Draft spotlight: Marshall DE Vinny Curry
Vinny Curry terrorized quarterbacks in Conference USA. (Associated Press)
VINNY CURRY
HT: 6-3
WT: 266
40-yard dash: 4.64 (at Pro Day Wednesday 3/14)
Vertical: 35.5 (3/14)
Bench Press: 28 repetitions (225 pounds) (3/14)
Hometown: Neptune, New Jersey
Key stats: 77 tackles; 22 tackles for losses, 11 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Let’s move on to the draft.
There are only a few matters left in free agency. What’s going to happen to Curtis Lofton, John Abraham and Todd McClure?
The Falcons are still reportedly interested in defensive end Kendall Langford, but he’s in Cincinnati today talking to the Bengals.
We’ll do this little DRAFT SPOTLIGHT feature leading up to the April 26-28 draft. We’ll try to take a look a guys who’ll be available when the Falcons draft with the 55th pick in the second round.
I haven’t been in the mood to do a Mock Draft since the Falcons don’t have a first round pick. That kind of takes the fun out of it.
But here’s some information from Mr. Curry, who was a team captain for the Thundering Herd as a senior.
Q: How did you perform at the Senior Bowl?
A: My goal going into the Senior Bowl was just to prove to the world that I’m legit and I can play with the best of them. It definitely was a great experience, and I felt like I did a pretty good job for the most part. I just (want to) continue to build on that success.
Q: Do you have to keep proving yourself because you played at Marshall?
A: Oh yeah. Oh yeah. But I like stuff like that. I love being the underdog. I feel the underdog always works harder, always has something to prove. That’s my personality. I feel like I always have something to prove. I just love to work, I love to get better.
Q: Was your production consistent?
A: Oh yeah. That’s one thing about me. Our coaching staff preached competitive excellence. Basically, can you make a play when your number is called? For the most part, me being a team leader I had to always be at competitive excellence, no matter what it was. So I would definitely say yes.
Q: How did you get so many forced fumbles?
A: This year, coming into the season, everybody knew I was coming off a really hot junior year. Basically I knew what I was getting myself into this year as a senior with game planning and double teams and triple teams and chips and sometimes quadruple teams … So my defensive line coach, Fred Tate, he sat me down one day. He said, ‘What you going to do, man?’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘You got to do something else to separate yourself from the rest of the defensive linemen in the country.’ So I worked on stripping every day. If you look at my strips or forced fumbles, they’re not really from the quarterbacks. I only had one quarterback forced fumble. The rest came from running backs and chasing down screen plays. I worked hard at that.
Q: You had a lot of tackles for loss too. Do play honest in terms of playing against the run?
A: Oh yes sir. That’s another thing that I pride myself on, stopping the run and then getting after the quarterback. I feel like I’m an all-around player. . . I’m just striving on proving that each day.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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141 comments Add your comment
Felix
March 15th, 2012
5:13 am
first
Felix
March 15th, 2012
5:19 am
with so many 1st. round bust I wonder if it is not better to have a couple of 2nd round picks than 1st. D Led what seems to be the biggest need of the falcons now?
just sayin'
March 15th, 2012
6:01 am
“competitive excellence”….now that’s something any team can use….
Samuel
March 15th, 2012
6:07 am
Sounds like the guy is a hard worker and he makes plays. I can see why the Falcons would be interested!!
joe
March 15th, 2012
6:30 am
seems like another L. Sidbury…. how’s that working out ?
robertussen
March 15th, 2012
6:39 am
with weems gone i’d like to take a look at boykin in the 2nd or 3rd if still there
Paddy
March 15th, 2012
6:43 am
joe…….hasn’t Sidbury done just about what everyone expected of him? I am not dissapointed in his place on the team.
falCANS
March 15th, 2012
6:52 am
Expecting Sidbury to have a standout year!! Coaching staff sees something in him obviously. Would LOVE to draft Boykins. This Curry guy sounds good too
lowdownjj
March 15th, 2012
7:32 am
Gotta get a pass rush. Beerman and Edwards won’t cut it.
dan
March 15th, 2012
7:36 am
May have to give up something to move up but would give up a 5th or 6th to get him. And then get a center with a 3rd round. Still think we have money to get McNeill at least for our LT.
D'ville Phil
March 15th, 2012
7:41 am
Are those stats for Curry’s Senior Year or for his career? would be nice to know. I hope the Falcons are looking for a passrusher who has had more than 11 sacks in 4 years.
E Love
March 15th, 2012
7:45 am
O Ledbetter great interview. I am now worried about the TRIPLE that the Tampa Bay Bucs hit yesterday. Give Me your thoughts.
jay
March 15th, 2012
8:03 am
yawn. the only thing to look forward to now is the penalties the Saints will receive.
Rip
March 15th, 2012
8:06 am
I think we are about to get hit my a fast moving train in this league. We have no money, no 1st round pick, no pass rush. no protection, no deep ball, no break away back. 9 and 7 maybe 10 and 6 may the playoffs, one and done.
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
8:11 am
It’s all speculation on this guy right now. WHAT’s REAL is that Tampa Bay is getting some STUDS and we have a new DC and OC and no real bangers on Defense. We may be ok, but hard to be sure right now I must admit!!!
Rip
March 15th, 2012
8:16 am
Veedub, I agree with you Tampa is getting several STUDS on offense and a few plug-in on defense. they had already drafted two young STUDS on defense last year. We just have to many holes to fill and not enough personnel or money to fiz it. will have to be smoke and mirrors to make the play-offs
falcon 8211
March 15th, 2012
8:19 am
THE PROCESS! HORSE S**T
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
8:26 am
@Rip… Yeah man, hard to get excited about anything right now. More doubt with no reassurance!!
