Birds could go up to get Julio Jones, Green costs too much
Alabama's Julio Jones (8) makes a catch for a touchdown as Georgia's Bryan Evans defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
BIRDLAND – The bat phone has been shake, rattling and rolling all day on vibrate.
No, the Falcons are not getting ready to mortgage the future to get Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green. The cost to get up into the top five is prohibitive.
It would cost the Falcons’ their first round pick this year, their first, second and third next year.
However, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones could be in play.
Here’s how that can happen.
Jones has to slip outside of the top 10. Most have him going to Cleveland at No. 6, but the Browns may go defense and take LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.
If Houston, which needs secondary help, takes Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara with the 11the pick. The Detroit Lions, who pick 13th, could be looking to trade out of their spot.
The Falcons could send their first, second and fourth round picks this year along with next year’s second to the Lions. The key would be to get in front of St. Louis to take Jones.
If Jones doesn’t slip, look for the Falcons to hold onto the 27th pick.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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144 comments Add your comment
falCants4ever
April 28th, 2011
1:09 pm
wow…looks like i’m not the only one who thinks Matty Melt can’t throw farther than 10yds…the falCants need another undersized, slow DE…..falcants…
DMR
April 28th, 2011
1:12 pm
A little off the subject…Many Falcons fans liked Brian Finneran for a long time. A long, possession receiver with good hands that could fill a third or fourth position in a four or five wide set. The Falcons should keep their eye on Kris Durham. I saw an article in the AJC about Durham and his hopes to get drafted. Durham had some of the best hands on the UGA team for over the last four – five seasons. The only receiver better was A.J. and he’ll be gone around pick 4 or 5 in Round 1. Durham will be a value pick for the right team in the right round.
Trojan
April 28th, 2011
1:33 pm
I like Jones but he does not have the best hands. Way too much. We do need another receiver.
BULLDOGMANIAC
April 28th, 2011
1:37 pm
HECK NO!!!!!! If I were going to give up that much for Jones (who has the dropsies at times) I would go ahead and give up more and get AJ who catches everything!
Sid
April 28th, 2011
1:45 pm
We already got a rookie WR coming to camp, Kerry Meier. Another Steve Largent in the making.
Jimmy Crack
April 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
Too much to give up and yes, drops are an issue with him…We need to let this bipolar draft full of question marks come down to us this year. Guaranteed there is a darn good WR in the 2nd Round to coach up. Julio’s a freak, but not worth a #1, #2, #4, and next year’s #2. Sheesh! A.J. maybe but not Julio. How about instead with our #1 & #2 we take Brooks Reed and Leonard Hankerson? Much better deal and we keep our #4 and next year’s #2. Besides we need depth.
O-my
April 28th, 2011
1:50 pm
Thats to much for Jones….enough said.
moe
April 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
thats to much i would like for them to trade the 27pick to the bengals . the only team that needs a wr ( after 27 b4 25)is the bears if they get it would be torry smith. that would give them at 66 thie is where they an rb 1st wr 2nd de 3rd rb, olb this only would happen if Akeen Ayers, olb Adrin clayborn de , mark Ingram are gone . is to high for those wr and de and rb
bascogcjs
April 28th, 2011
2:09 pm
no way the Falcons would give up that much for the injury-prone Julio.
Please tell me they wouldn’t make that trade!
Matt
April 28th, 2011
2:17 pm
Use your picks to fill some holes and go all in for CJ next year when he’s a FA.
GT81
April 28th, 2011
2:19 pm
the picks are worth Jones, but this is not our need.
CONservative Johnson
April 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
So, everyone other than our guy Ledbetter is reporting that the Falcons are trying to move up. Everyone includes, but not limited to, Peter King, Jay Glazer, Jason La Canfora and Michael Lombardi . . .
Dunwoody_Joe
April 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
It’s all noise meant to distract and confuse the other GMs. If all the sources are reporting it, you can be certain that TD planted that idea and has no intention of doing it.
TD learned the art of drafting in NE and they never show their cards. Expect something unexpected.
M10
April 28th, 2011
3:10 pm
I see no reason not to try to get one of the top 2 receivers in this draft.Our receiving corps need an upgrade at the # 2 slot.I think there going to be agressive on a free agent DE and take the best LB,DE or CB with the 27 pk if they dont trade up.
Billy
April 28th, 2011
3:18 pm
No disrespect to Julio, but I can’t see Dimitroff giving up all that.
PoloisGucci
April 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
their is only 1 player im willing to trade up for and thats Patrick peterson… nobody else is worth it… but who am i (just a dam die hard Falcons fan) lol… He is the best paler period… to me all the DL r all ok nobody is going to stand out in their careers… remember who said it first!!! My homeboy Corey Liuget is the only one thats gon do something and they dont even talk about him.. remember who said that first also.. Corey Liuget out of Illinois #93… my mothaf*ckin dog!!!!!!
Falcons 2011
April 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
KRIS. DURHAM.
Nookah
April 28th, 2011
3:34 pm
Way too much to give up for a rookie regardless of how much potential he has shown.
DLed, any chance TD feeding the market with misinformation? Perhaps he covets a stud WR but we have other priorities in the draft e.g DE, Safety etc. and trying to send the market wide.
Go Falcons!!
DR. FALCON
April 28th, 2011
3:50 pm
THE PROBEM ISN’T OUR PROBLEM PEOPLE. IT’S OUR DEFENSE! WE NEED TO KEEP OUR 27TH PICK TO SELECT EITHER ADRIAN CLAYBORN OR RYAN KERRIGAN. 2ND RD WILL OFFER US VIRGIL GREEN AT TE, OR DONTAE MOCH AT OLB. GREEN AND JONES ARE ENTICING BUT, WE HAVE KERRY MEIER COMING BACK!
