Arthur Blank: “No question we have a better team”
Paul Newberry, the fine Associated Press writer and a native Atlantan, has this thing he does when we start wondering how the local NFL team managed to mess up this time. He points to the Falcons’ logo and says, “It’s the bird. Don’t underestimate the power of that bird.”
By now, we’re all familiar with this trail of tears. This is the franchise that: Led Dallas by 10 points with 3:05 to play and lost a bitter playoff game; hired Marion Campbell as head coach — twice!; drafted Aundray Bruce; saw the NFL’s leading citizen arrested on the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII; saw its franchise quarterback go to jail and its coach leave for Arkansas in the dark of night.
And then, the iron-clad capper: After 43 years in operation, the Falcons still haven’t had consecutive winning seasons.
More and more people are writing nice things about the Falcons than at any time since … well, 2005, when they were coming off an NFC championship game appearance and were 6-2 at the midpoint and still couldn’t break .500. And this, speaking as someone who has learned not to underestimate the negative power of that bird, makes me nervous. I wondered if I was alone in this angst, so I asked Arthur Blank, who owns the club. Speaking from his ranch in Montana, he said:
“I get nervous, like every fan does, but history has nothing to do with it. There’s no question we have a better team in 2009 than we did in 2008. That said, we do have a tougher schedule, and you always have to be concerned about an injury to the wrong player. But I love our coaching staff and I love our general manager. We’re in a very good place.”
Agreed. I like the Falcons’ management more than I ever have. But still … this is a franchise steeped in the art of the cosmic letdown. Example: In Blank’s first season as owner, the Falcons made the playoffs and beat Green Bay and were widely tipped as a Super Bowl team the next year. Then the franchise quarterback broke his leg.
Blank now: “I don’t think there’s any jinx. That doesn’t enter my mind. I know we’ll be very well prepared and we’ll play with a lot of energy. Now whether that translates [to a winning season], I can’t know. But the press we’re getting seems to be appropriate, and when the season is over I hope people will say, ‘We should have given them even more praise.’
Loading ...“As an organization, we were facing a lot of questions last season we don’t have now. We didn’t know how our new coaching staff would work together. We didn’t know if Matt Ryan was going to be a terrific NFL quarter in Year 1 or Year 3. We didn’t know if Michael Turner could carry the standard of being a starting running back. We didn’t know if Sam Baker and Curtis Lofton and Harry Douglas could play. We have positive answers to all those questions now.”
Blank doesn’t offer a predicition, but he is by nature an optimist. A year ago we were wondering if the Falcons might go 1-15. “The only person who thought we’dt go 1-15 was Kim Schreckengost,” he said, laughing and referring to his longtime aide, who was listening on the other line. “Arthur Blank and Mark Bradley knew that team wasn’t going to go 1-15.”
Indeed, the famous fretter Bradley picked the 2008 Falcons to go 5-11. They went 11-5. This time he’s saying they’ll be 10-6, winners for a second consecutive season. But he’s crossing his fingers. He has learned not to mess with the bird.
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159 comments Add your comment
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
11:17 am
Agreed, Mark; barring major injury they should have another winning season. People shouldn’t be disappointed, however, if we don’t equal last season’s success. I do think this team is better, but the sked is ruthless. If we go 11-5 again and win a playoff game we deserve to be talked about with the big boys.
Greg From Marietta
July 10th, 2009
11:17 am
Bring on the Season!! I’m suffering from Football withdrawal.
Marcus
July 10th, 2009
11:20 am
MB,
I feel you. Every team I pull for (ATL franchises and my alma mater, Florida A&M) I always approach the season with cautious optimism, never underestimating an opponent, and always wary of intangibles and unforseen circumstances that could undercut expectations.
Good interview.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
11:30 am
While I don’t think we’ll see the kind of “break-out” year we had last year, I think we”re still looking at a winning season and and what I hope is the beginning of long-term success.
Now, on to more important things. Will Arthur Blank’s next move be purchasing the Braves? Say yes, say yes, say yes…
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
11:32 am
AUTHUR BLANK! YOU ARE THE DEVIL! YOU NEED TO LOSE ALL YOUR MONEY FOR THE SORRY WAY YOU DONE VICK! ALL OF IT! YOU CANT GO AROUND TREATING GOOD PEOPLE LIKE THAT! VICK MADE YOU RICH AND THEN YOU STAB HIM IN THE BACK! YOU ARE GOING TO BURN FOR WHAT YOU DONE VICK AND MV7 THE MAN WILL HAVE HIS REVENGE ON YOU WHEN HE WINS THAT SUPPER BOWL TROPHY SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHOUT YOU OR ANY OF YOUR HELP OR MONEY! WE STILL GOT YOUR BACK MIKE!!!!!!
