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
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:18 pm
Body? Heck, take Mickey Rourke
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:18 pm
DERRICK’s RING looks good on TV.
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:19 pm
Pi$$. Are u seriously making fun of a mans career altering neck injury. It’s called tact man, look it up.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:19 pm
Gosh, nine years ago everybody loved NYC…how soon we forget!
Zach
April 22nd, 2010
9:19 pm
remind me what we got out the Vazquez trade? Melky is terrrrrrrible.
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Tebow’s dad did say he was going to be a top 15 pick so shut up Gator fans!
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Just a short drive to Nashville just nlike the trip we took to Vandy last year.
Jeff Schultz
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Bye-bye Derrick Morgan — he’s on the phone.. going to Tennessee.
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Damn Looks like Morgan is going to Tenn… sheet
Wessie Tuggle
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Yep I’m right. Falcons should draft down.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Bye, Derrick
J.J.M.
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
falcons are dumb
mmgtfan
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
SON OF A B****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gtme87
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Both Denver and Minn need a long term QB, someone is going to make a play for Clausen soon – hopefully it happens when the Falcons Pick and we move down and get an extra pick
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
9:20 pm
Thank GOD! Morgan is not going to Atlanta!
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
Did Apple sponsor the draft.?Every guy so far has had an Iphone.
crabapplejoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
Hope the Titans don’t play whoever picks the Bryan Bulaga kid….he owned Morgan in the bowl game….
the missing link
April 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
dez bryant?
J.J.M.
April 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
Brees will eat us up with no pass rushin….morgan was there for us
Gatorgirl
April 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
Why don’t you find me a link for that Tucker T? You act like this is upsetting to Gator fans for him not to be drafted yet…get a grip please.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
Ok, I’ll amend my statement: ND has produced one quarterback in the last 25 years (Montana).
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:22 pm
Dawg2010 not many Tech players want to wear Red & Black anyway.
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
As a Dawg fan I do have to take some pleasure in seeing a Tech guy slip. Did the substandard ACC cost him?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
Time to check D-Led’s glucose level
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
I don’t know, I’m a big fan of the Spoon at linebacker.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:23 pm
Dawg: What are Moss like problems. He has only been a problem for opponents.
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:24 pm
Some dumb dog fans letting school bias take affect. Just dumb, this the NFL,not the SEC.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:24 pm
One thing the Falcons haven’t been since Petrino left is dumb! You really don’t know football, do you?
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:24 pm
Mr. Phil, Exactly!
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Dez Bryant will not be an Atlanta Falcon.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
J. J. M. : You’re an idiot
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Dez Bryant will be there. No way San Fran or Pittsburgh take him.
steve smith
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
remember folks, the Saints have weapons on offense, we have to compete in our division first then worry about winning a Super Bowl….Dez Bryant is a beast!!!!
Screen Pass
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Stupid Tennessee.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
You can’t assume teams would have been willing to let the Falcons trade up.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Who! With a name like that, I’ll bet he IS 6′5″ 300+
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Tucker T did I miss the UGA player a team Picked?
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
OK. That is good. Another OG taken ahead of us. We will get a player want! Looking Good!
country boy
April 22nd, 2010
9:25 pm
Wow that Somoian is HUGE
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
Do they build anyone from Samoa small.
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
Thank you so much Titans for take that slob Derrick Morgan!
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
Gatorgirl
Here’s your link.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/04/22/draft-day-part-ii-tebow-top-15-morgan-to-falcons/
I copied the relevant part for you. Now shut up!
♦ TEBOW KNOWS ALL: There are two stories about the most talked-about NFL draft pick whom nobody seems to agree on. Tebow’s father, Bob Tebow, whom I’m guessing can’t be completely objective on these matters, told a Jacksonville radio station, “If the Jaguars don’t take him at 10, he’ll be gone by 15.”
IB
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
Bay-Bay to ATL?
steve smith
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
kiper is a little irratable isnt he?? lol…lol…guess he’s as smart as he looks after all.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
Mr. Phil: Exactly…Moss hasn’t had any problems, but all the pundits said he would be nothing but trouble.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
*Now* is the time to trade down.
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:26 pm
@Eddie Cook- Yeah, youre right. I don’t see how Blank would okay Dez Bryant. But, MAN!! What a combo that could be with White and Bryant (and Douglas in the slot).
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:27 pm
BULAGA! I cannot believe how lucky the Falcons have gotten here. They are getting the best OT in the draft at the 19th pick, unbelievable!
Pudge
April 22nd, 2010
9:27 pm
Come on Pouncey
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
April 22nd, 2010
9:27 pm
#1 pick > #16 pick
hahahahahahahaha!!!!
To Hell With Georgia Tech