A special Bradley’s Buzz: All-draft edition with T. Gonzalez!
Late-breaking update: The Falcons have a tight end!
And he isn’t Brandon Pettigrew. He’s Tony Gonzalez, the 10-time Pro Bowler. Per esteemed AJC colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Falcons have acquired Gonzalez from Kansas City for a second-round draft pick in 2010.
This does two things: First, it enables the Falcons to go hog-wild in the pursuit of defense over the weekend, and second, it pretty well cements the bond between Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and his Kansas City counterpart Scott Pioli, who used to be Dimitroff’s boss in New England.
Me, I’d call it a win-win for the local club, which gets its tight end and still keeps all its picks in this draft. But maybe that’s just me.
“In Round 4, the Atlanta Falcons select …”
I said I wasn’t going to do it, but I did it anyway. And you know why I did it? For you, Buzz readers! So you’ll be able to feel clever come Sunday afternoon when the Falcons take the legendary Fenuki Tupou and your friends say, “Never heard of him,” and you get to say, “Oh, yeah, I know him. Offensive tackle from Oregon. Has nimble feet and a strong punch.”
After a lifetime of resistance, I broke down and became an ESPN.com Insider. I did it to access Todd McShay’s seven-round mock draft. I did it because I feel strongly about you folks and your Need To Know. I did it also because I think there’s a chance I’ll get reimbursed by the ol’ AJC for my $39.95. (If not, we’ll pass the online hat.)
To save you guys $39.95, here’s who McShay — I like to think of him as the thinking man’s Mel Kiper Jr. — has the Falcons taking:
- (24th pick overall) Brandon Pettigrew, tight end, Oklahoma State.
- (53rd pick) Jarron Gilbert, defensive tackle, San Jose State.
- (90th pick) Tyrone McKenzie, outside linebacker, South Florida.
- (125th pick) Fenuki Tupou, offensive tackle, Oregon.
- (138th pick) Louis Vasquez, guard, Texas Tech; (143rd pick) Jerraud Powers, cornerback, Auburn.
- (176th pick) Troy Nolan, safety, Arizona State.
- No selection.
Now, how many of those selections do I expect McShay to nail? Maybe one. Obviously, after the Gonzalez trade, the Pettigrew pick is now null and void. But that’s what happens at draft time. Things change.
Enough McShay! What does Mel say?
Also with my $39.95 comes access to Mel Kiper Jr.’s four-round mock. (Apparently nobody told Mel about Rounds 5, 6 and 7.) Like McShay, he had the Falcons taking Pettigrew in Round 1, but Kiper’s picks differ thereafter. In Round 2 he has them taking Sherrod Martin, a defensive back from Troy; in Round 3, Antoine Caldwell, a center from Alabama; in Round 4, Brandon Gibson, a wide receiver from Washington State.
And you know what? Even pre-Gonzalez, I didn’t get that progression at all. Three offensive players among the Falcons’ first four picks? Wasn’t happening. And absolutely won’t happen now.
Survey says (or, at least, said) …
The eight ESPN.com bloggers — one per division — did their collective mock, and NFC South correspondent Pat Yasinskas figures the Falcons will take Peria Jerry, a defensive tackle from Ole Miss, in Round 1.
Of the five NFL writers for CBSsports.com, Chad Reuter had Pettigrew going to the Falcons. Rob Rang and Michael Lombardi opt instead for the Missouri defensive tackle Evander (Ziggy) Hood, about whom Buzz has written already. Pete Prisco has them taking Darius Butler, a cornerback from Connecticut. Clark Judge goes with Larry English, a defensive end from Northern Illinois.
Of the four mock-drafters for NFL.com, three — Pat Kirwan, Charles Davis and esteemed former colleague Steve Wyche — had the Falcons taking Pettigrew. Jamie Dukes, who isn’t a former colleague but who is a former Falcon, goes with Malcolm Jenkins, a cornerback from Ohio State.
Over at SI.com, Don Banks had the Falcons taking Pettigrew. And so did Peter King.
From deep inside the War Room at Sporting News comes the opinion that the Falcons will choose English.
And last but not least is Chris Steuber for FoxSports.com, who has the Falcons taking Vontae Davis, a cornerback from Illinois.
If you’re keeping score …
Pre-trade, that made eight votes for the Falcons taking Pettigrew, two for English, two for Ziggy, one for Jeria, one for Jenkins, one for Butler and one for Davis. That seemed a fairly heavy consensus for the 24th pick. But now the ol’ point is moot. Weird, huh?
(Late-breaking updates: Banks now has the Falcons taking Jerry. And Reuter has them taking Clay Matthews, the linebacker from Southern Cal.)
What about Stafford and Moreno? Huh? Huh?
After all the varying blather tracked by Buzz regarding the two Bulldogs these past seven months, a hard consensus has emerged. Stafford isn’t going to go No. 10 overall, as Don Banks forecast not so long ago. By unanimous vote of our 16 mocks, he’s going No. 1 to Detroit. (Given the reports that Stafford is close to a deal with the Lions, this wouldn’t exactly be Truman beating Dewey.)
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.But Mike Mayock of The NFL Network, speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, again counseled the Lions not to draft Stafford. (For the 100th time, the same Mayock famously championed Matt Ryan a year ago.)
As for Moreno: He isn’t dropping from Round 1 altogether, as Banks had it three weeks ago. Off the strength of our many mocks, Moreno figures to be taken somewhere around the 20th pick, with his most probable destination being Philadelphia at No. 21.
And Georgia Tech’s Michael Johnson? Uh, no such luck. Of the 16 mocks listed above, only two — Reuter’s and Dukes’ — place him in Round 1. Indeed, both McShay and Kiper have Johnson going after Mohamed Massaquoi, the Georgia wide receiver.
