Falcons draft center Peter Konz, OT Lamar Holmes
Falcons selected Peter Konz in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday. (Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Most of the folks in the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin bleed green and gold and are devout Packers fans.
Former Wisconsin center Peter Konz, who was selected in the second round (55th overall) by the Falcons on Friday, said he was raised doing a different dance — The Dirty Bird.
“A [few] people know this, but I was never a Packer fan,” Konz said. “I always did what people told me not to do. So when the Falcons were in the Super Bowl, I was doing the Dirty Bird with the rest of them.”
Former Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler turned in the team’s card and announced the pick in New York.
Just before they were to select at No. 84 (third round) they traded the pick to Baltimore. They received the Ravens’ pick at No. 91 (third round), which they used to take Lamar Holmes, an offensive tackle from Southern Mississippi.
The trade also brought the Falcons a fifth-round pick (No. 164, 29th of the round).
The Falcons’ plan was to improve the offensive line early in this draft.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is Konz can play both guard and center,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We have him listed as a guard-center.”
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked 26 times last season and was hit 84 times, which was the seventh most hits in the NFL. If the Falcons plan to climb to the top of the NFC and are Super Bowl contenders, they must do a better job of protecting the man Dimitroff has taken to calling “Deuce.”
“We need to make sure we have the right people protecting ‘Deuce’ as well as helping in short-yardage runs,” said Dimitroff, who selected a player from the Big Ten conference for the first time in five drafts with the Falcons.
Konz’s versatility was important to the Falcons.
“At Wisconsin they made sure I knew tackle, guard and center,” Konz said. “Anywhere I can help the team, that’s my responsibility.”
The Falcons re-signed center Todd McClure during free agency. Also, Joe Hawley started three games at center last season.
The right guard position was problematic as Garrett Reynolds opened the season as the starter after beating out Mike Johnson. When Reynolds struggled, Hawley took over at right guard.
In the offseason, the Falcons sign guard Vincent Manuwai in free agency.
Konz, 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, was projected to go late in the first round by most draft analysts. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper had him rated as the top center in the draft.
“He has no peers in this draft,” Kiper said.
Konz, who lifted 225 pounds just 18 times at the NFL scouting combine, needs to improve his upper-body strength. He should be able to lift that weight 25 times. He said he lifted 225 pounds 23 times at his Pro Day.
He is considered quick and agile for his size. He could pull on sweeps and hit moving targets, which was considered a weakness of the line by former offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. The line’s lack of mobility was cited when Mularkey was pressed about why he didn’t call more screen passes last season.
Under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, the Falcons plan to run more screens. They need some linemen who can pull and eliminate defenders while on the move.
Konz has a interesting medical history. He was placed on blood thinners in 2008 after blood clots were discovered in his lungs. He also has battled through ankle sprains in 2009 and 2010. Last season, he missed three games with a dislocated ankle. He returned to play in the Rose Bowl.
The draft resumes at noon Saturday with the fourth round. The Falcons have four remaining picks — two in the fifth round (157th and 164th overall), the sixth (192nd) and the seventh (249th).
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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204 comments Add your comment
Derek
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
Typo in the very last sentence. Konz was spelled Konze.
Khaos
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
Lil Bill you’re funny. Dave Chappelle watch out!
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff
Left Coast Dawg
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
The Ravens just drafted the OT we should have drafted!!
Sam
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
Sure would be nice if the falcons traded up and took Bobby Massie.
Nique
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
So does he start off at Center & let Vince try to start at Guard & if Vice doesn’t hold up after sitting out a year, we slide him over & let Joe take over at Center? So is our Vision to have Clabbo, Blaylock, Konz, Vince Manuwai, & Baker right now?
Good Pick for Atlanta
April 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
Little Bill, how do you know Pete Konz? I guess you must know him when you say he’s got a poor work ethic. In fact, he’s one of the hardest working college players I’ve ever seen. How about I take some liberties with you and say, “Little Bill is the most racist hillbilly on the Internet”. I have about as much right to say that as you do about some 21 year old kid. Stick to the facts. Calling him undersized is one thing, bashing a kid’s character is another.
Kelly
April 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
KIper explained that he had the poor lifting performance, but later corrected it. I thought Konz was a possibility, but thought they’d go for a pure G or even OT. Unfortunately, Schwarz was already gone. Alge announced him as a guard, so maybe that was a hint about what Dimitroff is going to say.