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
8:29 am
I hear ya 8211, I hear ya!
JONESBORO SLIM
March 15th, 2012
8:29 am
Like some of you I too feel TD and staff are putting together a nice deal I hope DE Mark Anderson of the Pats or Eric Winston of Houston …..so like the ole man said to his son “patiences jackass patience”
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
8:43 am
Listen everyone I assure you that they are being quiet for a reason something BIG is coming you will see. You Gotta Have Faith
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
8:48 am
DLed… Whatup with William Moore?
dean
March 15th, 2012
8:50 am
Jonesboro, many moons ago I caught many a bucket mouths on both lakes separated by Jodeco Rd. Used to be cool to wave at Burt Lancaster and his blond beauty, Loni. Anyway, maybe the silence in Suwanee is golden. I hope so.
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
8:50 am
@SLIM.. would have been funny but you said “patiences” and made it sound ignant!!
SeenThisBFalcon
March 15th, 2012
9:04 am
OSI UMENYIORA ANYONE!!!
supa
March 15th, 2012
9:08 am
being a long time falcons fan i knew that it wouldn’t be long b4 we would shoot for the highest level of mediocrity…..can’t wait to b 6-10…..jeeezzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!
MaxxFalcon
March 15th, 2012
9:15 am
I love this guy. I’d be very happy if Falcons took him
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
9:18 am
@SEENThis… Anyone at this point, really!!! Its amazing to me how the Falcons try to keep their moves quiet and then end up making “big splashes” with mediocre players, players who are hurt, players coming off injury, players coming off the couch, etc…. Atlanta teams in general are all the same.. Kinda frustrating year after year!!!
Loyal Falcon
March 15th, 2012
9:32 am
Our team is not as bad as some of you make it. With the new coaches(whom I think are gonna make a huge difference) we are gonna be better.
Stank Wren
March 15th, 2012
9:33 am
Sounds like a good kid. Hopefully the Falcons will take a long look at him
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
9:40 am
@supa…. Yes lawd!!! My feelings exactly. We need some players/coaches with passion to change the culture which changes the level of play..
For instance:
In each of our playoff appearances under Smitty, 3 in the last 4 years.. Only one of those, the game against Arizona, did we play playoff caliber football. The other 2 playoff games (Green Bay; Giants) we played like it was the regular season and the games meant nothing and there was noone, that I saw, that was rallying the troops, that was hyping the guys up or anything. Offense would go out and putt around then the defense would go out and putt around… Hard to watch year after year but nothing new!! We need some renegade players that wanna win!!!! By renegade I mean good players that wanna win.. Like a Ray Lewis type guy that makes people around him better becuse he demands it verbally and by the way he plays.. Abe, Lofton, were not very verbal and do not make anyone better… Im off hte soap box now but think I made my point…
Khaos
March 15th, 2012
9:42 am
Langford is a run stopping DE. We need a pass rush. Sidbury is light int he pass. Biermann is in RHOA lala land. We’re in a division with an uprising Cam Newton, solid Josh Freeman, and world better Drew Bress. According to Dled, we’ve gutted an already suspect defense. Btw did I say we need a pass rush?
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
9:45 am
@Stank Wren.. We dont need good kids! We need great players.. We have a lot of good kids already; good kids only get you so far! Our team is proof of that.
DA4Dherd
March 15th, 2012
9:50 am
If Atlanta gets Vinny with pick 55, you’ve got the steal of the draft. After his workouts yesterday (Wednesday 3/14) including his workout in LB drills, Vinny likely will go in the 2nd half of round 1 and no worse than pick 40. I cover Marshall FB for herdnation.com, and I’ve talked to Vinny several times. He’s driven, he’s a leader and he won’t be a bust. He’s got a great sense of humor. On Halloween he dressed up as Rick Flair and crashed his head coach’s weekly press conference. BTW those were his senior year stats.
Cheech
March 15th, 2012
9:54 am
Wow, this sounds like a really nice, honest, down-to-earth kid. D. Led, how many people that you interview call you “sir?” Let’s put a Falcons jersey on him!
PMC
March 15th, 2012
9:57 am
I’d love to get him at 55 if he’s there, I guess it really depends on what they are going to do though.
Whether the future is 3-4 base or not.
Veedub
March 15th, 2012
9:57 am
@GDawg… They were quite last year then brought in an already hurt Ray Edwards on a sizeable contract.. I have no problem with silence but not for gimpy players. No other team wanted him anyway!
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
10:10 am
@Veedub You have to understand everyone is dogging Edwards, first he was coming of an injury and was not 100 % last year and second he was in a vanilla defense you have to him another year.
Ken Strickland
March 15th, 2012
10:19 am
A writer does an interview with a DE prospect and everything he says seems so positive, and his production if 1st rate. Then we have some negative minded clown post a bunch of negative minded BS about him being a potential bust based on absolutely nothing. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 15th, 2012
10:27 am
Felix — Draft needs have to be 1. Defensive end/Linebacker hybrid for Nolan (a couple of them). 2. Cornerback, 3. Tight end and 4. Backup quarterback. That’s just my analysis of what’s happening.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 15th, 2012
10:27 am
Joe — L. Sid is productive everytime he gets on the field.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 15th, 2012
10:28 am
falCANS — It would be nice to see more of L. Sid!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 15th, 2012
10:29 am
dan — Hawley looks like your center. I need to check on the McNeil situation and see if he has a reasonable price and if his injuries check out.
