Falcons wave goodbye to L.J. Smith
Like Beyonce (above) sings about in her hit song, it doesn't appear that L.J. Smith and the Falcons will be putting a ring on it. The marriage is over before it started.
A little basketball break was in order.
Been zipping back and forth to Macon and to see Whitefield Academy claim its second Class A boys state title. Hats off to AD John East and coach Tyrone Johnson and the rest of his staff. (Full disclosure: one of the Ledbetter girls cheers for the J.V. squad. Got to support the Wolfpack.)
Also, had to watch some of the conference tournament games to get ready for the Big Dance.
While I was off getting my basketball fix, the Falcons and tight end L.J. Smith were still square dancing at the Free Agency Ball. But the waltz appears over, according to a source close to the negotiations. Smith’s lack of blocking ability isn’t a scheme fit for the run happy Falcons.
The dancing is finally over and in the words of Beyonce Knowles they are not going to be putting a ring on this once blooming marriage.
Smith’s options were down to Detroit and Atlanta. It seemed like the Falcons would easily be the winner. But Smith dragged his feet and the Falcons had a change of heart. In the end, they are a running team and Smith doesn’t block. That’s what football teams call “a bad scheme fit.”
Now, as far as the Falcons are concerned, they could have put a “Waffle House – Pancake” clause in Smith’s contract.
A little incentive clause for pancake blocks could have been a good motivator for Smith. They could have started at $200,000 after five pancakes and another $350,000 after 10 pancakes and so on.
That way Smith would have had added incentive to block and the Falcons offense would not have suffered when he was in the game.
In an ideal world, you need the tight end to block and catch. Maybe the Falcons could have made Smith go with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and his assistant Paul Dunn during mini-camps. Those two could have got him re-dedicated to the blocking game.
LET’S JUMP AROUND A LITTLE BIT
MILLOY UPDATE: Former safety Lawyer Milloy has been in some initial talks with teams, according to his agent Todd France.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Falcons were represented at West Virginia’s pro day last week. Quarterback Pat White attracted most of the attention, but linebacker Mortty Ivy was of some interest.
He’s a smart kid, who played quarterback in high school. He helped himself by running a faster 40 time than the 4.88 he ran at the scouting combine. He’s 6-foot-1, 248-pounds and played weakside at West Virginia. Some consider him a strongside linebacker in the NFL.
A couple of key pro day stops for the Falcons this week are Pittsburgh on Tuesday and the University of Georgia on Thursday.
NCAA TOURNEY TIPS: Well it is March and what would the blog be without a tournament tip or two.
Wake Forest will have to deal with Cleveland State's Cedric Jackson.
Take Cleveland State in the first round. They have a really nice point guard in Cedric Jackson. You must have a point guard to pull off a tournament shocker.
The Vikings were one of the tournament’s original Cinderella teams. Back in 1986 Ken “The Mouse” McFadden, Clinton Smith (the pride of Cleveland Audubon Junior High and John Adams High) and Clinton Ransey shocked the world when they upset Bobby Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers. Big Ten purists insist that the Hoosiers haven’t been the same since and note that they had to go with JUCOs like Keith Smart to win the title in 1987. They have not won a title since.
My man Tom Crean will get the Hoosiers moving back in the right direction. Just hope he doesn’t start wearing red sweaters.
As a matter of fact, even with Mick Cronin still working on getting Cincinnati Bearcats turned around, the Buckeye state is flushed with five tournament teams: CSU, Ohio State, Dayton, Xavier and Akron. Only Xavier appears capable of a deep run, though.
QUARTERACK MARKET: The news out of Denver about the cat fight between head coach Josh Daniels and Jay Cutler is not good news for the Falcons.
That adds one more quarterback to the open market at a time when they are trying to shop the rights to Michael Vick.
There’s plenty of more hoops to watch this week. Thursday and Friday are the best to college basketball days of the year.
Fired up about the tournament? (Or are you a depressed Kentucky fan?) Since the Smith deal is not going down, what will the Falcons do for a pass catching tight end? We’ve got some time before the draft, but it’s looking like the Falcons will go heavy on defense – safety, cornerback and defensive tackle look like the top priorities. Who would you like to see them pick? Would the Waffle House Pancake clause have worked for Smith?
