Belichick advised Dimitroff against Jones trade
Pittsburgh wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, right, makes a catch for a first down over Notre Dame cornerback Darrin Walls in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Pittsburgh won 27-22. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Michael Holley is one of my favorite people in the sports business.
Our paths crossed in Ohio decades ago and we’ve consulted a various times during our careers. He was very helpful during the Michael Vick trial, so when he was writing the “War Room” I was pleased to help out.
My copy is waiting for me at the office, but SI’s Peter King has already read the book and shared a gracious book review on page 2 of this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback column. Here’s the link to King’s column.
In the book, “War Room: The Legacy of Bill Belichick and the Art of Building the Perfect Team” Holley writes about Belichick, Kansas City’s Scott Pioli and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff thoughts on building that perfect team.
A couple of things in the review caught my attention.
1. After Dimitroff called Belichick “as a friend,” the mentor advised him not to make the Julio Jones trade. He felt the Falcons should have stayed at No. 27 and picked Pittsburgh’s Jonathan Baldwin. The deal was too pricey for Belichick’s blood. (Baldwin was our selection in one of my early Mocks drafts. He went to Kansas City on the 26th pick. He caught a couple balls last night in the win over San Diego.).
2. The Falcons, with their quest for players with high football I.Q.’s and good character, have the most “black dots” on their draft board in the league. Players that the team won’t consider are given black dots. Even the image conscious owner, Arthur Blank, was concerned with the number of “black dots.” In their quest to stay away from “challenged souls” are the Falcons missing out on some talent?
3. The draft room is bizarre. In the past when the local media has requested access to the draft room, they have been summarily turned down. It seems the draft room is party central full of limited partners and board members. The book notes that Dimitroff runs a pretty relaxed ship that may include Hank Aaron or Andrew Young dropping by on draft day. Pioli is much more up tight in K.C. He wants peace and quiet in his draft room.
BTW, King recommends the book highly.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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161 comments Add your comment
LexLuth
November 1st, 2011
12:33 pm
I still say….If he doesnt get Rookie of the Year…we paid to much…dont give a flip about Belicheks opinion..
Beating my dead horse…It doesnt matter at all if you still have Mike Mularkey calling plays…
Halsey
November 1st, 2011
12:40 pm
The Patriots WRs are Wes Welker and a bunch of spare parts. Genius Belichick’s solution to the Patriot’s need for a WR was Chad Ochoslowo. Go look at the Patriot’s drafts in recent years. It’s not like they are flawless.
ctfalconsfan
November 1st, 2011
12:40 pm
@Steve-O, 100% agree! no reason to bring Julio into this game as we should win 62-0 however with Mike Mularkey calling plays we will start out with a 21-0 lead in the 1st Q then win 35-21..
Let Julio get 100% for the aints..
zbulldawg
November 1st, 2011
12:43 pm
One thing about drafting Juilo is it seems to have effected 84’s play.We need Roddy to lead and be the go to guy.When they are doubling Toni Roddy should have single coverage, but he’s dropping the ball again.Then we have Harry making the big plays if Roddy gets on tract OH MY this would not even be written about.
SawThat1nce
November 1st, 2011
12:45 pm
The saints aren’t really that good.
They will finish 3rd in their division.
T-bone
November 1st, 2011
12:48 pm
Everyone loves to criticize. You really don’t know about draft related choices for 2-3 years. Also, who cares what Belichick said anyways? He is never going to give you an honest answer. He’s too competitive to be honest.
D man
November 1st, 2011
12:50 pm
Julio was worth the pick.
King Falcon
November 1st, 2011
12:52 pm
Somebody should have told Belichick to skip on Haynesworth and Ochocinco. Both of them have been non factors. I don’t think Julio was a mistake. With his size and speed I think you could draw a comparison between him and Calvin Johnson. Matt Ryan needs to get him the ball.
jerry
November 1st, 2011
12:58 pm
Ryan 18th in passing yards, 26th in average gain per attempt. Great trade.
jerry
November 1st, 2011
1:00 pm
And just what were Belichick’s options?
yeahsure
November 1st, 2011
1:10 pm
1. Baldwin? The guy who injured his hand punching a teammate in the locker room? Good call on the black dot TD.
2. Belichick has 3 rings but has as many playoff wins as TD does in the past 3 years. He has the LUXURY of Brady making his draft choices look like gems. He is good at stockpiling picks but that does no good without playoff wins.
3. The black dots prevent someone like Haynesworth. Still sticking by TD.
4. Arthur Blank can have anyone in the warroom he wants. He is the owner, and a damn good one at that. They are not just people either. They are business partners and well respected people in the community (probably future minority shareholders)
Whopper Dawg
November 1st, 2011
1:29 pm
Beluchick was right. WAY too much to give up for a WR. The only position that would justify that type of move is a QB and even that is doubtful. Look at Pittsburgh, they are choke full of quality receivers and they have been picking later in the draft then the Falcons.
Stupid, stupid more regardless of how Jones turns out.
Bird Dawg Country
November 1st, 2011
1:31 pm
Too early to tell. Who’s to say he’s not right about giving too much up.
Have to figure a few years down road and guess who they would have taken with all draft picks Falcons gave up. And can’t base a constructive response on 7 games into a career. Is he going to be injury prone? Beyond stats are there intangibles such as Julio drawing double coverage to free up others? Time will tell. Jury is still out. Personally I would have loved AJ Green on team, but we tried (documented) and Cincy was unwilling to give up that pick.
Bird Dawg Country
November 1st, 2011
1:39 pm
I’m grateful to the Falcons and their many black dots.
Even from the outside looking in, many fans can see the multitude of trouble guys in college and pro.
They seem to still be able to get premier talent without having to get trash.
Just continue to build Falcons. In Dimitroff and Smith we trust!
DP
November 1st, 2011
1:40 pm
Based on his track record in the last 5-6 drafts, Belichick should be getting advice on the draft instead of giving it. New England’s defense is a disaster because they’ve whiffed on so many draft picks. Take Tom Brady away from New England and I suspect they’d look much like Indy does without Peyton Manning.
SeenThisBFalcon
November 1st, 2011
1:42 pm
Were are the Ain’ts haters at? I think there both the same person!!!! LOL Losers!!!!!
Brick Head O Reilly
November 1st, 2011
1:50 pm
“Freight Train” Turner just needs to run and catch the ball to keep that running game a danger to the defense. He and the other runners and blockers are the key to the Falcons success
tidog
November 1st, 2011
1:56 pm
You can’t overlook Roddy White’s age ( i believe 30 or very close to it). His days are numbered as a #1 receiver so you were going to need a #1 for Ryan anyhow. From my understanding it was go AJ Green or Julio. The Bengals weren’t biting so it’s Julio, a heck of a consolation. Baldwin may be good but the upside for Baldwin isn’t close to Jones. Damn good trade the end.
Sam the Sham
November 1st, 2011
1:56 pm
Get it down field Julio…let 88 one hand catch it for the TD.
Stan in Philly
November 1st, 2011
2:01 pm
I am shocked at how many people are doubting TD….how many other Falcon GMs have ever led us to THREE straight non losing season???? I am waiting?
Its easy…NONE! I am not one to drink the kool aid, but I like that he has systematically rebuilt our franchise so that year in and year out we are in the thick of things….the TD haters are worst than whiney spoiled little brats….Grow the F up!
Matt 1.0
November 1st, 2011
2:03 pm
your opinion counts…
Bill Belichick Told Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff Not to Trade for Julio Jones | Larry Brown Sports
November 1st, 2011
2:05 pm
[...] the Atlanta Journal Constitution shared on Tuesday, Peter King recently reviewed Michael Holley’s book, “War Room: The [...]
MR. ATL
November 1st, 2011
2:15 pm
Why does everyone keep talking about Roddy’s age. Donald Driver is 36. Really?! And y’all giving Roddy slack?! Roddy is built for endurance. With that said the combination of him and Juilo and Harry in the slot makes this a very difficult offense to beat. But none-the-less, Belichick can advise that this was a bad decision but since when did Belichick not make a bad decision. They picked up Ocho. Really?!? OCHO?!?
And what has Ocho contributed to the Pats success. Nothing. Look at the stats. over 80% of Brady’s targets are Branch and Welker. HOWEVER, Juilo has contributed gravely. I mean the guy is rookie. So he’s going to take some time to Gel and work his timing out with Matt. But still the guy has a bright future here in ATL. So we’ll make Belichick eat those words, granted the picks could have been better spent on DB’s. Juilo is still that guy.
ATL Observer
November 1st, 2011
2:16 pm
I agree with Belichick: I am NEVER a fan of “trade the farm” deals. No matter who the player. Every single player in the draft, no matter how “can’t miss” they seem, is a risk. The more picks you have, the more chances you have to make up for the risks that don’t turn out well.
That said, they did what they did and I obviously hope it works out. I like Julio’s potential a whole lot.
