Blank learning to stay in background
Arthur Blank has allowed general manager Thomas Dimitroff to run his football operation.
It was about a week ago when I sat with Arthur Blank, ostensibly for a first-person story on his Montana ranch, and the Falcons owner told me he had been been pretty much staying in the background during the Roddy White negotiations. Blank must have known where I was going with this because the next thing he said was: “It’s not the type of thing I need to get into the middle of. … The reality of it is, I’ve never [jumped into negotiations with a player] before, anyway, although that may have been the perception. When you do that, you undermine your own people.”
Now, I don’t want to get into the whole thing about what constitutes a meddlesome sports owner, as opposed to just a supportive and involved one. But this much is certain: Blank’s involvement with his team in the past on even the football side of things has been perceived as significant — well south of Jerry Jones but certainly north of Dan Rooney. But the Falcons just went through a relatively high-profile standoff — White’s holdout — and Blank came off as a relative potted plant in the room.
People, this is a good thing.
We will never know how involved Blank really has been in football operations in the past. I’m guessing he, Dan Reeves, Jim Mora and Rich McKay will never agree to be strapped to a lie-detector machine. (Forget Bobby Petrino. The machine would explode.) But there’s no question Blank has found a comfort level allowing Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith to run the Falcons, and McKay (who had quite a few discussions with White’s agent) to run some negotiations.
If White’s reported contract numbers are accurate — six years, $50 million, including over $18 million guaranteed — this is pretty much where the Falcons expected the player’s deal to end up. White’s $8.3 million annual average will rank fourth among wide receivers in the league. The team acknowledges he’s among the top five or six receivers in the league. They know how important he is to the offense. (Anybody who minimizes White’s impact on the team simply doesn’t know football. Without a deep threat, there is no play action. Without play action, defenses bury Michael Turner. Try to imagine those Dallas Cowboys teams without Michael Irvin.)
Back to Blank. He could’ve parachuted in at any time, written a check and had White in for the start of training camp. He didn’t do that. He allowed negotiations to play out. He allowed his football people to run the football team — and then in the end, he was there to write the check.
Blank would tell you that’s the way it’s always been. Perception has been otherwise. But not in this case.
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84 comments Add your comment
cowboy fan
August 9th, 2009
10:46 pm
blank is full of it !!! He made the call and Roddy got his money !!!
Birdy
August 9th, 2009
11:08 pm
First!
OK, I figured that was obligatory for this blog so I did it.
I’ve always respected Arthur Blank’s passion for the team and his commitment to running a successful franchise. The team is looking great and I am glad it appears things are on the upswing. He deserves the success and a lot of accolades for his leadership.
REALITY
August 9th, 2009
11:15 pm
I think the Falcons had ALL the leverage and gave much more than they had to. Your article explains it.
Rich McKay called the shots!! (with Arthur’s input to get it done fast, I’ll bet) I thought Dimitroff was our GM??!??!!??
It was the OVERPAYING that McKay did SO OFTEN that kept us salry cap challenged and our team not competitive for so long.Some things nveer change.
REALITY
August 9th, 2009
11:17 pm
“salary ” and “never” typos due to typing too fast and tired…
good night
Sage of Bluesland
August 9th, 2009
11:28 pm
Thank Goodness Arthur didn’t have Roddy over for lasagna dinner–like he did with the ridiculous fraud Keith Brooking–and we saw the egregious overpayment which took place with our precious Hometown Hero…
Thankfully, Arthur stayed in Montana and let the football people do their job…Things are finally looking up in Falconsland!!!
Ryder
August 9th, 2009
11:47 pm
Funny how cowbow fan would call someone out when they don’t even have any talented wide receivers on their squad anymore. Enjoy your 8-8 season this year!
Anyway, the reason Blank stayed behind the scenes is because he finally has competent people in the front office and at coach. White is important to the growth of this potentially dangerous offense. Teams can no longer double White with Gonzalez in tow. It will cut down on the number of carries Turner gets, which will only keep his legs fresh for the latter part of the season.
Stephen
August 9th, 2009
11:52 pm
I too strongly believe that the Falcons are headed in the right direction FINALLY. Now if we could get someone convince Arthur to stay off the sidelines during the games/at the end of the games and remain in the owner’s suite, HIS evolution as an owner would be complete. I’m sure that the production crew would gladly provide a shot of him celebrating the win(s) from the owner’s suite on the jumbotron.
