Falcons add Ewing, Massaquoi, Mitchell and Robertson
Former Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi (above in the 2010 New Orleans Bowl, AP photo) declared for the NFL Draft as a junior. He played at Central Gwinnett High School.
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons selected Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing and Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.
They picked Mississippi State safety Charles Mitchell in the sixth round and added South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson in the seventh round.
Ewing is 5-11 3/4 and 239 pounds. The former walk-on was a team captain for the Badgers.
Massaquoi, who played at Central Gwinnett High, is a cousin of former Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and NFL tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings.
Ewing was considered a priority free agent by Pro Football Weekly. Massaquoi was projected to go in the fourth or fifth round.
Wisconsin's Bradie Ewing, center, celebrates after catching a bad punt and making a turnover during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Here’s the PFW report on Ewing. Negative: “Athletic ability and size are just adequate. Has short arms and lacks bulk strength — repped 225 pounds only 14 times at the combine. Stiff movement. Does not explode through his hips and drive defenders out of the hole. Struggles to sustain.” Positive: “Large hands. Pops out of his stance. Displays nice knee bend and body control to coordinate blocking fits. Is able to get his head around as as short receiver and shows decent hands . . . Has special teams experience.”
Massaquoi, who moved to the United States from Liberia when he was six months old, played for Bradley Warren at Central Gwinnett.
He committed to Troy coming out of high school, but started his career at Butler Community College in Kansas. He played there for a year before honoring his
Mississippi State defensive back Charles Mitchell lines up blockers Corey Broomfield (left) and Chris White after intercepting a fourth-quarter Ole Miss pass. (Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press)
commitement to Troy.
“He’s another guy coming out of a Troy program that has been quietly supplying the NFL with good players over the past several years,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “Massaquoi was a good, solid player at Troy for two years.”
Massaquoi ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds at the scouting combine, had a 33 1/2 inch vertical jump and lifted 225 pounds 20 times.
“Troy is a building program,” Massaquoi said. “We had five straight conference championships. We went for our sixth one this year, but fell short. With Troy producing defensive ends like Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware, hopefully I can be put into that conversation and follow their tradition.”
South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson (42) watches as a teammate goes through drills at the Gamecocks' first spring NCAA college football practice on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, in Columbia, S.C. (Associated Press)
Mitchell played in 50 games and made 38 starts for the Bulldogs.
He was a hard hitter with 188 tackles and four career interceptions. He played as a freshmen after being named Mississippi’s Gatorade player of the year.
“Mitchell is an athletic kid with good range in the secondary,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “He has just average speed, but very impressive leaping ability, and he can play either free or strong safety. … He will be a borderline starter in the NFL. … He’ll also be an asset on special teams.”
He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at Mississippi State’s Pro Day. He lifted 225 pounds, 19 times and had a 37-inch vertical jump at the scouting combine. He was a team captain.
Robertson started all 14 games in 2010 after his 2009 season was cut short by injury. He finished with 42 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and four sacks.
He started all 13 games for the Gamecocks last season and had 49 tackles and a blocked a kick. He was a team captain.
Robertson has earned his degree in criminal justice. Overall, he started 32 of 56 games he played in at South Carolina. He was rated as the 25th-best defensive tackle in the draft by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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267 comments Add your comment
Monday Morning QB
April 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
@ Reggie
The truck driver might be able to deliever the mail better than you but only after learning the route. The bloggers have not invested the time and effort to handicapping this draft that TD has. I couldn’t pick these guys out of a lineup and I’m sure none of the rest of us could either.
mtnbraveFalcon
April 28th, 2012
6:56 pm
Thats what I thought young man. Now run along and have dinner it’s almost your bed time.
Bullseye
April 28th, 2012
6:57 pm
Reggie…the floor mopper.
Figures.
Bruce
April 28th, 2012
6:58 pm
This is why I usually do not comment on the AJC. Too may of the lunitic fringe (heavy on the lunitic). I’m done, guess you have to pick on someone else QueerEye.