So that would make three Bulldogs being picked before any Jacket. Remind me again. Which team won when last they met?
Extra! Extra! Matt Ryan’s draft stock drops!
Just kidding. You’ll recall that Ryan was the No. 3 pick overall in the 2008 draft. In Michael Silver’s ultimate draft for Yahoo! Sports, in which any player alive is fair game, Ryan would be the fourth player taken. He’d go after Larry Fitzgerald, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady — in other words, behind only two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and the greatest receiver since Jerry Rice.
Oddly enough, Glenn Dorsey didn’t make Silver’s first round.
Oh, and in all the hysteria, I almost forgot: I’m blogging live Saturday!
I’ll be in Hall County doing the sitting-around-and-waiting-for-the-Falcons-to-pick thing, and I’m pleased to announce that I’ll share my sitting-around-and-waiting thoughts with y’all. We’ll get started around 3:30 p.m. Saturday — the draft begins at 4 — and we’ll kick things around until after the Falcons do something and I have to write (as opposed to live-blog).
Join me for all the fun and frolic that only an April afternoon in Flowery Branch can bring. And if things get dull, I’ll do my impressions of Dan Henning and Ken Herock. Talk about entertainment!
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241 comments Add your comment
Leland
April 23rd, 2009
7:49 am
Dear Mr. MB–First? For the second time. My cup runneth. Your pal, Leland
Leland
April 23rd, 2009
7:50 am
Dear Mr. MB–no applause, please. Your pal, Leland
MalibuGT
April 23rd, 2009
8:02 am
It will an interesting world for these AJC blogs if Stafford goes to Detroit and teams up with Johnson to become the next great QB/WR connection. I’m sure the GT & UGA bloggers would still be able to complain about the throws or the routes…
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
8:17 am
Applause? You’ve had me worried, young man. Where on earth have you been?
Chris
April 23rd, 2009
8:29 am
Given that newspapers (and newspaper jobs) are suffering from the proliferation of their formerly subscription-only content to free sites on the Web, I find it interesting that MB would choose to pilfer content from a subscription-only site and give it away for free. I guess if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
On a separate note, Mel Kiper is clearly going down the Vitale / Madden highway from insightful analyst to clownish blowhard.
Eddie
April 23rd, 2009
8:41 am
I, for one, would be greatly disappointed if the Falcons take at TE with the first pick. The defense has too many holes and you can pick up a good TE later in the draft. We need to go DT—you have to get the line of scrimmage solidified first and go from there.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
8:44 am
I understand your reservations, Eddie, and I have them, too. But I’ll attempt to delve deeper into what I think the Falcons are thinking — sorry to sound like Peter King — in a column that should appear this afternoon.
matt r
April 23rd, 2009
8:52 am
Wouldn’t a decision to take a TE be based largely on how a star TE fits into the Mularkey scheme? Based on last year it was a pretty WR-based offense with less than 10% of receptions going to TEs. Or maybe that was just due to the personnel?
Gumbo
April 23rd, 2009
8:56 am
Nice Buzz, MB. I still hope we take a DT on the order of Peria/Hood. I don;t really get the Pettigrew pick with all of our question marks on defense. Also, if I read between the lines when listening to TD (always a dangerous thing), I don’t get that TE is one of the “biggest” needs (in his mind).
cajdawg
April 23rd, 2009
9:00 am
With all of the holes on defense, I’ll throw a brick through my plasma if they draft a TE in the first round.
Poco Springfield
April 23rd, 2009
9:08 am
I just don’t see how Pettigrew makes the Falcons a better team. The problem wasn’t with the offense last year. This team needs playmakers at pretty much every defensive position. Taking an offensive player with the first pick makes no sense.
The Falcons can’t go wrong with taking the best DEFENSIVE player available.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
9:10 am
Through your plasma? I hope you mean your TV, CajDawg, not your IV.
chc4
April 23rd, 2009
9:10 am
I’ll be upset if we take Pettigrew. Very upset.
SimpleDawg
April 23rd, 2009
9:26 am
Take the best DT or Rush End available…..the front line makes everyone behind them better…or worse, depending on how they play. I’ll bet we can get a very good pass catching tight end with the 2nd round pick.
I understand that a tight end threat down the middle of the field makes the running game better, but we’ve got to pressure the passer and stop the run !!!!
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
9:26 am
Thanks, Gumbo. And you should know that Thomas Dimitroff says every pick should be “need-based.”
Hollywould
April 23rd, 2009
9:29 am
Man, we have to go defense. Can someone name the tight ends in Mularkey’s offense in Pitt? I can’t and I don’t think it is that big
of a deal to his offense. As an Auburn fan please don’t draft Powers.
He comes from the Muschamp school of not turning your head around which lets LSU, Georgia, and anyone else beat you on the final play.
Daddys357
April 23rd, 2009
9:30 am
I saw on SI.com that there was the possibilty that Atlanta could trade there #24 pick, 2nd and a 5th to KC for Tony G and Glen Dorsey. Have you heard or seen anything like that Mark Bradley?
matty
April 23rd, 2009
9:31 am
I dont think we should pick a TE. Or a LB as some people predict. We should go DL, with ziggy or peria, or anyone quality in the secondary. Our D has so many holes, we have to get someone who can contribute early. So while we need a pass catching TE, I say D is more important
Whopper Dawg
April 23rd, 2009
9:33 am
I originally and until lately, while enamored with Pettigrew, was very much in favor of going D in at least the first three rounds, However, with all the buzz and reconsidering here is where I think TD and Smith are, I think they believe that our second and third year guys on D are more ready than the public thinks to step up and start in some spots . And for linebacker they are fairly comfortable with Wire and Peterson which are essentially additions. TE is also a severe need and a excellent one like Pettigrew would add a lot to our offense.
