Arthur Blank still hasn’t recovered from Falcons’ playoff exit
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, here with general manager Thomas Dimitroff after the playoff loss, will return from Dallas before the Super Bowl. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@AJC.com)
A few nights after the Falcons were drop-kicked out of the playoffs, Arthur Blank and his two football lieutenants went out to dinner. There in a Midtown restaurant sat the team’s owner, the general manager (Thomas Dimitroff) and the coach (Mike Smith), emotionally facedown in their soup.
“It was just the three of us together, reflecting back,” Blank said. “It’s sort of like going to see a therapist. You go there to work through any issues you have and then you try to get ready for the future. You’re just trying to get some of the hurting out of the way so you can move on.”
For the record, that hasn’t happened yet with Blank.
He is as emotionally invested as any owner in professional sports. He admits he’s still psychologically hung over from the Falcons’ 48-21 loss in the Georgia Dome two weeks ago. He is going to Dallas for Super Bowl week – only he’s not really going to the Super Bowl.
“I leave Thursday, we have meetings and then the hosting owner [Jerry Jones] always has a party Thursday night,” Blank said. “Then Friday morning the commissioner has a press conference, and I’ll go to that. Friday afternoon I’ll go to radio row for interviews. Friday night is the commissioner’s party. Saturday we were going to have a league meeting but that’s been canceled, so I guess I’ve got some free time.”
And Sunday?
“I’m coming home Sunday morning — mostly because I’m still pissed about our game,” he said.
He allowed himself to think the Falcons could get to Dallas. He knew the 13-3 record, the bye week and two potential home playoff games didn’t come with guarantees. But what happened in the Georgia Dome blindsided him, as it did most.
“You don’t look ahead,” Blank said, “but we certainly believed we would get deeper than we did.”
He said no major reassessment of the franchise is needed. He still believes the Falcons are trending upward and have become one of the “national” and “relevant” franchises in the NFL, based on three consecutive winning seasons and two playoff berths in the Dimitroff-Smith-Matt Ryan era. He said he doesn’t think the loss will hurt the team’s marketing efforts in the offseason, although that’s probably more the salesman in him talking than the realist.
Blank said he doesn't blame the fans who couldn't bear to watch the Falcons any more and left in the third quarter. (AP photo)
Finally, there’s this: Blank says he has changed from the newbie sports owner who bought the franchise from the Smith family in 2002. He says he’s more “controlled.”
Comment: “My emotional thermometer is different than when I first became an owner.”
Maybe so. But not by much. The man still wears his emotions on his sleeve.
Late in the third quarter against Green Bay, he watched from his private box as the Packers scored their scored fifth consecutive touchdown to take a 42-14 lead. Fans began to stream out of the Georgia Dome.
“People said to me, ‘You must be upset about that,’” Blank said. “I said no. I wasn’t upset that they were leaving, I was upset about the way we were playing. The fans were incredibly supportive all year. After that third quarter, it would’ve taken a miracle just to come back and make the game competitive. It was like the fans were getting hit on the head with a hammer, and it wouldn’t stop. The only way they could make it stop was by leaving. So they left.”
Blank’s head was still throbbing the following week when NFL meetings were held in Atlanta. During a lunch break, he sat with New England owner Robert Kraft, whose team was stunned in its first playoff game by the New York Jets (the day after the Falcons’ loss).
“There we were, the owners of the two No. 1 seeds, having lunch,” Blank said, managing a chuckle. “Nobody else sat at our table. We were two sorry sacks. You never get used to it.”
Final story: Blank was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame on Friday. It was there he came in contact with Kathleen Bertrand, a gospel singer who sang the national anthem at the event. Bertrand told Blank that she performed the anthem at the Falcons’ last playoff win in 2004. She had hoped to sing it at another game during the season but had trouble getting in contact with the right person.
“I said if I knew that, I would’ve made sure she sang it again [at the playoff game],” Blank said. “But it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Not unless she could play cornerback.
