For the Falcons, a Round 1 defensive end only makes sense
Adrian Clayborn of Iowa. Is he explosive enough? (AP photo)
The NFL draft hasn’t yet arrived, and already Thomas Dimitroff has contracted a special strain of fatigue. “I’m sick of saying, ‘Explosive player,’ ” he said.
“Explosive” has become the latest buzzword to hit Flowery Branch. (”Process” was beaten to death in 2008, and “urgency” and “consistency” were the twin themes of 2009.) Dimitroff is, among other things, a wordsmith, and the general manager hates it when he can’t find a synonym.
Trouble is, there isn’t one to describe what the Falcons lack. Repetition be hanged, they need explosive players.
In other offseasons, they’d have found one by now. That’s the Dimitroff Way: Build through the draft, augment via other means. In 2008 the Falcons signed Michael Turner as a free agent, and he led the NFC in rushing. In 2009 they traded for Tony Gonzalez, the All-Pro tight end, ahead of the draft. In 2010 they signed Dunta Robinson, thereby alleviating the need to draft a cornerback.
This year: Nothing. The NFL lockout locked things down. Quoth the well-spoken GM: “Our incredibly narrow focus on building our team through the draft would not have been as narrow [this year] … The last three years we’ve been active [in trades and free agency]. This has caused us to focus even more on what we can control.”
Meaning the draft. The Falcons own the 27th pick in Round 1. Most mock drafts have them exercising that choice on a defensive end — a high-yield pass rusher meets the definition of “explosive player” — and this could be one time when external consensus mirrors internal thinking.
Not that Dimitroff is saying. But it seemed instructive that in a 45-minute conversation he took pains to review how defensive ends chosen in recent Round 1’s have fared as pros. CliffsNotes version: Results aren’t encouraging to those teams in such a market.
Dimitroff: “A lot of teams getting mass production from pass rushers are getting it from linebackers — like Clay Matthews [with Green Bay] or LaMarr Woodley with Pittsburgh in the 3-4.”
Does this mean the Falcons, who don’t employ the 3-4, won’t draft a defensive end in the first round? “I’m not saying that at all. What I’m saying is that you, me, our owner and our entire fan base has to be realistic about the production you’re going to get from a defensive end.”
That said, Dimitoff also offered this: “There’s no question that if you’re drafting someone in Round 1, you want to get production and need to get production.”
The Falcons were 13-3 and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. They were routed in their first playoff game by Green Bay, which would win the Super Bowl, in large measure because they couldn’t pressure Aaron Rodgers or cover his receivers. Does Dimitroff see his team as being one explosive player from a Super Bowl title itself?
“Because we were 13-3 does not mean we were one more step from the coveted game … There are a number of spots in this team we need to address.”
It has been speculated that the Falcons are working to move upward in the hope of landing Georgia’s A.J. Green or Alabama’s Julio Jones. (Wide receiver also fits the definition of “explosive player.”) To do that, the Falcons would have to leap into the top 10 if not the top five, which would be a mighty bound when you’re sitting at No. 27. It makes sense to try, and it would be the coup of coups if they succeed. But we shouldn’t hold our collective breath.
What we should do is do as we’ve been doing: Look for the Falcons to draft a defensive end. They can find a receiver to complement Roddy White in Round 2; they might not find John Abraham’s pass-rushing bookend so low.
The guess is that the Falcons would be delighted if Adrian Clayborn, the Iowa defensive end, is there when they pick. (In light of revelations that Justin Houston, the Georgia linebacker, tested positive for marijuana, it would be a surprise if they chose him.) As much as Dimitroff might try to drive down expectations, the guess is that he’s hoping for a defensive end in Round 1, hoping even harder he’ll become that explosive player.
By Mark Bradley
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78 comments Add your comment
1990_Champs_GT
April 27th, 2011
5:16 pm
Yes to Heyward or Clayborn (in that order). Resounding “NO” to trading up for either Green or Jones. Too many picks would be involved.
A trade for Larry Fitzgerald (First and a Third maybe?) after the legal stuff is settled sounds much better.
alex9
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
Still believe the Falcons should do everything possible to trade for Larry Fitzgerald even if it means giving up the 1st round pick. A LB should be the next pick (Akeem Ayers) and then another WR such as Titus Young/ Jerrel Jernigan or a DE end such as Sam Acho, Christian Ballard or Dontay Mooch.The 4th round a CB such as, David Harris,Reshad Carmichael or Chmidi Chekewa. The 5th another DE Greg Remoes,Jerrel Rowe or Kendrick Ellis. The 6th round OT Stephen Wisneiensk, Marus Cannan or Orlando Franklin. The 7th round a TE D.J. Williams, Weslye Saunders or Lance Kendricks. A WR Kris Durham. A RB Mario Fannin or WR Ricardo Lockette.
Then hit the Free agency for a DT and LB…..
Tech Guy
April 27th, 2011
6:03 pm
AJ Green doesn’t have the brains for Mike Smith to want him.
Paddy
April 27th, 2011
6:36 pm
In life you get “one kiss at the pig”. Justin Houston blew his chance at the pig and a ton of money. Do these kids ever sit down and give any consideration to how the real world operates? It shows me he is not mature enough to invest any sizeable amount of cash. You just have to wonder sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
Let’s help Thomas with his problem:
Dynamite player.
C-4 player.
Semtex player.
150 kiloton MRV player.
