Thomas Dimitroff: The man with the plan, at long last
In the way the best quarterbacks see the whole field, Thomas Dimitroff, who’s the son of a quarterback, grasps the big picture. And when have we been able to say that of the man charged with hiring players for the long-suffering Falcons?
At 4:42 p.m. Thursday, someone named Ray posted this on an ajc.com blog: “It sure feels good to know you’ve got one of the best GMs in the game. [It] kind of feels like the Braves’ moves of the ’90s. You always figured JS [John Schuerholz] would make the best moves for the Braves. Now we’ve got that for the Falcons.”
This came barely an hour after the Falcons consummated a trade with Kansas City for the Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. At 33, Gonzalez isn’t what he was, but he’s way better than anything the Falcons had. And, by parting only with a Round 2 pick in next year’s draft, Dimitroff has cleared the path to do what he intended all along.
Since the 2008 draft was completed, 2009 had been earmarked for defense. Dimitroff bid adieu to five defensive starters over the winter because he felt he could find better. But reality, as reality will, intervened. There seemed a chance that Brandon Pettigrew, a gifted tight end from Oklahoma State, might fall to the Falcons in Round 1. And Dimitroff really liked Pettigrew.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Here’s my reading: Dimitroff was torn. He knew his D needed immediate fixing, but he wanted a tight end who would give Matt Ryan another outlet and would block like the crack of dawn for Michael Turner. This wouldn’t have been Dan Reeves taking Reggie Kelly for the heck of it. This would have been a considered decision, and I think Dimitroff might well have taken Pettigrew.
But now there’s no need. The Falcons have Gonzalez, and they still have seven picks to spend over the weekend. As many as six could be devoted to defense. (Dimitroff would like another offensive lineman, preferably a right tackle.) My guess – and, seeing as how Dimitroff wouldn’t say, it’s only a guess – is that the Round 1 pick won’t be a defensive back.
Dimitroff believes safeties make greater economic sense when found in later rounds, and he doesn’t consider many cornerbacks in this draft true No. 1 corners, meaning cover guys. That leaves defensive line and linebacker, and there are a lot of linebackers out there, including the three Southern Cal guys. But I keep coming back to what Dimitroff said in January: That Mike Smith, who coaches this team, believes tackles are the key position in any defense.
I’m guessing the Falcons will take a defensive tackle in Round 1 – either Peria Jerry of Ole Miss or Evander (Ziggy) Hood of Missouri. (Me, I’d prefer Hood, if only because of the nickname.) But we’ve seen enough over these past 15 months to feel confident, whatever Dimitroff deigns to do. I mean, he signed Michael Turner. He drafted Matt Ryan. He landed Tony Gonzalez.
In 43 years of operation, the Falcons haven’t managed consecutive winning seasons because they never had the man with the plan. They have him now. They have their Schuerholz.
(Self-promotion time: I’ll be blogging live on the NFL draft from rustic Flowery Branch on Saturday. We’ll start around 3:30 p.m. — the draft commences at 4 — and go until the Falcons get around to picking in Round 1, which should be around 7:30 or 8. And I’ll see if I can get some handsome photos of esteemed colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter to post while we’re waiting. Join the semi-fun!)
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272 comments Add your comment
Falsons-are Lost in space then and now
April 24th, 2009
12:13 pm
Falcons are still loser and this year 8-8 or less will prove that . This GM is a smoke blower . watch this year I told you SO!!!!!!
Brock D
April 24th, 2009
12:15 pm
Lost in Space, you are a tool
Dallas Fan(8 SB's 5 SB Wins)
April 24th, 2009
12:18 pm
Supes, keep the faith baby! I agree, it’s been a dry spell for a decade and more since we’ve held up a Lombardi Trophy but, again I say BUT, we have won 5 count them 5 Super Bowls and been to 8 total. How bout them Buzzards? 1 back in ‘99? and you didn’t even win? why? sniff sniff. Sorry, that was an emotional moment for me. I hope your not still upset about the playoff loss to the Cowboys’s back in ‘81.
Jones born and raised in Atlanta
April 24th, 2009
12:20 pm
I’m fine with the trade we had to get a TE because shockey is with NO, and winslow is with TB, and with carolina having well you know steve smith makes up for there TE, we needed to keep pace with our division foes. Plus it help out our running game.
FALCONS SORRY
April 24th, 2009
12:22 pm
NOW WE FINALLY GOT ANOTHER GOOD TIGHT END AFTER CRUMP LEFT BUT WE DO NOT HAVE NO GOOD QUARTERBACK TO THROW TO HIM NO MORE BECAUSE OF THE SORRY WAY BLANK DONE VICK. THE HATERs ARE GOING TO REGRET HOW THEY BETRAY MIKE VICK! GONZOLEEZ WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD FOR THE FALCONS AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN IF THEY PLAYED HIM WITH VICK. VICK SHOULD HAVE GONE TO KC TO PLAY WITH HIM OR TO TITENS TO PLAY WITH CRUMP AGAIN.
