Kiper has Johnson slipping to third round
Mel Kiper was in mid-flow, still going strong after two hours and two minutes. He’d taken more than 80 questions on a national conference call.
ESPN’s draft analyst asked if there were still any people left on the line. There were still 12 more callers.
ESPN draft analyst is not high on some local products.
He took all of the calls, one of the last ones being about Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar for a small newspaper guy in Texas. That was very gracious of Kiper and one of the reasons why most traditional print media guys love him.
Folks would ask Kiper about some obscure DB from the WAC and he’d start rattling off their vital stats. Some of the reporters would thank Kiper for dropping some knowledge on them.
This is Kiper’s 31st year in the business of analyzing draft prospects and he’ll be a major part of ESPN’s coverage on Saturday and Sunday.
So to help us get ready for the overall draft, here’s Kiper on a variety of players, topics and all-around general drafnikness (I think I just created a new word!):
ON LIONS DRAFTING STAFFORD: “I would expect (Georgia quarterback Matthew) Stafford to go No. 1. I don’t have any inside information on what Detroit’s thinking in terms of obviously they want to have this guy signed before the draft if they can. To me it would be the obvious pick. That’s what they need.”
He’s wondering why the Lions are dragging their feet with signing Stafford.
“The decision on Stafford should have been made a long time ago, whether they were going to make him the No. 1 pick overall,” Kiper said.
ON TEXAS TECH WIDEOUT MICHAEL CRABTREE: “I don’t think the injury affected him that much because he was projected to go fourth to Seattle prior to that, long before anybody signed any free agents. Now he’s projected to go fifth to Cleveland. So it’s not a huge drop for him.”
ON MARYLAND WIDEOUT DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY: He noted that the speedy Heyward-Bey – who ran under 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash on a few stop watches at the combine — had some games at Maryland where he didn’t catch a pass.
“That shouldn’t happen,” Kiper said. “When you have a kid this skilled, you force the ball to him. If you’re shut out in some college games, what’s going to happen in the NFL? There are definitely some questions
Kiper has Clemson running back James Davis going in the fourth round. Davis is from Atlanta Douglass High.
there.”
Kiper has Heyward-Bey as the third receiver behind Crabtree and Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin. He could go to the New York Jets (17) or Minnesota (22). If he gets past Minnesota then Miami (25) would be a possibility.
“They definitely need a receiver,” Kiper said.
ON FLORIDA RECEIVER PERCY HARVIN: Harvin has slipped in the draft after reports of a failed drug test. Kiper had him going at No. 17, but now it looks like he’ll be a late first rounder.
“He’s not a wide receiver per say, but a jack of all trades,” Kiper said. “He’s a Reggie Bush with the Saints — not Reggie at USC, but Reggie with the Saints. And that’s the kind of player he can be — running back, receiver, return man.”
Durability is an issue for teams drafting Harvin.
“He’s only 195 pounds and he’s going to have to prove that he can stay healthy,” Kiper said. “If you can keep him on the field, he’s going to put up a lot of all-purpose yards for you.”
Kiper has Clemson wide receiver Aaron Kelly going in the fifth round.
ON WEST VIRGINIA QB PAT WHITE: Kiper sees him going in the second or third round.
TOP QB’S NEXT SEASON: Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour and Texas’ Colt McCoy. He projects Florida’s Tim Tebow as a H-back or Wildcat (10 to 15 plays) quarterback.
ON CLEMSON RB JAMES DAVIS: He has the former Douglass High standout going in the fourth round.
ON GEORGIA TECH DE MICHAEL JOHNSON: Once considered a top 10 pick, Kiper said that Johnson could slide all the way in to the third round.
ON CLEMSON WR AARON KELLY: He has the former Walton High standout going in the fifth round.
ON ALABAMA TACKLE ANDRE SMITH: “Nick Saban has helped him maintain a top 10 draft status despite what has gone on during the draft process,” Kiper said.
ON MISSISSIPPI DT PERIA JERRY: “I thought he was the most underrated defensive player in the country all last year,” Kiper said.
ON THE GLUT OF HYBRID DE/OLBs: Kiper noted that Florida State’s Everette Brown, Northern Illinois’ Larry English, Virginia’s Clint Sintim, Southern Cal’s Clay Matthews Jr., Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and Cincinnati’s Connor Barwin could all play either defensive end of outside linebacker.
“There is an incredible number of those combo type of players this year,” Kiper said.
MORENO IS HIS TOP RB: Kiper likes Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, but believes that the New
Kiper said Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson could slip into the third round.
Orleans Saints will take Ohio State’s Chris Wells first. Connecticut’s Donald Brown is the third best running back in the draft.
Kiper doesn’t believe Wells is soft.
“He ran hard when he was healthy,” Kiper said.
Kiper has Moreno going to Philadelphia at 21 or Arizona at 31.
35th ANNIVERSARY OF BEST DRAFT OF ALL TIME: In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted wide receiver Lynn Swann (1st round), linebacker Jack Lambert (second round), wide receiver John Stallworth (fourth round) and center Mike Webster (fifth round). All have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
ON RHETT BOMAR: Sounds familiar? He was the kid who had to leave Oklahoma and getting paid too much for “working” at his summer job. He should go in the fourth or fifth round.
“Rhett has a chance,” Kiper said. “But he has some mechanical issues.”
Are you a big Kiper fan? Don’t like the hair? Think his has Moreno going too low? He’s been picking Brandon Pettigrew to go to Atlanta for awhile, but seemed to shy away from that pick a little bit on the call.
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346 comments Add your comment
Nookah
April 23rd, 2009
11:49 am
Marko, whew!!!!! That’s some hot stuff there. I’d love to do that deal but let me put on my other GM hat. As Seminole suggested, that “cap” would not fit. Remember we still have Roddy to sign. However, look at the other side, is AB getting antsy and saying to TD (the conversation may go like this)…..
AB: “Listen TD/Smitty, we made a big step last year, what can we do to enhance the product this year? How can we put more people in the seats, sell more merchandise nationally, add some more excitement and anticipation and perhaps even attract additional prime time attention? I need to turn this franchise into the “Home Depot” of football, when I was there I might add. I need to be the leader in my industry. What do you say TD?”
TD: Mr. Blank, I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm but when I came here you outlined to me the goals and objectives. I inherited a damaged product and I outlined to you a plan that will not only allow you to win a Super Bowl or 2 but also to be an elite franchise for a long time and also to enhance the cash flow stream of this franchise over the long haul. So Mr. Blank whereas that deal would really excite the fans, I have to be fiscally prudent and advise you that that would be biting off more than we can chew. Please Mr. Blank, remember this is a PROCESS and we do not have to do all of that to have a better product this year. Trust me. I’ll stake my future on it. I say we go with our player in the first round, Clint “Dirty Harry” Sintim and “he’ll make our day”. Unless some other player unexpectedly drops to us, he will be our man.
AB: OK guys, but make it work. I’ll defer to you because that’s why I employed you. I’m no Al Davis or Dan Snyder. So do your thing.
Go Falcons!!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!!
Get up stand up, stand up for your rights,
Get up stand up don’t give up the fight (Robert Nesta Marley)
D3
April 23rd, 2009
12:50 pm
Wow, you can really tell this difference between a blog solely dedicated to football (The Bird-Cage) and a general population blog about football (MB’s recent post). Get a really big kick out some of their comments. They just throw s— against the wall hoping something will stick. It’s really pretty funny actually.
DOL just picked Brian Cushing for our Falconi’s on ESPN’s mock draft. Boo. Rather have Sintim or English, b/c Cushing is a pretty big risk IMO. Won’t be upset with the pick, but I’d rather have ‘Grew, Sintim, or English.
