The Monday Morning Draft Pep Talk

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 28, 2008 11:01 AM EDT in Falcons News

Time for the draftermath, I guess.

I'm planning on doing a profile on each one of our new players and his likely role with the team, which you can look forward to throughout this week and possibly next. There'll also be plenty of time to discuss just what the hell happened with this draft and whether Dimitroff's comments about the lines were simple misdirection or something more sinister.

I also want to add that I appreciate you guys keeping your tempers (mostly) under control, even though I didn't do such a great job of it. I'd like to remind everyone that we shouldn't be taking shots at one another just because we're pissed off about the way the draft went down; let's keep discussions civil. Also, as a few have urged, let's try to keep as open a mind as possible about this draft class. We may very well suck like a Georgia-based black hole this season, but we may also squeeze some significant contributions out of the new guys.

Above all, let's remember that we're Falcons fans. When life gives us lemons, we dive behind the couch in case those lemons are actually tiny bombs. If some of you haven't given up after following this team for 30 or 40 years, now sure as hell isn't the time to do it.

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Draft

Ok first I have to admit Dave, that in your fury you hit every point I wanted to. It's hard for me to stay positive when you think things will finally change and then this draft happens. First Ryan well we all know that was Blank, then Baker? With all the picks we had your telling me the best we can do is Sam Baker? Meanwhile Carolina nabs Otah, nice move Dimitroff. I love Lofton, then we pass on Nicks for what seemed like 20 rounds. You want to protect Ryan but keep passing on lineman. Now I need to sit around for another 4 years of meodiorcity until we rebuild again. Thanks for nothing Blank, once again. I love the Falcons and will stick with them as always but this weekend was a low point, which is surprising because I figured we were as low as it could get. On a positive note I did like free agency.

by cchandler on Apr 28, 2008 11:19 AM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Nicks is a good point

We could've done well getting him, though I'm not sure I like Otah better than Baker.

The AJC is reporting that Dimitroff has some sort of overarching draft plan for the next few years, which means this isn't the last step and this season is basically only the first step. What I then have to ask--and cchandler, feel free to sing along--is why we went and drafted Matty Shark Attack when this team has a multiple-year rebuilding plan?

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 28, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

All I can figure

If they are building around a multi year rebuilding plan (which, lets be honest, is the right move) maybe they figure that Ryan can ride the bench for a year or two with no pressure on him to be the savior. Personally, I feel that is the only way to go with a young QB. Let him sit and learn, then take over when he is ready. If they drafted a QB further in the rebuilding process, he could hinder an already assembled team. My question is why the hell did it have to be Ryan? As much as I tried to deny it, this pick has Blank's fingerprints all over it.

by SG Standard on Apr 28, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

God help me

If some of you haven't given up after following this team for 30 or 40 years, now sure as hell isn't the time to do it...

Well said. As much as I've been tempted to since 1970. I just can't imagine not rooting for the Falcons.

That said, they sure did seem like they had stage fright first time out in regards to the draft, didn't they?

by johnnybacardi on Apr 28, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Rebuilding

I feel your pain, and I concurred with your frustrations yesterday.

Here's what I see. We needed a QB. We got a QB. By all accounts Ryan's smart. I'll take smart over a big arm. At least it should be a different kind of frustration than we had with Vick. This is me being hopeful. Perhaps the OL isn't as bad as we think? Between injuries, scheme changes, and the Petrinopocalypse, there has to be some improvement even without player changes. Snelling looked good last year, so don't ask me to make any sense out of the RB pick.

In the next 12 months, either before Week 1 2008 or after Week 16, Milloy, Joe Horn, Brooking, and Joey Harrington (or Redman if he stinks it up) will be gone. If we don't see anything great so will Jennings, Jenkins, and Jimmy Williams.

Hey, it can't be worse than last year.

by widderslainte on Apr 28, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

The 2007 Draft

Doesn't look so bad to me at this point.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/News/Draft_Central/Draft_2007.aspx

Certainly still to early to judge, but it has held up so far as a very solid draft.

Longer term the 2008 draft class is going to be judged on how Matt Ryan works out, but it looks like a solid draft class to me. I think Lofton will turn into the guy that McKay hoped Ed Hartwell would be.

by 34hawk on Apr 28, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

I agree about Lofton

While he wasn't the #1 need on the board, he was one of the best players and a guy Dimitroff and Smith clearly liked. If he turns out to be something special at Brooking's current spot, I'll be thrilled.

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 28, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Good and bad

I am in favor of a player that can be brought in to replace the corpse formerly known as Keith Brooking. Trust me, I have been driving the "Brooking is worthless" bandwagon for the better part of a decade. However, with as many holes as this team has, I would have liked to see us nab a player there who can start this season. Particularly after trading away the other two second rounders, that pick took on great importance. Last year we got two guys who ended up starting in that round. I would have liked to see the team go for somebody who could do the same this season. Although, a Nicholas-Lofton-Boley linebacker corps could be pretty damn solid in a couple years.

by SG Standard on Apr 28, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Good stuff here...

The post-draft PC:

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/media_library/Audio/Interviews/2008/Draft/Falcons_Draft_Wrap_Up_-_4-27 -08.aspx

The bottom line? Some/most of the mid-late picks that we were puzzling about came down to this: do we want someone who can contribute right away on ST, grow into our system and play multiple positions OR someone who we really don't think is going to be very good, can't contribute on ST and might end up a wasted pick?

From my perspective, this looks to be the beginning of a team with a number of tweeners...good athletes who are hungry to learn and play who can be shifted around the field and fill multiple roles (Jackson, Decoud, Biermann).

