ajcsportstalk

By HA

November 7, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Bulldoze the dome and sell the team!!!!!!! Try agian in 20 more yrs.

By KD

November 7, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Unless you’re talking about the Packers, Bears or some other team with a historically loyal following, teams always get bad survey ratings whenever they are performing poorly on the field. That’s just a fact of life in the NFL.
If MV7 were here and the birds were off to their customary 6-2 or 5-3 start the survey would be very different.

By geekboy

November 7, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Well, it beats the pants off old Fulton County Stadium.

Compared to that experience, I’d give the Dome a 9.

By StillDefiant

November 7, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

100% agree, KD

By baloney

November 7, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Yes, it really is that bad.Not as much to do with the team as it does with th elocation and being indoors.I would really like for someone in chardge to step up and forget about political correctness and say why they should move to the suburbs. That reason of course would be that there is more money, less crime, (less MARTA=less desireable clientel)As it is now, I owuld wonder how many people actually pay with real money to see the Falcons. I’d guess that there is a large number of corporate types that give tickets away to the underprivelaged.Plus who wants to go to the armpit that is known as the gulch to tailgate?Good tailgating could be had outside of downtown.

By Darth Mike

November 7, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

no surprise there, the dome is bland and has no atmosphere. There is nothing “Georgia” about the dome that makes it appealing. It is just a big building with no soul.

By matt

November 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

The tailgating rating obviously skews the results. This is the South. We tailgate on Saturdays.

By HFE

November 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Even when the Falcons were good, the Dome and gameday experience there was bad.

By baloney

November 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

KD, what do yo umean if the Falcons were off to their customary 6-2 start? Like that has happened many times before.

By Mike

November 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

The Georgia Dome s*s. No other way to put it. The seats are too narrow, there is no legroom and the game is indoors. The stadium is hard to get to and there is little parking, most of which is over-priced.

Football is meant to be played outdoors. Period. There is little incentive to attend Falcons games as they are the worst franchise in NFL history and getting worse. Why spend my money here when there is great, competitive football just a short drive away in Athens, in a beautiful venue.

The best thing that could happen to Atlanta in this regard is to get rid of the Falcon franchise and start all over again later with a fresh attitude, new ideas, new players and new coaches. I believe the Falcons are far too gone for salvaging. Attitudes of the players stink. We need a fresh new start all the way around. Getting rid of the Dome would only be a start.

Yes, I’m down on everything Falcons-related. But as a fan since the 1960’s, I’ve given up. This team is and has been an embarrasement to the City.

By Ghost

November 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Didn’t we talk about this not too long ago?

Anyway, I’ve been a season ticket holder since ‘99 when I moved here. It’s not the greatest place to watch a game, but it’s not terrible either.

I tailgate for every game and we have canopies, grills, fish fryers, satellite TV and good drinks. Who can’t have fun with that?

If they were winning it’d be better, but hey, you gotta make the most of what you got!

By Steve Bartkowski

November 7, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

The Dome’s construction was driven by the 1996 Olympics and not the Falcons. Bringing southern professional football into a dome setting was a disaster from the start, but money talked along with luxury boxes.

Atlanta does not even get cold until Mid November or December, so fans are deprived of enjoying a nice warm or cool football climate due to the Olympic objectives.

I recall the 1980 playoff game with Dallas and how cold I was, but I loved the atmosphere and I loved the game. Drew Pearson and Danny White did is in, but oh well.

Bring the game back outside where it belongs in the South, by either installing a retractable roof on the current Dome or building a new outdoor facility.

The Georgia Dome is as boring as boring gets, because it has no character.

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Yes, but if they sold the team it’d probably end up in Las Vegas, and I wouldn’t wish that on that fine city—of course the way the Rebels play football at least the pro team and college team would have something in common—losing year after year.

By Vick's Pitts

November 7, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Who wants to go sit inside a Concrete block to watch football in the South. Worst venue ever. Let the Falcons play at Turner Field please.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

November 7, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand this. Is this some ploy to help Blank get a new stadium? Dullest game-day experience? What do you want? People in clown suits riding a rope down from the ceiling bringing fans their drinks? What, are there supposed to video game rooms, shoe-shine boys, and merry-go-rounds in there for the kids? How come no one even brought this up when # 7 was here? Oh, I know because the GAME, which you are there for in the 1st place, was not dull. Now that this team and their game is dull, its the stadiums fault? Get real. I don’t care if the game is in the parking lot as long AS WE WIN!! This team losing the way they are is what’s dull, not the stadium.

“Win, and the people will come…”

GO FALCONS!

By Ian

November 7, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

The experience, such as it is, comes as much from the Falcons’ poor performance as it does from uninspired marketing. This is a town of transplants, much as is the case in Washington, D.C. When people move there, they are caught up in the Redskins experience. There is nothing similar here. Promotions that would build loyalty or just buzz about going to the game never happen here. The whole game day experience in Atlanta is a cattle call. Pay your money, buy some concessions and get out. Other than the announcer calling them “your Atlanta Falcons”, there is no attempt at bonding with the fans. If I were Arthur Blank, I would take a look at the Dome during visits by the Steelers, yellow towels everywhere, or by some of the other teams and would the fire my marketing organization, if there is one.

By David Lee

November 7, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Who doesn’t like to be bothered by all the bums and hustlers aka Playas that hang out around the DOME? I love that part of the game day experience - feeling threatened for my money and life. When they put up “DEFEND THE DOME” during the game, I think they should mean the outside with all the crime that happens. Rest assured Mr. Blank rides in and doesn’t see the CRIMINAL ELEMENT.

By Biff

November 7, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

There needs to be major improvements all the way around. The area around the Dome SUX… Tailgaiting would be more fun if they would clean up that dreadful area..

By H from Marietta

November 7, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

I can understand why SI said that we have a crappy game-day experience (once a season ticket holder).

1 - It’s the Georgia Dome, where Atlanta fall weather is wonderful, but we’re stuck indoors, while it’s anywhere from the mid forties to the low seventies, which is perfect weather for football.

2 - The Gulch, no matter what other fans say, is horrible. For one thing, fans are being gouged for parking, sometimes being over $50!

3 - The parking lots are spread out, not like KC or Lambeau, which separates the fans!

4 - The homeless people around the Dome and parking lots make for a less than safe environment, especially when they are begging for your beers!

5 - Concessions at the Dome are awful! No real selection on food. I’d rather have Jacksonville’s concessions = Outback, polish sausage dogs w/peppers & onions, etc.

I’ll give Blank credit where it’s due as he did spend good cash on Falcon’s Landing, but this doesn’t compare to the flaws of the Dome and concessions.

By AMB

November 7, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

You all suck.

By Diogenes

November 7, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Build a new, open-air stadium at the site of the old GM plant near the I-285/85 intsersection. THan, allow a developer to build a real entertainment district around the stadium. Voila, problem solved … though, wait a minute, look what’s happened to Atlantic Station … hmm, maybe skip the entertainment district. Don’t need the problem-causers wrecking the suburbs, too.

By C from Marietta

November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

With the great fall weather we have in Georgia. It is lame to play football indoors. I am not saying the dome is not a nice place. However, we should be enjoying the great outdoors on Sundays. Domes are terrible to watching football.

By C from Marietta

November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

With the great fall weather we have in Georgia. It is lame to play football indoors. I am not saying the dome is not a nice place. However, we should be enjoying the great outdoors on Sundays. Domes are a terrible place to watch football.

By gerri1mv7fan

November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

ABLANK SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A STAND NO VICK NO SALE OUT .RAY LEWIS WON THE SUPER BOWL . I THINK THAT MV7 MAKES A DIFFERENT YOU THINK

By AMB

November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

You all suck.

By TRAVIS

November 7, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Yes i agree 100%. Other stadiums give out great giveaways when you walk through the gate. Monday night against the dome the Atlanta Falcons gave out some damn Delta luggage tags!!! Are u serious!

By BRIDGETGAIL BURTON

November 7, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

REHIRE MICHAEL VICK BACK WITH RESTRICTIONS ON HIS CONTRACT

By Section 137

November 7, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

I’m not trying to pile on, but as a season ticket holder I find the experience at the Dome to be pretty dismal. First, there’s the Dome itself. Atlanta should have an outdoor stadium or retractable roof. Last week’s game would have been great in the sunshine. The video screens are way too small and poorly located. You seldom get highlights or updates from other games. The sound system is terrible, exspecially when it’s blasting bass-heavy rap music. And they giveaways are so lame. Season ticket holders should get much better swag. Please spare me another magnetic schedule. Even if the Birds were in first place, (which I wish they were) the Dome experience is not as good as it should be.

By David

November 7, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

The RANKin Smith family just about ruined my love for football. But I was resilent,…even got downright excited when Arthur Blank bought the team. At this point, there is no difference. The Stadium is horrible…and no a paint job wont change it, but good try. I never thought Id hear myself say this, but I agree with the post above. Demolish the stadium, sell the team, and put us out of our misery. Our franchise has been a total emabarrasment for most of its pathetic existence. The stadim has never given us a home field look. I disagree with the post about the record having anything to do with it. The stadium has always been a cold, concrete building that happens to house a football team. If the team were winning, at least we could argue that the franchise desserves a better place to call home. But sadly, it seems the two deserve each other. Lets face it, the only time the Falcons or their building are wanted, is at scheduling time around the league.

By wolverinegrad

November 7, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

To Baloney

You are Baloney…cheap processed meat that is not good to digest.

I know the south is still backwards and all but traveling on a metro doesnt change game day experience. big cities use the metro to get to and from ball games. Why in the world would or should ATL build a stadium in the suburbs. If Anything they should plan to build a stadium similiar to the New Dallas one with a retractable roof. But not in the suburbs. Its true its not much fan fare b/c fans cant really tailgate like they can in other venues b/c the parking area is small forcing fans to park elsewhere to go to the games. Fans need to be able to Park & Tailgate and Take the Metro. Its time to start thinking like a big city and thats no baloney.

By TC

November 7, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Yes it is pretty dull. I call it Club Dome, when you could just walk around on any floor. Mingling and meeting people. Now its sit in your designated area and thats it! No life in the dome. Tailgating is better to me.

By San Antonio Falcon

November 7, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

I went to my last (2) games at the dome in 2000, of course I have moved out of state. All arenas probably do it, but what is with the loud annoying music between every play. The dome does stink, they should promote the game not the circus crap in between. Football should be played outdoors rain or shine. I enjoyed Fulton County Stadium a heck of alot better.

By The truth

November 7, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Man I am tired of all of the dumping on MV7. It was only dogs man. He did not kill anybody. Stop the blame of MV7. Mark my word, he will not do the time, and will be back in the NFL next year with the Dolphins..

By Sean Jaro

November 7, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Of course it sucks!!! Karma Kills!!!

By Paul

November 7, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Bring Vick back as soon as he’s released and all our problems will disappear

Bring Vick back!!!!!!!!!!!

By BuzzFactor

November 7, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Give me open air, more tailgating, and a less crime infested area.

By Randy G.

November 7, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Keep the Falcons. Keep the stadium Downtown, BUT…

Bulldoze the Dome!

It is so depressing to spend the morning tailgating only to have to go inside to watch football. I feel like I’m in Lenox Mall on a beautiful day.

By DwayneL

November 7, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I agree, if it were played in an outdoor stadium like the college teams in the South it would be a much better experience. I personally can’t stand going to football games in a dome!

By rkquiet

November 7, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I have not been to a Falcon’s game since they went to the dome. Football is an outdoor sport. And to watch a team as bad as the Falcons play not worht the money.

By DowntownDawg

November 7, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I went to one game the year before when Vick played. They won, and it was still boring as can be. The dome gives you a cold sense about it. It’s not attractive, it’s not even set up very well. The seats suck, the prices are too high for what you get. Not to mention the people sucks. I went to a game last week vs. 49ers’. It sucked. They won too, and again, it still was a terrible experience. I live downtown, I’m used to panhandlers, but at the dome, it’s just unreal, and I can SEE the Dome from my condo, so it’s not like I”m far away from this crap.

The staff in the dome are terrible, the facility is terrible, the tailgating and the surroundings of the game are just depressing. But like many mentioned, it’s far worse when the team is terrible as well.

I had 4 tickets, lower level. They normally charge over $100 a ticket for these seats.. After going this last time, I would laugh at anyone who spent that on these seats. I’d rather take my money where I felt welcome and somewhere that had some spirit to it. I’ll take my money to the “hedges” in Athens, and I’ll assure you for $100 I can have a ball all through game and after game.

Plus the Dome is next to the ghetto, and excuse me, but I don’t believe anyone living off my paycheck in the west end needs to be attending the games via marta.

By ugafan

November 7, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I will 2nd Matt, I tailgate on Saturdays in Athens not the Dome, and plus nobody hits me up for “spare change” in Athens, that is why I stopped tailgating at the Dome, every 2 min somebody had a sob story wanting money!

By Pitbull

November 7, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

The Dome is NOT depressing when UGA plays there. That place rocks. Is the Dome depressing when the Falcons play there? Technically no. The Falcons are depressing.

By getalife

November 7, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

it just goes to show that Elton John had it right all along, “Money Can’t Buy ya love”, hey Arthur, try stopping by a HD store, I heard, “You Can’t do it, We Can Help” All that money flushed down the toilet, next thing they’ll want is to build a new stadium. Again!

By Ed

November 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Ever been to a game at bank of America Stadium (Panthers)? Fans come late and leave early. Where did they rank?

By BS

November 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Bulldoze the Dome and move the statdium to a more attractive part of town. Same goes with Turner Field. Let’s move our venues close to nice areas and away from the crack houses and quit trying to appease those in South Atlanta….

By You gotta be Falcon kidding me!

November 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Those reports blow. I have been to Lambeau, Soldier Field (old and new), Giants, etc.

Plain and simple folks…I don’t get a rats %ss about ‘Gameday Experience’. It is the fans that count. Also, in the GA Dome there is a not a bad seat in the place. Better viewing then a lot of those listed above. Now granted those cities (except Detroit) are larger than Atlanta and the fans are more loyal too (Except again Detroit).

Now how can the Giants/Jets be different? They play in the same stadium??? And have the same marketing company that does their gameday events. Strange.

Now for us we need a winning team and what would be great with our weather is update the dome with a retractable roof. That would be AWESOME on the nice fall days we have.

Go Falcons!

By Fan

November 7, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I just have one question: WHERE IS RICH McKAY? Is he still employed by the Falcons???

By M. McCurley

November 7, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I was an Atlanta Falcons ticketholder, but when they started to fence in the lower level of the stadium…I decided not to renew. Blocking people off from the lower level really turned me off. There are certain places on the lower level that I liked to frequent. When they put up fences to keep people out who didn’t have lower level seating it made it seem like they didn’t care about everyone having a great game day experience. They would be lucky to get me back at a game anytime soon.

By #7

November 7, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

we have a culture different in Atlanta like no other team in the NFL. some like country, rock, hip hop and R&B. 56% of the season ticket holder were black as of last year. That will change some next year now that Vick is gone. The Football Team is the worst game day experiences now vick is gone. you have to win to get people to follow you. We have some of the NFL worst haters as fans and the worst sport media. Most City’s don’t have the vast culture different as Atlanta does! The Media in Atlanta white, The owner is a Jewish ,most season ticket holders are black most of the team is black and most of the state is white. There is only one thing that will make this work is to WIN that a cure ALL! Until then this is what you get a mess! Win Baby Win! Keep your head up Vick a lot of us are still with you but hateful media and Hater fans are not far behine!

By Jimmy Etheridge

November 7, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

There’s no guarantee that even if Vick were here that the Falcons’ record would be any better. It might be even worse.

By tim

November 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I think the stadium is actually really good. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. The problem is bad parking and nowhere to really tailgate. That and the Falcons aren’t winning

By loafer

November 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I agree. I am a Season Ticket holder and dread going to the games. The tailgatting and parking is the worst I’ve ever seen. It take 2 hours to leave my parking space in the gultch and make it home. The vast majority of that time is spent sitting in the gulch waiting for the line to move. Their is no police directing trafic to get things flowing.

When Blank took over we saw big things before during and after the game. Now it’s worse than when the Smith’s had it. Blank is now trying to buy the Braves and I’m sure that will head in the same direction.

Move the team out to the suburbs. The whole experience can be changed. Why this loyalty to downtown. It’s miserable for the fans.

And why the DOME. Football is meant to be played outside!!

And by the way, the falcons landing hasn’t changed since the smith’s. Blank did nothing with it.

By rkquiet

November 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I have not been to a Falcon’s game since they went to the dome. Football is an outdoor sport. And to watch a team as bad as the Falcons play not worht the money.

By TSPEC

November 7, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Well the Dome is empty so it’s easy to point the finger! Look on the bright side, there are alot of pitbulls off the street and the world is a safer place.

Now Leonard Little of the St. Louis Rams plead GUILTY to a DUI and Vehicular Manslaughter charges, then got a 2nd DUI, but hey he’s still playing and didn’t miss a game!

I guess dogs are more important than people in the good ole U.S of A…

F the Dome and the Falcons!

By Rankin Smith

November 7, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Few remember that I held the state of Georgia hostage in the late eighties (before the olympic award I believe) for a new stadium. If my demands were not met I was going to move the team to Jacksonville. My boys in the legislature at the time came through but thought it prudent to build a “multi-purpose” indoor facility. If they had been a little more prudent and not buckled to my demands you would have had a new expansion team (instead of Jacksonville) and who knows what kind of stadium would have come with it. Plus you might not have been awarded the Olympics because the dome was not built for Olympics as most think. My friend Billy Payne used the fact that I was getting the dome as a drawing card for the Olympics. So blame it all on me. Rankin Smith….

By Keepin It Real

November 7, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

The Dome sux - The coach sux. Vick suxs for doing this to us! It’s all BAD. Now Blank isn’t making enough from ticket profits to proceed with the Dome renovations that he discussed last year. What happened??? Nobody saw this season being this HORRIBLE!!! This is suppose to be HOTLANTA!!!!

By Iceberg 33

November 7, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Not very good in my opinion. Parking is the worst in the NFL.

By Keepin It Real

November 7, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

The Dome sux - The coach sux. Most of the players sux. Vick suxs for doing this to us! It’s all BAD. Now Blank isn’t making enough from ticket profits to proceed with the Dome renovations that he discussed last year. What happened??? Nobody saw this season being this HORRIBLE!!! This is suppose to be HOTLANTA!!!!

By Keepin It Real

November 7, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

The Dome sux - The coach sux. Most of the players sux. Vick suxs for doing this to us! It’s all BAD. Now Blank isn’t making enough from ticket profits to proceed with the Dome renovations that he discussed last year. What happened??? Nobody saw this season being this HORRIBLE!!! This is suppose to be HOTLANTA!!!!

By Keepin It Real

November 7, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

The Dome sux - The coach sux. Most of the players sux. Vick suxs for doing this to us! It’s all BAD. Now Blank isn’t making enough from ticket profits to proceed with the Dome renovations that he discussed last year. What happened??? Nobody saw this season being this HORRIBLE!!! This is suppose to be HOTLANTA!!!! Now it’s just a HOT MESS!!!

By Villa Rica DAWG

November 7, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I have been to Falcons games, Monster Trucks, and Dawgs games at the dome. The only one that sucks is the Falcons games. One problem is that the place is closed in and BORING when the Falcons are on the field. There is nothing else to look at except a dead crowd and your team getting the he!! beat out of them. The place isn’t alive, it’s dead…

Falcons suck… I can’t believe they traded Farve.

By rob

November 7, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Bulldoze the dome and sell the team!!!!!!! Try agian in 20 more yrs.

