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
Tell it like it is
January 11th, 2012
3:53 pm
Saints about to close in on thier second super Bowl,while Atlanta is still trying to put togather a team on the field.
some sense
January 11th, 2012
3:53 pm
Yes, Thomas does need to answer for Sam Baker, Dunta Robinson, and Ray Edwards. But mainly they all need to answer for letting Harvey Dahl get away.
Tom E. Gunn
January 11th, 2012
3:54 pm
If Blanet is angry now, just wait until his wife’s shyster gets through with him. She may be the new owner. As for being about rings & championships, he might want to consider winning a playoff game first. as for his new playpen, Blenket has a bad case of Stadium Envy. He needs to pay for it himself.
splendid splinter
January 11th, 2012
3:54 pm
YAH – finally some reasonable people out there – Falcon Friend and Derek have got it right. Guys like extremus haven’t got a clue and need to turn their computers off so everyone won’t know how stupid they are. And trade Turner – please. As someone else said, Mulghelli was not there for him and the offensive line was woeful. Get a left tackle amd right tackle and the running game will improve. And get some corners and DLs while you’re at it TD.
extremus
January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm
Actually, if I recall correctly the label text spelled “Bartles & JAYMES”. Just a clarification.
Matt Ryan's QB wristband
January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm
The Falcons will soon win a superbowl because the obvious most competitive person is the owner
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm
SirReal, …..Yeah I agree with the big boys on the O-line. It all starts there as they say. We’ve got to be able to push back defense for 2 feet when needed.
Need so much, and I have faith in our leadership. Think where we were not very long ago.
And we thank you for your support!
falcon
January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
they had a mean and nasty OG named Harvey Dahl and let him walk.
BigTimeTECHFan
January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
Falcons are fine. Don’t over-react to one playoff loss.
Last year they were beat by better team
This year they just got upset by team on there home field, Giants could beat falcons 4 of 10 games, we just got them on one of the 4.
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
extremus…..oops! too many
I Will Not Pay for a New Stadium
January 11th, 2012
3:57 pm
If Arthur is so pissed, then maybe he should suit up next season and show the young men how it is properly done! After all, Ted Turner set the standard by suiting up with the Braves, and playing a few innings. Come on Arthur, show us what you are made of…..
Freedom From Insanity
January 11th, 2012
3:57 pm
It seems to me that when the new coaching and front office regime arrived they wanted to get rid of the guys with ‘bad character”; however when I look at some of the other teams that keep beating the Falcons, it is the guys on those teams with “bad character” that have the drive and passion to win football games when it matters. Good guys are nice to have but tough and mean guys with a chip on their shoulders are a necessity. When Justin Tuck called the Falcons line “dirtbags”. I really didn’t see any reaction on the field from the Falcons linemen! The old line about “nice guys finish last” may very well apply in the NFL. Also, 4 years is a long time for a QB to mature. Tebow, Yates, Dalton, Newton……………do those names ring a bell in the front office?
good luck in 2012 – the next few months will show a lot – who stays, who leaves and who is added – that will decide what kind of a season we have next year. Not regular season, but playoff time!
Arthur Blank
January 11th, 2012
3:58 pm
In the continuation of excersising of my micromanagement skills you all will be seeing me more and more on the sideline, so I can contribute to this already highly chaotic situation.
1eyedJack
January 11th, 2012
3:58 pm
Arthur Blank needs to grow that ’stache out into a Snidely Whiplash mustache.
Noneya
January 11th, 2012
3:59 pm
We are discussing the press conference and more tonight on the Falcons season wrap up. Call in!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cpstylin/2012/01/12/falcons-season-wrap-up
Darryl Douglass
January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm
“… tough, mean, physical players”… LingMBO, how about a coaching staff that can make a commitment to putting their boot down on an opponents neck. From all the conservative play calling, and playing to not lose, the take it easy mindset of the coaching staff was reflecting on the field by the players as well.
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm
should coach smith color his eyebrows grey, or color his hair to match the ‘brows?!
