Mr. Crowe, I want to take this opportunity to just put it all out on the table. First let thank you Mr. Maximus Crowe for allowing me the opportunity to lead this proud franchise. I am a knew GM in this league I am obligated to tell you that I cannot promise you an impact bowl tomorrow. I cannot promise you a playoff appearance next week. What I can promise you are these three things, Hustle, Loyalty and respect.
I will hustle diligently to put a contender on that field and restore pride into this franchise. I will relentlessly and passionately make sure that all my decisions that are to made are made to insure that this franchise is successful.
I will try my very best to create an environment of loyalty through honesty and transparency to my players, my coaches, the fans and furthermore yourself. I will make Atlanta the franchise everyone wants to be part of. The franchise players want to come and end their careers on. A franchise where players will ask us to sign them.
And last but not least, I will respect this organization and its history and integrity. I will respect my coaches and my players in order to create an environment in which everyone will thrive. I will make sure everyone who walks through those doors understand the meaning of respect. Respect in that locker room, out on that field and most importantly when they are out there dealing with the real world they will know they are Warriors and must represent themselves and this franchise.
That is my promise; Hustle, Loyalty and Respect.
Now, down to team business. Atlanta has not had a winning season since season 6 when this franchise won 10 games. Since then this team has become periodically worst winning 6 games than 4 games and now suffering their worst season yet with only 1 win. With all that said, I don’t see failure. I see opportunity. Being at the very bottom only gives us one direction to go, up!
I believe a smart GM focuses on building a solid foundation through the draft. This is why I know this opportunity in Atlanta is appealing to many other GM’s. With 11 draft picks in the first 3 rounds we could be looking at a rise to prominence sooner than later. With that, I believe we can supplement the pieces needed to solidify weaknesses with smart free agents acquisitions. Once that is in place I believe with the right leadership we can land the leadership which will guide our younger players. That guidance and leadership will come from bringing in coaches that can evaluate our talent and put players in the best possible position to be successful.
Now looking at this roster, it needs many pieces on both ends. With that said, this team is not as bad as their record shows. Atlanta is lucky to have one of the best DE in Christopher Chandler locked up for a long time so we can build a defense around him. We need to build from the inside out starting at our interior lines from both sides of the ball. I know with the potential departure of Noah, our offensive line will be my first focus at hand. We will have a lot of money to allocate to make the intelligent improvements. I am about maximizing talent to their full potential that is why bringing in players that fit the system is key. I truly believe that if you put a system in place and have the parts that fit, then success is imminent.
Mr. Crowe, we have the draft picks, the fan base and we have a team that is ready to start winning again.
Mr. Crowe, if I haven’t convinced you, let me leave you with this. I am not a GM that accepts failure. As a new GM you know I have not been tainted. I have no delusion of grandeur from a past GM life where I might have succeeded. I have not been spoiled by meaningless victories or soured by the rejections of players or coaches. I have no gripes with league or any agents. I have no reason to get into a pissing contest with other GM’s that might hurt this franchise. All I have is the knowledge from many years studying this game. I understand all the rules and nuances so you know there will not be any penalty and fines and I am about this franchise first and foremost.
Most importantly Mr. Crowe, while others may see this as the best possible “job” available I see this as an opportunity, an opportunity to bread Warriors, like the great Tribe of the Creek who once scouted these lands, I look to build a force of brave men looking to find their glory through their strengths.
I am prepared to wear the head dress and be the leader of this tribe.
