AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlank, McKay need to let new GM do his job
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Thomas Dimitroff trotted out a phrase that applies to the New England Patriots — “indisputable role understanding.” Loose translation: Robert Kraft pays, Bill Belichick spies, Tom Brady throws. And Dimitroff, up until Saturday, did the college scouting. Now he’s the general manager of a franchise where roles are less understandable.
“I’m very clear on the org [neo-speak for ‘organizational’] chart,” Dimitroff said Tuesday at a meet-and-greet with the Atlanta media. “Rich McKay [once the GM, now just the president] has a wealth of knowledge, and I look forward to tapping into that. But I will have final say on the football side.”
So, someone asked, does that mean the GM-since-Saturday will be hiring the next coach? Said Dimitroff: “Along with Mr. Blank, yes.”
Said Arthur Blank, seeking to clarify: “He does have final say. At the end of the day, he and I will decide who the next coach will be.”
So: Does that make the final say the semifinal say?
Give the Falcons credit for hiring their GM first and letting him have a voice in choosing the coach. Give them credit for finding a fresh face — Dimitroff looks, it must be said, 20 years younger than his age, which is 41 — who spent the past six years apprenticing in the NFL’s finest, er, org. Heck, give them credit for conducting their initial interview via Webcam. “Ask your children about it,” Blank said. “It works very well.”
And say this for Dimitroff: He gives the impression of youth without seeming immature. He’s clever and pleasant and enthusiastic. He prefers “Thomas” to “Tom,” perhaps because it sounds more distinguished. He has clear ideas about the draft — pick for need above all — and he doesn’t appear fazed by a mission that might, to someone less bold, seem impossible.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t see this as a daunting task,” he said. “I think we can right this ship. If we put the right people and the right system in place, we can get this going the right way.”
The concern isn’t so much Dimitroff as a hire as the Falcons as a hierarchy. Blank is, as we know, among the most visible owners in sports and, final say or no, Dimitroff still must report to McKay. The new GM wants, as most new GMs want, to “change the culture,” but will a 41-year-old steeped not in office intrigue but in on-the-road scouting be able to budge Blank and McKay if they decide to act mulish?
“To me as an owner,” Blank said, “there’s a very bright line. And for this owner and for most owners, I don’t want to cross that line. I ask simply that I be informed and be knowledgeable [about football affairs].”
That’s the ideal, sure. But is that the way it really works in Flowery Branch when, as Blank conceded, “my passion sometimes overflows”?
The hope is that Blank (and McKay) are smart enough to defer to Dimitroff, who didn’t come here because the Falcons are in tip-top shape. He’s here because, as McKay noted Tuesday before ducking out, “these have been the longest 14 months of anyone’s life.”
Blank can be an intimidating figure, especially if he’s paying your salary. That said, Dimitroff can’t be seen as just another employee. He’ll require free rein. Even if he offends the folks who built the failed status quo, he has to do what needs doing, lop what needs lopping.
It would be unreasonable for Blank, who has invested much in this franchise, not to have final say on the next coach. Once that’s done, the Falcons’ new general manager must be allowed to manage both generally and specifically, and the activist owner must be willing to sit back and own. Like those newfangled Webcams, that arrangement might work very well.
Permalink | Comments (146) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Mark Bradley
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By jim
January 15, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, the “real game” is revealed in Blank’s statement correcting Dimitroff about helping with the hiring of the coach. Blank just can’t do what he claims he will do - give the new G.M. the final say. The Falcons team and organization are now officially a laughing stock in the NFL. Do use a favor Arthur, sell the team and go back to counting boards and tools.
By Adel Purvis
January 15, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
I din’t believe that we will get an offense that can score 14 points a game. Dimitroff is way too young and inexperienced, Blank has not a clue.
By Concerned Falcon
January 15, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Blank having “final say” in anything has spelled disaster for this franchise. So I will assume if he has ” final say” in the hiring of our next coach it will be the wrong coach. I have heard rumors that Tom Heckert was a strong personality and let it be known he wasn’t going to be pushed around if he took the job. Therefore, blank and Mckay went out and got themselves a yes man that they could control. Blank was forced to ” demote” Mckay because fans and media had become disillusioned with him. But the reality is that the hiring of thomas didlypoo is just smoke and mirrors to appease the angry fan base who have really just been duped again by the falcon brass. Anyone who thinks that Blank and Mckay aren’t still running the show is a fool.
By Ron Roberts
January 15, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
I sure wish we’d go and hire Caldwell now. Dungy might be going and leaving that job to him, and maybe we’d not get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from him until then, but it’d be nice to see us press the issue.
But if it’s to be Rex Ryan, then who’s going to be our offensive guy?
By Stinky
January 15, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
We’re doomed. Doomed, I tell you.
By Chris
January 15, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Well, obviously Blank and McKay haven’t set the world ablaze with the decisions they’ve made. Hopefully hiring Dimitroff will be the last big decision made by those two, and they actually allow the man to do the job for which he was hired. Can’t be any worse, so just let the guy go for it.
By Rod
January 15, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff should have free raign? He was a goofer for the Pats. Are we going to hire Garret too? That makes 2 more dumb azzes we got running the falcons now. 4 al together. Blank, McKay, Dimi, and probably Garrett. Damit hire Dan Reeves or someone that knows what the futtk to do.
