The Real Deal Mock Draft: Trades affect Falcons’ board

wow.
I guess TDs assertions yesterday in MB’s blog kinda solidify the majority of your mocks picking Pouncey.

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BTW, you can send my Morten Anderson throwback / authentic Mo Evans Hawks jersey (jersey No. 1 of course) up here to Delaware

so, if Pouncey is the pick , and plays G while getting cross-trained at C for McClure’s eventual retirement… who gets relegated to 2nd string … Dahl or Blalock?

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NO to Pouncey- i’m so adament about this- We Need Defense!! You can get a quality Center in the later rounds. BTW, It took Tebow 4 years to do what Herschel did in 3 years. Walker still the king of SEC

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Pouncey will come to Atlanta. Come guys can you not see the glaring need of o-lineman. It’s time to kick the 800lb gorilla out of the room. Still hang’n with you DLed. We will have the last laugh come draft day.

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Seems to me the Falcons have quite a few options (more than 4) at 19. My guess is they will be working hard in the next week to wrestle one of the Patriot’s 3 2nd round picks to move down to 22 and still get someone they would have picked at 19 anyway..

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Dr…..you need quality o-linemen to keep your offense on the field to keep your defense rested which will help the defense that much more. Did you not notice we had alot of 3 and outs last year because we couldn’t either create running lanes or give Matt time to survey the feild and get the ball to a receiver.

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DOL,
if things play out as you predict, who do you think that TD and Smitty believe could be an impact DE or OLB steal in the 3rd round (or 2nd if we trade back into the round)?

bascially, what is your mock pick for round 3-5 (straight up, no trade scenarios; makes thing way too complicated). Woudnt mind Troy’s Brandon Lang ….

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settling for Pouncey and playing him at Guard is no good. Better off grabbing a Mike Johnson(AL)etal in the later rounds and getting help for the “d” in rd 1 .

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truth, while i agree there was a lot of 3 & outs last year and McClure is aging- we did have a lot of starters missing games last year due to injury. like samantha baker every other game & dahl being out for awhile. correct me if im wrong..but our sacks last year was in the bottom of the league. jerry was hurt, abraham was missing, babs was decent, and anderson just plain stinks!!. seems to me that our biggest need is a pass rusher who can knock the qb on his butt.
DLED- Pouncey may be a stud- but is he really worth 1rst round draft $$???

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Ledbetter,

Just can’t give it up, can you? TD is an idiot if be takes Pouncey at 19. He simply is not a first round talent regardless of who reaches for him. If TD doesn’t go defense with 19, he should trade down.

Man, you have clung to the center through every one of your mocks save one, you gotta do better than that.

By the way, a critical draft for TD this one is, I saw where ESPN rated the Falcons 2007 draft the second worse in NFC south history (not his draft), but 2009 stands to be worse with nary a starter coming out of that draft, and don’t talk about injuries, Perry and Moore had a history of injuries in college and TD pulled that trigger anyway.

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Ledbetter,

Just saw your post to Dr.Ken, no where have I seen Pouncey rated as the best center to come out in years. I have seen in several places where if he came out last year he would have been third rated center and generally is considered a second round talent in nornmal interior linemen years, also Williams ate his lunch when FLA played TN. I realize that he think you scooped everyone and therefore can’t give the center up, but give me a break with the comments.

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Jared Odrick has the ability to play both DE and OLB as a hybrid??????? At 6′5 301 lbs????????? Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… that’s the biggest damn linebacker i’ve ever seen!!!!!!

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by free stuff and Glenn Friesen, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: The Real Deal Mock Draft: Trades affect Falcons’ board http://bit.ly/df70fD [...]

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Hey what’s the info and rating on Matt Ryan’s former Center Matt Tennant from BC?

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No thank you to Pouncey. We draft him and I’m not renewing my season tickets. Urban Meyer is a POS…and I’d rather us draft any player from any school other than Florida. To me drafting a Florida player in the first round is way worse than releasing Shockley and T Brown. Atlanta is still in Georgia isn’t it? Drafting this guy would be just like a one of these restaurants around town that doesn’t serve sweet tea…sure there is a place for it but it ain’t here.

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ohhhh….DOL – My brother in-law used to work for the Falcons (you probably know him very well, he still works in the league.)…I know enough about the NFL to know that there is no way TD is showing his hand and there is a ton of false info out there. I bet we either trade down or draft a LB or DE. No way do we go offensive line.

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I don’t trust Bill Belichick, but I do trust that TD is too savvy to be slickered.

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D-Led, stellar work as always and on behalf of the folks reading your info, thanks for staying active in the discussion.

The more I listen to TD, I think we trade out of 19. I think he sees so many options late in round 1, early 2 to get “his player” and picking up more picks ala New England always makes sense. I could see then taking one of the UF guys in round 2 for sure, and at The Branch being happy with it…

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D. Orlando Ledbetter- where will J Dwyer go?

