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
danga
March 13th, 2009
10:32 pm
we need to trade our 1st pick for additional early round picks. If we could get a high 2nd and 3rd pick to go along with our on 2nd and 3rd we could get 4 quality players and dont have to pay as much. Lets face it after the 1st 15 to 20 players drafted ur really just feeling in for need anyway. Theirs no top corners and every other position player we need can be gotton in the 2nd and 3rd round. Tell me what u think fellas
falcon21
March 13th, 2009
10:53 pm
danga, I agree with you about trading the first pick but talent can still fall to us with that pick 24 but we need to wait until as late as possible before it is done. I think TD will make the right decision.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
March 13th, 2009
11:00 pm
COMPENSATORY DRAFT PICKS? NFL SAYS NONE/ZERO/ZILCH…..SO SORRY
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-9-70/Looks-like-NFC-South-shut-out-on-compensatory-picks.html
SO MUCH FOR “GM” BRILLIANCE
darrell starks
March 14th, 2009
12:03 am
1st pick BRIAN CUSHING OF USC OR JAMES LAURINAITIS OF OHIO STATE WE NEED PLAY MAKER ON DEFENSE NOT GUYS WHO RUN 4.2 IN THE FORTY OR BENCH PRESS 225 100 TIMES IN 10 SECONDS 2ND PICK TD I NEED YOU TO WORK YOUR MAGIC AND DO WHAT every it take to get SEAN SMITH FROM UTAH THIS GUY WILL BE A BEAST IN THE NFL HE CAN play safety or corner back but i would play him at safety with coleman and 3rd pick DT DORRELL SCOTT FROM CLEMSON A BIG AND STRONG PLAYER THAT WE NEED TO CLOG UP THE MIDDLE.GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!
falcon21
March 14th, 2009
12:16 am
No one expected any compensatory picks in this years draft vs2, so try again. Next year is the year. The GM is smarter than you think.
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2009
12:31 am
VS2-it’s obvious you’re not a Falcon fan, and you’re an attention seeker. Otherwise, why would you, or anyone, waste so much time bringing up trivialities like attendence or compensatory picks. First, why would you make an issue compensatory picks this yr when Dimitroff didn’t expect to get any. We didn’t lose any significant FA’s last yr(ACrumpler and WDunn were cut and DHall was traded). We acquired a number of significant FA’s like RB-MTurner, DT-KMorehead, CB-VHutchins, C-AStepanovich, TE-BHartsock, FS-EColeman and K-JElam. We got far more that we lost, so why would you say “SO MUCH FOR GM BRILLIANCE? Wouldn’t any football fan, or person of moderate intelligence, think that any GM that acquired far more for his team than he lost VERY SUCCESSFUL?
Now, come back with that ignorant comment next yr when we’ll receive our share of compensatory picks for losing LB’s Brooking and Boley, SS LMalloy, DT GJackson and CB DFoxworth, all highly rated starters that we lost to FA. IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS!!!!!!!
danga
March 14th, 2009
2:19 am
I still beleive if we trade down we can still get a ss,te,dt and cb all in the 2nd and 3rd round and all our other picks would be for depth.If I was running this draft for atl this is how I would build my team for this season. Theirs alot of pro bowlers in the nfl thats come from the 3rd round on down and theirs alot big name projected 1st rounders who turn out to be bust.Just because they were great in college doesnt translate to greatness in the pros.Personally I beleive its more of a teams scheme than any thing else thats why I would trade down. what you think
Falcon 8211
March 14th, 2009
8:10 am
J. Michael Moore the falcons website admin. said that the falcons have private workouts with Clay Matthews Jr. also Michael Johnson.
