Florida CB Joe Haden could slide to Falcons at 19
Alabama running back Trent Richardson eludes the tackle of Florida cornerback Joe Haden in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome on December 5, 2009. New secondary coach Tim Lewis would have to teach Haden how to Hit-Wrap-and-Lift. None of this arm tackling. (Brant Sanderlin bsanderlin@ajc.com)
COMBINEVILLE – The NFL scouting combine is over and it’s time to digest all of the information.The really hard work leading up to the draft starts now.
One head coach told me that teams know who can play football by the time they arrive at the combine.
The coaches really need the interviews to determine if they want the players in their locker rooms.
The interviews and medical information are much more important than the 40-yard dash times to most coaches.
But there is one little combine fact that I can’t get out of my head.
Why were the Atlanta Falcons first in line to interview Florida cornerback Joe Haden? Most of the pre-combine
How would the massive CB Chris Cook look matched-up in man-to-man coverage against the New Orleans Saints WR Marques Colston?
information had Haden going much higher than 19. Most had him rated as the top cornerback in the draft and we had him going No. 8 to Oakland in Mock Draft 1.0.
In the Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Guide, they have Haden landing in Flowery Branch with the 19th pick.
Haden ran 4.57 and 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and could be dropping out of the top 10. But will he slide all the way to 19?
Here are the top 40-yard times of the cornerbacks who ran at the combine: Wake Forest’s Brandon Ghee (4.45), Virginia’s Chris Cook (4.46), Indiana-Pennsylvania’s Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (4.47), Purdue’s David Pender (4.47), Rutgers’ Devin McCourty (4.48), Kevin Thomas (4.48) and Alabama’s Kareem Jackson (4.48). (Source: NFL.com).
If the Falcons want bigger corners, Haden, at 5-10 ½ and 190 pounds, doesn’t fit the prototype of a big corner – 6-2, 210.
Keep an eye on Virginia’s Cook because he’s 6-1 ¾ and 212 pounds and Indiana-Pennsylvania’s Owusu-Ansah, 6-foot-5/8 and 197 pounds. Pender is no smurf at 6-0, 174.
If Haden slides to 19, should the Falcons take him?
COMBINE INTEL: Got this intel from the last day of the combine: “Falcons are looking hard at offensive linemen. DBs are the main focus, though. They also love LB Sean Weatherspoon.”
AT THE POLLS
Sean Weatherspoon wants to be Thomas Dimitroff's third consecutive high defensive pick from the Big 12. (Photo by Parker Eshelman)
Last week, we asked: “Which cornerback should the Falcons take with their first round draft pick? Here are the results.
- None of the above, take a defensive end or linebacker. (39%, 223 Votes)
- Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State (25%, 141 Votes)
- Jerome Murphy, South Florida (19%, 107 Votes)
- Patrick Robinson, Florida State (14%, 78 Votes)
- Devin McCourty, Rutgers (3%, 19 Votes)
FOLLOWING BIERMANN
Falcons defensive end # 71 Kroy Biermann got a chance to perform kickoffs with injuries to the Falcons normal specialists. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Defensive end Kroy Biermann is giving fans a behind the scenes look by sharing exclusive video on his Facebook and Twitter pages. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/biermann71 and twitter.com/KroyBiermann.
You can follow the Falcons Beat and Falcons Fan blogs on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
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154 comments Add your comment
Dan
March 3rd, 2010
11:00 am
Bolden, Robinson or Cromartie they are all there for the FALCONS taking. I would be upset if they dont get 1 of these 3. I guess they all have their issues Robinson has the me pay me factor and Cromartie should take a cue from Justin Timberlake and keep it in a box and Leigh Bolden had that issue with the police at Cleveland airport. I would say Robison is the least of the 3 evils he just wants to be shown the QWAN…Show me the money !!! I also say draft the SPOON MAN I can see the advertising and SoundGarden gimmick song already being played…
SEC fan
March 3rd, 2010
11:11 am
Ray Perkins (genius) was the HC at Tampa Bay when Emmitt Smith came out, and he said that Emmitt was too slow for the NFL. Same idiot got rid of Steve Young and drafted Testeverde.