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I’m just happy that D-Led isn’t giving us all three names anymore. Seriously, as much as you talk about him and want him to get drafted by ATL so that you guys can date, I think we all know who you are talking about without you having to use his entire name. Just say “Maurkice Pouncy is so fine. I can’t wait for our first date.” See, you didn’t have to use LaShawn at all. Idiot.

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Whoever they get…….GO FALCONS!!!!!

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I HAVE NO PROBLEM WIT PICKIN PUNCY IN THE FIST ROUND.

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I like the idea of trading picks with new england especially if that give us a second. We could take pouncey and come back in the second and get which ever one of the two TCU players is left. Think if everyone comes back healthy than this is a good scenerio. I think if jerry and moore come back 100% the defense will shock a lot of people this year.

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I’m willing to bet if Pouncy is picked, he gets the chance to beat out McClure. It’s how Smitty does things in Flowery Branch.

I agree with DOL on the Pouncy pick……I have agreed on this pick for quite some time…..At least 30 minutes!

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If that’s the pick then we need to trade down to the back of the 1st round.

I’m going to be happy this year with whomever they get but if it’s Pouncey I’d like to get a 2nd rounder out of the deal too.

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I still don’t get why people like Iupati so much.

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hawesg…..isn’t the Falcons a run between the tackles team also? So wouldn’t make since that the Falcons pick him, given Pittsburgh don’t.

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After the impact that Cushing and Matthews had last year you would think that the Falcons would want to draft an outside linebacker that can actually make plays

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DLed
You have a few players falling way past where I believe they’ll be chosen. It happens every year but in the case of Earl Thomas, D Williams and Iupati, I really can’t see it. The Eagles love Thomas and I don’t think they’ll take a 2nd rd CB over a 1st rounder they love. The Chargers need another RB but they need a Nose Tackle worse. Unless they’re betting that Cody will still be on the board in rd 2, I don’t think they’ll let the top-rated NT go past them in rd 1. Since I think Thomas is off the board before #27, Dallas will take Iupati (whom they’ve loved since the Senior bowl) to replace Flozell A.
I’m not just nit-picking here, as all 3 of those guys could play into trade-downs with the aforementioned teams. If the Iggles believe that Houston is eyeing Thomas, we could pick up a second(or 2 if we go that route) since the have 2 2nd’s. If SD sees (as you do) AZ taking Williams, they could swap 1st’s with us and throw in their 2nd. Dallas is less likely, but Jones is a wheeler-dealer so you never know. Still a proponent of trading down just as you are for taking Pouncey. Stubborn,aren’t we?

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I’ve actually seen a couple of mock drafts that have Weatherspoon, Graham, and Pouncey gone before the Falcons pick. (Weatherspoon to the Giants, Graham to the Titans, Pouncey to the Steelers). What would the Falcons do in that situation?

Also, talk on sports radio out of Pittsburgh is that St. Louis has contacted them about trading Big Ben and picks for the number one and picks. DOL, have you heard anything similar to this?

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FYI… McClain doesn’t have Crohn’s disease. His mom does, but they said on NFL network he has been cleared and doesn’t have it.

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DOL—-This may be the saddest mock yet. You have Graham going to Pittsburgh just so Pouncey is available to fit your agenda. Earl Thomas makes a lot more sense going to Blitzburgh then Graham, simply because of the poor play of the safeties without Palamalou. Tryo has had injury issues for the last four consecutive years. Plus, Pittsburgh has the worst O-line of any team picking after the 10th spot! They’re much more likely to draft Pouncey then the Falcons are.
Your pick for Jacksonville is also flawed. They need help at corner and safety. They are more likely to take Joe Haden then Rolando McClain. That means that McClain will be available for the Miami Dolphins; whom they love. That means Kindle falls and goes to the Giants; where he fits into their scheme much better then Weatherspoon. The G-Men have been using their backers on the blitz more since their Superbowl run and that is why Kindle makes more sense. I will also add that the Lions could select Russell Okung over Suh and McCoy. They have a real need for O-line help and have spent a lot of money on the D-line in the off season.
Even if the Falcons trade down, we are more likely to take a massive Defensive Tackle then Pouncey. Unless you discount reports that have Coach Smith saying he wanted to get bigger on the D-line. I know the report came out way back on Tuesday but you should have had time to read it. If you go by that report then Dan Williams, Jared Oderick and Terrance Cody all make more sense then Pouncey.
The way I see it is that you have no less then six picks that aren’t even in the ball park of being correct and at least that many that are questionable at best. Also, where is Mike Iupati? He is seen by most experts and GM’s as being a better player, with more potential, then Pouncey, and you don’t even have him listed as a First Rounder. It does explain why 6 of 8 mocks have the Falcons taking a Third Round talent with the 19th pick!

