For The Atlanta Falcons, The Hour Of Winning Is Now
by Dave Choate on May 1, 2011 8:00 AM EDT
in NFL Draft
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PrintHearken back to the 2008 NFL Draft, if you would. You may remember an Atlanta Falcons team in shambles rising with a keening scream and a flash of flame, a phoenix created by a brilliant draft and one huge free agent signing. It was a glorious time, even if we didn't know it at that moment.
The next two drafts were less compelling. While the 2009 and 2010 drafts brought quality players, there was nothing transformative about either. In fact, they were distinctly complementary in nature, patiently building depth and adding starters on defense.
During those two years, you could be forgiven for wondering whether the offense was being neglected. The addition of Tony Gonzalez was huge, of course, but wide receivers were late rounders, running backs were ignored and the quarterback depth chart remained the same. It was easy to imagine that with a 13-3 record in 2010, the Falcons would elect to continue the beautifully plodding pace they'd cultivated, addressing key defensive needs and continuing to build depth as they moved toward a Super Bowl.
But the 2011 NFL Draft tells us a different story.
After the 2010 season, the Falcons clearly realized they could not take a giant step forward without improving the offense. The defense was crushed by the powerful Packers in the NFC Divisional Round, but the Packers were en fuego. Equally important was that when the Falcons fell behind, they could not generate the offensive firepower needed to mount a comeback.
It took many fans, including myself, a long time to realize that this truly would be the team's top priority in 2011. The Falcons have a ton of young, developing talent on defense, and even if not everyone pans out, it's likely to improve. On offense, Roddy White is 30, Tony Gonzalez is older and Michael Turner is also evincing the pounding he's taken over three seasons.
Faced with those realities, the Falcons took decisive action. Julio Jones is an immediate and gigantic upgrade on Michael Jenkins. Jacquizz Rodgers is a more durable Jerious Norwood who arguably is more skilled than Norwood ever was. Andrew Jackson is a fantastic blocker who could be opening lanes for Rodgers as a starter in the next year or two. All three of them--particularly Jones and Rodgers, of course--are likely upgrades. Jones and Rodgers make a predictable offense much more dynamic.
On the defensive side, the Falcons added a thumper at linebacker (Akeem Dent) a potential solid starter at defensive end with some upside as a pass rusher (Cliff Matthews). Looking at special teams and faced with a roller coaster career from Michael Koenen, the Falcons elected to pony up for him and took a reliable option in Matt Bosher.
Every single guy in this draft could either starter or be part of a rotation by 2012. They're impact players in the here and now--again, especially Jones and Rodgers--and they make the Falcons better in 2011. That's not by accident. The Falcons saw why they couldn't get over the hump in the playoffs and attempted to address it in one fell swoop. If they manage to get someone like Ray Edwards out of free agency to help out the pass rush, there's no reason to believe they won't be better build for the post-season.
How did so many of us fail to see this audacious draft coming? Speaking for myself, I assumed that we would see the front office stick closer to the 2008 and 2009 philosophies, building that needed depth and relying on the growth of existing players. But faced with the fact that it might not have been good enough for the offense, the Falcons blindsided us with a head-spinning draft. It might not be a bad idea to be sitting down for free agency, once that arrives.
It was an awesome draft. It also gives the Falcons a better chance to win in 2011 than the alternative approach would have. As fans, I'm not sure we can ask for much more than that.
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If I had to sum up this draft in one word: Amazing.
The only thing that really upset me was missing out on Luke Stocker. Oh well, at least now I know what I want in the second round next year.
by FLA_Falcon on May 1, 2011 8:14 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Great Draft...
I just hoping that Peria Jerry, Harry Douglas, Meir, Spoon all return to form…
"You can talk about the vacation.... and if you do that, Its unfair.... Its really unfair! Thats my teammate....... Thats my quarterback!
This! There is no doubt that JJ is one of the best picks Atlanta could of pulled off… It doesn’t so much transform our offense but should elevate it to the most elite of levels the NFL has ever seen. However what will make our 2011 season is the return of our injured and struggling to recover past picks. I expect HUGE contributions from Jerry and Spoon and some quality role playing from Meir and Douglas! Add in the FA’s that are inevitable and will make us the win now team that Mr Blank is after.