Big Ray
April 23rd, 2009
12:55 pm
D3,
I am absolutely no good at mocks. NO GOOD. Now if y’all need a good laugh or two, or D. Ledbetter wants somebody to fade the heat to, I’m good for that. Otherwise, my mock would just suck…. seriously
I see you are still all fired up about Pettigrew. Two days away from seeing if it’s true, bro’!!! Can you stand it? I’m practically quivering with excitement…
SeminoleWarrior
April 23rd, 2009
12:55 pm
Nookah, I love the conversation between AB and TD. Great stuff man!! I guess Rich was out at the old GM plant site surveying for the new digs.
I have full faith in TD to get this one right. Even if he goes against my wishes (I’ll talk to him at the post-draft mini trust me…LOL), I am happy knowing that from a management point, the Birds have NEVER been in better hands.
Still working on the final revisions to the first round and Falcons mocks. Will probably get the revisions to D3 sometime before sunrise on Saturday morn. My gut tells me the final three on the Big Board at the Branch are: 1) “Dirty Harry” Sintim, 2) The ‘Grew, and 3) Ziggy.
Thoughts??
Khao$
April 23rd, 2009
12:58 pm
Honestly, even if we went all defense in this draft, it would not improve our defense next year. In fact, I believe it may take two drafts to do so. Perhaps our best defense may be our offense. And the longer we can keep our offense on the field, the better our defense will look.
I would not be surprised if we drafted Pettigrew (provided he’s there at 24) and took the Colts blue print: score lots of points and slowly improve the defense.
I’m not saying I agree with this approach, but I understand. I heard Chuck Oliver present this arguement while making a case for trading for Tony Gonzalaz.
SeminoleWarrior
April 23rd, 2009
1:09 pm
WR…assuming your trade does go through (and I agree, I have my doubts), I would give you this draft:
4) DT Terrance Taylor
5a) DT Roy Miller
5b) OT Joel Bell
6) OG Andrew Kemp
5b)
SeminoleWarrior
April 23rd, 2009
1:14 pm
Khao$, you are on to something there. Not only is that the Colts way, but that has been the Patriot way as well in recent years. A controlled offense with a Tampa 2 style, Tony Dungy-minded bend but do noe break D. Can’t argue the results. Super Bowl win in Indy with it; a middle of the road 3-4 in NE won the big one as well. Nice thoughts bro.
Nookah
April 23rd, 2009
1:20 pm
D3, did DOL really pick him? I guess that’s who he’s gonna drop on us tomorrow with his final mock. I get the feeling that Cushing and possibly Matthews Jnr. have been dropping in the draft. I am not sold on either I must admit, I have 4 guys on defense that I would have no problem taking either in the first round, Sintim, English, Ayers or Jenkins. One on offense, your guy, ‘Grew.
By the way what are our chances of taking a WR in this draft? I have a feeling we might spend a later round pick on one. A burner like Mike Wallace (no not 60 Minutes, but Mississippi State.
Go Falcons!!!
Nuff respect evertime!!!…………………..THE PROCESS CONTINUES!!!
Nookah
April 23rd, 2009
1:29 pm
Seminole, I like that list. However, as Big Ray alluded to some time ago, there is going to be a run on some position(s) and that will allow some other team to depart from their draft boards and someone high on our draft board that we did not anticipate falling to us may do so and we will have to pull the trigger as long as it fills our needs.
A few names that may come to mind, Tyson Jackson, Robert Ayers, Larry English, Michael Jenkins, Aaron Maybin…need I say more? Now who would argue if one of these players fell to us?
Go Falcons!!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!…………….THE PROCESS CONTINUES!!!
