If Spiller’s there on April 22, should the Falcons draft him?
You tell me: How would the guy in purple look in red? (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
In his latest mock draft, Don Banks of SI.com still has the Falcons taking the same cornerback with the 19th pick in Round 1 – Kyle Wilson of Boise State. But that’s not the intriguing part. The intriguing part is the player Banks has slotted to go 20th overall.
C.J. Spiller, running back, Clemson.
In every draft, for every team, there’s a name that assumes outsize importance. (”Wouldn’t it be great if our team got that guy?”) For Falcons fans, Spiller is that name this time. He played up the road. He played against Georgia Tech every season. He made spectacular plays. His drafting would excite a constituency in a way no offensive tackle ever could. That said …
The Falcons have a great running back in Michael Turner and someone who approximates Spiller in Jerious Norwood. (Although Norwood has worked under three coaching staffs, none of which has been able to unlock his potential.) The pressing need is again on defense. But if Spiller’s available when the Falcons’ turn comes, could they say no?
Thomas Dimitroff claims every draft is need-based, but the Falcons’ offense wasn’t quite as good as advertised in 2009. Dimitroff said this week that “this draft isn’t going to be as lopsided” as last year’s, which was almost all defense, and that would indicate the Falcons are open to possibilities. If the possibility exists for you to snatch a Percy Harvin, don’t you have to try? (Minnesota chose Harvin with the 22nd overall pick in 2009; he was voted rookie of the year.)
And my answer is … I don’t know. I go back and forth on this one. Spiller was a great college player when healthy, but he wasn’t always healthy. (He had to leave the ACC title game because of turf toe.) He’s not an every-down back, but the Falcons don’t really need an every-down back because they have Turner. He’d be great on reverses, which Mike Mularkey loves to call, and on screens, which Mularkey almost never calls.
Loading ...So, as opposed to the usual format where I tell you what I think and you’re free to disagree (which any right-thinking person would do), I’m going to be agnostic this once and ask for your help. Please tell me why the Falcons should — or should not — draft Spiller if he’s on the board. I thank you in advance.
Oh, and one thing more: The team Banks has taking Spiller at No. 20 — Houston — actually might pick 19th. The Falcons and the Texans have their coin flip today at the combine in Indianapolis. So it’s possible the Falcons could miss on Spiller by the outcome of a toss. That would be a bummer. Or would it?
Update: The Falcons won the coin flip this morning. They have the 19th pick.
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284 comments Add your comment
blord
February 26th, 2010
8:39 am
I would run to turn the card in if CJ is available. Our offense has talent but it needs a spark. The arguements against Spiller or as follows:
1. We have a Rb. My counter to this is any team that drafts Spiller would need to have a starting RB already. He is not an every down back but he is a guy that in some role can play even more snaps a game then Turner possibly. He can line up in the slot. Run out of the backfield. Run a wildcat. Return punts. Return kickoffs. He also will be a tremendous help on 3rd and long since Turner isn’t much of a reciever. Spiller is a guy that will cause defenses to wet their pants.
2) We need Defensive help. I agree with this and I also agree we need to build through the draft but we have to be careful with how much youth we have on defense. Are we really wanting to start a second year corner in Owens and a rookie we draft? If Moore ends up starting at Safety as suggested then that is a lot of youth out there. I also agree we need a DE but we have drafted one each of the last couple of years. Maybe neither of these guys drafted are the full time answer and if that is the case maybe we should go DE. It takes time for a DE to develop so if we draft one I still don’t think we will get as much boom as we would with Spiller. At linebacker which is also a need there is said to be a lot of depth in this draft so it can be addressed outside the 1st rd even though I really like Spoon.
Just my 2 cents.
bill_in_atl
February 26th, 2010
8:39 am
It seems to me that to get to the Super Bowl the Falcons will need to outscore the Saints. No matter who Atlanta drafts for signs in free agency I don’t see any possibility of shutting down their offense any time soon. CJ Spiller could very well be the missing piece to the offense that allows the Falcons to keep up with the Saints offensively.
For those who say to just take McCluster in a later round I ask you this: If he’s just as good as CJ then why will he be available in a later round? How many of you guys think you really know more about this than all 32 NFL GMs and their hordes of well-paid assistants? He may turn out to be an NFL HOF player, but none of you know more than TD or any of the other NFL GMs so stop being silly with that type of comment.
The point made by smittydawg should not be ignored. This guy looks to be every bit the player that Bush and Harvin are and look at how their respective teams are faring. I’d take him with the pick unless some guy you have rated as a top 5 player happens to fall to you
AndyC
February 26th, 2010
8:44 am
The Falcons can only take Spiller, or any other offensive player, if all of their defensive picks get taken ahead of them. There is too much of a need on defense.