Hilarious

By Hater

November 7, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

The dome looks like an 80,000 seat Warehouse. You can’t even tell what team plays there from the outside.

By Eric

November 7, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Has anyone been paying attention to the weather lately??? Why would we put a dome on our stadium??? Football should be played outdoors, especially in the South. Let’s take some of our money back from Vick and invest in a retractable roof.

By ozzfest

November 7, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

You drink in the parking lot and ADP will ticket you. That means no tailgating, which means I will NEVER attend a Falcons game. Authur, kiss my a*, you pig.

By shout

November 7, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

David Lee - had to be the first ugly, racist pig to talk his trash. Go away boy, bet my Vick jersey that you don’t know how to play the game of football anyway. Stay off the blog and get ready for the CMA.

By Gooden

November 7, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Yes, I agree, it is bad! The concession stands are over priced and most of the time you have to walk a distance to get to one that’s open, due to the lack of attendence a lot of them are closed now. And the team is playing so bad that it is hard to stay and watch them play. If I had not purchased season tickets I simply would not go. I go because I hate not using the tickets. And not just that, I can’t even give the tickets away at this point. Needless to say I will not be purchasing season tickets next year. I regret paying so much for these tickets. The team is not worth the price of their tickets. I normally do not respond to Blog’s but it was necessary this time. I am so disappointed with our team and the hold experence, that it needed to be said. I truly miss the excitement that Vick brought to the game. I think Joey is scared he might get hurt most of the time. He reminds me of a deer with headlights shining in their eyes. You know, that fearful look were they don’t know what to do next. Run are just get ran over! It’s sad to see, no the truth is it’s embarrassing to see our team play bad.

By Villa Rica DAWG

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Paul:

You’re an idiot… Bring Vick back, are you kidding me?!?!

By CORY BEARDEN

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU STEVE BARTKOWKSI He hit the nail on the head. Paul, above, don’t even get started. you are way off.

First, moving to the suburbs IS a great idea. There is room to build a stadium/entertainment area and room to tailgate, something it seems everyone wants. And we can cut out the riff raff that rides MARTA and have a fun, safe tailgating experience.

Lastly, just to vent. Anyone who saw the Vick town hall meeting on ESPN knows what riff raff I am talking about. Bob Lee couldn’t finish a sentence without the crowd interrupting. They were disrespectful, and obviously didn’t want to hear anything negative about their hero Mike Vick. We got rid of Vick, or at least the courts did for us, now let’s get rid of his ignorant supporters and rally around a new QB (hopefully Dennis Dixon) in a new stadium in the North Atlanta suburbs since we’re the ones the advertisers are aiming at anyway and we’re the ones paying for tickets.
-PS - The best game at the DOME next year will be Clemson v. Alabama to start the season. Mark it down

By CORY BEARDEN

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU STEVE BARTKOWKSI He hit the nail on the head. Paul, above, don’t even get started. you are way off.

First, moving to the suburbs IS a great idea. There is room to build a stadium/entertainment area and room to tailgate, something it seems everyone wants. And we can cut out the riff raff that rides MARTA and have a fun, safe tailgating experience.

Lastly, just to vent. Anyone who saw the Vick town hall meeting on ESPN knows what riff raff I am talking about. Bob Lee couldn’t finish a sentence without the crowd interrupting. They were disrespectful, and obviously didn’t want to hear anything negative about their hero Mike Vick. We got rid of Vick, or at least the courts did for us, now let’s get rid of his ignorant supporters and rally around a new QB (hopefully Dennis Dixon) in a new stadium in the North Atlanta suburbs since we’re the ones the advertisers are aiming at anyway and we’re the ones paying for tickets.
-PS - The best game at the DOME next year will be Clemson v. Alabama to start the season. Mark it down

By Tyson

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

hmmmm I don’t recall having these discussions when MV was here. The dome? The dome was wonderful, exciting, sold out..it bleed red and black on game day. The only thing you Falcon fans talked about was how MV was not a “true” QB…and you needed a QB. I’ll say it again as I said it before. “If you get rid of MV, you get rid of the fans and the dome will be EMPTY!”… just like the old days. Now that the QB is gone, the fans are coming a part!

You Falcon “Fans” kill me!

By The Truth

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Needs to be built in an open area of the 15 county metro. A few suggestions would be west of town like Villa Rica, east like Covington, Social Circle, Madison, or south down 85 like Peachtree City or further south. Away from the main metro like the race track down in Hampton. I agree away from the downtown elements. For tailgating build enough paved parking that actually belong to the stadium. No gyspy lots. Last retractable roof.

By todd

November 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

The GA Dome is as sad excuse for a southern football experience as it gets . Whether it be a Faclons Game or the SEC championship - it just sucks. To have a football game in a dome below the Mason-Dixon line is just a travesty. Having the SEC championship game there just cheapens the whole conference. The GA Dome is just another part of the whole Atlanta fair-weather fan experience.

If you want a ‘real’ southern football experience, trip down to Jacksonville or Tampa.

By john

November 7, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

the dome is terrible. who plays indoor games in atlanta???

By Majstc1

November 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

I’m from Boston and went to the home opener and was thouroughly disappointed with the venue. The people are great, parking is bad, the air condition was on full blast and it felt like Arena football, not an outside game that I would’ve liked. I only ask that they cut a hole in the middle of the roof and bring in better concessions like the ones at Turner field.

By Keeping z real

November 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

We need to keep a dome don’t be a fool it is great in the winter and in the summer. I went to the Falcons game in Jacksonville I like to have burned up . The dome buy far is the best. Next Dome should be retractable that the way to go! This team needs to win First no matter where it is!! If you move the Dome move it to Herry county!

By knowitall

November 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

My biggest complaint about the stadium is the small seats. I only weigh 185lbs and I don’t have enough room. I can only imagine how uncomfortable those who are bigger than me must be.

By cory bearden

November 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU STEVE BARTKOWKSI He hit the nail on the head. Paul, above, don’t even get started. you are way off.

First, moving to the suburbs IS a great idea. There is room to build a stadium/entertainment area and room to tailgate, something it seems everyone wants. And we can cut out the riff raff that rides MARTA and have a fun, safe tailgating experience.

Lastly, just to vent. Anyone who saw the Vick town hall meeting on ESPN knows what riff raff I am talking about. Bob Lee couldn’t finish a sentence without the crowd interrupting. They were disrespectful, and obviously didn’t want to hear anything negative about their hero Mike Vick. We got rid of Vick, or at least the courts did for us, now let’s get rid of his ignorant supporters and rally around a new QB (hopefully Dennis Dixon) in a new stadium in the North Atlanta suburbs since we’re the ones the advertisers are aiming at anyway and we’re the ones paying for tickets.
-PS - The best game at the DOME next year will be Clemson v. Alabama to start the season. Mark it down

By jeff

November 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

What? the falcons play at the dome???? I thought it was just used for the SEC championship game and for the Peach Bowl….

Go Dawgs!!!

By Frustrated Falcons GIRL

November 7, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Yea I totally agree. When it comes down to entertaining the fan we get an “F” (and its not EFFORT). I don’t know what “they” can do to change the GAMEDAY experience, but it has sucked since the early 90’s and probably before than, but that is the farthest I can remember.

Maybe if they start winning more games and GET VICK BACK than our overall GAMEDAY EXCITEMENT will come back. Don’t You Think?

By Koach Killa

November 7, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

I see Keepin It Real Stupid still can’t figure out how to post.

Move the Falcons to LA. Get rid of this cursed franchise. Start over in 2 years.

By Villa Rica DAWG

November 7, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Isn’t ADP a security company. Tell them to kiss your a$$…

By Don KeBallz

November 7, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Darrin is correct, Winning is what this city needs! Bring McNabb or draft McFadden and watch the place go nuts again. We tailgate, go to the falcons landing, and have fun in the dome regardless of the weather which could not be done at a outdoor venue. The ticket prices will have to be lower though! Mr. Blank increase them every year Vick was here and now that he is gone renewals will drop by scores if the prices stay the same.

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

November 7, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Falcons?????

Who are they? Are they baseball, soccor or football ?? :::he he he::::

Atlanta Pearl Girl

By tim

November 7, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

atlanta.look to athens to see what to do. plenty of parking for $20 or less. open stadium with a great atmosphere. good tailgating areas outside as well as bars to grab a beer and watch other games. And MOST OF ALL….a GOOD team

By Mel in Midtown

November 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

I had the misfortune to attend the recent MNF game vs. Giants at the Dome. My son-in-law is a season ticket holder in section 324.

Arriving at the Dome after work (we figured that we would go a bit early, grab a hot dog at the Dome for dinner, etc…) I had one of the worst major league sporting experiences in my life.

The first concession stand we visited was OUT OF HOT DOGS. This at 7:45PM for a Monday night game. (Didn’t anyone in the Dome of Falcons management ghink that concession sales might be a bit higher for a Monday nigt game - people coming from work, etc.?)

We go to the next concession area - they are out of hot dogs too! We settle for a burger…well, they called it burger. It was the worst excuse for a hamburger that I’ve ever seen. The meat patty was wafer thin and the bun was stuck to the meat so that it was impossible to remove the top of the bun to add condiments. The bun was very stale. The person working the cash register agreed that it was a terrible burger. She replaced it with one slightly better.

Two of us ordered soft drinks. Both were lacking in carbonation. They were flat! We complained about it and were told that “…that’s what it is…”

Then to top it off (or not, actually) both the mustard and catsup dispensers in the condiment area were inoperable.

I swear that this was the very last Falcon’s game that I’ll ever attend.

By sherman

November 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Yeah, lets all pitch in some more tax dollars so we can have an outdoor stadium. I’d rather the Falcons move somewhere else. Take the Hawks and Thrashers, too.

By loafer

November 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

I hear we’re gettuing new plastic seats in the dome. WHAT FOR?? unless you have more room and padded seats, the current seats are fine. Fix the Parking!!

By loafer

November 7, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

I hear we’re gettuing new plastic seats in the dome. WHAT FOR?? unless you have more room and padded seats, the current seats are fine. Fix the Parking!!

By Lane Tucker

November 7, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Why go to a Falcons game, give me one good reason to go. I can give a whole bunch of rreasons not to go

By allabout7

November 7, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

There are 7 ways to make the Dome better:

It’s amazing how people forget that before 7, the Dome only had about 30,000 people there AND the team was only seen on TV when they played on the road.

By Nolan School

November 7, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Dome sucks. No experience within the experience. Marginal food, tickets co$t more than team is worth, crappy sight-lines…and the most dismal team in all my years of driving to the ATL. Makes me homesick for Preston Ridlehuber, Billy Lotheride, Harmon Wages, William Andrews and the ramshackle Fulton County Stadium.

BOring, Boring, Boring and a total of five (5) hours wasted in traffic to see an team which obviously does not want to be there.

Never coming back.

By Thrash

November 7, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Great neighborhood over there. We domed a dump and now have a dump for a dome. Build an outdoor stadium for the Falcons and Georgia Tech to share.

By Moore football

November 7, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

A few suggestions to people

Go Falcons

By Conga

November 7, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Maybe if the Falcons offered us a product that was worthwhile, it would help and why is there not an open air stadium for the Falcons to play in. I don’t understand why we do not have an open air stadium where the Falcons play, yet cities like Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Boston play in the elements and get a lot more frigid than Atlanta?

By James

November 7, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

The only reason anyone ever got their money’s worth out of a trip to the dome was to watch mike. White people still blamed him for the team’s shortcomings. Now that he’s gone everyone realizes just how bad every aspect of the team is. You haters from the suburbs don’t deserve quality professional football.

By Aaaron

November 7, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

The last game I attended was a Raider game a few years ago. Two young thuggish types were sitting in front of me and gave me a threatening look when I asked them politely to sit down.

Who needs it. Now I have an HD tv and watch other teams play at home on NFL sunday ticket. I am tired of the thugs on the field and in the stands and support teams that do not have many of them.

I really appreciate the efforts of the commissioner to clean up the league. It is long overdue.

By Aaron

November 7, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

The last game I attended was a Raider game a few years ago. Two young thuggish types were sitting in front of me and gave me a threatening look when I asked them politely to sit down.

Who needs it. Now I have an HD tv and watch other teams play at home on NFL sunday ticket. I am tired of the thugs on the field and in the stands and support teams that do not have many of them.

I really appreciate the efforts of the commissioner to clean up the league. It is long overdue.

By johndawg

November 7, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

I remember when going to the game WAS the experience!

By UGABOI

November 7, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank needs to bring Vick back or sell the team!!! Cause no one will attend the games without a superstar at quarterback.. The Dome actually is a great venue and will continue to get better.. But winning takes care of all this drama.. Who cares what others are saying.. they are probably the ones not showing up. Just win Falcons!!!!

By p

November 7, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

who cares the falcons so yesterday!!!

By TheItalianDawg

November 7, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

y’all,I think we are the worse fans ever, we dont have unity, we crack by the tiniest problem, and we complain a lot. just support the team, the coach, and Im sure thing will go much better, we are just a QB away from contending for the NFC.

By FalconsFan

November 7, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

I agree - the Dome is the worst - hip hop blaring during the game breaks, awful sound system, everything artificial. Why on earth would Atlanta need a dome anyway? Play outside and get back to real football!

By Michael N.

November 7, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

The Dome s*cks because there aren’t enough spots to tailgate and Atlanta’s football team should not in any way, shape or form be playing indoors. Also, the new logo and uniforms are awful. Go back to the Red helmets with red uniforms and old plain Falcon logo. The old logo was plain but better. Can anyone answer as to why the Falcons never wear throwback uniforms just once during the season like most teams do?

By ss

November 7, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

YES - it is really depressing at the dome. It’s dark in the middle of the day and much quieter than other domes. I vote they tear the roof off! Atlanta doesn’t need a dome!

By Hotlanta

November 7, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

I for one disagree with the sentiment of moving the Falcons to the burbs. I totally agree the downtown experience is somewhat frightful and the dome sucks bad, but this is the “ATLANTA FALCONS”, not the “Alpharetta Falcons”.

What I would like to see is people like Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank, and the others that have made bazillions off of this city and its people put some effort into working with the narrow-minded city government to pump some cash into improving the city center. Start with Marta. Man that is simply the most disgusting transportation in the world. Destroy the entire Marta now and start over. For those of you who never venture inside the perimeter, a rebirth is happening downtown, albeit a painfully slow rebirth, but there are new condos, new retail areas appearing. Imagine if Blank, Marcus, Turner and other deep pockets bought up all this barren property and developed it into a REAL CITY. A good transportation system, a viable entertainment district and a new(or remodled)football stadium would do wonders for the whole region. Atlanta at some point will be a thriving downtown city, imagine how cool that would be. Just building a new stadium in the burbs would be short-sighted.

By Ham

November 7, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Why do we have a indoor stadium anyway?

By Football Guy

November 7, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Let’s see. The dome sucks, the team sucks, the coaching sucks, parking sucks, prices suck. Hey, I’ve got an idea, lets buy millions of dollars worth of paint and make it black and red inside the dome. Brings to mind the old expression, you can put gold foil on a turd, but it’s still a turd.

By JB

November 7, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

If they played in a open stadium on say a 400 acre park setting in gwinnett county near the jackson county line with plenty of cheap parking with 3 or 4 major roads going in and out and put in a 30 acre lake, landscaped for picnic’s and such, you could sell 75,000 seats, even with a so so team. Most people i know will not put their families in that environment down there. Not worth the risk.

By GBB

November 7, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I rarely comment on blogs, but this time I must. I have been a loyal Falcon Fan for more years than I care to mention and a seasons ticket holder for more than 10 yrs. The GA Dome indeed leaves MUCH to be desired, as does the loyalty of Atlanta fans. I agree, the bums and thugs who hang around the Dome make it “difficult” to feel excited about coming into the city on a Sunday morning to experience a good old fashioned tailgate. The gulch is horrible and what is up with that awful area around the old railrod tracks. I am terrified to venture up in that part of tailgate area. I think we should build a new football stadium, be it in town or in the suburbs (unfortunately the thugs will follow); revamp the football team (which may take a miracle); and hire a design team to survey the fans and address some of our desires for entertainment. I know we don’t put the kind of money into these ventures that the corporations do, but without a solid fan base, there will be NO Successful Atlanta Football Team.

By ATLIEN

November 7, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Why the negativity? you people should loosen up and have fun! what a bunch of kill joys that have nothing to do but blog negative things about atlanta or anything for that matter. If you don’t like the dome then don’t ruin our time there. PEACE!!

By Not Afraid of Black People

November 7, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

In the real world outside of talk radio, dismissing people who criticize you as “politically correct” doesn’t make you not a racist. The sprawling suburbs are the worst thing about Atlanta - you want the football stadium out there too just because you have too much disdain for a couple homeless guys to be able to enjoy the football game you’re able to attend? The transparent white flight mentality is pathetic and kinda wussy as well.

As for the tailgating, it does indeed suck. However, as mentioned above, this is the South and if you’re a hardcore tailgater you should be doing that on Saturday anyway. Having a dome instead of an outdoor stadium enables Atlanta to get Super Bowls, Final Fours, and conference championship games in both sports - so it’s not like there’s no point to it. True fans should take adavantage and try to create as loud an environment as possible in there. However, it seems that many “fans” in (somewhat nearby?) Atlanta aren’t good for anything except b***.

-White Not Scared of Blacks (or going to the actual cities that support pro sports) in the ATL

By Dan

November 7, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

So much ignorance, so little time…panhandlers and homeless people make you fear for your safety and life? MARTA, i.e. public transportation, only serves to bring in the “riff raff”? Move the stadium to a “nice” part of town, as if those in their gated subdivisions would want a stadium nearby? You embarass yourself with your comments. If you can’t accept the fact that Atlanta is a major metropolitan area, stay on the farm.

By John

November 7, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Yes the Dome is a big ugly box, that is a given. It was painted colors that blend with our skyline and thankfully minimizes the big barn. Can you imagine when this eyesore is painted red and black ? It will stand out like a sore thumb, Atlanta’s biggest sore thumb This makes me sick that public money to build this facility will be further disfigured like a halloween haunted house. How can this make the game experience any better ?

By Don KeBallz

November 7, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Forgive MV7 and bring him back when he can play!

By Jenny

November 7, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Look at Red Sox fans. If they had given up on their team, where would they be? The falcons just need a strong fan base and support, not criticism since they are going through a rough few years. The coaches are terrible. Look at all the talent we have on the team! Let’s utilize that talent and get some good coaching. Don’t give up. Good things come to those who wait. It takes time to build a good team. It takes years to build a great team.

By steve-o

November 7, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

I’m originially from Wisconsin, and I’ll tell you why Lambeau is a sports shrine…because it hosted many NFL Champion Packer teams. I’ve been to games there. Before the renovation, you freeze your arse off sitting on metal bleachers (which still comprise the seats in the stadium) inside of a green and gold metal structure—-and you love it!!! The fans are great, the tailgating is awesome, and the history of the team is unparalleled.

The problem with Falcons fans is that they get caught up in stupid, trivial bullshiit! I get sick of people who still support Vick without admitting that he is the dumbest motherfvcker on the earth to jeopardize a 9-figure salary in order to fight dogs. Right or wrong…MV7 is the dumbest man in the history of sports!

Then you got the scared suburbanites from North Atlanta who make veiled prejudiced and overall ignorant comments about riding MARTA and the going downtown. In a lot of major cities in the world, people take public transport to sporting evnets. And to the guy that said that advertising is aimed at North Atlanta, get a clue and realize that people with money live in other areas such as Midtown, the Highlands, Decatur, and Peachtree City! Putting the stadium in the burbs will be a mistake and just make it inaccessible for others that live elsewhere in Metro Atlanta. The only idea that sounded somewhat feasible is to locate a new stadium on the former GM plant site in Doraville, which is —SURPRISE— next to a MARTA station!

One other thing—the stadium is domed because it attracts the Super Bowl and Final Four which bring in boatloads of money. Good luck trying to get an open-air stadium for the Falcons. Maybe retractable roof, but not open air.

Falcons fans gotta put aside all of their differences, support the team, and demand better management from Blank instead of worrying about idiot former quarterbacks and making dumb assumptions about those people.

Living down here reminds me how truly blessed I am to be a Packer fan!

By Truth about Vick

November 7, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

All those asking for Vick back - why do you want to stay with mediocrity?

-Record as a Starter - 39 – 32 (55%) – winning – yes but barely above average and certainly not worthy of the highest contract in the NFL. - Career passing rating – 75.7. Again, very average. - Completion percentage of 53.8%. Calling this pedestrian may be a stretch. Awful! - 71 TD’s and 51 INT’s. Not too bad but certainly not record breaking by any stretch.
- Rushed 529 times for 3859 yards while at the same time being sacked 187 times for -1153 yards for a total of 2706 positive yards and has fumbled the ball 55 times and losing it 27 times. - Never had back to back winning seasons while he was a Falcon. - And it was the defense (with 5 turnovers) and ST’s that won that game at Lambeau, not Vick. Saying otherwise makes you look foolish.

That ship has sailed. The dome will continue to be terrible until the parking and perceived safety issues are addressed. Over 4M people in the Atlanta area and a black-out. Embarrassing.

By Orlando

November 7, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Lane Tucker, you are a wuss. your name fits you perfectly.

By Mark

November 7, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Why in god’s name do you need a dome in the south anyway? The Packers can play outside in Wisconsin but the pampered Falconettes play in a controlled environment? Blow it up and build a stadium like Carolina’s.

By Junior Miller

November 7, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Please tell me how Vick can be re-hired when he is about to go to federal prison? Blank didn’t sell out Vick, Vick pleaded guilty because his crew rolled on him and he was going to go away for a long long long long time.

Vick is going to be gone at least 12-24 months and at least anohter 12 months from the NFL after that and this assumes he isn’t going to end up in state prison for years on top of that. Vick will be lucky to play by the 2010-2011 season, if ever.

Lewis the ripper pled guilty to a minor charge and his co-killers were found not guilty as witnesses starting having memory laspes—I wonder who paid to make all that go away?

By George

November 7, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

This is absolutely true. Last year, they barricaded off each section of the dome to “enhance the customer experience.” I wrote in and complained that I couldn’t get to the first level vending carts. They told me it was necessary to “enhance the customer experience.” I haven’t bought any food or drink at the dome since.

Suggestions? Eliminate the ads, eliminate the barricades, and take the roof off. Nothing is worse than going in the dome when its 70 and sunny outside.

By Gwinnett Dad

November 7, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

I attended one Falcons game last year and was convinced not to attend another game, period. It is marketed much like the Gold Club, the indoors is antiseptic and sterile, and the loudspeakers deafening. I considered the game to be torture and won’t go again if I was given tickets on the 50 yard line in a luxury box, unless somebody could provide me sound proof ear muffs. The lousy noice isn’t from the crowed, it’s from the damn loud speakers. The Falcons are nothing but a glorified Arena football team, and we all know that Arena football isn’t real football.

By snoozer

November 7, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

I agree.. The last time I went was with a free ticket and I still left in the 3rd qtr.I wouldnt go back again even with a free ticket/parking and ride.

The G Dome with the Falcons is a snoozefest.

By Fan

November 7, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

What does the comment about the owner-Arthur being a Jew have to do with the Falcons???

Jew = $$$$????

By Dick

November 7, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

I just wish they’d install troughs in the mens room again… LOL.

By Falco

November 7, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

My experiences have sucked and that suckiness is directly related to the people working security. We had a parking pass next to the dome, no parking places because the security was allowing their buddies or people who slipped them a few bucks to park. We had club level seats, but when we got to our seats they were taken by people who probably didn’t have seats in club or if they did, they thought ours would be more to their liking. Asking them to move insulted them so they sat right next to us and were obnoxious the entire game. Not to mention having to sit half way in the seat next to me because they had their legs spread out as far as they possibly could and looked at me like they were going to kill me and my date every time I touched them. We tried to order a few beers, but the credit card machine was not working properly. They made us wait 20(not exagerating) minutes to get our card back. When we got the statement we were charged 3 times for the beers. I will never go to a game again.

By doodiebuddy

November 7, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

The dome is disgusting, the tailgating area is crummy, and the team sucks. Can you really be surprised?
What’s the point of having a dome in the south anyway?

By not in my hood!

November 7, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

DO NOT even think about moving to the ‘burbs…..If I wanted that kind of atmosphere, I’d move by the Dome. Too many thugs, punks, wannabe gang-stahs who don’t know how to act in public among decent society, even if it is only a football game.I know we aren’t talking about attending the ballet or opera here, but stop wondering why this ‘game day experience’ is so horrible and call it what it is; another excuse to act out, be threatening whether in word or gesture, show a total lack of respect for yourelves or anyone around you. Pushing, shoving, screaming into cell phones (not that anything that is said can be translated into English anyway except the profanity)and the all around general attitude of entitlement have kept me away for years. Mr. Blank, it’s too bad you can’t put a morals clause on the people who attend the games.

By Paul Hamilton

November 7, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Open air stadium is all I need to say. If I want to watch football inside, I’ll stay at home and turn on the television. Indoor football is for the arena league!

By Greg

November 7, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

The tailgating is terrible. I feel like I’m on the set of a Mad Max film in that area. There is not a lot of loyalty here for this team. We all knew what kind of year it was going to be going in. At least we have the Rams and Cardinals left on our schedule.

By TherealJB

November 7, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Very very poor game day experience. They used to off an early bird special which was a great way to save money with food and get people in the dome earlier than 10 minutes after cookoff.

Oh I could go on, but the longer blank is owner the more he takes away while raising our ticket prices.

By Hotmail

November 7, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Evey beem to the Panther’s or Tampa Bay’s Stadium? Ours doesn’t even compare. I say implode the dome, eat the cost and build what should have been rightfully been built in the first place. Besides, I’d at least like to get a nice bronze tan if I have to watch the falcons lose yet another game!

By Missy

November 7, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

You all making these similar comments are a bunch of racists asses who make the ATL much scarier that any criminal in the “ghetto” so called. It’s funny that the very “ghetto” race that you are referring to, say it with me since you are scared to say it, BLACK, make up half of the Falcons team!!!! Obviously something is missing in your lives and I shutter to think that my (BLACK) children go to school with your children who are probably picking up on this stuff. How do you go from talking about the dome to talking about your paycheck dollars allowing people from the West End to go to see the Falcons. If you are referring to welfare please note that the largest number of recipients of welfare are CAUCASIAN WOMEN. Look it up, then get a life!!!

By maddoxh

November 7, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

The following suggestions would help my experience. * Lower the parking prices to $20 bucks, first come first serve. * Bring the bands, vendors, radio stations and accessory carts back to the parking lots. *Allow fans to roam the dome. Suggestions for half-time show: High School or College Bands,BMX Bike tricks or skate boarders with ramps,dogs catching fresbie’s,Hip-Hop dance routines(cupid shuffle, soulja boy,electric slide),kiss Cam, Famous local artist.T-Shirt give-aways.

By mike

November 7, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

I have only been to one game at the GD and it was a non-experience. The Patriots were in town during one of their recent super bowl runs so this wasn’t a game with Buffalo or the Raiders we’re talking about. The stadium is ill-suited for it’s intended use, the crowd is less than enthusiastic, there is nowhere to tailgate, etc. It’s like going to the movies….you arrive, you watch the game, and then you leave. Not to mention the fact that Atlanta is an overall bad sports town. Atlanta fans should travel to Indy, KC, Denver, etc, and see what real sports towns are like.

By Truth about Vick

November 7, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

All those asking for Vick back - why do you want to stay with mediocrity?

-Record as a Starter - 39 – 32 (55%) – winning – yes but barely above average and certainly not worthy of the highest contract in the NFL. - Career passing rating – 75.7. Again, very average. - Completion percentage of 53.8%. Calling this pedestrian may be a stretch. Awful! - 71 TD’s and 51 INT’s. Not too bad but certainly not record breaking by any stretch.
- Rushed 529 times for 3859 yards while at the same time being sacked 187 times for -1153 yards for a total of 2706 positive yards and has fumbled the ball 55 times and losing it 27 times. - Never had back to back winning seasons while he was a Falcon. - And it was the defense (with 5 turnovers) and ST’s that won that game at Lambeau, not Vick. Saying otherwise makes you look foolish.

That ship has sailed. The dome will continue to be terrible until the parking and perceived safety issues are addressed. Over 4M people in the Atlanta area and a black-out. Embarrassing.

By Rickey Hughes

November 7, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

I could not disagree more.I have been to half the pro and all but one of the SEC venues and the deal in Atlanta IS AS GOOD AS MOST ANYWHERE.I enjoying watching the game in the comfort of the Dome along with my wife,children and grandchildren.The old macho days of “Surviving the Elements” are history and as far as the color of the Dome what difference does it make.The parking is very fairly priced.You can always go to UGA AND PAY $2500 PER YEAR TO PARK 3 MILES FROM THE OUTDOOR STADIUM THAT IS EITHER FREEZING OR 100 DEGREES.Also Falcons Landing is enjoyed by a lot of kids.Like any thing else there is always room for improvement but overall I think it is a good experience.

By MrHughes

November 7, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a season ticket holder since Blank bought the team. The gameday experience has gotten worse over the years AB’s owned the Falcons. But, it has nothing to do with the color of the stadium or the color of the seats. My butt does not care if the seat I sit in is teal, red, or black. It’s not like anyone says “I’m having more fun because the building color scheme matches the teams”. That’s stupid. I love that I can go to a Falcons game in jeans and a tshirt and not have to dressing like I’m going on an expedition to the artic circle or take out a second mortage to cover my alcohol expenses. I remember a few years ago it rained almost every home date. Personally, I don’t want to sit in the stands in a parka or try to see past peoples umbrellas. That’s not fun. It’s not fun blowing on your hands while the players are sitting on a heated bench. I went to college in Massachussetts, so I know something about sitting a stadium in the dead of winter. It’s an experience that leaves something to be desired. I doubt our turnout would have been as good as it has the last few years if fans had to deal with the elements instead of just coming to the game to have fun. I love Falcons Landing. It was better a few years ago when there wasn’t corporate branding all over it. I could live without the Ford’s parked all over the place. I could live with more games for the kids and Coca-Cola Football Town USA as it was orginally intended. Speaking of Falcons Landing… Why did they stop showing the late games on the grass? Why don’t they have more live bands and players out for pregame autographs? Why don’t they show pressers on the video boards after the game? Speaking of the video boards, those will be replaced with HD screens by next season. I liked it when they gave season ticket holders media guides instead of that ad laden yearbook. Hey, I can understand that it costs money to give the media guides away. How about giving people the option to use their punch card to get either the yearbook at the Dome for free or a $5 off (or, whatever you value the yearbook at) a media guide at 365. You’d sell a lot more yearbooks that way. I did not pick up my yearbook last year and will not this year because it is not worth it to me. The concessions are fine. I understand those that would like a better beer selection, but I’m not much of a beer drinker. On the other hand, as much as I see people stuffing their faces the food seems to be okay. I think the proposed upgrades will do something to make the concessions better, but there’s not much else you can do besides hot dogs, pizza, nachos, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, pretzels, candied nuts, and beer anyway. The seats are not too wide. If the seats are too wide for you, then you need a gym membership. And, that’s coming from a guy that weighs 220 and used to weigh 290. I never had problems fitting in the seats. The Falcons should make you buy two seats because your rolls are infringing on me while I am trying to watch the game. I have to agree with whoever said something about the giveways. We’ve not gotten bobbleheads in several years. Why didn’t they give out red towels when the Steelers came to town last year. We’ve not had red shirts since the game Vick came back. I don’t need an Oscar Meyer or Wolfson Eye Clinic flyer in my seat every week. I liked the luggage tags. At least it’s useful and benefits a good cause. It’s better than that pull apart offense defense thingey they manage to give away each season or generic white towels. Someone actually gave us something useful that ties in with the brand that paid for it. I can live with that over most of the crap teams give away.

Lastly, I’m sick of the “crime” crap. The GA Dome is not a crime ridden area. I go to Thrashers, Hawks, and Falcons games all the time. I used to park in the gulch for work. I have never been accosted by a homeless person. I stopped paying to park down there a few years because the prices got too high for what I was getting. Now I take Marta and love getting a season of parking for what some of ya’ll pay for the preseason. But, if you are paying $50 a game to park you need to have your head examined. I’ve seen that lot. There are cheaper options about as close to the Dome. They are charging what the market will bear and if you are paying it then you have no one to blame but yourselves. That’s not price gouging if that lot has been at that price for the last four years. The suburbs would not work. Gwinnett arena doesn’t have a decent traffic plan for moving people out after pro wrestling with less than 10K people. How can they or the GM site handle 70K? The beauty of the GA Dome location is that 3 interstate highways come together a few miles from it. Add the dedicated Marta station for handling traffic flow and you have a perfect storm for moving people. The Falcons are not moving to the suburbs. You want to talk about crime. Gwinnett arena was the first time I’ve ever been to a venue and wasn’t searched or asked about what I had on my person. It’s much more likely that you’ll see an incident happen where they don’t even look in purses. Yea, that’s bright… mace, knives, and maybe a gun or two at a professional wrestling match. And, I’m not a fan of CSC, but talking about crime at the Dome makes some of ya’ll sound dumb. Are you afraid of black people? Are you afraid of poor people? I used to tailgate and no one ever bothered me. I walk around downtown all the time and no one bothers me. Could you people survive for 2 minutes in NYC? When drunk college kids come and ask for beer in Athens its called fun. When dirty poor people do it it’s called begging.

By Hugo

November 7, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

To Baloney The reason why the stadium will not be moved to the suburbs is because without the city of Atlanta the suburbs would not flourish. The business leaders of the area know what happens when the hub of a community is damaged. The core city and the surrounding suburbs suffer. Shortsightedness hurt a number of cities and now the leaders in those cities are trying to rebuild or move stadiums back inside the cities, something smart business leaders here did not allow to happen. Though Alpharetta, Roswell and other North Fulton cities flourish they would still be cow pastures and cornfields it it weren’t for the city of Atlanta and the smart business leaders of the region know this.

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

There might be some bums in Cartersville, but I bet there will be a lot less than where the dome is now.

And not afraid:

Most people rather not have to deal with parasites when going out to an entertainment venue—especially when the product is such a poor product anyway. Going off to a watch a semi-pro team, with poor parking, a terrible stadium, and then get accosted by the scum of the earth—just not what most normal people enjoy.

I don’t support moving the Falcons to the suburbs, I support moving them to Yellowknife or Medicine Hat. The suburbs have enough of Atlanta’s problems, it doesn’t need another one like the Falcons.

By Keith S.

November 7, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Hey Falcons follow your arena team up I-85 maybe somewhere around the training camp in Flowery Branch. All kinds of land, have an oudoor stadium with a very large parking area where all the fans could tailgate together, and develope the area around the stadium for before and after game venues. This is what most fans want and wouldn’t have to high tale it to the cars after the games and drive an hour or so to get home and feel safe again !!!!!

Tailgator and season ticket holder since 1997……..

By ugaivfan

November 7, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

I did’nt realize they played football there on Sunday, I always thought the only football that was played there was the SEC championship game. Anyways who tailgates on Sunday. Leave tailgating to the real teams that play on Saurday. GO DAWGS

By BCR

November 7, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

I haven’t been to many stadiums, domes, or arenas outside of the Atlanta area, but aren’t most of the major ones in the inner city?

By The Real Truth

November 7, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

All of you Vick supporters need to go ahead and off yourselves. Not only will you decrease the surplus population of this city, but also you will help its economy by the elimination of your welfare checks. I used to worry about getting mugged outside of the dome, but since ol #7 burst on to the scene… I worry about getting mugged IN the dome. Good Riddance. Hey Art; Stay in your lux box like you should and let your admin run the team. Oh and you should BEG Coach Reeves to come back.

By Ralph

November 7, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

I’ve lived in Atlanta for 14 years. I LOVE this city, but I hate “trying” to go see the Falcons play. I have only been to one game and it was a pain getting there and a pain getting out. Plus football was meant to be played OUTSIDE. If Green Bay can play football outside, why can’t we play football outside. I would love the Falcons to win more, who wouldn’t. But at least we do have a team and stadium to b*** about. Lots of cities around the country would love to have a chance to b*** about their NFL team and stadium.

By Wes

November 7, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Hugo, you are right. That’s why the city of Boston fell apart after the football stadium was moved to Foxboro. Does anyone know if Boston exists anymore?

Or how about New York. I mean, New York became a ghost town when the football stadiums were built in Jersey.

And Phoenix, people are bailing out of there now that the team plays in the suburbs.

Moron.

By RoswellDawg

November 7, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

The indoors atmosphere sucks, the neighborhood sucks, the parking sucks, no tailgaiting lots. What do you expect? I’m surprised we’re not ranked 32nd.

By former fan

November 7, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

As a former and I do mean former, Falcon season ticket holder, I can say that, I saw the first Falcon Games played in the old Atlanta Stadium as well as the firs game played in the Dome, and be assured, the first was far better. Save the dome for tractor pulls and motorcyles etc, cause it ain’t worth crap for football. First of all, you have to go through a hell hole to get there, pay ridicuous amounts of money to park on Northside drive, or take Marta and they do not have the brain power to add the additional trains needed on game days, to get the fans in and out. Who owns those piece of crap parking lots on Northside drive with the outdoor crap houses? They get $40.00 per car to park in dirt and or muddy lots, that are an eyesore to the city, as if the dome itself was not. Who picked that color scheme - tourquiose and pink? Now they are going to paint it red and black, that will be cute. Why not just paint it black or better yet, tear it down and start over somewhere else, maybe in a part of town where fans would not feel threatened? This is a joke and waste of time and money. I remember how proud Atlantans were back in ‘65 to be getting a professional football team to go along with the Braves. How about two guys named Allen and Lane who funded the money and built a stadium with money they did not have and a guy named Smith who took a big chance on an expansion team? They must be really having a laugh over this . As for the players, keep the good honest ones, and let the others who probably need to be in prison anyway, go and start over. Got to feel for a guy like Keith Brooking or Algie or Warrick. They are paying the price for the others. Hey,maybe we can get Ray Lewis and build a stadium in Buckhead and he can just go around the corner to get his kicks. How ridiculous this entire thing is.

By Jay

November 7, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

The Falcons and the Dome should allow early-arriving fans the opportunity to watch the pre-game shows if it is an early game and if it is a late game, allow the fans to watch early games. In my opinion, that would be a good way to get fans to come early and be there for kick-off.

Also the music (speakers) echos and does not have a good sound.