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One other thing to consider, in regards to the Pouncey pick:
Reading a mock on NFL Network (Bucky Brooks?), he had the Eagles grabbing Pouncey @ 24 due to an ACL injury to the incumbent starter (Jamaal Jackson).
Now, Andy Reid luvs some linemen, as he seems to take OL/DL in 1st round many of his drafts during the 2000s.
Any chance we field calls from the Eagles looking to trade up … or we draft Pouncey then they draft some guy we want @ 24 and swap picks?

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[...] DOL is steady on the Pouncey Train with his latest Mock………. [...]

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Orlando, has Jacksonville snapping up McClain at ten. He thinks that they won’t be concerned about his crohns disease. Maybe we should let them know that he hangs out with Tiger and Ben, I’m sure they’d like to know that he only scored three and half on the wonderlic, Runs seven second forties, tears the wings off butterflies, drop kicks puppies. Do yourselves a favor Jags draft Tevo. He walks on water. Just think of all the tickets you’ll sell.

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DOL – Looking forward to your spoon interview.

Question – IF the falcons progression of options brings them to a DT in the 1st, does that mean the end of Babs as a Falcon (because of legal issues yet to be resolved)?

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D-Led is still finding ways to Proclaim The Pounce as Falcons #1. Sometimes I wish I still got AJC home delivery, cause I could fold the paper up into a barf bag.

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DJ at 9:39 is right. Gil Brandt said today on the radio that through pick 45 would have been a first rounder in most years. One of our players will be there at 22, we need to trade positions and pick up one of NE’s first two picks in the 2d round. That’s only 95 value points versus 460 or 430 for the second round pick–what else will ATL throw in to the deal? Any ideas, guys?????

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DLed
Thanks for the heads-up on Dallas, but what about the other two players/teams for a possible trade-down? I don’t have to tell you (you were there) what Dimitroff said at the presser re: trades–give me your assessment of the possibilities for trade partners, please……

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first DOL, I love the info on the call to TD from bellichek. I have belived all along that TD will trade down to get us a 2nd rd pick and NE is the obvious partner. Swapping 19 and 22 with us picking up a no 2 and prob having to throw in a 4 or 5 is the perfect deal for us in this draft. DOL, you seem to set up your mock as though your trying to fill an inside straight. everything is set up perfectly where Pouncey is the only thing left, just so you can have us taking him. First, i think your ignoring the high probability that Williams goes above 19 because he is the only true NG for a 3-4 def, Greshem is a highly coveted TE that almost every mock has him going higher than 19, there will be the inevetiable run on OT and Brown will prob go higher than 19, and the same can be said of Iupati. Dude, with TD being a great believer in positional value, I refuse to believe we take a Center at 19 that wont even start yr 1. Too much money has to be invested on a No 1 to have hi sit, and as I have said before, show me how many times in the history of the draft a Center has been taken that high. The trade is the most likely scenario for us. However, if TD picks Pouncey I will man up and be right back on your blog next week to say I was wrong and you were right. Keep up the strong work DOL

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If TD trades down with NE or Philly, look for Jared Odrick to be the first round pick.

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One other thing DOL, McClain doesnt have crohns disease, his mother has it. Heard that on the NFL network or ESPN yesterday. However, Im a RN, crohns is hereditary and if he is showing some symptoms of the disease, a team may be worried that it will go full blown at any given time. There are new meds that have come on line in the last 10 yrs or so that reduce the flare ups and should not keep teams from shying away from him.

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TD and Smith have their own draft status on the players they have worked out, they are not relying on the draft Guru’s assessments to grade talent. In their evaluation they may have a #19 grade on Daryl Washington(TCU).

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UUUGA, I’ll buy your tickets buddy.

TD is the man and I’ll go with who he picks. Hope he gets a 2nd round pick also. Would love to see Spoons in Atlanta.

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charlie casserly on NFL.com and the NFL network said McClain has now stated he does not have crohns disease but that his mother has it. He reported this on April 13th

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DOL – Nice job my brother. I like your mocks because they at stir discussion that often isn’t found in many of the other “safe mocks” that are all very similar. We also know that due to trades and the like, draft days almost never go according to planned (Heyward-Bay in the top ten?).

On Pouncey, I will say that I will begrudgingly accept the pick like medicine, I know it’ll be good for the team to build the OL long-term, but I don’t have to like the taste of it right now. I will say that I have my doubts however, because I still to this day haven’t had anyone explain to me how Pouncey was so dominant and the Florida Gators had zero inside running game and commentator Gary Danielson mentioned it as the reason many times that Florida’s offense wasn’t successful, with them not being able to run that quick-inside-give-option. I think he’ll be good, but let’s not crown him the next Tom Nalen or Steve Hutchison just yet.