Falcon 8211
March 14th, 2009
8:32 am
falcon 21: Rolle is 33 years old. he missed a time over the last couple of years due to injury. he can still play and was more like a shut down corner in college. teams did not go after him much.
richbrave
March 14th, 2009
9:08 am
D. ORLANDO:
My eyes got wider and wider as FA after FA stepped to the street and vamoosed out of town. Wha’s up with that? Were those (other than BROOKING whom I understand) closet disaffected playa’s in SMITH’s program? Something like HALL was before, but the strong silent types? Who wouldn’t get excited about f-balling with the likes of MATT RYAN? Or is that MOSE RYAN?
richbrave
March 14th, 2009
10:02 am
KEN STRICK:
I value your take on the FA goings and comings. Whas’ up? Will the reconstituted FALCONS continue flyin’ higher and higher ’till MOSE RYAN wings them to the promised land? I hope so. Since the playin’ days of EDDIE LeBARON I’ve been pulling (sort of) for the birds. The ‘SKINS have been my team since the era of SAMMY BAUGH, but now that the ol’ TEXAN has met his maker something’s changing inside my feelings toward the NFL in general and the REDSKINS in particular.
DAN SNYDER reminds me too much of GEORGE PRESTON MARSHALL. Not his racist views, but rather, its the huckerism that seems unsettlingly familiar. Its less about a winning franchise and more about fannies in the seats and tee-shirts at $100.00.
And those frickin’ ads on T.V. Attempt a field-goal – time out. Two minutes off for ads. Kick-off – time out. Two MORE minutes of ads. Cut half-time to twenty minutes so there can be ten MORE minutes of ads. It destroys the continuity of the game and makes it more on the order of a circus act not a football game. Thank God I remember far enough back to limited substitutions when you played without much pause – hurt or not. And T.V. was new AND incidental to the game.
Great. Got that burr out of my saddle. ANYWAY, KEN what do you think about FA stuff?
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2009
11:24 am
What up RICHBRAVE? I don’t think Dimitroff and Smith expected or intended to fill every hole or weakness in 2 drafts or through 2 yrs of FA. I believe next yr might be the yr we go all out in the draft. They’re building for the long haul, like the Patriots have done, and you can only do that through the draft, not through FA. Next yr, we’ll have our full complement of picks, plus a number of compensatory picks since we’ve lost far more FA value than we’ve signed. Those supplemental picks will allow us to trade up and get the quality we want at a given position without giving up our alloted number of picks. After this yrs draft, the Falcons will be at a point where they can seriously start valuing QUALITY over QUANTITY.
Unless we sign a FA TE, we’ll likely draft one with one of our 1st 2 picks. I remember the time right after we traded Brett Farve to Green Baym when Packer GM Ron Wolf realized what he had in Farve. He said he needed to go all out and surround him with the talent needed to get the most out of his ability, and we all know the rest of that story. Well, we have a young, talented QB that’s proven to be far more advanced than BFarve, PManning or almost any other QB in NFL history, this early in his career. You can bet Dimitroff is going to do with QB MRyan exactly what RWolf did with BFarve. Therefore, Matty Ice will get his quality TE, and our OFF will become the next coming of the IRRESISTABLE FORCE, with QB MRyan throwing those lazer guided spirals to our deep, talented REC corp and RB MTurner running through the fields.
I honestly believe the plan is for 2010 to be the yr for THE FLIGHT OF THE FALCONS. Every team on next yrs schedule now realizes, after last yrs success and this yrs upgrades, that the only way they will be able to defeat the Falcons will be to stop our OFF. NEXT YRS FALCONS DEF WON’T BE IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE DEF’s OF THE BUCS, BEARS, PATRIOTS OR STEELERS, BUT NEITHER WILL IT BE IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE PREVIOUSLY WEAK FALCON DEF’s. THE MUCH IMPROVED 2009 FALCONS WILL BE MORE THAN ABLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF A STRONGER SCHEDULE, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT GOOD TEAMS DO. AND WE ARE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, A GOOD TEAM. JUST WATCH, THE FALCONS WILL BECOME THE SAME WINNING ORGANIZATION UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF GM TDIMITROFF AND HC MSMITH, THAT THE BRAVES BECAME UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF FORMER GM JSCHUERHOLTZ AND MGR BCOX.
