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
Nique
January 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
Glad he’s gone, 2 down & a few more coaches to go!!!! O & D-lines in particular!!!
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
In response to the opening, no one is “driven” to do anything.
Atlanta is not in the first tier of NFL teams, and honestly, they might not be in the second tier, either. Yeah, they made the playoffs and had a good record, but they also underachieved left and right.
Sign Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, and then you will see major inprovement on the offensive side of the ball. Make him a respectable, legitimate offer. Mike Smith is a fine football guy, but his play-calling is not.
Matt Ryan, bulk up a little this offseason, and work on making tighter throws with less air under them.
Michael Turner, slim down a little.
Dimitroff and co. quit acting like the team is on the cusp of a championship and only needing another offensive weapon. First Tony Gonzalez was the unspoken final piece of the puzzle. Most recently it was Julio Jones. This team honestly very well might be on the cusp, but the next step has got to be bolstering the trenches. Every time this team needs a clutch yard, it comes up well short. Worry about the foundation and infrastructure. The Falcons are a house with missing pipes and top-of-the-line shutters and windows (which I’d hope you’d buy at Lowe’s, not Home Depot, as the former openly refused to sponsor Islamic propaganda and as the latter gives absolutely awful customer service).
Why do the Falcons seldom run with a fullback? Why do they seldom draft offensive or defensive linemen? Why is the playcalling downright awful most of the time? Why do Jason Snelling, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Harry Douglas seldom get touches? Why not let Jones, one of the toughest WRs to bring down, get more carries in some capacity? I would throw him slants galore and run a couple of reverses to him per game– same for Douglas. Why does the playcalling seldom come across as cohesive? Remember the NFC Title Game against Minnesota? Dan Reeves’ game plan was for Jamal Anderson to pop the undersized Robert Griffith as often as possible through the first three quarters and therefore hopefully run the clock out in the fourth. I’m not sure if the game strategy under the Smith regime is this specific, and yes, the game in question took a different angle, but the strategy was understandable.
“scfalcon”– we don’t need your final comment.
Jack Del Rio is available. Hire him as defensive coordinator, if not head coach.
Nique
January 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
I’d really like to keep Sneed though!
Mike Martz
January 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
I want Ben Tate for my new offense!
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
Arthur Blank, do us all a favor, please: Buy the Braves.
DAN REEVES WIFE
January 10th, 2012
11:32 pm
13-3 season had alot of luck. They could have lost about five of those games. With Mike Smith as head coach and the way TD is talking, I see 8-8 season and down. They can not take us to a superbowl.
Fire Them, Mike Mularkey left today. MR BLANKS. GO HIRE DAN REEVES AND LET HIM FIRE RICK MCKAY. HE IS THE ONE THAT STARTED ALL OF THIS F–KUP WITH YOUR HELP. BECAME DAN WOULD NOT LET YOUR BOY, DOG KILLER DO AS HE PLEASED. AFTER ALL REEVES WAS RIGHT ABOUT HIM AND YOU WERE WRONG. GO GET ON YOUR KNEE AND ASK REEVES TO COME BACK. WITH IN THREE YEAR WE WOULD BE IN A SUPERBOWL.PROBLEM FIXED.
ignition
January 10th, 2012
11:32 pm
New OC Options:
Hue Jackson
Tony Sparano
Todd Haley
New DC Options:
Steve Spagnuola
Raheem Morris
Mike Nolan
Del Rio
Sparano and Spagnuola give the team a Bellicheck/Bill Parcells type of team
Mike Martz
January 10th, 2012
11:34 pm
Hey Ronald I agree with everything Del Rio as DC though makes too much sense with all of the Jacksonville conections in Flowery Branch! Kinda scares me!
Dan
January 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
I think they just need to change the offense. I do not think Ryan is a down the field kind of guy and I think he is pretty accurate on the short passes. Reminds me of a Joe Montana who did the short passes. Maybe they should switch to a West Coast Offense. I think they got all caught up in this EXPLOSIVE crap which in the end they wouldnt had been able to have a shoot out with New England, Green Bay or the Saints anyway. I think they should go back to what got them into the #1 seed last year of a power running team that controls the clock, keeps the defense and the opposing offense off the field but now add Julio in the slot where he can make short routes and let his speed and strength dominate. I mean at the beginning of the year they just seemed to have him go deep and that was it ? But they could have drafted any receiver with 4.3 speed to do that. He is big and strong and when they did have him in the slot this year it was a mismatch for anyone to cover him.
Kam
January 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
AtlNative summed up my sentiments exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Bulter
January 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
Give me and Prime time a call, we can make millions, and still out play your cornerback, Dunta. What a waste of money
Whopper Dawg
January 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
Blank is in big time trouble, his GM is a huckster. What a bunch of nothing.
