Falcons pick right time to make big move, get Julio Jones
Julio Jones will help the Falcons open up their offense after averaging nearly 15 yards per catch at Alabama.
(Originally posted: 9:13 p.m. Updated: 10:30 p.m)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Last week, I had a private conversation with a general manager (guess who?) of an NFL team (duh) about his team’s draft plans. Because of what just happened, I feel safe in concluding that the Falcons’ Thomas Dimitroff won’t mind if elements of that conversation now go on the record.
Me: “Go get A.J. Green. He’ll probably have the greatest impact of any player in the draft.”
Dimitroff: “How do you think people would react?”
Me: “More than half will love you. The rest will think you spent too much and should draft for defense. But I’m guessing you won’t do it.”
Dimitroff: “Why not?”
Me: “You won’t want to trade that much for one player. You’re conservative.”
Dimitroff: “Hah! So what you’re saying is, if I make a trade, you’ll write that you goaded me into it.”
Me: “Yeah, probably.”
We laughed, and I eventually hung up the phone believing Dimitroff would stay at 27th, at best moving up five picks for a defensive player he liked. I was wrong about Dimitroff. He’s not conservative. He rolled the dice and made a move that, while expensive, was a risk worth taking. The Falcons dealt a boatload of draft picks to Cleveland Thursday night to jump up 27th to sixth in the first round, where they took Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.
The Falcons needed to make a splash after the January playoff beatdown by Green Bay. Sports franchises that believe they’re on the verge of something big have a window in which they feel they can make this move. This was the Falcons’ window.
“Our feeling was where we are on the draft, where we are as a team, where we are on our roster … we felt we needed to make a bold statement as far as an impact type of player,” Dimitroff said.
Dimitroff will face some criticism for sacrificing so much for an offensive player after the Packers shredded their defense in the 48-21 playoff game. But there wasn’t a defensive player in this draft, save Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, he viewed as a difference-maker. Dimitroff’s focus has been on Green or Jones for several weeks.
“I’ve been very open about the fact that we needed to add explosiveness on the defensive side or the offensive side,” he said. “In our mind, the explosiveness we were going to get with a player like Julio outweighed what we were going to get on the defensive side. We’ll never get away from the idea that if we see something we want, we’re going to jump up and get aggressive and go after it.”
That is the attitude you want a team to have.
Dimitroff made a significant statement about the franchise’s goals and expectations. He attempted to swing a deal for a pick as high as No. 2, ostensibly to get Green. But he has known for a few days they would end up at six or seven.
The cost of moving up: steep. A No. 1, 2 and 4 this year and No. 1 and 4 next year. But Jones is a playmaker. He’s a burner. He ran a 4.39 at the NFL scouting combined despite having a fractured foot.
Alabama coach Nick Saban praised Jones, Dimitroff said: “Julio embodies what Nick coaches – hard-nosed, competes on every play, goes up for the ball, sacrifices the body and plays to the whistle.”
It doesn’t fix the defense? But it enables the Falcons to open up the offense and take over games when they couldn’t in the past.
The Falcons still have time to add pieces to the defense. But understand: It’s not like they’ve ignored building that half of the depth chart. Since taking over as general manager in 2008, Dimitroff has invested heavily first- and second-round picks and free agency on defense: Curtis Lofton, William Moore, Peria Jerry, Dunta Robinson and Sean Weatherspoon. Compare that to four early picks or acquisitions on offense: Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Sam Baker, Tony Gonzalez.
Dimitroff and the organization, still somewhat hung over from the loss to the Packers, realize they are at the point where people are going to start focusing more on the team’s postseason results (0-2) than the regular season (33-15). “That’s what adds to some of my drive at this year’s draft,” he said.
It drove him to make a big move. It was a risk worth taking.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Last few posts
– NFL draft: Playoff hangover driving Dimitroff, Falcons
– NFL draft: Cam Newton will succeed, Tim Tebow won’t
– Hawks need more from Joe Johnson (whether-he-likes-it-or-not)
♦
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812 comments Add your comment
Dimwit-troff
April 28th, 2011
9:59 pm
Tide fans need to worry about their town instead of coming here and talking smack…
GO Eagles
April 28th, 2011
10:01 pm
Man I hope we trade up and get Mark Ingram, the dirty birds will lose to MV7 and the Eagles 56-21
Mr. Sarcasm
April 28th, 2011
10:02 pm
We won’t know if this was a good deal or not until we see what Bradley has to say.