If we get Ray Edwards than that would be 3 playmakers.
We’ve only picked up 2.5 playmakers in our last 2 drafts so maybe it was expensive but if we are gonna keep drafting at the end of the line then we have to do what we have to do to get the good ones.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 8:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
agreed
They made the move to win it NOW. Us Falcons fans truly understand what the Falcons just did.
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
and
yes, we do still need to get that FA DE. Edwards, C Johnson, etc.. I would take either one. We get that ONE thing in FA, and everybody in the league better watch the hell out!! lol
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
I have to say, I LOVE THIS DRAFT.
WHY? Think about how solid our offense is now, then add in Julio and Jacquizz!! I mean it totally transforms our offense in ways we had zero chances of doing in 2010. As Dave said above , the defense has been the priority the last 2 years and the falcons realized that our offense needed attention too, mainly explosive playmakers. If you guys have watched Rodgers you know he’s like a human joystick type player, awesome moves on the field. And Julio is a faster Roddy white!! I mean, 4.34, we need that type od speed on this offense BADLY! The Comrade went and got us playmakers in Spades, I say!
Plus, another HUGE bonus, while other teams can’t work with their top 10 draft pix, we can thru subterfuge. We got John Parker Wilson guys, a back up QB WITH a Playbook!! They can get together and start going thru our stuff so Julio can get some of it digested before camps. Man our Brass has Brass ones and Brains!
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
Btw who called the no TE thing.
See how high of a priority it wasn’t this year.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 8:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I wonder how the FO feels about the TE situation
TD feels that TG can still get it done and with the addition of JJ and JR he might be feeling a little pumped up for this coming season. But I wonder if the FO feels that Palmer or Agnone might be the TE of the future?
There are still some pretty decent UDFA TE’s out there though.
Don't forget Marquez Branson
He’s got a lot of athletic upside but is raw as steak tartare. We’ll see what happens with him.
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I've been on here
Many times stating how much I did not want to waste a pick this year on a TE.
I was referring solely to the top of the draft, but since most of the stud TEs in the NFL were drafted early, why not see what we have in Palmer or a UFA first? Since our picks were limited, I’m glad they looked elsewhere.
Next season, we’ll target a TE early, in my opinion.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
by Jman781 on May 1, 2011 8:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
They consider it a highly fungible position
The Gonzalez trade is really the exception, and he’s really more of a possession receiver in our offense than a dual threat blocker. We were fine with Ben Hartsock before TG came here, and we’ll keep plugging in low rounders and UDFA unless a truly exceptional talent poses itself.
by TheAreopagite on May 1, 2011 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Think about this people - Our first offensive play drawn up
Start with Roddy on one side and Julio on the other, Turner & Quizz in the backfield, 5 linemen and Gonzo. Presnap movement is Julio moves over to same side as Roddy, opposite of Gonzo. Fake handoff to “Turner up the Middle”, Quizz rolls out to get behind Roddy and Julio blocking, short screen pass to Quizz, give him 2 BLOCKS from 2 awesome blocking WR’s and he’s GONE!! If not, he still gains 40-50 yards probably.
Guys, these moves have opened us up offensively in a way that we haven’t seen yet under our current staff. Lets just hope and pray to god that MM can use them all correctly to maximize their abilities.
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
That is now the biggest intangible
The FO got what looks to be some exlposive guys for the O. Will MM know how to use them?
I don't think TD and Smith were BS'ing about seeing explosiveness.
MM had better get on board or he’s getting the axe.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 9:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Plus MM is going to be a top HC candidate after this year
Same as a player in a contract year, MM could make himself a LOT of money if the offense lights it up in 2011.
Dare we dream???
The play AtlSince1972 described has been going thru my head since we began to talk about signing Bush. MM has shown complete ineptness at disguising plays and being unpredictable. He better go buy a couple more sheets of paper to double the size of his playbook. Maybe a different colored pencil too.
agreed
new pencils and paper for sure!!
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
part of TD's statement after the draft
""Going forward, we’ll continue to look to build this team any way we can. Obviously, we’re not sure with the uncertainty of free agency, it’s in a little bit of a delayed state. We’ll keep our eyes open and we’ll be perched and ready to go when the time comes if free agency opens up."
