Forget Pettigrew

by Blue Falcon on Feb 17, 2009 2:27 PM EST Comment 24 comments

Let's not waste our 1st pick on Pettigrew. Yes he's talented, BUT this year's draft is deep at the TE position. PLUS, if you exclude Tony Gonzalez, 1st round Tight Ends have historically had little more success in the NFL than 2nd and 3rd rounders. Consider the (incomplete) list below.

1st Rd: Tony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, Jeremy Shockey, Todd Heap, Bubba Franks, Kellen Winslow II, Vernon Davis, and Jerramy Stevens

2nd Rd: Alge Crumpler, John Carlson

3rd Rd: Jason Witten, Chris Cooley

4th Rd: Owen Daniels

5th Rd: Donald Lee

7th Rd: Shannon Sharpe

Undrafted: Antonio Gates

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Quick question

I certainly buy what you’re selling, as the kids these days say, but who would you like to see the Falcons target at 24?

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 17, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

personally

i think they should get an outside linebacker duo of clay mathews and larry english. that would be a dream draft.

by iloveroddywhite on Feb 17, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like English

But I think I’d rather see him play defensive end for us. Call me crazy.

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 17, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Crazy.

What’s up?

New Orleans Hornets: The most inconsistent team in the NBA.

by Grayson on Feb 24, 2009 3:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not much

Just insane in the membrane.

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 24, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd target an OLB.

I’m guessing either Brooking and/or Boley will be gone so we’ll need to find their replacements.
We could also use an upgrade at DT but I think we can find value via free agency.

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 18, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry English is getting a lot of love recently

Any thoughts on picking him up at #24?

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 18, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Larry English

I’ve never seen him play, but from what I’ve read he is a tweener DE who’s projected to be an OLB in the NFL. If “Comrade” thinks he has the skills to start from day one, then we should DEFINITELY target him over Pettigrew…especially if we lose one of our starting OLBs and Chauncey Davis.

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 18, 2009 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point ...

You’re right about the abundance of talent available at TE. Unless there’s a safety or linebacker there that we want, I’d love to see us go OT. Balk all you want, Dahl/Clabo aren’t long-term options.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Feb 17, 2009 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+9000

"If the Falcons ever manage to win a Super Bowl in my lifetime, I'll french kiss a toilet." - a friend.

by tlozwarlock on Feb 17, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wren, Wren, Wren U R Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

I respect your opinion, but I just don’t understand your rationale. Dahl/Clabo may not be long-term answers, but they are more than serviceable for ‘09. Considering our OL only gave up 17 sacks in their first season together under a new regime, I’m willing to give them another year to workout their deficencies.

Think about it. Brooking (OLB) could be cut. Jackson (DT), Davis (DE), Boley (OLB), Milloy (SS) and Foxworth (CB) could leave via free agency. Anderson (DE) is underachieving. Abraham (DE) was phenomenal, but has struggled with injuries. Lewis (DT) and Coleman (CB) will be coming off injuries. And there’s always the chance that Coleman (ILB) or C. Jackson (CB) could fall victim to the sophomore slump. That’s just WAY too many concerns on defense to draft an OT in the 1st.

Now if it makes you feel better, I would not object to drafting an OT in the 3rd to compete with Clabo, but our 1st pick has absolutely got to be a defensive player who can start day one.

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 18, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here's my qualified response ...

My hope is that some of those issues will be resolved come April.

Foxworth and Boley will re-sign by then IMO. You can argue that TD/Smitty might be done w/ Boley, but I think they’ll give him another year to prove himself. He was too darn good in ’07 not to.

I think Law Dog is already sipping Seattle’s Finest and Grady/Brook need to go anyway. If we approach Chauncey the right way (as some people have already suggested), we should be able to re-sign him.

That leaves us needing (1) a safety, (2) a D-Lineman, (3) a LB or two. Lewis is pretty much a rook, and Coleman is a back up anyway. Not sure whether you think we need more depth at CB, but I kinda think you do (from how your post is written).

So … say we get to draft day, no viable options present themselves to trade up or down, Moore is already off the board the only remaining safeties/d-linemen/LBs are 2nd-3rd round talents, why not take an OL?

I wrote him off for a long time, but Max Unger (Oregon) – as IRonin pointed out – will be the next Jeff Saturday. He’ll be there at 24, if there’s marginal talent at S/DT/LB, there’s no reason not to go OL!

Sorry for the long-winded response.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Feb 19, 2009 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Alright Wren

If (and that’s a mighty big "IF") the chips all fall the way you predict, I could see us going with an OT…but not a center. I really like Unger, but he can’t solve the issues you have with “Dahl/Clabo”.
That said, I do think there will be at least one LB, DT or DB with 1st rd talent available at 24.

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 19, 2009 2:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I expect LB

It’s not my personal first priority—even with the attrition we’re likely to suffer—but the best guy available is likely going to be somebody like Brian Cushing.

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 19, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really like Cushing...

…but what are your thoughts on Maybin? Todd McShay said on NFL Live that Maybin has “top ten” talent..

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 19, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Maybin as well

But I definitely don’t expect him to still be there. Call me crazy.

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 20, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Cushing will be gone

Most draft boards have him as the 2nd best LB in the draft. Sadly … it’ll probably depend on how he does at the combine. So, w/out wishing him any long-term harm, I hope his mo jo is a little off this weekend. For our sake.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Feb 19, 2009 8:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve seen a lot of mocks with Cushing falling to us, but maybe with all this hype, he is actually going to rise. Hope not, but it seems inevitable. In which case, Larry English?

by acie4mvp on Feb 21, 2009 1:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm good with English

I still haven’t seen him play, so take this with a grain of salt. I do like what I’ve read about him, though, and the fact that he seems to be a pass-rushing talent recommends him highly to me.

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 21, 2009 2:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Unger ...

has played T, G, and C. If not him, the best available tackle will do.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Feb 19, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hidden gem

in this years draft may be kevin ellison from usc. i watched him all year long we could get em cheap on day two of the draft and he could possibly challenge for the starting job his rookie year.

by iloveroddywhite on Feb 18, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs