EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff addresses concerns
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith have been in nonstop meetings. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Since returning from the playoff loss to the New York Giants, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has gone through two days of non-stop meetings with head coach Mike Smith and other members of the football operations department.
In a wide-ranging Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday evening, Dimitroff discussed his spending on free agents Dunta Robinson and Ray Edwards, the Julio Jones trade, quarterback Matt Ryan, what the team will be looking for in a new defensive coordinator and how they’ll attain a breakthrough in the playoffs.
Q: As you’ve had some time to reflect, what are your thoughts on how the season ended?
A: We came into this season with very strong expectations both internally and externally. We made some aggressive moves both in the draft and free agency. Our expectations were for us to be very productive on both the offensive and defensive sides [of the ball]. We had a solid regular-season by finishing 10-6. We had an opportunity to get into the second season and once again, unfortunately, we came up short in the playoffs. That leaves us all, once again, with a bad taste in our mouths.
Q: How would you evaluate the money spent over the last few years in free agency on cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end Ray Edwards?
A: First of all, we were aggressive with the acquisition of Dunta Robinson. Our expectations were for Dunta to come in here and have a presence as a physical corner, help us make plays on the ball and prevent teams from racking up a lot of yards against this defense. Dunta has shown that he can produce for us. Unfortunately, this year our defense was inconsistent and at times so was Dunta. I still believe that we’re getting solid production out of Dunta Robinson in his game. With Ray Edwards, our thought was to bring a defensive end into our organization who brought elements of grit, toughness and competitiveness. We feel strongly that he has done that. He was outstanding [against] the run. He had a presence that we haven’t had at left defensive end in the run game this year. As per his pass rush numbers, obviously both he and we would have liked his pass rush numbers to up around the eight to 10 area. Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. But again, we’re confident that Ray can come back next year with one more year under his belt; with a different system and produce for us.
Q: How do you evaluate the offensive line, especially considering a comparison to a year ago?
A: Unfortunately, for the offensive line we started out with challenges. We struggled in Chicago early on in the season and Matt [Ryan] was exposed to a number of hits that he shouldn’t [have been] exposed to. With that said, we settled down well. We made appropriate adjustments along the way during the season. That enabled us to protect Matt better with each game. We finished sixth overall in sacks allowed so we definitely saw a marked improvement as the season progressed. With that said, we still need to develop as an offensive line. We need to make sure that we get the toughness and physicality out of the offense that we desire from year-to-year. It’s a very, very important part of our offense. We need to continue to protect our franchise-quarterback and we need to continue to move the defensive line so that we’re able to provide holes and opportunities for our run game; be that six inches or six yards.
Q: What’s your view of Matt Ryan in comparison to the league’s best – Aaron Rodgers, Peyton and Eli Manning and Drew Brees?
A: I’m very impressed with Matt Ryan and how he continues to grow from year-to-year. I think he continued to grow this year. I thought he had a fine season. As you know, Matt had the franchise-mark for passing yards this year. I thought he navigated through some difficult times and some challenges with some of our inconsistencies with our offense this year. He stayed positive and he continued to produce well. I think in my mind, there is no doubt that Matt Ryan is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the National Football League.
Q: Can the running game be what you need it to be with Michael Turner, considering all of his carries over the last few years?
A: Michael continues to produce well for us. He amassed over 1,300 yards for us for the second straight season. When we have called his number, he’s stepped up and got the tough yards. We’ll always continue to evaluate our running game to see what we need to [improve in order] to have a multi-faceted and versatile football team; both in the run and the pass game.
Q: In hindsight, was giving up all of the (five) picks for Julio Jones worth it?
A: We said when we made the very aggressive move on Julio Jones, that this was not only a move for the here-and-the-now. This was a move for long term success of this organization and I believe 100 percent in what we did being the right move for this organization at this time in our evolution. Obviously, Julio Jones had a standout season for a rookie. He had more touchdown grabs — [eight] — than any rookie this year. Despite missing three games, he had the most prolific season for a Falcons rookie in our team history. We are very confident that he’ll continue to grow with Matt in this offense. He’ll continue to be a standout football player and help us produce for years to come.
