Updated Mock draft: Virginia LB Sintim to ATL
The Falcons are looking for defensive players who are fierce like Pam Grier's cousin, the great Rosey Grier. He played for the Rams' Fearsome Foursome line with Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen and Lamar Lundy in the 1960s. Pam, this week's honorary blog guest, was pretty tough in the 1974 movie Foxy Brown.
Just 22 days to the draft and two more mock drafts before the really big Mock Draft, the one that counts. The one that runs in the paper on Saturday morning of April 25th.
But for now, we’ll do the best we can as situations around the league are fluid.
However, University of Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga visit with the Falcons on Saturday means one of two things.
Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim could add some pop to the Falcons defense. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff).
He’s slipping in the draft and is going to be around when they pick 24th overall. Or the Falcons plan on trading up to get in the mix for the All-American attack missile from USC.
But he’s a middle linebacker and doesn’t fit the “needs-based” drafting philosophy. They selected Curtis Lofton last season. This visit falls into the “due diligence” department.
Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English also is set to visit the Falcons. Oregon safety Patrick Chung has a private workout set up, but is not coming in for a visit. Also, Western Michigan safety Louis Delmas is set to visit.
The Falcons are in the process of revamping their linebacking corps after starters Michael Boley (New York Giants) and Keith Brooking (Dallas) signed with new teams during free agency. They signed linebacker Michael Peterson in free agency.
Rey Maualuga is coming to visit the Falcons on Saturday. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
Falcons coach Mike Smith told the AJC at the NFL owners’ meeting in Dana Point, Calif. that he was impressed with all four of the USC linebackers in this draft.
Denver’s trade of Jay Cutler helped to shake up this week’s mock draft.
Before their issues with Cutler, the Broncos were set to draft defense. But with the 12th and 18th picks of the first round, look for them to move up to get in position to possibly land USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. There are only three first round quarterbacks in Georgia’s Matthew Stafford, Sanchez and Kansas State’s Josh Freeman.
With the Jets needing to address their QB situation, look for them to take Freeman at 17.
They Falcons are going defense, but with their first pick elect to move away from Clay Matthews Jr., last week’s pick. He’s a one-year wonder and is too close to Kroy Biermann in skill set. They are looking for thumpers to control the edge against the run and make impact plays.
English remains interesting, but his history of serious injuries – high right ankle sprain, sprained right shoulder, torn right ACL, torn pectoral and a broken right hand — in college are a turn off.
Oregon safety Patrick Chung to get private workout with Falcons.
Look for the Falcons to select Virginia’s Clint Sintim. He was very productive and has very long arms at 33 ½ inches. He has played in a pro styled defense.
Maualuga (11 to 20), Matthews (24 to 25), Florida State’s Everette Brown (5 to 11), Oklahoma’s Duke Robinson (30 to out of first round) all dropped this week.
Some of the climbers include Texas’ Brian Orakpo (9 to 5), LSU’s Tyson Johnson (12 to 9), Freeman (20 to 17) and Florida’s Percy Harvin (17 to 15).
LEDBETTER’S MOCK DRAFT
Pam Grier likes this week's mock draft.
1. Detroit Lions: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor. Lions will try to negotiate a deal before the draft. They pass on Stafford as they try to anchor their O-line.
2. St. Louis Rams: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. The defensive minded Steve Spagnuolo gets someone to anchor the unit.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. Can learn the rope behind Matt Hasselbeck for a year or two.
5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. Bengals get a receiver to run alongside Ocho Cinco.
7. Oakland Raiders: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. Raiders don’t pay much attention to the recent controversy surrounding Raji.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California.
9. Green Bay Packers: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. Packers have to improve their defensive line.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, T, Alabama. With Sanchez off the board, Singletary decides his motivational skills can help Smith.
11. Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State.
12. Denver Broncos: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State.
13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss.
14. New Orleans Saints: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri. Sean Payton adds another weapon for quarterback Drew Brews.
15. Houston Texans: Percy Harvin, WR. Florida. Pro Bowler Andre Johnson needs some help.
16. San Diego Chargers: Brian Cushing, LB, USC.
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Jets get their Brett Favre replacement.
18. Denver Broncos: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. A physical corner who’d fit nicely in their Cover-2.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Rey Maualuga, LB, LB, Southern California. He slips, but doesn’t get past the Lions.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona. They have to find a replacement for Tra Thomas.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi.
23. New England Patriots: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State. Son of former wrestler “The Animal.”
24. Atlanta Falcons: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
25. Miami Dolphins: Clay Matthews Jr., LB, USC.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State. The Eagles get someone to share the load with Brian Westbrook.
29. New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina.
30. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. His 40 times are scaring a lot of folks.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois.
The Fearsome Foursome! Merlin Olsen (74), Deacon Jones (75), Lamar Lundy (85) and Rosey Grier (76), sitting down with his guitar. Falcons coach Mike Smith would love to turn his defensive line into the New Millennium's Fearsome Foursome.
FIRST ROUND FRINGE
Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma
Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
The other domino from the Cutler trade has to fall. That’s their climb up to get Mark Sanchez. They need to get in front of Jacksonville at No. 8. Like Sintim in the red and black? Rather have English? Rather have Matthews Jr.? Like Pam Grier, stopping by as our honorary guest?
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260 comments Add your comment
Reno 911
April 7th, 2009
1:36 pm
STIRG- you were tearin it up last night, man. Like I said before, I can’t argue with your logic. Time of possession is a killer, and having big TE’s with good hands that can make tough catches in traffic are all too valuable. That said, though, I still can’t see the Falcons putting more than two picks on offense, and I feel like one of those needs to be an OT. Maybe I’m too conventional, but looking at the schedule next year, I feel like a solid front 7 with some heavies up front has got to be the priority…and while I am hopeful about the much hyped (perhaps overhyped?) return of Trey Lewis, I am skeptical about the front-7’s ability to withstand the pounding that will come at the hands of the schedule that lays ahead: Giants, Dolphins, Cowboys, Patriots, Panthers x2. If we don’t have some beef up front, those teams will dominate the LOS, I fear. Shoot, maybe there will be just the players we need at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th picks (DT, OLB, maybe DE), but I’m not sure if the Falcons can run that risk. When’s the draft, again? Good times, man.
Cameron
April 7th, 2009
1:39 pm
Stirg:
Two pass catching TEs is great, but that means you have to take pass-catching WRs off of the field. Or RBs. I would rather have Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, or Harry Douglas on the field to catch passes than Pettigrew or Peele.
Why did the Falcons trade a 3rd round WR for just about nothing? We moved up 20 spots in the fifth and sixth rounds. Probably not going to get starters in the fifth or sixth rounds. Robinson isn’t a full-time starter, but he could fill-in for an injured starter. He also is another deep threat that could have been developed.
cutter
April 7th, 2009
1:52 pm
I think you set yourself up for to much scrutiny down the road if you have the 6th rank offense and the 24th rank defense and you use the 1st pick on offense, we need and want a TE obviously but if this defense is ranked anywhere close to 24th next year with Pettigrew on board and we lose the season on defense like last year, that would be UGLY.
Reno 911
April 7th, 2009
2:03 pm
Which numbers would you like to see more:
A TE with 9 catches for 92 yards, while your defense gives up 230 yards on the ground…or a TE with 4 catches for 40 yards, with a defense that held the opponent to 175 yards on the ground.
Not saying there’s one special defender out there who can make that much of a difference (not who’ll be available at #24, at least), but I do feel like the TE class is deep enough to allow a good pass-catching TE to be found in the 3rd round (Coffman/Casey/Ingram). I’d rather have Cushing/Matthews or Jerry at 1 and Brace/Moala or Barwin/Sintim at 2. When it comes to picking up bulk in the later rounds, don’t forget about Roy Miller, DT, Texas. Ran pretty well for a big guy (4.9 at 312 lbs), and will probably be there in the 4th.
Nookah
April 7th, 2009
2:44 pm
STIRG, I have a new found respect for you mi breddren!!! Red Stripe inna di nite? Ah cudda wha suh!!!! Best beer, yuh dunn kno’!!! (Just a little local lingo for the yardies – nuff respect!!). I trust you were only have the “liquid export” and not mixing it with the “agricultural export”. (just saying)
I hear your argument about 2 TE’s but as someone mentioned before, I think Pettigrew and Morrah may be just as effective as Pettigrew/Peele, and furthermore Peele knows the system. I like Morrah but I’m not sure we’ll spend 2 picks on offense unless for some unknown reason a marquee offensive player falls to us. One thing’s for sure you may have convinced me about TE at #24.
I am also wary (in a good way) of the Dynamic Duo. I am not sure they are done dealing. These moves are indicating to me that they are using this draft to concentrate on quality and not quantity personnel and improving the depth on this roster. As Ken keeps reminding us, any of the players that are drafted will certainly improve our team considerably. Even if they are not immediate starters they will have an impact on the depth of our team. If we are using the NE model, you know it’s a “process” for the long haul. Each decision is not only for filling a position of need today, but it is a decision that will impact the future and contribute to a winning product for a number of years.
