Arthur Blank – FalconAlley Football

Falcons Unplugged with Arthur Blank

September 9, 2020

Recap by Allison Smith

Cover Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Unplugged is special PSL owners call, where PSL owners get to listen and watch Dave Archer interview a player or staff member of the Atlanta Falcons. Tonight, Owner Arthur Blank was on the hot seat. Archer introduced the call, but all questions were submitted by PSL owners before the call.

Mr. Blank immediately began answering fan questions. He said he is most excited that the 2020 season is actually happening. Mr. Blank saluted the NFL and doctors and teams and medical council to ensure everyone is healthy and safe, although he is definitely disappointed to not be able to see and have fans in attendance.

The team is excited and ready to go. They have had a really good, al biet odd, training camp. Mr. Blank noted that Head Coach Dan Quinn did a great job keeping in touch with the players via Zoom or in person. The coaching staff and players have all become experts in technology, and now on the field, they have a great energy and they are all ready to play.

With a great team, bulked up in free agency and the draft, Mr. Blank expects the team to pick up from 6-2 record at the end of the 2019 season and to play at that level and above at beginning of this 2020 season. In speaking with Matt Ryan, Matt feels strongly that we have the offense needed to win games. Our Defense ended ranked 8^th last season, so they can continue to give us a competitive edge and give the ball quickly back to the offense.

One of the biggest challenges during COVID-19 is making sure everyone is healthy. Having a large family, 6 children and 6 grandchildren, Mr. Blank’s first focus was trying to keep everyone safe. Followed closely by trying to ensure the team is healthy and following all of the best protocols. Falcons CEO Rich McKay is very involved in the decision making for the NFL, so we are on the front line of making sure the Falcons are all healthy. We are hoping to have some fans in the building in October. But we will protect our fans and ensure they are safe first.

The NFL requires a family to own the organizations/teams, so the ownership is on the owner to take the financial impact of no fans and decisions can be made with the good of the fan, not a corporation in mind. The good news is, the golf business is booming. So, Mr. Blank is financially ok with the no fans….for now. The loss of revenue will not changes the aggressiveness in the team, going after the best players, paying players, or any changes to the stadium and services once re-openend. Mercedes Benz Stadium continues to be ranked number 1 or 2 in all fan experience polls.

Mr. Blank serves on the NFL social justice league, organizations including the active and retired players, and numerous other committees and organizations. He remains very in touch with all of the discussions and will be truly listening to the social injustice issues that are facing America today. The NFL overall is making huge financial investments in communities and organizations helping those communities. In Atlanta, there is a social action committee on the team, made up of players that volunteered because of experiences or desire to serve. These players steer discussions to affect their home communities, shoulder to shoulder with the team and NFL to affect change. It is not about making instant change, but continuing to move the ball down the field toward constant change.

Mr. Blank encouraged everyone to ensure that they vote in the elections. He quoted a discussion with the late John Lewis, “The most significant protest you can do is to vote.”

To be an Atlanta Falcon, you have to be a good person and give back to the community, not just a good player. As an example, all of the current Team Captains are deeply involved in the community, through donations, volunteering, creating their own charities, and going into the community to lift them up and build partnerships.

Mr. Blank continues his support and praise of Dan Quinn. He noted that midway through the season last year, Quinn recognized and made the change to the coaching staff and some player reassignments. He realized he had spread himself too thin. Quinn has kept to the decisions made late last season, to not be diluted, and let the responsibilities lie where they were. Quinn really believes and lives Brotherhood, it isn’t just a cool slogan.

Although Matt Ryan is the franchise quarterback, the plan for the future, is to possibly play into his 40’s. Mr. Blank commented that Matt is in the best shape of his career, he’s smart and motivated. He is moving quickly and always taken excellent care of himself, still putting up Hall of Fame statistics. He is a leader on the team and becomes more dominant as time progresses. He is always early in and late out of Flowery Branch. One of the best, if not the best, draft move the Falcons ever made. At some point in time, there will be a discussion with Matt and make a mutual decision the years are coming to an end.

Joking with General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, Rich McKay, and Dan Quinn, Mr. Blank suggested cutting the salary of some of the defenders since they will greatly enjoy getting to knock Tom Brady around twice a season, as the new Tampa Bay quarterback. He reiterated that he was joking. But what a joy for those left over from the SuperBowl season to see Brady twice now.