Rozeman13
April 28th, 2011
10:03 pm
Hawks win
Skank Palin
April 28th, 2011
10:03 pm
jerry – Jerry Rice at #16 is like a weird Star Trek episode where all the inhabitants on the planet go insane except for the genius Bill Walsh.
It makes no sense to real people.
only reason – Mississippi Valley State.
Hawks win!
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
10:03 pm
HAWKS WIN
bigeasy830
April 28th, 2011
10:03 pm
Julio Jones improves all facets of an already good offense. Barring injury the Falcons on offense will be unstoppable. The are now a legit Super Bowl contender. Years past the Falcons were not as good as you fans thought they were. This year they will be great. They will win the South and if they get a pass rusher they will be in the Super Bowl in 2012. That trade signaled the Falcons going for it now. You gotta love it. The last two times the falcons lost in the Play-offs they lost to teams with dynamic offenses lead by great receiving cores. The Falcon’s receiver core is now second to none. Opposing teams can’t double any receiver or the tight end and they can’t put 8 in the box. Harry Douglas will have a break-out season as well. Plus the receivers will get YAC, which will help your QB. Ryan’s biggest weakness is deep balls flutter. Now, he does not need to throw in long at all. His greatest strength is his decision making and accuracy. Well with those receivers he can throw to whoever, whenever. Just improve that defense via free agency and barring injury Atlanta Falcon’s will have it’s dynasty.
Bo Diddley
April 28th, 2011
10:04 pm
HERE COMES BREAM! HERE COMES THE THROW! HE IS……….SAFE!
HAWKS WIN! HAWKS WIN! HAWKS WIN! HAWKS WIN!
5150 UOAD
April 28th, 2011
10:04 pm
hawks win 81-84
FalconFan
April 28th, 2011
10:04 pm
For those of you saying Julio isn’t AJ Green, would you be saying this after the 2009 season?
Mystikal
April 28th, 2011
10:04 pm
Don’t hate on AJ Green, he is the real deal. Julio Jones looks all everything at the combine,but Green put up numbers on the field. He has some of the nicest hands in the league from day one and he produces on the field!
julio jones | Trendy News
April 28th, 2011
10:05 pm
[...] to choose WR Julio JonesUSA TodayThe Huntsville Times – al.com -SportingNews.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 616 news [...]
chem
April 28th, 2011
10:06 pm
I love it. Julio Jones was a 5 star coming out of high school, lit up the SEC, then burned everyone at the combine. He and Green are once every half decade talents.
Julio Jones
April 28th, 2011
10:08 pm
[...] Falcons Pick Right Time To Make Big Move, Get Julio Jones | Jeff FLOWERY BRANCH – Last week, I had a private conversation with a general manager (guess who?) of an NFL team (duh) about his team’s draft plans. Because. [...]
Mike
April 28th, 2011
10:08 pm
I can’t wait to see what the Falcons do with this late 1st round pick. Either way if it doesn’t work out, we can use our second round pick or next years pick to build.
Sorry. We pissed all that away. Hell, we don’t throw the ball more than 25 yards down the field.
Even with the Hawks winning, this is a horrible night.
1990_Champs_GT
April 28th, 2011
10:09 pm
@Jake
I thought about the Hershel trade too. Built that Dallas team into a dynasty. I don’t see the Browns doing that, but they will have a chance since we morgaged our future…
BTW: What happened to “building the team through the draft”? Doesn’t work so well without picks…
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
10:09 pm
The Falcons have been building their offense like the Steelers of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. They now have their Hines Ward. I guy that brings it on blocks like Ward and has more speed.
5150 UOAD
April 28th, 2011
10:10 pm
just think if AJ had stayed in South Carolina He could have played for an SEC CHAMPIONSHIP. Did he do that with Fat MATT, Cox, or Runt Murray?
