Grading Falcons’ draft picks, from Roddy (A) to Jimmy (ugh)
Falcons owner Arthur Blank had no idea at this point the money he was about to waste on Jimmy Williams (center in suit and tie).
So in my last post, I explained why grading teams for their draft was a stupid exercise. It takes at least three years, sometimes longer, to get an accurate read 0n how selections panned out. And then alert reader “David C” suggested: “A good idea going forward would be to note the grades of so-called experts and writers from 5 years back and then we’d all know who is the expert and who is the hack.”
That would be a good idea. But honestly, I don’t want to take the time to find what ESPN, SI, Fox or Bob’s Second-Guessing Blog Out Of My Mom’s Basement wrote five years ago. I figure we can do this ourselves. So following are the Falcons’ drafts from 2003 to 2007. (Technically, we’ve only had two seasons to grade the 2007 draft, the last one under former general manager Rich McKay, but former first-round pick Jamaal Anderson certainly has given us some early indication of what he is and isn’t.)
Now, before you launch into the McKay bashing, please note that the 2005 draft turned out to be as solid as they come. The 2003-07 drafts follow. I’ve listed all the players, comments and my final grade. Please weigh in with your own grades.
(Note that players still on the Falcons’ roster are in red.)
2003 (F)
2 – Bryan Scott, DB, Penn State
4 – Justin Griffith, RB, Mississippi State
5 – Jon Olinger, WR, Cincinnati
6 – LaTarence Dunbar, WR, Texas Christian
6 – Waine Bacon, DB, Alabama
7 – Demetrin Veal, DE, Tennessee
I guess this was kind of like when two of the Axis powers briefly joined forces. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Posting a correction here: McKay was not hired until late in the 2003 season. This draft was conducted by the team of Dan Reeves and Ron Hill.) Scott was a good kid, just not a great player. The Falcons gave him every opportunity but he couldn’t stick as a starter or even a backup. Now he’s in Buffalo, which usually means it’s the end of the line. Griffith managed to [play seven years in the league without really doing much (he's unsigned now after being releases by his last two teams, Oakland and Seattle). Veal has been a survivor: five seasons with four teams in the NFL and last season with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.
♦
2004 (B) (2 pro bowls)
1 - DeAngelo Hall, DB, Virginia Tech
1 - Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State
3 - Matt Schaub, QB, Virginia
4 - Demorrio Williams, LB, Nebraska
5 - Chad Lavalais, DT, Louisiana State
6 - Etric Pruitt, DB, Southern Mississippi
7 - Quincy Wilson, RB, West Virginia
Hall was a royal pain and isn't nearly as good as he thinks he is, but he did make two Pro Bowls early in his career (2005-06). A little more dedication and discipline and he could've been one of the league's best. Jenkins is serviceable as a No. 3 receiver. He hasn't proven to be a consistent No. 2, although the Falcons are going to give him another chance. In any case, he certainly wasn't worthy of being picked in the first round. Schaub developed into a starting quarterback for Houston. Williams has had a solid NFL career: four with the Falcons, two in Kansas City, where he has mostly started. Lavalais was a huge disappointment, largely because he was a fat schlub. Wilson didn't quite have the career of his father, former Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Otis Wilson,
♦
2005 (A)
1 - Roddy White, WR, Alabama-Birmingham
2 - Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Iowa
3 - Jordan Beck, LB, Cal Poly
4 - Chauncey Davis, DE, Florida State
5 - Michael Boley, LB, Southern Mississippi
5 - Frank Omiyale, T, Tennessee Tech (starts for bears)
6 - Deandra Cobb, RB, Michigan State
7 - Darrell Shropshire, DT South Carolina
Roddy White (84) is an example of why you shouldn't judge drafts right away. Michael Jenkins (12) still has a lot to prove. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
This was one of McKay’s best drafts. White, after a slow career start, turned into a Pro Bowl wide receiver. Babineaux has proven to be a strong inside force, but he has had off-field issues. He was accused of killing his girlfriend’s pitbull (charges were dropped) and he was arrested on marijuana possession charges last December (a suspension could be forthcoming). Beck didn’t stick and is out of football. Davis has contributed for five seasons. Boley turned out to be a strong player but personal issues and a decline in performance in 2008 led the Falcons to not re-sign him in 2009. He signed with the New York Giants but was suspended for the first game of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy (charged with battery on his wife). Omiyale spent only two seasons with the Falcons but he started most of last season with Chicago.
♦
2006 (D-minus)
2 – Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech
3 – Jerious Norwood, RB, Mississippi State
5 – Quinn Ojinnaka, T, Syracuse (serviceable)
6 – Adam Jennings, WR, Fresno State
7 – D.J. Shockley, QB, Georgia
Williams defined the word “bust” in three ways. He was a bust as a cornerback: He couldn’t cover. He was a bust as a professional athlete: He lacked dedication and discipline. And he was “busted” by commissioner Roger Goodell. Williams was suspended for the first five games of 2008 after being arrested for marijuana possession and spent the entire season out of football. He was signed by San Francisco in January of 2009 but cut five months later, then was suspended for the entire season for a second violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Norwood has speed and big-play capability, but he lacks consistency and hasn’t stayed healthy. Ojinnaka is a serviceable player in the offensive line rotation. Jennings played three seasons here, primarily as a returner. Shockley couldn’t win the No. 2 quarterback job last season when it was wide open.