Obvious, we are gonna spend some dough during FA!!
Damn I love this team!!
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
Franchise saving move
Last year towards the end of the season, the Falcons got exposed. The Saints cheated their safeties over towards Roddy White and Gambled with Jenkins. This is why Jenkins had more catches and passes to White declined from the beginning of the season. This move not only keeps the defense honest, but Atlanta may have the best WR corp in the league.
And.
Jenkins becomes a very solid 3.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
by Jman781 on May 1, 2011 8:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And Douglas a very good 4
With Meier having the potential to be the best 5th wide reciever in the league
by FLA_Falcon on May 1, 2011 9:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Guess we better get ready for the "Quizz Show".
I mean, honestly. Who names their kid “Jacquizz”? We now lead the NFL in silly names.
But seriously, we could have kept our draft picks, got pretty much the same people or better, including WR Torry Smith, and I think we would have been better off. We’ll never know, though.
Jones better be the goshdamned second coming of Jerry Rice to justify it is all I’m saying.
I heard he was born at a Quizno's.
Anyone? Anyone? Is this thing on?
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on May 1, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hahaha...
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
We couldn't have got Torrey Smith
The Ravens took him before our 2nd round pick. Anyway, there is a reason he was almost a 3rd rounder and Jones was taken no.6. Jones is much better. Smith is and always will be a body catcher due to his tiny hands.
huh??
You think Torrey Smith would have been “as good or better” than Julio Jones? Please explain that one to me.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No one can tell who will emgerge as the true stars of this draft
They could come from rounds 1-7 or as UFA, but the same can be said for this years busts.
Other WRs might windup with a better career than JJ, but everyone in the NFL and scouting agencies thought Green and Jones were clearly the best prospects from the available information.
To say you think that a 2nd rounder will be better than a consensus Top 5 talent isn’t preposterous (it’s happened before), but you do have to elaborate and explain your reasoning if you want people to believe it’s more than a blind-ass shot in the dark.
No
I don’t think Smith is as good or better. I just thought he would have been a good fit, “consolation prize” if you will. Besides, the point is moot because as Mosugo said, the Ravens would have got him anyway. For some reason I thought he went after that 2nd round pick, but I’ve been known to be wrong on many occasions.
Really, I hope JJ turns out to be the greatest receiver in the history of the NFL, and we will be congratulating Blank, the Comrade, and Coach Smith for decades to come. Really!
by johnnybacardi on May 1, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Highlight video Jacquizz Rodgers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0DfVHQ5oE
After the success of Danny Woodhead and Ray Rice, how did this guy last until the 5th round? My favourite quote was “he waits for his blockers to develop and has such great patience”
That one shows one of his TD passes
He has special teams potential too.
by Kevin Kamberg on May 1, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
JacQuizz
had 0 fumbles in 737 rushing attempts. He did not fumble once in all his years on a running play.
One other thing...
…about the whole “We gunna win NOW” attitude I keep seeing from this draft: I want to win this year (assuming there is one) and maybe, just maybe, a few more AFTER this year.
That’s why this seemed so odd and out of place for the Falcons braintrust, especially THIS Falcons braintrust, who have projected the “slow and steady” attitude and left the “WIN AT ALL COSTS NOW RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE” for the Jerry Joneses and their ilk.
Time will tell, I guess.
It's definitely a paradigm shift.
This was a very calculated move nonetheless. They weren’t sitting around the phones waiting to see which big name they could land. They had a 3 year plan to build the team and they did. They have a plan to win now and they will. Our window with TG, Roddy and Turner will close soon and adding fringe players won’t get us over the hump. There will be a time for that approach again but not for the next two years.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 10:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly. Our elite players won't be around forever
And trading high into the Top 10 is the only way to get their potential replacements in the Draft
It wasn't just a short term move though
The receiving corps, when you look at their ages, needed a young receiver the age of Ryan who has the potential to become a #1 guy. This was a move to pay dividends for years to come.
