Falcons make some moves after market settles
Mike Peterson and Brett Romberg were added to the Birds’ nest.
The Falcons have been slow and extremely deliberate in free agency. By contrast, last season they were swift and decisive in adding running back Michael Turner, safety Erik Coleman and the rest of the group.
Peterson has played weakside and middle linebacker. He comes “cross-trained.” He was also a former captain in Jacksonville before falling out with head coach Jack Del Rio last season.
But Falcons coach Mike Smith never had any issues with Peterson. Word coming out of Flowery Branch is that their bond is still pretty tight and that allowed the deal to get done so quickly.
Despite his falling out with Del Rio, Peterson still led the Jags in tackles with 84. He missed six starts after Del Rio misinterpreted Peterson’s attempt to fire up the team as a selfish celebratory move. It was also the last year of Peterson’s contract and well, he thought he should have been extended.
But all that is in his rear view mirror.
Peterson steps into a unit that needs some direction and playmakers. Peterson and Stephen Nicholas can go at it for the weakside spot. If Peterson wins, then Nicholas could slide over to strongside and possibly play on passing downs if he can’t beat out Coy Wire. Wire started on running downs late last season for Boley.
Now, if something happens to Curtis Lofton, Peterson can also play the middle.
Romberg gets reunited with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and gives the Falcons another solid interior lineman behind center Todd McClure and guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl.
Romberg, 29, has started 18 games over the last three seasons. He started his career in Jacksonville after playing at Miami.
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308 comments Add your comment
Mike
March 11th, 2009
10:35 am
I love the moves nothing crazy that could come back and be a salary cap killer. Peterson is a huge upgrade over Brooking and Roomberg gives us experienced depth at the O-Line. You don’t win super bowls in free agency just look at the wonder boy Dan Snyder.
Lawrence
March 11th, 2009
11:33 am
In football, Free agent signings don’t win championships … Strong drafting does. Look at Dallas and Washington as your FA examples, then look to Indy and NE as your Draft examples … Building through FA only ties up salary cap space and overloads your roster with Contract Fat Cats … Building through the draft enables a team to keep salary cap space open to resigning successful draftees to long-term deals, thus creating stability and consistency and also keeps a team fresh with young hungry players and then select Free Agent pick-ups to bolster the roster … People wanting “splashy” or “flashy” free agent periods are Madden Football/Fantasy Football thinkers … I trust Thomas Dimitroff to continue building a solid Falcons foundation that will enable the Falcons to grow consistently and be perennially playoff contenders and eventual Super Bowl champions for the next decade.
steve-o
March 11th, 2009
11:37 am
100% correct Lawrence!
diesel47
March 11th, 2009
11:42 am
what the falcons need are a couple of corners that are more than 5 foot nothing and arent scared to play tight . in the past all ive seen is them playing 10 yds off and instead of tackling,they try to knock the reciever down. we need a couple of Scott Cases’. for all the new fans he scared the recievers just knowing he was back there.
D3
March 11th, 2009
11:57 am
Jim, great point about Peterson being a “bridge” to the next LB. I’m very curious with what we do with the first pick as well. I starting to think its going to be OLB, DT, or CB. The only reason I think it may be an OLB is due to the enormous depth of top-end talent at LB. Between Cushing, Matthews, Orapko(sic), English, and Maybin, it might be too hard to pass on them, even though English & Orapko are considered 3-4 fits.
I just don’t think its going to be SS. There just is no standout talent worth a 1st round pick, IMO. Delmas maybe, but if you could someone like Cushing, Matthews, Ziggy Hood, or Peria Jerry, then pick up a solid SS in the second round like Rashad Johnson or Patrick Chung.
I also think (and hope) that we could get a solid TE like Jared Cook or Shawn Nelson in the 3rd, maybe wishful thinking.
Would you rather have:
A)Peria Jerry/Rashad Johnson — Clay Matthews/Patrick Chung
or
B)Louis Delmas/Ron Brace
SavFalcon
March 11th, 2009
12:01 pm
I’d of rather kept Brooking. If we are going to have an older linebacker we might as well have kept him. Would have paid him less than we paid Peterson too.
clthurman
March 11th, 2009
12:17 pm
Didn’t we get Abraham in free agency? Free agency is a good thing unless you do abuse like the Raiders and Redskins….there just wasn’t much quality out there this year. At least not in the needs we currently have. A TE definately can be had in this draft and be a quality pick although at our spot in the first round we do not need to go there. 3rd round I am guessing. Man those USC linebackers would be nice to snag at least 1, although Matthews at number 1 is too high despite me personally thinking this guy will be in the league a long time and be a quality get. It looks like unless TD has something up his sleeve and trades up…which I doubt for the BC Beast….God I really have no idea what else is there worth that 24th pick…i do know that no secondary person that would be reasonably thought to be there is worth a 24th. I guess we will overpay someone unless we get one of those linebackers.
Kenny
March 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
Draft 2009 About Football ranks the top outside linebacker prospects in the 2009 NFL Draft based on their potential in the NFL. This is not necessarily a prediction of the order they will be selected, rather a prediction of which projects the best at the next level.
How do you guys think our chances are selecting from this list ?
CB
1. Vontae Davis*, Illinois
2. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
3. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
4. D. J. Moore, Vanderbilt
5. Darius Butler, Connecticut
6. Sean Smith, Utah
7. Coye Francies, San Jose State
8. Asher Allen*, CB Georgia 9. Victor Harris, Virgina Tech
10. Jarius Byrd, Oregon
11. Cary Harris, USC
12. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State
13. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
14. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
15. Bruce Johnson, Miami (FL)
16. Kevin Barnes, Maryland
17. Woodny Turenne, Louisville
18. Jaraud Powers* Auburn
19. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
20. Lydell Sargeant, Penn State
We have been beaten with the pass every season. Time for a solid CB !
mars
March 11th, 2009
12:52 pm
Let’s see, at LB we’ve got Peterson, Lofton, Nicholas, Wire, oh yeah and that guy that Lofton JUST BARELY beat out to start MLB last year, Tony Gilbert. Either Peterson or Gilbert could occasionally spell Lofton at MIKE. Peterson could start at WILL and Gilbert would do much better that Boley at SAM. Next move should be to sign Roy Williams and Orlando by God Pace!!!!! Nothing against Clabo, but he is no Orlando Pace. Justin Peele will do just fine at tight end. Any move at that position would be spinning wheels and wasting opportunities. At CB, David Irons time will come.
Reno 911
March 11th, 2009
1:16 pm
D3 – keep the draft talk coming, man. Gotta love it when people are consistently talking Falcons draft, and not trying to shout down each other’s articles of faith (MV7, KB56, etc.)
Though I really, really like Clay Matthews as a long-term player (he’s still improving/developing, as opposed to some of these life-time “blue chip” guys who peaked in their second year of college, like James Laurinaitis), I don’t think he’ll still be there when the Falcons pick at 24. Even if he is, I don’t think the Falcons will take him. Barring any more FA moves in the secondary, the more and more I think about it, I think the Falcons have to go with Delmas in the first round. Rashad Johnson is a guy that may do just as good a job or better over the long term, so if they want to risk it, the Falcons could wait until the 2nd to get him (or used the second 5th rounder to trade up a few spots into the 2nd to be sure), and use the #24 pick on an inside pusher like Peria Jerry. Right now, just too many questions that we can’t answer without inside knowledge: what’s the status on Trey Lewis and the feeling on his ability to do the job up front? Even if he’s healthy and ready to go, with the loss of Grady we’re still going to play a rookie for a good amount of snaps inside. The question is, is that a 1st round DT, or a 3-5th round DT? I guess the good thing about having so many questionables on defense is that, when the 1st and 2nd round picks come around, there are sure to be some good players around who can fill a need at #1 and #2. With James Casey, Jared Cook, Chase Coffman, and Cornelius Ingram out there, I’m still convinced that we can wait until the 3rd round and pick up a pretty good, if not really solid, Tight End. No need to bite on Pettigrew in the 1st. Having a good TE would be a great added threat for the offense, but I don’t think Pettigrew getting 8 catches a game is going to matter much on a day when a team like the Panthers gains 250+ yards on the ground. We need the D.