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2009
11:33 am
BIG RAY-what’s up to you? Man, I haven’t been this excited or this involved in the Falcons since the DIRTY BIRD era. I was heavily involved in the MVick discussions, but that proved mainly unpleasant and unrewarding. As a franchise, we sank about as low as a franchise, or team, could sink in 2007. But, like the mighty PHOENIX, this team and franchise has risen to new and exciting heights, with a long winning future ahead of us. There are still distractors and none believers, like MV2, who still want to feast on Falcon flesh. But after next season, they will be left with nothing to feast on but humble pie, crow and their own stupidy. Well, with that menu, at least they’ll never go hungry.
falcon21
March 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
Falcon 8211, Thanks for the info.
crammy
March 14th, 2009
3:18 pm
First time posting–good site. For what it’s worth I think TD and mS’s version of “process” is different than the fans. They are moving to be competitive and make the playoffs. I assume that everything is geared towards making the playoff because winning the Super Bowl has so many uncontrollable variables–momentum, injuries, etc.
It’s hard not to like the moves so far. Peterson is similar to a basketball team adding P.J. Brown or a younger Robert Hoary–he’s got skills and he’s a pro. He’s aware of why he ticked off Rio and probably won’t make that mistake twice.
I’m thinking they maybe package their 2nd and a fifth or sixth to move up. If the word by the scouts is wrong on Johnson and if Pettigrew falls–which I think he does (there was something about him atthe combine I can’t put my finger on) the Falcons will have another really strong draft.
Stirg d'Nahisf
March 14th, 2009
3:26 pm
I don’t like this. There’s no action. There are no signings, no movements, no SITREPs (situation reports, for you non-military) on any visits from prospects, draftees or free agents; can’t even get a good updated article on the nest. What’s up, Mr. Orlando, Wii got you occupied?
crammy
March 14th, 2009
3:59 pm
Another thought on Pettigrew–if he’s a better blocker than any of our guys and a true con trol reciever underneath our pass protection, passing AND running improves dramatically. Imagine Norwood, Jenkins, White and Pettigrew coming at you and Turner pounding you. That’s an upgrade that’d be difficult to pass up.
Asfor defense a team that gets Lofton with a 3rd probably deserves some patience–I’ve still got this Johson thing–Coming off the edge with Abraham–that covers up a lot of secondary issues–screws up double teams and let’s you bring a linebacker up. I just watched a highly rated 1st round corner get his AZZ eaten in the Super Bowl–seems to me like a position that ALWAYS needs to be coached up unless you have a Deion or Lem Barney and there’s not one.
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2009
5:11 pm
CRAMMY-you’re scaring me man. What do you know about Lem Barney, Detroit’s great CB, kick and punt returner? You have to be a little OLD SCHOOL to know about him. Anyway, welcome to the forum, we can always use someone with your keen observations and thought process.
The more I analyze our possible moves the more my thoughts end up like the result of a sawed off shotgun blast, buckshot scattered all over the place.
(1)If we don’t sign a FA TE, we have to draft one. Having a complete TE will make an already potent OFF much more potent. If Pettigrew falls into our lap, will Dimitroff pull the trigger, or does he know of a diamond in the rough?
(2)Are there any CB’s available in this yrs draft that are any better than the one’s we have returning from IR, and are they worthy of our #24 pick?
(3)DE CDavis resigned with us after indicating he wanted to be a starter. Does that mean he’s the front runner and we won’t draft a DE in the 1st 3 rounds?
(4)With MLB already determined, and 3 veteran OLB’s ready to battle for a starting spot, will we draft an OLB in the 1st 3rds?
(5)What is the coaching staff’s assessment of returning SS’s Fudge and McCloud? Will that assessment prompt Dimitroff to draft a SS with one of our 1st 2picks?
(6)And what about DT? What are they looking for? Are they looking for smaller playmaking DT like PJerry, EHood or Sen’Derrick Marks, or are they looking for a roadblock type DT’s like Sammie Hill, Raji or Ron Brace? Just for the record, Jerry has moved ahead of Raji as the top DT in the draft.
DO YOU SEE WHAT I’M DEALING WITH?
richbrave
March 14th, 2009
5:35 pm
KEN STRICK:
Thanx for the low-down bro’.
Jack G.
March 14th, 2009
6:14 pm
after seeng the hair on some of the Player (and TD) I think they need to sign a BARBER.
