Smith likes the USC linebackers
USC linebacker Kaluka Maiva puts a hit on Arizona State's Terry Richardson.
Dana Point, Calif. — Falcons coach Mike Smith and the rest of the NFC coaches met with the media Wednesday morning at the NFL Owners meeting.
Smith, the Associated Press reigning coach of the year, was a popular guy.
Reporters from Detroit wanted to know what went into the Falcons decision to draft Matt Ryan, how they scouted him, what kind of workout he went through and want he likes to eat for breakfast.
They were doing their due diligence on Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford.
Rey Maualuga having a bad hair day.
Smith also talked about the linebackers for USC, who are eligible for the draft. At least two of them could be on the board when the Falcons select with the 24th pick in the draft.
Clay Matthews Jr. dishing out some pain.
Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga are being projected to go early in the first round. Clay Matthews Jr., who’s father played for the Falcons, and Kaluka Maiava will be available at 24. Maiava is not generally considered a first round pick and could be taken later in the draft.
“They are very impressive,” Smith said. “There are four guys that are definitely going to have an opportunity to play in the NFL. It’s been well documented that there are going to be some guys that get drafted very early.”
Smith seems some similarities in the group of USC linebackers.
“I think there is one common theme that these guys have and that’s they enjoy playing the game of football,” Smith said. “That’s very obvious when you watch those guys on tape. They play with a lot of intensity. They play with a lot of passion. They have different sizes. They run differently, but the one thing that they do is that they play, very, very hard.”
The Falcons are rebuilding their linebacking corps after Keith Brooking (Dallas) and Michael Boley (New York Giants) left during free agency.
Which one of the USC linebackers would you like to see the Falcons take?
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160 comments Add your comment
darrell starks
March 25th, 2009
5:55 pm
IF CUSHING IS GONE you have to take SEAN SMITH OF UTAH WHO I THINK WILL BE A STILL FOR US at 24# him a coleman at safety will be awesome.GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 25th, 2009
6:01 pm
(Layover in PHX at the Sky Harbor)
CUTLER: He’s a free safety. But they’ll try him as a Hybrid free-strong safety. That’s what every body is going to. He will have to cover and sometimes go down in the box. He has to have range, be able to cover and have striking power.
JerseyFalcon
March 25th, 2009
6:56 pm
why is everyone picking Maualuga and Laurinaitis when they are both middle linebackers? Didn’t they alredy plant in Loften in that position and add Peterson! Pick a OLB, TE or a SS w/ the first pick..maybe sean smith, mathews, or possibly larryEnglish..remember Abe was an LB when he was with the Jets.
RJS
March 25th, 2009
7:02 pm
Quizz Rodgers loved those USC linebackers too- because they couldn’t tackle him. Cushing looked especially bad (and slow) in their loss to Oregon State.
marko
March 25th, 2009
8:13 pm
JJ, for the sake of sanity, S.I. rated Ryan Leaf ahead of Peyton Manning. Do you really care about how they feel about clay Matthews?
marko
March 25th, 2009
8:40 pm
There seems to be a lot of Ron Brace supporters out there. Our good friend Strig d’Nahsih provided you with five years worth of drafts that Dimitroff contributed to. Can anybody show me a single lard butt in the bunch?
JJ
March 25th, 2009
8:42 pm
marko, for the sake of sanity, can u cut,paste that for me? I’m just trying to research all these options and not be a “lazy ass” throwing out names without some knowledge. Do I know how good these guys are? Hell no, I’m a GSU grad and we still dont have football.
I did not know SI.COM was A JOKE. Funny, I really enjoy peter king and his associates writing about the nfl. My bad marko, I guess I’ll quit researching the web and go with you’re analysis! Just trying to add to the blog buddy and you’re ryan leaf for manning is bogus, come back with some facts please!
SeminoleWarrior
March 25th, 2009
8:43 pm
The Falcons will pass on any LB from USC in the first round. This pick will be either a safety or cornerback. Stay tuned for more details.
JJ
March 25th, 2009
8:58 pm
FSU, their are no cb/ss worthy of 1st rd. pick. Second/Third round has plenty, chung?
