Mike Mayock: Georgia Tech WR Thomas headed to Falcons
D. Orlando Ledbetter posing after doing a segment on the NFL Network. (Photo by Brian Cearns)
BIRDLAND – Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is one of the hard luck stories of the 2010 draft.
He can’t workout for teams because he suffered a broken foot while running in the three-cone drill in February. He had a screw surgically implanted in the foot to help it heal.
Last season, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a stress fracture and was not able to workout at the NFL scouting combine. He went to the San Francisco 49ers with the 10th pick of the draft.
Thomas needed a good showing at the combine to solidify his first round status. Now, he might not get a chance to show off his speed and pass catching ability before the NFL draft, which will be held April 22 to 24.
The NFL Network's Mike Mayock.
The question on Thomas is whether if he can run an NFL route tree. At Tech, he ran a bunch of streaks. There’s not a lot of game tape of him coming out of breaks, running crossing routes, or other NFL style pass routes.
There is a wildcard at play with Thomas.
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson and Falcons coach Mike Smith are best buds back from their college coaching days when they were recruiting metro Atlanta. If there is any question about Thomas’ route running ability, Smith already has the answer.
Perhaps, there is some Georgia Tech film that finds its way to Flowery Branch and points beyond that shows Thomas running every route imaginable.
The NFL Network is running its Path to the Draft show and the Falcons were up on Friday. We talked
Bucky Brooks back in his Green Bay days.
about Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham and Florida center Maurkice Pouncey.
Then Mike Mayock and Bucky Brooks came on.
Mayock thinks the Falcons should take Thomas. Brooks said they should take South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre Paul.
We know where most of the fan base is with regards to Weatherspoon, Graham and Pouncey.
But what about Thomas? Could Thomas really be traveling just up the highway to Flowery Branch? What about Pierre-Paul?
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235 comments Add your comment
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2010
7:19 am
first
austin emmet
March 29th, 2010
7:21 am
first! good call on thomas coming to the falcons. he would fit our system well
austin emmet
March 29th, 2010
7:22 am
maybe second
NO!
March 29th, 2010
7:31 am
No WR needed in round 1, we have enough help there. Please TD draft an OLB or DE unless someone falls that we just can’t pass up. See: Spiller, Hayden, one of the OT’s.
Tweets that mention Mike Mayock: Georgia Tech WR Thomas headed to Falcons | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
March 29th, 2010
7:32 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Mike Mayock: Georgia Tech WR Thomas headed to Falcons http://bit.ly/azMyed [...]
Dan
March 29th, 2010
7:33 am
If we are enamored about the WR position I would trade up for Dez Bryant or sign Brandon Marshall and give Denver our #1
Dan
March 29th, 2010
7:36 am
On a side note any interest of the FALCONS in Alex Brown DE
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
7:46 am
Exactly Dan….You dont want the unproven concensus second choice at WR, at least with our 1st rd. pick. Mayock picks based on value and after DOL mentioned Spoon, Graham, and Pouncy there are only so many players left that have value at 19. Mayock has JPP as his best DE so why would he fall to us and not Graham. We should be so lucky. Bucky & Mayock make splashes with there choices cause the guests [DOL] seem to know who they’re teams are focusing on.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
March 29th, 2010
7:55 am
stick with a D player in the 1st round…go with a WR in the 3rd/4th rounds. JPP/Spoon/Graham all sound good
Marvin Mangrum
March 29th, 2010
7:55 am
You do not use your first pick for a receiver. Damn, does somebody pay you!
Beck
March 29th, 2010
7:57 am
Really, Dan, you think the Falcons, who covet draft picks, and are a team-first organization, are going to pick up a malcontent like Marshall? Really?
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
8:00 am
If they do look at Alex Brown it certianly would end the choice between Graham & Spoon. Teams & the communitys that love them all have their “man crush” picks. Hell, we’ve already nicknamed ours. I personally think Graham is a once in a blue moon DE. Maybe Atlanta is considering the move to 3-4 in a few seasons and wants to start on the LB’s now. Graham-pass rush…Spoon-pass rush & Coverage. Team would probably benefit more from Spoon imediately but TD is working the 5 yr plan. Abraham’s contract is up after 2011, thats my reasoning for Graham, just dont see Bey Bey happening at 19.
Dawgforlife
March 29th, 2010
8:05 am
I am a dyed in the wool UGA fan, hence the name; however, I think Thomas is going to be an amazing pro. He has a size, speed, strength, ratio like no one else in this draft. He is th strongest receiver at going and getting the football to come into the league since Fitz. Yes, we have many needs on defense, and I am sure on a logical level defense is the pick. But, this guys skill set…WOW! If we pass him over for defense, I hope the player drastically improves our play; because, then we’re gonna have to defend Thomas after having been passed over by his hometown team.
kenny
March 29th, 2010
8:06 am
Seems like a smart pick to me, if the defensive players that the falcons are looking at are not there. why waste your pick on a center that is going to have to wait at least a year maybe two , to be able to play. i saw JJP play quite a bit last year , and just think he might just be overated. I could see the falcons taking spoon , but if he isnt available, then why not upgrade your play makers on the other side of the ball. yes, we do need help at linebacker , why waste it if your pick isnt there and get a player that does not have pro bowl potential.
shannyeight
March 29th, 2010
8:09 am
I like B. Marshall, but NOT enough to give away a 1st round draft pick. I’m stickin with pick a DE in the 1st, then snag a LB. After that, they can do whatever.
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
8:09 am
Too much 3rd talent at WR to risk 1st pick on Bey Bey. That being said, he’ll probably be a perenial probowler to make me an a$$. Thats why i’m a roofing contractor instead of a GM.
4th and 10....
March 29th, 2010
8:09 am
…game on the line – ball goes to Bay Bay, and he drops it! – Game over…
Or is it....
March 29th, 2010
8:12 am
…Bey Bey? He still drops it – and the Dawgs survive and win over Tech on Historic Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium…
shannyeight
March 29th, 2010
8:13 am
And I think JPP is not a good pick @ 1. Maybe a 2nd or 3rd pick, but def not a 1st rounder
.
March 29th, 2010
8:14 am
Man, Is that you? picture?
The Real Falcon
March 29th, 2010
8:14 am
The truth of the matter is Mayock has no clue who we will pick at 19.
He either does not know what we need or throws darts a a board.
It’s about DEFENSE!
GetwhatUpayfor
March 29th, 2010
8:15 am
Fire Paul Hewitt………………….
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
8:21 am
Does everyone believe we’ll atleast make playoffs as i do? If so, is it plausable to trade our 2011 1st rd pick for say the Rams 2nd rd. this year and some other pick. If we truly think we can go far in playoffs it would be only a several spot drop from whatever pick we get next yr. to the first 2nd pick this yr. who can be an immediate impact player. If we tool up and win superbowl it would only be 1 spot drop. A guy can wish can’t he….
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
8:24 am
A few bad drops aside, Thomas was a great player at Tech. He is a physical specimen, and could make our offense much more potent. I’ve been saying for a while that we shouldn’t overlook the possibility of Dimitroff beefing up our offense.
Michael Jenkins is mediocre at best and Roddy will be 29 years old this year. He has at most 4 more years to play at a high level…why not get a young receiver for Matt Ryan to grow with?
I am a guy who loves good defense, but we have to face facts: the NFL is a passing league…look at how the Saints won this year. They just had too many offensive weapons for other teams to deal with. I say we go with the receiver.
Also, I read an article where Dimitroff referred to wanting to get some more “weapons” for Matt Ryan. Good defensive players can be gotten in later rounds, but true #1 receivers are much more rare.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
8:25 am
I like that thought, chris taylor…I’m not sure how quick Dimitroff will be to trade a future 1st rounder though…
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
8:28 am
I’d also like to add: we blew it in the 2007 draft when we could have traded up with the Lions to grab Calvin Johnson (another Tech man I might add); instead we got Jamaal Anderson, who has been a complete bust. We shouldn’t let another opportunity like this pass us by.
Mike Jay
March 29th, 2010
8:34 am
Interesting. Route running makes me nervous but the guy is physical and can run block. We certainly liek to run the ball.
On Marshall…If Donovan Mcnabb can’t fetch a first round pick in a trade no way does Marshall. Maybe a second, most likely a third and another later pick.
Nick Claytor previews spring practice | Georgia Tech
March 29th, 2010
8:48 am
[...] Mike Mayock says Falcons will take Bay-Bay: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/03/29/mike-mayock-georgia-tech-wr-thomas-headed-to-fa... [...]
kurula
March 29th, 2010
8:55 am
i saw an awful lot of inconsistency in thomas last year. anyone remember the dropped passes vs. UGA? i just don’t see him getting any better than michael jenkins. i think that if you are the falcons, you don’t draft a receiver with a first round pick unless he has a #1 receiver skill set. i like the kid, i just don’t think you do that here. you have to get a defensive playmaker here. or cj spiller…if he slips.
as far as getting marshall…uh, no thanks. there is no ‘i’ in team…but with brandon marshall, there is a ‘me’.
wiley
March 29th, 2010
9:08 am
The falcons will be making a great decision if they draft Thomas. He is a great receiver and will be able to run multiple routes. The kid is a gamer…period.
wiley
March 29th, 2010
9:11 am
Kurula….so almost 1200 yards and averaging almost 100 yards a game is inconsistent? He was probably the most consistent receiver in the nation last year. Dont let your UGA bias lessen his talent…he is projected to the first round for a reason.
