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
ladyj80
April 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
First
Brick
April 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
Love the pick. Best center in the draft.
Rick
April 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
Second
falconfan
April 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
first
Rip
April 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
Another Sam Baker, not strong enough injury prone
Colby
April 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
Great pick. took a need and best available for them
Donny.K
April 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
This is an interesting pick, I would have preferred a G or OT with Hawley replacing McClure next year.
sam
April 27th, 2012
8:49 pm
Man, I thought for sure we’d go for one of the OT’s still on the board. Hope we still have a plan for that.
Khaos
April 27th, 2012
8:50 pm
My problem with the pic…he has durability issues. Couldn’t stay on the field per Kiper. Smells like Baker, Moore, Jerry, and other injury prone picks Dimtroff selects.
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff
pj
April 27th, 2012
8:50 pm
Great value pick for 55. Ask Peyton Manning if a great center is important.
Tallcarl
April 27th, 2012
8:50 pm
Great move, now maybe we can get us a home grown Ga. tightend next.
Richard Alpert
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Alge Crumpler?? I thought that was Sam Crenshaw!
Reggie
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Wasnt Hawley suppose to be this guy 2 years ago?
J.J.M.
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
I CAN BENCH 225 20 TIMES DRAFT ME HELL
chuck
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
I would have liked massie now and hoped that Ben Jones lasted til we picked in the 3rd.
Kew
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
@Rip, I don’t think so.
Richham
April 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Awesome pick. Can play OG or center.
rwc
April 27th, 2012
8:52 pm
injury prone but if healthy good pick
truefalconfan
April 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
so we take a center over most need LT… wtf didnt they take mike adams.. SMH
plus he only benched 18 times
TampaGator
April 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
@Khoas
Fire the head coach and the GM that has brought 4 straight winning seasons to a team that could not have two winning seasons in a row for 20 plus years…..please…..pure ignorance of what is going on with the Falcons.
progeny
April 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
Alge Crumpler has let himself go
Left Coast Dawg
April 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
Ditto Rip
Bgtodd
April 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
What about Brandon Boykin for secondary and to replace Weems as returner?
TampaGator
April 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
@truefalconfan…
Because Mike Adams has a history of drug use and personal issues…..winning is not just about talent. It is just as much about character. Adams has not shown that off the field.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Cut Khaos. Undersized with poor work ethic?
Troy
April 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Konz!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
8:56 pm
It’s harder to lift when your arms are long like Konz. The knock on Baker was that his arms were too short. I’m projecting Dimitroff to dump Baker in a sleight-of-hand 4-way trade.
MG
April 27th, 2012
8:56 pm
Was it me or did Kyper and the rest of the Espn guys seem to not like this guy…last thing we need is a first or second round pick that is constantly injured !
THE FAN
April 27th, 2012
8:56 pm
WHY NOT MIKE ADAMS? I THOUGHT WE HAD THE CENTER OF THE FEATURE…….DUMB!!!!!!!!!
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
8:57 pm
Correction, undersized with poor work ethic(Khaos).
THE FAN
April 27th, 2012
8:57 pm
TYPO FUTURE
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
8:58 pm
Khaos is the worst draft pick ever!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
8:58 pm
I benched 225 once, once. I still have the mark on my forehead.
loyal falcon
April 27th, 2012
8:58 pm
I like this pick!
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
8:59 pm
Khaos scored a 2 on the wonderlic.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:00 pm
Cut our losses, cut Khaos.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 27th, 2012
9:00 pm
Hawley sucks….. Not the center of the future…. Was surprised by the pick, but who can argue taking the best player at a position this late in the draft
Khaos
April 27th, 2012
9:00 pm
Guys who limp off the field appeal to Dimitroff. See Baker and Jerry. I’m all for improving the Oline. However, can we draft guys who can stay on the field and have strength? Does any one remember how Trent Cole pushed Baker around? And what do we do? We draft a guy who barely benched 225?
Fire Smitty and Dimitroff
Paddy
April 27th, 2012
9:00 pm
truefalconfan……the only draft Adams is going to feel is the one coming from under the bars in his jail cell.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:00 pm
Mel Kiper i
fkembucky
April 27th, 2012
9:01 pm
Lifelong badger here. And I know Konz. Forget about the 18 reps at the combine, that was another injury thing. At his pro day he showed his true strength. Bottom line is IF he remains healthy you guys made out like bandits with this pick.
