Who benefits from a long lockout? Maybe the Atlanta Falcons
Smitty and Dimitty: You're in good hands with these guys. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
You can’t really game-plan a work stoppage. How do you prepare to do something when nothing can be done? That said …
If the NFL lockout arrives as expected — the start (or stop) date is March 4 — and lasts into August or September, the Falcons figure to be OK. They don’t need a lot. They can subsist without buying a big-name free agent. And they are, you’ll recall, coming off a pretty fair season.
“We’re definitely preparing for a regular offseason,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said this week. “That’s the only way we can do it.”
It’s the only way to prepare. What if the work stoppage holds for all of 10 locked-out days and then the NFL goes back to work? A GM can’t say, “I’m a little behind here — who’s a free agent this year?” He has to be ready to rumble. And the April draft will come off no matter what’s happening labor-wise.
But the great imponderable of Looming Lockout 2011 is free agency. Let’s say no settlement is reached until September: The best guesses hold that the NFL and its players would decide to have a blurry-fast training camp and preseason and skip free agency. (Scheduled FA’s would return to their teams for one more season.) The 2-14 Carolina Panthers might have a tough time with that; the 13-3 Falcons would not.
There was a time when the Falcons needed everything in a hurry, but that time was 2008. In his first three months on the job, Dimitroff made a big splash in free agency by signing Michael Turner and had a big hit in the draft with Matt Ryan. Those were two guys the Falcons had to have. Ever since, their moves have been a function not of desperation but deliberation.
Dimitroff did swing the Tony Gonzalez trade with Kansas City in April 2009, and last March he spent big on the free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson. All else of significance has been draft-related. TD the GM takes no small measure of pride in his ability to wrangle a draft. Last year he took offensive guards Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley in Rounds 3 and 4, and this moved the famous Mel Kiper of ESPN to rate the Falcons’ 2010 draft a C-minus. (This grade rankled, and rankles still, within team HQ.)
Starting guards Harvey Dahl and Justin Blalock are scheduled to be free agents, and so is right tackle Tyson Clabo. There’s a chance the Falcons could lock up Clabo, say, by tagging him a “franchise” player, but Dimitroff prefers not to go that route. So there’s a possibility all three could leave if free agency is allowed to take its normal course. But the Falcons have backups in-house — don’t forget tackle Garrett Reynolds, a fifth-round draftee in 2009 — and could survive such an exodus.
And there’s the value of having a Bird as sharp as Dimitroff in charge. He always works off the draft, and he works not just for next season but down the road. (Every GM seeks to do the same, but not all are so adept.) The Falcons will have the 27th pick in Round 1, which is a far cry from the No. 3 of Dimitroff’s first draft, but he likes this way fine.
“It’s drastically different,” he said, “and [drafting later] is an area in which I feel a lot more comfortable. [The New England Patriots, whence TD came, tend to draft late.] You can get good football players, and there are opportunities for value. You can also move up and down.”
This draft’s target area? Read between the lines. “We need to continue to add explosive players with a sense of urgency on both offense and defense,” Dimitroff said.
Sounds like “wide receiver and pass rusher,” does it not?
If this lockout amounts to anything, the winners will be teams with a plan in place and the management to carry it through. It was no accident that the Washington Redskins won two Super Bowls in post-strike seasons: They had Joe Gibbs and Bobby Beathard to steer. It would be no great surprise if the post-lockout NFL sees the Falcons in Super Bowl XLVI. They’ve got Mike Smith and his little buddy in charge.
By Mark Bradley
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145 comments Add your comment
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:19 pm
Dumbo, you’re trying to converse with a complete idiot here, so don’t waste your breath. Anyone who calls a QB who has equalled Dan Marino in wins after only 3 years is a “bust” simply because that QB plays for a team he doesn’t like is clearly insane and such a homer that logic is somewhat useless.
I’m not even sure why I bothered responding to him. He’s gained a reputation around here for being among the least intelligent posters on this site, and that’s a tight race.
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:20 pm
haha, good point Dumbo. Who Dat’s own logic forces him to conclude that Brees is a bust. Reality hurts, doesn’t it Who Dat?
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:21 pm
Would you call Dan Marino a bust? Other than his rookie season I don’t believe he ever won many playoff games.