Greg
July 10th, 2009
11:33 am
It’s all about the schedule, full of really good teams (and a couple much-improved teams). Are we a better team this year? Probably. But we’ll be no better than 8-8. One has to say that our defense is, against the standard of our competition, currently below average.
Michael
July 10th, 2009
11:34 am
I really hope the Falcons make it to the SUPPER BOWL
Herschel Talker
July 10th, 2009
11:40 am
FALCONS SORRY is a racist. No question. And he likes men.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 10th, 2009
11:46 am
Arthur Blank was rich before he bought the Falcons. That’s kinda how he could afford to buy the team.
More gushing for the Falcons? Now I'm worried | Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
11:47 am
[...] starting to wonder if I’m alone. So I spoke with the man who owns the Falcons, and if you click here you’ll discover whether Arthur M. Blank is as skittish as I [...]
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 10th, 2009
11:47 am
“We’re Dooomed” Glump
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 10th, 2009
11:49 am
Hey Michael, me too, I’m hungry. Whats on the menu.
some sense
July 10th, 2009
11:57 am
Good God, Mark…where do some of these loonies come from? Heck, MV7 can win the “supper bowl” every night.
jimmya
July 10th, 2009
11:57 am
the braves need management like this FIRE WREN
Lou
July 10th, 2009
11:58 am
FALSONS SORRY You are delusional!!! “VICK MADE YOU RICH AND THEN YOU STAB HIM IN THE BACK!” Arthur Blank was a billionaire when Michael Vick was still in high school. Arthur Blank made Vick rich by signing him to a ridiculous contract extension. Vick stabbed Blank, the Falcons, the city, and the fans in the back with his careless disregard for the law….Blank didn’t do anything to Michael Vick excpet make him rich. Vick did all the damage to himself. It’s called personal responsibility for your actions.
chzbykr
July 10th, 2009
12:12 pm
Yeah the supper bowl ; where Mike asks” would you like fries with that”.
Andyman
July 10th, 2009
12:18 pm
That was the most pathetic rant FALCONS SORRY. Vick was the one who broke the law by being the money man in a dog fighting operation, and taking part in killing some of the dogs. I’d say he did it all to himself, but I hope he wins the supper bowl too. That’s the closest he’ll get to the Super Bowl.
Terrell
July 10th, 2009
12:19 pm
FALCONS SORRY,
Please you’re embrassing intelligent guys like myself with all this he did Vick wrong, and for the record Blank was already rich. He was the co-founder of Home Depot which flourished under him. It’s more and more obvious that no matter how good this team does there will be people like you who think Mike can do no wrong and there are those who think he’s corrupt. Between the 2 extremes, there are fans (black and white and yellow, red, and maybe ivory) that are ready to move on and enjoy Atlanta Falcons’ football.
NCFalconFan
July 10th, 2009
12:19 pm
Bradley, how can I get your job?
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
12:20 pm
Thanks, Marcus, but there really wasn’t much to this interview. I asked one question. Blank answered it. (He gives extensive answers.) Then we talked for a minute. Then we hung up.
roan st
July 10th, 2009
12:22 pm
I think not signing foxworth will come back to haunt them. This is the only move I have questioned since the new management took over the team. Maybe they will prove me wrong again and some of these young corners will step up to the plate. The health of Abraham and the youth of the secondary has to be the two biggest concerns that i have for this team. I wish the falcons would have went after Jason Taylor because he would have been a wonderful insurance policy for ABE. Plus I believe he signed just a one year contract with Miami.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
July 10th, 2009
12:23 pm
The Falcons will be much improved this upcoming season. Adding Tony Gonzalez was a brilliant move! The offensive unit, with Turner, Ryan, Gonzalez, White and the rest is going to be as productive and as explosive as that of the Cardinals. The defense, which played exceedingly well last season will be improved as well. The Falcons will, for the first time in their history, have consecutive winning seasons. They will also, for the second time in their history, go to the Super Bowl. Before last season, I predicted the Falcons would win at least nine games. My prognostication was in direct opposition to yours. You said the Falcons would settle for a five win season and be happy if they won that many. I based my guess on the atmosphere I saw Dimitroff and Smith constructing and that’s only gotten better. This is not a fluke team! Faith is based on things not seen but believed in anyway. It no longer requires faith to believe in the Falcons. We’ve seen them rise up out of the despair of constant losing. They are now one of the best teams in the NFL. The record this season will be 12-4 and they will go to the Super Bowl!