NFL junkie
March 29th, 2010
9:13 am
It does’nt make any sense at this point to draft a receiver in a very weak class of receivers, especially in this draft. DE, DE and DT are the strongest position in this draft. You have to draft defense. The Falcons need pass rush in the worse way. Abraham has needed some help on the other side for a while. A DE or pass rushing LB would be outstanding. Witherspoon, Graham or Griffen make sense. If we need another pass catcher, it makes more sense to draft a young TE with speed who can help stretch the field for Roddy White as well as learn from Tony Gonzales. Doren Dickerson from Pitt, Jimmy Graham from Miami could be good picks in the 3-4 rounds.
Foothills football fan
March 29th, 2010
9:14 am
I think Thomas could be a fine pro player. However, I think the Birds have gotta go defense, though I’m not sure it should be Pierre-Paul. F.W.I.W. I’ve read in some reviews that he has required some motivation during his workouts. If the chance to be a 1st round pick isn’t motivation enough that would concern me.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
9:16 am
Jimmy Graham won’t last past the second, and we don’t have a second round pick.
coachx
March 29th, 2010
9:16 am
Mayock said he liked Graham “BUT IF THESE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS ARE OFF THE BOARD HE LIKES THOMAS.”
So yes……….if Weatherspoon and Graham are off the board when #19 comes around then I do like Thomas at #19.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
9:18 am
Weatherspoon seems like a good pick, but I don’t understand the obsession with Graham…he is undersized and we already have good young DEs…unnecessary to draft a DE so high when we found two good ones in the later rounds the last two years.
MariettaFalcon
March 29th, 2010
9:19 am
Jason Pierre Paul – Falcons do need a DE but I would rather have someone with more experience.
D. Thomas – Very good player but I would rather have the Falcons choose a defensive player.
mr baseball is here
March 29th, 2010
9:23 am
TRADE DOWN WHERE IS THE SPILLER THEORY IN THIS BLOG?
Hamp
March 29th, 2010
9:24 am
I’m not really feeling the WR pick especially if you are not sure he can run the route tree. People stop calling for JPP his is RAW which means it will take two or three years to catch up to the NFL. I don’t care how well you speed rush the passer most veteran tackles can get the best of a young DE. He may start strong but once there is tape on his tendicies it will be over until he learns to adjust.
mr baseball is here
March 29th, 2010
9:30 am
the thing for the falcons is tebow will go before 19 if he does this will open up a slot for one of the top 19 that is on 25 other boards you win super bowls with depth and no major injuries, the saints were prime examples ,such as anybody look at new england brady went down the season was over so it makes sense to the falcons make sure you get prime people to protect ryan its not glamorous but the center makes sense
mr baseball is here
March 29th, 2010
9:32 am
its along time till september though.
PMC
March 29th, 2010
9:33 am
Are Thomas’s hands good enough to take him at 19? I mean that’s roughly the same time as Roddy White. I know he’s a good physical blocker. We would have two of the most physical WR’s in the league on the edges. I assume he’s reasonably fast, but we don’t know if he runs good routes or not, and we don’t know if he can catch much better than Michael Jenkins…. Don’t we need a defensive playmaker with less questions at 19?
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
9:39 am
PMC,
These are good questions, and I’m not sure…Dimitroff will do his homework. I think that IF he deems Thomas to be 1st round worthy, we should pull the trigger. Although you’re right that we have bigger needs on defense, I think in today’s game it’s more important to have a high-powered offense. The Saints won the Superbowl with an average (but opportunistic) defense. Our defense, especially once Jerry and Moore return, is already better than New Orleans’. We need an offense that can score points.
3DawgKnight
March 29th, 2010
9:42 am
Ahem; Jerry Hughes!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
9:47 am
It’s Mayock theory. Watch the video. He’s saying Thomas will fall to the Falcons.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
9:51 am
Touchdowns by Falcons wide receivers last year:
Roddy White 11
Eric Weems 2
Michael Jenkins 1
Marty Booker 1
Hamp
March 29th, 2010
9:54 am
Don’t we need a defensive playmaker with less questions at 19?
PMC exactly!!!
I know it’s guess work but most people are stabbing in the dark.
If you look at our team the offense except the line is good enough right now. We need to beef up the defense we have very good offenses in the NFC south. We addressed the secondary need now we need to address the LB corps to me that is our most pressing need. At DE the stable is full give them time to develop. AN OLB would be a Godsend someone to knock the snot out while also being able to cover on third.
Harry will return and if the knee is good we will kill teams from the slot all day while Gonzo works his magic. So let jenkins play another year at least he blocks. Defense has to be the pick and not a DE.
If we can’t get a OLB in the first trade down, if you can’t trade down then I say take Pouncey. Pouncey is good value at that pick. OL is a greater need at this point. DE is not.
Whoever thinks that center is not a need is crazy I like our center but we need fresh blood to at least learn. Pouncey will be a very good OL he could even rotate at guard this year while he learns.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
9:57 am
Coachx — good point!!!
mowreck
March 29th, 2010
10:00 am
For the Falcon offense, I would rather have Dyer than Spiller. Turner isn’t gonna last forever. Course this is just my opinion. Not sure Spiller could take the pounding in the Falcon offense. Might use him for kick-off and and/or punt returns tho, cause he can run.
Bobby Godd
March 29th, 2010
10:02 am
Falcons still need more defensive help or even more OL depth than Thomas at WR. He made some great catches for Tech but he also had some immortal drops! (Has any receiver at Tech been so wide open for a potential TD than Thomas was against LSU in the Peach Bowl two years ago and yet he dropped it. That was definitely a game turning moment which LSU capitalized on and went on to a massacre! He is as likely to catch a ball in traffic as anyone in the NFL but he is also as likely to drop a pass as anyone in the NFL.
travis
March 29th, 2010
10:12 am
d led i seen you on the nfl network last thursday cool guy i like mike mayock he made me a believer about matt ryan he said matt had peyton manning tendency when we was about to draft hi.. Thomas bring big play ability comparison of brandon marshall type i can live with that pick matt ryan and that offesnse will be hell d led what you think about that pick
Mike
March 29th, 2010
10:14 am
If we go Pouncey in the 1st, I would imagine we would then trade back up into the late 1st round or early 2nd to get another guy high on our board. I just don’t see us going offense the first day and then waiting till 3rd to pick defense.
Andre
March 29th, 2010
10:19 am
Who is this Bucky Brooks ? How did he become an expert. He was a return man at best in the league . He has no credentials when it comes to evaluating talent.
Can't risk it
March 29th, 2010
10:22 am
The Falcons can’t use it’s first round pick on Thomas. He is too much of an unknown commodity and no one is going to see him workout before the draft. This is a MUCH different situation than Crabtree last year. With Crabtree, you knew you were getting an elite WR who could run all of the routes and catch everything. With Thomas, you are getting a tall, fast, WR who was only asked to run the go route in college. Far too much of a risk for pick 19.
The Falcons need to address DE and/or LB with this pick. If the talent isn’t there at 19, they need to take one of the top OLs that likely dropped because of a run on DE/LB. The only offensive player that should be considered is Spiller, who will be long gone before 19.
Also, there’s no chance that the Falcons take the DE from USF. He’s Mark Anderson 2.0.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
March 29th, 2010
10:24 am
Draft a defensive player then look for a solid wr later we have 8 picks. So there should be a nice WR later in draft.
Ree Roe
March 29th, 2010
10:24 am
No problem with BeBe, besides the fact he played at Tech. If our defensive needs can’t be met at #19, I say get him. Drafting BeBe would make a TON more sense than drafting a backup center at #19….
-REEmember Roe!!!
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:25 am
Trade Michael Jenkins for a 3rd pick. Than trade the first round pick to the Rams for there 2nd pick and 3rd pick. Then we pick Demaryius Thomas
Ramblin Wrecker
March 29th, 2010
10:26 am
As much as I’d love to see Thomas in Atlanta and that I think he could improve the WR corp, the Falcons have to take a DE or OLB. HAVE TO. They had zero pass rush and need playmakers at LB. Those first few games Mike Peterson was all over the place making plays, making it easier to have parted with Brooking. But he faded and so did the defense. They need to bolster either the pass rush or their playmaking.
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:29 am
Trade Jamaal Anderson and the 2011 first round pick and 2010 3rd round pick to the Giants for Osi Omenyiora and 2010 2nd round pick
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:30 am
Osi Omenyiora
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
10:32 am
We wouldn’t get a 3rd rounder for Jenkins…we’d be lucky to get a 6th rounder for him. He is average at best.
jasont13
March 29th, 2010
10:32 am
There is absolutely no reason to take a WR in the 1st round. They need help defensively.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
10:37 am
Again, I point out that Roddy White, our only PROVEN receiver, is 29 this year. And Harry Douglas, though I like him, is no guarantee to be healthy or effective. Outside of that, you’ve got Michael Jenkins, who is AVERAGE AT BEST…then you’ve got Weems, Finneran, and Bergeron…
How can you say we don’t need a wide receiver? Again, the Saints proved you can win a Superbowl with an average defense…
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:37 am
Demaryius Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Riley Cooper, Matt Tennant, Rennie Curran, Jeff Owens, Mryon Lewis all need to be Falcons
jasont13
March 29th, 2010
10:38 am
With out a 2nd round pick, you need to address a position or positions that need an upgrade. Falcon’s need a good DE, DT or OLB not a WR. There will be plenty later in the draft, I just don’t see using a 1st round pick on somone who is kind of a unknown and is hurt.
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:41 am
A team will trade a 3rd round pick for Michael Jenkins
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:43 am
Will I just don’t see us taking a Center in the first round
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:45 am
The Giant will trade Osi Omenyiora and there 2nd round pick to the Faclons for Jamaal Anderson and the 2011 first round pick and 2010 3rd round pick
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
10:48 am
No one will give us a 3rd rounder for Jenkins…if we find someone foolish enough to do so, Dimitroff would pull the trigger in a heartbeat. Umenyiora is not what we need. Biermann and Sidbury are our DEs of the future.
screg
March 29th, 2010
10:50 am
if weatherspoon is gone at 19, we should trade jenkins and the 1st to denver for marshall.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
10:53 am
Dude, why would we want Marshall? The guy is a headcase. Also, Thomas is similar physically without all the off-field baggage. And again, we have NO DEPTH at the receiver position. If we traded Jenkins and got back Marshall, we’d still have no depth, but we’d trade an average receiver for a better one who happens to be a headcase. Not gonna happen.
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:55 am
Demaryius Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Riley Cooper, Matt Tennant, Rennie Curran, Jeff Owens, Mryon Lewis. Trade out of the first round to the rams for there 2 and 3 pick then we can take Thomas than trade Jamaal Anderson and the 2011 first round pick and 2010 3rd round pick to the Giants for Osi Omenyiora and 2010 2nd round pick. Than we have two 2nd round pick with that we can take Jimmy Graham. Than in round 3 we can trade Michael Jenkins and a six pick to for a 3rd round pick. Than we will have 3 picks in the 3rd round than we can pick Riley Cooper, Matt Tennant, Rennie Curran in the 3rd round than round 4 pick Jeff Owens and round 5 pick Mryon Lewis and that is all we have to do. Go Falcons
chris
March 29th, 2010
10:57 am
Umenyiora is what we need
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
10:57 am
I like that last suggestion, chris…but there are probably too many moving parts for all of that to work.
I think Jimmy Graham is gonna be a stud.
JMF
March 29th, 2010
11:00 am
I do not know if he will still be around in the 3rd round but if he is Dickerson from Pittsburg would be a better pick than Thomas. He is big, with excellent hands, fast (4.0 at the combine) and a great blocker. Although he is listed as a tight end with his speed the could be the wide receiver we want.
Seattle Falcons Fan
March 29th, 2010
11:00 am
A- I think D is a bigger need at this point
B- THE FALCONS NEED TO LEARN THEIR LESSON AND STAY AWAY FROM INJURED PLAYERS!!!!! The last thing we need is another draft pick that can’t stay healthy, sitting on the bench!
JMF
March 29th, 2010
11:04 am
By the way Jimmy Graham would be an excellent pick with our second 3rd round pick.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
11:04 am
What did Dickerson ever do on the field? Nothing but under-achieve…he is a workout warrior, don’t be fooled. He wouldn’t be a bad pick in the 6th
Prof. G
March 29th, 2010
11:13 am
The word “workout” is a noun. It’s a thing people do. When a person goes to do it, he or she is going to work out. It’s like back up and back up or lookout and look out. This is lazy writing, sir.
Blue Max
March 29th, 2010
11:16 am
Pouncey, has a mean streak and would play well at Center or either Guard + he is a solid citizen and has played at a high level. If I was going defense, I like the other USF end Selvey instead of Paul. Paul was really only a star for 1 season and Selvey has been good for 4 years.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
11:24 am
Prof. G,
“Workout warrior” is a widely-used expression, and not grammatically incorrect either…even if you were right, correcting minor grammatical “mistakes” on a sports blog is quite obnoxious. So, in conclusion, fine sir, get bent.
Hamad Meander
March 29th, 2010
11:40 am
I’ve got no problem with the Falcons using their second third round pick on a WR, but Demaryius isn’t the 19th best player in this draft. I prefer Weatherspoon because I feel the Falcons will stay in the 4-3 defense and his skill set fits it perfectly. If Weatherspoon is gone @ 19, then we can take Graham or trade down. This is a deep draft, so we don’t need to panic if we don’t get a particular guy at 19.
If the Falcons are truly going to pursue Alex Brown (DE), then it makes no sense to draft another end.
Dawgforlife
March 29th, 2010
11:46 am
Thomas has a NFL body…yes, he did drop a pass in crunch time against UGA and I am glad he did; however, he also took a little hitch pass 75 yards. I want the defensive players if they are there. But, if the choice is between Thomas and a center…you absoltely cannot pass up Thomas…you can say Thomas drops passes and be accurate. But, so does Jenkins, and when is the last time he took a hitch 75 yards?…Pop Warner?
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
11:48 am
Thank you, Dawgforlife…Thomas has a much higher ceiling than most of these other guys we’re discussing…and Ryan could use another weapon.
silky_slimm
March 29th, 2010
11:50 am
dimtroff is a good evualtor im sure he will trade back in the second round to pick up a defense player if he goes with thomas whom compared to brandon marshall and roddy on the other end with gonzo in the middle i say pull the trigger on thomas he will trade back into second round and get jerry huges who they workout last week
3rd & long
March 29th, 2010
11:51 am
hey led how about some vital’s, on the lad??!!
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
11:55 am
Thomas is 6′3″, 225. Very strong and a good blocker. Very good vertical. Apparently ran a 4.38 at Tech right before draft, but I’m not sure he’s quite that fast. He makes some great catches in traffic, but also tends to drop some easy ones. He is a good runner after the catch.
Paddy
March 29th, 2010
12:09 pm
Thomas is an interesting choice if our defensive players ahead of him are off the board. Taking a center with the #1 pick is unwise at best.
cdog
March 29th, 2010
12:14 pm
NO, GO DEFENSE FIRST YOU CAN GET A WR IN THE THIRD ROUND LIKE A JACOBY FORD
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
12:23 pm
3rd & Long: Some vitals per your request.
HT: 6-3 1/4 WT: 224. Runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. Was clocked at 4.38 while in training in Arizona before breaking his foot.
Arms: 33 inches
Hands: 10 1/2
Ran track and played hoops in high school.
Outstanding blend of size and speed.
NEGATIVES ACCORDING TO PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY’S 2010 DRAFT PREVIEW — Inconsistent hands and concentration. Drops too many balls. Played in a run oriented offense and was not asked to execute a full route tree. . . . takes long strides and runs upright.
RGO67
March 29th, 2010
12:27 pm
We did not have a problem scoring, we had a problem of stopping the opposing teams. We need to build the Defense with Playmakers.
Rev Blake
March 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
Agree with Paddy’s statement. Personally, I see the Falcons attempting to trade up (if necessary) in order to get the best DE that fits their scheme. DE has to be the primary need (Sidbury, et all, are solid back-ups, not starters) and we need a game-changer at this position– now.
On another note, I hope RB Anthony Dixon from MS State is still on the board for the Falcons’ later picks. He is fast and strong up the middle. He played for a bad team, so he has gone virtually unnoticed.
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
How bout Carlton Mitchel later in the draft, seems to be a decent mid rounder if they do their homework on him. Hard to spend a first on Thomas when we cant work him out, Jamal Anderson had all the strength, size, speed stats too & look at him now.
JSS
March 29th, 2010
12:30 pm
Only one question, who is supposedly going to get the ball down the field to him (Thomas)? Maybe they imagine him going 75 yards every time because he won’t being over the top with “Intermediate Route King” under center… I love the kid, but I don’t see him getting the ball where he excels. Kinda like putting a Ducati with a Vespa, it just not a good match. Power, speed, and performance linked with a fashionable shell that is nothing than reliable transportation…
Look at Ledbetter wearing a “big boy” tie, ha ha…
JohnD
March 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
Dled..
