Arthur Blank in NFC South Blog
 

Arthur Blank: Saints crossed line - NFC South Blog - ESPN

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For the first time since the story of the New Orleans Saints’ bounty program broke, we’ve got an NFC South owner commenting publicly on the situation.

It’s not New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. It’s Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. During a break in the owners meeting, Blank was asked for his reaction to the heavy punishments given to the Saints. Blank stood firmly behind NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s decisions.

“I think the league has handled it well and appropriately,’’ Blank said. “One of the other owners made this point, but I told the commissioner I totally agree with him, the NFL, outside of our stadiums, the only things we really own are our reputation, our integrity, our shield and the relationship and trust we have with our fans and our sponsors. Anything that’s done that violates that or hurts that, is something that has to be dealt with. My view is that everything the commissioner has stood for since 2006, which has to do with the shield, the trust, the fans and player safety, etc. really that goes completely in the opposite direction based on the New Orleans experience.

“I think he dealt with it appropriately. I think it will be one of the most significant decisions he’ll ever make as the commissioner. I think he’ll be the commissioner for the next 30 years and I think people will look back and say he sent a message to the teams, the players, the coaches, everybody in the NFL and sent a message to the fans that 'This is not what we’re going to have in this league.' I think it was appropriate. Obviously, it’s going to be a hard hit on the Saints, but they’ll recover and time will move on and it will be fine.’’

I asked Blank if he was angered when he saw the details the NFL released from its investigation on how specific players were targeted for bounties. Blank’s team plays the Saints twice each season and the owner has millions of dollars invested in quarterback Matt Ryan and other players.

“I mean, Matt wasn’t one of the players named,’’ Blank said. “But, on the other hand, I’d be hard put to believe that he wasn’t a target at some point, whether he was named or not.

“There’s just not place for that in the game. It’s a tough game and you’re supposed to be physical, etc. but there’s a line there. It’s not even a fine line. It’s a bright line that you just can’t cross.’’

Translation:

just come out and say it blank, ur boy mattie was a target of those bad boys. u just put a circle inside his other circle moron. 30 more years of goodell wow. no wonder ur nose is hell bent. i need to scream like mattie and fits smith.

We only targeted QB's that could actually beat us, Blank.

Given the Saints' struggles vs backup QBs, why would we ever want to remove an incompetent starter?

I shop at Lowes anyway...

Which is why Peyton Manning wasn't on the Saints 'Bounty" list in 2009!!!!!

Arthur's mind is a Blank

True. He does the Jerrah and Snyder thing.
He's the defacto GM, never works well.

Every QB is a target in every game.

Guess what, he's gonna be a target twice in 2012 also.

Might wanna switch to black or brown pants Mr Blank, we're coming after skid britches.

We're running a special for 2012...
PAIN... for FREE!!!

I just can't understand why any reporter would even ask a division rival about this. What's he going to say?

’’ Blank said. “One of the other owners made this point, but I told the commissioner I totally agree with him, the NFL, outside of our stadiums, the only things we really own are our reputation, our integrity, our shield and the relationship and trust we have with our fans and our sponsors.

Yeah Blank, you have none of the above. You Maroon. Blank, what a name, more like his mind is Blank. :rolleyes:

I think he's actually right about that part, but the problem is that the falcons players (for money or not) are out to knock Drew Brees out of the game twice a year, and it isn't like the NFL didn't try to sweep this thing under the rug twice already. Any argument about how what we did "Crossed the line" particularly when he says its a "bright line that no one crosses" is disingenuous. Like most owners, Blank clearly has no idea what goes on in his locker room. Obviously he likes the punishment because it gives him a better chance to win the division. The rest of the answer is BS.

I like how he lumps fans and sponsors together.

I understand that from a business perspective, NFL sponsors are important.

Without fans it is a moot point.

It isn't a chicken/egg argument.

Without fans the whole enterprise is bankrupt.

They made what they perceive as a business decision by harming our team.

Remove the emotional attachment that we have for our teams and you are left with just another pathetic reality show.

To me, it seems that the NFL has forgotten what made them so big......

THE FANS!