Terrell
July 10th, 2009
12:24 pm
jimmya,
The Braves do have management like this. They are getting rid of the old timers slowly but surely to give their young talent a chance to play. What has to happen is change in coach so that we won’t be seeing Bobby’s favorites out there. It took 2 seasons before Prado got his chance to start when he was clearly better than Johnson, and the same for Diaz. I do see your point however, the Braves did give Chipper a 3 year extension evern though he hasn’t been healthy the past 4 or 5 seasons, but I digress
Paddy
July 10th, 2009
12:25 pm
Falcon Sorry… I am happy for Mr Blank and proud. He treated Vick like any employer would treat a lier and now a convicted felon. He showed him the door and said never come back. A tip of the hat to Mr Blank. We as fans now can also be pround we have team players who are good citizens.
Bryan G.
July 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
I just don’t know how the Falcons are going to pull off a big year with all the holes they have on defense. They still need a shutdown corner and better linebacking. I think 8-8 is about right.
Supes
July 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
Mark,
I think 12-4 is definitely achievable. All of the people with the “schedule” crap, tell me how do you know exactly HOW good will those teams be the week the Falcons play them? You just never know! Tom Brady can blow out his knee again, then what? Will you be afraid of the “big bat Pats still?” All I’m saying is, the schedule is what it is, nothing more. You don’t play football on paper.
The Falcons will be IMPROVED on offense for sure, and let’s hope Defensively as well, if our top Defensive Players picked in the 09 draft can step up!
Last year we went 11-5, should have beated the Saints (away game) and Denver (home game), we were 1 play away from winning each game, so we could have went 13-3.
I know people look at the darn schedule and are afraid to predict anything more than 10 wins, well fine, I’m saying 12-4 right now. I guess we’ll see who’s right or wrong in six months!
Atlanta Falcons will be NFC south champs, have a bye week and host a 2nd round playoff game. How does that sound. Now it doesn’t guarantee a darn thing, we saw what happened to the Panthers last playoff season…but that’s my predicition and expectation of this 2009 Falcons team.
Skirt Chaser
July 10th, 2009
12:33 pm
While Bernie Marcus was widely recognized as the “Brain” behind Home Depot, Arthur Blank was considered the “Genitalia.”
Settled any sexual harassment lawsuits out of court lately, Artie?
Matty Ice
July 10th, 2009
12:37 pm
Mark,
I agree with your assesment of the Falcons at 10-6. Actually even 9-7 with the much tougher schedule will be an accomplishment. With the NFC South playing the NFC East and AFC East this year, I believe 10-6 would win the division. I also believe that the only playoff bound team in the NFC South will be the division winner due to difficulty of schedule.
Bottom-line, if Falcons go 9-7 or better, I think it will be a sign of improvement.
Mac
July 10th, 2009
12:43 pm
If there’s continued growth on the part of Matt “Red” Ryan and the younger, faster defense is also better, the Falcons will have a great year.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
July 10th, 2009
12:47 pm
Last year I more wished than predicted that the Falcons would go 5-11 which would be 1 greater than the previous year. To my great joy (and countless others) they went 11-5.
This year, I am wishing that they will go 9-7 and break the “curse.” Of course, I would love to see them actually WIN the “Supper” Bowl, but I must say, that I love this team and if they go 0-16, I will love them no less.
I can’t wait for football season (the only sport I care for) to start so that I can make nachos and watch my favorite team (two guesses – the first of which does not count) take the field.
I am nervous about the defense, but after last season, you just have to trust the judgment of those who make the decisions. I feel great about the offense, and I am sure they will keep us in EVERY game. We will probably see some high scoring games, as well.
Finally, can’t we just all get along. Can’t we just focus on our team and be thankful that this city has one of only 32 teams in the world. Everybody, take a deep breath and repeat after me:
GO FALCONS!!!
rebar
July 10th, 2009
12:48 pm
Mark, do you have to keep bringing up that loss to Dallas? I destroyed some perfertly good furniture that day. Don’t know where Ed Jones or Rick Byas are today, but I hope they’re miserable!
Clay
July 10th, 2009
12:48 pm
Let’s stop talking about the schedule. No one ever says “The Pats should be good this year, but look at their schedule! The Colts are pretty good, but the schedule is a killer!” If the Falcons win, then the only talk about the schedule will be about the bad luck of the opposite team because they have to play the Falcons…
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 10th, 2009
12:51 pm
Mark, tell the truth, you are FALCONS SORRY. You are the David Paul of the newspaper.