Q: Can this defense, as constructed, compete for the Super Bowl title?
A: I believe that our defense has continued to improve since 2008. Obviously, there are still areas that we can improve upon. We need to continue to pressure the quarterback. We need to continue to get our hands on balls and capitalize on interceptions. With that said, I love the tenacity of this defense. I’m encouraged by the direction of this defense. Like I’ve said since the very beginning in 2008, we will always continue to look to see where we can upgrade our talent across the depth chart and specifically on the defensive side of the ball.
Q: What will you all look for in your new defensive coordinator?
A: I appreciate everything that Brian VanGorder has done for this team over the last four years. He’s put his heart and soul into helping to create a very aggressive and passionate defense. I personally appreciate that. Moving forward, this defense needs to continue its growth and evolution as a passionate and fiery defense, one that is going to fly to the football, disrupt, be opportunistic and capitalized on opportunities to turn the game around; flip the game in critical situations. We’ll look for a coordinator who will compliment Coach Smith and his approach to putting that type of aggressive defense on the field. Obviously, that coordinator is going to work hand-and-hand with Mike Smith in helping to create a very aggressive defense. Our hope is that we will, in the very near future, land that individual who we think is very appropriate with his approach to helping this defense grow.
Q: What has to happen differently for the Atlanta Falcons to have a breakthrough in the playoffs?
A: As a general manager, it’s my responsibility to step back and analyze what went on throughout the football operations. Not only on-the-field, but off-the-field as well; in the personnel department and from a coaching perspective. I believe that myself and Mike Smith will have [many] discussions, along with Arthur Blank to discuss what we need to change and what we need to adjust moving forward. This team needs to continue to be much more focused and consistent on offense in all facets of the game. Both in the offseason and in-season. We need to be an opportunistic football team through and through. I am, as well as Mr. Blank and Mike Smith, are very driven to make the adjustments needed to provide the fan base with a team that they can be proud of.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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369 comments Add your comment
fla dawg
January 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
why even bother to print this story. if dimitroff REALLY believes what he said then he should be fired.
Edward
January 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
Jags hire Mularkey yes!!!!!
waynester
January 10th, 2012
10:20 pm
I ‘m loving this “Rage in the Cage” that I’m reading tonight–this is the kind of energy I want to see from our team leadership. I was monumentally pissed when that douchebag from the New Yawk media spewed his Yankee garbage about how Falcon fans didn’t deserve a winning team ’cause our fans just didn’t care–send that jerk a link to this blog, and keep up the passion!!!!
Birdwatcher
January 10th, 2012
10:20 pm
@Edward
Yeah!!! Let the celebration begin!
@Jason
C’mon Son! There are other Matt Ryan videos as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U_YhU0HgdI
FIRE MIKE SMITH AND SEND MATT RYAN PACKING !!!!!!!!!
January 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
JUST IN, JUST IN….FROM ESPN , JAGUARS HIRE MIKE MULARKEY AS THEIR NEW HEAD COACH…..AMEN , AMEN , AMEN, AMEN, AMEN….WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO SEND 2 MEN AND A TRUCK MIKE. I WILL ESCORT YOU TO THE FLORIDA STATE LINE . 2 DOWN AND 2 TO GO.
Roddy's White bad hands
January 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
Why not let Nancy Grace interview TD and really question every BS response he gave.
Ray Edwards a force on the running game? Come on– the last four games I never even noticed him on the field.
Birdwatcher
January 10th, 2012
10:24 pm
Now we have to really pay attention to these upcoming coordinator hires. It will tell the direction of the team for the next 5 years. I don’t know if I trust Mike Smith to make these hires. I don’t want anyone from the Del Rio coaching tree – let alone Del Rio himself.
waynester
January 10th, 2012
10:24 pm
You know there’s no way that our HC or QB are getting the axe, so stop beating that horse. Firing HCs every few years was the Rankin Smith way and all it got us was–well, NOTHING….
Dr. Warren
January 10th, 2012
10:25 pm
If we wanted the good ‘ole official company line, we could have checked out the Falcons’ Web site. Dimitroff would make a good corporate communications chief.
