Atlanta Falcons: 5 things we learned at the NFL combine
Signing Julius Peppers to a mega-deal doesn't appear to fit the Falcons definition of "fiscally responsible" moves. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Back in the ATL – It was fast and furious at the NFL scouting combine over the last five days.
Got back in late last night, but on the plane I came up five things we learned at the NFL scouting combine.
Here they are:
1. FORGET ABOUT PEPPERS: The indicators are pointing toward the Falcons not getting involved in the Julius Peppers derby. The buzz words that keep coming from general manager Thomas Dimitroff are “fiscally responsible” moves. My man Charles Chandler of the Charlotte Observer noted that Peppers turned down a deal that would have paid him between $13 and $14 million last summer. A deal in a higher range doesn’t appear to fit the Falcons definition of “fiscally responsible.”
2. NO DEFENSIVE END IN THE FIRST ROUND: You can rule out a defensive end with the No. 1 pick. The Falcons like their ends and think the pass rush would have been just fine with defensive tackle Peria Jerry in the lineup last season.
“My feeling is this, last year we drafted Peria Jerry in the first round,” Dimitroff said. “Unfortunately for us he was injured. He was really coming along well. He was going to help create some pass rush up the middle. Obviously, he was going to free something up on the outside. We felt John Abraham was going to continue to get up field, as well as Kroy Biermann and some of our other young guys on the outside.”
3. MIDDLE OF LINE: Falcons center Todd McClure, unfortunately, isn’t going to play forever and his backup Brett Romberg is 29 years old. The Falcons are going to draft an interior lineman who can play guard and center at some point in this draft.
4. WIDE RECEIVER HELP: The wide receiver position will get addressed at some point in the draft. Injuries to Harry Douglas and Brian Finneran nearly decimated the depth behind Roddy White last season.
5. BIGGER CBs TO GET ADDED: Bigger cornerbacks are on the way. Just look at the size of the receivers in the NFC South. I wouldn’t be wise to rule out Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox. While he has some off the field he issues, he can play the game. South Florida cornerback Jerome Murphy didn’t impress too many people when he showed up for interviews wearing white gold upper and lower teeth grills.
LSU's Rahim Alem's stats dropped in a scheme that called for him to drop into coverage more last season.
DILLARD’s 2010 PROMOTION: At the 2008 combine, agent Jason Dillard of Signature Sports Reps in Sacramento, Calif., passed out t-shirts with bios of four clients on the front and back.
He had a milk carton theme because he contended they were “missing” from the combine because they weren’t not invited. One of the “missing players” was Clifton Smith, who went on to make the Tampa Bay roster and was named a Pro Bowl. Another was defensive back Roy Lewis who played one game with Pittsburgh in 2008 and eight with Seattle last season.
This year Dillard was back with another plan to help promote LSU defensive end Rahim Alem and California wide receiver Verran Tucker. He had red and white popcorn bags delivered to the media lounge with a bag of microwave popcorn, candies and a highlight DVD of Alem and Tucker entitled, “201o NFL Combine Movie Night.”
“Basically, teams had specific questions that we hope the DVDs would answer,” Dillard said.
The feedback on the DVDs has been positive.
“I actually sat down with one defensive coordinator last night,” Dillard said. “He appreciated it. Rahim is going to do the linebacker drills today and by the time he runs everybody will be looking forward to meeting him.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
142 comments Add your comment
Bird Droppings
March 2nd, 2010
7:36 am
Sign Brandon Marshall and this offense takes off.
IceFan
March 2nd, 2010
8:03 am
Draft Spoon!!!!!
Bird Droppings
March 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
We don’t need to draft a WR or a CB – both of them take 2 to 3 years to develop typically and we don’t have time to wait. Our needs are immediate. That’s why we need to sign Brandon Marshall and Dunta Robinson as FAs and draft Spoon as an OLB and fill in the gaps with offensive and defensive linemen through the draft. Nice mix of youth and veteran leadership at the skill positions. And just imagine Matty Ice with Marshall and Roddy and Douglas at WR, Gonzalez at TE, and Michael Turner in the backfield. OUCH!!!
Paddy O
March 2nd, 2010
10:09 am
to be honest, our blitzing stunts are not very inventive – we need something like the Eagles a couple years ago or the Vikings against the Cowboys in the playoffs – something that probably needs to be adjusted for each game. Pass rush wise, we just don’t scare people – either LB or CB speed rushes. I still our line does not get a good outside push.
