Eight years later, the Packers must come to Mr. Blank’s house
That giddy night in Green Bay: Blank, Vick and Sonny Perdue. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Eight years ago, the rookie owner saw his sixth-seeded team upset Green Bay at Lambeau Field on a snowy Saturday night. This Saturday night, Green Bay will play here as the lower seed, as an underdog seeking to unseat a member of the NFL’s upper crust. Because that’s what Arthur Blank’s Falcons have become.
“We’re a relevant team in the NFL now,” Blank said this week. “This is an important team in the NFL.”
Note that Blank chose to use one word twice — “team.”
On the night of Jan. 4, 2003, the emphasis wasn’t so much on the collective as an individual. That famous upset was seen as a function of Michael Vick, described in the fifth paragraph of the Associated Press game report as “the 22-year-old improvisational genius.” But Vick would preside over only one more playoff victory as a Falcon, and he took his final snap for this franchise on Dec. 31, 2006.
Yet here the Falcons sit, the reversals of losing Vick and Bobby Petrino, head coach for all of 13 games, having been rendered a long-ago memory. They were a playoff team in 2008, a winning team in 2009, the class of the NFC this season. These Falcons, simply put, are constructed better than any Falcons have ever been.
Said Blank: “This team reflects Thomas [Dimitroff, the general manager] and Smitty [coach Mike Smith]. This team is very balanced — No. 5 in both offense [points scored] and defense [points yielded] and last in penalties. That’s not a formula for glamorous, but it is a formula for success.”
Back to January 2003: Vick controlled that game in Green Bay and the Falcons became the first visitor to beat the Packers in a playoff game; a week later, the Eagles controlled Vick on a blustery night in Philadelphia and won by two touchdowns. Those Falcons had but one way to win, and that way was tied to No. 7. These Falcons have many ways.
“We’re more balanced,” Blank said. “There’s not a single player who’s the focus. Michael was extremely talented, and win, lose or draw there were people who’d come to watch him play.”
Also this: “I’m thrilled about this year, but also beyond this year — and not just because of our quarterback Matt Ryan. We’re positioned for success for a very long time.”
Blank’s first season as owner was giddy beyond all expectation: He bought the team in February 2002, saw Vick rise from newly promoted starter to Pro Bowl quarterback, saw his team finish 9-6-1 but back into the playoffs when New Orleans lost at home to Carolina on the regular season’s final day. Then the Falcons went to Wisconsin and won, and in July 2003 the team arrived for training camp in Greenville, S.C., widely tipped as a Super Bowl team.
Then Vick broke his leg against Baltimore in the third preseason game, which undid the 2003 season, which led Blank to fire Dan Reeves and hire Jim Mora, who led the Falcons to the NFC title game — also in Philadelphia, also a comprehensive loss — before running out of ideas. So Blank fired Mora and hired Petrino, and by the shank of 2007 this team had become an object of pity: Quarterback in jail, coach in Arkansas.
The Falcons weren’t seeking excellence when they went out hunting a new GM and a new coach in January 2008 — they were hoping for a shred of credibility. They found Dimitroff via webcam and Smith via a series of interviews at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and now Blank’s beloved franchise appears built to last. Which beats the heck out of being built to finish last.
First things first, however: The Packers in another playoff game. Who’s Blank picking? The Pack by a touchdown? “Yeah, right,” he said, unappreciative of the insolence.
Then: “We’re certainly in a better position [as opposed to eight years ago, when the Falcons, as the No. 6 seed, couldn't play a home game] … We’re set up to have a chance to do well. That said, we’re playing a team that travels very well.”
Eight years ago, the Falcons had to go play in the snow to announce themselves to the NFL. This time the road to the Super Bowl leads through Atlanta — where as we know it never ever snows.
