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
1990_Champs_GT
April 28th, 2011
11:30 pm
My guy, Heyward, goes to Steelers a DEFENSIVE TEAM at #31. Sure would be nice to have some help in ATLANTA… ON DEFENSE!!!!
oldschoolfootball
April 28th, 2011
11:30 pm
like celebrating confederate memorial day all over again. got ta love it. gonna be losers again! no real offensisive team with people at the skill offensive positions are intimidate by the falcon good christian choir boys on defense.
MP
April 28th, 2011
11:30 pm
kerry
this was NOT a true 13-3 team last year. How many games did they luck out a win against. Phantom call against GB. Pass int against Balt..it goes on. yes we SHOULD be focused on the last game. That was horrific. And a wide rec does NOTHING to help that. Defense wins in the nfl. Ours will be worse next year. What great draft picks. Peria was awesome. Julio? Come on.
Open Your Eyes
April 28th, 2011
11:30 pm
You don’t go 13-3 with the schedule we had if they dont.
kerryb hey loser open your eyes, the only score that matters is 48-21 and 13-3 don’t matter if you don’t win the superbowl. Everybody in the NFC South has gotten better tonight. New Orleans looks scary, Tampa Bay made a good move and Carolina has a QB while we focus on Julio when we needed defense
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:31 pm
Open your Eyes, Would the Colts have won without Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison?
MP
April 28th, 2011
11:32 pm
Where was jordy nelson taken in the draft? Hmmm second round 37th pick. Sure you have to draft early to get a good receiver. Riiiight
Pack
April 28th, 2011
11:32 pm
BOWERS!!!
Charles
April 28th, 2011
11:33 pm
Green MIGHT have been worth giving up that much. Jones…absolutely not. He’s not ready to make a huge impact from the word go. He could be good, but it will take a while, much like it did with Roddy. Dimitroff should have backed off when he Cincy said no.
John Mnemonic
April 28th, 2011
11:33 pm
What a shock. Atlanta fans being silly and negative. The Falcons just got a huge upgrade at receiver when our offense was consistently stale last year. Think before you talk guys.
oldschoolfootball
April 28th, 2011
11:33 pm
oops! must be the heinken, like celebrating confederate memorial day all over again. got ta love it. gonna be losers again! no real offensisive team with people at the skill offensive positions are INTIMIDATED by the falcon good christian choir boys on defense,
Pack
April 28th, 2011
11:33 pm
15 players ended season on IR and still won the SB! LOL
Open Your Eyes
April 28th, 2011
11:33 pm
kerryb if defense doesn’t matter then why is pittsburgh in the superbowl like every 3 years and they don’t need WR. And the Colts didn’t win until they upgraded the defense and that is a fact. All those years of trying to outscore teams never worked
JSS
April 28th, 2011
11:34 pm
By the way, Dimitroff is Bulgarian (Dimitrov), not Russian… Мира (Peace)
Pack
April 28th, 2011
11:34 pm
Oh def rank points 2nd in nfl
Yards 5th
But yeah you need an offense. LOL
Open Your Eyes
April 28th, 2011
11:34 pm
If the Packers get Bowers then they are already better than the Falcons for next year
tyler
April 28th, 2011
11:36 pm
you people are absolute morons…..bold move, nice job Thomas. That’s why the Atlanta fan base catches so much s#@@…you have no clue about football. JJ is a badass, period. I bet the majority of u wanted glenn dorsey over matt ryan too, right? Seriously, ajc should require an IQ test before allowing you to post. Quit embarrassing yourselves
oldbird
April 28th, 2011
11:36 pm
Oh well, welcome to the ATL julio. I hope that TD figures out a way to add a few more picks in the middle rounds. Two 7’s and a 5 for a 3 maybe. As it stands our next 2 selections are 91 and 158. I don’t see any “explosive playmakers” there.
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:36 pm
Open your Eyes, How many picks have the Falcons used on defensive picks the last two years. It was time we needed a big offensive player. Roddy White is 30 years old. At some time you have to think about replacing him. Name a receiver in college right now that is as good as Julio Jones. You can’t. The defense will come around because it is young. There are no impact DE’s at the 27th pick. Bowers has knee questions.
Mystikal
April 28th, 2011
11:36 pm
THIS IS THE TYPE OF MOVE THAT WOULD SET A “”BAD”" TEAM BACK 5 YEARS. WE WILL BE OKAY!!!!!!!!!
Shawn
April 28th, 2011
11:37 pm
Kerrrb Is a moron
roger
April 28th, 2011
11:37 pm
@noodlehead so you think ryan is a bust you dont know football who could they have had with the third pick that year get real ryan is in the top five of the best qb in the leauge
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:37 pm
Apparently the Packers didn’t like Bowers knee either.
richie
April 28th, 2011
11:38 pm
the falcons will make the changes needed for the defense, this pick was a great call and the falcons should be set on offense for a while
Buck
April 28th, 2011
11:38 pm
JJ Doubters=Morons
1990_Champs_GT
April 28th, 2011
11:38 pm
Jones will have to be Jerry Rice-good to be worth his price. And that’s not going to happen.