Given the measurables on Thomas, what are the chances a team (Falcons) looks at D-Thomas as a tight end in the Kellen Winslow Jr. mode? We all know that the wide receivers are asked to block very heavily at Tech and my recollection is he grades as a great blocker. It seems that putting Thomas at the end of a line to seal a linebacker – who would then need to handle him going over the middle – might make for a real nice combination. That would also seem to alleviate the concern about his limited route running.
Maybe the Falcons view him as heir apparent to Tony G if he can add 10lbs?
Craig
March 29th, 2010
12:35 pm
This pick would have to many downsides and not enough upside. We need DE or OLB, not another inconsistent receiver.
We_Run_This_Country
March 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
If you’ve ever watched GT football, you’d understand what Thomas has to offer. I’ve watched the last two years, and I can only remember a handful of passes that Thomas has dropped. I’ve seen him make catches above receivers, with receivers blanketing him, and route-adjusting catches as well. I think he will run a legit 4.4 40-yd…he was NEVER caught from behind…NEVER. He has the best stiff arm in college football for a WR…see the Miss St game. All of that should justify him being a 1st rounder…….
but then, you add the fact that he can block better than any WR ever coming out of college football and you KNOW he’s a 1st rounder. Thomas’ blocking skills make Hines Ward look like a nancy-boy.
Thomas will be gone before the Falcons get a chance to draft him…unless they trade up for him.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
12:38 pm
Andre: Bucky is a good guy. He played for five years in the National Football League. He played for the Tar Heels in college. He’s been doing a great job for NFL.come and the network. He was a defensive back.
Bucky’s career:
* Buffalo Bills (1994)
* Green Bay Packers (1995-1996), (1997)
* Jacksonville Jaguars (1996-1997)
* Kansas City Chiefs (1997-1998)
* Oakland Raiders (1998)
Marcus
March 29th, 2010
12:39 pm
I raised my eyebrows on both Bucky and Mayocks projected choices (Pierre-Paul and D. Thomas, respectively)…which were both contingencies if Graham and/or ‘Spoon were snatched ahead of our pick.
I couldn’t see TD and Smitty picking D. Thomas or Pierre-Paul on a straight-up basis @ 19. Only if all the guys we like are gone …………then we may still have the option of trading down vs. taking a guy that may not be the best fit or a reach.
Marcus
March 29th, 2010
12:40 pm
John D,
Wouldn’t D. Thomas have to gain about 30-30 lbs. to be a suitable everydown converted TE?
Big B CH 99
March 29th, 2010
12:45 pm
It would be an interesting pick, the Falcons could certainly use a # 2 WR opposite Roddy, & BayBay might be a really good one, b/c being the # 2 WR, but really the 3rd option behind Roddy & Tony he’s he’s gonna get a lot of single coverage like he did at GT. Roddy is a young guy w/ several good yrs left, but the Falcons don’t have a # 2, Jenkins is inconsistent at best, & probably more of a # 3 or # 4 WR. If Douglas can come back, he’s a slot guy which we desperately need.
mgdawg
March 29th, 2010
12:47 pm
I think Thomas would be a good second round pick if the falcons could trade up with some of their later round picks, or if the falcons could trade back get a later first round pick and a second round. I just don’t think the falcons should reach for a receiver. I read an article last week about pouncey being a need pick with value, is getting a backup center really a need? Defense, get someone on defense who might have a chance to start this season with a first round pick.
Chris
March 29th, 2010
12:47 pm
Doesn’t anybody remember that we spent nearly every single pick on Defense last year? we need to spread things out a little bit. Douglass is no more than a 3rd down threat and Jenkins drops more passes than Bey Bey ever would. I’m all for cutting Jenkins.
Falkor
March 29th, 2010
12:49 pm
Some crazy comments in here:
No way Jenkins is worth a 3rd rounder, especially in a draft this deep.
The NYG are not going to trade for Jamaal Anderson no matter how complicated the trade is with picks involved.
Brandon Marshall may be a pain off the field, but what elite WR other than Jerry Rice (who actually was a pain his last few years) isn’t? If you don’t think he’s one of the top 4 WR’s in the league today then you have never watched him play!
TD, Smith and Blank have done a good job of clearing dramatic players off of this roster, but 1 or 2 can never bring you down too far, especially at a Diva position.
Using #19 on Be-Be makes no sense if you can trade the pick for Marshall. He is ELITE and PROVEN.
Dawgy
March 29th, 2010
12:49 pm
No freakin’ way should the Falcons WASTE a first round draft pick on “Bey Bey”. The only thing going for him is size. His speed is questionable now and his route running is bush league. His blocking skills are not that great either (he dives at knees). Take off the piss colored glasses Nerd fans: he is NOT a 1st rounder!!!
Big B CH 99
March 29th, 2010
12:50 pm
If Derrick Morgan slips to 15 or so, I would try to trade up & get him. If not, I would look at Weatherspoon or Graham. If none of those guys are available, I would then look at Pouncey (Flor.’s Center) or BayBay.
I’m not sold on S. Flor’s Pierre-Paul, & I don’t like guys w/ potential character issues like Dunlap. I would never trade for Brandon Marshall, b/c I’m a team guy, & guys like him, T.O., OchoCinco destroy chemistry. I don’t mind Dez Bryant, I think he has decent character I think the NCAA screwed him.
Dan
March 29th, 2010
12:51 pm
If not Dez Bryant or Brandon Marshall I would just wait till next year for AJ Green or Julio Jones
JohnD
March 29th, 2010
12:52 pm
Marcus – Here are the measurables for some good – or at least legit – every down tight ends:
Tony G – 6-5 243
Kellen Winslow Jr – 6-4 240
Jason Witten – 6-5 263
Vernon Davis – 6-3 250
So you have a point – probably needs to add a least 15 pounds – maybe 20 lbs. Not sure how much that would impact his speed. But seems his frame might be able to support it – and given he is only 21 – could probably grow into it. Plus he’d get a year to learn behind the best pass catching tight end ever.
Falkor
March 29th, 2010
12:54 pm
And for the record I want the pick to be Weatherspoon. If he’s off the board then I’m open to anything.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 29th, 2010
12:57 pm
Chris — You are correct. The Falcons have said this will be a balanced draft — offense and defense. TD is happy that he gets to work a full board in Year 3.
Cracker Jacket
March 29th, 2010
12:58 pm
Thomas would be a stupid pick! Free agent I could see or very late pick! Never run the same after breaking his foot!
brew
March 29th, 2010
12:59 pm
SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME, WHAT MAGIC TD IS GOING TO PULL TO GET US INTO THE SECOND ROUND. IF AND WHERE WE CAN GET INTO THE SECOND ROUND MAY DETERMINE WHAT WE DO IN THE FIRST ROUND.
Dan
March 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
Brew I believe NEW ENGLAND has 3 picks in the 2nd
Ricky
March 29th, 2010
1:33 pm
Birds won’t take a WR @19………………………not going to happen. It will be either a DE, LB, or Center……………….that’s it folks…….!!!
Ricky
March 29th, 2010
1:34 pm
Oh, just one more thing, in the highly unlikely event that Spiller is available the Falcons would jump on him.
brew
March 29th, 2010
1:35 pm
Thanks Dan, maybe they need Jenkins or Norwood or Anderson or a conbination. I just think TD has something planed that will get us into the second round.
Earl T.
March 29th, 2010
1:35 pm
Has anyone considered the falcons drafting Taylor Mays and converting him to olb alah Thomas Davis. I think it would be a genius move by T.D. and the falcons.
I'll blow my
March 29th, 2010
1:42 pm
effing brains out if they pick Thomas in the 1st round.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
1:45 pm
Earl T.,
I think that would be an outstanding move if Dimitroff thinks he projects well at that position. OLB is a much bigger need than DE, anyway. The only way I see the Falcons going DE is if D. Morgan is there…but he won’t be.
RambleOn84
March 29th, 2010
1:46 pm
Too many delusional Dawg fans on here hating on D. Thomas. You guys are right, though, who needs him? We’ve got All-Star Michael Jenkins at #2…
I REPEAT
March 29th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’ll blow my effing brains out if they select Thomas in the first round.
the real Old Gold
March 29th, 2010
1:57 pm
The Falcons need Thomas… bottom line. Roddy White is the WORST high paid receiver in all of Football. If we don’t take a receiver by the 3rd round.. I don’t know if I can watch this garbage anymore..
screg
March 29th, 2010
2:00 pm
rambleon84, yeah if we traded jenkins and a first for marshall we still might not have depth, but we’d have a top 3 receiver. and with jenkins on the field that gives the defenses an advantage over us, because he drops everything. people said randy moss had issues before tha patriots got him, but he’s okay now. im thinkin the same thing can happen with marshall if he meets with smith, blank, and dimitroff.
