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
9:39 pm
Matt Ryan is going to continue to get injured every season. We had the chance to protect his blindside there. Just as the Lions doomed Stafford’s career tonight by wasting a pick on a DE, the Falcons gaffed big-time by not taking a LT. They could have gotten a starting OLB in the 4th or 5th round.
Cedrick
April 22nd, 2010
9:39 pm
Geez, nothing against SPOON but damn we have a log jam at LB. Plus not less than a 2 years ago we had a LB that ran just as fast as spoon and had career tackles in Demario Williams. What idiots we have making these picks!!!!!
David C
April 22nd, 2010
9:39 pm
Team AJC liked Spoon all along..well, that does it for me
crabapplejoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
We will regret not taking Bulaga the tackle from Iowa…can’t believe he’s still on the board. Somebody’s going to get a ten year lock down left tackle in the late first….unbelievable. SI had him going 5th overall.
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
NDW, I think the greater need for the Falcons was generating a pass rush. I don’t know much at Weatherspoon to know if he will help in that area or not, but with age a factor with Peterson and adding a younger player, hopefully this will work out. Only time will tell. Thanks for explaining why you reacted so vociferously to the pick.
Rod, what were the issues with Weatherspoon?
For anyone watching NFL Network’s coverage of the draft, did they give anything more than a passing acknowledgement of the Falcons pick?
Thanks.
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
I would rather drink a spoonful of lemon juice than have the falcons pick weatherspoon.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
I’d bet the Falcons didn’t have anyone who would dance with them.
Jerry
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
Look at the other guy wearing the same shirt as tebow. what a dork
atl xmen
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
man..this draft is loaded with good offensive tackles..great pick for the falcons
enz
April 22nd, 2010
9:40 pm
welcome to the A Spoonage!
Big L
April 22nd, 2010
9:41 pm
Ur right mi amigo. Heard alot on talk today suggesting the Pats at 30.
JSS
April 22nd, 2010
9:41 pm
@Pudge…
LOL at the thought of a drunk Mormon!
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:41 pm
Braves losing 8-2 in the 7th.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:41 pm
4 OU guys in the 1st round.
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:41 pm
Who cares what the three and four-letter networks think of the Falcons. Just win, babe, and everything else will take care of itself.
Insider
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
What was Blank thinking, a linebacker, why not go get Thomas from GT, a BIG, physical receiver to compliment White. I guess Blank likes missing out on GT receivers that play in his own backyard, i.e. Calvin Johnson and now Demaryius Thomas, good job Blank???? Way to give your franchise quarterback that big, physical receiver that he needs???????
Falcon 8211
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
TD got the pick right. love it
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:42 pm
The Falcons pick just happened and the Falcon picked and left this player on the board.
Supes
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
How did the Lions “doom Stafford” by drafting the BEST PLAYER in the draft?
Worst post of the night goes to you sir!
N. Suh is the most NFL ready, impact ready player in this draft. LIONS sucked a&& defensively.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
The Falcons did OK with their last Big 12 linebacker
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
Re: Drunk Mormom. I have a friend who lives in Evanston, Wyoming, which is five miles over the southeast border from Utah. He says Evanston’s claim to fame is it’s the town where the Mormons come to get their cigarettes, booze and prono!
Michael
April 22nd, 2010
9:43 pm
Yes….we all know what is best in the draft because we read the AJC and watch a few games!
Crap, be happy people. When has this current regime let you down?
Supes
April 22nd, 2010
9:44 pm
If there is a way for the Falcons to somehow get their hands on Jerry Hughes…if Hughes slips into round 2…darn, not having a pick there really sucks.
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:44 pm
Can anyone name me the starting OLB’s for the Super Bowl Champs? Probably not, because they were scrubs named Shanle and Fujita.
Champions are built on the offensive line, and we just whiffed on a chance to get better there. Instead, we wasted a pick on a totally unimportant position. Who do we have to beat in our division? The Saints. What good does Weatherspoon do against the Saints? A nickle LB? Really?
I loved the Spoon pick heading into draft day, but that was under the assumption that all of the OL were off the board. Then the miracle happened, Bulaga fell to 19th. And, we did not take him. I just don’t understand.