EW
July 10th, 2009
12:56 pm
Falcons Sorry, let vick go win that “SUPPER BOWL” wherever he wants. Maybe he should go to Cleveland, there fans have a Dog Pound there, he’d be right at home. MV7 should that ARTHUR BLANK for giving him the money to finance his dog fighting ring. I guess that’s what happens when you give someone young and dumb too much money. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree though, look at his brother, or should I say BRO so you understand, he’s a F**K up too.
EW
July 10th, 2009
12:57 pm
damn, my typing skills are falling off. MV7 should **thank**
matt r
July 10th, 2009
12:59 pm
AB, buy the Braves!
Phil McCrotch
July 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
Supper Bowl! Priceless. Too many jokes. Yeah, type in all caps there pal…we can’t hear you!! Supper bowl. What an idiot!!! I can’t stop laughing!!
DC from Conyers
July 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
Sorry Falcon’s has been smoking something that is not legal. Aurthur put all of his confidence in MV. He trusted him and treated him like a son. I so think MV ought to have a chance to proceed with a career. He has served his time for ADMITTING to a felony. I wish we here in ATL would never print his name in the ajc, I mean never. I am so sick of hearing about him. Way to much baggage with MV.
I am proud of the Falcons for being smart to hire Thomas and giving him control of the team. He is a bright young man and looks like he has made all the right decisions. The Falcons will be fine this year and years to come. The off seasons acquisitions will improve the team Aurthur is a Great owner, if you don’t believe this you have not been a fan of the Falcons to long. Thanks Aurthur and Thanks Falcons, looking forward to the season. Good luck.
falcon fan
July 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
i couldn’t agree with you more, tjhook. He(surviving home park resident)was doing well until he showed his true ignorance
FalcTech
July 10th, 2009
1:06 pm
FALCONS SORRY, Go wash your two brain cells its time for “Supper Bowl”
Greg
July 10th, 2009
1:07 pm
Algonquin J. Calhoun: the defense did NOT play “exceedingly well” last year. We ended the season ranked 24th out of 32 teams in overall defense. We were behind every team in our conference, too: Jacksonville (17), Carolina (18), and New Orleans (23). We THINK our defense will be better, but actually it’s just a wish/hope. Even if it is better, how much better does it have to be, given our schedule this year, which is much tougher than last year. We have been very tight with the free agent money, as has been mentioned. I think it likely this will come back to bite us on defense. We have no proven pass rush outside Abe. Corners? Who? Linebackers? Average.
Phil McCrotch
July 10th, 2009
1:08 pm
oh, and I love the line “YOU CANT GO AROUND TREATING GOOD PEOPLE LIKE THAT”.. Good people? Good People??!!! OMG this guy should be a standup comedian. Order me a coffin dude cause you are killing me!! HAHAHAHAH!!!
dap01
July 10th, 2009
1:09 pm
It will be nice when we can one day discuss the Falcons without mentioning Vick. He is a plague to this team.
We have very good personnel, coaches and management. That’s such a pleasant change!
Jeff Burrows
July 10th, 2009
1:17 pm
Then stop mentioning him.
Sag Pants
July 10th, 2009
1:19 pm
I “made nachos” when I absent-mindedly stepped off the curb when they delivery truck was coming through the intersection.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
1:19 pm
Mentioning who?
Buzz
July 10th, 2009
1:23 pm
Falcons Sorry is delusional . . . he probably voted for Obama as well . . . God help us.
FalcTech
July 10th, 2009
1:25 pm
Mentioning anyone from VT
DC from Conyers
July 10th, 2009
1:32 pm
Take Sorry Falcons Laptop from him!!! dc
Mac
July 10th, 2009
1:34 pm
Um, Greg. Jacksonville is not in the Falcons’ division, or even the same conference. Thanks for playing, though.
Quick
July 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
Man, Bird season is almost upon us. I decided to check up on my fellow bird fans and alas…the same blogs as last year. Maybe I need to jump over to DOL’s blogs to find VS and VS2. Unless they were reincarnated into FALCONS SORRY. Nevertheless, it’s still good to hear from the ones who actually enjoy watchin the Falcons and pull for em no matter who’s on the roster. So, lets see what we can do this year and its supper bowl bound baby!!
Jeff
July 10th, 2009
1:43 pm
If the Falcons can start to win consistently it will lessen the sting of watching the Braves tank. Go Falcons.
