Bradley’s Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback
Another day, another mock draft. This one comes from Don Banks of SI.com, and his is noteworthy because it doesn’t have the Falcons taking a pass rusher with the 19th overall pick. (Which, as noted previously, the Falcons don’t yet own — there’s a coin flip with Houston upcoming in February.)
No, Banks has the Falcons taking a cornerback. And not just any cornerback. A cornerback from Boise State. His name: Kyle Wilson. Banks’ rationale:
“The search for the draft’s No. 2-rated cornerback behind Florida’s Joe Haden at this week’s Senior Bowl turned up a surprising name, that of the former Bronco defensive back, Wilson. He has blanketed receivers on behalf of the North squad, and has made play after play on the ball. There’s no team that needs cornerback help more than Atlanta, and look for Wilson to continue to climb up teams’ draft boards.”
Cross-reference time: ESPN.com’s Scouts Inc. has Wilson ranked fourth among cornerbacks and 38th overall (link requires registration), which means he’d be a reach at No. 19. But both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of the Worldwide Leader have commented favorably on Wilson this week, according to Chad Cripe of the Idaho Statesman.
And then there’s the RV factor. Reports Mike Herndon in the Mobile Press-Register:
“A blue-and-orange bus sat in the Ladd-Peebles Stadium parking lot as the North squad practiced Wednesday morning, bearing the name and larger-than-life likeness of Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson.
“Wilson[5-foot-10, 186 pounds], a native of Piscataway, N.J., said the bus is owned by his older brother, Jerry Wilson, a former player at Princeton.
” ‘He drove it to all my games this last year,’ said Wilson, who admitted to being surprised when he first saw the bus. ‘My brother goes all out for me. He’s my No. 1 supporter. He’s always there for me, whatever I need, any advice, any help. He just wanted to show support and he made it fun traveling to all my games this year for my family.’ “
I’ve mentioned it before, but here it is again: If I had to guess today — and I don’t, but I will anyway — I’d say the Falcons will take a defensive end in Round 1 and wait for Round 3 to snag a cornerback. But Thomas Dimitroff is known in the industry as a keen judge of defensive backs, and he might just have been impressed by Wilson in Mobile this week.
And if Wilson’s workouts and the RV aren’t enough to turn heads, there’s always this Web site — Kdub1.com. It contains this admonition: “Receivers beware. Quarterbacks beware. Special teams’ defenses beware. [Wilson also returned kicks.] #1 is gunning for you.”
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133 comments Add your comment
Benjamin
January 29th, 2010
7:49 am
Two in one week?
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
7:50 am
Yes, Benjamin. You’re closing in on Sonny Clusters now. Kudos.
Benjamin
January 29th, 2010
7:50 am
FIRST!
We need a corner, but honestly, as one of the charter members of the Grimes fan club, I hope he’s able to play a prominent role for us for some time. I like the little guy…
Benjamin
January 29th, 2010
7:54 am
Clusters’s Dairy Queen and Parkview talks help the man stand out far beyond yours truly in these parts.
In truth, I can only aspire to be Clusters-lite.
Just what the Birds need...
January 29th, 2010
7:56 am
…another midget CB!
falcon 71
January 29th, 2010
7:59 am
this guy is probably 5 9. forget this runt. if TD takes a CB get a ligit 6 ft gu that can jump
falcon 71
January 29th, 2010
8:01 am
even Jenkins could probably catch a one handed lob over this dwarf
Thirty Points to Your Twenty-Four Points
January 29th, 2010
8:02 am
It doesn’t matter who the Falcons take……..
It doesn’t negate the fact that Georgia Tech football has been the most overrated team in sports the last couple years, and that they were embarrassed by UGA on their home field on November 28th, 2009…….
Mike Jay
January 29th, 2010
8:03 am
You guys are aware that there are very few CB taller than 5′ 10 right?
I thought our CBs improved as the year went along. Grimes in particular has a nose for the ball and plays the run way better than a man of his size should, he is not afraid to get physical. You add a legitimate and consistent pass rush and our current CB will be fine. That being said taking one later in the draft should still be a priority.
Marvin Mangrum
January 29th, 2010
8:06 am
I got one thing to say! Only a bunch of freaking morons would pick someone who is 5 freaking 10 to be a cornerback. That is insane, I guess there is no 3ft 9 defensive tackles?
Mike Jay
January 29th, 2010
8:12 am
Go look at the NFC pro bowl, one guy is lsited at 5′11, the rest all 5′10.
Granted the AFc side has a 6′0, a 6′2, and a 5′11 guy. Still they are the exception not the rule. Taller CB are more physical and generally not as good in pass coverage or takeaways from my observations.
falcon 71
January 29th, 2010
8:16 am
the 1980 Falcons were possibly the best team they ever had. the cb Rolland Lawrence was 5 8.
Drew Pearson was 6 0. we were 2 scores ahead with 4 min left. season over Dallas advanced. i was there so no arguement
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 29th, 2010
8:17 am
dont think it will happen got to put pressure on the quarterback ,get a consistent pass rush and the corners we have will look good. Of I would lay odds that TD and CMS are not following theses mocks to see what they should do
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
8:18 am
Didn’t a coin flip enable the Falcons to draft third overall in 2008, Geoff?
GeoffDawg
January 29th, 2010
8:19 am
The general cosensus must be that TD is great at calling coin flips. Seems like everyone’s assuming the Falcons will get pick #19.