Birdwatcher
January 10th, 2012
10:26 pm
@ Roddy White bad hands
Ray Edwards dressed for the Eagles game, but was IR (irrelevant) after that.
Sam
January 10th, 2012
10:26 pm
Whoa! The jags are dumber than the falcons. Did they not watch the playoffs game? I surely thought MM wasn’t going to a HC after that debacle
hittman jamillion
January 10th, 2012
10:27 pm
JASON everybody wanna blame the offensive line. Their 32 teams and icemelt was sacked less than twenty six more teams,add the fact that he is a living statue Ala Payton Manning or Drew Bledsoe and that number is even better. Let’s face it He’s not elite barely average. There’s No sugar coating it all pro wr, rb,te,&a stud in Julio other qbs are dying for weapons like that,and they win with less.
steven a
January 10th, 2012
10:27 pm
Great News about Mularky and VanGorder. Next, please allow Michael Turner, Chris Redman, Decoud, and Dunta Robinson to walk as well.
OldSchool
January 10th, 2012
10:28 pm
Just read the sentence “in a wide ranging QA with the AJC…” Hmmm. “Wide-ranging,” huh. So D.Orlando, even though you would have probably gotten identical answers from Dimitroff did you think about posing your questions with a more hard-ball approach? I mean after all, there have been countless posts from fans regarding your “wide-ranging” interview with TD and his “answers” that included cold, hard facts that would have challenged the Falcons GM to deep a little deeper.
Three questions for you, D. Orlando:
1- Was Dimitroff provided the questions in advance?
2- Was the interview actually done in person?
3- I know you are only allotted a certain amount of space, but did you consider follow-up questions after hearing or seeing this drivel?
Just curious.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
10:28 pm
Jason, Matt is a good smart quarterback but in this downtime he has , he should be working out and be focusing on strength training to build up his throwing arm instead of just swinging a golf club at the local country club with his buddies and watching and studying a lot of game film highlights of these top passers and how they get out of trouble in the backfield and pocket.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
10:30 pm
Do the Falcons get a game with the Jags………its a sure win with a mularkey led offense..lmao
ab initio
January 10th, 2012
10:30 pm
Dimitroff.
Dummkopf.
Same thing.
ray
January 10th, 2012
10:31 pm
Can’t anyone see that Ryan is a LOSER????????
No vision whatsoever. Can’t complete 2 straight passes. A total disgrace.
JT9k
January 10th, 2012
10:31 pm
Espn reporting that mularkey has been hired as jags head coach. Start the hallelujah chorus!
steven a
January 10th, 2012
10:31 pm
I might even trade Curtis Lofton for a draft pick or two. He did not play well in BIG games.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
10:33 pm
Aman……………Amaaaman………..Amaaaaaaaaaaaman………………Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan……………………….Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn ! ! ! !
dc
January 10th, 2012
10:35 pm
So, what team is he talking about?
According to him, everyone did good,,,,, Blindfold, please?
JSS
January 10th, 2012
10:35 pm
@ Ledbetter…
Are there more questions in the print edition?
steven a
January 10th, 2012
10:37 pm
What options are there at OC? and DC?
JSS
January 10th, 2012
10:39 pm
I wonder what his new target will be now?
AtlNative
January 10th, 2012
10:40 pm
Ok, I am gonna say it. While I agree that MM leaving is a good thing, and I did not like his play calling…. has anyone thought that maybe, just maybe, the reason his play calling was so vanilla is due to Ryan?
Again, I am not saying Ryan is a bad QB, but after watching him (closely) this year, I have to say, he makes some really, really bad throws.
Have you ever noticed how he doesn’t hit guys in stride? Almost all his throws are comebacks or out routes to the sidelines? Even when he does throw deep or a crossing patter, very rarely does the ball get there on time and on target. Think of all the “great” catches his guys (especially Gonzalez) has made over his career to bail him out of high/off target throws.
I really hate to pile on, and I am not a Ryan hater, but I am scared that the reason this engine doesn’t go has less to do with the play calling, and more to do with the guy making the plays. As someone said, Ryan is an immobile QB, yet, despite all the noise of how bad our O line is, the guy did not get sacked very much this year. And we seem to have all pro’s at every skill position, and yet we can’t make explosive plays? Or YAC?
