The ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE Edwards
At least one of these men is really smart. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
For all those who thought Thomas Dimitroff bungled the draft by trading up to get Julio Jones and not landing a defensive end … well, the Falcons just landed a very good defensive end.
His name’s Ray Edwards. He’s a significant upgrade on Jamaal Anderson, the former first-round draftee the Falcons cut this morning. Same as Jones stands to be an upgrade on Michael Jenkins, the former first-rounder also cut this morning. Feel any different about this offseason now?
I’ve said it before, but here it is again: The Falcons are in good — nay, great – hands. This general manager sees, as is said of the best quarterbacks, the whole field. There was no defensive end in the draft the Falcons were apt to land at No. 26 who could have provided the immediate help Edwards will, and there was no wide receiver apt to be available in free agency who possessed the potential Jones.
Oh, and you know this already, but it bears underscoring: Those two former No. 1’s the Falcons just lopped weren’t of Dimitroff’s drafting. This is almost entirely his team now, and it looks like one heck of a team.
Much more on this in a bit. Stay tuned.
By Mark Bradley
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79 comments Add your comment
2010 jacket
July 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
First
2010 jacket
July 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Should we be worried about any of the negative press that Ray Edwards was getting when we started courting the DE from Carolina? There were arguments that he was only good because of the rest of the Vikings D line and stuff like that. Should we expect another 8-9 sack season out of him?
I better get some kudos, Mark!
Teddy Ruxbin
July 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
Mark, can you have someone at the ajc write an article giving an update on cap space and potential use of the remainder. THat would be interesting.
FALCONS FAN
July 29th, 2011
2:14 pm
One again Thomas comes through again. Any chance
he can now help Frank Wren?
Spanish Speaking Sicilian
July 29th, 2011
2:14 pm
I love how you went from calling Frank Wren and Dimitroff out, to calling Dimitroff an “ace”…pure genius, MB haha
Birty Dirds
July 29th, 2011
2:14 pm
BVG needed this.
big john 360 lbs
July 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
anybody is an upgrade from jamal anderson.
RTR
July 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
#Winning!
J Who?
July 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
I will reserve judgement until I see who is going to be blocking for Mr. Ryan.
Paul
July 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
Solid D-line rotation now. Abraham, Edwards, Bierman, Sydbury, Davis. It’s nice to have an Atlanta team with adept and cunning management.
JimmyT
July 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
Well said Mr. Bradley! I have mucho confidence in T.D., but must confess I was getting very anxious after Johnson and Babin were signed. This view looks soo much better than the view shortly after draft day. Just hope we can re-sign Blalock, Grimes, and Snelling. Worried Snelling’s gonna get away!
Jeff
July 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
It was nerve-wracking waiting for this to happen, but our patience got us a good (fair) price. Agree with JimmyT, I’m worried about Snelling now.
Steve O
July 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
2010 Jacket, negative press is nealry always a smokescreen or propaganda campaign by an “unnamed source” that may be trying to sign the same free agent. Also, Ray Edwards was playing opposite from Jared Allen true enough, but now he is playing opposite from “The Predator” Abraham.
hand solo
July 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
OH HELL YES!!!!
biz
July 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Great pickup, great price. Good GM work Demitty!
boots
July 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
This is a crazy good week for the NFL and the Falcons. It is like March Madness for the NFL – every hour brings big news. I am excited about the pass rush the Falcons will have. We need some big heavies on the OL to protect our own QB, and I am told to expect something announced in the next 24 hours. A new name, and a big name…
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
I heard Edwards has Lions blood and Tiger DNA…
Lew
July 29th, 2011
2:25 pm
It feels good to have the Falcons in good hands. For the past 20 years the Braves have had this type of leadership and foresight, The Falcons have seemed like they were on the verge of this since Mr. Blank bought the team, but now it is coming together. Good day to be a Falcon fan!
guillermo
July 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
Getting tired of hearing about how Edwards benefitted from playing opposite Jared Allen. Can you name the stars that play opposite Peppers and Super Mario? Does playing opposite a great DE turn a mediocre player into a star? What about Freeney and Mathis? Either one of those guys a slouch?
Edwards is an upgrade from Bierman, Anderson, Davis and Sidbury. Our defense just got better. Let’s enjoy the moment.