Colorado Bulldog
March 25th, 2009
9:01 pm
Smith is a former D line coach. Both he and TD agree that the strength of a good d is the D-line. If Jerry is available, I say we take him. And maybe we trade up to get him and if Raji falls out of the top 10, they might go get him.
Nique
March 25th, 2009
9:10 pm
Yeah Marko
A stud named Vince Wilfolk!
Green Tea
March 25th, 2009
9:12 pm
The question was which if the USC guys would you like to have. Out of the 4 I’d rather have Maualuga, hands down. Not that the Falcons need a middle linebacker but out of the 4 it’s a simple answer.
Some of you guys have some really good posts btw…
D3
March 25th, 2009
9:21 pm
DOL, two blogs in two days. You’re da man. Keep rockin’ it out, the power of the bow tie is strong with you.
The class of the pure OLB group this year, after Curry of course, is Cushing. I know we have many o’ discussions on here about ‘To draft an OLB, or not to draft an OLB,’ but it becomes really easy if Cushing falls to us. No-brainer. Assuming Raji or Jerry’s not available and Cushing is, easy pick. He’s been a stud at the highest level of college football for awhile. Great work ethic, fiery play, and solid measurables. I think this argument is all for not, because he will be long-gone.
I know we’ve predicated the fact that we ’should’ be solid at OLB with Lofton, Peterson, Nicholas, Wire, & James, but Peterson is a short-term fix; Wire played solid, and Nicholas worries me because he couldn’t beat out Wire when Boley started tanking. Playing Devil’s advocate a little here. As Cutter helped me realize, James is 5′10, 219(not one to get hung up measurables, but not the ideal sized OLB when you gotta take on TE’s, T’s, & pulling G’s.
Concerning pure OLB’s, the decision becomes much more difficult if Matthews is available instead of Cushing. Personally, I like Matthews and think he would set us up for a young, tough LB corps for years to come. The final vote comes to TD, Smitty, & Van Gorder on how they feel about the depth of their LB’s and if Nicholas or Wire is truly ready to take over.
Mauluga is a MLB or a 3-4 ILB to my knowledge, and we already got a stud there in Lofton.
Aaron Maybin & Larry English provide a little more of a quadary. They have the potential and that sacred versatility TD & Smitty are looking for to be a OLB or DE. I don’t know if it would be the best idea to draft an OLB with our #24, but I’d be happy with Cushing/Maybin/Matthews/ or English.
I also do know that, IMHO, there is not the value to draft a CB or SS @ #24. And besides Raji & Jerry, Hood may be a bit of a reach as well. Tough, tough decisions.
D3
March 25th, 2009
9:47 pm
mudcat – right with you Matthews. Talk about a stud work-ethic. Sean Smith would be a great pick-up, but not necessarily worth #24, IMO. We should have one fall to us between Delmas/Chung/S.Smith/& R.Johnson in the second round. Prefer Chung & Smith.
TrueFalcon – again, I’m a big fan of Matthews too, but I do think it would be a tough decision if the choice were between Matthews or Jerry.
JJ – usually right with you, but I’d have a hard time taking Hood or Brace before Matthews in the first round, particularly Brace. I think we could get as good a value with someone like Sammie Hill/Fili Moala/Chris Baker/Terrance Taylor in the 3rd or 4th round.
Willie Coyote – man, love your simplicity. We get wrapped up so many times on positions, depth, etc., but any number of guys could be a solid pick to our DEF. Particularly, OLB, DT, or DE.
G State Ben – nice thoughts on LB. It definitely isn’t our biggest needs, but I’d have to say that S & CB do not have top-end talent this year worthy of #24 pick, with the exception of Vontae Davis or Malcom Jenkins who’ll be long one. Only TE would be Pettigrew, but TE is soooo very deep this year.
JB – love to get a stud CB with our first pick, but unfortunately all the ones that will be available, Alphonso Smith/Darius Butler/DJ Moore, are all 5′9. We have two of those in Grimes and Irons that have experience.