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140 comments Add your comment
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:03 pm
I think he would do very well if he played in any capacity after some time, but i really dont see it being here. The question is, how creative can Blank be with balancing Vick and the Salary cap hit? Is he strong armed by the league or Union or Contract to release Vick outright if no suitors are found – I mean, we eat the money one way or another, right? (He gets released, we still owe. He plays we still owe.)
Thoughts? I may be overlooking something here…
Art Vandelay
March 16th, 2009
5:03 pm
Tripp, I think you’re being a little too wishful in that scenario. Vick is far too talented a QB to just be a “utility” guy, and he’s such a polarizing figure in Atlanta that he’d cause more headache than he’s worth. Can you imagine being Coach Smith, TD or Arthur Blank and having to deal with the media circus that would follow him around, instead of focusing on the team? The Falcons are doing just fine without him, and it’s nice to have a little serenity around here for a change. Let Vick move on to situation where he can rebuild his image and hopefully restart his career. I’m an animal lover and just as disgusted with him as anyone, but I do think the man deserves another chance since he’s served his time and shown considerable remorse for his actions. I just don’t want that chance to be here.
SeminoleWarrior
March 16th, 2009
5:08 pm
ManMike, it’s all about business. AB wants a new stadium for the Falcons and if he bring back MV, he will lose MAJOR suitors for that effort. He will need their private capital; he does not want any part of a new deal with the state after the GA Dome lease is up. So the division that would be assured by bringing back MV would not suit AB well at all. Even Jerry Jones and Al Davis cut their losses this off season.
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:09 pm
I dont see why we would trade down. We have a good number of picks as it is. The Falcon “Rookies” will now be thrust to the front lines like they should have been last year – Nicolas, Biermann, Jackson, VHutchins…..etc….So missing out on a 24th overall for the sake of an extra 2nd rounder seems a little much. Why even deal with it?
Falcon Devil
March 16th, 2009
5:11 pm
Could anyone ever hoped Matt Ryan would emerge out of MV’s shadow so well after his rookie season? It would be cruel and unusual to even fathom having No. 7 back on the roster.
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:12 pm
SeminoleWarrior –
Great point about the new Stadium. I didnt even consider that.
I cant completely agree that Blank would lose out on all suitors simply because I dont know who those Suitors may be, or their stance on Vick. So, honestly, who’s to say on that aspect? But it is an excellent point, none the less.
Art Vandelay
March 16th, 2009
5:12 pm
Mike, the Falcons won’t have to pay Vick another dime. NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed (unlike baseball), but the salary cap hit would still be enforced if we cut him as opposed to trading him. Frankly, I would think that Dimitroff would take a 50% off coupon to Chick-fil-A for Vick if he could get it, but no team is going to want to trade for him with that kind of money remaining on his contract — especially in an economy like this. Wherever he signs, it’ll be for about 25% (or less) of what he would’ve made had he not gotten in trouble.
Falcon Devil
March 16th, 2009
5:13 pm
Due to the elite talent on offense this draft class, Falcons should in almost any Mock Draft scenario be able to grab an elite blue-chip OLB, DL, or DB at 24. I think trading down is a extremely unlikely scenario.
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:16 pm
I am excited about the future with Ryan. Man, I really see him getting all bulked up and being a Manning type. I know, I know – The comparisons don’t add up, but I’m just saying I see Ryan as a great QB for a long time to come, getting better and better as the battles pass and he learns. All the video he watches really shows me the commitment to the game, and that’s what it takes.
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:19 pm
Art-
I agree, i don’t see a team trading for him either. I was just wondering if there was some creative thinking behind the early Press Release of the Proposed Trade Call. Was it simply that, or was it selective timing for something else?
I dunno man, spice up the thinking a little…
SeminoleWarrior
March 16th, 2009
5:21 pm
ManMike, you could be right about the suitors but AB will not want to take that chance. He is a very careful business man. His ONLY mistake was giving in to Rich and that ridiculous contract in the first place. Really, would you have paid MV more money than the Colts paid Peyton?
