Dimitroff: ‘Insinuation we’re not being active is incorrect’
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has been trying to do the most he can with a limited budget. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
In his first four years as the Falcons’ chief architect, Thomas Dimitroff didn’t have to convince anybody that he was being aggressive.
There were screaming headlines every offseason as evidence: Free-agent signings (Michael Turner, Dunta Robinson, Ray Edwards), a trade for a Hall of Famer (Tony Gonzalez), draft picks for franchise anchors (Matt Ryan, Julio Jones).
Yet, here we are in mid-March, and the headlines haven’t been screaming. Re-signing John Abraham was significant. It broke the silence of spring. But whether that’s enough to douse perceptions that the Falcons aren’t doing nearly enough to improve their product is another matter.
To say that Dimitroff disagrees with those perceptions would be an understatement.
“The insinuation that we’re not being active and doing everything we can to improve our football team is, in my mind, incorrect,” the Falcons’ general manager said, measuring his words carefully. “We’re doing everything in our power to analyze and improve this team.
“We said we’re going to be aggressive and make changes, not just tweaks. Between [placing the franchise tag on] Brent Grimes and [signing] Abraham, and the new coaches we’ve brought in, we feel we’ve been making significant changes.”
Abraham’s signing helps. If he had not accepted the Falcons’ contract offer — and there were concerns in the building that their best pass rusher was going to sign elsewhere — Dimitroff would have sought help in the free-agent market. But Abraham was his preferred option. (There is still a chance the Falcons could re-sign linebacker Curtis Lofton, but he’s drawing interest from other teams, including New Orleans.)
But here’s where the divide between perceptions comes in: Whereas fans, media and others off the team’s Flowery Branch campus hear the words “aggressiveness” or “change” and equate that to “new,” Dimitroff is factoring in signings and negotiations with existing members to preserve the team’s core.
He has a point. Several Falcons, including picks from Dimitroff’s first draft in 2008, had expiring contracts. Identifying the key players in a team’s core is part of building a winner. The question is whether this will be good enough.
Dimitroff believes so. He expects Smith’s new coordinators, Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan, and offensive line coach Pat Hill to have significant impacts. “When you get new coaches in, it’s a fresh perspective,” he said. “Both [coordinators] came in and had real positive feelings after analyzing our roster. We said we’re going to make changes, and this is a big part of that.”
One obvious area in question is the offensive line. There’s still a chance the Falcons will bring in another veteran (center Todd McClure remains unsigned). But Dimitroff thinks the change to Hill, who replaces the fired Paul Boudreau, will help the existing cast.
“We needed to truly analyze what the issue was with the offensive line,” he said. “They were back on their heels too much, literally and figuratively. We have the makings of a gritty, physical line. We like the foundation of our line.”
And yes, he is including the oft-maligned left tackle Sam Baker. “He’s been a part of many wins for us over the last four years,” he said, then referenced Baker’s injury problems.
Which means either don’t expect a change, or there’s one surprise left to come.
Dimitroff touched on several other topics during an hour-long interview, including:
• Being so close to the salary-cap ceiling makes many more moves difficult, unless more space is created. (He didn’t expand on that, so I’ll translate: A veteran would need to be cut or traded. With Baker getting the vote of confidence, that leaves fullback Ovie Mughelli as a likely candidate. His salary: $3 million.)
• Dimitroff considers cornerback Brent Grimes (who was franchised) part of the team’s core and still hopes to get him signed to a multi-year contract.
• He was relieved to get No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas signed to a new deal, believing the team might lose him. Keeping both Douglas and Eric Weems wasn’t likely (Weems signed with Chicago).
• He believes defensive end Kroy Biermann and safety Thomas DeCoud, despite some issues last season, are versatile and fill needed roles, which is why they were re-signed.
Bottom line: Dimitroff likes his team.
“Everybody in the organization is held accountable and asked to improve, and that starts with me,” he said.
Ultimately, he knows: The real grades won’t come until next season.
By Jeff Schultz
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232 comments Add your comment
JSS
March 17th, 2012
9:16 am
UGABugKiller
March 17th, 2012
12:57 am
“Oh look, it only took 7 hours for Mr. Pseudo Intellectual himself, JSS, to show up.”
