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.
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431 comments Add your comment
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:04 pm
I think depth al around is going to be a problem for the falcons between a young unproven secondary a thin LB core and a thin line with only one real pass rushing defensive end. then we are thin at O-line and RB. What happens to the falcons if turner gets hurt?
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:08 pm
Falcon Girl, player rankings had Ryan Leaf as the better QB over Peyton Manning.
Supes
April 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
Brock D, of course there are EXCEPTIONS. However, the percentages are in favor of the players coming from the big conferences, why argue with the statistics?
Jason, I’m trying to enjoy the process, and I do trust TD and CMS, but I also question some of these picks (or the ones that weren’t made). It’s what we do as passionate fans, we don’t just nod along and not wonder what could have been. It’s what blogging is all about.
Oh, and Michael Johnson went in the 3rd round…Should the Falcons have moved up to grab him? Maybe another draft mistake, is that they haven’t made any agressive moves to move up? Is it b/c they don’t “love” any of these players? Who knows.
water boy
April 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
Someone put Brock on ESPN rather than some of the clowns they have (T. McShay). You are making too much sense bro.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
If we don’t draft an LB, I would bet dimes to donuts we try to sign Leroy Hill.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:11 pm
Brock the point falcongirl was making was that he could have gotten the same player lower in the draft according to the rankings you never know who will be the better player you just try to make the best value in the draft and wasnt peyton the better value for the colts then leaf was for the chargers?
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
Thanks water boy, I guess I can use as a reference.
water boy
April 26th, 2009
1:13 pm
I am a GT fan and watch M. Johnson play for years. He is the type of player that SHOULD impact every down of every game, but he doesn’t. I would rather have a hard working, consistently productive player than a guy who COULD make plays but rarely does. I like Johnson and wish him the best but we already have a MJ on our roster…Anderson. Anyone really want another Anderson of DE?
Cuz
April 26th, 2009
1:15 pm
Seeing as how I am older than the Falcon franchise, I am real encouraged by the steps taken by Dimitriof and Coach Smith to build a winning program. All the years the Falcons spent roaming the wilderness appear to be over and the promised land seems just over the hill. Congradts on the staff for doing their homework for the trades and the draft. I look forward to seeing the newbies on the field during pre-season.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
Dylan my point to falcongirl was that the “experts” player rankings are no where near an exact science. As for the Leaf/Manning thing that was exactly my point
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
waterboy I couldnt agree more with that assessment MJ could be great in the nfl if he really buckles down and works hard but nothing in his peronality so far has made me believe he will do that. Anderson I still have some hope for he got screwed his first year in the nfl under a head coach that seemingly didnt know what he was doing nor care I think working under the new regime could really help him.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
I think everybody is giving up way too early on JA as well. Let’s not forget he was a junior when he was drafted. He made strides last year and I think he will improve again this year.
water boy
April 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
Well Dylan, this is the year for Anderson to show his wares. If he continues to do next to nothing this year he should be released or moved way down the bench. I just can’t stand seeing him get stood up and locked down by one guy on a clear passing down. What would J. Abraham do with pressure from the other side too.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
DJ Moore just went to Chicago
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
so let me understand Brock you would have drafted tom brady 1st pick even knowing that noone else would take him till the 199th pick of the draft? I would rather take the guy as low as I can get him to get the best value in the draft when players are in the same tier of picks then the team has a decision to make but if you jump to take a player ala the raiders 2nd round pick even if the player turns into a stud that was a bad pick because they could have waited and paid the guy alot less having a better value for their cap and team this is how you succeed in all pro sports.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:21 pm
You’re not gettin it Dylan. You’re making my head hurt.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
again waterboy couldnt agree more this is the season he has to show what kind of pro player he will be and we will be forced to make a decision.
water boy
April 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
By the way, CBS Sportsline had Owens ranked ahead of A. Allen (not that it means anything to me, I trust the Falcon’s scouts and TD)
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
Amen water boy
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
well isnt it on you to get your point across i am truly trying to understand I wouldnt ask questions otherwise. I think what you are trying to say is taht the experts draft boards arent the same as the teams. in other words Dimitroff made taht pick because he believed the player he wanted there wouldnt be around in the next round.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
Thankyou Dylan, You got it. No GM in there right mind is using any of these online “expert” draft boards. That’s why they do it for a living.
falcongirl
April 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
Brock- I get your point and agree. Rankings are not an exact science (Ryan Leaf and Tom Brady being great examples). I’m not saying the guy doesn’t have talent…just seems like we could have picked him up in a later round and still been able to pick up other needed players who will not be there in later rounds.
