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
Nobiss
April 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
It matters not that the Falcons have had mediocre success since ‘08, and I’ve been a fan since the Falcons were born. What matters is being competent at the next level – where they have been since ‘08 – and not getting embarrassed in Round 1!! With that said, I really wonder about TD supposed accumen at personnel picks because not only has he picked linemen that have not produced in the past, but it looks like he did it again this year…I mean for a dude that big not to be able to press 225 but 18 times?? I am 50 yrs old and I can press 225 lbs 25 times!!! Too bad I am only 6′ 190lbs….
Bad Shmeck
April 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
MrHughes, most of the negative comments are Saints creepers.
old falcon fan
April 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
I an so glad we have all the expert Bloggers . Poor TD is making millions for not knowing anything about footballl players. Why didn’t Blanks hire one of you experts ? Then we would have continued to be the laughing stock of the NFL.
Bad Shmeck
April 27th, 2012
9:44 pm
Enter your comments here
Greene Hornet
April 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
I can press 25 lbs 225 times! (Okay, I can’t back that up… my kid’s air mattress got the best of me once…)
Supes
April 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Another injury prone lineman…”great job” Falcons! Not. Why couldn’t we move to 50 ( five spots) and draft Jerel Worthy a beast of a DT to compliment Peters on the d-line and erase the mistake that was drafting Jerry? Don’t care for the Falcons standing pat during this draft…
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Well, Nobiss at 6′ you don’t have to lift as far. My brother is 5-7, and he benched 275 in competition. Guys like Konz have to have tall spotters, too. Maybe it was partly the tall spotters’ fault.
rebel
April 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
DLED – Massie played for Ole Miss not Miss. State. That is the second time you today you have made the wrong reference.
Dawg Bite
April 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
Who the he.. cares?Just build the Billion dollar stadium that will be half filled with this loser of a team.
Ryan is the Aaron Murray of the pro ranks. They both su..!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
Konz is not a Peria Jerry. His knees don’t bend inward when he’s standing up.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
I’m 5 foot tall. I bench 450. Nuff said.
Duane
April 27th, 2012
9:50 pm
Can’t argue with taking a guy at 55 that was rated a 1st-round talent by a lot of evaluators. I might’ve taken Mike Adams, Osemele (sp?) or Lamar Miller but not going to kill TD for taking this guy. I WILL criticize him for drafting: 1) Baker, 2) Mike Johnson, 3) Joe Hawley, 4) Garrett Reynolds, and 5) Andrew Jackson with basically nothing to show for it, but that doesn’t mean he should pass on another OL-man just because the last 5 he drafted kind of suck.
Falcon fan.
April 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
For all of these Smitty/TD haters…..
Find yourselves another team to root for.
Most Falcon fans I run with are pleased with our team.
BM and BV are gone. We have some NEW creative schemers now. We actually have a NFL defensive coordinator on the sidelines.
Why is there such animosity about this team. Let the coaches be the coaches, and the management deal with personnel. We are the fans (start acting like it).
Flo=Ri-Duh
April 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
This guy fits right in. He can replace which ever guard or center is in the infirmary and then when they come back he can go on injured reserve. Makes sense to me.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
Benson is so distraught he may sell the Saints. That might be the only thing that stops them from being disenfranchised. The Facebook wierdo-megabillionaire will likely buy them and move them to LA.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
9:55 pm
I can tow 550 with my truck, and I’ll bet my truck is smaller than your truck.
BRAD
April 27th, 2012
9:56 pm
Love the exsperts on here. Drew Brees injured his shoulder while at San Diego, is he injury-prone? I broke my hip as a toddler, am I injury-prone too?!?
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
I fell down and injured my prone.
Supes
April 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
Folks…this dude hasn’t been able to finish a 12 game college season without missing games due to various injuries…can’t you see why some of us do not like this pick given the Sam Baker and P. Jerry history of injuries and their lack of performance on the field?
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
Khaos, I miss you long time.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
10:00 pm
Spell check is overrated.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:01 pm
It is really hard to bench press with an ankle injury. I bet y’all couldn’t do it 18 times with your feet flying off the floor.
Joe Tess Fish House
April 27th, 2012
10:01 pm
Well the god news is the Flacons wont have a fist round draft bust. They had 2 wait untill the 2nd round 2 do that! LOLOLO!!!
Joe Tess Fish House
April 27th, 2012
10:01 pm
Well the god news is the Flacons wont have a fist round draft bust. They had 2 wait untill the 2nd round 2 do that! LOLOLO!!!
