Arthur Blank just doesn’t ‘get it’
January 11, 2008 at 1:21 pm by Scott Freeman in SportsI hope for the day when the lightbulb finally goes off over Arthur Blank’s head: Running an NFL franchise bears absolutely no resemblance to running Home Depot.
Until then, we’re assured of more episodes of the Falcon Follies as the franchise falls deeper and deeper into chaos.
A few points:
— Blank announced that he wants to hire a general manager, and let the new GM hire a coach. Why then is Blank going around interviewing just about every warm body in the NFL for the Falcons head coaching job?
— What does Blank even know about hiring a professional football coach? After being burned by one former college coach who high-tailed it off to Arkansas with three games left in the season, what does Blank do? He starts to court Pete Carroll, another college coach. Sure, Carroll has NFL experience. But has anyone checked his record as an NFL coach? It’s 34-33. That speaks for itself.
— Rather than hire someone who knows professional football to run the franchise, Blank seems determined to have his hand in every aspect of the team. What potential GM or head coach is going to want to come to a team where the owner is constantly looking over his shoulders?
It’s like hiring Guenter Seeger as your personal chef, then trying to tell him how to cook a soufflé. Arthur, please stay out of the kitchen.
ESPN.com is reporting that Carroll has already decided to decline a job interview with Blank. Can anyone blame him? Is any legitimate candidate going to want to walk into the kind of dysfunction that exists at Flowery Branch?
January 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
An experienced GM can do it, but he can help.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
As a Saints fan, I’m amused that Blank is making Tom Benson look good. Never thought I’d say THAT.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Arthur Blank is making Tom Benson look good? Ouch!
The Pardon The Interruption guys on ESPN called the Falcons the 2nd worst NFL franchise the other day, ahead of only Oakland. The team doesn’t have a quarterback, the fans have turned their backs on the team, Michael Vick is in prison, and the players are alienated.
Maybe the Falcons can take out a classified ad: Head Coach Needed For A Fixer-Upper.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:21 am
He did do a good job at Home Depot though.