Mock 7.0: Dimitroff ramps up for NFL draft
BIRDLAND – Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff took a break last week to give us an update on the ramp
090426 FLOWERY BRANCH Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith introduce their NFL draft pick, Peria Jerry, Ole Miss defensive tackle, during a press conference at their facility in Flowery Branch Sunday morning. KENT D. JOHNSON / kdjohnson@AJC.COM
up to the draft.
The Falcons are set to have a “Locals” day on Monday for some structured workouts.
“We are encouraged and we know that there are going to be some very fine opportunities in this draft to acquire more players that are going to continue to help us in our quest to be perennial playoff contender,” Dimitroff said.
The Falcons are one of the busier teams in bringing in players and putting the finishing touches on their draft board. The idea is to get a consensus in the room with regards to the system-specific players.
“I’m definitely a believer in collaboration,” Dimitroff said. “We take all of the information that we have from what I consider one of the most adept scouting staffs in the country.
“With Les Snead helping to lead us with the personnel department, I think that we have solid people in place that will provide us with information that will let Mike Smith and myself continue to take it to the final decision making point. Again, we have a great deal of discussion, not only with our scouting staff, but with the coaching staff about the respective players in this year’s draft.”
Smitty is expected a big bounce-back year from John Abraham (Curtis Compton/compton@ajc.com)
The Falcons have scouted just about every linebacker and center in the draft. So it’s reasonable to conclude that a linebacker and center/guard are coming off the board at some point. Several pundits, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN/Scout Inc.’s Todd McShay and SI.com’s Don Banks, all have the Falcons taking Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham.
That’s the wrong pick.
They are ignoring what Smith has said about John Abraham having a bounce-back year while at the owner’s meeting and that he feels that with a better push up the middle from a healthy Peria Jerry could help Abraham return to form. Also, the Falcons have drafted defensive end in each of the last two drafts in Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury.
However, Abraham will turn 32 in May.
Also, the Falcons, under Dimitroff, have not taken one player from the Big 10 conference. A remarkable 16 of the 19 players drafted under the Dimitroff-Smith regime have played in an NFL game.
“(We have) a system-specific scouting system,” Dimitroff said. “We need to make sure not only that we’ve gotten all of the information in the evaluation from the scouting department, but also that these players fit our scheme. That has a lot to do with our evaluations and our discussions with our coaching staff.”
AT THE POLLS: Last week we asked “Who will select Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?” Here are the results:
- Buffalo in the first round, 9th overall (28%, 643 Votes)
- Cleveland in the second round, 38th overall (26%, 599 Votes)
- New England in the first round, 22nd overall (24%, 549 Votes)
- Washington in the second round, 37th overall (22%, 485 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,276
FALCONS DRAFT ORDER
1st round – 19th overall
2nd round – No pick
3rd round – 83rd overall
3rd round – 98th overall, compensatory
4th round – 117
5th round – 149
5th round – 165th overall, compensatory
6th round – 171
6th round – 189
NFL DRAFT TIMES
Rd. 1: Thurs., April 22, 7:30 p.m.
Rds. 2-3: Fri., April 23, 6
Rds. 4-7: Sat., April 24, 10 a.m.
AJC’s 2010 MOCK DRAFT 7.0
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter projects the first round:
Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon celebrates after making a tackle against Bowling Green during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. (Associated Press)
There are a couple of things about this upcoming draft that are going against historical trends.
- Teams appear set not to draft and overpay at the quarterback position. There are rumblings that St. Louis will not take Sam Bradford, even though they released their former starter. Also, Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen doesn’t appear to have a first round draft home. “There is a lot of disagreement and mixed opinions on when Jimmy should come off the board,” Kiper Jr. said.
- The traditional notion about not drafting a safety too high is being tested. Tennessee’s Eric Berry, of Creekside High, Texas’ Earl Watson and Southern Cal’s Taylor Mays could all go in the first round.
- Also, the traditional valuation at the center position is being tested by Florida’s LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey. Denver and Pittsburgh will have shots at him before the Falcons pick.
In our latest mock draft, Florida center Pouncey is climbing.
The Denver Broncos, in need a center, secure the position by taking Pouncey.
With the 19th pick in the draft, the Falcons will select Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
Pouncey has been the Falcons pick in five of the seven mocks. This is Weatherspoon’s second selection.
He visited the Falcons on Wednesday and Thursday.
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is headed for St. Louis in the Mock Draft 3.0.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Not buying the talk out of the Rams camp that they don’t necessarily have to take Bradford after releasing Marc Bulger. In the negotiating game, that’s called posturing.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma.
4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. Word out of Washington is that new coach Mike Shanahan is comparing him to Ryan Clady.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. He only slips one spot.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. The Seahawks traded defensive end Darryl Tapp and are not certain about Patrick Kerney’s return.
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee. The Browns get Berry to fill one of their holes on defense.
8. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. The Raiders get an anchor for their run game.
9. Buffalo Bills: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa. The Bills go for value.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama. McClain in a run stuffer, but also has speed.
Will Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain (25) be clapping it up in the Falcons huddle next season? (Associated Press)
11. Denver Broncos: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida. His versatility gives him extra value. Pouncey can play right away at guard or take over at center.
12. Miami Dolphins: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. The Dolphins go for a potential game-breaker.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The 49ers look for a potential replacement for Nate Clements.
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. The Seahawks try to spruce up the offense.
15. New York Giants: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas. The Giants go for some help on defense.
16. Tennessee Titans: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. The Titans are in the defensive end market after losing Kyle Vanden Bosch in free agency.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan. The 49ers stay with the defensive theme.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Iupati, G, Idaho. The Steelers have to like his upside.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri. With Pouncey and Brandon Graham off the board, the Falcons go with Weatherspoon.
20. Houston Texans: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. The Texans have to get a prospect to replace Dunta Robinson, who signed with the Falcons in free agency.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. The Bengals look to add a weapon for quarterback Carson Palmer after revamping the receiving corps.
22. New England Patriots: Everson Griffen, DE, USC. The Patriots continue the reconstruction of their defense.
Everson Griffen could be flexing for the Falcons in 2010. (Associated Press)
23. Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, OT, USC. The Packers have to add some offensive line help, but could trade down and add picks.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Mays, S, USC. The Eagles have to rebuild their defense.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech. Perfect spot for Thomas, who can learn from veterans Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida. He will fit well inside of the Cardinals’ 3-4. Cards not worried about his lack of foot speed and like his football instincts. He will replace Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Earl Thomas, S, Texas. The Cowboys get some help for their secondary. Some believe that Thomas can play cornerback and safety.
28. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State. The Chargers have to re-discover the running game and get more balance in their offseason.
29. New York Jets: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. He could be a force inside for the Jets.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama. The Macon native has moved up to the front of the cornerback class.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes, DE, Texas Christian. Hughes reminds some of a young Dwight Freeney.
32. New Orleans Saints: Daryl Washington, LB, Texas Christian. The Saints have to address the position with the loss of Scott Fujita.