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:01 pm
Mel Kiper is Khaos’ general manager.
John
April 27th, 2012
9:01 pm
D.O.L. he did 23 reps with 225 on his pro day.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
The more I think about it, the more I like it
TDnoclue
April 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
Why does TD always draft injury prone players?
Mako
April 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
Uggggg…….
Little Bill
April 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
Khaos says fire smitty and dimitroff and hire Mel Kiper.
Seattle Falcons Fan
April 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
Hawley showed he wasn’t elite…. We got the best center in the draft
tomSERVO
April 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
I like the pick. There are a couple of guys at a pretty similar level so choosing one over the others was likely a challenge.
Konz is a good player. His history seems to demonstrate he’s a good character guy and a leader. Obviously he’s seen as he replacement for McClure (retiring ‘13) and will likely get his share of plays in the normal player rotation.
bp
April 27th, 2012
9:04 pm
delbert that was funny!
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.
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.
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:44 pm
Here go second chance boys
Falcons select center Peter Konz in the NFL draft | football-feed.com
April 27th, 2012
10:45 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:45 pm
Holmes, huh.
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:45 pm
Whooooo???
Supes
April 27th, 2012
10:46 pm
Wow…just wow.
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:46 pm
Took an OT – but not Massie.
Ledbetter – you need to double check your sources, cause they sold you a bill of goods about the team wanting Massie!
JoeFann
April 27th, 2012
10:47 pm
Looks like 32 teams know something about Massie that Kiper doesn’t–for the last 36 picks.
bsg3003
April 27th, 2012
10:48 pm
What’s up with Massie?
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:49 pm
JoeFann – there has to be something to it, but why say the Falcons considered Massie at 55 then. Did he get arrested for smoking pot in the last hour and half or something?????
Disgusted
April 27th, 2012
10:50 pm
Not impressed with this falcon draftatall, two lineman sort of a reach where they picked.
Supes
April 27th, 2012
10:51 pm
The Pats with a great draft so far…helps to have all those picks.
Supes
April 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
Well no 4th round pick so they are gonna have a hard time “selling” this draft to the fans…
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
I had to look up Holmes on the NFL combine rating site, but he is larger, heavier at 320+, has longer arms and graded 50.0 combined to Massie at 48.
Falcons select center Peter Konz in the NFL draft | NFL Online News
April 27th, 2012
10:53 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged center, draft, Falcons, Konz, Peter, select. Bookmark the permalink. ← Draft: Round Two pick-by-pick analysis (The SportsXchange) [...]
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
10:55 pm
Compared, not combined. Bigger hands, too. Maybe they check toenails or something. Kneecap circumference.
Falcon in DC (Rupe)
April 27th, 2012
10:55 pm
Pat Yasinkas summarizes it well.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/57846/falcons-keep-plowing-with-peter-konz
Bruce
April 27th, 2012
10:56 pm
Not liking this draft at all.
JoeFann
April 27th, 2012
10:57 pm
Maybe just a smokescreen to keep folks far away from your real target. I’m sure on their board they had Holmes rated higher than Massie. If not, something must have become know internally that the media doesn’t know about. Who knows? Maybe he tripped on the hotel steps and tore an ACL. For 32 teams to all do the same thing (ignore Massie) you’d think something happened or was discovered and widely shared.
Mick Luckhurst
April 27th, 2012
10:59 pm
All the mock drafts I saw , I didn’t see one that had draft correct for falcons. Mr TD just drafted a O tackle. Looks like Baker is on his way out of door. Couldn’t happen soon enough.
For UGA fans that have been wanting Boykin. Word is scout’s were watching him take a dive when Quick Six was running fake punt. Boykin look like a punter, taking dive in turf to keep from getting hit. Falcons wants someone to hit. Looks like we will still have one UGA player on roster, damn Tech has three.
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
10:59 pm
Falcon DC – Thanks for the link, but I worry about so called “journalists” that use the word “rout” instead of what they intended to use- “route”.