Delbert D.
March 2nd, 2010
11:18 am
Drafting Spiller or McCluster are crazy ideas. The Falcons don’t need “extra pieces”, they need every-down players on the base offense an defense.
cutter
March 2nd, 2010
11:46 am
Joe Haden ran a 4.60 forty at combine. WTF! I like Spoon but he is starting to look like a MLB. Short arms, runs a 4.68 forty. Joe Haden will drop down with that forty time, you can not be a shut down corner running 4.60 forties.
Ken Strickland
March 2nd, 2010
11:55 am
BIRD DROPPINGS-you seem to be more focused on FANTANSY FOOTBALL than NFL football. You obviously haven’t bothered to do any research on either player, other than to buy into the hype and name recognition. First, the Broncos will likely make WR BMarshal a 1yr tender, which means any team signing him would have to give up a 1st and 3rd rd pick, plus sign him to a max contract. You seem to be unable to understand what TD and Smitty mean when they repeatedly say THEY INTEND TO BE FISCIALLY RESPONSIBLE.
Besides, BMarshall has proven to be a complete cancer, and we don’t need a head case on a team as young and inexperienced as the Falcons. We are primarily a rushing OFF, RWhite is our primary WR, so after playing on a pass oriented OFF, Marshall might not be satisfied with the limited opportunities he’d get and end up becoming another version of TOwens.
I have absolutely no idea why all of you Donta Robinson fans are have the idea he is the solution to our CB problems. It certainly isn’t based on any attempted research on the man. He had ZERO(0)INTS last yr, only 9PD(passes defended) and 64TT(total tackles) in 16gms as a starter. He hasn’t had more than 12PD’s or 2INT’s in a season since 2004. Over the last 5yrs as a starter, he’s had a total of SEVEN(7) INT’s.
Now, compare that to what CB BGrimes did in limited time as a starter last yr alone, INT-5(6 total), TT-43(66 total), PD-10(13 total).
AFTER LOOKING AT AND COMPARING THE ABOVE STATS, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE TELL EVERYONE HOW, IN YOUR FANTASY, CB DONTA ROBINSON IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE FOR US, AND/OR MORE THAN BGRIMES, THAN HE’S MANAGED TO DO FOR THE TEXANS OVER THE LAST 5YRS AS A FULLTIME STARTER?
Dwayne
March 2nd, 2010
12:07 pm
Do yall want Don Wadell for a GM??? You can have him and a 1st rounder for a bag of pucks.
Steve
March 2nd, 2010
12:08 pm
Has anyone seen much of this Jamar Chaney guy from Miss State? apparently he dominated at the combine and ran the fastest time out of the linebackers. I would love to see him, Norwood, or even Reshad Jones as a Falcon
Mave2124
March 2nd, 2010
12:09 pm
“fiscally responsible” huh….if the AJC’s sports coverage is run like the government, we are all in trouble, LOL…but what about the coaches that run the drills….how is that sorted out???
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 2nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Ken, is it possible that Daunte Robinson’s stats (as compared to Grimes) are misleading because opponents chose not to throw his way? Maybe his numbers were down because he covered his receivers so well and QB’s threw elsewhere. In contrast, Brent Grimes numbers were higher because QB’s picked on him…just a thought.
cutter
March 2nd, 2010
1:25 pm
Nice thought Stirg. I do believe Robinson is a better corner than Grimes maybe even Houston… not sure about character. I don’t think he gets signed by Atlanta though. Grimes was able to put together some stats at the end of the season against some young QB’s. No way is Grimes a starting corner IMO, nickle maybe.
ET.
March 2nd, 2010
1:31 pm
Last!
Falcon's Brass Are Clueless
March 2nd, 2010
1:43 pm
Thanks, Khao$! It unfortunate that the fans and media here in Atlantaa don’t expect more out of the Falcons front office. I only thought it was myth than the fans/media here were clueless, yet we contiue to believe that TD can make magic out of 2nd rate players in the nfl.
Its one thing to have done it before and have a resume to boot, but TD has never had a successful drafting class, so what make you think this year will be any better.
I still contend that TD is way in over his head at GM
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 2nd, 2010
1:44 pm
I agree, cutter. Grimes is the epitome of a nickel back. With our defensive scheme (zone), man to man coverage (shutdown) is not vital to our defense. Zone coverage is codependent on an acute and effective pass rush. Grimes’ numbers went up at the end of the season because he “bought in” the Falcons’ zone technique. In contrast, I don’t think shut down corners would excel in our scheme. It may be effective to the team but his stats/numbers would descend. Why? Because he would be playing man as opposed to zone.