By why not a black coach?
January 15, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
I want to see a culture change in Atlanta. management has been the problem all a long in this city. But to keep the same culture the NFL and the Falcon has had for black coaches and Gm is down right wrong.
Frist I think the new GM is Great a football man and a great hire. Mr . Blank said he wants to be a part of this city show us. Stand up and have some balls. The same old culture . to change the old culture you have to make us a part of the falcons management.
The time has come and now it’s past time! Mr . Blank if the the city was all white and you never got a white coach all hell would have been raise by now. This team has been here starting in 1966 till 2008. not one has been hired why? We can play the game by we can’t coach or be a Gm.
Your season ticket holders is 56% black in a city that is 63% black. In the city of the home of MLK who said I have a dream. Mr. Blank hire one black coach . There are grade A l people to pull from. we want the same as any other people. Mr. Blank your Marketing people know we fill the dome we buy falcon gear we spend a lot of money to be a outcast!
By Patrick
January 15, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
You guys kill me. Doom and gloom, doom and gloom. He’s been here 24 hours, how about you give him at least 72 to make an impact.
Personally I’d rather have an owner who cares too much than one who doesn’t care at all. There’s a lot of franchises who’ve had less success than us in the last 5 years.
By jersey falcon
January 15, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Time heals everything. if you cant wait 1 to 2 years for this team to be where it needs to be in the NFL. than go jump on some other teams bandwagon. STOP BHIN*
By David C
January 15, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
One statement of Dimitroff’s comments got my attention. He said he would “pick for need above all “. That wasn’t McKay’s philosophy. I heard an interview with McKay at draft time last spring and he said they drafted off a “horizontal board”. Think of this as all 22 positions side by side, players ranked at their position. That isn’t drafting by need. Thats by rank. Hope the new way works better.
By Retarded Falcon fans
January 15, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
I would like to punch the next stupid s.o.b that utters the word Jim Caldwell in the mouth. Jim Caldwell was 24-54 in his only head coaching stint at wake forest. The guy who succeded him at wake forest has turned that program into a consistent winner and bowl participant. So I hope everyone has enough brain cells to draw a conclusion from that fact. Jim caldwell is a loser as a head coach and peyton manning’s success as a NFL QB would be relevant with or without him as QB coach. I can’t believe there are knuckleheads out there that think the colts offensive success is the result of jim freakin caldwell. It’s no wonder we have the dumbest fans in the entire world of sports.
By Zach Blend
January 15, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your thoughts Mark. Watching the web cast this afternoon I had similar thoughts as you in regards to Thomas’ make up and personality. When Steak Shapiro asked Thomas a second time about final say in regards to the head coaching decision, I thought both Thomas and Arthur handled it well.
I think it is safe to say that the Falcons will be hiring a younger coach without head coaching experience. If that is indeed the decision I feel as if it would be in the Falcons best interest to choose a defensive minded head coach, such as Rex Ryan or Jim Schwartz, while bringing in an offensive mind such as Norm Chow to run the other side of the ball. I would feel uncomfortable putting Jason Garrett in the position of doing double duty including head coaching roles/play calling. That exercise did not workout very well for Bobby Petrino.
I’m an avid sports fan and true to all of the Atlanta ball clubs and get frustrated by reading these blogs when a majority of what is written is negative. Professional sports is no different then big business. Companies have bad years, revenue goes down, stock price drops and people get fired. However over a period of time if a company is persistent and learns from prior experience they improve. This has been a very difficult year for the Atlanta Falcons and their fans but now is not the time to start raising cain over the hiring of Thomas Dimitroff. Let him have his chance to work this out and more importanly let Arthur Blank have his chance to get out of the way.
By What in the...
January 15, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Blanky and Richy have done an excellent job hiring/putting-their-eggs-in-one-basket before…I’m sure Tommy-boy will work out as well as Mora, Petrino, Vick (and McKay!) have.
Too bad they hired Tommy-boy only as a figure head…he’ll be the only one without a chair when the music stops- wait and see.
By Robert
January 15, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Until Arthur and Rich understands that they really need help….they are going to fail and we will be the one suffering for it. You don’t bring a fresh face with bright ideas and try to limit this guy. Let him assume the GM duties and do what GM’s do. Obviously he has the Patriots with talent on their roster. Let him do that for the Falcons. Right now we suck and we will continue to suck until we make a change!!!
By jack Atlanta
January 15, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Just shutter to think that McKay is going to be in on the decision making. Did anyone else notice the folks that the Falcons have let go over this past weekend — and not even counting Farve!! How about Wade Phillips; Kerney; Jackson? THey were all playing in playoff games. Things really started going down hill when Dan Reeves was fired. AND THEN — THERE WAS VICK! Please get McKay a new Wii and let him play with that, but keep him away from the new GM. Mr. Blank, would suggest that you do the same. Your decisions in football just haven’t been that sterling!!
By Miranda
January 15, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
I’m sure there was something that Dimitroff had, some intangible that propelled him over Reggie …my guess is his lack of credentials vs McKenzie or Heckert didn’t matter since he was with the Pats….that’s all it took…thus solidifying the Falcons owner as a starry-eyed fan.
