Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank and Jerry Jones are “OK” now

By Randy Gurzi

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Team owner Arthur Blank on the sidelines prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Team owner Arthur Blank on the sidelines prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

We all can rest a little easier knowing that Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are “OK” following their kerfuffle earlier this year

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has his new contract. He gets five more years, and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is glad that’s the case. As the chairman of the NFL’s compensation committee, Blank was instrumental in extending the contract of Goodell not long after he was widely criticized by several media outlets and the President of the United States for his handling of several issues including player suspensions and his stance (or lack thereof) of the National Anthem Protests.

For the record, I believe it’s a huge mistake as Goodell has been a social media nightmare for the league, but Blank is wiser and much more successful than I could ever imagine, so questioning his desire to keep Goodell in power is of little use. It also makes no difference as it’s a done deal — much to the dismay of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones lobbied for the league to wait on the extension, and for once sounded like the voice of reason considering the black cloud hanging above ‘ol Roger’s head. The outspoken Jones tried to insert himself into the compensation committee and even got under the skin of Blank, as rumors were the two had words about how the situation should be handled.

More from Blogging Dirty

As fate would have it, the two powerful men saw their franchises square off on Nov. 12 — which happened to be the first game Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott would miss of his controversial suspension that started Jones’ desire for change. During that game it was widely noted that Jones and Blank did not get anywhere close to one another.

However, we can all relax now as Blank and Jones are “OK” according to the Falcons’ owner. Following a Wednesday Owners’ Meeting, Blank said the two spoke and all is well in billionaire land.

"“I’ve got a great respect for Jerry,” Blank said according to ESPN’s Jim Trotter. “I spoke to him … on the phone about a week and a half ago. It was a very good conversation. I thanked him, which I didn’t get a chance to do, or chose not to do really, the time we played because I didn’t think it was the right setting.”"

Trotter said in the same report on ESPN that the two men shook hands and Blank asked Jerry if they were OK. Much to the relief of all, Jones confirmed they were.

Again, the extension of Goodell makes little sense as he’s been too heavy handed with some suspensions, while utilizing a “guilty until proven innocent” approach. Then he’s gone incredibly light like with the Ray Rice and Josh Brown suspensions — oddly enough two that had either evidence or actual charges filed.

Next: Seattle loss moves Falcons to sixth seed in playoffs

He also changed his stance on both those soft instances when social media pressure came down on him. He also spent millions trying to determine if Tom Brady knew a ball was flat. Owners seemingly don’t care though, as long as he makes them money.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News