D3
March 11th, 2009
1:52 pm
Nice list Kenny. Man, after looking at that list I think we could grab a steal in the 4th round @ CB. A Sean Smith in the 3rd/4th or even an Asher Allen in the 5th would be a great pickup. It just comes down to which they think is more ready/which one has long-term potential, Chevis Jackson or Trey Lewis? SS & TE are a given to be in the top 2 out of 3 drafted. Which is more of a pressing need, CB or DT?
Mars, good points. As far as Tony Gilbert is concerned, I don’t know how well he would translate to OLB after watching him first hand when I was at Georgia. He was a great MLB, but he lacked the speed to be effective on the outside. Agree with you on signing a free agent TE, Peele is a servicable pass-catching TE, but I think we should upgrade in the draft.
danga
March 11th, 2009
2:20 pm
we need roy we need roy we need roy. He would be the impact player on defense that michael turner was on offense and a veteran cb wouldnt be so bad also. Come on td get on the ball- lets make the playoffs 2 years in a row. Roy Roy Roy Roy Williams
Chas
March 11th, 2009
2:30 pm
Trust the system everyone and just chill out. Only thing I have to add is the mentality that Milloy and Brooking were actually good players last year. Did you guys even watch the 2008 season? Milloy is old, slow and cannot make plays down the field (ex. the Cardinals game). I have much respect for Brooking, but at this point in his carrer he is unable to even cover a fullback in the open field (Some weakside linebacker). I think everyone should sit back and watch the magic of TD as he leads our dirty birds to the promise land in 2009.
cutter
March 11th, 2009
2:43 pm
Lofton competed against Tony Taylor last year for the MLB position not Tony Gilbert. Tony Taylor went to UGA, they cut him last year.
cutter
March 11th, 2009
2:47 pm
They both went to UGA Gilbert was brought in when Taylor got cut.
Anthony
March 11th, 2009
3:22 pm
Unlike a lot of people, I am happy about the two signings. I think maybe with Lofton in the middle, Peterson(Weakside)and Nicholas(Strongside) that we can make some noise at the LB position. We need hitters that stick their nose in other peoples business and those 3 can provide that. I really was disappointed that Foxworth had to depart, because he was a solid corner that I felt would have been great for years to come. The other four guys were just really part of the team. I have never been a Keith Brookings fan, Grady Jackson was on his last leg. Lawyer Milloy was starting to lose vital steps in the passing game and Boley was more of pass defender. However, we need address two more positioned to be filled through free agency in order to be competitive. A tight end and a seasoned corner would solidify the draft needs. A defensive tackle and SS Louis Delmas would be perfect in the draft. Start Kroy Biermann or anyone at the other defensive end spot to take some pressure off of Abraham, because Jamaal Anderson is not aggressive enough for that position. If his sack total does not increase to a decent number, I suggest that we look for a serious replacement. Last, I think Mike Smith and Tom Dimitroff are doing a good job so far in the process, but let us see a couple of more strong signings.
Ken Falco
March 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
Damn. I miss Wyche.
ATLCane
March 11th, 2009
3:54 pm
Been ready for the Falcons to pick up a guy from the U for a long time. Romberg is a good choice, adds depth and experience to the O-Line, which lost its top vet. Would have been nice to keep Foxworth tho.
Donald L. Baughs
March 11th, 2009
3:56 pm
D-Led,
Having known you for 30 plus years,I can honestly say you have become quite a snazzy dresser! Love the Bow Tie!One question: Is there another D-Led uncensored and off the hook book in the works.Your loyal fans in C-Town,Milwaukee and the ATL want to know.Keep writing what people think, but are afraid to say!
Big Ray
March 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
Reno 911 and D3,
Thank good ness for guys who want to talk about the Falcons and the draft, rather than continually grouse about the fact that Brooking is now gone, and Peterson is now here…..
Unless we take a cornerback with the first of our picks, I think we’ll end up with a guy somewhere along 4-7th on that list.
I’d love to have a guy like Jenkins or Davis. D.J.Moore is pretty good, too, as is Sean Smith. The thing is, you never know where these guys are going to be drafted. Every team in the NFL has needs, but different kinds of talents will be staring them in the face, and many of them will be the kind you don’t want to pass up. That’s our advantage. But then again, we’ll have to face the same thing.