By Jeff Schultz
Tweet
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
369 comments Add your comment
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
speaking of the saints and busts, how many think Reggie Bush is a a big fat bust? how much are they paying him?
ejj
January 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Like that little jab, at the end about the cornerback. But the reality of the team, is bigger holes than cornerback. BVD has no idea(not enough experience), what he is doing. Gotta have a system, and players , and we don’t have either. ABE is it, Grimes is a slot back defender, he can not stand up to the opposition receivers. I love his effort, but we need 2 corners, another end(darn, Peppers would have been great, think I mentioned it), 2 linebackers(Lofton, good). Interior de-line is ok. Let’s not forget another wide receiver, to take pressure off of White.
papadawg
January 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
Put your big boy pants on and get over it. Look what Dawgs fans had to endure the last 2 years
Hit A Single
January 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
Once again, it just goes to show you how tough it is to get there.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
Art I feel your pain
January 29th, 2011
4:43 pm
“I didn’t realize AB won the team in a raffle or only paid the smith family $50 for the team.”
No, Rankin Smith won the raffle. Arthur Blank just paid a hefty fee to join a cartel…
Concern
January 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Thats the Falcons, what does he expect?
JSS
January 29th, 2011
5:15 pm
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
4:59 pm
“speaking of the saints and busts, how many think Reggie Bush is a a big fat bust? how much are they paying him?”
Nothing, he is a UFA at the final gun ending of the Super Bowl… A bust with a Super Bowl ring by the way…
Pete
January 29th, 2011
5:15 pm
If King Arthur thinks the fans will still flock to buy or renew season tickets for 2011 after the humiliating beatdown ending last season he’s in for the SECOND shocker of this year.
They’re not.
You see, not everyone has unlimited funds to dole out……………..especially for more pain and disappointment.
I’d rather have a root canal done.
FtMyersFalcon
January 29th, 2011
5:16 pm
Best Owner since Ted! And will be the best ever in Atlanta when we win the Big One….Hang on everyone it’s around the corner. (Isn’t it a relief when the owner is one person and not a conglomerate)!!!
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
EJJ,
2 LB’s? Are you writing off weatherspoon already? another “bust”?
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
JSS,
He’s a bust, ring or not, and he won’t be getting big $$$ from any other team, maybe the saints, but no one else is going to give the big money again, because he’s a bust.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:20 pm
heck everyone considers thomas to be the starter, not bush.
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
Blank has Bigger Issues — Once again, I disagree. Personnel is way ahead of what it was 3 years ago. More playmakers are absolutely needed, but I like the futures of William Moore and Sean Weatherspoon (if they can stay healthy). If Peria Jerry doesn’t pan out, that’s a major mistake. I like Peterson in the role he’s in. So far, Dunta Robinson hasn’t impressed me, certainly not for the money he’s being paid.
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
5150 — Cute.
Blank Has Bigger Issues Than Personnel
January 29th, 2011
5:25 pm
I just want to win a SB. Do I want to win at any cost? No, but would like to see the organization take some chances in the FA market.
Another thing that annoys me about the F/O- what is up with TD excuse of remaining “fiscal responsible”? Do GMs get graded by the NFL based on how much they remain under the salary cap? Is he running the government or the Falcons? I thought that as long as you stay under the salary cap the team was in good shape.
Also, I can’t stand after a bad season the F/O uses the excuse “we’re still young and/or in rebuilding mode”. What is that all about?
Rebuilding should never be used an excuse for losing in the NFL considering there is so much parity amongst the teams . If the Aints can win a SB, then anybody can do it. Seriously!
Jeff Schultz
January 29th, 2011
5:29 pm
Ron “Choke” Mexico — Reggie Bush certainly isn’t the money he’s been paid but that was somewhat dictated by where he was drafted (which was too early). But I’d take him. He’s a terrific weapon. If the Falcons have a chance to get him (for a decent price), he’d be a good edition to the offense.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
“JSS, He’s a bust, ring or not, and he won’t be getting big $$$ from any other team, maybe the saints, but no one else is going to give the big money again, because he’s a bust.”