Mookie
March 25th, 2009
10:05 pm
1. CB V. DAVIS ILLINOIS
2. S W. MOORE MISSOURI
3. NT R. BRACE B.C.
4. TE S. NELSON S. MISS
5. DE L. SIDBURY RICHMOND
6. OT J.BELL FURMAN
6. LB K. MAIAVA USC
SeminoleWarrior
March 25th, 2009
11:05 pm
Here is my mock: 1) SS/FS Chung…I just think when all is said and done, he will be the best safety in this draft. 2) CB Jarius Byrd of Oregon, big and physical CB; 3) TE Shawn Nelson; 4) OLB Marcus Freeman; 5a) DT Terrance Taylor 5b)OLB Morty Ivy; 6) OL Joel Bell
Go Falcons!!
SeminoleWarrior
March 25th, 2009
11:06 pm
D3, check out CB Jairus Byrd of Oregon. I think he is just what you and I are looking for in a big, physical corner.
D3
March 25th, 2009
11:06 pm
Stirg & Big Ray, ya’ll are men among boys on this blog, glad to see you back. I’m nominating one or both of you to take over for the Bird Babe(not hatin’, but when was the last time she posted, and ever over 3 sentences).
Big Ray – you couldn’t have put it better about drafting @ #24. I say it revolves around OLB and DT, as well. 2nd Rd. I say should be reserved for SS, Chung/S.Smith/R.Johnson. And I think 3rd we should pick up a TE Nelson/Cook/Coffman. If Jerry falls to us, I say pull the trigger, but if its between Hood and Matthews/Maybin/English (assuming Cushing, Raji, & Jerry were gone), I’d say take Matthews/Maybin/English and take our chances with a DT run-stuffer we could snag in the 4th such as Chris Baker/Sammie Hill/Fili Moala/or Terrance Taylor.
Stirg – man, you’re research is the S—! Dimitroff is gonna gold mine us some talent in the later rounds, and at the minimum, even if he wasn’t the sole engineer, he at least scouted them and helped in the decision making at NE.
Tyger – spot on analysis of current depth. We pulled smoke and mirrors last year, and what we lost in experience (Brooking,Jackson,Milloy), we can make-up for in talent, desire (Nicholas,Lewis,DeCoud).
Seminole – what’s up G? C’mon man, you really think we’re taking a CB or S in the first @ 24? I could be way wrong, but I just don’t see us taking a 5′9 CB or Safety in the 1st. Chung/Smith/Johnson will be available in the second, and maybe Delmas, who knows.
Have a good night guys, we’ll see you in the BirdCage again tomorrow!
D3
March 25th, 2009
11:11 pm
Seminole – you’re the general! Like Jarius Byrd, haven’t even heard about him yet. Like your mock, BTW. Great stuff. I would change it just a touch:
1)Clay Matthews – OLB
2)Patrick Chung – SS
3)Shawn Nelson – TE
4)Chris Baker/Sammie Hill/Fili Moala/Terrance Taylor – DT
5)Best available CB
Great stuff, man. Take it easy Seminole.
SeminoleWarrior
March 25th, 2009
11:42 pm
D3, Mookie, Nique, and all my brother in the room.. I’ll buy the brews at the ESPNZONE on draft day if Chung makes it to us in the second round. No way that will happen. The guy is too good and given where we are late in the first, given the need at SS, we must take him. I really like DeCoud but I just have this feeling Chung is a beast waiting to happen at safety.
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 26th, 2009
12:37 am
Thanks, D3. Question: Are we fanatics?
Rottie
March 26th, 2009
5:43 am
Best player available. If you start “looking” for a position, often times you overpay and end up being disappointed. The linebacker crop this year is excellent – probably the strength of this draft when you factor in hybrid DE/OLBs. I keep hearing people say TE Pettigrew in the 1st. Monumental mistake…the guy is too slow for the NFL. He’s a big target with nice hands and a decent blocker, but he lacks separation speed.
tbhawksfan
March 26th, 2009
6:52 am
I think I’ve looked at about 200 mocks in the last months. It seems that given our needs, #24 is not looking good. I’m prone to trading up or down.
According to Smitty and TD, we are actually set at every position. If this is true, do we draft to improve now, or for the future?