Debose
March 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
He doesn’t want to be drafted by the Falcons! He has seen UGA fans in action with their excuses, delusions, and turning their beautiful campus into a garbage dump…… he only assumes Falcons fans aren’t much different.
http://www.gatorenvy.com/wallpapers/gator-bg1-800×600.jpg
Dan
March 3rd, 2010
11:24 am
Sighn a Free-Agent Corner !!! Draft LB Weatherspoon and draft DE Greg Hardy …our DEF would be complete then start drafting Offense
jpage327
March 3rd, 2010
11:27 am
Ledbetter: If you put M. Stafford against the best defense in the league, even he could pick them apart with ten seconds to find a reciever. Our cornerbacks have tons of talent, but with no pass rush, receivers will get open. With Jerry back and a good DE/OLB to create pressure, our corners will look like studs.
Plus Dimitroff is picky with DB’s and won’t draft unless he’s absolutly the best.
You may be right about Kindle, but I think we can agree that we have the best staff to fully trust and make the best decision for the team.
Supes
March 3rd, 2010
11:31 am
I sincerely hope the Falcons pass on Haden. Don’t need another smallish CB, we’ve already got our fair share of those.
Improve the pass rush and your DB’s instantly GET BETTER. You don’t have to cover guys for as long.
Falcons need to draft a DE pass rusher in the 1st round. If NOT…then I hope they go O-Line and look at Bulaga who manhandled Derrick Morgan from GT during the Orange Bowl win for Iowa over Tech.
I’ll be thrilled with a DE or a O-Lineman taken with that 1st round pick. In the NFL you win at the QB position and in the Trenches. Falcons already have a franchise QB, now time to strengthen the lines.
TD is not wrong when he says that Jerry will help tremendously as our DT instantly get better if he’s healthy and playing. Still, need more depth on the lines.
Wildgator
March 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
I am a Gaints fan and a Gators fan, but I don’t think the Falcons need to draft Haden, all though he is good. They need to get some DEs. Jamal Anderson isn’t doing anything since being drafted. And although he is still somewhat effective, its time to look for a replacement for John Abrahams. He is getting old and the injuries are taking a toll on him. They also need to probably look at picking up another RB some where along the process, because Norwood is fast, but I think Snellings is more effective.
Marcus
March 3rd, 2010
11:46 am
DOL
here’s a quote from PFW on the 10 risers from the NFL combine:
“DE-OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU
A college defensive end who projects to rush linebacker in the pros, Hughes was not asked to drop heavily at TCU, but he looked as smooth and fluid as any defensive lineman when he was passed through LB drills, with very clean footwork and balance that should allow for a wrinkle-free transition. Was clocked at an exceptionally quick 1.53 seconds in the 10-yard dash, showing the type of burst and acceleration that could make him a feared pass rusher in an even or odd front. He very likely solidified a spot in the first round, with much better production and tape than Larry English had a year ago.”
Marcus
March 3rd, 2010
11:51 am
DOL
here’s a quote from PFW on the 10 sliders from the NFL combine:
———————————
“OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
For as well as Weatherspoon worked out on the field and for as much as his “character” is praised within the Missouri program, he has turned off a number of decision makers just as much with his outlandish, look-at-me, loudmouth personality and has been criticized for worrying too much about his image and post-football career aspirations before he has accomplished anything in the National Football League. “He never shuts up,” one top executive said. “He was the loudest guy in the room for the bench press. He gives me a headache. I think he is full of (it). It’s all about himself. I don’t want him in my locker room.”
=====
CB Joe Haden, Florida*
“Expected to clock in the 4.3s heading into the Combine with explosive short-area quickness out of his breaks on tape, Haden ran slower than some linebackers in the 40-yard dash, timing above 4.6 on some watches and appearing heavy in his movement. Although he does play faster than he timed, his marginal times will force evaluators to revisit his tape and could quite possibly knock him off the perch as the draft’s top corner. Taking false steps out of his transition while making speed turns and not appearing crisp with his footwork in drills did not help his cause, as he appeared very ill-prepared all the way through the event. With a chance to have warranted top-10 consideration had he lived up to the hype, the 40-game starter now has questions to answer and may want to consider finding a more experienced speed coach than his overinvolved father before the Gators’ pro day in several weeks”
* – highly scrutinized underclassmen marked by an asterisk.
