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
falcon employee
January 11th, 2012
5:47 pm
and im white lmfao
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 11th, 2012
5:48 pm
Turner carries should increase. He should average 30 carries per game to soften up the opposing defense. When we lead the NFL, with time of possession is because we ran the dang ball.We should have kept pounding the ball against NO and NY. When we had GB 14-0 in the Dome, we should have ran the ball and the outcome would have been different.The run opens up the pass not the contrary. Go figure.
realitycheck
January 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
Been seeing a whole lot of “if’s” on this blog. If’s are for losers and delusional homer fans love to hold their hope on them. This team will finish 2nd or 3rd in the division next year, probably win 9 or 10 games but no better. Not much draft and no salary cap room will make it realistically impossible to really improve. This regime might or might not eventually win a playoff game, but that will be about it. Blank and the AJC will do whatever is possible to stay positive in order to renew as many season ticket packages as they can so the vision for a new stadium can stay alive. Sometimes you have to take steps backward in order to move forward. The Falcons have chosen not to do this and therefore are stuck as a winning team but nothing more. This regime should’ve been thanked for the things they accomplished, and then sent packing. Believe me, the Saints aren’t shedding any tears that the Dimitroff/Smith regime will continue!
mark
January 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
You want tough, mean, and gritty players??? Well start with a Coach who shares the same philosophy. Do what ever it would take to get Jon Gruden in here to coach, and Steve Spanuolo as the DC. You gotta have coaches who share your philosophy Mr. Blank. Oh and as far as FA’s are concerned it would be in the teams best interest to hurry up and resign Lofton. Thanks fro the memories, but I’d have to part with Abraham and sign Cliff Avril. Say good ridance to D Robinson, and William Moore.
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 11th, 2012
5:51 pm
WE NEED TO DRAFT AN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN ASAP!!!! THOMAS DECCOUD IS ONCE AGAIN A SKINNY AND BAD-ANGLED SAFETY WHO ALWAYS GETS HIS SIDE OF THE FIELD TORCHED!!!!! WILLIAM MOORE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A ED REED UNDER A GOOD DC!!! WE HAVE TO SIGN BRENT GRIMES PERIOD!!!!!! WE NEED TO DRAFT A BLITZING LINEBACKER SO THAT WE CAN HELP OUT THE WEAK D-LINE!!
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 11th, 2012
5:52 pm
MARTZ was OC with the Bears. Get your facts straight falcon employee.
AceDawg
January 11th, 2012
5:52 pm
I think Charles was underutilized at UGA, and Bobo is a poor offensive coordinator, so he is making the right choice to head to the NFL. He’ll do us better in terms of recruiting by furthering the UGA NFL profile.
Rambo’s pass coverage has been frustrating at times, but he has made some nice plays, and I want all defensive players to come back and challenge LSU and Bama as the best defense in the SEC and nation next year.
AceDawg
January 11th, 2012
5:53 pm
oops, posted to wrong article. I also hope the Falcons open up a more dynamic offense and that they can find a reliable pass rush.
Wowzers
January 11th, 2012
5:55 pm
Matt Ryan MVP? Organization needs to be honest and know that he will never get over the above average hump. No legs and not comfortable in the pocket. Willing to throw it away to often.
Dr.FeelGood
January 11th, 2012
5:56 pm
As a life long football fan, ive watched as the current and former brain (if you can call them brains) have maded boneheaded move after boneheaded move. From allowing the greatest corner EVER to leave and getting no compansation to the Dunta contract. The brain trust here always seems to do the wrong thing. The team as currently constructed is flawed in the following was. The team is constructed much like the cowboys of the 90’s. With Aikman, Irvin, and Emmit. Those teams used a dominate running game to setup the play-action pass. This offense would still work but the birds aee missing two main ingrediants……dominate running game and a strong armed passer. Matt is more of a west coast type QB. Now you can win with this system but u need WR’s who can run after the catch and a back who is shifty and able to take it the distance. Falcons offense has components of both systems and is simply a mis-match of both. They need to decide if they wanna be a running team or a passing team and build the roster accordinly.
