Here is some of what was said after the Falcons announce their decision to retain general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn for the 2020 season.
“I’m a more patient owner than I was in my earlier years.”
- Arthur Blank at press conference
“It’s my belief that this leadership group can get us there more quickly than any other approach we could have taken. … This gives us the best opportunity in 2020.”
- Arthur Blank at press conference
“Over the last two seasons our results on the field have not met our standard or the expectations of our fans. I understand our fans’ disappointment and frustration because I’ve felt every bit of it as well. That said, our focus must be on giving our franchise the best opportunity to win next year and beyond. I have long believed that continuity in leadership is very important across all our businesses and the football team is no different in that regard. After weighing several factors, including our team’s statistical turnaround and our players’ focus and effort the second half of the season, I feel the decision to retain Thomas (Dimitroff) and Dan (Quinn), with Rich (McKay) providing close day-to-day oversight of the football operation, will provide the timeliest route for the Atlanta Falcons to return to contention in 2020 and beyond.”
- Arthur Blank in team statement
“I said it is because of you players. Not every coach can say their players fought for them.”
- Dan Quinn at press conference on addressing team
“For me, I felt like I took on too much at times. I learned that and I fixed that. … I recognize there is a problem and I’m not one to sit on his hands and not do anything about it.”
- Dan Quinn at press conference
“I think whenever you decision that is as impactful as this one, you need to focus on what is most important. In our case, I think what Arthur came to the conclusion of was winning was the most important. That’s what fans … that’s why they are fans of the Falcons. They want to win. In continuity, Arthur felt it gave us the best opportunity to win.”
- Rich McKay in team video
“For us, going forward, the trial and error period, we have to get rid of that. We have to being able to start fast. We don’t have any mulligans. We have to come out day-in and day-out and put that work in. We have to perform on game day.”
- Grady Jarrett
“We were going to continue to stress that we are a winning organization.”
- Thomas Dimitroff at press conference
“Coach Quinn is a great guy. He’s very positive. He has a very good outlook. He’s very positive. I really believe in the way he coaches people. He wants the best out of everyone. The key to winning game, the key to playing good is to know what to do and to do it very hard. I think that’s a really good attitude to have in terms of cutting guys loose and letting them…encouraging them and playing with a positive attitude is something that I really believe in. Coach Quin does that really well. He really has a good environment for football.”
- Alex Mack
“You don’t want the head man gone. So, for us to be able to fight for him. That’s a blessing.”
- Ricardo Allen
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