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
6:59 pm
@MTN- I WILL GLADLY ENGAGE DINNER WITH YOUR MOTHER AND IF YOU MUST KNOW WE SET EACH OTHER’S BEDTIME!!!
DUMBA$$
rivercard
April 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
Monday Morning – Surely you would agree that time and effort don’t always lead to better results or even a more informed opinion.
I have questioned some of TD’s previous draft selections. Sometimes I have been right, sometimes wrong.
Monday Morning QB
April 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
adios Bruce – you made some solid remarks
indy falcon
April 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
man, i come on here to see the draft picks and to see how excited people are for getting some decent draft picks..and wow..a bunch of experts who complain about everything..wtf atlanta..no wonder were regarded as the worst fans in spoerts..period..we cant even offer encouragement or any type of positive vibes..embarressing..
indy falcon
April 28th, 2012
7:02 pm
almost as much as my spelling
Monday Morning QB
April 28th, 2012
7:02 pm
I agree rivercard but he should be in a better position. I wanted Vinny Curry at #55 but I will defer and hope for the best.
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:03 pm
@ O.Y.E. I GOT YOUR BACK DUDE!!! I’VE BEEN ON SEVERAL BLOGS OVER THE LAST 36 HOURS & THESE (I AIN’T GOT A BRAIN SO I CAN’T THINK & REASON FOR MYSELF SO I BELIEVE IN TD & SMITTY TILL THE COWS COME HOME CROWD) JUST DON’T GET IT!! JUST MAKING THE PLAYOFFS AIIN’T ENOUGH NO MORE!! LET ME TYPE THIS ONE MORE TIME GIRLS…… I WANT TO D-O-M-I-N-A-T-E!!! I WANT TO BRING THE TROPHY TO THE A-T-L. BEFORE I DIE!!! I’VE BEEN A FAN FROM DAY 1 & TRUST ME I HAVE SEEN IT ALL BUT A SUPER BOWL CHAMP & I ASSURE YOU NOONE WANTS IT MORE THAN THIS SEASON TICKET HOLDER!!!
rivercard
April 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
indy – have you ever read the comments from the so called good fans of teams? they make this place look like a group hug. Fall in line fans don’t always equate to good fans.
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
TELL’EM rivercard!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
@CRIPPLED PEOPLE- FINALLY SOMEONE THAT UNDERSTANDS WHAT A REAL FALCONS FAN GOES THROUGH EVERY DAY!!!!!!! BRO I KNEW I WASN’T THE ONLY PERSON WHO FELT THIS WAY!!! LOL
Bullseye
April 28th, 2012
7:10 pm
Rivercard looking for hugs…Crip has the same IQ and admires you
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:11 pm
IM SICK AND TIRED OF MEDIOCRITY!!!! IM SICK AND TIRED OF “4 WINNING SEASONS” AND IM SICK AND TIRED OF GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS JUST TO BE DRUBBED BY THE OPPOSING TEAM!! I WANT A RING AND I WANT IT NOW!!!!!
rivercard
April 28th, 2012
7:11 pm
All draft criticism aside I am really looking forward to seeing how the Falcons do this year. Get some pressure on QB and some improved line play and this team has a lot of potential.
Hopefully the new coordinators bring some added excitement and aggressiveness, as quite frankly this team lacked an edge, often lost focus and were kind of boring to watch.
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:12 pm
@BULLSEYE – YOU NEED TO TAKE MY ADVICE AND “OPEN YOUR EYES”!!!
OH YEAH AND DON’T FORGET TO STFU!!!!
Monday Morning QB
April 28th, 2012
7:13 pm
We just took DT – Travian Robertson – SC
Monday Morning QB
April 28th, 2012
7:15 pm
don’t know a thing about him but it is a need position. I wonder if he has the size to play tackle in a 3-4. I would love to see the Defense add some 3-4 scheme into the mix.
rivercard
April 28th, 2012
7:15 pm
Bullseye “Rivercard looking for hugs…Crip has the same IQ and admires you”
************************************************************************************************
Which based on what I’ve read would be about 100 points or so higher than yours.