MaxxFalcon
March 29th, 2010
2:04 pm
If Spoon and Graham are gone, I think the Falcons should trade down at that point. I would rather us trade down and get a 2nd round pick than draft someone we aren’t necessarily crazy about with the 19th pick. Jason Pierre-Paul really doesn’t look that impressive on film to me, his numbers aren’t even really that great, but everyone seems to love his potential. I’ve learned that “potential” is a curse if the person never figures out how to fulfill it. There are a lot of sleeper WRs that will be available in later rounds, like Chris Bell and Andre Roberts. Matt Tennant, the Center from Boston College, should be available in Round 3. If Spoon and Graham are gone, pass on Bay-Bay and trade down.
DDawgDavis
March 29th, 2010
2:18 pm
WR? I saw some mock draft where the Falcons would take Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green. That’s a great value pick in later rounds. The dude can catch the ball and he seems like a mature young man. I still have trust in Dimitroff and Coach Smith, who have been to MULTIPLE super bowls, than Mayock, Kiper, McShay, Ledbetter, your mom, Paul Parker, Lance Branan, Adam Johnson, or their dead mothers.
Groovedawg
March 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
Jason Pierre Paul would be a huge mistake in the vain of Vernon Gholston. If you want another Jamal Anderson situation then take him. Orlando, throw Tony G in those stats and the TDs go way up. I can’t see spending a 1st round pick on a WR especially with no 2nd rounder. This is a deep draft for defense and you getting really good vaule at 19 for a big area of need. You won’t get the pass rusher you need in the 3rd round. If Braddon Graham is there at 19 the Falcons should sprint to the podium. MVP of the Senior Bowl will be the MVP of the Falcons D!
*RUSS*(THE NEW MASCOT)
March 29th, 2010
2:44 pm
I agree, NO NEED to draft a receiver in the first round UNLESS his name was A.J. Green….I def would take pierre paul. talk about Athleticism…
south ga boy in the ATL
March 29th, 2010
3:08 pm
Gawd in heaven, how people think all problems are solved by skill people. And that comes from a former High school QB. As I have said before, there is only 1 ball, 1 play, 1 QB. We cant spend our No 1 on a WR when we have several other position groups that need attention ahead of WR’s. OLB, DE, interior OL, future TE, even DT or Corner is ahead of WR when it comes to needs. Thomas would be our 3rd option at best, 3RD OPTION.
blackbee
March 29th, 2010
3:18 pm
BAY-BAY is a BEAST!!!! Trust me, natuarally cut-up, fast, can block! Well mannered! Don’t look at the system in college, BAY-BAY wiull be ALL PRO.
falconfan_vicksupporter
March 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
thomas is to much of a project he ran 2 routes in college he has potential to be good but he is a reach. the offense is ok just could use a little more depth on the ol but our needs are on the defensive side of the ball we have no pass rush at all or lbs are solid but nothing special (lofton is a player) they filled a major hole with signing dunta robinson but he is going to look like everybody else we had before if we cant get to the qb
The Grinch
March 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
D-Led, your 12:23 would suggest he’s almost identical to Mike Jenkins in every single respect other than he’s an inch shorter. And considering the Falcons just inexplicably signed Jenkins to a 4/20 prior to last season, I can’t see them drafting someone with an identical skill set and identical flaws. Jenkins was a 1st rounder out of Ohio State with every possible measurable (including a 4.38 40 at the combine) and is looking like he’s gonna be fighting Finn and Weems for playing time because he’s a long strider who can’t shake anyone and won’t fight for the ball. He’s the offense’s Chris Houston.
GT3O
March 29th, 2010
3:31 pm
Just one question: Do you guys really want to see Jenkins drop another wide open 3rd down ball, or another wide-open endzone ball?
Thought so.
south ga boy in the ATL
March 29th, 2010
3:40 pm
BLACKBEE- It doesn’t matter whether Thomas will be a good WR at some point in the NFL, WE DON’T NEED A WR WITH OUR NO 1 PICK. We have an unproven Sam LB and a 34 yr old Wil LB, with no quality back ups, while we have a No. 1/all pro WR in Roddy, a Hall of Fame TE Tony G, and a Up and coming Slot WR in Harry D. Jenkins only gets 50-60 catches a yr. ARe you going to take catches away from Roddy and Tony G. I dont think so. If we were coming off a super bowl run and had a top 5, young defense then maybe we could afford to take a No. 1 on an area of strength. Lastly, I have to wonder if this is just promoting a local star. I dont read anywhere near as many posts pushing Dez Bryant as our NO 1 pick and he is considered the top WR by all the experts, so why aren’t the Tech fans pushing for Dez Bryant, since he is the best WR and falls to 19 in many mock drafts. All of this WR or Center clap trap as our NO. 1 is just…. clap trap.
south ga boy in the ATL
March 29th, 2010
3:46 pm
Uh GT30. Can only NO 1 draft choice wide rec from Ga Tech catch passes on 3rd down when they are wide open. I didnt thinks so. If I didnt misinterpret draft info, I think we have 7 other picks beside our No 1. Can other WR’s that we might draft in a later round catch a pass, THOUGHT SO
Steve C
March 29th, 2010
3:59 pm
Pierre-Paul reminds me of the last DE we drafted, raw and unpolished with potential…Jamaal Anderson…stay away!
Rob
March 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
We have plenty of WR’s. What we need in D line help and LB’s
hiramsaint
March 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
i wonder why he wouldn’t want to go to a winning organization instead … just sayin’
Ken Strickland
March 29th, 2010
4:23 pm
It’s always amusing to hear HOMERS glorifying players from their school. They love to use the threat, THE FALCONS WILL REGRET NOT DRAFTING HIM, OR HE’LL COME BACK TO HAUNT US IF WE DON’T DRAFT HIM. How many times did we hear that same crap when GaTech fans wanted us to draft WR Calvin Johnson, and how many times has he come back to haunt us? Even though this UGA WR Johnson is nowhere near as talented or polished as CJohnson was coming out of college, we’re hearing the same lame threats.
GT30-Can you remember a few yrs back when fans were saying the same thing about RWhite that you’re saying about MJenkins, and suggesting we get rid of him at all cost because of dropped passes? Would you suggest we get rid of him now? MJenkins caught 50 passes as the teams 3rd receiving option on a run oriented OFF, so he couldn’t have dropped too many.
Based on your criteria for judging the ability and success of a WR, here’s a list of WR’s you’d also suggesst we get rid of due to their dropped passes.
DROPS-GMS PLAYED
Blaylon Edwards 16 16
Brandon Marshall 12 13
Roddie White 9 16
Calvin Johnson 9 16
Marquis Colston 8 11
Santana Moss 8 16
Dallas Clark 7 15
Hines Ward 7 16
Chad Johnson 6 13
Randy Moss 6 16
SMoss 6 14
There are a lot of Probowlers on this list that you would advocate getting rid of because of their dropped passes. And by the way, Terrell Owens, a multiple Probowl participant, once again led the NFL in dropped passes. The biggest problem with MJenkins isn’t his dropped passes, but his lack of speed and ability to stretch the DEF. If HDouglas can return to preinjury form, he’ll give us that ability. He’s an excellent runner, as demonstrated by his success as our punt returner, and would provide good after the catch yardage.
Shane
March 29th, 2010
4:23 pm
NO NO NO NO NO
We arent even sure he can run routes correctly given the offense he played with in college. Get somebody from a school who had a pro offense and wont have to learn everything over again.
boilerup
March 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
What kind of crack are u on to think we should not draft a wr if he’s available to get. Adds more weapons and makes us similar to Indy’s offense. Get em and ignore the critics…
Techman
March 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
need someone who will not drop the big pass to keep the drive going….remember back in November, no way the ball should have been dropped.
GT3O
March 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
South ga boy in the ATL,
I never said the Falcons should draft him, I just asked the question if people would want to watch Jenkins as our number 2 again.
And no, a later draft pick will not do as well as Thomas. To think so would be idiotic. He’s a first round pick with a broken foot. He’s still on top. He’s the best built WR in the draft. Other WR’s can all catch passes, but they don’t have size, speed, and other intangibles that a WR like Thomas possess.
GT3O
March 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
Techman,
That was one drop. You can’t isolate the incidents. Look at the Clemson, FSU, and MSU games. He IS the reason GT won those games. He made clutch plays when he had to.
Shane
March 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
but they don’t have size, speed, and other intangibles that a WR like Thomas possess.
Unfortunately for him there is a lot more to being a WR than just that. Like running routes correctly.
He did show he is a good blocker at Tech.
mystikal
March 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
First I think we should trade back or out of 1st rd all together and pick up an extra 3rd or 2nd rounder. The only offensive playeres I could see us taking in the 1st rd is Spiller or Pouncey. I think either could make big contributions immediately. That being said I think we should go with defense with 1st pick. Would love to see us get Sean Weatherspoon suit up. I don’t have problem with Graham, but kinda feel like he is already maxed out and he is undersized. I know Paul is very raw, but he has great measurables and is uber-athletic! Plus he has good work ethic and think he would be a better longterm pick than Graham learning under Abraham. I like Demaryius Thomas for us, just not in the first rd. If he was still there mid to late 2nd rd I might trade up for him, but other than that focus on defense first. It’ll be interesting to see who’s available when we pick tho!!