Nobody will be getting “big $$$” because there will be no games (lockout)… I hope he saved some of that SC payola. That is why he try to save that cash… He can always make like a local college player and sell that hardware on Ebay… That goes for every player from Brady to Bush…
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:46 pm
Jeff, I don’t think I could stomach having a former Saint on the team.
Art I feel your pain
January 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
It should be noted that a big part of our quick exit from the playoffs was Ryan happened to have his worse NFL performance at the worst possible time. He has given no indication that this i.e. choking will become a regular thing.
Sorry to break it to the idiot who uses the misnomer Matt (Choke) Ryan.
Reid Adair
January 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
Mr. Blank is absolutely right. The franchise is headed in the right direction, and there’s no need for reassessment. The playoff game aside, the organization took another big step forward in 2010.
The progress continues.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
5:54 pm
You people act like this is basketball where people need to be worrying about starting… A “bust” rarely sees the playing field. Bush was a part of their rotation. And he was drafted to be a “compliment” to a then still healthy Deuce McAllister… When Deuce’s body gave out, they brought Thomas along. Like or not, Tim Smith, O.J. Anderson, Joe Morris, and Dave Maggett have two Super Bowl rings, O.J. Simpson, Barry Sanders, Chuck Foreman, and LaDanian Tomlinson have nil! Either you get the meaning of that or you don’t!
JSS
January 29th, 2011
5:57 pm
Sorry, “Cocaine” Timmy Smith had one ring…
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
I guess we don’t get it. are you implying reggie bush is a better RB than Barry sanders and LT simply because he has a SB ring? LOL!
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Barry sanders and LT are hall of famers, so far Bush is not
Blank Has Bigger Issues Than Personnel
January 29th, 2011
6:02 pm
Jeff- When I looked back on our last 3 drafts (only considering the 1st 3 rds because the remaining rounds are typically gambles picks) we had 6 picks in 2008, 3 picks in 2009 and 3 in 2010. That’s 12 selections through 1st three rounds. Based on your assessment, only 33% of the players (including Ryan) have panned out or potential playmakers. And we still don’t know if Ryan will turn out to be the franchise QB we all expected him to be. Many fault MM, but I’m so sure.
I digress-
If what you re saying is true and we’re currently in a better position than 2008, then why are we still looking for play-makers (aka starters) to add to the roster,in at least 4 to 5 positions, as oppose to just tweaking it (adding roster depth)?
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
any good OLB free agents out there this year? I starting to like the idea of champ bailey at CB, I was against it at first, but the idea is starting to grow on me, then move Grimes to nickle. Don’t know of any good DE’s either, please don’t suggest Haynesworth, that’s the last thing we need.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
Blank,
The falcons were 4-12 in 2007, they have had 3 winning seasons in a row, this year they went 13-3 and you’re questioning if they are better?
I agree who would want a QB who was rookie of the year, going to the pro bowl, never had a losing season as their QB? beats me.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
6:08 pm
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
5:58 pm
“I guess we don’t get it. are you implying reggie bush is a better RB than Barry sanders and LT simply because he has a SB ring?”
No, “I” am implying and “stating” that Reggie Bush has been a member of a Super Bowl winning team. Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Fran Tarkenton, Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, and many more are not! He’s in Canton by the way, just not with a bronze bust…
Traver
January 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
I am glad he is still pissed. He should still be pissed. I am still pissed. I think they are going in the right direction but this crowd won’t win a sinlge playoff game unless they do something with their defense starting with BVG. Defensively, they over achieved in majority of the games they won and they got man handled in 2 of their 3 lossses. They have some pieces but not enough to win in the playoffs. Not when your offense is a ball control, drive down the field in 11 minutes type of offense,
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
JSS, we all agree that yes, Reggie Bush was on a team that won a superbowl. so what was your point?
FalconUGAFan
January 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
JSS You and I have had our differences of opinion but your post at 12:28 was well thought-out and well-written. I’m not an Atlanta native nor do I reside in the city. I was a transient resident that happened to see the Falcons during my “fan-formative” years and chose them…Maybe to my detriment.