Stirg d'Nahisf
March 14th, 2009
6:20 pm
Ken, keep in mind that the draft choices have to fit our need. Just because a highly favored “name” may still be on the board at 24, does not mean that player fit our needs. I notice that the names you listed as favorites for the DT position are all three technique tackles (P.Jerry, E.Hood, SenD.Marks) and we already have a starter at that position. Instead, we need a stuffer to replace Gravy Jackson. Someone like, you mentioned, a Sammie Hill or Ron Brace. I think that, because Sammie Hill went to a small college, he will be available late. The top five nose tackles in the draft are Raji, Brace, Dorell Scott, Hill and Myron Pryor from Kentucky. Chris Baker from Hampton University would make a nice fit as well and will be available late.
Another position I see a lot of Falcon-bloggers are trying to fill with big names is linebacker. Folk, Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, Clint Sintim are not 4-3 linebackers. I noticed one fan even lobbying for James Laurinaitis, who is not even an outside linebacker. We might as well have kept Brooking and Boley. Our middle linebacker position is locked and weakside linebacker is competitive. Our need is at strongside linebacker and the top names in the draft, at that position, is Aaron Curry, Tyrone McKenzie, Marcus Freeman, Zack Follett and Nic Harris.
Lastly, the safety position is a top priority position for the Falcons but we already have a free safety. That eliminate names like Sean Smith, Louis Delmas, Rashad Johnson, who are all free safeties. Although I would love to see any of those names on the back of a Falcon jersey, it would not be wise to draft at that position. The exception is Sean Smith, however, who is more of a hybrid player that can play all DB positions. The top five strong safeties in the draft are William Moore, Patrick Chung, Chip Vaughn, Emanuel Cook, Courtney Greene.
TD is wise enough (and patient) to evaluate a player for his worth to the team, not because of his name. I think we get so caught up in the names of players and overlook what these players do for the team. We should get away from the names like Pettigrew and Matthews just because they are great players (that, I don’t dispute). Instead, lets focus on the position to be filled and see if the player fit.
My mock draft includes Patrick Chung, Sammie Hill, Marcus Freeman, Jared Cook…all starters.
Falcon 8211
March 14th, 2009
7:21 pm
just seen a rumour that lj smith will pick a new team in the next few days and they beleive it is going to be the falcons.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
March 14th, 2009
7:22 pm
A.J. SMITH IT IS…..SO MUCH FOR PETTIGREW
hawesg
March 14th, 2009
7:23 pm
Stirg, the Falcons have said they want safeties who can play both FS and SS. That’s their preference, so they can mix up looks in the secondary. I think that’s why they’re so high on Delmas, he has the skills of a FS and the tackling of a SS. And the character that, say, Jimmy Williams lacked.
Anyway, looks like we are on the verge of signing LJ Smith. Booooooo. Smith is always injured, always whining and can’t block. This is a natural by-product of not getting good defensive FAs in here. They have to sign a poor TE to get a pass catcher in here (for the ten games where he’s healthy enough to play) so that they can fill more needs through the draft, despite the fact that they will have the second coming of Dallas Clark coming in Shawn Nelson available in the mid-second round.
Hey, I hope I’m wrong and Smith finally plays to his ability. But Hope ain’t a plan.
hawesg
March 14th, 2009
7:24 pm
BTW, here’s the link for the Smith sigining since D.Led is apparently taking a nap…
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-9-71/Smith-says-he-s-going-to-Atlanta.html
hawesg
March 14th, 2009
7:26 pm
AJC ate my link. Pat Yasinkas at ESPN quotes Bob Brookover of the Philly Inky as saying that Smith is coming to Atlanta.
Oh, the joy…
Well, at least we won’t have to laugh at those numbskulls having the Falcons pick Pettigrew with their Mock Drafts (accent on the mock).
danga
March 14th, 2009
8:37 pm
I hope somewhere in this draft they sign TE jared cook.He’s a really tall really fast TE that would give LBS and SS-FS fits. Theirs noway matty ice could ever miss him. The next ozzie newsome perhaps
Stirg d'Nahisf
March 14th, 2009
8:56 pm
hawesg, I stand corrected. You right, the Falcons did say they wanted to mix it up in the backfield (defensively) and Louis Delmas, Sean Smith, Sherrod Martin would do excellent back there. That way, QB wouldn’t know if he’s playing corner, safety, sam, will, nickel, cheerleader, waterboy; the options are endless with a Delmas, Smith or Johnson. Hmmm, that just might solidify our guess at the Falcons first pick, considering none of those names will be available come second pick.