By Atlpaddy
January 15, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark,
In the Falcons’ own press release, it reads,
‘Dimitroff will report to club President Rich McKay.’
As a fan this sentence scares me greatly.
By Singletary
January 15, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
David C is right about TD. If you need OLine, you draft that Tackle or Guard. (See 07 CLE 1st Round 3rd overall pick Joe Thomas, second most votes for Rookie of the Year and already a stalwart!)
I hope TD does hire someone relatively young and enthusiastic or an assistant seeking to prove himself. (Don’t ride me about Mora: his fatal flaw was trying to impose a system without looking at the attributes of his playersm, unlike Gruden.) There is a lot of work to be done so we need high energy.
By neckville rednecks
January 15, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
retarded redneck falcons fan not How I wish you could punch we I would beat the hell out of your hatefull @ss. mora, petino, the list goes on and on of loser at coach. Dan Reeves has been the only ray of light this team has every had.
No pro bowl lineman in 10 years. Vick played his heart out for a talant less team for a management team that was clueless with some clueless less fans!
1039 yards rushing 20 TD PASSING 2 TD RUSHING NO OTHER qb IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME HAS DONE THAT JUST THE FACT WITH A TALANT LESS TEAM! we have 2 other first round pick at QB and a backup and they could not do half that good.
Blank It seem you are not going to hire a black coach. The Gm said he will get the best players we will see. I see we have the same old culture! 1966 to 2008 all the same white!
By Tommy Maddox
January 15, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
What kind of logic is that coming from “By why not a black coach?” Hire a black coach and everything will be fine?
Why not hire a “real live good coach” no matter what shade he happens to be?
By Saint
January 15, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about Tom’s youthful looks, in a year he will look 41. I wonder if he will feel he has to hire a coach near his own age, or will he feel he can hire an experienced nfl coach older than himself?
By Ken Strickland
January 15, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
I’m not so sure I blame ABlank for wanting the final say about who is hired as HC. After all, he let RMcKay have the final say on the last 2 HC hires and look at how that turned out. I like the way our new GM thinks and approaches the task ahead of him. He seems to know the Falcons have talent, just not enough. He also seems to know how important it is to hire a HC that will impliment a system that will better utilize our existing talent. That wasn’t the case with our last two HC’s.
By intellibird
January 15, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with Tommy Maddox, do careful and thorough research and interviews, then hire the best coach and staff available. Dimitroff, apparently, likes to do such research and he can apply the same systems to the head coach seaarch. Maybe he knows of a candidate that we don’t know.
By neckville rednecks
January 15, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Tommy maddox From 1966 till now have been white “how about a shade” for a change . He can’t do any worse. new culture real change! we need good Lineman!!!
By j
January 15, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
R.F.F, Just so I have this straight, you are dogging people who want a successful pro coach who did not do well in college football. Seeing how there has been a inverse relationship between successful college coaches and doomed pro ones, what is so stupid about our fan base. Love the keyboard toughman act though.
By kgod999
January 15, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
i agree concerned falcon. i was telling them fans over at the falcons message board that they STILL drinking the blank kool aid. why cant they see that blank showed his hand waaay back when he fire reaves. blank runs the show, period.
By Clayton
January 15, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
I still can’t believe that in a football blog everything has to be about race
Let Thomas do his job and hire the right coach thats all
THE BEST coach White or Black doesn’t matter just get the best one you can!!
By True Falcons Fan
January 15, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
I will never get over the people of this town. I hope TD doesn’t say he made a big mistake once he figures out the racist BS that goes on here. I bet Miami, Baltimore and Washington fans don’t do this. I would love to see TD hire Ron Rivera (hispanic) as head coach and Norm Chow (asian) as offensive coordinator and see the look on everyone’s face. I guess you would all shut up then. Get over this all black, all white crap please. This is Football, there is no place for it. The best people, regardless of nationality, deserve the position. TD just do your job please, you are capable. Learn to tell Blank and McKay to stay in their place and let you do your job and you will earn respect fast. When we start winning the attitudes will change. Atlanta has fair weather fans, just win!
By newteamgeardotcom
January 15, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Arthur whatever happened to staying out of the way. At least jerry jones played football in college.
By Ed
January 15, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Let me begin by saying that I support Thomas Dimitroff 100% and I hope he does the wonderful job that I think he can, however in order for that to happen King Arthur and his side kick Rich McKay must step aside and let the cards fall where they may. All of this being said I highly doubt that Arthur Blank is willing to do that and just let the GM do what he has been hired to do, I think he is going to continue to have his hands all over the personnel department. Arthur has every right to do as he pleases because heaven forbid he’s the freakin owner but until Mr. Blank stops being 100% committed to winning with Michael Vick and only Michael con-Vick at quarterback things will never change in Flowery Branch.
By newteamgeardotcom
January 15, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Lord what did the falcons’ fans do to deserve such misery? there is no end in sight. Just our luck we will lose every coin flip and end up with the sixth pick. where is steve, william, gerald, and billy.
By bg
January 15, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Hay it is, what it is. McKay messed his chance up, it wasn’t like Mr. Blank didn’t give him a chance and I trust that Mr. Blank will allow his new GM a chance to do what he was brought here to do also. But lets me real about this you would be in the spotlight too if someone was flushing your franchise down the drain.