There are also rumors out there on a Chief trade involving Dorsey and Gonzales and a combination of Falcons picks and players.
theedge
April 23rd, 2009
9:36 am
I seriously hope the Falcons do not use their top pick for a tight end. Think defense!
gtfan55
April 23rd, 2009
9:48 am
With the first round pick Falcons please go defense! We can go offense in later rounds. By the way 3 UGa Players going before Tech players, when will Tech get some love. I guess beating you guys again this year will starting getting our players noticed.
wes
April 23rd, 2009
9:52 am
Could you imagine how sick the Falcons Draft would look if Michael Johnson slid all the way to them @ #55?
I hope it happens.
SeminoleWarrior
April 23rd, 2009
9:54 am
MB, my friend, I think it will be either Jerry or Hood. Interior speed and the ability to put pressure on the QB mean more. We can still get a good tight end to nuture for the long term later (i.e, Shawn Nelson).
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
9:55 am
Daddys, I’ve found the latest SI.com report concerning Dorsey and included it in the links above. Thanks for the tip.
drpepper
April 23rd, 2009
10:00 am
Would someone please recognize that Pettigrew is slow…..one of the slowest TEs available. Want a TE blocker, put another OL on the line like the Ravens and a few other teams did last year. Want a TE receiver, get one of those light weight guys in later rounds. Please don’t waste this pick on a TE!!! Our defense was pushed around the field by teams with mediocre offenses. We have huge needs at DT, OLB, Safety and Corner.
Rufio
April 23rd, 2009
10:03 am
It’s funny, the comments here are almost carbon copies of people saying not to draft Matt Ryan last year…
I however, am not forming opinions this year… at least not publicly
Michael
April 23rd, 2009
10:07 am
I have to give props to Chuck Oliver from 680 the fan on this draft logic.
Can you name one or more TE on the Atlanta Falcons? Yeah, Peele, Hartsock
Can you name one or more LB on the roster? Yeah, Peterson, Lofton, Wire
Now name a DT outside of Babineaux? Um, Kindal Moorehead
So, let me get this straight, you want to give Ryan more toys instead of plugging up a hole that was ranked in the low 20s defensively??
The kid out of South Carolina might be better than Pettigrew if he’d had someone better throwing to him.
I am so glad we rely on TD and Smitty to draft and not the Media.
mike addington
April 23rd, 2009
10:07 am
Michael Johnson is going to be a heck of player. Take him ASAP Falcons. HIs body type, although a little leaner, is a Richard Seymour type,and I don’t see what the problem people have with the guy. He was all over us in the UGA game. THe Falcons, I think, made a big mistake let Foxworth(y)? go. That dude was all over the field.
Michael
April 23rd, 2009
10:08 am
Enter your comments here
MiltonDawg
April 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
Bradley,don’t we still have Hartsock and another TE already on the roster? I understand the importance of the position but the “D” needs a fixin. We can also draft a late round TE, or wait till the dust settles and grab a free agent for a 1 yr deal.
glorydays
April 23rd, 2009
10:13 am
An excellent blocking tight end with great hands (although slow-footed) sounds great to me, especially if it helps protect our franchise QB which I think is a good thing to do. It gives improved blocking and a player to drop off to.
glorydays
April 23rd, 2009
10:15 am
How many nitwit comments will there be if we catch lightning in a bottle with Ryan and then don’t do all we can to protect him
mars
April 23rd, 2009
10:19 am
How is Pettigrew possibly an improvement over Justin Peele? We should uphold our fine history of 1st round disasters, if we want to remain irrelevant! Pettigrew would insure our commitment to mediocrity.
Greg from Marietta
April 23rd, 2009
10:20 am
PLEASE! Thomas D. is not a fool and he will not draft a TE in the first round. He said in a recent interview that he plans to “Address Critical Needs First” and TE is not a critical need (a need, yes, a critical need, no). So a defensive player, either lineman or end, will be first with the outside chance of maybe a LB.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
10:24 am
I would agree with Greg about Dimitroff not being a fool. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t take Pettigrew.
mars
April 23rd, 2009
10:33 am
Mr Bradley, you contradict yourself!
Steve Jones
April 23rd, 2009
10:34 am
Mel Kiper is so overrated! Dimitroff has said we’re going defense and yet Kiper has us picking offense in 3 of the first 4 rounds. Mark, what gives, why is Mel Kiper such a big deal? I’d like to see how accurate he’s been with his picks from the begining of his career at ESPN.
If we pick a tight end it had better be in the later rounds, I’ll be very upset if we dont go defense in rounds 1-4.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
10:38 am
Not necessarily, Mars. (At least not on this, I don’t think.)
And Steve, as I noted above, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Falcons take Pettigrew in Round 1, but I would be surprised if they didn’t load up on defense thereafter.
matt
April 23rd, 2009
10:51 am
Picking a TE with our first pick is a waste of a pick. Might was well take a FB with our 2nd pick and solidify an overall $hitty draft. WE NEED MORE HELP ON DEFENSE!! REPEAT: WE NEED MORE HELP ON DEFENSE!! WE HAVE A LOT MORE HOLES TO FILL ON DEFENSE!!!! Matt Ryan already has a duel threat at RB and a go to receiver in Roddy White. Jenkins is a fine #2. He has enough weapons right now. Put some players on the other side of the ball!!!!!
SC
April 23rd, 2009
10:54 am
Dimitroff and Smith have said many times how much they value the DT position and talk about builiding through the middle. I just don’t see us yaking Pettigrew if Hood or Jerry is available unless they know that Trey Lewis is absolutely healthy and ready to be a major contributor
WHAT?!?!
