LIVE CHAT: WWTDD – What will Thomas Dimitroff do?
We are in the media War Room and ready for your questions before the second day of the NFL draft starts.
FLOWERY BRANCH – Took a little time to assess the first round late last night, got a few winks, delivered a couple of lectures on the media and the justice system and then started to ponder this WWTDD question.
Given what happened in the most bizarre first round in quite a while, we have to figure out “What Will Thomas Dimitroff Do” with the 55th and 84th picks of the draft.
The first round broke beautifully for the Falcons, who have heavily scouted offensive tackles. The Falcons can practically sit back at 55 and watch as lineman slips through. Georgia’s Cordy Glenn, Stanford’s Jonathan Martin and Mississippi State’s Bobby Massie, Ohio State’s Mike Adams and Wisconsin’s Peter Konz were not selected in the first round. All were projected as potential first round picks.
The Falcons may target Adams or Martin if they are slipping and go up and get one of them. Dimitroff has made at least
Let's go eat a (blank, blank) snack!!! The media war room has some healthy snack options.
one trade in each of his past four drafts.
If the Falcons lay back at 55, California tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Midwestern State tackle/guard Amini Silatolu could still be around.
During the pre-draft process the Falcons worked out offensive tackles Schwartz, Steven Baker (East Carolina), Dennis Kelly (Purdue), Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State) and Donald Stephenson (Oklahoma).
We have a few hours until things get started. So send along your questions.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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527 comments Add your comment
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
4:42 pm
Here’s is Coach Ryan’s “speech” on snacks from Hard Knocks.
BigTimeTECHFan
April 27th, 2012
4:43 pm
I think the Falcons have done GREAT already, 7th round pick for Samual, wow. How awesome is that. I feel like we traded a 7th round pick for a 1st round pick say 11 -17.
Ron the Man
April 27th, 2012
4:43 pm
I would not mind seeing a Brandon in the 2nd round, either DT Thompson or CB Boykin(replace Weems), and hope that TE Ladarius Green is available in the 3rd. The QB from UT Chattanooga was mentioned in one of the blogs, and he looks good upon investigation in the later rounds.
Defense wins Titles
April 27th, 2012
4:46 pm
Hold our positions, no trade ups or trade downs, take the Best Player Available each time with our needs in mind. Have a plan and stick to it. The Falcons got better with Asante Samuel. More great athletes to replace our weak spots. l know we got Bosher and he did well last year, but l would love to get The Bulldawg’s punter Drew Butler. Bloodlines, Gain Georgia fans interest, and l know Butler will be best for maybe 20 years. If we stay in dome he will be unmatchable. Good luck Falcons, TD, staff, and Drew Butler. Go Dawgs!
WJ
April 27th, 2012
4:48 pm
DLED
Defense wins Titles
April 27th, 2012
4:49 pm
l believe we can wait to next year, take a TE in first round. That way we get a stud, great TE. First or second round next year, it is time to get an All Pro QB, to groom behind Ryan.
WJ
April 27th, 2012
4:51 pm
DLED Is it possible that the Falcons may trade a player in order to get a couple of picks?
Defense wins Titles
April 27th, 2012
4:51 pm
If Hawley is not answer to replace McClure. l guessing not, since we resigned McClure. l draft a Center with 55.
Will
April 27th, 2012
4:52 pm
Thanks DLed!
Do you know if they’ve shown interest in Donald Stephenson?
Have you heard of interest in potential 3-4 players (NTs, rushLBs)?
MongoTaz
April 27th, 2012
4:52 pm
if center’s the way to go (which i s also a good idea)- the kid from Wisconsin is still avail.
Bullseye
April 27th, 2012
5:00 pm
I like the idea of getting a center too.
MaxxFalcon
April 27th, 2012
5:02 pm
DOL- Any chance we trade up for Coby Fleener?
Larry
April 27th, 2012
5:02 pm
Just draft all OL’s with all their picks and bring in every possible UDFA OL and try to find the best five starters by September.
The OL is the Falcons Achilles Heel…past time to correct this!
Loganville
April 27th, 2012
5:02 pm
Barring a trade up which I would guess would be for Vinny Curry my guess is the Falcons will either go Brandon Thompson or Branch in the 2nd and Ben Jones in the 3rd or Osemele in the 2nd and Chapman in the 3rd.