I think that is what a guy like Pettigrew is all about. Sure, we need a good cornerback, defensive tackle, safety, etc. But do you pass on a big solid, blocking/pass-catching tight end like that? A guy that can do both things you want him to do?
I think some very good talent will fall our way at 24th, but we have to be prepared to choose (and choose correctly) when the time comes. And it may not be as cut and dry as offensive player vs. defensive player. We could be choosing between a corner and safety, or a defensive back and defensive tackle.
A guy like Sean Smith is kinda interesting because he is quick enough, yet has enough size to play either corner or safety. But if he doesn’t have that “it” that you look for, then he’s no more than an intriguing prospect with the dreaded “potential.” We don’t need that kind of player.
The thing about this 24th pick is that whatever we grab or don’t grab, all other good prospects in that segment will probably be gone by the time we pick again in the 2nd round. Of course, like I said earlier, talent tends to fall your way when other teams are having a hard time toeing the line with their needs and picking guys that they just can’t resist. But you can’t count on these things….
cutter
March 11th, 2009
4:08 pm
What is the deal with Pettigrew police assault charge in Feb of 08? Is this a red flag plus forty time?? Can he stretch the defense?
cody
March 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
i would love to see us pick up darren sharper
Big Ray
March 11th, 2009
4:38 pm
Interesting comments on NFL.com from three of the analysts. One has us picking cornerback D.J. Moore (who appears to be not much bigger than Grimes). Another has us taking Brandon Pettigrew. And the third says we can’t pass up LSU defensive lineman Tyson Jackson.
If we get a defensive lineman, he better be a good one, ’cause something tells me all the “premiere” defensive backs will be gone by the time we pick in the second round. Then again, what do I know?
Big Ray
March 11th, 2009
4:43 pm
Cutter,
We don’t really know the details on that, and anything we get is media-based. Who knows what happened there, though I’m sure that Dimitroff and his crew will find out all they can if they’re serious in the least bit about considering this guy as their first pick.
That, and combine results just aren’t everything. I think GMs, coaches, and scouts take this stuff into account for certain, but the combine doesn’t necessarily show what you’re going to do every day, or even on your best day. It just shows what you’re likely physically capable of…and it shows how you did that particular day. Not that it doesn’t have relevance (it certainly does), but it’s still a tool. One of many that are used, not the be-all end-all. Jerry Rice was known for having “slow” 40 yard dash times. Heh….imagine that….
They keep saying Pettigrew can do it all, just doesn’t have amazing foot speed. In our offense, he won’t need it. Just block, run routes, and catch the ball. He’ll be a big, safe target. Can’t ask for much more than that on a team that already has good receivers.
SeminoleWarrior
March 11th, 2009
4:50 pm
Cutter, I can not figure out why Roy Miller is rated that low; he had better college numbers at Texas than Glenn Dorsey had at LSU. And he was a force in the middle, disrupting the line and creating many chance opportunities for a good Texas line. And I’m not even a Texas fan? I do not feel good with the first pick being a TE with so many needs on “D”.
I like Pettigrew but I think we could steal Nelson in the third. I also think that the experience gained by Brent Grimes last season will only help him to improve as a corner…don’t give up on him. Houston, on the other hand, I think is entirely too wreckless. GO FALCONS!!
marko
March 11th, 2009
5:19 pm
It Looks like all’s quiet on the Falcon’s front. I was wondering if LJ was still in the works. I liked Reno 911’s picks, but really don’t see much chance of a safety in round one. I’m a little surprised by the lack of interest in Roy Williams. I kinda thought Smith liked Linebackers trapped in safeties bodies.
SeminoleWarrior
March 11th, 2009
5:29 pm
I love Reno911’s comments on defending against the run especially when you consider the division in which we play. TE is not the critical need most think it. This draft must be about the defense…no doubts!! Roy Williams can not cover that is why he is a liability at this time. Patrick Chung, Courtney Greene, or Otis Wiley offer the versatility we need at safety; Marcus Freeman or Clint Sintim the physical nature and flexibility we need at linebacker; Roy Miller ot Terrance Knighton, the big, physical interior presence to clog the middle. GO FALCONS!!
Falcon 8211
March 11th, 2009
6:05 pm
DOL, what did L.J. and his agent say when you called him back and is anybody else coming to vist.
