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
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
KC, and be thankful we didnt take a VaTech corner that is too slow and will move to safety…
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
Don’t know why Duke Robinson hasn’t gone. I bet he doesn’t, either. (Second-best guard in the draft, according to you-know-who.)
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
Falcons just Twittered that Peria Jerry has arrived in Arthur M. Blank’s private jet.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
Didn’t we also have Duke in for interviews? Maybe we are working out a package to trade up.
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
What are the falcons plans at OLB? I am surprised they haven’t addressed that yet
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
Sorry. The Falcons’ Tweet referred to our story by Ms. Carroll Rogers on Jerry, who arrived in Flowery Branch at 2 a.m. (Not long after I left, as it happened.)
Here’s Ms. CR’s story on Jerry.
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
I would guess again that the Falcons are satisfied with the following at linebacker: Coy Wire (Weakside) Curtis Lofton (Middle) and Mike Peterson (Strongside) with Stephen Nicholas backing up on strongside, and Robert James coming off IR to backup weakside…..
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
And Duke goes to the Panthers. That kinda hurts. I hate to see that big boy and Jeff Otah like up together and maul an undersized defensive line like ours. Don’t get me wrong – I like our line ok, but those boys are BIG.
KC in Smyrna
April 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
Hamad, that is the worst possible team to get Duke. They have GREAT size and talent. I was hoping the Falcons could get Duke. I trust T.D. knows what he is doing.
joe
April 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
“You Tech haters asking which Tech player was taken on Day 1 should be embarrassed. UGA had amazing talent (as witnessed by the draft), yet couldn’t beat Tech at HOME on Munson/Dooley day. Tech returns 19 starters. UGA returns Willie.”
All of our talent was on offense, not defense. Hence why we didn’t win it all. Of course Mark Bradley has already told us how Stafford sucks nuts and Detroit was stupid to draft him. So maybe we didn’t have the talent. Then again I doubt Mark Bradley could find his butth*le with a funnel.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
An awful lot of folks have to have an awful lot of reservations about you for you to go 163rd overall. And I believe my little observation falls under the heading of “Duh.”
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
Well. I thought we had a shot at Herman…no more.
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
We still have a few positions to fill – we’ve got no one on the roster that is backing up Erik Coleman @ free safety. The McClure situation makes me wish we had a center, but I can’t find one left that really does anything for me.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:37 pm
Appropos of nothing, I just now realized that I’ve seen seven of the top 12 draftees play in person. Five of them I saw play in 2008.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
Most safeties are being crosstrained to do both. I think Decoud could do it and we also have Fudge. Most teams don’t carry 5 safeties.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Lets go and get Ricky Jean-Francois
atmdog
April 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
Remember there are always players cut for different reasons during training camp and pre season. Falcons will pick up a couple of players to fill some holes in backup positions.
atmdog
April 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Talk of MV7 back in the NFL will start soon…..
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
How about the Kicker from Wake, Elam is no spring chicken
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
True that most teams are looking for safeties that play both positions, but a 5′10 190 lb safety isn’t going to be ask to come up to the line of scrimmage for run support. You aren’t also going to find many of the bigger safeties capable of keeping up with the speedy slot receivers.
Hopefully, you have the guy that excels in playing over the corners for deep pass route support, and you have the guy who can cover the intermediate routes and come up to stuff the run. I think having two safeties that you think can do all of that is a little optimistic.
Most teams also don’t carry six corners either, so either a draft pick or an existing CB isn’t going to make the team.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
Yes, there are, ATM. If I recall, both Foxworth and Fudge were training-camp arrivals.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Hamad, what about Bob Sanders?
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
I like the Rickey Jean-Francois idea. DT from LSU. (I’ve seen him play, too!) He’s rated 98th in the draft, ninth at his position. Can’t have too many big linemen.
KC in Smyrna
April 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
I’m not worried about Safety. Many people are forgetting about Decoud. Also, the Falcons are looking to have as many as 4 compensatory picks next year. With the deals signed by Foxworth, Brooking, and Boley, we are in good shape to get free mid-round picks. I am guessing we get a couple of 4th round picks. I’m pulling for those guys to play well so we can continue our draft plan.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
I think Irons may be gone. Only 3 corners are safe: houston, chevis, and owens. Grimes and Hutchins are pretty sure to make it. That means Middleton and Irons will battle this out.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
Rickey disappeared sometimes, but he’s got talent. At this point in the draft, take the chance in case Lewis cant come fully back.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
wow javon ringer just now getting picked
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Everyone in the NFL should be so lucky as to have a Bob Sanders. That dude is definitely not the norm. That dude is only 5-8, 206 and plays like 6-2, 220.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
I will tell you that the Falcons don’t like guys who disappear, UGA B. What the word “process” was to 2008, the words “consistency” and “urgency” are to 2009.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
I hear ya, but you can’t coach talent. What NE does is have the process motivate guys that need it.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
3:55 pm
I saw Javon Ringer against Georgia in the Capital One Bowl. I wasn’t impressed. Ran hard, but wasn’t fast.
Bill
April 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
We’re next!
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
3:57 pm
Zach Follett?
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
3:57 pm
Not sure the future for someone who averages 4.2 yds per carry in college. The myth is bigger than the player.
David
April 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
UGA- Check out this info on Ricky Jean-Francois: While a member of the Tigers football team, he was suspended by the NCAA for 12 months, had academic problems and angered his head coach for unflattering comments made about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow before the teams met in 2008.
Not sure I want him with that baggage.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
Hooray, the Brian Hoyer obligatory hot girlfriend shot! Back to the Cos’…
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
first miami player?
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
Spencer Adkins, LB, Miami.
Joe Schmoe
April 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Yea that was I was going to say JJM, that is a rarity. We have an OLB now.
uga_b
April 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
David, yeah he had a ways to go last year to get back in good graces. It was my understanding that he had done that, but those flaws are why he is available. I like the OLB pick.
Brock D
April 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
I just moved up to Athens from Miami. I went to most of the Canes games down there and I don’t know much about this guy. What I do know is UM is LB U
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
who?
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
Let’s throw out our 7th round pick on Brian Hoyer’s girlfriend. She certainly could be an immediate starter on our cheerleading squad.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
I think that was the first miami player drafted
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
Not even a full bio from Scouts, Inc., on Adkins, either. He’s ranked the 24th-best ILB. He’s 5-11, 230.
And I saw him play, too, though I don’t recall him. I saw him against Tech in that Thursday night blowout where Miami looked like the worst-coached team ever.
Mark Bradley
April 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
And with that, I’m going to get ready to go to Mass. Thanks again for hanging in, y’all. These last four days — since the Tony Gonzalez trade on — have been a blast. At least for me, and I hope for you.
KC in Smyrna
April 26th, 2009
4:09 pm
I trust TD, but this one is a head scratcher. That guy would have been available as a free agent. I was hoping for more BEEF on the DL. They must really think that Trey Lewis will make a full recovery.
J.J.M.
April 26th, 2009
4:10 pm
Have a good one Mark
Dylan w/o the dead
April 26th, 2009
4:11 pm
i say Bradley should start using Hoyers gf pic instead of his it would bring alot more people to the blog
Hamad Meander
April 26th, 2009
4:13 pm
KC – beef is m favorite word when looking at a draft class. I wonder too why no more linemen on both sides of the ball. I am under the school of thought that the closer to the line of scrimmage, the more impact on the season a guy can have. For example – if you are looking at needs at both DL and CB, and two equal guys are available, go closest to the line first.