Anyway thank you for the insight. The one liners you sometimes put out are truly beneath you, IMHO.. ..And that is a compliment, BTW.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
6:21 pm
A “bust” is someone like T.J. Duckett, Byron Hanspard, Steve Broussard and Troy Smith! There’s a big difference between being overpaid and not producing…
Blank Has Bigger Issues Than Personnel
January 29th, 2011
6:23 pm
@”Real Deal” I almost guarantee you that there will be 2 other teams in the running for SB not name GB and the Saints. Rarely does the same team make it back to back Superbowl appearances, except for NE.
@Ron “Choke” Mexico- If you think that the Defense was our only problem we had in the playoff against GB, then you are delusional. If Matt Ryan doesn’t step his game up in 2011, the Falcons might be searching for another QB in 2012.
With all my complaining aside- its so refreshing to know that we have an owner in Blank that cares and is as passionate about winning as the fans. I just pray that we get the teams issues fixed. Its so disheartening to get the national stage and lose.
I don’t know about you guys, but my recovery period after a regular season loss is about 1-2 days; however, when we lose like we did this year in the play-offs, it can take up to a couple of weeks.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
6:23 pm
Sorry Tony Smith was so invisible I forgot his name!
Burdell
January 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
JSS my friend, I utterly respect your opinion, but when you are 5th overall, you better have sack impact. I don’t watch Chefs games, but I need more than good situational stats out of that contract $29M guaranteed. What about passing situations? From my distant perspective, he’s a bust. The sack numbers indicate Jamal proportions. In any case, you’ve got to admit Ryan is a better pick there. So I still say Dimitroff makes a better pick. In Re: Peria Jerry. I am not willing to say he is a bust or even a mistake yet. He blew out his knee in what.. game 3 last year? As they say, you’re not 100% for two years. Do I wish we had Raji… well of course. But we had to have somebody to replace Grady. I am not willing to lay that on Dimitroff yet. If he remains injury prone and never lives up to expectations, then yes, that is a bad pick.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:38 pm
Blank,
take this to the bank, unless Ryan get’s hit by a bus or decides to be a monk or suffers acareer ending injury, he will be the Falcons QB in 2012.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
Arthur Blank, Smith, and TD are completely satisfied with Matt Ryan, what we need is a CB, DE, OLB, WR and RB, and replacement OL
Sideline
January 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
The Falcons will do the same thing next year. They are there coaches. Conservative. They don’t have a street fight mentality. They are too SLOW for a DOME team. They don’t have enough PLAYMAKERS on both sides of the ball. They want the perfect locker room well they have it, a bunch of nice guys. They need some nasty on the team. They should have traded for Antonio Holmes. Can you imagine Roddy and Holmes on the field at the same time. They need to be more atlectic on both the offensive and defensive lines. Trade Michael Turner for Ray Rice and draft picks. They need a 3 down running back who can make people miss. Teams might overpay for Turner before they realize everyone knows how to stop him (bunch him up at the line before he gets going). SPEED and PLAYMAKERS.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
The defense did cost us that game, the packers never punted.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
seriously you think the vikings will give us Ray Rice and draft picks for turner? LMAO!
Brendan
January 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
Arthur Blank is trying to win. Stop. That statement, alone, is applause-worthy in this town. I do think the Falcons will still be on the NATIONAL radar for next season. They might not be the # 1 seed next year, but do they need to be, so long as they have corrected what went wrong vs. the Packers? I say, the answer is “no.” I don’t care if the Falcons go in as NFC South Champs for a second-straight year or if they go in as a wildcard. The point is … that they correct what went wrong. Arthur Blank will address WHAT WENT WRONG and make sure that his staff CORRECTS it. Those are the HALLMARKS of an owner … who CARES.
I don’t even know who owns the Braves these days. Look at what the Phillies did in the offseason. Has Atlanta responded in kind? Heck no. I think their plan is to ’sneak in’ as a wildcard. Gee, great.
