Falcons’ additions will get them back into playoffs
The drafting of Sean Weatherspoon is one of the moves by Thomas Dimitroff that will get the Falcons back in the playoffs. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Two years ago, we expected too little. One year ago, we expected too much. So it’s safe to conclude that even with all that Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith have accomplished during their brief reign with the Falcons, they’ve managed to keep at least one tradition in tact: The team is still keeping us guessing.
But not this time.
Last month, they signed a legitimate cornerback (Dunta Robinson). This allowed the Falcons to cut back on its janitorial stuff because now somebody won’t have to run onto the field to sweep up the ashes after every opponent’s pass play.
Then came the draft. They needed an outside linebacker who could drop into coverage, help create some mayhem on the pass rush and, if at all possible, hit somebody. They found Sean Weatherspoon. They needed linemen on both sides of the ball. They took a defensive tackle and two guards with their next three picks. Think of a draft as you would an exam. Nobody is guaranteeing an A. But at least we know the Falcons studied the right chapters for the test.
Loading ...At the very least, they will make the playoffs. If body parts don’t spontaneously combust as a year ago, they are capable of doing something special.
If reading that leaves you cross-eyed, think of this: What were the expectations of the New Orleans Saints a year ago when they were coming off two non-playoff seasons and a record of 15-17? Super Bowl champions?
Dimitroff isn’t the type to make guarantees. The most he would allow Saturday was: “There’s no question people should have expectations. Very solid expectations. We feel we’re going in the direction of a team that will be a perennial playoff contender.”
They went 11-5 when everything right. They went 9-7 when so much went wrong. Think about that: nine wins in a bad year. And then consider this:
♦ The schedule will be significantly easier in 2010. The combined record of opponents (127-129) ranks 20th, compared to last year’s schedule (150-105-1), which ranked fourth. Also, three outdoor road games in cold-weather cities – Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Philadelphia – all take place by mid-October. No snow.
♦ Logic says the Falcons will have better fortune on the injury front. Last year wiped out the seasons of Peria Jerry, William Moore and Brian Williams early, and dented Michael Turner and Matt Ryan late.
♦ Look around the NFC: Philadelphia jettisoned Donovan McNabb and will be transitioning to an untested Kevin Kolb at quarterback. Arizona saw Kurt Warner retire, which means Matt Leinart just lost his safety net. The Eagles and Cardinals are two of last season’s six NFC playoff teams. The Dallas Cowboys’ schedule is ranked as the most difficult in the conference and No. 3 in the league (opponents’ record of 139-117). The Saints will still be good. But they open against Minnesota, play at Dallas on Thanksgiving and have four night games on their slate — “rewards” for being a marquee team.
The Falcons are not without questions. Sam Baker hasn’t proved he’s worthy of being a starting left tackle, let alone a first-round pick. Defensive end John Abraham has to stay healthy (and preferably visible). There is a significant drop-off at wide receiver from No. 1 (Roddy White) to whomever is No. 2 (Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas, street free agent to be named later).
Also, there’s the Matt Ryan question: Were the bumps in Year 2 just normal signs of the NFL learning curve?
Dimitroff wouldn’t call 2009 a step back, saying only, “We learned a lot about a very young football team.”
Then he reiterated, “People should have expectations that the arrow is pointing up. It’s not static or sideways.”
High expectations seem safe this time.
♦
Earlier Falcons draft posts
♦ Falcons still need linemen (and Weatherspoon video-palooza)
♦ 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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325 comments Add your comment
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:37 pm
I cannot believe that anyone would judge our draft based on ESPN either mentioning it or not mentioning it. Those guys get paid to make much ado about nothing. We had a solid draft and don’t forget we will sign some free agents. I am going to jump out and say right now that Meir will be a keeper. That guy can catch a football. I know nothing about the safety Schillinger so I am hoping that the football minds at the front office know a whole bunch more than I do, they are supposed too. I don’t see all the hoopla about Seatlle, I think our draft was just as good. Anyway, if we can stay healthy no reason this team won’t go 12-4. Finally, we only play one team that has a bye week the week before we play them…………the Bengals I think. Bust down on your best Durty Bird moves, it is going to be a great season!!
Jeff Schultz
April 24th, 2010
6:38 pm
Mr. Clarlie — On Jones: You mean by deciding to come out? Yeah, I agree. But everybody has to make their own decision.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:39 pm
Jeff(the other one) should send his resume to Mr. Arthur for the GM job, in case he runs TD off.
Jeff Schultz
April 24th, 2010
6:39 pm
WreckinBall — Good point about the bye week. I think they played 3 or 4 coming off bye weeks last season.