ON THE FRINGE
UCLA's Brian Price is one mean and nasty defensive tackle. He's set to visit the Falcons on Saturday. (Jeff Lewis / Associated Press)
Jim Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Chad Jones, S, LSU
Jahvid Best, RB, California
Nate Allen, S, South Florida
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Brian Price, NT, UCLA
Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
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148 comments Add your comment
the TRUTH
April 9th, 2010
10:20 am
I like this pick alot more than Pouncey but I think Weatherspoon with be gone and the Falcons will take Graham…..
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April 9th, 2010
10:23 am
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cadilac
April 9th, 2010
10:25 am
i like this pick, he can help.
London Falcon
April 9th, 2010
10:27 am
Take the spoon… he’s the final piece.
falconsforlife
April 9th, 2010
10:30 am
I like it DLed. I hope spoon falls to us.
BigTimeTECHFan
April 9th, 2010
10:30 am
Sergio Kindle, LB, Missouri – His from Texas right?
Falcons could go OL, LB, WR, DL, DB – Best player and I’ll be happy
Clay
April 9th, 2010
10:35 am
I have been saying it all along. Spoon is the man here in atlanta for along time to come. He is a sure starter from day 1 and has a motor that run 110% on every down. I dont think he is the final piece because we do need some off. lineman and could use a speedster out at wr opposite roddy white, because jenkins just isnt cuttin it.
duker64
April 9th, 2010
10:38 am
if spoon is gone do we trade down with eagles I saw that on bird cage and likee it can still get spoon or gramham or one of tcu top two and maybe pick up a late 2nd
DBH
April 9th, 2010
10:39 am
Given the choice between Graham and Weatherspoon, Graham is the pick.
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April 9th, 2010
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Dominic Hughes
April 9th, 2010
10:41 am
I’ll give you credit DOL – you finally come up with a mock where the Falcons don’t take Pouncey but manage to move him up to be knocking on the door of the top 10 at the same time! Are you sure you’re not his agent?
I’m not convinced the Rams are convinced about Bradford but I think you’re right and they’ll take him, then live to regret not taking Suh or McCoy instead. If I was Rams GM I’d take Suh then take Colt McCoy later. Have your cake and eat it too.
Love that the Falcons focus not just on need but needs that directly fit their scheme. Not trying to put square pegs into round holes and having Smithy and TD on the same page is a real strength. Can the draft just hurry up and get here?
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 9th, 2010
10:49 am
If it is not Witherspoon it will be Pouncey. If both are gone, then maybe Graham but I doubt it. I think they will try like heck to trade out of the first round if both are gone.
Big XII
April 9th, 2010
10:50 am
Falcons would do good to draft Pouncey if he were available.
Big XII
April 9th, 2010
10:51 am
Oh, and you scholars from the SEC……It’s Weatherspoon, not Witherspoon.
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 9th, 2010
10:51 am
We have DE’s but we don’t have OLB’s and we are on the last year of our center. I think those will be the picks. A wild card is TE since TG has 1 maybe 2 years left.
JP
April 9th, 2010
10:53 am
I agree with the philosophy of why not to draft a DE in round one. Draft on a needs basis and OLB is a bigger need. But where to go after round one? Get back into round 2?
Better Pick
April 9th, 2010
10:57 am
Okay, DLed, give it up. You’re really Pouncey’s agent, right? That’s the only way I see someone predicting an interior OL near the top 10. It just doesn’t happen.
I agree that the Falcons either take Weatherspoon or Graham at 19.
Matty Ice
April 9th, 2010
10:58 am
Niners may take Joe Haden but there next pick will be an offensive lineman. You can bank on it that Niners won’t take Graham. I think you rigged your draft so that the player you want(Pouncey) and the player that many others want(Graham) would be gone so another player that most want(Weatherspoon) would be the only option……..Your trying to build a consensus here, right? Is this how the media game is played?
ATL09
April 9th, 2010
11:04 am
DLed,
Keep up the good work man.
Have you heard about Ramon Harewood of Morehouse College? Being that we need OL help BAD & he’s a 6′7 340 lb OT/OG w/ a 3.2 GPA in PHYSICS, are the Falcons looking at him? It would be a crime not to since he’s literally across the street in the AU Center.
Charles J.
April 9th, 2010
11:07 am
Well, DOL you had to be draged along kicking and screeming but you came around. And look by know ones suprize we draft him by default. After your man crush M. Pouncey, B. Graham and Sergio Kindle are off the board, oh he’s from Texas.
Josh B
April 9th, 2010
11:09 am
Finally a mock that has us taking Sean Weatherspoon…but DOL, what info is coming that says Denver takes Pouncey ?
Big Daddy J
April 9th, 2010
11:26 am
Orlando, why would they take Spoon with this pick as most say he is an inside linebacker not outside? We have Lofton. I think he is a smoke screen
SeminoleWarrior
April 9th, 2010
11:28 am
Yes!! DO Led, welcome aboard the Spoon Express. What has taken you so long my friend.
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 9th, 2010
11:34 am
Like the Spoon pick, and I agree with your assessment that DE does not seem to be the best value for the Falcons in the 1st round.
samoore57
April 9th, 2010
11:34 am
Orlando, You have Sergio Kindle from Mizzou…He went to Texas…I like Weatherspoon as the pick for Falcons. Being located in St. Louis I’ve seen him in college and he’s one fine athlete. I also agree that we need Peria to make a big impact this year on DL.
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 9th, 2010
11:37 am
Forgot to say, nicely written piece.
Did you have a chance to ask TD the fan questions mentioned a few days ago?
SeminoleWarrior
April 9th, 2010
11:39 am
Samoore57, Spoon will be a great addition to the Falcons family.
waynester
April 9th, 2010
11:39 am
DLed
Just a couple of mild disagreements– I too doubt that Denver would take Pouncey so early; if Philly has a choice between Mays and E Thomas–they take Thomas; and if D Williams is still on the board when SD picks they’ll grab him and take a RB in the early 2nd due to the lack of 3-4 NT’s in rd 1. “Spoon is a good pickup for us at a position of need, so despite my advocacy of a trade-down, I wouldn’t complain a bit….
Gene Okerlund
April 9th, 2010
11:46 am
Dude, you have got to be Pouncey’s uncle or cousin. Please give full disclosure, because these mocks are pure lunacy.
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
11:49 am
I would rather trade down and take the linebacker Hughes from TCU than Weatherspoon.. Hughes is alot faster and more athletic than Spoon and we would be getting another pick if we traded down
Bryant
April 9th, 2010
12:00 pm
Trade up and take Mclain from Bama. He is a better linebacker than Urlacher already.
SeminoleWarrior
April 9th, 2010
12:01 pm
DO Led, please let TD and Smitty know that they have reserved seats on the Express.
jack
April 9th, 2010
12:02 pm
what about earl watson guys, he seems to have snuck up the draft boards and is now being talked about as a top 3 safety by D led
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
12:03 pm
Now if Mclain is there he is the pick hands down
Paddy
April 9th, 2010
12:06 pm
kelvin davis…….I like your thinking on this point.
