Arthur Blank. Many people in Atlanta see him as a fantastic owner. And I am not knocking him because he maybe. He maybe a good person, he maybe a great man. I can't judge that.
But....
What I can judge is what has been put in front of fans.
Enter Michael Vick into the NFL. The most exciting qb this era as far as a dual threat qb. Enter the endorsement deals, and enter the Atlanta Falcons. Entering this era in Atlanta, they were playing excellent. They were making the playoffs, they were winning. Something that hadn't been in Atlanta since the dirty bird and the Superbowl year that they lost to the immortal John Elway and the Denver Broncos. There was always the threat of Vick running, but very few people respected the threat of Vick throwing.Now don't get me wrong, Mike Vick's work ethic was not the best, he was immature and got himself into numerous sitations, like the shooting the bird incident as well as some other questionable pr moves. But you look at what Vick had on offense.. Hmmmm
You are looking at Warrick Dunn, who in my opinion is a solid back. Reliable. Okay. Algae Crumpler, who was Vick's best receiver in my opinion during the Vick era. They lead the league in rushing numerous years. That in itself is very impressive seeing that Mike Vick is the ONLY NFL qb to run for over 1000 yrds in a season (1039). He and Warrick Dunn became the first 1000 yrd duo that included a qb. In the same breath though, he had a Brian Finnerman, Peerless Price, Michael Jenkins, and a host of many other wr's that just could not get the job done. Roddy White was there when Mike Vick was there. But during his rookie season, as well as other seasons, he couldn't catch a cold in an open wound in an infirmary. A lot of people contribute that to bad general manager moves, but I can't say that I agree with that. Because there were better players out there that Atlanta made NO moves for. Better wr's to put around Vick to make him better. Such as Terrell Owens. Many scouts around the NFL deemed Vick as the qb that was no threat as a qb because he was inaccurate. But he was more of a qb that was no threat because he had one reliable weapon in the passing game. Algae Crumpler.
We all know what happens next to Vick's career. Spirals out of control, gets indicted on dog fighting. Arthur Blank even wants parts of Vick's contract back. The scene of Blank seeming to care about Vick while he was pushing him around has now been wrinkled and torn due to money that Blank wants back for the Falcons.
Enter the Matt Ryan era in Atlanta. The new face of the Atlanta Falcons with a million dollar smile and a great college career at Boston College. They hype is building. Albeit he may not be a dual threat, he is chosen to make the Falcons a legit contender again. And the reports come out that the Falcons are relying on him to be a PASSER, and not a run first QB. Not a good look already.
He has a great rookie season. Roddy White is in contract year. All of a sudden start catches everything. Matt Ryan doesn't have a run game to complement him his rookie year, nor does he have the necessary components to make him an elite qb. Not only do they already have one pro bowl wr, they trade UP in the NFL draft to select Julio Jones. Also they get Michael Turner, a GREAT back that is putting up numbers that make him a force to be reckoned with on ANY down. They also put possibly the greatest TE in HISTORY on the field with him. They put a solid offensive line in front of him, and what do you have. A great record, a great seed in the playoffs, and a first game bow out to the soon to be champions of Green Bay. Anyone else see a discrepancy here? You could put Ryan Leaf with these players and he may muster a playoff birth!
Mike Vick was a Falcon for how long and couldn't get those quality of players, but Matt Ryan is there for 3 years and they attempt to build a dynasty around him. With all due respect to Peerless, he was NOT a number one wr when they signed him from Buffalo. Michael Jenkins, not great enough to spend that type of draft pick on. The feeble attempt was made to get Vick help. But there is NO WAY that you can tell me that they tried to put a team around him that would succeed. Again, the scene that keeps replaying in my head is when Vick broke his leg and Blank was pushing him around on the sideline. Guess he was a short term qb. Seems now the face of the franchise and will be for MANY MANY years to come will be Matt Ryan. Called Matty Ice and hasn't proven himself in the post season yet.
The level of investment shows that. Roddy White Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner vs Peerless Price, Michael Jenkins, Algae Crumpler, and Warrick Dunn.
You be the judge.
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