The thing people have to remember about the picks we gave up is that we don’t have THAT many holes to fill. It’s not like we’re sitting here now with all of these gaps in the roster that we’re scrambling to fix because we don’t have more draft picks. The only glaring one is the DE position, which will likely get fixed in free agency (a safer route than the draft given the immediate need).
After that, what are the big needs?
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly
2 needs, both of which are for depth, and may be helped by players we already have developing… but even if they aren’t, that’s not THAT much you have to address
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
These moves will solidfy parts
of the offense for a few years. As people have mentioned the JJ draft also sets up the scenario for JJ to move into the #1 position later on.
Absolutely LOVE this draft!! TD you're the man!
Now if we get Ray Edwards and a veteran DB in free agency, this team will literally be complete in my eyes (I’m also assuming Mr Blank is gonna be at least two of those O-linemen)
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on May 1, 2011 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
THe S Carolina last Pick was a Great one, Although possibly could have used another CB
Also he had two big S Carolina Players a WR and TE that didn"tget chosen that was in Draft as well as a offensive guard.
I Disagree Respectfully
This draft is not about winning now. This draft is about finishing what the comrade started. The team has been hampered by lack of offensive second options for three years, the additions of Jones and Rogers fills this need. I trully believe Jerry will become the inside force alongside Babs, that it will open the outside for the ends. Duffman is a very good football player and Davis is stout against the run, if we get a FA end it will only add to what is there. The rest of the picks are good and fill depth needs. Dent will become a Jessie Tuggle type player who plays downhill with a chip on his shoulder. Oh and by the way Rogers allows Turner to be used say 250 carries and adds one more effective year for Burner. Jones becomes the #1 reciever within 3 years and we are looking to compliment him. This is about team building and winning on the run. Patriot’s are so good because they rebuild on the run and that is what the comrade is doing here.
by Dammit JIm on May 1, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I voted for "somehow worse" so as to pre-destroy some fan dreams.
I also rec’d Dammit Jim’s post above as one of the few coherent posts I’ve seen about the draft. I’m already tired of the Kool Aid drinkers.
And BTW, I don’t think the Falcons use Turner enough. He’s awesome.
Haha
b/c there’s no “Kool Aid drinkers” hanging out over at Canal St. Chronicles. You’ve all convinced yourself that the Saints got a pass-rushing difference maker in Jordan, when, in reality, he’s a solid DE that’s an average pass-rusher.
Yes
But in NFC south, run stoppers are muy importantè.
Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.
Turner is not awesome any more sadly
Benjarvus Green Ellis + 100 carries=Michael Turner.
His reputation outweighs his production at this point in his career. He is still one of the better running backs in the league though. Also, to say the Falcons don’t use Turner enough is laughable. He is possibly the most overused RB in the league.
Turner isn't used enough? Are you serious
He had 344 carries last year, second in the league to Mendenhall. The way to shorten a RB’s career is to over use him. It’s also easier to defense as the number of carries increase.
Dammit Jim didn’t say anything that most of the other posters haven’t already said. “Win now” doesn’t mean at the sacrifice of the teams future. It means that the draft was more aggressive to push ATL to a point as to where they could win the SB now. That probably wouldn’t be possible if this past draft has been as conservative as the past two or three.
The only thing i dont like about this draft
is the fact that if we had stayed put, greg little would have fallen to us in the 2nd round
"Derek Lowe's Contract Has Stopped Looking Like a Retard Got Lost in a Pen Factory.".......wait.....nevermind
we only needed 1 receiver though
And I think in most people’s opinion, Julio Jones >> Greg Little
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
that 2nd rounder hurt bad.
Worth it, but painful nonetheless.
Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.
Here's my thing
When I think about any WR we could’ve gotten in the second (Randall Cobb, for instance) and compare them to JJ….there’s just no comparison. JJ is gonna be worlds better.
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
yup, agreed
and even many of the draft analysts who questioned the move said the same thing.
I get why people were a little concerned over giving up the picks, but I think it’s silly for people to say “hey, we could have gotten someone almost as good if we’d held onto the picks”. No, we could not have.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Greg Little had character and injury concerns
As well as not being as talented.
Greg Little is no where near the WR that JJ is.
He would have been #3 on the WR chart and NEVER have been a #1.