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
12:15 pm
yea i would agree that its pretty great how spoon has made over 400 tackles in his career at mizzou but more than half of them were after the ball carrier already gained 6 yards.. we have players on our team that can make those kinda plays already.. trade down to get another pick and then take hughes.. the next demarcus ware if he is coached up the right way and i believe our coaching staff will be able to get him in the right spots
H. Sarasota Tungstenmediocre
April 9th, 2010
12:21 pm
Hey, D-Led,
what is the deal with this man cruch you have on Pouncey? You finally have the Falcons taking someone whose initials aren’t MP, but then you suddenly move that someone up 8 spots in the first round. I don’t know about a center going that high in this draft. Oh, and look for a shocking move to come out of Washington. I’m thinking they might actually make a play for Clausen or Colt McCoy to provide a backup/future franchise QB behind McNabb.
FDB
April 9th, 2010
12:31 pm
The one lingering question for me is: if the Falcons actually select an OLB with the 19th pick, then they are the worst poker players on the planet. And I do not think TD is a bad poker player. So who would it be that we have not heard about (barring an obvious slide like Spiller). You sure that DE comment at the meetings was not a head fake? Could it be Eversen Griffin. A pix says a 1000 words, and that flexing is not the character image AB and TD want. But it has been awfully quiet re: DEs (although Graham would be a DE). Somehow I just sense that Pierre Paul is high risk. But his measurables are almost exactly the same as Griffen. I think Flowery Branch will make the decision of which player will be most dominant at his position. If OLB option is not as dominant as a Griffen, then they will go DE instead and get OLB in the 3rd round with Jason Worldis or Dekoda Watson in 4th . I also think Cam Chancellor could move down to OLB. If we could somehow work Carlton Mitchell in as a WR to those first four rounds, that would do it. And while I am dreaming, pick up Tennant in the 5th. Voila!
Bubba, Lower Forty
April 9th, 2010
12:33 pm
spoon, spooN, spoON, spOON, sPOON, SPOON!!!
J
April 9th, 2010
12:40 pm
Trade down and get Eric Berry he is the next Champ Bailey.
Mike Jay
April 9th, 2010
12:46 pm
DOL has never choosen pouncy over Spoon. It’s just that spoon was already gone by 19 in most of his drafts. I agree With Walker, Pouncy or Spoon. If not then trade the pick. Though Gresham at TE could be an interesting surprise first round pick…
FalconsFan284
April 9th, 2010
12:49 pm
Sean Weatherspoon=Defensive Rookie of the Year!
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
12:53 pm
to bad eric berry is a safety and champ bailey is definitely a cornerback so how is he the next champ… and we are one of the dumbest teams if we dont draft cj spiller if he is there.. that would make norwood easy to trade and we could definitely add a second round pick by trading norwood and maybe our 4th round pick.. but i doubt cj spiller will be there but anything is possible
nativefalcon
April 9th, 2010
12:55 pm
Oh Lord he finally picks Spoon, Best mock you have had D-Led. It will be Spoon or Graham. I just don’t see us taking a center in the first round unless we traded down.
enz
April 9th, 2010
1:21 pm
If somehow Rolando McClain fell to us that would be great, but isn’t he an ILB?? Or can he play both ILB and OLB?
chris taylor
April 9th, 2010
1:28 pm
No offensive linemen for San Fran? They’ll at least take one. Watch, New England will trade some of it’s picks to move up & get Dez Bryant, it will happen. Spoon will be good, i’d rather have Hughes & a 2nd. Graham is still my favorite.
mez
April 9th, 2010
1:44 pm
do whatever needs to be done to get Daryl Washington
Fan since 74
April 9th, 2010
1:47 pm
I think the Falcons need more help at Linebacker than at D-Line.
no crying
April 9th, 2010
1:52 pm
I don’t get this mock draft. 5 of the first 11 picks are Offensive lineman! and 8 out of the first round are on the o-line. This does not seem like a normal distribution for the draft. Has the OL become the new glamor position, are teams picking OL because of there isn’t a salary cap. Are there that many great lineman available? Is the guy doing the mock draft a former O-Lineman? I don’t recall the league ever being this disciplined before. What gives?
Mr. Phil
April 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
I really, really, really want the Birds to take Spoon. But, I think Griffen, Graham, Pouncey, and Weatherspoon will all be gone and the Falcons take Taylor Mays (LB/S).
Mike Hughes
April 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
Given the niners are dangerously shallow at RB and DT and need a return man, they should take Spiller with their first draft choice. Then, they should trade down to the end of the first round and take Cody or Troup. They will still be able to pick up a good offensive lineman (John Jerry or Mitch Petrus) and a solid defensive back (Rolle, Thomas, Cook, Wilson) in the second and third rounds.
The Real Falcon
April 9th, 2010
2:05 pm
You like Pouncey so much you see him going ahead of Spiller and D. Bryant? That is some koolaid!
Sly Ty
April 9th, 2010
2:07 pm
I will be happy with Spoon, or whoever so long as it is not TE Jermaine Gresham. TD and Smitty have done a great job setting us up for success. We will challenge for the NFC South again. As falcon fans, WE are much better than say the IDIOT PHILLY FANS, who have helped run McNabb out of town, which helps us gain a playoff spot. TD and Smitty will continue to lead us in the right direction.
Sorry, DLed...
April 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
…But you are CRAZY if you think anyone is going to take a center with the 11th pick in the draft. I’m seriously beginning to question your credentials by pushing this Pouncey kid so hard. Also, the Falcon’s aren’t going to take him. They still need a pass rush and that is WAY more important to them (and any other NFL team for that matter) than and interior offensive lineman. Personally, I think the team would be blessed if they have the chance to draft Brandon Graham. The guy’s college stats speak for themselves and Dimitroff has always used actual performance on the field over combine/workout performance to judge prospects.
kelvin davis
April 9th, 2010
2:29 pm
Atlanta Falcons first 5 picks.. Trade down with the patriots to get a 2nd round pick
1st Round-Jerry Hughes
2nd Round-Best DE available at the time
3rd Round-Matt Tennant
4th Round- Riley Cooper or Dezmon Briscoe
5th Round-Brandon James
As much as I like Eric Weems and thought he did a good job Brandon James would be a steal for us if he is there in the 5th Round.. Somebody agree with me on this draft cause it looks very realistic to me
D. Orlando Bedwetter
April 9th, 2010
2:37 pm
Are you Puncey’s agent? If not, you have to be Spikes agent, right? I haven’t seen him even sniff the first round. Do you know something everyone else doesn’t?
Roadhog10
April 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
Why do football player alway say”Ye Baby”? I hate it ,hate it!
Brian Hunt
April 9th, 2010
4:04 pm
I’d be happy with either Pouncey or Spoon. Spoon would seem to be the bigger need, but Pouncey is a safer pick. Todd has been fine at center, but he does get out muscled often by the leagues 3-4 NTs and he’s on the downside of his career. Pouncey would solidify the position for another decade. That’s huge.
Mr. Phil
April 9th, 2010
4:14 pm
ATTENTION PEOPLE: Pouncey WILL NOT be available at 19 ( he won’t go 11) but he will, i repeat will, i repeat will be gone BEFORE 19. So can we put this discussion to rest. IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN CLOSE THE BOOK!
truth
April 9th, 2010
5:02 pm
ATTENTION Mr. Phil……………..SHUT UP!!!
truth
April 9th, 2010
5:03 pm
The Falcons should use their first three picks on the O-LINE.
Fred Sandord III
April 9th, 2010
5:15 pm
DLed, was your great aunt a Pouncey? Also, all Clausens of the football inclination were born stupid. Not NFL material.
MariettaFalcon
April 9th, 2010
8:08 pm
If Graham is not available, then I will be happy with SPOOOOOOOON!!!! (That would sound nice in the Georgia Dome).
Cowboy
April 9th, 2010
8:40 pm
Kindle at 15 to the Giants is from Texas not Missouri
chris taylor
April 9th, 2010
8:58 pm
Yes, i’d like Spoon Too, if Graham was gone. Spoon will be a great player. I just don’t see how a WLB used mostly in coverage is supposed to generate more pass rush than a DE like Graham, especially in BVG’s system. Who knows, maybe he goes blitz crazy this year if he can get some players to actually make it to the QB. Maybe they believe the coverage Spoon and Dunta can provide added with our D-line getting healthier will provide the pass rush we need.
Jeff
April 9th, 2010
9:37 pm
The AJC development team needs to revoke your styling controls.
Glitchy
April 9th, 2010
9:50 pm
Well, at least you got off Pouncey, D-Led……..I know you were just doing that to jerk our chains, right? You don;t use your Number 1 (when you don;t have a number 2) to make a position pick that is not a weakness – you get the BC center or somebody like that in 3rd or 4th.
Glitchy
April 9th, 2010
9:54 pm
DOL is a Pouncey on his mother’s side!!
Hamad Meander
April 9th, 2010
10:04 pm
Yes please. A starter from day one, will play more downs than Graham would and is a better fit for our 4-3 defense
S.E.A.N. W.E.A.T.H.E.R.S.P.O.O.N
waynester
April 9th, 2010
10:15 pm
kelvin davis
You stated earlier that we’d be “stupid” not to take Spiller if he falls to us, as then we’d have “no problem” getting a 2nd for Norwood. If that was true we’d have taken that deal already. It seems there are no takers for Jerious…. as for the “stupidity” assertion, if the Chargers or another RB-needy team is willing to move up to 19 for Spiller, and we didn’t take it, THAT would be “stupid” as change of pace backs are fairly plentiful in this draft and we’re well stacked at the position. I don’t believe in blowing up your draft for one particular guy–no matter how well he did against collegiate competition. Our needs on defense are approaching “dire”. We’ve got to find an OLB and a penetrating DT bare minimum (I think we need another DE, CB and SS). That overwhelms the need for a part-time RB bigtime, no matter who it is.
On the positive side, I like your trade-down scenario with NE, and, yes, I do believe it’s realistic. The difference between 9 picks and 10-11 could be huge– so if the opportunity is there, get more picks!
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
10:24 pm
I’d be pleased as punch with Sean Weatherspoon.
I’d be happy with Brandon Graham, and I think it bears mentioning that all the serious draft pundits are listing him as a DE/OLB hybrid, so just STOP with all of the talk about him being just a DE.
The Falcons are still trying to get into the second round, meaning that they may have to give up their first round pick (and get 2 second rounders, or a lower 1st rounder and a decent 2nd rounder, who knows).
So Spoon is not automatically a guaranteed pick for us. But I’d be damn glad to have him.
I don’t have anything more to say about the idea of picking Pouncey, than I’ve already said. Don’t have a thing against him, but I wouldn’t be pleased with that as our #1 pick unless we got some truly awesome picks elsewhere in the draft (like, in the 2nd and third rounds). Don’t know about that scenario.
I know it must have pained D-Led to have Weatherspoon as the Falcons pick in this mock draft.
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
10:26 pm
Waynester ,
I agree with you. If we can trade and get more high value picks, then by all means do it.
We don’t need Spiller nearly that badly. But somebody might need who could be available at #19, very badly.
For more trade back scenarios, review D3’s blog, called The Bird Cage. You’ll love it.
Hamad Meander
April 9th, 2010
10:59 pm
Big Ray – as I stated in the Bird Cage, when they list Graham as a “Hybrid”, what they are saying is that he isn’t the typical size to play end in a 3-4, so he would be a OLB in that system. In a 4-3, he would play end. The Falcons will be drafting Graham to play defensive end period, because we run and have personnel for the 4-3 system.
Trading current players do not yield draft picks traditionally. To get in the second round, we would most likely have to surrender our first round pick. Unless Graham and Weatherspoon are both gone, I’m not interested.
Monger
April 9th, 2010
11:31 pm
So No Carlos Dunlap in the first round?? and he’s not even a fringe player either? Last I checked he was a the best pass rusher in the SEC for its 2nd best team….thats a little odd mr. bed wetter…
Im guessing he must have poured his beer on your head and pantsed you at one of those wild gainesville parties, and Maurkice Pouncey was the one who comforted you outside…(your love infatuation with Pouncey all makes sense now!!!)
ICDogg
April 10th, 2010
1:16 am
I am pretty sure the Eagles would take Earl Thomas over Taylor Mays if they were drafting a safety in that spot.
As far as Pouncey, I think it’s silly that anyone would even think of drafting him before, say, pick 28 or so. And even that is a bit of a reach.
Doug
April 10th, 2010
1:29 am
First you leave him out of the first round, then you list him as “Jim” Clausen. It’s surprising to me how many sportswriters let their prejudices influence their writings. Tell us DOL, hand on the Bible, what do you think about Notre Dame?
Kwijibo
April 10th, 2010
2:29 am
If we got Pouncey, couldn’t he make a run at a starting position at G? Truth’s post about using our first 3 picks on offensive linemen made me think.. I wish we could get a stud OLT so that Sam “T-Rex Arms” Baker could go play right tackle.
Need an outside linebacker, but Sidbury should get a look if he shows it on the field over the summer.
Falcons reportedly were rejected by the Oakland Raiders in their attempt to offload Jamal Anderson for the rights to Bo Jackson. Is he terrible? Nope, but shouldn’t he be doing more for us?
LMAO
April 10th, 2010
3:01 am
Well,well,well D.Orlando Bedwetter–u finally get off Pouncey but u move him up eight spots?! Really? Dude please loosen that bowtie!!!! We need help on defense and at wide reciever, do u even watch the Falcons? Im starting to think u wish u were Tim Tebow so Maurice L. Pouncey can put his hands up your butt.
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
4:39 am
1st-Brandon Graham-He will take over the right end position and help out Abraham. Plays hard every play and will eat up alot of the offensive linemen he goes against just because of his explosive first step.. And thats not even mentioning his strength
3rd-Brandon Spikes-Has the talent to play outside and will be the replacement for Peterson.. Has good coverage skills in open space and has great hands for a linebacker. Has good leadership abilities as well and isn’t afraid to get in someones face
3rd-Matt Tennant-Already has played with Matt Ryan and will take over for McClure in a year. Michael Turner struggled a bit trying to run up the middle because McClure doesn’t have that edge anymore
4th-Riley Cooper-Tall and great hands and actually has the speed that we need in a number 2 receiver. No disrespect to Jenkins but we all know you need 2 very good receivers on the outside to be good.. He reminds me of a better Kevin Walter and he destroyed alot of good corners in the SEC last year and the year before.. Might not block as good as Jenkins but thats what practice is for.. To get better at something
5th-Brandon James-Has the ability to score any time on kickoff and punt returns
5th-Colin Peek-Great blocking tight end that helped open holes for the Heisman trophy winner and good hand.. Replacement for Gonzalez in 2 years.. Made alot of tough catches for Alabama when Julio Jones was getting double teamed
6th-Cord Howard-Played well for Georgia Tech helping them be one of the great running teams and opening up holes for Dwyer to run through. Yes they were an option team but he still had to block somebody.. We got Garret Renolds in this round last year and he played pretty good
6th-Leigh Tiffin-Has a big time leg and saved Alabama in a couple of big games last year by knocking down long kicks… Falcon Fans if the draft happened this way would you be happy with the outcome or no?? Let me know cause we are all in this together to help bring a Lombardi Trophy to Atlanta.. Personally I think this would be a great draft for us if it worked out this way.. We definitely get better from last year with these pickups and we pickup 4 starters in Graham, Spikes, Tennant, and Cooper
ThisMocksAJoke
April 10th, 2010
4:45 am
Spikes won’t even be taken in the 2nd round, Due to his 5 sec 40. Earl Thomas won’t make it past the Steelers. Dan Williams won’t get by the Chargers. Jimmy Clausen wont make it out of the top 10 lol
willieg hates bill shanks
April 10th, 2010
6:53 am
hey ORLANDO what about the falcons giving trading this years one # 1 for marshall in denver ,i mean with white, and marshall, and tony wow who could stop that all day long NO-ONE !!!!!!
willieg hates bill shanks
April 10th, 2010
6:55 am
ALSO atlanta get gerhart from stanford and have a good running back for a long time.
NFL News and Notes – April 10, 2010 | The Other 31
April 10th, 2010
8:56 am
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the Atlanta Falcons taking Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon in the 7th version of his mock draft. [...]
Morrus
April 10th, 2010
9:34 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
9:56 am
Kevin Davis: I really like your mock posted earlier this morning with the exception of switching Tennant to the comp. pick and possibly taking Mitchell over Cooper.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:16 am
I wasn’t able to get on much yesterday. Got ordered into some Family time over last weekend of spring break.
You all seem to be doing fine on your own.
Bradley went for the Graham bait.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/04/08/6-out-of-7-draftniks-agree-the-falcons-will-take-de-graham/
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:20 am
willieg — Don’t hate on Bill Shanks. He’s a nice guy. I wouldn’t do the Marshall deal. Boy, he can play, but he keeps up a lot of mess. Hard to please. Gerhart would have to be a lead blocker here.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
10:51 am
THE STEELERS ANNOUNCE THEIR VISITORS:
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/List-of-pre-draft-player-visits—4-9/573a6101-67ec-4fe8-815c-4936378b3c55
List of pre-draft player visits – 4-9
Bob Labriola – Steelers.com
Posted Apr 9, 2010
Each NFL team is allowed to bring 30 prospects in for visits in advance of the 2010 Draft, which is scheduled for April 22-23-24.
The passing attack has become a big part of winning and losing in the NFL, and on Friday, April 9 the Steelers visited with three players who will be involved in that aspect of the game.
One day after hosting six players for their pre-draft visits, the Steelers closed out the week by bringing in three more – two wide receivers and a safety.
The wide receivers were Emmanuel Sanders, 5-foot-11, 186-pounds from SMU, and Rejus Benn, 6-1, 219, from Illinois. The safety was Earl Thomas, 5-10, 208, from Texas.
Sanders, a team captain, led SMU in receiving in 2009 with 98 catches that were good for a 13.7 average, and he also returned 20 punts and finished with a 13.8 average. Benn is another team captain who led the Illini in receiving in each of the past three seasons, and he also eats no red meat or fried foods.
Thomas broke up 17 passes as a redshirt freshman in 2008 to set a school record in that category, and then in 2009 as a redshirt sophomore he had eight interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
On April 8, the Steelers visited with guard Mike Iupati, 6-5, 331, from Idaho; and center Maurkice Pouncey, 6-4, 301, from Florida. The defensive linemen were Clifton Geathers, 6-7, 299, from South Carolina and Linval Joseph, 6-4, 328, from East Carolina. Also making a visit was wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, 6-3, 215, from South Florida; and tight end Rob Gronkowski, 6-6, 264, from Arizona.
So far, the Steelers have had 28 players in for visits – six offensive linemen, six wide receivers, five linebackers, three cornerbacks, three defensive lineman, three safeties, one running back and one tight end.
On April 7, the team visited with wide receivers were Dez Bryant, 6-2, 225, from Oklahoma State, and Golden Tate, 5-10, 199, from Notre Dame; running back LeGarrette Blount, 6-0, 241, from Oregon; and linebackers Koa Misi, 6-3, 251, from
Utah, and Adrian Tracy, 6-3, 248, from William & Mary.
On April 6, the Steelers entertained offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga, 6-5, 315, from Iowa. Bulaga is considered a first-round talent in the upcoming draft.
The Steelers ended their first week of pre-draft visits on Thursday, April 1 by meeting with defensive back Brandon Ghee, 6-0, 192, from Wake Forest; and linebacker Eric Norwood, 6-1, 245, from South Carolina.
On March 31, the Steelers brought in cornerback Nolan Carroll, 6-0, 200, from Maryland; cornerback Kareem Jackson, 5-11, 190, from Alabama; cornerback Kyle Wilson, 5-10, 190, from Boise State; wide receiver Joe Webb, 6-3, 223, from Alabama-Birmingham; and linebacker Albert McClellan, 6-1, 247, from Marshall.
On March 30, it was guard Jacques McClendon, 6-3, 324, from Tennessee; and tackle Rodger Saffold, 6-5, 315, from Indiana.
On March 29, the Steelers visited with defensive lineman Michael Neal, 6-3, 294, from Purdue; guard Chris DeGeare, 6-4, 325, from Wake Forest; safety Darrell Stuckey, 6-0, 205, from Kansas; and linebacker Navorro Bowman, 6-2, 242, from Penn State
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 10th, 2010
11:02 am
FALCONS VISITS OR WORKOUT — Unlike the Steelers, the Falcons don’t announce their visits. Sometimes agent will tell if they have a player that is visiting, but they don’t like to go on the record. I’ve been keeping track of visits, planned visits, workouts and planned workouts. If I missed any send, them along.
Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
J.D. Walton, C, Baylor – according Scout.com, Chris Steuber
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Everson Griffen, DE, USC – Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Brian Price, DT, UCLA – Gil Brandt
Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU
Damian Williams, WR, USC – Aaron Wilson, citing league source
Sean Lee, LB, Penn State — Aaron Wilson, citing league source
Traye Simmons, CB, Minnesota — Scout.com – Chris Steuber unamed source
Mike Iupati is supposed to visit the Falcons
Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan
Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:07 am
DLed
Gerhardt is a great guy and RB but given the current makeup of the backfield there’s not really a spot for him. Ovie is the man! No way on Marshall–WAY too much trouble for his worth. Enjoy that family time–it’s what makes life worth living–a job is just a job,after all, and life is too short not to spend it with people who actually love you…..have a great weekend!
