Falcons still need linemen (and Weatherspoon video-palooza)
Florida's Carlos Dunlap might be a risk worth taking at defensive end.
The Falcons have filled one significant hole on their defense with the drafting of Sean Weatherspoon. Today, they can fill another. They don’t have a second-round pick, so to get a real impact player might require general manager Thomas Dimitroff to trade up.
Dimitroff suggested Thursday that trying to move into the second round “might be too expensive” in trade. Indeed, this whole three-day draft thing creates a new dynamic for general managers. They have a day to think about who’s still left on the board after the first round and what moves they might want to make to go after a specific player. That can drive up the market.
That said, here are five players who would help the Falcons (but may or may not be available by their scheduled turn in the third round). You’ll notice a theme. I think the Falcons still need help on both lines.
Then, enjoy a Sean Weatherspoon Video Feast.
♦ 1. Indiana tackle Rodger Saffold (6-4, 316): He could go early today. Said to possess excellent lateral movement. The Falcons’ offensive line is still a work in progress, and Sam Baker, a top draft pick from two years ago, has struggled with injuries.
♦ 2. USC defensive end Everson Griffen (6-3, 273): The team still needs a strong pass-rusher on the end, especially with John Abraham’s health (and therefore effectiveness) always an issue. Griffin struggled with consistency problems at Southern Cal but he can put pressure on the quarterback.
♦ 3. Massachutsetts guard Vladimir Ducasse (6-4, 332): He’s large, to say the least, and an excellent run blocker. Projects as a guard but started 23 games at left tackle the last two years.
♦ 4. Illinois guard Jon Asamoah (6-4, 305): He started every game in the last three seasons, not missing any time because of injury. Said to be a strong run blocker who plays with a nasty streak, which should fit in well with the Falcons’ objectives.
♦ 5. Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap (6-5, 277): Yes, there’s the downside, starting with the DUI late last season. His maturity has come into question on several occasions. The hope is that all of this negative publicity is a wakeup call. Athletically, he’s one of the best players in the draft. He was defensive MVP of the BCS title game two years ago. Even with his issues this past year, he still had nine sacks, 10.5 tackles for losses and deflected six passes.
♦
Here’s a video aggregation of videos via YouTube. I think you’ll particularly enjoy the dance one.
♦
Sean Weatherspoon is a Van Halen fan? Who knew? Here he is introducing a nice package of highlights.
♦
Here’s a shorty from Mizzou Pro Day. Noteworthy is the Falcons’ scout who is furiously scribbling notes.
♦
This is the funniest video: Weatherspoon dancing while trying on clothes at Express.
♦
Another nice highlight package, this from the Senior Bowl, in which Weatherspoon had five tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
♦
Weatherspoon’s own day in the life. Nothing too earth shattering but entertaining.
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NFL.com did a good interview immediately following the Scouting Combine. Weatherspoon compares himself to Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears. Problem is, the NFL won’t provide an embedding code, but here’s the link.
♦
Earlier Falcons draft posts
♦ Weatherspoon helps Falcons fix the right side of the ball
♦ Draft night (LIVE): Behind the scenes at Falcons’ HQ
♦ Draft day (Part II): Tebow top 15, Morgan to Falcons?
♦ Draft day (Part I): Falcon options; Berry rips Deion; Tebow to Vikes?
♦
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122 comments Add your comment
whopper Dawg
April 23rd, 2010
11:58 pm
Bad number 2 day for TD, Peters pick is just stunning, a two round reach and for a position that is well stocked and not an upgrade over existing personnel. My mouth dropped open when it was announced, plus he doesn’t sound like a “Smith/TD” type of guy with an inconsistent motor.
The guard was better, but what about a center, the BC center probably won’t be there when we pick in the 4th, and by all accounts center was a bigger need.
Not a day to be excited about. I agree with Lame Pick about TD, he has done very well with free agents and two draft picks – Ryan and Lofton. Everything else from his remaining draft choices to his signing of Jenkins to big money leave one scratching their head.
This was a big draft for TD in my opinion after the total disaster of last year, and he gagged it up pretty good on day two.
WTH, DT with a 1 last year, and a DT with your second pick this year, ???????????????
Phillip
April 24th, 2010
5:07 am
Well I like 2 out of the three picks we had so far. I think Spoon and Johnson can and will start soon for us. But I’m completely stumped by the Peters pick. Don’t we already have enough young DTs? He doesnt really seem to be any better or bring anything different to the table from what they do. He isnt extremely big nor possess good pass rushing ability (0 sacks last year).
Anyway, what should we go after next? For me I’m hoping we still pick up another OL (preferably a guy who can play center though its possible they switch Johnson there). I’d also like to see a RB and WR drafted. Would be nice to find a RB who is also a receing threat. When our running game went so did the offense. I think we are quite young everywhere defensively and need to focus on the offense from here. We could still use another DE but perhaps better to find a proven one in FA (we have Biermann and Sidbury as youngsters still developing).
bugman
April 24th, 2010
8:19 am
Jeff,
You don’t know anything about football?