My mind is boggled
I’m really surprised how happy you guys are with your draft. No one player is worth 5 solid draft picks, 3 of them being 2nd round or higher especially WR. I was reading yalls live thread and your reactions to the trade and you all seem really optimistic which is commendable. But do you all really think that was a wise trade? I mean he’s gotta be better than 3 other rookie starters. Also, next year’s draft is going to be stacked with talent. It’s a very rare thing to have a game-changing wide receiver… I hope for y’alls sake that he does way more than just be a really good receiver.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
I think it was a big risk.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the cojones shown by the team, but make no mistake, they didn’t make this move overnight.
Our GM said they put as much research into Julio Jones as they did Matt Ryan, and you don’t have to be a fan of the Falcons to know how well that worked out. A lot of us here have a lot of faith in our front office – a thing many fans don’t have of their respective teams – so if they tell us they very carefully calculated this move and did every bit of due diligence for it, then I, for one, will believe them.
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
we didn't give up 5 draft picks
We gave up 4, two of them 4th rounders. The other one was a swap of position within the round… it wasn’t “given up”.
And I don’t agree at all that no player is worth that… there have been plenty of players that are well worth that. Will Julio be one of them? Remains to be seen, but based on what we know right now, there’s good reason to believe he is.
The thing that people who are criticizing the pick all have in common is that they haven’t been watching what the Falcons have been doing for the past few years. This isn’t a team that needs 10 players… it’s a team that needs a couple to have a complete team. That depth you want that would make you keep more draft picks is exactly what we’ve been drafting for the past 2 drafts, hence the reason that people looked as those drafts as “good, but not breathtaking”. This is the year where we decided to get the icing to go with the cake.
So yeah, draft picks are good… but there are times where it’s better to draft for quality over quantity, and that’s where the Falcons are right now.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
Our biggest offenseive weapons are either approaching 30 or past it
Maybe we could find their future replacements solely in Free Agency but that is an expensive method and you’re only getting players after some other team has put considerable millage on their tires so to speak.
If we want a chance at elite talent who could spend their entire careers as Falcons and who don’t need several years of development just to be ready to start, trading high into the top of the first round is really the only option.
If JJ has the potential to become our next Roddy White (except without the slow start) for the next decade, I can understand why Dimitroff was willing to take a calculated risk to acquire him.
Yep, totally agree
I think what i’m getting really tired of hearing is this notion that “without fail, under any circumstance, it’s never good to trade several draft picks for a player”. And that’s just not true at all. It depends on the player, on the picks, and more important than anything, it depends on THE CURRENT STATE OF THE TEAM.
For the 2007 Falcons, yes, this would have been a horrible move. For the 2011 Panthers or Broncos, yep, a terrible move. But we’re in a completely different place than those teams… we’ve been building our roster in such a way that a move like this makes way more sense.
The problem with so many of these draft grades and pundits comments is that they frequently belie a lack of understanding on the part of the grader or the pundit as to where the team is and what they’re building toward. For many team, this wouldn’t have made any sense… for the Falcons, it makes perfect sense.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd. Very well said.
So many people are like “THEY GAVE UP SO MUCH. THEY’RE DUMB.”
When in truth, you’re exactly right. We don’t need very many pieces to upgrade, and our current pieces aren’t in such bad shape that an upgrade is immediately needed.
Yes, we will lose some pieces in FA, but I expect those to be addressed 100%. We can afford to give up some high draft picks and take a risk like this, and I think when all is said and done, we’ll be extremely glad it happened. I like Julio Jones a lot, I think he’ll fit right in with us.
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, and some of the strangest comments have been in regards to the defense...
Now let me say first off, I still believe that DE is our biggest need, and I’m confident it will be address in free agency.
But to hear people talk, you’d think our defense finished was ranked 32nd in all categories last year. We have a young defense that is still building and still gelling, and despite that, they were still a middle of pack defense who at times totally dominated games last year. They are actually getting better even with what we currently have in house.
But everyone ignores the first 16 games and only focuses on the 17th game. Did that game suck? Yes, but if you watched that game, you know the offense was almost as big a problem as the defense. So to just pretend the offense was set and the defense should have dominated the draft (putting aside the fact that there just wasn’t that high impact player there that we needed) because of 1 game where both the offense and defense sucked… well, that’s just beyond me. And fortunately our management is too smart to fall into that trap.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Agreed.