♦
2007 (D)
1 – Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
2 – Justin Blalock, T, Texas
2 – Chris Houston, DB, Arkansa
3 – Laurent Robinson, WR, Illinois State
4 – Stephen Nicholas, LB, South Florida
4 – Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia
6 – Trey Lewis, DT, Washburn
6 – David Irons, DB, Auburn
6 – Doug Datish, C, Ohio State
6 – Daren Stone, DB, Maine
Anderson was serviceable when he was moved inside last season because his height allowed him to get into a quarterback’s vision and possibly bat down passes. But he was a first-round pick – serviceable won’t cut it. He’s not an impact player. Blalock starts at left guard. Houston was burnt often last season and traded. Robinson flashed some talent early but ultimately washed out. Stephen Nicholas started most of last season, but that may change this year. Lewis is barely hanging on.
♦
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128 comments Add your comment
Tucker T
April 26th, 2010
10:57 am
First?
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
11:08 am
Tucker T — Yes.
ATL Fan
April 26th, 2010
11:16 am
Good article, thanks Mr. Schultz.
Ron
April 26th, 2010
11:18 am
Jeff – Don’t encourage the “First” nonsense.
DeepDiver
April 26th, 2010
11:20 am
4th. The nonsense is here to stay.
torgo
April 26th, 2010
11:21 am
Jeff, you’re leaving out some of the most important players of the 2006 draft (the trade for John Abraham) and 2007 draft (Jason Snelling).
While the rookies selected in 2006 might only be a D- grade, the draft as a whole (Abraham, Norwood, Ojinnaka, plus filling a hole at safety by trading the 4th round pick for Chris Crocker) wasn’t so bad. Abraham should vault that grade to a B-.
Likewise, Snelling makes a difference for 2007. Factor in two current starters (Blalock and Nicholas) plus Snelling in spite of drafting the entire class for Petrino’s alleged systems, and that one ought to be a D+. Perhaps even a “gentleman’s C”.
Two other noteworthy players that won’t change your grades: add undrafted free agent Michael Koenen to the class of 2005, and that class gets even better. Factor in that we traded 2003’s first rounder for Peerless Price, and that one gets even worse.
chc4
April 26th, 2010
11:26 am
An “F” for ‘07? That’s a bit harsh. Blalock and Nicholas are solid starters. That alone should earn something other than a failing grade.
Mike Jay
April 26th, 2010
11:28 am
Little tough on the ‘07 draft imo. We got two starters out of it. Nicholas and Blalock. Trey Lewis is a servicable back up and Robinson was off to a great start last season starting for the Rams before he got hurt. They are still big on him as they did not draft any WRs iirc.
Anderson was a big whiff for sure but I don’t think the draft deserves a F. it looks much better than the ‘06 draft which got a d minus with zero starters.
retread
April 26th, 2010
11:28 am
Thanks Jeff. I posted under DLED – “Dimitrof Post Draft Briefing” at 9:09pm Sat. if you care for an opnion on some of Dimitrofs picks.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
11:28 am
Jeff – Shockley didn’t win the 3rd QB job last year.
Dawgwild
April 26th, 2010
11:29 am
Loved the article. Kind of tells you why we actually needed a good GM. We would still be the laughing stock of the league if MCkay was still drafting. Hope these picks turn out better.
Bossman
April 26th, 2010
11:32 am
At first this list looks pitiful. How would it compare to other teams draft history? I suppose in reality there are a lot more players who don’t make it than do.
Ben Roethlisberger
April 26th, 2010
11:33 am
DEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
BEN WANT WOMAN!!!!
BEN WANT WOMAN NOW!!!!
RAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
torgo
April 26th, 2010
11:33 am
I should also mention that Roddy was only the sixth WR drafted in the first round in 2005 and has turned out to be the best receiver of the draft class. Babs has become the best DT drafted after the first round. Michael Boley is one of only three players in that year’s fifth round to become a starter for at least half the games over the last five seasons.
Throw in that the draft class as a whole was a weak one, that the Falcons drafted late (after a record of 11-5 in 2004), and that they landed one of the league’s best specialists (Koenen) without even using a draft pick, and Atlanta clearly had one of the top five drafts in the league that season.
Resign or Resign?
April 26th, 2010
11:33 am
Robinson was traded after one year to the Rams; and the Falcons would have loved to have him last year when Douglas got hurt. That is hardly “washed out”!
Resign or Resign?
April 26th, 2010
11:36 am
torgo:
two good posts. Agreed!
washedup
April 26th, 2010
11:36 am
Good stuff, Jeff. But the Count is going to have to come through with some nice lookin’ honies to make up for that picture of Petrino & Hall. We’re all trying to forget that duo. I like this year’s draft better than most, it seems. I’m a little worried about Weatherspoon’s mouth, but I don’t have any plans to invite him for dinner, so as long as he hits the other guys on a regular basis, I’m good. I just remember that the coaches got pretty tired of him at one of the All Star games.