It was refreshing to hear our FO say "we're not going to bring a guy in here just to see if it works out." I hate all this crap about "upside" and "boom or bust." You can't build a team drafting guys like that.

by Dash on Apr 28, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

My problem with that

Both Smith and Dimitroff A) recognize that DT is a need and B) admit that the list of DT's they wanted was very thin. Now, this explains why they didnt go for one on day two, but if they fully realize that its Day 1 or nothing at a position of dire need, why not take Dorsey? If he was the team's only realistic option at that position, and both our head coach and GM know this, you simply can't justify passing on him. The fact that it was a deep QB draft makes this even harder to fathom. I know that they signed a couple DT's in free agency, and I know that a guy like Coleman or Jackson (who did play for Smith after he got Petrino'd, may his name be cursed) is still out there, but I couldnt see any of them having as much impact for as long as Dorsey could have.

by SG Standard on Apr 28, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

recent draft

with the exception of Ryan in the first round,I don't feel as bad as I thought I would with our draft picks. I would have liked to see at least one more OL, but I'm willing to take a wait and see attitude. I'm real excited about the running back, Brown. I saw him througout the season and he was awesome. I've been a fan since day one and although I'll chew them out when I get mad, I can't see pulling for another team. If they ever move out of Atlanta, they'll still be my Falcons, or whatever new name they come up with. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and can hardly wait for it to get here.

by henryinga on Apr 28, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

The Kids

Yeah so I have to admit that one reason I have stayed out of the discussions the past couple of days has been the heated tempers. It was kinda like one of those "why are mommy and daddy fighting" moments that the kids sometimes go through on many an afterschool special.

All in all it was a pretty surreal draft, not just for the Birds but just in general. The accelerated pace (which I loved), the Falcons pick of Ryan, the run of WR's in the 2nd round, the QB's selected in the late 2nd round, etc... It all seemed like a bizarre dream/nightmare.

Fun fact: The new format made this years 1st AND 2nd rounds combined last 45 shorter than last years 1st round alone.

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

by runningback on Apr 28, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Not surprisingly I agree with Runningback

I've learned through experience that it is a really bad idea to get attached to any player at all prior to the draft. I've also learned that theres no point in having a whip lash reaction to selection saturday and sunday.

I think we should all take a wait and see approach, we had faith in Dimitroff and Smith before, maybe the beleif that this was a Blankian Draft is a foolish over reaction to the selection of Maaaaaaattttttttttttttt Ryyyyyyyyyyyannnnnnnnnn....and maybe Ryan will sit for the year while a cohesive and potent offensive line is trained and allowed to gel...

Lets all take a deep breath, drink a beer, smoke a doobie, do whatever it is you do to relax, and realize that we added alot of depth at positions of need, and maybe just maybe The Good Comrade was scared off by Dorseys injury prone-ness.

I really hope that jet stream of bullshit turns out to be true...

(by the way, is a "Blankian" draft really so bad, look at the guys we've drafted since he's been owner - Boley, Norwood, (ignore Anderson) Hall (yeah he was a loud mouth and tended to be an idiot, but he could play a bit), Trey Lewis...Yes there have been busts, but every team has them...)

by Hamburger on Apr 28, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Injury prone-ness?

Dorsey had one significant injury, and that was only suffered because Tommy Tubberville put a Code Red out on him. Even still, he played through it most of the year. If there was something that scared the team off of him, I hope it wasnt that.

by SG Standard on Apr 28, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

From espn insider & football outsiders...

Durability has become a major question mark in wake of combine medical examination (stress fracture in right tibia from 06).

Dorsey was hobbled by a sore hamstring, a sore back and a right knee sprain (which required a bulky brace) in 2007

Its a weak case, but a case nonetheless, I agree with you SGstandard, I just can't think of any other reason why they'd pass on him...

by Hamburger on Apr 28, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

It's on me

I set the tone for this by freaking out both days. I do have to note that I also throw tantrums during the MLB draft, where players sometimes don't make names for themselves until five years after they're drafted.

The lesson here: I'm an angry person.

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

PS

Have we officially come up with a nickname for Matt Ryan? I think we should wait until camp opens to get a feel for him. Yes? No?

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

by runningback on Apr 28, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Looks like Hamburger

Is going to town in the diary section.

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by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2008 12:11 AM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Arthur's New Lap Dog?

Okay, the Falcons needed a QB. Can’t argue that. Unfortunately, we need most of the rest of the alphabet as well (LT, LG, TE, DT, WLB, CB, etc.). Dimitroff and Smith came in saying they would build the team from the inside out and then ended up doing what McKay would have done - which is bow to pressure from Blank and blow the 3rd pick on a QB just to make a splash. Then they had to overpay to draft a LT (damn, taking the 50th rated player with the 21st pick!). So instead of a bunch of big uglies that might have actually made the team better next year, we’ve “added depth” and created “competition.” Which are words that remind me of the letters UFA – couldn’t undrafted free agents provide a blocking tight end, an undersized LB and an “athlete?” Three more letters for Dimitroff - WTF?

by Falco Chicquera on Apr 30, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

It's a tough sell

I think even if they do have a grand, overarching plan (and OMG, I hope so), we as fans are going to have a hard time being satisfied until we see improvement in the product on the field. If that doesn’t come this year, I pity Dimitroff and Smith.

Football is not a contact sport. It's a collision sport. Dancing is a good example of a contact sport. ~Duffy Daugherty

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 30, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs