A Very Falcoholic Discussion: The Greatest Remaining Need

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 28, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Editorial Comment 54 comments

Not even our beloved Atlanta Falcons are perfect.

Despite Thomas Dimitroff's grand adventure to the Land of Defense, this is a team that still has some holes. Not every player will pan out, and not every veteran will retain his usefulness in 2009. Even if the Falcons defy any reasonable expectations and blow the rest of the league away this season, there'll be that one position we didn't quite see maximum potential from. It's as inevitable as death and taxes.

My personal nomination is kick returner, where Thomas Brown is coming off an injury and Harry Douglas needs to become a bigger piece of the offense. I just don't know who is going to fill the position, and it's tough to tell if he's already on the roster or not. What I'd like to hear is where you think the Falcons still need help, even after the draft. It can be as vital as a starting cornerback or as seemingly mundane as the third string quarterback.

Go to it!

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OLB

Right now we are looking at Peterson, Lofton, and… and… Stephen Nicholas? Coy Wire? I have faith in our coaching staff for getting the maximum potential out of all those who play with the Mighty Falcons, but the idea of having a rotation at LB is not one that I am very excited about. But, I’ll have faith, if both Peria Jerry and Dr. Strangelove play up to their potential, our Defense could be a lot more sturdy this year.

I know the rumor mill will start whirling, but what about Leroy Hill? Might not suit the Falcons M.O. but he would definately round out a solid looking defense.

Thoughts?

"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer

by Pregame with Pabst on Apr 28, 2009 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you'll see Atkins provide depth here at OLB...

Also, they signed Derek Nicholson. He played ILB at FSU, but he should have been played outside. I expect him to get a chance on at SOLB. Don’t discount Tony Gilbert. The guy is a quality b/u.

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't see Sid Viscious moving to OLB?

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sidbury?

6’3" 267 – he’s a DE.

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not the first to suggest it ...

I’d hardly say it is impossible, especially since we didn’t draft potential starters at LB. He could drop 10 lbs, and he’d be close to OLB size. Put simply, it’s far from a foregone conclusion that he won’t convert.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

draft any potential starters

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

After some more research, let me present what might be a more compelling argument:

First of all, he’s only 6’2 (I know … one whole inch shorter), but he’d be a pretty big liability on running downs. He lacks the initial burst that would make him comparable to Abe, and he isn’t known for taking on blocks (he likes to run around them). To me, he sounds like an excellent candidate for OLB.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just say

my grade for the Sidbury pick (thinking he was a DE) was A+++
my grade if he converts to OLB would probably be a C

I’m really really hoping he can stay at DE… and the initial reports i’ve been reading on him are that he may even be better at defending the run than rushing the passer (at this point). Check the Scouting Report.

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough ...

But according to the www.nfl.com scouting report (specifically re: his weaknesses) … “Lacks the height and bulk in his lower body most teams prefer in a defensive end. Marginal strength at the point of attack and can be targeted in the running game. Likes to run around blocks in space, rather than take them on and discard. Lacks explosiveness off the snap and is often late.”

I think we can agree that scouting reports are always going to differ, and that no scouting report is perfect (otherwise the term “NFL bust” wouldn’t exist).

So, at the end of the day … this might be a “wait and see” situation. But it could very well go either way, which was my original point.

Nonetheless, if he does convert to OLB, I don’t know if an “orang3b ranking” drop from an “A+++” to a “C” is entirely justifiable.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I know my “grade” doesn’t amount to a hill of beans in the long run – but that was my initial reaction (we won’t know the real grade for 2-3 years anyway).

And the reason the grade would drop (in my mind) if he were to switch positions: I value DE’s a lot higher than OLB’s (kinda like CB vs. Safety).

Of course, if we get a starting OLB in the 4th round, I’m certainly not complaining… I’ll be rooting for him no matter where he lines up.

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That makes some sense ...

I can certainly see the disparity in value between DEs and OLBs.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is video on Sidbury. He's #2. Initial burst looks pretty good to me, (turn volume down, lol)

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPydgMoTs04

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, he didn't look like he was just running around blocks....

Watch him bull rush the right tackle into the QB at 1:35

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See above ...

and while I certainly can’t argue w/ how impressive that tape is, there’s nothing comparative about it.

If he’s suited to play DE, and that is the direction TD and company want to go, I’ll be cheering him on each and every Sunday. He’s an incredible athlete, all I’m saying is that he may be better suited to play OLB in The League.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Apr 28, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, look at his measurables vs Abraham. He's gonna be grommed for that WDE spot...