Glad to hear that the Roddy White’s holdout has ended. I am getting excited and ready for the season to begin. GO FALCONS!!!!!
Diehard ATL Fan
August 9th, 2009
11:54 pm
I just love the fact that Arthur loves the team. He genuinely cares.
You see what we get when owners who could care less (Time Warner or The Atlanta Spirit).
gasportsfan
August 10th, 2009
12:04 am
cowboy fan why would you say Arthur Blank is full of it. In years past that may hve been true but he saw that wasn’t working and finally hired football people who knows what the hell they are doing….i think in the end RW and his agent figured he was not going to get Larry Fitz money but wanted to be compensated accordingly and he was!!!
Clarke Harwood
August 10th, 2009
12:07 am
Blank is a clueless idiot when it comes to football. His sideline antics (signalling SAFE! when, I guess, he meant stop the clock) and pushing a convicted felon in a wheelchair have made him a league laughingstock. He was more in his element when he was defending accusations of sexual harassment. The falcons are a crap franchise who brag when they make the playoffs. How pathetic.
Freddie G
August 10th, 2009
12:29 am
Jeff, I refuse to Join yuor Chorus and criticize Mr. Blank, a man who is passionate about ensuring a good product is on the field. If we had other owners like Arthur Blank in this City we would never be called losersville in the first place.
Wozzeck
August 10th, 2009
12:42 am
Overpaid? Roddy isn’t some marginal middle-of-the-pack receiver getting all pro money. Fourth highest paid is pretty much where he deserves. Let’s not forget his breakout year wasn’t last year but the year before – the Petrino year. If there was an actual offense installed that year I don’t remember it yet he still managed 1,202 receiving yards. And no leverage? After Douglas goes down for the year?
Congrats to both sides – Roddy got paid as he deserved, the Falcons paid fairly but not ridiculously and he’s in camp a week before the always important *cough cough* first preseason game.
Nite Owl
August 10th, 2009
12:44 am
Jeff, that was kind of awesome.
Especially the part about Petrino blowing up. While that may never happen, it is thoroughly gratifying to know that his current employer requires him to “squeal like a pig.”
I enjoy REALITY’s choice of screen name, which endows him with automatic infallibility. Even moreso since it is in ALL CAPS.
Finally, Jeff, I wondered if you would agree that people who find fault with, say, Matt Ryan or Thomas Dimitroff at this point are a bit like the leader of the People’s Front of Judea asking, “Besides (insert laundry list of advancements of civilization here), what have the Romans ever done for us?”
Loran, Whatayagot?
August 10th, 2009
1:02 am
Let’s see whether the appearance down on the field. suit and tie, at the end of the game, kibbitzing with the players, continues. After all, we all rememmber him pushing Michael Vick around in his wheelchair on the sidelines. It was one of the most nauseating moments in Falcon history.
Nite Owl
August 10th, 2009
1:07 am
@ Clarke Harwood:
Not sure what kind of sad life history of bitterness and self-loathing you have that leads you to call a self-made billionaire a “clueless idiot.”
And yes, I’m going to brag about the Falcons. This “crap franchise” not only made the playoffs when no one gave them a chance, but also had the rookie of the year, the coach of the year, and the NFL’s second-leading rusher.
The GM gets steal after steal in the draft, trades, and free agency, not the least of which is Tony Gonzalez for next year’s second rounder.
What team are you a fan of that allows you such a lofty perch? I would assume even Steelers and Patriots fans would respect what we’re doing. But then again, they know football, so you must be a Jets fan or something.
Sage of Bluesland
August 10th, 2009
1:17 am
Thank goodness Arthur has stopped having players over for lasagna-dinner…the last time was when that egregious fraud of a linebacker, Keith Brooking, was given a ridiculously bloated contract (all for ankle-grabs eight yards downfield and alleged “leadership”–uh huh).
Arthur has learned! But, it’s also true we appear to have a competent front office in charge (otherwise, if it were up to Reeves or Mora, our pitiful Hometown Hero–Brooking–would still be, umm, gracing us with his presence). We FINALLY have a front office which holds players accountable for their non-impact on the field and, most importantly, doesn’t let emotion make their decision.