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:22 pm
And are you seriously calling Matt Ryan a bust??? That’s easily the dumbest thing i’ve ever heard. How many playoff wins did Rodgers have after his first 3 seasons? None, but according to your logic, he was a “bust”. Idiotic to say the least. There are plenty of hall of fame QBs who didn’t have playoff wins in their first 3 seasons. Are they busts too?
Aaron Rodgers 4 wins
Mark Sanchez 4 wins
Joe Flacco 4 wins
Michael Vick 2 wins
Jay Cutler 1 win
MATT RYAN 0 WINS 2 LOSSES
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:24 pm
Dumbo
February 18th, 2011
1:15 pm
Who Dat Nation……………..thanks good….how many years has the Munchkin been in the league…SD didn’t think too highly of him did they
How many superbowl wins does Matty Ice have? Oh I forgot only falcon fans are worried about back to back winning seasons
Chris
February 18th, 2011
1:24 pm
I remain hopeful about the Falcons front office, but I do not quite understand the Dimitroff-as-genius sentiment that I hear in Atlanta. Selecting Matt Ryan was a good move, but beyond that what are we coronating him for. Sam Baker is OK, but certainly not a dominant left tackle. Peria Jerry (sp?) has been a bust thus far. Witherspoon is OK, but not great. None of the lower round picks has made a difference. The Gonzalez trade has been great, but not exactly thinking outside the box. Again, I have nothing negative to say about Dimitroff, but still wonder what is driving all the accolades except for maybe “He’s not Rich McKay” sentiment
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:25 pm
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:20 pm
haha, good point Dumbo. Who Dat’s own logic forces him to conclude that Brees is a bust. Reality hurts, doesn’t it Who Dat?
Nope, Brees isn’t a bust and never was one. But what is sad is Brees before and after he got hurt still has a stronger arm that Noodle Arm.
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:27 pm
Ahhh, Who Dat – you continue to show why you’re generally considered among the less intelligent people who post here.
You do realize that 3 of the QBs you listed got wins well after 3 years, and the other 2 were playing behind top 5 defenses and ready made teams, right? Of course you don’t.
Also, are you going to respond to the Brees thing, or are you going to hide behind your standard “hey, we won a Superbowl!” response?
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:30 pm
You do realize that 3 of the QBs you listed got wins well after 3 years
Vick won in his second season
Sanchez won in his first season
Flacco won in his first season
Who is less intelligent now?
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:30 pm
follow me carefully here Who Dat, i know it’s tough for you – you just said that Ryan is a bust because he didn’t have any playoff wins after 3 years. Brees didn’t have any playoff wins after 3 years either. According to your own litmus test, Brees is a bust.
So yes, you do think Brees is a bust… either that or you just selectively make up rules for the QBs you don’t like so you can call them a bust. But anyone who is basing a QBs worth in the league based on what they’ve done after 3 years doesn’t know much about football.
Dumbo
February 18th, 2011
1:31 pm
Who Dat Nation….hear tell when the league decide it needed a enema…they gave NO a frachise
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
Who Dat, you’re still not paying attention. I said 2 of them played behind ready made teams – Flacco and Sanchez. I never said those guys didn’t get wins in their first 3 years.
Are you really this dense??? You don’t even read the posts before you respond to them, do you?
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
and the other 2 were playing behind top 5 defenses and ready made teams
Are you really going to use that as an excuse for Matty Ice???? The Saints or Colts didn’t have top 5 defenses but we got to the Superbowl??????
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
Who Dat, you’re still not paying attention. I said 2 of them played behind ready made teams – Flacco and Sanchez. I never said those guys didn’t get wins in their first 3 years.
Are you really this dense??? You don’t even read the posts before you respond to them, do you?
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
Who Dat, you’re still not paying attention. I said 2 of them played behind ready made teams – Flacco and Sanchez. I never said those guys didn’t get wins in their first 3 years.
Are you really this dense??? You don’t even read the posts before you respond to them, do you?
Dumbo
February 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
franchise…..sorry about typo
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:34 pm
yep, the Saints and Colts both had QB’s well into their career too. Completely different situations.
It’s hilarious watching you change the rules over and over again just to try and win an argument. Please tell me you’re not an attorney.
Dumbo
February 18th, 2011
1:34 pm
Who Dat Nation….go back to that nasty city on the big muddy
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:34 pm
Are you really this dense??? You don’t even read the posts before you respond to them, do you?
Did Arizona have a top 5 defense that year they beat the Falcons?