By Mark Bradley
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238 comments Add your comment
Al
January 14th, 2011
5:22 pm
Come on people, Falcons Sorry is only trying to stir up mess.Why didn’t you hear much from him when the Eagles was kicking butt. That would have been the time to praise Vick. Falcons Sorry isn’t who he pretends to be, he hates Vick as much as anybody. He just like validating his hate by hearing other hate for Vick.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
Good article. Your article hints at the difference between the current Falcons and Vick’s Falcons. Vick’s Falcons were completely reliant on Vick carrying an otherwise awful team. The current Falcons are not overly reliant on any single player, which means any given “key” player can have an off game and the Falcons can still win. That is a sign of good coaching and good management.
Dave
January 14th, 2011
5:34 pm
Well, I see the testosterone wars are going strong. Here’s my take. I hope the Falcons win. Green Bay could. win. Atlanta could win. But regardless, if I had looked at a crystal ball three years ago and seen the Falcons organization and this level, I’d have gotten a new medium. After 42 years of ineptitude in the whole organization, the owner, the coach, the GM, finally knew what they were doing and have been working in sync together ever since. We finally got it right. Personally, I think we may still be two or three position players away from greatness, but I’ll back this team proudly for what they have already accomplished. And whether or not the Falcons win tomorrow night, win or lose next week, win or lose the Super Bowl this year, they are on the right path. Finally.
Vick Rules
January 14th, 2011
5:38 pm
ryan will choke it up and the falcons will lose to green bay—bet the house on the packers!
nauti-dawg
January 14th, 2011
5:38 pm
GB is geared up to stop the run first – Falcons should come out passing from the git go, then revert to the run.
BirdDawg
January 14th, 2011
5:44 pm
I just want to mention that its not too late to fire Mark Richt. Please God make McGarity fire him..please. Sorry to change the subject.
Go Falcons
Ramguy
January 14th, 2011
5:57 pm
I don’t even know why the Falcons are going to show up. They should just forfeit the game now. After all almost all the “experts” are picking the Pack. Of course many of the same “experts” said Oregon was going to score at will against Auburn. I hope the Falcon’s players are getting a steady diet of all these predictions.
Ramguy
January 14th, 2011
6:07 pm
I don’t know why the Falcons are even bothering showing up. They should just go ahead and forfeit the game now and save themselves all the embarrassment of Rogers and the Packers new found running game of demolishing them. After all the “experts” are all predicting a Pack win. Of course many of the same “experts” said Oregon was going to score at will against Auburn. I hope Smith is giving the players a steady diet of these predictions. I usually don’t buy into these conspiracy theories but the networks and the NFL are salivating over a Bears-Packers NFC championship game so watch for some bad calls by the refs going against Seattle and Atlanta.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
January 14th, 2011
6:11 pm
I believe the national media has always and will continue will hype the teams that have historic winning traditions
regardless of the geogrophical locations. This includes all professional major sports. The Dallas Cowboys are in the same group as the Packers,Bears,Steelers in the NFL.
Atlanta may get there some day in the very near future starting with a win over the Packers.
OldTimer
January 14th, 2011
6:13 pm
Snap the damn ball.
Zen Master
January 14th, 2011
6:20 pm
A lot of pumping for the next Jim Brown (Starks) , as he was a non factor last game. Our defense has come together too, so as the Zen master says we”ll see
SEC MAN
January 14th, 2011
6:40 pm
@CONNIE11:58 A.M.,DID YOU WORK @ BEING THAT STUPID OR……………DID IT JUST COME NATURALLY??!!! I SUSPECT THE LATTER!!!!
