Who is responsible for turning the franchise around?

by Mattyice318 on Jul 20, 2010 1:45 AM EDT

I'm listening to the Falcoholic podcast right now (great job guys), and you are all rightfully giving Thomas Dimitroff credit for turning 4-12 into a playoff team in just one year. It got me wondering who had the biggest part in turning Atlanta into the team we have currently. Was it Matt Ryan, who had one of the best rookie quarterback seasons of all time? How about Michael Turner, who ran for almost 1700 yards, and provided Matt Ryan with a solid running game? Was it Mike Smith, who coached this team into contention after Bobby Petrino? How about who you're talking about, Thomas Dimitroff? His draft, his moves are just genius, time after time after time. He is an unbelievably talented general manager. What about Arthur Blank? The man behind the checkbook, who brought the personnel to Atlanta. OR another random person, or even someone of big importance that I missed? It is very late right now, and I am tired. Post your thoughts then.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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So we got 2 good seasons.....

It’s not the finish line. Don’t get me wrong this ride has been magical but not complete. I was considering the plight of the more “elite” teams in the NFL and how difficult it is to stay on top. It’s far more difficult than most of us think. Look at these teams and make an assesment: Cowboys, Colts, Chargers, Vikings. I personally think we rank among the teams one step lower more like the Ravens or Jets. I’m not saying those guys are the elite but that they are anual contenders and always on the cusp of a superbowl. We, much like th jets and ravens are surging teams looking to displace those guys as contenders but it’s far more daunting than it seems.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jul 20, 2010 10:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

That's better than we've ever had before.

I agree with you that it’s too soon to call this team elite. But it’s not too soon to notice the change in culture, and to acknowledge a substantial turnaround. In Falcons terms, anything before 2008 is ancient history.

by vanb on Jul 20, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I would replace the Vikings on your elite teams

to either the steelers or patriots.

by Dirtybirdz90 on Jul 21, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Temporary hope...

So the falcons have good seasons under their belt. I don’t think it is too much of stretch to say these past two years have been a little lucky. Matt Ryan did have a great rookie season, but if a slight injury is hurt his statistics as much as last season maybe he should step back and let chris redmond take over. True athletes play big through even the greatest of injuries. Also he better watch out if he continues to forget sunscreen. He may end up dying of skin cancer before he ever has the chance at the playoffs again. As far as Michael turner goes. He needs to step it up. If my thighs were as big as his, i would be rushing for touchdowns every time i got the ball. Mike Smith has done a good job at keeping their hopes up, but maybe he should stop spreading the false hope that the falcons with somehow win a superbowl in this decade. I honestly don’t see them winning a superbowl for at least 30 years. However i do wish the falcons luck. I myself have grown tired of them and think i might become a panthers fan. That team plays with a lot of heart and seems to be on track for getting the lombardi trophy sometime soon.

by blacknblue123 on Jul 21, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Arthur Blank

He set the tone. He decided to go with smart, high-character people rather than flashy, well-known names. From him came the hiring of Dimitroff, then Smith, then the selection of Ryan. But it started with Blank.

by vanb on Jul 20, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I agree (somewhat)

He ended up with the right guys, but don’t forget that Blank was still chasing flashy, well-known names before settling on the Dimitroff/Smith combo…

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Jul 20, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I think it’s too tough to give any single person credit, but I do think you have to start with Dimitroff.

by Dave Choate on Jul 24, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

All of the above...?

I think it’s a lucky combination of multiple people. Arthur finally picked the right guy in Dimitroff, who did an amazing A+ job of hiring Mike Smith, who did a great job of hiring great assistants, who have done a great job of using the talent they already had as well as later round guys and free agents to make the team competitive. I guess it has been the result of a series of decisions and events, each one building on the one before it. Hard work and smart decision makers eventually make a winner, we just did it faster because of guys like Ryan and Turner being somewhat unexpected beasts.

by mjace71 on Jul 20, 2010 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

The person that i say is most responsible for the falcons turning around is....... Michael Vick

Now, hear me out when i say this………
If Michael Vick would have still been with the falcons (disclaimer: i am still a fan of Vick):
1.We would have still been relegated to 8 -8 teams every year
2. Bobby Petrino would still be coach (ugh)
3. The locker room would be a hair’s breath away from exploding all of the time
4. Thomas Dimitroff would not be hired (that gives me the shivers)
There is much more I can say, but I dont think that there is a need. The Vick fiasco made the falcons clean house, and get totally new attitudes in the locker room. That is the reason all of the previously mentioned changes happened. Just something to think about….

by rojohnson_912 on Jul 28, 2010 6:30 AM EDT reply actions