Who knew…
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 24th, 2010
8:27 am
Both picks were lame, a lot of good guys available like Griffen, Gilyard & Hernandez along with BC center. I was wishing for Geno if the took a DT but how do you pass on Griffen. OOoooh Weee What up wit dat, what up wit dat
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 24th, 2010
8:28 am
I see what is going on here, …Peters….Johnson…who’s next Joe Cox
Mr Charlie
April 24th, 2010
8:55 am
The headline did not just say Falcons pick “Peters, Johnson”. If does sound like there is s theme there. Just hope they don”t pick a guy named “Scholng” next.
Craig
April 24th, 2010
9:29 am
To the idiots on here questioning TD’s picks..life, get one. Peters will be a solid player and will be considered a steal when everything is said and done. Spoon and Johnson will be contributing this year and for years to come. You all crack me up, one minute you have TD as the best GM in the league and the next minute you are basically calling him a moron. What lame picks did you have in mind, a receiver? If I am one of you morons, I am not watching today to save the aggravation you will go through.
GO FALCONS!!!
Craig
April 24th, 2010
9:31 am
Walker, if Griffen is such a strong pick, why did the other teams pass him up that need a DE? Come on dude, pull your head out of your Walker and get some NFL sense. Think with your brain and not your heart.
Mr Charlie
April 24th, 2010
9:44 am
I see the Techies were out in full force pointing out boasting about their first round draft choices, and that no UGA players were drafted until late in the 3rd round.
Well, I could see last year watching the dawgs play that they did not have much top tier talent. Why the big shock?
As a matter of fact:
Tech had more talent, AND a much, better coaching staff than UGA.
So, with more, better coached talent, Tech should have KILLED UGA last year when they played, right?
30-24
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA
suwaneedawg
April 24th, 2010
10:12 am
Nice one Mr. Charlie.
mars
April 24th, 2010
11:12 am
I was gonna comment on my confusion over everyones reaction to Corey Peters (I like the pick), but I’m even more confused at how Mr. Charlie managed to laugh right off the page. What the…?..?
Lame Pick
April 24th, 2010
11:39 am
@ Craig
It is obvious you are so much smarter than us idiots. I’m too stupid to understand TD picking Joe Hawley with our 4th round pick..will you please enlighten me?
JSS
April 24th, 2010
11:55 am
@Mars
It is a HTML character recognition issue in which some web browsers fail to force a word wrap when the same character is used… “Uncle” Charlie strikes again!
MADFALCONFAN!!!!!
April 24th, 2010
11:59 am
Simply put none of our picks would put you in the seats to a falcons game.. Lame picks + lame team + lame season = lost intrest!!!!!!
JSS
April 24th, 2010
12:10 pm
I thought they were supposedly set in the secondary?
JSS
April 24th, 2010
12:13 pm
I thought that our all world kick returner was on the way back too?
PMC
April 24th, 2010
12:29 pm
So I know our scouting staff and GM are the smartest guys in the room and all but… could they please take some people that we know are good football players that we’ve heard of before somewhere?
Thanks.
On the whole, they got a tenacious DT and a couple of Guards. That helps a lot with depth. I get it I trust TD and company… but it’s pretty odd they take who they take with the people left on the board really.
PMC
April 24th, 2010
12:31 pm
These are solid position picks… very solid… they help where they need the most help…. I’m completely on board… I just wish I knew more about these people and I could feel better about it.
JSS
April 24th, 2010
12:36 pm
If you loved DeAngelo running his mouth, you gonna love the Kid from OU! He’s a quote machine!
Mr Charlie
April 24th, 2010
2:37 pm
Well, we have a few guards, and we needed help/Depth on the line. We got a stud outside linebacker, another potential pass rusher, and you can never have too many Safetys and CBs. I would liked to see them pick a ball handler/pass catcher out of the backfield. No sure I understand the DT pick with Jerry coming back, but it sounds like he plays behind the line of scrimage, kind of like Jerry, so not sure what the thinking is. Not sure about a reciever either, with Roddy, Gonzo, and Harry coming back, not sure why we needed one. However, I think this is a draft for 2-3 down the road type thinking. Bottom line, we have a lot of new players on D, that can cover and pressure the QB, and we needed that.
Mr Charlie
April 24th, 2010
2:46 pm
Mars, I did not even type the HAHAH. I just think the AJC computer was laughing at the absurdity of tech fans boasting of having more talent, and a better coaching staff, than a team that spanked them on their own stadium.
Techies fans need to go back to hiding under the rock and not even show their face until Thanksgiving weekend, 2010. 30-24. They need to just SHADDUP. You got whipped, please don’t have the audacity to come on here and mock the DAWGS after the snackdown you took.
Falcons' additions will get them back in playoffs | Jeff Schultz
April 24th, 2010
6:45 pm
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