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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > April > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBelieve in Dimitroff, believe in this draft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — It comes down to this: Do you believe in the guy doing the picking? If you do, you’re willing to extend the benefit of any and all doubt.
I believe in Thomas Dimitroff.
I believe he’s as smart as anyone who has ever worked for the Falcons.
Ergo, I believe in this draft.
I believe in Matt Ryan partly because I’ve seen him play with my own eyes, but mostly because Dimitroff believes in him. I believe in Sam Baker and Curtis Lofton and Harry Douglas and the rest for the same reason. You could call it blind faith. (You could, if you were of a cynical bent, call it rank naivete.) I prefer to think of it as faith born of observation.
Dimitroff has a scout’s eye — he spoke Sunday of Douglas’ “ability to stick his foot in the dirt and separate” and cornerback Chevis Jackson’s “ability to get his hands on balls” — but isn’t some data geek who sees nothing beyond 40 times. He grasps the bigger picture. He has what he described as “a clear vision” of what the Falcons could and should be, and that vision is this:
“A team that’s very focused, very passionate and hard-working. A team that perseveres. A team that believes in itself.”
If that sounds nebulous, consider what Dimitroff did and didn’t do in his first draft: He didn’t bow to public pressure and pick Glenn Dorsey in Round 1, and he didn’t hew to conventional wisdom by loading up on offensive linemen thereafter. (Of the Falcons’ 11 picks, only Sam Baker is an offensive lineman.) He didn’t take guys who might have looked good on paper and who would have fluffed up the Monday morning draft grades.
He took guys for a specific reason: “We would not have selected a player who we didn’t feel was a fit. … There might be a time when it’s right to go against the grain, but at this point we’re not at that spot.”
Dimitroff can justify each of the 11 choices, and his reasoning is varied and fascinating, but in the end it was always the same: We think this guy can help us do what it is we want to do, which is run the ball and stop the run and win on special teams and not beat ourselves. No, that’s not very sexy, but how pretty were the New York Giants in beating New England?
“I don’t want it to be a haphazard approach,” Dimitroff said, speaking of the draft but not just of the draft. “We want to develop a plan and a style of how we want to play.”
Matt Ryan fits that plan, which isn’t to say that Glenn Dorsey wouldn’t have. But Ryan was, Dimitroff said, the Falcons’ pick for these reasons: “A., the value of the position; B., our need, and C., the skills and the requisite traits. That was the tipping point.”
You can quibble with the pick, but you can’t argue against the logic. Quarterback is the most important position, and the Falcons, as we saw last season, need a quarterback in the worst way. Ryan mightn’t be Peyton Manning, but he’s too smart and too driven to be a bust. Indeed, when Mike Smith asked how he’d feel about serving the customary first-year quarterback’s apprenticeship, Ryan told the Falcons’ coach: “I want to be the starter.” And that, Smith said, “is the right answer.”
We won’t know for a while if the Falcons had the answers in the 2008 draft. Time is the ultimate judge. But we can say this much already: Nothing they did over the weekend was done without forethought. Nobody was drafted on a whim. Nobody was drafted who won’t fit what the new architect has in mind, and the new architect is a keeper.
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By The_Future
April 27, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
I’ve supported this team for too long and have been put thru too much with this organization to leave ‘em now.
We’ve already seen the lowest of lows. It can’t get much worse. Nothing wrong with blind faith… cause that maybe all we’ve got
GO FALCONS.
By jumper
April 27, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
By choosing Ryan, Dimitoroff not only made a tactical decision but a strategic one too. Carolina wanted Ryan because of their quarterback problem. By choosing Ryan you not only upgrade your position but degrade Carolina’s quarterback position.. Sounds like a good idea to me.
By Top Dawg
April 27, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
I think these were great picks all the way around, especially Matt Ryan.
By JHE
April 27, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Mark I’m with you - We gotta have faith,Give the man time, this team can’t be fixed in two days!!Go Falcons!
By ignition
April 27, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
I have complete faith that the Falcons have a ego-manic for an owner.. a no name coach .. and a GM who just picked the worst draft in Falcon’s history.. (well at least recent history)
This turkey stinks Hey Author sale the team to someone that knows what they doing..
By JT
April 27, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
FIRST!!!!!!!!!
By BBall fan
April 27, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a falcons fan since the sixties thru good times and mostly bad, yes it can get worse. One oft-injured offense lineman, no defensive tackles???? who’s going to block for and tackle the big running backs?
We filled NO needs in the lines. We’re going to go with 6 LBs on the field at the same time?? Woeful draft. Thomas Brown was the only bright spot. We’re going to pay a young QB millions for the next several years and he may not play for a couple of years (if he is smart). Or if he does, he may wind up like Steve Bart., great person and QB but no line to protect him so he was always getting hit/injured. The only chance we have is for DJ to scramble and hopefully a RB can get open cause we don’t have Wideouts that can get open nor a TE anymore. Grade - F(ailing)
By William F. Miller
April 27, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Right on, Mark Bradley. I believe in Thomas Dimitroff too, and I’m willing to give it some time. I believe in Matt Ryan, because I think he has a brain, as well as talent. This draft may also say that the Falcon’s offensive and defensive linemen are not as bad as the “experts” are always saying. We will see. Go, Falcons!
By morris
April 27, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
No he didn’t bow to public pressure to pick glenn dorsey, he just had to bow down to arthur blank. The matt ryan pick has arthur blank written all over it. And that is not just some fans opinion, as espn and nfl.com and others have speculated that was the case. Now I do think the guy has an eye for talented and hard working players who can help the team. I’m not a stop watch guy myself. I will take productivity over the workout warrior all day long. But what I don’t understand is the lack of committment to building up the offensive and defensive lines. This was smith and dimitroff’s “big sell” to all of us sucker fans. This team was supposed to be built to play the power football. Stop the run and run the ball. A simple formula that has always worked in the nfl. However, this draft did not reflect that approach. And could you or some other AJC writer please ask this guy to explain why he drafted all of these linebackers? I love the lofton pick and think he will be a solid run stuffer but I don’t get all of the OLB picks. Is this the end for keith brooking? Are we switching to a 3-4 defense?
