Falcons

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 29, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Hmm… so that now makes two coordinators from the 1-15 Miami Dolphins, and the other coordinator from last year’s 4-12 Falcons?

Sounds great…

By Poor McKay

January 29, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Did the Redskins retain their o-line coach because that team usually boasts a very good (and physical) line. Any former Falcons under consideration for that gig? What’s Bob Whitfield doing these days?

By Derek

January 29, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Hey Steve, any speculation who they might be looking at, or who might be a good fit?

By Derek

January 29, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

For the O-Line coach that is.

By ATFF

January 29, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

First!

By Catnip

January 29, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Falcons to win by 21 points!

By ATFF

January 29, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

I meant Fifth!!!

By doobird

January 29, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

I wonder about all these ex-Miami coaches … and what they did in last year’s 15 losses. I don’t believe you can blame the head coach for all 15 do you????? Is it just because they are available and CHEAP???? or is Parcells’ house cleaning in Miami over-kill?? Also why wasn’t Hue Jackson retained. He called the plays after Petrino left and the birds put up a lot of points. It merits some response, don’t you think??? What about it Steve????

By James

January 29, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Steve, If you see Thomas Dimitroff or M. Smith maybe explain how very,very,very,very important getting good o-lineman will impact of team. And how our D-line and Lb have to be aggressive not passive.

By mahjk17

January 29, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff are idiots. First almost half the assistant s we hired was from the 1-15 dolphins and the 4-12 falcons. The Falcons are going to be one of the worst teams for a long time. Draft Matt Ryan

By Steve T

January 29, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

I think the new coach has done well thus far. His best move was to make Mr. Thomas Ast. head coach. The next best move was to get a power running game. With all the speed the falcons will have at WR, this could be a very dangerous mix.

I think Redmond is good enough to win in the new system. I think they need to get the best RB in the draft. It looks like the McFadden may help the falcons.

I like Chad Henne and I think the falcons can pick him up in the second round. I also like the QB from Purdue. I was impressed with how quick he can get the ball to the target. He has a very good arm and I can see Mr. Robinson and White leaving DBs in the dust

The next area is trade Brookings. I know he ia a fan favorite, but the guy suxs. They have two LBS who will attack behind the line instead of 5-10 yards downfield. They need a Middle Linebacker

Finally, they need help on both sides of the line. The place to start is in the middle of the 0-line. I think they need to get a bigger powerful center. Then get a big powerful gaurd that can challenge for a starting spot. Then get a big left tackle to protect the QB blindside.

On defense, they need to get at least one big stud at DT and a good pass rusher at DE.

By hal

January 29, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Van “goner” still is no good.

By Steve T

January 29, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Hue was not retain as OC because the falcons are going in a new direction. They will become a power running team like the 90s steelers. They never had any problem handling 8 guys in the box, and with a the speed at WRs that could become a deadly combo.

By San Antonio Falcon

January 29, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

I think Hue Jackson should have got some consideration as well. The offense did put up some points when he wasn’t busy interviewing for the Duke job. Poor Bast*&^, could not even land that job. This staff is a bit troublesome, couldn’t Smitty pull a few of Jacksonville’s coordinators.

By Falcons Fan

January 29, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

hey guys i know this dosent relate to this article but why are they thinking about getting a qb i mean redmens doin ok but there going to put harrington in but dont they need to get wid of warren dunn and maybe draft one of there good drafts and give the good draft to another team for a couple of their players

By Ken Strickland

January 29, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

NEJAH, DOOBIRD, sometimes a position coach takes the blame when he’s not given much talent to work with. Let’s face it, Miami lost 15gms because they simply didn’t have much talent. And what they did have is getting along in yrs. Also, you have to look at the accomplishments of these coaches before getting involved in that Miami mess.

Look at Dennis Green. If you judged him on his accomplishments with the Cardinals you might not be impressed. However, if you look at his previous accomplishments at Stanford Univ. and with the Vikings you’d have an entirely different opinion. Also, imagine where New England would be if they’d judged Randy Moss based on his recent history with Oakland instead of the Vikings.

Coaches usually maintain direct and/or indirect communication with each other about their situations. That gives them more information and insight into whether it’s really the coaches fault.