Hawk
April 27th, 2012
5:02 pm
Just get the best OL that comes our way.
Chub Rock
April 27th, 2012
5:03 pm
DLED- Your thoughts on Osemele in the 2nd? Also Rainey is a RB so since we are good at RB, your thoughts on WR Devon Wylie? Heard anything about NT Ta’amu Alameda?
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
April 27th, 2012
5:08 pm
Orly, Orson Charles at #55 sounds pretty good to me…if he’s there. If not, the best available OL is smart. Also, personally, I would love to see Turner traded for a #2, and use that–or a later pick–for a running back that can get to the line of scrimmage before the play clock expires. I like Turner, but his burners only kick in after ten yards in a straight line. I smell that trade.
DZ
April 27th, 2012
5:08 pm
Just don’t see us taking a Guard after that Manuwai signing.
I say we either move up, take the best avail LT at around 40, or sit tight and take BPA at 55 (Fleener if hes still there, Brandon Thompson, Konz, etc).
thejama
April 27th, 2012
5:13 pm
Basically we need 3 guys. An OL, a DL, and Punt/Kick Returner. If we sit tight (unlike the Bucs lol) in the 2nd rd and get our OL, I would like to see TD move up in the 3rd and get a beefcake DT. Then use 6th rd for the return man. Lat night was fun to watch.
Chub Rock
April 27th, 2012
5:14 pm
Orson Charles will be there in the 4th or 5th RD. A team that uses the H-back will draft him. He’s not an in-line TE with his lack of size nor can he stretch the seam with his lack of speed.
Nanny
April 27th, 2012
5:16 pm
DLed,
You doing this all night?
old man
April 27th, 2012
5:20 pm
Agree with sentiment about OL, OL, OL. Don’t get distracted for goodness sake. Small children like bright shiny objects, and are distracted by them. Don’t get distracted.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man, I would love a Turner trade to free up cap and get a 2nd rounder, but no one will make that deal. No one.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:20 pm
Nanny – I’m going to have to write at some point. But I can hang until about 8 for sure.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:21 pm
They wi-fi got knocked in the media room for a little while. I’m back now.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:21 pm
thejama — That’s a plan.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:22 pm
DZ – Manuwai was a vet minimum signing.
old man
April 27th, 2012
5:23 pm
D-led–Give us your thinking–the percentage chance we go OL with our first pick, whether we trade up or not?
DZ
April 27th, 2012
5:25 pm
So was the Lofa signing if i’m not mistaken?
South ga boy in the atl
April 27th, 2012
5:27 pm
DOL I realize that deception is job 1 for a GM when it comes to the draft, but TD and Smitty have stated that Baker is “their guy” for at least one more yr (not sure I agree). It doesn’t make sense to move up in round 2 for a left OT if they are determined to give Baker one more year What’s your take D Led ?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:28 pm
Chub Rock – Not hearing good things about Osemele. Hearing he’s a “me” guy. Rainey is a returner. Falcons need a returner. Devon Wylie ran a 4.37, so he’s plenty fast. He’s 5-9 1/4 and 188. So he’s a speedy smurf. Good punt returner, too. It is Alameda Ta’Amu. He’s a stud. Did 35 reps at the combine and weighs 344. He’s projected to go in the second or third round.
Sambo 4 Rambo
April 27th, 2012
5:29 pm
KUDOS! Goes out to the Dirty Birds front office! Love seeing an organization go to work that WANTS to win a super bowl for this city. Cause all it takes is one super bowl victory next year and all them band wagon ridin fans will come on over and pay for that new stadium project ; ) YA DIG!?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:29 pm
MaxxFalcon — I don’t think so. They appear locked in on the linemen and know that they can get a TE prospect late.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:30 pm
MongoTaz and Bullseye — I don’t think Wisconsin kid will be around long.