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:14 am
DLed
Great info! What about the LB from Miami(Cunningham?) and the LB with the hard-to-pronounce name (Vuva-something)?
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:22 am
DLed
Sorry– it was Sharpton from UM and Vuna Tuihalamaka from AZ. Big DT/DE Alualu was another one I seem to remember–thanks….
waynester
April 10th, 2010
11:38 am
Sporting News had a great interview with B Graham a couple of days ago that I highly reccomend. Asked about his goals on the field he says he wants to be the “ultimate team player” and above all “wants to be feared” that’s the missing ingredient on our defense–nobody is afraid of us right now but they will be..they will be…..
Charles J.
April 10th, 2010
11:44 am
Hey, WHBS here’s the way that goes because you have too give to get so check this out. We give 1, 4 and 6 to Denverfor Marshall and their 2 what you think wikk it work.
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 10th, 2010
12:27 pm
D-Led, the Falcons visit list looks a bit different from the list I posted on your blog Wednesday before your TD meeting, but still nice (Eric Cook for example, just pulling from unsubstantiated internet postings – all I have).
I see you list Graham as a LB now. earlier, you mentioned that the Falcons had him as a DE on their board. Has that changed:?
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 10th, 2010
12:31 pm
Jordan Shipley was another I saw talked to the Falcons.
I asked a few days ago if private visits during school pro days could as one of the 30 official visits? One of the potential questions for TD I posted, I believe.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
12:39 pm
Atlanta probably just don’t want Marshall here. Dude was a 4th rd pick so a chip on the shoulder is to be expected but this is something else. He is just too difficult. That LB Koa Misi that Pittsburgh brought in is gonna be good, i’ve heard/seen some good things on him. That being said, just get Graham in the first and move into 2nd for an LB. Draft a WR and Tennant in the 3rd. Pick up another OL in the 4th and then BPA at positions of need from there on.
waynester
April 10th, 2010
12:56 pm
chris taylor
If we take Graham in the 1st, how do we get back into the 2nd? That’s the dilemma. As far as we know, no team has wanted any of our FA eligible players at the price we’re asking. Unless we can move a player for picks, the math just doesn’t work for us to move UP–that only leaves moving down. It’s possible Graham could still be there later in the 1st if we can come up with a trading partner in the mid-20’s, but it’s a real stretch….
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
2:16 pm
my draft from earlier was pretty legit.. everything that could happen for us is in my draft that i put up
Hamad Meander
April 10th, 2010
4:33 pm
If # 19 is Pouncey – then he starts. There is no way in the world you pick a center in the first round if he doesn’t start day one. That would mean moving McClure out of course.
I’m still sold on sticking at # 19 and picking Weatherspoon or Graham. If they pick Graham, I hope their next pick is an OLB, because we need help there worse than @ defensive end. Also, if Graham is the pick, I would assume that Jamal Anderson would move to defensive tackle, or be moved to another team. I doubt we could generate enough interest to trade Anderson for a draft pick, but I’d take a 4th rounder if offered.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
7:07 pm
I’m not sure how they will get back in the 2nd, that’s just best case scenerio. Worst case is, Graham in 1st, OLB in the 3rd with Tennant as comp pick, then grab WR in the 4th, BPA at positions of need with the rest. If everybody thinks we don’t have a pass rush now, wait till Abe’s contract is up. Graham is the kinda guy to take his place. No one else on our roster fits that 3 down DE to replace him.
Big Ray
April 10th, 2010
7:21 pm
Trading back is not a killer. It may turn out even better than having that first round pick and then having to wait 60-something picks later to get anybody else. Some great value/players in the 2nd round.
TEAMPLAYER
April 10th, 2010
7:22 pm
HOW ABOUT AN UPDATE ON JERRY AND DOUGLASS….. ASSUMPTION IS ONE THING KNOWING IS ANOTHER
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
9:03 pm
Through all honesty we should take Dez Bryant if he fell to 19… Him and Roddy White would be one of the best WR duos in the league.. Look at all the teams who have 2 very good receivers… Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.. Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason will be Flaccos targets.. Brady had Moss and Welker.. Drew Brees has Marques Colston and Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem.. Aaron Rodgers has Donald Driver and Brandon Jennings.. Carson Palmer had a great combo in TJ Housh and Chad Johnson before TJ left for Seattle.. Those are all great duos.. All im saying is if Dez Bryant falls to 19 we should think about it Falcon fans… And Dez does not have character issues.. I bet none of us can name one bad thing he has done besides lying to the NCAA about eating with Deion Sanders.. I mean come on.. That little incident makes him a bad person…
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
9:18 pm
He won’t be there at 19 Kelvin or we would. I wouldn’t mind trading down for two 2nd’s either but our most likely trading partner is NE who will trade some of their 2nds to move up and get Dez Bryant, watch! It will happen. Randy Moss is getting older and losing a step, they will get Dez to keep Brady “The #1 Man” to throw to.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
9:31 pm
NE knows they’ll be picking in the bottom of the 1st every year. Thats why they acrue these extra picks like they do, as ammunition to go get the players they want. I would trade our 1st this year for someone’s 2nd this year and they’re 1st next year. Don’t think teams get that desperate? Wait till draft night. Maybe even work a deal with a player+late round picks for someone’s 2nd next year. Keep our 3rd, 4th, 5th round picks and trade the 6ths with a player for next years 2nd. We’d have a 2, two 3’s, a 4, two 5th’s this year totaling 6. Next year we’d have two 1sts, two 2nds, then one in each round plus whatever comp. picks recieved by FA leaving. Talk about one hell of an ending to TD’S 5 year plan.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
9:42 pm
Uncaped year too, i’d pay the hell out of McClure and Clabo that way when they left i’d most likely get 3rd’s when they walk. Resign Dahl cause he kills in the run game, Blalock is someone who needs to be traded. In passing situations he just passes out like he’s got narcolepsy.
Charles J.
