Common themes among 2010 draft class

Years after the Vick/Petrino fiasco, the Falcons have change their team's culture, as evident by the team's first back-to-back winning seasons. The Falcons have rebuilt themselves as a classy organization that pride themselves on having team oriented players who have high FBI (football intelligence) and play with heart. While these kind of players are not the sexiest of players and thus do not receive the same media attention as others, they nonetheless can play football together as a team. Last time I checked we supported the Atlanta Falcons team, not just individual players.  And while our team is not made up of superstars and divas, they are a cohesive unit that are committed to working hard on the practice field, studying in the film room, listening to their coaches and improving their technique, and most importantly winning football games.

Teams like the Raiders are incapable of playing together as a team. They often draft the flashiest and most athletic players with character issuers and/or little consistency in college. Their players care more about money and fame more than success on the field. One could say they love to win more than they hate to lose. Therefore it is no surprise why they always pick in the top 10 year after year.  I, personally, would prefer to pass on these players and go for players with a good fit and who will give their all on every down. With that being said lets look at this year's draft class and see what kind of PEOPLE we drafted, not just the football players.

R3a: Corey Peters: Intangibles: Took his academics seriously. Earned recognition as a National Scholar-Athlete in high school and made the SEC Academic Honor-Roll after the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Earned his secondary social-studies degree in December of 2009. Steadily improved on the field throughout his career. Earned Most-Improved Defender award, as voted by the UK coaching staff, after the 2007 season. Voted UK's Most Outstanding Defensive Player after the 2009 regular seasons. Also recognized with the Jerry Claiborne Award, presented to an offensive and defensive senior based on academic success and a team attitude.

R3b: Mike Johnson: Intangibles: Cerebral blocker who adjusts quickly to surprise blitzes. Plays with a high motor. Versatile blocker with experience at all four exterior positions. Recognized as a team leader.

R4: Joe Hawley: Intangibles: Strong, confident, vocal leader for the offensive line. Won the team's Rebel Spirit Award in 2009, given to a senior who exhibited toughness, positive attitude and a strong commitment to his teammates. His durability and versatility will be valued.

R5a: Dominique Franks: Intangibles: Good character and work ethic, no major issues with coaches or teammates. Should get a shot as a returner. Does not have great elusiveness on punt returns but works as the safety return man in the red zone, runs strong and makes difficult catches. Lacks great vision on kickoff returns.

R5b: Kerry Meier: Intangibles: Team captain leads by example and gets after teammates to compete in the weight room, film room, and on the field. Unselfish player who took the change from quarterback to receiver in stride.

R6: Shann Schillinger: N/A

The common themes?

Team leaders

All are considered their previous team's leader and that's not an accolade given by the coaches or the media; that is a responsibility and a reward by fellow teammates. Those are the guys you look to when its 4th and 1 on the goaline with 36 seconds remaining because you know the rest of the team will follow. Who else is considered a team leader? Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez. Ill let last year's Jets win support who we gave the ball to in that situation.

Intelligent

Almost all have already graduated college and are considered cerebral with a high football IQ. That means we can run complicated play calls with multiple checks and audibles at the line of scrimmage. We can change our play and respond to what the defense is showing us, thus making a big play more likely. Football, after all, is a game of reading weakness and exploiting them. Another team to have high football IQ: the Colts. How does that offense sound?

High motors/ Good work ethic

Hard work beats talent any day when talent doesn't work hard. These guys are going to play every down and wont stop until the play is dead. They will put in the necessary work in practice to improve for game days. They will give everything they can to make up for lack of physical ability and will work hard to crush the other teams will. (Sidenote, the MMA training will provide dividends for next year) Julius Peppers is an absolute BEAST, he also has poor work ethic. How many sacks did he have vs. how many he should have aren't even close. Jerry Rice is the GOAT (greatest of all time) and he had the talent, but most importantly he had the work ethic. How many stories have you heard about him running routes before and after practice?

Versatile

Most can play two positions and feel comfortable about it. While most will also be backups this coming year, if an injury occurs we're covered. Also as teams change formations and show different looks, these guys can adapt to the varying demands of different plays and can stay on the field without lacking the skillset needed to matchup against a different opponent. Lets face it, life changes. If we dont change with it then were screwed when the inevitable happens. Versatility helps this as our players have the skills to succeed in a variety of situations and against multiple opponents.

Good Character

This one doesnt have much to do with football as it does the team. Im relieved that none of these players will be caught in a Big Ben situation anytime soon. They can concentrate on being teammates and not divas like T.O. How many teams has he ruined?

I dont know about you but these are the kind of players I want to cheer for every Sunday. They may be lacking in some physical areas and are a little raw, but all seem willing to learn and are capable of giving 100% on every down. Yeah we may have reached for a few while big names were out there, but football is a team sport. These guys may not be the best athletes ever, but they should be the best teammates. While many of you may think that's nothing, this draft only secures that the Falcons wont be returning to the Vick/Petrino days anytime soon. To me that's alot. These are the guys that 5 years down the line are teaching the new rookies and helping us win games and hopefully superbowls. But until then, our 2010 draft class made our team better.

Note: all intangible quotes taken from CBSsports.com