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2008 Atlanta Falcons Draft Open Thread, Day Two

So the Falcons are now preparing to wash the stink of yesterday off of us. With a number of picks still to go, the Falcons must address weaknesses on the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary, with a side of tight end. If they don't, I'm going to go all Boston Tea Party, except it'll be more like an Atlanta Coke Party because I hate tea.

Let's now screw this up, Falcons!

Star-divide

6:49 p.m.: That's all she wrote. The Falcons have what now looks to be an average draft that ignored many needs, but we'll see how it plays out later on. For now, let's welcome our 2008 Draft Class! Woo and stuff!

5:59 p.m.: Falcons wrap up the draft with the selection of TE Keith Zinger, who will have the best nickname of any Falcon, bar none. He has a chance to help out rotationally with Martrez Milner in his first year, too. I like the pick to end up, despite having no defensive linemen.

5:01 p.m.: The Falcons select Wilrey Fontenot at corner, clearly spelling doom for Brent Grimes. Fontenot isn't huge, but he's a pretty talented guy, and I actually like this pick quite a bit. Again, however, I must ask that we at least use our last pick on a lineman of some sort. Please, good sir!?

4:47 p.m.: There is no way in hell that Pierre Garcon is a real name. The new Colts receiver is clearly an undercover French agent.

4:00 p.m.: And it's come to this. Little, difficult offseason-having Colt Brennan goes before Woodson. That poor bastard.

3:44 p.m.: Poor Andre Woodson is falling to the very end of the draft. I expected him to drop to the 3rd or 4th round, but this is extremely surprising.

3:41 p.m.: Exhausted by this draft. Thomas Brown at RB? I guess Snelling is gone, then. If this draft was a flavor, it would be vanilla. There's been no picks outside of maybe DeCOud that have jumped out and impressed me. I'd love it if this turns out to be 1000x better than I think it is, but I'm just not sold.

2:36 p.m.: The Falcons draft another OLB in Kroy Biermann. I'm at a complete loss for words here. They must really love our lines, I guess.

2:19 p.m.: Okay, now that I've finished throwing a tantrum, I'm ready to talk. I've managed to talk myself into most of this draft, at least enough to tolerate it. I do not--and perhaps cannot--understand picking Robert James here. The new regime talked about drafting for need over and over again, and yet we've taken two linebackers so far. You may not have noticed this if you've been living in a cave somewhere, but the linebacking corps is the best part of this team. Yeah, we could use some depth, but what the hell is this team's plan? If we don't plan to move to the 3-4, then it doesn't seem like we've got one at all.

1:48 p.m.: That's it, I fucking give up. Robert James at OLB for the Falcons?! WHERE ARE THE FUCKING LINEMEN!?!

1:47: Red Bryant went off the board a while ago to Seattle. Once again, we could've used him. Just sayin'.

1:44 p.m.: Took the fourth round off, but I'm back now. Atlanta on the clock and picking... 12:43 p.m.: And off goes Anthony Collins and DT Dre Moore. Great job, guys.

12:03 p.m.: The picks are flying now. I would've liked the Falcons to pick up Justin King at CB, but what the hell. Our chances of getting Red Bryant at this point are slim to none, and I'm kind of pissed.

11:44 a.m.: Thomas DeCoud! The Falcons aren't picking at a position I expected, but I knew they liked DeCoud and I can't argue with the pick. He ought to step in and start during his rookie season. Awesome pick!

11:24 a.m.: I love how they talk about scouts and GMs having intimate knowledge of 300 pound men. I may vomit.

11:23 a.m.: TE Jermichael Finley is a pretty talented dude, but I never expected the Falcons to pursue him. Green Bay gets a solid pick here.

11:21 a.m.: I'd just like to note that one of the most highly rated players out there is an offensive tackle by the name of Anthony Collins. Either Collins or Red Bryant would be an excellent pick here at the end of the third.

11:19 a.m.: Steve Slaton is an excellent, excellent pick for the Texans, whose running back depth rivals that of a shallow pool of rainwater. One of the better picks of the third round, certainly.

11:08 a.m.: Those of you who love Red Bryant better hope he makes it to the bottom of the round.

11:04 a.m.: The NFLN guys are talking about Mario Manningham's rapid fall. I'd love it if the Falcons gambled on him in like the sixth round, but before that...some other team can knock itself out.