I know I’ll sound crazy, but given the choice and possibility of having Jermaine Gresham and Tony Gonzalez on the the field at the same time sure would give some defenses major pause.

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Dr. Kenneth Noisewater-

While Herchel Walker is the best RB ever in the SEC claiming it took Tebow to do what Walker did in 4 is really just some sour grapes on your part.

In 3 years Herschel Walker had 994 rushing attempts: 274 as a freshman, 385 as a sophomore, 335 as a junior. His 49 TDs came at a rate of 1 TD per 20 carries.

In Tebow’s 4 seasons — his freshman season he was only a role player who got carries in spot duty– Tim Tebow has had 596 rushing attempts: 89 as a freshman, 210 as a sophomore, 176 as a junior, 121 as a senior. Tebow’s 49 TDs came at a rate of one TD for every 12 rushing attempts.

So in reality Herschel had 66 percent more carries than Tebow. Tebow could play SIX years in college and not get as many carries as Walker got in 3.

I will also find it funny when UGA fans who will try and base Tebow’s status as one of the greatest college football players ever on what he does in the NFL. I guess by that rationale then we can go ahead and say Emmitt Smith was the greatest running back in college football history right?

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Florida Gators offense wasn’t “AS” successful. That obviously was a typo.

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what do you think of the idea of drafting taylor mays and putting him at OLB since he’s so fast a can help stop the run. I think he’d be better at OLB than safety just because he doesn’t have a lot of coverage skills.

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I like most of the picks on the board, if Cleveland lands Bradford this will screw up everything (30/70 chance it will happen) including taking more defensive studs off the board before the Falcons pick.

I believe the Falcons will trade down either taking a 1 and 3 from a team below them or take both 2’s of the Eagles (for Thomas or a defensive stud), San Diego (RB or CB) or Denver (Tebow).
My opinion, we will see.

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D3 – your comment on Gresham and Gonzalez on the field at the same time is intriguing, as I feel a two-tight end set can be more effective than a 3 WR/1 TE set – it creates more mismatches and confuses the defense with the blocking scheme. However, I feel that we can find a quality TE much later in the draft – 5th or 6th rounds that could play that role. For now, I want to use T.Gonzalez as much as possible, because he is that good.

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Jimmy Clausen is the current edition of Heath Schuler, Ryan Leaf, D J Schockley, Seneca Wallace, and David Greene…don’t waste even a third round pick. Besides, he’s barely 6′ tall, not 6′ 2″. The Falcons need to draft a good DE.

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I would much rather have Gresham than Pouncey, provided he could stay healthy

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With all the problems on defense, we’re going to take a Center? I hope not! Gotta move down and still be able to take a guy like Jerry Hughes, or some other top flight end/backer while picking up another pick.

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“Don’t understand the Pouncey hate. Is it because he’s a Gator. Help me?”

Can we agree that 1st round picks HAVE to be freakish measurement upside beasts, solid immediate starters, or havoc wreaking weapons of offensive destruction? If so then can we agree that Pouncey doesn not fit any of these definitions even if he will be a solid player one day almost guaranteed? My main problem with Pouncey as our pick is that his stats are almost exactly the same as the 13th rated center, Eric Cook from New Mexico…almost no difference at all. You can get near Pouncey stats and performance in the 3rd – 5th rounds pretty much guaranteed.

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Dittos on Screen Pass’s post, D-Led. And I have no problem with the Gators, Meyer or any of that stuff.

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Travis

April 16th, 2010
6:06 pm

People, let’s get over slamming Pouncey as a potential pick. He’s a good football player, and I’m sure the staff has done their homework to mock up all the possibilities to put together the best draft for the team. If he is the pick, then I’m sure they know what they are going to try to achieve later to address the concerns that we have elsewhere. Get over yourselves and trust the management. We are blessed to have them calling the shots.

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If we go DT in the first after trading down,Dan Williams has to be the pick. He is really disruptive and has nice size-he would look good next to Babz since P.Jerry wont be ready in time. I like the Baylor center over Poncey anyway, NO -Poncey
We should Go

DT-DWilliams 1st
OLB-D Washington 2nd round
C-JD Walton 3rd
WR -Citadel 3rd
CB Chris Cook 4th……. D-Led this guy is not a 1st round CB, Stop It !!!!
OL -Roger Safflod 5th
PR-Trendon Holiday 6th…He may be gone by then

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I hear good things about Tennant. 6′5″ 300 lbs. Intelligent with a mean streak. What’s not to like.

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Toby Gerhardt will have a better career than many think -he reminds me alot of Mike Alstot. Taylor Mays will be a nice OLB next season -just not here.

