On Monday, August 5, 2019,Carl DukesandMike Bell(from the 92.9 afternoon show “Dukes and Bell”) showed up to Mr.Arthur Blank’s office to talkAtlanta Falconfootball. 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 toVeterans 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 CoachDan Quinnsaid “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 ManagerThomas Dimitroffagreed on what changes needed to take place.
Julio Joneswill 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.
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 3rd 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 2nd 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.
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, FreddieFalcon, 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.
Halo Board and Roof
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.
View from Sky Bridge
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.
FalconAlley Football 