English goes to Falcons in early Mock Draft
Matthew Stafford’s dazzling show at Georgia’s Pro Day did not lock down the No. 1 pick in the draft.
But as one NFC director of player personnel said, “He didn’t hurt himself.”
Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno did not help himself with slow 40-yard dash times. He ran a 4.6 and 4.63 after running a 4.59 at the combine. But he has what some scouts call “front-end” speed and won’t drop out of the first round.
It’s no secret the Falcons will go heavy on defense in this draft. Here are couple of players to track over the next month. They’ll likely still be available when the Falcons pick No. 24.
Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English.
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis.
Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim.
Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr.
Here’s a little bit on English, who measured 6-foot-2, 255 pounds at the NFL scouting combine.
“I’m just a natural competitor and that’s kind of how it’s always been for me,” English said. “I’ve always wanted to be the best. Always wanted to make plays and win and I think those are some of the intangibles that are important in a good football player. You have to be a gentleman off the field and I try to do that.
LEDBETTER’S EARLY MOCK DRAFT
1. Detroit Lions: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor. Lions go with the safe pick.
2. St. Louis Rams: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia.
5. Cleveland Browns: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. Bengals ignore his injury woes.
7. Oakland Raiders: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rey Maualagu, LB, USC. Del Rio can’t resist adding a play maker.
9. Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California.
11. Buffalo Bills: Andre Smith, T, Alabama. Bills decide to believe what they see on tape.
12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU.
13. Washington Redskins: Brian Cushing, LB, USC.
14. New Orleans Saints: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri.
15. Houston Texans: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State.
16. San Diego Chargers: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss. The second run on tackles starts here.
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Jets get their quarterback of the future.
18. Chicago Bears: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. Lions get running mate for Calvin Johnson.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi.
23. New England Patriots: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State.
24. Atlanta Falcons: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois.
25. Miami Dolphins: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Clay Matthews Jr., OLB, USC.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State.
29. New York Giants: Hakim Nicks, WR, North Carolina.
30. Tennessee Titans: Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
So would the Falcons be making a mistake if they select English? Should they trade out of the first round and pick up some more picks? Would it be a good move to address the defensive line in the first round?
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172 comments Add your comment
ndadome
March 23rd, 2009
4:58 pm
Cameron You wanted another name off that defense: Hardy. Played beside Jerry at DE. Most of the SEC can’t wait for that guy to graduate. That’s not to say Jerry isn’t the real deal, though. He’s my choice in the first round, although I wouldn’t be upset with Connor Barwin from Cincinnati. .second round, Rashad Johnson, safety, Alabama. .third round, Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
DeShawn from the Mountain
March 23rd, 2009
5:06 pm
When was the last time we had a real threat in the secondary? Thomas Dimitroff will do the smart thing and go fs or ss. I happen to like Sean Smith out of Utah this guy reminds me of Ed Reed but bigger at 6′3″ 200 lbs. The tape don’t lie we were killed in the secondary this pass season the corners get no inside help. Lawyer Milloy had to costly blown covers in the playoffs.
Supes
March 23rd, 2009
5:22 pm
if Michael Johnson is there at 24 and so is Larry English, I take Michael Johnson (out of GT) in a heartbeat. The guy was a projected top ten pick last year. Did he have a senior season like the scouts/pro’s projected him to have? No, but he’s the physical tools to be an oustanding DE in the NFL. The guy is a freak, plus a good character makes him a nice fit for the Falcons.
As far as TE, I think blocking is always good to have, but your number 1 TE should not be used for blocking. He is that satefy blanket, that 3rd down receiver, etc. Work the middle of the field. So while blocking is good to have in the TE, catching, excelling at beating LB across the middle, that’s what the Falcons offense needs the most.