Tman
April 27th, 2012
5:30 pm
Remember that the Falcons seek O-linemene they can crosstrain, so i’d look for the smartest lineman who can play multiple positions to be drafted. They can’t be too thrilled with Sam Baker at this point, so maybe they’re looking at left tackle as the most needed. Don’t discount a defensive pick, but don’t assume it’ll be a DE. Mike Nolan is just as comnfortable using a 3-4 as a 4-3, and the Falcons’ personnel has more talent at DT, so that pick may be the best ILB/DE hybrid. Available. I beliebe that’s why the kept Kroy Bierman, because he can drop back. Whatever happens, expect to be surprised. Dimitroff doesn’t rate players as Mel Kiper does. Expect a guy maybe further down the ratings list. For example, Curtis Lofton and Harry Douglas were further down the charts as far as prospects, but TD choose wisely there.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:31 pm
Will — They have worked out Stephenson. Also, NTs that looked at include Alabama’s Josh Chapman and Clemson’s Brandon Thompson. YOU’RE WELCOME!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:32 pm
WJ — That is possible. But most of the draft day deals are for picks.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:35 pm
Gerald — I’m not sure, but I’ll ask T.D. about that tonight. He’s coming down with Smitty to us 411 after the draft. My plan is to put on the video late tonight.
J-Man
April 27th, 2012
5:40 pm
There is 1 guy that should be at least a 3rd rounder but probably wont get drafted. Jordan White from Western Michigan. Can return kicks but can CATCH the ball. lead the NCAA in Rec. and Yards this past year and has incerdible hands. I hope we get him somehow. Because drafted or not he will become a starting WR in the NFL all he need is the chance.
J-Man
April 27th, 2012
5:40 pm
There is 1 guy that should be at least a 3rd rounder but probably wont get drafted. Jordan White from Western Michigan. Can return kicks but can CATCH the ball. lead the NCAA in Rec. and Yards this past year and has incerdible hands. I hope we get him somehow. Because drafted or not he will become a starting WR in the NFL all he need is the chance.
J-Man
April 27th, 2012
5:42 pm
Look at Jordan White’s game against Purdue and you tell me he cant play in the NFL
Bullseye
April 27th, 2012
5:42 pm
The idea of trading Turner is ludicrous. New playbook, blocking schemes will allow the Burner to be even better than what we have already seen.
Tman
April 27th, 2012
5:43 pm
DOL, if the top two or three O-linemen are taken and Cob Fleener is available, would you take him? It’s not an immediate need, but he might be too good to pass up.
Mike Jay
April 27th, 2012
5:44 pm
I think you take best OL available with that first pick, unless a stud TE is available. Heck i might take OL with the first two picks.
Dled,
What, if any plans do the Falcons have for adding depth at Saftey? Did they look at any to draft?
Loganville
April 27th, 2012
5:45 pm
If D Led is right about Osemele being a “Me Guy” then they likely pass on him and if available take Silatolu. Barring a trade up I think the Falcons plan on taking a versatile lineman who can help out at guard or tackle and eventually start probably @ guard.
Still saying look out for that move up to the 45th pick.
J-Man
April 27th, 2012
5:47 pm
We need OL help, backup TE, and a 4th WR that can return kicks. Anything else is just for depth
Loganville
April 27th, 2012
5:48 pm
The NFL Network guys and Kiper are going crazy over Derek Wolfe. I personally don’t know much about him but these are the experts!
Chub Rock
April 27th, 2012
5:50 pm
DLED- Yea I changed up on Osemele myself. I’m on the Massie bus now. If we could get Massie, Ta’amu, TE Robinson/Hanna and a speedy smurf type PR/KR I would be satisfied with this draft.
cwltank
April 27th, 2012
5:51 pm
To be honest, I am puzzled, simply because Grimes signed his tender. Although, I like him as a player, I wish they would have spent that money on other players. I would love to see the Falcons move up to draft Fleener or stay put and draft a big DT. I believe we go either TE OR DT. With that being said Babs jobmight be in jeopardy. lol
Billy Bob
April 27th, 2012
5:54 pm
The Falcons will take keleche Osemele in 2nd and Ladarius Gunter in 3rd. Gunter will be too early but hey don’t have a choice since they squandered the 4th round pick LY.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 27th, 2012
5:59 pm
Loganville — Wolfe is a 6-5, 297 DT. That’s too tall. He’ll get cut a lot. 33 reps at the combine.