J.J.M.
March 15th, 2012
10:33 am
*yawns* unproven player
DA4Dherd
March 15th, 2012
10:35 am
Here’s an excerpt from Joe Pauline’s report on si.com on Vinny’s pro day workout yesterday. Link is at the bottom for the full report. It sounds like with his LB workout and 40 time Vinny can certainly contribute as a DE/LB hybrid.
‘Marshall’s Vinny Curry continued the momentum of the morning’s brilliant workout with a first-class practice session. Curry ran through a battery of linebacker and defensive line drills for almost 45 minutes, a session in which one scout on hand referred to as “masterful.” Looking athletic and explosive, coaches were impressed with the mental toughness and tenacity Curry showed throughout the workout. During linebacker drills, engineered by the Arizona Cardinals, Curry flowed well around the field, quickly changing direction without losing balance. The New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions handled the defensive line drills and again, Curry was up to the task in every test. There was a feeling from teams departing the workout that Curry is now back in the conversation as a potential pick in the bottom half of round one.’
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/03/01/pro.days/index.html#ixzz1p8WQRuBY
Marcus
March 15th, 2012
10:37 am
DOL,
check on Levi Brown’s asking price ……
Jones
March 15th, 2012
10:38 am
Is Atlanta interested in Levi Brown?
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
10:39 am
Saints get Grubbs
Jeff
March 15th, 2012
10:43 am
Hi D. Orlando Ledbetter, Can you tell what influence our new Defensive Coordinator is having on some of these decisions relative to fit / new scheme ?
Thank you,
Jeff
cwltank
March 15th, 2012
10:44 am
Sid is a pass rusher only & Matthews is pretty solid. I will be shocked if we drafted a DE in the 2nd rd. However, I agree we need hybird def ends for debt because our OLB are to small. I predict we draft a TE or A tall CB. Don’t get me wromg, I love Grimes but to franchise him was not a wise decision. Although, it can easily be corrected. lol
ken herock
March 15th, 2012
10:45 am
Here you go. It’s just the 3rd day of free agency and D-Led has already had to resort to using draft profiles. Sad..
chc4
March 15th, 2012
10:45 am
Curry will not be available when our 2nd rounder comes around.
Jimmy Crack
March 15th, 2012
10:48 am
Get him, Langford, and every other prospect and bring them all in. I am so tired of watching 4 guys get absolutely ZERO pressure on NFL QBs. The entire league has known for years that double teaming Abraham gives their QB enough time to go through his progressions TWICE and STILL not get touched. It has been embarrassing to watch, no wonder our DBs get smoked, EVENTUALLY.
All Defensive End hands on deck. No one is safe, even that new guy who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane.
Falcon James
March 15th, 2012
10:50 am
This kid look interesting. It has to be tough trying to figure out who going to be on the board at pick 55.
I agree with all of DOL responses except we need a Offensive Lineman before a back up QB.
Sid
March 15th, 2012
10:56 am
With all due respect DLed, “I haven’t been in the mood to do a Mock Draft since the Falcons don’t have a first round pick.” sounds a little lazy to me. The whole point of doing a mock draft is to consider the possibiities then prove to be wrong when the brass does something either extraordinary or totally ordinary. Heck, who is being tossed around at the 55th pick is fun to me because it is a predictor of the future of this franchise. But it’s your blog, I don’t have to answer to your bosses or the Falcons brass…………..and, of course, you don’t answer to me.
Vinny Curry 48th pick to NE.
Sid
March 15th, 2012
11:05 am
Remind me again why we cut Laurent Robinson loose…………….
Joe
March 15th, 2012
11:09 am
I like Bruce Irvin more than Curry Irvin a monster and is everything TD talks about speed quickness “Explosive”
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:28 am
Sid
March 15th, 2012
11:05 am
“Remind me again why we cut Laurent Robinson loose”
He didn’t fit the “process!” Was supposedly lazy and unmotivated. And they had just extended Michael Jenkins! Ha ha, they’re great!!!
jay
March 15th, 2012
11:35 am
As stated previously Grubbs signs with the Saints. McNeil is visiting the Lions. Williams and the Bills are close to a deal. Nothing ‘Big’ is going to happen. They are being quiet because they aren’t going to do anything. This FA period has been worse than I ever imagined, esp after the so called ‘no sacred cows’ presser.
jay
March 15th, 2012
11:36 am
The best we can hope for is a trade for Osi or Freeny, but what do we have to trade? Not a dmaned thing.
Sid
March 15th, 2012
11:41 am
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:28 am
Sid
March 15th, 2012
11:05 am
“Remind me again why we cut Laurent Robinson loose”
He didn’t fit the “process!” Was supposedly lazy and unmotivated. And they had just extended Michael Jenkins! Ha ha, they’re great!!!
***********************************************
I know he was injured too but here he is signing a nice fat contract……………..!!
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
11:50 am
Osi would be good Freeney too high would be able to trade The Burner they lost Jacobs need another big back to rotate with Bradshaw.
jay
March 15th, 2012
11:52 am
That would be a great trade for us, but there’s no way they want Turner. He’s just a fatter more expensive version of Jacobs. More of a team player though.
