Draft night (LIVE): Behind the scenes at Falcons’ HQ
FLOWERY BRANCH — I’ve arrived at Falcons’ Draft Central.
Actually, more like Falcons’ Draft South of Central. The media is on the first floor of the team’s offices. Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and everybody who really matters in the front office is on the second floor. This affords the executive branch privacy during important matters such as NFL drafts and national security. I also have this theory that Dimitroff controls a trap door that will open directly above me, dropping a barbell on my head if I question one of his selections (because I’m also sure the room is bugged. Just remember: You’re not really paranoid if everybody’s out to get you).
Before getting into draft, here’s a little peak into where I am:
NFL teams have their "war room." We in the media have our "bunker." As you can see, it's a buzz of activity.
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I stopped at Chick-fil-A on the way. Figured the Falcons would serve us pizza. Didn't know they would actually cater the evening with, "Italian Marinated Grilled Chicken." And yes, I'll eat again.
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This is the AJC's signal-caller for the draft, D-Led. There's a story behind the green jacket. He played in coach Mike Smith's annual golf tournament and was voted the winner (loser?) of the Worst Swing Award. Strict rules mandated Ledbetter wear the jacket tonight.
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This is Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president of football communications. By the time he gets finished with the news release, the Falcons will have drafted eight future Hall of Famers.
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OK, back to my keyboard. The Falcons, barring trades, will have eight selections over three days: one in the first (19); two in the third (83, 98); one in the fourth (117); two in the fifth (149, 165) and two in the sixth (171, 189). The fact they don’t have a second-round pick has prompted speculation that Dimitroff may try to swing a deal to get into the round.
There are no new rumors regarding the Falcons, just re-cast versions of the old ones. I still think it will be one of the five players we’ve discussed: center-guard Maurkice Pouncey, defensive end Brandon Graham, outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Jermaine Gresham. I think it’s safe to say that, except for Gresham, whomever they draft will be ticketed for a starting job.
Oh, and I’m still not buying that Derrick Morgan will drop to 19th.
Nationally, the only new news is several outlets are reporting that the chances of the Pittsburgh Steelers dealing Ben Roethlisberger are close to dead.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back shortly.
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Earlier posts
♦ Draft day (Part II): Tebow top 15, Morgan to Falcons?
♦ Draft day (Part I): Falcon options; Berry rips Deion; Tebow to Vikes?
♦ Even with loss, Braves show they’re not going away
♦ Live blog: Braves go for two over Phillies (and maybe a sign)
♦ Goodell had no choice but to suspend Roethlisberger
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718 comments Add your comment
Me
April 22nd, 2010
8:06 pm
How ’bout…SoSuhMe!
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:06 pm
gtme87: Rim shot!
Mtn Falcon
April 22nd, 2010
8:07 pm
About how long till the falcons pick? I’ll ask you again Jeff. You gonna have a drink with me? Beer or Vodka?
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:07 pm
By the way, D-Led has dropped two straight on his mock. It’s because he took off the green jacket and lost his mojo.
crabapplejoe
April 22nd, 2010
8:08 pm
If the Falcons don’t take Glenn Dorsey I’m cancelling my season tickets…
Me
April 22nd, 2010
8:08 pm
Eric Berry…BerryRich.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:08 pm
His brother is Boiname Suh
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:09 pm
Berry is an EGO like a WR. He will not be so sweet as to turn down DEION. He will show his true colors.
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
8:09 pm
Good thing that a SEC player was chosen, if not the SEC might have canceled the NFL TV deal.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:09 pm
Hose D-Led down with Gatorade if the Falcons actually Pounce at #19.
JSS
April 22nd, 2010
8:10 pm
Jeff Schultz, you sure do love that brown jacket! Did you bring some No Doz?
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
8:10 pm
ESPN is gushing over every pick as if they will all be Superstars. Most of these players will never be as good as advertised and will soon become bust. Washington’s pick will almost certainly be a bust because they are Washington.
Michael
April 22nd, 2010
8:10 pm
Come to Oklahoma…where winning the Holiday or Sun Bowl gets your drafted.
AndyC
April 22nd, 2010
8:11 pm
Where was Trent Williams supposed to go according to the so-called experts?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
The ‘Skins thought they were getting Treat Williams. He can at least act like a player…
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
8:13 pm
Glad Eric Berry went to the AFC instead of Tampa so we will not have to play against him twice a year.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
JSS — you’ve seen this brown jacket before? … and my No-Doz is called coffee.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
C’mon Raiders! I have a ten spot on you doing something idiotic!
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
Pete will be out of the NFL in 3 yrs. Who cares what the Seahawks do.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:15 pm
Delbert D — pretty funny.
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
8:15 pm
The Raiders will pick the fastest 40 time left on the board or a kicker.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:17 pm
Carroll will be coaching KSU in 2013. Just sayin’
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 22nd, 2010
8:18 pm
What will Cleveland do with Eric Berry gone?
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
8:20 pm
Cleveland may go Claussen
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:20 pm
Does anybody have a BIG FAT JOINT? This is too boring to be a PRIMETIME SHOW. I will watch this year for awhile but never again. This is boring.
SOUTHGADAWG88
April 22nd, 2010
8:20 pm
Raiders want Spiller
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
Derrick Morgan to the Browns?
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
D-led — I’m guessing Derrick Morgan.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
The big question for ESPN is whether Tebow is the real McCoy…
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
8:21 pm
Cleveland will take a QB.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:22 pm
I like the way you think JS.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:22 pm
. . . Or Joe Haden.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:23 pm
Not Clausen Dawgs2010, (don’t call me) surely
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
8:23 pm
Which TV coverage is better ESPN or NFL net??
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:23 pm
All these players thank MOM and GOD. Who will they thank when the BABY MOM comes knocking with her LAWYER?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:24 pm
The cadaverous Al Davis would like to pick Pat Haden
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:24 pm
He’s not crying because he was picked seventh. He’s crying because he’s going to Cleveland.
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
8:24 pm
Ok, or they will take Joe Haden? With picks like this is why Cleveland will always be Cleveland
Chad
April 22nd, 2010
8:25 pm
This may have been asked. Has a school ever had 3 players taken in the first 4 picks? OU? Wow
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
8:25 pm
Haden was my other choice, I just can’t type as fast as Jeff
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:25 pm
Agreed. They are gonna out-Davis Al Davis
mmgtfan
April 22nd, 2010
8:26 pm
Wow. That surprised me
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
JS that is too TRUE. Stafford and Johnson Smiled on camers too but hated to go to Detroit.
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
8:28 pm
I couldn’t watch ESPN anymore. The “shadow boxing” by all the draftees was getting on my nerves. Now I am watching the NFL Network and I have to watch Deion and his creepy smile.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:28 pm
I’d be buying some life insurance if I was Bradford.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:28 pm
I’m not even going to fathom a guess on Raiders.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
8:28 pm
Who’s careear are the RAIDERSA going to kill before it even starts?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
Mom will be happy Cleveland picked him. They have the Dog Pound, and Dog backwards spells God. And Mom upside down is Wow.
KSU OWL
April 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
Too Legit To Quit
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
8:29 pm
Rolando McClain. Wow. They actually made a good pick.