Birdybirdy
April 28th, 2012
7:15 pm
Jon Massaquoi is a gem from Troy, wait and see what he can do!
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
@ bullseye………………YOU CAN LICK MY BULLSEYE LITTLE GIRL!!
matty choke
April 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
Hi guys im 0-3 in the playoffs and I have happy feet in the pocket!!!
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
April 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
A very uneventful draft.
rivercard
April 28th, 2012
7:18 pm
MMQB- I really feel like you will see some 3-4 mixed in this year. 6-4 , 300#’s
Whopper Dawg
April 28th, 2012
7:18 pm
Grades coming out have us at a C which is about right. With the two OLiinemen drafted (and I am glad he went that route) that brings the total OLinemen drafted by TD to 7. It would be good if we could cobble together at least one quality starter from that bunch. We have not been able to do that yet.
The Holmes pick was a big time reach, the fullback was going to free agency (Atlanta will be the ONLY team to draft a FB, the only one), amazing really.
TD without a doubt drafts to prove he is the smartest guy in the room. He thinks he knows something no other GM in the league does. If Mr. Blank did not continually open his checkbook to sign all these free agents, the Falcons would be a sub-500 team without a doubt.
Said another way, if we had to rely on TD’s drafting abilities, we would be a losing football team.
David
April 28th, 2012
7:18 pm
We put more depth on our offensive line. We got a replacement for Ovie. We added depth at Safety and drafted another DT. We also picked up Asante Samuel before the draft started.
This may not be a sexy offseason, but we filled needs. Now we wait to see how the season turns out with our new coordinators.
All the Monday Morning quarterbacks can come out after the season has started.
David
April 28th, 2012
7:20 pm
When drafts don’t make a big splash, they get a C grade. The real grade starts when the regular season starts.
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:21 pm
HEY EYES…I WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE “SPURTS” HAVE TIX OR EVEN GO TO THE GAMES??!
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:23 pm
TRUE DAVID BUT………………. THERE PAST GIVES YOU A CLUE AS TO WHAT THIER ABILITIES ARE!!! OFTEN INJURED AIN’T A GOOD SIGN CUZ!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
THEY ALL PROBABLY WATCH IN THE COMFORT OF THE UNCOZY COUCHES AND TALK LIKE THEY ARE DRAFT EXPERTS!!! MEANWHILE, I GO TO ALL THE HOME GAMES AND I ALWAYS COME HOME DISAPPOINTED
cwag
April 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
…wasted pick on a fullback, instead of a WR/PR that we need…or a TE…really on this pick?
Bullseye
April 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
I give you this gem to ponder from Whopper:
“Said another way, if we had to rely on TD’s drafting abilities, we would be a losing football team”
Whopper now the High Priest of DF’s
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
HOPEFULLY THIS SEASON WILL BE GOOD!!! IM BUYING MY SEASON TICKETS NEXT WEEK!!
Not bad
April 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
Obviously we don’t know how these players are going to pan out. I would be willing to bet there’s lots of great NFL players who won’t be drafted this year. Happens all the time.
But looking at it as is, we added some Oline depth, with a guy who can start at OG, then shift to Center when Todd hangs the cleats up. We got an OT, who has only upside, compared to the current ones we trot out there.
We took a FB, which was puzzling, but the extra blocking would help, and so will the special teams abilities.
Took a Safety, that can play both sides. Might contend for a starting job, if not good depth.
Took a DE/OLB. We’ll see how Ray Edwards pans out in his second season, but the help is welcome.
Took a DT, guess thats alright. Was looking at Aubrayo but this could work.
Overall, not a bad draft, at this point.
Looking at our needs, which were Oline, Dline, and probably TE or CB. Addressed most of those.