Best QB
April 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
Vick we still Love you here in Alt. Please sign with the 49er so you can have a great coach. Matt is a good kid but not a Star QB. They gave him a break last year and you will see that this year. They now know what he will do. Tony Gonzalez you are going to hate the day you set foot in Atlanta Why? you are of color and watch how they do you as the year goes on . This is still the old south!!
Lesa
April 24th, 2009
12:26 pm
TD is the man! I am starting to develop a serious crush on him; he’s so intelligent, articulate, and a very smooth operator. He also has that cool, spiky-haired noncomformist look. Back to football, this was a great move. Gonzalez is not some washed-up player like Joe Horn was when he came here. He is still a producer on the field and will be a leader both on and off the field. Our offense is gonna be even better this year!! Can’t wait for September!!!
New jock sniffer for matt
April 24th, 2009
12:31 pm
The Matt wabe QB has fans . News Flash he is not that great. Pump him up all you want to he will be lunch this year for defenses. After he get hit he is Punk under pressure!
Falcon Needs Vick
April 24th, 2009
12:31 pm
Gonzalez won’t never be as good as he could have been if we had traded for him back when we had a REAL QB who could actually get the ball to people who was open.
Greg form Marietta
April 24th, 2009
12:34 pm
Let me just reiterate with a paraphrase what I said in yesterday’s Blog, “Thomas D. … will not draft a TE with the first round pick.” I’ll have to admit that I didn’t see the Gonzales trade coming but Tom Terrific has done it again. Mark my words, this GM will eventually guide this team to WIN a Superbowl.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
April 24th, 2009
12:36 pm
MB, good stuff. I think the Falcons will be after a DT in the 1st unless Cushing is available. I was wondering about a possible free agent pickup like a DE with the last name Taylor to compliment what we have. I think the Falcons are good on cap space. With the right pickups in the draft, we could be a serious contender.
Dallas Fan(8 SB's 5 SB Wins)
April 24th, 2009
12:37 pm
Yes! Yes! This is our year! Sing the praises! TD will lead us to the promised land
Dallas Fan(8 SB's 5 SB Wins)
April 24th, 2009
12:37 pm
TD! we love you. thank you thank you
Chiefs News Chiefs Update | Chiefs Football at BobGretz.com
April 24th, 2009
12:38 pm
[...] MORE [...]
Die hard Cowboys
April 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
Tony Gonzalez, Dimitroff, what a pair! Im so excited, Im so happy, Please tell me more! He is our Savior! We will get to our playoff game to lose once again! What a great man, he hasnt even entered in to the first game as our Savior GM and he is already the greatest man alive. Please, tell me more. TELL ME HOW WE WILL MAKE OUR PLAY-OFF GAME AGAIN!!! How great! Tony Gonzalez, is just so amazing, 10 years in a probowl along side one team that never did anything! How the Lord must be watching out for us. All we need now is some talent and everything will get us to the SECOND Round Play-offs!!!!!!!
Welcome New Saint Killer
April 24th, 2009
12:42 pm
It’s funny, the Saints forum is trashing this move. Jealousy is killing them so much they are trashing the trade. Amazing!!
Die hard Cowboys
April 24th, 2009
12:44 pm
Oh please! Oh please! more on our awesome and amazing team! I love it! The great Falcons, I love them, I them, so Proud we are of our playoffs!!!!!!!!
Billy
April 24th, 2009
12:50 pm
Trade the pick!!!
Billy
April 24th, 2009
12:51 pm
Trade the pick for high second and pick up a 3rd or 4th rounder
Greg form Marietta
April 24th, 2009
12:52 pm
Just a Comment: I just finished reading ALL the earlier submissions to this Blog and I’ll have to say that there are a FEW intelligent Bloggers who have made some thought provoking submissions. However, there must be a full moon out because the over whelming majority of submissions are neither thought provoking nor seem to be from intelligent Bloggers. Wow, are there a lot of nuts out there.
CCjacket
April 24th, 2009
12:53 pm
Mark,
if TD isn’t arrogant, I guess that’s where the analogy with JohnS breaks down, huh?
Steve Bartkowski
April 24th, 2009
1:06 pm
Wish I could have had a TE like Tony when I was playing. I am considering a comeback.
JR
April 24th, 2009
1:08 pm
Got no problem giving credit where credit is due, great job by TD. But doesn’t it seem odd to anyone that Gonzalez would fall into the Falcon’s lap for what amounts to probably the 40th to 50th pick in next years draft, depending on how successful the season goes. There were many, many teams vying for Gonzalez up to the trade deadline last year and the Chiefs have been actively pursuing trade possibilities all off season. My guess is that there MUST have been a team out there that was willing to take on Gonzalez contract and at least toss in a 1st rounder this year, the guys a stud and has been since he came into the league. Just a thought, but do you think maybe there is a sweetheart deal forthcoming between the Falcons and Chiefs for the rights to a certain incarcerated QB???