BirdDirty
February 18th, 2011
1:34 pm
Kill the lovefest Mark Bradley. Like someone said before, our defense loses one nickel back and the defense implodes. Where is all that depth Dimitroff secured through the draft? You right fluff stories for people/players you admire, and kill others. I will say it again, until the local newspaper takes a stand against mediocrity, these conservative, play it safe front offices in Atl will never be motivated to do all it can to win championships (Hawks and Braves included).
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:35 pm
Dumbo
February 18th, 2011
1:34 pm
Who Dat Nation….go back to that nasty city on the big muddy
Like Atlanta is such a clean city, that city is nothing but a drug smuggling projects with nasty falcon rednecks. How is the trailer park Dumbo
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:38 pm
Who Dat – nope. But Arizona had a veteran QB who had been in the league for years and had already won Superbowls.
Let’s follow your hilariously flawed logic. At first you said Ryan was a bust because he didn’t have a playoff win after 3 years. I pointed out multiple QBs who didn’t have playoff wins in their first 3 years, which of course you never responded to (because you can’t).
You listed two, but those guys were playing on teams with amazing defenses that were ready made, unlike the Falcons who have been rebuilding from scratch since Ryan got there.
So now you’re giving me QBs who played on teams with no defense, but now you’re breaking your own rule because all the examples you are giving me are guys who were in the league for more than 3 years.
Are you starting to see why no one here thinks you’re very smart???
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:38 pm
cheshire
Facts are facts and the facts state the Matty Ice has ZERO playoff wins. Drew Brees has won and he has a Superbowl so please continue you pointless debate. Because all you can say is Matt Ryan has led the falcons to back to back winning seasons. Thats all??????
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
lol – now Who Dat is trying to compare New Orleans, a city so disgusting that half the city left when they finally had an excuse too, and Atlanta, an Olympic city whose population has been increasing since the 70’s because so many people want to live here.
Trust me Who Dat, that’s a losing argument. You should be familiar with those by now.
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:40 pm
Who Dat – nope. But Arizona had a veteran QB who had been in the league for years and had already won Superbowls.
I kinda remember a QB choking when the game was on the line?????? Oh I forgot the other team had a verteran QB.
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:41 pm
haha – but that’s not what you originally said. You said he was a bust because he had no playoff wins after 3 seasons. But Brees didn’t have any after 3 years either. So either you think Brees is a bust according to your own rule, or you have to admit that it’s a stupid rule. And you can’t do either!
It’s like talking to a child.
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:41 pm
You listed two, but those guys were playing on teams with amazing defenses that were ready made
The defense can’t win a game without offense just ask the Green Bay Packers the spanked the Falcons in the Georgia Dome.
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:42 pm
If the Falcons announced today that they were trading Matt Ryan 25 GMs would be calling TD.
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:43 pm
“The defense can’t win a game without offense”
LOL, ever heard of the 2000 Ravens or the 2003 Bucs???
Seriously, have you EVER watched a football game?
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:43 pm
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:41 pm
haha – but that’s not what you originally said. You said he was a bust because he had no playoff wins after 3 seasons. But Brees didn’t have any after 3 years either. So either you think Brees is a bust according to your own rule, or you have to admit that it’s a stupid rule. And you can’t do either!
It’s like talking to a child.
Facts are Facts and at this point he has ZERO playoff wins. But Vince Young has ONE.
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:44 pm
cheshire
February 18th, 2011
1:43 pm
“The defense can’t win a game without offense”
LOL, ever heard of the 2000 Ravens or the 2003 Bucs???
Seriously, have you EVER watched a football game?
They won with the offense scoring and the defense playing great. Learn Football because they did not shutout any teams
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:45 pm
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:42 pm
If the Falcons announced today that they were trading Matt Ryan 25 GMs would be calling TD.
Yea they would be calling to ask if he really is a bust
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:48 pm
Who Dat Nation
Do you still have your Ain’ts sack? One fluke season and you think you’re all that?
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:51 pm
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
1:48 pm
Who Dat Nation
Do you still have your Ain’ts sack? One fluke season and you think you’re all that?
We found out the Falcons were overrated after that first round loss. So much for the Dome homefield advantage.
AINT you sorry
February 18th, 2011
1:52 pm
What is up with all these sorry Aints fans on our blog? You wardies were nowhere to be found after you got whipped by the worst team ever to make the playoffs. Crawl back in your dirty little holes and stay there until you crawl back out to watch us beat you in the Superdome again next year. Geaux screw yourselves, and Go Falcons!
