Dimitroff propels his Falcons one step closer to a Super Bowl
Bill Belichick seeks managerial tips from a former employee. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Flowery Branch — Assuming he hasn’t done so already, Thomas Dimitroff should take several moments to prop his feet on the nearest ottoman, pour himself a tall glass of cabernet and crank his main man Bob Seger to 11 on the hi-fi. Dimitroff has it coming.
The great general manager aced his greatest test. Half his offseason business had been left undone. He’d traded 21 spots upward to draft Julio Jones, the wide receiver of vast promise, but the still-sought pass rusher would have to come via free agency, which owing to the NFL lockout would be rendered a frenzy.
Speaking in his office shortly after noon Friday, Dimitroff said, “I feel calm amid this ostensible disarray.” An hour later, he felt positively serene. An hour later, the Falcons had their pass rusher.
They’d landed the free agent Ray Edwards, formerly of Minnesota. And here we stand back to assess what the Falcons have done over an offseason complicated by a work stoppage: Upgraded at receiver, upgraded at defensive end and retained right tackle Tyson Clabo, a free agent himself. If they do nothing else, they look to be a better team than they were last season, and last season they were 13-3. They look to be better because their master planner had, yet again, planned masterfully.
“When we’re called on to adapt,” Dimitroff said, “we want to be adaptable. This league is about being adaptable. The best teams are.”
There was a time — decades of it, actually — when the Falcons were among the NFL’s klutzes. That time ended when Arthur Blank found this GM by way of a webcam interview. Since January 2008 this has been a model organization, smart and assertive and prescient. These Falcons had a plan to handle the lockout. These Falcons have a plan for everything.
“Nothing has surprised me as yet,” Dimitroff said, meaning about the post-lockout process Blank had called “free agency on steroids.” The Falcons made a quick pitch to Charles Johnson, but that defensive end chose to re-up with Carolina for the stunning sum of $72 million ($30 million guaranteed) over six seasons.
Dimitroff again: “This is a puzzle, and it all has to fit together from a skill standpoint and a character standpoint, but it also has to fit financially.”
The Falcons landed Edwards for $30 million ($11.5 guaranteed) over five seasons. That’s a fit cut from regal cloth.
The day had begun with the Falcons shedding Jamaal Anderson and Michael Jenkins, first-round draftees from a previous regime. That was done to clear money for Edwards, who would come aboard not long after the first practice of Training Camp 2011 — a short and sedate walkthrough – ended. (There would be another session, this one with helmets, in the afternoon.)
“As a staff, we were so prepared going into this,” Dimitroff said. “We’ve done a good job of being patient, and we’d said that going in: ‘We have to be patient when things go awry a little bit.’ ”
Nothing really did. The Falcons took a run at Johnson but wound up with Edwards, who’s likewise a left end and who has had 29 1/2 sacks over five NFL seasons to Johnson’s 21 1/2 over four. And they did it at less than half the price.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but these aren’t your father’s Dumb Ol’ Falcons. Dimitroff is shrewd enough to know what to do, bold enough to do it. “When we started, we said we didn’t want to get to the point where we were over-analyzing things,” he said. “There can be a tendency to second-guess and to hesitate, and when you do that you don’t get the person and you’re left holding your backside wondering, ‘What happened?’ ”
What happened Friday was this: The Falcons reported to camp and were given an immediate jolt by news that their GM had delivered. The first day of on-field work ended with this franchise closer to holding the Lombardi Trophy than at any time since Rod Smith beat Eugene Robinson deep in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII.
It’s traditional on the first day of camp to guzzle Gatorade by the jug. On this Friday, an exception needed to be made: The Falcons should have raised a glass of the grape to their snowboarding architect. He’d done his part. The rest is up to them.
By Mark Bradley
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113 comments Add your comment
dale in newnan
July 30th, 2011
4:46 am
To be a contender in the NFL, you HAVE to have an O-Line and a D-line that are more than solid. QB has become such an essential in the League, the running game now playing directly off the passing game, that if you can protect him, or get to the opponents, you dictate the gameplay.. The old axiom that defense wins championships is still viable, yet if you have a strong O-line you can wear down an opponents D . Philly having the games best secondary, and I begrudgingly admit that, is cool, yet two things generally determine the outcome: the battle in the trenches and QB play.