Mike Jay
January 29th, 2010
8:20 am
And lastely. Grimes is small for a CB but he has serious hops and plays bigger than his height. I’m sure you all that redicilous INT he had were he seemed to be about 8 feet in the air.
Oh conviently forgot that did you?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d813ec60b/WK-8-Can-t-Miss-Play-Grimes-INT
There are 6′1 CBs who owuld not make that play.
GT, In Your Dreams
January 29th, 2010
8:22 am
45-42. The Greatest Game Ever Played. The game that restored order to nature. The game in which it was proven that true scholar-athletes could defeat mindless for-hire thugs. I get shivers just thinking about that magical day in November 2008. Sorry, Georgia, but the truth hurts (you).
FJR
January 29th, 2010
8:22 am
Look at pro-bowl corners. How many of them are over 6′?
By taking the advice of guys here, we wouldn’t draft:
Asante Samuel (5′10″ and actually he’s probably 5′9″ in reality);
Terrence Newman is 5′11″;
Mike Jenkins is 5′10″;
Darrelle Revis is 5′11″;
So you guys would advise TD to not take 4 of the 6 pro-bowl CB’s. People on here astound me with their lack of football knowledge. 5′9″ is fine for a corner. Not ideal, 5′11″ is probably more the absolute ideal. After 5′11″ players get big to the point of not normally being able to change direction fast enough to be a corner. It’s like physics and stuff. But since you guys apparently have trouble reading numbers, I don’t expect you to understand that either.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 29th, 2010
8:23 am
I think the height is the problem only in the redzone , how tall is charles woodson anybody know , how tall was Deon ?
Benjamin
January 29th, 2010
8:25 am
Hey! What’s wrong with the little guys?
I know one in particular that had six picks this season, including arguably the greatest interception in the history of football against the Saints…
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
8:25 am
Heh, heh. I laughed, lefty fielder.
Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
8:26 am
South GA, Charles Woodson is 6-foot-1.
FJR
January 29th, 2010
8:26 am
South GA Dawg fan:
NFL GMs do follow the mocks a little. Not to get an idea of what they should do, but to get some sort of idea of what other’s people’s picks might be and roughly how late guys are going to go. Where a player they really like is projected (so they can know roughly how late they could take him), etc.
Even if you love a certain guy, you don’t want to take him in the second round when it’s reasonably certain you could pick him up in the third. You’d want to draft a guy with that second pick who isn’t going to be there in the third and then use that third round pick for “your guy”
lefty fielder
January 29th, 2010
8:26 am
The bus . . . the website . . . sounds like a another version Meangelo Hall.
We could call him Me-2.
The Great Carnack
January 29th, 2010
8:31 am
Bradley compliments the funny before it’s posted. That’s my turf, Mark.
FJR
January 29th, 2010
8:31 am
Deion was tall, but he was a freak of nature. True freak. Dude could run a 4.5 40 running backwards in work boots. If you sit there waiting for another Deion, you will be waiting for quite a while. There may not be another corner as physically gifted as him for quite a while.
Blindog
January 29th, 2010
8:32 am
With a good pass rusher the corner-backs we have will be even better.
GeoffDawg
January 29th, 2010
8:35 am
I think you’re right about the 2008 coin flip Mark.
And how the heck did you answer my question a minute before it was posted? You should be picking lottery numbers, not writing blogs.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 29th, 2010
8:39 am
got nothing against the little guys i just think they are vulnerable in the redzone against 6′3″ or so wideouts. i think there jumping ability can make up for the height on a slower developing play but not so much on short bullet passes in the endzone.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 29th, 2010
8:41 am
Great point about the mock drafts , but when the raiders are up toward the front of the draft shouldn’t that throw everyones mocks off by at one pick , I mean I dont think even Mark Bradley can predict what Al Davis is thinking
DDawgDavis
January 29th, 2010
8:42 am
See again, Chicken or the Egg, which came first? Sound/Solid secondary will give time for the D-line to move in, but a quick aggressive D-Line will rattle normal QBs, but Brees can dump it off to checkdowns.
I say go after BOTH. FA and draft should be dominated by Defense.
Get a Elvis Dumervil to play the WLB/SLB or draft a Wilson out of BSU. (Dumervil is the quickest name I could come up with w/o looking at the list).
I still say Taylor Mays and rotate him and Moore between Mays and LB and Moore/CB.
WILDCARD: take Ducasse for the O-line! protect the investment.
leland
January 29th, 2010
8:46 am
Dear Mr. MB–colons after complete sentences. Your pal, Leland
willdave
January 29th, 2010
8:52 am
Perhaps Houston’s Matt Schaub might help out his old team and do something to rig the coin toss and make sure we get that 19th overall pick.
What do you say, Matt? You remember all those good times here in Atlanta!
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
January 29th, 2010
8:59 am
falcon 71 that was gruesome memory to bring up…you had to go there..??
Nativebird
January 29th, 2010
8:59 am
No please, not ANOTHER college CB that will take 2-3 years to determine that he’s too short (grimes) and too dumb (williams)and too arrogant (Hall) to play in the NFL.
trickworm
January 29th, 2010
8:59 am
An ounce of pass rush is worth a pound of coverage.
Chef Mentuer
January 29th, 2010
9:04 am
GEAUX SAINTS! WHO DAT!
