Tag: Falcons GM

Terry Fontenot on sustained success: ‘You have to continue to evolve’

There are many different paths to success in the NFL, but sustained success is something reserved for the truly elite franchises.

There are many different paths to success in the NFL, but sustained success is something reserved for the truly elite franchises. During the Falcons’ search for a new general manager, team owner Arthur Blank made it a priority to find someone capable of creating sustainability.

Atlanta ultimately hired Terry Fontenot, the former New Orleans Saints vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel, for the team’s GM vacancy. Fontenot is facing a great challenge in taking over a cash-strapped franchise that has missed the playoffs three years in a row. On the bright side, the Falcons still have some great pieces and a top-five draft selection in 2021.

In an interview posted on the team’s official website, Fontenot talked about some of the philosophies that he will try to incorporate in Atlanta, including evolution.

“You have to continue to evolve, said Fontenot. “You have your principals but you have to evolve. You have to have the mindset to always be looking to learn. You have to be inquisitive, whether you’re a GM or head coach or really a leader in any department in the building.”

Watch the full interview with Fontenot, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below.

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Arthur Smith on Falcons’ roster: ‘There’s so many good pieces here’

Just as Smith was set to begin his introductory press conference, the team released a video of his first public interview since taking over as coach.

The Atlanta Falcons got their first taste of new head coach Arthur Smith on Tuesday. Just as Smith was set to begin his introductory press conference, the team released a video of his first public interview since taking over as coach.

Smith talked about a variety of things, including his excitement to work with quarterback Matt Ryan, his relationship with new general manager Terry Fontenot, and the overall talent level on the team.

“There’s so many good pieces here,” said Smith. “It’s gonna take the entire team. That’s gonna be the big thing — we’re gonna look for guys that are great teammates and we’re gonna hold our best players accountable.”

Smith continued on, discussing the inevitable change coming to the roster this offseason.

“What the roster looks like today is not what it’s going to look like in June, and certainly not what it’s going to look like in September when we line up in Week 1,” Smith explained.

“We’ll find the best 48 to go out there on Sunday, or Monday, or Thursday, or Tuesday or whatever day they tell us to play.”.

Watch the full interview with Smith below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account and check back for updates after the press conference.

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Twitter reacts to Falcons hiring Terry Fontenot for GM

Today marks a new beginning for the Atlanta Falcons, hiring general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith to help the franchise get back on track after missing the playoffs three years in a row

Today marks a new beginning for the Atlanta Falcons, hiring general manager Terry Fontenot to pair with new head coach Arthur Smith in an effort to get the franchise back on track after missing the playoffs three years in a row.

Fontenot, the former Saints vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel, officially agreed to terms on Tuesday and will introduced by the Falcons later in the afternoon. Despite coming from Atlanta’s biggest rival, fans seem genuinely excited about the future of the team with Fontenot leading the way.

Let’s check out some of the best Twitter reactions to Tuesday’s news.

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Falcons agree to terms with Terry Fontenot for GM position

The Atlanta Falcons have named a new general manager, hiring the vice president of the New Orleans Saints, Terry Fontenot, to fill the vacancy left by Thomas Dimitroff back in October.

The Atlanta Falcons have named a new general manager, hiring the vice president of the New Orleans Saints, Terry Fontenot, to fill the vacancy left by Thomas Dimitroff back in October.

After reports that the team had selected Fontenot last week, the move was made official on Tuesday morning following the Saints’ loss to the Buccaneers in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Fontenot helped build an extremely talented Saints roster that has been the class of the NFC South for nearly five years. The Falcons fired Dimitroff, who served as the team’s GM since 2008, along with former head coach Dan Quinn following an 0-5 start in 2020. After an exhaustive search, Fontenot was considered one of two favorites.

The other finalist was Brad Holmes, the director of college scouting for the Los Angeles Rams, who has since been hired as the Detroit Lions’ new general manager.

With Fontenot and new head coach Arthur Smith in place, the team is ready to kick off what is sure to be an exciting offseason in Atlanta.

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