Okay, that brings us to the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, aka “The Heptacluster.” Perhaps, they’d like the Hawks to win. But that JJ contract will keep them mired in the 2nd round of the playoffs. As for the Thrashers, that team has NEVER had commited ownership. Never. Give that team an owner who CARES, and watch the building get soldout every game. Hockey hasn’t started, and won’t start in Atlanta, until committed ownership is found for that NHL franchise.
RB340
January 29th, 2011
6:58 pm
It was a great season. We have a lot to look forward to. 33 regular season wins in 3 years, I would have never thought this would happen to my team. Looking foward to next season.
Ed
January 29th, 2011
7:14 pm
Arthur Blank is the owner that i waited my entire life to see own my favorite sports franchise in all of pro sports. He will make sure that this team stays consistent and competitive for years to come. Losing really bothers Mr Blank and thats a good thing Super Bowls come to those who continually strive for greatness. When the Smith family owned the Falcons it wasnt that they didnt want to win necessarily it was that losing didnt bother them and if you dont mind losing there is something seriously wrong with your teams mindset. This group of Falcons are much different than that from Arthur Blank all the way down to the punter.
I'm Pissed Too Still
January 29th, 2011
7:21 pm
I bought 2 season tickets and not sure I will do that again unless we draft well and sign free agents
Lesa
January 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
Glad to hear Mr. Blank is too pissed to attend the Super Bowl. I am too pissed to watch it on TV. I couldn’t care less who wins. I am still heartbroken that my Falcons won’t be there.
It is a consolation to know that our owner truly cares about winning as much as the real fans care. Thank you, Mr. Blank.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
Burdell
January 29th, 2011
6:27 pm
“JSS my friend, I utterly respect your opinion, but when you are 5th overall, you better have sack impact. I don’t watch Chefs games, but I need more than good situational stats out of that contract $29M guaranteed. What about passing situations?”
People always put the following on the players (the $$ dollar value). When you are a rookie draft pick, that is not on you, it is on the evaluator (the team)…
Glenn Dorsey is not asked to be a pass rusher, he’s a strong side end in their version of the New England 3-4. The strength of the team is in their linebackers. Their lines job is keep linemen off their backers and strong safety. That he has averaged over 50 tackles the last two seasons is very good. Go see how many sacks did Tamba Hali (the SSLB) playing next to Dorsey have. Then, go look at the tackle/sack totals for the templates of the 3-4: Pittsburgh, the Jets, and the Ravens. Their ends don’t have huge sack numbers. The best 3-4 ever, the 1980-1990’s NY Giants were the same way. I bet you can name the linebackers on that team; but you’ll most likely can’t name the two DEs? And they were top shelf linemen in any era…
I did not want Glenn Dorsey, but I did not hold his contract against him… He’s a solid NFL linemen playing in the wrong scheme for him to have huge numbers…
Ph please don’t mention Ryan’s rookie contract again… That and the Russell contract are the prime reason that the owners opted of the CBA in 2008. Those were just silly amounts of money compared to the previous slotted draft picks…
hbcuclassics
January 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
Dejuan Fulghum, LB, SWAC 2010 Defensive Player of the Year
2010 SWAC Champions, Texas Southern, Coach: Johnnie Cole
http://www.hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_showcase
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
8:04 pm
Schultz: “If the Falcons have a chance to get him (for a decent price), he’d be a good edition to the offense.”
Since I think you banned me for a few days, I feel like I have to call you out on the use of the word “edition.” All is fair in love and war.
AHHHH!!! MY OBLIQUE!!!!
January 29th, 2011
8:06 pm
Yeah, it sucks, Arthur. I’m so devastated that I’m still deliberating on renewing those season tickets.
AHHHH!!! MY OBLIQUE!!!!
January 29th, 2011
8:10 pm
Yeah, I was wondering why we didn’t nab Peppers. Yeah, he was expensive, but the draft is not going to make you an instant contender when your team has major deficiencies.