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Snelling is GONE, which worries me. He had starting potential, but now he’ll do it with the Rams. Let’s hope the speedy little fellow we drafted can handle the big leagues.
ATLER (ramblin wreck )
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Now if we can just draft a winning attitude in the playoff!!!!!! We need that killer instinct especially in the playoffs.
Damon Luv Courtney
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Ray Edwards?
That’s great news!
(IF he can stay out of jail while here in The A-T-L, no small feat for high-profile Falcons players & Georgia Bulldogs affiliates)
Blazerdawg
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Awesome pick-up! Quick & cutting RB next?
Fish Bisch
July 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Im worried about the offensive line. Are we losing all the OL free agents?
Damon Luv Courtney
July 29th, 2011
2:31 pm
Ray-Ray do not own any pit bull, do he?
CharlieAlphaBravo
July 29th, 2011
2:31 pm
Wow Dimitroff, that’s one mean pompadour… It’s Butthead-esque, even…
The new caption for that picture should read: “Huh.. Huh, huh… You said penetrate.”
StevoDeg
July 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
@boots, I agree. Between the lockout ending, the free agency wire, and the MLB trade deadline approaching, its rare that I get online and dont see news abput some type of transaction. Heckuva pick up. I cant wait for football season!
Go Falcons!
AU in Milton
July 29th, 2011
2:33 pm
maybe Thomas can take over for Frank Wren as well…
Damon Luv Courtney
July 29th, 2011
2:34 pm
NO ONE has ever accused Arthur Blank of being smart.
I’m glad to Mark Bradley is keeping that streak alive.
collegedude
July 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
Mark, you talk about the Falcons cutting Jenkins & this team looking better. What happens if Jones isn’t ready day 1, or if for some reason we actually need to put a real 3rd wide receiver on the field at some point this year? Douglas hasn’t proven he can play in the NFL. Weems is a kick returner with little to add at the WR position. After that, we have a bunch of practice squad quality receivers. We lopped off our only safety net when we cut Jenkins.
rduck
July 29th, 2011
2:37 pm
i have to admit that Dimitroff is one hell of a GM. not that i didn’t think he was before, but now i am even more convinced. i didn’t think that there was any way he would be able to move up that far in the draft to get Julio and be able to get the DE of impact in FA that we needed. i humbly stand corrected. i now bow to the mastery that is Dimitroff.
rduck
July 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
and how did we get Edwards at that price after the contract that Johnson just signed with Carolina?
gman
July 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Now we need to finish with the Oline and maybe one more Dback. I was hoping we’d be in the hunt for Jonathan Joseph. Nhamdi will be way too expensive. Who else is out there?
Falcon Fan 4 Life
July 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
I hope the Falcons win the Super Bowl for the 2012 Season instead of this year.
That way, when they take the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the White House, they can shake hands with a President who was legally & actually born an America Citizen.
Herschel Talker
July 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Thomas Dimitroff > Frank Wren
Falcons > Braves
Doggie Poo > Hawks
Any coach in Division I football > Mark Richt
Mark Bradley with curly hair and afro > Current Mark Bradley > Terence Moore
Tennis Rodman
July 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Jenks washed out. Man, what a waste.
GT71
July 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
Good hands? No, great hands. Better than Jenkins’ hands anyway.
Upgrade on oline and a darting-quick back and we’re ok.
Good move, Birds.
Thx for the info, MB.
coachx
July 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
All hail TD !
TruthSeeker
July 29th, 2011
2:54 pm
I don’t know what I’m more excited about: the Falcons landing Ray Edwards, or Michael Koenen taking his 28-yard directional punts to Tampa Bay.
Great day for the Falcons.
F*cking A
July 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
Julio Jones will be ready to play… Hell, he could have gone into the pros straight out of highschool. Looks like the Dirty Birds are in good hands once again.
ADS
July 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
Well see how he does here. But like another poster said, the guy has some questions and did play on a team with a strong d line and usually that helps those with lesser skills shine.
OK
July 29th, 2011
3:02 pm
Hope Abraham has at least one solid year left without injury, to go along with this guy Edwards,
who I hope isn’t going to sit on his laurels and just come to Atlanta because it’s a mecca.
OK
July 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
Not getting too excited yet.