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:05 am
We was flattered to find our name mentioned in this blog before we turned on our computer this morning. One time we went to Dairy Queen and they saw us coming and Mr Taber’s daughter started making us a peanut buster parfait when we got out of the car and had it ready for us when we got to the window – but she followed Dairy Queen rules and made us go over to the pick-up window to get it. Still, we was flattered. That young man having his own bus is pretty special and it looks a lot like a MARTA bus to us with all those graphics on the side and taking up all those parking places.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:14 am
We was told that some of our favorite journalists will not have offices in Dunwoody when the paper moves there. We was thinking Dunwoody would be a nice place for an office with the Dairy Queen being right there on Ashford Dunwoody.
Marky Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
9:16 am
I just hope that he uses that impeccable judgment that he did in the last two drafts. The first class is spectacular, and I think it is way too soon to declare anything about the second draft because of the injuries and such. That first class truly was the exception, and I think that we will have plenty of stellar players suiting up in the Dome in the years to come.
Ol' Ball Coach
January 29th, 2010
9:17 am
Take a knee everybody. The Falcons are looking for a big corner, a linebacker, a running back, Offensive Line and an athletic tight end. They will go best available or trade down as needed. We are ok at DE with Sidbury and the “Beer-man” to rotate for Abe and the bust. If we could get a meaty DT for cheap that would be good too. Don’t forget Babineaux may get dealt for his indiscretions….think people, think.
Greene Hornet
January 29th, 2010
9:19 am
I know height is important, but it is not the be all end all. The way the CBs are used and how the defense as a unit plays (like the D-line with good pass rushers) makes the smalled CBs look and play taller than they are. Either way, we need both a CB and D-line help. Which is more important and what is available through the draft and free agency to address those needs is TDs job…
Ryno
January 29th, 2010
9:21 am
Still would rather have an upgrade to the pass rush rather than another late round CB gamble. Would much rather see Sergio Kindle on the team.
Big Slick
January 29th, 2010
9:22 am
nice one, Mark – I have to agree with Kiper that Dimitrof will go with a pass-rusher and reiterate your thought that the Falcons will wait until the 3rd round or later to go with a CB. From all I’ve heard and read about DT, he tends to wait until the later rounds for your flashy players like WRs and CBs – which I think is a smart move. That said, if he does surprise us and take a CB (which we desperately need), he’s earner plenty of trust – aside from the fact that he has trouble picking guys who can stay healthy…
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
January 29th, 2010
9:25 am
A guy with his own bus in college? Isn’t that against NCAA rules or something?
NCBravesFAN
January 29th, 2010
9:25 am
Hey nativebird….I see your here to offer great suggestions again. Oh nevermind, i forgot, all you do is spew negativity on these blogs!
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:31 am
That’s a nice picture on the sports page of Arthur Blank wearing that grey suit. Maybe Arthur ought to get a bus like that and put his picture on the side. It would be a lot better than leaving it Blank. Wait a minute . . .
Smarty
January 29th, 2010
9:33 am
Come on Mark. Most of us can get this as well FOR FREE and most of do.
I would love your job just to copy someone else’s work. And you rehashed your article before about the Defensive end. Now to important issues. Dylan is coming to Atlanta soon with a new all star band. You heard it hear first!
collegeballfan
January 29th, 2010
9:35 am
Do not be surprised if Dimitroff trades for a 2nd round pick if there is a player available that he really covets. Trading next year’s 2nd and this year’s third or fourth for a player you really believe in is a good deal.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:38 am
If the Falcons stay downtown they could just rent some MARTA buses to put Arthur Blank’s picture on the side. Mark, do you know if Mr Blank has any tattoos? We was never tattooed though some players on our team got tattooed when we went to Jacksonville to play a game. Coach got one, too, but Coach was going through some bad times about then. We never understood him getting that Chevron sign tattooed on his arm but the tattoo parlor was right next to a Chevron station and Coach thought the sign was colorful. We would have gone for the Dairy Queen look.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:42 am
Being a tall and handsome ballplayer has always worked for us. Tall players can reach over the wall and make a catch. Tall players can wave they arms in the air and knock down passes. Tall players can look down on short little players and intimidate them. Being a tall player has always suited us fine. Getting a little bitty cornerback to cover a tall receiver can be risky if the quarterback is going to throw the ball high in the air. Sometimes a team will have a receiver nobody wants to cover. That’s called the Wintes Factor.
NCBravesFAN
January 29th, 2010
9:43 am
Hey Sonny, has the AJC ever contacted you about your own blog? I would pay to join in!
SirReal
January 29th, 2010
9:44 am
Mark, do you think we’d really do get a corner before a DE? I think CB is more pressing as we have potential pass rushers in Biermann and Sidbury. What happened to the 4-3/ 3-4 hybrid they were talking about last year? Injuries kill that idea? I think in a 3-4, sidbury or biermann could be look Dumervil for DEN….then again we STILL have BVG as D-Coord….
Manny
January 29th, 2010
9:44 am
I would get a D-lineman (possibly a DE.) John Abraham isn’t going to last long.
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
9:44 am
I think we should do our NFL shopping by the pound. A 5′10″ cornerback at first round money would be like buying prime rib, but now, a big ol’ bubba at first round money…now that’s meatloaf money!! There might even be leftovers.
Seriously, the Birds have a terrible history with Cornerbacks in the first round, except maybe Deion, who bolted the first chance he got…or Bobby Butler.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:48 am
NCBravesFAN, we was once a journalist but now we just like to blog with Mark. If we did sign on with the AJC we’d want an office in Dunwoody and a Royal typewriter or maybe a Smith Corona like Furman Bisher. We’d also want a window facing the Dairy Queen.
Manny
January 29th, 2010
9:49 am
This is my formula: You sign free agents for right now. You draft for the future.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
9:50 am
We made the acquaintance of Dave Kindred and he told us he was ink stained. That’s not the same as a tattoo. It has something to do with newspapers.