By DaltonFalcon
April 27, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
As much as I am tired of giving the Falcons the “benefit of the doubt” year in and year out only to be let down, I agree with you MB. I think we have to realize that this franchise isn’t going to be turned around in one year and maybe not even two, which after looking at the way they have drafted tells me that Dimitroff and Co. are seeing a bigger picture and will continue to rebuild their way with each draft. GO FALCONS
By honest_abe
April 27, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
i’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. the picks feel wrong. but what do i know.
By Najeh Davenpoop (Newest Jaguars Fan)
April 27, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I believe, after seeing this draft, that whatever team Michael Vick is quarterbacking in three years is gonna have a better record than the Falcons in three years.
That’s not a knock on Matt Ryan, it’s a knock on Dumbitroff and his horrendous drafting skills overall. Ryan has the ability to be a pretty good but not great NFL player, but with more drafts like this one it’s not gonna happen on this team.
By south ga. boy
April 27, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
thank you thomas for drafting “football” players with work ethic & character, & not getting caught up in the measurables, shuttle times, 40 times, & vertical jumps. I was & from an athletic point of view still am, a big MV 7 fan, but we had to turn the page. I know some will ? why thomas did not get more lineman, but you can’t fix this mess in 1 yr. At least the ship is moving in the right direction again. Matty ice may not be T. Brady, who is, but he is no Bob Lee. ( I know, I am dating myself)
By Ryan
April 27, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Silly.
Like all the other GMs don’t go into the draft with plans?
Ridiculous.
This is trying to make it appear that Dimitroff is the only GM not making picks with a dartboard.
Here’s what I know: WE STILL DON’T HAVE AN O-LINE.
Where is THAT plan?
By Son of a Gun
April 27, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Absolutely Mr. Bradley. Great article. We need to have faith in our team and get over the love fest with other players. We have our picks and now is the time to support those picks. Dimitroff knows what he’s doing and it’s all going to be fine. Give this franchise a year or two and we’ll be in serious playoff contention. It should all be a fun ride. Welcome aboard draftees!
GO FALCONS!
By disgusted falcon
April 27, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
You wrote all of the same things about Rich Mckay 5 years ago. Just download the article and you can just change the name in a few years when the next GM comes to town.
By Falcon Fever
April 27, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
good draft. two big problems: trading (two valuable picks) for someone who is always injured, and thomas brown is a complete joke. not sure why everyone thinks that’s a good move? he proved nothing at UGA
By Brandon
April 27, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Mark, look at what you do know. There are only so many spots on the field. We have more DBs and LBs on our roster than we can carry, which is good for competition. However, LBs and CBs DO NOT STOP THE RUN ALONE!!!!! If you can’t stop the run at the point of attack (D-Line). Then you will win. Are you kidding me w/the Giants comment? Did you watch that game and others they played at the end of the season? The Giants DOMINATED the point of attack. Their DBs and WRs weren’t that great, but their O-line protected Manning adequately and their D-line (not LBs and DBs) did what no other D-line in the NFL could do against the Pats last season. They slowed the run and got pressure on Brady w/out having to blitz LBs and DBs all the time. I would absolutely be thrilled if the Falcons would build their D similar to the Giants (4 highly regarded DEs were on the field at once at times), but the Falcons defensive and offensive fronts is childish compared to the Giants…….
By JHE
April 27, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Great Draft - I’ve coveted Ryan all year long and never thought that we would be able to get a shot at him. Baker would have been a top 15 pick last year so he is a steal at 21. Douglas is an excellent receiver who can run like a scalded dog. Let TD put the pieces together and build this thing. It can’t be done overnight. There’s still time to sign some other line help. I know it’s hard, but you’ve gotta have a little patience. If i can do it anybody should be able too. I’ve been around since Tommy Nobis was drafted!
By bostonbaron
April 27, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
As a african american who follows BC games religiously you guys are getting a rare bird, his knowledge and decision making is brady like just wait… And Tom Demitrof knows how to scout,hence the three super bowls rings in New England.I will be watching you guys this year to see how matt progress. And vick era is toast.
By The AntiMe
April 27, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
I think to pick someone other than Ryan would have been a very risky move based on the value of the QB position and the need of the Birds. It seems more likely
to me that Flacco or Henne would have been, at best, no better than the QB’s that the Falcons already have on the roster. While Ryan may not possess the rifle arm of Steve Bartkowski. He still is a highly skilled QB and very much reminds me of Bart in so many ways. I think Bartkowski turned out to be a pretty decent pick and I believe that Matt Ryan will be every bit as decent, if not more so.
By Dane
April 27, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Why do we have to have blind faith???!!! OL/DL is a necessity!!! What we had last year in the OL/DL was piece meal at best. When Grady was released, Oh that did it for the DL. The OL was musical chairs. And we are suppose to pay our hard earned $$$$ to have blind faith that somehow the OL/DL is suppose to be better and protect our new QB. I am telling you; Hello Matt Ryan, meet Grady Memorial!!!! That is if we don’t open our eyes to see what we need now, DL/OL !!!!!
By Hamad Meander
April 27, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
I will tell you what I believe. The front office of the Falcons drafted like they didn’t know what needs they had to address. That it seemed like they were heading the right direction saying “We’re bulding from the middle back” and “We’re getting big strong linemen” and “We’ve got to address the lines”, and then did the EXACT opposite.
I believe also they alienated two groups of Falcons fans - the minority group - which the Falcons have the largest minority season ticket holders in the NFL by not drafting a character like Glenn Dorsey. All the tape I’ve seen on this guy he is a monster knocking offensive linemen down all over the field.
The other group they alienated is the true football fan that knows that flash doesn’t win football games. Great lines, defense, running the ball and stopping the run wins football games and this draft didn’t address any of those needs.
All I can say now is that I wish the Falcons the best, but I cannot continue to invest so much emotion on a team that is hell-bent on staying at the bottom of the league. It takes a lot of effort to try to be a fan of such a team, and I no longer want to put that much effort when it seems like the effort isn’t being matched by the team.
