Falcons set to pick 27th in the NFL draft
Maybe the Falcons will pick Ironhead's little boy, Cameron Heyward (Whitfield Academy/Peachtree Ridge) in the NFL draft. (Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH – With the Patriots, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC, also losing in the divisional round, the Falcons moved up from the 28th spot to the 27th spot for the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Patriots selected Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty with the 27th pick last season.
Some of the players who could be available at 27 include:
–Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
–Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
–Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
–Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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121 comments Add your comment
Falcons will win
January 17th, 2011
12:45 pm
Really going to be a long offseason
Bill Campbell
January 17th, 2011
12:46 pm
I said last year that the Falcons needed a top wideout with their first pick! They still do!! Outside of Matt Ryan..tne draft picks have been a bust!
mark
January 17th, 2011
12:55 pm
DE or OL, definitely
Matt
January 17th, 2011
12:56 pm
I think it’s kind of hard to call Roddy White a bust at this point. In case you didn’t notice, he led the NFC in receiving this past year.
The entire Falcons team stunk it up on Saturday. However, Ryan does need more options at WR, fast ones. I’d like to see that remedied by bringing in a veteran wideout to be Ryan’s #2 guy. Although, I’m not sure who will be available.
We need to continue to build on defense. Another pass rusher, another cornerback, something…
Billy
January 17th, 2011
12:57 pm
Dled any chance we get in the running for the cornerback from Oakland so maybe we can have 3 good corners, Owens killed us during the game and I don’t know if Williams would have been any better. I would stay away from Heyward he is fine until he goes up against a player his size then he disappears.
BigHittas
January 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
how bout moving up and picking up the other Cameron….the QB?
chris
January 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
I think we need to get a DE to help out Abraham. I wouldn’t mind going after Steve Smith for a veteran wideout. One concerns I see are 1) Not throwing the ball deep and 2)maybe just maybe a new Defensive Coordinator.
Bob in SF
January 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
I’d be very happy with Cam Heyward, he’s a beast. That being said I don’t think he’ll be around at 27.
opie
January 17th, 2011
1:10 pm
Stop blaming Van gorder this is mike Smith’s weak @ss scheme. VG was very aggressive at UGA. Mularkey was agressive in Pittsburgh the HC is Micromanaging the game plan.
Why seek another wide receiver when the quarterback can no throw pass 25 yards with his weak arm. The interception that was returned for a toughdown was a simple pattern and he could not complete that, he also under threw Mike jenkins for the first interception. mark Sanchez has a low completion rate but he can throw the deep ball and he is 4-1 in the playoffs Ryan is and will always be overrated
Charley Partanna
January 17th, 2011
1:12 pm
Maybe TD will pick someone else with a history of injuries in college, who can also sit out for us and then be a non-factor like Jerry, Witherspoon and Moore.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 17th, 2011
1:12 pm
I’m thinking they need to take a PLAYMAKER! Any position. The best, baddest, biggest football player on the board at 27th.
The Falcons could have been playing with Revis at cornerback (passed on him to take Jamaal Anderson) and Clay Matthews III at linebacker (passed on him to take Peria Jerry) on the defense on Saturday. Just a random post-game draft thought.
Captain Kirk
January 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
Hey YO!!
dont get your hopes set too high as its evident that Dimitroff & CO CANNOT evaluate defensive talent. Its SO obvious, it stings..the d talent they get is barly adequate for matghing up with the NFC South, let alone the studs from the balance of the Conference..as evidenced Sat nite..
Hey Dimitroff!!!!
for openers, you need a 350 lb new version of Grady Jackson a hoss stud LB wholl match up with that big TB runnin back
and several cover corners like the JETS have..
got it??
can I come work for you this is so damn obvious????
Big Ron26
January 17th, 2011
1:15 pm
I watched the jets-patriots game last night and Im so impressed with what the jets did and it makes me even more angry we lost the jets were angry they felt disrespected and they played like a team that felt like they were good and no one believed them so they promptly went out on the road and beat tom brady and the mighty patriots my question is why didnt the falcons play with that kinda fire?? I mean the falcons never got any respect this season even after big wins and for them to play the way they did is totally unacceptable im ashamed to be a falcons fan right now but with that said this should be used a example i hope they keep the game film of this cause when these guys show up in june for camp the coaches should run the tape and remind them in case they forgot we got our a**** kicked maybe that will feed the fire some more and next year maybe both offense and defense will come out and play angry and destroy some people and make everybody respect us.
Captain Kirk
January 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
Orlando LedB
seems as if youve spotted the same draft day flaws as I have…..
lifes ’bout the choices we make
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
Billy — I don’t think so. The FA pattern has been for them to spend one year and take the next year off. This is the off year if the pattern holds up. They spent on CB last year. Nnamdi Asoumugha would command top dollar.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 17th, 2011
1:18 pm
Captain Kirk – No doubt Captain Kirk! One of the units has to dominate (ranked 16th on O and D) is not dominating. Draft studs and cut them loose.
Joe
January 17th, 2011
1:25 pm
Every year, we draft defense and it means nothing. Draft a WR and bring in free agents for defense.
Big Ron26
January 17th, 2011
1:26 pm
Your right DLED they need playmakers on defense there biggest need to me is DE no question i like our tackles im not ready to close the book on jerry i just think if we can find enough consistent pass rush on the otherside that will help the coverage and maybe another playmaking linebacker our safeties are keepers i like william moore he’s gonna be a good player and call me crazy i actually like our corners i think grimes is a future pro bowler i just think if we can keep pressure on the qb i think the guys in the secondary will make plays and on offense we need a left tackle move baker over to the right i like steve smith to be signed along with another young speedy receiver and also more speed in the backfield i love turner but we need some lightning back there just a few holes to fill remember this team won 13 games with a mediocre defense word to dimitroff FIX THE DEFENSE LIKE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!! Cause its the only thing holding us back.
matt
January 17th, 2011
1:31 pm
Is Peerless Price still available as a #2 or does he still hate us?