11:02 a.m.: The Falcons pick up WR Harry Douglas out of Louisville. Douglas is a guy I happen to like quite a bit, but once again the Falcons chose to ignore a more glaring need at defensive tackle. At the very least, however, this gives the Falcons three young, talented guys in Roddy, L-Rob and Douglas. Not an awful pick, but I'm hoping the Falcons are looking DT next.

11:01 a.m.: The hated Bucs pick OG Jermay Zuttah. Solid pick.

10:59 a.m.: Matt Ryan interview. He got a call from Dimitroff, Smith and Blank, which sounds about right. I'll say this for Matty Shark Attack: he's got the kind of smooth media relations skills that will serve him well playing for the Falcons. Hopefully he doesn't hold out.

10:45 a.m.: The Patriots continue to ignore other needs and draft linebacker Shawn Crable. Two very talented linebackers, yes, but couldn't they use some help elsewhere?

10:43 a.m.: Brad Cottam is the first odd pick of the weekend for the Chiefs. Not a top tight end, and not one I particularly like. Still, tight ends are starting to jet off the board.

10:36 a.m.: The Niners make a great pick, too, grabbing Reggie Smith as a hybrid corner/safety. Teams are getting a lot of value out of their third round picks, thus far.

10:36 a.m.: Not to mention that they got CB Charles Godfrey. They're having an underrated draft thus far, these Panthers.

10:33 a.m.: The Panthers get one of the steals of the draft thus far in Dan Connor. This guy was a projected first round pick, and the team just get him in the third. That's not only insane, but it speaks well to the patience of the Panthers. Well done.

10:23 a.m.: Some picks go by and I barely noticed. Chevis Jackson is consuming my thoughts.

10:18 a.m.: The Falcons pick up cornerback Chevis Jackson, whose lack of speed might mean he projects as safety as the NFL level. He might also be an effective Cover 2 corner, but I wasn't aware we were rolling out a cover 2 next year. If the Falcons don't manage to get Red Bryant or someone similar, this pick is going to look worse by training camp. Still, we had a need at corner.

10:16 a.m.: The NFLN guys just compared Matt Ryan to fine china which needs to be locked in a cabinet. I don't even have a joke here.

10:12 a.m.: Kendall Langford goes to the Dolphins. I honestly couldn't tell you the first thing about him. That's not the first time this is going to happen today.

10:07 a.m.: The Lions kick us off by selecting Kevin Smith at running back. The last generically named Kevin worked out so well for them, too.

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Jackson
i liked godfrey, but jackson will fit our defense well

by VBfalconfan on Apr 27, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I kinda expected Godfrey
I guess I'm just wary of Jackson's speed, but they're raving about his coverage skills. I can more than live with the pick.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Was I the only one . . .
. . . who noticed that, right before the Falcons picked Matt Ryan yesterday, Chris Berman said Atlanta would be turning over a new leaf?

Ryan? Leaf? I have a bad feeling about this. . . .

Go 'Dawgs! - Dawg Sports

by T Kyle King on Apr 27, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Damnit, Kyle!
Don't bring that bad voodoo magic over here. Get back to your successful college program! Scat!

Seriously, though, thanks for dropping by.

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're welcome . . .
. . . and, don't worry; that was probably just my desire to see D.J. Shockley succeed in the N.F.L. talking.

Hopefully, no Georgia Tech equipment managers will steal Ryan's game jersey when he comes to Atlanta this time.

Good luck on day two! I'll be hanging around and looking forward to everyone's comments!

Go 'Dawgs! - Dawg Sports

by T Kyle King on Apr 27, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I noticed the same thing
I hate Berman.

by SG Standard on Apr 27, 2008 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bah, those are lies!
You know that your dumb UGAg equipment managers just forgot to bring them along.  No one stole your jerseys, haha.

by Jesse on Apr 28, 2008 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i give up....
what the french-fried FUCK are they doing?!

This smells like a McKay, Mora, Petrino, June Jones, et al clusterfuck from years gone by...

What happened to their 'we need to address the O/D line in this draft" mantra?!

Been a fan since I could crawl. (Literally... attended first game in '66)...but this is killing me!

I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like a VERY BAD NEXT FEW YEARS...which means high draft picks...which means bad choices...which means high draft picks...for many more years....

(Sigh...I Live in Texas...looks like I'll slowly become a Cowboys fan; although I HATED them as a kid....)

Dumitroff....I hope you know what the fuck you're doing...but I doubt it...

by btcvsolo on Apr 27, 2008 11:33 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree.
QFT.