I’m glad they resigned Justin Peele, he’s a good 2nd string TE. Now time for a Pettigrew, J. Cook or Chase Cauffman in the draft. I’d be happy with any of those 3 future NFL TE.
marko
March 23rd, 2009
7:14 pm
Thomas Dimitroff is fraud, and I can prove it. After last years success, people have showered Thomas with praise that rightfully should have gone to coach Smith considering the worthless rejects his general manager saddled him with. One can scarcely imagine what he might have accomplished had Dimitroff seen fit to provide him with a decent group of players. Let’s take last years draft starting with boy wonder Matt Ryan. Sports illustrated’s draft guide gave Matt a rating of 4.22. Franchise players are rated 5 to 6. third pick in the draft and Thomas sticks us with a turkey with a 4.22 overall rating. Appalling? Well sports fans that was the cream of the crop it all goes down hill from there. Number two Dimitroff trades away valuable picks so that he can trade back into the first round and take Sam Baker, short arms and all. Yo Thomas, ever wonder why you never see a short armed Gorrilla? The long armed Gorillas killed them all. What a putz. Next we come to Curtis, short and slow, Lofton. If he was any good don’t you think the Tuna would have selected him ahead of you. Folks this is the kind of stuff you get when you just hand the keys of multi- million dollar franchise over to akid that can’t even aford a decent haircut. Third round, Chevis Jackson, we take a kid in the third round that the gods at Sports Illustrated told you was a forth rounder at best. Now 3b, Harry Douglas, Sports Illustrated says undrafted free agent. Way to go Dimitroff, blow a third round pick on a player you could have had for bus fare. For 3c we get Thomas DeCoud, stop the presses. Six picks into the draft we finally get a player Sports Illustrated worth a third round pick. If you thought at long last that things were starting to pick up a bit you were wrong. No forth round pick. We had to give that one up for the Baker debacle in the first round. At least Thomas had a whole round to pull himself together right? Just wait, 5a Robert James according to sports Illustrated, Thomas had wasted a whole round just to burn a fifth round pick on a non drafted free agent with a lousey attitude. 5b By Dimitroff standards this was a pretty good pick. only a full round early. If you were starting to think that things could’nt get any worse, you’d best sit down. round 6, Thomas Brown, University of Freaking Georgia. Did’nt Moses tell Rankin to never draft a player from UGA. IF God destroyed New Orleans for taking in a few stray hommos, can you imagine what he’s going to do to us for harbouring Bulldogs? I can barely continue, but 7a we get Wilrey Brown, If you really loved a child would name him Wilrey? Well poor Wilrey, depised by his own parents, joined DeCoud as the only two players Dimitroff had selected where mighty Sports Illustrated had suggested they be taken. To close this sorry account, let’s come to the real Zinger, Keith that is, Sports Illusrated provided no info whatsoever on our final draft pick. The man Arthur had appointed to lead us out of the wilderness had just wasted his last pick on a player that S.I. did’nt even consider worth a free agents contract. Bobby Petrino had wasted a whole year of his life for nothing. I know Falcon fans, they are nothing if not optimistic. You’d think a Falcon fan would be depressed because his wife only provided him with monthly sex. Quite the contrary, he choses to look at the bright side. After all he knows a couple of guys she cut off altogether. Along these lines, they suggest that Coach Smith turned three of these misfits into starters. Most saw extensive playing time, Matt Ryan was rookie of the year and the Falcons made the playoffs. Have any of you happy idiots heard of dumb luck? A busted clock is right twice a day. Even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while. How else can you account for my total lack of virginity?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 23rd, 2009
7:38 pm
REV HAL: Welcome aboard. Boy, you’ve got some issues. I have issues, too. I like to wear bow ties.
AT THE OWNER’S MEETING: Will get a new blog up later tonight. Falcons start offseason workouts tomorrow. Checking on injury status of Robert James, Trey Lewis and Thomas Brown. See if they’ve been medically cleared for workouts.
Ran into Condoleezza Rice in the hall way. She spoke to the Owners on Sunday. Mr. Blank and TD are here. Getting ready to go hear Rich McKay and Jeff Fisher at the competition committee press conference.
NO FALCON NEWS: Thought the Falcons had a shot at one of the high profile season opening games, but they missed out. Also, they didn’t get the Thanksgiving game. The full schedule will be released later.
COMPENSATORY PICKS RELEASED!!!: FALCONS ZERO PICKS FOR 2008.