John
January 11th, 2012
5:57 pm
Tough, mean and physical players usually comes with a prima donna attitude….be careful of what you wish for.
gucci706
January 11th, 2012
5:58 pm
@ morn do u even listen to what u r saying urself u saying we need a new owner r u crazy blank is the best thing that happen to atlanta and u know it
shocked
January 11th, 2012
5:59 pm
I agree with Jay been a season ticket holder for close to 20 years, and we have never had it so good. BUT I was pissed, too. But to say we haven’t made hugh strides with these so called idiots is idiotic. How many years in the NFL did Rogers, Brees, Brady, Mannning, etc. have before they were in the playoffs (playing) let alone win. New blood at coordinators will be good.
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 11th, 2012
6:00 pm
@FALCON FAN 24-7- THANKS BRO, BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT HIM, HE DOESN’T KNOW FOOTBALL LIKE WE DO.
@FALCONS EMPLOYEE- IF YOU’RE REALLY AN EMPLOYEE STOP WASTING YOUR BREATHE ON THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW AND DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GET MATT RYAN SOME STEROIDS TO PUMP INTO HIS RIGHT ARM!!! PLEASE AND THANK YOU??!! LOL
ctfalconsfan
January 11th, 2012
6:01 pm
We should keep Smitty 1 more year but the comment from someone as to what coordinators would come here?? all??
Spagnuola (spelling) .. Let’s get two agressive NFL NOT COLLEGE coordinators that have head coaching experience, Smith doesnt cut it then they have an inside track for the job..
ctfalconsfan
January 11th, 2012
6:03 pm
Note it’s always better to rebuild when you are 10-6 than 3-13!!!
Humbug
January 11th, 2012
6:06 pm
I believe Mr. Blank is tired of wasting his money on coaches and players who have less of the quality, ability, and desire that he expects. I think he has made this clear to his general manager and head coach. The needed adjustments and replacements will be better determined and acted on in private. They know they are now going to play by his rules. It’s about time he got fed up with less than the best.
WhoDat4Eva
January 11th, 2012
6:06 pm
You so-called fans make laugh so hard, hahahaha one week you love everybody on the team, think you’re winning the SB and then when reality sinks in you want everybody gone, hahahaha
Guess what? as long as Peyton and Brees are with the Saints is gonna be a long time before The Falcants go from pretenders to contenders, hahahaha
WHODAT!!
Mike FR
January 11th, 2012
6:10 pm
@Arther Blank hey man, that’s a good article (the SI one about the JJ trade) and I agree on most of it … However, I differ on something. I think QBs and WRs make each other better not as the article says that QBs make WRs better.
To extend on this, let’s put on the table Stafford and megatron….. I don’t think I lie if I say that 6 or 7 of Stafford’s tds where balls he just trhew up for megatron to make a play on the ball with triple coverage… the guy caught the ball ’cause he’s a beast! However, if he had thrown that ball to Burleson, he probably wouldn’t have caught the ball, then it might’ve been a turnover and that would’ve look bad on Stafford’s sheet.
On the other hand, when Welker was in Miami, he was no special player … Camarillo was better than him.. Then, you pair him with a great QB as Brady and you get what Welker is today.
DEEPATRIOTS
January 11th, 2012
6:11 pm
Enter your comments here
THE FALCONS AND THE FANS ARE FOURTH AND INCHES……….HAHA
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
@HUMBUG- I AGREE
DID EVERYBODY SEE ARTHUR BLANK’S FACE AT THE INTERVIEW??!!! HE WAS FED UP AND SO EMOTIONALLY DRAINED FROM THE FAILURE THAT I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA SNAP ON D-LED!!!!! LOL BUT REALLY GUYS I WANT EVERYBODY TO WATCH THAT INTERVIEW AGAIN AND NOTICE THAT MIKE SMITH HAS A BIG ASS SMIRK ON HIS FACE BEHIND HIS GOOFY ASS GLASSES HE BOUGHT FROM WALMART!!!!
JT
January 11th, 2012
6:14 pm
Interesting that Tim Tebow has won more playoff games than Matt Ryan…..leadership baby!
Larry
January 11th, 2012
6:18 pm
Does anyone remember the late 80’s, early 90’s? I’m sure some of you do, and even before then. The Falcons are progressing, and yes, we all want to see playoff wins/superbowl visits, but as long as they are not going backwards…..Make adjustments, get better, move forward!!!!!!!