Your analysis is spot on.

Like the commercial, I want to know one thing: "Where's the beef?"

Is it too much to ask that we get some big beefy guys on the line who are going to eat bitches' lunches come Fall.  Clearly we're not doing what they told us they were doing in the offseason.

Friends don't let Friends draft Matt Ryan.

by iRonin on Apr 27, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mostly agree
Douglas and DeCoud could be very good in the NFL, but what happened to drafting for need? I'm really disappointed with this philosophy.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my heart is broken
I am with you brother.Matty Ice is going to be Matty the bust.Man I wish we had Glen Dorsey.

by hughbydooby on Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the Douglas pick
I also have to tip my hat to Chris Carter for breaking one a long standing racial stereotype the NFL seems to always rely on.

He compared Harry Douglas to Wes Welker. For some reason when it comes to skill positions analyst always stay within the color of the skin of the two players being compared.  San Diego drafts Jacob Hester and what is the first thing they all said?  "He reminds me a lot of Brian Leonard".

Congrats to the Falcon's on selecting a good "possession" receiver.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Apr 27, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hold on
Look. About Ryan. The QB draft selection process is a crapshoot. No doubt about it. When you have your Ryan Leafs, Akili Smiths, David Carrs, and Tom Bradys, it has to be. It always has to be wait-and-see. Ryan probably has as good a chance, maybe better, to be a Hall-of-Famer as Brian Brohm does or Joe Flacco. We just don't know. We can't change the fact that the Falcons drafted him, so let's support the kid and give him the best environment to progress and succeed.

by customsox927 on Apr 27, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You're right
We can't beef with Ryan himself now that he's a Falcon (at least until he plays), so I'll be aiming my ire at the guys who drafted him. I do wish him the best, of course.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

True
Ya I've noticed in your blog you've been saying you'll support the guy now, this is just for the other fans who think it's Ryan's fault for getting drafted earlier than they think he should

by customsox927 on Apr 27, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really don't think that's the case at all.
I haven't read a single comment thus far from a fan stating that it's Ryan's fault for getting drafted.  No one here blames him at all as it is obviously out of the players hands.  Instead, we are all upset that our management is making some of the worst choices given the huge potential they had coming into it.  The management has let us down and we are simply stating our disdain for it.

And of course we will support the players.  We want to see our team win in the end.  But for now, the management is going to catch hell.

by Jesse on Apr 28, 2008 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

wheres the linemen?
i thought for sure we would have drafted another offensive lineman.  what gives you think?  did they like what they saw in training camp?  

One thing that I keep hearing about the guys we picks is "football guys".   what does that mean?  

by VBfalconfan on Apr 27, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It means
They don't play tennis, which I guess is a plus.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll admit, Im kind of coming around
The DT thing is baffling, but maybe they are planning on just picking someone up in free agency. If there isnt anybody avaliable worth the pick we are at, you cant fault them for not reaching.

I saw Jackson play last season a good bit and really liked him. You cant deny that the team needed secondary help, and hopefully he will be able to contribute quickly. Lots of people seemed to be really high on Douglas at that pick. They might have been able to dig a WR who could see some playing time out of the third round again.

by SG Standard on Apr 27, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I liked the start
But what are we doing picking an OLB in the 5th round after we got Curtis Lofton? I don't feel like that position was a critical need.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me too, man
I'm scared and cold.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hmm?
On ESPN when it first said they drafted him, it listed him as a DE

by customsox927 on Apr 27, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Robert James = safety?
I was thinking Robert James might be used at safety but Kroy Biermann...I am at a loss
Roll the chains.

by Section107Row3Seats12thru15 on Apr 27, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kroy Biermann = DE?
Do we really think he can play DE?
Roll the chains.

by Section107Row3Seats12thru15 on Apr 27, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is getting absurd
Why take linebackers? It makes no sense!! Are they going to unveil the leagues first 3-5-3 defense? Bringing back the 4-6 perhaps? The lack of a DT aside, I would rather see them take a player at literally every other position but running back. I can't wait to here the Comrade's explaination for these last couple picks.

by SG Standard on Apr 27, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Calm Down...
I don't think TD sees either of these last two picks as LBs. One I'm guessing is going to be converted to SS and the other will likely be used for DE depth behind Abe...he's not too much smaller than him and considering he's a small-school prospect they probably figure there's plenty of room to put some meat on his frame.