John
July 30th, 2011
5:13 am
Mark, I don’t always aggree with you but I like you think the Falcons are on the right track
Tech fan
July 30th, 2011
6:39 am
@Stinger2: Here’s what you should do – Step 1: get a job at the number one media outlet in a large market city. Step 2: become the 1 or 2 sports writer at that syndication. Step 3: write a better/more interesting article. Step 4: ignore all the arrogant/ignorant comments made from internet “experts” like yourself telling someone else how to do their job
Joey
July 30th, 2011
7:27 am
We sure could have used Edwards in the Green Bay playoff game no doubt. He is a difference maker.
But, Mark, don’t you think the Mularky/White offense has got to open up some in order to move past the first round of the playoffs? I can think of only one team in the last couple of decades that had such a conservative offense that won a Super Bowl, and they had the best defense I’ve ever seen – the Ravens.
The Falcons have surely just made a big improvement in the D, and I expect Abraham to have a bigger year also, without so much attention.
But that “3 yards and a cloud of dust” offense has got to be opened up some.
JF McNamara
July 30th, 2011
7:36 am
The Falcons caught a break with the schedule last year playing the West and going virtually uninjured throughout the season. There will only be one South team in the playoffs, and it will probably be the Saints. Even if they get in, they won’t get a bye decreasing the liklihood of the Super Bowl.
They could win it, but last year was the better opportunity. They won’t have as good a record as last year for sure.
GDAWG65
July 30th, 2011
7:37 am
Yeah ‘closer’; but this ain’t horseshoes or hand grenades and close don’t count.
ss
July 30th, 2011
7:53 am
Mark,
The skins win the off season….. That doesnt translate into an acutal trip to indy at the end. The panthers have it locked up as of now. The falcons have plenty of good teams on the sched and the first home game is an example of that.
The falcons play better D their going to be elite.
Larry
July 30th, 2011
8:04 am
Had we signed Edwards, Johnson and Asomugha we are still an NFL caliber Defensive Coordinator from winning the Super Bowl!
tim
July 30th, 2011
8:21 am
AJC Sports columnists always write like the Falcons, Braves, and Hawks are the only 3 sports teams in the universe. All the free agents are gonna sign with an Atlanta team.. All the GM’s are magical.
Hey Mark….a glass of grape doesn’t come close to a glass of sparkling champagne.
Collin
July 30th, 2011
8:41 am
Hey Tim, you know what the A stands for in AJC right? cmon now…
Shawdaddy
July 30th, 2011
9:06 am
This is a great pickup for 14 games. However will not be impactful for the 2 eagles games. No one will get to MV unfortunately. Better start game planning for those 2 games now. Pass rush won’t get it. I agree with earlier post. It will be falcons/eagles – just not sure which order. Go Falcons.
D man
July 30th, 2011
9:16 am
Footballs back. Yeah!!!
james kirkland
July 30th, 2011
9:34 am
I think Nate Clements would be a great veteran db addition with all the three and four wide sets we face. Love to be GM for a day!
Shawdaddy
July 30th, 2011
9:36 am
Btw, all of my post was IMHO. I will trust mr. Smith to figure a way to deal with MV. At least to get a split. Go Falcons.
Joe Tess Fish House
July 30th, 2011
10:17 am
Glad they cut Jenkins should of had did that last year so they could have brtought TO or Randy Moss in. Now they need 2 cut that slob Perrier Jerry.
TopFlightSecurity
July 30th, 2011
10:22 am
But are they done,Philadelphia has a starting conerback that may not be starting after getting DRC and Asomugha. Is Assante Samuel maybe getting traded and if so will the Falcons make a MOVE TO GET HIM.