Falcon Fan For Life
April 27th, 2012
9:06 pm
To get a projected number one pick by picking #55 is pretty darn impressive. Just got to hope we can get his body conditioned to play with the big boys. Overall kinda like the pick. Well done TD.
FFFL
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 27th, 2012
9:06 pm
By the way…. Injury prone??…. I bet you people complaining have office jobs, not blocking 300 lbs men
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:06 pm
Khaos would fire Khaos if he weren’t Khaos!
BFALCON
April 27th, 2012
9:06 pm
Hate the pick.Would have preferred B.Thompson DT or M.Adams OT. Could have gotten a decent center in round 3. The Falcons need at DT that is stout against run. Falcons do not have a DT over 300 on roster. The last one we had that made a difference was Grady Jackson. This Konz only did 18 reps of 225.You have WR who can do that. TD screwed this one up. Another S.Baker/M.Johnson.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:07 pm
Khaos has the poor work ethic.
day old fries
April 27th, 2012
9:07 pm
barely = 18
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:08 pm
Good Pick For Atlanta,
Are you talking about Khaos?
james
April 27th, 2012
9:09 pm
why didnt they get courtney upshaw
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:10 pm
Good Pick For Atlanta,
Thanks, I think?
ATL Fan 2012
April 27th, 2012
9:10 pm
Vin Curry would have been a better pick
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:11 pm
I thought Peter Kontz was white?
Rick
April 27th, 2012
9:11 pm
“Khaos scored a 2 on the wonderlic”
that’s his problem, he’s been licking his wonder…
Kelly
April 27th, 2012
9:12 pm
BFALCON – I hear ya’. But we should wait and see how his versatility might pay off.
THE REAL PHIL
April 27th, 2012
9:12 pm
Really, this guy is what we needed when we couldn’t get 4th and inches all last year? Someone who is weak? Really? This is going to move the pile?
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:12 pm
The Falcons already have a Georgia player; they’re not alone. Other schools with only one Falcon are Arizona St., Baylor, Bethune-Cookman, Boise St., Boston College, Central Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, KU, UK, LSU, Ole Miss (Jerry…), Miss. St., N. Illinois, Oregon, Notre Dame, Purdue, Richmond, Shippensburg, S. Florida, Texas, UAB, UNLV, USC (Baker…) UVA and VT.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:13 pm
Good Pick For Atlanta,
Are you on the side of Khaos?
Jesse
April 27th, 2012
9:14 pm
Got the top rated player at a position of need. Many different sites had him as the best C. He was a Red Shirt Jr. so if he stayed you know he would have been a first round pick. Seeing the Falcons didn’t have a 1st round pick, in a way they got one. I think it’s clear Hawley was in over his head last year.
He had blood clots…. that seems like more of an issue than a sprained ankle. Many players have sprained ankles. That doesn’t make them risky. The blood clots…..
Rick
April 27th, 2012
9:14 pm
Phil, its really great you have the total insight…congratulations.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 27th, 2012
9:14 pm
Those who say fire TD…. Ryan, Turner, Spoon, Moore, Gonzalez, Samuel, Julio, Robinson, …etc…….. How can you complain? Would you go back to our awful years?…… Yeah Jerry was my questionable pick but come on
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:16 pm
Bleacher Report likes Konz. They also have a good photo of him with his long, un-Baker-like arms.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1162459-peter-konz-to-atlanta-falcons-pick-analysis-grade-and-scouting-report
Spike 80DF
April 27th, 2012
9:16 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong. Wasn’t Dimitroff’s first year as GM 2008? Didn’t the Falcons make the playoffs in 2008, 2010, and 2011? You guys second guessing his draft picks are idiots
Laughing out Loud
April 27th, 2012
9:17 pm
I haven’t been on this blog for a while. Now I remember why: It wasn’t the absence of a computer, but the same old negative , stupid comments by dumb commentators. Go Falcons…you seem to be doing quiet well at fulfilling your plan. We’re enjoying the Falcons games!
Andrew
April 27th, 2012
9:18 pm
Upper body strength is great, but at 6′5 I’d be more concerned about his leg and core strength. Hes not going to be relying on his upper body much considering he’ll be looking down to most.
SERIOUSLY.......