I wouldn’t completely disregard a signing of Daunte Robinson. Although I’m not familiar with his off-the-field character, I know that he is an experienced veteran on the field. In case some you haven’t noticed. we have an extremely youthful defensive backfield. Adding a veteran back there, would be most beneficial. Furthermore, I haven’t detected a starting (effective) cornerback at the combine. Corner prospects that I would consider to start for us: Joe Haden, Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson and my man (the sleeper) A.O.A.
Magic Man
March 2nd, 2010
2:13 pm
If we aren’t looking for a DE in the 1st round and are looking to fill the needs at CB or OLB in that round, then we may get screwed. No 4-3 OLBs are valued in that spot except maybe Weatherspoon, who I still don’t understand how Missouri had such a horrible defense with Moore, Ziggy, and Spoon. Any CB bsides Haden is a reach at 19. Our best value would be to draft a RT at 19, either Trent Williams or Bulaga to replace Claybo.
Then, address OLB and CB later. It sure would be nice to have a second round pick.
Ken Strickland
March 2nd, 2010
3:04 pm
STIRG/CUTTER-It’s an interesting thought, but it’s not applicable in this situation for 2 reasons.
(1) There’s no way your explanation can hold up when you consider BGrimes exceeded DRobinsons overall production in fewer than half as many starts. Besides, I doubt if teams avoided throwing at BGrimes because they were afraid of rookie CB COwens, who had even fewer starts than BGrimes.
(2)If you’ll reread my post you’ll see DRobinson hasn’t measured up to what BGrimes did last yr in limited time as a starter in any of his last FIVE(5)yrs as a fulltime starter.
The real reason Houston is releasing DRobinson is the performance of 2nd yr CB Glover Quin(6′ 205lbs), who’s bigger, stronger, younger, better and about 10-12M dollars cheaper. If fact, according to the stats, DRobinson had more passes thrown his way, especially after Quin started stepping up. In 15gms as a starter he had TT-68, INT-0 AND PD-10.
Besides, if DRobinson was so good that teams wouldn’t throw his way, how do you explain him not getting any Probowl consideration over the last 5yrs, not even as an alternate? The fact a fan doesn’t want to consider a particular player good enough to be an effective starter doesn’t mean that particular player can’t be a good starter.
I remember when the entire Tampa Bay franchise, as well as most of their fans, didn’t consider their backup QB good enough to be a starter either. They said he was nothing more than a running QB with a strong arm, but he couldn’t pass, didn’t have any touch and couldn’t read DEF’s effectively. They ended up trading him to the 49ers, where ended his career. I think old Steve Young ended up proving them all wrong by winning a few SB’s and will certainly end up being a 1st ballot HOF QB. OFTEN, WHAT ONE THINKS ABOUT ANOTHER HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH REALITY.
I MUS WRITE
March 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
Grimes is okay as he had good numbers late last year,i just think he isnt stong enuff to cover guys like Marshall,Colston,Bryant to many times i saw the man shook to the dirt while the receiver sprints dwn field. CB-sing a valuable free agent and then draft one. Carlos Rodgers possibly and draft Wilso or the long kid from UVA Cook….
Joe haden had a rock in his shoe -thats y the slow 40 time.i hope he slides to number 19. The tapes dont lie.
I hate our zone coverage scheme,good QB’s are licking their chops to pick us apart.
I MUS WRITE
March 2nd, 2010
3:34 pm
i should probly proof read lol
I MUS WRITE
March 2nd, 2010
3:39 pm
Grover Quinn yeah i remember that guy -he played well at new mexico State -i just saw the blend of height and speed plus good coverage skills- I wanted him instead of Milton last year -o well cant win’em all
JJ
March 2nd, 2010
3:40 pm
The falcons grdaded an A, top 5 in the 08 draft and our top 2 picks in 09 were injured, so thats an incomplete until we see them play. For someone to say TD never had a successful draft class is truely clueless and probably still crying for Dorsey. He’s having a stellar career huh?