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:16 pm
Well, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Peria Jerry
25. Miami – Everette Brown
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Ziggy Hood
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Falcon dream scenario, imo:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Ingram TE, Rashad Johnson FS. I also like DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5, along with Asher Allen out of uga.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:20 pm
Well, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Peria Jerry
25. Miami – Everette Brown
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Ziggy Hood
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Falcon dream scenario, imo:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Ingram TE, Rashad Johnson FS. If they can’t swing a trade down, I think the Falcons go with Pettigrew, though I’d still prefer if they went Defense with their first two or three picks. As late rounders, I like DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5, along with Asher Allen out of uga in the 5th.
darrell starks
April 23rd, 2009
2:30 pm
TD DONT MISS OUT ON SEAN SMITH OF UTAH HE WILL BE A BEAST IN THE NFL HIM AND COLEMAN AT THE SAFETY WILL BE AWESOME . GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Falconi
April 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
ESPN’s Michael Smith says it’s Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons, and not for our second-round pick this year.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
The blog monster seems to be eating everything I submit in the last 20 minutes, but I’m following sage advice and saving prior to submitting. If they all show up at the same time, and this ends up being a repeat, I apologize for the redundancy.
After much hand-wringing and anticipation, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Falcon dream scenario, imo:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Ingram TE, Rashad Johnson FS. I also like DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5, along with Asher Allen out of uga.
irvin
April 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
We just got TG for a 2010 2nd rounder. TD is the man.
chc4
April 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Fox Sports is reporting the Falcons have traded a 2nd round pick for Tony Gonzalez. Not a big of this move at all.
darrell starks
April 23rd, 2009
2:38 pm
TD do not miss out on sean smith of UTAH he will be a beast in the nfl him and coleman at safety will be awesome. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Falconi
April 23rd, 2009
2:39 pm
Jay Glazer says it’s for a second-round pick next season. Nice deal for us, folks.
Knuckle Sandwich
April 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Gonzo for 2010 2nd round pick
chc4
April 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Yea, its our #2 in the 2010 draft. I can live with that since, in current compensation, that equates a a #3 in 2009.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
I can live with Gonzalez for a second rounder, I guess, if it’s straight up. The Falcons stand to have quite a few compensatory picks in 2010, so they won’t be short picks. (Hopefully, that 2nd round pick will be a LATE second rounder.) And yes, TD is the man.
darrell starks
April 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
TD a second round pick of 2010 for TONEY GONZALEZ THIS IS AWESOME. GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
The blog monster ate this the first few times I submitted. If those eaten submissions do show up, I apologize for the redundancy. And it looks like Pettigrew’s going to the Eagles or the Bills, guys. Even better for us, imo. Means we can spend three of the first four picks on defenders, and the fourth of those on an O-lineman. Good for us, and thank goodness for TD. Dude is smart. Looking at TD reminds me of my fave bumnber sticker of all time: “Guns don’t kill people. People with mustaches kill people.”
After much hand-wringing and anticipation, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Falcon dream scenario, imo:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Ingram TE, Rashad Johnson FS. I also like DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5, along with Asher Allen out of uga.
The Truth Hurts
April 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
Re-do those mock drafts, boys!
Defense, defense, defense…welcome to the 2009 NFL Draft.
Reno makes a good point about the compensatory picks due next year.
Okay, so now what?
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
The blog monster ate this the first few times I submitted. If those eaten submissions do show up, I apologize for the redundancy. And it looks like Pettigrew’s going to the Eagles or the Bills, guys. Even better for us, imo. Means we can spend three of the first four picks on defenders, and the fourth of those on an O-lineman. Good for us, and thank goodness for TD. Dude is smart. Looking at TD reminds me of my fave bumnber sticker of all time: “Guns don’t kill people. People with mustaches kill people.”
After much hand-wringing and anticipation, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Falcon dream scenario, imo:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Ingram TE, Rashad Johnson FS. I also like DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5, along with Asher Allen out of uga.
angry banker
April 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
Ken – you raise an interesting point. I suppose Trey doesn’t have to be a back-up; but a guy whose esentially a 24 year old rookie becasue of his injuries seems like a back up to me. ok, so lets assume he stays healthy – dont we still need to add depth to the line? I like the way we had it last year with a smaller DT that can penetrate and a big guy that can just sit there and take up a hole and 1/2. What Grady lacked in skill he made up for in sheer size – and to some degree, theres no substitute for size.
but I suppose Trey is as big as anyone we’re going to get our of the draft this year, except for the guys at BC – Brace and Raji
at our weaker positions – I would say trey is suspect at DT, Wire at OLB, and Decoud at Safety. The way I see it, DT is not only our area with the least depth, but also the most questionalbe one considering Trey’s health. Thoughts?