Asked about the rivalry with the New Orleans Saints, Mr. Blank commented that the Falcons still have the win advantage over them, and it is a heated rivalry, no matter the yearly record. It is always very competitive. The NFC South is always competitive and will be even more so this year. Carolina has coaching and quarterback changes, the ever-consistent Drew Brees, and the New England transplants into Tampa Bay.

After purchasing the team in 2001, Mr. Blank has changed personally from his early ownership days. H now realizes that the highs are never as high as the lows are low. “The losses are like daggers, especially certain kinds of losses.” The wins are great, but you have to turn around in a day or two to prepare for the next game. As an early owner, he would take everything home and personally, really feel deeply for the fans, players, families, but realized you have to let it go and not let it ruin or interlope into relationships and daily life. And here I am still pouting and being mean to people have the week after a loss.

Mr. Blank has also learned that you cannot just change coaches on a whim, there is so much related to the head coach, to the rest of the staff, the players that fit into that scheme. There is so much transition time, you need to value the continuity in coaching and the general managers and other staff. Everyone is still held accountable, but let them gel and create consistency. The most successful teams over time have maintained consistent leadership and tweaked other things.

Mr. Blank referenced his book, “Good Company,” noting his 6 core values, and his goal that he learned from his mother, Molly, “You do the right things, for the right reasons and live with the consequences.” Mr. Blank said that, “I live my life with purpose.”

Mr. Blank realizes his responsibility to the fans. Fans do not only give their money, but their time, their support, their enthusiasm – and he wants to bring rings to the city and fans and team.

Mr. Blank ended the call with a “Thank you – Stay Safe and May God bless you all.”

I could not be prouder to call Mr. Arthur Blank my owner.

#RISEUP

FalconAlley Owt

TD and DQ to Lead 2020 Atlanta Falcons

Article by Allison Smith

Photo from Atlanta Falcons Press Conference

December 27, 2019

Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKayand owner Arthur Blank held a press conference Friday, December 27, 2019 to discuss the announcement earlier in the day. The Falcons site and Twitter announced that the team would retainDan Quinn as Head Coach, Thomas Dimitroff as General Manager. Rich McKay will take on an increased role in football operations, where he had been mainly overseeing the new stadium. Raheem Morris will be the Defensive Coordinator for 2020. There was no mention of other coaches, offensively or other defensive/position coaches.

Mr. Blank began the press conference by stating that the last 2 seasons have been a great disappointment and as the steward of the team, he understands everyone’s disappointment. He noted that overall since the drafting of Matt Ryan, the Falcons have been 4^th in the NFC and 7^th in the NFL overall in winning percentage. He noted that consistently is important, with the right things and for the right reasons. Mr. Blank recurring brought up the difference in the first half to the second half of the season. Mr. Blank noted several other leading reasons for the retention of Quinn and Dimitroff.

1- Falcons had two/three-ish new coordinators. Quinn wasn’t fully aware/prepared what all that would take, with defensive coordination and running the team overall and connecting all of the other moving parts. That is when Quinn made the decision that he needed to just be the head coach and gave up the defensive coordination.

2- The change at defensive coordinator also changed the defensive scheme, making the defense simpler, communication was better, moved some players around where they could win more easily. “Round pegs in round holes and square pegs in square holes” as Mr. Blank said. And also saw young talent emerge.

3- The players played hard for the coach and the organization, even when they may not have been in the best position in the first half of the year. With the coaching/position changes, they were able to perform better.

4- Players believe and support the Brotherhood, each other, the coach, and the organization overall.

With the 2017 opening of the stadium, leading the NFL in stadium experience each year, Rich McKay will now be at The Branch at least 4 days a week, working directly with Quinn and Dimitroff, who will now report directly to McKay, instead of Mr. Blank. Mr. Blank will still be in charge and involved, but McKay will be a sounding board and leader with great experience and wisdom with his 25 years of GM and the like experience.