This guy better not sit on his laurels now that he signed the big contract and thinks he’s in his mecca, which is the crap part of Atlanta.
Abraham needs at least one more solid year without injury.
?
July 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
?
phoneguy71
July 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
@Damon Luv Courtney the next time you have a thought..don’t.
Exciting day to be a Falcon fan. With Blank, Tommy D. & Smitty we’re in great hands!!!!!
Dr. Warren
July 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
Success hinges on Michael Turner. Will he be the in-shape Turner of ‘08 and ‘10, or the tubby Michael Turner of ‘09? Letting Snelling go could come back to haunt them. I have no idea how they can count on this little fellow they drafted if Turner goes down or busts.
404
July 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
Well, based on LOTS & LOTS of real estate transaction data in & around the
old GM -Doraville plant over the past 18 months, it seems pretty obvious that
The Falcons are going to get their way and build a brand new retractable-roof
dome on that site.
Apparently the big-wigs at MARTA, City of Atlanta, and State Govenment,
and State DOT have all signed-off on the idea as well.
Afterall, it would mean a huge new North-South ridership, added revenues to MARTA,
and would mean a new “springboard” for MARTA expansion into Gwinnett County.
That new revenue will also help fund the newly prposed “Turner Field” line/extension
that MARTA has been wanting for 10 years to “move” the North-South MARTA over
from the Garnett Station to a new Turner Field statin..
Just goes to show you how completely stupid the Atlanta was by not routing
MARTA past the old Fulton County stadium in the first place.
But hey, as long as there are taxpayers, Atlanta will get two new MARTA extnesions
and Falcons will get taxpayers to foot the bill for a new Dome. Of course, the new Dome will be MUCH closer to Flowery BRanch.
As Lee Corso says: Its AAALLLLLLLL connected my firends.
Too bad taxpayers wont get free Falcons season tickets for being on the
hook for a new Dome debt issuance. But hey, the case will be made for it
because “WE NEED THE JOBS, SO WE MUST DO IT.”
A new, smaller Dome means fewer seats, higher ticket prices, more revenue,
better odds of home-game sell-outs which means TV money.
Lucky for Green Bay that their fans can be shareholders.
Oh, nevermind that minor inconvenience of Atlanta Public Schools imploding.
The NFL season is ON, baby.
phoneguy71
July 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
Dang 404, way to try and bring everybody down man. Why didnt you include maybe getting back some bad test results or you running over a puppy. Geez man!
eastbound and down
July 29th, 2011
3:21 pm
Both those guys are smart. Art is smart enough to hire Dimitroff. in order to succeed, you have to surround yourself with very capable people.
I'm Gumby, dammit
July 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
Falcon Fan 4 Life is a MORON. Please keep your Glen Beck thoughts to yourself.
And get a life.
DW
July 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
Edwards at half the price of Johnson? That’s impressive. Even if he only notches 8 sacks, it’s 8 more than JA and puts the pressure on opposing OLs to defend TWO solid pass rushers. If Peria lives up to the expectations, our front 4 could be scary (esp if Babineaux stays on track). Throw William Moore and Sean Weatherspoon into the fray as blitzers (they both hit HARD) and the Falcons D is looking very nice.
As for Julio, Ryan has already pulled this kid under his tutelage. I think we’ll see big things out of him quickly. At the least, his presence on the field takes pressure off of Roddy and TG.
Falcons – SB2012 – seems more likely every day.
Steve O
July 29th, 2011
3:24 pm
collegedude
July 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
Mark, you talk about the Falcons cutting Jenkins & this team looking better. What happens if Jones isn’t ready day 1, or if for some reason we actually need to put a real 3rd wide receiver on the field at some point this year? Douglas hasn’t proven he can play in the NFL. Weems is a kick returner with little to add at the WR position. After that, we have a bunch of practice squad quality receivers. We lopped off our only safety net when we cut Jenkins.
This is proof positive that there is some jackwagon in every crowd that will find something bad in every transaction ever made.
Dirty Bird Zone
July 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
The boys in Flowery Branch are doing everything right to compete for a Super Bowl. My investment in Falcons season tickets is doing better than anything else in my portfolio!
Steve O
July 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
Oh, and whoever is saying that Ray Edwards got his numbers by virtue of playing opposite Jared Allen needs to ralize that Ray Edwards is now playing opposite The Predator.
