Falcons presser: Blank was ‘angry’ with season
Falcons owner Arthur Blank let the public know that he was 'angry' with how last season turned out. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons owner Arthur Blank admitted that he was “angry” after the team’s early exit from the playoffs in a press conference on Wednesday.
Blank, head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke to the local media in the aftermath of a season that saw their Super Bowl hopes come crashing down in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Before the presser, the team had already lost defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to a “family decision” to return to the college ranks and around the same time, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was being introduced as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here are some of the other highlights from the press conference that lasted a little over an hour.
– The team stated that it wanted to support transparency, but that it would conduct its search for new coordinators in private.
– The team has 17 free agents and consider eight of them to be core players. However, all of them may not return because of financial considerations.
– Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”
– The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.
– Smith said that his offensive MVP was quarterback Matt Ryan. His defensive MVP was linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. He also had kind words for punter Matt Bosher and return man/coverage guy Eric Weems.
– He stated that Weatherspoon received some attention during the league-wide Pro Bowl voting.
– Running back Michael Turner’s touches will likely be cut down moving forward.
– Blank spoke about the “intellectual honesty” of Smith and Dimitroff. “They’ll be honest in their evaluations,” Blank said.
– Blank promised that the analysis of the team will be thorough. “We need to be careful that we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” Blank said.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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515 comments Add your comment
Gdawg
January 12th, 2012
1:08 am
Mr. Blank, I have a few additional comments. Matt Ryan is weak and scared. He should not allow his line to be thrown under the bus. Reevaluate your draft strategy. Defense and hogs in the trenches wins championships. I guarantee you the 49ers will be there in the end, and if they happen to lose in the playoffs, they will not be embarrassed. I still cannot get over what you guys gave up to get Julio!!!! I am so disgusted!! Now you guys have ran Vangorder off, and he was your best assistant coach. I want to see some creativity from your administrative staff in recouping some draft picks, even if it means trading Julio or Roddy. We gave away a better QB than Ryan in Schaub, and I predicted that would be the case. For heavens sake, I am better at evaluating talent than your top guys. Let me give you a suggestion. Do all that you can to acquire RG3, the Baylor QB. I guarantee you he is a superstar in the making. He is so much more than Ryan, please, I know you have millions tied up in Ryan, but you are going to lose a lot more money if you keep him. If I am wrong I will walk down Peachtree Street with a sign on back stating that I am a jack ass if Ryan proves me wrong, but I know that ain’t gonna happen. Mr. Blank if you want to turn this organization around, then major surgery is required. Get rid of Ryan, White, and your over weight and over paid running back, and acquire some draft picks and make some moves. Don’t wait another year. Perform this surgery now!!!!
bobby
January 12th, 2012
2:19 am
bring in mike singletary now can i get an amend
tyger
January 12th, 2012
3:12 am
Falcons Presser notes…
1. One positive, we’re not losing b/c of our owner…
2. They are in either in denial or boxed in, re. Matt Ryan…
3. All QBs are rushed in the playoffs, good ones buy time…
4. OL’s needed overhaul for 2 years, why try and bully Giants front 4?…
5. Team doesn’t need implosion, needs on-field leadership…
6. 3 yrs. in a row, Ryan’s had the “deer in the headlights look”…
7. That’s who he is, “no pocket presence”, he’s can’t feel it…
8. Is game too fast for him?…Others slip tacklers, not him…why???…
9. Hail Mary attempt, couldnt even get to endzone after 3 step windup…
10. There’s not a dink/dunk QB left in the tourney…only studs…
a. Saints – defense holds gets INTs, Ryan – nothing, punt…
b. Roethlisburger – one leg rally, TJ Yates – rookie win, Tebow – knuckleball win…
c. Ryan shutout, “0″ points…don’t put it all on the O-line…
d. When he had time, he threw into the dirt, scared as hell…be honest!
tyger
January 12th, 2012
3:15 am
Amen! On Mike Singletary, we need a crazy MF around this team…
- see how “his” 49ers have turned it around…
Caleb
January 12th, 2012
4:49 am
no wonder they call atlanta fans a bunch of fair weather fans.
Caleb
January 12th, 2012
4:50 am
im a huge atlanta fan and im not even from there and im not jumping ship
Caleb
January 12th, 2012
4:57 am
how many teams would love to have ryan, white, jones, gonzalez, turner, abraham, robinson, weatherspoon, blank
tyger
January 12th, 2012
5:20 am
Matty Tap Water
tyger
January 12th, 2012
5:22 am
Enter your comments here
tyger
January 12th, 2012
5:22 am
Matt Ryan/Roddy White for RG3
Joshua Malavenda
January 12th, 2012
5:33 am
Heres the 5 things that got us to where we are at now: 1. They hired mike smith who doesnt have enough of the it factor to get us to win the superbowl nonetheless a playoff game.2. We never should have let dahl or HOuston go untill we had a good enough replacement for them. 3. We havent drafted very well and its suprising since td was scout for billy b when he was at the patriots. 4.hiring mularky and van gorder as cordinators 5. other then tony g and John Abs ray edwards ( the verdict is still out on edwards) the rest of the free agency pick ups have been trash.