April 23rd, 2009
10:56 am
Hey, Matt Millen called, he says he thinks the Falcons should draft a TE!!
mars
April 23rd, 2009
11:00 am
Ugh! I was so much more optimistic last year. This nonsense about Pettigrew is ludicrous and disheartening.
Finchdawg
April 23rd, 2009
11:01 am
Mark, thanks for taking the time to gather all this info! I would never pay to be an ESPN Insider, but at the same time I was really interested in what Kiper and McShay thought the Birds would do after Round 1. It’s nice to hear some names that will hopefully be this year’s equivalents of Chevis Jackson, Curtis Lofton, Harry Douglas, etc.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
11:04 am
After further review, I might shoulda done it the other way around — written the column outlining what I think the Falcons are thinking first — but that wasn’t the way my schedule fell.
I swear, I’m writing it even as we speak. And I hope when you see it — and I hope very much that you do see it — it might shed a bit of wattage on this whole Pettigrew thing.
D3
April 23rd, 2009
11:10 am
Good Afternoon Gentlemen. Great work as always MB. Going against the grain on this blog, because this pick is getting taken to the woodshed.
For Pettigrew as follows:
Pettigrew Defense #1
On the surface due to the overwhelming picks for the Falcons taking Pettigrew, a ton of people have been bringing up the smoke-screen possibility. It does seem that it may be a possibility, given that so many people are mocking ‘Grew for the Falcons (Mark Bradley’s article below: 8 pick ‘Grew, 2 Hood, 2 English, 1 Butler, 1 Jerry). Sometimes it may be a smokescreen, but sometimes its not. I think most ‘experts’ are picking Pettigrew b/c that’s a fairly logical range for him to be taken in and it addresses a need. For many fans who say its not a need, how many 3rd and longs & 4th and shorts did we fail to convert, and how many 11 – 18 yard field goals did were we forced to kick? I’m not saying ‘Grew will come in and be dominant, but he doesn’t HAVE TO. We will not depend on him to be our primary target, more like a 4th, 5th, or even 6th target. He will be asked to COMPLETE our OFF, not carry it. Hartsock was a great blocker, but not a receiver and Peele a good receiver, but that his presence tipped our hand to the DEF on our intentions.
Pettigrew Defense #2
The chants have been long and fast. “We Need Defense! We Need Defense!” And we do need defense, no mistaking, but as Ken Strick and others have pointed out many times, we have guys ready to step up and step in. Nicholas, Wire, Peterson, C.Davis, C.Jackson, DeCoud, A.Harris, Hutchins, Trey Lewis,Biermann, R.James(in some capacity). Not saying all will turn out to be great play-makers, but I bet at least half will. There are rounds than just the first. Certain picks I will be happy with if pass on ‘Grew, such as Clint Sintim, Larry English, Aaron Maybin, or even Connor Barwin, but why would we go with someone like Jerry or Hood when that would be a terrible complement to Babs? H—, even give me Ron Brace in the first over Hood or Jerry. If this class was stock-piled with DT top-end depth, I’m all for it. But that is not the case this year. There is a ton of middle-round depth for run-stuffing DT’s. If they’re so concerned about it, than take two of them: Roy Miller and Sammie Hill for instance. Or Terrance Taylor and Dorell Scott. TD, Smitty, and Co. know what they’re doing, and I’ll concede if they think Hood or Jerry is the best fit than I’m all for it.
“Well, Pettigrew’s not even that fast and can’t stretch the field!” Does he need to in our offense? Or does he just need to occupy the middle. Does Witten stretch the field, per se? Or is he one of the best in the business go-to guys on 3rd down and red-zone?
“The selection of first round TE’s is really mixed over the last 8 years.” Aren’t all positions? 2007 – Jamarcus Russell; 2008 – Matt Ryan for instance. I heard a caller talk about the failures of TE’s taken in the first. Well, you have to look at all variables, especially who was throwing them the ball?
2008-Dustin Keller (pure RCV TE, jury still out); Brett Favre
2007-Greg Olsen(much better w/Orton);1st Grossman, need I say more?
2006-Vernon Davis; Alex Smith, need I say more?
2006-Marcedes Lewis(better w/Garrard); 1st Leftwich, need I say more?
2005-Heath Miller (stud); Roethlisberger throwing the ball.
2004-Kellen Winslow(stud); Despite terrible QB’s
2004-Ben Watson(stud); No explanation necessary
2003-Dallas Clark(stud);Ditto from above
Again, I am not against us picking DEF first, just the right player. Hood and Jerry are not those players, IMVHO.
MJM
April 23rd, 2009
11:25 am
Both Kiper’s and McShay’s complete first round picks have been on the ESPN ticker.
joe
April 23rd, 2009
11:26 am
Enter your comments here
Paul H
April 23rd, 2009
11:26 am
UGA offensive players are going ahead of any Tech DEFENSIVE player because regardless of what happened in that fluke in Athens, UGA’s offensive players still dominated Tech’s defense just like LSU and any other real team did.
Paul H
April 23rd, 2009
11:29 am
Besides, the reason UGA players get drafted ahead of Tech’s players is primarily based on the fact that since 1990, UGA dominates Tech. 14-4 to be exact. It’s kind of “understood” that UGA produces the better talent around here.
BugKiller
April 23rd, 2009
11:31 am
Mark, what you fail to really point out is that the one guy out of all these “experts” whose job it is to specifically know as much as there is to know about the Falcons (and the NFC South) is Pat Yazinskas.
And Patty Y is the one guy who has said from the beginning of all of this Mock Draft Nonsense that there is NO WAY that the Falcons pick Pettigrew for two reasons.
1. The Falcons obviously NEED defense, and Tom Dimitroff, like his teachers Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, is a DRAFT FOR NEED guy, not a draft slot guy.