Tripp Smith
March 16th, 2009
5:23 pm
Thanks to all for your responses. I certainly do not want repurcussions to the organization if Vick was to return, but I just wonder if it is something that could pan out for the better for Vick continuing his career and helping the Falcon bottom line without a massive cap hit. I definately believe in our future with Ryan at the helm.
Flash
March 16th, 2009
5:23 pm
Hey Led,
A couple of notes. Your homeboys, Cleveland St., are going down in flames in the first round. No return to the glory year when they escaped the first round. I don’t think that J-Cutty will upset the apple cart too much for Vick as they are two vastly different type of quarterbacks. Finally, we’re going to have to start calling you Professor Led if you keep rocking the bow tie!
Art Vandelay
March 16th, 2009
5:24 pm
Mike, I think Dimitroff made it known that he wanted to trade Vick because he was hoping to start some sort of bidding war, or at least generate a little buzz. That said, I think he’s also smart enough to know that it was never going to happen — but you never know until you try, right? The good news is that the organization seems to be fully capable of winning even with the Vick salary cap hit cutting into our available budget. I have 100% confidence in the people running this team right now, and I think we’re in a great position to finally break that absurd streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons. The future is bright, so it’s unfair to say that Vick “destroyed the franchise,” as an earlier post mentioned. One could actually say that Vick’s arrest was the best thing that ever happened to the Falcons, because it got Petrino The Coward to leave town and brought Dimitroff and Mike Smith in.
SeminoleWarrior
March 16th, 2009
5:28 pm
Ryan is going to be a very good NFL QB for a long time. 22-25 TDs are on tap for the 2009 season.
TheManMike
March 16th, 2009
5:40 pm
Art-
I share your trust in the FO of our Birds. Great point about this team being able to make it with or without the Vick salary hit, totally agree. I was wondering whos comment you were referring to about Vick “destroying the franchise” – I disagree, i dont think this franchise has been destroyed at all. I think this franchise is going nowhere but up. Cant wait.
Seminole -
Honestly? Never would have paid that much money to ANYONE. But to answer the question – Well, i guess i did. ha.
If Ryan becomes half of what Peyton Manning is, then we are really in for a treat for a long time. Peyton is the most intense QB on the field.
George P Burdell
March 16th, 2009
5:55 pm
Detroit signed TE Will Heller today. It looks like Smith won’t going there either.
Falcon Devil
March 16th, 2009
6:01 pm
I said that Vick destoyed the franchise two long years ago… which it did at that time. It destroyed the momentum and winning potential our team had at that time. I wasn’t saying our franchise was doomed forever, I’m extremely excited about last year, this year and the future. I did not mean the Falcon organization was literally destroyed. We have started from scratch (very well) since the MV debacle.
Paddy
March 16th, 2009
6:20 pm
When you lie to the owner of your team, it is over. Vick also lied to the NFL Commish. He may be facing another year of suspension for that little trick.
Ken Strickland
March 16th, 2009
6:30 pm
An awful lot of us have expressed our opinions about what we feel the team needs most. But, does the team really need some of the players and position upgrades as badly as some of us seem to think?
LB-we’ll have 4 veteran LB’s competing for 2 OLB spots, Peterson(OLB/MLB), Nicholas(OLB) and Wire(OLB). Add starting MLB Lofton and his bis backup Gilbert, and we already have a solid veteran LB group. CAN WE REALLY SAY THIS IS A POSITION OF NEED THAT REQUIRES THE USE OF OUR #24 PICK?
TE-JPeelle is the only TE on our roster that can be considered a rec/blocking TE. While some of you feel he can get the job done, it’s obvious the coaching staff isn’t sold on him as a receiver and feels there’s a need for an upgrade here.
SS-last yr we had 6 safeties on our roster and starting SS LMalloy is gone. Since Malloy stayed relatively healthy, none of his backups got much gm experience. JFudge seems to be the frontrunner at the position.