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DOL—-It couldn’t possibly be he’s a Center/Guard that isn’t even as good as the top five Guards taken last year. He isn’t even as good as Mike Iupati this year. In most years Pouncey is a Third Rounder at best! We can talk about him getting run over against Bama last year or him spending more time on the ground then grass. What about Pouncey overextending, getting out of position and getting pushed around in the pocket? Do any of these things ring a bell?

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It’s not that we hate Pouncey, it’s that the interior of the Falcons line is not the problem. If a top tier OT is available and the defensive players that the Falcons covet are all gone, then, sure, take an OL.

But OC isn’t a need and Dimitroff drafts for need.

I actually wonder if Dimitroff isn’t paying you to spread this nonsense.

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Get the lead out Ledbetter – no way Falcs are going to R E A C H for Pouncy at #19.

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Terrell good point.

I like trading back to #22 to get a second rounderthen we get2 2nd rounder give an 6th the 1ft get olb then de(Daryl Washingtonour the other TCU and DE this canter they do say is great he rate around 20 to25 at canter . we dont have an great o-line in the 1st place the leftside need help. the rightside is the best side of the line . he will be the starter opening day at LG. AN TE in the with the 19 Tell me how many 1st roundeer in the past 5 yr there was 2 last yr and 3in 08 there was one the last two years tha was almost the 2nd. I played C the 1st 3yr but when i got to high school i went an played de/lb I love all C. IT hard to get that dlineman within the 1st 3yr to pay off but on the oother hand o-line c/g can goo in and make an diffice. so leave them o-lineman be . that DE\olb can be goten in the 2-6 round . last year i think not 1 defense player play all 16 games . this yr we have 2 1st round pick maybe 3 2ronders .
also how many team we played that went to the playoff ? the 4th hardest 4team coming off bye . but we found a way to get an winning season . this aways happen in the past losing season after winning loser due to hurt player so you can call an 1man team . not any more . icant wait for this season gooooo FALCONS

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Overall you mock isn’t that bad. There are a few things I don’t see happening. First, Chris Cook isn’t getting drafted in the 1st round, Kareem Jackson might, but I doubt that too. My guess is McCourty is rated higher then those two on just about everyone’s draft board.

You are vastly underrating Dan Williams. He won’t get past 17 and likely will be taken 11,12, or 13.

Also, it’s like you forced Brandon Graham on the Steelers so you can justify the Pouncey reach. Why would the Steelers take a pass rusher when the have a great you pass rusher in Lamar Woodley and Jerome Harrison, a recent defensive MVP? If anyone is going to reach for Pouncey in the 1st round it would be the Steelers. They have much bigger needs then a pass rusher.

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tn falcon, moving Baker to guard and picking an OT makes sense. Trading down to pick up a 2d rounder makes sense.

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I’m not seeing any plausible scenarios from anyone where we can get NEs #22 and one of their 2nd rounders. Is there one?

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No lineman or linebacker is worth a 1st round pick. Very few ever play up to their draft status. You can count on 1 hand the linemen ( O and D) that paid off.
1st round picks are usually spent on skilled players and they pay off, in most cases. Look for us to take a RB, WR, TE if we pick 19.

Linemen and line backers are dime a dozen and are usally more productive when picked from rounds 3 thru 5.

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‘nother thing I mentioned on (I think) the Falcon fan/D3 blog:
Apparently Eagles starting C (Jamaal Jackson) is coming off of ACL injury from late last year.

In one of the NFL.com writers recent mocks (Bucky Brooks?) he has Pouncey slotted towards PHI.

Given the Eagles recent haul of draft picks via trade, if they covet Pouncey, will they trade with us (#24 pick for the #19 pick) to move up to get him?

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Marcus – hadn’t seen that about the Philly C, thanks!

Only reason Philly would give up a draft choice in such a deep draft is if they had a firm feelig of a high probability that Pouncey would be picked between 19 and 23. 22 With New England would be a possibility, I think they talked to him.

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Plan B – I think D3’s contest is over on the other blog, link on the AJC sports page, just under DOL’s link in the Falcons block (how I found it).

I think NE’s last 2nd round pick IS possible in a 19-22 swap, less than 50-50 though. I personally think Graham and Spoon would both need to still need to be on the board, and NE pays the price of a 14th for the Falcons 19th to get who they want (Graham, excellent for them). It also saves them millions by getting their main man at 19 instead of, say, 14. Spoon would then go to the Falcons at 22, no LB demand at 20 or 21. Falcons may need to throw in next year’s 4th or 5th, but hopefully not.

Just one humble, ignorant opinion of one potential last minute trade scenario on draft night

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Oops on my 9:51 Am post. I tried to make notes out to the side of my picks. It looked ok while typing but scattered when posted.

