A Very Falcoholic Discussion: What Position The Falcons Draft First
by Dave Choate on Jan 22, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in Editorial
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PrintI should have been asleep two hours ago. You know what that means, right? A discussion post!
According to Jeff Schultz at the AJC, who is collecting a few mock drafts, experts are predicting that the Falcons will again expend a first round pick on defense in 2010. I'd tend to agree with that, but let's suspend disbelief completely and pretend the Falcons general manager who sounds just like me has announced he's taking somebody on the defensive side of the ball.
Do you go with Mel Kiper Jr. and his magnificent coif in selecting linebacker Sergio Kindle? Do you listen to Bucky "Bucky" Brooks and go with linebacker Navorro Bowman? Follow NewNFLDraft.com and select cornerback Donovan Warren? Go with one of the writers over at my personal favorite draft site, Mocking The Draft, and go for corner Patrick Robinson? Or do you just sort of throw darts at a draft board?
Discuss amongst yourselves. As a bonus, talk music. Everybody likes music.
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DE or WR
I say trade the 19/20th for two EARLY 2nd round picks(maybe one for ‘11) and select DE Corey Wootton from Northwestern who is a beast and with an injury on his resume, he could fall to the early 2nd round. My fall back would be Dez Bryant, M. Jenkins won’t cut it any longer, and lil’ Harry is not a #2.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 22, 2010 9:13 AM EST reply actions
Just like Lil Steve Smith isn't a #1, right?
All joking aside, I think we need to take a player who doesn’t have an injury on his resume. We took two of those last year and they both essentially screwed us by getting hurt. It’s a risk that burned us last year, and if I was in charge, I’d be telling them “No.”
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
DE Corey Wootton
Aren’t you concerned with the way DE Corey Wootton played against Auburn? Similar to Derrick Morgan’s not so stellar effort against Iowa. Both dropped significantly on my board.
Morgan
He had no help from the rest of the Tech D-line. He was facing double and triple teams the entire night.
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 22, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
Really?
I believe he would. I can’t see a team single teaming Babineaux and Abraham and being very successful stopping us. However, this is all useless speculation because there is no way Morgan is falling to us. Plus, we don’t really have the assets to trade up to get him
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 23, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
WR or OL
People are saying Atlanta should draft D, but the D has young guys at every position that we still don’t know much about. Why throw another 1st-round-pick question mark on that side of the ball? PLUS, with Jerry and Moore coming back, we basically already have two top-round rookies over there anyway. A guy like Sergio Kindle may start over Nicholas, but otherwise I don’t think we could draft a ‘10 starter in the first round. (Ordinarily, drafting based on need is a short-sighted idea, but this is a team that’s just a couple spots away from immediately contending. We can build depth and build for the future while also taking a shot for right now.)
Whereas on offense, it’s clear what the major problems are. Ryan has very little protection, and he locks in on one or two receivers. HD’s return will help, but we need a fleet out there. A team like the Colts has more weapons at wide receiver alone than we do on our entire offense. Matter of fact, almost all of this year’s playoff offenses are manned the same way… lots and lots of playmakers. It’s time to stock Matty’s cooler, so to speak.
I’d love to see CJ Spiller slip to us… Besides being a lethal returner and good change-of-pace/third-down back who’d easily fill Jerious’ shoes, he’s a decent route-runner with good hands who lined up all over the place in college… think Percy Harvin minus the character questions or health issues. Adding a five-wide set featuring Roddy, TG, HD, Spiller, and a possession wideout (how much does Booker have left in his tank?) to our run-based offense sounds pretty good to me. But that’s daydreaming.
However, if there’s a spot on the OL we can improve in the first round, then that’s the easy call. We can find a couple speedy WRs in later rounds. Our center will retire soon, we need depth across the line, Baker is made of papier-mâché, Ryan has no time and thus freaks out easily, the run game is inconsistent, and nobody has been conscious of Blalock’s existence since the day we drafted him.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
by Jason Kirk on Jan 22, 2010 9:56 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I have to disagree
with you on a couple of points. The first is that the teams that are in the playoffs right now are not heavy with talented wide receivers (excluding the Colts of course). The Jets is a run-first team with a great defense; the Vikinkgs has Brett Favre, Ryan isn’t that caliber QB yet; and the same can be said about New Orleans. I think we do need another WR to replace Jenkins, but not in the first round.
not many will say this but part of the problem was Matt Ryan. I’ve seen (in-person) too many times both Jenkins and White wide open down field. Ryan was just locked on Gonzo. I think that will be fixed and it was just part of his growth as a NFL QB. Now remember, at one point in the year, he was the least sacked QB in the league. So the line was giving him time during a point when our running game wasn’t there.
My first guess for 1st round pick would be either DE or OLB. But I wouldn’t be mad if they picked Buluga (OT).
Vikes, Colts, Saints, Pats, Eagles, Cardinals, Chargers, Packers, Cowboys...
All have multiple passing-game playmakers. The Jets and Ravens are the exceptions that prove the rule.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
Point taken
but if you look at each of those teams that you listed, 2 things jump out at me.
1) They’re not worried about growing pains of the QB (except the Jets and Ravens they have great defenses) and
2) who are you not counting as a threat on the Falcs roster? As far as passing-game threats I’m counting Gonzo, White, Douglas, and Norwood (dump passes).
That’s why I chose DE or OLB first. I’m all for improving the offense after the 1st round pick. I just saw more urgency for defense.
Looking at our roster
Which would be easier to achieve next year: a Jets-esque defense or an explosive-but-balanced offense like the Packers or Saints? I think it’s wrong to think “We have a B- offense and a C- defense. That means we need a C+ defense.” Say we can turn the offense into an A- by next year. Doesn’t that sound awesome? Having a great offense and a Good Enough defense sounds better than being slightly above-average all over. Look at the playoff teams… they all have massive weaknesses. But they all have even bigger strengths. I say we take a shot and light a fire under the O while doing what we can to gradually improve the D.
I’m counting Roddy and Tony, which becomes just Roddy within 2 or 3 years. I’m a HD fan, and have high hopes, but he’s yet to really make his mark. No NFL OC has yet figured out how to maximize Jerious’ production. He may be a Westbrook type, or we may have seen all he has to offer. Again, high hopes, but NFL defenses have yet to lose sleep over Harry Douglas and Jerious Norwood.
Of course you’re right, landing a serious pass rusher in round 1 really would be wonderful. Finding a ten-sack guy there voids everything I’ve rambled on about.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
Rec'd
This back-and-forth is a great read.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 22, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Buluga.
I would be over the moon if we got Buluga. Iowa likes to rotate there OL alot. I’m willing to bet that he played ever position along the line, except center, and we all know how much Coach Smitty loves “versatility” regarding his own hogs.
I still think DE is the pick.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 22, 2010 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with Fear me
I think the Falcons are high on Bierman and Sidbury and don’t forget we still have Davis in the De rotation. If the Falcons draft a DE then either Davis or Abe are gone…and I think it will be Abe. Sidbury and Bierman have shown more potential than JA98 and Bierman had as many sacks as Abe and he did not start….
I want a guy who can wreak havoc
with great vengeance and furious anger on the defensive side of the ball. A DE or a pass rushing LB for me please
Did I hear that Bowman...
has character issues?
I think it’s good that there is a lot of differing opinion on what we could use in the draft. That either means that we don’t have any glaring weaknesses, or that we have too many glaring weaknesses.
Oh, I like music.
Recently been listening to: Phoenix, Neko Case, and, believe it or not, a band called the F@ck Buttons.
I know this is cliche
But I think we draft defense, and we take the best available player out of the DTs, DEs, LB, or CB. We have acceptable guys at those positions, but a difference maker at any of those spots could really step up the Defense. I do agree with brickcheney about Spiller or an O-Lineman. I know Norwood was hurt the entire year, but it seems like he’s lost a bit of that breakaway speed. And we can always use OLine help/
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Jan 22, 2010 11:44 AM EST reply actions
Good Point Phoenix
There are going to be some good prospects in the later rounds because of the juniors coming out this year. I like the DT at Arkansas he is a beast and flyinh under the radar.