DT-This has been a DEF weakness for the Falcons for sometime and starting NT GJackson is gone. Jackson was released in 07 and replaced by TLewis, who performed very well before suffering a season ending injury. He reinjured himself before training camp last yr and hasn’t played a down since the initial injury in 07. Even if he returns to form, do we have adequate backup for both projected starters TLewis and JBabineaux?
DE-JAbraham is one of the NFL’s best pass rushers and last yr he had his best overall season, especially in sacks. Do we trust RDE JAnderson will improve enough to triple or quadruple his 2 sacks? Or, do we trust that CDavis will improve upon his 4 sacks if given the additional playing time he’d get as the starting RDE? Or, will KBiermann improve enough as a pass rusher to become the pass rushing specialist we’ve lacked opposite JAbraham.
CB-we lost what was considered our best CB in DFoxworth. However, we’ll have 3 CB’s returning from IR in DIrons, BGrimes and VHutchins. Do we use a high pick to draft a CB, or do we believe BGrimes can regain his starting spot? Do we feel CJackson will improve enough on his outstanding rookie season as a nickel back to take over the starting spot, or can last yrs FA signee CB VHutchins win out?
DT and DE are the 2 positions that can impact all of the other DEF positions the most. Adding a solid all around TE could improve our Redzone, short yardage and 3rd down efficiency and increase our scoring opportunities and time of possession. It seems to me that DT/DE, SS and TE are our most pressing areas of need, and not necessarily in that order. What do you guys think?
TNFalconFn
March 16th, 2009
6:31 pm
Vick would be poison for the falcons. Cut him or trade him if you can. It’s nice in Canada this time of year. If LJ Smith is not coming to Atlanta,(thank goodness),is Brandon back on the draft board?
NiteOwl
March 16th, 2009
6:41 pm
D., thanks for the info. Even new news of no news (or no new moves) is good news. Right? (Now say it 10 times fast.)
I agree with Poor McKay way back at the beginning of the comments. My first thought was, why did they even bother with L.J. Smith?
I mean, good luck trying to teach a guy to block. I guess it can happen if the player is young and it’s a technique thing, or if it just wasn’t emphasized in his previous roles.
But if it’s a matter of passion and drive, then it’s not going to work. You don’t have to be Jack Lambert to shake your head at the need to put a “pancake” clause in a contract. You should be happy to have the opportunity to crack some skulls (see Michael Turner, Ovie Mughelli, the entire offensive line, our current TEs, and even our wide receivers).
As for Vick, I think he’s going to come back and play well for someone. Definitely not us, and I definitely don’t care. I’m still thinking someone is going to be desperate enough and stupid enough to trade something for him. There are enough owners out there with more money than sense. Someone is going to take a sure thing (even with the money) rather than risk letting someone else get him in free agency.
Not sure I really believe that myself, but I do believe in the vanity of many NFL owners (love our man AB, though). We’ll see.
YuleeFalcon
March 16th, 2009
6:47 pm
Thanks DOL. Keep the Football news coming when you can.
NiteOwl
March 16th, 2009
6:52 pm
Good points, Ken. You know I’m big on our current talent, so I agree with your assessment.
That’s why I still think we’ll find some talent early in the draft that may or may not start right away (even at No. 24), but give them a year or two and they’ll wind up being 10-year starters. They will at the least provide instant depth, though, in 2009. Upgrade the franchise for the long haul.
And if we draft someone who’s better than what we have right away, then great. I’m just saying they’ll have to earn it as a rookie, like Ryan, Lofton, Baker, and C.Jackson (at starting nickel) did. The cupboard is not quite as bare as last year when it comes to good young talent.
NiteOwl
March 16th, 2009
6:55 pm
By the way, if anyone cares, when I said “sure thing” about Vick, I just meant that a team would want to be sure to get him (through trade) rather than let him go to someone else in free agency.
But I do think he’ll come back fine…eventually, and for someone else. So…what else is going on?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 16th, 2009
6:55 pm
Falcons have confirmed through a spokesperson that L.J. Smith will not be signed.