Here are the things that can get us out of this mess.
1. HIre Joe phillbin as oc hire spags as dc and mike singletary as linebackers coach . trade dunta robinson for 2nd and 4 th pick trade peria jerry for 4th rd pick trade decoup to the highest bider. sign micheal griffin in free agency and also either sign Mario williams or Cliff Anvill in free agency as the replacement for Jon Abraham. draft Coby fleener as the repalcement for tony g and draft some secondary and some offensive line help in the draft .
john
January 12th, 2012
5:38 am
And the ghost of Rankin Smith still looms over this franchise…..once losers….always losers.
tyger
January 12th, 2012
6:04 am
A grand evaluation always begins at quarterback. Last week, I wrote that Matt Ryan needed to play well against the Giants to help the Falcons make a determination of his value as it relates to the other quarterbacks in the NFL. But Ryan fizzled yet again, continuing a trend of subpar postseason play. The book on Ryan away from the Georgia Dome is simple: Pack the middle of the field and force him to throw the ball outside the numbers (deep outs, comebacks, nine routes). Ryan isn’t likely to beat you if you take away inside throws. Although Ryan may not be a top-10 quarterback at this point, the Falcons must continue to build around him because there is no viable alternative.
Mike Lombardi – nfl.com
dub366
January 12th, 2012
6:06 am
Matt Ice Melt Ryan should be on that list of limited touches instead of MVP that tell you a lot about your head coach Mike Smith.
SINCE66
January 12th, 2012
6:20 am
The Falcons will win around 10 games next season.
garyc42
January 12th, 2012
6:22 am
get rid of Michael Turner.He couldn’t break hisself out of a wet paper sack if he tried.
CRO MAGNON MAN
January 12th, 2012
6:23 am
Agree with “falcon friend” above….it’s all about players making plays…way too much emphasis here on who the OC OR DC is. FALCON FANS ARE DELUSIONAL JUST LIKE UGA FANS….THEY BREAK OUT THESE GREAT EXPECTATIONS AND WHEN THE PLAYERS AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN, THEY WANT TO THROW THE COACHES UNDER THE BUS….
CRO MAGNON MAN
January 12th, 2012
6:34 am
BLAME THE PLAYERS, BLAME THE COACHES, 10-6 not GOOD ENOUGH.
.???…WHEN WE GET 4 JOHN ABRAHAM’S LIKE THE GIANTS HAVE, THEN WE CAN RUSH THE PASSER…PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH THE COACHES…ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT PLAYERS….UGA DEFENSE HAS FINALLY GOTTEN THE RIGHT PLAYERS….THE OFFENSE DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PLAYERS….BUT I GUESS THAT’S COACH BOBO’S FAULT, RIGHT…
Otto
January 12th, 2012
7:38 am
It’s been very apparent to me for a long time. The offensive line is built for speed not plowing straight up the middle or keeping gorilla’s off Matt Ryan. Remember the loss to KC in 2010? They had a BIG line. Overall not enough time for a pass play to formulate, so what good are your star wide receivers when Ryan on his back. Also, too predictable when Ryan is not audibilizing.
Saints R.E.A.M.
January 12th, 2012
8:09 am
Thomas Dimitroff looks like ex-basketball player Steve Kerr…..just a random thought.
thejokerster
January 12th, 2012
8:26 am
Matt Ryan MVP? I can tell you this, his batteries in his panic button stay fresh. He reminds me of a screwy squirrel trying to cross the road avoiding an oncoming car. Don’t know which way to go but right back into the oncoming car. Robinson needs to go, and take Ray Edwards with him, along with Bosher, Baker, Peria, etc…
joey563
January 12th, 2012
8:29 am
DLed, you missed out on the epic opportunity to use the headlines,
“Angry Birds”,
“Played Off – Falcons ticked-off about playoff exit”,
“Blank-et Statement – Blank and company has statement on season”,
“Turner the Corner – Falcons unsure about Turner and the offensive direction”
“Saving Ryan’s Privates – Ryan’s balls safe from the fire for now”
“BV-Cya, VanGorder out as Falcons D-Coordinator”
“The OC – Falcon’s primetime for new Offensive Coordinator”
DirtyBirdDude
January 12th, 2012
8:38 am
Please draft Coby Fleener
Preston Thompson
January 12th, 2012
8:43 am
It’s really neat to sit here and read all the experts opinions. I’ve always wanted to see perfect and really know what’s needed to make the Falcons winners.