It seems like the best options at #24 will be either OLB/DE or TE. Our problem is that the OLB/DE players don’t fit our scheme. We play a 4-3, not a 3-4. Guys like English are proto-type 3-4 OLBs.
I also see our most glaring need being DT, CB or SS. The only player that might be available and a good pick at #24 is V. Davis CB.
For a long time I was thinking trade down. Now I’m thinking; trade up.
With our CBs and T. Lewis coming back healthy, we seem to have some depth at every position; except SS. Every year there are numerous FA’s to plug holes. Why stockpile late picks that rarely make strong contributions?
What about our #24 and one of our mid-rounds to move up about 10 spots in the draft and get an impact player at a position of need; DT/SS/CB?
Would it really hurt us to ‘loose” one mid round pick in this draft? Wouldn’t the drafting of Jerry DT or Jenkins CB (potential 2009 impact players at need position) be better than a marginal player at #24 and a mid-round pick? I say, yes.
I trade up, #24 and #125 for #14 or so. Given that move, here’s my mock:
#14: Jerry DT
#55: Delmas SS
#90: Francies CB
#143: Maiava OLB
#160: Hughes CB
#196: TE
This senario would give us two potential impact players at positions of greatest need and extra depth at other areas of need. We sacrifice at TE to improve the D.
ndadome
March 26th, 2009
8:19 am
This is my brain +++++++++++. This is my brain after all these mock drafts & opinions #@$#@!@#$%$#!!!
kclubmember
March 26th, 2009
8:44 am
I really like Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing,but Rey Maualuga is a game changer.
The Robot Nesbitt
March 26th, 2009
8:52 am
The Robot has determined that the Atlanta Falcons Football club will select a player that will provide pass rush. A review of all available data indicates that pass rush, probably defensive end, will be addressed in the primary round. The secondary round will address offensive tackle. The middle rounds will address the secondary, the tight end, and linebacker, though not in that particular order.
[Warning: Internet blog postings appearing prior on this page include factual errors.]
The Robot has determined the proper order of the “USC” linebackers, based on the results of 32,435 career simulations, taking into account overall career performance, injuries, and teams played for. The results:
Rey Maualuga
Kaluka Maiava
Clay Matthews Jr.
Brian Cushing
That is all. I must use my processing power now on producing weather reports.
TheManMike
March 26th, 2009
10:15 am
Rey Maualuga is our pick – Anyone who even RESEMBLES Troy Polumalu should be taken. Or we could trade our entire secondary for Good ol1 Troy….
All kidding aside…i still agree…hahaha..
No really tho – i love Troy P. I know TD has mentioned he wants a Troy P type player – WHO IN THIS DRAFT DO YOU GUYS/GALS SEE AS BEING THE CLOSEST MATCH TO A TROY P? Is there even a close match??
I truly beleive that Troys “Locks of Love” are what make him so damned dominating and intimidating. Rey Maualuga has that hair man!
Thoughts??
I MUS.WRITE
March 26th, 2009
10:46 am
Robots that dude Lol…… So you now to get beer from the fridge – Can u pour mixed drinks -I could use u at my next mixer.
doodoobailey
March 26th, 2009
10:46 am
I like the idea of moving up and getting impact guys, falcons kind of suck with late round picks(see Martrez Milner???)
and don’t get another danm tight end…
Supes
March 26th, 2009
11:02 am
I don’t think trading UP is the right way to go here, unless the Falcons are LOCKED into a player they deem to be a “game changer” for the Franchise.
If anything, if they aren’t 100% sold on players available at 24, they should TRADE down, and pick up (hopefully) an extra pick, maybe a 3rd rounder, late 2nd round?
I believe in a deep draft (esp. defensively) like this one, picks in the 2nd and 3rd round are like gold. Cheaper (as far as signing them), and in some cases, just as good as 1st rounders (later on).
One more thing…If the Falcons can grab Maiava in round 5 or later, DEFINITELY a steal. Out of all of USC, LB, he is the one that DOMINATED the most against Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Not sure if that had anything to do with Penn State “paying extra attention” to his “bash brothers” at LB, but I remember he made plenty of tackles and big hits.