Falcon 8211
March 16th, 2009
7:03 pm
good now go and get rolle as soon as he his cut
Falcon 8211
March 16th, 2009
7:06 pm
DOL, see if there are anymore FA going to vist. get the phone lines going.
bigjohnbirdsfan
March 16th, 2009
7:13 pm
Wow, Beyonce’s got quite a can and pair of jugs!
GO BIRDS GO!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 16th, 2009
7:17 pm
KEN STRICKLAND: Nice job. Thorough analysis. Like your offseason flow.
On LBs — I concur with your LB assessment, but Peterson is 32 and turns 33 in June. Would be good to get another stud in camp to learn the tricks of the trade while smashing heads on special teams. The Robert James kid (last year 5th round) appears interesting. Want to see what he can do. His nickname is “The Beast.” He got hurt and missed all of last season. TD called him a “run and hit” guy. In my 11-plus years on NFL coverage, “run and hit” guys are usually pretty good.
FALCON DEVIL: I concur!
FLASH: Don’t hate on the CSU Vikings. Mother Led has a degree from there. On J-Cutty, the real problem would be if he lands in Tampa Bay and is throwing darts against the yet-to-be-fortified secondary twice a year.
THEMANMIKE: Like your points. Here are the draft picks this year, again.
• Round 1: 24th of round, 24th overall
• Round 2: 23rd of round, 55th overall
• Round 3: 26th of round, 90th overall
• Round 4: 25th of round
• Round 5: 7th (from Oakland) and 24th of round
• Round 6: 23rd of round
• Round 7: None. Traded to Denver
AND, no I haven’t heard anyone ever mention the outright release of MV7. Can’t do that because of the contract hit and pending dispute over his bonus money. As long as he’s suspended, his numbers are “TOLLED.” Once — and IF — he’s reinstated his numbers would be an issue.
ARTVANDELAY: See above on Vick Here are the numbers on his contract:
2009 — $9 million base, $6.43 million prorated, Cap number: $15.43 million
2010 — $10.4 million base, $680,000 prorated, Cap number: 11.18 million
2011 — $12 million base, $1 million Pro Bowl Escalator, Cap number: 12 million
2012 — $12.5 million base, $1 million Pro Bowl Escalator, Cap number: $12.5 million
2013 — $13.5 million base, $1 million Pro Bowl Escalator, Cap number $13.5 million
Nobody is likely trading for this contract. Falcons may have to wait until he gets re-instated, then renegotiate a deal that somebody will take. It could end up like an NBA sign-and-trade deal.
JOEY563: The underground word is that the blocking was a major issue. OC Mike Mularkey, a former tough guy tight end in his own right, probably was going to have issues with a tight end indifferent about blocking. So to kee the peace and not overpay, they elected to head into the draft for the pass catching tight end.
Tyger
March 16th, 2009
7:22 pm
What if Matt Ryan gets hurt?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 16th, 2009
7:29 pm
FALCON 8211: Beating the bushes to find out about any more visitors. Nothing shaking right now. Rolle, Sharper, Ken Lucas and Roy Williams seem like guys the Falcons can’t turn their noses up at.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
March 16th, 2009
7:32 pm
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80f3bedb
ShamusThacker
March 16th, 2009
8:04 pm
I am absolutely repulsed by the sight of Michael Vick, BUT, I still realize he’s one of the greatest athletes in NFL history.
You people honestly believe Jerry Jones and Al Davis aren’t fantasizing at this very moment? You seem to think teamS are going to wait around for his release. ONLY ONE TEAM can sign a player off waivers; they can’t ALL have him. As training camp draws near, either Al or Jerry will show interest. When the other finds out, it’s on! You think either of these guys give a rat’s azz about public relations? They wouldn’t care if he’d raped his granny if he can make plays. There will be a bidding war before it’s over. The Falcons will take the mother load, and after what they’ve been through with this man/child, they damn well deserve it!
D3
March 16th, 2009
8:33 pm
Seminole, if you’re right on Patrick Chung, then I agree with you, but I don’t really think that Chung is heads and shoulders above the others and be worth a #24. I could be wrong.