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
10:24 am
`
Dimitroff has now propelled the Falcons to go undefeated and have a “perfect season” like the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
seattle falcons fan
July 30th, 2011
10:36 am
Mike Vick will get hurt! With no Kolb to back him up the Eagles will be done. We all saw that Mike is made of straw but still runs like a tailback. Mark my words. Now the Saints on the other hand look nasty. Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram looks like they fixed their running game. But I think TD has done exactly what the Falcons needed to do! Go Birds!
seattle falcons fan
July 30th, 2011
10:40 am
People are so critical on here….. WE WENT 13-3 AND JUST GOT SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER!
Falcomania
July 30th, 2011
11:14 am
Ray Edwards is a big upgrade from last year even though he’s not an elite DE. Now we need to sign a really good FA CB along with Grimes. I’m going out on a limb but I think Peria Jerry will have a great year and Trey Lewis will be a beast. I think both were still favoring their surgically repaired knees last year. All in all I think our D play will be vastly improved. I also think alot of fans are getting ahead of themselves about the SB. Lets take one step at a time and get back to the playoffs and see what happens. GOOOOOOOO Falcons.
Ron902
July 30th, 2011
11:24 am
Ok have you notices what the Eagles have done. They to me are the front runner beating out Green Bay to go to the Super Bowl. Falcon may not win there division
Falcon4Life
July 30th, 2011
11:33 am
What all these idiots fall to realize is the everything only looks good on paper for the Eagles, Saints, Greenbay or anybody let one of their franchise quaterbacks be out for the season then you can eliminate them from contenders to pretenders Vick, Brees, or rodgers goes down the team does too…FALCONS Still has better team chemistry that any of the others RISE UP!!!!
Falcon4Life
July 30th, 2011
11:35 am
Mark Ingram is a modern day Emmitt Smith and Emitt wouldn’t make it in this NFL today sorry AINT’S FAN Another Reggie Dush!!!!!
Henry D.
July 30th, 2011
11:47 am
Did you not see who all the Eagles signed? Unfortunately, the Falcons have no chance. How does Philly continue to sign players like this every year and the Falcons and Braves sit on the sidelines and do little if anything?
Falcon4Life
July 30th, 2011
11:49 am
Be patient Corners don’t win superbowls team efffort does.
Falcon4Life
July 30th, 2011
11:51 am
Team wins games not defensive backs
Hockey Biltong
July 30th, 2011
12:41 pm
So if Matty Ice goes down, who is his backup? Who is our #2????
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
12:51 pm
Good Question.
Sid
July 30th, 2011
12:55 pm
“when the Falcons were among the NFL’s klutzes”…..an ownership during the Rankin Smith (an insurance guru, too much risk assesment on the brain) era who ownly wanted to fund enough talent to keep the fan base interest and turnstiles turning. If only that ownership had realized they were only a few pieces of the puzzle away from a perennial championship caliber team.
THANK YOU ARTHUR B.
*****************************************************************
Note to Go Vikes: Maybe he’ll do better in a warmer climate.
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
12:55 pm
Josh Nesbitt would have been a real good backup QB
who could run like Vick,
but the Buffalo Bills picked him up.
MalibuGT
July 30th, 2011
12:56 pm
I can’t believe the Phillies and Eagles are making the aggressive moves I’d like to see Falcons/Braves doing. I’m glad we got Edwards, but our competition is moving faster
Van Brocklin
July 30th, 2011
1:04 pm
The Eagles go down, if Mike Vick goes down.
RA
July 30th, 2011
1:29 pm
I’m in complete agreement with everything Bradley said. Wow, miracles can happen.
hiramsaint
July 30th, 2011
1:44 pm
superbowl?????? you can’t even win a playoff game with that crew . same old story- first it was ryan then turner then robinson and now edwards-two #’s 0-2
tjhook
July 30th, 2011
1:47 pm
I like our back seven if we get Grimes back; more continuity means more chances for turnovers
Dan
July 30th, 2011
1:50 pm
One step closer to the Super Bowl?