JJ
March 2nd, 2010
3:41 pm
…graded
Ken Strickland
March 2nd, 2010
3:49 pm
BIG RAY-2nd your last comment. I’ve made an issue of the fact that our lack of an effective interior pass rush has been our biggest problem. I’ve made an issue of how having a slow, nonathletic, pass rushing deficient DT like GJackson hurt our overall pass DEF more than anything else. Outside pass rushes only forces the QB to step into the pocket, plant his feet and continue doing his thing.
However, an effective interior pass rush forces the QB out of the pocket and forces him to hit a moving target while throwing on the run. It also effectively cuts the field in half and reduces his options and accuracy.
One more thing on the Donta Robinson issue. Both TD and Smitty have echoed their intent on being fiscally responsible. We know BGrimes produced more in 7gms as a starter than he produced in 16. So, why spend the additional millions it would take to sign DRobinson without considering the almost certain possiblity that Grimes will give us just as much production as Robinson if given 16 starts, and likely much more?
Bird Droppings
March 2nd, 2010
4:22 pm
Hey Ken Strickland-
Dunta and Leigh Bodden are the only two big-name FA’s on the market. If you want to continue to delude yourself into believing that Grimes should be mentioned in the same breath as these guys, then I guess I’m not the only one living in Fantasy Land. Granted, he’d cost us an arm and a leg. Granted, he’s been injury-prone and his productivity has seemingly dropped off. But hey – Dunta routinely covered the opponent’s best receiver, and while he didn’t shut them down, he held his own. Point is, we don’t need to draft a CB, which many prognosticators have indicated we will do. We don’t need to send another rookie out alongside Chris Owens. We need a veteran, shut down corner…and Dunta is the best available at the moment. Would it be fiscally responsible? Maybe not, and maybe Dimitroff has already summarily dismissed the idea, just like he did with Peppers. No doubt he’d cost us $25M, guaranteed. I just can’t fathom the thought of running Owens and Grimes out there, praying for Williams’ recovery, and watching Houston covering receivers with his back to the ball. And I sincerely doubt I’m alone in that assessment.
cutter
March 2nd, 2010
4:22 pm
I am not sold on Dunta Robinson either especially for the price he’s gonna command but I do think he would be an upgrade over Grimes. As I stated earlier Grimes was able to put together some good stats at the end of the season against young QB’s. Grimes has done well for an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg but he is not a starting corner in this league. On the basis of ability alone I doubt there is a GM in the league that would pick Grimes over Robinson.
cutter
March 2nd, 2010
4:29 pm
Heck he’s an upgrade over all of our corners. Our corners are young and the hiring of Tim Lewis as secondary coach might help these guys with their technique.
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 2nd, 2010
4:36 pm
Ken, I’m not disregarding the skills of Brent Grimes, by any means. I do think he is an exceptional athlete and very glad that he is apart of our organization. I wouldn’t go as far as to compare his plight to Steve Young, though. I just seem to think, from a team perspective, he would be most effective playing nickel back, exclusively. Still, albeit you don’t agree with DRobinson, you must admit that we need a veteran in our defensive backfield.
Again, I admire a few draftees and would suggest a couple starters (Wilson, Robinson, Haden, A.O.A.). We just can’t overlook the possibilities of a couple free agents either (Robinson, Cromartie and Brian Williams).
Stirg d'Nahsif
March 2nd, 2010
4:43 pm
What’s going on, JJ?
JJ
March 2nd, 2010
5:01 pm
SSDD Stirg! Having Detroit weather down here again.
Clyde
March 2nd, 2010
5:07 pm
Terrance Cody!!!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2010
5:57 pm
Hello folks!!!
Got my laptop backup from the IT Crew.
Understand my man OJ got BANNED for being disrespectful
Got some good news for you all. “WE” — this is our blog, not mind’s — were selected as the No. 1 blog in the NFC South. http://www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/?page_id=129
“We’re No. 1!!!! We’re No. 1″
Keep up the great comments coming.
I’ll go back through and catch up to the questions and we’ll have a new blog ready to go in the morning.
–DOL
JJ
March 2nd, 2010
6:33 pm
DOL, congrats! Your blog and D3s are the best! Simple question, our man spoon is moving up the charts and pitt at 18 are looking at him. If spoon is gone, then who? Some say Mays (who may want to stay as a safety) but I think he’ll be gone as well, same as kindle. Knew the ban for OJ was coming, unfortunately kids and idiots do get on this blog. Hope you didn’t take it too bad, most falcon fans are respectfull. Last thing, why didnt peterson play strong and nicholas WLB?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 2nd, 2010
6:41 pm
Just looked you are were arguing the merits of the free agent cornerbacks.