Question; You would really use a number two pick for TE?
danga
March 14th, 2009
9:13 pm
jared cook.He’ll be the best choice in the 2nd round to me . REally fast and tall and can actually catch the ball.I dont really no about his blocking skills playing for spurier but i do he’ll strecth the field and cause all kinds of problems opposing db’s.
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2009
9:59 pm
STIRG D’NAHISF-nice analysis. The problem I have with the DT situation is I have no idea how they intend to use 6′3″ 323lb DT TLewis, who’s returning from IR and should be stronger than before and ready to go. Do they feel they need to draft a quality backup for TLewis or JBabineaux, and how does DT KMorehead figure in the decision?
With our current vet LB’s, we can afford to draft a talented project in the later rds to be developed over the next couple of yrs. DE is the most puzzling position of them all. Will DE CDavis earn the starting RDE position, or will JAnderson finally take the next step and become the complete DE one would expect of a top pick after 2yrs of experience as a starter? The way KBiermann came on near the end of last season, and if he continues to improve, we could have something special. Either way, when you consider how injury prone JAbraham is, we can certainly benefit from having at least 2 of the 3 DE’s step up.
Stirg d'Nahisf
March 14th, 2009
10:41 pm
You know, that is something that We greatly overlook…a DE behind JAbraham. I don’t think he’s had a healthy full season his whole career, has he? I wouldn’t waste a top pick on a DE but I would certainly consider the need. How far do you think Michael Johnson will drop? He certainly fits the versaltility the Falcons are looking for.
chad
March 14th, 2009
10:45 pm
The coaching staff and gm the falcons have now seem to have there act together. Just give the guys a chance, remember last year was supposed to be horrible and look what happened. Unlike past years I truly believe the falcons have the right pieces at the top to get it done. I will be happy with a winning season this year since back to back has never been done in the franchise’s history. Have to learn how to walk before you can run. Go Falcons, beat there ass!
darrell starks
March 14th, 2009
11:01 pm
We have to go defense with the first 3 picks and not only that we need guys who can step in day one and starte I NO we already have a middle LB BUT drafting LAURINAITIS who is absolutely a playmaker and can in my opinion play weakside LB WOULD be perfect for the falcons, we always get caught up in this combine STUFF but this guy have football speed that is deceiving lets look AT THE PATROITS LB WHEN THEY WON THREE SUPERBOWL neither one had 4.5 speed but they had football speed and could make plays thats the difference can you make plays AND DRAFTING CUSHING OR LAURINAITIS WILL BE AND UP GRADE ON DEFENSE. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stirg d'Nahisf
March 14th, 2009
11:22 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AqiHg_fkQPgM3E2O9IBfvjzXb6x_?slug=ys-draftprospectranks030309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Ken Strickland
March 15th, 2009
12:06 pm
DARRELL STARKS-the problem with drafting a LB with our 1st pick is it might not improve our DEF significantly. Peterson has extensive experience at both ILB and OLB positions and we also have TGilbert ss the backup MLB. Can anyone really say there’s a LB in this yrs draft that can outperform SNicholas, CWire or Peterson to an extent that we should use our top pick on them when we have more pressing needs?
The Patriots play a 3-4 DEF, and in that DEF, the LB, along with NT, is always the most prominent position. You see it with the Steelers and the Ravens. Besides, speed isn’t a major factor for 3-4 LB’s because they don’t have as much territory to cover, since there are 4 of them. In fact, a lot of 3-4 LB’s are former or converted DE’s.
The position upgrades that would have the greatest impact on the Falcons are TE, DT, SS and DE.
