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Blank wooing Chargers' Turner at Force opener


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A seat behind Arthur Blank and Arena Football League commissioner David Baker was being saved for San Diego Chargers running back Michael Turner, who was expected to arrive at the Gwinnett Arena about 2 p.m. Saturday.

"This is his second day here and we're looking forward to spending a lot of time with him," Blank said moments before the Georgia Force's 1 p.m. season opener. "We're hoping to have him sign here with us, but we have to wait and see. We have a lot of work to do yet."

Blank said he'll be entertaining Turner and three other free agents for dinner tonight, though he declined to say where.

"When free agents come to Atlanta, they're not just interested in the team," Blank said. "They're interested in the city, the community, the organization and the ownership. It's really a chance for them to get a feel for the organization and the people here.

"This is an opportunity for him to see another football game. He's probably never seen an Arena football game before. Maybe he has, I don't know."

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Guest Gritz
birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)
Blank and his "dinner hostings" has a sickening feeling to it. I wish he'd keep his nose out of it.
Why? Blank has a fairly decent record of closing the deal with free agents. Why take the guy (Blank) out of doing one of the things as an owner that he's accomplished at performing?
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gritblitzer (3/1/2008)
birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)
Blank and his "dinner hostings" has a sickening feeling to it. I wish he'd keep his nose out of it.
Why? Blank has a fairly decent record of closing the deal with free agents. Why take the guy (Blank) out of doing one of the things as an owner that he's accomplished at performing?

It's not hard to sign FA's. They couldn't care less about the dinner, unless you're serving lots of greens (if you know what I mean).

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birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)
Blank and his "dinner hostings" has a sickening feeling to it. I wish he'd keep his nose out of it.

He has had good success being a good host to potential players. The last time I looked he does write the checks and probably could care less what the message board novices think.

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Bloodhoundz Reborn (3/1/2008)
birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)

It's not hard to sign FA's. They couldn't care less about the dinner, unless you're serving lots of greens (if you know what I mean).

If more then 1 team is trying to get him I would say it's not easy to sign a FA either.

If more than 1 team is after a FA all you have to do is offer them more money than the other team. Do you think, for example, Turner will say, "well lets see, the Falcons offered 6 million a year and a dinner so I'll sign with them over the Dolphins offer of 8 million a year and no dinner"?

Screw the dinner. If you're in battle with another team over a FA you just sign that FA to a contract larger than what the other team is offering. Nothing hard about that.

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It is a pretty stressful thing, but I know as a salesman myself (not currently working in sales) it helps to keep the customer around for a while and let them get use to the surroundings and see all of whome the person may have an impact on with their chosen product. My favorite move was to allow the customer to take the product home for a day or two so that they would mentally take possession of said product.

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Guest Gritz
bossFALCON (3/1/2008)
vicknation (3/1/2008)
I think the famous, not infamous, Blank hosted dinners is the closer of deals. Once they have the dinners, they are usually ours. I hope so. Along with Maurice Williams.

yea blank needs to put something in his drink and then make him sign the contract lol:w00t:

That's funny boss, you wanting Blank to slip Turner a "roofie." :laugh:
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Panicman (3/1/2008)
Arthur can put his nose in whatever he wants. He signs the checks. Turner will be a Falcon it's just a matter of details now. Jake Long will be our pick in the Draft. These are facts, not opinions.

That would be a great start to rebuilding this team.

I think it is a good sign that Turner has been to ATL first and we haven't heard any rumbings from other teams that he is scheduled to visit them. I think that shows that we are his top choice.

I think you can count the Bears out. I live in Chicago and the consensus is that they need OL, not a new back. They may draft one, but everyone expects Benson to be back in the starting role next year.

So who else does that leave? Houston is in a perfect spot to draft one and they signed Ahman Green last year to a big deal (whoops).

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Guest Gritz
Legion (3/1/2008)My favorite move was to allow the customer to take the product home for a day or two so that they would mentally take possession of said product.

So you're saying that maybe if Redman would follow Turner back to his hotel and wash out his socks, play Scrabble with him that this deal might get done?...:)

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birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)

If more than 1 team is after a FA all you have to do is offer them more money than the other team. Do you think, for example, Turner will say, "well lets see, the Falcons offered 6 million a year and a dinner so I'll sign with them over the Dolphins offer of 8 million a year and no dinner"?

Screw the dinner. If you're in battle with another team over a FA you just sign that FA to a contract larger than what the other team is offering. Nothing hard about that.

I see what you're saying and can agree a little but do you think having dinner will hurt our chance of signing him?

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birdweiserrr (3/1/2008)
Blank and his "dinner hostings" has a sickening feeling to it. I wish he'd keep his nose out of it.

don't be crazy....if there is one thing Blank knows how to do, it's closing a deal. You don't get to where he is without knowing how to get what you need

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thats not exactly the case. for some athletes its all about the money, for others dinners, hawks games, force games, are more important. it makes them feel wanted and appreciated. when i decided beween the 2 companies that offered me a postion i took the lesser annual salary b/c they made me feel at home and made me feel like they generally cared for me and my family!!

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