT HUMAN IN WHICH MANY RACIST THINK WE’RE NOT HUMAN ANYWAY,BUT YOU’LL HAVE SOME KIND OF EXCUSE! YOU’LL LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT LIKE YOUR STUPID REMARKS!!!!

By Chip Brewer

January 4, 2007 07:59 PM | Link to this

this text will be boldedDAN REEVES WAS THE BEST THING THE FALCONS EVER HAD GOING FOR THEM. I ONLY REGRET MR. SMITH DID NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO SEE DAN TAKE HIS FALCONS TO THE SUPER BOWL. THE FALCONS WERE FINALLY BEING LOOKED AT WITH SOME CLASS FROM THE REST OF THE SPORTS WORLD. 3 TIME COACH OF THE YEAR VOTED ON BY THE PEERS (OTHER COACHES IN THE NFL)OF HIS PROFFESION. FOR 3 DIFFRENT TEAMS.9 TIMES TO THE SUPER BOWL. YEA DAN BEING FIRED BY THE BLANK ORGANIZATION DID DANGER DAN A FAVOR. AS FOR BLANKS HIRING A G.M. YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE RESPECT OF YOUR PLAYERS IF THE COACH CANNOT FIRE AND HIRE THEM. WONDER WHY BLANKS GOT FIRED FROM THE COMPANY HE CO FOUNDED (HOME DEPOT) MAYBE THE DOLPHINS WILL HIRE COACH REEVES BECAUSE THE OWNER THERE KNOWS ENOUGH ABOUT FOOTBALL TO LET THE EXPERTS RUN HIS FOOTBALL TEAM. NOT AN OWNER WITH 5 YEARS EXPERENCE DABBLING WITH A NEW PURCHASE OF AN NFL TEAM JUST TO SATISFY HIS RELATIVELY NON CELEBRITY STATUS. PLEASE, DAN REEVES HAS MORE MORALS,ETHICS, AND INTEGRITY ON HIS PINKY THAN THE FALCONS HAVE IN THE WHOLE FRONT OFFICE. DAN REEVES FOR PRESIDENT

By NOT A FALCONS FAN

January 4, 2007 08:02 PM | Link to this

Like I said, I would be called a racist for preferring Steve McNair of Mike Vick.

Just goes to show you how people have been brainwashed into supporting Mike Vick…

By Chip Brewer

January 4, 2007 08:07 PM | Link to this

DAN REEVES SHOULD MAKE THE HALL OF FAME JUST ON HIS ABILITY TO G.M. LOOK HE DRAFTED THE TWO BEST QUATER BACKS TO EVER PLAY IN THE NFL. JOHN ELWAY AN MICHEAL VICK

By super bowl XXXIII

January 4, 2007 09:14 PM | Link to this

PLEASE DAN REEVES COME BACK & COACH THIS TEAM. WE NEED YA!!!

By david

January 4, 2007 09:34 PM | Link to this

DAN REEVES IS THE ONLY ANSWER!

By pr

January 4, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Blank is a joke! What coach will come here because of him parading on the sidelines. Stay in the box like all owners do. Jerry Jones did at the beginning but he was an all american and captain of Arkansas.

By Navigator

January 4, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

I love it when simple minds bring Dallas into the argument. Fact is that Jimmy Johnson made all of the personnel decision on drafting and trading to build the last Dallas dynasty. Switzer finished the last championship, and was then released. Since that time Jerry Jones runs all decisions through himself, including draft decisions. No championships, and only mediocre results during the season. The big tuna came knowing Jerry Jones would make decisions he would not like (T.O.), but the results are the same. Early out in the playoffs, enough said.

By SC

January 4, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Michael Smith, well said. Most over-achieving people don’t want to work with some less competent person interfering at critical periods in a given business. If this less competent person is in a position of authority, such as ownership, the situation is worse. Competent employees tend to find other places of employment, because they can.

If Arthur Blank was a linebacker coach with a SuperBowl ring and had been previously appointed as a coach, only then would he belong on the sidelines.

That notwithstanding, Arthur Blank is a great improvement over the Smiths. He has demonstrated that he wants to invest in the team. That’s great. I commend him not only for his strong desire to win, but also for his community involvement. Well done, Mr. Blank.

Go with what works, Arthur. Don’t follow the fads. Due diligence is to be expected. Just remember that there are two words in that phrase.

By SC

January 4, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

When the Dallas Cowboys win, they win with Jerry Jones money, but they win despite Jerry Jones.

By Cap

January 5, 2007 02:05 AM | Link to this

That’s right Vick haters and racists, keep coming out of the woodwork. A new vacancy in the NFL has opened up with the firing of Art Shell in Oakland. Despite Oakland being exponentially worse than Atlanta (because they don’t have a Michael Vick) and being what I consider a crappy city with a high murder rate, Oakland does not have hillbillies and uncle toms who bash the best player on the team (by far). Therefore, Oakland still has the ability to attract free agents. As a result, Oakland (with an owner by far more impatient than Arthur Blank) will attract a better coach than such a poor sports city than Atlanta. So keep it up country boys! Hey Atlanta, good luck attracting free agents!

By Cap

January 5, 2007 02:07 AM | Link to this

Do you really think it is wise to bash Arthur Blank when Atlanta has a goofy stadium and Los Angeles doesn’t have a team?

By Cap

January 5, 2007 02:12 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, the jobs for the three most storied franchises of my childhood in some of the best football cities have become vacant all at once and the Cardinals have an offense with all of the pieces in place in the weakest division in football in the best stadium in the league in year around warm weather with no hillbillies. Half of Atlanta is criticizing the owner and the only player (Vick) that has any value whatsoever on the team. And what kind of coach do the haters think Atlanta will get?