Dan
April 24th, 2009
1:14 pm
Kind of funny the cowboys fan dissing Gonzales’ team not winning anything for 10 probowl seasons. When was the last cowboy playoff win??? (Oh and while I am a Falcons Season ticket holder I am a lifelong giants fan. Love watching the cowboys lose actually I love watching their fans
Gravy Train
April 24th, 2009
1:17 pm
I think the Falcons need to find a way to get more Bulldogs on the defensive side. This is something the Patriots and Steelers have done with great success. Those two franchises always seem to have the most Bulldogs on their rosters. Call me a homer, but it seems to work well for them. Maybe the Falcons can get MoMass and or Evans. Ellerbee might be a good addition to the LB corps. Jeff and Geno will be ready soon.
gonzgoeswild
April 24th, 2009
1:21 pm
Is this the same 2nd round pick the Falcons refused to give Peterson for Tony Gonzalez LAST season, when he may have been “the difference” between elimination and the Lombardi Trophy?
I guess a smart decision later, rather than sooner, is still ’smart.’ At any rate, you’re really gonna love Tony Gonzalez. Good things come to those who wait. . .
Steve
April 24th, 2009
1:21 pm
I think sometimes we forget, we got bumped from the playoffs by the NFC champs – not a bad team.
scott
April 24th, 2009
1:22 pm
I’m sorry, but now that TD has pulled off this Gonzo deal for a second rounder, it is official: I have a MAN CRUSH on TD. Holy crap, I want to have his baby.
Former Season Ticket Holder
April 24th, 2009
1:24 pm
LMAO…my God, how much is Blank paying Bradley to write these funnies?? LOL all the accolades the great AJC can behest upon the Buzzards won’t add up to more than 60,000 per home game. Pity, the great 11-5 season and a playoff game (just the one) – but ole Roger gave the bare minimum national coverage he had too. The Panthers got as many national games, heck the Cowboys got 6! The Bears too! LOL
Mac
April 24th, 2009
1:24 pm
When people mention the Falcons’ defensive line, I never see anyone mention Biermann. Did I dream it, or was that guy not really good last year?
The Ghost of Jim Mitchell
April 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
Hey Bart, you had a great tight end, buddy. Or did you forget?
Zoomie
April 24th, 2009
1:29 pm
Now, that’s funny! Our visitor from Jerry Jones’ Little House of Horrors in Dysfunction Junction, TX thinks we should defer to the Cowflops’ historical record? If Jerry Jones was our owner and GM, I’d give you the five Superbowls in eight attempts to take him.
DawgDad
April 24th, 2009
1:32 pm
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned this, but I could see TD drafting Hood or Perry #24. If those guys fly off the board early then he pulls the Dorsey trade. If the rumor is true, that might be what’s holding it up.
Reality Time
April 24th, 2009
1:34 pm
Vick Supporters, stop with all the caps, it’s giving me a headache.
just happy
April 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
I guess the Falcons are the only team that knows what they are doing and other teams in the league will not be any good and they should just lay down know and say the Falcons are the champs. They will be talking about Vanilla Ice oh I’m sorry Matty “choke” I mean Ice in dec. Losers
Parkerboy
April 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
TD , if you keep this up. You’ll be Georgia’s next govenor! Dude , we phucing love you!
RickNole
April 24th, 2009
1:46 pm
I cant believe all of the negative post on here. Wow, this was a great move!!! I wish the season started tomorrow!! Man I am pumped!!
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
April 24th, 2009
1:47 pm
hey Ghost, I think you were gone in Bart’s hey day, but he did have Junior Miller. Zoomie, great take. Jerry J is a d-bag and is an idiot without Jimmy J. Love the meltdown in big D known around here as December. Word on Gonzo was between Atl and Philly. Philly offered a 3rd and they were in front of the Falcons, so TD pulled the swap from 2010 2nd. Doen’t hurt that TD worked for Pioli (sp?) in New England. Don’t think the bond is strong enough to give their DT for a late first rounder. Although they were not very happy with him.
falconsrock
April 24th, 2009
1:48 pm
Mark, stopped by from braves blog to read your very interesting and right on article. Most famous or successful people don’t get recognized until they retire or die. Mainly because it takes years to look back and see what they really did. Dimitroff is being seen that way now and we are 1 year in, wow, just give this plan a few years to grow ,change etc and we are looking at a 10 year or more run of Falcon success.
Its good to stop and smell the roses sometimes, thanks for reminding us of that.