Bad taste, unfortunately, aggressive, expectations, etc. And all of the guys he put in the organization had great years.
What a BS artist.
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:38 pm
Seriously, I want Martz running the offense and Del Rio on the team in some capacity.
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
“whopper”– give it a rest
I wouldn’t mind seeing Smith in the front office, Del Rio as head coach, Martz as offensive coordinator, and Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator. Folks, this recipe would work.
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
As for the 2010 team, on paper, it was only a game shy of the ‘98 record. In reality, it was at least 30 yards behind that team.
Jessie Tuggle would be a fine candidate for defensive coordinator also. Unlike the Lexus AJC ad, I spelled his first name properly.
IceMan
January 10th, 2012
11:43 pm
Being a fan of Atlanta teams is like breaking up with your girlfriend every year at the same time. First you fall in love with her, then right when the going gets good, they rip your heart out. And I for one, am sick and tired of this crap. I’ve actually contemplated denouncing my fandom with this team, I’m just sick of it.
And I hope he was kidding when he said #23 (I refuse to call him by name) had a solid season. He is a travesty as a corner and is a disgrace to the position. He should get 40 yrs. in the pen for stealing that much money from the Falcons.
What makes it worse is watching the Aints in position to win their 2nd SB in 3 years…..I HATE IT!!
bigcalidawg
January 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
Much as I love football, my favorite NFL team is the Falcons, but I could give a hoot less if they win the super bowl, as they are so disconnected.
Y’all need 2 more legit O inemen, trade Roddy for a posession receiver, and get a pass rush and get a cover corner. We are set at tb and qb.
ignition
January 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
Mike Martz has stunk it up everywhere he’s gone outside of St. Louis ….. Hell No !!!!!
ignition
January 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
Mike Martz has stunk it up everywhere he’s gone outside of St. Louis ….. Hell No !!!!!
Arther Blank
January 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
As you can see, no one dared to ask TD about the offensive coordinator position and if he was happy with that. You can ask our GM questions, but not THAT question. I’ll look forward to the press conference at noon on manyana.
fsjr
January 10th, 2012
11:44 pm
I’m late to this party but…
@waynester
…I concur 100% with your assessment of this interview in respect to all the generalities. We don’t need to know their in-house evaluations of specific players, units or position groups, but at least be honest with us. I want to know if “they” see what some of us see. For example, I surely did not see an aggressive, flying, disruptive, opportunistic defense he spoke of in this interview. I saw a defense that in critical times (3rd downs) couldn’t get off the field. The interview was pure fluff and and not probing at all. And for what it’s worth. I like DOL.
PS
Why was Yahoo reporting Roddy White’s remarks about the offense and the AJC had no mention or follow up? DOL?
bigcalidawg
January 10th, 2012
11:48 pm
Dang illsaps…….I ain’t got no issues with those changes.
bigcalidawg
January 10th, 2012
11:49 pm
Roddy can go to the CFL!
bigcalidawg
January 10th, 2012
11:52 pm
11:39 pm
“whopper”– give it a rest
I wouldn’t mind seeing Smith in the front office, Del Rio as head coach, Martz as offensive coordinator, and Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator. Folks, this recipe would work.
Yeah….
78dawg
January 10th, 2012
11:53 pm
Mularkey if gone….Thank God…Jaguars are idiots………
IceMan
January 10th, 2012
11:55 pm
Why don’t we try to build the “Dream Team” coaching staff? But the Falcons will probably find a way to screw that up too.
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:55 pm
By the way, these people voting for the Hall of Fame obviously don’t know baseball. To keep Murphy out thus far is insane, as is the act of not inducting Jeff Bagwell yesterday, who, like Murphy, was better than Barry Larkin.
Ronald Millsaps
January 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
a lot better…. and you have to put Clemens and Bonds in. They were Cooperstown-worthy long before any scandal.
Tell it like it is
January 10th, 2012
11:57 pm
Both lines are way to small! The giants pushed us all over the field in NY.As bad as the falcons played,don’t you think the Giants had something to do with it? Thier defencesive line was dominating the entire game.Untill the Falcons fix the lines,forget winning in the playoffs! I think Bvg did what he could with what he had to work with. I really don’t know what to say about MM,hes known as a good offencesive cordinator around the leauge,and in demand.now the focust will be put on TD,and mike Smith,they won’t have any scrape goats to put the blame on any longer.I said it once,and i will say it again,the Fans need to express thier displesure with Falcons onership,along with the sports wrighters in the papers,maybe just maybe something will change.