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:50 pm
The blog monster ate this the first few times I submitted. If those eaten submissions do show up, I apologize for the redundancy. And it looks like Pettigrew’s going to the Eagles or the Bills, guys. Even better for us, imo. Means we can spend three of the first four picks on defenders, and the fourth of those on an O-lineman. Good for us, and thank goodness for TD. Dude is smart. Looking at TD reminds me of my fave bumnber sticker of all time: “Guns don’t kill people. People with mustaches kill people.”
After much hand-wringing and anticipation, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
The blog monster ate this the first few times I submitted. If those eaten submissions do show up, I apologize for the redundancy. And it looks like Pettigrew’s going to the Eagles or the Bills, guys. Even better for us, imo. Means we can spend three of the first four picks on defenders, and the fourth of those on an O-lineman. Good for us, and thank goodness for TD. Dude is smart. Looking at TD reminds me of my fave bumnber sticker of all time: “Guns don’t kill people. People with mustaches kill people.”
After much hand-wringing and anticipation, my team of monkeys with typewriters has finally finished my mock draft. It’s a bit of a mysterious process. They don’t let me watch, but every once in a while, when I’m filling one of their ridiculous late-night requests for booze and munchies, I’m able to peek in and see them drawing on their “big board” wall with crayons, eating parasites, and throwing feces at what I can only make out to be a poorly-made effigy of Todd McShay. Well, after two months of the team’s pounding on their typewriters in 12 hour shifts, $583 in Papa Johns orders, 32 gallons of banana cognac, and three pepperoni-stained masterpiece treatises that read like Tolstoy (which I promptly threw out), they have submitted for my approval the Reno 911 mock draft, structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Stirg d'Nahsif
April 23rd, 2009
2:52 pm
I knew it was a reason I waited to do my mock.
darrell starks
April 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
DEFENSE DEFEENSE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BABBY LETS GO
I HAVE FOUR DAY ONE STARTERS
1ST PICK CUSHING LB
2ND PICK SEAN SMITH SAFETY A BEAST
3RD PICK ALLEN ASHER CB
4TH PICK DORRELL SCOTT DT 64 320POUNDS STRONG UP THE MIDDLE
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
No kidding, Stirg. Ok, everybody, off the Pettigrew bandwagon. Feel free to climb on the “trade down” bandwagon. Still some room here.
Nookah
April 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
What does this tell you guys? This says to me that our staus quo feel we are further along than some of us think. This move is saying to me, we are confident the Falcons can go further in the playoffs. To me it is confirmation not only from our top brass but also from TG. As a veteran he must have some say in which team he goes to and he is indirectly cionfirming that the Falcons are indeed serious contenders for 2009.
Next step………..sign Roddy to an extension!!!!
Go Falcons!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!….THE PROCESS CONTINUES…….and just got accelerated!!!
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
D3 – I keep trying to post my mock draft, but the blog monster doesn’t like it, and it never appears. Will try to manipulate it a little and see if I can trick it into accepting it.
structured to reflect expected trades (do we get credit for those, D3?)
