The new Falcons: They’re real simple and really smart
Say this for the newfangled Falcons: They don’t lie. They tell you what they plan to do, and then they do it. On the day Mike Smith became their coach, he said he wanted to run the ball and to stop the run. Last season his team managed half that. Round 1 of the 2009 draft was the first step toward getting the other half right.
“You want someone who can create double-teams and unblocked situations,” Smith said Saturday, and in Peria – pronounced Per-RAY – Jerry, they believe they’ve found a newer and better and (slightly) sleeker Grady Jackson. And we on the periphery have no reason to doubt them. They’ve gotten pretty good at this talent-identification thing.
Already the Falcons are better than they were when they walked off in the field in Glendale, Ariz. They have a Pro Bowl tight end who will make a good offense better still, and now they have a defensive anchor.
There can be no real quibbles with this pick. (Not even from this observer, who favored Evander Hood for the selfish reason that a lineman nicknamed Ziggy would be worth his tonnage in puns.) They said they were going to upgrade their defense, and they determined the upgrading should begin at the heart.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Sometimes we confuse smart with clever, but the two aren’t the same. Being clever can sometimes lead to overthink, which can lead to trouble. The newfangled Falcons are meat-and-potatoes smart. They see football as a simple game, and they’ve taken a simple approach to getting better.
Said Thomas Dimitroff, the architect: “We wanted to be stronger and faster and more aggressive and more urgent.”
Said Smith, the foreman: “We wanted someone who would be very disruptive.”
Granted, it’s a new sensation. Mindful of Aundray Bruce and Steve Broussard and Bruce Pickens and Reggie Kelly, we’re accustomed to approaching every Falcons draft with a dollop of dread. We should stop sweating. This franchise is in good hands. Matt Ryan was the perfect pick at the ideal moment, and the rest of the 2008 draft was nearly as inspired. And now the big man from Ole Miss arrives to plug the middle.
Dimitroff again: “He’s country-strong. He’s a 1-gap guy with a high motor.”
First Michael Turner, then Matt Ryan, then Tony Gonzalez, now Peria Jerry. That’s four major acquisitions in 15 months for the new regime, and every one of them makes unassailable sense. Given that the first three play offense, this draft had to be given over to D, and Jerry was the soundest possible start. In Round 2 the Falcons found a safety in William Moore of Missouri, and they’ll surely seek a linebacker and a cornerback come Sunday. But you must grab an accomplished run-stuffer where you find him.
A good team a year ago, the Falcons have positioned themselves to be better in 2009. (Though their record, owing to the stiffer schedule, might not be quite so glittering.) They’re building from the inside out, which is always the way to go if you want your construction to endure.
And this one will. These are not your dad’s Falcons, who trafficked in gimmicks, or even your older brother’s. These are the new Falcons. These are the smart Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
431 comments Add your comment
Blake
April 26th, 2009
11:24 am
Asher ran a 4.3 at his pro day. He has speed
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:25 am
They are real high on Nicholas and he’s big an physical. Not sure they take OLB because of that. There is a lot of value still on this board. If Duke is there, then it gets tough.
Jerry
April 26th, 2009
11:28 am
dang!!!!!!!! asher to vikings
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:28 am
Asher is younger too and didn’t have that extra year that would have really helped him develop into a better corner than DJ. Asher’s biggest positive is his physical nature. DJ has that “it” factor where good things happen around him.
Either way we will be happy and they can battle Von and Chevis for Nickel.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:29 am
OK, Asher is gone … I say trade picks with Miami and switch in a future round with Miami and / or give up a 7th round pick. Let’s go get DJ.
NH
April 26th, 2009
11:29 am
Doesn’t DJ also return kicks?
mark
April 26th, 2009
11:29 am
with what has been happening with the falcons the last 15 months, and all good may i add. i am the most happiest for our owner mr. blanks, we have an owner that truly want to win. along the way there were trip up’s. but they were with the intention on having a winner in the atl, so with that said, we still have a way to go. i beiieve there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. mr.blanks you got it right. again i am truly happy for you. go falcons. i see a super bowl win in our near future
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:29 am
Now it gets real interesting. Wonder if they are considering Jared Cook at all. This feels like offensive line.
Grimes has started and Houston came on a bit. They may feel okay there with Hutchins coming back.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:30 am
asher drafted grrr
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:30 am
DJ is a really good returner, but we have Harry Douglas.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:32 am
Were not going to trade up, still to much talent, and we can let it fall in our laps.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:33 am
New England has also already taken a CB (Butler), and I think Baltimore has already addressed their secondary needs in the offseason through free agency. HOPEFULLY, DJ lands to us. Just hope some other team doesn’t trade up to take him.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:35 am
To me a CB or OLB makes sense here. Nichoals only figures in one of the OLB positions, and no offense to Wire, but he just isnt a starter in my books.
