If Dunta Robinson's Signed, What's The New Direction Of The Falcons Draft?
by Dave Choate on Mar 6, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in Editorial
84 comments
Here's a discussion for all of you, but as usual I will kick it off like Kroy Biermann.
Now that we've signed Dunta Robinson, we've got a deep cornerbacking corps. Whether you think Chris Owens, Brent Grimes or Chris Houston will start outside opposite Robinson, there's no denying that there's pretty decent talent there. That's not even accounting for Chevis Jackson and Brian Williams, either. Even if the Falcons decide to cut one of those guys, it's pretty clear that their cornerback depth chart is set. I'd be extremely surprised to see them drop a draft pick at the position.
So that means that the Falcons, who were previously tied to several cornerbacks in the first round, will probably go in a very different direction. The most obvious is pass rusher, where plenty of defensive ends and a few talented linebackers will be available, but the team could also go offensive line or do something really unexpected and go for a skill positoin player on offense. My theory is that the Falcons are targeting either defensive end Brandon Graham or linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, but at this point that's just a theory.
So let's hear it from all of you. Is the cornerback depth chart really set? Who will the Falcons draft? Will I ever leave you alone and stop asking you questions?
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maybe we can pick up a RB
think about it Turner could get hurt a bunch of times again and Norwood might leave us after this year to FA we might tneed a backup to Jason Smelling
I feel like...
you can actually get a pretty good RB later in the draft. Especially since we don’t need an absolute number one.
First round HAS to be about the pass rush...
Of course, I said that before the Robinson signing – it goes triple now. Other definite positions of need: C, TE. And I’d love to see a WR out of the draft as well.
by joshmassey on Mar 6, 2010 8:34 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Pass rush should be a definite
ATL should go after a DL or OLB/DL hybrid like Damarcus Ware. Now that Robinson looks like a signing I would agree on spending a draft pick on a WR as long as it’s a late pick or someone that just cant’ be passed up. I really like the DL/LB coming out of TCU.
I would also be good with a high round DL pick. TE, not so much. We have a decent couple of guys backing up TG and you can get a decent TE as an undrafted player.
If a GOOD OL is available in the third round the team should go for him.
3-4
We don’t run that defensive system. We run a 4-3. We need a defensive end who gets the pass rush but can also play the run. Picking another undersized pure pass rusher would be a waste (see Abraham, Sidbury and Biermann). I like Brandon Graham because he has the size to be a good run stopper. His body type is very similar to Dwight Freeney. I also really like Sean Weatherspoon because he is the best linebacker in coverage in the draft, and he has the speed and strength to be successful against the run. I DO NOT want Sergio Kindle. He is a pure pass rusher and would be an undersized DE at 250 pounds. We have to pick players that fit our system. As Jamaal Andersen, a 3-4 DE proved, not every player transitions well between the systems. I think Graham is going to be the best DE available, but Weatherspoon should be the pick.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 6, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Revised wish list:
1. CJ Spiller
2. O line
3. OLB
4. WR
5. DE
Still maintain 90% of our pass rush woes were due to bad coverage.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
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Explain
how our pass rush problems were caused by bad coverage.
Take a look at these two posts:
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2010/2/12/1296919/pass-rush-productivity-or-why-i … Last year’s pass rush featured a top 10 DE, a top 5 DT, and several other guys pulling their weight. The formula they use here is pretty straightforward, clear, and easy to justify.
The football fan with no time to spend thinking sees that Abraham had 6 sacks and assumes Abraham sucks now. Looking deeper, we see he was a few steps short of a 15+-sack season. During the season, he said that if we had better coverage, he’d be getting more sacks, and that sounds like the kind of thing any athlete would say, but the numbers prove him right.
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2010/2/16/1313410/you-sure-we-need-to-draft-a-de DISCLAIMER: Yes, stats lie and obscure formulas lie worse. But they can’t lie bad enough to make 61st-thru-89th-ranked cornerbacks less responsible for our lack of sacks than our top-20 linemen. CONFUSING SENTENCE SATURDAY.
Plus we get Peria Jerry.
Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
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by Jason Kirk on Mar 6, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Interesting numbers
but they have to be taken into context. Formula used to calculate things like pass rush points often skew the data. The real numbers are that ATL had 28 sacks with Babineaux leading the team with 6. The pass rush was anemic and Erihury is correct, we had the worst blitzes I have ever seen.
Abraham saying that if he had more time is what I would expect from someone that has lost a step. It is unrealistic to blame the coverage for the lack of a pass rush. No DB can cover a receiver for more than four to seven seconds.
One problem is that the LB’s were terrible in pass coverage. The DC then dropped the DL back into pass coverage to help and that lessened the rush even more.
Without a doubt a better pass rush would help the coverage but this is a chicken and egg type discussion.
Which is why we should address both
If the Falcons believe popping Dunta Robinson at the top of the depth chart strengthens everything down from there (reasonable, I think), then we need to hit the pass rush in the draft. I could see an argument for one more cornerback, if the Falcons were going to clean house behind Robinson, Owens and Grimes, too.
If we improve the secondary and the pass rush, I guarantee you we’ll surprise the hell out of a lot of teams in 2010.
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by Dave Choate on Mar 6, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
defensive coordinator
seems to think dropping our best pass rushers into coverage is a standard practice.
Let the line rush and the secondary cover and we will be fine.
I'm with the Spiller idea still.
At this point, just about any pick could make sense in the first. TE, WR, HB, DE, C, G. TD and smitty have the luxury of saying something like “I like Iupati better than any of the pass rushers on the board.” With as deep as this draft is supposed to be, they may not sacrifice much w a decision like that. Should make for a great draft to watch.
by NeedATicketToTheGame on Mar 6, 2010 10:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Best name ever!
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Mar 6, 2010 11:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Money
Do you really think it is appropriate to pay first round money to a running back who will be second string at best? Pick the best player available at one of the positions of need and if he is a first round pick, he needs to get in solid reps. O-Line can be had in the later rounds. Personally, I like Jerry’s brother in the third. He is huge and is very quick. WR can be found in later rounds. OLB or DE needs to be addressed first.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 6, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I do in fact
The first round payouts drop pretty sharply after you get out of the top 10. It won’t hurt us badly, especially with the salary cap situation this year.
If Spiller ends up being as effective as a Chris Johnson (who knows, but pretending for argument’s sake), it ends up being worth the pick, even if we already have Michael Turner. The “best player” approach says that just because you already have a pretty good quarterback on my roster doesn’t mean that I would pass on the opportunity to draft Joe Montana. There’s no reason to press for a player in a position of need if you believe you have a great player staring you in the face.
Spiller could be great – speed, seems to have vision inside, can run between the tackles, fantastic balance. Just saying.
by NeedATicketToTheGame on Mar 7, 2010 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
I don't see Spiller...
being there at 19 but if he is, I wouldn’t have a problem with that. If I were selecting it would be DE followed by LB.
Check my band out on iTunes. The band name is Legend Has It and the album is titled "Driven." Let me know what you think.
I would like
a DE. I like the idea of getting an OLB but I don’t think that will help the pass rush. We need a consistent pass rush, and 4-3 defenses generally rely on their front four to do that. I would rather be able to drop the LBs we have now into coverage rather than have mediocre D-line play and be forced to bring extra pressure.
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by phoenix falcoholic on Mar 6, 2010 10:56 AM EST reply actions
Actually
an athletic weakside LB can slip back into pass coverage or rush the passer. Improves pass defense all the way around.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Mar 6, 2010 11:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Weatherspoon...
Best weakside linebacker in the draft. He is quick and great in coverage. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 6, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
Linebacker
We have three running backs and can find a quality backup in the later rounds. Our D-line is good and will get better with Jerry coming back and Bierman and Sidbury improving.
Mike Peterson, however, is 34 and was only average last year.
I would like to get Weatherspoon
He or Graham would be great picks, but a solid pass rushing OLB is just something we sorely lack right now, so I think S.W. would make the biggest and most immediate difference to our defense. We definitely need to build up the D-line some but we already have developing young players there and it might be better for us long-term to draft a later-round project at DE.
My Falcons Dream Mock
In this scenario Falcons trade for great position in the 1st round
How do you rate my Falcons dream mock?
http://draftdebacled.com/publisheddraft.aspx?mdid=12109#
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
LOL. Who do we take in the second round?