By bg
January 15, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Hay it is, what it is. McKay messed his chance up, it wasn’t like Mr. Blank didn’t give him a chance and I trust that Mr. Blank will allow his new GM a chance to do what he was brought here to do also. But lets me real about this you would be in the spotlight too if someone was flushing your franchise down the drain.
By bubbasparks
January 15, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
somebody kill me I can’t take it anymore. why? why? why? all i want to do is go to the dome on sundays and watch a competitive game.
By True Falcons Fan
January 15, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Wow, Vick enters again. Why do people bring him in regardless of the topic. I want to get something straight. As a person, I am not big on vick. As an athlete he is exceptional. As as quarterback, people need to understand 2 things. #1 his career passer rating is better than Joe Namath, Archie Manning, Jim Zorn, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Plunkett, Norm Van Broklin, Ron Jaworski, and even our beloved Steve Bartkowski and more. That’s alot of superbowls and hall of famers. So please dont discount his ability. However, #2 his leadership ability and his professionalism is very below what it should be for an NFL quarterback. Im sure none of those other quarterbacks ever flipped off the fans regardless of “what they were going through”. I won’t mention the other things. So my vote for him is no because a quarterback is the leader. But please he has nothing to do with this blog at all!!! This is about Letting a man do the job he was hired to do and the fans giving the man a chance. Our past is not his fault, show TD falcon love and support and let him know we are behind him telling Arty and Rich to back off!!!!
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
RFF,and Neckville,I for one would love to have Jim Caldwell,for H.C.,Ron Rivera for D.C.,and Cam Cameron for O.C.,and quite possibly Eugene Robinson for Defensive backs coach!! I don’t think you Either one of you can punch me in the mouth or beat the he11 out of me,you two blithering Idiots,need to stick to football for a change,
learn that this Is Not your Team,it belongs to A.Blank… 2.MikeVick is in Prison,and will never wear a Falcons Uniform again.
My guess for H.C. is Rex Ryan,and to that I say pretty good,at least Meangelo Hall,will be gone and then this Franchise will turn the Corner…
If you don’t like the coaches,or management,then go find another Team,otherwise support a Damn fine owner,and Our Team…..
By Mikey
January 15, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
A few thoughts…
Some of you people need to shut up about wanting Blank to sell the team. You’re morons. You really don’t want that to happen. Do you remember how life was when the Smith’s owned the team? Or how about the way in which those fools at the Atlanta Spirit LLC run the Thrashers/Hawks. And do we really want some random corporation to buy the Falcons (for tax purposes!) like Liberty purchased the Braves? NO. Arthur is great for the city. He loves Atlanta. He loves the Falcons. Sure, his passion might be misguided at times. But at least he has passion. He wants us (as Atlantans) to experience a winning NFL team. He’s made some missteps along the way, but he’s a smart guy and he’s learning, and he’ll eventually get it right.
NO ONE knows if the Dimitroff hiring will work. Anyone who claims they do is pretty much a moron. Only time will tell. I think it’s a promising hire. Aside from his college talent evaluating skills, the guy was groomed inside the Patriot Empire. You can’t fault that. But, at the end of the day, only time will tell how this thing plays out.
Ease up on Blank when it comes to ‘final say’ in personnel matters. People, EVERY single owner in this league has FINAL SAY when it comes to that stuff. They sign the checks. Pioli in New England has to get final say from Robert Kraft. Parcells and his GM will have to get final say from Huizenga. But it’s not like Arthur is going to say NO to everything that Dimitroff says. A lot of times it’ll be like when you were a kid and you told your parents that you were going to play outside and your folks give a simple “okay” to you. That “okay” suffices as ‘final say’. Ease up on that stuff. It’s no big deal.
I’m happy that McKay sticks around. It’s a great decision. Dimitroff gets to pick at McKay’s brain, and McKay serves as a great liason between the Falcons and the league. How many teams have such a valuable commodity?
Dang. I just read some more comments. Not to harp on the race issue…but EVERYONE needs to shut the hell up about RACE. I don’t care if the next coach is white/black/brown/or whatever. I just want to win. Would the racist blacks out there rather lose with a black coach versus winning with a white coach? Would the racist whites out there rather lose with a white coach versus winning with a black coach? NO. You’re all morons. WE WANT TO WIN. That’s the dang bottom line. To the fool who posted percentages on the city’s racial make up (Mr. I want a Black coach)…are you telling me that the blacks in this city are so stupid that they’d be happy with the Falcons so long as the coach was black? Because if that’s what you’re saying then I think you’re the biggest moron I’ve ever met, and I think you’ve done a great job of insulting every black person in this city. AND, if you’re telling me that you just want a black candidate to be considered then you need to find a more effective and intelligent way of communicating what you desire. Moron. You really are a moron. It’s a shame that the people who read this messages now associate all black people with your ignorant opinions.
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
I would also like to see ,the likes of Warrick Dunn released,Jimmy Williams Released,Alge Crumpler traded maybe to Miami for a second rounder,Todd Weiner Released,Mike Vick Released,Deangelo Hall Traded to Buffalo for Losman,and maybe their 1st rounder(kinda doubt it though). Get some Draft picks and build this thing from the ground up,with real football players who have the Team concept down,or at least the intelligence to grasp the concept of Team…….