April 27th, 2012
9:20 pm
NOTE TO FUTURE PLAYERS WHOM WANT TO PLAY IN THE NFL…………IF YOU ARE INJURD AT ANY POINT IN YOUR CAREER………………….YOU WILL ONE DAY BE AN ATLANTA FALCON!!!!!
(THAT IS AS LONG AS DIMWITTROF & SMITTY ARE IN CHARGE)!!
Kelly
April 27th, 2012
9:21 pm
Spike, you get the feeling some of these folks don’t remember the lean years. Sure, we had the grits blitz and Big Ben, but not until new ownership took over did Atl commit to competing. Now…they need to win a playoff game. That’s another issue entirely. I don’t think we should overreact negatively to this pick. With some good strength/conditioning, maybe he’ll work out. He seems to understand the game well according to Delbert’s link.
Rick
April 27th, 2012
9:21 pm
hey dumbf..k, when are FOOTBALL players never injured….huh?
Falcon fan.
April 27th, 2012
9:21 pm
They got a projected first at 55. I think they can take their chances with this guy.
Now they need a BIG nose tackle, and a return man.
Kelly
April 27th, 2012
9:22 pm
Can anybody figure out why, after the Samuel deal, Kiper still had Atl needing a CB?
Tman
April 27th, 2012
9:23 pm
Yeah, the durability issues do concern me. He hasn’t played a complete season in three years. In general, I think TD has proven he’s a very good, maybe great, GM, but he does seem to roll the dice on players with injury histories. Baker, Jerry, and to some degree, William Moore, bear this out. That said, it seems a logical pick. Not taking Vinny Curry may come back to haunt the Falcons, though. If Konz can play 12 games a year at a high level, maybe it was worth it.
$lim Goody
April 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
Hate the pick
Vinny Curry was still there at pick 55!! TE Ladarius Webb in the 3rd round!! Could Have addressed OG in the Later rounds!! Thats Just ME!!
William Andrews
April 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
Who cares about home grown??? Let’s get the best player regardless of where he is from !!!
WTF
April 27th, 2012
9:25 pm
To those who take up for td and smith…………………I DO NOT CARE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE YESTERDAY KNUCKLEHEADS,I WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND PLAY FOR THE TROPHY……………NOW!!!! DO NOT GET IT??!!
Rick
April 27th, 2012
9:26 pm
wow WTF… I guess you’re a man on an island.
J-Lo
April 27th, 2012
9:27 pm
quit complaining that he is a center, he can also play guard, TD says that is why they picked him
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
CONFUSIUS SAY: PEOPLE WHO DRAFT CRIPPLED PLAYERS ARE CRIPPLED IN THE HEAD!!!!!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:30 pm
I don’t get it. Forget yesterday, but predict the future?? Doesn’t work that way.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:31 pm
Like Peyton Manning?
Lofa Shmiff
April 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
This dude is the real deal. Great value at 55. Falcons got lucky – had to pick O-Lineman, We could not get 1 yd against Saints and Giants on 4th Down – Konz gives us a boost. Go Falcons!
William
April 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
He’d be a great 2nd string player on a 4th place team … o’ wait …never mind.
FalconFreak
April 27th, 2012
9:35 pm
I missed the selection on ESPN. Did he get one of those uncomfortably long Man-Hugs from the commissioner? Is Goodell gay? Just having some fun but can’t he just shake hands?
Lofa Shmiff
April 27th, 2012
9:36 pm
William, that is an inane comment.
MrHughes
April 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
These fire Smitty and Dimitroff people sound like the fire Dan Reeves people. How did that work out for you? I’m glad to have a coach who actually wins games now versus some stuff we’ve had here. Hmmm coaches in music videos, driving race cars, creating fake trophies, refusing to shake hands at the end of games, going for rides in players cars, sniffing inhalants right before kickoff, getting into shouting matches with players during nationally televised games. Yeah, y’all are REAL Falcons fans. You don’t know how good you actually have it. This is a great pick. Most of y’all weigh over 225 lbs. we needed a center last year. This a a very good deal. At the end if the 2nd round we got a first round talent. Everyone who’s played a luck of football has nursed some kind of injury.
Falcon fan.
April 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
This guy will be a starter by week ten.
The Falcons are going to be lucky to make the playoffs this year anyway. They have a brutal schedule.