Tdawg
March 15th, 2012
12:02 pm
My question is where is all the money going. Outside of a second teir QB, 2 good recievers and really good TE. The falcons don’t have a single player worth keeping. Not a single player on the defense is worth more than a broken down camel. None of the offensive linemen are worth a crap. So again I ask. Where is all the money at? It must all be going to 4 players because 4 players is all that I see that is even worth keeping. The rest of the team you can just scrap and start over because they haven’t earnd their pay. When was the last time the falcons had a all-pro defensesive player outside of Abraham and even he was about as a pathetic run stopper as there was in the leauge. It’s easy to run at someone when you are taking yourself out of the running plays every single down. I mean every single play he was looping so far around the OT that he was never in place to stop the run. Let him go. Just at least fing someone who can stop the run better if you can’t find a first class pass rusher, which by the way ain’t gonna happen. Maybe there is another Edwards out there. If so the falcons will find him, and sign him and proclaim that he is the next great DE at Atlanta.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
12:23 pm
Man I tried to keep up with The Falcoholic blog site but if I read one more post saying somebody is gonna “flourish in Nolan’s scheme” or Mike Nolan said he would rather “10 players have 4 sacks than 4 players having 10 sacks”, my freaking head is gonna explode. These guys read a quote somewhere and live by it for the rest of their lives.
Coach has told you jackasses(sorry D) Turner ain’t going nowhere but you just won’t listen to anything you don’t wanna hear. DOL told you what was left under the salary cap but you didn’t wanna listen because it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. STFU, sit down somewhere and let the professionals handle this. If they sign Mario half of you gonna whine about how much money he got and if they don’t sign him half of you gonna whine about how bad we need him. Everybody was in love with Brent Grimes all the way up until it was time for this man to get paid for his services now you don’t want him. Turner was the Burner this and the Burner that until you thought he stood in the way of you getting Mario Williams so now we need to cut the best RB in the history of the team.He’s fat he’s slow yes and you’re an idiot. If a fat man can run for 1340 yards on 4.5 yards per carry then everybody better go looking for fat men. News Flash couch potatoes GM’s high level players come with a high level price tag. As much as Brian Finneran stayed on IR and was basically a non factor in the passing game I never ONCE heard ya bums clamoring for that guy to get cut. Heck some of you still think he should be on the team huh?
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
12:31 pm
Williams agrees with Bills
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
12:37 pm
@Chub Rock If we don’t try to get something for Turner now it will be to late next year bank on it. I think we should try to get a decent DE in trade and draft Lemichael James in the second round.
Mario Left
March 15th, 2012
12:48 pm
Oh goodness. Bills sign Mario…………..all hope is lost.
By the way, Lamichael James would be a neat pickup, but we already have his rival school back, Rodgers.
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
1:03 pm
This is complete junk from the Falcons.
Mario is gone to Buffalo.
The Saints also signed Ben Grubbs to replace Nicks.
TD will spin the usual We are like the Giants, Pats, Packers…..blah blah….We don’t make SPLASHES in FA!!!
This is absolute garbage. The PAts are about to ink Laron Landry. Jets sign S Brandon Meriweather — they started with less cap space than We had.
This is complete junk. Make a move to help the Team — TD.
All these neutral signings are for the Birds!!!
J.J.M.
March 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
lmao@ new stadium when we cant even win a playoff game
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
1:05 pm
Help me out Dawg fans….
Is Akeem Dent a legit NFL Middle-Backer?
Lofton possibly to Cleveland or Jax — according to reports.
STRETCH
March 15th, 2012
1:14 pm
J.J.M.
You beat me to it! LOL!
STRETCH
March 15th, 2012
1:15 pm
Im still trying to figure out this city and why it cant win something or atleast show effort.
Terrible city to be a sports fan!
The Real Falcon
March 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
So now that Grubss has signed with the Saints they’re as strong as they were with Nicks. And here we sit!
PMC
March 15th, 2012
1:27 pm
well here’s hoping we find some kind of LT in free agency. Can’t believe we let the Saints get Grubbs.
PMC
March 15th, 2012
1:28 pm
So this is establishing the team on both fronts…..
PMC
March 15th, 2012
1:30 pm
Amongst the worst right guard position in football last year and we want to make THAT guy the center.
Awesome. Matt Ryan is going to have about .3 seconds to throw the ball. Good freaking luck with 4 verticals and a weak arm without a perfect foundation.
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
1:41 pm
@ the very least — get Mark Anderson or Kendell Langford for the D-line & McNeil for the OL. All 3 would be UP GRADES.
We have not made 1 single move that has up-graded the Roster from last Season.
Right now, We hang our hopes on the Offense being the offense they never were last season.
Julio will be better in yr 2. Roddy, Turner & Gonzo hopefully still maintain their production for another year.
Matty Ice makes the next step to elite QB. The OL looks no better than last year!
On defense — ?????
We were one of the best teams in the League last yr against the run — hopefully that will continue.
Even though I’m no fan of Grimes – He & Donta are above avg CB’s & Moore & DeCoud are above avg Safety’s.
Spoon is the best Player on D. No reason to think his production declines. Nicholos has to earn that $$ this year. Maybe, we get lucky out of the Dent/Tatupu combo.
Which leaves the Line. Peters is solid. Walker is what he is. Babs must get back to form. Anything from Jerry will be more than what we’ve got so far.
The Falcons are still better than the Bucs & Carolina — but the gap is closing!
PMC
March 15th, 2012
1:42 pm
Ok, so the best teams don’t typically go nuts in FA choosing to build through the draft. I’m perfectly fine with that strategy, but what I’ve seen is the Falcons bash up less talented teams for the most part and not be able to compete with the really good teams.
Part of it was scheme obviously, the offensive scheme against the Giants was one of the worst ever conceived in the playoffs. But the line talent we have drafted, hasn’t matched up whatsoever, last year or the year before. How can I logically believe the same players will be better next year????