I think we have
to get a FA cornerback first for the right side. Think about it, what we saw to complete the year was “fool’s gold”. The last 3 teams we played were:
Buffalo: no head coach and suspect QB
Jets: playoff team yes, BUT they’re a run first team. Remember now, they have the best rushing offense and best defense. Their passing game is nowhere near the top. We stopped the run which means they relied on the decision making of a rookie.
Tampy Bay: another rookie with okay receivers. Nothing special.
First pick- trade down for a second round and get a DE with the 1st round pick.
Not much
There isn’t a whole lot of talent at DE this year in the draft and I feel its a position if you dont get Morgan, then you lose. Either make or break DE’s. There have been alot of high drafted DE’s the past 2 years and still haven’t heard much from any of them.
CB is a need that has to be a addressed, either free Agency or draft. I’m guessing the Falcons will most certainly pursue both CB & DE via free agency and fill one spot, leaving the other to be filled by the draft.
Spiller is a solid player, not sure if I’d sacrifice the 1st rounder for him though. He essentially would be a back up. The Falcons dont have a 2nd rounder this year either, so the couldn’t address their defensive needs until the 3rd round.
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Donavan Warren CB University of Michigan
by Edgecrusher211 on Jan 22, 2010 12:19 PM EST reply actions
If we'd had a guy like Spiller this year
He would’ve started at least 7 games, returned kicks and punts, played 3rd downs, been featured at HB on one or two drives per game, been in 4- and 5-wide sets, and maybe even ran some wildcat. That’s plenty of value.
He’s a tougher, more explosive, more versatile Norwood.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
Along this same train of thought
I don’t want to draft a DE/OLB/CB for the sake of drafting a DE/OLB/CB. While admittedly those are the biggest needs for our team, I don’t see how you can pass on Spiller if he fell to us at 19. The guy’s value isn’t just as a change of pace RB, but also as a multi-purpose threat that you can put all over the field. He’s certainly a bigger value than Reggie Bush would be since it wouldn’t be #2 money to sign him. Now I’m not an NFL Scout and maybe someone sees something out of a DE/OLB/CB that would be available at that pick that makes them a steal, but if Spiller is there you have to take a long hard look at taking him unless someone else is just a wow at that spot.
The nice thing about our specific slot is that teams will be willing to trade down, but the pool for someone swapping firsts and giving us their second is very small. To see why, check out this table for valuing picks.
Although it’s not inconceivable that someone would make that deal, it would probably be someone in the last five picks of the first round so that you could snag their second rounder as well, which kind of limits the pool to make deals with.
In short, trading back is a little bit more difficult than one would think unless a lot of things fall into place.
by LetsGoFalcons on Jan 22, 2010 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
endless argument.
Do you draft the best player available or the best player at a postion of need?
I think you have to address your needs(and I don’t believe RB’s are), even if it means reaching for a pick.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 22, 2010 1:23 PM EST reply actions
I would say
address your needs in order of importance. So ihypothetically, f we’re looking for a DE and we’re picking #19. If there is not a DE there (or nowhere close) then we look at our next greatest need which maybe CB. What happens if the best player available is a QB? It wouldn’t make sense to take him when we have Ryan.
In our case this year we may have to reach a little since we don’t have a 2nd round pick.
That's a fair point
And I agree with you in terms of looking at your needs and its importance, but I don’t think it’s as easy as ranking your needs in order of importance and then taking the best guy available at that particular position of need.
I think you’ve got to give yourself a little bit more freedom than that. Obviously a position like QB is extremely specialized, and it doesn’t make much sense to take a QB when you have one on your roster. But you have to consider where the bigger impact may come from when you take that pick, and what kind of talent will fit best with your plans. A guy with versatility is tough to find.