2. The offense the Falcons run does not have enough plays for a pass-catching tight end to pay first round money to a guy who’ll only catch 30 passes a year in this offense. The Falcons can easily find a guy in the second round to fulfill this purpose.
Also, Pat was also the first guy to say that the whole Falcons trade a second round draft pick (which are more precious than gold to someone like Dimitroff) for someone old like Tony Gonzalez is ridiculous because it would be so contrary to “The Process” that Smith and Dimitroff have going.
Draft picks are worth WAY more that players who have a pretty definite expiration date, as Gonzalez does.
Mark, if you are going to pay heed what ANYONE has to say about the Falcons from any of the sports agencies that aren’t the AJC, then Pat Yazinskas is that guy.
Todd McShay, Mel Jr, and Mike Mayock know little to nothing.
Especially Mayock, who by the way LOVED Jamarcus Russell two years ago.
Mayock keeps on saying that Stafford should have been so much better as a college QB because he was “surrounded by so much talent,” and that’s an actual quote.
And that quote from Mayock tells me that 1. the guy hasn’t watched a Bulldog football game the last three years and 2. that maybe John Eason really was a bad as I always thought he was.
Stafford has been plagued 2 out of 3 years with a pieced-together offensive line and very inconsistent receivers, and a defense that always seems to let down in the biggest games.
Mayock is a moron.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
11:37 am
Thanks, D3. Thanks, Finchdawg.
Was Stafford surrounded by talent? You tell me, BugKiller. Knowshon Moreno will go in Round 1. Mohamed Massaquoi could go in the second round. Brannan Southerland should get drafted. A.J. Green could be the best Georgia receiver ever.
I know, I know — where are the offensive linemen in this list? But still … that’s a slew of skill people. Better than Matt Ryan had at BC, I can attest.
Hamad Meander
April 23rd, 2009
11:39 am
Pettigrew!!! This would be a two-fer pick for the Falcons – not only do you immediately upgrade the pass catching corps for Matt to work with, you also get what amounts to an additional offensive lineman to bust open holes for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood.
Yes, there are plently of holes on defense which should be addressed with every additional pick. However, picking a LB or DT or S with pick #24 does not guarantee a starter, but with Pettigrew, there’s no question he would start immediately.
I’m not sold on the defensive tackles or linebackers that might be available at #24, but I’m sold on Pettigrew. I am a little weary of Clay Matthews, as he entered college at 166 lbs and left at 245+. Reminds me a little of Jamaal Anderson (DE) that entered Arkansas at 215 and left at 288. Sometimes that big a weight/size gain doesn’t bode well for long term success at the new bigger position.
Back to TE – think about how much time our defense can stay off the field if we are able to convert more 3rd downs?
Caveat – if the Falcons swing a deal for Tony Gonzalez, then GREAT! Gonzo is a different type of TE than Pettigrew, but his skills in getting open in the endzone would help our offense score more points easier.
Hamad Meander
April 23rd, 2009
11:43 am
Also, there are higher risks at picking some positions over others. QB, WR, CB, and S are high risk picks in the first round. The lower risks are OL, LB, and TE.
UGA=TrailorTrash
April 23rd, 2009
11:44 am
They def. produce more employees for Tech Grads. Also, it is kinda “understood” that UGA Athletics produces more clients for the fine correctional facilities for this state than does TECH.
Dr. Warren
April 23rd, 2009
11:45 am
The word here in China is that the Falcons will take Perria Jerry. The Chinese use a complex statistical method and are rarely wrong about the draft. Perhaps it is this same method that made it possible for them to own $32 billion in NFL debt.
mars
April 23rd, 2009
11:46 am
D3, your assessment is thorough yet nonpersuasive. It’s as if you’re championing lowered expectations (a too familiar approach from the Smith era). Why be dissapointed by a perceived future star, when we can pat ourselves on the back for taking a journeyman tightend we don’t really need in the first round to be safe? Considering the tendency toward bracketing draft picks, is this a wise use of cap monies? Also, in our actual areas of need, are we to assume that the possible failure of latter round picks will be no big deal since we didn’t expect much from them in the first place? Where, oh where are the New Falcons I’ve been hearing about?
Paulie
April 23rd, 2009
11:46 am
RE the Ultimate Mock Draft, Michael Silver is SUCH an Arizona homer. BTW, what’s with this “Enter your comments here” crap?
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
11:48 am
Hamad, I’d say you have some insight on the subject.
Are you really in China, Dr. Warren? (I admit I’m gullible. But also curious.)
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
11:49 am
“Enter you comments here” is what shows up when somebody hits the “submit comment” button without, er, actually entering a comment.
Dallis04
April 23rd, 2009
11:49 am
Can anyone please tell me the starting defensive line?
IN CLASS BORED!!!!!!
BugKiller
April 23rd, 2009
11:51 am
Mark…
Until last year, most people were nothing but disappointed in MoMass.
His freshman and junior years, Stafford spent a lot of time running for his life behind slapped-together offensive lines.
Stafford had Moreno for 1 1/2 years because Mark Richt, unlike Urban Meyer, is always more interested in serving seniority as opposed to talent. Or maybe he was. Maybe AJ Green shows us that Richt learned from the Moreno disaster.
Look, Georgia has been talented, but inconsitent around Stafford, yet Stafford has improved every year, in every category.
He even set the Georgia single-season record for TD passes this year, in a year where his defense (led by the in-over-his-head Willie Martinez) let him and the offense down, constantly.
When guys like Mayock point to Stafford’s career completion percentage as proof to his horrible accuracy, they don’t point to all the receiver drops his first two years and then fact that he has improved this stat, EVERY year.
Come on, Mark… Stafford had guys Tripp “StoneHands” Chandler, III (”Don’t throw it to StoneHands!”) to throw to the last three years!!!
Mayock also doesn’t ever mention his 3-0 bowl record.