Techman
March 29th, 2010
4:35 pm
FSU, MSU…………………….look at the opponent Clemson ok. But not against your biggest rival
Ken Strickland
March 29th, 2010
4:37 pm
STEVE C-We’ve drafted 2 DE’s, KBiermann and LSidbury, since we drafted JAnderson. Biermann( 5sacks and 66 tackles) became a starter and outperformed every other DE on the roster in just his 2nd yr.
ROB-Over the last 7gms of last season our DL was the NFL’s best, especially against the run. They held entire OFF’s to an average of 75 rushing yds per gm, total, and that was with a 1st yr starting DE(KBiermann), a rookie DT & 7th rd pick(VWalker), a 2nd yr DT(TJohnson), a DT(TLewis)who had been out for 2yrs on IR, and a DE switched to DT(JAnderson). And that didn’t include starter and #1 draft pick DT PJerry. I DON’T THINK OUR DL IS AS BAD OFF, OR IN NEED OF HELP, AS MUCH AS YOU SEEM TO THINK.
Jimbo
March 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
When it comes to picking Jason Pierre-Paul with the 19th pick I have 2 words to say, ” Jamaal Anderson”. The parallels are too great to ignore and if you’ve seen any tape, other than the Combine, you would see way to many questions and not enough answers to justify that pick.
Secondly, we don’t need to be messing around with drafting a WR in the first round as that is not a hole. I have got to believe that we go either DE or OLB at 19, unless the best available helps us protect Ryan with an OL pick.
tjhook
March 29th, 2010
4:51 pm
Hey Falcon fans, I’d like you to go to YouTube and punch in the name of Danny Batten, a DE/LB from South Dakota St. He’s 6′2 244 and is a beast. Same motor as the Bierman. Had a great workout last week and looks like a sleeper at LB. Since we run a zone/blitz scheme, he could be a good fit for the defense.
Micheal Jenkins is a problem on offense because he is frequently left in single coverage and cannot consistently beat the coverage because of lack of breakaway ability and dropped passes. We need a player who can get us some YAC because Jenkins doesn’t appear to be the guy.
kurula
March 29th, 2010
4:58 pm
wiley- read any report on thomas…inconsistent hands. drops too many balls. it has nothing to do with a UGA bias. if you watched that game, those short comings were on display. the reason he had so many yards was because of his teams base offense: run, run, run, run, run, run, throw long to thomas. he ran streaks all year. i’m not saying he’ll be terrible…i just think he’ll be great.
30-24 Dawgs - WE RUN THIS STATE!
March 29th, 2010
5:08 pm
I still remember when Bay-Bay dropped that critical 4th down pass en route to a 30-24 loss to UGA.
One shining moment, and he failed.
kurula
March 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
i DON’T think he’ll be great, that should have said…
WW
March 29th, 2010
5:17 pm
I have to agree. I question whether this guy is first day draft material. He is not first or third round material, and the Falcons need to use their 4th round pick on a kicker, to get to the playoffs. If he is available in the 5th round, then pull the trigger, but our current receivers catch better than this guy.
realbirdofprey
March 29th, 2010
5:27 pm
i think we should trade the first round pick i mean their will be a lot of teams fighting for those 2nd tier Quarterbacks and around where we pick is usually where it happens because i think thomas is a 2nd rounder so if the rams don’t take a QB i say trade with them
Huh?
March 29th, 2010
5:28 pm
If the Falcons are gonna draft any Tech player it needs to be Morgan Burnette. The Falcons need defensive backfeild help, and I think Morgan would like to stay where he grew up. Plus last time I checked MB didn’t choke in the Tech-Georgia game.
FalconHeroZero
March 29th, 2010
5:29 pm
****Smoke*****
Tweets that mention Mike Mayock: Georgia Tech WR Thomas headed to Falcons | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
March 29th, 2010
5:30 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by John H. Pruett, Jr.. John H. Pruett, Jr. said: Mike Mayock: Georgia Tech WR Thomas headed to Falcons http://shar.es/mpPB4 #nfldraft #jackets [...]
layne
March 29th, 2010
5:31 pm
WE should draft Sean Weatherspoon, Jared Veldheer, Dennis Pitta, Scott Long, Joique Bell,
Stephen Williams, and Mike McLaughlin. These are great picks look at their combine results.
ryan
March 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
Here is an idea why don’t the Falcons trade for Marshal and trade him Seatle Seahawks and then swap picks then they would leap frog over the Giants and Titans. And can get Spoon or Morgan.
layne
March 29th, 2010
5:43 pm
There’s alot of depth at WR and RB
layne
March 29th, 2010
5:43 pm
in the draft
billcanoe
March 29th, 2010
5:48 pm
dawgforlife – you couldn’t have said it better. D. Thomas is a stud and would be a great 1st round pick for the Falcons.
reddjonn68
March 29th, 2010
5:49 pm
Great call perfect fit youth and depth at wr. How long do our fans expect White & Jenkins 2 be around ?marks still remain on Douglas’s return. Name our 4th and 5th wrs off the top of your head and the amt of catches they tallied. 2 often people talk about what a team needs and pass on quality football players & are still trying 2 fill the same spot 3 or 4 years later. Right now in this pass happy league there is no two dominant DEs on any team, all of the top defensive teams are scheme oriented. You can never ever have enough bonafide playmakers. Cribbs kept sorry Cleveland in a lot games. Look at Baltimore in a couple of yrs that defense is going 2 have 2 be revamped.Technique can be taught, talent cannot
mystikal
March 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
I’ve already said Thomas is not worth taking @ 19, and still think that. I do wonder though with his shortcomings, how would Thomas look if he had a “Good” quarterback throwing to him?? Think about that for a minute.
Also I agree Paul Pierre is raw and inexperienced, but if you haven’t seen it google “Jason Paul-Pierre back flip” just for fun.
mystikal
March 29th, 2010
6:04 pm
And I’m already on record saying we shouldn’t take Thomas @ 19, cause we have bigger needs on D, but why is everyone hating on him? I saw him play this year and he had some dropped passes, but ppl seem to be ignoring all the big plays he “did” make. I remember on a couple of occasions he came down with impossible catches with 2 or 3 defenders draped around him. He may not be the best pick for us, but he is a 1st rd pick.
ISeeDeadDogs
March 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
The Falcons absolutely need a top-notch WR and I think Thomas would certainly fill that rather large niche. Jenkins is at best a #2 or maybe even auxillary receiver and Douglas is unproven after his injury. Giving Ryan another target/weapon would be a tremendous move. I think they will go defensive with their pick, however, as that is the more obvious need. It should be said that Blank doesn’t have a very high opinion of Tech talent, either.
FullMetalJacket
March 29th, 2010
6:08 pm
As a Tech fan I would love to see BeyBey stay in Atlanta, and as Falcons fan I do believe he would make a great contribution. Ryan has Gonzales as a sure-handed target and Thomas would be the mid to deep threat that Jenkins and Douglas haven’t proven to be. That said, it’s hard to pass up a pass-rusher or D-line anchor if one is available.
FullMetalJacket
March 29th, 2010
6:09 pm
Montana had his Rice, now Ryan needs his BeyBey!
Please 'splain
March 29th, 2010
6:23 pm
why jamaal is so bad
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:30 pm
There is no question the Falcons need to find another receiver for “Franchise” Ryan. Finneran is a good possession man, Gonzales is the “go to” guy at TE, but then you have “Juggling” Jenkins and Douglas, who is ocming off an injury. We have no true Number 1 receiver, even though we presumably have one of the best QBs in the league. Take Thomas in the first round if he’s available, then spend every other pick on the Defense. If our Defense were magically great this year we still lack the Offensive punch at receiver to score points and make big plays. It will take the Defense and Thomas another year or maybe two to mature, so it would be a great move now.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:31 pm
Jamaal has dem heart problems. He ain’t got no heart for the game and he’s got all dat money to keep him from growing one.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
We need to be looking at some big running backs, either to draft or trade for, too. Turner is the only dependable one we got, and there’s no way he can play every down we need him to.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:39 pm
Delusional UGA Bulldog fans who haven’t seen Thomas play apart from the Tech game have no idea what he can do. IN addition to his physical attributes the man has the heart of a lion and a work ethic Jerry Rice would be proud of. He will be great for someone, and could be great for the Falcons. I’m not sure when he’ll go (late 1st round-early 2nd?) but it really amounts to which D-men are available at 19. If we can’t get a Derrick Morgan (early – mid 1st round) then getting a partner for Ryan to build a career with would be a good idea.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:41 pm
Tony G will be out of here in a year or two, as will Finneran, and Ryan will need somebody at WR or TE to take up that considerable slack. Mike Smith should know Thomas well, at least better than other college WR, so if he likes him he should get him.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
6:42 pm
Calvin Johnson would have been a nice acquisition, too, but he wasn’t available when our turn came around. I think we’ll be settling for some much needed D-help.
FullMetalJacket
March 29th, 2010
6:44 pm
Defense is overall priority one, but we need a good WR and solid receiving RB.
FullMetalJacket
March 29th, 2010
6:45 pm
Jenkins is a very leaky vessel to put much offensive hope in, and Douglas is exciting but an unknown after his injury as a daily player.
BlackeyedRedDawg
March 29th, 2010
6:51 pm
Thomas is a stud and will be a great addition to any pro team. It pains me to say it, but he’s got it all over AJ. Folks forget how his touches were limited by the offense, but he made some great catches and blocks with the best of them. He missed a clutch catch vs. UGA (thank goodness) and it ain’t easy to praise the Bees, but between Calvin J. and Thomas they have turned out a couple of top tier receivers.
BlackeyedRedDawg
March 29th, 2010
6:54 pm
Anyone, fellow Dawg fan or not, who says Thomas can’t block downfield has not watched him or is being dishonest. It’s true we may not have seen enough of him because of the Option offense, but the guy is big, plenty fast at game time, has good hands, and can bully d-backs. I think the birds need more defense than offense, but BBT is solid.
Dawggonegood
March 29th, 2010
6:55 pm
I think AJ Green will be better than Thomas by the end of this season, but right now I would have to agree that Thomas is a beast while Green is a bit more squirrely.
Dawggonegood
March 29th, 2010
6:56 pm
Right now, straight up, Thomas beats Green in the pros.
Dawggonegood
March 29th, 2010
6:56 pm
But right now, straight up, the Dawgs also beat the Jackets.
FullMetalJacket
March 29th, 2010
6:57 pm
Right Now, straight up? I didn’t know UGA had any straight guys.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
7:01 pm
Jean P-P would be a monumental mistake, in the mold of Jamaal Anderson, the oldest rookie in the league.
BirdsOverSaints
March 29th, 2010
7:02 pm
Jamaal must be a medical wonder. He clearly has no heart and yet still he lives!!!! He eats, maybe smokes a little, and can run around in a uniform, but he clearly has no heart to play football, much less defense.
ashman71
March 29th, 2010
7:13 pm
Who are the best available kickers?
Keyshawn My Johnson
March 29th, 2010
7:15 pm
Bey Bey in the 1st round? COME ON, MAN!
Love the guy and he will do well for the right team. Low second or third round pick would be excellent.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
March 29th, 2010
7:15 pm
There’s No Way Thomas will be a Falcon–unless it’s in the 3rd round.
I c great things ahead
March 29th, 2010
7:34 pm
Man I for one would love too see us take him. I’m so tired of the best area players going to other teams having monter contribution for teams not named FALCON. Now about JPP I don’t know about the rest of you but, while I watch his back flipping I couldn’t stop. I flip all the way back until I saw another freak of nature, can you say Andre Bruce man it was bad. lol Like most everyone I wouldn’t be hurt if the pick was Spoon or Graham and I would love it if we could move up and get D. Morgan. But I don’t see TD and MS making such a move as that they’ll standpat. Yes I do agree that we could get a quality wide out later in the draft, but why should we settle for whats left when this guy with these measurable, and this athletic. Some of you say he has inconsistent hands but are you really willing to let a BONAFIDE supperstar in waiting slip down to say I don’t know the Patriots. think about that R.Moss has been running off at the mouth and stuff the hold off season and he’s getting old. think about it they can pull the drigger on him and with all those extra 2s the could still get anything else they want. Talk about the rich being rich or was that richer I don’t know I’ve never been eather. but that’s the way I see it and that’s the way it might be. PSP NOooooo Pouncey with 1st rd pick..lol
Mike Jay
March 29th, 2010
7:52 pm
BOS,
Err… humm..
Let’s see here. You say we have no #1 WR. I believe Roddy white is a top 10 #1 WR. His stats back this up.
You say Ryan is one of the best Qb’s in the league. ‘presumably’. Not sure who has made the presumption but he is at least one of the best young Qb’s in the league. I hope he is one day but he certainly not there yet. Future does look bright.
You say we have no dependable RB beside Turner….Hmm. Did you watch the Falcons last season? Jason Snelling played great when Turner was finally shelved with that bad ankle.
142 rushes 613 yards 4.3 ypc 4 TD. He even caught 30 passes 1 for a TD. That’s pretty damn dependable in my book. In the last game of the season he carried it over 20 tiems for the first time. yo cold say the Falcons ‘depended’ on him that game and he delivered. 25 carries 147 yards 5.9 ypc with 3 catches for 21 yards.
D3
March 29th, 2010
8:05 pm
DOL – Just saw the NFL N video….great job my brother! Just seems to be focusing on Spoon or Graham. Will be completely happy with both, after that there’s many different directions they could go, but not necessarily for the better. Safest would be to trade down and pick up multiple players. I know it probably won’t happen due to the risk, but Taylor Mays potential conversion to a WLB seemingly would be a perfect fit. It would be a big risk, but the upside and potential would be amazing. The transition worked pretty well for Thomas Davis and Carolina. Would love to have D.Thomas, but not sure he’s worth the value @ #19. Trading back to say #29, then sure. Going on pure production, I would have to take Golden Tate over D.Thomas.
hiramsaint
March 29th, 2010
8:16 pm
birdsoversaints— thanks for the love and respect
Not Disappointed!
March 29th, 2010
8:31 pm
Thomas is a beast and will help the falcons on all levels, running, catching and blocking!
Ramblin Wreck!
Delbert D.
March 29th, 2010
8:34 pm
Somebody said Jenkins is mediocre. I’d say in the top 40 percent. He is also a good blocker. D. Thomas is a wipeout blocker. Really good speed at 230+ lbs.
PavoDirtyByrd
March 29th, 2010
9:14 pm
I am glad we have a GM in charge with a better sense of the team directions than many of the so-called draft experts. We need a pass rusher, not a WR!
falcon21
March 29th, 2010
9:25 pm
We need to improve the O-Line period… A WR at #1, what a joke.
Mookie
March 29th, 2010
9:30 pm
My mock draft
1) Spoon LB
3) P. Cox CB
3) G. Hardy DE
4) M. Tennent C
5) E. Sanders WR
5) A. Woods DT
6) C. Black OG/OT
6) N. Naynam TE
7) T. Holiday KR
falcon21
March 29th, 2010
9:48 pm
It’s not a bad mock Mookie but I don’t see us going with a CB with our second pick. I know most fans choice is Spoon at #1 but don’t hold your breath.
Ken Strickland
March 29th, 2010
10:28 pm
Has anyone read a scouting report of GaTech WR DThomas? There’s nothing written about his ability to run routes, read DEF’s, read zone DEF’s, or how he runs after the catch. It only says he has deceptive speed for his size, will go up and fight for the ball and only ran streak or fly patterns in college. That means he’s only demonstrated the ability to run one pattern, which means he didn’t have to read a single DEF or contend with being hit by LB’s or SS’s because he didn’t go over the middle or run slant patterns.
How in the hell is this guy going to help us? He first has to learn how to be more than a one trick poney, not to mention he’s coming off a broken foot. How can anyone in his right mind think someone with his limited resume and undocumented skill level be a better option than MJenkins or HDouglas?
Old Man
March 29th, 2010
10:29 pm
In the draft point system, our #19 is worth almost exactly NE’s #44 and #47 in the 2nd round.
Interesting. Would anyone here make that swap? And who would you grab with those two picks?
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
10:30 pm
Trade our 2011 first rd pick for the rams 2nd rd this yr and 3rd next yr. 1st pick in second rd. is damn close to a first considering we’ll be picking way later next yr depending how deep we go in playoffs, possibly superbowl in which it would only be a 1-2 spot drop. Imagine the possibilitys with our picks + the first in the second round. Over 75 players recieved 1st-2nd rd grades.
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
10:41 pm
Maybe TD can pull off some magic with New England and talk them into trading us a 2nd rd pick or two. We had to know TG was gonna retire in 2-3yrs. Yet we gave a 2nd, that tells me we want to win now.
Old Man
March 29th, 2010
10:50 pm
We could get Tennant C and Hughes OLB with NE’s 44 and 47.
But holy kamoli, has anyone seen the Pierre-Paul back flip YouTube? It’s freakin’ unbelievable!
go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-1e6Faglw.