With my little amount of knowledge related to football, you haters are going to end up missing VG. You won’t admit it but you will. He with what the GM put on the field.
Trade more picks!
January 12th, 2012
8:48 am
dimitroff needs to trade away any other picks the falcons have left for the next few years to get another “impact” player! Yes–that’s it! The ATL to the Super bowl soon!!
FL dawg
January 12th, 2012
9:05 am
It’s simple. Atl gets a great OC and a decent DC and ATL remains in the present as a viable playoff team. Get a “were gonna change the whole sys” type of guy (yawn) and the dirty birds get a “better” moniker stuck on them. It’s really up to Blank and TD. They gotta go with what they got.
ZACK
January 12th, 2012
9:05 am
TD AND SMITTY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE STAT BOOKS! GET TO THE EYE TEST YOU FOOLS! FOR EXAMPLE HOW MANY THINK JACOBS LOOKED FAR BETTER THE TURNER ON SUNDAY!?!??! YET THE FALCONS WOULD NEVER ADMIT IT! THAT IS THE PROBLEM. GET SOME TRUE FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN HERE. KEEP YA CHOIR BOYS IN CHURCH!
Parker
January 12th, 2012
9:09 am
Mr. Blank – back it up by giving the season ticket holders a 10% discount on renewal for next season.
nbrdrdnk
January 12th, 2012
9:23 am
If Mr Blank does not want to deliver the same remarks and answer the same questions this time next year, he needs to have some major input in the hiring of the new coordinators. It certainly appears that the present regime prefers the conservative, low-risk/low-reward approach when it comes to offensive and defensive schemes; and even with all of the “we gotta get meaner…” and “we gotta be better at…” soundbites, why should we believe that any changes in philosophy on either side of the ball are coming (without some pushing)?
Unless the Front Office is capable of some kind of NFL-Felony Robbery (yeah, right!), we will have to assume that with a few additions and subtractions, the personnel we ended the season with is the same as we’ll start with next fall. Maybe a full training camp will help (duh!)– but with new coordinators, that’s a given. Maybe Matt Kalil will last till the second round (LMAO). Maybe the Falcons really will learn from their failings and do better next year (ROFLMAO).
FL dawg
January 12th, 2012
9:25 am
Ryan wishes he had Bart’s arm. He was the last QB in Atl that, the opposition knew wanted to win. Ryan has a helluva better line than Bart. The rcvrs are probably just as good. But (forget ‘98) Atl’s last SB team was when D. White beat our secondary back in the div PO’s b/t Atl and Dallas. The yr Jaws literally pissed himself against the Raiders in the SB. And what make Jaworseki such a great @#^*ing commentator anyway? I’m po’d, just glad both coordinators are history. Now TD, really EARN your $ and hire O/DC’s that can put a fire under some of these (esp on defense) over paid lucky to be in the NFL posers.
Mister.Earl
January 12th, 2012
9:26 am
ZERO
Preston Thompson – you are defending an offensive coordinator whose unit gets a bagel in a playoff game?
Please.
The fact remains the Falcons were misjudged for their dome performance. On the road they are not so good. The evaluation will be painful and the decisions, starting with leadership will not be perfect. They never are. The type of rebuilding the Falcons MUST emabrk on will take at least THREE YEARS od trial, error and adjustments.
The draft will be less of a resource because of the Jones deal so free agency will be the best hope.
American Idol tryouts anyone?
The line forms to the left….
Carlos
January 12th, 2012
9:41 am
Long time Falcon fan living on the westcoast… I was sick to my stomach after watching that pounder puff game on Sunday. I’ve seen my son old high school team play a better game than the one that the falcon played. I love our owner I knew he was gonna come out and say something like he said. Much better than the ownership the chargers have out here. Im also surprised that he didn’t clean house from top to bottom ie the entire coaching staff. I know he has put folks on notice as he should have.
A few questions.. Is Matt really the guy? Should the falcons bring another qb the challenge Matt in camp? Should they clean house in the secondary? Yes yes yes!! What will the falcons record be next season?? And if the falcons miss the play offs or superbowl next season will it be the end of the road for the head coach??
FL dawg
January 12th, 2012
9:43 am
You think the Packers would trade Flynn for Ryan? Not unless they get a @#^% load of ATL’s 1st round picks which are gonna be top 15 picks by the looks of it. I really think GM’s make a team, literally, lateraly, configuratively, etc. Now…can we get a cream of the crop OC? That’s what it’s gonna take. The guaranteed 4 wins against subpar div rivals are over.
CGD..
January 12th, 2012
9:53 am
He’s regular QB for the “regular” season….