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with OLB

We should pick up Leroy Hill. Seattle isnt going to bother paying him after drafting Curry.

by FlyYouFalcons on Apr 28, 2009 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont quite understand

why people are so damper about Nicholas? IMO, he’s been decent with his limited minutes and I would only assume that his numbers would increase with an increase in minutes as a starter. I know a while back a few of us pegged him to be the breakout player this year for the Falcons, so I know it’s not all sour grapes with him, but recently it seems like people are getting down on him.

I know the college game typically doesn’t correlate well to the pro level, but he was a beast at USF for a few years, so I would hope that with two years under his belt, a much better defensive philosophy with Smith coaching, and a chance to increase his minutes as a starter, that he would would be able to produce at the same level he did while in college.

To me, our biggest weakness may still lie in the secondary. I like our guys and I think they will only get better, but when I look at the roster, I just don’t see that guy that makes me think opposing offensive coordinators are scared of. I’m hoping that Moore will become that guy.

If the question is where I feel we need more depth, then I would go OL, especially center. I want to say that I don’t feel this is a huge need this year, but the world is a crazy and most often, a cruel place. The tragedy that occured here in Jacksonville last year could happen to anyone, and to not have a plan in place would be against our best interests. I guess I would just like to see a little more depth at all OL positions and it would be even better if some of those guys could easily switch positions.

"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments

by Jesse28 on Apr 28, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Claybo is really guard, Dahl can play both guard spots....

Center is a valid concern. We play a lot of 3-4 def this year. We’ll be seeing our old friend Kris Jenkins, Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Broderick Bunkley, and Marcus Stroud. This is not the year to have McClure leave unless we upgrade at center. No offense to Romberg, but if he’s starting, Matt Ryan might make up some of those sacks he missed during his rookie season.

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't remember who plays NT in Dallas, but I bet's he's pretty good too...

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jay Ratliff?

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

We have 4 players listed at center on the depth chart:
McClure
Wilkerson
Stepanovich
Romberg

So we have depth… maybe not quality depth, though. I’m slightly more worried about possible OT injuries/depth than Center… but I get your point

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't underestimate that every NFL snap Ryan has taken has been from Mcclure..

I could be wrong on that, but I’ve looked everywhere, and I haven’t seen anything to the contrary.

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That whole 'quality' thing

was kinda my whole point. I typically don’t look at pure numbers at a position as having depth. I mean, it’s not like we are hurting anywhere really, but I think we could use a couple of starter quality backups on the O-line.

by Jesse28 on Apr 29, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say

Secondary also – especially CB. We have lots of bodies, but I don’t know if I trust any/many of them. Houston on one side… ok. Chevis on the other? He was ok at Nickle last year, is he ready to step it up? Hutchins? I don’t really sold on him… Owens? I’d hope we weren’t planning on starting a rookie at CB…

Safety I’m alright with – Coleman, DeCoud, Moore… they should be ok.

As far as LB goes, I’m a little worried about that position, but apparently TD and staff have confidence in Nicholas, or they would’ve drafted a LB earlier… As for Leroy Hill – he’s pretty young (26), he’s a very good player, but I just don’t know if I’d want them to pull the trigger: they’d have to pony up ~$7M per year. I would almost rather see what we get out of Nicholas at ~$500k, if the staff thinks he’s up to the task…

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

FYI

Seattle re-signed Hill for 6 years, $38 million.

by orang3b on May 1, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no big deal

guess we’ll still have Poo competing for a starting slot.

by MentallyMIA on May 1, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kick returner

I think i heard TD say some thing about Moore having the speed to play FS, and possibly be a kick returner. I could be wrong.

by andrew783 on Apr 28, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn’t Jerious be returning kicks? Am I missing something?

To Hell With Georgia!

by tgriffith3 on Apr 28, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess people are hoping that he will take less returns to stay healthy. I just think he’s too dangerous at KR not to play him there.

To Hell With Georgia!

by tgriffith3 on Apr 28, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can

always bring back adam jennings!

by iloveroddywhite on Apr 29, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You Sir

…will not be eating dinner with me anytime soon. In fact, our virtual internet friendship has now ended.

by Jesse28 on Apr 29, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't make me stage a heartfelt intervention!

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, so long as...

…iloveroddywhite promises not to invoke horrible memories of muffed punts.

by Jesse28 on Apr 29, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure we'll all look back and laugh at the Adam Jennings era

When we’re dead.