G4tor
April 27th, 2011
6:41 pm
Bottom line is that the draft is a gamble. The odds of some players being successful are higher then others…but on certain guys, it’s worth taking the chance. My gut feeling is that A.J or Jones would instantly make our passing attack something that would give opposing defenses and defensive coordinators nightmares. I’m a die hard Gator fan and I can genuinely say that it would be worth whatever it takes to get one of these guys, especially A.J Green. I wouldnt give up our entire draft, that just isnt TD and Mike Smith’s style. But giving up our 1st, 2nd and next years 1st round pick(s)
would be okay with me. Anymore would make me cringe a bit.
Singletary
April 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
While we might WANT Heyward, TD has a habit of not going Big Ten. So far, it is working for him…
jerry
April 27th, 2011
7:26 pm
Let’s get A.J., Cam, and Justin. That will give us 2 liars, a dope smoker, and for the final round, someone who likes to slap his girl friend around. This will give us an NBA look.
Whopper Dawg
April 27th, 2011
7:28 pm
I don’t think that TD will move up, he rarely does. Expect another middling first round pick that will be a rotational dline player just like Jerry and Peters. Maybe Spoon can play this year. We need to get something out of the last two drafts, I expect nothing out of this draft and when that materializes on the field, everyone will say wait three years while the Bucs are passing us waving a hat.
Doglifer
April 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
Can’t say as I’d be gambling on Houston, either, and I’m a Dog season ticket holder. Great at times, nonexistent at others.
Why not Cam Heyward? I’ve read those here that say ‘no’, I just want to know why?
Dr Warren is right, I believe. Time to think about moving Michael ‘The Gut’ Turner. His ‘Burner’ days are done, I’m afraid. The ‘vanilla-ization’ of the offense will continue until we get another gamebreaking receiver to go with Roddy, and a running back who complements Snelling. We need a J-Rock who doesn’t stay hurt.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:26 pm
aj green would be great but if we go we defense, how about someone who can get the job done & not injury prone. Anderson, Jerry & Witherspoon all had injury issues to deal with. If you’re going with a DE…please pick nobody with prior issues….PLEASE
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
8:27 pm
i think the falcons could get VT’s RB in the 2nd round if possible
Joe Johnson is a Bitch
April 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Falcons trade DOWN and get more fresh defense. Wise move.
High Times in Clarke County
April 27th, 2011
8:39 pm
Please, no way the Falcons WILL (nor SHOULD) take stoned dummy Justin Houston. Let him go to fat blowhard Rex Ryan. It’ll be nice to see the lousy Jets take a bust.
We should be looking at every end available. If one isn’t there for us at pick 27, trade down. No traders? Take a flier on Ayers from UCLA. We can take Randall Cobb 2. He’d be our best pick overall. We could take a corner in the 3rd round, possibly RB DeMarco Murray?
Just about anyone would be ok w/our first pick besides Stoner Houston and another lousy OL.
OldTimer
April 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
Trade Turner and some change for a defensive end with an attitude. The Green Bay game was a complete embarrassment.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
stoner houston?? give me a break..kid tested positive at the combine. he’s a great athlete and i doubt he would be toking up before gameday. it’s not like he’s hooked on pain killers & meth.
Joe Tess Fish House
April 27th, 2011
9:03 pm
They Ned 2 do sumtin about repalcing that bust Perrier Jerry.
North Ave Trade School Hater
April 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
And the whole congregation said, Amen.
Roger
April 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
Draft Josh Smith as a tight end in the last round. He can’t shoot, but maybe he can block and catch!
woody-switzer
April 28th, 2011
12:19 am
Demarco will be 2011 A. Foster! Get him! Or Cam Heyward.
Brad Kirkland
April 28th, 2011
8:32 am
How does a first round prospect even consider smoking marijuana? Justin Houston just lost a chance of a lifetime. Draft the best athlete on the board.
Hayseed Dixie
April 28th, 2011
8:35 am
I hope some smart GM cuts Houston a break.
Its funny: if he had gotten stupid-drunk every day before the combine instead, he’d be fine.
Marijuana prohibition in this country is a selectively prosecuted joke.
Jeff
April 28th, 2011
9:12 am
I did a mock draft last night and I really do think all of the pass rushing defensive ends will be off the board (especially with New Orleans and Baltimore picking immediately before the Falcons). Unless the Falcons trade up, they will address the defensive backfield and draft corner Brandon Harris from Miami. He’s a multi-year starter with the Hurricanes and he’s a player that the Falcons have visited with during the pre-draft process. He’s a player that can step in and start at CB from day one. That’s the kind of impact player they need.
ddawgdavis
April 28th, 2011
9:15 am
Brooks Reed! We whiffed on Clay Matthews, so let’s not miss on a chance for another HIGH motor guy
YourPoliticalAnimal
April 28th, 2011
10:16 am
I would try very hard to get A.J. Green . . . but I wouldn’t pull a Mike Ditka trading the future for Ricky Williams to get him . . . Dimitroff appears to be too smart for that . . . he doesn’t appear to be one who is ruled by his emotions . . . I hope either the Birds or my Bills get Ricardo Lockette out of my alma mater, Fort Valley State U. . .
YourPoliticalAnimal
April 28th, 2011
10:16 am
Lockette, out of Fort Valley State, could be a sleeper in the mold of Andre Reed, or . . . drum roll here . . . Jerry Rice . . .
Maekchu
April 28th, 2011
12:11 pm
Mark, please don’t encourage those childish douche bags that feel they have to say “First” every time. That was a common thing with adolescents about 10 years ago. These days it’s just annoying.
RobertM320
May 1st, 2011
12:24 pm
And Dimitroff gave away the farm… For a WR. FIVE picks for a guy who may touch the ball 7-8 times a game at most. And if Roddy doesn’t get enough balls thrown his way, he’ll pout. Buccaneers improved their D big time. Saints improved their D AND their offense big time. And we get a WR. Expect to be third in the division this year.