Ken, nice points as always. I do agree with DOL on LB, Peterson will hold it down for a year or two, but this year’s OLB class is pretty deep. Lucky for us one of our biggest areas of need is TE and it is really deep, so I’m real happy we passed on Smith.
I agree on DT, Lewis is a real unknown due to injury concerns, but I don’t know if #24 is worth anyone else besides Raji or Jerry, which will be gone. Ziggy Hood appears to be in the mold of Babineaux, not a run stuffer. We could wait until 3rd to grab someone like Brace or Hill and still get great value to push Trey Lewis.
I guess DeCoud is ready to step in based on what they think about him, but I just don’t see the value at SS at #24 even though it is a HUGE need. I think we could grab a stud like Chung or Sean Smith in the second.
I know a lot of us have a problem with it, but drafting a Cushing, Matthews, or Maybin would set us at LB for years. We could follow that with a SS pick in second, TE in third, and run-stuffer DT in fourth. Thoughts?
BTW, no snowball’s chance in Hades that anyone is biting on Vick for a trade. They’ll just wait until we cut him if they want to pick him up.
ernisTbass
March 16th, 2009
8:40 pm
At some point the Falcons need to pick up a running back that can gain one yard+ when it’s third and one. I like Turner but he just doesn’t have any Bettis(BUS) type grind in his game. He will dance at the line until a hole opens up and get dropped for a loss while he is waiting. He is a big guy but a big dissappointment when you need a little Rambo action. Yeah he is hard to bring down after he gets rolling but he can’t force the rolling to get started.Big yards against Detroit and Kansas City pad the stats but against strong teams 40-60 yards from your power back don’t get it done and that happens way too much. Did he get 100 total against Tampa in two games? The display against Arizona was pathetic.He has been a good addition to the team but I think way overrated, if he doesn’t quit dancing with the stars and start plowing over them I won’t be alone in that opinion for long. The birds will face a lot less Detroit and K City types this year. I hope he can get 1500+ this year but it will take a lot more effort that I don’t know exists. At any rate a late round bowling ball hasn’t been mentioned by anyone but needs to be considered.Be honest, on third and one in a big spot is Turner on the top of your list in the NFL to carry the ball? Can he be counted on to run out the clock in the fourth quarter? Could Drew Brees have racked up all that fourth quarter yardage if he could? Why do the birds kick so many field goals? Bottom line TD, keep your eyes out for a late round RB.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 16th, 2009
9:51 pm
VS2: Of the 10 quarterbacks in the video, only two of them have Super Bowl rings. John Elway and Steve Young.
ERNISTBASS: This graph is from the series we did before the combine: “The Falcons also want to improve their short-yardage attack. On 28 third- or fourth-and-one situations, they converted 21 times for a 75 percent success rate. Ideally, that percentage would be in the 90s.”
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 16th, 2009
10:15 pm
I was curious. I wanted to know if Jamaal Anderson is a complete bust, like everyone suggests, or is his production at the DE position on schedule and we, the fans, need to exercise patience in his prosperity. This can be determined by comparing Anderson to his draft class and earlier. What I discovered was astonishing.