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Plan B, my useless thoughts on potential trade partners for 19:

1) NE at 22 wants Graham, uses a plethora of picks to make sure they get the right players for their system – needs based, quality over quantity. 19 and Graham could be had, at the price of a 13 or 14 (1.22 + 2.21). We know they have talked to TD

2) Philly at 24 needs a Center that fits their system, and Pouncey would be a great fit for Vick packages (similiar to Tebow?), and a potential perennial pro bowl selection, they don’t come around every day at a position of need – They have 2 2’s, 2 3’s, and 2 4’s that allow them the flexibility to move up to grab Pouncey. The 19th pick would likely be theirs for their 1.24 and 2.23 (points equivalent of a 1st round 15th pick, a premium of 4 pick reach to get the man they really need). We know they talked to TD as well. Pittsburgh may take him at 18 which makes this moot.

3) San Diego NEEDS a replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson, and Spiller is a perfect fit. San Francisco apparently fell out of the Spiller sweepstakes with their trade yesterday, so Spiller could fall to 19 – but likely won’t fall to SD at 1.28. IF he is still there at 19, TD could make that call and offer them LT’s replacement for the equivalent of the 13th pick (1.28 and 2.8). IF they don’t take it, who knows how long they will wait for another opportunity to take such a talent! Teams ahead of Atlanta (Like SF) would likely charge more, or keep the guy themselves.

Note, if there is no premium then I, personally, would hold on to the pick – we need to receive a 3 to 6 pick premium payment (points wise) to allow a team with multiple picks to fill their urgent need with just the right guy!

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People don’t like the Pouncey pick because it just isn’t good value at 19. I think Pouncey is a good player and a good pick, at the top of the second round maybe. If they trade back and take him, then ok, but taking a center at 19 just doesn’t seem like a good value pick to me when so many are available later in the draft who will/can also be very good players. A lot harder to find linebackers and DE’s later in the draft who can turn out to be great.

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I still believe the pick may be an offensive lineman but not Pouncey. I believe a left tackle to take over from baker may be in the cards.

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The Pouncey hate is because he is overrated!

He had the benefit of playing with a OL full of studs .. with a QB who was a beast to tackle. If on most other teams he would have played to about a third round pick level .. at best.

Even worse, Centers are not a VALUE position in the draft. Yes, they play for years if they are good, but you can frequently get very good ones in day two.

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I hope we trade down and accumulate draft picks. Take Pouncey in the first round and accumulate on D in the second rounds

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B Ajarn
How did you come up with your formula for the “Premium”? If a percentage, how did you arrive at it? With the depth this year I’m afraid you may be asking too much. I’m all for fleecing a willing sheep, but unless they are absolutely in LOVE, few GM’s would give up several hundred points in value for one guy.
Another selling point for Philly could be Earl Thomas, whom they also covet.

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waynester, no formula, just anecdotal from many drafts where a team will “reach” for a player of need at a position of need, and the interview with a GM (don’t remember which one, sorry) recently where he said he doesn’t pay much attention to “points” when there is someone he really wants. In these cases, my calculation was how many slots they would be “reaching” with their point payment 4,5, or even 6 (while NOT paying the contract that would be necessary signing a player at that slot).

In the scenarios listed (admittedly optimistic from a Falcons perspective but still within the realm of possibility, if not probability if the right players are available) The teams trading up have a surplus of players, which according to the pundits give them the “firepower” to go after who they want.

Philly has 7 picks in the first 4 rounds after 19 , NE has 4 picks in the first 2 rounds (would they leverage this into 3 potential immediate contributors at positions of need?), etc. Quality vs. Quantity.

I do NOT think they will trade under those conditions unless the right player for a high priority need that is a good fit for their system.

In the three scenarios I postulated the team, player, and position of need come together at the right point in the draft.

TD seems to have positioned himself at 19 with the options to create opportunities. Easy to walk away from a non-advantageous trade, easy to pull the trigger and still cover his wish list.

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If we could trade picks with New England and pick uup one of those second rounders I would do that so fast. Then we could take Maurice Pouncey, Jermaine Gresham, or Jared Odrick with our first pick an get another quality player in the second rd. Not even counting if someone slides to our range (Pierre-Paul/Spiller). Whatever we do I believe in DT to make the right call.

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BRANDON GRAHAM WILL BE A HUGE MISTAKE IF THE FALCONS DRAFT HIM.

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BRANDON GRAHAM WILL BE A HUGE MISTAKE IF THE FALCONS DRAFT HIM.

Uh…which is why New England wants him so bad? Umm…no.

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waynester ;
Thanks. I am not saying this is how it WILL fall out, but as you wisely noted, we have no idea what their draft board looks like and no clue as to their evaluation of our current roster.

