AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNFL meetings underway; new GM in demand
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PALM BEACH, Fl. - I’m here at the NFL’s annual meetings, where just about every league official and coach is in attendance - including New England coach Bill Belichick.
The interesting thing about Belichick’s presence is the theme for most of these meetings is integrity and establishing trust in the league - a theme that was spurred in large part by Spygate, in which Belichick’s Patriots were punished for video taping the Jets defensive signals.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith, GM Thomas Dimitroff and president Rich McKay are representing the local team. Dimitroff has been in high demand by the national media, in part because with four draft picks in the top 48, Atlanta could be a major navigator in shaping the April 26-27 draft.
I’ll be spending some time with Dimitroff in the next few days and will provide updates on some of the topics we’ll discuss, which hopefully will include Jason Elam, the quarterback situation, replacing D-Hall and the draft.
I spent Sunday hanging with Smith, who in his new role as head coach got put through the coaching gauntlet - a 2 1/2-hour, 7-station drill in which he had to model league apparel for its fashion catalog, interview with NFL Films and shoot commercials for NFL Network. My story and Jason Getz’s great photo display will appear in the AJC and AJC.com on Wednesday, I believe.
I’ll be blogging through these meetings to update you on some of the rules and policy changes being discussed. The key topics - players’ hair length, a sideline-to-helmet communication device and playoff re-seeding (wild card teams with better records than division champs could be allowed to host first-round playoff games).
There also will be a wealth of talk about labor harmony/disharmony between NFL owners and the NFL Players Association. The owners have given indications that, in November, they will opt out of the collective bargaining agreement that they reached with the union at the 11th hour in 2006. If discord arises, there will be no salary cap starting in 2010 if there is a season. The typical labor banter of lockouts and strikes could arise.
To continue this conversation, click here for Steve Wyche’s updated blog.
Comments
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By David
March 31, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Are these meetings anything like MLB’s winter meetings where GM’s often start talk of trades, etc.? Any potential of that here?
By mountain jim
March 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
What time today will the compensatory picks be announced? (Waiting to find out if McKay botched us out of an extra 3 for Kearney, with a 7 awarded instead.)
By Walter Earl
March 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
This will be a great move to have 300 pounders acrcoss the ofl and the dfl side of the ball. As far as coach Smith is concern now you talking Football mam to man power,speed,and stop the run…..The FALCONS could stand their ground especially if they let the defend get some rest.If they follow Booking insight I thing we could have a winning season.
By Ken Strickland
March 31, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Since Smith is a DEF minded HC, could you find out if he intends to start the draft with a DEF pick. Since we’ve signed 3 FA DT’s, do we expect to get a starter out of that group, which would still leave us short a pass rushing starter. It’s important since OT, CB and QB are the drafts deepest and highest rated positions, and DT is one of the drafts weakest(especially after Dorsey and Ellis, and maybe the DT from N Carolina).
Some mock drafts have us taking DE Long. Why would we spend our top pick on another DE? We traded our top pick for DE JAbraham in 06, and made DE JAnderson our top pick last yr. DEFENSIVELY, our biggest needs are DT and CB, and we need depth at FS, SS, OLB and ILB. OFFENSIVELY, our biggest need is LT. We should draft with the idea of future upgrades at RT, QB, TE and possibly RG. We need more depth at RB and WR.
With 10 to 11 picks, and some astute drafting, we can address most of those needs. Something tells me there will be more successful QB’s taken in the 2nd rd than in the 1st. Most QB’s picked in the 1st rd will be picked for being more polished rather than being more skilled. After a couple of yrs of tutoring, we might see those with less polish, but more talent, becoming better QB’s.
By jag count
March 31, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
when are we cutting brookins he makes too much money to make tackles 5-10 yards down field
By GATORZONE
March 31, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Jag count… WHen are you going to learn how to spell? It’s Brookings, not Brookins.
By Bob Sacamano
March 31, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Here’s how you add not only smart, team-first play at the CB position, but some much needed veteran leadership as well.
Trade a mid-round pick to Philly for Lito Sheppard and then sign Ty Law to either be the No. 2 CB, if Houston isn’t ready, or the nickel back, if Houston is ready.
There. Problem solved.
By Phoenix
March 31, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
I thought it was brooking and they should draft jake long. If hes not there, take Dorsey or Ellis. Dont take sorry Matt Ryan
By David Duke
March 31, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Hey Gatorzone, you are really sharp. It’s B-r-o-o-k-i-n-g moron!
By suwaneeJim
March 31, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Is player hair length really a problem? How many players have hair that is long enough to cover their name/number? Has anyone asked them to either cut it or put it in their helmet?! Braid it? Skull cap it?! Do owners and other officials REALLY need to spend time on ‘hair styles of the NFL’?!!