By Bill
April 27, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
You can have blind faith in Dimitroff. I need something more than blind faith. I need a logic that has built NFL teams to Super Bowl wins. I need an O line that blocks and a D line that puts fear in the other teams Quarterback. I need a servicable quaterback and the building blocks in the trenches. Ryan was picked to put and end to Vicks screw ups. Ryan was not the pressing need and the best pick. He was the new Falcons not the best Falcons. He is what everybody feared more buzz than play.In end we got what we always get with this team “MAYBE NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER.”
By mdysart
April 27, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
I like this piece because Mark clearly gets the surprise we all felt at the way every pick after the QB went. We’re a faith-based franchise at this point. But the old team was a mess of players that didn’t fit together, so let’s give the new leadership the benefit of the doubt. Remember - the starting point for this team isn’t the Super Bowl; it’s not even the playoffs. It’s back to back winning seasons.
By brandon
April 27, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
i was not happy with the matt ryan pick yesterday, but seeing him during the draft today made me a fan. he is truly happy to be here. hes a stand up kid, i’d much rather have him then someone with the character of a eli manning. i like the picks, i think the new regime should get high marks. dimitroff knows talent. look at his drafts with the patriots. i remember sitting here watching the draft a few years ago and they drafted logan mankins and i was like “who is this guy?” hes turned out to be a pro bowl lineman. this man knows his football. if author blank and rich mckay will sit back and leave this man alone he will put a good team on the field
By Bama
April 27, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Damn good GM and Good Draft. Mark you called it right days ago when you Said “DRAFT RYAN”. GO FALCONS!@!!Time will tell?
By GF
April 27, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Let’s step back and think for a minute. We got one tackle. Mixed reviews, but still likely starting for our line. Ryan won’t play this year (hopefully), but he may play in 2009. This first year with new offensive coaches gives the line some practice time. There is free agency. There is another draft next April. We’ll get more pieces of the O-line, and likely the D-line too.
Nothing great is happening in 2008. Maybe a few more wins, but more likely a pick in the top 15 in 2009. I’m certain there will be a top defensive lineman or offensive lineman to get. THEN, we can talk about how our team looks.
By RJ
April 27, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
BBall fan,
Get off your damn UGA high horse. Thomas Brown was the only useless pick the Falcons made. He’s going to sit on the bench behind Turner and Norwood for the next three years. Then he’s going o leave for free agency to another team that has no intent of sarting him.
By RA
April 27, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Why Mark, you’ve grown up.
By Bill
April 27, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
To all the posters that are freaking out after day 1 of this draft and have posted as much on other blogs:
I’ll admit, I was leaning towards Dorsey, too, but Ryan was a great pick to rebuild the franchise on. The OL is worrisome, but the OU LB is solid and the day 2 picks did fill holes and added depth.
Most of the perpetually discontented posters on these blogs aren’t even REAL NFL fans. They are far and away myopic COLLEGE FOOTBALL (minor league) football fans, specifically the SEC. The NFL to them will always be second or even third behind NASCAR. Because of this, their opinion is absolutley WORTHLESS and not to be taken seriously, if listened to at all.
Oh Yeah, to you “season ticket holders” that are cancelling after day 1 of the new regime, please do. Your mealy-mouthed backbiting of an owner and GM that are trying to fix this situation is not needed, therefore neither is your support!
This is a National Football League blog. We discuss “real” football here… PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL!
Please go back to Rivals.com or Dawgnation.com and leave the PROFESSIONAL football blogs to those of us that prefer a higher brand of football!!
Great start for the new regime in Flowery Branch, Good Job!!!!
By Bk Hawk
April 27, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Everyone is mad about not getting help for the OL. The draft is not the only place to get players. We now have a GM that knows what he’s doing. He will get what we need give him time.Bet on it.
By rudy
April 27, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Great draft. We are fans and we must support and trust those in charge until they give us a reason not to. We trusted the old coaches and players and look where we are. These two gentlemen come from establised franchises that builds to win. Let’s be quiet adn learn something. Kill the negative stuff please. We are falcons!!
By Bill
April 27, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
To all the posters that are freaking out after day 1 of this draft and have posted on other Blogs:
I’ll admit, I was leaning towards Dorsey, too, but Ryan was a great pick to rebuild the franchise on. The OL is worrisome, but the OU LB is solid and
the day 2 picks did add depth and filled holes.
Most of the perpetually discontented posters on this blog aren’t even REAL NFL fans. They are far and away myopic COLLEGE FOOTBALL (minor league)
football fans, specifically the SEC. The NFL to them will always be second or even third behind NASCAR. Because of this, their opinion is absolutley
WORTHLESS and not to be taken seriously, if listened to at all.
Oh yeah, to you “season ticket holders” that are cancelling after day 1 of the new regime, please do. Your mealy-mouth backbiting of an owner and GM that are trying to fix this situation is not needed, therefore neither is your support!
This is a National Football League blog. We discuss “real” football here… PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL!
Please go back to Rivals.com or Dawgnation.com and leave the PROFESSIONAL football blogs to those of us that prefer a higher brand of football!!
Great start for the new regime in Flowery Branch, Good Job!!!!
By Gary S.
April 27, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
We got a the best quarterback in the draft for the next two years. Football is also about attitude. There is a small difference between winning and losing. It starts with a winning attitude. Matt Ryan has a winning attitude. The quarterback is the leader. If he is a leader and makes good decisions with the football the Falcons will turn it around quickly. I predict seven wins next year and 10 wins the year after next.
By TR
April 27, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff may know how to select talent, but he showed he’s a rookie GM with the premature move to jump back into the first round for Baker. We’ll see how his first draft goes when the season begins.
By KJinCton
April 27, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
The only consolation for this season ticket holder is…..
I’m move closer to the 50…:-0
By Gray Mule
April 27, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Someone in the Falcon’s orginization believed in these guys and turned them loose.
Sure, we didn’t solve our problem of offensive/defensive line.
Still, this is not the end product we will see when the season opens. Why? Well, the trading season isn’t over, is it? Have all the free agents already been signed?