This may all be moot because I think Spiller will probably go in the top 15, and we’ll most likely be looking at a CB, whether its Warren or Robinson, or an OLB, depending on who’s out there. But as far as sheer talent for value, it would be real hard for me to pass on Spiller for a guy like that. Too much in the way of offensive versatility and gamebreaking dangerousness to pass up.
by LetsGoFalcons on Jan 22, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
And Penn is right
It’s a rather circular argument
by LetsGoFalcons on Jan 22, 2010 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
i agree with letsgo
Remember that our running game did flounder mid season. If the best player is running back when we pick i wouldnt mind seeing a good versitile backup.
injuries. DE.
The mid-season floundering that you speak of was due to having Redman as our QB, Snelling as our RB and only 2/5th of our first-string OL. They should address depth in the later(4-7) rounds, we need starters/playmakers now.
Are you confident Predator will bounce back? Can BeerMan bulk up to 260/65 and hold against the rush? JA98 is not nfl caliber. Davis and Sidbury have potenial, no doubt, but are they ready, can they be elite? Our corners aren’t great but it’s almost impossible to cover an NFL WR for more than 5 seconds, nor should they have to. We need an improved pass rush.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 22, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, We Do Need an Improved Pass Rush
And if there’s a guy sitting there at #19 who can give us that is going to make an immediate impact in the pass rush, then you take him. I’m talking an impact player. Remember, we took JA98 8th. 8th! And we’ve gotten what, 2 sacks out of him? Just because a guy has a first round projection doesn’t mean he’s a first round player.
Now once again, I’m no scout, so I defer to TD’s expertise on this, but the way I see it, unless Dunlap is there (because most certainly Derrick Morgan will not be), why would you reach for anyone else? The only person I could understand reaching for is probably Robinson (at CB) because his intangibles are off the charts and he can be coached, but I still think you have to take Spiller over him.
The reason I disagree with your statement about the depth building is because it’s not a “building-depth” pick. It’s a versatile threat pick along the lines of Percy Harvin and Reggie Bush. If it were simply a matter of adding another dude to the mix just to keep the mileage off the rest, then I absolutely would agree with you in picking an RB in the 4th-7th round. But this isn’t just adding another guy to the stable, this adding a guy who will get touches in multiple phases of the game (KR/PR/RB/Slot).
by LetsGoFalcons on Jan 22, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
JA98 is too tall.
He’s too lanky and can’t get low enough. That’s half his problem.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
receiver, d end and corner!!!
I can’t name 1 person in the draft that can fill in as #2 receiver. We despratly need pass rush. it makes the secondary that much better and if we dnt get a corner in free agency then we need 2 resighn brian williams. Maybe let houstin go. All in all I think we need 2 make wat we hav work better. New OC for Norwood is duh a westbrook type of bak, and the offense shoud be way better and less predictable. replace coleman as starter, and houstin. Work on coveage for linebackers. We hav another long season ahead of us so WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE OF WORKIN ON KEEPIN PLAYERS HEALTHY SHOULD BE FIRED AND PUT IN THE STREET
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Jan 22, 2010 3:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think that whole place should be canned.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
One quiet theme that has caught my attention this year
Is the pass rush from the middle.
The brief stint of Peria Jerry that we got to see showed, at least from what I saw, that he was getting a good push up the middle. He wasn’t getting too much penetration, but he was turning the pocket into somewhat of an M. In doing so, he was feeding Angry Abe with a QB running for his life. The MIA game is a good example.
The NFL, the beautiful thing that it is, constantly changes. People like Demarcus Ware (Not a DT, I know) Kris Jenkins, the Williams Wall, they all give great rushes through the middle, on top of being fantastic run support.
I don’t think we need a DT, as we have Jerry returning next year, but we need a younger, fresher rush end. If we have an uncapped year this year, I hear Osi U-Men-Your-Uh (i can’t spell his last name) may test the FA market. He’s young, and he’s really good. Gobbling him up would, in my opinion, be worth every penny. That is if my sources were correct.