BFALCON
April 27th, 2012
11:01 pm
Bull sh- -!!!! TD just reached for this guy Holmes , with B.Massie sitting right there. DLED, I thought you said the second pick was between Konz & Massie. We reach for Holmes, Do not like this draft at all!!! With no fourth round pick. Falcons should have released S.Baker and signed M.McNeil if he checked out physically. The Falcons still are weak in the defensive line and do not have a future TE. If I was running the draft, I would have picked M.Adams OT in 2nd rd, I like the trade down to pick up extra 5th rd pick. I would have selected B.Thompson in 3rd.Tomorrow I would trade into the 4th rd to select O.Charles or L.Green at TE position.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
11:03 pm
Strengths
Massie is a massive offensive tackle who was nearly a three-year starter for Ole Miss and chose to forgo his last year of eligibility. He is four years removed from high school after a year at the renowned Hargrave Military Academy. Massie was not a standout player in college and will have to find the right opportunity to land a spot on a roster as a rookie; he could get drafted late to a team with a need.
Holmes has good natural strength and an anchor to stall bull rushers at the point of attack. He has an evenly proportioned body throughout his 6-foot-6 frame and looks the part of a starting NFL tackle. He doesn’t have a lot of range in his pass set, but he generally gets good enough position to sustain his man. He can move his feet fairly well for his size and mirror with quicker rushers.
Weaknesses
Massie is not a very dynamic athlete and is a slow-footed mover. He is not a natural bender and is rigid in many of his movements. He labors to work to the second level and and struggles when sifting through traffic to engage his man. He relies on catching his man as a blocker in pass protection and will get in trouble with that technique at the next level.
Holmes has a bad habit of stopping his feet on contact, which works in pass protection but leaves him vulnerable when pulling or blocking against the run. His feet don’t coincide with his hands when engaged on a block, and he will need to learn to eat up grass in the run game or he will get plays blown up at his expense at the next level.
NFL combine rating info
A-ville Ranger
April 27th, 2012
11:04 pm
Holmes looks like an awful pick. He was projected as a 6th or 7th rd pick. He is slow, sloppy and very limited. On paper he is the worst OL to go in the first 3 rds.
Falcon in DC (Rupe)
April 27th, 2012
11:08 pm
@Gwinnett Fred…. Good catch!!!! Let’s just chalk that up to a late night typo!!
Rip
April 27th, 2012
11:15 pm
Well not impress with this draft, needed BIG DT, TE and it would have been nice to get a home run RB Another Winning season, in and out of the playoffs in a flash. But we will have a new Building to showcase. and maybe attract a SB
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2012
11:18 pm
Holmes had 4 years in college, and Massie 3. More to look at on film?
“Massie was not a standout player in college and will have to find the right opportunity to land a spot on a roster as a rookie; he could get drafted late to a team with a need.”
“Massie is a massive offensive tackle who was nearly a three-year starter for Ole Miss and chose to forgo his last year of eligibility. He is four years removed from high school after a year at the renowned Hargrave Military Academy. Massie was not a standout player in college and will have to find the right opportunity to land a spot on a roster as a rookie; he could get drafted late to a team with a need.”
“Holmes is a massive offensive tackle from Southern Miss who carries his 320 pounds well and is a deceptive athlete. He continued to improve his technique throughout his career and looked like an NFL player in his senior year. He has good natural strength and could be selected in the later rounds.”
Same source, NFL combine profiles
Great Falconi
April 27th, 2012
11:22 pm
Gee. I have a big problem with the Falcons trying to improve their offensive line. That makes no sense at all.
zho18
April 27th, 2012
11:27 pm
I would like to think T.D. and coach Smith know what they are doing . But look back at their past drafts and they have really only drafted roll players , no stars . It looks like Julio Jones will be good , Matt Ryan could be good with a better o line but that’s about it . It just seams that they pass on so many obvious good players to reach for roll players . I am a lifelong Falcons fan but I am embarrassed and upset by that last pick . I live near Tampa so I have to listen to how awesome they have done in the draft already . I guess we just have to let it all play out .
robertussen
April 27th, 2012
11:48 pm
it was mentioned that the decision was between konz and massie, but massie was still there when we picked in the 3rd and we passed on him. why?
Gwinnett Fred
April 27th, 2012
11:56 pm
@robertussen – maybe they think he’ll still be there in the 5th round – LOL
trailboss
April 28th, 2012
12:26 am
man if we can get these guy’s and keep them healthy I think we make have something here.I love the the 300 pounded on bother side’s of the ball. Now if they want to play we’ll know if they hold out or go to camp.
torgo
April 28th, 2012
3:00 am
Liking the Konz pick. Not liking the Holmes pick. Holmes or some equal talent would likely have been on the board when our fifth rounder from the Ravens came up.