Tnfalcon
March 3rd, 2010
11:57 am
With the 19th pick the falcons should take a player that can help stop the run and the pass. Taylor Mays is a freakish athlete that can do it all. SS is becoming a very important position in todays NFL. Mays is a hammer with speed. The 40 yd dash times can be deceiving but this guy has all the tools. A lot of teams that pass on Taylor Mays will regret it.
TommyP
March 3rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Taylor Mays is way too stiff to be a safety. He’s a LB in the NFL.
In the DB drills, he fared miserably.
Mark W
March 3rd, 2010
12:13 pm
I think the better CB ot go for is the kid that played opposite of Arenas at Alabama. If we do go LB then I would go for the kid Weatherspoon out of Mizzou. However, anohter quality OL probably would be hte most prudent move.
Tnfalcon
March 3rd, 2010
12:14 pm
TommyP You may be right. Linebacker is a Falcon need.
SEC fan
March 3rd, 2010
12:18 pm
Screw the 40 times at the combine; I would choose based on football speed (on tape) if a corner was what I wanted. Coming out of the Belichek mold, Dimitroff will rely heavily on his scouts. Personally, I think the Falcons need help with the pass rush before getting a corner.
vafalconfan
March 3rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Listen, 4.6 is slow for a safety, much less a corner. And we all know that the FL players are unprepared for the NFL. I say pass and get Graham or Spoon..
SEC fan
March 3rd, 2010
12:25 pm
vafalconfan, I would agree about Fl offensive players but they have had a number of defensive players start as rookies.
C-Man
March 3rd, 2010
12:26 pm
I’d like to see the times in full pads…
GATORZONE
March 3rd, 2010
12:26 pm
Marcus, I kind of got this impression from Weatherspoon at the pro bowl. He seems like a “look at me” type guy that constantly demands attention even for mundane plays. It will be interesting to see how good he is in the pros.
DC Dirty Bird
March 3rd, 2010
12:28 pm
DLed, you simply restated what you said earlier. The point is, you can’t summarize a players overall game with one photo. At the end of the day, you’re not a Thorpe award finalist if you’re slow and can’t cover. I wish some of you would comment based on actually seeing these players play and not by something you heard some sports writer with no NFL experience say. And when did 5-11 become smallish?
GATORZONE
March 3rd, 2010
12:29 pm
vafalconfan, that is absurd. Rookie of the year was a GATOR!!!!
Paddy O
March 3rd, 2010
12:31 pm
If Haden falls, you must select him. Bad teams are bad because of stupid decisions, we are good and rising (we should have been 11-5 last year).
mountain_jim
March 3rd, 2010
12:33 pm
I am glad to hear they are looking to upgrade the oline. IMHO, our oline was exposed last season against the better defenses, and it hurt Ryan’s ability to look downfield and he took too many hits. The pass blocking was not up to playoff-team standards last year.
Section 108
March 3rd, 2010
12:34 pm
Anybody who thinks CB should NOT be our first priority needs to go rewatch the Giants away game from last year………
BG
March 3rd, 2010
12:36 pm
I hope the Falcons stay away from Haden.
GATORZONE
March 3rd, 2010
12:36 pm
mountain_jim, I wonder how much of that was a function of Turner’s slow start. He seemed to lack the explosiveness from the previous year untlil late in the season. I think all of the extra carries from 08 took its toll on him the first 1/2 of 09. I think the line is pretty good overall, but we have to have a RB that will hit the holes fast and keep the defense honest.
mountain_jim
March 3rd, 2010
12:45 pm
GATORZONE, I am not saying the run-blocking was poor as I agree Turner had a poor start, I am saying our oline can’t pass protect nearly as well as they run-block. Our center is old, so I see a center-guard for grooming being taken, but I would also like to see another OT who can pass-block better for RT (or LT when ours gets injured) be found somehow somewhere.
Tnfalcon
March 3rd, 2010
12:46 pm
I agree the falcons need an OL upgrade. I am not sold on Sam Baker being the answer at LT. I think he would be a better insde lineman. But a franchise left tackle will not be available at #19 plus a defensive player is needed worse. But not Weatherspoon. Too much mouth. We don’t need an all about me player.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 3rd, 2010
12:48 pm
Got the Biermann links fixed. You can go to his pages and follow him now. –DOL
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
GATORZONE: Mays doesn’t make sense. The Falcons drafted the same player — William Moore — last year. Mays was a three-year starter and had TWO career picks. Those are not Ball Hawk numbers.
Blord: It was Brian Brohm’s first career NFL start. Yes, he was in the Matt Ryan Derby. If Bobby Petrino was still . . .
jpage327: Think you’re over-rating the corners. Under-rating a determined ABE (he’ll be out to prove he can still ring up double-digit sacks next year), an improving Biermann and the upside of Sidbury.
Marcus: Good finds for us. THANKS!!!! Didn’t know Spoon was rubbing folks the wrong way. When he got off the podium, I pulled him off to side for a chat. He was engaging while talking about Moore, the Falcons and my little cousin Robert Steeples Jr. (a DB at Mizzou). I know the Falcons are doing their “due diligence” on him. Also, the word is that the 3-4 teams really like Hughes.
jpage327
March 3rd, 2010
1:11 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I love Abe. Biermann has great talent (kicking too), but where was the pass rush? Sacks?
Peterson is old and shows signs of slowing later in the season, although he played awesome at the beginning.
After underwhelming at the combine, Haden a real possibility « control+ATL+delete
March 3rd, 2010
1:17 pm
[...] D.Orlando Ledbetter knocks Haden for his size, nothing that at 5′10, 190 lbs., he doesn’t fit the ideal body type the Falcons are looking for out of a defensive back this offseason. He then goes on to hilariously suggest that 6′2 210 would be a more prototypical size. While everyone loves defensive backs who can backpedal, open their hips and change directions at 6′2 210, the truth is they just don’t exist. [...]
(Dude, Mike Smith told me at the combine that everybody would love their corners to be 6-2, 210. But he’ll settle for anything over the average height of 5-11. That’s where that came from. Stop chuckling so hard — DOL)
waynester
March 3rd, 2010
1:18 pm
If Haden drops to 19 it still wouldnt be a value pick based on positional value which rates certain positions as mor valuable than others. QB, LT. DT. DE & OLB are the top 5 value positions. Dimitroff has already gone with the top 3 values in the past 2 drafts and will do so again this year. Looking at it from a value perspective Graham or Witherspoon offer the best value for us at 19. Under no circumstances shoul we even consider trading up for Haden (or anyone else, for that matter) rather we should be looking ffor a trade down partner in the late 1st where either Graham or ‘Spoon should still be on the board AND more importantly, pick up a late 2nd to insure our draft. Plenty of good DB’s will be there in the 2-5th range such as:A.Owusu-Ansah 6′0/ 193lb/4.43(40) a great special teams contributer right away–AJ Jefferson 6′0/193lb/4.43(40) 44″ Vertical return specialist on ST year one–Amari Spievey 5-11/195lb/4.43(40) — Myron Lewis 6′2/203/4.45(40) versatile can also play FS. Several others like P Stoudamire or Rafael Priest can be had in the later rounds. Yes to a DB in FA or the draft– NO to Haden in the 1st.
David
March 3rd, 2010
1:24 pm
Dont draft Flordia players. Look at the history of them in the NFL.
waynester
March 3rd, 2010
1:27 pm
tnFalcon
You bet we need OL help and there are still gong to be some good ones mid-late in this draft. One guy you might be familiar with: Chris Scott OT Tenn 6′4 319lb can (and has) played every position on the line at one time or another and that versatility is what we need in a depth guy. What can you tell from having watched him more closely than I have?
Blue Max
March 3rd, 2010
1:32 pm
David, lets see; compare UF’s greatest RB in Emmitt Smith and UGA’s in Hershel Walker. Which one was the better NFL player?
