Archive for April, 2012

Get Your Mocks In………

No Big Trades, but Good Players Abound (AJC)

It’s that time again Bird Cage Patriots, time to take a look at all the prospects you can and finalize your mocks for the 4th Annual Bird Cage Falcons Full Mock Competition. You give your own mocks, get points for various reasons, and win. If possible, a small prize might be available for the winner.

Rules and Regulations

1) Each player can have two different mocks (if you only do one mock, you are at a competitive disadvantage)

2) All mocks must be submitted on here (or by email to dawsondevitt@hotmail.com) by THIS FRIDAY @ 5 PM

3) There may be a small prize involved for the winner if I can scrounge some money together.

4) Scoring is as follows:

(*) Direct Hit = 3 points (you choose Brandon Thompson to be picked in 2nd round = 3 points)

(*) Right Position, Wrong Player = 2 points (you choose the Falcons to pick an offensive linemen in 3rd. They take an OL, but not the player you chose. You chose OL Mitchell …

Continue reading 4th Annual Bird Cage Mock Madness Competition »

Welcome to Atlanta, Mr. Samuel! (AP)

There’s not to much to write about since this breaking news, but several outlets have confirmed that the Atlanta Falcons have traded a late round pick (according to NFL sources) for 4 Time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel. Here’s the news according to Albert Breer of NFL Network…..

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to trade cornerback Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

It’s not yet known what the Falcons will send the Eagles in return for the nine-year veteran.As part of the trade, Samuel and the Falcons have agreed to terms on a three-year, $18.5 million deal.

Samuel had to rework the final two years of his existing contract — which were not guaranteed in the first place — before the deal could be agreed upon. Samuel was set to make $21.5 million over the next two seasons, and he would count for more than $8 million against the salary cap.

It’s also been reported that …

Continue reading Your Thoughts on Falcons Trade for Asante Samuel? »

What to Do About a Future TE

Who Will Be the Hall of Famer's Replacement? (AJC)

Since 2008, Thomas Dimitroff and the Falcons front office have taken almost every position through the draft. One of the biggest positions yet to be drafted is tight end. Some thought the Falcons were ready to take Brandon Pettigrew in 2009. The trade for Gonzalez buried that idea and has mostly kept that need low on the priority scale ever since.

The recent news the future hall of fame tight end plans on hanging it up after this season has prompted many to think the Birds finally may draft a tight end, perhaps early, in this year’s draft.

In terms of the future, it does make a ton sense to draft a TE early and have them learn from the best for at least a year. However, two things cloud the picture for this draft. First, the Falcons don’t draft until the second round and they have a late pick at that (#55). Even if they wanted to get a top flight tight end, most of them would be gone by #55, …

Continue reading Will Falcons Finally Take a Tight End? »

Little Depth at Safety

Time to Get Depth Behind Moore? (AJC)

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t invested very highly in the defensive back from the draft since 2009 when they selected hard-hitting SS William Moore. The Birds top brass have poured in tons of money to their cornerbacks ($57 million contract to D-Rob, $10+ million franchise tag to Grimes) and even re-upped Thomas DeCoud to a decent deal this off-season, but have failed to invest through the draft recently. Will the Falcons go defensive back @ #55 this year?

Its hard to imagine that cornerback, specifically your prototypical fast and usually smaller nickel back, is one of the Falcons biggest needs. While Chris Owens maybe more suited for the outside, both Dominique Franks and Darrin Walls fit the mold of what Mike Nolan seeks in a big, physical safety type of nickel back.

It seems to many as though taking a defensive back, specifically a traditional cornerback, before seeing what Nolan can do with the current crop of …

Continue reading Should the Falcons Go Defensive Back Early? »

Would LT Be a Wise Choice?

Will Baker Get Competition? (AJC)

It’s been a hot topic even since Sam Baker was first drafted. It’s a little unfair to call Baker a bust since he was very productive for 2 seasons, including one of the best years in franchise history going 13-3 and claiming the NFC’s #1 seed.

That being said, however, it’s not a stretch to say that Baker is not a franchise left tackle gping forward. Will Svitek proved to be capable in Baker’s absence, but he’s not a long-term answer either.

Thomas Dimitroff said there would be an open competition for all OL positions and he followed though on that promise for right guard (Mike Johnson, Andrew Jackson, Vince Manuwai) and center (Joe Hawley & Todd McClure). But the same can’t really be said for left tackle. If fans feel that Baker or Svitek legitimately win the job, most wouldn’t have an issue. But not adding at least one more player to the competition won’t inspire confidence in most.

That leads many to believe the …

Continue reading Should Falcons Go LT @ #55? »

Positions of Need

Is it Time to go DT Early Again? (AJC)

In a pre-game intro to the draft, The Bird Cage takes a look at the Falcons biggest needs after the first wave of free agency and what direction the Birds might be headed. After keeping most of the core together and adding a few free agents, here’s a look at the Falcons biggest question marks as the draft approaches:

Left Tackle

It begins and ends with left tackle. Yes, there’s some concern at safety, defensive tackle, tight end, and several other positions, but the biggest worry is left tackle. Specifically, the failure so far to at least add competition to the mix of Will Svitek and Sam Baker.

Right guard has at least 3 players competing for the spot in Mike Johnson, Andrew Jackson, and Vince Manuwai. Center appears to be in good shape with future Ring of Honor candidate Todd McClure battling promising Joe Hawley. Perhaps adding a left tackle for competition / development in the 2nd round has been the plan all along. …

Continue reading What are Falcons Biggest Questions Heading to Draft? »