I think next year is going to say a lot about where our franchise is or isn’t. And whether our QB for the future is really Ryan or not.
JSS
January 10th, 2012
10:40 pm
You better hope he’s taking Bratkowski with him!!!
hittman jamillion
January 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Steven a
I’ll cut ryan b*tch ass way before turner
Turner not the problem u have to run him.
That punk arm qb the problem,tebow has a bwtter deepball than icemelt,and we have far better wrs than Denver
Dawg Gone
January 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Well just keep not dealing with the real problems. Maybe its time to do other things on Sundays besides get frustrated. They must think we are stupid and gullible to accept all is well with the Falcons. Ryan is not the answer – draft another quarterback that has potential. Turner is too slow in getting to the line – draft a back with a medimum size but is fast! The defensive line has not been upgraded with Edwards. The secondary is below average at best. Not all the problems can be solved in one draft. But take real steps before the fans loose faith and, therefore, the Falcons loose money.
therookie35
January 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
Thanks Birdwatcher. Your observations of the Falcons are the best. The Falcons have a number of concerns but many of them are not major as so many think. The defense kept the game within striking distance most of the game. When you don’t have offense like you didn’t against Green Bay last year/this year and the Saints also any other elite team, you can’t except your defense to hold your opponent forever when you do a lot of 3 and out’s. Even Tony Gonzalez acknowledged the talent on the team. The major problem is at QB. Regardless of the offensive coodinator the QB is responsible to make the offense go. The Falcons can get all of the new players they want to but they will be very fortunate to get past the first round playoff game with its QB playing like Ryan does. You can’t just manage the game you have to display heart in winning it. Ryan doesn’t play like he is doing everything to win. Look at that slide he took with the defender 10 yards in front of him. This was a playoff game not regular season! Whenever he is pressured he never steps up in the pocket but runs out of it and always throws the ball away. Falcons can trade him now and get a lot for him or waste a lot of years losing before they found out the guy is not a winner. Take Tebow, a guy who is not an accurate passer but have heart. This guy will always be a winner as long as he is able to play the game.
Chop Buster
January 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
What a bunch of bull this guy spews. WTH you think he is going to say? The truth? LMAO
Country boy
January 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
Smug little crapper that Dimitroff. If he were one tenth as smart as he thinks he is we would still be playing.
Mediocrity continues...
January 10th, 2012
10:50 pm
OMG…
1.Dunta Robinson has show TD he can produce for the Falcons? Sam Baker has produced for the Falcons at times too so that aint saying a whole lot.
2.When Turner’s number has been called he’s stepped up and gotten the tough yards? Not against NO at home on 4th down in OT he didn’t. Not to mention, his number wasn’t called a single time on 4th down at NYG, wonder why that is…
3.The offensive line needs to continue to move the defense? I’m sorry, when did they do that this year exactly? Sack totals can be misleading as can a pitcher W-L record in baseball.
It’s amazing how many things the Falcons need to “continue” to do when they were nothing more than a team that sits atop the list of mediocre teams.
The Real Falcon
January 10th, 2012
10:50 pm
GLAD TO SEE MULARKEY GOES TO JAX!!
THAT’S A START PART 2
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
10:51 pm
There was a lot of bad throws in the playoff game but when he puts it on the money the receivers tend to drop it…….is it the QB ..is it the Receivers ? Probably that call goes on both parties mentioned. I say we owe Matt one more year to see if its true or not after all the new cards are stacked in the deck.
Then if he repeats like it happen this year with bad passes and dropped balls that wasn’t catchable to start with then its time to ICE Matty ice Ryan .
I’d give him one more year to see, he does deserve that from the Fanbase before calling for his neck on the chopping block, afterall 4 back to back winning seasons with him so give him one more shot !
Dan
January 10th, 2012
10:53 pm
Tired of seeing NFL and Beat writers stating the Falcons gave up so much for Julio? They keep stating we gave up 4 draft picks to make it sound better like Dimitroff was mortgaging the future? No we gave up 3 picks only! We traded 1st round slots with Cleveland. We gave up last years 2nd and this years 1st and 4th last time I counted that was 3 picks not 4. Lets slant it this way we gained Clevelands #1 in the top 6. Also besides Randy Moss when has a rookie receiver last impacted a team as much as Julio has?