The great thing about the draft is that it will constantly change up until your team (you being the GM) is on the clock. Multiple phone calls, multiple offers, that one bad team that’s just begging you to give up your precious first round pick.
The defensive talent where we need it is a bit thin this year for our draft spot. If Spiller is on the board at 19, then absolutely consider taking him. Turner’s not getting any younger and Spiller is a running utility belt. Despite all the ‘experts’ deciding on us taking an LB this year, I really think we should stray away from an LB. Peterson plays with a lot of heart and he certainly wasn’t the defensive problem this year. We also have Spencer Adkins (a flamethrower LB) who could become something fierce next year.
If we must take a DB, I trust that Comrade will know who to choose. I haven’t really looked into the DB prospects, myself. If the people we’ve looked at are gone by 19, then I think we should trade down and get a 2nd and maybe another 2nd out of it and go for the potential 2nd round homerun instead of the risky JA98 1st round pick.
In fact, I think we should start a trend here. Any 1st round pick that has bust potential should be coined as a “JA98”. ie: “I don’t know about Derrick Morgan, man. He might be a JA98.” Not suggesting Derrick Morgan has bust potential, he’s just the first person that comes to mind
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
I think I would rather have Osi than draft a DE
Proven commodity, in my opinion, if TD thinks it’s worth spending the cash.
by LetsGoFalcons on Jan 22, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely.
He’s only 28 with a November Birthday, so he’s got at least 3 or 4 good years left in him. He had a down year, so he probably won’t be Haynesworth money. I don’t see why you at least throw him an offer. We’re a contender and we’re getting better. How could you refuse?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham
Osi would be
a great addition to our defense. I agree totally with that approach. Immediate vetern impact for the DL and use the early drafts for a DB, hybrid LB and/or OL.
I HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE OSI TALK...
I think we should go after osi with everything we got. If we get him then I say we concentrate on the secondary in the draft and the offensive side of the ball. I think we could possibly put together a nice package of draft picks so we could move up in the first round and get a playmaker for the offensive side of the ball- like spiller. If we don’t get Osi, then put together the pix to move up in the first round and get derrick morgan. No matter what I think our biggest problem on this team is a lack of a good pass rush. That hurt our secondary ALL year long!!
The debate
Debating between a corner and Defensive end could be rather endless. There are views for selecting both early and have them fail. We can think of Many CB’S/DE’S that have not lived up to their abilities.
I wish I had a list of free agent Corners as well as DE’s. I love the Osi Chat though. He’d definatly be a fit on the line. Not sure about putting a package together to move up and select Haden. I just dont think the Falcons have the picks to pull of a Morgan or Haden manuever.
If that was the case I’d love to see them move even higher up the draft board for an Eric Berry. But thats only a dream lol.
"And their 1st pick in the 2010 NFL draft...The Atlanta Falcons select Donavan Warren CB University of Michigan
Problems with Osi
Osi was great. But ever since his knee injury, he has been below average. He looks like he has lost a bit of explosiveness. He was played sparingly for a reason. I agree we need to increase the pass rush but I don’t see any guys available when we draft that fit that need either. I say we need to go after a Carlos Rogers or a Dunta Robinson in free agency to fill a need at corner. In the draft, unless a Derrick Morgan is available (which I very highly doubt), I say we trade our pick for a late first round pick and a second round pick. At the end of the first, I would like for us to get an outside linebacker or defensive end, whichever is available. In the second round, I think there could be a good tackle available. In the third round, I would LOVE to get a speedster like Jacoby Ford. He can return kicks as well as receive.
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 22, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
Bruce Campbell. Maryland. OT. 6'7" 310.
Think about it. Campbell is a classic pass-protect tackle. He usually works the blindside, but I could see him shutting down the right edge rush. The only weakness he has is run blocking, which could be negated by a good blocking or misdirection scheme.
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No. Farging. Way.
His name is not Bruce Campbell. He can’t possibly be here to kick ass and chew bubblegum.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 22, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
with a
chainsaw for a right hand.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 23, 2010 2:00 AM EST up reply actions
dream world.