Falcon 8211
March 11th, 2009
6:07 pm
I think you said he[L.J. agent] said call him the next day. Well did you?
cutter
March 11th, 2009
6:35 pm
SeminoleWarrior- Roy Miller may turn out to be one of those hidden gems. Everyboby talks about Albert Haynesworth and his worth and ability but few people talk about Rocky Bernard drafted the sames year as Haynesworth only instead of 1st round he was drafted in the 5th but if you compare the numbers Bernard has just as good if not better career numbers. Haynesworth 100 mill contract Bernard 16 mill contract it makes you wonder.
cutter
March 11th, 2009
6:44 pm
Big Ray- I guess one of my concerns would do we use our 1st pick to get this guy who may have some issues or do we improve our defense and still have the ability to pick up a very good tight end down the line in a Shawn Nelson or Jared Cook among others.
mars
March 11th, 2009
7:39 pm
Oops! Got my UGA Tony’s askew. He’s still projected at strongside by the team. 6′0″ 248. Wish he were a little taller for strongside, covering the tight-end and all.
mars
March 11th, 2009
7:42 pm
What the blankety-blank happened to Tony Taylor? No news on the web.
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 11th, 2009
8:39 pm
You mean to tell Me no one is going to complain about the Falcons not going after Ken Lucas, the Carolina Panthers CB? I just knew I was going to come on here and see about four or five bloggers lobbying for his signing.
Y’all leave TD alone; he knows what he’s doing. If he signs Curtis Payne at strongside linebacker, you better go out and purchase your Tyler Perry throwback.
My GrandPa used tell Me something when I would complain about his “idea” may not work. He would say “Don’t worry about the mule going blind; just sit your ass on the wagon and hold the line.”
trufalconfan
March 11th, 2009
8:45 pm
I really trust that TD knows what he is doing. We can’t spend freely. I think that Roddy will be a free agent in 2009 and will demand top dollars.
D3
March 11th, 2009
8:50 pm
Kind of agree with you, Big Ray, about Pettigrew. It would be really, really tough to pass on him if he falls to 24 (which I don’t think he will, honestly). But, then again, I see what Seminole is saying with picking TE first, because I think TE is pretty deep with Shawn Nelson, Jared Cook, Chase Coffman, James Casey, and even Cornelius Ingram)assuming he can bounce back from injury).
I know that Delmas is projected as a first round safety, but if it comes down to it I’d rather take Brian Cushing, Larry English, Clay Matthews, Brandon Pettigrew, BJ Raji, Peria Jerry, and maybe even Ziggy Hood and couple that with a Patrick Chung or Rashad Johnson.
I’m just glad I’m not TD, too many possibilities. Bringing in Peterson does help narrow our focus a good amount, especially if Nicholas or Wire can step up.
Question: If we don’t draft OLB with first pick, do we pass until 3rd or 4th and pretty much give up on the top-end of the pool?
Look forward to your thoughts. Enjoy the great, respectful debate we got going on. Lots of rational, though-out analyses.
cutter
March 11th, 2009
9:06 pm
D3- That is why I believe you draft OLB in the 1st round if you don’t your choices will be guys like Marcus Freeman who at under 6′1 might have a tough time I see him more as a MLB or Tyrone Mckenzie who may be a project,(4.78) forty time but both are good linebackers I just think a Clay Matthews Jr. or Brian Cushing have alot of upside and can play right now.
Dusty Ramirez
March 11th, 2009
9:28 pm
I like Peterson!! And as far as the TE, screw LJ Smith. I think Owen Daniels and Jeff King are both better options and cheaper. I like to see the birds sign one of them and go all DEF in the draft. Safety, DT, and Corners!!
D3
March 11th, 2009
9:52 pm
Yeach Cutter, completely agree. No way we should pass on Cushing if he drops. The question would be do you take Matthews @ 24 or do you pick a DT, SS, or TE and pray he falls to the second round? I if we drop past Matthews, Maybin, and English, then might as well just try to find value later, say around 4th or 5th.