Stat Man
April 24th, 2010
6:40 pm
tony43:
It isn’t that I don’t agree with you about Anderson/Jenkins, but to think that “packaging them in a deal” is even remotely possible is just ignorant. It takes 2 to trade and nobody in their right mind (so maybe Oakland is still a possibility) would give us squat for those 2 bums.
Quit dreaming of being able to trade them and just CUT THEIR A$$!
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:41 pm
4 coming off bye weeks last year Jeff
dash
April 24th, 2010
6:42 pm
Alan, a good NFL draft should excite your fan base that is why hundreds of fans flock to New York City every year to watch in person and why it is broadcasted on NFL network as well as ESPN. Also, it is why you have multiple mock drafts as well as analysts’ breakdown of every position. As far as my NFL knowledge, based on your comments and lack of substance of the subject of the draft, a lot of us know more about football than you do. We probably know a lot more about other subjects/topics as well. So shut your pie hole, you idiot.
It simply was a C- draft. Weatherspoon,Johnson and Peters were very good picks but considering the depth of this draft, we missed the mark considerably. The S,WR and C picks are very suspect as best. We did’nt add additional DE pass rush or offensive speed at all.They also picked NO homegrown players(UGA or GA Tech) Not a great draft.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:42 pm
You might be able to trade Anderson and Jenkins if you throw in a lot of greenbacks to go along with them.
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:43 pm
Actually I really think Jamaal is going to bloom inside……….I do not want to see him outside anymore, that experiment is done, cooked, put a fork in it…..!
One more chance I say!
Gwinnett Fred
April 24th, 2010
6:44 pm
Gee Jeff, nice job of selective reading. I posted about the 1 bye week opponent compared to last years 4 games 12 minutes before wrecking ball copied it.
The Wad
April 24th, 2010
6:44 pm
Dimitroff trained under Belichik(sp)….they drafted the same way when they went to multiple SB. And you peanut brains think Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have a better idea than TD and Mike Smith. You barely amuse me with your idiosy…….
It would do you some good to remember who is coming off injury from last year and their relative worth to the overall picture. Also, some of our players from last year were very young and will be an upgrade over ANYBODY available to draft this year!!!!! All in all, this draft coupled with the last two will put the Falcons in good position to be successful this year. End of discussion.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:44 pm
I think all those bye week games had a lot to do with all the ATL injuries.
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:46 pm
Hey Dash, I think there weren’t as many people (fans) at Radio City Music Hall as the NFL and ESPN would have you believe……….there were hundreds of empty seats…..!!
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:46 pm
I don’t think Jenkins is all that bad. Anderson is good against the run and I think he will improve at DT also.
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:46 pm
It’s cause your name is Fred Fred.
Craig
April 24th, 2010
6:47 pm
I love all these wannabe experts on here who think they have a clue. They fall under the old saying, “opinions are like a#**holes and some of you are acting like one. If you think you know more then TD and CMS then get out there and get an NFL gig. Until TD’s decision’s are proven bad, you need to sit back and enjoy this team.
Iceman
April 24th, 2010
6:47 pm
“l can judge talent better than the experts”…the “experts” are journalists that wear suits and discuss opinions. Nothing more.
Dimitroff knows his stuff much better than they do.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:48 pm
Can’t forget the catch against Chicago in 2008.
Stat Man
April 24th, 2010
6:49 pm
Doesn’t seem that anyone has put 2 & 2 together and realized we had no 2nd rounder this year from getting Gonzalez last year – so pretend to include him in this years draft and it would seems much sunnier.
It was a bad year not to have a 2nd round pick as the draft was solid for 50+ picks and we could have gotten Dunlap (DE-Florida) with the Gonzalez pick, but no complaints – GO BIRDS!!!
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
6:50 pm
Not having a 2nd tied TD’s hands quite a bit guys. I am glad we worked it like we did. The Falcons have a full compliment of draft choices for 2011 don’t they?
Craig
April 24th, 2010
6:50 pm
Dash, are kidding me? Since when does a fan base know better then a quality GM? The answer, NEVER! Fan bases think with emotion and that is not good when doing what is right for the TEAM.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:50 pm
Dash I think a good NFL draft should improve the team, so the fans can get excited when they win games, personally.
FALCON8459
April 24th, 2010
6:51 pm
I think we had a very solid draft, not 2 flashy but very solid. Ill be the first to admit there were some guys out there that were available i wanted us to grab. But look at the stats of these rookies. They a very durable guys with no kind of off the field issues…(TD GUYS) we still have our guys comin back from injuries last year. With these years draft we got a lot younger on our offensive line n will have solid guys for years to come and drafting DT will jus help wit the rotation to help stop the run n stay fresh out there..I think the MEIER pick up was jus a result of Riely Cooper being picked up by the eagles a few picks earlier. I think TD and Mike Smith did a good job at makin the right picks even though they werent th FLASHY ones…but wit all that bein said that Safety outta Montana was a head scratcher..DIRTY BIRD NATION STAND UP
Fan since 74
April 24th, 2010
6:52 pm
You can never have enough good Offensive Linemen. Get use to it! Its the way winners draft!