F-105 Thunderchief
April 26th, 2010
11:36 am
Tony Pauline (girl’s name) writes this on SI.com: “Jonathan Dwyer/Rd 6 No. 188/Pittsburgh: Dwyer’s off-the-field exploits from the combine were well documented prior to the start of the draft. Transgressions aside, he’s a terrific interior ball carrier who produces on the football field and was worth a roll of the dice in round six.”
My question is this: What off-field exploits? I don’t remember Dwyer being anything but a good guy on or off the field. Is this a guy who is confusing the ADD medication thing with Dwyer being a druggie? If so, he needs to be called on it … big time.
torgo
April 26th, 2010
11:41 am
One other correction… You said about the 2003 draft that “McKay will try to leave this draft off of his resume.”
That’s pretty simple for him to do, since he was still with the Buccaneers. Dan Reeves gave us that stink bomb of a draft (and the ones in 2000 and 2002), not McKay.
FP Santangelo
April 26th, 2010
11:43 am
2007 can’t be given a grade of F when it produced one player (Blalock) who has started 2 straight years on the offensive line and another player (Nicholas) who started all of last season. Jamaal Anderson is a huge disappointment, but there must be some reason TD keeps him on the roster, so even Anderson isn’t a total failure. At least Chris Houston made the team and started several games, even if he wasn’t very good.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
11:44 am
Nicholas has made some big plays stuffing runs. But then there were those games where it looked like the Falcons were running a 4-0-4 defense against the run.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
11:44 am
Wow Jeff. Kinda rough on the 2007 class weren’t you. I think anytime at least half of your picks make contributions on a playoff team, you gotta rate at least a D. As far as the rest of your analysis, you would think you have a true personal dislike for some of these guys. A certain loud mouth cornerback perhaps?
Mystikal
April 26th, 2010
11:45 am
Heard Adalius thomas was released from Pats, at 32 yrs think he has enough left or is worth it for a year or 2 with us?
ChippersLoveChild
April 26th, 2010
11:46 am
We here at Bob’s Second-Guessing Blog Out Of My Mom’s Basement are offended that you wouldn’t want to seek out the time to look back at our thoughts… oh well, back to my World of Warcraft game.
F-105 Thunderchief
April 26th, 2010
11:49 am
Jimmy Williams ranks up there with Aundray Bruce as an epic failure for the Birds.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
11:49 am
Chief – Thanks for that post. I’ve got to look up some additional definitions of “exploits” to try to figure that out. Looks to be incredibly sloppy journalism.
ATL Fan
April 26th, 2010
11:50 am
It goes to show that you can draft good prospects and have bad outcomes i.e. Hall and Norwood. Here’s a tally of the current players that were drafted during 2003 – 2007 and are still with the Falcons.
First Round: 3 of 4
Second Round: 2 of 5
Third Round: 1 of 4
Fourth Round: 2 of 5
Fifth Round: 1 of 5
Sixth Round: 1 of 9
Seventh Round: 0 of 4
HUH?
April 26th, 2010
11:51 am
Denver trades 3 picks and gives first round money to get Tebow????????????? You gotta be kidding me?!?!?! For any college player that is ridiculous but especially for a system, duel threat QB who isn’t going to be able to run whose also working on a new throwing motion. Good riddance Josh McDaniels. Have fun coaching high school football in about 3 years.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
11:57 am
That was easy –
Exploits: “An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one.” (www.thefreedictionary.com)
Exploits: “a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.” (en.wikipedia.com)
I’d say the first one fits the real situation, but the si.com writer probably meant it in a negative light to apply to Dwyer’s “off the field exploits.”
Reid Adair
April 26th, 2010
11:58 am
People questioned the Roddy White pick in 2005, but having seen him play in college several times, I knew he would be the proverbial real deal. It just took getting a passinq quarterback in the system to allow him to show his abilities.
The 2006 and 2007 drafts were horrendous – as Jeff has indicated with his research and his grades.
F-105 Thunderchief
April 26th, 2010
12:00 pm
No doubt he did. But, I’ve never heard of Dwyer ever being in trouble, being a bad teammate, or any other negative thing.
torgo
April 26th, 2010
12:02 pm
ATL Fan – you might also want to factor in whether the players no longer with the team were traded (getting significant assets in return) or released outright (getting nothing).
That makes a huge difference when you’re looking at the 2004 class. Hall and Schaub are no longer here, so the press typically says we came up empty – by the 2008 season, the only remaining player from that class was Michael Jenkins.
But Schaub and Hall were traded for other picks, some of which were traded for yet more picks. Once you get done tracing the transactions, those picks ultimately became Justin Blalock, Sam Baker, Harry Douglas, Garrett Reynolds and Vance Walker.