Braves 2011
July 29th, 2011
3:29 pm
I hate to loose Michael Jenkins, but I love all the other moves. Julio had better put up numbers now that Michael isn’t here.
Tennis Rodman
July 29th, 2011
3:39 pm
ACE FREHLEY – SHOCK ME
Bryant
July 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
Trust me on this, I have watched Julio since he was in middle school. This young man will be ready!! Then we will have two all pro wide outs.
jon
July 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
easy on Ray Edwards… he also played with a pretty darn good defensive line… he was NEVER double teamed!
Tennis Rodman
July 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
My concern with Don Julio is that he does not have break away “AJ Green” speed.
Geemack
July 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
Atlanta Hawks take notes….when you want to win a championship duplicate what winning franchises do.
Good work Falcons…now lets go get that Superbowl.
billcanoe
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
Damon luv Courtney – you are a functional idiot. There are a great many people who think Arthur Blank is smart. You don’t start out at the bottom of the totem pole and build yourself into a billionaire as the President and Chief OPERATING Officer of Home Depot by being dumb. The word OPERATING officer tells you that he knows how to manage people, and that he knows how to select the right people to manage. I think he is doing a similarly great job with the Falcons and their entire organization, and I think he is one of the classiest owners in professional sports. GO FALCONS!
falconfan58
July 29th, 2011
4:33 pm
Julio had a faster 40 than A.J. (4.39 vs. 4.48). You need to find another benchmark for break away speed.
Effin A, Cotton
July 29th, 2011
4:42 pm
Falcon Fan 4 Life, that is the most ignorant statement I’ve heard since the last time I watched Fox News.
Sly Ty
July 29th, 2011
4:49 pm
Dimitroff is clearly a Mad Scientist. Let the man work his magic because IDIOT FANS (Like Myself) wanted him to draft Glenn Dorsey instead of Matt Ryan. I didn’t have a clue then, and I still don’t now. Thanks TD and keep up the OUTSTANDING WORK.
Brendan
July 29th, 2011
4:57 pm
Yes!! Way to go, Thomas Dimitroff!! GM of the year, in the NFL, for 2011!!
Ed
July 29th, 2011
5:02 pm
The Ray Edwards move just gives me even more confidence in Dimitroff, I like the way he waited and didn’t over pay for a guy. I like the way he builds primarily through the draft and supplements through free agency. Now lets just sign Blalock, Snelling, and Grimes and maybe pick up a veteran WR or resign Jenkins for a lower price.
RM
July 29th, 2011
5:06 pm
Sweet!!!
Ray Edwards headed to Atlanta – msnbc.com | Popular Hot News
July 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
[...] the market for him didn't materialize …Vikings: Brian Robison over Ray EdwardsESPN (blog)The ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE EdwardsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Falcons reportedly lock up DE Ray Edwards, OT Tyson [...]
Ray Edwards headed to Atlanta – msnbc.com | Web to Feels
July 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
[...] the market for him didn't materialize …Vikings: Brian Robison over Ray EdwardsESPN (blog)The ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE EdwardsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Falcons reportedly lock up DE Ray Edwards, OT Tyson [...]
JKA
July 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
Still would have preferred Johnson, but after losing Peppers last year Carolina gave him big money to stay…..We lucked out when Philly took Babin due to the presence of his former line coach at Tennessee. That left Edwards for us or the Browns at a more reasonable price, and glad to see Ray went with a winning team,…….. Again, he’s not a great player but should upgrade the position.
Ray Edwards headed to Atlanta – msnbc.com | Get News and Book
July 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
[...] fοr hіm didn't materialize …Vikings: Brian Robison over Ray EdwardsESPN (blog)Thе ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE EdwardsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Falcons reportedly lock up DE Ray Edwards, OT Tyson [...]
Ray Edwards headed to Atlanta – msnbc.com | Shai Awards
July 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
[...] him didn't materialize …Vikings: Brian Robison over Ray EdwardsESPN (blog)The ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE EdwardsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Falcons reportedly lock up DE Ray Edwards, OT Tyson [...]
BC
July 29th, 2011
5:31 pm
I can’t wait to see the rest of the roster, unfold.
rainman
July 29th, 2011
6:10 pm
Any way you look at it — we have definitely upgraded our DE position, and for 5 years, which will help bridge the gap when
Abe ain’t around. The ’strength’ of the DE rotation may depend on whether Jerry can finally make an impact – or not.