Mayock has been more wrong than right in his career as an “expert.”
So he was right about Ryan. Oooh, wow!
Blind Squirrel. Nut. Get my drift?
mars
April 23rd, 2009
11:56 am
Hamad, scientists, breeders and royalty have long depended on bloodlines to support their respective theories on leadership and ability. Clay Matthews has a pretty good genetic marker. Just check out his family history, and your concerns about his size and ability should be abated. Now, who would win in a foot race, Pettigrew or Sid Bream?
Ted Striker
April 23rd, 2009
11:59 am
A lot of bloggers are questioning the wisdom of the Falcons selecting an offensive player in round one. Not me. If a player performs, it won’t matter WHEN he’s drafted, or even if he wasn’t. (Just ask the Steelers if they’re happy with James Harrison — or the Cards with Kurt Warner).
Don Banks latest (6.0) draft is a VAST improvement over his 5.0 offering where he had Stafford #10, Crabtree #11, Harvin #17, and Ayers #20. Maybe Banks was ‘training’ with Harvin when he put the earlier one together.
I’ve never been a Kiper fan but I think he’s getting better. I’ve lambasted him for goofy picks in the past (notably Leaf), but I was overly enthusiastic about it. This isn’t science, as much as we’d like it to be. At least when Kiper is wrong, it’s not costing HIM millions.
In conclusion: I know there are a lot of you Michael Johnson fans out there, but if that guy’s not careful, you’ll be able to buy car insurance from him in 2012.
Dallis04
April 23rd, 2009
12:05 pm
Sid Bream definitely, he reminds of galloping giraffe rounding the bases
Left to Right
April 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
The “Mike Woodson: Not So Bad!” meme appears to be hanging on by a thread today.
Also, someone should tell Mayock that Stafford had both a higher completion percentage and 7 fewer ints. in 2008 than Matty Ice had as a 5th year senior playing in a much weaker conference.
Finally, does the AJC have any more Tony Cole updates to give us? Something about how he was rude to his mother once? Spit on the sidewalk? Something? Anything like that, with a prominent (sp?) review of the entire Harrick episode from 7 years ago included, would be appreciated. Thanks.
David
April 23rd, 2009
12:14 pm
Good stuff Mr Bradley. I say defense wins championships. I understand the temptaion if the guy is a future hall of fame TE, give Ryan more weapons and use your offense as a defense….but in the case of the Birds, they have to get MUCH better at stopping the run and they have to put more pressure on the passer but getting more push in the middle. We are FAR below most other teams there, it has to be addressed.
mike28212
April 23rd, 2009
12:15 pm
Thanks for the column and links Mr. Bradley. I think espn’s NFC South guy Yasinskas has made a good point when he has stated a few times that tight ends don’t catch a lot of passes in Mularkey’s offensive system. It will suprise me a bit if we do draft Pettigrew but I trust the Falcons know what they are doing. (for a change)
joe
April 23rd, 2009
12:17 pm
mars – lets analyze in all aspects of your counter:
on championing lowered expectations – I don’t even know what that means from the outset. But attempting to unravel that riddle, I guess I’ll say that you are assuming that Pettigrew would be a lowered pick. If you’re suggesting that he’s a risk, than I’ll concede that point, just like every other single player getting drafted into the NFL. Exactly how can my expectations be lowered if I admit that I will trust TD, Smitty, & Co.s judgement on who they pick. I don’t really understand what about my argument scores anything, about any expectation.
Disappointed on a journeyman TE – what? Take a chance on a future perceived star when we can pat ourselves on the back for taking a journeyman. To my knowledge, draft picks of that current year aren’t referred to as journeyman, rather as Draft Picks. Again, having difficulty following your counter.
Bracketing draft picks and spending money – would we pay Hood or Jerry more or less because they play a different position. Please elaborate my friend, because I’m at a shocking loss.
TE as a need – lowest yards receiving to TE’s in the National Football League. Yeah, our TE situation is fantastic, outstanding, and amazing. If you would actually r-e-a-d my argument, then you would see that I have confidence in whoever they pick. If they were to go DEF first, like Sintim or English, than they would need to spend a second rounder to get Shawn Nelson or Jared Cook, because they will be gone by #90.
The New Falcons – I just listed them for you bro’. But I’ll do it again if need be:
Stephen Nicholas – OLB drafted by Petrino
Trey Lewis – DT drafted by Petrino
Thomas DeCoud – S drafted in 3rd round by TD
Chevis Jackson – CB drafted in the 3rd round
Von Hutchins – CB signed in FA last year
Kroy Biermann – DE drafted in 5th round last year
Robert James – OLB drafted in 4th or 5th round last year
Bro’, I have no problem with listening to counter-arguments and will many times agree with you on many points, but I couldn’t find how your post related to mine in the slightest. If you care to elaborate to your meaning, then we can have a good, intelligent, respectful discussion.
D3
April 23rd, 2009
12:18 pm
Sorry, accidentally had wrong handle name in there. That was from me.
Dr. Warren
April 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Yes, Mark. I’ve been here in Shanghai for almost 3 years. In fact, an editorial of mine on China will appear in the LA TIMES within a week or two. (And more soon in other places, barring threatening knocks on my door). As a faithful reader of yours since my teenage years in the 80’s, I can only request that you follow me for a change…I’ll send you the link.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
12:25 pm
I’d like that, Dr. W. To borrow a phrase from esteemed colleague Tom Stinson: I look forward to your coverage.
Dr. Warren
April 23rd, 2009
12:26 pm
I was joking about their statistical method for predicting the draft, of course. The NFL abandoned the huge potential market here when it cancelled the exhibition game in August 2007…
BILLY JACK
April 23rd, 2009
12:32 pm
Mark-You can get a TE later on -you must adress run def.I would love Cushing if he falls or C Matthews Jr-then a DT then a DB.DEF DEF DEF-you can probably get a good TE in the 4th or 5th round.