NCclustersFAN
January 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Just wanted to let you know Sonny…We are all fans! Maybe one day we will see a bus with a big picture of you and your peanut buster parfait painted on the side of it, driving down I-20 towards the big game! We can all dream cant we…
Not only would a pass rush...
January 29th, 2010
9:52 am
…help the DB’s, it would freakin’ help if the DB’s would ever LOOK for the ball after it is thrown.
Maybe the new DB coach will teach this little piece to the DB’s – kinda like punt blockers going DOWN ON THE FOOT OF THE PUNTER, rather then jumping up in the freakin’ air, and drawing nothing but air. If I see one more guy miss a block (in college or pros) grrrrrrrrr….
PMC
January 29th, 2010
9:53 am
Honestly, unless he is Revis drafting a CB in the first is a waste for this team. Pass Rush is what really killed them on defense. I’d rather see them go DE or OLB if one is available over CB then hope to trade back into the second and get Kyle Wilson if he’s there.
My pick in the first round for value would still be Left Tackle. They need to upgrade big time at one of the most important positions on offense.
I don’t think they are as bad as everyone else thinks at CB especially if they can keep Brian Williams or find another quality veteran corner.
Left Tackle I think is probably the best value they could find there to help them next year and beyond. Outside Linebacker or DE is next.
1eyedJack
January 29th, 2010
9:55 am
Sonny with a Caramel Clusters Blizzard and a big grin.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
10:08 am
Only two more days for the featured Turtle Pecan Clusters Blizzard of the Month.
suwaneedawg
January 29th, 2010
10:12 am
Could we take a corner in the first round and get a DE through free agency? Or visa-versa? Just wondering.
Dawgie Bowser
January 29th, 2010
10:17 am
I’m thinking about writing something controversial that will still some folks up. Anybody got any ideas?
Dawgie Bowser
January 29th, 2010
10:17 am
Stir. sorry
PreyDawg
January 29th, 2010
10:18 am
Sonny is a classic. I love this guy. But dont worry Sonny, not like that. I mean in a very brotherly macho kind of way. By the way. I was a 105 pound left Guard on a powerhouse Ga. High School team that won one game in three seasons, so I know a thing or two about intimidating little players too.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
10:18 am
You can’t look at a Clusters baby and tell what position he will play but you know he will be a ballplayer and you know he will be smart. When we was born they thought we’d mostly pitch but that was before they saw us hit and they realized we needed to be an every day player. So, we ended up playing shortstop and some center field and pitching, too. Coach said we was versatile and we always thought so, too, because rugged good looks is what the girls like. That and the long ball. We was always going yard and sometimes they would not be able to find the ball since we hit it so hard. They was some other good players on our team, too, but they was egotistical.
NCfalconsFAN
January 29th, 2010
10:19 am
I think TD will attempt to draft corner instead of signing a FA or trading for one but with that being said I dont think he will go 1st rd DB. D line OT with first rd or he could trade back and get 2 or 3 later round picks. Oh how I wish one of the Tech boys would make it on the team!
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It is an Irish name.
January 29th, 2010
10:22 am
68th! Any defensive help will suit me.
Please read Speaker
January 29th, 2010
10:24 am
Speaker…read the article about the RV first before you post. Reading is fundamental.
Boise Dawg
January 29th, 2010
10:26 am
Personally I am not sold on Wilson. Glad to hear he is having such a great Senior Bowl, but his play was inconsistent this past year. As a defensive unit, BSU was much more stout against the run… don’t get me wrong, Wilson was a star on this team, but I just didn’t see a first round pick during the season.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
10:35 am
Legend has it that we threw that little blue nose aspirator across the room when we was born and it landed right in the spot we was aiming. They had us checked out for being possessed but decided we just had a good arm and uncanny control for a baby our size. We also had a good breaking aspirator but that developed a few days later. When we was playing ball all the practice as a baby was very helpful.
Clusters' baby mama
January 29th, 2010
10:38 am
Yeah, a Clusters will be a player all right. Where’s my child support check, Sonny?
Mama Clusters
January 29th, 2010
10:38 am
You leave my Sonny along, you gold digging hussy.
French Feller
January 29th, 2010
10:40 am
A big orange R.V. with the picture of a tatooed up feller on the side of it. Some fellers have all the style don’t they?
Curt
January 29th, 2010
10:40 am
Mark,
I would say that a wild card in the revamping of the Falcons secondary is with the coaching staff. It has been clear that the Falcons corners lacked some fundamentals in their collective coverage ability and that could be one of the reasons that the overall secondary was so bad. With the release of Emmitt Thomas, the new secondary coach must evaluate the talent and determine if their problems are lack of ability or lack of proper training. This would and should dictate if the Falcons draft a corner and where in the draft they do so.
In my opinion, the Falcons are much more in need of a pass rushing DE and coverage type linebacker. It appeared to me that while they did give up some long pass plays, they Falcons were more often burned by lack of pass rush and by TE and running backs catching the intermediate pass which is typically covered by a linebacker or DE.
Mike Jay
January 29th, 2010
10:41 am
Manny,
Actually in today’s NFL with the amount draft picks get paid (especially in the first few rounds) They have to contribute right away. Limited roster space + Salary caps dictate this. However, ‘projects’ can still be taken in the late draft still.