Don’t forget, the Pack’s D was very good last year as well, which would be why our O had issues. I don’t think people understand we took it to them in Round 1 and managed to escape with a win. Round 2, well, they got hot and took it to us. Suffice to say, we couldn’t handle it. It was a horrible way to end the season, but I firmly believe we’ll take care of business.
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
And please do keep in mind that these draft grades mean precisely dick.
They are merely media manufactured “stories” used to fill air time and generate web page hits during the off-season. As soon as the season starts everyone will forget about them as they do every single year.
Quick, what was the Falcons’ draft grade in 1983? 1998? 2005? Can you remember any teams draft grades from even a few years ago or do you remember what those rookies actually did on the field more?
When was the last time you saw ESPN do a special where Mel Keiper Jr. was raked over the coals and roundly mocked as he was forced to admit how wrong an alarmingly large percentage of his draft grades (players and teams) were? Never happened and never will.
The only thing that matters or has ever mattered in football is the W/L column at the end of the season. Assigning each team a letter grade after each draft is cute, but completely pointless.
by Leon07 on May 1, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I haven't even looked at a draft grade
I agree that they are arbitrary opinions. If your team has that few of holes then I am jealous. What about your depth, however? Maybe there aren’t any holes in your starting positions, but if it’s warm water below the ice, then you all still might have problems. Did you guys have injury problems last year? Are your backups also suitable? If you all had several injuries and quality back-ups then I’d agree that it was a wise trade. I just find that hard to believe when you all had a 16th ranked defense (which isn’t bad, but also isn’t lacking in holes).
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
Our depth is very good
That’s what’s the teams been drafting for 2 years. Our GM said that he could have kept those picks, but it would have just meant that mid round picks that we have been developing for 2 years and liked would have to be cut. That’s not really upgrading your team. The team has depth needs at defensive back. Assuming 2 out of 3 FA offensive lineman are resigned, that’s about it. Then of course a starter at DE is needed.
Yeah we would have had to cut good potential if we would have drafted all 9 picks.
Our roster is pretty thick. That doesn’t mean we don’t need upgrades. Goodness y’all we just drafted a number 2 WR and RB I’d say we are in better shape than most thanks to the Smitty rotation.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 6:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The 16th ranked defense
(which is just in yards, btw… not PPG, where we’re much higher)
Has a lot more to do with youth and experience. Our defense is VERY young. This is the first year many of them have either played a full NFL season as a starter or played together. So honestly, for them to have already done this well is a pleasant surprise.
Could we use more depth? Sure, I think most teams could. But we don’t have terrible depth either. We need a starting DE, some depth at LB, and some depth in the backfield… but past that, there isn’t much of a need. I think much of it will improve they longer they play together and the more experience they get.
by cheshire falcon on May 1, 2011 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
OK
So how much playing time did your back-ups see? The Eagles, for example, got to see lots of back-ups at LB, CB, safety, fullback, quarterback, O-line. We weren’t too impressed but some hidden gems emerged like Chaney and Schmitt. The Colts also got to see what their back-ups were made of. Did you all struggle with injuries and get to see some of your back-ups in action or are you just trusting what the coaches and F.O. believe? Nothing’s wrong with either one. I still think Kolb is a great QB because of how much the F.O. believes in him. I am just curious as to how you know your depth is suitable.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
our two-time NFL executive of the year
and very successful coach have drafted in such a way as to build depth in the last few years. No, it’s not perfect everywhere just yet, but, yes, in the majority of positions. We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had too many injuries, but that luck doesn’t mean that our backups aren’t prepared.
Very true
Just because you haven’t seen back-ups in action doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Ok, that’s all I wanted to know. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I definitely have a better perspective on why this trade was made. I’ll bring your opinions back to BGN if they start hating on it.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
We only gave up 4 draft picks
As we swapped one. Everyone makes that mistake. And yes, I think it was a wise trade. Also, the starters that we would have got with those picks would have been solid players. Not game changers. Jones will be a game changer. This team needs game changers more than anything else, all they have is solid players. Their wow players amount to Eric Weems, Roddy White and John Abraham. So that’s a 32 year old, a kick returner and a 29 year old.