By True Falcons Fan
January 15, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Mikey…Kudos. I guess I have been trying to be too logical and political with my posts. I want just want people to have some intelligence when dealing with these matters. Guess some people just are not that intelligent. Oh well… TD you have my support. Get it done.
By David Duke
January 15, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Neckville, the only thang you goin’ to punch is ‘at clock down to the sawmill. The only thing bad about you boy is your smell. Take a bath! There are some good black coaching prospects and some good ones who are caucasian. I gather you want to eliminate those of a porcelain persuasion from consideration. That’s racism hypocrite! Interview all comers and pick the one you determine to be best for the job. That’s the way it’s done and that’s how it should be. The black candidates should receive every consideration before the white man for the job is selected. Word to yo maternal figure home skillet.
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Mr.Dimitroff,I support You sir,I support Mr. Blank,and I would love to see the Ignorance of this Biased Fanbase,dwindle away forever,Some people here need to learn real football fans want to see real FOOTBALL
First it starts with attitude,create a winning environment,with real players that are team oriented,and team committed. then create an environment,that is pleasing to sit and watch,a game with your family!!! soooo. Turn that noise pollution off at the Dome,make a Football Environment.
I do not go to hear Ludicrous,yes I spelled it right,b/c some of the Filth,that comes out of that trash is not fit for my Family to hear……
Let’s just have a good,to Great football Team…
And for those of You who think your skin color makes you special,well let me assure you You’re not… Money is Green,and Blood is red,for Everyone!!!!!!!!!
By The Grinch
January 15, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Well said, JoeBrave.
By Gunner
January 15, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
If this guy can bring alittle of the New england magic I’m all for it. I’m excited about the forthcoming draft!
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I would like to take a stab at who I think will be the man,and Staff…
I think Rex Ryan H.C.,Ron Rivera D.C.,Cam Cameron,O.C.
Personally,I’d like a San Diego offense,with a Ravens Defense…………….
By David Duke
January 15, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Blank hired Dimitroff without ever having been in the same room with the guy. A few weeks ago this guy was in charge of the equipment room at Foxboro . He’s a natural for Falcons’ GM! Last year Mr. Blank gave us Booby P-U-trino and now he’s given us Thomas the equipment guy. Thomas will give us a resurrected Marion Campbell or something along those lines. Get ready for more misery. The Atlanta Falcons’ lean times 1966-2008. No relief in sight!
By why cry for a black coach
January 15, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Dear why not a black coach,
First of all spell check is your friend. Second we do not live in 1960. While you do give credit to the new football man (by the way he has a name: Thomas Dimitroff) you show the true beliefs of a city not yet in the 21st century, in fact not even the 20th century. It is true that “blacks” have been held down in sports management jobs. However, it is time that we all move on and realize that bringing it up day in and day out does nothing to solve the problem. There has been too many people of minority race come to this country and work their way into a great life to keep blaming someone else for the problems of a race. The fact is that it is not the job of Arthur Blank to hire a “black coach.” His job has nothing to do with race, but rather putting a quality product on the field for “all” to see. That 56% you talk about means that 44% are not accounted for. In the business world 56% success would mean “out of business.” So instead of worrying about where a coach comes from, perhaps we should all remember that we need 100% support if we are to deserve a NFL franchise!
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Oh and another thing Mr.Dimitroff,No More Locker room passes for SoSo def Jam,Artists…. keep that Cancer out of the Clubhouse…
Get control of this Team!!!!!!
By True Falcons Fan
January 15, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
joebrave, i’ll bite on that one.
How about also Rex Ryan HC, he had the number one defense in the NFL. But for OC…Josh McDaniels…The number one offense in the NFL. Best of both worlds. I know, why in the world would he leave New England??? I’ll tell you why. He doesn’t want to be a head coach but he never said he wouldn’t leave the Pats (at least after the playoffs). He can’t do anything else there but go downhill. He’s on top. He wants to prove to himself and the world that he is the reason, not just the system BB has in place. As a young coach, he loves the thought of turning something around and putting his own stamp on it. And finally, his drinking buddy is our new GM.
By Dawg22
January 15, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
This message goes to By Why Not a Black Coach : Can we ever get over color? A coach should not be evaluated by the color of his skin. The best qualified coach should be selected. If a black man is the best qualified then hire him. If a white man is best qualified then hire him. Get over trying to force one race over another. Mr. Blank is not interested in hiring a coach just to make the black/white population happy. He wants to make the organization that he has put all his time, heart, and money in successful (bottom line). Judge by character and qualification, not color of skin.
By Great Falconi
January 15, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
I watched the Dimitroff presser on the Falcons website. After the first few questions, he seemed to settle in. He was uncomfortable with some of the questions, but when it got down to football-related matters, the man was on point. That’s all I care about. Hire a coach who demands excellence, build the lines, draft smart defenders, draft a QB that can get the job done. Most of all, acquire players who will compete to the bitter end. That is how you build a winning organization. I’m 28 years old. The Falcons’ O-line hasn’t been truly good for more than two years in a row during my lifetime. That is atrocious. Dimitroff is a Belichick guy, so I have confidence that he will, if Blank will stay out of it, acquire the type of players the Falcons need. You know, the type of players that people can rally around and believe in.