April 10th, 2010
9:48 pm
I agree on Dez Bryant guysif he’s their, but like Chris aint no way he last till we pick at 19 and if he into the mid teens I hope we make the move up to get him. Then maybe we could offer the RAMS a player say BABs for there 2nd before you go wild on me you have to give to get. Then we could find the OLB one of those TCU guys will be there.
kelvin davis
April 10th, 2010
9:53 pm
yea i agree with the both of you on the dez bryant thing.. i dont think he’ll be there at 19 but at least we all agree to draft him if he does fall.. randy moss fell even though we thought he was a top ten pick.. he didn’t get drafted until 21st so lets keep hope alive just in case
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
10:06 pm
Those ideas would sure make for an average draft this year but, we’d get a good LB in the 2nd, still get a WR and Tennant in the 3rd. Still have that 4th and two 5ths to play with OL or whatever. We could sign whatever FAs we needed to fill in the gaps that are left. That along with our picks last year getting healthy we would still be contenders, don’t let our 9-7 record fool you. We lost some close games. That would set us up to be “THE” team in 2011, The makings of our own dynasty.
falcon21
April 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
We already pay our receivers a lot of money and I don’t think anyone will be willing to take Jenkins contract off our hands. So how the hell can we pay Dez all that money as a #1 pick? A WR will not help this team at all unless the O-Line is fixed first. We need help on the O-Line now.
chris taylor
April 10th, 2010
11:48 pm
In an uncaped year we might drop him if Dez fell. Look how Carolina droped Jake Delhome with 12.5mil left in guarentied $. I’m not sure how much more Jenkins is guarentied though, and this is a run first team. Jenkins is a hell of a blocker. We’re just saying ATL would take him if he’s there. He won’t be so why bother, and I don’t see us moving up for anybody. We won’t blow up our whole draft for one player with “possible……possible” off field issues.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Saturday Six Pack 4/10/10: Happiest War Rooms Edition
April 11th, 2010
1:01 am
[...] AJC: Comrade delivers lusty and gregarious speech to enraptured citizen newspaperman! On topic of imminent collegiate athlete harvest! Nestles long strings of prepositional phrases and gerunds within each other — matryoshka doll sentences! Never actually says anything revelatory, is nevertheless fun to listen to! SIDE NOTE why are AJC photos always so poorly formatted? Got John Abraham looking like the actual Predator. [...]
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 11th, 2010
1:07 am
Check out Sam Farmer’s Beat Writer’s Mock in the LA Times/Chi Tribune. Pouncey is 11th. (I knew about this before I moved him up in our latest.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sc-spt-0411-farmer-nfl–20100410,0,1734979,full.story
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 11th, 2010
1:10 am
TEAM PLAYER — THERE IS NO UPDATE ON JERRY AND DOUGLAS. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR TRAINING CAMP. THEY ARE REHABBING. THEY HAD SEVERE KNEE INJURIES.
tgs
April 11th, 2010
1:51 am
Looking at that picture, Abraham should try out for the NBA.
CB969
April 11th, 2010
1:54 am
I have a really bad feeling the Falcons are going to screw up this draft.
chris taylor
April 11th, 2010
2:30 am
Ahhh man…….I have a real bad feeling bout it too……..nope thats the lucky charms and bratwurst mixing. Have some confidence in your team man! How long has TD been here ? We just finished our first consecutive winning seasons in “FRANCHISE HISTORY” If you can’t see we’re moving in the right direction with a great owner, general manager, and head coach then you need to quit letting the Saints throw that “naw-lins” mud in your eyes. We got this.
mgdawg
April 11th, 2010
10:03 am
Spoon just seems like the better choice all around. It is a need position in which he can come in and make an immediate impact. Also, there isn’t a lot of money already being spent on the LB position.
Charles J.
April 11th, 2010
12:26 pm
OK! Look here no one is saying Dez Braynt will be the pick, we just don’t think that if and I mean if he fell that for we’d be crazy to pass on him. Like most of us I have a Spoooon in my heart I guess he’s our man chrush right DOL, lol but you have to know when too grab a bull before you can bulldog him. And if that manchild fall I pray that TD is like minded. Now about that OL TD has been picking up spare parts in each draft and FA so I inplure you to trust that progress has been made. If we could give the RAMs BABs and #6 for there #2 I beleave that one of the guys from TCU will still be there. Yea that means I don’t trust DOL mock why should we the man couldn’t buy a clue.lol With that being sucured we turn to the OL with our two 3rd and and look to pick a TE hopefully Colin Peek from Bama or the BYU Dennis Pitta like the guy from Miami to serve a year as backup to Tony G..
dilla
April 11th, 2010
5:22 pm
It makes no sense for the Falcons to take a center in the 1st round no matter if Pouncey is available or not. The Falcons biggest weakness is defense. Every mock draft I have seen shows the Falcons picking a defense player with the 1st pick pick. What the @%$# is DOL talking about.
Also in my opinion the Falcons should cut Jamaal Anderson, he is a waste of a roster spot.
kelvin davis
April 11th, 2010
6:28 pm
No we should trade Jamaal Anderson… Theres always that one team that is dumb enough to trade for a player that isn’t that good.. And the Saints signed Alex Brown from the Bears.. I thought we should have looked more into that but it is what it is.. We should’ve beat the saints both times last year and we should have won at carolina.. thats 3 wins.. we are 12 and 4 if we keep running the ball against all those teams with a healthy michael turner.. the defense held for as long as they could in those games
B>JONES
April 11th, 2010
7:19 pm
so let me get this rightespn and Si scouts are wrong with the picks for us but your right hmmm…
chris taylor
April 11th, 2010
11:52 pm
Can’t run the ball on some o-line help. A great o-line with an average back, guarantied 1500yds+ per year. I just don’t think an o-lineman of 1st rd quality will be there when we pick.
collegedude
April 12th, 2010
1:27 am
love the spoon pick.
Falcon fans, come meet & have lunch with 3 Falcon’s legends & support a local charity at the same time. Jeff Van Note, Jessie Tuggle, & Buddy Curry will be there and have a Q&A session with those in attendence. Check it out here: http://www.falconnationcharities.org/lunchwithlegends.html
kelvin davis
April 12th, 2010
3:55 am
Like I said before every team needs 2 really good receivers.. Now the Jets have Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes.. Not to mention Jericho Cotchery who will be very dangerous in the slot… And we just have Roddy White.. Harry Douglas is a very good slot receiver.. We need 2 very good receivers on the outside.. Matt Ryan will get alot better with another great receiver but we’ll see what happens by the end of the draft
Charles J.
April 12th, 2010
4:17 am
That’s all I’m saying KD. And I hope with all that’s in me that Dez Braynt is there just to see who TD agree with. Because I think even if he does pick Dez if he wants to he’d find away to get back the 1st or 2nd round I beleave in our GM. you see i’m so old that I know i’m not smarter than a 5th grader,lol So why should think I think i’m smarter than TD.
Reginald Jones
April 12th, 2010
8:10 am
i don’t like this pick. Graham will be a better pick. We need a bull up front, with a motor. Who was the top defense lineman for tackles for loss in 2009, not Suh or McCoy. Lets make him the other bookend with Ham and groom Sidbury and Beirman for replacement.
NFL Draft Update Countdown | 10 Days | Football Jabber
April 12th, 2010
8:20 am
[...] Graham is the wrong pick for the Falcons, says D. Orlando Ledbetter at [...]
G8orEd1
April 12th, 2010
10:37 am
kelvin,,,In speaking regarding the Gators in your draft,,,#1) Brandon Spikes should be a solid round 2 pick, so I don’t see him being available to us in the third round, 2) I agree with Riley Cooper in the fourth round, but he is a very good blocking wide receiver, 3) Brandon James can only return punts in the NFL, so I think the fifth round is a little high for him.
lazydawg
April 12th, 2010
10:48 am
The Cornerback out of Alabama (Jackson) would be a great pick to sure up our D. For the record I’m not a Bama fan ,but you can play him in man coverage and put him on a island.