TE-adding a TE that can block and REC would vastly improve our 1st and 2nd down OFF and make our no huddle OFF deadly. You see, it takes away the element of surprise when you substitute a pass catching TE, or WR, for your blocking TE. When you switch to your no huddle OFF, you want to give your QB a 3rd pass receiving option without tipping your hand by substituting for your blocking TE. Having a REC TE in the gm prevents the SS, or a LB, from focusing exclusively on stopping the run.
DT-our DEF has been very weak up the middle for several yrs. We’ve solved the MLB problem with Lofton, now we need to address the DT problem. Other than JBabineaux, TLewis has been the only other DT that’s demonstrated any consistent pass rushing ability. Solidify our interior DL and our LB’s, safeties and CB’s won’t end up among the team leaders in tackles.
DE-part of our secondary and overall pass DEF problems were the result of not having an effective pass rush. Other than DE Jabraham, we would have been at the bottom of the league in sacks. Even with him we were near the bottom. If we can generate a pass rush from RDE, we won’t have to move Abraham around to make it more difficult to double team him. Everyone knows that a effective pass rush can cover a multitude of secondary problems.
SS-we saw the result of not having a SS with cover ability in the big playoff gm against Arizona. A poor interior run DEF forced us to use our SS more as a LB. Using Malloy more as a LB put a lot of pressure on our CB’s, FS, and the LB that had to cover his man. Having a SS with cover skills improves our pass DEF immeasurably, especially on 1st and 2nd down passing situations when we haven’t substituted.
These are my reasons for thinking we won’t likely draft a LB with our 1st pick. The positions mentioned above are also positions of need and upgrading them would have more impact.
cutter
March 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Evander Hood is a big DT with solid numbers in the mold of what Mike Smith likes . It appears Atlanta is about to sign L.J. Smith, if that happens the drafting of TE is out the window. I guess some assume Peterson has many years left to play I for one don’t so do you wait untill he’s done to acquire high level replacement? Strickland you asked if drafting OLB 1st could improve the DEF significantly…if you are referring to this season maybe not but this is a process of building. Clay Matthews Jr. is scheduled for workouts with the Falcons after his Pro day. Atlanta Falcons.com is projecting Matthews Jr. as 24th pick. All of these players can potentially improve the team. We are all speculating because we don’t have a clue as to what the Falcons will do. I would like to see us sure up the linebacking core and the DT positions first, it all starts with the line of scrimmage.
cutter
March 15th, 2009
1:58 pm
Jarod Mayo drafted by THE New England Patriots in 1st round 40 yd dash 4.54… speed always matters. There are alot of college DE that convert to OLB in 3-4 at pro level why because they can rush the passer and they have the hips and enough speed to drop and play in coverage.
cutter
March 15th, 2009
3:04 pm
Louis Delmas is a free safety Sean Smith is a corner/fs, if Erik Coleman does not move to SS then we need a SS not a FS. Thomas Decoud is a FS. The SS has to be the guy who can come up into the box for run support. Patrick Chung fits the versatile type SS TD would like if he were to go SS with first or second pick. The safety we draft will probably be in a back-up role unless TD feels Decoud is not the guy and well he did draft him so he did his homework on this guy.
darrell starks
March 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
EXCELLENT POINT KEN STRICKLAND I MY SELF LIKE NICHOLAS AND I NO THAT WE RUN A 4, 3 BUT I STILL LIKE CUSHING OR LAURINAITIS, LOFTON AND PETERSON AS THE STARTER AND WIRE, NICHOLAS AS BACKUP YOU ALWAYS WANT TO HAVE SOLID BACK UP AT THE LB POSITION. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
March 15th, 2009
3:39 pm
CUTTER YOU ARE RIGHT SOMETIME SPEED DOES MATTER BUT WHAT SPEED ARE WE TALKING ABOUT SOME PLAYER HAVE THAT KIND OF SPEED THAT IS DECEIVING LOOK AT JERRY RICE, EMMIT SMITH, RAY LEWIS THREE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN FOOTBALL HISTORY AND NOT ONE OF THEM RAN A 4.5 FORTY BUT THEY WHERE PLAY MAKER AT THERE POSTION. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
March 15th, 2009
4:09 pm
Ken,
You’re right that we had some coverage issues from the safety position. But as you say, it was due in large part to having poor run defense. Well, will adding a new safety with the first pick mean better run defense? It would mean better run SUPPORT, but not initial run defense.