Rich McKay – “We look at this season as one we will not celebrate, but one we can build on.” You can see there was a complete change in the 2^nd half of the season, lots of credit to Dan Quinn, his coaches, and the players. McKay noted this is not a complete turn-around like he has ever seen before. Usually, play will fall off as you are eliminated from the playoffs, but this team has played better and better. “We looked at studies on consistency, what gives us the best chance to win 2020 and beyond.“

Mr. Blank, “We are about winning games and winning championships. It is my belief that this personnel will get us there more quickly than other decisions we could have made.”

Mr. Blank sounded a smidgeon frustrated at the suggestion of constant or quick coaching changes, noting several teams that had down years, stayed the course, and were winning again. He believes that keeping everyone in sync, keeping coaches and management together, not having draft choices from a previous regime. He believes this is the team and the players that can win over time, noting San Francisco, New Orleans, and Carolina tough/competitive wins on the road. The defense moved from 31^st to 6^th in the league. He reviewed Dan Quinn’s self-awareness and willingness to step down from DC and HC to just HC and other changes he was willing to admit and make.

Mr. Blank’s only criticism of Quinn is that he made changes and decisions too late. And “I don’t think he will make those errors again.” McKay will help with that, meeting with Dimitroff and Quinn on these type decisions. “The whole mid-season coaching change has little value.” If you feel like the staff is going to make changes – as you started to see in the 2^nd half of the Seattle game. Mr. Blank stated that you could see that the players were committed. When you see major changes and wins in 7 games, not just part of a game. Mr. Blank believes that Quinn has learned from that and will make adjustments quicker going forward, including mid-game. It is a great credit to these players to make the change, accept the change, and continue to play at 100% throughout the season.

Quinn will continue to have the final decision on the 53 man roster. Quinn, Dimitroff, and McKay will work closely together – discussions and group decisions, no one person will impose their will on the organization.

Asked about the future, Mr. Blank replied that without a crystal ball, “I believe our best opportunity going forward is to keep Quinn and Dimitroff in place.”

With McKay’s experience in football operations, being on the competition committee, his close link to the commissioner, this is not a surprise or big change to move him back to football operations. It is a matter of focus, not change. With the 5 year process of planning and implementing the stadium, 80% of his time was on the stadium, but he was in touch with Quinn and Dimitroff. Now, McKay will be making sure the processes are working and in constant working and talking contact with Quinn and Dimitroff.

McKay believes that the team ended up taking on too much change around all the other coaching, defense and offense leadership.

When asked about deadlines or number of losses to start the next season, Mr. Blank replied that there are no set numbers/parameters set for next season. There is no reason to think that the second half of the season is not sustainable into 2020. With the same coaches, many of the same players, free agency and the draft coming up.

McKay is not concerned about the salary cap, he has lived in that since 1993. He is ready to restructure, resign, evaluate anything and feels confident in the Falcons ability to manage the cap. Mr. Blank called out several players as “guys you would not want to not have signed” Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, Grady Jarrett, Deion Jones, and Devonta Freeman….sounds like he just laid down the Free is a Falcon stamp.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Dukes & Bell Sneak into Mr. Blank’s Office

By: Allison Smith

August 5, 2019

On Monday, August 5, 2019, Carl Dukes and Mike Bell (from the 92.9 afternoon show “Dukes and Bell”) showed up to Mr. Arthur Blank’s office to talk Atlanta Falcon football. I can neither confirm nor deny if they were actually invited, but Mr. Blank did speak with them on a variety of topics.

This interview was the day after the Military focused Fan Day in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Tickets were $5 each and sold out, raising over $200,000 to be donated to Veterans Empowerment Organization.

Dukes and Bell started with questioning the expectations for this season for the Falcons. Mr. Blank’s expectations are for the team to be in the discussion every year, to be competitive each year. He noted the defense is healthy, the team made some good draft choices and FA pick-ups. Mr. Blank loves where the team is right now, but said, “You have to play the games.” He quipped that, “Matt Ryanplays better vertically than horizontally.” Matt is in great shape and he needs to be kept that way. Mr. Blank commented that the staple is a great O and D line to play successfully, carry you throughout the season, and into the colder climates late in the season.