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
Lol - um - Falcons had to trade all their lower draft picks away :)
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Had to laugh at that
Looks like you are really hoping for the sky, the sun and the moon too. You are heavy on the defense too.
I tried to address all positions
4 WR’s and 4 RB’s just in case
even a punter, return man, and kicker!
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Unless we get a 2nd round pick for Norwood, I can see no viable reason that we’d take a RB in the first round. The fist round pick is going to be defense, and on the defensive side we only need front 7 help and depth.
The loan wild card in my mind will come on the OL. IF a highly rated OT drops to 19, ie. Bulaga (but not him exclusively of course) , then it could be possible that its to much of a value pick to pass up. Clabo has been solid but the idea of two top tackles on the same line are what Super Bowl dreams are made of…
Also, Mike Iupati’s versatility and upside is far to great to not consider! However, to much of his hype is focused on whether or not he can play tackle, of which I don’t think he should, obviously.
So, Front 7 priority but OL if the stars align. After that, the top rated Centers should be considered.
by Caviarhound on Mar 6, 2010 1:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
We can speculate, but much depends on who falls to us
If Spiller, a top OT, or even a Dez Bryant is there at 19, the team may consider offense.
But one of the elite OLB’s or DE’s will likely be there at 19, and that is the most logical direction.
I’m hoping for Kindle, Morgan, Pierre-Paul, Graham, Weatherspoon, or Mays.
Yes, Mays is a safety but could play a mean OLB.
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Buts he looks good doing it :)
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Mays would send a DVD of his combine workout to opponents to psych them prior to games :)
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
PLZ did you see
his speed at the combine Al Davis is gonna draft him and give him a $100 million dollar contract
Al is mean!
Davis be stealing all the combine workout freaks!
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
No way should we draft Bryant
I would consider this a wasted draft pick based on his attitude and comments from the combine.
Interesting
I like you idea with Mays. They have him at 6’3" and 230 lbs. Maybe have him add another 5-10lbs, maybe. I can see that. Not sure about Graham though. That hamstring pull he got at the combine scares me.
I think Brandon Graham is the best answer in the first round.
Biggest upside is his motor. I see him being a terror on the right side. A speed-type running back in the third and an offensive guard, D-tackle, and an outside LB in the late rounds.
I don’t see a “pass rush” linebacker in Smitty’s scheme. It’s 4-3, so DE takes that role except on a blitz. Linebackers back up the line.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
I agree.
The highlight of Weatherspoon didn’t impress me but maybe I don’t know what to look for. Graham looks unstoppable in the right scenario of surrounding talent.
by brotherbrown on Mar 9, 2010 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
Weatherspoon!
Best availible pick!
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Mar 6, 2010 2:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
WEATHERSPOOOOON
"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
Weatherspizooooooooooon!!!!!!
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Mar 7, 2010 3:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I keep wishing we still had a 2nd.
Then I remember we gave up that 2nd for Gonzo and feel better. I still hope we go DE in the 1st, then go from there. If at the end of our draft we end up with DE, C, OLB, TE, WR it would make me very happy and would be the balanced draft TD and Coach were talking about.
by LongSufferingFalconsFan on Mar 6, 2010 5:59 PM EST reply actions
I honestly don't see any can't miss guys at the bottom of the first round
I wouldn’t mind trading down into the top of the second and picking up a few more picks.
Graham scares me...
becaue of the hamstring injury he got at the combine. I have to be honest in saying that hamstring injuries scare the hell out of me. I would much rather go with Weatherspoon.
Like danielduello posted I think with Peria coming back and hopefully staying healthy, the line should be OK. I really think that Sidbury, during situational pass plays will excel. And we all know about the motor Kroy has. I think we might hang on to JE98 for just one more year and I wouldn’t be suprised if he gets syked enough to make some sort of impact. If I was him I’d be calling and working with Abe all offseason!
Graham over Weatherspoon please——actually there are many picks I’d take over Weatherspoon. Owners and coaches alike found Weatherspoon annoying at the Combine, I actually grew tired of him just listening to his non stop BS at the Senior Bowl.