1)OLB/ 2)SS/ 3)TE/ 4)CB/ 5)DT —- Goes back to the Chevis Jackson v. Trey Lewis argument. Which is a higher need: CB or DT. You can actually go a little farther and see which has more solid depth: is Von Hutchins, David Irons, & Brent Grimes as solid as Jason Jefferson & Kindal Moorehead? I personally think that Chauncey will beat out Jamaal Anderson and they will move him inside. If you just look at the last two years production, Chauncey wins in a landslide.
Big Ray
March 11th, 2009
10:12 pm
Cutter,
Trust me, I see your point. I too, would rather us concentrate on the defensive side of the ball first, but we do happen to have a lot of options there as well. We could definitely go for a different tight end later in the draft. I’m just trying to illustrate some of the thinking that may go on when a guy like that falls to your pick. That’s why teams make “uncharacteristic” picks. Teams always know what they need, but they get all giddy when a particular talent comes around, especially if they didn’t think they had a shot at that person.
That, and sometimes we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. While this probably happens more in basketball than football, sometimes you make a pick solely for value. Sometimes that draftee is traded to a team that really wanted/needed him, for somebody that you really wanted/needed. But we’ll see. Believe me, my concerns are more about defense. But I’m not the one doing the picking.
D3,
Very good points you make there. And to be honest, repeating some of what I said to Cutter, for every pick that other teams make for an offensive player, that’s one more defensive guy on the board that we can choose from. There are some special offensive linemen in this draft, and some teams are really in dire need of just that. There are two, maybe three quarterbacks that will get taken before we pick (and we both know quarterback is not even on the radar for US). That automatically pushes more defenders down. I don’t think Pettigrew falls to us, which is probably a good thing. As I said, that’s another defender on the board.
I think big names like Aaron Curry, Orakpo, Raji, and McDaniels, and Vontae Davis will go early on, but I could be wrong. It’s hard to imagine them falling to us. But hey, if they do…… Perhaps some others will go quickly, too. Cushing may be gone by then, and I figure he will be. If teams are wanting massive defensive tackles, Perry will be gone nearly as quickly as Raji.
I like Delmas okay, but I think he’s a bit too small. He played well in the senior bowl, and he did okay at the combine. Sure seems to have a head for the game. The size bugs me though. I’d take William Moore over him, but that’s just me. Moore didn’t have a good senior bowl or combine, but he was magnificent throughout the year. And, he’s got the size.
I think if we don’t draft OLB in the first round, then we better be picking up a dynamic cornerback, safety, or defensive tackle. Unfortunately for simple guys like me, there are only so many of each category, and I worry that we’ll only get 2nd tier players.
Some of the names mentioned at DT around our pick include Tyson Jackson of LSU. Evander Hood appears to be moving up the boards, and might get taken earlier than we think, or he might be a good pick for us. It’s really hard to tell, especially with free agency impacting different things.
At cornerback, we could be okay with Darius Butler or D.J. Moore, but is either guy worth grabbing with our first pick? Could be….or we could be missing out on a good safety. That’s the trap: trying to figure out what will be left by the time we get to our 2nd round pick, and how good the talent will be by then.
D3
March 11th, 2009
10:46 pm
Big Ray,
I’m right with you on Delmas. Somehow he is the same size as Rashad Johnson, but doesn’t get the lack of size critique. I would rather take a chance on Patrick Chung and William Moore in the 2nd or 3rd. William Moore scares me because he totally disappeared this year after having an All-American year last year (I could have it backwards, but I know he totally went off the radar one of those years).
In with you on OLB, if don’t take one with the first pick I’d be a little upset if we picked ANY SS in the first round. If we don’t go OLB with #24, than I say Pettigrew, Hood or Jerry. You’d have to believe that one of them would be available. I think it might be me, but I’m just not in love with this years top-end CB crop. I think they would be great 3rd or 4th round pick-ups, but I would pass on them in the first or second round. I just will find it hard to fathom that we would pass on Cushing, Matthews, or English. BTW, is Larry English that much of a specific fit for the 3-4, because I am not hearing anyone mention him.
I might be wrong, but I think Tyson Jackson is a DE, not a DT. Great rappin’ with you guys.