Bangkapi Ajarn
January 29th, 2010
11:07 am
Mark, I agree that cornerback may well not be a first round choice for TD, he invested quite a bit in cb’s last year and they have yet had the opportunity to develop or not. Depending on free agency pluses or minuses and if he gets 3 or 4 compensatory picks, he may well look at DL or LB for the first pick depending on who is available at 19 or 20.
My question, Mark – I have seen Mount Cody slip to the late first round area in several mocks, past the Falcons, yet I haven’t yet seen anyone pick him for the Falcons. Perhaps because of Jeria last year, perhaps he isn’t considered a rushing end. HOWEVER, he does put pressure on passers, and teamed with Jeria in a 4-3 in run/short yardage / goal line stand situations they would be stout. They would also definitely put pressure on passers, tie up blockers so Sidbury or whoever could get to qb’s – and even get some sacks on their own. He would also be insurance/plan B if Jeria turns out to be injury prone every year, or doesn’t workout for some reason. He could replace Anderson as he had been moved inside last year some, and if Anderson gets a free agent deal somewhere he could bring a comp draft pick in a year, win-win.
What are your thoughts, Mark? Would TD consider Cody to firm up the Defensive Line?
mikie g.
January 29th, 2010
11:11 am
the boy from Clemson ? i have never seen anyone accelerate around the corner like him. if he is available then he should be the one.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 29th, 2010
11:14 am
Tall Corner is an oxymoron
Diamond Dog's Parole Officer
January 29th, 2010
11:23 am
Isn’t it ironic that UGA fans quanitfy their current existence by beating Tech in football?
Why???
That’s right, becuase they’ve won the SEC 2 times in 28 years.
Ridonkulous
Dawg 3/20
January 29th, 2010
11:44 am
Joe Haden or any other Gator does not want to play for the Falcons, they see the Dawg “faithful” leaving the stadium when there team still has an outside shot of winning and they have seen how they treat their campus on game day so they believe Falcons fans aren’t that different.
De' truth
January 29th, 2010
11:44 am
I must have stumbled in to the Sonny Clusters Show. Can anyone tell me how I get to the Mark Bradley blog?
Shouldnt New Orleans...
January 29th, 2010
11:47 am
be America’s team? I mean after Katrina they sent all their murderers, covicts, and homeless to infect Atlanta, Houston, New York and more…:D
Falcons, go offense-GO OLE MISS!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 29th, 2010
11:51 am
dang sonny, now i want DQ. back to the blog, FALCONS MUST DRAFT A DB!! let’s just pray he’s not injury prone like our last year’s picks. no one under 5′10″ as well please TD.
Stirg d'Nahsif
January 29th, 2010
11:53 am
Mr. Bradley, riddle me this: Why are you so adamant about drafting a defensive end? I challenge you to present three defensive ends, in NFL history, that successfully made an impact the first year of a football team (I define “impact” as a sack per-game, game-changer, pro-bowl material, playoff contenders). I’ll even help you with this challenge; I’ll give you John Abraham and Jevon Kearse. The point I’m trying to make is that it takes a long time (3years+) for a defensive end to develop and master the craft of rushing. Considering that fans live for “the right now”, I don’t think that there is a defensive end, in this year’s draft, that would immediately change the scenario of our problems with rushing the passer. I would agree, however, that a good pass rush is necessary for a defensive team to be successful; but if we can add a push up the middle (a Vince Wilfork type), then that would make our defensive ends, now, look like pro-bowlers. Shop free agency for a Vince Wilfork and/or a Richard Seymour and you have instantly placed our defense in the top ten (possibly five) of the NFL. Imagine a starting lineup on the defensive line with Abraham, Wilfork, Babs and Seymour. Now imagine a rotation with Biermann, Jerry, Anderson and Sidbury. With that personnel, it wouldn’t matter who is playing cornerback. Hell, you and D.O.’better, with Jeff Shultz at nickel, can cover receivers with that lineup. Again, shop free agency to beef up our line and settle for the future with our current, young, players (Jerry, Biermann, Sidbury and others). Then draft for the back seven, to coincide with the youngsters we have back there now (see Atlanta Hawks). I like Witherspoon (I love Witherspoon); I like Sergio Kindle; I like Patrick Robinson; and I love Kyle Wilson. Either of those players will satisfy our defense and immediately start. There is not one defensive end on the draft board that will start for our team next year.
And for the critics who suggest that 6′0″-under is too short to play cornerback in this league, think rationally. The taller you are, the more difficult it would be to turn your hips. Tall cornerbacks are ideal for shut-down coverage; but Coach Smith’s (and BVG) scheme is zone coverage. We need corners that can read and react…not just shutdown. Kyle Wilson is probably the best corner on the board, after Haden, and should be a strong consideration for our number one pick.
Buddy Curry made every tackle
January 29th, 2010
11:57 am
If Brent Grimes starts 16 games, he will have 10 picks. Can anyone argue with that statement? We are going to draft an OLB that will have an immediate impact on our pass rush. Grimes is a good cornerback that could be great with a passrush.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
Sometimes Mark just leaves us here to blog when he is in high-level meetings like we was in yesterday. If we was making some people uncomfortable with our posts, we can blog like some others on here and try to fit in. Here goes: “Your hear to blog about Georgia football and the pre-season poles, arent you?” Whoa! We could not resist doing that. We was always friends with a lot of Georgia people and we did not know they was bad spellers. At Clemson if you can’t spell you can’t get in.
T
January 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
Are they looking in the draft for a WR or do you think TD will look at free agency? They need a good 2nd guy for White
Dominique Wilkins
January 29th, 2010
12:06 pm
Benjamin needs a heat check, Bob.