Another way of putting it is that the main reason why we had so many picks in 2008 and 2009 (19 players selected plus another pick traded for Domonique Foxworth) was because we traded those two players from the class of 2004.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
12:08 pm
Well, let’s look at the 2008 draft anyway:
1-Matt Ryan
1-Sam Baker
2-Curtis Lofton
3-Chevis Jackson
3-Harry Douglas
3-Thomas DeCoud
5-Robert James
5-Kroy Biermann
6-Thomas Brown
7-Wilrey Fontenot
7-Keith Zinger (acquired by trade for Allen Rossum)
Looks like some proven keepers in there.
old man
April 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
Help me with my math. What’s an average career? Guys that don’t stick, 0-2 years; even supurb running backs might be done from injuries in 6-7 years; Jim Otto and lots of other OLs play 18-20, as well as some kickers and QBs. If you are good enough to be one of the 22+2 kickers starters then the average is maybe 8 years. So, on average, you need to plan on replacing 3 starters every year (that’s 24 divided by 3, guys), either through trades, draft, or free agency. Not roster spots, but starters.
Our new FA DB is clearly one. Spoon is another. Are there two more buried among the 20 or so draftees and FAs in the class of 2010? Are we still in the FA market?
My point is that the difference between a bad offseason and a really good one is a matter of maybe two players. I’m thinking that given 20 or so chances, TD is good enough to find two more in this bunch.
old man
April 26th, 2010
12:10 pm
I meant 24 divided by 8.
Joe
April 26th, 2010
12:11 pm
I am not aware of Dwyer having any Canadian connections- maybe he did- quality family and quality young man who should do well – probably a combination of a reason not to take him (the add thing) and struggled in big games (small o oline). We shall see.
smokemonster
April 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
Hey AJC stop obsessing over BIG BEN. Ray Lewis murdered someone and he is less scrutinized.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
Joe: Maybe Dwyer owns a Labrador
Man Ray
April 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
Ray Lewis is less scrutinized now, a decade later. I like the detailed report about what happened in Milledgeville. Now, I’d like to find out what went on in Remerton.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
12:17 pm
The worst thing I ever saw Dwyer do was express frustration by slapping his head with his hands after running into the back ends of the Tech OL for losses (near the end of the game he Georgia and Iowa games).
Danclot
April 26th, 2010
12:19 pm
Schultz: In response to that terrible 2003 draft(and it was terrible), I believe that draft was not conducted by Rich McKay. Correct me if I am wrong, but McKay was hired shortly after Christmas in 2003, thus making his first draft with the Falcons the 2004 draft.
mountain_jim
April 26th, 2010
12:20 pm
Since the blogs march on, wanted to repost this info for those who think TD reached big time taking the DT Peters in round 3, saying on the previous and many other blogs that TD should have waited until round 4 or 5:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/04/25/draft/1.html
“At number 83, two spots before the Browns were going to pick, Atlanta GM Dimitroff picked Peters, the defensive tackle the Browns had in their sights at 85.”
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
Boy, I screwed up the editing on that 12:17 post. I swear the keys move around on this keyboard.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
“Ray Lewis murdered someone” Really. We still there. O.J. I will give you. But there was never anything on Ray-Ray. Where does this statement come from?
P. Bull Terrier
April 26th, 2010
12:24 pm
I think you were a little harsh on the ‘06 & ‘07 classes. Obviously you place a lot of weight on the success of the first pick, but given the percentage of players in each class who are still expected to contribute for the Falcons, or another NFL team, they weren’t that bad.
With only 5 picks and no first rounder in 2006, the fact that 3/5 of the picks are still on the roster and 40% of the picks have a meaningful role for the team (Norwood & Ojinnaka), McKay didn’t do so bad with the limited number of picks he had to work with. Williams may have been a bust, but at least he wasn’t a first round pick bust. Even though Shockley has never been much of a factor, he was a great 7th round pick at the time. He generated excitement among the fan base, and probably would have stood a better chance to step up into the QB2 spot if Vick was still the starter since he seems to be better suited to the type of offense the Falcons ran with Vick at QB. Plus, as torgo noted above, if you factor in Abraham, the 2006 draft worked pretty well for the Falcons. I’d give it a “C” based on the picks and a “B” factoring in Abraham.
In ‘07, if you consider the fact that the Falcons picked up 3 guys who are still starters and one who is part of the D-line rotation, that class is worth more than an “F”. Anderson may not be the pass rushing DE we’d all hoped, but his ability to help stop the run at both DE and DT is of some value. Laurent Robinson didn’t help the Falcons much, but he was the top receiver for the Rams for a little while last season. That’s not saying much, but it’s still the NFL. If you look past the disappointment of Anderson not being a pass rusher and simply consider him a useful D-line utility man, the class of ‘07 is worthy of a “D+” or maybe even a “C” if Anderson, Blaylock and Nicholas hold on to their starting positions in 2010.
Balderdash
April 26th, 2010
12:25 pm
Apparently, those two people died of natural causes while fighting with Ray Lewis and his crew, seeing as NO ONE was ever convicted.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
Exactly P-Bull. Well put.
I think Jeff let some emotion slip in-all the so called draft analyst do.
if I recall correctly, didn’t Blalock have somthing to do with an offensive line that produced the number 1 rushing attack in the NFL two seasons ago?