D3
March 11th, 2009
10:53 pm
Final food for thought guys. Pat Kirwan’s Mock Draft 3.0 just had the Falcons taking Cushing! Man, would that be a dream come true or what? And for back-up choice, Clay Matthews is right behind them going to the Dolphins, and Larry English goes to the Patriots two slots above them. So this confirms my opinion that between Cushing, Matthews, English, Jerry, or Hood we should get one.
Big Ray
March 11th, 2009
10:58 pm
D3,
I’ll say this about DTs: A lot of teams had trouble stopping the run last year. We were one of them. So there may be a premium on DTs. That, and I wonder how Dimitroff/Smith feel about the guys they have now. They do have some depth, having signed Chauncey Davis, which may allow Anderson to move inside, next to Babs. The question is, will that be effective enough against the run, while generating a decent pass rush (which we need)? It may, or Tra Lewis might be back and up to the job. Even then, I would have a hard time passing up a guy like Raji if he fell that far. I’d snag him without a second thought, then look for a secondary player in the second round, because all of the good OLBs are gone by then.
And that’s where I answer your question (hopefully). If we miss out on ‘backers in the first round, I don’t think we’re going to get any “right out of the box” contributors, not even in the 2nd round. I’d take Brian Cushing too, by the way. Very strong, talented guy. If I was going for a ‘backer in that first pick (knowing that Curry and Orakpo aren’t available), I couldn’t ignore him. Otherwise, we’re probably looking at English, Maybin, Laurinaitis, and Maualuga, along with Clay Matthews. Matthews is good, but is he somebody we pick at 24th? Are any of those guys? I don’t have the answer, and I haven’t completely formed my opinion, to be honest.
I’m thinking that as it stands right now, we could get a good safety in the second round. Moore or Chung may be that far down. Even Sean Smith, maybe.
I like Darius Butler’s speed and versatility (he’s a return guy), but I don’t think we’ll get him in the 2nd round. We probably have a better chance at Mike Mickens and DJ Moore. Mickens will drop due to his pre-combine injury.
Right now, I say we get that DT or OLB in the first round. The talent doesn’t impress me much beyond the 2nd, where we will likely have better shot at secondary anyway. Unless of course, Dimitroff/Smith think we’re okay at LB, and will wait ’til next year’s draft.
What’s funny is how free agency affects things. All of the sudden L.T. is staying in San Diego. Now where does that put Knowshon Moreno in the draft?
See, that’s what makes me hopeful. There are some offensive players that teams probably just WON’T be able to resist. 4-6 of them are offensive linemen (J.Smith, Monroe, Oher, A.Smith, Britton, Mack). 2 (Beanie Wells and Moreno) are running backs. 2 are quarterbacks. 3-6 are receivers (Crabtree, Heyward-Bey, Harvin, Maclin, Nicks, Robiskie). And of course, there’s Pettigrew.
While it probably won’t shake out that way, that’s a total of 17 offensive players that could go in the first round before we pick. That leaves 7 more picks before ours.
One thing that goes unnoticed, but must be considered is that teams either have, or are installing specific defenses. We run a 4-3. Some teams run a 3-4, and so they need players that fit that defense. Some of those guys will be “big name” guys, but guys we may not want because they don’t fit our scheme or can’t adjust to it. And then, there are those who CAN….So who are the “big name” defenders that are as likely as not to go before we can get them? Depends on who you ask, but let’s try this list: Aaron Curry, B.J.Raji, Brian Cushing, Peria Jerry, Vontae Davis, Malcolm Jenkins (who I called McDonald on my last post…I don’t know why), and possibly Antonio Smith…or Everett Brown.
No matter who makes the list, that’s somebody that is left off in time for our pick. Of course, that’s if your going with the theory that 17 offensive players will go before we pick….one can only hope….
D3
March 11th, 2009
11:10 pm
Excellent points, Big Ray! Man, that’s what makes it so exciting. So many options you just never know. I go back and forth on Pettigrew. I was actually saying its too deep, but plugging him in would set our offense for the next 5-7 years. I think you’re right about Matthews the more I think about it. #24 might be a touch too high.
Here’s my list of players we should have available, assuming some of the big names won’t be available (ranking them is whole different ballgame): Pettigrew, Jerry, Hood, Cushing, English, Maybin (too young?), maybe Matthews. I’d be happy with any of these cats.
Good banter Big Ray.