Was hoping they took a TE late, if at all, but didn’t work that way.
Tony is great, but need a solid TE behind him. Palmer hasn’t shown much.
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:31 pm
@NOT BAD- IF YOU REALLY THINK THE SAFETY WE DRAFTED WILL TAKE THOMAS DECCOUD OR WILLIAM MOORE STARTING SPOT, THEN YOU MUST BE SMOKIN SOME SERIOUS DANK!!!!
Stop panicking geeks
April 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
Reps on benching 225 does not show how strong you are just endurance. Two different things. I bet their max are equal or more than the other players.
They have talent. What FB or OL is weak????
Think before you speak. Yall act like you are GMs. I se why atl have the worst fans.
Its embarassing to see yall complain more than women.
Spike 80DF
April 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
these draft picks were obviously made to fill need, cut other players to open cap room, and open the door to FA signings. if you’re looking for flash and glamour then it looks disappointing but i think TD knows exactly what he’s doing here…..
Whopper Dawg
April 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
@Bullseye -
I went back and looked at your other posts on this thread. ALL you do is take shots at other posters. No thought or opinion, just shots.
You want to debate my points, good, let’s debate. But childish name calling adds nothing.
So, why don’t you come up with an original thought or just STFU.
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
AIN’T NOBODY PANICKIN’ CHUMPSTER…….JUST BELIEVE WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER………………little girl!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:49 pm
@WHOPPER DAWG- BULLSEYE LOL
THE REAL PHIL
April 28th, 2012
7:51 pm
The safety is stronger than the O linemen we took in the second………………that’s sad. There will not be a single starter from this draft. And that’s the best we can do? Really?
Stop panicking geeks
April 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
yall are so negative on these blogs. you rarely see this on other teams blogs.
WHY??? because they are ride or die fans like me (Falcons all day)
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
@STOP PANIICKIN- SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAT HAPPENED TO MIKE JOHNSON HUHHH??? WHERE IS SIDBURY???? WHERE IS GARRET REYNOLDS????? WHERE WILL JOE HAWLEY START???? WHERE IS KERRY MEIER????
IM AFRAID THAT KONZ WILL GET INJURED AND HE WILL GET LOST IN OUR ROTATION JUST LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WE HAVE DRAFTED!!!! KERRY MEIER IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE THAT DIMITROFF DRAFTED AND HE IS A BIG BUST!!!!!!! SO IS PERIA JERRY!!!! HIS A$$ IS EATING UP OUR SALARY CAP AND HE IS THEY BIGGEST BUST I’VE SEEN DIMITROFF PUT IN FRONT OF US!!!
CRIPPLED PEOPLE
April 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
@7:52 p.m………………THATS DUE TO POOR UP RAISING!!! YOU HAVE NO,ZILTCH,NADA,ZERO EXPECTATIONS!!! YOU ARE A LEMMING!!!
Falcon Jim
April 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
DOL – Please take care of this.
OPEN YOUR EYES
April 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
@STOP PANICKIN- FANS IN BOSTON & NEW YORK PANICK ALL THE TIME!!! AND YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS???? THEY WIN RINGS!!!!!
END OF STORY!!!
Stop panicking geeks
April 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
every team have players that they draft that turn out to be terrible
For example: the eagles drafted a michigan DE couple years ago and now they draft vinnny curry who is a DE
there is plenty more examples and even better ones
Defense wins Titles
April 28th, 2012
7:59 pm
Gm TD had me excited with Asante Samuel and Peter Konz. Konz was high best player available at the time. Then 3rd Round Pow it is over. Falcons had their TE Orson Charles sitting there for them. Orson is a hell of an athlete and hell of a football player and can make plays or playmaker. Falcons take a 0T way down everyone elses chart. So. Miss. had to draft at least one directional school and non BCS conference player. Great Start, Poor finish. We only filled one need, OL. Wow we had a chance to get closer. l do not like our picks after 55.