Jl
April 28th, 2011
10:10 pm
You people are unbelievable, our gm makes a bold trade to show that he wants to win right now and some of you still complain. Let’s see how many d.e are available at 27 and see how well they play in 2011. They might would help us 2-3 years down the road. I’m pretty sure td has a plan in free agency of addressing the pass rush. Trust our gm I think he has earned it.
Mystikal
April 28th, 2011
10:11 pm
WOw, how far will Bowers fall?
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
10:11 pm
Mike, the reason the Falcons didn’t throw downfield was because they had only one receiver and he was doubled a lot of the times. Now they do.
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
10:11 pm
We might get Bowers in the 3rd round.
Julio Jones
April 28th, 2011
10:12 pm
[...] NFL Draft. The Falcons shocked a few folks tonight when they moved up from 27th to 6th to selectJulio Jones – The Atlanta Falcons selected Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones with the No. 6 overall pick in the [...]
ptrepdaA
April 28th, 2011
10:13 pm
great pick. all of you haters aren’t even from here. why speak. you like the city but you hate on my team. go home. we lost to the steelers because troy p. could jump the 10 yard out to roddy. if there was any speed out there on that play. the safety ( any safety ) has to respect speed because he is the last line of defense. big wr with speed on my falcons oh my. we still have free agents to sign to help on the d. that guy from oakland #21 db. if we can get something like that. i think the dirty birds would be back in the house.
jerry
April 28th, 2011
10:13 pm
Jason Getz, AJC
Draft: Falcons take Bama’s Jones
Jeff Schultz: Atlanta trades with Cleveland, adds ‘explosive element’ in Tide WR at No. 6.
Falcons’ big moveDraft trackerFalcons’ picksNewton goes No. 1UGA drafteesTech drafteesFalcons draft bio: Julio Jones..Falcons Scores & More
NFL Scoreboard | Schedule | Roster | Stats | Falcons news for your site
Falcons on Twitterajcsportseditor #Hawks top #Magic 84-81. #Bulls next in #NBA playoffs. Story to come.
28 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite
AJCFalcons “They are not going to be able to defend us, the way they have defended us in the past,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
32 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
AJCFalcons “We are going to be explosive with the addition of Julio,” said Head coach Mike Smith .
33 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
AJCFalcons Falcons swtiched 1s this year, gave up 2nd and 4th this year. 1st and 4th next year. Even trade of evaluation chart.
34 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor #Photo: #Falcons No. 6 pick Julio Jones from #Alabama http://yfrog.com/h3k4lbyj
39 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor We don’t have one yet. Time, please > RT @ATL_REP: @ajcsportseditor we don’t care about AJ Green! Post the pick of Julio Jones!
46 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor Still a great cause, folks > RT @amsupdates: @ajcsportseditor Friday’s event is Friday Night Drags, not NASCAR Link – http://ow.ly/4JoMS
47 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
JeffSchultzAJC Falcons pick right time to make big move, get Julio Jones http://bit.ly/lYv5kG
50 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor #Photo: #Auburn’s Cam #Newton goes No. 1 to #Panthers http://yfrog.com/h2w43ubj
59 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor #Photo: #UGA’s A.J. Green drafted by #Bengals at No. 4 http://yfrog.com/gzlp9rqj
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
AJCFalcons Falcons make trade for Alabama WR Julio Jones http://bit.ly/l4Cl92
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ajcsportseditor Roddy White… LOL
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
MarkBradleyAJC Hawks lead 42-36 at halftime. Not bad, but coulda been better.
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
AJCFalcons Did the Falcons mortgage the future for WR Julio Jones? #NFLDraft http://bit.ly/jUgHoU
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
JeffSchultzAJC It’s official — #Falcons have landed Julio Jones with pick acquired from Cleveland.
about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite
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Birds could go up to get Julio Jones, Green costs too much
WTF?
SMH
April 28th, 2011
10:13 pm
The falcons could have traded up for bowers if they wouldn’t have traded the future away
Yum Yums
April 28th, 2011
10:13 pm
Puppy fans are still upset he beat up on the puppies during the “Blackout”.
5150 UOAD
April 28th, 2011
10:13 pm
is the POTHEAD uga player still available?
