NFL Draft: Here’s the Falcons’ plan for Day Two
If the Falcons don't move into the second round, look for them to take an offensive linemen with one of their third round picks. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH — It’s “Day Two” of the first-ever three-day draft.
The Falcons have sent Arthur Blank’s jet — that I like to call “Falcons One” – for first round pick Sean Weatherspoon and his family. He’ll be meeting with the media at 4 p.m. today.
I’m not going to pound my chest over being the first to tell you all about the greatness of Florida center Maurkice Pouncey. No center had been taken higher than 21 over the last 10 years, so it was a pretty bold – but correct – forecast. I have to thank some of our longtime NFL sources for pointing that out to us early on in the process.
Here’s a quick look at what should be another stunning day in the draft:
SECOND ROUND: Will the Falcons pull the trigger to get into the second round? Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff didn’t sound too promising when I asked him about it late last night. He said it would be “rich” to get into the middle or lower third of the round.
FIRST DAWG TO GO: Who will be Georgia’s first player to get drafted? It’s likely to be defensive tackle Jeff Owens in the third round, followed by linebacker Rennie Curran, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and safety Reshad Jones might have wait until Saturday.
STANDING PAT: If the Falcons stand pat for today with their two third round picks, they’ll pick the 83rd and 98th players overall. The Falcons heavily scouted the center position. It’s likely they’ll take one today, but Boston College’s Matt Tennant, the pride of Cincinnati Moeller High, will likely be gone.
Here are some of the players the Falcons scouted who are still available:
Troy's Brandon Lang (91) and Eugene Kinlaw (99) combine to drop Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFebvour during the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6, 2010 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Press-Register, Chip English)
CENTERS
- Erik Cook, New Mexico
- J.D. Walton, Baylor
- Matt Tennant, Boston College (likely second rounder)
- Ted Larsen, N.C. State
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
- Rodger Saffold, Indiana (possible second rounder)
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Torell Troup, Central Florida (Salem High School)
- Corey Peters, Kentucky
- Brian Price, DT, UCLA (likely second rounder)
- Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
DEFENSIVE ENDS
- Everson Griffen, DE, USC (likely second rounder)
- Brandon Lang, Troy (Tucker High School)
LINEBACKERS
- Eric Norwood, South Carolina, North Cobb High School, ( possible second rounder)
- Sean Lee, Penn State
- Navorro Bowman, Penn State
- Darryl Washington, TCU (likely second rounder)
- Daryl Sharpton, Miami
CORNERBACKS
- Traye Simmons, Minnesota
- Dominique Daniels, Nichols State
- Javier Arenas, Alabama
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Riley Cooper, Florida
- Eric Decker, Minnesota
- Ryan Wolfe, UNLV
- Marc Mariani, Montana
- Damian Williams, USC
- Jordan Shipley, Texas
Recent Posts
- NFL Draft: A look at 5 first round surpries
- Falcons select Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
- NFL Draft Buzz: Mr. Blank stops by the media room
- NFL Draft Buzz: Falcons could trade down in the first
- Sean Weatherspoon chillaxing in Texas
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140 comments Add your comment
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
may as well bring back Booker too.
Paddy
April 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
Champ…if your refering to me as the idiot who would like one more linebacker in the draft, so be it. I don’t think it is out of line to draft 2 linebackers in 2010. IMHO. I have never thought of myself as an idiot!! I’ll have to do some checking around. Maybe ask my kids???
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
I still can’t get over Tebow going to Denver in the 1st. Why pay a guy millions to sit on the bench for at least 1 year, possibly 2? IMO, Clausen and McCoy are better QBs with the ability to start sooner than Tebow. However, being a UGA fan, it’s going to be interesting to see Tebow, Knowshon and Thomas on the offense.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
No Paddy, not refering to you.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
MG, Bryant i would agree with except for the fact that he is now a Cincinatti Bengal. No thanks on the other two.
WW
April 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
Hope we get a kicker before a WR. Kicker is what kept us out of the playoffs last year.
Jason
April 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
I know Dwyer is from Kell HS but would like to see if any other metro kids are in the draft over the weekend.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
Paddy, although we both misspelled referring. I am not sure if that classifies us as idiots or not.
ATL Fan
April 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
I would like to see the Falcons pick up Matt Tennant and Riley Cooper this evening. Then pick up Rennie Curran Saturday.
Cody_Falcon
April 23rd, 2010
3:25 pm
Looking at those WR’s…Riley Cooper would be a good one to look at, and even though he’s not on that list…Brandon LaFell would be a steal…especially if he fell to the third round.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
3:38 pm
What about Roy Williams? Has anyone heard anything about that? I heard a rumbling that he was the odd man out because of Dez Bryant. Any truth to this?