I guess I missed the story on Green Bay and the Eagles switching to the AFC yesterday
Here’s a wild idea – how about this team wins a playoff game first before we keep slobbering over the masterful personnel moves
ugaclassof2004
July 30th, 2011
2:20 pm
The Ray Edwards pick up was a nice one. Mix in Abraham, Davis and Bierman, and the sacks should go up next season. It should also help our secondary that finished 24th or something like that last season. We still need some help in the secondary and the interior of the DL, but the way I look at it: if you’re going to have a mediocre secondary, you need the to be able to generate sacks( i.e. like the Giants in 2007). And if you can’t generate sacks, then your secondary needs to be solid( i.e. the Jets)
The offense looks pretty legit. If we under achieve again, then Mularky will have to go.
Overall: I like where the Falcons are going as an organization. You just get the sense that everyone from management down to the players are committed to being better. Even if we don’t go to the Super Bowl, I applaud them for pursuing excellence. I feel comfortable rooting for a team that tries to be the best.
Hockey Biltong
July 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
Osi Umenyioury[sp?} and Assante Samuels would be fine….
Hockey Biltong
July 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
Assante Samuels and Osi Umenyoury would be fine pick ups…
Vick Supporter
July 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
Hello everybody!
I’m sure you’ve heard about the re-tooling the EAGLES have done. I can’t wait till week 2 when we play ya’ll so we can crush you. Player are flocking to play with Vick because they know we have a GREAT chance to win the whole thing!
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/vick_073011.html
too cheap
July 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
Johnson>Edwards
Barkin'Dog
July 30th, 2011
4:37 pm
Joey
July 30th, 2011 7:27 am
… That “3 yards and a cloud of dust” offense has got to be opened up some.
L and G… 2 words for you… Kerry Meier.
The Falcons secret weapon. Nobody is talking about him or thinking about him. But, I’m here to tell you…”Hide and Watch!” This guy will make Talkin’ Heads SPIN! Yours, too! Just watch… and read his stats here:
Started 38 of 46 games at Kansas, including lining up as a receiver in 35 of those contests. Caught 226 passes for 2,309 yards with 18 touchdowns while adding 417 yards and six scores on 118 carries. Completed 134 of 219 passes for 1,612 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Amassed 2,029 yards in total offense and 2,726 all-purpose yards. Holds the school career-record with 226 receptions, which also ranks eighth in Big 12 Conference history. Set the school reception record on two occasions, the first coming in 2008 (97), followed by 2009 (102). One of five KU players to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
ENJOY THIS SEASON – I WILL!
Ackshun
July 30th, 2011
5:35 pm
Philly has a solid backfield for sure. But that’s where strategy comes in. Run the ball, kill the clock, beat the Eagles, no prob.
KQuark
July 30th, 2011
7:44 pm
Falcons have done a great job so far. I agree with the assessment that the Falcons are better now. Jenkins will be missed but not for very long and Anderson was a complete bust.
Signing Dahl would have been great but he was the 3rd priority on the OL. I think Blalock is actually the most important guy to sign back.
I like Grimes but was last year a blip or a trend. Still the Falcons would be weak in the secondary with or without him they are only average.
Snelling is another loss but can be replaced.
Phil A. Show
July 30th, 2011
9:14 pm
Connie Lingous, you have the worst screen name ever!
FAILCANTS are a joke
July 31st, 2011
8:00 pm
FAILCANTS have ZERO chance of ever hoisting the Lombardi….will always be admiring Saints trophy and the other one they will win this season…fans are a joke, franchise is a joke, thoughts of winning a SB a joke….later losers….
Vick Supporter
July 31st, 2011
8:32 pm
Philadelphia Eagles:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6821165/the-chance-play-qb-michael-vick-drawing-free-agents-philadelphia
Dimitroff propels his Falcons one step closer to a Super Bowl |
July 31st, 2011
10:35 pm
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GO SAINTS
July 31st, 2011
11:16 pm
Super Bowl ?? Didn’t the Falcon fans get their hopes up about the Super Bowl last year ? Wait until you start playing real games before you start talking trash.
GO SAINTS
July 31st, 2011
11:21 pm
??? Dimitroff should prop up his feet and get a glass of wine ???? for what ? his team hasn’t done anything yet.