I am thinking that TD has a list of options/contingencies based on a wide number of potential scenarios after the first 18 picks -AND likely trades that could change the paradigm within which he will be operating after the 18th selection is announced. In his recent interview I think he mentioned that he would consider a trade down if at least 3 of his key targets were still on the board, for example.

I was trying to anticipate some of those paradigms that would motivate TD’s “sell” response to the benefit of both parties. He may even have a list of potential trade offers to accept, and a list of counter-offers if he gets an offer he doesn’t want.

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“With the 8th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Jeremy Boone, Punter, Penn State.”

There goes the rest of your mock draft DOL.

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Jerry Hughes

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Spoon will be gone and New England won’t trade us a 2nd without us totally leaving the first round which TD won’t do. The pick will be Graham, just as I hoped. O yea, Pouncy will go to Pittsburgh.

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D-Led,

I have to believe the Falcons have been looking to move down in the 1st in order to potentially pick up a 2nd round pick. They brought in both of TCU’s studs Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington and both of those guys would never be taken as high as 19. Both of these guys are going to be very good at the next level and I would be ecstatic if the Falcons landed either of them. A rush LB/DE hybrid like Hughes (think DeMarcus Ware) and LB are both positions of need.

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Read the grade on Pouncey at sportsillustrated.com. His rating is good, but it ain’t that good.

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I wouldn’t mind Albert here but his attitude & not showing up for off season workouts has probably given TD and Blank the wrong impression. Of course that could all be because he doesn’t want to play in the 3-4. But then who does he replace? Babs or Jerry, even JA has shown promise at DT. JA would be a good DE in a 3-4. We need another Abe out of this draft, Graham is the guy. Reminds me of Dwight Freeny.

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[...] Check out AJC Falcons Staff Writer D.Orlando Ledbetter’s Real Deal Mock Draft [...]

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I have to believe moving down in the first is a real possibility. We know they want to get back into the second round and it’s unlikely they would give up picks to do that. So, moving down in the first would allow them to gain a second and still allow them to potentially draft a player they really like towards the end of the 1st Round. I say, move back to New England’s spot by swaping the 19th pick and another 4th round pick. Then take the G-Tech receiver with our first round pick and then take TCU’s Washington in the second round. Or, take both TCU guys (Hughes in the 1st, and Washington in the 2nd).

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Jonathan Dwyer is not on the first round fringe. I think people will be surprised at how far he slips.

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I believe I read somewhere that Blalock was among the lowest rated OG in the NFL last season. If so, Pouncey makes sense. I still love the idea of a stud DL, though. It’s such a luxury when your front four can control the line of scrimmage and rush the passer without having to blitz.

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It happens every year. There is a workout or two that slip through the cracks when the Pro Days are going strong that somehow doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

This year that workout was the Georgia Tech Pro Day.

While all of the attention on that day was placed upon defensive end Derrick Morgan and running back Jonathan Dwyer, in reality, free safety Morgan Burnett was the star of the show.

His numbers, while all impressive, were led by a 3.92 second short shuttle — the fastest verified time from any player tested at the Combine or any Pro Day this year. His 11′08 broad jump is also a spectacular number.

As a point of comparison, Fresno State cornerback A.J. Jefferson led all Combine participants with a 4.00 second time in the short shuttle and Virginia cornerback Chris Cook led all in Indianapolis with an 11 foot broad jump.

Burnett was unable to workout at the Combine due to a strained hamstring.

Measuring in at 6-1 (3/8) and 209 pounds, Burnett was clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, among the fastest times of any safety tested this year. He also posted a 39.5″ vertical jump, an 11′08″ broad jump and a 6.87 second 3-cone drill.

Folks, those are staggering numbers that deserve attention.

I’ve spoken with teams who feel that Burnett is a lock for the middle of the second round. Based on these numbers, Burnett should have been included in my previous post — which identified five players who could be surprise first round picks.

In reality, the people who matter — NFL scouts — fully know Burnett’s impressive workout results. An estimated 20 teams were represented at the workout, including three head coaches. While Gil Brandt and the staff at NFL.com typically do a fabulous job of posting the “official” results from each workout, this one inexplicably was not reported.

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Hey Y’all:

It is almost that time again where “OUR FALCONS” are chopping their lips in getting the meat of this year draft. I am more than confident the Dimitrof and Coach Smith are in the draft lab cooking up some concoction that is going to make “OUR FALCONS” fly high in ‘ONE HEARTBEAT” this season. That’s right! It is almost “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” time and we FALCON FANS, THE OWNERS, THE COACHES, THE PLAYERS, THE MEDIA, AND THE COMMUNITY are down with this draft in “ONE HEARTBEAT!! In fact, WE ARE “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”.