Old Man
March 29th, 2010
10:55 pm
Somebody was comparing Pierre-Paul to JA98. Look at the YouTube. There is no freakin’ way JA98 ever, ever could do what P-P does in this video. I’m not saying we pick him at #19,but you better be darn sure there’s a reason not to. TD will do his due diligence, I’m sure.
markl
March 29th, 2010
10:56 pm
Sign Ogunleye, gives you Abraham, Oguleye, Bierman and Sidbury. Then choose LB or take Thomas at 1
falcons008
March 29th, 2010
10:57 pm
I like spoon, but think we could wait till 3rd and pick-up E.Norwood, B.Lang, or D.Watson. If you really think about it, there is not much of a drop off in talent. 1st round you need to address offense after 2 yr. of drafting defense. I will admit I’m curious about Taylor Mays and if he could make the transition to OLB. Freaks like that don’t come around that often. Question is why did he play safety?? couldn’t shed blocks maybe??
falcons008
March 29th, 2010
11:01 pm
@ Old Man like the idea of trading back for 2 2nd round picks. It just becomes a question about having roster spots for all those draft picks considering we haven’t cut many players or lost them in free agency.
Nadaniel
March 29th, 2010
11:10 pm
They were choosing players based on the fact that spoon and graham where gone.
chuck
March 29th, 2010
11:11 pm
Mike Mayock is a hack. There’s not a snowballs chance in an Atlanta’s July that TD drafts a WR in the first round. WR won’t be addressed until the 4th round at the earliest.
The only reason that a C is possible is because TD and CMS like to be strong up the middle. The decision is going to come down to a DE or LB. The Falcon’s will take the guy they believe will put the most pressure on the QB.
savannadawg
March 29th, 2010
11:45 pm
Offense or Defense??? I think we must take the best player available whom ever that may be at 19. But, if you really think about the slot reciever pos., does HD make it back from his serious injury. We don’t have great depth at this moment. That is why I would like to have Golden Tate from Notre Dame. I do like Thomas alot, but I just think we need Tate more. He really is good too. Either way both positions (outside and inside) are going to have to be addressed either this year or next, as well as the defense too.
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
11:46 pm
Why not pick up Alex Brown after bears cut him and rotate him with our other DE’s and pick up that LB Spoon/Mays and improve our pass rush on multiple fronts. That leaves 7 picks to build depth on OL & possibly another CB, TE, KR specialist.
chris taylor
March 29th, 2010
11:56 pm
Tate’s yac ability is amazing. He would probably be good in the slot. I personally dont know enough bout this yrs WR’s to make an informed decision. I think our pass rush problems can be traced to BVG’s calls as much as our players. Opposing OL’s see the LB coming up the middle just as good on the 30th as they do the first, disguise it some for crying out loud.
GaMom77
March 29th, 2010
11:59 pm
Come on Arthur – whip out that blackberry and make the call….Bey Bey is the man! We’ve had a lot of receivers that could run, it’s just that they didn’t have the ball in their hands when they took off!!! DT will fix that……
T.Thomas
March 30th, 2010
12:10 am
I would like for Atl, Jax, or carolina to get Bay Bay. The family wouldn’t have to go a long way to go see him play unlike when T.T. got drafted by Houston Texans. I’m in savannah so either team would be good for me.
savannadawg
March 30th, 2010
12:13 am
chris taylor, yu are correct about BVG. that guy don’t disguise anything. The great NFL QB’s know that too. They pick us apart. Coached the same way at UGA. Had grate defenses initially then everybody started catching on and he was gone.
Albany Dirty Bird
March 30th, 2010
12:20 am
I’m still in favor of taking Spoon but if he’s gone I’m intrigued
d by the thought of trading down and drafting Thomas. His speed separates him from the big receivers who haven’t panned out. I’m not enamored with the thought of drafting the 2nd or 3rd best DE in the 1st rd. Last time we did that we ended up with a bootleg Luda that can’t get to the QB. A 3rd Rd DE to add to the Sidbury Bierman mix is fine with me.
Omar
March 30th, 2010
1:05 am
How bout Spiller in the first? With the talk about working Turner less and help in the passing game, I think Spiller could fit both. And shorten the field on special teams.
screg
March 30th, 2010
1:39 am
i dont understand why everyone is talkin about spiller. that makes no sense at all. we have 3 very good backs on our team. and jason pierre paul looks like a bust waiting to happen. dimitroff already said they like the current DEs on the roster and probably will not draft DE in the first. no matter how athletic he is, it doesnt matter. DEs dont need to be able to do 20 backflips during a game. we need old school tough ball players, not the guys that are projected to the first round simply because of how amazing they looked at the combine. just look at the career tape.
cwltank
March 30th, 2010
5:24 am
I would be happy if we drafted a wr if we traded Jenkins I feel we need a upgade
If CJ falls take him we can trade the other rb we have lol
Reason: 1st roünders dont sit on the sidelines they play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PlanB
March 30th, 2010
8:04 am
The main thing is need. We need a pass rush more than anything. I think Beirmann and Sidberry will be improved and Jerry being back will help. I think our biggest problem last year was our scheme. When we blitzed we had a good pass rush. Offense and defense schemes weren’t good. No screens or schuffle passes to slow the rush down. Anyway back to the problem. Our need isn’t reciever. It’s pass rush. OLB or DE. Preferable an OLB.
SIDDEAN
March 30th, 2010
8:09 am
I Like picking Thomas and trading Jenkins for a second round pick.
kurula
March 30th, 2010
8:10 am
ken strickland—exactly what i’ve been trying to say. everybody is in love with this guy, but he is going to be a project. i don’t think he’ll be terrible, i just don’t think he’s needed with our only pick in the first 2 rounds. now if there was a percy harvin or desean jackson available, you’d take him. but thomas doesn’t have that ability. (if the falcons were to take a WR in this draft, i’d rather them get golden tate.)
Whopper Dawg
March 30th, 2010
9:04 am
After listening to your comments, all of your columns now make sense.
BigTimeTECHFan
March 30th, 2010
10:11 am
Would be great if Falcons got Thomas but I think Decker from Minnisota would be better value in 3rd round.
come on
March 30th, 2010
10:49 am
Thomas is just a potenial pick, and everyone is just guessing at this point. I think thomas would be a good pick, if the def needs are gone. UGA fans are just mad because he is a tech player(yes dawg fans there is pro talent outside the SEC, see matty ice). that being said i would like to see us trade down in the first round and draft bey bey lower in the round and maybe get a late second round pick out of the deal.
Trill
March 30th, 2010
11:27 am
CJ Spiller!!!
chris taylor
March 30th, 2010
12:15 pm
With a playmaker at LB just look at the possibilitys on defence. A star at every spot. Robinson-CB, Spoon/Mays-LB, DeCoud-S, Abraham/Biermann-De, Babineaux/Jerry-Dt. That is an ohh crap waiting to happen for any team all over the field.
Shane
March 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
This is the kind of pik the Falcons would have made in the past. Thank goodness Dmitrof is running things now.
A blocking WR from a school that runs the wishbone. Thanks but no thanks. Thats the big problem with Techs system. When guys get to the pros they have to be totally broken down and rebuilt all over again. Basically they have to forget everything they learned in college and learn the pro way of doing it. Thats a huge problem.
ryan
March 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
I think if the Falcons do not get Spoon or Morgan I like Jason P. Paul i mean this guy is a freak . I think he is the next Peppers he has speed and quickness . And he has swagger i saw this guy do back flip .
chris
March 30th, 2010
7:47 pm
we should take DE Morgan from GT if he is still there
Deplane
March 30th, 2010
10:15 pm
Jason P. Paul doesn’t look anything like B.Graham on tape. Compared to a Morgan or a Graham the guy looks like he has happy feet.
I don’t see us taking Thomas…he ran outs and that was about it. He’s a project and we already have enough of those. We need somebody that can contribute and make us better from day one.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » 2010 NFL Draft: Which Dawgs and Yellow Jackets Could Help the Falcons?
March 31st, 2010
1:01 am
[...] Thomas is the only state product I can see us drafting in the first round, and Mike Mayock agrees. [...]
san diego dawg
March 31st, 2010
1:24 am
The Falcons are loaded at receiver. Harry Douglas is back. Norwood should move to the open slot receiver since Booker was not resigned. Finneran was resigned. Why waste a number 1 pick on a player that can not start? No way the Falcons take him. They will draft defensive players and then O-line
I c great things ahead
March 31st, 2010
5:13 am
It’s sad to see the hate towards D.Thomas. You have too see that Matt needs more weapons, look at what the Ravins Are doing to put talent around Joe Flaco. And everyone here wants to stand pat with these guys we have. Sure we could use another DL, or OLB even some OL help but less face it B. Finneran is heading over the hill. Harry Douglas will be back but to what level of play. We’ve moved on from M.Booker and I agree with you sand D dawg Ive though for sometime that J. Norwood should be moved to wide out where he might stay healthy their. But like everyone else I don’t know what TD gonna do, I’m just projecting my hopes and what I beleave for the team. So now letme be clear I think no I mean I hope he draft one of the top wide outs my choice is De-Maryius Thomas.
phoenix falcon
March 31st, 2010
11:58 am
the falcons need DEFENSE, DEFENSE, AND MORE DEFENSE……………………. NO CENTERS AND NO WR’S……………….