A Discussion Of The Atlanta Falcons Offensive Needs
by Dave Choate on Feb 17, 2010 11:40 AM EST
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PrintThe Bird Cage blog on the AJC serves as the jumping off point for this discussion, wherein you ladies and gentlemen will tell me how you would rank the offensive needs of this Atlanta Falcons team.
The author actually ranks wide receiver at the top of the draft needs list, above offensive line, and also states he'd be "surprised" if Thomas Dimitroff didn't put on his fur hat and communistically (note: not a word) draft a tight end in 2010. You're highly encouraged to hop over there and read his logic for doing so, but as those of you who don't skim my articles to filter all the boring stuff might imagine, I'm not completely sold on it.
Personally, I would put offensive line at the top of our needs list. Even if you're totally comfortable with our starters—and a combination of penalties and injuries means I'm definitely not—there's an argument to be made that our depth could use improving. While the team could certainly select a wide receiver higher in the draft than offensive line, I'd be kind of surprised if they didn't use at least two picks to address that need.
I also don't believe they'll even use a pick at tight end. Justin Peelle is a valuable reserve and Keith Zinger is an emerging player who makes a fine backup, so I can't see this being the year the team decides Tony Gonzalez is going to dive off a cliff.
My own personal list would look something like this:
1. Offensive Line
2. Wide Receiver
3. Running Back
4. Tight End
737. Quarterback
And all of those would rank below our defensive needs to begin with. But you knew that.
How about you? Where do you stand?
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For me
These are sometimes futile due to FA but:
1. Offensive Line
2. Wide Receiver
3. Running Back
4. Tight End
737. Quarterback
So yeah, Dave you’re right.
go hard or go home
@737
Actually, nice analogy for Matty Ice there.
He’s not going to fly enough to be a 747, but he’s no CRJ, either. Efficient, yet still has plenty of air. Matty Ice, a 737. the 800 ones.
Hooray, my Delta roots.
"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
is 737-800 the one with new stylish wings?
so when do you think Matty Ice will turn into a Dreamliner?
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
When he works out one arm for like......an eternity
like that one episode of the Simpsons where Homer works out just one arm for the arm wrestling thing. That was pretty great.
"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
1. O-Line
2. Tight End
3. Running Back
4. Wide Receiver
I’m putting WR that low because I think we have good depth there with Weems and Douglas. I’m comfortable with our RB rotation, provided everyone is healthy. I really think we should consider looking at TE’s. We won’t have Gonzalez forever and Zinger and Peele haven’t shown me much.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Feb 17, 2010 12:36 PM EST reply actions
Provided everyone is healthy
key part of that sentence, there. It wasn’t there at all last year. Snelling played beyond admirably, but he isn’t a long term solution. I have a feeling we had a stroke of bad luck last year. Hopefully we’ll get over it and rebound.
"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
As much as I hate to agree with other people, you're right.
1. O-Line: I’d like to see us bigger on the right side with better pass-block skills, Center is also going to become a need this year or next.
2. WR: Roddy is great. Jenks is apparently never going to learn to catch everything thrown at him, Finn is a treasure, but limited, HD hopefully comes back. We need a legit #2 or #1.5 receiver to complement #84.
3. RB: As stated before, Norwood is out with injuries a little more each year. We need a speed back to contrast with MT33.
4. TE: We’re okay. I hate to spend draft picks with Gonzo still around.
5. QB: If we continue to bring JP Wilson along slowly, he’ll challenge Ryan for the starting job in 2019. Stand pat.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
I think he may be a good #2 QB next year, but not a starter.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
a crazy question
about Jenkins:
has there ever been a precedent in the NFL when an offensive guy (WR) is coached into a defensive position (CB)? I recall one of the discussions here during the times we were terrible in the secondary and Jenkins would outrun the corner only to drop the ball. Someone joked about transforming him into a corner. the logic was that even if he cant catch the ball sometimes, he’s quick and will certainly break up a pass play. :)
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
He's too tall
It’s why DBs over 6’ are such a rarity. Once you hit about 6’2", you become too lanky to have the burst that NFL teams covet. DBs have their 10 and 20 yard dash times looked at several billion times over because more often than not, a DB will only be bursting for 10 or 20 yards at a time.
