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
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:02 pm
Weatherspoon or Hughes. Bank on it. (i Hope)
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:02 pm
Al Davis has a Rolodex full of bail bondsmen.
Zach
April 22nd, 2010
9:03 pm
Do you draft thomas out of GT?
welikebaseball2
April 22nd, 2010
9:03 pm
Man, I wanted Graham. He would’ve fit a couple defensive needs for us. I was hoping there would be a run on d-backs, qb’s, or rb’s. Just wishful thinking. I knew Graham wouldn’t fall to 19. Oh well.
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:03 pm
Maybe this gives the Falcons an opportunity to trade back and pick up a second rounder.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:04 pm
Mr.Fill make a better or mor approiate joke about the NFL. WHOZ yo Daddy?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:04 pm
ESPN says Seattle needs another OT??
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:05 pm
I wonder if Graham will remind us of Todd Van Poppel in a few years…you know, the whole “gee, aren’t you glad we DIDN’T draft Graham back in 2010?”
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
9:06 pm
Pouncey, Kindle, Thomas, Morgan, Pierre-Paul — they’re all still there.
BigTimeTechFan
April 22nd, 2010
9:06 pm
THe way this is goint Morgan Burnett Will be 1st Tech player picked
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:07 pm
5′ 10″ you can have him. 6′-3″ WR’s hwhwhwhwhh pay him 1st round money. AHHAHAHAHAAH BUST.
Zach
April 22nd, 2010
9:07 pm
trade some picks, get two of them
Billy O
April 22nd, 2010
9:07 pm
Hey bigdawg….Glenn Beck wants America to remain a constitutional republic…..not a socialistic democracy…..leave the politics out of this blog…..this is about the falcons.
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
I would be happy with any of those guys at #19 except Pouncey. Its a reach IMO.
JSS
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
Big Dawg…
You must have Notre Dame confuse with Tech and UGA…
Lamonica, Theissman and Montana
Wessie Tuggle
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
I bet the Giants are between Spoon or Morgan. If the Falcons trade down to add a 2nd rounder, I wonder what it would take?
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
AMEN Billy O.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
I think Giants take Thomas (remember Plaxico’s still in Jail) ruining Bronco’s plans (he is why they traded back).
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:09 pm
Iupati
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:09 pm
Hey pal, where did you get that TORTADA!
BugKiller
April 22nd, 2010
9:09 pm
Damn… I hate to say it, but Morgan is there for the taking if Dimitroff has the balls to trade one of his threes to swap with 15 or 16.
My one question is, why do people think we should draft Pierre-Paul?
Seems to me, Pierre-Paul smells an awful lot like Jamaal Anderson. Not a lot of experience, athletic freak, with not so great actual numbers on the field (as opposed to working out in his underwear).
STAY AWAY FROM PIERRE-PAUL!!!
BigTimeTechFan
April 22nd, 2010
9:09 pm
no trade for falcons, a lot of good players still left, no need for teams to move up. But I hope they can move back and pick up 2nd round
mdk222
April 22nd, 2010
9:10 pm
I’m hoping Derrick Morgan falls to 19 for the Falcons, the best 4-3 DE in the draft. That would be nice.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:10 pm
When do the FALCONS get a chance to Draft a DRUNK DAWG? Do we draft them or just pay the bail bondsman and the bar tab?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 22nd, 2010
9:10 pm
Hey Jeff, they just put on some Nachos!!!!
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:11 pm
We won’t do it, but, how do we pass on Dez Bryant though…if he’s still there?
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:11 pm
I don’t touch Pierre Paul. I can’t trust someone who had 3/4 of a good season as his NCAA career.
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:12 pm
Derrick Morgan is oeverrated.
Craig
April 22nd, 2010
9:12 pm
Think the Giants will pickup Morgan?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:12 pm
Looks like the Giants need a DE
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
9:13 pm
D-Led — Glad you’re paying to the important stuff. It explains your mock.
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
9:13 pm
Anybody see that movie “Big Fan”? Seeing all those crazy Giants fans made me think of it. It’s a pretty good movie for those that haven’t seen it.
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:13 pm
To bad the falcons don’t have a 2nd round pick because there will be alot o good players available.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:13 pm
That’s it! This draft is screwy. I give up.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:14 pm
DEZ the HEAD CASE Bryant? Sorry we had VICK and don’t need another ALL-ABOUT-ME player. Again if you get DEZ you better have a BAIL BONDSMAN on speed dial.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
9:14 pm
SHOCKINGLY! Tim Tebow will NOT be one of the top 15 picks. So much for his dad projections.
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:14 pm
Rod, a village is missing its idiot… Please return.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
Well, P-P looked great against Rutgers
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
Who was that Little freak trying to make love to Pierre Paul. New York is retarded. I hate Tech, but if Morgan makes it to 19 , take him.
Wessie Tuggle
April 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
I bet the titans take Morgan
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
ROD like UGA’s # 47 POLLACK that was undersized and had his neck broke playing with the BIG BOYS.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
Pierre-Paul…just not enough of a body of work to go on.
Jimmy
April 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
Looks like the first round DE’s will be gone when the birds pick.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
Pi$$ — Dez could slip to second round.
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
I cannot measure success with a performance against Rutgers. Sorry bro.
Screen Pass
April 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
Yes!! NY Giant suckers took Pee-euuw Paul. We might really get Morgan.
Gatorgirl
April 22nd, 2010
9:17 pm
When did his dad say he would definitely be one of the first top 15 picks? Someone sounds a little bitter towards Tebow, Mr. Schultz.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:17 pm
Well, all I know is when UGA played Okla. State, the two best players on the field that night were A. J. Green and Dez Bryant. Of course, everybody said Randy Moss would be in jail longer than the NFL…nailed that one!
Imagine Roddy White on one side, Dez Bryant on the other and Tony G coming off the line…it would improve us two wins minimum!
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:18 pm
JS I would still pass. Maybe DEZ can be a R. MOSS but with that also comes the R. Moss type troubles.
Billy O
April 22nd, 2010
9:18 pm
Come on Jeff, you’ve got more class than that…..or at least I thought you did.