We may be on the edge of a new era in Falconsland–a true departure from the sordid past…Arthur, just don’t have players over for lasagna-dinner, I beg you…
Ed-Covington
August 10th, 2009
1:44 am
How’s this scenario? The Vick story erupted the weekend before the MNF gane. Petrino recognized the possibility of inappropriate displays of support for Vick by the players. He met with Blank & McKay to discuss this and they promised their support. After MeAngelo, Crumpler, Roddy & all embarassed the Falcons on national TV, Petrino threatened to suspend or fine them. They protested to Blank ( going over the head coach’s head, encouraged by Blank’s close relationship with the players), Blank backed down and refused to support Petrino. Arkansas had offered Petrino an attractive package if he accepted immediately. Without the owner’s support, he decided to leave. I would never defend Petrino after the Auburn episode, but I am tired of everyone representing “poor” Arthur Blank as the totally innocent victim in this matter. He created the situation and backed Petrino into a corner thinking that Petrino had no other options. Then when Petrino took Arkansas’s offer, Blank cried and managed the media like the spin genius he proved to be at The Home Depot.
Ed-Covington
August 10th, 2009
1:47 am
By the way, I am a 40+ year die-hard Falcon fan; since 1966, every year. Ernie Wheelright, anyone?
Singletary
August 10th, 2009
1:55 am
A solid article — thanks. He is a good owner.
To all those folks who chimed in to the Vent that we should be thankful to Petrino, I say NEVER. Clearly, we got great coaches and team after he jumped ship. However, I would have loved to have been spared that 2007 misery: one of the other interviewees was Georgia native Ken Whisenhunt who took his team where?? Would I trade Smitroff for him now –straight up — no. But when NFLNetwork named Petrino the coach that should have stayed in college and Theisman called him a liar. Hmmm.
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans and Glad Matt Ryan is Here
August 10th, 2009
6:14 am
The man had to learn on the job. He wants the organization to be successful so much that his passion led him to do things other owners would not do($100 dollar season tickets/rolling Vick out in a wheelchair)
He is a good man and wants good for this city. He now has the Executive of the year, coach of the year, and rookie of the year as opposed to what he had before in his organization.
He had to deal with Mora, Petrino, DeAngelo Hall, and of course this fool below!
Check out the former face/disgrace of his franchise ,Mike Vick with rapper Young Jeezy with Vick referring to Jeezy and my “N” Word.
Would love to see his fans spin this since he is a changed man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOQ5gZawzg
This is what hurt blank the most. I’m glad he’s moved on and gotten the organization on track now. The Falcons are in a much better place
Brian Hunt
August 10th, 2009
6:18 am
Mr. Blank is as involved as any owner in professional sports. They all have the last word on what happens to their businesses. Some are just more media accessible than others. Some like the spot light, some don’t. I’m not sure that it’s a big deal either way. What I know I like about Mr. Blank is that we know he is committed to fielding a competitive team every year.
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans and Glad Matt Ryan is Here
August 10th, 2009
6:22 am
By the way Jeezy’s Tm-103 stands for “Thug Motivation -103” a follow up to “Thug Motivation 101”.
Jeezy was in Virginia beach performing on 8/2/09 so I guess Tony Dungy is going to learn the hard way like Andrew Young did when trying to talk sense into MV7.
So while the strip club story was a hoax, there is now video evidence of MV7 hanging out with a rapper who has been arrested several times who wants to sell records to kids call Thug Motivation. I hope Goddell gets this.
Blank is doing the right thing by allowing his football men to run the organization and staying in the background. He has learned from his mistakes unlike some people.
brave1
August 10th, 2009
6:33 am
Blank staying in the background? Since when? He’s in every photo posted on this site and conducts more interviews than Matt Ryan.
Blank in the backgroung is like thinking Sarah Palin will be in the background.
safari
August 10th, 2009
7:07 am
Not since Ted Turner back in the 90’s have I felt more confidence in an owner who does what is needed and who actually cares about the franchise. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Go Falcons!
Michael Smith
August 10th, 2009
7:42 am
As much as I love Falcon’s football — especially these days, with Coach Smith, Dimitroff, Matt Ryan, Turner, etc. — there is one thing that is a GIANT turn-off for me: seeing Arthur Blank’s outsized nose poking around among the players and coaching staff on the sidelines late in a game.
It’s pretentious, it’s meddlesome, it’s a distraction, and it undermines the coaching staff’s authority — in short, it’s just plain foolish. The players and the coaches need to know that ownership is “behind them” — literally — and not “in front of them” or “among them”, for both constitute being “in the way”.