Ted Striker
April 23rd, 2009
12:42 pm
BugKiller: 1) Most folks have always appreciated Massaquoi’s talent at UGA. You’re speaking for just yourself by saying you considered him a huge disappointment. 2) Richt understands that seniority normally brings player development and a honed skill set. But he favors talent, whether it’s freshman or 5th year senior. Yes, he wishes he’d played Moreno a year earlier but I wish I’d bought APPLE at $4 a share. Just to remind you, there was ample talent in that backfield. 3 tailbacks are on NFL rosters (Ware, Lumpkin, Brown) and Sutherland is likely to end up catching on somewhere too.
Finally, about your obvious dislike for Willie Martinez. You’ve said it. The horse is obviously dead. You don’t get a vote on his future. How long are you going to give yourself blisters swinging a stick?
coach smith
April 23rd, 2009
12:43 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…..PLEASE DON’T DRAFT this TE in the First Round!
BAD PICK!
Help the D-fense please!!!!!!!!
Also does anybody remember how this guy was SHUT DOWN when they played UGA?
He has good stats in a conference that plays NO DEFENSE
The pic would be a bust!
Draft Ace has the Falcons taking BRIAN CUSHING LB USC and in the second round DJ MOORE CB VANDY, and the third round DORELL SCOTT DT CLEMSON
I would LOVE it if these were the Falcon’s first 3 picks…the defense would get rebuilt fast
Maybe take a look at Asher Allen as well if he is available
oldmike
April 23rd, 2009
12:52 pm
I like the idea that Buck and Kincaid have been floating that the Falcons trade a 2nd or 3rd round pick to KC for Tony Gonzales. Riddle me this Mr. Bradley. What team pays any attention to what McShay or Kiper have to say think or do? Who cares what they think. TD isn’t basing his draft on the pearls of wisdom thrown around on ESPN or Fox or the NFL network. If he is then we are in trouble.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
1:02 pm
Sure, you can get a tight end later on. But can you get a starting tight end later on? That’s the question.
Ted Striker
April 23rd, 2009
1:03 pm
Old Mike — You’re absolutely right that nobody in the NFL will be basing a single pick on what Kiper or McShay is saying. On the contrary, guys putting together a mock draft are ringing the phones and putting out feelers with agents and others to see what NFL personnel folks are saying. Kiper and McShay are chumming us sports sharks.
CUTigers
April 23rd, 2009
1:03 pm
I thought the main issue with Pettigrew is concerns about his character which wouldn’t pass Blank’s good citizen criteria.
After hearing the radio interview with Ziggy I’m hoping he ends up in Atlanta.
Hamad Meander
April 23rd, 2009
1:05 pm
I think it would be smarter if Thomas Dimitroff tried to fill one or two holes in the defense through the draft, and then filled the other holes with the players that other teams discard when they have to make room for their new draftees.
I am not counting on a 4th or 5th rounder coming in and playing significant time on defense, though I could see a rookie starting at TE, OLB, or DT. I do not see a rookie starting at strong safety or corner. Rookie linebackers are a stretch – the NFL game places much more responsibilities on a OLB than the college game. A defensive tackle can come in and play soon because his job is less complex.
D3
April 23rd, 2009
1:06 pm
MB, thank you for a wonderfully simplistic, great answer to some who hate Pettigrew so much, you would think he stole their dog or something.
Substitute Matt Ryan’s name for Pettigrew’s and take a time-travel machine back exactly one year ago. Sound familiar?
BeeWeezy
April 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
I think pettigrew will make an excellent choice for the falcons. All we need is a big DT 2 take up the middle space in which there are none that will have the impact pettigrew will bring. WE DON’T NEED LINEBACKERS! TE Pettigrew, S Rashad Johnson, Delmas, DT the best one left, LB Nic Harris,CB Asher Allen or the best left on board, we can address the corners next year but start chevis jackson and we still got free agency to work with. I got us down for 12-4 this season. We could have been 13-3 last year, but coulda woulda shoulda, and at least been in the superbowl if not win it which i think we could’ve. WE ARE A FEARED TEAM FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I’VE BEEN ALIVE! Born in `81. We didn’t get to the superbowl but we got matty ice who is the third best QB in the league after Brady and Peyton after only one season. Defenses are going to adjust to matt, but uh, matt iss going to adjust to defenses 2! And was i the only one who watched that virginia tech vs. boston college game when matt ryan showed us why he was the best player in the country. I was jumping for joy when they picked matty, I know, Iknow, I’m the last of a dying breed. I picked us to only win 7 games last year, SHAME ON ME! If you think we aren’t the best team in the NFC going into this year, SHAME ON U!
Mac
April 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
Why draft a TE when Marcus Pollard will do? Kidding. I think that guy had two catches and two fumbles last year.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
I like the idea of Ziggy myself. But there’s a chance he could be there in Round 2. (Not a great chance, but a chance.)
Mac
April 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
Flashback: 2008 draft approaching and fans are split on whether to draft Glenn Dorsey or Jake Long. Afterall, Chris Redman will be just fine until second rounder Andre Woodson develops into the next Tom Brady.
Mark Bradley
April 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
D3, you’re welcome. I’m nothing if not simple. (Supply your own punch line.)
Lamar
April 23rd, 2009
1:40 pm
Zach Potter,should be considered by the Falcons.speed,size,quickness to be interchangeable at both DE/OLB.Will push Abraham & Anderson,and make them Better in the pass rushing scheme of things.Potter should be around in later rounds,so here’s hoping Falcons management types with me ,about this pick.