STEELER NATION: Three partners were approved to the Steelers ownership group including hall of fame wide receiver John Stallworth. The other two additions include Bruce V. Rauner, a venture capitalist from Chicago and the Varischetti Family, some fine rich folks from Brockway, Pa.
D3
March 23rd, 2009
8:29 pm
DOL – Thanks for the updates. Look forward to the new blog post.
Supes – disagree on taking Michael Johnson over Larry English, only because English has the ability to play both OLB & DE. I could be wrong, but I don’t see Michael Johnson playing any OLB at 6′7. Don’t get me wrong, I think Michael Johnson will be a stud wherever he goes, just not a right fit for us at this time. I do agree with you on TE, Pettigrew, Cook, or Nelson I say. Players can learn to block if they have the desire and drive, but its hard for stud blockers to learn how to get open, catch, and make plays.
Deshawn – love to have Sean Smith. Like the size, measurables, and possibility to play both positions and it seems his potential is really high.
Marko's LAST Hope
March 23rd, 2009
8:30 pm
Marko, I recommend finding a bridge and jumping off of it. Before that, make sure you tie up all lose ends.
Supes
March 23rd, 2009
8:32 pm
D3, my comments were strictly based on Michael Johnson being drafted to play DE in the NFL, as well as English. I didn’t consider his OLB playing abilities, I do agree that his height and size maybe too much for that position. Just D-Line comparison between the two, if Michael Johnson is there, and the Falcons want another pass rushing DE (to start taking over fro Abe), Michael Johnson from GT has my vote over Larry English.
D3
March 23rd, 2009
8:43 pm
Supes – youre right on about Johnson being a better DE than English. Completely agree. Honestly, if we had a magic wand I’d love to switch Michael Johnson for Jamaal Anderson.
Just watched “on the clock” at espn nfl. They said there was a strong possibility to drafting Michael Johnson. I say all for it, but only if we move J.Anderson inside. That would be a pretty stout line of Abraham, Babineaux, J.Anderson, & Michael Johnson on the outside with Chauncey & Biermann rotating in. Not to mention Trey Lewis. Actually, not a bad idea after all. Don’t listen to Mike Mayock on Michael Johnson though, just destroys him at every chance he gets.
Paulie
March 23rd, 2009
10:13 pm
I don’t remember where I read it, but Jamaal Anderson was a TE before he was converted to defense late in college. Is it so inconceivable to switch him back to TE, a position we need to fill, and draft all defense, all rounds? He’s got size, speed and needs to have an attitude that he’ll do anything to hang on with the team, ’cause he sure ain’t making it at DE and I really don’t see him having the push to be an effective DT. Is my idea too bizarre or is it possible?
Ken Strickland
March 23rd, 2009
11:20 pm
NIQUE-why would you consider drafting high profile no blocking TE’s like JCook, CCoffman, TBeckman and Nelson? Coffman’s scouting report says blocking is his greatest weakness. Cook’s scouting report says he get’s pushed around inside and isn’t going to contribute much as an inline blocker. The same is basically said to be true about Beckman. Nelson’s report says he’s a decent blocker in space, but has issues as an inline blocker. INLINE BLOCKING, WHICH IS BLOCKING AT THE POINT OF ATTACK, OR AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, IS WHAT OUR COACHING STAFF IS LOOKING FOR IN A TE.
Didn’t we just reject an experienced, productive one dimensional FA TE named TSmith because of his limited blocking skills? Why would we waste a draft pick on a simular one dimensional TE with limited blocking skills and absolutely no NFL experience?
PAULIE-JAnderson was a TE when he 1st came to Arkansas. But consider this, there must have been a good reason he was switched to DE in college. Why would you think he’d make a better TE in the pros, with so little experience, when he couldn’t cut it in college?
There seems to be a lot of interest in DE Johnson from GA Tech. Well, he’s not as valuable to the Falcons as English. Johnson is strickly a DE, while English can play DE and OLB. English’s versatility makes him a greater value pick for the Falcons than Johnson. With JAnderson, CDavis and KBiremann, we don’t need another LDE that doesn’t have OLB skills. We need a OLB with the skills to play DE. I remember another GA Tech player named Calvin Johnson that everyone said the Falcons had better pick or they’d be sorry. He was suppose to be the greatest thing as a WR since sliced bread and was going to tear the league apart. Well, we see none of that happened.