That said, I’m liking that at least Dimitroff did trade down once before making the pick. So if the fifth rounder turns out to be someone decent, at least it isn’t a total waste.
One other thing to consider: Konz likely challenges for the starting job from day one. He’s bigger than either McClure or Hawley. And the strength thing isn’t as bad as advertised – he did 18 reps at the Combine, but he followed up with 23 reps at his Pro Day workout.
So we now have 12 linemen, and we only keep 9 or 10. We have three centers among them – one we just drafted, a young one who just showed he can fill in at guard if needed, and Todd McClure.
It will be sad to see him go, but there’s a good chance that when the final roster cuts are in, Ol’ Mud Duck will be put down like Ol’ Yeller.
Chub Rock
April 28th, 2012
4:26 am
I think it’s safe to say Thomas Dimitroff walks to the beat of a different drum. Every year he either drafts a guy that he could get as an UDFA or he drafts a guy 2 or 3 rds higher than he is projected. It’s almost like he’s afraid to succeed at the draft. A solid pick falls in his lap in Konz then he feels the need to go off into his Beautiful Mind BS with the Holmes pick. Lamar Holmes is a good draft pick but you do not have to use the 91st pick on Lamar Holmes. Dimitroff clearly falls in love with guys he scouts, there is no other way to justify such a pick at this position in the draft. For godsake man draft Lamar Holmes if you must but in the 5th RD. Heck you’ve got 2 picks there. I just don’t get it. The guy thinks he’s smarter than everybody else and it’s just not true. I don’t care if Lamar Holmes turns out to be a Hall of Fame LT, you could still get him in the 5th rd on present day earth. If Dimitroff is taking 6th rounders in the 3rd I’m afraid to watch the draft tomorrow. I guarantee he takes at least one guy tomorrow that does not project to even be drafted at all….probably in the 5th rd. Then in the 6th and 7th he’ll compensate for that by drafting guys who have fallen in the draft.
OHIOdirtybird!!!!
April 28th, 2012
5:07 am
OK for all the haters aka NON falcons fans…..There is 1 position and 1 position only that needed addressed this off season and we did it in the 2nd and 3rd round, Matty Ice aint gonna be anything without some time to throw the ball(watch the Giants game)….I know I know “we need a pass rush” ….Abe is back, Edwards healthy, Kroy(under Nolan system) along with Asante we will be fine…..this was a fine team last year(without a full off season)….we will be better with a full arsenal of BOTH!!!!
OHIOdirtybird!!!!
April 28th, 2012
5:22 am
and for the Mike adams haters/lover(and yes I’m a Buckeye)….He will be a solid starter in the league(I don’t know where he gets the hatred from, yeah he had some small shit like testing positive for pot ok, But he came out and acknowledged that he made a mistake and went and got drafted by the steelers….thats beside the point though, we didn’t get adams because he was an “ok” tackle….but we went and got probably the “best” Center in the draft and he can play other positions on the O-Line…..O yeah and we got another tackle just in case we need Konz as McClure replacement
marko
April 28th, 2012
6:26 am
Peter Konz was a great kick. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t see it coming. It seems pretty obvious that should the top rated center ,in this years draft, fall to us, we’d say thank you very much .Over the past few years, centers have ceased to be the Rodney Dangerfield’s of the offensive line. Just like Rodney, they didn’t get no respect. At any rate, Konz war arguably our best option at 55. Good move.
This brings me to the strange case of Lamar Holmes. Not considered particularly strong, fast or coachable. Said to be a better than average pass protector, and considered a good late round project player. He has no chance what so ever of starting at either tackle position. At least not in the near future. I’m sure he’s a good kid. With time and patience, we might even be able to make something out of him. The big question’s why a freaking project in the third round? He might help us long term, but in the long term we’re all dead. I’d like to see us win a super Bowl in my life time. I thought this kind of crap was over when then the Smith’s sold the team. I’ll stop now lest I use language that would force D3 to ban me from his fine web site.