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was wrong about the kick return part but this is the video i was talking about

http://life.atlantafalcons.com/lofiversion/index.php/t3843549.html

by andrew783 on Apr 28, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I getting the same idea about the CB situation as we had last year about the O-line..

Right before the draft, the only guys that anyone had penciled in were McClure and Blalock. Then we got Baker. But moving Claybo to tackle, and Harvey “Mr pratice squad” Dahl? They turned out pretty ok. We have flooded this summer with CBs. These guys know that ATL will be a contender next year, and will want to make it. We have Houston at one spot. Now we need another starter, a nickle, and 2 b/u who are great on special teams also. Let the fight begin. I think we’ll like what we get…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My hope

for Returners:
Punts – I guess Harry Douglas can handle that still
Kickoffs – hopefully Thomas Brown’s healthy enough to handle this… even though Norwood is great, I really REALLY want him more involved in the offense and not handling kickoffs.

Actually, do any of the draftees/UDFA’s at WR or CB have any returning experience? (I have no idea) That would certainly help their chances to make the squad…

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like Troy Bergeron

Whose business cards probably say “AFL Star,” has some experience there.

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 28, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Middleton has returned kicks

He has very good straight line speed as well. He could be an option here.

by g state ben on Apr 28, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Larry Foote was released by the Steelers

I know that Lofton is seated firmly at MLB, but the possible addition of Foote would give us not only a veteran LB still in his prime (he’s 28) but additional flexibilty with our personnel. Even if he is signed only for a season or two, I’m just more comfortable with proven starters than backups or rookies.

Also, he should be cheaper than Leroy Hill.

by Leon07 on Apr 28, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually,

He’ll be 29 when the season starts, and he’s spent his entire career as a ILB for a 3-4 defense.

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

He’ll get signed by Denver. Or maybe CLE/KC

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He wants to go to Detroit

I think they’ll oblige him.

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense

He goes back home (to Michigan) and can send Jordon Dizon back home (to the bench).

by orang3b on Apr 29, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Little known fact

Dizon grew up in Benchsville, Benhislovakia.

by Dave the Falconer on Apr 29, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can use C. Jackson, Owens, Houston, and grimes, plus we have Van Hutchins coming back, i think will be ok as far as starting CB.. Third string QB we have D.J Shockley, hes pretty good, at UGA he was increadable.. And we got John Parker Wilson mybe we can have Shockley as 2nd and Wilson as 3rd… Im hoping that we can start Sidburry at OLB.. he has the speed and the size…

by MTB33 on Apr 28, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know our CBs aren't that experienced but...

the improvements to our front seven should make life easier on them and there really aren’t any veteran DBs out there worth bringing in.

I think just about everyone is excited about the Sidburry pick and I trust our coaches to maximize his potential at whatever position they want him to play. Still, I’d love to see him groomed as Abraham’s replacement since Abe really isn’t an everydown player anymore.

by Leon07 on Apr 28, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I’m hoping he’s Abe’s heir apparent, too… sounds nicer than “replacement”.

by orang3b on Apr 28, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

roderick hood

got released by cardinals if im not mistaken.

by iloveroddywhite on Apr 29, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

greatest need!?

LB No question.

I was hoping the Falcons would trade back into the 2nd and gain an extra pick. I liked Sintim and Moore and an extra pick whoever that might have been. I love Perry, but he’s far from a run stuffer. I hope he proves me wrong though. I was a little confused from Sidburry on and don’t really know why we selected those players. Guess I should have done my homework a bit better.

"Just want the Falcons to win a bowl before I'm gone!"

by Edgecrusher211 on Apr 28, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a lot of hope for Atkins and Nicholson...

These guys are fast hard hitters, both high 4*s coming out of high school. Lets see what an NFL coaching staff can do with them….

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look for Jerry to add 10-15lbs before the start of the season.

He’s so athletic he doesn’t have to put both hands in the dirt to stop the run. I wasn’t sold on him as much last week. I keep finding video on you tube that shows what a beast he is. Go back and look at his game vs Alabama and see him STUNTING inside out against Andre Smith. Watch him as he manhandled Geln Coffee. Alabama had the best power running attack in the SEC, and he OWNED them. Ole Miss’s lost had nothing to do with him…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Apr 28, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say O-Line

We have a lot of bodies on the defensive side of the field and most of them need time to develop, or not, into NFL players. On the offensive line, we are not so fortunate. Keep in mind, Baker had some injury issues last year, so we don’t know if he will hold up. If he does: Solid. If he doesn’t: Problem.

by dwaltlhi on Apr 29, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs