Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and director of college scouting Anthony Robinson attended the Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum on Monday.
Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London is set to attend the fourth annual Quarterback Coaching Summit, which will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank also participated in the summit, taking part in a session Tuesday afternoon on building a winning culture, along with Bears chairman George McCaskey, Bill Belichick and Andy Reid.
The NFL in partnership with the Black College Football Hall of Fame hosted the events for front office personnel and coaches from the NFL and NCAA to experience professional development and networking opportunities with NFL club executives.
“The Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum and Quarterback Coaching Summit are part of our ongoing efforts to break mobility barriers, establish a cultural norm of opportunity for all, and a steadfast commitment to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce,” said Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations. “Participants will be exposed to best practices used by the brightest and most creative minds in football as well as networking opportunities to build relationships and gain personal insights.”
Former Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli opened the forum with a story about working with Newsome and watching him tell owner Art Modell the truth and be transparent during the 1996 draft ramp up. Newsome told the owner they needed to draft offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and not troubled, but talented running back Lawrence Phillips.
The Ravens drafted Ogden fourth overall, and Phillips went to the Rams with the sixth overall pick. Ogden went on to have a Hall of Fame career, while Phillips was out of football after three seasons and just 35 games.
Reggie McKenzie, Miami’s director of college scouting, spoke on the use of analytics in preparing for the draft. He said he’s never drafted a player based on analytics, but that they were helpful in the process.
Chicago’s director of pro scouting and free agency Champ Kelly, New Orleans vice president of football administration Khai Harley, former Bills general manager Doug Whaley, Doug Williams and James Harris from the Black College Football Hall of Fame, ESPN’s Louis Riddick all spoke. Riddick discussed the benefits of working with the media and beat writers.
The final general manager session was a question-and-answer session of team executives moderated by Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves. Buffalo’s Kim Pegula, the Giants’ John Mara and Detroit’s Rod Woods fielded questions from an ownership perspective.
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