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
3:41 pm
FA WRs-
* Terrell Owens – Bills
* Antonio Bryant – Buccaneers (Signed w/ Bengals)
* Kevin Walter – Texans (Re-Signed)
* Derrick Mason – Ravens (Re-Signed)
* Kevin Curtis – Eagles
* Torry Holt – Jaguars (Signed w/ Patriots)
* Nate Burleson – Seahawks (Signed w/ Lions)
* Laveranues Coles – Bengals
* Josh Reed – Bills
* Chris Chambers – Chiefs (Re-Signed)
* Donte’ Stallworth – Browns (Signed w/ Ravens)
* Kelley Washington – Ravens
* Muhsin Muhammad – Panthers
* Antwaan Randle El – Redskins (Signed w/ Steelers)
* Greg Lewis – Vikings (Re-Signed)
* Hank Baskett – Colts (Signed w/ Eagles)
* David Tyree – Ravens
* Arnaz Battle – 49ers (Signed w/ Steelers)
* Kassim Osgood – Chargers (Signed w/ Jaguars)
* Bobby Wade – Chiefs
* Mike Furrey – Browns
* Joey Galloway – Steelers
* Javon Walker – Raiders
* Marty Booker – Falcons
* Brandon Lloyd – Broncos (Re-Signed)
* Jerheme Urban – Cardinals (Signed w/ Chiefs)
* Demetrius Byrd – Chargers
* Devard Darling – Chiefs
* Wallace Wright – Jets (Signed w/ Panthers)
* Sean Morey – Cardinals (Signed w/ Seahawks)
* Brian Finneran – Falcons (Re-Signed)
* Ruvell Martin – Rams (Signed w/ Seahawks)
* Terrance Copper – Chiefs (Re-Signed)
* Brian Clark – Buccaneers (Signed w/ Lions)
* Justin Jenkins – Bills
* D’Juan Woods – Saints
* Vinny Perretta – Vikings (RETIRED)
* James Swinton – Falcons
RESTRICTED : (4TH & 5TH YEAR PLAYERS)
* Vincent Jackson – Chargers (1st & 3rd Round Tender/
* Miles Austin – Cowboys (1st & 3rd Round Tender/
* Brandon Marshall – Broncos (1st Round Tender/Re-Signed/Traded to Dolphins)
* Braylon Edwards – Jets (1st & 3rd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Malcom Floyd – Chargers (1st & 3rd Round Tender/
* Lance Moore – Saints (2nd Round Tender/
* Jason Avant – Eagles (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed to 6-Year Contract Extension)
* Mark Clayton – Ravens (2nd Round Tender/
* Mark Bradley – Buccaneers (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Demetrius Williams – Ravens (4th Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Brad Smith – Jets (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Maurice Stovall – Buccaneers (3rd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Troy Williamson – Jaguars (Re-Signed)
* Sam Hurd – Cowboys (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Sinorice Moss – Giants (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Courtney Roby – Saints (3rd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Derek Hagan – Giants (3rd Round Tender/
RESTRICTED : (3RD YEAR PLAYERS)
* Steve Breaston – Cardinals (1st Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Domenik Hixon – Giants (2nd Round Tender/Re-Signed)
* Ben Obomanu – Seahawks (7th Round Tender/Re-Signed)
just me
April 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
Roy Williams is set to make arouns 13 million this year and the cowboys are not going to just give him away.
Snelling won’t be traded b/c the RB class this year is too deep. We have a better chance getting someone like Charles Grant, but that won’t happen either b/c off the field issues.
I would like to see us give Kevin Matthews a shot. He is a center out of Texas A&M. His dad is Bruce Matthews. We passed up on Clay Matthews last year and he made the pro bowl. I wouldn’t look for Kevin to make the pro bowl this year, but I would be willing to bet that he will develop into a great NFL player like his dad.
Just my 2 cents for what it’s worth…just over 2 hrs till the draft resumes. Go ATL!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
WEATHERSPOON PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT TO START.
QUESTIONS???
just me
April 23rd, 2010
3:50 pm
Ask spoon what he is looking forward to the most about being in ATL.
ATL Fan
April 23rd, 2010
3:50 pm
Spooney, what do you see your role to be?
What do you bring to the clubhouse?
What should the coaches expect from you?
Scott
April 23rd, 2010
3:52 pm
Would love to see the Falcons get Minnesota WR Eric Decker in the late rounds. Good possession guy and he’s tough as nails.
Falconaddict
April 23rd, 2010
3:56 pm
So many people on here missing the point. TD sais before the draft that his goal is to accumulate as many PRO BOWL caliber players on the roster as possible, regardless of position. His thinking is that if you have many PRO BOWL caliber players you will likely have a good squad. He sees Weatherspoon as that type of player, and looking at his measurables and production it’s easy to see why. 6′1″ 240 running a 4.68 and being named first team all-conference three times in a pass-happy league? I’ll gladly take him.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
4:09 pm
I really like the Spoon pick but I agree, we could definitely use a #2 WR. I’m not a GM by any means but I might trade a couple of picks, 3rd and 4th, to move up and grab a Tate or a Benn. We could still grab Tennant or another C/O-line with our 3rd comp pick.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Anyone know where I can watch the press conference online?