We ought to stop freaking out...there are still value picks left at DT and OL for 6th/7th rounds and it's not as if anyone picked in the 5th was going to be an instant impact starter...they're looking purely at potential here.

by Dash on Apr 27, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In that case
It would clearly be better value to do that, but I still don't understand why they're not looking at guys on the OL, at least. We're not looking for starters at this point, but I would argue that depth on the OL is an extremely critical need.

Maybe in the 7th?

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You won't get any complaints from me here
I love Thomas Brown. I know its 100% homerism, but I don't care. It almost seems like the team is willing to try and resign Jackson or Coleman to fill in at tackle.

by SG Standard on Apr 27, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still don't see a draft philosophy
I fail to see what direction this team is going on from this draft, which I think bothers me more than anything. Regardless of where our 5th round picks end up, I'm still most unhappy that we couldn't grab a single lineman in that round. It's only an initial impression, but I still just don't love this draft.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perhaps out hopes were a little high?
This team has many, many holes. Regardless of how we spin it we're not really going to be a contender heading out of this draft. I would have LOVED to pick up a DT or another OL today, but we had almost no depth behind  CB/S/MLB/OLB/DE and that has absolutely shot our defense in the foot two out of the last three years (with the exception of last year...hard to shoot 4-12 in the foot)...think about the injuries and the guys we've plugged in at those positions. We have a dearth of bodies on the D-line thanks to free agency and one more thing that we haven't considered: line coaches who ACTUALLY HAVE NFL EXPERIENCE. This is all speculation, but maybe the group we can field at the moment won't be that shabby once they get proper coaching from an actual NFL coach...not one of Pigtrino's college buddies.

Just a thought.

by Dash on Apr 27, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's true
The coaching staff does need a chance to work, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens there. I just really wanted to see more help for the offensive line, given that it's going to be critical for them to keep our prized new QB and stud running back up and alive.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I couldn't agree more
I really really wish they had picked up some serious line help but at this point I'm trying to make lemonade out of lemons and searching for some sort of justification here ;)

by Dash on Apr 27, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Where are we headed!?
I've been watching this draft during a block party that's lasted about two days now, and I must say that almost everyone there was completely disappointed with Ryan at 3.  Look, I'm happy we got a QB.  It's great.  But, our team is bad.  BAD bad.  And how do you get better?  You get O and D-linemen who can block for whatever back and QB are behind them and can tackle anything that gets in front of them.  Thats how good teams are built.  Look at Georgia in college for god's sake, they had shitty o-line play (and little to no depth) and seemed to always underperform in random games, and they hired a proven coach and committed to recruiting talented O-linemen, and they went 11-2 and won a Sugar Bowl.

Also, Thomas Brown?  Why the heck did they make this pick?  I'm starting to sense that the Falcons have realized they need to utilize the major local colleges for more picks, but they feel like they're just doing it because they want to get the teams fans on their side.  Just like with Shockley a couple of years ago, they drafted a UGA guy at a position they didn't need.  We've got Norwood and Turner, what's Brown going to do?  Shockley was drafted to sit behind Matt Schaub and Michael Vick.  They're throwing bones to UGA when they know they won't use those guys.  Why not draft guys from UGA who actually could help the team?  Sign Jason Elam (old) instead of drafting the relatively cheap Brandon Coutu in the 6th or 7th round (or, hell, taking him as a preferred free agent)?

I was prepared for another down year this upcoming season.  3-5 wins max, with less than stellar offensive showings.  But, I was also hoping they'd draft heavy on the lines and use this next season to get some experience there, and work in some skill position players in the year after's draft.  Looks like Blank still doesn't understand the meat and potatoes business of the NFL.  All flash and no fire does not a playoff NFL team make.

by blackertai on Apr 27, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

A little hope.
From some draft discussion on Footballoutsiders.com

"Thomas Dimitroff, an incredibly bright football man, said his April 5th meeting with Ryan was the most impressive whiteboard display he's ever seen. Ryan has Peyton and Brady-type study skills and football smarts, not to mention his excellent mechanics (best in this year's class) and his ferocious work ethic.

by widderslainte on Apr 27, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Another DB?
You must be kidding me!

by mcboyt on Apr 27, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And onward we go
Dimitroff must be allergic to defensive tackles.
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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 27, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Did this man not see Richard Seymour?
I mean, seriously?!  Who's been there for the Patriots defense year in and year out?  A superstar DT!  GEEBUS.

by blackertai on Apr 27, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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