It’s not like this team just appears uber talented like Houston did. We’re picking the wrong players too Thomas. We’re losing to teams that are more physical and talented on the LOS.
Ray
March 15th, 2012
1:48 pm
Well just to chime in We lost out on Super Mario, but you know what maybe it was for the better he didn’t even go around and look at other teams it was basically a first com first get type deal with him. We’ll see soon if this guy is overrated or just plain stupid.
Always remember this let us not end up like Philly Eagles all that talent they brought in last offseason they won the sweepstakes for virtually everyone only to end up 8-8 and miss the playoffs. You know heralded as the Miami Heat of the NFL and what not.
Sid
March 15th, 2012
1:59 pm
So in our division our rivals have signed the 4th, 6th, 11th (I don’t really count Colston) 16th, and 65th ranked Free Agents………………why did Dunta restructure to make cap room……..??
Kramer
March 15th, 2012
2:01 pm
Big Crimson 75, he is more of an every down backer then Lofton. Then again, he will get his chance to prove it.
BiggDawgK
March 15th, 2012
2:06 pm
Why a backup qb? I thought the falcons locked down Grandpa Redman yesterday.
JSS
March 15th, 2012
2:07 pm
Man, the cheerleaders are out again! DeCoud “above average?” Please, it hasn’t happened since game 3 of 2009. Moore and Weatherspoon (to a lesser extent Nicholas) have durability issues. I blame Jeff Fish and his staff for more these issues than the players. But you guys are just reaching for hope… Jerry? Did you learn from JA 98? You have to know when to lessen your expectations!
JSS
March 15th, 2012
2:10 pm
The Robinson restructure gave you Douglass back (over 5 years)…
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
2:19 pm
DeCoud is above avg.
Aside from Spoon & Lofton — He was the top tackler on the Team last year. Is he the next Ronnie Lott — No, but DeCoud is not the Falcons problem on Defense. At the very least, He plays every game — which William ” the hammer ” Moore has yet to prove he can do. I’ll take DeCoud over James Sanders.
Ichabod
March 15th, 2012
2:26 pm
Since we re-signed Redman are we still looking for a backup qb? Why do I get an uneasy feeling that we are losing talent instead of gaining at this stage? It is obvious now that we don’t have the chips or cap to have played for Mario or Nicks, but an established FA would have been nice. It’ll be a long wait til 55 but I can just guess that TD is getting all wound up for that moment!
Khaos
March 15th, 2012
2:28 pm
0-3 in the playoffs. Blown out by NY(no offensive TD or FG)and Green Bay. The two best players of what was an average defense (Lofton and Abe)are leaving and the remaining free agents are probably not as good. A marginal OC is replaced by the OC of the worse offensive team in the league. No first rounder in this years draft. But we’ve resigned Biermann and Decoud.
What, me worry?
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff.
S. Jones
March 15th, 2012
2:31 pm
Any word on Atlanta going after Levi Brown?
JSS
March 15th, 2012
2:39 pm
That over pursuing and always out of position DeCoud wouldn’t be above average even if you gave him a numerator substantially above the divisor! Hakeem Nicks, Jeremy Maclin, and Robert Meachum all made him look foolish…
jay
March 15th, 2012
2:40 pm
@Chub Rock – let me help you out.
Tampa Bay game 1 – Turner 11 carries 20 yards
Seattle – 20 carries 70 yards
GB – 16 carries 56 yards
MN – 19 carries 60 yards
NO game 1 – 22 carries 96 yards, but couldn’t get one damn yard to keep the drive going
Houston – 14 carries 44 yards
NO game 2 – 11 carries 39 yards
Yep he’s the best RB in our franchise history, but unfortunately that ain’t saying much. He needs to go.
Bluto
March 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
It is awesome to live in a city with so many experienced coaches and GM’s giving their free time to help out the Falcons staff. Where were they when we could not get back to back winning seasons, or when our big free agent signings were Perice Holt, and Chris Doleman. Sounds like I am reminiscing about the old times when 6-10 were promising years…..
That was sarcasm for the Jr coaches and GM who do not seem to remember what this franchise was before the current staff showed up.
jay
March 15th, 2012
2:43 pm
Oh yeah the playoff game. 15 carries and 41 yards.
Pluse dude only had 17 receptions as a starting RB in the NFL. That’s just sad. Snelling had 26 receptions in a back up roll and as a FB. We can live without Turner buddy.
jay
March 15th, 2012
2:46 pm
I hate to agree with JSS because he is a straight up hater, but Decoud is DOO DOO. He would be a great back up just like Grimes would be a great nickel back. Both currently will be overpaid next season.
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
2:52 pm
Agree with jay Turner was great don’t get me wrong I am not taking him for granted but it is time to move on. We need a fast back that is not 5′ nothing Quiz is a good change of pace but we need an every down back.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
2:52 pm
Look here fellow Falcons fans, you have to start peeping game. The defense is switching to a 3-4, and will use a 4-3 look. They just didn’t come right out and announce it. They knew from jump street they didn’t have enough cap space and/or money to re-sign everybody or pursue an actual elite talent on defense. Plus you have to remember, they are changing schemes, play-calling, and philosophies on both sides of the ball. Anyway, here goes: Babineaux will move out to DE, Peters and Jerry will flip flop at NT, Ray Edwards will be the hybrid DE/OLB, but he will primarily be a pass rusher. If they sign one more LB and/or start Akeem Dent (a 3-4 gives him less responsibility), which is a lot easier than signing another “skill” position player, then the defense is set. In a 3-4, the secondary will play more man and not look so darn lost in those quarter-package zones of the former DC. The offense needs a spark at RB (Lamichael James, anybody?), but realistically, Orson Charles, Branden Boykin, and Ben Jones should be seriously considered as draftees. Get Jones in the 2nd round, Charles will be there in the 3rd, if not, pick up Boykin to replace Weems and gives us an SEC-caliber DB who never got burned.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
2:54 pm
I meant to say Peters and Jerry will flip flop between NT and DE.