So I certainly hope you are correct, Jeff, and the Nose won’t be peering over Coach Smith’s shoulder during the fourth quarter this season.
mountain_jim
August 10th, 2009
7:49 am
All of you posters criticizing Blank appear to be idiots who were not around for all those Clampette/Smith-family years of clueless Falcon ownership. Blank has been just about the best owner possible, and you who are offended by his appearances on the field or other decisions go make your first billion and buy your own team.
Thanks Arthur for buying the Falcons and giving us fans ownership with a face and a clue, as opposed to the biz-owned Braves and relatively clueless, scattered, and disfunctional Hawks ownership.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 10th, 2009
8:13 am
Thank goodness, nobody wants a Jerry Jones wannabe. By the way, look at TD in the photo. What a fake laugh. I imagine Blank is a funny as a crutch
REALITY
August 10th, 2009
8:18 am
Newsflash to Schultz and fellow Arthur-haters:
Arthur Blank paid in excess of $500 million dollars for this team. He can havbe WHATEVER role he wants on HIS team!
Obviously Rich McKay and Arthur Blank DID play a big role in Roddy’s signing…which explains why
the Falcons paid WAY TOO MUCH for Roddy.
Despite having ALL the leverage the Falcons caved.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
August 10th, 2009
8:18 am
Don’t get me wrong, I think Blank is great but he does get a little emotional negotiating with players. I think he took it upon himself to negotiate Dunn and Brooking and he overpaid for Brooking. He underminded Reeves authority by paying more that Reeves thought he was worth.
REALITY
August 10th, 2009
8:19 am
Same goes to that LOSER John Kincade on 680 the fan. If Arthur Blank wants to stand on the sideline, he can!! He OWNS the freaking sideline!!
Hello??!!??!! Stop with the wealth envy, haters!
Sonny Clusters
August 10th, 2009
8:24 am
We was thinking Arthur Blank wouldn’t be on the sidelines if he was staying in the background. And he should stay off that horse at the Dome.
REALITY
August 10th, 2009
8:26 am
Michael Vick is a wannabe thug…and will never play again in the NFL!
CORRECT!!
August 10th, 2009
8:42 am
Mountain Jim you are correct. All those criticizing Blank are idiots. Most likely they are Vick fans undercover.
Please you idiots whe are not true Falcon fans stay the !ELL AWAY!!
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 10th, 2009
8:46 am
The Braves never really did much of anything under Ted Turner until he hired John Schuerholz and got out of the way. People seem to forget that. Maybe Arthur can learn from that situation.
midnite
August 10th, 2009
8:47 am
Could someone explain the problem with Mr. Blank being on the sidelines at the end of games? He is a passionate owner and very involved. What is the big deal?
CORRECT!!
August 10th, 2009
8:48 am
Blank the true fans thank you for what you are trying so hard to do with the Falcons. I for one, Mr. Blank, have never seen you be a distraction on the sideline. I’ve never seen your nose peering over Smith’s shoulder. I do notice however that you are down at the end of the line out of everyones way. Keep up the good work!!!!
JT
August 10th, 2009
8:52 am
You fans are never content with anything. Always have to criticize someone for something. First of all it is his team and he can do what he wants. Secondly, he loves this city and genuinely wants the team to win for the city, that is why he has invested in the team. Yes, he might of made mistakes, but remember he is new to the NFL ways. However, he is smart to allow his people to do their jobs. Look around the league and see how many owners care as much as he does and is willing to pay to have a winning team. His decisions are not going to make everybody happy but he is going in the right direction. Instead of criticizing him how about spending all that free time you guys have in supporting the team.
John
August 10th, 2009
9:04 am
Attention sports fans…if Blank wants to go down on the field in the 4th quarter so be it. The Falcons are HIS team. I actually see his field visits as a positive. For years owners have sat in their box and looked out over their investment with what could be conceived as purely a business attachment. I like the fact that Blank has gotten “out of the box”. Arthur Blank is one of the best owners in the league and we are fortunate to have him in Atlanta.
REALITY
August 10th, 2009
9:05 am
WOW! Tired of dumb… and to think we could still be tied to that anchor right now. I am very thankful it all happened the way it did. The Falcons are SO MUCH BETTER off in Matt Ryan’s hands than in that wannbe thug Vick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOQ5gZawzg
Sonny Clusters
August 10th, 2009
9:09 am
When he rides that horse on the field – that will be meddling. Right now, it’s just visiting. We was thinking he’d be a good owner for the Cowboys on that horse.