kral
January 14th, 2011
6:48 pm
makes feel better when so called experts on the big EEE..almost all trumpet the packers…as Rodney D. use to say the Falcons are getting no respect..glad the game is played on the field not in the media
#1 Blank Fan
January 14th, 2011
7:01 pm
Tomorrow night we get to see the beginning of an era, this is the first day of our new dynasty, these are our new ‘91 Braves, Smitty is our new Bobby, and Ryan our new Maddux, Roddy is our flashy Neon Deion, and Turner is that Brick House we had in Andruw, We got to see Sid slide and I am ready to watch Gonzo go. This is excitement in Atlanta, we have a Football team that nobody appreciates, until Turner makes that final blast from the 5 as the clock ticks 3,2,1 I cant wait to hear it “FALCONS WIN!, FALCONS WIN!, FALCONS WIN!” and I will place that AJC in my bottom drawer sealed just as tight as the day after the mighty Braves started their historic run. It is destiny, you couldn’t write a script any better than this. My son will be telling his kids one day that he remembers his daddy yelling and screaming, jumping up and down hysterically as the Falcons that nobody ever believed in won the first Superbowl of many, as I have told him the same story of me an my father back in ‘91. Rise Up is a perfect theme, I love it…..LET’s RISE UP ATLANTA…..RISE UP!!!!
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 14th, 2011
7:15 pm
Michael Vick
January 14th, 2011
3:20 pm
Yall leave FALCONS SORRY alone. He my homeboy dawg.
===============================
FALCONS SORRY, Run!!!
DogKiller will choke and drown you, too!
take it from me
January 14th, 2011
7:19 pm
We just need to aax the falcons,if they think they can win this game! if they say yes,then thats good enought for me.
SLCPunk
January 14th, 2011
7:54 pm
“If turnovers are even, Falcons are looking at a 5 to 9 pt win.”
“Atlanta beats Green Bay easy on the way to the NFC title. Falcons 33 GB 20—mark it down!”
“Falcons by 10!”
I’m not saying any of you are wrong, but here is one of the most amazing team stats I’ve ever seen:
The Green Bay Packers’ largest margin of deficit at any time during the 2010 season?
7 points. Look it up.
Mr Blank
January 14th, 2011
8:04 pm
I will promise you that Mr. Blans was not a Sunny Perdue fan..
He is a much better and brighter man that that.
Karen White
January 14th, 2011
8:18 pm
A wise person once told me, “You can’t talk to a fool, you have to argue with them.” I’m not going to argue with this fool, Falcons Sorry. However, I will not allow him to besmirch Mr. Blank.
Falcons Sorry, your facts are skewed. To say Michael Vick was like a son to Mr. Blank, I would like to know how can anyone ingratiate themselves on someone else? To correct your obvious inability to see truth, Mr. Blank treated Mike like a son. How did Michael Vick treat Mr. Blank? Like a sucker. He lied to Mr. Blank time and time again. He was a selfish individual who displayed these straits in his professional and personal life. Mr. Blank put his reputation on the line when he stood up for this juvenile delinquent time and time again. When asked point blank if the accusations were true, Mike looked Mr. Blank dead in his eyes and denied them. When Mike couldn’t hide the truth which was coming to light, he finally showed some maturity and accepted his well deserved punishment.
Mr. Blank is a businessman who has a big heart. His philantrophic record speaks for itself. As the class act he is, Mr. Blank never abandoned or threw Mike away like trash. He forgave him (much to the chagrin of scores of people who wanted to burn Mike at the stake). Mr. Blank kept and still keeps in touch with Mike and continues to support him.
In closing, I hope you read my post. Better yet, I hope you understand it. Mike is the reason I became a football fan. His athleticism and energy caught my eye and has kept me pinned ever since. I am a proud #1 FALCONS FAN. Moreover, I’m an unabashed Arthur Blank fan.
Falcons Sorry, you’re sorry. Whether you posted your comments to irritate or get Falcons fans riled up, you’ve accomplished only one thing; showing every reader of this blog you’re a fool.
Ike Skybang'r
January 14th, 2011
9:07 pm
FalconSorry is a white male playing to stereotypes to rile up those that are prone to racist/bigot reactions… Trust me. I am using the force
Coach Mike Smith is good.
January 14th, 2011
9:28 pm
Matt Ryan is good too.