ATL Observer
November 1st, 2011
2:19 pm
That said, I dispute the person above who said that Pittsburgh was “chock full” of quality receivers. Wallace is an absolute beast. Ward is a great possession receiver when healthy (but no more than that now at this stage of his career). Past that, there’s not a receiver on that team that frightens me (but Ben as a QB does).
Mgibby
November 1st, 2011
2:26 pm
I love how people say we gave up too much to move up 21 spots to the number 6 overall pick, like this is Madden and we could’ve forced Cleveland to accept Michael Jenkins and Jamal Anderson for their top pick. Mind you that with the CBA cluster#%$@, the only thing we could trade is picks.
MR. ATL
November 1st, 2011
2:30 pm
And why do people keep comparing this draft choice to that of Ricky Williams?!? Really?!? Ricky Williams?!? A more logical comparison would be that of Peerless Price (which we gave up a first round Draft Pick to get him from Buffalo).
And somebody PLEASE smite the guy that said Julio hasn’t done squat because looking at the stats:
Julio has only played 5 games in which he has 25 receptions and 358 yards where as somebody like let’s say Deion Branch started ALL 7 and only has 5 more receptions than Julio (30 for the math incompetent) and 47 more yards and that’s with the ALMIGHT Tom Brady. Paaalleeeeaaassseee. GT*OH. Again Julio is that Guy.
honest_abe
November 1st, 2011
2:36 pm
antonio brown is pretty darn good. emmanuelle sanders ain’t too shabby either.
Brian
November 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
This is a football team and not a boy scout troop. They will not all be clean and sometimes its just a situation of immaturity and not knuckleheadedness. Do some background and draft the best player. We need some attitude on this team and that comes from players with some edge to them. Thanks
RNew
November 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
Julio Jones is a great addition, but after seeing how effective a healthy Harry Douglas could be, I think we gave up way too much for the guy. I don’t see how it’s going to pay off. If we’re just as if not more threatening with him out and Douglas in, how is he the missing link? I think the offense is heating up and would have been fine anyway. The D is coming along and seem be settling in. The Falcons are RISING UP!!!
Great Falconi
November 1st, 2011
2:42 pm
Belichick hasn’t done a good job of drafting over the last few seasons. If Brady goes down now, they’re sunk. That defense is a sieve and Brady’s like Manning now. He runs everything on offense.
Anyway, Dimitroff works for an owner who doesn’t mind breaking the bank. That makes it easier to give away picks. I think we gave up too much to be able to draft Julio, but only by a pick or so. I’d be more concerned about that bounty if Dimitroff hadn’t done a solid job of drafting defensive players over the last four years. Check out this list:
Spoon, Lofton, Moore, DeCoud, Owens, Biermann, Peters, Jerry, Sidbury and Walker.
At the very least, all of this guys are legitimate NFL players. That’s ten drafted players since 2008 who are contributing to the defense. Most teams would kill to have that level of production. Now, I know that 2012’s draft will be thin, but I trust Dimitroff to be able to get useful players out of it. He isn’t a stinking genius because he hasn’t won a ring, but he’s an adept talent evaluator who knows how to put a roster together. We can put trust in that.
MR. ATL
November 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
@Brian I agree with you on needing the attitude but don’t you think Roddy W. has that covered?! LOL. I think Julio does a good job balancing him out. If anything we need more attitude and more heart on Defense.
drew
November 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
why do they have to be black dots?
fan
November 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
I think we gave up to much for JJ. Look at Steeler receivers. Two third rounds and a sixth round pick playing last Sunday against Pats. They looked good to me. Jones would be a good deal, if Ryan could throw a deep pass . I like Ryan, but he will never be Rodgers or Brady. His arm is not that strong. I have saw this year JJ being open and Ryan misses him or throws it out bounds. Why give away all those picks , when you don’ have a QB to get him the ball.
What kind of arm does Meir have? He was QB in College, might have to use him on option play to throw deep to JJ. Just saying
oldbird
November 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
I love Julio, but I hate not having a draft next year. Although, Dimitroff has shown a knack for finding good players in the later rounds.
WWF
November 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
I think the NFL is becoming the WWF. Tebow finish in Miami, win, Colts get beat 62-7 my Ain’ts and next week winless Rams beats the Ain’ts. Last night Rivers lays down ball and didn’t take hand off. Chiefs win. They could have kicked field goal, why did they run another play? I am beginning to wonder if we are not being played.
crackbaby
November 1st, 2011
3:33 pm
@CGD – You haven’t really watched Stafford. He is very inaccurate. The Lions -Bears game showed how accurate Cutler is, even when he’s under attack. Stafford missed his spots – throwing behind open receivers, missing other targets. Lions won but Cutler played much better.
