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
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369 comments Add your comment
JoeFan
January 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Arthur needs to realize that there are more important things in life than Falcon Football and go out an enjoy each day. In the grand scheme of things football is just entertainment and should have no direct impact on how one lives life..
Jim
January 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
I haven’t been able to play Madden once since the loss. I hope I can eventually feel like playing again.
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
8:40 pm
@JoeFan that is why you are JoeFan and he built up Home Depot from scratch and now owns the team you root for.
Hurt Kurbstreit
January 29th, 2011
8:40 pm
I was there at the Falcon’s loss to Green Bay. It was miserable for the whole 2nd half. I had to leave early and I never do that. However, all in all, it was a great season and the Falcons games are fun again. I’ve got my season tickets for next year with an upgrade on the seats. A lot of things had to go right to earn the 13 – 3 record and I know that will be hard to repeat. However, I now have faith in this organization that they will continue to make the right moves.
chas
January 29th, 2011
8:41 pm
Glad to hear that he is still stewing. We all are. He is the ideal owner for a franchise. You want someone that really really wants to win and knows enough to get out of the way of the GM and Coach. Falcons will learn from this loss. The irony is that losing to GB may give us a better chance of winning this darn thing in the future. If we had cake walked into the Super Bowl and then lost I don’t think the brass would realize what holes there are on this team. Now we know. Whether or not we can win a Super Bowl no one knows, but at least we have the right 3 people trying to figure it out.
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:03 pm
Again, I also do not blame the Falcons fans for leaving, but I also stayed in the stadium until 20 minutes after game clock hit 0:00 to endure the pain. I can’t wait until next season. The game against Green Bay is already circled..I can see my sign now, “Not this Year. Different Era, Different Attitude.”
Mr. Blank, I want you to feel the pain..so you you can get the missing pieces and allow the Falcons the bring the sting!!!
Go Falcons
Vick Rules
January 29th, 2011
9:04 pm
The falcons need to bring back Vick if they want to make a super bowl run. Ryan’s too inconsistent and folds in big games. They can trade him for 2 first round choices right now and get vick for only a few million per year. They shouldn’t have run him off in the first place.
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:07 pm
We do not need Vick..Though I like him..what we need is:
1. Abraham helper
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
2. Roddy White Help
3. Safety Help
4. More plays called..like screen..draws and WR reverses
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
Vick, lol. He had his chance. He’s gone. Get over it. If you like Vick, root for him wherever he is. He’s not in Atlanta. There was nothing racial about Vick’s exit from the Falcons. Zero need to go there or even INSINUATE. They made him the man, they gave him the money, he bought weed, fighting dogs and had an itchy penis. He threw it all away in the name of keeping it real. I am very very happy he is doing well and getting a second chance. I really am. But I am also glad that he is not a Falcon. That era played out and has passed.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
9:11 pm
I agree “vick rules” after all look how far I got in the playoffs, one and done baby! hey did you see me get beat by a third string wr turned QB. you know the vikings game where they beat the crap out of me. No way I work for few million, how many is a few anyway? I got paid 4 million this year. I’m with you thou dude, trade him and get me, never mind he had a better record than me, never mind I choked in my game against the packers and threw that int to end the game. Yeah the falcons ran me off to prison man for 2 years!
Ron Choke Mexico
January 29th, 2011
9:12 pm
count_schemula, not nice to make fun of my itchy penis
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
9:15 pm
Roddy White help is called Leonard Hankerson – WR- University of Miami – 2nd Round pick
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:24 pm
A lot of people hate me for saying this, but I say, T.O. is Atlanta best friend. We as fans get mad when we went 13-3 and then got put out, All T.O. career the same has happen..season starts out good..then Def. Coordinators get smart and start double teaming him because he does have another receiver on other side..T.O. gets frustrated. The same happens with T.O. and Falcons fans. T.O. is a dominate, hard working players.
Why is it that players understand when they get older and want that Super Bowl ring, they then and only then don’t care about stats, but about team play. This is what New England coach believe.
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
9:27 pm
@gregMoundine sending some hate vibes your way, lol. Draft Hankerson. Cut Jenkins. Done and solved for a while.
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
If the team still has hope for Spoon and Perry, than somehow we just need some #1 Safeties. I have love for Jerious Norwood, but, it just did not work out. We need some new dash to go with Smash. Turner has not been Burner since his first season. He still smashes well though. Look at Allen Bailey DE from the U as well. He may have slipped to the 2nd round as well.
