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
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Please, pittsburgh, take pouncey
J.J.M.
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
we might as well trade down
Pudge
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
I think Steve Young is drunk
steve smith
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
BALUGA IS DEFINATELY A GOOD PICK!!
Nesbitt for Heisman!
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Falcons will take Thomas.
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
TRADE BACK
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Pouncey is a Steeler
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Big Ben has a bodyguard
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:28 pm
Pouncey’s gone! Pouncey’s gone! Yeee-haaa!
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:29 pm
Anyone remember me saying Pouncey would be a Steeler. Check the records. Bam DOl where you at. I want your job!
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:29 pm
YES! FALCONS are about to get the best OT in the draft without having to trade up. AWESOME!
KC in Smyrna
April 22nd, 2010
9:29 pm
Falcons got several nice options in front of them. BayBay, Dez Bryant, Bulaga, Spoon (whom I don’t like). and my favorite: TRADE DOWN. PLEASE TRADE DOWN.
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:29 pm
Can DLed get over the love fest with Pouncey NOW!!!
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:29 pm
I think you are right, Nesbitt. I predict they will take Thomas as well.
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Now I know why Maurkice Pouncy worked so hard. He had to get out of that trailor
michael
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
what now?????
Tucker T
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Right now I’m thinking it was good that we didn’t get Pouncey.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Don’t you folks know that Tucker T is really Tim Tucker?
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
We’ll get Marcus Pouncey (Maurkice’s twin) next year. Mark it.
Billy
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
I’m glad that “Rod” has so much insight into defensive linemen. He must be REALLY smart to know something about Morgan that NO ONE ELSE thinks. Moron. Somebody said it earlier, but UGA fans need to get over the college allegiances and think about what would be best for the FALCONS. And, Rod? Try to spell and use better grammar. You’re going to make people think that Atlanta fans are unintelligent.
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Got to protect the franchise right here, Bulaga is the no-brainer pick
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
Okay, ESPN crew, The Falcons are on the clock. Stop talking about the Steelers.
steve smith
April 22nd, 2010
9:30 pm
No way you pick Thomas over Bryant…come on guys. Bryant is a duel threat!!
Screen Pass
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Here we go…please no Spoon.
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
DEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mtn Falcon
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
lol Big L
BigTimeTechFan
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
War room is happy
dawgfan13
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Get Dez Bryant man!!!!!!!
Gatorgirl
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Thanks Tucker T. But while I’m enjoying Florida’s second player just selected in the first round…are you still crying about the butt whooping Tebow put on yall the past two years…or that none of your beloved dogs have been chosen yet? I think I smell jealousy…sorry about that.
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Got to take Bulaga here, come on baby
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Are we men or mice?
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Spoon!!!!!!!
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
Thanks for the insight, ESPN.
BigTimeTechFan
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Spoon oh man
Tosin
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Sean Weatherspoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Schmoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Spoon
Mtn Falcon
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Good pick!
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
What were the issues with Weatherspoon?
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Mice!
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Weatherspoon bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad pick.
Ree Roe
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Spoon!!!!
-REEligiously Roe!!!
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHA
Justafan
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
SPOONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Not a BEAUTY contest pick, but we will see.
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
NO, no, no , no , no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no
steve smith
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
not crazy about that pick, but I’m not a GM
KnightInATL
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
sigh
maxfliga
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Great pick! Spoon! no BeyBey!
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:32 pm
Weatherspoon is a freak . Good pick.