Keeper
April 23rd, 2009
1:48 pm
Who knows, maybe the Falcons will draft another Spider for defense. Worked out pretty well last time (Brian Jordan), and with our GM’s preference for defense and surprise jewels, not to mention individuals with intelligence and integrity, Atlanta could do worse than landing a defensive end who led his team to 2008’s only legitimate Division I national championship! Great profile on him here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/20/AR2009042003204.html
garcia
April 23rd, 2009
2:04 pm
Wow! I guess the draft brings the emotions out. Why Pettigrew? Because he is simply the best TE in this draft. And, he compares favorably against the best TE’s drafted in the past five years. He is the only true dual threat TE in this draft. Why is that important?
1. Helping OT’s protect the franchise.
2. Allowing Norwood to do what Norwood does best. Instead of keeping him on the sidelines (because he can not block). Three separate coaching staffs have not been able to get Norwood more carries. Pettigrew’s presence is Norwood’s best chance to live up to his potential.
3. Providing more run blocking for Turner.
4. Providing Ryan with a safety valve to convert third downs. That will keep the offense on the field and the D on the sidelines resting.
And finally, does it really matter what any of us think? Dimitroff has earned our trust. He is the first Falcon GM to deserve such a statement.
Ramblin Wrecker
April 23rd, 2009
2:05 pm
I don’t know exactly who the Falcons will draft in the first round but I do know two things for certain:
1) Brandon Pettigrew will not be picked by the Falcons
2) They will not pick at #24
Pettigrew has character issues and Arthur Blank isn’t about to pay anybody with character concerns guaranteed millions. Not to mention the fact that TE is not even close to the team’s biggest need. I believe the soonest the Falcons would draft a TE is the 3rd or 4th round. Mularkey’s offense is not predicated on throwing more than 40 balls to a TE. That’s why spending first round money on a TE or trading a second round pick for Tony Gonzalez (and having to pay his salary and placate his need for the ball) is not at all likely for Thomas Dimitrov to pull the trigger on. My opinion is that old buddies Dimitrov and Scott Pioli of the Chiefs are stirring the pot about Tony Gonzalez for mutual benefit. Pioli gets the word out that he might deal Gonzalez and a 2nd rounder plus some sweetener might get a deal done. Dimitrov gets to throw the rest of the NFL off thinking he’s hot for a TE, so he can entice someone to trade up in front of him (or with him) in order to secure Pettigrew.
Dimitrov is going to move around to get the guy they want, after seeing how the board is setting up. Most likely I think they move back and add another second or third round pick (because that’s where NFL teams are built, in those rounds) and pick up a guy like Louis Delmas at safety or Evander Hood at DT. I’ve heard Dimitrov speak of how a great safety can change your defense and make it a championship caliber unit. I think a run stopping DT is also in that category of importance. And I think it bears out in how the Falcons went about free agency. They released Lawyer Milloy and Keith Brooking, and let Grady Jackson sign with the Lions. But which position was filled by a free agent? LB was. Michael Peterson was signed to backfill Brooking at weak-side. But they didn’t sign a safety or a DT. That tells me that those two positions are ones that they will fill in the draft. And the way things seem to play out in the mock drafts is that there isn’t likely to be a BJ Raji or Peria Jerry left at #24 and none of the safeties seem to be rated as worth taking until the tail end of round one or early second. So I feel the Falcons are likely to move back to get a DT or S, or if Dimitrov thinks someone like Peria Jerry is what their defense needs, I see him moving up a spot or two to get him (just like they got Sam Baker).
Needless to say, Dimitrov is not likely to do what all these mock drafters have been predicting.
oldmike
April 23rd, 2009
2:06 pm
Ted Striker. Right on. None of the GM’s and VP’s of personnel in the league are divulging their picks to anyone. They are likely letting on what their needs are but how they address those needs they keep close to the vest.
D3
April 23rd, 2009
2:18 pm
garcia – one of the best descriptions on why Pettigrew is a possibility, not a certainty. I’m saying they will take him, but to say that absolutely, positively they WILL NOT take him is ridiculous. It kills me how so many people speak in absolutes and allow no room for grey area.
Ramblin – do you have a private camera on TD, Smitty, & Co.’s Big Board? Share the wealth brother if you got the goods. Otherwise, Pettigrew has every single possibility of being drafted as anyone else.
CUTigers
April 23rd, 2009
2:21 pm
What are the alleged character issues with Pettigrew? I’ve heard they are there, just not what they are.
mars
April 23rd, 2009
2:22 pm
D3, first off I meant no offense upon your point of view. However, after reading over my comments, I see nothing but plain english. What, on the subject of lowered expectations do you not understand? I was a big fan of Dan Reeves, but one of his flaws happened to be “you can’t go wrong by picking another tightend” no matter who else was on the board. Smart, but bold, should be our approach. To merit a first round pick, that particular tightend should either be a rare and exceptional tightend, or perhaps the only one available. Neither of these scenarios apply to our situation. We have real, I repeat, REAL needs that MUST be addressed. There is nothing Pettigrew can do for us that Justin Peele cannot, except maybe do it a little slower.
Falcon Devil
April 23rd, 2009
2:35 pm
Tony Gonzalez is a FALCON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcon Devil
April 23rd, 2009
2:35 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
Falcon Devil
April 23rd, 2009
2:39 pm
So glad we dont have to spend our 1st rounder on offense this is awesome. Peria Jerry or Brian Cushing fer sure!
Michael
April 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Foxsports.com is reporting that a deal has been reached between the Chiefs and Falcons. The Falcons get Tony Gonzalez for a 2nd round pick in 2010.
I like it.
Glenn
April 23rd, 2009
2:40 pm
Gonzalez from KC for a second in 2010
row3
April 23rd, 2009
2:41 pm
ESPN TG to the falcons, for next years 2nd rd pick.