By Football Lover

November 7, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Having been to dozens of Falcons games over the years, let’s face it, the place has no soul, no electricity. Sure, Vick’s gone, but the architecture of the Georgia Dome (domes are “dungeony” in nature as it is) is just the beginning. The team doesn’t seem to get it that you don’t have to give away stuff to make going to games an “experience.” How about sticking some bands every few hundred yards around the dome. How about some outdoor fun that isn’t just on that upper lawn by the Congress Center? That part is a start, but there are so many other sides of that building that don’t scream football on gameday. Heck, bring in a half dozen high school bands to march around the dome before games. They’d come for free. The outdoor experience is where the focus should lie. Then on the inside, lighting, lighting, lighting — better sound, too — not to mention some better game replays. The halftime entertainment usually is dreadful and boring. Not that it matters in the NFL anymore. I’ve been to every game the past two years and short of that night against the Eagles in the opener on Monday night the place hasn’t ever approached that level of intensity. Even then, though, the building has had its drawbacks. I’m sure the RCA Dome is a similar dungeon, but when you win it hides blemishes. I’d like to see the Falcons show the fans that they can put on a major show every week.

By Mark

November 7, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

The Dome sux. No parking. Bad food. Crappy team. And by the way who wants to play indoors in the ATL when is 65 degrees and sunny outside. The big circus tent should have been a retractable roof stadium.

By Mary

November 7, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Football is played outdoors…doze the dome, it’s a football club, not a dance club. Football is jeans, team tee’s and sweats. It’s not tight spandex, hairdo’s, and stilettos. It’s not about being seen, it’s about seeing the game. The problem here is not the stadium, the location, the transportation. It’s a whole lot of people who don’t don’t what it means to be a real fan. Many (not all) people here just don’t get it. A fan sticks with their team, always. When they are 6-2 but especially when they are 2-6. Being a fan is traveling to an away game, in Dallas, driving 10 hours, sleeping in the car, even when your boys are 2-5. And doing it again next year, and the year after that…with no conference title, no superbowl win…just for the love of the game.

By FalconsFan1

November 7, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Indoor football in the state of Georgia is only exciting for idiots who think that Mike Vick felon….err fella should be playing right now.

By pdg

November 7, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Call me old school but I like to go to sporting events to see sporting events, but then I’m so old fashioned that I think that football should be played outdoors and on grass. Anyhoo the GA Dome always makes me think that I’m stuck inside a video game. Less of the over-loud announcements and sound effects please!

By msteven

November 7, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Hilarious! absolutely Hilarious! Yall is off the chain with your comments. OMG! lol lol..Glad I am not a sports fan. Never been to the dome, but judging from these comments. it dosent sound like something I would spend my hard earned cash on. Bums? thugs? homeless? In case no one told you, isent that a part of just about any big city sence smack in the middle of downtown? I have been to and lived in several big cities, born and raised in NYC, downtown? bums and homeless, chicargo visited downtown, bums and homeless. Wash D.C. two blocks from the White House, you guessed it! bums and homeless. Heres a suggestion. Take about a million bucks from each NBA, NFL grossly over paid jocks…and wipe out “HOMELESS” You all think King James (Lebron James) would miss a million bucks? I doubt it. All of the NBA NFL grossly overpaid. I am not interested in hearing how broke the country is. appparently not. Give a 130million dollar payday to a thug. and thats what you get. And Vicks not the only one that was Un worthy of so much loot. There are many others Still playing that dont need near as much chedder.

By Rio

November 7, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Why would Atlanta have an open air stadium when most of the people who live here cry and moan if it rains for ten minutes? Also how did a question about the dome turn into a racial commentary and “Not in my hood” needs to be a man or woman and stop being such a little girl

By BCR

November 7, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Ignorance is not bliss.

By karol

November 7, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick did something wrong, he has asked for forgiveness. The Falcons needs to help him out. If, Ray Lewis is still playing football why can’t Vick. His team stood behind him 100%. Lets face it Vick made the team. The Falcons are DOOMED. Let GOD judge Vick. It seems like if folks can’t make money off of you, they do not want anything else to do with you. Until justice and forgiveness is showned. The Falcons will continue to FLOP:-(

By MikeJones

November 7, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Besides the fact that its pink and aqua blue and the tailgating can often be confused with freaknik ‘94, I’d say it isn’t THAT horrible. We are not peeing a troth anymore right?? It’s all relative…

By JIMMY

November 7, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Here’s a waaay novel idea: At spots all around the dome on gamedays, why not let the team host FREE tailgate cookouts for fans. They could give away tickets to the food fest via an Internet raffle every week, say, food for 5,000 or so. It wouldn’t cost that much. There’s something about grilling and football that might make going into a soul-less convention hall of a stadium more palatable. There needs to be some atmosphere. Of course, they could just build a dome-less stadium and that COULD help. You’ve still got to make going an experience. For $100-plus for good tickets, three hours of game-watching has to be enhanced.

By Dawgma

November 7, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Blame the City leadership of Atlanta at the time it was proposed. They wanted someplace that could generate money outside of football. At least they had the foresight to have Marta run there, and everyone knows certain ethnic groups can’t handle the cold very well. As for the Dome, there’s not another major venue in Georgia that could SUCK anymore than that place. THE DOME SUCKS, ALWAYS HAS, ALWAYS WILL. Good thing Maynard’s legacy is associated with the airport because there are thousands of us out there who can’t wait for that place to implode!!!

By BCR

November 7, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

By the way, who is going to Flowery Branch or Cartersville to see the Falcons play?

By James Stewart

November 7, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Bring Vick Back!

By WHITE FLIGHT

November 7, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Help Keith S.! He chose to live out in a treeless subdivision sprawl and has been forced to commute to the actual city that he does not live in (but probably tells out of town folks he does). He needs to hurry the hell up and get away from all them black people and “scum of the earth.” do not make this man be around these people in order to fair-weather support his football team - HELP THIS MAN

By Annoyed blogger

November 7, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

People:

Stop comparing UGA football to the Falcons. 1. Contrary to popular belief: There are plenty of bums in downtown Athens that beg for money. For those who don’t know, the city’s old downtown is adjacent to campus, which houses the stadium. It’s just that you normally don’t see bums wander onto campus to harass the UGA football crowd … likely the result of good policing. 2. There’s an amazing myth here that UGA tickets are “cheap.” Who in the h*ll came up with this? The season tickets are wonderful (I’m alum and I have them) but bottom line: You must donate first before you can buy season tickets. And for good seats, that’s not cheap. But it’s fun. 3. Tailgating in Athens has always been great because the town is built around the University. People can chill around the stadium before, during and after the games. They even have plenty of downtown hangouts like decent bars and restaurants available.

As for the Falcons: Downtown Atlanta is terrible for hosting football games if you’ve seen anything else nearby. (I’m an Atlanta native.) But I honestly feel its essentially the Falcons’ fault. Georgia Tech football games, which I often attended as a kid growing up in Atlanta, were always more exciting … besides the obvious fact that Bobby Dodd Stadium isn’t a dome. Even attending Thrashers games is fun though the team plays indoors on ice at Phillips Arena. So it’s not just the fact the Falcons play in “a dome.” You just can’t seriously house football games in an environment like downtown Atlanta where the Falcons now play without paying some serious money for infrastructure reconfiguration around the stadium. I hope somebody, namely Falcons season ticket holders or Arthur Blank and his billions (rather than Atlanta and Georgia taxpayers), can finance some type of plan. At least put some areas for decent, affordable venues around the dome for fans to eat or drink. The dome just stinks and it’s not because the seats are bad (they aren’t that bad). It’s just that the overall environment is depressing. I don’t know what other cities have, but I’ve been to UGA, GT and Thrashers games and the experience there was fine … not as bad as the Falcons games I’ve attended. Honestly, like others have said, you can’t tailgate near crackling cement and panhandlers.

But it’s not just the dome, Michael Vick (overrated), Rankin Smith, Arthur Blank, etc. that matter. This stuff is only the latest chapter in the perennial soap opera of the franchise. I think it’s the Falcons overall wretched 40-year history that irks most people. You make that better by improving the stadium and area around the stadium to boost morale and, most importantly, to create a decent fanbase you need to win a Superbowl.

By Adgurl, Atl, GA

November 7, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

We all know the Atlanta Hawks is not the best team in the world, but as far as “game day experience” the NBA has gotten a lock on it. Maybe someone in charge should take a page from the types of experiences that the NBA gives its fans and try to put some of that flavor in the NFL…

By L-Dogg

November 7, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Nobody in the South wants to tailgate at a pro event. We’ll save that for Saturdays! Who cares about the NFL (or NBA) when you have the SEC and ACC?!?

By JAYDA

November 7, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

I HATE HOW SO MANY OF U “FAIR WHEATHER” FALCONS FANS ARE ALWAYS SAYING I WONT GO SEE A GAME SINCE VICK LEFT….. WELL IF THATS UR CHOICE THEN THAT MEANS U WERE NEVER A FALCONS FAN TO BEGIN WITH….. U’R A MICHAEL VICK GROUPIE SO GET OFF HIS NUTS!!!! DONT GET ME WRONG, I LOVE VICK AND SURE WISH HE WAS STILL ON PLAYING FOR US BUT I’M ALSO A FALCONS FAN!!! NO NEED TO STOP COMING TO THE GAMES WHEN U GOT SO MANY OTHER GOOD PLAYERS ON THE TEAM WHO KNOW HOW TO ACT RIGHT!!! ATLANTA HAS THE WORST “FANS” BUT IMA STAND BEHIND MY FALCONS REGARDLES….. GO FALCONS!!!! P.S. THEY NEED TO GET MCKAY OUTTA THERE AND LET NORWOOD TOUCH THE BALL MORE EACH GAME!!!!

By ATL

November 7, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

We need an open air stadium with decent parking and no loud rap music or thugs.

I took my kids there - a terrible experience - overpriced, crappy, concessions.

The Brave experience is 1000% more enjoyable…

By HB

November 7, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

I think it’s important to remember what the purpose of this survey is - to evaluate the game-day experience. Just as it was stated in the article, the game-day experience is affected by anything from parking to having your ticket scanned, to buying a beer, and even driving home after the game. Until this year, the Falcons have not had to place emphasis on providing a positive game-day experience - they simply didn’t need to. My feelings on the Vick situation aside, he sold tickets. Period. Without him, the little things that have been overlooked these past few years are now coming to light. More attention now is on how long it takes to park, what promotional items are being given away, how many times you’re approached by the homeless, and the atmosphere in the Dome, which is evidenced in these survey results. All of these things have been present over the years, but there was something bigger to grab our attention - Michael Vick. He was a blessing for the Falcons’ front office for years, but now it’s time to head back to the drawing board. It’s time to put the attention back on the game-day experience and what the Falcons can do to enhance it for the fans. A positive game-day experience is possible, even with a sub-par team on the field. Take a look at the Braves for example, their attendance has continued to increase over the past few years, even with their team not making the playoffs the past 2 seasons. I think a good first step for the Falcons would be to take a good long look at this survey data.

By Paulie

November 7, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Hey wanna make the dome experience better? I ‘ve got a way to completely sell out the dome every single game. Bring in 200 of the most beautiful, totally naked dancing girls for 5 mins. per quarter and let them do a half time show too! Yeah the Falcons would lose as usual but I’d bet it would be sold out every game!

By Bob

November 7, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Actually the Dome is a pretty great place twice a year. It rocks for the SEC Championship game and it does likewise for the Peach/Chick Filet Bowl. Get a quality product and the Dome works ok. It ain’t Jordan Hare, Sanford Stadium, Death Valley or the Swamp, but it is at least as good as the Superdome.

By Anne

November 7, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Football just isn’t the same indoors, Sorry!

By Ms.D

November 7, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

KD is right, the only reason people are not having a good experience at the Dome is because our team is not winning. I went to my 1st ever pro-football game at the dome on Sunday and the experience was like no other,I loved it!!! If we were winning no one would be complaining, But are those the kind of band wagon fans we want at the dome anyway? All of you band wagon fans are the reason why the falcons are not winning and the experience at the dome sucks

By BCR

November 7, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

As a matter of fact, we shouldn’t even have a NFL team. Why? For one, many of the people that live in the metro area now are from other areas of the country, so our “fanbase” for the most part sucks at best. Secondly, this is UGA country. That is really the only team the original Georgians care about. It doesn’t matter what they do to the team or the place where that play, people will still complain, so just drop it. If you don’t like it, fine, if you do, fine. I am tired of all the whining from people in Atlanta complaining about the “thugs”, traffic, weather, etc. What the hell do you except from a major city? If you don’t like it here, please, please move. We are too crowded anyway and you others are using up all our water.

By StillDefiant

November 7, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Is the word “thug” the safe way for some of you to say the N word without getting your butts handed to you?

By RAM

November 7, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

I think it stinks. I especially cannot understand why we have to play in the dome in the fall and winter in Atlanta when that is the best outdoor time all year round. They play outdoors in Greenbay and Chicago. I have been to both of their stadiums at games in blizzards, below zero, etc and IT IS FUN

By Swatdad

November 7, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

At the stadium, I enjoyed season tickets. I did not renew them for the dome. I have been to the dome, but I hated it. The lame giveaways, the sounds, the costs. My last game I tolerated was when Vick was here, so him not being here matters little, I decided it was my last game. Matter of fact, he flicked us off.
The dome is a sorry venue, the falcons are horrible, and I have much better things to do than to go back to the rappin’ dome.

By Jon UGA27 UA 24

November 7, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

The dome is horrible for Atlanta. With our nice weather we should have an open stadium with tons of parking available to tailgate.

Second thought….A good product on the field results in fans not caring about the “game-day experience”.

*(If these points were stated already…I’m in agreement.)

By BT fan

November 7, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Atlanta fans are not the best NFL fans, which makes the situation not excusable, but direction indicator. Most fans still have attitude with Vick being absent. Well, he is gone forever and probably never play NFL again. I attended the SF game and you could feel the atmosphere pulling against Harrington and the team. I think Falcons have a solid coach, but his position is impenetrable. The front office does not need changing, but should to get new blood into the system.

By StillDefiant

November 7, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Is the word “thug” the safe way for some of you to say the N word without getting your butts handed to you?

By fan from carolina

November 7, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

The game day experience is what you make of it. We have been driving down from North Carolina for 18 years and always have a good time. Could some changes make it better - sure ie a winning team. Still we always have fun.

By StillDefiant

November 7, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

well said, BCR! People in Atlanta (non natives) complain about everything! If you are tired of it, leave. Here’s a Kleenex and a pacifer. Maybe that will shut you up! GO FALCONS!!!

By Brandon

November 7, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I think The Dome is a great place to watch a football game. Granted we’re not doing too good right now, but the tailgating is nice, when packed The Dome is very crunk and exciting, and most of our cheerleaders look great. And the ATL women that you find at the games are gorgeous. The Dome is a single mans paradise.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I do agree that the dome should have had a retractable roof for the nice days. Not a fan of sitting outside in rain and cold weather for anything or anytime.

By Dirty Bird

November 7, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

At least they are bringing Peyton Manning and the Colts to the Dome on Thanksgiving night. I have my tickets!!

By jc

November 7, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Football is meant to be played outdoors

Need more places to go befoer a game that is near or at the field please

By Disappointed

November 7, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

I’m a native, so while I like to think that we’ve come so far, reading blogs like this always reminds me that I’m still in the same old South. Too bad that so many people equate respect with political correctness.

By dyldyl

November 7, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Boring, Boring, boooooooooooo is all that I can say about the Falcons on game day. I’m a season ticket holder, and can’t stand having to watch them play. Not only is the game boring, but now they have the worst half time shows, the music is awful inside the dome, the lady who is in charge of the competitions and games is terrible. If we are going to have to sit through a loss, at least give us a good entertainer during half time to put us out of misery for a few minutes. Boring, boring, Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

By Hugo

November 7, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

To Wes sorry if I touched on some childish sensibility of yours. To be called a moron by someone simply because you disagree is moronic in itself. Before you call someone a moron check why you feel it necessary to attack someone for a simple disagreement. The anger you feel goes far beyond anything I wrote. I’m sure there is a doctor somewhere that can help you.

By Bubba Da-baller

November 7, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

I’ve been attending NFL games at the Dome since it opened. I go to see other teams in that the Home Team has little to offer in the way of “history”. Having been to other less Modern facilities (Shea Stadium, Giants Stadium, Foxboro etc)I would rather have the opportunity to be rained on (which has happened at the facilities above when it wasn’t snowing)than enter that over sized Hockey building aka the Dome. The lack of a common parking area breaks up the experience and provides a disconnect from the fans of the Falcon’s with each other. When I attended the Cowboys/Falcons tilt last year the traffic flow, parking and vibe was horrific. Tailgating under a bridge or crossing active railroad tracks is not what an NFL Game should be about.

By OnTheLevel

November 7, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

If you run a different survey, you’ll find a parallel - that franchises with fans who stick through with their teams through up and down seasons generally rate higher in many of the business related categories, revenues, concessions, etc, so everyone wins with truly loyal fans. Simple psychology - expectations contribute to results.

The Falcons fan base swings back-and-forth like a gale force wind. As long as this remains the case, managing the team and the facilities will be more difficult than in places with longer, steadier histories.

Falcons fans - don’t forget, when you’re point a finger at someone, there are fingers pointing back at you.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I hate bringing up race, but let’s face it, Arthur Blank is a business man. For the people complaining about the sounds and atmosphere in the Dome, Blank saw who sold out the Dome, so he is going to cater to them. We are in the city if Atlanta, and like it or not, Hip-Hop has a very huge influence here, so that is what you are going to mostly hear at the Dome. Like I said, at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is MONEY and who is spending it. That’s one of the main reasons the Done is in Atlanta and will stay there.

By OnTheLevel

November 7, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

If you run a different survey, you’ll find a parallel - that franchises with fans who stick through with their teams through up and down seasons generally rate higher in many of the business related categories, revenues, concessions, etc, so everyone wins with truly loyal fans. Simple psychology - expectations contribute to results.

The Falcons fan base swings back-and-forth like a gale force wind. As long as this remains the case, managing the team and the facilities will be more difficult than in places with longer, steadier histories.

Falcons fans - don’t forget, when you’re point a finger at someone, there are fingers pointing back at you.

By Gumby

November 7, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

I’ve had season tickets in Pittsburgh, Seattle (Kingdome days), Atlanta and Jacksonville, and have attended games in Cleveland, Cincy, and Dallas. The worst place ever was the big concrete Kingdome. On a nice day you don’t want to be in there. Atlanta would be 2nd from the bottom, and the dome is a big reason. Most fun was Pittsburgh, great fans, great atmosphere. Cleveland, while wearing Steeler gear was a lot of fun too. There was a lot of good natured abuse. I’ve been to games in Atlanta that were incredibly fun. I think winning would cure most of the problems. That being said, the Falcons are a long way away from getting back there.

By Itoro in Nashville

November 7, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

As a part-time ATL resident, I had to weigh in on the Dome:

By woody

November 7, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

I had a great time last year at the Steelers game in ATL. The Steelers lost but it was a great game and I was happy to see 30,000 of my fellow Steernation brethen showed up.

The Tailgate wasn’t that bad we dominated the parking lots while “all you all” falcons fans took marta and ducked into the pink hippo.

It is what you make it!

By zebr

November 7, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is the only person/player to bring life to the Atlanta Falcons PERIOD!!!!!

Bring Michael Vick back. Bring Micheal Vick back. Bring Michael Vick back Arthur!!!

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

White Flight:

I bet my neighborhood has more trees than any you’d care to name inside the city and that goes for the surrounding area as well which is made up of forest, pasture land and horse and cattle farms.

And no, if someone asks me, I don’t say I am from Atlanta.

By JDW

November 7, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

I held Falcons season tickets for 8 years and dropped them when the team moved to the dome. It is utterly ridiculous for a team based in Atlanta Ga to play football indoors. Arthur needs to go spend a few Saturday afternoons in Sanford Stadium and get some ideas on how to create a true game day atmosphere. So long as the game is indoors I and many others like me will enjoy our Sunday afternoons elsewhere.