I, too have follow the Falcons from the Tommy N. pick way back when the Falcons were born.
Falcons have three teams to improve - Offense - Defense - Special teams. We couldn’t expect to fix them all thru just one draft. It’s not like we were just one or two players from being great.
Gray Mule
By marko
April 27, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Over the years, many draftniks have praised Atlanta’s draft classes. The problems have come from the fact that many of these kids worked out better than they played. Computer programs once proved that bumble bees could’nt fly. I’m reminded of this as I consider Dimitroff’s first draft class. Many of these guys are too short, too slow, hell some of their arms are too short. The only thing I know for sure is that they can all play football. I don’t care what the computers say, that has to count for something.
By KJinCton
April 27, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
That is if i can spell 50…
By Bravesfan79
April 27, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
I think in 2 years we will be competitive for possibly a wildcard. Go Falcons!! I do wish DJ Shockley had been given a chance tho…looks doubtfull now.
How about a situation where Ryan is the QB, and Vick is a reciever who in gimick plays throws as well?
How about 2 quarterbacks lined up and the other team dosent know who were snapping 2?? lol…ok even i had to laugh at that one..
By FittenTrim
April 27, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
What a TERRIBLE DRAFT?!?!?!
We were F’ING DESPERATE for OL and DT help!!!!
And this hair gel moron doesn’t get either!?!?!?!
What a joke!!!
By Todd
April 27, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Hey, we drafted a Dawg! Whoof Whoof!
By disgusted falcon
April 27, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Do some of you idiots really believe that Dimitroff ran the draft in new england? If I here that s** one more time I’m going to hit the roof. Scott Pioli is the genuis behind the patriots drafts. He is none other than the son-in-law of bill parcells and one of the most sought after executives in football. Dimitroff was nothing more than a glorified scout in new england and zero final say in all draft matters. GEEZ.
By falcons suck.
April 27, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
MAYBE NEXT YEAR HE GETS IT RIGHT.
By dlong
April 27, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
It’s nice to see the Falcon’s more interested in the future than selling tickets with the “Sexy” pick in Dorsey. Ryan is going to be the face of the Falcon’s for a long while.
By braja
April 27, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Very happy today. One more draft year and Falcons will be real contenders.Finaly we have GM who nows how to built the teem. Go Dimitroff,go Falcons.
By UB
April 27, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
For the Record Not a huge football fan. But I think it is funny as hell all the negative responses. How much experience do you dumb sh.its have with picking draft selections for a pro team?? Any one have more than Thomas Dimitroff?? STFU and wait to see what happens. I for one am glad to have a 6ft plus white boy with an arm for a QB. We tried it the other way and got sh.itted on. GG Ryan.
By charles harris
April 27, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
I think the falcons have chosen well when they have picked a qb in the first round(Bart,Chris Miller, Mike Vick-he had his moments) the problem is they rarely have had even a decent O-line to work with. I think Ryan is an excellent choice but we can’t throw him out there unless we have a credible,stable O-line.
By Coleman
April 27, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
OK. I can see the logic of the Matt Ryan pick at #3. I might not agree with it, but I can understand it. But I’m with Morris. I really want to hear the logic of ignoring the D Line in the rest of the draft.
I’m one of those fans who had some real enthusiasm going into this draft that we finally had some front-office leadership in place that would draft foundation players instead of flash. It’s not like we all got excited because we told ourselves that management was going to build up the lines. They said it themselves.
Maybe there’s a larger plan involving free-agent acquisitions along the line. Otherwise I’ll reserve my “blind faith” until I hear some logical rational from Dimitrov & Smith.
By Dave
April 27, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Call me whatever you want but I believe the falcon brain trust blew an opportunity to really build this team for the future. I would not have drafted Ryan I would have taken Dorsey. He is a big time player who would contribute immediately and be a force in the middle for years to come. I would not have given up two 2nd round picks to draft one o-lineman. You could have kept your 3 2nd round picks and got linemen as well as Chad Henne who you just watch will be a better pro than Ryan.When you have so many needs as the falcons have you don’t give up picks especially high second rounders. That’s just plain stupid. Dimitroff, you blew it dude in typical rookie GM fashion.
By Tdub
April 27, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Well said, Mark B. I agree with the article, certainly more positive than the other one from one of your colleagues I read this morning. Really looking forward to seeing what Ryan can do.
By Harry Hawk
April 27, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Najeh Davenpoop,
I usually post as Great Falconi on the Falcons’ boards, but dammit, I’m calling you out. You’re calling Thomas Dimitroff “Dumbitroff? You’re better than that, Najeh. If you don’t want to give Dimitroff a chance to put a team together, that’s fine. If you believe he doesn’t know what he’s doing, that is also fine. However, bailing on this team after THIS? That I cannot forgive.
By joe
April 27, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
at first, I must be honest, this draft seemed to be a bust. I mean Dorsey was there waiting for us! But looking back, I must agree and say we should trust Dimitroff. Matt Ryan might not be Peyton, but he sure looks and acts like a franchise QB to me…unlike #7 Jailbird. Y’all complain about Sam Baker, but the guy was three time All American First Team and he played at USC, so that means he was well-coached. If he had gone last year, he was only a notch behind Joe Thomas, so if his latest injury is only an isolated incident, then Thomas found a steal. As for the rest of our O-Line, with Baker, Clabo, Blalock and McClure, we are only another guard away from having a solid line who can grow together for years. Lofton seems to be a great pick, as does the safety and CB from LSU. I don’t agree with the WR pick, but I hope I am proved wrong.
GO FALCONS
By Volstar
April 27, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Dimitroff may be a football mastermind….but he definately needs to do something with his hair. He looks like the guy who played the lead in “Eraserhead”…..
By bob
April 27, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Ryan isn’t going to play much this year. So building an o-line for Ryan in this draft wouldn’t make a lot of sense. I’ll bet we stock up on linemen in free agency and future drafts over the next few years. We are rebuilding. It takes time. I think he picked players he thought fit with the type of team they want to put on the field. I like the philosophy Smith and Dimitroff put on character and toughness. Drafts are a crapshoot at best. At least they have some good guidelines for a change. I do wonder why they picked so many LBs. Might see some surprises on defense this year? I do think Ryan will be a good pro QB.