Vick Bytes
July 10th, 2009
1:48 pm
To sorry Falcon: I CAN’T BELIEVE there are still MV (dooshbag) syncofants out there. Gee, I bet you love white people, don’t pay child support, don’t know the names of all your children and wear number 7 proudly.
hop
July 10th, 2009
1:52 pm
i sometimes wonder why an owner would place undo pressure on his team when we will all will know soon enough if the team is going to be better.
arthur, let the coaches,players play and make the commentsfor the team,so far it has worked especially after you get your noise out of the way with previous falcon teams!
Terrell
July 10th, 2009
1:55 pm
Hey Buzz,
Am I delusional too? Could be worse I mean there were others to chose from…
Vick Bytes,
What? come on are you serious one racists post doesn’t deserve another. What kind of man are you to say what you just said. That’s like me saying you love black people, you wear for favorite pair of one strap overalls, and you have the confederate flag waving proudly in your front yard.
Terrell
July 10th, 2009
1:58 pm
It’s funny when we were winning before new management nobody said we were disfunctional. Shame how people can turn.
TMoney
July 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
I am quietly optimistic about this season. As I like to do, here is my prognosis for this year, broken down by game.
1 Miami – Miami, like the Falcons, were a surprise team last year. This should be a good match, one I see the Falcons pulling out.
2 Carolina – I think, like last year, the NFC South is going to be a tough Conference in home games. That’s why I’m taking the Falcons here.
3 @ New England – Here is a key for the Patriots: How well has Brady recovered from the torn ACL. History shows that it usually takes 18-24 months before a full recovery is made. That said, too tough to knock off the Pats at home.
4 BYE WEEK – Just put it in here to say I hat a week 4 bye.
5 @ San Francisco – San Francisco is much improved, Singletary has this team looking like they are a year or so away from contending. That year or so will help the Falcons win.
6 Chicago – Like last season, this will be a tough game. Both teams have new offensive weapons in Cutler and Gonzalezs. Last year’s game went down to the wire, and this one will as well, with the same result.
7 @ Dallas – The Cowboys got rid of TO, which could hinder their offense. However, he was also a cancer in the locker room. Still, his talent will be missed and the Falcons will squeak by.
8 @ New Orleans – Coming off of two brutal game, the Falcons will travel to New Orleans. I said before, home field means a lot in the NFC South, and it will here where the Saints knock off the Falcons.
9 Washington – Haynesworth was a huge edition for the Redskins, but they also managed to alienate their QB. This team could be imploding at this point, and the Falcons will score on Hall just as they did last year.
10 @ Carolina – You could really consider weeks 6-11 a nightmare for the birds. The NFL did them no favors, as they go to Carolina starting to look a little beat-up. Panthers win to even the season series.
11 @ NY Giants – The Giants defense is one of the toughest in the game, and the Falcons look to have one of the most explosive offenses. Unstoppable force meets Immovable Object? I’ll take the Giants to not buckle in this one.
12 Tampa Bay – When a game vs Tampa Bay can be considered a break, that means either they are really bad or the schedule is tough. A little of both here as the Falcons stop the losing skid at two.
13 Philadelphia – Last season, teh Falcons lost on what could be seen as a bad call by the refs. The Falcons are better and have a little swagger. The home game helps too.
14 New Orleans – No one in the NFC South like to lose, and having already lost to the Saints once, look for the Falcons to rebound and take care of business in the Dome.
15 @ NY Jets – A potential trap game, expect the Jets to be led by Mark Sanchez, but I also think he’ll have hit the “rookie wall” at this point. Falcons take their 4th in a row.
16 Buffalo – Another interesting game, the story at Buffalo this season will be TO. Will he be a cancer to this locker room? Where has he not. Falcons win again.
17 @ Tampa Bay – I’ve got the Falcons at 11-4 coming into this game. Most likely, they’ll have locked a playoff spot if that’s the case. Still, this team plays through until the end and gets their only road NFC South win.
So there’s my prediction, 12-4 with a few huge wins. This team will be a little banged up, but if they reach that 12-4 mark, they’d get a much needed week of rest before the playoffs start.
Hollywould
July 10th, 2009
2:14 pm
Mark, STH since ‘92. I am pumped for this season. We seem to have a direction finally. Nice article.
Chris Broe
July 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Last season still hasn’t been explained to my satisfaction yet. It’s great Blank thinks we can do better, but he needs to tell how we lost that playoff game last season.
Chris Broe
July 10th, 2009
2:23 pm
Can we revive the dance called the “dirty bird” and maybe put a michael jackson move in it, you know, sort of update it? Would be a groove, all I’m sayin’
NoleRick
July 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
First and foremost lets work on getting that winning season! Man I cant wait til the season!! I think this “Process” will take us to the Lombardi!