Banks McFadden
February 26th, 2010
8:44 am
I always chuckle at the Spiller durability argument. Mark, you point out that he left the game with Turf Toe in Tampa. True, but he returned and was SENSATIONAL. Last time I checked he was named the MVP. Not bad for being injured and on the losing end of things. This guy played ALL year with turf toe and never missed any real time. Anybody who has had that injury can tell you it is excruciating…yet he put up stupid numbers in spite of it. By the way, don’t forget Matt Ryan had the same injury and did miss significant time. Truth is, this guy is tough as nails and I am going to predict he is more than just Reggie Bush lite.
If Spiller is there on April 22, should the Falcons draft him … | NFL Topics Blog
February 26th, 2010
8:46 am
[...] Dave the Falconer wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley of the AJC wants to know how Atlanta Falcons fans would feel about their team drafting CJ Spiller of Clemson. [...]
ATL
February 26th, 2010
8:48 am
Get him! He can run and catch and is fast as hell!
IceFan
February 26th, 2010
8:52 am
Torn a little on this one. I kind of hope he’s gone by the time we pick at 19th, but if he’s there I think we have to take him. I agree that McCluster is maybe just as good, but we don’t have a 2nd round pick and he will be gone by the time we pick again. He’s not a secret anymore.
It’s no surprise that we really need help on both lines, but this guy could be a real weapon in multiple positions. If it’s not him, I would not be the least bit surprised if Dimitroff takes the best offensive weapon available at 19.
say a prayer for the falcons
February 26th, 2010
8:52 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuAUI_0knfk
mike Gee
February 26th, 2010
8:53 am
I see all the points of everyone’s arguments and I agree with all to a certain degree. In the end, explosive playmakers can make both sides of the ball better as well as add to your special teams punch. Spiller does that, and Douglass does not. We are drafting DE’s annually like Detroit drafts receivers, in the end we have nothing (paging Jamaal, please pick up the red courtesy phone) to show for it in the way of game changers. In the end, I see Spiller as a Felix Jones type…not durable, exciting but won’t be around much to show it on sundays. Not wishing the kid bad luck…but we can trade down, get more help on D and find another gem. It what Dimitrioff does, this is his time of year!
Roll Tide!
IceFan
February 26th, 2010
8:56 am
And I second the motion from before about letting Dimitroff call overtime coin flips. 2 for 2 baby!
Sadly, there are still plenty of morons out there that probably wish he had lost the flip with the Chiefs in ‘08 so they could have drafted Matty Ice. Glen Dorsey has been awesome, right?
DirtyByrd Atl
February 26th, 2010
8:56 am
AS much as we NEED a Defensive Anchor, & if CJ Spiller is there @ 19, we better bite & bite HARD. This guy outta Clemson is amazing & a half, a complete beast & backing up Michael Turner, we would have our Lighting to our Thunder…we can ALWAYS upgrade the D via free agency & trades but I PRAY TD doesnt pass on this kid!
F-105 Thunderchief
February 26th, 2010
8:57 am
I’d go O-line if there is first-round talent available there.
David
February 26th, 2010
8:58 am
Spiller played in the ACC… Falcons should only draft SEC players.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
February 26th, 2010
9:00 am
yes if he is still there take him unless he they believe he will be as injured as norwood. I like norwood but spillar is a better talent i think . that offense was not as explosive as it should have been I know there were many many injuries , so what if turner gets hurt again or if he is the turner from the first part of last season then we will need the help. ball possesion and rush the passer . matriculate the ball down the field and plant the other QB in the dirt/turf whatever the case may be
coachx
February 26th, 2010
9:02 am
Spiller is the ONLE offensive player I would draft (if he falls to us).
If not snag the best CB, OLB, or DL that you can.
EW
February 26th, 2010
9:03 am
Take him. The NFL is slowly moving towards the FFL (Flag Football League). It’s all about getting athletes the ball in space and letting them make plays. He looks like he would be able to make an impact immediately in the return game while he acclimates to the offense as well.
Blue
February 26th, 2010
9:04 am
I disagree vehemently that Norwood “approximates Spiller”. If you are talking in terms of raw speed…maybe. But there is NOTHING about Norwood from a performance, style, toughness in how he runs the ball standpoint that approximates Spiller.
blord
February 26th, 2010
9:06 am
Heck CJ does it all anyway so he would probably be our best cover corner as well.