Paddy
April 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
Didn’t hear of any off field or on field issues with Dwyer. This writer must have him confused with someone else? His Ritalin issue proved to be an error by the NFL doctors in charge of that issue.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
Roddy is still a B+, I’m still waiting for him to go all Larry Fitzgerald and carry this team on his back for a season and demand double coverage on every single play… Then he goes to an A…
Sorry F105, Jimmy Williams still is no one where near being as big of a bust as Bruce Pickens, Bryan Scott, Michael Booker,T.J. Duckett or Reggie Kelley! Dan Reeves was a horrible person to have running a draft, 3 of the 5 were on his watch!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:30 pm
Balderdash: I am not saying Ray is not culpable for something. Just we can’t go around calling people murders without something to back it up. Not necessarily a conviction, but some evidence would help.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:32 pm
JSS: At least Bryon Scott is still in the league. Albeit Buffalo, but still.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
Whoops
Mystikal
April 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
I must say after now witnessing the past few drafts that unless you have a sure fire prospect to go on it is more beneficial to trade down and accumulate more picks or trade picks for players. Being that so many first rounders don’t pan out and are such large investments financially. That is how the Colts and Pats haave had success for so long. Plus picking guys in later rds that have been looked over gives them that extra chip on their shoulder and makes them want to prove ppl wrong. There is less pressure on those guys to produce and teams don’t invest so much.
jkos
April 26th, 2010
12:38 pm
Snelling was arguably the MVP of the team last year…a guy who leads the team in special teams tackles while also rushing for over 600 yards and he’s not even included in the analysis of the ‘07 draft.
Andray Bruce
April 26th, 2010
12:40 pm
I’m the biggest bust in Falcon history JSS!
t_height
April 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
Out of all of those draft picks, i only see 3 or 4 guys thats worthy of the pick. This year’s draft seem as though the falcons were drafting people to work in the front office. They drafted players with high GP
A’s in college. That doesn’t make them any smarter on the field and of the game.
SWAT Native
April 26th, 2010
12:45 pm
Three thoughts on your column and related comments. I agree with several posters that you can’t grade the 2007 draft an F when it produced several starters. Second, if I were the Falcons, I would take Justin Griffith back today. Third, to the guy that compared Ray Lewis to Big Ben: Ray never killed anyone, he was with someone that did. You would be more accurate to compare him to one of Ben’s “security guards”.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
t_height: Maybe drafting smart guys is a commentary on the intelligence of the current roster. Just needed to brighten-up-the-room a bit if you will.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
@ Mr. Phil
He was supposed to be our “shutdown” corner! Bust! Eric Berry circa 2003 with safety hitting power and corner coverage skills. Of course Reeves was wrong once again!
Balderdash
April 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
T.J. Duckett actually got onto the field. I can’t see him as a bigger bust than Jimmy Williams.
Colorado bulldog
April 26th, 2010
12:51 pm
Agree with several comments that no way you can give 07 an F. Blalock is not just a starter, he is a solid LG. Nicholas is starting LB. Robinson may start next year for Rams.
Granted the biggest miss was Anderson at #8 and it’s huge. The list of Defensive ProBowlers picked after him is long – Willis, Revis, Griffin (S with TEN), Meriweather (S – NE), Beason (LB – Car), Woodley (DE – Pitt, 2R pick), and DeOssie (LB – NYG, 4R pick).
I’d give it a C.
Yoda
April 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
28%, so what’s the league average over that span?
JSS
April 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
@Aundray Bruce
No argument there Drago!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
JSS: Now we get to it. Your real problem is with Reeves. Not Bryon per se. Interesting.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
12:54 pm
The minute Duckett left Atlanta, he became a journeyman… BUST!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:56 pm
I am not saying B Scott is a serviceable or anything near what he was expected to be. I am just saying MULTIPLE coaches have determined Jimmy Williams isn’t even good enough to give him a shot. That’s saying something.
Ben Roethlisberger
April 26th, 2010
12:56 pm
RAAAHHHHHHHHHH
RUTH BABY!!!!!
BEN HUNGRY!!!!!
C3 Jim
April 26th, 2010
12:57 pm
57th! doesn’t that sound lame…
Great article and posts…liked Togo’s point on what we received in compensation for schaub, hall, etc. the talent difference between players can be miniscule. It’s as much about hunger, coachability, and the coaches themselves, thrown in with a little luck on the injury front, that can turn athletic talent into solid football players.
I’m thinking that TD and Smitty can get ‘er done for us…can’t wait for the start of fall ball
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
12:58 pm
Torgo — I understand the argument of, “We traded this pick for that player.” But I’m judging players drafted here, not trades. There really wasn’t much in the way of talent evaluation that needed to be done on Abraham.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
12:58 pm
Nope I have no problem with modern day Bud Grant (Reeves), he was just terrible at drafting, Byran (Byron) was 5th round talent at best, played like it too!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
12:58 pm
Handful of starts trumps CAN’T EVEN GET ON THE FIELD everytime.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
12:59 pm
Chc4 — Maybe. Blalock is solid. Nicholas is serviceable but not sure he’ll be starting next season. The top pick (Anderson) tipped it for me, but I could go “D” maybe.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
Delbert — Shockley was never going to be kept for the No. 3 job. It was No. 2 or nothing.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
@ Mr. Phil
And multiple GM’s traded him too!