By Ed
April 27, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
I was a bit surprised at some of the picks but yeild to a smarter football mind. My only regret was the choice of running back Brown.I hope there was a logical reason for that choice and not just a pacifier to all the UGA folks.
By Miles D
April 27, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
I believe Mark Bradley’s article is a bunch of crap! Just answer this question. Of all of those picks does any of them make the team around them better! Thank You!
By kerry
April 27, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I checked the blogs last night and found a bunch of idiots that know nothing about football and tonight the same idiots are here. I see the big picture. All of you idiots were complaining a year ago that this team has no heart and no character to win in the fourth quarter. All of these draft picks if you bother to read about them have all of that and you still complain. Falcon Fever must be an idiot Tech fan to say that Thomas Brown is a joke. He sure ran all over your a**es the last four years to be a joke. Every Dawg fan knows that Thomas Brown has more heart and character, which is what TD is looking for, than anyone that has ever played at Tech. Some other idiot said that the team Vick plays for when he comes back will have more wins than the Falcons. GET THIS THROUGH YOUR THICK HEADS! Vick will never play in this league again. No owner in his right mind will sign this public relations nightmare. He is finished. He is gone. An AFL team won’t even sign him. So you Vick lovers get over it, it is over for good!
By heybud
April 27, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Hmmm. So, a GM has no plans for the OL and DL. Hmmm. That’s amazing.
Of course, Thomas Dimitroff has plans for the OL and DL. There are a number of ways to build a line.
Look at the Colts. Great offense, right? Not one of their starting offensive linemen was drafted. Not one! Every single one of their starting offensive linemen was undrafted.
I think it is ridiculous to suggest that the Falcons GM and coaching staff do not have something planned for their lines.
Time will tell if this was a good or a bad draft. No one knows that yet. No one!
By MVBO Supporter
April 27, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
blank ain’t dumb. After the team has made money off the —— era. He will build a team now and the —— will claim that —— was a loser when it was the ——.
By Mark Pringle, Roswell GA
April 27, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I am just a sick Falcons fan. A message to Blank, football is not about PR. It’s about winning. Want people to forget Vick? Draft a good team. This was our best opportunity to upgrade a bad team and we blew it to impress suburban Atlantans. This article perfectly describes why this was a horrible draft for the Falcons. This draft a PR move if I ever saw one. Unbelievable that we, yes we, would spend a #3 pick on a QB that has a 2/1 TD/Int ratio for his college career; especially when we need a d-tackle and O-tackle. A QB will not help us anytime soon without a much better o-line. Then we panic because of the run on offensive lineman and trade up to get a oft hurt o-lineman. There was no need to draft Ryan at #3 since there wasn’t a huge drop-off between the #1 QB and the #5 QB. We could of had Dorsey, traded up to get that O-lineman, and had Henne, Woodson, or Ainge. Looks like the same old, mistake prone, Falcons. We are no better than we were Friday.
“Those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.” All great teams throughout history had one thing in common - a great O-Line and good very D-Line, or, great D-Line and very good O-line…that’s it…it’s very simple. Yet, many GMs just don’t get it. Contrary to what those “experts” on ESPN say, QB’s are secondary.
Know what’s funny, this year every team stayed away from WRs early because they realize that no matter how talented a WR is (See Calvin Johnson) they have minimal impact on wins and losses. Next year, guess what position they will stay away from in the first round? (Hint: See Falcons)
By tbilisi
April 27, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
although this draft completely confounded my expectations, I’ve decided i’m not going to bail on Dimitroff and Smith yet. I want to give them a chance. You’ve got to think they had a reason for not taking ANY DTs, DEs or OGs, although it certainly seems like that would have been a priority over LB depth, WR depth and RB depth.
but I’m not bailing on them yet. I will give them a chance
By Miles D
April 27, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
One more thing. Falcon’s fans… we know what our team and city needs its obvious. But when our franchise doesn’t do right by us then they are telling us how much they care for us and how much they do and don’t care about us. We can be optimistic as we want to be but the reality of it is that WE HAVE FORTY YEARS PLUS HISTORY OF LOSING. So, let us be smart and come TOGETHER and see if WE came turn this town into the true sports town that we know it can be!
By D Fin
April 27, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
The pick to take Matt Ryan is all Arthur Blank,this is why these buzzards have never had back to back winning season because they cant draft good players, they only got one OF lineman who gets hurt, and no D lineman the saints had a better draft than these sorry buzzards and i wont go see them play at that empty dome until Blank stop trying to be like Jerry Jones and Dan Synder!!!
By Who Give A Crap
April 27, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Why are we paying Dimitroff when obviously there are a ton of folks posting here that should be running the Falcons, since they know much more than this guy.
Since they’re such geniuses, wondor why they don’t take the millions they’ve made in business and buy the team?
By EddieKang
April 27, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
It’s funny that now everybody thinks that the new GM is so smart. Our first day of the draft was terrible, but the second day was much better. Matt Ryan is not the answer for our franchise because he is no where near Schuab, and when he got his chance to be a starter in this league he couldn’t remain healthy. He played for BC, and I don’t care what Hasslebeck did or does that doesn’t mean that he’ll be good. the best QB’s in this draft were taken in the 5th round mock my words. I guarantee you that the Falcons made the public opinion pick, and didn’t take the best player available.
By Gumbo
April 27, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
TD said it was a “needs-based draft”. Call me kooky, but I didn’t realize our needs were LB, Safety (we have 6 already), and RB.
Mike Smith said we were going to build “from the insde out”. I thought that might have had something to do with drafting lineman.
Why is it that smart people come to this franchise and suddenly become MORONS?
40 years and still we have idiots……….
By Jose Suarez
April 27, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
I’ve never agreed as much with any article I’ve ever read. It’s about time somebody brings some optimist around here. I had the same sentiments about today. Good read Bradley
By N GA BOB
April 27, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
GREAT DRAFT! Why do all the 3rd year punters and Mega Church members think they know more about this than men who are getting the big bucks. Grow up and let the team prove themselves when the season starts. GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!