1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas city trades to the Snyderettes– Mark Sanchez
4. Seattle – Jason Smith
5. Cleveland – Aaron Curry
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree
8. Jax – B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay- Brian Orakpo
10. San Fran – Michael Oher
11. Buffalo – Eben Britton
12. Denver- Tyson Jackson
13. Washington (probably traded to KC)- Aaron Maybin
14. N.O.- Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston – Clay Matthews
16. San Diego – Knowshon Moreno
17. NY Jets – Chris Wells
18. Denver – Rey Maualuga
19. Tampa Bay – Josh Freeman
20. Detroit – William Beatty
21. Philly – Robert Ayers
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin
23. New England – Brian Cushing
24. Atlanta (crossing my fingers for a trade down) – Everette Brown
25. Miami – James Laurinaitis
26. Baltimore – Jeremy Maclin
27. Indy – Peria Jerry
28. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew
29. NY Giants (traded to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards) – Kenny Britt
30. Tennessee – Sean Smith
31. Arizona – Donald Brown
32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
2:58 pm
Falcon dream scenario, imho:
one of the teams at the top of the 2nd round trades up to the Falcons to grab a good WR or OT prospect who’s fallen unexpectedly, and the Falcons come away with two 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders, and get Sintim OLB, Ron Brace DT, Paul Kruger DE, Rashad Johnson FS. If no Ron Brace, then go for DTs Roy Miller or Sen’derrick Marks in round 4 or 5. Also like Asher Allen out of uga in rd 5.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
I still think the Falcons may go TE in this draft, seeing how deep the position is, but maybe late with Richard Quinn or Cameron Morrah, or one of the 3rd-round projection guys if they slip down into the 4th or 5th. (That’s when the Laurent Robinson trade may come in handy.) I don’t see Gonzalez playing past the 2010 season, so they still need to get a TE for the future.
angry banker
April 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
Seriously??!?! We got TG for a 2010 2nd round pick?! Thomas Dimitroff – you are the man!!
I thought it was some kind of sick joke at first!!
So, new mock drafts?!?
D3
April 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Great Afternoon Bird-Cagers! Man, I opened my mouth too D@– soon and said, “Oh, this week is going by pretty fast for draft week.” What a mistake that was. Time has screeched to a halt. Can’t tell you how nice it is to return to the place of ‘talking intelligent football with cool guys,’ after returning from a general population blog. Whew! Some good arguments, but overall everyone speaks in absolutes with no room for gray area. “I hate Pettigrew, he stole my car!”….Maybe exaggerating a little, but close. To the matter close at hand……….
Seminole – Like your version of TD’s Big Board, except switch ‘Grew and Sintim. You know my feelings on Hood. Given the choice, I’ll take Jerry. Hood might turn out to be good, but you’re right on whoever they draft, they got my vote. Are we totally off on Sintim, b/c I can’t find anyone except a couple guys on NFL N that have Sintim rated high.
1)’Grew 2)Maybin 3)Sintim 4)English
Khoa$ – great, great argument. As was mentioned by Stirg(I think), championship teams are those that are balanced and not solely reliant on their OFF or DEF. I young or rather inexperienced D will need some clock eatin’ from the OFF this year.
Nookah – disappointly, YES! He took Cushing. Shouldn’t there be a reason behind someone dropping like a stone, previously considered a Top 10 pick? Someone still has to explain to me how Cushing is any different than Matthews, experience wise. Agree on your selections, but maybe not Ayers, just because of other needs. At WR, check out Aaron Kelly from Clemson & Marko Mitchell from Nevada.
darrell – like Sean Smith too, but I think he may have dropped a little due to his perceived lack of position and time to adjust to the NFL, JMO.
D3
April 23rd, 2009
3:12 pm
EGG ON FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take the ball and run with it gentleman! Let me be the first to say that I just cracked and egg, let it seep out onto my face, and it tastes oh so good.
Sorry ‘Grew, I rode the wagon until the wheels fell off!
Turtsnap
April 23rd, 2009
3:17 pm
Maybe I am missing something here. I don’t understand the excitement of giving up next years second round pick for Tony Gonzalez? Even ESPN is reporting that Gonzalez is only planning to play this year, and POSSIBLY next year before retirement. We sacrifice a 2nd round pick for that?