4dabirds
January 11th, 2012
6:25 pm
I’m with AB. What are you going to do? Once again this team has come up short. I hate it as much as Arthur does, but our day is coming. I’ve been supporting this team since 74. and I’ve been disgusted with then for a long time, but I am past it now, because I am smart enough to know that this is just entertainment. God bless you Arthur. You are a very good owner and a very liked philanthropist. I’m grateful that you own the Falcons.
Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:28 pm
Falcon Friend
January 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
The Falcons will take of business as they see fit. No help needed from the bloggers who know nothing about coaching or building a team. You people would be considered smart if you said nothing and just be fans.
*******
You people? What does that make you, bonehead? The Annointed One?
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:28 pm
Fire more coaches!!
Double Zero Eight
January 11th, 2012
6:30 pm
If coaching was easy. anybody could do it.
It is a lot more complicated than what consistently
shows up on the blogs from the “Monday morning
quarterbacks:. With that said,I think it is
time for a change. I look forward to a new OC
and DC.
It is imperative that Coach Smith make the best
choices for these two important positions. If not,
his job will be on the line in the very near future.
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:38 pm
life goes on
January 11th, 2012
2:44 pm
It’s just football……..
******
Sure it is…
To losers like you.
angry mangy mutt
January 11th, 2012
6:38 pm
@DrFeelgood -I totally agree. On both sides of the ball we have players who seem to be a better fit in another system. It is clear Dimitroff has ignored not just what the Patriots had done while he was there, but what his present coach has been calling for. Some blame is deserved on the coaching staff, some on players’ effort. Much of it has to do with having the right guys on the field. Smith and MM want a physical offense, which usually translates into a physical D. Instead of OL help, they get a receiver who is often injured and has iffy hands. The D needs a playmaker, but were always being told we would be reaching ‘that guy’. Look at some good DTs we could have, instead we get an injury prone Pierra – seeing a pattern yet? It is amazing they have made this organization even a mild success. I appreciate the last four seasons. Did not believe the early hype after one flukish victory after the other last season. Still I wanted to believe.
G Man
January 11th, 2012
6:40 pm
What happened ???, I thought Smith and Falcons wanted a rematch with the Saints !!!!! Like the first 2 bashings wasn’t enough, go get a life Smith
lost money again on falcons
January 11th, 2012
6:41 pm
“Greatness?” That is the most absurd thing ever to come out of an owenr’s mouth. The Falcons organization has fought hard-sometimes foolishly- to get to mediocrity, which is where they live now and the foreseeable future. Arthur is a great guy but he doesn’t know the first thing about running a football team and he’s been proving it for years yet the fans buy into this crap. The Hawks are way closer to greatness than the Falcons ever will be, so Blank would be wise to stay away from that issue. Blank is cheap, won’t spend on free agents, and then mortgages the future for a receiver the QB can’t find.
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:47 pm
Boston transplant
January 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
The Julio Jones trade was disastrous for two reasons. First, you should never draft a receiver in the first round. Never! Ever! If you doubt that check the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens’ drafts to see what they do and more importantly do not do. The second problem is that you have a GM that is not only willing to draft a receiver in the first round – a cardinal mistake – but they traded up to do it. That is doubly bad. I think you need to get rid of your GM if you want to achieve your goals with the Falcons.
*****
here’s what phil thinks….
You are a bonehead and please go back to Boston, and that quickly.
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:51 pm
SealT2
January 11th, 2012
2:56 pm
The Falcons are Mr. Blanks’ team. If he wants to go down to the field at any time, he has that right. The majority of you bloggers are a bunch of “Cry Babies”. You want toughness, yet you bitch and moan when our players play tough football, stating they should be put out of the game i.e., Robinson. Common sense would suggest that if you send the “choir boys” that you want on the team into battle, they are going to be dominated by men. I’d rather have the intelligent, mean, and nasty to go into battle than somebody who is afraid to fight. Some of you want everbody from the front office down to the groundskeeper fired. How realistic is that – can you say CONTRACTS? Support the idea that changes are being made to attempt to make the Falcons better. We’ve wanted both coordinators gone, and we’ve gotten what we asked for. Now shut your negative faces up.