Matt Ryan
January 29th, 2010
12:08 pm
Can we draft a real QB to run this team, I think the other teams have figured me out now.
Dr. Warren
January 29th, 2010
12:23 pm
Sonny Clusters, have you considered my suggestion about coming to China? There are plenty of DQ’s here in Shanghai–and aside from Green Tea Blizzards, which are better for your heart, they even have one called “Georgia Mud.” The girls at the counter love a southern accent, especially if you can do it in Mandarin.
frontofficedorks wake up.
January 29th, 2010
12:26 pm
no more midget corners!!!!!!!!!!these guys are a dime a dozen, read, chris Houston, tye hill and the rest of the mini corners who we have drafted or acquired and regretted,… waste the pick on a aggressive linebacker or defensive end that will cause havoc in the backfield…then the midget corners can go for the pick when the ball is underthrown.
Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh" Jones, SR
January 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
Take a defensive end to rush the QB!
Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh" Jones, SR
January 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
Take a rush end to rush the QB and that will make our dbs look better!
O'Brien
January 29th, 2010
12:32 pm
Mark,
If CJ Spiller somehow falls to #19 or 20, do you think the Falcons WOULD take him?
And do you think the Falcons SHOULD take him?
I’ll hang up on listen.
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
Dr Warren we saw China on television but that’s all. We might come over for a visit, though, if they’s plenty of Dairy Queens around. Somebody we know went to New York not thinking about there being no Dairy Queens around. Now, he’s miserable. The good thing about a Dilly Bar is you can take it home and put it in the freezer and enjoy it later.
gary baxter
January 29th, 2010
12:40 pm
strig
did you ever hear of reggie white, claude humphry, ed too tall jones, deacon jones?
Ken Strickland
January 29th, 2010
12:46 pm
I seriously doubt if you’ll find on any other blogs, as many negative, closed minded, football illiterate fans as you’ll find on Falcons blogs. Kyle Widson is listed at 5′10″ and some clown immediately fantasizes about him being only 5′9″ just to justify his need to b!tch.
How stupid does one have to be to think that being 6′ or taller automatically makes one a much better and more effective CB? The fact that we saw a drastic improvement in our CB play down the stretch doesn’t seem to register with these know nothings. Our 2 so called dwarf or undersized CB’s performed better down the stretch than any 2 CB’s in the NFL, and it wasn’t because they suddenly got taller, people without a clue. It was because they finally started getting help from the DL.
They were getting INT’s in bunches and their alledged lack of height didn’t seem to give the bigger WR’s any advantage over them as they started snatching one INT after another while defending against taller and larger WR’s.
FJR-excellent example of what we’re talking about, but it will probably go right over the heads of some of our lesser minded fans who think that just signing a CB that’s 6′ or taller is all that’s required. You left another so called dwarf or undersized Probowl CB off your list, the Vikings 5′9″ Antonio Wingate.
The size of a CB is increased or reduced proportionally by the magnitude of the pass rush in front of him. Personally, I think the decision not to retain Emmit Thomas was an indication of TD and Smitty’s reaction to his inability to develop and/or correct what they felt were correctable flaws in our existing CB’s. If there’s no DE or LB available that they feel can help our pass rush, then they’ll likely take another CB. However, at this point, the key to our entire DEF is based on our ability to successfully rush the passer, period.
I would like to see us draft a potential pass rusher with our 19th/20th pick, and trade a future pick, or possible combination of future picks, to move into the lower 1st rd and get the CB we want. After all, this team has more than enough young talent, especially at the OFF/DEF skill positions, not to need a 1st or 2nd rd pick in the next yr or two to remain effective.
Dr. Warren
January 29th, 2010
12:53 pm
There’s plenty, Sonny. We got a DQ on the walking street, Wujiang Lu, in our neighborhood. (Lu means street). Krispy-Kreme just opened up down the block. The Chinese think it’s too sweet, though. The Chinese don’t like sweet. I mean it when I say Green Tea Blizzards are their favorite.
http://shanghaiist.com/2005/08/22/dairy_queen.php
Sonny Clusters
January 29th, 2010
1:27 pm
Dr. Warren that was very interesting. We was disappointed that they don’t offer butterscotch for dipping even though we never order that. There is an ice storm coming (maybe) and we will be going out for milk and bread in a few minutes to beat the crowd. We may stop and get some Dilly Bars to go. They is another Warren that favors Dairy Queens and that is Warren Buffett. He liked DQ so much that he bought it. We did the same thing with the Pecan Clusters Mudslide but a green tea blizzard might be all right, too, with nuts and some whipped cream.
Declining UGA
January 29th, 2010
1:55 pm
Falcon41 – Sure that Falcon team was good but you fail to mention that was an era where any tall receiver (who was the guy for the Eagles that was like 6′5″ and had the record for most games with at least one catch in a row? Was it Carmichael?) was a very rare dude!!! Receivers were mostly 5′9″ and defensive backs were around the same size. How tall was Alfred Jenkins? Billy Whiteshoes Johnson? Today receivers are much taller and physical and thus CB’s probably need to be larger as well.
My main concern with selecting a CB from Boise would be his lack of weekly competition to prove his weekly motivation to play at a high level. He can go to a camp play hard for a short period of time and then simply fail in the NFL due to the weekly beating the body takes. BCS conferences generally play competition on a more regular basis than Boise and thus allow a better judgement on whether the player shows up to play on a weekly basis. Would love to see his 40 time and other skills at the combine to compare CB to CB. Doubt seriously he winds up as a first rounder but maybe mid to late 2nd round.