Dennis
April 26th, 2010
1:03 pm
The worst time I ever had at a Falcons game was the 1987 season ending loss to the Detroit Lions. Cold and rainy day, two bad teams, no crowd, and the Falcons lose. The only redeeming factor was to be that the loser got the number 1 pick in ‘88, and then the Falcons go and pick Aundray Bruce. The worst draft pick ever by the Falcons (and that is saying something) and one of the worst overall #1 picks in NFL history.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:14 pm
Bottom Line from Wikipedia:
“Jimmy Williams
Williams was drafted in the second round (37th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. In his rookie season with the Falcons, Williams started five games and made 24 tackles. Cut the next season after a marijuana incident.
Bryan Scott
In his rookie season, Scott led all defensive backs with 63 tackles despite only starting six contests in 15 total games. Finished tied for team-high special teams with 13 tackles.
In 2004, he started all 16 games at strong safety and ranked third on the team with 85 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and one interception, including 7 tackles in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Jimmy Williams sucked, B Scott sucks slightly less. And Scott still has time to salvage something of a career.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
1:17 pm
Washedup — The Count will try to make up for that.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
1:18 pm
F-105 Thunderchief: There were no off-the-field issues with Dwyer. I have no idea what that’s about.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Danclot — You are correct, Rich came in late that season. Change was made in blog. Thanks for the catch.
StingerSplash
April 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
I still nominate Bruce Pickens for the Falcons’ “um, can we have that one back?” draft pick.
That, and Steve Broussard, when the next pick went to the Giants … Rodney Hampton.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
OK, there seems to be a consensus that I was too hard for giving an F to the 2007 draft class. I think the points are well taken so I’m going to raise it to a D. But that’s as high as I go, even with Blalock.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
@Jeff “I’m going to raise it to a D. But that’s as high as I go, even with Blalock.”
Fair enough.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
1:26 pm
Bottom line…
Both were BUSTS! At least Scott had the semblance of a work ethic, I’ll give him that…
Oh, I did find someone worse than Reeves at the draft, Pat Peppler’s 1974 fiasco, 17 rounds of crash and burn!
1974
2 – Gerald Tinker, WR Kent State
3 – Kim McQuilken, QB Lehigh
3 – Maurice Spencer, DB North Carolina Central
4 – Vince Kendrick, RB Florida
5 – Henry Childs, TE Kansas State
5 – Monroe Eley, RB Arizona State
6 – Doyle Orange, RB Southern Mississippi
7 – James Coode, T Michigan
9 – Larry Bailey, DT Pacific
10 – Paul Ryczek, C Virginia
11 – Eddie Wilson, WR Albany State
12 – Vic Koegel, LB Ohio State
13 – Ralph Powell, RB Nebraska
14 – John Givens, G Villanova
15 – Willie Jones, WR Iowa State
16 – Sylvester McGee, RB Rhode Island
17 – Al Davis, G Boise State
StingerSplash
April 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
Reasons why Atlanta needs to stay from picking Va. Tech players:
Michael Vick
MeAngelo
Jimmy Williams
Ken Oxendine (nice guy, though)
Darrel Slay (a 6th or 7th round pick, I think, but he didn’t stick.)
That’s a bad track record. Larry King has a better track record in matrimony. (Zing! Non smoking show at 8, two drink minimum for 10:30 show)
The next time the Falcons think about drafting a VPI player, every Falcon fan ought to throw up in their mouth.
Tucker T
April 26th, 2010
1:28 pm
It really is amazing that Jamaal Anderson is still on this team considering how unproductive he has been. Is it possible he gets cut prior to the season starting?
JSS
April 26th, 2010
1:33 pm
@StingerSplash
With the exception of two seasons from Al Richardson, when has anyone from Tech or UGA done anything when chosen by the Birds? Leave schools out of it…
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
April 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
say you draft 7 players and 1 of them turns into a star and rest wash out in a couple of years is that draft class a bust ? Speaking of bust How Long to we have to carry Anderson unless we trade him (good luck on takers) what is the length of his contract ?
Gwinnett Fred
April 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
Gotta wonder if the Birds would have taken A.Peterson if he didn’t go 1 pick before they took JA-2, The Bust.
If you really want to be sickened even more by the 2007 draft, here is what we COULD have drafted:
1-Darrell Revis (pro bowl cornerback) instead of Anderson
2-I’ll stick with Blalock, he’s not THAT bad
2-Lamar Woodley (pro bowl defensive end) instead of Houston
3-Steve Breaston (starting WR this coming year) insted of Robinson
4-Zak DeOssie (pro bowl linebacker) instead of Nicholas
4-LeRon McClain (pro bowl fullback) instead of Milner
That draft is the one that really set us back. I mean you have 4 of the first 75 picks (and 6 of top 133) and just TWO years later only 3 of the six are even on the team and only 1 starting????