*******
Fire this idiot, positive blogger!!
techduck
January 11th, 2012
6:56 pm
Sam baker has 2 go.John abarham has 2 go.The whole D lines has got 2 go.Keep the second string D line that is above 300 lbs like Vance walker that cause hovic when he did get a chance to play a down which was once in a blue moon.This man is a beast , and 2 kept him on the second string speaks alot about the D.C.that we dont have any more (Thank you Auburn)
phil
January 11th, 2012
6:57 pm
Hugo
January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm
We need to be ready for the next few yare not going to years. Cam and Drew are not going to be slacking off. We have to be prepared on both sides of the ball.
******
Hugo, please learn some english before you post again.
Thank you.
FalconFan17
January 11th, 2012
6:59 pm
Blank is a very good owner. The problem is the coach – he needs to be fired like yesterday. He is a way too much of a players coach, never publicly says anything bad about any of his players even after the disastrous Giants game. He doesn’t light the fire under them, doesn’t display any energy or passion one way or the other about the team’s performance. I want a coach that is passionate and motivates his players…and if they don’t play like Pros, then I want a coach to call them out in public. Smith just wants to be buddies with his players and that doesn’t work in this league.
Spanky McSpanky
January 11th, 2012
7:13 pm
Ryan should be held accountable for poor performances. Smith needs to can his praise and focus on his QB’s lack of inspired play. The offense NEVER scored against the Giants. The defense was on the field for 34:34 . Ryan has the talent to succeed. The only thing holding him back is himself. Lets be honest. Ryan is an AVERAGE QB and not getting better.
Joe
January 11th, 2012
7:13 pm
Falcons are not an elite team and never will be with the front office and coach they have.
Roy
January 11th, 2012
7:16 pm
I think Matt Ryan is the problem along with TM. Ryan can’t throw deep how can we complete with likes of Rodgers, Bree’s and Brady when Ryan can’t throw over a 30 yard pass he was last in the league, TM made such a bad mistake last year trading for Jones. I have no problem with Jones he’s an very good WR however we needed so many other positions mostly a good Def. End and now we have mortgaged the future for that boneheaded move, what a joke Ray Edwards was! Seems to me Blank had his hands all over these moves he should be blameing his self for these screw-ups.
Spanky McSpanky
January 11th, 2012
7:16 pm
Correction: Ryan has the offensive talent around him to succeed. In question is his talent.
Dimitroff: No regrets on Falcons’ draft-day trade for Jones – – BacklinkzHigh Quality Back linking Service
January 11th, 2012
7:31 pm
[...] free agents on its roster, and Dimitroff acknowledged both in this week’s Q&A and in a Wednesday news conference[4] that changes are [...]
KQuark
January 11th, 2012
7:34 pm
The team under performed and that goes to the players and coaching staff. They need a shakeup on the OL, DL and with the running game. Turner is hitting 30 and is slowing down at the end of the season the last three years. Baker needs to go. Get rid of Jerry. The LBs are good enough they should consider a 3-4 D-coor. The Secondary was not the problem with Grimes in there.
Biggest acquisitions should be OT and DE and maybe RB.
KQuark
January 11th, 2012
7:36 pm
Ryan is the least of the Falcon’s problems.
Spanky McSpanky
January 11th, 2012
7:42 pm
KQuark If Ryan stays average the team will never play deep in the playoffs. Brees and Brady have both played on average teams but manage to win.
more same
January 11th, 2012
8:02 pm
relax—more of the same mediocrity next year with all the overpaid chokers on this roster. it will never change in loserville
super hot
January 11th, 2012
8:04 pm
arthur’s new young girlfriend–super fine!! how does he concentrate on football with that hot thing at home every night??? WOW!!!
Dawg tired
January 11th, 2012
8:08 pm
If I hear, “We played inconsistent.” again, I’m going to be sick. We were absolutely consistent; we beat up on the back teams and lost to the good ones.
big t
January 11th, 2012
8:08 pm
Hey you guys quit killing Matt he only has 1.5 seconds to throw the ball before he gets sacked . Tom Brady has 5 seconds so does Drew an Rodgers
big t
January 11th, 2012
8:16 pm
I have been a fan for a long time what we need is some studs on the offensive line. Steve bartkawski needed some an so does Matt
dmitc4
January 11th, 2012
8:19 pm
Rheem Morris next defense coordinator……will get this defense to be elite…Rise Up