By joebrave
January 15, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
“Michael Vick was an incredibly talented athlete and quarterback,” Dimitroff said. “But we’re moving forward. We’re headed in the right direction. We’re not going to be remaining in the past.” like I said No more MV7!!!!
By Tim
January 15, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Rich McKay should be fired. He was a loser in Tampa Bay and brought it with him to ATL.
By Daytime
January 15, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
While you ignorant “so-called football fans are flapping your mouths about race and other foolish matters, your ill-informed, ill advised owner is making another dumb mistake by hiring someone that is no where close to being qualified to run a professional football operation. Read this guy resume and you will see that he has no business in this position. Thom Heckert had all of the qualifications (many more than this guy) —- why didn’t he get offered the position????? Because it’s clear that the problem is McKay and Blank.
By Daytime
January 16, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
and another thing; this guy may have experience as a college scout; but what in his background provides him the experience to be in charge of all football operations. I would think that you would want someone who has been a head coach, a NFL player, or a coordinator. This guy has been neither. So my question again, what qualifies him to be in charge of football operations? Is it just because he has seen it up close? In that case, Blank can pick from any of us that have seen it up close. I don’t have the confidence that someone who was director of college scouting has the experience to run an NFL Football Operation. This further makes the Falcons look like crap. I hope that I’m wrong about the guy and Mr Blank, but ladies and gentleman, I have a bad feeling about this guy and about the rookie new coach that he will soon bring in.
By Lil E
January 16, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
SoSo Def Jam. Hehe.
By OpinionsAreLike
January 16, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
Dimitroff has 18 years experience with the greatest football team history and you dope heads call him a locker room boy. Idiots are in no shortage on this list and he will have the final say on picks not posters to this blog.
By David Duke
January 16, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Dimitroff was an equipment guy for eighteen years. Wow! Mr. Blank knows how to pick coaches, GMs, what have you. He’s not afraid to hire a guy without ever actually meeting him face- to-face. I admire that sort of attention to detail!
By David Duke
January 16, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Hey Opinions, New England, the greatest team in history? I don’t think so! As for the picks, Thomas couldn’t pick anything other than his nose.
By joebrave
January 16, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Looking to alleviate any questions about a muddled front-office structure, Blank made it clear that Dimitroff has firm control over drafting players, signing free agents and crafting the roster, though the omnipresent owner must sign off on all moves.
By joebrave
January 16, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Looking to alleviate any questions about a muddled front-office structure, Blank made it clear that Dimitroff has firm control over drafting players, signing free agents and crafting the roster.
By joebrave
January 16, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Looking to alleviate any questions about a muddled front-office structure, Blank made it clear that Dimitroff has firm control over drafting players, signing free agents and crafting the roster.
By joebrave
January 16, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
On the same day that Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was offered the head-coaching job in Baltimore, Garrett also reportedly was offered the head-coaching job in Atlanta.
By leftcoastfan
January 16, 2008 3:41 AM | Link to this
good god will anyboday tell the 56% black falcon fans that a black man ruined this franchise and meangelo, alge, john abraham are black and have effed up this franchise. let me see, if peerless, edgerton, ashlie, and all these other losers are all black, then can we say that the black man has let the falcon franchise down.
all the true great falcons were white, fools. it is not about skin color, but ask yourself if the biggest letdown players were mostly the black ones, would you shut up about this race thing, you folks in the south need to give it up, it aint about skin color, it is about integrity.
mike vick never had integrity, roddy white lacks it, meangelo doesnt know the definition, and now it is time to drop the color issue.
players the falcons have that have integrity are morten, keith brookings, weiner, and so on.
rod coleman is a thug, babuneaux is a thug, get real. the black man has let this franchise down. is arthru blank black, hell no. thatman desavers a medal after survivning the greatest employee letdown of all time.
mike vick deserves what he got, and should never be allowed back in the nfl.
ever heard of pacman. hmm, is he white, have all the bengals f-ups been black, is there coach black?
stop pointing the finger, alot of black folks are so screwed up, and all i hear is the black man poor mouthing all this crap.
are you kidding me……………………………..stupid idiots
By deaconhayes
January 16, 2008 4:52 AM | Link to this
Aurthur Blank is bringing a winning team to the Atlanta area. He has invested his own money to do so, So to all the naysayers we will never be a winning city with all of the NEGATIVE ATTITUDES OF NEGATIVE PEOPLE. So with all that said unless you “NEGATIVE” people SHUT UP UNLESS YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT INTO AN NFL TEAM!!!!!! Thank you Arthur Blank for trying to do something in the “ATL” that hasn’t been done for a long time
By ED
January 16, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
A great hire; give this guy a chance and let’s see what he can do. He is coming from the best NFL team ever. I think he can bring a lot of good sense and knowledge to the Atlanta Falcons. It’s been a terrible year for all of the Falcons and fans. Let us all put it behind us. Forget about Vick! Go Falcons!