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
I’ve been reading the blogs here and nobody has addressed the need of a speedy and mean speedy RB who can turn the corner out running the DB’s…..”See you on the hill”
CONservative Johnson
April 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Mort and Adam Schefter also reporting that the Falcons are trying to move up. I’m riding with you Ledbetter. Don’t let us down . . .
CONservative Johnson
April 28th, 2011
4:14 pm
+ “move up in a blockbuster”*
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
4:19 pm
If you want a sure “pick”…look for the boo birds for Commissioner Goodell when he comes out to the mike….
slim
April 28th, 2011
4:41 pm
Frontman i see you watch the games but our Cover 2 scheme calls for all the linebackers have to able 2 cover in space with speed. We at least need 2 more cover 2 type linebackers with speed and that can cover linebackers and tight ends and our Current linebackers cant do that that’s why our pass defense is garbage .
jarvis
April 28th, 2011
4:43 pm
Todd
April 27th, 2011
7:20 pm
I certainly would not give up all that for Jones, I think he’s a talent for sure, this cat gets injured just working out. Too much of a risk. Jernigan will be available at 59, no doubt. If they keep their 1st RD. pick, I would rather see them select Reed over Ayers. Is it me or was team better off 3 years ago? It’s sort of amazing everybody thinks TD is a genius because he selected Ryan, give me a break.
———————————————————–
Please let us know how u figure this team was better off 3 years ago. Picking #3 overall means its better than 27th? They won 4 or 5 games before TD took over and now they won 11,9, and 13 went to the playoffs 2 out of 3 years. Yes they didnt play great in the playoffs but remind you nobody expect them to respond like they have 3 years ago. Yes GB tore them a new as$ but who here would’ve thought they would be #1 seed anyway? TD!
Falcons 4 Real
April 28th, 2011
6:47 pm
Yesterday I was very hesitant about how much it would cost to move up but if we come out of today with Julio or Peterson I for one will be grinning from ear.
AlanFalcon
April 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
Really Stupid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hiramsaint
April 28th, 2011
7:43 pm
looking at your last game , the slow inept D should be the priority instead of a wr who ryan can’t throw to anyway. if your salivating over a reciever then a te to replace the aging gonzales would be a better use of draft picks… but then y’all are the failcans!
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April 28th, 2011
8:01 pm
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JKA
April 28th, 2011
9:07 pm
Guess we don’t have to debate Justin Houston’s judgement anymore…..
Paul
April 28th, 2011
9:15 pm
Great Job, Mr. Orlando Ledbetter.
waynester
April 28th, 2011
9:17 pm
Giving the “props” where due. You earned your dough on this one….
Matt
April 28th, 2011
9:29 pm
Orlando, how could you be so wrong about this? Is it not your job to be in the know?
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
9:56 pm
Julio Jones improves all facets of an already good offense. Barring injury the Falcons on offense will be unstoppable. The are now a legit Super Bowl contender. Years past the Falcons were not as good as you fans thought they were. This year they will be great. They will win the South and if they get a pass rusher they will be in the Super Bowl in 2012. That trade signaled the Falcons going for it now. You gotta love it. The last two times the falcons lost in the Play-offs they lost to teams with dynamic offenses lead by great receiving cores. The Falcon’s receiver core is now second to none. Opposing teams can’t double any receiver or the tight end and they can’t put 8 in the box. Harry Douglas will have a break-out season as well. Plus the receivers will get YAC, which will help your QB. Ryan’s biggest weakness is deep balls flutter. Now, he does not need to throw in long at all. His greatest strength is his decision making and accuracy. Well with those receivers he can throw to whoever, whenever. Just improve that defense via free agency and barring injury Atlanta Falcon’s will have it’s dynasty.
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
9:57 pm
I told you all last year you needed another receiver and this year you went out and hit a home-run. Great move.
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
9:58 pm
I would love to see the falcons get a third down back but Harry Douglas may be able to file that void at flanker.
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
9:58 pm
I can’t believe it I may becoming a Falcons fan again.
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
10:01 pm
I gained respect for Matt Ryan in that play-off lost. Even though he made mistakes and the Falcons were being beaten badly he kept fighting. And I Loved Coach Smith from his first interview when he said Their is no bad job in the NFL. There are only 32 teams and it’s special to get one of only 32 jobs in the world and thats being a head coach in the NFL.
Loyal Falcon
April 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
All I can say is…COMPENSATORY PICKS!!!! Think about it. This pick means more than likely some of our starting OL will leave meaning that we’ll get a few compensatory picks for next years draft.
A-Ville Ranger
April 29th, 2011
2:53 am
I think this was a horrible trade. Not only did we pay a mint but Jones is far from a sure thing. He runs ragged routes. He takes his eyes off the ball and drops too many. He doesn’t get nearly the separation he should get with his measurables. He just plain looks stiff too. I wouldn’t have given this much for AJ and he’s a much surer prospect with a higher ceiling.
ctfalconsfan
April 29th, 2011
8:28 am
Terrible trade!! Gave up way too much for Jones. Might as well traded a couple of more picks and gotten Green.
coach smith
April 29th, 2011
9:07 am
To give up that much you BETTER get the BEST player in the Draft at their position!!!!!! The Falcons gave up a boat load of picks to move up and get teh SECOND BEST PLAYER at his position!!
They should’ve either got a deal where they moved up for AJ Green or stay at 27
Elliot Garcia
April 29th, 2011
10:32 am
Can any of you “fans” admit that defenses like to double team Roddy because there is nobody on the other side? With Julio on the team, there is no way they can double Roddy now. Plus, Julio is a great blocker….
Buck
April 29th, 2011
11:32 am
Big SEC fan here. Have watched Julio and AJ their whole careers. I think Julio will have a better pro career than AJ.