Blank: 'We're Not as Bad as the Bengals'

By now, everybody knows the drill: the Bengals had nine players arrested in a 14-month span. I think it's now part of the media guide or something. The Falcons have had their share of off-field issues, but nothing approaching what Cincinnati -- or Chicago or San Diego, for that matter -- has managed to pull off. Still, somebody got the bright idea to ask Atlanta owner Arthur Blank about the similarities between his team and the Bengals:

"I wouldn't compare us to the Bengals," Blank said Wednesday. "I think all their players have been convicted. [Actually, not all have.] Michael [Vick] was never convicted of anything. Jonathan [Babineaux] hasn't been convicted of anything."

Yeah, Vick wasn't convicted, but the whole episode was sketchy. And Babineaux hasn't been convicted because he was just arrested a few days ago. Give it time. No need to worry, though, Blank wants fans to know that -- Vick and Babineaux incidents aside -- this shouldn't be seen as an indictment on the team's screening process.

"All of the players we draft or sign as free agents are graded on character on-field and off-the-field..."

I agree, the Falcons aren't in the same league as the Bengals when it comes to cuffings and stuffings, but they're not exactly the Girl Scouts either. In the interest of all involved, I think the Leadership Training Camp should be mandatory for all Atlanta employees.