By Jay

November 7, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

My biggest problem with the dome is dealing with the riff-raff that hang out around there. Same with Turner field. I don’t like taking my son to ball games down there with the great unwashed begging for money. If I am paying good money to go to a game, then I am not going to give it to a wino so my son can’t have a hotdog since the food costs a fortune.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Couldn’t have said it any better Itoto.

By William

November 7, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Go to Athens this weekend and take some notes.

People in the south love football. Falcons have not had back to back winning seasons ever. I repeat ever!!!

People in the south love to tailgate. There is no place to tailgate around the Dome. None that is safe anyway.

Football is meant to be played outside. This Dome thing was built to get the Olympics and is not good for football. There will be 90,000+ in Athens this weekend with no Dome.

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

Zebr:

Since Vick is going to prison soon and will remain there for perhaps years if the state chrages stick, and then there is the NFL suspension that will still be in force once he gets out of the joint, how can Vick help the Falcons at all outside of giving his bonus money back.

Oh and even if Blank was stupid enough to want Vick back—now or ever. He couldn’t do much about it, your boy Vick has been suspended by the NFL until such a time the NFL decides it wants to let him play again which could be in a few years or never.

By 98gtp

November 7, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

By maf

November 7, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Forget the ticket,food,parking/Marta prices, its the experience inside the dome that sucks. There is no entertainment value inside the dome, and I’m not talking about the team. No music, no replays (my tv at the house is bigger than the domes) no highlights from other games, pa announcer is, how do you say boring. Just because the team is not winnning, does that mean they (falcons) should not give us a true game day (inside) experience. By the way, Falcon Landing gets worse and worse every year.

By R Kelly - Real Talk

November 7, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

I didn’t see anything wrong with David Lee said. He is right.

I am a black man myself and I can’t stand the bums begging all the time Now I will leave out food for them when we leave the tailgate but come on quit bugging me for my beer. I have bad ‘time management’ skills to buy my beer on Saturdays. I am from Compton where I can get my 40oz anytime.

Some dumb brothas here in the South. The most of course is T.I. What a piece of trash.

As for the ‘coons well it is nice to seel all the blacks but WHERE ARE all the white women!!!

By DirtyBirds

November 7, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

The only time I have ever been to a falcons game is when someone gave me a ticket. The ticket prices are way to high and when you get there it seems everyone else must have gotten in for free based on the people I see.The National Fellons League has been going down for years. The only thing that can save it is for some real tough league policy which the new Commissioner seems to be working hard to impose. If they can’t clean it up they might as well disband the whole mess and just start prison teams.

By jc_atl

November 7, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Crappy team = crappy experience attending the games.

I wonder how many of the people responding to this survey have actually experienced a game in another city? Seems like a stupid survey.

I enjoyed the games in previous years when there was still some optimism for a playoff berth or at least not the assumption of yet another loss, but without a good QB (Vick was not the good QB we needed either way) the Falcons are miserably bad.

By Ames

November 7, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

dyldyl, Then why do you have season tickets?

By ClemsonDude

November 7, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

College football rules in the South! Just go to a game at Clemson, Georgia, LSU or Alabama then you will understand why pro ball in the South takes a backseat to college football.

By jay

November 7, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

The Falcons suck, the Dome stinks, the prices at the Dome suck, the service at the Dome doesn’t exist, security is lacking and most importantly M. Vick is a true product of Atlanta, a corrupt, crooked, lier. Who in their right mind would I want to pay big ticket prices just to go to a game there?

By ATL

November 7, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

For all the clowns that want to sit in a open air stadium for football when it’s cold and raining and hot as hell you are nuts. The dome is far better. you will get a lot of bowl games in a dome stadium . The next dome could be better . a retractable roof for good days. Planed to have better places for tailgating and don’t charge a arm and a leg for a spot to set up. Have places for the good ol boys and for the home boys and for the girls TOO!

By hate indoor football

November 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

The dome is dark and dirty! In a city with tempertures as pleasant in the Fall as Atlanta has we should be outside. Besides we probably will rarely be playing when the real cold arrives. Anyway, I would begin attending games again if they were outside just as I attend Braves games regardless of the schedule. There is just something about being outside with a cold beer that seems natural, and I don’t feel like I have to take a shower after visiting the stadium!

By BCR

November 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

R. Kelly, don’t forget where you are. ‘Round here in the south, they lynch and hang us for looking at White women.

By stand and shout

November 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

The last game I went to was in 2004.I am a long time fan and attend at least 2 games a season. But not anymore. Most fans stand and cheer their team. I happen to be seated in front of a guy who thought he was in a movie theater and he was all hugged up w/his girlfriend. This guy goes and tells an usher and the usher spends the rest of the game watching me. Making me feel like a trouble maker. This really made my game day experience horrible. I think the Dome motto is sit down,shut-up and watch. No banners ,no signs allowed . I had more fun at Fulton-County stadium.

By DP in SC

November 7, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

It really is that bad, I live in South Carolina now because I’m in the Air Force. I went back home to Henry County to visit my parents and me and my dad went to a game. I had an awful time. There was nothing nice there. Everything was to expensive. I will not go back to a game as long as it is at the Georgia Dome. Rebuild a cooler stadium and I’d love to go to another name. But I will not waist my money on that stadium anymore.

By Speaker of the Truth

November 7, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Move the Falcons, the Hawks, the Braves, and the Thrashers to the suburbs. If the area is safe, the fans will come, and the revenues will go up, and the team will improve. No one in their right mind wants to go downtown for sports, I know a few Thrashers players personally, and they don’t know why they live and practice in Duluth, but have to play downtown. Why can’t they play in the suburbs? Where the fans with money are? Where it’s safe?

Forget political correctness, and get the hell out of downtown. That means all four teams.

By FalconsFan

November 7, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

I agree with ATL. If they added a retractable roof to the Dome, people might have a better experience there. It could be opened on good days. A new parking deck should also be built. The Falcons will eventually improve. I believe they’ll return to the Super Bowl within 5 years.GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!

By JT

November 7, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

The biggest reason the Dome rated so poorly is the team itself. If you go there for a SEC Championship game and watch two good teams play, the place is deafeningly loud and rocking. If/when the Falcons put a consistent winner on the field, everything’ll be fine…

By im4ball

November 7, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

It seems like the dome officials do everything they can to make the game experience dull.

Recently I sent an email to the dome officials about my observations concerning the overall appearance and experience. The inside of the dome looks like a fea market with all the advertising placed in a haphazard fashion. There is poor coordination of music to announceing. They do little to get the fans excited and what they do is boring. The seats are too small and too close together. They practically strip search you when entering…making you feel like a criminal. Dome officials frown on home made signs which is a big part of getting fans into the games.

I did think the tailgateing outside seemed like fun….but the land is up for sale so I guess that will go away sometime.

By War Eagle

November 7, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

I discontinued my Falcons status two years ago. BOREDOM,. The only football is SEC and college football played outside on a beautiful autumn day or night.Good luck Falcons and Go Auburn.

By tj

November 7, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is just a horrible sports town pure and simple. The fans are not knowledeable and really have no passion. I would extend this to every sports team in Atlanta. I hate to say this as I am a life-long Falcons and Braves fan (from Bham) - but it is nothing special going to one of these games

By FalconFanToTheEnd

November 7, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Remove the DOME It’s football!!! It should be played with the elements; cold, hot, rainy, snowy whatever the case may be. This is not a place to sit and enjoy a nice evening with your girlfriend sipping wine. It’s the present time, Roman Times Gladiators sport.

By Honey

November 7, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

BRING MIKE VICK BACK ASAP!

The Hawks are on a winning streak!!!!!!

By BCR

November 7, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Get over it, they are not moving to the suburbs. I’ll bet any amount of money, that if they did move to the suburds, the attendance wouldn’t be any better, probably worse.

By catchem

November 7, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Yeah, except for maybe one or two years, maybe the Reeves or Bennett eras, the whole Falcons story has been a sad debacle. Seems like football stars come to Atlanta and just disintegrate. The good ones, like Favre, manage to escape.

By Football Fan

November 7, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

I don’t go to Falcons games because I don’t like the atmosphere of loud gangster rap. I prefer the collegiate football experience.

By D

November 7, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

yes, it’s boring, it’s indoors. people in the Dome look at someone funny when they get up and yell for the team, like they are getting out of hand and may of had too much to drink, this is football, not baseball or tennis. this isn’t family fare, it’s football! it’s the extension of the Roman coliseum, it’s more like Bull Riding, than tennis. football should be totally tailored to the diehard football fan, and everybody else that wants to join that experience is welcome, but don’t just come because your company gave you tickets or you want to be seen at the game and maybe get on camera with your kids. get it out of downtown and make it open air, then when it rains and it’s cold, the only people you have there are the ones that are Falcons fans. but you have to do whatever it takes, as long as it’s fair, to make the organization top rate, the only thing that matters is winning, and winning is only important if you can do it fairly and with integrity. not like how the niners di it by cheating on the salary cap, win against their best players on a fair playing field. whatever New England is doing(without that spygate thing) and whatever the Colts are doing, is what we should be doing. but the first thing is to buy up 1000 acres of cow pasture somewhere and make a huge parking lot with easy interstate and mass transit access outside of the city, and promote a real tailgating experience, and a game day experience where people don’t feel they are back in another Atlanta traffic situation, like they have had to endure all week, and be treated by people like the workers at the Dome, that not only don’t appreciate the patrons, but don’t like them because of their color and that they are different because they are out-of-towners from the suburbs.

By N

November 7, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

A retractable roof might be nice for good weather days but not a 100% open air stadium. Some of the remarks about moving the teams to the northern suburbs are so crude. And, I don’t even live south of town. God bless you all.

By James

November 7, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Why do we play football indoors in the south? Stupid idea #1.

Why do you get blasted with commercials from the Jumbotrons (sp?)? If I wanted commercials we can watch on TV.

The seats are very small and uncomfortable. The dome is awful.

By photofinish

November 7, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Cutting through all the BS:

White Atlanta fans don’t want to be around downtown blacks. Therefore, there is a dominant black presence around the dome. Therefore, the inside atmosphere will be primarily hip-hop, which will further alienate the whites who can pay the bills.

Solution: Move the teams to the suburbs, as far away from MARTA as possible. Use the Packers as a model. Dismiss all charges of political correctness in favor of making smart business decisions.

All four teams will find success that way.

By BlueEagle

November 7, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

The attitude about the atmosphere surrounding the Falcons and their home (the Dome) will only change when the management, coaches and team perform at a level that does not induce vomiting.

That said, wherever the Falcons have played (AFCS or the GA Dome) neither venue has been a place that said, “Hey, THAT’S the home of the Falcons. AFCS was a blue multipurpose facility. There may have been a banner outside but nothing that really said home for the Falcons. The Dome is mauve and teal for goodness sakes; an NFL team that plays in a pastel Tent. Something wrong with this picture?

The Falcons need a stadium that says, this is our house. You drive up I-76 in Philadelphia and pass by Lincoln Financial Field, you see a perfect example of a football stadium. Huge murals of Eagles players on the side of the building facing the interstate and seats that are gasp GREEN! Go figure. Same thing in Baltimore, drive by their stadium at night and the thing glows purple…why? Because that’s one of the team colors! Novel concept. More than that, people can congregate together in one general area before and after games instead of the disjointed tailgating in our city.

More than anything, the team is going to have to do better from the management down to the towel boys. if the Falcons had the history of a Pittsburgh, Dallas, or GB, then it really wouldn’t matter if they played at Parkview High (which given recent attendance might be a better fit) because the end product is successful lenough not to have to worry about aesthetics. Fix the team, and the rest of these things, public opinion, white people scared to come to the city, Black people angry at racist white people, public transportation issues, etc…will all take care of itself.

Go Falcons, I’m here to the bitter end…and bo, is it bitter over here…

By Texas Fan

November 7, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Falcon’s are not having their best year but it could be worse. You could have a team like New England that has a coach that cheats in the NFL and a quarterback that is every nightmare the parent of a daughter has. When Atlanta had the issue with Michael Vick, they dealt with it in a very professional manner. New England should be out of the running for any title because they were caught CHEATING! Abusing dogs in your private life is just as reprehensible as cheating on the job! I love the Falcons and as years in the past I will still support them 100%.

By Falcon4Life

November 7, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder for the last 15 years, I am so sick of everyone complaining about where the Dome is located. It is the “ATLANTA FALCONS” so Atlanta is where the team should be located. No matter where you go to a game there will always be scalpers, hustlers and homeless…quit moaning, that element is in every city. MARTA is an easy way to get to the game if you do not tailgate, and contrary to popular belief, everyone that buys MARTA is not poor. To afford the tickets to the game you can’t be poor. If you don’t want to spend the outrageous prices to park, get a parking pass, they usually run $90 to $200 a season. Inside or outside does not matter, the Panthers have an outdoor stadium and it is awful. The food is horrible because it is at a football game, tailgate and eat your own da%$ food. Or buy some from some of the tailgaters, half of them only come to tailgate and don’t even go in the game (Northside Drive) Lastly, every area around the Dome is not ghetto, most of the area is surrounded by historically black colleges, new apartments, condos and the like. So for you people scared of downtown Atlanta and talking about what you don’t know, stay at home and leave the tailgating,MARTA riding, football game to the real fans!

P.S. How in the he!! did Vick even come up in this, he is not here and won’t be!!!!

By donnie

November 7, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Let Vick come back and swap places with Blank under HIS table. This whole outfit SUX going back to when. They would be better off playing at Grant Field and let the ‘Jackoffs’ play voleyball.

By Rico

November 7, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Well…it’s a 10 if you like:

*Loud Hip Hop Music. *Screaming profanity. *Drunk out of their mind fans. *Expensive Food. *Being hounded by beggers in the parking lot *Grid Lock Traffic

Hmmmmmm. Oh yeah, no tradition.

By Phil

November 7, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Lets not forget about the bullets that sometimes come through the roof…

By BCR

November 7, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Photofinish, so Blacks can’t pay the bills? Answer one question for me, who sold out the Dome for the past 6 years?

By steve

November 7, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Bulldoze the dome. Build a new outdoor stadium either east or west on I-20 in another county, far away from any urban area. I never understood the reason for a dome. Must have been a jealousy thing with the Saints…

By coastal jim

November 7, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

I don’t care where you build it, just DON’T put a lid on it!!

By Randy

November 7, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Inside dome is great. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 21 years and have been miserable from weather in old field.

Good Lord. Have you seen some of our 1/2 time shows. Bring back the frisbee dogs.

Rumor has it Arthur is planning on raising ticket prices next year, AGAIN. Looks like we are headed for another miserable finish (probably 3-13) and if he does you can sell my 4 seats to some other sucker.

By Syd

November 7, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

I’ve lived in metro ATL since I 1977 and have seen many games at the Fulton County and the Dome. Have been a season ticket holder for the last three years.

1) The parking and tailgating is not all that bad. If you are paying $40/$50, you don’t know where to park. I’d tell you but I don’t want everyone going to my lot. Tailgating is what you make it. You can’t blame the Flacons on that if you don’t have a good tailgate.

2) Playing football inside is terrible. PERIOD. If fans can watch up in Foxboro, Greenbay etc, we can deal with some “chilly” weather here.

3) The Falcons need to stay downtown. The city needs it. ATL is hurting (but making a comeback) as it is. Somethings just need to stay in the city, major sporting events is one of them. People in the ‘burbs can deal with driving down once in a while. Getting people in ATL to drive OTP is hard enough (I won’t get into the snoppy ITP people right now. And yes I live ITP).

4) The food is terrible. Period. I can get a better hotdog at Costco. Go to Foxboro or somewhere like that and get a real polish sausage. And those stupid Papa Johns things are just terrible. My wife and I don’t eat at the stadium anymore.

5) What is with all this Rap crap music they play??

6) Need to freshen things up some….how many times do we have to watch some bozo guess how many miles between ATL and Tokyo.

Final report card…C-

By MrDan

November 7, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Falcons’ fan from the beginning, saw one of their first victories over St. Louis the first year and the fans tore down the goal posts. I had always heard when Rankin Smith threatened to move the team to Jax (if Atlanta didn’t build him a dome) many people tore out the moving van section of the yellow pages and sent it to him. He should have taken the hint. But high hopes for Arthur when he bought the team. So here it is, football down South is meant to be played OUTDOORS! It’s your team Arthur. Screw the politicians.

By Max

November 7, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Photofinish for President! You hit it on the head.

By gerrimv7fan

November 7, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

BRING MV7 BACK IF NOT WE WILL SEE HIM AGAIN .LEAVE THE DOME ALONE WE ALSO PAY FOR TICKETS AS YOU CAN SEE!!!!!! NO SELL OUT NO VICK

By King Donko of Punchstania

November 7, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

1st of all, the dome is a horrible venue for any sport. The only time that place is rockin’ is during the SEC Championship game. 2nd, there are too many yankees in Atlanta. If you drive down any street, you’ll see flags and stickers supporting the Dolts, Bills, Packers, etc. (and don’t even get me started on the absurd number of Lame (Big) Ten teams represented around Atlanta. It is difficult to build a team following when no one in the city has ties with the city or state. Sure, when the Falcons are doing good there are plenty of bandwagon northerners here to fill the seats. The bottom line is that the people of Atlanta, by and large, suck at supporting local professional teams, and the lack of a first-rate facility exacerbates the problem. Go Falcons! Go Hawks! Go Thrashers! (although, no one from Georgia cares about hockey- it’s boring) Go Braves! And finally, NORTHERNERS GO HOME!!

By Kramer

November 7, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

A few years ago I was trying to attend a falcons game and my friend had left a ticket for me at will call. I had taken the marta all the way in from the burbs. When i arrived at the window i asked for my ticket and the ticket agent produced it but them said he needed to see my i.d. Reaching into my left hand pocket I noticed that I had left my wallet at home. The ticket agent refused to give me the ticket despite the fact that my face could only be that of a Kramer. I returned home saddened and sullen. As I was just hitting the walkway to the marta station a large truck came speeding by and splashed my new black cotton dockers. THE VERY PANTS I WAS GOING TO RETURN TO THE LENOX SQUARE THAT VERY DAY!!!

By null

November 7, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

You mike vick fans make me SICK!!! I won’t even capitalize that POS’s name because he doesn’t deserve it. The man is a dog-killer. If you put football before that, you are sick in the head. The people who wear #7 jerseys to Falcons games are TRASH through and through. I can’t agree that God will judge mike vick…..he’s headed downstairs….not up.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Rico, aside from the Hip-Hop music, and I am starting to hear more and more of that on TV, you just descibed any pro football game across the country, so what’s your point?

By Please leave the DOME

November 7, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Please Please Please leave the dome. I want to take my kids to the game, but I worry about the beggers and thugs! WHY do we have “Atlanta’s Team” in the middle of crappy parking and homeless people? SUCKS for people who actully spend money there! Please build an outdoor stadium somewhere out of the hood!!

By willie

November 7, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

No I don’t agree. The dome is just fine. I go to see football,and to support my home team win or lose!!! Im much more concerned with why so many including the AJC have such a penchant for running down the Falcons at every turn. Piling on a team that is already trying to recover from being rabbit punched and blind sided doesnt exactly speak well for this city, its fans and certainly not the local monopoly newspaper that seems to find more interest in the latest rap star to go afoul of the law than in supporting a team that sorely needs a hand.

By PMarsden

November 7, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with Steve B. the dome is boring and has no character regarding the Atlanta Falcons, the parking is extremely overpriced and the make over of the suites is not all that great. When you are in the dome you get this drab feeling there is no excitement. Everything about the dome is boring, build a new stadium with a retractable roof. I’m a season ticket holder but I will not renew next year.