JSS
March 15th, 2012
2:58 pm
” At the very least, He (DeCoud) plays every game”
That is not an asset in his case! And they benched him once last season because of his toast consistency…
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
2:59 pm
@slydog You can’t but be a Dawg fan huh? If though we go with 3-4 why didn’t we try to get Paul NT from the Dolphins seeing as Nolan was a huge fan?
JSS
March 15th, 2012
3:05 pm
I’m so tired of these folks pumping Brandon Boykins like he is a NFL ready corner. He’s not Champ Bailey… His main asset in college was his kickoff returns, not his punt returning… Chris Houston was an “SEC caliber DB.” The SEC is not the NFL, it just a stepping stone… People threw on and at Patrick Peterson last season, and Boykin is not on that plateau…
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
3:06 pm
Titans and Broncos looking at Abraham
SINCE66
March 15th, 2012
3:08 pm
The Falcons will win about the same number of games in the coming season as they did last year.
So shut up and quit whining. I can’t stand to see grown men cry.
Just always keep this in mind, we’re talking about the Falcons.
warfalcons
March 15th, 2012
3:10 pm
D’ville Phil,they do not put ball in the air that much in this player league,learn more about football beffore you post.DAMM all you know it all.
welikebaseball2
March 15th, 2012
3:28 pm
So, the top two free agent offensive linemen are off the board as well as the top DE. Two of our need areas (o-line & DE) haven’t been addressed. Let me guess, a “new scheme” will make a difference. Scheme only maximizes the talent you have, it doesn’t create talent.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
3:32 pm
Jay-You think posting a couple of stats makes you know what you are talking about? You don’t make the first decision at Flowery Branch. If you wanna take Michael Turner off of your little Fantasy team then do so. Your a fan, buy your ticket get your face painted and sit in the stands with the fans. Don’t play GM, your not qualified for that position. Every time you come on the blogs and post your silly little comments you sound like a whiner. When your a whiner, people wanna make you wear an eye patch. When you wear an eye patch people think your a tough. When people think your a tough they wonder why you whine so much. Don’t be a whiner.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
3:43 pm
@GDawg
Yes I’m a Dawg, but in reality, those picks make all the sense in the world for the Falcons. All 3 fits their needs at their current draft position and, if you think about it, what other player in those slots will help the Falcons, except Lamichael James (if available)? No one. But I know it sounds bias. Anyway, I think the Falcons just handled free agency badly, and it will force them to re-scheme. That’s why they are pursuing Kendall Langford, primarily a run-stopper. I think Paul Soliei received more money returning to Miami than the Falcons were offering, assuming they offered. They should have franchised Lofton, and let Grimes walk. They are plenty of cheaper options in the secondary in FA and the draft is full of good corners.
jay
March 15th, 2012
3:50 pm
@Chub Rock, Seriously bruh, lol. You are the one whining. I posted stats and you are talking about hitting someone in the eye on the internet, ha! Turner has had one too many little debbies and his tip toeing azz is looking a lot like Jamal Anderson before he got hurt. Either way I know what I see on a week in and week out basis with Turner. Against bad teams he flourishes. When we need him he’s no where to be found. Now two years ago he was a beast, but this is a what have you done for me lately sport. As for Flowery Branch, the decision makers have already said they will be cutting his playing time. They aren’t saying that because they think he’s all world.
GDawg
March 15th, 2012
3:51 pm
Lofton in New Orleans, how are they affording all these new players I really just don’t understand could someone on here anyone explain this to me.
WS
March 15th, 2012
3:58 pm
You UGA lovers. Pushing Boykin, I saw him take a dive to kept from tackling Quick Six, SC lineman running a fake punt, rather than tackle him. Don’t need him!!
slydog
March 15th, 2012
4:08 pm
@Weak Sister, I mean WS…lol. Her did take a dive. But DB’s do that 90% of the time anyway. The Falcons can use Boykin for KR/PR, and occaissionally a nickel or dime package. And what exactly would a blogger like you do against Melvin Ingram oving at full speed? LMFAO
RockFalcon
March 15th, 2012
4:16 pm
Getting sicker and sicker each time I log into NFL.com and see all these good free agents signed with other teams. Kind of wondering if I made a mistake by renewing my season tickets. We have so many blaring needs. DE, LB, S, CB, OT, C and the list is growing day by day.
Big Crimson 75
March 15th, 2012
4:23 pm
sly — I’m all for a 3 – 4 scheme. That’s been Nolan’s scheme most places He’s been. I think it would definitely benefit Players like Biermann – Babineaux & Dent. Not sure it would benefit Edwards or Spoon — although Spoon can adapt. It certainly should help our pass rush!!
JSS — I’m not saying DeCoud is the 2nd coming. But to completely dismiss the guy as a non-factor is in-accurate. Yes, He was benched…..then immediately returned as a stater the next week.