Barry
July 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
Hey Y’all:
It’s going down in “ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!”. “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. No if, ands, or buts, this “TEAM” will be playing as solid as a rock when the season starts. The tougher schedule means nothing. The teams on that schedule are “damned scared” of these FALCONS. I love the game because every game this season will be competitive and exciting with our birds coming out on the winning end. The schedule is for “CHAMPIONS”. Our FALCONS love the challenge and are youthful, agressive, quicker, stronger,creative, and “NASTIER” to take this thing to another level. And that is to the SUPER BOWL: The ultimate goal. Our coaches are “CHOMPING AT THE BITS” just like the players. And we, as FANS, are ready to cheer, holler, and talk trash to all fans of opponents away from home and at the GEORGIA DOME. This is “OUR TEAM”: THE ATLANTA FALCONS. And “WE”: THE TEAM, THE FANS, THE COMMUNITY, are together in this in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. The “PROCESS” continues, and we are “TOGETHER AND READY!!”. We are “TOGETHER” in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” So let’s get it on!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!…………….
LFP6
July 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
to Falcons Sorry:
HAH! Yeah, Vick can compete in the Supper Bowl…on the Food Network!
The Commissioner is not going to reinstate Vick anytime soon, and would you care to know why? Vick has made no real effort at being penitent or humble for the atrocious acts he committed. Yes he’s served his time, but in the NFL, you need more…a LOT more.
NOW back on the real topic:
On paper, we have one of the BEST offenses in the NFL. I can easily see a winning season for this team; the only way we don’t get to the playoffs is if we are hit with severe injuries to key players.
As it stands, I see 12-4, and we advance to the 2nd round.
tale of woe
July 10th, 2009
2:36 pm
Just thinking about pro-football has me all tingly inside. I can not wait!
Okefenokee Dawg
July 10th, 2009
2:45 pm
Mark, how historically accurate has the “sophomore jinx” been? What were the sophomore records of some of the other known quarterbacks?
rainman
July 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
Mark, do you have accurate knowledge of where the Falcons stand on their salary cap figure? I’m hoping they still might add another CB and OLB before the season starts (like they did Foxworth last year).
willie
July 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Why does everyone keep acting like Foxworth is the next coming of Champ Bailey. He is a decent corner but not a difference-maker. He has 4 picks in 4 seasons. He is a nice piece if he is on a good defense (like he is now with Baltimore), but we certainly should not have paid him anywhere near what they did….$17 million guaranteed? No way. We are trying to build the defense with speed through the draft (with a few moderately-priced free agents sprinkled in). This is the way to go. Go Falcons!
Jimmy Shlager
July 10th, 2009
3:08 pm
I pray the “Process” produces “SUPER” results!!!!
GO FALCONS:-)
Guys Big Bite | All Days Long
July 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
[...] Arthur Blank: “No question we have a better team” Atlanta Journal Constitution – GA, USA I think it likely this will come back to bite us on defense. We have no proven pass rush outside Abe. Corners? Who? Linebackers? Average. oh, and I love the … See all stories on this topic [...]
WCJ
July 10th, 2009
3:14 pm
I think with the offense the falcons will have, even if the defense is rated number 20 in the leaque, they will still win 10 games.
Jamaaliver
July 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
First?!?!?
doo mauh mauh maunz
July 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
With ya LFP3!!! 12-4!!!!
DAVID
July 10th, 2009
3:33 pm
IN THE NEXT 2 OR 3 YEARS THE FALCONS SHOULD BE PLAYING FOR THE SUPER BOWL…THE OFFENSE IS READY,THE DEFENSE IS ALMOST THERE,NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS I THINK THEY SHOULD FOCUS ON THE SECONDARY…
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
YOU PEEPS AINT EVEN ON MY LEVEL MAN. MV7 WAS THE BEST QB WE EVA HAD AND NOW HE GONE. AUTHUR BLANK BE TREATIN FOLK LIKE GARBAGE. WE AS FANS WONT STAND FOR THIS. HOW YOU GONNA TREAT A MAN LIKE THAT JUST CAUSE HE BLACK. YALL RACIST. YOU AND AUTHUR. ITS ALL ABOUT THE WHITE MAN AND THE WHITE QUARTERBACK. ONE DAY YOU BE SORRY… WHEN VICK BE WINNING THAT SUPER BOWL. FOOLS!
FalcTech
July 10th, 2009
3:53 pm
FALCONS SORRY, are you truly as big an idiot as you appear to be. The Ex-QB will be lucky to play anywhere and if he does they will figure his game out quicker than they did the last time he played…runner maybe, QB no way in he!!