By TheJama

January 29, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait for free agency to begin. Based upon Dimitroff’s press release, we should have a very good idea of who and what we are targeting with our first and second round draft picks. i.e. If we sign a runningback don’t expect us to draft McFadden, same for Matt Ryan.

I really see us trading down a few spots and getting OT Ryan Clady at the 6-8 spot. Then using what would most likely be 3 second round picks (we have 2 already)to get a beefcake DT and then use the later pick(s) to get Henne or Ainge and a safety.

Like I said, the draft will greatly be dictated by what we accomplish in free agency.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 29, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Ken, unfortunately, the “accomplishments” of these assistants before they joined the Dolphins are nothing spectacular either.

Maybe Mike Mularkey, Brian VanGorder, and Keith Armstrong actually are great coaches who haven’t had the right opportunity to prove it yet. I certainly hope so. But this is what I do know — I thought the entire Jim Mora staff was hot steaming garbage when they were hired, and I thought Petrino and his staff were questionable when they were hired. I’m no expert, far from it, actually. But so far, I appear to be 2 for 2, while Arthur Blank and Rich McKay are 0 for 2. So until they can prove me wrong, I’ll trust my judgment.

By Famuan

January 29, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Which NFL teams had power running games this past season?

By Dex in Va.

January 29, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Hey, I hope the Falcons draft either DT Dorsey (LSU) or DT Ellis (USC) with their first pick and use their two 2nd round picks on two offensive tackles. The Falcons must strengthen their defensive and offensive lines first and then go for a top level quarterback next or thru free agency. Picking a quarterback as a first pick is too risky and too expensive. Falcons have enough talent at the quarterback position to manage the offense… hey no quarterback (not even Tom Brady) can do the job on their backs.

By Tommy Allison

January 29, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

I know OL coach is important, but what about TE, LB & Secondary. I don’t believe these positions have been filled. Is Chris Foerster being considered at OL coach?

By Singletary

January 29, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Dear Steve — To be a bit forward, here are the questions I’d recommend while you are hanging with the “shovers and makers.”

1/ Does “draft for need” translate into OLine and DLine? If so, who are they looking at?

2/ Can we puh-leeze have an article written about QBs already in the league who might prove promising rather than just 1st Round draftees that will 1/ hold out 2/ not learn the playbook and 3/ bust the salary cap preventing hiring a massive line.

2a/ Would someone discuss the merits of Quinn/Anderson (their choice,) Rodgers, etc. (even the aged Volek) rather than college QBs with no NFL seasoning?

3/ Why not move Brooking to his favored weak side and look at FAs or other teammates to step up and play MLB. Heart & brains can train others and make a difference.

4/ Why not (finally) draft/acquire the TJ Duckett replacement pile-moving runner. If that is McFadden, so be it. Let Warrick Dunn play to his strength, as he is still fast but needs creative use/playcalling.

5/ Do MS and TD feel they can get an accurate preview of existing talent before Draft Day? I mean, film from the Petrino Error (era) will not be indicative of talent on the field.

6/ Will Redman (yes, Petrino’s one proven decision so far) be given a chance to compete for the 1st String?

7/ Can anyone update us on the return of $20 million from He Who Shall Not be Named?

Thanks, Steve, we fans who are about to be withering in the offseason drought are really counting on these last drops of real hard talent analysis to sustain us for a few months…

By In the round 1980

January 29, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Mike and Thomas are filling the ranks of the staff quickly. They obviously have a game plan and are executing it now. Bear in mind it’s not so much the people that are being hired but the synergy of the staff. That wins over players and that wins games and championships.

It is extremely important to have everyone in place and on the same page by draft time. That builds teams. Management, coaches, players, it takes everyone and from my humble perspective, I believe “this dog is gonna hunt” or better yet “this bird is gonna fly”.

And like most fans, it is about time. I know. It’s been twenty eight years since 1980, In the round, the old stadium.

By coocoo birdfan

January 29, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Run it, then run it again, then run it some more. Tailback rich draft, If Ryan is available take him, and then get a big strong back in the later rounds. I have flip flopped on Ryan numerous times but his upside is tremendous and he’s got a cannon for a right arm. If we could get Mcfadden that would be nice but he’ll be gone to Miami/Dallas first pick. If Long the DE is there he’s a possibility but you have to get a QB and a RB in the later rounds. We’ll still fly in Atlanta, all haters stand down.