JoeFann
April 23rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Yo D-Led! Thanks for the insights. Tell me, tell me, tell me………
What would a package of JA98, Norwood and Jenkins bring? Osi? Osi plus a 2nd? Osi plus and late pick? Would/has Dimitroff considered? From a production standpoint, we can afford to lose any or all of these guys and retool at their positions in a very deep draft. Obviously, the more picks we can amass, the better.
Speaking of linebackers
April 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
Odell Thurman is only 26. Has be been banned permanently from the league, or has his behavior been so bad no one will touch him?
Also, Adam “Punkman” Jones … there was supposedly some teams looking at that knucklehead a couple of weeks ago. Was that just so much agent-talk, or will he actually be able to get a third chance in the NFL?
Paddy
April 23rd, 2010
4:43 pm
Champ, spelling is not all what it is cracked up to be. But thanks for the heads up and I am relieved I am no longer an idiot. Call the kids! Dad is ok again.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
4:44 pm
I’m just waiting for it……someone’s going to say the T word……… TO
JoeFann
April 23rd, 2010
4:49 pm
Speaking in tongues….No bad attitudes allowed in Flowery Branch. Neither sherrif will allow. For the same reason, you won’t see a TO, Roy Williams, and any number of other “ME FIRST” players. I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up a Muhsin Muhammad, though. I’m a Dawg fan, but no way Thurman would work in this environment. Raiders, maybe. Face it, if he couldn’t work with the collection of head cases on the Bengals roster, where could he? Jones couldn’t even make it in the Cowboys’ zoo.
BigTimeTECHFan
April 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
WEATHERSPOON PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT TO START.
QUESTIONS???
Ask him what Saint he’s going to knock out 1st
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
4:55 pm
Yeah I am wondering what the deal with Muhammad is…. why is he not signed? He use to be a monster in Carolina. Plus he’d love to play them two times a year. And NO WAY WE SIGN T.O., I was just saying I know someone will suggest it.
what?!
April 23rd, 2010
4:56 pm
Trade Spooner for a 2nd and 3rd round pick.
JoeFann
April 23rd, 2010
5:00 pm
Not many on those WR lists that would interest me, but TD knows a lot more about most of them than I do. He’s probably willing to take a flyer on a late round “project” at WR. They tend to work harder and appreciate the chance more than the prima donas in the early rounds. Kind of the anti-diva. Plus, lots of good ones come late. Look at Myles Austin and NO’s Colston. We NEED one of them in this draft.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 23rd, 2010
5:09 pm
I really wish we could make a move to get into the 2nd if Tate or Benn are available as long as it doesn’t cost us too much.
Row 3
April 23rd, 2010
5:19 pm
Is anybody as happy as I am? The Colts took Jerry Hughes at #31, and left the Saints scratching their heads.
JoD
April 23rd, 2010
5:27 pm
Please god, dont let the Falcons draft that midget Curran. We need players, not actors!
Draft Demi-God
April 23rd, 2010
6:12 pm
I think the Bird-Men will look for a left-handed SEC QB.
bob
April 23rd, 2010
6:57 pm
Should have taken Dez Bryant
metoo
April 23rd, 2010
9:35 pm
Corey Peters, a DT? With quality WRs and TEs available. What’s going on?
Mike Jay
April 23rd, 2010
9:40 pm
I think they just accidentally turned in their 6th round pick in the third.
drmondo
April 23rd, 2010
10:28 pm
The NFL website gives Peters a 2.5 grade…Everson Griffen has an 8.0, DT Al Woods has a 7.3…should we be second-guessing TD or figuring he saw something no one else did?
Mama T
April 24th, 2010
11:18 am
What are we doing, how in God’s name are we letting Brandon Lang get away. He has done the ATL proud and if Georgia knew that, why don’t the Falcons. This kid would be an asset to our team. Please do not let him get away. You should have gotten him in the fourth round. What are you waiting for?
Mama T
April 24th, 2010
11:26 am
Day three and we still have not selected Brandon Lang. What are we waiting for?
Mama T
April 24th, 2010
11:34 am
Lay off Tebow. I hope he proves all of you haters WRONG. Great athlete and the guy has got values and morals, no character issues in my book. Maybe he is getting so much flack from you people because he is or just happens to be a child of the KING. Yea, he is human and he ain’t perfect, but damn near close. TEBOW continue to keep GOD first and you will always, most always be on top. Let your HATERS be your MOTIVATORS. Go out there, learn all you can and then knock their teeth out. This will only make you stronger TEBOW. I love it seems like the Broncos, Jets, Rams and Raiders are doing what needs to be done for their team in the draft. FALCONS take notes. Brandon Lang should be next on your list.