I’m no expert…just didn’t see that one coming. We’ll see what happens next.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
falcons could draft ellison an olb out of USC
jason
April 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
Supes not trying to offend. I don’t get some picks either. If I had my way ATL would draft predominately SEC, but Div 1 powerhouses all the way. But unfortunately, it don’t work that way, and I would quickly be out of a job.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
hmmm
falcongirl
April 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
Dylan- Thanks for clarifying my point.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
apparently TD is not happy at DE either
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:32 pm
no problem falcongirl I thought the same thing when that pick was made.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:32 pm
Sidbury is a stud. Love, love, love this pick. Granted he played 1-AA but he led his team to a national title and dominated in the title game. I saw film on him yesterday and I think he’s got big upside. He’ll be a project at first but that’s fin for a late 4th rounder.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
I agree Brock he has abrahma type of potential not sure how he will be as a run stopper but his spin and club moves are good enough to get him some sacks right now
NH
April 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
Love Sidbury! Now lets try and give Matty Ice some more help and get Duke Robinson early in the 5th
f.i.l.a.
April 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
I love the sidbury pick..The kid is a beast 6″4 260+ and not to mention how fast he is..4.6 forty time!
Great pick
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
Can we Get Marcus Freeman in rd 5?
Larry
April 26th, 2009
1:39 pm
Common denominator of Turner, Ryan, Gonzalez, and now Jerry: No earrings, braids or pony tails–just tough confident real men!
Thank God we didn’t draft Crabtree trying to mimic Deion Sanders’ jewelry or Cushing with his slicked back hair and his pony tail curled up in a bun.
Real men, real football!
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
1:40 pm
Oh boy – ok, now I am a bit concerned – is picking a DE for depth at DE, or will they try to convert him to outside linebacker. I was really hoping to see a true outside linebacker taken or a big offensive lineman like Duke Robinson or Herman Johnson.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:40 pm
so it takes a certain fashion to be a good NFL player? and I know I would have hated to draft the next deion sanders god that guy sucked!
mars
April 26th, 2009
1:45 pm
Goodbye, J Anderson!
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
lmao
water boy
April 26th, 2009
1:47 pm
I am not the only one that is doubting J. Anderson’s skills. Looks like TD and CMS wanted a TRUE pass rusher too. If J. Anderson does somehow pan out, wow, we will have a helluva DL.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
I’ve gotta believe the next pick is O-line or possibly Taylor from Michigan or both since we have 2 early 5ths
jason
April 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
Could you see anderson move to DT permently ?
Bangkapi Ajarn
April 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
Sidbury lo
oks great for passing downs, but what about the possibility of shifting J.Anderson to linebacker,use Sidbury more on the line??
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:49 pm
Bangkapi, I think it would be the other way around. If JA switches positions it’ll most likely be to DT
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:50 pm
Damn these compensatory picks!
jason
April 26th, 2009
1:51 pm
Sidbury, Anderson, Jerri, Abraham in passing situations… What do you think?
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:51 pm
How bout we trade JA for the philly corner that wants out
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
1:52 pm
Babineaux is a far better pass rusher than Anderson, Jason. For that matter so is Bierman
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:56 pm
anyone else a lil worried about the curse of 370 and micheal turner?
jason
April 26th, 2009
1:56 pm
Brock D, I guess Jamaal would be the odd man out at this point.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
1:58 pm
except that sidbury is unproven at the nfl level and isnt great against the run jamaal was very good against the run last year at this point they would at least alternate them according to situation and down.