By Trill Phil
January 16, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
I really don’t see how any logical Falcon fan with more than 2 brain cells that work would actually be against this hiring. i mean we ain’t the friggin’ Colts over here, its the falcons. A week ago everyone was saying no to Pete Carroll, a guy from one established (college) football program, now I see folks saying no to another guy from a well-established football program. WTF gives with y’all? I mean as much as I had to deal with the all the anti-Vick this and team quit that this past year on this “blog” now you’re telling me that y’all don’t the guy who scouted the likes of Tedy Bruschi, Asante Samuel, Dan Koppen, Troy Brown, Tom Brady, Willie McGinest, Ty Law, Mike Vrabel, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Eugene Wilson, etc etc etc???
is THAT what the “enlightened football fans of Atlanta” are trying to tell me ?
Man puh-leeze! To look ay some of these posts it’s like y’all want Norm Van Broklin running the show, lol! i really don’t see how the worst team in pro sports could be any far worse with a guy from the best team in sports (in a way) running the show, I mean really i can’t. And this is the guy who drafted said players, in the LATER ROUNDS!!!
Don’t look now everyone but I think he might know what he’s doing, either that or New England is more than meets the eye and Optimus Prime is their starting qb. C’mon y’all as much i wasn’t on board with the Bobby Pee stuff, Im totally diggin Tom Dimitroff (sp?). Hell ne guy who can pick pro-bowlers and all-pros out the 7th round will do it for me, especially if he’s on my team yes sir!!!!!!
QUIT YER BYOTCHIN!!! GET TO DRAFTIN’!
PS- we really need to look at Jake Long or DMC; the so-called stud qbs in the draft this year will be out 2 pasture quicker than a dairy cow behind this “offensive” line of ours…
By mv#7
January 16, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
leftcostfan Frist all the white coaches and gm has pick every thing players coaches and gm’s in Atlanta you tell me who is lost and clue less. The new Gm comes from a great team that a fact. The new coach will have to coach young black men so why not a young black coach? They are the best players and I say there best coaches too. Of the black coaches most have a WINNING RECORD!
By falcFan
January 16, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
You can bet there will be no Black HC. This is a fact. Bet on it and get over it if you don’t like it. On another note, NE Pats are probaly the WHITEST TEAM in pro football. Coincidently, I assume, They are the smartest and winningest team out there. Can’t wait to see the FalCoons turned into the FalCans and all the malcontent idiots gone from the roster.
By Barry
January 16, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all;
I hope any one that has anything to do with football in the falcons organization do not listen to any of the advice and B.S. that is being didscussed in this blog. This blog is just country gossip and inuendo. I hope the Falcon power players and decision makers make their decisions behind closed doors and say nothing to the media nor the public at this time. Let them see the results afterhand. Many of the naysayers no nothing about how to run a progressive football organization because they have never seen one hear in Atlanta. Therefore, let the new GM from a reputable, Super Bowl winning franchise do his thing. Keep your hands off him with your negative comments and your unintelligent football opinions. Let the man show you how it works and support him with all the financial, social and spiritual resources that the football community here in Atlanta has to offer him. Stand behind him, even if is something we down this way have not seen before because what we have been use to has never been good in Atlanta professional football. Let us not be resistant to change. Let’s make this change work!!!!!!!!
Love you Atlanta Falcons. Tell everybody that.
By Barry
January 16, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all;
I hope any one that has anything to do with football in the falcons organization do not listen to any of the advice and B.S. that is being didscussed in this blog. This blog is just country gossip and inuendo. I hope the Falcon power players and decision makers make their decisions behind closed doors and say nothing to the media nor the public at this time. Let them see the results afterhand. Many of the naysayers no nothing about how to run a progressive football organization because they have never seen one hear in Atlanta. Therefore, let the new GM from a reputable, Super Bowl winning franchise do his thing. Keep your hands off him with your negative comments and your unintelligent football opinions. Let the man show you how it works and support him with all the financial, social and spiritual resources that the football community here in Atlanta has to offer him. Stand behind him, even if is something we down this way have not seen before because what we have been use to has never been good in Atlanta professional football. Let us not be resistant to change. Let’s make this change work!!!!!!!!
Love you Atlanta Falcons. Tell everybody that.
By Barry
January 16, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all;
I hope any one that has anything to do with football in the falcons organization do not listen to any of the advice and B.S. that is being didscussed in this blog. This blog is just country gossip and inuendo. I hope the Falcon power players and decision makers make their decisions behind closed doors and say nothing to the media nor the public at this time. Let them see the results afterhand. Many of the naysayers no nothing about how to run a progressive football organization because they have never seen one hear in Atlanta. Therefore, let the new GM from a reputable, Super Bowl winning franchise do his thing. Keep your hands off him with your negative comments and your unintelligent football opinions. Let the man show you how it works and support him with all the financial, social and spiritual resources that the football community here in Atlanta has to offer him. Stand behind him, even if is something we down this way have not seen before because what we have been use to has never been good in Atlanta professional football. Let us not be resistant to change. Let’s make this change work!!!!!!!!
Love you Atlanta Falcons. Tell everybody that.
By jerry
January 16, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
mv#7: Excuse me but didn’t I see you on “Cops” running through someone’s back yard with a box of fried chicken under your arm?
By Darrin "The Vent King"
January 16, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, IT’S BEEN 24 HRS AND TERENCE MOORE HASN’T RIPPED THE NEW GM YET! MUST BE A RECORD!
By Disgruntled Atlanta Sports Fan
January 16, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Gee, all the AJC has to do is archive the McKay, Mora and Petrino debacle stories and then next year they can just insert Dimotroff’s name. Why write new stuff when the old stuff is still applicable.