By Dan

November 7, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Need and outdoor stadium take off the roof this is the south???? If Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New England can play if freezing snow and rain.

By nflfan

November 7, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Football needs to be played outdoors. I’m ok with the stadium staying downtown (although the burbs would be much better and provide a much better experience), but it needs to be an outdoor stadium.

The food is bad and overpriced. Parking is horrible…and no one wants to be pan-handled like going to any other ATL sports event.

This town needs to face it….it’s a town full of fair weather fans. Fans from Green Bay or Chicago or places like that live and die for their team. ATL only cares when they are doing well. I’m a Dolphins fan and even though they are 0-8 I’m still rooting and will never give up on them.

ATL is a poor, poor sports town. I give it a 1 out of 10.

By Vince

November 7, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

MARTA is crapola. Parking is ridiculously expensive. The majority of the people that run the concessions are clueless and forget about your order if there’s any hint of it being busy there. The inside of the Dome is fine, except for the fans that fight each other (which I tend to see at every game). One big thing for me is to get these kids at the concessions to freaking pay attention to what they’re doing. I’ve stood waiting for my food for 15 minutes while it sits on a table behind the counter because some kid is chatting on his cell phone and isn’t doing what he’s supposed to be doing. And when I try to get someone else’s attention to get my food, I’m looked at like I’m an a-hole. I’m over it. I used to have season tickets, and when they upped the price $100 a year or two ago, I said forget it, and have only been back to one game since. I’d rather go to a Tech game.

By JT

November 7, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

I wish the Falcons organization would start listening to what the fans have been saying for a long time. It irritates me reading this article because the organization and the columnist act like this is new information. The true fans know this has been a problem for years. The Georgia Dome stinks, the location stinks and the atmosphere stinks. Move the Falcons out of Downtown Atlanta and into the existing GM plant in Doraville. This would provide better tailgaiting and a better location. Let’s make a change to improve this team now. GO FALCONS!

By andy

November 7, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I just find it a little ironic that Green Bay plays outdoors and the Falcons play indoors. If anything, it should be the other way around. Why didn’t they build a retractable roof when they built it in the early 90s ?

By Falcon4Life

November 7, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

Photofinish, are you kidding me? “White people pay the bills.” The majority of the season ticket holders are African American. Hip Hop element? What are you talking about, most of the music they play is not up-to-date. I would just like to hear some up-to-date music, and I don’t care who produces it. I am tired of people thinking that ALL African Americans are living a hip-hop, gangster life….grow up and get your head out of your butt.

By AtlantaTitanGirl

November 7, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

I agree wholeheartedly. We hold Titan club level season tickets. Talk about an awesome experience - from game day to post season. The Titans love their fans and especially the season tix holders. We are charter PSL and season tix holders and wouldn’t change it for the world. We go up for every game and are well rewarded. The Falcons and the Georgia Dome leave much, much, much to be desired. And, yes, we both were born and raised in Atlanta…

By U.cant CLA

November 7, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Worst Big Screen TV’s in the League. Can we some HDTV big screen’s in the Dome????? Its almost pointless to watch replays in the Dome.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Okay, let’s look at a couple of things with moving to the suburbs. Of course, the people that want a stadium in the suburbs, they don’t want MARTA anywhere near it, because then the “thugs” will follow. Am I right so far? Okay, now, let’s say the stadium does start selling out again. A good percentage of the people that go to the sports events downtown ride MARTA. We see the terrible traffic that is caused when the event lets out. Now imagine all 60,000 to 70,000 people all getting in vehicles trying to leave. Yeah, great idea. Have fun with that one. By the way, who is going to pay for this stadium? Pretty sure you people don’t want to have to foot the bill.

By robo

November 7, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

They built the stadium with a circus tent due to the Olympics but also the fans got tired of watching the birds get beat up in the rain and cold-at least it was nice to watch them get beat up inside a climate controlled place (also the Peach bowl games). There is no way a new stadium will be built when this one is only 15 yrs old-If Blank was even thinking of partly financing the thing from his own stash before he certainly won’t now with his franchise player gone and really no hope of a winning franchise for the immediate future. If the team eventually moves, then take town the tent and you can have an open top-or reconfig Turner field to handle football.

By Bob

November 7, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

We need a facility that has a retractable roof. We don’t need to endure the cold weather or severe thunderstorms, but need to be able to be outside when the weather warrants it.

The public should not be forced to pay for it. And YES, it would be better if it were in Cobb County or some place like that.

By Lou

November 7, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder I have to at least thank Rankin Smith for not paying a PSL! The Dome is fine, if you don’t like it stay home, like a lot of you are doing now. I can spread out and relax!

By steve

November 7, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Football was meant to be played outside in the elements. To bring it indoor is to do a disservice to the game and the game watching experience.

By Snake

November 7, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Most of you have missed the point.

Horrible food. Horrendous parking prices and availability.
Ticket prices are way overpriced for not only the product on the field but also the overall value. They do not update scores of other games very well. Instead they flash ads. When the scores do come they are 1 quarter behind.

I have 30 season tickets and I 100% agree. I will not be renewing and I expect there will be some roughtly 20,000 who will do the same.

Regular season games are about to be like the attendance for preseason games now.

Get ready for it.

By Ty

November 7, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

I honestly have more fun tailgating for the Braves. Turner field isn’t in the best part of town either, but the fans are closer together and they do a good job keeping the rif-raf out.

By Phil

November 7, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

As per the hip-hop music, it’s almost as if the Falcons are trying to appeal to an entirely different race of people (non-whites)!!!! Do they even exist??

We need more Buck Owens and Roy Clark.

By BCR

November 7, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

I have a better suggestion, with all the money in the suburbs and all the White folks able to pay the bills, why don’t you just put all your big money together and start an expansion team so you don’t have to be bothered with homeless filled, “thug” filled, no parking or tail gating areas of Atlanta. There are many states that have two teams. Hell, Atlanta is already racially divided, why not two teams? Problem solved, you can thank me later.

By JF

November 7, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

I have been to many stadiums troughout the South and I don’t think the Dome is that bad.

I love that it is a DOME and I am not exposed to the elements and the tailgating is the best. It doesn’t matter what time of year, I am still comfortable in the DOME and can enjoy the game without being rained on, sweating profusely, or freezing. The suites are nice too.

My tailgate has gotten compliments from people who visit from all over the country who tailgate for their home teams.

People are just angry because we are losing.

By david

November 7, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Why limit the bad experience to the Falcons.

Throw in the Hawks and Braves.

By falconmaniac

November 7, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

The falcons game day experience absolutely sucks, and I’ve been to 5 or 6 other pro games at different stadiums. Really bad tailgating opportunities, dangerous area, rude cops and Ga Dome employees, and an indoor stadium that’s about 10 years past its prime. Move the team to the suburbs, build a 85,000 seat stadium, outdoors, with a retractable roof.

By Season ticket holder

November 7, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Best idea I’ve seen is putting an outdoor stadium on the GM site along 285. Give me some real grass, sunshine, rain whatever. Having a Dome in Atlanta has never made any sense.

As far as the game day experience, I’ve had tickets for 7 years and it keeps getting worse, nothing to do with the team. The food is lame and overpriced, the service is abysmal. They used to have good giveaways like bobbleheads, cheer towels, etc. Now nothing. I though Blank was going to be a marketing genius with the lowered ticket prices, which have almost trippled. The pastel colors of the dome look like something from Miami in the early 80’s (Miami Vice) The sitelines are good but the sound and bigscreens are awful. I have to use my binoculars to wath the replays on the “big” screens. I can’t afford to go to the game and pay more than my ticket cost to park for tailgating. Falcons Landing was getter a couple of years ago when there were much more interactive things for kids and adults.

The ridiculously loud music between every play is annoying especially with the awful acoustics in there.

I’m not about getting rid of the Falcons, just the cold characterless concrete cell block with a tent over it they call the Georgia Dome. Even the name is dull. I’m sure some marketing genius was paid handsomely to come up with that.

With all my complaints I do agree that winning makes a lot of it easier to deal with but Get this stuff right while we are losing and the season ticket holders will notice and appreciate the effort. Lately I’ve seen very little effort on Blanks part to improve my experince. I won’t renew at these prices unless some big changes are made.

By alm

November 7, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Anyone who says that there aren’t thugs and homeless people at the tale gating lots is crazy! There’s always fights and cops and thugs on motorcycles doing burnouts in the street the whole time. The dome is not so bad, better than FCS that’s for sure!! Was there a good seat there? I don’t think so. I agree down time at the game is bad but I can deal with that. I am just hoping I can make it back to my car after the game!

By Soryu

November 7, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

No, the Falcons are a cursed team—they won’t finish 3-13, they’ll beat the Rams and lose to the Colts so that is 3-7, there are 6 more games and they’ll go maybe 2-4 or 3-3, making them 5-11 or 6-10. Crappy enough to miss the playoffs but not crappy enough to get one of the top QB picks.

They’ll probably draft some no name lineman in the first round who’ll be coaching football in northern Idaho in three years.

By Cruzin

November 7, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

A lot of folks complaining that football should be played outside are from the south. I attended many NY Giant games in December. I wore the best cold weather clothes and froze. You can’t enjoy the game when you can’t hold a cup or even feel it. Add icy wind blowing in your face, and it becomes survival not entertainment.

The low life people are a problem at the Falcon games. The couple of times I attended, I felt like I was going to be attacked.

And the parking, its already been said. As for tailgating, the Giant fans were good, but the Tampa fans do it the best!

By D

November 7, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

improve the food, make it like anybody we know that cares about cookin’ out, it’s that simple. even give local favorites, like cornbread, etc., that’s what stadiums do around the country, that make it their place. but it has the be outdoors, rain, cold, sleet and even sun are part of the game. those things make it interesting, and there is nothing like preparing for a game to go to that most people are afraid to go to, and you take your blankets and ponchos and flask, people all around in the stands come together in the game experience, you’ll find no primadonnas, no fair weather fans, and no sheep at this kind of outdoor event, it’s not a sport to be the braves with john fogerty music and crap, it’s not a nascar event where it is more important to say you went and were seen than the actual event, this is f-in, f-in football. if you don’t like it, get into something else. outdoors, no retractable, I might feel like being a wimp today retaractable roof, better food, like any of me and my buddies on a local level can even cook, easy access to transportion that has been totally planned ahead of time to support and a huge parking area and gathering areas, as far as places for the kids, either kids are into football or get a friggin’ sitter!

By LD

November 7, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

To Steve B: I remember the Atlanta vs. Dallas game you were talking about. It was an awesome game even though we ultimately lost. Yes, it was cold that day but you are so right it just added to the atmosphere. I’ve never been to a Falcons game in the Dome so I can’t really comment but the location isn’t that conducive to tailgating, etc. Hope you are doing well.

By Dg

November 7, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Poor seat quality. Excessively loud noise (music?) between plays. Poor Quality product on the field. What’s not to like.

By Vick Supporter

November 7, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

What a surprise, the white people want to take the team away from everyone too, just like they do everything else. Listen, there’s not an NFL city that doesn’t have bums and “thugs”. I hope when you use that term, you’re referring to people of all colors, just saw quite a few white bums and thugs today downtown. Folks, learn to deal with it, or shut the hell up and build your own stadium, as a matter of fact, don’t come to the games. I get tired of your dirty looks when I used to attend games. I really wanted to say something about it, but I don’t want to stoop to your level. You white people are so damn arrogant, quit complaining about every damn thing and shut up, PLEASE!!!!!!

By photofinish

November 7, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Who goes to games? Who pays the bills?

Bank of America Home Depot Georgia Pacific AT&T/Bellsouth UPS etc etc etc and their employees

If not for corporate sponsorship, that place would be half-empty and falling apart.

Oh wait, it is half-empty. Sucks for the company to buy blocks of tickets and not be able to GIVE them away to their employees.

By Uncle Dave

November 7, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Season ticket holder for 7 years now and I enjoy coming to the dome on Sundays. Yes I would like to be winning games, but that’s not the case right now. No one has just come right out and said it but from some of the comments I am hearing that the dome would be better if it was a little more white. Yes there are homeless people around the dome.Have you offered to give them any food? So what if someone asks you for a beer. That will decrease your drunken state by at least one while your driving back to Suwanee, Alpharetta, and Peachtree City. I’m reading complaints about the sound system, but maybe it’s not about the system but the rap music that their playing. I also like the fact that we have a dome. I think this is why the women dress to impress on GAME DAY. A retractable roof would be nice, but it is deffinitely not killing my GAME Day Experience.

By Rammerstein

November 7, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

For all you guys talking about putting a new stadium at the GM site in Doraville, let me give you all some perspective. I happen to live near that area. Although it’s right next to a MARTA station, it’s also next to Buford Highway, which is just as rundown as the areas around the Dome. If we were to put a stadium there, instead of whining about the panhandlers, people would now start complaining about all the illegals in the surrounding neighborhoods, or that none of the signs are in English. God forbid people would have to go to a Taqueria or Korean BBQ place after the game instead of Hooters or Applebee’s. Personally, I would love to have a stadium there, but if people aren’t thrilled with the current location, there’s no way that they could handle a stadium in an area where English is optional. Also, on a more practical note, Spaghetti Junction is already a traffic nightmare as it is. I can’t imagine how much worse it would get with a stadium in the area.

By Dejay

November 7, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

That revisionist’s history is something, isn’t it? Before we air out our complaints, people, lets get the facts straight, starting with…

1) The Dome wasn’t built for the Falcons as much as was built for the AVCB. It was originally built to host Super Bowls, major conventions, and Final Fours; the Falcons were a side beneficiary. How else do you explain the pastel colors and teal seats?

2) The Falcons were all but gone to Jacksonville until Rankin Smith reached a deal to play in the Dome in 1989. He tried for years to get a stadium built (with city/state tax $$$) but because of the sorry state of the team, the folks in charge didn’t budge. Only when the idea of a multi-use, indoor facility that everyone could use was floated around (one that could host Super Bowls and other events the Omni couldn’t) did Rankin get aboard.

3) The Dome’s parking structure was BY DESIGN. Local officials wanted people to use MARTA to get to the place; that way they can spur interest in public transportation. They had no alternative plan if we decided to get in our cars due to the fact that MARTA goes nowhere and stops after midnight. How else can you explain having a 70,000-seat building with less than 12,000 parking spots around it? Of course, we know how that turned out; we largely ignored their intentions and drove anyway which is why the parking is so hideous now.

So there you have it. BTW, those who clamor for the team to relocate to the burbs haven’t watched the news lately. You think the folks in Doraville would welcome the birds with open arms if they decided to move to the GM plant? What about Gwinnett county? Cobb? Alpharetta? If folks are willing to protest over a Super Walmart being built across the street from them as well as anything to do with public transportation, how fiercely would they react to a 68-75,000 seat building, acres of parking, and tons of tailgating fans, including those who drive up from south of I-20? That’s the type of fight Vince McMahon normally has on his pay-per-views.

Is the Dome ideal? Heck no. The place is one of the most antiseptic buildings I’ve ever come across; it will never be confused with Neyland Stadium. It’s also in an area that’s been underdeveloped and crime/drug-infested for decades. There are no local pubs, bars, and restaurants anywhere near it to spur any sort of atmosphere around the game (and nope, the CNN Center doesn’t count). The place was built with no real plan in place for parking or fostering any sort of atmosphere for the local team with shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Hopefully, a better vision will be used with the next building soon to follow.

By Kevin

November 7, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Move them Dome to the burbs and git rid of Babinuex and then I’ll be back for my 10 season tickets.

By Rammerstein

November 7, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

For all you guys talking about putting a new stadium at the GM site in Doraville, let me give you all some perspective. I happen to live near that area. Although it’s right next to a MARTA station, it’s also next to Buford Highway, which is just as rundown as the areas around the Dome. If we were to put a stadium there, instead of whining about the panhandlers, people would now start complaining about all the illegals in the surrounding neighborhoods, or that none of the signs are in English. God forbid people would have to go to a Taqueria or Korean BBQ place after the game instead of Hooters or Applebee’s. Personally, I would love to have a stadium there, but if people aren’t thrilled with the current location, there’s no way that they could handle a stadium in an area where English is optional. Also, on a more practical note, Spaghetti Junction is already a traffic nightmare as it is. I can’t imagine how much worse it would get with a stadium in the area.

By Edward T Beazley

November 7, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

The dome is just like the rest of Atlanta,The southern thing is gone due to political correctness,and with that said, it is boring.

By Truly Blessed

November 7, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

To Downtown Dawg

What does the ghetto have to do with the Falcons. Count your blessings that you are able to afford a condo and not live paycheck to paycheck. Don’t knock anyone unless you have stepped into their shoes. People who have lower incomes deserve to have some fun as well and I hope that you never have to experience a day where you wonder are you able to pay your bills and where your food will come from. Be grateful and help the under priviledged instead of talking about them.

By Truly Blessed

November 7, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

To Downtown Dawg

What does the ghetto have to do with the Falcons. Count your blessings that you are able to afford a condo and not live paycheck to paycheck. Don’t knock anyone unless you have stepped into their shoes. People who have lower incomes deserve to have some fun as well and I hope that you never have to experience a day where you wonder are you able to pay your bills and where your food will come from. Be grateful and help the under priviledged instead of talking about them.

By Sir Stealth

November 7, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe people and their “gameday experience” crap - someone actually said that they needed to get a steakhouse or something in the stadium for them to enjoy the game. Forget what’s actually on the field, right? While it sucks that the tailgating isn’t good (and this should be done on Saturdays in the South anyway), there really should only be one focus and that’s what’s happening on the field.

This has got to be the whiniest group of comments that I have ever seen. As someone said, “thug” written on these blogs pretty much is just a way of writing something while thinking the n-word. The whiny racist OTP mentality makes me sick and ashamed. Bandwagon fans+racism+caring about b.s. “stadium entertainment” that doesn’t matter = shame for this true Atlantan

By CM

November 7, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

The Dome/Falcons experience is more like a Ghetto experience and I don’t mean on the outside of the Dome. Not a fun environment…not a fan friendly environment.

By O-Gee

November 7, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

the dome seems to be an excellent amtch to the rest of the city, which also sucks.

By supadupa

November 7, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

JT,

You say:

“Move the Falcons out of Downtown Atlanta and into the existing GM plant in Doraville. This would provide better tailgaiting and a better location”.

Yeah, right next to the parking lot known as I-285. Not a good idea.

By outoftowner

November 7, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

The Dome was good for what it was—an olympics lure. It served its purpose and has been passed by (much like “new” comisky park). I’d love to have an outdoor stadium for Falcons’ games, the SEC Championship, and whatever else they can cram in there. Keep the dome, it’s decent for the Final Four. By the way, you have to admit that parking down there is like descending into hell. And please, folks, drop the racist comments. It gets pretty old, and it is pretty blatant from both sides.

By ADL

November 7, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Vick ain’t coming back until he does his jail time. Get over it. The Dome was built for the Olympics (we all know how well THAT turned out) and the Super Bowl. Last time the Super Bowl was here, so was the bad weather. You are stuck with a bad stadium and a worse team.

By Haynes Bridge

November 7, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Put the stadium near Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and I-85. Or Haynes Bridge and 400. Or just north of Windy Hill off of 75. Even Lavista and 285 wouldn’t be terrible. The GM plant site is not a great idea because the surrounding area isn’t a huge improvement over downtown Atlanta.

The Braves should play near Duluth or Alpharetta or Roswell.

The Thrashers definitely belong in Duluth.

The Hawks could be in Smyrna, or perhaps Marietta.