A taller person will have the top speed advantage, but if they can’t change directions quickly and accelerate like a ferrari, they will be burned repeatedly at DB. I honestly believe DB is the hardest position to play because of how athletic they have to be.
"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
We might be able to make another Jimmy Williams out of him!
Just joking. I think Mike Jenkins is a good wide receiver. He’s just inconsistent. He was drafted on the basis of one catch in the national title game; the game winner for Ohio State. I don’t think the rest of his collegiate history was particularly stellar. Then he played with Mike Vick who had a cannon for an arm and no idea of how to deliver a ball on time.
If he catches 150 balls a day, he can re-make himself into a Brian Finneran, but with speed. I would love that!
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
of course I was only joking about Jenkins
but your last paragraph inspired me to say this: we have a Pro Bowl WR in Jenkins, and all he has to do to justify is work in the offseason 16 hrs a day! for the money they awarded him a year ago, I think he should give it a try.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
You're right...
if you try to find an analogy in the animal world, a perfect CB would be a cheetah – lightning quick when it comes to a short chase, and flexible enough to turn around 180 degrees at top speed…
and those CBs are tough to find – I wish we could clone Revis
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Antonio Cromartie is 6'3...
One of the top 5 CBs in the NFL…just saying…
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
#4
People were saying the same thing with Crumpler around and you see the hole we had when he left…
Ouch! Well played!
I think we were a pretty weak team in the area of wide receiver and running back when Algie was released. Each area of the offense builds off the others. A good running game takes defensive resources away from the passing game. A good tight end takes resources away from the wideouts, and vice versa. I think (okay, that’s an exaggeration) that if we add a good #2 receiver, it’ll take attention away from the TE and the FB passes.
That doesn’t mean i don’t agree with you, I’m just trying to support my own tenuous position!
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
chicken or egg...
Thats where I think we are. What came first? Does it matter? Fact of the matter is at the end of the day you have bbq chicken, right?
With Crump, we had a HUGE TE that could block and catch passes like a WR and that did hide a lot of our weak areas. I say get a TE in the middle rounds, that way if any of our backups catch on, we didnt lose much and while we sstill have Gonzo around, let him be a great influence on our youngsters.
Where do I think our needs are on offense?
1. O-line. As someone posted before, it starts and ends in the trenches. A great O-Line can make an average QB great (much like the 02 Raiders…that O Line was a beast!) and the same goes for that RB running behind a beastly line.
2. RB. I dont think Norwood is as great as everyone thinks. He is indecisive behind the line often times doing a tango with himself and gets hit hard. Other times, he can make people miss him like I would miss a Maddux changeup. We need a good complimentary back that could take over if Turner is having a bad game or hurt. No offense to Snelling as I think he did a great job all things considered.
3 & 4 (tied). WR / TE. Take the best available. We have a decent receiving corps (imagine White’s numbers if we had a threat as a #2 WR). If Jenkins will get a Larry Bird attitude and go out and catch 500 balls a day during the offseason like Bird did with his shots, than lights out we would have the best 1-2 combo in the league. He has the skills but I think he is lacking in concentration? Dont know for sure since I am just a fan and not some type of sports annalist/psychiatrist. Heck, I keep wondering what Grimes would do on the offensive side…
good idea about Grimes
why wouldn’t they try to use him as a kick- and punt returner? with his athleticism a sure hands, he could do some great things.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
My list
In order of need:
1) O-Line: Because this game starts in the trenches and our skill players don’t suck. End of story.
2) TE: We need another pass catcher. Peelle did well with the few catches he had, but he’s no pass-catcher TE.
3) RB: Turner isn’t getting any younger, and Norwood for all we know isn’t getting any healthier. Snelling is a fine backup, and that’s unfortunately about all he is.
4) WR: We’re really deep here. I do think we need a younger guy that is tall and has some speed. I think this year will be the year of the Jenkins. I think itt will make or break his stay in Atlanta. He’s shown he can be good (Chicago throw/catch still replays in my head) but he’s shown he can be awful (dropped TDs). He has the pedigree to be good, but it will be up to him to improve himself to the point where we can rely on him as a #2.
Not) QB: I’m pretty sure Ryan will be starting in 2030, even if the sons of all the greats have passed us by by then.
Prediction: By 2030, we will have17 Super Bowls and Arthur Blank builds the first flying stadium. Bank it.
"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
My offensive wishlist:
1. Kicker
2. Waterboy
3. Ball boy
4. New QB towels. Matt’s hands are getting too dirty.
You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.
You need to share the wealth (hallucinogens), my friend.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
agree
1. Offensive Line
2-3. Wide Receiver/Running Back
4. Tight End
737. Quarterback
I’d have hard time deciding which is more important – getting a WR or a RB. I think both are important and the asnwer could be finding a guy (or rediscovering someone within the team) who could fit a description of a slot receiver and a speedy back.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Dave!
horse puky. You know that QB has to be at least 256. Redman isnt that good you know.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Feb 17, 2010 3:39 PM EST reply actions
alot to address may be difficult to do so much in 1 offseason.
1. Better play calling. Offensive coordinators gotta step his game up or be replaced.
2. O line. have to give ryan an extra second back there. hav to have a big rushing year from more than 1 back
3. WR. Sombody other than 84 has gotta be reliable. Hope HD can be wes welker like in the slot.
4. RB
1234&5. Prevent Injuries
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 17, 2010 3:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
WR, RB, OLINE, TE
1.we need atleast one more WR to take pressure off roddy.
2.michael turner had a down year and IMO i think jerious’s time in atlanta is done.
3.our o-line was doing fine until about a quarter of the way into the season but they have the skill there.
4. this is probably tony’s last year so we need a good TE too fill the position when he’s done.
HOW MUCH MONEY DID THE SAINTS GIVE THE REFS?!?!?!?!
This will be the first draft I've ever properly followed, so help me out:
At what point in the draft should we start thinking about picking offensive players?
I mean, do we pick a DE in the first round, then a corner, and then go O-line or whatever?
Or should we try to pick up a couple of DEs and corners and maybe a linebacker or two before we even think about the offensive side of the ball?
Or do we start taking a situational/best-player-available type approach after the most critical defensive needs have been met?
Or does chaos theory take hold after the first couple of rounds and we just have to sit there and pray to Vishnu that TD doesn’t draft three long-snappers, a third-baseman and a point guard?
ELEPHANT in the room (Dave sees it ... and so do I)
I’m with you Dave, to an extent. I personally don’t think we should draft any WR.
Knock on Jenks all you want, we’d miss his blocking ability if he got bumped from the #2 imo.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Don't you think that's a teachable skill?
I want a wide out who can catch then block, just like I want a fullback who can block and then catch.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
I think it's an attitude, like "nasty" Ol, WR should have that same attitude on running plays...
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
to an extent ...
There aren’t a surplus of receivers that want to block. They will block, but they don’t want to. Jenks has always prided himself on that, and I think he can move beyond the butterfingers syndrome.
Adversely, unless we spend a high round pick on a WR, you’re not going to get a no. 2 receiver. It’s all about priorities.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
This might be the ambigous draft for the Falcons
It could really go any way on both sides of the ball. TD might either go even stevens on Defense and offense or try to sell for some picks next year.
On Offense I can see we could use more weapons
Look at the superbowl winners New Orleans Saints
Like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady once had, Drew Brees has an arsenal of Weapons
Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, David Thomas, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Robert Meacheum, Jeremy Shockley. Many of these guys used on their last scoring drive, and of course throughout the season to score at will.
The Falcons should take a page from them as well.
Add another receiver to open things up too. I’m not an expert but Eric Decker sounds pretty decent because he has sure hands, and I’ll take that over speed and breaking tackles, in which White and Douglas can do. We need something to move the chains to take pressure off of Gonzalez. Heck maybe two good receivers could be interesting as well. Matt Ryan is that great of a QB that you can put the ball in his hands and let him pick his choice.
That could open up the running game and depending on what happens to norwood or if they want to use Antwone Smith, a running back could be useful too, but the O-Line may have more priority. Turner and Snelling spliting time with the speedy smith or healthy norwood may actually be fine enough if used correctly.
I wouldn’t worry too much about a tight end unless one stand out.
So basically I’m all for a receiver or two.
Because we probably can't get an elite pass rusher at 19 or 20, but can get elite OL or Kickers lower
I don’t see us keeping that pick. It’d be nice to move down 6 spots and pick up another 2 rounder. When does the NFL hand out consolation picks?
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Ol and K...IMO our two biggest needs...
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
OL in the first round?
If we do that then I hope we go after a DL in free agency.
