Quinn: Competition at the center of Atlanta Falcons’ new program

By Todd DeFeo, The DeFeo Groupe for the Buckhead Business Association

ATLANTA, June 23, 2015 — Competition serves as the central theme of the Atlanta Falcons program this offseason under new Head Coach Dan Quinn.

Quinn, in his first keynote address as the Falcons’ head coach, told the Buckhead Business Association (BBA) teamwork and respect are important components of competition and his plan for the 2015 season.

“It’s not just the two guys at the same position competing against one another,” Quinn told a crowd of 200 at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center. “… Yeah, that’s part of it. But, really where the real competition comes is you and I going against one another to make each other great.”

Quinn added: “When you’re really competing against yourself, that’s when you know you’re at your best.”

Quinn took over an Atlanta Falcons team that finished the 2014 season with a 6-10 record, and Falcons fans have high expectations for their new head coach. As part of his remarks Tuesday he identified the three rules of his program that will help him meet those expectations: Protect the team, no complaining or excuses and be early.

“The whole program is based on being the best you can absolutely be,” Quinn said.  “... Competing to see who can help us win is everywhere you look.”

Quinn was announced as the Falcons’ 16th head coach in February. The New Jersey native previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

Also at Tuesday’s luncheon, the BBA honored one of its own with a service award and recognized public safety officers for their commitment to the community.

Mark Shaver, owner of Buckhead Paws, was honored with the Karl A. Bevins Service Award, named in honor of a long-time BBA member and the city of Atlanta’s first traffic engineer. Fulton County Sheriff’s Sgt. Corey Henry, Atlanta Firefighter Eric Cook and Atlanta police officers James White and J. Nunez were honored with Public Safety Awards.

The BBA’s next major event is the Taste of Buckhead, set for Sept. 24 at the Buckhead Theatre. For more information, visit www.buckheadbusiness.org.