My point with DeCoud — He’s better than Sanders or Schill. Plus, let’s see what he can do with some Coaching. BVG had no business running a Defense in the NFL.
falconfiend
March 15th, 2012
4:52 pm
Frank Alexander had a heck of career at oklahoma, he knows how to get to the quarterback.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
4:58 pm
No idiot savant…their reducing his touches because they are going more and more to the pass. See this is exactly what I mean you don’t know squat about what you are talking about. No team wants their #1 RB to get pounded on for 320 plus times a season. There are only so many carries in every RB. You in your couch potatoes GM role have once again made up some silly logic for the reason Turner’s touches may reduce. If you have a quality back you don’t run him in the ground year after year you try to extend him because you want what he provides. The Falcon fan base be better off without you in it. Be gone crab. If you were anything more than a part time fan you would know Coach has said he wants to reduce Turner’s carries every off season but it doesn’t always work that way now does it. I love how you come in here thinking just because you watched a game on TV you know how to build a football team. You’ve probably never worn a jockstrap in your life unless you were trying on your big brother’s after you got out of band practice. The end of my last post was a take on the commercial. I’m sure your too busy playing couch potatoes GM to know what I was saying there LOL. If I wanted to say anything about knocking you out I would skip straight to the point Holmes.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
5:10 pm
Jay-You know this post was for you.
Gettin' Nervous
March 15th, 2012
5:34 pm
Enough already. It is about time for the front office to offer SOME sort of update to the faithful. Williams and Nicks go away; OK, I get it. But when other, more plausible possibilities like Grubbs are picked up (by the Saints no less!) while Falcons stand apparently motionless, well, a fan could start to fret a bit.
Are we even sure the front office folks are home? Do we need to initiate an Amber Alert for Thomas D.?
The team asks fans to be supportive, but that’s a two-way street. Say something!
old qb
March 15th, 2012
5:40 pm
If Abraham leaves we have zero pass rush. I love the four-three defense, but Nolan has no choice with this bunch to use the three-four with Biermann being our pass rusher. When it comes to Edwards the standard line from the coaches is “He played the run really well”–That’s french for he’s ad dud trying to rush the passer.
Even if they do get Curry in the second round he is not a rookie Reggie White or even Fred Dean. That leaves us still with zero-pass rush. Vance Walker has as good a chance at sacks as Sidbury. Cliff Mathews was hurt, but at least he’s built like a defensive end. Play him (we won’t get to anyone as he’s too slow, but at least he’ll look good not getting there).
The Falcons are afraid of Abraham’s age and groin problems. Sign him because he’s a heck of a player when he’s healthy and you simply don’t have a backup plan unless you get Chuck Smith out of retirement.
Frankly, this is a mess because there’s no free agent money under the cap and you have no first round draft pick because of Julio. Maybe he can play both ways and get a few sacks on defense. TD really screwed up this glaring need and Ithink i’ts Arthur Blank’s stubbornness to go after Julio.
old qb
March 15th, 2012
5:53 pm
And while I’m here I would like to find out what happened with our chasing Channing Crowder? Did he retire or something. He could be valuable. Steven Nicholas plays, even starts, is around the ball, and rarely makes a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and his next sack will be his first. Crowder at least has credentials and since we’re chasing guys that have been out of footbal for a year or so why not go after one that would immediately upgrade the offense: Hines Ward? Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas triple-teaming a defensive back can’t do the damage Ward does. You can get him for a reasonable price so he can finish his career in his hometown, he’s got better hands across the middle than any of our boys, and if some idiot out there doesn’t think we’ll be running four receiver sets this coming year go back to the single-wing. Hey, I didn’t say Georgia Tech.
JoFo
March 15th, 2012
5:58 pm
Latest news! FALCONS get no one!
JSS
March 15th, 2012
6:15 pm
That DeCoud, Schillinger, and NE cast-off Sanders are choices is an indictment of the GM. That you people are 1. willing to accept that he was re-upped (hello Michael Jenkins part deaux) and 2. that you don’t see that other teams game plan for his tendencies and defiencies is an big indictment of Falcons fans! Brian Van Gorder’s game planning or Emmit Thomas nor Tim Lewis coaching (nor lack herewith) has nothing to do with a player being 15 yards from a reception and then running by said who is running directly at said safety with plenty of of time to react. If happened once, OK, better luck next time. But when it happens on multiple occasions against multiple teams, hey it is on the player!!! DeCoud is the problem!
jay
March 15th, 2012
8:32 pm
@chub rock – were you one of the women out in front of Turner’s house fighting, lol? You don’t hear the Vikings, Titans, 49er’s, Texans, Bucs, Eagles, Jags, etc talking about reducing touches. Whatever the case I’m done with you.You are a very aggressive internet thug and that’s something I don’t have time for. I will bow down to the Great Chub Rock, he and only he knows anything about football.
Chub Rock
March 15th, 2012
9:52 pm
jay-I don’t want any man bending over or bowing for me OK. You and you life partner can keep that amongst yourselves. Maybe he can teach you about the game of football when he’s done. If you ask I’m sure he’ll tell.
slydog
March 15th, 2012
9:58 pm
Forget Michael “The Simmer” Turner, what if Tampa Bay drafts Trent Richardson at #5?
