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
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 31st, 2011
8:33 pm
@Lee Sunset
That also means the Patroits really did tie the Dolphins 17-0 record
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 31st, 2011
8:35 pm
So what’s this news I just read on the AJC, Vick coming to Atlanta to host a signing session of memorablia a day after CHOKE and they are saying Vick is the big story of the event?
This has got to be a first – A Franchise qb in two cities at the same time
EastCobbFalcon
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
I renewed my season tickets today. I also started my season ticket run in 2002. I think mostly because the owner actually cares as much, if not more, than I do. I also have Braves season tickets and used to have Thrashers. The Braves ownership could care less about it’s fan base, and the Thrashers and Hawks, please.
I did grow up in this city and get tired of everyone always trashing the Atlanta’s fan base, although sometimes deserved for their fairweatherness. However, ownership as a whole in this city has been pretty pitiful with the exceptions of Ted Turner and Arthur Blank. So, I’ll stand with you Arthur, win or lose I’ll be back tailgating in the Gulch next year hoping our offensive coordinator discovers there are pass plays over ten yards in the offseason and hoping our defensive backs can find their playbooks. Either way, I know if it doesn’t work out, you’ll feel just as bad about our inability to win the big one as I do.
Arthur Blank is a GREAT owner, I wish we had three more just like him in this city!
JSS
January 31st, 2011
10:18 pm
EastCobbFalcon
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
“Either way, I know if it doesn’t work out, you’ll feel just as bad about our inability to win the big one as I do.”
Does the name Art Modell ring a bell? Caring and actually getting it done are two different worlds… By the way, You do have an owner who cares and runs a franchise the right way… Moreover, her team didn’t quit, even when they were over matched…
EastCobbFalcon
January 31st, 2011
10:29 pm
JSS, are you kidding me? Art Modell left a fan base that loved his franchise. You should be ashamed for putting them in the same paragragh.
On you other point, I have no idea what your talking about but thanks for taking the time to bash me.
JSS
February 1st, 2011
6:39 am
EastCobbFalcon
January 31st, 2011
10:29 pm
“JSS, are you kidding me? Art Modell left a fan base that loved his franchise. You should be ashamed for putting them in the same paragragh.”
As most Browns fans will tell you, Modell was wildly popular with fan base for more than 25 years. Modell did not become public enemy #1 in NW Ohio until the beginning on the 90’s because his greed, personal peccadilloes, and then his temper tantrums as the Indians and Cavaliers finally reemerged from being so bad. When Modell started throwing his weight around tring to get a new stadium even though the Browns and his “Stadium Corp” had been given a sweetheart deal in the early 70’s paying only $1 rent and controlling all revenue. Fans saw what happened when both Jacobs Field and Gund Arena were funded and built using the Gateway Project. Modell refused to participate. Instead he wanted to use his own plan not thinking that Stadium Corp finances would decline. Sound familiar at all to the initial new Falcons stadium talks? The next year Art breached his deal and moved the Browns to Baltimore. Cleveland sued and the next year Gateway project funds were used to demolish old Municipal Stadium and build new Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Art Modell was seen as a owner who cared deeply about his team. He fired Paul Brown (that was not an unpopular move). He won an NFL Title in his 2nd year as a owner. He sat in the same Club seat outside with the fans in the old stadium… Fans fawned over Modell until he stabbed them in the back!
“On you other point, I have no idea what your talking about but thanks for taking the time to bash me.”
You’re welcome, very happy to “bash” you. Because you are like most new Falcons fans (post 1980). Since your season tickets date back to 2002. Is your vision tainted by the Turner and the Smith years? He (Turner) cared deeply, but his Hawks never got past the 2nd round. The Thrashers (he was the original owner), well, they speak for themselves. But I’m happy that seem to finally be on the right track. The Braves were a crap shoot. Anybody who lived here through 75-80 knows it can be much worse. I appreciated the division title run; but in the end they only won it all once! With the Falcons, the city has gotten what it deserved. The team who would become the Kansas City Chiefs wanted to move here. But conservative and status quo Southerners wanted to be part of the NFL, so you got the Smiths!
The person that I was lauding as the best owner is Kathy Betty of the WNBA’s Dream. She bought the adequately run franchise from the 1st year owner and has transformed it into not just a winner on the court (they’ve actually won playoff games); but they also have become leaders and contributors in the community… Even more community involvement than the supposedly great Falcons throw around! Its has caught the attention of the national media too!
Enjoy those tickets…
What
February 1st, 2011
9:42 am
We have a WNBA team?