Charles
April 24th, 2010
6:54 pm
All I can say is that finding the likes of Kroy Bierman late in the draft from none other than Montana, makes me have confidence in TD. I agree, the Falcons’ draft wasn’t sexy, but it was solid. I saw earlier in another BLOG where folks were bashing TD for not drafting Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens in the third round. Well, a lot of other teams passed on them too. As far as Everson Griffen is concerned, just because he’s from USC doesn’t mean he’s a stud. I like the Corey Peters pick. He’s got a solid motor, the size and the extra gear to make an impact. And that’s what you need on the DLine. The Falcons also may be about to make some other moves on the DLine. It doesn’t mean that Jerry isn’t progressing following his injury. The Falcons have some issues on DLine that have been highly publicized in the legal circles. We don’t know what’s going on there, but I’m sure TD does.
Go Birds!
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
6:57 pm
Dallas beat the Falcons because their Oline gave Tony Romeo enough time to sit down, have a cup of coffee and eat a jellyroll if had of wanted to last year.
Oline is the backbone of the offense.
This draft will help the Falcons improve their team. That the bottom line.
falcons pick(ed) spoon
April 24th, 2010
6:58 pm
Good quality draft. No sexy picks but we got the job done. Look for TD to bring in some undrafted free agents to compete. Colin Peek(TE) and Leigh Tiffin (K) are two guys that can come in and try to gain a job.
tony43
April 24th, 2010
7:01 pm
stan man…ok i thought we were on different pages about the two bums.thats another way of doin it,but lets at least put it out there and see if anyone will bite
Falcons Superbowl Bound
April 24th, 2010
7:03 pm
Anyone remember how Scott Case used to punish people…………I heard Schillinger will hit! Which is a nice change from the days of DeAngelo Hall.
WreckinBall
April 24th, 2010
7:03 pm
Enter your comments here
crabapplejoe
April 24th, 2010
7:11 pm
bigdawg wrote: “Who was the last caucasian to make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro as a wide receiver? My point is…well, you get my point!”
Dude, you must live in a cave and your ‘cism is really shining through. Does the name Wes Welker ring a bell to you or do you just know the names of people who played in Athens. He’s been to two straight pro bowls and has caught more passes in the NFL than any other player over the last three years…would have been the SuperBowl MVP two years ago if Eli doens’t pull off the incredible 4th down play. Kerry Meier is a stud and will be a great player for us…he had back to back 1000 yards seasons the last two years….geeez, I know his initials aren’t “A.J.”…but the kid can play.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 24th, 2010
7:12 pm
According to ESPN & The NFL Network, the Falcons made the Top 5 worst draft for 2010 – what a shocker.
Dimitroff is no Ozzie Newsome, who by the way once again made the Top 5 Great picks.
The Falcons suck and 2010 won’t be a playoff year, so that will be 7 seasons since they last won a playoff game and division title.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
April 24th, 2010
7:13 pm
The only way the Falcons could have improved was drafting another quarterback.
There is no cure for a noodle weak arm.
Billy
April 24th, 2010
7:14 pm
goodness, Falcons fans are morons. too many people worried about where a guy went to school and how McShay, Kiper, etc. felt about them. Unless your job is “NFL scout”, your opinion is moot.
And for those calling D. Thomas “Gay Gay”, I would think that he’ll be laughing at your sorry a$$es all the way to the bank. Only in GA will a fanbase focus on ONE catch to say that a guy is worthless. You people are in your own worlds. Not to mention, it’s easy for you to call him “Gay Gay” from your mom’s basement. Grow a pair, you losers.
macfleetwood
April 24th, 2010
7:24 pm
EVERYBODY “MAN_UP”!! The draft is nothing more than a “crap-shoot” at BEST!
As a GM you hope to get some fresh blood that can make a contribution!!
Once in a lifetime do you get that “ONE” that can make a difference..AND.. there are no
fairy god-mothers!
crabapplejoe
April 24th, 2010
7:27 pm
@bigdawg: Both the Colts and the Patriots start caucasian WRs and have been to the SuperBowl a whole lot more than Atlanta over the past few years…and you can throw Dallas Clark in the mix since he essentially operates as a WR on most possessions…you’ve probably never heard of him since he didn’t play in Athens. He’s this really big white dude who runs like a 4.4 forty and catches lots of passes for a future Hall of Fame quarterback named Peyton.
Delbert D.