By Will
April 27, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Everybody has a right to their opinion even if it is wrong. For all you nay sayers about the draft I guess you get paid big bucks to determine the caliber of players and who is the best pick for the type of team that is being built. Of course you don’t so just shut up and give things a chance to work out. How much inside information do you have as to what the Falcons are still planning to do to address their needs. Once they finish putting this team together it just may not be so bad as you SUPER COACHES AND GM’S THINK!
By jeanE
April 28, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Only time will tell but given this organizations’s history, I think it was an uneccesarily risky pick.We can’t afford any risky picks. I realize no pick is a sure pick but I honestly think Dorsey was a much better choice for THIS team right now. Let’s see how Brian Brohm does in the future, too. Because we probably could’ve had Dorsey & Brohm or any of those other QB’s taken lower. I’m not real excited about that o-lineman either. I was so upset on draft day, but again, only time will tell. In my mind, this was just another screw up in a long line of screwups by this organization. Being a Falcon’s fan is the most frustrating thing ever. My favorite QB’s are not these sure pick high round studs but scrappy guys who’ve had to fight for everything, i.e. Bobby Hebert, loved him. And I refuse to give Dimitroff the benefit of the doubt, you have to prove to me you know what you’re doing with this organization, I don’t care about your past with the Patriots.
By Gunner
April 28, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
It would be interesting to me, at least, to grade the colleges and universities whose players were drafted in the NFL Draft. You could apply the “trade value” points to each draft choice and then total by school. I suspect USC would come out on top, but I’d be interested in how Georgia would come out.
By hirsutedawg
April 28, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Heybud got it exactly right. There is more than one way to build your lines. You find quality FA’s that fit your scheme. I thought we should have gone Dorsey @ 3, but I’m willing to give TD the benefit of the doubt. Give me hard hitting character guys and I’ll take my chances. Why don’t the rest of you Falcons “fans” go buy yourselves an insert name here hat and get on their bandwagon. Just don’t tear your britches jumping off when this TEAM comes together.
By Nikki
April 28, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
I don’t like this draft at all. I’m trying to stay positive by believing in the GM though. It’s been pretty tough. Believing in the GM is the only thing that’s bringing me to the Dome next season.
By Carroll
April 28, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
I guarantee you that if we put a guy behind the opposing team’s sideline with a camera, then Ryan will be every bit as good as Brady. Hell, maybe we could even make Harrington look good with the same tactic.
By monty
April 28, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I hope for Ryan’s sake he can scramble faster than Vick!
By Eric
April 28, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I though the whole game plan was to build the offensive and defensive lines. But only one lineman taken and he has short arms.Not taken anything away from Ryan, but that was a horrible pick. With the pick up of Dorsey, Abraham and Andersons role would have opened up. Are the Falcon really loved by the Owners and management or is this just another tax write-off. But the seasons to come will tell if these were note worthy picks or if we have to fire someone else and hire from the ” Pats” front office for more. And one more thing we still didn’t get a DT either.
By SCBird
April 28, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Dumb move in my opinion. Atlanta blew an opportunity to have the best draft in the league. Dorsey could have been the first pick, followed by Baker, Lofton, and Brohm (the best QB in the draft). That would have covered all basis. Blank wanted Ryan, Dimitroff didn’t make that call!
By Jay H
April 28, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Sorry, not buying it. We got Ryan, an immobile target with questionable skills (19 picks in a weak ACC?), left a season changing, run stuffing DT (dorsey) that we vitally needed on the board.
Then the Falcons utterly failed to address the interior line on both sides of the ball - but we got an undersized linebacker and some other questionable junk that didn’t fill in any of the blank spots.
Baker - the OT - while questionable as a first-rounder, at least is an attempt to address a need. Another draft, another Falcons c**-up.
Jay
By ififwasafifth
April 28, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
You simple minded hypocrites. It is so amazing how you all get such euphoria with Mike Smith and Dimitroff. Dan Reeves drafted Michael Vick. Rich McKay, Jim Mora, and Arthur Blank gave Vick that money and drafted all the so called player that were so called low character and not team guys. Now you imbeciles think that this will run away fans that don’t look or act like you. Real football fans will come anyway if they have money to spend. Football is not really a famiy affair. It is a fanatics affair and buddy the tickets are not cheap. Go to a Thrashers game there are more drunks there than anywhere along with the kids. I don’t hear you calling them thugs. I hated the draft not because the team passed on the best player in the draft. Not because they reached on Baker. Not because the picks after H. Douglas and Thomas DeCoud sucked but because the front office lied. In the press conference Dimitroff and Smith looked the part of liars and reeked of A. Blanks meddlesome ways with the high character and integrity corporate bull####. Blank lied. News flash, most of the college fans and pro fans who have the guts to speak about the truth and are really disgusted with the lies agree the draft sucked in so many ways. We are football fans. Football fans want a great product. If you want high character and a family environment go to the park or Disney land. Who cares? Fans love football. Football is about talent, speed, skill, and teamwork. You, A Blank, Dimitroff will never change that. Winning brings fan. Not a lot of stupid conversation and taking shots at fans because they are not you and may not value the same things that you value. This is 2008 still the same bull####. Blame A. Blank and Rich McKay for Vick and this fiasco that is the Falcons. Unbelievable. Clowns with courage behind a computer. Call people thugs to their face. Idiots.
By Scoots
April 28, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
Okay, I like the pick of Ryan. QB was a top priority. But how is the O-Line problem going to be solved. Where in your Blind Faith is your solution for the O-line. Even if Ryan is as good as he’s supposed to be, he needs line protection. As good as Michael Turner appears to be, he needs good blocking to do his thing. The Falcons have a horrible O-Line, and nothing was done to address that need. Dimitroff may have had fascinating answers to back up his picks, but was there any explanation on how the Lines are going to be shored up?
As good and big of a city as Atlanta is, can we not get some thorough, in-depth sports writing?