Big Ray
March 12th, 2009
12:12 am
D3,
I can’t lie. I’d be THRILLED to get Cushing.
I’m not enthralled with this year’s cornerback crop either, but there are some good ones. I just don’t if any that are likely to be there when we pick are worth 1st (or even 2nd) round picks. Depends on who it is.
You’re actually correct. William Moore did NOT have a great senior year, but I think he’s worth a pick in the second round if A) We have already picked a good OLB or DT, and/or B)There are no 1st/high 2nd-tier DTs or OLBs on the board by then. But that’s just me.
Correct again. Tyson Jackson is listed as a DE. But some sites have him listed as a DE who can play DT in the 4-3 scheme.
Around the net:
NFLDraftDog has us picking Aaron Maybin in the 1st round, Patrick Chung in the 2nd.
Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com has us taking Pettigrew in the 1st (he says the LJ Smith rumors have died down). He thinks Ryan will be unstoppable with Pettigrew on board. Unstoppable isn’t the word I’m thinking of, but increasingly lethal seems to fit. He has us taking William Moore in the 2nd round.
ESPN is a pile of peckerheads that think their stuff is so good that you have to pay for it (become an “Insider”, wheee!). Screw them, I’ll just go to other sites.
Sports Illustrated says, “Draft? What draft?” Nevermind…
Scout.com (in association with FoxSports) has us taking Peria Jerry in the 1st, Rashad Johnson in the 2nd.
Draft Countdown has some of the most interesting comments. They mention Clay Matthews, Clint Sintim, Robert Ayers as possibilities, and add Peria Jerry as a lineman possibility. They have us taking Larry English in the 1st, but say that many experts see him as an outside ‘backer in a 3-4 scheme (we run a 4-3), and that he might be able to help the Falcons up front or at outside ‘backer. The main thing is he’s a pass rusher. Lastly, they mention Louis Delmas as a possible replacement for Milloy, but say that it’s a bit of a reach. I agree.
In the 2nd round, they have us picking Patrick Chung.
Now NFLDraftSite? They’ve got it all figured out: We’ll take William Moore in the 1st, Max Unger (center) in the 2nd, James Casey (TE) in the 3rd, Rashad Jennings (RB) in the 4th, Alex MaGee (DT) and Coy Francies (CB)in the 5th, Ramon Foster (OT) in the 6th, and Lawrence Sidbury (DE) in the 7th.
Right.
Big Ray
March 12th, 2009
12:16 am
Good talkin’ to ya, D3.
I’m excited about Falcons football and the possibilities in this draft. Don’t worry, I’m back and forth about Pettigrew myself. His level of talent is just so enticing, especially when you plug a big guy like that into the offense. He can and will block, and he can catch. We don’t need him to be Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, or Tony Gonzalez. Look how good Crumpler was, and this guy is bigger (and maybe faster). Imagine him, White, Douglas, Robinson, Jenkins, Finneran, along with Norwood and Turner catching passes out of the backfield. Whoa….
Ooop…gotta focus. Defense, defense, defense. Still….
"falconsR4real"
March 12th, 2009
1:35 am
the DBs are only as good as the DL!
the line gets better, then our DBs will be as good as any……
that said, obviously we’re not through with “the building”
still under constuction (afterall, this is the ATL)
Big Ray
March 12th, 2009
1:51 am
Well, it wasn’t going to happen all in one year…
macon ga
March 12th, 2009
8:14 am
If brookings had been doing his job who knows we may have been playing pitt in the big dance hell yes pete is a good pickup now too be honest i,m sick of norwood tiping in the back field my 15 year old could him lets give 44 a try sometimes and we do need a sure hand vet reciever and a corner but lets just chill and see what our staff will do number 1 fan from the mac town
marko
March 12th, 2009
9:05 am
Just posing a question. Andre Smith was once considered a top five lock. For three seasons he rolled over the best the SEC had to offer, but a couple of brain pharts latter he’s fallen and can’t get up. The question is this, you’re Dimitroff, you have a list of players that fit your needs. Right tackle was definately not part of the plan, but suddenly you find yourself looking at a player with a much higher grade than the player you had intended to select. Do you stay the coarse and fill a need, or do you take advantage of an unexpected opportunity?