Sam
July 10th, 2009
3:58 pm
Over under in Vegas is 8.5 for Falcons! Time to make some money betting OVER!
willie
July 10th, 2009
4:04 pm
I am seeing 9 wins as the Vegas total which is about right on the money, I think.
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
4:07 pm
YOU WHITE FOLKS BE HATING ON MIKE VICK!
Jack
July 10th, 2009
4:13 pm
Mike WHO?
Nativebird
July 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
If we go 9-7 it will be a glorious achievment for the franchise, and a terrific year with a VERY very tough scehdule. Have lived through ALL of those franchise let-downs and bad breaks…and it is clear what this team has to do…play well enough to overcome the INEVITABLE bad-break and blow-up that will indeed happen. bank on it. so be prepared for it. I think Smitty is tough enough to handle it, and Thomas, coming from the “Patriot way”, doesn’t even THINK about it. His “That was then, this is now” attitude is awesome.
Michael Vick
July 10th, 2009
4:15 pm
Thanks FALCONS SORRY,
Can you scratch your chin? My balls are itching…
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
4:15 pm
Dan Marino made the Super Bowl — for the one and only time — as a second-year man. Ben Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl as a second-year man. Along with Matt Ryan, those are widely considered the greatest rookie QBs in league annals.
Brownie
July 10th, 2009
4:15 pm
First of all, all of you responding to Falcons Sorry are just playing into his fun….he’s actually a white lawyer and just getting everyone fired up. Just ignore him.
Now as far as the ‘09 Falcons, barring injuries to key personnel I would bet that they’ll find a way to have a winning season. Everyone talks about how much harder the schedule is than last year, however keep this in mind: all of our NFC South opponents play the same out-of-division teams also. So, the real question is how will we stack up against Carolina? Tampa and NO should be chasing us.
One schedule quirk that does NOT favor us…I think about 4 of our games are against opponents coming off a bye week.
Let’s all just enjoy this ride and keep our expectations a little in check…this “process” as TD and Smitty call it, is coming along fine but will likely take a couple more years to reach the top.
Tman
July 10th, 2009
4:16 pm
I think those of us who blog here regularly should start taking bets on the future date when the convict formerly known as the Falcon’s quarterback will not even be referred to. Sometime in 2009? 2010? FALCON SORRY- You are sorry!
Jack in GA
July 10th, 2009
4:16 pm
Good comparison ,MB…
Helps to ease the nervousnous I have over you picking a winning season for the Falcons.
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
4:20 pm
I BE THE COMMON UNEDUCATED NEGRO. I BE THE REASON ATLANTA SUCKS. MV7 4 LIFE!
Bad News
July 10th, 2009
4:22 pm
So the owner says this is a better team? Let’s take a closer look shall we…….
No playoff wins since 2004
Lost Brooking, Boley, Foxworth, Grady, Milloy.
Then there is rumbling with Roddy White & John Abraham who are not happy about the “crap” pay they are receiving – player hold outs?
If the owner thinks this team is better, well he must have a very low perception for success. Who wants to make the playoffs and don’t win them.
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
HEY BROWNIE! I AINT NO WHITE LAWYER. I’M A MIKE VICK FAN. IF YOU CANT UNDERSTAND THAT THEN YOU NEED HELP JUST LIKE THIS TEAM. WE WILL NOT WIN WITHOUT MV7 AS QB. AUTHUR YOU WILL WISH YOU NEVER STABBED MIKE VICK IN THE BACK BECAUSE HE WILL WIN THE SUPPER BOWL. YOU HURT THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY DOING THAT! WE NEED CHANGE ON THE FALCONS. WE NEED MIKE VICK BACK!
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
4:24 pm
THAT LAST POST AT 4:20 PM WAS A RACIST IMPOSTER.
Brownie
July 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
There…Falcons Sorry just gave you proof that he is not what he trys to portray. Nobody who would use the phrase “I be…” would know how to spell “uneducated”.
Oh, and just for heck of it…I would predict that Vick will NOT play in the NFL this year, and it has nothing to do with his foray into dog fighting, felony conviction or even lying to Goodell.
There are two reasons he won’t participate: he failed a drug test while going thru the legal process (and he was already in the NFL’s drug program) and he was involved heavily in illegal gambling. Goodell HAS to suspend him for those two issues – likely at least 8 games, and no team would pick up a guy out of football for 3 years to play QB (or any other position for that matter) this year. Ever hear of Paul Hornung and Alex Karros? Two of the biggest names in ’60’s NFL and both were suspended an entire season for less substantial gambling.
nhe
July 10th, 2009
4:29 pm
lol……..FalcTech (good name btw/I’m with ya) – if you look closely, you’ll see the 2nd FALCON SORRY has a very different writing style than the first one – its not the same guy. This guy is sort of the Fred Sanford version.