By Dol-Phan

January 30, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

Sorry to see you got stuck with Armstrong .. Your new head coach couldn’t have watched much tape as the “not so special teams” work of the ‘Fins was pathetic all year … you guys deserve better after the mess you lived through this year…

By falcon30901

January 30, 2008 4:07 AM | Link to this

The guy above me must be a republican. Ken Strickland is making excuses for the new coaches being hired. Mid season i guess were not going to be Falcon’s fans for badgering the coaches when were 0-9. LOL. He is crazy for blaming the Dolphin players for the 1-15 season. The same players were 6-10 the year before. Why do you think the coaches were left without jobs. Especially when coaches were being hired while the Falcons were searching for a head coach and GM. Hiring ex Dolphin coaches is part of the new Falcon’s joke. Good coaches have jobs. They are promoted to a new job with another team or within the organization. If we can find talent and bulk along both lines i think we can be a playoff team. I would let Redman and Shockley fight it out for the QB job. In hind site if the falcons would have drafted 3 O-linemen with their first 3 picks we would be alot better organization. We could have drafted 2 more this year and had the building blocks for a 15 year run in the playoffs.
Now we have cant get a sack Anderson and 2 touchdowns a game Houston. With a solid O-lineman in Blalock.

By rayskee

January 30, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this

I agree with you 100%. I like Warrick Dunn, but I think Mcfadden would bring a new spark to the running game. Boost the interior line play and I really think the Falcons are gonna be very competitive in the South!

By JohnGTFan

January 30, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this

I think the first thing ATL needs to do is lock up Michael Boley. No way we can afford to lose him. Then get rid of Brooking. Yes, I’m a huge GT fan…but I get tired of people praising him for making tackles 6, 7 and 8 yards down field. How about behind or at least near the line of scrimmage for a change!!!! Redmond will be fine as far as the “named starter” for the preseason…but definitely a very good QB could be had in this draft in the 2nd, 3rd or ever 4th round. ATL needs lineman, both sides, but especially the “O”. If we don’t make a big splash in free agency or via trade…I would love McFadden with their first choice…however, if ATL drafts 4th or 5th, I don’t see him available…so I could go with best OL available. Here’s my two cents, for what it’s worth: 1: OL/RB 2: DL (IF OL is taken first) 3. QB 4. RB 5. OL 6. LB 7. DB 8. DL 9. OL 10. RB

This is assuming ATL has 10 picks…that’s what I think they have.

By JohnGTFan

January 30, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this

Of course, if ATL trades for McNabb (not out of the question), if nothing else, would be a good PR move to get fans back in the stands…then we can look for a possible QB steal on the 2nd day of the draft.

By toshie

January 30, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this

Someone mentioned the Falcons looking at a QB. The best I remember that Dimitroff made a statement in his first introduction that he snubbed QB’s in the draft. So if that is true I look for us to be getting help on the offensive and defensive lines. I sure hope so. Also I agree the Dunn needs to be gone and we need a big back.

By AL

January 30, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

I agree with some of the other comments. Sure does seem like we are getting a lot of people from losing teams to coach the birds. I guess we will see…

By bucko

January 30, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

the falcons do not have to draft a qb redman is a pure passer and can read defenses. so put all of your energy in the running back, ol, and dl. i also agree with it is time to let brooking go.

By Myrna Minkoff

January 30, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

“The paper has decided that our readers want to know more about what’s going on in their relative backyard so that’s my mission — to bring to you what matters’ most.”

Written like a beat writer unwillingly following the latest edicts from above. However, this time, I like those edicts and your (?) ideas for what you might talk to folks about.

Suck it up. You’re a pro.

By Kuykendall Krazy

January 30, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Great idea on Whitfield “Poor McKay.” Let’s hire as our offensive line coach a guy who admittedly loafed through practices whenever the coaches weren’t looking and complained about having to work too hard in practice as a player under Coughlin in 2006 while with the Giants, in a Sports Illustrated Article.