For that reason, we could very well be looking at a DT, then a safety. And yet, if not a good enough DT, then we may indeed be looking at a good OLB. I think if that happens though, then Dimitroff and company do so because they are willing to stick with the guys they have (move Anderson inside and count on Tra Lewis being healthy and ready) on the defensive line. They may then decide to go with higher value by drafting a good LB to play with Lofton and the others.
I don’t know. So many ways to go. Maybe draft a ‘backer and safety/corner, then go for an offensive lineman and defensive lineman later in the draft. Who knows.
Cutter,
I think I agree with that. Peterson will get the “Keith Brooking” treatment the minute he slows down (especially by Crabapple Joe, heh heh) and we don’t want to get caught having to use our safeties as LBs again. And Matthews is a good guy. I wonder just HOW good of a player he is. Dimitroff and Smith will sniff it out if he’s got what they want.
Similarly, we MUST shore up the defensive line, and although I’m anxious to see why TD likes Tra Lewis, I’m not entirely sure Lewis will get the job done. And we don’t know what Anderson will give us this year. Has to be more than he did last year. I’d take Evander Hood. He’ll help, just as Babineaux has.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m about ready for some new news…
Big Ray
March 15th, 2009
4:16 pm
Well, I guess the signing isn’t official. LJ Smith may or may not be that good for us, but after reading the article, it seems that Mularkey will probably only be looking to get around the same amount of catches from him as he provided the Eagles last year. Doubt if he’ll be expected to catch 50-60 balls. All we need is for the offense to be opened up.
Doesn’t mean we won’t draft a tight end, just maybe not Pettigrew. Besides, we have always known we need defensive help. I still wouldn’t say Pettigrew is an impossiblity. If he’s on the board when we pick….well, asset management is something only good GMs understand. Dude could always be traded for another piece (or picks) that really helps us. But the odds aren’t stacked in favor of us drafting Pettigrew if Smith actually signs.
cutter
March 15th, 2009
4:20 pm
I IMAGINE WHEN YOU ARE SCOUTING A PROSPECT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT WOULD HIS COLLEGE CAREER STATS, HIS FILM, AND HIS MEASUREABLES. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE THAT SMITH, RICE, LEWIS WOULD BE AS GREAT AS THEY TURNED OUT TO BE BUT IF LEWIS HAD BETTER FORTY TIMES HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAFTED HIGHER THAN THE 26TH PICK IF RICE HAD A BETTER FORTY TIME HE PROBALY WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAFTED HIGHER THAN THE 16TH PICK AND THE SAME CASE FOR SMITH. HEART AND DESIRE ARE TWO THINGS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE, THE PLAYERS YOU NOTED HAVE TONS OF BOTH. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WERE TEAMS THAT PASSED ON THESE GUYS FOR SOME REASON WHAT DO YOU THINK THE REASON WAS?
darrell starks
March 15th, 2009
4:22 pm
IF TD DECIDE NOT TO GO WITH ANY LB IN THE 1ST ROUND THATS COOL BECAUSE I DO FEEL THAT NICHOLAS, WIRE, PETERSON, AND LOFTON CAN GET THE JOB DONE THEN I WOULD DRAFT SEAN SMITH OF UTAH WITH MY FIRST PICK SECOND PICK ASHER ALLEN OF GEORGIA WHO IN MY OPION IS BETTER THAN CHRIS HOUSTON AND THIRD DT DORRELL SCOTT OF CLEMSON WHO IS BIG AND STRONG AND CAN CLOG THE MIDDLE ALL THREE PLAYER SEAN SMITH, ASHER ALLEN, AND DORRELL SCOTT CAN BE DAY ONE STARTERS FOR THE FALCONS. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
March 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
Darrell,
Interesting ideas, and they might work. Why do you type in all caps?
The question is, do we need a SS or FS? Isn’t Fudge our SS? I thought Decoud and Coleman were FSs?