Fair n Balanced
January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm
I kinda wish this was the attitude at UGA. If it was, Bobo would be gone or laterally moved and we would hire a real OC. It sure isn’t the attitude of the basketball program. When will there be an outcry about the total lack of progress of this bb program after 3 years of same ole!?
richard
January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm
For those downing Matt Ryan, who the hell would you rather have???? This offense couldn’t make up their mind on what they wanted to do. Nothing was consistent. The falcons will be ok. Be a real fan and support the team. Gets Spags in here to coach the defense and get someone that will bring consistency to the offensive unit
melvinowens
January 11th, 2012
4:02 pm
matt ryan is the offensive mvp and could not get his team within field goal range against the giants.
Mike FR
January 11th, 2012
4:03 pm
Ryan & Smith are winners. Ryan has one of the best records for a 4th year qb ever! I mean, ever! … We need to get the line fixed, if not, it doesn’t matter who’s taking the snaps, no line=no time for plays to develop downfield.
Please get a DE who can actually rush the QB!! I think a decent DE in a line along with Babineaux, Peters and a rotation between Abe and Ray can be pretty decent. LBs are our best group of players, and DBs, play to their strenghts, Dunta’s not and has never been a zone corner. It’s like Asomoguha (or however you spell it) when he was in Oakland, he played man to man and he was one of the best. When he moved to Philly, he played a lot of zone and off coverage, which isn’t really his strenght..
I know talent wise Nmandi is miles away from Dunta, but the point is, you have to adapt to your players strenghts.
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm
Ted Turner was a drunken owner that meddled. Then he hired the right people and stopped meddling.
Didn’t keep him away from a few of the finer wines like myself though..hehehe
We thank him for his support!
Mike FR
January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm
@melvinowens .. hmmm actually he did, twice (without counting the one on garbage time when the game was already lost) so if you want to criticize, go ahead and please do… but before, be sure you know what you’re talking about
Darryl Douglass
January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm
I wonder if AB asked Matt Ryan if he had ever heard of “stretching the ball out”, just stretch it out.
Ted Brome
January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
Matt Ryan is a large part of the problem. You cant beat NO if you go 3 and out 4 times in a row. He must break through being average. The QB of this team must be pushed to get better or get out. His best season was his 1st
Arthur Blank
January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
No improvements coming up? Next year: MS, and TD out, the year after: I’m out!
jgsbirds
January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
eric weems as your special teams mvp! you have got to be kidding me!!! he had a great year the season before–but this year he was awful! and keith armstrong should be the next coach to go–our special teams kickoff/punt teams were terrible!
The Contrarian
January 11th, 2012
4:09 pm
I think that this team is in a perfect situation now and still headed for greatness. Nothing motivates more than a humbling loss and with two new coordinators that are hopefully just as mean, aggressive and nasty as these new players then next year’s result will be quite different. This is an owner that cares and an owner that wants to win at all costs. There are teams out there (St. Louis, Tampa Bay etc…) that would give their right arm to be in our position and with so much upside.
Arther Blank
January 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
Turner getting less touches, hmm, that would mean that Turner won’t be happy and he’ll be gone. Did anyone catch that?
Arthur Blank
January 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
I really miss my (ex)wife. Just look at me!
truthbtold
January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm
Until you develop an offense that can throw toward the end zone, we’ll have the same results. The Falcons throw dink and dunk passes to march the ball down the field (20 yard line to 20 yard line), just like the old red gun offense that it took years to get rid of under Dan Reeves. Mike Smith is no different. He runs a nice practice squad offense to get some exercise and burn up the clock, but has no idea how to light up a scoreboard. It’s against his nature to run up the score. Frankly, I think he would be uncomfortable running an offense that’s focused on scoring touchdowns. Check out Green Bay and New Orleans – it doesn’t matter if they’re beating you 40 to 3 – they are still going to put the ball in the end zone! Mr Blank, get rid of these nice guys and get some killers!!!
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm
Fair n Balanced…..professional owners don’t listen to fans on blogs, talk shows, etc. Thank goodness. Don’t think so highly of a fans delusional power. It’s just a place for people like yourself to b–ch and complain and feel better about themselves, at same time trying to find comfort with someone that agrees. Vent away my friend…..
Queensbridge
January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm
@Bronxgirl…No obviously you can’t read, I made the correction to “water” fool. Get back on the D train to Fordham road and then bus it to the Bronx Zoo or you’ll miss your feeding time.