Paddy O
April 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
I like kelvin davis’ picks.
chris taylor
April 12th, 2010
1:13 pm
I say get Graham, he’s going to be a one of kind at DE. But as I look more at recent trades, all of the good to decent OLB’s will be gone in the first to second round. Hughes has recently moved into the first on some draft boards. If we don’t take one in the first or move into second hard to say we get a good player at that position. With that being said, i’d still take Graham. Just get the best coverage guy availabe in the third at OLB. Lofton will be a beast at MLB this year and Graham’s presence opposite Abe, that with with Jerry returning we will have the makings of the best front 7 in football. We need impact players at both positions. It’s just a question of which comes first. Neither is wrong, both are right. I just prefer Graham, but would be satisfied with Spoon.
kelvin davis
April 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
I think its funny how some of us have a difference of opinions on the 1st round but after that we all seem to be on agreement on how the rest of the draft should go for us… And for those of you who do agree with me thanks… I’m still mad Santonio Holmes (one of the best receivers in the league) went to New York for basically nothing… Joe Flacco has lots of good targets to throw to now as does Mark Sanchez… Its time for us to stock up on Matt Ryans targets… I would rather have alot than not enough… But don’t get me wrong… I do agree defense is our number 1 concern… I just believe what I’m saying isn’t wrong either
chris white
April 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
If Graham,Weatherspoon and Pouncey are gone, the Falcons should select Deymarius from GT. He would be the best player left on the board. Roddy needs some help and then they can get some def. help in round 3. I don’t think that if those 3 def players are gone than, they have to look at offensive help.
chris taylor
April 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
I agree we need another big time threat on the outside for Ryan. Out of all the FA WR’s out there Bouldin was the cleanest. Marshall, Holmes etc. all had too much baggage for us. We have been devastated by off field issues. Then also we want young players too. Torry Holt is still out there and is older but is probably one of the best route runners in football history. We never got good production out of Peerless Price so that turns us off on old receivers. We have got to get a big time receiver in later rounds cause I can’t see us picking one in the 1st rd this year or next with the holes on defence and the o-line.
Charles J.
April 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
Let me just ask everyone. How do you know that the players TD has drafted the past two years arn’t ready to stepup? So do you really beleave in th man or his prosess. I beleave Troy and Sid are going to break out this year alone with C. Davis. I still say a trade of BABs will get us back into the 2nd rd hopefully to the RAMs. With them passing on N. Sue and G. McCoy for S. Bradford might willing to take him for there 2nd With a move of JA inside we’ll be a good.But Matt needs some more weapons I hope he does whatever it takes to get Dez Braynt. A big play maker is what we need.
chris taylor
April 12th, 2010
5:46 pm
Babs is facing a possible suspended sentence of 4 games. Hard to get a 2nd for him. Besides, he’s a good DT and are we really willing to risk JA taking over for him full time in the middle? We’ll get a WR, maybe in the 3rd or 4th rd. A guy like Cooper, Briscoe, or Mitchell. Yes we believe in TD’s picks coming through. They were real late rd. picks that are very good quality rotational back-ups. Hard to pass on a Thomas or Bryant if they are there. So let’s just agree on them as a contingency plan if they’re there.
chris taylor
April 12th, 2010
6:05 pm
Didn’t we average 20+ points a game last year? 28th in the leage against the pass. That says it all. We need a pass rush and o-line help. Those should be our focus. Who wants to spend our first 2-3 picks on o-line next year? If we don’t get some decent o-linemen this year thats what we’ll have to do.
kelvin davis
April 12th, 2010
7:42 pm
Our offensive line was injured most of last year… Sam Baker always plays well if he’s healthy… But he hasn’t been able to stay healthy for a whole year yet.. Justin Blaylock played pretty good at guard for us all year… Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl are very tough to get by for a d-line man when they are both healthy… And Todd McClure isn’t terrible but he obviously isn’t the Todd McClure we are used to seeing… Garrett Renoylds also played well when he got the chance to come in and play… And Quinn Ojinaka was doing ok until he got hurt to.. And when you look at all our linemen they are all young except for McClure.. Yes I think center needs to be addressed but so does WR… It wouldn’t matter to me if we got Dez Bryant or Demaryius Thomas.. I prefer Bryant who reminds me of Randy Moss, but I would mind at all if we got Thomas.. He’s a taller and faster version of Anquan Boldin to me… But yes I still agree that defense is our number one concern… Thomas Decoud and Dunta Robinson might be pro bowlers next year to if we get a good pass rush… Just thought I should throw that in there
Charles J.
April 13th, 2010
3:23 am
Thank you KD that’s what i’m talking about. Everyone seems too think those guys want get well and or play better.There is so much hate for Justin Blaylock, well then let him and Garrett Renoylds battle for the right tobe in the starting spot he showed promise last year. I’m not advocating that we don’t get a DE or OLB just happen to think our QB deserve more reliable help outside. Everyone is getting help for there young QBs but us. I hope with the addition of Dunta Robinson and Chris Owens going into training camp as a starter, thant in it’s self will buy another second or two fr the front seven. And look at last year types you see all the near misses we had. I think Babs is a very good DT and with the RAMs pulling the trigger on Sam Bradford we might could pull off such a trade.It just makes me crazy with all the moves other teams are making to get help for there young QBs and we standing pat. Look what just happen the yesterday with Santonio Holmes going to the Jets. You see it makes no defference to me if we get the DE or OLB first it matters that we see there is a need to try fo one of these top WR rather than set and wait to see what fall to later rounds. We need DEFENCE right well ok but less think about how they started to play towards the end of the year. I think they’ll build upon that with Dunta and Chris minning the corners. Man just beleave and it will happen, so STAND guys just STAND.
BirdDawg
April 13th, 2010
9:17 am
Fisrt off the draft will be trown off when St Louis picks up Jason Campell from Washington and does not get Bradford….Who do they take then????
BirdDawg
April 13th, 2010
9:17 am
*thrown*
Dwayne
April 13th, 2010
11:33 am
That cone that JA is standing by is 8 feet tall.
The Mock Draft Value Debate… A Complete Waste of Time « The Sports Debates©
April 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
[...] ninth by the Buffalo Bills. Hmmm, I found that interesting at the time. But a week later, in Mock Draft 7.0, he projected that Tebow was not going to be drafted in the first round. He was listed under the [...]
Falcons coach Mike Smith says mock drafts “may have it right” with team’s first-rounder | Prep Zone: High School Sports
April 15th, 2010
11:41 am
[...] Of course, we at the AJC, we know the only mock draft to trust — when it comes to the Falcons — is by our own NFL beat writer, D. Orlando Ledbetter. Click here for his latest first-round projections. [...]
Camden Mark
April 15th, 2010
10:29 pm
Good LB would be a nice choice for Atl
Jax needs thier heads examined if they don’t get,some way some how,Superman(Teabow) in a Jags uniform.
HB
April 16th, 2010
5:41 pm
Does everyone forget that the falcons took a Missouri guy in the second round last year? How’s that working out for us? Graham is the pick if he is there. High Motor guy with relentless pursuit is exactly the type of player Mike Smith wants