Sarah Palin
January 14th, 2011
9:29 pm
I like to shoot defenseless moose using high powered rifles.
mike
January 14th, 2011
10:06 pm
that was then this is now who cares what means something is now and when all you falcon fans wake up sunday morning will find out that the falcons and all the fans will watch the next playoff game at home lol cause the falcons will lose then yall can remeber this lost and by the way that game then dont mean nothing now
The Boss
January 14th, 2011
10:37 pm
Is “Falcons Sorry” for real? Is it really possible in this day and age that an individual can be that far behind the “curve?” Is he really as dumb as he presents himself or is it simply a means to garner attention and aggravate those that take the bait? Oh well, WHOGAS!
ATTENTION: FALCONS FANS going to the game…BRING IT…AMP IT UP…..MAKE THE PLACE ROCK…DEFEND THE DOME!
Jim
January 14th, 2011
10:41 pm
Turner has to rush for at least 125 or we lose this game. Rodgers is a man and will tear us apart through the air. The only way we win is with rushing and controlling the clock. If Turner is held under a hundy we are done.
Jim
January 14th, 2011
10:42 pm
and go you f*cking Falcons!
Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Mark Bradley
January 14th, 2011
11:30 pm
First
Nathan Deal
January 14th, 2011
11:45 pm
Sonny won’t be at the game. He’s too tired from destroying the State of Georgia.
And Vick won’t be there because he’s too tired from destroying the Falcons.
But GO FALCONS, GO ATLANTA, AND GO STATE OF GEORGIA!!!
Covers Dixie like the Dew
January 15th, 2011
12:04 am
`
Turner the Burner will
smoke
——— some cheese tonight.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 15th, 2011
12:25 am
Falcons win by 7….and all is rejoice by it
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 15th, 2011
12:27 am
it’s my bday and my only gift i want is a falcons win……that and a job
Coach M. Richt
January 15th, 2011
12:33 am
Uh Oh
Sid
January 15th, 2011
1:01 am
chewyandrw
January 14th, 2011
10:10 am
************************************
I was at the Packer/Falcons game @ Lambeau in ‘02, one of the Packer fans knocked my Falcons hat off my head from behind and we started to tussle, got no further really than a pushing match as about 5 GB security were there before I could blink an eye. He got thrown out of the stadium just as quickly as my hat hit the stands. Anyway, I don’t think it would hurt to knock a few cheese bonnets of some heads at the stadium tonight. RISE UP FALCONS
Jim Flox
January 15th, 2011
1:07 am
To start off, Packers fan here. If GB weren’t playing the Falcons, that would be who I’d be rooting for this round. I’m a fan of Matt Ryan, Roddy, Burner and Abraham. I like your team, and I can see a Falcons/Packers rivalry ongoing for the next few (maybe several) years.
As exciting as Vick can be to watch, it was good for the organization, not to mention the team, to bid him sayonara after the whole gambling ring/dog killing debacle.
Anyhow, this game should be an all-timer Saturday night, and I’m looking forward to watching it, not to mentioning being emotionally invested in it, as I expect all you are as well.
May the best team (and soon to be Super Bowl Champ) win.
Eagles Sorry
January 15th, 2011
1:47 am
Falcons Sorry, “The Man” hasn’t been a member of the local team in over four years. Perhaps you should go to philly.com where the Eagles fans are trashing him. “The Man” is the only man that gave “The Man” a raw deal. Mr. Blank had nothing to do with the troubles that “The Man” got himself in. Poor judgement on and off the field is why “The Man” is a bird of a different feather. Again, philly.com is where you want to be. You can even use my moniker.
Rutherford
January 15th, 2011
1:59 am
I’d pay $1,000 to see what Falcons Sorry looks like and to have him shine my shoes while smiling at me. Maybe he could even do a little dance for me when finishes with my shoes.