Ken Strickland
March 15th, 2009
4:41 pm
The fact is, none of our opinions and suggestions are right or wrong. We’ll likely benefit regardless of which position we draft first. I’m in agreement with BIG JAKE about upgrading our DL. That upgrade will improve our rushing DEF, pass rush, LB, CB, safety play, and our overall pass DEF. As I’ve said before, I don’t think this yrs draft is the definitive draft for Dimitroff and Smith. That will probably come next yr. While we have muliple areas that need addressing, some of those areas need addressing more than others. With the vet LB’s we now have, I just don’t think LB is as much of a need as DT, DE, SS or even CB. Then again, Dimitroff and Smith might not see it that way and draft a LB, who knows. Either way they choose to go, they won’t get any argument from me.
In last yrs draft, when Dimitroff selected QB MRyan over DT’s CEllis or JDorsey, I was so upset I stopped watching the draft. Well, his decision made me eat crow, but he got my utmost respect. That’s why all of this speculation is just entertainment for me now, because regardless of what player or position he gets, it will still lead the Falcons and iheir fans to what we all want to be, WINNERS.
darrell starks
March 15th, 2009
5:05 pm
I am sorry BIG BROTHER RAY i just think that coleman is physical enough to play ss position and if you look at coleman and milloy they both have the same phsique and drafting sean smith who can play cb or safety would definitely be and up grade for us in the backfield i dont no to much about DECOUD IS HE GOOD CAN HE BE A PLAYMAKER but i do no these SEAN SMITH IS A BEAST. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cutter
March 15th, 2009
5:21 pm
Sean Smith will be a FS at the next level not that much better than Decoud or Coleman at this point in the game to pull the trigger on.
D3
March 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
What’s up guys? Man, what does it take to get a new blog up every couple of days? Not trying to hate on DOL, but DOB and Chip Towers by comparison get one up every other day, even if not every day. I know its a dead time and all, but us bloggers have no problem talking about the draft, returning players, schemes, starting spots, etc.
Seeing some great analyses on here. In all honesty, if the LJ Smith rumor is true I’ll be somewhat disappointed I guess. I know he has the skills to have a really good year, but he’s injuried all the time. I thought we’d have to fill at least one need through free-agency and I assumed we were probably done looking at LJ after we signed Peterson. Let’s be honest, if the falcons really wanted him I think they would make it happen, but its been like over a week now since he made his visit, which probably about the same time as the last new post topic.
Smith is the top TE available in free agency, but I think it would be a shame not to draft a TE in this year’s group, even if we don’t grab Pettigrew, there’s Cook, Nelson, Coffman, Ingraham, or Casey. Is there any way we still draft a TE in the 3rd or 4th if we sign Smith. It appears to be still rumor at this point because I can’t find any substantiating on NFL.com or ESPN, besides Yasinkas post.
Like Ken and others have said, I can’t see drafting a CB or SS in the first round. The value is just not there this year in those groups. Vontae Davis and Malcolm Jenkins would be the only CB’s worth #24, but they’ll be long gone. As Ken noted, do we really want to spend our #24 on a 5′9 CB? We have Brent Grimes, who has experience of starting.
I go back and forth on drafting a OLB first. In one aspect I want to draft a guy like Cushing, Matthews, and Maybin and be set at LB for years. But on the other hand if Nicholas is ready to take over than that would make the Peterson signing seem non-sensical. I’m starting to go back on my original statement that we should wait on a TE for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round. But taking Pettigrew would set up our OFF for years to come and give Matty Ice a great, young target.
As far as DT, I think obviously Raji or Jerry would be awesome to take, but they’ll be long gone as well. Maybe Ziggy Hood is worth a #24, but I think he’s got the same body type as Babineuax and we’ll need at least one big man. Glad I’m not TD. I’m kind of pulling against the Smith signing, just b/c personally I want us to grab Pettigrew.
richbrave
March 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
Well you FALCONS FANATICS won’t have to worry about the ‘SKINS taking a CB off the board before you pick. Left DE and OLB’s are their primary concerns on defense. GUARDS and TACKLES on offense. ORAKPO from TEXAS looks to be their #1.