“Negativity?” You take 20 paragraphs to cut and paste the same thing (about Smith and his philosophy) everyone says in one… I went to the NCAA regional to see my cousin put the dagger in Missouri’s back… Have you been trolling all of those hours as usual?
Let me make it clear for you… You can win in the NFL with a weak arm QB, you build a great (not average) defense, get a 3 good running backs (they don’t have to be great), and a damn reliable and versatile offensive line! Oh, you better have a fantastic kicking game… Otherwise, you’re a fool like Tom Landry playing with Craig Morton because your system was more important than winning it all!
3 lines, try it some time…
“Midnight in Paris” has been out almost year and you’re just seeing it? What, were they taking trading stamps at the Bargain Movies?
Pssssssssst… Woody Allen has been making the same movie since “Annie Hall, don’t get all (poorly) over analytical…
nobody
March 17th, 2012
9:18 am
TD seems to be getting a little arrogant and stubborn. Of course he likes his team. He built it, so if it fails it is his fault. Its like asking a parent if their kid is stupid. I like TD, but he needs to be careful.
Atticus
March 17th, 2012
9:26 am
Dmitroff screwed the pooch with his poor drafts. Who has he drafted that has made the Pro Bowl? Ah, nobody. And the best player he HAS drafted is now gone after his first FA election. Jeff why doesn’t anyone hold Spike accountable for the fact he has raised the level of the franchise but no way will his team ever win a championship. You can’t miss on as many layers he has and win it all.
Tommy Maddox
March 17th, 2012
9:33 am
I heard that Jacksonville’s long snapper might become available. Maybe that will be our surprise from free agency!
bigdon
March 17th, 2012
9:37 am
It dawned on my last night that the Falcons haven’t made any big moves exactly because they’ve remade the coaching “position” and want to see both what they have and what they need out of a pretty good team for the last four years. I can’t see sigining the big fish only to find you millions of dollars too late he’s not being successful because of the “scheme” being used as was rumored with
Ray Edwarda and Dun-tay Robinson. I’d make McNeil a prioority, dump heck out of Back, let Olvie go — notice I didn’t say dump because he’s actually a good player — and see what happens. Hell, we’ve been pretty dang good for four years and I can accept this year as a bridge year. Sure T Gonz will be gone but he’s had his carreer and it’s time to move on. Not sure whether we will miss Lofton that much as I’m a season ticket holder at UGA and Akeem Dent was a total beast playing in the SEC. He’s built like a brick sh..house and used to apply the lumber at hit time. Don’t count this guy out. He’s bigger and much meaner than Lofton and every bit as fast, if not faster. As for Grimes, I say let him make his own bed. He’s getting the big bucks. Just to earn them. Always liked him and he’s always earned his money. We;ll see what 10 mil does to him.
Lastly: PLEASE PLEASE get rid of Sam Baker. Don’t insult us season ticket holders with another year of that garbage. Simply put he’s a turd that cannot be polished.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
March 17th, 2012
9:51 am
Falcons have to improve the longer passing game scheme. Using Julio as a decoy for 5 yard outs to the lesser receivers will get you a 1st down now and then but that is about all. 192 players in 6 rounds of the draft so good players can still be signed. There is more than 192 good college players. Good GM’s can find some and must if you’re really a good GM.
Frustrated Fan
March 17th, 2012
10:17 am
I keep hearing about cutting Baker and Ovie. Maybe a bigger cut is in order. Michael Turner gives them yardage but is not a game changer anymore. There are probably 5-6 less expensive free agents out there who would be at least as good as the “burner”. Spending that money on a better O-line really makes sense. Maybe they can fin a decent back in the second or third rounds of the draft.
Mack
March 17th, 2012
10:53 am
Doing everything to improve? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
cwltank
March 17th, 2012
11:25 am
J Ville was last on offense because they had no QB or WR’S. The coaches are a upgrade from the ladder staff.