Same thing in the Falcons-Lions game. Stafford woefully inaccurate. Mattie Ice doesn’t throw the long ball worth a rip but he is accurate otherwise.
Loyal for another Hundned
November 1st, 2011
3:33 pm
ballers and busters.
Mora less Petrino
November 1st, 2011
3:43 pm
Julio was a good move. Need to go back to Bama and get Trent Richardson. Glad to hear that the Birds put black dots on bad apples. We’ve had enough DA’s here.
CGD..
November 1st, 2011
3:45 pm
63.1QBR and sliding, 8int’s is not accurate…Its not SB material either..Wait till the playoff’s come around and Turner the former burner is shut down (see Greenbay game). Will Ryan be able to take over the game with that “accurate” arm of his and get it done? Put money on that and go broke….lmbo..
Crack is wack crackbaby…
crackbaby
November 1st, 2011
3:55 pm
@CGD
Super Bowl? Stafford ain’t going there either. Nobody is more accurate than Rodgers right now. Not even Brady or Aikman in his prime.
Only one team a year wins the SB. Falcons never have. You can blame Mattie Ice but you are barking up the wrong tree. TD and Coach Smith are keeping him.
KakNiqueTree
November 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
‘In their quest to avoid players with ‘challenged souls’ are the Falcons missing out on some talent?’ Bet this guy will be the first to write in the other direction, ‘In their quest to acquire players with immense talent are the Falcons ignoring character?’
crackbaby
November 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
@CGD – Original point was Stafford is inaccurate. Last week his 94.6 QBR was a quantum leap above his previous career high of 84.6. whatever a QBR is worth…
Just saying
November 1st, 2011
4:15 pm
@Joe Blow Jamal Anderson was a very successful running back for the Falcons before he suffered a career ending knee injury. Certainly not a bust. NOW on the other hand, Jamaal Anderson out of Arkanas, a defensive lineman was a huge bust. His potential was never realized. Strange how a little letter makes a big differeence. LOL. Go Falcons! We all ought to be glad we have Jones. His play is proving his worth and the correctness of the decision. Who cares what Belicheck says… Give us a man like TD who will consider all the facts and opinions, but is still man enough to call the shots.
Tell it like it is.
November 1st, 2011
5:44 pm
i thank it was a bad trade,and i thank jones is bad for the falcons chemistry at this time.White is the allpro go to guy, and when jones is in the lineup roddy starts dropping pass’es. i have also seen Ryan make long throws down the field on target, and Jones droped them,but i have seen Ryan throw 20 yards down field, and miss his target by ten yards so who’s to say! I hope the deal for jones works out for the Falcons,and they don’t take the Colts lightly,a team with that kind of record this time of year can be dangerous,just ask the Ant’s
SeenThisB4
November 1st, 2011
6:07 pm
Looking at the stats, your top 3 receivers this year, White, Gonzo, & Julio,are just short of about 50% of the production of last year’s 3 receivers, White Gonzo & Jenkins. So, unless your current 3 start to push the production, they will probably end up at close to the same numbers that your top 3 receivers got last year.
So, the questions then are: Was the ramson paid for Jones, worth it? And where are the explosive plays?
I guess the answer to both those questions has to consider the current falcan’t position in the NFC South Standings, which if memory serves me correctly is, THIRD PLACE.
heartofdarkness
November 1st, 2011
6:25 pm
I never see any metrics when fans complain about Ryan’s arm strength, but it is a safe bet, if you wanted to improve his deep ball quickly, put him behind the Patriot’s OL. Kyle Boller impressed combine scouts with a 50 yd. throw from his knees, but it’s only one attribute, and not one that guarantees NFL wins.
HENRY
November 1st, 2011
7:36 pm
JULIO JONES WILL BE AN OUTSTANDING RECEIVER …………EVEN BELICHEK MAKES PERSONNEL MISTAKES.
Monday Morning QB
November 1st, 2011
8:14 pm
@SeenThisB4
I doubt the Falcon brass expected Julio as rookie to be an overnight sensation. This is a long term move and I suspect Julio will be very productive for years to come. I also suspect he will not be part of a loss to the Rams anytime soon.
bama52
November 1st, 2011
9:27 pm
Julio is our best pick, he’s on track to still possible have reception yardage of 700 to 800 yards or more,which is good on a run first team. Besides Julio is not our problem, QB play,Offensive Coordinator and O-Line play has hurt us more than anything. Looking at the rest of the league and the way the defense has played over the last 3 games, this team is ready to RISE UP.