I believe the FALCON organization will pull some great draft picks off the board to add to our already HUNGRY, AGGRESSIVE, YOUNG, NASTY, GRITTY TEAM, ON OFFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS, AND DEFENSE. Last year the priority was DEFENSE. This year will be the same with emphasis on defense end and again nose tackle. I say nose tackle because of the injury to Peria Jerry. I fear he can go back in the injury list withone little hit on that knee. WE NEED INSURANCE AT THAT NOSE TACKLE POSITION. I like the “BIG BOY” from Alabama if he is in the draft. I believe Coach Smith can work him into something real “NASTY”. I would take him. He would be a great addition to the “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” clan. We can never get enough of offensive linemen either this year. There are a number of excellent offensive linemen out there to draft. Our current linemen are grea, but we can always get better and “NASTIER”. The “PROCESS” continues on our march to winning the SUPER BOWL this year.

This is the time to reinforce what we have to make “OUR FALCONS” much “STRONGER” than we were last year. One thing we must not over look this yar is a great field goal kicker. We lost 3 games last year because of missed field goals in the latter end of games. We would have made the playoffs, WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPPEN, if those kicks were made. Nevertheless, I will let all that choosing of OUR NEW FALCONS to Dimitroff and Coach Smith. They know what their doing and where we are going as “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. I am looking forward to this season as is THE COACHES, THE FANS, THE MEDIA, THE PLAYERS, AND THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!” AND TOGETHER WE WILL MOBOLIZE INTO A FORCE THAT WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL. WE WILL DO IT IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”.

LET’S GO FALCONS. LET’s DO THIS IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This ia a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!

………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!………….

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I want ‘Spoon.

Go Falcons!!!

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You dont draft a center who played in a spread offense at 19. Besides, J.D. Walton and Matt Tennant are better. Pouncey is only considered better because of Florida’s record over his tenure there. And he deffinitely wont be starting over Dahl or Blalock. Also, I dont know why so many people here have been talking about replacing Clabo thoughout these forums. He’s one of the better lineman we have. And theyre all good. We havent given up many sacks over the past 2 seasons. ……… And we gotta get Danario Alexander.

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We need a DE or a safety or cb IF THEY DRAFT A CENTER WERE IN TROUBLE.They better draft a good corner or safety. a center is a waisted pick/ We need defensive secondary help not o line. I believe the falcons are looking D in this draft.

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Why not trade a player & next years 1 for the Seahawks 14. Maybe even our 3rd with next years 1 for their 14. Talk is they would like to trade it. That way we get Spoon before the Giants pick and still have options like Thomas/Cody/Odrick or my personal favorite of Brandon Graham at 19.

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I have an idea the Giants have put Osi on block why not trade for him and then daft eaither D. Thomas or LMP.

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As I said in this debate, trades affect mock drafts

http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/04/13/the-mock-draft-value-debate%E2%80%A6-a-complete-waste-of-time/

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kshizzle,,,

Read the following for info on Pouncy:

“I like him a lot. I call him a plug-and-play player. He’s ready to go right now. He’s big enough to anchor against nose tackles and he’s athletic enough to pull. You can plug him in the first day and I don’t think the NFL game will be too big for him. He could go as high as 18th in the first round. He will not last to the second round. I think he’s a natural center, but I think he can be a multiple position guy (on the offensive line).” — NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock

“It’s pretty simple. There is one guy, one center worth drafting in the first round, and that’s Maurkice Pouncey. He has a chance to be as good a center as we’ve seen in the last three drafts. He’s physical, he’s quick, he’s athletic. He does everything you need. After Pouncey, there’s a great drop-off at center.” — Todd McShay, director of college football scouting for ESPN Scouts Inc.

“He has speed and toughness. He played in the Sugar Bowl just hours after treatment for kidney stones. He’s very smart. He has lots of experience as a shotgun center. He may be the best center prospect in 10 years.” — NFL.com’s Gil Brandt

I think DOL may be on to something with McClure retiring within the next year or two.

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what bout trading down a few spots and drafting Mays from USC and moving him to linebacker

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If you trade back 3 spots, picking up a mid second rounder, then land the No 1 rated center in the draft and manage with the 2nd round to pick up Norwood from South Carolina or the No 1 rated receiver Dez Bryant. That alone would be a heck of a draft. Then in the 3rd and later rounds try for a line depth (..best on board at any position on either side of the ball..). Finally, pick up a solid Kicker that would be a heck of a draft.
Tight End can wait until early rounds next year, because Gonzalez will postpone retirement for 1 more year if he sees the offense is making strides and clicking.

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Who really knows this year with all the depth on the defence side of the ball and the fact the draft is over 3 days. I think everyone will be surprised, even alot of GM’s.

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Truly it was certainly interesting for me to read the blog. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.

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I definitely want to read a bit more on this site soon. BTW, rather good design you have here, but how about changing it every few months?

Mia Andersen

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