Please DO NOT take Sean Weatherspoon. Target someone that can play both the DE or LB position. Simple as that…….
In the later rounds we can target a TE(Pitta) or OT. I believe we could have the chance to take Ben Tate or Gerhart in the 3rd.
Glad to hear Williams coming back.
How could you not like Weatherspoon?
His attitude is infectious, and he plays with just as big a motor as anyone. He plays with heart, and he’s an LB that can COVER, something that doesn’t get enough attention as is.
He’s vocal and shows qualities of a leader. I think more people would tell you that than them saying that they found him annoying.
He’s just like Mike Peterson but 22-23 years old instead of 45.
"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 appreciate his leadership and his physicality plus we’d have the Mizzou tandem of Moore and Weatherspoon playing again but I still prefer to see Graham in a Falcon’s uniform—see him as another Freeney.
Overall you have to be excited having Robinson, Williams, Moore, Jerry as options in 2010, plus the draft pick. And Harry Douglas’ return is just icing on the cake.
The pieces are coming together perfectly.
Why
would you target a guy who plays both DE and LB? WE RUN A 4-3 DEFENSE. THE DEFENSIVE LINE APPLIES THE PRESSURE. THE LINEBACKERS ARE IN COVERAGE EXCEPT IN BLITZ PACKAGES. PICKING A HYBRID MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. PICK FOR YOUR SYSTEM. PICK SOMEONE WHO IS GREAT AT ONE POSITION. NOT MEDIOCRE AT MULTIPLE ONES.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 6, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
although I like potentially picking Graham
as long as we are picking him purely to play DE. He will not be a linebacker in the NFL unless it is in a 3-4 system as a purely pass rushing LB. Brandon Graham as a 4-3 outside linebacker dropping back into coverage is an AWFUL idea.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 6, 2010 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s tone down the hostility especially when I’ve remained fairly consistent in previous threads that my main pick is Graham over Weatherspoon, and yes as a true DE. On the other hand “if” we were to blow a first round pick on a LB I would prefer we take a DE/LB hybrid specifically Kindle. Hopefully that clarifies my position. And yes we can nitpick if Kindle is more a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker but that doesn’t matter since my bias remains to try to upgrade the DE position first, LB second, and Weatherspoon last. Everyone have a good night.
why not WR?
I know, I know, we will be getting Douglass back, but Jenkins is average at best. why not take the WR out of Ga. Tech at 19??
wr
If we were gonna go for a WR, I would wait til the 3rd or 4th round, and try for Andre Roberts from Citadel. He’s only 5’10", but from what I heard on the radio the other day, he doesn’t drop passes….dude said the stats he researched (idk where he got them), state that Roberts has dropped 6 passes…in his entire Citadel career, and that he was a major cog in their offense. But I personally believe we should get another DE at 19, and go from there.
If we are considering a WR I'd rather have Brandon Marshall
for a first round pick and a new contract.
I rather spend a pick on a proven NFL veteran than trying to strike gold in the middle to late part of the draft.
Him in the ATL?
Uh, no.
He’s got more drama than anybody in the NFL. That would tear up the team. If we were gonna get a reciever in FA boldin would have been the man but…. 4-5 round pick I guess.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Mar 7, 2010 3:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Can someone tell me why Pierre-Paul been flying up the mock drafts this past week, now into the Top 5 for some. This reminds me of how Tyson Jackson flew past Orakpo just before the 2009 draft and we know how that turned out…….
It’ll be fun to watch the progress of Pierre-Paul vs George Selvie over the coming years. But after our own fiasco known as Jamaal Anderson—-the Dunlaps, Pierre-Pauls, and Morgans are just too risky in the Top 1/4 of the draft. Seared in my memory forever is how Morgan was manhandled by Iowa in the Orange. And how impressive Beluga was at LT in that game.
would've been very nice.......
If we could’ve picked up Aaron Kampman before J-ville dug their claws into him. Would’ve helped ol’ abe out a lot.
Unlike most people here
I feel that if Abe was allowed to pass rush instead of fall back into coverage all day long we are set on defense.