Pete
January 29th, 2010
1:56 pm
Way too early to predict what position or WHO the Falcons will select in round 1.
Free agency, trades, combine and player interviews are a VERY neccessary ingredient to the proccess. TD does not shoot from the hip or take shortcuts.
Dr. Warren
January 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
Green tea blizzards give you all the anti-oxidants you need to fight the Shanghai pollution, which equals Jeff’s rookie year batting average + the LA and Houston pollution index.
falcon
January 29th, 2010
2:03 pm
With the improved play by both Brent Grimes and Chris Owens, and the return of Brian Williams I don’t see the need of spending the 1st pick on a CB. I’m thinking DE or LB. I was glad to see Mike Smith comment very favorably a few weeks back on both Grimes and Owens.
Stirg d'Nahsif
January 29th, 2010
2:10 pm
Mr. baxter, do you really want to compare the defensive ends of this draft to the likes of “reggie white, claude humphry, ed too tall jones, deacon jones”?
Okay, I’ll play. Let’s start with Reggie White. Right after college, he signed with Memphis Showboats of the USFL and played two seasons. He then was signed by the Eagles, which made his third season playing professional ball. Even then, he didn’t go to the pro-bowl until a year later. That eliminates him from the equation.
Claude Humphrey was drafted in 1968 but didn’t go to the Pro-Bowl until 1970. That eliminates him from the equation.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones was selected for the Pro-Bowl in 1981 (first selection) but he was drafted in 1974. His first two-three years wasn’t significant. Let’s remove him from the equation.
Finally, you present Deacon Jones. He was drafted in 1961 and made his first Pro-Bowl appearance in 1964; and he was a member of the Fearsome Foursome. Even with that membership, he needed at least three years to master his craft.
So, we’re back to my theory. It takes a defensive end three plus years to master his craft. So why would we draft a defensive end and expect an immediate impact for this season. I can understand drafting for the future but we already have those players.
Try again.
Falcons73
January 29th, 2010
2:18 pm
Mark, I agree with you…last time I checked a DB can’t put pressure on the QB. Mediocre DB’s look great when the quarterback is laying on the ground.
West Coast Bias
January 29th, 2010
2:35 pm
Kyle Wilson is a fantastic football player who plays with an attitude and makes bigs plays every every game. Most of you fools that are knocking him don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about because you’re passed out on your couches by the time Boise State plays on Saturday nights on the West Coast.
Falconz fan
January 29th, 2010
3:03 pm
Folks, please stop saying that they are OK with Grimes. People want to point to his INT when he jumped 3 feet high. Yeh, that was nice but if you watch the play, the receiver was wide open 5 yards behind him. It was only intercepted b/c of a poor throw. Also, the dude cannot tackle! I’m tired of seeing him stiff-armed to the ground b/c he’s 5 ft tall and has arms about 18 inches long! He’s a nickel back at best, period!
Steve
January 29th, 2010
3:16 pm
A tall CB who can cover is nice, but they are a RARITY. I would rather draft a short corner who we know can cover than a tall corner who we are rolling the dice on.
That being said, I agree with you MB. The Falcons need a pass rusher or a LB right now much more than they need a CB. ESPN is hating on the Falcons CB’s because they are no name guys, but they did pretty well last year considering we had absolutely no pass rush and our LB’s couldn’t cover a rock.
JB FALCON
January 29th, 2010
3:46 pm
I’ve read this whole blog and no has mentioned the rumor that Antonio Cromartie is wanting out of San Diego? Possible FA?
TheAntiMe
January 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
The Falcons don’t need another Mini-Me Cornerback, thank you. Let’s hope that whoever the Falcons draft at CB, in whatever round, measures up to at least 6 feet tall.
falcon
January 29th, 2010
5:43 pm
tell it to Mike Smith falconz fan. Since they put Grimes at RC he played well.
Hamad Meander
January 29th, 2010
7:02 pm
I personally don’t want to see the Falcons take ANY cornerback in the first round. It seems that position is a risky take in the first round. I would prefer a lower risk position – that is usually offensive line and linebacker. Being that we need a pass rush and defensive players, let’s go linebacker. I doubt Rolando McClain will be at #19, but Sergio Kindle might be. He might not be the best fit for our 4-3 defense though…..
I say TRADE DOWN. Don’t reach for the #38th guy with the 19th pick.
Marcus
January 29th, 2010
8:48 pm
MB
way back in the summer, Lindy’s ‘09 College Edition had Wilson rated as the No. 4 CB (behind UK’s T. Lindley, Cal’s SyQuan Thompson, and UFs Haden) and the 33rd rated SR draft prospect.
We shall see…
Answer me this …. contrary to our beliefs and observations on what the Falcon D is lacking, some other mocks (at least 2, and one of them was Kipers from last week) have us taking a 1st round LB
…. what is their rationale?
Mike in Savannah
January 29th, 2010
9:00 pm
Marcus, Mike Peterson, played well, but not great. And he’s in his mid-30’s. Stephen Nicolaus played well, but the Falcons need a long-term solution at either OLB position. Eric Norwood or Sean Weatherspoon would fit that need perfectly. IMO, I say go with Weatherspoon as he’s around the ball every play, a 3 year starter, he has a non-stop motor, and has not been injured in his collegiate career.
joswald
January 29th, 2010
9:26 pm
Need a defensive lineman to rush the passer then Owens and Grimes will be just fine with Chevis at the Nickle. Time for Houston to be dealt for a 2nd or 3rd rounder and get something out of the guy since he cannot defend a pass…Adios Houston…
Wes Bailey
January 29th, 2010
9:28 pm
I have’nt seen anything in print about this but I believe that the Falcons will attempt to sign Aaron Campman of the Packers if he is an UFA which I believe he is. He did not like playing in the 3 – 4 defense and he would look awfully good in Red & Black and he can rush the passer. Then the Birds could go after one of the better DB’s.