1eyedJack
April 26th, 2009
11:36 am
look for the falcons to take the USC linebacker.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Why is everyone taking DBs NOT named DJ Moore? One more pick than we’re up. I trust whatever T.D. does.
Jerry
April 26th, 2009
11:37 am
its going to be the usc linebacker, dj, or duke
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Coy used to be a safety so he’s small. That’s the biggest problem I see. Which OLB do you take here though? Can you not get the same basic player in the 4th? Peterson provides coverage. We definitely need another OLB.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:37 am
crap. pick traded
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:37 am
uh oh trade
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:39 am
Guess we will never know if the Falcons were going to surprise us by taking Cook. Here we go.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:39 am
Weeeewwww.. They took Cook. We can get Malavia or Moore here.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:39 am
If we don’t take DJ … there’s definitely a reason the Falcons and everyone else is not picking him.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:41 am
wow
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Hahahaha. Well. We took a CB. Maybe ESPN will talk about someone who wasnt taken yesterday today.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Wow … yep … DJ must have some issues.
Jerry
April 26th, 2009
11:42 am
what?
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Damn, They took Ownens from San Jose state. Wow, something is up with DJ. Maybe a one hit wonder.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:44 am
So, no we can pick up a OLB in the 4th? What do you guys think?
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:45 am
owens
Combine Results:
40 Yard Dash : 4.51 seconds
Bench Press : 14.0 reps
Vertical Jump : 34.5 inches
Broad Jump : 110.0 inches
3 Cone Drill : 6.93 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle : 4.17 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle : 11.4 seconds
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:45 am
They have really dropped the ball on covering this Draft. This is awful.
Maybe TI will come out and tell me Who’s Next?
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:46 am
Yea we will pick up LBs next
water boy
April 26th, 2009
11:46 am
Wonder what M. Bradley thinks about this CB pick? Has anyone ever seen this kid play or heard anything about him?
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:47 am
I think we may trade up pretty soon. I wouldn’t mind going up and getting Duke. Then take the OLB in the 6th with the final pick.
NH
April 26th, 2009
11:47 am
I like the OLB pic next. Maybe Freeman from OSU will fall to us.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
11:49 am
Ahhh, the draft. It’s like Christmas in Spring. Sometimes you get an XBOX 360, sometimes you get a sweater vest and sometimes you get an XBOX 360 that works for a few years then gets arrested for dog fighting.
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
11:49 am
Arg – they picked a corner from San Diego State. With Duke Robinson, Marcus Freeman, and Herman Johnson on the board, I’m not thrilled.
Asher Allen’s combine number – 4.64 40 yard dash. He’s gone to the Vikes.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
11:50 am
Here is the combine video link on Ownes our new CB.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80f34065
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
11:50 am
I like the SJSU kid. He’s physical and will support the run
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:51 am
i just entered owen stats
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
11:51 am
Everyone please get off the Marcus Freeman thing. There’s a reason he hasn’t been drafted yet
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:52 am
asher allen pro day 40 speed was much better then his combine 40
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
11:53 am
I guess the Falcons are planning on starting Coy Wire at weakside linebacker. Might not be a bad plan, as he is a converted RB/SS. He might be a little undersized, but can get to the ball carrier a bit faster than a converted DE.
drake
April 26th, 2009
11:54 am
Can someone tell Mel Kiper that he desperately needs a haircut? He’s starting to develop some sort of weird combed afro.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
11:55 am
Seahawks released Leroy Hill from his franchise tag. TD, go get him!
Hockey Biltong
April 26th, 2009
11:55 am
I wouldn’t be suprised if another big nose tackle is picked in this draft, after a backer is taken first. Someone to work in tandem with Peria or spell him.
J-Mo
April 26th, 2009
11:56 am
Someone mentioned it yesterday, and I’d love to see them go get Derrick Brooks for next year.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:57 am
Kid looks fluid. Thanks for the link, Joe.
They aren’t screwed LB-wise. They would start Nicholas Wire and Curtis. Then you have Peterson back up all 3 positions and let Gilbert play special teams. Not awful. Biggest question mark is who plays Nickel coverage. We are lacking cover skills.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
11:57 am
lol kiper do need a cut
drake
April 26th, 2009
11:58 am
“Has anyone ever seen this kid play or heard anything about him?” water boy
Yes, all of us huge San Jose State fans here on this blog.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
11:58 am
Brock I like your idea and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.