Rod
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Eddie, I had spoon going between 25 and the second round. He never shuts up and the tigers defense wasn’t that good.
Dawgs2010
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Good Linebackers are hard to find. Great pick. Thank GOD they didn’t go go a skill position.
falcons pick(ed) spoon
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Great pick Falcons. Now opens up for us to get oline and wr help in 3rd round. Wonder if we could package something to get a first if Bulaga is still hanging around…
Suzanne
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Have watched Spoon play at Mizzou for years….smart, fast, strong, funny, good leader….You won’t be sorry to get this kid
JerseyFalcon
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
Thank God ATL got “spoon”
Falcon Josh
April 22nd, 2010
9:45 pm
I totaly agree crabapplejoe!!!!
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
Knowshon and DeMaryus (sp?)
VP
April 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
Thomas goes to Denver.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
DAWGS that is 2 GT players in the first round are we even now? C Johnson should have been the #1 but the SMART Raiders picked LSU’s Fatt A$$ Russell instead. BAY BAY BAY BAY BAY BAY BAY BAY BAY.
crabapplejoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
@not don waddell: well said…can’t believe Bulaga was there and we didn’t take him.
Eddie Cook
April 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
Rod, thanks for the explanation.
Mr. Phil
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Again as I predicted. Thomas to Denver(had him at 11 though). I am on fire. Five surprise picks in a row.
Say what?
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Two Chan Gailey players selected in the first round. What a terrible coach.
Not Don Waddell
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Hey Supes,
First of all, Eric Berry is the best player in the draft. 2nd, Jeff Backus is supposed to continue protecting Stafford’s backside next year. Guess what? Stafford will probably suffer another season-ending injury.
Detroit had a chance to draft Okung and took a defensive tackle. Defensive tackles are a dime a dozen. How many playoff games did the Vikings when before Favre got there? None, even though they had 2 of the 5 best DT’s in the NFL.
The NFL is a QB league, and the most important thing you can do is protect that QB with an Elite Left Tackle. It is the 2nd most important postion in the NFL.
Supes
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Wow, Broncos go for the reach there with D. Thomas over Dez Bryant. I know Bryant fraked up in his personal life with the NCAA but just damn.
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Denver traded down *twice* and got Thomas
Ricky Boy
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
Glad there as such experts as “Not Don Waddell” and “Screen Pass”. Gee, Don, I guess there will be no Offensive Linemen later in the draft. And what’s with the OLB has no value? You have to be the biggest dumbass on the board
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 22nd, 2010
9:47 pm
What do you UGA and GT fans think BAY BAY and CHAMP will bet on the UGA v TEC H game this year? It will be fun for them both.
atl xmen
April 22nd, 2010
9:48 pm
thomas? falcons have receivers
bigdawg
April 22nd, 2010
9:48 pm
The Dogs don’t have anyone of first round quality except for A.J. Green and Butler. We understand that. The only thing that matters is we swept your Football and Basketball team!
Plus, Tech will have another first rounder in the NBA draft…I wonder if Favors even went to class?
Delbert D.
April 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
They are questioning Thomas’ character???
Supes
April 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
Hey TEFLON DON,
Get off the BLINDSIDE and think. People who know WAY MORE THAN YOU think that Suh will be the best D-Lineman to be drafted since the MINISTER OF DEFENSE, the late REGGIE WHITE. You don’t think that the LIONS can get an O-Lineman with their next pick?
Just damn sir…
crabapplejoe
April 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
Josh McDaniels is an arrogant idiot….he’s taking Denver to the bottom
waw
April 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
NFL Network said we got Spoon because we have to do something to slow down New Orleans’ passing attack.
Larry
April 22nd, 2010
9:49 pm
A 6 foot linebacker with pedestrain speed? Wow, I’m sure the Falcons’ switchboard is ringing off the hook for new season ticket holders!
I don’t know, but outside of Ryan (and know one really, truly knew at the time), one can make a good argument that our drafting skill is most underwhelming the past three years.
uberVU - social comments
April 22nd, 2010
9:50 pm
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