AINT you sorry
February 18th, 2011
1:54 pm
Your coach doesn’t even want to live amongst you disgraceful people, he’d rather live in Dallas! What a joke!
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
1:56 pm
? You wardies were nowhere to be found after you got whipped by the worst team ever to make the playoffs
48-21 is a whipping compared to 41-36. But hey you guys think losing by 3 touchdowns and a 2 field goals is not a whipping then you are delusional
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
2:00 pm
We found out the Saints were overrated after that thumping by the 7-9 Seahawks.
Who Dat Nation
February 18th, 2011
2:03 pm
1eyedJack
February 18th, 2011
2:00 pm
We found out the Saints were overrated after that thumping by the 7-9 Seahawks.
Its hard to win back to back superbowls, just ask new england after spygate
Mathias of the Wood
February 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
MB, another fine article.
Are the Falcons (or any NFL team) authorized to sign FA’s if the players get locked out?
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:22 pm
The OWNER benefit.
Many Players are living life styles they haven’t paid for.
Jerry Jones is not feeling good with all he owes on his HOUSE. The Falcons just pay rent on the DOME.
ATL fans are STUPID if they think a NEW outdoor stadium is a good thing. I need more work not more taxes or Floating Bonds to build a PLAYPEN for Millionaires and Billionaires.
Most of the FAT AZZ NLF player couldn’t do a 9-5 job 50 weeks a tear with only 2 weeks vacation. They ain’t that Smart or Physically able to do a real job.
PUT the SOBs on the street and let them look for work like the rest of us.
5150 UOAD
February 18th, 2011
2:27 pm
Make it real fun and NO NFL team sign a colleger player that has not GRADUATE from College. Not used his 4 years but ACTUALLY GRADUATED. That would change the ATTITUDE of PLAYERS looking to be RICH PUNKS. If A player is not 26yrs old he can’t be signed unless he has a College Degree.
Roger GOOFBALL
February 18th, 2011
2:37 pm
My NFL Network invoice will benefit from a long lockout.
College Football is better anyway.
AINT you sorry
February 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
Falcons beat the Seahawks 34-18 at Qwest field a couple weeks before they punded the sorry ass Aints, I was there. Your team is classless from the top down, owner all the way down to the scumbag fans. Drew Brees is the only guy on that team who has any class. Tom Benson, Sean Payton and Gregg Williams are all scumbags
SawThat1nce
February 18th, 2011
3:27 pm
saints are cheap shot artist.
Greg Williams is one of the biggest D-bags in the NFL.
Sean Payton is odd.
DirtyBirdsin11
February 18th, 2011
3:27 pm
I bet Mel Kiper’s grade for the 2010 draft would be higher if he factored in Tony Gonzalez for the 2nd round pick.
Ted Striker
February 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
BirdDirty — You’re being a little hard on Mark, certainly not that he can’t handle it. However here’s the thang. Sports columnists are aren’t supposed to be cheerleaders for the public or shills for a team or organization. They’re Switzerland. Neutral.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
February 18th, 2011
3:33 pm
Mark: A suggestion from your Booster. Why not shut down Who Dat. He has ruined your blog by not commenting on anything revelant to your story. The many replies to his comments are just as bad!! To address your point about the Falcons benefiting from a lockout: My feeling is that
they might for the reasons you stated but the risk of many fans becoming so irate and disloyal could be very bad for the future.
willie
February 18th, 2011
3:46 pm
I am a huge Falcons fan but I agree that Matty Ice still has alot to prove. Those 2 picks completely turned that GB game for us. You just can’t do that in big games. Hopefully, he learns from it. He is nowhere near being in the discussion for top 10 QBs yet.
Larry
February 18th, 2011
4:06 pm
It is pretty easy to draft when you have a top five pick, need just about everything, and coming off a crime scene year in 2007 that has Blank willing to so (spend) just about anything.
Mr. Dimitroff has earned the very average grade of a “C” ever since. Picking winners later in the draft is when the great GM’s are..great!
From my perspective, the jury is still out on the short dude with spiked hair and the goatee of a 14 year old…and the person who the brilliant owner (the same owner that hired Jim Mora and Bobby Petrino) hired over a telephone call, not in person!