By Jay W
April 28, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
This is terrible. I have no idea why they ignored the interior of this team during the draft. These DBs and LBs are not going to do anything because the opposing QB will have all day to pass and we will not be able to stop the run AGAIN. Forget Matt Ryan. We have to great running backs and a thumper of a full back but they will be ineffective also because our o-line is awful AGAIN. The formula is simple and they messed it up. Cheering for the Falcons is like having a cheating wife. You want to stay with them but it just hurts so much.
By oldmike
April 28, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
I have a question for everyone out there. What NFL team is Mel Kiper or any of the other draft gurus running? Did they ever GManage a team to a Super Bowl? Who cares what they think other than the sponsors of the programming that hope we watch and listen to their unrelenting blabber…
By Fred
April 28, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
The Falcons draft up to draft an OT in the first round. What is the point of drafting a sub-standard/non-productive lineman late in the draft if you can get a corner, safety, or linebacker that will help immediately? I didn’t want them to draft Ryan myself, however he is now my favorite QB. Why not? Heck, he may turn out to be great.
By arichey
April 28, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
blank is still in the way.i thought dimitroff was here to make all the picks.it was obvious to espn and nfl network that blank took ryan and all the falcon war room wanted dorsey.ok so this poor kid you want to sell tickets and replace vick with no oline?the rest of those picks have dimitroff all over them.henne was sitting there in the early third round we could have got him there and had dorsey and all our other picks.blank you make it tough to stay a falcon fan!!!!!!
By Troy
April 28, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I agree this franchise already hit rock bottom, so there is now where to go but up. I was watching ESPN this mourning and they said we had a top 10 draft for sure. With Matt Ryan taking his place as the face of the franchise, things have already gotten better. Vick was great but his talent could only get us so far. In order to win you need a pocket passer who can make accurate throws and good decisions. Harry Douglas has the potential to be a top slot receiver and make Roddy White better. I think that we did end up reaching for Sam Baker, but after him the talent in O-linemen dropped off so ii could end up working out. I personally think that Keith Zinger was a steal in the 7th round because I have seen him play at LSU. He was the got to guy for Les Miles when they had to pick up a 1st down by throwing. And Thomas has the ability to be a return specialist and help share the carries with Turner and Norwood. And the linebackers, saftey, and corners, all have the chance to make are secondary really good.
Good Job with the Draft ~~~Go Dirty Birds~~~
By Richard
April 28, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
I kinda enjoy how people are bashing the Matt Ryan pick and saying the Falcons did nothing to address the O-Line. People, you’re forgetting that the Falcons made TWO first round picks and the second one was on a offensive tackle. Whether you think Sam Baker is going to be good or not, don’t say they did nothing to address that position.
My only real gripe with this draft is that I would not have passed on Glenn Dorsey for anyone else in the draft. To me he was the best player on the entire board and truthfully should not have even been available when the Falcons made their pick.
By Coach Hinz
April 28, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
First of all, everyone quit whining. It’s great how everyone becomes a general manager after the draft. I was not completely sold on Ryan, but after seeing how happy he is to be a part of this great city we call ATL and football team I stand behind him! Did you ever stop and think that a guy like Dorsey had no interest in playing for the Falcons? How do you coach and win with a player who is only here to get paid? Why would you want guys on a team that would only play hard half the time and give up when the TEAM was down? All of these guys WANT TO BE HERE! We got some good-legit guys who are “football players”. I know that Harry Douglas will turn out well having been one of his former coaches at Jonesboro HS. He is a great kid and athlete with a solid work ethic. He has been proving people wrong his whole life so this is nothing new for him. Great draft, now let’s get to work!
By Dela
April 28, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Bunch of cry babies !! Go coach your little league teams and pick the players that have the best looking moms. That’s about all ya’ll know about football !! No more thugs !! Go Falcons !!!
By Bill
April 28, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
It’s really funny to me that everybody want to dog the O-line. We led the league in rushing in 2005-2006. They had some significant injuries in 2007 and had a line coach with no NFL experience and no offensive plan. Now they have players coming back, a well-respected line coach with 20 years NFL experience and have added Sam Baker. Had he come out as a junior he would have been the second tackle drafted, but he’s smart and stayed in school. His injuries this season were minor. He’s an upgrade, and the O-line will be solid again.
On the D-line, they obviosly believe that with the additions in free agency and Trey Lewis coming back they will be ok. Mike Smith is a defensive specialist and knows more than we do. I’ll defer to his wisdom.
I like the Matt Ryan pick because he’s smart, tough and he has guts. He’s shown the ability to find a way to win. Everyone wants to talk about interceptions, but how many of them were his receivers’ failt? He didn’t exactly have a great receiving corp at BC. I like Glenn Dorsey, and I wish him well, but Ryan was a solid pick. I see a #2 jersey in my future.
The rest of the draft was need-based and solid. We’re may not be in the playoffs this year, but we’ll be better. Jack Del Rio is one of my favorite coaches, and Mike Smith coached in that system for a few years. I have faith that he brings some of that attitude and charachter with him. What I expect to see is a team with an identity, a team that knows who it is and where it’s going, a team that plays all four quarters and a team that makes us proud again. These are MY Falcons.
By skydog
April 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Even though Redman looked better at the end of last year, one game he had a zero quarterback rating. Thats a ZERO! Ryan may or may not be our answer, but I bet he doesnt throw any zeros.
By TRUTH HURTS!
April 28, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
The truth is that the overall body of work that Blank and staff have put together over the last year has amounted to nothing. The massive cuts in personnel, presumably to open up salary cap space, weren’t replaced with anything. They didn’t get out in the market and replace the cuts during free agency. They moved too soon on Turner and paid too much for him during a period of rebuilding.
More importantly, they lack the pieces to open gaps for Turner or hold a pocket for any QB.
In this game, the team (and its members) is a product that you have to market and sell. Blank, being such a business savy person, has seemingly lost sight of that. Merchandising, season ticket sales, and corporate endorsements are key.
I can understand the approach to overhaul the face and appearance of your franchise. But, the Americana look WILL NOT WORK IN THIS MARKET!