Osi.. yes, please. Rogers… yes, please. Bruce Campbell with a 12g. shotty… yes, please. The RFA/UFA class has yet to be decided, making the draft our primary source for talent. This is a positive circumstance, as the draft was meant to reward the weak and test the stronger, we should view ourselves as the later. I believe the ’10 draft will provide a more accurate measure of our fearless Comrade, he struck gold in ’08, but ’09 seemed cursed(Peterson being the exception). Hopefully 2010 returns us to the model used to build a playoff caliber unit and maybe, just, excel beyond.
by PennsylvaniaPeregrine on Jan 23, 2010 2:38 AM EST reply actions
I think our number 1 need is CB and here are the 5 star CB’s according to Scouts Inc
Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
CB 1 Joe Haden JR 5-11/190/- Florida Fort Washington, MD
CB 2 Patrick Robinson SR 5-11/182/- Florida State Miami, FL
CB 3 Syd’Quan Thompson SR 5-10/181/- California Sacramento, CA
CB 4 Dominique Franks JR 5-11/183/- Oklahoma Tulsa, OK
CB 5 Devin McCourty SR 5-11/190/- Rutgers Montvale, NJ
CB 6 Donovan Warren JR 6-0/187/- Michigan Long Beach, CA
CB 7 Kareem Jackson JR 5-11/185/- Alabama Macon, GA
CB 8 Brandon Ghee SR 6-0/191/- Wake Forest Fayetteville, NC
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
If Atlanta goes DE, here are Scouts Inc 5 star players :
Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
DE 1 Derrick Morgan JR 6-4/275/- Georgia Tech Coatesville, PA
DE 2 Carlos Dunlap JR 6-6/290/- Florida North Charleston, SC
DE 3 Everson Griffen JR 6-3/265/- USC Avondale, AZ
DE 4 Jason Pierre-Paul JR 6-5/265/- South Florida Deerfield Beach, FL
DE 5 Corey Wootton SR 6-6/275/- Northwestern Ramsey, NJ
DE 6 Greg Hardy SR 6-5/275/- Mississippi Memphis, TN
DE 7 George Selvie SR 6-4/242/- South Florida Pensacola, FL
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
On RB’s here are the 5 star players :
Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
RB 1 C.J. Spiller SR 5-11/195/- Clemson Lake Butler, FL
RB 2 Jonathan Dwyer JR 6-0/235/- Georgia Tech Marietta, GA
RB 3 Jahvid Best JR 5-10/185/- California Richmond, CA
RB 4 Ryan Mathews JR 5-11.5/220/- Fresno State Bakersfield, CA
RB 5 Anthony Dixon SR 6-1/235/- Mississippi State Terry, MS
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Offensive Tackles 5 star list includes :
Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
OT 1 Russell Okung SR 6-5/300/- Oklahoma State Richmond, TX
OT 2 Trent Williams SR 6-5/290/- Oklahoma Longview, TX
OT 3 Anthony Davis JR 6-6/325/- Rutgers Piscataway, NJ
OT 4 Bryan Bulaga JR 6-6/290/- Iowa Woodstock, IL
OT 5 Charles Brown SR 6-6/295/- USC Pomona, CA
OT 6 Bruce Campbell JR 6-7/310/- Maryland Hamden, CT
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
26 5 star players at positions of need
Now I bet at least one of them will still be on the board when Falcons pick in round 3 at pick number 84
Ideally, Atlanta will get 2 5 star players
For instance, Spiller in the 1st round and Ghee in the 3rd round
Or maybe Bulaga in the 1st and Selvie in the 3rd
Or Robinson in the 1st and Dixon in the 3rd
Any of these would take a bit of luck, but could happen
The trick is to guess which position is more loaded and less of a need for other teams so that a player of that position is more likely to fall to the Falcons
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Free Agents
Here is a list with all the probable free agents along with their status as restricted or unrestricted.