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
I do like this about Hankerson: Characterized by some as the next Andre Johnson since signing with the Hurricanes after helping his powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School go to three consecutive 5A state title games
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:37 pm
DO NOT LET DeANGELO WILLIAMS get out of NFC South. He is a free agent and will fit in great with Falcons.
Ringless in ATL
January 29th, 2011
9:43 pm
Ringless in ATL, coming to a theater near you in 2011 and 2012…LMAO…Cheesy Artie has NO CHANCE to ever win a ring with this pathetic franchise….what a bunch of under-achievers in the playoffs…would rather be a 10-6 team like the Packers than a 13-3 fraud…you goofy, delusional fans are still drinking the kool-aid…idiots…pretty sad when the SAINTS have a ring and you got NOTHING…
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
9:43 pm
hi guys
5150 P.O.A.D
January 29th, 2011
9:44 pm
Hi Guys Jeff are you there?
James
January 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
Well atleast we got a owner that really cares about the team unlike the owners of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Braves.
Greg Moundine
January 29th, 2011
9:47 pm
true James
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
9:49 pm
Hankerson @ Georgia Tech – 79yd TD – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUezmvDik4A – The draft is full of WRs and he flying so under the radar right now.
5150 P.O.A.D
January 29th, 2011
9:49 pm
Jeff I am trying to chjange my name to a LESS DAWG hated ID. I was trying to go with 5150 UOAD and you are blocking me. Can I change my REGULAR posting name or would you like me to stay the same?
JSS
January 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
“Leonard Hankerson?” That’s Michael Jenkins Lite, a lot of talent that has never lived up to his pedigree. Hankerson should have had a monster year, instead he would only show up on occasion. He’ll look great at Pro Days and the Combine. Then once he gets into camp, he’ll be Jammi German! A good Senior Bowl does not a equate a great career curve!
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
9:50 pm
Is this OK Jeff? I will stay at my 5150 P.O.A.D if you like.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
9:58 pm
@ POAD…
Not to get into the college stuff; but I watched the Tech-Miami game. Can you name one quality team that did exploit the middle of the field passing against the Jackets this Fall? Especially that day when Hankerson ran up 144 yards on 3 catches…
Singletary
January 29th, 2011
9:59 pm
I hope one of the therapy dinner points was unimaginative Coordinator coaching, in particular not adjusting during halftime. There are some middleschoolers who could have “played” DC better in plugging holes. Gregg Easterbrook TMQ ESPN had two long discussions on the playcalling that was fed into Ryan which was completely wrong to what he was seeing. (I still have a problem that there was a huge doughnut zone of penetration in the center of our defense looking like dessert to Rodgers and his receivers. There was no seeming re-calibration during halftime. I think the offense came out to play — and perhaps could have compensated — but BVG hadn’t at least narrowed the zone AR said — direct quote — he was playing in.) I think TD and Smitty are doing a great job. They took us from 0-60 in one year, and we are no longer an embarrassment (except in single games to GB and the Eagles this year.) Let’s go with what works, but I have now serious question marks in my head on DC, OC & Baker. I’ve never watched a Pro Bowl game, but I’m going to turn it on tomorrow. Perhaps that is an indicator of a franchise on the rise.
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
Morris and Harris were the QBs this year. How could Hankerson have a “monster year?” His hands are much better after his workouts with Duper, he has a devastating straight arm and can get yards after the catch. He runs very well for his size. I have seen Jenkins since day one and have watched Hankerson at the U. It’s a no brainer to swap these two players. He’s not being asked to be the #1 here. I dismiss the Jenkins Lite tag out of hand. I think he would be a perfect #2 to Roddy White. Jenkins should have been curbed years ago. 72 catches for 1156 on this year’s UM team is not crap. 17.8 and 16.1 are his yards per catch the last 2 years. Jenkins and Finneran are possession guys except Jenkins can’t catch. Hankerson turns it up field for more yards.
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
Because Jenkins Lite does not make catches like this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx5xO_HY94A
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
10:12 pm
Jenkins is ALWAYS making catches like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrKCZY7mpvM lol
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
10:24 pm
JSS
Hankerson ATE GT alive in the game on the inside DRAG route and We had no answer. I don’t know what Groh was seeing but he was not adjusting to HANKS hard push to the middle and quick to the outside of the shoulder fake to the outside and running loose down the middle.