Supes
March 23rd, 2009
11:45 pm
Ken…how good of a blocker is Dallas Clark (Indy’s TE and Payton Manning’s “security blanket”)? Exactly. Which is why I think Chase Cauffman can be a great pass catching TE in this league. I also don’t see Antonio Gates being mentioned as a great blocking TE, but he’s outstanding catching the football, running routes and has great hands. The package of a great blocking/catching TE is extremely rare in the NFL, and infact, TE aren’t utilized in those ways anymore. There is almost a “specialization” in the TE position, where Gates, Clark and Whitten are the class of the pass catching TE’s right now.
So I don’t mind having Cauffman brought in here to catch passes from Matt Ryan, and eventually, if he builds himself into a decent blocker, I consider that a plus.
D3…Yes, that would be one great D-Line with all of those guys mixed in there.
Mock Draft Take 3. | The Recycle Bin
March 24th, 2009
6:53 am
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter of the ajc.com Falcons Blog has offered his take on this year’s draft. Quoting Ledbetter, is almost like someone quoting my ramblings on this blog, but I digress. ” It’s no secret the Falcons will go heavy on defense in this draft. Here are couple of players to track over the next month. They’ll likely still be available when the Falcons pick No. 24. [...]
marko
March 24th, 2009
8:02 am
Just for the record, Thomas Dimitroff does’nt have a bigger fan on this planet than me. If he were to read my little tirade, I’d hope that he get a chuckle or two out of it. At worst he’d realize that Sports Illustrated was the butt of the joke not him. But then Thomas is a pretty bright guy isn’t he? As for the suggestion that I jump off a bridge, thanks a pant load, but no thanks. I would however appreciate it if someone were to suggest that I do a better job of proof reading my stuff.
marko
March 24th, 2009
8:23 am
D3, ever hear of Ted Hendricks, “the Mad Stork” was six foot seven. Played well enough to get an invite to Canton. Jessie Tuggle on the other hand, did’nt get drafted because he was only five eleven. The point is that great players come in all different shapes and sizes. Me I’d give the nod to Michael Johnson over Larry English. Effort issues aside, he produced his stats playing linemen that are going to be first round selections.
cutter
March 24th, 2009
8:24 am
I think we are getting a little carried away with this versatility stuff. We have needs on the defense I think most will agree they are on the DL at the DT position in the secondary at SS and CB and the OLB positon needs depth and yes it would be great to have a blocking TE to add to that offense. Versatility is nice to have but how many teams in the NFL have OLB’s that play DE? A 3-4 teams OLB has to have the DE size because his is dealing OT and sometimes a TE when he rushes. With our situation at DE right now it appears to me we need a OLB that plays OLB and a DT that plays DT and a SS that plays SS and yes it would be nice to have a TE that does it all. Let’s not get to caught up in whether a guy can play 2 or 3 positions and make sure we get guys that can fill needs on defense I don’t think the great turnaround of this defense is gonna be a guy who is a slow OLB and undersized DE in the 4-3 scheme. Being able to show different looks on defense works and defenses are being successful with it but we need to BUILD a good solid base defense before we can worry about OLB’s that can pretend to be DE or vice versa.
cutter
March 24th, 2009
8:46 am
Calvin Johnson over 2,000 yds and 16 TD in 2 seasons…just getting started.
Ken Strickland
March 24th, 2009
9:15 am
SUPES-you’re right about both TE’s, but that fact has nothing to do with us or what we’re looking for in a TE. It’s obvious our coaching staff wants a TE with inline block ability and the ability to stretch the DEF as a receiver. Peele is the closest thing we now have to that, and apparently our coaching staff feels he lacks what is needed as a receiving TE to effectively stretch the DEf. Dimitroff and Smith aren’t looking for the most athletic TE or the best receiving TE, and we already have at least 3 one dimensional blocking TE’s. We’re looking for the TE that combines the best of both, and Pettigrew is the highest rated TE because of his overall blocking a receiving ability. Since Pettigrew would come at too a high price, and we already have a solid passing OFF, we can afford to draft a TE with more blocking skills than receiving skills, but he must possess both. We can let the other teams, and fans, drool over superior stats, measurements and receiving ability, while we quitely get what we need in the 3rd or 4th rd. That way, we can use our top 2 or 3 picks to draft what we need on DEF.