http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 23, 2010 1:15 PM EST reply actions
CB looks to be a deep position in the draft this year – look at all the 4 star prospects :
CB 9 Trevard Lindley SR 6-0/175/- Kentucky Hiram, GA
CB 10 Kyle Wilson SR 5-10/186/- Boise State Piscataway, NJ
CB 11 Perrish Cox SR 6-1/185/- Oklahoma State Waco, TX
CB 12 Javier Arenas SR 5-9/193/- Alabama Tampa, FL
CB 13 Akwasi Owusu-Ansah SR 6-1/195/- Indiana of PA Columbus, OH
CB 14 Alterraun Verner SR 5-11/179/- UCLA Lakewood, CA
CB 15 Jerome Murphy SR 6-1/187/- South Florida Elizabeth, NJ
CB 16 Amari Spievey JR 6-0/190/- Iowa Middletown, CT
CB 17 Myron Lewis SR 6-3/202/- Vanderbilt Pompano Beach, FL
CB 18 Devin Ross SR 5-11/170/- Arizona Rancho Cucamonga, CA
CB 19 Stephan Virgil SR 5-11/165/- Virginia Tech Rocky Mount, NC
CB 20 Jamar Wall SR 5-10/194/- Texas Tech Plainview, TX
CB 21 Brian Jackson SR 6-1/190/- Oklahoma Desoto, TX
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
A number one corner...
my kingdom for a number one corner. OL and DE are needs, but I don’t think our defense is ever going to preform at a high level with only the corners currently on the roster.
i don't know about Warren
He seems okay at best.
I watched some highlights, and from what I saw, he tends to be more instinctual from playing zone, and can make open field tackles like Chevis Jackson, that’s not our problem. On pass coverage he can take care of some sub par receivers, but looks like he could get beat, and from some of the plays he could draw a lot of Pass Interferences.
It's wishful thinking to believe that our team will remain over 80% healthy in 2010
Which of course was a major problem for the Falcons. At some point during training camp, mini camp, preseason and regular season, something could happen to Ryan, Turner, Douglass, Defense, OLine, or even our new draft picks.
Again, I’m not sure what the Falcons will go with. No one in the draft really impresses me on defense, but it’s the most glaring need. It might be best for them to trade some picks for 2011 or when the labor dispute is settled.
Based on needs I would say another CB, maybe another DE if Biermann, Sidbury, Davis, and Jerry/Babs on the inside proved to be inadequate. LB seems fine to me. I wouldn’t touch it until someone stood out.
On offense, another running back to replace norwood (if he leaves, this is the second most need on offense) or back up turner and snelling if another injury comes about (I don’t know why Thomas Brown was not retained), another WR (the most offensive need), TE, and maybe some more OLine upgrades.
DE
people are quick to judge the corners but when theres no pressure on the QB and there getting 4-6 seconds in the pcket then that leaves the corner on an island. our safeties are the least of our worries, second to that our LB’s. Derric Morgan will be drafted before pick 15, so unless a miracle happens, no morgan. We need to get a corner and/or in free agency and then draft a DE, because the FA market for d-line is very slim and shallow.
"i didnt no they gave out rings at the holocaust."-allan, The Hangover
defense
look, its allwell and good we keep improving the offense, but the problem with the falcons every year, is their defense. You cant win games with a bad defense. The main problem on the D is the secondary. ATL has to draft fast, quick corners like darrelle revis. They also need to grab some safeties. However, the D might improve this year because we had a lot of injuries on our D, but still draft good D first, start with the secondary
by its hanley baby on Jan 24, 2010 6:21 PM EST reply actions
defense
Don’t forget the Falcons had the 10th best rush defense in the league this year….yep 10th! We need a DE that wil create enough pressure to assist the DB’s. I believe Abe will be either released or traded(He is done) everyone is saying he was fighting double teams and I saw on many many occassions he had single coverage and he got nothing on the QB. I also saw Bierman get the saem number of sacks as Abe and he did not start. If we get the 19 or 20 spot we should get the best defensive players available. Then look at offense in the later rounds….remember running backs are like a dime a dozen.
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