Mavericknroddy0284
January 29th, 2010
9:44 pm
OMG..Falcons fans…can we please stop making excuses for the terrible offense we witnessed this year…THE MAJOR INJURIES DIDNT START UNTIL WK 10 AGAINST CAROLINA (minus harry douglas)…that was when turner initially went down…minus the performance against San Fran they really underachieved…from turners fumbles, to matt ryans int’s, to jenkins just being one of the falcons most useless players..I don’t know about you all but I expected a lil more (which is why i spent my hard earned money on the NFL TICKET and numerous falcons jerseys)…i know we need to fix this defense but i honestly feel like we are a Great OTackle away from being a Dynamic offense. I say use the first round pick on that…then get Wilfork and Cromartie in FA..cmon Mr. Blank i know we got the money…show your fans that you truly want to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gary baxter
January 29th, 2010
10:35 pm
ok i get it. only pro bowl players make an impact.
mars
January 30th, 2010
9:53 am
With J Anderson out of the way, we have Abraham, Bierman, Sidbury, and C. Davis @ DE. I’ll take ‘em. Corners were young and rusty, but with continued development accompanied by a pass rush and the impending return of Brian Williams they will be fine. Periah Jerry and Tommy Johnson could use a little help. Peterson should have another good year, but I cannot remember a time when Stephen Nicholas EVER lived up to the hype surrounding him. On offense, Running back is not a priority, even with my fantasy choice of moving Norwood to WR to replace M Jenkins when we show his sorry can the door. What we do need on offense is more, better linemen. Core of this unit are leftovers from the undersized clip-blockers of the failed Vick Era. With Gonzalez returning, it might be a good idea to have him mentoring a replacement in his golden years. I have flirted with the idea of Tebow as a hybrid H-Back style tight end, and like the possibilities. Long shot though. So, with the signing of my asst GM contract, I shall push for upgrading at OLB, OL, DL, and TE respectively. As for the rest, available talent shall dictate the decisions.
mars
January 30th, 2010
9:56 am
Thank you.
mars
January 30th, 2010
9:56 am
Next question, please.
In Dimitroff We Trust
January 30th, 2010
11:11 am
Why is it that we still hear whining about short cornerbacks ? What were the heights of the greatest ever cornerback(s) ? I just witnessed the 44 year curse of the Falcons get broke with a rookie GM, rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. That “rookie” GM assembled these pieces and has already proven himself to me with picks like Sidbury, Owens, Lofton, Biermann, Matt Ryan, and yes… Brent Grimes (who led the team in INT’s and came on strong late in his ROOKIE season.
I am so glad we have the team at the top who have assembled a good foundation. I also give credit to Arthur Blank and even Rich McKay for finding Dimitroff and putting together this team.
The sky is the limit…
Doug
January 31st, 2010
1:32 am
Well, he sure stood out in the Senior Bowl…in other words, nobody threw the ball his way after the first couple of attempts. Only one short pass was completed on him and he wrapped up the receiver immediately and drove him into the ground. Same story in the Fiesta Bowl, though TCU paid early for even trying him with a pick and another knocked away. They avoided his side for the rest of the night. The guy is an ultra-competitive monster who plays an in-your face style. If the Falcons wait until round 2, he will be gone.
Tweets that mention Bradley's Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 31st, 2010
5:40 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Darryl Ledbetter. Darryl Ledbetter said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: Could the Atlanta Falcons draft a cornerback from Boise State? SI.com says they could indeed. http://bit.ly/9rhA52 [...]
Tweets that mention Bradley's Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 31st, 2010
5:46 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Nick Stekovic, Hotlink Youth Club, Matt Cornelius, Darryl Ledbetter and others. Darryl Ledbetter said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: Bradley’s Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback http://bit.ly/aG9QHW [...]
Martell
January 31st, 2010
6:58 am
Deion Sanders was a freak of nature. He was at least a 6 foot corner that could change direction on a dime. He was a pure cover corner and the best at coverage. Most good to great corners average height will be at about 5′10″
Ivan
January 31st, 2010
10:33 am
O lineman or D lineman in the first please. The secondary can be improved with a FA pickup.
Bradley's Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback … | NFL Topics Blog
February 16th, 2010
11:07 pm
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley of the AJC reports that Don Banks of SI.com has the Falcons picking Kyle Wilson, a cornerback from Boise State, in his mock draft. [...]
Bradley's Buzz: Mel sees Tech's Bay Bay as a first-rounder | Mark Bradley
February 17th, 2010
8:49 pm
[...] Well, Mel sees their Round 1 pick the same way Don Banks of SI.com saw it a few weeks ago — Kyle Wilson, a cornerback from Boise State. Here’s Mel K. on K. Wilson: Wilson is another player who jumped at the Senior Bowl. [...]
Sporting News sees a Round 1 Tech windfall in its mock draft | Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
[...] of Alabama (the projected pick in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft on ESPN.com) and not Kyle Wilson of Boise State (the choice of ESPN’s Mel Kiper and SI.com’s Don Banks). SN goes with Patrick Robinson [...]