JKA
January 17th, 2011
1:32 pm
Just as the players and coaches have some questions to answer this off season, TD and his player personnel department need to step up as well….In Saturday’s game we watched a dominating performance by the 26th pick of the 2009 draft (Clay Matthews), while our pick at #25 (Perea Jerry) played a few snaps as a rotation D-lineman…..also, the # 32 pick of that draft (Ziggy Hood) was playing well at D-Line for Pittsburgh. We also watched a rookie free agent cornerback (Sam Shields) dominate our #2 WR; while our fifth round draft cornerback pick (Dominique Franks) was only dressed due to injury to another player, and our last two third round cornerbacks (C. Jackson and C. Owens) are busts……I know you can’t hit on every pick, but our personnel (and/or ability to coach up the guys we do get) seems to be falling behind the elite teams in the league. I also understand the team’s strict adherence to “character”, which may be why they skipped Matthews due to ‘roid rumors; but with the culture of the team now firmly entrenched, we should be able to see a few talented guys with question marks brought in and refined by the coaches and veteran players…..
Ron "CHOKE" Mexico
January 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
Defintely defense, for the last 3 years the offense has ranked higher than the defense, draft a DE, CB, or OLB with first pick. I think they need a new defensive coordinator.
gonna also be holes to fill at TE, maybe center…. if TG and Mcclure retire.
need 1or 2 WR’s 1 or 2 RB’s,
John Williams
January 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
Wanted: Defensive coordinator. Must have NFL experience. Go home college boy.
Rikus
January 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
Really hard to assess what positions to target in the draft, without knowing what players we will lose due to retirement/free agency…
Greg Moundine
January 17th, 2011
2:05 pm
I agree Mr. Bill Campbell, We need another Top WR. T.O. With T.O on one side and Roddy white onte other. This will open the running game. Whats so hard to understand about this move. T.O. is hard worker and him and R. White will create a mismatch for any D and open up the run. We need a tough LB as well. Someone mean like Ray, Ray!
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January 17th, 2011
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Greg Moundine
January 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
Check this out.The four teams left to make Super Bowl:
Chicago: Urlacher and Peppers
Pittsburg: Nothing else needs to be said
GB: Hawk and Clay Matthews
Jets: ^&((&) Brady guy and Revis…not to mention star
What do all these have..meaness. In regular season you can have class, but in playoffs you need a mixture of both.
C-Football
January 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
D. Orlando/ Mr. Blank
Why do we still believe in this 1990 style of foot ball? It really just burns me to my soul when I hear Mike Smith say he wants to keep the same coaching staff. Obviously all the fans, media and other coaching staffs know that our offense is horrible. It’s not built to catch up if you fall behind more than one score or in a game that becomes a shootout. The Defense is built like a 1990 team…We do not have the rush or secondary skills to be successful against passing teams in the 4-3. I know we don’t have the players to convert to a 3-4 defense right now, but it’s time to start the process. New Orleans first year converting to the 3-4 won them a super bowl, and they didn’t have all the pieces yet. Our coaches’ style of coaching is outdated period. The only time we get compliments on our team is when the other team is getting ready to play us and being courteous. If you really think there was any doubt in Green Bay’s mind about playing us replay A. Rogers or Clay Matthews’s pregame interviews. We do not have good cornerback’s period. We do not have a number 2 receiver period. We do not have a change of pace back/play maker period. (Norwood should’ve been gone; at least you would have gotten a pick for him, now you get nothing…period. MR. BLANK stop worrying about image and who got baggage, find ball players that love the game. Name one player that TD drafted that’s a star player? Don’t say mat Ryan because he was knocked completely of the pedestal Saturday. The offense the falcons run are handicapping him, when it’s time to all out slang the ball around the field he can’t do it.
Ben B
January 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
Besides a WR, the Falcons need some nasty defensive players, line and safeties who really like to hit. We need to apply more pressure on the QB. Hopefully the offensive line will learn from the Packers game. Ryan needs to be protected!!
Urban
January 17th, 2011
2:48 pm
That was by far the Worst game I’ve seen in a while. Since the start of 1st Quarter, Aaron Rogers was picking the D apart and out Coaches had NO CLUE to stop it. By 3rd quarter, it was over.
Look at the Saints’/Packers’ 4 receivers set. Just unstoppable. I hopes the whole Falcons’ team live and learn from it.
As for the Draft, we need get tough DE, OLB, Receiver, or Corner. Just get the best one available at 27th.
For Free Agent, we need to get a Tackle, Guard, Receivers, and a bad ass Corner. Do whatever it take to get the Oakland boy. Can’t spell his name.
Falconairre
January 17th, 2011
2:50 pm
Fellas The falcons will be fine. They need to draft a BIG d tackle, a olb/de that could replace abraham, GO AETER STEVE SMITH(roddy is a position reciver) a nickel corner, a replacement 4 tony gonzs a true slot reciever. And unleash matt ryan he need flexabilty and a factor back
pcb mike
January 17th, 2011
2:57 pm
What a group of whiners. Sure, we are all upset about getting our butts kicked by the Packers at home, but 13-4 is a great season. Can’t wait til next year. GO FALCONS !!!!
derrick69
January 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
Fellas, it is plain and smiple it time for management to trade #12 ,and go after some one with some true talent,like steve smith or the corner from oakland # 21. also we need to play bump and run more. when a team see our corner’s play ten yards off, i see us getting beat just like in the game saturday. also if we cannot get they players,i mentioned,how about champ bailey! atleast teams will respect him! so DTM AND MS,RISE UP AND GET US SOME GREAT PLAYERS,AND STOP SETTLING FOR GOOD ONE!
ddawgdavis
January 17th, 2011
3:28 pm
Why would we spend first round $ on OL? We gave up something like 22 sacks and Turner was the leading rusher in the NFC? I can see going with one of our 5th rounders for some back up, but not first. Also, Heyward is the sexy easy name for pundits because of the tie-in. I say go with Sapelo Islands Allen Bailey. BEAST of a kid.
GA ALL DA WAY
January 17th, 2011
3:31 pm
DL- Do you forsee TD and company going after a diffrent DC, if in fact we don’t have the money to really spend on defense in Free Agency? What’s the wrap on Sean McDermott? Would he make a difference in Atlanta since he did study under the late Jim Johnson?
MR.true fan
January 17th, 2011
3:33 pm
falocns need moss or to or steve smith they need to cut douglass move grimes to the nickel he is to little td needs to start hitting on draft picks he the reason that we have the worse cornor backs in the game curtis is a bust we need a real lb he will lead i were defense iam glad he didnt make th eprowbowl stop crying about being a probowl guy curtis is over rated out side of roddy we dont have no wr that is a big problem also mike smith at times is soft need to be more assertive
AlanFalcon
January 17th, 2011
3:57 pm
As a true Falcons fan the one thing that will make it a long off season is if the two sides don’t get it together and play football-THE FANS SUPPORT THE TEAMS AND MAKE ALL POSSIBLE FOR THE OWNERSHIP AND THE PLAYERS- its time for them to understand that without the fan they have nothing.
AlanFalcon
January 17th, 2011
4:04 pm
C-football. I believe that Tom Brady was knock off his pedestal also-WAKE UP MAN AND APPRECIATE THE DIRECTION THIS TEAM IS TAKING.
boiler up
January 17th, 2011
4:13 pm
Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue if avl., db from Oakland, a deep threat WR and a rb with some serious Chris Johnson speed.. Then, you can consider us a SB team!
Falcons will get Better
January 17th, 2011
4:19 pm
These are things Necssary to have a goo offseason:
1- sign conerback from oakland (move brent to nickel)
2- beg tony gonzalez to come back next year
3- draft WR Jon Baldwin (6″5) -he has good size and length plus has a 4.49 speed
4- draft offensive left tackle or get speed running back (for screens and quick yardage)
5- change the offensive scheme for matt ryan, instead of run first, set the run up with the pass- this will increase the number of 20+ receptions for the recievers aka. more screens, slants, reverses
6- MOVE JENKINS TO THE SLOT
IF WE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES WE WILL HAVE ALOT OF SUCCESS NEXT YEAR IN THE PLAYOFFS!!! GO FALCONS!!!
jay
January 17th, 2011
4:24 pm
@Bill Campbell-i agree with u completely our first round picks besides matt ryan have all been busts i been sayn that all year weatherspoon had been hurt a little bit bt hes stell sorry…our best pick since the 08 draft has been william moore..in the 2011 drat we need a de…and we really need a new defence of cornaiter
jay
January 17th, 2011
4:28 pm
@falcon get better dude ur sick brent grimes is the best cb we got..move dunta robinson 2 nickle and we need a defence end in the first round or free agentse….this off season in the draft and free agense we need a defence end,a running back,a ot,and a wr
jay
January 17th, 2011
4:32 pm
wow these so called falcon fans are really stupid sum1 said cut douglas and get randy moss lmao u guys no nothing about football
Outside Observer
January 17th, 2011
4:33 pm
DOL, I completely disagree with your thoughts on who the Falcons should have picked. For value, Revis just wasn’t expected to be this good. The guy I wanted, is this guy named Patrick Willis. He was picked shortly after we picked Anderson. Matthews doesn’t fit our scheme, and Jerry was the best rated player available at a position of need for us. Yes he has been banged up, but let him have a game when he is 100% then form your judgment. This year, we have to pick Rudolph, TE out of Notre Dame. Tony G won’t be around forever.
Smart Falcon Fan
January 17th, 2011
4:35 pm
I know this is a cvrazy idea but what about Julio Jones to Atlanta. I think he would be a great benefit to the team. Heyward is not a person to passover though.
gbal
January 17th, 2011
4:36 pm
Big Ron —
Keep in mind that the Pats beat the Jets 45-3 during regular season. It happens in the NFL hot QB, Momentum end of half, and game planning swung the wrong way for the Falcons.
jay
January 17th, 2011
4:39 pm
how cant u people see WILLIAM MOORE
jay
January 17th, 2011
4:40 pm
WILLIAM MOORE is the best thang we have workin 4 us besides curtis lofton open ur eyes and maybe u can see….and sumone said get t.o ur an idiot
falcon1
January 17th, 2011
4:44 pm
What Matt Ryan lacks is the zip on the ball. Floaters are gonna get intercepted all day. Please find
someone who can get open for a few seconds. This might help his weak arm.
P
January 17th, 2011
4:47 pm
Keep in mind the Jamal Anderson pick was made under the McKay regime- not Dimitroff’s. A #6 pick overall should be an impact player and he’s no where near an impact player. IMO this was the ‘missed pick’ that really set the Falcons back. A pass rushing end is a ‘must’ for the Falcons this offseason.
Arthur Blank Check
January 17th, 2011
4:49 pm
I hear Nnamdi Asomugha is now available. He used to be the highest paid CB in the league before his contract with the Raiders was terminated. Guess who was the 2nd highest paid CB: Dunta Robinson. Yeesh. Not even the best CB on the team. Maybe we can swap him out for someone with an incredible track record like Asomugha.
DIRTY BIRD FAN
January 17th, 2011
4:54 pm
Thanks for a good season, RISE UP FURTHER NEXT YEAR!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons will get Better
January 17th, 2011
5:02 pm
@JAY- im sorry i have to say this but brent grimes is to short for the receiver that teams have today. Just because i said brent needs to go in the slot doesn’t mean he is a bad CB. Its just that with his athleticism he will be able to thrive in the slot. So that way if any QB decides to lob a pass over him he can easily intercept it or bat it down. And second, seeing as how the falcons will be picking 27th it makes now sense in drafting a worthless DE, cause chances are he will get lost in the rotation just like lawrence sidbury did this year. so i we need to make smart and reliable picks that will pan out for us right now. thats why we should get JON BALDWIN he is a beast and he will take the double team of of roddy white. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY PUSH TEAMS SAFETIES FURTHER DOWN THE FIELD, AND LET OUR RUNNING GAME GET GOING.
DJ Sniper
January 17th, 2011
5:43 pm
I’m not really focused on the draft as I am the mindset of our coaching staff. There has been plenty of justified criticism levied at MM and BVG during the season, but can anyone say whether it’s the coordinators who are failing or if CMS is failing? I like Smitty and he’s done a good job, but after reading some of the comments, I’d really like to know who is really holding our offense and defense back. If in fact it is Smitty, I really hope he takes a long hard look at himself during the offseason and learns how to be more aggressive.
Cornell
January 17th, 2011
6:19 pm
For improvements, I definitly think we need to add spend on both sides of the ball. More so the offense. I would love to add Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams from Carolina Panthers to our offense. Get some competition for turner so we can get some consistant tuff play from Turner. Steve Smith will add that speed and big play guy that we desperately need on Offense. DeAngelo Williams will give us that change of pace running back that we need and at the same time push Michael Turner for the Starting Running Back position. Defensively we Need to continue to build through the draft. Unless there is a no-brainer out there that wants to play for us. If we cant sign DeAngelo as a free agent we should try to get Ingram from Alabama. His vision and ability to make guys miss will be a perfect fit for our offense. Raiders Cornerback I would love to have but considering that we just signed robinson last year I cant see us spending big time money on the same position 2 years in a row.
Cornell
January 17th, 2011
6:29 pm
Another thing……you can say what you want about Dimitriof Draft. We drafted William Moore who was a beast this year. Curtis Lofton who is one of the best middle linebackers in the league, Thomas Decoud who is coming into his own. Peiri Jerry who has battled injuries the first 2 years but when he has played you seen him making plays in the backfield. Koi Bierman who was drafted in the 4 rd plays with an high motor and considering where we drafted him, we got way more production out of him then what we would have expected and this is only his 2nd or 3rd year. Sam Baker who at times had problems but is solid at left tackle especially considering he faces the other teams best rusher. Matt Ryan who made the pro-bowl this year. Harry douglas who would have had a better year stats wise if Ryan wouldnt have over thrown him several times this year for big plays. The only real bust that I can see is Chris Owens.
scottyjames
January 17th, 2011
6:57 pm
I have rewatched alot of games, and no one seems able or willing to admit Matt Ryan’s short-comings.Ryan is an erratic passer when it comes to throwing deep intermediate routes. All top passing teams in the NFL expose this area of the field. Aaron Rodgers did so all night on Saturday. When Ryan tries, the balls either float or fall short. He has a high completion % but little yardage because his passes are all under 20 yards a pop. This is not even near elite QB play in the NFL. For a QB to carry a team, he has to be able to stretch the field more than Ryan has demonstrated thus far. A QB doesn’t have to have a giant arm, but he does have to have the ability to throw accurtely the 20-35 yard passes. This is why Drew Brees is so good. He can’t throw 50 yards down field like Big Ben, but he is deadly accurate with 20-40 yard throws. Unfortunately, I see Ryan being the next Chad Pennington(or similar to that type of QB) than the next Drew Brees. I think the Falcon brass is so in love with Ryan’s intangibles and character, they have decided to overlook his downside. Instead, they try to cover up these major flaws by calling a run first/underneath passing offense so to not expose his deficiencies. The problem is that some top defensive coordinators, like Williams and Capers, have figured this out and put out the blue print to shutting down the Falcon offense. Another problem is that Turner is getting to that “too old” age for RB’s and has shown alot of wear lately, so the running game may not even be there next year. With a below average secondary, a declining running game, and an inability to stretch the field on offense; the future is not looking as bright as many around here think.
Falcon2
January 17th, 2011
6:59 pm
Atlanta needs a Quarterback. Ryan is a waste of time. We will never win a playoff game with him unless we have a defense the caliber of the Jets or Ravens. He is the most overrated QB ever.
big root
January 17th, 2011
7:21 pm
ATLANTA needs a TE, WR, DL, CB, LB, RB, DE
The plan
January 17th, 2011
7:42 pm
pick 1- you cant get heyward he is derrick morgan but even less talented at getting to the quarterback. there will be no elite end at pick 27, unless TD really likes Justin Houston at end, but that is unlikely.So the pick has to be somewhere else and the falcons need to get patrick peterson of lsu because he gives them a physical 6 footer that has fluid hips, and allow grimes to play the nickel which is basically a starter in today’s NFL.
With the second pick you address the need of an offensive deep threat by taking Noel Devine of West Virginia, while he plays rb he can be the home run threat the falcons have been missing, like Mccluster out of Mississippi.
Third pick- you now address your needs on the defensive line by drafting Cliff Matthews out of South Carolina.
fourth pick- DJ Williams you need an eventual successor to Tony G and it aint peele.
fifth pick- Mark Barron out of bama and someone to compete with Decoud
bad plan
January 17th, 2011
7:54 pm
probably need to replace peterson with more realistic pick like you know Brandon Harris. Who is from miami and he could give you an Ed reed like player who goes and gets the ball.
Tyler
January 17th, 2011
7:58 pm
What about Mike Pouncey (if available), Allen Bailey or Brandon Harris?
Tyler
January 17th, 2011
8:00 pm
The three that I just mentioned are rated as the number 17, 27, and 29th prospects (in that order)!
DirtyBird
January 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
Take the top corner. But do what Jimmy Johnson on FOX NFL Sunday said, “They all graduated college.”
coolfalconsguy
January 17th, 2011
9:26 pm
Alright, seen a lot of comments about matt ryan not being great because of arm strength etc.. he is the answer he won 13 games for goodness sake that isnt a fluke boys ands girls.. However I definitely agree with the upgrade on defense… Ryan is not one to go out there and bring u back from bid digit margins we all know that but if he had a defense who could keep him in the game it makes his job easier and he will make less mistakes. But lets look at both sides of the ball i would change the following:
1. Harry Douglass – replace him and get someone who can become a good catch and run guy.
2. Jerious Norwood – replace him hes injured prone and get u someone who is tough but also a phnesse
hind tit
January 17th, 2011
11:08 pm
I see why Georgia ranks last in education after reading these blogs.
slad3
January 17th, 2011
11:38 pm
lol………. hind tit. boy that was very funny. i am from georgia a graduate of southwest dekalb high and i think we have a pretty good school but your right about these blogs. you have to also remeber that many of these bloggers are from other states. i love my falcons keep blogging folks.
slad3
January 17th, 2011
11:39 pm
my bad correction you’re and remember
kaminari
January 18th, 2011
12:24 am
I think it is imperative we get help on the defensive side. I am shocked that one key piece, #29, could set us back so much. It was painful to watch Chris Owens out there getting schooled. We need more defensive depth and I believe that TD will address those sink holes in the draft.
HJones
January 18th, 2011
7:32 am
If the Falcon’s Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey refuses to call long pass plays, there is no need to acquire a speed WR. We don’t really know if Matt Ryan can throw long because we never throw long pass plays. The statistics of last in the NFL in over 20 yard plays and next to last in the NFL in over 20 yard pass plays indicts the Offensive Coodinator as not doing his job. He needs to be fired along with the Defensive Coordinator. If Mike Smith continues to support the efforts of these two failures, then he is part of the problem. The loss on Saturday Night was a coaching failure. All of our players are not as bad as the team looked during this game. It was an embarrassment. The Falcons had two chances to win a big game: NO and GB. The coaching staff failed. As Vince Lombardi said. “Winning is Everything”. The game is played to win in the PLAYOFFS. Our coaches FAILED! Points win games not yards, time of possession, etc..
WOW
January 18th, 2011
9:06 am
Thank you! … if yall dont see MOORE than yall arent watching the game… he is a best!
The Dude Abides
January 18th, 2011
10:03 am
Ok we need to go offense with the 27th pick(TD said he’s willing to trade up) but we need a formidable running back tandem. The most underrated player is Mikel LeShoure from Illinois. He’s a Rashard Mendenhaal clone and has good hands.
Sign These three players in Free Agency: Vincent Jackson, Charles Johnson, Champ Bailey(bla bla a Georgia fest you’ll say but they are best available) Nnamdi Asomugha will cost a ton.
Get Mark Herzlich from BC in the 2nd round and draft Darvin Adams in the third round.
gadawgs
January 18th, 2011
10:18 am
WOW..I’ve been watching and yes Moore is a beast. He will lay the wood and was a great pick by TD. We do need some help on the defensive end side to compliment Abe. I love Bierman but he is a rotaional guy not a every down DE that other offenses have to scheme for.
E
January 18th, 2011
10:20 am
The falcons problem: They have always done a poor job at evaluating talent which leads to year after year poor draft picks. Within the last five years the falcons have had only 2 players from draft picks that have really made a difference which is M. Ryan and R. White everybody else drafted have been average at best. They also do a poor job at bringing in veterans players and developing talent. If anybody look at the four teams left in the playoffs each one of them have great defenses from the Def lineman, linebackers to the secondary and the falcons are average in all three areas. One things the falcons can not do is continuing to try to trick the fans week in and out and year after year that they are trying to put together the best talent possible because the fans know when their being cheated but told other wise by the coaches, GM and players.
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:31 am
I do remember a Qb who couldn’t throw the deep ball well at all his name was Joe Montana..overrated QBs don’t trow for 3700 yds and have a almost 3- 1 int ratio..they also don’t lead alot of game winning drives or 4th qtr comebacks…
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:35 am
Grimes Weems Lofton Moore Douglas (Injury) Jerry (Injury) Corey Peters Fa signings Tony G Mike Peterson Duntae Robinson who through half the season you didn’t hear his name called because they didn’t throw to his side of the field..Oh Brian Williams Sean Weatherspoon..really can’t evaluate talent…come on
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:35 am
oh yeah not too mention Signing Matt Bryant
Samuel
January 18th, 2011
11:02 am
You need a fast running back that can get outside and spell Turner. You need a explosive wide receiver who other teams must game plan for. The Falcons need another pass rusher who can get production like Abe did this year. And a cornerback who’s better and faster than Dunte and mighty mouse Grimes. That’s four players who can make a difference.
FalconFan
January 18th, 2011
11:03 am
We need linebackers and defensive lineman for sure and hopefully can pull them (at lesat one) off the free agent market.
We need a second receiver and speed to be put in the backfield with Turner.
On another note, we need an OC that will open up the game!
Samuel
January 18th, 2011
11:08 am
Somebody on that Coaching staff needs to go. In the biggest game on a big stage, he called a bad game. How can you not include Tony Gonzales in one of the most Inportant games this year. That my friend is unacceptable.
Casey
January 18th, 2011
11:20 am
Can we please find a corner that’s over 6′ tall??
tardawg
January 18th, 2011
11:32 am
How abou a good DC, Steve smith from Carolina available, how stewart at running back
Dwayne
January 18th, 2011
11:36 am
Justin Houston at 27.
The Dude Abides
January 18th, 2011
11:46 am
Justin Houston at Dallas. Justin Houston in the 3-4.
fanfavorite
January 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
I’m tired of drafting players let get that CB Nnamdi Asomugha from Oakland and move Grimes to the nickel
DirtyBirdsin11
January 18th, 2011
2:14 pm
We gotta add a couple of playmakers to that offense. More speed at RB and WR is a must. On defense I think that the issue is size more than speed. If TD can find us some big playmakers at CB, DE, and a LB to replace Peterson, the defense will be in good shape. As far as free agents go, I would love to see Nnamdi and Plaxico in a Falcons uniform, but I doubt we’ll overpay for Nnamdi, and I don’t know that Plaxico fits into the mold of character guys they want in this organization. Ultimately, I think our offense will be unstoppable if we add a home run threat at WR and RB to take some pressure off of Turner and Roddy, and to give Matty Ice the big play options this team lacks. Might could’ve come back against GB if it didn’t take us 8 min to score every time. I love controlling the clock, but you also need big plays in the NFL. I have faith that Smith, TD, and Blank will make sure those needs are met, and we will see a new and improved Dirty Birds squad on the field next season.
Grady Jackson . . . . *Barber Shop*
January 18th, 2011
3:08 pm
Thanks, . . . . . .Captain Kirk.
ASHCAN.
January 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
I keep hearing the falcons will be fine,there still building,there still bla bla bla! WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR has been the falcons slogan since 1966 and people are still saying there gonna be alright.Heard that saying 10 years ago and counting.Don’t you people get it?
Ed
January 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
I think Dimitroff is licking his chops over the possibility of getting his hands on Cameron Heyward, he reminds me of Will Smith with the Saints. I think TD would move up to get him.
ASHCAN.
January 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
@cornell,BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13-4......
January 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
I know its a 1 in 1000 chance but I would love to see asomugha as a falcon. it would make the hurt from that packers loss go away and re new some excitement in the fans…. too bad it will never happen. we are stuck with robinson and williams and owens and grimes……..
Steve C
January 18th, 2011
4:47 pm
Love all the experts here that have never coached a down in the NFL.
jay dubu
January 18th, 2011
5:15 pm
This is the 4th draft for this front office. The team that they go into next season with, should be the most complete team since the new regime came in.
I think the defense needs a new coach though.
ln29576
January 18th, 2011
5:34 pm
Matty Ice aka Matty Nice after his loss to Green Bay per ESPN, love the new name.
SKEWMANIA RUNNING WILD
January 18th, 2011
8:07 pm
Cut Jenkins, Douglas, sign Moss or Smith, Train Matt to throw deep get speed back for outside run, more play action plays, write up new plays goaline run up the middle isnt working for us, forget the run first remember the gtreatess show on turf, high powered offenses win bowls, and good running backs it up, you cant run the field on a two min drill, Mike Smithe get tough on players you seem weak to me you dont motivate me to want to play, I want a coach who players fear not like. stop the one celebrations then getting burned on the next, move with a purpose , dont drag ass all day then in the 4th qtr try to do something you should be doing the first 3 qtrs, check your tempers you cant play mad, its a sign that you are losing the game, pay for the players you know you need the time is now after going 13-4 how do you think it will look to us if you dont improve by at going to NFC title game and dont when or at least one hell of a game
Dominic Hughes
January 18th, 2011
10:15 pm
Don’t forget the Falcons have Kerry Meier (WR) to come back from injury. I had high hopes for that kid. He won’t be a deep threat but I think he can help move the chains. I’d have no problems adding more speed to the WR mix later in the draft but early on I would be drafting the best playmaker – at any position – we can get our hands on. DE is a need but there are so many draft busts at that position (anybody remember Vernon Gholston?) I’d rather address it in free agency (isn’t that how we got our one good pass rusher? Isn’t how the Bears got Peppers?) Go after a sure thing. By the way, what ever happened to Lawrence Sidbury?
mgdawg
January 18th, 2011
10:38 pm
Oline or safety I think. One thing UGA’s D under vangorder always had was a stud at safety, the ravens have ed reed, the steelers have that guy whose name I am not going to pretend to know able to spell. Dline is something the falcons really need, but they have had bad luck with Dlineman from the draft and a safety can make an impact faster I think. One thing that a friend of mine noticed, who isn’t even a football fan, was how long ryan had to throw the ball versus how long rodgers had. Ryan had to throw the ball as soon as it got in his hands, anyone else notice all the skill players on offense getting probowl bids and not one olineman. The Oline played above their ability most of the year, but they can’t do that all the time.
As far as coaching changes, I’ve got a couple of comments. First on defense. How many times did abraham get into the backfield clean and just run right by rodgers on third down and allow rodgers to extend the drive? That’s not the coaches fault. However, I will say this, it seemed like to me the falcons did better in man coverage versus zone coverage in the game. Yet they seemed to run zone a lot more down the stretch. Also, keep in mind outside of abraham and maybe dunta robinson, who else are big name guys on the defense? The falcons had one of the lowest payrolls of the teams in the playoffs, I think you may be able to get around that during the season, but in the postseason that is going to show. Blank needs to get off the wallet and get some more impact players.
Doc Dawg
January 18th, 2011
11:03 pm
Hold on everybody… Peria Jerry and William Moore are essentially playing their rookie seasons, and not even at full speed. Its always the 2nd year after a devastating knee injury that a player regains true form. Clay Matthews is a great player, but DT was the outstanding need. The defense needs help, but Jerrious and Harry Douglass are at the end of the line. We need some speed on offense. We need at TE in waiting.
take it from me.
January 18th, 2011
11:19 pm
Hayward, if he is still around in the 27th round would be a perfect pick for falcons.i watched him play at PT Ridge, and in some games when Ohio ST was on tv.Hes a beast and can’t be stoped! Demans dubble team from the o-line on most every play,gives 100% on every play! falcons can’t go wrong on this player.We need defencesive help!
realitycheck
January 18th, 2011
11:42 pm
This regime has drafted very poorly, and the free agents haven’t been worth the money. The only real draft hit so far appears to be Matt Ryan who has been solid but not spectacular. Ryan has yet to prove that he can beat the really good teams, and he’s yet to prove that he can win when the running game isn’t working. This team has many more holes than was previously thought after being exposed in a grand way against the Packers. This team overachieved and lucked its way to that 13-3 record. In reality, this is probably more like a 10-6 club. The Falcons are drafting 27th,and after Saturday’s blowout loss they looked like they needed 27 draft picks. This team needs a lot!
Dominic Hughes
January 19th, 2011
12:30 am
I think the Falcons have drafted well the past few seasons. Ryan is obviously the star but there have been other hits. Weatherspoon, Lofton, DeCoud, Biermann, William Moore, Corey Peters…even Harry Douglas and Vance Walker were value for where they were taken. Yes, there have been duds as well, but you’re not going to get seven starters out of every draft. If you get a few and some situational players, I reckon you’ve done OK.
BOB
January 19th, 2011
1:13 am
The real challenge for the Falcon’s post season will be managing fan expectations. No one will want hear that the team bet the ranch on this year and will not have a better record because of strength of schedule,etc.
So the way to get ‘er done in 2011-12 is:
1.Trade for Albert Hanesworth. He is both a run stuffer(in the 4-3) as well as a pass rusher and can be had for a 3rd round pick/ Chauncy Davis.
2.Sign Nnamdi Asomugha. Expensive? Maybe but with players like Jamal Anderson and Chris Owens coming off the books the budget might not have to be busted for a real cover corner.
3.Use 1st round pick on Tony G’s replacement. Need a “new” Tony G: tall,fast and with great hands to give the offense a spark.
slobberknocker
January 19th, 2011
2:05 am
The Falcons need speed and theirs plenty of quality speed available in the later rounds. This is a must, bring in Noel Devine, 4.34, for some excitement out of the backfield and special teams help. Bye bye Injury Norwood. Draft Ed Gates, 4.43, to lineup with RW. Say goodbye to Harry Douglas. I love Tony’s hands, but hate is feet. Sign Schulyar Oordt, 4.59, or Virgil Green, 4.60. Markus White, DE, 4.69, is projected to last into the 5th rd. Lots of great speed options to choose from in rounds 4 – 7. Use the first 2 rounds to take an impact DE and CB. Pickup the best OG or OT in the third round. Maybe Steve Schilling, OG 5.14. And add a veteran free agent or two.
D man
January 19th, 2011
9:33 am
Compared to where we were three years ago, this is a fantastic team that will improve in the off season. I’m still excited. The hangover from Saturday night is starting to wear off. I’m looking forward to a pro bowl for the first time in many years. 7 of our Falcons, WOW!!!
Go Falcons!!!
BigTimeTECHFan
January 19th, 2011
10:13 am
Cut Lofton and draft that Tank dude from TCU
BigTimeTECHFan
January 19th, 2011
10:21 am
1. Tank Carder LB TCU
2. Nick Faily DT Auburn
3. Da’Quan Bowers DE Clem
4. Robert Quinn DE UNC
5. Prince Amukamara CB Neb
6. Julio Jones WR Bama
7. Patrick Peterson CB LSU
8. AJ Greene WR UGA
9. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
10. Marcell Dareus DT Bama
Jeff George
January 19th, 2011
11:11 am
Julio Jones won’t be around at #27. I agree with PCB Mike in that next season I believe that the team will continue their dominance. And guess what, I only see the team defense improving. The defense (for a majority) is young and expect big things from Biermann, Moore, Jerry, Weatherspoon, DeCoud, and Grimes next year!
realitycheck
January 19th, 2011
11:45 am
Jeff George…Continue their dominance? You must be watching something totally different than I am. This team might be looking at a 3rd place finish in the NFC South next season. Just about everything broke the Falcons way this season, and that’s highly unlikely to happen again. They wasted the best health in the league this year, just as Dallas did in 2009. Be an optimistic fan if you like, but that 13-3 record was nothing more than a mirage. The Saints were injured, Bucs were too young, and Panthers in major transition this season. The pathetic NFC West will be replaced by the NFC North on next season’s schedule. The Falcons are going to fall off next season and that decline could be substantial.
Ron "CHOKE" Mexico
January 20th, 2011
7:56 am
That kid, Ryan Kerrigan, DE from Purdue would be a good pick, if he is still available, if you are going to run a 4-3, then you have to get pressure from your d-line, or you are screwed. or the CB from Texas, I forget his name. first pick has got to be defense because that side of the ball has consistently been worse than the offense.
next I would draft a WR
everything depends on what they do in free agency,
Ron "CHOKE" Mexico
January 20th, 2011
7:58 am
No way would I bring haynesworth to this team.
Ed
January 20th, 2011
11:36 am
I totally agree with take it from me, the answer to the DE problems for the Falcons is Cameron Heyward, the guy is a flat out baller and gave offensive lines all kinds of problems this past year at Ohio State. Plus he’s the son of a legend.
RJ
January 20th, 2011
1:47 pm
People please, Matt Ryan does not have a weak arm. He has a tendency to sometimes put to much air under passes but that doesn’t necessarily mean he has a weak arm. He can throw it plenty hard enough to be successful in the NFL. He just made some poor decisions in the Green Bay game to overcompensate for our lack of D imo. Even if he had played a perfect game there is no way we would have won the game GB was a more talented team and this is still a team sport first QB sport second. We should be talking about how we can get better as a team. 3 Glaring issues were apparent to me in this game.
1. We need to get a better pass rush
2. We need to get more physical at the CB position
3. We need more speed on offense at both the RB & WR position
PhillyFalconsFan
January 20th, 2011
10:16 pm
A wideout with 4.49 speed won’t get the job done; we need sub 4.35. I’m sure Jerious Norwood won’t be here come September, but, just in case, couldn’t we all chip in and buy him a ball machine to learn how to catch while his knee heals? He’d be awesome in motion or in the slot and has 4.3 speed.
PhillyFalconsFan
January 20th, 2011
10:20 pm
RJ – and all you guys who say matt has a gun – Go to a game and watch him throw. He just doesn’t have elite QB velocity. You can see, hear and feel it better live. He could make up for the lack of strength with deep accuracy, but we haven’t seen that from him on a consistent basis.
Captain Kirk
January 21st, 2011
1:20 am
Outside Observer???
Matthews doesnt fit our scheme???? WTF scheme is that 3 man Pass rush no bump n run, 8 deep zone and we STILL get torched
seems to me that Matthews ability, not scheme, and his skill set were Pro Bowl bound from the moment he entered the draft..
Oh or Did Kevin Green coach him up…..? Greene..another local white boy turned LB beast the Falcons didny/couldnt/wouldnt draft out of Auburn in the late 80s, when those Falcon teams were also in the commode n drafted real high
scheme schmmeeeeeeem
CK
Captain Kirk
January 21st, 2011
1:36 am
As far as free agebcy is concerned,,I was lickin my chops after last season when Julius Peppers was available..but no…….. who do we get
Daunting “Dunta”..didja see him get beat at that corner route..which Packer WR left Daunting reachin for his jockstrap….
As for the O which I havent addressed because the defensive flaws were far more glaring IMO…Moss and Steve Smith..still both top 10 WR hafta be bettern Jenkins..and Finneran at 35 is prob near the end of the line but still performed well..Maybe he shouldve been more of a target than Jenkins..
Jenkins astounds me.. he makes the difficult catches most of the time, yet muffs the easy ones,, thats his history and it hasnt changed.. we’dve not won the ravens game if he hadnt first made that deep out on the play before Whites winnin TD..
but and here’s the BUT..when you’re 6-4, covered by a 5-11 DB and you fall down on an ill timed jump in the end zone and allow a pick….. that aint cuttin it..
Finneran makes those plays if hes on that route. at 35 and hes 8 yrs older than Jenkins and might have 1 more yr after comin back from 2 knee surgeries, and losin 2 full seasons of productivity, seasons that Jenkins played in….no wonder back at Villanova he was the Walter Payton award winner as THE BEST player in 1-AA in the NATION!!!!
and Jenkins resume at the OSU was what????….
If the falcons ever learn to evaluate talent properly,, ever recall Aundray Bruce?????? remember the corner they drafted in the aerly 80’s from Nebraska..which was in primarily a RUN conference at the time
Ive seen this s***t for nearly 40 yrs so much so that the I believe the Deon draft occurred when someone shuffled the wrong papers and got the wrong guy
Insanity is defined as doin the same thing over n over n expectin a different result
cwltank
January 21st, 2011
11:39 am
Yea Ryan arm is weak if you compare him to Cutler, Rogers, Manning, and a few others. Therefore, the Falcons offensive coordinator did n help by calling such simple plays. We need a speedy wide out. Norwood injury hurt us a little and the 2 backs we have are similar in and ability. Maybe we can trade a rb to move he up in the draft.
No hope now
January 21st, 2011
6:50 pm
Reality check is speaking some sort of truth. THE FALCONS NEED A BIG OFF-SEASON to keep fans attention and to be competitive. Vikings, Bears, Lions, and Packers. This might sound crazy but the team I wouldn’t want to see the most is the LIONS. That whole divison is tough. Guys have to step up. But its funny reading fans comments. “TRade for Big Al.” Go get randy moss, etc. Thats just fantasy talk. The only justification of getting Nnamid is BECAUSE OF BRENT GRIMES. Grimes is a good CB, but GRIMES WILL WANT MONEY PERIOD and I don’t blame him. Undrafted? Arguably pro bowl year? 27? This next contract will be his payday and its deserve. Foxworth was 3rd rounder who had 1 pick with us and got 35 mil. Grimes will demand that to 40 mil.
We just paid dunta. YOU MIGHT AS WELL BUMP UP THE CONTRACT TO 5 TO 10 MIL and go get Nnamdi. Thats the only way I could see us get nnamdi. ITs not like Blank doesn’t have the money. I think he will be willing to pay based on what happened against the packers. Fans leaving in your dome, IMAGINE HOW BLANK FEELS. That will stick with him through the whole off-season. Getting nnamdi isn’t as far fetched as some might seem. Dimitroff just has to have an agressive plan and pitch to him.
tyger
January 22nd, 2011
7:18 pm
2010 HBCU NFL Draft Board (1-6)
1. Kenrick Ellis 6-5, 340 DT Hampton
AP/FCS All-American, All-MEAC, 34 solo, 15TFL, 2 sacks
2. Clifford Eugene 6’1, 198 CB Tenn State
FCS All-American, 3x All-OVC, 4 Ints, 14 PDs
3. Johnny Culbreath 6’5, 285 OT SC State
AP/FCS All-American, 2x All-MEAC
4. Derrin Nettles 6’6, 320 DT Morehouse
AFCA All-American, All-SIAC,37 solo, 23 TFL, 14.5 sacks
5. Ibrahim Abdulai 6’3, 282 DT Ark-PB
All-SWAC, 31 solo, 18 TFL, 7.5 sacks
6. Frank Warren 5’10, 195 RB Grambling
FCS All-American, 2010 SWAC Offensive POY,
1,592 yd rushing, 3rd in NCAA
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
OneRyder
January 22nd, 2011
9:35 pm
Draft a top notch WR, and open up the passing playbook.
Look at FA, and pick up a DE so Abraham is not the only rusher. There are a ton of solid pass rushing DE’s becoming FA this year.Kiwanuka, Babin (finished 3rd in sacks), Charles Johnson (11.5 sacks), Packers Cullen Jenkins (nuff said about him if you watched Falcons vs Pack), Vikings Ray Edwards. Just a few, and more out there.
Don’t draft a DE hoping he turns out ok. Go get a tried and true FA.
Also, Sign Champ Bailey. And resign Brent Grimes.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
January 23rd, 2011
4:02 pm
They should pick up Chris Durham in later rounds. Would generate local interest and his work ethic fits with the Smith style.
joe
January 24th, 2011
11:25 am
Steave slaton,is on the bench fast back we need,houston texans.