Hank is Good but GT should have covered him better than we did.
I am mad Ant Allen didn’t get more touches. He got plenty of pass blocking practice in the game though.
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
JSS the ANT Allen comment was about the Senior Bowl today.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
10:29 pm
Having watched Hankerson since he was a teenager, good luck thinking he’s going to stretch to a field or a zone in the Pros enough to exploit what teams do to when they take away White and Gonzalez…
By the way Jenkins made that same catch twice in 2002. Once against Illnois and the other time against Wisconsin… There’s nothing new under the sun except Jerry Rice in 1985.
Back 2 Reality
January 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
Hey Arthur Blank, judging by most of these comments, you can go ahead & jack -up the ticket prices for next season. These fans are ok with being knocked-out in that game and clinging on to “wait til next year” and “in dimitrioff,smith , ryan we trust” hope.
WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS!! LIKE THE TEAM!!!
GO STEELERS!!!!!
count_schemula
January 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
I’m just now seeing that Hankerson had 5 for 100 and a TD today. Check the blogs, I’ve been on his tip all year for the Falcons. We can thank AJ Green later for helping Leonard fall to the 2nd round.
JSS
January 29th, 2011
10:34 pm
Teams jump that route in the PROs and unless you’re the 2008 Lions (see Ryan’s first NFL pass), you run that route and get a wide out killed 9 out of 10 times.
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
Killed?
No
IT is a BBQ joint.
HJAHAHHA
ALL YOU CAN EAT RIBS, just have to break them of the Spine of the WR. AHHAHAHAH.
take it from me.
January 29th, 2011
10:43 pm
Auther Blank has more problems than just personal,he needs a better supporting cast. GM TD needs to get better at pickin players.This team is loaded with top round busts,and has more holes than swiss cheese! The team needs to beef up its lines,they look like munkins playing the good teams with giant linemen.we also need a Qb that can get the ball down the field,if we ever get a wr that can streach the field.It will take one heck of a turn around with personel,to make the falcons SB ready in one year, and blank can be pissed all he wants, but he knows its take spending money to get to the SB.But the question is,will he?
JSS
January 29th, 2011
10:49 pm
Hamkerson is going to break your heart. He’s a 3 who is going to be paraded around as a 2… Just as Jenkins was pawned off as a No. 1 when he was drafted, it’s a bad illusion. It reminds me of the mistake that people made in not understanding what separated Bolden and Fitzgerald from their stable mate Steve Breaston. It was because the former could get 30 to 40 yards deep and off jams by not being lazy route runners. They cleared zones and made teams that played man pay dearly…
JSS
January 29th, 2011
10:58 pm
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
“JSS the ANT Allen comment was about the Senior Bowl today.”
He’ll be OK, he’ll fall on draft boards like Dwyer did; but he’ll get accustomed to it again (since he played at Louisville for the Jerk) …
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
11:01 pm
JSS is tha a poke at TECH too? HAHAHA I am not sure.
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
11:04 pm
I see you know my NEW name. Mine has been hi-jacked so many times I am trying to start the YEAR new. I hope it works. So many people use too many names. I hate that. I really use 2 or maybe 3 I have a different one I use on the Falcons and non-sports Blogs. I am Kim Z’s Package too, but that is for more social issues. LOL
JSS
January 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
@ POAD…
Tech offense is what it is… They are like the Falcons in that light. They need to be a “complete package” in order to finally reach their potential. Every time I see Navy, I say what if when I see Tech…
GT97
January 29th, 2011
11:47 pm
Geez Come on people. Who gives a rat’s a$$. I love the Falcons and Football, but it is entertainment. I have to go back to work now to earn a living.
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
11:56 pm
GT97 don’t say EARN you might scar the UGA fans. They might get scared they will have to give back their food stamps and actually get out of the trailer of down from the Deer stand.
5150 UOAD
January 29th, 2011
11:57 pm
I need some more JACK and less ice. Maybe I can spellz better din. HAHAHA
dave
January 29th, 2011
11:57 pm
he he hohoho hehe chuckle
oh one more thing.
whodat
count_schemula
January 30th, 2011
12:15 am
whodat? the Seahawks. Datwho.