I researched all defensive ends taken in the draft from 2004 to 2007, when Jamaal Anderson was drafted. I found that not one defensive end drafted after 2004, with the exception of Mario Williams (and even he had a rocky start), is a pro-bowler. Even this year’s starters at defensive end in the 2009 Pro Bowl were drafted 2002 and earlier. What does this conclude? It says that not only is Jamaal Anderson maturing on schedule but he may have that break out year pretty soon. Observe what I researched and make your own conclusion:
2008 Draft
Round 1
2. Rams – Chris Long, Virginia
8. Jaguars – Derrick Harvey – Florida
28 Seahawks – Lawrence Jackson – USC
Round 2
32. Dolphins – Phillip Merling – Clemson
50. Cardinals – Calais Campbell – Miami (FL)
52. Jaguars – Quentin Groves – Auburn
Round 3
66. Dolphins – Kendall Langford – Hampton
72. Bills – Chris Ellis – Virginia Tch
80. Eagles – Bryan Smith – McNeese State
Note
161.(Round 5) Colts – Marcus Howard – UGA
2007 Draft
Round 1
4. Bucs – Gaines Adams – Clemson
8. Falcons – Jamaal Anderson – Arkansas
13. Rams – Adam Carriker – Nebraska
17. Broncos – Jarvis Moss – Florida
26. Cowboys – Anthony Spencer – Purdue
Round 2
46. Steelers – Lamarr Woodley – Michigan
54. Chiefs – Turk McBride – Tennessee
56. Broncos – Tim Crowder – Texas
57. Eagles – Victor Abiamiri – Notre Dame
58. Lions – Ikaika Alama-Francis – Hawaii
62. Bears – Dan Bazuin – Central Michigan
Round 3
65. Raiders – Quentin Moses – UGA
83. Panthers – Charles Johnson – UGA
97. 49ers – Ray McDonald – Florida
2006 Draft
Round 1
1. Texans – Mario Williams (Pro Bowler) – N.C. State
13. Browns – Kamerion Wimbley – F.S.U.
20. Chiefs – Tamba Hali – Penn State.
32. Giants – Mathias Kiwanuka – Boston College
Round 2
63. Seattle – Darryl Tapp – Virginia Tech.
Round 3
91. Bengals – Frostee Rucker – Southern Cal.
92. Cowboys – Jason Hatcher – Grambling State
2005 Draft
Round 1
18. Vikings – Erasmus James – Wisconsin
20. Cowboys – Marcus Spears – L.S.U.
Round 2
46. Dolphins – Matt Roth – Iowa
53. Ravens – Dan cody – Oklahoma
Round 3
74. Giants – Justin Tuck (Pro Bowler, Linebacker) – Notre Dame
92. Colts – Vincent Burns – Kentucky
Round 4
128. Falcons – Chauncey Davis – F.S.U.
132. Cowboys – Chris Canty – Virginia
Round 5
139. Browns – David McMillan – Kansas
146. Eagles – Trent Cole – Cincinnati
148. Colts – Jonathan Welsh – Wisconsin
159. Seahawks – Jeb Huckeba – Arkansas
2004 Draft
Round 1
18. Saints – Will Smith (Pro Bowler) – Ohio State
20. Vikings – Kenechi Udeze – Southern Cal.
27. Texans – Jason Babin – Western Michigan
Round 2
42. Titans – Travis Laboy – Hawaii
57. Titans – Antwan Odom – Alabama
63. Patriots – Marquise Hill – L.S.U.
Round 4
126. Jared Allen (Pro Bowler) – Idaho State
Observe this list and give me one name, after 2004, that you’d be willing to sign onto your Fantasy Football team. If we draft an end this year, history shows that his value won’t be determined for another four or five years. Let’s be patient with what we already have. If my hypothesis has any legitimacy, a 2010 Pro Bowler will come from the draft class of 2005 or earlier. That is a good sign because Chauncey Davis was drafted in 2005 and re-signed with the Falcons. With Anderson and Davis locking down one side of the line and Abraham and Biermann locking down the other, I think we can afford to wait until later rounds to find a backup for the interior of our defensive line. I agree with D3; I think Sammie Hill or Ron Brace will still be available for Atlanta’s third pick. So, contrary to Ken’s theory (which is a very good analysis, I might add), I think the Falcons should consider a strong safety/linebacker/corner hybrid type player for the first pick. Pass-catching tight ends and linebackers are deep in this draft and good, quality starters should be available for Atlanta’s pickings in later rounds. Hell, we can even stick Vick back there. I’m sure he’d make a good tackler; “ain’t nothing but the dog in him” (sorry, I couldn’t resist)…I’m actually fond of Vick and wish him the best. We all made mistakes.
oldbird
March 16th, 2009
10:31 pm
Funny, we all used to gripe about Dan Reeves affection with the TE and now we don’t have one.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Falcons Lose Interest In Smith
March 16th, 2009
10:40 pm
[...] a tight end to improve what was a pretty awful group of tight ends last year. But apparently the Falcons got tired of Smith’s unwillingness to agree to their [...]