Augusta bred
January 11th, 2012
4:12 pm
@ Die Hard Fan… I was thinking the exact same thing you mentioned about going to the 3-4 with the exact personel. Amazing….Other points you made were spot on also but i think if we used Duanta’ in press/man coverage we would see a difference. I think Matt would be better suited in the West Coast Offense as well. We just have to get this line situated. It’s going to be a long off season in Flowery Branch!
Ted Turner
January 11th, 2012
4:13 pm
At least I got a base hit Arthur, you ain’t even gained a single yard……cry baby..
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:14 pm
The Contrarian….Love Your Attitude…..You can get on the good fans bus!
King Arthur
January 11th, 2012
4:15 pm
It’s my court and I’ll do what I please!
Ted Turner
January 11th, 2012
4:16 pm
Ah can’t wait for the first “Arthur up the middle play….”
King Arthur
January 11th, 2012
4:16 pm
Bring me Excalibur!
dadopee
January 11th, 2012
4:17 pm
Matt Ryan, to go forward – think again. With the best offensive line, we ain’t going nowhere with Ryan. And Smith? Too defensive minded with unimaginative offensive moves. In summary, for the Falcons moving forward, more of the same.
WS
January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
Die Hard Fan, what was you drinking or smoking, I do not see all the good you talking about. Most of the ones you want to make backups and some starters need too be shown the door fast.
Fred Benson
January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
What a year for Atlanta sports…the Braves choked a big wild card lead, the Thrashers are doing well in Winnipeg and the Falcons choked in the playoffs as usual. Why not move the Braves, Thrashers, Hawks and Falcons to Winnipeg, and let them have a chance to win in another city
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
Open me another….there’s a new video from D-Led….see you on the next blog
Hotrod
January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
Falcons delivered on my entertainment dollar this year. I think the pieces
are there to improve with. Really need about 5 new bread and butter 4th and 1 plays
to choose from.
I know Mr. Blank is not happy with just a playoff team, but for us life long Atlantans,
it is a really nice change for the better.
GulfwavesGary
January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm
I am so glad Mularkey is gone. I am ready for a season that does not have the OC with no imagination.
I will not give up on The Falcons because Arthur Blank is a winner(See Home Depot). And because I suffered through all the LOSING seasons with the Smith Family. Fans, count your blessings that we have winning seasons and in the playoffs. We will be a lot better with Mularkey GONE. I am most dissapointed with Roddy White. His concentration level is of a snail. If we can rehab him( big if) ok, if not get him out of here. I do not want the league leader in dropped passes as a core of the offense. Thank you Arthur Blank and GO FALCONS.
MIchael
January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm
The problem with the Atlanta Falcons is the owner himself. Has no clue what he is doing and looks to everyone else for advice on the game.
Arther Blank
January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm
Did you’ll see the N.O. wildcard Detriot game when Dree Brees needed a yardon a 4th down? Drew power jumped into the pile, stretched out his arms, ball in both hands to get the spot he needed. No. fear. When he stretched the ball forward for the spot, he quickly pulled the ball back to himself to protect it. When he landed, he was behind the 1st down marker, but the referees gave him the spot, because of forward progress. If Matty Melt looked at the N.O. game, he could have just copied what Brees did and gotten the first down.. Matt does play like a sissy, and doesn’t provide the extra som-som of effort to be considered an “elite” quarterback in this league. Remember-it’s not all about wins, it’s about heart-Matt Ryan is a jittery type of quarterback. What does that say? It says that the Falcons need to hire a new quarterbacks coach and personal trainer if they want to see a marked improvement for 2012.
Denise
January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm
I don’t have a dog in this fight but I want to say something. You guys are some polite Falcons fans. Nobody is bashing the Saints and folks are actually giving props to the Saints and Drew Brees. That is wholly unexpected and appreciated! Carry on.
Bartles & James
January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm
Don’t forget the Flames Fred……why don’t you join them all…..negative, negative, negative
Fred Benson
January 11th, 2012
4:20 pm
I think the reason why Mr. Blank was so angry during the news conference was that he was sniffing too much of the glue at the Home Depot (Arthur Blank owns the Home Depot).