Falcons owner: Stick with us, better times ahead

FLOWERY BRANCH - This wasn't how Arthur Blank envisioned it.

Michael Vick can't play, the Atlanta Falcons have lost four in a row and there's plenty of grumbling from those sellout crowds at the Georgia Dome.

``Hey, everything is perfect,'' Blank said jokingly from his office that overlooks the Falcons' suburban practice fields.

Of course, that's not the case. The Falcons owner made it clear Friday that he's not happy with the state of his 1-4 team, which is on the brink of oblivion after a thrilling run to the playoffs in 2002.

``We're not where we want to be, that's for sure,'' Blank said. ``I hope the hole doesn't get any bigger.''

In the meantime, he expressed support for Dan Reeves and the coaching staff, is convinced there's enough talent to turn things around and remains hopeful that fans won't give up on a franchise that has never had back-to-back winning seasons.

``Obviously, it's disappointing for the fans, the players and the coaches,'' Blank said during an interview with The Associated Press. ``But primarily the fans, because they have less control over things than everyone else.''

Any time a team loses, the glare of blame immediately turns to the coach.

Reeves took the Falcons to their only Super Bowl during the 1998 season and the second round of the playoffs in 2002. But those are his only winning seasons in the last eight.

``Unfortunately, Dan has been in this position before,'' Blank said. ``Fortunately, he knows how to work his way out of it.''

Blank said he's satisfied with Reeves' effort if not the results. The owner points to Reeves' achievements: one win shy of 200 career victories, twice the NFL coach of the year, three other times the AFC's top coach.

``Dan is the head coach and he has my support,'' Blank said. ``No question he's struggling this year. But we all are.''

The 59-year-old Reeves is in the midst of a three-year contract that runs through the 2004 season. While Blank has shied away from an extension, he gave no indication that Reeves won't be allowed to finish the current deal.

``There isn't one scenario I haven't thought about,'' Blank said. ``But based on the history and experience of Dan, I have a lot of confidence in him.''

Clearly, the Falcons' troubles began when Vick broke a bone in his right leg during the preseason. He has yet to take a regular-season snap and will miss at least two more games, Blank said. Without their leader, the Falcons are an 11-point underdog at St. Louis (2-2) on Monday night.

In retrospect, the loss of Vick affected the team's psyche.

``When you lose somebody who makes the impossible possible, you can't help but feel the impact in some way,'' Blank said.

Then again, Vick's injury can't be used as a crutch.

``He's not Superman,'' Blank said. ``You've got to have backups who can pick up the slack.''

Doug Johnson has struggled as Vick's replacement, throwing an NFL-high nine interceptions. The Falcons don't have another option since they failed to sign an experienced quarterback during the offseason. Third-stringer Kurt Kittner is clearly not ready to start.

When asked whether the Falcons should have picked up a veteran quarterback, Blank said, ``It's easy to say that now. But that's like putting all the burden on Doug Johnson, and that's not fair.''

Indeed, the defense ranks last in the league in yards allowed, which wasn't what Blank expected when he made coordinator Wade Phillips one of the highest-paid assistants in the league.

``What makes this frustrating is Wade told me a year ago that the defense would be better this year than last year,'' Blank said. ``The players would understand the scheme and he could add more things.''

Instead, injuries and suspensions have hurt depth at outside linebacker and safety. Now that some of those players are returning, Blank believes Phillips can turn things around.

``He's a terrific coach, a creative coach,'' Blank said. ``He'll come up with some answers.''

Blank also spent big money to keep defensive stalwarts Keith Brooking and Patrick Kerney and bring in prominent free agents Warrick Dunn and Peerless Price.

``We're not performing the way we're capable of performing. That's why people are frustrated,'' Blank said. ``We have a better team on paper than we had last year. But you have to play on the field.''

Off the field, Blank slashed ticket prices and with a big assist from Vick's popularity sold out the Georgia Dome for the entire season. But many of those new fans were booing last Sunday, when the Falcons squandered a 20-12 halftime lead and lost to Minnesota 39-26.

``I want the fans to stay the course,'' Blank said. ``I do sense that they know this is just a blip on the charts.''

Two seasons into his ownership, Blank has yet to hire a general manager. Former Washington and San Diego GM Bobby Beathard is a consultant, Ron Hill handles personnel and Ray Anderson crunches the salary numbers.

But Beathard won't stay past the 2004 draft, so Blank intends to hire a GM after the season.

``We continue to look for talent outside the organization and inside the organization,'' he said. ``But it's not a crisis situation.''

While Blank takes a high-profile role, he concedes that he's not qualified to make roster decisions or suggest changes in the play-calling. He does expect results from the people making those judgments.

``I would never say, 'I'm the owner, play a certain guy,''' Blank said. ``At the end of the day, if I don't like their decisions, I'll get someone else to make the decisions.