EastCobbFalcon
February 1st, 2011
10:22 am
Thanks for the education JSS. I didn’t say I became a Falcons fan in 2002, I’m pretty sure I stated that was the year I bought into season tickets when the Smith family finally decided to do us all a favor and sell the team. Since you seem interested, I was born here in 1966, the same year the Falcons came to Atlanta so a new fan I’m not.
I agree with many of your points, especially in regard to the Smith’s and if you’d read my first post all the way through I think I addressed my thought on the Hawks and Thrashers. My point on Blank and Turner is that many fans can endure the lean years if they think ownership at least cares. I think you’d agree that can’t be said for Liberty Media or the Spirit experiment.
I’ll take you advice on Kathy Betty and take my daughter to a game or two this season. Sounds fun and you’re right we need to support winners in this city.
Thanks for the civil debate and Go Falcons!
JSS
February 1st, 2011
11:24 am
It really does not matter if a owner cares or is absentee. You just don’t want them to be indifferent towards the fans in the long run… Art Rooney was a loser for 30 years. Do you think people would put up with that for even a decade now? The Pirates have been treated as a step child in PGH now. They got a new stadium; but people talk with their dollar. The Penguins were multiple time Stanley Cup winners; but when they were gutted by an indifferent front office; the people of the region (and they are the hockey team Western PA and NE Ohio) talked with their dollar.
People of Atlanta (especially the Northern Suburbs) hate to hear this, but the professional teams in Atlanta are the teams of the region. Not as much any more as it once was since the Carolina and Florida teams came into being… Until people and owners come to grips with that, there will be issues… Build a stadium in the Northern burbs, and I guarantee you that the respective team will turn into the 1970 and 80’s Cleveland Cavaliers (when they played in Richfield), Detroit Lions (Pontiac), or the Buffalo Bills. (Orchard Park). They have loyal fans, but they lost the heart of the region during the lean times…
JSS
February 1st, 2011
11:26 am
@ East Cobb…
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/good_day_atl/Atlanta-Dream-to-Promote-Girls,-Women-in-Sports-20110131-gda-sd
Vick Supporter
February 1st, 2011
2:00 pm
Packers – 21
Eagles – 16
If our kicker doesn’t miss 2 FGs, we beat GB. Close game
Packers – 48
Falcons – 21
BLOWN OUT., plus you people play indoors and have the #1 seed.
Nuff said
almost nuff
February 1st, 2011
2:11 pm
it was going well until vick tossed that game ender.
Vick Supporter
February 1st, 2011
2:26 pm
@almost nuff
If Akers make those kicks (which he usually makes) that Vick pass doesn’t happen. We still gave the Pack a better game with a worse defense than the Falcons
BiggdawgK
February 1st, 2011
7:28 pm
You vick lovers who live in Georgia are almost as pathetic as that delusional matt “choke” ryan freak.
Dog killer makes a point of telling the national media he didn’t try that hard to win while with the Falcons and you brain dead morons can’t get off his tip still. That scumbag spit in the face of every Falcon fan.
Obviously anyone on an Atlanta sports blog msg board who still likes vick loves being abused and degraded. Hmmm right back to the simalrities with that sad little goofball matt “choke” ryan.
JSS
February 1st, 2011
8:16 pm
BiggdawgK
February 1st, 2011
7:28 pm
You must be tired of “stalking 18 year old boys?” Go back over to lusting over Crowell and your illusional “Dream Team!”
ASHCAN.
February 2nd, 2011
10:08 am
Ok,cut it with the rise up saying.Personally i thought it was kind of corney.Until we can get a solid DT,CB a back up solid RB and speedy WR,ill believe.We gotta understand we’re not the only team getting better in the nfc which makes it that much harder.
ASHCAN.
February 2nd, 2011
10:17 am
Its amazing how you can mention vicks name and people instantly retaliate with hatred and negativity.If i was a person from another country that have never heard of vick,after all the bashing i would think he assassinated the last three presidents.I guess when you do something wrong and not the right color you wont be forgiven.
Kane337
February 3rd, 2011
12:08 pm
I love our owner. He’s one of the best. I’m glad he feels the way I do. That gives me some peace and hope for the future for some reason.
ATL Observer
February 3rd, 2011
7:37 pm
There are many fans of other teams that would love to have an owner with a similar passion. Obviously, that alone doesn’t make a good owner but it’s a far cry from the Smith days. Take a look at your Bidwell in Arizona (before the sons came to restore semi-order) or your Fords in Detroit or your Browns in Cincinnati and it’s a good starting point.
The team needs to open up the playbook (that might mean two or three less wins, but all you need to do is get to the dance) and that defensive differencemaker (your Matthews, your Polamalu, your Urlacher) and something special could be afoot.