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DEL.ICIO.USSome insight on Dimitroff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Phoenix — With new Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff learning and earning his trade as a college talent evaluator, there might be some concerns about his ability to handle all the duties of a general manager: disciplining players, executing trades, handling free agency, etc.. Dimitroff hasn’t done those things before.
That doesn’t mean he’s unprepared to handle those jobs, though.
Dimitroff’s former boss, Scott Pioli, the New England Patriots vice president of player personnel, told me at a pre-Super Bowl news conference Thursday that Dimitroff, “when he had free time, spent a large majority of his time training for this job.”
By that Pioli said Dimitroff attended the NFL management council’s meetings to learn about salary-cap management, learning the ins and outs of the collective bargaining agreement and mastering the rules involving a variety of player personnel issues. He also said Dimitroff has established relationships with countless player agents, which is highly important.
The youthful-looking Dimitroff also, “will have no problem disciplining people” if need be, Pioli said. “Thomas is a very principled person. He was raised a certain way and he knows to have success in football how important discipline is.”
Pioli added that Dimitroff was deeply involved in the Patriots’ draft each year and that Dimitroff ran draft preparation meetings. He said Dimitroff was very involved in the draft process on draft day and that he is very comfortable with all the issues that could arise during the draft process.
Dimitroff also is smart enough to know that he has to rely on others for help and that he has to delegate duties in order for a football operation to successfully work, Pioli said.
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By Dr. Warren
January 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Learning by attending meetings is not the same as learning through day-to-day actions, in real time, predicated upon real sink-or-swim decisions. It’s the difference between having an MBA and having 10 years of hands on experience as an executive. Let’s get real people—this move is yet another throw of the dice for “our” Atlanta Falcons.
By Chris
January 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I’m only posting in hopes that some fool will post “First!” right after me…
By Tyger
January 31, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
sure he did
By Mave2124
January 31, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Steve,
Keep this up. I like the updates each day with some ‘meat’ to them. I know it won’t come for awhile, but I am curious how the Falcons will use that top draft pick - O-line, QB or RB???
Any other Falcons in Arizona? Falcon officials?
Is the staff complete or are there any other spots to fill??
Is Blank going to be like Rich McKay and more scarce the next few months with Tom and Mike being the football face of the team as coach and GM?
Long off season with so much to find out, hopefully for the last time with a new head coach for a few years!
By MannyT
January 31, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Isn’t McKay there to make sure that he gets help on the administrative side of the ball?
If not, what is he doing for that contract extension?
It will be interesting to see the changes Dimitroff makes during the offseason.
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 31, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Nice blogs. Dimitroff comes from a successful organization and has a track record of success, which is a good sign. Unfortunately, you can’t say the same for the coaching staff.
By Great Falconi
January 31, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Pioli knows of what he speaks. If Dimitroff sucked, the Pats never would have had him in the organization in the first place. He may end up being unable to avoid the eternal suckhole of this Falcons franchise, but he’s been trained and prepared well.
By Super Dr. Bill
January 31, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Pioli, Belichik, etc. had to get their start somewhere. I hope Dimitroff and Smith grow into a great GM and head coach respectively. They can’t do any worse than what we’ve had recently. Maybe they’ll be the next coming of LeBaron-Braatz and Bennett.
By luke0981
January 31, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
You guys never cease to amaze me, if the falcons had hired a retread then we would be reading posts about how they never bring any new blood in just go after the same ole geezers that someone else has already fired. Thomas Dimitroff seems well qualified for this job and he does come from the most successful team in the NFL right now and he does have to get his start somewher so why not with the Falcons or would you prefer for them to bring back Ken Herock as GM and Leeman Bennett as Coach.
By Dawgs2008
January 31, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
When are they going to start to shape up the roster? Let’s cut someone and start the rebuilding!! This is boring!!!!!
By Edgar
January 31, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Every position seems to be getting filled without that BIG HEADLINE which is fine with me. Let’s see how unspectacular the draft is when Dimitroff trades for Brady Quinn and uses his draft choices for an offensive lineman. Maybe 2. What I really can’t wait for is how the pundits react. Chris Redman will work great for a couple of years if need be.
By Singletary
January 31, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Hey — TD is 41. This is his big management break. He’s going to give it his best shot.
My thought is — as a college draft guru — he’s now going to put any potential draftees through the “dog screener” for hidden felonies and other personal proclivities that aren’t NFL “material” in addition to can they play top flight ball.
Also, let’s Steve feed to us without a lot of filter (or criticism by posters) this week. If we aren’t getting deeply researched, hard- hitting pieces in the hoopla of SB week, that’s because… it’s not our team playing there.
By Chad
January 31, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the updates Steve, maybe this regime will be more open to you and the fans. Looks like we are off to a good start!
By The Bon
January 31, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
“6th”
By Chikara
January 31, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
For a person with the word “Dr.” in their name, you sure are stupid. EVERY team that drafts a GM is rolling the dice. When a team drafts a player they are rolling the dice. In any personnel decision a franchise is rolling the dice. Experienced GMs get hired all the time and that doesn’t automatically translate into wins.
The Giants hired a first time GM this year and where did they end up? Exactly. Making negative comments just for the sake of being negative is dumb.
By Shiney McShine
January 31, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
I’m fat.
By Southside Falcon
January 31, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
This article gives me more confidence that Dimitroof was the right choice. Under Pioli and the mighty patriots he drafted key players to their orginaization. Good enough for me
By Historically accurate
January 31, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
There was nothing wrong with Leeman Bennett as coach. He brought this team its first credibility. Now, the clown who followed him, Dan Henning, was a disaster of Petrino proportions.
By Dawgs2008
January 31, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Clean House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dunn, Crumpler, Brooking, Coleman, D. Hall, J. Williams, Crocker, Etc.
Hit the road and good riddance!!!!!
By In the round 1980
January 31, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Hey, I’m a happy. Reading the bios everyone is connected in some way or another which translates to they are all on the same page. Also, look at the combined years of coaching and NFL experience on the new staff. If Arthur and Rich can keep their hands off and deal with league issues, the “Birds” just might pull a Cinderella act in a couple or three seasons. And Steve, kudos, man.
By NASCARfan
January 31, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
This BEST thing about Thomas Dimitroff is that we know the Falcons will FINALLY draft players from Georgia and the SEC.
No more receivers from Ohio State. No more OVERRATED linebackers from Bugland (when they SHOULD have drafted Takeo Spikes). No more THUGS from VaTech.
Who wants to bet that he’ll draft Howard as a LB in the third or fourth round? Or takes a chance on Lumpkin in free agency? Or definately drafts Brandon Coutou to finally address our kicker issues?
I love Dimitroff being in Atlanta. We can finally have some Bulldogs play for the Falcons.