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:03 pm
The 49ers don’t have to talk about reducing touches because they did last year. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter while it may seem they increased number of carries actually shared more equatiblly the load, Gore actually made it through 15 of the 16 games, out 1,863 yards on the ground,they had 444 carries between (Gore, Hunter, and Smith), 282 carries while he accounted for 1,211. Hunter ran for a considerable 479 yards on 112 carries compared to the 77 carries Brain Westbrook had the season before. Smith had 52 carries for 179 (we’ll never see that from Ryan)… So that part of your argument holds no water…
The Eagles augmented maybe the most versatile back in the NFC LeSean McCoy by drafting Dion Lewis from Pittsburgh. Reid has said that most use both of their backs more and in more creative ways to take pressure off of Vick. Ha ha, are you sure you watched the Texans last year? That team had a two head monster in Arian Foster and Ben Tate! And the Vikings have always split touches with Adrian Peterson and with Chester Taylor first and now with Toby Gerhardt… Maurice Jones-Drew (because he is all they’ve got) has been a workhorse, but he is a unique skill set (pocket hercules)…
JSS
March 15th, 2012
11:04 pm
Ledbetter…
Check your filter if you ever stop back by… Thanks…
Draft spotlight: Marshall DE Vinny Curry | NFL Online News
March 16th, 2012
5:16 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Curry, draft, Marshall, spotlight, Vinny. Bookmark the permalink. ← Top-100 free-agent tracker (ProFootballWeekly.com) [...]
WS
March 16th, 2012
7:12 am
Our Falcons down fall started when Mr Blanks wanted to run Falcons. Dan Reeves is old school and he was not going to let Blanks run team . Blanks fire Reeves, hire Larry( Rich Mckay), they hire baby boy jimmie/ He did good with Reeves players at first, as time went by they got bad.Then he hired Hit and run Petrino. After Petrino ran, he finish out the the stooges. Hiring Curly(Thomas Dumgoff) , Mo( Mike Smith).
After the princess left Ms Blanks took all the teams gold. They started improving our falcons by letting out main player walk.Abe and Lofton. I still can not see how our falcons have improved? Bucs have, Saints have. They fixed our our team with new coaches. How did that help falcons when you still have Mo telling DC and MM what too do. THey got tired of his BS and left. Three stooges went down to Jax, which is a power team, last in NFL and hire all thier coaches them could get and all the players Jags cut. This is way to build a superbowl team.
I have been a falcon fan from 66, seem it all. I think this is the worst management they have ever had Just my view. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WS
March 16th, 2012
7:30 am
Sly dog, weak thick head , that has UGA written all over you. We have pr and Ko returners on team. Stop trying to get the UGA players on falcons. Only Home town players that have panned out has been Booking and Walker. Go back to 80’s add Al Richardson.They came from Tech as I recall.I do not recall any bull pups making team. Other than Stockey on practice squad. Brown being cut.
I see alot of dogs with other teams, but falcons have a history of not making the right picks when it comes to dogs.
Terrel Davis was not good enough for dogs, did well with Broncos, Ware was not used but first year, Richt put on bench, but he is good enough to run in superbowl with Gaints.
We are going to see how bad your UGA players are. Dent will not even beat a has been for MLB for Hawks. He will be backing him up!!!! Det the UGa out , we need football players
old man
March 16th, 2012
7:54 am
We have too many players earning right at the franchise tag number:
Ryan, 93%
Grimes, 100%
Gonzales, 109%
White, 84%
Turner, 91%
I’m guessing most teams have maybe 2 or 3 players making in the range of 85+ percent of the franchise number. So we don’t have enough cap room to sign enough players in the 50-85 percent range.
BIGDAWGFAN
March 16th, 2012
9:47 am
WELL BILLS GOT MARIO $100 MIL
Jimmy Crack
March 16th, 2012
3:03 pm
And we got Abe back until he’s a senior. Sweet.
GHunt
March 17th, 2012
2:32 am
Even if Curry is available at #55, Guru Dimitroff will not draft him. He will definately take a TE.
Disgusted
March 17th, 2012
8:10 am
We need a hard hitting safety, re-signing De Coud was a mistake.
I would take Curry if he is the best player on the board. Dimitroff cannot afford to muck up this draft like he has so many times with top picks (Baker, Jerry for example).
Disgusted
March 17th, 2012
8:12 am
Abe was about as good as they could come up with for what was available.
He is old, but they went out and got Tatupu who was injured all of 2011.
And William Moore has been a disappointment due to injury.
They did not help themselves at OT.
marko
March 17th, 2012
11:39 am
Vinny’s not a well kept secret. We’d have to be pretty lucky to have him last 54 picks.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 17th, 2012
1:30 pm
Dimitroff should be fired, or at least get some pointers from Rick Sund. His team actually wins in the playoffs.
hbcuclassics
March 17th, 2012
10:59 pm
HBCU Classic Sports –
2012 Draft Board Preview (1-10)
1. Ryan Davis 6’3, 245 DE Bethune
2. Adrian Hamilton 6’3, 250 DE Prairie View
3. Christian Thompson 6’2, 220 SS SC State
4. Mario Louis 6’1, 190 WR Grambling
5. Dominique Ellis 6’0, 185 CB SC State
6. Donavan Robinson 6’2, 230 LB Jackson St
7. Reggie Sandilands 6’1, 230 LB Bethune
8. Ryan Lewis 6’3, 225 LB Bethune
9. Sanford Banks 6’5, 300 OL Grambling
10. Micah Pellerin 6’0, 196 DB Hampton
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
techduck
March 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
Hey dol ,are you sure this is the (falcons Spot light player vinny) or is it (yours) just because you think he is the best player at his position
Z-ro
March 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
try and sign Odell Thurman he doesnt drink anymore!! as for the draft leave Boykin where he is we don need anymore undersized corners we need length corners who stand a chance of swatting a pass away Brent is good but his pick all come in zone i dont think he has too many man2man picks he’s gonna look pretty ordinary in Nolans D
STRETCH
March 19th, 2012
12:38 pm
Wow, Peyton Manning a Bronco?! Teebow on the way out..ESPN!
BIGDAWGFAN
March 19th, 2012
7:33 pm
hey lets get Tebow