John
April 27th, 2012
10:04 pm
HE DID 23 REPS WITH 225. PRO DAY FOLKS, GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:08 pm
Some of us dislike Sam Baker for completely different reasons. He is a human turnstile, except with even shorter arms. Him being off the field for any reason is a net positive. If the Falcons can’t flim-flam Baker on some unsuspecting GM, look for Smitty to go double-unbalanced line to the left. Konz can line up beside Gonzalez with Cox as an H-back wing right.
canadian falcon
April 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
lomao lil bill and rick……i like the pick…i’m not sure of this kids past, but what do you consider injury prone? If you play football, you’ve been hurt before, without question. O line is about the safest position you can play without sustaining injury. This admin. and team are the best in the history of the falcons. Khaos and other haters begone….. real fans appreciate the last 4 yrs. Trust in Smitty and Dimitroff…….so far so good
t_height
April 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
Im with you on that JJ. We are so horrible at drafting. Its time to stop drafting these sorry ass players based on their book smarts. Non has worked so far. TE is very important also. They don’t pop up in free agency often. This time of the draft needs are important but the best player available should be chosen. QB is also an issue.
Dawg Whisperer
April 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
The next King Konz. Good choice at #55.
Shawn
April 27th, 2012
10:20 pm
Free Bobby Massie in the 3rd round!!!
TB
April 27th, 2012
10:22 pm
Falcons better get Bobby Massie then Orson Charles(If not in 4 rd then Green) then I will like this draft with Samuel trade this week and get a pass rusher and I will call this a succesful draft. I still do not think Matt Ryan is the guy to get us to the big one but its whatever.
joewhite
April 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
Good pick big kid can play multi positions. I dont understand how some people on here say fire smitty and td. The ones who stating this are idots and probably never played the game. All picks not solid, yes td and smitty has some picks didnt work out but they made some the has gotten us three back to back winning seasons. We have improved before the draft with samuels move for a 7th round pick.Go Falcons lets get a ring this year.
Whiznot
April 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
Please draft Kellen Moore. We do not have a backup QB.
tdawg in Stockbridge
April 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
Does this mean we missed on Joe Hawley at center, Mike Johnson at guard and/or Garrett Reynolds at tackle? Probably, all of the above. Can Alge play left tackle now?
Amy "Konz" Anderson
April 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
From one Konz to another……The Falcons got a good one!…..Way to go Peter!!!!
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:25 pm
Why the trade down? I wanted Massie!
Falcon in DC (Rupe)
April 27th, 2012
10:28 pm
Everybody needs to calm the *%#^ down!!! Great pick considering our issues in short yardage. Guess what folks? The draft, free agency, trades, and training camp still present further opportunities to address remaining needs. As a lifelong fan, I’ll place my trust with the most successful GM and coach in the history of the franchise.
This team will be better and this team will make it out of the first round of the playoffs!
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
I agree with the bsg – why not Massie? If they were really considering him at 55, would seem to be a slam dunk to take him at 84 still being there.
A chance to rebuild the OL might have just gone right down the tubes just to pick up a late 5th rounder.
literacy now
April 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
Holy smokes! No mangled English. This must have come from the AP rather than Captain Bow Tie.
JoeFann
April 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
What did we get in the trade down?
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
Dimitroff got concerned with the bruhaha on this blog about Konz and bench presses. Massie did only 22, so Dimitroff is having 2nd thoughts. Too bad, since he’s the best pure RT in the draft.
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
JoeFann: We got the Ravens 5th round pick in the 160’s
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:37 pm
Wow, we still have a chance at Massie
JoeFann
April 27th, 2012
10:38 pm
Thanks. Every little bit helps, if you think your target will still be there at 91.
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:38 pm
Zebrie or Massie? which is it?
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:40 pm
Trading down 7 picks is pretty risky for a player you supposedly considered taking 35 picks ago and is the consesusu bett offensive lineman still out there.
Hopefully it works out – but man that’s a big risk if they indeed really think that highly of him.
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:41 pm
We can still get Massie if the Pats don’t take him.
Shawn
April 27th, 2012
10:42 pm
I think the pick is either gonna be Massie or Brandon Thompson.
Supes
April 27th, 2012
10:43 pm
What Shawn said…it just makes sense here at this point.
falconfever74
April 27th, 2012
10:43 pm
for all you guys wanting us to draft Massie, have it occurred to how long he has been the best available player on the board, that means none of the 32 teams are impressed with him.