Hercule Poirot
August 10th, 2009
9:12 am
Um, Roddy White is important. But, I think people are forgetting that Jenkins, Finneran and Douglas (R.I.P. until next season) are not dog poo. White’s the man, but those other guys are important pieces, too.
Paddy
August 10th, 2009
9:14 am
Not only has NFL Commish seen the Thug Motivation 101 clip but every team that is on the fence about signing MV has seen it. They are saying; do I want this man running my offense? Got to believe Tony Dungy is real proud right about now.
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans and Glad Matt Ryan is Here
August 10th, 2009
9:18 am
@Reality- yeah the franchise is headed in the right direction. Matt Ryan wouldn’t be in a video like that. Vick is a fool and wants to hang out with thug types.
By the way the name of the tour Mike Vick was helping Jeezy promote is called The “America’s Most Wanted Tour” Nice.
Paddy
August 10th, 2009
9:19 am
I believe Jenkins is going to be the real winner in this senario. With RW and TG getting extra coverage, Jenkins is going to be wide open for alot of those accurate passes from Ryan.
Nativebird
August 10th, 2009
9:36 am
Last year, It took some outsider’s (finally) like Dimitrof and Smitty to come in and ask Blank simply one question: “how much organized football have YOU actually player Arthur?”.
A question Mora, McKay and Petrino hadn’t the stones to ask.
The rest is (and will be) history.
KornDawg
August 10th, 2009
9:37 am
Clarke, when Blank pushed Vick in the wheelchair Vick was not yet a convicted felon. Blank very publicly distanced hiimself from Vick when the dog fighting issue came about and stated that Vick would never play for his team again. As far as Blank on the sidelines, he owns the team, if he wants to go down to the sidelines to celebrate with his team , so be it. Until the league outlaws it, he can do what he wants.
willdave
August 10th, 2009
9:37 am
Jeff Schultz, if someone plunks down a half billion dollars for a sports franchise, shouldn’t he be able to run it any way he so desires? I think Mr. Blank has taken a back seat now because he finally has a team–TD and Smitty–in which he has complete confidence to manage the Falcons at the thoroughly competent level that he expects.
DamnGoodDawg
August 10th, 2009
9:42 am
I still have visions of Blank pushing Vick’s wheelchair. No more of that crap!
FALCONS SORRY
August 10th, 2009
9:46 am
RODDY WHITE! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR STICKING TO YOUR GUNS AND NOT LETTING THAT SORRY PENNY PINCHING AUTHUR BLANK RIP YOU OFF! THERE WAS BLANK PARADING AROUND ON HIS LITTLE PONY HORSE ON BILLION DOLLAR PLANTATION IN MONTANA AND HE EXPECTING YOU TO WORK YOUR TAIL OFF FOR PEANUTS! THAT LOW DOWN BLANK ONLY WISH HE WAS JERRY JONES OR ROONY THAT OWN THE STEELERS! I BET BLANK WAS WHAT KEPT HOME DEPOT FROM BEING EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER THAN IT COULD HAVE BEEN! YOU WERE SMART TO NOT LET BLANK SWEEP YOU UNDER THE RUG LIKE HE DID THE OTHER SUPPER STARS THAT PLAYED HERE IN ATL! THE FALCONS KNEW THEY WAS TOAST THIS YEAR WITHOUT A TOP KNOT RECEIVE LIKE YOU RODDY BUT THEY WERE TOO SCARED TO ADMIT IT! NOW IF YOU JUST HAD A DECENT QUARTERBACK TO GET YOU THE BALL YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY THIS YEAR RODDY!
Nite Owl
August 10th, 2009
10:02 am
@ Falcons Sorry:
If only there was some way you could emphasize your point. Let’s see…underlining? No… Hey, how about italics? No… Oh, I’ve got it. Boldface! No? Hmmm…
I’ll think of something. I’m there for ya, buddy.
In the meantime, I definitely agree. The Falcons are definitely all scared of Roddy White, who is a top knot receiver. Blank pinched pennies when he signed Ryan, Turner, and every single draft pick before camp the past two years. Blank’s numerous charities show that he’s lowdown. And I would never work for $2.28 million! You were right to call that peanuts. Who could live on that?
I wonder who we could trade Matt Ryan for, to get someone decent? Ahh, probably no one would want him anyway. I guess we’re stuck with him. What’s he done for us, anyway? Let’s start D.J. until Vick comes back, and maybe we can do better than 11-5 this year.
Yes, I am very “Falcons Sorry” that I took the bait, but I just couldn’t help it.