To those who keep saying we’re going to miss D Foxworth – you guys need to realize there was no way we could have matched the Raven’s offer there – that would have been foolish and would have left us no additional money to make any other improvements. Speculation also is that a healthy Von Hutchins can do a pretty good poor man’s imitation of Foxworth.
I may be the only one here who thinks that two of our toughest games outside the division will be Chicago and at SF. The NFC and AFC East divisions aren’t quite as tough as people say. Right now, I think I’d rather face the AFC East than AFC South – (Texans improved, Indy, Jags, and Titans)……….and the Giants faded last year, as did the Cowboys (big time) – I think our toughest opponent in that division is Philly – and we get them at home.
That said, I still think we’re looking at 9-7 (4-2 in division, 5-5 outside division). I just don’t think we’ll get through this year without a significant injury to Ryan, Turner, or Abraham. One of those 3 is likely to go down for 4 games or more, and it will hurt. People need to realize that we were amazingly healthy last year. Sorry to be a soothsayer – though I do think 9-7 gets us in the playoffs from this division.
Bad News
July 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
“Mark Bradley” – I have a better quarterback comparison.
Joe Flacco is the only rookie QB to win his first 2 playoff games.
Any comments on that?
One more question for you Bradley:
Mike Vick in his 2nd season and 1st as a starter led the birds to Green Bay and landed the legendary Brett Favre the 1st loss at home in Lambeau.
So this is Matty Ice 2nd season – if he doesn’t lead the birds to at least 1 playoff win this season, does that still mean he is better than Vick?
I mean surely the better quarterback is based on playoff wins – right?
Matty Ice clearly has the better team, as stated by the owner – right?
nhe
July 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
Bad News…….by your logic, Trent Dilfer and Doug Williams (Super Bowl winners) were better QBs than Fran Tarkenton and Jim Kelly (Super Bowl losers)………….come on man.
Jamaaliver
July 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
I’m glad you guys are smart enough to recognize that the individual posting under Falcons Sorry is an obvious impostor intentionally misspelling and typing in colloquialisms as a way to stir up animosity.
doo mauh mauh maunz
July 10th, 2009
4:50 pm
nhe……you beat me to it.
doo mauh mauh maunz
July 10th, 2009
4:51 pm
12-4!!!
Pete
July 10th, 2009
4:58 pm
Injuries.
The only thing that will keep the Falcons out of the playoffs. Injuries.
The franchise is indeed alive and well, the envy of the NFL.
FALCONS SORRY
July 10th, 2009
5:00 pm
AUTHUR BLANK! YOU ARE THE DEVIL! YOU NEED TO LOSE ALL YOUR MONEY FOR THE SORRY WAY YOU DONE VICK! ALL OF IT! YOU CANT GO AROUND TREATING GOOD PEOPLE LIKE THAT! VICK MADE YOU RICH AND THEN YOU STAB HIM IN THE BACK! YOU ARE GOING TO BURN FOR WHAT YOU DONE VICK AND MV7 THE MAN WILL HAVE HIS REVENGE ON YOU WHEN HE WINS THAT SUPPER BOWL TROPHY SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHOUT YOU OR ANY OF YOUR HELP OR MONEY! WE STILL GOT YOUR BACK MIKE!!!!!! YOU HAVE HURT BLACK AMERICA!
Bad News
July 10th, 2009
5:06 pm
“NHE” – You raise a good issue. Lets look into that shall we?
Trent Dilfer, Doug Williams, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly – What do they all have in common?
They all actually won “playoff” games!
Matty Ice, Jay Cutler, Ryan Leaf, Joey Harrington – what do they have in common?
They never won “playoff” games. Thanks for raising that issue.
nhe
July 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
Bad News…….by your logic, Trent Dilfer and Doug Williams (Super Bowl winners) were better QBs than Fran Tarkenton and Jim Kelly (Super Bowl losers)………….come on man.
nhe
July 10th, 2009
5:17 pm
Bad News – welcome to adventures in missing the point………….come on man, seriously. Ryan and Flaco will be judged by their performance over a career – including playoff and Super Bowl wins as one of many criteria.
To make that point based on one season is lame, sorry.
I would not be shocked if Bad News = (original) FALCONS SORRY