D3, thanks for the comment. I also looked at your guy Louis Murphy. Also has excellent speed and size. He may have been overshadowed by Percy Harvin. Could he be the diamond in the rough? Sometimes these guys can be sleepers especially when there is another guy in the program who gets more attention. Massaquoi is an intersting prospect. Not a burner but runs excellent routes. 6-2, 210, runs a 4.5-4.6 40 dash; 36 1/2 vertical. He is very durable and has a terrific character. However, I think we can get better value elsewhere but interesting. Just my opinion.
Keep the banter going Falcon fans. This is so intriguing. Go Falcons!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!
Falcon Devil
April 7th, 2009
4:11 pm
I’ve watched enough UGA games to know Massaquoi drops 50% of the important balls that go his way. Trading Robinson should really indicate we will not be picking up any WR’s this draft.
The Dean 21
April 7th, 2009
4:32 pm
Ken, you are correct; it is refreshing to talk Falcons football and not the negative blogging in the past. We all should thank DOL for that. It looks like TD and smitty have created a master plan that has confused us all and possibly other coaches & GM’s. One could guess on a 1st round tight end, but could also argue on a first round DE. It appears one thing for sure; the Falcons will either trade the 24th pick or select the best player available for their needs.
I surely can’t argue with this young football genius who has made him self look real good in selecting draft picks. I suggest that we continue our opinions and see who comes close to TD on draft day! Good Luck Falcon Fans! BTW, on the schedule next year, I think the Falcons can and will complete another winning season! GO FALCONS!!
The Dean 21
April 7th, 2009
4:40 pm
On the L. Robinson trade, this guy just was not in the Falcons current and future plans. The Dean was thinking that he was going to be released this year, so why not get some value for him now. This will be move you all will appreciate come draft day. TD & smitty knows what they are doing and must have some key situational players in mind.
I also agree with Stirg on the possible tight end sets, I think Peele & the new tight end will fit that scheme very well, if it’s Pettigrew, then that will no doubt make the Falcons offense more potent than ever. The defense will get handled, trust me Coach Smitty is a defensive coach and he will improve this unit.
Stirg d'Nahsif
April 7th, 2009
5:00 pm
Reno 911, I was tearin’ it up lastnight, yeah, but them Red Stripes were somethin’ serious. I agree with you; I hope the Falcons spend, at least, one pick on the offensive line. You’re right, we’ll need it in the long run.
Cameron, we did take a pass catching receiver off the field; we got rid of Robinson. Remember? A two-tight end set does not mean you have to play with a fullback and does not mean you have to play with one wide receiver. We played with a lone backfield for years. Remember William Andrews and Gerald Riggs? I remember when Dan Reeves even used our tight end as a fullback, for the entire season (Koslowski, I believe). There may even be a time when an empty backfield is necessary. The point is, the options are endless with a two-tight end set. I’m not talking about running a two-tight end set all the time. Its just nice to have options. We needed options, last year, down in the red zone. Why were we passing on third and goal at the one yard line? Having tight ends bunched in will allow your big back to pound it in the end zone; but, imagine the options to pass if we cannot run it in.
Booyaka! Booyaka! Nookah, much respect! All di while mi drink Red Stripe, a true. All fruits ripe, yeah. Bredda. “agricultural export”? lol, funny. I can tell, you’re a bowl of fun. I admit, it was kind of a far fetch to sound off about two tight ends in the draft (hell, one is even a stretch) but I’m glad to know that my explantation was convincing enough to change your mind.
I’m telling you, bretheren, Pettigrew is the real deal. Reno 911 implied that this draft is deep with tight ends (he compared a 9-catches-for-92-yards tight end vs. a 4-catches-for-40-yards tight end). The point is, Reno 911, Pettigrew offers much more than just catching the pass. He prides himself with blocking.
I discovered this mock draft, dated January 16, 2009. The scouting report, conducted by Craig Jacobin (I have no idea who that is), suggests that Pettigrew is the perfect fit for the Falcons, despite our needs on defense. Read the report:
The Falcons will continue to build around their budding young QB by giving him another toy to play with at the TE position. Of the two first round TE’s, Pettigrew’s the guy who can serve as an extra power blocker, while making the occasional catch underneath when nobody’s open downfield. Pettigrew is a great blocker and has solid hands–it’s his speed that is the issue. But ATL doesn’t really need a speed guy—they need a mauler who can help clear holes for RB Michael Turner.
I was reading an article lastnight were Oklahoma State’s Defensive Coach recalled when Pettigrew came over to him during a game and said “Coach, lets run to my side…I got a good block.” The Coach remembered thinking to himself, “here’s a guy that is not even concerned about his personal stats in receiving and yardage. Instead, he just wants to win.”
I rest my case, again!
Nookah
April 7th, 2009
5:08 pm
Nuff said Stirg. You the man!! Long time I haven’t heard that…..booyakah!!!!??? Home sick now!!! lol
Go Falcons!!
Nuff respect everytime!!