Former Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli joined NFL Network’s flagship morning show, Good Morning Football, on Tuesday to discuss Atlanta’s draft plans and the role team owner Arthur Blank will take in the process.
Pioli, a five-time winner of the executive of the year award, was an assistant GM for the Falcons for six seasons (2014–2019). He was asked by GMFB co-host Nate Burleson about what Blank is like in the draft room.
“Arthur did a tremendous job about not questioning the decision-makers,” said Pioli. “What he did is he went in the process alongside the [general manager], alongside the head coach, and what he does is he doesn’t push opinions. He lets decision makers make their decisions.”
Blank has seemingly given Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith free rein ever since they signed on in mid-January, for as long as they have a plan.
The Falcons owner has expressed how much respect he has for the personnel he oversees in his organization and that having a hands-off approach allows for the football decision-makers to focus on doing their jobs. Atlanta may not be the most competitive team as of late, but Blank’s hands-off ownership approach has him highly regarded around the league.
Watch below to hear a snippet of Pioli’s interview with Burleson on Good Morning Football.
I was fortunate to be a part of the leadership group with the @AtlantaFalcons for six #NFLDraft's . This morning @nateburleson asked me on #GMFB about the role that Arthur Blank serves in the draft. #NFL #NFLDraft2021 pic.twitter.com/ZV1YP8AzKn
— Scott Pioli (@scottpioli51) April 27, 2021