By suwaneeJim
March 31, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
OH … and it’s Brooking not Brookings …. there’s only one of him!
By S. Aleck
March 31, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Will you have commenting open on your blog for longer than the usual two hours? If this shows up, I guess I’ll have my answer.
By hotrod
March 31, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
I think brookins restructered his deal to stay,so its cheaper to pay the dirtdawber to chase rbs.15 yds downfield
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 31, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
I’m a huge fan of the Lito Sheppard idea. I honestly don’t know why Philly burned so much money on Asante Samuel (who is really good, don’t get me wrong) when they have Sheppard and Sheldon Brown already. If a 3rd round pick will bring him here I’m all for it.
With the #3 pick, address a line position or trade down and address a line position. It’s that simple.
By Pete
March 31, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Thomas Dimitroff is the BEST thing ever to happen to the Falcons. He has forgotton more about NFL football than all previous “dimbulbs” employed by this franchise.
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 31, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
The hair length thing is just another example of Roger Goodell being an idiot.
Just like with the conduct policy, he’s bringing unnecessary attention to something that wasn’t really considered an issue to begin with. Nobody talked about player misconduct in the NFL in the media until Goodell started suspending people for entire seasons. Nobody was complaining about hair length until Goodell started talking about this idiotic rule. I mean what the hell, people already don’t know what half these players’ faces look like, why not let them grow their hair long so they can market something about themselves. And if someone drags down Troy Polamalu by his hair that’s a risk he takes.
Goodell is a moron.
By Green Tea
March 31, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Dear Walter Earl, I just wanted to thank you for the migrane I know have after attempting to read your blog post. Geezus dude…
And to Wyche, why do we feel the need to “replace” D-Hall? A top notch pass rush is what this team needs, surely you know this.
By joe
March 31, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
no depth at WR!? Are you crazy, ken? White, Jenkins, Robinson, Horn, Finnneran, Adam Jennings…PLEASE do not draft another WR!
By Joey
March 31, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Yes, NFL owners need to spend time on hairstyles, Jim. What, you want the NFL to morph into the NBA? Hopefully not.
By Mike
March 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
The hair thing is odd to me.If I was a player I wouldn’t want my hair that long and have a chance to have it ripped out by being tackled by it. As far as the league side to it goes I can see how they wouldn’t want a players name or number being covered or obstructed by hair length. This is a league that fined D.Sanders like 10g’s a game for all his uniform violations..right? As far as the Falcons draft goes I personally can’t wait.With 4 picks in the top 48 the odds of them not getting at least 2 good players are pretty slim.Just don’t go drafting another Bruce or Cotton and they’ll be OK.
By Billy
March 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Fix the 0 and D-lines and replace D. Hall.
By Paddy
March 31, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Expanded sideline communication for the defense will pass…
The hair issue is a 50/50 proposition…
re-alignment of playoff teams does not stand a chance of passing…
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Holy cow, an actual new blog on the Falcons. Must be the end of the month.
By Green Tea
March 31, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Ouch… now not “know”
By David Duke
March 31, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
The hair issue is legitimate. Last season, Troy Polamolu intercepted a pass and was headed for the end zone when a member of the opposing team grabbed onto his hair and rode him to earth like he was a mustang on the plains in Wyoming. He was not seriously injured but he could have been. The NFL doesn’t want players hurt and it really doesn’t want the lawsuits when they are!
By kdlang
March 31, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Don’t get too excited banksey, you know it won’t last. Won’t get another one until minicamp.
By JEFF CARTER
March 31, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Whatever happens, dont draft anymore players from Virginia Tech!!! We’ve had enough thugs from there such as vick, Meangello, and the wonderful hard-hitting Jimmy Williams who hasnt done a thing! Go after good character “team players” like Chris Long and Dan Connor out of …all leaders*
By Steve Wyche
March 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, Falcons got third-round pick (in the compensatory draft. That gives them six picks in the first three rounds and 11 overall.
By ChicagoPOW
March 31, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Does anyone remember the play last year when a long-haired player caught a pass near the sideline, went to the ground untouched, got up and advanced the ball only to be called back because HIS HAIR grazed the sideline? That alone would be reason enough for me to cut my hair as a player - no need for a rule.
By morris
March 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Personally, I don’t see how someone could say Goodell is an idiot for instituting a conduct policy. It was a good move and should have happened sooner. Some of these NFL players had gotten out of control. Pacman Jones was involved in an incident in a night club that left a man permanently paralyzed. Does anyone here think this guy didn’t deserve to be punished? Eight freakin arrest since he entered the league. I live in a small town and if my name appeared in the local paper for eight seperate arrest, then rest assured I would lose my job. Some of these professional atheletes become such egomaniacs that they think they can do anything and get away with it. Pro football players should have to live up to a moral code of conduct just like the rest of society if they want to continue to stay employed.