We always hear the Defense wins championships but history shows that not to always be the case. In the modern era of FA it seems that you just need to be great at something. Examples of the Rams and the Saints on offense and on D the Ravens. You can win by being great on offense if you just have a D that creates turnovers like the Saints did. With the speed we now have on D I think we are close to having that type of defense. We have a short window it appears to be Great on offense. Gonzo only has a couple of years left and as much as Turner gets used he probably only has a 3 or 4 year window. Spiller, HD, Turner, Ryan, Gonzo, White would be a offense to be feared IMO. We will have to outscore the Saints for the next few years because Breez can take apart even good defenses.
fred
February 26th, 2010
9:07 am
as a clemson fan u better take cj !!! mabe on get jacby ford he can catch and run with cj!!!
Ramon
February 26th, 2010
9:10 am
Mike Jay, do you remember where Randy Moss was drafted?
Survey Says
February 26th, 2010
9:11 am
Take him. It’s a no brainer.
Let's Go
February 26th, 2010
9:11 am
CJ Spiller is twice the player Reggie Bush is. Bush was great in college but he’s never been dedicated to the game and his character is an issue. Spiller is not that type of player, he has always been team first and is a first class citizen. For those that wonder if he is an every down back, he’s 5-11 195 lbs. Chris Johnson is 5-11 200 lbs but when he came out of college many of the so called experts said he was not an every down back. Also, Michael Turner is only signed for 2 more years and after this year you have to question his durability at age 28. All great teams today have 2 very good running backs (some 3) and honestly I would rather the Falcons take a chance on a RB in the 1st round than go out and spend money to over pay for LT or Brian Westbrook.
Boo
February 26th, 2010
9:12 am
Yes! Take Spiller
Mark Bradley
February 26th, 2010
9:15 am
So: More support for Spiller, I note.
Not Don Waddell
February 26th, 2010
9:16 am
You have to take Spiller if he is still available. Look at the Colts. They have consistently had the best offense in the NFL the last decade, yet, what do they keep drafting? Offensive players.
If Spiller is there, he will provide this offense a spark that they missed last year with Norwood’s regression and Harry Douglas’ injury. He would provide an amazing 1-2 punch with Turner, matched only by Stewart/Williams in Charlotte and AP/Chester Taylor in Minnesota.
This is a no-brainer if Spiller is still available.
The one caveat is that if Spiller is there, and another team is desperate to have him, we could leverage the pick and get a later 1st round and a 2nd rounder. That is the only other possible scenario of Spiller falls to Atlanta.
I don’t see any way he is still there, though.
vafalconfan
February 26th, 2010
9:18 am
Why not just replace Mularkey and then we won’t have to worry about running “reverses”..
Dimitroffs venting spleen
February 26th, 2010
9:19 am
Taking Spiller would be nuts. I love everybody comparing him to Reggie Bush, and Percy Harvin. Those guys were the best offensive players to come out of college when they were drafted. You can’t say that about Spiller. Yes Spiller was exciting but I don’t see that talent translating to the NFL. Good defenses shut him down. There are plenty of guys available that have his speed and you don’t draft a “situational” player in the 1st round. You HAVE to get a starter that addresses a need. Spiller would be a luxury, one the Falcons can’t afford. The running back pool is deep and you can get quality deep in the draft. If you say you want a running back, draft Ben Tate from Auburn in the 3rd or 4th rounds. Tate is big, durable and deceptively fast. He’s big enough to pound the middle and fast enough to run away from DB’s when he gets in the open field. He would be a great back up to Turner.
waynester
February 26th, 2010
9:20 am
I understand WANTING Spiller, but unless we trade up we won’t be able to GET Spiller. There’s a reason most mocks have him going to SF or SEA. They’re desperate for offensive firepower to build their new offenses around, we’re not. I’m all for cutting deals and trading around– but Down, not Up.
The 2nd-early 4th is amazingly loaded with talent, but due to team needs, they’re not going to fall to us at our current spots. TD has , so far, targeted specific guys and been willing to go after them. Those who say he’ll really earn his salary this draft are right on the $$$!
Ross
February 26th, 2010
9:21 am
I would prefer to addresslinebac or defensive line, but if he is there, I could get behind the pick, if they were to let Norwood go. Having both would be extremely redundant.
Lost KSU fan
February 26th, 2010
9:21 am
I’m all for making the selection of the player that is going to make the most impact. I don’t think there is any defensive player we have a chance at drafting that could make as big of an impact as Spiller can for the Falcon offense and special teams.