My interest is protecting Matty Ice. Even one more second of protection would be wonderful and some third round help isn’t going to get that help. Matty needs someone to keep pass rushers off his backside so he has time to eat a sandwich like many of the ELITE teams do it. The best would be a monster tackle who can protect and run block too.
I don’t care who TD gets, I have faith in him, I just want to see the offensive line reinforced.
Call me crazy but i like our defense as is. I want more and bigger holes for Turner as well as time for Matty to become Icy Cold.
Maybe a new Defensive Coordinator would help keep Abe on the line where he shines.
I think I was one of the first guys beating the drum about Abe dropping back into coverage, but c’mon – this is getting a little out of hand. PFF says he dropped into coverage 38 times last year (I think that’s a little low, I’d have to go back and check some of my numbers) versus 421 snaps rushing the passer. It’s not like he was used like a friggin Linebacker last season.
I do agree that OL moves up very near the top of the wishlist now.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Good news everyone!
Kampman signed with the Jaguars.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4973360
That means less of a chance for Weatherspoooooon. :(
"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
Draft
Witherspoon is my Guy!!! With the secondary we now have in the fold, mix in Jerry and Moore who did not play a down last year, I think our current DE’s are more than adequate. Kroy was a monster last year and Sidbury will be in his second season. Most teams only had to handle Abraham last year for a few seconds until they threw into our patch-work secondary. But not this Season. Let’s add speed to our Young and Rising LB’s and think Playoffs.
So apparently they are starting to realize we have no corners. So they go out and overpay a number 2 corner. We still need a true number 1 shutdown corner. I don’t know why we didn’t try to get Rolle or Rhodes. I understand not trying to pay Peppers that much, some talent in the draft. The rest of the corners we have are at best just 3 corners in the nickel package. We need so much help on defense I still don’t see much improvement next year unless they start getting more talent on defense.
Rolle and Rhodes?
We didn’t try to get them because they play safety, not corner. I think that Coleman and DeCoud did a pretty decent job last year. I think Robinson was a good signing but we definitely need to shore up our front 7. I honestly think we should have made a strong push for Peppers.
With a good pass rush our corners will do alot better.
Dan Williams @ 19
http://www.youtube.c…h?v=HQ8_Y_Rgh6w
Check out the quickness and range of Williams playing @ 330-340 range all last year. Stick him next to Jerry or Babs (who’s probably gonna miss bout 4 games nxt yr)and they will blow up the middle of the line. Abe and Kroy can pick up the pieces. Recently Mike Smith commented about Having a talented big man, that they are rare to find. It would be hard to imagine him dropping to 19 but omg what this could be.
My wishlist
1) DE: Brandon Graham; maybe Jason Pierre-Paul or Everson Griffen; no to Carlos Dunlap. There’s no way Jamaal Anderson is in the team’s long-term plans, and Abe is aging. Biermann will be on one side, and Sidbury is just a lottery ticket at this point.
2) OL: Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bruce Campbell, Charles Brown; maybe Maurkice Pouncey. Remains to be seen if Dahl and/or Clabo will be signed long-term. If not, both will be unrestricted after next season. Pouncey might be a bit of a reach at #19, but McClure won’t be around forever.
3) OLB: Sean Weatherspoon; no to Sergio Kindle. I think there are plenty of viable options at 4-3 LB that will be available in the 3rd and 4th Rounds.
4) WR: maybe Golden Tate; no to Demaryius Thomas. As much as I love Bay-Bay (I’m a Jackets fan), he has way waaaaay too many questions for me in the 1st Round. I wouldn’t be crazy about spending another 1st on WR, but Tate would be intriguing if he was sitting there (depending on who else was also on the board). There’s obviously tons of guys that will be there in the 3rd or 4th, though…
99) RB: no to CJ Spiller. Even if the team gets a taker for Norwood (or Snelling) and picks up a 2nd Rounder, I still don’t want a first round runner. I am perfectly content with a late-round RB to fill out the roster.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Our direction should be:
Our first round should be spent on either a defensive lineman or a linebacker. Then in turn in the third round spend that pick on the other. After those pics we can fill other needs of the team. With the picks we need to think health along with talent. I personally believe that health was what kept us from at least a repeat season at least finishing last year.
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