FYI: Mike Vick purchased the fencing he used for holding those dogs from Mr. Blank’s Home Depot. (Vick even got the employee discount on that fencing, too.)
TheAntiMe
January 15th, 2011
2:29 am
I’d pay $1,000 to see what Falcons Sorry looks like and to have him shine my shoes while smiling at me. Maybe he could even do a little dance for me when finishes with my shoes.
You can put your money back in the bank. Falcons Sorry is a 37 year-old white guy who is a Human Resources executive with a local Fortune 500 company. He gets a kick out of seeing how many people’s feathers he can ruffle (like yours, based on your racist comments) and also craves attention so he sits back and relishes all of the attention he receives from his bogus comments. And yes, I did just give him more attention just now. You’re welcome, Falcons Sorry.
Mora less Petrino
January 15th, 2011
2:29 am
Project 115 warm up; Pipe this into the Packers locker room at 115db, looped! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-xjGdou2iQ&NR=1
Third and Long, “BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Packers are confident” What would the players on any team be saying? “It’s hopeless!” Two weeks is too long for too much talking. Kickoff can’t get here soon enough. GO BIRDS! (Here and Chicago).
House Blueprints - House Plan 17770
January 15th, 2011
3:32 am
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TheAntiMe
January 15th, 2011
3:46 am
Third and Long, “BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Packers are confident” What would the players on any team be saying? “It’s hopeless!” Two weeks is too long for too much talking. Kickoff can’t get here soon enough. GO BIRDS! (Here and Chicago).
GO BIRDS! (Actually, here, here, and in Dallas.)
Dan E
January 15th, 2011
6:32 am
To: Falcons Sorry
You really need to lay off the Mad Dog at least 2 hours before you make a comment on here……because you reallt sound stupid!!! Wait,excuse me…I mean stoopid!! I need to spell it so “you” will get it!!
Blind Willy
January 15th, 2011
7:45 am
Ohhhh but to see Arthur Blank pushing Vick around in a wheelchair again. That image was burned into my mind and I knew Blank was a rich idiot. Now if we could just get him to stop trolling the sidelines like Jerry Jones. Blank, stay in the owner’s suite smoking your $50 cigar and spend some time with your 30 year old wife.
Red Ruffensore
January 15th, 2011
8:01 am
How about a $30 cigar and a 50 year old wife? We’ve come a long way Falcons Fans! Step aside-this is OUR time! Give em the bird, Falcons!
Dixie Normuss
January 15th, 2011
8:47 am
My uncle was a mid-level exec at Home Depot corporate a few years back so he had inside scoop. Blank’s current wife was actually a Home Depot cashier. Blank spotted her while in the store one day. Fast forward several months and he had dumped his then current wife & children and was pursuing the former (much-younger) cashier. What a snake….a rich one…..but still a snake.
Bobby Petrino
January 15th, 2011
9:04 am
Atlanta is the world’s largest outhouse
Navigator
January 15th, 2011
9:26 am
Speaking of scheduling, the NFL is so eaten up with bias, why do the Falcons play either Green Bay or the Packers every year and not Detroit. Also why does the team play Philly every year and not New York or Washington. Oh yeah, when Atlanta plays Dallas why is it mostly in Dallas. My personal opinion is no team show play conference team every year, but rotate amongst the teams. There will be a time in the near future when the teams just mentioned will complain about having to play Atlanta.
Big Al
January 15th, 2011
9:34 am
By midnight tonight Falcons will be known as the “Folding Falcons”.
Bird Droppings II
January 15th, 2011
9:51 am
The Falcons will win by 10 tonight. Both offenses will score 10 points, but Atlanta’s D will cause a fumble and return it for a TD. The final score 17-10.
Bird Droppings II
January 15th, 2011
9:52 am
Atlanta wins 17-10.
crabapplejoe
January 15th, 2011
9:53 am
“Mr. Blank’s House”…..pleeeez…..he didn’t pay for the Dome and neither did Deion.