Don't agree
what if you had kept that 1st round pick? Then it would still be 4 picks given up. The math doesn’t add up so you have to include it. Call it “swapping” if you want, but it is still a pick dealt in the trade that you had before and didn’t after the trade. Therefore has to be included in the 5 picks you gave up. Technically, maybe they “swapped” their first for your second rounder, and you “gave” them your first rounder.
I don’t want to get into a semantics battle because there’s no point. We all know what you had and then didn’t have due to the trade. If it makes you feel better to say you only gave up 4 picks and swapped one, then fine. We’re all homers and want to look at everything in the brightest of lights possible. I ain’t mad at ya!
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
If you don't want to get into a semantical arguement stop
belaboring this and move on. It is getting tiresome.
... ?
it’s the first time I even addressed it… i don’t feel like I’m “belaboring” anything. Just trying to voice a different opinion, not attack anyone.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
succint summary, rec'd
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on May 1, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions
That Julio Jones and Rodgers pick was so good it
made me Jacquizz in my pants (hahaha terrible)
by !AtlFalcons-fan! on May 1, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions
I was amused.
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
we're nearing a moratorium
on ‘Jacquizzing’ in one’s pants. It’s been a day and I’ve seen it thrown around at least a dozen times. We’ve got it.
Magic 8 Ball says...
Likely.
Smokey says: Only you can BVG forest fires.
A little odd don't you think?
There might be some people that are a little concerned about ATL picking up JJ.
if you are referring to me
I am not trying to troll unless you have a very loose definition of “trolling.” I am just a football fan for another team who likes to take advantage of a website community that allows us to connect and talk football to other knowledgeable fans about their respective teams. Whenever I have questions, I can always rely on you guys to give me answers. It’s great and I’ll always welcome other fans to BGN (as long as they are respectful).
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
Bleeding Green Nation
It’s the SBNation Eagles blog. Sorry, I’m so used to abbreviating the site that I don’t think twice about it.
"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath
Trade not about this year...or next , or next
This trade is about forcing defenses to defend the outside. I watch a lot of plays and it’s so clear that Falcons run too many plays to the middle of the field. There’s very little YAC if the defense has guys to help. In 7 on 7 matchups now safeties have been able to play “outside in” They could always roll help to Roddy’s side. Can’t do that now. And when Jaquizz is in the backfield he’ll be hard to spot coming out of the backfield and difficult for a LB or S to cover down the field.
In addition Atlanta wants to be the most physical team on the field. That’s what Julio is – physical. However there are times when pounding the ball can mask itself as timidity. The Falcons can hold the ball for many minutes and ground an opponent down. But they’ve never inspired confidence as a comeback team.
As much as I dislike the job done by BVG I have to admit that the G.B. game was an aberration. I don’t agree with everything done by our G.M. but it takes some balls to stand up to the critic’s he knew he’d have [for making this deal] But short or long term it was a deal that the Falcons had to make. If not now when?
The Comrade's "critics"
who think the tade was a bad idea will be singing a different tune at the end of the season
Going for his third GM of the year and second straight
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on May 1, 2011 8:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I dunno, Matty had 6 comebacks last year, didn't he?
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by Caleb Rutherford on May 1, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think his point is valid, because most if not all of those comebacks came in games where we had a lead and lost it. Then drove down at the end of the game to take it back in the final minutes.
Our offense hasn’t been the type of offense that can comeback from a large deficit. Hopefully that will change with Jones, Rodgers and a new-found appreciation for explosive plays.
While I agree in general...
We did come back against die 49ers from 0-14 to take the lead for the first time in the game seconds before time expired. I think Roddy White had something to do with that… ;)
by wiesengrund on May 2, 2011 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Explosiveness
I think this means that MM opens up the offense as well. No more conservative 2 yard runs on 2nd and 7. I think we’ll see a lot more deep balls thrown this year, both to Roddy and JJ. I’m excited. I expect Matty’s INT numbers to go up, but also his TD’s to skyrocket.
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