Jonathan
March 26th, 2009
11:10 am
Mike – Are you kidding me??
Of course there isn’t a Troy is this draft, if there was he wouldn’t be hanging around at #24. The closest player to Troy is Taylor Mays (at USC now).
Troy’s looks have nothing to do with intimidation…he brings it on the field and everyone knows it. My thought is you need to move to Pitt and follow up on your man-crush.
JJ
March 26th, 2009
11:14 am
We need a pass/blocking TE to improve our 3rd down efficency and give OUR kid another weapon, just not at #24.
- CUSHING/ZIGGY/BRACE, – CHUNG, – COOK
One mock draft has us taking Michael Johnson DE, the kid is a beast but I just dont see our brain trust taking that gamble. But damn, the kid is huge!
Jonathan
March 26th, 2009
11:39 am
Michael Johnson is huge and is in the best shape a man can be in. I like his style to drop and cover and/or blitz. However…he never ever showed up in big games with tech, he was usually dominated by players he should have easily over powered. I don’t see the Falcons drafting MJ. Unless the Falcons trust think that Tech didn’t utilize him in the right ways. My guess is that MJ will be drafted in the 2nd and he’ll be a bust as a dominant player.
Ken Strickland
March 26th, 2009
11:45 am
I can’t tell you guys how much I’ve enjoyed reading your comments and suggestions. I can see the wisdom in almost any of the choices that are available. I’ve come to see how we could benefit from drafting a TE, CB, SS, DE, OLB or DT with our first pick. Remember, we’ll have a chance at a large number of the players that will be drafted in the lower rds when they get cut during training camp. Also, a lot of the drafted players that make their teams will cause veteran players, some we might be able to use, to be released. FREE AGENCY ISN’T OVER.
Jonathan
March 26th, 2009
11:50 am
I’m glad you pointed that out Ken…because we had no idea??
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Mike Smith likes USC LBs
March 26th, 2009
12:06 pm
[...] Mike Smith likes USC LBs [...]
Nique
March 26th, 2009
12:14 pm
SeminoleWarrior
I really think that he could be! He rated as the 3rd best safety on many ppl’s boards & if we don’t take a safety at 24, there might not be one taken in the 1st round period! With that being said Chung is ranked behind Delmas & William Moore as the 3rd best SS on the board on many boards, so if no SS goes in the 1st, bc the popular conscious is that there isn’t 1 SS with a 1st round grade in this years draft, then there is a good chance that 3 won’t go in the 2cnd round b4 we pick. I personally would be ok with any of those 3. The fallacy that i see on here is ppl saying draft Shawn Nelson in the 3rd & Ron Brace in the 3rd, or even where we are in the 2cnd! Neither of those players will be there where ppl are selecting them in mock drafts…NO WAY!!!! & ppl talking about trading up, that’s just not smart, we have TOO many holes to be getting rid of picks, we need to trade down & get additional picks!
Think realistically we NEED (not wants right now) a new starting NT, SS, & CB (& we want a new TE, OLB, & I personally would like to see a new Tackle to really solidify our O-line, bc while we ranked towards the top in rushing, there were games when we simply could not move the ball on the ground! I.E. anytime we played really dominant D’s & the playoff game against Ari. truly dominant running games, like the Steelers, Panthers, & Giants don’t have that problem bc of the quality they have up front)Sorry for getting sidetracked! But yeah so to walk away with 3 to 4 no questioned starters in the draft like we need, I don’t think that we can afford to trade any picks away trying to move up!
JJ
March 26th, 2009
12:23 pm
Interesting mock draft from “The football Expert”:
- 24 – Peria Jerry DT 6-3 295
- 55 – Shawn Nelson TE 6-5 242 DALLAS takes chung at 51
- 90 – Chip Vaughn SS 6-2 215
I could live with that, all 3 could start. Of course it all depends on FA yet to be named!
Robot – is it true you have a thing for wall-E?
JJ
March 26th, 2009
1:03 pm
Stirg
Answer: YES! GO FALCONS!!!