Old Fan
March 3rd, 2010
1:42 pm
Here’s what Tony Pauline wrote about Haden at the Combine:
Joe Haden/CB/Florida: He was really slow in the 40. His hand times of 4.58 translate into electronic times that will broach 4.65. Haden looked terrific in drills, with outstanding ball skills and showing the makings of a starter at the next level. He was projected as a potential top-eight pick, but as we saw last April with Malcolm Jenkins, cornerbacks who time poorly in the 40 are not early selections in the draft.
DC Dirty Bird
March 3rd, 2010
1:49 pm
Why is there so much focus on having a CB over 6 ft tall. Is our defense doomed if we don’t have one. Being under 6 ft tall doesn’t seem to bother any of this years Pro Bowl corners. I’d love to have a Nmandi, Champ, or Woodson, but those are special players who were special in college. I haven’t once heard anyone talk about how well any of these big corner backs cover, how well they operate in space, or what type of ball instincts they have. To the geniuses who have started saying stay away from Weatherspoon because of his mouth, when was the last time you heard Ray Lewis or Urlacher shut up. I don’t mind trash talk as long as he’s droppin slobberknockers on the opposing teams tight end and running back.
Mario
March 3rd, 2010
1:53 pm
Why Would MS/TD draft another 5-10 Corner ? I think we all saw what every tall receiver did to all of our 5-10 corners last year. Why not go after Cook who is @ least 6-0 or so. He may be a hair slower than Haden but wouldn’t he be the smarter pick?
For Real
March 3rd, 2010
1:55 pm
1. If Suh, McCoy or Berry are not available at #19 then the Falcons better take the best OL that’s available. DL, RB, WR, CB, Safety and LB can be had in the later rounds.
2. In the NFL this isn’t much difference between 5-11 and 6-2. The best CB in the league is list at 5-11. QB, WR, and CB are position of technique. Talent at these positions cannot overcome skill.
Blue Max
March 3rd, 2010
1:59 pm
For Real whats the difference between talent and skill?
Falcon Phil
March 3rd, 2010
2:10 pm
Haden ran a 4.6 40—too slow for the Falcons’ needs. The Falcons need dlinemen and LBs, not a slow corner.
The Real Falcon
March 3rd, 2010
2:20 pm
Just what we need, a CB who runs a 4.6 40. Not!
Steve C
March 3rd, 2010
2:22 pm
“TAYLOR MAYS: Let’s abandon the William Moore experiment and bring in a Brian Dawkins-esque Safety. Good pairing of DeCoud who could be a Ed Reed-esque Safety. I don’t have time to present numbers or validate my outlandish name comparisons, but I had to put some names for you mouth breathers to recognize.”
The William Moore experiment?? Dude was hurt his rookie year, I’d hardly call that an experiment, as we haven’t even seen him play. Now the Jamaal Anderson Experiment, that’s a different story.
Blue Max
March 3rd, 2010
2:22 pm
That kind of sounds like what Dallas fans said when Emmitt ran a 4.55 Real Falcon.
GATORZONE
March 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
DOL, I think you misread my post. In no way was I lobbying for Mays. I think he might be a bust.
tbhawksfan
March 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
I’ve been thinking OL all the way. There are 4 OT’s ranked in the 10-20 or so. Another in the mid 20’s and moving up. One of the four will likely drop to us and probably be the BPA. Okung, Bulaga, Williams, Davis and Campbell moving up. WSpoon is still hovering in the late 20’s.
Dawgforlife
March 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
Gatorzone…the only difference between Emmitt, Jerry, and Haden is..Emmitt and Jerry didn’t have to catch or cover anyone…and as far as Dunlap goes, would you mind waking him up…he’s over there at the redlight…hope he fares as well as the other Fla defensive ends that have been drafted in round 1…glad they weren’t overrated
Hollywould
March 3rd, 2010
2:41 pm
Give Moore a chance. I liked Owens at the end of the year. Not afraid to stick his head in there, I still believe Grimes can play. Need a lb for Peterson who is too slow or offensive lineman.. Get ben Tate in 3rd. As an Auburn fan I watched him for 4 years. Gonna be a good pro.
Blue Max
March 3rd, 2010
2:44 pm
Dawgforlife, I agree about Dunlap. If he ever matures mentally (he’s only 20) he could be a beast though. But it is a very big IF.
Clyde
March 3rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Terrance Cody