Falcons89 — Here’s the Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide downside on Decker: “Lacks elite speed and does not show burst at the top of his stems. Can do a better job working back to the ball. Does not have especially strong hands — fails to hang on to some balls he should secure. Does not show urgency as a blocker and lacks strength to sustain. Is coming off a serious Lisfranc injury.”
Steve: Jamar Chaney is having a good combine. I spoke to Dan Mullen about him at the Senior Bowl and he had some nice things to say about Chaney.
Mave2124: Why the hate?
Ken Strickland
March 2nd, 2010
7:02 pm
I MUS WRITE-How can you determine BGrimes @ 5′10″ 181lbs isn’t strong enough to cover certain WR’s when DRobinson @ 5′10″ 184lbs is the same height and only 3lbs heavier? With the bias attitude some use to value CB’s, we might as well go back and remove all of the Probowl and HOF CB’s that are under 5′11″-6′ and weigh less than 190lbs.
Poor Darrell Greene, how in the hell did he manage to play so well to age 40? He also managed to be a 1st ballot HOF selection, and his HOF measurements are 5′9″ 184lbs. I GUESS HE JUST MANAGED TO SPEND 20YRS TRICKING PEOPLE INTO THINKING HE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO PLAY THE BIGGER STRONGER WR’S. Players that are simular in height and weight to BGrimes, like AWingate(5′9″ 180lbs), RBarber(5′10″ 184lbs and ASamuel(5′10″ 185lbs)have had no problems making Probowls while playing some of the same WR’s you claim BGrimes isn’t strong enough to play.
Remember how everyone was upset and thought it was a big mistake when we didn’t resign former Falcon CB DFoxworth? Well, at 5′ 11″ 180lbs to Grimes 5′10″ 181lbs, wouldn’t he have also lacked the size and strength to play those WR’s you mentioned. WE NEED TO STOP USING PERSONAL BIAS’ TO TRY AND AND DEMINISH THE ABILITIES AND/OR CAPABILITIES OF CERTAIN PLAYERS. HOW CAN YOU SAY BGRIMES ISN’T STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFEND THE WR’S YOU MENTIONED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME OFFER NO OPPOSITION TO ACQUIRING LESS PRODUCTIVE PLAYERS OF SIMULAR OR EVEN SMALLER STATURE?
falcon21
March 2nd, 2010
7:45 pm
At this point Grimes is no where near in the same class as Greene. Ken most us go to the Branch, Dome and watch on TV, our opinions are based on what we see. Grimes gets beat regularly, if it is not height then it has to be poor coverage skills. My question to you is do you think Grimes will ever be in a pro bowl and do you not think we can do better than Grimes? If Williams comes back healthy do you think Grimes will still be a starter? No disrespect intended, I respect your opinions.
Section 108
March 3rd, 2010
12:30 pm
Anybody who thinks CB should NOT be our 1st priority should go rewatch the Giants away game from last year
Dirty Byrd
March 3rd, 2010
5:00 pm
I would like to see us pick up earl thomas he would be nice to have for the next year and this as well for the roster spot and his potential is limitless but a DT would be a good move for insurrance and the SPOON in the 1st round.
Dirty Byrd
March 3rd, 2010
5:24 pm
New to blog but falcons fan for years i would love to see us take spoon or spikes if there available by some miracle and get some help at corner back threw FA or draft any thoughts on the DT Mount Cody for the 1st pick if either LB is not there ? to u DOL.
Dirty Byrd
March 3rd, 2010
5:37 pm
To have Cody and Jerry in the middle would cause an O-line to cave in leaving the DE’s all alone for the QB’s head that would be a nice sight to see and get a Vet CB for now with addition to OLB picks we could start some trouble for any squad this yr. Granted all is healthy.
Tweets that mention Atlanta Falcons: 5 things we learned at the NFL combine | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
April 23rd, 2010
9:07 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sean Hixson. Sean Hixson said: New Rams CB Jerome Murphy showed up for scouting combine interviews wearing white gold upper and lower teeth grills. http://bit.ly/bo6pt4 [...]
FalcFans.com » Falcons passing on pass rusher in first?
April 28th, 2010
10:16 am
[...] it is interesting that beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter published on Monday that among the five things we learned from the Combine, one of them was that the team would not be [...]
convert DVD to avi
July 10th, 2010
4:43 am
It is remarkable, a useful idea