78Dawg
March 17th, 2012
11:39 am
TD is in Way over his head…AB has been hoodwinked…Too many draft picks wasted on guys like P. Jerry and others. Falcons go 8-8 and miss playoffs….
coo coo bird fan
March 17th, 2012
11:46 am
Who’s the only ATL qb to lead his team to the playoffs 3 out of 4 years. Oh yeah!!! Eagles signed a bunch of FA last year and how did that work out for them? Oh yeah!!! I agree status quo sux but atleast JA didnt get away and I have a good feeling about the new OC. Call me coo coo but anything is better than Mularkey and we can actually see a screen pass this year.
Mr. Mustartd
March 17th, 2012
11:53 am
Excellent reading on this panel – thanks for my Falcons fix you guys.
My take is cautiously positive. I like that our GM is playing the long game. I like that he does not throw big money at one or two players and loses (too) may draft picks.
I like that we changed coordinators and I like Dick Nolan. Many said we had good personnel, and many more said our defensive schemes were poor. Therefore Nolan should really help us.
The offensive and defensive lines are my main concerns and yes, we have not done much with them, which is my biggest worry.
Seems we are in a bubble year where with the Jones deal, and cap limits we are tinkering around the edges of the squad. Still, I like that they are not throwing away our future with trickey accounting to get one person, where we will regret it in years come. Much like the Jones’ situation this year.
They are playing long ball, with this organization and I support it.
I did NOT support the freaking lack of ability to stop teams on third and very long, and the fact that we played careful on offense, but they seem to have gotten the message so…..
Go Falcons, and keep building us through the draft and keeping us financially stable, and for goodness sakes, throw and screen and crossing routes this year.
crod
March 17th, 2012
12:08 pm
how about the chargers Mcneil and tolbert for baker and ovie
evil empire
March 17th, 2012
12:18 pm
on these AJC posts, the words “falcons” and “dawgs” are interchangeable….both dreamer organizations, supported by loser fans…AMAZING…
Paddy
March 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
native bird……..Has not Zerbie Sanders had injury problems? Fla St O line last year could not produce a running game. It was the big dissapointment for the Noles last year.
Banned Poster
March 17th, 2012
12:24 pm
Sam Baker was owned….and I meaned wholeheartedly OWNED….by several weak sisters of the DL in the NFL last season. He is not an NFL caliber starting OL and he will eventually cause a season ending injury to Matt Ryan. I’m sorry, but the bs coming out of Dimitroff’s mouth on Sam Baker has caused my confidence in him to go way down.
crod
March 17th, 2012
12:29 pm
evil empire who do you root for. let me guess, the giants and bama. bandwagon fan
Greg Mendel
March 17th, 2012
12:38 pm
@Mr. M –
I agree. It’s not like the team is a disaster (as it once was). Four straight winning seasons and three playoff games. Yes, losing all three (to Super Bowl teams) is a concern, but steadily building, learning and making appropriate changes will result in a championship sooner than cobbling together a different collection of free agents every season. There are numerous reasons they’re free agents, but the bottom line is that their teams, in the end, chose not to retain them. And even the best don’t come with any guarantees other than expense.
AlanFalcon
March 17th, 2012
12:52 pm
UGABugKiller, take and asprin and some Alka selzer, you’ll feel better when FA and the draft are complete !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
UGABugKiller
March 16th, 2012
5:48 pm
Interesting post — you definitely put allot thought into your observation. Although for me I don’t exactly agree with most of your thought process. My first thought is if your prognosis comes in play by the end of next season. Then you should hurry and build your resume for AB because if you are right. AB will fire them all and in my opinion he should strongly consider hiring you!
LOLOLOLOL
Go Falcons!
kbb
March 17th, 2012
1:20 pm
Question:
Why is the Atlanta media SO soft? Only in Atlanta can re signing a couple of your own vets and no one else off of a mediocre team be looked at as “aggressive”. Why does our so called local media always give our teams a pass? We have 3 teams here that are maintaining that going with their “cores” is some kind of prudent move. We have had the same core for the Hawks, Braves, and Falcons for years now. They haven’t accomplished ANYTHING. They have some decent season wins but i thought the objective in sports was to win championships? No the objective for atlanta sports is to win in a boring manner, keep our “core” together and maybe reach the playoffs. That is more than enough for our fans and the adoring local media
Redneck Bill from Trailerville
March 17th, 2012
1:20 pm
Well, I’m going to chew some A. Here we just won the Super Bowl & nobody told me about it. These players must be alot better than I thought. Heck, I was ready to get rid of most of them. Now I’m hearing they’re about the best in the league and we got real lucky by re-signing them. That’s real change.