Head Coach Dan Quinn said “the compass was off last year.” Mr. Blank “One of the great strengths of Dan is that he is brutally honest with himself and with me.” Dan looked at his coaching staff and evaluated and made changes. DQ brought in several guys that are familiar with Matt with great offensive minds. With Dan now calling the plays on defense – he will be able to really focus on the defensive plays and players and help with all the current and new guys. Mr. Blank doesn’t think they necessarily lost the compass, but DQ looked without filters and made necessary changes. He and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff agreed on what changes needed to take place.

Julio Jones will be a Falcon for life, and we all know his accomplishments and he will be the highest paid receiver in the NFL….and Ju will be kept healthy and ready for game 1. He is physically and mentally in great shape. There is great trust on both sides, just waiting on his agent to finish talks.

Mr. Blank thinks we have moved from protest to progress. He serves on several NFL committees to help and lead progress and believes players should use their platform to affect change. The league is definitely paying attention to the need for change and the climate of change.

Thanks to Dukes and Bell for bringing us the top interviews.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

FalconAlley at The Draft

Article & Photos by Allison Smith

I was not at the actual draft in Dallas, but I was at the Atlanta Falcons’ official Draft party at Mercedes Benz Stadium, “The Benz Nest.”

This was another great event hosted by Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank. This was a free event for Season Ticket owners, you merely had to register. Much of the stadium and many food vendors were open, mostly the main level and parts of the 200 level. Yet another event where you almost didn’t realize there was not a game to be played by the attendance and activity.

Fans were allowed on the field, where the RISEUP sign was displayed, corn hole was set up, along with many football skill games and local radio and other booths were on the field. Many people stayed on the field the entire time. Several Falcon players were also on the field, signing and taking pictures with fans.

Meanwhile, we were also allowed in the locker room, where my feature photo here was taken. We followed the tunnel along a short path into the locker room where you could see several jerseys displayed. Then you could head back out to the field to hang out or back up to the main level to see the sites or grab some food.

I toured the locker room, chatted with several Benz Nest employees and headed back up. The radio ship of the Falcons, 92.9 The Game was broadcasting the draft and the local commentary leading up to the draft. Randy McMichael, Carl Dukes, Mike Bell, and Chuck Smith provided insight into the Falcons as well as the other teams ahead of the Falcons. I was able to chat with Chuck briefly, but had great time with Carl and Mike, speculating, chatting about FalconAlley Football, and about the event overall. Harry Douglas was on hand for a radio interview, then taking pictures with fans as well. Many current players were on hand to chat with 92.9 The Game as well.

The players that were on hand, spoke to 92.9 The Game, then signed autographs and took pictures as well. There were some on the field, some in the upper level, and at two stations on the main level of The Benz Nest. I worked my way back and forth on the main level, so missed some other great guys, but did get some of my favorites. Unfortunately, the elusive Ben Garland was already in Dallas preparing to announce the 3^rd pick, so he was not available, however, there were some big stars at the Falcons Draft event.

**When they say you can have a pic OR autograph….but Grady knows his biggest fan….**

Grady Jarrett, Keanu Neal, Takk McKinley, Deion Jones were all on the main level, along with numerous cheerleaders. I know that De’Vondre Campbell was at one of the special areas upstairs, as I saw his interview, but he was whisked away. While I missed a picture with Takk, I did see him close up and he seemed like a great guy. Did get pictures with Grady, Kiki, and Debo. Got to chat with them for a few minutes, but of course there was a huge line of us fans running around after all of them.

Overall, it was a great event. I did not stay until our pick as it was so late, but did see many of the early picks as they were displayed on the million tv’s throughout the stadium.

Check out my YouTube channel for my announcement and thoughts on the 2^nd day picks. Our FalconAlley Football Facebook page has pictures from the Draft Day event.

Now, we wait and see how the entire draft turns out for our beloved Falcons.

@FalconAlley Owt

#RISEUP

Welcome the The Benz Nest

August 19, 2017

Yes, that is what I plan to call the brand new and shiny Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, unless someone comes up with a better tag name. None of us have said “Georgia” next to “Dome” in years.

For a full live tour of the stadium, check out our YouTube channel, Falcon Alley24, where I break down the levels and sections in 7, yes, 7, videos as I tour and commentate the sites.

August 19, 2017 will be a day to remember. Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, opened his second home to season ticket holders of the Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons. The best way to describe my day is WOW and THANK YOU Mr. Blank.