Bust.
Jake
April 28th, 2011
11:39 pm
kerryb you are a complete idiot
Trey
April 28th, 2011
11:39 pm
Julio the next Michael Jenkins
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:40 pm
Shawn, I’ve been in here most of the time and havn’t seen your name once but you call me a moron. Lets hear your opinion on the Falcons draft pick. I bet it’s about as stupid as some of the rest of the ones made.
ugakev
April 28th, 2011
11:40 pm
I believe as long as julio can stay health the ones doubting this move willl eat crow. Julio jones to me will be better in the nfl than in college. He runs a 4.3 and loves to be physical. He is great for our run heavy team that will get alot of opportunities to make plays with dowdy roddy white on the other side. Coming from a die hard georgia fan if julio stayed healthy his stats are more impressive in college. He may not get the balls an green can get, but how many receivers really can?!
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:40 pm
Jake, see comment to Shawn.
Jake
April 28th, 2011
11:40 pm
The Packers didn’t need Bowers but they chose to draft for what they needed which is smart because halff of their defense was hurt which is scary but THE FALCONS GOT JULIO which sucks
Trey
April 28th, 2011
11:41 pm
Roddy is 29 dumbass
ugakev
April 28th, 2011
11:41 pm
Aj greene*
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:42 pm
Jake, I guess you are one of those guys that think the Falcons should spend all of their draft picks on defensive players like some of the rest of these knuckleheads.
Jake
April 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
What a surprise, the Saints had a good first round, I wonder why you don’t hear the Falcons name being called because it was DUMB
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
At least the Falcons didn’t pick Jake Locker.
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
The Falcons got what they needed.
Mora less Petrino
April 28th, 2011
11:45 pm
Winning the time of possession battle is a big step toward winning a game. Julio should help keep the Falcons offense on the field longer and the D on the bench. The Birds have some great ball control weapons! Looking forward to seeing Roddy, Julio, Tony, and The Burner working together. With Ryan’s leadership, the next few years could be fun.
Russ
April 28th, 2011
11:46 pm
29/30 is your prime. We have a #1 receiver. Stupid move. Defense wins champs. We don’t have one. And next year will be worse with the schedule we have
8-8 at best
Tide Rising
April 28th, 2011
11:46 pm
kerryb,
I didn’t say I thought Richardson should have started over Ingram. I stated that a lot of people thought he should have. I think they are equal as running backs but in terms of physicality it aint close. Trent Richardson is a freak of nature. He’s 225 or more, runs a 10.6 100, and he bench presses 500 lbs. He’s not as shifty or as much of a cutback runner as Ingram- he’s more of a straight ahead speed rusher only with power. Personally I liked Ingram because to me he is like Emmitt Smith with the great vision- he usually seems to find the hole or the cutback lane. That’s all.
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:47 pm
Jake, all of the analyst on the NFL network said that the Falcons made a good move when they made the trade and pick. They said that the Falcons were going for it. I think they know more about than you.
Russ
April 28th, 2011
11:48 pm
What happened with Kerry Meier????
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:48 pm
Tide Rising, is Richardson a Junior or Senior this year?
Jake
April 28th, 2011
11:48 pm
kerryb
Over half of this blog is saying the Falcons should have went defense in round 1 so I guess you know what you are talking about idiot
Lemonlips
April 28th, 2011
11:48 pm
You peeps are NUTS. I thought TD would sit tight at 27 and draft for De-Fence and I wouldnt have blamed him for taking the safe route. Instead, he has what all MEN HAVE but RARELY DISPLAY……..
Buford T. Pusser
April 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Julio Jones? Really? At that price? WTF? I guess defense no longer matters in Atlanta. We want injury prone WRs who disappear in big games? Duh?
The Sheriff has spoken.
Tide Rising
April 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
kerryb,
That’s another thing about Julio. The man blocks and he is physical- you better damn well block in Saban’s run heavy offense. Just his blocking is going to spring a few more longer runs for turner. Somehow people don’t think about this. I think the falcons gave up maybe too much for one player regardless of who it is but only time will tell.
Saints R.E.A.M.
April 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
I think the Birds getting Julius Jones is great….I do however think they gave up quite a bit to get him. That’s a bunch of picks for one player. If Jones doesn’t ball outta control it will set the franchise back 2 or 3 years……Same thing happended to the Saints when idiot M. Ditka gave up all of those picks for Ricky Williams….and Ricky never panned out for the Saints. When you give up that many picks you put all of your supporting positions at risk….get ready for weak special teams..etc.
Saints definitely had a great 1st round with Jordan and Ingram….both were potentially top 15 picks!
Saints will be deep at RB…..finally.
Saints R.E.A.M. (Rule Everything Around Me)
kerryb
April 28th, 2011
11:51 pm
I love all of these comments about the Falcons are doomed and will go 8-8 because we don’t have a college player to pick with a second round and a fourth round pick. Crazy. People, the defense is not horrible. You don’t win 13 games with a tough schedule with a horrible defense.
RYAN
April 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
Yeah those analysts also had dalton going top 20 and ponder round 2. shut up kerry. you are a dumbass