YourPoliticalAnimal
April 28th, 2012
6:53 am
I was hoping FALCS would take the DE out of Marshall…Abraham is limited and Edwards is still an unknown commodity…but OL and DL issues have to also be addressed…Is UGA’s Boykin still available???…If so, let’s get some firepower to help field position…as for my Bills…we’re gonna kick some major heiny this fall…
Falcons Draft 2012: Day 2 O-Line Help - The Recycle Bin
April 28th, 2012
7:06 am
[...] Todd McClure has 1-2 years left in the tank, this seems like an insurance move for the future. Can Konz help now? “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is Konz can play both guard and center,” Falcons [...]
COOK1972
April 28th, 2012
7:21 am
Marko, i agree 100%.
You sound like you have been around sometime.
The Smiths signed a track star who could not catch the ball; a shot putt star (we’ll make a guard out off him”)
A basketball player (”..TE…”)
AND THE CLASSIC OF ALL TIME, they signed the laundry man (”..RB…”)…
At least Holmes was on a football team.
sam
April 28th, 2012
7:45 am
If you step back and think about it, TD is sending a very clear message to the team. We’re not going to tolarate “duece” getting hit 84 times, and we’re not going to tolarate failing to convert fourth and inches. So we now have a new OL coach and spent our first two draft choices to enhance competition for OL starting positions. I honestly can’t comment on whether the two guys we picked we the best ones available, but i do like the message that is being sent.
Fred Macmurray
April 28th, 2012
8:04 am
As Joe Tess Fishbreath would say,,, Isnt this guy Ijury Prune,,,
tfalcon
April 28th, 2012
8:36 am
@ Khaos man u can’not be a real Falcon fan how can u like the team when u hate everything they do, I’m sure I’m speaking for most fans when I say why dont u just become a taints fan cause we are all just tired of
ur bullsh!t post I mean ur like a bad custimer u just dont want nor need them
A Bust NO Matter What
April 28th, 2012
9:50 am
Why on earth did Dimitroff draft Holmes instead of Bobbie Massie? That was a no a no brainer. Dimitroff always thinks hes smarter than he is, and thats why most of his draft picks suck.
A Bust NO Matter What
April 28th, 2012
10:00 am
Marko great points. With Bobbie Massie sitting there waiting on Dimitroff to pull the trigger on a no brainer pick, and then he whiff’s. What an idiot. Homes was projected to go in the 5th rd. Dimitroff always outsmarts himself and thats why most of his drafts suck.
A Bust NO Matter What
April 28th, 2012
10:04 am
D Led you’re a freakin idiot I tried to post 2 comments and you somehow missed on both. And they were not bad . I guess you and Dimitroff are bed buddies and didn’t like the fact that i said most of his drafts suck.
torgo
April 28th, 2012
10:55 am
The reason why none of us saw Konz coming was that everyone thought he’d be long gone by the #55 pick. He simply fell in our laps.
Cook1972 – don’t forget the WR we drafted who was awaiting sentencing.
ghostwriter
April 28th, 2012
11:48 am
I like the picks. Matt Ryan needs help standing up, and we aggressively addressed those needs with our first two picks. It looks like Konz should have never fallen to the second round, and I don’t know much about Holmes, but apparently he’ll be good, too.
We’ve already addressed our secondary with signing Asante… so we’re looking pretty good.
Let’s keep it up today!
johnm
April 28th, 2012
12:10 pm
two ankle injuries in three years is hardly what id call injury prone. Its a rough sport and people get hurt, especially linemen who do their job
Sambo 4 Rambo
April 28th, 2012
12:10 pm
I wish you haters would go practice falling down, ill be over there in a minute (sniff)
Sly Ty
April 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
Initially I didn’t like the Lamar Holmes pick, but when you check his measurables, he compares well with the higher rated OT. He has really long arms as well, and is as quick as Matt Kalil, who was chosen with the 4th overall pick.
Stumpknocker
April 28th, 2012
12:52 pm
Scored ‘2″ on the Wonderlic….same as AJ Green.
Birdybirdy
April 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Jonathan Massaquoi DE from Troy….i can deal with that yes!!!
Birdybirdy
April 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
Fullback? i know we need fullback but i thought we got plenty of that..
Coden
April 29th, 2012
12:13 am
I bet the fullback makes more of an impact than the DEat least this year I like both picks alot.We were not going to get anyone in this draft that was going to start anyway unless Konz can everyone else is just depth or future players.