Turn downtown Atlanta into a MOUT Army training site. Both the Army and the Marines need a world-class urban training facility.

By Season Ticket Holder

November 7, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

I have been a season ticket holder for 10 years now. As a UGA alum, my Saturday gameday experience doesn’t compare and never will. Like others who have posted though, football is meant to be played outside. Even watching the game on Monday with the sheets of rain coming down in Pitt, I still wish we had an outdoor stadium.

I still think we should be on a 20-year plan. New stadium in 10 years, just scrap the next 5 years and spend all of our first round draft picks on offensive lineman.

By Truly Blessed

November 7, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Count your blessing downtown dawg. Because you are living in a condo today, your circumstances may change tomorrow. Help the underpriviledged instead of talking about them. GOD has love everyone including you and he is not looking to see where you live. Count your blessings.

By Vick Supporter

November 7, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

white folks want their own “utopia”. Hands down. They’ve wanted it like that since the beginning of time. Problem is, they may get the Falcons to move to the burbs. Personally, I could care less. No Vick = Losing Season, No Fans, No Money, No Team, and Joey “Field Goal” Harrington, lol

By Calvin

November 7, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

I grew up 3 blocks from the dome and I am a black man, so don’t read racism into this. The biggest problem with the dome is the location. The atmosphere would improve a hundred times over if the venue was in the suburbs. We also need to lose the top. Football was meant to be played and enjoyed outdoors in the south. Moving away from Marta would also change the demographic of fans in attendance. I love the Falcons, they will always be my team, no matter what. I also prefer to watch the game at home, but I can certainly relate to families who wish to tailgate. I can see that tailgating in the areas surrounding the dome is not very inviting, and like I said, I grew up around there.

Build a new outdoor stadium in the ‘burbs, and GO FALCONS!!!

By wildbill

November 7, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

to improve game day experience: 1. get a winning team 2. get concession workers that made it past the 2nd grade. 3. less congested exiting of parking. 4. less commercialism during game. Everyone stand up and cheer for the “Ford 2-minute warning”, brought to you by Home Depot and with Special Thanks to Delta Airlines.

By mexdawg

November 7, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

football should be played outdoors.if you don’t belive me just ask any of my 93,000 friends at sanford stadium this saturday.tear down the dome and build a new stadium on the northside of town and watch the attendance rise.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.

By supadupa

November 7, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Haynes Bridge,

Are you sure you haven’t fallen off of Haynes Bridge and bumped your head? I-85? 400? Traffic is bad enough in those locations without creating more traffic. Will never happen.

By outoftowner

November 7, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Vicksupporter—good to see you aren’t bitter or anything. Way to throw around racist generalizations. I thought this was an article about a football stadium.

By Itoro in Nashville

November 7, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

This board is dominated by fair-weather fans. Period. Read the comments:

“Move them Dome to the burbs and git rid of Babinuex and then I’ll be back for my 10 season tickets.”

“Move the Falcons, the Hawks, the Braves, and the Thrashers to the suburbs. If the area is safe, the fans will come, and the revenues will go up, and the team will improve.”

That is all false. If you move the team to the ‘burbs then you’ll have this:

“If we were to put a stadium there, instead of whining about the panhandlers, people would now start complaining about all the illegals in the surrounding neighborhoods, or that none of the signs are in English. God forbid people would have to go to a Taqueria or Korean BBQ place after the game instead of Hooters or Applebee’s.”

Or even visit Carnerceria Dominguez….

Stop whining and complaining. For some of you, its inbred. Personally, remove the roof and put a retractable roof in its place. Next, improve the sound quality and play all types of music (not only Gucci Mane, D4L, T.I., Ludacris, and Jeezy). After that, get HD-Videoboards.

That will go a long way. Then develop the run-down and depressed neighborhoods around the Dome, at least you can creat an atmosphere for the uptight snobs from OTP. Oh…get some compentent police too. That will MOST DEFINITELY HELP.

By FJ

November 7, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

We live in GA. Playing in a dome is sissy, it is meant for outdoors. Had season tickets at Fulton County and two years into the Dome then I dropped them. If Algae and DJ Hall are traded I’ll try for tickets again.

Atlanta does not need fair-weathered fans (either for teams record or an indoor stadium) Blank has been putting in more effort than the Smiths ever did.

By supadupa

November 7, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

mexdawg,

Attendance is not going to rise regardless of where the stadium is located unless the Falcons put a winning product on the field or Mike Vick gets a pardon from the feds.

By deanthony

November 7, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

people need to realize this is a african-american city,second the falcons are a bad football team,and most of the blame goes on rich mckay for building the team around one guy who is going to prison.

By h

November 7, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Construction of a dome is a major topic in Birmingham. The city does not have a team, and is willing to spend 200 million to regain the SEC championship game. The people are convinced a “dome” (regardless of location)is the sign of a growing, vibrant, successful city.

By G-Latinous

November 7, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Hey Missy, you go girl! That diatribe of yours killed me. LMAOF

By Paul from Milton

November 7, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

You don’t need to build a stadium in the suburbs but you do need to build an open air stadium on the MARTA line with plenty of open, flat parking so people will want to go there and tailgate. Compare the game-day experience of the Dome to that of Lambeau field oy any other tailgate-friendly facility and its easy to see why the dome experience is so depressing. I gave up my season tickets because the gameday experience wasn’t worth the time it took.

By Vick Supporter

November 7, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

outoftowner, people are saying move the team to the burbs because of black people, or your new n-word: “THUGS”. Read the posts. I meant every word I said

By LONGGONE

November 7, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

I’m finished with the Falcons—-Build a stadium outside of the “HOOD” and you might get the people back. I feel like I am in danger everytime I walk in and out of the stadium. The NFL Experience has turned into a hip-hop happening every Sunday. See you at the stadium Saturday for a great experience.

By BUSHWACKER

November 7, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

I’ll take the old stadium over the dome anyday. It’s outside the way God intended football to be played and they would sell you beer until you passed out in your own vomit!!!

By CW

November 7, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

The answer is simple:

BUILD AN OPEN AIR STADIUM!!!

By CW

November 7, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

The answer is simple:

BUILD AN OPEN AIR STADIUM!!!

By Rich

November 7, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

We need a stadium without a roof that has some personality. The GA dome is boring, it’s in a bad location, parking is ridiculous, and most years the Falcons are terrible. I’ve been to games at Soldier field, Lambeau, Tampa, and Texas stadium. They are all better experiences. Of course nothing beats being between the hedges in Athens on Saturday! Go Dawgs!

By King Donko of Punchstania

November 7, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

1st of all, the dome is a horrible venue for any sport. The only time that place is rockin’ is during the SEC Championship game. 2nd, there are too many yankees in Atlanta. If you drive down any street, you’ll see flags and stickers supporting the Dolts, Bills, Packers, etc. (and don’t even get me started on the absurd number of Lame (Big) Ten teams represented around Atlanta. It is difficult to build a team following when no one in the city has ties with the city or state. Sure, when the Falcons are doing good there are plenty of bandwagon northerners here to fill the seats. The bottom line is that the people of Atlanta, by and large, suck at supporting local professional teams, and the lack of a first-rate facility exacerbates the problem. Go Falcons! Go Hawks! Go Thrashers! (although, no one from Georgia cares about hockey- it’s boring) Go Braves! And finally, NORTHERNERS GO HOME!!

By Tom

November 7, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Can’t stand to go anymore. The damn loud music between every play is rediculous. Must we be “entertained” between every play? Have a headache by the time the game is over. Seems they try and put on a production instead of a football game. Forget buying food.

By BUSHWACKER

November 7, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Vick supporter, if your boy Vick wasn’t the dumbest sob on the planet, he would still playing and we would not be having this conversation.

How stupid must you be too risk everything from you career to your millions on dog fighting.

By Cruzin

November 7, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

To Vick Supporter: I took your advice before you gave it. I don’t attend the games any more and won’t. Just because the ATL and other cities have their share of thugs and hoods is not an excuse to allow that behavior. Coke and the Aquarium were able to remove them because it didn’t fit their image. Blank should follow suit. I’m glad the thugs only attack white folks and people of color are immune…

By King Donko of Punchstania

November 7, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers belong somewhere up north- along with 75% of this city’s population.

By deanthony

November 7, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

First vick was wrong for what he did,but i think the falcons and the organazation,and fans should have given him due process before judging him.second arthur should hold rich mckay accountable for these draft picks.and last but not least people need to realize this is a african american city,and any owner i guarantee will cater to that race

By steve

November 7, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

That is a great building when you put college fotball in there!!

By shaun

November 7, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

The neighborhood around the dome is all urban blight…not conducive for tailgating. Those who do brave it are constantly harangued by panhandlers and other street life, so taking your kids to a game is not an option.

By REDNECK VIEW

November 7, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

View this 93,000 rednecks at UGA stadium. A lot of blogger want it like that. Look at all the Thugs that get lock up being drunk at thug U. Keep a Dome it has a lot more class and 78 degree all year long. The only diversity at UGA is the Beer and football player with no degrees! Go to the games this is what the rednecks want 96 percent necks that what they want bar none! All they want is no Brother. But lost soul want Ice water in Hell! show your colors read the views of the people! Georgia oh Georgia you are slow to change!

By BUSHWACKER

November 7, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

DAMN WHITEY, first he tricks Vick into dog fighting, then tears up DJ’s knee, and he forced Leftwich to eat so much his ankles can’t support his fat a*.

Sounds ridiculous but I BELIEVE IT!!!

By Vick Supporter

November 7, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

We want Vick! We want Vick!

By Joy

November 7, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

CORY BEARDEN: exactly what riff raff are you referring to? If you’re gonna talk like that then stay off the blog. For your information, we as in BLACKS.. pay for tickets too. If im not mistaken 60% of the season ticket holders are BLACK, so again who are the advertisers gearing towards.. Explain yourself you racist b******* because the last time i looked at the bills in my wallet the only color i saw was GREEN.

By stick it

November 7, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

As long as people of color are at the games let the necks tell it something will allways be wrong. untill you know that people are people all ways blameing other . all people have problem clowns!

By Michael

November 7, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I don’t get this game day experience stuff. In Athens we just walk around and drink. There’s no band, kids games, whatever, but I bet that would rank (if colleges were being ranked) as a 10. As someone said, the poll was probably paid for by Arthur Blank to get him a new stadium. And the Dome is fine, not a bad seat in the house.

By G'Vegas Dawg

November 7, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

WHAT GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE?????

By Football Fan

November 7, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

The Dome doesn’t just suck. Downtown Atlanta sucks. And rap music sucks too.

By keep a winner

November 7, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

Hommie ,good ol boys we all just want a winner! we all hate a loser!

By fOOTBALL fAN

November 7, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

fOOT BALL FAN I LOVE YO MAMA WHEN SHE RAPS TO ME AND COUNTRY MUSIC REALLY SUX AND DON’T PLAY I AGAIN PLEASE TEAR IN MY AND YOUR BEER!

By Blue eyes only

November 7, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

The dome is Fine . we have to manny cry babys .Lot’s of other town would love to have a dome. It not the dome It’s the Brother’s . The necks want it brotherless. Atlanta and the dome would be fine in there eyes if the dome was brotherless. The talk would be so much better !

By Dejay

November 7, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Nothing like football to unite the masses, right? I guess not….

The only thing we can agree to do on this blog is to disagree about everything. For the most part, white folks want their football experience to be similar to what they’re accustomed to in Athens. For the most part, black folks (a good majority of whom never stepped foot on UGA’s campus) didn’t see much wrong with the Dome until a certain QB who shall remain nameless started making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

It seems to be no compromise here; white folks want to move the team on the first thing smoking and black folks see the notion of moving them as an affront to their presence, similar to MARTA, South Atlanta’s underdevelopment, and Grady Hospital.

We have to both make some sacrifices on some level here and no, the Falcons aren’t going to please everybody. Even if the team was 8-0 heading into Carolina, folks on this blog would still complain. Here’s my proposal….

Rebuild the Dome into a retractable roof stadium. Keep it open in the fall, close it when the bad weather starts coming in, conventions, and the like; you have the best of both worlds. The only reason the Dome was even built in the first place was because that was the only way the city could lure a Super Bowl or Final Four, especially when the entire world got to see just how small the old Omni was during the 1988 Democratic Convention.

Develop the surrounding area. Here is where local officials need to step in; you can’t possibly expect the Don (Arthur Blank) to pay for everything. Tear down the blighted buildings, increase/improve the police presence not only on Game Day but EVERYDAY, and make the place more conducive for tailgating and watching a football game. But none of this will matter unless they….

BUILD A WINNING TEAM. Some say that it makes no sense for a town of 4.5 million folks not to sell out a stadium last week. Well, they’re wrong, the city doesn’t have 4.5 million folks. It really has about 1 million people and 3.5 million transplants, who will never, EVER care about the local product unless

1) the team is a consistant contender for a world title (the Braves division titles mean nothing to them)

2) the team has a transcending superstar on the roster to stir interest in watching him perform (see Vick, Michael)

Other than that, you can forget about trying to convince a guy who transferred here 5 years ago who happens to be a lifelong Broncos fan. You can forget about selling Falcon football to a family who moved from Pittsburgh, Dallas, or Seattle. They will never support the team unless either of the two previous conditions are met. Plain and simple. As for the locals, they’re not dumb; they know the team’s history all too well and aren’t easily fooled. 41 seasons without consecutive winning ones will do that to you.

By humbug

November 7, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

There is no reasonbal need for a domed stadium in Atlanta. There is no reasonable need for any kind of stadium or convention hall any where in downtown Atlanta. The whole place has been allowed to become a cesspool and is a dangerous place for anybody who can afford to pay for a ticket to go. It’s not the fault of the stadium, it’s the fault of idiotic ans selfish city governing. That ain’t going to change so the dome ain’t going to change.

By michaelgee

November 7, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

When we had an outdoor stadium, everybody wanted a Dome. Now that we have a Dome, everybody wants an outdoor stadium.

See how you are?

By Here We Go Again!

November 7, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

The Dome is an awesome facility that most cities would kill for! The idea of painting it black is insane- a depressing color…Leave it alone!

By michaelgee

November 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

The dome is NOT depressing.

Reading the crappy sports reporting at ajc IS depressing.

ajc wants all pro sports franchises to leave ATL.

By deanthony

November 7, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

First of all i am a graduate of ”The Florida State University”,and it just amazing how all of u uga rednecks talk about uga football,lets remove all of the real football players and u know what i mean the brothers and lets see how good this football team really is,becuase lets keep it real without them how good would u guys really be huh!

By GA Doodle Bug

November 7, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

1-I much prefer parking away from the stadium on game day. We ride MARTA (from the end of the line.) It costs way too much to pay for parking up close. Besides we avoid the huge traffic jam before and after the games.

2-Some one mentioned the swag given out at some stadiums…I’d be happy with free programs. You would think those little mags were golden porn the way they’re priced.

3-Not having to sit in cold rain in the colder months is great! Atlanta may be the south, but it still gets cold here. It makes for a much more enjoyable experience being indoors—-especially since smoking has been eliminated. But a retractable roof would be the bomb!

4-The food does leave a lot to be desired. Whose bright idea was it to change from Varsity hotdogs to Bryan? If I want Hebrew Nationals or Bryan wieners, I could save a truckload of money and stay home and cook ‘em up myself on the grill. Part of the stadium/game day experience was eating Varsity dogs while watching the game!

5-Fencing off part of the seating? What are they thinking? Has there been that many security breeches? That many problems with people stealing other people’s seats?

6-The entertainment factor is slack as well. But that’s just a matter of putting the right person in control.

7-The music is not that much different from what I hear while watching games from other stadiums on TV. (No I haven’t been all over the nation to be able to compare in person.)

8-The team does need to get back on the winning track, but bringing Vick isn’t the answer. Having fans who raise the roof at the games wouldn’t hurt. I’ve been to games where the atmosphere in the stadium was sort of like being at a large memorial service. The only thing missing was the lighted candles in paper cups. That’s one of the secrets of these other teams. The FANS.

9-Lets face it, the stadium definitely needs upgrading. There needs to be a bit more leg room between seats. Even considering the cramped seats, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. You can see the action from every corner.

10-YES, YES, YES! The CITY needs to do something about the riff-raff that panhandle outside the Dome. Eventually there will be illegal ticket scalpers and homeless looking for hand outs outside stadiums any where they’re built.

By GA Doodle Bug

November 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

1-I much prefer parking away from the stadium on game day. We ride MARTA (from the end of the line.) It costs way too much to pay for parking up close. Besides we avoid the huge traffic jam before and after the games.

2-Some one mentioned the swag given out at some stadiums…I’d be happy with free programs. You would think those little mags were golden porn the way they’re priced.

3-Not having to sit in cold rain in the colder months is great! Atlanta may be the south, but it still gets cold here. It makes for a much more enjoyable experience being indoors—-especially since smoking has been eliminated. But a retractable roof would be the bomb!

4-The food does leave a lot to be desired. Whose bright idea was it to change from Varsity hotdogs to Bryan? If I want Hebrew Nationals or Bryan wieners, I could save a truckload of money and stay home and cook ‘em up myself on the grill. Part of the stadium/game day experience was eating Varsity dogs while watching the game!

5-Fencing off part of the seating? What are they thinking? Has there been that many security breeches? That many problems with people stealing other people’s seats?

6-The entertainment factor is slack as well. But that’s just a matter of putting the right person in control.

7-The music is not that much different from what I hear while watching games from other stadiums on TV. (No I haven’t been all over the nation to be able to compare in person.)

8-The team does need to get back on the winning track, but bringing Vick isn’t the answer. Having fans who raise the roof at the games wouldn’t hurt. I’ve been to games where the atmosphere in the stadium was sort of like being at a large memorial service. The only thing missing was the lighted candles in paper cups. That’s one of the secrets of these other teams. The FANS.

9-Lets face it, the stadium definitely needs upgrading. There needs to be a bit more leg room between seats. Even considering the cramped seats, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. You can see the action from every corner.

10-YES, YES, YES! The CITY needs to do something about the riff-raff that panhandle outside the Dome. Eventually there will be illegal ticket scalpers and homeless looking for hand outs outside stadiums any where they’re built.

By GA Doodle Bug

November 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

1-I much prefer parking away from the stadium on game day. We ride MARTA (from the end of the line.) It costs way too much to pay for parking up close. Besides we avoid the huge traffic jam before and after the games.

2-Some one mentioned the swag given out at some stadiums…I’d be happy with free programs. You would think those little mags were golden porn the way they’re priced.

3-Not having to sit in cold rain in the colder months is great! Atlanta may be the south, but it still gets cold here. It makes for a much more enjoyable experience being indoors—-especially since smoking has been eliminated. But a retractable roof would be the bomb!

4-The food does leave a lot to be desired. Whose bright idea was it to change from Varsity hotdogs to Bryan? If I want Hebrew Nationals or Bryan wieners, I could save a truckload of money and stay home and cook ‘em up myself on the grill. Part of the stadium/game day experience was eating Varsity dogs while watching the game!

5-Fencing off part of the seating? What are they thinking? Has there been that many security breeches? That many problems with people stealing other people’s seats?

6-The entertainment factor is slack as well. But that’s just a matter of putting the right person in control.

7-The music is not that much different from what I hear while watching games from other stadiums on TV. (No I haven’t been all over the nation to be able to compare in person.)

8-The team does need to get back on the winning track, but bringing Vick isn’t the answer. Having fans who raise the roof at the games wouldn’t hurt. I’ve been to games where the atmosphere in the stadium was sort of like being at a large memorial service. The only thing missing was the lighted candles in paper cups. That’s one of the secrets of these other teams. The FANS.