For real
April 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
I agree with G-Fred, total justification to keep the 2007 draft an “F”.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
JSS: I can honestly say I do not recognize a single name off that list.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
1:42 pm
@Gwinnett Fred…
Exactly!!!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:45 pm
Guys its been nice. Gotta go.
ChippersLoveChild
April 26th, 2010
1:47 pm
Pretty sure every team could go back and play that game Gwinnett Fred, that really isn’t the best arguement for why a draft class isn’t that great.
TheOnlyJamalBacker
April 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
I agree with your …”D. But that’s high as I go…”. The F was harsh….at the time, Rich McKay wasn’t aware he needed a starting QB and perhaps felt the luxury gambling a first round pick on a physical specimen / project in JA.
JA was not a football player at Arkansas…he was a basketball player so physically gifted he excelled on the SEC football field. JA is still not a football player and yet he manages to tread water in the NFL and by your admission it is doing so partly because of the physical tools. I worry more about his ability to finish a season but even that part of his game shows in the Falcon’s dropoff in run defense at the end of the last 2 seasons without JA.
If JA ever learns how to play football then he will collect the stats you stat junkies so require. In the meantime, he has the physical tools the Falcons need in their rotation (all NFL teams need a D-LINE ROTATION) and is a definite keeper that wasn’t worth the #8 slot used to aquire him.
SWAT Native
April 26th, 2010
1:54 pm
…and by the way, Justin Blalock was a steal in the 2nd round as an All American!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
had to come back. This is just too good a topic.
@TheOnlyJamalBacker
You must be affiliated with the team or the AJC. I mean C’mon. Are really Jamal?
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
OMG MR. Dimitroff?
torgo
April 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
Jeff – you’ve made the correction on Reeves doing the 2003 draft, but you still haven’t made the other correction I noted earlier: you left out Jason Snelling as part of the 2007 draft class.
That’s a rather significant omission. Snelling ought to make the grade a D+ and perhaps even a C- when combined with starters Nicholas and Blalock.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
I can give the Birds credit for at least getting something out of JA (a tackle here and there, Rest for other players) before his contract is up. And I will be the first to apologize if he ever turns into a legitimate threat.
But if we can’t call him a Bust, you gotta admit he has been very Bust-like.
nativefalcon
April 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
Seeing all the drafts we have had some stinkers. And I remember when people were screaming and hollaring for them to put Jimmy Williams in, but management kept him out for some reason. I think they already realized thjs dude sucks. Then he played it and we knew how bad he was.
I agree ban these 2 schools, Virginia Tech and Arkansas.
Sad thing, we just 2 guys from Missiouri and I pray and hope they will make us smile and not get added to that list.
wxwax
April 26th, 2010
2:02 pm
Someday they’ll actually spell it “Arkansa” because that extra “s” is a pain in the butt to write and anyway, no-one bothers to say it.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
2:05 pm
@Wxwax and @Nativefalcon
Its not the schools. It is whoever has been running the program. Unfortunately, VT and Arkansas have not had any REALLY good ones in awhile.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
And it is spelled Awl-kan-saw as in Everyone saw it coming but the Falcons.
TheOnlyJamalBacker
April 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
No….you can call him a bust. But, as a bust I still want him on my team until we find someone that replaces him in the rotation. The Falcons had significant dropoff at the end of the last 2 seasons that coincide with his inability to complete the last 2 seasons. So, calling the Falcons anything but smart for keeping him for now is pointless.
nativefalcon
April 26th, 2010
2:13 pm
Mr.Phil, I agree, who was running the organization, it mattered which it was Petrino and the DRAFT is a beauty contest, how many times, is a high pick a BUST why I’m praying for a rookie cap in the new CBA. People could care less if someone is a bust if they didn’t hamstring their team for 3-4 years of crappy play and had to spend a bank to pay for a bust. Pay the players not the college graduates.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
2:17 pm
JSS post
“With the exception of two seasons from Al Richardson, when has anyone from Tech or UGA done anything when chosen by the Birds? Leave schools out of it…”
Keith Brooking, for one. Pro Bowler
Surely there are more…dig back.
Gerald Tinker
April 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
No, I’m the biggest draft bust. I still can’t catch anything.
Gwinnett Fred
April 26th, 2010
2:47 pm
I am curious why so many folks point to the college team as having anything to do with how good a player is.
Further, I can’t see how any GT or UGA product being drafted would add any season ticket money (players get comps for family).
Going back to JSS & Delbert discussing worthwhile players from UGA & GT, Delbert hits a point with Brooking, but the well indeed runs dry after that. I took your advice and “dug back” and it was a duster.
I refuse to include Ken Wizenhunt as someone worth including in the “done anything” category (although he’s probably the 3rd best Jacket to be a Falcon behind Brooking & Richardson) and UGA has never given us a decent Falcon (Scott Allison Woerner is probably the best, but he bolted for the USFL after 1 season). Allison, guess we know why HE didn’t go by his middle name!