Jamison
March 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
I think that our linebacking core is not the issue early in the draft. With the pick up of vet Peterson and strong play at the end of the season from Coy Wire and the emerging Lofton, i think we need to focus on patching up the secondary and focusing on our D-line. Anderson is a bust, big Grady to Detroit, leaves us with two big names on defense. John Abraham and Mike Peterson. FREE AGENTS ARE STILL OUT THERE DIMITRIOFF!
BLACK AND RED DAWG
March 26th, 2009
4:56 pm
Hey, let’s do it the “New England” way and draft a multi-use/dementional player. Larry English gives you the best of both worlds and provides depth @ two positions and can be used on special teams. But, that will be left for the falcon brass. One thing that a good pass rush can do, is cover up a subpar to fair defensive back field. D-line is priorty 1. Our offense needs very little tweaking.
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 26th, 2009
4:57 pm
I can’t agree with some of your suggestions about drafting one of the USC linebackers. First of all, only one or two of those linebackers are legit; everybody else is just surrounded by good football players. If you put me back there with Cushing, Maualuga and Maiava, even I’ll look tempting enough to draft. Why are we salivating over drafting one of these guys, at 24, when we can get Clint Sintim or Tyrone McKenzie in a later round? Sometimes I believe that some of us don’t read about, or research, other players. I think that you desire a player because you seen him on ESPN or Fox Sports. Fellows, read, research, then react.
I got my own mock:
Brandon Pettigrew
Patrick Chung
Clint Sintim
Sammie Lee Hill
Cameron Morrah
Do not be suprised to see TD go tight end with the number one pick, especially with Pettigrew’s skills still on the board. In fact, look for him to take two pass-catching tight ends. It’ll definitely confuse the defenses when we use two-tight end sets; and it will make our offense the most potent in the NFL. With what we already have on defense, we can afford the two tight ends with a Sintim, Hill and Chung.
Like that?
marko
March 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
JJ, The insanity crack was uncalled for. I’m sincerely sorry. Anybody that had to park at Georgia State, not to mention eating at the Bite and Die for four years deserves better.
mudcat
March 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
D3 & dbhawksfan-love your mocks! We have a lot of really good blogs and very knowledgeable fans. My mock is Sean Smith DB/S Utah or Larry English DL, James Casey TE from Rice in the 2nd rd, Alex McGee DT/DE Purdue in the 3rd rd and Zack Follet OLB from Cal SJ in the 4th. Keep the good stuff coming guys!
marko
March 26th, 2009
5:32 pm
Nique, you’re right nobody’s mistaking Vince Wilfolk for a swimsuit model. the only way a guy could make that kind of mistake would be standing Vince up next to Ron Brace.
JJ
March 26th, 2009
5:34 pm
no prob, go concrete campus! watch out uga/gt! lol
tbhawksfan
March 26th, 2009
6:06 pm
Anyone that would drive to GSU deserves to eat there. Mass transit guys. I used to enjoy some of the little hole in the wall eateries hidden around GSU.
danga
March 26th, 2009
6:15 pm
I think we should trade our 1st pick to the cardinals for cb dominique rodgers cromartie. Lets face it we’re gonna need at least 1 good cb to compete and we dont have that and we arent getting 1 out the draft iether.I would give them a 1st this year and a 2nd for next year.We’ll have plenty compensary picks next year for the free agents we had to give up this year.
Edgar
March 26th, 2009
6:20 pm
Connor Barwin
Cincinnati
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 256
40: 4.66
Ken Strickland
March 26th, 2009
6:25 pm
STIRG D’NAHSIF-I like you mock draft except for the 2 TE’s. I’d take a different approach. My mock draft is as follows:
1st rd-DE/LB Aaron Maybin(6′3″ 249lbs) or Larry English(6′2″ 255lbs)
2nd rd-CB Sean Smith (6′3″ 214lbs)
3rd rd-SS Courtney Green (6′ 212lbs)
4th rd-TE Cameron Marroh(6′3″ 244lbs)
5th rd-DT Sammie Lee Hill(6′3″ 329lbs)
These 5 picks addresses all of our key OFF/DEF needs. What do you think?