Personally I think it’s a mistake to focus so much on the offense for the draft. We lost most of the games this year because of defensive problems. Let’s not forget that.
Agree, agree, agree, agree
1. Offensive Line
2. Wide Receiver
3. Running Back
4. Tight End
737. Quarterback
All of course which comes after a LB or DE or both
Choices`
TE: Jermaine Gresham
WR: Mike Williams
DE: Jerry Hughes?
CB: Brandyn Thompson
All wishful thinking of course
spread the word.
everyone look at mardy gilyard. i think we need a wr. that way our running game doesnt have to carry the team. the draft is big in Dfence this year. we can pick up a solid olb, or de. or rb our fine. peele is a good blocker. zinger is going to be good. our oline is good they jus need to stay healthy. if we get MARDY GILYARD he will be as good as roddy white in a few short years. we would finally have a lethal offense (rushing and passing offense) look at his season stats, and some of his videos. he is a classy guy and came from a hard past if u read his story. this means he will be thankful to be in the nfl and try his ass off. even in his senior bowl stats where imperessive so he can adapt to new teams fast and is good under pressure. we would be stupid to pass on him even in the first round. Please Td see the light. comment me plz
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Feb 19, 2010 5:44 AM EST reply actions
ALLSOOOO
he is a beast at returning the football. he is like devin hester, only not retarded. he would compete with weems and make then both better. we will be a threat at offense. if we have a defense slump durring a game we will have a dynamic special teams to pick us pask up. vote for gilyard
by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Feb 19, 2010 5:52 AM EST reply actions
I don’t mind the guy’s premise: don’t forget about Offense, because they underperformed in 2009, too. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned here how interested (intrigued?/envious?) I’ve been in how Bill Polian has put together the Colts. They know they have their guy at QB, and they keep spending first rounders on offense to give him the weapons he needs. Having said that, I still think the 1st Rounder should be defense. Heck, the guy’s article lists WR as the #1 offensive need, then says “hopefully no later than the fourth round” to pick a wideout. Here’s my list of offensive needs:
1) Offensive Line – I wouldn’t even be too upset if the first rounder was an O-Lineman.
2) Wide Receiver – Serious need, but available in mid-rounds.
3) Running Back – Late rounds only.
N/A) Tight End
N/A) Quarterback
Obviously, if any of the RFA’s leave (Dahl, Clabo, Norwood), those positions would be bumped up.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
1 RB
2 Offensive Line
3 WR
Spiller would be a steal if he falls to 19
I hope Burner and Norwood avoid injury in 2010, but the team is built around the run, and as 2009 proved, things get dicey if the top 2 are hurt
Other top RB’s :
B 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
Many 5 star OT’s in this draft – anyone of these would be great at pick 19
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
WR – I hope Harvey and Mr Jenks bounce back, but another weapon to compliment White and Gonzo would help. Some options :
WR 1 Dez Bryant JR 6-2/210/- Oklahoma State Lufkin, TX
WR 2 Golden Tate JR 5-11/195/- Notre Dame Hendersonville, TN
WR 3 Brandon LaFell SR 6-3/206/- LSU Houston, TX
WR 4 Mardy Gilyard SR 5-11.5/179/- Cincinnati Bunnell, FL
WR 5 Damian Williams JR 6-1/195/- USC Springdale, AR
WR 6 Dexter McCluster SR 5-8/165/- Mississippi Largo, FL
WR 7 Arrelious Benn JR 6-2/214/- Illinois Washington, DC
Atlanta will likely go defense in the 1st round, but I would not complain if we picked one the above offensive players instead
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
offensive line first
Idaho left guard Mike Iupati could be a sleeper.
he can play any position and has the feet skills, strength, size and raw talent to play blind side tackle.
he needs some coaching yet but who doesn’t coming into the pro game.
Whooooaaaaa
Hey just because the o-line was hurt last year doesn’t mean they are the first thing we should concentrate on in the draft. Maybe get a left tackle. But I think free agency is the way to go this summer to find reliable defensive pieces. Julius Peppers maybe….LT just got released from San Diego(don’t know if he’ll come back for a salary cut), maybe a Sam LB. Most Definitely a number two WR, unless Douglas steps in, then we need a three cause that is the key from having an offense like 2008 or a stagnent one in 2009.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
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