GT GRAD
January 10th, 2012
10:53 pm
1. Serious improvement needed for the OL
2. New Offensive Coordinator needed to actually game-plan and implement adjustments
3. Solve DE problem (Abraham is all but done & Edwards looks like a bust)
4. New Defensive Coordinator who understands when & how to blitz effectively (we should blitz MUCH more often than we have the past several years!) and plays an aggressive style of defense.
5. Trade Turner if we can find a willing team.
Matt Ryan would be superb IF the OL would give him time on a consistent basis……….the elite QBs typically have 3-5 seconds to set up, make a decision and throw (some even more time like Tom Brady). Matt Ryan has 2-3 seconds on average to get rid of the ball; OL is a HUGE problem for the Falcons!
Dan
January 10th, 2012
11:01 pm
Reading DLED again he has 5 draft picks? What 5 was those? It was 4 draft picks we gain 1 simple math so 4 minus 1 equals 3 so we gave up 3 draft picks for Julio. Wondering if the elementary school in Gwinette needs to changes their slavery questions to maybe nfl draft questions and then they can send those question to the Beat Writers and NFL to teach them simple mathmatics?
tu87
January 10th, 2012
11:03 pm
Mularky going to Jacksonville per ESPN
steven a
January 10th, 2012
11:03 pm
hittman jamillion
January 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Steven a
I’ll cut ryan b*tch ass way before turner
Turner not the problem u have to run him.
That punk arm qb the problem,tebow has a bwtter deepball than icemelt,and we have far better wrs than Denver
I agree, i would take a 40 year old Peyton Manning over Matt Ryan. However, they have 2-much invested in Matty Melt Down.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
11:04 pm
I think we owe Matt one more year here as the Starting QB…I know Fans are mad about this year but really think on this one….should Atlanta toss him aside and he go to another team and take them to the playoffs in their first year with him and he has a good Season in the Stat Column and we had a new Quarterback in Atlanta and flopped we would all be saying……..” We should have kept him ” and then the fussing ohhhhhhhhhh the fussing !
ws
January 10th, 2012
11:07 pm
Thank God , Mike Mularkey Hired by Jags. Two down and one to go. Maybe MM will hire Mike Smith as DC. We will start with new coaches!!!!!!!!!!!!!
steven a
January 10th, 2012
11:07 pm
Falcons need a “go the distance running back” like the Oregon kid, LaMichael James.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
11:12 pm
Why the Jags just got a ” Dream Come True “………………………..laughing so hard at them it isn’t even funny
waynester
January 10th, 2012
11:14 pm
The great thing (if you want a new RB) is that awesome talent WILL fall to rounds 2-3, where we first pick this year. DE and OL standouts probably won’t fall that far but we might pick up some help for the defensive backfield in 2-3….
MATT RYAN
January 10th, 2012
11:15 pm
YOU IDIOTS WHO KEEP SAYING I’M THE PROBLEM NEED YOUR HEADS EXAMINED !!!!
I’VE ONLY WON 43 GAMES IN MY FIRST FOUR YEARS ! I KNOW WHAT YOU IDIOTS WILL SAY ABOUT THE PLAYOFF GAMES BUT ITS NOT MY FAULT ! THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS AT FAULT ALONG WITH THE PERSON WHO JUST GOT HIRED AT JACKSONVILLE !!!!
Michael M.
January 10th, 2012
11:18 pm
Still laughing about the Jags thing…….watch him take em to the friggin playoffs next year…wouldn’t surprise me at all way things go these days
gucci706
January 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
HES GONE HES GONE MULURKEY IS OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK U JACKSONVILLE
gucci706
January 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
Now we need a RB who can hit the hole quick n take it the distance
bird
January 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
Sounds exactly like the Q&A after last years playoff exit, and the year we lost to Arizona. Blah, blah, blah. This team gets dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball when they play good teams. I feel like TD and Mike Smith are getting a pass.