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
April 28th, 2011
10:14 pm
OK, tomorrow night–a 3rd rounder–will smokin’ hot Justin Houston be there?
Will TD trade up to round 2 to get Bowers?
April 28th, 2011
10:14 pm
Wow, he’s gone from a top 3 pick to……?
Kramer
April 28th, 2011
10:14 pm
To all you freaking haters on here regarding the Jones move, you are total idiots. TD knows more about building an NFL franchise then you know about yourself. I swear, the Atlanta fan base has got to be full of more idiots with maybe the exception of Philadelphia. Leave your computer, go to your kitchen, grab a cup of shut the hell up and go to bed.
I'm Gumby, Dammit
April 28th, 2011
10:14 pm
I wonder how many of these idiots would be crying if it was A.J. they had traded for. Get over it. Julio is a better blocker(a must in our system), and he’s faster than Green ever hoped to be. Yes, it hurts giving up next year’s first round pick, but it probably won’t be higher than 30th, anyway.
In TD, I trust.
jerry
April 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
5150 UOAD@……which one?
ptrepdaA
April 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
Enter your comments here
FalconFan
April 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
Love the pick.
The defensive focus over the past 2 years will start paying off this year, at least historically speaking without the amout of “star” focus.
Great time to strike and shake it up with an explosive player.
GO PACK GO
April 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
the kid can’t play D. love the pick.
Bo Diddley
April 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
New Rule: Whenever someone posts “Enter your comments here”, everyone has to take (another) drink.
Justin Houston
April 28th, 2011
10:17 pm
To all NFL teams: I’ll play cheap, just for some smoke. But my bag man has to come with me.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
April 28th, 2011
10:17 pm
Julio Jones is a great pcik, this totally opens up the offense right down to the running game…the most bang for the buck. Def can be shored up in FA and with the one we have we did win 13 games. Good move TD and Mr. AB
Since Julio went to my intra-state rival just want to say AU nation’s hearts go out to the people of Tuscaloosa. Roll Tide / WAR EAGLE
Kramer
April 28th, 2011
10:17 pm
GO Eagles
April 28th, 2011
10:01 pm
Man I hope we trade up and get Mark Ingram, the dirty birds will lose to MV7 and the Eagles 56-21
This douche just proved my point about philly fans.
FalconFan
April 28th, 2011
10:18 pm
SMH, are you serious? Trade up for Bowers?! That’s the funniest thing on this blog. It’s also the dumbest.
It’s the 21st round and he’s still there and he ain’t going anywhere with his knee troubles. You don’t trade up for a player like Bowers still sitting there at 21.
Dumb, stupid comment.
Stizz
April 28th, 2011
10:18 pm
For you clowns that hate the pick, this man ran a 4.3 on a BROKEN FOOT. Did we give up alot? Absolutely. But damn, you don’t get playmakers at the cost of nothing. And look at the remainder of the first round. Almost no impact players left outside of DE and we all know the track record for DE’s in the first round.
Cleveland just traded again
April 28th, 2011
10:18 pm
They just got a big Nose Tackle from Baylor.
dahlonega
April 28th, 2011
10:19 pm
for all you haters of this pick. you’re probably the same one’s who hated td for not taking glen dorsey over matt ryan. this is a good pick. tony will be gone next year and turner and white will be another year older. better to inject some young blood when you have a chance. don’t forget td has brought us 3 straight winning seasons after everyone thought we were going to be going threw some dark times after the patreno and vick era.
GO Eagles
April 28th, 2011
10:19 pm
This douche just proved my point about philly fans.
Wow trash talk from a Falcons fan????? When was the last time the Falcons won a playoff game??? I forgot, Vick was there
Mystikal
April 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
If anyone correctly predicted this first round they should be working for the CIA!!
How smart is Cleveland
April 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
Cleveland is smart because Bowers may still be there while the dumb falcons have no picks
Skank Palin
April 28th, 2011
10:21 pm
RB most overrated position in the NFL.
Bo Diddley
April 28th, 2011
10:22 pm
Whoa. Phil Taylor is freakin’ HUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!
@Mystikal: LMAO!
5150 UOAD
April 28th, 2011
10:23 pm
Yes RBs are overrated because nobody runs the football anymore.