I reckon I been watching some Chinese counterfeit team running around and calling theirself the Falcons.
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
1:26 pm
@UGABugKiller Now all that being said & this year being an election year. You should consider going into politics like this nimrod we have in the White House today. I’m thinking you and him have a deep connection to each other. Hoping & praying you & BO will hook-up and go into the peanut farming business like his ole flaming liberal predecessor from Ga. “ENOUGH SAID”!
Go Falcons
UGABugKiller
March 17th, 2012
1:39 pm
Wow… instead of refuting anything I’ve said, instead of combating facts with facts (because they have NONE), people like True Falcons Fan, and others (hmm… maybe one person, many names?)…
… instead of trying to engage any point I’ve made intelligently, all they do is attack me personally. One even compares me to Obama, as low a blow as can be had.
For all their personal insults, they make my arguments stronger, so of course, thank you.
Saints > Falclowns
March 17th, 2012
1:53 pm
Falclowns are a joke of an organization…will never win a SB…fact…they’re as goofy as the writers from AJC…homers in denial….
Jimmy Crack
March 17th, 2012
2:04 pm
I miss Lingerie Football already. It beats Arena league hands down.
oh goody
March 17th, 2012
2:37 pm
First Richt, now Abraham. If only we can get extensions for Chipper & Joe Johnson….
Falcon Realist
March 17th, 2012
2:52 pm
Are Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan championship coordinators? I don’t believe Nolan was the coordinator on the 2000 Baltimore Ravens championship team. Thomas believes in his personnel decisions and will stand by them. The key to the season will by Ryan stepping up to a new level, diversity in the running game and pressure on the quarterback by the defense. If the Falcons can become less predictable on offense maybe they can reach the playoffs and make to the NFC championship game.
tyger
March 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
Falcons cannot improve without…
- a more dynamic QB that “rises” to the occassion…
- undeniable, Falcons “good enough” to make playoff run…
- 3 trips in 4 years, no wins – speaks volumes…
- Ryan is average, great QBs rise when glory to be had…
- Look at Eli, slogs thru regular season, door cracks, he bolts thru…
- Even Tebow mustered a playoff win – champions pedigree…
OL couldnt create holes on 4th down…against Giants, not midgets…
GIANTS…there’s a reason why they won Super Bowl…
OL issues surfaced over past 3 years…can’t run when needed…
So why continue to try and bully teams w/o the talent?…
- Teams know Ryan will crack, so they stack the line…
- No OL can hold off 8 in box forever, unless QB makes plays…
- Ryan takes dive when faced w/ that kind of pressure…
- How can Rookies out play our $60M Golden Boy???
- Defense could have more sacks, apply more pressure…
- DBs could have better coverage, more INTs…
- but they shouldnt have been on the field as much either…
- If QB moves the ball, puts points on the board, defense rests…
- Falcons 2 playoff pts. scored by defense, not offense or special teams…
- Frankly, you cant win like that…
- We need a Mike Singletary to call it what it is…
- Harbaugh got credit, but Singletary righted ship…ask the players…
- Falcons unwilling to address “real” issue…same ole’ BS…
- While hard core thumpers like Lofton take the hit…
Falconidiot
March 17th, 2012
3:20 pm
So how did we get better?
Larry
March 17th, 2012
3:45 pm
In the photo above, why is Arthur Blank’s nose twice the size of Thomas Dimitroff’s.
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
Cuz he’s a BILLIONAIRE he’s smells the money$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ better!!!!
Go Falcons
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
4:25 pm
@Larry does that up you with your confusion??????????????
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
4:26 pm
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Beau Bock
March 17th, 2012
4:27 pm
I’m tired of my station, 790 the Zone, giving a “massage job” to these guys all the time.
For crying out loud, Dave Archer is the Falcons color man and he protects the Falcons 20 hours a week.
Dave Archer
March 17th, 2012
4:30 pm
I really like what the Falcons did in the 2012 draft. They made some good choices.