In fact, reagarding Bulldogs – that move (drafting a local product) has backfired more than helped. Look at 1977 – they drafted Alan Leavitt in the FOURTH ROUND and we went on to play all of 8 games – FOR TAMPA BAY after we cut him!
One step further – it wasn’t until the 1980 season (as in the teams 15th year) when the Falcons drafted Richardson that the team had ever drafted someone from GT or UGA that ever played a single game as a Falcon!!
One final thought on Jammal “the bust” Anderson. I guess we were due. We got the good JA in the 7th round in 1994, so we pressed our luck with the next JA 8th overall.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
@ Delbert
Sure you want to tie your wagon to Brooking? Have Bolden and Fitzgerald stopped running yet?
I did dig, Richardson was the only one. Jimmy Robinson, Allan Leavitt, Bill Goldeberg, Mitch Davis, Troy Sadowski, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Kelley, Scott Woerner, Ray Jeffords, D.J. Shockley, Martrez Milner and Thomas Brown… That statement is not anti UGA or Tech, it’s the players, not the school.
JSS
April 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
@Gerald Tinker
You topped my “Worst Falcons Draft List – 1974!” But you had “World class speed” Player!
TheOnlyJamalBacker
April 26th, 2010
2:59 pm
Oh and so far Peria Jerry is a bust but I definitely want him on my team.
K-FREE1
April 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
This year we will watch a star emerge, and he could’ve been a Falcon. Remember i tell you remember the 19th pick in the draft should’ve been Dez Bryant. Imagine Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Harry Douglas, and Dez Bryant on the field at the same time. Talking about a high powered offense, we would score at will. Next gripe should have traded Jenkins to somebody aand picked up DT Terrance Cody didn’t play much last year, but i remember the year before last when he killed Ga single handley he had that hold offensive line like a pickett fence. Ray Lewis will enjoy his company in Balitmore.
First base is Braves' most fixable problem: Adrian Gonzalez | Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
[...] ♦ Grading Falcons’ drafts, from Roddy (A) to Jimmy (ugh) [...]
ryan
April 26th, 2010
3:39 pm
Jammal Anderson was biggest bust how can you pass on Patrick Willis or Revis even Meriweather . Don’t forget we pass up Vince Wilfork as well. I am going to wait see what happens with this draft but if we don’t make the playoffs again the Falcons have big time problems
Hawks Fan
April 26th, 2010
3:48 pm
You had me at…the picture with Meangelo and Pig Suuuueeeeeee!
I was reading your interesting article then I scrolled down and saw that picture. I will say it was hard for me to continue reading from that point on!!!
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
3:53 pm
@Ryan There is a difference between a bust and a missed pick. (Revis)
The fact we did not pick Revis is not why JA is a Bust. He is doing that on his own.
@Jamal
Wow. Peria Bust already. You’re a tough grader
@JSS
Some of us weren’t born ’til the late ‘70′2. You are going way over our heads.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
3:54 pm
@K-FREE1
This is the State of Georgia(not the University of) we value defense around here. Who needs a high powered offense.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
JSS – The Brooking wagon is definitely untied (NFL-wise) on Brooking. I said “Pro Bowler” in my original post, meaning he went to some Pro Bowls with the Falcons. However, he may soon be wanting to change careers to being an actual professional bowler.
Delbert D.
April 26th, 2010
4:10 pm
By the way, sportsillustrated.cnn.com has got a nice piece on the 25 worst draft picks ever. Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, Heath Shuler, etc. Photo album with description of why the pick stunk.
Gone Viral
April 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
Why is one of the best late round Falcons selections of the 2000s, Jason Snelling, not even listed?
drafty in here
April 26th, 2010
4:32 pm
Is that Dimitroff standing by Blank in that old photo? If only he was older, he could have stopped Blank and Reeves from drafting Vick and taken Tomlinson with the second pick and Brees with the second pick in the second round.
Michael
April 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
If I could only make a few million dollars for being strong and athletic. Just for a few seasons. Dayum . . .
Michael
April 26th, 2010
5:12 pm
One thing you should also point out: People like to complain about the Falcons never drafting any UGA players. Well, they’ve drafted two recently and neither has done much. I’m a UGA fan and do wish there were more Bulldogs on the roster, but I’d rather watch a good football team than a lousy one filled with ex-Bulldogs.
Josh M
April 26th, 2010
5:12 pm
As of today, DJ Shockley IS still on Atlanta’s roster. He was released, but re-signed in the offseason.
Gwinnett Fred
April 26th, 2010
5:20 pm
@ Josh M
Thanks for that post – I’ll sleep better tonight knowing DJ is in charge of holding the clipboard and being the tackling dummy for the final pre season game starting this August!
Josh M
April 26th, 2010
5:44 pm
HI-larious, Fred. Just saying his name should be highlighted red, that’s all.
Birdseed: April 27, 2010
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
[...] Grading Falcons’ draft picks, from Roddy (A) to Jimmy (ugh), Atlanta Journal-Constitution You can’t appreciate the present until you’ve seen where you’ve you been. Keep in mind every team in the league has bad draft classes. [...]