9-Lets face it, the stadium definitely needs upgrading. There needs to be a bit more leg room between seats. Even considering the cramped seats, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. You can see the action from every corner.

10-YES, YES, YES! The CITY needs to do something about the riff-raff that panhandle outside the Dome. Eventually there will be illegal ticket scalpers and homeless looking for hand outs outside stadiums any where they’re built.

By jimmythec

November 7, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

I took my Wife and 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son for their first trip to see the Falcons. We actually got decent seats the day of down low using a cool new site called stub hub. Once there I remembered that about a year ago they started a second checkpoint on the lower level which has improved the flow around the mezzanine which before was always over crowded and well intoxicated. The pre-game outside was OK but seemed to be geared more towards the loud dance music crowd and the kids games looked old and tired. Inside the food selection was limited where we were (endzone) to awful pizza and marginal hot dogs but we passed by some interesting stuff along the way near the good seats. My wife actually had peach cobbler which was a bit of a treat! $.7 for a beer was steep (I think like 16oz. The game experience was so-so and the kids were not too interested in the games and events planned. The game itself always, ALWAYS suffers the 3rd qtr blahs where the whole stadium seems like they just decided to take a nap. It is strange and has happened every time I have ever been. Probably the most interesting was at the end of the game (10 minutes on down) people just started leaving. The game was close and we had to have a defensive stand to help win it, but my kids even wondered why there were so many people leaving before it was over, while plays right in front of them were going on. These were not the SF clad crew, they stayed. These were the Red and Black, jersey crew of folks I suppose getting back so they could catch the Pats - Colts game. We left when it was over and went to our pathetic parking space in lot B which is like a morgue (dark, dingy, and not where you would want to take your kids if the game was at night). To top it off, the slowest train known to man decided to pull out of the station at the same time and we were left waiting for a half an hour to move 150 ft to get out. I am an outdoor stadium fan. I go for the elements and their are none to speak of at the Dome. Hey, but I hear its getting a new paint job! Like for a cost of 18 million. I say spend 18 million and put a translucent roof and grow natural grass or better yet cut it off. You can always just scrap it and start over.

By Hudson

November 7, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

half time at the Falcon’s games could not be duller. I take a TV with me so that I’ll have something to watch instead of the boring kids game.

By Bay77

November 7, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I been a season ticketholder since ‘90 the problem I don’t like now is not being able to walk around the different level of the dome it’s like being treated like children and told you can’t enjoy the entire dome experience. There was nothing more exciting than walking around mingling, meeting old friends on all levels and have access to the entire dome. Sometimes the restrooms might be full on one level it was great to go to another level and have access to the restroom. In closing some the help are not really helpful, but Mr Blank let us roam the dome like we did in the past and that would make for a greater gameday experience in my book! Please reconsider your new insenative approach!

By Rainbow Slurpee

November 8, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

If THUGZ, the new ‘N-word,” had manners, were more intelligent, could communicate clearly and obeyed the law, more FALCONS Fans of other races would like them.

Word.

By Peerless' Mama

November 8, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

THE DOME ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE.

By Ron

November 8, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

IT’S THE GULCH, STUPID. Truly that has always been the problem, the location of the Dome. (Our genius leaders also forced the Omni down our throats in the gulch, tore it down and put up Philips Arena right back down where they started from).

SIMPLE SOLUTION TO ATLANTA’S FOOTBALL WOES: Build a new stadium in a HUGE suburban location with a gigantic spoke wheel parking lot and an open air or retractable roof stadium. (The roof should calm the fears of the Chik Fila Bowl folks.) We would have an easy-to-get-to stadium and a beautiful fall-weather spot for tailgaiting. We would be in the top 10 instead of 29th.

DON’T BUILD ANOTHER SPORTS ARENA IN THE GULCH, STUPID. WE DON’T WANT THE HASSLE OF GOING DOWN THERE (and I am a downtown booster.)

By Splinter

November 8, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this

Went to the Monday nite game a few weeks ago. Overall, being indoors for football is a lousy experience. Like being in a giant Best Buy or something, with horrible music blaring at you from every angle. But remembering that pro football is just one step removed from pro wrestling, guess it’s not surprising…

By BigMan

November 8, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this

Who cares! No matter where the Falcons play, everything will still be over price! Win a couple of Superbowls and maybe they’ll get a buzz! Hell, Blank can afford to build his own manson!

By supadupa

November 8, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this

Rainbow Slurpee,

Who cares if FALCONS Fans of other races like or dislkie THUGZ, as you say. Maybe we don’t like you and your people either. Word.

By Itoro in Nashville

November 8, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

When we had an outdoor stadium, everybody wanted a Dome. Now that we have a Dome, everybody wants an outdoor stadium.

See how you are? Fickle. You don’t know what to do with yourselves.

When we went to Fulton County Stadium, people whined for a Dome. Now there is a Dome, people are whining for a stadium in the ‘burbs.

We know about the present conditions in Downtown. However if you move to the Northern ‘burbs, you good ‘ol boys will complain that there are too many illegals speaking all these foreign languages you can’t comprehend. AND you’ll have a traffic situation that’s going to be even worse!!!! Quit your whining.

You can’t have it both ways. It’s remarkable to me.

By Bonebreaker

November 8, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Football should be played outside, not in front of giant TV’s in a building that is designed for you not to pay attention to the game!! However, cheerleaders, even outside, should still be required to dress scantily

By Will

November 8, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

WE NEED A NEW STADIUM PERIOD. The Georgia Dome is a dump. There are so many events that on on in Atlanta that would be nicer if Atlanta had a new stadium

By Jeff

November 8, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Lets face it the Ga Dome for a Falcons game is a gangsta fest. I wouldn’t let my wife out of my sighte down there last year, saw a fight, and someone smoking grass in the bathroom. I’ll never go to another game where my family is unsafe. Its much like Fulton Cty Jail, without the bars on the windows!

By KMAC

November 8, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

My tailgate crew loves the GEORGIA DOME and for the last five years our tailgating and georgia dome experience has been great. This season without MV7 has been unquestionably disappointing. Its so bad, the parking lot manager has lowered parking prices to attract more fans.

By Alex

November 8, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

I was a season ticket holder for four seasons and my experiences only got worse year after year. Rude parking attendants, fans who arrive drunk two hours before gametime, transplanted “Atlantans” who root for the other team as much as the Falcons and overpriced everything. The only things they improved were the speed of bathroom lines, and even that wasn’t a huge improvement. Atlanta doesn’t deserve pro football… then again, it’s never really had it anyway. I gave up my tix and haven’t regretted it once.

By Heady

November 8, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

The GA Dome was the dumbest idea possible for a stadium in Atlanta. It is such a bland venue. I can’t wait ‘til we implode it.

By K-BABY

November 8, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

The Falcons game day experience is not bad at all, you have the Magnificeint Falcons landing. People tailgating all over downtown Atlanta and definitely with more hype than they have at a lot of other venues around the NFL and I have been to plenty. We have the good food at the tailgate parties, the DJ’s and the whole nine yards. The team has not done that well but they will get better if we had Mike Vick on the squad Atlanta will be ranked in the top ten, enough already Mike is gone let it go and stop basing everything on what if he would have been here he’s not move on. Overall great game day experience, the best I have ever been to in Atlanta.

By Iceman

November 8, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Bulldoze the dome and sell the team!!!!!!! Try agian in 20 more yrs.

Hahahahaha. You’re a moron.

By Kevin Broughton

November 8, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

For all of you wining complaining scissy’s shut up and work with what you got. If you didn’t have the Dome to go to you would be complaining about that. All most of you do is go down there get drunk and walk around and look stupid. The GA Dome and the present team is what you got until you get something else if you can’t live with that pack up and moved your wining butts to the city you are so in love with. You have to take the good with the bad; your losing and have lost a lot in the past and consistent winning may not come in your lifetime but it is called life you play the hand you were dealt or you fold and get out of the game. Again shut up wimps, enough is enough

By emack06

November 8, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

baloney,

You racist dic_head. Wow, you really showed your ignorance. I’ve been a falcons season ticket holder for 6 years, never once have I experienced a crime while attending a falcons home game. Its probably safer there than in your own neighborhood since over 100 cops patrol the area during game day. Your idiotic reasons as to why the dome experience is poor has absolutely nothing to do with the true reason the dome experience is bad. With the whole re-generfication going on in Atlanta, its seems having a dome in the suburbs would defeat “Your Purpose”. Apparently, you think a certain group of people cannot afford a football ticket. Wow, how typical of your kind.

By Greg

November 8, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

THER IS NO PARKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU BUILD A 70K-PLUS, SEAT DOME, AND HAVE NO PARKING????

By supadupa

November 8, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

So Jeff,

You say the Ga Dome for a Falcons game is a gangsta fest. What a bunch of nonsense. And don’t worry - nobody else wants your wife anyway. LOL !!

By D

November 8, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

if you want to watch football indoors, stay home! if you can’t handle the weather, don’t go outside. this is football, not NASCAR, you don’t come to a football game just to be seen! and retractable roofs are for flip-flopping, waffling, wimps! football on a pretty day, football in the mud and rain, and football in the snow! this isn’t soccer or baseball and if you aren’t a football fan, keep your sorry butt at home. we need fans like other cities have, fans that love football and demand their teams to win. we don’t need anybody that goes to see one player, we fans that go to see the team. people who go to see one player aren’t real fans, and when that player is no longer on the team, that’s when they prove that they never fans at all. make the game about Falcons fans.

By LetsJustBeFriendz

November 8, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Personally, I don’t like being around rude, selfish, inconsiderate, obnoxious ‘ME-First’ “THUGZ,” either, especially when I am paying $100 to do it.

By Section 125

November 8, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

The game day experience is so-so! As a season ticket holder, much of it has to do with number 7 (Mr. Vick) being in the building. Dress it up how you want folks, but it is the truth. Do you remember the game day experience when MV7 floated into the endzone beating the Carolina Panthers? At that moment, NOT one soul cared about what color the dome was, where it was located, or what they were drinking. What about the Philly game? Also, I have had guests come down from Indiana and they all commented how great the dome atmosphere was compared to the colts RCA Dome. Loud music, people excited, and folks high-fiving! And the colts were in the middle of there superbowl run! And for you idiots who want to have an outdoor stadium, it is all great until the first day you have to sit in the rain or a freezing night in december. I have watched games in the hot Texas Stadium, Pro Player and freezing Lambeau Field. It is miserable. I grew up in the South and I am more than happy to watch the game indoors in the climate-controlled dome. The food selection could be better and the give aways (like towels) could be better. Keep the dome where it is! Get rid of the frisbee catching dogs at halftime and put some REAL talent back on the field.

By VickBeliever

November 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Bring back Vick and the excitement and winning will return. The losing lack of support of the team will get worse without him. What he did with the dogs was wrong but to be treated like a mass murder and a threat to society. This city and all the rednecks who live here are getting exactly what they deserve. They help run the best player ever to wear a Falcons uniform out of town and they still don’t support the team. We only needed to sale 3,000 seats to avoid a blackout but instead you chose to attend your rally. Sad so stop complaining. You people are amazing.

By The Georgia 'new nickname here'

November 8, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

let Atlanta have their team, create a new expansion team and locate it in the suburbs, and just watch their team in Atlanta wither on the vine! make the new place for the team in suburbs for football fans, with great tailgating, with an interstate on/off ramp just for the stadium, with mass traffic on pre-existing rail lines that actually drop off AT the stadium, with real food and good people serving it, good people that care about their jobs and the customers, it doesn’t matter if the employees are green as long as treat all customers with respect and courtesy. and fire any employee that has a chip on their shoulder. do an online poll every week, open only to season ticket holders, on the Falcons website, that is shut down by the end of the day Wed., that determines the music played that week at the game. have a separate family section in the seating, as much as possible. downtown Atlanta doesn’t deserve a team anymore, they didn’t plan the dome for the majority of it’s fan base, and the people downtown have alienated the fans from the suburbs to the point that it’s not fixable. move a team to the suburbs and show the people downtown how much they needed the fans from the suburbs, and how much they really appreciated them as customers, but were too shallow to see.

By Bill

November 8, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Pity me if you will, but I’ve been a season ticket holder for several years and a Falcon fan since they drafted Nobis. There are a number of things that could be done to improve the gameday experience.

Getting in and out of the Gulch stinks. Better traffic control is definitely in order.

Ticket prices (upper level) and parking passes have gone up 250% in six years…ridiculous and shameful. It costs a family of four $137 to sit in the upper end zone and park in the A-B lots.

The porta-johns in the parking lots are a disgrace. They’re filthy and inadequate. My wife won’t even come to the games with us anymore because of that one thing.

You’ve got to be an explorer to find Anheuser-Busch products inside the dome, and they’re not available at all in Falcon’s Landing. I despise Miller products, and judging by the lines at the few A-B booths I’m not alone. They also run out of beer often. Read that again…they RUN OUT OF BEER at a football game!

I really hate being told I’m goint to hell when I exit the Marta station walking up to Falcon’s Landing. Get rid of the street preachers and panhandlers. The same guy has been standing in the way asking for money on the way out since the dome opened.

There’s no entertainment anymore. When Mr. Blank first bought the team, he said he wanted to enhance the gameday experience, and he brought in solid entertainment, but now that’s gone. Heck, he even came down to the Gulch. I got his autograph on a football a few years ago.

That’s my short list, but they’re the things that bug me most. I could say something about rude fans, but I won’t. How about you send this article and the comments to the Ga. Dome and Falcon’s management.

By Rob

November 8, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

The Dome is terrible. It always feels depressing, even when its a full house. Oh, and, by the way…football is meant to be played outside.

By crob

November 8, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I don’t live in metro Atlanta although I visit quite a bit because my fiancee is from there. I’ve been to games at all of the pro sports venues in Atlanta and I’ve observed a common theme…Atlanta may be the worst sports town of any major city.

The Hawks games are yawnfests…so are the Falcons and yes even the Braves fans are up and down. Luckily I’ve always been to the games involving my Houston teams. The sad thing was that there was no excitement or enthusiasm at either of the games. And while I agree that a better product should be placed on the court or field the fans there are way too corporate. Also the location of the Dome stinks and I’m black so it’s not about race it’s about safety. At the end of the day though people care more about college sports than pro sport in Georgia….

By Greg Stroud

November 8, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

The DOME SUCKS (period). Football was meant to be played outdoors. What are we scared of the rain, none, or is it the frigid cold of Georgia, this is the other reason we buy winter coats, the other is to go skiing. Tear down that depressing piece of work! I wonder why Green Bay and Pittsburgh rank at the top? Ok I remember now, they play outside and they both have solid football programs, We lack both! Come on Arthur, get us back outside, into a bad a* new stadium. If you build it they will come. Drop me a line, I’ll help.

Thanks, Greg S.

By Greg Stroud

November 8, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

This isn’t about Michael Vick you dumb a*’s, it’s about the Dome. Con-Vick is gone, if you support Dog Fighting or whatever else that classless human beleives in then move your a* to VA, and support your man there. We (Falcon Fans) don’t need that kind of whining crybaby b****** that you all throw out, burn your tickets, don’t show up, WHO CARES, move the hell out of here if it’s that important. So much bull mularky has been made of Mike Vick. Most people that are is supporters support him for ONE REASON, because he is BLACK. That is racial in itself. Move on, He broke the law and he’s got to do some time, get over it! I’m p** at the Falcons organization, because I think they can do better, but I’m still a FAN, the dome does suck, I wrote about it earlier. Thanks, G$

By CJ Rutherford

November 8, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

The Falcon “fans” really don’t stand behind the team…one man/player should never define the team. Everyone has an ego and these players need to know that the home crowd will back them up. But a vocal leader must be there to back it up with outstanding play. The same thing goes for the fans. Remind the team that the confidence and support is there. COME OUT IN OUTSTANDING NUMBERS…MAJOR LEAGUE EFFORT GOES A LONG, LONG WAY!

By Stephen

November 8, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Put football back outdoors where it belongs, period. Snow, rain, heat, sleet, whatever. Football is an outdoor sport, period. Second, give us a REAL team. Then the rankings would go up I’d rather pay $50 to watch my sons peewee team than this….whatever you call it. They are an embarrassment not only to the city of Atlanta, but to the NFL as well. Hey Mr. Blank, if you wanna pay me the minimum of a football salary, I think I could at least return a punt for more than 1 yard. If not, I’d be happy to take the hit for trying.
I was happy when the Smiths sold the frnchise, I thought that things would turn around. But now it seems as stupid is as stupid does:( I’m beginning to wonder if this isn’t just a big tax write off for Blank at the end of the year. And the city of Atlanta suffers:(( Can you feel the frustration????

By Stephen

November 8, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Heck, not only the city of Atlanta, but the state of Georgia.

By Lefty

November 8, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

One issue with the dome is that the workers there are the least friendly by far of any venue. You can’t even walk up a portel (covered-so cannot block anyone’s view) and glance at a play while waiting for your spouse who’s in the restroom without getting hassled because your ticket is for another portal. Literally the employee raised their voice and hatefully shouted you can’t come in here. I understand if you are blocking someone’s view or trying to sit, but just standing part way in the portal because you care about the game and are trying not to miss a play and you get hollered at when you are gettign ready to move away in seconds anyway? Get a life! Face it, who wants to pay good $ to watch a mediocre team, horrible overpriced food and take garbage from the arena employees to boot!

Another example: one time after having to order the more expensive item because BEFORE the game the concessions claimed to be out of the regular offering (a favorite ploy of many in the Dome), I had both arms full of food and and our tickets clearly visible in my hand and in front of the food, yet the employee hassled me to hand them the ticket and would not even look or take it themselves. There is little if any customer orientation at the Dome. Other venues in town meet and greet you and thank you for coming, but not the Dome!

And don’t try to get help from security. You would be mugged and thrown on the field befroe getting them. You go to an MLB game and tell security someone is abusing and using strong profanity and they will not only talk to them but may ask them to move if they don’t straighten out. Try the same at the Dome and you’ll get laughed at. Entertainment is too much punk rock and rap as well.

Bottom line: I’ll use the savings from not buying season tickets and invest in an HD Widescreen TV and watch from home in the future.

By Curious George

November 8, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

supadupa,

Why is it that you hate white people so much?

How do you feel about gay people? Are you both a bigot AND a racist?

By Tony Price

November 9, 2007 5:29 AM | Link to this

Football is football. If the Falcons were winning then the Dome would be the football rock and roll TAJ MAHAL on the earth. I am not a Falcons fan but I am a football fan. Don’t blame poor attendance or experience on a structure. Blame it on your heart and love for the game. To let someone come in YOUR HOUSE and tell you it is a mess or for you to complain about your own HOUSE is a disagrace and sadness to the GAME. Be proud of your house and your team. Like I said I am not a Falcons fan but I support this team in every other facet. My team is suffering also but I will not let myself or anyone talk about them to the point of discouraging my support. BE PROUD ATL, you are the most unique city on earth. Support these teams and let the teams know you support them and will continue to FINANCIALLY support them. The old saying is true-If you don’t use it you will lose it.

By Ron Smith

November 9, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

The dome was okay with everybody when Mike Vike was playing. Put a winning team on the field and all complaining goes away.

By tbone

November 10, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

I am from Augusta Ga Falcons fans tailgate all over the place I don’t know where you people are looking but you all must be blind it didn’t matter if we had Vick or not the 2nd half of the season we sucked so what is the difference? They have quite a bit to do between the Congress Center and the Dome during game day I can’t believe everyone is so negative it is not like the Falcons are ever going to be top dog anyways!!!!