The Truth Hurts
April 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm
As a BC alum, I watched every BC game with Raji and Brace. Raji was constantly double-teamed and still managed penetration. He’s the real deal. Brace had the benefit of having Raji next to him drawing double teams and too often didn’t make a big impact. IMHO, he’s not quite a top of the 2nd round talent. He just isn’t. A potential run-stuffer, but doesn’t make a habit of disrupting anything beyond the line of scrimmage.
The guys on ESPN were EFFUSIVE in their praise for the trade. “Best trade I’ve seen in a long time…” “Super Bowl contenders…” just a couple of comments you heard. They noted the compensatory picks next year for KB, DF, and MB, allowing them to maybe move up if need be.
This offense, on paper, could be scary good.
chc4
April 23rd, 2009
3:24 pm
Comp picks in cannot be traded so whatever we receive in 2010 will be of no help as far as getting back into the 2nd round.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
3:30 pm
True, chc4, but it softens the loss of a 2nd rounder when a team gets extra compensatory 3rd-5th rounders. It also makes it easier to trade one’s regular 3rd-5th rounders for a 2 if a team knows that they’ll still have the compensatory picks there.
Khao$
April 23rd, 2009
3:33 pm
D3, no egg on your face. Actually Dimitroff’s move for Tony Gonzalaz backs up the statement I made. The Falcons made the offense strong to keep the defense off the field. Thus, the defense becomes stronger and grows all at once. If EVERYONE stays healthy and productive on O, we will be CRAZY on offense!
D3
April 23rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Worried about the number of years TG has left:
From TG himself: “But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years. With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top five in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team?”
Also reportedly on the verge of finalizing a new contract.
Khao$
April 23rd, 2009
3:40 pm
If our offense clicks like we think it could and we score tons of points, our defense will look 10 times better? Why? If you’re up 14-21 points, the offense can’t run the ball. Our guys on defense could pin their ears back and go after the quarterback. Of course, this is an ideal situation. But acquiring Gonzalaz could have actually IMPROVE THE DEFENSE
TommyP
April 23rd, 2009
3:42 pm
I believe the blog starts with DOL saying, “Cool out with the Gonzalez trade talk.”
Oops….
The Dean 21
April 23rd, 2009
3:47 pm
D3, no egg dude! Trust me, we all now will come to realize what GEM we have in Thomas Dimitroff!!! This guy has brought excitement back to the ATL per pro football!! All of us who have submitted our mocks are now in the trenches are re-working them ASAP!!
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
3:48 pm
D3- thanks for the quote. I like the way that Gonzalez sounds. I hope his body agrees, though. Needless to say, there’s only a handful of players who can play past the 13 year mark, much less up to 16 or 17 years. Call me cautious, but I still wince a little, imagining that we might be giving up a #40-50 pick next year, who could be a good player one day…but I do love what Gonzalez brings in the hear term, to include the “intangible” factor of his experience, character, and stabilizing influence on the team. The other thing I love about this trade is that is frees up the Falcons to go defense with four or all five of their first five picks, which I think they need. So, what does everyone think the Falcons do with the top 2 of those picks? Though the conventional wisdom points to an OLB, something tells me that if there’s a good DE who drops to 24, the Falcons will go that direction. Abraham is good, but is aging, and while I am hoping against hope that Anderson all of the sudden turns into a strong edge-rusher, I don’t think it’s going to happen. What if they addressed both? I go back to the prospect of drafting hybrid Connor Barwin to play some snaps at Sam and some 3rd downs opposite Abe at DE. Barwin will be gone soon after the Falcons at either 25 (Dolphins) or 34 (Patriots in the 2nd). Just a thought.
Reno 911
April 23rd, 2009
3:50 pm
near term, that is. not hear term.
The Dean 21
April 23rd, 2009
3:52 pm
The Falcons have decided to keep their information air tight because they have experienced enough egg processing, so don’t blame DOL, he is the last person they would leak information to. This is what happened to the Braves recently with leaking information to the AJC before the ink was laid down.
Bird Cage: I think the birds will trade down now. I still see Evander Ziggy Hood in their sites. I think we will go DT & LB…