Also, when you talk about TE’s Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates, you’re talking about TE’s that are featured receivers on pass oriented OFF’s. Our OFF philosophy is the complete opposite, as we’re one of the NFL’s most run oriented OFF’s. We’re looking for a TE who’s inline blocking skills will allow us to maintain the same level of effectivenes in our rushing OFF, and who’s receiving skills will help expand our passing OFF. WE DON’T NEED, NOR DO WE WANT, ONE DIMENSIONAL TE’S LIKE AGATES, DCLARK, CCOFFMAN, JCOOK, TBECKMAN ETC.
We already have our star WR’s. What we need is a blocking TE with enough speed and quickness to effectively attack the weakness of the cover 2 zone DEF, which is up the middle between the safeties, and do it on any down without having to substitute. OUR OFF DOESN’T NEED THE DRAFTS BEST BLOCKING TE, THE BEST RECEIVING TE, OR THE BEST TE. We need the TE that best gives us what we need at a price we can afford to pay, period. ACCORDING TO SCOUTING REPORTS, THAT TE IS 6′4″ 244LB CAMERON MORRAH OF THE UNIV OF CALIFORNIA(THE GOLDEN BEARS). I GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME.
One other thought. Don’t be supprised if we draft a CB at #24. Every draft has a number of freakishly athletic tweeners like English, especially from smaller schools, that can be had lower in the draft. DE’s Biermann(Falcons), Freeney and Mathis(Colts), who was a LB at div 11 Ala A&M Univ, are excellent examples. Although Freeney is more renown and is higher paid, Mathis has actually been more productive over the last few yrs.
D3
March 24th, 2009
11:37 am
marko – I’m not saying Michael Johnson would be a bad pick, I was just saying that if we draft him, he’s obviously going to be a DE and that we MUST move Jamaal inside to DT. If Jamaal could put on a little weight he could be a DT in the mold of Richard Seymour perhaps. I originally was really opposed to drafting a pure DE, but if we were to move J.Anderson inside permanently, drafting Johnson would solidify both needs.
Larry English or Aaron Maybin would give us more versatility and that’s true, but if I would have to assume they would be training those guys as OLB’s first and they could occasionally use them as a DE or just in case option. Cushing or Matthews might be more “OLB” ready, per se, but maybe English or Maybin would have more upside. Drafting any of them in my opinion would be a solid pick.
Ken – starting to come over to your idea a little on TE. Listening to Mel Kiper on the Falcons yesterday saying we could grab a TE in the 2nd – 4th. He mentioned the usual suspects: Cook, Beckhum, Nelson, Ingram, Coffman, or Casey. But if it comes down to which TE maybe not block as good as Morrah, but necessarily may have more pass-catching upside like Nelson, I’d go with Nelson. With good coaching, which we have, blocking can be coached up, athletic ability to stretch the field can not as much.
The Michael Johnson theory has a huge upside, assuming we move J.Anderson inside permanently, but it also carries huge risk as well. As Stirg noted a couple of days ago, the development of a DE is pretty slow the majority of the times, do we really want to wait for Johnson to catch up, or give Anderson one more year to bust out?
Big C
March 24th, 2009
2:15 pm
I’ve heard from an alum of NIU, who has worked with Larry English. He says this guy is the real thing.
vickfan
March 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
Why are you all still talking about Vick, he done his time like some of you MOVE ON. I bet the ones dragging Vick was the one packing the dome to see him play. Johnson needs to be the 1st pick, the linebackers are to slow, MJ knows how to get off the ball and rush the QB. Enough said
Falcons’ 1966 throwback look is here to stay | Atlanta Falcons with D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 9th, 2010
5:41 pm
[...] Let’s practice some “Citizen Journalism” today. We didn’t start doing our Mock Draft until March 20th last [...]