Mr. Blank said he wanted a fan focused stadium, well, he certainly delivered. I walked in through Falcons Landing and past the Georgia Dome into the front entrance. Once you pass through security and scan your own ticket, there is a huge open area where the band, cheerleaders, Freddie Falcon, and Felicia, the massive iron falcon, are located. I entered the actual stadium, and if not for seeing the field, would not know I was at a stadium.

The first view is the field ahead of you and Molly B’s to the right. Molly B’s, was of course, named for Mr. Blank’s mother. It has 2 sections of restaurant seating, one of which directly overlooks the field. There are numerous concessions around all levels of the stadium, specialty foods, burgers and dogs, ice cream, even a health food kiosk. And, as promised, every turn is a drink fountain where you can refill your own sodas all day long. There are also recycling containers throughout the stadium, and restrooms around every corner. Did I mention the 2000 TV’s?

Realizing The Benz was not at capacity, there were enough people there to understand the game day concept. All of the first level restaurants and amenities were open and operating, and many at each of the other levels were as well. There are living room set ups with huge tvs in several locations, to include additional screens at the bottom of the main screen which I imagine will show additional games of interest each week. There are lounge areas, charging stations, and standing tables throughout the entire stadium. This should definitely allow fans to come in and eat comfortably early and be ready and seated by game time. You can also eat at a myriad of locations while watching the game at the standing bars around the stadium, again, on all levels.

Speaking of bars, every liquor type seems to be covered and have an inserted bar along the way. Each of these looked like its very own bar that happens to be inside a stadium.

If you want a break from the game, you can check the city view from several locations on each level. The window views of the city are incredible and definitely open up the already huge stadium even more. There are also many photo opportunities, a Budweiser tower, a football field covering a wall, Atlanta United life size coin, and many more. Or, visit the 200 level for the DJ station, where there are tunes and contests, and maybe some celebrity visits.

The main team store is on the main level, but there are large kiosk stores on the other levels as well, so you cannot miss an opportunity to shop.

If you are disappointed to be on the 300 level, do not be. You can take the escalators or elevators (or dreaded stairs – which actually have great views of the city or the lower level crowds), to the level with all the fun. The 300 level includes 2 Sky Bridges and the already famed 100 Yard Club. The sky bridges are over the main entrance, do not contain seating, and provide an incredible view of the field and entire stadium, again, with shelved bars to stand and eat and drink and enjoy the day.

The 100 Yard Club has 9 columns spotlighting players and Head Coach Dan Quinn. I am not sure if these will change periodically, but for now the players spotlighted are Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Deion Jones, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, Jr., Matt Ryan, Desmond Trufant, and Alex Mack. All 4 sides of each column contain pictures and information about the player, their life, an impactful quote, charity work, etc. There are also stadium seats next to the walls between each entrance to the seats, several concession stands, standing eating tables, soda refill stations, and condiment tables throughout this section, that is all on top of a football field painted floor.

I missed the signings, but several Falcon legends were on hand to see the sites and sign autographs for fans as well. I did have a quick run in, almost literally as I was periscope walking, with Ovie Mughelli. Kudos to those that ran across the signings, I heard Ovie, Michael Turner, Michael Jenkins, Rod Coleman and others were there.

Last, but not least, the seats are bigger and more comfortable than the Georgia Dome. Depending on your location, you may have padded seating, cup holders are on the seat in front of you – or on your arm rest, and some arm rests are movable. There is, literally, not a seat in the house that you cannot see everything, the highly touted halo board, the field, the city, everyone else. I was at the stadium for nearly 4 hours and still did not see everything, although I put in a good effort. Mercedes Benz and Delta have ground level sections. Inside includes a lounge and restaurant area, outside, they are fenced in, just behind the sideline.

Special thanks to the Atlanta Falcons for hosting this great event, so that we could all come in and find our seats, see all the sites, and make plans for game day. Now, on September 17, we will all be ready to head in, eat, and be in our seats in plenty of time to cheer for our Falcons over the cheeseheads of Green Bay.

BRING ON THE SEASON!!!

Be sure to check the links on our home page for our YouTube channel and Facebook page for the video tour and pictures.

#RiseUp