Supes
March 17th, 2009
12:16 am
I’m glad the Falcons passed on LJ Smith. His unablity to be a solid run blocker plus his prior health issues should be a concern to ANY team that signs him.
This is a rich draft in TE prospects, esp. in the mid rounds. I hope the Falcons can grab Chase Cauffman from Mizzou in the 3rd round, dude is solid, watched a lot of his games, and would be a terrific prospect at the NFL level as far as all around TE go. No reason he can’t be as good as Jason W. or Dallas C. as a TE.
If they do trade down (the 24th pick), what can they realistically get for it? A 2nd and a 4th, or a 2nd and 3rd? It’s an interesting idea, this is a deep draft in rounds 2 and 3. Maybe the smart thing to do if they DON’T see anyone they consider a MUST have at 24 as the draft develops.
No matter what, gotta address the SS position,LB and DL in rounds 2-4!
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 17th, 2009
12:41 am
Funny you should mention Chase Cauffman, Supes. TD was excited when they met at the combine, DOL reported. I think you’re on to something.
Motown Madmen
March 17th, 2009
5:48 am
[...] The Detroit Lions signed free agent tight end and former Seattle Seahawk, Will Heller. Heller is one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL and will be used primarily in that role. There is still the possibility of the Lions signing LJ Smith as the starter as it looks like a deal with the Atlanta Falcons won’t happen. [...]
TheManMike
March 17th, 2009
8:13 am
Stirg-
Very interesting insights. I actually think you may be on to something there. I guess we will see this year is CDavis can make that happen – you never know. He did show flashes last year and if his role were to increase i can see that production increasing expentionally. I really like what i saw in KBiermann last year – I think it will take less than the 4-5 yrs to make him a stud – i see a Pro-bowler in him.
I think we take TE with one of our second round pick.
marko
March 17th, 2009
9:24 am
I was wondering whether or not Roy Williams availability had anything to do with the Falcon’s sudden lack of interest in LJ. I know I like hard hitting safties better than blocking optional tight ends. If we can afford Roy, big if, Taking Pettigrew makes alot of sense. I really like Brandon, it’s almost like getting two players for the price of one. He blocks like a tackle and catches like a receiver. Both Matt and the Burner would applaud the pick. With Williams and Peterson filling the holes vacated by Brooking and Milloy, we would have a lot of flexibility with our first pick. If Pettigrew’s the highest ranked player still standing at twenty-four, we should take him and not be forced into selecting a lesser talent because it serves a greater need. We should all be happy to land a kid that’s just as happy knocking the living fecal matter out of linebackers as he is catching footballs.
Brandon
March 17th, 2009
9:26 am
Any blog that begins with a picture of Beyonce is a good blog
Does anybody want L.J. Smith?
March 17th, 2009
10:14 am
[...] now the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Falcons have ended their talks with the free agent and won’t pursue Smith going forward. Smith’s options were down to Detroit [...]
Falcons Lose Interest In Smith | 1buckbid.com Blog
March 17th, 2009
10:19 am
[...] a tight end to improve what was a pretty awful group of tight ends last year. But apparently the Falcons got tired of Smith’s unwillingness to agree to their [...]
marko
March 17th, 2009
10:51 am
What discussion of all time great ends would be complete without Beyonce? I’d like to thank Strig D’nahsif. Man that must have been lot of work. Let’s all hope our current crop of D-linemen follow the example of Patrick Kerney. It only took him two years to become a total monster. I war really pleased with Bierman last year. He reminds me alot of Patrick. If we had’nt given dog killer all the money in the world, we could have resigned Patrick. We never got to see Kerney and Abraham play a whole season together healthy. I can only assume that it would have been awesome.
TheManMike
March 17th, 2009
11:36 am
Marko – Awesome point about Abe and Kerney. I wish we could have seen an entire year of work together – would have been nice.
Can we drop this LJ Smith stuff now Mr. Linked name person? Redundancies are piling up!