I disagree that the franchise has hit rock bottom. Bankruptcy eventually forcing this ball club to leave would be rock bottom. The consistent devaluation of this team must stop. Judging from the posts on this article, I am not the only one who views this situation this way.
The Falcons can ill afford to sell the Dome to Blackout Status. However, this is the “Milestone” that they are choosing.
This IS a issue of color. And that color is … . . GREEN!
By LINKINPRO
April 28, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
I totally agree… I wasnt sold on Ryan at first, but trust in Dimitroff that it is the right choice. Our franchise is starting fresh, kinda like when Chris Miller came onto the scene. If you go by how ESPN and Foxsports are grading our draft it is atleast a B+. I take that over what the fairweather Bird fans say any day!
By William Byrd
April 28, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
I didn’t necessary agree with the choice of Matt Ryan over Glen Dorsey, simply because the Falcons could have picked a quality quarterback with one of their two second round picks. However, I understand the move that Dimitroff and Blank were doing with the direction of the team. It is a great move from a public relation standpoint, and Matt Ryan will become the face of the organization and an all-pro. It was very necessary to put the Michael Vick era behind, and move forward. I still felt tha the Falcons should have drafted more offensive linemen to protect Matt Ryan. Maybe, the coaches see something in the current offensive linemen that the fans are obviously overlooking. Dimitroff could also make a trade for an offensive lineman before opening season. Arthur Blank is an excellent owner, although the fans are criticizing him. Arthur Blank is trying to do the right thing, but the wrong things keeps happening. Coach Mike Smith is going to surprise a lot of fans, and build this team into a championship contender. Go Falcons!
By Jim
April 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Matt F’N Ryan? At leat we are consistant with making bad choices! Another few years of bad football.
By Mark Bradley
April 28, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
I saw Matt Ryan and Glenn Dorsey play in person, and I’m not sure why people describe Dorsey as “dominant.” Take Ryan from Boston College and that team would have been Maryland. Take Dorsey from LSU and the Tigers would still have been one of the top five teams in the nation. (To me, the most impressive LSU defender was Ali Highsmith.) And if we’re going to beat up Ryan for those 19 interceptions, isn’t it fair to note that Arkansas rushed for 385 yards against the Tigers in November?
By Keeping It Real
April 28, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
QB is not the issue. We had a good QB in Vick,the guy before him, and the guys after him. The prblem was we had no OL to protect them(concussions and broken legs). We still have no OL to protect the QB. Ryan is much slower than Vick. Thinking fast with lots of character and a franchise face will not help him escape the big defensive people on the other side of the ball. Just ask Tom Brady.
There is one consolation. Since the Falcons did nothing to improve their defensive front and db’s, the other teams will run and pass the ball at will. This will lessen opportunities for Ryan to get his head handed to him. I believe the GM knows this and is looking at three years out to be 8 and 8. By that time, we should know how good Ryan actually is. Be patient Falcon fans, the wait for success is still on going.
By david
April 28, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is a competitor did u seem puking on the sidelines during that va tech comeback. Trading up to get Sam Baker is a ? but he was the last tackle available that could start right away. Chevis Jackson and Clifton are just plain good football players. Overall I like what we did I would have liked to see them take a dt instead of the montana kid, but maybe they’ll bring back Grady or Rod for a discounted price. 7-9 next yr playoffs in two yrs.
By Dave
April 28, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
It’s comical reading what all you “geniuses” have declared to bea “bad draft”. You are questioning a GM that built the Patriots…but that doesn’t matter. And your draft record is….oh, you’re an armchair quarterback. You know NOTHING about drafting players. How about the stat where not ONE of the starting offensive line for the Patriots, Giants or Colts was aguired by that team on draft day? Still nothing, huh? Hey people, SHUT UP about things you know very little about and this would be one of them. Our GM has more knowledge about football players and potential in his eyebrow than you will aquire your entire life. Don’t sit behind a surgeon and comment “Well, I wouldn’t do this.”. It’s funny listening to posters saying how full of crap Dimitroff is, when by reading such a post reveals just how full of crap the poster really is. GO BIRDS!
By Al
April 28, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
If you have so much “faith” then plunk down $1,000 and buy a season ticket.
For my money (or lack thereof since I cancelled my 3 season tickets) the draft pandered to Blank’ ego and desire to forever distance himself from the question of “will Mike Vick come back”.
By Rogue 42
April 28, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Folks, this is a marathon, it aint a sprint. Ryan was, and is, the right choice for this team and TD had a very good draft. Have you not heard of trades and free agency? Do you think that maybe, just maybe, some of those heavy up picks were made with trade packaging in mind?
The reality was that, as DT has said, by the time you got to the 3rd round there were not a lot of quality D-line or O-line players to be had that fit Smith and DT’s gameplan. I think there will be some interesting developments to come over the next few months. I also think that there is a lot of good talent in place on the O-line now — last year’s coaching was atrocious and run by a guy who had never coached in the pros, ever. Given our new head coach is a D-Line guy, I think he has a pretty good idea of what he has and what he needs.
Lastly, as far as Vick is concerned — thank god we can now turn the page.
By leo
April 28, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
GREAT job! Mr. D filled our number 1 and 2 needs, and got much more from this draft in the other rounds than I expected. Yes we need o lineman, but Mr. D. hasn’t let me down yet. Keep up the good work and stay focused on the goals.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 28, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
I don’t recall N.E. having any sexy drafts. Give the guy and the players he selected a chance. Do you really thing Atl’s gonna make the playoffs next yr. anyway?
By Tiger Dan
April 28, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
As a longtime Atlanta resident, and life-long Saints fan, I want to personally thank the FalCan’ts for not drafting Glenn Dorsey…you guys blew that one big time. But I commend them in getting Chevais Jackson (from my LSU Tigers as well). I can’t win ‘em all. But he is a hella of a corner…don’t believe me, ask the OSU Suckeyes wide receivers!!!! You guys are gonna be alright, I’m just glad you didn’t get Big Glenn.
By Bill
April 28, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
And for the record, I have four season tickets that I will continue to keep for a long time. I’m not a quitter; I’m a fan, and I support MY TEAM! GO FALCONS!!!