Was happy for the security of keeping Nicolas for 5 years at a reasonable price — I thought there was a chance we might lose him. Hope Spoon has a strong 2nd season.
The deal with Grimes and wanting to add another CB/Nickel is more complicated. I hate Grimes filled in at the Pro Bowl, I just don’t think he is worth top CB money. The Falcons should try to get Cromartie, if the Jets get Asi. I think we should be
able to work out a reasonable deal with Grimes, and he can play corner or nickel – depending on the match-ups. Grimes is not unrestricted.
Wouldn’t mind keeping Snelling — just have to see what the market is for him, and what other RB’s become available.
Jenkins will also have a market price established. Who knows? –the Falcons could bring him back at a lesser price.
Falcons players react to acquisition of Ray Edwards – FS South » We’re, Edwards, White, EdwardsAtlanta, Falcons, Dimitroff » TirtaPena.Asia
July 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
[...] Edwards headed to Atlantamsnbc.comVikings: Brian Robison over Ray EdwardsESPN (blog)The ace Dimitroff strikes again: Falcons land DE EdwardsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)FOXSports.com -WEEI.com -Sacramento [...]
Greg Mendel
July 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
Compare the team — as it’s shaping up, and barring injuries — to last season’s team. Potentially, Julio is a big plus on offense, and so is Quizz. Edwards is a big plus compared to Anderson. If Jerry and Weatherspoon perform, there’s more impact. There are no significant losses.
It’s a team. No single acquisition sends us to the Super Bowl. Falcons management is addressing the whole team.
In my opinion, there’s been too much attention paid to the Green Bay loss. Yes, it was ugly. But it was instructive — at a high level. The Falcons lost that game (but not the regular season game) to an absolutely first-rate team who eventually won the SB. Painful as it was, the loss didn’t negate all the games the Falcons won to get there to play it. You got to get to the playoffs, which ain’t all that easy, even from one season to the next (see: New Orleans Saints).
Me, I like regular season games. Playoffs are gravy.
Falcon57
July 30th, 2011
9:45 am
Steve O/Collegedude,Collegedude, Steve, I do agree with you, Collededue does bring a negative to a positive situation. I’m sure the coaching staff have picked Ryan’s brain about where he thought Julio was and Douglas was really starting to show his pre injury game toward the end of last year. I hear he’s looking even better this year. What Collegedude is forgetting is Kerry Meier and his glue like hands. He got hurt the last preseason game but is said to be looking ahead of schedule. He is a mirror of Brain Finnerian, just younger. I read here on this publication that there was a count kept on Meiers catches/drops last year during preseason, including practices. It was reported he didn’t drop a single pass until the 3rd preseason game. So we have that to turn to and if Weems still isn’t up for the job, well I’m sure Finnerian would love to dust off his cleats and put on his cape and come out to give us a hand!!!
I for one think as long as we get our offensive line taken care of, we’re going to be very difficult to stop. It’s a very real situation of ‘picking your poison’!! All we need is for Julio Jones to catch a couple of deep passes and after that, they’ll have to respect his speed causing them to have to stretch the field. Now you’ve got M. Turner with open field to run and Roddie and Tony licking their chops!!! Just need to get Dahl resigned. We could put M. Johnson in Blalocks spot and keep on trucking.
I think all the nay sayers after the draft should be at ease as well. With the addition of Edwards from the Vikings and Jerry and Weatherspoon coming off injury issues, Grimes, Moore, and Peters playing in their second year and Robinson starting his second year in a completely new system, our defense should be stout!!
Given our first 5-6 weeks of our schedule, it will be tough but we should be really good by the middle of the second month, getting primed for the important part of the season!!! Go Falcons!!!
phil
July 30th, 2011
6:36 pm
Falcon Fan 4 Life
July 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
I hope the Falcons win the Super Bowl for the 2012 Season instead of this year.
That way, when they take the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the White House, they can shake hands with a President who was legally & actually born an America
##############
Another genius poster….where do idiots like you come from?
phil
July 30th, 2011
6:38 pm
We can’t beat the eagles, aints or pack….might as well get ready for more disappointment.