April 24th, 2010
7:29 pm
“Alan”
“Here we go again(STUPIDITY)- thanks for your insight Delbert D., now go back to newsvine and play with your friends that have no idea about whats going on with any given subject.”
What is “newsvine”? Who are my “friends”? And once and for all, what is “Southern Rush”?
Clint
April 24th, 2010
7:29 pm
Some of you need to quit complaining about the draft. TD and Smith hit a home run in their first draft. Their second draft is too early to tell due to injuries, but still looks good. This draft JUST happened. There may have been better players on the board that ATL didn’t take, but that doesn’t matter. Some players will not fit on specific teams. ATL got what they needed AND wanted. TD and Smith is the only reason the Falcons are as good as they are now…so show some respect. Or I guess you preferred it when the Falcons were a cellar team.
john doe
April 24th, 2010
7:32 pm
dash:
Meier will not stretch the field vertically but he will move the chains. For a 5th round pick, he’s a steal.
Stat Man
April 24th, 2010
7:32 pm
Other than the Schillinger pick, the average of each picks grades on the web sites came out to a “B”, which I’ll go along with. That last one I have to indeed scratch my head at – he HAD to be available as a undrafted FA and we could have taken a shot with Dwyer with that 6th round pick.
GT3O
April 24th, 2010
7:38 pm
Oh my God!!!!!
Everybody jump the ship! The Falcons did not draft the big name guys that Mel Kiper and McShay love! Oh no! The Falcons are doomed for suckage! (Sarcasm off)
Get a grip you idiots. The Falcons did very well this draft. I am excited about the picks and the WR from Kansas, Meier, is going to be a good one. Seen him play several times and he’s a beast. He may not be the fastest, but he can CATCH the ball which is more than you can say about Jenkins. Meier can also block very well.
I am appalled some you of people are bitching that we did not grab the big name guys like Jordan Shipley, Myron Rolle, or some of those other players. Unless some of you scouted and studied the player TD drafted as much as TD did you should probably listen to ESPN a little less and look at the Colts.
WTF???
April 24th, 2010
7:38 pm
AS A WELL KNOWN COACH ONCE SAID,”IF YOU START LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE IN STAND’S IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE YOU’LL BE JOINING THEM”!!!
Not Fooled or Drinking the Kool-Aid
April 24th, 2010
7:47 pm
To all of you “Trust in Dimitroff/Blank/Smith Groupies”:
Most of us want the Falcons to succeed just like you do. But again alot of us watch NFL football and idiocracy we are not buying anymore. I am tired of hearing that Dimitroff is so smart because he comes from the Belicheat/Patriot family. I don’t think that is so special I think Josh McDaniels is an idiot(re: Cutler, Brandon Marshall gone, & Tim Tebow as a 1st rounder) and so is Mangini(re:got rid of Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards) or else why would Mike Holmgren be in Cleveland. I get sick of arrogance and this is why N.E. has not won another Super Bowl. Belicheats and friends seem to think that old fashioned talent in the NFL does not trump coaching and schemes (re:Asante Samuels, Richard Seymour). Now I hear the same crap from Dumitroff (re: FBI) another excuse to pass on top notch talent. Sometimes is character issues and sometimes its a guy doesn’t fit into our program. Not buying it. This is why Saints, Ravens, Chargers, Cowboys, and soon to be 49ers will be winning they are not arrogant they draft talent and coach it. Sick of the lame excuses from Dumitroff and Kool-aid drinkers. Sad thing is Mike Smith is a heck of a ball coach.
RUDEDOGG
April 24th, 2010
7:47 pm
You have got to be kidding me!!!! Poor freaking draft;no DE help and where is the help at wideout? Who’s the safety from Montana? This cat drafted a bunch of special teamers; Wow!!!!! Talent guru my behind!!!!
Major Kong
April 24th, 2010
7:54 pm
Uh…….none of ‘em makes me wanna jump and yell……YeeHaaaaaaaaaaa
waw
April 24th, 2010
8:09 pm
If you don’t like this draft, don’t single out Dimitroff. Picks 2, 3, and 4 have Smith’s stamp all over them. He came to Atlanta with a strong interior line philosophy. Also- Smith has been cagy about the health and prospects of current personnel.
Falcon Fan
April 24th, 2010
8:15 pm
Shultz, think there is a posobility we could go after Collin Peak and Brandon Lang in free agency????? Could add to DE depth (Lang) and give Tony G an apprentice who is very talented. Reminds me of Dallas Clark a little bit. (Peak)
Falcon Fan
April 24th, 2010
8:20 pm
Oops, I misspelled a lot in that. Sorry Schultz
WW
April 24th, 2010
8:22 pm
What is a kicker?
Falcon Fan
April 24th, 2010
8:26 pm
Leigh Tiffin to?????? That would be one heck of a undrafted free agent class