The Falcons, gotta luv em.
By DirtDobber
January 16, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else see a difference in recognizing player talent verses recognizing coaching talent ? Whoops ?!?
Hope the hire decision holds up. Hope Blank/McKay step back and give the kid a chance. He can do no worse than those preceding him .
By WarParty
January 16, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Until Blank comes to the realization that HE is part of the problem, that he remains on only because he signs the checks, then the new GM is going to be hamstrung in his attempts to right the sinking Falcon’s ship.
By Jason
January 16, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Jim Caldwell coached at Wake Forrest and was a complete flop. Now he is assistant at the Colts with Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Josephn Addai. That talent would make almost any coach look good. Stay away. Go with Rex Ryan - great defensive mind and bring in Norm Chow as offensive cordinator- great offensive mind. And don’t bash Chow because of Vince Young’s inconsistency.
By DirtDobber
January 16, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
How bout we try an asian, latino, american-indian, or a middle-eastern head coach .
OK … How bout a female head coach ?
To be truly fair, we shouldnt forget all of our options !
Just stirin the pot some more … :)
By tigeruga
January 16, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
OK, it is one thing to buy and sell 2x4’s and nails but to run a football team, well…First,look at New England and Green Bay, these guy’s (and coaches) still play the game and have “fun”, with “fun” being the key. When you take the fun away from any game it becomes a business and more like work. Nobody likes work. Sure, these players and coaches get paid, and get paid well, but it is still a game and they should have fun or get out. Second, people laughed when Bobby Bowden made a comment at half-time “if we tackle better then the other team and score more points then the other team, we will win the game”. Well Falcons, there is your answer……..
By borodawg
January 16, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Hopefully, by ‘final say’, Blank is only implying that he’ll make sure the new coach isn’t involved in dog fighting, gambling, dope, or prostitution. IF he let’s Dimitroff really be a GM and IF he’s learned his lessons and steps back and IF Dimitroff insists on being a strong GM and standing up to Blank and McKay…. Hmmm, lotta IFs.
By falcondawg
January 16, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
The racism expressed in our blogs is pathetic. As a Black man who is a diehard Falcon fan, I want us to field the best team possible. I don’t care about the ethnicity or race of the coach, as long as he/she has a winning plan and implements it successfully. When will we grow up? Some of us continue to live in the dark ages which is why we can’t move forward.
By ga_tech_92
January 16, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Mikey - Very well put dude!
By BUSHWACKER
January 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
The biggest problem with the Falcons is the same in all sports now, the inmates run the asylum, so the question is will the GM be able toget rid of caners like D Hall if he wants to, otherwise things will never change.
There is no doubt in my mind Bobby Petrino is an excellent coach, but Blank and McKay allowed the team to quit on him and basically the players ran him off.
As soon as there is adversity the players start whinning and crying and quitting and it does not matter who the coach or gm.
Honestly I am afraid this year has p** me off so much that I don;’t think I’m ever coming back!
But good luck to Tom, you are going to need it!
By BUSHWACKER
January 16, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
The biggest problem with the Falcons is the same in all sports now, the inmates run the asylum, so the question is will the GM be able toget rid of caners like D Hall if he wants to, otherwise things will never change.
There is no doubt in my mind Bobby Petrino is an excellent coach, but Blank and McKay allowed the team to quit on him and basically the players ran him off.
As soon as there is adversity the players start whinning and crying and quitting and it does not matter who the coach or gm.
Honestly I am afraid this year has p** me off so much that I don;’t think I’m ever coming back!
But good luck to Tom, you are going to need it!
By Dawgbyte
January 16, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
To heck with Tony Sparano. The Falcons need Tony Soprano
By terrell barron
January 16, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Concerned fan. Have you forgotten that Arthur Blank offered Bill Parcells the position of vp of personell. That alone should tell us that he has had enough with Mckay, as far as personell decisions go. The man has ties with the league and really knows the business side of football. Let him handle that , let the new GM handle personnel. SIMPLE
By southgafan
January 16, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Can you see today’s players acting like they do with an old style coach like Halas or Lombardi. Gruden takes no crap from his players and they managed a superbowl win. It all stems from personal discipline or lack thereof. Until the Falcons draft players with integrity and a team member mindset they will always be loosers regardless of color or race.
By Keeping IT
January 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
bushwacker you are just plan nut, Bobby Petino was just looking out for number one.
As for as a good pro coach he was not good. That the problem people think you can coach like in collage team in the pro’s that day and night. The pro are men.
Respect has to be earn both ways not my way are the highway. And if you think like that for one you are not going to win manny games and two men know when you are full of bs. Not any body can be a pro coach. Look at the coaches that win have there men Respect in the nfl. most players know when there program is working.
If the player respect you they will play for you. Alot of people want the coach to kick some @ss as a coach and if that your think you won’t last long in a job, respect has to be earned. player know bs when they see it and petino was pure bs!
Player know most coaches are rehashed BS and most got there job not because they know how to coach. There daddy knew somebody . Mora, Mckay, rayan. The list goes on and on. Most never played the game.
That why a lot of the player know they can’t coach and are full of it, Daddy boys. Look at the nfl c