Playoffs are another story…..Get rid of this obsolete QB! He makes his O-line look worse than it is…
FL dawg
January 12th, 2012
9:54 am
In a perfect world ATL would trade Ryan, White, Turner, Abraham, Edwards, and almost the whole OL. It might be worth it though. NO’s got Brees, Denver drafted TT, but still…, who else? My point is you aint losin all that if you could unload Ryan and or White. For some reason Flynn’s starting to look like he’d be a start.. Ryan just is so immobil on a line that is hurting. C’mon TD do something.
Matty Cold as Ice
January 12th, 2012
10:00 am
To do list:
1. Drop the “RISE UP” garbage, its embarrassing (especially when you’re 0-3 in the playoffs)
2. Pay Matt Flynn (and give Ryan a clipboard and renog. his contract – $11 million per is a joke)
3. Get rid of all “ME” players/underperformeres (Dunta, Moore, Turner, Edwards, etc.)
4. Bring in Philbin and Spags IMMEDIATELY
5. Give Smith a playoff win ultimatum
6. Draft a decent all-purpose RB in the 2nd round (Chris Polk – Washington)
7. Draft a OT and OG/C later in the draft
Section 121
January 12th, 2012
10:01 am
I need the Falcons to show some excitment on the field as well, where are the touchdown celebrations?????????? Spoon is the only animated player we have, I coach high school football I teach my kids to play controlled but play with emotions and celebrate within the rules.
grand sport
January 12th, 2012
10:07 am
I wish Blank owned the Braves too.
Mister.Earl
January 12th, 2012
10:10 am
Hilarious
Section121 – “I need the Falcons to show some excitement on the field as well, where are the touchdown celebrations?”
Yo Section 121 ….First, you gotta SCORE a touchdown before you can have a TD celebration.
You need athletes at offensive tackle, not pillow butts.
Section 121
January 12th, 2012
10:28 am
@ Mister.Earl, I agree that you have to score touchdowns, although we layed an egg in the playoff game, we averaged 25 points per game. There were plenty of chances to have some fun and celebrate, It appears that there is a rule for them not to celebrate. I can recall the receivers getting together on the sideline to celebrate.
We did kick too many field goals but our scoring average per game was good, of course none of that matters anymore after that playoff perfomance.
bob
January 12th, 2012
10:29 am
I don’t think it is too difficult. The Falcon’s need an offensive coordinator who can identify the talents of the players and build a play chart around the talents. Someone who will think outside of the box instaed of going for the statistically correct plays. This year the good teams knew what to expect and they were waiting. Example: Line up for 4th and 1 without any running backs. I wonder where the ball is going to go. A simple pitchout to rodgers to get around end would probably have worked better. They are thinking quarterback sneak and boom….surprise. Also, the receivers need to keep moving and not stop when Matt gets in trouble. Too easy for the defenders to catch up and breakup the plays. Anyway, those are my first corrections. Look at New Orleans, they come out and just keep attacking all over the field. That will win everytime. The Falcons are too methodical.
Dzor22
January 12th, 2012
10:42 am
Never saw MR2 ‘panic’. Good, bad or otherwise. Where does this stuff come from?
Mister.Earl
January 12th, 2012
11:04 am
Section 121 – fun is never a bad thing, it IS after all, just a game.
Do you think the Falcons play to the uptight personality of their coaches?
Anyway, you gotta have something to celebrate. My concern with this franchise is not so much the physical talents but the mental doubt of extremely poor performances when the national spotlight shines on them. Last years Green Bay game, this years MNF pasting from the Saints and now the shutout from the G-Men.
Like Al Green asked, “How do you mend a broken heart?”
therut
January 12th, 2012
11:13 am
How about cutting Turner’s carries to 0?
Falcon_Ghost
January 12th, 2012
11:18 am
Interesting Interview – I only got one thing out of this interview.
Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”
This means that the coach and GM are both on a short leash. If they don’t think so, then history should be there guide. Mora (NFC championship game) – Reeves (Super Bowl appearance)…they both got fired with 3 years of those feats.
both Smith and Dimitriof will get fired after next season.
therut
January 12th, 2012
11:19 am
Enter your comments here
told you so
January 12th, 2012
11:21 am
17 free agents, 8 conssidered core, no draft picks b/c we mortgaged the farm for Julio…nuff said, if your angry Arthur, fire that skateboarding, snowboarding wannabe a GM Dimitrov and get a football man in here. And while you are at it show McKay the door too. What the H#*@ is he doing still roaming the hallways at Flowery Branch?
garyc42
January 12th, 2012
11:32 am
why don’t they just get rid of turner all together.we would be better without him.he is just a wimpy little back who is scared to make something of himself
Brick Head Nelson
January 12th, 2012
11:32 am
Hope Mr.Blank and Coach Smith take their time on replacing the oc and dc. No rush for a while
garyc42
January 12th, 2012
11:37 am
Falcons don’t have what it takes to win.the whole organization needs a complete overhaul.