Say what? The draft hasn’t happened yet? Oh well, my comments will be the same whatever happens.
True Falcon Fan
March 17th, 2012
4:36 pm
@UGABugKiller —- Hey buddy you are the one that has put yourself on an island. Anybody with that blog name has got to be a “FLAMING DEMOCRAT” —- also hey relax if you are right in ALL the BS you’ve written, then you can apply with AB for the JOB………….Be assured nothing complimentary from me!!!!!
LOLOLOL
Go Falcons!
Chucktown38
March 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
USCBUGKILLER What are you smoking?We didn’t have enough money to even think about Williams.100 million dollars too much for anyone
Loserville USA
March 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
Falcons re-sign Abe? Guy wears his age.
Probably want to keep the groin specialist employed.
Same old….same old.
Chucktown38
March 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
tiger you do know it takes more than just a QB to win right. IT takes a whole team and GREAT COACHES. When was the last time a QB had to make a tackle, intercept a ball or stop a 4th and 1 on the goal to win a game?
Chucktown38
March 17th, 2012
4:49 pm
Yeah ask the players about Mike Singletary they wouldn’t play for him that is way he is out of coaching
Ray
March 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
I’m more on the hawks blog than this one, but here goes.
I agree with some people here about what the Falcons need to do two things that must do and now is cut ties to both Peria Jerry and Same Baker if not both then hold on to Jerry see how he does this year, but Baker there is nothing left to see.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
March 17th, 2012
5:30 pm
@Ugabugbrain
Genius if only mobile qbs are getting drafted one of them will win.
Put down that brain before you hurt yourself.
HA HA HA
SR
March 17th, 2012
5:36 pm
Any credibility Dimitroff had is washed away like a sapling in an avalanche with any praiseworthy remarks about Sam Baker. Please, don’t insult us with that crap.
Kingdaddy
March 17th, 2012
5:43 pm
Move P.Jerry to OL, he’s worthless on DL. Move Baker to DL, he’s also worthless on OL. Two Peas in a Pod…
Kingdaddy
March 17th, 2012
6:02 pm
BC75
I think JJ has the potential to be great but he has to have a OL to protect the QB to get him the ball. What I’m saying is TD sold the farm to buy a horse. It wasn’t a very well thought out move. He maxed-out the Falcons Credit Card on one player. Gambling as a GM is a good way to lose your job. He should have forseen cap-space issues for this year to go along with Fewer Draft-picks …
Capt. "NO COMEBACK" Vick
March 17th, 2012
6:07 pm
CHOKE said, “if ONLY mobile qbs are getting drafted one of them will win”
Whoa Capt. Obvious!!! That’s a BOLD prediction
ws
March 17th, 2012
6:33 pm
I think Mike Smith should have been fired. BVG and MM took blame for his offense and his soft defense. I think Mike Nolan was a good hire. If Smith will let Nolan run his defense and not make him run his soft zone that people blamed on BVG. Time will tell. I do not look for him too let change take place. I look for the same defense as we have ran for last four years. Same defense he ran when he was a DC for Jags. Smith’s last game as a DC for Jags, Brady was 26 of 28. Does this sound like something the falcons have been doing. BVG was with falcons at that time as linebacker coach.
Hiring OC with a 31st rating in NFl,I still think we could have done better. I do not think he will not be any better than MM. All goes back to Smith. He coaches not to lose.
TD needs to grow some b*lls and take control of falcons. WE will stay around .500 football team and one and done in playoffs.
Joe
March 17th, 2012
6:53 pm
I’m still wondering where the pass rush is going to come from. Edwards certainly didn’t live up to expectations. Abe is ok but we need more.
Kingdaddy
March 17th, 2012
7:04 pm
T.D. needs a job with the Government. He’s good at making messes without being held accountable to the people he works for. Mr. Blank, TDs done some good things for you,but he’s Screwed The Pooch on the JJ deal. Reality is trying to become a Great Team with one hand tied behind your back. Our competition will game-plan against our glaring weaknesses. That’s why we will not be as successful as we could have been. JJ can be a great player,but I don’t know if he’s good enough to off-set our weak Offensive Line. Maybe next year we’ll get them…