Jasonsmith
January 10th, 2012
11:58 pm
Is this a JOKE? Hey Thomas, how about giving some honest answers and quit selling the Bullshi*. It’s like he thinks people are stupid to fall for his typical “feel good answers” PLEASE!!! Of course TD isn’t going to man up and admit any faults that can be blamed on him.
This team underachieved for the past two seasons and he makes it sound like the Falcons are close to getting on the right track. Keep drinking your feel good cool aid TD.
I just wonder who TD will be hiring for Offensive and Defensive coordinators now. That will define if I watch these heartless losers again next year. Better get it on track soon or Atl will be the joke of Pro Football again. Man up and take some blame TD. No one wants to hear your “feel good rhetoric”
Back to the same motto again as each year….. “Next year is our year”, ummm yeah, No thanks.
ls1z28chris
January 10th, 2012
11:59 pm
With MM and BVG gone, it is only a mater of time before y’all have to admit MR2 is garbage.
tyger
January 11th, 2012
12:00 am
January 18th, 2011
1:06 pm
1. Trade Matt Ryan for Cam Newton.
2. Sign FA DE, FA CB, FA T, FA WR
3. Fire Offensive/Defensive Coordinator
4. Release Anderson, Baker, Coleman
5. Draft TE, RB, WR, LB
LinkReport this comment.dbird1
January 18th, 2011
1:14 pm
@tyger, really? get rid of our pro-bowl qb. go back to the Aints blog
LinkReport this comment.Football Maniac
January 18th, 2011
1:15 pm
Tyger.. What? Go learn some more about football! You are on crack!
LinkReport this comment.Big G
January 18th, 2011
1:17 pm
Lets trade tyger for any one of the 3 STOOGES.
Ronald Millsaps
January 11th, 2012
12:00 am
By the way, don’t hesitate to sign Peyton Manning.
Ronald Millsaps
January 11th, 2012
12:01 am
This NFL offseason is going to be highly interesting. The Rams, for example, could sign Manning and immediately win 12 games next year. They would do well to draft Robert Griffin, sign Manning, and trade Bradford while his stock is still high.
Ronald Millsaps
January 11th, 2012
12:02 am
…trade Bradford for a top pick and get one of the pass-rushers from Alabama or LSU.
Gritsfalcon
January 11th, 2012
12:03 am
Not a bad interview! I suppose that Mr. Dimitroff has to wait until the dust settles to see what is available in so far as coaching availability. Many come to mind but what the Falcons really need are some hard nose–veterans of 8 -12 years in the league, who have enough left in the tank and REALLY want a Super Bowl ring. Those are the guys who kick butt in the locker room and on the field!!!
tyger
January 11th, 2012
12:08 am
We need to be on the phone right now with Indy/St. Louis for the #2 pick.
Ryan/White and 2nd rd pick for #2 pick
Tell it like it is
January 11th, 2012
12:09 am
Ant’s on the verge of winning thier second superbowl! How does that make you feel Falcons fans.It just goes to show,you need a gm that knows what he is doing.
Saints
January 11th, 2012
12:09 am
I didn’t want Mularkey to go!!!!! Please don’t go!!!!
Charles
January 11th, 2012
12:10 am
Sources are saying that the Falcons will just promote QB coach Bratkowski to OC.
Charles
January 11th, 2012
12:11 am
Trade Roddy White for a 1st round pick, and go get Morris Claiborne from LSU.
jkmckay
January 11th, 2012
12:16 am
I want sum of dat he’s smokin!
Reality
January 11th, 2012
12:19 am
Denial, denial, denial. The organization is in denial but constrained by the free agent market and other NFL rules. We will be average for years to come.
CGD..
January 11th, 2012
12:20 am
Matt Ryan is a BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JR
January 11th, 2012
12:22 am
second verse, same as the first.
CGD..
January 11th, 2012
12:22 am
Trade Ryan for Minnesota’s #2 pick and draft a star in RG3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have to upgrade the QB position..3 blowouts on the National stage= struck out!!!!!!!!!!!
Slim
January 11th, 2012
12:26 am
I agree with Ronald Millsaps 11:29pm comments 100 percent. Michael Turner needs to lose about 10-15 pounds, to increase his speed burst, running throw the hole. Matt Ryan needs to gain about 10-15 pounds of muscle, to help him make tighter throws with less air under them.
New OC Options:
Hue Jackson
Todd Haley
New DC Options:
Steve Spagnuola
Raheem Morris
Del Rio
the truth...
January 11th, 2012
12:33 am
Mularkey’s GONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fred
January 11th, 2012
12:36 am
since when?
Great Falconi
January 11th, 2012
12:38 am
Mike Martz gets QBs killed.