Sonny Clusters
February 26th, 2010
9:22 am
We was reading the posts and noticed the mention of McClusters from Mississippi. We was just noticing.
mountain_jim
February 26th, 2010
9:22 am
Mularkey needs to include the screen game big-time if they are not going to upgrade the oline – and I don’t see a DE or CB likely worth that pick so yes take Spiller – our offense was not as good as expected and needs more playmakers.
timthebrave
February 26th, 2010
9:23 am
He won’t be on the board when we pick but whenever you can get top 10 talent at #20 pick you got to do it
Falcon4Life
February 26th, 2010
9:24 am
To early to make that decision. Do we sign Peppers or Kampman? Bodden or Robinson? Do we make a trade or two to fill some of these needs? We need a DE, CB, OLB and a RB/PR/KR (Norwood replacement). I think Norwoods injuries have made him expendable so we will need a guy like Spiller. If we cant land Spiller, then I would love to get McCluster but mark my words, he wont last past the second round!!
Greg
February 26th, 2010
9:25 am
Mark, Spiller would be a situational back for the Falcons, as you yourself say. I say “no” to a No. 1 pick for a merely situational player, especially as we have no No. 2 pick this year. Snelling looks very good right now. The backfield is way down the list of needs. Got to get a pass rush going or we’re toast again. That is the No. 1 priority.
Sonny Clusters
February 26th, 2010
9:25 am
Clusters love football but not as much as baseball. We was wondering if Jeff was going to Sea World while he is down in Florida? Do you know, Mark? We was at Sea World once and was looking down in the tank and saw that big killer whale looking back right at us and we decided to go do something else.
Benjamin
February 26th, 2010
9:27 am
I’m a close Clemson observer — best friend is an alumni, and I go to two-three games a year with him — and a huge fan of Spiller, but I’m not sure I’d take him if there were a quality DE or CB on the board. He will be a solid player in the league, though.
We really need to revamp our defense, if possible.
Benjamin
February 26th, 2010
9:27 am
lol Clusters…
Benjamin
February 26th, 2010
9:30 am
If we dealt Turner for the guy from the Raiders whose name I won’t even attempt to type — and it’s not Jamarcus Russell
— then I’d be on board with drafting CJ. That’d seal two areas of significant need.
They won’t take Michael for their CB, though.
Mike Jay
February 26th, 2010
9:30 am
Ramon,
Moss was drafted were he was because of off the field issues iirc. Spiller does not have those concerns so if he is a ‘rare talent’ than why is he slipping to 19?
SC Smith
February 26th, 2010
9:34 am
You just can’t draft for position. Always pick the best player except maybe at QB for us. What’s the use in paying 1st round money to a average player or maybe a never will player. Go for the best possible player. See Colts, Patriots, Steelers, ect……
thunderbull56
February 26th, 2010
9:35 am
I wood. Can’t have too many weapons in you arsenal. Let Jriotous breakout in someone else’s hurt list.
waynester
February 26th, 2010
9:38 am
Doesn’t Dimitroff just FEEL like a Superbowl type guy? All it takes is Talent, Hard Work and Luck and he seems to have it all. The team is starting to show those qualities now, too. Last season it was N.O. with all the Luck– hopefully, next season it’ll be our year to put all 3 together to produce a championship. This is IMHO TD’s most challenging Draft so far. In years 1&2, the needs were obvious and with the exception of Baker the perfect player to match those needs was available precisely where we picked. That’s not the case this time. Our team needs are less obvious and the players that would best suit those needs are scattered all over the board. This one will show us TD’s true mettle as a Draftmaster!
Charlie
February 26th, 2010
9:39 am
I’d rather the Falcons draft Jon Dwyer than CJ Spiller. I’d be perfectly happy trading Turner for a shutdown corner. Good running backs are a product of the system. Shutdown corners are more rare. See Clinton Portis for Champ Bailey.
Mark Bradley
February 26th, 2010
9:41 am
If you trade Turner, Benjamin, you wouldn’t have an every-down back. Because Spiller isn’t one.
GovClintonTyree
February 26th, 2010
9:43 am
Love Spiller, but not what the Falcons need. Go defense.
blord
February 26th, 2010
9:43 am
Who are we kiddin…he will be gone before we pick anyway! Nice to dream but I am only getting excited about the idea only to be disappointed I think. Now back to reality.
nickj0321
February 26th, 2010
9:45 am
NONONONONONONONONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Smitty
February 26th, 2010
9:46 am
I have to believe that TD knows exactly who the Falcons need to pick at 19 and it has totally to do with the switch to a 3-4 and that its a combo DE/OLB who will give them the pass rush they need to make their D backs improved
Ivan Vasilii Vladivostok, aka "Pasha dat a$$"
February 26th, 2010
9:48 am
Mark, what numerically constitutes an every down back versus someone like Spiller? I guess I don’t understand the rationale, seems like it’s “just something you have”. Is Snelling an every down guy? Can you rotate Spiller and Snelling and get FA’s as backups and special team guys?
Do you think Turner could be traded for a high 1st round pick to get Haden?