Gen Neyland
April 24th, 2009
1:53 pm
MB : You hit upon the very topic which makes or breaks a franchise. The Front Office. Cleveland, Detriot and modern day Oakland are examples of what I’d hate to see happen to the Falcons in their tomorrows…Alas, we’ve been there and I hope we never return…
New jock sniffer for matt
April 24th, 2009
1:57 pm
man with the plan !! I can’t wait till the end of the year to hear you say that I was wrong Mark!!!
Selwyn
April 24th, 2009
2:03 pm
Thanks to Arthur Blank, we finally have the second coming of Bill Polian/Ron Wolf
Resean
April 24th, 2009
2:06 pm
When does the convict get released from prison? Is he still planning on doing construction? ROFL
MrDan
April 24th, 2009
2:07 pm
Good article Mark, and right on. As someone recovering from being only a casual follower for many years, to being a bonafide fan again (I’ve been around since their inaugural season), I was glad to see you mention back to back winning seasons. For the first time in YEARS, I believe this team, the coaches and the management are for real. Thanks
surfrider
April 24th, 2009
2:12 pm
Eventhough time will tell this is the only move I’ve questioned a little bit since the new team has come in. Why? well, I’m leaning to give the benefit of the doubt to GM but the way I look at it the draft is the key and the first three Rounds are really like the 1st round. Many top 10 picks are busts leaguewise but sometime a 3rd or 2nd rounder can turn into a jewell. Joe Montana comes to mind, a 3rd round pick out of ND. Bill Curry an All Pro was a 17th rounder if not mistaken. Drew Hill out of GT was a 12th round pick. The 4th-6th rounds can seem like 2nd round picks if we’re good and lucky. What I like about this trade though is the player is excellent and experience can help a young team developing and if we can get 2 to 4 years from a talent like this then missing the 2nd round this year won’t be missed. I think we picked up Lofton last year who is now starting LB out of Okl. But this GM knows what he is doing so I’ll defer and the player is basically one of the best at his position and definitely will be plus.
FALCONS SORRY
April 24th, 2009
2:17 pm
DIMITROF WILL PROVE HIS SELF TO BE A FAKE AND A USER JUST LIKE BLANK! THIS HOLE FRACHISE WILL NEVER WIN THE SUPPER BOWL FOR HOW THEY TREAT THEY STARS LIKE MV7!!
Stat Man
April 24th, 2009
2:18 pm
You know, I’ve been going to Falcons games since General Lee led the Birds to a Monday Night win over the undefeated Vikings over 35 years ago (my first Falcons game & STILL remember him hitting Cadalliac Eddie Ray for the deciding TD). Have invested plenty of emotion in following them ever since, but I can truly never remember (even our Super Bowl year) feeling better about the future of the team.
I truly believe we are on the verge of accomplishing what has been 40+ years in the making – building a storied franchise. Cowboys, Niners, Steelers & most recently Patriots all did it in much less time, but that is the goal and we aren’t really even close yet, but for the first time, the road appears to have been paved to make the journey much smoother.
Go Birds!
Glenn
April 24th, 2009
2:22 pm
Mark , I disagree that Tony G is part of a plan as such . TE is a REALLY hard position to draft high . We need a TE & Pettigrew could easily be a bust . Nothing personal against him but the number of 1st round TE’s that were drafted & couldn’t cut it in the NFL is silly high . Dimitroff being in New England when they took Daniel Graham & Ben Watson in round 1 I’m sure had more influence on this trade decision than anything . Neither man lived up to their high draft choice.
PMC
April 24th, 2009
2:25 pm
Why are people still bringing up Michael Vick? This is a great time to be a Falcon fan. If you are a Falcon fan you should have plenty of good memories of Vick on the team before he self destructed and before the Falcons front office made bad hire after bad hire and ruined any chance we had of him succeding. Vick did very well under Dan Reeves but that’s ALL in the Past. He’s in prison and he’s not playing here anymore. None of that stuff matters now. It’s done. There is no reason to keep bringing him up or putting him down. He has been disgraced and he’s lost his fortune and he’s done his time in prison. It’s Over… it was over before last season let it go.
Like it or not these are the new Falcons. They are different. This is a winning organization that makes the right moves. Savvy moves. Intelligent moves. We are blessed to have Dimitroff, Coach Smith and the rest of the fantastic coaching staff. The jobs they did last year were remarkable. It’s freaking April and there is NATIONAL EXCITEMENT about what the FALCONS can do with the pieces they have assymbled. I don’t have the money for season tickets in the lower level where the view and experience is good but I’ll be down there with all my brother and sister Falcons fans for a few games this season most definately. This is a glorious time to be a Falcons fan.
Supes
April 24th, 2009
2:32 pm
PMC…b/c it’s ALL some people know. They like to live in the past and worship their failed hero. Really giving actual FALCONS fans a headache with their rants and ravings.